My Bully, My Aunt, & Her Final Gift Kindle Edition by Harold Phifer

 Book Excerpt:

"Every Villain doesn’t wear a mask. Sometimes she’s your aunt! Maybe, closure doesn’t come with silence, but with Reflections, Truth, & A Touch of Humor!

In "My Bully, My Aunt, and Her Final Gift", Hal revisits the complicated relationship he shared with his late Aunt Kathy, a woman who stood as the antithesis of positivity in his life. Despite her domineering and often cruel behavior, her passing left Hal with an unexpected opportunity for humor, healing, and reflection.

As he plans her memorial—a gathering that no one seems eager to attend—Hal's childhood memories resurface, pulling him back into a world shaped by his aunt's unpredictable rules and twisted philosophies. Blending heartfelt truths with laugh-out-loud moments, Hal weaves a tale of resilience, self-discovery, and ultimately, redemption. This memoir offers a lighthearted yet honest look at how even the darkest relationships can leave behind gifts of wisdom and self-awareness."

Title:  My Bully, My Aunt, & Her Final Gift

Author:  Harold Phifer

Publisher:  BookBaby

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"My Bully, My Aunt, & Her Final Gift" by Harold Phifer

My Insight:  

"My Bully, My Aunt, and Her Final Gift" enveloped me in an emotional journey that lingered in my thoughts long after the final page was turned. Hal's tumultuous experiences with his seemingly pious yet cruel aunt were both shocking and profoundly eye-opening. It’s astonishing to witness how someone could embody such wickedness beneath the polished facade of righteousness. Despite the oppressive shadow cast by his aunt, Hal's resilience radiates brightly, illuminating his path as he navigates this complex and challenging relationship. This powerful narrative compels us to delve deeper into the stark realities of such situations. It truly prompts a haunting question—could this occur in real life? Absolutely! I wholeheartedly recommend this captivating read to anyone yearning for a thought-provoking and emotionally enriching experience!

Possessing the Secret of Joy (The Color Purple Collection Book 3) Kindle Edition by Alice Walker

 Book Excerpt:

"An American woman struggles with the genital mutilation she endured as a child in Africa in a New York Times bestseller, "as compelling as The Color Purple" (San Francisco Chronicle).

In Tashi's tribe, the Olinka, young girls undergo female genital mutilation as an initiation into the community. Tashi manages to avoid this fate at first, but when pressed by tribal leaders, she submits. Years later, married and living in America as Evelyn Johnson, Tashi's inner pain emerges. As she questions why such a terrifying, disfiguring sacrifice was required, she sorts through the many levels of subjugation with which she's been burdened over the years.


In Possessing the Secret of Joy, Alice Walker exposes the abhorrent practice of female genital mutilation in an unforgettable, moving novel.

This ebook features an illustrated biography of Alice Walker, including rare photos from the author's personal collection."

Title:  Possessing the Secret of Joy

Author:  Alice Walker

Publisher:  Open Road Media

Series:  The Color Purple Collection Book 3

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Possessing the Secret  of Joy" by Alice Walker

My Insight:  

"Possessing the Secret of Joy" courageously tackles the challenging issue of female circumcision, and the author's sensitivity in addressing this complex topic is truly impressive. Although I found it to be a demanding read, I am so thankful I decided to dive in. For those who enjoyed "The Color Purple," you'll be delighted to encounter Tashi, the daughter-in-law of Celie, who makes a heartfelt appearance in this story.

I don't want to give too much away, but I genuinely encourage you to explore "Possessing the Secret of Joy." The author has a unique gift for bringing tough themes to life, and their storytelling is nothing short of extraordinary.

As we navigate the narrative, we are reminded of the tragic reality that many children have suffered due to this practice, with some losing their lives or facing lifelong challenges. While it may be a challenging read, it is incredibly meaningful and opens our eyes to crucial truths that deserve our attention. You won't regret picking this one up!

The Temple of My Familiar (The Color Purple Collection Book 2) Kindle Edition by Alice Walker

 Book Excerpt:

"The Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Color Purple weaves a 'glorious and iridescent' tapestry of interrelated lives in this New York Times bestseller (Library Journal).

Includes a new letter written by the author

In The Temple of My Familiar, Celie and Shug from The Color Purple subtly shadow the lives of dozens of characters, all of whom in some way deal with the legacy of the African experience in America. From recent African immigrants, to a woman who grew up in the mixed-race rainforest communities of South America, to Celie's own granddaughter living in modern-day San Francisco, all must come to understand the brutal stories of their ancestors to come to terms with their own troubled lives.  


As Walker follows these astonishing characters, she weaves a new mythology from old fables and history, a profoundly spiritual explanation for centuries of shared African American experience.


This ebook features an illustrated biography of Alice Walker, including rare photos from the author's personal collection.


The Temple of My Familiar is the 2nd book in the Color Purple Collection, which also includes The Color Purple and Possessing the Secret of Joy."

Title:  The Temple of My Familiar

Author:  Alice Walker

Publisher:  Open Road Media

Series:  The Color Purple Collection Book 2

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"The Temple of My Familiar" by Alice Walker

My Insight:  

I thoroughly enjoyed "The Temple of My Familiar"; it’s a captivating historical novel that intricately weaves together themes and narratives, making it a remarkable continuation of the author's poignant storytelling first introduced in "The Color Purple." For the most enriching experience, I highly recommend diving into that book first, as it lays a robust foundation for understanding the depth of the characters and their journeys. 

While some sections are layered and complex, I assure you that if you persevere, everything will beautifully converge by the end. Prepare yourself to encounter a rich tapestry of fascinating characters, each with their own unique stories and insights, alongside thought-provoking themes that resonate long after you turn the last page. The unforgettable storyline is filled with emotional twists and turns that will keep you eagerly turning the pages, lost in its world. You're truly in for a literary treat! I thoroughly enjoyed "The Temple of My Familiar." It’s a captivating historical novel that intricately weaves together themes and narratives, serving as a remarkable continuation of the author's poignant storytelling first introduced in "The Color Purple." 

Blessings and Disasters A Story of Alabama by Alexis Okeowo

 Book Excerpt:

"In Alabama, we exist at the border of blessing and disaster…."

'Alexis Okeowo grew up in Montgomery—the former seat of the Confederacy—as the daughter of Nigerian immigrants. Here, she weaves her family's story with Alabama's, defying stereotypes about her endlessly complex, often-pigeonholed home state. She immerses us in a landscape dominated today not by cotton fields but by Amazon warehouses, encountering high-powered Christian business leaders lobbying for tribal sovereignty and small-town women coming out against conservative politics. Okeowo shows how people can love their home while still acknowledging its sins.

In this perspective-shifting work that is both an intimate memoir and a journalistic triumph, Okeowo investigates her life, other Alabamians' lives, and the state's lesser-known histories to examine why Alabama has been the stage for the most extreme results of the American experiment.'

Title:  Blessings and Disasters

Author:  Alexis Okeowo

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"Blessings and Disasters" by Alexis Okeowo

My Insight:   

'Blessing and Disaster' was well delivered by this author, especially if you are interested in the' history of understanding the intricate layers of the resilience of its people' in Alabama. Now, if you did not live in the South, I know this will be an eye-opener for you, reading how this author gives us a clear picture of this painful history of how one grew up and was shaped into who they are now. This story may be a little hard to read, given its history of the slave trade, civil war, and racism, but if you can get through it, it will be a compelling and unforgettable read.   All that's left to say is that it's history, whether we like it or not, of what happened as Alexis Okeowo, who lived through it, growing up there.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Henry Holt and Co. for my ARC copy.

Library Thing... Degree of Guilt (Baby of the Bailey Book 1) Kindle Edition by Dan Cogan

 Book Excerpt:

"How can one man have two different brains? Then again, how can two men have one?

Soraya Wallace arrives home from an outing on Hampstead Heath with her daughter, Huette, and grandchildren just as a workman (Calvin Coffey) comes running from the house. Inside the house, Soraya finds the body of her husband, Walter, lying battered to death in a pool of blood, with a blood-stained hammer nearby. Calvin insists that he was there to give a quote for a loft conversion and found the body. But Soraya knows nothing about any such planned building work. And when Calvin is arrested, the police can find no trace of his existence before six months ago.

Young, feisty, and at times reckless law pupil Emily du Lac is pulled from other duties to help her supervisor, Nigel Farringdon KC (the first black head of St Jude's Chambers), in Calvin's defense. Emily is not afraid of the challenge - she grew up around the Old Bailey, and her estranged father was head of chambers as well as Nigel's mentor. But with whispers of "nepotism" swirling around her, Emily has something to prove and is not averse to putting everything on the line to catch a hammer-wielding murderer - including her life."

Title:  Degree of Guilt

Author:  Dan Cogan

Publisher:  Man of Mystery Publication Dec. 26, 2024

Series:  Baby of the Bailey Book 1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Degree of Guilt" by Dan Cogan

My Insight:

'Degree of Guilt' is a gripping crime and legal thriller that draws you in with its captivating storyline set in England. After returning home with her daughter and grandchildren, Soraya Wallace uncovers something unexpected that sets off a chain of events. The narrative follows Emily du lac, a young law student, as she steps into the courtroom to defend the accused. The legal drama is filled with intriguing twists and turns, keeping readers on their toes. Beyond the courtroom proceedings, the story unfolds with additional suspenseful elements that promise to maintain your interest. Prepare for a richly detailed read that introduces a variety of characters, each of whom could potentially be a suspect. As you delve into the pages, you'll find yourself guessing and piecing together clues—who could really be guilty?

If you are into thriller reads, this one is for you.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and LibraryThing for the book to review.

Siren (The Enigma Affairs) Kindle Edition by Aja

Book Excerpt:

What begins as a calculated partnership ignites into an undeniable inferno. Taraj, a reclusive R&B star with a soul full of secrets, faces a life-altering decision: cling to his solitary existence or surrender to the spellbinding beauty with a voice that shakes his very foundation.

Their arrangement was supposed to be temporary—a means to an end—but every shared moment blurs the lines between need and desire. With hearts on the line, love is proving to be the fiercest contender, waging a war neither is prepared to fight... or willing to lose.

The Enigma Affairs are CONTEMPORARY STANDALONE ROMANCE stories.

Title:  Siren

Author:  Aja

Publisher:  She Loves Words Publishing LLC

Series:  The Enigma Affairs

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

'Siren' by Aja

My Insight:  

'Siren' is a captivating story about two characters, Sienna and Taraj, who unite through their passion for music. You'll want to dive into this narrative to discover how they weave together a poetic love story that resonates with the idea of true love. This tale is a delightful blend of various elements, creating a soulful love story that feels interconnected. The author skillfully keeps the reader engaged, ensuring that you're eager to turn the pages and find out what happens next for these two intriguing characters. By the conclusion, you'll be treated to a soulful, poetic, and beautifully crafted narrative that's sure to leave a lasting impression.

 

How to Sell a Romance by Alexa Martin

Book Excerpt:

"Emerson Pierce loves everything about being a kindergarten teacher except the painfully low salary. It isn't until she hears about Petunia Lemon—an opportunity to sell makeup products, make some extra money, and meet a group of skin-care aficionados—that she begins to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sure, it sounds a little too good to be true, but what's the worst that could happen?

Investigative reporter Lucas Miller didn't always have a chip on his shoulder...until his wife joined Petunia Lemon, drained their savings, and filed for divorce. Now he's a little bitter, a lot single, and determined to expose the company. After infiltrating their largest convention yet, the last thing he expects is to lose sight of his mission for one night with the gorgeous woman at the bar.

When Emerson and Lucas learn that she's his daughter's teacher, they decide to ignore their scorching chemistry. Until things with Petunia Lemon turn downright diabolical and Emerson turns to Lucas for help. They work together to bring the company down, but can the two come out on top in this pyramid scheme of love?"

Title:  How to Sell a Romance

Author:  Alexa Martin

Publisher:  Berkley Publishing Group

Reviewed By: Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

'How to Sell a Romance' by Alexa Martin

My Insight:  

The title "How to Sell a Romance" presents an intriguing premise for a love story. What unfolds when Emerson Pierce meets Lucas Miller? As their relationship develops, Emerson discovers that Lucas is a journalist currently writing an article about a multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme. This revelation is significant for Emerson, as her school principal has encouraged her to join the MLM run by Petunia Lemon. As the plot progresses, Emerson learns more about Lucas and his child, Isla, who is one of her kindergarten students. To complicate matters, Emerson realizes that Isla's mother is Petunia Lemon, the very person associated with the MLM.

To get the whole story, you must pick up this good read to see how it all comes together in the end.

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for the free ARC.