NEW REVIEW: Malarie A. Mitchell - Big Mistake

Malarie A. Mitchell - 
Big Mistake - 
Available Now! - 
4 out of 5 books - 


Joseph Miller was a budding basketball player. He came from a loving two parent family, and has an older brother named Monterey. Not only were the two of them brothers, but they were also best friends. One afternoon, the Miller household becomes ripped to the core when they are notified that young Joseph Miller is murdered. The police have no idea who the killer(s) were or why someone would want to murder such an innocent young man that had such a bright future.

As time goes by, the Miller family slowly comes undone. Monterey feels guilt ridden for not being there for his brother and is hellbent on exacting revenge. The father, Jonathan, is tired of calling the police department daily and never getting any answers. Jonathan tries to debate with himself on whether or not to let the police handle the matter or get in contact with his old friends from the street to handle the matter. The mother, Quiara, is trying to let the police handle the matter as well, but frustration is setting in and she decides to get in contact with her old friend from her former life to help find the culprit(s) that murdered her son in cold blood. With everyone trying to handle it there own way and no one communicating with one another, this could be a disaster waiting to happen.

Big Mistake by Malarie A. Mitchell was a great debut. Big Mistake is a story of family, love and secrets. Although a few things were a little far fetched, the author weaved together a story where each piece of the puzzle came together nicely at the end. The story had some twists and turns that you will not see coming, making for a very good read. The story is fast-paced and keeps you engrossed. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Reviewed by Leona for Urban Reviews

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NEW REVIEW: Marsha Randolph - The Truth About Vashtai

Marsha Randolph - 
The Truth About Vashtai - 
Available Now! - 
5 out of 5 books - 


Married for twenty years, Omar and Vashtai Terrace were the picture perfect couple. They had the money and the power. During their marriage, Vashtai was everything for Omar, the kids and their business. After promising that Vashtai could have a spa day with her girls on her 40th birthday, Omar calls Vashtai on the last night of their company celebration and demands she comes home. Vashtai tells Omar that she is not coming, turns off her phone and calls the front desk and adds a “do not disturb” notation to her room. This act of female defiance is considered a dangerous example, which bruised Omar’ego. Being led by his business associates, he retaliates by leaving her and marrying another.

He realizes too late that those same associates who were in his ear were the ones who had an ulterior motive of coveting over what was his. As much as things seem to change, they remain the same. The players and places change, but not much more than that. After Omar divorces Vashtai, she has a few close encounters with men who she would ultimately walk away from early enough so as not to cause too much collateral damage. She picks up in business without missing a beat, but it’s her personal life that is suffering.  Unfortunately, she doesn’t know it just yet. It's when she finds herself alone and in a quiet place that she realizes the truth about Vashtai. Minus the comforts and riches she’s use to, the Holy Spirit reveals the missing link, but she is not ready to embrace that truth. Once she is ready to find her queen-ness, she is ready to do a praise dance. No longer doing everything for others, but still ministering to those she is called to.

Randolph created fully developed characters and a very good plot focus. It was a pleasure to see Vashtai and Omar along with the supporting characters move from one place to another by the end of the story. The characters felt real to me as I watched them through their situations. But the best part was seeing where they would end up. How the author paralleled the bible story within this story really made the book come alive for this reader. But it also made me go back over the biblical story with a new eye. The Truth About Vashtai has definitely changed me and my interactions in my relationships.

Reviewed by Missy for Urban Reviews

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NEW REVIEW: Bianca Eugene - At Last

Bianca Eugene - 
At Last - 
Available Now! - 
5 out of 5 books - 


When it comes to picking men, Keisha has not done a very good job. First was Durran, her first love. She supported him while he was trying to get his music career off the ground. Their "on again, off again" relationship was brought to a halt when Durran got one of his songs on the radio and moved to Atlanta. Even though he wanted her to go, she knew that would be a mistake. Next was her baby's father, Justin. She fell in love with Justin, bipolar and all. Because of his disorder, she had another "on again, off again"  relationship with him as well. The only difference is that she had a child with him, which kept him a part of her life. What Keisha really wanted was a family. That's why she put up with Justin as long as she did. When Justin did the unthinkable by committing suicide, Keisha turned back to Durran. Durran was waiting in the wing because he never stopped wanting Keisha. After a whirlwind of once again dating Durran, Keisha thought her life was taking a turn for the better. However, Durran was still the same old Durran. Keisha was determine to put her life back on track. Therefore another man was the last thing she needed. When she goes to Cliff's barbershop to inquire about a job, falling for the shop owner was the last thing on her mind. The more Keisha got to know Cliff, the more she wanted to believe that he was different from the guys in her past. But will secrets and family cause them to miss out on love?

At Last was an excellent read by Bianca Eugene. Eugene has a flare for writing. She draws you in from the very beginning and holds you hostage there to the very end of the story. The development of the primary and secondary characters was great. The secondary characters were essential to the setting of the main story and she did of awesome job of making the story flow seamlessly. Great read!

Reviewed by Tenecia for Urban Reviews

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NEW REVIEW: Jevon Mack - Love, Song & Dance

Jevon Mack - 
Love, Song & Dance - 
Available Now! - 
2 out of 5 books - 


Love, Song & Dance by Jevon L. Mack is the story of Ja'Quan Jones, a 29-year-old who has worked hard to work up the corporate ladder at Kore-Tech Corporation as a personal assistant. Ja'Quan lives a lavish alternative lifestyle that some admire and many envy. Ja'Quan is confident in everything he does, and he knows that he is fine. The clothes he wears are designer, he eats well and has a plush house. The one thing that he has a hard time with is the loss of his best friend Deandre "Dre" Farrington. Years later after guarding his heart, Ja'Quan gets involved with LeShard West and quickly enters into a relationship. Will it last, or will skeletons from his past resurface, making him face some things head on?

Author Jevon Mack weaves together a story of friends and their alternative lifestyles. The story mainly centers on the main character, Ja'Quan, reminiscing on his past, his friends, and how he met each and every person whether that person was a minor character within the story or not. The story was slow in that the author was too detailed in things unneccessary to the story, such as explaining what he ate and what he wore. Also, the timeframe of the story was unclear. With the use of a developmental editor, I am sure this story could have been much better.

Reviewed by Leona of Urban Reviews

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