“Waist Number 42” Review

Synopsis: “Waist Number 42” tells the story of 13-year old Tanya and the unfortunate bullying she endures at the hands of her schoolmate, Peter. Peter constantly bullies Tanya causing her to have low self-esteem, feel forlorn, and question why he’s teasing her. Peter makes fun of Tanya’s size, first referring to her as “Miss Potato” and now “Waist Number 42.” Tanya doesn’t like attending school because she knows Peter and his group of friends will be there, causing her torment each day, but she finds solace in her friends and family.

Due to Peter’s cruel ways, Tanya starts working out thanks to help from her family. She starts to see a change in her appearance, making her feel better about herself. Tanya realizes that while she may not change what others think or feel about her, what’s important is how she feels and thinks about herself. So, she makes it a point to focus on herself and not what others have to say, and she appreciates the love and support she has from her family and friends.

My Thoughts: I applaud Khushi Mohunta for writing this story because it continues to raise awareness about something so critical as bullying. According to stopbullying.gov, about 20% of students ages 12 to 18 experience bullying nationwide. 19% of students in grades 9-12 report being bullied in school. No one should endure such cruelness. 

I also appreciated Khushi’s willingness to provide words of encouragement to those who read her book, and it was a nice touch and one I hadn’t seen or read in a book before. However, I felt that it should have gone at the end when she finished telling the story. Give the readers a chance to read the story in its entirety first and then provide them with words of encouragement to solidify the reasoning behind the book and let the readers know that they are not alone if they are going through something similar. 

I also found some spacing and grammatical issues. However, it didn’t prevent me from finishing this book. I can’t stress enough the importance of raising awareness about the effects of bullying. And again, I commend Khushi for writing and promoting her book. “Waist Number 42” is available everywhere books are sold. 

The Switch Review

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A construction worker is working on a site, and discovers remains, and alerts the police. This discovery unlocks a secret causing a domino effect that will destroy several individual’s lives. Dave Munoz and Craig Walker reunite to work on the case. 

Munoz and Walker work to identify the body and, in doing so, discover several individuals and their involvement regarding this cold case. Munoz and Walker uncover the truth, which results in someone’s death, prison time, and the starting of a friendship between two people who meet for the first time. 

The Switch by Thomas Hall has an engaging storyline filled with twists and turns, solid characters, romance, and the reader will appreciate the story from start to finish. Each chapter has the reader discovering something new that adds to the story, which ultimately ends with a proposal. The only issue I noticed was a few punctuation errors. 

Suppose you are into fictional detective stories filled with action, romance, and suspense. In that case, I suggest purchasing Thomas Hall’s The Switch. I’ve had the opportunity of reading and reviewing his books before, so I expected nothing less with Hall being able to deliver another fantastic read, and he did. The Switch is available everywhere books are sold. 

Interview With TEDX Speaker and THREAD MB Founder, Laura J. Wellington

There’s a saying, “I don’t look like what I’ve been through.” Laura J. Wellington is a leading example of this. At 35, she lost her husband to cancer. She was left to raise their children on her own. While some may fall victim to their circumstances, Wellington chose to persevere and be resilient. “It shows in my entire life. It is how I survived what I did and lived to tell about it through this book. (Be Careful What You Wish For). It shows in my continued happiness,” she states. 

Laura J. Wellington is an author with books focused on women and children. She’s a TEDx Speaker, an award-winning children’s television creator, a serial entrepreneur in technology and entertainment, and founder of celebrity-lifestyle blog THREAD MB. 

Wellington has won several awards, including The Forbes Enterprise Award, The Buzz Award, and The Dove Foundation Award. However, the most crucial prize she’s won has to be being a mom to five children. 

Morgan Lee Reviews had the pleasure of interviewing Wellington. She discussed the inspiration behind her newest book, Be Careful What You Wish For, memorable advice given to her as an author and writer, and advice she has for aspiring authors. 

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MLR: What inspired you to write Be Careful What You Wish For and the Jasper’s Giant Imagination series?

LJW: My love for the “good story” and how it can impact, motivate, and touch the hearts of others. 

MLR: Are there plans to write any more books?

LJW: Yes, there is an upcoming sequel to Be Careful What You Wish For in the works.

Along with being an author, in 2018, Wellington did a Tedx titled What’s She Got That I Don’t. She talks about a key component in relationships. Knowing who you are and being confident in that is essential because if you don’t, how do you expect to provide your partner with what he or she may need and vice versa?

MLR: With everything you’ve accomplished, what is one of your proudest moments? What is one of your non-glorious moments, and was there a lesson you learned in either of these?

LJW: One of my proudest moments was watching my oldest son graduate medical school. I felt like “my whole life was worth it.” One of my less than stellar moments was when I threw a chair in response to stress. I realized that I was human then forgave myself. You will find that incident in the book. The lesson that I learned is that “you have to take the good with the bad, including in oneself.”

MLR: Speaking of taking the good with the bad, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?

LJW: Don’t be frightened to expose yourself in your writing. The craft demands it of you.

MLR: What is some memorable advice you’ve been given as an author and writer?

LJW: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” In other words, show courage in your work.”

And that’s what she continues to do. Above all else, she considers herself to be a “hands-on parent” because, as she states, “If you fail with your kids, what good is the rest?” Wellington later remarried and became a licensed foster parent. When asked what she wants people to take away from this interview she says she wants people to see more of her in the book, and hopes that in understanding her better, people will understand the main character, Evie. “I am enjoying meeting so many new and wonderful people through this book, including you. That is one of the benefits of doing what I do. I get to meet a ton of great people along the way.”

Morgan Lee Reviews would like to Thank Laura J. Wellington for partaking in this interview. Visit laurajwellington.com to learn more about her, and Be Careful What You Wish For is available everywhere books are sold.   

An Intoxicating Interlude Review

Author Jessica Lauryn welcomes readers into Dani Talbert’s world in An Intoxicating Interlude. Talbert is a former exotic dancer who dreams of one day being center stage at Rabourn Theater. She’s also determined to raise her son away from anything that may cause him harm or confusion. However, everything that she thought she knew or felt changes suddenly as Ryder Nathanson enters the picture. 

Nathanson once blackmailed her, and this was something she’d never forget. However, when he offers her the leading role in her dream play, she’s faced with a tough decision. Things aren’t what they seem in this page-turning mystery. There’s a shocking revelation at every turn, the plot’s engaging, and once again, there’s a solid character foundation. This is another great story in The Rabourn Theater Series. 

Jessica Lauryn’s An Intoxicating Interlude is available everywhere books are sold. 

We Are The Champions Review

The saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and that may be true, but these 15 courageous and heartfelt stories from children living in India prove that it takes a child to raise a village. We Are The Champions highlights the stories and heroic efforts of these children from all walks of life. They tell their story with the hope of inspiring, but more importantly, raising awareness about situations they’ve had to endure and how they’ve risen above it to become prominent figures within their cites and internationally.

They’ve fought against injustices, including old-age practices like child marriage, labor, trafficking, and gender inequality. Even against these unfortunate odds, they’ve proven that you can overcome and withstand any adversity as long as you have faith and the courage to follow your dreams and fight for what you feel will bring about positive change for yourself and others.

We can sometimes become so focused on our lives that we forget about the numerous injustices of the world. People are fighting to raise awareness about what’s happening with the hope that someone with authority will assist them in their fight with the intent of providing a better outcome for everyone.

This is what the authors of We Are The Champions did. Rashmi Bansal and Devendra Tak gave these 15 individuals a voice by letting them share their story with the world. As you read, you’re able to see these individuals for who they are and what they did. You’re able to read their insightful words of wisdom. You’re reading their truth about how they chose to be resilient in the face of adversity.

There are so many individuals facing numerous day to day struggles, and they still manage to have a smile on their face. They refuse to let their circumstances define who they are. They choose to rise above and become champions. While there was a bit of a language barrier regarding the written material, and at times I felt the order of the stories was slightly out of place, I, however, appreciate Bansal and Tak for allowing me the opportunity to provide my review of their book.

We Are The Champions will be available for purchase later this year.

Deliverance Review

No amount of sex can make me stay in a relationship, no matter how good it is. Readers are introduced to two new characters from The Kismet Series, Jolene, and Troy. Jolene is a single mother who’s recently left an appalling relationship with her ex-husband and her child’s father, Brian.

Brian is relentless in his pursuit to get his daughter back and punish Jolene for being the reason he served time in prison. Fearful for their lives, she moves from Kentucky to Nashville. There she meets long lost love, Troy Young. Young, a solider, back in Nashville until his next deployment, welcomes the familiarity of a woman he’s loved since their first meeting ten years ago.

It seems if this chance meeting would ignite things between them again, right? Jolene, her daughter, and Troy. The man she gave her heart to all those years ago. Unfortunately, Jolene and Troy have some things they must work out in order to have their happy ending. Troy faces demons from his past during his time in Iraq,and Jolene is fearful of Brian as he lurks in the shadows.

Entangling the situation more is their sexual attraction to one another. They give in to temptation releasing those feelings of love, lust, pain, and a history that has both of them questioning if they could make things work. Jolene’s willing to open her heart and let Troy back in. However, Troy is stubborn and unwilling to open up for fear he will disappoint Jolene and her daughter by having to deploy again. Not to mention the backlash he’ll receive from Jolene’s family and friends if he breaks her heart.

I didn’t realize that Deliverance was connected to Reckless and Evelyn Montgomery’s first two novels,Indecision and Devotion. I saw some familiar names and went back and looked at both of her first two books. What made this story different from her other two novels was the importance of family. This was a major theme and had a significant impact throughout the book. Very few men would be open to a relationship when they know there’s a child involved,and it’s not theirs.

The fact that Troy does gives me hope that there are still kind and hardworking people in this world. What I also liked was the author’s use of providing the reader with a backstory for each character, the use of imagery, descriptiveness, dialogue, and of course the sex scenes. LOL. But, I have to reiterate that no amount of sex could make me stay in a relationship if I am pouring my heart out/giving my heart to someone and they’re stubborn and unwilling to do the same.

There were a few grammatical errors.But overall, I thought this was a solid story that could stand alone and didn’t have to be apart of a series necessarily. Montgomery even gives readers an exclusive look into part five of this series. Not sure when that will be available, but keep a lookout for it. Part one through four is available on Amazon.

**Coming soon… One on one interview with author Evelyn Montgomery. We’ll discuss her Kismet Series, what she’s currently working on, and what advice she has for aspiring and fellow authors.

Inside the Patricia Jordan Scholarship Foundation

Six months ago, I interviewed former Roosevelt University student Lola Jordan. During the interview, she discussed life after Roosevelt, as well as how she planned to pay homage to her mother Patricia Jordan. You can view the video below.

On March 30, 2017, Lola held the first Patricia Jordan Foundation Scholarship Gala in Charlotte, NC at Private Affairs of Charlotte. In this Q&A, she discusses how she felt hosting her first gala in honor of her mom, the recipients she honored that night, as well as what her plans are with continuing on with the foundation.

 

Lola and her event coordinator

 

 

Morgan Lee: Tell the readers about hosting the very first Patricia Jordan Foundation Scholarship Gala in honor of your mom?

Lola Jordan: The first Patricia Jordan Foundation Scholarship Gala was amazing, but it was stressful. I am glad my vision came alive, something I have been planning since last summer.  The purpose was to assist children by helping them feel financially secure and by supporting them to help them move forward and live life after the loss of a loved one. February 23, 2017, marked the ten year anniversary of my mother’s passing, so I wanted to honor my mother by starting this foundation in her memory.

I had two of my close friends sing (Shayla St. James and Dexter Jordan) and another close friend play the guitar (LaSean Glibert), a dancer (Leonce Wilkins), and two therapists (Darnita Samuels and Kirstin Davis) come speak about mental health, including what it can be like after losing a loved one. Another one of my close friends, (Jimi Thompson) painted a painting of my mother. I had a candle ceremony/moment of silence for the two families I honored that night (Jones family and Green family) along with a poem, and  I also gave a speech at the end of the event.

Decorative eateries 

 

ML: What was one important lesson you learned through all of this?

LJ: The most important lesson I learned is that you have to make sure you have time for yourself and do some self-care, so you won’t be stressed out. I had got really stressed out and it wasn’t healthy. I had to remember that I was healing. Due to mom not being here and starting this foundation in honor of her, it was a lot of pressure that I was putting on myself, but I had to let go and let God handle the rest because it all was going to work out like it was suppose to, and it did. I needed to feel all those emotions, thoughts, and feelings as I was planning this event for my mother. I don’t think you know what you are truly capable of doing until you do it. After doing this, I feel like I am ready for the next thing in my life. Having this event was a release and therapeutic for myself in many ways, that I didn’t know I needed. I was able to make my mom proud and honor her in a way that she deserved. Grieving is truly a process, especially with time, so you need to honor and respect that for yourself.

Information Table

 

 

ML: Do you anticipate continuing to have this event? If so, do you plan to host this event somewhere different?

LJ: Yes, I want to have one every year, if not every two years,  but a different type of event. I’m not really sure where because it will depend on where I will be living. Charlotte was a great starter, because I had built a community of friends here. I want to do something back in my hometown in St.Louis and also Chicago where I spent my college years. I want to turn my foundation into a non-profit and build it up from there. So, we will see what the future holds. I know people have been asking me already when is the next one.

ML: What do you want people to take away from this interview?

LJ: I want people to take away that you can share your story, healing is necessary, and you can continue to live your best full life after the loss of a loved one. Remember to keep their legacy alive and honor them. They love you and will always be with you. I finally made this event happen with the love, support, and prayers and of course donations. My amazing event coordinator Rotrina Campbell was everything; I would not have done it without her.  I am grateful for family, friends, and God. When God puts something on your heart you have to do it and be obedient. I know doing this gala was for a greater purpose.

 

Lola and friends at her event