AALBC.com eNewsletter - June 30th, 2003

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Fire In A Canebrake by Laura Wexler
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/fire_in_a_canebrake.htm

"Fire In A Canebrake is an excellent account of this tragic event. Wexler presents a well researched, clear, concise and complete view of the mass lynching. She shows Walton County before and after the murders including the political climate of the town, state of Georgia and the country at the time of the murders. She also presents biographical details of all the major, as well as a few minor, participants. I loved the fact that Wexler provided an objective view of the murders by either verifying or contradicting the statements of eyewitnesses and those who were later called as witnesses in the subsequent hearings." —Read the rest of Thumper's Review

Blues From Down Deep, by Gwynne Forster
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/blues_from_down_deep.htm

"Blues From Down Deep is a prime example for enforcement of a "truth in advertising" law. Instead of the promised family drama, I was treated to bland, tedious romances that began with solidly constructed sexual tension that withered from disuse, and a silly main character. The title, Blues From Down Deep, is how I felt during and after reading this book." —Read the rest of Thumper's Review

Minion: A Vampire Huntress Legend, Book 1 by L. A. Banks
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/minion.htm

"I looked forward to reading Minion. I had great hopes for a new series featuring vampires. Sadly, Minion ain't the series I had anticipated.  From the first word to the last, I was highly disappointed, frustrated and angry with Minion. Everything about it made me see red: the plot, structure, dialogue, sub-plots, everything from the first ink smear to the last period. With the exception of its sensational cover, Minion has no redeeming qualities." —Read the rest of Thumper's Review

The Bridge by Solomon Jones
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/the_bridge.htm

"The Bridge, the second novel by Solomon Jones, should blow open the doors that his debut novel, Pipe Dreams did not. I am getting excited simply remembering the book as I write this review. The Bridge is STUNNING! The book took my breath away and did not give it back until the last period on the last sentence on the last page. Solomon Jones has emerged as our generation's Chester Himes. The Bridge is one of the year's best books."  —Read the rest of Thumper's Review

Triple Take by Y. Blak Moore
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/triple_take.htm

"Triple Take, the debut novel by Y. Blak Moore, reminds me of an old timey Hollywood western. Despite the fact that Triple Take takes place in the 21st century mean streets of Chicago, the basic story about a man returning to his hometown to destroy the people who wronged him has been the premise of many a Saturday matinee western. Although Triple Take has a couple of major flaws, the only elements separating Triple Take and those old movies are a big TV screen, a weekend afternoon, and a screen credit saying "Directed by John Ford". I was transfixed and thoroughly entertained."  —Read the rest of Thumper's Review

A Letter to My Father By John W. Griffin
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/a_letter_to_my_father.htm

"I had high expectations of debut autobiography, A Letter to My Father, by John W. Griffin, mainly because of my love for autobiographies and also due to the fact that I know a little of Mr. Griffins current circumstance. A quick skim of the contents intrigued me even more when I noticed Griffin had formatted his story in the same manner as Jean Toomers' Cane. The placement of beautifully written poems preceding each chapter offered warmth, compassion and insight into the life of this mysterious man. Unfortunately, the content of the chapters did not live up to my initial promising impression and turned into 500 pages of wind." —Read the rest of Linda Watkins' Review

Jelly Roll: A Blues by Kevin Young
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/jelly_roll_a_blues.htm

"I preface this review by saying that I am an avid fan of the Blues. So, when someone comes along and captures the unmistakable feeling that comes with Blues music, I am very likely to enjoy it. Kevin Young, in his book of poetry, "Jelly Roll: A Blues" taps right into and dishes up the hypnotic lyrical rhythms of performers from the Mississippi and Louisiana Deltas. "Jelly Roll" not only captures Blues rhythms, but he instills the essence of the Blues. He also reconnects the branches of Ragtime, Dixieland, Jazz, and Calypso back to their original musical family tree. These interludes almost ache with the symmetry of his Blues."  —Read the rest of Rondall Brasher's Review

The Hatwearer's Lesson by Yolanda Joe
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/the_hatwearers_lesson.htm

"I am perplexed. Maybe someone -- anyone, can help me. I'm trying to figure out what happened between BeBe's By Golly Wow, the last Yolanda Joe book I read, and The Hatwearer's Lesson, Joe's latest novel. BeBe's By Golly Wow is a fun, feel-good novel. The Hatwearer's Lesson is basically a warming up of the leftover elements from books that became popular in the eighties: over-achieving African-American woman receives an invaluable life lesson from her old, wise, face-cracking, blunt-but-loving grandmother. Yawn. Been there. Done that. Sold it in a yard sale ten years ago. I'm disappointed in The Hatwearer's Lesson, not only because the book is tired, but also because Yolanda Joe has done better."  —Read the rest of Thumper's Review

A Mighty Love By Anita Doreen Diggs
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/a_mighty_love.htm

"Relationship novels are for escapism. The content should tantalize the reader– evoke deep emotion and keep one's attention. Unfortunately, A Mighty Love, the debut novel by author Anita Doreen Diggs didn't meet any of these criteria. The outcome of investing my time, interest and emotions was pure reading disappointment."  —Read the rest of Linda Watkins' Review

Sister, Sister: Three Novellas by Donna Hill, Carmen Green and Janice Sims
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/sister_sister.htm

"The three award-winning writers of Sister, Sister surpass readers' expectations with their ability to tell an intriguing tale and their insight into the ways of the human heart. The novellas are chock full of revelations and beautifully written passages about change, forgiveness, truth and love. Sister, Sister: Three Novellas is a wonderful celebration of the special bond of sisterhood." —Read the rest of Leah Mullen's Review

Doña Julia and Other Selected Poems" by Alberto O. Cappas
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/dona_julia.htm

"Doña Julia and Other Selected Poems" by Alberto O. Cappas is written with tremendous amount of pride. It is a book that comes from the heart of a man who clearly loves his native Puerto Rico and his people. His poetry however lacks the voice to raise this resounding theme to a beautiful song.  Cappas is talented but his poetry is delivered without intensity and conviction."  —Read the rest of Rondall Brasher's Review

Africa World Press & Red Sea Press
http://writers.aalbc.com/africaworldpress.htm

Africa World Press, Inc., was launched in 1983 with the publication of Barrel of a Pen: Resistance to Repression in Neo-Colonial Kenya by the renowned Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o. In its short history, AWP has published over 400 titles of non-fiction, poetry and photographs. To date, Africa World Press has evolved to become the premier publisher of books on African, African-American, Caribbean and Latin-American issues.

The Red Sea Press, Inc. was initiated in 1985 and has become a premier distribution network, distributing the books of over 250 publishing companies, with a special focus on and about people of African descent in the Continent as well as the Diaspora-- in the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The imprint has also become one of the world's foremost publishers of books on the Horn of Africa, also adding to its list a variety of books from other parts of the Third World. One of our authors, Jose Ramos-Horta, was the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize co-winner. In 1987, RSP published Mr. Ramos-Horta's book, Funu: The Unfinished Saga of East Timor.

Amber Communications Group, Inc.
http://writers.aalbc.com/amberbooks.htm

Amber Communications Group, Inc. was the winner of the first African American Publisher of the Year Award.  Presenter of the award, BlackBoard's founder and president Faye Childs, says that "Mr. Rose's [Tony Rose, Publisher & CEO, AMBER COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.] dedication to African American publishing and his tireless efforts to promote African American authors is to be commended." 

Milligan Books
http://writers.aalbc.com/milliganbooks.htm

Since its founding in 1990, Milligan Books has skyrocketed to become the fastest-growing Black female-owned publishing company in America. The company has published more than 100 Black authors. Several of their works have made various bestseller lists.

"There are many talented and dedicated Black writers," says Dr. Rosie Milligan, founder and owner of Milligan Books, "who have written well-crafted works that deserve publication."  Dr. Milligan's mission simply is to offer authors another opportunity to reach an audience with their work.

Gansta by  K'wan
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0970247214/aalbccom-20

K’wan is without a doubt one of this generations most talented, and gritty writers.  Gangsta is the first of many novels pulled from this writers arsenal. This gripping street tale is sure to leave a lasting impression on the game for many years to come. One thing most people can agree on is, not only can you read Gangsta, but you can feel it.
—Triple Crown Publications

Book-Remarks.com
http://www.book-remarks.com/

Book-Remarks.com is a top viewed web site that promotes literary works which may reflect the African-American culture. In addition to posting information regarding new releases by mainstream as well as self-published writers, we also provide readers with monthly author interviews, book previews, book reviews, postings about upcoming literary events, a list of anticipated releases for the current year and beyond, book excerpts, and press releases regarding events, awards, and other related web content.

Interested in having AALBC.com promote your book?
Please contact Earl Cox, Sales Manager, at earl@aalbc.com