Rating: 5

Who would you recommend this book to?
Family, Churches, Friends

What did you like most about this book?
I love the fact that it shows the amount of faith the characters had. Wilson didn't give up not once when he was trying to find his sister. The fact that he found love and didn't allow it to stand in the way
of searching for Natasha.

What did you like least about this book?
What I liked the least was some of the sentences were dragged along.

Any suggestions for how this book could have been better?
The book was amazing the way it was. I would suggest the author
didn't drag on the sentences.

What was your overall impression of
this book?
Cassandra Baker Durham has delivered a amazing tale of love, wrath, and belief. The story centers on Wilson, a police detective who is very protective of his family, his younger sister, Natasha, and his love interest, Shayla. When Natasha goes missing, it seems like the entire neighborhood is distraught and attempts to find her. Yet, Wilson is the one who takes Natasha's disappearance the hardest. Shayla is always there for Wilson and the rest of the family. Yet Wilson is starting to lose himself in the mayhem of finding his beloved sister Natasha. This book did not disappoint, and I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

Reviewed by: Brenda Lang

Rating: 5

Who would you recommend this book to?
To everyone, especially those who are Cancer Survivors

What did you like most about this book?
I loved the way it was broken down into certain areas of her life.

What did you like least about this book?
nothing.

Any suggestions for how this book could have been better?
I have no suggestions.

What was your overall impression of this book?
I absolutely loved this book. I loved the way it was broken down into sections. Each section dealt with a particular part of the author’s life. A special thank you to the author for sharing her story. May it help someone battling that creature named "Big C." The main things I learned from reading this book is that When you have God, you don’t have to FEAR, you can have the COURAGE and FAITH that He is with you. Just TRUST him and he’ll restore HOPE back into your life.

Reviewed
by: Vanessa Harris

This book is truly a God-sent blessing. No matter what you’re going through, this book offers a rewarding and spirit-filled escape through the mind of a poet who goes by the name of Marcus Taylor. As a licensed and ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there’s no doubt that the author has allowed the anointing to flow from his heat through the pen and onto the pages of this written piece of art. Each poem carries with it a different meaning but the same tune – of truth and transparency, love and humility. Go with Marcus as he takes you on a journey in his very first book, “The Wait is Over.” 4 stars

Sometimes there’s no better way to express a message than a poem. Walid Taher’s, “A Bit of Fresh Air” is the perfect example. There’s a hidden gift tucked away on every page of this book. To appreciate poetry, one must first have an appreciation for words. And as the title suggests, between the lines of every poem, Walid offers us a small, yet refreshing bit of air that ignites your mental processes and awakens your spirit. Every poem is filled with so much energy, retrospection, and truth that it’s almost impossible for you to read just one. I had a great time with this book and I encourage everyone to get their hands on a copy because it will change your outlook on life. Above all, this book offers an appreciation for many of the “small things” in life we often take for granted. 5 stars

Little Wisdom by the very young and talented author, Sumayyah, is a book of sunshine, wisdom, hope, and truth. You can tell that every poem was written straight from her little innocent heart. With clarity and purpose, Sumayyah talks about many aspects of life like having friends, family, happiness, loving yourself and appreciating life. She even touches on the formidable topic of death which demonstrates the strong and courageous spirit that lives inside the mind of this young and motivational writer. It’s always a joy to see children who are driven and excited about life and actually put in the time and hard work to achieve their dreams. Sumayyah is a shining star and I encourage every boy and girl to pick up a copy of her book and get inspired. 5 stars

“Memoirs of the Homosexual President” is a book unlike any other book I have read. At first glance, I was denying the fact that DeVaughn actually wrote this book and presumed that maybe he had the help of a ghostwriter. To say the least, I was impressed. This writer has talent and a lot of it.

Memoirs of the Homosexual President is sure to blow you away. DeVaughn does an exceedingly impressive job with setting the historical background of the story and placing you comfortably inside the ancient but familiar world of the main character, Birdy Belle Thomas Ellis. Her story is forceful yet an inviting one that will give you an appreciation for your own history. It makes you wanna take a look back in time and reflect on the good ole days as well as the bad. This story is one that needs to be read because it was meant to be told.

This book should be read by high schools, book clubs, historians, politicians, the church, and passionate readers across the nation. 5 stars

And I Trusted You is a compilation of 6 stories that depict real life scenarios portrayed by everyday characters that any average reader can relate to. From love to friendships, betrayal and regret, Jamela pieces together a diverse assortment of short and candid tales for every reader’s enjoyment. I appreciate the way Jamela draws us into each story, places us in the middle of the characters’ lives, and carefully brings each story to a peaceful ending without dragging us along like some authors do, forcing us to take a 300 page excursion that was only meant to last only for a short while. I look forward to seeing what else Jamela brings to the table. 3 stars

Too often are we bombarded with unforeseen obstacles we must overcome and challenges we must defeat. When we’re in the trenches, we lose sight of the big picture as our confidence to achieve what our heart desires disappears into thin air. Our dreams begin to seem less and less obtainable as our motivation for reaching them gets buried beneath our fears and frustrations. In a time of our life where the past is a burden and the future seems uncertain we need to hear the truth and be encouraged by genuine words of inspiration like you’ll find in Ifeanyi’s book, “Overcoming the Challenges of Life.” The author graciously pours out priceless pounds of wisdom and inspiration that no only give you a new perspective on life, but challenge you to choose and embrace a positive outlook as well. Often times when you’re going through tough times, it starts to feel like you’re alone and the only one who’s growing through. You begin to feel as if you have no one to turn to who will understand. Ifeanyi paints a beautiful picture with historical facts that offers a beacon of hope and a degree of assurance that although things may get tough, you can always find the strength to make it through.   5 stars

In Scattered Memories pt 2: Life after the Shatter, Bernadine comes back and gives us a double dose of laughter and excitement wrapped around memories from her past. Her words are truly a breath of fresh air – inconsistent with what you will typically find in your average autobiographical tale that can sometimes put you to sleep. Bernadine shares bits and pieces of her life in a way that makes you feel like you’ve known her for years. In her book, you’ll find joy and strength within to move forward and conquer your own challenges. I’m looking forward to more entertaining and motivational books by Bernadine and highly recommend her books to readers of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. There’s something special planted inside this book for each and every one of you. 4 stars

Rating: 3

Who would you recommend this book to?
Women

What did you like most about this book?
Heather Jones' story is a very emotional tale of physical and emotional abuse. I appreciate the author's willingness and ability to delve into issues of domestic violence, abuse, mental illness and rape through a candid story of survival. The manner of which the story was told as a firsthand account really brought the story home. I believe this style made the story relatable to other women who have gone or are going through similar situations. The element of the negative impact of the church when power is used to take advantage of worshippers through the word was instrumental to the story. It provided eye-opening detail about how easily people are influenced and the horrible consequences of their actions. I loved that the author had the courage to write the unhappy ending.

What did you like least about this book?
While the book was candid, it began to lose some of its power when the storytelling began to skip around. Some of CJ's talks and his letter were overextended and became very repetitive. There were points where the author would go in great detail and then there were points where the author would give very little detail, but would repeat the same point without introducing anything new. I would've liked to hear more about the impact of their son throughout the book instead of at the very end.

Any suggestions for how this book could have been better?
I believe this book would have been dynamic without some of the repetitiveness and if the storytelling followed a consistent flow. I also would've loved to feel the same emotion throughout the story as I felt during the telling of Heather's childhood.

What was your overall impression of this book?
This book is a good read although it's not as dynamic as I thought it would be when I first began reading it. I believe it will truly help someone who has suffered through abuse and I applaud the author for writing about so many sensitive subjects.

Reviewed by:  Kreceda Tyler