Los Morenos

Los Morenos
Shelley Halima

(4.5/5)

I had this book on my amazon.com wish list for soo long so I finally broke down and bought it. This book is a sequel to Azucar Moreno, in my opinion the second book sounded more interesting to me at the time (and with a limited budget) I decided to read them out of order.

I didn’t feel lost at all by skipping the first part and enjoyed the book. Rosie and Nikki are cousins who grew up together and are more likes sisters than just cousins. Nikki married and living in L.A. invites her cousin Rosie out to pursue her dreams and leave behind her stripping job. Rosie comes to L.A. and soaks up her new environment and the Hollywood lifestyle and both cousins began and roller coaster ride that takes them through the highs and lows of success. The book alternates between Rosie and Nikki, so you get to know and love them both. I honestly didn’t even have a favorite character- the felt like they were both my girls.

I liked how there a little Latina/Afro-Latina flavor in this book. There aren’t too many books that incorporate the afro-Latino heritage, especially as well as Ms. Halima does. The message in this book was pretty good too- about being you and she dealt with some pretty real and important issues, and she doesn’t handle them too lightly or too heavily. One note- there are parts of this book that are a little –“wild” & “erotic”. So be warned, if you are “conservative”, you might one to skip over a few pages (this doesn’t take away from the book and it’s not about sex or anything like Zane, however when Shelley gets down- she gets down).

Verdict: Great Coming of Age Novel- recommended. I am looking forward to more books by Ms. Halima

It's No Secret

It's No Secret: From Nas to Jay-Z, from Seduction to Scandal--a Hip-Hop Helen of Troy Tells All

Carmen Bryan

(0/5)

Thank Goodness I didn’t buy this book, but I read it in the bookstore. I’m not going to lie, I was curious to see what Ms. Bryan had to say and I’ll go ahead an sum it up for you here- Nothing.

This book isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. First it’s a rip of off Superhead book- Confessions of Video Vixen which isn’t good, but is Pulitzer Prize winning stuff compared to this.

In Diary, there was a point. Karrine was telling her story of being a video girl and the life came with that. I think that is a story worth telling because so many little girls want to grow up to be the pretty girls in the videos. They have no clue about the life that lurks under the surface and Stephens bought that to life. If one girl thinks twice and realizes she doesn’t want to be a sex object, a slut or glorified stripper than I think that it’s worth it. Confessions exposed what was underneath the so-called "glamour" . This book had no purpose.

Ms. Bryan was bragging about her failed relationship with two of hip- hops biggest starts. My question is whose laughing now. Nas is married and Jay-Z is dating one of the most desirable women in the world and you are writing a tell all about your sleeping with both of them and your countless abortions?

I felt so sorry for this chick while skimming through this trash. I mean this book has no purpose but to capitalize on someone else’s fame. She was somebody’s girlfriend cheated on him and then got dropped. So she had sex with all these superstars- that are nothing to be proud of. Honestly her relationship with Nas is not book worthy material either. Once again this book was written to capitalize of Jay-Z, Nas and Karrine Stephens success. I truly feel for her daughter. What a shame.

Don’t buy this book and don’t waste time or brain cells reading it. If you are that intrigued by the Hip-Hop lifestyle sticks with Confessions.

Saved Folk in the House

Saved Folk in the House

Sonnie Beverly

** ( 2/5)

Okay- I am going to preface this review by saying that I do not like short stories. It seems weird given my short attention span, that I would not Love short stories- which can offer everything a regular novel does in half the time. But – I do not. I cannot stand * most short stories. In fact the only ones I recall that I actually like are Flannery O’Conner’s, particularity A Good Man is Hard to Find. Other than that, I leave short stories alone. I tried Z.Z. Packer’s acclaimed ( acclamied= Today show pick) Drinking Coffee Elsewhere, but I just couldn’t get into it. I liked the first few, but just gave up halfway through the book.

That being said, I read this book for my March Book Club # 2 meeting. This book has been on my Recommended for you list on Amazon since it came out, but for several reasons, I never read it.1). It has a relatively low rating (all those Amazon people can’t be wrong- or rather they usually are not* Update the overall rating has increases significantly since I wrote this review in Feburary and revised it for posting) and 2). It’s a book of short stories. So when it was listed as my book club selection, my first thought was to skip the meeting, but since that defeats the purpose of being part of book club ( only reading books you find interesting) I begrudingly bought the book and tried to read it.

Saved Folk in the House are a collection of three short stories surrounding characters that are very loosely related- except for the fact that the love God and have made mistakes. Here is the description from booklist- ( I couldn’t formulate one myself)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
In "the village," a Virginia suburb, everyone knows and looks out for one another. Zakia Wilkes is a smart girl who goes to college and discovers she is pregnant two months after graduation. Eventually, she marries Jay, who provides her a comfortable life. Yet with all of her possessions, she still feels incomplete. In her search to fill the void, she becomes very involved in her church, at the expense of her marriage. Nikki Riley leaves the village for Atlanta after her divorce. She joins the church she has always watched on television and lands a job working in its accounting department. She also falls in love with her neighbor. Nikki is very close to her cousin Rae, who refuses to work legally. When Rae is incarcerated, she reflects on her cousin's preaching and starts a Bible study in jail. Rae's influence helps to reduce the violence amongst the women. Each woman relies on her faith to get what she needs and wants out of life and the lives of those she loves. Lillian Lewis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
In Part One, Saved Babies Daddies, Zakia, part tomboy and part princess, is left alone and a single parent. Hard- working and determined, she puts her hopes and dreams into her child, her career, and her new marriage. Still feeling a void in her life, she returns to church. But the more she becomes immersed in God, the more her life begins to crumbleuntil faith pulls her through. The story continues with Real Saved Folks. Nikki, the newly divorced best friend of Zakia, believes her life will improve if she joins a church she has watched on television for years. Instead, she finds more challenges. Falling for a younger man doesnt make her life easier, but she soon discovers that where her spirit resides is what truly matters. Finally, in Out of the Mouths of Saved Babies, the children, grandchildren, and friends of the earlier characters are gathered together for what will prove to be a very eventful summer where God will use children to show adults what true faith really means.

After the first story, I skimmed the rest- so this review is probably a.) Biased and b) I did skim the book, but based on the amazon.com reviews, I’m not too far off the mark. Now as of note, some members of my book club did enjoy this book. I was not one of them. I found the book lacking in many areas, particualry character development, the story went by too fast and tried to incorporate too much. I felt bogged down and tired just reading the first story. Then I couldn’t relate to the characters (lack of development) and the story was kind of all over the place. Also the book was very “preachy”, which I can’t stand. I love Christian Fiction, Book club # 2 is dedicated to it, however, this book took the Christian aspect overboard. If I wanted to be preached at, I’ll go church or bible study. I like CF books that incorporate God and the bible into the theme/ story or even use biblical stories to supplement or to enhance the story. This book did neither. It forced the message/ bible verses down my throat. To be honest, I was very disappointed in what I did read and returned the book and got my $15.61 back

My advice- checks it out from the library or read it in the store, but then again if you like short stories, maybe you might like it.

White Lines

White Lines

Tracey Brown

At first, when this book kept coming up “recommended" on amazon.com, I rolled my eyes and tried to make it go away. I was thinking that it was just your average “street fiction”, ( for my views on street-lit, check read here or the last paragrpah here) but the five star reviews on Amazon piqued my interest so I gave in and ordered it. And am glad that it kept coming up and that I finally wore down and ordered it.

White Lines is the story of Born and Jada, their loves and their struggles on the streets of New York. Teenaged Jada, runs away from home and falls into the drug world while teenaged Born watches his father, a well –known hustler make his life from the drug trade. Born follows in his father’s footsteps and sets out to become the biggest hustler NYC has ever seen. Meanwhile, Jada cleans up and meets born and what happens next is a love story for the ages. All love stories don’t have to be Nicholas Sparks or Nora Roberts ( i.e. traditional) and obviously this one isn’t, but it is one of the truest love stories that I’ve ever read. The story begins in the late 80’s and follows Born and Jada on their paths together and apart, in what is one of the best books of 2007 ( yes, I know it is only February).

Ms. Brown doesn’t sugar coat things, not does she glorify them either ( hallelujah). She tells it like it is, with heart and clarity. The writing is clear and concise and the story is beautiful in the same way that life is. Of course it is not only a love story. In a sense it is still probably classified as “street lit” and there is no shortage of the raw and gritty scenes, however it is so well done- well written, with excellent characters and also very well edited.

I finished this book in a record 2 days, which isn’t an easy feat- this book is thick at 512 pages (paperback), but worth every single page. I then passed it on to my sister who read it in a record 3 days (she’s in HS taking 4 AP courses) - so that itself should extol ( :) ) how much I enjoyed this book.

Into Each Life

Into Each Life

Shelia E. Lipsey

***( 3.8/5)

Into each life is a Christian Fiction novel that follows the life of childhood friends. Prodigal has always been in love with his best friend Teary, but Teary instead chases after other dreams never returning the undying love for Prodigal, but when she finally does realize and appreciate Prodigal, will it be too late?

The book also tells the story of their family members such as Teary's sister. It begins when they are all just children, spending their days playing outside and having fun. It follows them through High School, College, marriage, children,infertility, divorce, sickness and death.

This book is a fast read. On one hand including so much in the book makes the 300 + pages fly by, but sometimes it feels weighted down as too much is happening in this novel and some characters development and plot points are not given enough time and it ends up feeling rushed. One such character was Teary who was very hard to like. The end is also a little rushed. I also found the names a little annoying- Teary, Prodigal & Faith. I kept asking myself who would name their child Teary?

Overall Lipsey has written and enjoyable book, that will keep reader attention and have them looking forward to her next book.

Still Life With Husband

Still Life with Husband

Lauren Fox

*** (4.0ish/5)

This was a rather quick read for me. I don’t know why I am so preoccupied with books about people having and affairs, infertility/miscarriage- I’ve just finished one (Sweet Ruin, Love and Other Impossible Pursuits, Happiness Sold Separately- even Baby Proof to some a extent- just to name a few) and sometimes I feel as though this my favorite subject. I’m sure a therapist would have a field day with that subconsciones self diagnosis.

This one is about a wife and husband- the Ross and the divide that grows between them as they both want separate things. Kevin is ready for a move to the ‘burbs and a baby, while Emily is bored with their life and is not looking forward to either one of those things. Then she meets David Keller and he is everything that Kevin is (seemingly) not. Although at first she is not honest with him about her marital status, she eventually lets on and what follows is an intense affair with undesired (are there any other kind when affairs are involved- in this one you betcha) and disastrous consequences

I couldn’t really feel for the main character. Or maybe after reading Sweet Ruin, I had less sympathy for her. I felt she acted like a child – not stepping and dealing with her problems and feelings. Sleeping with another man will not make them go away. However, it was still a good read. I really enjoyed her relationship with Meg, or at least how Meg was portrayed. I was kind of actually more interested in Meg- than in Emily. Maybe her next book will focus on Meg? As for the ending, I’m not so sure what I think about it- I guess it was expected and but not how I pictured it would end.

In Greener Pastures (Shelton Heights)

Kendra Norman Bellamy

***1/2

As a KNB fan, I was anxiously waiting the release of her newest offering to the literary world of Christian Fiction, and while In Greener Pastures does not disappoint, it is not her best nor my favorite KNB book yet.

In her nests book KNB takes a break from the Grace series and introduces us to some new characters. Hunter Greene is the owner of an prestigious African American newspaper in Atlanta, Georgia and single father. When a prominent Atlanta pasture- Rev. Tides, is killed in what is ruled and accident, Hunter goes on the hunt for the truth. When the pastor’s daughter, Jade feels spirit is also telling her there is more to the story she enlists Hunter's help in uncovering the truth. Hunter and Jade must fight against her family, who is ready to move on and let Rev. Tides rest in piece, the community and the people responsible who will stop at nothing to keep the truth under wraps. During all this Hunter and Jade also begin to contend feelings that are a little more than about finding out the truth regarding Rev. Tides.

This book is a Christian Fiction Romance Mystery all rolled into one, and while that sounds like a handful, KNB is able to keep everything rolling smoothly. The only true flaw is that the “mystery” is somewhat undevloped, but KNB’s writing and characters as well as the Christian themes keep this book right on target. This is another great book by KNB, although not one of my favorites. This is what appears to be the first in several books in her Shelton Height’s Series, and I cannot wait for the next one.