#BookReview: PASSION'S SONG by Farrah Rochon

Synopsis: New Orleans has always been a musical city, and April Knight quickly fell under its spell. Despite the challenges of poverty and disillusionment, April defied everyone to realize her dream of becoming a celebrated cellist. Buoyed by her success, she's returned to the Ninth Ward to share her encouragement and enthusiasm with the local youth, unaware of a new passion that awaits.

Years ago, Damien Alexander encouraged April to follow her ambitions, even as he followed his own. Now he has the opportunity to revitalize his old neighborhood, and he needs April's grace and charm to woo investors. Instead of the platonic arrangement they expected, a swift and intense spark of attraction suddenly changes the dynamic of their relationship. Will they be able to help their community and answer the sweet, sweet melody of love?

Review: I love stories where the location is just as much of a character in the book as the actual people. Once again, Farrah Rochon brings another city to life and this time it's New Orleans, with a focus on the Ninth Ward. With the real life tragedy of Hurricane Katrina playing a role in the devastation of an area that had already been hard hit prior to the storm, she sets her characters up as two of the wards success stories.

Rochon always creates interesting protagonists so it's easy to imagine the nerdy high school version of April pining away for the school jock version of Damien. But it's also nice to see the adults they turned out to be. As they dance around each other and try to fight their feelings for one another, their interactions are genuine and believable. Their story lines are interesting and they're definitely characters worth cheering for. April's family, students and co-workers, along with Damien's brother and employees, all provide a bit of comic relief throughout, keeping this an easy, breezy and lighthearted read.

At just 224 pages, I tore through Passion's Song in two readings. And, as always, it left me wishing I could be plucked out of my life and planted in the middle of a Farrah Rochon created universe.



224 p.
Published: February 2016
Disclaimer: Copy of book received from author, opinions are my own.

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#BookReview: SECOND HOUSE FROM THE CORNER by Sadeqa Johnson

"You know how you know some serious shit is about to go down & you're afraid for the character because their life is about to be in shambles? I'm there. RIGHT. NOW." - Me, 01/18/16

I was not ready for the twists and turns of Second House on the Corner. When I started it, I was like, oh, a story about a stressed about stay at home mom trying to deal with her husband and the kids while putting her dreams on hold. That's what I thought. But y'all...Y'ALL, Sadeqa Johnson played me!

From the outside looking in, Felicia Lyons is living the good life. Her husband Preston brings home the bacon and Faye, as Felicia is called by family and friends, or Foxy as she's called by Preston, fries it up in the pan. Taking care of a husband and three kids is a challenge, but she's managing. Things are looking up for her when she gets invited to audition for admission to a creative women's group. This is just what she needs to reignite her passion for acting. And then the bottom falls out, which is where my quote up top comes in.

Faye... hey, girl, hey....

Felicia...

FELICIA!!!!

Secrets from Faye's past creep in like thieves in the night and steal all of her joy. When she opens the door to past relationships, all hell breaks loose and she finds herself on the verge of losing her husband, her children and her home.  Her only saving grace is her Gran back in Philly. And even though Gran can't solve her problems for her, she's a voice of reason and shelter in a storm.

I loved the characters that Sadeqa Johnson created. The relationship between Faye and Preston was so loving and sexy and Johnson perfectly played out the typical male reaction when he finds that the woman he placed on a pedestal isn't the angel he always believed her to be. I also enjoyed Faye's relationships with her kids - the mature Rory, the needy middle child Twyla (and I loved her nickname, Two) and baby Liv. The author outdid herself with this book and I can't wait to see what she puts out next.

304 p.
Published: February 2016


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