The Rose and the Crown Kindle Edition by Evelyn Sola

 Book Excerpt:

"In the small, quiet town of Shadow Cove, appearances hide dark secrets — and new beginnings can spark deadly games.

Eden Rose, a dedicated physical therapist and the sheriff's daughter, never expected to cross paths with a reckless motorcycle biker with a criminal past. When Ripley King saves her from being drugged at his nightclub, a dangerous obsession ignites. His tattoos and leather-clad danger draw her in, but his involvement in illegal activities threatens to destroy everything she loves.

As Ripley's need to claim her grows, Eden fears her carefully crafted world, her family's reputation, and her sense of safety will come apart. She aches to believe in their love, but the darker truths of Shadow Cove—her father's world and Ripley's secrets—push her to the edge. Can their passion withstand the chaos, or will the weight of her fears bury them both before they even have a chance?

The Rose and the Crown is the first installment in the Good Girls, Bad Boys series — a pull-no-punches tale of desire, danger, and the fight to trust in a small town where everyone's hiding something."

Title:  The Rose and the Crown 

Author:  Evelyn Sola

Publisher:  E. S.

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"The Rose and the Crown" by Evelyn Sola

My Review:  

'The Rose and the Crown' was a wonderful romantic comedy with plenty of drama in the small town of Shadow Cove that will keep you turning the pages for more. You will get some interesting characters like [Riley and Eden] that will keep you turning the pages for more. Be ready for some happy parts, along with some sad parts, too. All in all, the author gives the readers an exciting ride from start to finish. 

You Can't Keep a Good Woman Down: Stories Kindle Edition by Alice Walker

 Book Excerpt

"Women stand their ground in the midst of crisis in this story collection by the New York Times–bestselling author of The Color Purple. 

This collection builds on Alice Walker's earlier work, the much-praised In Love & Trouble. But unlike her first collection of stories, the women in these tenderly wrought tales face their problems head on, proving powerful and self-possessed even when degraded by others—sometimes by those closest to them. But even as the female protagonists face exploitation, social asymmetries, and casual cruelties, Walker leavens her stories with ample wit and, as always, an eye for the redemptive power of love."

Title:  You Can't Keep a Good Woman Down 

Author:  Alice Walker

Publisher:  Open Road Media

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"You Can't Keep a Good Woman Down" by Alice Walker

My Review:  

'You Can't Keep a Good Woman Down' was a wonderful collection of short stories that you will find some interesting reads from 'demise, myths, and mistreatments.'  Some of the stories are very powerful, as they will leave one a lot to ponder over long after the read.

Hemlock Lane: by Marshall Fine

 Book Excerpt:

"In this riveting story of family bonds and buried truths, a young woman's homecoming becomes a reckoning as four days together threaten to shatter the comfortable lies that have held her family together.

In the summer of 1967, the Levitsky family convenes for a long weekend at their home in the suburbs—an idyllic holiday for the perfect family.

But Nora has always known better.

Growing up, she learned to tiptoe around her mother, Lillian, whose explosive temper was well known. Her father did the same. Nora's sole confidante was their housekeeper, Clara, and their bond has only strengthened through the years. In fact, it's all that's keeping Nora together for her homecoming. But under that lifetime of pressure, the facade is beginning to splinter.

Over the next four days, everyone's secrets are at risk. None more so than what Nora really wants for her life, how Clara has helped her get it…and how they've orchestrated it all behind Lillian's back.

As the family grapples with the complex ties that bind them, Nora discovers that facing the truth—however painful—might be the key to finally breaking free. This weekend, Nora's bravest act may be in knowing which bonds to cherish and which ones need to be gently set aside, making room for a future of her own choosing."

Title:  Hemlock Lane [Audio Book]

Author:  Marshall Fine

Narrator: Helen Laser 

Publisher:  Brilliance Audio

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Hemlock Lane" by Marshall Fine

My Review:

'Hemlock Lane' was quite a read that kept me interested, and I kept turning the pages to see what was going on in this woman's life that she treated this child so horribly. It was no wonder that this child [Nora] felt that her mother did not love her.  

You must pick up this read to see how the Levitsky family goes through it as the story unfolds, and to see all the 'buried truths, secrets, tension, emotion, upheaval, and long-hidden revelations' that will tell this whole story. There were some good parts in the story, as the housekeeper, Clara, was a big help as you read through this story. 

Be prepared for some sad areas as well as some laughable ones. All in all, you will get a good read.  

Once and Again A Novel by Rebecca Serle

Book Excerpt:

"The women of the Novak family were each born with a gift: they can, just once, turn back time.

Lauren has known since she was fifteen that her mother, Marcella, saved Lauren's father from a deadly car accident. Dave is alive and happy, and out on the Malibu waves. But ever since, Marcella, her power spent, has lived in fear of what she can't reverse. Her own mother, Sylvia, is her polar opposite: a free-spirited iconoclast with a glamorous past she only hints at. Lauren has spent her life between these two role models—and waiting for her own catastrophe to strike.

Then one summer, Lauren's husband takes a job in New York, and she moves back to Broad Beach Road, back into her childhood home on the shores of Malibu. Lauren looks forward to surfing with her dad again and perhaps repairing an unspoken fracture in her relationship with her mother. What she doesn't expect is for the boy next door to return home as well: Stone, Lauren's first love, who broke her heart nearly a decade before.

As Lauren falls into familiar patterns, with her family and, more dangerously, Stone, she finds herself thinking about all the choices, wide and small, that have brought her to this moment. And wondering, finally, if one of them should be undone."

Title:  Once and Again

Author:  Rebecca Serle

Publisher:  Atria Books

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:  

'Once and Again' by Rebecca Serle

My Review:  

 'Once and Again' was quite a read, being emotional and all from three women: Sylvia, Marcella, and Lauren [3 generations], all having a special gift. You will find yourself turning the pages to see what's coming next in the story for each of the Novak family members. I found many of these characters somewhat relatable and could easily identify with them; however, some of their choices... well, could leave one pondering long after the read.  

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

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

Book Excerpt:

"Twice-widowed, Lady Etheldreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramley is solely responsible for her two children, a priggish stepdaughter, a razor-taloned peregrine falcon, and a crumbling manor. Fierce and determined, Ethel clings to the respectability her deceased husband's title affords her, hoping it will secure her daughters' future through marriage.

When a royal ball offers the chance to change everything, Ethel risks her pride in pursuit of an invitation for all three of her daughters—only to see her hopes fulfilled by the wrong one. As an engagement to the future king unfolds, Ethel discovers a sordid secret hidden in the depths of the royal family, forcing her to choose between the security she craves and the well-being of the stepdaughter who has rebuffed her at every turn.

As if Bridgerton met Circe, and exhilarating to its core, Lady Tremaine reimagines the myth of the evil stepmother at the heart of the world's most famous fairy tale. It is a battle cry for a mother's love for her daughters, and a celebration of women everywhere who make their own fortunes."

Title:  Lady Tremaine

Author:  Rachel Hochhauser

Publisher:  St. Martin's Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four
Review:

"Lady Tremaine" by Rachel Hochhauser

My Review:

'Lady Tremaine' was quite an interesting story about Cinderella's stepmother. This author wrote a story that will keep readers turning the pages to see what comes next for that evil stepmother, Etheldreda.

The story will be a fairy-tale retelling, so you will have to keep reading till the end. I don't want to give too much away, because there will be so much going on in this read, as one will see this stepmother doing her best to give the girls the best and secure their futures.

However, be ready for some darkness, which gives the reader a quite interesting experience with an unexpected twist at the end. I will stop here and say: read it and see how it comes together in the end.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

 

The Book Tour A Novel by Emily Ohanjanians

 Book Excerpt:

"Despite her popular podcast and sold-out speaking events, Ana Movilian still feels like she has to prove herself. To her family, who can't believe she quit med school to build an influencer career, and to literary snobs, who decry her buzzy self-help book. Happily, her upcoming book tour is the perfect chance to show the world just how bright her star can shine.

That is, until her beloved publicist resigns the night before their plane is set to take off, announcing that her replacement is none other than Ryan bleeping Grant.

Ryan specializes in highbrow, "important" books, and his perma-scowl in every interaction with Ana makes one thing clear: he does not get her book. Or her. He's the last person who should be promoting her work, the last person she should be stuck with for two weeks . . . and the last person who should look that damn good in business casual.

As they travel from city to city, however, Ana's assumptions about Ryan take new shape. A decidedly more appealing shape. Soon, their growing attraction feels like a ticking time bomb. But crossing that line could derail each of their careers faster than you can say "conflict of interest," and they both have bigger dreams at stake than the bestseller list."

Title:  The Book Tour 

Author:  Emily Ohanjanians

Publisher:  Ballantine | Dell

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"The Book Tour" by Emily Ohanjanians

My Review:  

'The Book Tour' is a romance that will hold your attention, with its plot following what happens to Ana. The story revolves around the publishing world, which can be quite an experience, as it was for Ana. And then there was Ryan. I liked him more than Ana. Why do I say that? I will stop here and tell you to pick up this book and see how it all comes together.    It will be interesting to see how this will work out as the story ends.   

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell Publishing for my ARC!

Big Country: A Fake Dating Romance (Romcom Set in NOLA) Kindle Edition by Amarie Avant

 Book Excerpt:

"Big League Energy, Single Momma Energy, and a fake relationship shadier than a Louisiana live oak.

MONTANA
"Big Country." That name—my name—had Dodger Stadium shaking when I won the World Series. Now they're talking suspension? Please. I'm a national legend. The pride of NOLA. But the only thing dragging my six-foot-four frame into my Creole restaurant is her … Journey.
That woman's a walking challenge—sharp tongue, soft smile, and eyes that promise trouble. One look from me and she fumbles that calm facade. One look from her and suddenly I'm reconsidering every rule I've ever followed.
So yeah, I'll polish my image with her—and maybe blur the line between business and pleasure.

ZURI
That damn face of Montana's? Unfair. His voice? Dangerous. His presence? A whole problem I don't need. But when Big Country offers a contract that could change my life, Iread the fine print.
Hell, he doesn't even know my real name. My locs stay tucked under a wig that smells like coconut oil, chaos, and bad decisions. And nobody will ever know the truth about my son's father.
But the problem isn't pretending. It's the way he looks at me—like he sees straight through the disguise. And if I'm not careful, he might know the woman I swore I'd never let anyone touch … again."


This brand-new, hilarious fake dating romcom will have you planning a trip to New Orleans!

Title:  Big Country

Author:  Amarie Avant

Publisher:  A.A.

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

'Big Country' by Amarie Avant

My Review:  

'Big Country' was a compelling story about Montana and Zuri. The story will keep the reader laughing throughout, as the jokes keep coming. We find Zuri is very focused on her some and definitely well guarded when it comes to Montana. Now, why was this? With families and friends pushing them together, you will keep laughing at how some of this story unfolds.   You must pick up this good read to see how well this author brings it all out to her readers. It was a good story about love, fake dating, and even a bit of mystery.