Chrystal's Corner

Between Friends

2012-01-23T22:12:00.000-05:00

Between Friends by D.L.Sparks

Genre:Dramatic/Suspense

Publisher:Urban Books / Kensington Publishing

PublicationDate: January 2012

Reviewed by ChrystalDorsey

D.L. Sparks, recently voted in as the newestmember of the AtlantaGeorgia Peach Authors, caught the attention of readers with her debut andsophomore novels is back with her latest dramatic suspense novel Between Friends, about ADEA agent and an APD Lieutenant who lock horns during a joint investigationthat unearths cold-blooded corruption and heartless manipulation in this fastpaced drama.

BetweenFriendsopensas DEA Agent Orlando "Trip" Spencer has returned to his home townAtlanta to help with a complicated investigation. Trip didn't want to take the case, he didn'twant to be back in Atlanta, but what he least wanted to do was to work with APDLt. Lincoln Briscoe

BetweenFriends,drawsheavily on drug kingpins turning up dead and weapons being funneled into thecounty jail, but there is more than just a cat and mouse game of intrigue beingplayed as this drama unfolds it is also packed with romantic complications andthere is no telling what will happen when Trip and his closest friend, IdalisArrington come face to face again.

Although they have been friends since earlychildhood, there is a wedge between Trip and Idalis' relationship and thatwedge is none other than Lincoln "Linc" Briscoe, Trip's nemesis - whosebeen on a collision course with Trip since college and happens to be engaged tomarry Idalis, a complication that may very well affect Trip's ability to focuson the case.

Trip learns that Idalis is in trouble and hisefforts to protect her and investigate the slaughters taking place on thestreets of the Dirty South take him all over the city of Atlanta -from AtlanticStation through Spaghetti Junction to a house in Cascade - a house full ofsecrets.

As theinvestigation gains speed the novel peaks up even more; emerging secretsthreaten the pending marriage between Idalis and Linc. Unfortunately whiletrying to protect Idalis Trip's partner, Philip "Big Phil" Porter isshot and left for dead.

Readers will appreciate that BF does notdisapoint, as other suspense dramas tend to do, once the mystery of Phil'sshoter is revealed, the adrenaline does not stop pumping, instead the rapidpace continues. The story does not become boring and readers will learn thatthe innocent aren't always as innocent as they seem.

Sparks may not win an award of excellence(though there's no reason she shouldn't), she is still an author of qualitythat deserves recognition and merit for the realism she brings to hercharacterization skills. The realistic characterization of Trip comes to lifewhile he investigates corruption, his relationship with his best friend Idalisand some childhood demons.

Some books defy expectations, some books defycritics, they are often the books readers call a darn good read - and BF is oneof those books - it also suggests the start of an interestingseries for Trip rather than a single suspense novel. I have no doubt that BetweenFriends could very well become a New York Times bestseller and I’mhoping it will be adapted into a big-screen movie.

Between Friends is a must read andhighly recommended for anyone who wants to become engrossed into a suspenseful entertainingstoryline. It's been a long time sinceI've enjoyed a book for the story content and the characters that come alivethroughout the pages. I want to thank both the author for her talent for beingable to tell a story in such an entertaining matter.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Mama Ruby

2012-01-23T01:00:00.000-05:00

Mama Ruby byMary Monroe

Genre:Drama

Publisher:Dafina Books - Kensington Publishing Corp

PublicationDate: June 1, 2011

Reviewedby Chrystal Dorsey

Deception,lust, and murder are a few of the ingredients that will keep readers turningthe pages of Mama Ruby, by New York Times BestsellingAuthor Mary Monroe.

Thestory opens in 1934 in Shreveport, Louisiana - and is the prequel to Monroe's TheUpper Room, and takes place during Ruby's formative years - and boy howinfluential those years were in shaping Ruby into the character shebecame.

Thedown-home Southern names are earthy to match the thickness of the characters -Ruby Jean, Othella Mae, Beulah, Simone are just a few of the names that are used to express the time period thestory is set in. Ruby is the seventhdaughter of a seventh daughter - it was supposed to mean she had mysticalabilities that she didn't want anything to do with - she didn't need or want theresponsibility, after all just being the daughter of a preacher was enough of aburden as far as Ruby was concerned.

Youwould think by being the daughter of overly religious parents it would have hada positive influence on the main character, Ruby - but it did not. Instead Rubywas the promiscuous ignorant young daughter of a preacher and the horrific andsomewhat unbelievable consequences that occurred throughout her childhoodfollowed her into adulthood and only seem to be compounded by her own actions.

Thehuman elements of this story may cause many readers to become angry and perhapseven sympathize with the characters. Iwas angered enough to put the book down, but had no sympathy for the characters;I did not like the characters, their lifestyles or what they represented.However, I wanted to know what happened, how the characters did or did notprevail over their grim circumstances.

Thisbook contains some gritty as well as offensive language therefore; therecommended audience should be mature readers of ages 18 and older.

Review copy provided by author.

A Good Excuse To Be Bad

2011-12-29T18:18:00.002-05:00

A Good Excuse To Be Bad by Miranda Parker

Genre: Suspense-Drama

Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.

Publication Date: June 28, 2011

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Since only a handful of books are worth reading past its opening paragraph, chances are most readers will pass on a novel and perhaps opt for mindless television, unless the author manages to capture their attention, and propel them to read chapter-after-interesting-chapter, and that's what Miranda Parker has skillfully been able to do in, A Good Excuse to Be Bad.

Miranda Parker's debut novel, A Good Excuse to Be Bad showcases a female heroine, Angel - but don't get it twisted, the name Angel was given to her, but not necessarily earned. This former investigative reporter has become a tough bail recovery agent, aka - Bounty Hunter, with ballistics training, a black belt, and an array of weaponry; and she’s on a mission to save her twin sister, Ava from a scandalous murder charge, and when I say scandalous, I do mean the murder of Bishop Devon McArthur was scandalous. The action, humor, and thrills keep this fast-paced suspense intriguing while the anticipation unfolds and until the final pages are turned.

Although Angel reluctantly promised the annoying pain-in-her-side detective Salvador Tinsley, that she would not interfere with the investigation, and despite the animosity between Ava and Angel, she is still compelled to save her sister from the death penalty or at the very least, life in prison – so Angel launches a private investigation of her own. The road to the truth, leads her on a journey of lies, deceit and more dead bodies. At the same time, Parker throws Rev. Justus Morgan, the lavender scented handsome pastor into the mix as Angel's wanna-be sidekick with hints of a taboo romance on the horizon – to learn how far it will blossom, readers will have to follow the story to a close.

While on the trail of clues, evidence and motives – not to mention romance, readers will discover some surprising elements that will keep them perplexed and captivated to find out where and with whom the trail will end.

Ms. Parker has cleverly added some twists and turns that are sure to keep any suspense reader fascinated until they uncover every mystery, including why Angel detested her brother-in-law and what caused her, her sister and the Bishop to be on such bad terms - how does their estranged relationship and the six-year old history between Angel and the sizzling-voice Detective Tinsley fit into this web of deception and the murder investigation? Oh and then there’s finding out who Rachel is and what if anything, is her connection to Bishop McArthur’s murder. This story will have readers on edge as they continue to clutch the pages to find out who amongst the suspects is actually guilty of the murder(s).

Readers don’t pass on A Good Excuse to Be Bad, by talented author, Miranda Parker – if you do, you will regrettably miss out on a very interesting read of dramatic-suspense with a cultural trip through the streets of Metro Atlanta and its surrounding areas.

After reading A Good Excuse To Be Bad, I know I want to find out what happen to put Angel on bad terms with Ava and Devon - so I'm really looking forward to joining Angel on her next manhunt in the latest Angel Crawford installment, Someone Bad and Something Blue, scheduled for release in July 2012 from Dafina Books.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Cabin Fever (Diary of A Wimpy Kid – Series #6)

2011-12-22T00:29:00.000-05:00

Diary of A Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever - Series #6 by Jeff Kinney

Genre: Children's Series

Publisher: Abrams, Harry N., Inc.

Publication Date: November, 2011

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Writer Jeff Kinney continues his diary entries about the adventures of his stick figure Protagonist, Greg Heffley in, Cabin Fever - Diary #6. In this installment Greg finds himself in trouble again - and this time he is somehow involved in vandalizing school property - the other perpetrator is of course, his closest friend, Rowley who, as usual is along for the ride.

The winter holidays is the setting for this Wimpy Kid installment. While Greg is trying to figure out what to put on his Christmas list, he chronicles a number of events that take place prior to the blizzard that trap him and how he manages to deal with them - including, looking for ways to earn money to buy Kritterz Kash to care for his demanding cyber pet. At the same time, Greg's little brother, Manny has his own solution to Greg's virtual pet problem, and it's a doozy.

And like any average stick-figure adolescent, Gregg has finally grown up a bit, and is a little less whiny. Although his primary goal is to earn money to care for his virtual dog and not get busted for defacing school property - Greg brings attention to the fact that recess has become like a prison yard after the last of the playground equipment is taken away - because according to Greg, the school was having trouble paying the insurance for the playground, so each time there was an accident or injury they removed the offending piece of equipment - until there was none, and the children were left with no recess-time activities. Greg may very well be on to something, because, that may be the lame explanation for the lack of physical activity in today's public schools.

After successful eluding the school authorizes as well as the police for his accidental crime, to Greg's surprise he his anonymously ratted out by none other than, one of Westmore Middle School's usual suspects - discover along with Greg, who it is.

An entertainingly quick, easy read for young children.

Review copy provided by publisher

Holler At The Moon - by Tinesha Davis

2011-11-09T18:09:00.000-05:00

Holler At The Moon by Tinesha Davis

Genre: Drama

Publisher: Word of Mouth Books

Publication Date: 2009

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Tinesha Davis, debut novel Holler At The Moon, is filled with plenty of drama….

Holler At The Moon is a stimulating descriptive, though sometimes bittersweet, dramatic novel. This story definitely offers a heavy slant towards the importance of family, friendships, love, and loyalty – which I'm certain readers will enjoy.

As ghastly as it was, this story is about more than three young sisters witnessing the murder of their mother at the hands of their father. It is about the trials, tribulations that they suffer following the senseless act committed by their father - it is about, the three sisters who are seemingly delightful talented and gifted individuals, who in spite of their youth must somehow triumph over adversity - but is it possible for them to do so, or has their fate already been sealed by the dreadful situation and the blood that runs through their innocent veins?

The author's skill, imagination, and gifted storytelling provide a captivating story for readers. The realism of this story is what makes it heartfelt, yet frightening because it is the life-story far too many children live daily. And it's certain that more than just a few readers will be able to identify family, friends, or even themselves depicted throughout the pages of this challenging story - and because of this or in spite of it, this story will cause readers to, laugh, become angry, and even want to cry.

Tinesha Davis manages to dab a bit of humor - by way of one of my favorite characters, Damita - throughout the novel as she tells a horrific tale of the abandonment the girls experienced and the never ending grief they suffered, as well as the horror they were made to endure at the hands of those that were suppose to love and protect them. However, the strength that the main female characters continued to maintain throughout and in spite of their horrendous circumstances is to be admired.

The three Jackson sisters are separated, and living hard lives far away from each other...

The oldest Jackson sister, Dominique is sent to Virginia to live with her father's cousin Rhanda. Unfortunately, Rhanda's home is absent of any type of love and Dominique seeks comfort elsewhere. Unable to grieve so she can embrace her past, Dominique finds herself on a destructive path. Dominique later becomes a well adjusted twenty-five year old professional, living a seemingly perfect life…or so it seems - she's in love with a man who once saved her, but is now threatening to destroy her. Will she be able to break free from him in time?

The middle Jackson sister, Donya was sent to live with her father's sister, Aunt Chuck, and tries hard to keep in touch with Dominique and look after her younger sister, Damita. But as a young teen Donya is forced to leave her Aunt's house and falls into troublesome circumstances, and has to claw her way from living on the streets to being a self-made Bohemian whose life becomes filled with rainbows and dance. But then she finds herself stuck in the middle of two disasters and not certain which she should try to resolve.

And then there's the youngest of the Jackson sisters, Damita, who is also sent to live with Aunt Chuck; and learns quickly that in order to survive she must gravitate and become indispensable to the only person left in her immediate circle, and that is Aunt Chuck - another mean character who needs Damita to run errands, that her obesity won't allow her to handle. Damita becomes a fast-talking, straight-A high school student with a serious sarcastic wit and an attitude and temper inherited of her father and his desire to resolve issues by any physical means necessary. She is an intellect with a promising future, but will she allow her hot-headed ways to ruin her the way her father allowed his to ruined him?

Author Tinesha Davis displays a writing talent that is so polished that it is difficult to believe Holler At The Moon is her debut novel. The story was awesome, and I believe that readers will find this book to be an enjoyable and fascinating read, so if you haven't had the pleasure of reading this book, be certain to pick up a copy before the sequel, Twice On Sundays hits the stands.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Nick Of Time

2011-11-07T00:06:00.000-05:00

Nick of Time by Tim Downs

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: 2011

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Dr. Nick Polchack is an interesting character in Tim Down’s, Bug Man series (Shoo Fly Pie, Chop Shop, First the Dead, Less Than Dead, and Ends of the Earth), Nick is a forensic entomologist who understands one thing well … bugs, but as far as people, not so much.

On the last page of Ends of the Earth, Nick asked someone to marry him. Unfortunately we didn’t know who. Nick of Time answers that question.

In this installment of the Bug Man mystery series there are plenty of twists and turns for the reader to discover and enjoy; including the fact that Nick and Alena are preparing for their wedding, well, Alena is. Nick is a bit distracted when he finds himself out of town, chasing clues to solve the puzzling murder case of an old friend.

Will he make it back in time for the nuptials? Will he find the killer before it's too late? Will he survive the dangerous situation he's unwittingly placed himself in? The answer to these questions will be revealed in due time throughout the pages of this quirky mystery.

Besides getting the answers to those intriguing questions, readers will also learn, what happened early in Nick’s life that caused his disconnection from people and fascination with bugs. Readers will finally get to see the light bulb go on in Nick’s heart about what loving another human being, namely Alena, really means. But what they won't get to see is, a neatly packaged ending - because, there are always surprises in store when Tim Downs puts pen to paper.

Catfish Alley

2011-11-01T12:05:00.000-04:00

Catfish Alley by Lynne Bryant

Genre: Fiction
Publisher: New American Library - Penguin Group
Publication Date: April 2011

Lynne Bryant grew up in rural New Hope, Mississippi - outside of Columbus and admits she had little interaction with "Black folks", yet it was not until she reached adulthood and moved away, that she became intrigued with the history of her hometown and her obliviousness of the issues of race raging around her and uses many of the events as inspiration for her debut novel, Catfish Alley.

Lynne Bryant's debut novel, Catfish Alley is about a White woman in the South whose research into local Black history introduces her to several elderly Black women, and their stories of tragedy and endurance in the days before Civil Rights. In Clarksville, Mississippi, Blacks and Whites live largely separate lives, and racial prejudice maintains a powerful hold. Although she claims not to have a self-serving motive, Roxanne Reeves didn't take on the task of adding African-American history to the town’s famous annual Antebellum House tour, because she had an interest in, or some deep desire to examine Black history, no, she did it so that she could get the contract to do the restoration at Riverview – the most beautiful property in Clarksville; not only would it be a feather in Roxanne’s cap, but the money she’d earn from getting the contract to restore it, would be substantial. However, she thought it was going to be some simple little list of places that Grace Clark would come up with and they'd be done- Roxanne never thought she would get so pulled into their lives and their history.

Catfish Alley is a story involving Grace Clark, a retired Black schoolteacher who mysteriously owns one of the grand plantations of Clarksville. She becomes Roxanne’s guide to undistinguished places that are sacred to the Black community because of what happened there - even, a senseless photographed hanging used as an initiation into the Klan. Grace and a few of her friends share stories of the past, especially 1931, when they were young, happy and full of hopeful promise – yet a racist’s hatred for Grace’s brother, Zero, led to events that changed all their lives, and continued to touch people decades later. Author, Bryant manages to a good job of maintaining the White characters' tone of entitlement throughout the novel, with ease; and sadly during this journey much is revealed about how the majority, if not all of the Black characters suffer terrible tragedies at the hands of White people, yet they continue to pursue their personal dreams, refusing to allow grief and loss to make them bitter, resentful or angry.

Books of this nature generally depict Blacks living with the expectation that law enforcement would offer little if any protection against violence so they try not to make waves or seek help against their oppressors – but instead opt for the old turn-the-other-cheek mentality, and Lynne Bryant vividly expresses how her characters in Clarksville, Mississippi are content to preserve the status quo. In the beginning chapters, the multiple points of view, and multiple time periods are slightly distracting, but evidently the reader can become accustom to it and follow along easily, as the author’s writing skill kicks in and demonstrates how she can readily maintain the flow quite well.

As Bryant wraps up the story, Roxanne and Del have gained a whole new perspective about the Black community in Clarksville Roxanne so easily dismissed, and her life opens up in unexpected ways; thereby making Catfish Alley a somewhat heartwarming story of hope, self-discovery, and friendship.

This book contains extreme racially offensive content, strong language, and descriptions of horrible scenes of White brutality. This book can also be considered extremely insulting and a challenge for anyone, but more so, if the reader is African American.

That said, I'm not certain if there was a need for yet another derogatory book written by a White woman, about Blacks in Mississippi – after all, The Help managed to stir up enough controversy surrounding this subject to last the readers for quite some time. The two books may not be exact in their content, but they are not far off the mark from one another.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Missing Persons

2011-10-01T10:53:00.000-04:00

Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Plume
Publication Date: May 31, 2011

Missing Persons is the debut of an edgy, exciting new Kate Conway Mystery series, by author, Clare O'Donohue, featuring a funny, but cynical television producer turned amateur sleuth. In the oddest chapter of her life, Kate navigates a sometimes dangerous path of lost love, bad television, unsolved cases, and her husband's girlfriend, who keeps getting in the damn way.

Crime TV producer, Kate Conway has a pretty simple job. Gain the trust of unsuspecting interviewees to extract the true story and capture it all on camera - ideally, while they cry on cue. However, Kate finds herself on the other side of the line of questioning after she gets a call from her soon-to-be ex-husband's lover, Vera Bingham who informs her that Frank, collapsed after playing basketball and was rushed to St. Anthony's Hospital, where Frank dies from a heart attack. But an autopsy shows Frank had excessive amounts of digitalis in his body; And the two women in his life -Kate and Vera - are the prime suspects. To make matters worse - Frank's grieving mistress suddenly wants to become Kate's new best friend.

As the investigation into Frank's death heats up, Kate throws herself into her work on a new television program Missing Persons. Her first assignment is the story of Theresa Moretti, a seemingly angelic young woman who disappeared a year earlier. Except, Theresa may not be as innocent as everyone thinks. Interviews with Theresa's ex-boyfriend, her disinterested "best" friend, and an attractive, but amoral, local politician, lead Kate to believe she's being lied to about the real Theresa. Although, All Kate wants is a clichéd story and twenty-two minutes of footage to take her mind off her own messy life, but when two cases appear to overlap, she begins digging into the case herself; but Kate needs to work fast before another body turns up - and it just may very well be her own.

Missing Persons is a mystery with surprising depth and smart, hip, snappy dialogue. Kate is a sharp, cynical, person who makes mistakes and learns from them - she grows and changes as the story progresses. The Kate Conway series is certain to become a favorite with mystery fans; and I, like many readers, look forward to seeing what O'Donohue does with the main character going forward.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Dreams of Joy

2011-09-29T10:38:00.000-04:00

Genre: Drama
Publisher: Random House
Publication Date: 2011

Lisa See is the New York Times bestselling author of Shanghai Girls, Peony in Love, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (which has been adapted into a film), Flower Net (an Edgar Award nominee), The Interior, and Dragon Bones, as well as the acclaimed memoir On Gold Mountain. The Organization of Chinese American Women named her the 2001 National Woman of the Year.

In her most powerful novel yet, Lisa See returns to the timeless themes of mother love, romantic love, and love of country. She continues the story of sisters Pearl and May from Shanghai Girls, and Pearl's strong-willed nineteen-year-old daughter, Joy. Dreams of Joy provides a glimpse of the cold, cruel damage to the humanity of people that was caused by war and the Communist regime in China in the late 1950s. In this segment the return to Shanghai shows the Paris of Asia, may have been lost forever.

Acclaimed for her richly drawn characters and vivid storytelling, Lisa See once again renders a family challenged by tragedy and time, yet ultimately united by the resilience of love.

Dreams of Joy is the sequel to Shanghai Girls which revisits sisters Pearl and May and the continued development of their relationship while telling the story of Joy, a Chinese-American at the time of the inception of Mao's "Great Leap Forward". It is an epic historical drama with strong characterization and authenticity - the reader is taken on an emotional journey to China and into the lives of the Chin family. Joy is an idealistic and naive college-student hell-bent on helping China's "Great Leap Forward". However, what Joy finds is not the communist paradise she thought she wanted to be a part of; Instead, what she finds is that her commune is more or less a refugee camp - her marriage and life in the countryside are so deeply disturbing and the "Great Leap Forward" is an actual "Great Leap Into Famine". Some may consider this to be a beautiful coming of age story, while others may view it as a story of a hardheaded teen defying her mother and trying to escape the guilt of her step-father's suicide, while at the same time trying to process the newly uncovered family secret of her parentage that has scattered her emotionally and placed a wedge of anger between her mother, aunt and herself.

The adventure, if one can call it that, begins after naïve Joy flees to China to seek out her biological father - the artist Z.G. Li, with whom both May and Pearl were once in love. Devastated by Joy's flight and terrified for her safety, Pearl is determined to save her daughter, no matter what the personal cost. Against better judgment, Pearl leaves the comforts of L.A. on a quest to find Joy; once there she confronts old demons and challenges as she tries to reunite with Joy. Added to the stress of trying to locate her daughter is the realization of the perils of the new China - including not being allowed basic freedoms of wearing a bra, sending and receiving mail, possession of her own passport, or even worst, not being allowed to leave China once there.

This story is permeated with the most vivid descriptions of sights, sounds and smells that transport the reader to a time and place where no one in their right mind would willingly want to go - yet, one will find themselves eagerly leaping forward through the story, to discover the moral fabric of China’s society as it unravels, with the abuse of its people, which sometimes resorted to cannibalism. Readers will find themselves transfixed and perhaps emotionally invested, as old, new and restored relationships are woven within the dangers of this sage. Not only fear for the safety of the main characters, but will root for their survival, but will Joy, Pearl and May survive the devastation of China’s new regime or will they perish along with millions of others?

Sometimes you come across a book that touches your heart, whether through a moving story-line, a narrative so beautifully heartbreaking it smothers you emotionally or a character or characters so absorbing you can’t quite put the book down – Lisa See’s Dreams of Joy is one such book.

This is a must read and highly recommended for anyone who wants to be vividly transported historically back in time - Lee allows readers to explore the details of the Maoist era (1958-1962) without restoring to dull dry statistical facts, as she unleashes a story about the worst catastrophe in China's history, and one of the worst anywhere; but at the same time provides a story about the love, loyalty, devotion and strength of a family.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Worst Thing

2011-08-22T19:43:00.000-04:00

The Worst Thing by Aaron Elkins

Genre: Suspense - Mystery

Publisher: The Penguin Group

Publication Date: May 2011

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

The Edgar Award winner and author of the Gideon Oliver mystery series, Aaron Elkins is back with The Worst Thing, an exciting new stand-alone novel of mystery and suspense that illustrates how quickly everything can go wrong when you ask--what's the worst that can happen?

In this novel the author ventures deep into the mind of Bryan Bennett, a designer of hostage negotiation programs, and chronic sufferer of some serious panic attacks. Bryan recalls in detail about being abducted at the age of five and imprisoned in a Turkish dungeon - this resulted in Bryan harboring an unbearable fear of being kidnapped. Although it’s been over thirty years since the kidnapping, Bryan still can’t seem to deal with kidnappers in hostage situations - one would think he'd opt for a different career in a totally different field. Instead he allows his fear of enclosed spaces to control him and refuses to travel outside the safe confines of Redmond, a once relatively sleepy little town outside of Seattle.

But with the help of a therapist, his wife's overwhelming desire to travel - beyond the radius of their own residence, and armed with a life-time supply of Xanax, Bryan agrees to teach a corporate kidnapping seminar in the unusual setting of Iceland.

As the story takes place primary in Iceland the author allows the reader to share in the adventure of a different culture through his descriptive prose, somewhat like a visiting tourist. Learning about Icelandic delicacies - minke whale, smoked puffin, and Icelandic lamb; Getting lost on the Icelandic streets Bolstaoarhio, Braedraborgarstigur and places like Kópavegur; or stumbling over all these names - who but an Icelander could pronounce, including those of some of the characters, e.g., Stig Trygvasson and Dagnyár Eyjólfsdóttir.

The novel is fast-paced and well-plotted as the story moves to a twist-filled ending and the protagonist does confront what he imagines as “the worst thing" when a group of radical soldiers actually take him hostage - and it isn't until nearly the bitter end, that Bryan realizes he just might be his own worst enemy. The Worst Case is an interesting an enjoyable read that has appeal for intermediate and adult readers, alike.

Aaron Elkins is the author of 14 previous Gideon Oliver novels and two stand-alone thrillers. His work has been published in over a dozen languages. Aaron and his wife currently live on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, and have collaborated on other mystery novels and short fiction.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Dead Detective Agency

2011-08-14T17:30:00.000-04:00

The Dead Detective Agency by Peg Herring

Genre: Detective Mystery

Publisher: LL - Publications

Publication Date: April 2011

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Peg Herring's novel, The Dead Detective Agency, is the first case in The Dead Detective Mystery Series. Herring writes a stimulating, though somewhat improbable, detective novel in The Dead Detective Agency. Meaning that some of the characters are supposedly dead and the others are seemingly serving as their hosts. And yet, other scenes are somewhat reminiscent of a Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys mystery. And as in the amateur sleuth mysteries, this 261-page detective mystery has some twists and turns that will keep readers guessing right until the end.

The main character, Tori Van Camp, is a vibrant carefree young secretary, who wakes one morning on a luxurious cruise ship, where she is offered anything she may desire, including: food, clothes, recreation, and the companionship of congenial people. The problem is, Tori has no memory of booking a cruise. But what she does have a vivid recollection of is being shot in the chest at point blank range.

With the help of the stunningly handsome Mike and the unnervingly serene Nancy, Tori soon learns the purpose of her voyage. Still, she is haunted by the image of the gun, the crack of the shot, and the malevolent face of the shooter.

Tori is determined to find out who wanted her dead and why? And to do so, she enlists the help of Seamus, and eccentric but somewhat shrewd detective. Together they embark on an investigation. Death is all around, the future is uncertain, and if Tori doesn’t act quickly, two people she cares about are the prime candidates for murder.

The Dead Detective Agency is not only a story of a young woman in search of her killer and the reason for her brutal death, but its also a story of the struggle to find some sort of solace as it relates to the afterlife. Author, Pat Herring touches upon what may occur after death in such a pleasant yet humorous way, with a sprinkle of Christian faith as reassurance, one can't help but be more accepting and less fearful of the eternal life she writes of.

I initially thought this book was going to be a cutesy story geared toward the less than avid reader, but, I must say I was pleasantly surprised to discover through my journey that, The Dead Detective Agency will not only appeal to the garden-variety reader or the teenage reader, but will be of interest to intermediate and young adult readers alike - as well as those with discerning taste for "detective" mysteries.

This is the first book by Peg Herring I have had the pleasure of reviewing. I look forward to the next case of The Dead Detective Mystery Series: Dead for the Money coming soon from LL-Publications.

Peg Herring lives in Michigan and writes both historical and contemporary mysteries. When not reading or writing, Peg loves travel and directing choral music.

Review copy provided by publisher.

When The Thrill is Gone

2011-07-07T10:54:00.000-04:00

When The Thrill Is Gone by Walter Mosley

Genre: Mystery

Publisher: The Penguin Group

Publication Date: March 8, 2011 (first published January 13, 2011)

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Leonid McGill is back, in the third-and most enthralling and ambitious-installment in Walter Mosley’s latest New York Times- bestselling series, The Thrill Is Gone. As he did in his first two Leonid McGill mysteries, the bestselling The Long Fall and Known to Evil, Walter Mosley brings even greater nuance and insight to Leonid McGill, an already classic noir hero. Not only does Walter Mosley create a story with a character so powerful readers will have a difficult time putting the book down, he also creates a vivid and engrossing world of a New York where motives are always suspect and nothing is as it seems.

Leonid McGill, is a tough 55 year old, philosophic private detective – who still works out regularly, his wife, Katrina is having an affair with a younger guy. He has a girlfriend, Aura who has chosen to longer be intimate with him – at least for the time being. His good friend, Gordo (whose presence in the story escapes me) is dying of cancer and staying in the den at Leonid’s house. And to complicate his personal life even more, his stepson, Twill, has dropped out of school for mysteriously lucrative pursuits.

The story springs forth after a beautiful young woman walks into McGill’s office with a stack of cash. She tells him she is an artist, who has escaped from poverty via a marriage to a Billionaire, but is now in fear of her life and claims it is her very own husband who is plotting her demise – the same fate she insist his first two wives met. Although McGill knows better to believe every word a potential client says, taking on the mesmerizing woman with a ghetto sense of style, was just not a job he can afford to turn away.

At first readers may think, this is a simple case of Leonid McGill protecting a client, Chrystal Tyler from her very own homicide, that she alleges her husband plans to commit…but as this mystery begins to unfold, and the suspense intensifies, readers will discover that there’s a lot more drama than initially meets the eye- and not everyone is who they claim to be, nor are they as innocence as they profess.

The pace of the story is quick, with a number of side stories that somehow don’t get in the way of the main story – as a matter of fact some of the characters and the issues surrounding them are downright comical, case-in-point: Chrystal’s husband, Cyril believes he has the ability to will people dead with his mind – had any other writer added this to a novel of this depth, it probably would have just been silly, but Mosley’s gifted ability to include it as an interesting character flaw allowed it to flow with the story as though it were plausible. Even the secondary character’s names emphasizes Mosley’s stylish and gifted flare for words; within the pages, readers will run across characters such as: Hush – a former hit man, an institutionalized character named, Azure Freshstone-Chambers, a Lieutenant Kitteridge, Allondra North, Fawn David, Mr. Shelfly, Tatyana, and a host of others.

This isn’t an awesome novel, nor is it great story, but it is entertaining and a lot of interesting and weird things happen in this story and Mosley is such a wonderful and gifted wordsmith that you don’t notice that it lacks something you can’t quite pinpoint, until you finish reading the book – and that is, it seems to lack originality. In the meanwhile, Mosley keeps readers captivated with his elegant style of writing throughout the course of the novel. Because, When the Thrill is Gone is Walter Mosley at his story-telling best – I think this is a worthwhile and easy read that has appeal for intermediate and adult readers, alike.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore

2011-06-09T14:25:00.001-04:00

Benjamin Hale’s award-winning first novel, The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore, is a relentlessly inventive coming-of-age narrative told from the point of view of Bruno. Bruno is powerfully complex, Bruno had a sexual relationship with his caregiver, Lydia Littlemore, a university primatologist, Bruno murdered someone, Bruno is imprisoned for a murder he can’t bring himself to regret Bruno himself and the outrageous arrogance in which he narrates this, his memoir, is comparable to that of, Humbert Humbert -the vain and vile protagonist, in Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita. There is however, a notable difference, …

Bruno happens to be the world’s first talking chimpanzee, a highly intelligent and articulate species, with an ever-expanding vocabulary. This stunning debut novel chronicles the extraordinary events that lead to his imprisonment for murdering a man… The subject matter is serious in nature yet it includes humor, violence, heartbreak and perversion. Bruno’s fictional memoir stands apart for its brilliant and striking expression of what it feels like to be human – and finding one’s own voice.

As for the sex, “It’s not bestiality,” said Cary Goldstein, the book’s editor at Twelve. “It’s love.” I suspect many will consider that to be a matter of individual opinion. There is no doubt that this will get a lot of attention and provoke a lot of conversations throughout the literary world of publishers, readers, and authors alike.

The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore is a compelling and remarkable debut novel by a noteworthy and gifted young author. It is an ambitious, enjoyable, yet lengthy debut novel; still, Hale’s skillful ability as a storyteller cannot be ignored. This is a novel that has appeal and is more appropriate for adult readers.
Review copy provided by publisher.

One Flight Up

2011-05-03T18:18:00.019-04:00

One Flight Up by Susan Fales - Hill

Genre: Drama

Publisher: Atria Books, A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc

Publication Date: July 2010

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Susan Fales-Hill is an award winning television writer and producer who has worked on shows ranging from The Cosby Show to Suddenly Susan. She is the author of the critically acclaimed Always Wear Joy. And now, Susan Fales-Hill has written a fun, New York story that has all the elements a good novel should have, love, lies, lust, betrayal and perhaps hope – readers won’t want to put it down, not until the very end! One Flight Up is a dramatic-comedic romp through the boardrooms, and bedrooms of Manhattan and Paris.

Atlanta, New Jersey and New York housewives meet the wives in, One Flight Up. India, Abby, Esme, and Monique this intelligent spirited foursome have been friends since their days at Manhattan’s Sibley School for Girls. All grown up now—they seem to be living ideal lives, until the happily ever after fades and they find themselves at the crossroads of their lives, each with her own set of troubles, and suddenly craving more.

It’s not a throw your head back and laugh until you get a cramp in your side, nor is it a grab the box of tissues and boo-hoo type of story – what it is, is a refreshing diversity of characters who at first glance appear to be nice, wholesome and a lot of fun to be around, but perception and truth are miles apart when it comes to this foursome – lying, deceitful adulteress women of means, is a more accurate description. The author provides a lesson in high-end fashion as she continuously name drops throughout the novel: Chanel clothing, Frette sheets, Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags, Cariter watches, Verdura Maltese Cross bracelet, Van Cleef & Arpels – as well as taking the reader on a very descriptive tour of Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore an exclusive fashion street in Paris.

The story follows the straitlaced main character, India Chumley, a super smart divorce attorney with a charming French boyfriend, Julien. India is initially offended by her friends’ illicit activities. Yet when her ex-fiancé, the love of her life and the destroyer of her heart, resurfaces in New York – she finds herself caught between the dependable man she thought was her future and the man she never quite got over. Although she’s taken the plunge by moving in with French chef Julien, she’s also keeping her own apartment – and keeping it a secret from Julien.

Abby Rosenfeld Adams is a devoted wife, mother, friend and irrepressibly upbeat gallery owner who married her college sweetheart, a passionate but tormented sculptor. After confirming her husband’s affairs, she finally realizes that perhaps there’s more to life than reassuring her husband of his artistic brilliance and she does so, by committing her body to another man, on a regular basis.
Monique Dawkins-Dubois, a successful gynecologist, is married to a powerful but dull financier who barely notices her. But when an attractive coworker summons, Monique can’t help but be flattered. She throws caution and almost her career to the wind as she satisfies her sexual desire for attention.
Esme Sarmiento Talbot is a Colombian Scarlett, who is bored with her proper Connecticut life and her, tame, all American-husband. Esme lives life on her terms at full speed and to satisfy her hellacious sexual appetite, she escapes to Manhattan and indulges herself with casual encounters in a style similar to a man with an out of control libido.

Although none of the women seemed overly burdened by a conscience telling them to stop their extramarital activities – Eventually, all of the women just may have to face the consequences of their actions – but do they really and will their relationships survive? The answer to those questions, lie between the pages of One Flight Up, as something for the reader to discover.

Because the story starts out featuring intelligent strong-will independent women with purpose, I would have preferred that the story had not succumb to the stereotypical chick lit mode by having the women weaken and salivating over a romp between the sheets – and almost incapable of thinking because they are totally engrossed in a man, a man that’s not even their significant other. However, the author may have chosen that route in an effort to show that even the strongest women may still have insecurities.

One Flight Up is an insightful and easy read that has appeal for intermediate and adult readers, alike. Interestingly, Hill treats her subject with a dose of humor, but also reaffirms the value of morality and love – giving this book all the elements needed for a Lifetime Movie. But until that happens, it might be a good idea to pick up a copy of One Flight Up, for a light summer read.

Review copy provided by publisher.

Deadly Ties

2011-04-18T21:22:00.000-04:00

Deadly Ties by Vicki Hinze

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: WaterBrook Multnomah Books

Publication Date: Feb 2011

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey, BloggingForBooks.com

Deadly Ties is the thrilling second novel in the Crossroads Crisis Center series, the sequel to Vicki Hinze's Forget Me Not.

In this fast paced suspenseful action filled gripping story of pain and forgiveness - Lisa Harper is the focus - she is battling her past and trying to build a life and perhaps have a future that includes happiness and a long overdue relationship with her mother, while Mark Taylor her protector, is struggling with Guilt.

After the death of her husband, Annie, Lisa's mother marries a horrible man , Dutch Hauk, out of desperation. Dutch is not only a extremely controlling, but he is an abusively cruel human being - who wants only the worst for Lisa and her mother.

Lisa Harper was abducted at the age of 7 but managed to escape her abductor yet hasn't seen her mother for almost 13 years. Now years later, Lisa has made sure she is trained and ready should her abductor ever returns - return he does and with a vengeance!

Mark Taylor a Special Operations Officer with the group "Shadow Watchers", is now the chief of security at the Crossroads Crisis Center and has been assigned to protect Lisa and her mother - and somewhere along the way, he started falling in love with Lisa. However, Mark has issues of his own and isn't certain if he deserves the love of someone. He does all he can to make sure Lisa and Annie are safe and goes above and beyond the call of duty to protect them, but will it be enough to bring down Dutch?

Author Vicki Hinze keeps the action moving, the tension at it's peak, and the plot twists spinning as the story goes beyond rescuing Annie and Lisa from the clutches of an abusive madman to the international problem of human trafficking and a multinational crime organization called NINA. Not only must Mark risk his life for Lisa and her mother to survive, but even more difficult for him, he must trust God. Equally as important, can Mark and Lisa untangle the deadly ties before it's too late?

If you enjoy action packed intrigue with a bit of romance, Deadly Ties will make a nice addition to your reading collection.

Review copy provided by publisher.

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

2011-03-19T15:05:00.003-04:00

The Lincoln Lawyer

119 min - 18 March 2011 (USA)

Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense

Director: Brad Furman

Writers: John Romano (screenplay), Michael Connelly (novel)

Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei and Ryan Phillippe

Distributor: Lionsgate Films

Criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller signs on to defend slick real estate agent Louis Roulet.

Best selling author, Michael Connelly's novel The Lincoln Lawyer emerged from a real-life "back seat" lawyer Connelly once met. So it came as no surprise when the novel, The Lincoln Lawyer was optioned for a big screen adaptation starring, Mathew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei and Ryan Phillippe.

After a string of sappy romantic comedies, actor Mathew McConaughey finally returns to the screen with some serious acting , a splash of charisma and a drop of his down home Texan drawl - in this gripping legal thriller. As criminal defense attorney, Mickey Haller, McConaughey displays a combination of swagger and laid-back sarcastic wit - which is where McConaughey really shines - he is definitely suited for this role.

The Lincoln Lawyer is a story about Mickey "Mick" Haller (Mathew McConaughey), a California lawyer with the skills of a (street) hustler which he uses to manipulate the system, his clients and anyone or anything else to benefit his clients' case(s). Some of his "associates" include a rumpled private eye Frank Levin (William H. Macy), Earl (Laurence Mason)his loyal driver, and his on-call bikers with special resources.

Contrary to the film's title, "The Lincoln Lawyer", Mick is not literally working out of the trunk of his Lincoln Continental - he is more or less wheeling, dealing, and finalizing some transactions from the backseat while on the road, but the majority of his business is conducted in the courthouse and other venues where the action occurs.

Mick was not initially eager to take on a case brought to his attention via a tip from low-life bails bondman Val (John Leguizamo), but when the potential of a big payoff is thrown into the mix, Haller is reeled in, and takes the case of pampered, rich Beverly Hills, "golf-playing-ass", Louis Roulet (Phillippe), who claims to have been framed for the brutal beating of a prostitute he met in a bar.

During the initial meetings, Louis is convincing in his plea of innocence and the case looks like a slam-dunk for Mick. However, in the course of finding out more about clean-cut Roulet, attorney Haller becomes less and less convinced his client - is the innocent framed rich boy Louis and his control-freak of a mother Mary Windsor (Frances Fisher), a real-estate mogul who believes that money can be usefully thrown at any problem - claim him to be. Moreover, Roulet takes the attorney-client privilege concept a bit too much to heart, as his actions reveal less of a frame for assault and battery to something even more sinister.

The underused Marisa Tomei as the long suffering prosecutor from who Mick is divorced - is still willing to help him out on occasion, brings some realism into the story as the mother of their daughter. Along with that, you can't help but be truly appreciative of Director Brad Furman who wisely involves actual events and shoots areas of Los Angeles that haven't been shot a millions times before.

According to some reviews, The Lincoln Lawyer fails to engross the audience - I disagree, I thought the film engaged the audience's attention as Mick becomes more humble as he feels compelled to rectify the verdict of his arrogant client and at the same time, redeem his wrongly accused former client Jesus Martinez (Peña) who waits out a life sentence in San Quentin. I also do not think the audience will find all the twist unsurprising. However, I am in agreement that the roles of the other actors, (Bryan Cranston, Michael Pena, Michael Pare, Trace Adkins) could have been made better use of in plot development. Yet, I'm torn with that concept as well; because perhaps in doing so, the movie would have grown too many legs and walked us through a lengthy unending series of events. That said,

The Lincoln Lawyer is a substantial crime-laced drama worth seeing. It is a well written story with first-rate acting, that offers plenty of intrigue.

Lioness Arising - Is Considered A Motivational Achievement

2011-02-16T18:28:00.001-05:00

Hardcover: 222 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 21, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307457788
ISBN-13: 978-0307457783

Synopsis

In Lioness Arising, Lisa Bevere inspires women of all ages to wake up to what God is stirring in their hearts, revealing that women, like the female lion, can rise up in prowess and impact their world.

In Lioness Arising, author and "Motivational" speaker Lisa Bevere uses the lioness as a metaphoric symbol for women, in challenging them to discover their passion and purpose as she has done - by rising up and taking hold of the power God has given them, and by waking up and changing their world.

The author offers Lioness Arising as a vehicle to empower women to realize their strength, courage, and direction with a significant amount of biblical verses interwoven throughout her motivational message.

I find Lioness Arising to be a testimony to the author's own ability to wake up and change her world. To finally escape from behind her husband's shadow. After all, she states that she wanted to recover some of the strength she'd forfeited while trying to fit in as the pastor's nice Christian wife. She was tired of being thought of as weak and whiny. And like so many, she was looking for her own identity from her spouse and children, and perhaps seeking some self-worth and validation. She finally managed to wake up...

To discover in an intense dream or out of body experience of a lioness - a vision and message sent by God. To become, a motivational speaker to women. She goes on to share that she was only a stay-at-home mom with a dysfunctional past..and now here was God telling her she was destined for more.

The author appears by her own admission to have been a timid individual who finally found her voice and wants the world to hear what she has to say. " I was terrified by almost everything outside my control and intimidated by the majority of people I met. I found strong, dominant women especially frightening." Apparently, she morph into a lioness with the strength to motivate.

Although I think she attempts to do so, and I may have missed the section where Bevere actually explains the nature of achievement - I find that she merely shares her lioness dream, accomplishments, travels and gives women encouragement to ban together and do the same. And that in itself is not a bad achievement, for a once timid and frighten woman.

My overall opinion of motivational books is:

Most motivational books are selling something, a theory, an experience or an idea…that is usually geared toward the reader overcoming some obstacle or becoming wealthy by merely using the methods outlined in the book. And as with a good number of motivational books, the author has had some personal experience that prompts them to share it with others, so that they too can experience a breakthrough in their lives. In other cases the author has realized peddling motivation is merely a great way to turn a profit. And sadly, you may not learn the secret to success or happiness, but you WILL learn a lot about manipulation and influence; which is the bases for too many motivational books. In the case of Lioness Arising, the author has shared several of her fears and experiences, but I also think the author is earnestly making an effort to motivate women.

Maybe Lisa's book may not be the one to unlock your life's mystery, but if you look hard enough and want it bad enough, there is some book or something out there, that will. Did Emerson not say, "We become what we think about all day long." That said, if you continue to listen and think about motivational messages, like those shared in this book, you will at some point become motivated, therefore, the author has accomplished their goal.

Recommendation:

I have no problem recommending this book, to women especially to those with low self-esteem issues who are seeking some reassurance that they can find their inner strength and overcome someday. Because if you try, you can actually "change your (place in the) world."

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review - However, the opinions are mine."

The Roommate - A Review of A Lazy Attempt

2011-02-06T18:14:00.005-05:00

The Roommate (2011)

93 min - Drama | Thriller - 4 February 2011 (USA)

Director: Christian E. Christiansen

Writer: Sonny Mallhi

Stars: Minka Kelly, Leighton Meester and Cam Gigandet

It would be easy to say that The Roommate is a lazy attempt at a remake of the 1992 movie, Single White Female without claiming to be, but it isn't really…. Because at least Single White Female was more of a psychological thriller in it's day, than The Roommate is in today's industry. Here in 2011 I expected a bit more. I actually looked forward to an upscale version of SWF, I was mistaken, because sadly, apparently mundane and unimaginative are enough for the writers of The Roommate , it seems they don't wish to entertain, let alone engage their audience. That said, let's go...

Summary: A story about a freshmen college student, Sara (Minka Kelly) and her obsessed psycho roommate, Rebecca ( Leighton Meester) who feels the need to remove everyone from Sara's path, her newly aquired BFF - a destination established by Rebecca and by Rebecca alone, after only two days.

As much as I like a flick with a demented chick, I must admit, there was something lacking in this - a movie I truly thought was going to offer so much more than it did …I like the concept of the movie because I was able to see what it could have been, through the glimpses of the psychotic potential shown by way of the character, Rebecca. However, It was basically a hoe hum type of movie. Sara (Minka Kelly) who is about as interesting as soggy white bread or peeling paint - doesn't matter which you associate her with, it's still the same., she goes to her second choice college because her inapt boyfriend, Jason did not initially get accepted into Brown as she did, so they break up and she goes on to the other college - and just to piss her off or the audience - who knows, Jason finally gets accepted at Brown, but only after Sara goes on to the other school. Mind you, this information regarding Jason is provided via cell phone messages, and Sara's need to tell all her business to someone she does not even know, of course that would be, no other than the lovely Rebecca. Sara ends up tied to Rebecca (Leighton Meester) her roommate who is about as private and withdrawn as Sara herself, but with a spicy twist - she's insane, well not really, she's suppose to be on medication, but apparently doesn't actually take it - the audience will not know why.

Perhaps it would have been better, or at least more exciting if the story would have concentrated on Rebecca as oppose to Sara. There should have been more of a back story written for Rebecca, because the audience really could have benefited from knowing what happened in Rebecca's pass. Though there was the brief unannounced trip to her parents house during the Thanksgiving holiday, the scene briefly eluded to the parents being quite afraid of their (un)medicated-behind daughter, as did a trio of young women she probably attended high school with, there was no real insight or depth to that portion of the movie, or what part those characters played in Rebecca's past life or present condition. This back-story, had there been one, could have been a serious opportunity to push the story forward and would have provided a more anticipated climax.

Oddly, the movie has Sara not wanting to go her parent's loving home because she just could not be bothered with the sadness felt for her older sister who died when Sara was nine, no cause given , instead she opts to hang with boyfriend, Stephen (Cam Gigandet) until Rebecca changes those plans - with the bunny in the pot scene (Fatal Attraction). Oops! I mean kitten in the clothes dryer… same difference, but not!

This movie had so much more potential of being a true psychological thriller had the writers allowed Rebecca's deranged character to shine, instead they focused on the dullness of Sara which brought true dullness to the movie. Their targeted audience obviously was the teen audience - hoping for a lack of attention span, which for this particular movie was a mistake - those connected with this film seem more focus on targeting the high volume audience for increased ticket sales, as oppose to providing an exciting and enjoyable movie to an overall audience.

Yes, I've left out details about: Danneel Harris as Irene, Billy Zane as Professor Roberts and Alyson Michalka as Tracy - considering the storyline choose to leave these potentially great supporting characters out of the story. Truly, these characters could have really help to carry this movie to it's full potential.

I think perhaps the wrong part of the script ended up on the editing floor. Not certain if they wanted to showcase Minka Kelly as a leading actress or what, but it did not work well for this particular vehicle; as her character was too dull to carry what was suppose to be a thriller movie, that fell short of it's mark. Did I like the movie? Let's just say, I like what the movie could have been and leave it at that. See it for yourself….

This is my opinion, and opinions are free - attack it if you wish...

Black Swan - Movie Review

2011-02-05T22:54:00.019-05:00

1 hr. 43 mins - Drama | Thriller - 3 December 2010 (limited)

Starring: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky

Produced by:Bradley Fischer, David Thwaites, and Jennifer Roth

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Movie Tag: Black Swan is, A very dark Intense melodrama, about a young ballerina who's fragile mental state deteriorates when she feels threatened by the talent of a new intoxicating dancer who has joined the company.

Black Swan, follows the story of Nina (Natalie Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like most of those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance.

Nina is first choice, when the company's director, Thomas (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace his once "Little Princess" now aging, prima ballerina, Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) in his big production of Swan Lake. Nina just needs to get in touch with her dark side, and does with a reckless abandonment that nearly destroys her and possibly others around her.

I realize this movie has been nominated for a few Academy Awards, Best Actress, Best Picture and Best Director - However, I struggled to fully enjoy this movie. It seemed to be a re-hash of a ballerina's struggle with perfection, a eating disorder and an over-barring parent and/or coach. The notable difference with this version is it played out in a more hallucinogenic world.

Following a storyline is crucial in engaging the audience while allowing them to be entertained. I feel most audience members will find it somewhat difficult to tell when the characters are hallucinating and when they are not; making it difficult to enjoy.

Another interesting tidbit; They aren't jumping for joy over the (undeserving) Oscar nominations, instead they seem to think they are actually deserving of even more, apparently the fashion world threw a fit, because the Mulleavy sisters were not part of the Costume Designers Guild, they were not even eligible for an Oscar for best costume. But as someone pointed out, for this to have been a psychosexual, modern-day version of Swan Lake, Black Swan’s tutus were remarkably unimaginative — the kinds you would find in the most conventional ballet production.

It is a strong possibility that I may stand alone with my assessment of this movie, and Black Swan may or may not warrant one’s attention, either way, in my opinion it was not spectacular nor a masterpiece. Swan dive is more like it….

The Jesus Inquest - A Book Review

2011-01-30T21:53:00.000-05:00

The Jesus Inquest

The Case For and Against the Resurrection of the Christ

By Charles Foster

Published by Thomas Nelson

352pp

In this book, The Jesus Inquest, author Charles Foster presents both sides of the debate for and against the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as both barrister X and Y. In the end he is more convinced that Jesus is real, that He did rise again, and that Jesus lives to offer forgiveness and hope to all who come to Him.

Interesting as the challenges were, I was not looking for, nor did this book do anything to challenge my faith - as I have a strong belief in my faith. However, it did reawaken questions I already harbored. The reason this particular book did not hold my attention as I had wished, was simple - I found it to be somewhat too clinical in nature, which would be perhaps more beneficial for someone involved in biblical studies. It made me feel as if I were at a seminary studying for a Masters in ministry. But this book does have the possibility to stimulate, inform, and provoke readers.

I could only recommend this book to individuals who are considering religious studies, but as far as anyone looking for a recreational read - I definitely could not.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Uptown - by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant

2011-01-28T15:31:00.004-05:00

Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant

Uptown

Genre: General Adult Fiction

Publication Date: March 02, 2010

Publisher: Touchstone

ISBN-10: 1439137765/ISBN-13: 978-1439137765

pp: 352 Paperback

Source: Audible.com

Format: Audible Audio Edition /Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins.

The extremely talented storytelling duo of bestselling authors, Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant, team up again for Uptown, their seventh novel. A unexpected and engaging blend of family lies , control, power, greed, and demons. Uptown is an interesting novel. The added bonus for me, was listening to this story via an Audible Audio Edition - which is actually narrated by the authors, giving a true sense of their intent.

Uptown is a story that centralizes around the drama surrounding, Dwight Dixon a wheeler-dealer in the high-stakes world of New York real estate. A businessman in his own right, Dwight was never able to live up to his father's expectations or gain his approval - a tremendous and seemly impossible undertaking. Dwight always seem to fall short, as his father, a man- clinging to his last bit of power, who had the audacity to dub himself "King." was all too quick to point out, time and time again. Just as Dwight is about to realize his dream, he and his plans hit a brick wall. A wall in the form of ...

A family tragedy which brings Dwight's cousin, Avery Lyons back to Harlem after a 20 year absence; where she learns she has inherited a chunk of property on Central Park North. The very piece of property Dwight needs to complete his mega-deal and fulfill his dreams. Although a 20 year secret binds and separates these once close-knit cousins, Avery is willing to sell—until a reporter uncovers the truth behind the dealings. And not only does the deal start to unravel but, other family secrets are exposed as well.

It was like watching a movie without the benefit of the picture, Uptown, enabled me to experience Harlem up close and personal. The detailed descriptions took me on a journey through Harlem that was both exciting and refreshing the current events blended well with the historical details that the authors seamlessly wove together.

This reading experience is highly recommended. So grab a copy, Uptown is available here, in paperback, audio edition, and in kindle edition.

“I did not received this book for free or any other compensation for this review."

The 42nd NAACP Image Awards

2011-01-25T15:54:00.002-05:00

The NAACP Image Awards is the nation's premier multi-cultural awards show celebrating the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts (television, recording, literature, motion picture and writing & directing), as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors.

The complete NAACP Image Award nominations list is available here or you can go to the website. For This post I have only listed the The NAACP Image Award nominations in the Literature category. My personal favorites are indicated with a red bullet - who are your favorites? Leave a comment on this post. I want to congratulate all the nominees in not only the Literature category but in all the categories.

Outstanding Literary Work -Fiction

• "A Taste of Honey" - Jabari Asim (Broadway Books)

• "Glorious" - Bernice L. McFadden (Akashic Books)

• "Wench" - Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Amistad)

•"Till You Hear From Me" - Pearl Cleage (Ballantine Books/One World)

• "Getting to Happy" - Terry McMillan (Penguin Group)

Outstanding Literary Work -Non-Fiction

• "Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority" - Tom Burrell (SmileyBooks)

• "Hands on the Freedom Plow: Personal Accounts of Women in SNCC" - Editors: Faith

S. Holsaert, Judy Richardson, Martha Prescod Norman Noonan, Betty Garman

Robinson, Jean Smith Young, Dorothy M. Zellner (University of Illinois Press)

• "Surviving and Thriving 365 Days in Black Economic History" - Dr. Julianne Malveaux

(Last Word Productions, Inc.)

• "The History of White People" - Nell Irvin Painter (W.W. Norton & Company)

• "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" - Michelle Alexander (The New Press)

Outstanding Literary Work -Debut Author

• "Wench" - Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Amistad)

• "The Girl Who Fell from the Sky" - Heidi Durrow (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill)

• "The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration" - Isabel

Wilkerson (Random House)

• "Beneath the Lion's Gaze" - Maaza Mengiste (W.W. Norton & Company)

• "Forest Gate" - Peter Akinti (Free Press/Simon & Schuster)

Outstanding Literary Work -Biography/Auto-Biography

• "Conversations with Myself" - Ruth Hobday, Nelson Mandela (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

• "Decoded" - Jay-Z (Spiegel & Gran, a division of Random House)

• "Extraordinary, Ordinary People - Condoleezza Rice (Crown Archetype)

• "I'm Still Standing: From Captive U.S. Soldier to Free Citizen - My Journey Home" -

Shoshana Johnson (Touchstone, An Imprint of Simon & Schuster)

• "You Don't Know Me: Reflections of My Father, Ray Charles" - Ray Charles Robinson,

Jr. (Crown)

Outstanding Literary Work -Instructional

• "A Boy Should Know How to Tie a Tie: And Other Lessons for Succeeding in Life" -

Antwone Fisher (Touchstone, An Imprint of Simon & Schuster)

• "Diet-Free for Life: A Revolutionary Food, Fitness and Mindset Makeover to Maximize

Fat Loss" - Robert Ferguson (Penguin Group USA, Perigee Hardcover)

• "If it Takes a Village, Build One: How I Found Meaning Through a Life of Service and

100+ Ways You Can Too" - Malaak Compton-Rock (Crown Archetype)

• "The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life's Storms" - Kirk Franklin (Gotham Books)

• "The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women" - Elaine Meryl

Brown, Rhonda McLean, Marsha Haygood (Ballantine Books/One World)

Outstanding Literary Work -Poetry

• "100 Best African-American Poems" - Nikki Giovanni (Sourcebooks MediaFusion)

• "Hard Times Require Furious Dancing" - Alice Walker (Author), Shiloh McCloud

(Illustrator) (New World Library)

• "Holding Company" - Major Jackson (W.W. Norton & Company)

• "Suck on the Marrow" - Camille T. Dungy (Red Hen Press)

• "White Egrets" - Derek Walcott (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

Outstanding Literary Work -Children

• "Grandma's Gift" - Eric Velasquez (Bloomsbury USA Children's Books)

• "Mama Miti: Wangai Maathai and the Tree of Kenya" - Donna Jo Napoli (Author), Kadir

Nelson (Illustrator) (Paula Wiseman Books, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing)

• "My Brother Charlie" - Holly Robinson Peete, Ryan Elizabeth Peete (Scholastic Press)

• "Side by Side/Lado a Lado: The Story of Delores Huerta and Cesar Chavez" - Monica

Brown (Author), Joe Cepeda (Illustrator) (Harper Collins Children's Books)

• "The Great Migration: Journey to the North" - Eloise Greenfield (Author), Jan Pivey

Gilchrist (Illustrator) (Harper Collins Children's Books)

Outstanding Literary Work -Youth/Teens

• "Condoleezza Rice A Memoir of My Extraordinary, Ordinary Family and Me" -

Condoleezza Rice (Random House Children's Books)

• "Lockdown" - Walter Dean Myers (Harper Collins Children's Books)

• "Malcolm X: I Believe in the Brotherhood of Man, All Men" - Jeff Burlingame (Enslow

Publishers, Inc.)

• "Out of My Mind" - Sharon Draper (Atheneum Young Reader)

• "One Crazy Summer" - Rita Williams-Garcia (Harper Collins Children's Books)

Go to The NAACP Image Awards website for details and a complete list of the nominees.

Tandem: An interestingly Cute Story of Blood-Draining Suspense

2011-01-10T14:54:00.008-05:00

Tracey Bateman is an award-winning author of more than thirty titles...Tracey Bateman 's novel, Tandem, is a dark plot that swirls around the small town of Abbey Hills, MO and everyone's quest to unravel the truth about the menacing murders that have befallen an otherwise peaceful existence.

It was thought that the blood-draining murders had finally come to an end, after a fire supposedly destroyed the life of the murderer, yet less than a year later and the murders had begun again.

The Sheriff of Abbey Hills, Jill Jenkins and Deputy Charley Baylor may have had an easier chance of solving the murders, but sabotage played a major role in the deadly hunt for the truth. Not to mention, the vampire sensationalism heighten by no other than Miranda, the town's feisty red-haired young busy-body waitress with a blog dedicated to constantly making accusations and offering details pertaining to vampires.

With this particular genre, Author Bateman builds believable characters from the onset of the story, by sharing the personal relationship between Lauryn McBride and her father who has been stricken by Alzheimer's…unfortunately he is fading almost as quickly as his daughter's ability to hang on to him.

Moreover, Bateman provides a poignant description of the life of a vampire, but she uses a humorous style that is perhaps geared to appeal to young adult readers or those not yet members of the vampire craze club.

The author builds on the suspense through the increased tension of the residents who once believed the murders may have been committed by an animal, until several animals were also slay. Oddly the animal slayings became noticeable after the arrival of, Amede Dastillon, the beautiful poised descend of New Orleans wealth. A woman who didn't relish being perpetually 30 years old - especially after the ominous disappearance of her sister, Eden. Is it possible that well-mannered and sophisticated, Amede could have committed the string of mysterious murders while on a malicious vampire's quest for revenge, or was it just a coincidence that the murders increased, after her arrival? Either way, she'd become one of the prime suspects.

Just when they and perhaps you, think you have it all figured out, a number of twists will alter the suspicion that surrounds Amede and others, as 'Things That Go Bump in the Night'.

In Conclusion

Tandem is an insightful and compelling follow up to Thirsty, Bateman's other novel with a interesting twist on the popular vampire craze. An interestingly cute story about some characters that performed seemingly super-human tasks, similar to those in Underworld. However, the reader is also shown their flaws and the strength of intimate friendships, loyalty and relationships.

I found the gentle engaging prose the writer uses throughout the majority of the book, a refreshing change from the hard core sell. And considering the theme of the novel I was delightfully surprised at how it was skillfully delivered without being overly gorgy or stuffed with explicit sex scenes. However, it would have been a much smoother read, had the author not chosen to continually switch back & forth from first-person to third-person, so randomly and rapidly.

I am anything but a fan of the vampire fad, and have no desire to join in on the obsession, but this, my first vampire read was presented in an engaging story of suspense and I rather enjoyed it.

Tracey Bateman. Tandem WaterBrook Press, 2010. 312pp.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review - However, the opinions are mine."

Glorious

2010-12-03T15:01:00.011-05:00

Glorious by Bernice L. McFadden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Glorious
By Bernice L. McFadden
250 pages; Akashic
Audio Version - Narrated by Alfre Woodard
Audio Publisher, Audible, Inc. Length 5h 59m 29s

As much as I love having my books in hardcover format, I can not begin to express how delighted I was with the audio version of Glorious, (downloaded from Audible.com) - Author, Bernice McFadden's adaption of this period was excellent and the narration by, Actress Alfre Woodward was outstanding.

I felt I knew these wonderfully portrayed characters as they came to life; and I became emotionally invested as I experienced them and their plights and issues in this commanding thought-provoking epic of a novel with it's rich historical detail. What I didn't know, I learned from this, and I was reminded of what I already knew.

You may find certain aspects of this true-to-life work of fiction heartbreaking, cruel, nerve-wracking, and more - but you will also find it difficult to put down, because it will grip and hold your attention from beginning to end.

If you haven't read it or listen to it via audio, you are missing out on a remarkable experience. This is a novel that truly is deserving to be adapted into an award winning movie.

I did not receive a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate my review. The opinions are mine.

*P.S. This Book is Kindle Ready!
and available on Audible.com

View all my reviews

Getting To Happy - But For Readers, Happy Doesn't Come

2010-11-12T00:01:00.007-05:00

Terry McMillan Getting to Happy / 375 pp / Published September 7th 2010 by Viking Adult

I was disappointed and didn't really care for this particular novel, the author spent entirely too much time playing character catch up from the 15 year old (Waiting To Exhale) prequel, instead of developing a more interesting storyline. It was an effort and incredible struggle to get through, as oppose to a comfortable read of familiar characters.

Savannah’s husband turned out to be some porn freak, so she opts for single life again. She doesn’t seem to have changed much – seems her sister has jumped on the bandwagon of quilting her into doing what she wants, like her mother use to do.. Bernadine, who appeared to be reasonably intelligent in the first installment of this sequel, now appears to be somewhat dense, allowing her mega-divorce settlement to diminish, and herself to be swindled by her second husband, so she is addicted to prescription drugs. Robin still hasn’t snagged and bagged a husband, but has managed to become a serious shopaholic; her teenage daughter speaks to her as if they are on the same level. And poor, Gloria who was deliriously happy in her marriage, gets the stuffing knocked out of her heart when her beloved is murdered getting something she needed to finish cooking dinner. In “Exhale”, they were four intelligent, strong, and vibrant women, now they just seem dumb, weak, and lifeless.

And it’s not just what’s happened or hasn’t happened with the characters, it’s the way or lack of how it’s being told. Perhaps that’s one of the problems, she’s ‘telling’ instead of ‘showing’- rule number one, of writing 101. Sadly the writing seemed rather amateurish for a veteran writing of McMillan's standing.

The four main characters and their dialogue are flat. and took far too long 'getting to happy' if they ever did - I had to decline reading the last few chapters, as this book did not catch, hold or spark my interest. The story just seems to go nowhere. I'm not trying to bad mouth this book, it just wasn't for me. I've read other work by this author, and I don't recall having struggled to get through any of the others.

Although there are plans to adapt this into a movie as was its 15 year old predecessor - I cannot say I'm looking forward to seeing this on the big or small screen. But who knows, perhaps it will fare better on screen than it did in print.

Shanghai Girls – An Interesting Head Shaking Read

2010-09-26T12:27:00.005-04:00

Our book club, Circle of Sistahs had the privilege of reading Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See

My goodness gracious, if you haven't read this book, please do. This is such an interesting and head shaking read. Seriously, as you read about May and Pearl, two sisters living in Shanghai in the mid-1930s, who are beautiful, sophisticated, and well-educated - you will get caught up, you will get involved, and most of all, you will be moved.

The girls are living a nontraditional and carefree life of privilege, sadly they are unaware their family is on the verge of bankruptcy, until the day their father tells them that he has gambled away their wealth and that in order to repay his debts he must sell the girls as wives to suitors who have traveled from California to find Chinese brides. But when the sisters leave China and arrive at Angel's Island (the Ellis Island of the West)--where they are detained, interrogated, and humiliated for months--they feel the harsh reality of leaving home. And when May discovers she's pregnant the situation becomes even more desperate. The sisters make a pact that no one can ever know.

As Japanese bombs fall on their beloved city, Pearl and May set out on the journey of a lifetime, one that will take them through the Chinese countryside, in and out of the clutch of brutal soldiers, and across the Pacific to the shores of America. In Los Angeles they begin a fresh chapter, trying to find love with the strangers they have married, brushing against the seduction of Hollywood, and striving to embrace American life even as they fight against discrimination, brave Communist witch hunts, and find themselves hemmed in by Chinatown's old ways and rules.

I really would like to see this book adapted into a movie - as long as it stays true to the storyline as written by Lisa See. Perhaps they can take a page from another book focusing on Women of Asian descent, "The Joy Luck Club" (1989) is a best-selling novel written by Amy Tan. It focuses on four Chinese American immigrant families in San Francisco, California who start a club known as "the Joy Luck Club," playing the Chinese game of mahjong for money while feasting on a variety of foods. In 1993, the novel was adapted into a feature film directed by Wayne Wang and starring Ming-Na, Lauren Tom, The screenplay was written by the author Amy Tan along with Ronald Bass. They had the good sense to have the author write the screenplay and that may have been the reason the movie manage to mirror the book so well. And I see no reason why they cannot do the same with Shanghai Girls.

Did I say, this is a must read for any book club and/or reader? If I didn't say it, consider it said. Read, Shanghai Girls by Lisa See.

I did not receive a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate my review. The opinions are mine.

EAT PRAY LOVE - An Onscreen Travel Blog

2010-08-22T12:16:00.009-04:00

Well, as much as I enjoy a Julie Roberts movie on occasion, dull is what I find myself saying about her most recent movie in which she plays the main character, Liz Gilbert in ' Eat Pray Love' one of those 'find yourself' movies. This movie which is suppose to be about a woman, Liz Gilbert, that has lost her passion for life; was more or less an onscreen travel blog - without action or excitement.

Mini-Synopsis: Liz leaves everything behind, including her (newly) ex-husband, Stephen (Billy Crudup) and her even newer wanna-be-actor boyfriend, David (James Franco) to travel for an entire year. First, she goes to Italy for a few months and rediscovers the joy of eating - I found the Italy experience to be one of the best, if not the only interesting of her experiences in the movie. The second country she goes to is India. In India she supposedly finds her inner peace through prayer and meditation - enough said. The final destination is Bali, where she hopes to find balance - and the way she finds it, you guessed it, she falls in love with a wonderful man that makes her feel alive again. Well, well, well, how else could there be a predictable neat and tidy happy ending without the protagonist falling in love.

Oh, one of the most memorable scenes (for me) in the movie, was when Liz and her buddy (during her India experience), Richard (Richard Jenkins) from Texas who referred to her as 'groceries' because of her appetite, was leaving for the airport. As Liz and Richard were walking, the extras in the background were looking at Liz as if she were Julie Roberts, that was too freaking funny. Of course in the next shot, the movie editor caught the flaw - too late.

I'm glad I used my free-pass to see this chick-flick and I only did so because my copy of the book (which I needed to read for a book club meeting) hadn't come in yet. What I did truly goes against my rules - never see a movie before reading the book it was adapted from; and I don't know how I could ever force myself to read the book now, considering what a snooze I found the movie to be - so I won't, because I just can't.

I did not receive a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate my review. The opinions are mine.

Wench

2010-07-23T20:05:00.003-04:00

Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Wench/Amistad for HarperCollins 2010/290pp.

In her debut novel Wench, a work of historical fiction Dolen Perkins-Valdez explores the relationship between slave owners and their enslaved mistresses. The story is primarily set at, Tawawa House summer resort a real location in the free state of Ohio on a plot of land near Xenia, Ohio. Naturally the open relationships between slaves and their owners, offended the northern abolitionists who also visited the resort, so after four short years, and a number of tragic and cruel events, the resort closed; leaving both slave and their master with some hard life lessons.

The four slave women featured: Mawu, Sweet, Reenie, and Lizzie are from plantations in different states, and the relationships they have with their masters differ drastically.

There's naïve Lizzie a central character who sincerely believes that she and her master are in love. A belief she primarily bases on the fact that she and her master have two children-children whose freedom he refuses to grant, from the relationship he begins with her while she was only thirteen.

And then there are the other three slave women, who have more than a little contempt for their masters, of the three red-haired Mawu's hate is strong, firm, and deep.

The author masterfully accounts how, the four slave women form an enduring friendship during the few weeks in the summer when they are whisk away to the cottages each year. They look forward to catching up on what's going on with their children, family, and life. Although it may have been a glimmer of hope in the darkest corners of their minds, freedom was not a subject discussed, well not until high-spirited Mawu join the group and voices her endless determination to escape. Lizzie can't understand why Mawu can't be still and accept her fate and Mawu can't understand why Lizzie is so willing to accept her fate.

Ohio may have been a free state but the slave women were still anything but free. They just weren't on the plantation but instead at a lovely summer cottage where the master’s wives couldn't see how openly they engaged in relations with their slave women. The women were still required to perform their slave duties and endure the dehumanization their masters and their master's friends put them through, they were still monitored, systematically raped, and even chained on a whim. Only while at Tawawa House they were encourage to pretty themselves up with the tattered old ball gowns of previous white patrons and attend a semi-public dinner and dance.

This novel is a MUST read for everyone. The author reveals the painful pleasures that a slave endures, through some of the most well-developed and memorable characters depicted in print. This isn't a tired old story of slavery, anything but. This story is about families, friendships, love and so much more. It tells of the advantages/disadvantages and relationships the Wenches had with their masters - it tells of an idyllic resort and the summers spent there. This story enlightens the readers to a whole new world. The author has mastered story-telling with this, her debut novel. I'm looking forward to more of the same from her.

I did not receive a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate my review. The opinions are mine.

The Bounty Hunter – rent it if you need to get some sleep.

2010-07-06T12:43:00.006-04:00

Geez, what was I thinking I can not tell you how much I truly regret wasting my $1.07 at Redbox on this so-called “action-romance.” movie. The Bounty Hunter, really?.…. Let’s put aside my opinion of Jennifer Aniston & her limited-talent as an actress (beyond television). What Aniston has had going for her is the media’s constant reference to her connection to Brad Pitt and being a blonde, which for some reason that I still can not fathom Hollywood seems to think solidifies one as star quality – perhaps all of Hollywood should dye their hair blonde and be done.
That said, Unfortunately, any talent Aniston supposedly has was not mustered into this performance. Instead, as usual and for some inexplicable reason, there was more focus on her looks and body in this supposed “action-romance.”
As there are no surprises in this, slow paced “action” flick, I won’t spoil it (any more than I already have) for those who still may actually want to rent it. Butler plays Milo Boyd, an ex-cop, now bounty hunter who’s thrilled from his head to his toes when an old friend drops an assignment in his lap that calls for bringing Nicole Hurley (Aniston), his ex-wife who is a reporter for the New York Daily News, in for skipping bail.
Despite the rumors of Aniston and Butler being an off-screen item during filming, this pair shared absolutely no sparks what-so-ever on the screen; it was as if one found out the other had something they didn’t wish to catch. On-Screen, Milo and Nicole seemed to despise each other so much that it was hard to even imagine why these two characters would have ever been married in the first place. Which truly made it difficult to root for them to get back together — which is usually the central theme of movies of this sort. However, I must admit, I was rooting for the end to be quick and painless as possible. Alas, it was not – it dragged on at a very slow pace.
He captures her, she escapes. He finds her, he loses her. She needs his help, he needs her help, blah, blah, blah, you know the routine.
Oh, the twist? if you can call it that, is Nicole (Aniston) needs to get away from her bounty hunter – ex so that she can follow up on a story lead, surrounding the mystery circumstances of a suicide that was something more menacing than a suicide; and of course, only a cracker-jack reporter such as Nicole along with her boarder-line stalker co-worker, can solve it.
Recommendation, rent this when all else fails. Or you need to get some sleep.

Death at a Funeral Delightfully Generates Laughter

2010-04-18T12:30:00.006-04:00

Surprisingly, Chris Rock and Martin Lawrence were relatively the straight-men in this 2010 adaptation of the 2007 British film of the same name. So don’t look to them to bring their usual stand-up brand of humor to this film, instead look to these two comic giants to graciously tip their comedian hats to an ensemble cast that mesh extremely well together; not to mention, Director Neil LaBute smoothly orchestrates the flow of screwball action.

This adaptation is almost a scene-by-scene remake of a 2007 British movie with the same title, and the mysterious guest Frank is played by the same actor, Peter Dinklage , and he's even funnier this time around.

What was meant to be a respectful solemn service quickly turns into a fiasco, when dysfunctional kinfolks reunite to mourn the death of Aaron (Rock) and Ryan (Martin Lawrence) beloved father. While mourners gather at the family home, the descendant’s sons find out that their father had been living on the down-low, and to add insult to injury, their father’s 4-foot tall gay lover shows up, expecting them to pay him generously to keep silent about the affair the sons have a hard time believing ever occurred.

One of the back-stories that makes this comedy stand-out stems from Cousin Elaine (Zoe Saldana) not knowing that a bottle labeled "Valium" contained a next generation hallucinogen concocted by her brother (Columbus Short) when she gives one of the pills to her boyfriend, Oscar (James Marsden). Marsden takes an old gag of his character, Oscar accidentally freaked out on drugs to bizarre heights, and has the audience doubled over in their seats with laughter.

The widow, Loretta Devine comedic timing is flawless as she seems to acquaint her husband’s death with the absence of a grandchild, a child Aaron’s wife, Michelle (Regina Hall) is so desperate to have, and attempts to get her husband to fertilize her during the midst of absolute chaos. And as for Danny Glover he is over the top as crabby Uncle Russell, who could easily make a saint want to push him down a flight of stairs, wheel chair and all. There is so much more to say about this film but time and space do not permit, just know that Death at a Funeral is delightfully amazing and generates belly-roll laughter.

Why Did I Get Married Too, Is Worth Seeing Too

2010-04-04T12:35:00.004-04:00

Although Tyler Perry's latest couple's retreat theory adaptation was not screened for critics, who knows why the heck not, perhaps because his movies are critic-proof; but regardless of critics and certain audience members not giving this movie the chance it deserves along side the others, it is an entertaining positive portrait of upper-middle-class life, and to top that off, despite critics and nay-sayers, it still earned over $30.1M at the box office during its opening weekend.
Tyler Perry has ascended to the status of media mogul on the strength of his combination of Christian morality, slapstick comedy, and soap-operatic melodrama. In 2005, his play DIARY OF A MAD BLACK...Tyler Perry displays his strength as a media mogul while using a combination of comedy and Christian morality, in this sequel to his 2007 “Why Did I Get Married” Perry continues to provide his audience with positive portrayals of (African-American) characters and family-friendly-subject matter, this film can actually appeal to a broad audience if given a chance beyond the color structure, because the subject matter is universal, and features an engaging cast.
The synopsis of the movie is that, four Atlanta couples who have been friends since college take their (second) annual one-week therapeutic retreat getaway, this time to the Bahamas, to evaluate their marriages and improve their relationships. Terry (Tyler Perry) and Dianne (Sharon Leal) are blissfully happy – but are they really, with two little kids at home. Angela (Tasha Smith) and Marcus (Michael Jai White) fight constantly, probably because she suspects that he's a serial cheater and she's clearly a belligerent lush – but is there something that lays beneath the surface that isn’t known to the other or both. Patricia (Janet Jackson), the bestselling self-help author, and her husband, Gavin (Malik Yoba), appear to be happy but are obviously concealing something, other than the fact that they don’t have the picturesque marriage she portrays they neither have nor the one he claims he wants them to have. And Sheila (Jill Scott) is there with her new husband, Troy (Lamman Rucker), a decent man who's a welcome replacement for her ex loathsome Mike (Richard T. Jones), but Troy appears to be concealing a secret he doesn’t want his spouse to share with the others. And speaking of the ex, Mike, he has the nerve to show up unexpectedly and unwelcomed. But the real melodrama begins when the couples get back to Atlanta, as Mike has an even more shocking and more disturbing secret to share with Sheila and the others. Which almost pales in comparison to the dramatic conclusion of events surrounding the other couple(s), including and especially… Ooops! lets not give this away to those who’ve not had the opportunity to see this entertaining movie.
The movie is enjoyable, it was not as predictable as part 1 or as so many other sequels and movies are, there are indeed some twist and turns not anticipated in this one. Although audiences will doubled over with laughter, they will indeed appreciate the dramatic intensity from the characters & storyline as well.

Camilla's Roses

2010-03-30T21:49:00.008-04:00

Camilla's Roses by Bernice L. McFadden

I don't know how I missed this particular book in 2004, because I thought I had read all of Bernice McFadden's novels. Needless to say, I checked it out of the library and I'm currently reading it now, and I must admit, I am intrigued as to what will become of the remaining characters, as I've already witnessed the destruction of a mentally challenged woman's beauty inside & out, following a terrible accident that claim the lives of her husband and unborn child... Oops, I don't want to spoil it for others.

However, here's a synopsis of what this book has to offer: Camilla has been estranged from her unruly family since she went to college, leaving behind a drug-addicted mother, a grandmother raising scads of abandoned grandchildren, and an addled great-aunt. Ashamed of her family and her race, she lightened her skin and adopted a false background. She is living a complete lie when tragedy strikes, and she discovers... Oops! again, I've said to much.

Bernice McFadden the author of Sugar, The Warmest December, and This Bitter Earth captivates her readers attention and won't let it go until the absolute end of her compelling stories.
View all my reviews >>

I did not receive a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate my review. The opinions are mine.

Say You're One of Them

2010-03-30T12:57:00.007-04:00

Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan
I am enjoying this wonderful literary find on audio. The Author, Uwem Akpan has done such a great job writing & creating such believable characters in this jubilantly acclaimed collection demonstrating the wisdom and resilience of children.
Additionally, the narrators:Robin Miles, Dion Graham, Kevin Free do such a wonderful job of bringing this story to life.

View all my reviews >>

I did not receive a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate my review. The opinions are mine.

Oh Where oh Where Is Scripted TV, Oh Where oh Where Can It Be?

2009-12-23T13:00:00.012-05:00

With reality television shows springing forth at the speed of sound – and multiplying as fast as rabbits in heat - the list is endless with titles from A-Z: A Dating Game to zBlow Out. It is very difficult to select a favorite television show these days, unless its label as a “reality show". It seems every week a new reality show springs forth designed around someone trying to make a come back or remain in the limelight: Flavor Flav, Flavor Of Love or Denise Richards, It's Complicated; or some unheard of trying to make a name for themselves: Jon & Kate, The Bachelor, or Wife Swap. Apparently those that can’t act, do reality shows. Either way, it is becoming all to familiarly boring. Most of these shows are just cookie-cutters of one another, basically if you’ve seen one you’ve seen the other. Ironically, knowingly being followed around by a camera crew, isn’t reality – its really just people performing for a camera at their own home or in a selected setting, footage which is clearly edited for television.

Someone mention that the reason the boob-tube is bombarded with the screaming hollering foolishness of reality TV is because it is cheaper to produce than scripted television. What the heck?! Just because some producers are too cheap to open their wallets does that mean viewers must subscribe to cable or satellite just to see a television series, which is only there in re-run syndication? Although there seems to be an unbelievable market for the annoyance of fist fights, hair pulling, cursing, and name calling; Why can’t they air series that speak to the remaining viewing audience in ways that have an entertaining engaging plot or storyline instead of being reminiscence of a Jerry Springer smack-down episode. There are a few scripted-series on the air, but clearly reality shows outnumber them hands down. Its as though the Writers are still on strike, and they’re throwing anything at the viewers. And what’s being pitched isn’t worth the 30-60 minutes it fills the screen on a weekly basis; just 5 to 10 minutes into one of these reality shows gives one a great appreciation for books. Reading is fundamental and an easy way to escape reality, reality TV that is.
Stay-tuned for additional installments.

Mad Men’s Betty Draper’s Ordeal - Depression or Selfishness?

2009-11-12T13:03:00.003-05:00

You do not have to be a television couch-potato, to become a die-hard fan of Mad Men (aka MM) all it seems to take is your undivided attention to an episode – and you could very well become hooked. Most baby-boomers can appreciate how well the series’ managers to capture the ambiance of the 60s era. And everyone else can just appreciate the opportunity to be transported back in time and experience what they weren’t able to first-hand.
Writer, Susan Weissman’s recent (11 November 2009) article in The Huffington Post, posed a question that ask, if the alluring Betty Draper character would smile before next season’s final episode, Well, since the third season finale aired Sunday 8 November 2009, and it was a tantalizing cliff-hanging finale, with the promise of a phenomenal fourth season; it’s probably safe to say that MM fans are more interested in the start of the fourth season next year, as oppose to the final episode.
As for Betts (as her husband Don refers to her as), she's what some refer to as spoiled and self-centered. Most women like Betty who were so use to having the spotlight shone on them that they can't bare to have anyone else upstage them in the attention category, including their own children - so they create a dramatic/depressed atmosphere, starring none other than themselves. It appears that Betty doesn't smile often because she wants someone to ask her what they can do for her or give to her to make her smile. Perhaps she is frustrated with her life, because she's not doing much to contribute to her own happiness.
Anyway, Betts appears to be going from one open-wallet to another with her latest human-ATM, Hunter, the only thing is, she's not really taking much to the table is she? No, she's a pampered brat who does not work outside the home, but has the nerve to drink and smoke while watching her housekeeper cook, clean, & care for her children. Yet, she still can't seem to find a way to accomplish any goal she may have had or find anything meaningful to do with her endless free time.

A Writer's Life: TV Main Title of the Week

2009-10-26T11:24:00.000-04:00

A Writer's Life: TV Main Title of the Week

The Indictment of America

2009-10-12T10:02:00.005-04:00

by Russell Simmons

Sometimes I'm amazed that we are still breathing. With the horrible abuses of the animals, the planet and human kind, it’s amazing that we are still here. But now I'm really afraid that our beloved country, America, is standing on its last wobbly legs. I'm worried that the karmic effects of our negative actions will finally come home to roost. Our lack of compassion and love could actually consume us. However, we are still being given signs from the universe, glimpses of hope and opportunities to rise up and live up to our promise. The whole world wants us to succeed. The whole world wants us to lead. The whole world wants us to be the beacon of hope that we all joyously supported on November 5, 2008 when we elected our forty-fourth president, Barack Obama.
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Lush Life

2009-09-10T23:29:00.002-04:00

Upon hearing that President Obama would be covering a substantial amount of literary ground while vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard; I decided to choose one of the five selections on the President’s reading list. I chose Richard Prices’ Lush Life, and I must say I am enjoying it more than I’d initially anticipated. Price’s masterful dialogue is captivating and the story riveting. This 455 pager is a must read.

And if you really want to become immersed, I suggest utilizing Audible.com or another audio-book source to listen while following along in the book. The narrator, Bobby Cannavale used by audible.com for Lush Life is shamelessly by far the most excellent audio match for the author’s text. His expertise almost makes you want to forgo the read, but don’t, because this book is quite worthy of the read. Regardless of which format you decide to choose, just be certain to explore this ‘tale of two lower east sides: one a high-priced bohemia, te other a home to hardship, its residents pushed to the edges of their time-honored turf.’

Mad Men Is On Point

2009-09-08T13:28:00.003-04:00

When Mad Men debuted on AMC in 2007 it quickly became one of the most talked about series on television. The show set in 1960ish New York, focuses on the men and women of Madison Avenue Advertising. The show even made history as the first series to win an Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series; it also won Golden Globe’s Best Television Series – Drama.

One interesting element of the show is that there is a tremendous amount of cigarette smoking throughout each episode, depicting how rampant cigarette smoking was during that era; in the boardroom, the bedroom, and shall we gasp?, even pregnant women; which makes you wonder how/why everyone growing up in the 60s isn’t dead or suffering from cigarette-related cancer of some sorts. The series’ recreation is so on point you can almost feel the burning sensation in your eyes that takes you back to the days of smoked-filled rooms clouded with Camels and Kools.

The show has developed in to such a pop-cultural phenomenon with such a passionate fan base Mad Men continues to surpass everyone’s expectations with each new episode. And the record 4.5 Maddicts viewers tuning into the premiere Season 3, were delighted to learn that the show has been picked up just three episodes into the current season. The captivating world of Sterling Cooper will be back on AMC again next year." said Charlie Collier, president and general manager of AMC. And just in case you’re new to this television sensation -- Mad Men currently airs Sunday nights on AMC at 10pm | 9c.

Even if you’ve not yet become a Maddict fan you may still wish to tune in to catch a glimpse of priceless moments such as the one aired in last night’s episode. The scene begins innocently enough, with an older man walking out of the house carrying three large phone books, chatting with his two grandchildren who are on their way to school; but it’s the look on nine year old Sally’s Draper face as Grandpa Gene presses down on her foot to increase her driving speed from 5 mph to a whopping 25 - 30 mph is one of sheer delightful devilment; as she expertly maneuvers the family’s black Lincoln through the Suburban NY streets during another of her Grandpa’s many escapades; to drop she and her younger brother off at their Grammar school. And if by chance you miss it the first go round at 10pm, the show immediately re-airs in its entirely at 11pm. But the Mad Men Maddicts already know that; so select a time, tune in, and be a Maddict that's on point too.

Sunda Croonquist On The 'Today Show': Comedian Sued By Mother-In-Law Speaks (VIDEO)

2009-08-27T21:43:00.001-04:00

Sunda Croonquist On The 'Today Show': Comedian Sued By Mother-In-Law Speaks (VIDEO)

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Jeremy Piven Wins Broadway Arbitration

2009-08-27T18:59:00.001-04:00

Jeremy Piven Wins Broadway Arbitration

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Captive In 3D Avatar World

2009-06-23T12:47:00.006-04:00

A few short months ago, I was a willing captive in the 3-D avatar chat and instant messenger world. I don’t know when it happened but I had gotten hooked and each time I tried to escape, they just kept pulling me back in. Honestly, at some point I didn’t know how or even if I really wanted to escape. To make matters worst, I didn’t just reside in one avatar world, I resided in two.

On Zwinky.com I made over 50 friends nationwide in a relatively short period of time, and what is there to do in this world? Well, you can chit chat about this and that. Quite a bit of the conversations on this site are relatively for the younger crowd, but if you select your buddies wisely you are able to chat with avatars in your age range.

One of the things that kept me coming back was the wardrobe and furnishings you’re able to obtain from the credits you earn. Although you are able to purchase Zbucks, as they’re called, I preferred to earn mine by visiting different areas on the site such as the park, which is always crowded or by playing games ‘mall dash’ was one of my favorites.

On the other hand, on IMVU.com the 3-D avatar world is quite a different playing field. Within the first couple of days I managed to acquire seven buddies from all around the world, including Trinidad and Brazil. Compared to Zwinky, the avatars in IMVU world are much more animated, and unlike Zwinky the IMVU avatars are able to sit, swim, jump, kick, dance, hug, etc. and are able to interact with other avatars in varies 3-D scenes and realistic looking rooms while they chat. And of course there are rooms for adults only (must verify you’re 21 or over), but I found that some of the interactions in certain areas were a bit brazen to say the least; therefore I opted not to visit those areas.

IMVU 3-D avatar world of chat can also become a very addictive dress up game with so many outfits to choose from, not to mention you have the opportunity to showcase your own creative designs. You can play music during your chats from tracks you select to include in your mix. In your inventory you have hair, make-up, eyes, eyebrows, clothes, pets, actions, and more to choose from. Although my avatar came equipped with a fully furnished modern penthouse, I choose to purchase (using credits) a huge villa, once I furnished it, I invited guests over to show it off, and they loved my newly acquired showplace.

If you’re ever in need of something to do and somewhere (virtually) to go, check out IMVU.com or any one of the many available virtual-world websites. You may find yourself captive in/at a TV studio, cruise club, bowling, police department, airline, etc. There are so many rooms to explore and approximately 50,000 people online at any given time to hang out and have fun with. Be forewarned, the avatar world can become addictive.

Just prior to this post I learned of another virtual world called second life where there’s a community called ‘story mountain center’ it’s a place for Writers. I’ll be certain to check this website out, after all, it may turn out to be a great Writer’s tool. (Wink, wink)