REVIEWS: DECEMBER 3

DECEMBER 2008

Sin No More
Kimberla Lawson Roby

Publisher: Harper Collins
Published: December 2008
ISBN: 0060892528

Mainstream Fiction

Rating: 5 Stars - SUPREME

Reviewer: Shelia Marie

Curtis Black is one unforgettable character. If you’ve read any of the other books in Kimberla Lawson Roby’s series, then Sin No More is a must have for your collection. Black is determined to live right and be faithful to his wife Charlotte. The problem is his other baby mama, Tabitha, wants more than child support—she wants him.

Charlotte is determined to keep Tabitha and her child out of their lives by any means necessary. Black pretends to be oblivious to Tabitha’s plot to get him back into her bed; but Charlotte is not having it. She plots behind Curtis back but things get out of hand.

With several twists and turns, Roby delivers another page-turner. I’m a huge fan of Roby’s and this book doesn’t disappoint. Whenever you think there’s nothing more that Curtis can do, you’re wrong. Drama is in Curtis’ DNA and Sin No More is drama to the third power. I also recommend reading The Best of Everything where we’re introduced to a grown up Alicia, Curtis’ daughter.

SEPTEMBER BOOKS 2008

Rhythms of Grace
Marilynn Griffith

Revell
Published: September 2008
ISBN-10: 0800732782
ISBN-13: 978-0800732783

Christian Fiction

Rating: 4 Stars - Excellent

Reviewer: LaShaunda C. Hoffman

Diana only wanted to dance; she found the perfect school t help her get the dancing spirit out of her. The night of her first recital she because a victim of a brutal assault. Fast forward years later Diana, now goes by the name Grace Okoye. She is asked by her former dance teacher to come teach at the school she left behind. Grace is leery but decides to step past her fear and go help her teacher. Grace is reunited with an old friend, Zeely who is in search of Mr. Right.

The school has a few problems, but Grace doesn’t let them deter her from teaching. She’s partnered with Bryan a man with a few issues of his own. They have instant chemistry; however, Grace has to decide if she can be with a man who doesn’t share her faith.

Marilynn Griffith books always give you food for thought, this book is no exception. This is her most powerful book because the characters shared their pain and the reader cries right along with them. There are a few questions left unanswered which means a sequel is on the horizon.


It's Not About Me
Second Glances Series #1
Michelle Sutton

Sheaf House Publishers
September 1, 2008

ISBN-10: 0979748518
ISBN-13: 978-0979748516

Rating: 4 Stars - Excellent

Reviewed by LaShaunda C. Hoffman

Does going to church make you a Christian?

Annie the main character in Michelle Sutton’s debut novel has to ask herself this question. She’s not sure if she’s a real Christian or faking it.

Annie is the typical teenager trying to live an average life. She’s in love with the best looking guy and she wonders what he sees in her.

When Annie is brutally attacked, she begins to question her faith, her love for her boyfriend and her new friendship with his brother.

Ms. Sutton tackles the everyday pressures of a teenager, temptation, peer pressure, friendship and love. She makes the reader experience these issues right along with these characters.

My only question for Ms. Sutton, where were your books when I was a teen? I look forward to book 2 in this series. These are the type of books you want to pick up for the young adult or teen in your life.

JULY BOOKS 2008

Up Pops the Devil
Angela Benson

Avon A
July 29, 2008
ISBN-10: 0061468509
ISBN-13: 978-0061468506

Christian Fiction

Rating: 4 Stars - Excellent

Reviewer: LaShaunda C. Hoffman

Starting over is always hard, throw in being a new Christian with a girlfriend who wants your old life style and a sister who believes you’re faking it all. Preacher the main character in this story is having a hard time keeping it all together.

All Preacher, a former drug dealer wants to do is stay on the right path and start a legit business. He clings to his new found faith as he tries to walk down this bumpy road. Unfortunately his plans aren’t working out the way he planned. The Devil is working hard to make sure Preacher doesn’t succeed in his new life. He throws temptation at him in the forms of his sister and girlfriend. When those don’t work, he brings up someone from Preacher’s past who just might destroy his future.

Ms. Benson tells a real story about a man trying to make a change in his life. She shows that becoming a Christian doesn’t mean your life will be easy, sometimes that when your most challenges hit you in the face.


MARCH BOOKS 2008

Two Grooms And A Wedding
Adrianne Byrd

Kimani
Published: March 2008
ISBN-10: 0373860560
ISBN-13: 978-0373860562

Contemporary Romance

Rating: 4 Stars - Excellent

Reviewed by LaShaunda C. Hoffman

Your wedding day is supposed to be the most special day in your life. However when one has two grooms, it can become a nightmare. Isabella Kane thought she had the perfect man for her, Randall Jarrett, at least that what her parents thought. Always wanting to please her parents, she agreed to marry a man she didn’t love.

Derrick Knight, always the play boy never dreamed the woman standing behind him in a bookstore would be the woman to rock his world.
They both felt the attraction but tried to ignore it until their path crossed again and they gave into the passion. They began to feel emotions they didn’t believe were possible.

Isabella realizes she’s making a mistake and tries to break off her engagement but her father refuses to let her, he sees this marriage as a way to see his dreams of someone in his family in the white house.

The day of the wedding two grooms show up and she has to decide who she’ll marry. Will it be the man her family wants her to marry because it would be politically right or the man who has her heart?

This book was a refreshing treat. I enjoyed turning the pages quickly as I enjoyed the characters. It reminded me of how much I enjoy reading romances.