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ANYONE WHO HAS A HEART
by Jacqueline Powell
Reviewed by Stacey Seay
ANYONE WHO HAS A HEART explores the lives of three interconnected
characters: Theresa, Zenobia, and Vince. The author seamlessly allows
each character to speak to readers directly by organizing the book in
such a way that each chapter is told from one of their points of view.
Each of the characters is trying to find true love while dealing with
their own unique issues which serve as roadblocks in their quest.
Theresa is struggling to get over a past relationship, to raise her son,
and to determine whether or not her significant other, Vince, is sincere
and will really be there for her through thick and thin. Vince strives
to maintain his relationship with Theresa and feels that he is in a
no-win battle with her past. He wants to do whatever he can to help
catapult her out of the prison of her past, so that the two of them can
have a real shot at a relationship. But Vince also has some skeletons in
the closet of his past, which at times has him questioning his very
identity. Zenobia is also a single mother, but she seems inextricably
connected to her baby's father in an almost dependent way. Haunted by
her past mistakes and lacking the confidence to truly free herself from
this relationship, she is stuck in a rut. As she searches for a true
love of her own, she must deal with her general distrust of men, as well
as her own insecurities. Readers will find themselves turning pages as
they follow these characters on their respective journeys to find love.
Jacqueline Powell has done it again with her latest novel, ANYONE WHO
HAS A HEART. In this book she tackles many difficult topics including,
the search for love, infidelity, HIV, alcoholism, and dealing with past
hurts. Through her characters she reminds readers that anyone who has a
heart will make mistakes and at times get hurt. The characters are well
developed and readers can easily relate to them. I found myself
understanding and empathizing with the mistakes the characters made and
cheering them on when they made good choices. Ms. Powell tackles so many
real life issues in the story, yet she does it in such a way that the
powerful lessons and messages are implied, rather than coming across as
preachy.
Reviewed
by Stacey Seay of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
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GOD STILL DON’T LIKE UGLY
by
Mary Monroe
Reviewed by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy
Mary Monroe's highly anticipated sequel, GOD STILL DON'T LIKE UGLY, does
not disappoint. The story picks up with some familiar faces from God
Don't Like Ugly and includes a few new characters for a little extra
spice. The protagonist, Annette Goode is still plagued by memories of
her abuse at the hands of Mr. Boatwright and the devious deeds that her
best friend Rhoda performed. Annette also has unresolved feelings
towards her father for abandoning his family for a white woman. Because
of all the pain and grief she has endured, this novel finds a stronger,
more confident Annette who is able to cope with all the twists, turns,
and pitfalls that life has to offer. In this novel, she will learn about
true love, true friendship, and the lessons that you cannot escape from
your past and that "what goes around comes around."
Although a sequel, GOD STILL DON'T LIKE UGLY, recounts much of the story
for new readers without being redundant. It is definitely a stand-alone
book. If you did not read the first novel, you will not be lost trying
to figure out characters or plots in order to follow the story line.
Mary Monroe has again woven a cast of colorful, unforgettable
characters. She intertwines humor and a bit of romance while tackling
intense social issues such as rape, child abandonment, prostitution, and
racial tensions. Fans of Monroe will be delighted with her newest novel.
My only disappointment came when the last page had been turned.
Reviewed
by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy of
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
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THE SISTERS OF APF: THE INDOCTRINATION OF SOROR RIDE DICK by
Zane
Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
Best-selling author Zane
returns with THE SISTERS OF APF: THE INDOCTRINATION OF SOROR RIDE DICK,
another fast-paced, sensual read based upon a short story from her first
collection of short stories: The Sex Chronicles. With the
title of this book, you’re given an idea of the plot of the story and the
secrets that lie within the closed doors of this prestigious sorority of
women who are educated, articulate, beautiful and have no qualms when it
comes to their sensuality and the complete fulfillment they expect and
demand from those they let into their intimate world. The Sisters of
APF are selective of their members and have chapters spread abroad with
yearly gatherings and monthly escapades pulling their members from all
walks of life; including college students who may need a little nudge in
taking part of the female sexual revolution.
After staying home and
attending a local college for her undergraduate degree, Mary Ann Ferguson
is headed to Hartsdale Law School in Washington, D.C. She is
leaving behind the chicken farm, her parents, eight siblings and her high
school sweetheart, Clarence, on a journey to meet new people and further
her desire to become a lawyer. Patricia Reynolds is the resident
assistant at the dorm in which Mary Ann lives and though she thinks Mary
Ann is a country bumpkin, she sees something else hidden beneath the
surface and invites Mary Ann to join her for a meeting with her
“investment club.” Armed with upperclassmen knowledge and seniority,
Patricia leads Mary Ann into the secret world of The Sisters of APF, their
mission, and the tools necessary to lead her away from her timid, good
girl demeanor into an experience that is more fitting…one in which she
will not settle for just anything when it comes to sex.
As in most of her books,
Zane has taken a bold look into the lives of women unafraid to express
their sexual wants and desires. And, while I don’t condone all of
the activities of this book, I do applaud Zane on yet another story with
an underlying theme of being true to yourself and not being a victim in
any arena of your life; especially sexually. No, the sorority does
not exist outside of the pages of THE SISTERS OF APF: THE INDOCTRINATION
OF SOROR RIDE DICK, but it does help one to see that “if they could work
hard every day, bring home the bacon, and raise a family then they deserve
a little hellified sex in their lives.” This is definitely a ride worth
taking.
Reviewed by
Tee C. Royal of
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
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MARY'S LITTLE LAMB: A MICK HART MYSTERY by Lawrence Christopher
Reviewed by Robilyn Heath
Lawrence Christopher reintroduces the literary
world to Mick Hart with a case that is full of deja vu. Election Day
in Odelot brings a great deal of headline news: the election of its first
African American mayor, a car jacking and the disappearance of two teenage
girls. Mick is called to duty to investigate the whereabouts of
MARY'S LITTLE LAMB. This little lamb happens to be the daughter of
Mary whose murder Hart solved previously.
Hart's investigation leads
him to realize that teenagers (our little lambs) are becoming victims of
the wolves of the world because they are growing up too fast. These wolves
found on the streets and also on the Internet disguised as adults prey on
our little lambs. As he ventures deeper into the investigation for MARY'S
LITTLE LAMB, Hart is faced with demons from his past. Are these missing
teenagers connected? Will past demons and secrets hinder the search
for the missing teenagers?
Christopher has done a
masterful job with this Mick Hart mystery. It is a refreshing
mystery that captures the reader with witty chapter titles and journal
entries. He provides background for the readers to know the history of his
characters that are reintroduced from his previous novella, All About
Mary, so that one does not need to read it first. I look forward to
the next Mick Hart mystery.
Reviewed by Robilyn Heath
for The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
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ONE DAY I SAW A BLACK KING by J.D. Mason
Reviewed by aNN Brown
John King's life can be compared to anything except royalty. Born
under tragic circumstances, he literally punched his way into the
world. The midwife who delivered him believed he was a demon child
and nearly succumbed to voices telling her to kill him as he was
being born. Raised by a grandmother who detested the sight of him,
John is forced to flee Bueller, Texas when he is fifteen years old
with too many unanswered questions of how he came to be. Life for
him is one city after another, too many temporary liaisons and an
emptiness that threatens to consume him.
Connie Rogers and her sister were
deserted by their mother when they were twelve and eight years old. Her sister was adopted and Connie
was placed in the foster care program. At the age of fourteen she flees the foster home and lives on
the streets of Denver surviving by any means necessary. Her reality is that she exists
because someone needs a doormat on which to walk. Numerous one night encounters have brought more
heartache than a young girl should have. When the faces of all the men she has known merge into
one face that haunts her, she seeks a way to save herself.
King's travels places him in Denver at a
time when he is tired of running from his demons and his past. John's and Connie's meeting is not
monumental because, while both know how to survive, neither knows how to live. As a reader I hoped
the hard times they'd endured did not make them believe heartache is all life had to offer them.
ONE DAY I SAW A BLACK KING is Connie's
testament to a wayward John King who stirs unfamiliar feelings in her. The story is haunting and sometimes
joyless as it pulls you into the lives of the characters. All of the pieces are in place for this one,
the storyline is exceptional, the characters are real, and the pace is on target.
Though the secondary characters have their own story to tell, Ms. Mason expertly uses them to enhance
the flow of this story. Much more than a story about survival; this is a story about standing toe-to-toe
with life and learning how to live it. I felt this story in the recesses of my being and I did not close
this book unscathed. This is an excellent look at the endurance of the human spirit and the second step
toward Ms. Mason establishing herself as a gifted writer.
Reviewed by
aNN Brown
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
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FEENIN' by Nane Quartay
Reviewed
by Diane Marbury (HonestD)
Feenin by Nane Quartay is a story which encompasses a modern day survival of the fittest theme. The
story which is set in Albany, New York follows the life of Tokus Stone. Tokus is a young black man
who was abandoned by his mother when he was fourteen and left to raise and care for himself. Tokus
survived life on his own by becoming a street hustler. He sold drugs as a means to an end and
constantly dreamed of a life without illegal activity.
After Tokus graduated from high school,
he went to college during the day while maintaining his street hustle at night. He managed to avoid
the long arm of the law the whole time. However during the last night in his illegal trade, he has
an encounter that results in the death of an addict and a corrupt cop
picking up his trial. Tokus' encounter with "Five-O" changes his life at a time when he thought he
was doing the changing.
Feenin is a complicated tale that introduces several characters who are victims of life's
various injustices. The people are plagued with everything from drug addiction to incest to greed.
Many of these characters are introduced, seemingly, abruptly, but if you hang in there with the story,
things become clearer. Where Tokus is the hero in this story, Way Jalon, a power hungry millionaire
racist is the villain. Before all is said and done, Tokus and Way are engaged in an old fashioned good
versus evil battle.
Nane Quartay writes well and makes good use of metaphors and description. Sometimes the description
becomes a little disturbing when you realize a drug induced high is being described in vivid, colorful detail
or that the description is being used as social commentary. After reading the final words
of Feenin, I felt a sense of injustice and some of the cruel irony that runs as an undercurrent throughout
the novel. I can only wonder if that was the author's intention.
Reviewed
by Diane Marbury (HonestD) of
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
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PROVERBS FOR THE PEOPLE
edited by Tracy Price-Thompson and TaRessa Stovell
Reviewed by
Latoya Carter-Qawiyy
We have all
heard proverbs at some point in our lives; little truths that teach morals,
tell stories, or teach us how to live. In PROVERBS FOR THE PEOPLE,
authors take insightful African, African American, and Biblical proverbs and
utilize them to create extraordinary short stories that depict truths and
leave marks on the heart.
This unique
anthology contains stories from well known authors such as Travis Hunter,
Omar Tyree, Margaret Johnson-Hodge, Pearl Cleage, and others, as well as stories from up and coming authors. Like the
proverbs they represent, the stories are diverse and full of emotions.
Although all of the stories were wonderful and touching, some of personal
favorites were Gwynne Forster’s “First Thing Monday
Morning,” which taught the morals that actions speak louder than words
and to be careful what you wish for, because you just may get it, and Robert
Fleming’s “A Crisis of Faith,” about a man who is wrongly
incarcerated.
PROVERBS FOR
THE PEOPLE is a wonderful novel that will teach, inspire, and
entertain. It has a story that everyone can relate to, and will make a
wonderful addition to any book collection.
Reviewed by
Latoya Carter-Qawiyy
for The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
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