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 can't even front, I started out as a thief."

~ Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe by Jay "Jeezy" Jenkins

Historically Black Phrases

"Black people are the ultimate storytellers." ~ pg. 68

What attracts me to a book is its cover then the title. It is the first impression. In this case, I was even more interested because of the subtitle: From "I Ain't One of Your Lil' Friends" to "Who All Gon' Be There?" If you have never uttered one of these phrases, then just close my review now because you will not understand or fully grasp what this new book means to the culture.

I knew Historically Black Phrases would live up to its title soon as I read the dedication: "To Boo Boo the Fool." So I settled in with a cup of southern sweet tea and a slice of 7-Up pound cake while I read through this dictionary in one sitting. Its contents are divided into sections including compliments, church sayings, units of measure and more. It is a celebration of our language!

"You ain't said nothin' but a word." ~ pg. 145

When I tell you I cackled and slapped my knees in laughter as I read almost every page. The phrases are spot-on and so widely used in the Black community. There were very few that I was not familiar with but have since added to my vocabulary. Each phrase includes the pronunciation, translation, usage and an example. 

Thanks to the authors for giving Black language its flowers. I recommend Historically Black Phrases for all Bookhearts to laugh and learn.

Happy Early Pub Day, Jarrett Hill and Tre'vell Anderson! Historically Black Phrases will be available Tuesday, September 19.

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: Historically Black Phrases
Author: Jarrett Hill and Tre'vell Anderson
Published: September 2023
Pages: 304
Edition: Galley
Genre: Nonfiction Comedy
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Forgive Me Not

"All I can say is, the system isn't as balanced as people like to think it is." ~ 64%

Author Jennifer Baker introduces a new form of juvenile justice in Forgive Me Not. One bad decision changes the course of 15-year-old Violetta's life. Underage drinking led Violetta to drunk driving and causing an accident that kills her little sister. Instead of the traditional route of incarceration, she is faced with two options—remain in juvie detention for an uncertain sentence or participate in Trials to regain her freedom and family's forgiveness.

All I could think while reading was, "What if the victim or victim's family were to decide the fate of the accused rather than a judge or jury? How effective could this forgiveness program be in real life?" If the author's intent was to raise awareness on second chances and the juvenile justice system, then well done!

Forgive Me Not is especially recommended for young adults and teen book clubs. The writing is concise, relatable and thought-provoking. Told in alternate points of view, the narration helps readers experience what Violetta and her family is feeling. Bookhearts, after reading Forgive Me Not, you will walk away with a different outlook on forgiveness, consequences and most of all, family.

Happy Early Pub Day, Jennifer Baker! Forgive Me Not will be available Tuesday, August 15.

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: Forgive Me Not
Author: Jennifer Baker
Published: August 2023
Pages: 400
Edition: Galley
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

The Art of Desire

"Common sense is screaming that nothing should happen between us." ~ 57%

Alex has sworn off men after doomed love affairs. Now her focus is on a writing career. A chance meeting with a handsome stranger proves that truth can be stranger than fiction. Phillip is trying to rebuild his life after three years inside a terrorist organization. His first assignment is to pick up Alex from the airport. The second assignment is unplanned—his instant attraction to her. Which makes the third assignment that more harder as he tries to keep her safe from his dangerous past.

I struggled reading The Art of Desire. The beginning threw me for a loop because it seemed so unlike the description. Did I download the right book? Where is the chemistry between Alex and Phillip? As I read further, I lost interest in how it played out because the desire just wasn't there. The characters were not relatable enough to invest my emotions or to care how it would end. Unfortunately this romance was a miss. I hope other bookhearts will enjoy it more than I did.

Happy Early Pub Day, Stacey Abrams (writing as Selena Montgomery)! The Art of Desire will be available Tuesday, September 5.

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: The Art of Desire
Author: Stacey Abrams (writing as Selena Montgomery)
Published: September 2023
Pages: 288
Edition: Galley
Genre: Romance
Rating: 🖤 

Series Sunday: Cross Down

(Alex Cross #31) 

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.

"Gamble again and again, and eventually the house–Death–will win." ~ 41%

My Series Sunday pick is Cross Down, the 31st book in the Alex Cross series by James Patterson. But this one is special. It is the very first Alex Cross & John Sampson thriller! And oh, how much we enjoyed this story. It was the perfect buddy read with Chickadee.

Patterson has released something I didn't know I needed: a novel narrated by John Sampson, Alex Cross's best friend and partner detective. For the first time, Sampson is on his own since Alex is gravely injured. More than 300 Americans have been killed and thousands more injured in not-so-random attacks. 

"What's two years to avenge an injustice?" ~ 33%

In this fast-paced novel, Sampson alone seeks truth and justice while protecting his daughter, the Cross family, the president and every American. God forbid anyone that stands in the way. Most importantly, he trusts no one. 

Classic James Patterson style. Action from the very start. Paragraphs filled with suspense. Engaging dialogue. Signature short chapters encouraging page turns. Unsuspecting traitors. I could go on and on because Cross Down has all the makings of a 5⭐️ mystery. A must-read for Alex Cross series fans.

P.S. Feed me more, Jimmy!

Title: Cross Down

Author: James Patterson

Published: June 2023

Pages: 465

Edition: eBook

Genre: Mystery

Challenge: Keeping Up With Patterson

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.

"The boy with fair hair lowered himself down the last few feet of rock and began to pick his way towards the lagoon."

~ Lord of the Flies by William Golding

First Lines Friday + Live Read Announcement

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 Hush Puppies—the classic American brushed-suede shoes with the lightweight crepe soul—the Tipping Point came somewhere between late 1994 and early 1995. The brand had been all but dead until that point."

~ The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell

Visit Literary Marie's Live Read❣️ page for live updates/reactions as I read then a final book review.