All Up In My E-Reader! #Books

Y’all already know what it is. Time for another peek into my digital library. Well really, it’s my sister’s digital library, ’cause I’m out here like a squirrel just tryna get a nut, feel me? LOL! I’m really on one this perfectly dreary Saturday morning. It’s raining on my end, which is perfect weather for snuggling up with a good book (that’s if you don’t have a man 😉 ). I’m just saying.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the books below!

♥♥♥

Title: The Man of My Schemes

Author: Leslie J. Sherrod

Description: It started at work and then spread to her sister-friends at church: wedding bell fever. For thirty-four-year-old Berry Jenkins, the craze has just begun. Tired of the prying and invasive questions about her lack of a love life, Berry decides to convince everyone she has finally landed the man of her dreams. However, there is one slight problem. Her fantasy man is just that – a complete fantasy and a bold-faced lie. Of course, lies can’t last forever and Berry’s ploy to pretend she’s met the perfect beau quickly spirals out of control.

When her carefully woven web of deception begins to unravel, only a miracle will save her from her fairy-tale romance gone nightmare reality. Facing exposure, Berry fears that the trap she’s created for herself is too messy, too tangled – and maybe even too dangerous – for her chance at love to survive.

Hold on for a wild and zany ride as Berry’s imaginary man takes on a life of his own, for better…and for worse.

My Take: Now, I have to admit, I started this book a long time ago and never finished it. I don’t think it had anything to do with the story or the quality of the writing. Rather, it was just a rough season in my life and nothing was holding my attention for very long. It seems like a good book, great for a fun read, with a nice moral at the end. I recommend it if you’re looking for some light reading. This book used to be available as a digital download, but for some reason Amazon only has the paperback available now. So in the interest of full disclosure, I did not, nor would I, pay $12.99 for this book. Just keepin’ it real.

 

Title: The Good Neighbor

Author: A. J. Banner

Description:

Named by Harper’s Bazaar as a book that could be the next Gone Girl.

From a phenomenal new voice in suspense fiction comes a book that will forever change the way you look at the people closest to you…

Shadow Cove, Washington, is the kind of town everyone dreams about—quaint streets, lush forests, good neighbors. That’s what Sarah thinks as she settles into life with her new husband, Dr. Johnny McDonald. But all too soon she discovers an undercurrent of deception. And one October evening when Johnny is away, sudden tragedy destroys Sarah’s happiness.

Dazed and stricken with grief, she and Johnny begin to rebuild their shattered lives. As she picks up the pieces of her broken home, Sarah discovers a shocking secret that forces her to doubt everything she thought was true—about her neighbors, her friends, and even her marriage. With each stunning revelation, Sarah must ask herself, Can we ever really know the ones we love?

My Take: For some reason I enjoyed this book, even though it’s not my usual preference at all. It’s well written, and the story sticks with you. It’s an old fashioned understated suspense novel with an other worldly type feel to it. There are a lot of ‘suspects’ which kept it interesting all the way through. It’s a tad on the slow side as far as the suspense genre goes, so don’t expect it to be a quick read.

 

Title: The Color of Heaven

Author: Julianne MacLean

Description: A deeply emotional tale about Sophie Duncan, a successful columnist whose world falls apart after her daughter’s unexpected illness and her husband’s shocking affair. When it seems nothing else could possibly go wrong, her car skids off an icy road and plunges into a frozen lake. There, in the cold dark depths of the water, a profound and extraordinary experience unlocks the surprising secrets from Sophie’s past, and teaches her what it means to truly live…and love.

Full of surprising twists and turns and a near-death experience that will leave you breathless, this story is not to be missed.

THE COLOR OF HEAVEN is a work of fiction.

My Take: This book gripped me from the beginning and maintained that grip all the way through. I’m a sucker for otherworldly, spiritual journey type books and this delivered on that in spades. It’s sad, yes, but also hopeful. I highly recommend this book and plan on reading others in the series. Julianne MacLean is now one of the authors where I choose to read the book before even reading the description. She’s in my club of If She Wrote It, I’m Reading It. 

 

♥♥♥

Let me know if you check any of these books out, I’d love you hear your take on them! Also, if you have any good book recommendations tell me about them in the comments below. 

 

Advertisement

All Up in My E-Reader! #Books

It’s been a while since I shared the books I’ve read here. I’m horrible about keeping my Goodreads page up to date, but I’m hoping to rectify that soon. Anyway, here’s the first edition of All Up in My E-Reader for 2018!!! I don’t know why I won’t just say all up in my Kindle…I guess because Amazon ain’t breaking me off no coins, lol.

*Click on the pics or titles to be taken to the book’s Amazon page.*

Title: If I Run (If I Run Series)

Author:Terri Blackstock

Description:

Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they’ve failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up.

Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices: the girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

My Take: This book was really good! I’m not typically a suspense reader, but my sister is. So I’ve been borrowing a lot of her e-books lately, and came across this one. You don’t often see Christian suspense, at least I don’t. If I Run is light on religion, in my opinion, and heavy on sinister generational plots. I felt sympathy for Casey from day one. The clues were well spaced and subtle, but since I always know what direction books like these will go, I kinda figured out what was going on pretty early. Still, it was an entertaining and a quick read, and I’m planning to continue reading the series. I highly recommend this one!

 

Title: Evelyn, After

Author: Victoria Helen Stone

Description:

Evelyn Tester is sleepwalking through her suburban life—until a late-night phone call startles her awake. Her husband, a prestigious psychiatrist, has been in an accident. And he isn’t alone.

Suddenly Evelyn’s world isn’t as tidy as she thought. And in the midst of it all is Juliette, not only her husband’s secret lover but also his patient. If news of the affair were to get out, it would ruin more than just Evelyn’s marriage. Although it’s a bitter pill for Evelyn to swallow, protecting her family means staying silent—even if, as she begins to discover, the night of the accident has consequences far more dangerous than the unmasking of an affair.

But the more Evelyn learns about Juliette’s picture-perfect life—complete with a handsome, unsuspecting husband—the more she yearns for revenge…and satisfaction. Her growing obsession fuels her rage, burning away her complacency. What will be left of her after it flames out?

My Take: This is one of those books that are rather slow, yet intriguing. It took a while to get going, but still kept my interest all the way through. I would describe it as a Lifetime type plot with a lot more introspection and main character development. It’s great when you’re in the mood for a semi-man bashing, rise of the independent woman story. There were a few moments of what I felt were unnecessary love scenes, but other than that a pleasant read.

 

Title: A Will, A Way, and a Wedding (Dear Daphne Book 4) 

Author: Melody Carlson

Description: As Daphne begins making reluctant plans to let Aunt Dee’s house and life go and pick up the pieces of her fractured life, the guy she’s been dreaming about begins to change his tune. Of course, another huge obstacle pops up at about the same time, threatening to ruin what might finally be true love. Meanwhile, she continues writing the advice column, learning more about love and commitment than she ever thought possible. But will she cinch the deal in time?

My Take:  I just started reading this one yesterday, so I can’t form a full opinion yet. I will say that so far it seems cute. The kind of book you want to curl up with on a rainy day when you’re tired and don’t want to concentrate too much. It’s cozy. I think that it’s definitely the kind of book that you would enjoy more if you’ve read the rest of the series. I’m a rebel, so I jumped in cold, and it’s still good.

That’s it for now! What are y’all reading?

Get Your Entire Life: Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

What’s up, beautiful people? I know your girl has been posting at random for the last couple of years, and I appreciate those of you that have stuck with me. It’s been all kinds of real ’round my way, and I’m finally getting my bearings.

With that being said, I’m posting a book review for the first time in YEARS. I’ve gotten my reading and writing mojo back with a vengeance and I had to share this book with y’all. Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult is truly a work of art. It’s cadence and nuances and in your face gritty realness gave me life!

I could go on and on, but I’ll shut up and let you watch the video.

 

Look, I’ll simply say that Jodi Picoult is a white woman with a number one bestseller on the African-American fiction literature list via Amazon. You don’t see that everyday, and you can stay mad, because SHE EARNED IT.

Listen to me carefully: READ THIS BOOK!

You’re welcome.

 

Have you read Small Great Things? What did you think of it?

If you haven’t read it, do you plan to? What do you think of all the buzz?

 

 

How To Overcome Heartbreak

Hey, lovely people! Long time, no “see”. When I say that 2016 has done a number on me, I ain’t lying. From my cancer scare, to the hysterectomy, to complete healing in my body, I have been on an emotional and physical roller coaster. But I’ll tell you something that’s been solid as a rock; my faith. I could preach a sermon and tell a testimony that would have a non-believer giving God thanks, but I won’t do that today. Just know that God is good, and He is oh, so faithful!

I’m starting to get back in the swing of things. I’ll be returning to work, after a 6 month leave, at the start of 2017. Hopefully, my life will be back to normal. With ALL that being said, I’m finally back to blogging! And I couldn’t wait to share one of the latest projects I’m participating in.

One of my author friends, Ms. Nicole Miller, was on a broadcast with me earlier this year about the challenges of living a celibate lifestyle. What I shared on that call about a previous relationship must have resonated with Nicole, because she contacted me to collaborate on a book project with her about overcoming heartbreak. I was only too pleased to oblige, and we spent about 30 minutes on the phone taking a heart wrenching walk down memory lane.

I shared some intimate things, y’all. Like some stuff I haven’t even shared on this blog and you guys know I be letting you all up in my business. Things like being in a totally dysfunctional foul jacked up relationship and not thinking that I deserved better. Things like losing my daughter when I was 7 and a half months pregnant. I’m telling y’all, we went in.

Then, through the magic of publishing, a wonderful book appeared in my mailbox yesterday. It’s entitled How to Overcome Heartbreak: Stories That Heal and it’s absolutely overflowing with genuine stories of men and women who have experienced heartbreak AND how they overcame that heartbreak. Let me assure you that Nicole knows exactly what she’s doing. I was all over the place in my interview and she put it together in a way that truly allowed my story to shine. She did the same with every single person interviewed for this project.

The truth is that most of us have experienced heartbreak in some capacity or another. The key is to move past that heartbreak and to do so with grace. To not allow bitterness to set up residence in your heart, and to transition into a place where you are once again open, and ready to receive and give love.

So that’s all for now, folks. I had to share How to Overcome Heartbreak: Stories That Heal with you because I really feel like it will touch a lot of people and bring them to a heart space of peace. Get a copy for yourself, some friends or anyone you think would benefit from reading it!*

Until next time…

Get real with your girl and tell me about your own story of heartbreak and how you overcame it. Let’s have our own little therapy session together. 😉

*I am not receiving any compensation for participating in this project. I am simply doing it because I truly believe in the healing power of words.*

All Up in My E-Reader: Back With a Vengeance!

Some of y’all know I had a little problem at the start of the year: I was (and to be honest still am) addicted to downloading books left and right. So I put myself on restriction and it’s been over seven months since I posted an update about what’s new in my Kindle. It hasn’t been easy, but time restraints kept me from feening too hard. Even with my self-imposed restrictions, my TBR list is stupid long. I just can’t resist a book with a good blurb and sale pricing. I feel about books the way most women feel about shoes: they give me all kinds of life. Brace yourself, I went a lil’ crazy. Peruse at your leisure and hopefully you’ll find something that sparks your interest!

Click on pics or title for preview via Amazon.

---

Title: The Replacement Wife

Author: Tiffany L. Warren

Genre(s): Literature & Fiction, African-American Fiction, Christian Fiction

Description: Atlanta’s most eligible widower isn’t looking to remarry–but for one woman, that’s a mere detail…

Five years after his beloved wife’s death, wealthy Quentin Chambers still hasn’t returned to the church or his music ministry. Even his home is now devoid of music, and without his attention, Quentin’s five children are out of control–until his mother steps in and hires him a live-in nanny. Montana is pretty, compassionate, church-going, and even has a beautiful singing voice. The children take to her right away, and soon Quentin finds his heart opening to faith–and love–once more. But not everyone loves Montana…

A “friend” of Quentin’s first wife, Chloe has been scheming to become the next Mrs. Chambers since the funeral. Now she’ll do whatever it takes to get rid of Montana–including blackmail, theft–and digging up a trouble making man from Montana’s past. But Chloe’s got secrets of her own, and the tables may turn with a twist she never sees coming…

---

Title: Lyrical Darkness: 11 dark fiction stories inspired by the music that rocks your soul

Authors: Multiple

Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Anthologies, Short Stories

Description: Discover the stories inspired by some of the greatest songs of all time. Dark fiction that will keep you turning the pages as you read stories influenced by songs like Satisfaction, Angie Baby, She Loves You, Maggie Mae, The Hotel California and more.

Dark stories inspired by dark lyrics that tell the tales hidden behind the popular melodies that are so familiar to us all.

Ten different authors bring you their literary visions provoked by their favorite song lyrics to create a chilling read you will not soon forget.

---

Title: Once Upon a Sunday (Currently Free!)

Author: Renee Allen McCoy

Genres: Literature & Fiction, Short Stories, Inspirational

Description: The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance. –John 10:10, AMP

Good Friday started off as anything but that for Melinda Black. After losing her job and self-dignity, a series of events cascade her onto an emotionally charged roller coaster ride that drastically changed her life forever.

Will Melinda be able to handle the pressure when she stands to lose what’s most important in her life?

Once Upon a Sunday is an inspirational short story.

---

Title: Guilty of the Body and the Blood: A Short Story

Author: Melinda Michelle

Genres: Teen & Young Adult, Christian Fiction, African-American Fiction

Description: When a preacher’s kid becomes a preacher’s wife following traditions and religious practices she enters into a world she never bargained for. Going through the motions of being a wife and first lady, she loses sight of the truth. She’s had her fill of pretending and goes searching for more. But she soon finds out that unhappiness does not negate the Word of God over her life. One communion Sunday she eats the bread, drinks the cup and brings damnation to herself.

---

Title: Shattered Dreams

Author: Tyora Moody

Genres: Christian Fiction, African-American Fiction

Description: In this heart-warming short story, meet wife and mother EUGEENA PATTERSON. Eugeena has always been the glue keeping her fragmented family together. When her teenage daughter is rushed to the hospital, Eugeena’s usual attempts to maintain peace in her family reach a breaking point. Will her troubled teenage daughter rip the family apart?

This short story is the prequel to the Eugeena Patterson Mystery Series. Readers can take a sneak peek of Chapter 1 from Deep Fried Trouble.

---

Title: Didn’t Mean to Love You (Serendipitous Love Book 2)

Author: Christina C. Jones

Genres: Romance, Women’s Fiction

Description: Vivienne is one of “those” people, the kind that believes in love at all costs. Broken hearts are a natural product of that, and Viv is used to dealing with it by simply ignoring the ache, and moving on to a new love. But this time, she can’t seem to shake the pain — until Carter comes along, handing out easy smiles and the kind of attention that makes her not feel so fractured after all.

Everybody knows Carter as this cool, confident, charismatic guy. He has a penchant for saying just the right things at just the right times, being just the kind of friend that’s needed in the midst of sorrow. But, as he and Viv embark on what was only ever intended to be a friendship, the idea of Carter as the “perfect” guy is challenged, and the real person could very well just be the next guy to break Viv’s heart.

Old hurts are unraveled, familial bonds are tested, and hearts are put on the line in this story of two people who didn’t mean to fall in love.

(please note that this book is a spin-off of A Crazy Little Thing Called Love, and does contain major spoilers for that title.)

---

Title: Fall in Love Again (Serendipitous Love Book 3)

Author: Christina C. Jones

Genres: Romance, Women’s Fiction

Description: Everybody knows you don’t marry the rebound guy.

And yet, that’s exactly what Charlie does. But once the husband is out of picture — kinda — she’s ready to leap forward with her life. She returns to the neighborhood she left, the business she missed, and into arm’s reach of Nixon — the reason she needed a rebound guy in the first place.

Other than rebuilding her life, Charlie has one main goal now that she’s back in the place she considers home: Stay as far away from Nixon as she can. But their long history, his magnetic charm, and a certain sense of unfinished business makes that much, much harder than Charlie thought.

Nixon is willing to own up to his part in their break up, but for Charlie, finding a place of forgiveness is going to take much more than that. She’s willing to take a chance on friendship — something they’ve had since they were kids — but falling in love again? That’s a whole different story.

---

Title: A New Beginning ( Blended Blessings Book One)

Authors: Michelle Stimpson, CaSandra McLaughlin

Genres: Christian Fiction, African-American Fiction

Description: Sometimes love doesn’t work out the first time. Or the second. Now in her third marriage, Angelia is hoping for her happily-ever-after with former pro-football player Darren Holley. But soon after they move into their sprawling mini-mansion, Darren’s new job as a high school football coach in a trophy-hungry Texas town consumes him, leaving Angelia feeling like a single mother to her two children as well as Darren’s twin diva-daughters. Not to mention the drama from Darren’s mother, who can’t get over the fact that her son has married a woman with so much baggage.

When Angelia confides in a few ladies from the local church, their nice, sweet, holy-wife advice may prove ineffective and too burdensome. Should Angelia cut her losses and get out before the ink settles on their marriage certificate, or will she finally learn the true meaning of marriage as she and Darren attempt to blend two very different backgrounds in the face of adversity and nosy church folk?

---

A New Beginning is the first book in the Blended Blessings series by newcomer CaSandra McLaughin and bestselling author Michelle Stimpson.

Title: Stopping Traffic ( A Back to School Romance) (Love at the Crossroads Book 1)

Author: Pat Simmons

Genres: Inspirational, Christian Fiction

Description: Candace Clark has a phobia about crossing the street, and for good reason. As fate would have it, her daughter’s principal assigns her to crossing guard duties as part of the school’s Parent Participation program. With no choice in the matter, Candace begrudgingly accepts her stop sign and safety vest, then reports to her designated crosswalk. Once Candace is determined to overcome her fears, God opens the door for a blessing, and Royce Kavanaugh enters into her life, a firefighter built to rescue any damsel in distress. When a spark of attraction ignites, Candace and Royce soon discover there’s more than one way to stop traffic.

---

Title: Stand Your Ground (A Novel)

Author: Victoria Christopher Murray

Genres: African American Fiction, Christian Fiction

Description: From the #1 Essence bestselling and award-winning author Victoria Christopher Murray comes Stand Your Ground, a new novel about two women who are faced with the same tragedy.

A black teenage boy is dead. A white man shot him. Was he standing his ground or was it murder?

Janice Johnson is living every black mother’s nightmare. Her seventeen-year-old son was murdered and the shooter has not been arrested. Can the D.A. and the police be trusted to investigate and do the right thing? Should Janice take advantage of the public outcry and join her husband alongside the angry protestors who are out for revenge?

Meredith Spencer is married to the man accused of the killing and she sees her husband and the situation with far more clarity than anyone realizes. What she knows could blow the case wide open, but what will that mean for her life and that of her son? Will she have the courage to come forward in time so that justice can be done?

#1 national bestselling and award-winning author Victoria Christopher Murray’s Stand Your Ground is a pulse-pounding meditation on race, motherhood, marriage, and vigilante justice that will have readers spellbound until its shocking end.

---

Title: Pay Day

Authors: ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Richelle Denise

Genres:

Description: One little ticket is about to change their lives. . .
but is it for better or for worse?

When the office lotto pool lands the winning ticket for four friends, each will embark on journeys that change their lives forever.

After years of stringing her along, Terrance has reluctantly married his longtime girlfriend, Sheray. . . just days before winning the lottery. Now, that he’s a rich newlywed, the former playboy is dreaming of what life would’ve been like as a rich bachelor. When the money drives a wedge between them, Sheray leaves and Terrance learns the hard way to be careful what you wish for.
Angelique has been overweight since she was young. Despite her insecurities, her boyfriend, Marcus, gives her his love and affection without reservation. When she uses some of her winnings to get weight loss surgery, her new body and new attitude gets her some new attention, and could cost her the man she loves.

After twelve years of marriage, Janine’s husband announces that he’s leaving her for another woman. When she realizes he could possibly get a portion of her prize, she devises a scheme to keep it from him. But when her plan backfires, will she lose it all?

Raquelle’s life has just been turned upside down when she’s caught embezzling money, which she started doing to support her sick son. With a boss bent on making her pay, Raquelle is facing hard time and about to discover there are some things her lotto winnings can’t buy…or can it?
With a bitter former coworker lurking in the background, these friends are discovering their big payday will definitely change their lives…just not in the ways they expected.

---

Title: Seek and Hide (Haven Seekers) 

Author: Amanda G. Stevens

Genres: Futuristic, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Description: Six years ago, the government took control of the church. Only re-translated Bibles are legal, and a specialized agency called the Constabulary enforces this and other regulations. Marcus Brenner, a new Christian, will do anything to protect his church family from imprisonment–including risk his own freedom to gain the trust of a government agent.

Aubrey Weston recanted her faith when the Constabulary threatened her baby. Now released, she just wants to provide for her son and avoid government notice. But she’s targeted again, and this time, her baby is taken into custody. If only she’d never denied Him, maybe God would hear her pleas for help.

When Aubrey and Marcus’s lives collide, they are forced to confront the lies they believe about themselves. And God is about to grab hold of Marcus’s life in a way he’d never expect, turning a loner into a leader.

---

Title: Faithful

Author: Kim Cash Tate

Genres: African-American Fiction, Christian Fiction, Contemporary

Description: Cydney Sanders thought she knew God’s plan for her life. She’d marry, have kids, and then snap her body back into shape by doing Tae Bo. But she’s celebrating her fortieth birthday as the maid of honor at her little sister’s wedding…and still single. Now her life is suddenly complicated by the best man. He’s the opposite of what she wants in a husband…and yet, he keeps defying her expectations. Starting with a lavendar rose–symbolizing enchantment–each rose he sends her reflects his growing love for her.

Cydney’s best friend Dana appears to have the perfect marriage–until she discovers her husband’s affair and her world goes into a tailspin. Then there is Phyllis–who is out of hope and out of prayers after asking God for six long years to help her husband find faith. When she runs into an old friend who is the Christian man she longs for, she’s faced with an overwhelming choice.

Life-long friends with life-altering struggles. Will they trust God’s faithfulness…and find strength to be faithful to Him?

---

Title: What You Won’t Do For Love

Author: Keleigh Crigler Hadley

Genres: Christian Fiction, African-American Fiction

Description: Eden Price, an unlucky-in-love nurse finds herself in the midst of a heated love triangle. Globe-trotting missionary, Gabe Clark ignites her soul. Who doesn’t want a man with a connection to God? Hard-working, Nemo Gates speaks to her heart. His past has caused a rift between him and God and Eden wants to help him heal.

She ultimately chooses the man that makes her passions come alive but did she make the right choice? Eden’s marriage is blissful and the newlyweds are happy, when her husband stuns her with a desperate plea; to prove her love for him in the most unthinkable way – to help him die with dignity. What would you do for the love of your life?

---

Title: Summertime (A Novella)

Author: Adrienne Thompson

Genres: Romance, Time Travel

Description: J’Nay Walker is a talented singer, driven toward success by a promise she made to her late mother. One gloomy day, on the tail of some disappointing news, tragedy strikes, threatening not only to derail her plans, but to end her life. As a result, she soon finds herself on an unlikely journey, but is she ready for an unlikely love?

---

Whew! I told y’all I had a problem. Pray for a sista. 🙂 What’re you reading?