|
|
African-American
Fiction - New Reviews
5.0 Books = Classic | 4.0 - 4.5
Books = Impressive | 3.0 - 3.5 Books =
Noteworthy
|
|
 
4.5 out of 5 books |
|
Allison Hobbs
A Bona Fide Gold Digger
|
Milan Walden is
young, sexy and living the high life. She has a high-power
career, respect, and money to get just about anything she
wants. But when she suddenly finds herself unemployed and
facing criminal charges, she has to start back over at
square one. With no other options available to her, Milan
takes the job of being a live-in companion to an ailing
millionaire Noah Brockington. Milan quickly decides
that she will fight to become the sole heir of the
Brockington fortune by convincing Noah into marrying her.
She soon finds out that this will not be easy as it seems
when Noah requires Milan to fulfill some of his twisted
sexual fetishes and to sign a strange pre-nup before they
get married. To further complicate matters, Milan has a
secret sex life and falls in love with a sexy gym trainer
named Gerard. Will Milan get the fame and fortune that she
thinks she deserves?
A Bona Fide
Gold Digger is a sexy, titillating novel by Allison
Hobbs. This story takes you on a wild ride as you discover
what Milan has to do in order to be Noah’s wife. Fans of
erotic fiction will be pleased with this novel because this
is erotica of the highest order. If you’ve never read any of
this author’s previous works, A Bona Fide Gold Digger
will make you rush to your local bookstore to get all of her
previous titles. Hobbs does an excellent job of creating a
seductively enticing storyline with jaw-dropping twists.
A Bona Fide Gold Digger is a sensuous and provocative
novel that will have you craving for Allison Hobbs’ next
release.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
for Urban-Reviews.com
Check out our
exclusive audio interview with Allison Hobbs
in the On The Line section.
|
|
3.5 out of 5 books |
|
Roxy Reynolds
learned the rules of the street two decades ago as a small
member of what was once New York’s most powerful drug
organizations. She also became a single mother at age 14
and struggled to survive by any means necessary in order
to raise her daughter Chyna. Now Chyna has grown up to
become a sexy exotic dancer with a baby girl of her own.
Roxy now runs a powerful gun-trafficking ring called
Harlem Heat. This business is very lucrative and Roxy will
do anything to keep it. But when former drug kingpin
Panama Pete comes home after a fifteen year prison bid,
Roxy and Chyna are pushed into a sea of violence and
mayhem that have them running from the law.
Harlem Heat
is an action packed novella from Mark Anthony. Anthony
created a unique storyline with having Roxy running such a
powerful street operation that you would usually see men
running. There is a lot of fast-paced action and drama in
this story that will keep the reader on their toes.
Although this was an innovative storyline, the story
itself seemed a little too rushed at times, and it felt
like there should have been a little more. It would have
been nice to see a little more character development with
Roxy and Chyna’s characters. With those issues aside,
Harlem Heat is still a widely entertaining read.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
|
50 Cent & Mark Anthony
Harlem Heat
|
|
|
4.5 out of 5 books |
|
Angie Daniels
Trouble Loves Company
|
Have you ever
heard the statement; "Friends to the end?" Well for Kayla
Johnson, Renee Moore, and Danielle Brooks, that statement
is a fact.
For erotic author Renee Moore, love is a fantasy and only
exists in the books she writes. She has a husband that
worships the ground she walks on and will do whatever it
takes to make her happy...even if that means finding other
men to fulfill all of her sexual fantasies. Renee will
soon have to confront the problems in her marriage and her
life. Everything comes crashing down all at once, and it
is getting to be too much to deal with. Is she ready to
confront those problems or will she just continue to
ignore them?
Kayla Johnson is an administrative assistant who dreams of
finding a man that will love her unconditionally. She's
looking for a man that will not use her for money, sex or
a place to lay their head. She thought she had found that
in Rev. Leroy Brown. He was everything she needed. He was
attentive, sensitive, and very passionate. It's too bad
that he had a wife and kids that he was not willing to
give up. Kayla soon finds out that her knight in shining
armor was nothing more than a dog in a suit. She finally
realizes that Rev. Brown was not going to leave his wife
for her anytime soon, especially since he was spending
"quality time" with more than just her. When she finally
decides to leave him and go on with her life, she realizes
that the "Good Reverend" has a stronger hold over her than
she thought.
Licensed Practical Nurse Danielle Brooks has always liked
her men young and thugged out. That's until her latest
ruffneck Ron puts her through more drama than she can
handle. Unfortunately for her, he's not her only
problem. She has a daughter named Portia who has cried
wolf one too many times, and her latest dilemma is over
the top. Portia becomes pregnant, and guess who she says
is her baby daddy? Who will Danielle believe? Will it be
the right decision?
Angie Daniels has done it again with Trouble Loves
Company. She catches your attention the moment you
open the book. Once you start reading it, it'll be hard
for you to put it down. Ms. Daniels has done a good job
connecting all of the characters and giving just the right
amount of detail about each person. If you are someone
with a good imagination, then this book is for you. I
recommend that when you finish reading Trouble Loves
Compamy, call your girl and tell her to read it.
There's so many details that you won't stop talking about
it for awhile.
Reviewed by Jackie for
Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with Angie Daniels
in the Inside Out section.
|
|
4 out of 5 books |
|
Detective Joe
Johnson is pushed into one of the most dangerous and
difficult cases of his career after a single phone call.
Joe’s friend and former love interest undercover FBI
agent Cheryl Chase has called him for help because she
feels that her cover is in danger of being blown. Cheryl
is working deep undercover to try to bring down a ring
of dirty assassin cops. Joe is going against the advice
of his partner and his wife to leave his dying father’s
bedside to save Cheryl who he feels indebted to. But
will it all be worth it?
Black Rain
is a good mystery by Vincent Alexandria. Alexandria
brought us an intriguing storyline with complex
characters. You feel the uncertainty of Joe as he’s
trying to save a friend in need and still be there for
his family. This book is filled with all of the
high-action drama that makes a good cop mystery story.
Alexandria does an excellent job of pulling the reader
in from the first page. Although this is the third
installment of this series, you don’t have to read the
prior books in order to read this one. Black Rain
is suspenseful and pleasurable that will have you
eagerly waiting for the next installment.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with
Vincent Alexandria
in the Inside Out section.
|
Vincent Alexandria
Black Rain
|
|
|
5 out of 5 books |
|
Michelle McGriff
Deadly Tease
 |
Portia Hamilton
is lonely after the death of her father. That loneliness
leads Portia to a charismatic church where she develops a
crush on Pastor Julian Marcum. Julian ends up doing
nothing but using Portia but she still can’t seem to get
him out of her system. Julian is sexy and arrogant and
feels he can do no wrong. Things get complicated for
Julian when he gets involved with a flamboyant gay female
impersonator name Kyle at the gay strip club called the
Rainbow Room that he frequents. Kyle wants Julian to come
out of the closet but Julian won’t do it. Nothing but
trouble comes Julian’s way when a serial killer called the
Appointed One starts targeting down-low gay clergy that
are the Rainbow Room’s biggest clients. Julian is trying
to keep his secret life under wraps by trying to give
Portia the commitment that she deserves but will it be too
late? Portia also has a chance meeting with Lawrence who’s
also a detective on the Appointed One’s case. Will
Lawrence let his guard down long enough to forge a
relationship with Portia or will this case consume the
both of them?
Deadly Tease
is an edgy, psychological thriller by Michelle McGriff.
McGriff skillfully brought a story with intriguing
characters. At first glance, this looks like the typical
church down-low story but it’s much more than that. This
novel is a classic contemporary fiction tale with a well
thought out whodunit twist. As you flip through the pages,
you will feel the frustration of the detectives as they
try to find out who the Appointed One is. Readers need to
pay close attention to this story or else you will totally
miss who the serial killer turns out to be. The unique
twist at the end of the novel will leave you speechless.
Deadly Tease is a dramatic and exhilarating read that
will be a sure delight for readers.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
for Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with
Michelle McGriff
in the Inside Out section.
|
|
3.5 out of 5 books |
|
|
"What are you
looking for in a man?" That's what Desmond Rucker, the owner
of the newest restaurant Cush that's located in the
worst part of Asbury Park, NJ, says to freelance columnist
Cydney Williams. “A man I can look at 40 years down
the line and still be in love with,” she replies.
Cydney Williams found a chance to leave her hellish life
behind her and never looks back. With a mother addicted to
drugs, a stepfather trying to save her mother from
addiction, and her infamous brother Shammond Slay (known in
the hood simply as Slay,) who can blame her?
No one knows exactly what Slay does to earn a living.
However, they definitely know it’s not all good considering
he is ridin' dirty in a black BMW with tinted window’s and
Nas blaring from the system. Slay just wants to protect the
woman in his life. How far Slay goes to do this is where the
problem lies.
Desmond Rucker can’t figure out what his problem is with
commitment until he meets Cydney. Together they help each
other figure out how in 40 years they can share an Apple
Brown Betty and stare into each other’s eyes still in love.
I am not sure how I felt about Apple Brown Betty.
While the story was interesting and the author pulled you
in, there was something that simply didn’t click to me. I
picked up that Slay really wasn’t a thug, but rather he was
misunderstood. But the premise of the story was for you to
believe he was a thug and it just didn’t fit. I didn’t
dislike the book; it just lost me some where in the middle.
I think Phillip Thomas Duck gave you too much of this thug
character, but when it came to the character that wasn’t the
case at all. I liked the title of story since that’s what
made me want to read it.
Reviewed by Angie for
Urban-Reviews.com |
Phillip Thomas Duck
Apple Brown Betty
|
|
|
3.5 out of 5 books |
|
Maryann Reid
Every Man For Herself
|
Nina Bettus-Raines of
Allswell, Texas, is considered a backward country girl.
Nina's young life is overflowing with years of abuse and
betrayal from her family. Now 25 years old, she's unhappily
married and unable to catch her breath. It seems as if no
one is ever interested in Nina's side of the story. In the
five years that they've been married, her borrowing,
fake-preaching husband Trent is always working some sort of
scam...and she's fed up with it. As Nina prays for a
solution, her best friend Dee encourages her to finally take
a chance on her life. After all, it couldn't get much
worse...could it?
Now a resident of New York City, Nina becomes gainfully
employed, has her own apartment and was making plans to rid
herself of her past. That awkward, backward, country girl
she used to be was now oozing with self-confidence.
While taking in the new sights, Nina meets two different men
who both spark different yet powerful emotions inside of
her. As Nina gets comfy with both, she soon learns that
Allswell, Texas, may not be such a small town after all.
Will Nina escape the evil past that threatens to smother
her?
Every Man For Herself is a great title, but it was
packaged a little too neatly in the end for my personal
liking. I would've preferred more drama and fewer
insinuations. I did like the growth of the main character
and based on that fact alone, I'd consider checking out
other titles by Maryann Reid in the future.
Reviewed by Nardsbaby for
Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with Maryann Reid
in the Inside Out section. |
|
5 out of 5 books |
|
|
How do you escape
a hood you’ve been in all your life and live with the things
you’ve done?
This is the story of Travon “Tre” Robinson walking in the
shoes of his deceased big brother To-Low. All Travon can
remember is their last conversation. “Tre don’t ever join a
gang. I do this so you don’t have to” However, everyone
around Tre is so deep into the gang life that he has no
choice. It’s either Blood in or Blood out.
Sent to live with his kinfolk, Tre has no idea how serious
the hood really is. Will Tre learn to get down and live by
the code of the 'Blood' or will he allow the last
conversation he had with To-Low outweigh what’s going on
around him and live?
Eastside was so enjoyable that I really had a hard
time getting my words together. Mr. Alexander really touched
on every aspect of gang life, police corruption, and the
relationship between mothers & their sons. Throughout the
whole story, the author kept trying for Tre to stay
positive.
Take a walk with Caleb Alexander as he introduces you to the
hood. This is the real hood as far as I'm concerned. I’ve
never read a book with so much violence before now.
However, the violence paints a wonderful picture of one
young man’s struggle to live. Eastside is definitely
a must read.
Reviewed by Angie. for
Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with
Caleb Alexander
in the Inside Out section.
|
Caleb Alexander
Eastside
|
|
|
3 out of 5 books |
|
Joyce Veranda Gray
Dark Karma
|
I've often told
people who did bad things to me, "Of course you don't
remember what you did because you weren't on the receiving
end of your bad behavior!" How many times have you wished
that someone could feel what it was like to have something
bad done to them? Well, in Dark Karma by Joyce
Veranda Gray, that's exactly what happens when three
different people are made to see the grief that their
actions have caused.
A young man named Dray killed a man just so that he could
join a street gang. He goes to sleep and wakes up as the
father of the young man that he killed. Dray now has to
comfort the mother of the man that he killed.
In a lot of women's eyes, Josh is a very handsome and
attractive man. He's a man who has a way with words and
women. Although Josh is from a well to-do family, he's a
drug dealer. Josh's game is to date women and then get them
hooked on his product so that he'll have a loyal customer.
Once the woman is of no use to him, he leaves them with no
remorse because in his eyes, he did nothing wrong. Find out
what happens when Josh wakes up as one of his victims.
Last, but not least, there's Carlita. A young twenty
something woman who steals the purse of a very tired woman
while riding the bus. Carlita is then put in her place and
has to take care of not only herself, but the woman's son as
well. Will these three ever find redemption?
The story idea for Dark Karma was great. However, the
execution of the story was not very good. At times, the
story seemed to move slow. Also, there sometimes was too
much information and other times not enough information.
Dark Karma was just an okay read for me.
Reviewed by LaShonda Bates for
Urban-Reviews.com
|
|
3 out of 5 books |
|
|
Jack Lemon was
sent to prison for crimes he hadn’t yet committed by men who
didn’t even know him.
Gina Thomas, his ride or die chick will do anything for
Jack. Gina uses what Jack has taught her as a young girl and
makes it work to her advantage. Getting up enough money to
get Jack a better lawyer and getting out on appeal is
exactly what Gina has been praying for since Jack was
sentenced to life in prison. What Gina didn’t know is that
Jack had plans for every one of them “Snitches” that told on
him and didn’t even know him. 'An eye or your tongue' was
Jack’s new motto.
Dangerous was packed with plenty of action and drama,
but the book was kind of all over the place. The story of
Rasheed & Monique's relationship faded to the back towards
the end of the story. Yes, the author explained what happens
to them. However, it was like he just left them hanging. The
end was too far fetched, and the book was too preachy all
the way through. I wanted this story to be as good as the
author's first story Life. But in all honestly, I was
a bit disappointed with Dangerous.
Reviewed by Angie for
Urban-Reviews.com
|
Leo Sullivan
Dangerous
|
|
|
4.5 out of 5 books |
|
Janet Stevens Cook
Black Skyy: The Lady In Black Series - Book One
|
By day, Sandora
“Sandy” Knight runs a Fortune 500 company and is as
straight-laced as they come. By night, she is a sexy
vigilante called Skyy, The Lady In Black. Skyy’s mission is
to help and to protect innocent people who have been
victimized by various low-life scum. Skyy is about to face
her biggest challenge yet when a serial killer is on the
loose. Time is running out as more and more African-American
little girls are found dead all over the city. Skyy is doing
everything in her power to catch this serial killer but
could the suspect be right under her nose?
Black Skyy:
The Lady In Black Series is a wonderfully daring novel
by Janet Stevens Cook. Cook did an exceptional job in
creating The Lady In Black character. Skyy is doing
what she believes is her destiny to do while she struggles
with just being an average, everyday woman. Skyy is a modern
day super-hero but you won’t find any of the cliché
super-hero attributes like super-human strength or magical
powers. What you will find is a woman that’s trying to do
what she can to make the streets a little safer. This novel
is full of high drama and heart-stopping action that will
leave readers begging for more. Black Skyy: The Lady In
Black Series is a suspenseful and exciting novel that is
perfect for a reader that is looking for a fresh new story
with a twist. This is the perfect start to The Lady
In Black Series.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with
Janet Stevens Cook
in the Inside Out section.
|
|
4 out of 5 books |
|
African-American author Jurney Swiftwood is riding on the
road of success until he releases his latest novel
Black People: For Entertainment Purposes Only. The
title to his book alone is causing a firestorm of
controversy in the black community and Jurney finds
himself defending the book on various talk shows. On top
of all this, Jurney is unknowingly being stalked by a
politically connected contract killer and has just found
out about a daughter that he didn’t know he had. Jurney’s
girlfriend Selena is right by his side but will her past
mistake threaten their future? Will Jurney be able to get
his life back on track before it’s too late?
Black
People: For Entertainment Purposes Only is an engaging
read by W. Ivan Wright. This story was not just about an
author with a controversial book. It was about how
African-Americans are viewed and portrayed by the rest of
the world. Wright seamlessly mixed social commentary,
love, suspense, and even murder into this novel that will
keep the reader on their toes. Black People: For
Entertainment Purposes Only is entertaining and
insightful. This is the perfect book if you’re looking for
more than just a run-of-the-mill novel.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
Check out our exclusive interview with W. Ivan Wright
in our Inside Out section.
|
W. Ivan Wright
Black People: For Entertainment Purposes Only
|
|
|
5 out of 5 books |
|
Naleighna Kai
Every Woman Needs
A Wife
|
Have you ever had
the feeling that the person you loved was cheating on you?
Brandi Spencer started to become suspicious of her husband
Vernon of thirteen years. Well her suspicions became
fact when she decided to follow him one day. She tracked him
all the way to his mistress’ house Tanya Kaufman. Tanya had
no idea that she was a mistress, but thought that she was
Vernon’s fiancé! Little did Tanya know, her little happy
world was about to come crashing down with the knock on the
door. When Brandi confronts Tanya and Vernon, her actions
surprises her as well. Since Vernon is taking care of Tanya
with the money they’ve worked so hard for, why shouldn’t she
reap some of the benefits. Things get ugly when Brandi wants
full custody of the girls...and the mistress!
Every Woman Needs a Wife is a book I would suggest
every woman should read. It'll make you laugh, and there are
some parts of the book that gets on the serious side, but
all in all it was an excellent book. If you have a vivid
imagination, this is the book for you. We all know someone
in the same situation as Brandi, Tanya or Vernon. The book
keeps your attention from beginning to end, and will have
you saying to yourself "Oh no he didn’t!!" Every Woman
Needs a Wife is a must read!
Reviewed by Jackie for Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with Naleighna Kai
in our Inside Out section.
|
|
4 out of 5 books |
|
Butta has
been waiting for years to avenge the death of her family
caused by Lingo Stein. Lingo is the owner of Stein
Diamonds International and is one of the most
untouchable, powerful men in the world. It is the eve of
Lingo’s fifteen year anniversary of making the world’s
largest diamonds. He also unveils a high-tech and deadly
vault that secures his vast diamond collection. Butta
thinks that this is her chance to prove to the world
that Lingo’s wealth was due to what he stole from her
father. With the help of her trusted associates, Butta
comes up with a plan to get rid of Lingo permanently.
But will Butta and her friends make it out alive?
Butta and
the Tower of Bling is a thrilling novel by Corey A.
Burkes. Burkes created a storyline that is filled with
suspense and adventure. This story takes the
reader on a fast-paced ride that doesn’t stop until the
very last page. Burkes did a good job of not including
any other subplots to this story that would have
distracted the reader. Butta was just totally focused on
avenging the death of her family and was not distracted
by a romantic relationship, which was refreshing.
Butta and the Tower of Bling is an exciting read
that is anything but ordinary.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
Check out our exclusive interview with Corey A. Burkes
in our Inside Out section.
|
Corey A. Burkes
Butta' and the
Tower of Bling
|
|
|
4 out of 5 books |
|
D. J. Parhams
The Blues for Annie Mae
|
All Annie Mae
ever wanted was the love her mother Selma showed to her
sister Gloria. Annie Mae could not understand why her mom
was so strict with her when Gloria was the “wild child.”
Annie Mae was forced to endure countless music lessons due
to her mom wanting her to become a classically-trained
vocalist. Deep down inside, Annie Mae just went through the
motions in order to get the love that a daughter deserves
from her mother. Fast forward 10 years later, and Annie Mae
is a blues singer that must now confront her past that was
filled drugs and violence. But can she finally get the love
and support of her mother that she always wanted?
The Blues For
Annie Mae is an enthralling debut novel from D. J.
Parhams. Parhams expertly brings a story about a daughter
desperately seeking the love and support of her mother. This
story really takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster
with the ups and downs of Annie Mae’s life. You’ll see how
Annie Mae’s turbulent childhood had a huge impact on her
adult life. The writing in the novel is so emotional and
descriptive that the words just leap off the page. What
really make this novel a great read is Parhams’ excellent
storytelling skills and how she incorporated the blues music
scene. This book is only 140 pages but the story is so
complete that you won’t feel cheated at the end. The
Blues For Annie Mae a heart-wrenching and
thought-provoking read.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with D. J. Parhams
in our Inside Out section.
|
|
