Eight Naughty Notes: Baes of Christmas Kindle Edition by Aja

 Book Excerpt:

"Tori Clark knew at a very young age that she'd have to make sacrifices to reach her goals of becoming one of the most trusted Pediatricians in Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, Tori didn't have the luxury of partying, traveling, or even falling in love. But she did, in fact, fall in love with Christian Powers, a man going through his residency training right alongside her. They were both among the best and brightest stars in their program with very few chances to take R&R, but somehow they managed to sneak in a few moments that brought them closer together. With Christian, Tori learned to laugh and cry out in pleasure. However, when Tori receives a reminder of her first passion, she decides to break things off with Christian to preserve herself and her life goals.

Years later, Christian, now a top Pediatric Intensivist, returns to the place of his residency, not only for an opening at the Children's Hospital but also for a second opportunity at love.

Warm-up your holiday with this hot second chance romance.

Tori Clark first appears in For Once; however, you can enjoy her story without reading it."

Title: Eight Naughty Notes
Author: Aja
Publisher: She Loves Words Publishing LLC
Series: Baes of Christmas Series
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
'Eight Naughty Notes' by Aja

My Opinion:

'Eight Naughty Notes' was a sweet holiday read that featured Tori Clark and Christian Powers, seeing them get their second chance at love. This beautiful story stored how Christian didn't give up on whom he wanted in his life. It was so wonderful that many people around Tori knew that something was going on with her as she began to listen and give love a second chance. The story was adorable about these two doctors who worked with children. As they came together, one could see that there was so much love and passion and a beautiful romance, as this author gives her readers.

A Southern Delights Christmas (Victory Gospel Short Book 5) Kindle Edition by Tyora Moody

 Book Excerpt:

"Sequel to Southern Delights short story.

Author Nia Michaels lives a blessed life, celebrating her highly anticipated romance novel. Her own real-life romance with Brendan McCormick has been a delight for the past six months. However, Nia's hypersensitive emotions flare up when Brendan shows signs of not being into her anymore. Is her history with men about to be repeated?

To make matters worse, her ex-boyfriend returns to town, and he doesn't seem to care that Nia has moved on with a new man. With Brendan is acting lately, Nia is wondering if a break-up is inevitable.

With her favorite holiday around the corner, all Nia wants for Christmas is the same happily ever after she writes about in her books.

Victory Gospel Shorts are sweet Christian romance stories from 8,000 to 25,000 words or 32-100 book pages. Meet a different member from the Victory Gospel Church family. Don't be surprised if you see a character from the Victory Gospel Series or the Reed Family Series in a story."

Title: A Southern Delights Christmas
Author: Tyora Moody
Publisher: Tymm Publishing
Series: Victory Gospel Short Book 5
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"A Southern Delights Christmas" by Tyora Moody

My Opinion:

Everything seemed to be going prodigious well for Nia Michael, an author and doing well with writing her romance novel. Plus, Nia had been dating Brendan McCormick, and all seemed to be going well for these two. However, things started turning sour for these two when Nia was finally told that Brendan would be laid off from work. What will happen as Brendan is looking for a job in three different states? Also, it looks like Nia's ex-boyfriend has come back to town and wants to talk with her...about what? Will this present a problem for Nia and Brendan, and why was that? I believe that Nia should have shared a particular fact with Brendan, but, as usual, it wasn't a surprise in the way the story went for them.

It was good seeing Brendan finally finding something that he liked right there in the area he was from and seeing how he was working at it.

Will these two be able to get everything solved, and they finally get their HEA? To get all of these questions answered and more, you will have to pick up this good short Christian romantic read to see how this author will bring it all out to the reader. Would I recommend it? Yes, but I also believe you need to read the series for even more of an understanding of what had gone on in the lives of Nia and Brendan.

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When A Man's Fed Up-Unlocking the Soul of a Few Good Men By Denise Cook-Godfrey

 Book Excerpt:

"Xavier Taylor was a man who had lived most of his life chasing shadows. Shadows of things that never quite came to fruition in the days of his prime. Most of those days were spent building walls and suppressing the pain, anger, and confusion surrounding his father and the family he never bonded with)."

Title:  When A Mn's Fed Up-Unlocking the Soul of a Few Good Men

Author:  Denise Cook-Godfrey

Publisher:  D.C.G.

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

When A Man's Fed Up- Unlocking the Soul of a Few Good Men  

By Denise Cook-Godfrey

My Opinion:  

If you are looking for a novel that explains it all to the reader, then you have come to the right place. "When A Man's Fed Up" shows what happens when a person is fed up as it was for Xavier Montel Taylor, and it wasn't only him...but his friends Ezra and Maverick seemed to have some problems in that direction also. What was it with Xavier, who had  spent most of his life "building walls and suppressing the pain, anger, and confusion surrounding his father and the family he never bonded with."  Now, why was this? We find that the other two boys had fathers...but were they any happier with that fact?  

To get into the story without giving too much away, we find Xavier is having quite a life dealing with problems he only had to deal with. Let's start with the dreams he had been having for a long time that manifests much later in his life. What was that about? Along with having a mom who had to work hard and dealing with her live-in boyfriend who seemed to dislike him, or let's say they disliked each other, did cause problems.   One good thing that Xavier had in his life was his Christian Grandma Sweet, and that was such a good thing to have, and oh how he loved her and listened well to her.  

Moving on to Xavier's two best friends... Ezra and Maverick, we find  Ezra seemed to be content somewhat helping take care of the children, helping his mom and aunt Josie; however, his father seemed to treat him...well, you will have to pick up this read and see for yourself what that was all about. As time went on, Ezra married, and as he began to have dreams, as Xavier did, his life changed drastically from what he had wanted. Now, why was that? 

Oh, yes, the three friends were a rapping group through high school and seemed to enjoy rapping together until what happened? Will anything come of this for Xavier, Ezra, and Maverick? What happened in this situation caused Xavier to be blamed for something he didn't do, and he even stopped going to that church?  

Then there was Maverick, who had it all so well, being the son of pastor Malcolm Price [and let's not leave out his mother [that first lady] but was he pleased,  and delighted at their decision of his life? And if not, why was that? What did Maverick want to do with his life? What was it about Maverick's parents, as they seemed to be the only ones who knew what Maverick needed? Why did they choose not to listen to what Maverick wanted to do with his life?  

I know I ask many questions in my review. However, I don't want to tell you the answers because I was hoping you could pick up this fantastic read and find out all the answers to the many questions asked.

As the reader continues, one will find out how well the story has well-developed and defined secondary characters that explained just who they were that added so much to the story like Sue, Grandma S, Shep, Megan, Mr. Culpepper, Aunt TT[Josie], Tyler, Pebbles, Taisha, Treyvon, and Raven, to name a few.

As the story moves on, what will happen when after the three...Xavier, Maverick, and Ezra have a reunion of sorts after not being in contact for quite a while. What will come of that?  

What will happen when the WayMaker Church has a men's conference day with the theme being 'Fed-Up'  "When a Man's Fed Up Unlocking the Soul of a Few Good Men..." where Ezra and Xavier spoke from their hearts on what had been bothering them...but as this Fed Up session was proceeding an unexpected visitor appears. With so many secrets coming out from this conference, wow, the reader will be led to keep turning the pages to find out more. So now, will all of the above questions that have been asked be answered? YES!

Who all will this be a 'Judgement day' be for...? I was left thinking WOW!! Will all of their answers to the many secrets that had been all over the place be resolved? Also, will the dream that Xavier had been having forever be revealed to what was going on in that dream? By the end of 'When A Man's Fed Up,' who will be together as friends, married, and pursuing a new occupation?  

AGAIN, to get all of the questions answered and more, you, the reader, will have to pick up this excellent story and see for yourself how well this author brings it all out to her readers.

Would I recommend it?... Yes, but not only for the man but for some women too!

Thank you to the author for an excellent read!

Thank you to the author for an excellent read! 

 

 

The Great Gatz by Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Jackie Logsted

 Book Excerpt:

"A dog tries his best to keep his two co-parenting owners and their happiness afloat in this hilarious and touching sequel to Joint Custody by Lauren Baratz-Logsted and Jackie Logsted.

The Man is happy. The Woman is happy. That means Gatz is happy. He'd like to forget about the trouble he made to get them back together—only slightly ashamed at his antics—and focus on the future. The Woman and New Man are about to get married, after all. But when The Woman loses her job because of some bad press about the two of them, her confidence is broken, and she can't help but feel resentful towards New Man when his own career stays intact. Gatz has to give it to him; New Man remains as patient as a saint (of course he does).

The Man is doing better, too, thanks to the New Woman in his life, who just so happens to be a writer as well. But two authors in the same relationship can sometimes be one too many, and they find themselves getting quite competitive with each other. But Gatz has faith in them—The Man did learn from his mistakes, didn't he?

Gatz doesn't know what happened to these two perfectly happy couples, but he knows one thing is for sure: not all families are alike, and happiness can be found in the unlikeliest pockets—just like treats!"

Title: The Great Gatz
Authors: Lauren Baratz-Logsted & Jackie Logsted
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Series: Gatz Chronicle #2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
The Great Gatz" by Lauren Baratz-Logsted & Jackie Logsted

My Opinion:

'The Great Gatz' continues from the first series, 'Joint Custody,' where the authors have done an excellent job with this Gatz's story. We find Gatz's has two owners where The Man has custody Monday thru Friday...who is a writer and The Woman has him on the weekend...who is an editor. What has happened that has presented this situation? Well, that's a story you will have to read in the first series but now what is happening in this story...'The Great Gatz' as we find that since The Man and The Woman have split, it looks like she has moved on to a New Man in her life. And what will this mean for The Gatz as he [the dog] realizes that there will be some changes going on, so what will he do as 'drastic times call for extreme doggy measures?
Be ready for laugh-out-loud times that will have you doing just that...l o loud!

As we move on into this story...will Gatz be able to "keep his two co-parenting owners as their happiness afloat in this hilarious and touching sequel?" By the way, you know the dog is narrating this story...right! If only he could keep both Man and Woman happy ...he will be satisfied too but will that happen now that The Woman has a New Man and they are engaged to be married! But all in all, all looks good until some bad press about them causes The Woman to lose her job; however, nothing happens to The New Man's career. How will The New Man handle this situation?

Moving on, we find The Man has a New Woman in his life, and all seems to be going OK until competitiveness starts among them and my, my, my will this couple begins to have problems where it leaves poor Gatz wondering...someone 'did not learn from earlier mistakes? Will the therapy be the answer? Gatz's will be only left wondering 'what had happened to these two happy couples.' How, if anything, can Gatz help fix things for them? You will have to pick up 'The Great Gatz' to see how well these authors will bring it all out to the reader as they create a 'fun dog's eye view of a good romance.'

I would suggest one pick up the first series first to get ahead of what has previously gone on with Gatz and his owners.

Thank you to NetGallery and Berkley for an early copy of this read and for giving my opinion.

Bitter With The Sweet Kindle Edition by Debra Phillips

 Book Excerpt:

"Family drama breaks out between three once-close sisters that have to deal with their ailing mother that ask them to do the "unthinkable."

Title: Bitter With The Sweet

Author: Debra Phillips
Publisher: D.P.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Bitter With The Sweet" by Debra Phillips
My Opinion:

'Bitter With The Sweet' was quite an exciting story of how this family treated each other. Of the three sisters, it only looked like one had any good sense of treating one another. Yes, this was quite a dysfunctional family that will leave one shaking their head and saying, wow! And with them having a sick mother, this gives the reader a complete package for this family. Although it was awful what one sister did to her child and husband, I can say she did receive her karma in the end. For the other sister Pearl, wow is all I have to say about that one. It was good to see one sister finally taking charge of her life and doing what she wanted to do with her writing. Yes, it was about time that the two sisters eventually grew up. At least it seems like Leeray finally got loose from that crazy wife. I am still not sure about that sister at all! I still think she is hanging on by a thread. As for the other sister Pearl, now she has responsibility for a .... all is left is to wish her the best. Glad to see the mom doing better because they will need her prayers for this family.

This author gives a complete story with twists and turns and drama all over the place that will leave the reader saying, wow... now that was some story...'Bitter With The Sweet.'

Courting Mr. Cutthroat (Campy Romances Series Book 3) Kindle Edition by Deborah Camp

 Book Excerpt:

"Deborah Camp penned her third Campy Romance after the success of "Bedding Mr. Birdsong" and "Nailing Mr. Nasty." Now comes "Courting Mr. Cutthroat." Campy Romances are flirty, fun, and feature characters that are so real you'll feel like they're friends of yours. Come meet Cutter and Gemma...

Cutter Forsyth was a hell-raiser in his youth. He's returned to his Georgia hometown as a noted and jaded artist, contracted to create a special sculpture to honor the Cherokee. He was Gemma Summerhill's big crush. When they see each other again, their passionate feelings for each other come rushing back. Cutter, however, has no interest in sticking around, and Gemma has no interest in living anywhere else. He disappeared on her before, and there is every reason to believe he'll do it again. Yet, Gemma also believes that "home" is where loves grows, and her love for Cutter knows no bounds."

Title: Courting Mr. Cutthroat
Author: Deborah Camp
Publisher: D.C.
Series: Campy romances Series Book 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Courting Mr. Cutthroat" by Deborah Camp

My Opinion:

'Courting Mr. Cutthroat' was another excellent series by this author featuring Cutter Forsyth and Gemma Summerhill. Since high school, these two had known each other when Gemma used to Tudor him; also, she had a crush on him. Those were the old days because Cutter had left his Georgia hometown, but now he was back due to the fact he had 'created a special sculpture to honor the Cherokee.' With Cutter having no thoughts of staying in Georgia after this presentation has been made and Gemma's having no interest in living anywhere else, what will happen as there seems to be something going on between these two? Especially with Gemma believing that 'home is where love can grow and with Cutter feeling no bounds for any of it.' What will happen that will change for these two? To find out what all is going on, the reader will have to pick up this good contemporary romance and see where this author takes the reader.

It Starts With A No: The Christmas Entanglement Book 1 (The Anderson Entanglement) Kindle Edition by Trisha Grace

 Book Excerpt:

"Christmas is around the corner. It’s the season of love, joy, and hope.

Not for Clary Fiore—because some people just can’t take no for an answer.

A home invasion made Clary Fiore an orphan, but her benefactor made sure she was looked after and lacked for nothing.

Now, her benefactor has handed her the key to a banking empire. A banking empire that is a complete mess, and one that comes with a long list of enraged customers.

Instantly, she’s on top of the list of most hated people—both inside and outside the bank. Everyone’s questioning her ability to lead and speculating about what she did to get her position. The las
t thing Clary cares about is a billionaire needing an immediate loan.

But of course, billionaire Seth Anderson doesn’t take no for an answer.

Seth hates her benefactor, and by association—Clary. The need for a fast loan, however, triumphs over everything else. They just need to survive a gun-toting lunatic long enough for him to ask her for it.

Love, joy, and hope? Clary will settle for getting through the year without killing anyone.

Seth and Clary are two people on two very different sides. Amid the threats, secrets, and a complicated past, a gun-toting lunatic threatening to end their lives is the least of their worries.

Or is it just the beginning of what is to come?"

Title: It Starts With A No
Author: Trisha Grace
Publisher: T.G.
Series: The Christmas Entanglement Book 1...The Anderson Entanglement
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"It Starts With A No" by Trisha Grace

My Opinion:

"It Starts With A No" was a captivating story with lots of twists and turns, and then, in the end, we are given a cliffhanger. So, I just wanted you to know what to expect in the end. The story had some alluring characters...Clary and Seth, along with some secondary characters that will keep your attention as they interact back and forth, will entertain the audience. The story will give the reader quite a read in how Clary was very well, while the brothers weren't so lucky, having had a lot of trauma in their life due to a certain... I didn't quite understand the thought process of this benefactor. I am sure there will be more about him in future reads. Will the benefactor honor and do as he had promised to Seth? The reader will have to pick up "It Starts With A No" to get more of the story to get this and more. We find as the story continues, there will be threats, suspense, Christian expectations, and some romance involved in the story that will keep one turning the pages to see what is coming next. As we get to the end...well, to get the next part, we will have to get book 2 to see how things will turn out for Clary and Seth, and I guess the rest of his brothers.

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

 Book Excerpt:

"Destined to be a modern classic from “an original and a canonical presence in Irish fiction” (Colm Tóibín), Small Things Like These is Claire Keegan’s landmark new novel, the tale of one man’s courage — and a remarkable portrait of love and family.

It is 1985 in a small Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong, a coal merchant, and family man, who is father to five girls, faces into his busiest season. Early one morning, while delivering an order to the local convent, Bill makes a discovery that forces him to confront both his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the church. 

Already a bestseller in France and certain to be read worldwide for generations to come, Small Things Like These is a deeply affecting and inspiring story of hope, quiet heroism, and empathy from one of our most critically celebrated and iconic writers."

Title: Small Things Like These
Author: Claire Keegan
Publisher: Grove Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Small Things Like These" by Claire Keegan
My Opinion:

"Small Things Like These" is a novella in an Irish town in 1985 where Bill Furlong, faced with 'community pressure,' decides compassion. Be ready for a quick read that showed the depth and humanity of what was going on as Bill rescues Sarah from the convent. This story depicts the heroism of one man that opened the 'hidden sins of the Catholic Church and its parishioners.' This author gives the reader an excellent short story with an uplifting message: making good decisions in the face of adversity, optimism, and humanity showing there are good people even when bad things happen.

Thanks to Netgalley and Grove Press for sharing a digital copy of this book with me in exchange for an honest review.

Signature: Legendary African American Distinctive Signatures Paperback by Rubin Benson/ Bashir

Book Excerpt:

"In the year 1830, the state of North Carolina adopted into law the Act to prevent all persons from teaching slaves to read or write. The teaching of slaves to read or write has a tendency to excite dissatisfaction in the minds of slaves and will produce insurrection and rebellion, to the manifest injury of citizens of this state of North Carolina. Any free person, who shall hereafter teach, or attempt to teach, any slave within the state to read or write or give or sell such slave any books or pamphlets, shall be liable to an indictment in any court of record in this State of North Carolina. And the slave shall be imprisoned; and whipped at the discretion of the court, not exceeding 39 lashes and not less than 20 lashes.

"Act Passed" by the General Assembly of North Carolina at the Session of 1830 (Raleigh:1830). Despite the racism of North Carolina and other united states in America, slaves did learn to read and write. Even though many slaves were not literate, they would sign documents using ascribed "X" in lieu of a signature. The courts permitted this as long as the X-mark was witnessed.

The individual signatures enclosed in this unique presentation are not a critique of their "penmanship." On the contrary, our intention is only to show an individual style of "handwriting" their name. Iconic as these African-Americans are, their signatures reveal a vibrant brand attached to their personality.

Inspired by my grandchildren, I remember how proud they were to show me how they could write their name; this book was created. And like a fingerprint, their signature is their only."

Title: Signature: Legendary African American Distinctive Signatures
Author: Rubin Benson / Bashir
Publisher: BookBuzz.net, First Impressions Design
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Signature" by Rubin Benson/Bashir
My Opinion:

"Legendary African American Distinctive Signatures noun. The Act of signing one's name, or distinctive mark."
We find this author is quite a 'creative director...an avid collector of original African-American fine art and Memorabilia.' What a good job that was done as he 'thirsts to give focus to recognizing and authenticating various African-American signatures.'

This author did an excellent job of collecting through research as many handwritten reproductions of 'Famous Black folks' as possible that took up to three years to complete. What was unique about this process was that this signature 'could be used to equal their own personal fingerprint.

As I was reading through 'Signature,' I found this author's search included 239 signatures. One will have to admit this was a lot of good work that was able to be done. What an exciting story as you read about each of these signatures and the process in which it was all done.

I made a list of some of the signatures that caught my interest:

Starting with Legendary African American Distinctive Signatures... Miles, innovation to the elevator industry

on to Alexander Murry Palmer Haley, American writing and the author of Roots

Althea Gibson, an American tennis player, professional golfer, and the first black athlete to cross the color line of international tennis.

Alvin Childress as Amos and Spencer Williams as Andy [Amos 'n' Andy] first radio comedy series

Andrew Jackson Young Jr... American politician, diplomat, and activist

Angela Evelyn Bassett...American Actress and activist

Arthur Ashe...nade a career out of tennis...won his first U.S. Open in 1968

Barack Hussein Obama... American politician who served as the 44th President of the U.S. 2009-2017

Riley B. King... professional as B.B. King...An American blues singer, electric guitarist, songwriter, and record producer.

Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. American, the United States Air Force general and Commander of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen

I will stop here and just add the name...that I enjoyed reading about...you will have to pick up this good read and see how well this author presents all of this to the readers.

Bessie Coleman, Beyonce Giselle Knowles-Carter, Eleanora Fagan [Billie Holiday], Cab Calloway, James Charles Evers, Charles Wade Barkley, Cicely Tyson, Colin Luther Powell, Corette Scott King, Deborah Kaye [Debbie Allen],

Denzel Hayes Washington, Diana Ernestine Earle Ross, Diahann Carroll, Dick Gregory, Dorothy Jean Dandridge,

Edward Kennedy 'Duke Ellington, Ethel Waters, Frederick Douglass, George Washington Carver, Halle Maria Berry[born Maria Helle Berry]. Henry Louis Aaron [Hammer or Hammerin Hank], Harry Belafonte, Hattie McDaniel, Herbert Jeffrey 'Herbie' Hancock, Jack Roosevelt Robinson, James Joseph Brown, Shawn Corey Carter [Jay-Z],

Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., James Cleveland [Jesse Owens], Jimi Hendrix, Joseph Louis Barrow [Joe Louis], John William Coltrane [Trane], Josephine Baker, Horace Julian Bond, Kamala Harris Vice President of the United States, first Black person, and Asian to hold this position.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bean Bryant, LeBron Raymone James, Lena Mary Calhoun Horne, Richard Wayne Penniman [Little Richard], Louis Daniel Armstrong [Satchmo, Satch, & Pops], Louis, Farrakhan Sr. [Louis X], Sarah Breedlove [Madam C.J. Walker], Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, Miles Dewey Davis III, Michael Joseph Jackson, Michael Jeffrey Jordan ] M.J.] Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama American lawyer, and writer who served as the First Lady of United States from 2009-2017...married to the 44th U.S. President Barack Obama, and was the first African-American First Lady.

Morgan Freeman, Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. [Muhammad Ali], Nathaniel Adams Coles [Nat King Cole], Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, Sean John Combs [Puff Daddy], Pearl Mae Bailey, Prince Rogers Nelson, Ray Charles Robinson [Ray Charles], Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Rosa Louise McCauley, Samuel George Davis Jr., Samuel Leroy Jackson, Sarah Lois Vaughan, Serena Williams, Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal [Shaq], Shirley Chisholm, Sidney Poitier, Shelton Jackson [Spike], Lincoln Theodore Monroe...Andrew Perry [Stepin Fetchit], Stevland Hardaway Morris [Stevie Wonder], Thurgood Marshall, Eldrick Tont Woods [Tiger Woods], Tupac Amaru Shakur [Tupac], Venus Ebony Starr Williams, William Edward Burghardt ['W.E.B.' Du Bois], Whitney Elizabeth Houston, Willard Carroll Smith Jr., Winnie Madikizela-Mandela [Winnie Mandela], and Wynton Learson Marsalis.

As you read through 'Signature,' you get a short bibliography of their story...including a photo and their signature. The author did a fantastic job with his novel that I would highly recommend.

I didn't get everyone put into my review of this inspiring and motivational read, so you will have to grab a copy of what excellent work this author did in putting together all of this great information for the reader to take in and doing this for his grandchildren and letting them know the importance of one's signatures. One can only imagine what it was like for our slave ancestors to be denied the privilege of reading and writing. I can only imagine how hard this would be for me because I enjoy reading and reviewing what I read.

I would definitely recommend this read...the bibliography, photos, and signatures are really something to cherish.

Things I Never Told Kindle Edition by Debra Phillips

 Book Excerpt:

"THINGS I NEVER TOLD

After surviving a brutal attack on New Year's Eve, Perchelle Prentice wants to push the horrible incident to the farthest corner of her mind. Too embarrassed to come clean, telling anyone would only expose how unaware and foolish she had been that fateful night. Things look like they are going well until Chelle discovers that Torrie, her best friend, has a secret boyfriend. Once Perchelle finally meets him, she realizes that he has an eerie resemblance to the man that assaulted her. The situation snowballs into a dangerous nightmare when the new boyfriend realizes who she is and begins to stalk both women."

Title: Things I Never Told
Author: Debra Phillips
Publisher: D.P.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Things I Never Told" by Debra Phillips

My Opinion:
After reading 'Things I Never Told,' I was left thinking by the end of this story...only if it had been told maybe a lot of things wouldn't have gone array the way, things ended up for Perchelle, Torrie, and baby Casmere. The story was sad and started with Perchelle Prentice on New Year's Eve, where some horrible happened. For some reason, Perchelle [Chelle as she was also called] didn't tell a soul this secret, and it seems her life went down from there. Also, it seemed like Chelle was one for holding on to secrets...not only from her brother who had his own secret but her best friend, Torrie, who also carried secrets too. With both of these ladies having a secret that only if they had shared would their life have gone somewhat better and in a different direction than it did? It was so hard to believe that both of the girls who were best of a friend didn't want to share something that would have changed their lives completely...oh well, I guess that is the way life can be. It brought tears to my eyes as I kept reading and hoping things would change by the end.

Now, I will stop here and say this is an excellent read to pick up and see how well this author brings it out to the reader. The story gives the reader something essential to realize long after reading why it was so important to know when it's time to share...I don't care how hard it is...find someone to talk to, and maybe help one along the way. The title: 'Things I Never Told' was precisely what the story was all about, with the first five chapters actually happening...and I would highly recommend it for reading.

An Unsavory Mess (Eugeena Patterson Mysteries Book 5) Kindle Edition by Tyora Moody

 Book Excerpt:

"Eugeena Patterson usually doesn't have a problem putting her nose where it doesn't belong. But, after her last mystery-busting incident, she's determined to hang up her amateur sleuth hat. Or at least that's what she's telling Amos and her family.

When her long-time friend, Rosemary Gladstone, encourages her to attend their high school reunion, Eugeena decides it wouldn't hurt. All is well until Eugeena and Rosemary face off with their number one enemy from high school. What should have been a celebration hits a sour note when their nemesis is found dead, not too long after a very public disagreement.

There is no rest for the weary as Eugeena dives into another mystery. But, she doesn't have a choice since she has to clear her and Rosemary from being considered murder suspects."

Title: An Unsavory Mess
Author: Tyora Moody
Publisher: Tymm Publishing LLC
Series: Eugeena Patterson Mysteries Book 5
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
An Unsavory Mess" by Tyora Moody

My Opinion:

'An Unsavory Mess' was another excellent story that involved another one of Eugeena's stories. We find that Eugeena had promised her husband that when would stop with all of the investigations she had been doing in earlier series. But will she be able to keep her word when a friend is thought to may be involved in a murder that happened at their 45th class reunion? Will Eugeena be able to help solve another murder that has more or less been brought her way? Well, to get another good story from this series, the reader will have to pick up this novel and see what all Eugeena gets herself involved in and out of 'An Unsavory Mess' once again. Would I recommend this series? YES!