African-American Books

Ever since I read A Heartbeat Away, I did not think it could get any better, but was I wrong. From chapter one this book pulls you in. I don't know why it's listed as a contemporary romance and not a romantic suspense. Rafe and Korrine's story is so passionate that you will have to put the book down and give yourself a moment.

I can't believe that this woman has managed to stay out of my radar. I usually don't take chances with writers I've never heard anything about, but am I glad that I picked this one up. She has totally spoiled me. After reading her stuff, I find myself being so much more critical of other writers. Even my initial fav writer is being critqied. Mrs. Smith can write a book like it's nobodys business. Oh my goodness. This book has so many cute moments and so many "Let me put the book down for half a second and fantasize" moments that it's not funnt. Rafe was so damn perfect. My only problem with her is that she know's she aint right writing about men that we can't find. It's not fair. But anyway, Rafe was smart, attentive, virile. MMM, perfect. I also liked that Korrine wasn't the usual can;t break a nail woman that Arabesque has made the norm. There story is beautiful and it'llbe something that I look to any time I'm in need to getting away.

I am a fan of all Maureen Smith books. She is a great author. I was so excited to read this book from the back cover. So glad I purchased this book. From beginning to end, this was a great read. Never a dull moment. I wish i had read this when it first came out. I definitely recommend this book.

What can I say?....I love Mrs. Maureen Smith's books!!!! Very well written, with suspense and romance. I love how Rafe spoke Spanish to Korrine at the perfect time making her melt. And the love scenes (OH MY GOD), they rocked eachothers world even though there were only a couple scenes. I loved how the characters played out in the story, the book was long but not long enough. I wanted to know how things were going months later. Very very very good book, although Taming the Wolf is my all time favorite. I suggest every reader read that book including A Legal Affair!!!! Thanks for a wonderful book Mrs. Smith.

This was a great book. It was suspenseful to the very end. I enjoyed the romantic scenes as well. Being from the South Texas area I can also state that the descriptions given are very accurate. I have never read any of Ms. Smith's previous books but I am now going to read them. Very good job the reader's will enjoy this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was educational, and heartwarming and a sweet look into the lives of four women who honestly shared the details of their lives.

This is a great read!! This book shows the value of long-time friendships and demonstrates how friends are fun during the good times, but are necessary to help get through the hard times.

These four women share their personal lives with us: their triumphs and their trials. A book that motivates you to call and connect with that close friend that you may not have found time for recently. This is a beautiful story of friendship and the value of sisterhood.

Keep us posted ladies!! We are waiting for Wearing Purple - the Sequel.

There are many touching, humorous, profound thoughts beings passed on in these letters between the 4 women. However, I had trouble following who was who. First, I went to the back and read each author's personal statement. Then I found myself going back again and again. It think it would be helpful to have a "time line" for each of the authors so their letters could be put in a better context.

This book is a marvelous expression of the true love and support that comes only from having good friends. I initially purchased the book simply because I know one of the authors. I wanted to get an autographed copy for my sister. I naturally purchased one for myself as well. It has helped me to refocus on that which brings true happiness, the joy of having a very few good friends who accept you as you are and love you unconditionally.

I truly enjoyed reading about a beautiful, caring "circle" of friends. I hope that through the years I will be able to form a lasting bond with my friends much like the bond that the authors share. Through this book, I realized how precious true friendship can be

Without a doubt one of the Baddest Books that i have ever read.this book talks about my Favorite ERA.it explains the importance of these films&Artists.cuz at the time Tinseltown wasn't happening.the Black Artists here&their Films kept the Lights&Power on.this book sheds Light on Many Topics.the Impact of the Images have Lasting Impact.I'M Glad that Many Artists in the book said that they couldn't stand the term Blaxploitation.I Agree.Hollywood is a Business if the films weren't happening&Making Profit they wouldn't be on display.No Impact,no Word of Mouth they wouldn't be Happening.not everything was cool or worth watching but it was the kind of Charge that is needed to Level the Playing Field.it left a Lasting Impression on Me&Countless others.this is a Must have.very Detailed.

If You don't know about all the '70s films,this book will let you know.I was blown away with this book it's a must have for all black film fans!

I was expecting this kind of book because I'm now deep into Blaxploitation era, but also curious about Black movements of the 60ies and 70ies. In a way I learned a lot of things. A big deception is Ron O' Neal (aka Priest in "Superfly") isn't there, and the authors could also have gotten Tamara Dobson, James Brown, the late Curtis Mayfield and Willie Hutch. But that's life ! A big book, great value for me

I thoroughly enjoyed the artwork in this book. I wish they still made movies like they did back in the day.

Great book about the 70's black movies. I thought I seen them all but this book talked about movies I did'nt know about but would like to see, if I could just find all the videos! The art work alone is worth the price of the book! If you plan or get invited to a 70's party use this book as a guide to get that true afropicking,bellbottom,platform shoe wearing look.

I'm very surprised to see a book like this. And most importantly, finally a black male that has came to the defense of all the black men who are NOT in prison, unemployed, on drugs, or gay, but who has unfortunately been placed under the same category as the "pathological" black male which if often perpetuated by black female writers, the black church, and sensationalized by the media.

Maddox, through his book, places a spotlight on black female behavior, as it relates to poor choices in men (ie: thugs, ballers, drug dealers) they make for themselves while overlooking black men who are honest, hardworking, and intellegent. Interesting enough, these are the same black females that constantly scream, "Where are all the good black men?" Monte lets it be known that we're here, and in great numbers. One of the most powerful statements in his book which exemplifies this is the following,

"The bad black men of this world have been put on a pedestal by far too many black women. Good black men hace no hope or support as long as black women favor the lowest level of the black male species."

The author of the review immediately proceeding this review (the person who thought the cursing ruined this masterpiece) has a problem: he or she apparently ignores introductions. Mr. Maddox spends over a chapter warning the reader about the volatile words and imagery to be presented in the book. Why someone would ignore these warnings, then be shocked and surprised that the book contained the aforementioned "volatile" elements is stunning.In fact, it's more offensive than the language MAddox uses. What the aforementioned reader does is ignore the writer's apparent sarcasm and unusual wit. Is it that hard to figure out that Maddox wanted to create controversy? Sure he could have written a polite, analytical and profanity-free book, but dang gone dude! It wouldn't be that interesting or funny! Hint: If you are uptight or stuffy upper crust intellectuals, you need not read this book because you don't get itand you never will. Thankfully, many of us do. Go back to your coffee table snoozers. Maddox claims the book is like a bull in a China shop, and he means it. Did you think the first chapter of warnings was mistaken or a joke? Figure it out before you pick it up.Then you can save yourself alot of trouble. One more time: This book is hard core! Get it? Got it? Good. This book is a gutbuster. All prudes need not apply.

Monte Maddox is angry. He's ticked off at the black women who have done him wrong going all the way back to elementary school. I have to say that he has a point. There is a war going on between black men and women and it's destroying our community.The images of women in both rap and Hip Hop are revolting. Black women do share a responsibility for taking care of their own lives. He's right but he's so bitter it ruins the book.

There is way too much cursing in the book. It get tiresome after a while and it contributes nothing. It was more like an 8 year old trying to shock his babysitter than a grown man with a serious thesis. 90% of the women in this book are sick, evil or nasty. Why does Maddox keep attracting such low quality women? He never figures it out. His reactions and his violent fantasies about paying them back was scary. There is so much rage in this book I couldn't help but wonder if Mr. Maddox is really the one to offer any constructive advice. It's rather telling that when he finally meets a truly praiseworthy, good, honorable woman he blows it.

yOU HAVE GOT TO READ THIS! Beyond words. Incredibly witty and sarcastic. It will make you mad, make you puke, or make you smile with glee. A big thumbs up!

It seems that black women have been allowed to dump on black men at will. If it isn't Oprah's condescending attitude, it's the "they're all dogs" routine from "Waiting to Exhale". This book puts a stop to the nonsense that black men are handed by black women all the time. However, the author is clever. Even with the outrageous title, the book is as profoundly negative as one may first imagine. I found it insightful, inspiring and pretty danged funny! Spike Lee ought to make this into a movie! What a great book. Too bad more people aren't reading this, and one mroe thing: it has a nessage for mroe than just black folk. EVERYONE needs to read this! Dynamite from beginning to end. One warning: virgin eyes might not be able to handle the numerous references to bodily functions and cuss words--eye opening stuff indeed!

This book is written with such clarity, love and hope. After surviving being shot in the head by her husband, Ms. Morris-Grant uses her total recall of the events leading up to and following that event to give readers a clear understanding of the confusing/contradictory emotions and circumstances that make domestic violence so dangerous and difficult to escape. A must read for anyone who is supporting someone as they deal with an abusive relationship.

Ms. Morris-Grant has truly been through a MAJOR life event and has shared her experience with the world. She is a gifted writer and her story is compelling. As a man, I had no idea that what Ms. Morris-Grant went through would be considered abusive behavior. My eyes have been opened and I am ashamed. Buy this book! It will open your eyes. I await her next book!

I am pleased to recommend "whom Shall I fear" to any and all readers. Ms. Morris-Grant reveals all sides of the story in dissecting her life from her childhood up through the present day in relation to her own self-image and her relationship with herself, God, and, most compellingly, her husband.
She is typical of many women who are abused verbally but who don't know what to do and are actually in denial about the existence of a real problem. Her husband is portrayed as endearing. I found that I, too was as surprised as the author when unappealing aspects of his character pop up. Ms. Morris-Grant strikes a balance. There is no glorification of herself and her actions. She is brave, she is strong, but one never feels that she finds herself to be infallible. Indeed, the flawed and honest portrayal of a wife and mother breaking away painfully, trying to identify the issues that plague her life, and to cope with them is done expertly. You feel as if you know a man who one could portray easily as a monster, as a man who has the chance to follow several roads, but who follows a tragic one. You feel as if you know the author extremely intimately, and she is also a regular woman who has several paths to choose from. She, however, chooses a path filled with light and makes the best out of what could be a devastating turn of events.
For anyone who thought that batterers (or worse) have horns on their head or have 'DANGER' clearly written on them, and who don't understand what goes on inside the life of a victim, here's a great book. to anyone, like myself, who has witnessed abuse of this nature, I say the same. In truth, there is no one who could not benefit from this compelling story.

This is an incredible story of courage, love and strength and a real page turner! After reading this book, I realized that others may try to victimize you, be you never have to "own" victimhood. Ms. Morris-Grant proves this point again and again in her story. She isn't afraid to reveal the truth about herself (all of it), and in doing so, she challenges the conscientious reader to do the same.

While I would highly recommend this book to anyone, I would ESPECIALLY recommend it to women who feel trapped in abusive relationships. Ms. Morris-Grant proves that you can truly rise above even the worst circumstances with faith, love and a continued sense of hope.

I find Lavon Morris Grant to be a very brave and trueful woman and writer. The book is very enlightful for all woman and men also who has been either a batter or battered woman. It lets people know that they are not the only ones out there with that problem. Its makes you stop and think that maybe this is happening to me or someone I know. The book is very helpful to let you know that it's not your fault and you do have choices. I really enjoyed the book and hope that every woman would read it and tell all their friends that it is easy reading.

I had the honor of knowing Suzanne. She's an extraordinary human being, and I'm glad that someone else found her as special as I did. This book is simple, haunting, and beautifully written. Blessings on Suzanne, wherever she may be.

The book came in the maximum amount of time I expected - 2-14 business days from the notice I received from the seller that the item had been shipped. The quality of the item was high, much higher than expected for a used book. It looked brand new and I was very pleased with the item.

This book was a excellent book in the matter that it protrayed another perspective of Jean-Michel Basquiat and let us in on the life of one of his most enduring muses in his short and unfortunate addictive lifestyle and life. The books poetic writings give Jean-Michel and Suzannes life together a hard tragedy instead of a glamorous protrayal (tragedy is the actual matter of fact). Jean-Michel and Suzanne's relationship was truely bizarre and not understanding to the everyday person. People who know or know of Jean-Michel probably never knew the side of him that Suzanne saw, and it is refreshing and wonderful that we were allowed to read such intimate details of their life together. I titled this review "Hearts and Tracks" because the book is full of heart and the heroine abuse of Suzanne and Basquiat (including a discription of his unfortunate death).

This is a surprisingly light read of a heavy topic that gives a unique, inside view of life with the artist, Jean-Michael Basquiat. It is an even better book when read as a success story of a woman who ultimately left an unhealthy relationship. Since it covers her childhood as well as her relationship with Basquiat and her attempts to move away from him you get a little bit of insight as to why she would be attracted to this type of person. When you finish the book you will have learned about the sensationalized artist but you will also learn a story about a very successful woman who wasn't quite as interesting to the public only because she was strong and overcame adversity instead of wallowing in it. She is probably not as famous as her ex-beau because she didn't die of an overdose, but such is our culture.

I have been a fan of Basquiat for a long time. I am an artist as well. I have always been intrested in his life and have a lot of books on him and his art and his life. I found this book to be about a totally different perspective. Not only a womens persepctive but a women who was a muse to him. This book does not paint a glorified Picture of him...or a star struck tragic picture of him. It is about Susan and her plight with life, and him being a big part of it. The book is extremely poetic, very dark, sad, melancholy...but above all MOVING. I read it in less than 24 hours. I applaud Jennifer Clement

Yellow bird and me is about a girl name Doris and she has a friend named Amir that moved away from 163 st.Doris wanted to se him but so she got a job at the Bee Hive. Her mother and father don't like the idea because it seems like they don't have any money. So one day she wrote a poem and her teacher caught her writing it and her teacher will even read it out or throw it in the trash. The teacher told Doris to give it to her and the teacher took it and Doris said it was birds so the teacher gave it to him. While they were in class Doris looked at birds pocket and saw that the paper wasn't in bird pocket any more. Then later she saw her paper being passed around the classroom and being read out loud. Later that day when school was dismissed Doris was walking down the hallway and bird saw her and ran to her and she pushed him away because what he done in class. When Saturday came she was walking down to hive bird stop and said T.T. took the note out of the back of his pocket. So she told him about the job and asked could he be the lookout. So the signal was 1= mother, 2=dad, 3=mrs.nicols, 4=all clear. So when she was done doing the little girls hair Bird ran to the window and put up 3 and there was Mrs. Nicole with her flowed hat walking in the hive.

Doris Quickly ran to the back to the sink and put a rag over her face so that Mrs. Nichols wouldn't see her. Then the girl working at the named carols came over to Doris and asked her why she was hiding. And she said she didn't want Mrs. Nicole to she her.By: Kevon Starke

Southwood Book Club discuss this book in March 2004. And I think this book is a very good and a easy to read.

Dwayne SOUTHWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!

Yellow Bird and Me is a very good book. It is about a girl named Doris and her friend Bird. Doris has a friend that moved away. Doris writes letters to her friend every time she writes a peom. Doris and her friend are very good friends. I like the book because it is funny and I recommend this book to everybody. I've got to say, it's a big big laugh-out-loud. There is nothing that I don't like about this book. This is a very good book to read.

Sincerely,
Organic

Yellow Bird and Me is one of the best books I have ever read (I have read a lot of books). If I had to rate it 1 - 5, I would give it a 5. This is what it is about... Doris has a friend named Amir who moved away. She also has a friend named Yellow Bird, who has problems reading. This is a good book for little kids. ...

I liked the book Yellow Bird and Me. It was hard to put down, but it was boring at the beginning. It was about Doris, who is trying to earn money to see her friend Amir and Bird, who wants to be in the drama club, but he can't read, so Doris has to help him. ...

Great Exercises, in some cases they were challenging. This book really helped me to heal. I'll still refer to it in years to come.

Sometimes all it takes is someone saying something very simple like this to get you to wake up and realize. Dr. Grace is one of the best at what she does. I read the book years ago but forgot to do the review. I wish I still had the book now to reread it, but you know what happens when you let people borrow good stuff. They never want to give it back and you lose touch with them...... GO get this book! ALL WOMEN!

This book hit the nail right on the head. It let me see into my own relationships and I found out what I was doing wrong or what my partner was doing wrong. It was refreshing to find out I wasn't the only one bumping my head in relationships. I INHALED this book within a day and learned so much to make me a better person in life and in my relationships. THIS BOOK OPENED MY EYES. I shared this book with my best friend and within a few pages she was crying seeing the "TRUTH" in her own relationship. Dr. Cornish is a blessing to women that need to hear the truth be told without making us feel less than for making less than perfect decisions in relationships and the pursuit of happiness. GET THIS BOOK!!!!!

I brought this book and read it in two days! Thank God for smart black women like Dr. Cornish, who have dedicated their lives to educating and informing black women on sexuality and healthy relationships. I was just about to make one of the biggest mistakes in my life until I read this book. This should be requried reading in college classes on gender and sex.
Thanks Dr. Cornish.

Kudos and 5 stars to Dr. Grace for writing another spectacular book. No matter what stage you're at in life, you will be able to relate to a least one of the stories in this book. Buy the book and buy it now if you're ready to find and meet your soul mate. Dr. Grace gives a great prescription in her seven steps to healthy love. This book is amazingly uplifting, inspirational and optimistic. Although she includes Christian principals and addresses some of the issues that Black women and men face specifically, don't think for a moment that this book can't be applicable to your life if you happen not to be a Christian or African American. Her message is universal, easy to understand, and practical. Having met Dr. Grace in person she truly practices what she preaches. If your ready to make some lasting and positive changes in your love life this book is for you, go ahead buy it because you deserve healthy love Sis!

"Afroetry is educational and motivational. This interesting book of poetry sparks deep reflection and inspiration."

"It is a wonderful compilation of afrocentric poetry that touches on interesting subject matter that will encourage and uplift, while providing thoughts for readers to ponder."

"Linda Mayfield-Hayes brilliantly utilizes poetic expressions to enlighten readers. Presenting a gentle reminder to all the significant contributions of African Americans."

Afroetry is a wonderfully satisfying collection of poetry by Linda Mayfield-Hayes. In compiling this impressive opus, Hayes has attempted to shed light on the various aspects of Black history & culture that are often ignored by the media and in classrooms, and, after reading even a portion of what she has to share, you'll thank her for her commendable efforts.

As of late, discussions regarding race relations have too often been reduced to the back-and-forth slinging of hackneyed clichés and over-simplified characterizations; in Afroetry, Hayes takes a refreshing dive into real (often uncomfortable) honesty, invoking the reconciliation that can only come through indulgence in real truth. Consider her take on the N-word in her poem, "Nigger":

They call me nigger
I was made in God's image
They blasphemy God.


And this passage from "Modern Day Slave":

Private companies also profit
Off the sweat of prisoners backs
The majority of these inmates
Just happen to be male blacks;


Rather than recycle rhetoric or quote statistics, Hayes aims straight for the heart of racial conflict in America, and does so quite effectively.

Of course, no treatise on Black culture would be complete without a proper sense of history, and Hayes provides numerous historical gems regarding African-American lore, including tales of the Tulsa race riot of 1921, the achievements of Farrah Gray, and even a secret female member of the famed Buffalo Soldiers. She also waxes philosophic on six year-old Ruby Bridges's experiences in integrating Franz Elementary School in "From The Mouth Of A Babe":

President Eisenhower ordered Federal Marshals
To escort her to and from school each day
As she bravely faced the threatening white mob
This is what she would silently pray:

"Please God, try to forgive these people
Because even if they say those bad things
They don't know what they're doing;


To build on its historical commentary, Hayes's collection is also rife with educational nuggets framing the current state of race relations in America. Nowhere else is this more telling than in her stinging rebuke of corporate America in "Unfairness Of Working In America":

"You're an excellent worker" they tell me
"You're really top of the class
But I'm afraid regarding that promotion
We'll simply just have to pass";


She goes on to suggest that entrepreneurship is the best path to take if true economic equality is ever to be attained - and one can hardly fault her in that assessment.

Afroetry comes in at just over 50 pages, but in its brevity is a profundity that many books twice its size often lack. Hayes has compiled a masterpiece of poetic cultural treasures that beckon to be discovered - don't miss your chance to be enriched.

Cathay Williams, Black Wall Street, the attainment of knowledge of self, the elimination of a slave mentality, the Middle Passage, the N-word, a holistic diet - Linda Mayfield-Hayes covers it all in her rhythmic Afroetry. Purposeful, educational and very easy-to-read, Afroetry would make an excellent collection for anyone's library.

Linda Hayes gets two thumbs up for daring to talk about Black History through poetry and from her own perspective. In this short, but deep collection, she introduces readers to many facets of Black History. This collection will poetically speak to you about people like Ruby Bridges, Cathay Williams, and Farrah Gray, a young black man who became a millionaire at the age of 14.

I found AFROETRY to be an easy and exciting read. I enjoyed and was inspired by poems like "DNA: DestiNation Africa," "It Takes a Village," "Second Class Citizens," and "Oklahoma Bombing." This book explores various areas of Black History from African symbols to African traditions and the importance of knowing the truth about history. This author's words are inviting and will cause readers to want to learn more.

AFROETRY is a great read for those who need to be inspired and those who want to be exposed to just a little bit more. But for the Black History lovers and book collectors, the sentiments in this book will stir you up inside and cause you to want to explore. It's obvious that Linda Hayes is passionate about Black History; most importantly, she makes a brave effort to poetically reach back and educate others. Get this book today, not just during Black History Month!

This is an excellent book of poetry. It consists of a variety of poetic forms and styles that are easy to understand, such as acrostic, rhyming couplets, narrative, quatrain, and freeform. The essence of the poems serves as a teaching tool or a memory refresher, depending on one's knowledge of African-American history. Some of the poems have a sense of humor while being very serious at the same time. For instance, the rhyming couplets and message in "It Takes a Village" are outstanding. "Anger Management" really sends an awesome message regarding the existing conflicts in different areas between African-American youth.

There are other ingenious poems in the book, such as, the bombing of the "Black Wall Street" in Oklahoma, which is really an eye opener for everyone (Oklahoma Bombing). "Watch What You Eat" is really a poem to live by because of the medical ailments affecting African-Americans. The Book of Leviticus as stated in the poem has some comprehensive solutions. Linda's faith in God really shines through in this awesome book. The poem "African Burial Ground" in New York is just incredible. I visited the site several years ago and it was just a moving experience. I could write a dissertation on this excellent book; however, one must read it for oneself and feel the humbling experience. I could not put the book down once I started reading until I read the last poem, which linked some of the songs of the unforgettable Luther Vandross into a very thoughtful piece. What a great way to end a book with an awesome and uplifting poem. This book is very poignant and has a positive experience awaiting you. Get your copy today and don't delay. There is an exciting experience awaiting you in the wonderful words of Afroetry!