Under The Mistletoe with a Goon Kindle Edition by Destiny Skai and Jibril Williams

 Book Excerpt:

"This is the season to be jolly and filled with love.

Kehlani and Majix are madly in love, and their life is a story written until Majix invites his daughter Kayla's aunt into their home. Meeka's presence is as toxic as the Coronavirus. Majix and Meeka's past has put Kehlani's back against the wall, placing her in a position to question her relationship with her future husband.

However, Kehlani is willing to walk away from it all after an uncomfortable encounter. A whirlwind of events threatens Majix's life and the stability of their children. Will Kehlani's pride be so great that she lets things fall apart with her and Majix, or will she find herself under the Mistletoe with a Goon on Christmas Day?"

Title: Under The Mistletoe with a Goon
Author: Destiny Skai & Jilbril Williams
Publisher: Destiny Skai Presents
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Under The Mistletoe with a Goon" by Destiny Skai & Jilbril Williams

My Sentiments:

What a read 'Under The Mistletoe with a Goon' was, as these authors kept this story moving for the reader. As one could see, Majix and Kehlani [Dream]were made for each other, and how Meeka thought she could come in and separate these two was a shock to me. Especially with Meeka's friend, Bhetti Black, trying to stop her from what she was trying to do, then deciding to get away from her...was one good idea. As for Majix...he wasn't clean from the mess. If only he had done what Jewelz had told him...he wouldn't have been in that mess! Will Kehlani forgive him? And how does it all work out for the daughter, Kayla, and her boyfriend, Jordon? You must pick between this good read to see how well these authors bring it out to the reader to get the whole story in the ending.

Captivated by a Brooklyn Boss 2: The Finale Kindle Edition by Jade Jones

Book Excerpt:

"The Highly-Anticipated Finale Has Finally Arrived!!!

Staxx, Junie, Siren, and Glizzy are back for an explosive final installment in the "Captivated by a Brooklyn Boss" series! Find out what happens when love and war collide. Will Junie and Siren find their happily-ever-afters in their new romantic interests? Or will they crash and burn before their romance can even begin? "Captivated by a Brooklyn Boss 2" is filled with treachery, mind-blowing secrets, and an ending that'll leave you swooning for more."

Title: Captivated By A Brooklyn Boss 2
Author: Jade Jones
Publisher: Jaded Publications
Series Book 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Captivated By A Brooklyn Book 2" by Jade Jones

My Assessment:

Wow, 'Captivated By A Brooklyn Boss2' was quite a read where poor Junie had a little bit of it all from that so-called horrible friend, no good husband, and let's not leave out those two crazy moms. Will Junie be able to make it out of this mess before it's too late? To understand this series, pick up the first book 1 to read first. So many secondary characters got karma in this well-told storyline and left you shaking your head. Be ready for a read that will have one all over the place, secrets coming out, keeping up with who and what is going on 'when love and war collide.'

 

Soul Ties (Soulmates Book 4) Kindle Edition by Aja

 Book Excerpt:

""There’s a lot my children still don’t understand about the gifts given to the women in my family, but there was a time I didn’t comprehend it either. The consequences of my ignorance and my insolence still haunt me. "

They didn't know her story before because she hadn’t told them.

She didn’t reveal how being so deeply tethered to a man who didn’t take care of that precious connection had wrecked her body and soul, making it nearly impossible to breathe some days. She didn't want them to know the ugly parts of her existence; she had only hoped to give her girls the good in her, and on that, most days, she’d failed.

But so much goodness surrounded her now, by way of self-healing and a good man, Solomon. His love, despite her attempts to keep him at bay, helped to pull her out of the darkness, into the light, and with it, the truth gets unearthed.

The good, the bad, and the ugly lay bare and vulnerable … and so does she.

Here is Zora Green’s story.

Soul Ties is the 4th and final book in the ★★★★★ Best-Selling Soulmates series by Aja. Visit ajathewriter.com for more information about the author and her books."

Title: Soul Ties
Author: Aja
Publisher: She Loves Words Publishing LLC
Series: Soulmates Book 4
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Soul Ties" by Aja

My Opinion:

I enjoyed this last series...Soulmates Book 4 in 'Soul Ties' as the story featured Zora Green. It let us see her daughters Zena and Zola, along with the granddaughter, Zoe, who was making a fulfilled life finding their 'true love while realizing their heritage of clairvoyance.' We see Zora finally finding the love that she so needed in her life with all of this. The story was beautiful, pouring out the love Zora receives from a sure Solomon King. I enjoyed how this author brings the series altogether, giving us a fantastic ending where one will be left with a smile on their face. Suppose you haven't read their other three series in 'Soulmates 1-3? I would highly suggest that you do so because you will not regret it... It's an excellent and outstanding series.

Forty-Something Kinda Love - Novella Kindle Edition by Khara Campbell

Book Excerpt:

"Learning to love again after the loss of a spouse is hard.

Zabrina is a 45-year-old widow and single mother of three who finds herself struggling with letting go of the loyalty that she has for her deceased husband to allow herself to be open to love again.

Kelvin is a 46-year-old widower and single father of two. When he lost his wife to cancer, he struggled with the idea of ever being with another woman. He loved his wife with everything in him and found it hard to not think of her every day. He had given up on moving on, that is, until he met Zabrina. Who knew one encounter with her would change his life forever?

Zabrina isn’t an easy nut to crack, and Kelvin finds himself pulling out all the stops to try to get close to her. Will his persistence be enough to win her over or push her away?"

Title: Forty-Something Kinda Love
Author: Khara Campbell
Publisher: Writegal
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Forty-Something Kinda Love" by Khara Campbell

My Opinion:

'Forty-Something Kinda Love' was an excellent romantic story featuring Kelvin and Zabrina after they had both health with losing their spouses. The author did a fantastic job of bringing these two together, which was promoted by their children [Brian and Zana], dating each other. It was so sweet reading about Kelvin and Zabrina exchanging letters. Seeing how both of these two people had suffered from their loss and yet, in the end, finding another love. To see how well this author brings it all out, I would recommend you pick up this good read to see how well this story will grab your attention all the way to the end.

Tampering with Temptation (Boss Babe Novella Series) Kindle Edition by B. Love

 Book Excerpt:

"When Ali returns to Memphis after a year, the last thing he expects is to experience romantic feelings for his best friend, Westley. Since the age of twelve, she’s been more like a sister to him than anything. But when he begins to get to know the new her… Ali starts to see her in more tempting ways.

For Westley, her self-imposed yearlong quarantine started out rocky but eventually became enlightening. Not only has she gained weight, but she’s gained more confidence and esteem too. Her aura and appeal are more alluring than ever before—even to her best friend.

Ali is down for whatever, but Westley isn’t as open to taking things to the next level. Will she tamper with temptation and see where it leads or keep things within the safe confines of their platonic friendship?

*Please note: The novellas within this series can be read in any order. The characters do not know each other, and the stories are not connected in any way."

Title:  Tampering with Temptation

Author:  B. Love

Publisher:  B. L.   

Series:  Boss Babe Novella Series

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Tampering with Temptation" by B. Love

My Opinion:

'Tampering with Temptation' was a sweet love story of how the best friendship became a loved one as it was for Ali and Westly.  It was interesting how this author put these two together as they could finally work out all the problems they had before them to get where they wanted to be.  One could tell that these two had love and devotion from the very beginning.  The love scenes were very explosive, hot, and stream. Will all of this envelope into a beautiful future for Ali and Westly?  This is where I say you will have to pick up this good romantic novel to see how it will all come out.   

Allow Me Kindle Edition by Celeste Granger

Book Excerpt:

"From USA Today Best Selling Author, Celeste Granger

The first encounter was accidental. He made sure the next one was intentional. Photographer, Elle Moore, is much more comfortable behind the camera, capturing special moments and living vicariously through the loving moments of others. After a painful breakup, Elle pours her heart and soul into her art. Creating becomes her only love. Billionaire, Winston Pierre-Toussaint, is a consummate businessman, making moves and multimillion-dollar deals. He almost made it to the altar, once. But that arranged relationship was more about business than love. Although Winston can have any woman he wants, he refuses to settle for less than what he desires.

As fate would have it, their paths cross. Elle is an unconventional beauty that intrigues him from the start. Winston will stop at nothing to capture her heart."

This is standalone and ends with an HFN/HEA

Title: Allow Me

Author: Celeste Granger

Publisher: C. G.  

Series: Moore Friends

Reviewed By: Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Allow Me" by Celeste Granger

My Speculation:  

 

I enjoyed reading about Elle Moore and Winston Pierre-Toussaint. There first meeting was something that will cause a binding for them. With Ellie being a photographer and Winston bein a billionaire and a consummate businessman, I knew something good was going to happen.  It was too bad for Ellie that she had an ex-boyfriend Solomon who suddenly started presenting problems for her. I was so glad Ellie had not only her two friends that stuck with her through it all, but there was also Winston had her back too. "Allow Me" was a beautifully written story of how two people came together who loved each other but seemed to be made for one another as Winston 'would stop at nothing to capture Ellie's heart.'

His Passionate Loving Kindle Edition by Carmen Lawrence

Book Excerpt:

"Can David's deep love for Cheryl be enough to quell her raging insecurities and give her a fighting chance at the happiness that has eluded her? 

Cheryl is a forty-five-year-old divorcee working as a senior manager at the Canyonview Health Clinic, where her path crosses with twenty-five-year-old pharmacy tech, David McLinton. He's immediately enamored with her and begins his pursuit. David knows in his heart she's his soulmate. She thinks he's crazy since she's old enough to be his mother, but he's handsome, intelligent and doesn't know the meaning of the word no.

When the attraction between them is too much to resist, Cheryl crosses the line she never had to think about in all her forty-five years. She is now sleeping with a young man twenty years her junior. Her life not only became more exciting but is turned upside down when his mother, ex-girlfriend, and her own insecurities threaten to railroad their relationship.

Cheryl's best sister-friends, Britney and Ashley, have their own relationship challenges as they all try to navigate life's ups and downs. Will Cheryl take her friends' advice and live her life without any regrets? Or will David's jealousy, meddling mother, an ex-girlfriend's revenge be their relationship's undoing?" 

Title:  His Passionate Loving

Author:  Carmen Lawrence

Publisher:  Imperial Publishing House 

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"His Passionate Loving" by Carmen Lawrence

My Speculation:

A very loving and passionate spicy read that will keep you turning the pages and rooting for the main characters: Cheryl and David.  Yes, this is a story of an older woman and a younger man. Will these two be able to come together to get there HEA? Be ready for a read that will show Cheryl's strength and David's determination in understanding what each one wants in each other. The secondary characters will give the reader a run on quite a journey which will involve... Mr. Puffers, Britney, Ashley, Regina, and Heather, to name a few.  Yes, this will be a long read [51 chapters], but by the end, we are given a good story 'that emits life, friendships, love, and insecurities' that will involve lots of drama when all is said and done.  I enjoyed the ending, but I wished there had been an epilogue that could have showed the readers what became of particular people after a year or so.  

Taken by the Billionaire 2: A BWWM Runaway Bride Romance Kindle Edition by Shani Greene-Dowdell

Book Excerpt:

"Lost. Gone. The bride is M.I.A.

TESS
My heart swells.
No one knows the courage it takes to do it again.
I flash between the past and present.
Cold feet. That's what it is.

I love Jake, but I'm scared.
I do. Two terrifying words to say after the two people who broke me show up on my wedding day.
Jake is my present, and they are my past.
So why are they here, right now?

JAKE
I move toward our unwanted guests with pure anger.
Tess can handle Marissa, but Amiri?
I will gladly rip him limb to limb.
After I toss him out, I search for my baby, my heart, my forever.
Tess and my daughter are gone without a trace.

Take a deep breath and think.
She would never leave me like this.
Amiri and Marissa have something to do with it,
and they will pay for ruining our day.
If I have to scorch the earth, I will get my family back."

Title:  Taken by the Billionaire 2: A BWWM Runaway Bride Romance

Author:  Shani Greene-Dowdell

Publisher:  Imperial Publishing House 

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Four

Review:

"Taken by the Billionaire 2" by Shani Greene-Dowdell

My Speculation:

It was an enjoyable read, and I am glad Tess and Jake finally got their HEA.  However, there were a few things from the read that was a little hard for me to understand.  I don't understand Marrissa coming to Tess and Jake's wedding and wanting to at that time wanting to apologize.  Then later, Tess forgives her, talks with her ex, and that seems like the end of that story. Then when Jake's father died, I could see why he ask Tess to be there for Jake.  Definitely, this father knew about Jacquelyn, Jake's mother.  I know Tess wanted this relationship with Jake's mom because she had no parents of her own, and she felt the need to make this work out for Jake since he now knew that he had a mother. I wished Jake had been able to go on that trip with his father rather than take that Aruba trip.  This will be interesting in how this story will turn out due to there being some many twists and turns. At times I was left wondering about some of Tess's reasoning, with Jake's world being mainly of Tess and his daughter and his fear of abandonment. 

Be ready for a story full of drama that moved from earlier heartbreaks and being able to move forward to a new life.    To fully understand this story, I would suggest you must read book 1. 

My Cherie a'Moore (All That & Moore Book 8) Kindle Edition by Celeste Granger

Book Excerpt:

"She was somewhat of a free spirit, yet, she felt rightly guided to his.

Trinity Moore, burgeoning entrepreneur and youngest of the Moore sisters, does what she will. Whether business or pleasure, Trinity does it on her own terms, unapologetically.

But he touched her in a way Trinity couldn't deny, assuaging unexplained pains and awakening transcendental energy that spoke to her soul. She realized she wanted more of that touch. Esau Knight was right there to fulfill her every desire.

All books in the All That & Moore series are standalone connected in a set with HEA's."

Title: My Cherie a'Moore
Author: Celeste Granger
Publisher: C.G.
Series: All That & Moore Book 8
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"My Cherie a'Moore" by Celeste Granger

My Speculation:

I enjoyed this last series, "My Cherie a'Moore," that featured Trinity and Esau. Trinity is the last Moore sister, who didn't have any attachment to anyone, so when Esau invites her to his spa, things will start to change for her. It will be one incredible journey seeing good things happen for Trinity, especially when she meets another person who shows interest in her from Ghana at her sister's Ivory's marriage. Trinity will have to make a choice who will it be that she is most interested. I loved how her Great Grandmother was there to help her see some reasoning about this situation. It was indeed a beautiful story seeing Trinity and Esau finally getting their HEA that they so well desired. And so now all of the Moore sisters now married and happy!

The author did an excellent job presenting to us this series 'All That and Moore'
Books 1-8. 

Ebb & Flow: A Novella Kindle Edition by Brookelyn Mosley

Book Excerpt:

"Nubia Merci and Naazir Goodman were never supposed to be a couple… at least that's what the people close to them believed...

Despite the odds, somehow, they’ve formed an enviable courtship. But while they are working diligently to nurture and cultivate their love, those same people in their lives are working even harder to tear them apart.  

Nubia, an interior decorator, is without a doubt in love. She’s a creative, able to imagine an abundance of possibilities, creating magic with spaces that seem impossible to work with. As imaginative as she is, though, never did she imagine falling for a man like Naazir. And now that she has fallen, she has no intention of letting him go. A series of events will challenge her plans when she's dealt the "mother of all ebbs." Will those events force her to abandon the ship?

Naazir, a street muralist, is used to things not going his way. Life for him has never been easy, leaving him no choice but to hustle harder than the average brother, especially in matters of the heart. He has gone to extraordinary lengths to win the affections of a woman who has revealed to him the bared bones of intimacy. And he has dedicated his heart to earning Nubia’s faith in them as a couple. Will, a decision Naazir, makes, as innocent as he initially thought it to be, ruin everything he’s worked so hard to build with the love of his life?

Products of two different environments, Naazir and Nubia, have cemented a bond that is ironclad strong. But is their relationship strong enough to anchor them so they can survive the brewing storm that’s approaching?

*This book contains sexually explicit content, profanity, and minor angst. If any of the mentioned are of a sensitive nature to you, please feel free to browse Brookelyn Mosley's catalog of other stories to find the best fit for your reading experience."

Title: Ebb & Flow
Author: Brookelyn Mosley
Publisher: 85 Media LLC
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Ebb & Flow" by Brookelyn Mosley

My Rationalization:

I enjoyed this story 'Ebb & Flow' that was about Nubia Merci and Naazir Goodman. With all the 'trails ad tribulations, they went through' truly by the end of the story, the reader will see if they were made for one another. The characters in this story were defined that help gives the reader a good story. The author did an excellent job of making the story seem so very real where we see the 'Products of two different environments, Naazir and Nubia have cemented a bond that is ironclad strong.' Will this be enough to anchor them, and will they be able to survive the brewing storm was coming?' Well, to get the answer, you will have to pick up the good read to see how this author brings it all out so well to the reader. 

The Reluctant Wife: Love In Paradise (The Reluctant Series Book 3) Kindle Edition by Nikki Walker

Book Excerpt:

"Adele has hit on hard times, losing her catering business and home all within months. This happens at the very time that Moira is entering the “Happily Ever After’ phase of her life. After she watches Moira swept away with her groom in a white limo after the very reception, she’d tried all day to reach, it only becomes a reminder of what is missing in Adele’s life. She feels utterly hopeless.

Carlos spots Adele from a distance and is disturbed by her demeanor. The next steps he decides to take whisks them into an unanticipated journey.

In the end, will they each be able to lower their defenses long enough for love to get a grasp on their hearts?"

Title: The Reluctant Wife: Love In Paradise
Author: Nikki Walker
Publisher:  Nikki Walker                      
Series: The Reluctant Series Book 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"The Reluctant Wife: Love In Paradise" by Nikki Walker

My Rationalization:  

This author gives the reader one fantastic story in 'The Reluctant Wife: Love In Paradise' that featured Adele and Carlos. What a beautiful story of how Carlos was there at the right time to help Adele at a time that was needed as it seems like she had given up. This author presents the reader with a story that will take you on quite a ride. Will Adele get the help she needs in learning how to trust due to what had happened to her?  I will say it was quite enjoyable, especially in how the story ended, seeing that Adele and Carlos were finally able to get the love that each one so desperately needed for each other.  The story will bring in some interesting characters that were so well defined, giving the reader a good story. I laughed so hard because I don't think Ricardo [Carlos's father] knows what he is in for, but I will say he deserves it all he gets. I would have liked to have known more about that situation and a little more about how things worked out for the two main characters now that they were definitely committed to each other.   So, I will stop here and tell you that you will have to pick up this good read and see for yourself what you think of the story.   

Thank you, author, for the gift of the read and my giving an honest opinion of the story.