Help us keep the lights on >> Donate 

Main Content

Sign Up here

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the the latest in Mocha Girls Read bookish news

Welcome to Mocha Girls Read book club. Mocha Girls Read is a book club for Black women who love to read, want to read more, and meet like-minded women. We are here to inspire women to read, share literature, fellowship, and encourage others in the joy of reading. We meet monthly in 16 cities across the US. We are an eclectic group of women and so are our reading selections. We don’t limit our reading to release dates, gender, race or genre.  So glad you’re here!

 

Latest from the Blog

Book Tour Tuesday: Redeeming Rabbit by Harley Stone (Dead Presidents MC Book 11)

Every week we will introduce to you a new book from various book tour companies. This week’s selection comes from Xpresso Book Tours.

Xpresso Book Tours is run by Giselle of Xpresso Reads. She has been part of the blogging community since September 2011 and launched Xpresso Book Tours in October 2012. Currently, Xpresso Book Tours has successfully completed over 800 blog tours and 3,000 promotional events.

This way we get to find out about new books, discover hidden gems, and explore different genres. It’s an opportunity to broaden our literary horizons and dive into captivating narratives crafted by talented authors. Plus, the authors themselves benefit from reaching a wider audience, gaining recognition, and fostering a vibrant literary community. In essence, it’s a truly advantageous and mutually beneficial arrangement – a true win-win kind of situation. And let’s not forget the cherry on top of the bookish cake – the thrilling giveaway awaiting at the end. I mean, who doesn’t adore the chance to win a coveted book or literary treasure? It’s like receiving a little touch of magic, a gift that nourishes our love for literature and fuels our excitement to embark on new reading journeys. So, embrace the joy of discovering captivating books, connecting with talented authors, and indulging in the thrill of a wonderful giveaway experience!

Redeeming Rabbit
Harley Stone
(Dead Presidents MC Book 11)
Publication date: September 25th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Rabbit:
They say combat trauma can be the noose you hang from, the cross you bear, or the cliff you scale to survive. But I was a f*ck up long before my Army enlistment and the resulting PTSD. Thanks to the veteran MC that took me in, I’m coping with my condition. Mostly.

Until her.

The Complete Package. She’s way out of my league. I shouldn’t have a chance in hell with Elenore, but I got a peek under her hood and the sexy scientist has a screw loose.

Good thing I’m the best damn mechanic in Seattle.

Elenore:
I never once contemplated murder until my sister showed up bruised and bloody on my doorstep. Now, my intellect has overridden my morals to create an extermination plan with a 98.3% success rate.

Relax, I won’t actually kill anyone. Probably.

But he might.

Who knew I’d find a kindred spirit in my self-appointed tattooed biker bodyguard? Rabbit’s alarmingly protective but the most fascinating person I’ve ever met. And the sight of his bare chest just made the lock on my bedroom door spontaneously combust.

A tempest on the outside with a soft, gooey center, he could be the one.

If I’m strong enough to love him.

The Dead Presidents MC is a brotherhood of military veterans formed to help vets reintegrate into civilian society. They’re the good guys… mostly. Complete, standalone HEA love stories. No cheating, no cliffhangers.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

EXCERPT:

Rabbit

Elenore hadn’t flipped out on me for invading her privacy. Nor had she asked me to leave. If she dropped her towel and started dressing right there in front of me, I’d likely cream the inside of my jeans. She was perfect. And not just because she was brainy, beautiful, and had her shit together, but because she was fucking weird. I’d been through her entire apartment, and nothing was out of place. Her closet was arranged by color with pictures of her goddamn outfits to keep them straight. Nobody was naturally this clean, organized, and meticulous.

Elenore had a screw loose.

Which meant I might actually have a chance with her.

“You left the door open,” I blurted out, sounding like a fucking idiot.

“To my apartment. Not my bedroom.”

“It wasn’t locked.”

She added pants to the pile of clothes in her arms and turned to face me. “I need to get dressed.”

I wanted to tell her to go right ahead but decided not to push my luck. Still clutching the sexy photos I’d filched, I said, “These are mine.”


Author Bio:

International bestselling author Harley Stone specializes in imperfect characters, realistic storylines, scorching hot sex scenes, and fun, witty dialogue. She’s always up for a good adventure (real or fictional), and when she’s not building imaginary worlds, she’s dipping her toes into reality in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their five sons and two dogs.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok


GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway: FALLING INTO LEAVES Giveaway Hop 09/16-09/30/2023

Mama The Fox "Falling Into Leaves" Giveaway Hop 09/16-09/30/2023

Welcome to the Falling Into Leaves Giveaway Hop hosted by Mama The Fox. This hop runs from 9:00 AM ET on September 16, 2023 thru 11:59 PM ET on September 30, 2023 at 11:59 pm ET. The winner will be selected on October 1, 2023.

*****

Mocha Girls Read is pleased to offer the following prize:

  • One (1) print copy of Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want by Ruha Benjamin.

To enter, use the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to residents of the United States. All entries from non-US residents will be disqualified. Void where prohibited by law. (Please check your SPAM/Junk email folder periodically so that you can respond to “you’ve won” emails from the authors/publishers/Mocha Girls Read.)

*****

Prize:

Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want by Ruha Benjamin

VIRAL JUSTICE by Ruha Benjamin book coverAn inspiring vision of how we can build a more just world–one small change at a time

Long before the pandemic, Ruha Benjamin was doing groundbreaking research on race, technology, and justice, focusing on big, structural changes. But the twin plagues of COVID-19 and anti-Black police violence inspired her to rethink the importance of small, individual actions. Part memoir, part manifesto, Viral Justice is a sweeping and deeply personal exploration of how we can transform society through the choices we make every day.

Vividly recounting her personal experiences and those of her family, Benjamin shows how seemingly minor decisions and habits could spread virally and have exponentially positive effects. She recounts her father’s premature death, illuminating the devastating impact of the chronic stress of racism, but she also introduces us to community organizers who are fostering mutual aid and collective healing. Through her brother’s experience with the criminal justice system, we see the trauma caused by policing practices and mass imprisonment, but we also witness family members finding strength as they come together to demand justice for their loved ones. And while her own challenges as a young mother reveal the vast inequities of our healthcare system, Benjamin also describes how the support of doulas and midwives can keep Black mothers and babies alive and well.

Born of a stubborn hopefulness, Viral Justice offers a passionate, inspiring, and practical vision of how small changes can add up to large ones, transforming our relationships and communities, and helping us build a more just and joyful world.

*****

To enter this giveaway, use the Rafflecopter form below or click here. This giveaway is open to residents of the United States. All entries from non-US residents will be disqualified. Void where prohibited by law.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*****

MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

*****

Please visit these other Falling Into Leaves participants for more chances to win!

**********

October 2023 Sponsored Monthly Selection: The Cat That Played Chess by Catarrina Cummings

For this October’s book for 2023, we are so blessed to have Catarinna Cummings sponsor us and she has picked her debut book for our Monthly Book Selection.

The Mocha Girl Read Monthly Book Selection for October 2023 is The Cat That Played Chess by Catarinna Cummings

Take a minute to see what this book is all about.

Product tester and gadget geek Zapporah Leverne shares her home with couch-surfing buddy Sloth and pet cat Rookie. Her big heart gets her into trouble because she’s violated her apartment’s lease agreement. When her landlady gives her an eviction notice, Zapporah can’t believe her eyes since she and the landlady were on good terms, and she’s always been on time with her rent. That very night, Rookie displays an unbelievable skill; she’s able to set up a chessboard and move chess pieces. Zapporah believes Rookie’s skill could help her score the fast money she needs to get new digs.

Zapporah re-connects with Kenny, her ex-boyfriend. Although she’s forgiven him for catching him getting a lap dance from his boss, Gloria Stravos, Zapporah will not go beyond anything other than getting his help with securing a talent agent for Rookie.

Rookie is hired for a commercial, and just as things are about to look up for Zapporah, her intelligent cat is stolen. Sloth and Kenny attempt to outdo each other as they come to her aid to find Rookie.

When she gets a strange voice message from Gloria, Zapporah goes to find out what’s going on. She finds Gloria murdered. Previous opposition with Gloria implicates her as a suspect. Zapporah’s intuition about that strange phone call tells her that whoever stole her cat also murdered Gloria.

Zapporah and Sloth are up against a cunning murderer, white supremacists, and an inept cop to find her intelligent cat. Will gadgets, and a strong intuition be enough to help Zapporah find her cat and the murderer?

MEET THE AUTHOR

Catarrina Cummings is an author from Baltimore, Maryland who now lives in San Diego. She is the creator of the Snooping While Black mysteries series, with the first book being The Cat That Played Chess. In addition to dedicated service to her feline overlord, Madam Scrunchka, she also hones her guitar playing under a master instructor. 

Her love for chess began when she served in the U.S. Navy, traveling and engaging in tournaments. She’s thrilled that she found the chance to include it in her first novel.

Nowadays, Catarrina can be found solving chess problems and attending multiple book clubs. If she ever finds enough free time from these activities, she might wish to consider finishing the second installation of her mystery series.

Stay connected with Catarrina Cummings and her captivating cozy mysteries by visiting her official page at www.catarrinacummings.com. Catarrina loves to hear from readers, you can email her at catarrinacummings@kittymouth.onmicrosoft.com.

BUY THE BOOK

Click the picture to purchase your copy for the next book club meeting.

Book Tour Tuesday: Ragtown by Kelly Stone Gamble

Every week we will introduce to you a new book from various book tour companies. This week’s selection comes from Xpresso Book Tours.

Xpresso Book Tours is run by Giselle of Xpresso Reads. She has been part of the blogging community since September 2011 and launched Xpresso Book Tours in October 2012. Currently, Xpresso Book Tours has successfully completed over 800 blog tours and 3,000 promotional events.

This way we get to find out about new books, discover hidden gems, and explore different genres. It’s an opportunity to broaden our literary horizons and dive into captivating narratives crafted by talented authors. Plus, the authors themselves benefit from reaching a wider audience, gaining recognition, and fostering a vibrant literary community. In essence, it’s a truly advantageous and mutually beneficial arrangement – a true win-win kind of situation. And let’s not forget the cherry on top of the bookish cake – the thrilling giveaway awaiting at the end. I mean, who doesn’t adore the chance to win a coveted book or literary treasure? It’s like receiving a little touch of magic, a gift that nourishes our love for literature and fuels our excitement to embark on new reading journeys. So, embrace the joy of discovering captivating books, connecting with talented authors, and indulging in the thrill of a wonderful giveaway experience!

Ragtown
Kelly Stone Gamble
Publication date: September 12th 2023
Genres: Adult, Historical

Helen Carter lives in the back seat of her father’s Model T in the harsh Nevada desert, surrounded by thousands of desperate souls trying to endure the hardships of the Great Depression. When her father dies while working on the Hoover Dam diversion tunnels, she finds herself alone. In this unforgiving landscape where marriage, prostitution, and starvation seem to be her only viable choices, Helen is determined to defy society’s expectations of a young woman and create her own American dream. She relies on her resourcefulness to survive but soon realizes she can’t go it alone.

Ezra Deal, a young dam worker, brought his sister to Nevada in search of the father of her child, only to have the man reject her. Tragically, both his sister and the baby pass away during childbirth, leaving Ezra with a profound sense of guilt. Determined to distance himself from any further responsibilities, he focuses on his job and locating the man who callously denied his sister. But when he learns that his friend Helen is running from not only the law but also a Las Vegas gangster, he must decide between his independent lifestyle and helping her.

As Helen and Ezra grow closer and become more invested in the diversion of the Colorado River from its course, their lives parallel this monumental change. Ezra can picture building a life with Helen, but she has other ideas. With the help of a thirteen-year-old runaway, a few prostitutes, a dead desperado, and Ezra, Helen embarks on a journey to live life on her terms.

Incorporating actual dramatic events gleaned from the oral histories of the dam workers, Ragtown highlights a time in American history when ordinary men and women overcame the challenges of the Great Depression and thrived.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

EXCERPT:

EZRA

When we reached the camp, a circle of ten or so men surrounded another, who quickly shifted from one man to the next, cussing and threatening them with a hayfork. In the center of the circle, two small figures lay naked on the ground. Their hands and legs were spread wide apart and appeared to be tied to tent stakes. They weren’t moving.

Ben was coughing uncontrollably when he reached us. “Dear Lord,” he said in between coughs. “What the hell happened?”

“One of the boys gave a can of beans to Johnny-behind-the-rock without asking his daddy first.

They’ve been out there for over an hour now,” Helen said.

“Where did he get a hay fork?”

“He used it for a tent pole. Tore down the whole thing to get to it.”

I alternated my stare between the man jabbing at the spectators and the two small bodies on the ground. I didn’t want to get stabbed, but somehow, we had to get to those boys, and none of the other men seemed too keen on making a move.

Ben whispered something to Helen, and I heard her say under her breath, “If Ranger finds out we have a gun—”

“No.” I reached for Ben’s arm. “You’ll get fired. You can’t do that.”

Ben shook his arm loose. “Those boys are gonna die before Ranger gets here. I can’t let that happen.”

I could see the boys clearly now. They couldn’t be more than six or seven. Their skin was as red as a cock’s comb. I walked toward the circle, trying to focus on the man with the hay fork while others in the crowd tried to reason with him to no avail.

Too much going on and not enough sleep, or maybe I wasn’t thinking clearly, but as he turned his back to me to jab his weapon at someone else, I broke the circle and tackled him from behind. We hit the rocky ground together, me landing on top, the hay fork a few feet away.

The man struggled against me, and I hit him square in the temple with a closed fist. Then another. And another. I felt all the anger inside of me boiling up—anger at my father, at Billy, and even at Grace for dying on me, and I hit him again. He bucked and threw me off him, swearing as he rolled over. He tried to get to his feet, but I kicked him hard in the abdomen with my booted foot, throwing him back to the ground. I grabbed the hay fork and raised it high over my head, directly above him. His face tensed, and his dark eyes filled with anger.

As I lowered the fork, a strong hold around my midsection pulled me away, and I missed my mark by inches. “That’s enough, son,” Ben said from behind me. Four men held the offender down and, after untying the boys, hog-tied him with the same rope to keep him until Ranger arrived.

The boys’ skin had started to blister, and they were covered with red ants. I turned away, unable to look at them, and focused on Helen. “Are they alive?”

“Barely.”

Author Note: Johnny-behind-the-rock was mentioned in one of the many oral histories related to Ragtown. Too old to be employed on the dam project, he lived alone behind a large boulder with nothing to his name but the clothes he wore. He rarely came from behind his rock, moving throughout the day to stay in a shady spot. He rarely spoke and survived on what others gave him. He was known only as Johnny-behind-the-rock. I don’t know his story, I’m not sure anyone does, but I’m sure it was tragic to live as he did. I wanted to remember him in some way, even if it is only a mention in a work of fiction.

The ant scene is a fictionalized account gleaned from a true event that took place in Ragtown. I included it to show the cruelty that desperation can breed.


Author Bio:

I want readers to take something away from my books and short stories: something memorable, whether it be an interesting protagonist, an emotion or a moment in time.

Depending on what characters decide to sit beside me on a particular day, I may write historical fiction or quirky, dark humor.

My interests are as diverse as my writing. I am at home fishing on a river, riding horses in the mountains, reading on a beach, hiking through the desert or playing pirate with my friends.

I don’t believe in growing old and I refuse to grow up.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway