Pearl: God Uses Our Pain, Suffering, and Obedience to Heal Us in Our Darkest Hour Kindle Edition by Daniels, James V.

 Excerpt:

"God heals the brokenhearted.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and sorrows]. Psalms 147:3 (AMPC)

You are suffering, in pain, losing a loved one, or whatever you're going through. Your pain is unbearable. You need answers. I want to let you know that there is hope. Pearl is a real-life testimony of how God can take your pain away and heal you. You may think there is no way out, but there is light, and His name is Jesus! The Holy Spirit inspired me to write this book to share with the world. I was in a dark hole, but Jesus was my light. He sent His Word and healed me, Psalms 107:20. He is sending you that same Word today. Step out in faith. Jesus will heal and deliver you from the darkest time of your life."

Title: Pearl: God Usines Our Plan, Suffering, and Obedience to Heal Us In Our Darkest Hour
Author: James V. Daniel
Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing; 1st edition
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Pearl: God Uses Our Pain, Suffering, and Obedience to Heal Us in Our Darkest Hour" by James V. Daniels

My Sentiments:

'Pearl' was quite a story of how this author personally lost his wife. This experience showed many emotions during this healing process, with God being with him to the end of her journey. The story 'Pearl' is a read for anyone I recommend who has lost anyone. God is there for us as He will heal the brokenhearted.

'Pearl' was an excellent story that one will get a lot out of this short story. Thank you to the author, James V. Daniel, for sharing your story with us.

 

Play to Win A Novel by Jodie Slaughter

 Book Excerpt:

"Jodie Slaughter's latest rom-com, Play to Win, is a sizzling romance where a winning lottery ticket is meant to be a new start but becomes a second chance at love.

Miriam Butler's life is going nowhere in the slowest, most excruciating way possible. Stuck in the same barely-paying job she's had since she was sixteen and spending every night sleeping in the spare twin bed in her mother's house, her existence might be hilarious if it wasn't so bleak. One trip to her favorite corner store upends everything when she finds herself the winner of a Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot. Unfortunately, not even life-altering roses come without their painful thorns. She is in the form of an estranged husband with the right to claim his share of her money.

It's been eight years since Leo Vaughn has talked with his wife. When she calls out of the blue, practically begging him to return to Greenbelt, the last thing he expects her to tell him when he gets there is that she's come into a whole heap of money. She offers him a life-changing proposition of his own. Take a lump sum, finally, sign the divorce papers, and be done with her for good. Only forever without her is the last thing Leo wants. So he gives a proposition of his own. One that won't cost her nearly as many millions but will buy him the time to do the one thing he's been hungry to do since he left -- win her back."

Title: Play to Win
Author: Jodie Slaughter
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Play to Win" by Jodie Slaughter

My Sentiments:

"Play to Win" was an excellent second-chance romance featuring Miri and Leo. However, Leo had left her some 8 years ago... why was that? Did the money that Miri had won in the Lottery bring him back? Couldn't they have tried harder to work things out even though they were young? So, Leo returns...will they be able to work it all out after the money has been given out? The supporting characters, especially Mama Patrice and Leo's sister, Thea, were very well-developed.

To get the most out of this emotional read, you must pick it up to see how the author brings it out to the reader. Ultimately, the story will turn out well for both main characters.

Thanks again, St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley, for the eARC to read in exchange for an honest review!

Forever Hold For Your Peace A Novel by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke

 Book Excerpt:

"Father of the Bride meets Bride Wars in Forever Hold Your Peace, in which two ex-best friends find themselves shockingly entangled after more than two decades apart, for fans of Good Company.

When their newly engaged kids ask all four divorced parents to meet each other over brunch, everyone RSVPs yes--secretly hoping someone at the table will get to the bottom of the bottomless mimosas fast enough to say what they're all thinking: that this engagement, coming after a whirlwind romance between two people barely out of college, is too much too soon.

But at that brunch, it's not the impulsive couple's decisions that end up under the microscope, as it turns out June, mother of the bride, and Amy, mother of the groom, certainly do know each other--they're ex-best-friends who haven't spoken since their explosive falling out more than twenty-five years ago. Reeling from their unwanted reunion and eager to shift the spotlight off their past as decades-old secrets and rivalries come to light, the two moms battle it out for the prize of Most Enthusiastic About This Wedding.

But when their history—and their present-day shenanigans—threaten to crack the foundations of the happy couple's future, June and Amy find themselves becoming unexpected allies in an all-hands-on-deck effort to get their kids (and themselves) a happily-ever-after two generations in the making.

Forever Hold Your Peace is perfect for readers who love messy, complicated family novels like All Adults Here and stories that bring the past and present together, like One Italian Summer."

Title: Forever Hold Your Peace
Author: Liz Fenton & Lis Steinke
Publisher: Aclove Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Forever Hold Your Peace" by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke

My Sentiments:

"Forever Hold Your Peace" was quite an exciting story love story of this could who meets and fall in love during a vacation in Positano, Italy. After six weeks, they became engaged, and everything was going fine, but the parents of both Loivia and Zack were divorced, and this is where the problems began. Some history could have been better and still presented problems. How will this love story turn out for these two? With there being so many twists, secrets, family drama, and turns in the sweet love story, you, the reader, will have to pick up this novel to see what happens when the wedding is put on the whole, the couple breaks up, and what will happen next in this multi-generational contemporary story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Alcove Press, for this free arc in exchange for my honest review.

Dangerously in Love (Love Doses Book 1) Kindle Edition by Tina Martin (Author), Stephanie Nicole Norris (Author)

 Book Excerpt:

"When love and danger collide…

Wasn't Supposed To Love Her by U.S.A. Today bestselling author Tina Martin

Ex-soldier Royce Pembroke has a new assignment on the anti-human trafficking task force – to monitor Makeena Ellison, who's just been trafficked in an undercover operation. She's young, vulnerable, and naïve. Royce's team is bent on bringing the traffickers to justice, but he's constantly distracted by this beautiful young woman desperate for love. Can he focus on his assignment without catching feelings?

Mistaken Identity by U.S.A. Today bestselling author Stephanie Nicole Norris

Identical looks were their only commonality.

For Tiana, life is one challenge after another, but her greatest struggle is sharing a face with the sister she despises. When her charmed life is ripped apart, Briana seems to have it all, and memory loss leaves her uncertain of who she is. With the help of a handsome stranger, Briana's new life and love blossom, but Tiana won't rest until Briana has no life at all."

Title:  Dangerously in Love

Author:  Tina Martin & Stephanie Nicole Norris

Publisher: T.M. & S.N.N.

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Dangerously in Love" by Tina Martin & Stephanie Nicole Norris

My Sentiments:

'Dangerously in Love' was a good story of Royce, an ex-soldier, and he was to take care of Makeena Ellison, who had been trafficked in an undercover operation. However, along with this, what will happen when he begins to fall for her during this assignment?

Moving on to our second story... In 'Mistaken Identity,' we find this twin Tiana was one awful person that put every through it all who she came into contact with...especially her twin sister Briana. What Tiana did to her was simply horrible. So, yes, there was a good twin, and the other was not so nice. However, there was no surprise that karma came for one.

The reader must pick up Love Doses Book 1 for the whole story. Indeed both of these stories will keep your attention till the very end, with each level having its part in sizzling hot passions.

Be ready for a storyline with romance and suspense that enters both stories. 

The Guilty Case: An Jasmine Davis Legal Thriller (Jasmine Davis Legal Thriller Series Book 2) Kindle Edition by Ellis Keler

 Book Excerpt:

"In a story where everyone becomes a suspect, who is truly guilty?

Haunted by her father's murder, lawyer Jasmine Davis understands the pain of injustice. So when a girl is accused of her boyfriend's murder, Jasmine is the sole believer in her innocence, determined to fight for her.

As she investigates further, she realizes that she is in extreme danger as she uncovers horrifying secrets. The accused's sister and the victim's business partner both have strong motives. Yet, the most chilling revelation arises: in this case, innocence may be just an elusive illusion...

The Guilty Case is an exciting blood-pumping legal thriller written by Ellis Keler 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."

Title:  The Guilty Case

Author:  Ellis Keler

Publisher:  Cobalt Fairy LLc

Series:  Jasmine Davis Legal Thriller Series Book 2

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"The Guilty Case" by Ellis Keler

My Sentiments:   

'The Guilty Case' was an interesting legal thriller in how the storyline was presented, featuring the lawyer, Jasmine Davis, and Bob Clayton, the detective. With all that was left of Jasmine as she solved her father's death and the strangeness from her mother, will she be able to work on this case where the wife has been accused of the gruesome killing of her husband? To get all of the story, you will have to pick up this good read and see how well the author brings it out to the reader. Then we are given an extended epilogue that explains a little more about the main character...Jasmine.

Slick (The Enigma Series Book 3) Kindle Edition by Aja

 Book Excerpt:

"Sarai "Slick" Lewis is the family princess with the most to learn.

Slick is known to be the loose cannon: explosive & unpredictable, so she needs help to get out of a bind all the time. Malachi is all too happy to help her the best way he knows how – brains and tenacity. But it's not enough to stop what's been boiling over since her mother left.
The truth is that only she can save herself, but love can help."

Title: Slick
Author: Aja
Publisher: She Loves Words Publishing LLC
Series: The Enigma Series Book 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Slick" by Aja

My Sentiments:

'Slick' was a good series, a well-written story that we learned a bit more about Sarai. Sarai was quite a character in being 'a loose cannon...explosive & unpredictable.' However, when Malachi [Chi] comes into the picture, being this family lawyer, and Sarai needs some help, he is right there for her, giving her encouragement and healing and the love she also needs in her life. Some interesting characters, especially Malachi's mom, Carmen, Elijah [Smoke], and Eli [Maestro]. I especially loved that Sarai finally saw that she was truly loved by her father, brother, and Malachi.

Be ready for plenty of 'drama, mayhem, anger, family issues, and therapy counseling sessions' that bring the story altogether. If you haven't read the other two series, you may want to read them before reading this last series because it will make more sense to one that has read all of the series since this was the climax.

The Lawyer's Temptation: A James Acker Legal Thriller (James Acker legal thriller series Book 9) Kindle Edition by Freya Atwood

 Book Excerpt:

"James Acker's life is shattered when he discovers the chance to reopen the case of his imprisoned brother.

After the loss of his murdered daughter, James has been trying hard to lead an ordinary life. But when a traitor from his past offers a means to free his brother, he cannot resist…

Harboring a web of secrets, he embraces the challenge, diving into a shocking trial to rescue his sibling. But as the saying goes, once a traitor, always a traitor...

The Lawyer's Temptation 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."

Title:  The Lawyer's Temptation

Author:  Freya Atwood

Publisher:  Cobalt Fairy LLC 

Series:  James Acker Legal Thriller Book 9

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"The Lawyer's Temptation"  by Freya Atwood

My Sentiments: 

'The Lawyer's Temptation' was another of this author's good read series book 9. James Acker is now defending his brother Elliot who is in prison for murder. Will he be able to help his brother with the help of Oliver, a former lawyer, and James' assistant Francesca who was working on getting her law license? The legal thriller will have many twists and turns, suspense, and drama by the end of the story. Will James fail once again to be able to get his brother out of this murder case? Well, it doesn't look so well for Elliot. We will have to go into the extended epilogue to see how things will turn out for Elliot. Will James finally be able to get his brother out of this mess after all is said and done? We must get the next series to see what will happen next.

The Six Night Truce: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (West Oaks Heroes Book 1) Kindle Edition by Hannah Shield

 Book Excerpt:

"He's cocky. Infuriating. And irresistible.

I can't decide if I want to kiss him or kill him.

When I stepped into the courtroom this morning, I intended to fight for my client's life. I never expected to run on my own. Now the courthouse is locked, and I'm trapped in a tiny room with my nemesis—the West Oaks PD cop who hates me most.

He's a single dad with a growly attitude. An ex-Marine. And he's the star witness against my client. But it turns out Detective Sean Holt and I have something in common. This threat against us is personal, and the maniac behind it wants us both dead.

We have one week to catch whoever's trying to kill us, assuming we don't get off each other first. But as we hunt down leads, I suspect I don't hate Sean Holt after all. I might even like him.

And all this hostility is really turning me on…."

Get ready for scorching steam and plenty of swoons! Janie and Sean go from enemies to lovers in this heart-pounding, action-packed romance.

Title: The Six Night Truce: An Enemies to Lovers Romance
Author: Hannah Shield
Publisher: ‎ Diana Road Books
Series: West Oaks Heroes Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
The Six Night Truce: An Enemies to Lovers" by Hannah Shield

My Sentiments:

'The Six Night Truce: An Enemies to Lovers Romance' was a good read showing how the two characters were definitely on opposite sides when it came to Sean Holt being a detective and Jane Simon being a defense attorney indeed made life miserable for them as they had to work together. However, when they chose to work together on this particular case because their lives were in danger, someone was trying to kill them. However, the more they spent time together, getting to know each other, their attitude changed, even to the point of.... well, I will stop here and say you must pick up this good read to see what happens. By the end, Sean and Jane will do a little work together.

Be ready for lots of unpredictable twists and turns, drama, dark secrets, laughter, suspense, action, emotional roller-coaster, and romance, where the reader will have to keep up because this author really keeps this storyline moving with some fascinating characters; where it will be hard to put down until the end. And I want to include the Bonus Epilogue, which also presented a good ending.

Pool of Lies Kindle Edition by Amber Ghe

 Book Excerpt:

"Nine, an ambitious pool shark, is hired by billionaire businessman Remington Jones to teach him the art of pool. She's fiery and runs a game on him, leaving him wanting more. But Nine quickly realizes that Remington has a hidden agenda.

He is obsessed with winning at all costs, even using her talents against his rival. Remington falls for Nine as the tournament approaches despite his questionable intentions. Leaving Nine faced with a life-changing decision. Will she choose love or loyalty?

Title: Pool of Lies
Author: Amber Ghe
Publisher: B. Love Publications
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Pool of Lies" by Amber Ghe

My Sentiments:

'Pool Of Lies' was a good story featuring Nine Marie Anderson and Remington Bank Shot Jones. We find Nine was a pool shark who taught the game of pool. And that is where she meets Remington, and she teaches him about the game; however, he really knows the game. What was his reason for this? We find out from the read that it had something to do with Nine's brother Rye. This is where the story gets fascinating, as Rye had just returned from Afgahastain, now suffering from PTSD due to the military. But this wasn't all of the story. Nine had suffered from trust issues about how her father treated her as a child with his mistress. Now what was that all about? Then we find Remington, currently working closely with Nine, who was showing him the ropes of the pool game, is starting to like her, and Nine likes him. What will come of this when Nine finally finds out what Remington is all about, and what does this have to do with her brother, Rye, better known as Max, whom Remington despises? Nine knew only then that Remington was a businessman, not that he had been ..... As the story continues, the report will come out of what all Rye [Max] was really like his father... who couldn't be trusted. This is where you must pick up this good read to see what all Remington had gone through from Max and how he wanted to get back at Max for what he had done to him earlier. I liked the way Nine came in to help Remington in the end. This story has many lessons to be learned in the future, as it was for Nine, Remington, and Rye, as it is full of 'Pool of Lies.'

Homecoming: Love 101 Reunion Kindle Edition by J. Nichole

Book Excerpt:

"Ten years later, she's headed back to campus for homecoming. Ready to connect with her homegirls.

Monica has missed a few of the annual girl's trips and needs to share something with them.

If she can make it there. A canceled flight has her stranded in the airport.

But Thaddeus is eager to get to campus for some rekindling of his own; a delayed flight is standing in his way.

So, when he sees Monica's LU sweater, he proposes they rent a car and drive the four hours to campus together.

The two start the four-hour drive as complete strangers but end the weekend as a little more than friends.

After, they expect to return to life as before homecoming, but that's more complex, at least not for him.

Homecoming is a fling romance, a follow-up to the Love 101 series.

Title: Homecoming: Love 101
Author: J. Nicole
Publisher: ‎ Not the Last Page
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Homecoming: Love: 101 by J. Nichole

My Sentiments:

'Homecoming: Love 101' was a good read that featured Monica and Thaddeus. They rode together to a school reunion homecoming at Lee University in Tallahassee. It was cute in the way they got together for that ride. Monica had not attended the school reunion for the past ten years. Thaddeus had participated in each year. While Thaddeus was thanking of reconnecting with a former student Lauren, Monica had been going to be with her friends. But after meeting Thaddeus... there may be some chemistry, which was for them. After the reunion and going home, it was incredible how these two reconnected again. To get the beautiful story, the reader must pick up this good read to see how well this author brings it out. By the end, one will notice if these two were to be an item.