Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Review: Drink Fuck Sleep - Karrine Steffans

 
 
This was a collection of true short erotica essays. All of the stories were quite interesting and a few of the endings caught me off guard. I would’ve liked to have seen more of a variety with the stories. Some of them had the same type of story line which became redundant until the end of the story. It sometimes took me a minute to look beyond that fact and actually get to the surprise ending.   

All of the stories were very explicit and detailed and left little to my imagination to figure out what was going on in the story.  I do hope Author Karrine Steffans will gather other writers and compile another collection of essays. I would definitely read it and have purchased other works by Author Steffans.  

Reviewed by: Carmela








Monday, February 25, 2013

Review: When Baldwin Loved Brenden - Electa Rome Parks




Electa Rome Parks latest novel, When Baldwin loved Brenden deals with friendship, loss, love, and dealing with our past. Four college friends are reunited after ten years to attend the funeral of their close friend, Rihanna. Even though this group was once unbreakable, it has been ten years since the group has laid eyes on each other. So it leaves the readers with the question – What could have happened to cause this friendship to break apart? Will they be able to reconcile before it's too late?

Anytime I open an Electa Rome Parks book I prepare myself to feel an array of emotions, and it wasn’t any different with this book. Remember this is the same Author that introduced readers to Pilar (Diary of a Stalker). Pilar is my all-time favorite character in a fiction book. Enough of Pilar because I can talk about her for hours – Let’s talk about – “When Baldwin Loved Brenden”.

The beginning of the book had me holding my breath as I read the words of the deceased character, Rihanna.  I was quickly reminded how fragile life is.

Mrs. Parks created a cast of characters that readers can easily relate to. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the interactions between the characters, and holding my breath at some of the moments of love.  Electa did a beautiful job of capturing raw emotions of each character. This is one of the many reasons I love Electa Rome Parks.

There were a few simple errors I found in the book that I wished were caught during the last stage of editing, but even with that being said it never stopped the flow of the story.  As for the surprise element at the end of the novel it could have been omitted. I felt the story had enough substance without including that one sentence. If you want to know what I’m talking about read the book.

I recommend this book for your reading pleasure.

Orsayor










Review: Reckless - Cydney Rax, Niobia Bryant & Grace Octavia




This was a collection of stories by three outstanding authors – Cydney Rax, Niobia Bryant, and Grace Octavia. I was familiar with works by Niobia Bryant and Grace Octavia, but I had never read anything by Cydney Rax prior to this book. I was intrigued by the synopsis of each story and could not wait to read Reckless.
 
In Desperate Housewives, Cydney Rax took me on a fast and thrilling ride with Carmen, Forrest, and crazy Toni! Author Rax reminded me of the lengths a scorned woman would do to get her man back from the woman who “stole” him. Carmen thought she was living the perfect life until Toni decided she wanted Forrest back and would do just about anything to get him back including turning his son against his father and stepmother. Toni went to great lengths to make Carmen pay for ruining her dreams of being a family with Forrest. Author Rax does show that two wrongs don’t make a right and if you play with fire you will get burned. But in the end, true love and good will prevail. I enjoyed reading this story so much that I purchased every book written by Cydney Rax. Excellent story! 5 stars
 
Niobia Bryant does not disappoint either with Sinful. Bree Bailey was a piece of work. She is a psychologist who specialized in addiction, but she could not be of any help because she suffered from addiction as well. I found myself talking to Bree and telling her what to do and questioning her actions. I was screaming “Don’t do it, Bree!” I knew her actions would eventually catch up with her. Author Bryant writes with such passion and the sex scenes are so detailed, it is as if you are in the same room with the characters. You can definitely feel the passion! This story was outstanding! 5 stars
 
L.A. Confidential by Grace Octavia was a somewhat interesting story about Silver Stone that seemed to take forever to get started. When it finally did get started, it was over. It had a good plot, but the story could have been finished sooner. I could almost predict what was going to happen. I actually put the book down several times before I finally finished reading this story. Although I found it to be a difficult and boring read, I will still read other works by Author Octavia. 2.5 stars
 
 
Reviewed by: Carmela
 
 
 
 
 
 

Bankroll Squad - David Weaver

 
Wow! This was my first read by Author David Weaver. I loved this story! Author Weaver introduced us to the main players of the Bankroll Squad and explained how it all came about. 

We met Malcolm and Kyla who have an awesome complicated love story. And just when you thought it was over, Author Weaver put an interesting twist on one of the characters who I would’ve never guessed was an informant! 

Author Weaver took me down through the streets on this emotional journey. The action was so real that I thought I was a member of the Bankroll Squad. I was ducking and dodging bullets just like the characters. The character development and plot was excellent. Author Weaver showed us the inside life of a drug dealer. 

I enjoyed the way Author Weaver portrayed Malcolm and although you would’ve thought he was cut throat and hard all the time, he really had a caring and sensitive side to him. He had his own issues to deal with in addition to the drugs. I can’t wait to see what happens with the characters.  

I love when an author pens a novel that is so good that I purchase the sequels as well as other works by the author. I would’ve have given this novel 5 stars, but a few grammatical errors in the beginning distracted my concentration for a little bit. 

Reviewed by: Carmela



1/2


Friday, February 22, 2013

For The Love of...... Nakia Laushaul




A Love Letter to My Words
John 1:1
Nakia R. Laushaul

 

Dear Words,

 

Who was I before we first met? I wonder that sometimes. Probably a series of grunts and untamed expressions, bottled-up frustrations, thoughts rising and bubbling underneath my tongue unable to escape the confines of my baby mouth. And then, you introduced yourself to my lips, and you tasted richer than mother’s milk, than candy cigarettes and sweet red licorice. I loved you more than I loved chocolate. That’s when I knew for sure that you were something special and I wanted more of you. I wanted to learn everything there was to know about you. I wanted to say you, eloquently. I wanted to spell you, perfectly. I wanted to write you, creatively.


Its beautiful how you are everywhere more than I am. In the beats I bop to, the lyrics I cry to. You are deep in the love I express and you never seem to get jealous, I mean—not like I do sometimes. When someone that doesn’t crave you like I do, adore you and respect you—oh boy, I get jealous. Double-negatives, boring monosyllabic texts dumb down the beauty of your language. You are meant for so much more like; defining the heat of the sun or the crunch of a fallen leaf. You are the chill in the icicle sticking to the tip of my tongue. You are the real unsung.


Did you know that sometimes I foolishly doubted your authority? Yet, even when I pushed you out of my thoughts, you never left me. I remember being misunderstood, feared and damn near deaf and crazy from the constant hum-drum of boring counting machines, pounding my head to stone on glass pavements. And then, you appeared to me in that dream and said that it was okay to be me—I was a tree. You are the truth and I became your proud roots gorging on your power—blossoming under your light. The abundance of your depth amazes me and I promise to obey your integrity.


You are the meaning of life. And when I die, when I’ve whispered with my last breath: goodbye on a fragrant gentle breeze, I will find peace in knowing that that I left the world with a timeless gift that only you could give to me—my words—my love.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Remembering Whitney - Cissy Houston

 
 

There have been many books released about Whitney Houston since her untimely passing in 2012, but when I found out Cissy was releasing a book I was excited.  I have watched interviews with Cissy before and after Whitney’s passing so I knew she wouldn’t bite her tongue when it came to writing this book.

While reading this book I had to stop and reread the title to make sure it was named - Remembering Whitney instead of Remembering Cissy. I understand giving readers a short peek into her (Cissy) background, but the peek she gave was too long in my opinion.

If you are waiting for any BIG revelations - Keep waiting because you won’t read it here. Cissy did mention Robyn Crawford, Whitney’s best friend & rumored lover but it was only to say – She knew Whitney & Robin were close friends and that was all she knew.

(Insert Side Eye here *___________________*)

Also, she mentions she didn’t care too much for Robyn, even though Robyn was the only one that informed her about Whitney’s drug use. As for her feelings on Bobby Brown – He was okay but she didn’t care for him either.  As for the rest of the book – The information she did reveal were things I have already read in numerous magazines and heard in Interviews from Whitney herself.

I had always assumed Whitney & Cissy had a closer relationship than what was revealed in the book, but it goes to show you never know what goes on behind closed doors.

Overall, this was a good read, but I wish it was titled – “Cissy: My Story of Love, Loss, and The Music that continues to Live in Me”.  As a Whitney Houston fan I was expecting more, but I do understand as a parent you want to be very cautious about what you reveal to the public. On the Flipside… the question remains… Did Cissy name the book – “Remembering Whitney” because she knew it would sell more?  Well, it is what it is.
 
Orsayor
 
1/2
 
 
 
 

Monday, February 18, 2013

Review: When Two Become One - Alicia Hill Jones





This book really took me by surprise. Rarely, have I read a book that at times, I did not like any of the characters. However, this is one of the best books I have read in the past four months.

Shayna’s life is full of turmoil. She has a manipulating mother, crack addicted sister, and a cheating husband on her hand. Yes, the sister is stretched to the max. However, she uses her faith to press through the mess. She feels that she can endure anything. However, life continues to through her curveballs. Her husband views her pregnancy as a noose that needs to be cut. In the midst of the more drama, her husband actions cause him to encounter a deadly course.

Put on a seat belt. This book will take you on a rollercoaster ride.

Lasheera









Friday, February 15, 2013

For The Love of.... Rose Jackson-Beavers

 
 
Falling in love with writing…
By Rose Jackson-Beavers

Orsayor, lately there has been a lot of negative conversation about African American literature and literacy that it becomes easy to forget why we fell in love with writing in the first place. However, talking about why we fell in love with writing may help us to refocus our energy and talent to become better authors so future generations will read our work and become inspired to write. 

Thank you so much for encouraging me through this topic to reminisce about my love for writing.  When I was in the first grade, I loved to read aloud, enunciating my words and I loved to spell. I can see myself jumping out of my chair whenever the teacher asked, “Who wants to read?” Looking back, it’s kind of funny how I almost knocked over the chair, a child, or whatever was in my way to be the person chosen to read. I love reading so much I brought bright red apples to my teacher to make sure she knew exactly who I was. This way I felt she would give me special privileges to read in class when she needed a reader. Back then they called a person who tried to impress the teacher, the teacher’s pet.  But truth be told, I was just a reader who loved to show off my skills.

When I was young I was competitive so I participated in spelling bees. To learn new words and other information I would read encyclopedias and dictionaries. I know what you might be thinking, “Who does that?”  Reading became my total joy.

I remember the first word that made an impact on me. I must have been about 10-years-old when I found my mom’s Secret Magazines.  Immediately, I started reading the romance stories, trying to figure out all the words and what they meant. The word orgasm was the one word that stood out. I remember thinking it meant organisms like in Biology, a contiguous living system. It took me a while to learn the pronunciation.   

I remember asking my aunt why women had organisms. She fell out of the chair laughing. “Where did you hear that from?” She wanted to know.  I ran to get my mom’s magazines and showed her.  My aunt said, “The word orgasm, not organism and that’s what women had when they were with their husbands.” She took the magazines, but that didn’t mean a thing to me though!  I would wait until mom’s magazine would fall from her hand because she read until she fell asleep. Then I’d grabbed the magazine, sneak away and read as many stories as I could, then tiptoe back to her room, placing the magazine back where she dropped it. Reading those magazines sparked something in me, the desire to write and tell stories; I was hooked.

My family is very close.  When we were younger, mom took us out of town to beaches and water parks. Oftentimes I refused to leave the hotel rooms or a relative’s house because I preferred to stay to read. My siblings participated in sports and neighborhood activities while I remained in my bedroom reading from my well-stocked library. I missed out on a lot of family activities because I couldn’t put down the books. To date, my mother tells me when she sees people from the past, they ask about all her children, except me.  She said it puzzled her why folk didn’t remember me. It hit her; I was the one locked away in the room with the books. I was happy because I had access to a world of experiences and information.  
Reading caused me to fall in love with writing.  I had interesting information about the world. I visualized what I read. The description of Paris and Hawaii was so great; I dreamed of travelling there wearing the designer clothes I learned of. The more I read, the greater my imagination became. Reading gave me hope to do and become what I’ve read. Writing helped me to express feelings which could not be voiced because of my bashfulness. Because of the vast information I accumulated, I had to share it. I began writing letters to prisoners, relatives and other pen pals. I read the back of the Right On Magazines and found pen pals. I wrote them, describing what was happening on the outside of the world I was so descriptive, they would write back asking me to describe the sun and the moon. My mother found out and put a stop to it. 

But you know Orsayor, after that experience, I believed I could write anything and I did. I knew writing gave freedom to exaggerate, telling a story your way. You could make your scenes do what you wanted them to do. I could write exactly how I wanted my dream man to look and how I wanted him to make me feel when we were together. I could make him whisper sweet words of passion to me as I stared adoringly into his sexy, dark brown eyes. It gave me freedom to become, to create and to explore. That’s what writing does for me.

Growing up my mother always told me if I didn’t have anything nice to say about a person, don’t say anything at all. But with writing, I could say exactly what I wanted without guilt or shame.  I could write about things that bothered me and I could write about things I hoped to change. Even if I decided to do nothing with my words, once I released them from me, I was free; free of stress; free of restraints. 

Writing allowed me to purge my soul of pain without revealing who I was, if I didn’t want to acknowledge my truth to the world, I could give that pain to a character. I could tell my story, releasing the burden holding me hostage, ultimately, giving another person the strength to do the same.

Orsayor, this is a great topic to think about. Writing can take your characters to the end of the world and back, then take them back again and again with different voices. You can live vicariously through your characters until you have the courage to explore the opportunities the world has to offer and then come back and write about what you discovered. Writing never bores me because there is always something new to write and someone new to share it with. 

I hope we continue to improve our craft by taking classes and producing more great books so our children and their children will fall in love with writing, having the desire to become authors.

Thank you again Orsayor for taking me back on that memory trip.  It was good to remember how important literacy was to me as a young girl. It will help me to stay focus on creating and writing the best stories I can.

For The Love of..... Shaka Senghor




Writing My Love

I remember the first time I met her. I knew there was something special-no something magical. I mean she held my attention in a way that it had never been held before. As I sat with her that first night conversing with her, giving her all of me, it felt like I was meditating with the divine.
 

I bared my soul to her-sharing my deepest hurts, biggest failures and greatest fears. I purged from the depths of my soul and not once did she interrupt me or judge me. Instead she listened intently as I painstakingly told her about my tattered life.
 

When I told her of my dreams of a bigger and brighter future I felt her encouragement and compassion. There was no doubting me or questioning why I dared to defy the odds. It was something about sitting with her that made me realize who I was and what I was designed to do. Her divine nature caressed and nurtured my spirit like a mother caring for a child. I have always questioned the sanity of those who fell in love at first sight, yet here I was sitting spellbound in the intimate embrace of a new love.
 
 
Yes I fell in love with writing.

 
Available Now...
 
 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Hearts On Fire Giveaway Hop - February 14 - 21

Grand Prize:
1.) Two Kindle Paper whites,  
2.) Three sets of Black Swan: Books 1-3 paperbacks signed by Victoria Danann (1 and 2 being US only) 
3.) Twenty sets of Black Swan: Books 1-3 e-books 
4.) ( $60 choice of gift card)


Read 2 Review (Kate) and GMTA UK:  (5 to 10 books that will be announced)

Danica Avet Winners: choice of backlist

Airicka Phoenix:   E-copy of Games of Fire, Touching Smoke, & Touching Eternity

Katie Salidas:  E-copy of Moonlight and Sweet Surprises! By her and Willsin Rowe which also releases on Feb 14!

Sara Trimble:  E-copy of A Woman's Revenge

Michelle Graham:  E-copy of Landing the Big Ones

Kim Mullican:  Yoder's Farm, Taking Control (Book 1 Control Series),Control (Book 2 Control Series), Immortal Decision

Cambria Hebert:  Ecopy of Recalled and a Winners Choice from the Heven and Hell Series Ecopy

M.L.  Stephens:  Ecopy of Love You More

J Kelly Acinni:  5 sets of paperback copies of Baby and Echo US only

Susan Griscom:  Reflections and Whisper Cape
And a big thank you to:  Dani-Lyn Alexander, Lisa Simington, Kym Grosso, and Liberty Ann for making the gift card possible!!!

Helpers with the Giveaways...


MaryLynn Bast:  Heart of a Wolf Series
Susan D. Taylor:  Secret Desire
Tara Lain:  Beach Balls




A SUMMONER'S TALE: the vampire's confessor
BLACK SWAN 3

RELEASE DATE: February 14, 2013



This is the third installment in a serial saga intended to be read in order.

DESCRIPTION: A secret society, a witch, a psychic, vampires, modern day knights, heroes, elves, fae, assassins from another dimension, and fairytales come together where emotions intersect. Two souls, joined by a mystical bond, separated by distance, must simultaneously struggle through pain and darkness in an ultimate confrontation with character and an ultimate struggle for life proving that true love waits patiently through lifetimes and finds courage to survive. Even in the strangest places. Even when you're least expecting it. Even when you're far, far from home.
Erotic quotient: A little steam. No menage. No BDSM.







Author Bio:  


For the past fourteen years, Victoria has illustrated and authored Seasons of the Witch calendars and planners and written several non-fiction books on magickal arts. She lives in a town north of Houston known as The Woodlands even though the idea of the witch in the woods may be a cliché.

She owns 7th House Publishing and contributes to its enterprises. In addition to art and writing, she plays Classic Rock music (keys, rhythm guitar, vocals) and manages one of Houston's premier party bands. Married. Four children.




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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Review: How To Make Love To A Martian - Karrine Steffans


Say What You Want to Say about Karrine Steffans – but one word you can never use to describe her is BORING. Karrine gives you her truths with No Holds Barred. I first became familiar with Karrine when she wrote Confessions of a Video Vixen. That book set the Entertainment World on its toes; even sent a few celebrities running for cover.  I have had the opportunity to talk to Ms Steffans on numerous occasions through Skype/email and one thing I can say about her is – She gives it to you STRAIGHT – No Chaser! She is who she is and makes No Apologies about it.

After reading her second book, The Vixen Diaries I knew her story with Lil Wayne was far from over. Flash forward to the present, Karrine introduces us to – “How to Make Love to a Martian”. In this book she chronicles her experiences with love – before and after meeting Lil’ Wayne. She dispels some of the rumors that have been floating around about her relationship with Darius McCrary (Family Matters), Shad (Bow Wow) Moss, Rohan Marley, Lil Wayne, and her recent ex-husband.

This has to be one of my favorite Karrine Steffans books. I love that Karrine never shies away from showing all sides to her personality – the good, the bad, and the ugly. We all deal with them but many of us aren’t courageous enough to put it out on display. We live in a world that’s so judgmental that it has people putting on different “masks” just to be a part of it.

After reading this book, I started to think back on my experiences with my “Martian”.  We all have experienced a Love that has had our heart in a chokehold – A Love that no one can understand – A Love that’s indescribable – A Love that’s Addicting – A Love that stays in our hearts forever no matter where our life may takes us.

Karrine, thank you for continuing to give it to us Raw & Unapologetic...

5 Stars

Orsayor

Book Blast: Forever My Girl - Heidi McLaughlin


Forever My Girl

I was never supposed to be a rock star. I had my life all planned out for me. Play football in college. Go to the NFL. Marry my high school sweetheart and live happily ever after.

I broke both our hearts that day when I told her I was leaving. I was young. I made the right decision for me, but the wrong decision for us. I’ve poured my soul into my music, but I’ve never forgotten her. Her smell, her smile.

And now I’m going back.

After ten years.

I hope I can explain that after all this time.

I still want her to be my forever girl




USA Today Best Selling Novel

"Seeing both sides of the story helped connect me to both main characters and given the complicated situation they were in, it was really well done."
~Aestas Book Blog

"I enjoyed reading this book and I finished it in one sitting ."
~Tootx

"Loved this book, loved all the characters, they were very relatable, and really enjoyed the story line."


Purchase



Author Heidi McLaughlin

My grandma once told me that I can do anything I want, so I am.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, I now live in picturesque Vermont, with my husband and two daughters. Also renting space in our home is an overhyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day you’ll find me behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, I’m writing one of the many stories I plan to release or sitting courtside during either daughter’s basketball games.

I’m also an active reviewer on The Readiacs.





BookBlast $50 Giveaway
Ends 2/24/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


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Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Book Blast: How To Make Love To A Martian - Karrine Steffans



How To Make Love To A Martian is the true story of the relationship between, New York Times best selling author, Karrine Steffans and, multi-platinum hip-hop super star, Lil' Wayne. It explores the idea of an impossible love and the transposition of power that often occurs when the love of your life is so out of reach, no matter how close they may seem. It explores the concept of unconditional love, even to one's detriment, and the loss of life that occurs all in the name of holding on to something and someone so completely unobtainable.

How To Make Love To A Martian is grossly interpersonal, introspective and riddled with secrets from a woman who dares to love a Martian, against all odds. - Amazon

For The Love of.... Fidel M. Love




“I Remember The Exact Day I Fell In Love With…”
By Fidel M. Love

“I remember the exact day I fell in love with –“No, not Hip-Hop. Though, I am a fiend for dope beats and fresh rhymes, I’m talking about a different passion of mines. One that still begins with a pen in hand, and is still considered one of the most powerful art forms for self-expression, however, you don’t need a microphone to be heard on this stage; and music is optional. I’m talking about my one true passion – writing. Sanaa Lathan in Brown Sugar, the film that gave us the fore used memorable quote, spoke about how her passion changed her world forever and I can attest that writing has done the same for me.

 

Besides changing my world, writing opened my eyes to whole new worlds and limitless possibilities. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been creating characters in my head and giving them life on paper. As a kid, I was a day dreamer who could turn my protractor into a flying space craft during a boring math lecture, and couldn’t wait to get home to start drawing a new page in my very own comic book. I had drawn a couple of issues and showed them to a few classmates before I realized that drawing wasn’t my true talent. I was better at coming up with ideas of things to draw and putting stories behind them, than actually drawing – and that was the craft I wanted to explore.

 

Writing is one big exploration; of our minds, of our imaginations, of ourselves, and of the living, breathing world around us. My writing sessions often begin with brief meditation, because I like to feel what I hope my readers will feel before I start. Listening to music works for some. I just close my eyes, and the picture that forms in my mind, I put into words. Writing through feeling is how I found poetry. If fiction writing is an escape from reality, then I can honestly say that my poetry is a way of confronting reality. It is deeply personal – my thoughts and my emotions – but at the same time, universal. That’s what I love most about writing, and what I take the most pride in as a writer! A good book is like a good song, the way it will form a connection people and make them smile, cry, or just sit back and say, “Wow, that was good!”

 

As a reader, I love that feeling and as a writer, I love being able to give that feeling to others. I want my writing to evoke an emotion; happiness because you enjoyed the story, anger because you hated a character, sadness because you loved the character and didn’t want it to end that way, and so on. I want readers to feel something! The first time something I wrote brought tears to someone’s eyes, it blew my mind! I was speechless and at the same time, I was inspired. Becoming a great writer takes a lot of skill and practice, but that day was the first time I felt like I had a gift – and I knew that I’d never stop.




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