Shelly Ellis

Black teenager vacations in the Shenandoah Valley and uncovers a legacy of bigotry and racial violence.

When she was a baby, Naomi Ward was kidnapped from a grocery store. Over a decade later, the woman who took and raised her was arrested and imprisoned. Now, 16-year-old Naomi has been reunited with her family, who know her as Camryn Stoakes. Her parents try to make the homecoming as smooth as possible, but Naomi grieves the loss of her old identity. Determined to unify the family, which show more includes siblings Maya and Blake, Dawn and Andre Stoakes rent a cabin in Virginia for a few weeks. But soon after their arrival, Naomi feels deeply unsettled: A rotten stench that only she detects permeates the air, she’s visited by the ghost of a Black girl, and she learns that Sparksburg, Virginia, was a sundown town. When Naomi hears about two recent missing persons cases, she becomes convinced they’re related to the town’s evil history. But will anyone believe her? This well-paced YA debut’s immersive narrative and descriptive language support its strong characterization. Stratton effectively crafts complex family dynamics, and Naomi’s struggle to reconcile the love she feels for her kidnapper with the heinous crime is compelling. The nail-biting final act, which leads to a shocking reveal, will make readers feel as though they’re right beside Naomi, fighting for survival.

A riveting, emotionally resonant thriller infused with supernatural intrigue. (author’s note) (Thriller. 13-18)

-Kirkus Review show less

I was intrigued by the premise of the book, a dual-timeline story about a Harlem Renaissance painter and a modern-day writer and the painting that connects them both.

The book was so-so, the characters and the story never really grabbed me. I wanted to like it more than I did. But I found the twists easy to figure out, and I would have loved the story to lean more in the occult direction than it did. That's just me; I love reading books with sects and secrets, and I found it too light for my show more taste. If it had been darker and with more unexplained elements, I would probably have liked the story more. show less

Angelique Bixby is braving the streets of 1950's Chicago. After her husband Daniel's death Angelique has had trouble supporting herself and newborn, Ella Jean. Living on Chicago's South Side as a white woman married to a black man has not been easy. Feeling she has no other choice, Angelique leaves her child with a respected family and tries to move on with life. Years later, Angelique has remarried into a family of privilege. She has been recently diagnosed with breast cancer and wants to show more amend her will to include the daughter she left behind. Angelique hires Jasmine Stanley, an ambitious, rising star at her law firm. Jasmine's has been asked to keep strict confidentiality with Angelique's task. At first, Jasmine believes that Angelique is another stuck up debutante, however as she digs into Angelique's past, she realizes that they are more alike than they seem; both women hold onto life altering secrets.
She Wears the Mask is a story about secrets, identity and family. The characters were well developed and I could feel the heartbreak as Angelique made the most difficult decision of her life as well as the emotional weight of the secret Jasmine carried. The writing skillfully worked across dual timelines divulging bits of Angelique's history as we learn about her present circumstance as well as unraveling the history of pain in Jasmine's family without giving everything away early on. I do wish we got to see a little more of Angelique's story at the end. Along with the themes of reconciling the past are themes of gender, race and the perceptions and weight that the color of your skin can carry. Overall, She Wears the Mask is an intense and absorbing plot and interesting characters.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. show less

The House on Harbor Hill by Shelly Stratton is set in Camden Beach, Maryland in September of 2016. Delilah Grey offers help to those who she believes needs it. Tracey Walters arrives home to find an invitation on her door from Delilah that states her door is always open. Tracey and her two kids left her abusive husband, Paul after he hit Caleb and she worries that Paul will track them down. When Tracey is given one month to vacate her apartment and with no other options, she takes Delilah up show more on her offer. Delilah helps others to help alleviate her guilt. She has secrets that have haunted her all these years (in more than one way). A man keeps showing up offering to buy Harbor Hill, but Delilah has no intention of selling (despite the man’s outrageous offers). Aidan Dominguez grew up at Harbor Hill thanks to the generosity of Delilah. He returned four years ago and now works as the handyman/landscaper. Aidan is not prepared for his attraction to the newest resident. He came to Harbor Hill to escape his own troubles and is not ready to love again. Tracey settles in to the new home and starts to move forward, but then the past comes knocking. Unfortunately, that is not the only threat to the residents of Harbor Hill. What will happen to Aidan, Tracey and Delilah?

The House on Harbor Hill sounded like a great book. Mystery, intrigue, suspense, romance, a cute kid and some heartfelt moments. It is a story about people finding forgiveness and peace, so they can have a second chance at life. The writing was satisfactory, but the pacing was varied. There are three different stories happening in The House on Harbor Hill. It switches between them throughout the story, so we get the backstory on all three characters. We go from 2016 to 1968 to get Delilah’s story (my favorite character in the book). Delilah has the voice of her dead husband talking to her (criticizing, taunting). I was never sure if it was a ghost or just in her head. The House on Harbor Hill ended predictably. I knew how their stories would play out after reading just a small part of the book. I did feel that The House on Harbor Hill needed an epilogue to adequately wrap up the book. I was left with a few unanswered questions at the end of the book. The House on Harbor Hill addresses some sensitive issues (domestic violence and racism). I felt that the author handled them well, but I did feel the racism was overdone (mentioned quite often). There is a reading group guide at the end of the book. I do want to let readers know that the book contains violence and foul language (the language was completely unnecessary). I am giving The House on Harbor Hill 3 out of 5 stars (It was okay). This book was just not for me. show less