Truth Over Justice, Ellis Keler

 

Book Excerpt:

"One night, three murders. One suspect. There's only one lawyer who will defend her client to death.

Vivian Parker is a lawyer who doesn't take no for an answer. Instead, she goes all in, which means she'll defend her client to the last breath. But when a horrible crime happens in the most famous hospital in the town, she finds out that the accused is a man who had a secret past with her…

Conspiracies surrounding stolen drugs will make Vivian lose her mind as she tries desperately to find out who wore the dark mask all along—and the only one who can answer is her client. Now she starts to wonder if even she can be trusted…."

Title: Truth Over Justice
Author: Ellis Keler
Publisher: ‎ Cobalt Fairy LLC
Series: A Vivian Parker Legal Thriller
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Truth Over Justice" by Ellis Keler

My Assessment:

'Truth Over Justice' was a 'blood-pumping' crime legal thriller that featured lawyer Vivian Parker as she defends a family friend of three murders. Be ready for lots of twists, turns, and surprises as Vivian works on this case. There will be a well-developed group of intriguing well-portrayed characters by the time the story ends. But, will Vivian be able to tie the story all together by the end as Vivian seems to become personally involved? To find out the answers to these questions and more, pick up 'Truth Over Justice' to see how well this author delivers to the reader. The extended epilogue was interesting in how the author brings the story out about Vivian's family.

A Christmas Delivery Kindle Edition by Amber Ghe

 Book Excerpt:

"It wasn't the postman who delivered. It was her.

Blake has a large family that adores and makes Christmas a joyous event, complete with a feast, gifts, and Christmas trimmings.

Blake Carrington never notices the mailman Naveed Peace until he helps her out of a tough spot. Finds out he has no family and works long, grueling hours in the cold. Blake searches high and low to give him the perfect gift. Blake finally decides to take Naveed on a date that could change their lives forever.

*Christmas is about more than presents.

*A Christmas Delivery is a Holiday Romance, Standalone, HEA.*

Title: A Christmas Delivery
Author: Amber Ghe
Publisher: Hustle & Write Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
"A Christmas Delivery" by Amber Ghe

My Assessment:

'The Christmas Delivery' was a sweet romance read featuring Blake and Naveed. Seeing these two come together was interesting, with Naveed being Blake's mailman. But how will this work out for them with Blake's mom trying to get her set up with a friend's son? After the accident, due to what happened to Naveed during the delivery of packages to Blake and her helping him out due to his falling on her snowy steps, what will come of all of this? Will these two find love? You will have to pick up this good short Christmas read to see how this author brings it out to the reader.

The Lawyer’s Truth: A James Acker Legal Thriller (James Acker legal thriller series Book 3) Kindle Edition by Freya Atwood

 Book Excerpt:

"It was the town's most terrifying secret: a serial killer who stalked the streets at night, leaving behind bodies mangled by his own hands. But the police had found the culprit. Or so they thought…

James Archer's instincts told him to defend the man for whom everyone wanted the worst punishment. He is sure of his client's innocence when his convictions are shaken as he finds out he is part of a cult…

But this was only the beginning of a series of exposed secrets—and the last to be revealed is the one that will ruin James' life forever…

The Lawyer's Truth is an exciting blood-pumping legal thriller written by Freya Atwood and published by Cobalt Fairy.

You'll love Freya's intriguing story if you an avid fan of strong characters, action-packed courtroom drama, and mind-blowing murder mystery."

Title: The Lawyer's Truth
Author: Freya Atwood
Publisher: Cobalt Fairy LLC
Series: James Acker Legal Thriller Book 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Lawyer's Truth: a James Acker Legal Thriller" by Freya Atwood

My Assessment:

'The Lawyer's Truth' will be quite a legal thriller as James Archer has decided to take a serial killer's case. After his last case not turning out so well for him, one would think he wouldn't jump into another chance like this one. However, that is precisely what he does, and this author gives the reader another 'exciting blood-pumping legal thriller' that will bring this lawyer to face a bit more than just solving this particular case, 'as he finds out he is part of this cult...' as his secret comes out. To find out what comes from James Acker's Legal Thriller, you must pick up this intriguing story to see what it's all about.

Authentically, Izzy by Pepper Basham

 Book Excerpt:

"Dear Reader, My name is Isabelle Louisa Edgewood—Izzy, for short. I live by blue-tinted mountains, where I find contentment in fresh air and books. Oh, and coffee and tea, of course. And occasionally in being accosted by the love of my family. (You'll understand my verb choice in the phrase later.) I dream of opening my own bookstore, but my life, particularly my romantic history, has not been the stuff of fairy tales. This is probably why my pregnant, misled, matchmaking cousin—who is more like my sister—signed me up for an online dating community.

The trouble is . . . it worked. I've met my book-quoting Mr. Right, and our correspondence has been almost too good to be true. But Brodie lives across an ocean. And just the other day, a lovely author and professor named Eli came into the library where I work and asked me for a coffee. So, again, I feel like a rom-com movie with a foreboding disaster nipping at my heels.

But I've played it safe for a long time. Maybe it's time for me to be as brave as my favorite literary heroines. Perhaps it's time to take the adventures from the page to real life. Wish me luck."

Title: Authentically, Izzy
Author: Pepper Basham
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"Authentically, Izzy" by Pepper Basham

My Assessment:

The author presented this novel, "Authentically," which was told in 'letters, emails, and tests,' in a beautiful, exciting romance that will keep one's interest till the end. What will happen when 'Izzy's matchmaking cousin Josephine signs her up for an online matchmaking service?' How will this turn out for Izzy as he gets to know Brodie as they get to know each other? Be ready for many laughers as the reader continues to turn the pages. I especially like the 'Lord of the Rings references because I am a Lord of the Rings fan.

'Authentically' will present a creative, heartfelt, romantic read with an intriguing premise. To get it all, pick up this good read to see how well this author brings it out to the reader.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Lunchtime Chronicles: Mai Tai Kindle Edition by Amarie Avant

 Book Excerpt:

"I have her all tied up . . .

A gorgeous 40-something walks into a bar, orders a Mai Tai, and flirts with a man that checks every box in a sexy, dangerous, dark yakuza romance.
Sounds like it would make for a good conversation, right?
Except I'm that woman. I'm a shy geometry teacher who gets talked over, looked over, and took a good chunk of her 401k plan to fulfill a getaway vacation that so happens to include the optional "smutty romance fantasy."
But halfway through drinks, flirting, and kissing on the first night, I realize I finessed the wrong drop, a dead gorgeous guy.
Don't get me wrong, Ryoichii's as beautiful as sin. But he's not the man I pre-purchased to reenact my steamy book boyfriend who fetishes lightyears away from my small Texas town. Ryoichi is the real deal . . .
A yakuza boss!
Tonight gets a whole lot darker when I see my very first murder.
And now I'm all tied up--literally.
This steamy BWAM love story includes the tropes: dangerous yakuza leader, mistaken identity, abduction (obviously), and enemies-to-lovers romance!"

Title:  Lunchtime Chronicles:  Mai Tai

Author:  Amarie Avant

Publisher:  A.A.  ‎ 

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Lunchtime Chronicles" Mai Tai" by Amarie Avant

My Assessment:  

This was a cute novella read about Ryann falling for Ryoichi... indeed, her fantasy. Ryoichi, an alpha, fell hard for Ryann, an high teacher, as she fell hard for the man he certainly was. Pick up this read to see how well this author brings it out to the reader, especially the spiritual revelation of the story.    

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.