Blog tour and review: Meant to Be

 Tirle:  Meant To Be

Author:  Neha Chenani Khanagwal 

Genre:  Contemporary romance 

Publication Date: September 5th, 2024

Rating: 💥💥💥💥💥

About the Book

My father’s sixtieth birthday arrived, and I knew my life would never be the same!’

Kanika Goyal, a strong and sheltered girl, found herself in the darkest pit imaginable—father arrested for his shady business, hit with harsh judgements, dumped by her fiance over a text! Lost, distraught, and broken, she reached a point where starting afresh seemed like the only way forward. However, just when she believed she had everything under control, life threw her a curveball that made her question her very own existence. The only option presented to her was to marry him. Him? Never! Naa! She would rather skydive without a parachute than marry that slimeball.

‘I had been so blinded by my own insecurities that I failed to see the innocence behind her tears!’

Abhishek Sharma, the big shot who juggled being the COO of Singhania Enterprises and the CEO of Sharma Industries, was still haunted by his broken past. Trusting girls? That was a hard pass for him. She was a constant reminder of his heartbreak—an opportunist, a gold-digger, an attention seeker, until he finally realised he was letting his past cloud his judgement about her. All he needed was a simple ‘I’m sorry’ to clear the air.

But fate had other plans! That little apology spiralled into a twist that left him with no option but to marry her.

Marry her? Excuse me?! What?

What was meant to be a simple apology turned into contractual marriage! Destiny had made its presence known. It threw together two lost souls with shattered dreams, with a snap of its fingers.

Who knows?

Maybe their fates were intertwined long ago!

'Meant To Be' is the second book in the Intertwined Series and can be read as a standalone book.

Tropes: Brother's best friend, He falls harder, Desi romance vibes, Contract marriage, Billionaire, Grovel Romance, Hate To Love.

My Thoughts

Wow.  This was such an emotional and enjoyable read, with some mischief in between.  I was captivated by this story from beginning to end.  And surprisingly, as much as Abhishek's cockiness irked me at times, he and Kanika were and are perfect for each other.  I absolutely loved how this author crafted this story, and I can't wait to see how her career as an author grows.  

About the Author

A happily married woman and a proud mother to her son, Mrs. Neha Chenani Khanagwal works in the capacity of an Assistant Manager at a leading Public Sector Bank. Ever since she joined the corporate world, reading has been her go-to hobby. She especially enjoys the enchanting genres of romance and historical fiction. During the challenging period of the Covid lockdown, she discovered her passion for writing. It all started with jotting down her personal thoughts, which gradually transformed into anecdotes, short stories, and eventually full-fledged novels.

As someone who has always been surrounded by a joint family and wonderful friends, she loves incorporating these bonds into her books. She cherishes the little details and witty banter that make relationships so special and loves to sprinkle her stories with the same magic.

When she is away from the literary world, you might spot her exploring new places with her husband and son. And if that’s not the case, she might just be engrossed in the magical world of Marvels and Disneys, enjoying some quality time with her family.

Feel free to connect with her on Instagram, where you can find her at @nehachenanikhanagwal or follow her writing journey at @author_nck. She is always open to new connections and eager to share her passion for literature and life!

Blog Tour and Review: Bring Back Kay Kay

 

Title:  Bring Back Kay Kay

Author:  Dev Kothari

Genre:  Middle Grade

Publisher:  Walker Books

Publication Date:  October 1st, 2024

Rating: 💥💥💥💥💥

About the Book

Steeped in mystery and adventure, this brisk and beautifully crafted middle-grade debut set in modern-day India explores the complexities of the sibling bond.

When her older brother, Karthik—Kay-Kay, the golden child of the family—heads to camp for two weeks, Lena’s parents begin showering her with all the attention she craves. For a time, she’s the golden child and secretly wishes her brother wouldn’t come home. But when the scheduled train arrives and Karthik isn’t on it, Lena is stricken with guilt and fear for her beloved Kay-Kay. Her brother has vanished without a trace, and the police view him as a runaway. Incredulous, Lena undertakes a search of her own—reading mysterious poems left in his backpack, interrogating his fellows from the train, retracing his route, and encountering shadowy strangers along the way. Convinced Kay-Kay is still alive even when the rest of her family has given up, Lena steadily unearths her brother’s secrets as her determination to bring him home leads to a heart-stopping discovery. Perhaps Kay-Kay isn’t a golden child after all? Set in a vividly evoked modern-day India, this character-driven middle-grade mystery tackles rich themes—from the sibling bond to self-worth—in a taut and suspenseful adventure

My Thoughts

This is one of the first middle grade books I've read  that has had my emotions all twisted up.  Many times I questioned Lena and had thoughts of what is this child doing?  But as I kept reading, I inderstood her why and even began to root for her.  This was truly a pleasure to read and would probably make a good children's movie.  The author did such a great job with this story

About the Author

Dev grew up in a sleepy hamlet near Mumbai where she read obsessively, wrote furtively and daydreamed endlessly. She won the Commonword Diversity YA novel prize in 2018 and went on to gain an MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. She lives in London with her family.

Blog tour and Review: A Two Placed heart by Dong Phuong Nguyn

 Title:  A Two placed Heart 

Author:  Doan Phuong Ngyun

Genre: Middle Grade School

Publication Date:  September 24, 2024

Publisher:  Lee and Low 

Rating:  💥💥💥💥💥

About the Book

Afraid her sister (and maybe even herself) could lose sight of their Vietnamese identity, twelve-year-old Bom writes a poetic memoir to help them both remember--a love letter in verse to sisterhood and the places we leave behind.

Bom can't believe that her sister doesn't see herself as Vietnamese, only American. She says she doesn't remember Vietnam or their lives there, their family there, their house and friends. How could her sister forget the terrible journey through Saigon and the airplanes and... everything?

And what about Bom? She remembers now, but how long will she keep her memories? She always found comfort in the sound of her father's typewriter. Clickity-clack, clickity-clack. So she has an idea.

She'll write down all that she can remember: the time when her father was a spy, when her mother was nicknamed a "radio," when they were so hungry Bom couldn't walk well, when the family all said goodbye. Bom will even tell her sister, and herself, about what it was like moving to Tennessee. The ESL classes, bullies, strange new foods, icy weather, friendships, and crushes--and how her family worked to keep their heritage alive. She'll type one poem at a time, until they'll never forget again.

My thoughts 

Wow. Although it's meant for children, adults can get something out of it. It was beautifully written and heartwarming. Although it's Vietnamese representation, I'm sure anyone who's family choose to come here to the US from their home country has had many of the thoughts, feelings and emotions expressed in this book. This would also be a good book for US born children to read to gain an understanding what other new students in their class might be dealing with. This was truly a beautiful read.

About the Author 

Doan Phuong Nguyen was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States when she was in elementary school. She loves anything pink and cute but enjoys writing incredibly sad, emotionally evocative novels. She received her MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. This is her first middle grade novel. Find her at doanphuong.com.

Book Tour and Review: Ida, In Love and in Trouble by Veronica Chambers

 

                      Book Info:  Ida, In Love and in Trouble 

                       Author:  Veronica Chambers

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publishing Date: September 10, 2024

Rating:  💢💢💢💢💢

Synopsis:

Before she became a warrior, Ida B. Wells was an incomparable flirt with a quick wit and a dream of becoming a renowned writer. The first child of newly freed parents who thrived in a community that pulsated with hope and possibility after the Civil War, Ida had a big heart, big ambitions, and even bigger How to be a good big sister when her beloved parents perish in a yellow fever epidemic? How to launch her career as a teacher? How to make and keep friends in a society that seems to have no place for a woman who speaks her own mind? And – always top of mind for Ida – how to find a love that will let her be the woman she dreams of becoming? Ahead of her time by decades, Ida B. Wells pioneered the field of investigative journalism with her powerful reporting on violence against African Americans. Her name became synonymous with courage and an unflinching demand for racial and gender equality. But there were so many facets to Ida Bell and critically acclaimed writer Veronica Chambers unspools her full and colorful life as Ida comes of age in the rapidly changing South, filled with lavish society dances and parties, swoon-worthy gentleman callers, and a world ripe for the taking.

Content Warning: death of parents, racism, sexism

My Thoughts

Often we think of Historical figures as people who have always been that figure, and not often of the  life they had before they became that Historical figure.  That was what I loved about this book the most, How she might have lived her life before she became known as The Ida B Wells.  This was such an entertaining and learning experience in this book.  It kept me captivated and drawn in from the beginning to end.  And the author did such a great job with this book.  I enjoyed it very much and can't wait for the next book from this author.

Book Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204593755

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CR938MFY

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ida-in-love-and-in-trouble-veronica-chambers/1144547236

IndieBound: https://bookshop.org/p/books/ida-in-love-and-in-trouble-veronica-chambers/21012405

About the Author:

Veronica Chambers is an author and currently a writer/editor for The New York Times. Born in Panama and raised in Brooklyn, her work often reflects her Afro-Latina heritage. She’s written the acclaimed memoir, Mama’s Girl which has been course adopted by hundreds of high schools and colleges throughout the country. She has also authored several children’s books including the NYT bestselling Finish the Fight,Call and Response, Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb and The Go-Between

Author Links:

Website: https://www.veronicachambers.com/

Twitter: https://x.com/vvchambers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vvchambers

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/39430

Tour Schedule:

https://tbrandbeyondtours.com/2024/08/07/tour-schedule-ida-in-love-and-in-trouble-by-veronica-chambers/

Tour Blitz: Black Love Matters by Jessica P. Pryde

 Black Love Matters: Real Talk on Romance, Being Seen, and Happily Ever Afters

by Jessica P. Pryde
Publication date: Feburary 1st 2022
Genres: Literary Fiction, Romance

Synopsis:

An incisive, intersectional essay anthology that celebrates and examines romance and romantic media through the lens of Black readers, writers, and cultural commentators, edited by Book Riot columnist and librarian Jessica Pryde.

Romantic love has been one of the most essential elements of storytelling for centuries. But for Black people in the United States and across the diaspora, it hasn’t often been easy to find Black romance joyfully showcased in entertainment media. In this collection, revered authors and sparkling newcomers, librarians and academicians, and avid readers and reviewers consider the mirrors and windows into Black love as it is depicted in the novels, television shows, and films that have shaped their own stories. Whether personal reflection or cultural commentary, these essays delve into Black love now and in the past, including topics from the history of Black romance to social justice and the Black community to the meaning of desire and desirability.

Exploring the multifaceted ways love is seen—and the ways it isn’t—this diverse array of Black voices collectively shines a light on the power of crafting happy endings for Black lovers.

Jessica Pryde is joined by Carole V. Bell, Sarah Hannah Gomez, Jasmine Guillory, Da’Shaun Harrison, Margo Hendricks, Adriana Herrera, Piper Huguley, Kosoko Jackson, Nicole M. Jackson, Beverly Jenkins, Christina C. Jones, Julie Moody-Freeman, and Allie Parker in this collection.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57926133-black-love-matters

Purchase:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dztRc2

AUTHOR BIO:

Jessica Pryde is a contributing editor for Book Riot, where she is the co-host of the When In Romance podcast and writes about bookish things of all kinds. Having earned a Bachelor of art in the interdisciplinary project in humanities at Washington University in St. Louis and her Master of library science at San Jose State University. She is now a librarian in Tucson, where she lives with her husband and an ever-growing collection of Funko Pops. "Black Love Matters" is her first book.

Author links:

https://jessicapryde.com/

https://x.com/jessisreading

GIVEAWAY

• $25 Amazon gift card + a paperback copy of Black Love Matters

 http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251235789/

Book Tour and Review: Black Crosswords by Juliana Pache

 Title:  Black Crosswords:  100 Mini Puzzles Celebratong the African Diaspora

Author:  Juliana Pache

Genre:  Puzzles

Publisher:  Amistad

Publication Date:  August 20, 2024

About the Book

Groundbreaking new book based on the popular site blackcrossword.com featuring over 100 original puzzles inspired by the Diaspora and covering history, popular culture, trailblazers, literature, and politics.  

“Crosswords, and puzzles in general, are good in times of stress,” Will Shortz, the puzzle editor of The New York Times, has said, and during the pandemic sales of crossword puzzles and participants in online games such as Wordle, skyrocketed. Frustrated by the dearth of Black people creating puzzles or appearing as clues, entrepreneur Juliana Pache created blackcrossword.com in early 2023. The site at once took off counting such regular players and fans as Academy Award winner Questlove, popular social activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham, and author and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib.

Now, to expand her platform, Pache is looking to bring her cultural crossword puzzles to book publishing. Like her site, the concept for the first BLACK CROSSWORD is a game that places emphasis on terms and clues from across the diaspora. By highlighting prominent cultural figures, movements, artistic achievements, and Black vernacular from across the globe, BLACK CROSSWORD on the page will serve as a simple yet impactful way for solvers to engage in the diaspora and celebrate Black culture.

In a crossword landscape that is predominantly white, BLACK CROSSWORD will provide puzzles to an underserved and passionate market. While the puzzles are meant to increase Black representation in crosswords, they also underscore the fact that this historically underserved market — Black solvers who would like puzzles that are culturally relevant to them—has the potential to become both a commercial hit and resonate with multiple generations of readers. BLACK CROSSWORD has the potential to become a series of books, including a general edition, a calendar edition, a pop culture edition across the diaspora, a Black History edition, and a trailblazer edition. While in a trade paperback format, BLACK CROSSWORD could have an elevated look/tone that would be a perfect gift or keepsake – the possibilities are endless.

My thoughts

Many know that I've been a reader most of my life.  What many of you may not know is that as a teen not only was I an avid reader, but I used to love puzzle books.  Now if you were a teen in the 90's, ypu may know what I'm referring to.  Not sure if they still sell them, but at that time, they used to sell books with a variety of puzzles, from cross words, to word searches and many more.  Whenever I got some money, I would buy as many of those as I could.  I always enjoyedthem, and this book took me back to a simpler time.  I actually enjoyed it so much more, because it's strictly about black people.  I enjoy learning,  and by doing these, im able to gain a little more knowledge about things i was not aware of.  I plan to also check out the website, and I hope the author does more of these.  

About the Author

Juliana Pache is the creator of Black Crossword, a daily mini puzzle that places emphasis on Black culture from across the diaspora. Before launching Black Crossword in January 2023, she worked as a media professional leading social strategy at brands such as The FADER and Rolling Stone. She lives in Brooklyn, New York

www.blackcrossword.com
https://www.instagram.com/blackcrossword
www.julianapache.com/
https://x.com/thecityofjules
https://www.instagram.com/thecityofjules/

Blog tour and review: One and Done by Frederick Smith

 Title:  One and Done

Author:  Frederick Smith

Genre:  LGBTQIA+ Romance

• Publisher:  Bold Strokes Books
• 
  
• Publication date: June 11, 2024

Rating:💥💥💥💥

About the Book

One night of passion and possibly one more chance at love…

Determined, motivated, goal-driven, and eternally single, Dr. Taylor James is an accomplished university administrator in San Francisco determined to get his campus successfully through an upcoming accreditation process. The process could set him up for his ultimate career goal–to be one of the only Black and openly queer university presidents in the US. Taylor gives himself just one day a week to have fun and let loose with friends–a one and done Sunday Funday brunch in the Castro District.

Dustin McMillan is a consultant and project manager who reluctantly returns to the Bay Area, his hometown, for an assignment. The first in his family to finish college, earn a healthy six-figure income, and have choice and agency in his life’s direction, Dustin is fearful that returning home could mean falling back into roles that he’d thought he’d resolved by moving miles away…and equally fearful of falling back into bed with one sexy and toxic ex-boyfriend who still lingers in his memories.

One chance encounter. One night of passion. Will Taylor and Dustin leave it at one and done?

My thoughts

This was such a good and enjoyable story. First it's black romance with people in positions not normally held by black people. My favorite parts were the interaction between them when they first met, and then when they discovered that they would be working together.   I also enjoyed the banter between them.   This was a first read for me from this author and it truly won't be my last.  

About the Author

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Frederick Smith is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and Loyola University Chicago. A finalist for the PEN Center Emerging Voices Fellowship, and an alum of the VONA (Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation) Writers Workshop, Fred is a social justice advocate. He lives in Los Angeles and works with college students to help them find their voices and develop pride in their cultural and gender identities. He is the author of Down for Whatever and Right Side of the Wrong Bed, a Lambda Literary Award finalist.