Author: The Smart Cookie

Thirty something reader, writer, and music lover who believes all people should have the freedom to espresso themselves however they choose. This community is born out of an equal love of reading, writing, and the power of faith and coffee.

7/27: Pop music that packs the girl power punch!

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

When you think of the numbers 7/27 what do you think of? For most Harmonizers, this is the birthday of the girl group that keeps them motivated to chase their dreams and become bosses, much like it’s five founding members. Founded during the second season of the X-Factor made up of Ally Brooke (22), Normani Kordei (20), Dinah Jane (18), Camila Cabello (19), and Lauren Jauregui (19), they finished third on the show and signed a joint deal with Simon Cowell’s record label and L.A. Reid’s Epic Records.

Their debut album, Reflection reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 200 before being certified gold a year after it’s release in February 2015. Since they are pop music role models, they’ve gone on to have music featured in a Hershey’s commercial, become the face of Kohl’s Candie’s brand, and also the faces of the Clean & Clear brand. Despite their youthful ages,  each lady in the group Fifth Harmony is seriously smart, sassy, and fierce and no person can deny their music packs some serious girl power!

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7/27 is the girl group’s second studio album released on May 27, 2016. Since it’s release, it’s debuted at #4 on the Billboard Hot 200.

Song by Song Review

“That’s My Girl”: Featuring writing from hit singer-songwriter Tinashe, this track features themes of female empowerment despite the struggles we face as women, and has a drumline-type musicality, melody, and rhythm.

“Work From Home”: The lead single off the album which was Fifth Harmony’s highest charting single to date, features rapper Ty Dolla Sign and is a “fun, flirty song” that’s musicality will have you putting in work on the dance floor. My favorite part of the track is when Ty raps: “She’s the bae, I’m her boo.” For me, this is the anthem of anyone who works freelance or remotely.

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“The Life”: A song that should be used in a car commercial because of it’s EDM musical influences, co-written by Tinashe, this track discusses the youth of today living the life. Lauren said this about the collaboration with Tinashe, “She has really sick melody flows and lyrics. It’s very cohesive with us. It’s drawing from the same experience.”

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“Write On Me”: A romantic track featuring musical elements of an acoustic guitar, is about drowning in someone’s story because you love them so much and everything about them, vocally the girl’s slay on this track. Co-written by Priscilla Renea, it features her signature musicality and songwriting style and produced by Norwegian DJ Kygo who gave this track it’s tropical house influences.

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“I Lied”: This track is definitely one of my favorites because it’s got a great beat and it talks about how you think you found and felt love once before but you lied because this is love like you’ve never known. It’s a electronic love-ballad that references Mary J Blige’s Real Love.

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“All In My Head (Flex)”: Co-written by the girls and featuring Fetty Wap, this reggae fun and flirty dance track is hella catchy. It’s the second promotional single off the album and is definitely a future earworm that will in fact, be stuck in your head.

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“Squeeze”: A melodic song written by Priscilla Renea,  it talks about wanting some comfort in a time of vulnerability. The squeeze is the action of a hug – a strong yet comforting hug. For all the times you need somebody to hug but there is nobody physically there for you, turn on this song and you will feel like you are getting a hug just by listening to this song – ‘Squeeze’. It features sample music from Fly by Sugar Ray.

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“Gonna Get Better”: 5H Member Ally Brooke says this song perfectly expressed the emotions she was feeling the day they recorded this ballad. Musically, it has a reggae sound.

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“Scared of Happy”: Another Tinashe-written track, in this song, it tells a story about a girl who used to be unafraid and strong but got hurt. And now that she has found another one, but she is having second thoughts because he might hurt her or leave her (like the last guy did to her). She is afraid to love again because of the hurt she has encountered with in her past. It very much sums up the scars that betrayal and abandonment cause.

“Not That Kind of Girl”: Right away, when I first heard this track I could hear the 80’s style vibes. Written and featuring Missy Elliot, this track talks about a girl who has standards and isn’t afraid to let guys know what they are. To me, this track sounds a lot like Janet Jackson’s “Creep” but in a totally original way. This song is now my phone’s ringtone.

My favorite line is in Missy’s rap verse: “You think I’m a THOT? Forget that.”

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“Dope”: A track off the deluxe version of the album, it features a signature Fifth Harmony sound with their in sync harmonies and vocal ranges. It talks about the vulnerability that comes when you care for someone but lack the confidence to tell them how you feel.

“No Way”: Recorded two years prior to this album original slated for Reflection, this track written by Victoria Monet is a ballad that talks about two people’s relationship and how everyone else views it but only the two of them no the truth of the situation.

Overall, Fifth Harmony once again did not musically disappoint and is about to embark on the 7/27 tour with opening acts JoJo and Victoria Monet, starts on June 22 in Lima, Peru.

 

Church Clothes 3: Old School Hip-Hop Feel With a New Message

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

Chances are, when you think hip-hop, you think of names like: Lil Wayne, Drake, Big Sean, Eminem, and Busta Rhymes to name a few.

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If that’s the case, then you are seriously missing out on one of today’s greatest rappers. Yet, unlike the names above, Lecrae doesn’t rap about name brands, the number of cars he drives, drinking Patron, or even about different ways he can sex women.

The reason why Lecrae is one of my favorite rappers of all time is because his music is still bumping (the beats are even sicker than those of the hip-hop artists mentioned above) while his lyrics are not emotional. They just contain substance and spirit which is all how he’s changed the game for Christian hip-hop.lecrae

Remaining true to his beliefs, Lecrae is an artist that redefines mainstream popular culture. Thematically, one can find inspiration, faith and honesty in his music. But it’s more than that and yet it is quite transparent. If Oscar Wilde was correct when he said, “Most people are other people, their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation,” it’s simple to understand the easy attraction to Lecrae. In a sea of indulgent music, he’s swimming against the tide embracing all the things that make him the man he is, including his faith. And at the heart of it all, Lecrae is pleased to share the secret to his success. He explains, “I just have to have integrity and be true to who I am and what I believe in. Music doesn’t need to be categorized. It just needs to be good.” Indeed Lecrae is at the climactic crossroad of his career.

For the past few years, Lecrae has been the epitome of transcendence. What started as a practical approach to mentoring the youth population at a local juvenile detention center has led to a worldwide mission. As an artist, Lecrae has nearly reached the pinnacle of success. He’s released seven bestselling albums and two mixtapes, won a Grammy award in the process and landed a global distribution deal with Red Distribution/Sony Music for the record label he co-owns, Reach Records. In 2010, Lecrae released the critically-acclaimed album Rehab. It debuted in the Top 20 on the coveted Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. By 2011, Lecrae released a follow-up album, Gravity, scoring the #1 pole position atop the Rap Album and Independent Album charts and debuting at #3 on the Billboard Top 200. He’s since performed at the BET Hip Hop Awards, contributed to Statik Selektah’s mixtape and collaborated with a litany of hip-hop veterans and producers. In between albums, Lecrae produced and released Church Clothes, his own mixtape, hosted by radio legend Don Cannon. It featured production by Boi-1da, 9th Wonder, S-1 and Street Symphony, an indication that Lecrae’s positive message has been well received by his contemporaries. In fact, the mixtape earned a double platinum rating and debuted at #10 on iTunes (Reach Records).

Church Clothes 3 was released on January 15, 2016 debuted at #12 on the Billboard Hot 200 and #1 on the Billboard Christian music charts.

      Song by Song Review

“Freedom”: The opening track to this mixtape starts out directly addressing child prostitution that occurs even here in America in the form of sex trafficking and child pornography and features American soul sing N’Dambi.

“Gangland”: Directly addressing gang issues in different parts of the U.S., this track features rapper Propoganda whose verse notes the irony that many Christians have cared about Tom Shoes, & Gay Marriage, while ignoring the fact that they are essentially passing over the bodies of dead black people and turning a blind eye to the major hardships of urban youth in their backyard.

“Deja Vu”: Probably one of my favorites off the album because of the musicality (the use of a jazz piano throughout the track), it addresses the presence of God’s goodness in one’s life in the midst of the world’s chaos. My favorite line in this song is:

“Rich man need a vacation, hop a plane
Broke man need a vacation, Mary Jane.” 

“Sidelines”: This song will have you like:9e891a70a4e9959dc68827a3f15fc62f.480x270x79

This track addresses Lecrae’s critics who accuse him of being part of the Illuminati and collaborating with secular artists like E-40. It also addresses how other hip-hop artists have self-righteous songs that brag on them instead of building up today’s youth.

“Cruising”: This track has the feel of one of those low-riders musically with lyrical content similar to Ice Cube’s “Today Was A Good Day,” addressing a day in the life of Lecrae and his walk with the Lord.

“It Is What It Is”: My favorite track off the record because it reminds me of my dad’s own trademark phrase, this track has an old-school hip-hop feel but addresses those who criticize Lecrae but he’s not letting it get him down, he’s going to keep doing what he’s doing: living out his God given calling and putting out music that challenges mainstream popular culture, and loving on his woman and his family. Yes, Lecrae. The Smart Cookie has your back!

“Can’t Do You”: The first time I heard this track, I was all like:drake-13.w529.h352

This track is a club banger for sure and features mainstream rapper E-40, this track once again addresses issues like criticism and comparison. Lecrae is quoted as saying that this song addresses: “In the social media age that we live in, it seems everyone voices their opinions on how you should do you. If you play sports, there’s the coach potato sitting on the couch being a coach.”<—He always knows how to word what I’ve dealt with. Thank you Lecrae.

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Lecrae and E-40 back in December 2014 when this song was in the works

“Forever”: A song dedicated to Lecrae’s wife, he follows tradition with dedicating at least one track on every album and mixtape to his wife. Challenging the mainstream rappers who brag on the number of side chicks or phones they have, this is a refreshing glass of hip-hop brandy talking about how much he loves this one woman. #RelationshipGoals

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“Misconception 3”: Following suit of every Church Clothes mixtape, Misconception 3 addresses seeing things you wouldn’t expect such as a Donald Trump (famously against illegal immigration) at a taqueria. The musicality of the track is from Nas’s “New York State of Mind.” Lecrae’s verse on the track addresses being made in God’s image and how each of us is responsible for being as creative as God is. Some feel that our reason, self-determination, and creativity reflect the image of God. Creativity, specifically, is referred to as dynamic. Unlike animals, we have the ability to create and design. The track features  John Givez, JGivens and Jackie Hill-Perry.

“I Wouldn’t Know”: Following suit of his other famous tracks “Fakin” and “Nuthin,” the last track on the Church Clothes 3 mixtape addresses how “real recognizes real” and so does God in the end. This track features fellow labelmate KB. My favorite line off this track is:

You ain’t runnin’ the streets, you just runnin’ your mouth
I don’t hear what they speak

because of it directly addresses the majority of mainstream hip-hop how its all about what you say but there is nothing of value to show for all that the rappers brag about.

Church Clothes 3 and Lecrae’s chart-topping accolades have led to the release of a memoir-style book on Christian living called Unashamed which tells of the singer’s life story behind his musical success, and has since made the New York Times’s bestseller list.

Lecrae was signed to major label Columbia Records as of May 12, 2016 and once again proves that when you “seek first the kingdom of God, all these things will be added unto you,”(Matthew 6:33) and “with God, all things are possible”(Matthew 19:26). #CongratsLecrae

#MusicReview: #ThankYou by @meghan_trainor

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

There are many trains to jump on nowadays. Yet, if you’re smart like myself, you’ll hurry up and join the MTrain bandwagon. Meghan is no newbie in terms of music. She’s been writing songs since she was 11 years old growing up in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Her first ever published song was 19 when she co-wrote a song with country duo Dan and Shay and “DJ Tonight” and “I Like The Sound of That” were born, and later cut by country supergroup Rascal Flatts. At the young age of fifteen, she home-produced her first three albums, Meghan Trainor, I’ll Sing With You (acoustic), and Only 17. Trainor attended Berklee College, and is a musical prodigy with the ability not only to write and sing songs but she can play piano, guitar, ukelele, percussion, and trumpet.

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Not only is Meghan a musical force to be reckoned with at the young age of 22, she’s a prominent voice for body love no matter your size and self-love being the healthiest and most important form of love other than the healthy relationship Trainor has with her adorable parents, who supported her from the moment she was 12 years old, and told her dad she was going to be a pop star, and he would need to buy her a tour bus. Her personal style is ’50’s crooner meets the timeless beauty of Marilyn Monroe. She’s helped me and millions of other girls see that you should love yourself for who you are, and never be ashamed for what you look like even if you aren’t a size 2. #ThankYouMeghan

Meghan wrote “All About That Bass” but found no artists would use it. With incredible gutsiness, Trainor performed it on ukelele for Epic Records chair, L.A. Reid. It was released as her first single as a signed artist on June 30, 2014, and its music video became a viral sensation. “All About That Bass” reached number one in 58 countries and became one of the best-selling singles of all time, with worldwide sales of 11 million units as of December 2014.

Trainor’s three home-produced albums were pulled from circulation in anticipation of her major label album, Title, which was released on January 9, 2015. It debuted atop the Billboard 200 charts, making Meghan the 13th artist with a #1 single and #1 album. It was the 9th best-selling album worldwide of 2015.

Thank You was released on May 13, 2016 from Epic Records and musically inspired by Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Bruno Mars.

Song by Song Review

     “Watch Me Do”: A James Brown feel, this song produced by Ricky Reed, is a sassy self-love anthem about “doing your thing.” My favorite part is the bridge: I’m the shhh, be quiet/I’ve been on a low-hater diet.

 “Me Too”: This has to be my favorite off the album right now mostly because it’s so catchy and it’s the second single off the album. It’s Trainor’s club banger co-written with Jason Derulo that once again promotes self-love in a healthy way and good luck not dancing to this one when you hear it. The video for this was pulled because a heavily edited version photoshopped Trainor’s waist to an unrealistic size and she pulled it because it gave mixed messages. Once again, #ThankYouMeghan

   “No” 

The first single off the album, about a hard rejection, and standing up for being okay with your independence while out at a club or a party, it’s Trainor’s joke with L.A. Reid. The track is a powerful woman’s anthem.

“Better:” Containing soca elements and featuring, Yo Gotti this track is about realizing that the person you are seeing isn’t up to your standards, and letting them know that.

“Hopeless Romantic”: This is one of my favorites off the album because this track is my response to all those Nicholas Sparks movies, saying how they set one’s expectations at a unrealistic level but either way, I’m not giving up on love. It reminds me of an old-school ballad.

“I Love Me”: This is another favorites off the album because it’s just too catchy not to dance and sing along too. It’s a song celebrating who you are as an individual. Featuring Lunch Money Lewis, it reminds me of a song that you can dance to or kids to double-dutch to.

“Kindly Calm Me Down”: A piano ballad that shows sassy Trainor’s vulnerable side. Trainor wrote it when she 18 about her father’s battle with cancer and she pitched it to fellow pop singer Christina Aguilera who didn’t cut it because it didn’t fit her album when it was in its final stages.

“Woman Up”: Co-written by Hot Chelle Rae bae Nash Overstreet and Taylor Parks, this girly song is about being strong after a break-up with dance pop musicality complete with reggae elements.

“Just a Friend To You”: A track written and performed on a ukelele, it’s a song about seeing a friend as more but you can’t do anything about it because the circumstances aren’t right.

“I Won’t Let You Down”: With Carribean vibes, the song comes off as if Trainor is singing to her parents but it’s actually a self-actualization song about bettering oneself.

” Dance Like Yo Daddy”: A song inspired by dancing with her dad in the music video for “Better When I’m Dancing” which she wrote for the Peanuts movie, it’s a song she co- wrote with Kevin Kadash for both her dad and for the love of dancing.

 “Champagne Problems”: A dancy song she co-wrote with Ryan Tedder last for the album after she had a problem with the album and her manager said to her, “Don’t forget. You have champagne problems.” It’s a song about problems that are so miniscule you don’t really need to worry about them.

    “Mom”: Featuring Kelli Trainor in the bridge, this “mom song” is one that can bring emotion and fun. This song is showing Meghan’s thanks to her mom for being the best mom she can. She is also expressing the love her mom gives towards her, to her fans and of course, her mother! As someone who’s best friends with her own mom, I love this song a lot because it has the same musicality of “Dear Future Husband” but brags on moms everywhere.

 “Friends”: Co-written with Ryan Tedder, it celebrates spending time with friends with a sound much like a “Bob Marley track.”

“Thank You”: The title track off the album where Trainor personally thanks her fans for helping her live her dream everyday it features R City and leaves the album on positive note.

Overall, this is another solid banger of an album and for that, we’d all like to “Thank You” to Meghan for being such a light musically and teaching young people to be okay with who they are. You are a role model and are the only popstar I know who does press in a onesie and heels. Keep slaying, girl.

 

 

#MusicReview: Lemonade by Beyonce`

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

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Idolatry is alive and well in 2016. Don’t believe me? Just say the name Beyonce` in a public place and tell me what happens. The usual reactions are both men and women sobbing, people getting in formation of all races and genders, and someone yelling “YAASSS QUEEN!”

The Ebony beauty with the Cotton Candy Pipes released a new album following her April 23 HBO Special of the same name exclusively via Tidal, a music streaming service only found on smart devices. Lemonade is Beyonce` ‘s 6th studio album and is currently retailing at 17.99 for a hard copy.

Song by Song Review

    “Pray You Catch Me”: The ballad opens with Beyonce` crooning: “You can taste the dishonesty it’s all over your breath,” and so sets the main theme of the album: the bitter cross of infidelity and being cheated on. Musically, you hear elements of a church organ in parts like she’s bringing her troubles straight to the altar.

    “Hold Up”: My favorite line on this track is “Been walked all over lately, I’d rather be crazy.” That is lyricism at its finest but with this track, Beyonce`’s musicality contains Carribean elements, paying homage to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Soulja Boy.

    “Don’t Hurt Yourself”: Featuring Jack White, this is Beyonce` meets rock n’ roll. She’s channeling Tina Turner and Jimmy Hendrix on this track.

      “Sorry”: The anthem of the entire album because of the heavy I AM FEMALE lyrical content. This song is for any woman who’s been done wrong by a man anytime, anywhere. The hook alone is a pop culture phenomenon: “Middle fingers up, put them hands high
Wave it in his face, tell him, boy, bye
Tell him, boy, bye, middle fingers up
I ain’t thinking ’bout you.
I ain’t sorry.” They even have yellow shirts with the phrase “Boy, Bye” on sale on Google. This is my favorite song on the entire album.

    “6 Inch”: A R&B hit in the making, the track features the Weeknd, and has a strip club vibe about it musically. For me, it salutes any hard-working woman out there listening.

    “Daddy Lessons” This is heavily played on Beyonce’s Pandora station. Opening with a trumpet solo, it pays homage to Beyonce’s childhood back in Texas and talks about her relationship with her father, and has the can’t miss line: “My daddy warned me about guys like you.”

     “Love Drought”: R&B musicality, this track is an airy plea to reinvigorating a relationship riddled with trust issues and insecurities. It was co-produced by Kanye West’s long time collaborator, Mike Dean. He’s the reason behind the track’s floating synth line and rich bass section. This track was made two years prior to its release.

    “Sandcastles”: A piano ballad song and played by Beyonce this was inspired by the late Prince's advice to Beyonce to learn how to play the keys to really make music that sticks with people. Like the waves that wash “Sandcastles” away, reality has tested this marriage and the promises that were made. Now Beyoncé starts to think about what comes next.

      “Forward”: A short but notable duet between Beyonce` and British singer James Blake, it is the turning point of the album. Moving “forward” from the infidelity and acting with courageous strength.

     “Freedom”: Featuring Kendrick Lamar, it’s a song that takes you back through history and hints on racism and how it still very much exists. Along with issues affecting black women, social equality justice are major motifs of this song.

   “All Night”: A midtempo love ballad featuring Diplo, it’s the unofficial close to the emotional journey of the album. The song illustrates a wise love, one that has experienced deep pain and disappointment yet was able to come out the other side determined to keep going. The chorus samples the infectious brass line from Outkast’s “SpottieOttieDopaliscious.”

    “Formation”: The lead single off the album, this track hits on many hints to the Black Lives Matter movement. Musically, Beyonce incorporates Bounce style of hip-hop which originates from New Orleans. It closes out the album with trademark Beyonce` strength with the line: "I dream it, I work hard, I grind til I own it."

Whether you are just crawling out from under a pop culture oblivious rock or you are a super fan, there is something totally addicting in Beyonce’s lemonade and I’m going to keep on sipping on it to quench my musical thirst.

#BookReview: Joyride @byannabanks

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

The first time I ever saw Anna Banks, I thought she was the coolest person in the room. I admired her personality and how she could command the authority of every eye in the room not with just her good looks but also because she had a brain and clever one-liners. There, in a lecture hall, at Saint Leo University, I vowed that one day when I was a best-selling author, I would be as cool and confident as Anna was that day.

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Just as the author herself made me want to be her when I grew up, her writing does the same thing to anyone who dares to not get hooked by the authenticity of her characters and the social issues her books discuss. Being that I knew she was a best-selling author of the Syrena Legacy, I knew her writer was going to be far from mediocre. Yet, one thing I wasn’t aware of is how quickly her writing took me out of this world and into the world of Carly Vega.

Carly Vega is just like any other teenager except that her home life is anything but pristine. She studies hard, and works every available shift at the Breeze Mart just to take care of her and her brother who live together in a trailer park. And before you go and judge her, you should watch what you say around Carly because she’ll put you in your place if she thinks you’ve stepped over the line. And she is cool with going unnoticed and not being an unruly teenager.

That is until she meets Arden Moss, former star quarterback and the town sheriff’s daughter.

Not only did I find myself relating to Carly on a personal level but this story will take you on the ride of your life from page one. I’m not even kidding.

Banks grips you with romantic plotlines and witty remarks said by characters that go from being ethnically defined on page one to being a human you both admire and want to be friends with someday. and a hero you root for. Banks’ Joyride mentions current social issues like illegal immigration and racism but she uses clever plotlines to make you fall in love with the character as a human and start to see that maybe people shouldn’t be defined by ethnic heritage but as who they are as humans, as people.

I’m pleased to announce that in order to get the whole world in on the Joyride bandwagon, I am hosting a new giveaway. 10 winners will win either a Joyride bookmark or a Joyride sticker signed by NYT best-selling author and Florida native, Anna Banks.

Just enter this Rafflecopter giveaway and you’re all set. Winners will be announced 1 month from today!

Joyride Giveaway

To get to know more about the extremely cool Anna Banks, follow her On Twitter and check her website for more information about her other books and upcoming releases.

 

 

 

 

#BookReview: The Cilantro in Apple Pie by @knightsley

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

I love YA  novels but one thing I love is when I am automatically gripped by a character in a YA novel. Something about them resonates with you because as you keep reading, you find that they are a mirror of you, in some way.

I was surprised that I found myself mirrored in the character Rubie Keane, a sixteen year old from Trinidad and Tobago, who speaks the dialect and really seems like a fish out of water in her new school, Lumiere Prep. She really starts getting attention when the school’s most popular A-lister, Gil Stromeyer. He is drawn to Rubie and foils her plans to be overlooked in her new life in Boston.

What I love most about Knights’s writing is that it speaks loud and proud to both her own culture (the author was born and raised there just like Rubie) and how she takes the reader to school not only about Trini culture but hits on common social issues of today such as racism and mental illness. Yet, she weaves a gripping story from start to finish that ties all these ingredients together like one delicious and flavorful recipe. For a debut novel from an indie author, this looks to be a rare but meant-to be destiny for Knights much like watching a shooting star glitter a foggy night. Looking forward to more from this author.

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The author is holding a giveaway via her facebook page  where you can enter to win a Cilantro in Apple Pie tote bag and a $25 Amazon gift card.

You can find her also on Twitter here. View the book trailer for The Cilantro in Apple Pie below.

#BookReview: The Marshall Plan by @oliviadeard

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

Young adult fiction has always been my favorite genre. And in January, I joined the  10 minute novelists Facebook group in a late-attempt at joining the 365k club (I was two days too late), and I introduced myself.

Near the end of January/beginning of February, I happened to see a “Buddy Day post request for reviews” one of which was for this very book, The Marshall Plan. The book is a young adult novel, and sequel to the Partition of Africa, in Ard’s The Bennett Series.

Published in October 2015, The Marshall Plan is written by Olivia Folmar Ard, my fellow colleague from the 10 minute novelists.11944003

Olivia began writing creatively at eight years old. During middle and high school, she attended several writing conferences and submitted poems and short stories to various writing contests. She finished her first long work of fiction, a novella entitled Heaven’s Song, in the tenth grade. Her short story “By Its Cover” placed first in its division in the 2008 District III Alabama Penman Creative Writing Contest. She took a reprieve from writing during her years at the University of Montevallo, where she earned a degree in history in 2012. She finished and published her first novel, The Partition of Africa, in 2014.

Olivia currently lives in central Alabama with her husband, to whom she’s been wed since the age of twenty-two, and their cat, Buddy. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys watching quality television–The Office (US), Parks & Recreation, 30 Rock, and Friends are her favorites–and cooking without recipes. Along with working full-time at her alma mater and studying English at the graduate level, she is busy working on her next literary adventure (Taken from Amazon.com).

What I love most about The Marshall Plan as a whole was that there was never one minute while reading it that I was bored or didn’t feel like I was learning something new about the human experience or the main character Molly Marshall.

I became so engrossed in the story that I felt myself not only relating to Molly but morphing into her. I mean I related to her on so many levels:

  • Graduated college but unable to find a job where I could use my degree or degree-related skills
  • She has a roommate of a handful of years that doesn’t really acknowledge her because she’s too busy pleasing her boyfriend in every way
  • Molly struggles with insecurities that prevent her dream of being a writer coming true that stem from her rough and emotional abusive relationship with her father.
  • Gavin insists on waiting until marriage for Molly and him to share physical intimacy (This was refreshing to see featured as a choice of the main male character featured in young adult literature).

Even though I read this book for free as a favor for a friend, I would recommend that everyone read it because Ard commands your undying attention from the first and last touch of the pen to paper. I now am aching to read the next work in the Bennett Series.

For more information on how to purchase please visit Amazon or follow Olivia on Twitter.

 

 

#BookReview: Boys, Boys, Boys by @jamiegraceh is a book made for girl talk

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

As previously mentioned, I’m so very, very single. Like Jamie Grace, I’m a 24 single since birth girl. Yet, I’m not even bothered by it because I don’t spend my time dwelling on it. It’s been 24 years and I’ve become accustomed to doing my own thing. I just spend my Friday nights with my mom catching up on DVR shows instead of hitting the club looking for love in a sweaty casual desperation.

While I wait for Mr. Right, Jamie Grace’s book reminds me I’ve already met him in a man named Jesus.#BoysBoysBoys

Published in 2013 as a response to Jamie’s Viral Video, this is an expansion of the things Jamie stated in that video: the answer to the daily question, Why Are You Still Single?

“I’m single because I choose to be.
I’m single because I’m waiting.
I’m single because I am choosing to wait.”
-Jamie Grace
In 14 chapters, Jamie addresses different thoughts on dating and the casual view on love that parallels Christians in today’s society. Overall, I related to everything Jamie addressed and felt like I was having coffee or a girls night with Jamie herself just having girl talk throughout the book.
It’s targeted for middle and high school age girls and is an easy read.
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At 24 years old, Jamie-Grace Harper is the baby in the family, but has accomplished many incredible things in her young life. Jamie-Grace is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, actress, and spokesperson. In addition to her music, Jamie-Grace is also the founder of I’m A Fighter and is actively involved with other organizations as well. She and her sister Morgan sing together in their duo, Harper Still. Jamie Grace is known around the world for some of her songs, including “Beautiful Day” and “Hold Me.” However, most importantly she is known for the way she chooses to live for Christ and share her story wherever she goes. (From BeautifulFamilyForever.com).
Overall, despite the fact that my copy was missing two chapters (I wish I knew what they said), the book as a whole was exactly what a single girl needs: encouraging words from a friend who understands the single life, the Jesus way.
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#MusicReview: From Rags to ‘Hell’s Kitchen Angel’ with @Maxgschneider’s new album

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

Max Schneider has already made me cry. Now I know what you’re thinking but let me clarify. He made me cry because he followed me on my personal account via Twitter. As a Schneider Monkey (fans of Max Schneider; hinting to Max’s love for monkeys) since June 2012, I never thought the day would come when I would be noticed by such a talented and handsome singer-songwriter but enough fangirling, let’s get to chatting about who Max is for those who don’t yet know.

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Max Schneider is an actor/singer from Woodstock, New York who started performing at the early age of three. He started out dancing on his coffee table and ended up dancing on a broadway stage where he starred in the musical 13. After this, he was signed to a talent agent at the age of fourteen, and went on to appear on many different television appearances, including being featured in a Dolce & Gabbana ad campaign alongside Madonna.

He’s best known (and I became a fan of his) after watching him alongside Keke Palmer in the Nickelodeon musical movie, Rags.

#FunFact: In Rags, @Maxgschneider sings in “Someday” a line in which his character sings, “Someday I’ll be the next big thing” How true that is today. #HellsKitchenAngel

He also was a star of the musical Nickelodeon show “How To Rock.” He’s been writing music and released two EPs, First Encounters in 2010, and Say Max EP in 2014. His music career took off when he started doing covers and posting them on Youtube. This and his acting career with Nickelodeon helped him catch the attention of Victoria Justice, who invited him to open for her on her “Making It In America” national tour.

His rise to fame came this year when he was simultaneously signed to DCD2 records, alongside labelmates Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco, and many notable others in the music world. He also released his first single from the label, “Gibberish” ft. Hoodie Allen. His music video for this track was used to promote the Youtube Music Awards.

This past summer, Max went on the Boys of Zummer tour with Wiz Khalifa and Fall Out Boy. He just finished up touring with R5 on the Sometime Last Night Tour. After releasing EP’s since 2010, Hell’s Kitchen Angel is Max’s debut studio album.

Song by Song Review

“Hell’s Kitchen Angel”: The title track off the album, referencing to where Max grew up, the section of New York known as Hell’s Kitchen, this track’s musicality is soulful with sound of a music baby made by James Brown and Bruno Mars.

“Gibberish”: Max’s first single with the DCD2 record label, this track will have you dancing no matter who’s done you wrong. Featuring a rap verse by Hoodie Allen, this song never gets old is still one of my favorites off the album.

“Wrong”: If you’ve ever wanted to know what Max’s killer vocals sounded across an EDM-style backtrack, this song will grant your wish. It’s all types of wrong but as the song says, “it’s better when it feels wrong,” this song is a head-banger for sure, in every way.

“Holla”: Like the soulful Max Schneider signature version of Fetty Wap’s “My Way,” this song will have you singing along and it will definitely make you holla, holla, holla. As soon as I heard this song, I knew it was destined to be played on every radio station around the country. Top 40 radio, ya hear me?!

“Lights Down Low”: This will be played at my wedding, that’s a fangirl promise. As soon as I heard this song, I was blown away by how good the writing was (it reminds me of an Ed Sheeran song meets One Less Lonely Girl by Justin Bieber) and of course, Max’s soft vocals across an acoustic guitar track are like a Schneider Monkey’s dream come true. Now if Max could just sing this to me, one one one, all my fangirl dreams will have come true. Hey Max, holla at your girl. I’ve got Lights Down Low #OnRepeat for sure.

“10 Victoria’s Secret Models”: I’d love to see Max perform this during an upcoming Victoria Secret Fashion show but I love the vibes, the musicality, and the lyrics of this track. Dang, I’d love to find out who he wrote this song about. She must have been some broad.

“Home”: EDM musicality while Max’s vocals slay the entire track like some rock god ninja. Be careful, this is definitely an earworm in the making.

“Mug Shot” Say Max, OHH! A Schneider monkey throwback meets rap powerhouse Sirah. I was not prepared for her rap verse and it’s greatness on this track. Totally brought the musicality of this song up to a whole new Schneider level.

“Basement Party:” Since I’m writing this on a Friday night, this track is a head nod to the party lifestyle of New Yorkers, but it’s musicality will make you want to have a dance party anywhere you are: the car, the shower, in your bedroom all by yourself. Get it on.

“Lost My Way”: Concluding the album in a perfect finale of dance party meets Max Schneider vocal slaying ballad, it’s an honest song about remembering where Max came from and never forgetting that.

As a Schneider Monkey that has been with Max while he was still hoping for a record deal while jamming out on his ukelele even after the greatness of “Rags,” I couldn’t be more proud of Max’s success and this album. One listen, and he’ll have you saying “MAX!”.

#MusicReview: Throw The Party of The Century with “Stories For Monday” by @TheSummerSet

Posted on by The Smart Cookie

Hailing from Scottsdale, Arizona The Summer Set is an American pop rock band that formed in 2007. The band consists of lead vocalists Brian Dales, guitarists Josh Montgomery and John Gomez, and percussionist (girl drummer, ftw) Jess Bowmen.

The Summer Set Promo Shoot. Photography By Dan Gillan Photography.
The Summer Set Promo Shoot. Photography By Dan Gillan Photography.

The band formed because Jess Bowmen and brothers Stephen and John Gomez had their own band The Maine  and released their own album before disbanding in 2008. Jess and John joined Brian and Josh in 2008, forming what is now The Summer Set. They signed The Militia Group in 2008 and released their debut album, Love Like This on October 13, 2009.

They played the entire Warped Tour in 2010 and followed this with joining the Dirty Work  Tour with other big names in pop rock All Time Low, Yellowcard, and Hey Monday.

Fun Fact: The Summer Set’s song “Chelsea” was written for actress Chelsea Kane by Brian Logan Dales, who she dated in 2011.Click To Tweet This

In 2011, The Summer Set released their second full-length studio album entitled Everything’s Fine.

In 2012, the band rented a house and wrote and recorded songs in, making up much of their third studio album, Lengendary. Much of the fun-loving energy that makes up the musicality &lyrical content of the album is inspired by the communal living experience they had while working on this album and living in that house.

Lengendary  was released via Fearless Records, and gained the attention of IHeartRadio, where the Summer Set won their rising star competition, and appeared in their music festival and Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in November 2013 where they performed their song, “Lightening in a Bottle.”

Following the release of the album on April 1, the band was set to perform at a Wisconsin Bernie Sanders rally on April 4, 2016.

Song by Song Review

“Figure Me Out:” Definitely a great opening to the record especially with the line, “I’m too pop for the punk kids, and too punk for the pop kids.” It talks about identifying who you are outside of the limelight after tasting what it means to be famous and how people tend to try to place you in a box, especially in today’s society. It features the signature sound The Summer Set had on their Lengendary album.

“The Night is Young” Sounding like the pop rock version of Nicki Minaj’s The Night is Still Young but with musicality that could be equally compared to Fun!, the song is motivating for the youth of today because when things happen, you tend to want to give up but the world isn’t over but instead this song motivates one to “don’t give up when you’re down.” This is one of my favorite songs off the album.

“Missin’ You”: This track reminds me of Hot Chelle Rae’s “Honestly” but The Summer Set’s own kickass version.

“Jean Jacket”: A song reminiscing a summer of being 19 and young and in love, without a care in the world.

“All My Friends”: A feel-good song that talks about how one’s friends always tend to have something to say about the person you choose to date. Musically, this is one of my favorite songs on the album.

The musicality of this track reminds me of an 80’s rock song, almost like The Simple Minds and the Breakfast Club.

“All Downhill From Here”: They say once you reach a certain age that it’s all downhill but it’s a positive spin on what the experts or the ominous “THEY” say.

“All In”: An anthem you can play for a night out with friends, it’s about being “All In” to wherever life takes you. This song is another one of my favorites off the album because of the musicality and care-free attitude the song promotes.

“Wonder Years”: A slower-tempo and more serious lyrical content talking about never forgetting who you were during the infamous “wonder years.” Musically, it reminds me once again of The Simple Mind’s, “Don’t Forget About Me,” but a slower tempo but similar theme.

“When The Party Ends”: A solid feel-good keep the party going even at 4 a.m. rock and roll style anthem that you will have on repeat from the first listen. This is my favorite song on Stories From Monday!

“Wasted”: This track should be coined as the anthem of millennials everywhere; a solid party anthem and great end to a rock and roll masterpiece, Stories For Monday.

Whether you are heading to work or heading to a rager that will be talked about on every social media app for months to come, Stories For Monday is definitely the soundtrack to a life well-lived no matter where you live. The Summer Set is set to head out on a U.S. & U.K. tour in promotion of this album.