Buzz Books 2022: Spring/Summer by Publishers Lunch

 Book Excerpt:

"Buzz Books 2022: Spring/Summer is the 20th (!) volume in our popular sampler series. As always, Buzz Books presents passionate readers with an insider's look at the buzziest books due out this season. Such prominent bestselling authors as Geraldine Brooks, Sloane Crosley, Chris Pavone, Emma Straub, Adriana Trigiani, and literary greats Abdulrazak Gurnah (our first Nobel Prize in Literature winner), NoViolet Bulawayo, Mohsin Hamid, and Marianne Wiggins. Other sure-to-be readers' favorites are Denny Bryce, Karne Joy Fowler, Jane Green, plus 14 more. At the end of most excerpts, you will find a link to the full galley on NetGalley!

Buzz Books has had a particularly stellar track record highlighting the most talented, exciting, and diverse debut authors, and this edition is no exception. Co-creator of the Emmy-winning series How I Met Your Mother, Carter Bays' first novel, is featured with Nishant Batsha, Jumi Bello, Melissa Chadburn, Sopan Deb, and 13 other debut writers.

Our nonfiction selections cover such fascinating subjects as a symbolic World War II Marine Corps football game by Pulitzer-Prize winner Buzz Bissinger, a literary memoir of recovery from opioid addiction; a true crime story; and a primer on brain health.

Finally, we present early l

look at new work from both established and up-and-coming young adult authors, among them: Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra, the authors of Tiny Pretty Things, a Netflix original series; Sabaa Tahir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Ember in the Ashes series, which has been translated into over thirty-five languages; and Jasmine Guillory, New York Times bestselling author of six romance novels."

Be sure to look out for Buzz Books 2022: Fall/Winter, coming in May.

Title:  Buzz Books 2022: Spring/Summer

Author:  Publishers Lunch

Publisher:  Publishers Lunch BUZZ BOOKS

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Buzz Books 2022:  Spring/Summer" by Publishers Lunch

My Assessment:  

I enjoyed reading through the Buzz Book 2022 Spring/Summer catalog, picking out ones of interest, [fiction and nonfiction titles] being an avid book reader and reviewer. I thought I would be able to pick out a dozen or so, but it seems like I will want to read a few more. Nevertheless, the summaries were enjoyable, giving us a snippet of what will come in the following months.     

Thank you, NetGalley, for the sneak peeks of what coming! And I will look forward to Bizz Books' next installment.  

Penned State By: S. I. Hayes

Book Excerpt:
Calvin Pennington is a good boy.

He goes to school, gets good grades. Always does his homework and always listens to mother and father. Except in one thing.
His friendship with Kaycee McLane. Much to his parent's dismay, he has befriended the girl from the wrong side of town and he will not shake her.
What happens when Calvin decides he wants more?
Will his family give? Or will they dig in their heels and put a stop to this budding romance before it starts?
"Calvin Pennington is a good boy.
He goes to school, gets good grades. He always does his homework and always listens to his mother and father. Except in one thing.
His friendship with Kaycee McLane. Much to his parent's dismay, he has befriended the girl from the wrong side of town, and he will not shake her.
What happens when Calvin decides he wants more?
Will his family give? Or will they dig in their heels and put a stop to this budding romance before it starts?
Can Calvin stand up to his family, and if he does, can he accept the consequences?"

*Trigger Warning
**Stong Sexual Content
***Drug UseCalvin Pennington is a good boy.

He goes to school, gets good grades. Always does his homework and always listens to mother and father. Except in one thing.
His friendship with Kaycee McLane. Much to his parent's dismay, he has befriended the girl from the wrong side of town and he will not shake her.
What happens when Calvin decides he wants more?
Will his family give? Or will they dig in their heels and put a stop to this budding romance before it starts? Calvin Pennington is a good boy.

He goes to school, gets good grades. Always does his homework and always listens to mother and father. Except in one thing.
His friendship with Kaycee McLane. Much to his parent's dismay, he has befriended the girl from the wrong side of town and he will not shake her.
What happens when Calvin decides he wants more?
Will his family give? Or will they dig in their heels and put a stop to this budding romance before it starts? Calvin Pennington is a good boy.

He goes to school, gets good grades. Always does his homework and always listens to mother and father. Except in one thing.
His friendship with Kaycee McLane. Much to his parent's dismay, he has befriended the girl from the wrong side of town and he will not shake her.
What happens when Calvin decides he wants more?
Will his family give? Or will they dig in their heels and put a stop to this budding romance before it starts?

Title: Penned State
Author: S. I. Hayes
Publisher: S.I. H.
Series: Young Hearts Duet Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review
"Penned State" by S. I. Hayes

My Speculation:

I will say this was one of those reads that will keep your attention turning the pages to see what is coming next for these two main characters Calvin and Kaycee. I am not sure whom I felt sorrier for between those two. Well, for a while, it seemed like all was going OK for the two, then the story will open up and be hard for them. With Cal being kicked out of his house, however, it was lucky for him in how Kaycee's grandfather and mother took him in. At school, other problems were presented, but somehow they made it out of that. It looks like Cal's parents still had grudges toward him, but all seemed to go well until a specific visit Cal's father paid to Kaycee. Yes, as Kaycee was planing to moved with Cal after graduation where they had a home and all but from Cal's father's visit, she all of a sudden wanted marriage.

As the story goes being engaged, oh did I say being pregnant wasn't enough for Kaycee all of a sudden she wanted marriage, which put a lot of pressure on Cal. With all that was on Cal from going to classes, working, taking care of Kaycee along with her pregnancy, one can see how one thing brought on something horrible where drugs become involved, and one can see how the story will take quite a turn for these two.

I will stop here and just say you will have to pick up this well-written story to see how things will turn out for Cal and Kaycee. I will say I didn't care for Kaycee's mom! I know she had been through a lot, but the way she tried to handle her daughter with Cal's problems wasn't done very well. I did like the ending in how Kaycee decided to take matters into her own hands and deal with her and Cal's problems. We are left hoping all will come out well for these two as they are now seeing one another along with the baby. Yes, they still loved each other, even all has happened. It seems like Calvin is now trying to get a handle on his life in his addiction recovery, so we are left hoping the best of luck to them as they seek out new beginnings. 

The Newbie (Temptations and Troubles in Downers Grove Book 1) Kindle Edition by J. Haney & , S.I. Hayes Ha

Book Synopsis:

"Homecoming is gonna get complicated…

It’s not easy being a single mom, and for Jennifer (Jo) Delgado, it’s sometimes a doozy. The new school year is already off to a rocky start. Her fifteen-year-old is having sex, with the new girl down the street, who’s a dad is the new English teacher. What’s worse is every woman in Downer’s Grove is salivating over him. Sure he’s hot like makes your thighs go squish kind of hot, and he looks good in shorts and all wet… but who’s got time for that? Certainly not Jo… Right?

New town, a new set of problems for English Teacher, Nico Grant. His daughter Kyra is bedding the locals, and already the vultures are circling. But there is a couple of moms that seem sorta reasonable. Maybe he can make a friend? You know someone to talk to besides the kid? She’s excellent but adult time would be nice too.
What happens when the kids take over, and the parents lose control? It’s time to hold on tight and go along for the ride. That’s life with a teen when you find yourself the newbie in town."
*Trigger warning
*Violence

Title: The Newbie
Authors: J. Haney & S.I. Hayes
Publisher: Haney & Hayes
Series: Temptations and Troubles in Downers Grove Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"The Newbie" by J. Haney and S. I. Hayes

My Rationalization:

I found this story really quite interesting. The way it started out and the way it ended was quite a good read. When you are dealing with teenagers who are having sex at fifteen, and it seems like it's OK with the parents, you know something is missing in this story. Definitely, someone needs someone to talk to as it was for poor Kyra Grant, who had already gone to something quite horrible in her young life. I was stunned that her father had not caught any of this and that they both needed some help. I will say I wasn't surprised by the turnout of suicide that did come into play. Thank God maybe there will be help for not only her but for a few others in this story as it seems there will be a countenance from this story. Be ready for a little bit of it all from 'trigger warnings, violence, and sex' from this story. In the end, the reader will be left wondering how things will go from the English Teacher[his job] and his daughter Kyra. 

Silken Scales (The Chameleon Effect Book 1) Kindle Edition by Alex Hayes

Book Synopsis:

"Idris Williams has perfect pitch… the ability to recognize notes and play them back perfectly by ear.
With his musical talent, confidence and great looks, he was practically born to be a rock star. There’s just one problem. His overbearing father is determined to control his destiny and music isn’t on the agenda. For Idris, there doesn’t seem to be a way out…

— Until he morphs into a monster.

Cadi Rhoswen has finally found a safe and loving home…
Then a malicious high school jock turns her whole world upside down. The next thing she knows, she’s wandering the streets in the middle of winter. Alone.

— Until she finds a beastly boy hiding out in an abandoned nightclub called the Thorny Rose.

To change Idris back into his sexy human self, Cadi must reveal a secret she’s been holding close to her heart for as long as she can remember. A secret that will pit them against a deadly army and change their lives… forever."

Silken Scales is a modern-day Beauty and the Beast retelling and the first novel of the Chameleon Effect series.

Title:  Silken Scales

Author:  Alex Hayes

Publisher:  Shaking the Trees Press                       

Series:  The Chameleon Effect Book 1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Four

Review:

"Silken Scales" by Alex Hayes

My Rationalization:

This was quite an enjoyable imaginary and fun sci-fi read that will keep you turning the pages that deal with Cadi and Idris struggle growing up.  This YA read deals with 'aliens/humans and teenage angst' with Cadi who is an outcast with Idris who is popular but not happy both who have been bonded together from birth.  It was an interesting read in how this author brings them together in the well-written story.  By the end, the reader will be given a good  'fun urban fantasy with telekinetic, musical, shapeshifting teenage aliens.'  I will say that I did enjoy most of the characters in this magical imaginative story and even when some things seemed a bit confusing the reader will still definitely keep one captivated from the reading.  

What Doesn't Kill Us By: Stephanie Henry

Book Description.....

"In What Doesn’t Kill Us, we follow two teenagers in alternating point-of-views as they experience life-changing events. Drew is the son of a cop, raised in a small house on his dad’s average salary. His mother ran off when he was just a boy, due to a tragic accident that will forever define Drew’s life. Hailey is from a wealthy family and has a seemingly perfect life, until she learns of the secret her father has been keeping for years. Subsequently, her peaceful reality becomes morphed into something she never could have predicted. When Drew and Hailey meet, they quickly fall in love and ultimately discover that fate had meant for their lives to be perpetually entwined."

Title:  What Doesn't Kill Us
Author:  Stephanie Henry
Publisher:  S.H.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"What Doesn't Kill Us" by Stephanie Henry

My Thoughts....

This  YA romance storyline was a very good one.  This author gives the reader quite a interesting story about Andrew [Drew] and Hailey.  I liked how this author brought these two together with them both having had something in their lives that was troubling. For each one the trouble was
with their fathers.  The story will be one that will keep your attention all the way through to the end
because each character had something going on.  For Drew all I can say is that this poor kid really
had it bad with what he had to endure from that father [abuse & pain] and for Hailey well it seems like her life was falling apart with what all had happened to her relationship with her father.  I don't want to spoil it so I will say you will have to pick up this well written read to find out what this story is all about.  The big question to be answered is will Hailey and Drew find love and happiness in the end?

I am sure when you get into the read the reader will find it one good read.  I don't want to leave out the secondary character for they really presented some very interesting thoughts that gave this read
one you will not want to put the read down until the end.  Be prepared for a excellent read with many twist and turns that will have you saying I didn't see that coming!  I will say I enjoyed this authors writing style and I would recommend this novel as a good read.

COVET: Deceptive Desires (A BWWM New Adult Romance) By: Amarie Avant

Book Description....

"For Jonathan Liam Delacroix Lemaitre, everything revolved around the love of his life: Raven Shaw. But they were too young, too destructive and too clueless.

Raven thought they would always be friends, yet Liam knew a different truth. The son to a vast Legacy, he is shipped off to Paris at a tender age, leaving Raven to fend for herself, full of questions and doubts.

Now, he is back in town and determined to get back in her good graces. Gone is the clumsy, fat boy he once was. In his place stands a man ready to take on the world, with the woman he wants at his side. Raven, on the other hand, can see the new man but still searches for echoes of her friend. Who is this guy that has swept into her life? He was Liam, but he wasn’t HER Liam…. And she wasn’t sure if he ever could be."

Title:  Covet: Deceptive Desires

Author:  Amarie Avant

Publisher:  Blu Savant Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:  

"Covet:  Deceptive Desires" by Amarie Avant

Definitely a attention Grabber!  

Be ready for a little bit of it all as this author will take you through lots of 'deception, drama 

 hurt, secrets and lies' with all the twist and turns with such  emotions that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  

What will happen to these two young friends .... lovers....Raven and Liam?

And what about those other intriguing characters in this  good read...some you like others

well...still well developed, portrayed and believable giving the reader one

heck of a good read.  It was quite interesting as the readers will be lead to see the 'past and present collide' in this story.  However, we will be left waiting [cliffhanger]for the next series to see how this 

story will all come out.

Retaliation By: Yasmin Shiraz

Book Description....

"Violence runs rampant on the streets of Washington, DC, and on one seemingly quiet day, the Odom family finds its world destroyed when seventeen-year-old Tashera is brutally attacked by a group of high school girls.
Retaliation exposes the corrupting existence of violence in our communities and the retaliatory measures families go through to protect themselves and their children."

Title:  Retaliation

Author:  Yasmin Shiraz

Publisher:  Rolling Hills Press at Smashwords

Series:  Retaliation # 1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Retaliation" by Yasmin Shiraz

My Thoughts....

Wow, this was some story where 'Retaliation' is front and center in this urban YA read.  Will the Odom family ever be the same after Tashera was 'brutally attacked by a group of HS girls.'  It seems like their had already been problems in this family from her brother Kahlil who had been 'paralyzed
due to running with gangs.'  What will happen when Tashera's mom and brother tries to take care of the situation that had happened?  My, my how this dramatic story will take many turns through retaliation.

There will be so many twist and turns that one will find it hard to put down definitely keeping your attention all the way to the end of the story.  I found this wasn't a happy story ... quite a sad one but in the end will Tashera find any happiness through all of this?  Well, you will have to pick up this novel and see for yourself how well this storyline is brought out to the readers.

I liked how Tashera reach out to Yasmin [the author of this novel] who had spoke at one time at her school.  It was indeed wonderful to see how that Tashera wanted out of her present situation and had someone to tell her trouble to that truly understood what she was going through.

"Retaliation" really brings out what can happen from one  'single act of violence' that did affect so many individuals in this community.  Would I recommend?  YES!

Thank you to the author for the gift of the read for my honest opinion of the read.

Jordan's Confessions: A Short Story...Book 2 By: Charmaine Galloway

Book Description....

Jordan was a very outspoken teenager, until she lost a very close friend of hers. She began carrying a lot of grief and sorrow in her heart. All she wanted was someone to comfort her and tell her that life would get better after the loss of someone special.

Jordan thought she could trust, Darnell, her mother’s boyfriend, until he deceived her. See how he pulls Jordan into his web of deceit, leaving her hurt, broken and confused. Can she build the courage to confess to her mother the secret that she had been holding onto? Will anyone believe her?

Title:  Jordan's Confessions:  A Short Story....Book 2
Author:  Charmaine Galloway
Publisher:  Charming Gal Publications
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Jordan's Confessions:  A Short Story"...Book 2 by Charmaine Galloway

What I enjoyed from this novel.....

This was a good short story that this author gives the reader ...of a young girl that has been hurt more than one way...a friend's death[Heaven] and from then from her mother's boyfriend [Darnell].  I really enjoyed how this author was able to give the reader a complete story of how this teen, Jordan was put into certain situations and yes the question is will she be able to make it through the trials that had been set before her.  I really liked how this author brings out the situations to issues that this young teen had to faced as well as so many others... showing that there is someone out there to help and listen to  you even when it looks so very dark. Why did Jordan feel like she couldn't tell her secret to her Mom?   I don't want to tell the story other than say you will have to pick up this novel to see for yourself how well it is written.  You will not be disappointed with this good read of a teenager in trouble and needing help. Thank you to the author for another good 'Book 2' read.

Love Gently Falling By: Melody Carson

Book Description....

"Rita Jansen is living her dream as a hairstylist in Hollywood when her father calls with news that her mother has suffered a stroke. When she gets home to Chicago, Rita finds her mother is healing but facing a long recovery. Worse, without being able to run their family-owned salon, her mother could lose the business. Rita decides to help, but she only has until Valentine's Day to come up with a plan.
As Rita takes her mother's place at work, the nearby skating rink she loved as a child brings back fond memories. Rita also finds herself renewing friendships with her childhood best friend, Marley, as well as her classmate Johnny. Although they now lead such seemingly different lives, Rita is surprised by how well she and Johnny connect and how far he will go to help her. Though Rita believes Johnny is only being kind, with romance kindling in the air and on the ice, their friendship may just fall into something more." 

Title:  Love Gently Falling
Author:  Melody Carlson
Publisher:  Center Street
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"Love Gently Falling" by Melody Carson

What I liked about this novel....

This was a good read of how one family member really makes a difference in her life after her mothers has had a stroke.  I loved how this author show such affection that she [Rita] had for her family. We find that Rita was a hair stylist in  Beverly Hills and  has come back home  to Chicago to be with the family due to the fact that her mom has had a stroke. What I especially liked about this read was after seeing how the bad conditions were in her mom's hair shop Rita decides to do something about it in just the few weeks Rita was to stay in Chicago.  I liked how Rita felt that since her Mom had supported her dreams it was now her turn to help out.   Now, what do you think Rita was wanting to do?  Now, this is the part where I say you will have to pick up "Love Gently Falling" to see what all Rita has in mind to do and will she be able to do it?    It was a great story interest in how Rita was able to get the tasked done in just the short time she was there in Chicago.    I found all the the characters for the most part were all well developed, defined, well portrayed and very believable giving the reader a well told and written storyline.

The story will also dwell on old friendships...well this is the part that gets somewhat sticky for me. Were these really all her friends?  There was one  that  seemed sort of flaky at times, Johnny was a likable person ... [could Rita find love with him?] and then their was another one that wasn't really a pleasant person.  Now, what was really going on in all of this? Were there some fences that needed to be mended and if so by whom?   All I will say is that you will have to pick up the read to see for yourself who really was Rita's friends.

By the end  of "Love Gently Falling" will Rita be able t get her Mom's shop 'Hair and Now' in top shape?   Will she renew old friendships and possibly get a different future than she had planned?  One thing for sure you will get a ending that will have you wondering...at lease it was for me?  

What else I liked...

I found this author wrote a quick, very sweet light hearted love story that was in time for the Valentine Holiday that really fitted very well with the story. Also I liked how including  the return of the skating Ice Ring that had reopened after all these years  that was located outside the 'Hair and Now'  hair shop...would this be  there for Rita to find love?  If you are looking for a clean read where loyalty to the family comes first then you have come to the right place for good read  "Love Gently Falling" that I would recommend as a good read.

The Man Who Loved Too Much Book 1: Archipelago By: John Rachel

Book Description.....

"This is the story of Billy Green. When he was just turning four, his father tried to throw him in the trash. He was a smart kid but that just seemed to create enemies.

His mom did everything to protect him. But this was Detroit, armpit of the wasteland! Catholic school didn't help much, except the time he got his first kiss from an atheist nun. Home life was dismal. Was his father capable of anything but drinking beer and farting? And what was with that neighbor who made puppets and tried to molest Billy? Golly! Detroit was sucking the life out of him. At such a young age!

Then adolescence swirled around him. Like water in a toilet bowl. High school was a B movie. Only without a plot. So finally he did something about it. Billy ran away… to college. Cornell University. That was a good move for sure! He studied hard, lost his virginity, met the love of his life. Things were definitely looking up! What could possibly go wrong? Isn’t that what we always ask?"


Title:  The Man Who Loved Too Much
Author:  John Rachel
Publisher:  Literary Vagabond Books
Book 1:  Archipelago
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"The Man Who Loved Too Much"  by John Rachel

This author really presented the reader with a story that was simply a amazing good read as this was part one  of of this trilogy.   I was simply amazed that as I read through this journey how much I simply enjoyed this entire well written story. At times I was left feeling so sorry for Billy Green and at other times I was found simply cheering for him.  The story setting  starts in Detroit, Michigan where Billy at three years old lived with  a loving mom and abusive dad.  Starting at Thanksgiving Day at the Parade this story continues on through his college years where Billy meets the love of his life.  As the story continues it will take you through some interesting times from Billy's childhood being home with his mom, .his first day at kindergarten... on to the  the Catholic schools events...on through his high school years in Troy Jr. and Sr HS where there would be some painful memories....on to Billy's his first kiss ...then off to Cornell University in Ithaca, NY...his mom's illness and on to his first love where Billy meets Natalie Diamond.

What I especially enjoyed  from this novel....

What I especially enjoyed about reading from "The Man Who Love Too Much" was that I was able to laugh so hard at some of the read and yet there was parts of this  read you could feel  real sadness too. In this intriguing story you are able to feel the pain that this hero is dealt with along with his happiness as you are lead to keep turning the pages until the end where you will find many twist and turns in the story.  A lots will come out of this read and this is where I want to say you will have to pick up this novel to see what else this author has in store for the reader. It will be some journey and in the end I was left wondering about that  best friend of Natalie ...Pam. Now really what was Pam up too in her presentation to Billy and Natalie at the Lucatelli Ristorante?  I don't know but I felt that there was something going on  in that best friend relationship (Natalie and Pam) but I am sure this will be cleared up in the next trilogy for me.   Now, to get this and the rest of the story  you will have to read it for yourself.  The details presented in this story along with the history of what was going on at that time  was absolutely wonderfully brought out making you feel that you are right there in the midst of it all.

I liked how this author was able to give the reader such a interesting, intriguing and captivating well written script showing this hero 'young man's coming of age.'  This novel will leave you definitely wanting the next trilogy to this wonderfully told story about Billy Green.  So, in the end we have a first trilogy of  Billy Green from three years of age well into his college years....wow, what a read that I would definitely recommend to you.