The Things We Bring To The Table

by Rod Palmer

T'was a Cinderella love story: diamond-in-the-ruff beauty, Cree, swooned by the charming and wealthy Russ Rutledge. Now the fairy dust is collected on the ceiling fans, Cree finds herself married to a man who refuses to touch her. She’s now giving up on the marriage after betting everything on love, but then she encounters a parallel-world version of who she would’ve become had she bet on herself.

The Grammy nominated singer with the stage name Lulu McQueen offers to trade places. Cree opens that Pandora’s box and falls in. Immersed in instant fame, and ironically, a steamy affair with this world’s bachelor version of her abstinent husband. Unfortunately, for Cree, things unravel quickly as she learns that Lulu left this world to escape pending criminal charges, financial ruin, and a threat upon her life.

In this thriller, Cree has but a small window to track down this other-worldly figure capable of transporting her back home. While forced to enlist the help of a few colorful characters likely double-cross her for their own second chance at life, she finds herself on a path of self-discovery, and to discover why Russ Rutledge, a man who can have anything money can buy and any woman he wants, sees so much value in her.

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2022

About the author

2023 AAMBC MALE AUTHOR OF THE YEAR, Rod Palmer is the son of a carpenter and a nanny, born in a historic Gullah Geechie community in Charleston, SC. He received his degrees in creative writing and Afro studies at the University of South Carolina before becoming an author, and growing a list of eight published novels and counting. Currently he resides in Europe where he is a dedicated husband and girl-dad, enjoys travel and writing the next novel.


A Pimp In The Pulpit
The Work-Husband Caper
The Harvest
Karma Wears Versace
KWV II: Man Eater
The Waymaker
The Things We Bring To The Table
Della: The Ballerina And The Billionaire

Reviews

[Mel Ladouceur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fast-paced, mysterious, and drama-filled book kept me on my toes always wanting more and not knowing how the story would end. Cree, the main character, is noticing increased issues in her marriage unsure how and when everything started going wrong. After a car accident, Cree meets Lulu known to be herself in another dimension. After Cree is forced to switch lives with Lulu, she soon realizes through hardships, secrets, and lies that things are not always greener on the other side.

The Things We Bring To The Table was my first book from the author Rod Palmer. I’ll definitely be looking at picking up another book from this author the next time I go to the book store.

I’m rating this book a 4.5! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Black Wren Press for the ARC. You can pick up this book as early as November 28th, 2022.

[ReadnliftwithShar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover immediately piqued my interest in this book. I’ve never read a book like this and it was an experience. It took me a while to understand the parallel universe but around 60% into the book I was all in.

I felt for Cree because she has been a partner and mom but she feels that something is missing. She’s given up her dream of being a performer. When she has a terrible accident she has an opportunity to experience the, “what if” that she’s been seeking.

In the alternate world, things are not as they seem and Lulu definitely led Cree on. Even I was bamboozled because I did not expect so much turmoil, secrets, and drama to unfold. This just shows that the grass isn’t always greener. I feel like Cree did not handle things correctly; communication lacked in her marriage. I would have liked to see more of her life after coming back from the accident. There was an important twist that was glazed over. I think Cree learned a valuable lesson from her experiences. This was a good read, I liked the authors way of telling the story and thinking outside the box.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mysterious and dramatic perfectly describes this novel. This novel centers around two women who share something special. One woman (Cree) is in a marriage that has turned platonic and toxic finds herself requiring more and soon circumstances occur that allows the change in her to happen. However there is no change without consequence or so it seems. The other woman (Lulu) knows this all to well. When the two lives intersect the things we bring to the table will be revealed.

I think Palmer did a good job with the Quantum Leap/Freaky Friday twist in the story even though it took me a second to catch on to what was happening. The author uses a lot of descriptive imagery to convey feelings and emotions in each scene. There was a time or tow or five where I felt that I wanted him to just "get to it". This was probably do in large part to me being impatient about what will happen next. I think the urgency that Cree felt to solve the mystery presented in the story was well written as were the challenges felt by them both. Detective Ryan was a solid character and likeable to this reader.

All in all, this was novel opened strong and moved at a moderate pace. The plot was interesting and I think executed well enough. However, I think the big take away was the emotional turmoil and realizations that you must experience to evolve into the person who brings their whole self into any situation and ultimately be responsible for your own happiness. If you don't recognize your own value, who will?

I would recommend this book to those who like drama with a mysterious thrill.

I received an advanced copy and am voluntarily leaving my reviews.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK some kind of way Lulu and Cree are the same person in two different universes. When Lulu finds herself being accused of murder she convinces Cree that there is evidence in her universe that she must obtain inland Cree says she’ll do it Lulu insist that must be horrible goes to this certain house and get it. Creed decides to do it as long as they can switch back, … Lulu is a one hit wonder a single mom and she struggling Cree is well-off established and is in a stale marriage with Russ, Who is her boyfriend in Lulu‘s world. Although to a certain extent both these ladies will be getting what they want they both have troubles with secrets detector Brian end it all makes for a funny great book. I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would I love books about switching places and freaky Friday type scenarios but if I had to give one word to this book it would be brilliant! I loved it I love the ending it was just an awesome awesome book. I received this book from Booksprout and the author but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shell Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reader of Rod Palmer and I have to say I enjoyed his mysterious and dramafied story of is it really greener on the other side of the road... Cree is trying to fix her marriage but she just can't figure out when everything went south with her husband. Trying to fix one problem leads to a car accident where she meets her other self from a different parallel universe. Both women agreed to switch lives with one another. The thing Cree didn't know is Lulu is a lier, a deceiver and will do anything to get her happily ever life even stealing it. This story will lead you on an adventure of why Lulu left her world and Cree is finding out why its not always greener on the other side and why keeping secrets can destroy relationships. Enjoy 👀.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aside from some grammatical errors, I quite enjoyed this book.

The beginning was confusing for me at first but I started to understand the more I stuck with it.

I liked seeing the different parallels with Lulu and Cree's lives.


The magical elements definitely made this book more interesting and I loved the huge cast of characters.

The ending was a bit on the quicker side for me, but overall I really enjoyed this and am interested in checking out more from Rod Palmer.

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 = This story presented a very interesting premise and for the most part was well executed. There were a few parts that seemed inconsistent with the rest of the story and parts that left me with unanswered questions. Overall, it was an engaging, fast paced, suspenseful, unique story.

[Benita Cleaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Writing with a good imagination brings about a good story. Loved this. Fantasy , mystery, with a little drama. The first two chapters had me a little confused but as I kept reading all became clear. Loved the ending.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time I have read a book by Rod Palmer. It was a very interesting read. The characters were engaging and the premise was different from some of the books I have previously read. It is one of those books that makes me wonder, "what if?" There were some editing errors that detracted from reading the book, but, otherwise, I would read another book by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[sinag · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 stars!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was so disappointed because the premise was very interesting and intriguing to me. However, I find this book very slow-paced for my liking and thus, bored me out all throughout. A lot of paragraphs and sentences in here added nothing to the plot and I wished were just cut out or told in a concise way instead.

[Charlotte Mee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fast paced book. And I honestly had no idea how it was going to end.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and it kept you guessing the whole way through!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shannan Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I had no expectations when I started this book. I wasn't sure if it was for me at first, but it got more interesting as I kept going. Lulu and Cree are the same person that happen to live in 2 different realms of reality. They meet after Cree has an accident, and decide to switch and see how the other one lives.

This story will eventually take you on a fast paced, emotional roller coaster ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It will keep you guessing and in a way have you wondering. And by the time I got to the end, I was shooketh. This truly turned out to be such a great and interesting read.

I received a copy of the book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions.

[Always_Cher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I read of Rod Palmer and this book make me excited to read more off him.

Usually I don't like it when multiple universe switch places but this is one of the few books the has done is so well. It kept me curious about how the story will go and it would end.

I loved the mystery and the drama through out the whole book. I got a little bit confused at first before it figured out about that Cree and Lulu are the same person but from a different universe.

This whole book will take you on a journey and I liked it a lot. From beginning to the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Adalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Escape-cation

From the very beginning of this wonderful book, you are being set up for a different type of voyage. A voyage deep into the meta verse. The realism of the storyline and the chemistry of the characters, flows and twists and turns itself.

A wonderful way to spend a rainy weekend.

This was a fantastic voyage that I am looking forward to taking again. This was the first time I’ve ever read anything from this author and it is DEFINITELY not the last.

Any opinions expressed within this review are solely and uniquely made by me and I am happily leaving this review. I originally voluntarily received an advanced copy of this book via bsprout.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story switches between Cree and Lulu, the same person but living different lives. Lulu is desperate to trade places with Cree, making the most of the alternative to her advantage. Their personalities are completely different - this makes it easier to follow both characters in different settings - and adapt differently to their new lives. The book is written in the present tense, so readers read the narrative in real-time. A personal pleasant way to read since nothing in the future can be foreseen and readers learn what happens at the same time as the characters.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Manisha Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading from this author but not my last. This story is an thriller with action and adventure with some love along the way. This book is definitely a must read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nadia Jonesy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and The Black Wren Press LLC for this advance copy of The Things We Bring to the Table. I did not find the writing pleasing to read as well I found the writing choppy. It was okay but was not enjoyable to read.

[Kayla Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story that would keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat! The start was slow but once it got going it was hard to put down! Definitely a story about how the grass isn’t always greener!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Erica Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative

Love the story line, defiantly had to think out box for this one…great creativity and amazing characters. Love thrill and action.

[Yolanda Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different Ride

What can I say? This was a different. It started off a little slow, but it kept my attention! Can't wait to read more from this author.