When Willows Weep: (Installment 2 of "The Sin-N-Me", a Stand-Alone Series) Audible Logo Audible Audiobook – Unabridged Denise Cook-Godfrey

 Book Excerpt:

"Haunted by the abandonment of her mother and father, Willow embarks on a relentless quest for answers, driven by an unfillable void within her soul. But as she confronts buried secrets that threaten to unravel her world, she must overcome relentless opposition that could destroy everything she holds dear. Like a resilient flower breaking through life's concrete constraints, Willow carries a name bestowed by her estranged mother—an aspiration for her to mirror the strong willow tree, flourishing against all odds. Battling childhood bullying fueled by her devotion to church traditions, Willow's journey intertwines with Titus, a young man from a different ecclesiastical world.

Their rare and blossoming love faces a relentless challenge from denominational customs and suffocating legalism. The rigid mindsets within Willow's respective church erected an insurmountable barrier between them. Post high school, Titus and Willow take separate paths, attempting to forge ahead and leave their shared history behind. Yet, within Willow's journey, there's Paxton, her husband of three years, and an unyielding pursuit of her long-lost mother, unearthing a concealed secret behind her disappearance.

As suspense thickens, love, drama, and redemption converge in this gripping story. Will the courage to embrace their present season without being entangled in the past allow Titus and Willow to find solace? Their journey unravels a riveting narrative, brimming with emotions that will captivate readers until the final revelation. Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions as the threads of love and destiny weave through a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat."

Title: When Willows Weep
Author: Denise Cook-Godfrey
Publisher: Cook-Godfrey Productions
Series: Part 2 of The Sin-N-Me
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"When Willows Weep" by Denise Cook Godfrey

My Perception:

I found this story to be wonderfully written. I read it twice to see if I missed anything, and when I thought I had, I could find the answer I was looking for in that chapter or the next one.

The author covers the characters superbly… I loved Willow and her friends Luna and Alana, who were with her through the thick and thin of the story. Then there is Willow and her husband Paxton, who need much help in their marriage. Keeping secrets like they did was not a good thing in any marriage. Then comes Titus…who is very well brought into the picture and was a childhood HS friend and a lover of Willow.

The story covered all of the vital points so very well. As you read the story, you can see how it was going, especially for poor Willow. Then, Willow's mother, Cassie, found and brought up the incident, which showed what had happened to her while growing up under the roof when she lived with her mom and dad. This was who had reared her daughter Willow… Grandma Dean & Papa Land [Orlando]. The reader must pick up this good read to see how that all comes together. I don't want to tell too much, but I was hoping you could pick up this good read and see for yourself.

Finally, will we see how Willow gets what she wants—finding her parents and having someone to love her? Keep on reading. One thing that puzzled me was how Cassie's mother went on about church may not be the only answer to the problem. We may have to search a little deeper. At least if it wasn't for poor Cassie growing up with her parents, Willow, and her grandparents, who supposedly lived at the church, but something was missing from that situation at the Holiness Apostolic Church. The main question that will be answered is what kind of love these parents and grandparents show love to their kids. Even after Willow and Paxton attended another church in the area, was love shown at Mt Moriah Church? Please read it and see what you think. We will see that Willow had marriage problems as the story went on. We noticed that Paxton indeed needed counseling, too, and I believe in the end, he knew ... I will stop here and say you must pick up this good read to see what that was all about. With each one [Willow and Paxton] having secrets…how will this come out? Will they both come clean since, surprisingly, they love each other…but is this love? Why didn't Paxton understand how important it was for Willow to find her mom and dad? At least Paxton had an uncle and step-aunt who raised him, giving him a good life. However, Paxton did have demons, too, from what had happened to him as a teenager. Again, you must read to see what that was all about. This was a good story that will give one much thought long after the read. I may have skipped around quite a bit, but it will all come together if you pick up this good read.

The novel was an excellent read. It shows some everyday problems that happen not only for Willow but also begin with her mom, Cassie. Pick up 'When Willows Weeps' and see how well-written this story is presented.

Killing Me Softly With His Word: (Installment 1 of "The Sin-N-Me", a Stand-alone Series) Audible Logo Audible Audiobook – Unabridged Denise Cook-Godfrey

 Book Excerpt:

"In a community built on tradition and religion, Chloe Rhodes struggles to reconcile her identity with the expectations of her church and family. The fortifying walls guarding her most intimate life story are about to be torn down by a single message that will shake her world.

Chloe, a spirited and fiercely independent young woman, has always known she was different. Yet, the mere thought of revealing her truth to her conservative community fills her with fear and trepidation. Determined to live an authentic life, she embarks on a journey to convince her loved ones to accept her lesbian lifestyle.

However, Chloe's quest for acceptance is not without its internal conflicts. Her past is riddled with traumatic experiences that have left scars on her soul, making it difficult for her to fully embrace her own identity. As she navigates the complexities of her emotions, she finds herself drawn to the captivating words of a young minister named Aaron.

Aaron, a passionate preacher and believer in the transformative power of scripture, becomes a beacon of hope for Chloe. Yet, their budding connection only intensifies her inner turmoil.

"Killing Me Softly with HIS Word" is a gripping novel that delves into the depths of human experiences. It takes readers on a journey of self-discovery, redemption, and the pursuit of personal truth, regardless of the price. This story is part of the stand-alone series, "The Sin-N-Me," which explores the tension between human desires and the transformative power of scripture, capturing the essence of Romans 7:17."

Title: Killing Me Softly With His Word
Author: Denise Cook-Godfrey
Publisher: Cooke-Godfrey Productions
Narrator: Virtual Voice
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
'Killings Me Softly With His Word' by Denise Cook-Godfrey

My Perception:

Reading this story will keep one's attention as you turn the pages to see what is going on with Chloe, the main character, along with some secondary characters: Kennedy, a cousin; Aunt Macy [Chloe's aunt]; Starla and Reginald [Chloe's parents]; and Nikki and Minister Aaron. These characters make up the story so very well that it will give one much thought long after the read.

As one reads through "The Sin-N-Me Series: Killing Me Softly with HIS Word," the reader will get a story of how God comes into a situation... where HE does an excellent job for Chloe in the case she was in. We found that Chloe needed someone to talk to about what was going on with her. And not knowing that Chloe's parents had problems they were dealing with at this time. Will she finally find the right person to talk to? As the story begins...Chloe goes to summer camp and college... Then, while in college, who will she meet that will profoundly influence her life? After graduating, she worked as a minister of ASL for the hearing impaired at the church...that she and her parents belonged to. Chloe meets Minister Aaron from the church, and the reader will find that each section of this story gives the reader something to ponder long after the read. Yes, each of these sections will be important in this read. This all had to do with what was going on in Chloe's and a few others' lives, and it is brought out so well in the story that the author presents to the reader.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI Audible Logo Audible Audiobook – Unabridged David Grann (Author), Will Patton (Narrator), Ann Marie Lee (Narrator), Danny Campbell (Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)

 Book Excerpt:

"#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A twisting, haunting true-life murder mystery about one of the most monstrous crimes in American history, from the author of The Wager and The Lost City of Z, "one of the preeminent adventure and true-crime writers working today."—New York Magazine NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE

"A shocking whodunit…What more could fans of true-crime thrillers ask?"—USA Today

"A masterful work of literary journalism crafted with the urgency of a mystery." —The Boston Globe

In the 1920s, the wealthiest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, the Osage rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe.

Then, one by one, the Osage began to be killed off. The family of an Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, became a prime target. One of her relatives was shot. Another was poisoned. And it was just the beginning, as more and more Osage were dying under mysterious circumstances, and many of those who dared to investigate the killings were themselves murdered.

As the death toll rose, the newly created FBI took up the case, and the young director, J. Edgar Hoover, turned to a former Texas Ranger named Tom White to try to unravel the mystery. White put together an undercover team, including a Native American agent who infiltrated the region, and together with the Osage, began to expose one of the most chilling conspiracies in American history.

Title:  Killers of the Flower Moon:  The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI

Author: David Grann

Narrators:  Will Patton (Narrator), Ann Marie Lee (Narrator), Danny Campbell (Narrator)

Publisher:  Random House Publisher 

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

My Perception:

'Killers of the Flower Moon' was quite a sad read of what happened to the Osage people a hundred years ago. I was left saying, wow... this occurred in the U.S. Can one believe this? Are we finally seeing how there is so much evil and corruption in our American government that happened so long ago still going on in some form, even today? Oh yes, I can. I am an Afro-American, and I know it has happened here in the U.S. not only to my race but to other races, too. Thank you to this author for bringing this story about the Osage people to light.

This author did an excellent job explaining what happened in 'The Reign of Terror and the Osage Murders of Killers of the Flower Moon.'  David Grann's research, recordings, documents, and photographs were very well presented, giving the reader quite a good read.  

What gets me is how these people [white] got away with this for so long. Oh, no, really, we know why that happened! It was so good to finally see things come to a head, only to find out later that there was still important information that had not been presented. Now, what was left out?   This is where you must pick up this read to see what that was and how it was brought out. But was anything done about it? Oh, I know, it was too late; they all were dead by then! Thank God for the wonderful character, Tom White, an FBI agent who cared; I will leave it at that. 

This story was an alarming piece of history that some wouldn't want to come to light, but it did! The reader will see how the Osage people were horribly treated by [white] people, which left me .. well, I will stop here. All that is left to say is this has happened not only to the Osage but to many other races. All that is left to say is that this is the America we live in, like it or not.

The Lawyer's Wife by Freya Atwood

 Excerpt:

"Determined to uncover the truth behind his wife's murder, Alex Peterson abandons his career and embarks on a relentless quest for justice.

With each clue unearthed, Ethan edges closer to the dark heart of the mystery. But the deeper he delves, the more he realizes that the shadows concealing his wife's killer also shroud his own darkest secret.

He must confront the demons of his past and the monsters of his present as he discovers that the human mind is a labyrinth of deception and betrayal. But in the end, only one question remains: can he handle the truth?

The Lawyer's Wife is an exciting, blood-pumping legal thriller written by Freya Atwood and published by Cobalt Fairy.

If you are an avid fan of strong characters, action-packed courtroom drama, and mind-blowing murder mysteries, then you'll love Freya's intriguing story.

Buy "The Lawyer's Wife" today to discover Freya's new intriguing crime mystery!"

Title: The Lawyer's Wife
Author: Freya Awood
Publisher: Cobalt Fairy LLC
Series: Ethan Hunter Book of 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Lawyer's Wife" by Freya Atwood

My Perception:

'The Lawyer's Wife' was quite a complicated story as Alex Peterson 'abandons his career' to find out what happened in his marriage and the death of his wife. We find from this story that Alex will have to go deep into this mystery as he seeks to find out who was involved in his wife's death. If you are into drama and mind-blowing mystery, this story will intrigue the reader. As the story ends, we see this person is still out there. What will this cause Alex to do now, as the truth is out there? The extended epilogue is essential and proves there is much more to this story. The next series will be more about what happens as the three people get more into this case of finding the person who caused all of this mess.

I will leave it here and say you must pick up this read, leaving you wanting an ending soon!

The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton

 Book Excerpt:

"In this starry debut, a struggling event planner and a sinfully hot astronaut must decide if their fake relationship is worth a shot at happily ever after.

Risk-averse event planner Amerie Price is jobless, newly single, and about to lose her apartment. With no choice but to gamble on her shaky start-up, the last thing she needed was to run into her smug ex and his new, less complicated girlfriend at Amerie's favorite coffee shop. Panicked, she pretends to be dating the annoyingly sexy man she met by spilling Americano all over his abs. He plays along—for a price.

Half the single men in Houston claim to be astronauts, but Vincent Rogers is the real deal. What started as a one-off lie morphs into a plan: Amerie will play Vincent's doting partner in front of his loving but overly invested family for the three months leading up to his mission. In exchange, she gets a rent-free room in his house and can put every penny toward her struggling business.

What Amerie doesn't plan for is Vincent's gravitational pull. While her mind tells her a future with this astronaut is too unpredictable, her heart says he's exactly what she needs. As their time together counts, Amerie must decide whether to settle for the safe life—or shoot for the stars."

Title:  The Kiss Countdown

Author:  Etta Easton

Publisher:  Berkley

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"The Kiss Countdown" by Etta Easton

My Thoughts:

'The Kiss Countdown' was an excellent fake-to-real dating story that has quite a turn to its story. How Amerie  [an event planner] and Vincent [an astronaut] met was cute as he followed Amerie's plan to be her boyfriend. There was more to this as these two came together...Amerie meets Vincent's family. However, Amerie needed clarification, mainly due to her mother's illness.  

Will these two come together by the end of the story? You must pick up 'The Kiss Countdown' to see how this author unfolds this cute, fantastic story.  

Thank you to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC!

The Spare Prince [Prit Replica] Kindle Edition by Sarah Mc White

 Book Excerpt:

"Lenox didn't have a lot, but she was loyal, loved with her whole heart, and was there for anyone who needed her. Those are the reasons she willingly answered the call to assist in taking care of her sister's children when she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's.

Three years later, she still cares for her nieces and nephew because her sister's husband is nowhere to be found. As if that wasn't enough to deal with, her long-time boyfriend, Akoni, decided it was too much for him to handle and left her to return to his hometown in New York.

Faced with the challenges of a sister deteriorating before her eyes, a boyfriend who wasn't as loyal as she thought, and the parent of three children, Lenox has to make some decisions that will impact her life for good.

As everything seems to be crushing her, a strong, handsome man of consequence walks in. After hours at the diner she served, Lenox serves a gentleman. Alexander has the confidence and swagger she needs to distract her from all the outside noise in her life. He is kind and patient and has a certain air that makes Lenox swoon like never before.

When she feels confident enough to stand independently, she has to contact Akoni for guidance and support. Experience the conflicts Lenox faces with her new man of consequence and old flame. What will Lenox do?"

Title: The Spare Prince
Author: Sarah Mc White
Publisher: Dizzy Emu Publishing; 1st edition
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Spare Prince" by Sarah Mc White

My Perception:

'The Spare Prince' is a long but interesting read that will keep your attention throughout. At times, I felt sorry for Lenox in what she was going through...her sister being ill, suffering from Alzheimer's, having to care for her nieces and nephew, having a boyfriend that left her at a time she really needed him, and having to work two jobs. However, Lenex was made friends by various friends where she worked, especially one who told her Lenex was required to take care of herself. Will Lenex listen to what is being said to her?

The story has many parts, and the reader must keep up and follow it to see how well the author combines them all.

We have Lenox meeting a new friend, but then her ex-boyfriend reappears. How that turns out will be a story in itself. I loved how Lenox put that ex in his place for what he had done to her. The characters in this story helped the story to be well-developed, giving the story the boost needed to keep the story going so well.

By the end of this story, will Lenox finally get what she deserves? Well, from the epilogue, you will see how the story ends. This is where I will stop and say you must pick up the good read to see how it all comes out for Lenox in the story of 'The Spare Prince.'

The Husbands A Novel by Holly Gramazio

 Book Excerpt:

"When Lauren returns home to her flat in London late one night, she is greeted at the door by her husband, Michael. There's only one problem—she's not married. She'd never seen this man before in her life. But according to her friends, her much-improved decor, and the photos on her phone, they've been together for years.

As Lauren tries to puzzle out how she could be married to someone she can't remember meeting, Michael goes to the attic to change a lightbulb and abruptly disappears. A new man emerges in his place, and a new, slightly altered life re-forms around her. Realizing that her attic is creating an infinite supply of husbands, Lauren confronts the question: If swapping lives is as easy as changing a lightbulb, how do you know you've taken the right path? When do you stop trying to do better and start actually living?"

Title: The Husbands
Author: Holly Gramazio
Publisher: Doubleday Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Husbands" by Holly Gramazio

My Thoughts:
'The Husbands' was quite an exciting read. Lauren Strickland comes home from a bachelorette party to find a man named Michael in her apartment who was supposed to be her husband. But she didn't know of him because she had never been married. This is one of those stories that went in many different directions; you must keep up with how this author presents this fun read to the readers. This story was interesting as different guys came out of the magic attic. To understand all of this, you must pick up 'The Hustbands' to see what I am talking about as you see the 'humor and crazy differences between the characters of each world' that are presented.

If you are looking for a read that is not only funny, unique, and somewhat charming but also very thought-provoking, this book will keep you turning the pages to see what will happen next for Lauren as the story jumps between husbands. What will happen when Lauren finally 'figures out a drastic way to settle on just one man?' The story had an exciting ending.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review