Calling All Blessings A Blessings Novel by Beverly Jenkins

Book Excerpt:

"NAACP nominee and USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins celebrates her beloved Blessings series with a heartwarming novel set in Henry Adams, Kansas.

"If you haven't yet gotten your hands on [this] author's work, you should do so immediately."—Shondaland

Tamar July, town matriarch of Henry Adams, KS, is being haunted by dreams of her humiliating wedding day, sixty years ago, when she discovered her intended, Joel Newton, was already married. The truth left her furious, heartbroken, and carrying a child, her son Malachi "Mal" July. Why are these dreams coming to her now? And is the great horned owl perched on her backyard shed somehow connected? When Joel's legitimate son, Henry Adams, comes to Mal seeking his half-brother, Tamar must confront her past and her anger, and explore what it means to truly forgive.

Tamar isn't the only one being tested. Teenager Devon July wants to be anyone but himself. When he first arrived in Henry Adams as an eight-year-old foster child, he wanted to be a preacher. Then, to be like his adopted brother, Amari. Now, he's decided to be a variant of James Brown—wig included—rather than who he really is, a boy who lost his beloved grandmother and is the son of a mentally challenged woman. Will Tamar be able to guide his spirit quest and place him on the road to finally being at peace within himself?

As the big August 1st celebration nears, town owner Bernadine Brown has a lot on her plate, chief among them, what to do with former mayor Riley Curry's monstrous tribute to his hog Cletus. There are no secrets in Henry Adams, but there's never a dull moment either."

Title:  Calling All Blessings

Author:  Beverly Jenkins

Publisher:  Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four 

Review:

"Calling All Blessings" by Beverly Jenkins

My Insight:  

"Calling All Blessings" is a truly enchanting and heartwarming tale that lingers in your mind long after you've turned the final page. As the concluding installment of Beverly Jenkins' beloved Blessings series, it beautifully encapsulates the essence of love and resilience. The characters, particularly Tamar and Devon, embark on a profound journey of growth that unfolds seamlessly throughout the narrative. Watching the blossoming connections within this family and witnessing their genuine expressions of friendship, humor, hope, and love is a captivating experience. This story is not just well-crafted; it is a powerful and inspirational read that resonates deeply. It is a celebration of life and the enduring bonds that shape us, making it a truly unforgettable read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

The Christmas Ring A Holiday Romance by Karen Kingsbury

 Book Excerpt:

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

While searching for her family's long-lost heirloom ring, military widow Vanessa Mayfield meets handsome antique dealer Ben Miller. The two are drawn to each other and forge a friendship that soon becomes a profound and breathtaking romance. But neither are sure that what they've found can last.

As Vanessa organizes her annual Columbus Cares Christmas Military Dance, she looks forward to her daughter's return from college. But Vanessa hasn't told Sadie about Ben. After all, Vanessa hadn't anticipated finding love again after losing her husband. And now she wrestles with feelings that are becoming hard to ignore.

Just as Ben is about to declare his love for Vanessa, he learns more about her missing Christmas ring: her great-grandfather found it in France on D-Day, and engraved on the band is a single meaningful word. The details confirm a terrible truth, one that Ben cannot ignore.

Certain he now knows where Vanessa's ring is, Ben leaves town in a frantic rush. But can he stop a certain sale, or will Vanessa's ring be lost forever? Days before Christmas, when all seems hopeless, Ben and Vanessa learn an important eternal truth: Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Title: The Christmas Ring
Author: Karen Kingsbury
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Fiction
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
'The Christmas Ring' by Karen Kingsbury

My Insight:

'The Christmas Ring' is a heartwarming holiday Christian romance that will keep you turning the pages, eager to discover what's next for Vanessa and Sophie. Vanessa Mayfield, a widow, has found love with Ben Miller, a fellow widower who owns an antique shop. However, she has yet to reveal this to her daughter Sophie. The story also revolves around a lost family heirloom ring. Will this ring be found, and how will Sophie adapt to her mother's new relationship? To find out, immerse yourself in this heartwarming read, 'The Christmas Ring.'

Prepare to be inspired by 'The Christmas Ring', a captivating story with a rich cast of characters. This tale is a tapestry of 'military spouse, devotion, faith, redemption, friendship, and love.' It's a story that is steeped in prayer and scripture, seamlessly woven into the Christmas narrative, offering a source of inspiration and hope.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an advance copy for my honest review.

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Mariama J. Lockington

Book Excerpt:

"When snow falls, sparks fly in this irresistible queer romance from Schneider Family Book Award and Stonewall Honor winner Mariama J. Lockington—for fans of She Gets the Girl and Jennifer Dugan.

High school senior Lyric has always found Christmas to be the hardest season. While other kids got presents and family time by the fire, she was in and out of foster care. An up-and-coming make-up influencer and aspiring cosmetology student who loves a bold lip, Lyric definitely isn't looking for romance—not when opening up to someone feels a lot like asking to get hurt.

Christmas is Juniper's favorite time of year. At least, it was, until her moms' separation. They're back together now, and Juniper hopes they'll stay that way. Because if they're happy, that means Juniper can leave for her gap-year trip after graduation (the one she has yet to tell her parents about, and can't really afford without their help).

When a chance meeting brings these two opposite personalities together, they should clash . . . only they don't. Instead, Lyric strikes a deal with Juniper: pose as her fake girlfriend in a series of holiday-themed social media posts, and they can split the money from her beauty sponsorships. But soon the lines between what's real and what's not start to blur. Are sparks flying both in front of the camera and behind it?

Told from dual perspectives, one in prose and one in verse, I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm is a cozy and modern love story from acclaimed author Mariama J. Lockington that's perfect for the winter holidays or all year round."

Title: I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

Author:  Mariama J. Lockington

Publisher:  Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Four

Review:

"I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" by Mariama J. Lockington

My Insight:  

"I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" was an enjoyable and charming read set during the winter holidays. Although I don't typically read this genre, I was drawn to it by its beautiful cover. The themes of fake dating, queer chaos, and holiday connections were quite engaging. I loved the characters, especially Lyric, a foster care survivor, and Juniper, who is vibrant and filled with holiday spirit. They felt relatable, and I appreciated how they navigated their relationship, ultimately finding their way thanks to their love. The dynamic of their fake dating added an interesting layer to the story! 

Thanks to @netgalley, the publisher, and Mariama J. Lockington for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Best Worst Thing A Novel by Lauren Okie

Book Excerpt:

"From a stunning new voice in romance, Lauren Okie's The Best Worst Thing is an intimate story about starting over, second chances, and two people who cannot help falling into each other's orbit once again.

Nicole Speyer has a fantastic life. At least that's what she tells herself. She's got a beautiful house, a relatively successful fertility podcast, and a perfect husband, Gabe. The only thing that's less than ideal is her years-long struggle with infertility—and how, with every passing day, she and Gabe seem to drift a little further apart.

But then, mere hours after a Hail Mary embryo transfer to her gestational carrier, Nicole discovers Gabe's been sleeping with their dog walker, and her world turns upside down. Suddenly, a jobless, childless, and now-husbandless Nicole finds herself at the doorstep of somebody she tried to say goodbye to a long time ago.

Logan Milgram: a former colleague with serious golden retriever energy who happens to be laugh-out-loud funny, a colossal nerd, and legitimately hot. When Logan opens his door that night, it's like no time has passed. And as they fall back into each other's lives, Nicole starts recognizing herself in the mirror again. She even begins to like what she sees. And then, like a cruel joke, she gets the news she's spent a lifetime waiting for: her surrogate is finally pregnant. 

As her relationship with Logan evolves from a casual fling into something deeper, Nicole finds herself struggling to balance her past, present, and future. Racing against the clock, she must learn to forgive her body for falling short and recognize that sometimes, it's the biggest betrayals in life that set us free. With everything on the line, can Nicole accept love from the most incredible man she's ever known . . . even if it's nothing like the story she'd written for herself?"

Title:  The Best Worst Thing 

Author:  Lauren Okie

Publisher:  Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"The Best Worst Thing" by Lauren Okie

My Insight:  

"The Best Worst Thing" is a profoundly emotional and heartwarming romantic read. The main character, Nicole, faces numerous challenges, including infertility, a cheating husband named Gabe, and a divorce. Throughout her journey, she not only finds love again but also discovers herself. What a powerful story this is! It takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster, but the banter between Nicole and Logan is delightful and adds charm to the narrative. Prepare yourself for a novel with short chapters that is hard to put down until the very end. I highly recommend it!

 Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for offering the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oct 7th Overdue A Novel by Stephanie Perkins

Book Excerpt:

"Ingrid Dahl, a cheerful twenty-nine-year-old librarian in the cozy mountain town of Ridgetop, North Carolina, has been happily dating her college boyfriend, Cory, for eleven years without ever discussing marriage. But when Ingrid's sister announces her engagement to a woman she's only been dating for two years, Ingrid and Cory feel pressured to consider their future. Neither has ever been with anybody else, so they make an unconventional decision. They'll take a one-month break to date other people, then they'll reunite and move toward marriage. Ingrid even has someone in mind: her charmingly grumpy coworker, Macon Nowakowski, on whom she's secretly crushed for years. But plans go awry, and when the month ends, Ingrid and Cory realize they're not ready to resume their relationship—and Ingrid's harmless crush on Macon has turned into something much more complicated.

Overdue is a beautiful, slow-burn romance full of lust and longing about new beginnings and finding your way."

Title:  Overdue 

Author:  Stephanie Perkins

Publisher:  St Martin's Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Four

Review:

"Overdue" by Stephanie Perkins

My Insight:  

'Overdue' is a charming read, promising a romantic and humorous journey that may unfold at a leisurely pace. What will happen when Ingrid and her long-term boyfriend, Cory, finally discuss marriage? And how will things change when her sister gets engaged? With Ingrid and Cory deciding to date other people for a month, the story takes a humorous turn. And when Ingrid starts dating Macon, her coworker, the situation becomes even more entertaining. Stick with it to experience the enjoyable ending. Brace yourself for a 'slow-burn romance' as 'Overdue' finally arrives.

Thank you, NetGalley & St. Martin's Press, for the advanced ebook copy of this book.

Mind of Milya Kindle Edition by Bess Hendrick

Book Excerpt:

"When a woman chooses complete autonomy, what does that mean for the man who loves her?

Confident and adventuresome, Milya Hart plunges into life with arms open wide. Chris Nelson, drawn to Milya's unconventional style, happily accepts her preference for a relationship free of formal commitments.

When Milya takes a chef's position in Anchorage, everything changes. Chris, who stays behind in Olympia to run his new bookstore, needs the security of a more traditional arrangement. Milya won't even consider it, declaring that things are good the way they are.

As the couple struggles to find common ground, Mind of Milya opens a window into the family legacies and personal experiences that mold their beliefs about relationships—experiences that will either lead to new growth, or break them apart."

Title:  Mind of Milya 

Author:  Bess Hendrick

Publisher:  B.H.

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Mind of  Milya" by Bess Hendrick

My Insight:

The pages of *Mind of Milya* pulse with energy, compelling readers to dive right in and experience the journey. The characters are vibrantly crafted, each showcasing unique traits that make them both endearing and relatable. Bess Hendrick brilliantly weaves rich descriptions that highlight the delicate balance between love and independence, inviting readers into the heartfelt emotional journeys of the characters. The narrative strikes a deep chord, examining life choices and the complexities of human relationships that resonate strongly in our own lives.

If you're seeking an engaging and thought-provoking read, *Mind of Milya* excels on every level, leaving you with plenty to ponder long after you've turned the final page. It's a journey worth taking!

THE GARBAGE MAN by Tessa Pacelli

 Book Excerpt:

"What if your dream job became a nightmare without end?

Fresh out of Harvard Business School, Kayla Mousavi lands a coveted job at General Recycling, beating out thousands to work for Americaʼs hottest tech company and its legendary CEO, Frederick Douglass Monahan. It seems like a golden opportunity. GRʼs trash-eating bacteria gobble up refuse, rescuing a world choking on garbage. And her job, as the right-hand analyst of a global business celebrity, guarantees a glittering future. But Kayla should have remembered what her father, in prison for insider trading, always said. Inside every great company is a great crime.

It's not long before Kayla stumbles onto the kind of dirt that not even the magic GR bugs can disappear. Soon, she's witness to a professional hit — a hit meant for her — and on a collision course with the truth behind the trash: deep in the bowels of a Wall Street darling is an extraordinary and terrifying business that will reshape everything we believe about psychology, security, privacy, and human nature. Now, to live, Kayla will have to outsmart a ruthless genius with unlimited resources. A man who absolutely intends to change the world…just not exactly as advertised."

Title:  The Garbage Man

Author:  Tessa Pacelli

Publisher:  Tessa Pacelli | Zero Day Books, LLC

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"The Garage Man" by Tessa Pacelli

My Insight:

"The Garbage Man" is a fascinating blend of suspense, thriller, and science that truly sparks curiosity! While you might need to stay alert to follow the twists and turns, the journey is enriching. Kayla Mousavi, our determined protagonist, brilliantly unravels the mysteries she encounters at General Recycling. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure that promises to surprise and delight you by the end. You won't want to miss this captivating techno-thriller experience!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC and for my giving my honest opinion of the read.