Magic Beneath the Mistletoe: A Mystic Owl Anthology, Vol. 2 (Mystic Owl Anthologies) Kindle Edition by Mystic Owl (Author), Jess K. Hardy (Author), Lizzy Gayle (Author), Wren Michaels (Author), Ashley R. King (Author), Luna Joya (Author), E.E. Hornburg (Author), Linda J. Parisi

 

Book Excerpt:

"Turn up the heat this holiday season with this sexy collection of gifts from your favorite City Owl and Mystic Owl authors.

Each story has been hand-curated by award-winning, bestselling, and debut authors to please lovers of romance in the paranormal, sci-fi, and fantasy subgenres. So place it under the tree, in someone's eReader stocking, or give yourself the gift of a few stolen hours of pleasure as you sink into each winter-themed happily ever after.

From vampires to fairy tale retellings and everything in between, these scorching hot short stories will surely hit the spot, curl your toes, and fill you with holiday cheer. So, stoke the fire, nestle under a blanket, and slip in between the pages with your following new favorite authors."

Title: Magic Beneath the Mistletoe
Authors: (Author), Jess K. Hardy (Author), Lizzy Gayle (Author), Wren Michaels (Author), Ashley R. King (Author), Luna Joya (Author), E.E. Hornburg (Author), Linda J. Parisi (Author)
Publisher: ‎ City Owl Press: Mystic Owl (November 25, 2021)
Series: A Mystic Owl Anthology, Vol 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Magic Beneath the Mistletoe" by the Author's ...Author), Jess K. Hardy (Author), Lizzy Gayle (Author), Wren Michaels (Author), Ashley R. King (Author), Luna Joya (Author), E.E. Hornburg (Author), Linda J. Parisi (Author)

My Assessment:

'Magic Beneath the Mistletoe: A Mystic Owl Anthology Vol. 2' seemed to be part of an already series. However, several of the stores were somewhat interesting, a little complex, and a story filled with romance, sex, and fantasy of all sorts.

What was great about all the stories was that they were perfect for the Christmas holidays, and adding a recipe after each level was a plus.

Magic Beneath the Mistletoe: A Mystic Owl Anthology, Vol. 1 (Mystic Owl Anthologies) Kindle Edition by Mystic Owl (Author), Lily Riley (Author), Heather McCorkle (Author), J. E. McDonald (Author), Gabrielle Ash (Author), Lisa Edmonds (Author), Leslie O'Sullivan (Author), Lilla Glass (Author), Lauren Connolly (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

 

Book Excerpt:

"Turn up the heat this holiday season with this sexy collection of gifts from your favorite City Owl and Mystic Owl authors.

Each story has been hand-curated by award-winning, bestselling, and debut authors to please lovers of romance in the paranormal, sci-fi, and fantasy subgenres. So place it under the tree, in someone's eReader stocking, or give yourself the gift of a few stolen hours of pleasure as you sink into each winter-themed happily ever after.

From vampires to fairy tale retellings and everything in between, these scorching hot short stories will surely hit the spot, curl your toes, and fill you with holiday cheer. So, stoke the fire, nestle under a blanket, and slip in between the pages with your following new favorite authors.

Title:  Magic Beneath the Mistletoe

Authors:  (Author), Lily Riley (Author), Heather McCorkle  (Author), J. E. McDonald (Author), Gabrielle Ash (Author), Lisa Edmonds (Author), Leslie O'Sullivan  (Author), Lilla Glass (Author), Lauren Connolly  (Author) 

Publisher:  City Owl Press: Mystic Owl 

Series:  A Mystic Owl Anthology, Vol 1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Four

Review:

"Magic Beneath the Mistletoe" by Authors:  (Author), Lily Riley (Author), Heather McCorkle  (Author), J. E. McDonald (Author), Gabrielle Ash (Author), Lisa Edmonds (Author), Leslie O'Sullivan  (Author), Lilla Glass (Author), Lauren Connolly  (Author) 

My Assessment:

Welcome to eight Mystic Owl Anthologies...

Be ready for eight collections of 'A mystic Owl Anthologies' stories that will give one some reading about some supernal characters...' vampires, werewolves, ghosts, witches, and more, all during the holiday of Christmas. Mostly, the stories were fantasy sex stories, well-written if this is one's type of reading.  

Oh, and I don't want to leave out some good Christmas recipes each author added at the end of their story.

Christmas at the Ranch by Anita Hughes

 Book Excerpt:

"Filled with Christmas cheer and the magic that can only be found in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, under the shadow of the Tetons, Anita Hughes's Christmas at the Ranch is a love story sure to enchant and warm your heart like a cup of hot apple cider.

It's days before Christmas, and Samantha Morgan is in her Brooklyn apartment when her editor, Charlie, shows up. Her publisher Arthur Wentworth is throwing a Christmas party and wants Samantha to be the guest of honor. Samantha tries to come up with an excuse to miss it. She writes a series of books featuring a female James Bond-type heroine named Sloane Parker, and Charlie is the only person who knows that Samantha is the opposite of Sloane, though the marketing team has built up an entire social media presence for her claiming that she is just as adventurous. In reality, Samantha rarely leaves her neighborhood and does her research online. She is afraid of almost everything and is only happy when sitting in her apartment and writing.

Samantha reluctantly agrees to go. But instead of taking her to Arthur's house in Connecticut, the driver goes to the airport. On the phone, Charlie admits that the party is at Arthur's new ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This is her worst nightmare for someone who hates even walking around the block when it snows.

But things begin to look up when a handsome stranger sits next to her on the plane. She feels comfortable enough to spill all her secrets to him, including her fears and the truth about her fake Instagram account. However, when she shows up at the house, it turns out that this man, Drew, is Arthur's son. Now Samantha is worried that Drew will tell his father about her lies.

Over the course of Christmas week, Samantha grows closer to Drew. But when his fiancée, Beatrix (who recently gave him an ultimatum about settling down), shows up, things get more complicated. As Samantha's fears of bison and giant icicles subside and her feelings for Drew grow deeper, new fears develop…Will she leave this Christmas adventure brokenhearted? Or will true love prevail?"

Title:  Christmas at the Ranch

Author:  Anita Hughes

Publisher:  St. Martin's Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Four

Revi "w:

"Christmas at the Ranch" by Anita Hughes

My Assessment: 

"Christmas at the Ranch" was a good story about 'friendships, secrets, letting go of the past, facing your fears,  and finding love.' We find Samantha Morgan, who was a popular author [from her Sloan Parker plots series], being invited to spend the Christmas week at her publisher's beautiful ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. But will Samantha leave her Brooklyn, New York home because she never likes to travel outside her apartment? Now, why is that? 

Be ready for a long storyline read with some very intriguing characters that could have one wondering if there were some fakeness around but definitely will keep one turning the pages to see what is coming next. The story may have been somewhat predictable too, but still an enjoyable read. Oh, this story will focus quite a bit on the family.

However, above it, all one thing about this read is one gets a beautiful scenic Christmas setting, with lots of knowledge and great advice from this read filled with lots of wisdom after it is all said and done.

So, to find out what the novel 'Christmas at the Ranch' is, the reader must pick up this read to see how the author brings it out so well.

Thank you, NetGalley & St. Martin's, for this arc in exchange for an honest review! 

The Furrows A Novel by Namwali Serpell

 Book Excerpt:

"How do you grieve an absence? From the award-winning author of The Old Drift, "a piercing, sharply written novel about the conjuring power of loss" (Raven Leilani, author of Luster).

"A genuine tour de force . . . What seems at first meditation on family trauma unfolds through the urgency of an amnesiac puzzle-thriller, then a violently compelling love story."—Jonathan Lethem, author of Motherless Brooklyn.

ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2022—Vulture, Lit Hub, Electric Lit, BookPage

I don't want to tell you what happened. I want to tell you how it felt.

Cassandra Williams is twelve; her little brother, Wayne, is seven. One day, when they're alone together, there is an accident, and Wayne is lost forever. His body is never recovered. The missing boy cleaves the family with doubt. Their father leaves and starts another family elsewhere. But their mother can't give up hope and launches an organization dedicated to missing children. 

As C grows older, she sees her brother everywhere: in bistros, airplane aisles, and subway cars. Here is her brother's face, the light in his eyes, the way he seems to recognize her, too. But it can't be, of course. Or can it? Then one day, in another accident, C meets a mysterious and familiar man searching for someone and his own place in the world. His name is Wayne. 

Namwali Serpell's remarkable new novel captures the uncanny experience of grief, the way the past breaks over the present like waves in the sea. The Furrows is a bold exploration of memory and mourning that twists unexpectedly into a story of mistaken identity, double consciousness, and the wishful—and sometimes willful—longing for reunion with those we've lost."

Title: The Furrows
Author: Namwali Serpell
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Furrows" by Namwali Serpell

My Assessment:

"The Furrows" was quite a read that explored 'trauma, race, family dynamics, loss, and grief in a mysterious, challenging, fascinating way. The reader will have to keep up because this novel seems to have two storylines with this biracial family William's family [C - Cassandra, Wayne], who were brother and sister, and Wayne, that wasn't the brother, however, was connected to the story. 'The Furrows' story involved death in this family along with loneliness, memory, identity, and dreams. The story's plot will keep you turning the pages while wondering and guessing what is going on in it because it skips quite a bit back and forth, where one may have to re-read several portions for a better understanding. The quote 'l don't want to tell you what happened, l want to tell you how it felt, and it was just that as this author delivers a good story to the reader. It was very well presented to the reader how each of the family members dealt with the death of this lost son. The characters were very intriguing in the parts they delivered to the story.

To get the whole story, the reader must pick it up and see how well this author brings this accomplished story out o the reader because I don't want to tell too much more. But, if you stick with it, the reader will get a perfectly delivered story.


Thanks to NetGallery and Hogarth Press for providing me with an eARC and my giving my honest opinion of the read.

The Second Christmas by Marta Perry

 Book Excerpt:

"The warmth of the Christmas season and a woman's return home to the charming Amish community of Promise Glen opens the door to a second chance at love.

When Leah Beiler pictured returning to Promise Glen, she imagined taking everything she learned from her aunt's business in Upstate New York and starting up a quaint herbal tea shop of her own. What she didn't expect was for Josiah Burkhalter to insist on helping her. Josiah might have been her childhood sweetheart, but they've changed a lot since then, and Leah's not sure she can trust the man who once broke her heart.
 
Josiah is determined to make the most of this unexpected second chance. So when he hears of Leah's plans to open her own shop, he resolves to help in any way he can—beginning his gentle campaign to win her back by renovating the small cottage on her family's farm.
 
During her time away, Leah looked forward to spending the holiday with her family again, especially the Second Christmas, December 26, a time of celebrating with extended family and close neighbors like the Burkhalters. But as Christmas nears, her feelings for Josiah grow more confused, strengthened by their time of working together. Now it will take all the magic of the season for Leah to confront her fears and reach for the love she deserves."

Title: The Second Christmas
Author: Marta Perry
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Series: The Promise Glen # 4
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Second Christmas" by Marta Perry

My Assessment:

Leah Beiler had left home in Promise Glen to live with her Aunt Miriam from Upstate New York, working in her herb business. However, after being accused of being a thief, she returns home to open up her herb business. Being back home, will she be able to pick up her life of an old boyfriend, Josiah Burkhalter, a childhood sweetheart, during this Christmas season and clear up this mess with her aunt, who had accused her of stealing? Will Josiah be able to get a second chance while he is helping her work on her shop, and how with this 'Second Christmas, December 26, come into play during this time? Will there be 'magic for Leah to confront her fears and reach for the love that she so deserves, and will Josiah be able to grow up and get what he wants finally?' To find out, pick up "The Second Christmas' and see how this story will all come together, giving the reader a beautiful read.

The Last Witness Kindle Edition by Ellis Keler

 Book Excerpt:

"A lawyer must defend his client at all costs. But what happens when the accused is your own father and the victim is your own grandma?

Mary Storm is more than capable of winning this case but has one formidable enemy against her. The battle of her emotions. She should be cautious. Her movements must be controlled by her mind and not by her heart. But the absence of reason will change the rules of the game.

While she fights in court to find justice, she realizes she's hated the wrong guy all her life.

The Final Witness is an exciting blood-pumping legal thriller written by Ellis Keler and published by Cobalt Fairy.

You'll love Ellis' intriguing story if you are an avid fan of strong characters, action-packed courtroom drama, and mind-blowing murder mystery."

Title:  The Last Witness

Author:  Ellis Keler

Publisher:  Cobalt Fairy LLC

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"The Last Witness" by Ellis Keler

My Assessment:

'The Last Witness' was quite a good 'blood-pumping legal thriller' that will keep one turning the pages. We find that Lawyer Mary Storm was taking a case where the accused was her own father, who had been accused of murdering her grandmother. With all of the drama that had happened in Mary's life with her thinking that her father had something to do with her mother's death, why would she take up this case? Mary had emotions all over the place, but she did have someone in her corner, and that was her boyfriend, Bill Parker, who was also a detective. This story was packed with 'strong characters, action-packed courtroom drama, and a mind-blowing murder mystery' that will keep your attention as this author gives the reader one intriguing story. Will Mary be able to get to the root of what had been going on with her father and find out what in the world happened to her Nanna? Why was she killed, and just who was behind all of this mess?  

The extended story does help understand what all Mary Storm had gone through as a child, which did help understand a little more about the story. But still left, not understanding why Mary's father had not been able to let Mary know about her mother's situation was still somewhat a mystery to me.

The Lawyer's Challenge By: Freya Atwood

 

Book Excerpt:

"A girl murders her own father, claiming she was abused. The whole town says she is lying. Who should James trust?

After a girl murders her father, Lawyer James Acker decides to take her defense. But, dealing with the pain from the previous case, he doesn't know if he should trust his gut or the people around him. 

Everything shows that the girl could be innocent… But, could a teenage girl indeed be capable of murder? To find out the truth, James Acker must tear his family apart…."

Title: The Lawyer's Challenge
Author: Freya Atwood
Publisher: Cobalt Fairy LLC
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review: "The Lawyer's Challenge" by Freya Atwood
My Assessment:

Is there ever a reason for a child to kill their father? Well, this story is just what that is all about.
Will the Lawyer, James Acker, take this case as Gina Gooding has been accused of this murder?
This is the same Lawyer that worked on Darryl Sander's case...and wow, how that case turned out! What had happened that made Lawyer Acker unable to believe in himself anymore? Will this murder case that deals with Gina Gooding for murder be able to get him on the right road again?

As it seems like this girl, Gina was guilty of murdering her father...the question is, why did she do this? Lawyer Acker takes the case and is determined to prove that there was a reason that this did happen. Be ready for a lot of information that will come out...some quite strange and will leave one turning the pages to see what will happen next, with "strong characters, action-packed courtroom drama, and a mind-blowing murder mystery in the intriguing story."

To find out what this story involves, the reader will have to open up 'The Lawyer's Challenge and see how well this author will bring it out to the readers. It will be one exciting challenge of a story that will leave one shaking one's head and saying, wow, what a read.

Lucy by the Sea A Novel by Elizabeth Strout

 Book Excerpt:

"From Pulitzer Prize-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Strout comes a poignant, pitch-perfect novel about a divorced couple stuck together during lockdown—and the love, loss, despair, and hope that animate us even as the world seems to be falling apart.

With her trademark spare, crystalline prose—a voice infused with "intimate, fragile, desperate humanness" (The Washington Post)—Elizabeth Strout turns her exquisitely tuned eye to the inner workings of the human heart, following the indomitable heroine of My Name Is Lucy Barton through the early days of the pandemic.

As a panicked world goes into lockdown, Lucy Barton is uprooted from her life in Manhattan and bundled away to a small town in Maine by her ex-husband and on-again, off-again friend, William. For the next several months, it's just Lucy, William, and their complex past together in a little house nestled against the moody, swirling sea.

Rich with empathy and emotion, Lucy by the Sea vividly captures the fear and struggles of isolation and the hope, peace, and possibilities that those long, quiet days can inspire. At the heart of this story are the deep human connections that unite us even when we're apart—the pain of a beloved daughter's suffering, the emptiness that comes from the death of a loved one, the promise of a new friendship, and the comfort of an old, enduring love."

Title: Lucy by the Sea
Author: Elizabeth Strout
Publisher: Random House Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Lucy by the Sea" by Elizabeth Strout

My Assessment:

'Lucy by the Sea' was an excellent literary read that was very well delivered with the storyline. That featured the Covid quarantine. Who would have that an ex-husband of Lucky Barton [William]
who had been married to two other ladies would come to the aid of the ex-wife Lucy at this horrible time in our history? But we find William doing just that and getting her out of New York to Maine, also making sure his daughters Chrissy and Becka, with their husband, were in a safe place. The story surrounds this 'covid quarantine island, mask fears, loneliness and pandemic, the election of 2020, along with the January 6 riots.' The author did an excellent job of bringing out the story about this family, with family ties and friends along the way. What exciting characters will the reader find that were brought out from this read? It was so good to see how 'Lucy and William will struggle through the surprising new phase of life and wonder just what life will look like on the other side.'

"Lucy by the Sea" ended up being quite a story of how this divorced couple with family and friends sheltered during one of the world's most horrible pandemics. So, to get a good read, pick up this novel and see how well this author brings it all out this pandemic read to the reader.


Thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author, for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Voodoo: (A Sleepy Carter Mystery - Book 6) (Sleepy Carter Mysteries) Kindle Edition by Brian W. Smith

 Book Excerpt:

"Is Voodoo real? Detective Lizzy Silverman is about to find herself face-to-face with that question.

When Corey Simon, a delivery truck driver, is found dead with his throat slit near the tomb of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, police are shocked by the gruesome crime scene. Guinevere Laveau, a woman who claims to be the descendant of Marie Laveau, confesses to placing a voodoo spell on the victim, a period that assured his death. With no other suspects, Detective Lizzy Silverman feels compelled to arrest Laveau, but that would also mean Lizzy would have to believe that Voodoo is real...which she doesn't. However, to dismiss Guinevere's confession could mean letting the killer go free.

Feeling completely befuddled, Lizzy turns to her mentor and secret weapon, Donald "Sleepy" Carter, for assistance. Of course, Sleepy helps his mentee, but not before he takes her on a journey into the mystical world of Voodoo and forces Lizzy to consider the possibility that maybe...just maybe...Guinevere Laveau is telling the truth.

Best-selling Author, Brian W. Smith, returns with another "Sleepy Carter" mystery that will baffle you. And at the same time, give you a history lesson on one of the Big Easy's most taboo topics... Voodoo."

Title: Voodoo
Author: Brian W. Smith
Publisher: B.W.S.
Series: Book 6 Sleepy Carter Mysteries
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Voodoo" by Brian W. Smith

My Assessment:

Another good series by this author,' Voodoo,' is where we find Donald 'Sleepy' Carter helping Elizabeth ...Lizzy investigates a compelling case. The story was a mind-blowing case where one will learn a lot about Voodooism. Even though I enjoyed the story...I am still waiting for when the story comes out about 'Sleepy Carter.'

The Mardi Gras Murders: (A Sleepy Carter Mystery - Book 5) (Sleepy Carter Mysteries) Kindle Edition by Brian W. Smith

 Book Excerpt:

"Carnival season in New Orleans is six weeks of chaos that culminates with Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras day). In a city that thrives off of tourism year round, nothing compares to the millions of people that flock to the Big Easy to party during this time of year, which is why it's also the best time of the year to kill and get away with it. Someone is using the carnival season as the perfect cover to kill a select group of men. Trying to find the killer will be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. And there is only one detective skilled enough to do that...Donald "Sleepy" Carter."

Title: The Mardi Gras Murders
Author: Brian W. Smith
Publisher: B.W.S.
Series: A Sleepy Carter Mystery Book 5
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Mardi Gras Murders" by Brian W. Smith
My Assessment:

As always, this author's 'Sleepy Carter Mystery series is excellent and will not be a disappointment. This particular story with Donald Sleepy Carter helping Lizzy [the detective] figure it all out was quite a mystery solved. But the real story for Lizzy will be when she finally finds out how her parents died. Also, it was interesting to learn so much about Mardi Gras history. All this leaves one waiting for the next read of the author's beautiful mysteries.

To Win a Prince by Toni Shiloh

 Book Excerpt:

""Shiloh has penned yet another adorable and charming royal romance!"--MELISSA FERGUSON, bestselling author of Meet Me in the Margins

Can she stop herself from falling before she's too far gone?

As a fashion aficionado and best friend of the queen of the African island country Ọlọrọ Ilé, Iris Blakely dreams of using her talent to start a sustainable clothing line to help citizens in impoverished areas and honor the country's resources. But when she discovers that Ekon Diallo--the man who betrayed her best friend--will be her business consultant, the battle between her desires and reality begins.

Ekon Diallo has lost everything: his princely title, his material possessions, his friends, and the respect of his fellow Ọlọrans. To pay for his actions against Ọlọrọ Ilé, he's forced to assist the charismatic Iris Blakely--but he can't allow his heart to distract him from regaining his status.

Though they come from vastly different worlds, Iris and Ekon are both determined to reach their goals, and the only way to do that is to work together--if they can just keep their hearts from getting in the way . . .

Toni Shiloh invites you into . . .

"A romance populated with characters you can truly root for."--OPRAH DAILY on In Search of a Prince

"A royal journey of love, faith, and all things Africa will leave your heart longing for more."--VANESSA MILLER, bestselling author on In Search of a Prince."

Title:  To Win a Prince

Author:  Toni Shiloh 

Publisher:  Bethany House Publishers

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"To Win a Prince" by Toni Shiloh" Toni Shiloh

My Assessment:

"To Win a Prince" was an incredible story of faith and redemption read that featured Iris Blakely and Ekon.  Diallo. The story had some interesting characters that kept your attention, turning the pages to see what was coming next. It was hard seeing how Ekon lost his title as prince and had to do community service for his transgressions; however, it all came out well for him in the end in finding out about God making him a better man. Also, finding someone else who was very important. Be prepared for a story with some twists and turns you may not see until the end. To get this well-written story and how this author brings it all out...pick up the read and get a 'sweet romance, humor, religion, and realism.'

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book.

The Make-Up Test A Novel by Jenny L. Howe

 Book Excerpt:

"In this brilliant, swoony rom-com debut from Jenny L. Howe, The Make-Up Test, two college exes find themselves battling against each other—and their unresolved feelings—for a spot in a prestigious literature Ph.D. program.

Allison Avery loves to win. After acing every academic challenge she's come up against, she's finally been accepted into her dream Ph.D. program at Claymore University, studying medieval literature under a professor she's admired for years. Sure, grad school isn't easy—the classes are intense, her best friend is drifting away, and her students would instead pull all-nighters than discuss The Knight's Tale—but she's got this. Until she discovers her ex-boyfriend has also been accepted. Colin Benjamin might be the only person who loves winning more than Allison, and when they're both assigned to TA for the same professor, the game is on.

What starts as a personal battle of wits (and lit) turns into an all-out war when their professor announces a career-changing research trip opportunity—with one spot to fill. Competing with Colin is as natural as breathing, and after he shattered her heart two years ago, Allison refuses to let him come out on top. But when a family emergency and a late-night road trip—plus a very sexy game of Scrabble—throw them together for a weekend, she wonders if they could be more assertive on the same team. And if they fall for each other all over again, Allison will have to choose between a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and what could be a twice-in-a-lifetime love.

In this charmingly literary debut, The Make-Up Test embraces the truth that people can sometimes change and grow, even when you least expect it."

Title: The Make-Up Test
Author: Jenny L. Howe
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Make-Up Test" by Jenny L. Howe

My Assessment:

'The Make-up Test' read kept one's attention as the story featured Allison and Colin. These two had one be lovers, but something horrible broke them apart because they were academic rivals. They seem to have come together again due to the grad school assignment, and we see Colin trying to make amends for what had happened between them earlier. But can he be trusted after what he had pulled off earlier to Allison? While these two seemed to be getting along, we find that Allison had another problem in her life that dealt with her family and learning more about herself. After it looks like Colin and Allison are back together in this second chance romance, will this work out for them, or is he still up with the schemes? Be ready for some exciting characters where there will be illness, self-worth, relationships, family, dogs, and a cat. Shaming, death, plus size images will keep you turning the pages to see what's coming next. To see what 'The Make-Up Test" is all about, pick up this novel to see how well this author brings it out to the reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced digital reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!

Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake A Novel by Mazey Eddings

 Book  Excerpt:

"Mazey Eddings, the author of the "witty, fast-paced rom-com"* A Brush with Love, mixes passion and humor to create a luscious love story between two people stumbling through life and learning to open their hearts in Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake.

Lizzie has made endless mistakes. Kitchen fires, pyramid schemes, bangs (of the hair and human variety), you name it, she's done it… and made a mess of it too. One mistake she's never made is letting anyone get closer to her than a single hook-up. But after losing yet another bakery job due to her uncontrolled ADHD, she breaks her cardinal rule and has a two-night stand that changes everything.

Once burned, twice shy, Rake has given up on relationships. And feelings. And any form of intimacy, for that matter. Yet something about charming, chaotic Lizzie has him lowering his guard. For two nights, that is. Then it's back home to Australia, far away from the pesky feelings Lizzie pulls from him. But when Lizzie tells him she's got an unexpected bun in the oven, he'll do whatever it takes to be a part of his child's life… except be emotionally vulnerable. He's never going to make that mistake again.

Lizzie and Rake learn that even the biggest mistakes can have the most beautiful consequences through a series of mishaps, totally "platonic" single bed sharing, and an underground erotic baking scheme."

Title: Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake
Author: Mazey Eddings
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake" by Mazey Eddings

My Assessment:

'Lizzie Blakes's Best Mistake' was interesting in how it finally turned out for her. Meeting the Australian, Rake put the icing on the cake for Lizzie. Suffering from mental health issues, ADHD wasn't good for Lizzie, especially the way her parents and brother had treated her. However, having her three friends there for her made her life in some way terrible. And meeting Rake, who was there for Lizzie through the thick and the thin, helped. Oh, yes, there was much chemistry between these two...Lizzie and Rafe. The read was good in the way this author brought out Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity disorder. As the story continues, the reader will see how well the story comes out, especially after Lizzie finds out something about herself. How will she handle all that lies before her?
What will happen when Rake comes back into the picture? Will he be there for Lizzie? To find out all of the answers to these questions and more, the reader must pick up this good read to see what happens next. This story will be one chaotic love story that one will not want to miss reading.

Thank you, Netgalley and St. Matin's Press, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Trapped Justice, by Ellis Keller

 Book Excerpt:

"Deadly family secrets of a horrifying murder lead lawyer Everly Green to undertake one of her life's most challenging soul-destroying cases.

Everly is in the middle of a dilemma. One of the most influential people in her life is found murdered in her kitchen, and she must defend the alleged killer. The evidence against her client is indisputable, but she refuses to give up when a hidden truth is exposed. 

Now she's closer than ever to giving justice to those who deserve it. But sometimes, life holds surprises no one can foresee…"

Title Trapped Justice
Author: Ellis Keller
Publisher:
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Trapped Justice" by Ellis Keller

My Assessment:

All that is left to say is that this author, Ellis Keller gave the reader an excellent read. From the start, all the way to the end, one will be so captivated by the reading that not wanting to put it down until the end.

The lawyer Everly, her assistant, Violent, and an ex-boyfriend, Kevin, gave the story one heck of a read. What will happen when a friend, not only hers but her mother, Eleanor, finds out that Mila is dead and her mother's boyfriend is to have commented on the murder? And her mother wants Everly to defend her boyfriend, Ian. How will all of this workout?

There will be so many twists and turns to this story ... you will have to keep up! The characters are all so intriguing all over the place.

We find Everly did get some assistance from a friend. Still, I had trouble understanding why she did not do as he asked...and that was waiting for him...just maybe Everly would not have had to go through all she did if she had listened...but oh well...this is where I will stop and say...pick up "Trapped Justice" and you will see what I am talking about. How will this come up? This is where I tell you must pick up 'Trapped Justice" to see how this author brings it all out to the reader. The ending and the extended epilogue...well, I didn't follow it so well other than it explains Everly's childhood but now with that specific person who hadn't been in her life since she was three...why appear now! So again, pick up this good read to see what you think. Yes, it was an exciting, suspenseful crime and legal thriller! Only it left me saying WOW, what a read!