Born To Be Wild: Book One in The Lake Series by Chicki Brown

Book Description....

"A quiet bookworm, Tangela Holloway has always been content working at her an independent bookstore in the sleepy little town of Eufaula, Alabama. But lately, Tangie discovers that she’s bored and frustrated, especially since the man she’s been dating for two years seems to care more about his business than he does her. When Reese Turner rides into town on his Harley, Tangie’s heart feels like it’s beating for the first time. She not only sees the most exciting man she’s ever met, but also a chance to experience something other than backyard BBQs and fishing at the lake.

After ending a drama-filled relationship with a high-maintenance fashion model, Reese wants nothing more than to make a road trip to Florida with his motorcycle club. Never did he expect a quick stop at a small town bookstore would introduce him to a shy bookworm who makes him re-think his vow to remain single and unattached."

Title:  Born To Be Wild

Author:  Chicki Brown

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Series:  Book One in The Lake Series 

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Born To Be Wild" by Chicki Brown

My Thoughts....

This was a sweet love story that involved two people who were opposite being from two different places however the hero was quite a likable guy that literally stole the heroine heart making this one wild and beautiful read. Tangela and Reese's story had the prefect chemistry and I would recommend this novel as a good read.  I do look forward to other series by this author.  I see we have a Lake Series with Breelyn's [Tangela's best friend] story  coming next.  I wonder if we will hear any more about Johnnie, Carlton or Dashay?  Anyway, we will be waiting!

How We Love:Expanded Edition: Discover Your Love Style, Enhance Your Marriage By: Milan Yerkovich & Kay Yerkovich

Book Description....

"What Determines How You Love?

Each of us relates to our spouse based on how we experienced love as a child. In this expanded and enhanced companion workbook to How We Love, relationship experts Milan and Kay Yerkovich offer assessments and conversation starters to help you and your spouse identify your relational patterns and realize how they are affecting you now. Their solution-focused tools help you:

* understand why your spouse relates to you the way he or she does
* learn how to break free from the barriers that make you feel stuck
* see the connection between your personal love style and your childhood
* follow specific, clear goals to create a thriving marriage
* ask and answer questions strategically with your spouse

The Yerkoviches have helped thousands of couples around the world heal and renew their relationships. This eminently practical guide will take your marriage to the new level of intimacy you’ve always wanted."

Title:  How We Love: Expanded Edition

Author:  Milan & Kay Yerkovich

Publisher:  WaterBrook

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"How We Love: Expanded Edition: Discover Your Love Style, Enhance Your Marriage"   By: Milan Yerkovich & Kay Yerkovich  

My Thoughts....

This was a beautiful knowledgeable read from these two authors!

What I received from this novel...

Wonderful inside information....that offered different exercises to help one with self awareness and growth goals... great in depth workbook

I loved their accurate description of  a secure connector:
the Avoider, the Pleaser, the Vacillator, the Controller and the Victim.

I found there was great presentation of case studies that were bought out so clearly.

While reading and working through  "How We Love" one can rekindled ones love and even learn respect for each other.

This novel is not only for couples!  I found this a wonderful read for working in one's  marriage and relationships. This is definitely a help in ones marriage and family. This read can not just "change ones marriage but also every relationship  that is important to ones life."

If you are in need of a 'Marriage Counselor' this read will be for you.

After reading "How We Love" the reader will see that its definite a literature that has been well descriptive written, with great research and resources.

The way these authors treatment of this subject along with 'Biblical truths and wisdom will bring a healing that can change ones life.'

I will say this is one of the best self help books that I have had the privilege of reading!

By the end of this read...the reader will get a easy, enjoyable, and well as a fantastic read that I would recommend to all young married couples as well as old.

White Fur By: Jardine Libaire

Book Description...

"A stunning star-crossed love story set against the glitz and grit of 1980s New York City 

When Elise Perez meets Jamey Hyde on a desolate winter afternoon, fate implodes, and neither of their lives will ever be the same. Although they are next-door neighbors in New Haven, they come from different worlds. Elise grew up in a housing project without a father and didn’t graduate from high school; Jamey is a junior at Yale, heir to a private investment bank fortune and beholden to high family expectations. Nevertheless, the attraction is instant, and what starts out as sexual obsession turns into something greater, stranger, and impossible to ignore.

The unlikely couple moves to Manhattan in hopes of forging an adult life together, but Jamey’s family intervenes in desperation, and the consequences of staying together are suddenly severe. And when a night out with old friends takes a shocking turn, Jamey and Elise find themselves fighting not just for their love, but also for their lives.

White Fur follows these indelible characters on their wild race through Newport mansions and downtown NYC nightspots, SoHo bars and WASP-establishment yacht clubs, through bedrooms and hospital rooms, as they explore, love, play, and suffer. Jardine Libaire combines the electricity of Less Than Zero with the timeless intensity of Romeo and Juliet in this searing, gorgeously written novel that perfectly captures the ferocity of young love."

Title:  White Fur

Author:  Jardine Libaire

Publisher:  Crown Publishing

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean 

Rating: Four

Review:

"White Fur" by Jardine Libaire

My Thoughts...

All I can say is this is was a unusual poetical love story as this author gives the readers the ending first and then worked the story forward as the story comes full circled by the end.  So, what should the readers expect?  Well get ready for a little bit of it all...from the gritty, raw and simply painful at times that will definitely leave one saying wow!  We find Jamey Hyde who came from a rich family and then their was Elise Perez who was poor coming together being so very opposite.  So,  really what could one expect  would happen for all that went on with these two that definitely seemed to be on quite a roller coaster ride? Now, I will say this story wasn't just with these two but also their families and friends.   Would I say this story was similar to the Romeo and Juliet story?  Yes,  a little but I found this story was also filled with so much more raw grittiness with lots of emotions. Yes, this was a very obsessive relationship, with crime, some off the chart erotic sex scenes, so be aware of that fact among some other real issues that are full of 'trials and tribulations.'  I did feel that the story went on and on a little bit that seemed to drag somewhat but the story did however pick up getting your attention as you continued on to see what was coming next and then we get a strange unexpected  weird twist of a end. If you are looking for a love story that will be told in a very unusual way then you have come to the right place for "White Fur" will be the read I would recommend to you.

Pieces of Happiness by Anne Ostby

Book Description....

"A novel of five lifelong friends who, in their sixties, decide to live together on a cocoa farm in Fiji, where they not only start a chocolate business but strengthen their friendships and rediscover themselves. 

"I've planted my feet on Fijian earth and I intend to stay here until the last sunset. Why don't you join me? Leave behind everything that didn't work out!"

When Sina, Maya, Ingrid, and Lisbeth each receive a letter in the mail posing the same question, the answer is obvious. Their old high school friend Kat—Kat the adventurer, Kat who spread her wings and took off as soon as they graduated—has extended the invitation of a lifetime: Come live with me on my cocoa farm in Fiji. Come spend the days eating chocolate and gabbing like teenagers once again, free from men, worries, and cold. Come grow old in paradise, together, as sisters. Who could say no?
     Now in their sixties, the friends have all but resigned themselves to the cards they've been dealt. There's Sina, a single mom with financial woes; gentle Maya who feels the world slipping away from her; Ingrid, the perennial loner; Lisbeth, a woman with a seemingly picture-perfect life; and then Kat, who is recently widowed. As they adjust to their new lives together, the friends are watched over by Ateca, Kat's longtime housekeeper, who oftentimes knows the women better than they know themselves and recognizes them for what they are: like "a necklace made of shells: from the same beach but all of them different." Surrounded by an azure-blue ocean, cocoa trees, and a local culture that is fascinatingly, joyfully alien, the friends find a new purpose in starting a business making chocolate: bittersweet, succulent pieces of happiness.
     A story of love, hope, and chocolate, PIECES OF HAPPINESS will reaffirm your faith in friendship, second chances, and the importance of indulging one's sweet tooth."

Title:  Pieces of Happiness

Author:  Anne Ostby

Publisher:  Doubleday 

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Pieces of Happiness" by Anne Ostby

My Thoughts ...

This author really give the readers quite one interesting read..."Piece of Happiness."  I thought is was really one good read having these six people, five that had been friends since high school in Norway come visit and then live together [after the death of her Niklas, her  husband] on a cocoa plantation in Fiji in the South Pacific with each one having there own story that was really intriguing to say the least. Oh, the sixth woman was Kat's housekeeper...Ateca who was so very understanding of each of these ladies. I loved her prayers for God to watch over everyone as the prayers seemed to 'mark the change in the chapters and even the narration from each of the women.' 

I loved the invitation that was sent to each one of these ladies who were know in their sixties....

“I’ve planted my feet on Fijian earth and I intend to stay here until the last sunset. Why don’t you join me? Leave behind everything that didn’t work out!” 

Will they be able to 'leave their worries, mistakes and problems back in Norway?' No, they hadn't stayed in touch but know would they be willing to start all over and 'come up with plans of a new future in this beautiful cocoa plantation?'  How different this would be for these ladies who had difficulties of their own to come to this beautiful place that had much to offer with many highs and well as lows but in the end the readers will give one good story that will give one reason to ponder long after the read.  I loved the characters...Kat, Ingrid, Maya, Sina and Lysbeth who all had 'secrets and hopes that had been keep hidden' so will they be able to stop and redefine just what they wanted in their life now?  Will they be willing to rediscover their past friendships and even themselves?

All while I was reading this novel I keep thinking what would it be like to have friends like these!

This was definitely a wonderful and enjoyable read about a enduring 'friendship and second chances just to be happy'  that I would definitely recommend.   In the end all that is left to say is that hopefully we can all have this in our lives. This story was very well done by this author.     

Thanks to NetGalley for a pre-publication copy to review.

Through Her Eyes (Mind's Eye Book 4) By: Debra Camp

Book Description...

"Evil roams the streets of New Orleans...
Surrounded by the romance and mystery of the French Quarter, psychics Trudy Tucker and Levi Wolfe search for a taker of lives. Combining their unique skills, they zero in on a serial killer who has been murdering for more than a decade. Their suspect is in a wheelchair, partially paralyzed in an accident a few years ago, but the latest victim was murdered after his paralysis. Are they on the wrong track or has the murderer found a protégé to continue his reign of horrors?"

Title:  Through Her Eyes

Author:   Deborah Camp

Publisher:  D. C.

Series:  Mind's Eye Book 4

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: 5

Review:

"Through Her Eyes" by Deborah Camp

My Thoughts......

As always this author brings it all up front and center for the readers..."Through Her Eyes" featuring Levi Wolfe and Trudy Tucker.  Hold on because there will be much going on in this romance and mystery read that will definitely keep your attention. I liked the story that surrounded both of the characters in that they both had some personal demons that they were battling through.  How will they make it though all of it and now looking for a serial killer?  Well,  this is where I say you will have to pick up  this good read to see how these two will catch this serial killer who seem to have 'been murdering for more than a decade' on the streets of New Orleans and now it looks like there maybe someone else who is also involved.  

Be ready for a read that will have you holding your breath as you are reading through some horrible details as this author gives to the reader in this well written story.  In the end will  these two find the HEA medium? Will their personal problems be worked out? Will Levi ever pop the question to Trudy that she longs to hear?   Well, again you will have to pick up 'Through Her Eyes' to see how this story comes out in the end that will definitely leave you wanting more from these two psychics.

Thank you to the author for the early read of "Through Her Eyes" where I gave my honest opinion of the read.

Freedom Rings (A County Fair Romance Book 4) By J. Haney & S.I. Hayes

Book Description...

"Momma Fal just popped!

When an early labor come with complications the Hopkins Clan must pull together to try and solve the problem. But what happens when the family you’ve come to rely on, must go on with their own lives?
Alone with babies and a recovering wife can Justin handle all that fatherhood has in store for him?
Can Fallon overcome the lingering effects of her delivery? This was supposed to be the happiest time of their lives, but when a curveball comes this pair will always swing for the fences. Will it be a home run or a foul tip?

Title:  Freedom Rings

Authors:  J. Haney & S. I. Hayes

Publisher: J. H. & S. I. H.

Series:  A County Fair Romance Book 4

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"Freedom Rings" by J. Haney & S. I. Hayes

My Thoughts.....

This story is just a continued read of the series 'A County Fair Romance Book 4.'  It seems like poor Fallon and Justin are upfront and center as problems of the babies are coming too soon.  Then there are other problems that come up with Fallon as now her Dad is back and living close.  How will all of this turnout? Well, all I can say is that you will have to pick this one up..."Freedom Rings" to see what all these authors give to us on this ride.  Believe me when I say there is so much drama that will be coming.  It will be one read as we will not be finished because there seems to be even more coming...with Fallon being .....again!?  Well, we will need the next read to see how that will all come out for this whole clan.  

The Goddesses: A Novel by Swan Huntley

Book Description....

""A haunting story of betrayal and forgiveness" (Kirkus) about a woman who moves her family to Hawaii, only to find herself wrapped up in a dangerous friendship, from the celebrated author of We Could Be Beautiful. 

When Nancy and her family arrive in Kona, Hawaii, they are desperate for a fresh start. Nancy's husband has cheated on her; they sleep in separate bedrooms and their twin sons have been acting out, setting off illegal fireworks. But Hawaii is paradise: they plant an orange tree in the yard; they share a bed once again and Nancy resolves to make a happy life for herself. She starts taking a yoga class and there she meets Ana, the charismatic teacher. Ana has short, black hair, a warm smile, and a hard-won wisdom that resonates deeply within Nancy. They are soon spending all their time together, sharing dinners, relaxing in Ana's hot tub, driving around Kona in the cute little car Ana helps Nancy buy. As Nancy grows closer and closer to Ana—skipping family dinners and leaving the twins to their own devices she feels a happiness and understanding unlike anything she's ever experienced, and she knows that she will do anything Ana asks of her. A mesmerizing story of friendship and manipulation set against the idyllic tropical world of the Big Island, The Goddesses is a stunning psychological novel by one of our most exciting young writers."

Title:  The Goddesses:  A Novel

Author:  Swan Huntley

Publisher: Doubleday
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"The Goddesses" by Swan Huntley

My Thoughts....

What will happen when Nancy want a change in her life as she 'jump starts her family' by moving to Hawaii?  This poor lady had been through so much with that cheating husband Chuck and twin boys that seemed to in into something one way or another.  With all of this drama going on in Nancy's life would moving to Hawaii cause her some happiness?  What happens when she moves to Hawaii with her family?  Who is the woman Nancy will meet and what affect will she have on life?  What will happen when Nancy finally gets out of this disillusion that she had felt so apart of?   This is a interesting part of the read as the story shows just how people often look for happiness in the wrong place.  I will say that was quite a toxic friendship.  Will Nancy learn that one can't live through other people?  Be prepared for lots and lots of drama! I will also say that author really knows how to give the reader a good entertaining read of thrills and  suspense that will keep one reading to see what will happen next in this beautiful Hawaiian setting.  I found "The Goddesses" quite a interesting read that even thought it was captivating it could be somewhat a frustrating read at times too.  

Thank you to Net Gallery for the read.