Winner of Autographed Copy of Money Can't Buy Love by Connie Briscoe - August 10, 2011

Several people entered the giveaway.  Unfortunately a number of people didn't leave their e-mail address (which was stated in the Giveaway).   I drew a random winner, and that winner is......

Orsayor

Congratulations!



© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond’s Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than blackdiamondsbookrev.fatcow.com, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl’s feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

7th Annual African American Literary Awards Show Nominees - August 2, 2011

Voting for the 2011 African American Literary Awards Show is now open!

Voting started Friday, July 29, 2011 and ends on Friday, September 2, 2011
Winners will be announced at the live show on September, 22, 2011

Make sure you go to http://www.literaryawardshow.com/voting.html and cast your vote!

Here are the nominees:

Fiction

Dorothy by LaToya S. Watkins

He Was My Man First – Courtney Parker & Nancey Flowers

No One in the World: A Novel – E. Lynn Harris & RM Johnson

Mama Ruby – Mary Monroe

Money Can’t Buy Love – Connie Briscoe  :-)   Click on title to see my review (and giveaway!)



Self help

How To Get Out Of Your Own Way – Tyrese Gibson

The Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice, Because Bitterness Isn’t Sexy – Shirley Strawberry

Why Do I Have To Think Like A Man?: How To Think Like A Lady And Still Get The Man – Shanae Hall & Rhonda Frost  Priceless Inspirations – Antonia Carter

A Belle in Brooklyn: The Go-to Girl for Advice on Living Your Best Single Life – Demetria Lucas



Biography/Memoir

Ice: A Memoir of Gangster Life and Redemption-from South Central to Hollywood – Ice T

The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring – Sugar Ray Leonard

Flavor Flav: The Icon The Memoir – Flavor Flav

Love Brought Me Back: A Journey of Loss and Gain – Natalie Cole

Transparent – Don Lemon



Christian Fiction

An Inconvenient Friend by Rhonda McKnight  :-) (click on the title to see my review)

Right Package, Wrong Baggage by Wanda B. Campbell

The Deal, The Dance & The Devil  by Victoria Christopher Murray  :-)  (click on the title to see my review)

Crowning Glory – Pat Simmons

Who Said It Would Be Easy?: A Story of Faith (Zane Presents) – Cheryl Faye



Erotica

Strawberries, Stilettos, and Steam – Imani True & Dreama Skye

Southern Comfort by Cynnamon Foster and Nina Foxx  :-)  (click on the title to see my review)

Sixty-Nine – Pynk

Smooth Operator – Risque

Nasty – Dr. XYZ



Street Fiction

Justify My Thug – Wahida Clark

My Kinda Girl - by Michael McGrew

The Prada Plan 2 – Ashley Antoinette

Welfare Wifeys: A Hood Rat Novel – K’wan

Memoirs Of An Accidental Hustler – JM Benjamin



Non Fiction

I Shall Not Die: Living A Psalm 118:17 Existence – Kendra Norman Bellamy

Fail Up: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure – Tavis Smiley

Black Woman Redefined: Dispelling Myths and Discovering Fulfillment in the Age of Michelle Obama – Sophia Nelson

Peace from Broken Pieces – Iyanla Vanzant

Becoming a Woman of Destiny: Turning Life’s Trials into Triumphs! – Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook



Mystery

Giving Up The Ghost by Stacy-Deanne

Ask Nicely and I Might by Lorraine Elzia

The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey – Walter Mosley

Price Of Fame – Amaleka McCall

Surrender the Dark – L.A. Banks



Children/Young Adult

Getting Played by Celeste O. Norfleet

Drama Queens –ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Giant Steps To Change The World – Spike Lee & Tonya Lewis Lee

Sugar Plum Ballerinas: Terrible Terrel – Whoopi Goldberg

Teen Girls Need L.O.V.E. by S.Dodson



Romance

Inseparable – Brenda Jackson

Sweet Persuasions– Rochelle Alers

Unexpected Interruptions – Trice Hickman  :-)  (click on the title to see my review)

Twice The Temptation – Francis Ray

The Proposal – Brenda Jackson



Short stories/Anthologies

A Woman’s Revenge by Tiffany L. Warren, Sherri Lewis and Rhonda McKnight –

Home Again: Stories of Restored Relationships by Wanda B. Campbell, Dijorn Moss, Tyora Moody and Trinea Moss

Between the Sheets – Tamika Newhouse, NiCola Mitchell and Anna Black



Magazines (Non -Literary)

Black Enterprise

Ebony

Uptown

JET

Upscale





Magazines (Literary)

Mosaic Books

Booking Matters

Written

African Voices

Black Literature Magazine



Humorist Award of the Year (Stand-up Comics)

Kevin Hart

Sherri Shepherd

Chris Spencer

Tony Rock

Rickey Smiley



Self Published Author of The Year

The Ultimate Question: Will Love Ever Know Me – Tamika Newhouse

Con Test: Double Life – Rahiem Brooks

Twisted – Ni’cola

Devour, One Man’s Tale of Love, Intimacy, and Ecstasy – D.A. Williams



Breakout Author of the Year

Tour Secrets – Winkk

The Putting Away – Sharel E. Gordon-Love

Open Your Eyes – Schelle Halloway

Shady – Dell Banks :-)  (click on the title to see my review)

Girl, Get Your Mind Right – Tionna Smalls



Publishing House Of The Year

St. Martin’s Press

Kensington

Kimani Press

Grand Central Publishing

Simon & Schuster



Independent Publisher Of The Year

Peace In The Storm

A New Quality Publishing

Delphine Publications

NCM Publishing

Black Dawn Books



Author Of The Year – Male

J.M. Benjamin – Memoirs Of An Accidental Hustler

Walter Mosley – The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey

E. Lynn Harris & RM Johnson – No One In The World

Carl Weber – Choir Director

K’wan – Welfare Wifeys



Author Of The Year – Female

Victoria Christopher Murray (The Deal, The Dance & The Devil )

Kimberla Lawson Roby – Love, Honor and Betray

Pat G’Orge Walker – Don’t Blame The Devil

Nancey Flowers & Courtney Parker – He Was My Man First

Sophia Nelson – Redefining The Black Woman



Bookclub of the Year

Black Expressions

AAMBC

The D-Cup Divas

African American Literary Book Club (AALBC)

Go On Girl Bookclub



Television Writer Of The Year

Tyler Perry – House Of Payne

Ali LeRoi – Are We There Yet

Mara Brock Akil – The Game

Stacy A. Littlejohn- Single Ladies

Shonda Rhimes – The Practice



Screenwriter Of The Year

Tracey E. Edmonds – Jumping The Broom

Salim Akil – Jumping The Broom

Tyler Perry – For Colored Girls

Tyler Perry – Madea’s Big Happy Family



Comic Strip

Aarron McGruder – Boondocks

Jerry Craft – Mama’s Boyz

Ray Billingsley – Curtis

Keith Knight – The K Chronicles

Robb Armstrong –Jumpstart



Comedy Author

Girl, Get Your Mind Right – Tionna Smalls

Is It Just Me?: Or is it nuts out there? – Whoopi Goldberg

Don’t Blame The Devil – Pat G’orge Walker

More info at www.literaryawardshow.com

Book Review - Money Can't Buy Love by Connie Briscoe & Giveaway (Autographed Book!)- TLC Tour - August 1, 2011

Title:  Money Can't Buy Love

Author:  Connie Briscoe

Publisher:  Grand Central Publishing

Publish Date:  June 27, 2011

Hardcover, 304 pages

Source:  Review copy provided to me TLC Book Tours

Buy the Book:  Amazon

 (book 5 of 13 - 3rd Quarter 2K11 Reading/Reviewing Challenge)

About the Book:

Lenora Stone used to say if she didn't have bad luck, she wouldn't have any luck at all. At age thirty-eight, instead of socializing with Baltimore's A-list, she photographs them for Baltimore Scene, a glossy magazine filled with beautiful people who, unlike Lenora, never have to worry about car trouble and overdue bills. As much as she'd love to slam the door on her overbearing boss, quitting isn't an option. She's barely making her mortgage payments and, though her condo might not be a palace, it's hers. Lately even things with her boyfriend Gerald haven't been right. They've been together for three years but he can't seem to ask the one question she's been waiting for. But what Lenora doesn't know is that her luck is about to change...

Just when she thinks things can't get worse, Lenora wins the jackpot in the Maryland lottery. In a heartbeat, all her dreams become possible. She quits her job and indulges her every desire-starting with a shiny, silver BMW and a million-dollar mansion. Gerald is finally ready to put a ring on her finger and the city's most exclusive women's group is dying for her to join, officially moving Lenora from behind the lens, into the limelight. But in Lenora's lavish new world, all that glitters definitely isn't gold. Her old friend's are concerned about her sudden changes, and Ray, a sexy, young landscaper Lenora covered for the magazine is looking for more than a purely professional relationship.

As her life starts to come together, the things Lenora holds dear begin to fall apart. Has her world really changed for the better, or does fortune come with a heavy price?

My Review:

Lenora is a 37 year old who has a boyfriend named Gerald.  She really wants to get married, but he keeps putting the subject off. They have been together for 3 years, and she wonders if he will ever be ready.    He is trying to get his business off the ground and wants to get their finances in order before getting married.  I didn't like Gerald at all.  He made comments about Lenora's weight (I have had to deal with this problem myself, and it doesn't help matters at all...just makes me feel worse), and he was always so busy.  He seemed like he never had time for her.  On top of all that, she doesn't like her boss and is having trouble paying her bills.

She buys a lottery ticket and kind of forgets about it.  She ends up finally finding it a few days later and has the surprise of her life! She wins the lottery.  All her problems are solved right?  Well, her life will never be the same, that's for sure.

I really enjoyed reading this book.  It was really easy to follow, and the characters sound like real people.    I got a little annoyed with Lenora when she waits so long to bring her ticket in and with some of the other things she does.  I kind of had an idea of what was going to happen, but I didn't know exactly how things would turn out in the end.  I was surprised at her conversation with Ray at the end.   I'm glad she said what she did.  It would have been nice to know what happened next for her though!  Will there be another book to follow up?  Also, I still wonder about Gerald.  Was he really that busy with work?   Even though Lenora made some dumb decisions and she was annoying at times, I wouldn't have changed anything about this story.  I highly recommend it!

    My Rating

 

 5/5 diamonds - Loved It and Highly Recommend!

About the Author:

Connie Briscoe is the author of seven novels, one novella, and one nonfiction book.  Her third novel, A Long Way From Home, the story of her ancestors, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Her work has appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, USA Today,and Publishers Weekly.

Her nonfiction title, a photo-essay book featuring luminaries such as actress Ruby Dee and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, was coauthored with celebrated photographer Michael Cunningham. The collection of novellas was coauthored with Lolita Files and Anita Bunkley.

She currently lives in Maryland with her family.

You can find Connie on her blog:  Writer Revealed, Facebook, and Twitter

Giveaway:

I will give away one autographed book courtesy of TLC Book Tours.

If you would like to be entered to win, please leave a comment with your e-mail address.   Also, answer this question:  What would you do with the money if you won a million dollars or more?

Giveaway ends on August 8, 2011 at 7:00 a.m.

Connie Briscoe’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Monday, July 18th:  Life in Review

Wednesday, July 20th:  Buckeye Girl Reads

Thursday, July 21st:  Colloquium

Monday, July 25th:  Arms of a Sister

Wednesday, July 27th:  A Chick Who Reads

Thursday, July 28th:  Mocha Momma

Friday, July 29th:  Fiction State of Mind

Monday, August 1st:  Black Diamond Book Reviews

Wednesday, August 3rd:  Reflections of a Bookaholic

Thursday, August 4th:  Living Outside the Stacks

Tuesday, August 9th:  I’m Booking It

Thursday, August 11th:  Drey’s Library

Tuesday, August 16th:  Joyfully Retired

Disclaimer:  My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

 © 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond’s Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than blackdiamondsbookrev.fatcow.com, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl’s feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

First Lines Friday (from Money Can't Buy Love by Connie Briscoe) - July 29, 2011

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a new bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie of Precision Reviews. Here is what you do:

• Grab your current read(s).
• Share the first line(s).
• Include the title and author so that other FLF participants can add the book to their TBR Lists.

"Lenora stood above the polished chrome faucet in her master bathroom, razor blade held firmly in one hand, and thought of slashing her wrist."

~ Money Can't Buy Love by Connie Briscoe

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Mailbox Monday and It's Monday, What Are You Reading

~Mailbox Monday~

Hosted this month by

The Bluestocking Guide

We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

Here is what I got

Faith by Michelle Larks

Paperback, 300 pages

Published May 1st 2010 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Source:  Won this autographed copy from:

Sidne at 

Reading Rendezvous Reviewz

Thank you Sidne!!!!

Monet and Marcus Caldwell are living their version of the American Dream. Both are gainfully employed, Marcus as a detective for Chicago's Finest, and Monet as a nurse in the neonatal unit of an inner city hospital. They are faithful members of Reverend Ruth Wilcox's church, The Temple. The only thing missing from their life is a child. Doctors have been unable to explain the reason for Monet's inability to conceive, which she calls the Sarah Syndrome.

Then the unthinkable occurs. Monet is brutally assaulted. Months later, she learns the news she has been longing to hear her entire married life: she's having a baby. Monet is thrilled, but Marcus is appalled by the news, and orders his wife to terminate the pregnancy. Monet refuses, and a cold war of monumental proportions breaks out in the Caldwell household.

Monet's faith perseveres in the face of great adversity as she holds on to God's unchanging hand.

--------------------------

Love, Song & Dance by Jevon L. Mack

Paperback, 260 pages

Expected publication: August 26th 2011 by MavLit Publishing (first published May 1st 2011)

Source:   MavLit Publishing

Nearly a decade ago, Ja'Quan Jones left attending Morehouse College in Atlanta to pursue a modeling career. The path to fulfilling his dream encountered a detour no sooner than he stepped off the plan in Los Angeles. He spent the next two years helping Rhadric Williams build Scarred Entertainment into a media empire. Life was grand and glamorous, but somewhere along the way Ja'Quan had a change of heart and he returned in stealth back to Atlanta, embarking on a new life. He vowed never to return to Scarred Entertainment. Will his past catch up with him? Ja'Quan finds work at Kore-Tech, a prominent manufacturer in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. An unusual chain of events takes him on a fast track for advancement. He is loved by a few colleagues but scorned by many. Can he withstand the corporate daggers being aimed at his back? Few people have access into Ja'Quan's personal world especially since the death of his closest friend, Deandre "Dre" Farrington, who was shot and killed outside one of his businesses. It has taken Ja'Quan several years to get over it and bring down the barriers that guard his heart. Who will now bring sanity or insanity to it? Only Ja'Quan knows and he's inviting you into it . . .

---------------------------

Private Sessions by Nigel Barto

Paperback, 200 pages

Published October 11th 2010 by iUniverse

Source:  Provided to me by the author for review

Jordy Blackwell is an educated guy from Ashton, Maryland who understands loss. As a young child, he loses his grandmother. A case that goes unsolved. He inherits most of her money with the condition that he attends college and law school. His grandmother wanted him to be a suit-wearing man, a lawyer, a somebody.

By the time he gets to college, he is alone in the world. He loses his mother and home during a domestic dispute the year he begins school. He continues on the road to living up to his grandmother's wishes and graduates from law school. But his life takes a destructive turn. He loses his girlfriend, his stamina for wanting to be a lawyer, and his self-identity. He dances with sex and drugs, and attempts to lose his life.

He finds himself in a hospital in the care of Dr. Davis. She forces him to examine his life, and to determine what he wants from it. As his life story unfolds, Jordy makes interesting discoveries.

Feed Me by Nigel Barto

Paperback, 120 pages

Published March 18th 2011 by CreateSpace
Source:  Sent to me by the author for review

FEED ME is a collection of short stories that rouses your heart, wakes your adoring mind, and ignites passion. These stories were inspired by the author’s journey. Paris, love, and taking chances. Everything has its reason.

-----------------------

Warped Intentions by S. B. Redd

Paperback, 336 pages

Expected publication: September 23rd 2011 by MavLit Publishing (first published April 27th 2011)
Source:  Publisher

Television reporter Garner Davis of WCAE, a network affiliate in Columbia, South Carolina, is a survivor. He is passionate and skillful. He impresses his viewers with his tough questions and breaking news. Somehow, he doesn't ask the same questions when it comes to his choice of friends, acquaintances, and women . . .Vernise Aikens, a federal law enforcement officer, is a fan of Garner's and she lets him know about it. Intrigued, Garner meets her on a lunch date and she wows him with her wit, beauty, and sensuality . . . There is an inner voice that speaks to us if someone we meet has good intentions, let alone our best interests at heart. The question is whether we will listen and, if not, what are the consequences? Warped Intentions is national selling author S.B. Redd's latest thought provoking and scintillating novel, and first with MavLit Publishing.

------------------------------

Money Can't Buy Love by Connie Briscoe

Hardcover, 304 pages

Expected publication: June 27th 2011 by Grand Central Publishing

Source: TLC Book Tours (review to post Aug. 1)

Lena needs something exciting in her life. Her job is draining her, she and her best friend can't seem to get invitations to an exclusive women's social group, and her boyfriend of three years, won't marry her. When Lena thinks things can't get worse, she wins several million dollars in the Maryland lottery.

After overcoming the shock of her win, things finally begin to turn around for Lena. She's able to quit her job, buy all the things that couldn't get for herself and her daughter, not to mention, Gerald has proposed and the women's group won't leave her alone. As her life begins to come together, Lena notices that the things she held dear are beginning to fall apart and she wonders if her life really changed for the better, or if things are actually worse than they were before.

********************************************************

Hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

We discuss the books that we've read and what we're planning to read for the week.

Book Reviews/Posts Last Week:

 

Mon., 13         The MPire: Death Cometh (Book 2) by T. L. James –NURTURE Book Tour 

Tues., 14        Revelations (Jane Perry #3)  by Laurel Dewey (Pump Up Your Book Tour) 

Wed., 15        Flesh and Bones  by Paul Levine Review (Pump Up Your Book Tour)

Thurs., 16       Paul Levine Interview  

Fri.,    17        N.H.I. (No Humans Involved) by Ray Ellis (Pump Up Your Book Tour)

Sat., 18          Saturday Snapshot

 

This Week:

Week With An Author - K.P. Smith!

Currently Reading:

Up Next to Read:


These are the rest of my 13 Week Challenge reviews

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.