Cameron 9: The Finale Kindle Edition by Jade Jones

Book Excerpt:

"THE FINALE HAS FINALLY ARRIVED! THIS STORY IS A RE-RELEASE, PREVIOUSLY TITLED "MY THUG IN RUSTED ARMOR."

"With Jude, Cam, and the rest of the gang, the drama never ends!

After serving a four-year prison sentence for murder, 21-year-old Justin is released into society with a brand new heroin addiction that he picked up in his time behind bars. But now, with a new outlook on life, he knows for sure that he wants to share everything with the woman he loves.

Finally, ready to commit to his girlfriend Maddie, Justin proposes to her. The butterfly effect seems to be alive and well as Jude and Soul are pitched against each other as a result.

The lovebirds are reunited at last, but there's a catch.

Although everything seems like its falling into place, the reality is far more sinister. With Justin hiding a deep, dark secret from Maddie that threatens to destroy the bond they worked so hard to keep intact throughout their years of separation, Cameron and Diana drifting further and further apart from each other, and Jude and Soul still at odds, the question remains; will all this drama mean the end of the gang?

When secrets surface and karma comes back around, things are sure to spiral out of control, and not everyone might make it out alive in the wild, action-packed Cameron universe!"

Title: Cameron 9: The Finale
Author: Jade Jones
Publisher: Jade Publications
Series: Cameron Book 9
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Cameron 9: The Finale" by Jade Jones

My Speculation:

After reading all of this author's Cameron 1-8, I found 'The Finale Cameron 9' gave us an ending that summed it up quite nicely. I loved how the characters that needed to be brought into this ending was there that gave us all the answers to any questions one may have had with this whole series. We find that Cameron was indeed a queen that gave us a read that we will never forget. Thank you to the author for such a story, and know that Cameron 1-9 will be remembered with many of the readers long after they read. 

Centuries of Blood: Becoming Kindle Edition by S.I. Hayes

Book Excerpt:

"Three men, a single heart. What's a girl to do? Especially when one of them has fangs...

16th Century England. A land at war. It's people fighting, dying for a king who chases skirts and takes heads on a whim. It is a time of reformation, love, lust, betrayal, and secrets. Catharine Morrigan Cecil is but sixteen years old as the tale unfolds, but her soul screams to be free of Glastonbury. Named for a child lost, she is chained to a life she doesn't want. Promised to a man whose ways foretell an unhappy life while still in love with another who will not fight for her.

Left rejected, in a reach for freedom, she runs. Finding a mysterious town with an even more mysterious stranger. Alexandarious (Darious) is young, healthy, and Immortal. A Blood Devourer. Knowing his nature, Catharine Morrigan dares to give him her heart. She has pierced him through and through, but his people are warring, and her safety is in peril. He wants and needs the beautiful woman "Morrigan" is becoming. But his heart knows better. She deserves a full life, one he can not give her.

The marriage bed awaits her as the Ottoman War zone calls him. The pair must separate to save the people to whom they are bound. While Darious fights for his Lord and Lady, Morrigan must fight for her survival at the hands of the man she calls husband.

Can they beat the odds, find each other once more, and prove that love truly is Eternal?"

*Trigger Warning: Violence
* *Erotic Elements

Title: Centuries of Blood: Becoming
Author: S.I. Hayes
Publisher: S.I. Hayes; 2 edition
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Centuries of Blood: Becoming" by S. I. Hayes

My Speculation:

I found this story quite complicated as well as entertaining as it will hold your attention to the end, especially if you enjoy a good paranormal romance read as 'Centuries of Blood: Becoming' was presented. I found the characters somewhat odd in many strange ways, however still interesting.

We find Catharine Morrigan was promised to one. However, she did not want him [Henri]. Then she meets another who is a vampire, A Blood Devourer [Darious], they part, and she returns home and marries the one she didn't want. What will happen as this story plays out? I will say at this point I didn't enjoy the sexual abuse she received from that Henri. Well, I will just say this is one of those paranormal reads that you will have to pick up and see for yourself if she will reconnect with the vampire Darious as he fights for Morrigan survival at the hands of the man she calls her husband? I will say that the ending was somewhat abrupt that did leave me wondering what happened with Henri and his brother Robert? Did I find this story a good read? YES! 

I am Still a Rose: In Spite of it All Kindle Edition by Tonya Barbee

Book Excerpt:

"This book is dynamic! The author promises us "the whole story" after presenting to us her memoir, "The Little Girl Inside Owning My Role in My Own Pain," and now this! Barbee details the events of her life from an abusive beginning as a child in which she and her young siblings witnessed a horrific event to the details of four failed marriages in which one was short-lived, and one ended in an annulment after eight years of marriage! How does this happen to one person? You bet she's a mess, right? No, she gets through it and sees herself victorious, not a victim. 
By reflecting, taking a hard look at her life, her history, what did she do to get beyond witnessing domestic violence, emotional abuse, betrayal, leading to failed relationships? How did she manage to be married four times unsuccessfully? She starts examining what she could have done differently, how not to repeat past mistakes, how to look for warning signs, and how to live a better life. Because of making these changes within, she began to discern what love means. Barbee began to realize too that love starts within before you can receive it. Consequently, she began to receive love, real love, and decipher between what is real, what is not, and when it's time to move on. This book will help those that have failed in relationships-repeating vicious cycles, learn how to move forward, to a better place, resulting in flourishing in more successful relationships."

Title:  I am Still a Rose:  In Spite of it All

Author:  Tonya Barbee

Publisher:  T. B. 

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"I am Still a Rose" In Spite of it All" by Tonya Barbee

My Speculation:

What a story this author gives the reader of her life that will give one much to ponder over from her account from 'overcoming betrayal, disappointment, and hurt' as she went through this account of her life.  

What we read as we see these people coming in and out of her life from Sir Loving, to... Sir Charming, to... Fake Spouse...AJ, on to Super Cop, ...Sir Playmate, ...and at last Sir Intelligent and to how these relationships and marriages that ended with producing 4 children by three of these so-called gentlemen.  All I can say is wow what a life this person went through and, in the end, 'Still a Rose.'

I loved how by the end of this story, one will see how Ms. Barbee's eyes were finally opened... thank God for that, and we see Ms. Barbee gets 'A Renewed Me.'  She was definitely a survivor from all of this mess that she had gone through.  Well, all I can say is that you will have to read this story for yourself to get that determination.  I will say this was quite some read, and yes, it's a true story of this author's life. 

It was quite a story seeing all that Ms. Barbee went through to finally get to the right place in her life.  I enjoyed reading the ending and seeing letters she wrote to her oldest son, her beautiful lovely daughters, her baby boy, and lastly to the ladies...solidifying that Ms. Barbee is yes 'Still a Rose.'  Would I recommend this read? YES!

Penned State By: S. I. Hayes

Book Excerpt:
Calvin Pennington is a good boy.

He goes to school, gets good grades. Always does his homework and always listens to mother and father. Except in one thing.
His friendship with Kaycee McLane. Much to his parent's dismay, he has befriended the girl from the wrong side of town and he will not shake her.
What happens when Calvin decides he wants more?
Will his family give? Or will they dig in their heels and put a stop to this budding romance before it starts?
"Calvin Pennington is a good boy.
He goes to school, gets good grades. He always does his homework and always listens to his mother and father. Except in one thing.
His friendship with Kaycee McLane. Much to his parent's dismay, he has befriended the girl from the wrong side of town, and he will not shake her.
What happens when Calvin decides he wants more?
Will his family give? Or will they dig in their heels and put a stop to this budding romance before it starts?
Can Calvin stand up to his family, and if he does, can he accept the consequences?"

*Trigger Warning
**Stong Sexual Content
***Drug UseCalvin Pennington is a good boy.

He goes to school, gets good grades. Always does his homework and always listens to mother and father. Except in one thing.
His friendship with Kaycee McLane. Much to his parent's dismay, he has befriended the girl from the wrong side of town and he will not shake her.
What happens when Calvin decides he wants more?
Will his family give? Or will they dig in their heels and put a stop to this budding romance before it starts? Calvin Pennington is a good boy.

He goes to school, gets good grades. Always does his homework and always listens to mother and father. Except in one thing.
His friendship with Kaycee McLane. Much to his parent's dismay, he has befriended the girl from the wrong side of town and he will not shake her.
What happens when Calvin decides he wants more?
Will his family give? Or will they dig in their heels and put a stop to this budding romance before it starts? Calvin Pennington is a good boy.

He goes to school, gets good grades. Always does his homework and always listens to mother and father. Except in one thing.
His friendship with Kaycee McLane. Much to his parent's dismay, he has befriended the girl from the wrong side of town and he will not shake her.
What happens when Calvin decides he wants more?
Will his family give? Or will they dig in their heels and put a stop to this budding romance before it starts?

Title: Penned State
Author: S. I. Hayes
Publisher: S.I. H.
Series: Young Hearts Duet Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review
"Penned State" by S. I. Hayes

My Speculation:

I will say this was one of those reads that will keep your attention turning the pages to see what is coming next for these two main characters Calvin and Kaycee. I am not sure whom I felt sorrier for between those two. Well, for a while, it seemed like all was going OK for the two, then the story will open up and be hard for them. With Cal being kicked out of his house, however, it was lucky for him in how Kaycee's grandfather and mother took him in. At school, other problems were presented, but somehow they made it out of that. It looks like Cal's parents still had grudges toward him, but all seemed to go well until a specific visit Cal's father paid to Kaycee. Yes, as Kaycee was planing to moved with Cal after graduation where they had a home and all but from Cal's father's visit, she all of a sudden wanted marriage.

As the story goes being engaged, oh did I say being pregnant wasn't enough for Kaycee all of a sudden she wanted marriage, which put a lot of pressure on Cal. With all that was on Cal from going to classes, working, taking care of Kaycee along with her pregnancy, one can see how one thing brought on something horrible where drugs become involved, and one can see how the story will take quite a turn for these two.

I will stop here and just say you will have to pick up this well-written story to see how things will turn out for Cal and Kaycee. I will say I didn't care for Kaycee's mom! I know she had been through a lot, but the way she tried to handle her daughter with Cal's problems wasn't done very well. I did like the ending in how Kaycee decided to take matters into her own hands and deal with her and Cal's problems. We are left hoping all will come out well for these two as they are now seeing one another along with the baby. Yes, they still loved each other, even all has happened. It seems like Calvin is now trying to get a handle on his life in his addiction recovery, so we are left hoping the best of luck to them as they seek out new beginnings. 

My Hell (A Twist of Fate Book 1) Kindle Edition by J. Haney

Book Excerpt:

"One night. One kiss and my world went to shit. Shane Hellion or Hell, as I’ve come to call him, has been my best friend for three years. It started off as a working relationship, then evolved into a partnership. Now? Christ, what am I gonna do? I have a little girl to think about. I can’t just- do whatever. 

Between the ex breathing down my back and my house falling apart, how am I supposed to navigate what he wants? What do I want? I want something that can help me escape, my hell."

Title: My Hell
Author: J. Haney
Publisher: Haney Hayes Books
Series: A Twist of Fate Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"My Hell" by J. Haney

My Speculation:

This was a story that will keep you turning the pages to see what all is going on with these best friends [Shane J. Hellion [Hell] & Aria [A. B. Anders]. The story was somewhat unusual in how they went from more than friends to lovers, with each of them having a child [Genevieve [Evie] & Dean]. I will say Evie was spoiled, and Dean had autism.

At times I felt somewhat sorry for the heroine [Avia] in the story. Still, at other times she got on my last nerves as she seemed not to be able to take care of things like with that ex-husband of hers and Aria didn't want any help from anyone..even Hell [Shane] who was her best friend. This situation would bring in some trouble from even her daughter Evie who started acting out due to what was happening due to her father's making. I will say the characters from this story were something else at times, especially Aria's best friend Janette [Jae].

As this family comes together and seems to be working out their lives with the four of them, something unexpected will happen. It looks like the ex-husband Richard Anderson will leave the reader wondering what in the world is going on as it appears that he has named Aria as his next of kin. Why was this? Were they not divorced? So, we will have to pick up the upcoming series to get the rest of how this story. I guess this is where the 'twist of fate' comes into play. 

The Look-Alike A Novel by Erica Spindler

Book Excerpt:

"Sienna Scott grew up in the dark shadow of her mother’s paranoid delusions. Now, she's returned home to confront her past and the unsolved murder that altered the course of her life.

In her mother’s shuttered house, an old fear that has haunted Sienna for years rears its ugly head—that it was she who had been the killer’s target that night. And now, with it, a new fear—that the killer not only intended to remedy his past mistake—he’s already begun. But are these fears any different from the ones that torment her mother?

As the walls close in, the line between truth and lie, reality and delusion disintegrate. Has Sienna’s worst nightmare come true? Or will she unmask a killer and finally prove she maybe her mother’s look-alike, but she’s not her clone?"

Title: The Look-Alike
Author: Erica Spindler
Publisher: St Martins's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"A Like-Alike" by Erica Spindler

My Rationalization:

What will happen as this read 'The Look-Alike' definitely illustrates what the impact of mental illness will be on an entire family as it weaves its way into an action-packed, suspenseful, psychological drama, mystery-thriller in this 'who done it?' Well, to get it all, you will have to pick up this ride to see how this action-packed story with clues that will be left to find out.

The Plot:
The reader is given well thought out plot...time between the past and the present that progresses reasonably well at a good pace in this story that will keep one captivated from page one.

Setting: Tranquility Bluffs, Wisconsin [a snowy scenery]where we find Sienna Scott is returning from London after ten years [living with her grandma] after she stumbles upon the body Madison Robie who was murdered. Now, upon Sienna's return, she learns that the cold case into the killer has been re-opened. Now, why would this case be reopened? Why did Sienna begin to believe that Madison's death was really meant for her? Why did she feel that someone was after her? Was this a product of her family's illness, and none of it is real? What will happen when Sienna begins her own investigating? OK, who is the murderer? To find out the answers to the above questions, you will have to pick up this read to find out.

Main Characters:
Sienna: the heroine of this story; a protagonist, fragile at times, filled with self-doubt, however she fights against growing up with what her mother has. One crucial question: With Sienna bearing an uncanny physical likeness to her mother, did she also inherit her mother's mental illness?

Sienna's mother [Vivienne Scott]: who had a mental illness, paranoid with delusions, always feeling that someone was out to get her, delusional disorder.

Brad: [bro, big brother] Sienna's half brother that had bitter feelings. Why was that?

Chief Thompson: Police

Randy: Detective

Jonathan: Neighbor across the street

Overall: Lots of twists and turns, with a roller- coaster of suspense, secrets that will come out, and in the end, we find out who this suspect was that was there from the beginning in this mystery and deceitful read. Bye, the time one gets to the end of this story, the reader will be guessing about just who is this killer. This author works the reader in just learning who this person was and leaving me shocked even though I had thought maybe it could have been this person much earlier in the read, however, there were many possibilities as to who the murderer was.

If you are looking for an excellent, well-written read with many thriller elements, intriguing, suspenseful with some likable and unlikeable characters, then you have come to the right place. Also, there is little romance and taking you on an unpredictable wild ride; however, in the end, I was kept guessing. I would recommend 'The Look-Alike' to you like a good read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. 

The Last Real Cowboy by Caitlin Crews

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Book Excerpt:

"USA Today bestselling author Caitlin Crews returns to the Cold River Ranch series with The Last Real Cowboy!

In Cold River, sometimes forbidden love is the sweetest of them all…

Perennial good girl Amanda Kittredge knows that her longtime crush on Brady Everett was never really supposed to go anywhere. But when Brady comes home to during Amanda’s first attempt at independence, well, who better to teach her about rebellion than her older brother’s bad-boy best friend?

Brady’s plans did not include being forced to work the family homestead for a year—and yet, here he is. And, to make matters worse, his best friend’s innocent little sister is making a menace of herself in the most grown-up, tempting ways. When Amanda begs Brady to teach her about men, he knows he should refuse. But could Brady’s greatest temptation be his salvation?"

Title: The Last Real Cowboy
Author: Caitlin Crews
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Last Real Cowboy" by Caitlin Crews

My Rationalization:

What an enjoyable romantic cowboy read featuring Amanda Kittredge and Brady Everett with the setting in a small town in Colorado. The author gives the reader a beautiful read of one 'breaking out of the chains of family expectations and making their own story.' You will read a story that is not only moving, but charming, emotional story with humor, compassion, twists, turns, overprotective brothers, abusive parent, and let's not leave out the romance and finally, in the end, this couple gets there HEA.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGallery, where all thoughts and opinions are my own.