Aaayyyeee, it’s 2.58a.m my time and I finished this book about fifteen mins ago, I tried to go to sleep but I really could not. I can’t believe what I just read, so I may as well give my review. Thank you to NetGallery for my free copy in exchange for an honest review… Let’s get into it!

From the bestselling author of Daughters of the Dragon comes an epic novel of a star-crossed couple who must defy tradition, war, and prejudice to keep their love alive.

At the urging of a Los Angeles detective, international rights lawyer Anna Carlson assists in a murder investigation. It’s a personal request from Suk-bo Yi, a ninety-nine-year-old woman questioned in a mysterious death at a Koreatown nursing home. A stranger to Anna, Suk-bo has a tale to tell. For reasons of her own, she’s chosen Anna—only Anna—to hear it…

Suk-bo’s story begins in 1937, when the Japanese occupying Korea force her to marry one of their own, named Hisashi. In spite of their differences, they fall madly in love, pitting them against two violently opposing cultures. When Hisashi joins the Japanese Imperial Army and disappears, Suk-bo embarks on a quest through years of war, bigotry, and poverty to find him.

But Suk-bo’s unfolding history reveals more than Anna can imagine: an heirloom comb bearing an intricately carved two-headed dragon binding her to Suk-bo’s past. Soon Anna will discover her own legacy at the heart of Suk-bo’s epic love story.

Kim’s Review 5 PLUS Amazing Stars

Did you read the blurb? Read it again, this is what captured me on NetGallery after I saw the cover. I don’t even know where to start with this review, but maybe I should just let you know if you don’t believe me how good it is once I closed the book  I went to Amazon, to download the other two books ( I signed up to Kindle Unlimited last week and it’s free to read also if you have it). One of the books has over 1,000 reviews, and get this it’s still on five stars!! On the European Amazon. Here’s what I loved about this first one I read.

The plot and writing style> We follow a very strong female MC from a poor Korean girl, to a forced bride of a Japanese man,they fall in love, then all the ‘dirty scandle’ of what goes on in the household leads her to be split up from her son, (who they take away) and her husband. We follow her story up until she is a woman in her 90s and they are reunited in the USA, with of course some drama along the way. This is a brief outline with no real spoilers, however the plot is a genius itself.

It is written in a style I have just done and love, that classic ‘back to front’  style,  where readers start at the end of the story (where she is arrested for murder in the present day) and then we go back to the Japanese occupation of Korea, and come forward to the present day. The plot has turns, twists, and heartbreaking movements that moved me to the point of actual tears overflowing.  The ending also ties up nicely with Anna, I won’t give spoilers but it really did seal the 5 plus stars for me!!

Characters> They all moved me to some extent, really they did. However, Suk-bo herself, I felt as a reader was so authentic to read. All her experiences with her son, his downfall, her commitment to finding the Japanese man she was forbidden to love, how she experienced life when she landed in the USA, I could really dig. Especially her motherhood experiences. The characters are well developed and felt so real, I could relate.

The twists/tear jerks> Man, there were four main scenes/events that brought on the damp eyes. I won’t list them as they give too many spoilers, and I’m not really one to give away these and ruin your reading experience. But let me just say, it was an emotional read at times.

Overall for me as a reader I am giving The Spirit of The Dragon 5 plus stars, as I experienced a great love story and romance, that was executed to an outstanding standard as an avid reader of romance in my humble view.  I also experienced a bit of crime (is she innocent or not) in the present day,  interesting historical fiction with building on what already know about that Japanese takeover of Asia. But most of all I experienced how things like culture, race, bigotry, and small mindedness, also the government and their hidden agenda can tear up a community of people.

I put the book down, and like I said headed straight to Amazon for the other two, then for a moment I stood in my kitchen and really thought about what I just read, as the ending is outstanding!!! As well as the start and the middle!! When I tied it all up, and thought about how this author has used REAL historic events, and penned a fiction novel that covers a mash up of genres such as romance, historical,a bit of crime I said to myself (as I wiped a tear away) ‘God this  writer is so talented, look at me I am still thinking about the characters and I have tears at the corners of my eyes’. This is the best book I have read in 2019, I know we still have two more months to go, but honestly people this writer has serious talent. I think God that he writes in the women’s fiction genre, as I appreciate him!! His work moved me to tears, and reflection on life and history.

Five plus stars! I recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction, has a fascination with Asia, anyone who has an interest in human rights, loves romance, and mystery!

It’s after 3.00am now I have said me piece about how yummy this book is, maybe I can get to sleep and whip open one of the other ones tomorrow.

Happy reading if you dive into this!

I’m so late I know, but I have finally signed up to BookBub fully. If you are there you can connect with me if you wish. I look forward to finding some good reads also!! Join me there on the link below.

Find me here>>>>>>>>>>>> https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kim-knight

Who remembers this one, what a tune! And a voice. Monday morning I was about to settle down to some work,  I switched on London’s ‘Smooth FM’ station to play in the background, and this came on.  It set me up for a great day!  And reminded me of my mum she loves Anita Baker, and all the great soul diva’s of yester-year.  I must admit I do too.

Let’s step back to shoulder pads, bright eye shadow and  when music was more about lyrical content, not just the beat. I love me some Anita, clear your throat and sing along with me to ‘Sweet Love.’

So this classic tune came on the radio this week, imagine… me cooking and singing along and my five year old at the table playing with his tablet.

Me> Oh this  is a tune. *turns up radio and starts singing .*

Son> Stooooooop siiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnging!!

Me> *Narrows eyes and looks behind me at the boy.*

Son> *Wide smile, all teeth on show and bright eyes*  I love you Mummy, but no singing not today!

Me> **Cracks up laughing** Really, but can’t sing?

Son> *Eyes back on the tablet and he sighs at me* Noooooo Mummy, not todaaaaay.

The cheek of the little devil!! ROTFL at the time his tone had me in stitches he is five years old!! It felt like a role reversal, just like when I tell him ‘no, not today.’

Anyway, TLC are legends they were the biggest selling girl group of the 90s, I remember writing an article about Left Eye, then realising just how successful they were back then.  A chart topping and award winning group.  I really enjoyed their music then, and I still do now.  This song in particular,  also really like how they were unlike any other girl group. Baggy pants, attitude, and different personalities. They did not try to sell themselves on sex appeal like a LOT of female groups now. I respect that.

It’s 1995, I just left school and  was figuring out what direction to go in, what were you doing when this song was released?

Let’s step back, sing along and do the shoulder-hop dance this video is famous for along with T-Boz, Left-eye and Chilli…. otherwise known as TLC.

HappyThursday!

Blurb

Gina is reeling from the shock of her recent breakup with her ex-boyfriend, Kayden Senior. He’s left her and their son high and dry, forcing her to take matters into her own hands to ensure their well-being.

Keisha is paranoid over her ex, Rico. He’s cheated on her and beat her countless times. He got locked up after he put her in the hospital, but she heard recently that he is set to get out any day now. Since Rico has been away, Keisha has taken notice of Mike, a nice guy from her church, but Rico has made her leery of all men and relationships.

Melanie broke up with her boyfriend, Jarvis, shortly after the birth of their son due to Jarvis’ cheating. She’s dating around, but one guy in particular, Kylon, seems to keep making his way to the forefront of her mind. She’s sworn off love and relationships, but Kylon seems more than ready to pick up the pieces.

Follow a story of friendship, heartache, and relationships as we meet Gina, Keisha, and Melanie in this prequel to the For My Good series.

Kim’s Review-

5 Stars, I am Buying The Next Installments…all of them!

You know, I could just say as a review this author’s work gets five stars from me simply because, as I closed the book I noted all titles in the series, went to Amazon.co.uk, then joined the author’s reader’s group! But I should let you now more…

I was scrolling though my timeline, looking for something to read, on a day that I was feeling rather s*it to be honest. I wanted something ‘feel good’ to read, but not corny and unrealistic. The cover caught my eye on Facebook, so did the blurb. I bought it and  finished it in two hours flat, I was drawn in and felt great after! I have not read African-American or  the urban  genre  for a while, I finished one book the night before  and was feeling another one, I’m glad I picked up this one to continue my binge in this genre.

Firstly, what I really loved as I read this book is the author’s writing style. The story is told via first person, chapters of each woman’s situation however it ties together to give a full story. I also found as I read , that this author’s writing style  is very authentic in terms of the characters and developing them. I am from a different part of the world these characters are from, so I talk different, and my accent is too…but the author really made each woman’s personality ‘turn up’, how they spoke and their quirks  loved it. I understood each woman well, and imagined them well just from the way the author showed me who they are as women. Even without a physical description I did not need one.

Secondly,  as I read I noticed after the story unfolded on how the characters met, that this author could have just written it as a narration  from her, but instead she played it out for readers to experience with the characters, and I loved it. By the time I turned the page, and realised ‘oh okay that was how they met that was the backstory, not now’ I thought ‘hmm that was clever I like that’. Generally  I really liked the style of how the story is told.

Thirdly, I found the stories these women had to tell highly realistic, and that most women regardless of race could identify to at least something from each woman’s story. The stories were engaging to read, and all three of the women’s stories made me what to find out what happens next. A classic sign of a five star book, I cared and still care about Melanie, Gina and Keisha, so I can’t wait to open the next story from Tanisha Stewart’s series. A new fan gained!

The author’s reader’s group can be found here https://www.facebook.com/groups/TanishaStewartReaders/

Hi all, I am making this request in person!! I posted it on Facebook… If you can help contact me here or via FB

I think I am entering this, I remember when I interviewed this author I was due to read a book of his. Here’s a free audio competition!