REVIEW: Without Faith by Leslie J. Sherrod

Date:                         11/2/13

Title:                          Without Faith

Author:                     Leslie J. Sherrod

ISBN 13:                    978-1-60162-770-4

Pages:                        301

Publisher:                Urban Christian

Cover:                        Paperback

Rating:                      5 Stars

Let me start by saying, if you have followed Literary Wonders! reviews over the last twenty years, you know that it is seldom that we give a “fiction” book a five-star rating. A five-star rating would mean that our reviewers could not put the book down, we frantically turned each page to see what was happening and the ending had our mouths wide open.  Without Faith by Leslie Sherrod did just that for this reviewer. This is the second in the Sienna St. James Series. And although I enjoyed Losing Hope, the first book in the series, it was a bit slow for me. Without Faith did not disappoint.

Sienna St. James has gotten past the cat-and-mouse games she faced in the first book, but chasing someone who may or may not have existed is nothing compared to the bizarre situations she finds herself in this time around. Although she hasn’t gotten it all together, Sienna has bought her own home and has started her own practice. Little does she know that counseling a problem couple could nearly cause her to lose her life, nor does she realize sending her son on a school trip would bring answers to questions she has had for years.

Sierra is so busy chasing her past, and her son, that her ability to recognize and choose one of the two suitors who clearly have feelings for her, fails her. SPOILER. I wish that this book could have ended with Sierra finding happiness with either Leon or Laz, but it doesn’t. Leon leaves for Houston to support his niece. But I guess that is why this is only the second book in the series. Perhaps Mrs. Sherrod will finally give Sierra the love she’s been longing for in book three or a future installment of the series.

I truly believe that this book is Hollywood worthy—can someone please get Tyler Perry or another great producer on the line? Author Leslie J. Sherrod has a hit screenplay she needs to give you.

Look for our 5-Star VidReview coming soon!

BLOG TOUR: Thread of Gold Beads with Nike Campbell-Fatoki

About The Book

Amelia, daughter of the last independent King of Danhomè, King Gbèhanzin, is the apple of

her father’s eye, loved beyond measure by her mother, and overprotected by her siblings. She searches for her place within the palace amidst conspirators and traitors to the Kingdom. Just when Amelia begins to feel at home in her role as a Princess, a well-kept secret shatters the perfect life she knows. Someone else within the palace also knows and does everything to bring the secret to light. A struggle between good and evil ensues causing Amelia to leave all that she knows and loves. She must flee Danhomè with her brother, to south-western Nigeria. In a faraway land, she finds the love of a new family and God. The well-kept secret thought to have been dead and buried, resurrects with the flash of a thread of gold beads. Amelia must fight for her life and what is left of her soul.

Set during the French-Dahomey war of the late 1890s in Benin Republic and early 1900s in Abeokuta and Lagos, South-Western Nigeria, Thread of Gold Beads is a delicate love story, and  coming of age tale of a young girl.  It clearly depicts the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversities

About The Author
Nike Campbell-Fatoki was born in Lvov, Ukraine to Nigerian parents. She spent her formative

years in Lagos, Nigeria, listening to stories and folktales told by her maternal Grandparents. Her fondest memories were the weekends her mother took her and her siblings to Kings Way, on Lagos Island, returning back with bags of story books.

Though a social science major, she found great pleasure in taking literature classes. She graduated magna cum laude in Economics from Howard University and further went on to receive a Master of Arts degree in International Development from American University, Washington, DC. She worked for several years in International Development field working with International Development consulting firms managing projects and programs overseas.
Presently, she is a Budget and Finance Manager in the municipal government in the Washington DC area. She is an avid reader. She loves traveling, watching movies and listening to music. She is also the Founder of Eclectic Goodies, a party favors and gifts packaging company. She lives in the Washington DC area with her husband and three sons.

Connect with the Author

Email Address: nikecampbellfatoki@gmail.com
Website www.nikecfatoki.com
Twitter link www.twitter.com/nikecfatoki    Twitter Hashtag: #GoldBeadsTour
Facebook link www.facebook.com/nikecfatoki

Facebook Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/ThreadofGoldBeads

Book Trailer http://youtu.be/yc6V8nM7k2k

Buy Links

CreateSpace: https://www.createspace.com/3958444

Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/Thread-Gold-Beads-Nike-Campbell-Fatoki/dp/0988193205/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374941148&sr=8-1&keywords=thread+of+gold+beads

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thread-Gold-Beads-Nike-Campbell-Fatoki/dp/0988193205/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353952597&sr=8-1

Link to Tour Schedule http://wnlbooktours.com/nike-campbell-fatoki/

BLOG TOUR: Escape to Love with Vanessa Miller

About The Book

She wanted a peaceful escape to the Bahamas. What she got was love and danger at

every turn.

Renee Thomas can’t trust herself to pick a good man. Putting her life back together after being in an abusive relationship, she finds a job. Her new job isn’t exciting, but it nets one major positive: she reconnects with an old flame, but like a moth to a flame, her abuser also tries to reconnect with disastrous results, not only for her, but everyone she loves.

Jay Morris can't afford any distractions. He's staking his entire career on an IPO that must go off without any glitches...but he can't stop thinking about Renee and the fear he saw in her eyes. He’d give up everything in order to protect her... he’d walk through fire for the chance to love her. 

About The Author

Vanessa Miller of Dayton, Ohio, is a best-selling author, playwright, and motivational speaker. Her stage productions include: Get You Some Business, Don’t Turn Your Back on God, and Can’t You Hear Them Crying. Vanessa is currently in the process of turning the novels in the Rain Series into stage productions.

Vanessa has been writing since she was a young child. When she wasn’t writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels, reading great books consumed her free time. However, it wasn’t until she committed her life to the Lord in 1994 that she realized all gifts and anointing come from God. She then set out to write redemption stories that glorify God.

To date, Vanessa has completed the Rain and Storm Series. She is currently working on the Forsaken series, Second Chance at Love series and a single title, Long Time Coming. Vanessa believes that each book will touch readers across the country in a special way. It is, after all, her God-given destiny to write and produce plays and novels that bring deliverance to God’s people. These books have received rave reviews, winning Best Christian Fiction Awards and topping numerous Bestseller’s lists.

• Best Christian Fiction Mahogany Award 2003
• Red Rose Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction 2004
• Nominated for the NAACP Image Award (Christian Fiction) 2004
• Essence Bestseller’s List March 2008; May 2008 (Former Rain)
• Essence Bestseller’s List September 2008 (Rain Storm)
• Black Expressions Book Club Alternate Selection 2007, 2008 & 2009.

Vanessa originally self-published, then in 2006 she signed a five-book deal with Urban Christian/Kensington. Her books can now be found in Wal-Mart, and almost all major bookstores, including African American bookstores and online bookstores such as Amazon.com.

Vanessa is a dedicated Christian and devoted mother. She graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication. In 2007, Vanessa was ordained by her church as an exhorter.

Vanessa believes this was the right position for her because God has called her to exhort readers and to help them rediscover their place with the Lord.

Most of Vanessa’s published novels depict characters that are lost and in need of redemption. The books have received countless favorable reviews.

Vanessa is giving away 5-ebook copies of Escape to Love during the tour Here is the raffle code:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy Links:

Amazon ebook:  http://www.amazon.com/Escape-Love-Book-Praise-ebook/dp/B00FPA73IM/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1381786231&sr=1-5&keywords=vanessa+miller

Amazon paperback:  http://www.amazon.com/Escape-Praise-Anyhow-Series-Volume/dp/1492986704/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Website: http://vanessamiller.com/

Social Links:

Email: vmiller-01@earthlink.net

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vanessamiller01

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vanessamiller01

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/77899021863/

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18714919-escape-to-love-praise-him-anyhow-series

Vanessa Tour Schedule: Write Now Literary VBT: http://wnlbooktours.com/vanessa-miller-3/

What others are saying…. “Readers will be emotionally invested in the characters from the start. The character’s pain and inner struggles lead to heart-wrenching scenes. Themes of faith, forgiveness and reconciliation make this a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness that will remain with the reader long after the final page.” -- RT Reviewer

It's NaNoWriMo Time!

BLOG TOUR: I Didn't Know w/Yvette Allen-Tatum

 About The Book

“I Didn't Know" is for more than just an audience of one. If you look to your left, look to your right, or directly in the mirror, you will see or know someone who has been sexually abused... even if you look in the mirror, and the person is YOU! More than the tragedy of sexual abuse is the tragedy of the silence of sexual abuse. It must be talked about. Our stories have to be shared; someone's life is literally depending upon YOU to BREAK THE IGNORANCE OF SILENCE! "I Didn't Know" brings to the forefront the many hidden faces of child sexual abuse. The author, Yvette L. Allen-Tatum, shares not only her story, but the compelling testimonies of others--everyone from the actual victim, to the offender, to those who standby by in disbelief and allow these heinous crimes against our children to continue. Our voices have to be heard, our children must be free or freed to tell the TRUTH: that someone touched them. Who can they run to? Will it be you?

About The Author

Author, Teacher, Conference Host, Public Speaker, Encourager, Motivator, Ordained & licensed Minister of The Gospel, Radical for Christ, undercover Comedian and the list goes on...

Yvette is a graduate of Grace Christian College where she earned her Masters of Divinity and a Bachelor of Arts in Theology.  She is also a graduate of University of Richmond, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance and a Minor in Leadership Studies. In addition, she has 30 plus years of experience in income tax preparation and bookkeeping.    

As the Founder of Surrounded by Faith Ministries, Yvette has had the opportunity to touch and transform the lives of many women with the Word of God.  This mighty Woman of God has a prophetic teaching anointing which has enabled her to cross many boundaries.  As such, the Call of God on her life has broadened from transforming the lives of women to transforming LIVES with the Word of God.  While she still holds a passion to train and equip women in the life study and application of the Bible, her ultimate goal is to strengthen families.  To do so her platform is geared to men, women and children.

From The Author

 I Didn't Know - Identifying, Confronting & Overcoming Child Sexual Abuse - the title is indicative of the subject matter.  In this book the author brings to the forefront the many faces of child sexual abuse; those of the victims and the abusers.  Yvette Allen-Tatum boldly confronts her past of child sexual abuse to demonstrate that TRUE deliverance is possible.  Yvette believes that we ALL (victims, abusers, enablers, nay-sayers, etc.) can OVERCOME the horrible effects of child sexual abuse.

This book proves that true healing is possible and necessary for us to become more than CONQUERORS through Christ Jesus. 

As a community, we have to:

• Identify Child Sexual Abuse –
• We have to talk about it (raise public awareness)
• Know the signs & symptoms
• Confront Child Sexual Abuse –
• Error on the side of caution – THE CHILD
• Be quick to BELIEVE the victim and make all necessary inquiries
• Studies show people are more apt to believe the innocence of the accused; this has to END
• Overcome Child Sexual Abuse –
• We overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the WORD of OUR TESTIMONY
•  

Connect with the Author

Email Address: Loosed03@gmail.com
Website http://www.yvetteallentatum.com

Twitter: Twitter.com/loosed03
Facebook: Facebook.com/Yvette.tatum

Buy Links
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/om77u4q

Barnes & Nobles: http://tinyurl.com/ngowlaq

Book Trailer:  http://youtu.be/PXXx89XTDOA

Author Tour Schedule: http://wnlbooktours.com/yvette-allen-tatum/

REVIEW: Who I Be by Annie Brown

Date:              September 23, 2013                    

Title:               Who I Be                  

Author           Annie Brown          

ISBN 13:        978-1-4327-9513-9                     

Pages:            46                  

Publisher:     Outskirts Press

Cover:            Paperback   

Rating:            4    Stars  

            Author Annie Brown’s novel, “Who I Be” is a very poignant book on

finding your self-worth with the help of God.  This book packs a lot of thoughts with simplicity and clarity. 

            This book is characterized as self-help and I completely agree.  It pinpoints things to explore in order to find your purpose in life.  Her use of personal experiences, along with scriptures, is right on point.  She does not hit you over the head with sermons, or with what she thinks you should do to find you. Instead, she gives examples that allow you figure out what you should do.  

             “Who I Be” breaks down the major factors in our lives that can help us become the complete person God wants us to become.  Good job Ms. Brown, on a very good read.

REVIEW: Forgive and Be Free by Ana Holub

Date:                         10/25/13

Title:                         Forgive and Be Free: A Step by Step Guide to Release, Healing, and Higher Consciousness

Author:                     Ana Holub

ISBN 13:                    978-0-7387-3617-4

Pages:                        288

Publisher:                 Llewellyn Publication

Cover:                        NetGalley ARC

Rating:                      4 Stars

Release Date: February 8, 2014 - When something bad happens to us or when someone

hurts us, we are often left asking why? This is often followed by anger and unforgiveness. It is hard for many to realize that this can fester and have a negative impact on our lives. We must realize that in order to heal and move on, we must forgive that person or action that has caused us pain. We must also realize that we must forgive, not for the person or action that we harbor anger for, not for them, but for us.

In Forgive and Be Free, author Ana Holub, discusses this very point. In addition, the author dives into the deeper meaning of forgiveness offering suggestions such as prayer and embracing your fear. As a writer, I especially like that Holub encourages her readers to tell their stories to other. I have worked with and read many works from authors who have suffered hurts from divorce, to sexual abuse, to betrayal. And each time I am amazed at the psychological and physical changes these people make once they share and tell their story. In addition to freeing themselves, they are able to see that they can help others heal.

Chapter 5 shows you how to create a “forgiveness list”, which I think is extremely important especially if you are dealing with multiple hurts. The author recommends hand writing instead of typing on a computer because she feels watching the ink flow on the paper tens to be more therapeutic and taps personally into a writers emotions. I tend to agree.

Finally, this book is just not a “reading” manual. It is a call to action. It includes ten (10) steps to help you assess, accept, learn and release people or actions that have held you back so you can move on with your life. The sample stories and prayer are relatable and helpful.

Great book and great therapy.

REVIEW: An Unexpected Blessing by Unoma Nwankwor

Date:                         10/25/13

Title:                         An Unexpected Blessing

Author:                     Unoma Nwankwor

ISBN 13:                    978-0-9890738-0-6

Pages:                       326

Publisher:                Kevstel Group

Cover:                        Paperback

Rating:                      4 Stars

What do you do when your Nigerian heritage dictates when and who you marry and you

have other desires? You lie to your Nigerian parents and tell them that you are dating someone who is Nigerian; when he’s not. 

Feranmi, who lives in Atlanta, pays her parents a visit in her native Nigeria. Her parents are adamant about her lack nuptials and lack of exposure to a Nigerian candidate for husband. Trying to respect her parents, she lies to them and tells them she is dating a Nigerian, but old flame Alex is all American.

Wanting something in return, Alex plays the part of Feranmi’s potential Nigerian husband when her parents plan a visit to the states to visit their daughter.

Feranmi and Alex’s past make things complicated to say the least and Feranmi knows that if her parents find out that Alex is not Nigerian, it may break their hearts. Feranmi struggles with her parents and cultural wishes and what she truly wants for her own life.

Newcomer Unoma Nwankwor has done a great job with her debut novel with her ability to spin a story, while adding twists and turns and summing it up with food for thought. I look forward to reading more from this author.

BLOG TOUR: The Adventures of Nurse Nicole – N is for Nurse

About the Book

The Adventures of Nurse Nicole is a wonderfully clever and bright series about a nurse with

three children who are curious about nursing. The Adventures of Nurse

Nicole, “N is for Nurse” describes the art and science of nursing from A to Z with positive images of the nursing profession. Nursing is one of the most sought after

and trusted professions in the world. This is a must-have book, because everyone will need a nurse one day. The next book from The Adventures of Nurse Nicole is titled, “Wash Your Hands,” which is coming soon.

About the Author

Nicole Brown, MSN, RN, is a nurse educator, Doctoral candidate and an Army veteran. Nicole lives in Central Virginia with her three children and is dedicated to providing positive images of the nursing profession for children and the world.

 

Purchase the Book Online at:

Amazon.com

BarnesandNoble.com

Visit the author online at:

http://www.nursenicole.co

View the blog tour schedule at: 

http://tywebbinvirtualevents.com/PZFpn

Resource Tool Box Bitstrips 10-23-13