Maya Hope was hopeless. After she left her fiancé, her world and her life seemed doomed to failure. Then a chance meeting with the biggest name in the hip hop industry thrusts Maya into the national spotlight.

Going undercover to expose the playas and the hatas in the business, what Maya didn't expect was to lose herself in the music. Can Maya survive, or will Maya Hopeless fail yet again?

The debut novel from Abiola Abrams is sleek. Her expose of the hip hop world is entertaining and intriguing. Each character is interesting and colorful, making the reader to learn more about them.

Abrams's book is a fantastic first attempt. Readers are not going to be able to put it down. They will become lost in the behind-the-scenes world of hip hop and will never want to leave. -4 Stars - Reviewed by Leigh O'Donovan, Authors on the Rise Book Reviews.

I ordered this book, not really knowing what to expect. I LOVE it! I haven't finished yet, and I had to stop long enough to write this review. That's how good the book is. I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised by the author's talent at weaving a believable tale that is NOTHING like what's out in the mainstream media right now. I've been sick of reading the same ol' thing. You know, girl meets boy, girl has trust issues and diva'tude,girl loses boy, girl gets boy back and life is all good again.

Well, this book has so much more meat to gnaw on than that. My favorite character is Maya. She has some self-esteem issues and she's still trying to figure out WHO she is, but when she finally finds herself, LOOK OUT! DARE is an urban literary treat. Don't believe me, grab a copy of this book for yourself if you want to be convinced!

Maya and Athena have been sisters of the heart since gradeschool days, but they're nothing alike. Maya's a Masters degree level sociologist, a poet, and a political activist. Athena's a cheerleader, a rapper wannabe, and though Maya loves her--she thinks her roommate's 'easy'.

But love is thicker than disagreements and the bonds of sisterhood are strong between these two sister-friends. When Athena's Mom becomes ill and Athena cannot make the rapper audition of a lifetime, Maya comes and does Athena's audition.

When Maya's audacity causes her to win, Athena convinces her to take a sabbatical from her job and continue the ruse until they can get things straightened out and get Athena her chance to shine.

Maya thinks she's crazy, til Athena DARES her. Now, these two women aren't children, but Maya can't refuse that dare.

"Dare" is a beautifully written book by a woman whose soul is full of light and who obviously wants to brighten up her reader's lives, too. You not only get a heart-rending tale of a strong woman's life, you get life lesson's as well. Abiola Abrams has filled "Dare" with personal dares that will change your life if you open yourself up to them--one of these is a "Beauty Day". No, this isn't pampering at the spa, it's noticing and acknowledging beauty everywhere.

Ms. Abrams writes with the rhymic beauty of both a musician and a poet. Her imagery is strong with color and sensory impressions. Scenes from "Dare" will bring tears to your eyes and leave you laughing and cheering.

You don't have to love rap or hip hop to love this book. You do need poetry in your soul and be willing to open up and learn--because Maya does have some amazing insights into life in general.

Go on--read the first chapter on this page. I dare you. Bet you won't put the book down til you're done. I also bet you're going to keep the book for the rules and the inspirational material in between the narrative.

Rebecca Kyle, April 2008

WHILE IT HAD A SOMEWHAT GOOD SYNOPSIS AND THE CHARACTERS WERE PAINTED PRETTY WELL AND WITH GREAT IMAGINATION, THIS BOOK IS A MESS. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS BO0OK TO ANYONE, REALLY A WASTE OF TIME. THE TITLE AND DESCRIPTION WILL ENTICE YOU BUT THE ACTUAL STORY WILL DISAPPOINT YOU.

GO DARE! I am so excited about writing this review. One of my best friends and I have been arguing about this book for a week, so we're both going to post our reviews. I absolutely loved it, and she wasn't crazy about it. But it got us both talking so I guess that the brilliant author accomplished her point. Here's what the big issue is-- this book is MIS-CATEGORIZED. It is listed as "Urban Lit," but as one of the other reviewers says, Dare is definitely either "CHICK LIT" or just "CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE." I guess that since it's a book by a black woman, the simple category they threw it into was "urban fiction."

Here is why I ENJOYED DARE SO MUCH and my friend did not-- our tastes in reading are totally different! I am a LITERARY reader. My favorite authors are Maya Angelou, Edwidge Danticat, Erica Simone Turnipseed, Zadie Smith, Toni Morrison, Gloria Naylor and Sofia Quintero. I LOVE SMART BOOKS that are creative with strong characters and a meaningful plot. My friend-- whose negative review you will see here ;-D -- loves "urban reads"-- books about hip hop, hustlers, gangsters, etc. If that is what you read or what you are looking for, that is definitely not Dare. No insult against any other authors, but Dare is literature. If you are used to easy reading about pimps, prostitutes, gangs and hustlers, buy something else. If you are an educated reader who loves profound, poetic and thoughtful storytelling and literature, BUY THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY!!!

The crazy thing is that because I am biracial, I have friends of all races. However, the books that my white girlfriends read and my black girlfriends read are totally different. The black books tend to be so one dimensional and basic. My white girlfriends are loving Dare too because they are not used to books like the others that appeal to the lowest common denominator. Edwidge Danticat and Abiola Abrams ROCK.

Dare is so rich and it was wonderful for me to read something that is as good as or better than "regular" chick lit but aimed at ME!!! The character was not a pimp, prostitute or a hustler, but a strong, proud, educated black woman like me. I didn't intend to keep going on and on, but I guess that the only flaw Miss Abrams has as a writer, if any, is that as a black writer she is above the pack, and that by itself might hold her back. People who are used to Big Macs can't understand caviar.

I can't wait for the next book by Abiola Abrams. I couldn't put Dare down. I loved the affirmations and literary references. More, please!!