Ain't Misbehaving

Author: Molly Cannon
Published By: Forever
Age Recommended:  Adult
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 5

Review:

"Ain't Misbehaving" by Molly Cannon was a good exciting wonderful contemporary read. I found "Ain't Misbehaving" a very believable plot,  with very realistic characters.  This novel presented a well written story of a  small town charm romance that was sexy  with a sense of humor.  I was left laughing
out loud while cheering for Marla Jean and Jake.   I found this novel one I could not put down. "They were a fun couple even if they were pretty stubborn about the ability for their romance to survive."  Well, this is where I say you must pick up "Ain't Misbehaving" to see just what all is going on in this good read that is "about love, second chances, forgiveness and definitely moving on." 


"Ain't Misbehaving" was one fun read that was a wonderful light hearted read with a happy ending...oops I am probably telling too much and  YES, I would recommend this novel as a excellent novel. 

Fifty Shames of Earl Grey

Author: Fanny Merkin & Andrew Shaffer
Published By: Da Capo Press
Age Recommended:  Adult
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4

Review:

"Fifty Shames of Earl Grey" by Fanny Merkin and Andrew Shaffer was some interesting read that truly kept me laughing all the way through this hilarious novel.  This was a definitely a story that I was found wondering just what craziness  this author(s) would bring on next.  Wow! It is my understanding that this is a parody in that these authors spoof  of the very popular 50 Shades
of Grey...where Mr. Earl Grey..was a corporate tycoon..a rich guy, that could buy anything..had  his own secrets or his "Fifty Shames."  Then there is  Anna Steal, a naive college student and Walmart cashier who meets Earl Grey..well this is where I say you must pick up this read.."Fifty Shames of Earl Grey" and just  maybe you will be smiling at some on this funny read. I know many
will say this is a ridiculous read  but just remember this is a parody and it is supposed to be funny..sort of like 'Airplane and Naked Gun.'   

These authors did a good job of taking these of the original book and completely creating other  scenarios and these could only put a smile on your face.


If you are looking for a good novel that pokes fun in all the right places then pick up "Fifty Shames of Earl Grey" for I would recommend to you as a good read.

Heads in Beds: A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality

Author: Jacob Tomsky
Published By: Doubleday
Age Recommended:  Adult
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4

Review:

"Heads in Beds:A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality" by Jacob Tomsky was quite a interesting memoir read especially for those of us who have travels and stayed in many hotel establishments. This author shared with the reader many laughs, a lots of repetition of anecdotes...with some
attitude and his personal life especially his hospitality experience.  You are able to follow him from New Orleans as valet.. got promoted to management ..then to work in many other roles within the industry.  Mr. Tomsky visit Europe but finally ends up in New York.  I felt that this author tells it all.."including the shortcuts the housekeepers take, the hustles the bellhops make, and what is required to motivate your front desk agent to give you a better room (hint: money)."

The essential points of the memoir aspect of this book are "A degree in
Philosophy was  useless for him.. working with the general public sucks, and bellhops make good money." A lot of this was humorous for the reader but when you think of it...couldn't   this be true?   Yes!  This was a quick read that was even humorous at times and let me mention that the language was a little offensive... however,  I still liked this novel and how this author felt about this job.  I definitely felt this novel can make you a lots smarter... for instance...I did learn a little more about the tipping of the desk clerk...hay...they can make your trip more enjoyable.  So, why not tip? I also enjoyed the two funny appendices "Things a Guest Should Never Do" and "Things Every Guest Must Know" which are an excellent way to close the book."  What is up with the 'crinkly handshake' that you give the doorman? I found out about tips on "how to get out of Movies, Mini bar, Upgraded Rooms, and the best one how to get out of a late cancellation without paying the cancellation fee." Now I am not saying you should do this but....    This is where I say you must pick up this novel and  you can get a real awareness of what goes on inside the hotel hospitality system.

With that being said, Yes, I would really recommend "Heads in Beds: A Reckless
Memoir of Hotels, Hustles, and So-Called Hospitality" as a good read.  If you

are looking for a funny read with a lot of interesting experience ....you have come to the right  place.  Now..... let me also say:  This is a ADULT READ...due to its language.

Lake Country

Author: Sean Doolittle
Published By: Batam
Age Recommended:  Adult
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4

Review:

Sean Doolittle's novel "Lake Country" was quite a thriller read that would keep you turning the pages until the end.   If you are a 'Doolittle' fan you will not be disappointed with this read.  This story line will present a good dose of tension and many twist and turns along the way.  The setting of this story takes place in Minnesota with beautiful lakes and down to earth good people representing the state.  This novel deals with characters  from  "ex-Marines, a TV reporter, barkeeper, the family of the man who killed the girl... to the mother of the victim."  "Lake Country" begins..."as a successful architect Wade Benson...with a lovely daughter, wife, and a beautiful home goes to prison for a weekend. Why?  He had been sentenced to two days in jail for every year of his five-year probation. This is his last weekend in jail for falling asleep at the wheel and killing a young woman driving the car he hit head on. No alcohol, no drugs, just fell asleep."  Now, who wouldn't be upset a such a light sentence that was
handed down?  Would someone be over the top upset with this verdict?  Now
what would these ex-Marines...dealing unsuccessful with PTST and drinking problems  deal with this...especially Darryl Potter?  This is where I will say you must pick up "Lake Country" to see just what tragedy would come of this situation.

The author Sean Doolittle has layed it all out for the reader because you already will know from the read who had done it but still how this will end will be a story within itself presenting only a good mystery with lots of tension with its fast-paced action. 

If you are looking for a good well written thriller you have come to the right place for "Lake Country" would recommend this novel as a good read. 

A Dangerous Inheritance

Author: Alison Weir
Published By: Hutchinson
Age Recommended:  Adult
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4

Review:

"A Dangerous Inheritance" by Alison Weir was a good historical fiction novel during the York/Tudor period. You will find two narrators in this novel: Kate Plantagenet, this story was told in third person and Lady Katherine Grey, who was the sister of  Jane Grey and also cousin to Queen Elizabeth. This was told in
first person.  This maybe a little  bit confusing if you don't keep up in the read but other than than I found this novel easy to understand even though the novel flips between the two Katherine's...separated by eighty years.  I found each of these two stories that went well together...like each of the  girls will be too close to the throne to ever find what they both wanted and that was safety and happiness. You will get captured up in the read that will keep you turning the pages to see what is going to happen next.

This author Alison Weir did a wonderful good job in her writing and weaving
these two (Katherine's)lives together.  Both of these women will be "driven by love rather than their desire for power."  All of the characters are well developed and this presents a good well written historical read from Lady Katherine Grey, Lady Jane's younger sister; Kate Plantagenet, Edward, Richard, Richard III to a
few others that you can only get from picking up this good read.  Be ready because there is a lots going on in this read and sometimes it seems somewhat a complicated history with are of its "turn of phrases and choices of scenes." 

However, if you are a lover of historical fiction...I would recommend this novel "A Dangerous Inheritance" to you as a good read. 

Unstoppable: Surviving Is Just The Beginning

Author: Gigi Stetler
Published By: JAS Literary Publishing
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 5

Review:

"Unstoppable: Surviving Is Just The Beginning" by Gigi Stetler was a true non fiction...that was a excellent novel that Ms.Gigi Stetler delivered that only left me saying OMG that was a read that I will not ever forget. As I read this novel I was made to feel very sad for all this individual (Gigi) had to go through, however as I continued reading "Unstoppable" I realized how this person was a winner because whatever she had gone through... even with her own mom being mean to her and her brother and that story of the knife cutting incident ..wow..all I can say is that she did not give up! This girl had dreams and wanted to be a millionaire. Gigi loved horses as a child and she was so smart in other things that only made her be a winner. Even going through the crime that she had to pay for only made her a stronger person. Some of her friends, and let's not leave our her dear mom...that was anything other than dear...were not there for her but Gigi seemed to also have someone that was their to help her making her 'Unstoppable' and yes a survivor. I don't want to give any of this excellent read away because I want to get this novel: "Unstoppable: Surviving Is Just The Beginning." You will see what all this individual had to go through would only making this person ..."Gigi Stetler a complex and inspirational woman -- a single mother that didn't finish the tenth grade who became a queen of the male-dominated RV industry, presiding over the $18 million a year RV Sales of Broward as the first female founder or owner of an RV dealership in the country; she has redefined the climate of the RV industry. A Motivational Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur, Business-woman, Accomplished Equestrian, Designer and Life Coach, Gigi has become an inspiration to women everywhere." I do not think you will be disappointed with the read.


I liked Gigi's saying .... it's better to be here that not here... even after many horrible things that had happened to her. This novel is definitely one that let its reader know that if you want to survive....you can... for Gigi Stetler did. Would I recommend this read ?...YES...if you want to see how some one that was in poverty with all odds  against her makes it... Yes, Gigi Stetler was 'Unstoppable' and most definitely a survivor!

The Last Good Man

Author: Kathleen Eagle
Published By: William Morrow and Company
Age Recommended:  Adult
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 5

Review:

Kathleen Eagle's "The Last Good Man" was one good  powerful novel  that I have read on this subject in quite a while. I thought this author did a good job in handling the subject of breast cancer and even how the horses were brought into this storyline. The story consist of a woman(Savannah Stephens) who was a former model, recovering recovering from breast cancer surgery and treatment and how, what and why life went for her after she returned to her hometown in Sunbonnet, Wyoming  with her daughter(Claudia).

In this read there was also a love story that will unfold of how Clay had loved Savannah since they were teens. Clay was a very wonderful,  caring and protective man.  Will Savannah and Clay be able to come to terms with all the changes that have gone on in their lives now that she has returned home? This is where I say you  must pick up this read "The Last Good Man" to find out!

The characters were all likable...starting with Savannah, Clay, Aunt Billie, Kole, Heather to Claudia...only naming a few that did present a wonderful read.


"The Last Good Man" was a good read that gives a good view into the life of a woman who was going through breast cancer.  I didn't find this a page turner but indeed a good read that I would recommend.