The First Last Concert by Dee Lorraine *****

In The First Last Concert by Dee Lorraine, Victoria Robbins is a black woman of faith and ambition in a world of powerful men – a corrupt politician, a tormented entertainer, and a retired boxer. Throughout this, she doesn’t lose her faith or her goal to be an award-winning writer. Her quest takes her to NYC, Paris, and Kuala Lumpur. Not even the COVID-19 lockdown can stop her. An inspirational story.

Her first challenge is as a speech writer for Senator Harkenbrook, where she is introduced to the darker side of political organizations and campaign financing.

Next, she works for “Killer” Cain Foxworth, the retired boxer and NYC publisher who never wants to hear “No” from anyone who works for him.

Her third job is a publicist for jazz pianist Zechariah bin Shukri, who is tortured by the lack of performing opportunities during COVID-19 and trauma in his past. She manages this job with her writing and envelopes of $100 bills.

Throughout this, she draws on her faith to keep pushing herself and others forward.

A surprising character is “The magnificent black [97 key] Bösendorfer 290 Imperial Concert Grand piano.”

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A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T Kingfisher *****

A Wizard's Guide on Amazon

A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T Kingfisher opens when Mona discovers a dead body in her aunt’s bakery. Someone is killing magic people. As wizards go, Mona is the bottom of the barrel. She turns yeast and flour into tasty bread. Regardless, aided by Bob, the sourdough starter, she saves the city. “Siege. Sorcery. Sourdough.”

Mona can solve many missteps during the baking process. “You don’t want to knead them too much, or it makes them tough. I stuck a floury hand in the dough and suggested that maybe it didn’t want to be tough. There was a sort of fizziness around my fingers and the dough went a little stickier. Dough is very amicable to persuasion if you know how to ask it right. Sometimes I forget that other people can’t do it.”

Mona’s magic was often helpful. “As we passed the surly Jorges, I glanced down at his lunch, which was black bread and cheese. You’re feeling really dry, I suggested to the bread. Really stale. Hard as a rock…as long as I can see it, I can work with it. It wants to go stale. Bread is very accommodating that way.”

Her friend Knackering Molly could animate dead horses. Don’t ask. Read the book.

Some quotes:

“It is nearly impossible to be sad when eating a blueberry muffin. I’m pretty sure that’s a scientific fact.”

We met each other’s eyes, and then we both looked away. After a minute, I said, “I never wanted to be a hero.” His face was solemn. “Nobody ever does.”

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