WOW!! This book is something every young girl should own! I love her amazing adventures and views on the world! My absolute favorite charater was Skiiny Gril herself! I can't wait to read more of Skinny Girl's adventures!!

I was an avid reader myself as a child (still am)and would have loved to have had Skinny Girl Stew to read then, as well as to have read it to my children. As it is, my 20-year-old daughter and I both have read it and enjoyed it thoroughly...I appreciate the use of the extensive vocabulary for a young reader, broadening the horizons and peaking a thrist for more. The characters are full and engaging, especially the carpet's sense of fun. All youngsters can relate to Skinny Girl and her flight of fancy...am looking forward to the next! Keep up the Good work!

"Skinny Girl Stew" entertains and satisfies the 'believing-child' in readers of all ages. This book is well written with characters that snag at your heart and keep you reading, page after page, to the end. My Grandson is eagerly awaiting his turn. I recommend this book to all those who are young or 'young-at-heart' looking for a captivating modern fairy tale.
Congratulations to a fellow PA author....

We have all heard proverbs at some point in our lives; little truths that teach morals, tell stories, or teach us how to live. In PROVERBS FOR THE PEOPLE, authors take insightful African, African American, and Biblical proverbs and utilize them to create extraordinary short stories that depict truths and leave marks on the heart.

This unique anthology contains stories from well known authors such as Travis Hunter, Omar Tyree, Margaret Johnson-Hodge, Pearl Cleage, and others, as well as stories from up and coming authors. Like the proverbs they represent, the stories are diverse and full of emotions. Although all of the stories were wonderful and touching, some of personal favorites were Gwynne Forster's "First Thing Monday Morning," which taught the morals that actions speak louder than words and to be careful what you wish for, because you just may get it, and Robert Fleming's "A Crisis of Faith," about a man who is wrongly incarcerated.

PROVERBS FOR THE PEOPLE is a wonderful novel that will teach, inspire, and entertain. It has a story that everyone can relate to, and will make a wonderful addition to any book collection.

Reviewed by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I really enjoyed this book. All of the stories are wonderful and the connection to the proverb that they all wrote about was simply masterful! I particularly enjoyed the story Franklin White gave us. His proverb dealt with "no matter how long a log stays in the water, a log it will remain." His story about a black actress in Hollywood who did everything under the sun to become more mainstream was brillant. I will not spoil it for others but the story really made me think about all the black actresses who have to jump through hoops to finally get a part in a mainstream movie. After they read this story-maybe they won't be so hard pressed to get in the mainstream!

I think this book was long overdue. This is what the AA community needs. Travis Hunter, who is head and shoulders above any other writer in the business right now, brings us a story so filled with love I cried. Omar Tyree's story needed some work but he tried. I loved Pearl Cleage's story as well and Margerette J. Hodge touched my spirit. She's a great writer too. I liked Tonya Marie Evans story. This should've been made like the coffee table books so everyone could read it like a conversation piece.

I think that Tracy does an excellent job portraying her journey through depression, and that it accurately shows how a person viewed as "normal" by everyone surrounding them can actually have a multitude of problems. I have also read Prozac Nation, and I feel that although both deal with the issue of depression, Tracy's portrayl seems to be the kind of depression experienced by most people, rather than Elizabeth's all-out non-functioning type of depression. I found it very easy to understand and even to relate to because I, too, suffered from depression and am aware of the fact that you can live your life, and achieve many things of which you are proud of, but you can't appreciate your accomplishments because you are always trying to do better

Tracy Thompson humanizes the often-clinical subject of depression by openly sharing her proverbial skeletons in the closet. As a fellow victim of "The Beast," (an all-too-accurate description of the disease,) I felt at one with her honest portrayal of a lifetime of challenges and frustrations manifested from this disorder. From her candid descriptions of failed relationships and struggles in her professional life, to the irrational fears and worries that accompany depressive episodes, this book made me realize that all I felt was tangible. Thompson breaks the unspoken taboo on this illness and makes one realize that it can affect anyone. Having previously read Elizabeth Wurtzel's "Prozac Nation," I spent a great deal commparing the two and found Thompson's account of her struggle more human than Wurtzel's. While Wurtzel, too, accurately depicted the despair and despondency of major depression, her work came off as much more whiney and self-pitying than Thompson's no-holds barred recollection of her trip down depressions long and winding road. A book well-dope and worth a read whether you share in Thompson's plight or not. A real eye opener that makes you realize the extent to which one person can cope and survive.

I've read several books trying to understand the beast within myself, and Tracy Thompson's is the most open and useful account I had found. I especially liked the way it captures the moments not just in hindsight but as turmoil and pain felt at the time. I've found it near impossible to reflect on my own moments of agony with a clear, wide-open eye. Another thing I respect is that depression isn't a one-shot thing, and reading her account of coming back out again was uplifting. As one who also was on the fast track to success only to stumble on myself repeatedly, I very much appreciated her story. Hers is one of the book that prompted me to write a letter as soon as I finished to thank her.

...Now comes Tracy Price-Thompson, a highly decorated Desert Storm veteran telling a story about two soldiers whose against policy romance threatens both of their military careers. What makes this book such a compelling read is the authors free-wheeling manipulation of alternating scenario changes utilizing the call and response style, in a narrative parlance sharing perspectives on their specific difficulties. It's situations like this that tend to keep readers eagerly looking for drama to unfold in lieu of the author focusing on one entity of the plot, or even one character at the expense of the other before he/she is ready to be introduced. Personally, I like this techique because it departs from the usual single narrator. The authors use of this style gives us an up front and close look at the unique challenges, pseudo successes, and adversities depicting military life seldom written about in commercial fiction.
Sandarella Coffee is a single mother reporting for duty at a Virginia military installation, meets and fall in love with Drill Sergeant Romulus Caesar. It doesn't help that Romulus is trapped in an unhappy and tumultuous marriage with twin sons. Falling too deep for Sandarella, but acknowledging no love for his wife, he's haunted by his obligation to be a contributing parent. The romance between the two proliferate throughout as they search for understanding in their forbidden liason eshewing in the process Uncle Sam's rigid fraternization rules, and the need to be inclusive in their respective familial matters. Two strong willed and ambitious people notwithstanding, the author makes sure to stress character flaws, complexities, and frustration inhibited thereof as the exciting climax comes to fore.
This is a quick read with short to moderate chapters, but at times it stumbles in places...especially when she doesn't spend more time stressing character development introducing issues such as drug dependency and HIV (which she briefly atrtributes to her sister. Reading this book, you'd readily see that the writer has a way with words, but when there's no effort to temper verbosity it lends itself to metaphors and overused cliches that seem forced. Despite this, it doesn't detract from the hue of the colors on this artist's palette. You may add this to perhaps the next book to bead on your list!

If you want to read a book that is thrilling, realistic, compelling and a page-turner, then Black Coffee, by Author Tracy Price-Thompson is the book for you. Price-Thompson is a dynamic storyteller and her character development is superb and "right on the money." This book focuses on the lives of its two main characters, Army Sergeant Sanderella "Sandie" Coffee and Drill Sergeant Romulus "Rom" Caesar, both enlisted in the military.

The driving force of this novel begins when Sandie, a single mother of three children, meets Rom after recently being sent back to the states after having finished an assignment oversees that lasted a few years. Rom finds himself immediately attracted to Sandie and convinces himself that he must pursue and win her over to make his life complete. Sandie pretends at first that Rom didn't even spark an interest in her, but deep down she initially found him attractive as well.

Sandie initially plays hard to get, but she would soon succumb to her feelings for Rom and they would develop a world-wind, romantic relationship, with many twists and turns, that initially takes off like a match made in heaven. Nevertheless, there is just one problem that is a major issue that is a threat to their relationship. Rom is a married man of many years with twin sons. Although Rom's marriage is dead as a door nail, he's haunted by his obligation to his sons and, therefore, stays in an unhappy marriage for the sake of his children. After all, he does not want to repeat the same mistake that his father did of abandoning his mother when he was just a young child. However, his love for Sandie is real and becomes his focal point, yet his confusion.

With many twists and turns, this book is very entertaining and thought-provoking. It clearly demonstrates the power of love and how it can overpower one's own judgment. Although I love this book, I think that Price-Thompson moved a little too quickly with the relationship between Rom and Sandie and basically could have slowed down the pace in the initial stage of their ensuing relationship.

Overall, this is a wonderful book with many messages displayed through the lives of the main characters, their friends and family members. What I really liked most about the book is how Price-Thompson displayed Sandie with having such a strong family unit, although they experienced many ups and downs in their lives. Price-Thompson clearly demonstrates that she is a master at her craft and while reading this book, I often could not believe that this is her first novel. Her writing style is that of a veteran author.

I highly recommend this thought-provoking, entertaining, well-written and page-turning novel. It is my hope that Price-Thompson is working on the sequel to Black Coffee because I am anxiously anticipating reading more about the lives of Sandie and Rom.

Pick up a copy of this novel. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Price-Thompson, you did a wonderful job on your first novel. I'm impressed!

Reviewed by Carla J. Curtis

Do you have a girlfriend that makes you double over with laughter? One who can make a simple statement about the weather funny? Well if you don't, allow Sandrella Coffee to become your witty friend for a while. Sandrella Coffee is the main character in Black Coffee, along with Romulus Caesar. Sandrella has a percolating wit, along with a snappy, earthy, and matter of fact voice. She proudly exposes her failures, accomplishments, dreams, fears, and emotions to us like we are her confident friends. She speaks honestly and from the heart. She's confident in who she is, what she can and cannot do, and she is not ashamed to tell you about the mistakes she's made.

In her debut novel, Tracy Price-Thompson has introduced characters that are real and expound. She engages you in the main plot of this story by providing in depth characters that spring off of the pages into your presence. Her hilarious, serious, and heart felt accounts of Sandrella & Romulus' life will make you smile, laugh, cuss, and cheer. This is not just a book for women; men can enjoy and relate to this story as well.

Black Coffee is a quick, funny, soaring read about all types of love....relationship love, family love, fiendship love, sibling love...strong love. It delves into the sacrifices that one makes for love; and displays the prolific emotions of people experiencing love. Black Coffee touches on how one must do what they have to do because of morals, and past lessons.

Tracey Price Thompson has written a novel that is just as wonderful as her first work BLACK COFFEE. Chocolate Sangria takes us through the lives of two dear friends who each have their share of burdens just by virtue of who and what they are at birth. The author is careful to portray the humanity of Scooter who is her gay character, and after all he goes through in the book you just can't help but love him and feel for him and hope he finds true love and happiness in his life. While some Puerto Ricans might have a problem with this because Jorge is just as crazy and sick as they come, I found nothing at all homophobic about the book and I don't see why anyone else would. And if someone is homophobic that is their right to be so, religiously or otherwise although Mrs Price does not put a judgemental spin on homosexuality. If I remember right, Juanita is very accepting of Scooter's open gayness and so is her family and they all love him in spite of it.

Tracy Price-Thompson, best-selling author of Black Coffee, delivers an intense and passionate new flavor in her sophomore novel titled Chocolate Sangria. It is a tale of friendship, family, love, secrets, betrayal and redemption.

Juanita and Scooter were eternal childhood friends. Both were orphaned by their parents and left to be raised by extended family. Due to their similar circumstances they were drawn to each other. Considered outcast by residents of the projects in their Brooklyn neighborhood, other kids taunted Juanita and Scooter frequently because they were different-Juanita because of her green-eyes and light complexion and Scooter because he had "a little sugar in his tank." No matter what the circumstances they always had one another to help pick up the pieces and to comfort and support one another. They promised to be each other's friend for life.

Fast-forward ten years later and their friendship is still intact. They survived life in the projects. Both are in college well on their way to achieving their dreams and career aspirations. As is their custom, they still spend a lot of time with each other, including riding public transportation to their respective schools. One day, a harrying bus experience brings a chance encounter with best friends, Jorge and Conan, which would change the lives of all four friends forever and possibly the future of Juanita and Scooter's friendship.

Price-Thompson has another best-seller on her hands! Chocolate Sangria is a fast-paced, action packed, emotionally charged read. The writing is fresh, taut, descriptive and vivid. The reader uses all senses while devouring this captivating read. From the intriguing prologue, the reader is immediately immersed into the lives of the characters and anxiously anticipates what will happen next. Chocolate Sangria is complex in that Price-Thompson challenged herself to cross color and racial lines to deliver a story with multi-cultural characters and nuances while providing the reader with a believable cast. Chocolate Sangria's characters bare no resemblance to the characters of her debut novel...except that they are equally as enticing and colorful. The characters came to life on the page, drew on the reader's empathy, and affected the reader during the course of the story. I loved how Price-Thompson took me on stroll down memory lane and back to childhood with some of her scenes. In one heart wrenching scene I almost believed that Juanita was an actual person and wanted to snatch her off the pages and save her from being attacked by "Be-Be's kids."

Chocolate Sangria was an exciting and explosive read! I devoured it in one sitting and shared in the characters pains while cheering for their triumphs. On the APOOO chart, Chocolate Sangria is 4.5 stars. Price-Thompson continues to hone her craft and grow as a writer and I look forward to savoring her next book.

Yasmin
APOOO BookClub

Tracy Price-Thompson is back and proving that she's more than a one-hit wonder. I couldn't get enough of Chocolate Sangria. I read at home, at the red light, waiting in line...I just couldn't put this book down. The characters were so vividly written, you felt their pain, their joy, their sorrow. I especially enjoyed all the various elements (racism, cultural awareness, homosexuality, etc.) Good job Tracy and I can't wait to get "A Taste of Hunnie!"