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African-American
Fiction - New Reviews
5.0 Books = Classic | 4.0 - 4.5
Books = Impressive | 3.0 - 3.5 Books =
Noteworthy
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5 out of 5 books |
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K'wan, K'wan,
K'wan...wow...I'm speechless! This novel begins with a
bittersweet introduction as Gutter and Lou Loc's offspring
discuss the events that led to the demise of their gang banger
father. Prepare for an exhilarating ride filled with
excitement, suspense, and shockers galore!! Get your
rest...because you are definitely going to need it!
Entering the initial scene is Gutter, hell bent on avenging
his best friend Lou Loc's death by any means necessary.
Seeking street justice, Gutter is ferociously raging as he
plows down any Blood gang member or associate without a
conscious. Despite Gutter's cold-hearted killer instinct, his
fiancé Sharell is the only person that can bring forth the
human side of this callous murderer. The love between the two
is surprising and refreshing as well as the other mysteries
that are constantly appearing in this gangster read.
Gutter's mentor-uncle, and father figure Gunn is left for
dead. The family has summoned Gutter to the California home
front because of this treacherous attack. Once his feet hit
Cali soil, murder, mayhem, and tragedy are occurring in his
wake; But in his absence from New York, an even more deadly
plan is unfolding.
Gutter by K'wan is so powerfully emotional that it
figuratively clinches the reader in a deadly chokehold from
beginning to the surrealistic ending. I've been a long-time
fan of K'wan. I love his literary swagger, and his stylistic
storytelling skills have always been gangsta. But I've always
had one complaint...the lack of emotions, indicative of a male
author. Well, I take my hat off to the author. The execution
was perfect; Gutter captures all feelings, eliciting
various ranges of emotions like love, loyalty, egotism,
revenge, sorrow, betrayal, redemption, and murder (did I
mention love?) K'wan brought the pain! 5 out of 5 is not
nearly enough to describe this fabulous read! Total kudos to
you, K'wan! You mos def did the damn thang! Take your
bow my brotha, take your bow!
Reviewed by Tazzyt2bossye for
Urban-Reviews.com
Listen to our exclusive interview
with K'wan Foye
in the On
The Line section.
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K'wan
Gutter
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3.5 out of 5 books |
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Noire et. al.
From The Streets To The Sheets
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Hot, steamy, intriguing, Thug loving,
Drama are adjectives used to describe Noire Presents: From
the Streets to the Sheets. Like the old saying goes, thugs
need loving too. This steamy novel gives you a taste from
various authors and shows that a 'freak' can come in all
shapes, sizes and various walks of life. If you are looking
for a book that holds nothing back, then this is the book for
you. You will not want to put this book down. Anticipation to
find out what happens next is the best and is definitely
throughout the different authors' stories in this anthology.
These are my two favorite stories within the novel.
"Me, He & She" by Aretha Temple
In a chance meeting, Tia meets this sexy chocolate brother
Telly, who happens to be married. Tia and Telly enter into a
whirlwind relationship. Is it a coincidence? Then Tia meets
Brooklyn, a 29-year-old entrepreneur who is also married. What
do these people have in common? Fantasy, Desire, Passion...and
Deception.
"2 Can Play" by K'wan
Chocolate has it all; he is one of those brothers who you
can't tell nothing. With a chiseled body and good looks,
Chocolate preys upon weak-minded and low-self esteem women. He
also has a down woman in his corner named Keita. But what's
done in the dark always come to light. Chocolate isn't the
only one who has a secret. Keita has one too, but the
realization could end deadly.
Overall, I enjoyed this anthology. It
provided a sizzling summer read. Hood love and thug love
is always a good topic. The storylines were a tad bit short,
but that is the point of an urban erotic quickie. Straight the
point, no chaser. Noire keeps it real as usual, holding
nothing back. From the Streets to the Sheets is
explicit yet exquisite.
Reviewed by Kristin for
Urban-Reviews.com
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4 out of 5 books |
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Pieces of the Hole
is a collection of short
stories that focuses on different aspects of African-American
life. The book is separated into two parts. Part One, which is
titled Old Folks and City Kids, features stories about
everyday situations. The standout stories in this part of the
book include "Mackey's Place," "Life on TV," and "Real Life."
Part Two of the book takes on a darker and sinister approach
and is appropriately titled A Lil' Twisted. The
standout stories in this section of the book include
"Brotherly Love," "My Father's Day," and "The Finishing
Place." Pieces of the Hole expertly showcases the
wonderfully imaginative mind of Tony Lindsay.
Reviewed by
Radiah Hubbert for Urban-Reviews.com
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Tony Lindsay
Pieces Of The Hole
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4.5 out of 5 books |
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Daaimah S. Poole
A Rich Man's Baby
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Can money solve all your problems? Even
though you may be set financially, what about your mental
stability and at what cost would you take to conquer this?
Tanisha Butler, a mother of 3 kids is a
billing coordinator at the University of Alton Hospital, who
is recently out of a marriage, and is now ready to test the
waters of the single life again.
Adrienne Sheppard, a 25-year-old
registered nurse at the University of Alton Hospital.
Adrienne is tired of her life, her past failed
relationships, and comes up with a plan so she would be set
for life.
Dionne Matthews appeared to have the
perfect life. She just completed her law degree, found a
perfect man, landed a new job and planning a wedding. But
sometimes having "everything" is not always enough, and
wanting the things you can no longer have come with a price
to pay.
These three women are all connected to
make 'a rich man's baby.' It takes a inside look of a
"groupie" and the extent that some people will go to trap a
man. But once you have that man, skeletons can emerge and
deadly consequences can change the life of unsuspecting
people.
A Rich Man's Baby was realistic
and offered a inside look in the world of the NBA. It shows
how "groupies" as well as the men can be conniving. I
enjoyed how the author connected the characters and the
provided a good end result. This book held my attention from
the beginning to the end.
Reviewed by Kristin for
Urban-Reviews.com
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3 out of 5 books |
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Have you ever
had that nagging sensation in the pit of your stomach that
your husband was cheating on you but you couldn't prove it?
Have you ever wondered would he cheat if given the
opportunity, or if his love for you was so strong that he'd
turn down the 'perfect hottie'? Suspicions,
curiosity, and money meet a confident, sexy siren named
Lisette that basks in her sexuality from the origination of
the lustful looks she received from her father as a teenager.
Lisette
has a successful career in the fashion industry, and an
after-hours drink with her boss leads her down a road that
she's sure she can commandeer. Her first gig
leaves her with a nice deposit into her bank account, and
Lisette keeps it moving to a new location with that chapter in
her past and considered closed. But with all things,
word of mouth spreads and she has a lucrative side hustle.
Home
Wrecker
is an entertaining read that ends up being more intense than
the initial thought as Dwayne S. Joseph weaves a bit of
suspense, violence, and the power of friendship. It
starts off as a rather unpretentious storyline and ends with
an adrenaline rush. Mr. Joseph paints the different
stages that the heroine transforms to in her evolution as she
faces past demons that she buried to produce a classy, poised
and seductive persona. Original storyline, consistent
characters, lifelike scenes, and realistic reactions make
Home Wrecker an overall commendable read.
Reviewed by
Tazzyt2bossye for Urban-Reviews.com
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Dwayne S. Joseph
Home Wrecker
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5 out of 5 books |
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Treasure E. Blue
Keyshia And Clyde
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Molested and left impregnated
by a preacher, young Keyshia Simmons is whisked away from her
Southern roots and stripped of her baby. Keyshia is confused,
hurt, ashamed, and left to be further abused by a mean,
spiteful aunt in the big city. Clyde Barker is the youngest
brother of three who's a quiet, introverted young man that
works at Johnny's Ice House for minimum wages but isn't all
what he appears. Their father shot their mother, leaving her
mentally incapacitated in a hospital while he serves his
sentence in prison for the heinous crime and the boys are left
in the care of their mother's best friend Martha.
Horrid childhoods as well as
dangerous and deadly lifestyles are where Keyshia and Clyde
meet at a crossroads and these two discover an enchanting, yet
genuine love that will surpass all obstacles, whether they be
tangible and intangible. Pledging their love to each other,
they embark on a perilous journey on the dark side with danger
nipping on their heels.
Treasure E. Blue has created a perfectly blended hood love
story that is suspenseful yet memorable. Keyshia and Clyde
is a phenomenal read that marks new territory with this
unforgettable dynamic couple. This story will have people
talking for years to come because their story and allegiance
to each other is so vibrant and inspirational!
Definitely an urban lit classic that I will deem the 'best
book of 2008.' I simply fell in love with Keyshia and Clyde
because for the first time, Treasure gives his fans some
light in a dark and dreary land!! The author pulls your
heartstrings in so many directions that you don't know whether
to celebrate or mourn. But in the end...Life is good!
Out of the darkness and into the marvelous light! Major
props to you, Treasure.
Reviewed by
Tazzyt2bossye
for Urban-Reviews.com
Listen to our exclusive interview
with Treasure E. Blue
in the On
The Line section.
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5 out of 5 books |
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Renee, Danielle, Nadine, and
Kayla have remained very close, even
after the death of their beloved friend and sister Lisa
Miller. Throughout the years, each of them have had their
share of drama that could last a lifetime. With their tight
friendship, they all go through obstacles that should break
them apart, but it just made them even stronger. With Kayla's
upcoming wedding, the friends find out that they will have to
band together once again to make sure life as they know it
does not come crashing down on them.
After promising her sister Lisa that she would give her
marriage a second chance, Renee Moore remained with John even
though he was not meeting all of her needs, especially in the
bedroom. Then one day she found out that she wasn't the
only one sleeping around. Ultimately, Renee will learn
that the company you keep can be hazardous to your health.
Danielle Brooks thought she was finally done with the drama in
her life. She thought the her ex-boyfriend (the love of her
life) Ron had slept with her daughter and gotten her pregnant.
While doing her everyday chores, Danielle finds out that her
daughter was lying and was upset that Ron would not have sex
with her. Danielle thought her world had fallen apart. She
just knew that with a little begging and pleading she could
get her "man" back. He did come back to her, but not in the
way she wanted. Someone keeps leaving weird notes on her car.
"Be Careful of the Company You Keep." Danielle finally finds
out who and why the notes are left. The question is....Is it
too late?
Author Angie Daniels has done it again. Careful of the
Company You Keep gives the same energy as In the
Company of My Sistahs, and Trouble Loves Company.
This book gives you drama, suspense, laughter, and some very
sincere moments. Ms. Daniels keeps you on glued to the pages.
Just when you think you know what's going to happen, it's the
complete opposite and you'll love even minute of it. In order
to completely understand each character and what has happened
in their lives, I recommend you read the first two
installments. In this trilogy, Angie Daniels does not steer
away from the original storyline. It continues on without a
disappointing moment. I would highly recommend this book and
the ones prior to this.
Reviewed by
Jackie for Urban-Reviews.com
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Angie Daniels
Careful of the Company You Keep
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5 out of 5 books |
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Méta Smith
Whip Appeal
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Ebony
Knight was raised by her mother to always look for a man
with deep pockets to give her the lavish lifestyle that she
deserves. Fast-forward years later and Ebony is now Supreme
Mistress Ebony, a very successful dominatrix. She hits
the jackpot when she takes on multi-millionaire Erik
Johansen as one of her clients. Money is no object because
Erik has twisted, kinky fetishes and fantasies that only
Ebony can fulfill. Ebony is in total control as she is
submerged into this lucrative and mysterious lifestyle. But
Ebony's life is put on pause when she meets a sexy
photographer named Jeff Cardoza. Ebony feels herself falling
in love with Jeff which is not her plan at all. Ebony may
have to rethink her future when Erik becomes dangerously
obsessed with her and won't let her go. Suddenly Ebony is
forced into a deadly situation that may cost her everything
she's ever worked for.
Whip
Appeal is a
deliciously racy tale by Méta
Smith. Smith dives you in head first into the fascinating
life of a dominatrix. What makes this story stand out is the
way it is told. The story jumps from the present to the past
but it is done in a way that does not confuse the reader.
You will be glued to the pages as you try to figure out what
exactly happened to Ebony on the night when things went way
too far. This story is full of heart-stopping twists, drama,
erotic sex, and murder. Whip Appeal is an engrossing
read that will have you eagerly waiting for a sequel.
meta smith
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
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5 out of 5 books |
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Cally,
Serena, and Nola are all cousins and are thick as thieves.
They always get together for a "Ladies Night" which includes
some drinks and watching some raunchy movies. But this night
is different because each of the women are worried about
arriving to their cousin Jenna's wedding dateless. They
don't want to hear anymore nagging from their mothers about
getting married. Cally, Serena, and Nola come up with a plan
to get dates just for the weekend with no strings attached.
But they will soon find out that this is easier said than
done. Cally has had her eyes on a man that she thought was
unattainable until he becomes receptive to her advances.
Serena is reunited with her first love, but can she erase
the pain from the past and let him into her heart? The last
thing that Nola is looking for is a relationship or
marriage. But when a sexy co-worker wants to heat things up
in the office, she may change her mind. Jenna is marrying an
older, rich man who can give her anything money can buy. But
will it be enough to satisfy her? When things spiral
dangerously out of control for these women, who will make it
out unscathed?
Indecent Proposal
is a saucy page-turner by AC
Arthur. Arthur pulls in the reader from the very first page.
The character development in the story was excellent.
Although these women had different personalities, they all
shared the common problem of their mothers pressuring them
about getting married. But this is not your regular
relationship story. This novel is full of drama and
humorous situations that will have you laughing out loud.
There was also some unexpected steamy sex that added just
the right touch to this story. Indecent Proposal is a
widely entertaining and erotic novel that will definitely
make you want to see these characters again.
Reviewed by
Radiah Hubbert for Urban-Reviews.com
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A. C. Arthur
Indecent Proposal
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4 out of 5 books |
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Fiona Zedde
Hungry For It
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Rémi Bouchard is the owner
of the hottest restaurant and jazz club in South Beach.
Rémi's wealth and notoriety allows her to indulge in no
strings attached flings. But these escapades are starting to
wear thin. When Rémi goes to her best friend's wedding, she
finds the perfect woman. The problem is that this woman is
supposed to be off limits. Rémi ponders the situation and
decides to take a leap of faith and go for it. But pursuing
this woman could lead Rémi down a path of seduction that
could prove to be costly in the end.
Hungry For It
is a steamy and
intoxicating novel by Fiona Zedde. Zedde gives readers a
bird's-eye view of the South Beach club scene. The character
development in this story was wonderful. You will see Rémi
transform from having frivolous one-night stands to wanting
to be in a committed relationship. You will also feel the
emotional struggle that Rémi goes through as she exposes her
heart to a potentially risky relationship. There is also
some family drama thrown into the mix that makes this a
well-rounded novel. Hungry For It is sexy and
inviting. Fiona Zedde once again turns up the heat.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
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5 out of 5 books |
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"We can get money longer than Pippens' arms" is what
Maurice Sebastian a.k.a. Money Mo tried to explain to Mel Kwon
and his closest and only living relative Bruiser
a.k.a.
Larry when he presented them with his plan to become Mayor of
Newark, NJ. "If we just stick together like Jordan and the
Bulls did, we won't end up like Shaq and Kobe did with the
Lakers."
Maurice realized he had to either swim or drown in the mean
streets of Newark NJ. He is sent there as a young boy to live
with his aunt and cousin after witnessing his parent's
assassination. He keeps his father's voice in his mind and
heart and uses that determination to make him into the best
man he knows how to be.
Larry a.k.a.
Bruiser has been in and out of prison all his life. However,
once his skinny timid cousin with the funny accent moved in
with him and his mom, he knew he had to protect him by any
means necessary. With Bruiser going to jail for 5 years.
Maurice was left with his new found enemy-turned-friend Mel
Kwon to survive without Bruiser. Maurice comes up with a plan
for Mel Kwon to loan him the money to start promoting parties.
Once their business takes off, Maurice invests in stocks,
continues to go to college and ultimately decides that he
wants to be mayor of Newark. "If we all just play our parts we
can't lose." Maurice has a chance meeting with Queen Diva, the
hottest female rapper in the game and is instantly drawn to
her. He uses her rap status as a ladder to get his name out
there and generate a following. Maurice falls for the Queen
and doesn't realize how their relationship can ruin the best
team he has ever played for.
With the whole city of Newark backing him, there is no way the
"thug mayor" can lose. Maurice promises more jobs, safer
streets, a better school system and a police force you can
trust. He delivers all of this and more to the community; but
unbeknownst to all, Maurice is not the straight up mayor they
think he is. With skill and determination, he makes it work
for awhile. But it all unravels right before their eyes,
and there's nothing they can seem to do it about. With male
pride in the way, it's too late to save the game. The buzzer
is on zero, and...Sorry...you have to read the book to find
out who missed the winning shot.
I must say I was very pleased with the story Dutch has
delivered. After reading and being disappointed with Dutch
3, I was a bit skeptical of Thug Politics. I must
say that it was a quick and enjoyable read. Regardless of what
wrong that Maurice was doing, his personality outweighed it
all. People love to judge a person by what they think is going
on. Maurice didn't let anything negative that anyone said
affect him. He continued to try his best at taking care
of the community...no matter how wrong it was. To him, the
means justified the end.
Reviewed by Angie for Urban-Reviews.com
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Dutch
Thug Politics
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4.5 out of 5 books |
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Michele Andrea Bowen
Holy Ghost Corner
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Entrepreneur Theresa Hopson has a successful bookstore called
Holy Ghost Corner. She has made a name for herself with the
Saved Hoochie Mama lingerie. Even though she has a very well
off business, she has no real prospects for a husband. And
according to Theresa, her biological clock is about to stop
since she's 47-years-old. The men that she's gone out with do
not meet up to her expectations. Even her current on/off
relationship with Reverend Parvell Sikes is not a match made
in heaven.
Now there's Lamont Green, who's neither the holier than thou
type nor is he into being celibate before marriage. In fact,
the more women, the merrier in his eyes. Being divorced and a
single parent to his son, Lamont feels he has a lot of
experience with being married, but he's not the marrying type
now. His Aunt Queen Ester wants him to put God first and
believes that will lead him to his soulmate. Once Lamont
starts to go out with Theresa, he struggles to fight off the
feelings that he's starting to feel for her.
Michele Andrea Bowen has written a crazy yet funny book. Bowen
hit the nail on the head when it comes to life in the black
church. I have to admit that this was a very enjoyable book
There are even times where you will literally be laughing out
loud. Even though the storyline was a bit predictable, I did
enjoy the book. On the sunny side of things, there were a few
funny characters in the book that made it a good read.
Reviewed by Jackie for Urban-Reviews.com
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3.5 out of 5 books |
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Courtney Hudson decided
to go out one night, which she never does, not knowing
that her life would be forever changed. Courtney has been
widowed for three years and decides that it is time to
start living again. When she agrees to meet her cousin,
who never shows up, at a hot new club, she never dreamed
she would end up in bed with a police detective from
Alaska.
Lloyd Vance's job has moved him from his hometown of
Alaska to Colorado. He is supposed to meet a co-worker at
this hot new club, but his friend can't make it. When he
first lays eyes on Courtney, it is instant attraction.
Neither of them thought that attraction would lead to them
sleeping together that night though. After their wonderful
night together, they both wanted to see if this
relationship could perhaps blossom and become more. Before
they get a chance to really talk about it, Lloyd has to
leave because he is called away to an accident and
Courtney gets a call about her cousin. Once again, fate
has put them in the same place at the same time.
Destined to Meet is a good read. The relationship
between Courtney and Lloyd is one of those familiar ones
that you can very easily relate to. It's almost like a
good friend is telling you the entire story. Destined
to Meet reads like an easy conversation that flows so
well, you'll want to know what going to happen next. Devon
Vaughn Archer does a really good job of making the story
believable.
Reviewed by Tenecia for Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive
interview with R. Barri Flowers (Devon Vaughn Archer)
in the Inside Out section.
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Devon Vaughn Archer
Destined To Meet
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5 out of 5 books |
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J.J. Michael
Life Is Never As It Seems
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After reading this book, I must
say that it has the WOW factor. I can't believe that
I've missed such a good read. The book I'm referring
to is Life Is Never As It Seems by J.J.
Michael. This is one of the handful of times that I've
been able to say that the title fits the book
perfectly!
This book is about an young woman name Lindy who grew
up in Washington, D.C. in the 1960s during the Black
Power movement. She lives with her mother and
grandfather, who is the pastor of their church. They
are very strict with Lindy. In their eyes, the devil
has his hands in anything outside of church. Just like
every other teenager who lives in a strict household,
Lindy eventually starts to rebel. One day, she meets a
boy named Nick and he secretly becomes her boyfriend.
Of course, she starts to lie to her family in order to
spend quality time with him. Not long afterwards,
Lindy discovers that she has a very "special" gift and
that is the real reason why her family keeps such a
tight rein on her. She then starts to seek answers
about herself and her spiritual gift.
Life Is Never As It Seems has such the perfect
mix of paranormal and scripture that it makes you
believe in the story. J.J. Michael has written a great
story that is truly a page turner. Once I started
reading it, it was very hard to put it down. I can't
wait to read the sequel!
Reviewed by LaShonda Bates for
Urban-Reviews.com
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3 out of 5 books |
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Melody Cruz is suspicious
of her sister's new wealthy boyfriend Keith Taylor. Melody
thinks that Keith has some deep, dark secrets that he
wants to keep hidden. She just has to gather enough
evidence to prove this to her sister. While all of this is
going on, there is a man called the "Albany Predator" that
is brutally raping black women throughout the city. Melody
is worried that her best friend may be his next victim.
Detectives Brianna Morris and Steven Kemp are on a race
against time as they try to capture this rapist. This case
takes on a surprising turn when all of the evidence point
to an unexpected prime suspect.
Melody
is a thought-provoking
mystery novel by Stacy-Deanne. Stacy-Deanne cleverly
intertwined two different storylines that tied in
together. When reading this book, you'll be glued to the
pages trying to find out if Melody's suspicions about
Keith are correct. You'll also feel the urgency of the
detectives as they try to solve this case. This story had
the makings of an excellent mystery, but there were a few
gray areas that still went unresolved by the end of the
book. When the "who-dun-it" part of the story is revealed,
there is no explanation as to why this rapist was
targeting black women. There also should have been a
juicer secret revealed in regards to Keith. All of the
events that led to the end of both storylines just seem
like it was all for not. Stacy-Deanne does have the
writing talent since Melody is still a good story.
With some minor improvements, she could pull off a
wonderful mystery novel in the future.
Reviewed by
Radiah Hubbert for Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive
interview with Stacy-Deanne
in the Inside Out section.
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Stacy-Deanne
Melody
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4.5 out of 5 books |
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Maryam Diaab
Things Forbidden
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Dr. Terrence Hall is a catch by any standard. His fiancé,
Yvette, has thought so for about 12 years. He is a
handsome, charming doctor who only has one flaw: He
constantly thinks about sex and has cheated on Yvette at
least once. Even after Yvette found out that he cheated on
her, she forgave him and took him back. Was it really that
simple? Yvette Brooks applied for an assistant principal
position in Nashville when she was separated from
Terrence. She had forgotten all about applying for the job
until she was offered the position. Once she decided that
absence would make the heart grow fonder, she took the job
and relocated from Detroit to Nashville. Yvette was
looking for a little down time to make sure that she was
doing the right thing by marrying Terrence. What she was
not looking for was a 21-year-old man to take her breath
away.
Ajani Riley is a college student who has been assigned to
shadow Yvette. It is instant attraction between the two of
them. Yvette is trying to fight the attraction for a
number of reasons. Besides the obvious age difference, the
biggest reason is that Ajani is adding to the confusion
that is her life. And if that isn't enough, Yvette's best
friend Wendy has a secret that she has been keeping for
years. Now that Yvette is not in town, she decides to
unveil that secret. When you add Ajani's ex into the mix,
you've got one big mess!
Things Forbidden is a wonderful book. The
relationship between Terrence and Yvette is the main plot,
but there are at least 4 or 5 subplots that are going on
simultaneously. Maryam Diaab does an excellent job of
connecting them all and keeping the story flowing. You
will also go through the entire gamut of emotions while
reading this book. You will find yourself drawn to the
characters and rooting for your relationship of choice to
succeed. You will also get angry with the other characters
for getting in the way. Thing Forbidden is just an
all around good read.
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5 out of 5 books |
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Kai
Edwards is having the perfect life with her boyfriend Todd
Daniels. But Kai learns that nothing in life is perfect when
Todd's best friend Alana Brooks decides to move into town. Kai's immediately becomes suspicious of the beautiful Alana
and comes up with a plan to keep her man. But Kai's plan it
turned upside down when she starts having strong feelings
for Alana. Soon, Kai and Alana become tangled in a love
triangle that spirals out of control. Will Kai be able to
live a normal life again?
My
Man's Best Friend
is a thought-provoking debut
novel by K. Elle Collier. Collier brought a story that is
filled with a web of deception and lies. Kai is a complex
character because she is trying to keep her man and deal
with her own family drama. You really feel the inner turmoil
that Kai has in trying to juggle both. Of course no novel
like this would be complete without a couple of surprising
twists that will keep readers on their toes. There is even a
cliffhanger ending that will hopefully lead to a sequel.
My Man's Best Friend is an explosive and dramatic debut
novel by K. Elle Collier.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive
interview with K. Elle Collier
in the Inside Out section. |
K. Elle Collier
My Man's Best Friend
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3 out of 5 books |
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Eddrick Dejuan
Madam Eve
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After more than 20
years of marriage, Evelyn is finally divorced from
her abusive retired football player husband. Instead
of enjoying what she acquired from her settlement,
Evelyn comes up with devious plan. She decides to
start a male escort service to help her best friends
get revenge on their philandering husbands by
allowing them to cheat as well. But there is one
catch: The women will be using their husband's
money. Evelyn recruits and trains a young and sexy
man named Andrew to be her first escort. Andrew
didn't have a lot of confidence when it came to
women until Evelyn taught him tools of the trade.
Soon Andrew is swept away into a life of fine
clothing and more money than he could imagine. When
a potential girlfriend comes into the picture,
Andrew wonders if he really wants to continue the
life of an escort.
Madam Eve is an interesting and daring novel
by Eddrick Dejuan. Dejuan brought a creative
storyline by having Evelyn start an escort business.
You can almost see the wheels turning in Evelyn's
head as she devises this plan. You also feel the
confusion of Andrew as he is thrown into this
lifestyle. This novel would have been a lot better
if Evelyn didn't start the escort business so
abruptly. It also would have been nice if there was
more character development with Andrew. There could
have been a stronger secondary storyline with Andrew
and his father. Madam Eve is still a good
story for those who are looking for something a
little different.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive
interview with Eddrick Dejuan
in the Inside Out section.
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4 out of 5 books |
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Finding the right man is always a challenge, but when
you think you found him nothing can go wrong, right?
Wrong! Imagine finding out that your 'perfect' man is
married with a family!
With a string of bad luck, a failed marriage and
relationships, it's time for a change for Bree Michaels.
Bree is a single, hard working mother of two with a
history of failed relationships. She recently moved to a
new town so that she can have a fresh start. She misses
having that man in her life, but will she sacrifice her
morals and beliefs to get that man?
Dre, a truck driver, is a married man for seven years
with two children. He is in a lifeless marriage, and he
is trying to make it work for the children's sake but
something catches his eye that will make him reevaluate
that decision
Neecy, Dre's wife, is plagued by low self-esteem. She is
a stay-at-home mother, and a church-going woman who will
do anything to keep her family together no matter what
the cost.
Bree and Dre enter into a dangerous relationship. Both
have a lot to lose. And as time goes on and the drama
escalates, it becomes apparent to Bree that this is not
her Prince Charming. When there affair is brought to
life, a choice has to be made...live for yourself or be
the other woman.
Another Woman's Husband was an outstanding read
by Angel Mechelle. It was realistic and held my
attention from beginning to end. This book is ultimately
about the choices we make. Deciding to involve yourself
in an affair involves everyone (i.e. children and
spouses) and not just the two people that are intimately
involved. The storyline dealt with drugs, infidelity,
love, hate, and drama all rolled into one. The choices
you make define who you are and what path you decide to
take. I believe that both men and women could relate to
this novel.
Reviewed by Kristin for Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive
interview with Angel Mechelle
in the Inside Out section.
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Angel Mechelle
Another Woman's Husband
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5 out of 5 books |
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Seth Ferranti
Prison Stories
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Is committing a crime
ever worth the time you have to do or the pain your
family goes through while you are away?
Reading about Seth Ferranti's first time in prison is
crazy because it really is a world in itself. How do you
distinguish who the real criminals are? The
administrators are worst than the people who actually
have committed the crime. The majority of people in jail
don't realize that it's either time to change your
life's direction or go with the flow and continue to
live a life of crime. I read this book with my mouth
open like "Oh My Gosh!" The story is so vivid, and the
author really paints the picture of the dealings that go
on inside the prison. He describes the men that he
becomes friends with as well as the men that have a
problem with him. You have to read
Prison Stories
for yourself in order to understand the depths of being
in jail.
Normally I would never read something like this. It took
me years to even watch the Shawshank Redemption. Not
really sure why I didn't; it's just something about jail
and the life of it that gives me the creeps. I can tell
you that Prison Stories held true to its name. I
cringed throughout the whole story. I must say Mr.
Ferranti is truly a wonderful storyteller, even with
jail being as horrible it is. He brought all the
accounts to life as if you were there with him.
It's good to see he has turned all the negatives from
the beginning of his sentence to a positive. And despite
his current situation, he never gave up and is doing a
wonderful thing with his writing. Stay positive and good
luck in your future endeavors.
Reviewed by Angie for Urban-Reviews.com
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3.5 out of 5 books |
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Ayo Montgomery is a 42-year-old widow with a grown son
and a thriving business. For 18 years, love has not been
in her life. She thought that when she buried her
husband she'd never find that kind of love again. When a
friend recommends an appraiser, Ayo thinks that maybe
there is love after death. Bilal Abdul-Salaam is a
32-year-old appraiser who also happens to be a Muslim.
Bilal is ready to be a husband and a father. He just
hasn't found the right woman, until he meets Ayo. Her
son and his father are not happy about the union, but
Bilal and Ayo are not about to let that come between
them. Ayo suddenly breaks things off with Bilal, leaving
him utterly confused. But by no means is Bilal going to
allow Ayo to walk away that easily.
From Dust to Dawn is a good book. It has an
enjoyable plot that is easy to follow. There were a few
choppy parts in the flow of the story, but overall
Niambi Brown Davis did a good job of connecting the
story. The characters were also easy to identify with.
By bringing in the Muslin family aspect, Niambi Brown
Davis made the story very interesting and gives a number
of interesting facts about the religion. If you enjoy
learning about different religions/cultures, From
Dust to Dawn gives you a nice opportunity to learn
about some of them while enjoying a good romance.
Reviewed by Tenecia for Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with Niambi Brown Davis
in the Inside Out section.
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Niambi Brown Davis
From Dusk To Dawn
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4.5 out of 5 books |
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Nancy Weaver
Gaming For Love
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Tessa Morrison is a mature, widowed
mother of a teenage daughter who is ready to step back
on the dating scene and remarry. Her first encounter is
with Memphis Easton. Tessa thinks that Memphis may be
the one until he starts to show his true colors. The
last straw is when Memphis comes over with the scent of
another woman on him. Next was Roman Montona. Again
Tessa thought that perhaps he could be the one, but that
was not the case. He was insecure and controlling, and
he had the nerve to leave her stranded. Just as Tessa
closed the "vagina bar," she meets a gorgeous man that
is everything she wants. Sterling Cole is the last of a
dying breed. He's handsome, wealthy, and he knows how to
treat a lady. Knowing that the "vagina bar" is closed,
Tessa has to hope that Sterling is the one that can put
the "open" sign back on the "bar."
Gaming For Love is an excellent book by Nancy
Weaver. It was like having a 'girls night out' session.
Each of the characters were very realistic and
relatable. It was refreshing to read about a mature
woman who is ready to date, but realizes that it doesn't
always get better with time.
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4 out of 5 books |
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Lefty and Chris are
cousins that just graduated from high school. With the
real world at their feet, they see numerous
opportunities ahead of them. They keep getting lured
into making fast cash on the streets. Lefty and Chris
soon become consumed with greed and there's no turning
back. Things spiral out of control when Chris falls in
love with Kyra, the ex-girlfriend of drug kingpin
E-Nice. Kyra soon convinces Lefty and Chris into a
dangerous money-making scheme that could cost them their
lives.
Lefty's Story
is a riveting debut by Raymond Francis. Francis
creatively takes you into the lives of Lefty and Chris.
This story shows just how quickly people can get caught
up in the dangerous world of fast money. You really see
how greed takes over all of the characters' lives. The
moral of this story is that everything that looks good
isn't always good for you. Lefty's Story an
exciting story by Raymond Francis.
Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert for
Urban-Reviews.com
Read our exclusive interview with Raymond Francis
in the Inside Out section.
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Raymond Francis
Lefty's Story
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