Arlena's Book Reviews

Book Synopsis:

"Romantic Suspense

Pepper Chan tried to leave the scars of her abduction behind her when she joined her current veterinary practice. However, a chance encounter with Roddy Eastman, the brother of her former best friend, leaves her shaken and desperate to keep her distance. The last thing Pepper wants to do is relive the terrible ordeal from so many years ago. Her kidnapper was never caught, and Pepper is afraid to trust anyone.

Attorney Roddy Eastman is determined to find out why Dr. Chan wants to avoid him. He tries to convince himself that his drive to seek out answers from her is just his concern for his sister’s friend and not something deeper—like his long-standing attraction to her since high school.
The sudden murder of her boyfriend makes it clear that a deranged murderer is taunting Pepper, waiting for the right moment to strike. When Pepper reluctantly reaches out to him, Roddy offers her his help. Together, they must dig into her past to uncover the ide…

Book Synopsis:

"Where hurt people go...

Ephraim Levine had it all, except Maliah Porter.

She isn't the one who got away, she's the one who walked away.

He has adored Maliah Porter since they were children. She has epitomized beauty, innocence.

Everything about her captivated him. As they matured and their love grew, he worshipped her body and soul.

And then, without reason, Maliah Porter left Ephraim Levine and shattered their unbreakable love. He was suddenly held captive by her memory.

His obsession with her ruined him... But it also shaped the attractive, brilliant Ephraim into a calculating man.

One who would stop at nothing to take what he wanted. Maliah.

He will set the perfect scene-- build the perfect cage to entrap the Queen.

And finally, free himself of the restless need to dominate the one who stole his heart."

Ephraim's Hurt Room includes a devilishly, depraved, hot alpha, who has grown tired of waiting for his HEA! Expect the pages to burn with tension, passi…

Book Synopsis:

"Hotlanta's baddest homicide detective, Aisha Sawyer, is dealing with a double homicide that dominates Atlanta's headlines. Hip-hop mogul, Kendall “Trap” Miller is the black half of the double homicide that ends his reign as Hustle Hard Entertainment's CEO and puts an Instagram vixen at the helm of his company.


Irony leaves no doubt that Chosen is the hip hop industry’s karma for systematically turning away qualified black female executives. Trap abused Chosen, and after her second tragic miscarriage, promptly left her for a med student - the double homicide’s other victim. Atlanta P.D. targets Meegan’s jaded ex-lover, a married surgeon capable of wielding the biological agent used in the murders. Detective Sawyer, however, strays from the main investigation, following the mysterious Chosen who, prior to her relationship with Trap, has no public record of history, nor family.


Sawyer and Chosen clash in a routine interview. Sawyer, the proud sista who jug…

Book Synopsis:

"Nia Michaels is an author who’s currently experiencing writer’s block. Determined to send her next novel by the deadline, she struggles for inspiration. Her own love life certainly doesn't reflect the sweet Romance stories she's grown accustomed to reading and writing. When a man walks inside Southern Delights Cafe, catching Nia's eye, she's delighted to find the perfect male character for her novel. She sure wouldn't mind getting to know him for herself too.

Victory Gospel Shorts are sweet Christian romance short stories from 8,000 to 10,000 words or 32-40 book pages. Meet a different member of the Victory Gospel Church family. Don't be surprised if you see a character from the Victory Gospel Series or the Reed Family Series in a story."

*** NOTE: This story is a part of the Love Walked In anthology.

Title:  Southern Delights Author:  Tyora Moody Publisher:  T.M.                    Series:  Victory Gospel Short Book # 2 Reviewed By:  Arlena…

Book Synopsis:

"No Need to Repent: Vengeance is Mine"

"Racial tensions, inequalities, and unjust killings are on the rise in the U.S., leaving the communities affected in search of a leader to help them find the justice they so desperately need. That leader is Inkosi Lane, an ex-street hustler turned army vet with ties to the black advancement movement. After finishing his tour of duty, Inkosi known as King Ko is sent on one last mission to patrol the streets of Charlotte after days of protests. Once there, King Ko goes rouge and leads the resistance to bring about real change. Yet that change comes at a price. Upon returning home, he finds everyone in his family has been murdered except his son and he goes on a quest for revenge. Come on this bloody, thrill ride as King Ko shows those who wronged him that there is no need to repent... because vengeance will be his!"

Title:  No Need to Repent:  Vengeance is Mine
Author:  Niki Jilvontae
Publisher:  Niki Jilvontae Pres…

Book Synopsis:

"She was the only one that could cut through his crazy.

As a comic book creator living in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, Noelle spends her days lost in the exploits of her beloved fictional heroes. However, the reality is far more daunting, and Noelle constantly struggles to keep her head above water while trying to make a name for herself in the competitive comic book industry.

Never in her wildest dreams did Noelle think that her routine would be interrupted by a real-life villain, freshly awoken from a seven-year cryosleep following a bloodthirsty rampage through the city that took the life of Noelle’s teenage brother—a fact unknown by Noelle and long since erased from the memory of Emmanuel aka “Man”.

Upon meeting Noelle, Man falls madly in love with her and is determined to banish her pure nature and bring her over to the dark side.

When it appears that she’s the only one who has any chance of taming Man, Noelle knows she has to give it her all for the sake of …