Between The Sheets: The Darkest Child

Hopefully you will have a box of kleenex available and your favorite brand of wine. This book is heart wrenching and very sad, however you will not be able to put it down. My heart went out to the children in the book. I was screaming at the words "hold on girl, your cries have not fallen deaf on God's ears" I knew they couldn't hear me but I just felt better saying it. I will not give one clue about this book because it is something that you just have to read for yourself. This book is The Color Purple meets Push (the book based on the movie Pleasure that Monique is starring in).

God Aint Blind

If you read Mary Monroe's book God Don't Like Ugly ( the first of many in its series) then you already know that picking up this book is a plus. For some reason the books in this series just keep getting better and better. The main character Annette has had one hell of a life. From being molested for years as a child and later watching her best friend Rhoda kill the man who took her virginity to becoming a prostitute. She has been able to live a great adult life. Marrying childhood friend Pee Wee and having a daughter together it seems life couldn't get any better. That is until she looks up and realize it has been a year since Pee Wee has touched her. Feeling lonely and needing to get her groove back Annette turns to another man, Louis. As he begins to complete her she starts to realize that cheating isn't as easy as she thought, even though Rhoda (who's being sleeping with her husband's best friend for 20 plus years) tells her it is. You have to pick up the book and read because if I don't stop now I will tell you what happens.

E. LYNN HARRIS dead at 54

He sparked a new energy into book clubs when he hit the scene in the 90's with one famous football playing bi-sexual character, John BASIL Henderson. If you've ever read a E. Lynn Harris book you either love or hate Basil and from the great illustrations that Harris would draw with the words in his books, you felt like you knew all about the life of Basil. Harris sparked life into many as they rushed to get his books the moment his faithful readers knew it stores. The man who gave life to characters through his dynamic writing skills, was found dead at the age of 54 in Beverly Hills, CA. Details on how Harris died have not yet been made public but I'm sure folks already coming up with their own story on how this openly gay author some call the "author of bisexual books" died. We are saddened by this news and will keep his family in our prayers.

We recently did a post about his latest book "Basketball Jones" and it was dynamic read for sure. What was your favorite E. Lynn Harris book of all time and what was your take on the infamous Basil?

Between The Sheets: Pleasure

I was somewhat nervous about reading this book when it first came out. Not because the title or anything scared me, but more because lately Eric Jerome Dickey and I weren't seeing eye to eye on his books. I guess I was searching for that rush I felt when I read Friends and Lovers. However last week I was searching for something to read at the book store and Pleasure just kept jumping out at me. Maybe it's the woman in me and we all seek to have that Pleasure that is not easy to always find. Let me say this book did not dissapoint. I was wrapped in Nia Simone's story and in a way I felt connected to her. Just like she, I have searched desperatel to find the euphoric feeling that makes us feel complete and whole as a woman. But you should always be careful what you wish for, it may be more of a bite than your small mouth could chew. My suggestion is to find a quiet spot in your home, light some candles, cut Maxwell's Blacksummernight on low, and just let this book have its way with you.

Between The Sheets: Shyt List

I don't even know where to begin with this book. Absolutely one of the best reads ever. In fact this book is so good I am not going to give you any details. I want you to listen to me when I say if you do not go and get this book you FAIL!! Here is a little hint, there is murder, sex, lies, and just some all around shocking events that take place. This book is like Zane's Nervous meets a Lifetime movie. Go ahead hurry run to the nearest book stores and while you are at it Shyt List II is out and I am getting that tonight. The first one was so good I finished it in 4 hours I am sure the sequel will not disappoint.

Between The Sheets: Hustlin Between The 2

Hustlin Between The 2 is written by 3 sisters from STL and E.STL. I was excited to see the arch on the cover so I snatched the book up and went straight for my couch this weekend. My excitement pretty much ended there. I found the book hard to read because of the simplicity of the story line. But I love to support the natives so I kept on reading waiting for the big moment to pop off. I won't really go into the book because I want to be fair and say this was their first novel, and just the fact that they have published work is a really big thing. So just go out and buy the book to support our hometown sisters!

Between The Sheets: Selah's Bed

Poor Selah was born to a 16 year old prostitute and her daddy is her mom's pimp. Selah's mom left her in the care of her grandmother Mamma Gene because her spirit was to free to be tied to a child. Mama Gene, a nurse, worked hard taking care of Selah. She tried to provide her own daughter with the world but somehow things went wrong and she didn't want the same for Selah. At an early age Selah realized that boys will do anything for a woman's most prized possession. In some kind of sick twisted way she felt closer to her mom by charging the neighborhood boys to feel on her. Selah lives her life running from bed to bed until she meets her college sweetheart Parker. In Parker she finds the love that she always wanted until an unexpected pregnancy rips the relationship briefly. Years later Selah finds herself as a photographer of nude men and Parker now saved. Will their relationship be able to stand Selah's cheating ways, Parker's holier than thou attitude, and their daughter Michelle.

Between The Sheets

Ok I will admit when I saw this book on my friend's table I kind of laughed. I asked her where she got it from and she stated she wasn't sure but she had never read it. Well I will read anything especially if it has my favorite past time subject. Not sex lil nasty people MEN, well ok maybe it is sex. lol. Anyway I was surprised at how funny and real this book was. I told a few friends about the book and they all passed stating that the man is gay so what does he know. Well he knows that he is a man and it still feels good no matter who your partner is. There are several chapters that I would recommend in here. But my favorite would have to fall under You Know How to Whistle, Don't You? Just Put Your Lips Together and... Just trust me this time, and read this book, if you don't like it then I will arrange for Jami B to give you guys a special treat. (this has not been discussed with her so if you mention this and she looks at you sideways don't wonder why)

Between The Sheets

I know you are use to seeing fictional books in the Between The Sheets post, but your girl Cryss is very odd when it comes to reading. I read whatever tickles my little fancy and this book right here has to go down in my top five books ever. If you love the underdog then this is the book for you. Ms. Assata was part of the Black Panther Party, a group that was proud of who they were and tired of laying down to be stumped on. Their message fell on death ears to every race outside of the black one. They took their pride for being rebellious. And after reading her book I would say that they were rebellious but that is human nature to rebel when your back is against the wall. This book made me cry for the pain and the suffering that she endured at the hands of the FBI and the super racist J. Edgar Hoover. I wish she would have told of the escape from federal prison more, I am sure she didn't embellish only to protect the ones who helped her escape from prison. At the end of the book when you know she is safe and sound in Cuba you can't help but feel a sense of pride that starts in your belly and makes it way to the corners of your mouth in the form of a smile.

Between The Sheets: Red Light Special

Good Lord I don't even know where to begin with this review. It took me exactly four hours to read this book. When I say that you can't put it down, I mean it. Monday has hit the jackpot with marrying New York City Mayor Kenyatta Smith. He's charming, good looking, and knows his way around the bedroom. However, Mayor Smith has an addiction to sex, particularly from call girls. When his favorite extracurricular activity is shot in the midst of them having sex Kenyatta is looking at everyone sideways. With the FBI closing in on his shady business ventures and the diary of the dead call girl surfaces Kenyatta finds his life spiraling quickly out of control. Monday has stood by affair after affair covering for him, but this time she may have a little creep of her own. One that Kenyatta is not ready for. Especially since the real killer is dead set on framing him

Between The Sheets

Mo and Quan have been an item for almost 10 years. Quan and his sidechick and secret baby mama, Sherry, have dealt with each other for about 3 years. To Quan, each woman has something different to offer, and he "needs" them both. Mo, a college-educated young lady with upper middle class status, lost her mother as a teenager. Mo spent her teenage years mourning her mother's death and craving attention. She thought she found that in Quan but he wants the one thing that Mo can't give him, a child. Sherry is an around-the-way project chick who wants to become Quan's main girl. Sherry is at Quan's disposal and she knows that if she just hold on a little longer (and use her child) she can get to the top spot. However Sherry is growing tired of her child being a secret she wants St. Louis to know she is the chick with Quan's seed. Torn is a story that many women have faced: to be or not to be with that certain man. The moral to this story is that sometimes the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Other times you will find yourself wishing and praying that you could go back to the life that you thought you didn't want. The author, St. Louis native Keisha Ervin, had me with this one. To date I have read Torn 5 times. I must warn you to grab some tissue because this book will definitely have you shedding a few tears.

Between The Sheets:Basketball Jones

Dray Jones is a NBA player with the world in the palm of his hands. He has looks, millions of dollars, houses, cars, and can pick any woman that he wants. Sounds like the good life right? As we all know life has a way of throwing a curve or two in the mix. And Dray's life is not exempt. Dray has secretly been on the down low with A.J. his college tutor. Keeping his life with A.J. a secret has been easy until Dray meets and fall in love with Judi. Judi changes the game for A.J. and Dray and becomes his wife. Drama surronds this unusual threesome when someone is threatening to destroy Dray's career because they know his secret. As bad as I would like to tell you guys the rest I want you to read for yourself. The game of cat and mouse is on and as you read you will question every character's motives.

Between The Sheets: Up To No Good

I don't even know where to begin when I start to recommend that people read this book. This has gone done on my list as one of my favorite fiction books ever. Carl Weber's new book Up To No Good touch on so many different points and issues. You will find yourself seeing your life, or someone you know , quickly between the lines.

James, a devoted father and deacon of his church seems like a man who is every woman's dream. With a fear of commitment he goes from one relationship to the next running from love. He is known as the town's "whore" that is desired by many. However, his mishaps have deeply affected his children behavior. His daughter Jamie is on a fast track to ruining her relationship. Afraid that every man is like her father, her snooping may cause her to loose the love of her life. Unfortunately she has it easy compared to her brother Darnel. He is the complete opposite of his father treating his one and only love like a queen. After catching her and his best man in a rather "comfortable" position he snaps and all hell breaks loose. Trying to help his children James soon finds himself falling in love with a vixen that could be way to much for him.

I can't tell you anymore so just go ahead and pick up the book for yourself.

Between the Sheets: She Had It Coming

Best friends Valerie and Dolores share a secret from their childhood. A secret so deadly that it tears them apart and ironically keeps the two tied together for life. Now grown Dolores habit of keeping secrets is stopping her from having a happy life. Her husband Paul has given her the world, but she failed to mention to him that she is married to her high school sweetheart Floyd who was sentenced to life in prison. Living a double life isn't easy but Dolores is up for it. Everything is going fine until Floyd is released from prison due to new evidence being brought forward. Mary Monroe draws you into this book and you will find yourself wondering if you should feel sorry for Dolores or if you think she deserves what ever happens to her. Regardless of personal feelings you will be on the edge of your seat as the secrets start coming to light. Co-signing the famous quote "what's done in the dark will surely come to light".

A great read for the Thanksgiving Weekend

Brenda Hampton, one of STL's accomplished authors is back with a book most definitely worthy of a read. The Dirty Truth gets down into the mind of a young man, Brandon, who learns that his fiance' has been murdered. Brandon is heartbroken to say the least, and he begins a journey trying to find the real killer. Meanwhile his dead fiance' has secrets that are talking from the grave, she was in love with another man, who happens to be a St. Louis city police officer. He too is bent on finding her killer. Not sure who to trust or what to believe Brandon encounters various different women and try to turn them into his dead fiance' by playing the same dangerous sex games that he and she played. Evelyn, begins to capture Brandon's heart and may find herself in the same predicament as his ex-fiance'. If you are use to guessing how the book will turn out after the first couple of pages, then get ready to be fooled.

Between the Sheets

Many find themselves most comfortable between the sheets of a bed reading. The sheets within the book are able to take us out of an element and put us in a proper place and time. If you like book clubs but don't have time to meet, this is for you. A place to stay current on new authors and old favorites.