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Poison Pen

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Bailey Hargrove only dreamed of becoming a published author until she met bestselling author Harini Samuels whose literary brilliance lit a fire in Bailey. When Harini offered to mentor Bailey, it was a dream come true until the project Bailey worked so diligently on, became Harini's next bestselling novel.More than a decade later, Bailey's put the terrible experience with Harini behind her forever and she's begun to fulfill her dreams as a successful author in her own right. The past comes roaring back when she discovers that her experience is not unique. Harini has taken advantage of other authors. Only one has the courage to stand with Bailey in exposing Harini, who responds by unmasking their secrets and hidden betrayals.Will Bailey and Lanelle's friendship survive Harini's bitter backlash? Will Bailey reveal the secret Harini thought was long buried?

254 pages, Paperback

First published October 2, 2018

21 people are currently reading
36 people want to read

About the author

Jacquelin Thomas

122 books405 followers
Jacquelin Thomas is an award-winning, best selling author with 94 titles published. Her books have garnered several awards, including two EMMA awards, the Romance In Color Reviewers Award, Readers Choice Award and the Atlanta Choice Award in the Religious & Spiritual category. Jacquelin was a 2005 honoree at the Houston Black Film Festival for the movie adaptation of her novel, Hidden Blessings. She was the first recipient to receive the Writers Achievement Award at the North Carolina Book Festival in Winston-Salem. She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine.

Jacquelin has published in the romance, women's fiction, inspirational and young adult genres. Her second book in the YA series, Divine Confidential was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award.

Jacquelin is happily married to her best friend and is the proud mother of three children. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina.

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5 stars
45 (77%)
4 stars
10 (17%)
3 stars
2 (3%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Cassandra Baker-Durham.
Author 8 books44 followers
October 9, 2018
Once again Jacquelin Thomas spins a tale like no other. Bailey is a huge fan of author Hirini's work. She reaches out to her at an event and as you can imagine all kinds of hell breaks out. Hirini is a selfish ogre and when her publishers tell her they want fresh new material she will stop at nothing to get it. Chile this book had more twists and turns than a roller coaster and just when I thought Hirini had sunken as low as she could go she'd do something else. Read it for yourself. Great read.
Profile Image for LaCricia A'ngelle.
Author 11 books8 followers
October 10, 2018
GET THIS BOOK!!!!! Oh my goodness! Jacquelin Thomas​ killed it with this book. This is a MUST READ!!! I loved it from start to finish. Put this book on the top of your to be read list and then...READ IT!!!! :) All I can say is WOW!!!
Profile Image for ShayBooks.
803 reviews17 followers
March 13, 2019
Bailey Hargrove’s Dream is to be a published author so when she reaches out to her favorite author Harini Samuels and she suggests that Bailey brings her synopsis to the book signing, Bailey is overly excited to have Bestselling Author Harini Samuels look over her work and then agree to be her mentor. Bailey feels like she is on her way until the worst thing could happen. Her Mentor takes everything from her, crashing her longtime dreams.

Harini is something else, this book makes you very skeptical about trusting people with your dreams and ideas. This book dealt with a lot of different issues and there was some twist and turns that you did not see coming. I really enjoyed this book and recommend to all.


#jacquelin’angels
Profile Image for Ellowyn.
554 reviews63 followers
October 12, 2018
This is an excellent story by Jacquelin Thomas. I just hope that the things that happened in this book doesn't really happen among authors. A great page turner.
Profile Image for Kim Walton.
Author 5 books36 followers
June 28, 2019
Southside Book and Writers Club (June) Book of the month

Five stars. Yep, you read it correctly, or you are seeing it correctly. The club gives Poison Pen a solid five stars. “I want to be a published author,” said Ms. Bailey. She took those words and set out to accomplish that goal. Bailey meets her idol, Ms. Harini, who is famous for her written work. This woman was a piece of work. She mentored Bailey just to steal her work as if that was not enough. Harini then went after Bailey's boyfriend.
To tell anymore, we would blow the story for you. The little above should get your attention enough to grab this book and read it. Lying, cheating, and stealing is not all that Harini does. Also, you have to learn how Bailey comes back and how karma plays a role in everyone's life in the story.
Profile Image for Shelia Bell.
Author 64 books202 followers
October 13, 2018
My My My!

A must read by one of my literary favorites. Whatever you're looking for in a book can be found in Poison Pen! Love, romance, realism, suspense -- all in the pages of this book. The best book I've read all year.

NY Times bestselling author Harini Samuels is one conniving, jealous and twisted chick. Unfortunately, she is a true representation of some authors in today's literary

Kudos Jacquelin. No wonder you're the Literary Queen!
Profile Image for Michelle .
84 reviews7 followers
October 13, 2018
Expect Unexpected !!! Whew Harini is something else. The plot twist caught me way off guard . You can’t win when you play the game of deception. This story is a reality check to stop trusting people with your manuscript & ideas . Not everyone has your best interest at heart, especially when they are an opportunist. Beware of Poisoned PENS
Profile Image for Terri Ann.
Author 8 books42 followers
October 28, 2018
Great read

The plot was great and the twist at the end was great. You’ll love it. Harini was a total villain .
Profile Image for Shone.
1,347 reviews28 followers
March 13, 2019
Better Than Everyone

An exhilarating story that held me in awe from start to finish. A plot twist out of this world. This is Jacqueline Thomas at her best


#Jacquelin'sAngels
Profile Image for Cassandra Haywood.
326 reviews
November 23, 2018
This was another page turner by this author. It held my attention from the very beginning until the end. The characters were well developed where I could feel the different emotions of what they were feeling or going through.
Harini Samuels is a perfect example of when you trust someone and look for their mentoring you. That they will pull the wool over your eyes just as she did to Bailey and steal her ideas for a book and try to take your man too.
It goes to show how a person is raised it can cause them to have mental health issues which is an illness that the black community will not address openly.
There is lessons to be learn that everyone you meet is not your friend, be careful who you have your man around and there are consequences when you do wrong.
I recommend this book to read.
179 reviews2 followers
December 2, 2018
Poison Pen is a must read with a wow factor appeal full of twist and turns that you will not see coming. Author Jacquelin Thomas brought her A game and did not hold anything back. She laid it all on the pages for you to enjoy. This page-turner will keep you on the edge of your seat in anticipation of the next move of the characters as they dance through the pages like an intense game of Chess. You will not be disappointed while reading this edgy, suspenseful read. I enjoyed every moment of reading Poison Pen. I was left thinking about the characters long after I reached the end of the novel. This novel is one to be high on the book discussion list. Don’t be left out on this one. I highly recommend this captivating read, Poison Pen.
Profile Image for Shannan Harper.
2,461 reviews28 followers
November 6, 2018
Out of all the books I've read this weekend. Three of them left me at the end with my jaw open and the only word I could utter was WOW. This is one of them.

I had no idea what to expect when I was got this book, and I had the opportunity to read it quicker than I normally do for a book discussion and I was not disappointed. It was a clean read ( which made it more enjoyable), and there were surprises all the way up to the end. I tried to read it slow to enjoy it longer, but I totally failed at it. The characters were relatable and it was one of the best and most enjoyable book I've read in recent months.
Profile Image for LaDonna.
Author 1 book38 followers
December 13, 2018
DONE
Where do I begin...I enjoyed this read not just as a reader and a new author. Although, I have never had any work stolen, I have experienced the shadiness of established authors with no words of encouragement
Fortunately, I have also experienced the support and encouragement of established authors as well. One being the author of this book. 💗💗💗 You must read this book.

#48of2018📚
#bookstagram
#faceBOOK
#blackbookworm
#booknerd
#prettygirlsread
#shereadsalot
Profile Image for Whitney.
20 reviews
June 9, 2019
Page turner

This book had me reading it from cover to end in one day. The storyline grabbed my attention and even reminded me of a few people in my own life. Regardless of what you feel about the characters, you will definitely have plenty to talk about. I'm interested in reading more from the author. This book left me speechless!!
Profile Image for Crystal.
525 reviews3 followers
November 4, 2018
Enjoyable and unpredictable

Jacquelin!!!! I loved this story because it was different and unpredictable. I had no way of saying to myself let me guess the character is going to do this. Everything that I was sure going to happen,didnt.
11 reviews
January 23, 2020
The Ghost of our past.

Another work of perfection by one of my favorite North Carolina author's. This story captured me in the first chapter, but I never expected the dramatic ending. Keep writing and Keep up the great work!
Profile Image for Darliss Batchelor.
Author 8 books7 followers
June 2, 2020
I Loved Poison Pen

Poison Pen explores so many different topics such as psychological issues as well as some intricacies of the literary industry. Ms. Thomas artfully weaves these subjects into a wonderful story that will keep you reading until you come to the surprise ending.
Profile Image for Donna.
8 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2018
Poisen Pen is Fiyah

I really enjoyed the manner in which the author took her time to developed the story. There were twists and turns that I didn't expect. It was a great read.
44 reviews
April 19, 2019
Suspense and romance

Kept me interested and focused on what to expect next. Just enough characters to make a good storyline and not to add a lot of confusion. Lots of surprises.
Profile Image for Marquia Holmes.
14 reviews
June 22, 2020
Great Read

Another great story from start to finish.I was captivated the whole read.I love reading do to read about authors was exciting
133 reviews2 followers
September 15, 2020
This was an excellent read, a well written story, this author always tell a great story, if you want a good read try her books. You want be disappointed.
27 reviews
January 26, 2019
Great read

This was a great book. It kept me looking for more. It had drama, romance and a lesson all wrapped up in one.
Profile Image for Karen Linton.
228 reviews20 followers
December 6, 2018
This is the 3rd or 4th book I’ve read by Jacquelin Thomas, and all are good stories. Unfortunately, the stories are nearly ruined by terrible editing. There’s nary a page in the entire book without a typo of some sort. Ugh. It’s bad enough that it’s impossible to get into the story because my Mrs Lambert (9th grade English) won’t let me read the page with mistakes and move on; I also have to correct all the errors.

Jacquelin, shoot me an email; I’ll help you out and edit before it goes to print.
Profile Image for LaCricia A'ngelle.
Author 11 books8 followers
February 16, 2021
This book was so good. What's done in the dark.... you know the rest. I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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