REVIEW: BOOM TOWN by Nic Stone

 

Debut adult thriller from young adult and middle grade author Nic Stone. Boom Town is her first adult novel. 

Boom Town is a fast pace intense urban thriller set in one of Atlant's infamous gentlemens club. We find two employees, Charm a newbie and Lucky, a seasoned [former] headliner have gone missing without a trace. The only person that notices this and how similar the two disappearances are is Lucky's former partner and co- headliner, Lyriq. 

Lyriq is on a mission to find out what happened and where these women are. This thriller is a mix of Player’s Club and P-Valley. It is gritty, raw, sharp, suspenseful and thought provoking. The latter is evident in the novel's social commentary on power, abuse, race, class, misogyny and the lack of attention and resources dedicated to finding missing women and girls.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #SimonSchuster, the author Nic Stone for a digital copy of #BoomTown exchange for my honest opinion. Boom Town will be published tomorrow October 14, 2025.

REVIEW: Black Woman Grief by Natasha Smith

Black Woman Grief: A Guide to Hope and Wholeness would be ideal for Christian women on a similar spiritual journey as the author. If would be difficult for non-Black women or perhaps non-African American women to appreciate this messages shares in the book. If it is not your lived or shared experience than it will be hard for you to relate. 

Part memoir, part self-help guide Black Woman Grief explores the different stages and types of grief Black women experience throughout their lives whether it is loss or trauma. I see this guide evolving into a workbook or devotional and being used either in Black women's bible study or religious based [grief] counseling. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Natasha Smith and IVP Audiobooks | IVP for an audio copy of #BlackWomanGrief in exchange for my honest opinion. Black Woman Grief will be published on February 25, 2025. 

REVIEW: The Day God Saw Me as Black by D. Danyelle Thomas

 

In The Day God Saw Me as Black: The Journey to Liberated Faith, D. Danyelle Thomas delivers a profound exploration of Black identity, spirituality, and the decolonization of faith. Through candid storytelling and a blend of cultural critique and personal reflections, Thomas invites readers to reimagine their spirituality beyond Eurocentric interpretations of Christianity. The book speaks to the healing and liberation found in reclaiming one’s faith from oppressive structures, celebrating Blackness as sacred and deserving. Thomas's writing is both intimate and empowering, making this work a compelling read for those interested in faith, cultural identity, and the resilience of the Black experience. Each chapter could be it's own standalone text as deserves it's own deep dive and exploration. There are so many gems within and between the lines. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author D. Danyelle Thomas and Row House Publishing for an audio copy of #TheDayGodSawMeasBlack in exchange for my honest opinion. The Day God Saw Me As Black comes out tomorrow, October 29, 2024.

REVIEW: Heretic by Catherine Nixey

Heretic is a provocative exploration of Jesus Christ not only as how he is known in the Christian world but as an historical figure. You will find this book challenges the status quo of what is known and believed about Christ the son of God. Catherine Nixey presents numerous concepts that will have you thinking and maybe second guessing what you have been taught in religious studies and in church. Nixey delves into the various interpretations and transformations of Jesus’s identity over centuries. This text was meticulously researched and written in engaging prose. It challenges the traditional narratives, offering readers and believers alike a fresh perspective on the central figure of the Christian religion/faith. Heretic is a fantastic, enlightening read that would be an ideal text for book clubs and anyone interested in history, theology, and cultural studies. I cannot wait for it to be published at the end of the year. I want both a physical and audio copy.
Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Catherine Nixey and Mariner Books for an advanced digital copy of #Heretic in exchange for my honest opinion.