New Review : Grace Welcomes the Lady Next Door : Vivian L. King

5 out of 5 books

Grace Polite is missing her home state of Georgia after her and her family moved to Michigan. She also misses her mother after she died of breast cancer. Grace, her father, and her siblings are trying to adjust to their new life and surroundings. When a new neighbor moves in next door, Grace has an idea to use the manners that her mother taught her in order to make life a little brighter.

Grace Welcomes the Lady Next Door is a cute book that teaches kids the importance of having good manners and being polite. Vivian L. King does a good job of telling a good wholesome story that every child and even adults can relate to. This book is filled with beautiful illustrations that ties in perfectly with the story. Grace Welcomes the Lady Next Door is a breath of fresh air and an excellent start to this series.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert

Get your copy of Grace Welcomes the Lady Next Door today!

 

New Review : Exodus From Treachery (The Genesis Series Book 2) : Gwen Richardson

4 out of 5 books

This novel is the second I’ve read from Gwen. This read was well written and the storyline well thought out. Lloyd Palmer, a reporter for the Houston Ledger was now lead editor of the Ledger and was now in charge of what would be found in between the pages. His new position came with headaches he hadn’t had while being a reporter, yet he stayed true to himself. In efforts to keep community support, Lloyd approved articles that were factual and didn’t go with the first report of scandal. There was big news brewing within the political arena and Charles, Lloyd’s right hand man was at the helm of the discovery. He trusted his friend’s judgment but would bide his time until there was enough definitive information to share with the public.

Michael the high roller of the organization that included money laundering and puppeteering political candidates like chess pieces. He employed people with backgrounds in criminology to ensure that his vision was accomplished. His front runner Joel was to be Ron, Lloyd’s best friends campaign manager according to what Michael promised him, however neither of them were prepared for Ron to independently take matters into his own hands and he hired, Stephanie, Lloyd’s wife to run his campaign although she was a novice to politics. She proved to be competent in getting the job done to Michael and Joel’s dismay.

There were other players in the game of chess and not checkers who would work to orchestrate Michaell’s demands which would cause others to be exposed and lose credibility of the Senate chair. One by one due to unfortunate circumstances, they all withdrew their bid from the race. This was done to ensure that Ron would win the race without any components he was sure to get the victory. Michael needed to keep his word to Joel, and they hoped that Stephanie would fold, however she exceeded their expectations to run the campaign. Michael needed to remain in control of being behind the scenes and when Joel missed an opportunity to keep their plans secret, a plan was drawn up to get rid of Stephanie. However, when there is purpose for your life, God will send an angel to protect you and there’s an old saying that when you are digging a hole for someone else, dig two for yourself.

If you like mystery stories, then this book is for you.

Reviewed by Lacha’ J

Get your copy of Exodus From Treachery today!

 

New Review : Harlem Rhapsody : Victoria Christopher Murray

 

4 out of 5 books

The year is 1919 and Jessie Redmon Fauset arrives in Harlem to live her dream. Jessie is a high school teacher from Washington DC. She has just been named the literary editor of The Crisis. Jessie is the first Black woman to hold this position at such an influential magazine. Jessie makes such an impact at the magazine that most Black writers want their work featured in it. But a secret affair could jeopardize it all. W.E.B. Du Bois is the founder of The Crisis and is Jessie’s boss. He is also her lover. There is nothing that can keep them away from each other. But at what cost?

Harlem Rhapsody gives us an introduction into not only to the Harlem Renaissance but to Jessie Redmon Fauset. Victoria Christopher Murray does an excellent job of bringing Jessie’s story to life. Christopher Murray also handled Jessie and W.E.B. Du Bois shocking affair very delicately. The most interesting part of this story is how Jessie discovered so many authors of the Harlem Renaissance like Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Nella Larsen. You can picture the sights, sounds, and fashion of Harlem during that time in history. Harlem Rhapsody is a wonderful ode to the Harlem Renaissance and to the writers who shaped it.  

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert

Get your copy of Harlem Rhapsody today!

Open Call for Authors is NOW OPEN!

 

Save the Date! 17th Annual Great Midwest Book Fest featuring Tracy Clark & more!

 

www.greatmidwestbookfest.com

New Review : The Genesis Files : Gwen Richardson

4 out of 5 books

This story is the first I’ve read from Gwen. This read was well written and the storyline well thought out. Lloyd Palmer, a reporter for the Houston Ledger was dissatisfied with his mundane existence. The zeal he had when beginning his reporting career; waned due to the limits placed upon him by his bigot of a boss, Ed Jackson. Lloyd went from a non-existent lackadaisical reporter who was stuck in between the next black on black crime and something big. Lloyd worked faithfully in a job that he wasn’t fulfilled in until he was sent on a job where there was a kidnapping in the affluent part of the city.  Lloyd wanted more than to be a lowly reporter good enough to cover only what was happening with the blacks in the city.

Ed, the editor at the Houston Ledger was not only arrogant but prejudiced. He refused to entertain topics that could bring a positive light to what was happening and that it wasn’t only the doom and gloom of blacks killing blacks or blacks kidnapping white babies for ransom. He went to great lengths to keep his foot on Lloyd’s neck but unbeknownst to him he was opening a window of opportunity for Lloyd.

While interviewing tenants in the nearby apartment building who may have heard or seen what could have happened the morning that the baby was reported missing; Lloyd knocked on the door of a distinguished man named Hamisi. He was a secretive man from Africa. Lloyd was intrigued by the mysterious nature of the gentleman and secretly decided to do an expose’ on his life and his culture. In the meantime, he worked to try and find out more about the Pauley baby kidnapping only to uncover with additional digging a baby boy buried in a shallow makeshift grave.

Lloyd became a star of sorts and had gained the notoriety that any reporter would dream of. Mainly it meant that Lloyd didn’t have to curb his enthusiasm for journalizing, but opportunity awaited him. His voice was one that now mattered, and humbleness thrust him into the hearts of many. There was only one problem, Ed, his boss. Jealousy and slave mentality roared to the degree that Ed would work to scare Lloyd off, make him get back into his place. Things would go too far and even Ed wouldn’t be ready for the turn things took that he orchestrated. 

Reviewed by Lacha’ J.

Get your copy of Genesis Files today!

 

12 Days of Christmas Book Giveaway

 

Coming soon! 12 days of Christmas book giveaway returns on 12/13/24! The contest will be held in the Urban Reviews Facebook Group, and the Radiah Hubbert IG, Urban Reviews IG & Threads pages. You can donate one or more physical or e-books. The authors are responsible for mailing the books to the winners. 

If you’re an author and would like to participate, please contact me at 

info@urban-reviews.com.

Radiah Hubbert

New Review : The Reformatory :Tananarive Due

4 out of 5 books

It is June 1950 in Gracetown, Florida. Twelve-year-old Robbie Stephens, Jr., is sentenced to six months at the Gracetown School for Boys. Robbie kicked the son of a white landowner while defending his older sister Gloria. But the nightmares are just beginning when Robbie is sent to the school called The Reformatory. Robbie can see ghosts or haints. But this talent is exposing the real horrors and crimes that has happened to the former students who have gone missing. Gloria is still trying to come up with a plan to get Robbie away from The Reformatory before it’s too late.

Tananarive Due brings a classic horror novel with a good mix of the horrendous history of the real Dozier School for Boys with The Reformatory. This story makes you want to delve into more of the background of the school. Robbie is a character that you will root for throughout the story. There’s also Robbie’s friends that help him along way while in The Reformatory. Due paints such a vivid picture with this story that you feel like you are in Florida in 1950. The Reformatory is a moving,historical haunting tale by Tananarive Due that will delight old and new fans of horror.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert

Get your copy of The Reformatory today!

 

SAVE THE DATE : 17th Annual Great Midwest Book Fest : June 21, 2025

New Review : The Townsend Family Recipe for Disaster: Shauna Robinson

3.5 out of 5 books

Shauna Robinson’s “The Townsend Family Recipe for Disaster” is a heartwarming and insightful novel that delves into family dynamics and personal identity. The story follows Mae, a bi-racial woman who has spent much of her life feeling disconnected from her father’s Black family while being more integrated with her maternal white relatives. As her wedding day looms, she is concerned because her father’s side of the family has not replied to her wedding invite. When she receives word that her paternal grandmother passed, she decided to attend the funeral and reconnect with that side of her family. As Mae seeks to reconnect with her estranged Black family in the South, she faces the chaos of a family barbecue that stirs both laughter and deep emotional reflections.

Robinson masterfully blends humor with emotional depth, presenting Mae’s journey with a mix of introspection and comedic inner monologues. The novel addresses complex themes of familial and racial histories, offering readers a thought-provoking and resonant experience. Mae’s quest to rebuild family ties and understand her place within her heritage is both inspiring and relatable. Robinson’s portrayal of family interactions and personal struggles brings the story to life, making “The Townsend Family Recipe for Disaster” a compelling read for anyone interested in stories of family, identity, and growth.

Reviewed by Paula Allen

Get your copy of The Townsend Family Recipe for Disaster today! 

 

New Review : Camp Lanier : Sylvester Barzey

4 out of 5 books

Taylor Johnson is a Black student at a predominately white private school. Vying to fit in with her friends at her school, she is caught up in a shoplifting incident with her wealthy White classmates. Taylor is left to take the blame and is sent to Camp Lanier as part of a community service program for at-risk youth.

Taylor’s summer at Camp Lanier quickly turns into a nightmare as she encounters strange hallucinations, hears mysterious crying at night, and learns about the camp’s dark past. Taylor’s determination to uncover the truth about Camp Lanier and this drives the story forward. Her interactions with other camp members, particularly Liam and Mia reveal the present-day horrors that are taking place at Camp Lanier. In a quest to save her life and her friends at the camp, Taylor had to give audience to the horrors of the campsite and learn from the ancestors of Oscarville, an all-black town buried under the waters of Lake Lanier.

Sylvester Barzey’s “Camp Lanier” is a gripping horror novel that delves into the eerie and unsettling urban legend of Lake Lanier in Georgia.  “Camp Lanier” is a must-read for fans of horror and supernatural fiction. The novel teases reader with a fictional glimpse into the racial history of the renowned Lake Lanier and entertains with a chilling tale of modern-day horror.

Reviewed by Paula Allen 

        Get your copy of Camp Lanier today!