Around the World in Books
When the Mapou Sings
What takes many a lifetime to learn and understand, Lucille discovers womanhood, the way the world truly works, and finds her purpose in life in a matter of a few short years in When the Mapou Sings by Nadine Pinede.
Untethered
Passionate for the care of others and determined to make a difference, Untethered is the story of Katia, executive director of a negro boys group home set in deep south of the 60’s.
Homeward
Sadness, joy, and hope for the future bring the heartfelt story of Rose in Homeward by Angela Jackson-Brown as she navigates love and loss in the 1960s south. A moment of indiscretion irrevocably changes Rose’s life setting her on a path of self-discovery, forgiveness, and how to love again.
Sundown in San Ojuela
Haunting, grisly, and terrifying Sundown in San Ojuela is the haunting story of Elizabeth’s journey of embracing cultural identity and survival of all things that go bump in the night. Using her clairvoyant gift and befriending the unlikeliest of creatures – beasts, brujo, and everything in between, she embarks on a path of healing where she inevitably discovers her purpose but may have to pay the ultimate price.
This Motherless Land
What makes a good vs bad mother? A mother who would do literally anything – the good, the bad, and the ugly or a mother who believes in independent carefree nurturing? This Motherless Land by Nikki May explores this and so much more as well as race, identity and love across two cultures and decades.
Eagle Rock
Eagle Rock follows private investigator Ashe Cayne as he tries to solve the mysterious murder of a high-profile Chicago billionaire Elliott Kantor. With a web of shady friends and unexpected ties to the church, Eagle Rock into the world of seduction, money, and power. What’s done in the dark always comes to light.
And the Sky Bled
And the Sky Bled is a unique tale of 4 people trying to survive the slums of Tejomaya under the pressure of a declining world.
Inferno’s Heir
Lies, deception and sibling rivalry begin an epic fantasy in Inferno’s Heir by Tiffany Wang. Teia Carthan abandoned her morals long ago, and now there’s nothing she won’t do to stay alive.
Only for the Holidays
Don’t let the cold snowy front cover fool you, this romance novel has plenty of heat! I’m typically not a big romance reader but I was thoroughly entertained and had a lot of fun reading Only for the Holidays by Abiola Bello.
The Witches of El Paso
Spell-binding and haunting, The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo captures you in its chaotic nature of past and present witches. The premonitions and fainting spells she has endured since childhood are getting worse, and Nena worries she’ll end up like the scary old curandera down the street. Nena prays for help, and when the mysterious Sister Benedicta arrives late one night, Nena follows her across the borders of space and time.
The Fourth Portal
Gattica meets Dune in The Fourth Portal by J. A. Merkel, an epic fantasy series rooted in the seven chakras. With outstanding world building, Merkel takes you on Fenri the Knowledger’s journey to solve the mystery of who opened the fourth portal but ultimately finds the truth buried in secrets and lies.
The Fallen Fruit
Haunting and bold, The Fallen Fruit by Shawntelle Madison is a story of one family’s journey through time as they fight for freedom and love.
It’s Elementary
In "It's Elementary," Elise Bryant takes readers on an complex and funny journey of one mothers navigation of motherhood, PTA, and a missing principal.
Where They Last Saw Her
Haunting, informative, and riveting, Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie Rendon captures you in the very first chapter with a scream that never lets you go. Quill has lived on the Red Pine reservation in Minnesota her whole life. She knows what happens to women who look like her. As she trains for the Boston Marathon early one morning out in the woods, she hears a scream.
This Ravenous Fate
A deadly game of love and survival, This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings is an intense sultry vampire romance set against 1920’s Harlen renaissance.
Batch of Love
Love, loss, and decadent goodies Batch of Love by Natasha D. Frazier is the perfect romance novel for anyone looking for a God centered uplifting story. For Ginger, a small-town baker looking to expand her baking business by winning a baking competition, finds herself in the middle of her ex’s plan to acquire her business for a big box retailer.
The Bookshop Sisterhood
Sisterhood, money and secrets tell a story of four friends and their varying life troubles. The Bookshop Sisterhood by Michelle Lindo-Rice is a story of four best friends—Celeste, Yasmeen, Toni and Leslie— who are finally on the verge of opening the bookstore of their dreams.
Tell It To Me Singing
Funny, poignant, and full of family drama Tell It To Me Singing by Tita Ramirez is fantastic read about motherhood, long lost love, and the Cuban revolution all wrapped up in a telenovella.