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Judge’s Girls by Sharina Harris – a Review

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Judge’s Girls by Sharina Harris – a Review

 

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Description:
Three very different women. Only one thing in common. But when their family patriarch dies and they must share his estate, the truths they discover will test them–and everything they think they know about each other.

Beloved Georgia judge Joseph Donaldson was known for his unshakable fairness, his hard-won fortune–and a scandalous second marriage to his much-younger white secretary. Now he’s left a will with a stunning provision. In order to collect their inheritance, his lawyer daughter Maya, her stepmother Jeanie, and Jeanie’s teen daughter, Ryder, must live together at the family lake house. Maya and Jeanie don’t exactly get along, but they reluctantly agree to try an uneasy peace for as long as it takes…

But fragile ex-beauty queen Jeanie doesn’t know who she is beyond being a judge’s wife–and drinking away her insecurities has her in a dangerous downward spiral. Fed up with her mother’s humiliating behavior, Ryder tries to become popular at school in all the wrong ways. And when Maya attempts to help, she puts her successful career and her shaky love life at risk. Now with trouble they didn’t see coming–and secrets they can no longer hide–these women must somehow find the courage to admit their mistakes, see each other for who they really are–and slowly, perhaps even joyfully, discover everything they could be.

 

 

Review:

Judge’s Girls by Sharina Harris is a standalone novel.  The story focuses on three women who are part of the same family, and how their lives are affected by the death of the patriarch.  Joseph Donaldson, a well known and popular Judge in a town in Georgia, died and left his wife (second wife, Jeanie), daughter (Maya, in her twenties and successful lawyer), and step daughter (Ryder, who is 17), in total disarray.

Maya Donaldson, who is the main character, inherits the home her father left her, but with provisions to allow Jeanie to live there as long as she wants.  Maya is not happy, since she has never gotten along with Jeanie; but she loves Ryder as her little sister.  Maya, who is black, is a beautiful successful lawyer, and has always resented that her father married a white woman after her mother’s death.  All three women are having their own issues, with them deep in mourning.  Maya is up for a promotion to become a partner in the law firm she works with, and is devastated to find out she is being bypassed.  Her boyfriend, Roland, who professes to love her, is a partner at the firm, and she resents that he did not help her get the promotion.

Jeanie is totally spiraling out of control, unable to handle the change in her life.  She begins to drink, neglecting her daughter and causing problems for Maya at work.  This causes both Maya and Jeanie to be angrier with each other, and making life more difficult for Ryder. Ryder decides to befriend a group of wild friends, which brings Maya to try and stop her from ruining her life.  I thought that Maya was a great character, very smart and independent; except in recognizing her true feelings for Roland. I actually loved Maya and Ryder relationship and how close they were.  Wonderfully done by Harris.  Early on I was not crazy about Jeanie, as she let herself fall apart, not looking at the other two people suffering from their loss.

It is Maya who will step in to force Jeanie into rehab, which will change things for the better.  Jeanie learns how to deal with grief, get herself on the bandwagon with her Alcoholism and find a new friend, who teaches her how open up with new possibilities; which includes confidence in painting.  Maya also gives advice to Ryder, who enters a poetry class, and meets Alston. Once Jeanie comes home, her and Maya slowly begin to accept each other, with some help from Ryder, who was determined to bring them together.  It really was a wonderful last third of the book, as we watch all three women move on with their lives, and become a family again.  

Judge’s Girls was a wonderful, emotional story about broken families, grief, forgiveness, racial issues, alcoholism, love and obstacles.  Sharina Harris did a wonderful job writing this wonderful story line that had me totally engrossed into the lives of these three women. I wholly suggest you read this book, so very well done.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 

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ImPerfectly Happy by Sharina Harris – a Review

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ImPerfectly Happy by Sharina Harris – a Review

 

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Description:
When four college friends formed the Brown Sugarettes Mastermind Group, they had very different goals–but matched each other in ambition. Yet ten years later they can’t help wondering what happened to the hopeful, confident, driven women they used to be–and how to get
them back . . .

Radio personality Raina, known as “the black Delilah,” hates the wholesome persona that’s made her a success. Doling out syrupy versions of her grandma’s wisdom feels worlds away from the sarcastic,
tell-it-like-it-is woman Raina really is.

Kara Jones was sure she’d be a master sommelier by thirty. Life and loss interfered with that plan. Now she has one more chance–but it’s taking a toll on her self-esteem and her marriage.

Nikki Grayson hardly recognizes the stay-at-home mom she’s become. When her band signed a record deal, she swapped the limelight for a minivan and a sensible ‘do. Now she’s wishing she had followed her heart. Instead, she’s drowning her regret in alcohol.

Public defender Sienna Njeri willingly put her city council aspirations aside to support her fianc�’s bid for office–and now she’s wondering if her loyalty is misplaced.

Longing for the support, advice, and tough love they once shared, all four resolve to start meeting up again. After all, their dreams may still be within reach. But are they worth the price they’ll pay to achieve them?

 

 

Review:

ImPerfectly Happy by Sharina Harris is a wonderful storyline revolving around 4 female college friends, who are still friends 10 years after graduation.  When life creates chaos for each of them, they resume their weekly get together to help each other get back on track on dreams and goals that have become sidetracked over the years.

This was a fun enjoyable story, and I really like all four of these wonderful ladies that have a bond many of us wish for.

Raina: She hates her job as a radio personality giving out advice. Raina is also having issues with her significant other, who wants to get married, but she having grown up with family problems, isn’t sure if she is ready.  Raina’s goals back in the day was to be an author, and use some of her experiences to create this novel.  But she has not had time, needing to stay on her job to make money, and now isn’t sure if Cam, will still want to marry her when she is ready.

Kara: She is a wine connoisseur, and though being pressured to take the test that will certify her, Kara hesitates to try again, as she fears that she will fail once again. Kara is married to Darren, and her self-esteem is already low, when she discovers that he is not sure if he really truly knows what love really is.

Sienna: She is a lawyer, who also helps out her fiancée, Keith, also a lawyer, who is running for office.  Kara’s goals were to become a campaign manager or run for office herself in the future.  When she catches Keith with another women, all hell literally breaks out, with the help of her friends.  This was a fun part.   Sienna will meet Chris, her campaign manager, and soon to be lover, who will help her make an attempt to run for office.

Nikki:  She is a housewife, with two children and her husband James.  Nikki always loved entertaining, as she has a wonderful voice.  Her friends push her to try to resume the dream she always had and sing again, with help from her mom and husband to give her a chance.  As she joins a band, she does go away for a couple of months to successfully start her singing career, but also picks up old habits (drinking), not to mention her husband’s displeasure of her being away so long.  

What follows is a wonderful story line, with each of the ladies having their own POV.  I loved their friendship, and how they encouraged each other to rise up and take control of their lives.  Sharina Harris manages to pull on our emotions throughout; laughter, tears, sadness, fear, love and anger.

ImPerfectly Happy was a great read, with a fantastic group of friends, who were supportive throughout.  This was a fun, sweet and emotional story that was very well written by Sharina Harris.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

 

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