APOOO » Book Review 2009

The Doctor’s Private Visit by AlTonya Washington

Sharel Gordon-Love — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:17:28 +0000

Capri Timmons was more than anxious to leave city living behind in Miami and settle into quiet living in the suburbs, but she never imagined she would have an opportunity to live in a beautiful home in the suburbs that would include more than a view in AlTonya Washington’s The Doctor’s Private Visit.

Tiberius Evans was more than Capri’s landlord who lived next door; he was also a respected gynecologist and notorious for getting a woman and not staying with her for very long. However, he was not able to help himself when it came to Capri, sensing the need to protect her beyond what any landlord felt obligated to do.

A friendship grew between Capri and Tiberius, and the attraction to one another did as well, both finding excuses to spend time together professionally and secretly. Capri behind her camera lens, and Tiberius’ love for new life, combined with what seemed inevitable between the two, was the perfect mix for a relationship to take root and grow.

Will Tiberius find a way to give up his womanizing ways for a chance at true love? Can Capri throw caution to the wind and allow her heart, instead of family tradition, to help her in her decision concerning Tiberius?

I enjoyed reading The Doctor’s Private Visit and I recommend this book to readers of romance.
This book was provided to me courtesy of the author for review purposes.

Review by Sharel E. Gordon-Love
APOOO BookClub

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Rap, Race and Revolution: Solutions for Our Struggle by Supreme Understanding

Darnetta Frazier — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:45:49 +0000

Supreme Understanding should feel accomplished since dropping his second installment, Rap, Race And Revolution. This is part two to his very real, very informative How to Hustle and Win. Understanding remains true to his target audience by presenting another rugged guide packed with tips for successful living as well as stories that back up his hypotheses, statistics, and resources to obtain more information. There are so many gems in this guide, it is hard to pinpoint what stands out more. But I will start with a few entries that made me pause and think. In the small entry titled `If Einstein was Black,’ he proposed that if Einstein lived in the hood with his disabilities, he would have been a drug addict or dead beat dad. Einstein’s environment would not have been conducive to the way he learned and he would have been placed in special-education classes because of the system’s intolerance for alternate methods of learning. How many Einsteins do you think we have lurking in our special-education systems throughout the world’s urban areas?

Another section that piqued my interest is titled ’13 Ways to Destroy Yourself.’ In this section, he gives you exactly that. Staying angry, sacrificing sleep, getting into the wrong line of work, and ignoring your doctor are a few of the firsts. While reading, I began to place myself (and a few others I know) in a few of the self-destructive categories he listed. Certainly this information is available, but I have never seen them listed together like they are in Rap, Race and Revolution. And I have never seen them applied in such a way that I see how it is ruining our Black community.

Supreme Understanding has given a gift to his people; especially the young, Black man. The author put together a guide that helps you assess your life via current and historical events, surveys, tips, and much more. The layout of the book allows you to jump from section to section without feeling disjointed and the author’s passion is apparent throughout the entire book. If you are of the Hip-Hop culture, this book is a must have. If you have young, black men to raise, this book is a must read and would be great for gifting. If you are black and feel like the American dream is unreachable, read this book (as well as How To Hustle and Win). You will not be disappointed and you will definitely feel inspired to make changes.

This book was provided for review courtesy of the author.

Reviewed by Darnetta Frazier
APOOO BookClub

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Yesterday’s Promise by Vanessa Miller

Angelia Menchan — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:02:46 +0000

Yesterday’s Promise by Vanessa Miller is a timely book about a woman’s place in the pulpit and how many take the Word of God and use it to benefit their views. It made me remember a time when my church was searching for a new minister and a woman was not considered.

Melinda Johnson helped her father build an amazing church at Omega Leadership Center. So, it was no surprise that when he decided to retire that she expected to take over as pastor. However, her father, Bishop Johnson, had other ideas. His plan was to promote Steven Marks as Bishop. Not only was Steven no longer a member of Omega but he had once broken his engagement to Melinda because he did not feel he could be married to a woman who was interested in being a minister. Of course, Melinda is incensed that her father would overlook her for pastor and even more angry that he would bring Steven back as her boss. Immediately Melinda starts struggling with her faith and her relationships. She is not sure she will be able to work for and with Steven.

Bishop Steven Marks was so sure that he could not marry a woman minister that he had left Melinda and married someone else. Now he is a widowed father and has been promoted as Bishop of the church in which Melinda works. Immediately, the tension between Melinda and Steven are evident. Will the two be able to work and coexist peacefully? Will either bend their views or will Steven’s daughter, Brianna, prove to be a bridge or a hindrance to the adults’ relationship?

Ms. Miller does a wonderful job of telling their story and she does it in a spiritual, non-preachy way. I recommend Yesterday’s Promises to all who enjoy a good story. This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes only.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

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Soul on Fire by Skyy Banks

Donnica Copeland — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:42:59 +0000

In Soul on Fire by Skyy Banks, Dana Montgomery is trying desperately to figure out why she keeps making horrible decisions. She has been haunted by dreams of her past. She cannot quite put it together; mainly because she refuses to take the time to even think about her problems. Everything Dana touches crumbles in front of her. When she is led back to her hometown, she is faced with confronting her past. Dana is on a search for happiness. But she cannot truly experience it until she learns to love herself and not let the past dictate her future. After several toxic relationships and almost losing her best friend, she finally realizes it is time to grow up and face reality.

Banks explores abuse and the effects that it has on a person. The main character chooses man after man that is no good for her and turns away from a man that has nothing but her best interests in mind. She is not able to truly love until she is able to face the facts of her abuse and the abusers. The story was a little slow at first but quickly picked up and held my attention.

This book was provided for review courtesy of the author.

Donnica Copeland
APOOO BookClub

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Family Pictures by Rachel Berry

Jennifer Coissiere — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:50:43 +0000

When I first received Family Pictures by Rachel Berry, the size of the book was a little intimidating. Who would not look twice at a 667-page book? Well, the size was big but the story was bigger. In all families, there is some sort of scandalous truth hidden within pictures others can see or the memories of those who witnessed it. Berry tells the story of the Lo-Verde family history from the viewpoint of Regal, Emma Jean, and a friend; the friend is eventually revealed but not before most of the family secrets are known.

Regal and her aunt, Emma Jean, are alike in a few ways. Regal sees a therapist to keep a handle on her life that keeps delivering her some curveballs. Emma Jean was in a mental institution once due to her hard childhood and adult life. These two women have a strong relationship with each other, even though Regal’s mother, Soul, speaks badly of Emma Jean every chance she gets. In Soul’s opinion her brother, Winston, could have done much better than that crazy woman.

As Regal made strides toward getting married, two women wondered what they could do to keep the nuptials from taking place. All it took was the content of a sealed envelope to change the plans of various members of the Lo-Verde family. Regal goes to get the answers she so desperately needs from Emma Jean. Will all the members in the family make it out of the despair unscarred? Will the stories Emma Jean tells Regal be enough for Soul to finally get her wish of getting her daughter to stay away from her crazy sister-in-law? Or, will the lives of the Lo-Verde family go on as though nothing has happened?

Every time I thought I had been shocked for the last time, something else was revealed that had my mouth wide-opened in awe. I enjoyed the complexity of the characters. They reminded me of any family because of the internal jealousies, hatred, and those members who feel the need to control everything. If the plot was not fast-paced and filled with much drama coupled with believable characters, I would have put the book down due to the lack of proper editing. If and when the story is properly edited it would move along even faster. I received Family Pictures for review from the author. I recommend this selection from Ms. Berry to readers who enjoy reading family drama with multiple twists and turns on almost every page.

Copy of this book was provided for review by the author.

Jennifer Coissiere

APOOO BookClub

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Forsaken by Vanessa Miller

Donnica Copeland — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:36:27 +0000

Pastor Jerome Tyler “JT” Thomas has many secrets that come to life in Forsaken by Vanessa Miller. He has been living a life of sin and that life has finally caught up with him. After a tragedy led him to one night of crime, he decided to live his life according to God’s will. Bishop Turner had a great influence on helping JT become pastor. He also introduced him to Cassandra. Life could not be any better until heartbreak entered their marriage. He thought God had given up on him and forsaken him. His trust faltered and JT did not know how to handle it. He began turning to other things and cheating on his wife, Cassandra, with different women in his congregation. Cassandra puts up with all she can. When the women become bold and start to threaten her family, she has to pull out. Will their marriage withstand JT’s infidelity?

Miller knows how to pull you in immediately with her great descriptions and character development. There are several twists to the plot that will keep you turning the pages. I cannot wait to read the other books in this series. If you enjoyed the Rain and the Storm series, you will definitely enjoy this one.

Donnica Copeland
APOOO BookClub

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Tender to His Touch by Adrianne Byrd

Sharel Gordon-Love — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:25:31 +0000

When homecoming queen Beverly Turner met attorney Lucius Gray on the way to their ten-year class reunion at Hollington College, the attraction between them was instant. After agreeing to a “no-strings” relationship, it was more than evident more than strings were involved between the two in Adrianne Byrd’s Tender to His Touch.

Returning the their alma mater and the memories for Beverly was not all fun and games, but meeting Lucius and finding herself falling for him was far from what Beverly expected. Still dealing with the demise of her marriage and all that was lost, it scared Beverly as much as it excited her to find herself falling for the handsome but busy attorney. Certainly Lucius had some problems of his own, including an ex-wife who still placed demands on his life.

With all that Beverly and Lucius had going on in their personal lives, would they ever come together and enjoy what they found in each other past the sparks that flew when they met at the class reunion? Or will Beverly’s apprehensions and fears keep her from taking another chance at love?

I enjoyed reading Tender to His Touch for the tasteful romantic scenes and the evident tender love shared between the characters. I recommend this book to readers of romance.

This book was provided to me courtesy of the author for review purposes.

Review by Sharel E. Gordon-Love
APOOO BookClub

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Saved and Single by Sheila Copeland

Donnica Copeland — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 19:36:25 +0000

Sheila Copeland’s Saved and Single is a hilarious look into the lives of Tiffany, Shay, and Deborah. Tiffany and Shay are sisters and Deborah is Tiffany’s best friend. Tiffany has done everything the way that a good Christian woman should. She is a virgin and just waiting on God to bring her husband into her life. Luck would have it that a man she has a crush on is actually interested in her as well. Will this be the man of her dreams? Meanwhile, her sister, Shay, is tired of waiting on Tiffany to make moves. She decides to post Tiffany’s picture and profile on a dating website, [...], without her knowledge. Deborah also jumps on the bandwagon and signs up for the site. She immediately meets the man of her dreams. Shay is supposed to be answering the site’s responses for Tiffany, but gets caught up and falls for a guy who thinks she is Tiffany. Shay has three children and is also living with her babies daddy. Trying to balance her real life with her online life becomes stressful. Will she realize that she has it all at home? Or will she find true happiness with her online love?

Copeland’s attention to detail is what really makes this a great story. I could not put the book down. The characters are well developed and their interaction with each other is so real. I loved the humor and the references to Christian living. It was not preachy-beat-you-over-the-head, but more subtle. I highly recommend this book for all of Copeland’s fans.

This book was provided courtesy of the publisher.

Donnica Copeland
APOOO BookClub

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Begonia Brown by Julia Press Simmons

Angelia Menchan — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:19:07 +0000

Begonia Brown by Julia Press Simmons is a no-holds barred, drama-in-your face story about 17 year-old Begonia. Begonia faces family tragedy at a young age and her desire to take care of her family takes her to the streets. Though she has a love for art, she knows that in order to care for her sisters she must do all things to provide for them. Those things include lying, stealing and selling her very soul. Begonia becomes a street hustler. I was amazed at how far Begonia would go to take care of those she loved. It was also heart wrenching to read how torn she was by the street life and her home life.

Ms. Press-Simmons writes in an unaffected, straight from the gut style that keeps the reader caught up in the story. The language is raw and real, but, the story would not have had the same impact if different words had been used. The author also does not offer any fairytale ending to the story. She makes it as real as possible to the very end.

I recommend Begonia Brown: A Philadelphia Story to older teens and any reader who is interested in knowing exactly what is going on in the lives of young folks today.

Begonia Brown: A Philadelphia Story was provided by the author for review purposes only.

Angelia Vernon Menchan
APOOO BookClub

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Holiday Kisses by Gwynne Forster

Sharel Gordon-Love — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:13:48 +0000

Craig Jackson was considered a celebrity TV news anchor in Baltimore while Kisha Moran’s dental practice was known around the city for reaching out to the less fortunate, especially the children to provide good dental care. Kisha’s giving heart, and Craig’s seemingly arrogant attitude did not seem destined to come together in Gwynne Forster’s Holiday Kisses.

The attraction between Craig and Kisha was evident, even through the excruciating toothache pain Craig was experiencing when he found himself outside of Kisha’s dental practice waiting for her to care for his tooth. Easing Craig’s fear of needles, Kisha spent the time needed to care for the tooth and send the handsome TV anchor on his way, but not without thoughts of him lingering behind.

Through a tug-of-war of wills, perception and misperceptions, Craig and Kisha began to date, but it was not long before the very things they found interesting in each other would find a way to bring friction between the two. Will Craig and Kisha share the holiday kisses they both anticipate, or find a reason to go their separate ways?

I found Holiday Kisses to be a quick read, but with so much “back and forth” between the characters, I was more than anxious to see the end of the story. I recommend this book to those who love holiday romances.

This book was provided to me courtesy of the author.

Review by Sharel E. Gordon-Love
APOOO BookClub

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APOOO » Book Review 2009

The Doctor’s Private Visit by AlTonya Washington

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