Review - Commune of Women by Suzan Still - Pump Up Your Book Tour - September 12, 2011

About the Book:

What happens when ordinary citizens, going about their daily plans, suddenly encounter their worst nightmare? That is a question the women of Commune of Women are about to answer.

On an ordinary Los Angeles morning, seven women converge upon LAX for various purposes. Suddenly, in the midst of the crowded terminal, disaster strikes. Each woman spies her only chance at survival and races into the tiny staff room that is to be her home for the next four days. By the first night, they have rudimentary knowledge of one another: Sophia is a powerful, 60-ish woman who is unaccountably adept at the arts of survival; Pearl, an ancient bag lady, part-Black, part-Choctaw, is resourceful and unafraid; Erika , a top executive, has had her business trip cut short by a bullet in the shoulder; Heddi, a Jungian analyst already stressed by marital problems, knows she must use her psychological skills to help the others; Betty, an overweight, histrionic, 50-ish housewife, can’t stand the sight of blood or the thought of how she’s driven her entire family away; and Ondine, a sylph-like, 40ish artist, wealthy, unhappy and neurotic, has inherited a home in France. For four days, united by their common will to survive, the women learn to cooperate and to both entertain and sustain themselves by telling their life stories, which grow darker and more intimate as the days pass.

Meanwhile, Najat, the sole female among her group, the Brothers, has been abandoned by her male companions in a control room with a bank of monitors giving a view of the entire terminal and of televised rescue efforts, where she struggles between her own conscience and the dictates of her group.

My Review:

One seemingly normal day at the airport turns into a not so normal event.  Chaos and gunfire at the airport causes six women to run for cover to the breakroom of the LAX airport.  Two of the women are wounded.   The women all come together and end up telling stories of their lives in the midst of all of the things going on.

I liked that Suzan Still defined each character by putting their name as a header while they tell their story.  You will go from one character to the next as you listen to their stories.  The writing is very detailed.   I loved the whole idea of the story.  You just never know, one day you could be doing something ordinary like going to the airport and you could be put with a bunch of women that you don't even know and end up telling more to them about your life than you would even expect.

At first I had trouble getting into the book and trying to remember who was who.  What have been really cool would be to have a picture of each woman maybe at the beginning of the book just so you could connected a face with the character.  I know when you read you are supposed to form each character in your mind, but it just would have been helpful.  I could really see this book being made into a movie!

My Rating :  

Commune of Women
Author:  Suzan Still
Published July 16th 2011 by Fiction Std
ISBN: 1936558165 (ISBN13: 9781936558162)
Number of pages: 350

About Suzan Still:

Suzan Still holds a masters in art and writing and a doctorate in depth psychology. A retired university professor, she also taught creative writing in a men’s prison, where she became increasingly concerned with issues of social disenfranchisement. She lives in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains with her husband and an assortment of rescued fur children.

You can visit Suzan at http://suzanstillcommune.blogspot.com



Disclaimer:Thank you to Tracee at  Pump Up Your Book Tours for sending me a review copy. 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 MYexperience 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.

Book Review - Homefires by Emily Sue Harvey

Homefires by Emily Sue Harvey

Paperback, 450 pages

Published June 7th 2011 by Story Plant, The (first published April 7th 2011)

Source: Tracee of Pump Up Your Book


Oosa Book Club 2nd Quarter Challenge book 12 of 13

About Emily Sue Harvey

Emily Sue Harvey, author and speaker, writes to make a difference. Dozens of her upbeat stories and articles appear in Chocolate for Women, Chicken Soup for the Soul, women’s magazines, websites, and other anthologies.

She is the author of the novel Song of Renewal and the novella FlavorsH. Her new novel, Homefires, will be followed by two more novellas and another novel (Unto these Hills) later in 2011.

To find out more about Emily visitwww.renewalstories.com orwww.emilysueharvey.com

About Homefires

Homefires is set in the Deep South’s Bible Belt on the eve of unprecedented moral changes. It is the story of Janeece and Kirk Crenshaw, a couple married just after their high school graduation who set out to make a life for themselves. It is a life marked by surprises, none more dramatic than when Kirk receives his “high-calling” and becomes a pastor. It is a life marked by tragedy, the most heart-rending of which is a devastating event very close to home. And it is a life marked by challenges: to their church, to their community, and most decidedly to their marriage. And as the fullness of time makes its impact on their union, Kirk and Janeece must face the question of whether they have gone as far as they can together.

Filled with the rich emotions and evocative characters that fans have come to expect from Emily Sue Harvey, and reminiscent of the work of Jan Karon and Anne Rivers Siddons, Homefires is a poignant and compelling novel that will steal readers’ hearts.

My Review:

I loved Flavors by Emily Sue Harvey, so when I saw this book up for review, I jumped at the chance to be on the tour.  I was a little disappointed in this book.  

Janeece and Kirk were young and innocent kids that were in love. They decided to "save themselves" for marriage and eventually they got married.   Some of the parts of the book I could relate to, like when they were going on a trip and one kid had to sit on "the hump" in the middle of the back seat.  I remember clearly going to Texas when I was little and we had to take turns riding on "the hump".  So,  I did feel kind of a connection with the characters, but not as much of a connection that I would have liked.  

I do like reading a variety of books, but this one just didn't hold my interest as much as I had hoped.  I have friends that I would recommend this book to (Staci).  It all depends on your taste in books I guess as to whether or not you would like this one.  The only way you will know is to just read it yourself!  I do recommend that you read Flavors by Emily Sue Harvey though!

My Rating:

2/5 Diamonds

It was just okay.

View the tour information here:

Pump Up Your Book

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 are 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.

Book Review - N.H.I. (No Humans Involved) (A Nate Richard Novel) by Ray Ellis

N.H.I. (No Humans Involved) (A Nate Richard Novel) by Ray Ellis

Kindle Edition

Published March 12th 2011 by StoneHouse Ink
Source:  Pump Up Your Book

About Ray Ellis

Ray Ellis began his law enforcement career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in Orange County, California. After working for a number of years in the maximum security facility, he transferred to patrol working along Orange County’s coast as well as the inner canyons and barrios. After 8 years he moved to Idaho and continued his law enforcement career, serving as an instructor for the Idaho POST Council.

Ray was first ordained into the ministry while living in Orange County and now serves as the Associate Pastor in his home church in Nampa, Idaho. A former United States Marine, he is a public speaker, communicating to groups of all sizes on the topics of community and personal safety. Since 1999 Ray has been a primary instructor for the Idaho POST Academy – Police Training Institution for Idaho- instructing on subjects of Arrest Control, Cultural Diversity and for the last five years exclusively on the topic of Instructor Development, where he teaches other officers to be POST certified instructors. He is currently serving as the lead sex crimes investigator for the agency where he works. He has been married to the same woman for 27 years and has three children; two sons and a daughter. Ray lives with his family in Idaho.

Ray’s debut novel, a work of urban fiction, N.H.I.: No Humans Involved, was released in March of this year.

You can visit Ray online at www.urbanfictionunleashed.webstarts.com or connect with him on twitter at www.twitter.com/RayEllisNHI or Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ray-Ellis-Author/116322698426928.

About N.H.I.: No Humans Involved

Half of Treasure City is controlled by a violent street gang.  The other half is controlled by fear.  A rookie detective, Nate Richards, is thrust between the two.  Abyss, a mysterious street gang moves into the valley and people have started dying.  Nate’s girlfriend suddenly disappears and the gang is being targeted as the cause.  With his partner fighting for her life – the result of a vigilante’s bullet, political pressure from above, and time running out to find his missing girlfriend, Nate has to overcome the darkness that has taken over the city and threatening to consume his soul.  Forced to fight to stay on the case, he has to work against his command and the elements of the streets  while trying to hold on to his faith that seems to make less and less sense as details unfold.  With darkness growing and evil seeming to swell, will Nate have enough time to solve the murder and discover the identity of the new gang leader before his girlfriend becomes the latest victim in the growing violent total?  Will he succumb to get the job done by any means necessary, or will he become part of the problem and prove that there are No Humans Involved?

My Review

This was an excellent first book by Ray Ellis!  I enjoy reading books with a lot of action and suspense, and this book sure didn't disappoint me at all!  


After I read the book I saw that it was a christian murder mystery.   This book was not at all a church type book trying to preach to you.  I have read non-christian books that have felt more preachy than this book.  Don't get me wrong, it did have bible references in it, but they fit well into the story.


We are introduced to Detective Nate Richards.  He is trying to solve the case of a murder of a fellow police officer and a teen boy.   His partner is also injured during a shooting.  The anarchist symbol seems to be the killer's trademark.  That leads Nate to think that it is a certain gang that is doing the killings.  


I definitely recommend this book!  It had a great mix of characters.  The action was intense, and the ending was very surprising!  I am looking forward to reading the next book written by Ray Ellis!

My Rating:

4/5 diamonds - Recommend this murder mystery!

N.H.I.: No Humans Involved Virtual Book Tour Schedule

Monday, June 6

Book reviewed at Life in Review

Tuesday, June 7

Interviewed at The Writer’s Life

Thursday, June 9
Book reviewed at Book Reviews by Molly

Friday, June 10

Interviewed at Beyond the Books

Monday, June 13

Book reviewed at Mad Moose Mama

Tuesday, June 14

Interviewed at Shine

Wednesday, June 15

Interviewed at The Book Connection

Thursday, June 16

Interviewed at Examiner

Friday, June 17

Book reviewed at Black Diamonds Book Reviews

Monday, June 20

Interviewed at Working Writers

Tuesday, June 21

Interviewed at As the Pages Turn

Wednesday, June 22

Interviewed at Blogcritics

Thursday, June 23

Interviewed at American Chronicle

Guest participant at Literarily Speaking June Book Panel

Friday, June 24

Guest blogging at Literal Exposure

Monday, June 27

Guest blogging at The Book Faery Reviews

Tuesday, June 28

Interviewed at Review From Here

Wednesday, June 29

Guest blogging at The Book Bin

Thursday, June 30

Interviewed at Pump Up Your Book

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 are 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.

Interview with Paul Levine - Author of Flesh and Bones

Paul Levine Interview

First of all, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to interview you for Black Diamond’s Book Reviews!  I really think it is important to do author interviews.  People go out and read and review the books, but they don’t necessarily know much about the author.  Interviews give the readers a chance to find out more about the author, and I think it is more likely that a reader will develop some kind of connection to the author and be more likely to follow that author andread upcoming books!

Could you tell me a little about yourself?

I started as a reporter for The Miami Herald.  Went to law school at University of Miami after covering the lewd conduct trial of Jim Morrison of The Doors in 1870…I mean, 1970, it only seems that long ago.  I was a trial lawyer for 17 years in Miami, a place where vultures constantly circle the courthouse.  Talking about the birds riding the updrafts, not lawyers in their Porsches.

When did you start writing and how did you get started?

On a windsurfing trip to Maui in 1987, I got injured and sat on the beach, writing my first “Jake Lassiter” book in longhand.  Bantam bought it in  a four-book deal.  “To Speak for the Dead” was the first one.  “Flesh & Bones,” in my opinion, is the best one.

What kind of books do you like to write?

Thrillers.

Murder trials.

Novels of suspense.

Do you have any rituals that you use when you are writing?

I eat chocolate and drink coffee all day. 

(Cheryl says - we would get along great - I eat chocolate all day too, but I drink pop)

What are you reading now?

Just finished two outstanding novels.  “The Lock Artist” by Steve Hamilton and “Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter” by Tom Franklin.  Trying to get into “Water for Elephants” now.

What are some of your favorite books and authors?  

Honestly, too many to mention.  In my genre, John D. MacDonald and Raymond Chandler.  I won’t name current crime fiction writers because I’ll inadvertently leave out my friends.  Out of my genre, John Updike and Tom Wolfe have always just knocked me out.

Has writing your own book changed the way that you read?

Unfortunately, instead of reading for pleasure, I’m watching for technique.

Are you able to read when you’re writing and if so what books inspire you when you’re working on a novel?

I try not to read anything in crime fiction while I’m writing.  If I read Elmore Leonard, for example, I start to pick up his style.

What is a typical day in your life like?

Work all morning; run errands then work out in afternoon; read at night.  Life in the no-passing lane.

Did you know what you wanted the title of the book to be?  How involved were in choosing the name of the book?

Jake Lassiter defends model Chrissy Bernhardt, a stunning model,  on a murder charge.  Much of the book is set in the world of modeling on South Beach.  “Flesh & Bones” therefore came naturally with its double meaning.

Who was your favorite character to write, and why did you like that character?

Jake Lassiter has always been my favorite character.  He’s an ex-pro football player turned night-school lawyer.  A brew and burger guy in a pate and Chardonnay world.  He’s matured in “Flesh & Bones.”  Really starts seeing himself as he is and is honest about his shortcomings.  Here’s his interior dialogue when he realizes he’s falling for his client, and she might be guilty of murder:

“A good lawyer is part con man, part priest -- promising riches, threatening hell.  My ethical rules are simple.  I won't lie to the court or let a client do it.  But I've never been in this position before.  How far would I go for a woman who mattered?  Is there anything I wouldn't do to win?”

It takes a while to answer the question, but when Jake does, it is with brutal honesty:

“I never intended to be a hero, and I succeeded.  I wish I'd been faster then, smarter now.  I wish I could paint a picture or build a bridge.  I wish there was a woman -- just one -- who had lasted.  A best friend and only lover, a soulmate, not a cellmate.  And now I knew.  There is nothing I wouldn't do...nothing...to set Chrissy free.”

Did you have to do much research when working on 

Flesh and Bones? If so, do you tend to write first or research first?

I did substantial research on “recovered memories,” as Chrissy claims that – while under hypnosis – she remembered long-past incidents of childhood sexual abuse.  So, I spoke to psychiatrists and did some reading.  Murder trials also require some brushing up on the law.  I do all that before writing the book.

As a published author, what’s been the biggest surprise about life after the publication of your first book?

Well, that was 1990.  Then, I just had to sit down and do it again and again and again.  Fourteen times.  The surprise is that I’m able to make a living doing what I want.

What’s next for you?

In September, Bantam comes out with the first new Jake Lassiter hardcover since 1997.  It’s “Lassiter,”  and I think you’ll like it.

What three artists would I find in your Ipod or CD player?

Iris Dement, Julie London, Waylon Jennings, among others.

If I came to your home and looked in your refrigerator what would I find?

Grolsch beer.  Cashews.  Sweet potato pancake mix.  Chocolate.  Greek yogurt.  Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries from the Studio City Farmer’s Market.  More Grolsch beer and some Sam Adams, too.

What famous person do other people tell you that you most look like?

Lately, from a couple insane friends, Ronald Reagan.  I don’t see it.

(Cheryl - yes, I can see that kind of!)

What is the one thing about yourself that others would be shocked to know?

I’ll answer that after the statute of limitations has run.

Choose a book title for the story of your life.

“He Came, He Saw, He Took a Nap”

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

I just got an e-mail from Paul Levine.  I just have to share part of it.  Here is what he says:

Last summer, on the 20th anniversary of publication of “To Speak for the Dead,” I pledged all proceeds of the ebook edition to the Four Diamonds Fund charity. The book rocketed to number one on Amazon’s Hardboiled Mystery Bestseller List and raised thousands of dollars for cancer treatment at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.

This summer, I'm doing it again. "Flesh & Bones" is now an ebook, specially priced at $.99, with all royalties going to the Fund.

Not only is this a great book, but the money that you pay for the book

will go to a very good cause!

You can find his website at: paul-levine.com

 © 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you are 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.