Category: iRead tour

Assata Shakur: A 20th Century Escaped Slave is the story of Assata Shakur, before she became a fugitive and since.

About Assata Shakur: A 20th Century Escaped Slave

In May 1973, Assata Olugbala Shakur was involved in a shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike in which she was accused of killing New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster and assaulting Trooper James Harper. This resulted in her indictment of first-degree murder of Foerster and seven other felonies related to the shootout. A member of the Black Panther Party, she became a prime target of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Counterintelligence Program. When she joined the Black Liberation Army and went into hiding, between 1973 and 1977, she was placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted List for three bank robberies, the kidnapping and murder of two drug dealers, and the attempted murder of two New Jersey police officers.

March 1977 Assata Shakur was convicted of murdering state trooper Werner Forrester and was imprisoned. Two years later she broke out of the maximum-security wing of Clinton Correctional Facility in New Jersey, pistol in hand, as she and three cohorts sped out of the prison grounds. In 1984 she was granted political asylum in Cuba where she has lived ever since. On May 2, 2013, the FBI added her to the Most Wanted Terrorist List, the first woman to be listed. Assata Shakur: A 20th Century Escaped Slave is the story of Assata Shakur, before she became a fugitive and since.

My Thoughts

This book is a detailed look at the life of Assata Shakur. This was my first time hearing about this important woman and I enjoyed learning about her life, her struggles, her fight against the law and then later her political asylum in Cuba. I was shocked to find out that she was the first woman to be added to the Most Wanted Terrorist List!

It is a detailed look at each of the events leading up to her political asylum and the information is given to us with just the facts – no judgement given to her nor the police, just the facts as they were laid out for all during that time. Barbara keeps that neutral fact sharing throughout the whole book which readers will appreciate.

The book does not give a detailed look into her personal life but more of her life as a political protestor and then prisoner. We are given the history of that time period, the facts that surround her accusations, her escape and later her time spent in Cuba. The only thing I found a bit difficult to follow was at times I felt like the book jumped back and forth between time frames. I found myself going back to re-read chapters to ensure I understood what was happening, I am not sure if this was because I wasn’t familiar enough with her history or because of the way the book was written.

This is a great book that gives you a detailed (but quick) look at the life of Assata, her struggles, her accusations and then her life in Cuba after being granted political asylum. It will definitely spark interest in her life and make you want more.

You can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million.

Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Barbara Casey is the author of several award-winning novels for both adults and young adults, as well as book-length works of nonfiction true crime and numerous articles, poems, and short stories. Her previous nonfiction true crime work, Kathryn Kelly: The Moll behind Machine Gun Kelly, has been optioned for a major film and television series. In addition to her own writing, she is an editorial consultant for independent publishers and writers, and president of the Barbara Casey Agency, established in 1995, representing authors throughout the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan. Barbara lives on a mountain in Georgia with her husband and three dogs who adopted her: Benton, a hound-mix; Fitz, a miniature dachshund; and Gert, a Jack Russel terrier of sorts. You can connect with her on her website.

The Giveaway!

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Truths Not Spoken is the debut novel by promising new author Pamela T. Starr. It is a must-read for every woman who balances her dreams of love with a man with the needs of her child. Truths Not Spoken shows readers that yes, dreams can come true.

About Truths Not Spoken

Single mother Laura Walters had her life under control. She had a jewelry business, a generous best friend and a careful watch on her nine-year-old daughter, Emily. Then, Emily is seen on national television with Vic, the man who could tear their world apart. With one thirty second news clip, Laurel’s life turns into a tailspin. The paparazzi chase her. Two men from her past want her: Vic is a former lover. Kyle a former friend. They both know her secret, and either one could ruin the careful life Laurel built for herself and Emily.

Faced with no other option, Laurel turns to Kyle to protect her and her life with Emily. But just as Laurel and Kyle are beginning to trust each other, they learn of shocking betrayals they each have been hiding. Some secrets are made to be broken. Some secrets never should be. But how does Laurel learn which ones are which? Truths Not Spoken is the debut novel by promising new author Pamela T. Starr. It is a must-read for every woman who balances her dreams of love with a man with the needs of her child. Truths Not Spoken shows readers that yes, dreams can come true.

My Thoughts

A fantastic novel of strength, love, hope, hidden strength but also lies and betrayal. We have Laurel who gave birth to her daughter and her birth was masked in secrecy. Emily doesn’t know who her Father is, Laurel has never asked for help and never will. She doesn’t need nor want it. All she wants is to provide for her daughter and watch her grow – something we can all relate to.

Suddenly, both of the men who were there before her pregnancy are back in her life. She is faced with anger, mistrust and fear of losing her daughter. She is thrust into the limelight but not by her own choice and she fears for her own security not to mention her daughters. Kyle was always the one she went to, to protect her from Vic (her ex) and she begins to trust him again. I loved watching their friendship grow again but it all comes tumbling down when the layers of lies begin to be unravelled and it was definitely not something I was expecting when I was reading the book! Both Laurel and Kyle have hidden so much from each other out of fear and it makes you worry that it is too late for the two of them and their friendship.

A beautiful novel of hope, building trust and relationships after betrayal and love lost and found. I could not put this beautiful novel down. I had to know what happened to Laurel, Kyle, Vic and Emily. You feel anger (mostly at Vic but sometimes at Kyle), you feel hurt for Laurel but also hope that she has the strength and courage to move forward in her life. A definite must read and I can’t wait to see what comes next from Pamela!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Pamela T. Starr has been recognized as an outstanding new author with a promising future. Truths Not Spoken is the first in her Shifting Sands series, all set in her home state of Florida.

An accomplished trainer and public speaker, Pamela has motivated more than 60,000 people at live presentations and workshops. She has also logged more than 30 hours of live national television appearances.

Pamela is inspired by the two men in her life. The one she mothers is still young enough to be excited by life and the many opportunities he discovers. The one who is her life-long partner is old enough to know that life is an adventure and he embraces it every day.

Connect with Pamela on her website, Twitter and Facebook.

The Giveaway!

1. Win a grand prize A Year of Novels”  A collection of twelve novels by best selling writers, plus a signed copy of Truths Not Spoken by Pamela T. Starr  (1 winner, USA only)

2. Win a Kindle copy of Truths Not Spoken (5 winners, USA only)

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Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.