Short and Sweet Book Reviews #71 - Justice Ascending by Rebecca Zanetti, Designated Daughters by Margaret Maron,The Buzzard Table by Margaret Maron

The Buzzard Table by Margaret Maron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another gentle mystery featuring Deborah Knott. There is a lot of dialog that features the people and everyday events that Deborah, Dwight, their family and others living in Colleton County experience giving a feel for the setting of the story. This mystery is a little different as someone is looking for revenge and Dwight and Deborah are drawn into the resulting murder. Look for a very different ending. Deborah and her family continue to be the center of some very interesting storylines.


Designated Daughters by Margaret Maron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this story to be a little lighter in content and the mystery to be pushed a little further to the side as other events took center stage. They were all connected to the death of Deborah's aunt and it was interesting to see how the dots to events that happened in the past were followed. At the heart of the story was the fact that secrets have a way of coming back to haunt you. I enjoyed the book and as I am hooked on this series will continue to follow Deborah, Dwight and Cal as events and murder seem to find them wherever they go.


Justice Ascending by Rebecca Zanetti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is Trace and Sami's story. Trace is fighting the effects of the Scorpius virus and watching him fight to keep the darkness from overcoming him is a big part of the story. Sami is hiding a secret and fighting her attraction to Trace at the same time. Zanetti wove those two facts into a story that brings more of the world left in the aftermath of the Scorpius virus into focus. All of the previous characters are part of the plot. New information is revealed and new allies are brought into the story. A good romance and a nice addition to the world building. I look forward to the next book to see who will be the featured romance and where the plot will go from here.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews #62 - Scorpius Rising by Rebecca Zanette, The Danger of Desire by Sabrina Jeffries, Rookie K-9 Unit Christmas by Valerie Hansen and Lenora Worth

Scorpius Rising by Rebecca Zanetti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Scorpius Rising is a prequel to the Scorpius Syndrome series. It highlighted how the Scorpius Syndrome started and was spread. It also introduced some of the main characters in the series and provided some of their backstory. I think anyone who has read the series will enjoy the story. It might also serve as an introduction to the series. However, I think I would have been a little lost if I had not been a fan of the series before reading this story. It does have a well-thought out plot that is filled with both danger and romance.


The Danger of Desire by Sabrina Jeffries
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sabrina Jeffries always seems to write a very good story and The Danger of Desire is no exception. Della And Warren are two great characters with really fun dialog that keeps the story moving and provides some laugh out loud moments combined with some dialog about some series issues. Della is on a quest and Warren is trying to save her from herself. Of course Warren has some issues where he needs saving as well. A really well matched pair with a nice story line. I received an ARC of The Danger of Desire in return for an honest review. I can honestly recommend this one. While it is part of a series it works well as a stand-alone.


Rookie K-9 Unit Christmas: Surviving Christmas\Holiday High Alert by Valerie Hansen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rookie K-9 Unit Christmas is two novellas featuring two new K-9 units. Both of the story are very sweet and also filled with Christian references. I did not realize that when I accepted an ARC of the book for a honest review. I read both stories. They have some very nice characters with some problems that reflect some current issues. They also have some very cute and interesting dogs. If you are looking for a easy and sweet Christmas romance this is a good choice.

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Desert Blade by Ella Drake.

Post-Apocalypic Romance

I received an ARC of Desert Blade by Ella Drake from NetGalley.  Desert Blade is novella and is a short  easy read.  Before I give you my opinion here is what Goodreads says about Desert Blade:

 "In the post-apocalyptic Midwest, now a ravaged dust bowl, former guardsman Derek Covington must find help for a sick boy. With nothing but memories of all he lost, Derek crosses the desert alone in search of the doctor who saved his own life ten years ago. Drifter gangs who loot and pillage don't dare come near, for Derek has a formidable weapon: a prosthetic arm with a deadly blade.

For a decade, Dr. Lidia Sullivan has fantasized about the handsome guardsman who'd been in her care. And now she can't deny his dangerous request. But as they make the treacherous journey back to Old St. Louis, they must contend with much more than fierce desert winds and their unthinkable attraction. A fearless gang has spotted Lidia—a rare woman—and will fight Derek to the death to get her. And though he risks his life to save her for the sake of the child who needs her, she fears there's one thing Derek will never risk: his heart."

Plot:  The plot is familiar.  The two main characters meet and separate in a America that has fallen apart.  Ten year later they must work together to bring help to people who have no medical support.  The journey brings back feelings that never were acknowledged in the first meeting.

Characters:  This is a short novella and as a result there is just a minimum amount of character building.  The two main characters are somewhat fleshed out.  Side characters are pretty one-dimensional.

World Building:  Ella Drake has created a unique situation that explains why the World has fallen apart. 

Tension:  Most of the tension comes from the outside in this story.  While there is some tension between Lidia and Derek it is resolved pretty quickly.

Writing:  The story is tightly structured and moves smoothing from scene to scene.  Ella Drake uses her writing skills to build a good story in an unusual world.

Desert Blade is worth the read.  It is a good story to pick up when you don’t have the time to finish a long novel. 

Carinia Press published Desert Blade by Ella Drake in 2012.