Inside the Wong Mind

Crowned with Glory by Dorena Williamson

About the Book

Title: Crowned with Glory
Author: Dorena Williamson
Illustrator: Shellene Rodney
Genre: Inspirational for Kids
Publisher: WaterBrook Kids, 40 pp
Release Date: February 8, 2022

An ode to Black hair and Black girl joy, this joy-filled rhyming picture book invites young readers into the world of a young Black girl as she rocks her God-given beauty.

Hello, world! I’m a gift from above.
I already know that I am loved.

Gazing around with a great big grin—
there’s a whole wide world for me to take in.

From the hair on her head to the tips of her toes, Azira knows that she is awesome! And whether it’s styled in twists, curls, braids, Bantu knots, a textured bun, or left totally natural, her hair is just one of the countless things that helps Azira celebrate who God made her to be. She’s able to live out a beautiful story because God has crowned her with glory—and Azira wants you to do the same!

Young readers will be inspired by this empowering, uplifting reminder to always be and love who God created them to be.

Purchase your copy here!

About the Author

Dorena Williamson is a speaker, church planter, and bridge builder whose work has been featured in Christianity Today and Crosswalk. She is a bestselling author of children’s books that adults need too. She and her husband, Chris, have four children and make their home in Franklin, Tennessee.

Connect with her on Instagram: @dorenawilliamson

My Review

Crowned with Glory
By Dorena Williamson
Rating: 4/5

Such an important and inspiring story for young black girls! I was immediately drawn to the incredible illustrations, and I fell in love with the beautiful writing. Azira’s story is an uplifting, positive message about embracing who you are and how God has made you especially when it comes to our differences. This powerful message is wrapped in kid-friendly poetry and eye-catching illustrations!

Highly recommend for all young girls!

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Watch the Book Trailer!

February 2, 2022 by Kim Book Reviews

Stone by Ronie Kendig

About the Book

Title: Stone
Series: The Metcalfes #1
Author: Ronie Kendig
Genre: Clean with faith elements, Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Task Force Press
Release Date: January 6, 2022

She cost him everything. Now, he’s forced to protect her.

Stone Metcalfe embodies the Metcalfe legacy—blue eyes, an unfair amount of good looks, and hardcore patriot-laced character. But a foolish lapse in judgment dismantles his name and career. Humiliated and furious, he retreats to his mountain lodge to hide from media hounds and eke out a new life. However, one phone call from an old Army buddy upends Stone’s best-laid plans.

Supermodel Brighton Buchanan had designers and men eating out of her hand until a terrible mistake trapped her in the soul-eating world of human trafficking. Years later, she is used by her captors to take down the best man she’s ever known. The man she loves. Hope lost, she’s unexpectedly freed—and thrown back into Stone’s life. Being forgiven is out of the question considering how much he hates her.

Believing danger and her trafficker are one wrong move away, Brighton will do anything to keep him from being ruined again—even if it means going back to that life. As everything is falling apart and threats mount against Brighton, Stone realizes forgiveness is the easy part. Protecting her—and his heart—is another story.

Purchase your copy here!

About the Author

Ronie Kendig is an bestselling, award-winning author of over thirty books. She grew up an Army brat, and now she and her Army-veteran husband have returned to their beloved Texas after a nearly ten-year stint in the Northeast. They survive on Sonic runs, barbecue, and peach cobbler that they share⁠—sometimes⁠—with Benning the Stealth Golden. Ronie’s degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.

My Review

Stone
By Ronie Kendig
Book 1 in the Metcalfes series
Rating: 4.5/5

Wow. Way to knock it out of the park with such an incredible story! This new series from Ronie Kendig is already so good! As someone who is passionate about combating sex slavery, I was truly interested in this story and was so glad that the author ventured to go there. She has a warning page at the beginning due to possible triggers but she weaves a heartbreaking tale that deals with healing and redemption.

I loved the characters. I am now invested in the Metcalfe family (if I wasn’t already from her previous Nightshade series). Stone is such a raw character with so many emotions. Brighton is a strong survivor despite her crazy past. The chemistry between the two of them was palpable and I can’t wait to read more about the other characters.

Highly recommend this romantic thriller with some broken characters that need healing and redemption!

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Instagram Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a copy of the book and an O.U.R. tee. (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics. Instagram is not affiliated with nor responsible for this giveaway. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on February 2, 2022.)

Head to my Instagram to enter the giveaway!

January 27, 2022 by Kim Book Reviews Giveaway

Shadow Angel by Leia Stone and Julie Hall

About the Book

Title: Shadow Angel
Series: Shadow Angel #1
Authors: Leia Stone and Julie Hall
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Release Date: January 21, 2022

From the moment I saw the shadows come to life, I knew my world would never be the same.

Yesterday I was a teenager waiting tables in Manhattan, and today, monsters exist and I can see them.

Overnight I’m thrown into the realm of the Watchers, a society of earthbound angels split into two factions: The Shades, whose powerful dark magic is given to them by the fallen angels, and the Lumens, whose abilities are bestowed on them by the archangels of Avalon.

They’re on opposite sides of a brutal war, and I only have a few days to pick which side I want to join. I’m ready to choose when the Shades force my hand by cursing someone I love.

The only hope I have of saving them rests on the broad shoulders of the prickliest Shade alive, Gage Alston. He’s cold, arrogant, and quite possibly the most attractive guy I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Do I trust him? No.
Do I need him? Yes.
Do I want to kiss him? Maybe.

Perhaps I’ll choose darkness after all.

Purchase here or read on Kindle Unlimited.

About the Authors

Leia Stone is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple bestselling series including Matefinder and Wolf Girl. She’s sold over two million books and her Fallen Academy series has been optioned for film. Her novels have been translated into five languages and she even dabbles in script writing. Leia writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance with sassy kick-butt heroines and irresistible love interests. She lives in Spokane, WA with her husband and two children. www.LeiaStone.com

Julie Hall is a USA Today bestselling, multiple award-winning author. She writes YA paranormal / fantasy novels, loves doodles, and drinks Red Bull, but not necessarily in that order. Julie’s daughter says that her superpower is sleeping all day and writing all night . . . and well, she wouldn’t be wrong. Julie currently lives in Colorado with her four favorite people – her husband, daughter, and two fur babies. www.JulieHallAuthor.com

My Review

Shadow Angel
by Leia Stone and Julie Hall
Book 1 in the Shadow Angel series
Rating: 4.5

When two of your favorite authors start a series together, you can’t help but squeal with glee and rush to read the ARC when available. I finished this book in a few hours. I could not and did not want to put the book down. It is a great start to a series and I cannot wait to read more.

First off, that cover is gorgeous and definitely makes a prospective reader go, “I need to read that!”. Second, the authors are great by themselves but they definitely play off of each other’s strengths. Third, the world building is well done but not overwhelming. There’s a 3D map of the Lumen Compound at the beginning and then an educational graphic from the school. I love any and all visuals that the authors wants to include. The world seems somewhat familiar but different so it’s still relatable and begs to be explored. Fourth, the main characters were memorable and made you, as the reader, want to root for them. Who hasn’t at some point in their life crushed on a bad boy? The supporting characters are also a blast and I would love to learn more about them and their stories. Fifth, the story is just beginning and deserves to be read.

Highly recommend if you enjoy YA urban fantasy with angel and demons, humor and romance!

PG-13.

My thanks to the authors for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.