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Posted in African-American Fiction, Black Love, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Crime, Love, New, Secrets, Urban Fiction

Falling Into Gravity by Evelyn Latrice (A Book Review)

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Aku Banner is a lover girl through and through. Growing up in a family powered by love and surrounded by happily-ever-afters, she longs for a piece of that magic herself. But that dream seems to slip through her fingers when she ends a tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship with her longtime beau, Devin Port.

Malik Rice is an entrepreneur who provides much-needed services to his community through a savvy, encrypted app that he created. He’s a complex man—carrying a battered heart, a spirit weighed down by regret, and a heavy dose of survivor’s guilt. Malik isn’t convinced that life holds anything more for him than what he already knows.

A chance encounter—an arranged pickup done as a favor for a mutual friend—brings Malik and Aku face to face. Their instant connection builds slowly, evolving into a fire so intense neither of them can deny it.

I absolutely loved watching Malik and Aku’s relationship blossom the way that it did. The casual flirting, the late-night phone calls, and the confident claiming of hearts—all of it beautifully captured their journey from falling into each other’s gravity to building legacy.

Just when I thought I couldn’t be more satisfied with another beautiful union, readers were graced with a touching message from the series’ guardian angel and the Mooney family’s beloved protector, Big Lunar. His words were powerful and heartfelt—a perfect, poetic way to close out the series.

Rating 10/10

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Posted in African-American Fiction, Black Love, Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Devotion, Family, Friendship, Hip-Hop, Identity, Love, Urban Fiction

Standing In The Sun by Evelyn Latrice (A Book Review)

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The weight of his father’s legacy who died prior to his birth, apprehends Little Lunar. The void left by his father’s death threatens to consume him. Little Lunar longs to understand the man he misses yet never knew, searching for a connection that might guide him on his journey to becoming the man he is destined to be.

Ahvi, a single mother hardened by survival, once thrived under the care of her loving father. But after his death, she pushed herself into overdrive just to make it through each day. While sorting through her father’s belongings, she discovers an old phone that once belonged to Little Lunar’s father. Desperate for money, Ahvi decides to sell it him.

For Little Lunar, the phone is more than an object; it’s a missing link that could finally tether him to the father he never knew.

Ahvi and Little Lunar were destined for one other—the stars clearly aligned in their favor. I loved how Ahvi and her son Kamari grounded Lunar, while Lunar, in turn, became a soft place for Ahvi and Kamari to land.

Standing In The Sun was very touching and brought everything full circle from To The Moon. Little Lunar embodied his deceased father, he was everything Big Lunar was and more. Such a beautiful and moving story. Rating 10/10

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Posted in African-American Fiction, Assault, Crime, Domestic Violence, Friendship, Historical Fiction, Infidelity, Marriage, Murder, Romance, Secrets

Bent but Not Broken by Mary Monroe (A Book Review)

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Naomi Simmons is a young woman surrounded by friends securing marriage proposals, while her own chances have slipped away after her beau leaves her for another girl. To make matters worse, her father makes it known that he considers her a burden, keeping him from moving forward with his longtime girlfriend.

When Naomi runs into Jacob Purcell at the neighborhood store, he casually compliments her looks and impulsively proposes. Skeptical, Naomi puts him off, but after encouragement from a friend, she reluctantly accepts. Her marriage to Jacob, however, is anything but happy—he becomes abusive and unfaithful.

Their daughter, Ethel Mae, grows up troubled and unsettled. In the midst of her difficult marriage, Naomi finds comfort in Homer Clark, a kind widower. Their friendship soon deepens into a love affair, and the two begin planning a new life together. But when Jacob suffers a stroke, Naomi abandons her plans and devotes herself to his care. Homer, disappointed, leaves.

As time passes, Ethel Mae appears to settle into her own life, but her choices bring shocking consequences that threaten the entire family.

I thoroughly enjoyed the element of surprise woven throughout the story. Naomi’s journey—from abuse, to passionate love, to cruel twists of fate—was compelling and emotional. By the end, the revelations not only deepened the drama but also highlighted Naomi’s growth.

Rating 8/10

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Posted in 2024, Fashion, Identity, Jazz, Literary Fiction, Music, Romance, Self-discovery

A Love Song For Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams (A Book Review)

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Ricki Wilde is the free-spirited and youngest member of the notable Wilde family of Atlanta, proprietors of a national chain of funeral homes. She breaks from family tradition and forges her own path in her career. Moving to Harlem, she opens her own flower shop and inherits an accepting community of friends, including Ms. Della, her self-proclaimed grandmother, and new best friend Tuesday. In the process of acclimating to her new environment, she meets a mysterious and handsome gentleman one evening in a community garden.

Ezra Walker, an eccentric musician, finally sees her, the woman he’s waited decades to meet. Like magnets, Ricki and Ezra are drawn to each other, but Ezra warns of a looming secret that will threaten their union in the worst way.

Ricki is an anomaly in her family. She’s not supported or understood by her family. I admired Ricki’s tenacity in walking her own path, even amid uncomfortable spaces and uncertainty. I really like it when she meets Ezra and they get to know each other. They were each other’s puzzle pieces that fit.

I enjoyed the connections that Ricki developed with Ms. Della, Tuesday, and Ezra. It was the exact opposite of the ridicule and criticism that flanked her from her entire family. It was a slow start for me. In the beginning, it appeared that I put the book way more than I cared to do, but it wasn’t holding my interest very well. But once I got past the slowness, the book picked up in a mighty way and blossomed beautifully.

Rating 9/10

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Posted in Entertainment, Fashion, Mentorship, Self-awareness, Self-discovery

Bevelations by Bevy Smith (A Book Review)

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Brilliant, charming, and irresistibly witty, Bevy Smith built an illustrious career in fashion, where glitz, glamour, and endless perks were part of the job.

But at the age of 38, alone in a Milan hotel room, Bevy didn’t want that life anymore. As she reflected over her life, she didn’t quite know what to do, but she was certain that a new chapter was yet to be seized, and this phase needed to be left in her rearview.

Told with bold self-awareness and transparency, Bevy takes us on a journey of personal reinvention. She is the personification of her coined phrase “it gets greater later.”

Although I found it to be highly inspirational somewhere along the way, it became redundant. I noticed that I was taking much too long to get through the book.

I did, however, appreciate her “bevelations” spread throughout the book. Many provided valuable insights.

Here are a few bevelations:

“A true mentor sets you up to win with or without them.”

“Don’t quit anything on a whim. Exhausting every potential solution; quitting should be a last option, not your first thought when things don’t go as expected.”

Rating 7/10

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Posted in Devotion, Domestic Violence, Faith, Family, Friendship, Historical Fiction, Marriage, Rape, Shame

Glory Unbound by Deborah L. King (A Book Review)

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Glory is given a chance for protection from her mother’s abuse by her preacher fiancé, Malcolm, and his mother. In her new environment, Glory experiences freedom as she has never known it. This freedom comes in the form of wealth and high societal connections. However, things in her new environment are not as well as they appear to be.    

Glory’s relationship with Malcolm was proving to be an extension of the abuse she received from her mother. She navigated through the abuse and the manipulation as best she could. After all the horrible things she suffered from her mother and her husband, she found the strength to fight for her life.

This was a compelling and complex story of a woman who found determination under the rubble of misguided religious doctrine and manipulation. Glory finds her voice and owns her life outright, far away from her horrific past.

Rating 9/10

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Posted in African-American Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Contemporary Fiction, Faith, Historical Fiction, Women Literary Fiction

Glory Bishop by Deborah L. King (A Book Review)

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Seventeen-year-old Glory Bishop wanted to be a normal girl. Raised by a religious mother, she was expected to be a good, godly, and obedient woman. Her mother yielded punishment on Glory under the guise of “removing the demons” by issuing heart-wrenching beatings.

Glory walked a tightrope inside her life. On one hand, she was a good church girl; on the other hand, she was a young girl with a boyfriend whom she sneaked to spend time with. When her boyfriend leaves for the Navy, her heart is shattered.

The preacher’s son, Malcolm Porter, who is ten years her senior, is now asking after her.

Her mother encouraged Glory to accept and be grateful for Malcolm’s friendship. Malcolm showered Glory with lavish gifts in the form of jewelry, fancy restaurants, and rides to and from school. Those acts of kindness were occasionally accompanied by his growing controlling ways.

After Glory returned from a family trip down south, Malcolm proposed marriage to her. With her mother Mary’s encouragement and Malcolm’s persistence, Glory felt obliged to accept. Glory navigated the waters of what other people wanted for her life as she didn’t fully have the bravery or capacity to own her desires without severe consequences.

Glory received emotional and financial support from her boss, Hershel, who was also her best friend. Other support came in the form of community that she received when she visited her family in Mississippi.

Mary’s life was so steeped in trauma that it affected her ability to love Glory fully with a balance of Godly wisdom, love, and understanding. She raised Glory with strict religious rhetoric, with no room for anything outside of that. As her mother offered her up to the preacher, Malcolm Porter, Glory went from one form of bondage to another.

My heart went out to Glory. I hated seeing how Glory’s mother viewed her. She only saw Glory through the lens of good and bad. She pushed Glory toward Malcolm like she was walking a sheep to slaughter.

Deborah L. King weaves a story of honesty and depth that will have the reader fully invested.

Rating 8/10

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Posted in African-American Fiction, Black Love, Contemporary Romance, Entertainment, Family, Friendship, Identity, Love, Mature Themes, Music, Romance

Chasing Galaxies by Evelyn Latrice (A Book Review)

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Noodle is a former child actress trying desperately to escape an image that was forced on her. She desires to freely carve out a new path in music.  It proves difficult for Noodle to forge ahead under the constant scrutiny of the public.

Bu is freshly out of prison and trying to readapt to life outside. He’s focused on his new landscaping business. He’s also part owner of his friend’s record label. He has little time for anything else. That is until he happens upon Noodle.

Noodle and Bu fall in love with each other, creating a sensational bond.

I loved Bu for Noodle. He stabilized her when she let her insecurities threaten to drown her whole. She was his soft place to land in a fast-moving world. This was another good one in the 8th Wonder series. Looking forward to reading more about the future generation of this clan.
Rating 8/10

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Posted in African-American Fiction, Betrayal, Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Identity, Infidelity, Love, Marriage, Mature Themes, Mystery, Suspense

She Wouldn’t Wait by Lorilyn White (A Book Review)

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Grace is fresh out of both college and a torrid love affair. After waiting years to settle down with Maurice with no reassurance that it would ever happen, Grace decides to walk away from the relationship.

When she lands a job as a junior accountant, she captures the interest of an ambitious coworker named Trevor.

Trevor appears to possess all the traits of a mate that Grace desired and had hoped for in her previous relationship with Maurice.

Suddenly, her dreams of a happy ending are within reach. Will she take it?

Meanwhile, Maurice is facing crushing news on his mother’s deathbed that has him reevaluating everything he knew about his life. He’s convinced that he and Grace belong together.  Will he be able to bring her back to what he believes is her rightful place in his life?

My least favorite characters were Maurice and Jacque. The French sprinkled in their dialogue felt out of place and inauthentic. As characters, they were insufferable, especially Maurice. He was spoiled, entitled, and so self-absorbed. Grace’s character was like a tittle against his grandiosity.

At first introduction, it could come off as a great love story between Maurice and Grace,  but upon a closer view,  it was not an ideal relationship.

Trevor had secrets of his own that would prove to affect Grace negatively as well. But Maurice wasn’t much better than Trevor. Grace got dealt a bad hand in love in my opinion.

Things kind of perked up for me with some family tensions towards the end. I want to see where that will take the story, so for that, I’ll be reading the sequel.

Rating 7/10

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Posted in Crime, LGBTQ, Suspense

Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby (A Book Review)

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Ike Randolph and Buddy Lee Jenkins are cut from the same cloth. Both are men who are hardened by life. They are also all too familiar with the wrong side of the law. However, that was their past. They have carved a new life outside prison walls, destined never to return. For Ike Randolph, his declaration not to return to prison was a promise he made to his son and wife. For Buddy Lee, his interest in the hard living of his youth waned.

When their sons, a black and white married couple, are murdered in cold blood, they consider taking matters into their own hands by embracing their old criminal life to seek justice. To do right by their sons who in life they each had a strained relationship with, they map out a plan to find their sons’ killers. While on this mission, they must confront the homophobia they both directed toward their sons’ lifestyles, as well as the long-held biases and prejudices they each have about race in general.

Two men bonded by their children’s love for one another and the desire for retribution for their deaths made for a thought-provoking story. The book touched heavily on topics of homophobia, racism, and classicism. I loved the mystery of the big reveal, although it became predictable in my opinion.

There were several moments in the book where the pacing slowed, which was not so great. The saving grace for me was Ike and Buddy Lee’s shenanigans. It was canvassed like a buddy comedy at times. The story delivered a universal message about getting to know people in the heart of who they are; good, bad, or indifferent.

Rating 7/10

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Posted in 2024, Black Love, Coming-of-Age, Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Family, Friendship, Mature Themes, Mental Health, novella, Parenthood, Self-awareness, Sexual Assault, Therapy, Urban Fiction

Woke Up On Mars by Evelyn Latrice (A Book Review)

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Hearts aligned. That’s the cornerstone of French and Solar’s magic.  Since childhood, the deep and fierce  love they had for one another developed into what can only be described as intergalactic love truly fit for the cosmos.

Their family blossomed to include three children to share their bond. On the road to solidify this union, French is working through dark issues from his past that is making it difficult for him to take the leap into matrimony. In addition, a revealed secret causes a chasm that could drive them both to the point of no return.

Will they be able to rise from the rubble to rebuild even stronger than before?

I could not wait to read all about French and Solar in depth. Their angst was  palpable in To The Moon.  Their love developed in Beyond The Stars. But the cliffhanger that hung on their story in that book had my anticipation high. I enjoyed the recap. It filled in the blanks while simultaneously revisiting how their love began without being redundant.

The second half of the book was beautiful. I liked how they navigated their love and family life. French’s internal struggle was handled realistically and with care. I was kind of split up the middle with how French navigated his healing. He made great progress, but then he also fought against some things. It was interesting to witness how it unraveled. I enjoyed reading this one.

Rating 9/10

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Posted in 2024, Career, Entertainment, Evolution, Memoir, Motherhood, Music, Philanthropy, Therapy

Who’s That Girl: A Memoir by Eve (A Book Review)

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Eve Jihan Cooper’s determination and resilience helped her carve a special place in hip-hop, film, and fashion. Her willful diligence granted her the privilege to trailblaze her way into music history. From her solo debut album, Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady, she scored the number one slot on the Billboard 200, marking her as the third female rapper to secure the position. She was also the first to receive a Grammy Award® for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for her platinum single “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” with Gwen Stefani.

In this intriguing memoir, she shares her upbringing in the tough West Philly streets to her navigation through the treacherous waters of the male-dominated spaces in hip-hop. Despite undermining attempts at her rise to stardom, she managed to solidify her place across several genres. Eve’s fearless ambition to take risks and own her identity through highs and lows shaped her into a truly phenomenal woman. Eve is battle-tested and made it through several tough situations. Now a wife, mother, and philanthropist, she’s more than earned this new self-declared “soft life” version of herself.

The autobiography was enlightening for the most part. It was not chronological and appeared incohesive at times which took away from the memoir. However, despite that mishap, it was still to the point about her experiences, lessons, and her evolution as a hip-hop artist and as a woman. In recounting certain knowledgeable events surrounding her, she softened the blow by not mentioning certain people by name, taking the salaciousness out of it. I respect that because it kept the focus on the experience and lesson rather than name-dropping.

Rating 7/10

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Posted in Adoption, African-American Fiction, Black Love, Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Domestic Violence, Family, Mature Themes, Mental Health, Parenthood, Self-awareness, Self-discovery, Urban Fiction

Beyond The Stars by Evelyn Latrice (A Book Review)

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Qamar is the star soccer player at his college. Although it serves him well and comes with good perks, it’s still not a walk in the park for him. It contributes to the inner conflict that is threatening to suffocate him.

His family has solidified their success repeatedly. Now it is time for Qamar to add his contribution to the family’s success, but he is crumbling under his family’s expectations. Some decisions that he made while navigating his personal life contribute to the inner conflict he deals with often.

Siasia is a college student and an aspiring photographer. Her home life with her family is not stable. She carries the family by dancing and hustling in questionable side activities.

Siasia and Qamar meet one night and despite their very different realities, stars align connecting them in an extremely deep way. As their relationship grows, they encounter challenges that make their union chaotic and messy.

As they sift through all the madness, they have to fight their way through to stay connected.

While I enjoyed the story because of the engagement level (never a dull moment), it was very chaotic. However, reading it, I chalked it up to youth and them trying to figure it out. Mistakes are made and life at times can get messy and chaotic, so in that sense, I appreciate the reality of that playing out in the story.

While not every young person’s life is messy, seeing Qamar and Siasia’s existence and how their environment shaped them, their lives being the way it was presented made sense. Rating 8/10

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Posted in African-American, African-American Fiction, Career, Contemporary Fiction, Dust Bowl, Family, Friendship, Historical Fiction, Love, Secrets

The Dust Bowl Orphans by Suzette D. Harrison (A Book Review)

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1935 Oklahoma-The Dust Bowl

The Wilson family desperately tries to leave Oklahoma to escape the harsh and dangerous dust storm in the air. A black blizzard separates fifteen-year-old Faith Wilson and her younger sister from their parents and younger brother Noah.

Through sheer determination and unwavering resilience, the Wilson sisters navigate through obstacles to carve out a life that is the beginning of a rich and beautiful legacy.

Present Day

Both art curator, Zoe Edwards and photographer, Jeshaun Halsey possess a passion for history and a responsibility to ensure the Black American experience is recorded in various art expressions and historical American events.

One photo is the catalyst that feeds that passion, solidifying the Black American presence in the Dust Bowl while simultaneously weaving through family secrets long buried.

 I loved the dual timelines—the individual stories across several familial lines intersected well. 

The romance came off as forced. It would have been great for the main character to maintain a professional relationship with her colleague a bit longer in my opinion. It still was a great book that I enjoyed.

Rating 9/10

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Posted in African-American Fiction, Domestic Violence, Education, Faith, Family, HBCU, Historical Fiction

Mary Not Broken by Deborah L. King (A Book Review)

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Mary Johnson is a fiery fifteen-year-old preacher’s daughter who is in love with Mason Carter, a boy who is not suitable as an acceptable spouse by her parents. However, there is a wealthy preacher who they believe is the perfect mate for their daughter. That union would solidify a stable future for their daughter and their family.

When Mary snatches her future on her terms, it doesn’t go quite as she planned. Instead of certain bliss, she is met with unexpected tragedies beyond what she could have ever imagined.

What a phenomenal story. Mary was severely traumatized by all the losses she endured. She sacrificed her own happiness for her family’s future and stability. While doing that, she did have bouts of happiness but when it was followed by her personal tragedies, it was hard to get out of her own way.

Her pain and trauma was palpable. She was beaten down by life to the point of near rigidity in not allowing herself to enjoy life or love. It seemed she was walking on pins and needles in her daily life, as if God was waiting to punish her for anything with a semblance of enjoyment. While it’s easy to say, just live a little in Mary’s instance, listening to her background story, I understand.

I found Mary’s sister Ruthie hilarious. I loved her spunk and no-nonsense candor. The internal freedom she relished in was beautiful to see. For me, Ruthie was like the other side of Mary. She was Mary before Mary internalized all the bad, before Mary started locking herself in a constant, self-imposed state of judgment. The other Johnson women: their mother Augusta, and sisters Martha and Ellie also had a lightness to them that I could feel.

I kept rooting for Mary to come out of this perpetual self-abuse. Though she would have moments of lightness or enjoying things, that “punishment trope” would remain ever present beneath the surface in Mary. This was a very realistic view of how internalized trauma can do a number on a person’s psyche. And unless they do the work to reverse the self-loathing or feeling of inadequacy, nothing will change how they feel inside. This was such a powerful story.

Rating 10/10

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Posted in African-American Fiction, Assault, Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Crime, Family, Friendship, Love, Mental Illness

Where We Found Our Home (Lost and Found Series Book 1) by Natasha Bishop (A Book Review)

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Escaping a harrowing experience, Ciara Jeffries gets a fresh start by moving to a new city.

Once she arrives in her new surroundings, she intends to lay low and live a quiet life with non-existent friendships and relationships.  

When she encounters a warm group of people, they draw her in, and she is conflicted with the feeling of normally forming relationships. However, she’s reminded that getting too close could have very dire circumstances.

Lincoln Cole is a dedicated firefighter with strong ties to his community. He is regretful about a past love that ended. He has sworn off love because of it. However, Ciara Jeffries rejuvenated feelings in him he would prefer to stay buried.

Although fear was a constant with Ciara, her strength proved to be a greater force.

Lincoln pushed past his fears to attempt a second chance at love.

I enjoyed seeing both of their journeys. I liked the realistic tug-and-pull of Lincoln and Ciera’s decisions in determining the continued trajectory of their future lives. Mostly all the characters were developed nicely and had a strong connectivity factor. I especially like Nevaeh. She was so insightful at a young age. Great story with an unexpected twist.

Rating 9/10

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Posted in African-American Fiction, Assault, Bipolar, Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Family, Mature Themes, Mental Health, Mental Illness

The Never List by D L White (A Book Review)

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Esme Whitaker is a woman on the heels of her 40th  birthday. She has a list of things she has never accomplished. She intends to tackle this list before the impending milestone.

Trey Pettigrew is running his family business in his father’s absence. A major acquisition is front and center as the next order of business. Trey is more than expected to secure this acquisition. His professional future hangs in the balance in connection to this deal.

Esme is the secret weapon used by the opposite side during the negotiations in the acquisition deal. Esme and Trey hammer out details during negotiations hitting one impasse after another.

When Trey stumbles on Esme’s list of things she’s never done, they creatively agree to tackle her list in an effort to gain some ground in the negotiations. Things heat up between Esme and Trey as they spend more time with each other.

Esme is content with her life for the most part. But some of the people in her family has urged her to live a little.  Her family was fun and well meaning but they were a bit intrusive in my opinion. They made her life the central topic to be picked apart in their discussions.

I found it interesting how she started to tackle the list with gentle encouragement with Trey. I enjoyed the slow burn courtship style of Esme and Trey’s relationship against the professional backdrop of the story. This was a fun read.

Rating 9/10

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Posted in Hollywood, Identity, Interracial Love, LGBTQ, Love, Marriage, Philanthropy, Romance, Secrets, Self-awareness, Women Literary Fiction

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (A Book Review)

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Evelyn Hugo, the former bombshell icon of old Hollywood, decides she wants to share the truth about her eventful life. At 79, Evelyn is done spinning stories and opts for a no-holds-barred approach when relaying details for her biography. She solicits an unknown magazine writer for the job.

Monique Grant is a writer who is trying to establish herself in her professional life. Newly separated from her husband, she intends to use this opportunity to catapult her career to higher heights.

When Evelyn unravels the reality of her life, Monique’s life is tragically connected.

While Evelyn could be deemed a complex woman by some, I would say she was simple. She was fiercely unapologetic more times than not. She navigated her life with unwavering self-awareness. She languished only when it was beneficial for her to do so.

At other times, she basked in the favor of being a hot commodity in the film industry whenever the opportunity was presented.  

Lifelong friendships, opportunistic relationships, and forbidden love served as the backdrop for this story. It was a typical tale of what Hollywood rumors are made of.  

Evelyn, forever the realist, knew when to pivot. She was an early financial supporter of the LGTBQ movement. In later years she added cancer research to the causes she supported. When she was done with Hollywood, she lived a quiet life with her friends and continued to support the causes near and dear to her heart.

The story was entertaining enough. The seven husbands was a smokescreen for a much larger message.  Amid the pretenses and transactional arrangements, Evelyn still managed to reprieve from the chaos with the family she created through genuine friendships.

Rating 7/10

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Posted in African-American Fiction, Career, Domestic Violence, Family, Friendship, Mature Themes, Motherhood, Parenthood, Shame, Urban Fiction

Luca (The Eisenberg Effect Book 1) by Grey Huffington (A Book Review)

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Under the cover of night Ever Sinclair leaves her abusive partner. With her two young daughters in tow, she sets out to start life anew in her hometown. On arrival, she has a solid support system in her mother and her good friend Lyric.  She’s focused and determined to revel in her independence and not fall into the traps of her past.

Luca Eisenberg’s eight-year prison bid is ending. It’s time for him to assume his boss status again outside of the prison walls. He must make up for time lost.

Following his release from prison, Luca is taken captive by a set of hazel eyes belonging to the pretty passenger who accompanied his sister on the ride to pick him up. His heart is locked in place immediately.  

This fast-paced heady whirlwind romance between Ever and Luca was such a fun ride. There were so many cute moments in the book. I lost count of how many “ahs” I voiced which were especially frequent when Ever’s two daughters were front and center. They just tugged on my heartstrings. So adorable.

I liked Luca’s decisiveness about what he wanted with Ever. It was straight no chaser which was good but boy was it fast.  While I wasn’t very fond of how quickly they got into the thick of things, I mostly liked the dynamics of their relationship.

Ever’s inconsistency between what she vocalized as “hard boundaries” and how things started unfolding was somewhat realistic. Similar actions may appear like that in how some survivors of abuse who are not fully healed navigate their lives.

Now there was a point of contention I had in the story. It was the throw caution to the wind unprotected sex between the two. It was so intentional and so soon. Like days after meeting and fresh out of prison. Not to mention, Ever being a young mother fresh out of an abusive relationship. Like no ma’am. I felt that was an irresponsible move from both parties.

Besides that, this book was extremely entertaining with beautiful moments that kept me locked in. Oh and I really appreciated the music references.

Some Quotes/Voices from the book

Because I was always in survival mode or on defense, I didn’t have the privilege of softness or vulnerability. ~Ever

I couldn’t remember sleeping as hard as I had been since moving back to Channing. Or maybe it was the fact that I didn’t have to look over my shoulder or worry about Dewayne coming home on his bullshit if he came home at all. The peace the move offered me had me sleeping like a baby. ~Ever

My territory had been marked, and I didn’t play about shit that belonged to me. ~Luca

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the founding moments of us and couldn’t wait to see what we built from them. ~Ever

That’s why I’d move mountains, dry seas, and hydrate the desert if it made her happy. She brought goodness to the world. To my world. ~ Luca

Rating 9/10

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Posted in Betrayal, Career, Domestic Violence, Drugs, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Mystery, Politics, Rape, Sexual Assault

The Bitter Truth by Shanora Williams (A Book Review)

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Dominic Baker is running for his second term as governor of North Carolina. But his potential second term may not be easily won, courtesy of a dirty little secret long buried that’s threatening to be exposed.

Jolene Baker is Dominic’s devoted and long-suffering wife. She’s always had his back and this time is no different. She stands strong in support of him by garnering as much support as she can for his political campaign.

During one of his speeches on the campaign trail, a woman in the crowd meets him and Jolene’s acquaintance. Her presence is welcomed by Jolene but causes alarm for Dominic. After a series of unfortunate events, paranoia sets in and Dominic starts displaying questionable behavior.

Jolene grows suspicious and is determined to uncover what Dominic is hiding. When her probes turn up unbelievable results, Jolene has difficult choices to make.

A glimpse of the trauma that Dominic endured in his younger years was accounted for in the story. Dominic defies the odds and makes good on gaining a life of success. But despite the success story, there’s something darker below the surface.

Dominic was conniving and deceitful from the beginning.  He was scorched earth, burning up those he claimed to care about in his path.

At the onset, Jolene was the prey and was prime for the picking. It was good to see that Jolene had some sort of support system in place.

The supporting characters were strong and served to fill in the gap in fleshing out the story.

My heart went out to Brynn as it relates to her experience. I liked what the epiphany did for Jolene.

I loved that the book moved along and got to the point. The chapters were not long and drawn out, which I appreciated. It kept me engaged without my attention waning. I appreciated the subtle way the author sculpted the surprise buildups. It was an enjoyable read.

Rating 9/10

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Posted in African-American Fiction, Autism Awareness, Black Love, Family, Grey Huffington, Mature Themes, Mental Health, Secrets, Sisterhood

Rather: The Therapist by Grey Huffington (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

Rather Childers is one of seven formidable women nestled deep within the ranks of their family’s enterprise.  When the syndicate the family is a part of is compromised, the powers that be agree that a sacrifice must be made to keep order.

The sacrifice will come in the form of a marriage. Rather is that sacrifice. She is set to marry a member of the Valentine family who has become a liability. Her sole job is to turn him into an asset. This is a simple task until it’s not.

Rather’s past clandestine dealings threaten to turn everything upside down and disintegrate the very foundation of the syndicate.

My goodness, this was one hell of a love story. Rather and Priest were simply breathtaking together. They were giving all the things. This was a love for the ages. This book had me down bad. I read it everywhere. While running errands, I wished for a line to sneak a peek to see what was happening with their journey.

Everything was so beautifully written. I especially loved the theme of sisterhood interwoven in the story. I adored Rather’s relationship with the women in her family, women empowerment at its finest. I can say that reading this book, I am slowly getting a sense of the sisters’ individuality. This is definitely a book that made a lasting impression.

Rating 10/10

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Posted in Adoption, Classism, Education, Elitism, HBCU, Historical Fiction, Interracial Love

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

The story starts in 1950’s Philadelphia.

Fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is a smart girl with a promising academic future ahead of her. It will allow her to advance, granting access to a life much different than her poverty-stricken reality.

When she meets Shimmy Shapiro her straight path to the other side of poverty becomes uncertain.

Eleanor Quarles is a sharp young college student from Ohio who attends Howard University. She comes from humble beginnings. She meets and falls in love with William Pride, a fellow Howard University student. William is from a prestigious family nestled in the upper echelon of the black elite in Washington D.C.

When their union is made known, Eleanor and William’s stark differences become apparent and laced with uncertainty.

This book had me caught up, hook, line, and sinker. It tugged at my heartstrings. The longing, regrets, and hard choices were so palpable, that it seemed to just ooze through the pages.

A light moment in the book that I loved in particular was when Eleanor’s roommate called her, Ohio. I thought that it was fun and good-natured, and it made me giggle.

The characters were written so well and fleshed out so beautifully that they remain with the reader long after the story is finished.

After I finished reading, I just sat there and tried to take it all in. It was heartbreaking and beautiful all at once.

This is the first novel I’ve read by Sadeqa Johnson. More Sadeqa Johnson books? It’s an absolute yes for me.

Memorable Sayings and Quotes

“I don’t have a fancy last name that can open doors for me. My mama’s cakes and my daddy’s factory work is what got me in the door. And a lot of studying and ingenuity on my part.” ~Eleanor

The only way to survive this heartache was to pretend it never happened. ~Ruby

Rating  10/10

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Posted in African-American, Contemporary Fiction

Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

Aaliyah is a successful and confident woman approaching her thirtieth birthday. She’s on a timeline to find a boyfriend before that milestone.

Ahmad is a bartender she befriends who becomes her wingman in her online dating adventures.

Between dating tips and quick-witted comments between the two, a friendship develops with a layer of sexual tension bubbling beneath the surface.

Will Ahmad’s dating tips and keen eye help Aaliyah land a good mate from the murky dating pool? Moreover, will this prospect be secured in time for Aaliyah’s thirtieth birthday?

What a cute story, I was a giddy girl reading this one. I loved the light and easy rapport between Aaliyah and Ahmad. The care and genuine concern they both had for one another solidified their friendship. I especially liked the respect Aaliyah maintained for a particular situation she was “somewhat privy” to. I enjoyed seeing how their friendship developed alongside the romantic chemistry that everyone but them seemed to acknowledge.

Rating 10/10

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Posted in Reading, Summer

Summer Reading

Posted on by DDM

Summer is here and so are summer reading challenges. It’s a race to the finish. I am curious how many books I will complete by the end of July, which marks the end of the summer reading challenge.

I think I’ve overextended myself with books, as I am reading multiple books at once again. I’m alternating between them all every couple of hours and between days.  So far, I’ve enjoyed the books I’ve read during the challenge. There were no bad apples in the bunch, some books may have moved a little slower than others, but they were still okay.

My biggest challenge is trying to get some reading done between work and extracurricular activities that keep me busy. Oh well, that’s enough for my little rant. Back to reading!!!

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Posted in Contemporary Fiction, Crime, Devotion, Family, Mature Themes, Romance, Urban Fiction

Chemistry: The Chemist by Grey Huffington (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

Chemistry Childers is an enigma. He’s calculated and elusive, making him successful in his line of work. He’s impenetrable until he lays eyes on her.

Egypt Johanson is a woman with a job to do. She’s honed her skills and is respected in her career. She’s laser-focused on the assignment at hand. Until she is summoned by him.

What happens when two people on opposing sides crash into each other?

This was a good book. I enjoyed seeing Chemistry’s evolution. His protective nature engulfing the women around him was beautiful to see. He was a walking contradiction at times, but it was intriguing to watch him walk the tightrope between imperviousness and vulnerability.

Egypt was caught off guard, drawn to a love beyond what she could have ever imagine. The path to that love was a bit rough at times though.

The sweet ache of love between Chemistry and Egypt was leaping from the pages. Their connection was titillating and dangerous.

 I wish that the prologue wasn’t so long. It felt like a lot, and I was ready to get into the book.  Also, there is the matter of siblings, especially the sisters. They were powerful women and very important to Chemistry, but the names were a bit of a distraction for me and made it difficult to get a sense of who they were.

Chemistry and Egypt had chemistry indeed. The book kept me engaged and wanting to see what was next. 

Rating 8/10

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Posted in African-American, Crime, LGBTQ, Mental Health, Murder, Secrets

Double Lives by Mary Monroe (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

Leona and Fiona are identical twin sisters with a strong bond, a penchant for good times, and switching things up. The sisters had been masquerading as each other for years. As they grew older, they settled into their own lives and their masquerading became almost non-existent.

Fiona marries and becomes a mother. Leona is an independent working woman, with an active social life. However, when Fiona wants a reprieve from her “dull” husband, she calls on Leona to do a swap. Will this swap go off without a hitch as all the previous ones? Or will this swap prove to be the swap that beats all swaps?

Leona resigned herself to the fact that she could withstand the hard things in life better than Fiona could. She stood in Fiona’s stead when Fiona committed unseemly acts. Leona was a super empath and fiercely loyal. It was heartbreaking to see so much negativity thrown at her; especially by those who were close to her. Leona was the twin who had to deal with the worst things.

Fiona was also misunderstood, but more so underestimated. She wasn’t the prim and proper woman she was believed to be, but no one was the wiser, except Leona. Fiona benefited from Leona’s big heart and her loyalty. Fiona hid her true self behind her sister’s good heart and protection.

I was rooting for Leona when she had a big possibility of the happiness she dreamed of, but it seemed like gloom was always near. The ending was a welcomed surprise, although a tad bittersweet.

Rating 9/10

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Posted in African-American, Black Love, Coming-of-Age, Erotica, Family, Mature Themes, Urban Fiction

To The Moon by Evelyn Latrice (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

Javen Cooper is a rising football star at the edge of manhood. He has a promising future that will get him out of his neighborhood, The Jig, a place of dim prospects and even dimmer future. His heart belongs to family, football, and Luna Moony, the twin sister of his deceased best friend. He loved her and vowed he would always be there for her come what may.

Luna Moony is a young lady forced to grow up fast. With a mother who was often M.I.A., she was left to raise her younger siblings after the death of her twin brother, Lunar. She is the glue holding her family together. She also found family in Javen, the handsome boy, who was her twin’s best friend. She is determined to protect him.

Luna does what she can to make sure Javen continues to walk the path he’s paved to make it out The Jig and into a career in the NFL.

Will their teenage promises to take each other “to the moon” hold true? Or will life’s transitions prove to be too much and lead them on a path altogether different?

What a wonderful coming of age story. The characters were wonderfully written. I was very invested in reading each of their stories. Luna, Javen, French, Tiny, Solar, and Quamar made a family and clung to each other through many ups and downs. They were wise beyond their years.

Lunar’s essence was so strong and impressionable that it was felt long after his death. It was as if Lunar was their guiding light.

I loved their determination and devotion to each other and their futures. I was rooting for them all. It was great to see all their journeys spanning from their teenage years to young adulthood.

The love story that served as the nucleus was very powerful. I felt the angst and the giddiness equally and enjoyed every minute of it.

Rating 10/10

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Posted in Family, Historical Fiction, Identity, Infidelity, LGBTQ, Mystery, Secrets

Love, Honor, Betray by Mary Monroe (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

Lies, deceit, and cover-ups are interwoven into the lives of Jessie and Hubert Wiggins; all while trying to maintain honorable public reputations.

Jessie Wiggins couldn’t imagine that her being the new Mrs. Wiggins involved living a double life.

Hubert Wiggins believes he found a sweet spot on both sides of his double life.

When several incidents threaten to upend their good standing in their community, Jessie and Hubert navigate through the turmoil to keep their reputations intact.

This is the third installment of the Lexington, Alabama series. I liked this slightly better than the previous book, Empty Vows. I appreciated some of the resolutions to some of the underlying issues introduced in the earlier books.

There was a major twist that provided a great element of surprise. I expected more fallout from all the shenanigans of both Jessie and Hubert. This book fell short of what I am used to getting from a Mary Monroe novel. The conclusion was wrapped up neatly despite all the crazy events that were sprinkled throughout the book.

Even though this book didn’t quite grab me fully, I’ll continue reading the series with the fourth book, Double Lives. Fingers crossed.

Rating 8/10

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Posted in African-American, Murder, Mystery, Secrets

Empty Vows by Mary Monroe (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

Sweet and pious widow, Jessie Tucker is ready to move her life forward after losing her husband Orville. Hubert, once the most eligible bachelor in town, once again holds that title, as he is newly widowed. Jessie makes herself available to him to help him with household chores and to be a good friend.

Suddenly, she wants something more and weaves a deceptive plan to ensure that she becomes the second Mrs. Wiggins. She is looking forward to receiving a dynamic husband in Hubert.

Hubert misses the companionship and love of family. Hubert is also living life on the edge and is holding a deep secret. Can he keep things under wraps? Can he be the husband that Jessie wants and needs? Will he have a happy life with Jessie Tucker?

This is the second book in the Lexington, Alabama series. It’s the follow-up to Mrs. Wiggins. I would have to say it did not pack the punch that Mrs. Wiggins did.

What I liked about the book is reading about what happened after the tragedy that occurred in Mrs. Wiggins. I wanted to know more about some of the newly introduced characters and situations in this book. I wished they were expounded on more but they served more as fillers.

The ending was a cliffhanger. So of course, I am ready to read the third installment in this series to see where this story goes. While it was entertaining, it was unnecessarily lengthy. In my opinion, this book is perhaps a stepping stone for a big reveal in the subsequent stories in this series.

Rating 8/10

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Posted in Basketball, Depression, Family, Identity, Mental Health, Self-discovery, Therapy, Women Literary Fiction

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

William Waters was a lonely boy from a broken family. He finds solace in the game of basketball. He gains a scholarship that allows him to go away to college. While there, he meets Julia, a focused and determined girl who brings a little burst of light. Julia introduces William to her family. He is instantly interwoven into this big, beautiful, and chaotic family.

As William and Julia plan their future, William’s dark past threatens to undo their carefully crafted lives.

I liked the expansive energy of the Padavano family. I liked how every woman in Charlie Padavano’s family was visible to him. I especially liked how he adored and affirmed his daughters. He was a simple man that was larger than life. He made a profound impact on the people he encountered. His community was enriched by his kindness.

The matriarch of the family, Rose was a hard and insufferable woman in my opinion. She was frustrated with certain aspects of her life, and didn’t know how to reconcile it, and it was evident in her state of being.

Out of all the Padavano girls (Julia, Sylvia, Cecelia, and Emeline), I think Cecelia was my favorite. I liked her spunk and her daughter Izzy’s spunk as well.

Outside of the good things I liked about the book, it was a bit disappointing. The story seemed exhaustive, long, and repetitive as it moved along. I was waiting for more development, but it didn’t quite arrive for me. This book had great potential in the beginning, it just fell flat.

Rating 6/10

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Posted in African-American, Black Love, Book Review, Contemporary Fiction, Erotica, Family, Friendship, Love, Marriage, Romance

Be With Me by Alexandria House (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

Nicole Strickland is loud, wild, and promiscuous. It has served her well up to a point but now she wants a change of pace.  She wants a life of luxury where she can enjoy the finer things. She meets an attorney named Travis McClure who provides an opportunity to give her the life she desires. She becomes his fiancée.

Damon Davis is Nicole’s best friend since second grade. The connection between them is very strong. Damon loves everything about Nicole and desperately wants to be with her.

Nicole loves Damon as a friend and wants to keep their friendship just the way it is. A hurtful incident in the past prevents Nicole from moving the relationship beyond friendship with Damon. So, she is determined to get the life she deserves with Travis.

Will Damon break past Nicole’s barrier and get his wish to lay claim to her heart? Will Nicole take a chance and allow Damon to be her one and only?

This was a fun read and a great wrap up to the Strickland sisters’ trilogy. I liked Nicole’s self-awareness. However, I enjoyed observing the layers beneath Nicole’s bravado. She encountered several difficult things in her young life and navigated through it as best she could. More importantly, she owned who she was.

Rating 10/10

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Posted in African-American, Book Love, Book Review, Contemporary Fiction, Erotica, Family, Friendship, Love, Marriage, Poetry, Reading, Romance, Self-discovery

Let Me Free You by Alexandria House (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

Neil McClain is the McClain brother that just can’t seem to get it together. With his life spiraling out of control, he takes matters into his own hands and goes to a healing center. After his release from the center, his family volunteers him to help solve a problem that involves a dear family friend.

Sage Moniba is facing a major dilemma. She desperately tries to solve this matter on her own,even being humiliated in the process. When her good friends Jo and Bridgette presents Neil as the answer to her dilemma, Sage has reservations.

Neil feels he is still on shaky ground and is not quite sure of how much he can be to anyone else. Sage is hesitant to take Neil’s help, but it is the only lifeline she has now. Will everything work out, only time will tell.

I absolutely love Neil’s and Sage’s story. It’s an age-old tradition that is quite sweet. I am not into giving spoilers but it’s evident early in the story. I love Neil’s care and acceptance of Sage and how he affirms her.

The uncertainty that Sage feels about Neil’s professed love for her begins to fall away. It was beautiful to see that unfold. I love Sage’s independence and zest for life. She provides the perfect balance for Neil’s depth and seriousness. Uncle Lee Chester is back and still bringing the magic with his funny and often unsolicited advice. Another good one.

Rating 10/10

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Posted in Black Love, Contemporary Fiction, Erotica, Family, Hollywood, Love, Romance

Let Me Show You by Alexandria House (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

Film director, Nolan McClain is focused and strategically making moves in his career. He also navigates his romantic life in a seemingly effortless way. He has the perfect formula for success. His well-crafted life gets a shake up when Bridgette Turner moves into his orbit. He just can’t seem to shake her from his mind.

Bridgette Turner, an up-and-coming actress is making the most of her budding career. She is destined for stardom. When Nolan’s romantic interest in her is made known, she’s uncertain that it could be real. In addition to her doubt, her past threatens to snatch anything positive in her future, including her potential romance with Nolan.

I enjoyed the exposition into Nolan and Bridgette’s background. It was refreshing to see both step out of the familiar. The banter between the McClain siblings was in this book as well and is always hilarious. I love the connection and warmth in the family. Yet another hit in the McClain brothers series.

Rating 10/10

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Posted in Contemporary Fiction, Mental Health, Murder, Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Never Lie by Freida McFadden (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

Newlyweds Ethan and Tricia are starting their life together. They’re about to embark on a major milestone as a married couple, purchasing their first home together. They luck out to find a grand home off the beaten path that’s been placed on the market.

When they go to view the home, they are stranded and must spend the night in the home due to a blizzard. The home is the former home of renowned psychiatrist Dr. Adrienne Hale, who disappeared three years prior.  

While there, Tricia discovers cassette tapes that Dr. Hale used to record the therapy sessions of her patients. The tapes reveal a roadmap to what may have led to Dr. Hale’s disappearance and so much more.

This was a wickedly good story. In the beginning, I really thought that I had this story pegged. Boy was I wrong. One plot twist kept turning into another plot twist, and yet another. Freida McFadden’s work will regularly be on my TBR list with high anticipation.

Rating 10/10

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Posted in 2018, African-American, Basketball, Black Love, Book Review, Domestic Violence, ebook, Erotica, Family, Friendship

Let Me Hold You by Alexandria House (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

Leland McClain is the youngest of the McClain siblings. He is a professional basketball player who also volunteers with a youth basketball camp at a recreational center. Leland has a thing for older women and sets his sights on the center’s director Kim Hampton. He is determined to make Kim Hampton his woman.

Kim Hampton is hard at work, running the center. The center is owned by her son, who is also a professional basketball player. Although she notices Leland and his good looks, she is determined to remain professional.

When a hostile incident occurs at one of the youth’s family home, it brings them even closer professionally. However, sparks begin igniting beneath the surface. Leland is all for it. Kim, not so much. Her troubled past, as well as a dark secret, is preventing her from freely acknowledging their relationship.

I enjoyed the story. Although it was very entertaining and had funny moments, it had a slightly darker tone than the first book. I especially like the updates on Jo and Everett, that was a welcomed surprise.

Leland was affirming and steadfast in his love for Kim. Kim’s strained relationships with her son and mom was a struggle to read. I hated seeing their interactions with Kim. However, I liked how House developed the conflict. Although it was uncomfortable to witness, it felt very real.

They (Kim’s mom and son) made me so mad; I had several “talk back” moments throughout the book. If I had the physical copy of the book, I’m sure I would have thrown it across the room. This is the third book I’ve read from this author. She is officially a mainstay of authors whose work I like. I’m so ready to get to the next installment in this series.

Rating 9/10

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Posted in African-American, Betrayal, Black Love, Book Review, Erotica, Kindle, Love, Urban Fiction

Drama Queen by La Jill Hunt (A Book Review)

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Kayla is a young woman with a bright future. She is in love with Geno and life is good. However, the moniker that her close friends refer to her as “Drama Queen” starts to ring true. One major incident sets off a crazy chain of events. She decides to move her life forward in a different direction and meets Craig. After meeting Craig, she gets more than she bargained for when she becomes pregnant with his baby.

This was an entertaining and quick read. The story was packed with interesting characters and drama filled situations that just spilled over to more chaos. There were some serious moments in the story, but overall, it was a light and funny read. It was a welcomed reprieve from weightier books.

Rating 8/10

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Posted in African-American, Audiobooks, Black Love, Book Review, Career, Hip-Hop, Love, Music, Romance

Let Me Love You by Alexandria House (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

On the heels of her divorce, Jo Walker’s secured station in life is due to child support and alimony payments from her ex-husband Sidney. Although she has financial stability, peace is not always hers to own as she is often reminded by Sidney that he is the sole benefactor of it all. Nonetheless, she focuses on raising their daughter and advancing in her burgeoning career as a jeweler.

Everett “Big South” McClain is a rapper who has sworn off love after his divorce. Casual romantic connections are safe and less complicated for him, until he meets Jo. Like no woman he has previously met, he cannot get her out of his mind. The only issue is Jo is not exactly enamored with him or his status. But Everett proves to be persuasive and soon the attraction between the two heats up. But their relationship is met with resistance from several parties: their former spouses being the biggest opponents.

The story was entertaining. I like the care that Everett showed toward Jo. He was constantly building her up when she tended to lean toward her insecurities. I liked that Jo stood her ground in many instances during her relationship with Everett. The way their connection developed was relatively realistic by showing slight resistance. The only mark I have against the book is that the story could have been a little shorter. However, it was a good story.

Rating 9/10

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Posted in African-American, Book Review, Family, Friendship, Love, Poetry, Shame

One Summer in Savannah by Terah Shelton Harris (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

Sara Lancaster left Georgia after she is raped. She vowed to stay away as long as she possibly could. However, she is forced to return home when her father becomes ill. With her eight-year-old daughter Alana in tow, Sara’s past meets the present and it’s both bittersweet and hopeful.

Jacob Wyler left Georgia under a cloak of shame. His rich and influential family was brought to near ruin in a trail of unfortunate events. His brother raped Sara Lancaster, his sister Naomi died in a car accident, his father Tom committed suicide, his mother Birdie, normally a cold and indifferent woman, became insufferable.

Jacob sought out work in faraway places as an astrophysicist while simultaneously attempting to rebuild his identity. However, visions of his deceased sister lead him to return home.

In Georgia, Jacob and Sara’s paths cross. Things get convoluted when love develops in the most unlikely of ways.

I read this story as a part of Libby’s Together We Read campaign. This was a very layered story. The theme of forgiveness was evident. I found the building blocks the author used to present forgiveness in the story to be unconventional. I personally found it difficult to grasp the idea of the romantic love that developed between Sara and Jacob. The idea for the concept was explained in the back of the book in A Conversation with the Author.

I do know love can form under unlikely circumstances. However, Sara didn’t want to speak about Daniel, barely wanted to utter his name, or want to see him. Sara’s reluctance and hang-ups about Daniel was still very apparent throughout the book, and rightfully so. So, her falling in love with his identical twin felt out of place to me.

Alana was the bright shining star for me in the book, such a breath of fresh air. She brought everything together. She was the healing source in more ways than one. I also enjoyed seeing the warmth displayed in Sara’s family. Sara’s father speaking only in poems was intriguing. I would have liked to know more about why he chose this way to speak. Overall, I liked this story. It was rich and intriguing.

Rating 8/10

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Posted in 2017, alexandria-house, Audiobooks, Black Love, Book Review, Career, Divorce, Erotica, Identity, Infidelity, Love, Marriage, Romance

Stay With Me by Alexandria House (A Book Review)

Posted on by DDM

Angela Strickland has struck out twice at love. She has reconciled within herself that a future where real love reigns supreme is not in the cards for her. She settles fully in her life as a successful hair vlogger. To earn additional money, she rents the other side of her duplex.

Ryan Boye is in town on work assignment. He’s a corporate career man, who likes to keep things causal in his romantic relationships. He is the epitome of “hit it and quit it” and determines to stand ten toes down in that philosophy.

In an effort to make his stay feel a little more like home, he leases a place and his path crosses with Angela. What he finds is that Angela is not the typical woman he’s accustomed to. His fascination with her is deep and leaves him confused.

Angela may have sworn off love, but what she cannot deny is her attraction to her tenant Ryan. However, she is determined to keep things professional between them. How will things play out between these two?

This was a fantastic love story. Ryan and Angela’s mutual attraction heated up the pages (well audio for me; I listened to the audio version). Alexandria House’s books have been on my TBR list for some time. This is the first book I’ve read from her, but certainly not my last. Her storytelling is phenomenal. I am about to dive deep into her other books. Looking forward to it. I have a lot of catching up to do. I suspect it’s going to be a fun and wild ride.

Rating 10/10

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Posted in 2023, Abandonment, Activism, Art, Autobiography, BET, Betrayal, Book Review, Career, Divorce, Entertainment, Entrepeneurship, Identity, Infidelity, Love, Marriage, Memoir, Mental Health, Mentorship, Motherhood, Music, Philanthropy, Purpose, Self-awareness, Self-discovery

Walk Through Fire: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Triumph by Sheila Johnson (A Book Review)

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Sheila Johnson overcame immeasurable odds. When she was just sixteen, her family imploded when her father left their family for another woman. It destroyed her mom. Defiantly determined she would not be caught in this predicament as a woman, she set out to prove just that. However, this singular event shaped Sheila in more ways than one.  

Music was her refuge. She became an accomplished violinist and managed to get a full scholarship to college. She was well on her way. Then she met a young, ambitious man named Bob Johnson in college. They began dating and married a few years later. Her life and self-esteem was being shaped and molded by her new husband. His drive and ambition had carried them to great heights professionally.

However, behind closed doors, their marriage became a toxic breeding ground of lies, deceit, and emotional abuse. She had come full circle to the moment of her youth that she was determined not to experience again. When her thirty-three-year marriage to Bob ended, Sheila was struggling to find herself and rebuild life on her own terms.

She walked through shame, humiliation, male chauvinism, and racism to find her sweet spot. She became a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and formidable businesswoman. Sheila has indeed walked through fire and triumphantly come out on the other side.

I am grateful to Sheila Johnson for sharing her story. It is a story of courage, redemption, and fierce determination to keep moving forward.

Impactful moments/quotes from the book:

Sheila was reading in her bunk bed and was climbing down the ladder to come down for dinner.

Sheila’s dad to Sheila: “Just jump, I’ll catch you,” Dad said stretching his arm toward me. He’d never suggested such a thing before, so I was excited. I threw myself off the bunk, grinning from ear to ear-and then smack! I hit the floor hard. Confused, with the wind knocked out of me, I looked up at him.

“That’s a lesson,” my father said. “Don’t trust anybody.”

I started crying. “I trusted you,” I said. But he just turned and walked out of the room.

Sheila: “I wouldn’t want to live through that pain again. But the truth is, I wouldn’t be the woman I am today if I hadn’t gone through it. I walked through fire and survived. I am the salamander.”

Sheila: “My journey here has been arduous, as you’ve read in these pages. But going through those awful times built my character and my strength.”

Rating 10/10

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Posted in Entertainment, Paranormal, Reading, Romance

Genre Shifts are Needed From Time To Time

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When I read, I like to be engaged. I look forward to enjoying a book. I do not like feeling exhausted by a story. After reading a book that have my interest waning, I need to switch things up a bit. A genre change is in order when this is the case.

I have certain genres that I gravitate over others. For example, I’m not a particular fan of romance, but I do enjoy it from time to time. Right now, it is romance that is coming to my rescue. Light, dreamy, fun, and quick reads are what’s needed in my reading collection at the moment.

I’m still balancing it out with some books that have a heavier subject matter. I am enjoying this romance genre reprieve though. I might just take a walk in the paranormal world next.

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Posted in 2015, African-American, Black Love, ebook, Erotica, Friendship, Love, Marriage, Secrets, Urban Fiction

Crush by Ivy Symone (A Book Review)

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Jasmine has had a crush on Sean for years. After years of not seeing Jazmin as a romantic interest, Sean shift gears and entertains the thought of exploring something more substantial with her. Before long, they are involved in a full blown love affair. It’s everything Jazmin could wish for, even down to the impending parenthood between the two. But there’s a catch, Sean is married. Even more, he is married to Jazmin’s sister’s good friend, Rayven.

Jah is the edgy, loud, and rude guy in the friend group. He has full knowledge of the affair between Sean and Jazmin. When Jazmin gives birth to Sean’s baby, Jah becomes invested at first to help keep Jazmin and Sean’s situationship from being exposed. Things get complicated when Jah’s heart is held captive by Jazmin and her baby girl. Will this fire between Sean, Jazmin, and Jah remain contained?

I loved the quick pace of the story. Drama filled and hard hitting, it kept my interest. I read this book in less than a week. It definitely has the can’t put down factor. Sean had quite the nerve to be possessive of Jazmin while still being married to Rayven. I liked seeing Jah’s care and concern for Jazmin and her baby girl. It’s the first book in a series of 3. I will be reading the other books for sure.

Rating 10/10

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Posted in Betrayal, Book Review, Devotion, Family, Friendship, Good Story, Identity, Love, Marriage, Purpose, Secrets, Self-awareness, Self-discovery

Where Wild Peaches Grow By Cade Bentley (A Book Review)

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Nona Davenport left Mississippi angry, hurt, and determined. Running away from everyone she knew, she heads to Chicago. She is estranged from her father and sister due to a betrayal that Nona takes deeply personal.

While away, she transforms into a different version of herself, a version she settles for but is far from owning fully.  She makes a new life, one that is built on the importance of history and truth, which is a contradiction to how she currently orchestrates her personal life. When her father dies, Nona returns home. She comes face to face with her own history; a history buried by denial, lies, and assumptions.


Julia Curtis is a woman with abandonment issues. All of which was brought on by her mother leaving when she was a child and her sister leaving years later. Now she is tasked with burying her father. One of the first steps of this process is notifying Nona, her estranged sister of over 20 years. As she does, her abandonment issues comes to the surface. Will the sisters rebuild the bond they once shared or will the distance and estrangement between them widen the gap even further?

I wanted to like this book better than I did. I’m not against a slow burn at all, which I consider this book to be. There were too many chapters for it to move so slow. I loved the premise of the story. The multiple narratives in the story had many loose ends. With the different narratives not being tied in, it seemed disjointed at times and became an exhaustive read. It was rich with potential, but didn’t hold my attention. I was ready for it to be over.


Rating 6/10

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Posted in Black Love, Book Review, Bullying, Devotion, Evolution, Family, Good Story, Identity, Love, Marriage, Misconception, Purpose, Reading, Secrets, Self-awareness, Self-discovery, Shame

Don’t Cry For Me By Daniel Black (A Book Review)

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Jacob Swinton’s life is coming to a close. He is met with a sense of urgency to write to his son Isaac. He shares his life’s story through a series of letters. The letters; part revelation, part remorse, detail Jacob’s upbringing, his marriage, his divorce, and his beliefs on manhood, etc.

Jacob’s view on life and manhood is challenged when his son Isaac is born. Isaac, an expressive child bubbling over with feelings, did not enter the world in typical male fashion. This serves as the catalyst for the complexities that make up he and his father’s relationship.

Jacob’s letters shed light into the intergenerational divide of societal norms that is so deep between father and son. Although vestiges of growth is apparent in the letters, it struggles against his innate inability to have a demonstrative love towards his son. He is a flawed man ridden with inner conflict that is true to men of a particular generation. 

What I appreciated most about Don’t Cry For Me is the authenticity. It shed light on the less than ideal reality of some family relationships.

*****Some insightful and poignant quotes from the book:

November 27th, 2003 chapter
“If you still don’t understand why I’m telling you all this, just keep reading. A man’s history is all he has. It says more than his mouth ever will. You’ll see what I mean soon enough. ” ~Jacob

November 28th, 2003 chapter
“I stood there wondering how this had happened to me, thinking of all the things I’d do differently  if I could live again. It was useless thinking,  if course. Nothing was about to change. Not for me. There are no do-overs in this life. Either you get it right or wish you had.”~ Jacob

December 24th, 2003 chapter
I always called you boy. When a father calls a boy son, he’s declaring his pride in him. I didn’t feel this way about you, even when you got grown.~Jacob

January 17th, 2004 chapter
The more I read, the more I saw myself. Knowledge is a funny thing, Isaac. It informs by exposing. It shows you precisely how much you don’t know.~Jacob

January 26th, 2003 chapter
Silence isn’t always quiet though. It troubles a man’s soul, forcing him to admit what he’d rather forget.~ Jacob

February 5th, 2004 chapter
Reading taught me that a man’s own life is his own responsibility, his own creation. Blaming others is a waste of time. No one can make you happy if you’re determined to be miserable.

All I wanted was to look you in the face and tell you I’m sorry. I had wounded you beyond my capacity to heal you.

Love doesn’t make us perfect; it makes us, want to be. By the time you discover this, your imperfections have done their damage.

February 8th, 2004 chapter
A man’s son is his truth unadorned. When he can look at him and be proud, his fatherhood is complete.

February 10th, 2004
You must learn to uproot unwanted seeds without destroying the entire harvest.

Rating 10/10

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Posted in Escape, Kindle, Reading

I Need A Light Read Right Now

Posted on by DDM

After a long and exhausting time reading, I need to read something light and funny. I just finished reading a book that took way too long for me to read. I could have abandoned it, but wanted to soldier on and finish. I finally did after well, two months. It just fell flat. (I’ll review it later.) I was easily distracted and kept doing other things; almost any and everything except reading the book. I’m just glad I’m finished reading it. I thought I would be more engrossed in this book than I was. I had the intention of reading a specific book after this (with an assumed heavy subject matter), but I’m opting for something a little lighter. Yes, I’m coupling it with also reading a memoir, which is not exactly light, but the engagement level is a breath of fresh air, which I really need in a book right now.

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Posted in Book Review, Crime, Escape, Extortion, Family, Friendship, Good Story, Love, Marriage

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson (A Book Review)

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Eleanor Bennett is dying. She lost her husband, her children aren’t speaking to each other, and her daughter is disconnected from the family. This is not how she wants things to end. Eleanor solicits the help of a close family friend, Mr. Mitch, to record her telling the story of her life and for it to be played upon her death.

Byron and Benny thought they knew their mother. After hearing their mother’s story, in her words, everything they ever knew was not as it appeared. They are trying to understand how this newly revealed information will lead them forward.

Although it was quite lengthy and a little disjointed at times (the “seemingly random” characters as well as the constant era changes), it was a good book. It’s a rich story that kept me engaged. Wilkerson strategically brings everything full circle in the end. The journey had many excursions, but the destination was worth it.

Rating 8/10

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Posted in Bipolar, Book Review, Books, Career, Entertainment, Evolution, Family, Friendship, Good Story, Hollywood, Identity, Love, Memoir, Mental Health, Purpose, Reading, Self-awareness, Self-discovery, Sex Addiction, Therapy

The Mother Of Black Hollywood: A Memoir By Jenifer Lewis (A Book Review)

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“Artists are quickly labeled, and my label was “force of nature”. ~ Jenifer Lewis

Jenifer Lewis recounts her life to bring us a funny, insightful, and rich memoir. From her humble beginnings in Kinloch, Missouri to Broadway to Hollywood, Jenifer’s life was filled with crushing lows and equally exhilarating highs. She bares her soul in the most raw and truthful fashion as only she can. From sex addiction, a bipolar disorder diagnosis, to spiritual exploration, Jenifer owns her life boldly and unapologetically. Through it all, she comes full circle to find serenity and balance to live a rewarding life that commands the label “force of nature” in the most glorious and happy existence that shines through the pages.

I laughed out loud often (especially about a song that came from a camel ride), yet I gleaned many gems from Jenifer’s story. To see the beginning to the end and everything in between, was a lesson. Jenifer shows us what fighting for one’s own happiness looks like. Though difficult at times, she pushed through to get out of destructive cycles to get to her happiness. As if the retelling of her life wasn’t powerful enough, she wrote a letter to the reader at the end of the book. I really enjoyed that. It was the perfect end to sum it all up. I found myself reading it more than once and soaked up as much as I could. Great book.

Cool Quotes From Book

“Your playing small does not serve the world. Who are you not to be great?”~ Nelson Mandela

“There’s no greater journey, than the journey within.” ~ Beverly Heath

“The fact is many parents don’t or can’t give you everything you need. Mine couldn’t.  So, I went in search of substitutes. I often advise young people in this situation to understand there are probably people around every corner who will take them under their wing and help them on their way. But you have to ask.”~Jenifer Lewis

“If you can dream it, you can make it happen.”~ Shirley MacLaine

“Your landscapes are vast”~ Shirley MacLaine

“I’ve learned in life that what you give to others is what provides the most value to your life.”~Jenifer Lewis

“When you are not at your best, surround yourself with good people.”~ Jenifer Lewis

“You have to slow your roll; give yourself quiet time and stop to smell the roses, thorns, and all.”~ Jenifer Lewis

Rating 10/10  

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Posted in 2023, Art, Evolution, New, Timeless

Andre 3000’s New Blue Sun

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3 Stacks released a new album after quite some time on Friday 11/17/23. Many people aren’t here for it to say the least. Black Twitter especially is eating this alive. I really don’t want to laugh but some of these comments are laugh out loud funny. Many die hard Outkast fans are vicious with the comments. All laughs aside though, I don’t share the same sentiments. First off, music is near and dear to my heart. My musical tastes span far and wide, always have. I listen to many genres, it just depends on what I’m feeling in the moment. On any given day, I can listen to classical, jazz, ambient or space music, and back around again to gospel, zydeco, and southern soul. You get the picture.

What Andre 3000 put out in the world with this album is both new and not so new. Musicians and artists in general have done what he is doing with this album for eons and centuries; experimenting, exploring, and embracing where they are in their art and life’s journey. This is a time stamp in his life, I’m sure, and he chose to contribute it to the world. It’s the beginning of something and even more so, the evolution of something much bigger.

It’s avant-garde and frankly ahead of its time for a “hip hop” artist. Art is expansive, free. It is not intended to be held, stifled, or caged in a box. Blue New Sun is the epitome of the very thing art is meant to be. So many artists before him have traveled this very road, Dizzy Gillespie, Lonnie Liston Smith, Miles Davis, Earth Wind & Fire, Jimi Hendrix, and George Clinton and Parliament and that’s just a few. All have branched out of their respective boxes to bring us all sheer ecstasy in music. True music lovers and the world at large are the better for it.

Our taste in art and music is subjective, yes. Everyone is entitled to their preferences and tastes. Not everything is for everybody. But when artists chooses to walk in the freedom of being authentic and have the bravery to deliver it to the universe, those who it’s meant to touch, it’ll touch. More importantly, the contribution will be magical and simply a blessing to the world at large.

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Posted in Books, Reading

Here’s to reading one book at a time (like a normal person)…just joking but not joking

Posted on by DDM

I am here. I am finally down to one book to read. I intend to keep it that way (for a while at least). I’ve been wanting to get here, if only to absorb one book so I can get to many others. I’ve accepted that my life is different these days, to continue reading multiple books at once as I did in the past is not feasible. For one, things are way too busy for me now. Secondly, my reading patterns have differed, it’s much slower these days. I first noticed this during the pandemic.

So I am adjusting starting now. It’s not so bad though. I’m rather excited about it. It may be a small trivial thing for some people but it’s major for me. The fact that I started reading again and writing about it is a big deal for me. The pandemic did a number on my reading and writing. But it was also a blessing as well. It slowed things down for me, which centered me and put things in perspective.

Joking (not joking) (reading one book like a normal person). Who wants to be normal right? Not me. I am sure I will return to reading multiple books some time in the future because it was always fun for me (like flipping the channel between two of your favorite TV shows.) But for now, I’ll just enjoy reading one book at a time. And that is alright for me. Now let’s see how many books I can get through by year’s end, shall we?

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Posted in 2022, Betrayal, Book Review, Books, Bullying, Career, Crime, Domestic Violence, Extortion, Family, Marriage, Mental Health, Secrets, Suspense

My Other Husband By Dorothy Koomson (A Book Review)

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Cleo Forsum, a novelist, is relatively successful in most aspects of her life. She writes best sellers, turned those best sellers into a successful TV show, and has a loving husband and extended family. So why does she want to abandon it all to start anew? When people close to her start turning up hurt or dead, it is evident that something sinister is lurking in the shadows beckoning her to leave it all behind. These criminal acts are almost identical to the crimes in her best-selling novels, which gives reason to the police to be doubtful of Cleo’s innocence.

Cleo just wants the violence to end. Will her compliance with the demand from a figure from her past be enough to stop the bloodshed?

This book was a slow burn. The story became predictable quite early on. About the halfway mark, the predictability was laid right out in the open only to twist ever so slightly and on to another trajectory making this a beautifully treacherous ride. My only grievance was that the book was a bit too long, it could have been shorter. I will be reading more from Dorothy Koomson though, she has tickled my fancy for her other work.

Rating 8/10