JUNE REVIEWS

RATINGS:

1 Star - POOR

1 ½ Star - FAIR

2 Stars - OK

2 ½ Stars - GOOD

3 Stars - VERY GOOD

31/2 Stars- GREAT

4 Stars - EXCELLENT

41/2 Stars - EXCEPTIONAL

5 Stars - SUPREME


Heated
Nobia Bryant
Kinsington Publishing – Dafina Books
ISBN: 0-7582-1460-X
Published: June 2006
Rating: 31/2 Stars- GREAT
Reviewed by: Eleanor S. Shields

Heated by Nobia Bryant is a very entertaining read about a strong willed young lady that is determined to set things right.

Dr. Bianca King, is a very talented and sought after veterinarian, that has a lucrative practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Bianca relocated to Georgia after finishing college and basically running away from the life that she was forced into after the death of her mother. That life included her alcoholic father and her young and “gold digging” step mother Trishon. Bianca returned to her hometown of Holtsville after receiving a call from her father, Hank, who told her that he needed her to come home because he was about to lose everything.

Upon return, Bianca discovers that her father’s business was being sabotaged and when she confronts the man that her father believes is behind his demise, she not only discovers the handsome man that she passed and admired on the road but she discovers that being close to him sets off fireworks within her that could rival any fourth of July display.

Kahron Strong, a wealthy and handsome business man that happens to be the neighbor to the Kings. Kahron finds that although he is interested in purchasing Hank Kings property, he is more interested in forming a different kind of takeover with Hanks daughter.

Ms. Bryant has put forth a very interesting tale. It is packed with Heated and steamy romance (just like I like) and you get a nice surprise with a “who done it” angle. Very well done.


Sex on the Side – A ScreenplayAuthor:
Jessie Jamie Coleman
Autumn Girl Press
ISBN: 0-9766964-3-6
Published: 2006
Reviewed By: Shelia Marie

Jessie Jamie Coleman flips the script in the screenplay “Sex On the Side.” The main character, Josh John, is on a quest to find a serious girlfriend and is willing to give up casual sex to do so. Unfortunately, the women he comes in contact with only seem to want him for one thing. Yes, you guessed it—sex.

This romantic comedy will have you cheering for Josh while laughing at some of the situations he finds himself in at the same time. When Josh thinks he’s found the ideal woman who is willing to commit and not just want him for his body, he runs into another obstacle. He only knows her initials.

I could visualize the scenes as I read “Sex On the Side.” Hopefully Jessie Jamie Coleman’s screenplay will be made into a movie soon.


The Well-Fed Self-Publisher
Subtitle: How to Turn One Book into a Full-Time Living
By Peter Bowerman
Fanove Publishing, 2006
Nonfiction/Writers/How-To
ISBN: 0967059860
Reviewer: Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Rating 5 - SUPREME

Practical Advice that Inspires

Peter Bowerman to a Writer's Rescue

So, you’re a writer. Those of us who are often listen to a voice that nags us into believing that we'll never make a living at it. Sometimes that voice comes from the Web, sometimes from our own heads, sometimes from the ether. We hear it in so many places it begins to affect us at a cellular level, may even affect our career choices and our writing.

Peter Bowerman to the rescue. He, the practical author of the Well-Fed series, tells it as it is; in the process, his down-to-earth advice becomes inspirational. There is a way to make a living writing. There's also a way to support a writing habit by -- you guessed it -- writing! So those of you who are discouraged today or likely to be tomorrow, listen up:

The Well-Fed Self-Publisher is a solid book that assures us not only that we writers can take control of our own careers but that, if we choose self-publishing, it is "a process," In other words it is not an aptitude that is out of our reach. That's good news for any writer who has considered self-publishing and been cowed by terms like formatting, ISBN, distributors, indexing and a thousand more.

If you're considering self-publishing for any one of a multitude of reasons that make good business sense and good sense for your creative self, this is the book for you. What if you're not?

This is a book that can save you from missteps and the accompanying pain anyway. Admittedly, sections on Why Self-Publishing? and Learning to Love S&M (Sales & Marketing) will appeal more to the writer who has already discovered that when the writing is done, the job has just begun. This book, however, is for every writer because there is something in it for every one.

I think the section called "When a POD Publisher Says This, Hold on to Your Wallet." will be one every writer will want to read. It's a "reality check" we all need and you'll want to load up on books about marketing your book instead of paying someone else to do it for you.

I found the Table of Contents a bit disconcerting because it lacked page cues; I suspect that's because my copy was a special run for reviewers. If that isn't the case, a minor difficulty like that should not be a deterrent. I don't know a single writer -- no matter how experienced -- who couldn't learn something from Peter Bowerman.


Silent Wager
Author: Anita Bunkley
Dafina Kensington
ISBN: 0-7582-1245-3
Published: May 2006
Rating: 5 Stars - SUPREME
Reviewed By: Shelia Marie

Silent Wager by Anita Bunkley is a fast paced read. It’s full of drama and deception. The main setting is Houston, Texas. When the story begins, Max and Camille Granville are fighting against nature—flooding resulting from Tropical Storm Allison—to save their antique home and restaurant.

The tropical storm passes, but the storms in the Granville’s life are just beginning. Peace and harmony is hard to come by in the Granville household due to Max’s lack in judgment on various issues. Max lets the flood insurance lapse and other things are revealed that causes a rift between him and Camille.

No matter what Camille does, her daughter Jaiden seems determined to defy her. Their relationship is rocky and goes from bad to worse throughout the course of the story.

Max ends up giving up ownership of his family business to a man who he thinks has his best interests at heart. During a vacation that Max and Camille take to get their relationship back on track, Max discovers that his business partner is not what he appears to be. He is determined to get controlling interest of his business back.

Tragedy strikes leaving Camille unsure of how to proceed on with her life. With encouragement from her sister, Camille pulls herself together and fights for her family and the legacy her husband built his life around.

Anita Bunkley has penned an energetic and suspenseful read that will have you cheering for some characters, while wanting to slap others. Silent Wager is a great book to add to your summer reading list.


The Father’s Voice
Joanna Mcgee-Bradford
Moody Publishers
Published: April 2006
Fiction Spiritual
Rating: 4 Stars - Excellent
Reviewed by: Camellia Johnson

Listening to the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit is crucial today. “The Father’s Voice” is a tailspin of life choices that has to be made in Brenda‘s life. Brenda is confronted with her past time and time again. When her past meets up with her destiny, Brenda’s in a whirlwind of sudden life changes. What she thought was her future is no longer her future. Her heart felt desire of being a teacher is fulfilled and tied to Russell. Now, who would’ve thought the lawyer would fall for the janitor?

“The Father’s Voice” also shows how our steps are ordered by the Lord and how people are in our life for a purpose. Bob, Brenda’s boss filled the void in Brenda’s life as a father but as she begin to face her fears of her past and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit for her future, she was able to help and forgive Bob as well.

It was refreshing to see the author, Joanna Mcgee-Bradford show how love can happen at one meeting. It was good to see how powerful prayer is in life situations when faithfully seeking the Father. It’s at these intense moments in life that it’s good to know God loves you and hears your cry.


State’s Evidence
Author: R. Barri Flowers
Dorchester Publishing
ISBN: 0-8439-5571-6
Published: April 2006
Rating: 5 Stars - SUPREME
Reviewed By: Shelia Marie

For my first R. Barri Flowers novel, I was not disappointed. In fact after reading “State’s Evidence,” I will be going back to read some of Flowers others like “Justice Served” and “Persuasive Evidence.”

Assistant District Attorney, Beverly Mendoza, is accustomed to winning cases but when she’s faced with prosecuting the murderer of a judge, she begins to doubt herself.

Her life is turned upside down when she becomes face to face with a serial killer who has an ace up his sleeve. With this being a suspense novel, I don’t want to give away too much of the plot because if you’re like me, I like to figure stuff out myself when I’m reading suspense novels.

Know this however, that Beverly doesn’t have to go through her struggles alone. Grant Nunez, her former colleague, is there to support her every step of the way. Although at first Beverly struggles personally when he becomes the Judge on one of her high-profiled cases, she doesn’t allow it to interfere with their professional life.

This legal thriller will have you on the edge of your seats. The court room scenes are unforgettable and very believable. As a reader, you feel like you’re right there. The author gets into the mind of the criminals and you’ll feel privileged to information that the other characters don’t know. State’s Evidence by R. Barri Flowers is a must have for any fan of suspense books.