Mixed Blessings Kindle Edition by J.M. Muse

Profile:

"One where The Honorable Michael Kublai Khan wants his people to live without prejudice and domination and Kimberly Solberg just wants happiness with a guy that loves her for her. Kim goes to Juarez to find her way and the minister goes to the nation's capital. Their lives intertwine in Los Angeles where they both confront racial hatred, murder and chaos. My novel, Mixed Blessings is a story about moving beyond race as a label and embracing the human spirit."

Title: Mixed Blessings
Author: J. M. Muse
Publisher: BookBaby; 1 edition
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Mixed Blessings" by J. M. Muse

My Rationalization:

What an interesting well-written story that gives the reader a little bit of 'religion, riots, forced marriage, murder, politics, government, pop culture, racism, and human relationships. ' I found this story had some very intriguing as well as complex characters [Kimberly Solbery, Michael Kublai Khan, Ahmed, Chaka, Star, Chaka, & Dalton] to name a few that will keep your attention as you turn the pages to see how each one will bring in there unique point-of-view interest to this story as all will entwined together bringing this story to life from every possible angle. My favorite character was Michael Kublai Khan in his take on 'offering an interesting take on the perspective of good versus evil as he seems to be able to deal is way in political power.'

Be ready for quite an intense, detailed as well as captivating story that will have plenty of 'conflict, love and yes even violence' all the way to the end. This read brought in lots of information about the mixed races in which all they had to go through in order to feel that they belonged in this world. Be ready to go to: 'battle lines, to delivery rooms, prison, hateful people, and quite a racial religious cult."

By the end of the read, the reader will get quite a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching story about 'race, love, hate, and religions that will all tie into these connections of the human race.' I enjoyed the way this author presented this story that seemed to intertwine so very well giving the reader some relatable characters with storylines that seemed to come together in the end. To find out more about this story I would recommend you to pick up "Mixed Blessings" to see for yourself how good this story really is.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Momma's Journey To Hell And Back By: Cynthia Amis Dickerson

Title:  Momma's Journey To Hell And Back

By:  Cynthia Amis Dickerson

Publication:  Lift Bridge Publishing

Series:  Second Book to: "Momma Said, "Hit 'em Back"

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Momma's Journey To Hell and Back" by Cynthia Amis Dickerson

Book Description:

"Momma’s Journey to Hell and Back! 

Louvenia Johnson is back and ready to describe what happens to her when she mysteriously disappears after confessing her sins at the church altar in the book, Momma Said, Hit ‘Em Back! Louvenia, who is addicted to drugs, alcohol, sex, violence and engages in criminal acts, describes her life that begins with dark unspeakable acts that are inflicted upon her in secret during her childhood.

In this sequel, Louvenia paints a horrific picture of what happens to abused children who grow up to be angry adults who, in turn, abuse themselves and anyone they encounter. She finds she is incapable of loving herself, her children, family, and even the guy who really wants to love her in spite of her many imperfections.

Crime, lust, romance, sibling rivalry and a tragic death unfold in this book, Momma’s Journey to Hell and Back! Read the many unexpected twists and turns with the final ending …well, read to find the answer to why Louvenia is so Bad!"

My Thoughts:

Now, to truly understand this story I will say you need to read this author first book "Momma Said, Hit 'Em Back!" which continues to the next series 'Momma's Journey to Hell and Back.'  This author does a wonderful job at telling Louvenia Johnson's story which is quite a painful one in all that this person has goes through in her life.  After being addicted 'to drugs, alcohol, sex, violence and into criminal acts' will she be able to break from this hold that she had on her life?  Even though this was a short read I found myself not able to keep reading having to put it down for a minute due to all that had happened to Louvenia as a young child being abused.  Yes, I can see how  'Louvenia felt so unloved for not only of  herself but to her children, family [especially her sister] and the one person{Tate] who really loved her in spite of the way she acted.  Will Louvenia make it in this world that has been presented to her in being able to love herself and trust others?  Will she ever be able to change from her evil ways and realize that there is help out there for her...however, she will have to be the one that wants it!

Be ready for a unforgettable read as the story comes out but in the end will there still be secrets [be it big or small] that haven't come out?  For some reason Louvenia thinks  "Why should I have to disclose this small matter"  I am happy and I have changed and life is good.  I am going to live my life.  It's all about me!"  OK,  however, it looks like maybe Louvenia's sister Mabel Johnson Pruitt may have something to say about that issue and even more.  I guess we will just have to find out in this authors next sequel..."How Can Your Family Disown You?"

I believe this story was beautifully well written....maybe a little hard at times but abuse can and does take so many horrible forms.  At the end of this story the author ask some really interesting questions that apply so well to each of the twenty chapters.  This was very well done!

I loved this quote from the author:

"Everyone has some sort of mental challenge.   Acknowledge the problem, seek God for healing and contact a credible mental health professional to assist with the process."

Thank you to the author for the gift of reading your novel and giving my honest opinion of the read.

Lost Daughters: Their Untold Secrets: (Golden Book 2) By: Charmaine Galloway

Book Description....

Lost Daughters 

"Golden - A new wife and mom struggling for perfection, not only within her marriage, but in the relationship with her mother as well. However, while striving for that perfection, Golden comes to the realization that there is no such thing as a perfect anything, not a perfect person and certainly not a perfect marriage.

Mahogany- Deception of the worst kind forces her into a downward spiral that drives her to live life on the edge. With an ‘it’s all about me’ mentality, Mahogany succumbs to the dangerous side of life until suddenly, she finds herself caught up in a cruel game that will change life as she knows it forever.

Grace – Searching for her birth parents and a ‘good’ man leads her to the discovery of much more than she bargained for. With truth in hand, Grace must decide whether she will open the door and accept what is or slam it shut and walk away for good.

Will these lost daughters find their way, or will they allow their corrupt past to haunt them forever?"

Title:  Lost Daughters  Their Untold Secrets
Author:  Charmaine Galloway
Publisher: Charming Gal Publishers
Series:  Golden Book 2
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating:  Five
Review:

"Lost Daughters...Their Untold Secrets" by Charmaine Galloway

My Thoughts....

Truly this was another one of this author's  beautifully told story that will not only keep your attention but give you a wonderful well written story of three women...Golden, Mahogany and Grace.  Each one of these ladies will have their own story that will be off the chain.

As the reader is reading through 'Lost Daughter' you will be presented with three stories from each of these young ladies and being left to wonder what if their  parents hadn't held back a secret that should have been shared much earlier,  Would this have  had a different ending...especially for one of the characters?  I don't want to give away the story but I will say...one will go through anxiety attacks from her past, another will have men relationships even desiring her friend's husband and the last one...well being hurt from finding out that she was adopted that sends her heading in the wrong direction.  In the end...will there be forgiveness?

The author will give the readers one amazing story of how it will all come out and showing that God was in the mix of it all.  I loved how the real mother was able to finally see her wrong and try to fix what had been broken in her life for so long.  I did feel so sorry for one of the characters because in the end well...I will stop and just say..check out this novel.  This was a excellent christian urban read that I would recommend to you.