Urban Reviews - Your Source for the Best in AA Fiction!

   

This book event was held on November 7, 2020. Below are the list of of authors in the order that they appear. Enjoy! Intro : Radiah Hubbert J.D. Mason Sierra Kay LaJill Hunt Michelle Mitchell Naleighna Kai Stacy-Covington Lee Brenda Jackson Obelia Akanke Shakir Rashaan Portia A. Cosby Pat Simmons Bonnie J. Edwards Shana Burton Patricia Balentine Sheila Bell LaShaunda Hoffman T.C Blackwell Altonya Washington Vivian King Nakia R. Laushaul Lalanii Wilson Jones Treavion Davenport Wrap Up : Radiah Hubbert

4 out of 5 books Reparations : Style + Soul is a beautiful coffee table book by James R. Sanders. What’s interesting about this book is the way that African American history & African American fashion history is mixed in between the pages of the pictures of high fashion African American models. Sanders also does a great job of including his personal history of how his grandmother influenced his own fashion and personal style.   This book is delightful to look at and is educational as a bonus. Reparations : Style+ Soul is a perfect gift for lovers of fashion & history. Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert   Get your copy of Reparations : Style + Soul today!

H old You Down  is an edgy novel from rising star Tracy Brown about the perils of love and the ties that bind… New York City. Late 1980s to early 1990s. Mercy and Lenox Howard have always only had each other. Growing up on the mean streets of Harlem with an absentee mother meant that they had to have each other's backs. Now young, smart mothers they are determined to survive in New York City while raising their two sons, who have bright futures ahead of them. Mercy is the quiet, straight laced hospital administrator, struggling to make ends meet. At night and on weekends, she pours her heart into her cooking and her dream of owning her own restaurant. Lenox is the diva, the wild child, looking for excitement and her big come up in life and love. Their boys, Deon and Judah, have been raised more like brothers than cousins, forging a bond that is unbreakable. When Lenox heads down a path that she believes will bring success and power, it changes the entire course of her life and her ...

  Tragedy Powell tries to feel she has it all- until her and her husband's perfect life online becomes a whirlwind of spilled secrets about Tragedy's drinking, a missing woman, and their all-white town. Tragedy and Victor Powell have moved to the desirable but dark Grayson Glens enclave of dream homes just outside of Chicago. Stressed urbanites, they've got to live large in real life to stay large online. With only a few blacks in their elite gated community, they settle in but never quite feel at home. Then, a missing young black woman floats up in the Grayson River.  Running to Fall  is a suspenseful, truthful look into the lives of women who drink to survive or just to cope, with a provocative narrator who carries readers along an emotional journey to acceptance. Pre-order  your copy of Running to Fall today!

  5 out of 5 books I fell in love with Denny S. Bryce’s writing with her first book, Wild Women and the Blues. I absolutely love historical fiction, so I was eager to read In the Face of the Sun. Ba-byyyy, it did not disappoint! In the Face of the Sun is a dual timeline novel, switching between Los Angeles (Daisy - 1928) and Chicago (Frankie - 1968). Daisy's had a hard life, and it shows, as her personality completely changes between the timelines. Back in 1928, she was a hardworking, honest person that cared about her family and friends. In 1968, she’s drinking, smoking, and doing the absolute most, a complete opposite of sweet innocent Daisy. Frankie’s life isn’t peaches and cream, she’s pregnant and escaping her abusive husband. Her and her aunt Daisy pick up and head for L.A., for the adventure of a lifetime. You’ve got to read this book, I couldn’t put it down. I loved that there are history lessons interwoven in the pages, you’re reading and also learning at the same time. De...

5 out of 5 books One of the things I liked best about this book is that it was really 2 novellas under 1 cover. Black and Blue is the first story by the late, great De’Nesha Diamond. Charlie gets crossed up after witnessing a murder and is sent to prison, but when she gets out, she serves up platters of revenge. (I’m sad that this will be the last work by De’Nesha Diamond, she is truly missed!) In Pseudo, Kennedy’s abusive ex forces her to take the only way out, she runs away. Kennedy’s made a clean getaway and is living her best life. How? By stealing other women’s identities. What could possibly go wrong? One of the women is murdered. This story had me sitting on the edge of my chair, trying to figure out how Kennedy will get out of this tangled mess she created for herself. Lots of plot twists and turns. Overall, I really liked the book. I would have loved to see each story fleshed out into their own books. I’d give this book 5 stars for creativity, plot, and suspense. I’d recommend...

  4 out of 5 books                                                                                      Yoshi Lomax is a young, naive college student who at times acts emotionally younger than she is. She is relatable though and likeable, and I quickly got absorbed in her story, kind of reminded me of someone I knew in college. I love me some Kiki Swinson, and I’ve been known to shut down everything until I’ve read the last page. This book is a bit slow to start at first, but it picks up quickly. There were a couple parts that I thought were kind of dragging a bit, and so I gave the book 4 stars. I’d recommend the book to anyone who likes their fiction with a few twists and turns. The book was enjoyable from beginning to end, and I...

  K. C. Taylor is an educator, author, and independent publisher. Most of her twenty plus years in the classroom has been in the middle grades with a specialty in math and social studies. She is the recipient of 3 teacher of the year awards. K.C. has written and published several young adult books including the independent best seller, Any Possible Outcome: A Book of Urban Tales. She enjoys spending time with family, reading, collecting antique unicorns, and traveling Sincerely Yours, Mrs. Taylor-Wash, is a creative collage that reflects one teacher's relentless passion for the emotional well-being of all youth. The book is a collection of 100 poems written as letters, short stories, and affirmations. Sincerely Yours, Mrs. Taylor-Wash highlights a wealth of topics including mental health, self-esteem, self-reliance, triumphs and defeats, creativity, spirituality, and home life. Get your copy of Sincerely Yours, Mrs. Taylor-Wash today!

  5 out of 5 books Aya de León slayed the story of Queen of Urban Prophecy. From the first word, Aya took me back to the eighties and nineties when the queens of hip hop were making strides in the industry. Her storyline was relatable as well as common as it pertains to her mother and father’s relationship. The turmoil that Deza and her sister Amaru had to endure in their formative years mirrored the life of the great Mary J. Blige. Deza was humble and upcoming in the rap industry also known as hip hop. Notoriety knocked on her door when she freestyled a rap song about a young lady whom she called by name was gunned down by the police. She was dubbed by the moniker, Queen of Urban Prophecy. Doors opened for Deza. She was given a grand opportunity which she may not have otherwise received if her labelmate hadn’t taken another business opportunity. Deza dealt with touring, relationships, chasing the love of her mother who cared more about her man than her children, while she sto...

  3.5 out of 5 books I love a good book about friends and when I saw that Kimberla Lawson Roby’s novel SISTER FRIENDS FOREVER was to be released in 2022, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. The novel centers around four friends: Serena, Michelle, Kenya and Lynette. They are all in their early forties and have known each other since elementary school. Serena and Michelle have taken a vow of celibacy after attending a church conference. Serena is questioning if she will find her Mr. Right as Michelle will soon be united in marriage to her fiance in a few short months. Kenya is happily married with two children. All is perfect in her world with the exception of her husband’s baby mama from hell. Lynette is recently divorced with two teen daughters. She is attempting to rebuild and move on after her divorce with a few interruptions from her ex-husband. With each of them navigating through unexpected situations, their friendship is the one thing they can all count on. SISTER FRIENDS ...

4 out of 5 books BED STUY is a modern day, May/December romance written from a male perspective.  Author Jerry McGill introduces us to Rashid, a young black male, who is a waiter who lacks ambition.  He has also been hired to model for the very famous sculptor Muriel Auslander.  Muriel lives pretty much as a hermit and has a very brooding and miserable disposition. Rashid is able to gauge her moods when he comes to model and adjust his behavior accordingly.  Rashid catches the eye of Rachel, Muriel’s daughter.  Rachel, twenty years his senior, is a musician who is married with two children.  Rashid and Rachel enter into a clandestine relationship as lovers. Rashid develops strong feelings for Rachel which was surprising seeing that the time they spend together is awkward, dark and depressing. There is no chemistry between the two and  Rashid longs to be included in Rachel’s world but she manages to keep her homelife separate from her secret life with R...

  4 out of 5 books Fabian Thorne is on a mission to inspire anyone who has gone through or is currently going through trials, tribulations or setbacks.  Born with a debilitating cancer that took his sight in one eye, he continues to persevere despite the challenges he faces.  He develops a love for the sport of football and is determined to play.  He has a successful run playing football until an injury derails him.  Thorne has a strong faith in God and is so determined, so he takes the lemons he was given and turns them into lemonade.  After being incarcerated for fifteen months due to his employment with a ruthless mortgage company, Thorne keeps his trust in God and strong principals: self-awareness, faith, gratitude, staying focused, and surrounding himself with winners. He overcomes the odds and starts his own fitness business and is a motivational speaker.  YOU DON’T JUST WAKE UP STRONG is a motivating memoir that shows all things are possible if ...

4 out of 5 books WAHALA is the debut novel by author Nikki May.  The book centers around the friendship of the trio: Ronke, Simi and Boo who all met while attending college. The girls bonded through the common bond of being bi-racial, the children of European mothers and Nigerian fathers. Ronke is a dentist who owns her own practice. She lost her father when she was very young. She is still connected and embraces her Nigerian roots and is constantly looking for “her daddy” in the men that she dates.  She is in love with her current boyfriend Kayode, of Nigerian descent, but her friends feel with his unreliable ways he’s just using her. Simi is very focused on her career as a fashion marketing director, married to Martin who spends the majority of his time in America supporting his client.  Simi is very materialistic and does not share the same goals with her husband which drives her to deceptive means which she keeps the secret closely held.  Boo is married to Didier...

5 out of 5 books A tragic accident. Deep sorrow and grief. The need to feel alive again. These are the experiences of Feyi Adekola.  After five years, it is time for Feyi to move past the tragic accident that took the life of her husband.  A Nigerian artist, Feyi puts her emotions and sorrow into her artwork which manifests in subtle details that many who are experiencing the same grief will recognize and appreciate. At the assistance of her best friend, Joy, she starts to attend social events and date again. She meets Nasir Blake, and they develop a great relationship although they agree to take things slow.  Nasir invites Feyi to vacation with him on the island where he grew up.  Upon arrival to the tropical paradise, Feyi is surprised to discover Nasir’s father is a renown celebrity chef. She’s even more surprised by her strong attraction to the very eclectic, Alim Blake.  Alim is a free spirit who is very comfortable in his fluidity which has been a problem ...

  4 out of 5 books The follow up to The Marriage Pass, COUPLES WANTED focuses on Bridget and Roman who have a very successful marriage that they want to keep exciting. This all changes when they meet swingers, Corinne and Patrick. Patrick is instantly obsessed with Bridget and encourages Corinne to entice the other couple into joining in their lifestyle. Bridget and Roman are intrigued as well but need more time to get onboard. As the old saying goes, "curiosity killed the cat", it holds true when Bridget and Roman advance down the slippery slope.  Corrine and Patrick pursue the couple with Corrine attending events where she knows she will run into Bridget.  She even gets Bridget booked to work an event for the Shadow Lounge, the club that sponsors the swinger events.  After the first event she attends with Patrick, they are all in.  The consequence of that decision starts Roman’s obsession with Corrine. Corinne's long held secret is revealed and explodes on bot...

3.5 out of 5 books When a couple take a unique approach to salvaging their marriage, they find they bit off more than they can chew.  Briana Cole is the queen of dramatic relationships.  THE MARRIAGE PASS follows couple Dr. Dorian Graham and his wife, Shantae as they try to navigate a successful union that meets both of their needs.  For their one-year anniversary, Shantae propositions Dorian with a marriage pass – one night of passion with a stranger, no questions asked.  Dorian fails to adhere to the rules of the marriage pass by choosing a partner who is off-limits and continuing the affair.  Things get really heated and the drama ensues when the truth is revealed.  Fans of reality television will enjoy this book! It was a messy wild ride.  The secondary characters had drama of their own that kept the plot moving.  An entertaining read! Reviewed  by Paula Allen Get your copy of The Marriage Pass today!

4 out of 5 books                                                                                                                                                 As a resident of Arkansas and a fan of Reshonda Tate Billingsley, I had to grab MISS PEARLY'S GIRLS. The story centers around Pearly Bell's four daughters, Maxine, twins Stella and Star and the youngest Leslie.  Upon graduating, Stella, Star and Leslie fled Smackover Arkansas for better lives, leaving behind a bed of secrets that only Mama Pearly knew about.  When a health crisis lands Mama Pearly...

Just in case you missed the 14th Annual Great Midwest Book Fest, it is now on the UrbanReviewsOnAir YouTube channel :  https://youtu.be/Ck9BIYXzhR8   Watch and subscribe!

  4 out of 5 books Ellice Littlejohn is living the good life as a successful corporate attorney in Atlanta. She has good friends and has a no-strings attached relationship with her white executive boss. Ellice’s life changes forever when she finds her boss dead with a gunshot to his head in his office. Instead of alerting the authorities, Ellice simply walks out of his office. She has some disturbing secrets in her past that she doesn’t want to come out. On top of all this, her younger brother is in trouble and Ellice is trying to help him without being in the spotlight. Ellie becomes suspicious when she is suddenly promoted to replace her old boss because she is the only black attorney in the company. There is something sinister going on at this company and Ellice needs to get to the bottom of this before it’s too late. All Her Little Secrets starts out with a literal bang with the murder of Ellice’s boss. Wanda M. Morris pulls readers in from the first few pages of this book. Mor...

  4 out of 5 books Ivy is a successful stylist and single mom. She has stayed loyal to her sons' father Michael while he serves a lengthy prison sentence. But Ivy is lonely and now wants something more. Coco is single and has everything she wants but she picks emotionally unavailable men. When she finally meets the man of her dreams, she’s unsure if she’s ready for him. Deja is a real estate agent who is married to a NYPD sergeant. Her life looks perfect but Deja is not having any fun at all. Deja is in for a rude awakening when her past catches up with her. Nikki is social media businesswoman and Deja’s little sister. She has no regrets in life and wishes her sister get out of the rut that she’s in. These four friends are going to have to face a harsh reality and choose sides when Ivy’s younger son has a run in with the NYPD.   Single Black Female by Tracy Brown is an entertaining novel about the different trials and tribulations black women face in today’s world. Brown does...