Book Review: The Unexpected Diva by Tiffany L. Warren

 Title:  The Unexpected Diva

Author: Tiffany L. Warren

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Publisher: William Morrow

Publication Date: January 7, 2025

Rating:  💥💥💥💥💥

About The Book

"Beautifully crafted and captivating.  This triumphant tale is sure to be an instant classic."--Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling co-author of The Personal Librarian

"How do we not all know the name of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield? The story of this brilliant singer -- a Black woman born enslaved who performed both sides of the Atlantic in the years before and during the Civil War -- is finally given its just due."   --Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The First Ladies

Before the Civil War, Black opera singer Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield reigned supreme on Northern stages—even performing at Buckingham Palace. Novelist Tiffany L Warren brings this remarkable but forgotten diva’s remarkable story to life for modern readers.

Born into slavery on a Mississippi plantation, Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield has been raised in the safety of Philadelphia’s Quaker community by a wealthy adoptive mother. Sheltered and educated, Eliza’s happy childhood always included music lessons to nurture her unique gift: a glorious three octave singing voice that leaves listeners in awe. But on the eve of her twenty-fourth birthday, young Eliza’s world is thrown into a tailspin when her mother dies.

Eliza’s inheritance is contested by her mother’s white cousins, leaving her few options. She can marry her longtime beau, Lucien, though she has no desire to be a wife and mother. Or she can work as a tutor for rich families. Her mother’s dying wish was for Eliza to pursue her talent and become a professional singer, but that grand vision now seems out of reach.

When a chance performance on a steamboat to Buffalo, New York, leads to a surprising opportunity, fearless Eliza seizes her moment. Within a year she is touring America, singing to packed houses, and igniting controversy wherever she goes. In a country captivated by “the Swedish Nightingale” Jenny Lind, Eliza is billed by tour promoters as “the Black Swan.” An unlikely diva, Eliza is tall, dark-skinned, and robust of figure compared to the petite European prima donna, but even the harshest critics can’t deny Eliza’s extraordinary gift. Menaced by racist crowds, threatened by slave-catchers who kidnap free Black people, Eliza lives a public life full of risk, but one which also holds the promise of great riches, and the freedoms those buy.

From the churches of Philadelphia to Queen Victoria’s salon in Buckingham Palace, Eliza Greenfield will blaze her own path—with a voice that no listener will ever forget.

My Thoughts

With me being such a fan of historical fiction, especially when it involves black and brown authors and subjects, I knew going in I would probably enjoy the story, I just didn't know how much until I was finished with it. Starting off, there were characters that irritated me to the point where I was physically yelling at them and calling them all types of names. This book was rich in history and emotions. I was captivated by the story right up until the very end. I have been reading her books since the beginning of her career, and this book shows the tremendous growth of her writing. This year has just started, but this is going down as one of my favorites and best books of 2025

About The Author

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Book Review: Between Us by Shae Green

 Title:  Between Us

Author:  Shae Green

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publication Date:  November 19, 2024

Publisher:  Independently Published

Rating:  💣💣💣💣

About The Book

To make room for the present, they have to unpack the past.

It was easy for Alex and Antonio to commit to the unknown when the beautiful sand and waters of Miami surrounded them. Now that they’re back home, they’ve got to match their actions with their words. The problem is, Antonio is used to being as wide open as a bank vault, and has trouble balancing business and bliss. Then there’s Alex, who learns of a bombshell that makes her second guess everything, just when she’s resolved to keep looking forward.

Although the odds seem stacked against them, their affection for each other deepens, allowing for the vulnerability to fully embrace love.

But unbeknownst to them, danger lurks behind the anonymity of cyberspace, causing Alex and Antonio’s confidence to waver and resulting in a painful setback.

Is the promise of persistence enough to keep them together, or will old habits prove to truly die hard?


**Between Us is the second installment of a trilogy and is therefore NOT a standalone. Additionally, please note that it ends in a cliffhanger like Book 1!

My Thoughts

Wow.  This book took me on such a ride.  This is a continuation from book one, and although I'm not really a fan of cliffhangers, I could appreciate it while reading this book.  The reader is taken on a whirlwind of emotions when reading this book.  The story was well written and so enjoyable.  And I really enjoyed the Banter between Alex and Antonio.  This book kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end and I can't wait for the last and final book in this series.  

About the Author

Shae Green is a debut novelist from Philly who crafts romance with a touch of realism. Her stories are heart warming (and sometimes heart wrenching), but there’s always a happy ending. When Shae’s not working on her next release, she’s cuddling with her four-legged fur baby and yelling at the TV, indulging in the latest episode of some totally, non-scripted reality series.

Blog Tour And Review: Untethered by Angela jackson Brown

 

Title;  Untethered

Author:  Angela Jackson Brown 

Genre: African American Historical Fiction 

Publication Date:  December 3rd, 2024

Publisher:  Harper Muse

Rating :  💥💥💥💥💥

About The Book 

Sometimes family is found in the most unlikely of places . . .

In the small college town of Troy, Alabama, amidst the backdrop of 1967, Katia Daniels lives a life steeped in responsibility. At the Pike County Group Home for Negro Boys, she pours her heart into nurturing the young lives under her care, harboring a longing for children of her own. Katia's romantic entanglement with an older man brings comfort but also stirs questions about the path she's chosen.

The weight of her family's history bears down on her; a twin brother is missing in action in the heart of the Vietnam War. Having lost her father to cancer, Katia took up the mantle of caretaker, ensuring her mother and brothers were looked after. Her sense of duty extends to the boys at the group home, creating a web of obligations that stretches her emotional bandwidth thin.

Amidst a power struggle at work with the board, Katia finds solace in the pages of romance novels and the soothing melodies of Nina Simone. When Seth Taylor, a familiar face from her high school days, reenters Katia's life, he brings with him a breeze of nostalgia and a reminder of a time when her dreams felt less tethered. As their friendship rekindles, Katia grapples with the idea of making choices for herself, even as the realization that she can no longer have children weighs heavily on her.

This novel is a poignant tale of a woman torn between the demands of her heart and the responsibilities she's shouldered for so long. Set against the backdrop of a changing South, this novel delves into the complexities of love, family, and self-discovery in a time of transformation and upheaval.

My Thoughts

Have you ever read a book, slept on it because you had a hard time outting into words how it affected you, and hours later, still having a difficult time?  Thats how I felt about this book.  I finished it around one thismorning, and was so captivated by the story and the characters, couldn't fall asleep until after 3 am.  This book was absolutely mesmerizing and amazing.  The character had such a hold on and still does.  As much as I've been through, it takes a lot to make me cry these days, but I was constantly heartbroken and spilling tears throughout this story.  This was not my first read, and it surley won't be my last.  I rarely do a top 10, because I read so much (although I do have a top list listed by genre ), but if I did, this would be one of the books.  

About The Author

Angela Jackson-Brown is an award-winning writer, poet and playwright. She is an Associate Professor at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN where she teaches in the creative writing program. She is also a member of the graduate faculty of the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing at Spalding University in Louisville, KY.

She is a graduate of Troy University, Auburn University and the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing at Spalding University. She has published her short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry in journals like The Louisville Journal and the Appalachian Review. She is the author of Drinking From a Bitter Cup, House Repairs, When Stars Rain Down, The Light Always Breaks, and an upcoming novel, Homeward.

Blog tour: I might Be In Trouble by Daniel Aleman

 

Title:  I Might Be In Trouble

Author:  Daniel Aleman

Genre:  Dark Humor

Publisher: Grand Central

Publication Date:  December 3rd, 2024

Rating:  💥💥💥💥

About The Book

A suspenseful dark comedy about a struggling writer who wakes up to find his date from the night before dead—and must then decide how far he’s willing to go to spin the misadventure into his next big book.

A few years ago, David Alvarez had it all: a six-figure book deal, a loving boyfriend, and an exciting writing career. His debut novel was a resounding success, which made the publication of his second book—a total flop—all the more devastating. Now, David is single, lonely, and desperately trying to come up with the next great idea for his third manuscript, one that will redeem him in the eyes of readers, reviewers, the entire publishing world…and maybe even his ex-boyfriend.

But good ideas are hard to come by, and the mounting pressure of a near-empty bank account isn’t helping. When David connects with a sexy stranger on a dating app, he figures a wild night out in New York City may be just what he needs to find inspiration. Lucky for him, his date turns out to be handsome, confident, and wealthy, not to mention the perfect distraction from yet another evening staring at a blank screen.

After one of the best nights of his life, David wakes up hungover but giddy—only to find prince charming dead next to him in bed. Horrified, completely confused, and suddenly faced with the implausible-but-somehow-plausible idea that he may have actually killed his date, David calls the only person he can trust in a moment of crisis: his literary agent, Stacey.

Together, David and Stacey must untangle the events of the previous night, cover their tracks, and spin the entire misadventure into David’s career-defining novel—if only they can figure out what to do with the body first.

My Thoughts

This was a pretty interesting, not like the books I normally read.  David and Stacey had an interesting relationship, and to be honest, it was a perfect fit for them. I felt sorry for David many times.  NGL, I would definitely read the book David is working on.  I really enjoyed the book

About The Author

Daniel Aleman was born and raised in Mexico City. A graduate of McGill University, he is passionate about books, coffee, and Mexican food. After spending time in Montreal and the New York City area, he now lives in Toronto, where he is on a never-ending search for the best tacos in the city. You can connect with him on Twitter (@Dan_Aleman), Instagram (@danaleman) or at danielaleman.com

Blog Tour and Review: Heart Shaped Lies by Elizabeth Agyemang

 

Title:  Heart-Shaped Lies

Author:  Elizabeth Agyemang

Genre:  YA Thriller

Publisher:  Delacorte Press

Publication Date:  November 26, 2024

Rating:  💥💥💥💥💥

About The Book

John Tucker Must Die meets A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder in this tongue-in-cheek mystery about three feuding exes of a social media prank star who are forced to work together to uncover the truth behind his death when his deactivated account resurfaces online with claims that one of them murdered him.

Kiara, Priscilla, and Nevaeh have nothing in common—except they just found out that they’re all dating Tommy Harding, the internet's most famous teen prank star. 

KIARA is the girlfriend who the cameras know and love, the academic star who Tommy parades around in public to keep his image in check. 

PRISCILLA is Tommy's co-star. As a beauty influencer and an accomplice to Tommy’s notorious antics, she’s always known that the two of them could be the Internet’s power couple—if only he would confess to his girlfriend what really goes on during their 'rehearsals'.

And NEVAEH is the good girl, the pastor's daughter who'd never dream of dating a boy who’s already taken.

When a viral post from Tommy’s social media account exposes his cheating ways during their high school class trip to Florida’s biggest theme park, the girls are crushed—and furious. Tommy claims his account was hacked. Now, Kiara, Priscilla, and Nevaeh want him out of their lives. Forever. After all, Tommy doesn’t just hold their hearts—he holds their secrets, too.

But when Tommy's body is found the next morning, their so-called wish becomes a twisted reality. Because Tommy may be gone, but the internet is forever. And the girls are about to go from strangers to suspects….

My Thoughts

This was such a whirlwind of a ride.  TBH, I never felt sorry for Tommy, and this story felt like a revenge to any person (especially male) that has the same traits and personality as he does.   Amazingly written story that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.  I've never seen John Tucker must die, so I can't say whether it's likethat, but i will say i absolutely enjoyed this book.  It's geared towards YA audiences, but if you're an adult that enjoys thrillers, I think you'll enjoy this book.  

About The Author

Elizabeth Agyemang is an illustrator, printmaker, and storyteller. She writes about magic, history, folklore, love, and fairy tales, and draws from elements of her Ghanaian heritage and faith. Elizabeth graduated from Carnegie Mellon University where she studied Fine Arts and Professional Writing, and she now works in publishing. When she isn’t gushing over books or comics, she spends her time dissecting classic movies and playing video games. Find her on Twitter and Instagram @onceAddai and online at Elizabethagyemang.com.

Cover Reveal: 52 Weeks A Party Of One by Bianca Pensy Asa

 Hi, everyone.  This post is going to look a little different, because it's a cover reveal

Let me introduce you to..............

Now, I can only speak for myself, but it's very mysterious and has me wanting more about it

Here's the Blurb

Aisha isn’t known to hold her tongue, but that’s until she finds out her boyfriend and her best friend are having an affair on New Year’s Eve. This sends her packing. She leaves Denver and moves to Dallas to have the time and space to process the betrayal.

Spending time alone also spotlights other issues she has been trying to conceal: her broken relationship with her mother, her growing apart from her brother, and the impact of her late absentee father on her life.

Aisha is overwhelmed by everything, so instead of using her time away to “do the work,” she spends weeks putting it off and indulging in every possible distraction—until she hits a wall.

Aisha will have to either confront the ghosts from her past before the year ends or continue to pretend they aren’t there and let them haunt her until the very end.

Release date is April 23rd, 2025

Here is the pre order link as well as the ARC Application

Pre-order link: https://www.amazon.com/Weeks-Party-One-Bianca-Pensy-ebook/dp/B0DJTDQ6Z7?ref_=ast_author_dp

ARC Application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYshLDdqjECQ7PXUNjDFKED_Li09D0bM1huVArmx8LHxYiJA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Book Tour And Review: When we Were Widows by Annette Chavez Macias

 Title:  When We Were Widows

Author: Annette Chavez Macias

Genre:  Women's fiction 

Publisher:  Montlake

Publication Date:    November 1, 2024

Rating:  💥💥💥💥💥

About the Book

In this heartfelt story about finding love in loss, three widows are forced under the same roof, where they’ll need to overcome grief, anger, and old secrets to put their family back together.

Since her husband’s death six months ago, Yesica Diaz-Taylor seems to be taking her grief in stride. Then an angry outburst at work shatters the illusion. Her mandated support group counseling doesn’t help much. Yesica has always kept her feelings close, so even when an unlikely friendship blossoms with the group’s facilitator, she still has reasons for holding back. She’s just not ready to share.

Ana Diaz has been widowed for five years and continues to live life exactly as she did with her late husband. When her house floods, she’s forced to shake things up. Although it was never part of her plan, Ana moves in with her eldest daughter, Yesica. But the new living arrangement tests their already strained relationship.

Shadowed by unresolved tensions, Yesica, Ana, and matriarch Mama Melda must learn to share a home, their heartbreak, and, once and for all, the haunting family secrets that have kept them apart.

My thoughts 

Wow.  I just finished it, and I have so many thoughts, some of them to be only shared with a journal or therapist.  This book was absolutely amazing.  It was heartfelt, emotional and from beginning to end pulled at your heartstrings.  Although my grandmother became a widow when I was a child, my mom became a widow about 7 years ago, and witnessing that with my own eyes and reading what Yesica and Ana experienced felt like at times, someone had peaked into our lives.  One thing that remains the constant anywhere is how being the oldest daughter is not for the faint at heart.  I especially enjoyed and appreciated how all of thr questions in my head while reading were all answered by the end.  This was absolutely one of the best books I've read this year.  

About the Author

Annette Chavez Macias writes stories about love, family, and following your dreams. She is proud of her Mexican American heritage, culture, and traditions, all of which can be found within the pages of her books. For readers wanting even more love stories and guaranteed happily ever afters, Annette also writes romance novels under the pen name Sabrina Sol. A Southern California native, Annette lives just outside Los Angeles with her husband, three children, and four dogs.

To learn more about Annette and her books, visit www.authorannette.com. Or follow her on Instagram at @authorannette.