JOY AND PAIN Kindle Edition by Chicki Brown

 Book Excerpt:

"Braxton Nash is the type of man Khari Phillips has always dreamed of. He is kind, motivated, handsome, and sexy. After dating for only a few months, she feels the big question is coming soon. Only Brax has a secret. When she finds out, will it matter?

After years of random dating and one serious relationship, Brax is ready to give everything he has-spirit, soul, and body-to one woman. Khari embodies everything he wants and needs. But is he willing to give up the one thing standing in the way?"

Title:  Joy and Pain

Author:  Chicki Brown

Publisher:  C.B. October 4, 2024

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Joy and Pain" by Chick Brown

My Perception:  

'Joy and Pain' was quite an intriguing read. It dealt mainly with Khari and Braxton, an interracial couple. Nothing was too surprising about these two. It was great to see that they truly loved each other even after Khari discovered Brax's secret. Some secondary characters were also interesting, such as Brax's best friend Cam and Khari and Brax's nanny. It was beautiful what they did to help Quay, the nanny. Then, Khari's best friend, Maya, was there for Khari. Also, I want to include Brax's mother, who was now, well, I will leave it there and say you must pick up this good read to see what happened between them.  

This was another excellent book by this author. If you are looking for a good romantic, multicultural, interracial read, you have come to the right place.  

Dem Folk At Holy Rock (My Son's Wife Book 10) Kindle Edition by Shelia E. Bell

 Book Excerpt:

"Hezekiah McCoy is a free man in more ways than one. He's roaming around seeking a place to establish "New Holy Rock Ministries" and finds himself a first lady to go along with it. Fancy McCoy is determined to live her best life after being duped by a man who was sent by her ex-husband to humiliate her. Dem McCoy Boys are still making their marks and leaving some unforgettable legacies (not necessarily all good ones). Stiles's visits to Holy Rock are growing more frequent. Is it because of his new position or the new lady in his life?"

Title: Dem Folk At Holy Rock
Author: Shelia E. Bell
Publisher: S.E.B. (July 20, 2020)
Series: My Son's Wife Book 10
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Dem Folk At Holy Rock" by Shelia E. Bell

My Perception:
Be ready for many twists, turns, and drama in this series 10, 'Dem Folk At Holy Rock.' We find Hezekiah starting a new church, Holy Rock Ministries, and wanting to employ his brother Stiles as co-pastoring with him, and he seems to be looking for a new first lady. Pepper marries Xaviar, knowing that he is gay but thinking she could change him. Then there was Ian, who seemed to be there for Xaviar. Let's not leave out Fancy and her new guy, and we find that the story continues on and on, keeping the reader turning the pages to see what was coming next. And all that was left to stay was a horrible wedding, especially in how it ended with Khalil and Eiana. I am not sure who I felt more sorrier for... Pepper, Victoria, and Eliana, to name a few.

By the end of this series, we can see that Holy Rock has so many secrets, deceits, and betrayals that you will shake your head and say, "Wow," at the outrageousness of it all.

To Love Again Kindle Edition by Laura T. Johnson

 Book Excerpt:

"Siobhan Warner never thought she would be able to escape the abuse she suffered at the hands of her boyfriend. Despite the urging of her mother and best friend, she was too much in love to leave him—and was deathly afraid of the repercussions if she did. But her blind loyalty is about to be tested.

Soon, Siobhan awakes in the hospital. She also awakes to Dr. Justice Edmonds. Dr. Edmonds is drawn to Siobhan the moment he sees her. There's something about her that makes his heart skip a beat. And against his better judgment, he wants to find out more about this beautiful woman.
Can Siobhan find the courage to move on and open her heart again, or will her newfound strength cause someone to pay the ultimate price?"

Title:  To Love Again

Author:  Laura T. Johnson

Publisher:  L.T.J.  July 25, 2024

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"To Love Again" by Laura T. Johnson

My Perception:  

'To Love Again' was an intriguing romance, especially for Siobhan Warner and Justice Edmonds. It was interesting to see how these two came together. I am still not sure how I felt about Siobhan as she dealt with that horrible boyfriend, Brian. Did Siobhan know she needed help and couldn't do this alone? She had people around her willing to help her, but for some reason, she loved that guy and thought he would change. How could she trust him after time after time of him beating her? It's a wonder that guy didn't kill her, is all that is left to say. And to think this goes on in our world today.

The story will keep your interest, and you will turn the pages to see what happens next with Siobhan. All that remains is that it was genuinely great that she met Justice Edmonds and listened to his advice as something good came out of that.

Before the Beginning: A Spirit and Sanctioned Mate Prequel - Book #0 Kindle Edition by EJ Brock

 Book Excerpt:

"Above the vast span of endless darkness, a brilliant light beams with an iridescent splendor. Streaked with various colors, prisms from that marvelous light cascade downward and pierce the blackness. Amid that kaleidoscopic glow sits a foursquare city. No variation of darkness plagues the city because its glorious illumination is impenetrable. The city is walled off by twelve pearl-sealed gates. Three on each of the city's four jewel-encrusted walls. Within the walls of the city resides a royal throne room. The throne seat is high and lifted up on an altar. It is occupied by the self-existent God. The Alpha and the Omega. The one who is reverently known as The Great I AM."

Title:  Before the Beginning

Author:  E. J. Brock

Publisher:  E.J.B.  October 14, 2021

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

'I Am The Beginning' by E. J. Brock

My Perception:

'I Am The Beginning' was quite an exciting story about how this author created a unique, fantastical story for the readers. I loved this scripture at the beginning of the read:  "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."  Ecclesiastes 3:11 This scripture gives you a feeling of how this author displays the read.  

I enjoyed reading about these characters: Abba, Word, I AM, Michael, Wrod, YHWH, Free Will, Graviton, and many more, which will keep you turning the pages. I also loved how the verses and scriptures played very well in this story, making one feel like they were there.  

I loved how the beginning of each chapter gave the reader a little title explaining how that chapter deals with how our God created Heaven, the universe, and man. 

This author did an excellent job of bringing this all out, giving us some truth and fantasy in her thoughts about what happened before the creation of Heaven, along with a little more.   This is where you must pick up 'I Am The Beginning' to see how well she brings it all together.

I also love the Epilogue, As it ends with The Beginning: 'And God said, Let there be light: and there was light, and God saw the light, that it was good: God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And the evening and the morning were the First Day! Genesis 1:3-5'

Thank you for an incredible read.

The Lawyer’s Endgame: An Island of Secrets Legal Thriller (Island of Secrets Legal Thriller Series Book 7) Kindle Edition by Freya Atwood

 Book Excerpt:

"The final battle for justice begins. But will Benjamin Wolfe survive the fight?

When Harper Brown—the sociopath who's evaded justice for years—is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, Benjamin Wolfe sees his chance to finally make her pay. But nothing is ever simple.

Harper's dangerous charm has snared the most influential people in town. Now, with hazardous enemies stacking the deck against Benjamin and a key witness terrified into silence, he must fight for justice and his very survival.

Winning means everything to Ben. But when his past mistakes come crashing down around him, he realizes one thing: even victory might not save him from the price of revenge."

Title:  The Lawyer's Endgame

Author:  Freya Atwood

Publisher:  ‎ Cobalt Fairy LLC (October 10, 2024)

Series:  Island of Secrets Legal Thriller Series Book 7

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"The Lawyer's Endgame" by Freya Atwood

My Perception:  

'The Lawyer's Endgame' finally ends when Attorney Ben Wolfe takes down that horrible person. This long series was due to end one way or another. There were a few characters that I felt sorry for, but seeing how the story turned out was a good one. Start the first series and read through to the end of series 7 to fully understand this story because so many twists and turns will keep you turning the pages till the end.  

Pieces of Forever: A Christian Romance (River Falls Book 1) Kindle Edition by Valerie M. Bodden

 Book Excerpt:

"\The scars on her face are nothing to the wounds on her heart. But can God help her find healing―and love?

Eight years ago, Ava and Joseph had the perfect future planned—he would go to veterinary school, she would embark on a career with an exclusive modeling agency, and they'd eventually get married and have three dogs and four children. Until a terrible accident changed everything. Unwilling to believe they could still have a future, she made Joseph promise to leave and live out their dreams without her.

Joseph has never broken a promise to Ava.

Because before he made that stupid promise to leave, they'd made each other another promise—one of forever. Now that he's done with veterinary school, he's determined to return to River Falls and show her his promise still stands. That he loves her just the way she is.

But first, he'll have to find a way to crack the safe she's erected around her heart.

Fortunately, he has help in the form of three lovable dogs, a particular group of sick kids, and more than a few slices of pie. But will it be enough to convince Ava that they are forever worth fighting for? Or will he be left picking up the pieces―alone?"

Title:  Pieces of Forever

Author:  Valerie M. Bodden

Publisher:  V. M. B. 

Series:  River Falls Book 1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Pieces of Forever" by Valerie M. Bodden

My Perception:  

'Pieces of Forever' is a perfect Christian romance that will stay with readers long after they read it. It is truly remarkable how these two [Ava and Joseph] came back together after it looked like it was over for them for over 8 years being apart, and this author gives us such a good ending.  

Pick up this good read to see how Ava and Joseph are well presented in this romantic story.  

Lightning in Her Hands by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

 Book Excerpt:

"Gifted—or cursed—with the power to influence the weather, one woman must embrace her wild heart in the following electric romance from the author of Witch of Wild Things.

Teal Flores is desperate for control over her gift of weather and a date to her ex's wedding. The first is only possible once she finds her long-lost mother, but the second has a very handsome last-ditch solution: Carter Velasquez.

Carter needs Teal, too. His chance of receiving an inheritance depends on his marriage by age thirty (blame his traditional Cuban grandmother), so who better to pose as his wife than Teal? But fake marriage and cohabitation prove tricky when mutual attraction charges the atmosphere—quite literally for Teal, whose volatile emotions cause lightning strikes.

Together, Teal and Carter embark on a quest to find her mother and the answers she's searching for. But along the way, they'll discover something even better: a love that can weather any storm."

Title:  Lightning in Her Hands

Author:  Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

Publisher:  Berkley

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four
Review:

"Lightning in Her Hands" by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

My Perception:  

'Lightning in Her Hands' was a good read about three sisters, a mother, and magic. There is another book I didn't read, but you can keep up with what is going on without reading the first book, 'Witch of Wild Things. 

Teal, one of the sisters, seems to have had her magic broken by her mom. What was that all about? Why was Teal wanting to get her control of her magic back at this time? Well, a best friend named Carter wants to mend their relationship, and when he presents a fake proposal, she accepts. Be ready for a journey that these characters will go on. I will say the two main characters [Teal and Carter]were something else in all the presented trauma. There will be 'trauma, neglect and abuse' that will continue, but I will stop here and say you must pick this story up and see how well this author presents magical realism, especially if you like magic in one's intriguing romance.   

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.