Split-Level A Novel by Sande Boritz Berger

Profile:

"For young wife and mother, Alex Pearl, the post-Nixon 1970s offers pot parties, tie-dyed fashions, and the lure of the open marriage her husband wants for the two of them. Alex is a painter, stifled but loyal, and when she realizes just how far her husband's eye has begun to wander, she's faced with difficult choices about what marriage and family mean, and whether an "open" lifestyle mimicking communal living might be for her. Yearning for both greater adventure and intimacy, yet fearful of losing it all, Alex must figure out the truth of love and fidelity—at a pivotal point in an American Marriage."

Title: Split-Level
Author: Sande Boritz Berger
Publisher: She Writes Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Split-Level" by Sande Boritz Berger

My Rationalization:

I will say this was indeed one interesting 1970's nostalgia that will definitely keep you turning the pages to see what next is going on with these two main characters What will happen as Alex and Donny Pearl enter into an 'open marriage and become swingers?' I found this story quite interesting as we find Alex is definitely searching for her identity. Now for her husband Donny I found him somewhat off and strange in that all of a sudden he becomes 'obsessed with the idea that couples can live together, swapping spouses and be able to live happily ever after.' Now how will this work out for them? Will they be able to fix their marriage by following in the footsteps of another couple? Well to find out how this well-written story will go you will have to pick up "Split-Level" to see what is in the cards for these two people. I liked how this author talks about "the concept of marriage, communication, honesty, family friends, love, hope along with the mentions of alcohol and drugs that seem to play a good part in their decision making of the story." By the end of the story, the reader will get quite a rollercoaster ride. The ending was quite a surprise with the reader will be given something to ponder over long after the read with the family dynamics really being brought to light from this read. 

Shadow Doctors (Atlanta X-Men Homicide Squad #3.5) by Cortez Law III

"In Atlanta, murder has a new upscale address. Someone targets the city’s privileged citizens in the dark of night. But for what purpose and why?

Sergeant Malcolm Hobbs leads his elite X-Men Homicide Detective Squad in pursuit of a crafty and elusive enemy that leaves enigmatic clues at crime scenes that baffle the investigators.

As the squad digs deeper into the lives of the victims, patterns emerge and converge, and lead Sergeant Hobbs and his X-Men Detectives on an intense manhunt to stop the criminals from carrying out their ominous plans."


Title: Shadow Doctors
Author:  Cortez Law III
Publisher: Metro Black & Blue Book
Series: Atlanta X-Men Homicide Squad #3.5
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Shadow Doctors" by Cortez Law III

My Rationalization:

With murder being on the uprise in Atlanta for the city's privileged citizens, how will Sergeant Hobbs with the help of the 'elite X-Men Homicide Detective Squad' take down these criminals? This is quite an adventure seeing just how this squad will be able to stop these criminals. By the end when the squad thinks they are dealing with one type of criminals the real ones will show their hand. To find out how this will all go down you will have to pick up 'Shadow Doctors' to see just who the real criminals really were and just how this Squad were able to take them down before they were able to 'carry out their ominous plans.' I found this short story will definitely keep your attention to the end. 

Wait No More: A With Your Permission Spin-off Kindle Edition by Stephanie Nicole Norris

Profile:

"The rumors... they came from sources that she trusted; the news, the neighborhood, and now the patrons in her night club, Rendezvous. Still, Sophia Clark wouldn’t believe that the soldiers who returned from their tours included the only man she ever loved. But when Dean St. James strolled through the door, the shock to Sophia’s spirit nearly disassembled her. There was no explanation for the reckless up-surging beat of her heart, not after the way Dean disappeared, leaving Sophia to wonder if he’d become a casualty of war.

Now, without time to process her turbulent emotions, Sophia comes face to face with his return, which proves to challenge the love they lost—bringing them together or closing the door on what could have been for all time."

Title: Wait No More
Author: Stephanie Nicole Norris
Publisher: Love Is A Drug Ink
Series: A With Your Permission Spin-Off
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Wait No More" by Stephanie Nicole Norris

My Rationalization:

What a very realistic story of a soldier living with PTSD and the turmoil it caused his loved ones. This story was greatly brought out that involved Sophia Clark and Dean St. James proving that love can cure all even in a second chance romance. It was good to see that Dean decision not to suffer in silence as so many people have done so. Be ready for a good emotional story about war issues, sacrifices, passion, and love scenes that are off the chart. This was definitely one of those reads that the reader will enjoy. I only wished there had been an epilogue to the ending. 

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Kindle Edition by I.J. Miller

Profile:

"Two moms, Maddie and Al, wake up one cold morning in March in a run-down motel in Weehawken, NJ thinking they have finally found safety after a cross-country escape from their baby’s manipulative biological father. But they soon discover that the state’s top hostage negotiator--and his personal four-man SWAT team--surround their room. 

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION takes you to the inner core of two unique women desperate to keep their baby at all costs and provide him with the secure, protected, happy childhood neither of them had. This well-crafted story takes you from the drama of the present, to the tragic scarring of childhood past, to the joyful connection the two make as adults, then back to the present and its emotional closure to this passionate journey of two partners seeking a peaceful life together as a family.

Maddie and Al show us how important it is to protect our children at all costs and how valiantly they’re willing to fight to overcome the deep-rooted effects of early abuse."

Title: Immaculate Conception
Author: I. J. Miller
Publisher: Island Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Immaculate Conception" by I. J. Miller

My Rationalization:

What an interesting read of how "Maddie and Al show us how important it is to protect our children at all cost and how valiantly they're will fight to overcome the deep-rooted effects of early abuse." For these two damaged women, it was quite a journey of how they started a family that ended with them having to run from the law. Be prepared to be caught up in quite a ride of emotions and drama in their world that consisted of many twists and turns as they are trying to get to that happy part of their life's. All I can say is what an ending! I wished there had been an epilogue to maybe have found out finally what happened to 'baby Jesse.' 

Catching Creole by S.I. Hayes & J. Haney

Profile:

"Style, grace, charm and a pretty face. This is what Zeta Tau Alpha girls are made of.

School’s out and so is Aviana River Moore’s luck.
Having moved to New Orleans after Katrina, Aviana met Xavier Thomas Rousseau.
Between his smart alack remarks and her sassy ways, they bonded like shrimp and gumbo.

They’ve done everything together. Dances, family affairs, even college. It was her way of keeping him. College is out, and he’s joined Doctors without Borders, leaving after the summer break.

Aviana has three months to do the one thing she’s never done. Tell him how she feels.
Can she get her courage, and show Xavier what he’s been missing?
Will Xavier see past the girl down the road facade and let love in or will Aviana forever be just a friend?"

Title: Catching Creole
Authors: S. I. Hayes & J. Haney
Publisher: Haney/Hayes Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Catching Creole" by S.I. Hayes & J. Haney

My Rationalization:

Be ready for a short and cute novella of Avaiana and Xavier. It was quite interesting when Avaiana finally had enough and let Xavier know of her true feelings of how she felt about him. Just being best friends for years wasn't enough of Avaiana. So, how will Xavier except all of this from Avaiana? Will Xavier just what to continue with the friendship? Well. to find out how this friend to lovers story will come out you will just have to pick up "Catching Creole' to see how well this author brings it all out to the reader. 

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.

Then Came You: A Laws of Attraction Novel by Kate Meader

Profile:

"In the courtroom, they’re rivals. In the bedroom, they’re . . . divorced. But could the road trip from hell lead to a second chance at love?
 
“I love Kate Meader’s books!”—Kelly Jamieson
 
Aubrey Gates is the hottest divorce lawyer in Chicago, a barb-tongued stiletto with legs that go on for miles. When her cool gray eyes meet mine across the battlefield, I want her like I’ve never wanted anyone or anything. Then I remember who she is: the woman who brought me to my knees. The woman who destroyed my faith in relationships.
 
The woman I used to call . . . wife.
 
And she needs a favor from me, Grant Lincoln.
 
It seems my ex forgot to mention the demise of our marriage to her dear old grammy, and now we’re both expected to attend her ninetieth birthday party. In Boston. And because it isn’t already awkward enough, Aubrey and I are driving there together from Chicago. That’s more than a thousand miles of tension, heartbreak, and barely concealed lust.
 
A little piece of paper might say we’re over, but this road trip is the true test. I intend to get my wife back . . . and I won’t stop until “I do.”

Kate Meader’s super-sexy Laws of Attraction novels can be read together or separately:
DOWN WITH LOVE • ILLEGALLY YOURS • THEN CAME YOU

Title Then Came You
Author: Kate Meader
Publisher: Loveswept
Series: Law Of Attraction # 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Then Came You: A Laws of Attraction" by Kate Meader

My Rationalization:

'Then Came You' was quite an interesting read from the first page till the end. We find Aubrey Gates and Grant Lincoln who at one time meant everything to each other, now divorced, but till clashed in the courtroom. Due to Aubrey injury to her arm and her not being able to drive, a trip will cause these two [Aubrey & Grant] to be thrown together along with her cat Damon, due to Aubrey's grandmother's 90th birthday which was during Thanksgiving. All I can say is a lot will go on during that trip from Chicago to Boston where lots of secrets will come out from these two. Will this get these two be able to talk and get back together again? Be ready for a roller coaster of emotions, with some witty banter, aggravation, and annoying moments that will come out from this well-written story with some complexed characters especially from Aubrey's family. You will find this a beautiful romance that was somewhat heartbreaking but in the end giving the reader a beautiful ending for these two in this second chance romance.

Thanks, NetGalley. I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.