Cilla

• Rated 4 stars

“Funny.. very Whoopi Goldberg ”

Cilla wrote this review Sunday, February 20, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“Rating more 3.5”

Cilla wrote this review Sunday, February 20, 2011. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“APOOO Rating: 2.5
Amazon Rating: 3

London Scandal via Romance

Adrian Tobias-Stone is considered one the leading romance writers. If you asked her what inspired her writing, she would tell you it all comes from first-hand experience. So when she tells her twin, Dorian, that she is headed to England to meet Stuart Westlake, Dorian thinks she is out of her mind. Stuart is a notorious playboy and Adrian is about to start something she cannot finish. Renee Alexis’ Scandalous takes readers on an adventure thru England’s country as Dorian sets out to find what happened to her twin.

Alexis short story is intriguing and full of suspense. The description of England was breathtaking; however, portions of the story dragged and became redundant. Towards the end, I found myself reading only to finish the story and not in hopes of a happy ending.

This manuscript was provided by the publisher for review purposes.

Priscilla C. Johnson
APOOO BookClub

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Cilla wrote this review Tuesday, November 16, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“APOOO Rating: 5
Amazon Rating: 5

Lost Love

Iris Bolling returns to her Heart series with A Lost Heart. Brian Thompson has just gotten out of the hospital. Having been shot four times in the back, he had a lot to be thankful for. Brian was eager to return to work protecting his lifelong friend, Jeffery Daniel (JD) Harrison, who began to campaign for the position of Governor of Virginia. As he watched his friends with their families, Brian felt fortunate to be a part of their lives but he secretly yearned for more.

JD was grateful to have Brian as a part of his security team. After saving his life and the life of his wife, Tracy and their children¸ JD knew there was nothing he would not do for him. In order to ease his pain, JD sent him to Nickelsville, Virginia. Brian was furious with this latest assignment. Little did he know the next 48 hours would change his life forever.

Bolling has stepped up her game. Through a series of flashbacks, Bolling takes readers to the beginning of Brian’s career. As he recalls the highs and lows of his life, Brian recalls how he lost his heart. From the beginning of the story to the very end, I found myself engulfed in the story. Having followed this series from the beginning, I have watched Bolling’s writing mature and capture readers with a blend of mystery, politics, suspense and romance. This series is recommended to all who enjoy this mixture.

The book was provided by the author for review.

Priscilla C. Johnson
APOOO BookClub
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Cilla wrote this review Tuesday, November 16, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“APOOO Rating: 5
Amazon Rating: 5

It Started With A Dance

Looking for something different to keep herself in shape, Melody decided to try ballroom dancing. From the very first step, she was in love. The salsa, paso doble, the quick step – Melody mastered all of them. After dumping her cheating boyfriend, she was ready to move on and concentrate on making her dream of opening a dance studio a reality. A chance meeting with Eduardo and Marisol Santos changed her life in Sabor A Mi by Niambi Davis.

Eduardo, a retired ballroom dancer, knew there was something special about Melody. He recommended that she dance with his brother, Raimundo (Ray), in an upcoming competition. Melody was excited until she met Raimundo. Raimundo knew when he saw Melody that she would not be ready for the competition. When she entered the dance studio, he was not prepared for the heat that moved him in more ways than one.

Davis brings readers a very sensual and hot love story. Her description of the dance and the movements puts you in the room with the characters. As Melody and Ray’s attraction grew, so did the intensity and heat of the story. Davis entwined a love story among the secondary characters that was also sensual and breathtaking. This is a story that all romance readers will enjoy.

This e-book was provided by the author for review.

Priscilla C. Johnson
APOOO BookClub
”

Cilla wrote this review Tuesday, November 16, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“APOOO Rating: 5
Amazon Rating: 5

Settling The Score

Cicely Stevens thought things could not get any worse. First, she lost the promotion as division leader in the corporate department. Next, she walked in on her boyfriend having sex with the receptionist in her apartment. The ultimate worst thing to happen to Cicely was finding out that Chase “The Wolf” Yearwood was booked on the same flight to the Caribbean. In Rivals in Paradise, Gwyneth Bolton shows that rivals in business can also be lovers.

Cicely and Chase were rivals from the moment she set foot on the FAMU campus. He was the top jock and all around ladies man with the predatory skills of a wolf – that lands any deal or woman he wanted. But, Chase could not get close to Cicely. Cicely gave him an ultimatum that he could not pass up and she quickly regrets it. Now she finds herself, 10 years later, in a position she never wanted to be in – until now.

Bolton, once again, has given her readers a romance story that will have you on the edge of your seat. Under the bright full moon on the shores of the Caribbean, Cicely and Chase begin to build a passionate and sexy relationship that will leave readers breathless.

The book was provided by the author for review.

Priscilla C. Johnson
APOOO BookClub

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Cilla wrote this review Tuesday, November 16, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“APOOO Rating: 4.
Amazon Rating: 4

Love At First Sight

From the moment she saw him, Makayla Williams knew she had to have him. She had never seen anyone like him before. The closer she got to him; her desire to taste blackberries grew. Holding her held up high, Makayla walked to his table at the Tea Room and asked if she could join him. Dr. Sheppard Hinga had not looked at another woman since the death of his wife. Makayla walked up to him as if they were life-long friends. Then she walked away. Latisha Brandon’s debut novel, Blackberries, tells a story of love at first sight.

The initial meeting of Makayla and Sheppard is very sensual and seductive. Brandon immediately captures the readers’ attention and draws them into the story. As the couple begins to get to know each other, Brandon heats up each encounter. I enjoyed reading this story and I recommend it to romance readers. However, since I was given a preview edition of the story, I hope the editing errors have been corrected before final print.

The book was provided by the publisher for review.

Priscilla C. Johnson
APOOO BookClub
”

Cilla wrote this review Tuesday, November 16, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“APOOO Rating: 4
Amazon Rating: 4

Holiday Sizzle and Heat

Beverly Jenkins, Adrienne Byrd and Kimberly Kaye Terry have collaborated to bring readers three sexy holiday treats in Once Upon A Holiday. In Holiday Heat, by Beverly Jenkins, Eve Clark is a Federal ATF Agent stationed in Chicago. Eve loves her job and she has dedicated her life to her work. While visiting relatives, her cousin talks her into attending a masquerade ball where she meets a tall, sexy Centurion that heats her in more ways than one.

Montell Starks, in Adrienne Byrd’s Candy Christmas, is every woman’s desire.
Candace Lehane just doesn’t see what all the hoop-la is about. She has only one thing on her mind – becoming the next vice president at the advertising firm. Am unexpected European trip and mysteriously cancelled hotel reservations lead to an explosive affair that Candace does not want to end.

As he watched Camille do a victory dance in her office, Gideon knew she was someone he had to meet. After sharing a drink at the bar and a spontaneous erotic night, Gideon knew that this was the woman he had been waiting for. Kimberly Kaye Terry’s, Chocolate Truffles, shows that the things your heart desires most comes in all types of packages.

All three stories had me on the edge as I turned each heated page to see what would happen next. If I had to rate them individually, I would give Jenkins and Byrd five stars for the passion, romance and heat that flowed between the characters. Terry’s story was sexy but it left you wanting more after reading the first two. This is definitely a collection of stories to read to heat up the holidays.

The book was provided by Beverly Jenkins for review.

Priscilla C. Johnson
APOOO BookClub
”

Cilla wrote this review Tuesday, November 16, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“The only thing that Karen Williams had on her mind was making sure that everything at the Shemar Sunyetta Youth Center, named after her deceased best friend, continued to run. Full of optimism, determination and desire, Karen was ready to take on each day and challenge. Gwyneth Bolton's novel, Make It Last Forever, takes Karen on a journey that she was destined for.

After spending the day helping a friend pack, Karen meets her neighbor, Dicey "Divine Stamps, fortune-teller extraordinaire. Dicey has been trying for months to read Karen's palm and to tell her about the handsome stranger that will come into her life. But Karen does not believe any of it until Darius Rollins walks into the center. Darius, aka D-Roc, is the hottest rapper/actor in Hollywood. Darius decides that he wants to volunteer in the neighbor where he grew up and he wants to honor the memory of his recently deceased cousin. After shaking hands, Darius and Karen had a feeling that they knew each other. Karen was not like anyone he had ever met and Darius knew that she was the woman he wanted to spend forever with.

Just when you think you know Gwyneth Bolton, she throws you a curve and she gives her readers an exciting and different love story. Bolton takes readers on a journey into the past lives and loves of Karen and Darius to show readers the strength of their connection. She also added a tad-bit of a mystery to the story to heighten the anticipation of the next page. Bolton, in my opinion, is sure to gain new fans with this story.

This book was provided by the author for review purposes.

Priscilla ”

Cilla wrote this review Friday, July 30, 2010. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Amazon Rating: 4

One Bad Apple Does Not Spoil The Bunch

In Sandella’s Soldier, Sabrina McAfee has written an interesting romance story with a little bit of suspense. Major Braylon Wexler was excited to return to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to see his grandparents and to begin his new job as Lead Criminal Investigator for the Marines. Braylon was even more excited when he saw that the caretaker for his disabled uncle, Royce, was Sandella Summer.

Sandella had been caring for Royce for several years. She loved working for the Wexler family, taking care of her brothers and dad, after her mom died, and baking pies. But, the Summer’s family hates the military and they decided never to discuss their reasons. When Braylon met Summer, he was determined to get to know her. Yet, in order to do that, he had to show her that all men in the military are not the same. As he tried to gain her trust, he began to investigate a cold case. As he got close to solving it, things became dangerous for both him and Sandella.

McAfee did a good job of mixing romance and suspense in this story. The beginning of the story was slow but it built up to a wonderful climax and romantic ending.

Priscilla C. Johnson
APOOO BookClub
”

Cilla wrote this review Friday, April 3, 2009. ( reply | permalink )