Greetings all! We have more great books lined up for this month and are doing a 1st qtr recap, showcasing fifteen books we’ve deemed as TRR Favorites so far this year:
January – March 2010 Favorites
A Second Helping: A Blessings Novel by Beverly Jenkins
A SECOND HELPING: A Blessings Novel is the continuation about the residents, foster parents and their foster children of Henry Adams, KS. When we first met the residents in Bring on the Blessings, the town had financial hardships and was for sale on eBay. Mrs. Bernadine Brown, who was looking for a new beginning, purchased the town. When she arrived in town, she arrived with a vision to offer a home to children in need. With the town’s support her vision was in action; the foster parents and foster children had new families and homes in Henry Adams, KS and the adventures began. 
If You Were My Man by Francis Ray
Rafael Dunlap is a successful hostage negotiator with the Myrtle Beach police department. He has the reputation of being a lady’s man; however, he’s yet to meet one he’s willing to give his heart to. While on an outing at a local seafood restaurant with coworkers, he has the pleasure of meeting the owner, Natalyia Fontaine. He insists on asking her out on a date; when she turns him down he’s determined to get her to change her mind. In his determination, he learns lessons in love he never knew existed.
Be Careful What You Pray For by Kimberla Lawson Roby
After her recent divorce, Alicia Black is determined to focus on her future and not her past. She’s actively writing her first novel with the hopes of it being published, while spending time with her family. When she visits a local church with her world renowned father, Reverend Curtis Black, she meets Pastor J.T. Valentine, a pastor of his own church with a large congregation. When the handsome Pastor Valentine inquires about her upcoming book, romance between the two blossoms. While Alicia is thankful that her prayers have been answered and she marries for love, her new husband has another agenda. She learns the truth about her new husband’s intentions and has to make some decisions and in doing so learn valuable life lessons.
Reverend Feelgood by Lutishia Lovely
Lutishia Lovely has written an interesting account of a pulpit pimp with an interesting twist to why he is sexing the women of his congregation. Rev. Nate Thicke, senior pastor of the Gospel Truth Church of Palestine, Texas has to honor his family tradition of covering women of his church. A young man, only 28-years-old, his star is quickly on the rise in the Christian community as well as across the country. Rev. Thicke is trying to honor tradition in his family by feasting his sexual appetite on three family members, as well as other willing sisters in church. As he spends his time making women feel good, he notices Destiny, a young sister in the church that made his heart sing to a different tune than what he was accustomed to feeling. Although she is the granddaughter of Katherine Noble, a woman he has been covering for years, he sees no problem with covering her. Trouble is, good ole’ Reverend Thicke is about to find out that following traditions can cause another set of problems that will set the church on fire.
Wildflowers by Lyah Beth Leflore
WILDFLOWERS invites the reader to take a journey with Chloe Davis Michaels as she experiences a rollercoaster ride of love, hate, fear and family. After only a short time of anticipated marital bliss, Chloe realizes in Gregory Robinson III, she has found the devil reincarnated. His mood swings and temper are frightening at best, and Chloe questions her poor judgment. Will she allow this demonic man to control her life?
Staggering Heights by D. Allen Miller
In STAGGERING HEIGHTS, Reva Hawthorne struggles with being poor and trying to be anything except like her mother, Victoria. Realizing her reality, she ends up becoming an exotic dancer while caring for her three children. Even though her future seems bleak, she can’t let go of the American dream: a career, a husband and a beautiful home with a white picket fence. All she wants is to have the perfect life!
Cotton Pickin’ Paycheck: A 21st Century Journal of Escape From Slavery by Joan E. Gosier
COTTON PICKIN’ PAYCHECK: A 21st Century Journal of Escape From Slavery by Joan E. Gosier wins the award for outstanding compilation of a life-journaling experience of her escape from corporate slavery to become a successful entrepreneur! This brings you into the life of a young African-American girl who moved from the swift-boiling melting pot of New York to the simmering racist-ridden Virginia. Gosier is witty and charming as she describes how she adapted to the tough realities that awaited her in Middlesex County, Virginia. Her lessons are hard and difficult, yet soft and evolving. Corporate America becomes no place for this author, no more than her ancestors found a permanent place in the cotton fields. Gosier finds freedom as an entrepreneur…or does she?
Lace & Honor by Sammie Ward
LACE & HONOR is the story of Sergeant Kayla Perry and her two friends, Specialist Marissa Poe and Liz Shupe, an administrative assistant. All of them are assigned to the 32nd Combat Support Hospital at Fort Bradley, Maryland.
Heartbreaker by De’Nesha Diamond, Erick S. Gray and Nichelle Walker
HEARTBREAKER is a compilation of three stories about strong black women who are out to rule the game and they don’t care what they have to do to get to the top.
Take Your Pleasure Where You Find It by JD Mason
Renetta Jones runs a very lucrative online lingerie business from her home. Her models are like daughters to her and they share a close working relationship. She is very wealthy and polished, which has not always been the case. Still married to her abusive husband who is left bed stricken due to a stroke, she still holds onto the belief they are both being punished for past wrongs.
Where There’s Smoke 2: When The Smoke Clears by Terra Little
Alec “Smoke” Avery and Breanne “Anne” Phillips’s flame still burns for each other after twenty years. They begin to build a life together with their college-bound son, Isaiah and their newest bundle of joy, Iris. However, where there’s smoke…there’s flaming drama.
Joy Comes In The Morning by Korika L. Johnson
JOY COMES IN THE MOURNING has made its debut as an excellent, excellent story of true deliverance. As a first-time author, Korika L. Johnson will fool you if you expect anything less than a strong cast of Saints and Aints with the main characters, Tonya and Carolyn, and the lives they impact! “Aint” Tonya is the real single sistah with an hourglass shape, perfect lazy job, buppy-style house, classy Mercedez, and swanky bank account to boot. That creates the perfect setting for her mega-size ego and whip-lashing tongue to meet up with the humbling spirit in Godspeed. But what Tonya gives only encourages Saint Carolyn to stay in charge of the battlefield with love, faithful prayers, and righteousness. Both of these ladies develop through the story to deliver not only ministering scriptures, but the message that will find readers in all stages of their walk with Christ.
Can’t Let Go by Michele L. Waters
In CAN’T LET GO, Lisa Chambers has been married to her husband and best friend, Collin, for 20 years. He suddenly wants a divorce because he has been having an affair for the last few months and his mistress is pregnant. Then, in comes famous R&B singer, Michael Fontaine, who is smitten with Lisa from the moment they meet at a casino when her divorce became final. Michael and Lisa hit it off immediately, but she is hesitant to get into a relationship with Michael for fear of getting hurt again. Just when things start looking up for Lisa and Michael, Collin comes back in the picture and threatens to destroy the relationship they have built.
Show Me The Sun by Miriam Shumba
Raven Davies, daughter of a minister and a social worker with low self-esteem, may have found the man of her dreams in Amari Thomas, gorgeous NBA point guard for the Pistons, but she just doesn’t know it yet. When Amari meets Raven to discuss getting involved and helping to fund the children’s center, he thinks she is the coldest woman on the planet. Little does he know, Raven has been burned so badly in the past by men that Hell will freeze over before she becomes involved with another man. Raven is already convinced she will never have the picture perfect marriage and family she has always dreamed of. The feelings Amari evoke in her are nothing but love, and when he finally pops the question, Raven is thrilled, and she accepts. Their marriage is picture perfect for the next two years.but then comes the husband stealer, Lexie Hart, Hollywood movie diva. Lexie is intent on stealing Amari away from Raven and she will do anything, including slander and providing false information to the media, insinuating she and Amari are involved. When the news gets back to Raven, she is outraged and now Amari must convince Raven he loves her unconditionally. Will Lexie ever leave the picture or will she become a permanent third wheel to their lives forever? Or will Raven give up on love again?
The Bum Magnet by K.L. Brady
Charisse Tyson, for all outside appearances, has it going on. She’s a successful real estate agent with the BMW 760 and mansion on the hill to show for it. The laws of attraction have her size 14 curves beckoning to most men that she encounters. But, Charisse will be the first to tell you that seductive curves, a hot car, and successful career aren’t everything they’re cracked up to be when you don’t have anyone to share it with; well anyone other than lying, cheating dawgs. All of the men in Charisse’s past and present are fine, charming, and cheating. It may take a little self-evaluation to find out just why Charisse Tyson is a bum magnet.
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The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (TRR) are the team of reviewers for RAWSISTAZ Literary Group (www.rawsistaz.com) and are committed to supporting and spreading the word about African-American titles. Since inception in January 2001, they have reviewed approximately 6000+ titles, been published in numerous print and online magazines, and provided online newsletters for book lovers worldwide. For more information visit www.blackbookreviews.net or www.therawreviewers.com.
