Stepping to a New Day by Beverly Jenkins
Blessings #7
related book Night Song
292-page Paperback story ends on 290
Genre: African-American Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
Featuring: Author's Partial Bibliography, Town Map, Divorcée, Small-Town near Franklin, Kansas, Historical Black Town, Foster Care, Adoption, College Applications, Growth Trope, Relationships Woes, Independence, Illiteracy, Crime, Drama, Newcomers Trope, Feuds, Martial Issues, Secrets, Christianity, Bibliographical References, It Takes A Village, Sexual Innuendos, Multiple POVs, Birth Parents, Grandparents, Mother's Day, Author's Note
Rating as a movie: R for adult content
Songs for the soundtrack: "Bumpin' On Sunset" by Wes Montgomery, "On Broadway" by George Benson, "Rio Funk" by Lee Ritenour, "The Sidewinder" by Lee Morgan, "The Sermon" by Jimmy Smith, "Cowboys To Girls" by The Intruders, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" by Beyoncé, "California Dreamin'" by Bobby Womack, "Reasons" by Earth, Wind & Fire, "Windmill" by Lee Ritenour, "My Cherie Amour" by Stevie Wonder
Books mentioned: Yes, We Can Read by Libby Coleman, Hop On Pop by Dr. Seuss
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🆕️📅☀️
My thoughts: 📖 Page 69 of 290/292 Chapter 5 - I think I've hit the lull of the series. It's good but slow-moving.
📖 139 Chapter 9 - Riley and Clay as friends make little sense to me. I can't wait till tomorrow when I see how this ends. It's still a bit slow.
This story had a slow start but finally found its way. I'm starting to think the Author's Note is a spoiler because it asks questions I'm not thinking that alluded to what will happen in the next book. It's not a big deal because it's done sitcom-style. I prefer reading stories blindly so saying stuff like "Will so and so hook up," "Has X really changed," and "Are they going to represent themselves at their trial," is spoiling the next book for me. I'm going to start reading these notes after I finish the next book. As usual, they are taking think forgiveness thing too far my my petty bone, but I enjoyed the story. I also feel like some of these storylines are on pause and have been skipped over or accelerated in the last few books. It's months later and Kelly is just up to speed and her family is invisible in the background, along with several other characters.
Recommend to others: Absolutely!
Blessings
1. Bring on the Blessings (2009)
2. A Second Helping (2009)
3. Something Old, Something New (2011)
4. A Wish and a Prayer (2012)
4.5. Crystal Clear (2017)
5. Heart of Gold (2014)
6. For Your Love (2015)
7. Stepping to a New Day (2016)
8. Chasing Down a Dream (2017)
9. Second Time Sweeter (2018)
10. On the Corner of Hope & Main (2020)
11. A Christmas to Remember (2023)