Tuesday, 5 September 2023
Saturday, 26 November 2022
Review: Let Me Free You
Let Me Free You by Alexandria HouseMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
“I am a king, a black king, and inside me rests the power of every black king who came before me. It’s how I choose to use my power that will either bring me victory or defeat.”
Neil is the twin brother to Nolan; identical in looks and complete opposite in personality. Neil is considered the troubled one, and my most favorite McClain brother. Although Neil is a bit rough around the edges, he is compassionate, sweet, and sexy. In my opinion he seems to be the most humbled out of all the brothers. After Neil completed rehabilitation from his addiction and troubling past, he is asked by his brothers to marry Sage. Sage and her parents are from Liberia and is scheduled to be deported back to her native land in which she doesn’t have much memory. Sage does not want to return and the only way to save her from going back is to get married. At first Neil was hesitate and refuse until he spoke with his spiritual advisor. Although this was an arranged marriage, they both took their vows seriously. I love how Neil embrace his roots and spirituality and how he was protective over Sage. Their relationship escalated and their love for each other was genuine. It was like they were meant for each other. Both needed something and somebody and together they cured their wounds. Although things were not always perfect between the two, but they learned from each other.
Alexandria House is an excellent writer, and I cannot put her books down. She has you engaged in the story wanting more. The whole series was outstanding. I give this book a 5-star rating.
Idea for Cast:
• Marshun Cooper as Neil
• Sharon Weseh Ayikwerah as Sage
View all my reviews
Friday, 18 November 2022
Review: Forever Tru
Forever Tru by K.C. MillsMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first of me reading K.C. Mills work. This story is about Tru and Cassius, Tru a photographer and Cassius a record producer. When Cassius’s photographer must leave town for an emergency, Tru is hired to take photos of Cash for a documentary. However, Cash and Tru’s first encounter did not get off to a welcoming start. After Cassius got past his initial rudeness and arrogance, his behavior changed with his attraction and passion for Tru, bringing out his true side; to love and be loved. Although, there were complication surrounding their relationship, their romance blossomed.
What I will say is every time I put this book/audio down, I was eager to pick it back up. There was a lot going on dealing with their family, past relationships, and the unwanted attention from social media due to Cassius fame. This story got my attention, and I was eager to read more. I enjoyed this book and I recommend. A good read with a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
My idea of Cast:
- DeForest Buckner as Cassius
- Olivia Nelson, as Tru
Review: Let Me Please You
Let Me Please You by Alexandria HouseMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is 3.5 of the McClain series, although it indicates 4.5. But once you read 4.0, everything from this book has already happened.
Katherine is only sister of the McClain brothers, who was introduced in the previous book. After her husband Wayne gets caught cheating, she is done after a long and intense marriage she files for divorce, only to turn her eyes at Tommy, the bodyguard for her brother Big South, that also serves as her bodyguard. Although Tommy is attracted to Kat, but he is hesitant because of his employment and respect for the family, plus if Big South finds out he will want to kill Tommy. Tommy is supposed to be protecting Kat not sleeping with her. But Tommy cannot resist Kat’s advances and Kat is not caring about what her brothers think, regardless of how protective they are over her. However, things heat up between Kat and Tommy and there is no holding them back. The McClain brothers does not know that there is anything going on between the two, but their relationship escalates to much more than an affair, and everything is revealed.
I think these two were great together, the story was fun to read. I listen to the audio and the narration was excellent. 5 stars rating.
The Ideal Cast:
• Tyron Smith as Tommy• Precious Lee as Kat
Review: Let Me Show You
Let Me Show You by Alexandria HouseMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is #3 of the McClain series with mentions of abuse, drug & alcohol addiction, parenting issues, date rape, etc. There is a lot of issues in the lives of Nolan and Bridgett. It took them forever to finally get together, but when they did the sparks was flying.
What happen was… Nolan was attracted to Bridgette and Bridgette was attracted to Nolan, but neither was saying anything. It took to Nolan having to save Bridgette from a situation that brought them together. This story had me laughing so hard; Nolan and Bridgett’s first sexual encounter were erotic and funny at the same time. After Bridgett’s quote, “and it hurt so damn good”, made me think of the song, “Hurt so Good”, by Millie Jackson. And let’s not talk about the after affects, Nolan was literally sprung. Then there is Uncle Lee who reminded me of John Witherspoon, that old dude had me rolling. I had the whole movie playing out in my head.
On a serious note, Bridgette had a hideous past, she changed her real name to escape some of the memories that haunted her. However, her personality and spirit does not display the trauma she has experienced. Yet, she is working through it at the least. Although Nolan had his share of past experiences, which was not as detrimental or pronounced as Bridgette’s, however, they both were dealing with their own issues.
Just by laughter alone, I give this book a 5-stars rating. I could listen to this book over and over again. Excellent read and excellent narration!
Ideal Cast:
Cross Thompson as Nolan McClain Megan Jovon Ruth Pete as Bridgette Turner
Thursday, 24 March 2022
Review: Let Me Hold You
Let Me Hold You by Alexandria HouseMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is #2 of the McClain series. Leland and Kimberly meet when Leland McClain, a professional NBA player is volunteering at the community center where Kimberly Hampton is the Director. Kim has some series relationship issues from her past; a track record of abusive relationships, that not only affected her, but also her son Armand as well. Armand, which is also a professional NBA player has a problem with his mom getting involved with any man, because of the abuse she dealt with in her past. Armand feels he must protect her, but he takes it to the extreme. When Armand and Leland were on the same team, Armand cause all type of havoc with Leland when he caught him looking at his mom.
At first, Leland and Kimberly relationship starts off a bit slow, because of Kim’s fear and out of guilt from what her son had to endure, with consideration that he was the one that had to save her from the abuse. She felt that she owed it to herself and Armand not to get involved with anyone seriously. Kim had her son when she was fifteen years old, so with Leland being a few years younger than her and a few years older than her son, made it another excuse for not getting involved with Leland. However, after many intimate moments, Kim cannot resist Leland. The take back is that Kim has a problem telling her son she is in a committed relationship with Leland and when he does find out, he raises all kinds of hell, but Leland is not going to allow Armand to come in-between the love he has for Kim. I understood Armand being protective over his mother, but he was out of control. However, she had to let go of the guilt, put her foot down and take control of her life and happiness.
The chemistry between Kimberly and Leland was passionate, enduring and erotic. A lot was going on which kept me engaged in the story. I will say that Alexandria House did not disappoint. This book was good. I give it a 5 out of 5 stars rating. Excellent read.
IDEA FOR CAST:
• Amara Lanegra AS KIMBERLY HAMPTON• Kevin Clark, model/army vet AS LELAND MCCLAIN
Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Review: Let Me Love You
Let Me Love You by Alexandria HouseMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first of the McClain brother’s series and the second book that I have read from Alexandria House.
Jo, working as an intern as an assistant for custom jeweler and Everett aka Big South, famous rapper, meets when Jo’s employer gets beat up by his wife and due to his physical appearance, informs Jo that she must deliver a 30k piece of jewelry to one of his clients. When Everett and Jo meet is not exactly welcoming, considering Everett calls Jo a side piece, which she is totally offended by. After cussing him out, he is intrigue by her and pursues her. However, they both have a hurtful past and deranged & crazy ex’s that interferes in their relationship. Being from different worlds, they are also hit at different angles from people that felt they did not need to be together. Folks were trying these two to the depths of their souls, but their love, devotion, and sacrifice for each other, keep them strong. This is a ride or die couple.
This book had me sitting at the edge of my seat, wondering what was about to happen next. Alexandria House killed it, it was crazy and off the chain. I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars rating.
Choice of Characters:
• J.T. Thomas III as Everett McClain
• Cecilia Laulanne as Jo Walker
Review: Sula
Sula by Toni MorrisonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have read this book several times and each time I find something new that strikes my attention. This is one of those books that you can critically analyze to understand or put into perspective. First, I will say that Morrison don’t judge her characters, but let the reader see things for themselves.
There are a few of the many features in this booky that had me questioning without any direct answer from the story:
• Shadrack’s reasoning for National Suicide Day, “it was not death or dying that frighten him, but the unexpectedness of both”; it seems this was his solution to eliminating unexpected death.
• Eve left her home broke but returned with money and one leg; where is the association with her leg and money? The story doesn’t tell you, but I wonder was it intentional or was it a coincidence.
• Eva killing her son in order to take him out of his misery due to drug use; You wonder was it that imperative for Eva to kill her son and if so, how much misery did she feel he was in that gave her the authority to take his life, other than being his mother.
• Sula watching her mother burn; She watched without doing anything to save her. I wondered what was going through her mind and why. Did Sula feel her mother was better off dead then alive, the same way Eva felt about her son.
• Sula slept with Nel’s husband; based on Sula’s background and her friendship with Nel, she saw nothing wrong with it. She watched her mother and her grandmother seduce married men all the time and for Sula that behavior was normal. Sula and Nel shared everything, so Sula found nothing wrong with sharing Nel’s husband. It took me awhile to let that sink in, but I had to look at the nature and background of the characters.
This book is one of my favorites by Toni Morrison. I always have loved her writing style, Morrison’s stories make you think and analyze the situation and consider the circumstances from different views. I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars rating.
Choice of Cast:
• Ruth Negga as Sula• Tessa Thompson as Nel
Tuesday, 15 March 2022
Review: One Christmas Wish: A Novel
One Christmas Wish: A Novel by Brenda JacksonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
It is Christmas time in Catalina Cove. After Sierra Crane’s heartbreaking divorce from her ex-husband and now raising her Goddaughter, she returns to Catalina Cove and opens a Soup Cafe. Vaughn Miller comes from a wealthy family in the Cove, but after being wrongly accused of a crime, he ends up spending time in prison. Once Vaughn is released from prison, he also returns to his roots in Catalina Cove.
When Vaughn walks into Sierra’s Café, he is immediately attracted to her. Although Sierra remembers Vaughn from earlier years, she can’t keep her eyes off him. After a harsh divorce, her goal is to run her business and raise her Goddaughter and not get involved in a relationship. However, Vaughn has other plans for them both.
Vaughn was direct, protective, and passionate. Sierra was passionate and protective over her heart and her Goddaughter but was reluctant to get close to Vaughn. Yet, she had to come to realization that dependence did not mean weak, and love is a part of protecting and being protected. Vaughn and Sierra were definitely twin flames, a match that was destined to happen. I call it a divine connection. There were a lot of details and events that developed the story making it come to full circle, such as the Christmas wishes. I give this book a 5 out of 5-stars rating. Excellent read that I highly recommend. Love this book.
The Ideal Cast:
- Hunter Rockwell as Vaughn Miller
- Brittany S. Hall as Sierra Crane
Friday, 25 February 2022
Review: Forbidden
Forbidden by Beverly JenkinsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Eddy Carmichael, 27 years old traveling from Denver to California to fulfill her dream of becoming a restaurant owner. Eddy was robbed and toss out into the desert only to be saved by Rhine Fontaine, rich, attractive, and passing as white. Rhine nursed Eddy back to health with the help of Boarding house owner Sylvia, only to develop an undeniable attraction to Eddy that he could not control.
Rhine was once a slave, his father a slave owner and mother an African Queen. When he was a young boy, he discovered that he could pass as white and once he moved on from his life on the plantation, he lived his life as a white man, giving him the opportunity and freedom of a better life, but to also the ability to help his people. This story made me think of the book "Passing", by Nella Larsen. So many Blacks that could pass as white would take advantage of a free and privileged life, yet they would have to deny their families and ancestry. In Ryan's case, there were some downfalls for passing as white. Ryan came to the realization after he lost the ability to adopt the boys in the orphanage. Being white he was unable to adopt black children. But the thought of losing Eddy due to interracial marriages being outlawed made him abdicate his whiteness to the town and from there life for Rhine changed. However, I was surprised there was not more or severe backlash from the white community after his announcement. But, due to certain stimulations, the community was at a standstill from severe retaliation, due to Rhine’s wealth and partnered ownership with his white brother within the community.
What I found interesting is how the whites had no clue he was black, I think some may have thought, but because of his money and status, there was no doubt in their minds that he was white. Yet, Sylvia and Doc had made a bet on its years ago. With Rhine doing so much for the black community unlike the whites, Sylvia figured he was passing. Rhine was originally engaged to Natalie, who was the daughter of a family of political importance in the community. After realizing he was in love with Eddy and Natalie was not a match for him, he called off the wedding. But, once, Rhine denounced his whiteness, Natalie went nuts and attacked Eddy, blaming her for Rhine’s actions. It seemed Eddy would have been more outraged than what she was, instead she was forgiving of Natalie. I believe Natalie was more taken back by Rhine being Black then she was of him calling off the wedding. I found the story to be intriguing and a good read. I do recommend this book. I gave it a 5 out of 5 Stars.
My choice of casting:
Kevin Stranart as Rhine
Bisserat Tseggai as Eddy
Octavia Spencer as Sylvia
Courtney Vance as Doc
View all my reviews
Saturday, 19 February 2022
Review: Winds of the Storm
Winds of the Storm by Beverly JenkinsMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’ll just say, you cannot tell a book by its cover. Zahra Lafayette aka the Butterfly, a spy rescues Archer LeVeq during the Civil War. Years later, they cross paths again, except this time she is assigned by Harriet Tubman’s network to open a brothel, disguising herself as a madame to obtain information. Zahra aka Madame Domino, masked to hide her identity, Archer is intrigued by her beauty and knows something is different about her. After finding out her real identity, they work together to complete the mission. However, during the chain of events, they experience lots of sex, passion and eventually love.
It never ceases to amaze me how a mistress is respected and a whore isn’t. I guess because a mistress sleeps with one man for money vs. many men for money. What’s the damn difference? They both jump from man to man. Like Zahra said, they are one in the same. Archer’s mistress, that was a nasty heffa. The blood! Really! I guess love and desire can break a spell. Three of my favorite parts of the book is first, when Zahra saved Archer in the beginning of the story, it was nice to see a woman play captain save a hoe. Yes, the men in the book are whores too. I’m just sayin’. Second, when Archer’s mother meets with Zahra to discuss her mission, after she found out her identity. And the end, which I found sweet. I like this book, it was a good read, and I probably would consider re-reading/listening, not sure. I am mad at the narrator, where is the accents!!! he apparently forgot the accents of the LeVeq’s and Zahra had more bass in her voice then Archer. Did the narrator forget who was speaking? It would have been nice to hear the French accent. At first, I thought that maybe the younger brothers did not have an accent, but I realize it was omitted from Drake, Raimond and their mother. What I will say, those LeVeq brothers do not disappoint.
My choice of characters:
- Kylie Bunbury as Zahra
- Broderick Hunter as Archer
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