This is
the first time I’m reading anything by Z.L. Arkadie.  So, let’s meet the Christmases, a powerful and
rich family full of secrets, lies, and deep dark secrets. Bryn Christmas
invited Holly Henderson, an investigative reporter and her college roommate to write
an investigative story about her family. That meant interviewing Bryn and her three
brothers: Jasper, the oldest brother; Asher, Bryn’s twin brother; and Spencer,
the quintessential playboy. Then there is Randolph, their elderly father who is
stashed away in his sick bed…dying and the mystery of his much younger wife Amelia’s
death. 

The entire
time Holly was at the Christmas Estate, she was immersed in bickering between
all the siblings, outright lust from Spencer, and sexual trysts with Jasper.
She couldn’t resist Jasper and although she had a story to investigate; she
couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to Jasper than being bedded by him. Holly
learned quite a few things too about the Christmas men (except for Jasper) including
their father and their affinity for prostitutes. Then there was a debt their
father owed to Arthur Valentine, a former mobster, that Jasper was supposed to
make good on.   

Overall,
this was a fun read. There were lots of twists and turns to this story and I
was definitely intrigued. The characters were well developed and the dialogue
was spot on. However, I really wanted to find out what the Christmas siblings
were hiding, especially the debt owed to Arthur Valentine, and the death of Amelia
Christmas. Everything was shrouded in secrecy even Bryn’s answers to Holly’s questions
were not always straightforward. Unfortunately, the book ended in a cliffhanger
and unless I read the other books in the series, I will not know how everything
shakes out. Otherwise, this was a good read! 

Rating: 3.5
stars  

Some of my
favorite lines: 

           “What about your brother Jasper?” I asked.
Just saying his name made my heart flutter. I wished I knew why
he had such an effect on me.

Her
eyebrows furrowed. “What about him?”

“He warned
me to stay out of your family affairs.” She twisted her mouth, showcasing
enough Anxiety to make me feel worried.

“Am I
going to end up at the bottom of the ocean or something?”

“I’m not
going to downplay his bark; it does have a bite. But Jasper is very cautious
about who he sinks his molars into.”

Originally Published on https://vocalexpressions.blogspot.com

Deliah Lawrence Attorney, Author, Blogger, Workshop Facilitator

Deliah Lawrence is a Maryland-based attorney and award-winning author of two romantic suspense novels (Gotta Let It Go and Gotta Get It Back) set in Baltimore. She’s also a blogger and workshop facilitator who writes poetry and short stories.

When Deliah isn’t writing, you can find her reading a book, indulging in her addiction to investigation discovery shows; or painting her yet-to-be exhibited oil artworks of landscapes, portraits or whatever else comes to her creative mind. Constantly on the go, she is also a member of the Black Writers’ Guild of Maryland and Sisters in Crime.