Critical Condition by Ebony Stroman

LIFE. . . . .

This is the story of Sade Campbell who has been in prison for 25 years and Becky Gallagher is someone who wants to know the story behind Sade. Becky could not understand why Sade would turn down a million dollar offer for her story to a major publisher but approve a 10,000 advance offer from a fairly new and small publisher. The book is published and the story is told and Becky nearly breaks down the doors at the bookstore to get the book and know the real story.

The Saga Begins. . . . . . . .

Sade is sixteen years old when her mother dies in a car accident. Sade’s father is a police captain. Sade avoided staying at home and stayed at her best friend Chantel’s house as many weekends as possible. Sade finally makes a decision to leave home with the intent not to return. This is where she runs into Juanita and Polo.

Polo is a want to be pimp and Juanita, his supposedly bottom chick. These two are up to no good but Sade goes along with them to keep from being caught by the police dept. that is looking for her. But how did Sade end up in jail? What happened or didn’t happen? Does her father ever find her?

The story was okay but there were also issues. There were grammatical errors that should have been caught by the editor such as missing and misspelled words. Also there were points in the story that just a little farfetched.

Review by Ebonypeach1

3 Stars

Someone to Love by Karoline Bethea Jones

Love Triangle

Someone to Love is a story about Terry and Stephanie Collins who have been married for fifteen years. Terry has it all; wife, Stephanie, children, career in the music industry and the woman on the side.

As the saying goes, “If you don’t someone else will.” This is the case with Stephanie. Stephanie gets no respect at home so she turns her attention to Justin. A relationship, that rises to another level. There is only one problem with that; Justin is married.

Terry has control issues and Stephanie has a secret. Will they be able to pull it all together before it all falls apart?

Someone to Love started off slow but it did pick up the pace and turned into a well-developed book with characters that were believable. This is the first part of a trilogy and part two is called Fragile Heart. I will be adding it to my reading list.

Reviewed by Ebonypeach1

4 Stars

Anything 4 Profit by Justin "Amen" Floyd

I was given this book as a loaner so I didn't really know anything about it. Needless to say I gave the book back and bought my own copy.

It was just that good.

The story is set in a southern town in South Carolina(Greenville) in the Mid 80's. As the story is told, you will begin to feel as though you are right there. When he spoke of Cleveland Park and Terrace Shopping Center, it brought back memories of those days. He set the story in a town where he grew up and was part of the scene so it made his story even more believable. Very good job for a first time author and I look forward to his next book.I hope this will not be the last we hear from this author.

Thanks for representing the hometown so well.

Review by Ebonypeach1

4.5 Stars

A Gangster's Melody by Sean Wright

Wolf in sheeps clothing. . . .

First let me start by saying WOW! A Gangster’s Melody is the story of a girl from Marion, Ohio named Tiffany who loses her parents by murder/ suicide. She goes to live with her grandmother in Baltimore who she does not know that well. On her first day there she is told she had to get a job and her grandmother sets her up with an interview at the local café. At this café is where she meets three girls, Monica, Terry and LaShawn aka the Stiletto Divas. Tiffany eventually moves in with Monica and joins the Stiletto Divas. They go to a club for a party where Tiffany meets businessman Travon and his D-Boy.

Everything is not as it seems. Will Travon be the man she dreams of? What about the Stiletto Divas?

This story held my attention from page one. I read it in a day because I couldn’t put it down. The story flowed and just when you think you know what’s going to happen, a twist comes in.

The ending I did not see coming at all. There were a few typos but not enough to alter the story.

Mr. Wright did a good job and wrote a good book.

Review by Ebonypeach1

4.0 stars

Silver Lining by Wanda B. Campbell

TO BE OR NOT TO BE? THAT IS THE QUESTION.

After reading two other books by Wanda B. Campbell, I must say, I had high expectations for this book also. I can say. . . . she delivered! I was looking for a story with characters that were believable and a good plot with emotions that made me feel as if I was there. Silver Lining gave me just that.

~ Oprah Winfrey said, “Be thankful for what you have: you’ll end up having more.” That was exactly the case with Marlissa Jennings and her friend Leon Scott. Events of the past affect the future in one way or another.

Marlissa was the wife of Dr. Kevin Jennings who she’d been separated from for over a year. It wasn’t Kevin’s fault they were separated and Marlissa knew this. She knew she had a handsome husband, nice home and a nice car but something was still missing. Leon Scott was on the same path of destruction until he crossed paths with Marlissa. Leon had a wife named Starla, two children and a thriving construction business. Marlissa and Leon brought each other out of darkness after they met in a club and got sloppy drunk together. This turned out to be a good thing for both of them because they became each other’s keeper.

Two years later, Marlissa and Leon were on a different path. The road of destruction was no more and now they had goals that they wanted to accomplish. Marlissa was facing divorce proceedings from Kevin and Leon needed to face Starla and two children who he left due to an addiction.

Now that Marlissa and Leon have gotten their acts together, will Kevin and Starla take them back? What will they have to go through in order to gain their spouses trust again? What about the in-laws and their thoughts? It turns out not to be as easy as it sounds. The drama that ensues from a few other people in their lives made the new goals a little more difficult to accomplish for Marlissa and Leon. I also have to mention that there were scenes that had me laughing out loud and talking to the book. The characters made me want to cheer them on but then there were events that just tore at my heart and had me in tears.

This was such an enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the next book from Mrs. Campbell.

Review by Ebonypeach1

4.5 Stars

Two Wrongs Don’t Make It Right by Alan Cramer

Andre Steele is married to Monique but Monique is working Andre’s last nerve. Andre works for the New York City Transit Authority. His passion is in making music although he has never made any money at it yet. Because of this, Monique puts him down all the time.

While out sporting Monique’s 2010 X5, Andre meets Leigh. Leigh thinks that Andre is a producer after hearing one of his CD’s. Andre doesn’t tell her otherwise. He just says he’s a ghost writer in the music industry because he is attracted to Leigh. He also has to keep up the charade to impress her.

Leigh has a secret called Jaheem, her boyfriend. Jaheem is busy chasing the mighty dollar. What happens when Andre meets Jaheem? Will Andre finally make it in the music industry? What about Leigh? Who will she choose; Andre or Jaheem?

This book held my attention two thirds of the way. The last third was rushed and lacked details and development. There were too many unanswered questions in the ending.

Reviewed by Ebonypeach1

3.5 Stars