Men Money & Gold Diggers by Je'Caryous Johnson

Grand Central Publishing: February, 2009
978-0446541084
Reviewer: LaShonda
Rating: 3

Get ready for a case of whiplash as you enter the whirlwind lives of Caleb and Paisley. Caleb is a handsome, successful investment banker who always seems to attract gold diggers. Paisley is a former model, in between jobs and fresh out of a relationship with a broke cheater. Will they be able to see past their past relationships flaws, and a prenup, to find true love?

Men, Money and Gold Diggers explores the lives of two people struggling to trust after being burned by love. Told from both Caleb and Paisleys point of view, the first chapter begins with a bang and continues to pull you deeper into their lives as the story unfolds. The main characters are well thought out and their friend and family help to add to the drama of the story.

This story was well written and covers the various pitfalls people face in the quest for true love. The characters are realistic and engaging. The twist and turns in the plot are well placed, keeping you interested from start to finish. Though it did not take away from the book as a whole, I did find the actions of some of the characters a little over the top. I also found myself questioning the direction the story was going a few times.

Readers of contemporary literature will enjoy this page turner. If your looking for a quick read with a little drama, this book fits the bill.

Laying Down My Burdens by Brenda Thomas

Phillywriter.com; October 2, 2007
978-0979762208
Reviewer: Toni Mac
Rating: 4

Brenda Thomas’ memoir, “Laying Down My Burdens,” is like an intimate conversation with Brenda. She writes about family, drug abuse, domestic violence, and self discovery. With raw emotions, Thomas recounts all of her struggles in painful detail.

While not a thriller or an action-packed story, “Laying Down My Burdens” is instead an evocative book. With details of her life, Thomas has laid out a touching story that will hopefully educate readers and/or motivate those with similar circumstances.

The Cassandra Cookbook by Shawn James

Virtualbookworm.com Publishing: August 2008
978-1602642294
Reviewer: Lashonda
Rating: 4

Cassandra Lee has the world at her doorstep, or so it seems. She has worked to make her parents' bakery a success, working along with her father and getting her culinary degree. Her fresh outlook and innovative ideas have helped the bakery achieve tremendous success in the midst of a failing economy. During a meeting with her parents, she learns that the bakery she has worked towards owning is in negotiation to be sold so her parents can retire.

To further complicate things, only days before her wedding she walks in on her fiancé cheating, with another man. Devastated by the curves her life has taken Cassandra works to get over her heartache and help her parents to close the deal that will allow them to retire.

Told in 1st person from several characters point of view, The Cassandra Cookbook, shares the joys and pains of love, family and professional success. The characters have depth and deal with the real life choices people make to get ahead and find success in life. The writing style grants readers a peek inside of the mind of each character adding to the emotional ties felt with each character.

Overall this was this was a good book with a well developed storyline. I did find the cover to be a bit of a turn off and there were a few editing errors that took away through off the general flow of the book.

Looking for a whole lot of drama with a little romance thrown in, The Cassandra Cookbook fits the bill. There are life lessons and food for thought sprinkled into the pages of this story.