Rating: 
Summary: Be Wise as a Serpent and Harmless as a Dove
Review: ..."Marley's hand turned to stone as he held the zipper between his fingers. Halting, he followed its trail to the small of her back until the zipper could go no further..." The author claims this book does not have sexual connotations, but this quotation she writes contradicts it. It's simple. If you want to reach young folks, you have to use WISDOM! They will not hear boring words that just sits on the page. I agree with the reviewer who wrote that the young will be turned off with the "preachiness." We have to become as the young in order to win them over. Not force scriptures on them. I read a book about a year ago about a young christian virgin girl who was dating a highschool basketball player. It was called "Waiting to Exit Hell." The reason that book was good because she wrote in the young folk and sinners' language. Then she showed them the errors of their ways. The book "Churck Folk" was good because it described the "reality" of church pew/pulpit truth, not some "do this, and don't do that" lecture. "Coldest Winter Ever" could have been a good contemporary Christian book if the author had only used Christ instead of herself as the "voice of reason." I am a Christian that works with young people and if you want to win them over, Ms. Brooks, you have to use youth wisdom. Remember this when and if you write your next book and you'll have a wider youth audience who'll listen and hopefully God will touch their hearts to change. Cause only HE can draw you to Him.
Rating: 
Summary: Romantically refreshing, Spiritually uplifting...
Review: All to common is the "bedroom" romance/relationship books that are the staple for many African-American readers. This book goes beyond the obvious challenge of "First Love",Virginity and conflicting values. As a book reviewer for a Publication, I found myself perking up with each chapter,as I realized how subtly Mrs.Callegari-Brooks was creating a message to a generation about the sanctity of ones body, "without sounding preachy" and the value of being like minded when it comes to choosing friends and lovers. How forgiveness is not an option when you get down to basic facts about decent human values. Far away from the stereotype that single women of any age placed very little value on "walking the walk, as well as talking the talk!" The family was not boring and typical, seven daugher's born to a seventh daughter,"if you know anything, you know the significance of this!" This book probably will be a classic one day...it's not so light that you won't be challenged, yet it is not so heavy that you won't enjoy reading it again. I think the title has thrown a lot of people...Proof Positive that Mrs. Callegari Brooks knows exactly what she is doing! Yes Marley was her first earthly love, but her "First Love"...well you will have to buy the book and find out! A fantastic read that will be interpreted and debated for years to come.
Rating: 
Summary: OK
Review: Amani has made a vow to God to remain a virgin until she marries, but that's a hard vow to keep when she starts dating handsome basketball player Marley. Marley is also a christan, and also find it hard to remain pure until marriage. I was rooting for the couple to remain virgins doing the whole book. It was a different look with the female initiating the first sexual move. I liked the book, but felt that it was missing something, at times the story was boring for me.
Rating:
Summary: OK
Review: Amani has made a vow to God to remain a virgin until she marries, but that's a hard vow to keep when she starts dating handsome basketball player Marley. Marley is also a christan, and also find it hard to remain pure until marriage. I was rooting for the couple to remain virgins doing the whole book. It was a different look with the female initiating the first sexual move. I liked the book, but felt that it was missing something, at times the story was boring for me.
Rating:
Summary: Proverbs 31:10
Review: Amani is the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter. Brought up to be a God-fearing Christian, Amani takes the word of God and her virginity very seriously. She and her best friend, Destiny, made a pact to remain virgins until they are married. Once Amani meets Marley, a star basketball player at UCLA, her strong resolve is severely tested. She is faced with a decision to remain a virgin or give in to temptation and make love to him before they are married. As their relationship develops she begins to feel the pressure from her boyfriend. Her youth, family issues and family secrets factor into her decision making. Amani and Marley are well developed characters that you will get to know well. It is important for me to remember when reading this book that the characters are young, so they do things I found immature, but are expected given their age. There were several twists and turns to the plot involving the couple but there were not any real surprises and the story was easy to predict. In this book, Ms Brooks first novel, she has good words of advice for young people. She exalts the virtue of being a virtuous woman and saving yourself until marriage. A problem this reader foresees is that the message is preachy which may turn off some of the young people she is trying to reach. There are many scriptures and sermons to back up the message, but it may be too much. Also, too much emphasis was placed on describing designer wardrobe and hairstyles of all the characters. After finishing the book, I could tell you what everyone wore, how they wore their hair, but could not describe any other scenery. Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Rating: 
Summary: Should TRUE love wait or give in?
Review: At the beginning of the book it started off kind of slow and the author repeatedly jumped from Amani Shepard's POV to her mother, Olivia's POV. It was kind of confusing at first since you would get used to one person's speech/thoughts and then it would change to another character. As I continued reading the book it got really interesting and I just couldn't put it down! The kind of relationship issues Amani had to deal with her boyfriend, Marley "Miracle Man" Jamison and mother is what made the book seem like it was so realistic. It made me realize how demanding the flesh can be over what your spirit wants when it comes to abstinence. I would definitely recommend this book to every teenage girl or boy. Reviewed by Miranda Lord The GOOD GIRL Book Club http://www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com
Rating:
Summary: Should TRUE love wait or give in?
Review: At the beginning of the book it started off kind of slow and the author repeatedly jumped from Amani Shepard's POV to her mother, Olivia's POV. It was kind of confusing at first since you would get used to one person's speech/thoughts and then it would change to another character. As I continued reading the book it got really interesting and I just couldn't put it down! The kind of relationship issues Amani had to deal with her boyfriend, Marley "Miracle Man" Jamison and mother is what made the book seem like it was so realistic. It made me realize how demanding the flesh can be over what your spirit wants when it comes to abstinence. I would definitely recommend this book to every teenage girl or boy. Reviewed by Miranda Lord The GOOD GIRL Book Club http://www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com
Rating:
Summary: Originally posted on Gospelcity..
Review: Book Review - First Love
There was a void in the Christian fiction book market for African American teens and young adults and Yolanda Callegari Brooks has filled it with First Love. This is Callegari's first novel and it contains gems of encouragement and wisdom. The central theme of First Love is abstinence-sexual purity. Yes, First Love is preachy, in part, but that is not necessarily a bad thing in this case. It is not what you say but how say it that matters. "Flee fornication" is about the extent of the teaching church youth hear. Amani, the seventh daughter of the seventh daughter ( Olivia) falls in love with Marley, a college basketball star with the reputation of being a Christian virgin. The struggle of the young couple is to hold off sexual activity until their wedding night. Temptation comes in a variety of forms, such as groupies, doubting adults who succumbed to sexual sin and peers who have caved to the pressure. Callegari does a fine job of presenting Amani and Marley's relationship in a realistic way. Carefully constructed plot twists lend authenticity to the storyline. She offers both practical and spiritual answers to the question: Why should I remain sexually pure when everyone and everything around me says, "do it?" Sub-plots focus on Amani's widowed mother, Olivia, and her inability to move forward after the death of her husband. Olivia cannot effectively relinquish her mourning clothes for gladness until she faces the guilt of the past, which includes a post-rape abortion. If you are looking for perfect characters and the perfect ending, it is not present in First Love. The flaws of characters and scenarios mimic every day life quite well. This book depicts the realities of teenagers and their parents.
In fact, minor characters such as Taylor, Marley's friend, provide powerful testimony to godly character without appearing "too good to be true." The transformation of Clifton, a trash-talking womanizer is most notable and worthy of further exploration by the author. First Love is rich in subtext, as well. Rooted in biblical truth, First Love delves into the power of friendships between women; submission to authority and husbands; and envy. A favorite line in the book, "We can choose our actions, but we can't choose their consequences," catapults the novel from mere backstory to compelling. The tone is set as those consequences are spelled out one-by-one. The use of contemporary iconography, such as slang to musical references, makes for an engaging read for teens without boredom. It looks like someone has finally figured out a way to present this topic without losing the audience. Bravo. Beginning passages of First Love were difficult to digest. The book was cramped with too many details, which is normal for a first novel. However, Callegari rebounds successfully beyond this minor glitch and First Love became hard to put down. Callegari has proven that she has the aptitude to join the ranks of other Christian writers such as, Victoria Christopher Murray and Jacquelin Thomas.
First Love demonstrates what most adults have already learned: Even Christian kids, who do well in school and are spiritually sophisticated, struggle with their sexuality. The rise of STDs and teen pregnancy proves we cannot continue to turn a blind eye towards this issue. First Love is highly recommended reading for book chats and Bible study groups-young and old. If you are seeking a way to step up your teen ministry, then this book offers excellent material to beef up discussions on sexuality and Christian conduct. First Love serves up a happy ending though it might not be the expected outcome. Yet, the ending is based on the same reality, which threads the story from the start. It is definitely God glorifying. Note to Callegari: Your characters leave us wanting more. Please bring us up to speed in a sequel. ...
Rating:
Summary: Encouragement for Christian writers!!!
Review: First Love * Yolanda Callegari Brooks (B.O.W. Press, 2002)
Amani is a young sister who's trying to hold on to God's unchanging hand. But when she meets NBA hopeful, Marley, she pretty much looses her mind in typical teenage fashion. At the same time, standing in the way of their pure romance are raging hormones, hoochified cheerleaders and revealed mistakes from the past. With an excellent cast of supporting characters, detailed imagery and fluid writing that you'll get lost in, this story is a shot in the arm to the traditional world of Christian fiction --which deals 99.9 percent with Caucasion characters and romances.
However, Amani,Marley and company are anything but traditional. The characters are Gospel music loving, church going and full of the emotional conflicts that real life Christians go through. This book is a blessing.
Rating:
Summary: Be Wise as a Serpent and Harmless as a Dove
Review: First Love is a novel about a young woman who must choose between her God and virginity, and her first love. Amani Shepard is the youngest of seven daughters and the only one of the brood to save her virginity. Her mother, Olivia, is also the seventh of seven daughters, and she prays daily that Amani will stay virginal, unlike her six sisters; however, when Amani meets "Miracle Man" Marley, a star college basketball player, her strength in God begins to weaken for the strength of Marley's embraces and kisses. Will she save herself and her body, or will Amani give in to temptation? Olivia hopes her daughter can save her virtue without her having to reveal painful secrets from her own past. First Love is a good story; a story that needs to be told. There are not a lot of books, if any out today, about young African American teenagers, who believe in Christ and have strong, religious convictions, and at the same time, lead normal lives like other teenagers. I felt connected with Amani AND Olivia and cared about their wellbeings throughout the novel. Callegari adds to her strong, story focus to include characters such as Destiny, Amani's best friend and possible nemesis, especially when Destiny sets her sights on Marley. There is also the "scheming cheerleader" who plots to get Marley between the sheets. Though I enjoyed this cheerleader's vindictive ways, I was put off by her backstory. I thought it was a bit much, and it really did not add to the story. Even with these positives, there are issues I had with First Love. For one, the story is too preachy. Almost every other page has a biblical reference/citation, and every page "lectures" on loving God. In and of itself, that is not a problem; however, for me, this is a fictional novel, and most people want to be entertained and not feel as if they are being lectured to. It's easier to persuade people when they do not know they are being persuaded. At times, I felt like I was being hit over the head with the Bible, and that left me with a bad taste in my mouth. There is a niche in the publishing world for this book, but I also believe that less lecturing could broaden the marketplace for this enjoyable read. Also, the story is a little longwinded. There were several times I thought the story was "over," only to find out that I had 100 pages to go, or 75, or 50. The story's climactic ending happened early for me in the book, so the last several pages tired me out to read. Despite my negatives, I did enjoy reading Callegari's debut novel, First Love. Callegari has a lyrical style that I think will only grow as she writer more. I would recommend that anyone interested in a refreshing change to fiction, should pick up this book and give it a try. Shon Bacon
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