African Books

What a story! What a writer! I could not put this book down. Colin Channer is a talent. I cannot wait to read his next adventure.

The book was well written, great humor and very relatable for anyone who has ever been in love or would like to be. The only thing is that the cover does not give the book any justice. At first glance you would think its one of those trashy romance novels, however its about more than romance, its about true love and the romance behind it.

This novel was a soulful journey. It connects with the reality of relationships and with all of its struggles and triumph. I was drawn into the characters from the opening page. He tells this tale with a poetic spin. His words unfold beautifully and each character takes on a life of its own. I think readers will find a little bit of themselves in this book. I loved it!

This book is a beautiful experience. It is one of the most passionate and real books that I have ever read. I couldn't put it down and I wish that it was longer. The emotions of the characters are so strong that they leap off of the page. This book makes you want to go out and fall in love and hope that you experience half the passion and true love that these characters experience.

Colin Channer to me is like a modern day Picasso with a pen. His dialogue is compelling, soul-stirring and purposeful and his characters are engaging. You can almost close your eyes and imagine yourself seeing the story unfold as if you were a fly on the wall at a gallery in New York, a beach house in Jamaica, or the Streets of London. This is the mark of a truly great storyteller.

Our main character, Fire, is a "simple" man with a "complex" life. By simple I mean he wants what any sane person would want, a circle of good life-long friends, a fulfilling life, and someone emotionally and physically available to share it all with. So, when he meets Sylvia, he feels like he has found the one. What he doesn't know is that Sylvia, an engaged magazine editor, is all but disengaged from her own true desires for her life. Soon we see that complications abound, and the journey they take throughout the story takes the reader on a cross-continental journey in search of introspection, true meaning and, possibly, true love.

An interesting point is that Channer's characters are written from their souls - what drives them to do the things they do is less about their gender than their emotions and their pasts. With such a multi-faceted story, several layers of conflict, we still get a crystal clear picture and understanding as to why things unfold teh way they do. It is a believable, gripping, page turner, and Channer conveys it effortlessly.

Waiting in Vain, simply put, was one of the two best books I have read in a long time. The other was Satisfy My Soul (also by Colin Channer). As an aspiring writer, I wish my prose was as naturally beautiful as Mr. Channer's. Until it is, I will keep devouring his work in hopes that some of his literary poeticism rubs off.

It is unbelievable that people could kill so many people in such a gruesome fashion. It is even more unbelievable that Immaculee could forgive those killers. This book is about more than just the genocide, it is about the power and absolute necessity of forgiveness. Ultimately, the only one Immaculee could really escape the genocide was through forgiveness. Wonderful book.

Amazing story. I strongly suggest everyone to read the story, it's profound and a real eye opener. As an American, the majority of us have no idea what it's like to be put into poverty and suffering as she and millions like her have experienced.

I love stories that tell how God works in the lives of His people. This story is among the best I've ever read.

Left to Tell is a powerful story of one womens tragedies and survival experienced during the Genocide in Rwanda. This book brought tears and joy to my heart; it inspired me to know that through any horrible and life threatening experience a belief and faith in God will transcend all atrocities man will commit. It is also about how forgiveness can calm and soothe the soul so life can move on with peace in your heart.

I think this is an excellent book, I could not put it down. I ended up reading till 3 in the morning.

If you ever want to get to know a true artist, why not embrace a writer like Dickey. The characters in this book are so relatable that it is almost like your inside the book. There is a play on this book as well same tittle and I strongly suggest you read this book. You can't say your a true book reader without obtaining this novel.

I read this book in 2006 but recently read it again...and I just simply love it. EJD really goes down deep in the soul with Debra, that made me cry!!! I love this book sooo much, it was well developed and the characters realllyyy had some depth to them...this is one of my favs besides 'liars game' and 'the other woman'!!! If you are just becoming a fan of EJD, you need to read this and then move on to others...lovedddddd it!

I have just complete this book and I must say I totally enjoyed it. Dickey captures the reality of relationships in a way that is sooo deep. The petty nuisances, the fights, the lovemaking, the distractions. He also connects on a deeper level by addresing issues which affect us in relationships (childhood experiences, past relationships) that come back to haunt us when we least expect it.

The one thing that was a little off was his time scheme where Debra was only approx 6mths pregnant when tragedy struck which made me wonder if the story was months old or years old. The time lapses needed to be a little clearer. Butttt it was a great read and I could not put it down (completed in two days flat).

I have read this book 6 times and counting (because I will definitely read it again). I just purchased the play last week and it's just as good. The way the story unfolds has you wanting everyone to win. Don't want to give it away but if you are sentimental you will cry, trust me. I am a fan of EJD's books and I knew this would be my favorite one before I read any other ones. A great buy that will not disappoint.

I have had this book for a while but just felt compelled to write a review on it. I have read this book so many times I have lost count. It is a timeless romance that would appeal to black and white, man or woman. This book is just an all around good read. I used to not enjoy reading at all & it was EJD's books that started me into the world of reading. Like a previous reviewer said it is not your ordinary happy ending romance but by the time you get to the end it is well worth the ride. You will laugh, you will cry, you will identify with the characters. If you ever wanted or needed to believe in love, and finding happiness against all odds then this is the book for you. Honestly....JUST DO YOURSELF A FAVOR & READ THIS BOOK!!!

Very moving story about the strength and weaknesses of women (not just black women). It's a story of principle, dreams and nightmares and how you find yourself at the very moment you learn to control both. These women teeter on the edge of self discovery ....all they need is a little push! And it takes inner strength and tough choices to realize sometimes you have to catch yourself.

This was worth reading. It's not full of porn or scandal but a nice read. I enjoyed that the main character was a real person and not the stereotypically ideal "beauty" queen most authors like to use.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If you are looking for an entertaining, suspenseful, drama, this is a book for you. It was a page turner, sometimes hard to put down. Donna and Virginia, keep up the great work, and keep these type of novels coming.

Hooks the reader and keeps them captivated to the last chapter. The characters are multi-dimensional and the story is rich with detail about family, friendship and deceit. Plenty of twists and turns with a few jaw drops.
A must-read! You won't regret it.

Read this book quite sometime ago...enjoyed it a great deal, so I decided I would like to experience it again....on audiobook!

This is truly an outstanding book about a great man. Even though I am a Redskins fan I REALLY enjoyed this book. A very inspiring book. The book covers the life of Coach Dungy from his childhood up through the Super Bowl victory by the Colts. In it are many stories of the challenges and joys he has faced during his life and how he has grown in Christ throughout. I recommend this book without reservation. A great read and a great message.

It's a very good book, I've read better, but that doesn't take away from this book or its message. I won't go into detail, others already have.

Sometimes the irony of a certain situation strikes me as highly profound. The person that recommended me this book happens to be an assistant manager that I work with. She told me how she learned so much from Dungy's life, and how it changed her life. And her recommendation of this book was what convinced me to read it. Yet when the store manager threw her a bone that she didn't expect, she didn't handle it like a professional. She handled it like a little first grader because she didn't get what she deserved, and because life isn't fair. And after reading what Tony Dungy went through, and how he pressed on, I want to press on, regardless of my circumstances. So my goal isn't to be better than my assistant manager, but to focus on my life. That's what Tony Dungy did. He focused on his life and on his team and his goals.

"Quiet Strength" sums this up very well. All the while he looks back on his career in football, it never seems like he chalks it up as bragging rights. He just counts it as the life he lived. He takes lessons from the great Chuck Noll, to just go out there and "Do what we do" as a team. He talks little about his family, but from what I can see, his family comes before football.

Dungy takes disappointment combined with elation in the ups and downs of his career, let alone his life. Things have not always come easy for this man, and have in fact, gotten harder in some aspects. Especially in one situation with his son that many knew about in the middle of the 2005 season. But that didn't stop Tony Dungy from pressing forward. And it didn't stop him from leaning on Christ Jesus in the thick of things.

As I still see my assistant manager from day to day, I still extend my hellos and she extends hers. There is very little respect for her these days from my perspective, but that's ok. I do what I do. I'm pressing on. Tony Dungy pressed on. Tony Dungy is an NFL Champion, and all he has to show for it is quiet strength. Because that's all he needs! Thank you, Tony Dungy.

I highly recommend this book to ANY reader--the football fan, the God fan, the prayer fan, or othewise. It is an excellent, life-changing read.

This book is very powerful for anyone striving to excel with God as your guide. Tony Dungy is a great example of a faithful man in the face of tremendous success and soul shattering pain. Thanks for writing the book, all of us that read it are indebted to you.

The stunning power of this true story to reveal truth and wisdom in the midst of humble means is profound. It is the power of God at work as seen in this testimony. The power of love and compassion that prevails over preset social structures is far reaching and intense as the story of
wealth and homelessness become intermingled.

I did not expect to find the might and pull in this book as I picked it up, but was swiftly drawn into it from the first chapters. I can now state that it is one of the most profound books I have ever read. I will reread it for the sake of making a list of Denver's words of wisdom as listed throughout his tale. Denver, to be clear, is the homeless man, the wisest of the bunch. His words are worthy of deep meditation for their immense insight.

I would deeply recommend this book to anybody and everybody for its impact on understanding in our social structure and God's grace in the midst of it.

Stephanie S. Sawyer, author

This was an amazing, stirring story. It will touch your heart and stay with you forever.

I picked up this book after watching the authors, Denver and Ron Hall doing a t.v. interview about the book. The book sounded intriguing. Words are inadequate to tell you how much I enjoyed this book. First of all, it is an easy read. The characters and details in the book are vivid and the reader is almost instantly engaged with them. Unlike some other books in which you have to "warm up" to the book in the first few chapters before you are able to engage in the story, this book had me at chapter one.

I have told many of my friends and family about what an excellent read it is. It is such a fun book and such a heart warming book but at the same time, the book teaches us some solid lessons about prayer, faith, unconditional love, self sacrifice,friendship, prejudice, and overcoming difficulty in marriage. I inadvertently awakened my husband late one night as I read the pages of this book when I began sniffing and weeping about Deborah a little too loudly. It was very late at night but I had been promising myself for many chapters that I would read one more chapter and turn in for the night. But I couldn't put the book down!

I don't want to give away too much of the book for those who haven't read it yet. So suffice it to say, it was so enjoyable that I was almost sorry that I read it in three days. I didn't want the story to end. I wanted more of this wonderful book! I want to say a big THANK YOU and BLESS YOU to Ron Hall and Denver Moore for sharing their story with us. This story should be made into a film so that more people will learn of this beautiful story.

During the summer of 2007 I attended a Sunday morning service in Grapevine, Texas with my husband, his sister and her husband. During this service I had the wonderful pleasure to hear Dever talk about his experiences and about this book. After getting home I went right to the computer and ordered the book. I finished it very quickly because it had caught my attention. It made me think alot, We shouldn't take our lives for granted and to live each day like its our last. I LOVED the book so much that I passed it on to my mother who then passed to on to her mother!

A friend lent me the book. I felt I had to read it and get the book back to him as soon as possible. When I began reading, it drew me in ever deeper. I wondered how the life a southern, rural, marginalized,uneducated black man living the life a modern day slave would intersect with a wealthy, Texan, art-dealing white man and his family. Well, the intersection astounded me and left me literally weeping at several points it the book. The power coursing through lives of Denver Moore and Ron Hall and his ever-present wife, Debbie Hall, is nothing short of God walking among us. Read this book and pass it on.

This book was fabulous! I couldn't put it down! I finished it in 2 days (stupid work! I'd have finished it in 1 day if I didn't have to go!!). I've always seen books about immortals as vampire, gross, bloody books. This one is not that way at all. It's cleverly written, everthing has an underlying meaning. While you read, keep notes on facts...you will have "aha!" moments later!!

My Soul to Keep grabs you and moves with descriptive style as if you are one of the characters. There are several stories within the story that end up intertwined later. The Jazz musician, the slave , the Ethiopian, the professor, the perfect husband and the immortal all of these characters were David also known as Dawit.There are bumps and bruises along the way with murders to cover up his "immortality", David was loved and was "Mr. Perfect" where did it all go wrong? When he fell in love and wanted to give the gift of life to his wife and child? Or when his wife stumbled on the mysterious death of his daughter Rosalie?

There were hints from "Grandpa" who's always eating a Whopper. When looking back on it I think the author used Grandpa to soften the anticipated, almost expected, blow of Kira's death. This was definitely painful to witness. I was frustrated with the speed of the unfolding. I wanted more time with Kira and to offer advice to the characters on how they could save her. Almost yelling at the book! I lost track of time reading the final chapters and couldn't put it down until I was finished.

The story leaves you hanging with several lose ends. What is Jessica doing sharing the living blood with terminal children in Africa? Was she in mourning over Kira and wanted to help as many kids as she could? Why was she so short with David when he came to visit? Will she go after him soon? I think she will. The new child seems even more powerful and superior then his immortal parents. Knowing that there is a sequel is comforting. B/c there are several more stories to be told.....

Overall it's a very good book. I would put it in the top 10 for sure. I can't wait to start the sequel.

Due is an amazing author and I can't wait to see the film adaptation of this book.

Filled with deep spiritual questions, these Tananrive Due horror novels (The Between, My Soul to Keep, and Living Blood) make my blood run cold and give me real goose bumps. It takes alot to make that happen.

I am an avid African American fiction & non-fiction reader. However, I never could get into sci-fi-type novels. My Soul to Keep changed my mind forever. I was hooked before the end of the first chapter, and read it in one night. I wanted more...and got it later. During that first read, I experienced so many different emotions: happiness, fear, anxiety, etc. That's a rare thing for me.

I think the problem with the other books that others would compare M S to K to was that the basis of the stories were unbelievable to me. Tananarive Due did an excellent job of making the story believable (at least to me) and taking me on a journey that had me addicted. I cannot wait for the third installment to come out in June!

I give major props to Ms. Brown for the excellent work she put in for this novel. The thing that grabbed me most was that this was one of the few novels that was based on the DRUGS that infected our community, but also detailed how it affected everyone involved in the DRUG life. It didnt just detail the rise and fall of a drug dealer, or the trials & tribulations of a crackhead. It viewed what it was like to be a mother of a crackhead (Jada's mom), or the daughter of a woman with low self esteem(Ava). The book involved so many characters- Sunny was a diva, but she too had her faults. This book outlined how drugs effect everyone around you. I really loved how even after Jada got herself together, she too was human and fell back into temptation only to make it to the top again.
The ending was great. I appreciated that Jada & Born didn't live together happily ever after, or that Born didn't get killed in a drive by shooting. Tracy Brown kept it real from the beggining to the end. I have read this book at least 5 times, you would never think that this book is 496 pages!

This book was an extraordinary read and definitely a page turner. Jada and Born's story are so real and I'm sure similar to a lot of people whose lives involve drugs in some way. The book involves drama, suspense, romance, action all in a story that is far from being a fairy tale and very realistic. The book offers a history of almost all of the characters and helps you understand why they became who they are. Our book club read this book for September 2008's discussion book and all of the members were unanimously blown away by it. I would and have recommended this book to any reader. I plan to read more Tracy Brown books in the future.

This is the best book that I have read in a couple of years. It is a must read. The last book that I felt this way about was Noire's G-Spot. This story is about a young woman with a broken soul that goes through the trials and tribulations of life. She goes through and loses so much in her story just to get back to the top. I cried when she started getting her life back in order. This story is so bitter sweet. It was perfect from beginning to end. I absolutely loved this book.

This novel starts out typical enough - two teenage girls hanging out with two teenage boys in a house all alone with their hormones running wild. That's where typical ends.

Jada and her sister Ava's reality is a cycle of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse brought on by their mother Edna's boyfriend. Edna chooses to blame herself and her daughters for the abuse and sets them all up for a life of pain.

Jada starts smoking weed with her friend Shante and they advance to mixing it with crack under the false impression that they wouldn't get hooked. This is the start of Jada's crack addiction.

Born is the son of Leo, a notorious hustler. Born looks up to his dad for being the most admired man in the hood and wants to be just like him. That is until Leo falls prey to crack addiction. This changes Born's outlook forever. He can't believe his dad could be so weak.

Jada and Born cross paths after she has kicked her addiction. Both are skeptical about starting a relationship but can't deny the sparks between them. When Jada finds the strength to tell Born about her past, against his better judgment Born allows Jada into his heart. The condition is that she'll never go back to crack again or it's over. Jada agrees to these terms believing that love will conquer all. The problem is, Born is a hustler and deals in the very drug that took over Jada's life. He can't watch her 24/7 and doesn't seem to realize that having crack in front of Jada is like putting food in front of a starving person and telling them not to eat it.

Born and Jada's love story is so intense it jumps off the pages. Tracy Brown does an excellent job of making you feel for the characters. You'll laugh, cry, and root for the characters to be together but just as in life everything doesn't always turn out as planned. At first glance this book may seem long but once you start reading you won't pay attention to what page you're on. The length is necessary to understand how Jada and Born's upbringing affects the choices they make and that love doesn't always conquer all. If you buy this book it will not disappoint.

THIS BOOK WAS VERY WELL WRITTEN. I ENJOYED IT FROM PAGE ONE. Although it is a long book to read, it is so well worth it. This book never got boring at all. I recommened that everyone read this book.

Vincent Tyler is a remarkable person and poet. He breathes life into what seems to be ordinary words on a page. His writing affirm what sisaths are dying to know.... that there are brothas out there who understand our deepest desire and needs. This book also affirms that it is okay for a man be in touch with his sensual & romantic side and not be considered a whimp. After reading this book and hearing the cd, I have included some of Mr. Tyler's works in a pamper gift basket for my sistah friends. They are truly in for a treat!!!!

This is a wonderful book Vincent has open new doors for us to explore.We now know that men can be as sensual women.If you are looking for a good read this is one but don't let it get away from you because you will want to go back to this one.

VINCENT TYLER HAS DONE A WONDERFUL JOB AS A POET AND WRITER. KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK MR.TYLER ,YOU HAVE GIVEN ALOT OF WOMEN SOME REALLY GOOD ENJOYMENT !!

A Definite must for all women . Get a glass of wine, get in a bubble bath using your favorite scent, settle back and relax and enjoy a sensous journey provided by a live, alive, pleasure fulfilling man. Read what you wish your man would put into words. Its nice to know a man thinks about the pleasure he can give a woman and validates women in their sexuality and beauty. Men should read and learn, their fanatasies can come true by emulating Mr. Tyler

I received your book, "I thought about you today" and your CD "chocolatecoveredcherries",
from my boyfriend Deronti Milam tonight. I could not put it down until I finished the last page. I thought that it was very interesting. On the back cover it states that "this book is for adult women". Men need to read it as well so they can learn what is pleasing to a woman. If more men and women catered to each other needs, there probably would be more committed ralationship in the world today. Keep up the good work and thanks for the autograph.

God Bless

Barbara Walton

Although I swore I would NEVER read another Triple Crown production because they are so ghetto, I picked up this book at the recommendation of a library book club. Disappointed does not begin to explain my feelings about this book.

For 270 pages, we (the readers) get to read about Quan beating Monsieur (the girl) and Sherry. The readers get to read pages of insensitivity on the part of Quan; we get to read about Quan's constant cheating and his overall azzhole appeal. A female would not be TORN; she would be stupid if she stayed with a man like Quan for 9.5 years and this is why:

Quan's bad characteristics:
1. He cheated on Mo like 5 or 10 times
2. He never came home earlier than 3 or 4 in the morning because he was either selling drugs or cheating on Mo
3. He would not come home when Mo called him and this cost Mo dearly on one particular occasion
4. He often choked or beat Mo
5. He couldn't satisfy Mo sexually

Quan's good characteristics (from the eyes of Mo):
1. He had plenty of money to keep her styling and profiling in designer gear
2. He had plenty of money to get her a nice house and car

Other than money, Quan was a unsalvageable dog. No woman in her right mind would have stayed with Quan. Thus, for the author to focus 270 pages on their relationship just made the book a huge and tiring bore.

Recommendation to the author: To make a character TORN worthy, you have to give the character likeable characteristics. Hustling drugs and walking around with drug money are not likeable characteristics.

Pros: Good writing, great character descriptions
Mo's and Zaire's relationship was off the hook; I loved them as a couple. Thus, pages 270-380 something were very well written; I was totally engrossed in that storyline.

Cons: Too long, a one noted romance does not make for a good LONG book - better to make the book shorter if the romance is going to be one noted

My other issue with the book is the constant need to mention designer clothing. I know we like being ghetto fabulous, but mentioning designer gear for no good reason just gets tiresome after a while.

Keisha Ervin is my fav author!! i LooVed tHis bOOk...iT was tHe perFecT gHettO loVe stoRy!!

This book was absolutely amazing!! Not to mention well written! This is my first time reading Keisha Ervin and it definitely won't be my last!!

This is the first time that I've been at my desk with a book hidden in the corner trying to sneak peeks because it was such a page turner and I just couldn't put it down!! Sometimes, I get nervous when the book is so good because I fear the ending will be a disappointment which usually makes or breaks the book for me however, even the ending was perfect!!

I definitely recommend this book!!

I was really disappointed in this novel. I picked it up due to the 5 star ratings it received, and also because I read a previous novel by this author. Mo is the female character in the love triangle with Quan. I know we as young women can put up with a lot in relationships, but how stupid can you be. The book dragged on and on about all that Quan put her through, it doesn't take that much pain and heartache, before you wake up and smell the coffee. I just couldn't take it. I loved Me and my Boyfriend. That was memorable to me.

Now, I loved this book, this is the second book by Ms.Ervin I have read (I need to get Mina's Joint)and I am amazed and very appreciative at the authors growth and how she's come into a style of her own, I could see it in Hold U Down but she was still trying to find her way and I saw to many other authors in that one too. And once again, the designer name droppin and talking about how much something cost and every detail in peoples clothes and all that stuff could be lessened. But this book is all MISS ERVIN! And she did a great, great job! This book took me back a little I can really understand Mo's pain, the up's and the down's, the in's and the out's. Mo is wayyyy better than me though lol(accept the kid part, she was bogus for that lol). What we won't go through for love, but this was very well written, with a nice pace, not to slow, not to fast, not overly dramatized, but nicely put together you really could feel the emotions, and the supporting characters were wonderful as well and fit nicely into the book. It was emotional, funny, made you mad, I mean I was ready to jump in the book and smack dude around a little bit, then smack her around a little then hug em both! I read it in a few hours(ok so I didn't pace myself and almost burned my rice) but it was that good. I loved how it ended with nobody holding grudges or wishing ill on the other. Good going Miss Ervin, keep up the good work!