The Murdered Christmas Spirit: A Legal Thriller Kindle Edition by Freya Atwood

Book Excerpt:

"The Christmas market is closed; Santa Claus is dead.

The protagonist of the season has been murdered. As the evidence piles up against his girlfriend, lawyer Emma West finds herself involved in a case that has much deeper consequences than just helping the accused...

But soon enough, she will discover that her client is the killer…

The Murdered Christmas Spirit is an exciting blood-pumping legal thriller published by Cobalt Fairy.

If you are an avid fan of strong characters, action-packed courtroom drama, and mind-blowing murder mystery, then this intriguing story is the perfect read for you for the holiday season!.

Get "The Murdered Christmas Spirit" today to discover this new intriguing crime mystery!

Title: The Murdered Christmas Spirit
Author: Freya Atwood
Publisher: Cobalt Fairy LLC
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Murdered Christmas Spirit" by Freya Atwood

My Assessment:

How will lawyer Emma West solve the case of this accused person who had killed her husband? We find Emma working hard to get her client out of this situation, but in the end, will she give up on poor 29-year-old Maria Smith? Seeing how this lawyer could turn things around was enjoyable, even for that judge who had been quite hard on women lawyers. Pick up this good read to see how this lawyer was able to get things turned around for Maria. It was an enduring read of what can happen when it all looks bleak for the accused.

Baby, It's Snow Outside By: Shani Green-Dowdell

 Book Excerpt:

"Miracle

After lots of blood, sweat, and tears, Dr. Miracle Williams rebuilds her life from a dark past. She lives a mundane but successful life until an unexpected emergency from a neighbor shakes things up in a way she never imagined.

Ishmael
By the time Ishmael Wright is sixteen, he has suffered loss after loss. His grandmother is all he has left. When she collapses a few weeks before Christmas, the doctor next door is his only hope of saving his grandmother.

Two lonely hearts meet amid tragedy. Will they fall in love, build a snowman, and dance to Christmas oldies? Or will their pasts reemerge and cause them to drift apart before the New Year?"

Title: Baby, It's Snow Outside
Author: Shani Green-Dowdell
Publisher: Imperial Publishing House
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
Baby, It's Snow Outside by Shani Green-Dowdell

My Assessment:

'Baby, It's Snow Outside' was a sweet story of how these two...Miracle Williams and Ishmael Wright met...all due to his grandmother Mildred Wright's input. It was quite a journey in how these 'two lonely hearts meet, fall in love, build a snowman, dance to Christmas music,' and, oh yes, fall in love. Pick up this good read to see how well this author will bring it all out to the reader.

Maestro (The Enigma Series Book 2) Kindle Edition by Aja

 Book Excerpt:

"He was his daddy's son.

Eli "Maestro" Lewis has prepared himself to run the kingdom of Smoke Enterprises. The plan was to allow his father time to rest and live out his golden years with his new love, but someone wanted his father back in the game, and his father, Smoke, was all too happy to show Pittsburgh how he earned his name. They said where there's Smoke, there's fire, and now the city was up in flames. Eli had significant problems with that. For one, his pops shouldn't have been running around the city like he was Shaft, risking his life and all he worked hard for, and two, he was more than capable of handling all this trouble on his own. If only his pops would let him.

Being the prince wasn't always easy, and neither was finding love during a war. But he'd deal with all that. Like he always did. That's how he earned his name."

Maestro is book 2 in The Enigma Series. Visit www.ajathewriter.com for more information.

Title: Maestro
Author: Aja
Publisher: She Loves Words Publishing LLC
Series: The Enigma Series: Book 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Maestro: by Aja

My Assessment:

'Maestro' was indeed intriguing after reading the first Enigma series book about 'Smoke.' Indeed we find Maestro was every bit his father's son, especially in helping his father [Smoke] find out who killed his best friend, Jimmy. I enjoyed seeing how much Maestro [Eli] cared about his father and sister Sarai [Slick]. In addition, I wanted to know how Eli was connecting to a new person...he had recently met ... Mena. From the read, we find Maestro is taking charge of finding out who had killed a family friend, and also, what was it about Mena that Eli needed in his life? This will be quite a journey with all the twists and turns that will keep one turning the pages till the end. To see how Maestro falls in love, the reader will have to pick up this good read to see how it all happens, and in the end, will he be able to get things done that need to be taken care of?

Who Killed Charlotte?: An Everly Green Legal Thriller (Everly Green Legal Thriller Series Book 1) Kindle Edition by Ellis Keller

Book Excerpt:

"Everly's life has been far from easy. She is involved in a tragic family case, only this time, it's very similar to her own…

When a famous writer, Charlotte Cardinien, is murdered in her home, no one expects the accused would be her mother. But Everly isn't afraid of social outcry and is determined to prove her client's innocence.

Her only hope is to find out what really happened, but it won't be easy—especially if someone is trying to stop her from getting at the truth…

Who Killed Charlotte? is an exciting blood-pumping legal thriller written by Ellis Keller and published by Cobalt Fairy.

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

Buy "Who Killed Charlotte?" today to discover Ellis' new intriguing crime mystery!

Title: Who Killed Charlotte?
Author: Ellis Keller
Publisher: Cobalt Fairy LLC
Series: Everly Green Legal Thriller Series Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Who Killed Charlotte?" by Ellis Keller

My Assessment:

Will lawyer Everly Green be able to defend the mother who has been accused of killing her daughter, Charlotte? This story will involve a lot of twists and turns, while the report will also introduce Everly to her father, whom she hadn't seen since she was around three years old. So, we find Everly deep into this case of trying to defend an accused mother of killing her daughter and having to deal with personal stuff with her family. How will this all come out for Everly? Be ready for quite an exciting story that will keep you turning the pages till the end; There is an extended epilogue brings out more of how this lawyer got started in being an attorney, who she worked, and with whom her first case involved. Good Story!

A Soldier's Curvy Mission: (Curves on Demand) Kindle Edition by J. Shanee Byers

 Book Excerpt:

"Sergeant first class David Armstrong has dedicated his life to serving his country. Joining the Army right after high school, he has worked his way up the ranks. Now settled at his new duty station, Fort Hood, Texas, Sgt. Armstrong realizes he has given so much time and energy into his career that he has missed the chance to pursue love.

Anise Cole is back in her hometown and can't wait to get together with friends and family. While getting her home in order, she decides to go to the mall. David is there, doing some shopping of his own. He sees Anise, and the world stops spinning on its axis. He is instantly smitten by her smile and can't take his eyes off her. Anise feels David's piercing gaze raking over her. When their eyes finally meet, their chance for acquaintance is cut short. Fate gives David a second chance when he sees Anise once again. It's an opportunity David won't let slip away."

Title: A Soldier's Curvy Mission
Author: J. Shanee Byers
Publisher: J.S.B.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"A Solider's Curvy Mission" by J. Shanee Byers

My Assessment:

What will happen when Sgt. first class David Amstrong sees and meets Anise Cole? Will he want to settle down after 15 years of serving his country? This will be a read of how this romance took place and ended, giving each other just wanted they wanted, and that will be ...
This sweet romantic read gives the reader quite an exciting read of how these two came together. So get ready for an enjoyable read from start to finish.

Hiding the Truth: A James Acker Legal Thriller (James Acker legal thriller series Book 4) Kindle Edition by Freya Atwood

Book Excerpt:

"Lawyer James Acker had it all. Money, success, and a beautiful family. Until the day he became a murderer...

A new case brings the horror of his hometown to the surface. But he cannot help this time as authorities begin looking into his dark past. So he tries to secretly support a friend to free a falsely accused homeless man.

James has managed to make a lot of enemies. But after the loss of his daughter, nothing and no one really mattered to him. Until he finds out his lover has been kidnapped, and if he decides to save her, he will rot in jail...

Hiding the Truth is an exciting blood-pumping legal thriller written by Freya Atwood and published by Cobalt Fairy.

If you are an avid fan of strong characters, action-packed courtroom drama, and mind-blowing murder mystery, then you'll love Freya's intriguing story."

Buy "Hiding the Truth" today to discover Freya's new intriguing crime mystery!

Title: Hiding The Truth
Author: Freya Atwood
Publisher: Cobalt Fairy LLC
Series: James Acker Legal Thriller
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
'Hiding The Truth" by Freya Atwood

My Assessment:

'Hiding the Truth' was an excellent legal thriller that kept one turning the pages to see what was going on with James Acker in this series. We find James handing over this case, a homeless man named Leeroy Marvin, to another lawyer due to what was happening around him. If you have been keeping up with this series, you know all about James in what he has been through with the death of his daughter. With Elliot's help, who was Jame's brother? Can they help this lawyer with this case of the homeless man? There were many twists and turns, leaving one to wonder ... what the world is going on. Why was this new lawyer not wanting any help from James? James had so many problems with this BUSA group which involved Garvin Celeste. What was that about, and how did it tie into the case they worked on?

This story will keep you wondering when it will all come together. Even the extended epilogue would leave you thinking is there more to this story? We will have to see if there are any more for James, Elliot, and a few more characters that we need more information on. Still determining if there is more, but we will be looking to get a conclusion to this series that brings the story together in the end.

SABELLA CASTELLA: CAPTURING A BOSS'S HEART Kindle Edition by DEIDRE LESHAY

 Book Excerpt:

"Sabella Castella's world comes crashing down when her secrets are revealed. Sabella has lost the love of her life, and she will stop at nothing to take revenge on him and the woman standing in the way. Not caring who she hurts in the process, Sabella's blatant disregard could cause one of her brothers his life."

Title: Sabella Castella: Capturing A Boss's Heart
Author: Deidre Leshay
Publisher: RACQUEL WILLIAMS PRESENTS LLC
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Sabella Castella: Capturing A Boss's Heart" by Deidre Leshay

My Assessment:

The name of this story depicts this story to the fullest. In all of the reading of this story, one would wonder how Sabella Castella could be such a horrible person. She seemed to be on a course of meanness, and there was no coming back. Unfortunately, the reader will have to pick up this read and follow it into the next book to see what more malice she will bring to this story and whether she can capture a boss's heart.

Bliss Way by Garnet Wells

 Book Excerpt:

"Who knew a dog's bark could bring two people together. Kamari Simmons is looking to settle into her new home with her little boy Jarrell when she butts heads with her new neighbor Devin Clark. Find out if Kamari finds Bliss on Bliss Way."

Title: Bliss Way
Author: Garnet Wells
Publisher: Hustle & Write Publishing; 1st edition
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Bliss Way" by Garnet Wells
My Assessment:

This was a beautiful short story, presenting the reader with a beginning of a romance for Karari after the death of her husband. I loved the ending!

All Churched Out: The Weary Wife of the Pastor-Book 2 (A Christian Fiction Thriller) Kindle Edition by Denise Cook-Godfrey

 Book Excerpt:

"Forced into the new First Lady role of the Shady Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Leah Westchester-Jackson becomes stamped out of her true gifts and passions. This leaves Leah experiencing a fake identity as she reluctantly attempts to appease her father and husband. Already the victim of family drama such as sibling rivalry, favoritism, colorism, and a lack of maternal bonding, Leah loses a sense of restraint when her heart is shattered into millions of pieces from the chaos of betrayal, legalism, and hypocrisy. At that point in her life, she plummeted onto a journey where she searched for completion outside the traditional church's walls. During Leah's journey, we find many cultural themes that the church often finds difficult to address, such as metaphysics, transcendental meditation, mind science, gender confusion, and more. Will Leah find her true identity and healing during this adventure without her traditional Bible study notes?

Kyle, Leah's husband and the new Pastor of Shady Hill, has his own battles. Climbing out of the dangerous gutter of his past life and landing in the safety of the Westchester family ministry has given him a great new start. But…will his past skeletons haunt him and disrupt his already broken marriage and ministry?

This is the gripping story of a woman scorned while attempting to define true worship, spirituality, and love. "Leah," whose name means "weary," portrays the kind of character who takes the term "level up" to a new level."

Title: All Churched Out: The Weary Wife of the Pastor Book 2
Author: Denise Cook-Godfrey
Publisher: D.C.G. ‎
Series: A Christian Fiction Thriller Book 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"All Churched Out: The Weary Wife of the Pastor Book 2" by Denise Cook-Godfrey

My Assessment:

Here's hoping you have read Book 1 of 'All Churched Out: 'The Weary Wife of the Pastor' as this story continues in what is happening in the lives of Leah, Kyle, Rebbie, Pastor Joseph Westchester, Aunt Zelle, and a few other interesting characters. Many questions will be asked during this review that will be answered during your reading of book 2.

We find Leah is still dealing with the sad reality about her mother not loving her and now dealing with and asking questions about how many women her husband Kyle cheated on her with besides her sister. So naturally, we find Leah is 'fed up, angry, and broken.'

What will happen when Aunt Zelle tells Leah to get out and meet people her age? Will this be a good idea as Leah meets Chaka Rowe and Evander? What will Chaka bring to the table for Leah, who seems to be holding on by a thread? As Leah takes a sabbatical from church, what will Chaka offer her that Leah will take an interest in? Is there anyone out there who is trying to help Leah? What was up with these 'healing crystals' that were interesting as Chaka presented this to Leah?

As the story continues, there will be a lot going on [as I have already said], and I don't want to tell too much, but I know there will be lots of questions asked that will be answered during the reading,
as I have already said earlier. For example, what had gone on between Pastor Westchester and the deacon? Was the deacon getting too close to Kyle? Is Leah still getting notes from someone who knows her business? Also, is Leah hooking up with someone? As I said earlier, there will be a lot going on...sit back and continue reading to get all the answers!

As the story continues, Leah is brought into a meeting [3 board members, with her father, Rebbie, and Kyle] at her Aunt Zelle's home, asking when she will return to church, seeing that Kyle would be restored as Shady Hill's Pastor. How will this affect Leah? Will that meeting go well?

What happens as Leah becomes interested in metaphysics, the universe, and crystals? Ok, now is Leah stepping outside Christianity? Why in the world will Leah, who knows of God and all of his goodness, want to know about this? This is how the devil weaves its way into someone's life who knows better. I am left shaking my head due to all that is going on...Is Leah involved with the Evander? Oh my god! Please tell me this isn't so!

Leah wants 'legal separation' from Kyle. So how will that work out?
As the skeletons come out, one wonders what's next because one knows it's coming!

As life goes on, we see Rebbie isn't doing well... You will have to pick up this good read to see what comes of that situation. Next, we find Paster Westchester isn't doing well, as things go south for him. Finally, will Leah ever want to talk with her sister Rebbie, especially after what had happened to her?

Who was this new person that Leah thought she had seen before? Why was Chaka upset with Leah because she didn't like him ... this Zane guy. What will happen when Evander ask Leah if they should take a break? Pick up this story to find out! Will this push Leah to see her sister Rebbie and her father? What will happen when she does when Leah and Rebbie talk about their mother? And what happened during their talk?

I know I have presented a lot of questions that will be answered in the reading, so I will stop here and say for the last time...pick up 'All Churched Out' Book 2, and see how well this author brings it all out to the reader. It will give one a lot to ponder over as we go into Book 3...its ending!

With everyone having their battles of some kind, especially this Westchester family, how will our God intercede for them in the end?

The Wedding Ranch A Novel by Nancy Naigle

 Book Excerpt:

"A second chance at love awaits two brokenhearted people if they're just willing to trust each other—and themselves, in USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle's The Wedding Ranch.

When Lorri Walker's husband gifted her with a mastiff puppy on Valentine's Day, she believed he recommitted himself to their marriage after going astray. Instead, six months later, he left her and their dog for someone else. Since her recent move to Dalton Mill to unbraid herself from the past, Lorri's graphic design business is flourishing, her growing mastiff, the Mister, has plenty of space to romp, and her ex in Raleigh can fade to a distant memory.

Ryder Bolt is haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and young son seven years ago. Thankfully, ranching keeps Ryder busy, and spending time with his niece and nephew—whose venue, The Wedding Ranch, has become a popular tourist destination—keeps him from getting lonely.

When Lorri and Ryder met, love was the last thing they were looking for. But, when they're together, smiles come easier, burdens feel lighter, and both embrace the possibility of something more profound.

But when a long-buried revelation surfaces, the fate that brought them together threatens to tear them apart."

Title: The Wedding Ranch
Author: Nancy Naigle
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Wedding Ranch" by Nancy Naigle

My Assessment:

'The Wedding Ranch' was a wholesome heartwarming, emotional story featuring Lorri and Ryder in a second chance read. The story showed how one could find happiness through forgiving and, in the end, finding love through healing and learning! With Lorri being a divorcee and Ryan losing his wife and son in an accident, this author did an excellent read. It was so good seeing how Lorri was able to get over her sorrows and Ryder, and trust, in the end, can work it all out in this sweet romantic read. Let's not forget, Mister...the dog that brought smiles to all!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Ingenue A Novel by Rachel Kapelke-Dale

 Book Excerpt:

"My Dark Vanessa meets The Queen's Gambit in this new novel of suspense about the bonds of family, the limits of talent, the risks of ambition, and the rewards of revenge.

When former piano prodigy Saskia Kreis returns home to Milwaukee after her mother's unexpected death, she expects to inherit the Elf House family estate. But with the discovery that her mother will bequeath the Elf House to a man with whom Saskia shares a complicated history, she is forced to reexamine her past––and the romantic relationship that changed the course of her life––for answers. Can she find a way to claim her heritage while keeping her secrets buried, or will the fallout from digging too deep destroy her?

Set against a post #MeToo landscape, Rachel Kapelke-Dale's The Ingenue delves into mother-daughter relationships, the expectations of talent, the stories we tell ourselves, and what happens when the things that once made you special are taken from you. Moving between Saskia's childhood and the present day, this dark, contemporary fairy tale pulses with desire, longing, and uncertainty, as it builds to its spectacular, shocking climax."

Title:  The Ingenue

Author:  Rachel Kapelke-Dale

Publisher:   St. Martin's Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

"The Ingenue" by Rachel Kapelke-Dale

My Assessment:

'The Ingenue' gives the reader quite interesting 'fairytales, with many themes of an aging prodigy and familial relationships.'  We find the main character somewhat complex. However, her growth through the read was good...with the setting ...of the Elf House being mainly gothic. One must keep up with this story because it switches back and forth in time as you read a somewhat twisted and dark tale of what happens to Saskia when she realizes what had happened to her when she was young. 

This author did an excellent job of moving this storyline along, giving the reader a well-paced read and a good ending.  

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for allowing me to read this advance copy.