ABOUT URBAN REVIEWS
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MISSION STATEMENT
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Urban Reviews is the premier online resource for open and honest opinions on some of today's latest and greatest releases in African-American Fiction.  Our goal is to provide an insight for visitors to decide whether or not they should consider getting any of the featured releases.

Urban Reviews provides elaborate reviews of recent works, exclusive interviews with today’s Black fiction writers, new release information, diferrent networks (Facebook Group, Yahoo Group, etc) to discuss books, relevant topics, and give feedback on our reviews or the website itself. The Yahoo and Facebook Groups are also meant to encourage everyone to take part and share information with each other and submit their own opinions on books that they have evaluated themselves. You can also learn about industry news, get press releases, be eligible for contests, get daily book previews delivered to your inbox, and much more in our Yahoo and Facebook Group.

We here at Urban Reviews feel that the website can be one of the best vehicles for getting informed on what’s hot and what’s not in the African American fiction world.


PERSONAL BIOS


Charles Hubbert
Co-Founder / Co-Webmaster (July 2005 to present)

Well, My name is Charles Hubbert and I am a 30-something native of Milwaukee, WI. I graduated from Marquette University where I double majored in Communications and History. I am a former deejay (both special events and radio) and I have been doing websites for almost 15 years now. I was the online editor for the Marquette Tribune newspaper in college and currently work for an Insurance company.

I have always had a fascination with Hip-Hop and R&B music and have been doing music reviews since 1990. I had my own column in the high school and college newspaper. I maintained my own personal website dedicated to music reviews during my years in college under my former dj name DJ Charismatic.

I resurfaced on the internet in 2005 (still a music enthusiast at heart) but no longer as DJ Charismatic. I joined forces with my wife of 5 years to launch Urban Reviews, a website devoted to giving our perspective on the latest releases as well as resources for you to get more information regarding your favorites in each genre. I did music reviews for the website from July 2005 to July 2009.  I decided to branch the music portion of the site and started a totally new site called Urban C.R.E.A.M. in 2009, but my heart wasn't fully in it since music was personally nowhere near as good as it used to be.  In 2010, Urban C.R.E.A.M. will be resurrected and given one final chance to flourish.  The direction for the site will change, but the focus will remain the same...informing the people about quality music.  Stay tuned for more regarding Urban C.R.E.A.M.



Radiah Hubbert
Co-Founder / Head of the Book Review Team (July 2005 to present)

Hello, my name is Radiah Hubbert and I am a 30-something native of Milwaukee, WI too! I graduated from Rust College where I majored in Mass Communications/Broadcast Journalism. I was an on-air personality at 93.3 WJZI-FM for 3 years & was also a member of NABJ. I have been reading African-American fiction for about 15 years. I'm a member of Cultural Circle Book Club, A Brand New Day Book Club & read about 6-8 books monthly. I also currently work full-time at an Insurance company.

I love to read and am excited that I can share my opinion on my own website. I will feature a variety of authors every month including interviews. Hopefully, in the future we will post info on local & national book events as well as host our own events.



Jackie H.
Associate Book Reviewer (March 2007 to present)

Jackie is an avid reader born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. She is a member of a book club and very active in family and church activities.

Her favorite authors include: Carl Weber, Maya Angelou, Zane, Eric Jerome Dickey, and Jacqueline Thomas. Her favorite books include Defining Moments by Jacquelin Thomas, The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama, and everything by Carl Weber.



Nardsbaby
Associate Book Reviewer  (April 2007 to October 2009)

Chicago born Crystal (a.k.a. Nardsbaby in cyberspace) has always enjoyed reading, writing, and (believe it or not) questioning what she was reading early on. In the third grade was when she determined she would write. Her teacher praised her for writing a poem for Mother's Day. After winning the class award, Crystal found mistakes in the poem and before giving the prize winning poem to her mother, she had to correct all of the errors and asked her teacher to proofread it for her. From that moment on, Crystal has always been a big reader and writer. She's kept a journal and says that someday she's going to join the author ranks.

Crystal, an avid reader, has had the privilege of not just reading but working with some of the hottest authors known today. Though she's often criticized for her hard approach, Crystal finds that a lot of the authors respect her honesty and utilize her comments in an effort to correct their next projects.

She is married to her very best friend where her online moniker derives from. The couple have three children. Spending quality time together as a family is very important to Crystal. While she reads continuously, it never interferes with their family time.

Some of her favorite authors are Crystal Lacey Winslow, Crystal Perkins-Stell, Al-Saadiq Banks, and Keith Lee Johnson.



LaShonda Bates
Associate Book Reviewer  (June 2007 to 2009)

My name is LaShonda Bates, I'm 36 years old and a married mother of two boys. I have an Associate of Applied Sciene Degree in Business Management and am currently enrolled at Troy University where I am working toward my Bachelor's Degree in Business Management with a minor in Human Resources. I am also employed full-time as a Medical Support Assistant at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center located on Fort Gordon, Georgia.

I grew up in Houston, Texas and my love of reading developed at a very young age. The reason is because through reading, you can gather all kinds of knowledge and go anywhere in the world without having to spend a dime. I love to read all types of books, but I can't quite remember where my love for reading horror books came from. However, I can remember watching many classic scary movies when I was younger (Partly because my older brother controlled the only tv in the house.) about vampires, werewolves and other paranormal creatures. When it comes to books, I read them the same way I listen to my music. "I don't care who wrote it. If it's good, you'll have my attention."


Angela Coleman
Associate Book Reviewer (September 2007 to July 2009)

My name is Angela Coleman. I'm 35-year-old single mother of 3 and grandmother of 1. I am an Accounts Payable Rep for South Jersey's biggest hospital. My favorite authors are Al-Saadiq Banks, Dywane Birch, Crystal Lacey Winslow & Crystal Perkins-Stell. I read at least 3 books a week as long as I'm the one buying them! LOL!

I love rap music...well...music period. My favorite rap artists are Jay-Z, Kanye West, Biggie, Nas, and T.I. I am a pretty good cook...I can't bake worth crap...but I can cook my butt off. LOL!


Tazzyt2bossye
Associate Book Reviewer  (November 2007 to present)

Welcome to Tazzye's world. Tazzyt2bossye is my pen name on the web. I find joy and escapism from the daily trials and tribulations in fiction. I have always enjoyed reading, listening to music, and consider myself a positive force to be reckoned with.

I remember being a teenager and sneaking away from the family to read my mother's Harlequin Romances. When I became an adult, I read HR, and one day...WOW...Terri McMillan jumpstarted an epidemic. Sure, there were other authors, but I'm talking "keepin' it real" reading. Years later, I was awed again with another fantabolous WOW when Nikki Turner strutted in with A Hustlers Wife. I was like a fiend trying to get that book. So basically, I was initiated into Urban Lit by Nikki Turner's A Hustler's Wife and Shannon Holmes' B-More Careful and I've been hooked every since.

My all-time favorite authors are Tu-Shonda Whitaker, Danielle Santiago, Deja King, Jihad, Beverly Jenkins, Victoria Christopher Murray, Leila Jefferson, etc. As you can see, the list is endless, but those are ones that I'm gonna cop no matter what! Music-wise, Gerald Levert and Mary J. Blige are the ultimate for me, but there's a youngster on the come-up on the rap music scene that has an original style and vibe that I'm absolutely loving. Kudos to Smurf G of G Entertainment.

Just another day in the life of a book addict deemed Tazzyt2bossye...it's just Tazzye's world!



Tenecia Langston
Associate Book Reviewer (June 2008 to present)

My name is Tenecia Langston. I live in Corinth (Dallas), TX with my husband of 9 years and my two children. I have been a teacher for the past 9 years. I enjoy cooking and reading. I have been reading romance novels since 1994. Some of my favorite authors are Brenda Jackson, Rochelle Alers, Adrienne Byrd, Francine Craft, Melanie Schuster, and Kim Louise...just to name a few.


Kristin M.
Associate Book Reviewer (June 2008 to present)

Hi all! My name is Kristin. I am 28 year old mother of one son. I graduated from Alverno College with a double major in Business Management and Computer Studies. I currently work in the Insurance Field as an Liability Adjuster. I have been avid reader since I was small. I have a vast book collection. My favorite authors are Carl Weber, Shannon Holmes, Chunichi, and Noire (I can go on and on!). I also enjoy new and up-and-coming authors as well. I enjoy mostly non-fiction.

In my spare time, I am also an avid a music fan. I love all kinds but especially Neo-Soul, R & B, and Rap. I love shoes and purses ~LOL~ I enjoy movies, traveling, concerts, comedy shows, bowling, darts, etc. But I definitely love a good book that can hold my attention with realistic story lines.


Dee Stewart
Associate Book Reviewer (November 2009 to present)

A literary journalist and publicist since 2001, Dee Stewart's writings have appeared in Precious Times, Romantic Times Magazines and Mosaic Literary Journal. Her work focuses on fiction, popular culture, media and their relationship to people who live according to a Christian worldview. She is also the owner of DeeGospel PR, an entertainment pr boutique and lives in Atlanta, GA with her daughter, Selah.

Dee has been reading since she was four-year-old. However, she didn't begin reviewing books until she joined the literary review at Agnes Scott College in 1991. Since then she has reviewed for newspapers, literary journals, reviews and magazines, and began her own syndicated book blog five years ago. She has provided book marketing consultant support for publishing houses, literary agents, publicists and authors since 2001. She reads on average ten new titles a month except for during heavy book awards judging season (winter) where she reads 30 books a month.

Dee's favorite authors are Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Walter Moseley, Claudia Mair Burney, Sadie Jones, Jane Austen and Sue Monk Kidd. She enjoys reading all types of AA fiction and non-AA fiction, including sci-fi (big Stephanie Meyers fan.) She does not enjoy reading stories where the plot is weak, the character's story arcs hadn't been completely developed, the prose isn't well-written, and when she can't find the author's voice. Dee uses a review system to rate the books she reads. This system is based on a five point grading structure: plot, character, setting, theme, and voice.



Leona Romich
Associate Book Reviewer (November 2009 to present)

My name is Leona, I am in my early 30's. Reside in Ohio. I have three wonderful children. I am an avid reader and love to read and have a book with me everywhere I go.

I have been reading since an early age. The first adult book I read was when I was 9yrs. old, it was FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC by V.C. Andrews. My favorite authors are Bernice McFadden you can't go wrong with any of her novels. My favorite street-lit author is Al-Saadiq Banks. I typically read at least 10 or more books a month. I have recently started reading Brenda Hampton's, NAUGHTY series, and I am loving the series. I enjoy reading non-fiction books by authors such as: Iyanla Vanzant and T.D. Jakes.



Missy Brown
Associate Book Reviewer (November 2009 to present)

My family and friends call me Missy, a nickname from my childhood days; wait a minute I am still in my childhood days just on a different level. (Smile) I enjoy reading, dancing at home, chatting with my friends and expanding my spirituality. My patio is one of the places I go to think and connect with God.

I began reading at a very young age, instead of summers hanging out on the block, my mom put us in summer school. I am an avid reader as well as book collector. I have several published articles and reviews on line and in bound magazine form. Enjoy the ride of my many adventures through my words.

Favorite Quote:  “A book has but one voice, but it does not instruct everyone alike.” Thomas à Kempis


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We hope you enjoy the website!

Let us know if there is anything you want us to review or give your two cents in our Yahoo Group or Facebook Group.

Thanks Again and Happy Browsing!

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