When We Talk to God

"Jesus paid it all, and I would like the dividends of peace, please." ~ pg. 59

Poet-theologian Sharifa Stevens captures the arc, ache and grace of a Black woman in a new release titled When We Talk to God. Through prayers and poems, she covers a broad range of topics such as motherhood, grief, joy, faith and success. I did not relate to all but there were plenty that I bookmarked to revisit again. There is a poem/prayer for every mood and every season in a Black woman's life within this collection.

I admit a few of the passages threw me off because of the language bordering on blasphemy (questioning God) but the author keeps it real. She put on paper what some of us may be thinking. My major takeaway was how the prayers encourage us to talk to God. Have a conversation. Nothing is off limits. Don't worry about being politically correct or saying the right thing the right away at a designated time. Just open your heart and talk to Him.

The vivid artistic book cover of When We Talk to God, as well as the beautiful illustrations within, will make it a good addition to your personal library, coffee table, or gift for Mother's Day, Women's Day or Girls' Night. 

Happy Pub Day, Sharifa Stevens! When We Talk to God is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: When We Talk to God
Author: Sharifa Stevens
Published: May 2025
Pages: 192
Edition: Galley
Genre: Spiritual Nonfiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Grab your current read(s).
• Share the first line(s).
• Include the title and author.

"For a trial lawyer, there are two words in the English language that terrify us more than any other."

~ Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh

If You Stayed

"Let go of what's dragging you, baby girl. Then you can walk more freely." ~ 6%

How many times have we asked ourselves this book title? What if you stayed? Well author Brittainy Cherry answers this question and more in a new romance fiction novel. 

Gabriel is Kierra's first everything. Her first friend, first kiss, first love and first heartbreak. One tragic accident tore them apart, leaving Gabriel with no memory and Kierra with a world of guilt. Fast forward a few years to Kierra in a loveless marriage when Gabriel re-enters her life (because we all know it's a small world). Feelings stir, memories threaten to surface and controlling jealousy rears its ugly head.

"Self-forgiveness was one of the hardest things to do." ~ 68%

As an overthinker, I appreciated Kierra's natural instinct to think through every possible scenario. She did not make any kneejerk decisions like chicks in romance novels often do. She was a planner that considered others' feelings before her own. This was not the typical spin the block plot. It really was a second chance romance that I could not put down.

Oh, the emotions this book gave me! All the feels as the story came together! Bookhearts, you will want to read this book in just one or two sittings. It is not spicy or steamy romance. It is what could happen IRL type romance. All sides of love are explored: the good, the bad and the ugly. Tension is built with suspense hanging at every chapter. And the writing is just beautiful.

I have not read many of Brittainy Cherry's books, but I will definitely add more to my shelf now. I recommend you do the same.

If You Stayed is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: If You Stayed
Author: Brittainy Cherry
Published: April 2025
Pages: 397
Edition: Galley
Genre: Romance
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

My Friends

"It's hard to tell a story, any story, but it's almost impossible if it's your own." ~ 75%

A group of teenagers find refuge from their difficult home lives by spending time together at the pier. Their figures sitting at the end of a long pier are almost unnoticeable in one of the most famous paintings in the world. To the normal eye, the painting is a depiction of the sea. But to Louisa, an artist herself, she wants to find the story behind the people in the corner.

I have no doubt that devout Backman fans will consider this a good read, but I will not recommend it. I am disappointed in the boring plot and unrealistic actions of characters to force a connection. I had to constantly fight the urge to not skim pages at a time. Maybe every Backman book isn't for me.

Happy Pub Day, Fredrik Backman! My Friends is now available.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: My Friends
Author: Fredrik Backman
Published: May 2025
Pages: 448
Edition: Galley
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤