King of Dead Things by Nevin Holness

Welcome Back, Booklovers! King of Dead Things came on my radar with it's promises of Afro-Caribbean fantasy and a fresh fantasy from a Black British author. My love of reading stories about Black people from all over the diaspora and specifically seeing Black boys at the forefront of the story made this a must read for me. If you're interested keeping reading. 

King of Dead Things follows the Malcom and Eli, two Black teens navigating London's magical underbelly. Eli, has no memory of where he came from but he does have special magical skills which he uses to heal people and do odd jobs for his landlord, Pam who rents him a room above her West Indian takeout restaurant. Eli is tasked with retrieving the fang of Osebo, a weapon with magic draining capabilities. Malcolm has powers that can wake the dead and an infamous father who he can't seem to escape despite his absence. Eli and Malcolm's paths cross when bodies start turning up of people who've had the magic ripped out of them.

While the promise of Afro-Caribbean fantasy drew me in, I have to admit that it also made me a bit hesitant seeing it as a selling point. I'm just remembering past experience where I read books that made that promise yet failed to deliver. King of Dead Things did not disappoint when it came to highlighting not only Caribbean mythology but also traditions and superstitions like the nine nights featured here. People who've grown up in the culture will find themselves smiling at familiar sayings and attitudes from some of the characters.

Nevin Holness does a great job making the voices of both Eli and Malcom as well as side characters like Max, Sunny, and Pam distinct which kept my attention. She's also great at these vivid descriptions whether it be food or emotions that really have you immersed in the scenes every chapter. This is a character driven story and I was especially drawn to Malcolm and his relationship with his father. The first in a duology, the ending leaves you ready to know what will happen next. 

Out of Office by AH Cunningham

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I don't think I even checked the premise of Out of Office before I decided to read it. Truth be told A.H. Cunningham had me at Afro-Panamanian love interest. There's not a lot of traditionally published romance that highlights the multiculturalism of Black people so it's a treat when I discover one. I received a finished copy from Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. You can buy the book here. 

Genevieve is a woman who has a lot of pressure on her to succeed. She works for a major hospitality company and has been in Panama for the past few weeks helping open a new hotel chain. And now she's finally giving herself a vacation despite her mother's insistence on keeping her attention laser focused on the promotion she's up for. Adrian, the owner of a local transportation company invites her to spend some time at his family owned hostel and see where the chemistry between them goes and Gen decides to take a chance. But can their relationship survive once they're no longer in vacation mode?

This book explores what happens after the I love yous are exchanged and the couple has to learn to face the real world. I find most of the vacation romances I've read focus on the build up and then the declarations of love. Gen has great intentions. She wants to build her career to the highest it can go but she also wants to be able to build up her community. While Adrian is more focused on having a work- life balance and spending as much time as possible with the family he has left. As Gen moves up in her career she's discovering she has less and less time to focus on the things she loves.

The conversations that the book has about career and finding the right balance were well done. I liked the realistic relationship between Gen and her mother who tries so hard to push her and in some ways lives through her. I appreciated that her mother isn't demonized despite her harsh demeanor. Instead it's acknowledged that her mother is on a different path and an explanation is given for why she is the way she is but ultimately it's up to Gen to decide if that path is the same one for her.

A little more was needed when it came to the development of Adrian. Unlike Gen who is going through a journey of learning to value her own needs, he has his life together. Even his one flaw of being a people pleaser is still a loveable trait because it fuels his dedication to making things easy for her and making the relationship work. It would've been nice to see him challenged as well. 

Another treat is the tidbits of Afro-Panamanian culture and history that are included in a way that doesn't feel like the author is trying to teach the reader. But instead that Adrian is trying to Gen a little bit more about his community. 

Earth Day Book Recommendations

Welcome Back, Booklovers! Earth Day is right around the corner and I am all for talking about respecting the Earth from a young age. For Easter I gave all the young children in my family their own grow kits so they can try growing something of their own. I wanted to recommend some children's books that features kids caring about the Earth.

Zandi's Song

Zandi was always thinking and dreaming about the ocean. Then, one special day, the ocean calls for her. Zandi tentatively approaches the water—and that’s when her adventure begins! She soon finds herself transformed into a mermaid and on an unforgettable underwater journey, where she hears the song of the ocean.

But there is something threatening this magical world. Is the key to protecting it buried in stories from the past? Join Zandi in her mission to protect our beloved oceans, in this inspiring story written by South Africa’s first Black female free diving instructor.

Mermaid Kenzie: Protector of the Deeps

When Kenzie slips on her mermaid tail, she becomes Mermaid Kenzie, protector of the deeps. One day as Kenzie snorkels around a shipwreck, she discovers more plastic bags than fish. Grabbing her spear and mermaid net, she begins to clean up the water and the shore--inspiring other kids to help. 

Miguel’s Community Garden

Miguel is throwing a party at his community garden for all of his friends, and he needs help searching for sunflowers to complete the celebration. What do we know about sunflowers? They're tall with petals and leaves—and, hold on, is that a sunflower? No, that's an artichoke. Where, oh, where could those sunflowers be? Can you help Miguel find them in time for his party?

Jayden’s Impossible Garden 

Amidst all the buildings, people, and traffic in his neighborhood, Jayden sees nature everywhere: the squirrels scrounging, the cardinals calling, and the dandelions growing. But Mama doesn’t believe there’s nature in the city. So Jayden sets out to help Mama see what he sees. With the help of his friend Mr. Curtis, Jayden plants the seeds of a community garden and brings together his neighbors—and Mama—to show them the magic of nature in the middle of the city.

Rocket Says Clean Up!

Rocket, is off to the islands to visit her grandparents. Her family loves nothing better than to beach comb and surf together...but the beach is clogged with trash! When she finds a turtle tangled in a net, Rocket decides that something must be done! Like a mini Greta Thunberg, our young activist's enthusiasm brings everyone together...to clean up the beach and prevent plastics from spoiling nature. 

Earthbred: This Light Of Mine

We all have special ways of being, thinking, feeling and doing that help to make you, YOU!

Emi loves her special connection to the earth, but learns to hide her skills after being teased at school. Can she learn how to learn to let it go? Will she learn how to celebrate her own unique talents before it’s too late for her garden?

Sadiq and the Community Garden

On the way to the library, Sadiq and his family pass an empty lot in their neighborhood. It looks like it could use some attention. Sadiq and his brothers and sisters come up with ideas for what the lot could be. A playground? A skatepark? Then a science unit about plants at school gives Sadiq and Hooyo another idea--a community garden! But where to begin? And how to get people involved? It's up to Sadiq and his classmates to "dig in" and make the community garden a success!

As the Seas Rise: Nicole Hernández Hammer and the Fight for Climate Justice

This inspiring picture book biography introduces environmental scientist Nicole Hernández Hammer, who was recognized by former first lady Michelle Obama at the 2015 State of the Union Address for her efforts to partner with vulnerable communities threatened by climate change.

Nicole had seen many sides of nature,

but nature was changing.

The climate was changing.

Bigger storms were brewing,

and she wanted to know why.

As a baby, Nicole survived an earthquake in Guatemala. She grew up in Guatemala’s beautiful jungles. Throughout her life, Nicole witnessed the power and wonder of nature. But she soon realized nature was in trouble. Her own community in Florida was struggling. And everyone needed to become resilient.

Interview with Author Giselle Vriesen

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I read her debut Why We Play With Fire back in January and if you're looking for a YA about the children of gods and goddesses that has cool lore that pulls from cultures around the world I suggest checking it out. But keep reading to find out more about the author behind the book. 

How did you celebrate getting a book deal?

By telling everyone I knew! And popping open the bottle of champagne I bought four years before and was saving for when I got a literary agent—turns out I didn’t need one!

What was the inspiration for Why We Play with Fire?

I was inspired to write WWPWF after having a dream of the ending and the main premise, but different elements in it were inspired by different pieces of life/media. For example, the door in Malachite was inspired by the door in Howl’s Moving Castle, the ancestry of my main character Thea is based on my mother’s mix; and the journey Thea goes on (her emotional rite of passage into adulthood) was inspired by literal rite of passage I did when I was fifteen. 

Did you create a story bible?

I wish I could say I was organized enough that I have a traditional story bible (one sleek document with all of the book planning inside of it), but my version of this was actually a mash-up of google docs, notes app entries, and pages documents on my computer. 

This book includes illustrations, did you have input on what scenes were illustrated? 

I did! I was lucky enough to give a list of scenes in the book that I really wanted to see come to life and starred my top picks! Then the illustrator ShinYeon Moon truly came through on bringing those picks to life visually. 

What was the hardest part about the revisions process?

Knowing that no matter how much I edited there would always be something that could be better, could be improved. It can be really hard to switch out of revision mode into ‘letting it go’ mode. 

I understand that you participated in The Writer’s Roadmap. How was that helpful in your publication journey?

Being a part of the Writers Roadmap was incredible, from it I started a writers group of all black women writers who also took the course, and we still meet up to this day. I also learned invaluable lessons on story structure that have helped me finish high quality first-drafts. 

How do you know when a new idea needs to become a full story?    

When its possibility feels endless.

For me, a new idea needs to be a full story when I recognize pockets inside of it that can be expanded in to, when there's opportunity for growth and expansion. 

Sometimes ideas just want to be an idea, but sometimes they are more of a concept, and a concept is where you can fit all of your other loose idea’s inside of to create a full story.

What does success as an author look like to you?

It’s happening! Success as an author, for me, is people reading my book, asking questions about it, having opinions about it; and of course seeing the story exist outside of my head and knowing that it’s striking people in a positive way. That’s the dream, and it’s coming true. 

What other hobbies do you enjoy (outside of reading and writing)? 

My whole life is hobbies, I love to paint, sew, knit, and make dolls. I also play the guitar and sing. Then for exercise I hike. 

Do you have any upcoming projects you’re able to talk about?

In 2024 I will be opening up my online writing course Book Baby again which teaches fiction writing to new writers, providing an inclusive gentle space to expand into storytelling. 

You can stay up to date on this and any other offerings/projects through my Instagram @gisellevriesen.

Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana

Welcome Back, Booklovers! Lore of the Wilds has been a much buzzed about fantasy from the time the cover dropped last year. There's so few books in traditional publishing with Black Fae so that alone made me want to pick this up. I received a finished copy from Harper Voyager in exchange for an honest review. If you want to know my full thoughts on this book keep reading.

When tragedy strikes her village Lore, a human living in a world of fae surrenders herself and is taken to Wyndlin Castle, where she is instructed to organize books by dark fae Lord Syrelle in his library. Soon after Lore makes her escape with Asher, one of the fae guards in tow. A long the way they get help from his companions and she later bonds with another fae named Finn.

Lore of the Wilds starts off with promise although the very fast pacing at the onset is a challenge along with very choppy sentences and cliche ridden dialogue. The book then comes to a standstill with glacial pacing to incorporate cozy elements such as the library and many many market outings. I found myself confused about the direction the book was going in. Lore doesn't get much development as a character and what we're told about her backstory contradicts how she is presented. She also reads more like a young teen venturing on her own for the first time rather than a woman in her 20s who has been on her own surviving for quite some time. This was not helped by her acting like a giddy school girl experiencing her first crush around love interest Asher.

This is a book that would have benefited from more developmental edits as it's unclear what type of fantasy it's trying to be. There were modern elements better suited for urban fantasy that took me as a reader out of the enchanted forest setting multiple times. This included Lore's obsession with coffee, leggings, romantasy books, and curly hair creams. Despite describing itself as cozy Lore mentions humans are often captured to be concubines and forcibly breed hybrids by the fae but despite being capture this is never a real threat for Lore, herself. At one point well past the halfway mark of the book Lore realizes she knows absolutely nothing about her fae companion's magic and has yet to see a glimpse of it. The same can be said by readers who are told nothing about the magic of this world at this point. I was confused multiple times while reading as it breezed through some sections and languished in others.

Some of Lore of the Wild's sins could've been forgiven if the romance was better developed. Despite marketing itself as a romantasy and having two potential love interests neither relationship was particularly developed. She's also unable to incorporate them into the book at the same time. There's one spicy scene in the story but it feels unearned. 

Squad Goals by Erika J. Kendrick

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I've been meaning to get to Squad Goals for some time now. And since I'm looking for more middle grade for my niece I've been reading different books to find books to suit her taste. Right now she's been leaning more into the horror, paranormal, spooky stuff but she also is a big sports kid. So I got 3 new library cards recently and one of my libraries alerted me that Squad Goals was ready to read so I jumped on it. If you're interested in it keep reading to hear my thoughts.

Magic Olive Pointdexter comes from a long line of cheerleaders and a father who was an NBA legend. So there's a lot of pressure on her to be a star. Cheerleading isn't something she's as passionate about as her sister, mother, and granny before her but she still wants to make the squad to make them proud. But in order to make the squad she has to go through cheer camp where only the best of the best end up making the final cut. Magic doesn't fit the stereotypical look of a cheerleader and there's some friction with one of the head cheerleaders when one of the football boys seems to be interested in her. She's going to have to work hard to get a position on the squad.

Squad Goals is the kind of middle grade I enjoy. It's the kind where they feel like real middle schoolers dealing with relatable middle school problems like mean girls and first crushes. Do most middle school cheerleading squads operate like larger competitive ones? Would Magic stand a chance without a dance or gymnastics background? No, probably not but I'm sure the middle grade readers won't have too much trouble suspending belief here. Author Erika J. Kendrick is a former cheerleader herself and I could tell by how that aspect was written.

I can't think of many middle grade books about girls in sports off the top of my head. And that pool becomes much smaller when I think about books with Black girls as the lead. This was the only one I could think of where I've seen a Black cheerleader portrayed on the cover. 

Some of the things dealt with in this book include not having the ideal body type, mean girls, new friends, and first crushes. Readers watch Magic develop and grow more confident in her abilities and start to fall in love with cheer. We also see her make new friends and deal with a fallout with her one long term bestie. The situations Magic and friends go through at cheer camp felt very realistic to middle school and the book was engaging. There's just enough drama and funny moments to keep readers engaged.

Interview with Author Letisha Marrero

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I read Salsa Magic in December of 2023 and I was impressed by the voice of the main character Maya so much so I had to do my research on the author of this strong debut. Then I decided I needed to feature Letisha Marrero on here so even if you haven't read Salsa Magic yet keep reading. And you can get the book here. 

You’ve written about various topics  from entertainment to parenting across various publications such as Latina Magazine, Vibe, TV One, and NBC among others. What made you decide to get into writing?

Honestly? I’ve been writing since I was five years old. But no one told me I could make a career out of it. Back then, writing was only considered a hobby. When I got to college, and I was failing my business classes, I ended up majoring in communications. Only then did I discover the different ways I could be a writer. A few years after graduating, after a failed attempt at breaking into Hollywood as a screenwriter, I moved to New York City, where all my family was. My first job was as an administrative assistant to the president of a well-known PR firm, where I learned the other side of the media business. Then I switched to working for several magazines. As a freelancer, I also became a copyeditor to pay the bills in between writing assignments. A few years later, the internet came out and changed everything. It was either evolve or die. It’s sad to me that magazines are a dying breed, but fortunately, I was able to pivot to digital, writing and editing for various websites. I’m now the editorial director at a nonprofit in DC. It’s been a wild ride for me to get to this point.

As an entertainment journalist, which celebrity interview was your favorite?

Because of my time living in L.A., I’m usually pretty nonplussed by meeting and interviewing celebrities. I met Beyoncé in the studio right as she was starting her solo career. I’ve traveled to Brazil with Pharrell. I went to Atlanta to interview Big Boi of OutKast. Celebrities really are just regular people, just with some fame attached to them that makes them both quirky and privileged. But interviewing the legend Rita Moreno and the late, great Celia Cruz were probably the biggest highlights of my journalistic career. I pay homage to both of them in Salsa Magic.

What is your writing routine like?

I wish I had one! I’m a working mom, so I write when I can and/or when the spirit moves me. I have to get the words on the page before they leave my mind.. Deadlines are probably my biggest motivator though.

As an older first time novelist did you ever feel the pressure to set a timeline for when you wanted to publish?

To be honest, I wasn’t sure it would ever happen for me. In my 30s, I was at the height of my career as an entertainment journalist, I landed a book deal with a major publisher. That initiated the first drafts of Salsa Magic…but then the deal fell apart. I was so dejected and disappointed that I put everything, including Salsa Magic, on the shelf. Then life got in the way–lots of ups and downs. But 20 years later, here I am. So, everything in time. 

What inspired you to write Salsa Magic?

When Harry Potter first came out in 1997, I was helping take care of my younger cousins. They were obsessed. The series quickly became the zeitgeist. I was intrigued by how enraptured they were by this kind of storytelling. So I asked myself, “What if Harry Potter was a Latina?” That was the impetus and inspiration of Maya. Fast forward to 2005, when I became a mom. I started reading children’s books aloud to my kid and paid attention to what sparked his attention. Then, when he got old enough, he too became obsessed with Harry Potter. I searched and searched for strong Black and Latino main characters for my kid to experience, and still there was nothing. That’s when I determined that a void needed to be filled. That inspired me to dust off my manuscript.

Many people have their perceptions of Santeria without actually knowing what Santeria is. What made you decide to challenge their perception? And what was your research process like? 

I learned about santeria after reading a book called The Altar of My Soul. After reading about santeria and the orishas, and the whole pantheon of gods and goddesses, just like Greek and Roman, which I loved as a kid, I asked myself, “Why doesn’t anyone know about this?” So I approached the subject as a journalist and did all kinds of research–more books, newspaper articles, personal blogs, all that. Since I don’t practice santeria, I wanted to be respectful of the religion above all else, so I was measured in how much detail I would go into.

Tell us more about the role food plays in this story.

In Salsa Magic, Cafe Taza is the heartbeat of the Montenegro Calderon family, where much of the action takes place–and the food is almost its own character. We Puerto Ricans take our food very seriously! I wanted other people to know about these simple delicacies. The flavors are really intoxicating–and cast their own spell when it’s being prepared. The title reference to “salsa” is a double entendre: the spicy mixture of rich sounds that make up salsa music and the ingredients that blend together to create a savory sauce.

What’s the most important message you want young readers to take from the story? 

I have always wanted to read about or see a character who I could relate to and never found one as a kid. Nor could I find one for my own kid, decades later. So I wanted Latinos, especially Afro Latinos, to finally feel seen. I also want non-Latinos to learn about a culture different from their own, yet still have it feel so familiar to their own experiences–because family, and the beautiful mess that comes with it, is universal. The Spanglish is written so that those who get it, get it. And if you don’t, you’ll either get it in context, or you can look it up. There’s some history of the Spanish colonizers and the Triangle Trade System in there too. I always throw in a little bit of teaching in my writing. One way or another, you're gonna walk away learning something!

What was the most surprising part of your publication journey?

The amount of revisions! Silly me, I thought I had a final version when I sold it–I’d worked so hard on it with my agent–only to find out my editors had notes on how to make it better. It was a grueling process that went on for what seemed like forever, but in the end, I am so grateful to have had their guidance. Honestly, the book is so much better because of it–my editors pushed me to levels I didn’t know I could reach.  

If you could visit any place associated with your favorite author or novel, where would you visit?

What a fun question! If I could plan a fantasy visit, I’d go to the Dominican Republic with Julia Alvarez as my guide. I only learned I was part Dominican in my 30s, and I’ve never been to the island, so I’d love to explore and get in touch with my roots there. Who knows? Maybe I’d even find some family members! Somebody make that happen–I would enter another dimension.

Do you have any new projects coming up? And if so are you able to talk about them?

I’ve been kicking around and jotting down some ideas for Book Two, but they’re only half-baked. I promise you, though, it will never take another 20 years to write this one!

The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I've always had a fascination with space. I visited the Kennedy Space Center 2 years ago right before the Artemis 1 launch and I followed Victor Glover's updates from the international space station. So I was ready to see an astronaut love interest in a romance. Etta Easton reached out to me and asked if I wanted an arc of The Kiss Countdown so keep reading to hear my honest review.

Amerie "Mimi" Price has started a new event planning business after an incident with a client got her fired from her previous company and it's been a rough start. The rent for her apartment is increasing and her mother's medical bills are piling up. One day at her favorite coffee shop she runs into her ex who is there with his new woman and she convinces a handsome stranger to pretend to be her new boyfriend. The handsome stranger, Astronaut Vincent Rogers is convinces her to keep up the ruse and pretend to be his girlfriend to keep his concerned mother off his back as he prepares for his mission to the moon.

I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one with the coffee spilling meet cute. A lot of fake dating romances lately have felt forced like the author was just determined to use the trope whether it made sense or not. So it was nice to see one that felt believable enough because they both had something to gain. The romance between them is slow burn but never boring. Vincent and Amerie deal with living together and grow closer as they spend time with his family. But at the same time Amerie has trouble feeling safe and secure because her mother's chronic illness is always on her mind and trying to rebuild her career. We don't get Vincent's pov here but his loveable nerdiness shines through but it's also easy to feel for him and his relationship with his family. 

Despite featuring some very real issues this book doesn't feel heavy or emotionally draining. The romance never takes a backseat to the other plots and Etta Easton does a great job incorporating depth but still keeping this light-hearted and fun. 

The Poisons We Drink by Bethany Baptiste

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I've been in the community for a few years now and it's still exciting to me when I see book release by friends I've made. This was my first time reading The Poisons We Drink in any form and I wanted to give my honest opinion. I received an arc from Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review. If you're interested in a copy you can purchase it here. 

The Poisons We Drink follows Venus, an 18 yr old witcher, who has been brewing illegal love potions to help support her family. The country is currently dived and there is a bill that has been proposed that will be detrimental to magic users. After losing her mother Venus vows to keep her younger sister safe and get revenge. Venus has deviation which allows her to tap into immense power. She uses these powers to brew potions that will poison some of DC's most influential politicians.

It took some time for me to connect to the story and it didn't fully capture my attention until around the 40% mark. That was when the action really kicked it up a notch for me and I was interested in seeing Venus kick ass and take names. Despite it taking longer for me to get into I will note that the book consistently moved at a fast pace so the beginning wasn't a drag. So much was happening and we were getting an introduction to the society of witchers but also learning politics about both sides, it was just not easy for me to connect at first as I was processing the information. But when I did I found myself cheering Venus on because so rare is it where I pick up a fantasy that promises me a fierce heroine and delivers!

One of the things that really shone in this book and made it stand out from other YA fantasies was the focus on Venus' family. So often family is left out of these stories for teenage characters to take on the world by themselves. Venus has a strong family unit with her uncle, sister, and cousin especially doing their fair share of assisting her and were key to the big battle at the end.

I listened to this partially via audiobook and the narrator was phenomenal! There were one or two voices that didn't really fit the characters but she gave them all their own distinct voices. And she gave a very animated performance that really brought the story to life. 

Picture Book Roundup!

Welcome Back, Booklovers! There's a lot of great picture books that have released over the past two months and some good ones I've read that are coming up. So I wanted to share some of them here.

The Last Stand

This is a love letter to Black farmer's as a little boy helps his grandfather run the last stand left at the Farmer's Market. You can purchase it here. 

Love Lah Lah

This is Nailah Blackman's ode to Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago and soca music. You can get your copy here.

Zandi's Song

Zandi transforms into a mermaid and explores the ocean in Zandile Ndhlovu's picture book that shares an important message about ocean conservation. You can order it here. 

Summer is Here

This was an ode to perfect summer days spent at the pool or chasing down the ice cream truck. It's out in May but you can preorder here.

Your Voice, Your Vote

This book does a great job connecting the past with the present to showcase the trials Black people have been through in the US when it comes to voting and why it's important to use our voices today. Get it here.  

Yumbo Gumbo

A family uses data to determine what kind of gumbo they should make for dinner. This one just released so check it out here and then look into the rest of the Storytelling Math books.

My Block Looks Like

And ode to The Bronx and the culture and history within it. With beautiful illustrations that capture the heart of the neighborhood. Get My Block Looks Like. 

The Last Minute First Lady by Tinia Montford

Welcome Back, Booklovers! It's February and love is in the air! It's also Black History Month here in the US. So I decided this month was a great month to get in some Black books that have been on my TBR for awhile. And I've wanted to read The Last Minute First for awhile now but with this being a new to me author I wasn't sure if I wanted to buy the book when I have a Kindle full of romance books. Then I noticed that Hoopla had it when it came up in my recommendations and that was all the push I needed.

Cassian Anders is the perfect candidate for Governor of Illinois. He's a lawyer who runs his own firm, he also helped fund a community outreach center he's very active with, and he has great ideas on how to improve things in Chicago. His only problem is that he 's single and people prefer their politicians to be married and have families of their own. Cassian has to win the election. Not only so he can help out the community but also to have his revenge on the man who hurt his family. Jolie is journalist that works for a local news station. She's been grinding for years and after a setback needs a big story that will warrant her a promotion. While she's scouting news and doing coverage on Cassian she records a video of him lying about having a fiancée. Rather than exposing him they come to an agreement where she'll marry him to benefit both of their careers.

I enjoyed Jolie and Cassian having to team up to help his campaign and the throughout work the author put into showcasing both of their careers. I felt that there was enough drama there that the additional drama with Jolie's family was unnecessary especially with the unsatisfactory resolution to it. That part to me felt like drama for a different book that wasn't fully fleshed out. At first I thought we would get a good commentary about mothers who are jealous of their daughters but the mother was almost cartoonishly evil and I felt Jolie's best friend was pushing her to forgive her brother when he didn't earn it. All the drama took away from the couple themselves as some of the more intimate moments between them happened off page and were relayed to readers later. Part of the fun of marriage of convivence is to see those little moments where they start to realize they're falling in love with each other.

Interview with Author Hena Khan

Welcome Back, Booklovers! Hena Khan has been specializing in stories about young Pakistani girls who aren't afraid of letting their voices be heard. After reading Drawing Deena and Zara's Rules for Record-Breaking Fun I was able to interview her. So keep reading to learn more about this author as well as read her advice for aspiring authors.

Why did you decide to write for children? And how did you get your start? 

I grew up an avid reader and lover of books, and the idea of kids reading stories I write and connecting with my characters is thrilling to me. I also grew up without any representation and wanted my kids to feel seen and included in the literature. Writing has always been a part of my life, but I got my start as a children’s author through Scholastic Book Clubs as a writer-for-hire back in 2001. That’s what made me realize this path was even a possibility! 

I noticed in both Zara’s Rules and Drawing Deena you write shorter chapters. Is that intentional for your audience?

Yes! I think we need to do whatever we can to motivate readers of all sorts. And for many kids, the satisfaction of finishing a chapter can be encouraging. Having quick chapters also keeps the action and pace of the story moving along. I also write shorter middle grade books than many authors, which is also by design. 

In Drawing Deena, the main character Deena experiences anxiety. Why did you want to write a book exploring anxiety and how it manifests?

As we know, anxiety is something that is affecting children at a very high rate. It can be hard to diagnose in kids since they don’t always express what they are feeling, or understand what is causing them stress. And the physical manifestations of anxiety can be confusing to kids and caregivers alike. 

I wanted to write about the journey of discovering anxiety for what it is, and explore different coping mechanisms and resources, including what services might be available through public schools. Hopefully, the more it is understood, the better it can be managed. 

What message were you trying to convey about mother/daughter relationships in Drawing Deena?

We often don’t know the people closest to us as well as we think we do. Or, we put them in boxes and don’t appreciate their capacity for change. I wanted to portray Deena’s relationship with her mother as an evolving one, where they both needed to learn how to see each other and support each other better. I really loved exploring that dynamic, particularly in an immigrant family.

You’re written multiple series. Do you start writing a book knowing it’s going to be a part of a series? And what’s your biggest challenge when writing a series vs a standalone? 

The series I’ve written, Zara’s Rules, Zayd Saleem Chasing the Dream, and Super You were all intended to be series from the start. In the Zayd Saleem series, I planned out each book as well as an overarching story arc before writing. For Zara’s Rules, each book stands alone but there are some elements that run through the series. And Super You is a superpower origin story in a pick-your-path format in each book. The biggest challenge for me when writing a series is making sure that each story feels equally fresh and satisfying. But I honestly adore getting to build worlds and then play with the characters. And I find it easier to write the characters the better I get to know them. For those who don’t know, my Zara and Zayd books are connected, and they are siblings, so I’ve written six books about the same family and hope to continue with more.

How do you set the mood to sit down and write?

I don’t! I sit down in various spots in my home, whether it’s my couch, my kitchen table or my desk. And I write at different times of the day, late at night, between appointments, or whenever I get the chance. I wish I had a writing schedule, but I’ve never stuck to one. My ideal writing situation, if I was to set the mood, would be to write on a train that’s rolling through the countryside, in the middle seats that face each other and have little tables, with no wifi, spotty cell signal and some good snacks!

How do you celebrate when you finish writing a book?

I usually sleep a lot after turning in a final draft! And I might binge a mindless show while I recharge for my next project. I should create a ritual of celebration just like I should set the mood for writing! But for now, the celebrations revolve around book birthdays which are way better than actual birthdays. 

As an established author, what’s the best advice you would give to someone who is interested in traditional publishing?

Don’t give up. If you love writing, keep at your craft, do the research, find the support you need, and write your stories. It’s hard and frustrating in many ways, but everyone’s journey is unique and the rewards are worth it if you can find success. But do write your stories. Nothing will happen if you don’t actually write. It sounds obvious, but many people need to hear that! 

Are you able to talk about any upcoming projects?

Yes! I would love for readers to stay tuned about the other books I have coming out later this year, including an anthology I edited called THE DOOR IS OPEN, a picture book called BEHIND MY DOORS, my debut graphic novel called WE ARE BIG TIME and a hilarious coauthored book with Sarah Mylnowski, LIKE A BOSS which is Book 4 of the BEST WISHES series. I’m working on my second graphic novel, along with more picture books, and I hope to write more for my series. Please connect with me to stay up to date on book news! 

You can follow Hena Kahn on Instagram @henakhanbooks

Snowbound Second Chance by Reese Ryan

Welcome Back, Booklovers! Whenever I need a light quick romance read I turn to Harlequin. Reese Ryan knows how to deliver. RIP to Harlequin's Desire line but luckily there's still so many books in the backlist I still need to read. And tackling Reese Ryan's Valentine's Vineyard series is definitely on my agenda. I love romances that also include families. I want to see the interactions with parents, siblings, and cousins on page. You can get Snowbound Second Chance here and keep reading for more. 

Snowbound Second Chance follows Sebastian Valentine and Evelisse “Evvie” Jemison. Both live outside of Magnolia Lake and are working at jobs that are unfulfilling. Sebastian ends up coming back to Magnolia Lake after having a panic attack at work over some changes to worker's conditions that the new company in charge wants to implement. Since his father sold the textile company he is acting CEO in name only. Evvie is working as a personal assistant after her Hollywood Actress Dreams failed to pan out. This job was supposed to lead to work behind the camera but her boss isn't delivering on his promise. Evvie's sister Kayleigh asks her to come home and help her run the inn that she has just opened on their family's old land. And though Evvie is reluctant at first due to childhood trauma that she's been running from, she decides to return home. The two met the year before and nothing came from it but with Sebastian at the inn for a long term stay and Evvie as acting innkeeper thing really heat up when the temperatures drop.

These are characters in their forties who act like it but that doesn't mean they have life completely figured out. Evvie has been putting in a lot of work on herself over the past year with therapy and it's refreshing to read. She's also reflected on her previous relationship and understands what both of their faults were so she doesn't plan on repeating the same mistakes. Sebastian despite having gone through a divorce because of his unhealthy overcommitment to work, still isn't ready to quite let go of what he believes is his family legacy. Even though his family has moved on to their vineyard venture he isn't on board yet and has a lot to learn. These two have great communication with each other which only enhances their chemistry. And like the title suggests you can be prepared for a sexy snowbound scene. 

Why We Play With Fire by Giselle Vriesen

Welcome Back, Booklovers! Why We Play With Fire caught my attention after seeing it on Bookstagram and it promised a different kind of gods and goddess story from the ones that are currently dominating the lists.  You can check out the book here and keep reading for my thoughts. 

Thea's world is turned upside after her mother pushes her in a well and she winds up in an enchanted house known as Malachite. Malachite is a safe haven for the children of gods and goddesses. She then has to embark on a journey to find the missing keys and awaken the magic within herself while also battling shadowy enemies hunting her down.

A character finding out they are descended from gods and goddesses is not a new concept. However this book offers a very unique take on the gods and goddesses mythology. I like how it pulled from all different cultures rather than just focusing on one religion and mythos. It was very realistic for the diverse cast of characters. While these children usually come from more than one god or goddess they must choose only one. After hearing the spirit of her Nana she knows that despite being new to this world she must go on the journey to find the missing keys to discover her true self. 

Right away readers are immersed in this new world as they discover Malachite a long with Thea. Then we're taken to different lands as Thea and her new friends search for the keys. There are illustrations sprinkled throughout which was a fun added touch and the book ends with a satisfying conclusion but just enough for the story to continue. 

Out of Body by Nia Davenport

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I read The Blood Trials by the same author writing as N.E. Davenport and knowing the love she has for the YA genre I was interested in her YA debut. It's a genre change for her as well since Out of Body is a thriller. I haven't had the best of luck with YA thrillers the past few years but I'm always open to trying new ones and it helped that this was from an author I already enjoyed. So thank you to Nia Davenport and HarperCollins for giving me the opportunity to read this early in exchange for an honest review. You can purchase the book here. 

Megan just wants to fit in with the cool kids. So when her new friend LC urges her to try molly at a party she does against her better judgement. Megan passes out and when she comes to she feels different. Then when she heads home she sees herself staring back at her. Only it can't be her. She soon realizes she's occupying LC's body and LC is inside her body. It doesn't take Megan long to realize she's been duped but not before she ends up in another town pretending to be Jade, a girl who has been missing for the past three months whose body she is currently occupying. Megan must race against time to switch herself, LC, and Jade back to their original bodies.

One thing Nia succeeds in is writing very readable fast-paced prose that keeps readers turning the pages. The answers to Megan's questions do come a little bit quickly thanks to Tik Tok and it's hard to connect with her at first do to how quickly the body swapping happens but overall it's a thrilling story. That feeling of unsettledness builds the further into the book readers get. There's a little bit of romance but not so much that it detracts from the plot. And themes of friendship and body autonomy are explored throughout this book. Teens who are interested in sci-fi but want something that's not so science heavy to ease them in will appreciate this. Outside of falling for LC's peer pressure Megan is genuinely a smart and resourceful teen which is a much needed contrast to the more impulse driven characters that usually dominate these types of stories. I also appreciated getting insight into LC's head at different points while trying to figure out the mystery behind the switch.

Fake Famous by Dana L Davis

Welcome Back, Booklovers! January is my month of  trying to get caught up. And I decided to read some of the books I've had on the backburner for a few months. I've read all of Dana L Davis' YA books so far. And for the past couple of books she's been going with the set around the music industry theme. Check out my Roman and Jewel review here and my Somebody That I Used to Know review here. And if you're interest in Fake Famous check out my review below and purchase your copy here. 

Fake Famous follows a girl named Red who ends up going viral when she's caught on camera singing in a pile of manure. People mistake her for a famous pop singer Zay Zay  Waters who ironically enough has also just dyed her locks red. Red is even more surprised when Zay Zay shows up at the farm offering to pay her to be her stand-in for a week while she's off on a special mission. With Red's family farm struggling she agrees to take the cash, gets her celebrity makeover, and heads to Los Angeles. 

The concept of a regular girl switching places with a wealthier person is nothing new but it's always fun. And what really carried this story is what Dana L Davis always does so well and that's the banter between characters. Red and her love interest Koi have an easy chemistry that carried throughout the book. And Red is a genuinely sweet girl who puts her family and their best interest first all the time.

It was very awkward  and confusing seeing the mentions of the main character wanting to visit Israel and film a movie in Israel as if it's some beautiful vacation destination. Especially since this book was written during the past year when we've seen Israel constantly in the news. That was a choice!A choice that made no sense and leaves me with questions for everyone involved with this book. And it was the beginning of things that took me out of an otherwise mostly enjoyable story by the end. 

The ending did come off a little Disney Channel movie and the last few chapters while predictable didn't have good buildup for me. We saw so little interest in what she was actually interested in outside of her family's farm that it didn't quite fit. I feel this could've still had a happy ending without the fairytaleesque path it went down. But overall this book will be fun for the younger YA audience who is looking for a quick read.

The Art of Scandal by Regina Black

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I had been meaning to read The Art of Scandal since last fall but I was waiting to be in the right mood for it. I decided January would be a good time to finish books I carried over into the new year. You can buy The Art of Scandal here. 

The Art of Scandal follows Rachel who receives a nude text from her husband on the night of his fortieth birthday and instantly realizes it wasn't meant for her. But since she's dedicated so much of her life to being his wife and has built nothing on her own she can't just walk away without having to start all over. Matt is a white politician who has higher political aspirations and is willing to pay her off to keep of the facade of a happy couple. While Rachel is regretting her life, she meets Nathan Vasquez, a struggling artist in his mid 20s who makes her feel alive again. 

I was pleasantly surprised by The Art of Scandal. It starts off with a bang jumping right into the major of scandal of the story. I enjoy when stories get into the action on page one because with so many books out there to read I want to be immediately drawn in. While Regina Black writes a believable politician in Matt and gives insight into what he's campaigning on she doesn't get caught up in the specifics. This is Rachel and Nathan's story and the focus remains on them. Rachel is older, she has a daughter in college and so much of her life has been wrapped up in being the perfect politician's wife that's she's not even sure who she is anymore. Nathan has grown up privileged but he's also lost and struggling to find his purpose in life. His older brother is somewhat of the golden child who has always been seen as the successful one. While Nate is running a laundromat passed on to him and doing fanart while he ignores his true calling. 

The book is steamy and full of soap operaesque drama but it's still grounded in reality. It's written in a way where I felt like I was peeking in to these people's every day lives. These are two people who are at a crossroads and are holding onto trauma. I really enjoyed how this book explored uncertainty in your career as well as balancing family relationships. It also explores the challenges to interracial relationships in a way we don't always see depicted.

The audiobook narration is great and the book is pretty fairly paced. I can easily see where this would make a good tv series.

Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams

Welcome Back, Booklovers! I'm here with my first blog review of the year. Blood at the Root is one of the most anticipated YA releases of 2024. And as someone who spent all of 2023 searching for an HBCU set fantasy this one caught my eye after I saw it trending on Twitter. And then when LaDarrion Williams offered me the chance to read the arc I jumped at the opportunity. So preorder it here and then keep reading to hear my thoughts.

                                                                                                   

10 years ago Malik's life changed forever after he lost his mother during an attack where he discovered he has special powers. Now, newly emancipated Malik decides to use his magic to help escape with his foster brother to start anew. However their plans go awry after an incident at a gas station. Malik ends up meeting a mysterious man who tells him about a long-lost grandmother who has been searching for him. Malik finds himself in New Orleans being pulled into a world full of magic and secrets. And it seems the key to unveiling the truth about his mother is attending a magical university for Black students. While Malik is reconnecting with an old friend and learning how to wield his powers, students are disappearing and it may have a connection to a powerful type of dark magic his mother was dabbling in.

The book started a slow build up to Malik attending the school and though I would've preferred we end up on campus right away I did understand why that was done. And good bit of care is put into tying different plotlines together. Often in these types of stories set at schools, the school aspect becomes an after thought. Williams does a good job utilizing the school. Different sororities and fraternities were introduced that I can see playing a larger part in the next book. The world pulls from a lot of different elements from hoodoo to Kreyol with class sessions combining magic with Black history lessons.

Outside of some very millennial references here and there the dialogue did feel pretty realistic for Black boys from the hood in college. There was some AAVE here or some descriptions here and there that threw me off but it wasn't egregious. It's possible that will be cleaned up in the final version of this book. But then there were some references though maybe corny at times were well thought out and clearly sending a message to young Black readers.

While previously the author said this is a book without trauma I'd like to refute that. The book is not trauma free. Malik has been through it in life and still goes through a lot. There's some reflection on history that includes slavery. There's a side plot with Black children disappearing. But what set this apart from some of my other YA fantasy reads is I didn't see a lot of graphically detail violence on page. And we get to see Black people fighting back without having to suffer at the oppressor's hands first. White people were never centered. Absent was that white bff that often appears to show white readers that  Black people are human too. At a time when writers are advised to write for everybody it was very clear the audience here was Black boys who haven't really seen themselves in fantasy. 

Overall this is a very engaging story with enough twists and turns to keep reader's interested as secrets unfold.

The Honorable Mentions 2023

Welcome Back, Booklovers! As someone who reads over 100 books each year there's just so many books that are good but don't immediately come to mind. But these books still deserve attention so I decided this year to give you my honorable mentions. These are books that still stood out that I think you should check out.

Patchwork Prince

This is a sweet story about a mother and son who make out of their situation and turn scraps into something beautiful. 

What makes a patchwork prince? A prince must be ready for adventure—ready for the night, ready to pluck the brightest, most beautiful fabrics from the scrap heap, ready to run when danger comes. With the treasures he and his mother collect, she will make him clothes fit for royalty: No flashy jewels, no crown, but a cut and drape that hug his Black shoulders just right. And in his new clothes, with chin held high, he will know he is a prince. 

The Ghost Tree

Out of all the books we've read this year this series is my 10 year old niece's favorite. She really enjoyed this book.

Asim's new town is freaking him out! There are weird noises at night, eerie lights, and now an evil tree that is growing way faster than it should. he's sure there's something supernatural going on.

His friend Rokshar believes that everything can be explained by science. But even she's worried when the tree takes control of their teacher! It's starting to look like an evil spirit straight out of Guyanese folklore is to blame. Can Asim and his friends save their teacher--and the town --from the ghost tree?

Sign of the Slayer

This is a fun teen urban fantasy with vampire slayers vs vampires and Black main characters.

High school is supposed to be about studying, socializing, and marching-band practice. Not fighting vampires. Then one night flipped my world inside out―now, my life sucks. But it isn’t all bad. I’m at a slayer academy, learning things like the real origin of vamps and how to make serious weapons out of thin air.

Every last one of them will pay for what they did. I’m doing great.

Until I come face-to-face with the actual vampire prince…and I’m not sure of anything anymore. Vampires are supposed to be soul-sucking demons. But Khamari is…something else. He’s intelligent and reasonable―and he seems to know things about me that could change everything.

He’s also hiding something big, even from his own kind. And when a threat from an ancient evil is so extreme that a vampire will team up with a slayer to take it down, it isn’t just my need for revenge that’s at stake anymore.

It’s the whole damn world.

When the Vibe Is Right

This is a sweet YA Romance between two rivals who have to work together to carry on a legacy. 

There are two things Tess Crawford knows for sure:

• She’s destined to be a great Trinidadian Carnival costume designer like her renowned uncle, Russell Messina, and will one day inherit leadership of the family’s masquerade band, Grandeur.

• Her classmate, the popular social media influencer, Brandon Richards, is the bane of her existence. Everything about him irks her, from his annoying nickname for Tess (Boop) to his association with David, her awful ex.

But when the future of Grandeur nears the brink of collapse in the face of band rivalry, Tess finds to her chagrin that she must team up with Brandon in a desperate attempt to revive the company.

As Tess and Brandon spend more time together, Tess begins to wonder if everything she thought she knew might not be so certain after all. . . .

Set in lush, gorgeous Trinidad, this is a novel about finding love in the most unexpected places.

The Thing About Home

This is a story about family, self discovery, and great food. It's inspirational without being overly preachy and you can feel the heart on every page.

Casey Black needs an escape. When her picture-perfect vow renewal ceremony ends in her being left at the altar, the former model turned social media influencer has new fame—the kind she never wanted. An embarrassing viral video has cost her millions of followers, and her seven-year marriage is over. With her personal and business lives in shambles, Casey runs from New York City to South Carolina’s Lowcountry hoping to find long-lost family. Family who can give her more answers about her past than her controlling mom-slash-manager has ever been willing to share.

What Casey doesn’t expect is a postcard-worthy property on a three-hundred-acre farm, history, culture, and a love of sweet tea. She spends her days caring for the land and her nights cooking much needed Southern comfort foods. She also meets Nigel, the handsome farm manager whose friendship has become everything she’s never had. And then there are the secrets her mother can no longer hide.

Through the pages of her great-grandmother’s journals, Casey discovers her roots run deeper than the Lowcountry soil. She learns that she has people. A home. A legacy to uphold. And a great new love story—if only she is brave enough to leave her old life behind.

The Princess of Thornwood Drive

A beautiful exploration of grief and how it manifests that also discusses abuse within the medical field. 

One year ago, a tragic car accident killed 22-year-old Laine’s parents and left her 18-year-old sister, Alyssa, paralyzed and nonverbal. Now—instead of studying animal nutrition or competing as one of the few equestrians of color—Laine is struggling with predatory banks, unscrupulous health care organizations, and rude customers at the coffee shop where she works. That’s why when Lake Forest Adult Day Center offers to take care of Alyssa, free of charge, Laine is relieved.

Alyssa isn't relieved, though. After all, in her mind, there was never a car accident. Instead, she and her parents—the king and queen of Mirendal—were attacked one year ago in the forest, her parents kidnapped while she was cursed, and now must spend her days in Lake Forest's Home for Changels—a temple caring for mortals such as herself. Perhaps there, she could meet other changels who show her how to embrace her new life.

However, there is a dark prince at Lake Forest, one who has taken a peculiar interest in not only Alyssa but her sister as well. And while Laine struggles to make ends meet on an everyday basis, Alyssa finds herself leading a battle that threatens to destroy not only her and her sister but their entire kingdom.

Family Lore

This was a beautiful story about different women reflecting on life as they anticipate the death of one of their own. 

Flor has a gift: she can predict, to the day, when someone will die. So when she decides she wants a living wake—a party to bring her family and community together to celebrate the long life she’s led—her sisters are surprised. Has Flor foreseen her own death, or someone else’s? Does she have other motives? She refuses to tell her sisters, Matilde, Pastora, and Camila.

But Flor isn’t the only person with secrets: her sisters are hiding things, too. And the next generation, cousins Ona and Yadi, face tumult of their own.

Spanning the three days prior to the wake, Family Lore traces the lives of each of the Marte women, weaving together past and present, Santo Domingo and New York City. Told with Elizabeth Acevedo’s inimitable and incandescent voice, this is an indelible portrait of sisters and cousins, aunts and nieces—one family’s journey through their history, helping them better navigate all that is to come.