My favorite books on drama surrounding friendships and finding yourself

Why am I passionate about this?

I write what I know. My life has given me so much to write about that people seem to connect with. I started this journey as a writer to share my personal story but instead, what I authored was a novel about my life, but as a fictional story. A lot of situations that my characters find themselves in are things that I have endured or seen personally in my life and in my travels. My passion is broken people I guess, because I have been surrounded by so many of them, in my life.


I wrote...

Beautiful

By Kiexiza Rodriquez,

Book cover of Beautiful

What is my book about?

A look into the 1st of five novels, following the journey of five friends as they reunite. The drama that begins to unfold surrounding these friends is deadly for some and a blessing for others. Overall, it’s a journey that none of them will ever forget.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Chante's Song

Kiexiza Rodriquez Why did I love this book?

I absolutely love this book. The message within about finding yourself, despite all that is going on around you, or your current circumstances really resonates with me. Where you start doesn’t have to be where you finish. It’s a book that I could read repeatedly.

This novel is like my novel in the fact that her characters also overcome many obstacles to find their way in life. They had to learn to be strong in the face of adversity. If you are someone who likes a book that shows you women finding their way amid chaos it’s a must read.

By Donneil D. Jackson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Chante's Song as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Chante Chambers is a self-proclaimed princess. She has it all: looks, a body women would pay for, a great career, all the material items a girl could want plus some…all of this maintained by her ex, Jason. Whatever mama wants, Jason makes sure mama gets. The one task he failed at was being faithful. With a toss of a Gucci pump Jason was history. Or so she thought.

In a pursuit for love, happiness, and monogamy sometimes mistaken for sex, Chante encounters an array of men, whom if you took the best traits from them all and combined them, it…


Book cover of Vengeance Unleashed

Kiexiza Rodriquez Why did I love this book?

Vengeance Unleashed is a book that will keep you on your toes throughout the read. As the title suggests, it’s about vengeance in its truest form. The main character, a woman ex-agent, plays no games, and pulls no punches when it comes to what she wants. What she wants is to know where her sister is. She’s willing to turn the town upside down and take anyone out who gets in her way of those answers

By Tony Wade,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Vengeance Unleashed as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Sisters, Jessica and Sybil were raised by their uncle after the untimely death of their parents. When their unique, and natural combat skills are recognized by a secret department inside of the N.C.U. they are recruited and taught to do one thing…KILL. But, when Jessica is killed on a mission overseas, Sybil disappears refusing to return. Putting the agency and all its nasty business behind her, she takes to the protecting the innocent from the streets and the vermin that would prey upon them. When agents start dropping like flies while on missions, the N.C.U sends a blast from Sybil’s…


Book cover of Voices Behind The Tears: A Domestic Violence Anthology

Kiexiza Rodriquez Why did I love this book?

This is an anthology that thirty authors submitted stories to. This book dealt with the serious subject of domestic violence. The writers ranged from the tender age of 12, who shared her real-life story dealing with abuse, to authors who submitted poetry, and others peeks into their novels. This book touched my heart and soul on a personal level as domestic violence in all its ugly forms is something that too many people don't want to discuss. It's become a secret that women, men, and children learn to deal with quietly for fear of not being believed or shame.

By Saving Lives Through Lit,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Voices Behind The Tears as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Voices Behind the Tears, is an anthology created by over 20 authors, writers, and poets, ranging in ages from 12 and up. They have all come together along with Saving Lives Through Lit to help bring attention to the Abuse and Violence that quietly goes on in many homes. Through true, fictionalized and excerpts, these talented, gifted contributors bring you stories to move you deeply.
It is their hope you will join them and SLTL to help give aid to the agencies that assist these families... Proceeds from sales of this book will go to those various agencies...


Book cover of Caramel Beauty

Kiexiza Rodriquez Why did I love this book?

This book is also about the relationships between family and friends. After not seeing her family for many years, the lead character inherits from the family and must return home. That alone can cause anyone anxiety, returning to your hometown after an exceptionally long absence. Well as she gets reaccustomed to home and deals with all her emotions of loss and inheritance, she ends up falling for two men. Now, amiss everything else going on, she must dig deep and come to grips. This is a decision that is tearing her apart. But she must decide what she really wants. She has to decide between the two men and fast.

By Toney Rhymes,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Caramel Beauty as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Shelond never knew what love was or how to go about achieving it. Work was always her main focus, but when she inherits a house and land out in the boonies she has to take some time off. She'd come here very summer when she was a young child, but who would have thought that she'd be considering living here. But being torn between two men will do that to you. Who will she choose? The warm and down to earth town lawyer Will or would she choose the rough rugged loner Sean? Just when she thought that she'd made…


Book cover of Love Torn Asunder

Kiexiza Rodriquez Why did I love this book?

While learning who she is, Leslie, the lead character, makes choices based on her insecurities and those choices affect not only her, but the people around her. As she attempts to fix the mistakes she’s made, she is faced with some tough decisions. Her road to redemption will make you want to shake her back into reality. It’s a novel that will have you yelling at the book, as if Leslie is a friend and you want to help her. The characters are very relatable, they felt as if they could be people in your circle, or people you know in real life.

By Elizabeth Funderbirk,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Love Torn Asunder as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In a battle of Ying and Yang, Leslie learns all about consequences.
Allowing that part of her heart led by insecurities, Leslie makes
decisions that will disrupt the very foundation she
has built her life around. In an attempt to regain Balance she is faced with hard choices.
That will not only impact the course of
her life but those around her.While going along with Leslie on the bumpy road to
Realization and Redemption.
She is sure to make you re-think your outlook on
Love, Lust and Loyalty.


You might also like...

Kanazawa

By David Joiner,

Book cover of Kanazawa

David Joiner Author Of Kanazawa

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

My book recommendations reflect an abiding passion for Japanese literature, which has unquestionably influenced my own writing. My latest literary interest involves Japanese poetry—I’ve recently started a project that combines haiku and prose narration to describe my experiences as a part-time resident in a 1300-year-old Japanese hot spring town that Bashō helped make famous in The Narrow Road to the Deep North. But as a writer, my main focus remains novels. In late 2023 the second in a planned series of novels set in Ishikawa prefecture will be published. I currently live in Kanazawa, but have also been lucky to call Sapporo, Akita, Tokyo, and Fukui home at different times.

David's book list on Japanese settings not named Tokyo or Kyoto

What is my book about?

Emmitt’s plans collapse when his wife, Mirai, suddenly backs out of purchasing their dream home. Disappointed, he’s surprised to discover her subtle pursuit of a life and career in Tokyo.

In his search for a meaningful life in Japan, and after quitting his job, he finds himself helping his mother-in-law translate Kanazawa’s most famous author, Izumi Kyoka, into English. He becomes drawn into the mysterious death of a friend of Mirai’s parents, leading him and his father-in-law to climb the mountain where the man died. There, he learns the somber truth and discovers what the future holds for him and his wife.

Packed with subtle literary allusion and closely observed nuance, Kanazawa reflects the mood of Japanese fiction in a fresh, modern incarnation.

Kanazawa

By David Joiner,

What is this book about?

In Kanazawa, the first literary novel in English to be set in this storied Japanese city, Emmitt's future plans collapse when his wife, Mirai, suddenly backs out of negotiations to purchase their dream home. Disappointed, he's surprised to discover Mirai's subtle pursuit of a life and career in Tokyo, a city he dislikes.

Harmony is further disrupted when Emmitt's search for a more meaningful life in Japan leads him to quit an unsatisfying job at a local university. In the fallout, he finds himself helping his mother-in-law translate Kanazawa's most famous author, Izumi Kyoka, into English.

While continually resisting Mirai's…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in drama, domestic violence, and monogamy?

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