Monday, May 19, 2025

Baked With Love (The Boardwalk Bakery Romance Book 1) Kindle Edition by Tina Martin


 Book Excerpt:

"Ramsey St. Claire can't understand the pull he has to visit The Boardwalk Bakery - until he enters and meets the quirky, timid bakery owner, Gianna Jacobsen. There's an instant... 'something'. Not love, though. He doesn't believe in love at first sight. But there is... 'something'. Since recently taking a sabbatical from work, he has all the time in the world to figure out what that 'something' is. When he starts peeling back Gianna's layers, he quickly becomes addicted to more than just her delicious, mouth-watering cupcakes. He wants to know her in ways he never thought he wanted to know a woman again. And Ramsey St. Claire always gets what he wants."

Title: Baked With Love

Author: Tina Martin

Publisher: T.M.
Series: The Boardwalk Bakery Romance Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Baked With Love," by Tina Martin

My Insight:

"Baked With Love" is an engaging romantic read that explores Ramsey and Gianna's relationship. However, bringing these two together is quite challenging, especially since Gianna is unsure of what she truly wants, while Ramsey is clear about his feelings.

Readers must pick up the next two series installments to discover whether Ramsey and Gianna's relationship will develop further.

This Time Next Year Kindle Edition by Tina Martin


 Book Excerpt:

"The love of my life up and let me one day, and I have no idea why. My life hasn't been the same since.

When I run into Adrianna in a grocery store, I instantly feel the chemistry between us. Thinking there's still a chance, I drive to her home hoping we can talk. Besides, she told me that if we were both single next year, we'd give marriage another go.

The only thing is, I don't know why our marriage failed in the first place."


Title:  This Time Next Year
Author:  Tina Martin
Publisher:  T.M.
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
This Time Next Year Kindle Edition by Tina Martin

My Insight:

'This Time Next Year' is a captivating novella by Tina Martin that explores the connection between two characters, Trey and Adrianna, who, despite their breakup, still have a bond that pulls them back together. What will Adrianna reveal to Trey? To find out, you must pick up this engaging short read!

Trial By Jury (A Rain City Legal Thriller Book 2) Kindle Edition by Stephen Penner


Book Excerpt:

"Murder is an art form. And this one is a masterpiece.

Attorney Daniel Raine recently left his job and is struggling to make rent. So when he’s invited to a fundraiser gala at a downtown Seattle art gallery, he sees it as a chance to find new clients among the city’s wealthy elite.

And it works in the most unexpected way – when a young artist is found dead in the women’s restroom.

The assigned detective declares it a suicide, and the young woman’s parents promptly sue the gallery owner for driving their daughter to take her own life. Raine is hired to defend the lawsuit and intends to exonerate his client.

He soon realizes that the Rain City art world is a hotbed of intrigue, treachery, and secret deals, and becomes convinced that the young artist was murdered. But why? And by whom?

Raine finds himself navigating an unfamiliar world populated by wealthy collectors, starving art students, and a beautiful and beguiling director at a local art school. Can he piece together what happened on that fateful night and save his client from ruin?"

Title: Trial By Jury
Author: Stephen Penner
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Series: A Rain City Legal Thriller Book 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Trial By Jury" by Stephen Penner

My Insight:

'Trial By Jury' is an enthralling legal thriller that will keep readers engaged from start to finish in this second book of the series. The characters are well-developed and add a lot of excitement to the story. It was enjoyable to see the dynamic between Daniel Raine and Rebecca Sommers as they navigated their professional challenges, with their humorous banter adding a nice touch.

Expect plenty of twists and turns throughout the narrative, along with humor, compelling courtroom drama, and suspense that will keep you on your toes. The surprising conclusion leaves you pondering, "I didn’t see that coming!"

This author has crafted an intriguing plot that sets the stage perfectly for the next installment in the series.

 

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Dumbledore: The Life and Lies of Hogwarts's Renowned Headmaster: An Unofficial Exploration Audible Logo Audible Audiobook – Unabridged Irvin Khaytman (Author), Richard Trinder (Narrator), Tantor Audio (Publisher)


 Book Excerpt:

"A brilliant investigation into the motivations and methods behind the actions of Hogwarts's renowned Headmaster!

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, is one of the Harry Potter series' most recognizable and mysterious figures. As an unscrupulous beetle-like journalist once said, he's "a biographer's dream." Is he omniscient or limited? Is he benevolent or malevolent? What really drove him in the last years of an extraordinary life?

Dumbledore dives between the lines of the Harry Potter books to create a portrait of the controversial Headmaster. We find Dumbledore's hand in every seeming coincidence and consider the impossible decisions he had to make. This in-depth examination from author Irvin Khaytman casts the events of the Harry Potter series in a whole new light, resolving fans' questions that linger to this day."



Title:  Dumbledore:  The Life and Lies of Hogwarts's Renowned Headmaster

Author: Irvin Khaytman 

Publisher:  Tantor Audio

Narrator:  Richard Trinder

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Dumbledore: The Life and Lies of Hogwarts's Renowned Headmaster: An Unofficial Exploration Audible Logo Audible Audiobook" by Ivin Khaytman


My Insight:


'Dumbledore' was a good read, and the author brings into the light the choices Dumbledore made to reach a goal "for the Better Good" in the combo world of wizardry and muggles.


'Dumbledore' also includes input from others, such as whether he agreed with them, which impacted his observations and conclusions. I found some insightful points as to why specific reasoning was reached. Those revelations answered why, who, what, where, and when actions and activities were taken. It opened any emotional wonder that was roaming in my subconscious. It was interesting seeing how he had this legitimate talent.  


'Dumbledore' used people, manipulated situations, and many other things to reach that goal, regardless of his life expectancy, in which he did not live to see his goal attained.  




The Prism Seven Steps to Heal Your Past and Transform Your Future by Laura Day


 Book Excerpt:

"The New York Times bestselling author of Practical Intuition presents a transformational program to heal your past, transform your present, and create the future you deserve

A consultant to billion-dollar companies and the brightest lights of Hollywood, Laura Day, in her breakthrough book Practical Intuition, explained how anyone can train themselves to gain full access to the powers of the intuitive brain. Only Laura's closest friends, however, knew that behind the book's phenomenal success was a dark family history that came to provide her with profound insights into human nature.

Now, Day has combined those insights with her intuitive training to create a method of self-discovery and renewal that will change your life. The Prism reveals seven points in our growth as children and adults that can hinder us or help us thrive. By using intuitive methods to examine our roles, beliefs, and realities, we can create meaningful health, inner peace, and personal growth, improving everything from wealth relationships to turning our life's wrongs into rights.

Developed over a decade with thousands of students and based on her unique approach, which combines scientific principles, wisdom from ancient traditions, and intuitive intelligence, Day's program has repeatedly proven effective and world-changing. She believes every human is born to thrive. The Prism is your guide to that future.

Title:  The Prism: Seven Steps to Heal Your Past and Transform Your Future

Author:  Laura Day

Publisher:  Spiegel & Grau 

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Four

Review:

"The Prism: Seven Steps to Heal Your Past and Transform Your Future" by Laura Day

My Insight:  

"The Prism: Seven Steps to Heal Your Past and Transform Your Future" is beautifully written, making it easy for readers to understand. I particularly enjoyed how the author shared chapters about her own life. One part that resonated with me was this: "Of all the roles we play in our lives, maybe the hardest one to find is our most effective self, the one that can create what we want in the world, regardless of what we've been told we are—or aren't. The Prism serves as a template to help us define that role, allowing us to choose who we want to be and what world we want to build around ourselves and share with others." This book is remarkable because it brings out the extraordinary in us. I couldn't express it any better. You should pick up this enriching read; I know it will benefit you greatly.

Thank you, Net Gallery and Spiegel & Grau, for this read.

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Final Justice: A Miranda Chase Legal Thriller (Miranda Chase Legal Thriller Series Book 5) Kindle Edition by Freya Atwood


 Book Excerpt:

"A father's deadly secret. A cartel's ruthless revenge. A daughter's fight for survival—before her past consumes her.

Miranda Chase thought she'd finally won. After twenty-five years of torment, she put her father—the man who abused her, manipulated the system, and evaded justice—behind bars for good. But when the FBI strikes a deal to free him in exchange for bringing down a deadly cartel, Miranda's world shatters once more.

Hasta le Muerte doesn't forgive. The gang wants blood for the betrayal that landed their leader in prison—and they know exactly where to find it. A chilling message clarifies that Miranda and her brother Tyler are the next targets. As she races to uncover the cartel's next move, she realizes her father is playing his own game. He's always been three steps ahead, and now, with his freedom within reach, he's more dangerous than ever.

With time running out and nowhere to hide, Miranda must outmaneuver a ruthless cartel and the monster who raised her. Because if she fails, she won't just lose her case—she'll lose her life."

Final Justice is an exciting, blood-pumping legal thriller written by Freya Atwood and published by Cobalt Fairy.

Title:  Final Justice
Author:  Freya Atwood
Publisher:  Cobalt Fairy LLC
Series:  Miranda Chase Legal Thriller Book 5
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating:  Five
Review:
"Final Justice" by Freya Atwood

My Insight:  
"Final Justice" was a captivating read that provided a satisfying conclusion to Miranda's journey. The narrative was filled with courtroom drama, keeping you on the edge of your seat with its dynamic characters. Moments of revelation changed everything for Miranda, especially when a trusted friend turned out to be someone very different. I won't give too much away, but it's a story worth picking up to see how it unfolds for her.
The extended epilogue was beautifully crafted. It gave Miranda a glimpse of happiness that had long been absent, and this poignant wrap-up left me hopeful for her future.

The Night Stalker In Court: A Serial Killers Legal Thriller (The Serial Killers Legal Thriller Series Book 3) Kindle Edition by Ellis Keler


 Book Excerpt:

"He hunted in the shadows, but now the spotlight is on him. Justice isn't the only thing on trial in The Night Stalker in Court…

About the book

A brutal predator…

A town demanding justice…

A lawyer defending the indefensible…

The Night Stalker's reign of terror is over, but the true nightmare is just beginning for defense attorney Vivienne Cross. With the world against her and the evidence damning, Vivienne takes on the case no one else will touch—because Marcus Reed chose her.

As the trial twists darker, chilling secrets surface—about Marcus, his victims, and Vivienne herself. And when the line between justice and horror blurs, one truth becomes clear:

Some monsters wear masks—and not all are on trial."


The Night Stalker In Court is an exciting, blood-pumping legal thriller, written by Ellis Keler and published by Cobalt Fairy.

If you enjoy strong characters, action-packed courtroom drama, and mind-blowing murder mysteries, you'll love Ellis' intriguing story."

Title: The Night Stalker in Court
Author: Ellis Keler
Publisher: Cobalt Fairy LLC
Series: The Serial Killers Legal Thriller Book 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Night Stalker In Court" by Ellis Keler

My Insight:

"The Night Stalker" presents a complex legal battle for attorney Vivienne Cross, who finds herself defending Marcus Reed, a man clearly guilty of heinous murders. Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Vivienne believes it's crucial to delve into the reasons behind his actions to spare him from the death penalty. The dynamics between Vivienne and Marcus add an unsettling layer to the narrative, as his peculiar behavior unfolds throughout the trial.

This thrilling story will grip you from start to finish, compelling you to delve deeper into the motivations and secrets that lie beneath the surface. Readers question the boundaries between justice and morality as the courtroom drama intensifies. If you want to discover the ultimate fate of Vivienne and her client, you'll need to follow the twists and turns of this captivating tale.

Baked With Love (The Boardwalk Bakery Romance Book 1) Kindle Edition by Tina Martin

 Book Excerpt: " Ramsey St. Claire can't understand the pull he has to visit The Boardwalk Bakery - until he enters and meets the q...