NEW REVIEW : Crimson Footprints by Shewanda Pugh

4 out of 5 books

Crimson Footprints by Shewanda Pugh is a love story of Deena Hammond and Takumi Tanaka. Deena is a beautiful woman of mixed race with a black father and white mother. Growing up Deena stayed within the shadows of the "black" side of her family. Never really feeling a part of the family due to the criticism she received about the "white" parts of her, Deena strives to be the best at anything she did. She was determined to make something of herself and what she wanted to become was an architect. Determined to make her dreams come true she graduates college and goes on to work at one of the best architect firms in the country.

Takumi Tanaka is the son of a world renowned architect and one that Deena just so happens to work for. When Deena and Takumi meets its under the most unusual of circumstances. That unlikely encounter blossoms into a beautiful friendship. Takumi shows Deena all the things she had been missing out of life, enjoying the little and the finer things. Deena has an innocence and fragility about her that has Takumi intrigued. He wants nothing but the best for her and will help her in any way he can to see her dreams come to fruitation. Takumi and Deena fall in love but neither are quick to share their relationship with either side of their families since they both know neither side will approve. The question is how long will it be before their love is discovered and when it is, how will they handle it?

Crimson Footprints by Shewanda Pugh was a story of family, love and secrets. Ms. Pugh does an excellent job in conveying an underlying message that "One's past does not have to define one's future." You can tell the author is either knowledgeable on the subject of architecture or she really did her homework to make the story more authentic. The only issue I had was there was a part in the story that involved Deena's younger sister and Deena's unresolved issues with her mother and neither were elaborated on. I guess that is why there will be a part 2, to bring any open ended story lines to close. Overall this was a very good read!

Reviewed by Leona

Urban Reviews 

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NEW REVIEW : Gangsta Divas by DeNesha Diamond

4.5 out of 5 books

Picking up where the last book Street Divas left off, Ta'Shara is about to come home from the mental hospital after suffering a horrible attack that was issued by her sister, Leshelle. After watching the one man she has ever loved gunned down in front of her at the command of her sister, Ta'Shara wants revenge and wants Leshelle dead!

Lucifer is mourning the loss of Fat Ace and refuses to show how much the loss is tearing her up inside. With the loss of Fat Ace she is next in line to rule their crew. The only problem is that some of her crew are not to keen on the idea of a woman stepping up to command, although they all know she is as ruthless as the next man or any one of them. The only other person that would be able to step up would be her brother, Bishop. This is where the two begin to bump heads. Will Bishop push Lucifer out the way and claim the spot? Will Lucifer take the suggestion of a reformed drug addict and step away from the game?

Gangsta Divas by DeNesha Diamond was a page turner full of drama. These gangsta divas are ruthless and will do anything for their crew. This is one of the best series that is based on the female aspect of the game and gang life. I am not really a fan of books that continue on in a series (more than 3 books) but I did appreciate the fact that Ms. Diamond took the time to explain to the reader at the end of the book that her intention was to end the series but the life of the story would not let her end it. My only issue with the book was the editing, but then again I read the advanced uncorrected proof. I eagerly anticipate the 4th installment of this series.

Reviewed by Leona

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NEW REVIEW : Charly's Epic Fiascos by Kelli London

4 out of 5 books

When you've had enough , you either do one of two things: you put up with it or you move on . Charly picked the best choice for her... she eventually moves on. Growing up and living with her mother Brigette, has been anything but a dream ... more so like nightmare. After Brigette was laid off from work ,Charly was stuck working and paying bills for her so called mother . Brigette wasn't your typical loving mother. She was all about self, and would stoop to any level...even.stealing money from Charly.

 While Charly was working to save for the things she wanted and to keep food in the refridgerator for her mom and little Stormy . Once Charly had enough of Brigette's constant theifing , she leaves and has no plans on coming back .

 

I really liked Charly's Epic Fiascos by Kelli London . It was a good fast read and told a great story . The only thing that I disliked about the book is how the character's view points switched back and forth making it a bit confusing.. Other than that the book was pretty much on point .

Reviewed by Tabitha (Leona's daughter)

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NEW REVIEW : No Boyz Allowed by Ni-Ni Simone

5 out of 5 books

Since the age of nine, Gem has been in and out of foster homes with her little brother for the last seven-years. Now sixteen-years-old, her and her little brother have not found a permanent home . On the verge of giving up, Gem's caseworker places them with yet another family with the hopes that Gem will just give this family a chance. 

At their new home , Gem was waiting for the day her new foster parents would kick her out like all the rest. It took a conversation from her little brother to realize that it may have been her that sabotaged the last few places they lived. After getting used to Cousin Shake and closer to her new foster brother and family, Gem slowly starts to lighten up, a little. Then she meets Ny'eem . Gem never knew one person could change so much in her life and make her feel so good. But could this all be just too good to be true ?

No Boys Allowed by Ni-Ni Simone was a fantastic read. I loved it so much because you never knew what was happening next.The next chapter always had a new surprise. Cousin Shake was just hilarious. It was hard not to laugh. I give this book five stars .

-Tabitha (Leona's Daughter)

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NEW REVIEW : Love Changes by Terren Grimble

 Love Changes

 by Terren Grimble

4 out of 5 books

Finally free from Patrick’s abuse and his choke hold, Stacy and Ronnie are able to venture into a true relationship built on love and friendship. Ronnie chooses to pursue his musical career instead of professional basketball with Stacey at his side. Stacey has found her place in the corporate world and has established a steady pace of climbing the ladder. These two have weathered many storms to be together, but their new careers introduce new challenges.

I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Grimble’s sophomore project to Love Lessons immensely as the characters grew and their relationship and problems increase realistically. Love Changes continues Stacey and Ronnie’s love thang as they try and move forward and allow their love to conquer their new obstacles. When you sacrifice yourself for your mate, is it enough when your past mistakes are used to hurt your feelings? When you face struggles and doubts arise, is it okay to indulge in something else to help your ego? When you feel as if you are always the one mending the fence…would you be wrong to refuse to offer the olive branch? Love can make you laugh, love can make you cry, love can make you happy, love can make you sad….it’s all because Love Changes. Highly recommended!

Reviewed by Tazzy

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NEW REVIEW : Get It Girls by Treasure E. Blue

Get It Girls

Treasure E. Blue

3.5 out of 5 books

Jessica Jones and her three best friends: Vonda, Lynn and Tiny dubbed the "Get It Girls" have two months before they graduate. Life for these girls are filled with the promise of a bright future. The night of prom they all share a special moment that they vow to hold dear to their hearts and a secret they plan to keep from their parents. The morning after, their futures are shattered in a matter of minutes.

Doing a seven-year bid in Bedford Hills Correctional Institution, each of these girls are impacted one way or another by their experience. Although the only time that really mattered was the time they walked in and the day they walked out. Everything in the middle...didn't count. So they did what they had to, to survive. Each girl will walk out changed beyond measure. Some for the best, others for the worst.

When the girls are released, they return to Harlem, New York. They soon see how much the state of their neighborhoods have changed...for the worst. The drug crack is effecting family and friends and drug dealers are setting up shop in their buildings. The destruction of what this drug has done was too much. Jessica decides to take a stand and fight back, with her girls the "Get It Girls" having her back. Cross one of these girls, you cross them all and you better believe you will get dealt with.

Get It Girls by Treasure E. Blue is a tale of friendship, survival and having to grow up fast. Mr. Blue knows how to engross his readers into the story and root for individual characters. Although, I did think their were certain parts of the story that were a bit much. All-in-all this was a good read.

Reviewed by Leona

Urban-Reviews

NEW REVIEW : Passion In Disguise by Truth

Passion In Disguise
by Truth Russell
    2 out of 5 books

Seventeen-year-old Heaven has a body like that of a grown woman. Heaven comes from a two parent household and is a junior in high school who brings home a 4.0 GPA, although she does not have to study much and has a boy that is a geek doing some of her homework.

Hanging out with her girls dubbed the Diamond Diva’s, Heaven tells of her first sexual experience at the tender age of fourteen. From there how she was sexing and doing it “all” by the time she was seventeen.  Heaven was looking for love in all the wrong places. That is until she met Justice at a club and after having sex with him that first night she could not get him out of her head and he could not get her out of his. The problem is Justice is a bit older than Heaven and when charges are brought on him for being with a minor this may hinder any future dealings with Justice. Not only does Justice have to worry about his upcoming court date but also a turf war that he has against another rival drug dealer is getting out of hand and only one of these men are going to be left standing.

Passion In Disguise by Truth is your typical storyline in that of urban-fiction. Girl meets drug dealer, tries to make him her man and he is beefing in the streets over turf that makes the most profit in drug sales. But, that really has no relevance on my rating. No the problem lies within the fact that the book was not edited, the synopsis alone on the back of the book warns of this. There are so many misspelled words or missing words to complete a sentence it was distracting to the story. There is a two-week gap in the story that needed to be filled. One minute Justice is with Heaven and the next he is in jail. What happened? How did he wind up in jail? The story itself lacks critical detail or for that matter detail at all. The story is just cut and dry. There are a few scenes in the book that are totally ridiculous that will have the reader shaking their head, thinking to themselves “seriously?” Some parts are contradicting.  Oh and the fact that the author constantly references his own name as the main character’s favorite author is big headed and conceited of him.

A suggestion to the author: Invest in yourself by investing in an editor because a lot of these mistakes could have easily been avoided by using spellcheck and not only that an editor could have cleaned it up even more. Invest in a developmental editor as well. Do NOT put out a book that is NOT edited because it will turn the reader off from purchasing a future book by you. Aside from that you have a blank piece of paper –now fill it with details, descriptions of people, places and things. Everything does not need to be cut and dry. Describing your character in measurements and having bangs like Nicki Minaj is not describing what your character looks like. Hopefully you take this as constructive criticism and take it for what it worth and with the next book improve on some of the things I have mentioned.

Reviewed by Leona

Urban-Reviews