Michelle Lindo-Rice's Blog, page 24

Welcome Write Now Literary Tours

Write Now Literary is pleased to announce Until Ray Virtual Book Tour, with author Cheryl Robinson. June 19- July 14, 2017. Releasing "free" June 27 at select ebook retailers.  Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary
About The Author Cheryl currently resides in the Sunshine State with plans to return to her hometown Detroit shortly. For the past fifteen years, she has been busy writing contemporary women’s fiction. While writing is her first love, making delicious green smoothies is easily her second. She also enjoys spoiling her miniature Schnauzer and whipping up healthy meals from recipes she finds online.
About The Book Two people in the same city but worlds apart. Until Ray is an unconventional love story of how two young people transitioning into adulthood find each other and develop a bond that will be tested through three decades. RAY IS LOST …He lives in northwest Detroit with his mother. When he’s not at home, he’s either at the mall selling women’s shoes or in the club. In both places, he's focused on one thing—picking up women. Only now he’s ready to make a change but isn’t sure how to do it. THEN SARITA ARRIVES …At twenty-four, she has an MBA, is a CPA, and works in upper-level management at GM. But all that success comes at a cost: she’s lonely and craves the one thing she’s never had—attention from men.Dive into a love story filled with soul-searching drama told from two very different perspectives. Until Ray, the first book of a trilogy, is set in the mid-eighties in Detroit, where the author was born and raised.
Read the first 4 chapters here Book Trailer Connect SociallyWebsiteFacebook Contest # 1 Link to contest FacebookBlog Contest # 2 Link to blog contest Meet the Characters Giveaway Tour hosted by Write Now Literary Book Tours www.wnlbooktours.com Click here to follow the tour

Review: Our Little Secret

Our Little Secret by Darren O'Sullivan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Our Little Secret is told from Sarah and Chris's perspectives. It's not fast-paced but slowly builds. I figured out the true scenario fairly quickly but the thrill came from watching the other characters come to the realization. The author did a good job of showing the downward spiral of a single event and how it can have a domino effect. None of the characters resonated with me and at times it dragged but this was overall a decent debut.
Thank you Netgalley for this read.

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Adunni Dares to Dream

Write Now Literary is pleased to announce Adunni Dares to Dream by Taiwo I Ajao, Virtual Book Tour, June 5-30, 2017.Genre: Historical Fiction, Kids, Youth Author/Illustrator Bio The Dr. Ajaos are a husband-wife, doctor-nurse team who have a joint passion for health literacy, preventative healthcare, and education for at-risk groups in the Global setting. Mrs. Taiwo I Ajao, the Author, is a Registered Nurse with a Master’s in Public Health in Maternal and Child Health, while Dr. ‘Wale Ajao, the Illustrator, is an internationally-trained medical doctor with a Master's of Arts in Communications & Producing for Film and Video. Together, The DrAjaos intend to address health literacy via it’s most fundamental forms: using the arts of writing, entertainment, and communication to educate children and their parents. Adunni Dares to Dream is the beginning of a beautiful merger of not just a celebration of educational achievement, but also of Faith, Hope, Love and Miracles. About The Book Adunni Dares to Dream is the true tale of a poor African girl who just wanted to go to school. Although she was a part of a very hardworking family, Adunni just could not have the finer things in life, like school, books, & literacy. In her culture, girls were just expected to look pretty, get married and have children. But Adunni wished for something more. As Adunni dares to dream , she inspires many others to dream too, including a handsome young man who couldn't stop dreaming about her! So Adunni has choices to make. Does she give in to her society's expectations? Does she chose the status quo? What are Adunni's dreams and where do her dreams take her? Excerpt Whenever Adunni brought up the idea of school, somehow Mama found a way to end it. Despite the fact that she was illiterate, Mama was sharp, hardworking and very resourceful with money. Mama had married young, as was common in the culture, and she started to bear children as a teenager. It was unfortunate, however, that she experienced the loss of many of those children during childbirth. Only Adunni and her sister had survived, and Adunni wondered often about what she could have done to save those who hadn't made it. Adunni was tearful as she remembered how her mother had nearly died last year during childbirth. Was every girl expected to get married and have children, even if it killed her? Adunni didn’t want to be like other girls: she wanted to be great! Adunni believed that to be great, she must be smart and be able to read, and learn great things. 

How did you come with the idea for your current story?This story was not my idea. It's a true story, written by God. I share the story, because I believe it needs to be told and that generations need to hear it.
What is your favorite scene in the book? Why? My favorite scene in the book is when Adunni's Mom started to encourage her dream. That one jester gave her the courage to take action towards her dreams. You see, Adunni's Mom was my Grandmom, and Grandma's belief in Adunni is what propelled her forward. Likewise, Adunni (my Mom) has always been my driving force. Her words and approval has always meant the world to me, and when she tells me I can do it, I have tended to believe her and go for it. It's just one of the
What is the highest goal that you desire to meet as an author?The highest goal that I would like to achieve is a full & deeper merger of my role with that of my husband, my illustrator & publisher--plus literally, every other role! My highest goal is to be one mind with him and create a form where we unite to create more literary masterpieces and use our other skills in healthcare and education to impact the health, safety and well-being of children and their families. Just like Adunni, my husband, Dr. Ajao, loves to learn, and I believe that this love can be transferred to others. Also, a love of learning translates into a love for teaching.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Wait for it. The inspiration might not come when you want it, but God sends each part right on time! Each aspect of your dream is a milestone, from the title to the content to the imagery. Wait for it. He makes all things beautiful in His time!!!

How do you spend your free time? Do you have a favorite place to go and unwind?We love a variety of wholesome music. Unwinding is likely a free evening to clean & cook to good music.
What do you have in store next for your readers?
A lot of folks are enamored by the Mike character. I'm going to go deeper to reveal his character, his thought processes and his unique wisdom.
Describe your book in three words? A Pleasant Surprise.
 Link for Reviews Only WebsiteTour hosted by Write Now Literary Follow the tour here 

Review: Keep You Safe

Keep You Safe by Melissa Hill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Whew! Where do I start. First off, I think this is the best book I've read so far this year. Melissa Hill tackled a serious issue of vaccinations: Should we? Or, shouldn't we? What is best for our children?
Set in Knockroe/Dublin, we meet Madeleine and Kate, two mothers, who both share the same desire: Keep their daughters safe. However, both of these women had two different parenting styles. My stomach clenched when I was about 60% through because I had no idea what was going to happen, what the outcome of such a controversial topic would be. Melissa Hill does a phenomenal job of presenting two strong characters and their opposing viewpoints. There is conflict, depth, politics, sensationalism, tension, and the never ending question: What would you do? What is the right thing to do?
All I can say is, not everything can be answered in black and white. I lived both sides with the women, though I found myself rooting for one over the other. I think some might find the court scenes a little difficult to trudge through as it was repetitive - but that's how it is in court. I enjoyed it. So, please hang in there until you get to the end. The ending was one I didn't see coming but it was real. Melissa Hill tied things up neatly, maybe too neatly, but I suppose after such a stomach-clenching ride, we needed that breathe of fresh air.
Absolutely loved loved this read. I can't imagine the research Melissa Hill had to have done to deliver such an authentic tale.
Some memorable quotes:
"Don't child-proof the world, is my motto. World-proof the child."
"I just wonder how many times you can get kicked when you're down before that spirit becomes broken."
Thank you, Netgalley.

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Review: Any Dream Will Do: A Novel

Any Dream Will Do: A Novel by Debbie Macomber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an uplifting read. I can't sing the praises enough on why you should read this. Debbie Macomber delivered a powerful tale resonating with themes of forgiveness, redemption, second chances, faith and the power of love. Shay endured a terrible home life and as a result ended up spending time in prison. When we meet her, we fight a young woman lost, dejected and rejected by society. She has nowhere to go and enters a church on a whim. Shay doesn't even know why she is there. She doesn't believe in prayer. But, that's when her life begins to change.
Shay meets Pastor Drew Douglas and he decides to help her. As the story progresses, we will see this young woman come into her own and her true nature will begin to shine through despite all her adversities. We will also see Drew overcome his issue and wonder, will he open his heart?
What I loved is that Debbie Macomber didn't rush the story, but gave her readers a chance to savor every moment and rejoice with every step of Shay and Drew's journey. Debbie Macomber didn't shy away from serious topics, but tackled them with such authenticity that I felt as if I were there in the scenes. Great use of secondary characters. I admit I got teary-eyed at the end. I highly recommend.

Quotes that ministered to me.
"When we worry," Drew continued, "we take reality and move it in the realm of fiction. What is real is transferred into the land of monsters and dragons, which are far bigger and frightening than they really are."
"I never confused God with the church. We're all human. We all make mistakes. The key is not allowing anyone to stand in the way of how we view our Lord."
"I refuse to focus on our past mistakes; God takes each one of us exactly where we are and so do I. Instead of focusing on the past, I prefer to look at the potential God has given each of us."

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Review: Until You Loved Me

Until You Loved Me by Brenda Novak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am a new Brenda Novak fan. This is my second book of hers and I plan to read even more of her books. Ellie learns her wedding is off and goes out with the girls to a club. This is not a norm for her. But, she meets Hudson King, an NFL quarterback, and decides to return to his hotel. Their one-night escapade leaves her pregnant. Will Hudson think she is a gold-digger? Avid readers like myself know this plot very well. What I like is that this is more than a romance. The characters and storylines are well-developed and makes for an entertaining read. Brenda Novak adds her own special twist to the plot that made it enjoyable and a page-turner.
I loved to see both Ellie and Hudson's journey. Brenda Novak does a phenomenal job with the hero. Hudson is a dream to get to know. He had so many layers to him that I really found myself rooting for him.
Memorable lines:
"Once a secret is out in the open, it became far less tantalizing to the gossips."
"Careful is smart, but too careful can make you miss something magical."
"A person can't run from the past forever."

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Review: The Good Widow

The Good Widow by Liz Fenton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. Wow. Wow. I really enjoyed this read. The sharp writing, humor and wit drew me in from the beginning. But. The. Ending. The ending-- where things usually taper off-- is where the suspense built and the revelations had me glued to the page. What a way to end a good story, making it jaw-dropping good. I can't wait for more from these authors.
Some great quotes.
"...once you find out there are so many lies sitting right below the surface of your relationships, you want to know them all."
"The men you never think would stray--they are always the ones with the most to hide."
"Sometimes you just have to trust your gut. If you spend your whole life scared to make the wrong choice, how is that really living?"
"...we could all be better. Better husbands, better wives, better sons and daughters. But the people who love us, the ones who truly care, they accept us, even if we aren't perfect."

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Review: Let Her Go: An emotional and heartbreaking tale of motherhood and family that will leave you breathless

Let Her Go: An emotional and heartbreaking tale of motherhood and family that will leave you breathless by Dawn Barker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"She had never understood how much she wanted children until the doctor had told her that she couldn't have them." Zoe McCallister wants a baby more than anything. But what happens after you get what your heart desires?
I loved that the author tackled the issue of surrogacy between sisters. The conflict with the family dynamic made for a good read. It made me think. But, I didn't fall in love with Let Her Go. The writing isn't the issue but as the story progressed, I became less emotionally connected to the outcome. I understood both Zoe and Nadia's sides, felt their pain and understood their conflict, but the ending... I didn't buy it. I didn't understand Louise at all. Surrogacy isn't an explanation for her actions.
Some insightful quotes.
"Family bonds weren't forged from blood, they were welded by shared moments, from intimacy, from vulnerability."
"No one ever knows the effect on the future of the things we do now; we just have to do what we think is right at the time."
3.5 stars.
Thank you Netgalley for this read.

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Review: Every Last Lie

Every Last Lie by Mary Kubica
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mary Kubica does a phenomenal job of writing Clare's story in the present and Nick's in the past. I felt the suspense with each chapter. I related to Nick. I understood his predicament, thinking he had time to fix his life and lies. Clare was tough for me. I was with her in the beginning but toward the middle onward, I began to question her sanity and actions. The ending left some loose strings that left me somewhat dissatisfied. I would definitely read more of Mary Kubica.
Thank you Netgalley for this read!

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Review: Surrender to Me

Surrender to Me by Donna Hill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a hot cover! Whew. Good job, Kimani. Rafe Lawson is a successful sax player. He knows how to plays instruments and women. That is, until he meets Agent Avery Richards. Then, everything changes. Surrender to Me begins with their meeting and instant attraction. From then on, we see firsthand what Michael Bolton means when he sings, When A Man Loves A Woman. Ladies, you shouldn't have to run down a man. If he wants you, he will come after you. Rafe traveled across states and even another country to get his woman. I Loved this hot, scintillating read. Donna Hill is one of the best.
Favorite Lines:
"Life is all about rhythm, finding the beat that suits you and goin' with it. Once you figure it out the world looks a whole lot better."
"Sometimes all it takes is a change in atmosphere to get a different perspective. And you'll be back on track."
"...at some point you're gonna want to do more than simply survive, you're gonna want to live."
3.5 stars.
Thank you Netgalley!

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