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​My favorite thing about books by Tony Evans and Priscilla Shirer is that they’re more than books. I’ve been reading this one for about three years. With all my notes in the margins, it’s become more of a journal. 🤣

On 10/25/18, I scribbled a note to myself on page 84. One word with two exclamation marks. WRITE!!

A year later on 9/13/20, I had three books, the Suds series:
• Suds
• milkbath &
• pure, Brown Skin Bride.

And even though I came into this post waving God as my banner, Jehovah Nissi, God has just reminded me that he is also, Jehovah Jireh, my provider.

This year, my prayer is that we deepen our relationship with God. Let’s stop treating him like a good friend that we chat with once in a blue moon.

Let’s be so intentional about growing in Christ that He becomes like a morning cup of coffee. “I’m sorry. I can’t function until I’ve had my time with God.”
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⭐️Happy 2021 ⭐️

I'm wearing my Publisher hat today and I am so pleased with how well my baby girls—the Love stories—are coming together. 

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Little known fact: I like reading in accents. I spent most of this story toggling between African, English, and Caribbean accents. And when we visited Suli's or hung out with DeeDee, I was all the way in my rock island, St. Thomian gurl accent. "Wha it is yo wan, Yenni?"

Might as well do housekeeping now:
~Fantasy read with lots of spell casting and runelore. Mothers and Fathers and Byen.

~There isn't any 'real' profanity. Though I suspect if you're Creshen, you wouldn't want to be called an 'ass boil.' Oh and there was a part at the end when someone said the sugar honey ice tea word, but he only said it like twice. Otherwise, this book is clean as a whistle.

~There is a super sensual scene that leads to sex minus the details. So, I wouldn't even label this as mature. Just really sensual. And who knew smelling could be so deep?

I'll have to start getting offended when people say I smell good.
Finger in the air. "I'll have you know that I am a married woman."
Ha!! All jokes people. Please, don't take me seriously.

Deep sigh.
Did I mention that I love this story?
The first time I read about Weysh, the dragon, pulling his internal trigger to switch between man and dragon-form I was hooked. I don't want to give any spoilers though.

My favorite character was Harth. He had me dying laughing. Sylvie was just the cutest. I like how strong and empowered the women are in this story. And Yenni—I can call her Yenni because we're friends now—carried herself with so much pride and confidence, disregarding anyone else's opinion of her. We could all use a healthy dose of that.

Finally, let me tell you about Weysh—the man-dragon. I felt his pain the entire story. I wanted to shake Yenni and scream, "You are his Given."

I just love everything about Yenni and Weysh. Insert heart eyes here. 😍

I need to see this book on the big screen. Work your magic Wattpad because I enjoy going to the movies and saying, "Oh my gosh, that part was soooo better in the book."
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There is a sequel, HIDDEN, but it's only available in draft form. It's a little harder to read because it hasn't yet been reworked to flow seamlessly with the Wattpad books edition of GIVEN. I'm still reading it though!! #hooked

Find out more about GIVEN by Nandi Taylor on Goodreads. 

​From the photographer to the front desk manager and all the way up to the CEO, they all keep pointing her back to God.

​We even meet the man who hurt Caroline and watch God work the mess right out of his life, too.

​No profanity. No vivid sex scenes. Sex did happen, but it's written like the Bible, sort of like, "he lay with her" or "deflowered her." And that's it for housekeeping.

​By now, you know I'm a sucker for a good love story. This was no exception. There was a very handsome man who couldn't keep his eyes off our sweet Caroline. I was curled up smiling the whole time he got closer only to be pushed away until he fought his way into her heart.

Check out this book from Glory Orah on Goodreads. 

​And then all hell broke loose. Skeletons tumbled out of closets and uninvited visitors swarmed my honey-filled story like locusts.

​Do not worry, my friends. I am doing well. Breathing comfortably again and no longer trying to find a way to help the newlyweds escape their horrid fate. To find out why, you'll have to read the story because, say it with me: "This is a spoiler-free zone."

​But I'll tell you about the writing. Crisp and descriptive. Definitely worth the read. When I had to do essential things like sleep, the story would whisper my name and ask me to read one more part.

​Housekeeping? She's super clean. No profanity. The newlywed behaviors are sensual for sure, but stops short of the bom-chicka-wow-wow.

​I did spend a lot of my reading time wondering if Chara was a mulatto or a tanned, white woman. It's easy to assume that slaves were black, but in this story I couldn't tell. The only reference to skin color was that her skin was tan. It's not a critical piece of information, but I did wonder if her betrothed and high society saw her differently because of her color rather than her family's social status. It's sort of a moot point though. A slave is but a slave until she becomes a Rose.

Find more Historical Romances from Lily Orevba on Goodreads.