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

  You never forget your first love. Isn't that what they say? Verity Hill knows this truth intimately. She didn't simply miss Wright "Monk" Bellamy when they parted ways in college. She's haunted by his touch. Every kiss, any lover since—it's a shadow of what they had.   Time heals all wounds. Isn't that what they say? Monk doesn't believe that for a second. He wasn't simply betrayed when he and Verity split. He was devastated, with parts of him left behind in the ruins of all that was destroyed.   More than a decade after their disastrous breakup, Verity and Monk must work together on the set of an epic Harlem Renaissance biopic. With Monk, now a world-class musician, creating the score, and Verity, an award-winning screenwriter, penning the script, there's Oscar buzz before shooting even begins. This once-in-a-lifetime project could catapult them both to new heights, but can they can put the past behind them for the sake of the film … for the...

  For years, Tyrone Houston was known as the quiet, dependable man who ran the Houston Family Funeral Home and Crematorium. A pillar of the community. A devoted father. A man who saw the dead every day - and treated them with care. Or so everyone thought. When Tyrone dies, his children receive a shocking final request: a scavenger hunt through his past. Each clue leads them deeper into hidden rooms, secret records, and graves that shouldn't exist. The truth waiting at the end is worse than any nightmare. Tyrone Houston wasn't just burying the dead. He was creating them. And his daughters had no clue that a real life boogie man was living right in their home. If you haven't gotten right with the Lord, now is the time. This is not for the faint of heart. Pre-order your copy of Vengeance today!

  Since their fast friendship as teenagers over 30 years ago, Louisiana natives Remi Landry and Bianca Fuentes Perez have seen each other through the best and worst of times. Now, as Remi grieves the sudden death of her beloved husband of 25 years, and Bianca struggles with the fallout of a divorce she didn’t see coming, the women are amid their greatest challenges yet. Remi and Gerard spent their honeymoon and summers in Napa and on the Sonoma Coast. Their love of wine led them to buy a Victorian home in Wine Country—and then a winery on the site of an age-old vineyard. They spoke endlessly about retiring to run their winery. But with Gerard gone, Remi must sort through his things and reevaluate their assets, and her future. Bianca is grateful to be there for Remi. After all, Remi was her rock when Bianca’s husband left—and throughout the breast cancer diagnosis that followed. Now in remission, and with her daughter a thriving college freshman, Bianca hopes for a brighter future. ...

  Savvy has her work cut out when an old friend hires her to cater a company luncheon at a nearby office building on Chicago's South Side. Stepping out of her traditional soul food comfort zone, Savvy whips together a menu of Creole classics, with her own spin, of course―mini po’boys with assorted fillings, sunburst salad, and bread pudding using Great Aunt Essie’s famous buttermilk biscuits. But when someone is found dead in the company’s conference room, Savvy’s culinary creations are suddenly in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. While the focus should be on their delicious flavors and inventive techniques, Savvy’s beloved café instead becomes the center of a murder investigation once again. Caught within a messy web of gossip, miscommunication, and fraught coworker relationships, Savvy will have to settle the confusion to clear her name. Somebody’s hiding something, and with the help of her trusty assistant manager, Penny Lopés, Savvy sets out uncover exactly who is to bl...

  Mona Johnson is an aspiring screenwriter working behind the scenes for one of Hollywood’s most sought-after and award-winning producers. Smart, focused, and determined to protect her future, she knows better than to mix business with pleasure, especially when the man in question signs her paycheck. Terrance Beckham has it all: power, prestige, and an industry reputation that opens every door. What he doesn’t have is love that isn’t influenced by his fame. Tired of being desired for the wrong reasons, Terrance steps into the online dating world under an anonymous profile, determined to find something real. What he finds is Mona. Online, their connection is effortless and intoxicating. Offline, it’s complicated by secrets, proximity, and a truth that could destroy everything before it begins. As outside pressures mount and past relationships refuse to stay buried, Mona and Terrance must decide whether revealing the truth is worth risking their hearts and their careers. In Hollywood...

  Shay Baker—daughter, close friend, photographer—suddenly takes her own life, the ghosts of unanswered questions and unresolved feelings haunting those who survive her. Left in her wake is a series of mysterious photos and letters, some sent to key figures in her life, others to only passing relationships. One recipient, Royal, cannot square what he knew of Shay with her ultimate end, and resolves to stitch together insights from others chosen by her, setting off a sequence of revelations each more shocking than the last. Part mystery, part study of our shared lessons on desire,  Baker's Dozen  reveals and unravels grief, family history, and the ties that bind. Preorder your copy of Baker's Dozen today!

  Get your tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/gmbf2026 The 18th Annual Great Midwest Book Fest is a three-hour book fair that features African American authors and is open to the public with a $20 admission. Children are free. The 18th Annual Great Midwest Book Fest will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 1-4pm at Xchange Event & Creative Space, 3334 N. Holton St, Milwaukee, WI. The event will start with the authors giving a brief introduction of themselves followed by a short Q&A from the attendees.  This year we are thrilled to have three headline authors including Phyllis R. Dixon, Saundra, and Monica Garner. Other authors that will be joining us this year are : Vivian L. King Dasha Kelly Tony Lindsay Eugene Pitchford Michelle Davis-Newell Sylvia Hubbard These authors represent various genres including mystery/suspense, romance, vampire/fantasy contemporary fiction, children's books, and more! There is truly something for everyone. Each attendee who buys books f...

  4 out of 5 books Wesley Batchelor is in trouble. His image is on the verge of being ruined by a social media influencer. The problem is that Wesley doesn’t know who this influencer is and how she has all of this personal information. Wesley’s grandmother Joyce is the head of the Batchelor Corporation and she wants to see him succeed. Joyce has hired a private investigator to see who is behind this social media mess. But when Wes finds out that the private investigator is his ex Albany Keyes, things get tricky. Albany is trying to get her life back after a messy divorce. The last thing she needs to have any interaction with Wes. What will she do? Scandal, secrets, and lies are what you’ll find in the Ex Dilemma by Elle Wright. Wright gives us an entertaining story about how social media can really mess up someone’s career. What makes this story so entertaining is the dynamic of Wes and Albany’s relationship throughout the book. There is also a shocking twist to this story that wil...

Anna J., a native of Philadelphia, is a multi-faceted author whose catalog spans across all genres. Her debut novel, My Woman His Wife, arrived on the scene in 2004 solidifying Anna's place in the literary industry. Deciding to switch gears, Anna J. tossed her hat into the thriller/suspense arena in the spring of 2025, introducing the world to Dylan Hunt, MMC in The Hunt: An Erotic Thriller. Further testing the limits of her creativity, Anna also contributed to her favorite past time and released Big Back Activities Vol. I and II. These coloring books that cater to those that enjoy a good meal. Anna is currently working on a future release. Okay bye.   Radiah Hubbert:  Tell us about What Happened to Zaniyah ? Anna J: What Happened To Zaniyah is about what happens when you think you have it all figured out. Internet predators, life after death, and how we cope with the decisions we make in life. RH:  How difficult was it to write this storyline? AJ:  This was my most...

  4 out of 5 books Jasmin is a ten-year-old little girl who is heartbroken. Her parents are on their way to getting a divorce. With her dad already moved in with his girlfriend, Jasmin wants her family back by Christmas. And she will try to do that by any means necessary. All I Want for Christmas is You is a quick thriller by Tanisha Stewart. Stewart gives us story through the eyes of a little girl that just wants her dad to come back home. However, you will soon find out that everything is not what it seems. Of course this story has an unexpected twist that readers will not see coming. All I Want for Christmas is You is a fast-paced story that can be read at any time during the year. Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert Get your copy of All I Want for Christmas is You today!

5 out of 5 books The Bluest Night by Aaron Philip Clark is a gripping, atmospheric crime novel that draws you in through its mood, depth, and emotional intensity. Rather than relying on nonstop action, Clark builds tension through strong character development and a steadily unfolding sense of unease that keeps you invested. This is the third book in the series of ex-cop turned PI Trevor Finnegan. Trevor is tortured, at times impulsive, but he has morals and is always looking to do the right thing and bring to justice the wrong doers. This time, he’s faced with a personal dilemma. One that he really doesn’t want any involvement in. But because of his dad, he’s kind of forced into solving the crime. One of the novel’s biggest strengths is its characters. They are complex, flawed, and deeply human, making their choices feel believable even when they’re troubling. The author excels at exploring moral gray areas, prompting readers to think about justice, loyalty, and the cost of survival. ...

  5 out of 5 books Zaniyah Burks is fifteen years old and thinks she knows everything. Her mother works very hard and warns Zaniyah as best as she can about the dangers of the streets. But will Zaniyah find out before it’s too late? Officer Morgan Johnson is on the case of trying to find Zaniyah. Meanwhile, she’s still wondering if she wants to stay on the police force. What Happened to Zaniyah? is a gritty, cautionary tale by Anna J. This story takes a hard look at the dangers of what a teen in today’s world can face on social media. Anna J pulls no punches on showing what can happen when even present parents can miss what their child is really doing. This book is a prelude to CopyCat , which is book three in The Hunt series. However, you do not need to read The Hunt in order to read this book. But you will want to read The Hunt after reading this story. This book is not for the faint of heart so please proceed with caution. What Happened to Zaniyah? is not only an excellent b...

Open Call for author tables for the 18th Annual Great Midwest Book Fest is now open!   Tables are $150. If interested, please contact me at radiah@urban-reviews.com and I will send you an invoice. No tables can be held without payment. www.greatmidwestbookfest.com

  Shelia Goss is a national bestselling and award-winning author known for her captivating romance novels and dynamic, emotionally rich storytelling. With bold narratives, high-glam energy, and heroine-centered plots, Shelia brings heart, heat, and sophistication to every page. She is the author of more than twenty-one books, including the Essence bestselling My Invisible Husband and the critically acclaimed The Joneses and Delilah. USA Today praised her, saying, "Goss has an easy, flowing style with her prose." An AAMBC Romance Author of the Year and Library Journal Best Books honoree, Shelia continues to make her mark in both the literary and screenwriting worlds. Her work spans multiple genres, but romance remains her heart and passion. Radiah Hubbert: Tell us about Worth the Risk . Shelia Goss: Worth the Risk is a glamorous, emotionally layered romance set in the high-stakes world of Hollywood. The story follows an ambitious woman who has built her career under the spot...

4 out of 5 books Charlotte Richards has built her own brand from the bottom up. She has become the woman in Hollywood that everyone wants as far as management. Charlotte has a lot of high profile celebrity clients and does not mix business with pleasure. Sean is a sexy R&B star that is on the top of the world. But he’s in search of a new manager. Charlotte fits the bill perfectly. But Sean doesn’t want Charlotte just for professional reasons, he wants her to be his woman. Will Charlotte keep her rule about not mixing business with pleasure? Romance, sex, and mystery is what you’ll find in Worth the Risk by Shelia Goss. Goss takes readers into the exciting and sometimes problematic world of Hollywood. This book has a good storyline with all of the glitz, glamor, and drama that Hollywood is known for. There is even a shocking mystery that is thrown in for good measure. Worth the Risk is a good fast-paced, spicy romance that is a great start to the Women in Hollywood series. Reviewed...