Short and Sweet Book Reviews #135 - Betrayal of Trust by J.A. Jance, The Brass Giant by Brooke Johnson, An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors by Cutis Craddock

Betrayal of Trust by J.A. Jance
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A very taught story filled with tension. A video clip found on a young man's phone quickly becomes something more. This is the first J.P. Beaumont mystery I have read. I love the Joanna Brady and Ali Reynolds books but I never started the Beaumont series. Even though this is book 20 I was right at home listening to the story. I loved how one things quickly lead to even worst events. I did think I knew who was really to blame before it was revealed but it did not detract from my enjoyment of the story. This on also brings some closure to the Beaumont last name.


The Brass Giant by Brooke Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brooke Johnson lives where I do and I met her when she was doing a signing at our local Barnes and Nobel. That lead to a invitation to our Science Fiction book club. We had a great visit. It was such fun hearing about how she got the publishing contract (It was an open invitation with over 4000 submissions and she was one of 12 selected). It was also great having our question answered. Since this story features teens we wondered why it was not marketed as YA. Publishers choice was the answer. We did talk a lot about the story with the women liking the romance part more than the men. It was a great one on one. There is second book out with a third in progress so maybe we can get Brooke back again.


An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors by Curtis Craddock
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an extremely dense book. I found that I had to put it down and let everything settle before picking it up again. Craddock has created a intricate world with many layers. That world building is worked into the story line as backstory is revealed and characters are developed. For all of that Isabelle is in some ways a typical main characters. Her father does not like her, she has no magic and she loved being left alone to work on her math (something that is forbidden females). All that changes and those changes drive the story. Isabelle is the main character and she is backed up by her faithful musketeer, Jeane-Claude, who comes up with some very unique actions in support of Isabelle. While I had to put it down I also had trouble letting it stay down. It has a very good plot, some very interesting main and side characters, and unique magic. A very well written book.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

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