Posts Tagged With: african american

New Review: Bet on Black

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Kate Policani

Bet on Black:

African-American Women Celebrate

Fatherhood in the Age of Barak Obama

By Kenrya Rankin Naasel

Genre: Nonfiction, Autobiography, African-American, Anthology

Read my review here: http://katepolicanisreviews.wordpress.com/2014/04/04/bet-on-black-by-kenrya-rankin-naasel/

Synopsis:

Inspired by President Barack Obama’s commitment to encouraging and supporting responsible fathers–he created the President’s Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative to do just that–Bet on Black: African-American Women Celebrate Fatherhood in the Age of Barack Obama aims to wrestle back the much-maligned image of the Black dad and expose it as something that, while not perfect, is a human, loving presence in the lives of his children. In turns insightful, clever and laugh-out-loud funny, 20 Black women writers share deeply personal stories that prove the stereotypes wrong. More than just love letters, their essays spin truths that examine the positive/complicated/ bittersweet/hilarious/awe-inspiring relationships they share with the fathers in their lives. From the girl whose dad pulled double duty to fill the space left when her mother died, to the woman whose brother has successfully raised six children from behind bars, to the young mother who knew her grandfather truly loved her when he threatened to beat up her boyfriend, the stories in Bet on Black will shift the dialog about what it means to be a Black father in the United States.

Contributors featured in Bet on Black: Keisha-Gaye Anderson, Lakeia Brown, Harriette Cole, Corynne L. Corbett, Hillary Crosley, Michelle Duke, Amber Efé, Rochelle Tillery-Larkin Ford, Ashley Foxx, Maya K. Francis, Chee Gates, Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Stefanie Brown James, Tara Pringle Jefferson, Thaisa Eileen Jones, Yanick Rice Lamb, Karen Good Marable, Chidimma Ozor and Charli Penn.

Buy on the book website

Buy on Amazon

About the Editor:

There are a million songs, movies and books about mamas, but it’s the rare artist who waxes poetic about Daddy’s ability to help conjure up the mortgage payment each month or take out the garbage on the coldest day of the year. The picture is even bleaker when it comes to Black dads. As a group, they’re characterized as deadbeat, sex-crazed sperm donors who don’t care how many babymamas they leave in their wake. But as a woman raised by a devoted single dad, I know firsthand that there’s more to the story.

It wasn’t until I started my own family that I realized how important it is to share stories like mine, ones that depict Black dads far outpacing the expected as they run toward their children’s futures, Father’s Day ties flapping in the wind. So I created Bet on Black: African-American Women Celebrate Fatherhood in the Age of Barack Obama to wrestle back the much maligned image of the Black dad and expose it as something that, while not perfect, is a human, loving presence in the lives of his children.

Join the conversation and be inspired to thank the fantastic dads in your life.

Categories: Reviews | Tags: african american, books, Diversity, Fatherhood, parenting, reading, review, women | Leave a comment

Blog tour and New Review: Life in Death

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Kate Policani

Life in Death

By Harlow Coban

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, African American

Read my review here: http://katepolicanisreviews.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/life-in-death-by-harlow-coban/

Today I am hosting Harlow Drake, author of Life in Death. At the end of the post there is a giveaway where Harlow is giving away 3 autographed paperbacks and a $15 Amazon Gift Card. Check out this great novella and enter to win!

When a girl that social worker Kari Marchant places in foster care is brutally murdered, she’s compelled to learn why. Her quest for the truth pits her against friends and coworkers. As Kari works to solve the horrific plot, more people die. How far should she go to learn the truth—even if it threatens her life?

Trailer:

Author Bio:

Author Harlow Drake was born in Kansas City, MO, but grew up in Denver, CO. She relocated to North Carolina five years ago with her husband, two dogs, and 16-year old twins.

She shares a birthday with the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte. In keeping with his legacy, she is currently working on taking over the world. Harlow’s positive attitude and fresh take on life are her tools and conquest is certain. She spends her free time writing, dancing, traveling and defending mailboxes from her 16-year-old twins’ driving.

Her debut novel, LIFE IN DEATH, is a murder mystery which pulls from real-life situations from her own family history. She felt compelled to share her story with the world while offering a thrilling, entertaining, and amusing escape for readers.

In keeping with her commitment to improving the lives of children, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her book will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club in her home state of North Carolina.

She loves to connect with her readers and can be found on Twitter, her blog, or on Facebook

Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway