Another Short and Sweet Review

Cold Nose, Warm Heart by Mara Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Caleb runs right up against Riley and her best friend LouLou the poodle. Even though you know how this has to end it is fun watching the two try to resist and then give in to attrition. Caleb is an OK guy who is trying to overcome his family's background. Riley is a hard working woman who is taking care of everyone. She has to learn to accept help. A really fun story with some wonderful dogs as side characters.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 315 - City of Secrets by Victoria Thompson, Not Quite Over You by Susan Mallery

City of Secrets by Victoria Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Do two wrongs make a right? Is the rule of law always the way to right a wrong? Those are the questions that Elizabeth Miles and her fiancee Gideon must face and answer. Elizabeth wants to do what ever it takes to help a friend. Gideon wants to use the force of law to help. The issue looks like it will tear them apart as Elizabeth does what she thinks is right and Gideon objects. A well plotted mystery that had plenty of twists and turns. Set just before women got the right to vote the politics add interest to the story line.

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

Not Quite Over You by Susan Mallery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Silver and Drew have a history but both were to young to make a go of their romance. Now both are older and that history is standing in the way. I really liked how both Silver and Drew have grown and changed. Silver has become her own woman. Drew knows where he wants to stay but faces pressure from his family to leave. Add the secret that is coming to light and you get an interesting story with romance, tension and more romance.

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

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 109 - The Grey Nebula by Laura Martone, John Scalzi, Serenity Harbor by RaeAnne Thayne

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The Grey Nebula: War of the Way - Book 1 by Laura Martone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Do you like space pirates? The Grey Nebula is a slightly off center story with pirates at the heart. I loved the crew of the Damnation. Colburn Sephiran is the main character in the story and he is having a very bad day. Col is older than most heros and most of the time he is not what you would consider a hero. That changes when his captain (who is a real scumbag) takes a job that puts whole worlds at risk. There are crew who are loyal to Col. After the captain ditches them and leaves them for dead they have to work together to stop the destruction and recover the Damnation. This group of character are not your usual. They are true pirates and sometimes are not that likable. In spite of that, they people a fun tension filled story with more to came as this is only book 1.


The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was frequently over the top in cuteness. I listened to the audio book and had to keep from rolling my eyes most of the time. Even so I gave it five stars because it was so much fun to listen to. I don't think it would have been as much fun if I was reading the book.  I enjoyed meeting the characters and seeing how misinformation was driving part of the plot. The dialog was snarky and the action continuous. All of the plot, world building, character development and back story were very well done . Nothing was solved while all the elements were put in place for future action and then the book just ended. I am ready for book 2 and hope it comes out soon.


Serenity Harbor by RaeAnne Thayne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I liked how Thayne worked current issues into the story. The child in this story has autism and his brother, Bowie Callahan, wants to give him the very best life. Unfortunately he does not know how to do this and that is where the story starts. Professional help will arrive in two weeks but Bowie needs help now. That is where Katrina Bailey comes in. She could use the money he offers her to fill in the next two weeks. Of course they are attracted to each other but there are problems on Katrina's side. A nice story that highlights some of the problems parents face today..

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 89 - A Cowboy's Honor by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Lethal Lies by Rebecca Zanetti, Any Day Now by Robyn Carr

A Cowboy's Honor by Vicki Lewis Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cody and Faith are really fun characters. Cody is just home for a few weeks and Faith has decided that he is the best choice to rid her of a problem. She needs to be deflowered. As Cody says who uses that term today. Seems that Faiths journey into romance comes from romance novels she read when her Dad was hurt and in the hospital. Their journey is predictable but fun. Faith is very innocent and Cody has a sensitivity that does not show on the outside. Like Zane, the first McGavin Brother, Cody is a very sexy cowboy so look for some very steamy scenes and a great ending as the two get their HEA.

Lethal Lies by Rebecca Zanetti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Copper Killer is out there and is setting up Heath Jones for a fall. This plot is very convoluted. Heath and his brother have been hired to find the Copper Killer and in the process Anya Best becomes part of the process. I was surprise by who the killer was and how he had set everything up. Anya is at the heart of the story line. Her relationship with Heath becomes very complicated making the plot even more interesting. Heath is one of the three blood brother who are on the run but are preparing to take the battle to the enemy. This helps set up the next and final book in the series. This can stand alone but is better if read from the first book.


Any Day Now by Robyn Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There is both romance and suspense in this second book in the Sullivan's Crossing series. Sierra Jones has arrived hoping to re-start her life after successfully completing rehab for her problem with alcohol. Her bother Cal is there to welcome her and it does not take her long to find a place where she fits. I liked how Carr dealt with alcohol and the need to continue with AA no matter how long you have been sober. It was done in a context that fit with the story line and with no preaching. There was a danger to Sierra from her past and it added to the tension in the story. Of course there is a romance with a very special firefighter and with Molly, the golden retriever, who steals the show at time.s The world of Sullivan's Crossing is painted in more detail and new side characters are added to the mix leaving me wondering who will find love next.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews #44 - Wind River Wrangler by Lindsay McKenna, Traces of Guilt by Dee Henderson, Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon

Wind River Wrangler by Lindsay McKenna
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a big disappointment for me. I generally like Lindsay McKenna's books and in some ways this lived up to her reputation. I liked the characters and the setting. It was the overall plot that left me shaking my head. Shiloh had been stalked for six months and no one looked at her past to discover the stalker. Come on!!! I knew who was doing it before the first 20 pages. Then there was the fact that Shiloh just hid in the corner when someone was turning her door knob. Nothing in the plot rang true after that. I hope the next book in the series has a much better developed and though out plot as the characters and setting deserve something that rings true.

This is a book I received from Amazon Vine in return for a honest review.


Traces of Guilt by Dee Henderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Once again a visited my library on the day new items were put on the shelf. Traces of Guilt was a new audio book and it looked like a interesting mystery. Evie Blackwell is trying to solve two cold cases. It was interesting to see how she looked at things from a new and different angle. I enjoyed listening to the book. The book is filled with interesting characters and the mysteries well developed. This is book one in a new series. I am looking forward to seeing the characters again. This is a Christian Fiction Mystery. I found that religion was dropped in often stopping the flow of the story. It was not enough to keep me from enjoying the book and it would have been a good read if it had been left out.


Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another of the new audio books on the shelf on Thursday. I like contemporary romance books that are part of a series so I decided to give this on a try. I was surprised to find that I had another Christian Fiction book. Most of the time they are labeled but someone missed on this one. Hannon did a very good job of working the references to God and Prayer into the fabric of the story. Unlike Traces of Guilt those references did not interrupt the flow of the story. There are some very interesting and different characters in the book. Coming home after loosing a job is a familiar trope but it works really well for the story set in Hope Harbor. My favorite was Charlie. He steels the show even though he is a side character. He is the one that helps guide the story and the characters to their HEA. In fact there is one HEA that is not a romance but comes from a change in the lives of two of the characters. I did like the absence of sex beyond hugs and kisses. It was refreshing not to have to listen to so many body parts.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews #29 - Six-Gun Showdown by Delores Fossen, Cowboy Untamed by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Into Dust by B.J. Daniels

Six-Gun Showdown by Delores Fossen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A must read if you have been following the Appaloosa pass Ranch series. We finally get to the end of the Moonlight Strangler mystery as Paige comes back from the dead and Jax has to keep her safe. She let everyone believe she was dead after her attack to protect Jax and her son. There are a thrill a minute and enough suspects to keep you guessing. There is even a nice HEA for Jax and Paige.

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Cowboy Untamed by Vicki Lewis Thompson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Grady is another member of the Thunder Mountain Brotherhood. We met both Grady and Sapphire is the last book and saw a immediate spark ignite between the two. Six weeks have passed and Grady is back to help Sapphire with her art show to support the nonprofit pet shelter. Grady is ready to rumble but Sapphire has decided no more romances with artists. Can Grady change her mind. Maybe with the help of a gray cat he names Grandolf. The cat does steal the show and adds some fun to the story. This is part of a series but works just fine as a stand alone.

 Into Dust by B.J. Daniels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cassidy is another daughter of Buck and Sarah Hamilton. Jack Durand is part of the mystery from Sarah Hamilton's past. When they meet more of the puzzle that is Sarah is revealed. What is very different in this book is what happens to Jack and Cassidy when they start to learn the truth about Jack's father and Cassidy's mother. Look of a very different ending to their love story. I knew more about the past with this book but there is a whole lot more to be revealed. This is part of a series. It can stand alone but is much better if you read from book one.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews #14 (Into the Whirlwind, Like a Boss, Daughters of the Bride)

Into the Whirlwind (Boss #2) by Kat Martin

Contemporary Romance

We last saw Megan and Dirk at the end of Book One in the Boss series.  What had started as a wonderful romance ended when Megan told Dirk he just was not what she needed for her young son.  Now her son has been kidnapped and Megan needs Dirk to rescue him.  Will this be the start of a new romance.  Maybe or maybe not.  Read Into the Whirlwind and find out.  A really good story line with lots of tension.  A perfect second book with a set up for Luke’s story in the next book.

Like a Boss (Windswept Book Two) by Adam Rakunas

Science Fiction

I loved the twists and turns in Windswept, Book One in the series.  Once again Padma Mehta is in trouble.  It all starts with the rum distillery and moves on from there. Like a Boss has some additional back story and world building along with a almost new cast of characters.  There is a lot of trouble in the wind and Padma is the only one who can find the cause and a solution.  Great follow up to Windswept.  There is the same tension, plot surprise and humor that is a hallmark of the series.  Can’t wait to see what happens next.

Daughters of the Bride by Susan Mallery

Contemporary Romance

Three daughters, one Mother and one wedding make for a fun story.  Courtney, Sienna and Rachel are the daughters.  Each has their own personality and their own problems.  Mother on the other hand just wants a really nice wedding.  Look for a lot of emotion, tension and romance in a story that is very hard to put down.  This is a stand-alone.