Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 180, Texas-Sized Trouble by Delores Fossen, Lucky in Love by Carolyn Brown

Texas-Sized Trouble by Delores Fossen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lawson Granger and Eve Cooper were teenaged sweethearts but that all ended when a good friend died of alcohol poisoning on a night when they were all together. Sure Lawson and Eve were upstairs and the friend downstairs but that death still haunts both. Now Eve has returned and old feeling are coming back up. This is a nice story with some interesting twists. There are two children involved, one a baby and one a teenager. It was fun to watch how everything turned out.

After finishing the story I found a really fun novella was at the back of the book. This one was fun and had some very nice characters. A good bonus.

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

Lucky in Love by Carolyn Brown
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Beau Luckadeau and Milli Torres have a history but Beau does not remember what that history is. This is a second chance story full of humor and romance. It was fun watching Beau make a very big mistake with his love life. Also fun seeing Millie get the better of him time after time. A fun story that was also fun to listen too. I like Brian Hutchinson's voice when he reads an audio book.

View all my reviews

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 82 - Where the Dead Lie by C.S. Harris, The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick, Talk Cowboy to Me by Carolyn Brown

Where the Dead Lie by C.S. Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It always seems like a very long wait for the next Sebastian St. Cyr book so the I was offered a ARC on Netgalley I jumped at the chance. Once I started reading I was back in the wonderful world that Harris has painted. Once again Sebastian is trying to solve a murder and runs right into a world that Jarvis controls. Not everything is solved and I was left with the feeling that things were not what the seemed in the Jarvis household. Now I have to wait another year to see if what I think I saw is what Harris is setting up. Great addition to the series.


The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I worried when I realized that The Girl Who Know Too Much was set in the 1930's, a big jump form Quick's usual time frame and focus. I did not need to worry. The jump is seamless and the focus on a mystery kept my attention. I loved both Irene and Oliver. Both had interesting secrets and both were great together. Burning Cove is a great setting - a place full of secrets and interesting characters. with a scene at the end of the book Quick let us know that there will be other stories in this setting. I am looking forward to coming back for another visit and hope it will be soon. I received a free copy of The Girl Who Knew Too Much from the publisher in return for a honest review.


Talk Cowboy to Me by Carolyn Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sourcebook has been sending me teaser chapters of books and when I read the ones for Talk Cowboy to Me I was hooked. I purchased the book and it turned out to be as good as the first five chapters lead me to believe. There is a twist in how the plot laid out. I expected the two people competing for the ranch to remain enemies but that did not happen. In fact as the story evolved they learned to work together to get everything done.  Each came with two children that added to the fun in the story.  The big problem for Adele O'Donnell was the reputation that Remington Luckadeau had as a player. That was the big tension driver in the book. 

View all my reviews

Book Beginnings and The Friday 56 - February 10, 2017

I'm linking up with Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings and Freda's Voice for Page 56. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Pick the closest book on your book stack and join the fun.



The Beginning:

"Josie Dawson loved the smell of feed stores and the taste of red lollipops."

Page 56:

"Josie wondered what kind of chemistry they might create in the cozy little cabin. She only hoped things wouldn't blow up in her face."

From Wicked Cowboy Charm by Carolyn Brown.

Short and Sweet Book Reviews #71 - Someone To Love by Donna Alward, Mistletoe Cowboy by Carolyn Brown, When All The Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krantz

Someone to Love by Donna Alward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Do opposites attract or do they just seem to be opposites? That is a question that Ethan and Willow have to answer when an unexpected attraction pops up between the two. Both are struggling with events from their past. One of my favorite things about this book is how Alward used Yoga as a big part of Willow's recovery. In a world where pills seem to be the answer to everything using meditation and relaxation as a big part of the cure is great to see. I loved Willow and how strong she was and how she realized that while she was recovering she was also marching in place and not going forward. A really nice story with great characters.

Mistletoe Cowboy by Carolyn Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You just have to pull for Sage and Creed as they find themselves snowed in. Add in a very ugly stray dog and a cute stray cat with kittens and you feel how cozy the Rockin C Ranch is. Of course there is Sage's grandmother who is trying to pull strings from a distance. She just knows that Sage and Creed are made for each other. A nice enjoyable Christmas or any time story.


When All The Girls Have Gone by Jayne Ann Krentz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When All The Girls Have Gone is typical Jayne Ann Krantz. There are two very interesting characters who have the lead in the story. There is a plot inside of a plot. Expect plenty of twists and turns as the story unfolds. And for good measure a final surprise at the end. This was a book I did not want to put down. It held my interest and kept me guessing.

View all my reviews

Book Beginnings and The Friday 56 - January 13, 2017

I'm linking up with Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings and Freda's Voice for Page 56. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Pick the closest book on your book stack and join the fun.

The Beginning:

"Dammit!" Sage's favorite cuss word bounced around inside her van like marbles in a tin can, sounding and resounding in her ears,"

Page 56:

"We don't have cats." Creed opened the door and pointed. "You do now. Those are newborn kittens right there. Recognize the big old hello mother?"


From Mistletoe Cowboy by Carolyn Brown. I pick this on up at the library used book store. I had not read any of Carolyn Brown's Contemporary Western Romances and thought this would be a good way to start. Since I love cats page 56 really caught my attention.

Stacking the Shelves - January 7, 2017

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I added to my shelves this week. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what others have on their shelves. 

Below are all of the books I have accepted for review since my last Stacking the Shelves post on December 17.

Title	Pub Date	Archive Date	Downloaded on
From Ice to Ashes by Rhett C. Bruno
Where the Dead Lie by C.S. Harris
The Holver Alley Crew by Marshall Ryan Maresca
The Golden Gate by Robert Buettner
The Stars Are Legion by Kameron Hurley
Home at Lastly Lily Everett
Close to Home by Lily Everett
Death of a Ghost by M. C. Beaton
Rogue Agent by Kellie Wallace Purchased from Library Used Book Store: Mistletoe Cowboy by Carolyn Brown -  I have seen her western romance books but have never read one so decided to give her a try.

Stacking the Shelves, October 19, 2013

Some of the Books Stacked on My Shelves

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books I am adding to my shelves. They may it be physical or virtual. I include books I buy in a physical store or online, books I borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!  Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.  Follow the link to see what others have on their shelves.

I got several books this week.  Barnes and Noble had a 20% off coupon so I used it for two books (coupon only worked for one but they were counting on me buying more than one).  I visited the library and got one book and two audio books, and a pre-order from Amazon arrived.  I visited Sam's and found one more and then I won another.  Much larger haul this week.

Amazon:

Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt

Barnes and Noble:

Cursed by S. J. Harper
Celtic Moon by Jan DeLima

Sam's Club:

The Cowboy's Christmas Baby by Carolyn Brown

Library:

Blue Skies by Robyn Carr (audio book)
River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay (audio book)
Shattered Pillars by Elizabeth Bear

Won:

Heavy Metal Heart by Nico Rosso


I usually buy Baen's monthly bundle.  These are the books that Baen releases that month.  When I do I can give that bundle free to someone who as never purchased from Baen.

Here is the December Bundle:

Mars, Inc. Partial (3/4 Ebook now; full Ebook available 11/16/13) by Ben Bova

1920: America's Great War Partial (3/4 Ebook now; full Ebook available 11/16/13) by Robert Conroy

Man-Kzin Wars XIV Partial (3/4 Ebook now; full Ebook available 11/16/13) created by Larry Niven

Dragon's Teeth Partial (3/4 Ebook now; full Ebook available 11/16/13) by Mercedes Lackey

Tiger by the Tail Complete by John Ringo and Ryan Sear

Night and Demons Complete by David Drake Here is the January Bundle: Revolution: Book Three of the Secret World Chronicles Partial (1/2 Ebook now; full Ebook available 12/16/13) by Mercedes Lackey, Cody Martin, Dennis Lee, and Veronica Giguere 1636: Seas of Fortune Partial (1/2 Ebook now; full Ebook available 12/16/13) by Iver Cooper The Forever Engine Partial (1/2 Ebook now; full Ebook available 12/16/13) by Frank Chadwick A Liaden Universe Constellation, Volume 2 Partial (1/2 Ebook now; full Ebook available 12/16/13) by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller A Rising Thunder Complete by David Weber Sunset of the Gods Complete by Steve White The Iron Breed Complete by Andre Norton If you have never purchased from Baen, are a Science Fiction fan, and would like the receive one of these be the first to leave your email in the comments telling which bundle you want.  Be sure to tell me which month you want (you can only get one). Baen will send you an email with a link to receive the books.

Book Beginnings October 19, 2013

Book Beginnings on Friday is a meme hosted by Gilion at Rose City Reader. Anyone can participate; just share the opening sentence of your current read, making sure that you include the title and author so others know what you're reading.

My Book Beginning this week is from Carolyn Brown's book, The Cowboy's Christmas Baby.  October is the month all the books that feature Christmas come out and I have read several.  This one had the most interesting beginning.  

"There she stood with a dead coyote at her feet, a pink pistol in her right hand, three bluetick hound pups cowering behind her, and cradling a baby in her left arm."