This summer, I'm determined to catch up on my reading and of course keep up with my writing. A lot of my favorite authors have released books this summer that are page turners to say the least.
Here's what I've read so far:
Decadence by Eric Jerome Dickey.
Four years have passed since the events of
Pleasure, and
Nia’s success as a writer has grown, bringing her from Atlanta to Los
Angeles. But she remains on a quest to quiet her inner storm, to draw on
her well of emotions and explore them fully before leaving this season
of her life and moving on to what could be the next stage: marriage and
motherhood.
Drawn to an exclusive pleasure palace, where
patrons try on roles as they actively shun their respective realities,
Nia’s ability to balance truth and fantasy becomes increasingly blurred.
What has happened to the compartments she has so carefully created for
the different aspects of her life? Will her relationship with the
mysterious, often unavailable Prada survive the countless temptations?
Will her successful literary career be given over to impulse indulgence?
Does decadence know any bounds?
When Nia’s past comes back to
mingle with her present, and when her staid public persona clashes with
her fantasy life of decadence, readers will be stunned by the outcome.
Eric Jerome Dickey’s newest tale of excess—and its sky-high costs—is a
thrilling portrait of a glittering world.
Never Say Never by Victoria Christopher Murray
When Miriam’s fireman husband, Chauncey,
dies while rescuing students from a school fire, Miriam feels like her life is
over. How is she going to raise her three children all by herself? How will she
survive without the love of her life? Luckily, Miriam’s sister-friend Emily and
Emily’s husband, Jamal, are there to comfort her. Jamal and Chauncey grew up
together and were best friends; Jamal and Emily know they will do all they can
to support Miriam through her grief. Jamal steps in and helps Miriam with the
funeral arrangements and with her children, plus he gives her hope that she has
a future. But all the time that they spend together—grieving, sharing, and
reminiscing—brings the two closer in ways they never planned. . . .
Graye by Deborah Fletcher Mello
Disrupting what should have been a joyous family celebration, Graye
McAdams celebrates his mother’s birthday by shooting his best friend
Tate Butler. Killing his wife Angelette had been next on his list, but
fate had other plans for Angelette McAdams, a desperate young woman
searching for her own worth and value.
Graye’s mother, Miss Jen
Pearl has lived Angelette’s desperation, having walked in the girl’s
shoes with Graye’s father, Otis McAdams. Miss Jen Pearl has answers
learned from her own mistakes and as she reflects on what she didn’t do,
she’s able to guide Angelette in a better direction. But intent on
retribution for Angelette’s sins, Graye has plans of his own for his
adoring wife, ignoring his own transgressions in the process.
Hot Mamas AlTonya Washington and Loretta R. Walls have me about to miss deadlines as well.
Taboo Tree by AlTonya Washington
Rivalries, secret romances and scandals fed the feud between the
Gwaltneys and Augustines for decades. The two families shared an uneasy
co-existence, until terrible tragedy touched the Gwaltneys. Years later,
the two eldest Augustine children, chose to chart their family history.
In doing so, they made a devastating discovery. Their family shared
more than hatred with the Gwaltneys. They shared blood. The kids decided
to cover the explosive revelation. The decision would have consequences
none of them could have foreseen. Many years later, tragedy struck
again. History would repeat itself as new romances bloomed amidst the
pain of the loss and vows for revenge. The truth would have to be
revealed. Whether the secret would ruin the families forever or finally
unite them, was a chance they would have to take.
Sagacity by Embue (Loretta R. Walls)
Ferndell Payne is a "PK" also known as a "Preacher's Kid," which carries
a weight most couldn't understand. Pastor Calvin and First Lady
Londa-Jean Payne are looked upon as pillars in the City of Richmond,
Virginia, yet their daughter has a sexual habit that could rock their
community. Upon twisted fate, Fern encounters a man that could change
everything. Pressure, finger-pointing and a chance at love...can it
justify...Sagacity.
Zane by Brenda Jackson
No woman walks away from Zane Westmoreland.
But when Channing Hastings does just that, it leaves the rancher
reeling—and then she returns to town, engaged! Zane will do whatever it
takes to show her that there is no man for her but him.
And I'm still writing a thousand words a day. I'm trying my hand at woman's fiction because I have this character, Mimi Collins, who is not going to find a happily ever after. Last night, she found musty balls. I'm still laughing at that scene.
Happy summer and happy reading.
