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Book Review Disclaimer:
The Imani Book Club's reviews of novels sent by authors
are honest and truthful. The reviews are a reflection of the individual
member's thoughts as they pertain to the novel they have read. The opinion
of the Imani Sister may or may not be the opinion of the Imani Book Club as a
whole. We take into account we are receiving review copies, which may have
some typographical and grammatical errors. So know if we review your
novel, the review will be honest and may reflect constructive criticism.
All of this is to help the author produce a wonderful piece of work.
Recommendations to read or not read a book are in reference to the possible
inclusion of the book for the Imani Book Club yearly syllabus only, not to
persuade or deter readers about the books.
Cashana
The Imani Book Club's
Review
of:
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About the Story:
Uptown
by Virginia DeBerry &
Donna Grant
In Uptown, when money, power, and
real estate are at stake, family bonds and loyalties are strained to the
breaking point.
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About the Authors:
Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant met while
working as models. Virginia went on to become editor in chief for Maxima, a
fashion and lifestyle magazine for plus-size women, and Donna was the
magazine's managing editor. They moved on together to become novelists.
Virginia lives in New Jersey. Donna and her husband live in Brooklyn.
Author's Website:
www.deberrygrant.com
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Our
Review:
Imani Book Club Rating:
3.75
Avery Lyons returns to New York after being away for
20 years. What she encounters is totally unexpected and the past she has
spent 20 years running from rears its head. Avery must confront the friends
she shut out of her life and the family who disappointed her so many years
ago. With all she must deal with, Avery learns about herself, family and
Harlem.
Avery’s cousin,
Dwight was once someone she looked up to and admired, but one night years
ago changed her view of him. Now, back in New York she must deal with him
and his need to grow the family’s real estate business. Without Avery’s
assistance, Dwight could feel the constraints of failure, which was always
compounded by his father’s constant belittling. Dwight’s optimism for the
future of his family’s real estate empire may be thwarted by secrets, lies
and betrayal.
DeBerry
and Grant gives us the complex character of Avery and the equally uncertain
character of Dwight. The characters are rich in depth and realistic to
their faults. A vivid picture is painted of Harlem which resonant from the
pages. The story is engaging at times, but there were lulls where the
pacing was a bit slower, but the storyline keeps you reading. My
appreciation of the complexities of the heroines in DeBerry and Grant’s
novel are always appreciated.
Submitted by Cashana
Seals
2/10
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About the Story:
Friendly Enemies
Jay and Gerald find themselves having to make
the tough decision between being loyal to their friendship or being loyal to
their hearts. Being that Gerald is Greg's (Swingers) little brother the
answer is pretty much written in stone. Every friendship has it's rough
moments but can sleeping with your best friends girl be considered one of
them. Toss in a possessive ex-lover a telephone sex line, jealousy and an
endless supply of testosterone and you have a recipe for the hottest erotic
mystery going today. Torrian Ferguson Essence Magazine Best Selling Author
of Swingers and co-author of Final Fling takes you on another great erotic
ride with his latest novel. Imagine living in a home where you and your
roommate are Friendly Enemies.
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About the Author:
Torrian Ferguson is the President of
Anexander Books and Essence Magazine Best Selling Author of Swingers,
Scandalous and co-author of Final Fling.
Author's website:
www.anexanderbooks.com
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Our
Review:
Imani Book Club Rating:
3.0
Gerald left Miami to
get away from the negative that was surrounding him in his home town and he
was making Greensboro his new home. In fact, he has gotten pretty friendly
with the towns chat line which offers him an abundance of women to satisfy
his carnal urges. He meets women who have the same goal of having no
strings attached sex. However, Gerald meets his match in Nicole who is good
in bed, but crazy otherwise. When things seem to be going Gerald’s way in
romance, he encounters evil all around him and his lady love.
Gerald’s best friend,
Jay decides to come to Greensboro for a visit, but when Gerald picks up his
friend from the bus station with all his luggage, he knows his bachelor pad
just got a roommate. For best friends, they surely don’t act like it after
Jay has been there for a while and has yet to pay a bill or rent. The
strain starts to unravel their friendship, but when a female steps in things
go from bad to worse.
Gerald not only has
to watch is back with his so call best friend he also has to deal with a
scorned sex buddy as well. With jealous being the ultimate culprit, who
knows what will happen to these so call friends.
This story is filled
with sex and drama. Although some characters from Swinger’s appear, it is
not necessary to read it first to read this novel. The storyline was
engaging enough to keep me reading. However, the characters weren’t as
fully developed as I would have like them to be. Their motivations didn’t
seem realistic and with the fast-pace of the story it left the characters
one-dimensional and the story a bit rushed. Kudos to Ferguson for the
surprised ending, I didn’t see that coming.
Submitted by Cashana
2/19/2010
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About the Story:
Everything
You Owe Me
This story is about two best friends who have totally
opposite marriages. One of the women has it all; the other has a terrible
marriage. The fortunate woman has a baby. The baby is abducted. Is it an
unfortunate incident or a piece in a very sinister puzzle?
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About the Authors:
Shay Nolon was born and raised in Odessa, Texas but now
resides in Kansas City, Missouri along with her two children, five
stepchildren, and husband Christopher Nolon author of This Cup Runneth Over,
and 365 Days in the diary of Jeanna black. She has a B.A. in Social and
Behavioral Science, an Associates in Journalism, and is working towards her
MFA.
Author's Website:
www.hollygrovepublishing.com
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Our
Review:
Imani Book Club Rating:
3.0
Two best friends and
cousins are living their lives to the fullest, but both dealing with
issues. Tosha and Devon have what she has deemed a wonderful marriage, but
after a personal tragedy, their relationship becomes strain. Devon starts
to spend more time with his boys and drinking heavily. However, the change
in their intimacy causes Tosha to believe her husband is being unfaithful.
The thought of infidelity for Tosha is overwhelming and she doesn’t think
she can live her life with her husband.
Dannay and David have
the picture perfect marriage and after many years together they are now
having their first baby. What should be the happiest time of Dannay’s life
turns into a nightmare when her newborn is abducted.
Tosha and Dannay lean
on one another as if they were really sisters instead of mere cousins.
Their lives begin to travel a rocky road that neither envisions, but will
their friendship be enough to sustain them through these difficult times.
This was a story that
begged one to finish in one sitting. This was a fast-pace story which deals
with family, marriage, love and strength. The drama the main characters
find themselves in kept me reading even though I felt the story was very
predictable. It should be noted there were some grammatical and editorial
issues, but Nolon effort is commendable and with her future work I look
forward to her growth.
Submitted by Cashana
2/19/2010
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About the Story:
Beater
A young man has to deal with emotional and physical abuse
inflicted upon him by his fiancee.
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About the Authors:
Brian W.
Smith is the author of four books and the owner of Hollygrove Publishing.
Author's Website:
www.hollygrovepublishing.com
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Our
Review:
Imani Book Club Rating:
3.75
Kim and
Todd grew up in a household where the beatings of their mother by Todd’s
father were almost an everyday occurrence. They lived in a perpetual walk
on eggshells existence in their home, never knowing when a fight would
happen. One night would change the young teenagers’ lives forever.
Estranged for over 10 years, the siblings reunite by accident in Atlanta,
Georgia where they both currently reside. Kim has started a new job with a
very demanding boss. Todd on the other hand, is working several jobs at
night while writing his first novel during the day. When Todd meets Rachel,
Kim’s boss and who is years older than Todd, there is a mutual attraction
and to the dismay of Kim they embark on a worldwind romance.
Rachel
has secrets. Todd also has secrets when it comes to their relationship.
Rachel secrets have her being blackmailed and Todd’s secrets are to protect
Rachel. How can a grown man tell someone his fiancee is physically
abusive?
This
story started off with a bang. The beginning immediately draws the reader
into the lives of Kim and Todd. As the story progresses, we are presented
with a strong storyline with believable characters. However, I would have
liked to have seen Rachel’s characters more developed, although there is an
immediate need to keep a bit a mystery surrounding her, she would have been
more dimensional with more of her background. There is witty dialogued and
moments of seriousness. My only real concern for the story was as much as
the story started off strong, it was evident that the final portion of the
novel were a bit rushed. Todd and Rachel’s relationship was not strongly
contructed to really see them as a true and romantic couple. Also, the
beginning of the story seemed more polished than the ending. Smith’s
writing with each novel seems to get better and better and even with the few
issues, this was a fast-paced and entertaining story.
Submitted by Cashana
2/25/2010
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