Wings of Grace By Vanessa Davis Griggs

"In Vanessa Davis Griggs' eagerly anticipated sequel to Promises Beyond Jordan, Pastor George Landris is back, but this time he's sharing the spotlight with a family of strong-willed, true-to-life women who must struggle to overcome wounded spirits and severed ties. Richly populated with complex, unforgettable characters, Wings of Grace is a fresh and engaging novel, Griggs' finest to date.

Because Lena Patterson never enjoyed a fulfilling relationship with her mother, she is determined to break the cycle and be there one-hundred percent for her now-pregnant daughter, Theresa. Raised by her strong and loving grandmother, Lena looks forward to playing a central role in her own grandchild's life. Then an older woman shows up on Theresa's doorstep looking for Lena. Lena is dubious, convinced that the woman is just looking to get her hands on an heirloom necklace. As painful memories from the distant past re-emerge, the ties that bind a mother to her daughter seem primed to endure a wrenching test.

Meanwhile, wedding bells are fast approaching for Pastor Landris and his fiancée, writer Johnnie Mae Taylor. But circumstances are taking shape that threatens to place Landris's pastorship, and his life, in grave jeopardy. Johnnie Mae, for her part, has embarked on a journey of her own. Performing research for an upcoming book, she crosses paths with Sarah Fleming, an old woman whose story will expose a range of startling truths and, ultimately, reshape the nature of Johnnie Mae's faith."

Title:  Winds Of Grace

Author;  Vanessa Davis Griggs

Publisher:  Free To Soar

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review

Wings Of Grace by Vanessa Davis Griggs

My Thoughts...

All I can say is Author Vanessa Griggs is a wonderful story telling.  She definitely gives her readers something good to read all the time.  "Wings Of Grace" was absolutely a wonderful story fulled with a good story along with Biblical scriptures that went along with each chapter that showed 'love, unity, greed, romance, mystery, loyalty of family and true friends.'  This is definitely a inspirational and intriguing  christian fiction novel that will touch ones heart. This story really goes with the saying 'What is done in the dark will come to the light.' 

     

      

     

  

Review:

"Wings

The Lover By: Nia Forrester

Book Description...

"Ryann Walker knows she’s a difficult woman; difficult enough that it would take a rare, and special breed of man to take her on permanently. Thankfully, she isn’t looking for that. What she does want is a baby. And after a rash decision made during a one-night stand, she just may be having one, with the very successful, good-looking, but completely wrong for her, Spencer Hall.

But once Spencer learns that he may become a father, Ryann just can’t shake him. He isn’t interested in being an absentee parent; and she isn’t interested in having a man hang around who is hell-bent on crawling into her heart, breaking down her defenses and unearthing all her secrets, including the ugliest one of all."

Title:  The Lover

Author:  Nia Forrester

Publisher:  Stiletto Press, LLC

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"The Lover" by Nia Forrester

My Thoughts...

Interesting read that will keep the reader entertained all the way to the end with some thoughtful characters and some very relatable scenarios. Ryann was definitely one that could get on your last nerves but in the end she does come around with her independent spirit and with Spencer's no nonsense personality and the babies maybe even getting their HEA. By the end of this read the author gives the reader quite a love story with come very 'complexed characters, social issues' that will all come together with such a wonderful depth dealing with 'love, trauma and drama' that will leave the readers only wanting more.  This was definitely a Ryann and Spenser's story and this author Nia Forrester gives the readers quite a well written story!

RUN: The 5th installment in the Chloe Daniels Mysteries by Deidra D. S. Green

Book Description...

"Dr. Chloe Daniels is behind the eight ball. Although Anna Black is behind bars, the trial is still pending. Anna wants to be free. The state wants her dead. Dr. Daniels continues to work closely with Detective Phillips to find out who the Baby Doll Killer is, yet, few clues are available and the body count continues to rise. Death and destruction have followed Major and Mayven across state lines. Dr. Daniels is being stretched thin as neighboring police departments reach out to her for her expertise in addressing their own crime sprees. Is there enough of Chloe to go around? Find out in RUN: the 5th installment in the Chloe Daniels Mysteries."

Title:  Run
Author:  Deidra D. S. Green
Publisher:  Rathsi Publishing Presents
Series:  The 5th installment in the Chloe Daniels Mysteries
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"RUN: The 5th installment in the Chloe Daniels Mysteries"  by Deidra D. S. Green

My Thoughts....

OK,  I will say this story continues on from the last series ... 'Fit' moving on into the next series 'Run.'
We see that the police are kept busy with Mayven and Major and let's not leave out Mr. Franklin. How this will come out had me shaking my head and say what?  Then someone is down! Dr. Chloe Daniels really lets her feeling out at this point definitely wanting to know who the two ladies are that are visiting Michael. With all that is upon Dr. Daniels I liked how she was still their with her expertise in helping with this crime spree that has reached for and near.  Then as the story continues do we have someone taking a special interest in Anna Black?  I definitely had a wired feeling about that person interest! Then we have another killing ... what is up with another characters of interest Logan and Beth Ann?  As more people have been found killed the story continues on to Grace [Baby Doll Killer] and I can't believe what she is still at wanting and planning to do to her help. However, I think this time Grace has she met her match?  This will be quite a sad read as love ones are being identified however, there is still much work for the police to be done as they are dealing with all of the killings that have gone on.  What happens as Dr. Brookes calls a meeting with the police chief, Dr. Daniels and Addison with information?  However it looks like someone else has gotten and tipped their hand in this matter.  I will stop here and just say you will have to pick up this read to see who that person is and how closely they have worked with this doctor.  This story will have so many twist and turns that the reader will have to keep up.  It will be really something seeing how this author will put all this series all together in the sixth installment in the Chloe Daniels Mysteries.  Now guess who is going to Florida!!!!! I will say this installment had me a little at a loss because there will so much going on.  In the end will we finally see justice as it deals with  Anna Black, Grace Pembroke Wetherby, Major and Mayven and a few other characters as we get to the end of this long ride?  Well, all I can say is that we will have to pick up this last series 'War' and hopefully  all of our questions will be answered to these well written installments to see how justice will prevail for all.

The Light In Summer By: Mary McNear

Book Description...

"New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mary McNear brings you home to Butternut Lake and a novel filled with irresistible characters who you will want to call your friends.

It’s summertime on Butternut Lake, where the heat of noon is soothed by the cool breezes of the evening, where the pace grows slower, and sometimes, just sometimes, the summer light makes everything clearer...

For the lovely Billy Harper, Butternut Lake is the place she feels most at home, even though lately she feels the only one listening to her is Murphy...her faithful Labrador Retriever. Her teenage son, Luke, has gone from precious to precocious practically overnight. Her friends are wrapped up in their own lives, and Luke’s father, Wesley, disappeared before his son was even born. No wonder she prefers to spend time with a good book, especially ones where everything ends in perfection.

But Billy is about to learn that anything is possible during the heady days of summer. Coming to terms with her past—the death of her father, the arrival of Cal Cooper, a complicated man with a definite interest in Billy, even the return of Wesley, will force her to have a little bit of faith in herself and others...and realize that happiness doesn’t always mean perfection.

“Butternut Lake is so beautifully rendered, you’ll wish it was real.”—Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author  

“This triumphant story had me reading until the wee hours of the morning.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber on The Space Between Sisters."

Title:  The Light In Summer

Author:  Mary McNear

Publisher:  William Morrow Paperbacks

Series:  Butternut Lake # 5

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review: 

"The Light In Summer" by Mary McNear

What a wonderful sweet emotional romance that I found had many interesting story lines that will definitely keep your interest.  Be ready for a read that features a small 'Butternut Lake town living at its best with angst teenager, and many family dysfunctions'  I found this novel definitely a read for all women who know that they must always be able to face the past before you will be able to move in a forward direction.  The characters [Billy, Luke, Murphy [the dog], and Cal to name a few are all well developed, portrayed and even could be very believable giving this story one that will keep the reader turning the pages.  Billy [the mom] will have her hands full as she is dealing with her troubled son after the death of her father.  Now her son  [Luke] who is wanting to know about his father and that will definitely present some extra worry for her to have to deal with.  Even though this was a rather predictable read it still was a good read. To see how this will all come out I would highly recommend that the reader pick up "The Light In Summer" to see how well this author brings it out so well to the readers. This one is definitely a good fun summertime read.

Dragon in Blood By: Juliette Cross

Book Description....

"While all seems quiet in Gladium Province, the Morgon Guard—the global justice force for the dragon hybrid race—knows their enemy is rebuilding its forces in the underground.

Valla Moonring, an assassin for an order of the Morgon Guard, is ordered to join an expedition through the Wastelands of Aria, a formidable, icy wilderness fraught with all manner of dangers, including outlaws, deadly weather, and big-game predators.

To her great distaste, she’s partnered with a Nightwing Security operative, Conn Rowanflame, a Morgon with the aggravating ability to get under her skin. While she takes her mission seriously, Conn’s confident charm throws her off balance, a dangerous place to be in conditions like these. Especially when cold nights require close contact.

Sensual attraction binds them ever closer, igniting a passion of unexpected force—soulful. But when the hunters become the hunted, their bond could prove perilous. Even fatal…"

Title:  Dragon in Blood

Author:  Juliette Cross

Publisher:  Amazon Digital Services LLC

Services"  Vale of Stars # 2

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Dragon in Blood" by Juliette Cross

My Thoughts....

I enjoyed this second series of the Vale of Stars #2.  It was lovely fantasy romantic read featuring Valla Moonring and Conn Rowanflame where you will get a wonderful adventurous 'Dragon' read.  With them both being so stubborned it will be of most interest in how this author gets them together.  The way the story reads it's like getting two stories in one as the reader is presented in more than one POV. There was a lots of characters old and even some new ones bringing on a well developed and well portrayed read as the readers learns more about this  'intelligence gathering mission, Blood King and his followers, the Larkosians, the kidnapped women and learning what the 'prophecy' really means.  Many of these characters will have some very 'unique talents' that will definitely keep your attention as one reads through this story.  I will say I enjoyed the game called 'Truth or Lie' and I definitely plan on playing game! This author really know to tell a story with such heart felt details that the reader will not want to put down the story until the very end and will leave you wanting more.

I know this is a standalone read however, to fully understand it all  I would definitely recommend you read the first story 'Dragon Heartstrings' to get the a little bit more in the 'Vale Star fantasy series.

Dragon Heartstrings (Vale of Stars 0.5) by Juliette Cross

Book Description....

"Demetrius Cade has long since let go of his prejudice against Morgonkind, the dragon hybrid race his father taught him to hate. But what he never saw coming was the Morgon woman who would finally teach him to love.

Shakara Icewing has watched Demetrius Cade from afar for years. Known as the most eligible bachelor and emotionally unavailable in all of Gladium Province, she sees him as the aloof, arrogant brother of her dear friend. But when they finally meet, she isn’t sure she can handle how deep and how fast they both fall.

An old enemy resurfaces and once more threatens those Demetrius loves. When Shakara plans to speak before Parliament against business tycoon Aron Grayson, she puts her own life in the line of fire. Demetrius will stop at nothing to protect the woman he can no longer live without."

Title:  Dragon Heartstrings

Author:  Juliette Cross

Publisher:  J. C.
Series:  Vale of Stars Prequel 0.5

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Dragon Heartstrings" by Juliette Cross

My Thoughts...

"Dragon Heartstrings" was a good fantasy romance read of a race of people who had dragon wings and the humans.  I really enjoyed the read how this author brings Shakara Icewing who was very 'strong, smart, loving and brave' being a 'Morgan Healer' and definitely the perfect match for Demetrius Cade who was  the heir to Cade Enterprises together. What will happen when he start to have feeling for Shakara?   What will happen when these two band together to take down 'a weapon that's sole purpose is to kill Morgankind and a old enemy resurfaces?'  Be really for a good read with lots of  'mystery, suspense, chemistry with smoldering sexual tension and passion' that will definitely keep the readers interest. Definitely turning the pages till the end to see how well this story will all come out.  What will happen as Demetrius who had been under his father's prejudices start following in his sister's footsteps and fall for Shakara who was a Morgan?  Will these two finally get their HEA?  Well, you will just have to pick up this good fantasy read to  get all of these questions answered and so much more.  I was really impressed with this read by this author.  This was my first read about 'dragons' and I will say I did enjoyed this fantasy read.  

The Girl On The Train: A Novel By: Paula Hawkins

Book Description.....

"The #1 New York Times Bestseller, USA Today Book of the Year, now a major motion picture starring Emily Blunt. Don't miss Paula Hawkins' new novel, Into the Water, coming May 2017.

The debut psychological thriller that will forever change the way you look at other people's lives.

“Nothing is more addicting than The Girl on the Train.”—Vanity Fair“The Girl on the Train has more fun with unreliable narration than any chiller since Gone Girl. . . . [It] is liable to draw a large, bedazzled readership.”—The New York Times

“Marries movie noir with novelistic trickery. . . hang on tight. You'll be surprised by what horrors lurk around the bend.”—USA Today

“Like its train, the story blasts through the stagnation of these lives in suburban London and the reader cannot help but turn pages.”—The Boston Globe“Gone Girl fans will devour this psychological thriller.”—People 


EVERY DAY THE SAME
Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. Jess and Jason, she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

UNTIL TODAY
And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel goes to the police. But is she really as unreliable as they say? Soon she is deeply entangled not only in the investigation but in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?"

Title:  The Girl On The Train: A Novel

Author:  Paula Hawkins

Publisher:  Riverhead Books

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: 4

Review:

"The Girl On The Train: A Novel" by Paula Hawkins

My Thoughts.....

This novel was quite some read that will have so many twist and turns where you will have to keep up to fully understand what in the world is going on. "The Girl On The Train" was one psychological thriller mystery suspenseful read that will keep your attention as you are turning the pages to get to the end to see who was this killer.  I found the characters well developed, portrayed and so very interesting that will make one wonder about people you meet and their lives.  Wow,  what a read that after all is said and done all of this steming from a train ride and how a lie can really go haywire.