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Mountain High Valley Low
by Renee Flagler
"A Must Read!"
This is an excellent read that captures you from the beginning. You will be anticipating what is to become of Lexie
and Brian. Will this couple endure their trials and tribulations? Pick up the book and find out. I can't
wait for her next novel.
Coretta
SGRC - Texas Connection
Pearl Cleage did a wonderful job creating a novel full of characters who lives intertwined some way or another. Blue Hamilton
is one of the main characters who along with his friend, the General, are determined to protect their community at any cost.
The General falls for a stripper who ultimately contributes to his downfall. Baby brother is a war deserter who plays off
women and men in order to better himself. Then there's Kwame who's a DL brother who is being blackmailed by Baby Brother
who is also the son of Precious Hargrove, a Georgia Senator. She also touches on the supernatural, crooked cops and pushes
the envelope on how far people would go to get ahead in life.
Kiesha
SGRC-Jacksonville
Jim & Louella’s Homemade Heart-Fix Remedy
By Bertice Berry
We were surprised – most pleasantly – with the subject matter and the “salty” marriage
relationship which develops between the main characters, an older couple, Jim and Louella.On the surface, Jim and Louella
are working out their own marital “rut,” with some guidance from Louella’s wise ancestors. (Clearly this
is not fully reality-based, but fun, none-the-less) But on a deeper level, the book is about the scars we bear from our past,
their impact on who we are and the healing power of love.
The story is full of wise observations made by Louella about life, love and relationships. These golden tidbits alone make
the book worth reading, but we also found joy in reading about a marriage which had withstood many years (and circumstances)
yet thrived and many times, even smoldered. (wink, wink). Louella’s colorful language brought many a belly laugh, in
spite of sometimes serious subject matter. It’s important to note one strong “nay” vote within our group.
The detailed, intimate scenes between Jim and Louella, and the less-than-wholesome thoughts of many other characters made
it hard to appreciate those qualities which appealed to the rest of the club.
Shelley Williams-Atlanta Connection
October 2006
Mama’s Lies-Daddy’s Pain by Brian W. Smith
Uncovers seventeen years of deception and pain. The book starts off with a young man’s decision to do the right thing
by becoming a parent to his child, however there is no happy ending for the readers. Every page is filled with drama that
eventually leads up to an ending laced in betrayal. Although the author used the first person perspective for each character,
to help the reader understand the thought process behind the actions, the reader is still left asking the same question over
and over-WHY? Why did Jamal, the main character, choose, accept and handle his situation in this manner? Why did Jamal’s
parents believe their son’s circumstances without any recourse? Why did Tracy, Jada and Greg betray Jamal? After reading
this book, the question may be asked why did Smith write a book of this nature and it is a simple question to answer…to
inform men of questionable paternity. In some cases, a person’s word is just not enough proof. The group found the book
to informative and rated it a 3.
Tammy Washington
Atlanta Connection
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Joplin's Ghost
by Tananarive Due
"Good Read"
If you like supernatural
I enjoyed the book but it wasn't her best. The story line moved slow.
I was especially impress with the historical facts about Scott Joplin
intertwined with the fictional ghost story.
Annette SGRC-Miami Connection
P.G. County by Connie Briscoe
Must Read!!!
This was the first time I read anything by the author. I truly enjoyed this book it kept my interest from the beginning to
the end. I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen to Jolene my least favorite character. I immediately
ran out and picked up the sequel “Can’t Get Enough”. I am looking forward to reading more of Ms. Briscoe
work.
Jacqueline
SGRC-Jacksonville Connection
Every Woman Needs A Wife
I had never read anything by this author before. The unexpected was not the expected
and the book was well written and an easy read. Every wife who has been cheated on by their husband should feel some
honor in knowing that pay back can be lethal. Naleighna Kai is a master story teller...This is a must read
Katherine Richardson
Atlanta Connection
By Mary R. Butler
Abandoned as a child by his father, Bill finds solace in his good friend Travis and Travis' family. The two boys are inseparable
as they share each other's pains and joys from childhood to manhood..Mary Butler's novel chronicles the lives of two men and
their pursuit of unconditional love and friendship..This novel is excellent, each character holds their own and a must read
for all. SGRC, Atlanta Connection rated this book a 10...
Katherine Richardson
Atlanta Connection
"Unequally Yoked" by Pamela Wilson.
A captivating story of two young adults that fall madly in love and decide to get married
against the advice of all those that love them. Angie, a long-time Christian, beautiful,
sweet, and very much in love with Richard, her soon-to-be husband. He's her perfect mate or is he? This story keeps you guessing until the very end. Eventually, God has the final say with Angie
and with Richard. You will not guess the end to this love story.
I rate this book a 3.5 overall.
Yolanda Radcliff-Atlanta Connection
A must read. For an authors’
debut novel the tale was remarkably told with elegance and style. The characters were introduced and remembered as the tale
did unfold in your heart and left a mark on your soul. This read edges on family ties, bloodlines, kin, love, tradition and
survival.
The story takes place
in a small rural area between Shelby and Tipton counties of west Tennessee in the 1930’s. They tell you of the home
of a ghost whose legend lives on through his son and son’s son as they each reveal the marks of traditions passed on
through a trade used to take care of the family through any means necessary.
Known secrets stood the
test of time as each tattered with the powers of the unspoken while its history repeats itself again and again.
Check out the Bar-B-Q
and moonshine recipes and notice how they were prepared with pride and shared with love.
Note: The author joined
us by conference during this book discussion and his remarks follow:
“Thanks to the Atlanta connection of the Sistah Girl Reading Club
for reading my novel The Legend of Quito Road. It was a magical time discussing this southern tale with you this evening.
I look forward to meeting you in person when I visit Atlanta on July 31 through August 3. Your host for today's meeting and
I will set up a book club meeting in Atlanta to discuss The Knees of Gullah Island, my next novel due out in March 2008.
Remember, reading illuminates your soul and, if you ain't reading, your lights are not on.
God bless! Take care and be safe.
Dwight Fryer
Martha Carter- Atl Connection
Rate 5
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The Interruption of Everything
by Terry McMillian
I recently read The Interruption Of Everything, although the novel was very good, it was not up to Ms McMillian usual
standards. This story share some issues we as women go thru in our lifetimes. I found myself in the beginning of the book
trying to find the one part going to grab my attention and hook me for the rest of the book. By Chapter 10 I was off and running. I identified with several characters in this book and I feel Ms. McMillan hit home on quite
a few issues. I applaud her ability to write something like this under duress, but it was informative and entertaining.
I suggest the book to anyone that has interfamily issues that has been unresolved.
Bonita Butrell
SGRC-Miami Connection
A great read. Well written and a real page turner.
Very emotional. Makes you cry, laugh and seek revenge as mood swings of a mother go beyond your wildest unbelievable expectations.
Delores Phillips tells this saga as if she lived with the Rozelle and the Quinn clan.
Martha Carter
SGRC-Atlanta-Connection
All I Ever Did Was Love A Man, By Sharon Denison Allison-Ottey, this is a must read book for women of all ages! The author
brought forth several strong relationships to help the reader understand, educate, and fight an issue that is starting to
plague the African American community. In the beginning, the book will have you thinking that this is typical romance novel,
however once the story unfolds the reader is quickly seized by how one issue can create such a cascading effect. The book
gives the reader a look into the life of Sabrena, the main character, who is an independent single-mother of two young daughters
and is in love with a man who lies and cheats. Sabrena’s life is turned upside down with some news that forces her
to revisit her life and pave a way for survival because she knows that her whole existence will never be the same.
We read this book for the month of November and it was rated an overall total of 4.5, We had one member rate it 5.0 for the
highest and one member for a low of 4.0. Everyone agreed it was a good book and a page turner, but there were a lot of loose
ends, some story lines were rushed and we found quite a few grammatical errors in the story. As a whole everyone enjoyed the
book.
Fyphine O'Neal
Atlanta Connection
A MEMOIR OF A BOY SOLDIER, is a current events story told to us by the Child Soldier Himself. To travel the roads
that took this young child/man into a war that was not his choice, to experience the terrible horrors of was through a child's
eye is the story you will read. Thank GOD that our children are safe, or are they? Read please, hold on to
your heart, remove your safety glasses, this is REAL...we truly are blessed to be able to NOT know the horrors of
the world outside of our United States, or are we?
SISTAH GIRLS, It is always a blessing and favor to be in the company of so many wonderfully charged BLACK WOMEN. I had
an awesome time.
By Ingrid Jacobs..
Atlanta Connection...rating 4
SIN NO MORE, by Kimberla Larson Roby...Curtis & Charlotte Black have agreed to forgive and move forward
as husband and wife. However, the past can place doubt and question to that. Is it easier to change or to stay the same? Consequences
of our actions can cause pause. Sin no more...easier said than done.
Ingrid Jacobs - Atlanta
Connection 04/08
Inspired by a true story, A GREAT READ!! Just as the front cover states; this book is a story of Courage, Hope and Transformation. A easy read, and definitely a page turner. L.Y. Marlow, takes you on a journey of
four generations of mothers and daughters terrible cycle of physical, and emotional abuse, endured by the men in their lives.
The first generation starts with her grandparents Eloise and Isaac. Isaac, starts out to be a very loving man towards his wife Eloise.
Then he turns into a horrible man who endures unspeakable abuse towards his wife and children. They learn to fear and resent the man in the same breath.
L.Y. Marlow also shares with her
readers the painful trials and tribulations of her own cycle of domestic abuse, from her daughter Treasure’s father
Lloyd. She also shares the heartache of her younger sister Angie’s battle
with mental illness. Witnessing her own mother Mattie being abused and experiencing
physical abuse herself, its heartbreaking yet inspiring to know Lydia (L.Y. Marlow) ended this vicious
cycle. The love of family, forgiveness and faith in God, keep the women in this
family committed to one another and each other’s support system.
This book is a must read, and should
be shared with anyone who has endured any type of physical or emotional abuse, and felt there was never a way out.
I rate this book a 10.
Deshawn-SGRC Jacksonville 2008
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