MinnieEstelle

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• Rated 5 stars

“The Demise of Luleta Jones by Mark Allen Boone is an excellent literary work. The opening paragraph immediately tells of the suicide of Luleta Jones—an eccentric 39-years-old African American, public school teacher. Clayton Hemphill, a 75-year-old retiree and unwavering fan of Luleta, finds her body hanging from a rafter on the second floor of his 2-flat apartment building. Theophilous ‘Theo’ Pugh, who tells the story through interviews, is an unrelenting reporter for the Chicago Weekly Word. Theo comes to Lincoln Manor on the West Side of Chicago to profile the community and stumbles upon the story of Jones’s suicide that had happened two years prior. He slowly uncovers how she died, power grabs by African American bourgeoisies, backstabbing, and family infighting. What becomes apparent is that Luleta was a person capable of seeing good in all people, a woman who believed that all human beings had worth. This cause love and hate relationships for the talented, self-confident, beautiful, independent woman. Even Theo’s life is touched in startling ways. In his decision to put her life on paper, and in interviewing various members of the community, Theo falls in love with the deceased woman and is obsessed with her story. Could his obsession with Luleta cause Theophilous Pugh to lose his grip on reality? Mark Allen Boone’s methodical descent to the end is emotional, heartwarming and much unexpected. He is an excellent writer; his characters are so close to reality that you find yourself lost in each of their lives—so very true with the life of Luleta Jones. The Demise of Luleta Jones is indeed an excellent, fresh read. I hope to see more of his work in the near future. ”

MinnieEstelle wrote this review Saturday, April 12 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“There are 13 short stories in this book, each original and well written. I researched and found it when I decided to write vampire stories. If you are a true fan of Dracula-type books, you'll enjoy this one. Make no mistake, it's scary. ”

MinnieEstelle wrote this review Monday, March 24 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This book started me on my path to self-publishing. After reading Robert's instructions, insider information and tips, I said, I can do it! It sits on my shelf along with all my reference books. Thank you Robert Fleming.”

MinnieEstelle wrote this review Monday, March 17 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Harlem Godfather: The Rap on myHusband, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson by Mayme Johnson and Karen E Quinones Miller, is a non-fiction book about crime in Harlem from 1930s to the late 1960s. Violent fights for the numbers racket (we called it Policy in Chicago), beatings, and killings filled the pages from beginning to end. Nearly all of the action takes place on the streets of Harlem, New York down to the exact corners. Considering all of the above, it's still an entertaining read about a life-size thug, gangster, big-time criminal and Black Godfather of Harlem. Want to know the link to the movie American Gangster and Frank Lucas’s relationship to “Bumpy?” Mrs. Johnson tells it all. She lived it. Her voice is authentic and true to the era. At 91, she did a remarkable job of telling Bumpy and his cohorts’ story. Karen E Quinones Miller did an excellent job cowriting and laying down Mrs. Johnson’s words into an easy flow. Harlem Godfather is even comical in places – I found myself laughing out loud. Honor among thieves? Mrs. Johnson says sometimes. Make no mistake this is an adult book. I enjoyed the change of pace. I give it three and a half stars. ”

MinnieEstelle wrote this review Monday, March 17 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“Deadly Sexy by Beverly Jenkins is an exciting read. The good guys are great and the dogs are dogs. I wasn’t weighed down with a lot of hot sex. There is a balance of suspense and love in JT Blake and Reese Anthony’s lives. Friends are questionable, trusted ones try to kill the “Lady B,” and Reese jets all over the country trying to catch the culprits, all the while keeping an eye on his “lady.” The action is hot and heavy and realistic. You will fall in love with the Anthony family’s old-fashioned love and support of each other, even in the modern times depicted in the book. Reese is delicious – a man of many talents, considerate, loaded with money as well as handsome. JT is gorgeous, a sports agent and financially comfortable as well. JT will fool you with her independent streak. Guys (and dolls) will love the football scenarios, so don’t shy away guys. I enjoyed the journey through Deadly Sexy. This is my first Beverly Jenkins book and it’s clear that she is a professional. There are no wasted words and the dialogue is excellent. Brava, Ms Jenkins! ”

MinnieEstelle wrote this review Tuesday, February 26 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Making love starts the moment consciousness descends. Although many believe the physical act of sex is the culmination of romance, it is merely a part of the delicacy. Foreplay is the essential element. Establishing the soul connection of an empowered love come from more than the mere physicality. ~ ~ ~ Don Ramon Barera Lucien knows; it doesn’t matter that he is a vampire, and Christine feels it; it doesn’t matter that she is a mortal. Forever, My Love is a digital download from Amazon.”

MinnieEstelle wrote this review Friday, February 15 2008. ( reply | view 1 replies | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“This book still amazes me. It was copyrighted in 1937, renewed in 1965 and "foreword copyright in 1978 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois." I read the book in 1989 and watch the TV movie (by Winfrey) fairly recently. The small screen couldn't do the book justice, but I give them credit for trying and keeping Ms. Hurston's work alive. I can't give you a complete review but I remember falling in love with Tea Cake. What Janie did out of love for her Tea Cake is heartfelt, to say the least. A beautiful love story from beginning to end.”

MinnieEstelle wrote this review Tuesday, February 12 2008. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“An excellent book for writers. Clear, funny and on target. You'd do well to add it to your reference shelf.”

MinnieEstelle wrote this review Tuesday, September 25 2007. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Octavia E. Butler’s “Parable of the Sower” opens July 20, 2024. Lauren Olamina, a minister’s young daughter, creates Earthseed, her idea of a religion. She keeps a journal of what she wants this new religion to be.[br/][br/]In 2024, economic, environmental and social chaos is raging in Los Angeles. After the disappearance of family and destruction of her home, Lauren strikes out to find a safer, a better community. She suffers from a ‘hyperempathy’ condition which causes her to experience the pain (and pleasure) of others around her. During her journey to find a better city, she encounters near unspeakable devastation and dangerous adversaries. But she is well armed. She picks up needy and lost travelers along the way who could become a part of her “new community.”[br/][br/]The last verse in the story pulls it all together: “A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And others fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bore fruit a hundredfold.”[br/]Octavia E. Butler (1947-2006)[Minnie E[br/]”

MinnieEstelle wrote this review Tuesday, August 21 2007. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Casanegra, written by seasoned authors Blair Underwood, Tananarive Due, and Steven Barnes, is an action-packed murder mystery set in Hollywood, CA. Ten, as he’s called, is an actor, former gigolo as well as a former sex-for-pay agent. Feeling the pressures, he tries to change his image. In the changeover, he wades into even more dung with his obsession to solve his Hip Hop star friend’s murder. He gets his buttocks kicked and nearly killed several times playing detective.

Excellent writing, hits all the marks. It's a cool, contemporary, entertaining read. While some view this novel as your average detective story, it is more than that to African American readers. It's a view of that community, something most detective writers ignore. Fresh voices, no doubt. Strictly my comments about Casanegra.

Minnie E Miller
Author of The Seduction of Mr. Bradley
”

MinnieEstelle wrote this review Sunday, August 19 2007. ( reply | permalink )