Customer Reviews

Harlem's Dragon

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a huge supporter of self-published authors, having started out as one myself, so I often purchase books based on that fact alone. Such was the case when I came across Harlem's Dragon a couple of months ago at Karibu Books in Maryland. I had never heard of it or the author but loved the cover and bought it. I finally got around to reading it and was throroughly impressed by the author's writing style, character development, and story concept.

Chemah, the main character, is a man who has made some wise and some bad decisions in his life, mainly when it comes to women. He marries an aggressive and ultimately obsessive woman who loves sex and the control she can have over men by using it to her advantage. All of the characters have interesting issues and personalities and that makes up a good book, in my opinion.

A lot of people reviewing books make comments about how hot sex scenes are and how they compare to my books and that I better watch out or move over. While I find it amusing since I am on bestseller number nine, they are totally missing the mark. It is not about sex scenes; it is about what leads up to them and why readers care about what is happening between the characters engaging in sex. That is what erotica is and David Rivera has it going on in that department.

But he has more talent than that. This book is a combination thriller/erotic/relationship novel that keeps it real from page one to the final word. I am surprised this is the first review of this book. That means people have been sleeping on this book and that is a shame because it is certainly a worthwhile read and one of the most entertaining books on the current market.

For a first time author, David Rivera hit the nail right on the head. This book had drama, humor, suspense, sadness and love. It was the complete package. Chemah is every woman's dream. He's sensitive, caring, loving, and protective. Margarita is every man's dream. She's beautiful, smart, very freaky but she's really crazy. Her obsessive behavior was ultimately her downfall.

David was able to tell a story and have the chain of events fall smoothly into place. His writting style never gave up the juicy details until it was appropriate. David Rivera's story telling abilities are amazing. I recommend this book to all

Chemah Rivers came about the nickname "Harlem Dragon" because of a childhood fight that put him in a situation to at least strike a karate pose before he was beat up. This nickname followed him, changing his reputation from one being ridiculed to one being respected by those in his Harlem neighborhood.

The day Chemah received a fifth-degree blackbelt was the same day Magarita Smith would see him for the first time. Even then she had plans to get with him and make him her man after she was through with the men she chewed up and spit out on the regular.

Margarita did get her chance meeting with Chemah at a political affair, but not before Chemah had the opportunity to meet his self-proclaimed soul mate, Nairobi, a White woman that produced a son. This would prove to be a hindrance to Chemah and Margarita's relationship and marriage once they found out about the child.

As time went on, Chemah was able to live out his life's dream when he became a detective on the NYPD with the help of his beautiful wife, Margarita. That position did not come without a price for either one of them. So then who is the true Harlem's Dragon? Chemah who is combative yet loving and caring, or is it Margarita who is combative and violent with a little bit of crazy mixed in?

Author Rivers, Jr. has penned a wonderful story that involves a little sex that is written tastefully, some violence, some deceit, some true love and family love interwoven with some detective work to tell his story.


Review by Sharel E. Gordon-Love
Apooo BookClub

THE BOOK TITLED HARLEM DRAGON IS A FANTASTIC REALISTIC FICTION.
I DID NOT PUT THE BOOK DOWN FOR ONE MINUTE. AFTER EVERY CHAPTER YOU WANT TO READ ANOTHER AND ANOTHER. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK TO READ AS IT FLOWS NICELY. DAVID RIVERA AUGHT TO WRITE ANOTHER BOOK. I AM A FAN AND I AM MOST CERTAINLY HOOKED.

Once you start reading this book, you will not put it down!! It has everything, love, romance, and suspense. Chemah, who is a hero to many, must deal with many issues in his life. This novel, written by David Rivera Jr., is smart, and very well written. Mr. Rivera defines his characters and has a unique writing style. I highly recommend this novel to alll readers!

The neophyte David Rivera, Jr. has secured his longevity on the African-American literary scene with his debut book, Harlem's Dragon. Probably meant for a man, but made for a woman -- Harlem's Dragon contains all the elements of a great drama; a strong story line, well-developed, believable characters and, of course, a (deliciously) healthy dose of eroticism -- well written and beautifully packaged.

David gives his lead character, Chemah Rivers, emotional depth -- a long lost quality in modern-day brothas. But Chemah is far from perfect, in fact, it is his imperfections that make him a true Harlem superhero. He is smart, sexy and relatively uncomplicated -- which works against him at times.

A quick read and real page turner, Harlem's Dragon is a "must read" for the grown and sexy. I understand there's a sequel to follow in the fall, The Street Sweeper. Keep writing David, we'll definitely keep reading!

Since Zane was presenting it I bought the book and it didn't disappoint. I will say it was kinda predictable who the killer was but all in all Mr. Rivera did a good job leading up to it and everything in between.

Slayers Beware!

Harlem's Dragon was a pleasant surprise and departure from the litany of so-called erotica on display these days. A winning combination of real characters, in real life settings with a healthy dose of erotic fantasy. Detective Chemah Rivers is a daunting, intense man (would love to see his character fleshed out in a film!) with principles and the misfortune of experiencing unforeseen problems that don't make his life easy. Add to the mix the love and attention of two very different, very intense women and you got the makings of a "don't put this down till you've finished" novel.

The scene stealing character in the story, however, is Margarita. Smart, upwardly mobile, resourceful, and sexy. She knows what she wants and she goes after it: whether it's a job - or a man! Sometimes having it all can prove to be a bit too much....

What I enjoyed most about the book, was Chemah's resilience and the fact that he was not a thug, drug dealer or basketball player. He's a grown man with relationship issues and the reader takes the ride with him as he tries to resolve them.

The writer does not beat you in the head with rhetoric or unnecessary details, but takes a background to the story allowing the reader to become absorbed in Chemah's life. This first time effort is worth picking up. Rumor has it there's a sequel on the way...