Tainted Justice: A Maya Jones Legal Thriller Kindle Edition by Freya Atwood

 Book Excerpt:

"The brilliant yet enigmatic Maya Jones finds herself at the crossroads of justice and her sanity.

When a mysterious woman named Sarah appears on her doorstep seeking legal help, Maya's instincts urge her to take the case. However, the deeper she delves, the more she uncovers Sarah's hidden secrets, and despite everyone's advice to walk away for her own well-being, Maya remains committed to seeking justice.

Haunted by unanswered questions, Maya realizes that to achieve justice, she must untangle the story from all angles, where the lines between ally and adversary blur. In this gripping battle, the price of truth becomes a perilous gamble with her own stability."

Tainted Justice is an exciting, blood-pumping legal thriller written by Freya Atwood and published by Cobalt Fairy.

If you are an avid fan of strong characters, action-packed courtroom drama, and mind-blowing murder mysteries, then you'll love Freya's intriguing story.

Title: Tainted Justice
Author: Freya Atwood
Publisher: Cobalt Fairy LLC
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Tainted Justice" by Freya Atwood

My Sentiments:

'Tainted Justice' was another one of this author's Legal Thrillers that was off the chart; well done. This story will have one wondering if this woman that Maya had thought about taking her case is crazy or what due to the lies that start coming out. Be ready for plenty of twists and turns before the truth emerges. As always, we get plenty of court drama as we see her life emerge, and a change needs to be made. This comes out very well in the extended epilogue.

The Revenge Case: An Jasmine Davis Legal Thriller (Jasmine Davis Legal Thriller Series Book 5) Kindle Edition by Ellis Keler

 Book Excerpt:

"Lawyer Jasmine Davis fights to bring her enemy to justice, only to discover a shocking truth: he knows her darkest secret.

Robert Thornton, a charismatic political figure adored by the crowds, is accused of murder. But the evidence Jasmine had meticulously gathered against him disappears into thin air, crushed under the weight of his power and influence.

Despite the odds, she refuses to back down, determined to uncover the truth, no matter the cost. Her relentless pursuit of justice leads to a survivor's confession and a glimmer of hope. However, she soon realizes that to win this case, she must confront her darkest fear, which leads her to her worst addiction.

The Revenge Case is an exciting, blood-pumping legal thriller written by Ellis Keler and published by Cobalt Fairy.

If you are an avid fan of strong characters, action-packed courtroom drama, and mind-blowing murder mystery, then you'll love Ellis' intriguing story."
Buy "The Revenge Case" today to discover Ellis' new intriguing crime mystery!

Title:  The Revenge Case

Author:  Ellis Keler

Publisher:  Cobalt Fairy LLC

Series:  Jasmine Davis Legal Thriller Book 5

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"The Revenge Case" by Ellis Keler

My Sentiments:  

Will Lawyer Jasmine Davis finally be able to get Robert Thornton convicted of murder, as it seems with him being so adored by all? What will happen when Jasmine promises to help another person who has been raped? Will she be able to get justice for her? This is quite an enjoyable 'blood-pumping legal thriller' read that you cannot put down at the end to get all the questions answered and much more. And yes, there is an extended epilogue that will bring the story all together in the future. I was so glad Jasmine finally confided to Bob.

A Christmas to Remember A Novel by Beverly Jenkins

 Book Excerpt:

"NAACP nominee and USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins returns to her beloved Blessings series with a Christmas wedding in Henry Adams, Kansas.

Ever since Bernadine Brown bought the town of Henry Adams, her relationship with diner owner Malachi "Mal" July has had its ups and downs. But now they're finally ready to say, "I do."

Or are they? As wedding preparations go into full swing and families, both local and extended, begin to gather for the festivities, that long-awaited walk down the aisle looks like an obstacle course.

But Mal and Bernadine's relationship isn't the only one being tested.

Preston Mays, aka Brain, loves his girlfriend as much as he does physics, but his heart is broken when she decides being a couple is no longer a good thing. Will connecting with his bio dad's family ease his pain?

Reverend Paula Grant has patiently waited for God to send her someone to share her life. When the town's charming new chef arrives, she wonders if he could be the one.

And then there's former mayor Riley Curry, who throws a parade with his hog Cletus! There's always a lot going on in Henry Adams, and this will be a Christmas to remember."

Title: A Christmas to Remember
Author: Beverly Jenkins
Publisher: Avon and Harper Voyager, William Morrow Paperbacks
Series: Blessings Book 11
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"A Christmas to Remember" by Beverly Jenkins
My Sentiments:

'A Christmas to Remember' was a lovely read about what happened during this Christmas season in the small town of Henry Adams, Kansas. The story was standalone; however, I suggest that you read the series because there are many characters that I would like to know more about. This is series eleven. But it was still quite an exciting story. It had plenty of drama with emotions all over the place where we see people coming and going in the fantastic town along with some great people.

It was a beautiful read of how this town showed the reader how this place was getting ready for this holiday season...with couples that found love, forever homes for foster children, and big plans for this Christmas season. How will things go for Henry Adams as the new chef, Thornton Webb, who arrives a little early? I don't want to leave out Mayor Sheila, Rev. Paul Grant, Bernadine Brown, Malachi July, Tina Craig, and other interesting characters that give the readers one fantastic series. This was indeed 'A Christmas to Remember' for the town of Henry Adams.

Thank you to Net Gallery and the publisher for the early ARC read and for giving my opinion.

Oct 20th Net Gallery The Hobbit Encyclopedia Kindle Edition by Damien Bador (Author), Vivien Stocker (Author), Coralie Potot (Author), Dominique Vigot (Author)

 Book Excerpt:

"An indispensable and comprehensive guide to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit covering all the characters, places, and objects included in the seminal book that first introduced the world of Middle Earth.

The prequel to The Lord of the Rings (1954) and The Hobbit (1937) is a vibrant work that first introduced us to the world of Middle Earth and set up the fantasy world that would be built upon at greater length in Tolkien's later books. Peter Jackson's trilogy of films based on this single work has helped to create a new generation of Tolkien fans.

In this vast, wide-ranging volume are detailed entries on all the characters, creatures, and places encountered in the story and others on the languages, sources of inspiration, and iconic objects and events.
 
Richly illustrated with original color drawings, this indispensable guide will allow you to explore Middle Earth in greater depth, decipher the Dwarves' alphabet, and discover the legendary sources of Tolkien's inspiration.

Title: The Hobbit Encyclopedia
Authors: Damien Bador, Vivien Stocker, Coralie Potat, & Dominique Vigot
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Hobbit Encyclopedia" by Various Authors above.

My Sentiments:

The Hobbit Encyclopedia was quite interesting. It told us about the characters [with my favorite ones being Bilbo Baggins, Galadriel, Gandalf, and Legolas, to name a few]. It continues to its Peoples and Creatures and the Languages and writing systems that will keep one's interest as you turn the pages for more. This encyclopedia will be fantastic with all its illustrations, especially if you are into the Hobbits story and the Lord of the Rings series. I recommend you pick this one up.

Thank you to NetGallery for this copy.

Obsession by Stuart Woods & Brett Battles

Book Excerpt:

"Teddy Fay must put all his skills to the test in this electrifying new adventure in the New York Times bestselling series.

While filming on location in scenic Santa Barbara, California, Peter Barrington and Ben Bacchetti look to expand Centurion Studios' business by making a deal with a young Croatian tech billionaire. But when the magnate’s wife is kidnapped, Teddy Fay is brought in to assess the threat and recover the young woman.

As Teddy unravels the threads of her disappearance, he quickly comes to find an old vendetta seethes at the center, one that puts them all at risk. The danger lurks even nearer to home as an obsessive fan with perilous intentions weasels his way onto the film set. Only Teddy can stop him from getting too close for comfort."

Title: Obsession
Author: Stuart Woods & Brett Battles
Publisher: PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons
Series: Teddy Fay Book 6
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Obsession" by Stuart Woods & Brett Battles
My Sentiments:

Wow, what a wonderful read as we see Teddy Fay is back at it again as an actor, Mark, and producer [Teddy/Mark/Billy]. We will see Teddy will also have to deal with an obsessive fan who was after a man's wife and there will be more...

It is good to see how well these authors bring it out to the reader as we see how this entertaining, filled with suspense, intrigue, twists, turns, and glitz read will be put so well in this series. 'Obsession' is one of those reads that it will be hard to put down until the end. The story will be quite an enjoyable CIA/Double Agent type that will keep one turning the pages to see how these two plots are brought out in the end.

Thank you to Netgallery and the publisher for the review copy of your read.

How to Say Babylon A Memoir by Safiya Sinclair

 Book Excerpt:

"With echoes of Educated and Born a Crime, How to Say Babylon is the stunning story of the author’s struggle to break free of her rigid Rastafarian upbringing, ruled by her father’s strict patriarchal views and repressive control of her childhood, to find her own voice as a woman and poet.

Throughout her childhood, Safiya Sinclair’s father, a volatile reggae musician, and militant adherent to a strict sect of Rastafari, became obsessed with her purity, in particular, with the threat of what Rastas call Babylon, the immoral and corrupting influences of the Western world outside their home. He worried that womanhood would make Safiya and her sisters morally weak and impure, and believed a woman’s highest virtue was her obedience.

To keep Babylon outside the gate, he forbade almost everything. In place of pants, the women in her family were made to wear long skirts and dresses to cover their arms and legs, head wraps to cover their hair, no make-up, no jewelry, no opinions, no friends. Safiya’s mother, while loyal to her father, nonetheless gave Safiya and her siblings the gift of books, including poetry, to which Safiya latched on for dear life. As Safiya watched her mother struggle voicelessly for years under housework and the rigidity of her father’s beliefs, she increasingly used her education as a sharp tool with which to find her voice and break free. Inevitably, with her rebellion comes clashes with her father, whose rage and paranoia explode in increasing violence. As Safiya’s voice grows, lyrically and poetically, a collision course is set between them."

Title: How to Say Babylon
Author: Safiya Sinclair
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"How to Say Babylon" by Safiya Sinclair

My Sentiments:

'How to Say Babylon' was a different kind of read for me in that it was a 'poet's memoir, of a girl named Safiya Sinclair coming to age story, who was born to parents who wanted to be free of the legacies of slavery and colonialism in Jamaica.' Sinclair tells us a story of her growing up in a voiceless family in a Rastafari household, where there was abuse, control, and poverty, and from its Jamaican history, and culture, with its mythology along with being personal and political in its deliverance. This was quite an interesting story of this young girl growing up under her father's rule and with the teachings of Rastafarian as one is reading the rules 'ranged from what they could eat, to how they wore their hair and where they could go.' This was taken out by her domineering father to his wife, and four children. Was Safiya happy with these rules? Why was her father so abusive and harsh? But still, Safiya seemed to understand why he was like this. If it wasn't a Rastafarian world for their father it was 'Babylon' for his family. It was good to see that Safiya did get some love and strength from her mother in giving her books to read. This story will give one a lot to ponder over long after the read.

This is where I say you must pick up this read to see how the author brings out this memoir to the reader. Yes, I did find the reading somewhat heartbreaking and painful in some instances. But still a good read.

Thank you to Net Gallery and its publisher for the reading of this ARC.

We Are One: A Soulmates + Enigma Series Story (The Enigma Series Book 4) Kindle Edition by Aja

 Book Excerpt:

"Two sets of siblings. One father. Now meet.

A father's dream to completely recompense for his wrongs and love all his children together is granted to him. Will it be drama, or will it be all love? Maybe it'll be both.

We Are One is a part of both The Soulmates Series and The Enigma Series. It's best read after reading both so that what's understood, need not be explained."

Title:  We Are One

Author:  Aja

Publisher:  She Loves Words Publishing LLC

Series:  The Enigma Series Book 4

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating;  Five

Review:

"We Are One" by Aja

My Sentiments:  

'We Are One' was an enduring story.  To fully understand this series 4, one must read 1-2 & 3.  I love the story with all these characters coming through to give the readers how family can come through for one another.  Wow, what a group of people .. around that table ... Elijah, Aaliyah, Shine, Raj, Mena, Eli, Sarai, Malachi, Solomon, Zora, Zola, Khalil, Rae, Zena, Zoe, Rashaad, Star, Rashida, and I am sure I have left someone out.  Will they be able to come together, especially for this big event?  'We Are One' is a read you must read so pick up this whole series to see for yourself how all of this story will come out for this family.