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.

"In more than 25 years of working with people in business, university, and marriage and family settings, I have come in contact with many individuals who have achieved an incredible degree of outward success, but have found themselves struggling with an inner hunger, a deep need for personal congruency and effectiveness and for healthy, growing relationships with other people."

~ The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

 

Lit Tidbits: Pithy Picks IV

Even though my focus disappeared during the pandemic, I still managed to read a few books...or 12. 😏 Check out my pithy reviews below.

Title: A Bad Day for Sunshine
Author: Darynda Jones
Published: April 2020
Pithy Review: Is it ever a bad day of sunshine? And what a beautiful unique name for an author. This is why I chose to read this sunny bright book without a clue as to what it's about. I was pleased to see that it is the first book of a new series. There's a new sheriff in town that is a mix between Stephanie Plum and Kinsey Millhone. Her hands are full with finding a missing teen, a kidnapped rooster named Puff Daddy and a pesky flasher. What a hoot!
Quote Grab: "Not all Mondays fall on a Monday." ~ 83%
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Forever, Interrupted
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Published: July 2013
Pithy Review: Elsie and Ben fall in love within weeks. In just a few short months, they elope. Only nine days later, Ben is hit by a driver and killed on impact. Elsie heads straight to the hospital and meets Susan, the mother-in-law she never met and who doesn't even know Elsie exists. Awkward, yet the strangers are forever bonded and start the process of healing. 
Quote Grab: "Consumed with dread." ~ 19% 
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Nutshell
Author: Ian McEwan
Published: September 2016
Pithy Review: By far, thee most creative book I've read this year! A story of murder and deceit told from an unlikely, beyond clever point of view. I won't spoil it but wow!
Quote Grab: "Perdition. A poet's word." ~ pg. 72 
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Shades of Lovers
Author: Catarine Hancock
Published: April 2019
Pithy Review: A heartfelt collection of poetry navigating the delights and sorrows of love. I am not a fan of poetry but words packaged in a novel in the form of prose can sometimes get my attention. I'm glad I gave it a chance. Give your own love stories a moment of remembrance. 
Quote Grab: "I will always be more than my pain." ~ 36%
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Blindside

Author: James Patterson
Published: January 2020
Pithy Review: At least I managed to stay current on my Keeping Up with Patterson reading challenge! In this 12th installment of the Detective Michael Bennett series, the mayor's daughter is missing and the Detective's son is in prison. The two strike a deal. The investigation leads him into a triangle with NYPD, FBI and a dangerous criminal organization but, of course, he makes it out alive, well and back home to his ten kids. Just one father helping out another in a story that failed to thrill.
Quote Grab: "Shock did crazy things." ~ pg. 247 
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️

Title: Wall of Silence
Author: Tracy Buchanan
Published: April 2020
Pithy Review: A mom in the suburbs returns home to her perfect family and sees the unimaginable. Her husband lies dead on the floor, bloody with stab wounds. And her loving children? Standing calmly around him. It seems one of them is to blame.
Quote Grab: "I thought Dad's blood would smell of him, that soft citrus scent I've known all my life. But all I can smell on my hands are bitter pennies." ~ 1% 
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: A Thin Line
Author: DL White
Published: March 2020
Pithy Review: You know the typical main characters in a romance novel: fire and ice, oil and water, etc. But DL White created sexy characters in Angie and Preston. Their courtroom banter, the sexual tension, the mysterious history between them kept me flipping those ePages. It is a thin line between love and hate...and I sure enjoyed reading about theirs. 
Quote Grab: "Confidence, love, satisfaction. If someone took a photo of me today, I don't think there would be any hint of that in my life." ~ 31%
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: The Perfect Secret
Author: Steena Holmes
Published: May 2020
Pithy Review: I really hate reading books with overused titles. It gives me the impression that the author just said, "I'mma just name this what fittylem other authors titled their books as." No effort it seems. But Steena Holmes put the creativity into the story, which I can appreciate. Starla Bishop is fresh out of jail and promises her mom she will stay on the straight and narrow. Then bodies start turning up in the gardens of her employer, which just so happens to be a landscaping business. Of course she is the prime suspect.
Quote Grab: "Read the body." ~ 16%
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: A Good Luck F*ck
Author: Nicole Falls
Published: March 2020
Pithy Review: I am not one for holiday novellas, but the title, cover and author I could not resist. No need for a synopsis as you can guess the content. It is a cute, quick and current read. 
Quote Grab: "And the more this 'social distancing' is being encouraged day over day until this fuckass government decides to actually do something to help the general public?" ~ 19%
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: A Candy Coated Lie
Author: Jill Brock
Published: April 2019
Pithy Review: I'll be honest. I totally forgot about this series until I overheard the name Maggie in a conversation. Then I thought, what ever happened to Maggie and Odessa mysteries? It's been a good 6 or 7 years since I read the last installment. Welp, I should have left well enough alone. In book #5, Odessa is planning her wedding and trying to find out why a dead woman called her fiancé. Girl, just ask him! 
Quote Grab: "The vinegar to my baking soda." ~ 4%
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️

Title: The House of Kennedy
Author: James Patterson
Published: April 2020
Pithy Review: What was this? Really, JP? An opportunity to retell a real life mystery and this is what we get?! It so missed the mark. It was boring and read more like a history lesson rather than fact retelling of the Kennedy dynasty. This book should have been so much more!
Quote Grab: n/a - I didn't even bother.
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️

Title: Five Feet Apart
Author: Rachael Lippincott
Published: November 2018
Pithy Review: I am going to sit on my hands and not type that this novel reminds me of those other young-adults-with-chronic-illness-fall-in-love-and-one-dies-who-is-cutting-onions-and-why-is-my-face-wet books.
Quote Grab: "If this is all we get, take it!" ~ 85%
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

Such a Fun Age

Lost in rhythm. ~ pg. 209

It is the midst of a family crisis one late evening. White blogger, Alix Chamberlain, calls her black babysitter, Emira, for a favor. Take Briar the toddler to the local market for a quick distraction while things get settled at home. Things go left when the security guard accuses Emira of kidnapping Briar. One phone call and it can all be straightened out. But Alix's efforts to right the situation turn out to be selfish, rather than good intentions.

Such a Fun Age was everywhere! I saw the cover online, in the public library back when they were still open for browsing, featured in Reese Witherspoon's popular book club and as a recommendation in my email inbox. Thank goodness for a good relationship with my public library because I had a copy reserved soon as it hit shelves. Was it worth the hoopla? Oh, yes!

Let me guess. Were you waiting on my review before deciding to read it yourself? Awww, you're too kind. Go ahead...Such a Fun Age has my stamp of recommendation (along with the 130,000+ reviews). This novel could not have come at a better time when we are in the midst of "Karen Culture" and the bullshit that black women have to deal with every day of our lives. 

I hope that Such a Fun Age continues to spark conversation of what the other side may experience in such situations. At the least, readers should be left asking, "What would I do if I were Alix? How would I react if I were in Emira's shoes?" I challenge you to also examine your own boss-employee dynamic. Let's chat more after you're done reading this well written debut novel!

Title: Such a Fun Age

Author: Kiley Reid

Published: December 2019

Pages: 307

Edition: Hardcover

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

 

Series Sunday: Betty and Veronica

(The Leading Ladies of Riverdale) 

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 Betty and Veronica: The Leading Ladies of Riverdale, from the famous Archie Comics. These women have been around for over 80 years. What we thought we knew, is only the surface. This new release delves into Archie's girlfriends from their introductory archetypes in the early 1940s to their relevant characteristics of today. They have come a mighty long way!

"Betty pined for Archie while Archie pined for Veronica, and that was the full extent of their roles." ~ 11%

Chickadee put me on to Archie Comics when I was wee little. I have always loved Betty and Veronica's relationship—be it rivals or besties. I thought I knew all there is to know about them. Welp, this new release by Tim Hanley proved otherwise. There is complexity behind these two iconic characters. The storylines may revamp with social change but the core of these women stay the same. With full color art within essays, the adventures of Betty and Veronica are detailed along with backstory and motivation behind their journey over decades.

"No matter when you first encountered the duo, certain aspects were constant. Betty Cooper has always been a blonde. Veronica Lodge has always been a brunette. Betty was the kindhearted girl next door from her very first appearance. Veronica was the snobbish rich girl. Betty was devoted to her redheaded neighbor. Veronica was intrigued by the boy, yet fickle." ~ 1%

Does this not accurately describe Betty and Veronica? You have to read this book to learn more about why these women carried these roles. The fan in me is pleased with Betty and Veronica! If you are an old fan of the leading ladies of Riverdale or you just flip through the latest double digest while waiting in the grocery store checkout, this new in-depth book will be an addition to your collection. Pick it up!

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.

Title: Betty and Veronica: The Leading Ladies of Riverdale

Author: Tim Hanley

Published: July 2020

Pages: 240

Edition: Galley

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.

"I had my recurring dream last night."

~ Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

 

Luster

"We told each other things so awful that by necessity we adopted the posture of speaking in jest, though we had gone through the trouble to create a language, and the effort of this alone betrayed our seriousness." ~ 36%

I was hoping after sitting on my review, pondering how to best describe what I read within these 200+ galley pages, that the words would just flow. Hmmm, not so. I finished reading Luster three (3) whole months ago and still can't tell you what I read. Not because the story was flighty or not interesting. Not because I breezed through or have a shitty memory. I just don't want to spoil you, bookhearts!

"I can be a beach read, I can get rid of all these clauses, please, I'll just revise." ~ 5%

Edie is like most young black women in their 20s: stumbling through life with a plan. She has an apartment, an admin job and pursuing her passion as an artist. Her sexual choices are a bit inappropriate but endless, until she meets Eric. At first glance, Eric seems ideal on paper. A digital archivist, a home in New Jersey and an interest in Edie. But he's married with a daughter. 

Plot twist! Eric's wife has agreed to an open marriage. How perfect now that Edie finds herself unemployed, becoming friends with the Mrs., and being a positive role model to young Akila. She stakes claim in their house! Can you just imagine where this novel is going? Definitely not your typical romance. It is sharp, comic and contemporary. What an addictive read!

Happy Pub Day, Raven Leilani! Luster 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.

Title: Luster
Author: Raven Leilani
Published: August 2020
Pages: 240
Edition: Galley
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

 

Series Sunday: Murder with Honey Ham Biscuits

(Mahalia Watkins Soul Food Mystery #4) 

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 Murder with Honey Ham Biscuits, the fourth book in the Mahalia Watkins Soul Food mystery series by A.L. Herbert. Everyone in Maryland knows Mahalia Watkins is known for homemade southern food. Her cooking skills are to be admired. Hence, why she is invited to serve as a guest judge on a cooking competition show to be aired on national TV. Throw in a longtime restaurant competitor, a crass mogul, shady production/film crew and cutthroat finalists. A whole slew of suspects when the frontrunner is found dead. Of course, Halia sorts through clues to identify the murderer. 

"Just throw in a 'Girl!' every now and then...or a 'oh no he di'int.'" ~ 15%

I was on the fence about whether to continue reading this series. Certainly not because of the content. The storylines are anything but stale. However, I have a strong side-eye upon discovering the author is a Latino male writing a series featuring a black female. Suddenly the loud wig-wearing relative, soul food references and dialogue seemed stereotypical. The characters' names, Halia and Wavonne, were a little too cultural. The author not doing personal appearances and keeping his identity somewhat hidden seemed more misleading. Is this practice of tapping into a new market acceptable? But damn, are these stories good! So I chose to stick with the Mahalia Watkins Soul Food mystery series and was granted an advance readers copy.

"I don't think so, but it wasn't that long ago that someone was stabbed to death over a Popeye's chicken sandwich, so people have certainly killed for less." ~ 69%

Like most cozy mysteries, Murder with Honey Ham Biscuits is full of laughs, mouthwatering recipes and outlandish antics. Per usual, Wavonne still sees her way into conversation that is none of her business. Mahalia is still bossy, or as she prefers to be called, a strong leader and helluva amateur sleuth. My only con is how long it took for the murder to occur (at 53%). The opportunity was there but just didn't happen during the first half of the book. As a result, the murder solving was a bit rushed.

Just read it, bookhearts. All author issues aside, the mystery was revealed with twists and the main characters are still lovable. If you are new to the series, check out my previous reviews. If you are hesitant in continuing to read about Halia and 'nem, then let me nudge you towards picking this book up, brewing a pitcher of sweet tea and settling in for a good read.

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.

Title: Murder with Honey Ham Biscuits

Author: A.L. Herbert

Published: July 2020

Pages: 272

Edition: Galley

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤