Book Review - "The Fruits of Our Sins" by Jean McKie-Sutton

A wise man under divine inspiration once wrote, “You reap what you sow.” This fundamental truth applies, not only to gardening, but to everyday life.  If we want to have a good life for ourselves and our children, we have to do good things.  If not, bad things will happen.  In Jean McKie-Sutton’s, The Fruits of Our Sins, this fact is made very clear through the lives of two women.

The first character we are introduced to is Madeline.  We meet her before she is even born.  The reader is given a clear picture of what shapes Madeline’s life.  She is reared by a doting father and an envious mother.  The combination of this parenting causes Madeline to be very confused.  She grows up feeling like her mother hates her, but she doesn’t understand the animosity.  Madeline loves her mother, Sadie.  All she wants is love in return.  Sadie is incapable of giving her daughter the love she so desperately longs for. 

Second, the life of Sybil unfolds.  Again, this mother-daughter relationship is unimaginably tragic.  Sybil’s mother, Terri is constantly fighting addictions.  Terri is unable to take care of her children.  Sybil is left with the responsibility of caring for herself and her brother at a very young age.  The traditional roles are reversed.  Instead of being nurtured and loved by her mother, Sybil becomes the caregiver for the entire family.  She worries constantly about how her mother’s addictions will affect the family’s future.  Sybil builds up bitter resentment toward her mother. 

As the life story of these women continues to unfold, we see how each one is affected in adulthood by her upbringing.  The mothers, Sadie and Terri, see the fruits of their sins in the lives of their daughters.  When a child is unloved, feelings of worthlessness set in.  Those feelings can last a lifetime and the negativity is passed on to the next generation.  It can be a very vicious cycle.

My favorite quote from the book is, “Every woman has a secret.  Some harbor their secrets in closets, piling boxes and bags atop to obscure them.  Others bury them in the recesses of their minds and go on living as if their secrets have no purpose or merit, no right to thrive.  Their secrets are relegated to the land of dreams – dreams never spoken, silenced unto death.”  It is this secret that causes the lives of Madeline and Sybil to intersect.  In the beginning of the book, the reader is given a glimpse into the future, so we know that these women will meet eventually.  However, it is unclear how they will make the encounter.  The anticipation gives way to suspense.  McKie-Sutton is very skillful in the way she arouses the reader’s curiosity.

If I had to sum this book up with one word, I would say excellent.  I really appreciated the dignified manner in which this book was written.  While addressing very difficult subjects, McKie-Sutton kept a respectful tone throughout the book.  Even though this book causes the reader to think deeply, it is still quite entertaining and enjoyable to read.  People of all backgrounds will appreciate reading this book.  McKie-Sutton showcases her talent, creativity and brilliance in this novel.  I look forward to her next masterpiece.

The Fruits of Our Sins will be available for purchase in paperback and ebook starting June 4, 2012 at these major retailers: BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon.com, Target.com.

Book Review - "Blame Rane" by Rene' O'Shea

“Blame it on the rain.” That is a common phrase people use when they just don’t know who to blame. When things go wrong, the last person you want to blame is yourself. Sadly, that is where the blame usually lies – within. We have to take responsibility for our own actions. Rene’ O’Shea’s debut novel, Blame Rane, highlights this fundamental truth.


Blame Rane is a young woman whose life begins to spiral out of control. Tragically, her parents have been killed in a house fire. She has no family to turn to and is left completely destitute. Homeless and desperate, she decides to move in with a wild, foolhardy co-worker. Blame is a shy, sheltered girl that tries hard to fit in with her roommate. Blame is introduced to the fast lane and she goes nowhere fast. She makes a series of bad choices with very bad consequences. However, she doesn’t see them as choices. She thinks that she is just doing what she has to in order to survive. She subjects herself to domestic violence, drugs and a life of crime. She pays dearly for her bad decisions.


After struggling for years, Blame finally learns her lesson. She realizes that she is in control of her life. For the first time in her adult life, she begins to act wisely. By age forty, she has her life together. I wish I could say that she had a happy ending. Unfortunately, Blame’s past has an adverse effect on her children. It’s the cycle of life. Each generation will impact the next.


Throughout the book, O’Shea gives glimpses into the generations that preceded Blame. She reaches centuries back into history, giving the reader a vivid picture of the horrors of slavery. She shows how brave and resilient Blame’s ancestors were. It is very interesting how O’Shea portrays the impact that the past has on the present and future. She emphasizes the importance of knowing where we came from so that we can know where we are going. We can all learn powerful lessons from previous generations. We can learn from their mistakes and we gain strength from their examples.


Blame Rane is a powerful story. It is filled with thought-provoking life lessons. It is also entertaining with unexpected twists and suspense. You won’t want to put it down. When you’re done reading this book, you won’t be able to stop thinking about it. O’Shea is a talented writer with the ability to captivate her audience.

New James Patterson - "Private: #1 Suspect"

James Patterson's latest book, Private: #1 Suspect is on top of the New York Times Best Sellers list in the Hardcover Fiction and the Combined Print & E-Book Fiction categories.  Here is a synopsis of this hit -

"Since former Marine Jack Morgan started Private, it has become the world's most effective investigation firm ... Private's investigators are the smartest, the fastest, and the most technologically advanced in the world--and they always uncover the truth. When his former lover is found murdered in Jack's bed, he is instantly the number-one suspect. While Jack is under police investigation, the mob strong-arms him into recovering $30 million in stolen pharmaceuticals for them."--Jacket flap.

Acclaim for Private: #1 Suspect -

"PRIVATE mixes action, mystery and personal drama...Patterson and Paetro may well be on their way to rivaling--and possibly surpassing--the popularity of their Women's Murder Club series."--BookReporter.com

"Slick and suspenseful."--BookLoons.com

"Private will grab you from page one and force you to sit there until you turn the very last page. A great start to new a series from the master of fast-paced thrill rides."--lorisreadingcorner.com

Buy it in hardcover or ebook format at Barnes&Noble.com

Book Review - “U.S. Marshal Harry Bailey and the Case of the Persistent Widow” by Larry Montgomery

Centuries ago a wise king stated, “Man has dominated man to his injury.” Innocent people suffer at the hand of greedy businessmen. Bad things happen to good people. These are facts we must all face daily. Sufferers take comfort in knowing that justice will prevail in the end. This age-old tale of good versus evil sets the stage for Larry Montgomery’s debut novel, US Marshal Harry Bailey and the Case of the Persistent Widow.

The main character, Harry Bailey, is a US Marshal returning from a tour of duty in Iraq. He has been injured and he is now on medical leave. The doctor sends Bailey to a home in New York where he can receive supervised care. While recuperating, Bailey unwittingly becomes involved in a devious plot.

To Marshal Bailey’s surprise, he is living across the street from the pregnant widow of a fellow soldier. He watches her endure unspeakable tragedy. She has lost dear loved ones in death and now she is left alone to deal with a dubious landlord. Her landlord is trying to force her out of the building and she is determined to remain in her home. Instead of taking time to grieve for her loved ones and prepare for a new baby, she is forced into a long court battle. Despite her circumstances, she is persistent in her fight.

The plot thickens as the landlord’s motives are slowly unveiled. Marshal Bailey steps in to help. As he investigates, he finds out the enormity of the situation. He is determined to assist this widow and make sure that the wrongdoers are brought to justice. 

US Marshal Harry Bailey and the Case of the Persistent Widow is a very entertaining story. It is full of drama and suspense. Larry Montgomery does an excellent job of vividly describing each character and location. I could easily envision the story with my mind’s eye. Montgomery captivates the reader with an interesting storyline. He keeps the reader engaged throughout the story with unexpected turns at every corner. This is the kind of book that can keep a reader up all night to find out the ending.

This novel is the first in a series of twelve featuring US Marshal Bailey. It is the author’s hope that the reader will “find a few moments of relaxation from reading this book and that you look forward to reading the complete, twelve book series.” I certainly found relaxation, entertainment and enjoyment from reading the first book in this series and I eagerly anticipate the books to come. I would love to see this story made into a movie. I am confident that all who read this book will enjoy it as much as I did.

Book Review - "Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks has become known as the king of love stories.  In his novel, Safe Haven, he tells the story of a young woman looking for a fresh start.  Katie has moved to the small North Carolina town of Southport.  She finds a small, cozy cottage to live in and she begins working as a waitress at the local diner.  Southport is a quiet southern town that suits Katie well.  Her aim is to live a quiet life and leave her past behind.

As she goes about her daily activities, Katie encounters a local shop owner.  Alex is immediately interested in this mysterious, attractive young woman.  He is a widower raising two small children on his own.  He perceives that Katie has been through a lot in her life.  Slowly, a friendship is cultivated and a romance ensues.  Katie and Alex are very cautious with their hearts.  Despite their initial apprehension, they fall in love.  It is a heartwarming romance.

Regardless of Katie's efforts to leave her past behind, it comes back to haunt her.  The past threatens her chance for happiness with her new love, Alex.  In the end, their love prevails against all odds.

At first glance, Safe Haven may sound like just another love story.  However, Nicholas Sparks has such a gift for engaging the reader in the story.  The way the characters come to know each other and fall in love is captivating.  Sparks weaves in the story of Katie's past throughout the novel and grips the reader's attention.  This technique was reminiscent of another beloved Sparks novel, A Bend in the Road.  As readers are given brief glimpses into the past, our interest is piqued.

Safe Haven reminded me very much of the 1991 psychological thriller film, Sleeping With the Enemy, starring Julia Roberts.  I enjoyed this novel very much.  My only criticism is for the ending.  I was not a fan of the implications at the end.  I don't want to give it away, so I'll say no more.  Judge for yourself.  Overall, I give this book "two thumbs up."

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"Food Rules" by Michael Pollan

What should I eat?  What kind of food should I eat?  How should I eat?  These are questions we all face daily.  It has become increasingly difficult to find the answers.  Michael Pollan addresses these questions in his book, Food Rules.

Pollan has developed a concise list of rules to live by when it comes to eating.  He has created an "eater's manual."  In the introduction he explains why eating has become so difficult.  He admonishes the reader to take the time to make wise choices about food.  He also provides statistics that highlight the importance of taking our health seriously.  The introduction really whet my appetite for the rules that followed.

The book was very easy to read and even comical at times.  I found myself chuckling at the simplicity of the rules.  Eating is needlessly complicated nowadays.  If we get back to the basics, we can take control of our diet and our health.  The rules that stuck with me the most were regarding processed foods.  Rule #2 - "Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food."  I love that!  It's so simple yet profound.  It all boils down to three basic rules - eat food, mostly plants, and not too much.

As a result of reading this book, I have created my own personal list of food rules.  This book has changed the way I think about food.  I believe that I will be a healthier person after reading this book and I am very grateful.

"Secret Obsession" by Kimberla Lawson Roby

Kimerberla Lawson Roby has just released her latest riveting novel, Secret Obsession. In it she explores a very complicated illness - delusional disorder. Delusion has been defined as "a fixed false belief that is resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact." A person that is delusional is beyond reasonableness and sensibleness. It is a very dangerous state that can lead to obsession.

Paige Donahue is a picture of obsession. She has always lived in the shadow of her sister, Camille and Paige is consumed with jealousy. Camille has always excelled and she now has everything that Paige wants - a loving husband, children and all of the material comforts the world has to offer. Paige becomes obsessed with ruining her sister's marriage and gaining the love of her brother-in-law. She develops a plan, puts it in motion and is determined to let nothing or no one stand in her way.

Roby does an excellent job painting a picture of desperation in the main character. I could feel the utter hopelessness in Paige and she sincerely felt that there was only one solution - to ruin her sister. As I read this story, I could clearly see that Paige was delusional and I wondered how someone could be so far from reality. Roby really grips the mind and heart of the reader.

I was so enthralled with this novel, I couldn't put it down. I read it quickly and eagerly. I couldn't wait to find out how Paige's plan turned out. This book was very entertaining and it also made me think. It was very tastefully written and maintained dignity throughout. I would recommend this novel to anyone who would like to curl up with a good book this fall.

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Book Review - "The New Plumbing Guide" by Sherman Turner

Have you ever encountered a plumbing problem you just couldn’t fix?  Perhaps it was a clogged drain or a broken toilet.  Whatever the case, plumbing problems can be very frustrating and can lead to disaster.  Sherman Turner has written The New Plumbing Guide to help homeowners and ladies who know nothing about plumbing. This new book will help guide you in dealing with plumbers and contracting companies and help lower costs by 10 to 50 percent.  The New Plumbing Guide will also help the aspiring small business owner to develop a successful plumbing business.  Sherman Turner is a top rated government Master-Plumber and retired member of U.A. Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union #22, from Buffalo, New York.  He has over forty years of experience that he is sharing with readers.

The first section of this book is dedicated to providing special plumbing tips for homeowners and ladies.  Readers are given answers to various plumbing questions.  Topics range from faucets, sinks and toilets to dishwashers, sump pumps and icemakers.  The information is very extensive yet easy to understand.  It is a great reference tool.  The New Plumbing Guide is truly unique.  As a woman and a homeowner, I really appreciate the clear instruction this chapter contains.  Even though I knew nothing about plumbing before reading this book, I now feel that I am better equipped to handle an emergency.

The remainder of the book is designed for small business owners who desire to be successful in the plumbing business or other construction businesses.  Turner starts this section with the topic of Value Engineering.  He explains how business owners can find ways to reduce costs without reducing the quality, integrity or performance of the systems they are installing.  He discusses how to manage a project and the role of the project manager.  Detailed instruction is given on how to provide an estimate for a project.  Turner lists the advantages and disadvantages of using computer software for estimates.  He also provides a list of companies where the software can be purchased.  Several charts are supplied to help calculate labor hours and costs.  The guidance in this book will help contractors to solve many of the problems they face.

The New Plumbing Guide is essential for homeowners, do-it-yourself plumbers and plumbing professionals.  Institutions of higher learning could also use this guide as a part of their curriculum.  The expert guidance in this book is absolutely priceless.

Sherman Turner has previously authored two books – Minorities Deceived and Kenya Rehabilitation.  Both of these books have received four and five star ratings and are available in paperback and ebook format.  All of Turner’s books can be purchased at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.  I have enjoyed reading Sherman Turner’s books and I’m confident that all readers will appreciate them as much as I do.  Follow Sherman Turner on Twitter - @shermanturner & @plumb8080.

"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

There has been a lot of buzz about Kathryn Stockett’s debut novel, The Help.  At the time of this writing, the book has been on the New York Times Best Sellers list for ninety-nine weeks.  It is soon to be a major motion picture.  I read so many rave reviews about this book, I decided to pick it up and read it.  Since then, I haven’t been able to stop talking about it.

This novel is about black maids in Mississippi during the 1960’s.  At that time in the southern United States, race relations were extremely strained.  Color lines were very clearly defined.  It was gravely dangerous to cross those color lines.  However, three very extraordinary women make the decision to do just that – cross the line.  These women muster up the courage to make a change.  Their bravery is inspiring. 

Stockett has created three main characters – Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny.  Skeeter was raised by a black maid.  Aibileen and Minny are black maids.  Their lives are very different, but they can relate to each other.  They come together on a secret project that will put all of them at great risk.  In the end, they find out that not much separates them.  At least, not as much as they thought.  The story is told from the viewpoint of each of these women.

The Help took me on an emotional roller coaster.  I felt anger, despair, hope and appreciation.  As a black woman, I could relate to the struggles to a certain degree.  I did not grow up in the South.  Therefore, I did not have the same experiences as the characters in this story.  Reading this book made me very curious.  I asked several relatives about their past experiences with race relations.  It really helped me to appreciate how far blacks have come in a short period of time.

Stockett was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi.  She knows what she writes about.  Honestly, I was surprised when I found out that the author of this book is white.  It made me wonder why she would write a book like this.  At the end of the book, Stockett explains: “I don't presume to think that I know what it really felt like to be a black woman in Mississippi, especially the 1960's.  I don't think it is something any white woman, on the other end of a black woman's paycheck, could ever truly understand.  But trying to understand is vital to our humanity.  I'm pretty sure I can say that no one in my family ever asked Demetrie (her family maid) what it felt like to be black in Mississippi working for our white family.  It never occurred to us to ask.  It was everyday life.  It wasn't something people felt compelled to examine.  I have wished, for many years, that I'd been old enough and thoughtful enough to ask Demetrie that question.  She died when I was sixteen.  I've spent years imagining what her answer would be.  And that is why I wrote this book.”

We all belong to one race – the human race.  If everyone would simply recognize that fact, racism would cease to exist.  The Help makes it clear that we are all just people.  I enjoyed reading Stockett’s novel and I’m sure you will, too.

Book Review - "Daniel's Wife" by Anna Christian

A shy, introverted woman marries a charismatic, well-liked man.  He sweeps her off her feet and captivates her with his charm.  His magnetic personality attracts everyone around him.  She feels so privileged to be with him.  This is the setting of Anna Christian’s new novel, Daniel’s Wife. At first, it might sound like an ordinary love story.  However, this novel is everything but ordinary.  It is an inspiring story of triumph and self-discovery. 

                        

Jessica Weaver is Daniel’s wife.  She has allowed her life to revolve around her husband.  He is a successful businessman and he provides a comfortable life for them.  He doesn’t like to stay in one place for long, so she consents to relocate frequently.  Jessica desires children, a home and more stability.  Daniel has a different agenda.  They end up in the small town of Judson Springs.  Jessica doesn’t love the town, but she makes the best of it as she always does.

Jessica is stunned when she finds out that her life will never be the same.  Daniel left her and she must make her own way.  She has been so accustomed to depending on him, she feels lost.  Our lives don’t always turn out the way we expect.  We must learn to adapt.  Jessica had to learn that lesson the hard way.  Forced to stare reality in the face, she began to pick up the pieces.  I enjoyed reading about how she pulled her life together.  She found employment, became active in the community and she developed friendships. 

I always marvel at how authors can paint a clear picture of a character.  With my mind’s eye, I was able to see Jessica, feel her pain and sympathize with her plight.  This novel captured my attention from the first page.  The unexpected twists and turns made it hard for me to put this book down.

Anna Christian is the author of four books.  She is a freelance writer, blogger, and educator.  She is the recipient of the 1999 Research and Status of Black Women in the Arts award from the Southern California Conference Branch, Women's Missionary Society of the AME Church.  Daniel’s Wife is Christian’s first adult novel.  She truly is a talented writer and I look forward to her next book.  All who read Daniel’s Wife will be entertained and uplifted.

Book Review - The Sherman Turner Story Part I - Minorities Deceived, Part II - Kenya: Rehabilitation by Sherman L. Turner

Resilience is defined as “the ability to recover from illness or adversity.”  We all face various degrees of adversity in our life.  Therefore, resilience is an extremely important quality to cultivate.  Sherman Turner is an outstanding example of resilience.  He has chosen to share his remarkable story in two books – Minorities Deceived and Kenya: Rehabilitation.  His story inspires hope and helps readers to develop determination to overcome all obstacles.

Turner grew up in a poor family in Buffalo, New York.  Schools in his area were substandard.  It was very difficult for him to get a good education.  Despite his humble beginnings, he worked very hard to become a plumber.  Because of racism, he encountered many obstacles.  Even though Turner’s grades were the highest in his apprenticeship class, it was difficult for him to secure employment to receive the field-training that he needed.  He chose to take the Master Plumber test and start his own business.   At that time, the city of Buffalo had never had a black master plumber.  He received death threats for taking the Master Plumber test.  That fact did not stop Turner.  He was determined and it paid off.  He became Buffalo’s first black master plumber.  He paved the way for other minorities to reach their potential. 

He worked as a contractor for the Small Business Administration (SBA).  Turner was accepted into the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program.  This program was designed to assist small businesses that are owned and operated by individuals who are at a social and economic disadvantage.  Turner intended to hire minority workers on his jobs.  However, the “Wall Street Money” contractors did not want black workers on government jobs.  Turner struggled for many years to fight for minority rights.

Partially due to the stress at his job, Turner suffered a massive stroke.  The stroke left him in a coma for several weeks.  When he woke from the coma, he realized that he was paralyzed.  In his second book, he tells the story of his recovery.  It was a tough road for him.  Again, he was determined to overcome all obstacles.  He worked hard to learn how to walk and talk again.  As a result of the stroke, he lost much of his memory.  His doctors encouraged him to learn a new language to help with his memory loss.

Turner enrolled in a local college and began learning Swahili.  He could have easily remained in that school close to home.  Instead, he chose to travel to Kenya to attend the School of Languages and Rehabilitations.  It was no easy task to travel such a long distance.  He did not let his disabilities stop him from making the trip.  In fact, he made several trips to Kenya.  He regained his memory and graduated from the language class.

The Sherman Turner story led me to question my own resilience.  I wondered how I would fare if I had to face all the hardships he endured.  This story truly touched me.  Turner’s life shows the strength of the human spirit.  Anyone who reads this heartwarming memoir will be strengthened and encouraged.

Book Review - "Emancipating Your Spirit A Conscious Guidebook: Affirmations, Meditation, Liberty & Other Soulful Reflections" by Akosua Ali-Sabree

Everyone wants to have the best life possible.  We all seek happiness, good health and success in life.  However, many of us forget the most important key in our lives – ourselves.  We must take care of ourselves before we can take care of anyone or anything else in life.  Emancipating Your Spirit is a guidebook that is designed to help individuals take care of themselves and to live the life they seek.

Dr. Ali-Sabree has been a wholistic health and wellness educator for over 42 years.  She has had many roles and responsibilities during her career including professional registered nurse, wellness coach and stress management trainer.  She produces and co-hosts the “Health is A Family Affair” talk show on the Harambee network and she is a regular columnist for the Black ST*R magazine.  Her extensive education and years of experience have given her the knowledge and wisdom to write this helpful guidebook.  She gives honor to those that taught her by passing on information and teaching others.

Emancipating Your Spirit is a guidebook that can be used by anybody.  However, it is targeted toward women in various roles such as homemakers, professionals, young women and adolescent girls.  It can be used privately or in a group.  It is designed to aid personal growth and liberation.  It stimulates the reader’s appetite, encourages thinking, arouses passion and promotes self-study.  It can be easy for us to see the good in others, but we may fail to see the good and inner beauty in ourselves.  This book helps readers to identify good qualities in themselves.  We must love ourselves and be our own best friend.  Women tend to spend a lot of time outside of themselves.  We can get so busy at work, in the community, with friends and family, etc.  Dr. Ali-Sabree encourages us to stop giving only lip service to our own well-being.  We need to take time for ourselves.

Dr. Ali-Sabree devotes a significant portion of this book to discuss the importance of taking care of physical health.  She challenges the reader with the question, “are you really healthy?”  She defines what good health really is.  She explores the topics of fasting, herbal remedies and exercise.  The most commonly asked questions about herbs, live foods, what to eat and how to stay healthy are answered.  A prime way to free yourself is to avoid being “drugged up and dumbed down.”  If we are over-medicated or eating toxic foods, our ability to succeed will be greatly impaired.  The importance of overall good health is stressed throughout this book.

I sincerely appreciated the positive message this book contains.  Happiness is a choice.  We have to believe that we deserve to be happy and healthy.  What we say about ourselves and our life has a great impact on who we are and how well we are.  On a daily basis, we need to affirm positive thoughts.  We cannot allow people, the media, or anything else to have a negative influence in our life.  We must take charge of our own happiness. 

As a nurse, the author witnessed many examples of dedicated women being proficient in performing their professional jobs but failing miserably in their number one job – taking care of self.  This valuable guidebook can help anyone to emancipate their spirit and live the best possible life.  I thank Dr. Ali-Sabree for sharing her wisdom in this book.  She is truly doing her part to make the world a better place.

Book Review - "Raising Him Alone" by David Miller and Matthew P. Stevens

Millions of black women find themselves in the very challenging position of raising a son on their own.  Raising Him Alone is a valuable resource designed to help single mothers to successfully face the challenge.  It is written by two men that are passionate about empowering youths today and dedicated to helping young people succeed.  David Miller is Co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of the Urban Leadership Institute, an enterprise that focuses on creating positive youth development strategies.  Miller has a background in education and has authored several books.  Matthew Stevens is the Founder of Empower Today’s Youth, which provides youth with tools to make healthy life decisions.  Stevens is also a presenter, youth counselor and freshman college advisor.  Miller and Stevens have brought their experience together to create Raising Him Alone.

Absent fathers has become an epidemic in the black community.  It can be very difficult for black single mothers to raise a boy to be a man.  Statistics reflect how young black males have been affected by the absence of a father in the home.  For example, a recent report on graduation rates indicates that in some US cities, the drop out rates among black males exceed 65 percent.  That is a staggering statistic.  Young men in the black community need help.  The help that these boys need must start at home.  The purpose of Raising Him Alone is to provide the support and guidance that single mothers need to help their sons flourish.

This guide provides so much practical wisdom.  Issues such as literacy, sex education and law enforcement are discussed.  The importance of knowing your son is stressed.  A mother needs to know what her son’s interests are, who his friends are and what’s in his room.  I appreciate the candid approach of this book.  Often, self-help books will dance around sensitive issues.  However, the writers of Raising Him Alone are very honest about their own experiences with raising children and they get to the heart of issues that matter the most.  Black women face very unique challenges when raising sons.  This book is based on interviews with women that have faced these challenges successfully.  They share their success and failures so others can learn from them.  

While the book is directed to mothers, the role of the father is acknowledged.  It is critical that boys have a relationship with their father.  Mothers are helped to determine how to deal with the connection between their son and his father.  The assistance of mentors and other role models is encouraged.  There is even a section that addresses grandparents that are raising grandsons.

I applaud the effort of Miller and Stevens to help mothers raise their sons alone.  The strategies found in this book will benefit any mother that wants to raise a boy to be a strong asset in the community.  In addition to this book, there is a website dedicated to this cause.  For more information, visit www.raisinghimalone.com.

Book Review - "The Little Black Book of Success" by Elaine Meryl Brown, Marsha Haygood, and Rhonda Joy McLean

Success is something that we all want in life.  However, it’s not always easy to attain the success that we strive for.  The Little Black Book of Success is designed to help Black women to achieve success in their careers.  This book is written by three successful Black female executives.  Elaine Meryl Brown is vice president, special markets and Cinemax Group, at HBO.  Marsha Haygood is the president and founder of SepWise Associates, a career and personal development consultancy.  Rhonda Joy McLean is deputy general counsel of Time Inc.  They were each chosen as one of The Network Journal’s “25 Influential Black Women in Business.”  These women are highly educated and have reached the top of their fields.  They have chosen to use their knowledge and experience to help Black women to become leaders. 

The Little Black Book of Success contains a very positive message – you can be successful.  Some people are born leaders, others are created.  You can learn to be a leader.  This book provides the laws of leadership.  The reader is told what she should do and the things she should avoid.  For example, refuse to give in to negative thinking.   The most critical aspect of being a leader is self-esteem.  Know your worth.  Be positive about yourself and others.  It is important to understand that no one owes us anything.  The value of hard work is stressed.  We have to look beyond our skin color.  Don’t assume that people are out to get us because we are Black or a woman.  If we work hard and smart, we can achieve our goals. 

Each chapter contains a section called “Cultural Code.”  This section addresses issues that are specific to Black women.  It discusses things that we do to sabotage ourselves and how to combat those issues.  Another feature of each chapter is the “MAMAisms” section.  MAMAisms are phrases that our mothers told us as we were growing up that still ring true today.  Everyone that reads this book will be able to relate to this section.  Black women have such a rich heritage.  We can and should use our heritage to achieve success in our careers.  The MAMAisms in this book will help us to recall the wisdom that our mothers, grandmothers and aunts taught us.

The advice in this book does not stop when you reach the top.  The last few chapters address what to do once you become a leader.  One of the best lessons to learn is how to give back to others.  The last chapter of the book provides this wisdom, “Occasionally we hear of a sister or brother who says, ‘No one helped me, so why should I help anybody else?’  Even if we couldn’t see the helpers, we must always remember that many people sacrificed a great deal so that we could have the opportunities we have now.  So, we owe it to ourselves and one another to help others whenever possible.” (pgs. 134-135)

Certainly, the authors of The Little Black Book of Success have taken their own advice.  They have used their knowledge to guide others so that we can all reach our leadership potential.  This book is full of helpful advice for Black women.  It is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to succeed in her career.  I learned many lessons that I plan to implement in my career.  I am very thankful for the wisdom found in this book.  I highly recommend this book to all women who strive to be the best they can be.

Book Review - “Come to Win” by Venus Williams

"Venus Williams” has become a household name. Venus is synonymous with success. At the young age of 30, she has become a huge success in a number of ways. Most people are familiar with her career in tennis. She is a two-time Olympic Gold medalist and she has won numerous Wimbledon titles. In addition to her success as an athlete, Venus is a founding ambassador for the WTA-UNESCO Gender Equality Program, which addresses worldwide gender issues and she launched a successful clothing line in 2007. Now she has added “Author” to her many professional titles. In July, Venus released her new book, Come to Win.

This book shows how to turn a competitive spirit and an athletic background into success in other areas of life. Venus explores how her drive for tennis will continue to help off the court in her post-tennis career. She draws on experiences of others who got their start in sports and who are now on top of their profession. She discusses with them what principles they gained from playing competitive sports and how that has helped them in the business world.

Venus features nearly fifty business leaders, politicians, doctors, and artists. Some of the forerunners featured in this book are: Ken Chenault, Meg Whitman, Phil Knight, Jack Welch, Condoleezza Rice, Bill Bradley, Marcus Samuelsson, Magic Johnson, Robin Roberts, Bill Clinton and Vera Wang. Here is an excerpt from the portion of the book that features Vera Wang -

“Vera Wang is a fashion designer. She launched her eponymous label in 1990. She served as design director of women’s accessories for Ralph Lauren, and spent sixteen years at Vogue, where she became the magazine’s youngest editor. She was born in New York City and graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a degree in art history. She says: ‘I fell at Nationals in 1968. . . . It is a lot of pressure when thirty or forty thousand people are going “Oooh” together and you’re sitting on the ice. It’s the same with fashion. I’ve had a show that I thought represented a great effort, and a certain reviewer killed it. . . . It’s not unlike sports where one is subjectively judged! . . . It’s the ups and downs of it. You have to be passionate to stay in it. If you don’t love it, why put yourself through it?’”

The advice in Come to Win is knowledge every aspiring professional and entrepreneur will want to read. It's also a very useful tool for parents and coaches looking to build confidence and discipline in their children. All who read this book will greatly benefit from the experience of Venus and other professionals.