The main draw of Matthew Stevens’ page-turning debut novel, The Last Living Diva (Illusion Publishing, LLC, April 22, 2025) is its inspiration: Stevens’ stint as Mariah Carey’s assistant years ago during a period of the singer’s life that fans and media alike often consider controversial. While the book is a wild ride that delivers on the drama and humor (there are several laugh-aloud and wide-eyed moments), I was most compelled … Read the rest
Reading Diaries: “Simply More” by Cynthia Erivo
The first book I completed this year was the New York Times bestseller, Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They’re Too Much (Flatiron Books/Macmillan Books, November 18, 2025). It’s an easy read with significant topics. Easy in the sense that it could be finished in one sitting. Again, while she covers important matters, there was something about it that made for a relaxing reading experience. I … Read the rest


