Sugar and Spice and All Those Lies Kindle Edition by Evy Journey

Book Description...

"Cooking a wonderful meal is an art. An act of love. An act of grace. A gift that affirms and gives life—not only does it nurture those who partake of the meal; it also feeds the soul of the creator. These are lessons Gina learns from her mother, daughter of an unfortunate French chef.

Gina is a young woman born to poor parents, a nobody keen to taste life outside the world she was born into. A world that exposes her to fascinating people gripped by dark motives. Her passion for cooking is all she has to help her navigate it.

She gets lucky when she’s chosen to cook at a Michelin-starred restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area where customers belong to a privileged class with money to spare for a dinner of inventive dishes costing hundreds of dollars. In this heady, scintillating atmosphere, she meets new friends and new challenges—pastry chef Marcia, filthy rich client Leon, and Brent, a brooding homicide detective. This new world, it turns out, is also one of unexpected danger.

Can the lessons Gina learned from her mother about cooking and life help her survive and thrive in this other world of privilege, pleasure, and menace?"

Title:  Sugar and Spice and All Those Lies

Author:  Evy Journey

Publisher:  Sojourner Books                       

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Four

Review:

"Sugar and Spice and All Those Lies" by Evy Journey

My Thoughts....

I found that this novel had a good romantic storyline with a dark twist that will definitely keep you reading.  The jest of the story is that Gina comes from a poor family but loved to cook and ends up getting a wonderful Chef's job at a restaurant in the Bay area of San Francisco where she quickly has a life change. Gina's life really  changes as she has a different life since her move, working in a rich restaurant and making friends, however, there will be twist and turns that will come from all of this when jealous women [Cristi & Marcia] come out of the woodwork.  

This author really gives the readers a interesting romance thriller read with some 'intriguing characters and unforeseen dangers.'  What will happen as two guys have a interest in Gina with one of the two being a former boyfriend of Gina's friend.  Who will Gina choose...Brent the detective or Leon the rich playboy?  What will happen when Gina's began to receive death threats? By the end will these men 'help, harm or be a part of her journey? To get these questions and more answered you will have to pick up "Sugar and Spice and All Those Lies" to see how this story will come out.  

I really enjoyed how the author included cookery-themed recipes with tips on how to cook better. This story really will capture the readers attention to the last page.  

This novel was from "BookLikes giveaway" and I received this copy from the BookLikes Giveaway contest!   

Bread for the Table Kindle Edition by Tara Botel Doherty

Book Description...

"Bread for the Table relates a single day in the life of Sage a 30-year-old aspiring jewelry designer working as a waitress in a pseudo New York deli in Los Angeles. A postcard from her mother triggers a series of flashbacks, which bring Sage's life into focus. 

She remembers her protector – dear older sister, Rose of Sharon and her untimely death; her remote father, whose only communication was reading passages from novels written by John Steinbeck; her grandmother, the only consistent figure in Sage's life; and her mother.

The last time Sage and her mother shared an intimate moment was stirring a pot of soup shortly after Rose of Sharon's death. Her mother's last instructions before she went to buy bread to complement the soup were to keep stirring the soup so it wouldn't burn. Dutifully Sage stirred, but her mother never returned. She was five years old. Now she has received a postcard from a woman she hasn't seen in twenty-five years."

Title:  Bread for the Table

Author:  Tara Botel Doherty

Publisher:  Pinehurst Literary Press                  

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Four

Review:

"Bread for the Table" by Tara Botel Doherty

My Thoughts....

Good Read!  This is definitely one of those reads that will be with you long after the read.  The story of Sage who had received a post card from her mother whom she hadn't had any connection to for over twenty five years. From the 'post cards will set into motion a chain of memories,[flashbacks] particularly involving her estranged mother.' With all of this the reader gets to see Sage's past and all of the pain that she went through to the present time.  This author gives the reader quite a read of just how painful ones life can certainly be as Sages complicated life comes back to her which also involved her sister, her father and her grandmother and how each one played in the role of changing her destiny.'  By the end the reader has been presented a heart warming story that will touch ones heart from this journey Sage's life. 

 "I received this book for free and voluntarily reviewed it." 

Pineapple Lies: A Pineapple Port Mystery: Book One (Pineapple Port Mysteries 1) Kindle Edition by Amy Vansant

Book Description...

"Book one of the laugh-out-loud mystery series from Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY Best-Selling author Amy Vansant!

Growing up in one of Florida’s fifty-five plus communities, Charlotte never expected life to be wild. Golf cart racing with her surrogate mothers Mariska and Darla was about as nutty as life got...until she found the hot pawnbroker’s mom buried in her backyard.
Talk about making a lousy first impression.
Armed with nothing but her wits, Pineapple Port’s questionable cast of characters and a growingcrush, Charlotte is determined to solve the mystery of Declan’s mother’s murder.
Hey, at least this guy’s skeletons aren't in his closet."

Keywords: cozy mystery, female protagonist, comedy, amateur sleuth, romance, small towns.

Title:  Pineapple Lies:  A Pineapple Port Mystery

Author:  Amy Vansant

Publisher:  A.V.

Series:  Pineapple Pot Mysteries Book 1     

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"Pineapple Lies: A Pineapple Port Mysteries Book 1" by Amy Vansant

My Thoughts...

This story starts in a retirement community in Florida for 55 and up.  What will happen after Charlotte is now living with her grandmother and the grandmother dies?  Charlotte who was around twenty will continue living there since he has inherited the home.  What will happen when Charlotte decides to have a garden put in the back porch area and a skull is found?  Who is this person and just how long has this skull been there?  How will this all come together as we have a younger woman living in a older community?  Be prepared for quite a mystery where there will be plenty of secrets coming out, romance, also suspense with even some humorous moments. The characters [Charlotte, Mariska, Darla, Bob, Frank, Jackie, Seamus, Henry & Declan] are well developed, portrayed and so very believable giving the readers a good romantic/comedy/murder/ mystery read this will keep you guessing.  How will this crew solve this case? Well, you will have to pick up this fun read 'Pineapple Lies' to find out.

Daddy’s Sweet Girl: A Dark Stepfamily Love Story Kindle Edition by Stasia Black

Book Description...

"Family ties have never been so twisted...

When Mom told me she was getting married again and moving her new husband and his twenty-four year old son in with us, I thought I’d just have to spend as much time as possible studying in the campus library to avoid all of them.

I certainly never expected to learn that the marriage was simply a mutually beneficial arrangement for my mom and new stepfather, Mr. Winters. They don’t actually have feelings toward each other. I also didn’t expect him and my stepbrother, Dominick, to be such handsome, Viking-like men. Or for them to take such an interest in me.

Now at the age of 19, I suddenly find I have the family I’ve always wanted. As we all grow closer, though, lines start to blur. When Daddy and big brother start pushing those boundaries even further, will I be ready?"

Intended for mature audiences only. Contains dark, taboo themes and dubious consent.

Title:  Daddy's Sweet Girl:  A Dark Stepfamily Love Story

Author:  Stasia Black

Publisher:  CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform       

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"Daddy's Sweet Girl:  A Dark Stepfamily Love Story" by Stasia Black

My Thoughts.....

Wow!  I will say this is definitely something I wouldn't choose to read but in being asked to read and give my honest opinion... I went in and all I can say is wow what a read!  I was glad it was a short fast paced read which I finished quickly.  I found this a very dark and twisty read with some characters that left me wondering how they really ticked especially that father Paul who seem to have multiple personalities!  

Basically the story is about Paul who marries Sarah's mom but it's just a marriage of convenience and soon Sarah is involved with her step father[Paul] and step brother[Dominick]. What happens when Sara learns the real reason her mother married 'daddy?'  Now, I will stop here and say if this is your kind of read then this one is here for you..."Daddy's Sweet Girl: A Dark Stepfamily Love Story" where the title tell you all of it!  So if you are into a dark reads that contains triggers of threesomes [menage], sexually and physical abuse...then this read would be for you.  

Oh, at the end of this short read be ready for a bonus read by this author.  

Bitter Best Friend Kindle Edition by Niki Jilvontae

"Everyone isn't loyal, that's a fact, and everyone who comes into your life doesn't necessarily have a valid reason because some people are just around for a season. All of these philosophies are true and need to be applied daily in this era of instant friends, besties, sisters, and boos. Meet Kaia Moore, a beautiful, young teen mom who heard those daily doses of wisdom from her mother and tried her best to apply them to her life. However, like most young girls her need to have someone close and on her level, led her right into the trap of the worst kind of chick you can know...A BITTER BEST FRIEND. You know, that chick who relies on her friends more than the man she lays with each night. Or that chick who always tries to one-up your accomplishments or downplay your good news with made up shit of her own. That's exactly who Monique Smith aka Mo is to Kaia. She's that bitter chick who just won't let her be great. Over the years she shows more and more of her bitter side as Kaia aka Kai advances in life while Mo finds herself trapped in the gutter, behind. Soon Mo can't hide the jealousy within her and her dirty deeds start to bring out the beast in Kai. After realizing she has no friends, Kai and Mo go lick for lick on some payback sh*t until Mo's hate escalates and Kai finds herself lost in a real-life drama filled with betrayal, hate, lies, cover-ups and even murder. Will Kai make it out alive or will she have to slay the beast she once called a best friend? Come on this messy, thrill ride and find out what happens when you let a bitter best friend in. Sometimes it teaches you a valuable lesson...then again, SOMETIMES JEALOUSY KILLS!"

Title:  Bitter Best Friend
Author:  Niki Jilvontae
Publisher:  True Glory Publications                
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating:  Five
Review:

"Bitter Best Friend" by Niki Jilvontae

My Thoughts....

My, my, my what a sad ending for Kai!  Only if Kai a listen to one of the most important person in her life...her mom.  There is definitely a lesson to be learned from this story and that is sometimes  best friends my not be the best one to have in ones life.  So when a person shows you who they are maybe it would be wise to believe it as it was in this case jealousy.  There was definitely a good listen to be learned in all of this.  You can feel the pain that Kai's mom went through.  This is a good read for anyone [teens & adults] to absorb and understand it all and I was especially happy to see how Kia's mom was finally able to move on with her grand kids. 

The Lady The Duke And The Gentleman: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Kindle Edition by Abby Ayles

Book Description....

"

Introducing the "The Lady The Duke And The Gentleman" Novel - Discover NOW The New Historical Regency Romance Book by Abby Ayles!

Lovely - Romantic - Exciting!

Miss Antoinette Byrd feels ready to marry. As her friends and cousins find their happily every afters, she dreams of the day her own handsome husband will meet her at the end of the aisle. Finally, her parents, who have been hesitant due to her immaturity and rebelliousness, agree to let her see some suitors.

Antoinette is immediately won over by Duke Alexander Godwin, a man who has it all. He is handsome, incredibly wealthy, a Duke, and one of the bravest, wittiest, most charming men she has ever met. Every minute by his side feels like she is being swept up in a fairytale romance about princes and princesses.

And yet, her parents keep her options open with other suitors. Antoinette is at first unsure why they are not locking down Duke Godwin as soon as possible, but as time goes by she begins to realize that, however, dreamy Duke Godwin is, they have very little real chemistry. In fact, of all her suitors, one seems to shine brighter than the rest... But is he the right man for her?

In the midst of Christmas celebrations, the return and near loss of a dear childhood friend, a threat to her family's wealth, and her sister's marriage hitting a seemingly insurmountable hurdle, Antoinette feels pressured to make her choice. And deep down, she knows that the choice she most wants to make is one that would break her parents' hearts. But choosing the wrong suitor would break hers.

"The Lady The Duke And The Gentleman" is a historical regency romance novel of approximately 90,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after."

Title:  The Lady The Duke and The Gentleman

Author:  Abby Ayles

Publisher: A.A.                        

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"The Lady The Duke and The Gentleman" by Abby Ayles

My Thoughts.....

What a journey this was for Antoinette who was in search of a husband.  This was quite a complicated task as Antoinette pickings would have to: "1: keep her at home but support her parents & siblings financially in any way 2. Allow her to travel and study any where she desires but her parents and siblings are kinda on their on and 3. Love her and show her all the love she shows back more than she ever dreamed but can't help or take care of her parents or siblings with their problems."  Now, how hard of a task could this be for her to do this?  This story really let's us into the insight of just how hard it was during this time in Regency England for the young woman for social standing who had this choice of doing this task.  Who will Antoinette choose...a Duke, a Mr. or the Sir?  To find out you will just have to pick up "The Lady The Duke and The Gentleman to see!  

When Gargoyles Rise (Shades and Shadows: When Gargoyles Rise Book 1) Kindle Edition by Ashley C. Harris

Book Description...

"When Rose was born in the year 1544, she and the other gargoyles were a beautiful race of humans with dragon's wings. Created by magic, the gargoyles were able to do and take whatever they wanted... Until the vampires came, and with them, they brought a curse.

Almost five hundred years later, Rose awakens from stone in Washington DC, to a world that's very much changed. The kingdom of the gargoyles is no more; instead, the same group of blood suckers that cursed Rose's family now rule a hierarchy of shades and shadows.

Desperate to awaken her loved ones and break the spell, Rose learns she must convince Sean Noble, a human, to fall in love with her. Something that should have been easy... if he and Rose weren't only seventeen, and required to attend school.

Sean and his high school girlfriend dislike Rose as much as they do homework. And to make things worse, the handsome vampire prince, Adamus, who betrayed Rose in the year 1556, he and his bad boy brother have surfaced....

Rose, before graduation, must find a way to keep her identity secret from Adamus, not let him get too close, and trick Sean into falling in love. Easy if you have wings, right? Not so much.

Readers of Twilight, Vampire Diaries, and Shadow Hunters will love this story's female hero who brings a new level of fierce into a supernatural game."

Title:  When Gargoyles  Rise Shades and Shadows

Author:  Ashley C. Harris

Publisher:  A. C. H.      

Series: When Gargoyles Rise Book 1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"When Gargoyles Rise" by Ashley C. Harris

My Thoughts.... 

This was an interesting take on  an ancient group of gargoyles that will keep your attention all the way through the read.   If you are into the supernatural then this is a read for your enjoyment!  I liked how this author was able to give us story that starts in the present on to the past and back to the present with a cliffhanger in the present [now what will happen to rose, Sean, Sam and Felix?].  To find out you will have to pick up 'When Gargoyles Rise.'

There was definitely a non romance period and the clash with different time eras that will all come together into one good storyline. It seems like everything was OK until the vampires appeared and who was their to save these people? Be ready for "Gargoyles, Vampires, Wizards, Witches, Royal Families, Super's, Slaves, Servs, HS Students, Evil Royals, Rape, Pillage & Plunder, Good Hearted Do Gooding Royals, Murder, Magic & Mayhem"
will be found in this story. So, again if this is you kind of thriller, suspense paranormal read you will be in for quite a intriguing ride with plenty of twist and turns.