At Midnight by Terry B.

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Publisher/Date:  nHouse Publishing, L.L.C., Aug. 2007
Genre:  Romance
Pages:  272
Website:  http://www.nhousepublishing.com

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

No one could convince me that men could write a lesbian novel with depth, but author Terry B. made me a believer with Dancer’s Paradise. That book told the story of dancer Debrena Allen as she came to terms with her sexuality.

AT MIDNIGHT picks up where Paradise left off, only this time the narration is through the eyes of Choice Fowler, the man Debrena abandoned to follow her heart. While she finally gives way to falling in love with best friend Lorrie Cunningham, Choice is still enamored of Debrena, seemingly unable to shake the hold she has over his soul. He knows if he sees her again, he’ll lose it.

In the meantime, Choice needs a makeup artist for a big assignment, and Lorries is the best in the business. While it doesn’t sit well with him to face the woman who stole his dream girl, it does grant Choice the chance to have some connection to Debrena. When the former flames finally do come face to face, Debrena designs a way to get him more involved in her life than he bargained for.

Debrena and Lorrie have what seems like a solid relationship. But as happy as she seems with Lorrie, Debrena wants more. When she runs into Choice, she sees him as an opportunity to test Lorrie’s love for her — a move that involves all three of them. The question is now, who will Debrena give her heart to?

Terry B. has a page-turning story, one that you can breeze through easily. At Midnight makes a great transition from Paradise, and provides a thorough background of Choice Fowler and the heartaches he’s suffered. The characters were real and engaging; they make you realize how selfish and insecure some people can be when it comes to love.

Reviewed December 2007

Every Dark Desire by Fiona Zedde

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Publisher/Date:  Kensington, July 2007
Genre(s):  Erotica, Supernatural
Pages:  327
Website:  http://www.fionazedde.com

Rating: ★★★☆☆ 

Vampires run wild in Fiona Zedde’s third novel, EVERY DARK DESIRE, which chronicles the death of Naomi McElroy and her rebirth as vampire Belle.

Naomi’s life in Jamaica was mostly uneventful, until the night her desire for women takes her to a place she’s never been before — and leaves her lifeless. She then mutates into Belle and becomes one of them…

Belle is now a blood-sucking, cold-blooded vampire, recruited by a clan of men and women just like her. The ringleader, a sexy beast named Silvija, makes sure Belle learns the ropes of hunting for blood, fighting enemies and satiating her sexual cravings. It’s far from easy, what with Belle missing her daughter, Kylie, and the life she left behind. Taking orders from a taskmaster like Silvija isn’t helping matters.

And it especially doesn’t help that Belle’s falling for her.

Their encounters are extremely wickedly hot, but Belle can’t seem to get a good read on whether their affair means more to the unattainable Silvija. To a group of vampires who lack human characteristics, it’s hard to tell whether Silvija’s carnal desires are real, or just a part of the hunt and chase.

Zedde’s Desire is evident in every page. You see the growing yearnings Belle has for Silvija. The author’s trademark sex scenes leave nothing to the imagination, as you can visualize thrust and lick. However, I wish this same attention to detail was given to the plot. In reading I felt like the sex came every chapter, and the ending of the novel felt rushed. With that being said, Zedde is an excellent writer I would read again, as her previous works — Bliss and A Taste of Sin — were enjoyable.

Desire kept my pulse racing, but left me wanting more — whether that’s a good thing is up to you.

Reviewed December 2007

Strapped by Laurinda D. Brown

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Publisher/Date:  Urban Books, Oct. 2007
Genre(s):  Romance, Street Life
Pages:  223
Website:  http://www.ldbrownbooks.com

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

When it comes to STRAPPED, the latest novel from Laurinda D. Brown, several things come to mind.

Strapped to the childhood pain that carries into adulthood…

Strapped by an identity that you’re not quite sure is you…

Strapped and ready for anything that happens…

All this and more consumes the story of Strapped, which follows Mo from Brown’s 2006 novel, Walk Like a Man. Mo used to be Monique, until a life-changing moment strips her previous feminine identity in favor of the studded-out persona Mo adopts to help her deal. Leaving her family behind, Mo takes on the streets and finds the world accepts her as a man. It gets confusing when she finds love with Laquita, and Mo has to eventually reveal her true self.

Compounding issues is Mo’s mother, Elise, who lives in deep denial about the tragedy’s in both her and Mo’s life. It’s only wearing Mo down when she doesn’t have a mother she can turn to. They each have her own healing to do, especially when Mo’s thuggish ways get her landed in some hot water; she needs her mother more than ever.

Brown’s Strapped has some major issues going on: sexuality, abuse, and parental responsibility. She has clearly channeled Mo’s pain and anger, but also her confusion about her sexuality. It’s a debate many lesbians have had amongst each other: is your sexuality intrinsic or born from childhood tragedy? While many would disavow Mo’s lesbian confusion, Brown paints the picture that this is the reality for some women.

Strap up readers, cause this is definitely a dramatic ride.

Reviewed December 2007

Tainted Destiny by Cheril N. Clarke (Aug. 2007 Pick of the Month)

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Publisher/Date:  Dodi Press, Oct. 2006
Genre:  Romance
Pages:  254
Website:  http://www.cherilnclarke.com

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Face it—you’ve been Sadira before: a woman with a deep obsession for someone else. You’ve experienced it at least once, maybe twice in your lifetime.

That’s what makes TAINTED DESTINY, Cheril N. Clarke’s sequel to Intimate Chaos, so compelling. It’s the fact that as women we can relate so well to having that one person in our lives we can’t shake.

For Sadira, that person is her former lover, Jessie. Where things ended horribly between them in Chaos—complete with heartbreak and scandal—Destiny picks up with Sadira still nursing her wounds, but realizing that she has to get over the woman who could never completely offer her heart even after their many years together. Leaving their home in Miami to move back to New York, Sadira plans to rid herself of the pain, and finds she has many distractions to do so.

One is Brianna, a college student who offers Sadira a new outlook on life. Another is Olivia, a strong-willed chick who won’t take no for an answer. And another is Tricia, an old flame that becomes rekindled over time. It’s Tricia whom Sadira falls for, but memories of Jessie still plague her.

Sadira can’t let go of the past she shared with Jessie, even with a good woman like Tricia by her side. When she discovers Jessie is back in New York, it’s only a matter of time before they reach out again. Soon Sadira is torn—between the reciprocated of Tricia and the unrequited love of Jessie—and it’s up to her to figure out which one is her true destiny.

Tainted Destiny, simply put, is gripping. Clarke manages to unearth emotions that ring true and paints a true picture of a woman in love turmoil. With every page, you sink deeper into her despair. Just like with Intimate Chaos, you want smack some sense into her, while at the same time hug her when her pain gets unbearable. Though sometimes a bit wordy, Clarke is a writer who pulls you in and takes you there.

Cause love is a truly a battlefield—with complete with wounds to show for it.

Reviewed August 2007

The Aftermath by Anna J.

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Publisher/Date:  Q-Boro Books, Sept. 2006
Genre:  Contemporary Fiction
Pages:  250
Website:  http://www.askannaj.com

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

Crazy-ass Monica is back in THE AFTERMATH, the sultry sequel to My Woman His Wife.

In the previous book, married couple James and Jasmine Cinque realized too late that bringing Monica into their bedroom to spice up their sex life was a horrible mistake. The havoc she caused their lives was unbelievable, but in this new novel, Monica takes it to a whole new level of drama.

The Aftermath begins with Jasmine finding James in a compromising position with Monica, and it almost ends their relationship. And if things couldn’t get any worse, Monica finds out she’s pregnant with James’ baby, but she still wants Jasmine all to herself by any means. James and Jasmine simply want the broad out of their lives for good. It’s hard trying to put back together your family when there’s a determined woman hellbent on sabotage.

But you have to understand: Monica’s simply a misunderstood woman who’s endured a lot of pain in her life. Flashbacks in the novel take you to when Monica was a young girl antagonized by her classmates and raised by a lecherous uncle that took advantage of her. It’s these images that help you understand whom Monica is as a character.

All the destruction she’s caused is coming back to haunt her. Monica has more enemies than you can shake a stick at, and it’s only a matter of time before she feels some repercussions.

Anna J. does her thing in The Aftermath. The story was more credible than My Woman, and I was totally engrossed. You get to know the characters a little better; each one had his or her own distinct voice. And as always, the sex was steamy and plentiful.

However, there were some unanswered questions by the book’s end. I foresee a continuing story soon – one that I would most definitely welcome.

Reviewed August 2007

Breaking Jaie by S. Renee Bess

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Publisher/Date:  Regal Crest Enterprises, May 2007
Genre: College Life, Romance
Pages:  212
Website:  http://www.reneebess.com

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

S. Renee Bess mixes a fine weave of love, pain and higher education in BREAKING JAIE, the compelling novel that chronicles the romance of two very different graduate students.

Jaie Baxter is a Ph.D. candidate with an overly confident attitude and a harrowing past. After witnessing her brother’s murder and living with a dysfunctional mother, she won’t allow anyone to get too close. That anguish, coupled with the heartache from the only woman Jaie has ever loved, proved only to propel her success as she grew into an exceptional student and a great writer — and top-notch player.

Until she meets Terez Overton one day in the English department office. Terez didn’t grow up rough like Jaie, instead living in the suburbs and enjoying the comforts of middle-class life. She’s never met someone like Jaie; the thought of beginning a relationship with someone so unlike herself tells Terez to proceed with caution, especially once she gets wind of Jaie’s gigolo tendencies.

S. Renee Bess put her foot in Breaking Jaie, with its concoction of love and suspense. There are plot twists thrown in to keep you guessing. Bess, the author of Leave of Absence, pleasantly surprised me with the contemporary tone of the book; the maturity of the characters will please both young and older readers. Bess has managed to do it again with this one, and manages to keeps me patiently waiting for the next.

Reviewed August 2007

Complete by S.D. Lewis

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Publisher/Date:  AuthorHouse, Oct. 2006
Genre:  Romance
Pages:  136

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

An aptly titled story, COMPLETE thoroughly fulfills the promise fashioned from author S. D. Lewis’ two previous novels, Changes and Moving Forward in Reverse.

Here, Lewis crafts a simple love story. It begins with Angela, an unhappily married woman in a dysfunctional relationship. Only married a year, her manipulative husband cheats, lies and disrespects her. She tires of being in a loveless relationship, and decides to do something about it.

The other voice of Complete is Moe, the womanizing stud from Lewis’ earlier books. She’s moved from Atlanta to Jacksonville and has returned to her player roots after Jasmine, the only woman to ever claim Moe’s heart, betrayed her. It’s ho after ho for Moe, until a vacation back the ATL allows her to run into Angela.

Angela and Moe have a lusty past, one that ended when Moe gave her heart Jasmine. After seeing each other, the two reconnect, but is Moe willing to take a second chance on love?

Lewis’ Complete does conclude quite nicely. It’s good to see Moe become a more mature person, especially after all the dirt she did in Changes and Moving Forward. The novel also includes previous characters Jasmine, Lelani and L.D. in different but supporting roles. In this story, Moe takes center stage. Although the story does wrap up quick in less than 150 pages, it’s satisfying nonetheless.

Simply put, the trilogy is Complete.

Reviewed August 2007

From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun by Jacqueline Woodson (Aug-Sept. 2006 Pick of the Month)

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Publisher/Date:  Puffin, July 2010
Genre(s):  Young Adult, Family, Lesbian Parents
Pages:  160
Website:  http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Black lesbians with children take note: FROM THE NOTEBOOKS OF MELANIN SUN is a must-read book. The compelling novel follows Melanin Sun, a 13-year-old dealing with the complexities of adolescence and his mother’s newfound sexuality.

It’s summertime, and Melanin is looking forward to the finer things in life: hanging with friends Ralphael and Sean, pursuing his crush on Angie, and writing his innermost thoughts in his treasured notebooks.

But what he looks forward to and treasures most is spending time with his mother Encanta, a single mother working hard to make a living for her child. The two are inseparable, leaning on each other through the best and worst of times and having a mother-son bond so deep they know each other’s moods and the simplest of facial expressions.

Melanin’s perfect relationship is demolished, though, when day at the beach ends with Encanta revealing she’s gay—and in love with a white woman. This piece of earth-shattering news devastates Melanin to no end. He can’t imagine that his mother could ever fall in love with a woman, and a white woman at that.

The one thing that helps him is his notebook. There Melanin pours out his heart, recording every emotion he’s feeling: from anger to shame, from frustration to understanding. It helps him slowly work out the issues with his Encanta, the shyness he feels over approaching Angie, and the ruined friendship with Sean once he finds out his mother’s a lesbian. As the story concludes, Melanin realizes that life doesn’t get easier as you grow up, only more complicated as the days go by.

Woodson approaches From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun with a great understanding of what it’s like to be a young black male and the sentiments of dealing with a gay parent. She makes you see the issues a child can have with your coming out, and how to survive it. As always with Woodson, the writing is superb, and the novel is heartwarming and real, a story with even a small page number manages to have an impact. Children and parents alike should read this with open eyes and an open heart – they both could learn more than they realize.

Reviewed Aug-Sept 2006

Keeping Secrets: A Gianna Maglione Mystery by Penny Mickelbury

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Publisher/Date:  Kings Crossing Publishing, 2003
Genre(s):  Mystery, Crime
Pages:  193
Website:  http://www.nghosibooks.com/Inkwell/pennymain.htm

Rating: ★★★★½ 

Girl, watch out!!!

There’s a killer hunting the gay community in KEEPING SECRETS, the first in the Gianna Maglione series from mystery writer Penny Mickelbury.

But no worries, Gianna is on the case. A top-notch lieutenant in the Hate Crimes Unit with the Washington, D. C. police department, she’s trying to find out who’s been targeting prominent, in-the-closet inhabitants of the nation’s capital.  Not only is it a matter of who’s been killed but how, as the victims are shot in the gruesome fashion. It’s racking Gianna’s brain and what’s worse is that could be only a matter of time before she or someone she knows could be on the hit list.

On the other side of the case is Mimi Patterson, a black investigative reporter. Gianna won’t let Mimi get anywhere near the case, for fear that the journalist will turn the investigation into a media frenzy. All Mimi wants is some answers, and with good sources on a high-profile case like this, she won’t rest until she gets discovers who’s behind the crime. Even if it means dealing with hard-nosed Gianna.

At odds, the two women are just trying to do their jobs—and trying to fight their growing attraction to one another. Their blossoming romance can’t be good for the case. Especially when they know that one false move could jeopardize any luck they have in trying to find the serial killer.

Mickelbury has created an excellent first novel in a series you will want to read more of. Keeping Secrets kept me on the edge of my seat, and the romance between the two enhanced the story of a cop and a reporter trying to do good. I must admit I had a clue about the killer half-way through, but it was still gripping to see how they would get the sick bastard. And I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes work of the detectives, as well. I definitely plan to read more of the Gianna/Mimi mysteries.

Cause it also doesn’t hurt that the women are hot, too.

Reviewed Aug-Sept 2006

The Sista Hood: On the Mic by E-Fierce

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Publisher/Date:  Atria, July 2006
Genre:  Young Adult
Pages:  209
Website:  http://www.thesistahood.com

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Move out the way, Jay-Z!

Girls can rhyme, too, and nothing proves this more than author E-Fierce’s THE SISTA HOOD: ON THE MIC, the first in a series about four young women united through hip-hop.

Fourteen-year-old Mariposa (or MC Patria) is the narrator of this tale, a Puerto Rican tomboy whose skills and lyrics are tight. The only issue she faces is to make her best friend and fellow rapper Ezekiel (aka MC EZ1) realize that and fall in love with her. The only thing that stands in her way is his white girlfriend, Jessica, another MC known more for her sex appeal than her rhymes.

Her plan to win his heart? Win her school’s talent show and win his heart, and she has three friends that will help her make it happen: Sadie (Soul Siren), Liza (Pinay-1) and Evita (DJ Esa). The girl become fast friends and help each other through rough times, such as abusive boyfriends, dysfunctional home issues, and discovering sexual preferences. Although Mariposa’s intention is to impress the boy she loves, she realizes that her deep friendships with her homegirls are what really counts.

Author E-Fierce (aka Elisha Miranda) is an excellent writer, and The Sista Hood: On the Mic is definitely hot stuff for the younger crowd. It’s real without being preachy, and true to the stuff young people face today. This is a book your daughter will be excited about, and you could read yourself. The Sista Hood does a terrific job of portraying girls of varying ethnicities working together despite their differences. It also has a great message for girls that they can be anything they want to be with a little hard work.

That’s a song worth listening to.

Reviewed Aug-Sept 2006