Arlena Has Read and Reviewed What Novels?

Title: How Hard Can It Be?
Author: Allison Pearson
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Series: Kate Reddy, #2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"How Hard Can It Be?" by Allison Pearson

My Thoughts....

Well how 'How Hard Can It Be" for Kate Reddy who is close to her 50th birthday? Let's see just what all she has before her: having to lie about her age as she is returning to the workforce due to the fact that her husband [Richard] is out there where he has distant [self-centered], into self help books and bike riding [midlife crisis]. Along with this Kate's daughter has gone on internet and posted a 'inappropriate photos' of herself, then we go on to aging parents [his parents and her mom] and lastly having to deal with menopause. So, just from all of this the reader can see that a lots has been thrown on Kate. Oh, I don't want to forget to add more to Kate's woes, a person [Jack Abelhammer] from her past has come into the scene so what will that bring to this story? So, will this story be a 'recipe for disaster, laughs and some heartwarming moment?

"How Hard Can It Be?" was quite a engaging, poignant read where a lots of what Kate Reddy had to go through was very relatable for many who have tackled many of these issues. I thought this novel was a good read that was not only well written, , clever and yes very real' that I would recommend as a good read.

Title: Someone to Care
Author: Mary Balogh
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Someone to Care" by Mary Balogh

My Thoughts...

This was quite a interesting Victorian historical fiction read by this author will capture your attention from the first chapter. I liked this captivating story of Viola Kingsley and Marcel Lamarr who reconnected after many years and find a second chance at love and life. What brought this story up to this point? Well, from a loveless marriage for 23 years to find out at her husband [the Earl was a bigamist] death Viola Kingsley wasn't marriaged at all and her children were illegitimate. 'Being cast out of proper society after learning her marriage and life as a Countess' was a farce she decides to leave the area for a home by herself he meets Marcel Lamarr [an old flirt, a rogue who she rejected 14 years ago] and they decide to run away together and this is where this story will take off.

To get the rest of this intriguing story you will just have to pick up "Someone to Care" to find out the rest of the story which will become somewhat a complicated life as we learn more about Viola and Marcel's feelings for each other that slowly grows into a slow friendship and then develops into love.

However, they had both had 'experienced great pain in their life and dealt with it quite differently.'  I will stop here and say if you are into a 'older heroine and hero' getting their HEA then this engaging read would be for you.

Title: Polarity In Motion
Author: Brenda Vicars
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Polarity in Motion" by Brenda Vicars

My Thoughts....

I found this novel a good thought provoking and touching read for any young adult and parent. What will happen as fifteen year old Polarity is put in a unfortunate situation? I liked how this author was able to 'address many level of bullying, social media, mental illness, racial discrimination, drugs and relationships' that so many youngsters can relate to. Even with all of this it is so hard to believe people can be so cruel. So, in the end how will this story end about a nude photo that goes viral? A bag of drugs and more? OK, to find out who put the photo out there and more you will have to pick up 'Polarity in Motion' to find out. How will Polarity 'save herself by saving someone else?'

I really enjoyed 'the love in the message about inequity that involved 'Polarity's road to self discovery.' The author did a great job giving the readers some amazing characters that were presented and handled the different issues so very well in this young adult novel. "Polarity in Motion" was definitely a compelling story to read and definitely learn from it.

Thank you to the author for a good read.

Title: Fury Of Fire
Author: Coreene Callahan
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Series: Dragonfury Series Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Fury Of Fire" by Coreene Callahan

My Thoughts....

Did I enjoy this fantasy romance read? Yes, I enjoyed these supernational creatures...these dragons [shifters] and yes it was about the good dragons vs. the bad dragons. The story kept my attention featuring Bastion [dragon] and Myst [Bellmia-nurse] who had quite a love story. I enjoyed how they met and that feeling that was there from the start. Let me also mention the hot steamy sex that went on between these two[Bastion & Myst"] was simply off the chart well written.

I loved how this author brings out the energy at Myst yielded with her Meridian energy that flowed between her and Bastion throughout the story which was of great importance to these dragons [Shifters]. This was of great importance to the read in that "the dragons gain power and curb their hunger from energy produced from females that are with." "With the dragons who were facing extinction fewer dragons were being born and only conceived with a human female that has dragon DNA and are the males dragon mate and the horrible thing of it all the human females were not able to survive childbirth."

Now, to understand it all you will have to pick up this author's 'Fury Of Fire' to get the full story that will definitely keep your attention especially if you like dragons reads as you will be turning the pages to see what is coming next...and yes believe me a lots will be coming!

Be ready for some bad dragons fights, kidnapped, revenge, caves, battles, sexy alpha males and romance giving the readers quite a bit of fast paced action with some outstanding descriptions as the story flowed so very well. The characters are simply well developed, portrayed and believable as you are really in for a good read with the Nightfuries [Bastion] and the Razorbacks [Ivar] dragons [Shifters] going after each other. Why and who will come out of this? Will the humans [Mac and Angela] the good cops be able to able to make sense of it all with death happening all around them? By the end of the read one will definitely get a good take on the 'Dragonkind or what is called the Dragon Shifters' and only leaving the reader wanting more.

Title: Vegas Gambler
Author: Meghan's Playhouse
Publisher: eXtasy Books Inc
Series: Meghan's Playhouse Book 5
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Vegas Gambler" by Adriana Kraft

My Thoughts....

Again this author knows how to give the readers one heck of a good hot erotic romantic read and yes with partners! So if this isn't your kind of read...beware. We find from the read that Meghan Keenan is visiting with her friend Jack Hawthorne [professional poker player] who lived in Vegas. While Meghan has plans of having some fun by setting up her masseuse Tia Minh as a threesome, however she finds out that their is a boyfriend Tony Sanders. Now there will be a challenge for Meghan in getting everyone together. But was this to be as It seems like Tia has taken a liking to Jack. How will all of this work out for Jack, Tia, Tony and even Meghan? Who will out play who as it seems like Tia has other plans? In the end who will end up with who? I know there are a lots of questions that need to be answered and I will stop here and say to get all of these questions answered and more you will have to pick up "Vegas Gambler" to find out in this delightful 'playhouse' read.

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.

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.'

Title: Prairie Heat: Cowboys of the Flints Hills
Author: Tessa Layne
Publisher: Shady Layne Media
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Prairie Heat: Cowboys of the Flint Hills" by Tessa Layne

My Thoughts.....

Interesting read! Good contemporary western romance read that is full of a little bit of it all. From cowboys, family rivalries & interference [The Sinclairs & The Hansens], uncertainty, antagonist, drama, secrets, humor, confessions, sharing forgiveness, tenderness and oh yes love that was there for Blake and Maddie [especially the scene with them on horseback and...]. All in all what had happened many years ago had these two family in a land dispute due to a lost porker game and from this we get quite a story. What will happen after a kiss and Maddie's father becomes ill and a fake plan is orchestrated with Blake's involvement? How will this enemies to lovers romance play out? To find you you will have to pick up "Prairie Heat: Cowboys of the Flint Hills" to find out how the reader will come to a satisfied ending.

Title: A Venture of the Heart
Author: Amelia Judd
Publisher: Mitchell Davis Press LLC
Series: Silver Bay Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"A Venture of the Heart" by Amelia Judd

My Thoughts.....

I enjoyed this quick read where you found the characters well developed, defined and portrayed in this sweet romantic story. It was quite interesting seeing how this will work it all out for Pax and Sage as it becomes obvious that one will not be able to live without the other as fate will send them a olive branch. With both of these two main characters having their own issues will they be able to give into their true feelings as we find Pax is a 'risk taker and Sage is a rule follower and Pax's sister's best friend?' Well, to find it all out you will have to pick up "A Venture of the Heart" to find out how it all happens and how did the family play into it. Be ready for the twist and surprises that will keep your attention as you as turning the pages to see what is coming next.

Title: Gun Kiss
Author: Khaled Talib
Publisher: Imajin Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Gun Kiss" by Khaled Talib

My Thoughts....

If you like a good fast packed thriller read along with some twist and turns, non stop action, some romance, friendship suspense, adventure, drama, descriptive scenery, with a interesting plot line and even some humor then you have come to the right place. 'Gun Kiss' involves Blake Deco [ex-military] who not only 'sneaks into Russia to steal back a gun that killed Abraham Lincoln' that John Wilkes Booth had used and hold on as we find him with another job and that is him getting ready to face a horrible drug lord in Mexico in a 'face off' due to his involvement with Goldie the beautiful Hollywood Star. With this gun get returned to its rightful owner and what about Miss Goldie... will Blake be able to keep her safe? To find out what all this is about you will just have to pick up "Gun Kiss" to see how well this author put this story together as all questions will be answered.

In this well written story there will be certain issues that will bring into play 'sexual harassment, gender inequality and racism.' Definitely Blake and Goldie story is quite a interesting espionage story. I also enjoyed several of the secondary characters being so well developed and Jack was indeed one that I did like in this story. In the end the reader will get a good read as the story comes together so uniquely.