Cece In The City

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  • From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home

    Book: From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home

    Author: Tembi Locke

    By: Cece Hymes

    This book was our January Book read. I watched the series on Netflix so I couldn’t wait to read the book.  The book was also good and had some things that were different from the series but still worth the read. It was about a lady named Tembi who goes to Italy. She wants to do something different with her life. Instead of her parents taking care of her she wants to support herself. She meets this Guy named Sato who is a chef. It was like love at first sight with them. Saro’s family is Sicilian. They have certain traditions and him being with a black American woman is one that they disapprove of.

    Sato and Tembi fall deep for one another and no matter what they have to go through they face it together. They enjoy their time that is spent together and then she has to go back to the U.S. and they do the long distance thing for a little. Then Saro goes to the U.S. to start his new life with Tembi. They go through things like every couple. Sato misses his family a lot but tries to stay positive. Sato and Tembi get married and he invites his family which still disowns him. He really wants his family to be there but it’s not going to stop him from marrying Tembi. His parents did not make it but someone in his family did, and others sent congratulations by fax. Sato gets sick and Tembi sticks by him. They decide to adopt a little girl from birth and raise her.

    Later in the years Sato gets Sick again and his family comes around to at least talk to him and be a part of his daughter’s life. It’s so sad. One thing I can say is that I love it when two people become friends first and then lovers. I always say your best friend is your soulmate. Especially when you can communicate and talk about everything. You go through the highs and lows and still put each other first. That’s the love I respect and love. Tembi learned how to deal with life day by day and to keep her daughter knowing both sides of the family. It takes a village to raise a child and takes family and friends to help when a person is grieving.

    I loved the book and the series, both were great. Make sure to check both out and tell me what you think. There’s a lot more to the story but I don’t want to give it away and tell too much of the book. If you have read the book and would like to join our Virtual discussion the first week of February comment below and I will reach out to you.  You can follow Cece Book Club or follow me @Cece.Atl 

  • Interview with Mary HoneyB Morrison

    Check out the article we did on Mary HoneyB Morrison as she share her journey on being an author.

    Check out the article https://issuu.com/cecewibnet/docs/wib_june_2022_final

  • Girl Forgotten By Karin Slaughter

    Book: Girl Forgotten

    Author: Karin Slaughter

    By: Cece Hymes

    This is the first book I have read by this author. I saw a lot of people were talking about this book, so I had to read. It was a good book. It took me a while to figure out who had killed the girl. When you think about high schoolers it’s always a clique. Everyone has their own clique in school.

    This book was about a group of so-called friends hanging together until one day something happened to Emily who is in that clique. She doesn’t remember what happened she just know that whatever happened she was raped, and it was by one of her so-called friends. She doesn’t understand how one day her whole world can turn upside down because of her friends and no one seems to want to tell the truth.

    Andrea’s father was part of the clique and is in prison. Andrea knows he is a bad man, but she is a cop well a US Marshal and she has been put on a case to help protect Emily’s mother who is a judge. While protecting her she is also secretly investigating what really happened to Emily 40 years ago. There Are other things going on in the same town that Emily was killed in. Andrea doesn’t live there but she goes there to help with the case. She was sent there because she is needed. New clues pop out each time she tries to solve another case but the old one keeps coming up.

    It’s sad what happened to Emily and on prom night how someone could kill her like that while she is pregnant. The baby survived and is all grown with her own child. She always wanted to know who killed her mother. Even though Emily was killed so long ago it still haunts everyone in that town. Seems like they all are psychopaths that love to be in control of people and everything.

    Reading this book, I really wanted Ricky, Nardo and Wexler to get dealt with. Those 3 made me so angry. How these 3 just had no conscience whatsoever. The way they treat women and young women at that made me angry. That’s why I always think us women need to stay strong and protect one another. We are so vulnerable and so attachable to things that are wrong. Love can make you go crazy and make you look over a lot of things. Jealousy is evil also. Just be aware of your friends and always keep your eyes open. You can see who is against you and who is with you. Time will tell.

    Check out the book and let me know your thoughts. Also join Cece Book Club.

  • Sweeter than honey by Joy Avery

    Book: Sweeter Than Honey

    Author: Joy Avery

    By: Cece Hymes

     

    You know I love a good love book. This book was very interesting to me and seems like a lot of books that I have read always start off with pretending to be in a relationship and then really fall in love with the person. I just love books like this. They all just have a different way and story that each one falls in love with the other person.

    This book was about Rylee and Canten. Rylee owned her own shop and she loved to cook. Canten, he was the sheriff of the town that everyone loved. He really did a lot for his community. Canten’s wife had passed away and so did Rylee; they both just been living life not really trying to date anyone. They have both been friends for a long time and have attraction for one another. They just don’t want to react to it.

    When they faked their relationship, I think they both really wanted to be with each other anyway but didn’t want to let the other one know. I am glad that they were friends first. My motto is always your soulmate is your best friend. They both needed to get things off their chest and out in the open. It was secrets that they never shared with anyone that they found sharing with each other. There were also times when others tried to come and win the other person’s interest, but they didn’t let it happen.

    They both actually know a lot about each other, and they are neighbors, so they watch out for each other already. One thing I love about this book is Rylee’s parents now that love is the kind of love I want. Growing older together and years later and still having that spark for each other is definitely what I want.  I loved their characters in this book.

    Everyone wants love but when you have someone that makes you happy that’s a different kind of love. When you have not just a lover but a best friend that you can communicate with about anything and they don’t judge you but push you to be stronger than those types of people you don’t want to let go.

    Rylee and Canten grew together as a fake couple but were there each step of the way. They included each other in events and couple things. They both felt a love they had never felt before. When you know what you want you go after it. They made each other feel like a queen and king.

     

    Make sure to check out the book and let me know what you think. Also join Cece Book Club

  • I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette Mccurdy

    Book: I’m Glad My Mom Died

    Author: Jennette McCurdy

    By: Cece Hymes

    I had a chance to read this book. When I saw the title, I was like wow who would write a book like this? I didn’t really know who she was, but my daughters did because they watched the show she was in. I do like reading people’s memoirs on how they got to where they are today. A lot of celebrities, well people in general, have gone through a lot in life. Let’s get into this book.

    It was about Jennette McCurdy’s life. If you do not know who she is she plays in the show Sam & Cat by ICarly. She talks about how she struggles with eating disorder; addiction and I would say emotional abuse from her mother. Her mom has been in control of her life since day 1. She practically lived her life through her child. What Mother washes and shaves their child all the way up to when the child is an adult. Her Mother made her do acting at a young age, but Jennette hated acting. She did anything her mom said because she wanted to make her mom happy and not disappoint her.  She talks on how she got different gigs and how she got on nickelodeon.

    It’s a lot of things that go on behind closed doors that actors/actresses deal with. Models also go through it. People love to give hush money for people not to talk about it. I can’t even imagine what was going through her mom’s head besides money for her to treat a child and her own child the way she did. Her mother manipulated her throughout her whole life and now that she is grown, she is learning a lot but still confused at the same time.

    Glad she decided to get help and try to get her life on a ball the way she is living can really hurt her. When reading this book, I like how she didn’t bash her mom which I know that others would but explained it in a way to tell her life. She hated what she did to her but would always love her because she would always be her mom. She looked at life as being a lie, but you can’t go back, you can only go forth. Going forward and making changes. She took a break from life and got some help, had some friends pushing her in the right direction and also went to get a connection with her dad. I know it’s going to take therapy and great people by her side to keep pushing but believing. Starting with change and yourself is always great.

    I hope that everything goes well for her and that she gets the help she needs. I also hope she will be better than everyone who did her wrong in life and that she truly has true love so whenever she starts her own family, she will give them nothing but love, realness and guidance.

    This book was an eye opener and also sad but again, I love reading about people’s journeys and how they got to where they are. Even if you do not know who she is, it’s still a book that you can read about addictions, manipulations and the way she became a celebrity and more.

    Tell me what your thoughts on this book. Also join Cece Book Club.

  • The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann

    Book: The Romantic Agenda

    Author: Claire Kann

    By: Cece Hymes

    I always say I love romance stories. This book was good. It was about a lady named Joy who had been best friends with a guy named Malcolm for years and years. Joy loves Malcolm but she never told him that she was in love with him. Malcolm loves Joy also and all the women he ever dated feel like he puts Joy as number one, and they leave.

    Malcolm lets Joy know that he is into this lady named Summer and that they have been chatting for over 2 months. Joy is used to knowing everything about Malcolm and gets jealous. He invites her on this getaway trip with him and Summer. They decide to bring Summer’s best friend Fox. He wants Fox and Joy to hang out so he can get closer to Summer and to see if Summer and Joy can get along.

    I like that Joy is straightforward and speaks her mind. She may not say that one thing about love to Malcolm but everything else she speaks freely and openly. Fox comes on the trip and he kind of observes. Joy and Fox spend time together. They decide to fake like they like each other to see how Malcolm would react. Fox and Joy actually end up liking each other. They brought out something different in one another.

    They thing I love about the characters is that they all are open to trying to get better and they open up to one another. The romantic getaway showed everyone what they really wanted and what they were willing to try out. I always say your best friend is your soulmate. I do think that Joy and Malcolm would have worked out, but I feel like Joy will have more fun with Fox. I also think that Fox will be more gentle with her.

    I would love to read a part 2 of this book to see how it would go with everyone. To see if Joy can handle moving on from Malcolm or if they realize that they are soul mates.

    If you read this book let me know your thoughts. Also join Cece Book Club

  • Interview with Brittney Holman

    Did you miss this article???

    Check out the article we did on @brittney_l_holman
    As she talks her book and project

    Download on

  • What Looks like crazy on an Ordinary Day

    Book: What Looks Like Crazy On An Ordinary Day

    Author: Pearl Cleage

    By: Cece Hymes

    This is the second book I have read by this author. Both books are really good. This book was about a lady named Ava Johnson who was from Michigan but had moved to Atlanta to start her career and make money. She made good doing hair. Now as we all know Atlanta is full of parties, celebrities and having a great time. Some years later she is doing great and finds out she is H.I.V Positive, she wants to do right and tell all the guys she ever slept with in the last couple of years to get checked. She mailed all of them letters and one of their girlfriends came to her place of work and went off.

    Ava decided to go stay with her sister in Michigan for some months before she goes to San Francisco. She goes back to her hometown and sees it different than what it used to be. It’s a lot of young ladies pregnant, a lot of young people on drugs and seeing that the town went down. Her sister helps out with the youth and tries to educate them in life.

    There was a baby born but the mom was on drugs, the mother’s family was on drugs also, so Ava’s sister decided to take care of the baby. Try to give her love and the best home for the baby. Ava sees an old friend and they get close. They share their past and life experiences. They accept each other for who they are. They all become close and try to help the community. It’s a pastor and his wife in the neighborhood that are not great pastors that try to do bad things to Ava and her sister.

    So much transparent between the community, a lot of robbing, the older folks being scared, The young people on drugs being evil doing things they had no business doing. The pastor’s wife does something bad and gets the baby to go back to the family who really do not want the child but are doing it for the money. They hurt the child and ran. It’s sad what people do when they are on drugs. It’s sad how the mindsets are of people in today’s society. I like that Ava is honest about what she has and doesn’t want to put others in danger.

    As I read this book, I feel sad for everyone in the book even though good things happen. It’s like the real world, you have to be safe, anything can happen. As women we need to learn self-defense, safe sex, and more. I have a women’s group that I will be working on adding these kinds of classes for us to take.

     

    Make sure to check out the book and let me know what you think. Also Join Cece Book Club on Instagram and Facebook.

  • The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochon

    Book: The HookUp Plan

    Author: Farrah Rochon

    By: Cece Hymes

     

    This book was good. I love a good love story or should I say a happy ending. I have read a couple of books by this author. It is about three friends that met when a guy was dating all three of them. They became friends and decided to meet up on Fridays to talk, vent and catch up.

    London was a hard-working lady. She worked at a hospital that she loves. She could have been in a higher position, but she loved her patients. She spoke her mind for sure. She didn’t really have a life outside of work besides meeting up with her mom and her friends. She tried to find a hobby. Her life was work, nothing really fun. She set up this class reunion and ran into her competition from high school. It’s been 15 or more years since they last saw each other.  

    Drew has done good for himself, he makes millions, looks good, and single. He always had a crush on London from High School but now that they are grown, he runs into his high school competition or should I say his crush. So, what supposed to turn from a one night stand turns into an agreement to just hookup. Drew always wanted more; he just really hopes London opens her eyes and really looks past the past and looks at something that can be real between them.

    Come to find out the same place London works Drew has to do some work there meaning they will see each other more than expected. They both have other things going on in their life but as they spend time together, they open up to each other which is much needed. I think every relationship should start off with friends. When you are friends first a lot of things fall into place. When you can talk to your partner about everything and feel protected it goes a long way. When you have an understanding, it makes it better.

    Another thing I love about this book is how real they are, how they don’t let money affect who they are. I love the London character in how she speaks her mind might sound raw sometimes but she says what she feels to her friends, boss, associates and mate. She doesn’t run from the problems she thinks about and tries to see what’s best. She may love competition, but she will tell you. Also love Drew character he knows what he wants he goes after it and doesn’t give up. He has an opportunity of love with his crush and is going to make it work even if it’s her way to start off.

    It’s more to the book than just what they love, but you have to read it to see. Know that you can get some advice and tips here and there. I want to be as Bold as London, that’s for sure. Life is about chances to ask for what you want and go after it. I am all for that. Even I like how they not all in the social media world they work and are successful. They deal with real family problems. They both have a great heart and I loved the position they have and what they do for the people.

     

    Make sure to Join Cece Book Club on Facebook and Instagram.

     

  • Book The Memo by Minda Harts

    Book: The Memo: What Women OF Color Need To Know To Secure A Seat AT The Table

    Author: Minda Harts

    By: Cece Hymes

    This book was about Color women securing the seat at a table. It lets you know sometimes that you need to step out of the box. Go to the golf courses, the happy hours and networking events. You have to get out to be put in higher positions.

    We always have an excuse to not go to working events. The excuse we give is we are tired, want to watch a show, relax, etc…… We just need to go because we miss out on different opportunities and see what everyone is talking about after hours.

    This book gives you knowledge gained from some of the author’s careers and what she learned. This book was not a big book at all, very simple to read. It gives advice on how to be a CEO, how to ask for more money and to take chances.

    Make sure to check out this book and let me know what you think. Also join Cece Book Club on Facebook and Instagram.