Hard Conversations: Book 1: Breadcrumbs to the Past Kindle Edition by BJ Communicates [Paulette's Tour Book Review] Sept. 30thSept. 30th

 Book Excerpt:

""Hard Conversations: Book 1 Breadcrumbs to the Past" is a collection of short stories detailing the lives of five urban people who are standing at the intersection of their past and their potential. To change the trajectory of their futures, they must reconcile the long-ignored dysfunction of their past with the building aspirations of their present. These reconciliations can only begin by delving into their life experiences and having long-overdue conversations with the people who hurt them the most.

Sometimes it's the conversations not had that do the most damage to the people in our lives. Sensing that something is still off in the lives that they have built, the characters in this book must address long-buried secrets or continue living in the uncomfortable matrix they created. Only they can decide what their future will bring."

Title: Hard Conversations
Author: BJ Communicates
Publisher: BookBaby; 1st edition
Series: Book 1: Breadcrumbs to the Past
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Hard Conversations: Book 1: Breadcrumbs to the Past" by BJ Communicates

My Opinion:

'Hard Conversation' has five short stories that give us 'Breadcrumbs to the Past' Book 1 and leave us with Cliffhangers which means the reader will have to wait to get the other half or part of the story.

So the story starts ...
'I Don't Know Her' Will this person be able to find out the answers he needs from his birth mom Barbara? Is this the reason he is having so much trouble with the way his life is going for him?

next...
'No More Sunday Dinner'
After what Shay Robinson had to endure from her uncle, will she finally be able to come back to Houston after the death of her Mamma Hattie and confront Uncle Frank for what he had done to her at the age of eight?

next...
'Angel Dust and Guitars'
With what had gone on in this family, would Angel Christopher ever want a family of his own? First, his father beat his mom, and he wanted nothing to do with him. Then Angel meets Lisa, things changed, and after she becomes pregnant, they decide to make it work... When he returns home, guess who is waiting for him...his father wanting to talk; however, he was someone Angel didn't want to speak with under any circumstances.

next...
'Another Life'
He was supposed to be a perfect and wonderful father, but Jamal Jackson had a big secret, and Trina finds out about it while attending Fisk when she hooks up with a tutor that was her look alike. What was up with that? What will the DNA prove? What will happen at Kim's graduation when Trina confronts her dad and says, 'Hi, dad.'

and lastly...
'Broken Silence'
Due to a fight with his wife at their home caused by her father, Maxine was paralyzed due to a fall and ended her in a wheelchair. After serving many years in prison, he got out due to good behavior and wanted to talk with his daughter, which she had refused many times.
Her mother had suddenly taken ill and was taken to the hospital where Maxine came to see her only who do you think was there at the hospital? Well, I guess her father got his answer for Maxine was adamant when she said...'No Stop, I am not ready for this.'

As was stated earlier, this novel, Book 1, was a cliffhanger of sorts, so I guess we will get the rest of the story in Book 2. Be ready for well-written stories that will leave the reader only wanting more answers to their ending.

Blaque Orchid 2 Kindle Edition by Niki Jilvontae

 Excerpt:

THIS IS A RERELEASE!**

"Sometimes tragedy can break you...then other times it can make you a killer. This seems to be true in this thrilling sequel. When the girls thought their lives couldn't get more turbulent, they were proven wrong and thrust into the evil grasp of the Chin Orchid Dynasty. Now slaves, Blaque, FeFe, Rose, & Trouble must find a way to maintain their sanity and make it out of the horrible situation they've been thrust in. Despite all of the deception, abuse, rape, and murder that's all around them, these young women must dig deep and find a way out. Can these girls, dub the Blaque Orchids, escape the grasp of the evil entity that holds their lives in their hands? Or will those environmental curses they tried to flee from come back to haunt them?"

Title:  Blaque Orchid 2

Author:  Niki Jilvontae

Publisher:  N. J.    

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Blaque Orchid 2" by Niki Jilvontae

My Opinion:  

'Black Orchid 2' was one of those reads that will keep the reader turning the pages to see what was coming next for Blaque, FeFe, Rose, and Trouble now that they were in the custody of the Chin Orchid Dynasty.  The read is one of 'deception, abuse, rape, horrible people, and murder' that will leave one seeing how horribleness these women endured as they were treated more like a slave.  Will the women get away from this horrible place as the planned escape seems impossible with this Orchid Dynasty run by Lee Chin and Naruto, who was right on their heels every step of the way?  Even though Lee Chin seemed to be working with the women, was she really doing that happening?  To find out what is going on in the story, the ready will need to pick up this read to see how this author will take the story.  All that's left to say is that at the end, we get a 'cliffhanger,' and I don't like those because the reader doesn't get the end of the story and is only left hanging for the next part.  So, I guess we will have to wait and see what happens next for 'Blaque, FeFe, Rose, and Trouble'  because I know this author will have something worth waiting for, giving us quite a read in the end.  

The Necklace Kindle Edition by Amanda Lawrence Auverigne

 Book Excerpt:

"Linda Grace is a popular social media influencer. She finds a beautiful necklace in an antique shop that she can’t resist. The glittering jewel carries a dark curse."

Title:  The Necklace

Author:  Amanda Lawrence Auverigne

Publisher:  A.L.A.     

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"The Necklace" by Amanda Lawrence Auverigne 

My Opinion:

Social Media is viral.  Sometimes some good Vloggers go behind the camera and do an excellent job with their followers; however, we have Linda Grace, who was set with her Videoing.  We also find out from the read that Linda had a temperament about her that wasn't always nice...like the way she spoke to her maid or helper as Rose called her and a person named Faral Hawkins that she treated severely.  As the story goes on [by the way, this is a short read of 12 chapters], we learn more about Linda, Grace Clan, and the wrenchers.  One could tell Linda liked what she was doing with the bloggers, and having 230,000 subscribers wasn't wrong with her.  She even got money from the cash app from some of her followers. Everything seemed to be going OK for Linda when her vloggers wanted her to go shopping...using her video...live, and streaming it.  Linda went shopping and bought a Keurig, some shoes and a cherry Slush.  However, she had a problem with a sales clerk who didn't want to be videoed and by Linda.  By Linda not liking what was said and all with dealing with Christopher, she got her followers involved, and they stepped in going to Christopher's Instagram, Snap Chap, Linked In, and TikTok and not staying nice things.

As she continued her shopping, one of her Vloggers [Lady M] suggested that she check out an antique store. Well, things went down from there for *Miss Linda, and I will stop and stay; you much pick up this good read to see what she will encounter while visiting Meredith Treasures and Antiques as she insisted on purchasing a specific item that wasn't for sale.

The ending was on point, and that was one should 'Always remember to Stay Graceful.'

Thank you to the author for the read of your story of 'The Necklace.'

The Marshal's Lady Liberty Valley Love, Book 3 by Josie Malone

Book Excerpt:

"Liberty Valley Love, Yesterday and Today ~ where no matter what, soulmates find each other.

While trailing a serial killer on horseback, homicide detective Beth Chambers finds she has somehow ridden back in time—to 1888! When she comes across injured Marshal Rad Morgan, she has no choice but to try to save his life. Though the handsome marshal believes a lady should stand behind her man, Beth is determined to catch the killer she's chased through time and prove she's a capable law enforcement officer in any century.

Rad has survived the Confederate hellhole of Andersonville Prison, a former Union soldier, but his toughest challenge is beautiful Beth Chambers. As the headstrong female detective from the future lets him in on why she's there, Rad becomes convinced that her stubbornness may get her killed. But when he is shot and liberty Valley Love, Yesterday and Today ~ where soulmates find each other no matter what.

While trailing a serial killer on horseback, homicide detective Beth Chambers finds she has somehow ridden back in time—to 1888! When she comes across injured Marshal Rad Morgan, she has no choice but to try to save his life. Though the handsome marshal believes a lady should stand behind her man, Beth is determined to catch the killer she's chased through time and prove she's a capable law enforcement officer in any century.

Rad has survived the Confederate hellhole of Andersonville Prison, a former Union soldier, but his toughest challenge is beautiful Beth Chambers. As the headstrong female detective from the future lets him in on why she's there, Rad becomes convinced that her stubbornness may get her killed. But when he is shot and left for dead, the marshal has no other choice but to put himself in Beth's hands—and hope they can both survive!

Two officers of the law from different centuries chasing the same killer could be a recipe for disaster—especially with the distraction of love left for dead, the marshal has no other choice but to put himself in Beth's hands—and hope they can both survive!

Two officers of the law from different centuries chasing the same killer could be a recipe for disaster—especially with the distraction of love!"

Title: The Marshal's Lady
Author: Josie Malone
Publisher: Satin Romance
Series: Liberty Valley Love Book 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Marshal's Lady" by Josie Malone

My Opinion:

'The Marshal's Lady' was a good story of a western romance time travel that will keep the reader turning the pages. What all will Detective Bethany [Beth] Chambers have to endure as she tries to capture a killer. With Beth being thrust into 1888 Washington Territory, she finds an injured Rad Morgan who happened to be a sheriff. So now we have this detective who was trying to bring down this murderer and rapist. Will Beth be able to save the sheriff and apprehend this killer? And as the story continues, What will happen when this sheriff proclaims that Beth Chambers will be his wife as he finally realizes that she is from the future? What will happen when these two law officers learn they are chasing the same person but in another time era?

The story will thrive with so much going on in the time travel western read that the reader will have to keep up with all of its twists and turns. Be ready for many well-developed secondary characters and all over the place as we are delivered this good timeline story. Another exciting part of the story: The Guardian and Chronos was about protecting and healing and seemed to be important in the read; however, it would have been better if there had been more explanation concerning these people.

If you like time travel stories with romance, then this read would be for you.

Thank you to NetGallery and Satin Romance for reading your book and providing my honest opinion of the book.

 

Trent's Redemption Mill Creek Mystique, Book One by Bailey Thomas

 Book Excerpt:

"Can they face their demons and find love?

Trent Jacobs had everything he wanted in life until the flash of a muzzle ripped his world apart. Now he only has guilt. Permanently removed from fieldwork due to questionable events, Trent retires from the FBI. He retreats to the small town of Mill Creek, Idaho, to become the town sheriff.

Margaret King knows what it’s like to be alone and isolated. Losing her parents as a child was impossible, but the death of her brother damn near killed her. When a strange van appears on her street and her apartment is broken into, she turns to Trent, the only man she knows she can trust.

After Maggie shows up terrified and haunted, Trent’s guilt explodes. She makes him want things he doesn’t deserve, including her. As their past collides with the present, Trent is forced to face his demons to protect her. Or risk losing her."

Title: Trent's Redemption
Author: Bailey Thomas
Publisher: Champagne Book Group
Series: Mill Creek Mystique Book One
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Trent's Redemption" by Bailey Thomas

My Opinion:

'Trent's Redemption' was an excellent, intriguing read featuring Margaret [Maggie] and Trent. Those two had been through quite a bit from the death of Maggie's brother Dalton and Trent's FBI partner and friend. After many months we find that Maggie is reaching out to Trent because someone is shadowing her and has broken into her home. Does this have anything to do with her brother's last case, and do they think that Maggie has some information? As the story moves on, Maggie leaves her home in Dallas and goes to Mill Creek, where Trent is a sheriff, for help in this situation. Will these two be able to feature out what is going on? What will happen as they try to solve this with Trent's FBI colleagues just who killed Dalton? Will Maggie and Trent be able to ignore the attraction between them as they pursue another chance at love after all is said and done?

Be ready for a good read with some mystery, crime, and romance. The well-developed characters, twists, and turns will not only keep one's interest but will keep the reader turning the pages to see what is coming next.

Thank you to NetGallery and Champagne Book Group for reading your book and me providing my honest opinion of the book.

His Strength in my Weakness: A Journey of Brokenness, Breakthrough, and Transformation Author: Dr. Eurita Taylor

 Book Excerpt:

"“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

God knows our weaknesses and wants to be our strength. He loves us and wants to show His love by protecting and guiding us.

I knew all about God as a little girl attending church regularly. I felt secure then with the knowledge that God loves and wants me. Going to church felt good to me. Then things changed, and with it, my feelings of love and safety vanished. What followed was neglect, abandonment, hospitalizations, wanting to die, and desperate brokenness. My breakthrough came when I returned to God.

This is my story of how God transformed me into the virtuous woman I am today.

Title:  His Strength in my Weakness: A Journey of Brokenness, Breakthrough, and Transformation

Author:  Dr. Eurita Taylor

Publisher:   Xulon Press          

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"His Strength in my Weakness: A Journey of Brokenness, Breakthrough, and Transformation" by DR. EURITA TAYLOR

My Opinion:  

"His Strength in my Weakness" was a read of a single mother and how God brought her out of her present situation. This author went through some of it all from being a survivor of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.' Reading through her novel, I could only hope, and it was good to see how it worked out in her life-giving her 'a smile and even a laugh again.' It was a good read to see how one's life was taken from 'mess and distress and transformed her into the strong, confident woman she is today.' The title of Dr. Taylor's novel conveys what her life was like and takes one on a  'Journey of Brokenness, Breakthrough, and Transformation.'  The introduction starts with one world...Forgiveness..without that, can we move forward?... Letter to Daddy...And then on from chapters 1-17, the reader gets quite a read of what all Dr. Eurita Taylor went through to get where she is today...from 'Humble Beginnings to Sheer Willpower.'  

What was this novel about that will keep one turning the pages?

As the story from her beginnings...as Eurita deals with her parents and a strange uncle.. harsh disciple received...to moving to the East Coast from the Caribbean... an Antigua...meets and marries Carl... what will happen when the children start coming? ..was this to be a good marriage without God in their lives? ...move to South Bend, Indiana as ...Children continue coming...Friendships...Defeated and Deflated...Sweet Surrender...A New Beginning...Renewed Level of Faith...My God is Real...Sheer Willpower...to the Conclusion. 

It was nice to have in each of the chapters having 'Biblical Applications,' which went along so well this what had happened in that chapter, along with a Prayer offered and several questions asked from the previous read. And at the end...God's Promise...to all!

To get it all, the reader must pick up and read this novel to understand how Eurita's life changed for her good truly. It was so good to see Eurita having good friends in her life as to Ms. Linda and several pastors that seemed to always be there for her just at the right time. Everyone can use a good friend.   

When Eurita thought she was going into the accounting field with two degrees, it was good to see how her life changed, getting her doctorate Ph.D. in Christian Counseling instead and becoming a Christian Counselor/Motivational Speaker...now doing what God wanted in her life.  

The story was about how 'God transformed Dr. Taylor into the virtuous lady she is today.' It was so good seeing how 'God had taken her life's mess and distress and transformed her into a strong, confident woman' here the 'final chapters of her life [and ours] are still being written.' All in all, this was quite a beautiful read of how one life changed for its good after she got on the right path to receive His word. And it is offered to all who believe in His word. 

Mrs. Saint (A Miss King Novel Book 3) Kindle Edition by Cheryl Robinson

 

Book Excerpt:

"Lily isn’t happy being Mrs. Saint—the past year has been far from wedded bliss. She starts to put into motion a plan to run away—from a troubled marriage, the pain of her past, and to correct the mistake she made when she walked away from her first love.

But life in the 1960s isn’t easy. Not only must Lily upend her personal life, but she must also navigate the turmoil of the day’s society that has its own ideas about a woman’s place—especially a Black woman’s.

She longs to again realize her independence as Lily King, leaving behind the dismal reality of being married to a domineering man she doesn’t love. Follow Lily’s journey as she tries to pursue a better life."

Title: Mrs. Saint
Author: Cheryl Robinson
Publisher: Rose Colored Books
Series: A Miss King Novel Book 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Mrs. Saint" by Cheryl Robinson

My Opinion:

"Mrs. Saint" was quite a read. However, to better understand what all has gone on with Miss Lily, I would suggest the reader read this author's first two books in this series [Lily and Baby Girl] to get the entire understanding of what has gone on with this main character...Lily.

I did indeed find 'Mrs. Staint' the third in this series, is a story that will leave you with many thoughts to ponder over long after the read. How did Lily make it through all she had been put through...into truly unbelievable situations, starting around age ten? It seems like all those people that Lily had trusted were not there for her, some due to death like Miss Jackson and a few others along the wayside...Shorty Biggs, James, and her father. What was up with James...whom Lily seemed to love and idolized genuinely? Ok, I know that's a story for an earlier time...so you will need to read the first two series to see what that is all about.

Now in this story...Mrs. Saint... we find Lily has married Raymond Saint. All that's left to say of that marriage is WOW! Being a black woman in the '60s didn't give Lily any happiness, especially being married to that Raymond. I couldn't understand any of the treatment Raymond gave Lily where he seemed to think that his wife was put on the earth to serve him...literally! And Lily only stayed because...well, I will let you read it and see for yourself how mixed up all of that indeed was for this poor woman. Now she is ... and can't seem to get away for that husband and his family...that mother-in-law was a piece of work along with Lily's sister, Betsy was a piece of work too! With all that was going on with Lily, she did have a friend named Ovetta, but I guess things got too hot for her [due to her stupidity], and now Ovetta seemed to have left without a word to Lily. But I think that is how life was for Lily...mostly... they all go leaving Lily one way or another.

Will Lily be able to make it out of this mess she seems always to be in before it's too late? Well, I guess we will have to see from the next series to know more about what is going on with Lily and that crazy Raymond because we are left wondering. Will Lily ever find the peace she wants and get out of this mess and pursue the life she wants? Please do yourself a favor and pick up this series...it's an exciting read that will leave you thinking of it long after the read.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an exciting read about Mrs. Saint and, in turn, giving my honest review.