Before We Were Strangers Kindle Edition by Brenda Novak

 Book Excerpt:

"New York Times–Bestselling Author: "I loved this twisty tale of friends, enemies, lovers, liars, and a family fractured by secrets." —Susan Wiggs

Five-year-old Sloane McBride couldn't sleep that night. Her parents were arguing again, their harsh words heating the cool autumn air. And then there was that other sound—the ominous thump before all went quiet.

In the morning, her mother was gone.

The official story was that she left. Her loving, devoted mother! That hadn't sat any better at the time than it did when Sloane moved out at eighteen, anxious to leave her small Texas hometown in search of anywhere else. But not even a fresh start working as a model in New York could keep the nightmares at bay. Or her fears that the domineering father she grew up with wasn't just difficult—he was deadly.

Now another traumatic loss forces Sloane to realize she owes it to her mother to find out the truth, even if it means returning to a town full of secrets and lies, a jilted ex-boyfriend, and a father and brother who'd rather see her silenced. But as Sloane starts digging into the past, the question isn't whether she can uncover what really happened that night—it's what will remain of her family if she does . . ."

Title:  Before We Were Strangers

Author:  Brenda Novak

Publisher:  Mira

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

'Before We Were Strangers' by Brenda Novak

My Review:  

'Before We Were Strangers' was quite an interesting Thriller that kept me turning the pages to see what was coming next, with romance, mystery, family drama, and even a murder. Be ready for lots of twists and turns in this story that will keep you turning, shaking your head, and saying, "I didn't see that coming," along with a lot of guessing. There were many interesting characters with flaws all over the place. By the end, this was a good, interesting story.  

Break The Chain: Lyfe Matters- "3 Years Of Hell" (Based On A True Story) Kindle Edition by Angel Williams

Book Synopsis:

"Sit back and fasten your seatbelt as Angel Williams take you on a true journey based on a domestic violence relationship that she was in. Take it with the good and the bad...

I was a young beautiful female and all I wanted out of life, was to actually live my life to the fullest and have the pleasure of enjoying a happy life. But of course, things didn't always turn out to be like so. I lost my father at a young age, he was the man who made my heart melt, make my eyes like up like stars, he was my hero in every sense. After the burial of my father circumstances began to spiral out of control. I was missing something in life, I knew it was my father. I knew I missed the fatherly love. Emptiness filled me making me vulnerable to these monsters living amongst us. Years later, I was hypnotized, victimized and dickimized by a man I fell deeply in love with. Our relationship was beyond toxic yet I felt like there was no way out. The cheating and the beatings should have been enough for me to go but how could I when he had my soul even worse he had my mind. He was my master, turned my entire life into a disaster. I became his slave. My prince charming turned into my not so beautiful nightmare. 3 years of hell... The glory is that I'm alive to tell my story, the glory is that I'm still standing strong...

I survived it all....the beatings, the lies, the cheating, the uninvited climbs between my thighs... Thank God it didn't kill me, that God he didn't kill me, thank God I'm alive to tell my story. Thank God that I was able to break the chain and realized that Lyfe Matters, my 3 years of hell made me who I am today. Strong and a fighter. My 3 years of hell showed me that being a prisoner in my own body was unacceptable, I'm free no more disasters a master is no longer in need. A survivor I am, because I Broke The Chain..."

Title:  Break The Chain:  Lyfe Matters - 3 Years Of Hell

Author:  Angel Williams

Publisher:  Star City Publications                   

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Break The Chain: Lyfe Matters- "3 Years Of Hell" (Based On A True Story) by Angel Williams

My Rationalization:

I found this story a very hard read that left the reader with so many emotions all over the place for the main character named Lyfe.  It seems like after Lyfe's father had died she was left alone.  One would think to have a mother, sisters, brothers and so-called friends someone would have been there for her but that was not the case as it seemed like they all had problems of there own as they had made wrong decisions and choices too.  I will say that Lyfe's mother really needed some help!  

So, what did Lyfe do?  You would think with Lyfe being as smart as she was would be able to get some much need help but that wasn't the case as we see her seeking help in the wrong places and definitely from the wrong people.  It was so sad to see all that she wanted was to be loved.  By the end of the story, I was left wondering would Lyfe get it that Gee wasn't worth it? I hated was she was doing to herself!  Will Lyfe ever get it that no one deserves to be 'sexually, mentally or physically abused?'   Hopefully, she will find someone to help her figure this all out before it is too late.  Will she be able to Break The Chain:...why? Because Lyfe Matters!  I see we will have to get the next part to see what happens with Lyfe.  

Woman At The Top Of The Stairs By: Deidra D. S. Green

Book Description....

"Domestic violence is an unfortunate part of many relationships today. Every year more than 1.5 million women are made victims of this relational epidemic. Has domestic violence become so commonplace that it is no longer considered a problem? Have we grown so accustomed to seeing and hearing about it that we not only turn a blind eye but a deaf ear as well? Meet Gina. She is the woman at the top of the stairs who repeatedly hears the cries and screams of the woman who lives below her as she is constantly victimized at the hands of her partner. Bearing witness to Zenobia’s pain reminds Gina of the abusive life she narrowly escaped from. But Gina can’t get away from the nightmares of her past; the tumultuous reminders of how she was battered and nearly broken at the hands of her contemptuous and menacing husband. Will Gina be like the many and turn her back on Zenobia, leaving her to fend for herself, or will she build an alliance with Zenobia to end her suffering once and for all? Find out in this compelling novel, Woman at the Top of the Stairs."

Title:  Woman At The Top Of The Stairs
Author:  Deidra D. S. Green
Publisher:  Rathsi Publishing
Series:  Book 1
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating  Five
Review:

"Woman At The Top Of The Stairs" by Deidra D. S. Green

My Thoughts....

This author really delivered a 'Domestic Violence' read to the readers that was simply off the chain well written.  This was definitely a good read of  what can happen  to any abusive men when the women they has messed with get fed up with what they have been put through as it was for Gina, the characters ..[victims.....Gina, Zenobia and Yvette].  I will say these  [perpetrators..Mac Percy and Marlon] are in for some real awakening.  The women...Gina, Zenobia had been pushed to the limit and they felt this was the only way in order to survive.  Was this too much in what happened to the perpetrators...the abusers?  Well, I will say you will have to pick up this read and come to your own conclusion. For me, I thought the author did a good job with this tough subject matter that was so well covered  dealing with domestic violence.  






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