Homeward

"If you old enough to make grown-up decisions, you old enough to deal with the aftermath." ~ 4%

The setting is Georgia, 1962. Rose Perkins Bourdon returns home without her husband and pregnant with another man's baby. Tragedy strikes her husband in the war. Forced to figure out the rest of her life, Rose finds herself increasingly involved in the Civil Rights Movement. She meets Isaac, whose activism stirs her growth in becoming the woman she always dreamed of being.

Homeward is an emotional story about troubled times of the past. It is a tale of healing but unfortunately, the main character was annoying. She whined about any and everything. Bad things happen to good people; that doesn't mean whine whenever things don't go great. For this reason, it made reading difficult. I just wanted to shake Rose through the pages!

On the flip side, Homeward has a romantic side that helped save the novel. There's just something about a Southern historical novel that tickles my fancy. So I recommend it to Bookhearts.

Homeward 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: Homeward
Author: Angela Jackson-Brown
Published: October 2023
Pages: 416
Edition: Galley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤

A Man of Two Faces

"Can you be a witness to history if you do not remember it?" ~ pg. 45

A Man of Two Faces is the reason I read memoirs. It is the perfect blend of insight, wit, humor and personal stories of refugeehood, colonization, Vietnam and America. I learned so much through his story. At only age four, Viet and his family were forced to flee to the U.S. Then five years later on Christmas Eve, his parents were shot while working at their grocery store. As he gets older, he realizes the promises America makes and breaks.

Viet's profound story will stick in readers' minds. It is an inspiring journey written in lyrical fashion. A GoodReads Choice 2023 nominee for a reason! I recommend to Bookhearts interested in an honest, well-written memoir with a dose of history.

A Man of Two Faces 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: A Man of Two Faces
Author: Viet Thanh Nguyen
Published: October 2023
Pages: 400
Edition: Galley
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Series Sunday: Obsessed

(Detective Michael Bennett #15) 

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.

"Anxiety and fear can definitely color your judgment." ~ 30%

My Series Sunday pick is Obsessed the 15th book in the Detective Michael Bennett series by James Patterson. A superstitious killer is targeting young women in every borough of New York City. It begins with Detective Bennett aboard a police boat on the Hudson River searching for a murder victim. He finds the young college student dressed for a night on the town. It fills him with dread that only a father of daughters could understand.

Patterson, Patterson, Patterson. What is this?! Did you let the co-author take the reigns and not review the final manuscript? How did this slip through as is? Now I understand why there was not much promotion for this latest novel in the Detective Bennett series. I could not wait for it to end. But like the loyal reader I am, I will still read the next release. Le sigh.

Title: Obsessed

Author: James Patterson

Published: July 2023

Pages: 400

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.

"My beloved, I understand that forgiveness may not be possible. Some deeds cannot be undone. I took someone essential from you that last tragic evening—the blood, so much blood."

~ The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok 

Short Story Sunday: 23 1/2 Lies

(Women's Murder Club #23 1/2)

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

• Read a short story.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

"I knew he was dirty before I knew what dirty was." ~ 6%

Well this is something new...and I like it! 23 1/2 Lies features three (3) short stories. The first story (self-titled) is part of the Women's Murder Club series with author Maxine Paetro. Lindsey's estranged father is gunned down execution style and her investigation leads to life-altering truths.

Far as Linsdsey knew, her father died years ago. Yet she is called to the scene and discovers the victim is none other than Marty Boxer. Now she questions everything from why he was murdered to how everyone but his oldest daughter knew he was alive all this time.

23 1/2 was straight to the point yet predictable. I pegged the killer upon first mention which is usually not Patterson's/Paetro's style for WMC books. Yet the personal aspect of Lindsey, her childhood and relationship with sister was in the forefront. It's always nice to read about the personal lives of main characters in a series. So worth the read!

"You've been a Texas Ranger long enough to know there's no such thing as coincidence." ~ 33%

The second short story is titled Fallen Ranger with author Andrew Bourelle. A Texas Ranger named Rory Yates is loyal to the badge. He's put to the test when an armored car robbery suspect might be an ex-Ranger breaking the law to do good. Through days of duplicitousness, Rory determines whether his longtime friend is the man behind the crimes. 

The scenery descriptions make it very easy to imagine the story. I like how Rory relayed his thoughts out loud to the reader. Especially because his reasoning made sense as the mystery was revealed.

"I've had my fill of intrigue." ~ 85%

Watch Your Back is the third short story written with author Loren D. Estleman. An artist is paid to expose his client's cheating wife. He is tasked with painting the picture to save his own life. I was hoping this short story collection would be 3 out of 3 but nope. Watch Your Back was a dud. It started off that way and unfortunately never picked up speed or my interest.

All three (3) short stories can be read as a standalone. Perfect for reading-on-the-go!

Happy Early Pub Day, James Patterson! 23 1/2 Lies will be available Tuesday, September 12.

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: 23 1/2 Lies

Author: James Patterson
Published: September 2023
Pages: 448

Edition: Galley

Challenge: Keeping Up with Patterson
Genre: Mystery
23 1/2 Lies Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 

Fallen Ranger Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤

Watch Your Back 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.

"Over the last three months, the SFPD homicide squad had been swamped by nightmarish murders of all types." ~ 23 1/2 Lies by James Patterson

"Delia Marquez rides shotgun in the armored truck, staring out the window as the scenery of Central Texas rolls by." ~ Fallen Ranger by James Patterson

"The sign towered above the horizontal suburb like a pagan shrine: a wide open, baleful eye perched atop a pyramid, reminiscent of the Masonic symbol on the obverse side of the dollar bill." ~ Watch Your Back by James Patterson

Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe

"One thing about me: I've always been able to spot an opportunity, and once I see it, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to capitalize on it to the fullest degree." ~ 28%

Jay Jenkins, better known as Young Jeezy, is an influential rapper credited for pioneering trap music. In his new memoir titled Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe, he shares never heard stories of his life and business. From day one, he turned nothing into something with his business-savvy mind and marketing genius at a young age. Please do not confuse this as a street memoir or just another book by a rapper; it is a deeply personal story that will motivate readers to go after your dreams despite your circumstances, obstacles, environment or adversity in the way of success. 

Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe is the authentic hip-hop memoir I didn't know the culture needed until I read it. Jeezy is one of my favorite artists. I knew some of his background through lyrics but the book gives greater detail. Jeezy explains his home life growing up, teenage years as a street hustler, connections to B.M.F., a timeline of his rap career and more. He truly has Seen it All. 

"Let's get it doesn't work if the let's doesn't include me." ~ 92%

There are two (2) factors keeping me from rating Adversity for Sale a full 5⭐️ book. I am curious about the title based on the content. Not once is "adversity" mentioned in the book. By definition, difficulties and misfortune are covered and Jeezy definitely showed resilience in the face of adversity. But for sale? Huh? The subtitle "Ya Gotta Believe" is much better suited.

The second factor is the abrupt ending. It leaves readers hanging in a way that is incomplete, not as a cliffhanger. It is such a hard stop that I am sending an email to the publisher to confirm whether my advance copy is missing pages intended for the ending. If so, I will return here and update my rating. Otherwise, I am left with a glaring question: how did this get past editing?

"Last time I checked, I was the man on these streets..." ~ 74%

Overall, Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe is a great addition to the literary world of hip-hop. I recommend this new release to Jeezy fans, rap music fans and readers that enjoy a good coming-of-age memoir. Like I previously mentioned, the lessons within are sure to motivate. To enhance your reading experience, I highly suggest playing the songs referenced on your music streaming app of choice. It slowed my reading time down by taking a break to jam to each lyric mentioned but I would read it no other way.

Happy Early Pub Day, Jeezy! Adversity for Sale will be available Tuesday, August 8.

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: Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe
Author: Jay "Jeezy" Jenkins
Published: September 2023
Pages: 272
Edition: Galley
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤