Diversity Between the Pages would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. Keep reading!
Month: November 2019
Book Spotlight: No Longer a Stranger
Happy Wednesday!
Today we have Chloe S. Flanagan on the blog! Her book, No Longer a Stranger, features a Native American character. Check it out below and don’t forget to add to your TBR pile!
About the Book
EJ Handler is the perpetual class clown, but he’s also a loyal friend and dedicated worker at the tech company he helped found. Friendship and work are the only commitments he needs. Yet a dangerous scandal quickly upsets his laid back life and dredges up the old heartaches that made him fear responsibility in the first place. His only hope rests in his faith and the reluctant assistance of a mysterious female detective.
Sloan is a tough, unemployed cop with a penchant for taking on the cares of the world by herself, when an unexpected job offer gives her the opportunity to do what she loves. Little does she know that a simple job will bring the infuriating, but endearing EJ and a chance at the friendships she’s avoided for so long.
About the Author
Chloe S. Flanagan is an author, technical writer, blogger, and graduate of New York University. She enjoys exploring the Christian walk frankly and thoughtfully in her fiction and in her blog, The Candid Corinthian. When she’s not writing, Chloe loves music, travel, reading books in all genres, and spending time with family.
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Post by contributor Toni Shiloh
Book Review: The Someday List
Happy Friday! Today, I’m pleased to bring you my thoughts on The Someday List by Stacy Hawkins Adams. I was recently introduced to Stacy and her books on this great discussion at Seekerville!
About the Book
*an Essence magazine bestseller*
Rachelle Covington has it all. A fabulous home, a handsome and prestigious husband, two beautiful children, and a place in the upper crust that’s quite comfortable. But her life is not all it’s cracked up to be. When her husband goes away on business trip and the kids are sent off to the grandparents for a month, Rachelle takes up the challenge of a dying friend to start a list of things to do before she dies. She heads back to Jubilant, Texas, to reconnect with her past, her purpose, and herself. But when her ex shows up in town looking very fine and very single, Rachelle must confront feelings she thought she’d long buried. Will she give up everything to recover the past? Or will she find a reason to plan for the future?
The Someday List is an honest look at what makes us who we are and what can throw us off track. Author Stacy Hawkins Adams writes with a voice that is fresh, sincere, and completely real. Her characters jump off the page and into her readers’ hearts.
SERIES: Jubilant Soul #1
PUBLISHER: Revell
RELEASE DATE: January 1, 2009
BUY THIS BOOK: goodreads | amazon | b&n | book depository
My Thoughts
This may have been my first book by Adams but it won’t be my last! In fact, I’m already wishing the next two books in the series were available to read on Kindle Unlimited like The Someday List is.
One thing I loved the most about this story was that Adams spared no one when it came to flaws, some hidden beneath the surface and others more obvious. From devoted believers to prodigals and every level in between, the characters in The Someday List present an authentic picture of the struggle to share this planet with each other. Every reader should be able to see themselves in at least one character in this book, if we’re being honest with ourselves. Perhaps we may not share the specific sins or stumbling points… perhaps we may… but the bottom line is that these characters are real and honest with weaknesses common to many.
Aunt Melba was my favorite character, hands down. She brought smiles and laughter when needed & also brought home some wisdom at the appropriate time. She was full of life – with a surprising history – and I’d love to read more of her story (she doesn’t seem to have her own book but I hope we spend more time with her in the next two books.)
The writing style was a little disjointed sometimes, at least as far as background information. Most of the time we’re left to connect the dots on our own, and that works just fine with a couple of exceptions. I struggled to connect with Rachelle in certain areas, particularly regarding her first marriage, and I would have liked to see a bit more to the ending. But, then again, life doesn’t always make sense nor tie up nicely with a red bow so in that sense Adams continues the pattern of authenticity that we see throughout the story.
The Someday List is a story of decisions that change the trajectory of our lives. Good decisions that lead us closer to each other & Jesus… and poor decisions that cause painful divisions and lifelong regret. Some surprising twists and turns are in store as you get to know & love these characters and, while I wish there was a bit more emotional dimensionality to the events that transpire, it really touched my heart.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after reading it via Kindle Unlimited.
About the Author
Stacy Hawkins Adams is an award-winning author and journalist who loves to inform, entertain and inspire readers through the written word. She has a gift for weaving tales in both the fiction and nonfiction genres, and in both faith-based and secular markets, that help readers thrive and grow confident in their own stories.
She has penned 10 books – nine women’s fiction novels and one nonfiction faith-based devotional book. Her fiction features themes related to personal growth, self-esteem, matters of faith, forgiveness, friendships and family, and some of the books have been featured reading selections in high school and college courses.
Beyond the literary world, Stacy is a marketing and communications professional for an independent school. She holds a graduate degree in women’s leadership studies, and often shares messages with corporate, civic and faith-based organizations related to empowerment and leadership, personal growth, and the power of storytelling. She devotes considerable volunteer time to advocating for women and children, leading to recognition in recent years as a YWCA of Richmond “Outstanding Woman of the Year” and a Style Weekly magazine Top 40 honoree. Stacy is also an alumna of Leadership Metro Richmond and is well-versed in diversity and inclusion issues as a result of that experience and her communications work. She lives with her family in suburban Richmond, Virginia.
CONNECT WITH STACY: website | blog | facebook | twitter
What about you? Have you read The Someday List?
Book Spotlight: Kairos
Happy Wednesday!
Today we’re spotlighting Natasha D. Frazier’s book, Kairos. In fact, if you’ve never read it, be sure to enter the Rafflecopter below for an opportunity to win an eBook.
About the Book
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… Ecclesiastes 3:1
Kensi Jacobson believed in that truth with all of her heart, but when she’s up for a promotion for her dream job as assistant editor-in-chief of The Big Apple Chronicle, she hits a roadblock. She put in the work and trusted God for what she believed was her season of elevation, but her boss’ idea of promotion was to send her to Pepperton, TX for another assignment.
This new assignment pairs her up with a handsome widower, Darren Shaw, who helps her learn that delay and disappointment can sometimes become a catalyst for something greater. Seemingly burdened with the fact that she is the only one in her circle who isn’t married with children and a career that isn’t headed in the direction she planned, she begins to wonder when her time and season are coming. Will Kensi learn that Kairos – God’s perfect timing, is much more powerful than Chronos – her chronological timetable, and trust that things will fall into place at the right time? What begins as a crush to her ego and life plan may become the perfect time for love and everything else she’s wanted.
About the Author
Natasha Frazier has authored both devotionals and Christian fiction titles. Throughout her writing career, she has published ten books. Out of the Shadows: Love, Lies & Consequences Book 4 is her most recent release and is the final title in the award-winning Love, Lies & Consequences series. With her writing, Natasha hopes to inspire readers to grow in their relationship with our Heavenly Father, in spite of past mistakes, holding on to the truth that God loves us no matter what we’ve done. Because of His love for us, we should desire to live better lives.
Natasha is also a licensed CPA and alumni of THEE Jackson State University and Texas A&M University. Natasha resides in the Houston Metro area with her husband, Eddie, and their three children. Connect with Natasha and sign-up for her mailing list to be the first to learn about new releases:www.natashafrazier.com.
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Giveaway
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Post by contributor Toni Shiloh
Book Spotlight: Falling for the Foe
Happy Wednesday, friends!
Today I’m sharing about Milla Holt’s Falling for the Foe! Have you read it? If not, check out the links below.
About the Book
She can’t stand him. He blames her for his company’s woes. Now, they have to work together.
Nia has devoted her career to fighting for life-saving medicines for Ugandans with HIV. But when first-line treatments begin to fail, she must find a new source of affordable drugs before patients start to die. Too bad she just publicly bashed the head of a pharma company that owns a powerful new anti-HIV drug.
Magnus is poised to market a game-changing HIV drug, but an avalanche of bad PR threatens to destroy his company’s reputation and kill his bottom line. When he travels to Uganda to boost his social justice credentials, he’s not expecting to feel such a deep attraction to the woman whose viral blog post led to all his troubles.
To get what they want they must work together. He’s out to rescue his company and she’s trying to save lives. Neither dreamed their hearts would be on the line.
This is an inspirational romance with Christian themes.
Book Review: Valerie’s Verdict
Happy Friday!
I hope you have a bookish weekend of reading planned. If not, read Toni Shiloh’s thoughts on Hallee Bridgeman’s Valerie Verdict. You may find a new book (and series) to read!
About the Book
VALERIE FLYNN grew up with the Dixon brothers, never differentiating one more than the other. When she leaves for college, she puts Atlanta and her childhood behind her, ready to make a life for herself somewhere else. An abusive relationship almost destroys her physically and emotionally, and manages to wipe out her relationship with God.
Since boyhood days, BRAD DIXON has always carried a flame for VALERIE. Her engagement to another man shattered his dreams. When she comes home, battered and bruised, recovering from a nearly fatal relationship, he prays God will use him to help her heal.
VALERIE returns to Atlanta seeking a fresh start, but she finds herself in a strange place. Not only is BRAD now her boss, she starts to develop feelings for him. Is it possible she can overcome the past and open herself up to another relationship, or did the damage done to her body and soul permanently take away any chance of happiness and love?
My Thoughts
In preparation for this read, I read book one in this series, Courting Calla. Having read both books, I can honestly say they standalone. No need to read book one, but it’s much more fun to read sequentially in my opinion. 🙂
If you follow me, you know I judge a book by it’s cover and that’s actually why I wanted to read this book. An interracial story? Yes, please. You don’t see too many of them so I grabbed it.
And I’m glad I did. Race was handled on both sides (but not the factor that kept the couple apart). Valerie has a turbulent background and it made me cringe, broke my heart, and had me wanting to pray for her as if she were a real person.
This story was gripping!
And Brad had a lot to learn. I was glad to see him grow in knowledge of domestic violence and in empathy for all Valerie had been through.
All in all, a great read.
*I used my Kindle Unlimited subscription to read. A review was not required nor influenced.
About the Author
With over half a million sales, Hallee Bridgeman is a best-selling Christian author who writes action-packed romantic suspense focusing on realistic characters who face real world problems. Her work has been described as everything from refreshing to heart-stopping exciting and edgy. Hallee is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the American Christian Writers (ACW) as well as being a member of Novelists, Inc. (NINC). An accomplished speaker, Hallee has taught and inspired writers around the globe, from Sydney, Australia, to Dallas, Texas, to Portland, Oregon, to Washington, D.C., and all places in between. Hallee loves coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her.
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Post by contributor Toni Shiloh
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