14th Annual Great Midwest Book Fest : Saturday, June 18, 2022 : 1pm-5pm (cst)

 

REGISTER AT: greatmidwestbookfest.com

The 14th Annual Great Midwest Book Fest : All author spots have now been filled! More info to come.

New Review : Empty Vows : Mary Monroe

 

3 out of 5 books

EMPTY VOWS, the sequel to MRS. WIGGINS pales in comparison with the first book in the series. The pace was slow and there were few surprising, dramatic scenes which is the norm for author Mary Monroe.  The novel picks up where the previous book ended with the characters in Lexington, Alabama attending Maggie and Claude's funeral.  Claude becomes the most sought after bachelor in their small town with numerous women vying for his attention.  He has no interest in any of them but wanted to find a nice lady to settle down with so as to not cast suspicion on his lifestyle.  Maggie's best friend Jessie and Blondeen, who has a checkered past, are the top contenders for his affection.  Claude's choice will bring drama directly to his bedroom.  During this time, there was a serial killer who was killing black women on the loose. There is very little development with that story line and it was left hanging at the end. 

I was disappointed that EMPTY VOWS did not deliver the same page flipping action as MRS. WIGGINS.  It seems as though the story wasn't sure which direction it wanted to go and it was rushed.

Reviewed by Paula Allen

Pre-order your copy of Empty Vows today!

New Review : Mrs. Wiggins : Mary Monroe

 

5 out of 5 books

Maggie Franklin, the daughter of a prostitute and an alcoholic father is childhood friends with Hubert Wiggins, the pastor’s son and nephew of the town’s undertaker.  Having been friends for so long, they both knew and held each other’s secrets.  Secrets that lead them to marry and deceive their family and friends.  Maggie and Hubert are able to keep up their ruse, even welcoming a young son into their family.  Maggie’s love for her family runs deep so when Claude became an adult and sought a wife and Hubert wanted to move on and live in his truth, she takes action to keep her family intact. 

MRS WIGGINS, started a bit slow as the characters were introduced and we got to know them, but that soon changed as we were introduced to a different side of Maggie. Acting out of desperation and love, she manipulates situations that keep her family together.  The lengths she went to was shocking and oftentimes tragic.  This is a real page-turner. 

Reviewed by Paula Allen 

Get your copy of Mrs. Wiggins today!

New Review : The Wife Before : Shanora Williams

 

4 out of 5 books

An unsolved murder, web of deceit, and deeply buried secrets is the situation Samira Wilder finds herself in after entering a relationship with disgraced golfer, Roland Graham. Samira is quickly swept off her feet and secretly marries Roland in a matter of months despite warnings from friends and family. Upon moving from Florida to Roland’s secluded mansion in Colorado, Samira’s suspicions regarding the tragic accident of Roland’s first wife, Melanie are triggered.  After discovering her journals, she sets out to find the truth behind Melanie’s death for the sake of her own marriage. 

I would have finished THE WIFE BEFORE in one day had I not started it before bedtime.  Shanora Williams drew me in from the beginning and held me captive to the very end.  With all the scenarios that came to mind as the truth, the ending was truly riveting. This was my first book by Williams, but it will not be my last.  For lovers of a good suspenseful romance, check this one out.

Reviewed by Paula Allen

Pre-order your copy of The Wife Before today!

New Review : The Perfect Ruin : Shanora Williams

 

3 out of 5 books

Having lost her parents in a tragic car accident, Ivy has a hard time adjusting to life without them.  Although under a therapist care, Ivy wants details surrounding the incident.  The information she yearns for is provided to her in her final session with her therapist and after some research on her own, Ivy seeks revenge against her parents' killer.  The person of interest is Lola Maxwell, an owner of boutiques and founder of a thriving charity.  Loaded with all the information she needs, Ivy sets out to destroy Lola, no matter the cost.  As the events unfold, Ivy began to suspect she may not be the puppet master in Lola’s undoing. 

THE PERFECT RUIN is a suspenseful novel that at times bordered on the unbelievable.  Ivy’s plot for revenge was not well-thought out with too many loose ends.  Also, as a reader, I thought it was unrealistic for her to behave and act on circumstances the exact manner to that one of the characters predicted. Despite the way the plot was executed, the book kept me engaged until the end. 

Reviewed by Paula Allen

Get your copy of The Perfect Ruin today!

The Forthcoming : Promise Broken : K'wan

Beware of the company you keep.

K'wan's urban fiction coming-of-age novel, Promise Broken, is set in the gritty streets of Newark, New Jersey. The story follows seventeen-year-old Promise Mohammed as she attempts to uphold friendships and new relationships--even if they lead to her demise.

After Promise's mother dies in a tragic car accident, it leaves a void in her life that she is yearning to fill. This titular novel finds Promise spiraling into a life of crime and drug affiliation by the company she chooses to keep.

Also coping with abandonment and a life-long broken commitment from her biological father, Promise ultimately has two goals: to graduate from high school and to be loved. But can she find the love that she seeks from her Aunt Dell, two best friends, Mouse and Keys, or drug-dealer Asher--the man who captivates her--despite the fact that each relationship will lead to life-altering events? Only time will tell.

Release date : 3/15/22

Pre-order Promise Broken today!