Rose for Melinda by Lurlene McDaniel

Rose for Melinda
by Lurlene McDaniel

Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Reprint - August 13, 2002
ISBN-10: 0553570900
ISBN-13: 978-0553570908
Young Adult

Reviewed by Trae Candelario

“This was my first read of Lurlene McDaniel’s and it got me hooked. A Rose for Melinda, is by far one of the best novels I’ve read all year. It is full of lessons describing the disappointment of fleeting friendships, along with the excitement of lasting ones. Melinda is an accomplished ballerina diagnosed with a life threatening disease. Although she is slowly deteriorating and her dreams are slipping away, Jesse stays by her side. That is the true meaning of friendship, and it proves to Melinda that her life isn’t over yet. I recommend this book to anyone who loves dramatic romance. It is well written and suitable for anyone over the age of fourteen. A Rose for Melinda will leave you speechless and on your toes. It will defiantly make you cry tears of joy and sorrow. The surprise ending will make you want to read this again and again.”

Save The Best For Last by Bettye Griffin

Save The Best For Last
Bettye Griffin

Bunderful Books
ISBN-10: 0615306217
ISBN-13: 978-0615306216
Contemporary Romance

Rating: 4 Stars – EXCELLENT

Reviewed by LaShaunda C. Hoffman

Genevieve L’ Esperance is a graphic artist living a good life. When her Visa expires she finds she can’t return to her homeland. Her friend Barry suggests they marry and he hides her away in Harlem until his divorce is final. Barry wants more than a marriage of convenience and Genevieve isn't ready for that type of commitment. As she dodges the INS, she tries to figure out another way to fix her dilemma.

Genevieve meets the law student, Dexter Gray sharing the other room on the floor. They both feel the attraction between them, but decided to keep it platonic.

Dexter has his own dilemma; he needs funds to finish his law degree. Genevieve still needs a husband, and she proposes a deal that changes their relationship forever.

I enjoyed reading Save The Best For Last. It was fun watching Genevieve and Dexter fall for each other. Genevieve fought the attraction, but Dexter let the feelings flow. Even though he was a struggling law student, he didn’t let that stop the romantic in him. I also liked he always ate his dessert first. As a person who is known to eat dessert first, I could relate.

Ms. Griffin has written a story that every romance reader will enjoy. You’ll find yourself turning the pages quickly to see what’s in store for Genevieve and Dexter.

Sistergirl Devotions – Keeping Jesus In the Mix on the Job by Carol M. Mackey

Sistergirl Devotions – Keeping Jesus In the Mix on the Job
Carol M. Mackey

Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
May 2010
ISBN-13: 9780800733971
ISBN: 0800733975

Christian Non-Fiction

Rating: 4 Stars – EXCELLENT

Reviewed by LaShaunda C. Hoffman

Ms. Mackey offers devotionals for the working girl. She shares her work experiences and then offers advice in the situation and words of encouragement.

Each lesson is something everyone can relate too or has experienced and she shows you that you can make it through them too.

A working woman needs all the encouragement she can get and this is one book she should keep on her desk. I wish I’d had it when I first started work.

Who Speaks to Your Heart?: Tuning in to Hear God's Whispers by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Who Speaks to Your Heart?: Tuning in to Hear God's Whispers
by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Publisher: Zondervan
April 2010
ISBN-13: 9780310292715
ISBN: 0310292719
Christian Non-Fiction

Rating: 4 Stars – EXCELLENT

Reviewed by LaShaunda C. Hoffman

As a fan of Stacy Hawkins Adams I was looking forward to reading her first non fiction book. I was not disappointed. It surprised me because I wasn’t expecting it to speak to my own heart. I learned how to be a better listener and how to spend more quality time with God.

Ms. Hawkins Adams shared her own testimony while offering a lesson to help the reader improve their relationship with God.

This book will make an excellent gift for the college bound student. It is also a perfect book for those who want to build a better relationship with God.

Destination Love by Gwynne Forster

Destination Love
Gwynne Forster

Kimani Romance
Kimani Press
ISBN-13: 978-0-373-86157-6
Published: July 2010
Romance

Rating: 4 ½ STARS – EXCEPTIONAL

Reviewed by Vicki Brooks

This is a story about two individuals who grew up in two different environments and somehow managed to fall in love. They both came from two-parent homes that were on opposite ends of life’s spectrum.

Professor Sheri Stephens had a not-so-normal childhood that impacted her love life. She never saw her parents touch, let along kiss or be intimate in anyway. She knew her parents loved her, but this was based on her academic achievements only and not on their affections. In her heart she knew this was not what she wanted or longed for in a relationship. Consequently, she hadn’t given a relationship much thought until she met a stranger on a cruise ship.

This stranger was Dr. Dalton Wright who grew up in a loving, caring environment where he saw his parents caress and show affections each day of his life. He knew this was what he wanted in a relationship. Somehow his paths crossed with Sheri Stephens and he showed her how to love.

Lift Me Higher by Kim Shaw

Lift Me Higher
Kim Shaw

Kimani Romance
Kimani Press
ISBN-13: 978-0-373-86159-0
Published: April 2010
Romance

Rating: 5 STARS - SUPREME

Reviewed by Vicki Brooks

This is the first book I’ve read by Kim Shaw and to say the least, it won’t be the last. I loved “Lift Me Higher”. Monte Lewis is every woman’s dream man. I fell in love with his character. He loved and respected all the women in his life. This included his ailing Mom, deceased wife and his newly acquired love, Torie Taylor. And to top it off he loved and cared for his two well-mannered sons. After his wife’s death, he swore to never love again until he was smitten by Torie, who also swore to never love again based on her last relationship. Once the two met, they threw passion to the wind. A must read for all romantics.

Samson by Jacquelin Thomas

Samson
Jacquelin Thomas

Gallery Books
ISBN-13: 978-1-4391-0940-3
Published: May 2010

Christian Fiction

Rating: 5 STARS - SUPREME

Reviewed by Vicki Brooks

Samson was a BAD “Mamma-Jamma”. I liked this novel because the characters were just as REAL today as they were during biblical times. I could see many of the situations from my own life weaving in and out of this story. Samson was a charismatic preacher that thought he had it all together, but he was just like most of us – full of himself. If you’re like me and ever wondered what it would be like if the Bible was written today – then you need to read Mrs. Thomas’ 2010 version of Samson. It will be a reality check.

Not Quite What It Seems by Mari Walker

Not Quite What It Seems
Mari Walker

St. Martin’s Press
ISBN-13: 978-0-312-37541-6
Published: April 2010
Mainstream Fiction

Rating: 3 ½ STARS - GREAT

Reviewed by Vicki Brooks

If you enjoy the dance scene, you’ll enjoy the trials and tribulations of Jadyn, a talented dancer to say the least. Not only is she struggling to make it in the very difficult entertainment business, but she also has serious challenges on the home front. Her live-in boyfriend Taji is very controlling. Like most of us her life isn’t perfect and although some of her decisions are not so good, I commend this young girl for deciding to make a change to better herself and her situation. By doing so she decides to find her biological Father not knowing what to expect. During her journey she quickly realizes that things in life are not quite what they seem.