Witness Stories by Jamel Brinkley

 Book Excerpt:

"A Must-Read: NPR, Los Angeles Times, Vulture, The Boston Globe, Shondaland, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Essence, Literary Hub

From National Book Award finalist Jamel Brinkley, Witness is an elegant, insistent narrative of actions taken and not taken.

What does it mean to take action? To bear Witness? What does it cost?

In these ten stories, each set in the changing landscapes of contemporary New York City, a range of characters—from children to grandmothers to ghosts—live through the responsibility of perceiving and the moral challenge of speaking up or taking action. Though they strive to connect, to remember, to stand up for, and to really see each other, they often fall short, and the structures they build around these ambitions and failures shape not only their futures but the legacies and prospects of their families and city.

In its portraits of families and friendships lost and found, the paradox of intimacy, the long shadow of grief, and the meaning of home, Witness enacts its own testimony. Here is a world where fortunes can be made and stolen in just a few generations, where strangers might sometimes show kindness. At the same time, those we trust—doctors, employers, siblings—too often turn away, where joy comes in snatches: flowers on a windowsill, dancing in the street, glimpsing your purpose, change on the horizon.

With prose as unendingly beautiful as it is artfully and seamlessly crafted, Jamel Brinkley offers nothing less than the full scope of life and death and change in the great, unending drama of the city.:

Title:  Witness Stories

Author:  Jamel Brinkley

Publisher:  Farrar, Straus, and Giroux

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Four

Review:

"Witness Stories" by Jamel Brinkley

My Sentiments:  

These were quite a collection of various stories taking place in New York City of different ten challenges from 'mental illness, tragic, dementia, old age, gentrification, failed family relationships, family conflicts,  dead-end jobs, failed romances, and poverty,' all with different perspectives.    

This author gave the reader some brilliant stories; each collection of short stories will give one a lot to think of long after this literary read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Farrar Straus & Giroux for the ARC for the read.

Hard Conversations: Book 1: Breadcrumbs to the Past Kindle Edition by BJ Communicates [Paulette's Tour Book Review] Sept. 30thSept. 30th

 Book Excerpt:

""Hard Conversations: Book 1 Breadcrumbs to the Past" is a collection of short stories detailing the lives of five urban people who are standing at the intersection of their past and their potential. To change the trajectory of their futures, they must reconcile the long-ignored dysfunction of their past with the building aspirations of their present. These reconciliations can only begin by delving into their life experiences and having long-overdue conversations with the people who hurt them the most.

Sometimes it's the conversations not had that do the most damage to the people in our lives. Sensing that something is still off in the lives that they have built, the characters in this book must address long-buried secrets or continue living in the uncomfortable matrix they created. Only they can decide what their future will bring."

Title: Hard Conversations
Author: BJ Communicates
Publisher: BookBaby; 1st edition
Series: Book 1: Breadcrumbs to the Past
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Hard Conversations: Book 1: Breadcrumbs to the Past" by BJ Communicates

My Opinion:

'Hard Conversation' has five short stories that give us 'Breadcrumbs to the Past' Book 1 and leave us with Cliffhangers which means the reader will have to wait to get the other half or part of the story.

So the story starts ...
'I Don't Know Her' Will this person be able to find out the answers he needs from his birth mom Barbara? Is this the reason he is having so much trouble with the way his life is going for him?

next...
'No More Sunday Dinner'
After what Shay Robinson had to endure from her uncle, will she finally be able to come back to Houston after the death of her Mamma Hattie and confront Uncle Frank for what he had done to her at the age of eight?

next...
'Angel Dust and Guitars'
With what had gone on in this family, would Angel Christopher ever want a family of his own? First, his father beat his mom, and he wanted nothing to do with him. Then Angel meets Lisa, things changed, and after she becomes pregnant, they decide to make it work... When he returns home, guess who is waiting for him...his father wanting to talk; however, he was someone Angel didn't want to speak with under any circumstances.

next...
'Another Life'
He was supposed to be a perfect and wonderful father, but Jamal Jackson had a big secret, and Trina finds out about it while attending Fisk when she hooks up with a tutor that was her look alike. What was up with that? What will the DNA prove? What will happen at Kim's graduation when Trina confronts her dad and says, 'Hi, dad.'

and lastly...
'Broken Silence'
Due to a fight with his wife at their home caused by her father, Maxine was paralyzed due to a fall and ended her in a wheelchair. After serving many years in prison, he got out due to good behavior and wanted to talk with his daughter, which she had refused many times.
Her mother had suddenly taken ill and was taken to the hospital where Maxine came to see her only who do you think was there at the hospital? Well, I guess her father got his answer for Maxine was adamant when she said...'No Stop, I am not ready for this.'

As was stated earlier, this novel, Book 1, was a cliffhanger of sorts, so I guess we will get the rest of the story in Book 2. Be ready for well-written stories that will leave the reader only wanting more answers to their ending.

Liberation: Secrets of the Soul: Short Stories By: Lina Girgis

Book Excerpt:

"These insightful short stories reveal hidden existential moments in the lives of women as they journey to self-fulfillment. "

Title:  Liberation:  Secrets of the Soul: Short Stories
Author:  Lina Girgis
Publisher:  Pedra Books
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating:  Four
Review:

"Libration: Secrets of the Soul:  Short Stories" by Lina Girgis

My Speculation:

I enjoyed these short stories that engaged in a "story that will leave you with some powerful emotions, an influential reflection, a hopeful inspiration,  or a logical question." Not only will these
short stories leave you entertained, but I loved how they state you to "different parts of the world at different eras, stimulating imagination and all of the senses." Each of these sixteen short stories, one
will receive a little something from each of the read.  So, sit back and enjoy the journey!


   A Glimpse Inward................................................. Page 3
Will Alena finally learn what she needs for her life?

   The Truth Is One................................................ Page 21
Dr. Caroline Wright... presented educated debates with open discussions that were now causing
problems.

   Imprisoned by a Mirror....................................... Page 42
What will happen when the mirror breaks?

   Guilt, or Grace....................................................Page 51
What will happen after Virginia and Jeffrey breakup?

   Hope.................................................................. Page 63
After Christine finds out about her illness, who will be there for Hope?

   Between Two Streams ........................................Page 76
Will Kisharat follow her brother Ansarin?

   Bitter Melodies................................................... Page 86
How will life be for Marguerite when she finds out about her husband, Sebastien?

   Doubts and Desires............................................ Page 97
Will Emmanuel finally realize the word doesn't vibe only around him?

   Love, Learn, and Laugh..................................... Page 112
What will Marissa learn on love, learn, and laugh as she travels on the plane to Seattle and meets George?

   Home and Heart............................................... Page 123
How did Shiva and Hamed's date go with there being many descriptions concerning Muslins and various other subjects?

   Despair............................................................ Page 135
What will happen when you put off things of importance, and in the end, it is too late?

   Time Heals....................................................... Page 145
Upon getting ready for marriage, will Julia be able to leave her father, moving away with David and
going to another state?

   Liberation ........................................................Page 156
What will happen as Marab listens to the preacher, Yesham and how did this influence her life with
his inspiring words?

   Stubborn Hues................................................. Page 173
Once Lisa and Roberto had been in love, but what has happened to stop it? Could she turn her dream
into a reality?

   Homeward........................................................ Page 183
Lucy is ill from cold, flu, to know unconscious in hospital with Leukemia being visited by her husband, Edmond and daughters, Catherine and Cecile. Preparing for the worst, the girls knew they
would miss there mom, where one girl adored her mom while the other one where at times choose not to listen.

   The Language of Love.......................................Page 191
What will happen when Hirini, a linguist, meets Joseph?

To get all of the answers to the above questions, please pick up Liberation:  Secrets of the Soul!" Did I have a favorite short story...No, I enjoyed them all!


Thank you to the author for a good read.

Well-Read Black Girl Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves by Glory Edim

Profile:

"An inspiring collection of essays by black women writers, curated by the founder of the popular book club Well-Read Black Girl, on the importance of recognizing ourselves in literature."

Title: Well Read Black Girl Finding Our Series, Discovering Ourselves
Author: Glory Edim
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Well Read Black Girl Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves" by Glory Edim

My Thoughts...

If you love reading as I do you will find this read a very interesting one and if you are black it will even mean so much more. I loved all that this author brought out in this 'inspiring collection of
essays by black women writers, curated by the founder of the popular book club Well Read Black Girl.' These are anthologies of essays by some black amazing women writers featuring: "Jesmyn Ward (Sing, Unburied, Sing); Tayari Jones (An American Marriage); Lynn Nottage (Sweat); Jacqueline Woodson (Another Brooklyn); Gabourey Sidibe (This Is Just My Face); Morgan Jerkins (This Will Be My Undoing); Rebecca Walker (Black, White and Jewish); and Barbara Smith (Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology)." These stories were right there where it will capture your heart being such touching inspirational reads that really made me feel like I was coming home. I wasn't able to pick out my favorite because I seemed to enjoy them all. With books being so important we also can see why the storytelling and representation are so very important too in its delivery where we are given the 'diversity of voices its organization of essays along with its strong message making it all so very memorable and powerful. This is definitely one read that I would recommend to all girls and women alike [especially of color] where one can possible find a little bit of themselves in these stories. 

The Forbidden Highlands By: Authors: Kathryn Le Veque, Eliza Knight, Terri Brisbin, Amy Jarecki, Collette Cameron, Emma Prince, Victoria Vane & Violetta Rand

Book Description...

"THE MAIDEN OF MORAY by VICTORIA Victoria Vane

FORBIDDEN HIGHLANDS ANTHOLOGY
A man without a past…
Abandoned at a monastery as a young child, Alexander serves two masters—God and the fading memories of his past life—the one he never got to live. As he nears the day to take his vows, he’s sent on a last sojourn into the real world to test his faith, and possibly his manhood. But one playful kiss in a moment of weakness awakens a dangerous desire.

A woman who doesn’t know her own heart…
Born from the line of two kings, Sibylla is abandoned by her sire as a child and then ruled illegitimate. Though she lives a happy life under her uncle’s protection, Sibylla craves more. But the hot-tempered beauty never imagines her fate lies in the hands of Alex, a would-be monk who hardly embodies her idea of a pious man of God.

As dark secrets from the past come to light, will Alex choose the safe and secure life he knows, or will he defy his holy orders for Sibylla and the life he was meant to live?"

Title:  The Forbidden Highlands

Authors:  Kathryn Le Veque, Eliza Knight, Terri Brisbin, Amy Jarecki, Collette Cameron, Emma Prince, Victoria Vane & Violetta Rand

Publisher:  Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"The Forbidden Highlands" by: Kathryn Le Veque, Eliza Knight, Terri Brisbin, Amy Jarecki, Collette Cameron, Emma Prince, Victoria Vane & Violetta Rand

Featuring: The Forbidden Highlands..'The Maiden of Moray' .by Author Victoria Vane

My Thoughts...

This is a beautiful medieval Scotland story that is portrait in 'The Maiden Of Moray.'  The beautiful
details that are presented in the story is so well done giving you the feeling this you are there in the midst of it all.  The story features Alexander has been chosen as a tutor for the Domnall. Since Alexander is now getting to see the world before taking his vows what will happen when see sees Lady Sybilla?  What does she have in mind for him since she has never been kissed?  Will Alexander began to question whether taking his vows would be the best for him especially when 'secrets that have been long hidden from him' began to come out.  Will all of this alter what is out there for him?   Be ready for some very complex characters with some backstories that will keep the reader interested in what will come next.    Well, to find out how this story will come out I guess the reader will have to pick up the next series to see what will happen between Sybilla and Alexander.

Along with "The Maiden of Moray"  the reader will get quite a collection of a total eight short entertaining romantic novellas all dealing with 'Forbidden Love.'   Each of the stories are well written with 'their unique style to capture the readers's heart' and will definitely hold ones attention to the very end and will have you wanting to get the next story.  

A Dozen Truths: 12 Works Of Fiction By:

Book Description...

"The greatest truths are often revealed in fiction, as exemplified by this stunning anthology of stories that reveal the human condition in bracingly truthful ways. The eternal complexities of sibling relationships are revealed in four-time #1 bestselling author Steven Manchester's "Lost." The hope and betrayal that so often underlies love declare themselves in Marcia Gloster's "Losing Will." The reality behind a con man's illusions emerge in Craig Ham's contest-winning "Tonic and Spirits." These are three of the dozen truths that will rise from these pages. Side by side with the work of national bestselling novelists like Mary Marcus and Earl Javorsky, A DOZEN TRUTHS features the three winners of the 2016 Authors First Short Story Contest, providing a bold mix of experienced storytelling and fresh new voices. As entertaining as it is engaging, A DOZEN TRUTHS promises twelve dramatic revelations - and as many powerful reading experiences. CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDE: Eric Andersson Steven Manchester Carmen Siegers Marcia Gloster Craig Ham Lynn Voedisch Mary Marcus Christopher Slater KJ Steele Earl Javorsky Roger Bagg Robert Herzog"

As entertaining as it is engaging, A DOZEN TRUTHS promises twelve dramatic revelations – and as many powerful reading experiences.

Title: A Dozen Truths:  12 Works Of Fiction
Author:  Lou Aronica editor (Author), Aaron Brown (Editor)
Publisher:  Story Plant
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"A Dozen Truths:  12 Works Of Fiction" by Lou Aronica editor (Author), Aaron Brown (Editor)

My Thoughts....

CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDED:

Eric Andersson:  'Join' ...With the character of Kyle and his ruminations on the universality of mortality.

Steven Manchester: 'Lost' was a short story set in the world of his novel, Ashes. Giving the reader to think are we really lost?

Carmen Siegers: 'Ollie'  the cat was missing...and the family had to leave without him.  Would Allie be found? What was going on with the parents...divorcing?  Later as a called came...Ollie had been found and was being brought home.

Marcia Gloster:  'Losing Will' was about "an overconfident and arrogant publisher seduces his loyal and adoring secretary and with little regard for her or the woman he intends to marry, expects to have her at his beck and call."  Was just a secret in his life?  After working for him for 5 years...will this relationship happened?  Well, I will stop here and say this was quite some read!

Craig Ham: 'Sonic and Spirits' a disillusioned medicine peddler with a traveling museum struggles with is own humanity after concocting a plan to make some easy money in a town terrorized by ghosts.'

Lynn Voedich: 'Rune Lore' What happens when Annabritta Hogland becomes pregnant and a visit to her cousin Ragnar Nordie meeting?

Mary Marcus: 'Cut to the Cross'     'nasty mean stories and Stanley is the most awful of them all.'

Christopher Slater: 'Hide-and-Seek'   ...who will win out of this...Pup or Wallace?

KJ Steele:  'Two O'Clock Train' ...Mara and Jimmy...playing and then the unthinkable happens...

Earl Javorsky:  'Howard and Pablo' ....'is a traditional short story that pits the industrialist Howard Hughes against the musician Pablo Casals.'

Roger Bagg: 'Zec' ...What will happen to him?  Will he be saved?
and last...
Robert Herzog:  'Twenty-Seventh Street' ...Twenty-seventh to Fifth was the way to go!

I found these short anthologies were rather enjoyable read giving a sample of each of these 12 fictional writers which included their bio's,  My favorite anthology comes from Lost, which came from the car trip taken by the Prendergast brothers in 'Ashes' by Author Steven Manchester.  Many of these authors I hadn't heard of that will definitely keep the readers attention especially some of those sci-fi, horror and thriller reads.

I felt that 'A Dozen Truths' was definitely a wonderful way at getting to know and meet new authors!

So Much a Part of You By: Polly Dugan

Book Description...

"Two young women who've dated the same man navigate love, destiny, loss, and choice in this powerful debut.

Anna Riley and Anne Cavanaugh have had a lover in common, but it's not until a pivotal moment in one of their lives that their paths unforgettably converge. "Beautiful and connected in unexpected ways...." (Jodi Angel), the linked stories in So Much a Part of You "read like whispered secrets." (Scott Nadelson)

Peter Herring was the center of Anne's universe in college, and now, a few years later, he's become the center of Anna's, and merely a minor player in his ex-girlfriend's world. That is, until Peter and Anna are invited into Anne's parents' home to visit with her dying mother, and he finds himself drawn back into her orbit. Years later, when her own mother is dying, Anna will find herself yearning to reach out to Anne, with whom she had shared such a brief but intimate bond, and find solace in that moment from long ago.

Perspective evolves with time, and so with time, what Peter means to each woman-as lover, as friend, as connection to the past-also evolves. Through exploring Anne's and Anna's ties to Peter and unfolding the narratives of the people who weave meaningfully in and out of their lives, Polly Dugan reveals the power of family secrets, the ripple effects of her characters' emotional choices, and how poignantly their intertwined relationships shape who they are and how they love.

Possessing that rare ability to write the sweep of emotion with tenderness, Polly Dugan invites readers to witness the moments that define her characters-the moments that come back full circle to comfort or haunt them, or both. So Much a Part of You will break your heart and still have you asking for more."

Title:  So Much a Part of You

Author:  Polly Dugan

Publisher:  Little, Brown and Company

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: 4

Review

"So Much a Part of You" by Polly Dugan

What I thought about this novel...

This author presents to the reader a collection of tales where the story will connect to one another in one way or another.  I will say I did have a little trouble understanding some parts of this novel's connection however, before  I had finished reading  the novel I was able to understand and see its connection.    Most of these stories took place around the 1980's during the depression era where we found life somewhat much simpler and then it weaves on to the present time. The story was well written as the author give us a story of Peter who had quite a moral issue with two women that loved him.  All the way through the read all these issues will find that these three will explore relationships, loyalty, families and even love.  I found it interesting how this author was able to give the reader stories that weaved the past and present together as they are interconnected together giving the reader a look at their emotional, physical and psychological lives.  As you read from each short story you will see how the characters that are well presented having been weaved into the very next story which was very well done by the author. Be ready for a collection of stories that are linked together that will have a little bit of it all from some tragedies, from accidents, grief, anxiety, to one night stands, friendships, alcoholism to even an abortion.  Now,  will all these stories be something you can identify with in your life?...Well, you will have to pick up this read to see if  this  collection to see.   It will be a interesting read that may still leave you wondering.  

Baby, It's Cold Outside (Tangled #4.5) By: Jennifer Probst, Emma Chase, Kate Meader, Kristen Proby & Melody Anne

Title:  Baby, It's Cold Outside
Authors:  Jennifer Probst, Emma Chase, Kate Meader, Kristen Proby & Melody Anne
Publisher:  Pocket Balls
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"Baby It's Cold Outside (Tangled #4.5)

Book Description....

"New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling indie authors Jennifer Probst, Emma Chase, Kristen Proby, Melody Anne, and debut author Kate Meader come together to write a sizzling romance anthology.

Outside it may be frosty, so turn the heat way up with these stories of desire!

Can a determined woman executive and a playboy billionaire survive being stranded together in a snowstorm? Jennifer Probst depicts an encounter almost too hot to handle...

Drew and Kate play an encore to Tangled in this sexy take on a "Christmas Carol" by Emma Chase. When a Christmas Eve argument condemns Drew to a troubled night, three dream women teach him that no gift could be more tantalizing than Kate...

With Kristen Proby, ski slopes are quite delightful. Grace Douglas is sure she'll never learn to ski, but instructor Jacob Baxter could teach her lessons of a different kind...

Can a southern California transplant survive Montana's deep snows? Melody Anne, author of the bestselling Andersons series, melts the icy drifts completely away with the heat between sexy Hawk Winchester and brand-new teacher Natalie Duncan...

What could be hotter than a firefighter? Kate Meader shows how, as Beck Rivera and heiress-turned-tattoo-artist Lucy Cochrane discover, nothing ignites holiday flames like rekindling a lost love..."

What I liked about this novel..... 


These are truly five good sexy short anthologies  stories that will keep your attention  reading one story after the other till the end.  Now which one will be your favorite read?  Mine was the one by author Jennifer Probst featuring Riley Fox  and  Ryan Dylan McCray in "Searching For You."  I loved its presentation! 

I really did enjoy reading all  these novellas where there were some I wished some could have been a little longer.  I felt a few of the reads were rushed a bit.   Most of these stores were about or around the Christmas time filled  with lots  snow(where you are possibly stranded in a snowstorm) and  lots of sexy hot scenes that was well presented.  All of the characters for the most part were developed, well portrayed, likable, believable,  romantic and sexy and I found that all of these author's gave the reader good descriptions of the various scenes that even made you feel as if you were there. 

Be ready for  a novel of fun cute  romantic stories with some being a little predictable but yet by the end you get to the last story the reader will have  a  good read and even a smile of your face.

If you are looking for a novel to bundle up with during the Christmas holiday, I would recommend "Baby, It's Cold Outside" collection where you will get holiday read with romance  passion and some  heart warming unforgettable moments.