In May 2021, I read 1 nonfiction book, 1 anthology (science fiction), 1 cozy mystery, and historical/paranormal mystery. Check it out… Hopefully, my June post won’t be so late. The videos below explain more.
Below you’ll find my star ratings and review blurbs for each title I completed in the indicated month. If you have not signed up for my newsletter, please consider doing so. That’s where I post my thorough book reviews (and sometimes TV and movie stuff) as well as talk about my love of reading while offering tips for having a healthy reading lifestyle. You can also click the Goodreads links to see the thorough reviews. At the bottom of this post, you’ll also be able to watch a video of my monthly reviews, if that’s more your style.
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You can watch my update video here. Click below to watch my review video.
So, did you read any good books in May?
What did you think of the ones I read?
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords #blacklivesmatter
I’m so excited to feature the next story in the Disaster Crime Series. I love this series and jumped at a chance to ask the author a question about the supporting characters who are being given a chance to shine.
Toi Asked: Will Amanda and Thorn have other stories?
Chrys Fey’s Answer: Thorn and Amanda will have one more story after A Fighting Chance. As a matter of fact, it is available now, and it’s mentioned later in this post!
I wrote The Disaster Curse to answer a few lingering questions readers may have after reading A Fighting Chance, and to tie the Disaster Crimes series together with a neat, shiny, perfect little bow. Plus, there was one disaster that I hadn’t written about yet. *wink*
But other than that short story to follow A Fighting Chance, there won’t be any other stories for Amanda and Thorn, not even one that doesn’t feature a disaster. Once you read A Fighting Chance and The Disaster Curse, you’ll be able to envision their happily-ever-after beyond those endings. Whatever you see for them is valid and very possible. Just as long as there’s no more disasters in their future. I’ve decreed it that they (and Beth and Donovan) will be disaster free for the rest of their lives. (haha) 😊
Pages: 154
Genre: Romantic-Suspense
Heat Rating: Hot
BLURB:
*A FIGHTING CHANCE is Book 6 in the Disaster Crimes series, but it’s a spin-off featuring a new couple, so it can be read as a standalone.*
Thorn has loved Amanda from afar, giving her whatever she needs as a survivor of abuse—space, protection, and stability. He yearns to give her more, though, to share his feelings, kiss her, love her, but he’s worried the truth will frighten her away.
And Amanda is afraid. She’s scared of her attraction for Thorn. Most of all, she’s terrified of her ex-boyfriend, who is lurking nearby where no one can find him. When she grows closer to Thorn, Damon retaliates, jeopardizing their happy ending.
Up against an abusive ex and Mother Nature, do Thorn and Amanda have a fighting chance?
Amanda looked up from the current list of up-to-date payments for classes. A movement outside the glass storefront caught her eye. She tilted her head to see a man coming up the sidewalk from the side where the picnic bench sat. Through the vertical blinds, she glimpsed a square face—a short, rugged beard and long, dark hair pulled into a man bun. Her breath fled from her lungs. Her body went from icy cold to flaming hot in the span of a millisecond. She dropped to the floor and slid under the counter, beneath the ledge where they put their purses and cell phones.
“What—” Beth peeked at the windows. Then she snapped her fingers at April and pointed at the stools.
April jumped into action. She pushed the stools in so they blocked Amanda. The bell attached to the door jingled as April removed the jacket she wore and draped it across the stools, creating a curtain to shield Amanda.
From a crack, Amanda watched Beth move to stand in front of the twins, who were in their walkers playing peacefully. “I’m sorry, but we’re going to be closing.”
“I don’t give a shit. I’m here for Amanda.”
The sound of Damon’s voice had her heart beating even harder. That voice had haunted her nightmares, had come back to life in her memories.
Beth cocked her head to the side. “Who? There’s no one by that name here.”
TheFightingChance.org is a website dedicated to domestic violence and sexual assault awareness. Inspired by the Disaster Crimes series.
(I visited this site and it brought tears to my eyes. It’s such a great resource. Please use your word of mouth influence to let others know about it.)
***GIVEAWAY***
Prizes: Hurricane Crimes (Disaster Crimes 1) and Seismic Crimes (Disaster Crimes 2) eBooks (mobi or epub), Hurricane Crimes Playing Cards, Girl Boss Sign, and a Volcanic Blast Scented Candle
Chrys Fey is author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept that blends disasters, crimes, and romance. She runs the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and edits for Dancing Lemur Press. https://www.chrysfey.com
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords #blacklivesmatter
Greetings readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors and welcome to The ToiBox of Words. I’m your host Toi Thomas, author of Legend of the Boy, In the Window, and Other Short Stories, and today I have a treat to share. A while back, I had the pleasure to interview a wonderful author named, Tatum James. A good time was truly had by all, and here’s how it went down.
~
Toi:Hi there,Tatum! It’s so wonderful to have you here at the ToiBox Blog. I’m excited to learn more about you and your work.
Tatum: Hi, Toi. I’m excited to share my work with you today.
Toi:So tell me, who isTatum James?
Tatum: Tatum James is an up and coming author. I say up and coming but so far I have self-published 3 novels. Identical Sins, Diary of A Broken Doll, and Diary Of A Broken Doll 2. I’ve always loved writing and storytelling and finally, I am sharing my love.
Toi: Well before we dive into your special message today, let’s get to know you, the person inside the author.
IMDB
Toi:Who is so you and why?
Tatum: I’m so Gabrielle Union’s character in Being Mary Jane.
Toi:What makes you geek out?
Tatum: Harry Potter! I admit I am a Pot head.
Toi:What was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?
Tatum: There was a book called Wonder by Rachel Vail and The Sideways Stories From Wayside School.
Wikipedia
Toi:In terms of interviews, whose brain are you just itching to scratch?
Tatum: I would want to interview Donny Hathaway. I love, love, love him and I have so many questions.
Toi: Now that we know a little more about you, the person, let’s learn about you, the author, and dive into your special message.
Toi:So, whacha got for me today?
Tatum: My favorite thing that I’ve ever written on a whim my book Identical Sins. It all started as part of a Facebook challenge.
Amazon
Toi:So who’s starring in this 2-dimensional script read ofIdentical Sins?
Tatum: I would say Lola is the main character. She’s reserved and practical, just trying to make a way for her and her daughter, you know? The total opposite of her bold and outgoing twin sister.
Toi:What’s so special about this story that’s going to reel in the readers?
Tatum: It’s different than anything that I’ve ever read. Most readers report being surprised and not being able to put it down interested in where it all will lead. It’s kind of a romantic suspense. I loved reading it after putting it down for a while. I was like what’s going to happen next?
Toi:Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?
Tatum: I don’t have a method to my madness. I usually come up with names and a plot and go from there. In my best work, I don’t even know what’s going to happen next. I wing it. That keeps it fresh. To set the mood I listen to music and get plenty of snacks. I’m working on the 3rd installation to Diary of A Broken doll, about halfway done.
Amazon
Toi:What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?
Tatum: I loved E. Lynn Harris and still find myself reading or listening to his work.
Toi: Now this is where the questions get a little kooky; are you ready?
Tatum: I don’t care, man.
Toi:If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Tatum: Anyone that knows me, knows that it’s the Temptations movie.
Amazon
Toi:When the soundtrack of your life is playing in your head, what songs express your glee and what songs bring out your rage?
Tatum: Fantasia’s No Time For It seems to express my joy and makes me feel carefree. I try not to listen to anything with negative connotations but that’s the best music right. Donny Hathaway’s live version of Stevie Wonder’s Superwoman makes me cry.
Toi: Let’s play zombie urban survivor. What 3 things do you need to survive a black-out in Central Park the day zombies attack?
Tatum: Tennis shoes, a gun, a car I would assume. I’ve never been to Central Park but I would be wanting to get out of there.
Toi:What’s the most fun experience you’ve ever had, to date?
Tatum: Playing charades on the beach with some of my best friends.
Toi: Last question of the day; here we go.
Toi:Not that you can see into the future, but in your opinion, what does the future hold?
Tatum: In 5 years I will be an established author with an extensive catalog.
Toi:Thank you so much, Tatum,for spending time with me today.
Tatum: Thanks for having me Toi. It was fun.
Okay readers, bloggers, geeks, and authors, that’s all for today. Be sure to follow this blog to see who will be visiting next time. For more fromTatum James, check out this link:
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