Jackal by Erin E. Adams is part folklore, part fiction, and has themes including race, self-identity, and social identity. Elizabeth (Liz) Rocher travels back home to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, to attend her best friend Melissa Parker’s wedding. Liz has dreaded coming back home for fear of reliving her past. She prepares for what she believes will be an awkward weekend filled with passive-aggressive reunions. But what unfolds is more sinister than she could ever imagine as her best friend’s daughter, Caroline, goes missing while at the wedding. As the search begins for Caroline, an old folktale resurfaces in connection with the investigation, and while facing her own dark past, Liz learns that Caroline isn’t the only Black girl to have gone missing in Johnstown.
The synopsis is what caught my attention. The cover was intriguing as well. Initially, I expected the usual find the missing kid tactic, but I was a bit thrown off when the author included the folklore aspect. I didn’t understand the need for it. Adams’ story would have been fine without it. There were moments when the story was great and parts when it wasn’t. Mainly due to her superstitious feature. Toward the middle and end is where the story falls apart.
What kept me reading was wanting to find out what happened to Caroline and why. Overall, the writing was clean; the story was imaginative and had powerful character leads. If you’re into murder mysteries, women sleuths, and suspense, Jackal might be the book for you. Jackal is available everywhere books are sold.
Alexandria House has concluded her Them Boys series with Shu Mitchell. Like his brothers, Shu is tall, dark, and delicious. He has a steady job, no kids, and has never married. Shu is the quiet one of the three. He visits his father in the nursing home, where he meets Denver Hayes, his father’s CNA.
Hayes and Mitchell have a lot in common. Both come from broken homes, are angry about their pasts, and are willing to entertain this sexual tension between them at all costs. Neither one is willing to let the other go despite their age difference. He’s 41, and she’s 25. Their love for one another is profound. And I can appreciate that.
Get ready to have your mind filled with sex, sex, and more sex! And while all three books had copious amounts of passion, I appreciated Shu, Jah, and Set’s love for their women the most. All parties respected one another, doted on one another, and, most importantly, loved one another.
Alexandria House’s Them Boys: Shu was a fitting way to end the trilogy. It made for a good love story. You had action, heartbreak, love, acceptance of self and each other, humor, and intimacy. If you are looking for a book that provides you with some of the things I mentioned, then purchase Alexandria House’s trilogy Them Boys books one, two, and three anywhere books are sold.
Like his brother Set, Jah Mitchell is two hundred plus pounds of pure muscle. He’s a neat freak, thanks to his tumultuous upbringing. His father used to force him and his brothers to fight one another under the guise that it would make them tougher. Jah’s way of coping with the abuse now as an adult is to busy himself with cleaning and have order in his life.
He’s the owner of a mechanic shop and prefers his life to be non-chaotic. He has no children or steady relationships. He was married once but divorced due to infidelity on his wife’s part. Jah’s not looking for love, but somehow it finds him when a past relationship resurfaces.
Tricia Gurley hasn’t forgotten how she felt the first time she and Jah were intimate. And although she was in another relationship, she knew she had something real with Jah. Besides, the guy she was with wasn’t faithful to her either. Tricia and Jah throw caution to the wind and carry on with their love affair.
Them Boys: Book 2 (Jah) by Alexandria House picks up where book one left off. It has steamy love scenes, a particular scene that brought a bit of shock value for me, and a typical ending that I saw coming. I appreciate the black representation and how the author’s characters were relatable with everyday lives, problems, and so forth. It’s an easy, quick read you can finish in one sitting. And as always, Alexandria House’s Them Boys: Book 2 (Jah) is available everywhere books are sold.
Readers say hello to Set Mitchell. He’s between six-one and six-three two hundred and forty pounds of tall, chocolate muscle. His reputation as this no-nonsense bad guy precedes him. He’s the oldest of three brothers, has a child, and isn’t looking for anything serious in the relationship department until Kareema Sperry enters his life during their twenty-year high school reunion.
Kareema Sperry agreed to attend her high school reunion under the guise that her best friend Tricia would be there. Tricia isn’t there when Kareema arrives, much to her surprise. She decides to stay against her better judgment and soon crosses paths with Set Mitchell. She’s initially nervous, wondering if what she’d heard all through high school about this guy was true, while also willing to throw caution to the wind and see who Set Mitchell is for herself. The latter proves to be fruitful.
Kareema and Set begin a whirlwind romance that’s nothing short of magical. What starts as a non-committal, city-hopping fuck every time I see you situation turns into a love so deep it’s worth killing for. Neither Kareema nor Set expected to fall for one another, expected to have their lives changed in a matter of seconds. Still, neither one is opposed to ending this beautiful symphony of two souls coming together.
Them Boys: Book 1 (Set) is a part of author Alexandria House’s trilogy, which features Set’s other brothers, Jah and Shu, in books two and three. I liked this book. It was short and straight to the point. House had enough steamy scenes and an appealing plot to keep me engaged. The only thing I found unnerving was a couple of repetitive sentences.
House’s growth is apparent. I noticed an upgrade in her other writings compared to this one, which I appreciate. If you are looking for a quick, erotic read, try this one. Alexandria House’s Them Boys: Book 1 (Set) is available everywhere books are sold.
Where do I even start when unpacking author Rachel Howzell Hall’s These Toxic Things? The story was meh. I expected more because of the synopsis. It was released last year, and if you haven’t read it, These Toxic Things focuses on Michaela “Mickie” Lambert and her encounter with Nadia Denham. Lambert creates digital scrapbooks for her clients, and she met Denham, a curio shop owner, and Denham asked her to create one for her.
Lambert agreed, unaware of the danger she was getting herself in. Sometimes, people aren’t who they pretend to be, and Lambert soon learns this when she works with Denham. Dark secrets are revealed, Lambert uncovers hidden truths about her past, and Denham is found dead from an alleged suicide. But Lambert must finish the job she agreed to, even if that means risking her life to get Denham’s story told.
Hall’s idea for These Toxic Things was strong, but the plot fell through for me. There was a lot of unnecessary dialogue; there were so many moving pieces regarding characters and certain scenes that I forgot about specific characters as the story progressed. I didn’t understand why Denham chose to keep the souvenirs that she “acquired” from these individuals. How did it tie all together? I may have missed something.
Have you ever read a book where you couldn’t describe how you felt about it, but you knew something was offputting for you? That’s what this book did for me. Oh. My. Gosh. Hall’s These Toxic Things is lackluster. It didn’t check off the thriller category for me. I wasn’t on the edge of my seat. I kept putting this book down. And I was looking for a way to finish it because I don’t particularly appreciate leaving books unread.
Authors have taken their time to produce material, hoping that you’ll enjoy it, and I give them credit for it. But this one missed the mark. Maybe her other books are entertaining, but I won’t be spending my money to find out. However, if you’d like, check out Hall’s These Toxic Things. It’s available everywhere books are sold.
Synopsis: Therese Hughes – Baldwin arrives in Boca Raton with hopes of joining the most prestigious dance company in South Florida. But instead of finding ballet success, she suffers an embarrassing heartbreak and takes a boring barista job. She also inadvertently gains the attention of the woman who stalks her on every train ride she takes.
So when Therese’s favorite customer, Dr. Dara Clemens, offers an escape to her beachside mansion, Therese can hardly say “yes” quickly enough. With her suitcase in hand and best friend Phoebe by her side, she heads to the Clemens’s oceanfront getaway. The home is gorgeous. The beach is, too. So is the stranger she gave her number to at the bar.
But there are voices in the vents. And there are people who stare. And Therese faces a sinking feeling that something is hauntingly off about Phoebe’s behavior. As Therese questions the motives of those around her, she opens the door to a reality she never thought she’d find.
My Thoughts: I immediately felt a Get Out vibe from this book as I made my way through the pages. But then situations started unfolding, and those feelings quickly dissipated. I would put the book down and pick it back up. Family Medicine by Natasha Jeneen Thomas is a mind-spinning mind fuck. I understood the plot, and the characters had their voices, but it was a bit too much for me when the person you thought was the main character turned out to be someone else with a completely different storyline than what you read in the beginning and from the synopsis.
It all connected in the end, but all the twists and turns turned me off. However, given the author’s background in psychiatry, I understand why the author would write this type of book. Family Medicine isn’t horrible; it’s not what I expected. Based on the synopsis, I was expecting a stalker-type situation or, as I said, the Get Out Vibe. I can’t fully express what I got; instead, all I can encourage is for you to read it for yourself.
Family Medicine is available everywhere books are sold.
When I get chills after reading a book, I know it was a good read. It was a good book if I’m crying while reading or after I’ve finished it. If I laugh throughout while reading, it’s a good book. It’s a good book and was worth my time if I asked questions while reading because this means the book has captured my attention, and I want to know more. “Feeding The Soul (because it’s my business) Finding Our Way to Joy, Love, And Freedom” by Mrs. Tabitha Brown gave me all of this and more!
I’m sure you all know Mrs. Tabitha Brown, but if you’ve been living under a rock and don’t, get your life and find out. I like her. She seems genuine and full of love, laughter, and light. And she brings the same energy with her book. “Feeding The Soul” is about discovering and enjoying who you are through the many phases that life will take you. It’s about welcoming new opportunities and working through situations that might hinder you from reaching your full potential. It’s about finding ways to navigate this world and enjoy your life, understanding the meaning of family, whether that’s the one you were born with or one you created, and having a solid foundation surrounding that.
“Feeding The Soul” is about finding your purpose, and once you find it, how you can positively impact someone else’s life with what you’ve discovered. Mrs. Tabitha Brown provides words of wisdom regarding these lessons while taking the reader on a journey. We learn about her and how she began utilizing her platform that has caused people to love, like, and share in her story and the words of wisdom she provides and her food recipes, hair care, and much more. “Feeding The Soul” is packed with powerful takeaways focusing on those three words in the title of her book: joy, love, and freedom.
When I’ve finished reading a book, I like to feel fulfilled and believe that I have learned something that will impact my life somehow, and I received that from this book. In some ways, it was medicine for my soul. It made me examine situations in my life and provided me with helpful insights into ways I can handle things. “Feeding The Soul” is a bright light that I needed, and I would encourage anyone who hasn’t read this book yet to go and grab your copy now!
“Feeding The Soul (because it’s my business) Finding Our Way to Joy, Love, And Freedom” is available everywhere books are sold.
Zakiya Dalila Harris’ book “The Other Black Girl” had my head spinning and not in a good way. But, before I explain why let me tell you about the book for those of you who haven’t read it yet. Nella Rogers is a twenty-something African American editorial assistant at Wagner Books. Wagner is a publishing company consisting of predominately Caucasian individuals, and they’re older than Nella.
Working for this publishing company is a dream come true for Nella, and even though it’s terrible to be considered this way, she knows that Wagner hired her for her experience and because she’s Black. Wagner wanted to exemplify a publishing company that was welcoming and inclusive when it came to diversity.
Everything seemed to be going well until Hazel – May McCall steps on the scene. Like Nella, Hazel loves everything about books, and she hopes to become an editor just like Nella hopes to one day. But unlike Nella, Hazel believes there is room for only one “token” Black woman at Wagner and that it should be her. She conspires behind the scenes to do what she can to get Nella to understand and agree to this. While she’s busy plotting, they’re some intricate characters who have experienced this exact situation before and try to warn Nella as best they can by leaving notes at her desk saying Leave Wagner Now. The question becomes, which side will Nella choose Hazel’s or the individuals leaving her those notes?
My Thoughts: Now, back to why this book had my head spinning. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, and here’s mine. The prologue confused the shit out of me. I didn’t understand the purpose behind it or its significance as it related to the story. I also felt that Harris could have used another way to have Hazel try and tempt Nella to follow her. I understand that a woman’s hair is essential to them, especially a Black woman’s hair, but using hair grease to make Nella fall in a trance-like state was silly.
When I first learned of “The Other Black Girl,” the cover and the synopsis captured me. I knew that there would be some form of rivalry, so I expected that. What I didn’t expect was to feel confused and let down. She could have written this book in so many different ways based on the title that would have been just as engaging, thrill-seeking, with strong female leads.
However, I appreciated her bringing awareness to an issue that many African Americans endure when in the workplace. Whether people want to admit it or not, there is this system where a company needs to hire a certain percentage of individuals so that they aren’t deemed and looked at as bias or not being an Equal Opportunity Employer. This means hiring people of color, religion, disability, race, etc., so that said company can show that they are all about inclusivity.
Harris’ “The Other Black Girl” reminded me of Tara Westover’s “Educated” in that there was so much hype surrounding this book, and so many seemed to love it, but they both are lukewarm to me. Again, everyone’s entitled to their opinion, and honestly, as I said with Westover’s book, I didn’t understand the hype behind Harris’ book. But I digress.
Harris’ “The Other Black Girl” is available everywhere books are sold.
Synopsis:VERxanity is a conversational piece written by Shanquea M. Walker. She details what it is like to juggle her everyday responsibilities, including motherhood and her struggle with anxiety and depression.
My Thoughts:VERxanity is a quick and short read. I love how passionate and determined she is towards providing a better life for herself and her children despite her illnesses. Her loyalty to her friends and family is apparent, which I appreciate. Her desire to utilize this book to present a resource and help those dealing with similar sentiments is thoughtful.
While these things were wonderful, there were some issues I found while reading. I noticed that VERxanity reads more like a journal entry/blog post than a book with informative insight that readers can utilize. The conversational component is there, but the author doesn’t follow up with a call to action. Why would readers benefit from reading VERxanity?
I noticed punctuation and grammar errors throughout the book, and the chapters didn’t cohesively fit together. It seems as if the author starts one chapter after the next without providing the reader with a clear idea as to the focal point of each chapter.
I do think that the author’s story could resonate with readers, but it needs more work. VERxanity is available everywhere books are sold.
Adventures With Liyah Presents Colors at First Sight, written by Vallean Jackson and illustrated by Navi Robins, tells the story of Liyah and her fascination with colors. I noticed right away how beautiful the illustrations were and how lovely it was for the author to dedicate this book to her daughter.
As you read along, you discover that each page highlights a color and the following page details how Liyah feels about that particular color and connects that color to something or someone in her life. An example would be the color orange. She mentions how the color orange makes her think of the time she spends with her grandmother. She and her grandmother eat oranges every time she goes to visit her.
This touching and colorful book is excellent for young children. The story was engaging, the character’s personality shined through, and it was a quick and easy read. There were a couple of errors, but nothing that took away from the story. If you’re looking for a children’s book, I would suggest purchasing this one for your kids.
Vallean Jackson’s Adventures With Liyah Presents Colors at First Sight is available everywhere books are sold.
Morgan Lee Reviews 