NOV 06 REVIEWS

Hanging On A String
Janette McCarthy
Dafina Books
Contemporary Romance
Published December 2006
Rating: 4 Stars - EXCELLENT

Reviewed by: Regina Hightower

This is a Hard hitting suspense drama to which I must admit I'm a sucker for it starts off hard hitting who done it. Although I've be at it too long, I guessed the plot but it was exciting and suspenseful never the less.

The investigations were never ending, and in the end there were a lot more players in the game than you might think but it was worth every minute of the reading and popcorn.

So get comfortable for the best of the who done it for the last of the season the Hero and Heroine Jasmine Spain & Detective Marcus Claremont are the virtual dynamic duo even if she fights the attraction every step of the way because of past bad experiences. It's a must see how he wears her down. And they solve the mystery of who done it.


One Day At A Time
Lyric James
Cobblestone Press
ISBN: 978-1-60088-067-4
November 2006
Erotica/Romance
Rating: 3 Stars - VERY GOOD

Reviewed by: Marguerite Lemons

Xavier Starks is the managing partner of a successful law firm in Dallas, who ends up posing nude for his friend’s graduate art class when his four of a kind is beaten by a royal flush.

Kellye Matthews has just recently passed the bar, and is taking an art class at the recommendation of her doctor as a way to relieve stress and combat her panic attacks.

The sparks ignite as soon as Kellye lays eyes on Xavier’s nude body. She never finishes her painting because she is too busy lusting over the site of him. Xavier can’t believe he’s posing for his friend. If it ever gets out that he posed nude his career could be ruined, but all that is forgotten once he notices Kellye. When Xavier attempts to approach her after class Kellye bolts for the nearest exit.

Kellye almost has a panic attack when she walks into Xavier’s office to interview for an opening as an associate attorney, and realizes that the very man she was lusting over in art class owns the firm. Xavier hires Kellye because she is the most qualified for the job and then tries to avoid a sexual harassment scandal by pursing her. Kellye decides that it’s time to seduce the boss for one night only to get him out of her system. When the tables are turned, Kellye begins to have feelings for Xavier and she runs when she fears being hurt again.

One Day At A Time is well written and enjoyable story. It’s the kind of “fairytale” romance we all wish for at some point in our lives. My only complaint would be that it felt rushed. I wish Ms. James would have slowed the pace a little.


NOT EASILY BROKEN
T.D. Jakes
FaithWords
ISBN: 0-446-57677-8
Christian Fiction
Published: October 2006
Book Rating: 4 Stars - EXCELLENT

Book reviewed by: Ashley McDonald - Sophomore of Duncanville High School
Overseer by Camellia Johnson
If you are having a problem with your marriage or any relationship, ”NOT EASILY BROKEN” by T.D. Jakes is explaining to you how to seek God and how to just have faith and believe that God is going to do his job. “NOT EASILY BROKEN” is easy to read and gives the reader different views into a marriage and the trials and tribulations that come with it. T.D. Jakes addresses the complicated and confused questions that usually don’t get answered until the “life-after-marriage” has already happened.

Clarice stood out the most because of her willingness to perfect and succeed in everything that she did. She was a leader who had goals in her life and she wasn’t going to let her husband, Dave come between. To me, she was the exact example of not being easily broken because through all the trials that her and her husband went through, she stayed strong. Dave on the other hand, was a person of success as well, but it seemed when times got hard to him, he was easily broken.
I think this book isn’t just for married or single people but for those who want to know, “What Next?” about their life, their relationship, and themselves as well. There is an outcome for every decision we make and those choices should be handled seriously. If you think you can not be easily be broken by anything, read this book and really ask yourself, “Am I REALLY not easily broken?”


She Ain’t the One
Carl Weber
Mary B. Morrison
Kensington Books
ISBN: 0758207212
Published: October 2006
Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 3.5 Stars – GREAT

Reviewed by: Flashette Shirer

How do you keep from falling apart when the person you thought was the woman of your dreams turns your life into a living nightmare? This is the question that Jay Crawford is forced to answer in the exciting new novel SHE AIN’T THE ONE.

When Jay meets the beautiful and sexy Ashlee Anderson, he believes he has finally met his soul mate. Immediately smitten by Ashlee, the two begin a fast, hot and heavy long distance relationship since she lives in Dallas . But, Ashlee is hiding some serious secrets from Jay: secrets that would drive him out of her life forever if they are revealed. Things are going okay until Jay becomes reacquainted with the woman who broke his heart three years ago, Tracy . And she shares a secret of her own that forces Jay to examine his heart to see if the bond he now shares with Tracy is stronger than the love he has for Ashlee. When Ashlee realizes another woman is in the picture, her true colors begin to show. Now, Jay is in the path of destruction and Ashlee will stop at nothing to make him suffer.

This engaging story is told by two of the most popular African American authors in the literary world today: Carl Weber and Mary B. Morrison. The two introduce characters from their previous novels, and this is done skillfully enough that readers will not have to know the story lines from the other books in order to enjoy this novel.

This is a great book and I look forward to reading future collaborations from these authors in the future.


Vindication: The Adventures of Private Jane
Lyric James
Publisher ~ Cobblestone Press, LLC.
Publisher URL ~ http://www.cobblestone-press.com
Genre ~ African American/Suspense
ISBN Number ~ 1-60088-045-2
Published: September 2006
Rating ~ Four Stars - EXCELLENT

Reviewer Michelle Alexander

Karyn, a former police officer who now has her own all female, private investigating firm P.I., has is searching for her sisters murderer and uncovers a conspiracy that makes her a marked woman!

Zechariah, an ex-cop and law student, ignites a passion in Karyn that she can't ignore, but her obsession with solving the case may cost her everything, her love and her life.
Vindiction has intrigue, suspense and all the elements of a classic whodunit, with the added spice of sensual love scenes and a surprise ending!


Pulse
Anisa Damien
Tryst
Cobblestone Press
ISBN: 1-60088-040-1
September 2006
Erotica
Rating: 3 Stars – VERY GOOD

Reviewed by: Marguerite Lemons

Gabriel Sebastien is a former CIA Agent who can’t believe that his wife divorced him while he was away on an assignment.

Cassidy Raleigh divorced Gabriel a little over a year ago after deciding that he had chosen his job over her and walked out on their marriage.

Sage Vachon is Gabriel’s sister and Cassidy’s best friend. She is also the owner of the Bed and Breakfast where Cassidy and Gabriel reunite only to be torn apart again by one of Gabriel’s former nemesis seeking revenge.

Pulse grabs your attention and keeps it until the end. This fast-paced short story is filled with passion and danger. Ms. Damien didn’t waste anytime getting to the point, and the loves scenes are as descriptive as you would expect for this genre. I enjoyed the way Gabriel’s absence was explained, and the vulnerability of the characters. My only problem with this book was that it was too short.


Love in the Lineup
Deborah Fletcher Mello
Arabesque Books
ISBN 1-58314-698-9
Published August 2006
Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 Stars - EXCELLENT

Reviewed by: Regina Hightower

If Drama and love is what you seek then this is the book for you. I couldn't put it down.

I loved this book from beginning to the end. Angel & Roshawns story in four words, wonderful, marvelous, beautiful, and touching.

Those of us who have teenagers and grown children can relate to this story as they sometimes are rebellious and as she put it you want to knock the pee water out of them lol. But I loved Roshawns and Mings relationship it shows that we mothers are human too and that it takes a lot of love faith and patience to raise kids.. I love the way that the lovebug just snuck in there and bit them.(Angel & Roshawn)

Will there be more additions to the family now that Angel and Roshawn are getting married? Will Bridgett & Ming get a story of there own? I can hardly wait for your next book.


Do You Take This Woman? A novel
RM Johnson
Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 0743285190
Published: August 2006
Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 3 Stars – VERY GOOD

Reviewed by: Flashette Shirer

DO YOU TAKE THIS WOMAN? examines the questions of loyalty, devotion and forgiveness when two men are in love with the same woman.

Pete and Wayne are more than just best friends and business partners – they are brothers. Pete grew up in Wayne ’s home after being abandoned by his mother. Still, Pete never got over feelings of unworthiness and inadequacy when it comes to his friendship with Wayne. Even though Pete saw and dated the beautiful Carla first, she ended up engaged to Wayne. So when Pete found an opportunity to reunite with Carla, he seized the opportunity and eventually married her. But now, new indiscretions threaten to disrupt his happy home and could forever ruin his friendship with Wayne.

R.M. Johnson does a fantastic job of giving life to the emotions of Pete, Wayne and Carla as they all struggle to find the meaning of love and devotion. The characters learn that there is a difference between loving someone and being in love with someone. As they sort through their feelings, many hearts are broken. But relationships that seem irreparable find a way of mending themselves as honesty and forgiveness is brought into the equation.

This book will take the reader on an emotional rollercoaster with many unexpected twists and turns. Johnson has written a good story that will keep the reader engaged until the very last word.


Only True Love Waits
Dwan Abrams
ISBN Number ~ 1-4241-5067-1
Published August 2006
PULISHAMERICA, LLP,
Genre ~ African American Christian Fiction
Rating ~ 3 1/2 Stars – GREAT

Reviewer Michelle Alexander

Summer on the brink of opening a hot new spa in Atlanta has her dreams shattered by the sudden breakup of their engagement by her fiance, Xavier who unbeknownst to Summer has just been diagnosed with testicular cancer. While Xavier an up and coming rap artist, endures surgery and treatment alone, Ryan his manager moves in on Summer, but he leaves her feeling uneasy. After Xavier confesses to Summer, they reunite, but Ryan becomes insanely angry and kidnaps Summer and then her Mother.

The rest of the book uncovers, adoption, incest, child abuse and other deep family secrets that Summer and Xavier never knew. Only True Love Waits is a book merging Biblical
principals with the realities of life.

This reviewer would have liked more character development, dialogue and a longer book. Summer, Xavier, Nina, Jeff, Natasha and Aunt RiRi are strong characters that can sustain other good story lines, so a sequel is definitely in order.