A Christmas Proposal: Operation CP Kindle Edition by Burgundy C. Johnson

 Book Excerpt:

"It's that time of year again, and Devin is all too excited to celebrate the holidays. Since Grant fulfilled his promise to her three years ago, the holiday season has become one of her favorites. Grant is stepping up his game this year and preparing to top his previous promise."

Title: A Christmas Proposal: Operation CP
Author: Burgundy C. Johnson
Publisher: B.C.J.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"A Christmas Proposal: Operation CP" by Burgundy C. Johnson

Merry Christmas:

It is a beautiful story of Davin and Grant coming together and finally getting that HEA after three years. I don't want to tell too much of the story, but pick this one up. This author did an excellent job connecting the stories all together [by the way, another story comes before this one], giving the readers a fantastic ending to a beautiful story during the holiday season.

Right on Cue by Falon Ballard

 Book Excerpt:

"From the beloved author of Just My Type and Lease on Love comes a new romantic comedy in which a former actress-turned-screenwriter finds herself back in the spotlight, only for her romantic lead to be the one man she can't stand.

Emmy Harper is no stranger to Hollywood, having penned some of the most popular movies of the past few years. But her latest project has hit a standstill—unable to find the perfect leading lady, Emmy's been recruited to take on the role herself, dusting off acting skills she hasn't used in over a decade.

Things worsen when she's left with the one costar she can't trust: Grayson West. A blockbuster action hero known for his megawatt smile and impossible abs, Grayson is anyone's dream of a romantic lead. It's too bad Emmy still blames him for her disastrous first movie and the early end of her acting career.

The friction between the two risks tanking the movie, and no one knows if it's lingering awkwardness from their youth or unresolved sexual tension. But if they want to save the production—and their own careers—they need to get their acts together quickly, both on and off camera."

Title:  Right on Cue

Author:  Falon Ballard

Publisher:  PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"Right on Cue" by Falon Ballard

My Thoughts:  

'Right on Cue' was a nice love story of Emmy and Grayson reuniting after what happened earlier while working together in their teens. It was fun reaching out to how these two could finally put the past in the past and move on, and from there, something unexpected happened between them. Will this be a second-chance romance? I don't know if I would say that, but pick up this read and see what you think. Will these two finally unite from enemies to lovers and be given a HEA?   Pick up 'Right on Cue' to see how it will all come out. Be ready for a good read.

Thanks to Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Night for Day by Roselle Lim

 Book Excerpt:

"Two people destined to be together but to never see each other again fight against the most incredible odds in this powerful and moving fantasy novel by critically acclaimed author Roselle Lim.

Exes Ward Dunbar and Camille Buhay thought they would never see each other again. They had broken up to pursue their dream jobs on opposite sides of the country—her to New York City and him to Los Angeles. But years later, they unexpectedly reconnect in London, where they are interviewing for similar jobs. The spark they feel when they meet again is palpable—the attraction comes back like muscle memory, reminding them of what they had lost. When Ward and Camille discover they both got the job working opposing shifts, they vow to give their relationship another try.

Ward starts the day shift and finds the immortal clientele unusual and dazzling. When he clocks out at the end of the day, he finds the door locked and himself trapped in the building. After a horrific first night shift contending with restless spirits and ghosts, Camille is also unable to escape. In their respective prisons, they discover they can talk to each other a few minutes before dawn. This fleeting encounter incites longing for each other, but their promise to be together feels impossible. Because they are caught in a war of the gods, their choices will determine the outcome."

Title: Night for Day

Author: Roselle Lim
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group, Ace
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
'Night for Day' by Roselle Lim

Interesting Read:

'Night for Day' was quite a different kind of read for a romance in a fantasy world. The reader must keep up as the story goes back and forth with the two main characters...Camille and Ward are in their second-chance romance. These two seemed to be in an alternate reality that dealt with 'pawns in a war of the gods.' If you are not into fantasy, this may not be your kind of read because I had to work hard and understand what was happening. Still, by the end, I received many of the questions I had answered from "immortality, gods, goddesses, mythology, escape rooms, romantic, spirits, ghosts, and all the in-between," which was quite a lot from this story. This read may have worked more for me if it had been a series because there is so much going on.

If you are into fantasy romance, then 'Night for Day' is probably your kind of read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher of the ARC.

Ready or Not A Novel by Cara Bastone

 Book Excerpt:

"A surprise pregnancy leads to even more life-changing revelations in this heartfelt, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance of found family and unexpected love.

"Bastone delivers on this truly heartwarming, funny, and real story. Come for the dog bar, stay for the special, slow-burn romcom."—Abby Jimenez, New York Times bestselling author.

Eve Hatch lives for surprises! Just kidding. She expects every tomorrow to be the same as today. She loves her cozy apartment in Brooklyn close to her childhood best friend Willa and far from her midwestern, traditional family who has never really understood her. While her job is only dream-adjacent, it's comfortable and steady. She always knows what to expect from her life . . . until she finds herself hoping after an uncharacteristic one-night stand.

The unplanned pregnancy cracks open all the relationships in her life. Eve's loyal friendship with Willa feels tense when she needs her the most. And Willa's steadfast older brother, Shep, steps up to help Eve. He has always been friendly, but now he's checking in, ordering her surprise lunches, listening to all her complaints, and is . . . suddenly kinda hot? Then, as if she needs one more complication, there's the baby's father, who is (technically) supportive but (majorly) conflicted.

Up until this point, Eve's been content to coast through life. Now, though—maybe it's the hormones, perhaps the way Shep's shoulders look in a T-shirt—Eve starts to wonder if she has secretly desired more from every aspect of her life.

Over nine months, as Eve struggles to figure out the next right step in her expanding reality, she begins to realize that family and love, in all forms, can sneak up on you when you least expect it."

Title: Ready or Not
Author: Cara Bastone
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Dial Press Trade Paperback
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
'Ready or Not' by Cara Bastone

Intriguing:

'Ready or Not' was a sweet romance. With what happens to Eve, it was good to see how this author brings it all together. I somewhat feared Ethan but always felt Shep was there for Eve through it all. I had wondered about Eve's best friend in all that she had also gone through, but I didn't feel like she was there for her friend when needed. I know Willa had gone through a lot, but a true friend would have been there for her best friend, especially when required. You must pick up this read to see how it all comes together for Eve, Shep, and Evan. It was a pretty exciting read.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley for allowing me access to this ARC.

The Phantom Justice: An Ethan Hunter Legal Thriller (Ethan Hunter legal thriller series Book 1) Kindle Edition by Freya Atwood

 Book Excerpt:

"A man is accused of killing his girlfriend, and lawyer Ethan Hunter is the only one who believes in his innocence.

Having lost everything six months after his wife's seemingly suicide, Ethan takes on a legal case that mirrors his own tragedy. Despite everyone deeming him crazy, given the overwhelming evidence pointing to his client's guilt.

Yet, he knows there's more to the story—a dark secret connecting him and his client that, if exposed, could cost him his life…

The Phantom Justice 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 Phantom Justice
Author: Freya Atwood
Publisher: Cobalt Fairy LLC
Series: Ethan Hunter Legal Thriller Series Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Phantom Justice" by Freya Atwood

Legal Thriller:

"The Phantom Justice" was quite a thriller read where you will not want to put it down until the end. We find lawyer Ethan Hunter has lost his wife, but was it suicide or murder? Then Ethan takes on another case where he believes the man, Lincoln, has been framed. Did Lincoln murder his girlfriend? Somehow, the two cases make Ethan feel these two may be tied together, but why did he think that may be true? It seems like no one believed Ethan on either side of the two. Ethan felt his wife was murdered, and Lincoln was framed for his girlfriend's murder. However, two people on Ethan's side were willing to help. But would it be enough to assist in Lincoln's case?

As the story continues, the reader will see how things turn out. I felt sorry for both Lincoln and Ethan. Now, why was that? I don't want to tell you too much more...you must pick up 'The Phantom Justice' and see how this author brings it all out to the reader. The reader will wonder if the two people involved in this murder will escape. And after all that has been said and done with this case of Lincoln, will Ethan get off with what he has done? The story gives one a lot to think about long after the read.

Scammers: Pride Before Destruction by Marissa Palmer

 Book Excerpt:

"In the year 2020, a pandemic swept the nation and caught everyone by surprise. People are losing jobs, businesses, and homes, and with the stay-home orders, some people are losing their minds. For people like Xavier, though, it is a great time to put his scamming skills to use. Will those skills pay off, or will he be surprised with a dismal ending?

LaTeesha is a lovely girl who sometimes can be pretty naïve. After dealing with Xavier's cheating and lying ways, will she finally get the courage to walk away from him? When she begins living life from a different perspective, will she reach her happy ending? Mark comes into LaTeesha's life, but is he everything he says he is? Does he have some secrets that he hopes LaTeesha will never learn about him? The dictionary defines a scammer as "someone who commits fraud or participates in a dishonest scheme." These characters are about to take you on an adventure where EVERYONE has a scheme. Nobody is sincere. Miscarriages, STDs, sister against sister, father against son. Oh, it gets messy in these Detroit streets!"

Title: Scammers: Pride Before Destruction
Author: Marissa Palmer
Publisher: M.P.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Scammers: Pride Before Destruction" by Marissa Palmer

My Thoughts:

This title sums it up: "Scammers: Pride Before Destruction" was a read you will find hard to put down due to what is happening with these people. I know we have heard of scammers, but what went on in this story was off the chart.

Who would have thought you would be scammed by your sister, boyfriend, a father, and even his son? And I didn't mention the rest of what is going on in this story, from 'schemes all over the place, lying going on all over the place, miscarriages, and STDs is also present.' I am sure I have left something out! All of the characters were something else.
You will have to pick this one up and see for yourself why I said that.

As this story takes on many twists and turns, you must keep up because when you think the story is going one way...stop...it isn't! I am not sure who I felt more sorrier for... LaTeesha...my, my, was she so naive or what? Then, when it looks like she has moved on from Xavier, who does she meet up with, and what does she do that I had to reread twice to believe it?

I don't want to tell you too much other than saying...pick this read up and see how this author puts it together. If you are like me, I was left shaking my head and saying I can believe this! But know it does happen. Be careful out there!

I did start thinking about all the scamming that has gone on since the pandemic and even before because when you think about it, it's going on now. You must be careful and check, check, and check everything out. I hate to say this, but trust and hope are all we have in life in 2024, with God being our only protector.

Blinded Love: Kim's Struggle (Part 2) (Blinded Love E-Series) Kindle Edition by Lena Banks

 Book Excerpt:

"This is the sequel to Blinded Love: Kim's Story. Every 9 seconds in the US, a woman is assaulted or beaten. Every day in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends.

Best friends Kim and Trina get a big reality check when the men they love have more Love of money, the streets, sex, and revenge. Total denial sneaks into the forefront and causes them to be blinded. Physical & mental abuse, death, and the penitentiary deliver them a hand that's too hard to play.

Will the truth of their reality smack them in their faces, and will they realize what's going on before it's too late? Blinded Love reveals the circumstances of bad choices for many individuals, especially those who believe certain things can never happen to them.

Sometimes, life can turn dark, and your loved one can be your worst enemy. Prepare for a bird's eye view of Love and life's hardest lessons. Take a stand and get involved; enough is enough. The life you save might be your own."

Title: Blinded Love
Author: Lena Banks
Publisher: Royal Ink Publications LLC; 1st edition
Series: Kim's Struggle Part 2 Blinded Love E-Series
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Blinded Love: Kim's Struggle Part 2" by Lena Banks

The Story:

To truly understand 'Blinded Love E-Series Part 2', please read part one to fully understand how and why this author delivers such an excellent read. I read this author's first part 1 of this story many years ago to ensure I got everything; I reread part one and now continue to part 2. All I can say is that I never cried so much in reading a story like this one.

We can say that Kim was blinded by what she thought was Love for Tony. So many times as we grow up, we feel we know what is best for us...but is it? Her mother [a lawyer], sister Trina, and best friend, DeeDee, tried their best to warn Kim. But many times in our lives, we must see for ourselves as it was Kim. She couldn't see that the relationship with Tony would only give her 'torment and abuse.' Bless her heart...Kim thought this was LOVE?

As we read this story, we see that this author did an excellent job explaining what happened. I love how she brought out the chapters [with the name of who was being featured, the poems, and, let's not leave out, the songs that were referred to, all doing the read that went so well with the story.

The characters were all well-developed groups of people, some good and others bad. Well, I will let you read it for yourself to see what you think,

Now, I don't want to tell too much other than say you must pick up the excellent read to see how well the author delivered an unforgettable story that will stay with you long after the read. My main point from this read was, did these young ladies learn anything by the end of this story?

One can learn from this story, especially if you are going through a situation like poor Kim and her sister [Trina].

The ending was well done...and that's all I will say about that...pick up this good read and see how it turns out. This author did an excellent job with 'Blinded Love Part 1-2.'

The Guilty Innocence: An David Foster Legal Thriller (David Foster legal thriller series Book 1) Kindle Edition by Freya Atwood

 Book Excerpt:

"His son is arrested for murder, but when he is released, he realizes that this is a more complex case than he thought…

At 40, Daniel Foster is no stranger to adversity. A seasoned lawyer with a tough exterior, his life takes a tumultuous turn when his troubled 17-year-old son, Ethan, is arrested alongside three other boys for a heinous crime: the brutal murder of one of their own.

Ethan's release, secured by a solid alibi, provides Daniel a fleeting moment of relief. But his relief quickly turns to dread when Ethan's best friend, Milan Radulovic, takes the fall for the murder, leaving Daniel torn between his duty as a father and his obligations as a lawyer.

With each twist and turn in the courtroom, Daniel grapples with the harrowing truth: that the case is far more sinister than he could have imagined.

The Guilty Innocence 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 mysteries, then you'll love Freya's intriguing story.

Buy "The Guilty Innocence" today to discover Freya's new intriguing crime mystery!

Title: The Guilty Innocence
Author: Freya Atwood
Publisher: Cobalt Fairy LLC
Series: David Foster Legal Thriller Series Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Guilty Innocence" by Freya Atwood

My Thoughts:

'The Guilty Innocence' quoted a read that will keep you turning the pages to see what was coming next for David Foster, a successful lawyer dealing with his son who has been arrested along with three other friends for the murder of their friend, Benjamin. This story will have many twists and turns before one gets to the end. The drama of this story will present mystery and suspense as one comes to the end of who killed Benjamin. To get the story, you must pick up 'The Guilty Innocence' to see how well this author brings it out. Enjoy the extended epilogue that lets one know how it turns out for Ethan and his mother [David's ex-wife], Mia, and she must get used to David's assistance because Amelia isn't going anywhere.

Guilty Law by Ellis Keler

 Book Excerpt:

"In the rain-soaked streets of Seattle, the glittering allure of fame takes a dark turn when renowned director Mathew Sterling is found murdered. The prime suspect was Chloe Levine, a young woman sleeping with him.

Alex Peterson, a once-prominent attorney who had fallen from grace, reluctantly steps into the heart of the scandal when Eloise Levine, an old client, implores him to help her daughter. Though hesitant, Alex senses a slim chance at redemption and accepts the case, knowing the odds are a mere one in a million. 

As the courtroom drama unfolds, Alex grapples with the undeniable motive of a crime of passion, challenging his legal prowess. However, beneath the overcast skies of Seattle, a sinister secret emerges, threatening to expose a truth more twisted than the city's labyrinthine streets…"

Title: Guilty Law
Author: Ellis Keler
Publisher: Cobalt Fairy LLC
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Guilty Law" by Ellis Keler

Crime & Legal Thriller:

Alex Peterson, the defense lawyer, really had his hands complete with taking on a case where he was helping an old client's daughter, who had been accused of murder.

While this is happening, Alex is having problems with his ex-wife over the custody of his son Lucas.

The murder case Alex has taken on is a good read as you kept turning the pages till the end. And that ending was quite a turn and unexpected. Who was the real murderer in the 'Guilty Law' story? There will be a lot that will come out as the courtroom drama unfolds. You must pick this story up to see how it all comes out.

I especially liked the extended epilogue on how things turned out so well for Alex and his son.

Christmas Bully Kindle Edition by K Nicole

 Book Excerpt:

"An unexpected snowstorm hits Law Grove on Christmas Eve, and hustler Kasim Davis has to find temporary shelter until it blows over. His shelter belongs to Sneaux, a single businesswoman who just stepped out to grab a few items before the storm worsened.

Alarmed that the garage side door she left unlocked was now locked when she returned home, Sneaux never thought she would return to a handsome stranger asleep in her guest room. When she should have been afraid, Sneaux was more...turned on."

Title: Christmas Bully
Author: K. Nicole
Publisher: K. N.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Christmas Bully" by K. Nicole

Christmas Holiday:

This was quite a short novella that will keep you turning the pages for more of the story. How will it turn out...well, it continues to the next holiday...Valentine's Day. So, we must see if Sneaux and Kasim will come together again. Hopefully, it will not be because of a snowstorm.