The Trouble In Paradise Collection: Books 1 - 4 Kindle Edition by Stephanie Nicole Norris

 Book Excerpt:

"****This is a re-release series compiled into one collection****

Falling in love shouldn't be this complicated, nevertheless...

Victoria and Joshua have moved to Chicago, Illinois, while Victoria pursues a career in psychology. Recently engaged, the southern-bred couple is in love and sets out to start anew. When Victoria thinks she'll get her happily ever after, Joshua's past catches up with them. They've barely unpacked before trouble is in their midst. Victoria can withstand the pressure until secrets are revealed, lies are told, and unexpected events occur. Will the couple weather the storm together, or will they crash and burn?"

This is a FOUR book series in one collection for you to enjoy. It includes:
Trouble In Paradise Book 1
Vengeful Intentions Book 2
For Better and Worse Book 3

Title: The Trouble In Paradise Collection
Author: Stephanie Nicole Norris
Publisher: Love Is A Drug Ink LLC (August 19, 2022)
Series: Books 1-4
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Trouble In Paradise Collection: Books 1-4" by Stephanie Nicole Norris

My Assessment:
'The Trouble In Paradise Collection...Books 1-4' had a lot going on, from 'craziness, drama, love, murder, mental health, depression, and suicide' that will be a long read after all is said. All the characters seemed to have problems that would have one shaking their heads and saying wow... is this what comes from love? The story presents the reader with quite a coaster ride that one will have to keep up with what is happening to whom? So be ready for quite a read on 'The Trouble In Paradise Collection.'

Flight A Novel by Lynn Steger Strong

 Book Excerpt:

"Arresting and powerful, Flight examines the possibility and pain of fierce love and hope in our time of looming existential threats." — Lily King, New York Times bestselling author of Writers & Lovers.

"Suspenseful, dazzling and moving." — Rumaan Alam, New York Times bestselling author of Leave the World Behind 

It's December twenty-second, and siblings Henry, Kate, and Martin have converged with their spouses at Henry's house in upstate New York. This is the first Christmas the siblings are without their mother, the first not at their mother's Florida house. Over the next three days, old resentments and instabilities arise as the siblings, with a gaggle of children afoot, attempt to perform familiar rituals while also trying to decide what to do with their mother's house, their sole inheritance. Finally, as tensions rise, the whole group is forced to come together unexpectedly when a local mother and daughter need help. 

With the urgency and artfulness that cemented her previous novel Want as "a defining novel of our age" (Vulture), Strong once again turns her attention to the structural and systemic failings that are haunting Americans, but also to how family, friends, and strangers can support each other through the gaps. Flight is a novel of family, ambition, precarity, art, and desire, one that forms a decisive next step from a brilliant chronicler of our time."

Title: Flight
Author: Steger Strong
Publisher: Mariner Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Flight" by Lynn Steger Strong

My Assessment:

"Fight" was quite a read that this author presents to the reader that looks at family struggles and how the chaos of life can bring about different emotions and drama in characters as it did in this particular family.

We find three couples gathering at Christmas at one of the sibling's homes in New York [Alice and Henry]; both artists, but he is obsessed with climate, and Alice is also a social worker. This was the first time this group had been together since their matriarch died. Martin and Tess [Professor & Lawyer] come from Manhattan with two kids. Then there is Josh [that's another story], and Kate [was a housewife and mother from Richmond who misses her mom by keeping up with the family recipes and photos. But how will the subject go with the siblings and sisters-in-law converse about their mother's home that is located in Florida...their only inheritance...and no will? What havoc will come from this particular subject...fighting over the house? What will happen when Alice's case being a caseworker of Maddie, come into play when that situation comes about when the child is taken away from her mother, Quinn?

Be prepared for a lot to go on in this familiar family that will have one shaking their head quite a few times from the read, and they deal with 'grief, inheritance, emotional, children's issues, drama, and a house that needs to be disposed of soon.' Be ready for many names thrown around, so you will have to keep up with it all!

The reader must pick up 'Flight' and see how this story will unfold. It will be a heck of a good story.

Thanks to Mariner Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

The Midnight Call: A Queen City Crimes Mystery (A Queen City Crimes Novel Book 2) Kindle Edition by Jodé Millman

 Book Excerpt:

"Who would ever suspect that their mentor, teacher, and friend was a cold-blooded killer? Jessie Martin didn't—at least not until she answers the midnight call.

Late one August night, Jessie's lifelong mentor and friend—and presently a popular, charismatic, and handsome high school teacher—Terrence Butterfield calls. He utters a startling admission: he's killed someone. He pleads for Jessie's help, so out of loyalty, she rushes to his aid, unaware that she's risking her relationship, career, and life–and that of her unborn child—to help Terrence.

Does Jessie's presence at Terrence's home implicate her in the gruesome murder of the teenage boy found in the basement? Why does Terrence betray Jessie when he has a chance to exonerate her of all charges? Has he been a monster in disguise for all these years?

To reclaim her life and prove her innocence, Jessie must untangle the web of lies and reveal the shocking truths behind the homicide. The quest turns out to be the fight of her life: to preserve everything and everyone she holds dear."

Title The Midnight Call: A Queen City Crime Mystery
Author: Jodé Millman
Publisher: Level Best Books
Series: A Queen City Crime Novel Book 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Midnight Call" by Jodé Millman

My Assessment:

If you are looking for a suspenseful read with a lot of plotting, you have come to the right place. Be prepared for many twists and turns, surprises, and shocks that will also have one shaking their heads and saying, wow, as this crime mystery 'The Midnight Call' will keep one turning the pages to see what is coming next.

Now to the characters...and there will be many, and this author presents them to the reader in how this horrible tragedy starts from a phone call to Jessie Martin [who was a lawyer] from Terrence Butterfield [a teacher]. 'The Midnight Call is a story that 'focuses on the legal aspect of the arrest and the workings of the prosecution and defense of the case.'

What will happen as the reader sees how Terrence Butterfield is a mastermind of manipulation? Will this make a difference in this case?

We go from there to a variety of attorneys...some good and some well; this is where you will have to pick up this read to see how it all plays out in this Poughkeepsie, NY, location.

This story will be one that the reader will not want to put down until the end, and that ending was quite a new revelation to the story.

Sugar Kindle Edition by Celeste Granger

 Book Excerpt:

"He was captured by her magnetic beauty from the very beginning. She was unaware of just how incredibly beautiful she really was. Chantal LaRue, an heir to her family's business throne, acquiesced to a request by Miles Malone, a world-renowned internal photographer, to take a few pictures. Those still photos changed the trajectory of her life in more ways than Chantal could have ever imagined."

Title: Sugar
Author: Celeste Granger
Publisher: C.G.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Sugar" by Celeste Granger

My Assessment:

'Sugar' was a sweet short romance that featured Chantel [Sugar] and Miles. The story was interesting in how these two meet up at the park, with Miles asking Chantel if he could take her photo. Also, Chantel's little sister was there too. It was a surprise that all that saw Chantel's photo at Miles Photography studio wanted Chantel to model for them. And that's where the story takes off, along with Miles's feelings for Chantel seemingly from the very beginning. How will this turn out for these two? The reader will have to pick up "Sugar" to find out.

All Churched Out...The Weary Wife Of The Pastor, Book 1, By Denise Cook-Godfrey

Book Excerpt: 

"This book is being written with a passion for stirring the hearts of the "church" as we know it. Relationship over religion is an underlying theme that needs to be revisited over and over as we mature as Christians. Traditional mindsets and thinking patterns make the Word of God ineffective in our lives. Synopsis Lea Westchester-Jackson is a woman torn between two worlds. One of those worlds revolves around God's unique gifts and passions from within her, but the other revolves around chaos, betrayal, legalism, and hypocrisy. Walking in the shadows of her late mother as the First Lady of Shady Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Lea loses a sense of restraint when her heart is shattered into millions of pieces. At that point in her life, she plummeted onto a journey where she searched for completion outside the traditional church's walls. Lea, who seemed to have never fully bonded with her mother due to emotional issues suffered by her mother during the postpartum depression, lives a life filled with a low self-image, fear, and an inferiority complex. Just when happiness appears to be on the horizon after marrying Kyle, her expectations and desires fade as he steps into the position of Pastor. Being the daughter of a Pastor, Lea and her sister Rebbie vowed never to marry a Pastor after witnessing their mother's pressure and pain during their childhood. Everyone's expectations for Lea and the "church" life cause triggering events from Lea's past to resurface. This resurfacing of past pain drives Lea into a world of seeking her identity desperately. The lack of a maternal bond causes more pain after her mother's death. This is the compelling story of a woman scorned while tempted to define true worship, spirituality, and love. "Lea," whose name means "weary," portrays the kind of character who takes the term "level up" to a new level."

Title: All Churched Out...The Weary Wife Of The Pastor
Author: Denise Cook-Godfrey
Publisher: Denise Cook-Godfrey
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"All Churched Out...The Weary Wife Of The Pastor" by Denise Cook-Godfrey

My Assessment:

After reading this excellent novel, all that is left to say is WOW! This author did a fantastic job with this storyline. However, I am not sure who I felt sorrier for after all was said and done. One sure thing...all needed prayer from our Heavenly Father!

All of the characters from this story... Pastor Joseph Westchester, his wife, Agatha, his daughters, Leah and Rebbie, son-in-law, Kyle, Aunt Zelle, the sister-in-law, Deacon & wife, and a few others...I left out to keep one's interest to the very end.

With all that goes on in this story...one will be shaking their head and saying oh my God. But, as I was reading, I felt poor Leah needed therapy all by herself to talk freely with someone who would listen to her. This situation reminded me of a time in my life when treatment was needed, and the first thing I said to my therapist was I want to talk, and you listen. One can be left thinking, was this what Leah needed?

Yes, Leah had reason to be angry because of how her mother and father had treated her, along with that husband, and let us not leave out the sister Rebbie but surely Leah will not turn from God. All I will say about Leah's husband Kyle and Rebbie [her sister] left me shaking my head and saying ... wow! But as things were going on in this story, I wasn't too surprised at what had happened between the two. I don't want to tell too much of the story, so you will pick up this read and see how well this author brings it all out.

To say who started all of this mess was definitely with Pastor Westchester, who thought he was doing right in picking out Leah's husband... Kyle. But after Pastor Westchester found out what was going on, there is so much more to this picture with Kyle...who was a piece of work, and so was it with Leah's sister Rebbie. So all that is left to say is that they all need help from God!

After the family finally decides to talk about this horrible situation, what will happen next for Leah as she leaves her home and stays at a hotel for a few weeks? What will come of it when Leah is dining at the restaurant and gets a note from someone telling her..."Your sister was not the only one you know! Poor little Leah…always getting the short end of the stick! First, your mom didn't, and now your husband scorned you." Directly, who sent this to Leah, and why would someone be so cruel?

Will "Leah be able to find the strength to move beyond the pain and betrayal that she has encountered from her husband and sister? What about her past hurt and bitterness?" To get more of "All Churched Out," the reader must pick up Book 2 to see how well this author brings more of this story out to the reader. There will be a total of three Books on this story..."All Churched Out...The Weary Wife Of The Pastor," so there will be much more interesting information as the story continues.

The Doctor and His Curvy Controversy (Curves on Demand) Kindle Edition by Amber Ghe

 Book Excerpt:

"All bets on deck

When Dr. Christos Gallo, better known as Dr. Shallow Gallo, loses a bet with his best friend, he has to invite the next woman that walks into the hospital cafeteria to the Wine and Positive Promotions Event.

This should be a breeze because the lady who walks through the door ends up being a new employee no one knows. And although she's a little curvy for his liking, he's always up for a friendly wager.

New in town, Dr. Peyton Rowland feels readily accepted when she's immediately asked to the promotions event. She accepts the offer, not knowing his shallow ways.

Only Christos's best friend fails to disclose that the event is a three-day cruise. Christos decides to let loose and attempts to make the best of things. However, after Peyton saves a choking patron and is nominated to become the Chief of Surgery, becoming his boss, she ultimately steals his heart and job. There's no way Christos can win."

***Please note this is a short story. HEA

Title: The Doctor and His Curvy Controversy
Author: Amber Ghe
Publisher: Hustle & Write Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Doctor and His Curvy Controversy" by Amber Ghe

My Assessment:

What will happen when Dr.Christos Gallo takes on a bet from his friend? When Christos takes on this bet, he meets the new doctor in town, Dr. Payton Rowland. Will she accept Christo's offer of going on this three-day cruise? Of course, she does, except the story gets even more interesting as Peyton discovers they will have to share a room and that he is engaged. The news will come out as Dr. Payton will be nominated as Chief of Surgery and Christo's boss. There will be a lot going on in this read, as it seems they may be falling for each other. But will Christos admit that he likes curvy women? To get the hold story, the reader will have to pick up "The Doctor and His Curvy Controversy" and see how well this author brings it all out to the reader. It will be a short HEA read.

Ember Kindle Edition by Celeste Granger

 Book Excerpt:

"Her name made perfect sense to Eason as his eyes roamed her exquisite features. It was her eyes, like a low burning fire, catching light without releasing it. The coloration, the intensity, the dance as they moved casually yet intentionally. Her name made perfect sense. Ember Knight is a woman who knows what she wants in life and in love. As a digital marketing specialist, Ember works behind the scenes building up others while making a place for herself. Eason Leaumont is a man who knows what he wants, as well. He is focused on family and continuing to build with his twin sister. A chance encounter takes Eason completely off focus. What was intended to be all business turns into an unwavering pursuit of pleasure."

Title: Ember
Author: Celeste Granger
Publisher: C. G.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Ember" by Celeste Granger

My Assessment:

'Ember' was a sweet love story about two people falling in love...Eason and Ember. After what happened to the Leaumont family [their mom and dad], Eason, and his twin sister Eden, seeing them make it so well in their lives was beautiful. It was interesting seeing how these twins could make a life for themselves, especially after the death of their parents had happened earlier n Louisiana during Katrina.

It was beautiful seeing how one could see how well these two...Eason and Ember were indeed for each other, especially seeing how well she helped Eden heal his hurt.

This is an excellent short' sweet love read if you are looking for a pretty sweet love romance.