Imagine having to leave your home and go off to a school where there are not many of your kind. Nia had to go through that. The novel, Where Do I Go From Here?, by Valerie Wilson Wesley, is about a black girl who had to leave and go to a highschool where she feels like an outsider. Nia wasn't nich nor was she white like many other people at her school. Nia found a friend, Marcus Garvey Willians, who was like her. Even though Marcus is black he has found a way to fit in and still be himself.

I give is novel five stars because it is interesting and realistic. As one of the characters, Nia has to be the most exciting. Nia wasn't interesring because she was blowing up someone's house or anything. The story was just as exciting as an action packed book, but in a different way. Nia was interesting because of the kind of person she was. At the end Marcus helped Nia realize the importance of her life, and also gain a new respect for it.

I loved these stories growing up and missed them when I started reading to my sons. I'm glad they are still around. Lessons are hidden in many of the stories, but not as blatent as many new childrens books seem to be.

Great stuff. Came with a poster, too!

If you're thinking of buying this to be AFRICAN lore, don't. This is an adaptation of the Joel Chandler Harris Uncle Remus stories, focusing on those containing the Brer Rabbit character. The stories are delightful, and will be a joy to any (I also heartily recommend buying a complete set for reading aloud), but the tales are drawn directly from the heart and soul of America (there are no raccoons and bears in Africa, anyway...sheesh).

After visiting Disney World last year my 4 year old daughter kept after me to retell the story of Brer Rabbit and the tar baby, I was so pleased to find this book with its great illustrations. When we read this book before bed we just can't read one. My daughter likes all the stories not just the Tar Baby and the poster is great too.

I always like to give new authors a chance, so I read "When Death Comes Stealing" hoping for a good mystery. What I got were 2 characters that I liked a lot, Tamara and Jamal, but very little actual detection from a supposed private eye. Try Marcia Muller or Sue Grafton if you want good mystery and detection from a female writer. I will probably not read another of Wesley's books. I love mysteries, and mysteries without plot are no good.

Thanks to Wesley, mystery has become my favorite fictional genre. Her sassy sleuth, Tamara Hayle embraces those true qualities of the quintessential African American woman; strong and sassy on the outside while all the while able to conceal her internal self-doubts and fears. In the end, it's all done for the betterment of her family, friends, her community at large.

When Tamara takes on the case to find the murderer of her ex-husband's son, she knew that against her better judgement, it was something she had to do. After all, she too shares a son with this man even though he hasn't been much of a father to him. The only thing that I really didn't feel too comfortable with was how Tamara handled the fate of her son. I thought she should have shown more concern in the beginning about his welfare. As the book progresses, however, the motherly instincts kick in better. Tamara also shows us how hard it is for a Sista not to get clouded by her feminine desires when it's the right thing to do.

All in all, this is an engaging book with a strong ending. There are many characters flowing through this mystery. This creates motives and means for many so it concludes in a very unpredictable fashion which is exactly what you want in a good mystery.

Thanks Valerie for the Tamara Hayle series. This is the second one I read and I will definitely be reading them all!

"Someone is after my sons Tamamra." Every so often you come across a book that you can't put down. You must continue reading to the very last pages. That was the case with this book. When Death Comes Stealing by Valarie Wilson Wesely. This mystery book about murder and the race against time will keep you on the edge of your seat. Will the smart and witty dectective Tamamra Hayle uncover the mysterious murder before it takes her son? You will just have to read and find out. What I enjoyed about this book was the narrative hook. The narrative book was that form the very begining someone was murdered, but the authour never told you until the very end, there was no way for you to know the killer without reading the last pages. I also enjoyed the suspense and mystery. On the other hand, you always have something about a book that you don't like or that annoys you. The didn't I didn't enjoy about When Death Comes Stealing was the language. This book had a lot ofcursing. I think the other could have used different words in stead of cursing. I learned that you should spend more time with your family because in an instant, they can be snatched away from you by a mysterious force. I would recommend this book for anyone who is over the age of fourteen due to the fact of language. If you like mystery books, this also the book for you.

I was not a mystery reader at all, until I read Ms. Wesley's first book. I enjoyed it so much I wrote her a thank you note. I have enjoyed everyone of Tamara's adventures and always look forward to the next. I admire what Ms Wesley has accomplished with her main character. She portrays such strength while remaining very female. If you have not read a Tamara Hayle mystery then you must treat yourself. You won't regret it.

I first read this author's work with Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do, and thought she was primarily a romance writer, until I found the Tamara Hayle Mystery series. I liked her character...smooth and thoughtful. I could SEE the secondary characters brought to life as well.
I can't wait to read the next one.
When reading a mystery I always like to have little clues that you are supposed to catch and file away. Like the boy with the gun and light eyes in the beginning. You just don't know HOW big a part until you read on...but you KNOW he has a part. I really like the realness of Tamara... seeing that gun pointed at her was scary. Enough to change her mind on the sandwich. That was great!

I have read the first three Tamara Hayle novels, and this one was no exception. NO HIDING PLACE, while slightly confusing, still retains the mystery and sharp humor that follows each book. Tamara Hayle and Easy Rawlings (a Walter Moseley creation) are my favorite dectectives and I can't wait to finish EASIER TO KILL, so that I will be ready to grab her brand new offering, THE DEVIL RIDING. By throwing the lifestyles of a hoodlum and combining them with Tamara's ties with her dead brother, out came a story that was complex, sad, and hopeful for a brighter tomorrow for the remaining cast of characters.

I'm a big Tamara Hayle fan. I've read all of her books except "Easier to Kill." What sets this book apart from the rest is how Tamara relies more on her abilities as a private investigator to solve this case and less on her trusted friend Jake. She goes to great lengths to find out why the Desmond family is so discreet about their daughter Gabriella's departure and even spends some time with her love interest Basil to caught up on old times. I was sad when someone vandalized the Blue Demon (her Volkswagon Jetta) and cheered when she convinced one of the runaway teens to return home. Yes, this is one of the best in the series. Keep them coming Ms. Wesley.

I loved this book. At first, I thought it was going to be boring, but it ended up being really good. I'm starting to love these Tamara Hayle mysteries and I don't usually like mysteries. The story had a a great plot and memoriable characters.

Tamara Hayle is back again! Valerie Wilson Wesley again does a tremendous job with earthy Tamara Hayle. The story was wonderful and I love the way that the characters of whom we are familiar, keep showing up. When you read the Tamara Hayle mysteries, you will simply ENTER into her world.

I love the way that Tamara grows throughout each novel. She is much richer, more grounded, more level headed with each novel. Each book also allows us to follow her successes and changes in her life. The end of this book leaves you anticipating one large decision that she will have to make and will manifest itself in the next novel. Personally, I think that is the fun and excitement and an added bonus of following Ms. Wesley's writing.

Again, read this one. It is well worth your time. If you haven't read the other Tamara Hayle mysteries, read those also(preferably in sequence). You will never regret entering into the world of Tamara Hayle world.

In "Easier to Kill," Mrs. Wilson-Wesley seems to have her character slowing down for some reason. She us not that vibrant go-getter as she once was. I am starting to believe that Tamara Hayle is getting to be too old for the private detective business. The book had some eye stretching points, but for the most part, the ending was very disappointing. In the first two series, I couldn't put the books down! In fact, I read them both in a matter of days. But this, by far, has got to be Valerie's most uninspiring work to date. Either retire Tamara and let her raise her son or bring back the excitement that she had once before.

I was a little disappointed in the outcome of this book. Yet, I'm aware that mysteries are always with a suspect way from the lift, this one was way out there. The killer was even boring and didn't live up to the suspense of the book. I have read all of Ms. Wesley's Tamara Hayle's mysteries and this one was strictly for fans only. If you didn't read the others first you would not have an idea of other characters. I was also disappointed in Basil Dupre's absence from the novel. Yet I understand Tamara Hayle's love affair with Jake, which isn't going anywhere and should, however Basil gives her love life a spice to Tamara character until Jake sorts out his love for her. My advice to Ms. Wesley is to hurry up and revamp Tamara mysteries with more interest in her love life and also more exciting killers.

EASIER TO KILL, was another feather in the cap for Ms. Wesley. Mandy Magic, the subject of the stories, had more secrets than Samsonite had luggage. How she thought that none would show the light of day proved what a egotistical subject she would be. When her veneer did finally crack, it was Tamara to the rescue! I enjoyed every bit of the book, and have even started to pick out who is the killer was. However, all my choices were killed instead, and the true killer was someone I almost forgot was in the story! I'm now ready for THE DEVIL RIDING. Keep up the good work.

After ten years of marriage Hutch decides to walk out on his wife. The thrill is gone. Eva, his wife, alone and dejected begins to put her life back together again. Oh, and let us not forget their grown son and daughter whose issues with their parents and themselves further muddies the waters.

Thus begins the saga of a Black middle-class family torn apart by a love grown cold and their inability to find out what they truly want in life. Follow them on their journey to find fulfillment, reconciliation and renewal.

If you like predictable formula driven romances then this is the book for you. Many of the characters are so "wooden" in their presentation to the point of being superficial. As you enter into the world of their lives you ask the question, So what? The fact that you can predict the next step of the characters makes it a slow and boring read. Our author gets an average rating for this her first book foray into what can be called a romance novel.

Valerie Wilson Wesley is a far superior writer in her Tamara Hayle mystery series. This novel doesn't represent the depth and breadth of her outstanding skills. If she continues to write more in this genre then she will undoubtably get better. For now her attempt is just so-so.

I mean to cast no aspersion on the mystery writings of Valerie Wilson Westley, but this romance novel shows best the wide range of talent this author possesses. What a welcome change to read about a mature woman in a serious relationship and how she discovers herself when she is suddenly left by her husband. Though I found the book to be well-written, well-paced and interesting, it was the simple things that made me really embrace this novel. I liked the fact that: the characters had simple African American names like Eva, Roscoe and Steven; the leading female characters were 40 plus years old and were often described as good-looking, sexy and desirable; Eva got involved with a younger man when she felt he offered her what she needed and let him go when he no longer served her needs; Eva learned to enjoy being by herself more than she enjoyed being with a man; Eva didn't have a state of the art job with a far out title and a six figure salary; the author managed to write a thoughtful, mature story of love, sex, hurt and relationships using little profanity; the theme was basically pro-marriage. Yes. For my money or trip to the library, Ms. Wilson can stick to romance novels. Maybe she could write a love story about Tamara Hayle, but if she decides to go back to mysteries, well...ain't nobody's business if she does!

What an excellent book! This was my first time reading one of her books, had never even heard of her mystery books. Not my genre of reading. This book, however, held my attention from page one. At the beginning, you wonder how bad Eva could be to make her husband just up and leave in the middle of the night. She doesn't seem like she would be a very likable character. As the book progresses, however, you learn to know and even like Eva. The same goes for Hutch. You can even understand how the situations happened as they did for Eva and Isaiah, Hutch and Raye. Donald, Raye's husband, deserved everything she did to him. Talk about the world's biggest dog! Eva's relationships with her father and daughter were also nicely told. Being a mother, I could totally understand how the child that you have loved and cared for can be the one to hurt you the most. I could also relate as to how hard it can be to finally realize they are grown and have to live, learn and make their own mistakes. By and large, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to others to read.

This is the second Tamara Hayle mystery that Ive read and I can't wait for the third. However, I must admit that this one was a bit more difficult to follow than her first novel. I agree with the other reader who said that Tamara seemed to stumble upon the answer to this mystery, rather than relying on her detective skills to solve it. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book and cannot wait to see what becomes of Tamara's relationship with Basil!

WHERE EVIL SLEEPS wasn't as fast-paced as the last two Tamara Hayle mysteries, but it still had a good storyline that was filled with interesting characters and enough action and mystery to keep me reading. It had it's moments of filler space, still, keep reading. A good third novel in this series. Mrs. Wilson-Weseley, keep the ball rolling!

I think this book is EXCELLENT! At the end of each chapter I couldn't stop reading. The characters were well described and the emotions were well thought out. This is the second Tamara Hayle mystery I read and I can't wait to read the others. I would also like to compliment the illustrator because the cover is what caught my attention to buy the book. I can easily say that this book is Something Special.

Long after I've forgotten mysteries based on ornate plots, I still remember the ones based on interesting characters -- and this one by Valerie Wilson Wesley is a pip! In addition to Tamara Haynes' hard-working private investigator, we have a wealthy and philandering street boy made good (Lincoln Storey) and a whole fascinating crew of people who stood to gain from his death under suspicious circumstances: his smooth but untrustworthy wife Daphne; her daughter Alexa from another marriage; Alexa's friend Tasha (who is arrested for murdering him); the restaurateur Tate -- an old family friend of Tamara's; aspiring politician and attorney Stella Pharr; and Brandon Pike, who is squiring Daphne and Alexa around a couple of years after having broken up with Tamara.

Incidentally, the murder weapon is -- peanut butter. Someone laced Storey's bean dip; and Storey was notorious for his allergy to peanuts.

So kick off your shoes, relax, and let Tamara show you what happened.

This is the first mystery that I've read by Valerie Wilson Wesley. I really enjoyed the story very much. The novel seem to pick up toward the end. I was at the edge of my seat trying to figure out the mysteries. I look forward to reading more from this author. Be Blessed.

DEVIL'S GONNA GET HIM is the 2nd book in the Tamara Hayle series that has confirmed it's place in my favorite detective series (first is Walter Mosley's Easy Rawlings). She is still as smart and capable as she was in her first book, WHEN DEATH COMES STEALING. A obnoxious society patron who pays a visit to Ms. Hayle's office to check on his daughter's new boyfriend starts the ball rolling, and the patron's murder kicks it into high gear. I have all of the mysteries, and, if lucky, will have any future novels involving the new Christy Love of the millenium.