New topic today one that I find really interesting!
I think we become wiser and smarter when we speak with people from other cultures and often from other races. I love traveling and meeting other ways to leave, other traditions and other races.It opens my eyes and put many things in perspective. I don’t hold the unique truth or the best way to live, believe and think. It’s an eye opener and it’s humbling.
So here are some of inter racial books that I’ve loved:
One you’ve seen many times now as I love them so much: Brishen, prince of the Kai kingdom of Bast-Haradis and Ildiko, niece of the Gauri king.
It’s one of the best romance books about differences and true beauty.
You’ve already had the synopsis and an excerpt of my review so I’ll cut the chase and give you two quotes.
“This should never have happened, Brishen. We were unimportant, you and I. We weren’t supposed to mean anything to anyone.”
“Woman of day,” he said slowly. “You mean everything to me.”
― Grace Draven, Radiance“see past the surface to the tides below. ”
― Grace Draven, Radiance
Starr and Chris in The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Another fantastic book for 2017!
Starr is black and Chris si white. And before shooting me for using “black” or “white” know that it does not hold any negative meaning as I have many “non white” friends. If you have a better word to use I’d ba happy to oblige but “from African origin” is quite long LOL
Here is an excerpt mixed with quotes or what I wrote about the book:
“This was Starr’s story.
How she struggled to maintain dual personality: one at home in Garden Heights with some slang and typical food and the one at her “white people” school well behaved, following others, etc. It must have been exhausting and confusing for Starr. Who was she really?
The book also featured the difficulties of dating outside your expected “pool”.
Starr is dating “white” Chris and she can’t help noticing other people looking their way when they’re walking on the street. He should be with a white, blonde and rich girl. Not with black and poor Starr.
For every doubt Starr had about their relationship Chris made it with his unwavering love and determination to show her how incredible he was. Praise for Chris as he did not have one preconceived thought about Starr and he stood his ground. He wanted Starr and no one else! How he’ll show his support and determination in the end!
This is also about courage and finding your voice. Starr has witnessed something traumatizing. Her childhood friend was killed under her eyes when he did nothing wrong. She’s been threatened as well. She now fears those meant to protect people. Police officers did not play a good role in this story neither did the “white justice”. Starr was the sole witness but telling the truth was dangerous for her and her family. What would I do being in her shoes? Would I be brave and honor my friend’s memory asking justice? Risking my life and my family’s security? Would I stay silent to protect those I love? But then how would I live with a guilty conscience?
“That’s why people are speaking out, huh? Because it won’t change if we don’t say something?” “Exactly. We can’t be silent.”
Daemon and Katy in the Lux series by Jennifer L Armentrout
Alien and human are really two different races!
I’ve already featured Daemon in my Book Boyfriend Challenge because let’s face it he is pretty hot! And naughty and arrogant and…
Synopsis:
Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring… until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something… unexpected happens.
The hot alien living next door marks me.
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.
If I don’t kill him first, that is.
Favorite quote:
“Daemon: I checked out your blog.
Katy: Stalking me again, I see. Do I need to get a restraining order?
Daemon: In your dreams, Kitten. Oh wait, I’m already starring in those, aren’t I?
Katy: Nightmares, Daemon. Nightmares.”
― Jennifer L. Armentrout, Obsidian
Death and Pagan by Abby Glines
I love this challenge as it pushes me to go back my “read shelf” and re-discover treasures I had forgotten. I remember liking this book so much! I don’t know what made it so good but I prefer this one to the other contemporaries I’ve read by Abbi.
Synopsis
What happens when you’re stalked by Death? You fall in love with him, of course.
Pagan Moore doesn’t cheat Death, but instead, falls in love with him.
Seventeen year old Pagan Moore has seen souls her entire life. Once she realized the strangers she often saw walking through walls were not visible to anyone else, she started ignoring them. If she didn’t let them know she could see them, then they left her alone. Until she stepped out of her car the first day of school and saw an incredibly sexy guy lounging on a picnic table, watching her with an amused smirk on his face. Problem is, she knows he’s dead.
Not only does he not go away when she ignores him, but he does something none of the others have ever done. He speaks. Pagan is fascinated by the soul. What she doesn’t realize is that her appointed time to die is drawing near and the wickedly beautiful soul she is falling in love with is not a soul at all.
He is Death and he’s about to break all the rules.
Favorite quote:
“You tempt me.I can’t be tempted.I’m not made to be tempted,but you,Pagan Moore,you tempt me.From the moment i came for you i was drawn in.Everything about you..”One of his hands left my waist and moved up to gently caress my arm.”You make me crazy with need.With want.I didn’t understand it at first.But now i know.It’s your soul calling to me.Souls mean nothing to me.They aren’t supposed to.But yours has become my obsession.”
― Abbi Glines, Existence
Lily and Ezra in King Hall by Scarlett Dawn
Another treasure I’ve found! I remember loving this series so much! Lily is an Hybrid and Ezra a vampire.
Excerpt from what I wrote about the book:
“Lily is a hybrid and has always hidden her true nature. In her world, hybrids are put to death at birth. After an unexpected tragic incident, she becomes one of the future mystical four rulers, the soon to be shifter’s Queen. She never thought something so terrifying would happen to her and she desperately does not want to rule. Terrified she won’t be able to do an Awakening due to her nature, she is always ready to flee. Nevertheless, she’ll work hard to prepare her future role. Smaller than other mystical, she is also ignorant of their traditions as she hid among commoners her entire life. Different, she is insecure but has incredible will and courage.
So, Lily is small, feisty, sarcastic and she’s got a special mention for her funny underwear.
Ezra is the vampire prodigy, future ruler of his specie. Incredibly strong he is …yummy (especially his “behind” in Lily’s eyes), cocky but also loyal and über protective of his loved ones. Man-whore he goes from woman to woman to forget his pain. Throughout the story, he’ll be Lily’s rock, attuned to her needs. Their first encounter is … brutal and they’ll create sparks, always butting heads in the beginning.“
Favorite quote:
“Sweetheart, Is today the day you run away alone in fear? Or the day you have the balls to trust in our friendship? Trust in the four of us. Together”
― Scarlett Dawn, King Hall
Brittany and Alex in Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Synopsis
A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.
When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created ‘perfect’ life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she’s worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect.
Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.
In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.
Favorite quote:
“I want to know how to make this girl laugh. I want to know what makes her cry. I want to know what it feels like to have her look at me as if I’m her knight in shinning armor.”
― Simone Elkeles, Perfect Chemistry
Gretchen and Phoenix in The Radius of Us by Marie Marquardt
I really encourage you to read this novel. It’s not about a romance or not only. It’s about hard subject as PTSD or immigration. The minors coming from another country and fleeing to US. It was really well written and the gravity of the topic was treated with honesty and sensitivity.
Excerpt of what I wrote about the story:
“This story is like an onion, it has many layers.
You can choose to see it as just a very cute romance between two touching main characters coming from different worlds: the poor migrant and the cute middle class white girl. Gretchen and Phoenix were perfectly assorted. Phoenix helped Gretchen to live fully and fearlessly again. He was solid, reliable. Gretchen made Phoenix feel welcome and worthy, she fought for him.
You can also focus on the journey Gretchen had to follow to feel whole and safe again. How she was riddled with panic attacks after THE EVENT, could not go to school anymore, could not drive or go outside without angst. It took a foreign boy’s understanding to make her live again. His presence was reassuring. Gretchen decided to help him build a garden, find some pupusas, play tourist in Atlanta. She forgot her fears to support Phoenix and he was her safe heaven.
Or you can choose to think about Phoenix’s fight to protect his little brother Ari.
This book may be YA romance with young main characters but reading it was thought provoking.
We take so many things for granted that we don’t even see we’re very lucky, spoiled even. We pay a fortune to have cut fruits at the grocery store while whole fruits cost just a penny. Phoenix was grateful just to be alive and in a safe surrounding without bullets flying or gang members taking your dearest possession. He was grateful for everything he’s been given, second hand clothes, a bed, a roof upon his head. His American dream was not to become rich or successful. He just wanted to have a little house, to walk freely and fearlessly in the countryside and maybe have a beer with a friend. This made me realize I was lucky.
Reading about Phoenix and Ari’s life in El Salvador, about their traumatizing journey and about their hope to be safe, to live made me truly see these migrant’s utter despair. Most don’t leave their country on a whim but out of sheer necessity.”
Favorite quote:
“I have this strange feeling that we’re both on our way to someplace better.”
― Marie Marquardt, The Radius of Us
And my winner is…
Josie and Samuel in Running Barefoot by Amy Harmon
It holds a special place in my heart as it was my first Amy Harmon! I fell in love with these characters, their story and with the graceful penmanship!
Here is what I wrote about the story:
“This is a story of unexpected friendship and blossoming love. It’s also a tale of wisdom, the journey of two kindred spirits to find their own path, to grow up. All of this happening in rural America, in a tiny city (village?) among farmers and a close community.
It shows you how some encounters are life altering helping you to discover your potential, your dreams and to blossom into your true self.
For Josie, it was her music teacher whom opened a world full of music soothing her soul as well as empowering and elating her. She also discovered the power and the mystery of words, of beautifully written novels.
Samuel came to accept his inheritance in all it’s facets thanks to the miracle of Josie’s friendship. She transmitted her passion for music and words, her faith in himself, making him feel stronger. Josie inspired him and he fought to be better, smarter and just become whom she saw in him.
At first, Josie was Samuel’s teacher on this journey, notwistanding her young age (she is kind of an old soul anyway). Some years later, Samuel came back to take care of her and help Josie to free herself from a life full of duty but devoid of true joy and happiness.
A moving story. I think Amy Harmon just became one of my favourite authors.”
Favorite quote:
“Oh Josie,” Samuel sighed gently. “Your heart is too tender for your own good.”
“I don’t usually cry like this, Samuel. Geez, it’s been years since I’ve cried like this. Since you’ve been back I can’t seem to stop. It’s like a cloud has burst inside me, and I’m caught in a constant downpour”
“Come here, Josie,” Samuel said, and when I slid over next to him he kissed me gently on the forehead and smoothed my hair from my damp cheeks. “Well then, maybe you should go ahead and just let it rain for a while”
And so I did.”
― Amy Harmon, Running Barefoot
Who is your favorite interracial couple?
Thanks for reading!
I loved Radiance by Grace Draven, Brishen, prince of the Kai is one of my fave heroes also adored Ildiko. funnily I also have a son called Kai he he.
I also really like the sound of King Hall so thanks for that am going to check it out.
Really great post hunni
Thank you Beckie!!! Really 😉
Oh, I like this one! I’ve REALLY gotta read some Amy Harmon, LOL!
And when you do Trisy I will be all “told you so” LOL