Power: The Billionaire Bae (The Billionaire Bae Series Book 3) Kindle Edition by Amber Ghe

Book Excerpt:

"She was a jilted bride, he was a hothead, and they were both in the wrong story.

POWER: I took my job as the CSO, Chief Security Officer of Clover Root seriously. We'd transported thousands of dollars directly to the Federal Reserve for several years without a hitch.

However, after a slip-up with a security breach, I realized I needed to take some time off. So, after grabbing my backpack and lid, I hit the road with nothing but freedom on my mind.

A runaway bride in Vegas jumped on my bike and demanded my lid and heart.

Suitable when I needed someone to protect.

ASPEN: I was a jilted bride. The dirty bum informed me by text an hour before the wedding was supposed to start. When our mothers threw their purses on the ground to fight each other, I knew I had to escape that place.

Running with no plan, I hiked up my dress and hopped on a man's motorcycle sitting at the light.

I needed a hero to save me, even if only for one night.

Even though we were on the same frequency, I thought I'd never see him again.

But now, our stories were intertwined."

Title: Power: The Billionaire Bae
Author: Amber Ghe
Publisher: Hustle & Write Publishing
Series: The Billionaire Bae Series Book 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Power: The Billionaire Bae" by Amber Ghe

My Assessment:

'Power' was The Billionaire Bae third series featuring Power and Aspen. What will happen when these two meet up? It will seem like a dream for both of them until it all comes down to what Aspen had been up to before they met. The story is sweet but also severe in all that had happened because of Aspen as she was trying to help her father's situation. Yes, what Aspen had done was ... well, let me stop here and say for you to pick up 'Power' to see how it all comes out for these two. The forgiveness for this family was indeed something else, giving the reader a good read in the end.

Lawn Darts & Lemonade: Tackling the '80s by Steven Manchester

 Book Excerpt:

"From New England's Storyteller, Steven Manchester comes the nostalgia-filled sequel to Bread Bags & Bullies, a novel about growing up in a whacky family during the 1980s. Boomboxes, leg warmers, and Rubik's Cubes—it's all there. A hysterical walk down memory lane!

"Steven Manchester's Lawn Darts & Lemonade is so much fun, filled with laughter, tears, and Big Hair." – Taylor Dayne, '80s Recording Artist, Love Will Lead You Back.

It's the summer of 1984, a season of dodging lawn darts and chugging lemonade—or at least the discolored tap water Ma tried to disguise as lemonade.

Growing up is never easy, no matter what era you do it in. For generations, teenagers have suffered peer pressure, bullying, fear of rejection, and a sadistic obstacle course of one unexpected challenge after the next. Three brothers, Wally, Herbie, and Cockroach, learn that the past can be filled with questions—even shame and regret—while the future might be shrouded in worry and fear. But staying in the moment, now that's where the sweet spot is."

Title: Lawn Darts & Lemonade: Tackling the '80s
Author: Steven Manchester
Publisher: Luna Bella Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Lawn Darts & Lemonade" By Steven Manchester

My Assessment:

My, my, all I can say about this author's 'Lawn Darts & Lemonade' was that the story was well-written, warm, funny, and relatable to the years of the '80s. It was definitely 'the summer of 1984, a season of dodging lawn darts and chugging lemonade-or least the discolored tap water Ma tried to disguise as lemonade.' Growing up in this family ... the Mom, Dad, three brothers, Walley, Herbie, and Cockroach, really went through a lot... 'learning that the past can be filled with questions-even, shame, and regret-while the future might be shrouded in worry and fear.' But when it's all said and done, it was 'where the sweet spot is.' Oh, two sisters [Louann & Lynn] came later but were also there and loved very much by their family.

It was so much fun reading how this family persevered during this time in the '80s, as the story strolls down memory lane, doing all of this family loved during this coming-of-age time and survived it all. It was fun listening to what Pop had them doing during this two-week vacation.

The story made it clear that Mom smoked; Herbie showed how much he loved the shake of his Magic 8 Ball for questions he needed answered; the two other brothers had their way of having the reader shake their heads and say now what was that? But above everything, the Mom and Dad showed they loved their children very much. Also, some relatives [Uncle Skinny and Aunt Phyllis] were in the story that showed they cared too.

The story was so well delivered, showing how Herbie took us on a journey down memory lane after the death of his Pop. However, what left me in tears was the ending and the Poem this author had for the Mom. "Everything that I am, everything that I achieve, is because the Lord blessed me with your love."

 

Both Are True by Reyna Marder Gentin

 

Book Excerpt:

"Judge Jackie Martin's job is to impose order on the most chaotic families in New York City. So how is she blindsided when the man she loves walks out on her?

Jackie Martin is a woman whose intelligence and ambition have earned her a coveted position as a judge on the Manhattan Family Court—and left her lonely at age 39. When she meets Lou Greenberg, Jackie thinks she's finally found someone who will accept her exactly as she is. But when Lou's own issues, including an unresolved yearning for his ex-wife, make him bolt without explanation, Jackie must finally put herself under the same microscope as the people she judges. When their worlds collide in Jackie's courtroom, she learns that sometimes love's greatest gift is opening you up to love others."

Title: Both Are True
Author: Reyna Marden Gentin
Publisher: Moonshine Cove Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Both Are True" by Reyna Marder Gentin

My Opinion:

'Both Are True' by this author gives the reader quite a dramatic, entertaining story featuring Jackie Martin and Lou Greenberg where we find these two living together and in some romance that ends quickly with Lou walking out. We find Jackie was serving as the youngest Manhattan Family Court Judge, and Lou divorced and a journalist. Lou was emotional support for Jackie in all that she was going through in family court, especially not having her children. But it seems like Lou was seeking something from his past and end up back at his ex's [Tara] door and leaving Jackie to question her own life decisions. And as one knows, life can give us something as it was in this story that will bring Jackie and Lou back together due to issues with his stepdaughter, Bryn. And this story will pick up from here.

Be ready for some strange characters that will shake their heads but give the reader a good story. [from the ex-wife, Tara, stepdaughter...Bryn Jackie's sister...Mindy and Mike, to name a few].
The ending was interesting with ended up with who...and I will stop here and say you will need to pick up this read and see for yourself how this author brings it all out.

Thank you, NetGallery and Moonshine Cove Publishing, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Black Butterfly: A Lost Soul Kindle Edition by Cornelia Smith

Book Synopsis:

"Mourning the death of Khloe, both Shaniya and Kerry make selfish decisions affecting the lives around them. The Black Butterfly: A Lost Soul sheds light to the story of the Robertson women. Why did Skylar and Shaniya flee the scene after their beloved mother Khloe was put to rest? Will Kerry lose her family while stressing over her missing nieces? Will Shaniya and Skylar make it in the hard streets of Atlanta? The Black Butterfly: A Lost Soul, continues on this emotional Roller Coaster of a novel.

Will the girls finally find peace in their hearts?"

Title:  The Black Butterfly:  A Lost Soul

Author:  Cornelia Smith

Publisher:  The Book Plug LLC; 2 edition 
Series #2

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"The Black Butterfly: A Lost Soul" By Cornelia Smith

My Rationalization:

I enjoyed the continuation of 'The Black Butterfly"  A Lost Soul" series.  It was quite a read of what happened after Khloe passes away leaving behind her two daughters Shaniya and Skylar.  I found it hard reading about what happens to them on the streets of Atlanta.  I really hate that the daughters thought so little of their aunt Kerry by leaving the way they did.  Well, will Kerry find her nieces?  How will Johnathan become involved in this situation the nieces?  Well, there will be lots going on in this story.  So, you will just have to pick up the good read and see if Shaniya and Skylar will make it on the streets of Atlanta and if there will be any closure for them in the end.  

The Black Butterfly: A Damaged Soul Kindle Edition by Cornelia Smith

Book Synopsis:

"The distant sisters Kerry and Khloe try to regain control of their lives, each at a crossroad that will define their future. After discovering that they share a similar abusive past by their father, the sisters vow to never leave each other's side. Attempting to heal past hurts, they are more determined than ever to reclaim their lives and chase their dreams. But, what happens when life tests their unbreakable bond?

The Black Butterfly is a warm fiction that speaks a cold-hearted truth. That life is too short to not give it your all.

Title:  The Black Butterfly:  A Damaged Soul

Author:  Cornelia Smith

Publisher:  The Book Plug LLC; 2 edition
Series: The Black Butterfly Series # 1                   

Reviewed By:   Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"The Black Butterfly:  A Damaged Soul" by Cornelia Smith

A wow-what story that will have one's feelings all over the place when it is all said and done.  I am not sure who all I felt sorrier for... Kerry or Khloe.  Definitely, by the end, Khloe had one's heart in all she was going through. This story will be sorrowful as well as touching one that will leave you with some hard emotional feeling due to what has gone on in these ladies life from childhood thru their adulthood.  And who was the blame for this happening to these sisters?  Well if you are in for a tear-jerker read "The Black Butterfly:  a Damaged Soul" will give it all to you and leave you wanting more of this story.