Boss Women: Seven African-American Women Who Built Their Businesses From the Ground Up by Gwen Richardson Jan10

Book Excerpt:

"Boss Women features seven African-American women who started their businesses by
themselves or as co-founders with family members. Although some of these women may
not have high public profiles, they represent a variety of industries, and all of their
businesses are successful. Some enterprises are relatively new; others have been
established for decades.

The businesswomen profiled in this book are Janice M. Adams (JMA Solutions),
Valerie Daniels-Carter (V&J Holding Companies), Bea Dixon (Honey Pot), Janice
Bryant Howroyd (The ACT One Group), Garnetta Sanders (Neta Scientific), Janell
Stephens (Camille Rose Naturals), and J. C. Sykes (90 Degree Construction).

Boss Women uses poetic phrasing, making it easier for children to read and understand.
While reading each poetic profile, children will see themselves in these
women's successes and dream big dreams for the future. The book also is a motivational
tool for adults who are seeking encouragement on their entrepreneurial journeys."

Title: Boss Women
Author: Gwen Richardson
Publisher: Cushcity Communications
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Boss Women:" Seven African Women Who Built Their Business From the Ground Up" by Gwen Richardson

My Opinion:

How enjoyable 'Boss Women' was that an enjoyable and informational read for all to read.
These African American women were...Janice Adams of JMA Solutions, Valerie Daniels-Carter of V & J Holdings, Bea Dixon of Honey Pot...I have tried these products and love them, Janice Bryant Howroyd of ActOne Group, Garnetta Sanders of Neta Scientific, Janelle Stephens of Camille Rose Naturals, and J C Sykes of 90 Degree Construction.

I love this short story of 'Two Janices, Jc, Garnetta, Bea, plus Valerie and Janell...with humble beginnings...how they've risen to new heights determined to excel.'

'Believe in yourself is what they all say. Your grit, guts, and courage will ultimately pave the way for the path you'll leave for others to follow. Your destiny will manifest a brighter tomorrow.'

The author did an excellent job of giving the reader information on these 'Boss Women who are Tomorrow's Boss Women of the future generation.' Would I recommend 'Boss Women?' YES, especially to the younger children.

Dirty Takedown : AmBw Standalone Enemies-to-Lovers Romance Kindle Edition By: Amarie Avant

Book Excerpt:

"Amarie Avant presents a steamy, witty romance between a UFC fighter and a kick-ass black heroine!

RENEE RILEY

I'm at the pinnacle of my career, and I don't have time for games.

Not even training matches between the MMA fighters at my family's famous gym.

But when my brother's enemy wipes the floor with him, I want no parts of it.

It's just a game.

Until the muscular god, with intense dark eyes, makes me his enemy too.

I'm ashamed to admit, it's gotten dirty between Jhang and me.

JHANG LI

I'm the king of the octagon and lack a worthy adversary.

I've got a vice-grip on my championship belt.

But when Renee Riley returns to town, I devise a plan to make her family pay for their sins.

The tiny, feisty beauty will be the easiest takedown ever.

I'll worship my enemy's sister for now.

Renee can hate me tomorrow."

Title: Dirty Takedown

Author: Amarie Avant

Publisher: A. A.     

Reviewed By: Arlena Dean

Rating: Five  

Review:

"Dirty Takedown: AmBw Standalone Enemies-to-Lovers Romance" By: Amarie Avant

My Assessment:

The title says it all in how these two Jhang and Renee got together, with the MMA fighter meeting the traveling nurse. From a one-night encounter that was supposed to be just one night, but fate had a way of turning things around for them. This situation was definitely out of the norm for Renee, and it turned out revenge on Jhang's part. Why did Jhang want revenge on this family? You will have to pick up this good read to find out.

  

The author did an excellent job of bringing out Renee's sickle cell situation. Unfortunately, the story ended rather quickly, so I am sure there will be more about this family series, especially Malcolm and maybe even Nicolette. Thank goodness Renee had support from her mom that added calmness to this situation.  

All in all, this was an excellent AMBW read.

Much Ado About a Latte by Kathleen Fuller

 Book Excerpt:

"A coffee war is brewing in Maple Falls, where Anita and Tanner are serving up plenty of sparks to keep the town buzzing.

Anita Bedford needs to face reality. It's time to decaffeinate the dream that she and Tanner will ever be more than friends. Growing up in small-town Maple Falls, she's had a crush on Tanner for years. But he'll only ever see her as good, old, dependable Anita. So now, she's finally ready to make her own goals a reality. In fact, that deserted building next door to Sunshine Diner looks like an excellent location to open her own café . . .

Tanner Castillo may know how to operate a diner, but he doesn't know beans about love. After pouring his life savings into buying the Sunshine Diner, he needs to keep his mind on making a success of it and supporting his widowed mother, not on kissing Anita Bedford. First order of business: improve his customers' coffee experience. Next, he should probably find out who bought the building next door . . .

It's a bitter cup to swallow when ambition turns longtime friends and coworkers Anita and Tanner into rivals. Now that they own competing businesses, how could they ever compete for each other's hearts? Or will the two of them come to see what's obvious to the whole, quirky town of Maple Falls: potential for a full-roast romance with an extra splash of dream?

Welcome to Maple Falls, where everyone knows your name, your coffee order, and your relationship status."

Title: Much Ado About a Latte
Author: Kathleen Fuller
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Series: Maples Falls # 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Much Ado About a Latte" by Kathleen Fuller

My Opinion:

'Much Ado About a Latte' was a sweet story of how two people knew each other in school but didn't have any real connection other than Tanner Castillo had once tutored Anita Bedford with her studies due to some learning disabilities. Oh, yes, there was that childhood kiss. However, there had been no other communication with each other. After ten years in Maple Falls, they are coworkers working at Sunshine Diner, where Tanner is the assistant manager and head cook and Anita a waitress. As the story goes on, we find a space next door to the Sunshine Diner, and Anita is thinking of buying it and opening up a coffee cafe. Will this present a problem for the already established Sunshine next door...a competing business? By Tanner and Anita not talking about this situation, what will happen when he finds out her plans for the next-door property? The story had some intriguing characters that will put a smile on your face and have you shaking your head as you are reading through the story. Be ready for a read that will let one see what can happen when there isn't enough communication, therefore, bringing on lots of drama as it did in this romantic story. By the end of the story, will Tanner and Anita be able to get to move forward and get to that happy place for a HEA? You will have to pick up this read and see how well this author brings it all out for the reader.

Thank you, Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing, for the opportunity to read this book and share my honest opinion.

Brown Girls A Novel by Daphne Palasi Andreades

 Book Excerpt:

"If you really want to know, we are the color of 7-Eleven root beer. The color of sand at Rockaway Beach when it blisters the bottoms of our feet. Color of soil . . .

Welcome to Queens, where streets echo with languages from all over the globe, subways rumble above dollar stores, trees bloom and topple over sidewalks. The funky scent of the Atlantic Ocean wafts in from Rockaway Beach. Within New York City's most vibrant and eclectic boroughs, young women of color like Nadira, Gabby, Naz, Trish, Angelique, and countless others attempt to reconcile their immigrant backgrounds with the American culture in which they come of age. Here, they become friends for life—or so they vow.

Exuberant and wild, together they roam The City That Never Sleeps, sings Mariah Carey at the tops of their lungs, yearns for crushes who pay them no mind—and break the hearts of those who do—all while trying to heed their mothers' commands to be obedient daughters. But as they age, their paths diverge, and rifts form between them, as some choose to remain on familiar streets, while others find themselves ascending in the world, beckoned by existences foreign and seemingly at odds with their humble roots.

A blazingly original debut novel told by a chorus of unforgettable voices, Brown Girls illustrates a collective portrait of childhood, adulthood, and beyond and is a striking exploration of female friendship, a powerful depiction of women of color attempting to forge their place in the world today. For even as the conflicting desires of ambition and loyalty, freedom and commitment, adventure and stability risk dividing them, it is to one another—and to Queens—that the girls ultimately return."

Title: Brown Girls
Author: Palasi Andreades
Publisher: Random House Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Brown Girls" by Palasi Andreades

My Opinion:

'Brown Girls' was quite an exciting collection of vignettes in the way this author brought it all out to the reader of the stories of these brown girls [friends] growing up in Queens, New York. This author did an excellent job as she 'depicted the lives of these teenagers through adulthood.' From middle school until ...as the journey consists of from middle school, on through college, going to their 'motherlands,' and then through their motherhood, the reader is given an insightful story.

These brown Girls [Nadira, Gabby, Naz, Trish, Angelique], and others showed their uniqueness coming alive. Seeing the relationship they had with their moms was beautifully explored as they needed their commands. I loved the part where the girls were now women saw the sacrifices and the stories their moms had with them... now seeing their mothers as women with their own stories to tell.' To understand this part of the story...the reader will have to pick up "Brown Girls" to see how the author brings it all out.

It saw the girls try to reconcile their backgrounds with the American ways as they came of age. What happens as their paths change as they ascend the world? As the Brown girls went from childhood, motherhood, and beyond there will be quite an exploration, seeing the hardship, and by the end seeing all they had gone through, but they did return.

The author's works give the reader a poignant book that tells us well of 'Brown Girls' lives as the reader will be immersed in their stories. This was a good read, and I would recommend it to others.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

Chasing Love on the Run: A Historical Western Romance Book Kindle Edition by Aurora Hanson

 Book Excerpt:

"Growing up in an abusive family has made life hard enough for Sarah Cole, but being promised to her father's boss becomes the final straw. He is a dreadful man, with a terrible reputation and old enough to be her father. But, being resourceful, bright, and unwilling to succumb to a life of despair, Sarah decides that the only way out for her is to run away from home...

Stepping bravely into an unknown future, she has no idea whether it holds peace or more danger...

Aaron Wilder has overcome many sticky situations in his life, but he is in dire straits this time around. So he broke a cardinal rule and befriended his crooked boss's pregnant wife. She has begged Aaron to help her escape, knowing that her husband will surely kill her if she bears a girl. Aware of the risk and against his better judgment, Aaron agrees...

Can he manage to smuggle them both out of New York City without anyone knowing?

The fates align when Sarah and Aaron find themselves in a sleepy little fishing village off the Oregon coast. Sparks fly between them as they try to settle in, and before long, their attraction is impossible to deny. Have they indeed escaped their pasts, though? Caught in a turmoil of intrigue, gun battles in the streets, and a love that can never be, can they dare hope for a happy ending?

"Chasing Love on the Run" is a historical western romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after."

Title: Chasing Love on the Run
Author: Aurora Hanson
Publisher: A.H.
Reviewed by: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Chasing Love on the Run" by Aurora Hanson

My Opinion:

'Chasing Love on the Run' was quite a read of how three people, Sarah, Amelia, and Aaron, will leave their homes for better lives. Sarah, from Seattle, had been running from a dangerous father who wanted to hook her up with one of his horrible bosses. Then we find Amelia from New York was pregnant and was married to a dangerous man and proceed to convince Aaron, who had been employed by her husband, to leave and protect her and act as husband and wife. All there of them were running away from their past.

What will happen when all three of them end up in 'in a little sleep fishing village of the Oregon coast in Belleville Bay?' What will happen as the three become good friends.
However, something odd will be happening that will soon be noticed about Amelia and Aaron. What will happen as their secret comes out? Be ready for lots of twists and turns that will come out changing their lives forever and end up turning the town against ...well, I will stop here and say this is a good read that you will have to pick up 'Chasing Love on the Run' to see how this fast-paced, filled with action and suspense and love will all come out for the three.

Also, this author gives the reader an extended epilogue that will add more to this story. I only wish we could have found out more about Sarah's brother and how his life had gone for him after talking with Aaron.

Pause by Sara Stamey

 Book Excerpt:

Women's Fiction

"Dear Diary,
Shall we pause to take stock?
Female (liberated, at least from fraught marriage). Age 52, height 5'5", weight 120, bone density excellent, minimal cellulite, maximal hot flashes. One and ¾ breasts.
Months since sex: 27

Lindsey Friedland, former river-rafting guide and avid outdoorswoman, has hit the worst stretch of water she's ever faced: divorce from an abuser, breast cancer, menopause symptoms that her friends seem to have paddled serenely by. And she's lost sight of her dream of becoming an environmental journalist.

Lindsey needs to get her spark back.

Dear Diary, Disastrous blind dates so far: The walking cologne bottle. The "really want a gal to give me babies" guy. The pushy past-life reintegration facilitator.

Will Lindsey make it past the rocky shoals of family upheavals, job crises, sexism, and ageism... not to mention toxic love traps? Does "happily ever after" now mean settling for occasional (but hot!) sex with Mr. Maybe? Can she reclaim her journalism dream?

Dear Diary, I'm tired of being tragic. I'm sending off my article about the bulldozers versus the baby owls."

Title: Pause
Author: Sara Stamey
Publisher: Book View Cafe
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Pause: by Sara Stamey

My Opinion:

We find 'Pause' was indeed an engaging, inspiring story about what 52-year-old Lindsey Friedland had to endure in her life. How will this all work out for Lindsey from an abusive father, Arlen, ex-husband Nick, navigating around menopause, breast cancer, medical malpractice, and now seeming to want to get back into the dating scene? Will she get the new beginning of what she wanted after finally getting rid of that abusive husband? Where will she go from here? Be ready for a story filled with a commotional ride filled with emotions along with many ups and downs, with heartbreaking, heartwarming, and still where I did find me laughing and crying at some of it. I enjoyed how this author had Lindsey's as she 'fights to answer the questions or at least find a way to put them on pause.' Now, to understand all that is about, you must pick up 'Pause' and read it yourself. Would I recommend this read? YES!

Family First: a Black Romance Box Set Kindle Edition by Iris Bolling (Author), Sharon C. Cooper (Author), Delaney Diamond (Author), Sherelle Green (Author), Tina Martin (Author), Stephanie Nicole Norris (Author), Candace Shaw (Author), Kiru Taye (Author)

 Book Excerpt:

"Inside the pages of this limited edition box set is an introduction to 8 family series containing 8 contemporary romance novels from bestselling authors. Get ready for captivating stories of passion, family ties, and Black love!

INVESTED by Iris Bolling

Myles Dunning, the thirty-five-year-old CEO of Dunning Bank and Trust, is fighting off one takeover attempt after another to save his family's historical bank. Chrystina Price is a voluptuous, lovable powerhouse whose sole purpose in life is to uplift and protect the man she has loved from the first day they met. When the integrity of the family always comes first, is it worth Investing in love.

LOVE UNDER CONTRACT by Sharon C. Cooper, Award-winning and bestselling author

Sumeera Robinson refuses to settle for less than she desires, even if she craves the sexy Nicolas Jenkins-Moore. She's ready for marriage and a family, but his five-year plan has those items at the bottom of the list. So when Sumeera walks out of his life, Nicolas realizes what he's lost and will stop at nothing to win her back.

UNFORGETTABLE by Delaney Diamond, USA Today Bestselling Author

Ivy Johnson is stunned when Lucas Baylor makes an appearance at her family's event in Seattle. When her deception is revealed, it throws his life into a tailspin and forces them to face the truth of their feelings for each other—feelings they've both tried in vain to forget.

#BLESSED BY MALAKAI by Sherelle Green

Overnight, Malakai Madden becomes a social media legend after the #BlessedMyMalakai hashtag starts trending. Avery Nightingale is the perfect image consultant to get his life back on track. However, avoiding their explosive chemistry proves to be a more significant distraction than either of them bargained for.

EVENINGS WITH BRYSON by Tina Martin, Three-time Emma Award Winner, including Author of the Year, Book of The Year Award Winner, multiple Amazon #1 new release

Kalina Cooper doesn't believe in love since watching her father walk out on her mother years ago. But when she meets Bryson Blackstone in her aunt's cafe, he challenges everything she thinks she knows about life and love and reveals secrets about her family that she otherwise would've never known.

SAFE WITH ME by Stephanie Nicole Norris 

Samiyah Manhattan is mourning the death of her six-year marriage when she vows never to trust men again. Celebrity ex-boxer turned business mogul Jonas Alexander Rose never takes women too seriously. However, when he meets the beautiful Samiyah mulling over a mimosa, Jonas is overwhelmed by the heart throbbing heated attraction, and now he is on a mission to explore this thing called love.

COOKING UP LOVE by Candace Shaw

When Shelbi Arrington foregoes her medical residency, the last thing she's searching for is love. However, that's just what the doctor prescribes when she meets chef Justin Richardson, who is leery of doctors because of his mother's death years ago. As their relationship heats up, Shelbi learns of a shocking revelation that may extinguish their flame.

KEEPING SECRETS by Kiru Taye

Have you ever loved someone and didn't know it? That's the dilemma facing Felix when he wakes from a coma to find he is married to the most beautiful and most sensual woman he's ever known. However, will he still feel the same way when he regains his memory and realizes she's been keeping secrets and their marriage is not what he thinks it is?"

Title:  Family First

Authors: by Iris Bolling,  Sharon C. Cooper, Delaney Diamond, Sherelle Green, Tina Martin, Stephanie Nicole Norris, Candace Shaw, and Kiru Taye

Publisher:  Garden Avenue Press; PublishDrive edition

Series:  Black Romance Box Set

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Family First" by 'Several Wonderful Authors'

My Opinion:  

These are some beautiful eight collections of black romances that will leave one in awe of it all... from one mystery, suspense, and hot chemistry starting with...

Invested by Iris Bolling...featuring... Myles Dunning and Chrystina Price. 

Love Under Contract by Sharon C. Cooper featuring Sumeera Robinson and Nicolas Jenkins-Moore

Unforgettable by  Delaney Diamond featuring Ivy Johnson and Lucas Baylor

#Blessed by Malakai by Sherelle Green featuring Malakai Madden and Avery Nightingale

Evenings with Bryson by Tina Martin featuring Kalina Cooper and Bryson Blackstone

Safe With Me by Stephanie Nicole Norris featuring Samiyah Manhattan and Jonas Alexander Ross

Cooking Up Love by Candace Shaw featuring Shelbi Arrington and Justin Richardson 

And ending lastly with...

Keeping Secrets by Kiru Taye featuring Felix and Ebony

Now I will leave it to you to open up 'Family First' and see what these authors have delivered to the readers.  It will be a good read!

                    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

All of these stories will definitely catch one's eye as you read through each of them.     

Now which one will be your favorite one?  I couldn't pick my favorite because I liked a little bit of all of these romances as they captured my interest.  So, I recommend all of them.

By the end of these beautiful collections of romance reads, the reader is given some "captivating stories of passion, family ties, and Black love" that will put a smile on your face.