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 - The Retreat by Dijorn Moss

About the Book:

For those who have ever wondered what goes on at a men's retreat, The Retreat is an in-depth look into the lives of four men who have looked for answers in all the wrong places . . . until now. 


Quincy is in the final stages of his divorce, but he still wants to know which church member had an affair with his wife. Jamal is on the verge of the promotion of a lifetime, but unresolved issues with his son, Jamir, threaten everything. Chauncey is a man who will go to great lengths for his church, but not for his terminally ill brother. Will is a young hustler who has been given a rare opportunity to make a choice that will change his life forever.


These four men are all at a crossroads in their lives. Will they lay their burdens down at the cross, or will they choose paths that will cause more harm than good? It will all be revealed at the men's retreat, where they learn that they need God and his wisdom more than ever.

From: Goodreads

  

My First Reaction When I Finished: 

This book had so many important messages!

My Review:

Quincy really thinks that he gives his wife everything, so why would she even cheat on him.  Why of all people would she have an affair with someone from the church.  He is going into this retreat hoping that he will find who it was. Will he find out or will he come away with his questions unanswered?  What will happen to their marriage?


Jamal doesn't know what to do when he finds out something about his son.  He isn't sure which way to go with his life.  He is hoping the retreat will hold answers for him.  What does he find out and will he find the guidance he needs to make the right decision?

Chauncey really needed to go to the retreat, but something unexpected happens on the way that may change his life and someone else's life too.  What happens?

Will seems like he might never get out of the life that he has.  Something he did and then changed his mind about really surprised me and gave me faith that maybe he would change.  That was one of my favorite parts of the book!  Was that just a one-time thing, or will his life be turned around? 


This book is one that I am so glad that I read.  It was nice to read about the man's point of view and what is going through their head in certain situations!  This is the first Urban Christian  Fiction book that I've read., and I plan on reading more in the future.  Dijorn Moss is a highly talented author and one I will be looking forward to reading again!  I really feel like I learned so much from this book!



Favorite Quotes from the book:

p. 35

Sometimes God's opportunities for redemption come in the most unique packages

P.53

"We all mess up sometimes.  Lord knows I do, but the scripture says that the Lord makes us new mercies every day.  So you do not have to carry your past into your future.  You can decide to land anew and God is waiting for you.  No matter what you've done."

p54

"Don't wait, tomorrow is not promised.  Make a choice to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and He will remove your sins.  You might not feel like you deserve it, but the scripture says that His ways are not your ways."

p164

"I know that there are some fine sistas at your church and job, but guess what?  God isn't going to stop making them, so we have to learn to master our filthy desires, Minister Perkins said.

Do I recommend?
Yes, definitely!

My rating:

5/5 diamonds

Highly Recommend Purchasing This Book!

 Book Details:
Title: The Retreat
Author: Dijorn Moss
Publisher:   Kensington Publishing Corporation
Pages: Paperback; 288 pages
Source: Purchased

Visit the author on his website: dijornmoss.webs.com

Purchase the book here:  Amazon

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for my review. 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, 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.

Teaser Tuesday

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 
Anyone can play along! 

Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
5. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 The Retreat by Dijorn Moss

"We all mess up sometimes. Lord knows I do, but the scripture says that the Lord makes us new mercies every day. So you do not have to carry your past into your future.  You can decide to land anew and God is waiting for you.  No matter what you've done."

P.53

 

© 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

~Mailbox Monday~  
is hosted by Laura  of  Library of Clean Reads during the month of February 
We share what books that we found in our mailboxes last week.

I received this Advance Reader Edition (on sale 4/19/11) from Random House Publishing Group:

Friendship Bread by Darien Gee

From Goodreads:
An anonymous gift sends a woman on a journey she never could have anticipated.
 
One afternoon, Julia Evarts and her five-year-old daughter, Gracie, arrive home to find an unexpected gift on the front porch: a homemade loaf of Amish Friendship Bread and a simple note: I hope you enjoy it. Also included are a bag of starter, instructions on how to make the bread herself, and a request to share it with others. 

Still reeling from a personal tragedy that left her estranged from the sister who was once her best friend, Julia remains at a loss as to how to move on with her life. She’d just as soon toss the anonymous gift, but to make Gracie happy, she agrees to bake the bread.

When Julia meets two newcomers to the small town of Avalon, Illinois, she sparks a connection by offering them her extra bread starter. Widow Madeline Davis is laboring to keep her tea salon afloat while Hannah Wang de Brisay, a famed concert cellist, is at a crossroads, her career and marriage having come to an abrupt end. In the warm kitchen of Madeline’s tea salon, the three women forge a friendship that will change their lives forever.

In no time, everyone in Avalon is baking Amish Friendship Bread. But even as the town unites for a benevolent cause and Julia becomes ever closer to her new friends, she realizes the profound necessity of confronting the painful past she shares with her sister.

About life and loss, friendship and community, food and family, Friendship Bread tells the uplifting story of what endures when even the unthinkable happens.

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

I received this book from Shelf Awareness:

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

From Goodreads:
Twelve-year-old Kat Stephenson may be the despair of her social-climbing Step-Mama, but she was born to be a magical Guardian and protector of Society--if she can ever find true acceptance in the secret Order that expelled her own mother. She’s ready to turn the hidebound Order of the Guardians inside-out, whether the older members like it or not. And in a society where magic is the greatest scandal of all, Kat is determined to use all her powers to help her three older siblings--saintly Elissa, practicing-witch Angeline, and hopelessly foolish Charles--find their own true loves, even if she has to turn highwayman, battle wild magic, and confront real ghosts along the way!

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

I received this advanced promo unedited copy from the author!

Stilettos & Scoundrels by Laina Turner Molaski

From Goodreads:

Presley Thurman, a sassy, thirty-something red-head, was looking to reinvent herself. She didn't allow the fact she was recently fired to bother her - she was ready to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a writer. Presley is a lover of shopping and Starbucks, and even though she sometimes had bad taste in men, she always had great taste in clothes. Not looking back on corporate America, Presley decided to follow her dream. With her feisty nature and a spirit to not "sweat the small stuff," she was ready to tackle any challenge (even if she had no idea how she would pay the bills). When her friend Trevor offered her a job with his online magazine to interview public figures, she jumped at the chance. However, the new job turned into something unexpected when the U.S. Senator she was slated to write about was murdered - in her home town! Presley was excited - she hadn't seen so much buzz since the spring sample sale at Saks. She was ready for this adventure, even if it didn't seem to fit neatly into her life. She couldn't pass up the opportunity to be in the middle of the buzz. Presley was determined (not to mention curious) to find the killer and write her story. After all, she couldn't afford her shoe habit without a job and she was certainly not one to shy away from danger. The only thing standing in her way was an old high school fling, Cooper Sands, head of the Senator's security. He was not actually standing in her way, but because of his good looks, he was the biggest distraction and one she was having the hardest time overcoming. Cooper felt it was too dangerous for Presley to look for a killer and tried to distract her with reliving the past; which Presley found more dangerous than any killer. While she attempted to resist Cooper's good looks and charm, Presley was able to discover the Senator's wife, Helen, had been having an affair... with her best friend's boyfriend! Did Helen kill the Senator? Or was it the Senator's love of gambling that got him killed? And what was Cooper's secret tie to the mob boss Garrison Palazzo? Presley was betting her favorite pair of Manolo's she will find the killer... but will time run out!

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

I became friends with Dijorn Moss on Facebook, and was interested in checking out his book, so I purchased it:

The Retreat by Dijorn Moss

From Goodreads:

For those who have ever wondered what goes on at a men's retreat, The Retreat is an in-depth look into the lives of four men who have looked for answers in all the wrong places . . . until now.

Quincy is in the final stages of his divorce, but he still wants to know which church member had an affair with his wife. Jamal is on the verge of the promotion of a lifetime, but unresolved issues with his son, Jamir, threaten everything. Chauncey is a man who will go to great lengths for his church, but not for his terminally ill brother. Will is a young hustler who has been given a rare opportunity to make a choice that will change his life forever.

These four men are all at a crossroads in their lives. Will they lay their burdens down at the cross, or will they choose paths that will cause more harm than good? It will all be revealed at the men's retreat, where they learn that they need God and his wisdom more than ever.

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

I also became friends with Larry Jabreel Wilson on Facebook.  I also wanted to check out his books, so he recommended this one to read first:

The KING of Erotica 1: The Throne's Special Edition by daPharoah69

Imagine a perfect world that seems like heaven on the outside but on the inside...hell, lies and deceit interweaves the bitter, passionate and lost into a monster of its own design. In the eyes of society, most people live cookie-cutter lives. They try to be better than everybody, boast about what they have and they selfishly show off their houses, lovers and cars to a world sick with confusion, bias and racism. They lie to themselves for the sake of acceptance. Wearing their Sunday Best, they go to church, praise God after shaking their hind parts in the clubs and they give to the needy...expecting something in return. But on the inside they are impure. On the inside they have bad intentions and they are so sexual they don't know if they're coming or going. Enter the no-nonsense flair of Dapharoah69, The King of Erotica. Melissa Jackson takes no shorts when it comes THE GOLDEN MASKS and pure, unadulterated sex. She's a Goulds, Florida native who tells it like it is and she doesn't apologize for it. She participates in a massive orgy in the back of the church. Clever...she just wants to live out her dreams! She's a gorgeous woman used to getting what she wants. She targets prostitutes she meets online. Will her British lover let her have the fantasy? Terrance Jo'Shawn is a straight man during daylight hours but when night falls...the pure freak comes out to play...with another man...who is attached to someone he loves the most in the world. The King of Erotica is an embodiment of everything you never imagined. The stories are brutally honest. The characters are selfish, needy and greedy...like some people you know in your life. The characters made their beds...but will they lay in them? Why does Melissa turn her church upside down? Why is Francine Mann getting cold feet about marrying Samuel Lester? Why is Prado (Samuel's brother) jealous of what he has? Why did she get her knees dirty in her home in a wedding dress with Samuel's brother? Will Prado destroy a marriage in the making? Will Clever live out her dreams? DOWN, SET, HIKE will change how you view...sports and sex. THE GOLDEN MASKS will change how you look at church and the tithe plates. RAYNE IN THE BEDROOM will change how you view theatrics, lesbians and...oral sex. JOINTS, BEER AND THE CHEATING LOVERS gives a new meaning to life, love and Holy Matrimony when two hot-and-horny men suffer the infidelity of their...hot and bothered wives. THE STRAP will show you how one woman remained faithful to a bisexual, selfish man after coming home to rose petals leading to her room. But were they for her? Or another man or woman? All this and more lace the King of Erotica Book 1: the Throne. GET SOMETHING from this book. Because the King of Erotica is a no-holds barred affair that will make or break your thought process while reading his presentation.

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Finally, I purchased these shirts from Brian W. Smith, one of my favorite authors!  Here is the link to purchase these awesome shirts and Brian W. Smith's books: hollygrovepublishing.com

© 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.