Review: How I Got Skinny, Famous, And Fell Madly In Love - Ken Baker

REVIEW

I really loved this story. The main character Emery was so hilarious at times and had me rooting for her all the way to the last few pages. She pretty much said what was on her mind and didn't care what people thought about it, my kind of girl. I absolutely hated her snobby, cruel mother. No parent should degrade a child the way she does during this story, but I feel like it made Emery fight all that much harder to just be herself.



This would be a good story for any teen/woman to read, in my opinion, and has a great message for anyone who has ever struggled with their self-esteem, appearance and weight issues. 


I gave this book five stars and would recommend to anyone looking for an inspirational read!!






5 Stars



Billie Jo

Spotlight/Review: Why Can't We See GOD - Rickey Teems II

Harry and Sherry discover that just because we can't see God, doesn't mean He isn't there!

Paperback: 19 pages

Publisher: NoGuile Books (January 26, 2014)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0983222649

ISBN-13: 978-0983222644

Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches

REVIEW

When I was a kid, I would always wonder Where was GOD? and if he existed Why couldn't I see him/her? The answer I always received was HE exists because it's just what it is. It wasn't until later in my youth that I began to understand the mysteries of GOD.


Why Can't We See GOD is a perfect book for preschool-age kids and up. The illustrations are bright and colorful, which will keep the attention of children. Mr. Teems put his one of a kind spark by adding symbols of GOD throughout the book.

I highly recommend this book for parents who are trying to find an easy way to explain to their children Why Can't We See GOD. I can't wait for more of Harry & Sherry's adventures.

5 Stars

Orsayor

Review: Fortune & Fame - Victoria Christopher Murray/Reshonda Tate Billingsley

REVIEW

Reality TV will never be the same!  Rachel Adams has just been cast on the newest OWN produced reality show, First Ladies.  Jasmine Bush has also been casted but little do these frenemies know, so have women from their past.

For Rachel, it is Mary, the natural mother of her son Lester, Jr.  The same Mary who was sent to prison for fraud and identity theft - the same Mary who made Rachel life H-E-double hockey sticks.  Mary who is married to an up and coming preacher is now looking for redemption.  Since her incarceration, Mary has turned her life around and is now married to a preacher; however, everything is not what it seems. Her husband is a slick talking, anything but a man of God preacher.  He has his eye on reality tv and the fortune and fame that comes with it.  For Jasmine, it is Natalia, former fiancée of Jasmine's husband.  She is once again determined to get him back at all costs.  To make matters worse, for favorite fixer, Olivia Pope's mentor, Mae Francis is sick with pneumonia!

This drama filled story had me laughing out loud.  It is clear that the writers are fans of reality TV.  They have captured the good, the bad and the downright crazy of all that is "reality" television. I especially loved the scenes where the producers manipulated the scenes so that the women would attack each other.  


Once again Jasmine and Rachel prove, we can mess with each other but don't you dare!  Get the popcorn and Pepsi because this one is drama!


5 Stars


Mia

Review: Mama's Child - Joan Steinau Lester

REVIEW

Mama's Child was an enthralling read from beginning to end. You're immediately pulled into each of the character's lives and are able to visualize and feel their day to day struggles. This was one of those stories that transcends race. It's about a bi-racial family and the hardships involved in trying to survive and raise children in an era where it's frowned upon, even dangerous. The author did a fantastic job of making these issues believable and accurate. I imagine that a lot of families are faced with similar situations regardless of color during these times. Divorce, teenage rebellion, feminism, anxiety, identity crisis, the list goes on and on. Race, in my opinion, has no bearing on these outcomes and are a part of living and learning.

Lizzie's character was just okay for me. She started off very sure of herself in the beginning, wanting to make a difference and change a broken society and then kind of backtracked and became wishy-washy. I didn't quite get the reasoning behind this. I think it was because of her relationship became more about the politics of being together than love.

Ruby just rubbed me the wrong way most of the time. I get that she didn't agree with some of the decisions her mother made, but she just came across as a petulant child in my eyes. I feel she was wrong for completely cutting her mother out of her life, and this made me want to reach in the book and slap the therapist who recommended it!! Who does that??

Overall, this was a very well written story, and I enjoyed every minute of it!! I most definitely recommend as a must read!

5 Stars

Billie Jo

Review: Anybody's Daughter - Pamela Samuels Young

REVIEW

When you give your daughter a cell, you don’t imagine that bad things may happen to her. You never envision that she may be a victim of kidnapping or maybe even worse. In “Anybody’s Daughter,” Pamela Samuels Young grabs you by the hand and drags you on a fast-paced journey to a place where no one’s daughter should have to go.

Brianna is a twelve-year-old girl who innocently meets her new boyfriend, Jaden while enjoying the benefits of having a smart phone. Jaden, a “good boy,” encourages Brianna to meet him in person after five weeks of sweet inboxes and text messages. Brianna lies to her mom and sneaks away to meet Jaden. Once she arrives the unthinkable happens! There’s no Jaden and from this moment forth her life changes forever.

Dre, Brianna’s uncle, is a reformed criminal as the result of his walking away from the life as a successful drug dealer. She looks just like him, and he loves her as his own. When Dre gets the news that his beloved niece is missing, he immediately begins the search for Brianna. With an all-star cast, that includes some street-smart guys, his attorney ex-girlfriend, Angela and a whole lot of prayer, Dre will stop at nothing until his niece is home safe.

Will he succeed? Will Brianna be okay? These answers await you as you read this amazing novel!

Pamela Samuels Young masterfully tells a story while revealing the painful truths that some of today’s youth unfortunately experience. As a parent or future parent, I’m sure you’d like to believe that nothing this horrible could happen to your child. Truth is: no one is exempt because it truly could be anybody’s daughter.

You will not want to put this book down. I finished it in less than 24 hours! I was captivated from start to finish. I absolutely loved it! Five stars!

5 Stars

Tanishia

Review: A Life Not My Own - T.M. Brown

 

REVIEW

 

This story absolutely broke my heart at times. I can't imagine having to go through or endure the types of things that went on in this story.

T.M. Brown takes you on a journey through her life, walks with you through each emotional chapter and gives you a gift that you were never expecting to receive.

I usually don't read autobiographies, but I'm so glad I read this one. This author has to be one of the strongest, and the bravest person, there is. I'm honored to have been able to read about her journey. She is truly a blessing to readers because she chose to share her powerful story with readers.

I gave this amazing book 5 stars, and I think it deserves so much more.  


5 Stars

Billie Jo                          

Review: Our First Love - Anthony Lamarr

Can brothers who share one life share one love? Since the tragic accident that changed their lives forever, brothers Nigel and Caleb have been inseparable until one woman captures both of their hearts.

 

 

 

REVIEW

 

 This was an amazing read, and I really liked how the chapters went from one brothers point of view to the others. This is something that I like to see when reading. This type of writing gives you a feel for the characters, in my opinion.  The brother's relationship was kind of crazy to me and very co-dependent/unhealthy I know family is important, but I can't see putting your whole life on hold and sacrificing so much for so long.

 

I felt Caleb should have manned up at some point and faced things more than he did. I mean, yes I did feel bad about what happened to him and all he went through, but he is a grown man after all. I felt bad for Nigel and was rooting for him throughout the book.

 

The ending was a shocker. I wasn't expecting what happened at all!! This was a fantastic read and very interesting!! I gave this book five stars and would recommend to everyone!!

 

 

5 Stars

 

Billie Jo