African American

REVIEW:  Hero at Large by Robyn Amos

REVIEW: Hero at Large by Robyn Amos

THE AGENT: Tall, dark and devastatingly handsome Keshon Gray THE MISSION: To smoke out a deadly traitor–or die trying THE OBSTACLE: The sweet temptation of the only woman he’d ever loved! Keshon Gray had never regretted anything he’d had to do in the line of duty–until now. For entering the dangerous world of gang warfare(…)

REVIEW: Gold Mountain by Sharon Cullars

REVIEW: Gold Mountain by Sharon Cullars

Dear Ms. Cullars, I can’t recall whose blog I was reading when this book was mentioned but I’m glad I found out about it. A Negro heroine and a Chinese hero in 1865? Sign me up. “In 1865, the hope for gold has spurred many to seek their fortunes in California, the place the Chinese(…)

Friday Film Review: Devil in a Blue Dress

Friday Film Review: Devil in a Blue Dress

Devil in a Blue Dress (1995) Genre: Noir Mystery Grade: B Easy Rawlins: A man once told me that you step out of your door in the morning, and you are already in trouble. The only question is are you on top of that trouble or not? I hesitated a bit about reviewing this movie(…)

Friday Film Review: Blazing Saddles

Friday Film Review: Blazing Saddles

Blazing Saddles (1974) Genre: Comedy/Spoof Grade: A- “He rode a blazing saddle, he wore a shining star. His job to offer battle to bad men near and far. He conquered fear and he conquered hate. He turned dark night into day. He made his blazing saddle a torch to light the way.” It’s been a(…)

Friday Film Review: Love and Basketball

Friday Film Review: Love and Basketball

Love and Basketball (2000) Genre: Sports Romance Grade: B I’ve wanted to review this movie for over a year and finally got off my lazy butt when I realized that June 23rd was the anniversary of what’s come to be called simply Title IX. Now I’m probably one of the most unathletic people on the(…)

Friday Film Review: Something New

Friday Film Review: Something New

Something New (2006) Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romance Grade: C+ I really wanted to like this movie more than I ultimately did. Sanaa Lathan and Alfre Woodard are favorite actors and the plot promised more than the usual rom-com. But though the acting is good and it did make me think as it kept me entertained, ultimately it(…)

Friday Film Review: Brown Sugar

Friday Film Review: Brown Sugar

Brown Sugar (2002) Genre: Romance/Comedy/Drama Grade: B Since I’ve started doing these Friday Film Reviews, I’ve been trying to expand my film horizons. Netflix has helped since it makes it relatively easy to try new-to-me films and actors and “Brown Sugar” is a case in point. I’d seen Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs in other(…)

REVIEW: Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves

REVIEW: Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves

Dear Ms. Reeves, Your debut YA novel, Bleeding Violet, was one of my favorite books of last year, so when you emailed me with an offer to review an ARC of your second book, Slice of Cherry, I jumped at the chance. Slice of Cherry is written in third person omniscient narration, but the only(…)

REVIEW: Silent Night Stakeout by Kerry Connor

REVIEW: Silent Night Stakeout by Kerry Connor

Dear Ms. Connor, I’m glad I didn’t read the back blurb for your latest Harlequin Intrigue before finishing it. Otherwise, I’d have thought it was just another “hero and heroine in close proximity fighting off sexual tension while some sadistic villain threatens her” type of book. Instead, I think it’s much better than that blurb(…)

REVIEW: Naked by Megan Hart

REVIEW: Naked by Megan Hart

A note to readers: Since I felt it was impossible to discuss my reaction to this book without revealing something that happens near the end of the story, my review contains some spoilers. — Janine Dear Ms. Hart, Back in October, when we hosted this guest post on cultural appropriation, many of our commenters mentioned(…)

REVIEW: Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

REVIEW: Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves

Dear Ms. Reeves, I was casually perusing the Book Smugglers' blog when I came across this midyear list of their favorite books of 2010 and saw that Ana had given your debut, Bleeding Violet a grade of perfect 10. Since the book's genre (YA with a paranormal flavor) is one I enjoy, I looked up(…)

REVIEW: Steal Away by Amber Green

REVIEW: Steal Away by Amber Green

Dear Ms. Green, In a way “Steal Away” is a major departure from the previous books of yours I’ve read. Yet in others, it’s very similar. Here there’s no paranormal element, at least not that I noticed. But you reprise the use of two men and one woman as the main characters around whom the(…)

REVIEW: Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

REVIEW: Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

Dear Ms. Smith, When I told some friends I was reading your YA novel, Flygirl, and what it was about, one of them directed me to this article at The New York Times. It’s about the awarding of Congressional Gold Medals to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), who provided the United States Army with(…)

REVIEW: The Husband She Couldn’t Forget by Carmen Green

Dear Ms. Green, I had heard about your book, The Husband She Couldn’t Forget, back in September and made a mental note to myself to purchase it, partly because I want to encourage more diversity in the genre, and buying a Silhouette Special Edition that features African American protagonists is a good way to do(…)

REVIEW: The Right Wedding Gown by Shirley Hailstock

REVIEW: The Right Wedding Gown by Shirley Hailstock

Dear Ms. Hailstock, I have been looking forward to sharp tongued Samara finding love with persistent Joshua for months now – well, ever since Samara’s sister Cinnamon’s book. But, alas, I’m afraid it didn’t live up to my hopes for it. Samara is marriage shy. Actually not just shy but phobic. You’ve given her some(…)