Two amazing short stories combined into one book that by the end of both will leave you breathless, in shock and in awe. In De'nesha's story, a woman gets sent to jail after watching her boyfriend killed and exacts revenge when she get's out. There were twists and turns in that story that I was not expecting.

In Briana's story, a woman uses a stolen identity to get what she wants, but when that woman winds up dead, she might have bitten off more than the originally thought. This story was off the chain in a good way, and I definitely need a follow up for that one, with the way that that book ended.

Both stories were great and fast page turners. Excellent job done by both

I first want to thank NetGalley and Publisher and Dafina for ARC copy. This was a Phenomenal anthology in the first story you have ( Black and Blue) By the late De' nesha Diamond.. Her you have Charlie Jean Warren returning home from the Military and just got a surprise proposal from Henny her long time Boyfriend, she is so happy and then Tragedy strikes that changes Charlie life for every.. Vic Caruso and crew was Scum low life did like them at all. And I knew from the start Ramsey could not be trusted. BLACK And BLUE had me siting on edge of my chair, The twist and turns action was on point. This was excellent read. After reading this story makes me want to go back reread her Divas series we lost a Phenomenal Author.



Pseudo By Brianna Cole

Whew child this one started out with a bang, I really didn't know people made a career doin the things Kennedy and Benji's was up to. The twist and turns was crazy poor Washington mothers all ways knows best. I wish Kennedy and would stop playing game and just open up to each other how they really feel. Baby I was not ready for that ending can't wait for more I highly recommend this excellent Novel.

A mysterious traffic stop leads to a tragic accident, and Charlie is determined to seek revenge. It’s thought provoking and very engaging. This is the author’s last gift to her readers, and it is amazing!
✨
Kennedy is on the run from an abusive ex, and does it by stealing the identity of other women. Everything is going as planned…until one of the women is murdered.

I highly recommend this 💎💎💎💎💎. This collaboration between De’Nesha Diamond and @bcoleauthor is one that I didn’t know I needed until I started reading it.

I featured this book as a Book of the Day spotlight and included it in my weekly roundup and monthly post of new releases on my Black Fiction Addiction platforms.

I received an ARC from the publisher and am voluntarily posting a review.
“Black and Blue” by De’Nesha Diamond has some good bones, but I think it suffers a bit in execution. There’s a lot going on with multiple perspectives, and it was hard to really become invested in any in particular. I did generally like the main thread of Charlie getting vengeance after being crossed, and appreciated that it wasn’t afraid to commit to the messiness and intensity of the situation, even if I wanted the story overall to be fleshed out.
“Pseudo” by Briana Cole is the less complex and elaborate of the two, so while I did wish it was a bit longer as well, I also felt this one was much better executed. It’s once again rather twisted, and it’s definitely not a book to go into if you need to like the characters. Kennedy does some not-so-great things in the name of self-preservation, but I could understand her justification for it, even if I didn’t agree with it. I also really liked seeing the plot play out, especially with her ex and see that come to fruition.

BLACK AND BLUE by DE'NESHA DIAMOND Rating 4
Charlie Jean Warren, has lived a full life. She followed in her family’s footsteps in completing a military career and now she’s obtained her nursing degree.  It’s finally time to settle down with her high school sweetheart Hennessey Rawlins. What could go wrong on the night that Hennessy proposes?

Everything. That night changed her life forever. Hennessey is killed and  Charlie is attacked. Charlie can identify the attackers but  instead Charlie is framed as part of a police cover-up and ends up doing five years in prison.
I finished this story in two settings. The action and shoot outs scenes I can visualize as they are played out. Readers will quickly find out the reason behind the feud between King Kong and Ramsey Holt. The author created an entertaining read as readers follow the drama and suspense to find out who was behind the hit on Charlie and Hennessey.  It was hard for me not to feel for the character.  After being helpless and feeling hopeless Charlie’s display of strength is courageous. I enjoyed how the author made the lead character so real. None of the things she did were planned but  after knowing who she couldn’t trust I can understand her desire in taking the opportunity to find out the truth and also get revenge.  The author even described the bad characters as having true characteristics as being bad individuals. The leader and bully Detective Victory Caruso thought he and his team wouldn't go down for their unlawful tactics. They got away with it several times before but I was so happy that their time is up. I loved Detective Karl Nelson. He was able to fit in with the bad crew but also stay true to himself and those he work to protect.

I appreciate the short scenes between Charlie and Hennessey’s look-a-like. The author gave just enough bedroom scene to make the character seem real and human keeping with the mission and not watering it down with romance. The bond between Charlie and her sister’s was inspiring. They cared about their sister but didn’t truly understand the impact the lose of her fiancé and unborn child had on her. Charlie’s heartfelt words spoken to her sisters helped them understand her need for justice. ‘Our lives mean something. Hennessy’s life meant something even if he wasn’t perfect. Even if he was guilty of some of the things they accused him of in court. He didn’t deserve to be killed on the side of the road as if he was trash.’ In this compelling story that I enjoyed, Charlie’s justice was justified. The author wrapped it up nicely and explained who was behind the hit and exposed the dirty cops for their greed. 


PSEUDO by BRIANA COLERating 3
The except says ‘To elude an abusive ex, Kennedy stole several other women's identities.’ Sounds interesting enough for me to read. But the story is more about a greedy uncaring individual that wants what is not hers. She was not likable and as I was reading I was hoping she would find the error in her ways and correct her lifestyle. If the author's attention was to get me-a reader-to dislike Kennedy, I’m not sure. But I did not like her at all, not one bit. If you are looking for a book about a strong woman that has overcome her struggles this is not it. I didn’t understand her motive for stealing innocent women identities to take their money and mess up their credit. I can understand hiding from an ex but hiding in the same town you grew up in, just didn’t seem like the wises of places to hide. There are several loop holes and a lot going on in such a short amount of pages but I’ll focus on the overall story and what I think the author was trying to say.

The author did have an interesting plot in mind and I was able to follow along. I rated half a point higher because I do like the idea the author had in writing the book. I think I was so bothered by Kennedy’s actions that I didn’t give much attention to who was committing the murders. So the half a point for suspense and the author does have a talent for telling a story. 

I’m still trying to piece together Benji’s part in the book and the family tree of Lewis, Kennedy’s first husband.  Also, I’m not sure how this story fits in with the title Justified. I didn’t find anything justifiable about any of it.