When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole ~ Book Review

 

When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was quite a thriller. It really made me want to know more about gentrification and how it has been done in the past to present day. This is happening countrywide and now I'm noticing the signs in my city. Alyssa Cole, for me, weaved how she and Theo researched gentrification in the past and how the cycle was affecting their neighborhood presently. When No One is Watching gave me drama, romance, mystery, and thriller energy all at the same time. This was a real page turner for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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Deacon King Kong by James McBride ~ Book Review

 

Deacon King Kong by James McBride
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow just wow I absolutely loved this story. This to me was a perfect example of have a lot of characters with distinct character descriptions. There were so many voices but not once did I get confused with which character was speaking; great job to James McBride. I will definitely be seeking out more novels from this author.

Deacon King Kong gave me Law and Order, 227, Amen vibes like no joke. I was completely here for all of the gossip, the comedy, and even the violence. It was really an unpredictable plot and McBride interweaves the story so eloquently. I am never good at who done it and why stories, and no I didn't get it right on this one either. With that being said I still enjoyed the journey it was really a page turner for me.

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The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix ~ Book Review

 

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn't really know what to expect starting this book. I was unfamiliar with Grady Hendrix as an author. Upon reading the synopsis I felt this was right up my alley. It starts off slow but trust me when you get through the first ten chapters it picks up tremendously. I found myself identifying slightly with the women of the book club. My favorite character seesaws between Kitty and Slick. All of the women had their strengths and definitely had some weaknesses they had to attempt to conquer. This book, once it got going, really held my attention and drove me to keep reading to find out what the heck a book club would do when confronted with vampires.

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Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey ~ Book Review

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow just wow. This book was so unexpected. I have watched quite a few of Matthew McConaughey's films and just like others prejudged the book. While his is a fun loving, caring guy as he portrays in a ton of his rom-com movies; he so much more. Before reading his book I really thought him to be flighty, but in reading he is so multi-layered and well grounded.

This book was written like a diary and a conversation. There are so many gems in level of his life. The book is full of poetry, sayings, bumper stickers and yes traffic lights. It is a really light read and fast read, while it has slightly over 300 pages it goes by quickly.

What I thoroughly liked about his writing style is his ability to paint a picture so vivid it was as you were there and sometimes he actually provides a picture to back up the story he's telling.

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Broken Places by Tracy Clark ~ Book Review

Broken Places by Tracy Clark
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good ending

This book was real slow to start but has potential. The development of the characters was great. I understand where every party was coming from. I must say one of the good things about this novel was I didn’t solve the mystery at all before the last couple of chapters. But beyond that I really had high hopes for this novel it just took me entirely too long to get into it. There are 32 chapters and for me it did t start getting good until mid twentieth chapters.without giving anything away the ending was great I just wished it would’ve given me that same energy throughout the novel.

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Just as I Am by Cicely Tyson ~ Book Review

Just as I Am by Cicely Tyson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Upon being approached to read this book for a book club I had my doubts. I am wasn't a big Cicely Tyson fan. I had only seen her in a few movies in her later years and Roots. I had no idea the span of her work. I had no idea her history and what a grand history it was. This book is just shy of 500 pages (a big one) and it took me a few days to read it consistently. Ms. Tyson lived just they way she acted as authentically as possible no punches pulled.

I for one didn't know 1/4 of the information she provided. I didn't know she was married to Miles Davis and how Betty Davis began (the tea of it all). Her relationship with some of the great actors of our time (Diahann Carroll, James Earl Jones, Sydney Poitier, there are too many to name). She even had a school named after her.

Getting the backstory of those we deem untouchable is quite interesting. In Cicely Tyson's 90 plus years of life; she experienced quite a lot. I am recommending this book to everyone. It was quite a journey seeing different year marks of national events she witnessed first hand; from wars to civil rights to just living in New York in the 20's. I just feel there was more to be told and I wish she were still here to deliver a part 2.

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"Tempted by Fire (Dragonkeepers Book 2) by Kimber White ~ Book Review

Tempted by Fire by Kimber White
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm starting to really get into this dragon series. I normally stick to the werebears, werelions, and werewolves paranormal romance. But Kimber has a writing style that is just pleasant to read and enjoy. It is a very fast read and I look forward to reading Finn's story next.

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