Wednesday, January 24, 2018

New releases

I'm sure like most of you, I've been a little busy in the beginning of this new year, but I wanted to be sure you were up dated on some of the new releases.  Enjoy

1)  Oney:  My Escape From Slavery by Piper G. Huguley and Diana Rubino



It is 1793 – a decade after General George Washington led America to victory in its fight for independence from Britain.

With freedom secured, the general has been persuaded to accept a second term as president of the new nation. But in his heart he wants to go back to being a farmer. And being a farmer means he has slaves. Leading a nation is a demanding and often lonely business and Lady Washington is unable to persuade her husband to give up his public ‘duty’. 

At least she has help. Oney Judge is her ‘personal servant’ – and soon-to-be confidante. Oney is a ‘quadroon’ – three parts white and one part black. So, unlike the white people who so recently gained their independence from the Mother Country, Oney is not free. She is Lady Washington’s inherited property, though the word ‘slave’ is never spoken. Oney works in “the big house” at Mount Vernon, sewing dresses and serving tea. Lady Washington treats her as well as her own grandchildren. But though she is often mistaken as a Washington relative by visitors, Oney remains in bondage.

In the spring of 1796, Lady Washington tells Oney that she will make her granddaughter Eliza a nice wedding gift. Oney soon discovers this does not mean sewing a negligee or a quilt for a gift. No, it means that she will be the gift.

This is the day that Oney decides to escape – to put her forced bondage behind her and make her bid for freedom. On May 21, 1796, Oney walks straight past the Washingtons and out the front door. Although they make several attempts to capture her, she lives the rest of her life in freedom.

Diana Rubino’s Oney: My Escape From Slavery is a painstakingly re-imagined account of a true and painful story told generations on. At its heart is the paradox of liberty – for an individual, for a race, for a nation. In a modern world where cultures and histories collide, it is a timely reminder of perspectives on ‘slavery’ and ‘freedom’ that we may have become blind to. It is a big, strong, uplifting book with a soul.


2)  Blindsided ( Relative Ties book 2 ) by JL Campbell



Gordon Raimes is used to having things his way and is a man on a mission. When his fiancée leaves him standing at the altar, he's blindsided by her desertion. Embarrassment is the last thing on his mind, but family matters. He's been a man in charge all his life--charming, decisive, and forceful. Caroline's retreat, and subsequent disappearance, forces him to question his methods. When he's unable to get her to communicate, he pulls out all the stops to fix what's wrong between them and get the woman of his dreams to the altar, where she belongs.

Caroline Byrd is living her dream--following her passion and looking forward to life with the man at the center of her world. Then family problems, involving the law, turn things upside down. There's no way a man like Gordon can understand what she's going through, and she cannot risk embarrassing him and his family any further. Her plan to disappear fails because Gordon refuses to cooperate, but Caroline knows it's a matter of time before he discovers her secret. Has she given up too quickly on the man she loves or will he prove her suspicions true?

N.B. Blindsided is a sweet romance. While there are references to the act of lovemaking, there are no open-door love scenes in this book.


3)  Esquire:  The Lawyer of Faith by TK Ware



Francis Newberry was a loving mother, a devoted wife, and a faithful servant of the Lord—those qualities shifted when her life was threatened by her abusive husband. A heated argument created a ghastly scene that sent Missionary Francis to jail for the crime of a double homicide—husband and the neighbor. Frozen in unprecedented horror, she turns to the one man known as ESQUIRE. As the case unfold, strangers from the past resurface and the eyes within the darkness is revealed— a devilish plot created by a pack of evil men with one agenda.

Charles enters a trial of injustice that will cost him something most precious.


4)  Broken Clocks by Danielle Allen



According to my grandma, a broken clock being right twice a day meant that in any given situation, perfect timing only happens twice.

I fell for William Grayson in a matter of minutes. The connection between us was undeniable, but our timing was off. I was dating someone and by the time I was single again, he was taken. And a year later, when we finally got together, it was clear that we were soulmates. But circumstances out of our control cut our time short.

We were a little older, a little wiser, when our paths crossed again. I was entering a new phase of independence in both my career and my life. He was growing professionally and moving to a new city. And even though our timing was off, it was still clear that we were soulmates. But for the second time, circumstances out of our control cut our time short. 

My grandma was a wise woman, but my love life taught me that there’s no such thing as perfect timing.

There’s just timing… Because nothing is perfect. 
There’s just right now… Because tomorrow isn’t promised. 

For as long as we’d known each other, William and I just wanted to be together. It was as simple and as complicated as that. 


5)  Her Unexpected Valentine by Sherelle Green


His rules of engagement

Miami’s steamy fashion and beauty scene is finally taking notice of Nicole LeBlanc. She’s just landed a coveted gig as lead makeup artist and hairstylist on a series of Valentine’s Day commercials being shot in Hollywood. And once she locks eyes with the seriously sexy creative director, she’s certain he could fulfill her own secret romantic fantasies. Too bad Kendrick Burrstone doesn’t do relationships, despite their over-the-top chemistry.

After being burned by love, Kendrick lives by two unbreakable rules: dodge Cupid’s arrow and never mix business with pleasure. But both on and off the set, Nicole’s fiery touch is tempting Kendrick to take another chance. Until a vindictive ex and a nasty extortion plot ignite a media frenzy that could end his rising career…and cost him the heart of the sweetest and most passionate woman he’s ever met.


6)  A Taste of Desire (Deliciously Dechamps) by Chloe Blake


Savor the seduction

The lush mountains of Brazil provide a stunning location for a business trip—or a wild, unexpected romance. International real estate agent Nicole Parks isn’t expecting the latter, but she’s quickly falling under the spell of incredibly handsome French vintner Destin Dechamps. The man is as delicious as the fine blends he creates. Yet he’s out to sabotage the deal that will guarantee her a promotion and the adoption she’s been longing for.

Destin lost both his wife and his career when his family winery burned down. Gradually he’s found meaning in a new plan—defy his father, keep the land and rebuild. He can’t afford to fantasize about a gorgeous Realtor who’s been hired to interrupt his scheme—even unknowingly. When a rainstorm traps them together, attraction spills over into intoxicating pleasure. With both their dreams in the balance, is there room for a sweet, intense fling to deepen into love?



7) The Spice Diet by Judson Todd Allen



Celebrity chef Judson Todd Allen presents the diet that helped him lose 160 pounds, featuring 60 guilt-free recipes packed with powerhouse flavor created especially for THE SPICE DIET.

When Steve Harvey wanted to get camera-ready before his hit television show launched, he turned to Chef Judson Todd Allen to help him. While enjoying the flavorful food Chef Judson prepared, Steve Harvey lost 30 pounds and has kept them off. Chef Judson's diet plan is heaven for food lovers. Using the principles of food science, he offers a way to eat that feels indulgent as it satisfies food cravings and reduces appetite. His program will not only help readers break their addiction to unhealthy foods without feeling deprived but will also inspire them to get into the kitchen to prepare irresistable, healthy meals. THE SPICE DIET provides a full weight-loss program that includes meal plans, creative spice blends, easy-to-prepare recipes, and a heaping helping of motivation.



8)  Be My Forever Bride ( The Kingsleys of Texas) by Martha Kennerson



He vowed to love and cherish her…

It was like something out of a fairy tale: being swept off her feet, then eloping with her one true love, Houston oil tycoon Brice Kingsley. Then a devastating diagnosis and a threat from her past forced Brooke Smith Kingsley to leave the man she loved. Now she has a chance to make things right, but only if she can keep her secret—and her distance—from her irresistible husband.

Though he couldn’t accept Brooke’s reasons for running away, Brice never gave up on her or their marriage. And with the beautiful tax attorney back in his life, reigniting passion stronger than before, he can’t bear to let her go ever again. Even as a revenge-seeking blackmailer schemes to bring down the Kingsley empire, Brice will fight for their future—a love that’s for now and forever.


9)  On-Air Passion (The Clarks of Atlanta) by Lindsay Evans

Game on, Cupid

Basketball star Ahmed Clark’s wealth made him a target for money-grabbing groupies. He’s since left sports behind to become an Atlanta radio-show host—who is famously cynical about romance. But from the moment gorgeous, upbeat Elle Marshall goes on air to promote her business of creating perfect dates for couples, it’s a whole new ball game. And for the first time, he’s caught off guard.

Idealistic Elle believes in love, even if she has yet to experience it. She and Ahmed clash and sizzle over the airwaves—even more so when the station arranges a media-friendly Valentine’s date for them in response to irrefutable excitement from his audience. Elle’s passionate response to Ahmed’s touch spurs powerful mutual desire, until past hurt puts him on the defensive. Bringing his heart in play is the riskiest move Ahmed’s ever made, but it’s the only way to earn a shot at her love…


10)  On Pointe: MacLaine Girls novella 1 (The MacLaine Girls) by Shelly Ellis 



He's a decade younger...
She's on the rebound...
Will they take a chance?
Bina MacLaine is having a rough time. Still haunted by an ugly breakup that meant walking away from her fiancé and her high-rise apartment, now the dance teacher faces the possibility of losing her job, too, if her performance academy closes. When Maurice Hewett, one of her old students, arrives in town, Bina sees he's not the goofy boy she once knew--but a very handsome, very sexy grown man. She wonders if he can weave a spell that can help her forget all her woes. But can Bina let her desire take the lead without feeling like she's robbing the cradle--and making a huge mistake?


11)  For Pete's Sake (Wiley Brothers Book 1) by Brenda Barrett

There was a boy in the Wiley Security Center that was being held for shoplifting. But, he was not just any street boy; he was claiming to be the grandson of Pamela Stone, former housekeeper to the Wiley brothers.

Why was that significant to the head of the Wiley business, Preston Wiley? Well, he had that one night with Sheryl Stone twelve years ago when they were teenagers.

Preston started thinking that his one mistake with Sheryl may have had consequences after all. Or was he worried for nothing?

The boy could be lying, but that opened up a new line of questions: If the boy was telling the truth, what could have happened to Miss Pam and Sheryl for the boy to look so shabby and to resort to stealing?


12)  Diary Of A Godly Fairy: A Little Lie Has Big Consequences by Zion H. Veney 

It's the first day of school, and Carleen, a godly fairy finds herself thrust in the middle of a lie that threatens to destroy her new friendships. She must decide the proper course of action to minimize the damage of her lie while incorporating prayer and practical actions.


13)  Awaken Me (Holmes Brother book 6) by Farrah Rochon

As the baby of his family, Reid Holmes has happily played the role of the Charming, Irresponsible One. But as his 30th birthday approaches, Reid wonders whether he should be doing more with his life than working as a plumber for Holmes Construction. Now he has the chance to shed his carefree playboy image and go into business for himself, but is leaving his cousin’s construction company a sign of growing up, or the ultimate show of disloyalty? And with the arrival of Holmes Construction’s gorgeous new site coordinator, Reid isn’t sure now is the best time to jump ship. 

When her father is forced to close the family’s longtime handyman business, Brooklyn LeBlanc sees her chance to break free of the job she’s been stuck in since age 15 and finally pursue her dream of writing comics. But responsibilities—and her secret role in the demise of her family’s business—forces Brooklyn to again put the career she truly desires on the back burner. At least her new job at Holmes Construction comes with a hot plumber she can spend the day fantasizing about. But what happens when her harmless workplace crush awakens feelings that aren’t so innocent?


14)  Backside 2 by Keith Thomas Walker


Kole blacks out when a good friend is murdered. He returns to the helm of The Organization and will stop at nothing to exact revenge. His unraveling threatens to undo all of the progress he and Dana have made. When his enemies set their sights on the woman he loves, Kole becomes even more dangerous


15)  If Only For One Night by Victoria Christopher Murray and Reshonda Tate Billingsley

Can they be soulmates if they're married to other people?

From the outside, Angelique has the perfect life - a rich husband who adores her and gives her the world, except for what she craves most - his attention. A workaholic, more concerned with his family's financial situation than emotional stability, Preston doesn't understand why his wife is so unhappy. Not one to stray, Angelique seeks comfort in the online game, Words With Friends.

Blu has been living a life of loneliness since his wife settled into a depression she has no desire to shake. Frustrated and fed up, he loses himself in his favorite game - and the woman that has proven to be a formidable opponent.

It's not long before their online connection turns flirtatious and troubles at home lead them to a face-to-face meeting. And eventually an addictive connection that will have them questioning if they're truly soulmates or if they were destined for only one night.

http://amzn.to/2DzrTHI

16)  Black Hearts White Minds by Mitch Margo

The year is 1964 and Carl Gordon is an ill-prepared New York Assistant U.S. Attorney who has lied his way into a transfer to Stockville, Alabama, where he is supposed to monitor and enforce the Civil Rights Act. In a matter of days, the Ku Klux Klan takes aim at him, the outside agitator. Although scrambling just to protect himself and his 12-year-old son, Carl agrees to represent Oleatha Geary, a black family matriarch who has, through a series of unlikely events, inherited a splendid mansion in an all-white, race-restricted neighborhood. At the same time, a forbidden romance between Carl and Oleatha’s daughter, Lenore, shocks everyone, black and white. Within a few weeks, Carl and Oleatha are engulfed in litigation that turns deadly, as Stockville’s white political establishment is hell-bent on keeping segregation alive.

http://amzn.to/2Gc3dqq

2 comments:

  1. Shannan, thanks so much for including Blindsided in this showcase.

    I don't know if I should thank you or scream at you for introducing me to a host of other books that will be added to my crazy-long TBR pile. 😂

    ReplyDelete
  2. My pleasure. Either one is fine, since that happens to me all the time, lol. Thanks for your support

    ReplyDelete