Miami Attraction by Elaine Overton

Kimani Press, May 2010
97800373861583
Reviewer: Missy
Rating: 4

Elaine Overton writes a fun loving piece about two individuals with a lot in common including a love for furry K9 friends and a truck load of personal demons. Will their keep them from finding happiness together?

Mikayla Shroebr has a two hundered pound playful, lovable and destructive mutt named Angel, that is always leaving her in a bind. Mikayla knows that something must be done Angel and his lack of doggie manners ASAP. Dr. Dusty Warren is a man with a heart for animals and a reputation for being able to tame the wildest of them all. Dusty Warren is Mikayla's last hope while Angel and Mikayla are Dusty Warren's biggest challenge. Will dusty and Mikayla be able the battle their personal demons and find the love and passion they both desire?

Elaine has written an fun story filled with moments of intensity and excitement. The story was a pleasant and enjoyable read for any fan of romance.

Basketball Jones by E. Lynn Harris

Doubleday, January 2009
9780767926270
Reviewer: ChiTown Haitienne
Rating: 4

Have you ever wondered about 'the other man' in the relationship with a married man who's afraid to come out of the closet? E. Lynn takes you on a journey inside his world. True to his style, E Lynn gives you an outrageous Queen diva, a confident gay man who let's love take him to a place he thought he'd never venture, and drama with a capital 'D'.

Basketball Jones reminded me of why I love E. Lynn's writing. He does a perfect job of getting the reader to understand the plight of the gay man, whether he's confused or sure in the lifestyle he's chosen, and the characters he creates will have you talking out loud to the book. Despite this not being one of E. Lynn's strongest works, Basketball Jones was an entertaining read in true E. Lynn Harris style.

Silken Betrayal by Francis Ray

Kimani Press, Feb 1999
9781583140949
Reviewer: LaShonda
Rating: 4

Lauren Bennett lived a life that consisted of her job as an executive secretary and being a single mother to 5 year old Joshua. Since the accident that claimed the lives of her husband and her mother, Lauren’s main concern has been to keep her son happy and safely away from his father’s influential parents.
Jordan Hamilton was a successful business man with a grudge against Lauren’s father-in-law. Jordan is determined to make him pay for the undo pain and humiliation his greed and lies caused to his family.

Lauren’s plus sized friend Sonja is trying to show her friend that it is ok for her to be a mom and love again. The blossoming love between Lauren and Jordan is mixed with mystery and intrigue as we learn just what harm Lauren’s father-in-law caused and tries to continue to cause in the lives of Jordan and Lauren. The mystery of Jordan’s grudge and how it will affect Lauren keeps you on edge throughout and has you routing for Lauren, Jordan and Joshua.

The relationship that Joshua begins to form with Jordan will pull at your heart strings as Joshua begins to experience things he was missing as a young boy growing up without a dad. Romance lovers will surely enjoy this love story told as only Mrs. Ray can. I recommend this book to readers of romance and Francis Ray. If you are looking to read an erotic work place drama this is the story for you.

Table For Three by Recha G. Peay

Urban Soul: October 2009
978-1599830711
Reviewer: LaShonda
Rating: 4

Shiquanna is an alcoholic exotic dancer with a few high paying dates on the side. She has life demons that she is fighting as she drowns her soul in alcohol. Yvonne is an unemployed CPA whose current stint of charity work at the church is about more than a pure heart. Toting her bible and holy water she is ready to cast out the demons of her friends, but needs to take a closer look at her own demons. India is a professional college student struggling with her identity. She has changed major more often than people change their underwear,

These three women could not be any more different, but life brought them together and love for each other keeps them grounded. Each week they meet to provide whatever intervention they feel must be performed in each others lives. As the story unfolds we find that they all have issues of their own that need to be worked out.

Table for Three is a re-coming of age story about three women approaching milestones in their lives. Shiquanna, India and Yvonne are likable and believable characters. You will find yourself ready to throw the book across the room in frustration as these three women become a part of your own sister-girl fold.

If you enjoy contemporary women’s lit, you will enjoy this tale of growing pains. I recommend this to any one looking to read chick lit without the cookie cutter lifestyles. These women are real and will have you frustrated, laughing and eventually cheering for their Table for Three.

Forever My Lady by Jeff Rivera

Grand Central Publishing: July 2007
978-0446698818
Reviewer: Tiffany
Rating: 4

There is nothing quite like young love, and this book is an engaging story about two young people named Dio and Jennifer. Dio is a gang member who ends up in boot camp and Jennifer is a victim of a gun shooting. Forever My Lady is the story of their relationship and tells in vivid detail of its survival under extreme circumstances.

Forever My Lady is a realistic portrayal of a teenage love that keeps the reader engrossed for the outcome. Jeff Rivera does an excellent job of describing the emotions and the struggles that the two main characters encounter. This book kept me interested until the very last page and left me wanting for more. I would recommend this book to others.

And Mistress Makes Three By Francis Ray

St. Martin's Griffin, Jun 2009
978-00312573683
Reviewer: Missy
Rating: 4

Francis Ray has created a loving yet touching story about how far love will go to make people realize their needs for one another.

Gina Rawlings is the wife that most men would die for she never questions her husband about his coming or goings and always believes in him when he does not give reasons for things he does. She takes care of her home and put everyone before herself. When he walks away to go on to share his life with a better woman as he comes to bring to her attention she is left to pick up the pieces. With two children, no support from her husband and a business that has seen better days Gina finds
herself trying to hold on to her mental state.

With the opening of Journey's End, the bed & breakfast that his wife wanted, Max Broussard is taking his deceased wife's dream and making it a reality while still dealing with the fact that she is gone. When Gina goes to visit the B&B for her business, she finds a lovely location with lots of potential, in need of some touches to make it a step above the other B&Bs in the area. On the other end, Gina's travel agency needs help. If it were not for her family and friends, it would be making little to no income at all. Max knowing an expert eye when he sees one makes an agreement with Gina to help her with the technical side of her business if she would help him make the B&B the place he wanted to create for his wife. Max is very gentle to the eye and an instant spark flies between the Gina and Max but Gina and Max are both at war with these feelings. Max is not sure about her relationship with her ex-husband and Gina is at odds with her body due to the weight she has gained over the years.

Gina's best friend, Celeste de le Vega is an interior designer that many would call a heart breaker. She has been engaged three times but none of these men has made her heart stop and start again leading her down the aisle to forever. When Celeste meets Alec Dunlap, she realizes he may just be the one. However, Alec would not be easy. Alec, a dedicated police officer, is unable to perform his duties due to his guilt over the shooting of a man in the line of duty. Alec is at his brother's house building him and his new wife a gazebo while they are on their honeymoon. Celeste is at his brother's house redecorating the couple's bedroom. This causes Alec and Celeste to cross paths constantly. Alec is trying to fight the attraction between them but Celeste is trying everything in her power to ignite the fire. When Celeste is taken hostage, Alec has to deal with his feelings and bring them to the table with Celeste.

And A Mistress Makes Three was not what I expected I totally love how Francis took each of her characters and made them stand out as individuals before bringing them into their unique places within the book. This book is great as a standalone but I get the feeling I am going back to look at the Invincible Women of Charleston, SC. As a Charleston native, I would say that Francis hit this on the dime and made everything visually stimulating. KUDOS to Ray for doing it again.

Not Even If You Begged by Francis Ray

St. Martin's Griffin, Jan 2008
978-0312948177
Reviewer: DD
Rating: 4

The voluptuous Traci Evans has an iron gate around her heart. Multiple wounds inflicted by her cheating deceased husband and her nasty mother have almost destroyed Traci’s faith in love, her trust in people in general. Despite all this, her attraction to the sexy Ryan Gilmore, her best friend and neighbor’s son, will not be denied. Traci is not Ryan’s type or at least he did not think so until he met her. Still Traci’s lush curves, generous breast, childbearing hips combined with a heart of gold makes Ryan want to know Traci inside and out.

The slim and trim, 59 years old, Maureen Gilmore loved her husband dearly. Now 4 years a widow she is missing the intimacy and the bond she had with her husband. Can the sexy police office, Simon Dunlap, fill the growing void in her heart despite the fact that he is almost 10 years her junior. Will Maureen let her feelings for Simon overcome doubts and fears due to the age difference?

Francis Ray has done it again. Not Even If You Begged is a page-turner from beginning to end. The characters in this book come to life so naturally you almost forget your reading fiction. I felt Traci and Maureen’s pain as they dealt with their personal struggles. I wanted them to find the love they both deserved with the hot men Francis Ray created to take my breath away. I fell just a little bit in love with both Simon and Ryan for they had qualities most single women look for when they imagine their life mate. The story itself flowed effortlessly. Francis Ray combined the budding romances with sub-plots that gave this story an essence of realness and gave you insight into the characters you can only see when they interact with people outside of their budding relationships. I closed the book wanting to read more but still satisfied with what I was given

(Book Originally Reviewed For BBW Reviews)

Gunmetal Black by Daniel Serrano

Grand Central Publishing: September, 2008
9780446194136
Reviewer: LaShonda S
Rating: 4

Fresh out of jail, the last thing Eddie Santiago needed was to become entangled into the illegal dealings of his childhood best friend Little Tony. Eddie had plans to leave behind the streets of Chicago and the memories they held and move to Miami. His love for Latin music and the congas had Eddie ready to take his money and become legit by becoming a partner in the Salsa record label his prison cell mate wanted to start. But Eddie has to fight to wash the grit of Chicago off his hands and take back what is his for he is haunted by the ghost of a favor owed to Tony, memories of his father's murder and being set up by his old boss Pelon.

From the opening flashback Gunmetal Black gives you a peek into the troubled life of Eddie Santiago. Living a life plagued with violence and crime it is no wonder that the first part of this story centers on Eddies time in jail. It is during this time that we witness the growth of Eddie beyond his criminal past. Filled with intricate criminal plans and deception with every turn, Gunmetal Black is a gritty street novel with just enough drama to hold your interest from beginning to end.

I recommend this book to urban lit fans that enjoy a good plot and mystery with their story. The use of flashbacks to fill in the blanks along with the real life situations the characters are placed in makes this an interesting read. There are no over the top antics and unrealistic finales to disappoint the reader.

Darkness In The Mirror by Erica Lewis

Urban Soul: February, 2009
9781599830780
Reviewer: Toni Mac
Rating: 4

What you don’t know won’t hurt you. But what happens when you find out? Ondie Reid’s life hasn't been typical. Having developed schizophrenia courtesy of genetics, Ondie has managed to have a somewhat normal life with the aid of medication and therapy. She even had a meaningful relationship that resulted in a daughter, Maya, and a marriage proposal until…her mother told her fiancee of her disease. Ondie and her former fiancee, Dexter, have maintained a friendly relationship. In fact, Ondie thinks now is the time for them to reignite what they once had. But what Ondie doesn't know is that Dexter has been secretly seeing her sister. Will the discovery of their relationship send Ondie over the edge?

“Darkness in the Mirror” is an emotionally stirring look at the human side of mental health, focusing on the struggles and hopes of one family affected by schizophrenia. It was a pleasure to read. I’m happy to see an author tackle a subject not often addressed.

The Things We Do For Love by Xavier Knight

Grand Central Publishing: March, 2008
978-0446582384
Reviewer: LaShonda
Rating: 4

In The Things We Do For Love, Xavier Knight takes us into the lives of two married couples, the husbands, both members of a gospel group.

Jesse and Dionne Law have endured a lot as a married couple. Jesse is trying to put his past life as a successful R&B singer behind him. As the lead singer of a hot gospel group, Jesse appears to have his life on track. Can he maintain the steady road while keeping secrets that could rock the success of his group and destroy the very core of his marriage to Dionne.

Dionne has landed a job in the ministry that she believes will allow her a platform to better spread the word. Will Dionne be able to maintain her new job while trying to save her best friend Suzette’s marriage, and dealing with the real story behind her adopted son.

Suzzette is married to Coleman, a member of Gospel sensation, Men with a Message, along with Jesse. Their perfect life is shattered by a secret that rocks the very core of what their marriage is based on. Coleman tries to come to grips with his exposed secret and the madness that begins to unfold as the layers of his secret are exposed. Suzette is busy questioning what she knows about herself and what the future holds for her marriage.

The Things We Do for Love is thought provoking novel , tackling issues of homosexuality, infidelity and the prejudice. Addressing the stances that the church, friends, family and the media may takes on during scandal, it is sure to have you wondering what you would do if faced with such situations. The story line is captivating. I recommend this book to Christian Fiction fans willing to think outside of the box on very controversial subject matters. This would also be a great book club read as the story and conclusion make for great debate.

Contemporary reader fans will enjoy this book. This page turner is a quick read. Looking for 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.

Obessession by Gwynne Forster

Kimani Press: June 2008 (re-released)
9780373831036
Reviewer: Dee-Dee
Rating: 4

After a successful yet unrewarding life as one of the best stoke brokers on Wall Street, Selena Sutton decides it is time for her to put her life in order. She put relationships and family on hold to achieve monetary success but her life felt empty. She craved love and a family of her own. Selena uproots her life moving to a small town in Texas in hopes of finding a quieter life and the love and family she so desires. But Selena gets more than she expected when the Cooper boys roll into her life.

Prince Cooper is pure trouble and Selena wants nothing to do with him. Prince's ego will not allow him to believe Selena does not want him, becoming obsessed with making her his despite her relationship with his brother. Magnus Cooper is handsome and successful, the type of man women dream of including Selena. Unknown to Selena Magnus has been in love with her since the day she rolled into Waverly, the quiet Texas town they call home. But Magnus has demons with roots in family dysfunction. Will Selena and Magnus be able to create a life together despite the challenges placed in front of them. The outside forces determined to keep them apart.

Fans of Gwynne Forster romance novels will not be disappointed with Obsession. It is quality writing filled with plot twist that will keep you guessing through out the book. Selena and Magus are a likeable and readers will want them to share the Happily ever after despite all odds. The challenges the couple face both individually and as a couple will at times seem more than they can handle. Readers will enjoy seeing how these two manage to face all challenges including the ones they have placed in their own paths. Though I found the beginning of the book to be a bit slow, but once the story began to roll I was completely sucked into the lives of Selena a Magnus wanting to know how they will manage to navigate everything that is thrown at them. I throughly enjoyed Obsession and would recommend this book to anyone seeking the classic romance.

The Hood Life: A Bentley Manor Tale By Meesha Mink and De'Nesha Diamond

Touchstone: January 2009
978-1416577096
Reviewer: Lashonda
Rating: 4

Move over ladies of Bentley Manor, the men of Bentley Manor are out to tell their story and it is HOT! Spinning a tale of sex, drugs and drama, Meesha and De'Nesha skillfully lure you into the lives of four men with roots in Bentley Manor. Although this book follows behind the highly acclaimed Desperate Hoodwives and Shameless Hoodwives, The Hood Life as it does not read like a sequel.


Tavon, The Pimp, has made pimping a family business. Taking it to another level as his extravagant lifestyle remains a blend of his business and personal life. His balance is thrown for a tailspin with the unexpected arrival of a bundle of joy...a teen-aged bundle of joy. This leaves Tavon wondering, how does a pimp raise a teenage daughter?

Demarcus, The Killer, fresh from his stint in prison, is out to prove that he is a changed man. Determined to live right, Demarcus starts his day with prayer and hits the streets preaching to others from his Quran. Yet he still struggles to release the demons from his past life. Not able to find a job and tired of feeling like less than a man, the lure of fast, money is around every corner. Will a chance for one quick move to escape The Hood Life be stronger than the will to live a new life?

Kaseem, The Dealer, is fighting a battle of his own. Not your normal dealer, Kaseem finds himself challenged by those around him who want him to come hard. With the unexpected arrival of an infant son, and a baby momma strung out on crack, irony has come knocking on Kaseem's door. Will he leave the game before the game consumes him.

Rhakmon, The Playa, is a character in himself. Getting what he can from women is the name of his game. No woman is safe from his hustling, including his current girlfriend. Determined to use what he has to get what he wants, Rhakmon ask his girlfriend to make the ultimate sacrifice to save himself.You will not be disappointed with this book. It will have you gripping the pages as you watch the story unfold. Get ready to dive into the drama that is fitting of Bentley Manor.

You will be amazed at the lengths these men go through as they strive to live The Hood Life.

Can I Get a Witness? by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Pocket: July 2008
9781416521679
Reviewed By: TS
Rating: 4

Can I Get A Witness hits the floor running. Ms. Billingsley does a good job of throwing the reader into the story and you find yourself feeling for the characters and caring about what happens in their lives. The plot and character development are both thorough but it seems a bit too short and slightly rushed at times. When I finished the last page I found myself wishing certain points of the book were longer.

The story revolves around the lives of three sisters and the struggles they go through to cope with their relationships. The sisters are helped along by their Aunt Ida with her the well intended, sarcastic yet funny at times comments and advice. Aunt Ida raised them and encourages them to include God in their relationships.

Vanessa is a divorce-court judge whose marriage has been in trouble for a long time. Unfortunately, Vanessa was totally unaware of their marital problems, leaving her unprepared for the crazy ride she will have to take while dealing with her husband Thomas and his mistress.

Dionne, the youngest and brattiest of the sisters, whole life revolves around getting married before age 30. During her quest to find a husband, Dionne finds Roland; a not yet divorced man with doggish tendencies… which only the beginning of her troubles. Dionne has lots of growing up to do and doesn't seem to actually figure this out until it's almost too late.

Rosalyn, the eldest sisters, is the most level headed. With a happy marriage to a minister and a son - she comes off as the perfect sister with the perfect life. She is spiritually in tune with herself and seeks to help her sisters through their issues. But, she too has some drama of her own.

This book is a very fast read with strong characters. A story line that is crazy, funny, and serious. Ms. Billingsley delivers serious lessons with humor and care. I even found myself speaking out loud a few times at the audacity of some of the characters! A must read.

Gotta Keep on Tryin' by Virginia DeBerry, Donna Grant

Publisher: Touchstone, January 2008
978-1416531678
Reviewed by Naleighna Kai, author of Every Woman Needs a Wife
Rating : 4

Patricia Reid and Gayle Saunders, who made their appearance on the literary stage in Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made, return in a sequel that further tests the bonds of friendship, marriage and their careers. In Gotta Keep on Tryin’, Patricia and Gayle have launched a new business venture, and through much trial and terror, the women’s talents propel this seeming pipe dream into something that gains the attention of a major conglomerate. At a time when success is imminent, Vanessa, Gayle’s teenage daughter has become unmanageable, willful and is plagued by self-doubt and a condition that is affecting more teenagers today--bulimia.

Pat has her own troubles when Tiffani Alexander walks through their door claiming Pat’s husband as her father, and it sets the stage for Marcus to suddenly focus on the daughter he’s always wanted, but Pat, whose career has come first, was unwilling to give. Just when things couldn’t get any worse, Vanessa moves in with an abusive boyfriend and holds fast to the relationship rather than admitting defeat and returning to safety. All this is followed by a lucrative offer from a conglomerate that pits the women’s goals and dreams against each other.

Though the women’s friendship survived an overwhelming amount of obstacles in the first novel, the developments, and their unwillingness to confide in each other or ask for help, might be their undoing in Gotta Keep on Tryin’.

This novel, a realistic look at the challenges that Black women face to balance family, career and love, was well written, an enjoyable read and well worth the eleven year wait for the sequel.