Plenty (Keatchie Corner Book 2) Kindle Edition by Danyelle Scroggins

 Book Excerpt:

"She wants to be a size eight, but I love every part of her.

I want Angel.

And I'll run to the ends of the earth just to be with her.

But I realize she might not want me. She's always joking about my bad relationships, but I don't see her offering herself to me.

Something is stopping her, and it's not the fact that we've known each other mostly all of our lives.

It's the fact that she's so caught up in this imaginary Instagram world of being with the perfect man that she can't see how bright her future would be with me.

She doesn't understand that sometimes pictures portray a fake world. What you see isn't always what you get.

Because some people would rather hide behind the lens which denotes happiness instead of seeking their own journey to true love and commitment.

And some people will stop at nothing to get that imaginary world that leads to pain and lies.

All I need Angel to see is that for me, she's Plenty."

Title: Plenty
Author: Denyelle Scroggins
Publisher: Divinely Sown (DS Publishing)
Series: Keatchie Corner Book 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Plenty" by Danyelle Scroggins

My Assessment:

I love this short, sweet read, 'Plenty.' This author gives us a delightful read featuring Angle and Logan. It was funny that these two already loved each other but seemed to be waiting for someone to speak up. Angle's sister Alexis was too cute, and all she wanted was for her sister and Logan to open their eyes to how they felt about one another. It was funny how this well-written story came out for the reader. Who will do what to get this ball rolling...well, you will have to pick up this novella to see how well this author delivers it to the reader. And, the story will be sweetly done. 

French Braid A novel by Anne Tyler

 Book Excerpt:

"From the beloved best-selling, Pulitzer Prize-winning author—a funny, joyful, brilliantly perceptive journey deep into one Baltimore family's foibles, from a boyfriend with a red Chevy in the 1950s up to a longed-for reunion with a grandchild in our pandemic present.

The Garretts take their first and last family vacation in the summer of 1959. They hardly ever leave home, but they have never been farther apart in some ways. Mercy has trouble resisting the siren call of her aspirations to be a painter, which means less time keeping house for her husband, Robin. Their teenage daughters, steady Alice and boy-crazy Lily could not have less in common. Their youngest, David, is already intent on escaping his family's orbit for reasons none of them understand. Yet, as these lives advance across decades, the Garretts' influences on one another ripple ineffably but unmistakably through each generation.
 
Full of heartbreak and hilarity, French Braid is classic Anne Tyler: a stirring, uncannily insightful novel of tremendous warmth and humor that illuminates the kindnesses and cruelties of our daily lives, the impossibility of breaking free from those who love us, and how close—yet how unknowable—every family is to itself."

Title: French Braid
Author: Anne Tyler
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Knopf
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:
"French Braid" by Anne Tyler

My Assessment:

"French Braid" was just a read about the Garrett family for three generations starting in 1959 and goes through the ending of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. I loved how this author brought the pandemic into the story. This family consisted of the father [Robin], mother [Mercy], and three children... Alice, the oldest, Lily, and David. We follow this family through decades was like a 'French Braid' that has been unraveled, showing where each character had their 'way to fulfilling their impulses, therefore many times unwilling to conform their desires when it came to the cost of the others members in the family...that's how families work.'

The author gives the reader quite a read as the story goes through years in the lives of this family from marriage, weddings, births, successes with lots of changes coming from and bringing on disagreements, and misconceptions, spoken and unspoken. But still showing there was a love of the family that did bind them somehow. So be ready as the reader will be shown definite details and peculiarities of some of these characters.

The story will leave one being able to resonate quite a bite from this story of what went on in this Garrett family and just how close they were. But, I still had a feeling whether the Garrett family were truly happy or not?

Thank you very much to Knopf Doubleday and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Ronnie and Clyde 3: The Finale Kindle Edition by Jade Jones

 Book Excerpt:

"The Long-Awaited Finale Is Finally Here!!!

Ronnie and Clyde have built a nest and are working towards a long, fulfilling love life filled with happiness—but their long list of enemies have other plans. Clyde's biggest mistake was letting his rivals continue to breathe and know that every decision has come back to haunt him. To sleep peacefully at night, he has to cross them off his list one by one. If not, they will only continue to be a threat to those he loves—particularly his wife and child.

Can Ronnie and Clyde persevere despite the many obstacles and enemies they face? Or will their adversaries crush them before they get their happily ever after? Find out in the action-packed and drama-filled final installment of "Ronnie and Clyde."

***This urban fiction romance is a completed series***

Title: Ronnie and Clyde 3
Author: Jade Jones
Publisher: Jaded Publications
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Ronnie and Clyde 3: The Finale" by Jade Jones

My Assessment:

All that is left to say about 'Ronnie and Clyde 3' is if you have read any of this author's novels, you know what she can bring to the reader. And I will say she brought it all to a climax in how this story ended for Clyde and Ronne. It seems that all were out to get Clyde and Ronnie, but the tables turned as it was for quite a few of the characters got their karma ...I think you can say...all of them did in one form or another...from Polo, Chill, Boogie, Ana, Rondo, Nina, Ross, Vader, and let's not forget Polo's dad. And let's not forget Daya...I guess we all know why she went crazy on Arnez. Think who called Daya? Yes, there were a lot of killings going on...but what would you aspect from what had been going on previously from this series?

Oh, I will say I felt so sorry for baby Carter...he will definitely need some help with much therapy after all that little fellow went through. Now that I think of it, both Ronnie and Clyde will need it too.

This was some series...so if this isn't your kind of read...it's OK. However, the author brings it all out, and we find out who will be left standing, after all, is said and done?

Reminders of Him: A Novel Kindle Edition by Colleen Hoover

 Book Excerpt:

"A troubled young mother yearns for a shot at redemption in this heartbreaking yet hopeful story from #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover.

After serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna Rowan returns to the town where it all went wrong, hoping to reunite with her four-year-old daughter. But the bridges Kenna burned are proving impossible to rebuild. Everyone in her daughter's life is determined to shut Kenna out, no matter how hard she works to prove herself.

The only person who hasn't closed the door on her completely is Ledger Ward, a local bar owner and one of the few remaining links to Kenna's daughter. But if anyone were to discover how Ledger is slowly becoming an important part of Kenna's life, both would risk losing the trust of everyone important to them.

The two form a connection despite the pressure surrounding them, but as their romance grows, so does the risk. Kenna must find a way to absolve the mistakes of her past to build a future out of hope and healing."

Title: Reminders of Him
Author: Colleen Hoover
Publisher: Montlake
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Reminders of Him" by Colleen Hoover"

My Assessment:

'Reminders of Him' was a beautiful story that will stay with one long after the read that dealt so well with 'love, heartbreak, pain, empathy, grief, and the power of forgiveness.'

We find Kenna Rowan, who was now out of prison, wanting above all to get to know her daughter Diem. However, the only person that Kenna could relate with about her daughter was Ledger Ward, Scottie's best friend. But the scene will change as 'their romance grow, and so will the risk.' It seems like all Kenna was trying 'to do right and make amends for the tragic past.'

What will happen when Scottie's parents confront ledger over the issue of Kenna in these unexpected twists of fate? This is where I say you will have to pick up this excellent read and see how well the author gives the reader quite a good read that will clear everything all up. The side characters were all well-developed, giving one something that would keep you turning the pages to see what was coming next with this rough issue of what was going on.

Be ready for an honest, emotionally gritty read that will leave you with feelings about how this story will all comes out...' featuring tragedy, growth, and forgiveness.'

These words were so eloquent taken from the story:

"I'm sorry.

Thank you.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

Repeat."

The narrators did an excellent job in telling the story.

The Wedding Setup: A Short Story Kindle Edition by Sonali Dev

 Book Excerpt

"From USA Today bestselling author Sonali Dev comes with a heartfelt short story about one woman's journey of self-discovery and what it means to be happy.

Ayesha Shetty lost her brother seven years ago; at the same time, she lost everything else important to her: her dreams, her fierce independence, and the man she loved. So, not wanting to see her mother hurt anymore, she put her wild self away and became the dutiful daughter her mother needed and took on her brother's role in the family business.

Now her best friend's big, fat Indian wedding is a chance to get away from her endless duties at the restaurant and maybe even have some fun (if she remembers how). But a setup arranged by her mother, with a doctor no less, is the last thing she needs. The fact that he checks all her mother's boxes just makes everything better…and worse.

Then Emmitt Hughes shows up. Her brother's best friend. The love she once chose over family duties and her responsibilities. The one she asked to leave, and who did. The one who knows the real Ayesha. Torn between a love from the past that could cost her the only person she has left and her sense of obligation to her mother, will Ayesha find the strength to stop thinking about what everyone else wants and finally put herself first? Or is the old Ayesha genuinely gone for good?"

Title: The Wedding Setup
Author: Sonali Dev
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Wedding Setup" by Sonali Dev

My Assessment:

'The Wedding Setup' was a short, sweet light romance of getting the love on the second time around. It seems like all was going well for Ayesha Shetty, then a tragedy happens...her brother dies. For some reason, she was left thinking she needed to change for the sake that her mother needed her. So, what does she do... she sends her friend [Emmett] away, giving up her independence and love. However, Ayesha's best friend Bela, who was getting married, was determined to do something special for her friend. The author did an excellent job in how Bela's wedding becomes the focal point of how the story comes together for Ayesha and Emmett. I don't want to share too much because I think you will enjoy how the story all comes together, as it seems like even Ayesha's mom was aware of certain essential things about her daughter. The story was beautifully set up in how these two find their way back to each other and happiness of finally getting what they wanted, and that was each other.

Rocky Road Dreams: A Christmas Novel (The Candy Beach Series Book 5) Kindle Edition by Cecelia Dowdy

 Book Excerpt:

"♥The Candy Beach Series ♥

Melanie used to be in love with Kyle's identical twin. Could she really have feelings for Kyle - or does she like him because he reminds her of his brother?

Lawyer Kyle Baxter had a secret crush on Melanie Richards for years, but she was smitten with his identical twin brother, Keith. So recently sober, he takes a Christmas-time hiatus from his law firm. Instead, he rents a beach house - right across the street from Melanie. As he uncovers secrets about his past, he's determined to learn more about his mother, who died when he was a baby.

Obese as a child, Melanie Richards is now slender and beautiful. She owns an herbal health food store. However, having her own business comes with a high price. Her uncle agrees to finance her shop as long as she decides to mentor Chloe, her drunken, wayward, 21-year-old cousin. Chloe's erratic behavior wreaks havoc in Melanie's life. Can a Christmas road trip help them solve Kyle's and Chloe's problems? Is Melanie attracted to Kyle because he resembles his twin, or does she love Kyle for himself?"

Order this delightful, tasty Christmas story today!
Books in The Candy Beach Series
Caramel Kisses - 0
Chocolate Dreams - 1
Milk Chocolate Kisses - 2
Bittersweet Dreams - 3
Coffee and Kisses - 4
Rocky Road Dreams (A Christmas Novel) - 5

Title: Rocky Road Dreams:  A Christmas Novel
Author: Cecelia Dowdy
Publisher: Divine Desserts Publishing LLC
Series: The Candy Beach Series Book 5
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Rocky Road Dreams" by Cecelia Dowdy

My Assessment:

"Rock Road Dreams" was another of this author's good reads. The read goes right along with the rest of the series. The story was very inspiring that will keep one turning the pages to see what was coming next for Kyle and Melanie. It felt for Kyle as he was trying to work with his struggle with alcoholism as Melanie was working with her weight and job problems and her family conflicts with her uncle and cousin. While the story continues with Kyle having had feelings for Melanie, would she be able to comply with his feelings for him after she finds out more about his struggles? It was so good to see Kyle now having a relationship with his twin brother as he tries to work his problem. And whr\at all comes out after Kyle goes through his mother's things? Will Kyle and his brother Kevin get the answers they wanted about their mother? Yes, we all have 'faults and weaknesses,' but what will happen when it all comes out? Will Melanie and Kyle finally get their HEA?
To get the inside of this beautiful story, one will have to pick up this good read and see how well this author brings it all out. So be ready for a good read in the midwest blizzard, which will have decisions that will be made along with eating some sweet chocolate candy.

In the story...there was a mention of Kyle making 'Rocky Road Dreams,' which was candy...and I bet it was as good as it sounded!

ENVY (The Love Is Cure, Vol 1. Vices & Virtues Series Book 4) Kindle Edition by Brookelyn Mosley

 Book Excerpt:

"She's an egocentric journalist, enkindled with envy for earthly possessions belonging to others.  But, on the other hand, he's knowingly kindhearted, kin to a journalism king, and has immense respect and duty to kinship.  They would never have crossed paths in any other circumstance, but when they do, it becomes an enlightening tale of when opposites attract.

Mykal Jones

"I hated Desmond when we first met because he stole my hopes and dreams.  He waltzed right into my life and jeopardized the fruits of my hard work.  That shouldn't surprise me, though, because this always happens to me.  I should be used to coming out the loser in this game of life, especially when it involves heart matters.  So, yeah, I hated him with his perfect smile and his perfect existence.  Desmond's name alone is a golden ticket in print media, and I can't help but hate him for that too.  But what I hate most of all is that his heart is so pure that he can have everything he wants because he deserves it.  So what does he want with me?"

Desmond Ellis III

"I hated how Mykal and I met.  She formed a negative first impression of me almost immediately where there need not have been.  My intentions were never to be drawn to her or anyone, anyway.  I was on a mission to carry out my father's dream and bring his vision to life, but I suppose God had a better plan to feed two birds with one seed.  Because the way Mykal waltzed right into my life and stole my heart took me completely off guard.  And what's worse is her stealing my heart and jeopardizing my plans is something she doesn't realize she's done.  She is perfectly imperfect with raw potential, which makes her perfect for me.  But how do I get her to see for herself that I'm perfect for her too?"

Many know envy as a heart sin, potent enough to cause unhappiness.  It's the most socially acceptable of the seven deadly sins because envy is deeply rooted in human nature.  But, if love is kind and also patient, can a virtuous love save an envious heart from self-destruction?"

*This book contains sexually explicit content, parental illness, and instances of verbal abuse.  If any of the previously mentioned are triggers for you, please browse my catalog to find another story that will fit the reading experience you desire.

**ENVY is a standalone and the fourth book in The Love is Cure, Vol. 1 - Vices & Virtues series.  Seven books make up this series.  GLUTTONY is next…

Title: Envy
Author: Brookelyn Mosley
Publisher: 85 Media LLC
Series: The Love Is Cure, Vol 1 Vices & Virtues Series Book 4
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Envy" by Brookelyn Mosley

My Assessment:

'Envy' was a good read about how two people, Mykal and Desmond, came together in quite an intriguing way; these two finally ended up. Since they more or less go from enemies to lovers. But how could that happen when Mykal hated Desmond... so it seems. It all starts when one receives a promotion that she should have received it. Will these two be able to work together? With Mykal having so many issues, you will have to pick up this good read to see how it will work out for her as she deals with several severe problems that one will pick up from the read. It was good that Desmond was there to help Mykal get the help she needed. For Desmond having a parent with Alzheimer's, he also had quite a challenging issue. It was a good read how this author presents help for those dealing with one who finds themselves by getting help. Will Mykal finally get the life she wanted and find someone to love her? You will need to pick up"Envy.'