The Bluebonnet Battle Kindle Edition by Carolyn Brown

Book Excerpt:

"New York Times bestselling author Carolyn Brown's heartwarming novel about old rivalries, young love, and a lemon meringue pie to die for.

In Bonnet, Texas, Liddy Latham, the queen of funeral dinners, keeps a southern comfort-food tradition alive—until fancy-schmancy Matilda Monroe moves back to town. She wants room at the table for her own style of consolation and closure: healthy, modern, and vegan. But this is about more than fried chicken versus tofu turkey. Matilda's return is also stirring up their volatile, unresolved history. And just when they thought it couldn't get more personal…

Matilda's son, Nick, and Liddy's niece, Amelia, have met, and the sparks are flying. But, for Matilda and Liddy, their precious kin's romance is their worst nightmare. Now, it's all Nick and Amelia can do to survive a family feud with the whole town talking.

The battle for the funeral dinner crown is on. As two strong-willed women wrestle for control, making peace with the past may be the only way to give star-crossed lovers a happy ending.

Title: The Bluebonnet Battle
Author: Carolyn Brown
Publisher: Montlake
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Bluebonnet Battle" by Carolyn Brown

My Assessment:

"The Bluebonnet Battle" was quite a read in that it was a good story but also sad when it came to families that don't want to get along. Yes, there were some good times with some good memories in how this story ends. This small town had some characters that were something else and left one shaking their head and saying, oh my goodness...can't they get along for the children's sake? But I guess this is the way it is for some people, not being able to forgive and forget. Will that person ever realize what a loss they have made for themselves in the end? To see a person so filled with hate was quite something to read. When Amelia and Nick fall... I will stop here and say for the reader to pick up 'The Bluebonnet Battle' and see if there will be a win for these two people who were caught in the middle of this mess. The story, even though it was thoughtfully presented with one be faced with the return of a longtime arch-nemesis, be ready for a lot of laughing out loud as you continue turning the pages getting through this story.

 

Savage Bloodline: Nero: A Limited Edition Mafia Collection Kindle Edition by Amarie Avant & Xavier Neal

 Book Excerpt:

Darkness lurks behind their gazes. There's something sinister about their smiles. Their name incites fear in their enemies. They are the DeLucas, and one word describes them best. SAVAGE.

The men of the DeLuca family are proof that the bigger the alpha, the harder they fall… in love.

Title: Savage Bloodline: Nero
Authors: Amarie Avant & Xavier Neal
Publisher: I Love Diverse Romance
Series: A Limited Edition Mafia Collection
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Savage Bloodline Nero" by Amarie Avant & Xavier Neal

My Assessment:

These authors did their work by presenting this savage family...of Nero Deluca, who wasn't only smooth by ruthless. But what will happen when Elle, Ms feisty, comes into the picture showing another side of Nero's protective side and all of his kinkiness. What was up with Nero's shoe issues? After all that has gone wrong with a business deal with her family, she isn't afraid of Nero in their fake marriage. So will Elle be able to get the protection she needs from that crazy step-family of hers after her family tries to get her away from Nero? To get it all... pick up this anthology which is a good read with the mafia play with twists and, oh my, the hot streamy kinks, along with many other stories that will keep you turning the pages till the end with this Mafia Collection.

The Reunion Kindle Edition by Meghan Quinn

 The Excerpt:

"From the USA Today, bestselling author of The Wedding Game, comes a new romantic comedy about the antics that ensue when three siblings come together for their parents' fiftieth-anniversary party.

Martin and Peggy Chance believe love should last a lifetime. With their fiftieth wedding anniversary on the horizon, they've modeled a beautiful relationship for their three grown children. But to their dismay, that lesson hasn't quite caught on—the three siblings just can't seem to take a chance and find love in their own lives.

There's Ford, the eldest, devoted to his work and resistant to romance…or so he claims. Cooper, the middle child, can't get past his divorce—until he reconnects with a feisty baker from his past. And Palmer, the family's baby, is the free-spirited world traveler who always pictured herself with someone other than a handsome small-town family doctor.

When the Chance siblings come together to plan the ultimate anniversary party for their parents, they'll have to navigate romantic entanglements, sibling rivalries, and the definitive end of their childhood. Whatever happens, The Reunion promises to be a fun, flirty, wild ride."

Title: The Reunion
Author: Meghan Quinn
Publisher: Montlake
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Reunion" by Meghan Quinn

My Assessment:

'The Reunion; was quite a ride for the Chance family with Martin and Peggy celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary and thought it would be good to get their three children together to help plan this party. However, it seems like the Chance children...Ford, Cooper, and Palmer were not in agreement on who was to do what when dealing with all of the details for this party. Why was that? Will they ever figure out just what the problem was that was going on among the three children, or should I say, adults? There will be a lot going on that the reader will keep intrigued to keep turning the pages to see what is coming next... Ford with his situation, Cooper, with a new interest, and Palmer, who was truly a mess with her situation that she seemed to be running from. Be prepared for six points of view [from the Chance siblings and the other three coming from the sibling's love interest that the reader will have to keep up with, which may be a little hard along with all the sibling drama that came to light. The story will 'cover love, loss, divorce, romance, complex family relationships, emotional, funny, healing, and some needed therapy.' The narrators were OK...sometimes I thought a few of them talked too fast, but otherwise, it was understandable.

All in all, the reader will get a good story from the author and by the end of the story, believe this...it all works out so well for this Chance family.

Something So Sweet (Honey Hill Book 1) Kindle Edition by Joy Avery

 Book Excerpt:

"A devoted small-town mayor confronts an old flame over the fate of a historic inn in this delightful romance from author Joy Avery.

Honeybees, history, and small-town charm are what Honey Hill, North Carolina, is all about. Its mayor, Lunden Pierce, will stop at nothing to protect its historical landmarks and distinctive character. She's Honey Hill's greatest champion.

But everything changes when Lunden's childhood sweetheart, Quade Cannon, returns to town. Though Quade has fond memories of his summers in Honey Hill, he has no use for the historic Inn he's inherited—or the honeybees living in its yard. So his plan is to sell the Inn and reap the rewards.

The threat to Honey Hill's history means war for Lunden, though. Determined to change Quade's mind, she immerses him in the town's charm and its honeybee culture. But while he's falling for Honey Hill, he falls for Lunden, too—and the feeling is mutual. So as their summer romance heats up, Lunden has a choice to make: the town she loves or the man who threatens to change it."

Title: Something So Sweet
Author: Joy Avery
Publisher: Montlake
Series: HoneyHill Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Something So Sweet" by Joy Avery

My Assessment:

"Something So Sweet" was just that... an incredible story of how two people who were once lovers
were able to get a second chance at love. This story was taken from a small town, Honey Hill, North Carolina, in which the mayor Lunden Pierce was the heroine, and the hero Quade Cannon had inherited an estate from his aunt [Ms. Shugga Hawthorne] who had passed away. Quade had in his mind that he would come to town and sell the property that he had inherited and move on with his life. Still, things will happen that put a stop to his plan...being 'his childhood sweetheart Lunden, who was now mayor and wouldn't give up without a fight, all because she knew the importance of Honey Hill's historical landmarks such as this coveted historic Inn was to the town.

The characters were all well-developed, giving the reader quite an intriguing read, and let's not leave out Lunden's delighted six-year-old son Zachary. He had befriended Quade...loving the connection these two had with each other. What will happen as Lunden and Quade start falling for each other again as steamy chemistry rises between the two? Will these two be able to 'deal with their relationship, business relationship and come to grips with their past relationships?' What did 1 - 4 -3 mean between Lunden and Quade? To find out all of these answers to these questions and more, you will have to pick up "Something So Sweet" to see how well this author brings it all out to the reader.

Be ready for a fun second chance romantic read of a town full of nosy townsfolk, gossipers, emotions, drama, and laughter that will keep your attention with all of the banterings in the read.

I loved the ending...quote... "We fall in love by chance. We stay in love by choice. I choose you to love, Lunden. I choose you." – Quade Cannon.

No Ordinary Forgiveness: A Christian Romance Novel (Beyond Ordinary Book 1) Kindle Edition by Taretha Jones

 Book Excerpt:

"No one really wants to be alone in the world. That's what thirty-something Lisa realizes when she loses her mother. Seeing that she's an only child whose father walked out on her when she was a toddler, she often feels like it's just her and God. So when she meets handsome and single Tyrone Blake, their attraction to each other is almost instantaneous. Tyrone loves God's word, and so does Lisa. In fact, she's a woman after God's own heart. But nobody's perfect — not even Lisa — which becomes brutally evident when a secret Tyrone's carrying almost tears Lisa's world apart. In the end, will Lisa's quest for holiness, and her love for God be the vehicle for all the love she's been searching for?

Title:  No Ordinary Forgiveness

Author:  Taretha Jones

Publisher:  Firstman Publications 

Series:  Beyond Ordinary Book 1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"No Ordinary Forgiveness" by Taretha Jones

My Assessment:  

'No Ordinary Forgiveness' was a sweet Christian romance story featuring Lisa and Tyrone that dealt with 'forgiveness, redemption, and faith.'  How Lazarus, formerly Henry, came up with this idea of getting his daughter back in his life with a few twists was indeed something to read. This author gives the reader a good read on how things can change when seeking God's will as He will 'work all things out for our good.'  

If you are looking for an excellent sweet Christian read with romance, 'No Ordinary Forgiveness' will give it to you.   

Sevyn - (The Smoke & Fire Series) Paranormal Romance Kindle Edition by Keta Kendric

 Book Excerpt:

"Dana is the pampered daughter of a wealthy diplomat by day, but she hunts monsters at night. After witnessing a brutal home invasion that resulted in her mother's death, she takes extreme measures to avenge her. Tracking the men responsible is arduous work but killing them is next to impossible.

Neal thinks his new assignment, protection for the diplomat's daughter, will be a walk in the park. Trained for combat, the last thing he wants is to babysit some spoiled, rich woman. When he stumbles upon Dana's secret life of monsters and mayhem, he finds he may be the one that needs protecting."

Note: This book is a Re-Release from the version originally published in 2014. Additional action and romance were added to enhance your reading pleasure.

Warning: This book contains violence, explicit language, and sexual content intended for adults. If you don't enjoy paranormal, supernatural, or urban fantasy books, this may not be the book for you.

Title: Sevyn
Author: Keta Kendric
Publisher: K.K.
Series: The Smoke & Fire Series
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Sevyn" by Keta Kendric

My Assessment:

'Sevyn' was an action-packed, entertaining paranormal romance read that will keep you turning the pages to see what's coming next. The author did a fantastic job putting Dana, aka Sevyn, who worked for the TOP agency that dealt with supernatural monsters, and Neal together, who worked for the same TOP agency, but now he was assigned for Dana's security. So, they both had some superpowers. Dana wanted revenge for what had happened to her mother, but it looks like she didn't have all of the correct facts about what happened to her in that situation. And it appears that Neal had his own set of problems with what had happened to him earlier in his life. Will these two be able to sort out the battle that was going on with them as secrets start coming out? However, as the two got closer, they were now working together hunting these monsters. Will there be a love story coming from all this between Dana and Neal? To find out the answers to many of the questions, the reader will have to pick up this good read and see how well this author brings it all out. And the reader will be left wanting to know more about Neal's story.

The Younger Wife A Novel by Sally Hepworth

 Book Excerpt:

"THE HUSBAND

A heart surgeon at the top of his field, Stephen Aston, is getting married again. But first, he must divorce his current wife, even though she can no longer speak for herself.

THE DAUGHTERS
Tully and Rachel Aston look upon their father's fiancée, Heather, as nothing but an interloper. Heather is younger than both of them. Clearly, she's after their father's money.

THE FORMER WIFE
With their mother in a precarious position, Tully and Rachel are determined to get to the
the truth about their family's secrets, the new wife, closing in, and who their father really is.

THE YOUNGER WIFE
Heather has secrets of her own. Will getting to the truth unleash the most dangerous impulses
in all of them?"

Title: The Younger Wife
Author: Sally Hepworth
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Younger Wife" by Sally Hepworth

My Assessment:

'The Younger Wife' was quite interesting in how this author lays it all out for the reader. As a result, one will not be bored because every page is an engaging read from start to finish...definitely a page-turner!

Imagine...having two daughters [Rachel & Tully] who are adults...in their thirties. Along with that having a wife [Pamela] who is being divorced by her husband Stephen, but wait...she has advanced dementia and is living in a care facility. And there is more to this concoction...that is going on...the husband [Stephen], who is 60 years old, a doctor, is now engaged to a younger lady [Heather] that is even younger than his two daughters!!! So we are given the POVs of all of the women.

OK, you know this story is going to be good? Or what can one expect of this kind of read? Well, it will be a lot going on...so you will have to keep up all of the secrets and surprises that have been well hidden that start coming out. For example, what was really going on with Stephen? Were their mind games being played between these women?

Stephen invites his daughters to a luncheon to meet Heather, his fiance, and the story starts. However, the novel does open at the wedding, and the story will continue around it.

We find each of the ladies has their own personal issues...Rachel...food accession, Tully...shoplifting, Heather...alcohol...Pamela...ill from Alzheimer's... and Stephen...well, that's another issue all by itself. Oh, was there another wife? How will this all come out for them to learn about this engagement? Will, there be a wedding/marriage, and what is going on in the story? The memory of it all, trauma, and the drama will be significant in the story that will profoundly affect one's perceptions and beliefs of it all.

One will be captivated by this story because there are so many twists and turns that by the end, one will probably be shaking their head and left saying, WHAT??? Yes, what is true and what is not! So, if I have caught your interest at all...you must pick up this novel and see for yourself how this author unfolds this story for the reader. One will definitely feel 'who was the victim or the culprit?


Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin's Press, for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.