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If she hadn't been desperate, Sarita Grayson would never have made a deal with the devil.
That was only her first mistake . . .
The future of her neighborhood center and its kids is in jeopardy unless Sarita retrieves a fortune in diamonds for a gang lord. But when her escape is interrupted by a mysterious stranger, she makes her second mistake -- and bullets fly.
Catching a gorgeous black woman in the middle of his sting operation threw Mykal Chandler off his guard -- and into the path of a bullet. Now Mykal, as head of a covert government agency, is determined to find the desperate beauty who left him with a superficial wound, a million questions, and a deep, yearning desire to learn her identity.
Because Sarita has stumbled into something so dark and deadly, Mykal is her only way out . . .
I've read most of Beverly Jenkins' novels and have never been disappointed. Her success in writing an exceptional contemporary novel supports her reputation as a talented storyteller. I especially like the tie in to characters from previous Beverly Jenkins books. Her characters are real, strong, and sensual. I highly recommend this book! Fortunately for the heroines of her next two contemporary novels, Mykal's brothers play leading roles. The second novel is called Diamond Edge.
Meet Beverly Jenkins
Beverly Jenkins is an African-American, historical romance writer. She and her family live in southeastern Michigan. She is married, and the mother of two children. Born in Detroit, she graduated from Cass Technical High School and attended Michigan State University, where she majored in Journalism and English Literature.
Ms. Jenkins has written nine books to date and received numerous awards for her works, including: two Waldenbooks Best Sellers Awards; two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine; a Golden Pen Award from the Black Writer's Guild, and in 1999, Ms Jenkins was voted one of the Top Fifty Favorite African-American writers on the 20th Century by AABLC, the nation's largest on-line African-American book club.
Ms. Jenkins has been featured in many national publications, including the Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, Dallas Morning News and Vibe Magazine. She has lectured at such prestigious universities as Oberlin University; the University of Illinois; and the University of Michigan. She speaks widely on both romance and 19th century African-American history. She is active in both her church and community, and in November 2001, Ms Jenkins was named a winner of the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award.
Her debut contemporary romance, The Edge of Midnight, is actually the first book she ever wrote. And 20 years after it was rejected by Avon, last month the publisher released the romantic suspense novel through its HarperTorch imprint. While the multicultural romance industry has blossomed
in the last decade, Ms. Jenkins, surprisingly remains the only prominent multicultural romance author on the historical front, a decade after the publication of her first novel, Night Song. The historical elements of her books are set in the United States between the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the civil rights movement-not an era that much has been written on the black experience.
For more, visit Bevery Jenkins' web site at www.beverlyjenkins.net.
Source: Romantic Times Book Club
February, 2004
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Kimberla Lawson Roby returns with another moving and triumphant novel about a woman who, against all odds, battles the most blatant kind of workplace discrimination while dealing with a crumbling marriage and a trusted friend's betrayal.
On the surface, Anise seems to have it all: a successful career, a solid marriage, and good friends. But when she applies for a promotion at work, she loses out to a white colleague who isn't nearly as qualified for the job. However, the problem at work is only the beginning of Anise's troubles. After being married for four seemingly blissful years, she discovers that her husband is having an affair. And to make matters worse, her best friend at work is keeping dangerous secrets.
But Anise is no quitter. As brave as she is determined, she reaches deep inside her soul to find the strength and courage to overcome heartbreak and stay her course. Ultimately, she will discover that what is worth having is worth fighting for — in her career and, most importantly, in her heart.
With a compelling plot and writing that captures every emotion, A Taste of Reality is a deeply poignant and unforgettable story.
Author Biography: Kimberla Lawson Roby is the author of four nationally bestselling novels: It's a Thin Line, Casting the First Stone, Here and Now, and Behind Closed Doors. She lives in Illinois with her husband.
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The Sistahood of Shopaholics
by Leslie Esdaile, Reon Laudat,
Monica Jackson, Niqui Stanhope
St. Martin's Press (Griffin)
October 1, 2003
ISBN #0312321880
320 pages-Trade Size
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"The importance of girl friends in your life is topic of this multicultural collection."
Laugh along as four friends help one another gain control over their spending habits and their love lives.
SHAMELESS by Leslie Esdaile - Della spent too many years in a bad marriage and too much money trying to numb the pain and make herself feel desirable. At the mall for the first time in over a year, she's determined not to overindulge, but an encounter with gorgeous Byron weakens her resolve.
PLEASE, BABY, PLEASE by Monica Jackson - It's not a good day for Neecy. The scale has shown a 25 pound increase, her attempts at retail therapy have failed miserably and now her car is being repossessed. Joe wants to help her with her problems; Neecy wants to help herself to Joe.
IT TAKES TWO by Reon Laudat - For Ramona, Kadeem had always been "the one" until his obsession with bodybuilding and her need to fix everything drove them apart. Four years later, he's back in her life. Can they pick up where they left off?
PROMISES by Niqui Stanhope - Gillian has invented a fiancé to keep her Nana happy. Now, Nana wants to meet him. When a wild shopping spree ends in a brawl that lands her in Rick's office, Gillian may have found just the man she's been looking for.
If you understand the importance of girlfriends in your life and if you've ever succumbed to the siren's call of your local mall, then this collection is a must-read for you.
Reviewed by The Best Reviews
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THE COLOR OF TROUBLE
by Dyanne Davis
Genesis Press Ltd.
(Love Spectrum Romance)
July 2003
ISBN 1585710962
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THE COLOR OF TROUBLE opens with a bang, as Kari Thomas is confronted with every woman's fear. She walks in on her boyfriend of several years and another woman. This woman produces photographs of herself and Jonathan in the throes of passion. But what really hurts Kari most is the fact that this woman, like her boyfriend, is white. As a couple, Kari and Jonathan have lost friends, developed strained relationships with their respective parents, and at times have taken on what seems like their entire small town because of the fact that they are involved in an interracial relationship. These difficulties, coupled with the confrontation with the "other woman" are more than the relationship can bear.
We then fast forward several years. The couple has moved on with their separate lives in different states. Kari is now involved with a Black doctor named Steven, a man that her parents approve of and can help make her dreams come true without all the difficulties she faced in her prior relationship. Jonathan, on the other hand, is living for his work and the meaningless flings that occupy his personal time. When a surprising chain of events force the former couple to reestablish contact with one another, each of their lives are shaken to the core, and they both begin questioning their lives as they know it. The couple is forced to deal with issues that have lacked closure over the years, and each begin to wonder whether things are really over.
Dyanne Davis has written a heartfelt story about how life circumstances can often interfere with true love. As the book progresses, readers will find themselves asking, can love conquer all? The story was heartfelt and at times full of unimaginable drama. There are plenty of lessons wrapped up in this romantic story about love, forgiveness, and what it takes to make a relationship work. The two main characters were well-rounded and written in such a way that readers could empathize with them and really understand why they made the choices they did. For balance, Davis has thrown in a few characters that readers will love to hate. Check out THE COLOR OF TROUBLE for an entertaining read about real life issues with a dramatic flair.
Review courtesy of Amazon.com
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Someone to Love Me
By Francis Ray
St. Martin's Press
December 16, 2003
ISBN #0312986777
320 pages-Paperback
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"delightful contemporary romance"
In San Francisco, Michelle Grant is heartbroken when the man she loves announces he is engaged to someone else. She makes a scene and he chases her onto the nearby beach. An "angel" rescues her from her former beau's assault. BJ gives her more than just passionate love, he provides her the belief she can make something of her self.
Nine years later, Michelle is one of Dallas' leading commercial realtors. Her boss Alex Forbes assigns her to work with a new client, the CEO of Computron, Brad Jamison. When they meet, Michelle recognizes Brad as the angel who made everything possible for her. On the other hand, Brad not only fails to realize who she is but also treats Michelle with scorn as he heard rumors about her sleeping her way to the top. As they work in close proximity he falls in love with her, something she has felt for him for nine years, but he does not believe she trusts him plus he sees her as a clone of his mother, who he detests.
Fans of relationship dramas will enjoy this delightful contemporary romance. The story line is crisp yet filled with angst. Especially fun to observe is when Brad is the focus of the plot whether he fails to relate with his mom, struggle with his feelings towards his beloved, or copes with Alex's spoiled scheming sorry sister.
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BLACK HEAT
Norman Kelley
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Norman Kelley pulls out all the stops in his new hardcover mystery, BLACK HEAT. Take a twenty year old murder, a missing persons case and a resurgence of Black Nationalism, add a gritty private investigator with heavy baggage and raging hormones and you have a riveting novel that keeps you breathless from beginning to end. Former prosecutor Nina Halligan has her hands full when she agrees to find the daughter of former movie queen Victoria Thorn and slain civil rights leader Malik Martin. Victoria has just been released from confinement after suffering a breakdown when she witnessed her husband's assassination. P. I. Nina butts head with NYPD cops suspected of involvement in Malik's death, then conservative followers of the slain leader's replacement kidnap her. Several bodies surface during her investigation and attempts to silence her jeopardize her life.
If you like a gun-toting supersleuth in high heels, reminiscent of Sara Paretsky's V. I. Warshawski or J. D. Robb's Eve Dallas, you'll love this Nina Halligan mystery. |
FOLLOWIN' A DREAM
Eboni Snoe
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Although Vanessa Bradley readily admits she heeds a little excitement in her mundane existence, she didn't believe the palm reader's prediction about a new man in her life. Then, Xavier Johnson comes along, making promises Vanessa longs for him to keep, but he never called after their initial meeting. Her mother orchestrates their reunion and the lingering flames within ignite into intense desires. When her wandering mother travels to Australia and turns up missing, Vanessa turns to Xavier for help in tracking her down. Follow this author as she develops relationships with multiple layers and sparks her newest novel with adventure and romance. Nothing is as simple as it seems and skillful twists in the plot keep you turning the pages until the story ends. Take the journey with Vanessa and Xavier. It's worth the time and pays a definite return on your investment.
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Find more multicultural romance in Page One and Page Two of this section.
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