SCBookGal & Friends Presents: Summer Reading 2025

 📚 SCBookGal & Friends Presents: Summer Reading 2025 – Read, Track, Win!

Dates: June 18 – August 31, 2025

Summer is the perfect time to unwind with a great book—and this year, your reading could literally pay off! The SCBookGal & Friends Summer Reading Contest is officially underway, and we’re inviting readers of all ages and genres to join us for a fun, motivating way to enjoy books and win prizes.

Whether you’re flipping through novels, poetry, memoirs, or comics—every page you read counts toward weekly entries to win Amazon Gift Cards.

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🌟 How It Works:

1. FIND THE POST
   Visit www.scbookgalandfriends.com and look for the post labeled “SUMMER READING 2025.” This is where you’ll track and report your weekly reading totals.

2. READ & TRACK
   Log every page you read this summer. Whether you're diving into fiction, nonfiction, or even graphic novels, it all adds up!

3. CLICK- Click the link to log your books: https://forms.gle/v845B7JR7bxb56PV7 

4. EARN ENTRIES

   • ✅ 1 entry for every 50 pages read

   • ✅ Bonus entry if you include the Secret Code Word of the Week

5. SUBMIT WEEKLY
   Be sure to report your total pages read by Saturday night each week using our online form.

6. TUNE IN TUESDAYS
   Want the weekly code word? Catch the SCBookGal & Friends Podcast live every Tuesday at 8:00 PM EST on Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook to boost your chances of winning!

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🎁 Weekly Prizes:

Each week, one lucky reader will be randomly selected to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card! More entries = more chances to win. So keep reading and submitting those pages!

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🗓️ Important Dates:

• 📚 Contest Dates: June 18 – August 31, 2025

• 🏆 Winners Announced: Every Tuesday at 8:00 PM EST during the SCBookGal & Friends Podcast

• 📡 Streaming live on: Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook

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👥 Who Can Join?

Anyone! It doesn’t matter your age, reading level, or genre preferences—if you’re reading, you’re eligible.

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📲 Get Social with Us!

We’d love to follow along on your reading journey! Share your updates, reading goals, or current reads using the hashtag #SCBookGalReads2025 and tag @SCBookGalAndFriends for a chance to be featured on our pages.

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So what are you waiting for?
Grab your favorite book, set your summer reading goals, and join a community of readers who are turning pages—and winning prizes—all summer long. 🌞📖

Let’s make this the most rewarding reading season yet!

Book Review Alert: The Ha “Bitch” ual Liar by Blaque Diamond

 

Book Review Alert: The Ha “Bitch” ual Liar
Author: Blaque Diamond
Kindle Edition
Published: March 5, 2025
Publisher: Independently published
ASIN: B0DZP9S445
ISBN-13: ‎979-8313072241
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Blaque Diamond’s The Ha“bitch”ual Liar is a raw and emotionally intense urban fiction novel that delves into the tangled web of lies, love, liberation, and mental health. If you're wondering how all of those elements could possibly coexist in one narrative, this book shows you exactly how.

At the center of the novel is Chyna, a woman seemingly living her best life. But don’t mistake her for your typical protagonist. Chyna is seductive, calculating, and unapologetically bold. She knows how to get what she wants—and how to make men give it to her. But having control doesn't mean having peace. Behind the fierce attitude and polished appearance lies a woman who is broken, emotionally and spiritually.

The image that she has created starts to unravel and the cracks she has been hiding for years start to show. What is making her fall apart? Will she be able to bring it all back together before she hits a brick wall? 

Who am I? Who are? 

These haunting question serves as the backbone of Blaque Diamond’s bold and emotionally charged narrative. This isn’t just a story about lies—it’s a raw, soul-stirring deep-dive into trauma, self-preservation, and emotional warfare.

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📖 Plot Overview

Chyna’s life is a maze of trauma-induced decisions, toxic relationships, and deep-rooted emotional scars. Her upbringing was marked by abandonment, betrayal, and a lack of consistent love—planting seeds that would later bloom into dysfunction. Lying becomes her defense mechanism, her shield, and eventually, her prison.

Through failed romances, unhealthy friendships, and internal battles, Chyna’s journey is both captivating and cautionary. Some people in her life genuinely want to help her heal. Others only deepen her pain. But at the heart of it all is one crucial question: Will she break the cycle, or will the lies consume her for good?

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💔 Character Development

Blaque Diamond doesn’t just create characters—she dissects them. Chyna has to be one of the most complex characters that I have ever read about. One minute, I am rooting on the one and the next I am feeling so sorry for her. The supporting characters are not just extras in Chyna’s life—they’re mirrors reflecting her struggles, growth, and pain. Each person adds emotional texture to the story, revealing how relationships can either heal our wounds or deepen them.

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🧠 Emotional & Psychological Themes

What sets this novel apart is its psychological and emotional depth. Through Chyna’s lived experience, Diamond masterfully tackles:

The impact of childhood trauma on adult relationships

Codependency and emotionally abusive cycles

The thrill and chaos of toxic love

Self-sabotage and emotional numbness

The battle between vulnerability and protection

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💬 Reader Impact

Readers who’ve faced emotional trauma, abandonment, or inner conflict will feel seen in Chyna’s story. Her pain is real, her flaws are honest, and her journey is unforgettable. This book might trigger some—but it will also offer healing and reflection. It’s the kind of story that lingers in your heart and mind, long after the final page.

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✍🏽 Writing Style

Her voice is equal parts streetwise and soul-deep. The dialogue is authentic, the pacing tight, and the emotions raw. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out—she flips the script and leaves you breathless.

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⭐ Final Verdict: 4.8 / 5 Stars
The Ha“bitch”ual Liar is a bold, brutally honest novel that will shake you, move you, and stay with you. Blaque Diamond doesn’t just tell a story—she issues a challenge. She invites us to confront our own truths, question our defense mechanisms, and imagine what healing could look like if we dropped the mask.

Reviewed by Patrice "SCBookGal843" Grimball

📚 Book Review: I Should Have Worn a Curtain by Samyra Alexander

 

Book Review Alert: I Should Have Worn a Curtain

Author: Samyra Alexander

Audiobook Edition

Published: January 24, 2023

Narrator: Nikki Barnes

ASIN ‏ : B0BSZY2PGG

Overall Rating: 🖊️🖊️🖊️🖊️ (4 out of 5)

Samyra Alexander’s I Should Have Worn a Curtain is a raw and courageous memoir that chronicles her deeply personal journey from pain to purpose. 💔➡️🌟 With striking honesty and poetic reflection, Alexander uses her voice to illuminate a struggle many silently endure—battles with body image and self-worth.

🎭 Title & Themes
The title alone—I Should Have Worn a Curtain—is enough to stop you in your tracks. It’s intriguing, thought-provoking, and sets the stage for the emotional ride ahead. Once you dive in (or, like me, listen to it), the significance of the title becomes heartbreakingly clear. Alexander opens up about her experience with obesity in a way that’s intimate, unapologetic, and refreshingly rare, especially coming from an African American perspective. 🌺

🎨 Cover Art
The cover is a powerful visual metaphor for the story. As I listened to the first chapter, I glanced at the design and immediately felt the connection. It's minimalist yet moving—striking the perfect balance of subtlety and strength. 💡🖼️

🎧 Audiobook Experience
I had the privilege of experiencing this book through its audiobook version—and it did not disappoint. The production stands out, especially the thoughtful use of sound effects that breathe life into the narrative. One moment that stuck with me was during Shaena’s inner dialogue; her tone shift was so vivid, I felt like I was right there with her. The sound design adds an immersive layer, making this a standout choice for audiobook lovers, especially those with visual impairments. ✅🎧

👩🏾‍🦱 Character Development
Shaena's journey is one of transformation. At a pivotal crossroads, she confronts not only her addiction but the roots of her pain. Her vulnerability, growth, and healing are both relatable and inspiring. We see firsthand how change doesn’t come from outside validation—it begins within. 🌱➡️🌻

✨ I Should Have Worn a Curtain is more than a memoir—it’s a mirror, reflecting the internal battles many carry in silence. Samyra Alexander has penned a powerful, necessary story that speaks truth to pain and offers hope to anyone learning to love themselves again.

Reviewed by Patrice “SCBookGal843” for MUBC Reviews

Book Review Alert: Heart of a Thug: Omar and Keisha’s Tale by Keely

Book Review Alert: Heart of a Thug:
Omar and Keisha’s Tale

Author: Keely

Kindle Edition

Published: October 29, 2024

Publisher: Wahida Clark Presents Publishing, LLC

ISBN-13: 978-1957954639

ASIN ‏ : B0DP3CDFJH

Overall Rating: 🖊️🖊️🖊️🖊️ (4 out of 5)

📚 Heart of a Thug: Omar and Keisha’s Tale by Keely is a raw and emotionally charged urban romance that dives deep into the complexities of love, loyalty, and survival. Keely takes readers straight into the heart of the streets, where Omar—a man hardened by life’s harsh realities—and Keisha—a woman caught between passion and the pursuit of something greater—fight to define their connection.

From the first page, the chemistry between Omar and Keisha sizzles. Their bond is powerful yet fraught with complications—past trauma, buried secrets, and constant threats of betrayal. Keely handles their relationship with gritty honesty, crafting a love story that is passionate, messy, and deeply human.

What sets this story apart is its perfect blend of toughness and tenderness. Omar isn’t just a “street dude”—he’s layered, emotionally vulnerable, and surprisingly introspective. Keisha, too, is more than just a love interest. She’s sharp, resilient, and determined not to lose herself to a toxic cycle. Together, their journey is full of struggle and growth, a testament to the possibility of love in even the most unforgiving environments.

Keely’s writing shines with authenticity. The dialogue is real and unfiltered, and the emotions are vivid. While a few plot points could be tightened, the strength of the characters and the emotional depth carry the story beautifully. Themes of redemption, trust, and resilience elevate this book beyond your typical urban romance.

🖤 For readers who crave urban fiction with heart, grit, and unforgettable characters, Heart of a Thug is a standout. Keely delivers a compelling reminder that love can survive—and even thrive—when tested by fire.

🔍 Book Cover Art:
The cover design leans into the familiar street-lit aesthetic. While it fits the genre, I believe the cover could have done more to reflect the emotional depth and character development found inside. A visual focus on Omar and Keisha or a powerful scene from the story might’ve better captured the book’s essence. Cover Art Rating: 3 out of 5.

🛠️ Editing & Professionalism:
This area was well executed. The book reads smoothly with only a couple of minor typos that didn’t distract from the flow. It felt like watching a movie unfold on the page. Great pacing and readability.

👥 Character Development:
Keely, you nailed it here. The characters are beautifully developed—real, flawed, and emotionally layered. Watching them navigate their struggles felt honest and relatable. It’s clear you poured your heart into these characters and their journey.

Reviewed by Patrice "SCBookGal843" for MUBC Reviews.

Book Review Alert: Dent In My Halo

Book Review Alert: Dent In My Halo

Author: Obsession

Kindle Edition

Published: September 7, 2028

Publisher: N/A

ASIN ‏ : B07H6MRT6Y

Rating: 5 stars

Andrea is not your typical preacher’s wife — not by a long shot. She made a promise to God to become a better woman... but she had no idea what she was stepping into when she married Pastor Denny. 👀 Let’s just say, when the mouse is away, the cat will definitely play. But here’s the real question: Who will the her cat end up playing with? And will Andrea finally get the satisfaction she craves — and deserves? 🔥💋

This book right here? Whew! It’s a full-course meal. 🍽️ For a novella, it gave me everything I needed in a juicy, spicy, drama-filled read. 💅🏾

Obsession — baby, you need to be first in line at the altar ⛪ because the things you did in this story? Straight-up sinful. 😈📖

Book Review Alert: “Nights of Infinite Desire” (An Erotic Poetry Series): Soaked in Midnight: Dripping with Want

 

Book Review Alert: “Nights of Infinite Desire” (An Erotic Poetry Series): Soaked in Midnight: Dripping with Want 

Author: Peach Envy

Kindle Edition

Published: April 17, 2025

Publisher: AAALAC & ASPIRING AUTHORS MAGAZINE

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F5JZ534K

Rating: 5 stars

What do you do when you have a desire so strong for someone that it burns from the inside out? Like they say—put it on paper.
Peach Envy... that's exactly what you did. 💋🍑

This book is for those who are in H-E-A-T 🔥—and when I say heat, I mean sizzling, can't-sit-still, fan-yourself heat.

When I do book reviews for poetry collections, I usually choose two poems that leave the biggest impact. But with Peach Envy... that was impossible. So I broke my own rule and chose three. 📖

"Park Queen" 🌿👑
Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. The thought of making love to my mate under the open sky… the grass beneath me while he’s within me 🌾🔥—this poem had my imagination running wild.

"Record Me" 🎥💃🏽
Whew! What the devil 😈! Don’t act like y’all ain’t never done it before. But turning it into a game between lovers and sending it to him? YES! That’s how you keep him thinking about you all day, every day. 💌🎧

"Against the Glass" 🥶🫦
This one? Lord have mercy. The way she describes her body pressed against the cold glass, with him behind her… the mist from her breath fogging the window…
Oh. My. God. 😮‍💨💦 I had to pause and collect myself after reading that.

One of the most unique features of this book is the space the author gives readers to reflect on the poems—or even write their own. 📝💭 That personal touch? Genius. It makes you feel seen, heard, and part of the experience.

Peach Envy, you a BAD one 😏🍑🔥
All I can say is... when that person finally gets a hold of you—or you get a hold of him—
IT’S ON AND POPPIN’!!! 💥💞

Book Review Alert: Poetry from the Unknown by J Lynn

Book Review Alert: Poetry from the Unknown 

Author: J Lynn

Kindle Edition

Published: December 7, 2018

Publisher: SloWriters Publishing LLC

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1944196080

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1944196080

Rating: 5 stars

✨📖 To do this review, I just had to talk about the two poems that totally rocked my world! 💥💋

First up — "Interlude - OMG" 😍🔥. Whew chileee… that poem made me wanna go find somebody and become their pleasure slave ASAP 😏🍯. Like, "do all the things you want me to"?! Yesss, please! The way she describes the smoothness of her skin and compares it to cupcake icing 🧁 had me like — I wanna be somebody’s cupcake icing too! 💃🏽💦

Then there's "Why" 💌... baybeeee, that one had me in a full-on emotional tailspin. It felt like a love letter in poetry form to the author’s soulmate 🥹❤️. Just imagine someone telling YOU exactly why you deserve their love… MMMMM 😩🙌🏽. It's all about loving freely and letting love flow naturally. OMG OMG OMG 😭💞.

Oh — and the ART in the book?! 🎨📚 Absolutely stunning!! It flows so effortlessly between the poems and adds a beautiful visual layer to the emotions. Like, YES — give me all the vibes! 🌈🖼️

J. Lynn, you OUTDID yourself 💃🏽🔥. What a passionate, beautiful, and sensual collection. You made me feel like a true woman — and now I’m looking at my man like: “Here baby, read this book and then come holla at me 😏📘💕.”

Tune in to our podcast interview with author J. Lynn—listen below!

Meet Da Geechie Poet: Author of Erotic Flight

Da Geechie Poet ✍🏾 is a 32-year-old spoken word artist 🎤 from Charleston, South Carolina 🌴, with three published books 📚 under his belt. But his journey into poetry started in the most unexpected way—with a few girl problems 💔 and a loose sheet of paper 📝 during study hall.

While casually scribbling his thoughts, a close friend sitting nearby grabbed the page, read it, and said, “You’ve got something here.” That small moment sparked something big. 🔥 It led to years of filling up composition notebooks 📓 with raw emotion and untapped potential.

Eventually, he realized it was time to share his gift with the world 🌍. Once he accepted his talent, he published his work and never looked back ⏩. It’s been a long road of growth and self-discovery, and while the journey to perfection continues 🎯, the support of loved ones 🫶🏾 has kept him grounded and motivated through it all.

For the past 14 years, he’s stayed true to one mission: to move hearts ❤️—no matter the age or background. Because no matter where we're from, we all feel, we all hurt, and we all heal. 🧠💭✨

Welcome aboard this lyrical flight 🛫—sit back, vibe out 🎧, and enjoy the ride.

Follow Da Geechie Poet on social media:

Instagram: Geechie Poet 

Facebook: Geechie Poet 

X: Geechie Poet

YouTube: Geechie Poet 

Patreon: Geechie Poet

Website: Geechiepoet.com 

 Da Geechie Poet's Catalog

Poetry books can be purchased at the following websites: 

Barnes & Nobles

BooksAMillion

Amazon (Kindle / Ebook)

Geechie Poet's website

Meet JLynn Mitch: Author of Poetry From The Unknown

 🎙️ SCBookGal & Friends had the absolute pleasure of chatting with the incredibly talented author Jlynn Mitch in an exciting and heartfelt interview! 📚✨

We dove into her journey as a writer, her deep love for poetry, and the inspiration behind her powerful words. 💬 From journaling to clear her mind to discovering that “Creativity is my safe space,” Jlynn shares how writing became her personal sanctuary.

Born and raised in Tampa, FL, she began writing in her early 20s. When she's not penning poetry, Jlynn enjoys kettlebell training and swimming—and she's already looking forward to starting her next creative project!

🔥 This conversation is full of laughter, insight, and literary gold you won't want to miss.

#AuthorSpotlight #SCBookGalAndFriends #JlynnMitch #PoetryPower #WritersJourney #PodcastInterview #LiteraryVibes

🎧 Watch now on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform!

Follow Author JLynn Mitch on social media: 

Facebook: Jlynn Mitch

Instagram:  J.lynn702

Author Catalog (All links are connected to Amazon):

Poetry From The Unknown

Check out this work by Author JLynn Mitch 

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Going Deep by Merrie B.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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The Muted Cage by Milagros-Lotus "BeYouTy" Romero
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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