New Review :Trinity: Zelda Lockhart

 

5 out of 5 books

This is my first read by Author Zelda Lockhart, however I plan to follow her writing journey. The story was full of drama. It was truly a page turner that showed curses on the family bloodline where the curse marred three generations. This storyline was a brutal reminder of the injustices of how black and brown people were treated. Even after serving their country, they were still belittled and treated subpar.

The unrest of the family members spirits who had been killed remained in the house taunting and attempting to get the next living family member. Beginning with Bennie and Lenard, due to the murder of their mother at the hands of their abusive father, the souls weren’t at rest and remained in the family home.

During that time, there wasn’t much talk of therapy for the mentally ill or disturbed. There was no healing in the past and though the two brothers tried to outlive the shortcomings of their father, Bennie fell prey to the demons within.

Reviewed by Lacha’ J

Get your copy of Trinity today!

New Review : Mothers Vol. 1 : Ben Burgess Jr.

 

5 out of 5 books

This is my first read by Author Ben Burgess Jr. I was deeply invested in this storyline. Juanita had a happy family until her husband was gunned down coming out of a store. Their lives changed drastically. They went from having enough, to just making ends meet. As a newly single mother trying to navigate raising two sons, one of whom blames you for the death of their father and is determined to punish you.

Just when she thought that things couldn’t get any worse, Jerami her youngest son was diagnosed with cancer. The time she needed to care for him only proved to drive a deeper wedge of separation between her and Jalen. It was his license to entertain the street life with his neighbor and friend Akeem. Juanita has vowed to make her boys number one in every area of her life.

Tracy and Debbie became best friends with Juanita and they created a village. They would need one another more than ever as the streets and the police threaten to destroy their sons. Each of the moms faced their own individual crisis yet it only brought them closer together. Even when tragedy struck with one of their own, they were never alone.

A Mother’s Love is the greatest love one can have other than from God and their fathers. I recommend this read to anyone who are raising brown boys single handedly.

Reviewed by Lacha’ J

Get your copy of Mothers Vol. 1 today!

Book Preview the Month : Eve's Deception : Sylvia Hubbard

About the Book

Welcome to the enthralling world of "Eve's Deception," a gripping Christian romance suspense crafted by the award-winning author, Sylvia Hubbard. Immerse yourself in a tale of faith, temptation, and redemption as you follow the journey of Evie and Adam through a turbulent web of emotions and unforeseen circumstances.

 In "Eve's Deception," the lines between faith, desire, and revenge blur in a captivating narrative that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Meet Evie, a woman who has lost her faith due to the betrayal of the very church that was supposed to provide solace. She's been wronged, and now she's prepared to take matters into her own hands.

When an opportunity arises for Evie to extract her revenge, she seizes it without hesitation. Tasked with seducing the charming and devout Assistant Pastor Adam Matthew, Evie sees this as her chance to bring down the congregation that once turned its back on her. As the flames of lust and chaos ignite, both Evie and Adam find themselves entangled in a battle of faith, desire, and morality.

Adam Matthew, a man dedicated to his sanctuary and his beliefs, faces an unexpected challenge when Evie enters his life. As chaos ensues and his faith is tested, he must navigate the thin line between duty and temptation. Will he be able to save his sanctuary and bring order back to his congregation, or will he succumb to the irresistible allure that Evie presents?

Amidst the turmoil and passion, "Eve's Deception" is a story that explores the depths of human emotion and the power of faith. As Evie's quest for revenge collides with Adam's unwavering faith, the stage is set for a riveting exploration of love, forgiveness, and the ultimate redemption.

Get your copy of Eve's Deception today!

New Review : Our Wicked Lies : Glede Browne Kabango

 

4 out of 5 books

Alicia Gray has everything a stay-at-home mom can dream of, but her real desire is to complete her degree and have a career of her own. Her husband, Elliott, is a very successful partner at his law firm who prefers Alicia not to work outside the home, but to stay home and care for their two daughters.  Elliott dismisses her desire to return to school, stating that any woman will love to be in her position. Alicia soon discovers cracks in her perfect marriage. Elliott starts to work late, have secret conversations and Alicia is receiving ominous messages in the mail.

 Alicia does a bit of snooping and what she finds totally shatters her heart. After discovering his secret, Alicia opens up to her friend Kataline who convinces her that the messages mean nothing and reassures her that Elliott loves only her. Alicia has secrets of her own and the more secrets that are uncovered, even more secrets are revealed. When tragedy strikes, it sends shockwaves through their subdivision.

 I really enjoyed this psychological thriller by an author that is new to me. OUR WICKED LIES is gripping thriller with an ending you never saw coming. At some points, Kabango took the predictable route, only to throw a twist that will spark your attention. The lies, suspense, and betrayal will keep the reader engaged until the climatic ending. I definitely recommend this one.

Reviewed by Paula Allen  

Get your copy of Our Wicked Lies today! 

New Review : The Landlord : Brandon Massey

 

3 out of 5 books

Desiree and Cameron Woodson are looking for a home for their family. During their search, they came upon the perfect house to rent. Although the monthly rent is more than they had budgeted, Desiree wants the home so badly that Cameron, under pressure from the property manager, makes it happen. Unbeknownst to the couple, the rental agreement has so many stipulations and strict clauses the family must adhere to. They literally have signed their lives over to the landlord who controls every aspect.

 Let me state, I am a Brandon Massey fan! His latest offering THE LANDLORD did not deliver that bite that I am used to when reading his mystery or horror stories. There are several scenarios in the book that could have potentially delivered the thrills and chills, but they fell short. I was taken aback at the resentment Desiree felt towards Cameron when she was the one who wanted the house. I was expecting a more suspenseful build up and villainous character development. It is an overall good read, but it failed to deliver the thrill.

Reviewed by: Paula Allen  

Get your copy of The Landlord today! 

 

 

 

New Review : The Violin Conspiracy: Brenden Slocumb

 

4.5 out 5 books

THE VIOLIN CONSPIRACY was a surprise for me. I didn't know it was a mystery until I started reading it. It's about Ray, who loves classical music and the violin. He wants to be a professional musician, but he doesn't have a violin of his own. His grandma gives him her grandpa's old violin, which turns out to be a rare and expensive Stradivarius.

Ray faces a lot of challenges because of his violin. His relatives fight over who should have it. Some people from the past claim it belongs to their family. Someone steals it right before his big competition, the International Tchaikovsky Competition. Ray must deal with all this while trying to practice and perform. He also faces racism and prejudice in the music world. He is determined to follow his passion and his gift.

I liked this book a lot. It was well written and showed how people can be greedy, how families can be complicated, and how racism can affect someone's life. The book was sometimes slow, but I was always interested in what would happen next. This was the first book I read by Slocumb, and I want to read more of his work.

Reviewed by Paula Allen 

Get your copy of The Violin Conspiracy today!

New Review : What Never Happened : Rachel Howzell Hall

 

3 out of 5 books

WHAT NEVER HAPPENED by Rachel Howzell Hall starts out with a bang. Coco wanders home in the middle of the night after slipping out to drink with local kids. Coco, a recent import from Long Beach, wants to fit in but finds Catalina Island a challenge, particularly as her family comprises a fair percentage of the island’s miniscule Black population. Coco walks in on a horrific scene at home: her father dead in a pool of blood in the kitchen. Coco discovers that her mother and brother have also been murdered, before narrowly escaping the killer by hiding in a closet. Nineteen years later, Coco has come back to Catalina to claim the house her family was supposed to move into all those years before. Coco is leaving her husband Micah who has dreams of becoming an actor on her dime. She worked as an obituary writer for the LA Times but was downsized. A job offer from her friend Maddy solidifies her decision to move back to Catalina Island.

Shortly after she arrives on Catalina, she finds out that the man who was arrested and convicted of killing her family has been released based on the sudden reappearance of the murder weapon, a knife that contains DNA that doesn’t match the suspect’s. Also, there's a strange occurrence happening in town; elderly people are dying under unusual circumstances. None of them die at home and no one seems to know why they may be at the locations where their body is found. Coco becomes suspicious after hearing about the strange deaths as the writer of their obituaries. At the same time, the country is starting to shut down due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Coco has to add sleuth to her resume as she tries to determine why her family was the targeted victims of a fatal home invasion, staying two steps ahead of her conniving husband and trying to determine if a serial killer is on the loose.

This was my first time reading one of Hall's psychological thrillers, and I was hooked from the start but at some parts the story lagged and seemed to get off course. Hall knows how to create a tense and captivating atmosphere. The book also touched on some relevant issues, such as racism, domestic violence, and the impact of the pandemic on people's lives. I thought the book was well-written and engaging, with some twists and surprises along the way. I was left with a few unanswered questions as some of the storylines were not wrapped up. This will not be my last read by this author.

Reviewed by: Paula Allen 

Get your copy of What Never Happened today!

New Review : The Nigerwife : Vanessa Walters

 

3 out of 5 books

Nigerwife - the foreign wife of a Nigerian husband who takes up residence in Nigeria.

 

Nicole Oruwari is of Jamaican descent and lived in London until she made the decision to move to Nigeria with her handsome husband,  Tonye and her two sons. Tonye’s family, which includes his parents, live in an opulent mansion in Lagos. She is leaving her troubled family home where she has always felt like an outsider although she was among family.  The anticipation of a more luxurious and grand life excited her but what she found was more loneliness, isolation and depression. Even being a part of the exclusive “Nigerwives' ' did not provide the fulfillment she thought she would have received being married to Tonye in such a beautiful and lavish city.

 

Nicole’s life looks so perfect, but a very different picture soon begins to emerge. Nicole disappears after a boat outing in Ikoyi harbor with little details of what happened, or if she’s alive or not. Her aunt Claudine who took on the role of a mother image to her when Nicole’s mother died, travels to Lagos to get answers about Nicole’s disappearance.  She is shocked to find that life seems to be moving along fine for Tonye and his family and there was very little investigation into what could have happened to Nicole. Claudine starts her own investigation and learns so much about Nicole’s life, secrets and the stability of her marriage.

 

THE NIGERWIFE was a slow burn that was quite wordy so I found myself putting down more than I should have. When I did become invested in the story, I found it bottomless and a bit disjointed. I wanted to know more about her life with Tonye before the move to Nigeria, what their life was like in the early stages in her marriage and before kids to see why it was desirable for her to leave her family and move to a foreign country with him. As I learned more about her character, I was not able to empathize with her. I found her a bit messy and I questioned her relationship as a mother as there was very little interaction with her kids.  The mystery of her disappearance kept me engaged in this domestic thriller.

Reviewed by Paula Allen  

Get your copy of The Nigerwife today! 

New Review: You Never Know : Connie Briscoe

 

3 out of 5 books

As YOU NEVER KNOW opens, Briscoe foretells the home invasion and brutal attack of Alexis Roberts.  The focus of the novel is then set on the events that led up to the account. Alexis was born hearing impaired, a hereditary condition that she inherited from her mother.  Because there is a chance that she could give birth to a child and pass on the same condition along with the shame and burden that comes along with it, she is on the fence about accepting Paul’s proposal. Paul wants children and Alexis does not, so she ends her relationship with him. At a fundraising event for children with special needs, Alexis meets Marcus, a successful attorney, who was familiar with her condition as his mom was also deaf.

 

Marcus is very patient and affectionate towards Alexis. He spoils her with lavish gifts and expensive romantic getaways. Alexis has found love and they are quickly married. Shortly after saying “I do”, Marcus tightens up the spending and his behavior towards Alexis becomes impatient and callous. Secrets from their past causes the foundation of their relationship to become unstable. As secrets are revealed, Alexis questions who the man is she married and if she can trust him.

 

While the book kept me interested enough to keep reading, there were moments when I was questioning the actions and behaviors of the characters. Alexis was very naïve and oftentimes failed to trust what her eyes were seeing. There were moments where the pacing dragged and was repetitive. That made it very predictable. I am a fan of Connie Briscoe and look forward to more of her work.

 

 

Reviewed by Paula Allen

Get your copy of You Never Know today!

 

New Review : A Dangerous Woman : Marlon Mccaulsky

 

4 out of 5 books

Dice is a contract killer and a former CIA operative. Dice has used her special set of skills to eliminate targets all over the world. Dice gets more that she bargains for when finds herself in the middle of a government conspiracy. To complicate things further, Dice meets Noah Avery after completing a job. Noah is everything Dice ever wanted in a man. But will he accept her for who she is?

Murder, espionage, and government conspiracies is what you’ll find in A Dangerous Woman by Marlon McCaulsky. McCaulsky does a good job of bringing readers a satisfying and unexpected storyline. The action scenes are so good that it will feel like you’re watching your favorite action movie.  Marlon McCaulsky brought a true page turner with A Dangerous Woman.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert

Get your copy of A Dangerous Woman today!

Book Excerpt of the Month : Love's Remnant : Regena Bryant

 

When Avery Thomas inherits D Allen Designs she must piece together the tattered shreds of her life after the death of her best friend. Now she’s mending broken family relationships, cutting through financial difficulties, and fabricating a new romantic relationship.
As the attorney for D Allen Designs, Tyler Anderson is fully aware of the challenges Avery faces and he’s in awe of her resilience. For Avery, he’s bent the law and compromised his prayers for a wife. After wanting her for so long, she’s finally his. But he can’t continue living on this side of the seam.
Can they weave the remnants of life and love together? Or will their chance at love end up on the cutting room floor?

Click here to read an excerpt of Love's Remnant 

The Forthcoming : The Reformatory: A Novel : Tananarive Due : Release date : 10/31/23

 

Gracetown, Florida

June 1950

Twelve-year-old Robbie Stephens, Jr., is sentenced to six months at the Gracetown School for Boys, a reformatory, for kicking the son of the largest landowner in town in defense of his older sister, Gloria. So begins Robbie’s journey further into the terrors of the Jim Crow South and the very real horror of the school they call The Reformatory.

Robbie has a talent for seeing ghosts, or haints. But what was once a comfort to him after the loss of his mother has become a window to the truth of what happens at the reformatory. Boys forced to work to remediate their so-called crimes have gone missing, but the haints Robbie sees hint at worse things. Through his friends Redbone and Blue, Robbie is learning not just the rules but how to survive. Meanwhile, Gloria is rallying every family member and connection in Florida to find a way to get Robbie out before it’s too late.

The Reformatory is a haunting work of historical fiction written as only American Book Award–winning author Tananarive Due could, by piecing together the life of the relative her family never spoke of and bringing his tragedy and those of so many others at the infamous Dozier School for Boys to the light in this riveting novel.

Pre-order your copy of The Reformatory today!

New Review : Like A Sister : Kellye Garrett

4 out of 5 books

When a reality TV star Desiree Pierce is found dead on a New York City playground the day after her twenty-fifth birthday, the authorities are treating it like a regular tragedy. But her half-sister Lena Scott feels something is not quite right. Although the sisters have been estranged for two years, Lena won’t stop until she finds out who murdered Desiree. But this investigation may be more than Lena bargained for.

Some of the best mysteries are when the main characters that are investigating are not a part of law enforcement. Kellye Garrett did just that with having Lena dig into her sister’s murder in Like A Sister.You feel Lena’s frustration as she tries to track down Desiree’s friends and trying to get clues from her social media pages. Garrett did a good job of leading readers down one path and then switches it up. When the killer is revealed, readers will not guess who it is. Family secrets, betrayal and shady characters are what you’ll find in Like A Sister by Kellye Garrett.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert

Get your copy of Like A Sister today! 

New Review : Neverwraith : Shakir Rashaan

 

 

5 out of 5 books

Yasir Salah is the new kid at his high school. He’s trying his best to fit in without drawing too much attention to himself. There is a storm brewing inside Yasir that he doesn’t understand. Why does his eyes change colors and where is this extreme heat coming from on his skin? His family always warned him to be careful. But no one ever told him about his past and exactly what he is.

Shakir Rashaan brings us into an entertaining paranormal world with Neverwraith. Rashaan does a good job with bringing Yasir’s story to life. It was refreshing to see an African American male teen as the lead character in this kind of story. While reading this book, you want to know more about Yasir’s background as he is going though his own self discovery. Rashaan does an excellent job of giving the reader just enough information without giving too much away. From the camaraderie among Yasir’s friends to him dealing with everyday high school issues, Neverwraith is definitely a YA book that is relatable to teens. But adults will enjoy this book as well. With Neverwraith, Shakir Rashaan lays down the proper foundation for an exciting series that will have you clamoring for the next installment.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert

Get your copy of Neverwraith today!

Book Preview of the Month : The Reverend : Kayla Perrin

 

Reverend Emerson James is a pillar of his community. The pastor of the High River North Carolina 7th Day Nondenominational Church, the biggest church outside of nearby Charlotte, has been a dream for him for the past twenty years. Emerson is loved and respected by pretty much everyone.

So why is someone trying to blackmail him? And for five million dollars?

And how far will he go to keep his scandalous secrets from coming to light?

Because Emerson James is no saint. His platform and his power have gone to his head.

And when one of his parishioners ends up murdered, it's the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back. Because the church is about to be thrown into a whole lot of chaos--and it just might not survive.

Get your copy of The Reverend today!

Book Preview of the Month : The Trouble With Gabrielle : Sylvia Hubbard

 

Alone, Pregnant... And About to Be Murdered

Struggling and pregnant Gabrielle Payne is on the brink of despair when she discovers the father of her unborn child, the man from a fleeting one-night stand, was none other than the mysteriously wealthy Oliver Farnsworth—now dead and without an heir. Desperate and alone, she reveals her secret, hoping for some assistance from the Farnsworth family.

Taken in by Oliver’s seemingly benevolent stepmother, Neema McGee, Gabrielle is introduced to a world of opulence and grandeur, far exceeding anything she has ever known. But behind the luxurious façade of the Farnsworth mansion, lies a web of intrigue, betrayal, and deadly secrets.

As Gabrielle delves deeper into the life of the enigmatic Oliver, she unravels startling truths: his untimely death by untraced poison, a disgruntled twin brother living in estrangement, and above all, Neema's insidious plan to eliminate Gabrielle and claim the Farnsworth fortune.

Every shadow in the Farnsworth mansion seems to whisper threats, every smile conceals a lie. With the walls closing in, Gabrielle must navigate the perilous undercurrents of her newfound existence to protect herself and her unborn child. But when her only allies could be her deadliest enemies, where is a woman to turn?

"The Trouble With Gabrielle" is a gripping tale of suspense and survival, perfect for fans of heart-stopping thrillers and chilling mysteries. Unearth the secrets of the Farnsworth family and join Gabrielle in her fight against the sinister forces that threaten her existence.

Get your copy of The Trouble With Gabrielle today!

Book Preview of the Month : Everything Platinum: Everything Series Book 3 : LaShelle L. Turner

 

Fresh out of federal prison for serving 18 months for fraud and identity theft, 25-year-old Farrah Sparks finds herself back in Atlanta, broke and lost. Despite it all, she can’t fight her inner dream of becoming a star. Down on her luck, she enters the world of well-paid acquaintances/sugar daddies and finds a billionaire, Saleh, who will finance of dream of superstardom. Through him, she meets legendary music producer Nero Noir. Farrah finds herself falling for the two men, her lover hired to help her music career and the man who paid for it all. Things get more complicated when she finds herself spiritually drawn to a neo-soul artist name Swann, the man who connects her to the true artist she yearns to be.

Farrah gets caught up in the glitz and glamour of fame until the dark side darkens her platinum life. She finally has what she always dreamed but will greed, lust, and murder end it all.

Get your copy of Everything Platinum today!

Book Preview of the Month : The Trouble With Gabrielle : Sylvia Hubbard

 

Alone, Pregnant... And About to Be Murdered

Struggling and pregnant Gabrielle Payne is on the brink of despair when she discovers the father of her unborn child, the man from a fleeting one-night stand, was none other than the mysteriously wealthy Oliver Farnsworth—now dead and without an heir. Desperate and alone, she reveals her secret, hoping for some assistance from the Farnsworth family.

Taken in by Oliver’s seemingly benevolent stepmother, Neema McGee, Gabrielle is introduced to a world of opulence and grandeur, far exceeding anything she has ever known. But behind the luxurious façade of the Farnsworth mansion, lies a web of intrigue, betrayal, and deadly secrets.

As Gabrielle delves deeper into the life of the enigmatic Oliver, she unravels startling truths: his untimely death by untraced poison, a disgruntled twin brother living in estrangement, and above all, Neema's insidious plan to eliminate Gabrielle and claim the Farnsworth fortune.

Every shadow in the Farnsworth mansion seems to whisper threats, every smile conceals a lie. With the walls closing in, Gabrielle must navigate the perilous undercurrents of her newfound existence to protect herself and her unborn child. But when her only allies could be her deadliest enemies, where is a woman to turn?

"The Trouble With Gabrielle" is a gripping tale of suspense and survival, perfect for fans of heart-stopping thrillers and chilling mysteries. Unearth the secrets of the Farnsworth family and join Gabrielle in her fight against the sinister forces that threaten her existence.

Get your copy of The Trouble with Gabrielle today!