Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murders by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 352 pages
Published: March 2023

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers was my first read by Jesse Q. Sutanto, and I picked it up to read along with the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. I'm so glad I did. This cozy mystery brings together a lively community of San Francisco residents who are all connected by a suspicious death that occurred in the titular character's tea shop. What follows if less about the murder and more about the relationships and healing that result from the unexpected tragedy. 

I respected how this novel explored themes of estranged family members, ageism, and the universal desire to belong. Vera is a wonderfully quirky character, who might seem overbearing at first, but whose quirks become an endearing part of her personality. As the central literary figure, she becomes the glue that holds this mismatched community together. Sutanto beautifully illustrates how community can emerge from the most diverse group of people an unlikely circumstances. The connection, rather than the answer to the mystery, becomes the integral component of healing for all the individuals touched by this death. 

Another aspect I really appreciated was how prominently the Asian culture was woven throughout the story. From traditions to family dynamics to language and humor, the culture richness added depth and authenticity from the author. It was a nice reminder that fiction, while imagined, can be based in fact and a powerful teacher by offering a window to experiences, histories, and identities that may be different from our own. 

And bonus! As a foodie, I was drooling at the descriptions of Asian cuisine. I found myself craving noodles, dumplings, and the speciality teas as described by the Sutanto. There is emotional power in food, and the author used this device in her storytelling to show how food comforts, connects, and communicates love without saying a word. Cooking for someone is its own kind of tenderness. 

Recommendation: This cozy mystery has heart, humor, and a strong sense of community and friendship. It's culturally rich and full of memorable characters. And the best part? You don't have to leave Vera behind once you're finished. There's a second book, Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man), and you guessed it, it's on my list to read soon! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 416 pages
Published: April 2025

Well, Abby Jimenez has done it again. Say You'll Remember Me delivers all the lovely, funny romantic-comedy moments she's known for, but it also reaches deeper. The story explores emotional themes of abandonment, complicated family dynamics, and the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia. Jimenez's books are always lighthearted, but they also pack a punch by pairing the romantic and comedic elements with more thoughtful elements. This story is no exception. Like many of her others, this is the kind of story that sneaks up on you. One minute you're laughing so hard you're wiping away tears, and then a few pages later you're truly crying for an entirely different reason.

I've read many of Jimenez's books over the years, and they always give me all the feels. Her storytelling style is comforting like a nice warm cup of hot cocoa on a cold day. She does a great job balancing real-life heaviness with hopeful promise. And her novels can be a bit formulaic and predictable, but honestly that's part of the charm. When you pick up one of Jimenez's books, you know you're going to confront some hard truths. But when you turn the last page, you feel full of hope and inspiration. And sometimes, that's exactly what I need in my reading journey. 

In this latest book, the reader jumps right into a Minnesota meet-cute between Samantha and veterinarian Xavier when Samantha brings her kitten to his clinic. At first the doctor comes off as emotionally distant and a bit rash in his bedside manner, but his tough exterior is all a facade as he's trying to cover up his attraction. After a memorable first date, he learns Samantha is moving back to California the next day to help her family. Samantha thinks this is a one and done, and Xavier wants to respect her boundaries, but sometimes love knows no distance and a tender, heartfelt relationship unfolds. 

Recommendation: If you're a fan of romantic comedies with emotional weight, this deserves a spot on your TBR today. Jimenez gives us what she's best known for - a sincere story that blends humor and vulnerability. And what's more is this book is the first in a series, with the second one scheduled to release this spring. You already know I'll be snagging a copy. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Guncle by Steven Rowley

Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Duration: 11:24:00
Published: May 2021

I've had an audio copy on my Audible app of The Guncle by Steven Rowley for a couple of years now. The premise sounded intriguing, and I suspected I might enjoy it audibly. Guncle is a portmanteau of gay and uncle, and in this story, Patrick is the titular character. He is often referred to as guncle and also gup for Gay Uncle Patrick by his niece and nephew, Maisie and Grant respectively. Sadly, we meet the children just after their mother, Sarah, has died from cancer, and their father is trying to overcome depression and drug addiction. Greg, the father, asks his brother, Patrick, to take care of the children over the summer in California while he is at a nearby recovery facility. So, Patrick reluctantly takes the children from the east coast to his home to help his brother and help the children during this dark time. 

Patrick has some sadness of his own he's trying to heal from and in the midst of helping Greg, he self-actualizes and fulfills a greater purpose for his extended family. Throughout the novel, he espouses his "guncle rules." I think the author intended these as comedic relief for heavier topics; however, I honestly do not remember many of them. They were a lot and difficult to keep up with on audio. I do remember chuckling at some of them and the scenarios that necessitated the rules. 

My main issue with this book is the religion bashing. I don't understand why religion and homosexuality always have to be pitted against one another and we can find a way to co-exist in real life and in fiction. The multiple religious mentions in a condescending manner were a put off and soured the book. 

Recommendation: I finally hit play on this audiobook in hopes to quickly move to the sequel - The Guncle Abroad. However, this one didn't meet my expectations, so I instead, moved to something else more appealing. I think this book is for a specific audience that I am not a member of. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 309 pages
Published: April 2023

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld was recommended by Anne Bogel's Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club as a 2023 Summer Reading Guide pick. I snagged a copy from Book of the Month, but I didn't get around to reading it until this spring. When I procrastinate and the book is this good, I just want to kick myself for waiting so long. But the upside is the recommendation was solid and it was a good read, so I win ... sooner or later! 

Romantic Comedy is about Sally, a sketch writer on a late-night skit show (think Saturday Night Live) called The Night Owls. With a couple of superficial relationships post-divorce, Sally has no intention of engaging in the business of love. While on the job she writes a bit called the Danny Horst Rule, which is based on average-looking Joes who are somehow able to create relationships with glamorous women (think Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian). As fate would have it, pop music star Noah Brewster guest stars on The Night Owls, and Sally thinks they might have had a brief connection during his one-week preparation and appearance on the show. Has the Danny Horst Rule come to her front door? The remainder of the book allows the reader to explore their interactions. 

I really enjoyed this story. The writing was clever, and the emotions were very true to heart. The book is set during the dreadful Covid-19 years, but it was fun to watch the relationship between Sally and Noah blossom over email. People don't really write anymore; they text or video call, so this was refreshing. But the characters are both writers, so it wasn't too much of a stretch. As a lover of words, I enjoyed the discourse and the overall story. 

Recommendation: To be honest, as a book with the word comedy in the title, I thought it would be a little funnier. Having said that, it did not take away from the story for me. It is heavier on the romance aspect, but I really enjoyed how it was presented in this book. That slow burn that leads to the excitement of getting to know someone especially made the book engaging. Upon completion, I listened to the author chat on the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club platform, which made this story an even more richer reading experience for me. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 327 pages
Published: August 2023

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus was more like a whaleFAIL for me. The cover is beautiful. The premise is intriguing, but the story simply fell flat for me. To be honest, this is not something I would normally read, but the synopsis and aforementioned cover just grabbed me. (So much for judging a book by its cover!). 

The arresting plot is about a young man, Jay, who is attempting to grieve and cope with the death (by suicide) of his father, Mitt. Mitt and Jay have been estranged for sometime, and even on Mitt's deathbed, Jay can't seem to bring himself to visit and reconcile with his father. And quite honestly, I understand the hesitation. Mitt was described as a narrow-minded, chauvinistic man's man who could not process that his only son had different aspirations and was a bit more nuanced as an individual. Mitt lived his life without much emotion, and he seemed to be embarrassed when Jay showed any. But I digress. 

The story opens, and Mitt has died. Jay is grieving, and has decided to go out to the ocean where his father died by suicide to find and collect his remains. What he sets out to do at the beginning of the book is so dangerous that he must do it in secret. As luck (or commonsense) would have it, he dives in with this scuba gear, encounters trouble with a squid and ends up swallowed by and in the stomach of a whale. The story is told as he travels through the four stomachs of said whale, and it claims to be scientifically accurate. I am not a scientist or a diver, but there was definitely an overabundance of technical details in the story, so yeah I guess it probably is technically accurate. But does that really matter? I would argue, no. The scientific minutiae made it difficult for me to accurately picture what was happening. Coupled with the overwrought descriptions are seemingly random flashbacks in Jay's mind of interactions with mainly his father but also his mother and sisters. 

Any adult reader can discern the main character is grappling with his father's death and the overbearing whale is serving as some sort of paternal metaphor. I think the overall premise is thoughtful; however, the execution just didn't do it for me. It was erratic and disjointed, and I didn't really enjoy the journey. I was just ready to take one big breath of fresh air when it was over. 

Recommendation: I always say not every book is for every one, and maybe this one wasn't for me. I don't know that I'd be running to the bookstore or library to read another book by this author. But to each his own. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 464 pages
Published: February 2021

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah won Book of the Month’s book of the year for 2021, and I totally understand why. Unlike, The Love of my Life, this cover did not draw me in. Additionally, the synopsis did not seem like something I would enjoy reading, even though I do enjoy historical fiction. However, as I have learned first impressions can be deceiving. This book is currently one of my top 3 reads of 2022, and I’m so glad I selected it as my free book as part of Book of the Month’s BFF program. 

The story is set in the 1930s during the Great Depression in Texas and centers around Elsa, who at a young age got herself “into some trouble, in the family way.” Ultimately, she finds herself in a loveless marriage with two children and in-laws that have become her only family after her blood relatives disowned her. After suffering through the Dust Bowl, Elsa’s husband abandons his family. Elsa tries to maintain for a time but realizes she must attempt to travel west to the land of milk and honey to make a better life for her family. The remaining two-thirds of the book are about her survival as a single woman on the road to attain the American Dream by traveling west. 

This is the first book I’ve read by Hannah. Her writing is wonderful. She definitely has a gift for describing scenes in such a way that you feel as though you’re right there in that time period and in that emotion. If you read to escape your current reality, Hannah offers you that escape. The story is exceptional, and the characters are well developed and stayed with me long after I read the final page. 

Recommendation: The Four Winds is a must read for anyone, but especially for lovers of historical fiction. I highly recommend it!

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 287 pages
Published: June 1979

So, I read Kindred by Octavia E. Butler with my new beau who wanted to connect with me through one of my favorite pastimes … reading. 😍 This historical, science fiction novel - the first of its type written by a Black woman - is about a young woman, Dana, who in present day, is a married 26-year old in the year 1976. However, she unexplainably and involuntarily travels back to the antebellum south via a Quantum Leap-esque time-warp to oversee a young white boy who is connected to her, and then just as mysteriously travels back to present-day. She never knows when it’s going to happen or how long she will remain in either time period. 

Because of the topical nature of the book there were many passages that were difficult to read and envision. As with most stories like this, there were extreme acts of evil but also fleeting moments of compassion. The insecurity the protagonist felt in vacillating between the two worlds was easily imagined by the reader and also gave an idea of how enslaved people may have felt when being forced to interact with cruel and spontaneously hateful slave owners. 

This is an interesting take on historical fiction with an unexpected science fiction twist. It’s creative, well-written and should be read. Science fiction is not my genre of choice, but Kindred is one of my favorite books.  

Recommendation: I recommend this book to anyone. It’s a fast and heart-wrenching read. I think mature teenagers and adults alike can appreciate this writing. Let us continue to learn about history in a myriad of ways lest we repeat it, OK? 

Trigger warnings: descriptive physical violence, rape

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 371 pages
Published: April 2021

I selected When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain as my free add-on book for my birthday month, courtesy of my Book of the Month (BOTM) Club BFF status. When this book was first released on BOTM, it sounded intriguing to me but other choices piqued my interest more and I left this one for later. What took me so long? This fictional story interwoven with true missing persons cases in the early 1990s, most notably the Polly Klaas case, made for an equally interesting and heartbreaking read. The overall plot centers around Anna Hart who is a missing persons detective in San Francisco. Personal tragedy sends her back to the small town she grew up in with her foster parents. While there for healing, she is drawn to a case involving a missing girl. One thing leads to another and she finds herself in the middle of what appears to be a serial murder case. 

McLain took great care with the true crime stories that served as a backdrop for this book. You can clearly see that she put forth great detail and research by including those cases. As a result, this book left me feeling uncomfortable - not because it was a bad book but because in reality bad things happened, and I could not use this fictional book to totally escape the real word. In the real world there are bad people who do horrible things. Having said that, I do appreciate very much what McLain has done in weaving a fictional story with real cases. Her writing is moving in that it evokes an emotional response and propels the reader into and through the story. It left me thinking about it for days after. 

My only criticism of this book is the ending. I thought the conclusion to the fictional aspect was a little too tidy. Additionally, it seemed as though the author rushed the ending a bit with regards to Anna's personal struggles. She could have easily gone into more depth with that storyline, especially since it was germane to the plot. 

Recommendation: This is a heavy read, but it is a good book and I would highly recommend it when you're looking for something sobering. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Pages: 352 pages
Published: January 2020

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano is about a family of four who board a fully booked plan in Newark, New Jersey headed for Los Angeles, California. Midway across the United States, the plane crashes leaving a sole survivor, Edward, a 12-year old boy and the youngest son of that family. Edward's story makes him a national celebrity as he navigates how to heal, physically and emotionally, and live life without his parents and his older brother. 

This is really a coming of age novel, and it is sad because a plane crash that kills nearly 200 people is sad, but it is also hopeful. It's about healing and learning who you are in spite of the most challenging circumstances. I fell in love with Edward and the secondary cast of characters who rallied around him to make sure he was OK after such a horrible tragedy. This book was very touching and very real to me. I know there has been a lot of criticism about the technical accuracy of the airplane and its crash, and I cannot attest to that. However, if you read the book for the beautiful piece of literature it is, I think you can overlook any technical errors that might be in place. 

Recommendation: No one is really traveling very much right now, so it's a good time to read a book like this. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Mayhem, Murder and the PTA by Dave Cravens

Synopsis | My Review | Buy Now | About the Author | Giveaway | More Blogs

Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Pages: 434 pages
Published: May 2019 

Parker Monroe is a tough-talking investigative reporter used to writing headlines, not being the subject of them. When a key source vanishes on a politically toxic story, this single mother of three finds herself at the center of a media storm and out of a job. Ready to reset, Parker moves her family back to the rural town where she grew up. But a gossip-filled PTA, a tyrannical school principal and a gruesome murder make adjusting to the "simple life" anything but. Parker Monroe is about to chase the story of her lifetime...

Mayhem, Murder and the PTA by Dave Cravens introduces the reader to Parker Monroe who is a journalist recovering from a huge misstep in her career. To reset her life she moves across the country and back home with her mother and three children. Upon her return she is confronted by the vice principal of her former school who is a bit of a nemesis. Shortly thereafter, a murder occurs and Parker and her inquisitive nature quickly gets wrapped up in the subsequent events.

This book is what I would categorize as a humorous murder mystery. While there are some dark elements, the book isn't too heavy. The author provided enough detail to keep the reader engaged. While the advanced readers copy of the paperback I received is is more than 400 pages, all of the chapters are all relatively short and the spacing is generous, so it's probably not a true 434 pages. I enjoy mysteries, and this one did not disappoint. I was invested in completing the novel because I wanted to find out how the myriad of characters fit together. Cravens did an exceptional job of giving all the characters - primary, secondary, and tertiary - a purpose and making it easy to discern individual within the entire cast of characters.

My critiques include the incongruence in the author's writing and voice style. He would change from third person omniscient to the main character, Parker, talking to herself which almost made it seem as though he was switching from third to first person. It created some inconsistency for me and caused me to have to re-read several passages. Additionally, I was not a fan of the foul language. I get that Cravens wanted the protagonist to be "tough-talking," independent, and flawed, but I think the obscenities were overdone. Using curse words doesn't make you tough nor does it make you appear tough. It was very easy to tell that this character was written by a male. She almost seemed like a male character in personality. In conjunction with the language and abundance of Bon Jovi references, who the author clearly has an affinity for, I just wasn't impressed. In fact, I think if these were reduced, the book could have been about 1/4 shorter in total. Also, I don't think the sole sex scene was needed nor was it germane to the overall mystery. It definitely could have been left on the cutting room floor. The book is dialogue heavy. There are more direct quotes in conversation and not a lot of vivid descriptions. It seems as though the author took the approach to tell rather than show what was happening.

Recommendation:  At any rate, I did enjoy the book. I found it humorous, witty, and engaging. I think fans of the mystery genre would enjoy this. It can easily been read in a couple of days.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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As a child, Dave Cravens planned to grow up to be a superhero, the first person to capture Bigfoot and Nessie on film, pilot experimental aircraft out of Area 51, develop cold fusion, and star and direct in his own blockbuster action movies so he could retire at the ripe age of twenty-five and raid tombs the rest of his life. Instead, he got a degree in journalism, which he hasn’t used at all other than to justify his incredibly insightful and valid complaints about the state of journalism. During his twenty-two years in the video game business, he’s written for award winning franchises, directed TV commercials and movies, sprained his ankles numerous times in ultimate frisbee games and published three original novels.

Connect with Dave: 

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Third Prize: Paperback copy of Mayhem, Murder and the PTA
Fourth Prize: Kindle copy of Mayhem, Murder and the PTA

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Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Pages: 375 pages
Published: September 2018 

I absolutely adored Black Girls Must Die Exhausted (BGMDE) by Jayne Allen! This book was selected by one of my book clubs, and it did not disappoint. The story centers around a 30-something reporter journalist, Tabitha Walker, who gets some personally devastating news at the onset of the book and the remainder of the book is how that news affects her, the decisions she makes, and other people close to her.

As a young, single, career-minded woman living in a metropolitan area, I found the main character to be very relatable. The story line was spot on, and the writing was impeccable. The author was able to create engaging imagery that evoked a myriad of emotions in this reader. I found myself tearing up more than once while reading BGMDE. The ending was not perfect, but it was satisfying. Although, I was a little surprised to learn that this book would be the first of a trilogy! Now I'm invested and must read the subsequent books that the author is working on.

My only complaint about this book is with the publisher. The book is not available in most large libraries, and I think that is a disservice to the author and potential readers. More young women should have access to this story. This is not a story for black women; it's a story for all women.

Recommendation:  I definitely recommend this book. I think it is an intriguing read for all, but I think it might resonate with working women the most.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

Rating: 1 of 5 stars
Length: 06:29:00
Narrated by: Tiffany Haddish
Published: December 2017 

The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish represents about six and half hours of my life that I'll never get back. This book was painful to listen to. I didn't find a lot of humor in it but rather a very sad description of the comedienne's life and pursuit for acceptance through success.

I know Haddish is known for her raunchy comedic style, but I felt like she was over the top in this book. In her quest for a laugh, she came off as offensive, cold, and culturally insensitive. Personally, I have been blessed to live a fairly stable life, and I don't wish to question anyone's trauma. However, some of the stories Haddish re-told in this book were simply unbelievable. She lost all credibility with me when she, at 13, tried to seduce her black male doctor after nearly dying from toxic shock syndrome. I was later further offended by her mocking of her mentally disabled boyfriend. And then I found it very sad that she got an abortion because she couldn't raise a child with her abusive boyfriend yet no sooner than she healed up from the procedure she was right back in his bedroom. Her whole life just seemed sad, and my hope is that she has sought some counseling to help deal with these issues, if they are indeed true.

Beyond the content, the book was poorly written. There was way too much foul language and overly explicit scenes described. The final product could still benefit from some heavy editing. Haddish shared at least half a dozen stories of men telling her she's "too beautiful" to do this or "too pretty" to do that. Additionally, many of her sentences ended with "and stuff." It was just a grammatical nightmare.

This book was vastly disappointing for me. I had hoped that Haddish might offer some type of inspiration. Typically, when I read or listen to an autobiography I come away from it liking the person a little more than I did previously. Sadly, with The Last Black Unicorn, I like Haddish a lot less.

Recommendation:  Life is too short, and there are too many other books. Try something else like We're Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union or Born a Crime by Trevor Noah.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Courageous Creative by Jenny Randle

Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Length: 160 pages
Published: October 2018

During the Christmas season, Facebook displayed a sponsored advertisement on my feed for Jenny Randle's Courageous Creative book and the companion online 31-day devotional study. I was intrigued, so I purchased a copy from my local Barnes & Noble reseller, signed up for the Facebook group, and eagerly awaited for January 1, 2019 when the study was scheduled to begin. 

Jenny is an Emmy award-winning creative, but moreover, she is a Christian with a genuine heart. (I feel like I really go to know her through the Facebook group, so I am referring to her by her first name in this post.) She loves the Lord, and she loves His people. In her book, she demonstrates how everyone is and can be creative through the guiding of the Holy Spirit (or as she refers to him without the article i.e., Holy Spirit.) 

Jenny has written this book in such a way that it's easy digestible. The daily content is not overwhelming and offers practical applications. Each reading has an accompanying challenge. The challenges are diverse, ranging from reading and writing to more visual tasks like drawing, coloring, and photography. The book even includes some video and voice over prompts. As you might guess from this blog, reading and writing is where I shine, so the challenges outside of those took me a little more time. There are some I still want to go back and perfect. And that's the beauty of this book is that you can pick it up at any time and revisit some of Jenny's nuggets of knowledge as well as prime your creative juices by engaging in the challenges again. 

This was a really fun devotional that allowed me to grow as a Christian and create some beautiful work. I am thankful for Jenny showing me that I was created to create by the Ultimate Creator. 

Recommendation: This book would be a great study for a small group with your church. Whether you participate in this interactive devotional with a group, like I did, or take on the challenges on your own, I am certain you will be motivated and blessed by Jenny's work. She truly is a courageous creative! Visit Jenny online and connect with her on all social media platforms. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory

Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Length: 336 pages
Published: October 2018

The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory was December's light and fun pick by my new book club Planner Girls Read Too. This is the second book written by Guillory, preceded by The Wedding Date. Many readers seem to think The Wedding Date is prerequisite reading for The Proposal. I've only read The Proposal, but it sounds like Ms. Guillory simply recycles some characters within her books (Her third book, The Wedding Party, will debut in 2019 and will feature some secondary characters from The Proposal.) 

I preface this review with some pertinent information: The Proposal is chick lit. It's meant to be read for entertainment — an escape from reality. There are several steamy sex scenes as well as a generous amount of colorful language. If this is not your cup of tea, you may want to pass it up. However, if you're looking for a quick, fun read over the holidays or even on summer vacay, The Proposal fits the bill. 

The story begins with a very public proposal to the book's protagonist, Nikole (Nik), by her superficial actor boyfriend of five months. Not to be bullied into saying yes, even though she has to answer in front of 45,000 people, Nik does the right thing and says no. In swoops Carlos (from The Wedding Date) and his sister, Angela to save her from the unwanted publicity. The three of them make fast friends, and Carlos becomes Nik's new romantic interest of the "rebound" type. A mix of friendship, food, and frequent sex all become factors in the lines being blurred for these two. 

I enjoyed the fast-paced nature of this book. I finished it in just a few days. I like the diversity among the characters in the book. I didn't feel like anyone was put in a stereotypical box with respect to race, gender, culture, etc. I found it nice to read a book that features people of color without race or ethnicity being the primary issue of the book. We need more books like this. I wasn't a fan of the language or sex scenes. At times, I felt the author got dangerously close to over-sexualizing Nik. Some of the other scenes in the book were a little unrealistic (like the scene where Nik encounters her ex-boyfriend). But then other parts of the book were quite relatable (like when Nik re-evaluates her motives for dating the men she has in the past.) There are a few life lessons in the book that are served up without beating the reader over the head with them. 

I had a lot of fun with this book. It made me laugh, and despite being chick lit, it made me think. I closed the book with a soft smile on my face. This is an enjoyable story for readers who appreciate matters of the heart.

Recommendation: I like to read light material as the year comes to a close to keep myself upbeat and my spirits high during the holiday season. This selection was a perfect fit for those tasks. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Length: 341 pages
Published: May 2018

After reading journalist John Carreyrou's investigative book, Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup, I do believe truth can be stranger than fiction. How in the world did such a young lady fool so many tenured business people and politicians? This book is an in-depth look at Elizabeth Holmes and her startup, Theranos. The genesis of the book was derived from Carreyrou's October 2015 Wall Street Journal report. 

Simply put this book is investigative journalism at its finest. 

I think the prevailing theme in this book is that we, as a society, have to get back to the facts. The lies and deception have to stop. We are not better off having been persuaded to one person (or group's) way of thinking. Rather, the truth shall set us free. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the way Carreyrou presented this fact-based story. He was very detailed, explaining complex science and medical processes in a way that made it easy for this liberal arts major to understand. Having said that, some of his format caused confusion for me. The way that he interchanged the identification of key players by using their first names and last names made it difficult to follow because there were a lot of players involved. Also, I found the change of perspective midway through the book troublesome. He told the first part of the story in third person, and then when his role was introduced, he abruptly changed to first person. 

Googling "Elizabeth Holmes" will generate a plethora of articles, videos, and photos. Check out the free Way Back Machine to get some insight to the now defunct Theraonos website. I've watched some online videos, and I can certainly see the effectiveness of her persuasive communication skills. She doesn't offer up a whole lot of science, but she uses her words very well. It is easy to see how her charisma and charm won over so many people (especially older men who were ridiculously memorized by her). 

The saddest thing about this whole story is that Holmes had a good idea. Despite knowing the outcome, I found myself pulling for her technology to work. What if she wouldn't have gotten in her own way and succeeded? What if she had listened to the many voices of reason and developed a societal-changing product? She not only robbed her investors, partners, and customers but also society as a whole because tunnel vision and greed resulted in Theranos' demise. Instead, the only thing Holmes succeeded in was proving the old adage true - If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

Recommendation: If you want to learn more about this fascinating true story, please check out Bad Blood. This book offers so much more than what you can glean online. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful. 

Read More