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Last Updated: Jan 10th, 2012

NEW REVIEWS POSTED

>> The Blacks: Love Politics: New Beginnings

>> Sinners And Saints

>> Wimby's Corner

>> Truth Or Dare

>> Tethered

>> Never Dead

>> Larger Than Lyfe

>> Wounded: A Love Story

>> The Freshman Fifteen... And A Whole Lot of Other Stuff They Didn't Plan For

>> The Black Hand of God

TRR Favorite Books Reviewed

Those books rated at the top of our scale have been identified as TRR Favorites.  Check them out via the FAVORITES link.

The Blacks: Love Politics: New Beginnings by Angelia Vernon Menchan

Cinnamon and Malcolm Black are on their honeymoon when Cinnamon receives the call that her ex-husband William Brown is ill and it may be terminal. Without hesitation she tells Malcolm they have to return to the States and leave Jamaica behind, not knowing Brown’s condition plus he is her children’s father. Brown is not happy his former friend is now married to his ex, so when he finds out she is there to see about him, he is ecstatic.  While he is not happy to leave Jamaica, Malcolm loves Cinnamon, and Brown was his friend at one time, so he supports his wife without question.  

Wounded: A Love Story by Claudia Mair Burney

Gina Merritt is a down and out single mother who attends Vineyard Catholic Church, and has a whole list of medical and psychological ills attached to her persona.  In fact, the congregation at Vineyard has dubbed her as being insane.  On Ash Wednesday during services, she experiences something so divinely spiritual and hard to explain, that everyone feels she has stepped off the deep end.  The only person to believe in her is a down on his luck journalist turned junkie.  Anthony Priest reaches out to touch Gina during her experience and his life is literally changed in that instance. As Gina tries to escape whatever happened to her and the church, Priest follows her and the two set off on a path of discovery, revelations and love.  

The Black Hand of God by R. S. Basi

The story of Donna Beatriz Kimpa Vita is one that was virtually unknown to me.  That is, until I read THE BLACK HAND OF GOD by R. S. Basi.  This story evolves with the Kongo as the backdrop and an obviously grieving parent, recalling the significant memories of what transpired.  According to Basi’s fictional account, Christianity was well established in Africa prior to the slave trade era.  However, the Europeans introduced Catholicism to the region and it spread, gaining many followers.  With a civil war going on among the Kongolese, the Catholic teachings were used to control and aid in the exploitation of the natives and the slave trade in the area.  A young child, baptized as Donna Beatriz, believed she was possessed by the spirit of St. Anthony, a very popular Saint.  She became a polarizing religious figure, who inspired many followers to pull away from some of the basic Catholic teachings and treatment that the priests provided, only to have her actions determine her fate.

 

Black Widow And The Sandman by L L Reaper

BLACK WIDOW AND THE SANDMAN by L. L. Reaper is a mystery about who is giving Cuban children a plague that kills them in a slow, agonizing way. The Black Widow, Jeanette Mason, is a scientist, assigned to find a cure for the disease that is killing so many children. The Sandman, Roman Tate, has been assigned to protect her while she searches for a cure. As soon as they meet, there is an immediate attraction on both their parts but they know they can't afford to let that interfere with their need to find a cure. The Cuban government is getting very upset and blaming the United States for the problem. As Jeanette searches for a cure, Roman attempts to find out who is responsible for the ugliness. There are many people who can be responsible and he runs into several life-threatening situations. 

Unauthorized by Shelia Goss and John Wooden

UNAUTHORIZED by Shelia Goss and John Wooden is a fast-paced suspense novel about Michael Henderson, a detective in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and Rachel Murphy, an investigative reporter. Michael feels that death is following him around and Rachel has written some rough news stories about his investigations, but in order to solve a murder that has happened, they will have to work together. It is one of Michael's friends who was killed in his apartment. Michael was supposed to go there for dinner and instead, he finds a body.  

King's Passion by Adrianne Byrd

Victoria Gregory has it all planned out from the perfect mate to the perfect wedding, but when her soon-to-be husband takes a detour to Sin City for his bachelor party, her life comes to a screeching halt. But Victoria didn't take her situation lightly, especially when it hit the society section of the local newspaper. Most of Victoria's family knows when her temper goes red, there's no stopping her. When she heads to Sin City to get her revenge, she finds herself meeting a man who doesn't falter when she roars.  

Empower The Passion Within by Terri Dade

EMPOWER THE PASSION WITHIN is a beautifully written book about finding the passion and purpose of your life. Teri Dade pens a step-by-step guide to finding, using and broadening one's passion within. She gives vivid and relevant examples of individuals who found their passion and purpose in various stages of their lives such as Tiger Woods, who found his passion as a toddler, to Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame, who found his passion and purpose as a senior citizen.  She encourages the reader to seek out their passion and gives ways one can put their passion to action. 

The Loudest Silence by Kai

Lani comes from a troubled background with a drug-addicted mother who is incarcerated for murder.  Terrance has a privileged background.  His parents are wealthy and successful and they had plans for him to marry a young lady with a similar background, but Terrance chose Lani. Terrance’s best friend is Kenya whom he regards as his little sister, Lani thinks otherwise because she sees the way Kenya acts and talks around Terrance.  Terrance has late night conversations with Kenya because she is easy to talk to; needless to say, he’s not aware that she has deep feelings for him and is waiting for the opportunity to express them. 

Marriage: It's In Your Hands by Bobby L. Sneed

Written from a male perspective by a man who has experience the irreparable pain of a divorce, MARRIAGE: It’s In Your Hands is a must read.  Bobby L. Sneed, a recent divorcee, reflects on the mistakes he made during his marriage and aligns them with what God would require of a husband.  His focus is doing things within the marriage to make it work, but on developing yourself into the person God wants you to be; therefore, the husband or wife with the foundation to make the marriage endure the test of time.  Although throughout the majority of the book, he discusses the development of the man or husband, the same principals can be applied to the wife as long as the word God put forth regarding their role is adhered to. 

Southern Comfort by Ruthe McDonald

Fifteen-year-old Macon Cooper is a pinnacle in her life.  Her father, who she loves dearly, is terminally ill and his death will leave her with her violent, substance-abusing mother, Nadine.  Grace steps in, in the person of her Aunt Emma, her father’s aunt, who shows Macon a love she’s only experienced with her father. Emma takes Macon to South Carolina where she can have a better life and know the love of family against Nadine’s wishes.  However, Child Protective Services steps in so Nadine has no choice.  

Godsend: A Necessary Evil by Kevin Elliott

Brian Cathcart, a 27-year-old black man, is a private investigator of a different sort. He only takes serious cases that the police have abandoned. When asked what kind of laws he might break, Brian counted on his fingers while saying, "Illegal phone taps, bribery, extortion, assault, blackmail, threats..."  

Lemonade Life: A Survivor's Story by Lloyd S Daley, Sr.

Lloyd Daley began his life with his mother, grandmother and an aunt who had children of her own so he had companionship. What he really wanted and needed was a father in his life. The bullies at school would chase him home and beat him. One day he decided to stand up to them. All the school applauded him for getting rid of them. His education was spotty at best because he wasn't always allowed to go to school, especially at 11 years old when he went to live with his father. His father was a man who felt farm work was more important than Lloyd's schooling. Lloyd did remember what his mother and grandmother had told him - he could overcome adversity. At 17, he decided he'd had enough and he left his father's house. His problems didn't stop but he was very good at dealing with them.