Crimson Footprints by Shewanda Pugh

Feb 212012

4pinkstars
Up and coming author Shewanda Pugh has a potential hit on her hands with her debut novel Crimson Footprint. The novel is a love story whose main character, Deena, has to make a decision between what makes her happy and what makes her family happy. Other issues such as interracial dating, cultural values, teen promiscuity, and inner city living are also addressed.

The reason I said “potential hit” is because there were a couple of instances where words were left out and I had to read back over pages to understand what the author was trying to convey. There was a part in the story where the author possibly had a couple of ideas on how the scene should play out because the scene happened twice with two different outcomes. That did not take away from the story, though.

I was impressed by the amount of thought and research that went into Crimson Footprint, as the mention of several different Japanese customs is not common knowledge. The ending of the story was left open, but I don’t feel that a sequel is needed. I would recommend Crimson Footprint to anyone who likes a good romance. I especially like the fact that there is more going on in the story besides a girl meeting a boy and falling in love. -Sistah Nakeshia

Bookmark and Share

Escape to Paradise by Pamela Yaye

Feb 202012

4-5pinkstars

Romances make me happy; and when you throw in a sassy, Latin backdrop…

I’m embarrassed to say that Escape to Paradise was my first romantic tryst with Pamela Yaye, but I guarantee it won’t be my last. The little surprises she wove throughout the plot made me giddy, and even made a passerby smiled when she caught me grinning with my nose deep in the book. I simply nodded with an even bigger smile when she said, “It must be good.”

Very good, in fact.  Claudia and Santiago are three dimensional characters you fall in love with. Their fight against the ghosts of their pasts and poignant desires for happiness in the future compliment a plot flavored with delicious Spanish-inspired treats, both culinary and lustfully edible, making Escape to Paradise indeed an escape for the die-hard romantic. – Sistah Tasha

 

Bookmark and Share

What My Sister Doesn't Know by Janie De Coster

Feb 132012

4pinkstars
What My Sister Doesn’t Know was a great book!  I found myself getting angry with nearly all of the characters for different reasons.  The book is about two sisters, Gade and Saphire, who have always had competition between them and one man, who they are both sleeping with, tears both of their worlds apart.  With some unexpected twists and turns the story ends where Gade and Saphire must pick up the pieces of their broken relationships and lives and move on.  What My Sister Doesn’t Know reminds us that blood is thicker than wate,r and what is done in the dark will certainly come to the light.  Ms. De Coster does not let us know what becomes of the ladies’ broken relationships so maybe there will be a sequel.  I hope so! -Sistah Connie

 

Bookmark and Share

Player’s Ultimatum by Koko Brown

Feb 112012

4pinkstars
Player’s Ultimatum begins with a gay soccer player (Robbie) who asks his best girl friend (Yvonne) to be his fiancée for appearances until he inks a lucrative contract. Enter in a sexy Japanese-Brazilian teammate (Paolo) who is seeking to avenge his best friend’s release from the team and subsequent suicide by ruining Robbie, who took his friend’s place on the team.  Buckle your seatbelt because the story takes off from there!  You are taken for a steamy rollercoaster ride filled with secrets, lies, exposure and eventually redemption and happiness.  Koko Brown’s vivid description of people, places and actions made me feel as though I was watching everything take place instead of simply reading it.  I look forward to reading some of Ms. Brown’s other works. – Sistah Connie

 

Bookmark and Share

The Healing of Love and Laughter by Rickey Teems II

Feb 112012

4pinkstars
I was speechless when I finished The Healing of Love & Laughter by Rickey Teems II. This is a story about dreams, choices, and consequences. You will be taken on a journey that will elicit a full range of emotions from laughter to outrage to sadness. The Healing of Love and Laughter definitely speaks to the soul and reminds us that being reckless with free will isn’t always free. I found this to be a very thought-provoking book and a great learning tool,  as well. – Sistah Tashmir

 

Bookmark and Share

Dangerous Consequences by Lisa Renee Johnson

Jan 072012

5pinkstars
Lisa Renee Johnson’s debut novel Dangerous Consequences is honestly one of the best debut novels I have ever read. I was literally captivated from Chapter One and was never let go. Dangerous Consequences is a fast- paced, suspense filled, dramatic curve ball that will keep you turning the pages. I felt as connected to the characters as they were connected to each other.

The author did an excellent job developing each character’s story line and then intersecting the stories. The editing was superb and it was refreshing to read grammatically correct literature. I was actually dreading having to turn the page because I knew I was getting close to the end and I really didn’t want this story to be over. Luckily for me, the author has a sequel coming and I can’t wait for the release date!! – Sistah Tashmir

Bookmark and Share

Keeping Secrets and Telling Lies by Trice Hickman

Jan 072012

4-5pinkstars
Keeping Secrets and Telling Lies captures the heart of relationships and delves into what makes us tick as passionate beings. Hickman wraps you in the psyche of her characters, so much that before the inevitable happens, you know what the behaviors of characters indicate, like what the popping vein on Ted’s forehead foretells or what the subtle shuffle of Victoria’s feet suggests.

She skillfully weaves the law of attraction in her story.  As in the real world, expecting trouble generally brings trouble, and what the Thorton family does with its secrets makes a tale well-worth reading into the night.

With vibrant characters and a story rich with timeless themes, Hickman expertly delivers the message that love conquers all, but not without a little elbow grease.

Keeping Secrets and Telling Lies is my favorite so far in Hickman’s current releases. I can’t help but believe there is another sequel brewing; Alexandria has quit a gift. – Sistah Tasha

Bookmark and Share

Before the Lights Go Out by Quinece Sheppard

Jan 072012

3pinkstars
I must admit that I was a little mislead by the title of this book. Before the Lights Go Out sounds like the title of a hot and steamy urban novel filled with plenty of passion and drama. It turned out to be a self-help book about developing and maintaining healthy intimate relationships.

This is the second book by author Quinece Sheppard. Her writing voice seemed very familiar to me, as if I was reading a note from a close friend or family member. There were a few instances where Sheppard came off as a bit judgmental, but if you overlook those instances, you could gain some good insight.

It is clear that the author’s target audience is individuals who are in or thinking about entering relationships. Before the Lights Go Out has something for married couples as well as singles that are just dating. I am not really into the self-help genre; however, I can say that this book did give me a lot to think about and I will be applying some of the advice to my own relationships. – Sistah Nakeshia

Bookmark and Share

Got a Right to Be Wrong by K.L. Brady

Dec 152011

5pinkstars
K.L.Brady’s debut novel The Bum Magnet is one of my all time favorite reads, and I was hoping the sequel, Got a Right to Be Wrong, would make the grade… IT DOES! The story is comedy, drama, and reality all in one. Brady did an excellent job with character and plot building. The situations that the characters found themselves in were sometimes unexpected but always very natural and believable.

True to style, Got a Right to Be Wrong had those laugh out loud moments but was also intertwined with some hard knock life lessons that will make you take a moment to reflect. Readers definitely need to add this to their reading lists. They will not be disappointed. – Sistah Tashmir

 

Bookmark and Share

All Caught Up by Sophia Shaw

Dec 152011

4-5pinkstars
This is my first time reading Sophia Shaw’s work, but I can promise it will not be the last. All Caught Up is a feel good romance novel that proves we sometimes get what we need when we least expect it. It is a quick read but is written very well . Shaw is so descriptive in her writing that I actually felt like I knew the characters personally. I fell in love with the storyline from the beginning and was still in love well after The End. This is a romance you definitely want to have in your library.
- Sistah Tashmir

Bookmark and Share
Page 1 of 151234510...Last »
SistahFriend Book Club | A Sisterhood of Readers®
Copyright © 2004-2011, SistahFriend Book Club, National Chapter.