Amina Warsuma's Blog, page 2

Happy Black History Month

As an African American writer, My Stars Are Still Shining memoirs are my struggle from poverty and abuse to success. Amber Stone Agent Zero is an African American Spy teaming up with 001 from MI6 as they encounter the origin of a terrorist cell. Spy fans you are invited to join Agent Zero on her action pack exciting journey live the sites and sounds of different countries and cultures.

Being an authentic writer of sexual domestic bullying abuse in My Stars Are Still Shining Memoir

People who are a victim of these abuses are afraid of coming forward. They assume they won't be believed and I cried many nights when I was writing this memoir it was hard for me to dig deep down and bring all those suppressed horrors to the surface again I had the courage to do so and I have no shame I had to suppress those feeling in order to become successful and move on from the pain. I would never lie about domestic sexual or bullying abuse because it does a disservice to all those who are and were victims of these horrible humiliating acts. I also wouldn't wrongfully accuse someone of these heinous acts to destroy their reputation and innocents for financial gain or out of jealousy of their success. These people have no self-love for themselves or anybody else. One thing I have always had was self-love and esteem and valor. No matter what happened to me the question that was always present in my mind was who do you love more? The answer was me. I could not accept what was less than the best. My search continued I never settled and thought this is all there is for me Jesus said seek and you shall find and that is what I have done and are still doing and will do for the rest of my life. Life is about growing and evolving for me that is my assignment everyone has one thank the Gods I know mine. To go through life and not your path or what to do with yourself is hell.

Here are in-depth professional reviews of Amber Stone Agent Zero It will help you with your reviews also to know what the book an genre is about before you read it.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite 4 Stars
Paperback
April 2, 2019

Amber Stone: Agent Zero is a work of thriller and espionage fiction penned by author Amina Warsuma. The plot is female-focused, bringing an inventive new twist to the spy genre as we follow our heroine Amber Stone into the intriguing world of the DEA in South America. When a standard undercover job turns out to be more than Agent Zero bargained for, our plot expands into the discovery of a worldwide terrorist cell bent on causing chaos and destruction to bring down the current world order. Six women driven to despair by pain are the answer. Amber must face the Daughters of Al-Lat, even when the stakes turn against her and her family in a very personal way.

I particularly enjoyed this spy thriller tale because of its unusual premise, and I felt that author Amina Warsuma brought that aspect to life with emotional depth and some profound psychological understanding of what it takes to turn someone into an extremist. While Amber herself was a little generic, and clean-cut as a spy hero figure, the complexities of the plot forced her to test new elements of her character, presenting a mixture of the predictable and unpredictable in terms of the twists and turns of the narrative. I liked the dialogue, which was fresh and honest, free from the old fashioned information overload of older books in the spy genre. Overall, Amber Stone: Agent Zero marks the dawning of a new age of female-led spy novels, and it’s a good place to start exploring that genre.


Reviewed By:
Divine Zape
Review Rating:
5 Stars - Congratulations on your 5-star review! Get your free 5-star seal!

Reviewed By Divine Zape for Readers’ Favorite 5 Stars
Amber Stone Agent Zero by Amina Warsuma is a thriller with active themes of espionage and terrorism, a novel that will appeal to readers seeking strong female characters and tightly plotted narratives with exciting locales in the setting. In this thriller, readers are introduced to Amber Stone Agent Zero, working for the DEA as an undercover agent and going through very tight and dangerous situations in Columbia. On the surface, she is a straightforward woman, but underneath the calm exterior is a past that is as uncomfortable as it is terrifying. Can she beat her dangerous past and find purpose in her new calling?

The narrative begins with beautiful images of the setting. The author offers intriguing details about some of the key characters that readers encounter in this gripping story and situates them in a specific timeline: “In 1975 two baby girls reside in Beirut in the middle of a multifaceted civil war, and they survive the chaos for ten years.” A reference to the civil war and images ruins in the western part of the city already evoke a sense of austerity and painful life. Then there are the terrific descriptions that strike the imagination, such as the way characters are presented for the first time: “Emani’s big, hazel eyes gleam through a hijab” and “Heleema is mature and bossy with her sibling with chiseled features resembling their father.” Character development is one of this author’s signature skills, and I enjoyed how they peel off in layers until the reader is left with their core. Amber Stone Agent Zero is intelligently plotted, deftly crafted, and rendered suspenseful in a way that it becomes irresistible.


Reviewed By Lesley Jones for Readers’ Favorite 4 Stars

Amber Stone Agent Zero is written by Amina Warsuma. In 1975 a terrorist cell was forming, and rebel forces rule the city. Two young girls lose their mother in a car bomb, and revenge becomes their number one goal as they grow older. Years later, they join an elite terrorist group under the dictatorship of Queen Niarb, along with other women whose past painful experiences motivate them to seek retribution. Meanwhile, Amber Stone, an African American undercover agent for the DEA in Colombia, has finally captured her nemesis drug dealer, Banderos. Amber Stone becomes entangled in a dangerous mission involving the terrorist group when they kidnap her scientist father, who has invented a serum that protects the immune system from any attack. Amber Stone must track down the terrorist cell, rescue her father, and thwart a possible chemical attack on the West. Stone and Queen Niarb are equally determined in their goal, but who will ultimately succeed?

The brilliant narrative at the beginning of the novel certainly will grab your attention and take you on a spine-chilling adventure filled with espionage and terror. I loved the backstory to each of the characters as it built a great visual picture of their distorted view of the world. I love strong female characters, and Amber Stone is a great protagonist who hides her painful childhood memories of abandonment under a calm exterior. The plot moves forward, effortlessly with some fantastic conflicts placed perfectly. The settings evoked great sadness of a world filled with hatred and revenge in the Middle East against the West. I feel this is an excellent example of how past life experiences can take your life down different paths, depending on the choices you make. The final scenes certainly kept me on the edge of my seat, and I am now left wondering what lies in wait for Amber Stone next.

Reviewed By:
Christian Sia
Review Rating:
5 Stars - Congratulations on your 5-star review! Get your free 5-star seal!

Reviewed By Christian Sia for Readers’ Favorite
Amber Stone Agent Zero by Amina Warsuma is a masterful blend of sleuth, espionage, and terrorist thriller featuring Amber Stone. Working for the DEA in Colombia, South America as an undercover agent, Agent Zero faces complex situations and meets with characters driven to the extreme by the injustice of their pasts. Having a dubious history herself, how can she reconcile the ethics of her work with a past that continually haunts her?

The author has a wonderful sense of setting and weaves focused scenes that take readers across well-painted landscapes, making them visualize the action as it evolves through space and time. The references to a political conflict are compelling, and the apt descriptions of both characters and aspects of the setting give the writing an atmospheric style that is, in itself, an immense delight. Characters are meticulously accomplished, and I enjoyed that the protagonist gets into very tight spots where she has to make split-second decisions. The danger is imminent, at every turn of the story, the reader is hoping for the worst not to happen. Agent Zero is sophisticated, and her growth throughout the narrative is compelling, each layer of her personality revealed one at a time.

Amber Stone Agent Zero is gripping, exploring the psychology of a covert agent and a character whose destiny readers want to know. Amina Warsuma’s prose is elegant, and it is packed with attention-grabbing, humorous, and unusual descriptions. The author uses suspense, unique and powerful storytelling skills, and a tight plot to keep readers captivated throughout the narrative. It’s a great story of espionage.

Series: Amber Stone Agent Zero (Book 2)
Paperback 231 pages
Publisher: Amber Stone Agent Zero (March 10, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0692118217
ISBN-13: 978-0692118214
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches

The best man for the job is not a man; it's a woman.

Amber Stone Agent Zero is a masterful blend of sleuth, espionage, and terrorist thriller featuring Amber Stone. Working for the DEA in Colombia, South America as an undercover agent, the case becomes more than she is prepared for. Agent Zero faces complex situations and meets with characters who are driven to the extreme she teams up with 001 from MI6. This is the origin of TIE and its cult cell.

Happy Black History Month

I hope all the Spy fans action fans love Amber Stone Agent Zero this is the second book in the 4 book saga the prequel For The Love of Blood will be out late this year or early next year when all four books come out you can read the whole series.

Reviews from Readers Favorite a major literary website for My Stars Are Still Shining I hope it helps you to become a professional reviewer of memoirs

Reviews for My Stars Are Still Shining. A memoir worth reading.

By Eva Lazar 4 Stars
Format: Kindle Edition

Memoirs usually don’t interest me much. Most of them are just so very similar. This memoir did not necessarily stand out to me in what it contained. Everyone has a life story to tell, and only the more remarkable ones are published. Hence, I would say that this memoir is of standard-level uniqueness.

What I mean to say by that is that the story still is unique, despite its potential similarities to other memoirs. It is the story of how a woman has struggled, overcome her struggles, and fought again. There are many aspects of the story that really makes one think and appreciate one’s own life, while other parts of the memoir prompt amazement in their existence in the writer’s life - good as well as bad.

The factor that impressed me most was how the story is told. It is shared with the reader in a very matter-of-fact manner that feels intimate in its truthfulness. The story is not always easy to follow chronologically, but how the book is written made it so that this feels natural. The writer shared her life with the reader, throughout her years, and that is what makes this memoir special.

Gail C Editor Columbia SC Amazon.com

Amina has succeeded in authoring an inspirational memoir about her life as an international fashion model whose life has influenced so many others. Her journey from the tough streets of Harlem to the high-fashion runways of Paris and New York is remarkable. Companions on Amina’s journey include fashion-world luminaries, movie stars, and renown artist. Quite a contrast with her life as a physically and psychologically abused child.







My Stars Are Still Shining: A Memoir by Amina Warsuma.
Reviewed by Gabriel Constans 5 Stars

This is a fascinating book. It is part historical (about the South in the last century, and New York City and Harlem in the 40s, 50s, and 60s); part autobiographical (as the author grows up and comes into her own); and part biography (about Michael Jackson, and her longtime friendship with him and his family). Amina has endured many things and flourished as a model, writer, actress, producer, and dancer. She reveals herself with both objectivity, insight, and emotion. Don’t hesitate to get a copy.



Dyane Harwood’s review 5 Stars NetGalley
An unforgettable book that shows the power of the human spirit What an incredible, heart-wrenching story. Amina is a true survivor of a horrific childhood. Her writing is vivid and raw, but ultimately inspirational. She is a fantastic example of how the human spirit can get through unimaginable horror, yet make a successful life for herself. You won’t forget this book!
Amina Warsuma has experienced abandonment, bullying, abuse, jealousy, drugs, rape, destitution, wealth, celebrity, insight, care, and compassion in her life, so far. In My Stars Are Still Shining, she shares these childhoods, adolescent and adult events, reactions, and consequences with complete honesty and understanding. Nobody is vilified, or perfect, including herself. I found her life to be both fascinating and instructive.

The story begins with the background of the two women who had the most influence on Amina – Miss June and Miss Billie. She describes their lives growing up in Mobile, Alabama, how they ended up in New York, and how they came into Amina’s life. She shares their relationships, families, ups and downs, and personalities. Once that foundation is set, she takes the reader into her confidence and explores her own beginning years and the mother (Virginia) who was so often absent.

“We were at Miss June’s no more than 10 minutes when my mother said, ‘I’m going to the store. I’ll be right back.’ She exited Miss June’s apartment and day after day, Miss June and I waited for her to return. A week passed, and my mother was nowhere to be seen. My mother disappeared for 5 years.” Similar occurrences took place throughout Amina’s life, including moving from one house to another throughout New York City.
This is a fascinating book. It is part historical (about the South in the last century, and New York City and Harlem in the 40s, 50s, and 60s); part autobiographical (as the author grows up and comes into her own); and part biography (about Michael Jackson, and her longtime friendship with him and his family). Amina has endured many things and flourished as a model, writer, actress, producer, and dancer. She reveals herself with both objectivity, insight, and emotion. Don’t hesitate to get a copy of My Stars Are Still Shining.



Reviewed By:
Ruffina Oserio
Review Rating:
5 Stars

Reviewed By Ruffina Oserio for Readers’ Favorite
My Stars Are Still Shining by Amina Warsuma is a moving memoir with powerful lessons on what it takes to succeed, a story of grit, focus, and determination. Follow Amina’s journey from humble origins into the spotlight and learn how she got to interview celebrities and strut the fashion catwalks. All Amina wanted was to succeed as a model, but this isn’t something that just happens because we want it. She quickly learns that the path she’s chosen is filled with challenges, and she faces them with unusual courage. In this memoir, she shares her journey with readers, revealing moments and encounters in her path to achieving her dream, and bringing in stories with people like Elizabeth Taylor, Karl Lagerfeld, and Michael Jackson.

While this memoir tells the story of a successful model, it offers readers glimpses into the world of glamour, allowing readers a closer look at some of the famed artists and fashion designers. Amina Warsuma writes with great clarity, and she makes her characters come alive, including those she’s known from childhood such as Miss June and Billie who lived in Mobile, Alabama. Although this is a memoir, it’s a gripping story that inspires while providing great entertainment for readers. I enjoyed the grit and how the protagonist’s personality comes out through the narrative. The writing is gorgeous and perceptive, loaded with insights on life, purpose, and success. My Stars Are Still Shining is a ride you will want to take, a skillfully written memoir with vivid settings, emotionally charged moments, and a lot of entertainment. As you read from page to page, you also get a firm idea of turning your own challenges into great opportunities. A great offering, indeed!




5 Stars

Reviewed By Gisela Dixon for Readers’ Favorite
My Stars Are Still Shining by Amina Warsuma is a memoir written by Amina, describing her own life journey to this point. My Stars Are Still Shining is written in a raw, gritty style that does not hold anything back and offers Amina’s honest perspective on life and people. The book begins with Amina talking about her background, the people in her early life that had the most impact on her life and raised her, her biological mother who abandoned her and their troubled relationship, dealing with sexual abuse and a world where drugs and alcohol were freely available, her career as an international model, men and relationships, being a single parent, her relationship and friendship with Michael Jackson, and so much more.

My Stars Are Still Shining is an engrossing memoir and takes one through many different worlds, each different from the other. Growing up in poverty in Harlem, NY where Amina spent a lot of her early years, she gives a glimpse into the life of blacks in those days, the mass migration from the South towards cities like Chicago and New York, and the condition of blacks in the South. At the same time, she also talks of getting her first taste of wealth and her subsequent rise as a model where she left her days of poverty and violence behind. I also loved reading about her deep friendship with Michael Jackson, and she talks honestly about who he was as a person and the person she knew. The writing is compelling and candid and makes for a fascinating memoir which I would recommend.



5 Stars
Reviewed By Justine Reyes for Readers’ Favorite
My Stars Are Still Shining by Amina Warsuma touches upon her life as a fashion model, her career as a celebrity interviewer, and the rough path which led her there. Warsuma not only talks about her struggles, but she also talks about New York City and Harlem between the 1940s and the 1960s, and the American South in the last one hundred years. This story features harsh and heavy subjects, but it should be expected in a memoir.

Memoirs are really difficult to read and review because it is an intimate story attached to a real human being and their struggles. To note, I was vaguely aware of who Amina Warsuma is because of the Battle of Versailles Fashion Show in 1973. She was one of eleven black models featured in the show, and at the time it was revolutionary. So I was immediately drawn to this book. When I read My Stars Are Still Shining, I couldn’t help but want to share how it made me feel.

There is a vibrant ambiance to Warsuma’s writing; her story is written in a way that makes it seem as though she’s actually with the reader, speaking the words she has written. Aside from that, the subjects she covers and the things she’s been through, both the bad and the good, are so dumbfounding that I often found myself taken aback, thinking, “How could one person do this?” The simple answer: with perseverance and strength. My Stars Are Still Shining is an unforgettable and awe-inspiring memoir.



Paperback: 360 pages
Publisher: Amina Warsuma; 1 edition (March 16, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0692864423
ISBN-13: 978-0692864425
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches

Welcome to the Spy world of Amber Stone Agent Zero and 001 from MI6

Agent Zero it's a spy novel the beginning of TIE and it's the origin the Terrorist group inducts all ages that is the A story. The B story is Amber Stone Agent Zero and 001 from MI6 track down the terrorist group to recapture her kidnapped scientist's father. The C story is the resurrection of the Daughters of the Goddess Al-Lat. Take your time and read it don't rush. For The love of Blood is next it is the beginning of Agent Zero it is the first book you are reading the sequel then there are two other books to complete the Saga a total of 4 books. By all means, take your time some readers are faster than others and if you are not a spy espionage thriller fan it will be an adjustment. Nothing turns out as you expect it there are unexpected twists and turns action and adventure. Relax and just follow the story because it is character-driven and they connect through their pain and how they deal with it.

My Stars Are Still Shining

I realized from past experiences with reviewers that most of them don't know the difference between a Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir. A Biography is in chronological order and is written by someone other than the person who's living or has lived the life in question. An Autobiography is written by a person who is telling the story of their life in chronological order. A Memoir is written by a person such as myself telling significant events in my life and its not in chronological order. Significant events in non-fiction that you remember or stick out in your memory don't happen in chronological order. Memoir a written account of one's memory. This a note for all readers who don't know or are confused by the three genres. Thank so much for entering the contest and I hope you enjoy my book and learn something positive from my experiences. Happy New Year to you all. If you google me you will see me dancing with Micheal Jackson if you go to wwwablackmodelinparis.com you will see fashion photos of me in Andy Warhol's Interview magazine and in Halston's clothes. They are no typos in my book I had professional editors who I paid $4,500 to copyedit line edit format for me to give me a quality book. I have had several professional reviewers to review the book before I came to good reads. If you need a book to be in chronological order don't read memoirs read biographies and autobiographies. You can google me and see who I am and the reputation that I have acquired.

Re my Memoir My Stars Are Still Shining

I realized from past experiences with reviewers that most of them don't know the difference between a Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir. A Biography is in chronological order and is written by someone other than the person who's living or has lived the life in question. An Autobiography is written by a person who is telling the story of their life in chronological order. A Memoir is written by a person such as myself telling significant events in my life and its not in chronological order. Significant events in non-fiction that you remember or stick out in your memory don't happen in chronological order. Memoir a written account of one's memory. This a note for all readers who don't know or are confused by the three genres. Thank so much for entering the contest and I hope you enjoy my book and learn something positive from my experiences. Happy New Year to you all.

Amber Stone Agent Zero and My Stars Are Still Shining giveaways.

It is about the work and passion that is put into a book, film project, endeavor, production. It's all for your consideration. I am just a gladiator in an arena. Its for the people to decide. Unlike the Roman's we don't have brutal coliseums our theaters and stadiums, book stores TV's internet are our platforms for entertainment and excitement. If you like action thrills, let Agent Zero take you on that ride of action pack adventure and espionage sleuths and exciting beautiful settings in this spy genre. If you want deep horror and realistic joy nonfiction with Michael Jackson and other celebrities I have encountered in my life's journey. My Stars Are Still Shining will suit your taste in literary pursuits. Happy Holidays!