This is extremely Christian focused with multiple Bible quotes used to enhance or explain advice, suggestions, or exercises offered by the author. As This is extremely Christian focused with multiple Bible quotes used to enhance or explain advice, suggestions, or exercises offered by the author. As a non-Christian, I did not find the focus abrasive. I'd label this as Black Christian and Feminist-light. I found the type of Christianity presented to be kind, loving, and inclusive. If only all Christians practiced this way!
This is timely given our current political climate. I'm sure at least half of all Americans are dealing with grief as we watch our nation being dismantled before our very eyes. Definitely, Black Women are dealing with a disproportionate amount of that shared grief at this time. I hoped this would have healthy suggestions and coping methods. In fact, this offers multiple studied methods for dealing with and managing grief. This also delves into trauma, which was really handled in a delicate and well-balanced manner.
Of course, much of this advice and associated activities involve praying, reading the Bible, and church fellowship. As a non-Christian I still found plenty that was useful for me, and with slight modifications, I created a plan for myself. I meditate instead of praying or light candles on my Ancestor altar. I read history, which allows me to understand what has happened before so I can deal with my present situation with knowledge and forethought. I fellowship with my loved ones who form my community. With a tiny bit of ingenuity, I was able to make this very Christian centered viewpoint work for me as a practicing pagan.
This references well-known psychology texts on grief such as The Grieving Brain by Mary Frances O'Connor and The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, amongst others. The author has done lots of research and offers tried and true methods for managing grief with a focus on the impact on Black Woman.
The author is from a family that sounds a bit like it was steeped in Respeactability Politics, which leaches into the work slightly. I reject the Christian doctrine around 'forgiveness' and found some of the authors' statements on forgiveness to not be in line with my views on forgiveness. Aside from that, this was surprisingly relatable for me. I will be using multiple techniques highlighted in this narrative myself.
This audiobook is read by the author Natasha Smith. It was a treat to have this read by the author herself because hearing the words voiced by the author always helps to understand their frame of mind. The listener hears which word the author, as the narrator, draws out or pauses after. It can illuminate the entire paragraph. The authors voice is smooth, cultured, soft, and firm.
Thank you to Natasha Smith, IVP Audiobooks, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This book is narrated by one of my narrators, Adenrele Ojo. Ms. Ojo's narration brought Tracey to life. Plus, this featured antics3.5 Stars Rounded Up
This book is narrated by one of my narrators, Adenrele Ojo. Ms. Ojo's narration brought Tracey to life. Plus, this featured antics by both partners' exes, and the narration of these scenes was chef's kiss. I highly encourage consuming this on audio.
While this is the 3rd book in the Peachtree Cove romance series, I have not read any of the previous novels or short stories in this series. I enjoyed the town and the characters so much that I've added the first novel in this series to my to be read list. I had no trouble keeping up with the story, so I feel like this is fine to read as a stand-alone novel on its own.
This is a cozy, slow-build style romance story. Featuring a 'friends-with-benefits' style love story more than a frenemy to lovers tale. This focused on healing from past relationships, especially dealing with infidelity and learning to trust in love again. With a slight touch of a Hallmark channel-esque small town full of cozy characters.
Tracey felt relatable in her journey to change her life after her troubled marriage. Brian felt like a safe, sexy and healing companion for Tracey's journey. This had a few standard romance tropes that I found grating. Overall, the relationship felt organic and had a nice bite of spice. This is a perfect, feel-good Valentines Day novel.
Thank you to Synithia Williams, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
In anticipation of this novel, I was able to read the other 2 novels in the Brides of Lowcountry series. The novels in this series are only v3.5 Stars
In anticipation of this novel, I was able to read the other 2 novels in the Brides of Lowcountry series. The novels in this series are only very loosely connected, and each novel can easily be read independent of the others.
Avila lives in New Jersey with her preteen daughter, Ebony. She is estranged from her mother, who did not support her through a late teen pregnancy. Upon her mother's death, Avila returns to her hometown with a reluctant but curious Ebony in tow.
Trevor is a successful, divorced professor who was once Avila's BFF. A confession before college changed everything between the best friends. Avila never returned home, and Trevor never stopped thinking about her.
Trevor offers to help Avila get her mother's house ready for sale, and their old friendship is rekindled with a side of romance. This has a clean Christian focused story with little spice. While I liked the characters, the romance felt convenient and a bit like instalove. Avila was needlessly abrasive and annoyingly complicated. At the same time, I felt like Ebony wasn't complicated enough for a preteen in this circumstance.
My favorite aspect of this novel was the author's descriptions of the Lowcountry. It sounds gorgeous, lush, and full of history. This book set a longing in me to visit the Lowcountry myself.
This audiobook is narrated by Carmen Jewel Jones. I appreciate her style because I found Avila a bit trying in her behaviors, but Ms. Jones helped her to feel relatable.
Thank you to Preslaysa Williams, HarperAudio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
Wow, this was simply amazing! I've binged this series over the last week, starting with book 1 in anticipation of reviewing this 3rd novel in the seriWow, this was simply amazing! I've binged this series over the last week, starting with book 1 in anticipation of reviewing this 3rd novel in the series. This book is phenomenal. Much like in the 2nd book, the reader gets time with the family in the Conjure world. I am invested in the mystery at the Marvellers school but also want to go through a year of Conjure school as well. This pretty much picks up where book 2 left off. This installment offers many reveals, introduces new characters, has a bit more serious theme, and deals with growing pains between friends. More magic is revealed, more history is revealed, and there is a serious bit at the end that I won't reveal for spoilers sake.
The relationship between the Marvellers and the Conjurors feels so relevant to current times that it's almost eery. The author couldn't have known we'd be living through these perilous times when this was written, but it feels like she did. Marvellers have their own MAGA element. This ends on both a cliffhanger and a bang.
This audiobook is beautifully narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt. Her voices for each character are distinct and impressive. The accents are superb, as is the pronunciation of non-English words with comfort, ease, and a great accent. All of that, plus her ability to hold so much emotion in her voice, just brings this novel and these characters to life. Joniece was the narrator for the first 2 books as well. Definitely do yourself a favor and consume this on audiobook. It's an experience not to be missed.
Thank you to Dhonielle Clayton, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
I found this fascinating and information dense. This treats the reader as if they are new to the topic; offering an enhanced outline of the history ofI found this fascinating and information dense. This treats the reader as if they are new to the topic; offering an enhanced outline of the history of psychedelics usage in the West while lightly touching on its historical use amongst Indigenous populations. This focuses primarily on psilocybin mushrooms & LSD. Other substances are covered, explained, and given usage instructions but not expounded upon. The science-based studies largely are self reported usage of psilocybin & LSD. So I gather that has the most information.
I was familiar with the term microdosing but wasn't aware of much more than the name. This explains both macro and micro dosing and explains why each is important and offers different microdosing solutions for different problems. I liked that tolerance breaks are built into the system of microdosing. Various microdosing protocols are discussed along with whatever science-based studies exist and anecdotal experiences.
This offers scientific studies, science-based studies, and anecdotal experiences as evidence that microdosing can safely enhance everyday lives. This does not shy away from controversial topics like using microdosing to address conditions in children or pregnant and/or nursing folks. This is balanced with resources for safe usage and legal usage. This also includes outside resources for an unintended intense trip, guidance for amounts, and even how to acquire testing kits to test substances that may be decriminalized but not regulated. This offers solid guidance on microdosing a multitude of substances. I pretty much consider this the microdosing bible. I saw the authors have an AMA up on the microdosing subreddit this week, so be sure to check it out if interested.
This audiobook is narrated by Kaleo Griffith. I appreciated Kaleo for keeping the subject moving, the tone light, and using voice inflection techniques throughout. This worked to keep the narrative interesting and moving along. This book includes as many personnel narratives as it does science-based studies, and this really keeps the narrative relatable.
Thank you to James Fadiman, PhD, Jordan Gruber, JD, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is my first time reading Olivia Waite. Her historical, sapphic romance series, Feminine Pursuits, has been on my to be read list for more than a This is my first time reading Olivia Waite. Her historical, sapphic romance series, Feminine Pursuits, has been on my to be read list for more than a year. Upon finishing this, I'll definitely be moving that series up the list! This was great fun. I'd love to see this become a cozy mystery series.
This takes common sci-fi tropes such as a generation ship and temporary bodies to a different place. The HMS Fairweather is an intergenerational ship on route to a planet in a distant star system. The passengers are surviving in bodies that can be replaced aboard ship endlessly. This is a thousand year voyage during which the passengers can live and age normally. Upon death, they are loaded into a recreated body and get to do it all over again. Bodies won't be permanent until the ship arrives at its destination. If a person is overwhelmed by life, they can choose to take a break between death and reloading into a recreated body. This is just what our protagonist, Dorothy Gentleman, had chosen when she was rudely awakened by being thrust into someone else's body. Dorothy uses her skills as a ship detective to figure out what happened and why. This is a delightful novella that I hope will be followed by other stories set on this ship, in this world and solved by Dorothy.
This audiobook is masterfully narrated by Blair Baker. She uses slight changes in pitch and tone to voice the other characters. Her voice is light, allowing the story to shine on its own merits. Beautifully done.
Thank you to Olivia Waite, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This high-quality audiobook production has full musical soundtrack, sounds of kids playing outside, grilling sounds, conversation background noises, aThis high-quality audiobook production has full musical soundtrack, sounds of kids playing outside, grilling sounds, conversation background noises, all of which play underneath the narration of Melinda Sewak. Melinda has a rich and melodious voice, which manges to convey building excitement and joy very thoroughly.
This takes place at a recent Juneteenth neighborhood celebration. There are kids playing and families barbecuing, tables set up selling incense and jewelry with a real festival atmosphere. This talks quite a bit about traditional Black Juneteenth foods and drinks, like red drink and red beans and rice.
This educates about the first Juneteenth using age appropriate language and why this holiday exists. I love that this focuses on how Juneteenth celebrations started and how they've evolved over the decades into recent years. This is an important holiday that's only been legal a few short years. This gives facts and focuses on freedom but only mentions slavery very lightly without exactly defining what it was to be enslaved. This is appropriate for young kids.
Thank you to Kortney Nash, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is a high-quality audiobook production with a full soundtrack, jump rope sounds, and playground noises with narration by Melinda Sewak. Melinda'sThis is a high-quality audiobook production with a full soundtrack, jump rope sounds, and playground noises with narration by Melinda Sewak. Melinda's voice is soft, excited, and inviting. It feels like I'm sitting on my front stoop and watching kids playing double dutch on the sidewalk.
The main character is walking the reader through what it feels like to watch others play a game she wishes to participate in, but she is struggling with confidence before her peers. The character uses her skill with hula hooping and skating to build her courage for the double dutch game. This is a sweet story about trusting yourself and how our family and community encourage us.
Thank you to DeAnn Wiley, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This audiobook is narrated beautifully and respectfully by Yinka Ladeinde & Leo Anifowose. This story deals heavily with generational trauma, CPTSD, aThis audiobook is narrated beautifully and respectfully by Yinka Ladeinde & Leo Anifowose. This story deals heavily with generational trauma, CPTSD, and war. The narrators voices hold so much pain, frustration, empathy, compassion, and anger that it makes the characters feel like real. Almost like friends. This was a good choice to narrate the story this way.
Basically, this is set in Orlando, Florida, amongst the Ewerike family who has immigrated from Nigeria. Husband and wife, Fidelis & Adaobi with their teenaged children Chuk & Amara. Fidelis was formerly a POW during the Nigerian Civil War. He lost his sister, Ugochi, during the war. Fidelis is struggling with CPTSD and his family is suffering right along with him. This novel focuses on how the family reacts to and manages with Fidelis' unresolved trauma. Some scenes were quite harrowing to read.
This was a first novel, and it could be felt in places. There were a few pacing issues, and this almost had too many side characters. It was hard not to invest as much in the side characters as the main characters. Not all of the side characters got a complete story, and I find myself wondering what happened to them.
Thank you to Julie Iromuanya, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
This is the adventure of Will and his father on a 'land run' in Oklahoma. This begins in post-Reconstruction Era Texas and includ4.5 Stars Rounded Up
This is the adventure of Will and his father on a 'land run' in Oklahoma. This begins in post-Reconstruction Era Texas and includes a history filled adventure about Western expansion. I have seen very little media that features Black folks settling the West post Civil War. This is educational, interesting, and fun, a sure-fire combination to keep many kids interested in this story.
This is ideal for grade school-age kids, maybe 2nd or 3rd grade and up. I really wanted to listen to this with my grandkids, who are the target age for this novel. This is laid out well to do a chapter a night with newer readers or to allow older readers to move at their own pace.
I've been introducing my grandkids to immersion reading, and I think this audio is perfect for immersion reading. The narrator of this audiobook is Christopher Hampton. Mr. Hampton has a voice that is rich with emotion and excitement. His narration brought the character of Will and his journey to life. This would also work for middle school readers. There's quite a bit of adventure, and the story itself is interesting.
Thank you to Jewell Parker Rhodes, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
Oh, I loved this book SO much! I have read and adored each novel in this series as it was released. The first book, A Caribbean Heiress in Paris, featOh, I loved this book SO much! I have read and adored each novel in this series as it was released. The first book, A Caribbean Heiress in Paris, featured the love story of Luz Alana & Evan, which introduced all of the players for future novels. The second book, An Island Princess Starts a Scandal, focused on the love story of Manuela & Cora. This novel, finally (!!!!) offers up both a backstory for Aurora and reveals that Apollo has a heart of pure gold.
This book is narrated by Lola James. She did a phenomenal job with the Scottish accents, but honestly, I missed the narrator of the first 2 novels of this series. Most especially for the Caribbean-Spanish accents. Overall, between both narrators, I think Nneka Okoye did a better job, and I deeply missed her narration in this third installment of the Las Leonas series.
Aurora and Apollo are easily my favorite couple in this series. It felt, in many ways, like this story flipped the conventional gendered romance expectations. Aurora got the treatment I wanted for Penelope on Season 3 of Bridgerton. Apollo sees Aurora beneath her split skirt and not traditionally fashioned clothing. He loves her appetite and lusts after her curvy body. Let me just say this is extremely spicy right from the beginning. The first 2 couples feature in this story just enough that you get to see how they are doing in their new lives. It's beautifully handled and adds so much to the overall narrative. I don't want to ruin the story, but I adored them together.
Aurora's backstory was complicated and unexpected. She was such a rich character full of pain, stubbornness, gumption, and grit. While she is a historical character and her practice fits with historical practices of the times, it's also horrifyingly relevant today. Human beings who give birth MUST have control over their bodies. Birth control and the right to terminate a pregnancy are both basic human rights. As is same sex marriage and for the right to exist as Transgender. These are basic human rights and MUST be protected. I also loved that this dealt with colorism and its long reach. So long, in fact, it's still a very real issue today. I wish more fiction treated this real-world issue with such realness. We can't defeat what we refuse to address.
I deeply hope that we'll get more books in this series. I'd love to read Clarita's story and perhaps that of other background characters. I'm not at all ready to let the charming world created in these novels and the people that populated it go.
Thank you to Adriana Herrera, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more
I'm not sure how to review this. I learned so very much about environmental issues from this author. I think she's worked hard for decades and has a lI'm not sure how to review this. I learned so very much about environmental issues from this author. I think she's worked hard for decades and has a lot of wisdom and guidance to offer.
I agree with the author in so much as activists have to do what they can without regard to party. At the same time, the author defends Jeff Sessions and pretends that racists are incapable of polite behavior with Black folks, and that's a vast over simplification of the issue.
Hardened racists who were members of the Klan were known to also have biracial children. White racists aren't always mean to everyone all of the time. They aren't cartoon villains. I know this author is old enough and lived long enough to know this.
There's a somewhat preachy and unnecessary tone towards younger activists who aren't functioning like this author's generation, and she has passive-aggressive snide remarks about that.
She pretends that MAGA and Trump supporters can be worked with. The thing is, this isn't true. This type of activism doesn't work for long-term change. I wish the author had more respect for young activists who are moving in a different way. It's frustrating because most of this was said in the 70s, and it's like the author missed the memo.
In my opinion, pretending that MAGA Republicans are neutral actually normalizes racism. The author even shares anecdotes about Republican politicians literally using her for photo ops like the interaction was a win. It's kind of cringey.
This is a mixed bag for me because I found the stories of Black rural life fascinating. I spent a lot of time in rural Alabama on a Great-Uncles farm, and I've witnessed the grinding poverty. It was wonderful to see this author shine a light on this population, which is often forgotten in the fight for civil rights and climate change. These stories touched my heart and made me long for my childhood summers spent on the family farm in Alabama. I'm familiar with this history.
My main issue is that the author has experience to share, but her solutions failed to work for her generation. It would be nonsensical to apply them in this generation. This is worth reading but prepare to be irritated with the author's lecturing tone and resulting conclusions.
This is narrated by Karen Chilton. Karen does an excellent job with this nonfiction book, keeping her tone light. This adds depth to information that could otherwise feel like a bit of a boring lecture. I would highly recommend consuming this on audiobook.
Thank you to Catherine Coleman Flowers, Spiegel & Grau by Spotify Audiobooks, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own....more