The Honey Well

Money has put Arnell Rayford’s mother, Esther, exactly where she’s always to be–comfortably ensconced in the 16-room Victorian mansion where her own mother had worked as a housekeeper. Now Esther is running a thriving business that’s surely making the previous owner turn in her grave.For Esther, money is the root of all happiness and nothing and no one will stand in the way of her making it however she wants to make it–not even her only child, Arnell.There are laws against pimping one’s own underage daugher, which is exactly what Esther did to Arnell when she was 16 years old to keep a roof over their heads. It’s a devastating secret Arnell and Esther have kept for years and while Arnell wants desperately to get out of the business, Esther uses blackmail disguised as favors to keep Arnell servicing just one more special customer. Now that Arnell is engaged to a pillar of the community, Esther’s latest favor may well send Arnell over the edge–but she won’t be going alone. While Esther is holding Arnell’s past over her head, her own life is coming back to haunt her, a life where the lines between love and hate, parent and child, sex, profit, and even murder have been irreparably, dangerously blurred. “The relationship between mother and daughter, as they struggle to balance love and hate, and the intertwining of sex and money make Mallette’s tale both entertaining and unsettling.” — Lillian Lewis, Booklist”All the characters are well-developed, and the writing voice of Mallette is top-notch. She takes the reader on a journey that is similar to riding a rollercoaster, dips, turns, shockers, and eye-openers, all of which makes for another great, and highly recommended read.” –Dawn R. Reeves”With a suspenseful plot that reads like a movie, The Honey Well demonstrates how the perils of blackmail, trickery and deceit can overshadow the simple rewards of life.” – Upscale Magazine”Queen Esther…is the ultimate Mommie Dearest type…The Honey Well is a page-turner that shows a fascinating side of the mother/daugher relationship.” -Book-Remarks.com”A superb story–starts with a bang and ends with a full-blown 4th of July fireworks display.” — QBR, The Black Book Review”This one charts new territory for Ms. Mallette. A page turner, and each turn ignites a fiery reaction.” – R.A.W.sistaz Reviewers