Arlena Dean

I have been married to my William for over 52 Years! updated 6/21/22

I have been a 'Book Reviewer' since 2011 and love it. Now, I am on board with Net Gallery, NOR, and many authors who request an honest review from me regarding their novels. In all my reading, I try to find something good that would appeal to the next reader; however, I give my honest opinion of the read. Are all my excellent read reads?.. NO, but I am most of the time to find something I like from that author's read to pass on to the reader. I have a blog page with over 3000 reviews from beautiful novels I have read over many years. I have met some wonderful authors from this list, and I can say that I have read some of them all. As an avid reader, it simply amazes me what an author will come up with in their stories. I love how they can present it on paper to the reader. My favorite reads are mostly romance, but I do love to read some of it all, as you will see if you check my blog page.

Please feel free to check out my blog:
http://arlenasbookreviews-arlenadean.blogspot.com
Arlena's Book Reviews

Some of Arlena's Reads, Blogs, and Reviews go through 2016

Plus ...you can find a few of my Interviews with Various Authors by Arlena at: http://agordond.blogspot.com.

If, by chance, you would love me to read and review your novel, please feel free to email me at: arlenadean@cox.net.

Also... my hobby (as my husband calls it)
I have been an Avon Rep for almost 41 years, where I specialize in Direct Online Sales.
You can find me at:
www.youravon.com/arlenadean

But most of all...I love God because I know without
him in my life, I would be nothing! So I am thankful for being able to live my life, being happy and at peace with it all.
I want to thank My God for my everything!

Website: http://arlenasbookreviews-arlenadean.blogspot.com
Twitter: @ArlenaDean
Facebook: Facebook profile
Wattpad: Arlena Gordon Dean
Blog: http://arlenadean.blogspot.com/

• Music of the Gods on Feb. 25, 2012
  
  Music of the Gods By Richard Schiver was really rich and definitely a good read. That thought of be careful what you ask...really applies here in this story...I agree with the Ebook description...so often we don't realize what we have until we've lost it! I am sure that will be your thoughts after this read. Good job! I really enjoyed this quick and well written novel.
  
• The Jinson Twins, Science Detectives, and The Mystery of Echo Lake on Feb. 26, 2012
  
  This was a wonderful story. I enjoyed it from the start till the end. I believe any young person as well as an adult would like this read!
  
• Catch on Feb. 26, 2012
  
  This was indeed a wonderful read. I enjoyed it!
  
• For the Sake of Amelia - Tormented on March 10, 2012
  (no rating)
  I really enjoyed "For the Sake of Amelia-Tormented" By Valerie Bowen. Truly Ms. Bowen loves having excitement and supsense in her book. This novel was definitley a page-tuner. The characters were very good in this novel: Amelia, Ray, Tracy, Mark, Kyle and Mr. Ben Sullivan only to name a few. I found the book a real page turner.. wanting to know just what happened to Amelia? Will Kyle and Amelia ever be together? I guess we will have to get the next novel to find out!
  
• Faerie Wishes on March 21, 2012
  (no rating)
  Review: "Faerie Wishes" by Valerie Bowen was a cute and sweet romantic fantasy read. I really enjoyed this storytelling by Ms. Bowen. Talia Saturnfrost was a fae and had dreams of living among the humans....becoming a human. After Talia meets and falls in love with Cayden (who was a human) she decides that this is what she wants and that is to leave her forest home and live with the human...Cayden. Her best friend Juniper was not for her doing this...but Talia had her own ideas on this matter and she wanted this dream to become a reality for her. So,just how this all turns out you will have to pick up this novel. But I will let you know that sometimes what you ask for may not be the best of you...as in this story. Sometimes some wishes can even almost kill you. The characters in this story were outstanding.. For there was Tailia, Cayden, Juniper, Deaghan, Thorn, Arielle, Haleigh and Samuel. The author did a wonderful job in her storytelling of "Faerie Wishes." There were some twist and turns that were interesting... especially toward the end. Will Talia and Cayden live happy ever after or will there be someone who will comes into this story and presents issues between them? Again you will have to read and find out for yourself. It will be worth the read to find out just how this 'wish' does turn out. "Faerie Wishes" was a short, sweet fantasy romance that I did enjoy and I think if you are into fantasy you will like this good read.
  
• Have a Nice Weekend on April 24, 2012
  
  Author: Ian Ellis Published By: Night Publishing, Smashwords Edition Age Recommend: Adult Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Rating: 4 our of 5 Blog Review For: Librarything Review: "Have a Nice Weekend" by Ian Ellis was indeed an interesting realistic fiction read definitely from the male viewpoint. This novel is a very emotional excursion and the wows of this marriage of Will and Abi. Just who was right and or wrong in this union will have one really why do we left things get to this situation? In this novel be ready for some humor, and much sadness. The characters were really off the chart...Mr. Petal..the racist and then his best friend Andy...who ended up with ? Will who was generally a lonely person...quirky''..had a boring job that he hated...And then there is Abi... Will's wife....always wanting more out of life..than Will wanted. He just wants a simple life....There is a dinner party that was so funny that you will only have to read "Have a Nice Weekend" to check it out! After reading and thinking about this novel it is one that can be related to in more ways that one. I saw that it wasn't very easy not to take sides of these two people. You could see that the D word was definitely in the making. You will ask yourself just how could this have happen...even after being warned. I especially enjoyed the ending in that Will finally makes some progress in dealing with a divorce, his children, Andy and looking forward to changing his life for the better. The author did a fantastic and wonderful job with this novel going from the past to the present keeping the reader wanting to know what was to come next. For anyone who has loved and lost this good read "Have A Nice Weekend" would be for you.
  
• Dark Genesis (The Darkling Trilogy, Book 1) on April 25, 2012
  
  Author: A.D. Koboah Published By: Berkley Age Recommend: Adult Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Raven Rating: 5 Blog Review For: Librarything Review: "Dark Genesis" by A.D. Koboah was indeed a interesting read for me. I am a African American and I am very careful of my reads with any 'slaves' however, the book cover caught my attention and I thought I would see just what "Dark Genesis" was about. This novel dealt with the story of Luna who was a beautiful slave with supernatural powers...having the gift of the second site, that had been through so much....taken from her mom, then be served up to two masters (Henry & John) then taken away by Avery (demon). This was very appealing to see this love affair blossom with Luna and this demon who had suffered for so long.... but he could read her thoughts...then he leaves and Luna goes and looks for him...and found him by the lake..was she falling in lovewith Avery... a 'walking aberration.' Teaching her to read, rid Julia (horse) and shoot a gun. Oh my what a story!....Avery left her with a gold chain, farmhouse and even ...Dembi,,,,now you will have to pick up this novel ..."Dark Genesis" and get all of this well written story. The characters were a real lively group ....Luna, Jupiter(Dembi), Father Geoffrey, Mama Akosua, Ebenezer, Mr.Walker, Matthew, Zila, and Avery, Lina... and a few others I have left out. The author really knew how to keep the reader interested in the read because each chapter got even more engaging in its twist and many turns. After reading "Dark Genesis" I thought it was a novel that I could recommend as a good read.
  
• 59 Hours on Aug. 05, 2012
  
  Author: R.E. Schobernd Published By: R.E. Schobernd at Swashwords Age Recommended: Adult Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Rating: 5 Blog For: GMTA Review: "59 Hours by R. E. Schobernd was a good short thriller that left you saying "OMG" I did not see that coming. I read this very fast definitely not putting this one down until the end (25 minutes). For Frances...all she wanted to love... from her mother and then Michael...it seems like Frances thought she had found someone to care about her after leaving her mothers place...after showing up at her cousin's (Mikey) place...where he wasn't present but there was Michael Smith (a friend of Mikey) who was showing Frances love and kindness...only was this for real? Now, this is the time that I say you must pick up "59 Hours" to find out just what is going on. Has Frances found love and how does murder and bank robbing fix into all of this? I like the way the author presented this short story because it really turned out differently from my thought pattern and that ending...Wow! For a quick short thriller I would recommend "59 Hours" to you as a good read.
  
• Dance Me To The End Of Time on Aug. 09, 2012
  
  This was a beautiful imaginative, sensual dance that will go on till the end of time. This author wrote this short story in a very interesting way ... the storyline will certainly "Dance Me To The End of Time" for some time.
  
• The Crush on Jan. 18, 2013
  
  Author: Tracy James Jones Published By: Smashwords Age Recommended: YA-Adult Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Rating: 5 Review: This was a beautifully written read by Tracy James Jones that only 'she' can give to us the reader. "The Crush" can only be summed up by the one word for me ....'TOUCH' that started at a early childhood age and is still there through HS and even now at the 10 year class reunion. These were definitely awesome feelings of a 'lifetime' never to be forgotten. I was able to relate to this short story that made me even think back to that time in my own life. "The Crush" was such a sweet short story that has been very well told in just a few words by a amazing author Tracy James Jones... Thank you!
  
• Phantasy on Nov. 23, 2013
  
  Title: Phantasy Author: Marlowe Sr. Published: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform Age Recommended: Adult Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Rating: 4 Review: "Phantasy" by Marlowe Sr was some read of realism or illusion...oh it's just a fantasy. Wow what a interesting read that his author has put together for the reader and it's in first person. It was quite interesting how the main character begins to write and creates a fantasy world after being dumped by his girlfriend. ... creating a destructive powerful monster that can only be defeated my using some sort of 'supernatural powers.' This author really worked his magic with such creativity with bringing to the reader a unique read of 'heart and soul' with a 'vivid imagination. There will be some parts of the book ...well some difficult words and it was good to see the author did give the reader a glossary with some notes to help understand "Phantasy." I found that the characters were well defined and well rounded only giving the reader a interesting fantasy read. I found "Phantasy" was written well with a unique plot once you get into the story finding it hard to put down. If you are looking for a read of a different journey of escapism ...if only for a little while... I would recommend this read for you.
  
• The Common Ground on March 02, 2014
  
  Title: The Common Ground Author: Noa Daniels Publisher: N.D. Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Rating: 4 Review: "The Common Ground" by Noa Daniels was some wonderful poetic journal of this author's "Written thoughts are the avenues into the souls of others, connecting points which provide a common ground of similar experiences, feelings, or discussions.' This author has all of this 'mirrored up for the reader to see their own reflection...captured into poetry.' I loved how this author was able to present this poetry for the 'young girl to the mature adulthood.' Be ready because this poetry will 'explore the human emotions such as: pain, joy, death, love, hate, life. Here are a few that I really enjoyed: Woman: ..."Lord, where is Adam? Feeling All Right! ..."and the feeling is feeling all right." I'd Try for you...I'll give myself, my heart, my life, my love to you. Weatherman..."Baby you change like the weather" Wrap Your Arms around Me..."Trust me, darling, cause it's true...All I ever need is you." Remember..."I wonder, what you remember ...I cannot separate myself from you. Can you remember? I'll Get the Message..."Please forgive me for calling, please forgive me for coming by." Lady...The Night goes by slowly; she continue to weep. The light is still burning as she drifts off to sleep. The cold wind is blowing, a warm heart grows numb. If you survive the winter, the spring will surely come." and Acceptance..."I am no angel, he is not saint. We still love each other in spite of what "we ain't." These and many more of these author's poetry can be found from the read of "The Common Ground" that I would recommend to you as a good read. I found that there are some that are different but there is little bit for everyone to think on as you are reading though this well written poems.
  
• Mitchell Parker's Anniversary Gift on April 15, 2014
  
  Title: Mitchell Parker's Anniversary Gift Author: Jane Oldaker Publisher: Smashwords Edition Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Rating: 5 Review: "Mitchell Parker's Anniversary" by Jane Oldaker was another short read by this author. To truly understand this read I would definitely say you should read 'Northing Ventured' to get a little more about this story. As the story starts it is of a Mr. Parker where we find him waiting at a fancy restaurant for his wife's 40th anniversary. Mr. Parker has purchased a lovely piece of jewelry that he knew his wife would love having. As you read thorough this story we will see characters such as Molly Malone and her boyfriend Paul from 'Nothing Ventured.' The story will flash back and forth to day when Parker's wife Eileen were courting and as we listen to Parker's private thoughts of how much he still loves his wife which was a 'everlasting love.' Now this story gets a little more interesting toward the end with a twist that this author as presented to the reader. Now, I don't want to tell any more but want you to pick up this short read to see for yourself how this author brings it all out to the reader. This was very cleverly done by this author. Would I recommend this novel? Yes, it is a good interesting read.
  
• A Day at the Office or The Bastard on April 15, 2014
  
  Title: A Day at the Office or The Bastard Author: Jane Oldaker Publisher: Smashwords Edition Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Rating: 5 Review: "A Day at the Office or The Bastard" by Jane Oldaker was a short sweet read of this lady's day...'before, during and after work.' This entertaining read was of a woman who wants 'a day with her husband but gets a a day at the office instead with the Bastard.' It was indeed humorous at the end how this author puts in a twist. Wow, she gets to finally come home late due to having to work late ...however, upon arriving home late dinner is ready and guess who is there with a hug and a cooked meal? Wow, what a surprise ending!