Top 3 Things

Parker’s Best Hints

1. “Miss—” “Mrs. Knight”: This moment hits differently once it is revealed that they are already married. (I had to read the scene over.) Well done, well done.

2. Sebro’s warning that Zelpher is sleeping around: I was hoping it wasn’t true. But it was! And then, the author added the baby.

3. “Zelpher will claim me, and I will be under his authority.”: Little did we know. Knowing makes the scene different and my heart hurt for Elsia.

Times When They Should Have Aborted Their Plans

1. When Destiny panicked in the Hotel Room: When one of your teammates starts having panic attacks, that is a perfect sign that you shouldn’t commit a felony.

2. Meeting Frank: If you run into a cop before you commit a crime, you shouldn’t do it. That is a very clear sign!

3. When Plan A Goes Wrong: Although I thought plan A wasn’t a good choice to begin with, the fact that it failed was God giving them a second chance to do the right thing and go home.

Sweet and Tense Moments

1. The wedding day kiss: I was pleasantly surprised by Agatha’s demand for Lance to kiss her. I like that she is bold in her request and doesn’t shy away from her feelings and desire for Lance although she doesn’t comprehend it at the time.

2. Aggie darling: The nickname that he has created for her in his head is cute. I also felt embarrassed for him when he finally says it out loud because it has happened at a time that he hasn’t planned for.

3. Snake Bite: I like how Agatha calls out to Lance, and he comes rushing to her aid. But I truly love when Agatha becomes flush from Lance sucking out the poison from her ankle, and Lance, being a gentleman, pretends not to notice.

Just One Question!

1. Is this the last we will see of Jessup? I have a feeling that Jessup won’t give up so easily and will eventually come back to harm Aggie darling and Lance.

My Favorite Moments of Finding Out:

1. Richard isn’t the adze.

2. Mike and Dr. Peterson are a dwarf and were-cat.

3. The sirens weren’t all dealt with.

Questions for N. D. Jones:

1. The pregnant Adze?: Who is this chick? And, how important is her baby?

2. Cynthia: I’m just guessing, but is she related to the water witch in the legend? Or is it her?

3. Richard: This might seem weird, but I actually like him. Is he going to appear again in the future?

How to be a Man

1.“Help me to be a man like you“: I almost died when Casper said that to Par. I could only imagine how she felt.

2. A man’s violent passions: I’m not sure how Par was able to keep a straight face from Casper’s request for advice, but I thought this moment was cute and laughable. And, I agree with Casper. If you are comparing a woman to an animal, a horse wouldn’t be my choice.

3. Fight!: I love how Par didn’t run away from a fight, and that she learned to be quicker and not stronger than her opponents.

Just One Question!

1. Did Ottie help plan her abduction? I feel like something fishy is going on. She was a little too calm and willing to go with her kidnapper. Just saying!

Two Sides to a Coin

Usually, I do the top 3 things that I like about a book, but I think that I will take this opportunity to talk about something that has been bothering me for a while in the books that I have been reading.

Carolyn: While Carolyn doesn’t make an appearance in the book, her presence was felt. To be honest, one thing that I hate about reading books with characters that are produced through an extramarital affair is the villainization of the wife and portraying them as one-dimensional characters. Granted, not everyone is like Lisa McDowell and Mary Judson from Coming to America 2. Nevertheless, it isn’t something that I enjoy in books.

As a daughter, I can relate and sympathize with Jaleesa. I believe that parents should have a relationship with their children regardless of their spouse’s opinions. Period. But as a woman, I truly sympathize with Carolyn. I don’t agree with how she treated Jaleesa and handled the situation.

However, I couldn’t imagine being in her shoes. You just married a man, who you love, honor, and choose to spend your life with, and he broke your trust and muddy your marriage. Dealing with cheating in a marriage is difficult, especially if you choose to stay plus a child in the mix. While the author touched on it, I felt like it was just the surface level. Jaleesa is a representation of Carolyn’s fear, but also a constant reminder of not being enough to the man that she loves and other baggage that she may have.

Personally, if I was Carolyn I would have left Earl, pregnant or not, because I wouldn’t want to become an ugly person, who takes their hurt out on others. I have seen two women in my life who I admired that were able to forgive, move past the hurt, and embraced a child that their husband had from another woman. I had seen the benefits and consequences of that choice. However, there are women who are out there that aren’t strong enough or have the support system to do one or the other. Unfortunately, it turns a woman ugly, especially if she had other insecurities prior.

Yes, Carolyn is wrong for how she treated Jaleesa. But no, I don’t think that she is an evil witch. She is simply a woman that is deeply hurt and can’t move on. Yes, she is an adult, but adults have issues too and when left unchecked, they spiral out of control.

For me, the sole root of the problem is Earl. He is the one that started and created this problem. It is his duty and responsibility first as a father and second as a husband to do right by both Jaleesa and Carolyn. And he fails at both.

A Family Affair:

1. The Hamilton Family: I love how the family tries to help Mercedes and Brent keep their affair a secret.

2. Gabe: I’m happy that he is the same lovable jerk as in the first novella of the Hamilton Brothers. When he didn’t say ‘hi’ to Porsha at the party, I was like ‘Yup, that’s Gabe.”

3. Catherine and Julian: It is nice to get a glimpse of the older shifters relationship in this story.

Favorite Moments:

1. A Drunken Brent: I don’t know how Mercedes had the willpower to stop Brent that night he showed up at her apartment but I applaud her. Because if that was me, he could’ve gotten it.

2. Broken Bed: All I’m saying is that I’m happy that he bought her a new one and a set to go with it.

3. Mercedes and her Grandmas: I love the relationship that Mercedes has with her grandmas as well as the dynamics between them. Any scene with them in it, I loved it.

Dear Dria Andersen:

1. Are we going to get a story featuring one of Mercedes’s friends?

2. Are we going to see more of the panthers?

3. What’s next?

Oh Moments!

1. Permelia yelling at Lydia: My heart dropped at this moment. All that I heard in my head was “noooooooo”, but Lydia came through for my girl.

2. Horace messing around with Odessa: I was screaming in my head: Why would Horace do that when he has feelings for Permelia?

3. Horace NOT messing around with Odessa: At this point, I think that Horace is messy and can’t make up his mind. And, I truly feel bad for Odessa. She just wants love.

Moments the Touch My Hearts

1.Horace Learning to Read: The connection and trust that Permelia and Horace built as Permelia teaches him how to read and write was heartwarming. My favorite moment is when Horace was learning to read the Bible.

2. Bowing to the King: I love the moment that Permelia bows to Horace after he told her his family story.

3. Alistair: I truly love this character, but the moment that touches my heart is when he expressed to Horace the reason for his personality. It sheds light on the constant fear that people who could have passed must felt.

Sad Times

1. Brown Sock:  I can’t believe that we were set up from the beginning.

2.Love Lost: After all the emotional conflict and pain that Lydia went through, it was sad to see her lose her love.

3.Horace’s Past: The emotional scars that will forever hunt Horace tears at my heartstrings.

Moments that I Like

1. Release and wipe: Yasmin and I were on the same page when Nolan came on her floor. I’m glad that he wiped it up.

2. Secret Recipe: I smiled when Nolan told Yasmin the secret recipe for his dish. It was a cute moment and a kind gesture.

3. Drag Her Out: I totally agree with Nolan and his boys. The way that Yasmin handled the dragon was perfect. Don’t let the height fool you.

If the Book was Longer

1.What would happen if the dragon found out they were dating: I am sure that that would have been an epic battle between those two. My money is definitely on Yasmin.

2. Dating the Head Chef: I wonder how their relationship would have evolved now that Yasmin is the head chef and their relationship is new.

3.How is the rest of the night going to end?: *wink*

Oh, Pastor Collins

1. Extra: Pastor Collins was doing the utmost. From barging into Altar’s room to demanding that the couple get married. The people of that town give him too much power.

2. Bold: Despite being shorter and slimmer than Wolfe, Pastor didn’t back down until he got what he wanted. He gets points for that.

3. Happiness: I love how he went from being a nuisance to being a pleasant person when he got his way.

Get It Together

1.The reason why Altar is mad with her sister: Altar, sis, that’s your fault. You shouldn’t have married that man. Your parents told you not to. Your sister “lying” to you had nothing to do with you marrying that man. If your sister left him, why would you marry him?! SHM.

2. The Babies’ Names: Wolfe should have spoken up when Altar named her sons. I understand the reason by no. I know that Wolfe isn’t going to let you name any more kids.

3. The Pastor: The town needs a new one.

Questions?

1. What happened between Altar and her cousin? Like did I miss that story, or are we going to find out about it in another story?

2.What was in the letter that Wolfe received? Why did Wolfe get so upset from reading the letter?

3.Why is Wolfe perfect?: I love Wolfe. He is a God-fearing man, patient, understanding, and sweet. Where can I get one?

The Cuteness

1.The Cubs. I love Wolfe’s nickname for the twins. It shows that he sees them as a part of his pack.

2.The toilet. The moment that Wolfe carried Altar to the bathroom, I knew that he was the one.

3.Lay down beside me. I think that it was cute when they spoke about how Wolfe’s problems while laying down beside each other. It was an intimate, non-sexual moment.

Moments from the Costa del Sol:

This is definitely where the book shines for me.

1. Food and Panties: When Daniella’s panties fell out of Cyrus’s pocket, I thought that I would have died from laughing. Kudos to Cyrus for not changing his expression.

2. Respect of Time: I love that Daniella is comfortable with doing her own thing while Cyrus works. It shows independence and respect for her partner’s time. Likewise, I love that Cyrus understands that he neglects her while during work and makes the effort to spend time with her.

3. The Birth Control: From Daniella deciding to stop taking the pills to the moment the day after Cyrus left was a big roller coaster. That is all I have to say.

The Beautiful Chaos of Daniella

1.Pens: I think that I fell in love with Daniella the moment she rearranged Cyrus’s desk knowing that he has OCD.

2. A Way Out: You may not agree, but I completely agree with Daniella’s choice to take birth control while she was sleeping with Cyrus. I think that was her way out in case things went south. To be honest, if I was her, I would have continued to take them until I was completely sure at the end of the six months.

3. Two can play that game: How Daniella flipped the table on Cyrus at the end of the story by using his same tactics to delay their divorce was perfect.

J J (Jolene and Jackson) Moments:

1. The scene where they were doing the Lindy Hop and talking had me picturing a scene straight out of a movie.

2. The shed. It just kept getting hotter and hotter, even when it was cold.

3. The fight in the cathouse was everything. I always loved when Jolene became angry with Jackson.

The Shade and the shadiness:

1. The comments made about Vincent -the owner of the speakeasy where Jolene worked- being stingy with money were hilarious in an old-school vibe. My favorite was: “If someone shoved a lump of coal up his a**, he’d fart diamond dust.”

2. Monroe throwing shade at Jackson when it comes to the ladies.

3. Clover being okay with Jolene opening her legs and getting a STI but angry with her for being a rum-runner.

Questions that I have:

1. Why was Jackson outside of the shed? -Stalker moment, maybe?

2. Why was her cousin, Clover, okay with her being a ho’? – I understand it was tough and you want to be supportive but dang, Clover.

3. What happened with Harper?

What I Learned:

1. Black race car drivers were actually in there since the beginning of the sport. (Is it a sport?)

2. The Ford Hunger March was interesting and sad to learn about. Once again, when I think about certain events or the build-ups for those events, it never occurred to me what roles my people did or did not play.

3. Black Bottom contained many black businesses and housing for black people. It makes you think about all the black cities and towns that were lost due to government planning and other designs.

The Craziness of Villain:

1. Although I don’t agree nor understand why the villain does what he does, I do like his background of an unchecked, spoiled child that turns into a monstrous adult.

2. The realization that the villain has a Promised One as well and the he has put her endanger thanks to all of his craziness. I really feel bad for the poor woman; however, I can’t wait to read their story, if there is one to come.

3. The villain’s crew: Weak, just weak. They have no backbone and just go with whatever the villain says. Weak.

Laughable Moments:

1. The kidnapping: It is hilarious from start to finish. It is like reading Kidnapping for Dummies: What Not to Do by Melech, who may or may not have kidnapped someone before. But Earth’s and Bri’s bad guy personas is to die for

2. Everything Crazy Larry: I love Crazy Larry. The stuff that he says brings laughter to my soul. You never know what is going to come out of Crazy Larry’s mouth next.

3. Gabriel’s Spirit Animal: I think this is much needed since the book goes from light drama to tense near the end. Even though Gabe doesn’t actually appear in the story, the story mentioned by Earth is great for one more last laugh at the end. I’m telling you the moment that Gabe opens the box and sees his spirit animal was priceless. They did my boy, Gabe, so wrong.

Favorite Characters:

1.Crazy Larry: Everyone needs a Crazy Larry in their lives. He is dependable but lighthearted and funny, which makes him good for the heart and soul. He’s just not boyfriend material.

2. The medicine man aka grandfather Hosea: If you had the chance to know your grandfathers and had at least one you really like, then I’m sure that you will see at least one quality of your grandfather inside of Hosea. He is the grandfather that you will never get bored around. He is serious when it is time to get serious, and he is great to go running to when you think your parents are in the wrong.

3. Melech: He has good and bad moments. But I love that he knows what he wants and goes for it, respects Earth as a woman and a mother, is willing to listen and talk, and does and says sweet things. (My favorite Melech moment is his response to Earth’s question at the restaurant.) Needless to say, I want a Melech in my life.

What I Learned:

1. Alohim, I found out, is another name for God. How important and what is the difference between this name and the other names is still unknown to me, but this was great to know.

2. Sauanffe Tustunnagee: I have known about the Black Seminoles and their history for a while now (Thanks, Beverly Jenkins); however, I never knew about Sauanffe Tustunagee and his role in the tribe. It is a great Google search when you have time.

3. That I can read a little Patwah: It was fun to try to figure out what Crazy Larry was saying. If you understood it perfectly and I was just slow, don’t tell me.

Dawng My Negus:

1. Oz, my man, where are your kids!?! I know that their mom is a lot of bad words and definitely plotting to kill you, but you need to have some kind of relationship with your kids. You are basically a dead beat dad that lives with your kids

2. So, Oz, you are just going to let “the others” stay there? I mean, you are not going to do anything? That is how your kingdom got to mess up in the first place.

3. Zo (slight blush), you and your mate, Isabis are so hot and cute together. I hope to see more of you guys throughout this series.

Things I would have like to seen happened:

1. Fynn opening up to Zahara more.

2. An honest conversation between Bron and Bakari about what happened the day Layla died as well as issues concerning Fynn’s relationship with the both of them.

3. More romantic development between Fynn and Zahara without the side characters.

Grown n Sexy:

1.Was I the only person turn on when Zahara summoned Fynn to her? The only thing that could have made it hotter if she had on lingerie.

2. Aren: The description of him as a sexy and chocolate marble statue along with his dreads and fun personality had me wanting to take a bite out of him. Yummy!

3. Who else felt the tension between the Lady and Ajani? Could there be love in the air?

Dear Dria Andersen:

1. Why is Little Lord Fautleroy so cute, and where can I get a monkey-like him?

2. Will there be a love story between Lady and Ajani?

3. What’s the juice the on Oya and Rugaba? Will we get their story in full detail?