Series Sunday: Calling All Blessings

(Blessings #12) 

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

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

My Series Sunday pick is Calling All Blessings, the 12th book in the Blessings series by Beverly Jenkins. The matriarch of Henry Adams, Tamar July, has a recurring dream of her humiliating wedding day, sixty years ago. Why does she keep having this dream and what does it mean today? She is forced to confront the past. Meanwhile, another resident is having trouble too. Devon has been a trip since he showed up in Henry Adams as an 8-year-old preacher. Now he is a teenage James Brown wannabe, wig and all! Tamar takes Devon on a spirit quest to help them both find peace within themselves.

"Forgiveness is a choice, as is kindness." ~ 55%

Oh, the growth of Devon July! He was one of those characters I rolled my eyes at while reading his scenes. I surprisingly enjoyed that this 12th installment focused on his journey and found myself empathizing with him. What a redemption arc! It was a bonus that this book equally focused on Tamar, as she is an honorary Great Aunt in my head. And as usual, there is a lesson to be found within the pages of a Blessings novel. Calling All Blessings teaches forgiveness of others and yourself. Whew—this is literally a WORD!

Ms. Bev never misses. Blessings is one of my favorite series that I look forward to reading every year. It is heartwarming, wholesome and celebrates Black culture. Every single character has an individual story yet it is not confusing or hard to follow. But Calling All Blessings hit a little different. It has a finale vibe as if the series is ending. Every storyline is wrapped up in a neat bow and gives the satisfying feeling of being complete. Well done but selfishly, I am not ready to let this town or its people go!

I recommend Calling All Blessings to anyone looking to read a feel good family story. You will nod in agreement, chuckle at inside jokes, suck your teeth at certain insufferable characters then welcome them into a group hug in your head. Go ahead, brew some sweet tea and read this new release!

Happy Early Pub Day, Beverly Jenkins! Calling All Blessings will be available Tuesday, October 28.

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: Calling All Blessings

Author: Beverly Jenkins

Published: October 2025

Pages: 288

Edition: Galley

Genre: Family Fiction

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Make My Funk the P-Funk

"SUPERGROOVALISTICPROSIFUNKSTICATION!" ~ 50%

If you sang the title of this post and continued with "I wants to get funked up," then this book review is for you. I grew up on P-Funk. Their concert was the most outrageous stage performance I have ever witnessed. I jam to George Clinton and 'nem to this very day. Their sound is so distinct that it is impossible to sit still when the bass hits my soul. Their discography spans 70+ years making Parliament-Funkadelic the longest-running music band in history. The year 1975, twenty years into George Clinton's musical journey with the group, became a pivotal year. 

"It's all designed to take us to the sky." ~ 13%

Make My Funk the P-Funk by Daniel Bedrosian, the longest-tenured keyboardist for Parliament-Funkadelic, details the rise from Chocolate City to Let's Take It to the Stage to Mothership Connection. It gives a historical view of things happening in the world during the release of these three (3) classic albums in an 8-month timeframe. With detailed overviews of each album, lyric breakdowns, analysis of the group's dynamic and interviews with living members, this book is a deep dive into P-Funk through their 1975 album releases.

This book is for the hardcore P-Funk fans. The music lovers with funk running through their veins. The women who wore diaper dresses. If you cleaned the whole house on Saturday morning to these songs then went to a house party that night. Music buffs looking for more in-depth information about P-Funk's trademark sound. Those who saw the group's style transition from suits to psychedelic outfits. Aspiring producers wanting a success guide. Those who lived through Watergate, the fall of Saigon, riots and know they STILL funky in the White House. *mic drop*

"It is no wonder most people had no idea that these two different-sounding bands on different record labels with totally different album art were actually one and the same." ~ 30%

Bedrosian took great care in writing MMFTPF including info that has been the subject of controversy or rumors over the past several decades, brief biographies of key members, origin of lyrics, stats and a thorough listing of samples and interpolations. He really pulled back the curtain and gave credit where it is due. The time and effort spent researching is obvious. I learned so much about the P-Funk era. It enhanced my reading experience by streaming the featured songs as I read along. Bookhearts, need I say more? Read it and be funkatized!

Happy Early Pub Day, Daniel Bedrosian! Make My Funk the P-Funk will be available on October 16.

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: Make My Funk the P-Funk
Author: Daniel Bedrosian
Published: October 2025
Pages: 187
Edition: Galley
Genre: Music Biographical
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Series Sunday: The Proving Ground

(Lincoln Lawyer #8) 

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

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

My Series Sunday pick is The Proving Ground, the eighth book in the Lincoln Lawyer series by Michael Connelly. In this new legal thriller, Mickey Haller files a civil lawsuit against an artificial intelligence company whose chatbot told a teenage boy it was okay for him to kill his ex-girlfriend. The case explores the unregulated and uncharted waters of AI.

"I mean, I don't know what that's about, but I'm beginning to wonder where I stand." ~ 33%

I barely started and finished this book. Let me explain. I was lost with the technology jargon within the first chapter. As I read further, I got more confused and closed the eBook a few more times. It wasn't until around 22% in that I was motivated to read further because something happened I'd been wishing for in the series. Then I gained more momentum halfway through when the trial began. Still it was a struggle until the end.

I appreciate Connelly keeping up with the times by incorporating artificial intelligence technology, losses from the California fires and ASMR. But it comes across as if there was a checklist of current-day topics that Connelly had to include. It all seems forced so The Proving Ground does not flow like a usual Lincoln Lawyer novel. 

"The point is, I had done some good work since I left the courtrooms and hallways of the Criminal Courts Building and crossed the street to civil." ~ 49%

Not to mention a change in the main character. And I do not mean organic character growth. The Mickey Haller I know would not even represent the victim's family. The Mickey Haller I know is an asshole and ever since his "resurrection walk," his change to defense is jarring. He is an attorney that once had a Lincoln as his business address. That is all I kept thinking while reading the court scenes and dialogue. I understand it but I miss the old Mickey personality and cases.

This book was not for me but I am looking forward to the return of the television series. That is where I will get my Lincoln Lawyer fix. However, Bookhearts, I encourage you to try reading The Proving Ground for yourself. Don't take my word for it because I am clearly in the minority. Most people are raving about how good this new release is. 

Happy Early Pub Day, Michael Connelly! The Proving Ground will be available Tuesday, October 21.

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: The Proving Ground

Author: Michael Connelly

Published: October 2025

Pages: 400

Edition: Galley

Genre: Legal Thriller

Rating: 🖤 🖤 

Black History Is Your History

"There should be more about Black people in this textbook. It's a desert out here! Where are my people?" ~ 7%

Black history enthusiast Taylor Cassidy wtote a book based on the TikTok series Fast Black History. Her videos are engaging, fun and informative. She is educating our community in quick reels that are easy to digest and addicting to watch. Now she brings this same format to literary form.

Black History Is Your History features the stories of twelve (12) Black American historical figures. Some are familiar and others are lesser-known but just as impactful. In addition to the figures' narratives, Taylor shares stories from her own past and the lessons learned from them. Each chapter includes this section titled Taystory! Benjamin Banneker (And How to Never Shrink Yourself), Ledger Smith (And How to Find Confidence in Nerve-Racking Moments) and Maya Angelou (And Why Your Energy is Never Too Much) are just a few examples.

"In your life, you can take defeats and see them as fresh opportunities to walk victoriously toward the destiny you're meant to thrive in." ~ 81%

Thanks to my attending Bates Academy, a public application school for high-performing gifted and talented students, I knew the history of most of the people featured in this book. We would play an annual competition called Bates Battle where we studied Black History facts, battled teams and earned "Bates Bucks." It was the highlight of the school year. And here I am, 30+ years later still able to recall who's who in my history. Everyone is not so lucky to have such a program so I appreciate Taylor Cassidy bringing awareness to our history and reaching over two million followers. Amazing!

"Are you starting to understand why positive representation is important?" ~ 63%

Black History Is Your History is recommended for readers of all ages. Younger readers will be able to connect with the author and hopefully draw upon their own experiences. Older readers can refresh their knowledge, learn about someone new and reflect. You know the clichés: when you know better, you do better; you have to know where you're from to know where you're going. Black History Is Your History is a good resource to help you. Add to your personal library!

Happy Early Pub Day, Taylor Cassidy! Black History Is Your History will be available Tuesday, October 14.

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: Black History Is Your History
Author: Taylor Cassidy
Published: October 2025
Pages: 208
Edition: Galley
Genre: Historical Nonfiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Boom Town

"I do this thing sometimes where my curiosity will get the best of me, and I'll either ask the wrong question or one question too many." ~ 67%

Gone Girl meets P-Valley? Sign me up for the ARC!

In Nic Stone's adult thriller debut, a woman is determined to find two missing exotic dancers from Atlanta's most notorious gentleman's club. When new daytime dancer "Charm" misses a shift, vet dancer Lyriq suspects more than a no call, no show. Her former headline partner, Lucky, disappeared under similar circumstances. This doesn't seem like a coincidence. Lyriq's search to find them leads to and through Atlanta's underworld, blurring the lines of safety.

I give Nic Stone kudos for venturing into a different genre. It takes focus and faith to try something new, hoping fans will follow. However, Boom Town may not be for everyone. It is a good premise but missing elements of a page-turning thriller. It was way too easy to put away at bedtime. I did not connect with any of the characters. The suspense didn't faze me. The story is a bit wordy; perhaps the writing style is purposefully verbose for the intended adult audience but it only made the story drag. As a Nic Stone repeat reader, I am disappointed.

Be warned this is for grown readers and much different from her previous books. This is not a light subject. Societal issues relevant to today are a main focus making this an ideal pick for book clubs. It will certainly spark conversation and bring awareness. Author's goal accomplished? Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if read in a group setting or with a buddy. I appreciate Nic Stone's effort but Boom Town fell flat this fall.

Happy Early Pub Day, Nic Stone! Boom Town will be available Tuesday, October 14.

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: Boom Town
Author: Nic Stone
Published: October 2025
Pages: 272
Edition: Galley
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 🖤 🖤

Series Sunday: The Bluest Night

(Trevor Finnegan #3) 

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

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

My Series Sunday pick is The Bluest Night, the third book in the Trevor Finnegan series by Aaron Philip Clark. Former LAPD Detective turned Private Investigator Trevor Finnegan just learned he has an adult half-brother that has gone missing. From working in law enforcement, Trevor knows that missing Black people are on the bottom of the priority list. When his brother's girlfriend is found dead, Trevor springs into action. And like any other mystery main character, he comes dangerously close to being dead himself. 

"Well, I'm tired of pretending. I'm tired of smiling and acting as if everything that's happening around me is OK. It's not OK, dammit." ~ 83%

Well, Bookhearts, I don't know whether to recommend this book or not. The first two books in the Trevor Finnegan series were so good. The characters were well developed. The police procedural style drew me in. The story was suspenseful and flowed. But I struggled through The Bluest Night; it was not as interesting. Aaron Philip Clark is a great storyteller but this third installment of the series was a miss. However, it is important to support authors of color so think about giving it a try. It could just be me. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Happy Early Pub Day, Aaron Philip Clark! The Bluest Night will be available Tuesday, October 7.

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: The Bluest Night

Author: Aaron Philip Clark

Published: October 2025

Pages: 256

Edition: Galley

Genre: Police Procedural Mystery

Rating: 🖤 🖤 

On Virgoat Holiday ♍️ 💙 🥳

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.

"The transformation occurred at approximately 2:23 AM, Pacific Standard Time. As far as I could tell, anyone who was indoors when it happened died instantly."

~ Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman 

Behind the Mirror: Inside the World of Big Brother

"It's 3:00 a.m. on a Saturday night. A group of sixteen strangers have all left their regular lives behind and have been herded into a soundstage dressed to resemble a house sitting on the edge of a studio lot. Some of them will live here for the next one hundred days. From three thousand miles away, I watch them sleep." ~ 1%

I have been obsessed with the CBS original reality show, Big Brother, since its inception. Actually since Season 2 because real fans agree that the first season does not count. A new book is hitting shelves in late November titled Behind the Mirror. It is a detailed look inside of the iconic television show. It dives deep into the game that never sleeps, season by season.

For those unfamiliar, Big Brother is one of the original reality series. Sixteen strangers are sequestered in a house with no contact with the outside world. No news, no phones, no technology and very limited censored correspondence. They are watched every second until evicted from the house one by one. Viewers—including myself—tune in to live 24/7 feeds and broadcast episodes that air three (3) times every week, every summer. The community is oh so serious: we podcast, take over social media timelines, have our own vocabulary, participate in fantasy leagues and obsessively check live updates. IYKYK

"It made me consider the other shows I watched and the ease with which I could be manipulated into liking or disliking a person based on how the show decided to edit them." ~ 49%

Behind the Mirror is the best literary source for all things Big Brother US. It is a must-read for all BB fans. Reading Armstrong's research, interviews and insight was like having a long conversation with a fellow superfan. I was nodding my head in agreement, responding aloud as if Armstrong and I were in the backyard hammock together. There were houseguests that I forgot all about (Dani and Jason starting secret alliances) while all the pertinent ones (The Cookout, Jun the queen of floaters, Dan's perfect game, Chilltown, What up, Kaysaaaaaar!) had whole chapters dedicated to their gameplay.

This book is so well done and necessary for the BB culture. You are absolutely in good company, Armstrong! It is a pleasure sharing this space with you. To my Bookhearts/BB Superfans, adding Behind the Mirror to your TBR is akin to voting with the house. Do it!

Happy Early Pub Day, Taran Armstrong! Behind the Mirror will be available Tuesday, November 25.

Side Note: BB27 jury starts tomorrow!

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: Behind the Mirror: Inside the World of Big Brother
Author: Taran Armstrong
Published: November 2025
Pages: 416
Edition: Galley
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Successful Failure

"Another lesson is that sometimes you just don't belong at a place." ~ pg. 37%

You may not recognize him under his guhment name, Kevin Fredericks. So allow me to present to you: KevOnStage. Successful Failure: Lessons Learned Flat on My Face chronicles his path to super stardom. He quickly learned from a young age the power of making people laugh. But as with anyone, the closer we get to our dreams, the harder the road gets. Kev lays it all bare in this new book with no shame. From pooping on himself, to partnering with a barber to supply everyone in the hood with credit cards, to going viral as a standup comedian.

Successful Failure has its LOL moments. But it is more-so about Kev's journey to become the comedic star he is today. I expected more lessons and motivational passages with an element of humor. Instead this book is more like a timeline of Kev's misadventures that led to a career and a final goodbye to jokes he retired. Nothing in particular stood out enough to make it a must-read. 

Happy Early Pub Day, Kevin Fredericks! Successful Failure will be available Tuesday, September 23.

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: Successful Failure: Lessons Learned Flat on My Face
Author: Kevin Fredericks
Published: September 2025
Pages: 262
Edition: Galley
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 🖤 🖤

Series Sunday: Reacher: The Stories Behind the Stories

(Jack Reacher) 

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

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

My Series Sunday pick is Reacher: The Stories Behind the Stories, a collection of essays related to the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child. Ever since making his debut in 1997 with The Killing Floor, Reacher has been popular. Here we are almost 30 years later and Reacher is still relevant, starring in a hit television series adaptation. 

Reacher: The Stories Behind the Stories is a treat. Lee Child lets readers behind the scenes of what inspired every book of the Reacher series. Each essay features a Reacher book in chronological order from The Killing Floor to 2019's Blue Moon. We learn what inspired the plot, how the location was determined, what was happening in Lee Child's real life at the time of publication, title hassles and more colorful anecdotes.

"Normality was back, with all its snark and petty concerns." pg. 43

It was like reading his index cards or outline notes found in an unlocked desk drawer. Although I was disappointed that Lee Child did not cover how Andrew joined the writing team and their process. It was addressed before in an Author's Note but would have been nice to include in this collection too. My favorite part was learning more about Lee Child's writing style when it comes to leaving gaps. (You'll have to read when it releases to find out more!)

Please do not mistake this for a new full length novel of the Reacher series; it is strictly a behind-the-scenes look. But fans are given a surprise short story at the end to satisfy that Reacher fix you are sure to have by the end!

Happy Early Pub Day, Lee Child! Reacher: The Stories Behind the Stories will be available Tuesday, September 9.

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: Reacher: The Stories Behind the Stories

Author: Lee Child

Published: September 2025

Pages: 219

Edition: Galley

Genre: Nonfiction of Fiction

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.

"We've been driving for about seven thousand years."

~ The Summer I Turned Pretty: The Collection by Jenny Han

The Dating Prohibition

"Nobody knows better in the moment." ~ 77%

Entrepreneur Kendra has returned home to open her speakeasy supper club. She's knocked off balance when her childhood crush turns up. BJ is her big brother's best friend. He's always been that cool, chill dude. Now Kendra "Keke" is all grown up and he is most definitely taking notice. It's just a couple things: Kendra is trying to fulfill her professional dreams and BJ is strictly off limits.

The Dating Prohibition was just okay. I was first drawn to the cover with its beautiful brown characters on display in muted background autumn colors. It screams fall romance! I have enjoyed Taj McCoy's previous books so I expected this new release to be better than it turned out to be. I am not sure if it was the supporting characters or what, but I could not get into it. I found myself more annoyed with her family's lack of support and wit that fell flat.

For Bookhearts looking for a seasonal romance read, do not expect much spice from The Dating Prohibition. Although, it checks the boxes for a rom-com, off-limits romance.

Happy Pub Day, Taj McCoy! The Dating Prohibition 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: The Dating Prohibition
Author: Taj McCoy
Published: September 2025
Pages: 248
Edition: Galley
Genre: Romance
Rating: 🖤 🖤

The New Book

"We smile at our books and I occasionally dust them." ~ pg. 13

For decades, Nikki Giovanni's poetry has been a part of American culture. In this final collection, she writes about the delights and upheaval of our time, sprinkled with family history. Topics include police brutality, white supremacy, the presidency, the epidemic and her own life experiences. 

Nikki Giovanni's wisdom shines through poems, letters, blurbs and respectful rants. It is full of beautiful harsh truths. I bookmarked and highlighted a lot of passages. It is a very well put together piece of literature. The New Book is Nikki Giovanni's final collection to be savored and revisited.

"And Detroit became The Voice of Young Black America that the world copied." ~ pg. 100

Happy Pub Day, Nikki Giovanni! May she rest in heavenly literary peace. The New Book 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: The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs and Things
Author: Nikki Giovanni
Published: September 2025
Pages: 146
Edition: Galley
Genre: Poetry
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Billion-Dollar Ransom

"These kidnappers are asking for the equivalent of the weight of a thousand toddlers in cash?" ~ pg. 69

The plan is unlike any other. A ten-figure ransom. A stubborn FBI agent. Six kidnappers. Two children taken from a school bus. A film producer and movie star grabbed from a resort. A wife whisked off the street of a beauty salon. All at the same time, down to the second! The connection is a billionaire patriarch who wants his family back.

The Billion-Dollar Ransom was my first book read by Duane Swierczynski. I am familiar with a few of Patterson's co-authors but he was a newbie to me. Their writing styles meshed together well, making for a good thriller with a bit of suspense. There were a lot of characters but each was well-developed with individual personalities and interesting chemistry.

"Are you trying to make this plan go to shit?" ~ pg. 161 

Was it a perfect plan? Almost. Was it a predictable thriller? Kinda. Was it page-turning? Yes, by default, because of Patterson's signature short chapters. The action began immediately and continued down to the wire. Would I recommend it? Sure.

Happy Early Pub Day, James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski! Billion-Dollar Ransom will be available Monday, September 1.

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: Billion-Dollar Ransom
Author: James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski
Published: September 2025
Pages: 312
Edition: Galley
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤

I Should Be Smarter By Now

In this new comically insightful collection titled I Should Be Smarter By Now, Issa Rae shares her aspirational journey from childhood to cultural storyteller. She redefines modern success and tells the deets in candid, often hilarious, essays. Issa Rae allows readers to go behind the scenes of her empire. She does not shy away from the downs, praises the ups, unabashedly reveals the challenges and shares her creative vision. 

1. The Business of Being Me 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤
2. Playing Well With Others 🖤 🖤
3. The Geography of Creativity 🖤 🖤 🖤
4. I See You Seeing Me 🖤 🖤 🖤
5. The Art of Strategic Procrastination 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤
6. I Almost Know What I'm Doing 🖤 🖤 🖤 

This Amazon Original Stories collection consists of six (6) quick eBooks that readers may consume in one sitting, even while taking notes. It is a masterclass in literary format designed for those on the go, looking for quick inspiration and an authentic comedic take on success. I had plenty of highlighted quotes and tips by the time I finished. Get inspired for free with Prime or Kindle Unlimited membership. 📖🎧

Happy Pub Day, Issa Rae! I Should Be Smarter By Now collection 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: I Should Be Smarter By Now
Author: Issa Rae
Published: August 2025
Pages: 107
Edition: eBook
Genre: Nonfiction
Ratings: see above

My Blog is Taking a Nap Because...

Series Sunday: The Best Man

(The Best Man #1) 

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

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

"Women want assurances. Not maybes." ~ pg. 386

My Series Sunday pick is The Best Man: Unfinished Business, the first book in the trilogy by Malcolm D. Lee with Jayne Allen. Beloved characters from the hit movies and television series, The Best Man, reunite in book form! Unfinished Business focuses on Harper, Jordan and Robyn as they establish lives away from the past and start a new era of awakening and love.

Recently divorced Harper is working on a movie while fighting a creative block and feeling like the seventh wheel. Jordan escaped the corporate world to heal and figure out life away from the city but still feels the magnetic pull to Harper. Lastly, Robyn has found peace in Ghana with a new man and restaurant. But the change is too much for Mia, her daughter with Harper, which tests a few relationships already on shaky ground.

The Best Man: Unfinished Business has its share of drama. It focuses on three characters so it is not too busy with multiple points of view. Yet I was fighting the urge to not skim. I was totally uninterested in the storyline of one of the main characters. It was only the hope of one plot element that kept me reading to the end. Otherwise, I would have DNF'ed and felt okay with leaving The Best Man business unfinished.

"It's just the beginning." ~ pg. 356

Despite the cliffhanger, I am undecided whether I will continue the trilogy. Maybe because I am used to enjoying these characters on-screen that it did not translate well to novel form. I did not feel as engaged. Here's this group of friends that I've known for umpteen years and look forward to their story progressing along. When I first heard of The Best Man coming to print, I was super excited for the opportunity to read it early. But much like the characters feeling like something is missing [in their lives], something is missing in the book too. It just doesn't hit the same.

I could be on this island alone with my opinion. Therefore, I suggest Bookhearts try reading the first of this trilogy if you are a fan of The Best Man movies and miniseries. This extended chapter could be worth your time.

Happy Pub Day, Malcolm D. Lee and Jayne Allen! The Best Man: Unfinished Business 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: The Best Man: Unfinished Business
Author: Malcolm D. Lee with Jayne Allen
Published: July 2025
Pages: 489
Edition: Galley
Genre: Romance
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.

"Darkness suits me."

~ Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Please visit www.patreon.com/sistahspeak if you are interested in joining the Sistahs Be Readin' Book Club. ~Sistah LM

Series Sunday: Memory Man

(Amos Decker #1) 

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

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

"And you can say all you want about the world being unfair and people rising above the atrocities done to them, but everyone is different. Some are hard as steel, but some are fragile, and you never know which one you're going to get." ~ 88%

My Series Sunday pick is Memory Man, the first book in the Amos Decker series by David Baldacci. Yes, the great Baldacci! This series has been around forever and a day, yet I am just now reading the debut thanks to it being chosen as our Sistahs Be Readin' June selection.

The Memory Man starts with the most tragic emotional scene. Amos returns home from work as a detective and finds his wife, daughter and brother-in-law murdered. Because of a medical condition, he remembers every detail of their violent deaths in a paralyzing shade of blue. You see, Amos has hyperthymesia, which means he never forgets anything. It is very rare. Essentially having a DVR of every moment of your life that you can recall. He counts in color, sees time as pictures in his head and associates color with people or objects. A collision rewired his brain. (You'll have to read the book for more details on that.)

"Small observations can lead to large breakthroughs." ~ 21%

This triple murder collapses Amos' world. He leaves the police force, forecloses on his home, lives in a Walmart parking lot then motel taking piecemeal jobs as a private investigator. Fast forward one year later and a strange man confesses to the triple homicide. Who is this guy? What is the motive? At the same time, Amos is asked to join the investigation of a local school shooting. Both cases bring back memories he would rather forget.

Amos is such a complex moody man. While Memory Man has so many details and background information about this main character, there is still so much to learn about him. His temperament, the collision that rewired his brain decades ago and the man he is today, working tirelessly in investigations to bring justice. He is a character I will not forget and look forward to catching up on the series.

I won't give too much away. Just know that Baldacci was in his element creating this character. He was also ahead of his time and progressively thinking with the smallest of the details. Hard to believe it was published over ten years ago. It is not too late to pick it up and start reading like the Sistahs and members of the SBR Book Club! I highly recommend the Amos Decker series with one tip: be sure to start with Memory Man. Thank us later!

Please visit www.patreon.com/sistahspeak if you are interested in joining the Sistahs Be Readin' Book Club. ~Sistah LM

Title: Memory Man

Author: David Baldacci

Published: April 2015

Pages: 593

Edition: eBook

Genre: Mystery

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.

"If you're as honest and fair as you can be, not only in business but in life, things will work out. I hope that people remember me not just as a good businesswoman but as a great friend—and a heck of a lot of fun."

~ We Might Just Make It After All by Elyce Arons

Strawberry's Sweet Surprise

"Picking fruit and flowers is like gathering a big bouquet of sunshine, she said." ~ pg. 5

Strawberry's Sweet Surprise is a cute new scratch-and-sniff board book. Introduce your little ones to my favorite classic kid character, Strawberry Shortcake. In this cheerful world, you will find a short tale of colorful kindness and sweet scents! Strawberry Shortcake and friends explore the garden of sweet fruits and friendly flowers with a berry special surprise. 

Oh, what a nostalgic treat it was to read this Tommy Nelson board book. I read the digital ARC edition so missed out on the full experience. However, I will purchase the physical board book when it releases in November for my 3-year-old niece. It will be great bonding time reading it together!

Strawberry's Sweet Surprise is a great addition to the library of parents, grandparents, aunts, daycare and montessori teachers for readers under four years old. Your literary little one(s) will love the multisensory experience that promotes word recognition, fruit identification, color association and art. The illustration is top tier!

Happy Early Pub Day, Strawberry Shortcake! Strawberry's Sweet Surprise will be available Tuesday, November 4.

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: Strawberry's Sweet Surprise
Author: Strawberry Shortcake
Published: November 2025
Pages: 14
Edition: Galley
Genre: Children's Fiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤