Beautiful Entourage By: E. L. Todd

Book Description....

"Standalone. No Cliffhanger. HEA. Remaining books in the series can be read in any order.

Being a professional escort comes with its vices. To keep women from getting too clingy, stop them from dropping their panties, and silence them before they can blurt the L word, Rhett has made certain rules. He never breaks them.

Ever.

1. No Kissing.
2. No Feelings.
3. And definitely, absolutely, no sex.

But when Aspen, a beautiful brunette, hires him to help repair her image to her family, things get complicated. Rhett's never had a problem separating work from pleasure. But now work and pleasure seem to be one and the same."

Title:  Beautiful Entourage

Author:  E. L. Todd

Publisher:  Fallen Publishing

Series:  Beautiful Entourage # 1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Beautiful Entourage" by E. L. Todd

My Thoughts....

Good read with a intriguing story with some interesting characters especially Aspen and Rhett.  I loved how things were changed around at the end between the daughter and her father giving the ready quite a surprising ending. I would have liked to have known a little more about that ex and his future bride but since this is a series maybe they will come up at a later time. The reader gets a little bit of it all...from 'sadness, to humor, entertainment  and much drama that will keep you turning the pages to the end.  I thought this novel was a good read and would recommend it to you.

Daddy Issues By: Ms. T. Nicole

Book Description...

"What’s done in the dark, comes to the light, and that reality is tested when two sisters, have to return to their hometown to say their final goodbyes to their daddy. While this is a trying and conflicting time, the deep, dark, dirty secrets they’ve been hiding since childhood could potentially break the already shaky bond between the family, and destroy what little sanity they have left. Does the truth set you free? That question will finally be answered for every member of this family, and it’s going to take a lot of faith and strength to get through!"
Title:  Daddy Issues
Author:  Ms. T Nicole
Publisher: M. T. N.
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating:  Five
Review:

"Daddy Issues" by Ms. T Nicole

My Thoughts....

Wow!  This was one very emotional read that is in cased with a lots of drama.  I don't know where to start without giving too much of the story away...so I will try to keep this short ha ha and in the end have the readers wanting to read this wonderful well written novel.  This was such a dysfunctional Walker family that  this story had me shaking my head and saying many times.... oh my God....no...no..no that didn't happen!  What had happened in or to this Walker family?   There were three  beautiful daughters in this family but what had happened had only involved two of the sisters.  The story will have the reader thinking why would a mother allow this to happen.  By just putting 'her head down and walking away' would never be enough for any real mother.   Surely this mother must have known what was happening to her two older daughters?  Oh, I will stop here and say you will have to read "Daddy Issues" for yourself to see how well this author brings it all out so well in her presentation of telling this story.

As you read though this story one can see that there was something going on way underneath the surface of this horrible story.  The reader can also see that the two daughters really had some emotional problems from what had happened to them as a child that will go into their adult life.  When it is all said and done I had a hard time reading some of the story that was left feeling the hurt that would come out of this horrible story.  I really felt so sorry not only Sydney, Venetta but especially for Baby Doll [the youngest... Trinity.] Now why was that?  Well, Baby Doll was the baby of the family and it seems like secrets had be kept from her but believe me when I say keep reading for they all will come out.  All I was left saying 'oh my goodness.'  After the death what all will happen for this family? I loved how this author brings out each of the daughter's story in end  and what a story the reader will receive from this novel ... definitely not a predictable  read.

The story has some real interesting characters that are well developed, portrayed, defined and oh so believable giving the reader a story about this Walker family, their boyfriends & husbands [Trey, Shawn, T.K Antwon, & Cam] ...to some friends of the daughters [Chloe, Denicia & Tex] to only name a few that will keep you reading to see what will happen next.  I liked how this author outlined all of her characters  at the beginning of each chapter so the reader knew who was mainly being featured at that time for each chapter.

When it is all say and done I like how the reader gets a conclusion of how the story ended for the three daughters and oh yes that mom too.  Will there ever be 'trust' and forgiveness?  I was very satisfied with the read and could understand the reasoning behind how each daughter felt in the end.  No, some reads will not be a 'HEA.'  Why is that? Well, it's about real life, how we want to handle it and I could see why there wasn't any forgiveness for some.  What a interesting read about the life of this Walker Family as the reader will find out what did  go so wrong behind closed doors.
Would I recommend?  YES!

His Melody By: Amarie Avant

Book Description...

"Before I laid eyes on him, I fell, which says a lot since my heart wasn’t built to fall in love...


Five years ago, Melody Bradford fell in love with and married songwriter, Kiel McIssac. He transformed her sorrows into love songs and became everything her heart craves. Kiel was the only one that has ever been able to break down her walls enough to see the girl underneath the shell.
But Melody is damaged deeper than Kiel knows, with a pain that runs far back into her past and creeps out in her present. Deciding that Kiel deserves better, Melody makes the hard choice to rip her own heart out and let him go. Yet Kiel won’t go quietly… not when his own heart is living inside every breath his wife takes. He loves her completely, for all her flaws, imperfections and resistance – she is everything he needs, and the only one he sings about.
Yet Melody has secrets buried dark and deep in her soul, secrets that could finally push him away and destroy everything they have built."

Title:  His Melody

Author:  Amarie Avant

Publisher:  Blue Savant Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"His Melody" by Amarie Avant

My Thoughts...

This was a  well written good read that this author gives to the readers.  Thank God Melody had a Kiel in her life, however, will Kiel  be able to saved Melody from herself? The main questions is why did Melody act the way she did and what was behind all of this?  Melody was truly the love of Kiel's life and when it may have seemed that she did not care for herself  Kiel never lost hope that he would always be their for her...'the love of his life... His Melody' As the reader reads through this story one can see that poor Melody had problems that started in her early childhood that seemed so very unimportant to her mother. Now, why was this kept such a big secret?  Read this story and you will soon find out why Melody felt so damaged with much of her life! This definitely had me thinking what kind of mother is this person! As one reads this story closely one can see why Melody was feeling so broken and thinking of Kiel as.... "HE CAN DO BETTER?"  It seems like even though Melody had some good friends...it was Kiel, her husband who was their for her through the thick and thin of it all and not wanting to give up on her. It seems like her past that she had endured early in her life was still with her as a adult and causing all kinds of problems for this marriaged couple.  I liked how this author brought in all the help for Melody through the therapist, friends and oh yes there was Kiel...all who were right their with her all the way to the end never giving up on her.  I loved that ending.... for that was quite a surprise!   To me I thought this author did a excellent job it bringing out this story so well to the readers.  Yes, we had a broken person and with the help of God and I liked the scriptures that were presented, friends that remained with Melody [Angelique...Jelly, Erin & Josaline] through it all and then as always their was Kiel. The author gives the reader one rich emotional read that will give the reader much thought long after the read especially after finding out what all Melody had been through up to this point in her life.  I loved the read and the characters were off the chart...all well developed, defined and believable giving the reader a good read.

Desiring The Darkness By: Shiela Stewart

Book Description...

"With the cloak of darkness surrounding Jacob's Cove, Dante Vega must work to protect the humans from the blood-thirsty vampires trying to take over the human race. When a half-naked young woman races into his arms begging him to protect her, he is compelled to help despite the fact that she is a vampire.

Before all hell broke loose, Gypsy Dawn was an average woman carrying on with her ordinary life...until she's turned into a vampire. With no family and no where to go, she clings to Dante. Aside from his dark, mysterious, good looks, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to him. And when his life is threatened she discovers just how protective she has become.

Trying to bring back the sun is not easy, especially when the creature responsible, has gone into hiding. With Dante's long lost brother working with the enemy, one friend is killed and another is taken hostage."

Title:  Desiring The Darkness

Author:  Shiela Stewart

Publisher:  Champagne Books

Series:  The Darkness # 2

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Desiring The Darkness" by Shiela Stewart

My Thoughts....

This story continues on from this author first series 'Seducing the Darkness' were when find
Jacob's Cove is now in total darkness due to what has previously gone on.  Will the vampires
succeed in taking over the human race?  The characters...Dante, Gypsy Dawn, Jonah, Ariel. Basis and Trinity....all well developed, well portrayed and simple a well told paranormal read.  Who are
the vampires in the group?  Well with the job that they have before them trying to bring back the
sun that due to Chaos who had gotten the king of the vampires restored to his place only to have
it turn up side down due to Dante and his friends Basil and Trinity. Now with Chaos on the run from them we find them not only in darkness and trying save the people of the cove but Dante has rescued
a Gypsy Dawn and is also looking for his brother Daniel. This story will pick up from here and
will keep your attention till the end due to all of its twist and turns in this story especially with Jonah and Raven. To get it all I would definitely suggest you read this first series first before reading this one due to the fact it will explain so much of what has brought you to this point in the read. In the end will why is Chaos so bent on getting  to Trinity? What plans does Chaos have up his sleeve for Trinity?  Well, I guess to get this and so much more you will have to pick up the author's  next series....Embracing the Darkness to find out.

Seducing The Darkness By: Shiela Stewart

Book Description...

"Cast out by her kind, Trinity Ford has learned to live on her own and not an easy thing to do when you're a vampire.

Trinity was once a fragile girl. Being taken by a powerful vampire prince changed her. Discovering him in the arms of another woman changed destiny. Alone, she's learned fast how to be tough, how to survive, and how to protect the people in her city from the evil that lurks in the dark. She was managing just fine, until Basil walked back into her life.

Basil Hawthorn has been the reigning prince of vampires since banishing his father to the Realm of Dark Mystics decades earlier. When a prophetic dream makes him realize Trinity's life is at risk, he decides the only way to save her is to push her away. Doing so is not easy. Trinity is the only woman he has ever loved, ever will love, and he can't seem to let her go.

When rumors arise of a plan to raise the King and blot out the sun, both Trinity and Basil know they must do everything to stop it. Even if it means working together. Despite the betrayal and the threat, they find themselves drawn to each other. Love has no boundaries, especially in the face of danger. But will they be able to stop the ritual before it's too late?"

Title:  Seducing The Darkness

Author:  Shiela Stewart

Publisher:  Champagne Books

Series:  The Darkness # 1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Seducing The Darkness" by Shiela Stewart

My Thoughts....

"Seducing The Darkness" was a quite a interesting paranormal vampire read Jacob's Cove that did keep my attention to the very end. The story was about Trinity Ford, 19 who had been turned a vampire by Basil Hawthorne who was a vampire prince. The reason for Trinity doing this was because she was all alone after the death of her parents and sister and Basil was their for her.  With Trinity who worked on computers by day and at night she could be found prowling the street trying to keep the humans safe.  Both Trinity and Basil were quite a item until things started happening with Basil that seemed to change in his feelings toward Trinity by pushing her away after they had been together for six years.  What did Basil do  that was so stupid in order to try to accomplish this?  Did it work?  I don't want to tell too much about  the story but it had a lots to do with King Avadur [Basil's father] being  banished to the Realms of Darkness due to the fact that he had deserted the queen mother by locking her behind the Realms of Mystics. Now it seems like Basil is having 'dreams of Trinity's life being at risk'...[someone he loved] because he had banished his father [King Avadur]. So, Basil knew that if what all was going on in Jacob's Cove with his father and  his second in command, Chaos, in charge who wanted  King Avadur freed so that he may rule at his side....then the world was in danger of becoming dark and he had to try to do something to prevent that from happening. What all will Basil do in order to try to keep Chaos from getting his father freed?  How would he be able to protect Trinity whom he was so in love with ...other than trying to put a distance between them so Trinity would get harmed.  Did it work? What was going on with the humans in Jacob's Cove 2025 by the hands of the vampires that  put them in such danger?   What was Trinity into with an investigator [Dante] who was looking for  the missing girl and his brother? What will happen as Trinity and Basil work together to try to stop the plan to raise the king and stop the sun from being blotted out?  To get all of these questions answered and so much more you will have to pick up the good read to see how well this author presents this novel to the readers.

The story will move fast as the readers will find the characters all well developed, defined and portrayed giving one a well told story.  Look out for some real heavy sexy scenes.  However, all in all this was a good read that will definitely have you wanting the next series...Desiring the Darkness.

Cedar Woman By: Debra Shiveley Welch

Book Description....

"Lena Cedar Woman Young Bear, a daughter of the Lakota Sioux, opens the first high-end Native American restaurant in Central Ohio.

This is her story.

Born in May Hill, Ohio, Lena Cedar Woman travels to Columbus at age 12 after tragedy befalls her family. Here, in the capital city, a chance encounter leads her to her destiny.

Walk with her as she changes the lives and fortunes of those she loves.

Follow her to powwow where she meets her half-side.

Rejoice with her at the grand opening of her restaurant.

Cedar Woman allows the reader to learn the ways, and some of the language of The People, while also offering romance and discovery."

Title:  Cedar Woman

Author:  Debra Shiveley Welch

Publisher:  Saga Books

Series:  The Cedar Woman Saga Book 1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Cedar Woman" by Debra Shiveley Welch

My Thoughts....


This 'Native American' story was very well written with some very interesting characters that will definitely keep your attention and what a read about Lena Cedar Woman Young Bear.  This author really presents to the reader a descriptive story that will cover the 'cultures, ceremonies as well as their honor of mother earth' of the Lakota Sioux.  This was a beautiful story of how they practiced 'patience, love of nature and honesty' being portrayed, to beautiful scenes such as the dances along with joys to even heartache. I loved the beginning of each chapter how it gave such a wonderful read of what the chapter held for the reader as well as at the end of the novel the reader will be get some wonderful recipes that were mentioned in the novel.  This is definitely a enjoyable as well as informative read that the reader can learn so much of the the Sioux's culture.  In the end the reader gets quite a touching wonderful story.

The Only Best Place By: Carolyne Aarsen

Book Description...

"When her husband moves her and their two children from her great career and her life in the big city to his boyhood home back in Holmes Crossing, Alberta, a.k.a., nowhere, to help with the struggling family farm, Leslie feels disoriented and lost. Her five year plan had never included being a farmer's wife but now she's helping move cows, feed chickens and trying to find her way through the VandeKeere family interactions where she doesn't feel she fits in. The fact that the move was only temporary helped her go along with this detour in their life. That and the fact that their marriage was on shaky ground. Leslie hopes taking a break from their previous life will help her and her husband rekindle their marriage. But when her husband hits that the move might be permanent, she has to decide what to do. As she faces questions about her marriage and her faith in a God she didn't know much of before, Leslie has to struggle to find the only best place for her heart."

Title:  The Only Best Place
Author:  Carolyne Aarsen
Publisher:  Misty Ridge Publishing
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"The Only Best Place" by Carolyne Aarsen

My Thoughts....

First of all this is a christian fiction and with that being said I thought the read was one that would
capture your attention all the way to the end.  Seeing how a marriage of Leslie and Dan Vandekeere
that was almost broken then seeing how this story gets turned around where there is also dealings with moving to Holmes Crossing, Alberta, two children, a dog. business issues, let's not leave out those family members with issues, to a few friends, religious issues and you get one good story.  This was quite a good read of one letting go of the past and moving on which can be hard as it was for Leslie.   Will she be able to do it with all she has before her? What will happen after Leslie gets a little knowledge of what faith is and trusting in God?  Thank you for such a enjoyable read of love and forgiveness.