New Review : Playing with Fire : Kiki Swinson

 

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’m looking forward to her next book. Thank you to Dafina, Kensington, and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. This review is my own honest personal opinion.

Reviewed by Kiera Northington

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Poet of the Month : K. C. Taylor

 

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!

New Review : Queen of Urban Prophecy : Aya de León

 

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 stood up for something to keep from falling from everything. Through the ups and downs, Deza remained respectable and stayed true to herself.

I recommend this read to anyone who truly loves hip hop and our female emcees.

Reviewed by Lacha’ J

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New Review : Sister Friends Forever : Kimberla Lawson Roby

 

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 FOREVER is an interesting and fast-paced read. The plot kept my interest with the surprises and drama. I was invested and  I wanted to see how each of their situations played out. The characters could have been fleshed out more because I didn’t feel the chemistry within the friendships from the ladies, it felt more like four women who know each other and meet up from time to time. Despite the lack of camaraderie, I enjoyed the time I spent with these ladies. 

Reviewed by Paula Allen 

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New Review : Bed Stuy : A Love Story : Jerry McGill

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 Rashid. As Rachel starts to unravel in depression and substance abuse, Rashid takes notice and starts to question if this is what he wants in life.  Does that include a future with Rachel?

McGill penned a romance that intertwines race, age, substance abuse and trauma. Although the chemistry between the two is lacking, Rashid’s emotions are portrayed in a manner that is raw and touching.  I also enjoyed the growth that he shows as the novel progresses. I found myself rooting for both Rashid and Rachel’s happiness although I felt they did not belong with each other.  BED STUY is a moving, bittersweet tale that will tug at your heart. 

Reviewed by Paula Allen

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New Review : You Don't Just Wake Up Strong : Fabian Thorne

 

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 you believe and don’t give up.  Thorne endured a lot in life but he always manages to come out on top. Truly inspirational!   

Reviewed by Paula Allen 

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New Review : Wahala : Nikki May

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 and has a young daughter Sophia.  She works part-time as a science researcher and is dissatisfied with her life as a wife and mother.  

Simi introduces her childhood friend, Isobel, to the trio and that is when the WAHALA which means trouble in Nigerian starts. Isobel is a child of the very wealthy and infamous Babangari family.  She is fun, flashy and caring on the surface. She subtly infiltrates herself within their friendship with friendly advice and provides a listening ear to all their problems and worries. Isobel’s charismatic spirit easily draws the women and it allows her to easily gain their trust.  Ronke didn’t particularly warm up to Isobel so she was the catalyst Isobel uses to cause discord and trouble amongst the friends. 

Nikki May created a great tale of the dynamics of friendships as well as betrayals which turned these friends of over ten years to frenemies. Although Ronke, Boo and Simi’s lives seem very successful, they each held insecurities that drove Isobel’s plot for them to flourish and take root. I was enthralled with the fusion of culture and customs in the book. The chemistry of the characters and the pace of the plot made for a very enjoyable read.  I really enjoyed the story and will highly recommend it. 

Reviewed by Paula Allen

Get your copy of Wahala today!