Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 365 - Ariston by Ruby Lionsdrake, Lucky Suit by Lauren Blakely

Ariston by Ruby Lionsdrake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another Earth woman finds her Star Guardian. However it takes some very dangerous situations before they finally find their HEA. Mick and Ariston seem to be on opposite sides but things are not what they seem. Even the planet is working against them. A great story with a interesting twist. This planet seems to be haunted but is it? Read to find out.


Lucky Suit by Lauren Blakely
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What happens when a grandmother tries to set up her granddaughter? Listen to Lucky Suit and find out. Seems Kristen Leonard is through with being setup with dates and is calling quits. Then Cameron comes into the picture. It is fun watching how Kristen and Cameron get together and turn the tables on that same grandmother. This is a fun listen with both Kristen and Cameron having their own voice. Like my review it is short and sweet.

View all my reviews

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 273 - Unchained by Ruby Lionsdrake, Sanctuary by Caryn Lix

Unchained: a science fiction romance adventure by Ruby Lionsdrake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sometimes what you see as punishment is really great opportunity. That is how it worked out for Dr. Skylar Russo. Who knew what she would find when sent to a prison asteroid. This was a fun story with two very interesting men and one ready for a change woman. Look for a surprise at the end.


Sanctuary by Caryn Lix
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sanctuary is the first in a new YA series. It required a lot of backstory and world building before the story really got going. As a result I found the first half very slow moving. The rest of the story did have action, tension and a budding romance. Aliens had arrived and Kenzie had to help lead the people she through were criminal to save the day. There was a solution to part of the problem but I thought there was a lot left out. Of course all of those loose ends can be worked on in the next books in the series.

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

View all my reviews

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 140 - Zakota by Ruby Lionsdrake, Star Hero by Susan Grant, Barbarian by Anna Hackett

Zakota (Star Guardians, #5 by Ruby Lionsdrake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A nice ending to the five book series. Katie is one of the Earth women stolen by slavers and rescued by the Star Guardians. She is a pilot and really wants to fly a star ship. Zakota is a pilot on the ship and with a lot of pleading and a bet he lets her fly a shuttle . In the coming battle she gets to do more flying and be in more danger than she really wanted. Along the way she and Zakota start on their HEA. This was nice ending to the series but I would love to see more of the Star Guardians. The world building and back story is already done so I hope to see more stories set in this fascinating universe.

Star Hero: A Star Series Novella by Susan Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was one of the stories from Pets in Space #1 and is a slightly upgraded version. I loved Bang Bang when I first read the story and still loved him reading this again. Bang Bang helps bring two people together and works to make sure they survive when danger arrives. The puppy that is in the first of the story gets his story in Pets in Space #2 coming out in October.


Barbarian by Anna Hackett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nero just opens his mouth and inserts his foot every time he talked to Winter. He sees he as weak because of her size and because she is blind. It was great fun seeing how his perception changes as the story progresses. Turns out Winter is not weak at all and she is a perfect match for Hero. The Galactic Gladiators are still looking for and rescuing the women from Earth. They find one, add another and still have one lost as the story ends. The next book is already scheduled for release. I don't know who will get their HEA next but I keep hoping for Galen,

View all my reviews

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 125 - Sagitta by Ruby Lionsdrake, Relaunch Mission by Robyn Bachar, Contingency Plan by Robyn Bachar

Sagitta by Ruby Lionsdrake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Those Earth women who were captured and then rescued are still on the Star Guardian's ship. This time they are headed home but wouldn't you know - something dangerous changes the entire trip. While all of this is going on Dr. Tala Matapang and Captain Sagitta "Sage" of Dethocoles are still butting heads. Wonder if something more than disagreements are at the heart of the arguments. I love how SF writers often get political statements woven into their stories. Sagitta have one about medicine and how we often replace healthy living with pills. I loved it because I agree. I also really like the series. This is book three of a five book ark and we leave Tala and Sage with their HEA but the crew of the ship in trouble.


Relaunch Mission by Robyn Bachar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A familiar trope but it works well in Relaunch Mission. Captain Lindana Nota and Lieutenant Gabriel Steele have a history and not a pretty one. Now Gabriel is on Lindana's ship and all hell is about to break out. Seems that things Gabriel believed are not what they seemed and Lindana's crew is about to get caught in the middle of a whole lot of trouble. About to get caught - seems that they have been there on the last few mission they just did not know it. Very nice world building and back story. Interesting characters and a very good plot. Nothing is solved but there is a great set up for the next books in the series.


Contingency Plan by Robyn Bachar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Closer to a answer but not there yet. Jiang Chen has only partial memories of her past life but she has discovered that she has something in her brain that can be used to leak information about her crew. She is off with Security Chief Ryder Salani to find answers. Some questions are answered but some information about the big picture is still missing. What is answered is the HEA for Jiang and Ryder. They are a great couple - each with problems that cause them to back away at first. A very nice HEA and a great lead up to the next book in the series.

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

View all my reviews

Shot and Sweet book reviews # 114 - All In by Susan Hayes, The Day Her Heart Stood Still by Susan Grant, Treyjon by Ruby Lionsdrake

All In by Susan Hayes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Toro and Jaeger are left overs from the The Resource Wars. Created to fight they have been given full citizenship status but have yet to find a home where they feel safe. Cinder Armas runs the Nova Club and welcomes cyborgs. This is a familiar theme but Hayes makes it seem fresh and new. This is erotica but with a story line outside the sex. There are some very interesting side characters and the location, The Drift, is very well presented. This is book two, I have not read book one but this held up well as a stand-alone.


The Day Her Heart Stood Still by Susan Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A nice take on an alien landing on Earth. Grant mixes a military pilot choosen for the first trip to Mars with a Mother who is a UFO believer and lives in Roswell, New Mexico and an alien that just crashed on Earth.    This is a fun read that mixes what two people want (and wished for) with how to make it come true. Nothing was easy in the story and like many others I would love to see a sequel featuring the two main characters.


Treyjon by Ruby Lionsdrake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Treyjon features another of the women abducted by pirates from Earth and rescued by the Star Guardians. This time it is Angela and instead of dogs she finds she can train the fearsome svenkars, four-hundred-pound predators. Treyjon is their main trainer and of course he and Angela start to spend time together. There is a lot of danger and tension in this part of the series. Things are not as they seem and a old enemy wants access to Earth and not for any good reason. All of the action in book 2 sets up both the romance between Treyjon and Angela and the plot for book three. It comes out in July and I can't wait to see what happens to the women and the Star Guardians next.

View all my reviews

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 111 - Breeder by Cara Bristol, The Cowboy's Renegade Bride by Laurie LeClair, Orion by Ruby Lionsdrake

Breeder by Cara Bristol
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dak and Omra are interesting characters. Omar is not your typical breeder. She was raised differently and in somewhat independent. Dak starts out typical Alpha but soon realizes that he has something special in Omar. There is a lot of sex in the story but also a danger that change brings. A nice start to a new series.


The Cowboy's Renegade Bride by Laurie LeClair
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jenny Wentworth is back after being left at the alter for the second time. All she wants is a family and children but she has decided to go it on her own. She is through with men. This is a fairly typical story with Sheriff McCall as the man she has always been attracted to. Look for tension and romance as they work toward their HEA.

Orion by Ruby Lionsdrake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is another take on being captured and taken off Earth. This time it is pirates who capture Earth Women to sell to aliens where they will fight and then get eaten. Not a nice thing to happen. Luckily there is someone planted in the crew who is there to set up the rescue. The rescue happened but the women have not been returned home yet or maybe never. What I liked the most was how humans ended up on multiple planets. Lionsdrake made very good use of mythology to explain how Earth natives, names and gods got scattered around the galaxy. The characters were fun, the danger ever present, and the romance interesting. Book two was released at the same time as Orion so I do not have to wait to see who finds romance next and maybe a clue about returning the women home.

View all my reviews

Stacking the Shelves - October 29, 2016

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. 

From Library:

The Kasari Nexus by Richard Phillips

Clockwork Angels by Kevin J. Anderson







Purchased:

The Bass Giant by Brooke Johnson

Jumper's Hope" Central Galactic Concordance by Carol Van Natta

Dragon Bond by Ruby Lionsdrake

Gladiator by Anna Hackett

Frost Station Alpha: The Complete Series by Ruby Lionsdrak

Science Fiction Romance

From Goodreads:

Lieutenant Tamryn Pavlenko wants to make a name for herself in the GalCon Fleet, so naturally she requests an assignment on the infamous Frost Station Alpha, where pirate attacks are a way of life. The remote research outpost holds secrets that many are willing to kill for, and Tamryn is prepared to protect it from brigands, mobsters, and mercenaries—or whatever the galaxy throws at her.

The brochure, however, failed to mention the genetically engineered super humans who were supposed to have all been killed in a war that ended more than a century ago. It seems they’re not only alive, but they want the station. Oh, and one of them decides he wants Tamryn too.

This powerful warrior might be sexy and intriguing, but he was bred to kill, and she can’t let herself forget that he’s the enemy.

This ebook contains the complete Frost Station Alpha serial, previously published in six installments.

I feel like I could just cut and past the review for Black Ice Heart here.  Both had an element that was a big turn off for me.  In Frost Station Alpha a group of genetically engineered super humans kill almost everyone on the space station and then demand help making their planet livable.    Really!!  Who would think killing everyone would bring the help you need to survive?  Not me.

Then one of the men doing the killing becomes the alpha hero.  This is not my choice for a hero.  He did change as the story progressed and it did not seem to bother others who reviewed the book.  I guess we all react to characters in our own way.

Ruby Lionsdrake writes a very well plotted story and Frost Station Alpha is no exception.  The world building is very well done.  The characters are developed.  The story moves at a nice pace.  It was a story I expected to really like but I just could not get past the first action of the main male character.

Ruby Lionsdrake published Frost Station Alpha in 2015.

Romancing the Alpha; An Action-Adventure Romance Boxed Set by Zoe York, Ruby Lionsdarke, Zara Keane, Anna Hackett, Ember Casey, Anna Lowe Sadie Haller and Lyn Brittan

Romance

From Goodreads:

HOT NEW adventure romance super bundle. Spice up your summer with 10 never-before-published action-adventure romance stories by bestselling authors. Kick butt and fall in love with sexy Navy SEALs, treasure hunters, mercenaries, and more. Let the adrenaline flow!

Zoe York — FALL BACK

When Navy SEAL Cade Duncan partners up with Mel Vincent for an endurance race, he doesn’t expect to tumble into a romantic fling in paradise—or to be so pissed with the beautiful woman when he finds out she’s been keeping secrets.

Ruby Lionsdrake — THE PIRATE CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER

When firefighter and mercenary Marat Azarov rescues a beautiful slave woman from a life of certain torment, he gets more than he bargained for.

Zara Keane — HER TREASURE HUNTER EX

When underwater photographer Katy Ryan embarks on a secret mission to salvage priceless jewels from the wreck of the RMS Lusitania, she’s pissed as hell to be be pitted against Dex Fitzgerald, her super sexy treasure hunter ex.

Anna Hackett — AMONG GALACTIC RUINS

When astro-archeologist Lexa Carter discovers a map to an old Earth treasure, she’s thrilled about a treasure hunt to a dangerous, desert planet—but not about being saddled with head of security, Damon Malik. She thinks he’s arrogant. He thinks she’s a trouble magnet. But when the hunt turns deadly, they’ll have to trust each other just to survive.

Ember Casey — THE DEVIL'S SET: JACKSON

Charlotte knows she’s in trouble the moment Jackson North shows up at her door in the middle of the night. She always suspected her ex had secrets, but she never thought those secrets would lead her on a wild treasure hunt through Croatia’s islands—or throw her back into the arms of the dangerous man who once broke her heart.

Anna Lowe — UNCHARTED

The last thing archaeologist Julie Steffens needs is a gang of armed mercenaries after her for a crime she didn’t commit. And the last rescuer she wants is Seth Cooper, the sizzling vacation fling who disappeared from her bedside two months before. But right now, she needs a way out — and Seth’s sailboat is it.

Sadie Haller — TAINTED PEARL

The last person Biddy expects to greet her at the start of her secret four-week eco-activism island adventure is a red-blooded alpha male, and the irresistible camera operator proves to be a big, bad complication she's unable to resist.

Lyn Brittan — THE DUKE OF AMBRA

When treasure hunter Kent Avery ends up partnered with Swedish military officer Elena Haaland in search of a stolen Russian artifact, he’s not expecting love. Guns? Sure. Fist fights? No problem. But love? Well that’s the one danger he’s just not prepared for.

Lydia Rowan — ULTIMATE ESCAPE

A bad breakup sent Nola Bailey to Vietnam. Instead of cold cocktails and sandy beaches, she finds the irresistible Duarte Cruz and trouble. Cruz thinks she's up to no good, but if she convinces him she’s not—and dodges the flying bullets—her ultimate escape could end with love.

Leigh James — COVER ME

Matthew Riley is determined to leave his dangerous mercenary lifestyle behind. But when he takes what's supposed to be a relaxing vacation to the Yucutan Peninsula with his wife Meredith and their friends, he discovers that he can't afford to leave his job behind, in more ways than one... 

I love Science Fiction Romance and picked this set up when I saw new stories by two of my favorite SFR authors.  I was not disappointed in either Ruby Lionsgate or Anna Hackett’s stories.  Ruby took me back with one of my favorite groups – The Mandrake Company and Anna’s story gave me a peak at the young Dathan Phoenix before he was the hero in At Star’s End.

Both stories are very well written with interesting plots and enough action, romance and danger to satisfy.  The Pirate Captain’s Daughter features Striker as a secondary character.  He is one of my favorites.  I just know he has a story and I keep waiting for it to be written.

The other stories introduced me to some new authors.  I enjoyed their characters and their writing styles.  All of the stories are new and I highly recommend them to any romance fan.

Beaverston Press published Romancing the Alpha in 2015.

I received an ARC of Romancing the Alpha from Netgalley in return for an honest review. 

What Else I Read in March of 2015

Books:

The Skull Throne by Peter V. Brett- This is the fourth book in the Warded Man Series. The books are about mankind's war with the Demons that come at night. At the end of the third book Arlen threw himself and Jardir off a cliff during their combat to decide who was the Deliver. It was a true cliffhanger. The prologue shows the response of the parties watching the single combat, Brett then moves on and throws a twist into the story. It appears that he will continue his habit of retelling part of the story from previous books from another character's perspective, this time Jardir's niece, who doesn't seem as central to the story as the retellings in 2nd and 3rd books.  I quickly realized it wasn't as deep a retelling as from those books, and the story of the Daylight War dominates most of this book. This book is longer than the previous books, and with out giving spoilers I have to say the story line takes some twists that I didn't see coming.  I don't think it advanced the series as much as I expected. I thought the series was going to be five books, but I am not sure everything can be tied up in one more book even if it is longer than this one. So while mildly disappointed that it didn't seem to move forward as much as I would like, I still look forward to the next book in the series. 

The Peyti Crisis: A Retrieval Artist Novel:  Book Five in the Anniversary Day Saga (Retrieval Artist series 12) by Katherine Kristine Rusch This series just gets better and better.  In the Peyti Crisis everyone begins to see that there is more to the attacks than they thought.  There are some new characters in the book but most of the action is centered on DeRicci, Miles Flint, Bartholomew Nyquist and Deshin.  All main character we have met before.

Start this series from the beginning of the Anniversary Day Saga as all the action and characters build from that point.  For even more fun start with book one of the Retrieval Artist series.  Rusch is publishing one book a month in the Anniversary Day Saga so there is much more to come and you don’t have a long wait until the next book.  I have the next book on pre-order so I can start reading on its release day.

The Argent Star (The Monarchy Book 1) by Emerson Fray – I did a book blast tour for The Argent Star because I liked the concept of owning a star because someone in the past named it.  The tour did not come with a copy of the book so I purchased it on Amazon. 

Despite the great concept the book was a disappointment.  I almost put the it down several times.  The world building, back-story and characters all needed a good editor to bring everything into focus.  This is the start of a series so I hope that things jell more in the next book.  Having said that it was a disappointment I will still give book two a try because it does have great potential. 

The Counterfeit Heiress (Lady Emily #9) by Tasha Alexander – This is a very nice addition to the Lady Emily series.  Again Emily and Colin are drawn into a mystery that leads to another mystery.  Starting in London at a Masquerade ball they travel to Paris as they work to find out where the real heiress is.  I caught on sooner than either Emily or Colin but that did not keep me for enjoying the book.  In fact I think when I do know before everyone in the book it just makes it more fun.

A Matter of Trust by Greta van der Rol – A really good SFR story with great characters and action.  The romance is believable.   Amira and Admiral Ul-Mellor have met before.  When she is in danger he is the one to come to her rescue. It is only 94 pages but van der Rol uses each to maximum advantage.  The story line keeps moving, the two main characters are very well drawn and the romance nicely done.  This could lead to future stories so maybe Amir and her Admiral will grace the pages of a future story.

Stars Across Time by Ruby Lionsdrake – Yes, yes, yes.   I would love more about Andie and Theron.  Ruby Lionsdarke wrote Stars across Time while taking a break from her Mandrake Company series.  Stars Across Time is a time-travel story with some really interesting characters and a great story line.  With all of the world building and character development it would be a share if this were the only story in this setting.  The ending leaves room for a whole lot more so I hope to see Andie and Theron again.

Conspiracy (The Iron Admiral #1) by Greta van der Rol – This is

book one so don’t look for a nice neat ending.  One thing is over but there are still a lot of issues to resolve.  Allysha’s husband is still out there somewhere and she still cannot forgive the Admiral.  My only problem with the book was how Admiral Saahren fell in instant love with Allysha.   I did think it should have taken a little longer.  I did like the no HEA in Conspiracy.  There is a lot of tension and danger in Conspiracy.  The world building and back story are very well done.  Now I just have to get the next book in the series.

Moon Called (Mercy Thompson #1) by Patricia Briggs – I have

read several of the Mercy Thompson books but never Moon Called. When I dropped off books for my local library’s used book store I saw it on the shelf and decided to pick it up.  Reading it after reading other Mercy Thompson books and reading the Alpha and Omega series added to my enjoyment.  I could see the hooks to other stores and to the Alpha and Omega series.  Moon Called has great character development, back story and world building.  All in all very enjoyable.

Reckless Rescue (A Barren Planet Romance Book 1) by Rinelle

Grey – What happens when you have a planet that affects fertility and a male who crash lands on that planet.  This is how Tyris meets Marlee and what follows is a slow growing romance that may or may not work.  This is book one and only one problems is solved.  The story is very well written, the back-story revealed as needed, and the world building is solid.  All in all a nice Science Fiction Romance.

The Navy SEAL’s E-Mail Bride by Cora Seton – I read one of Seton’s other E-Mail order bride stories and thought it was really cute.  The Navy SEAL’s story is just as fun.  Mason Hall is a great character and Regan is his match.  It was fun seeing them get together.  Like some other’s I did not like the debt that was thrown in.  It was unfair to put that on Mason but it did serve a plot purpose.  Cute story and an easy read.

Her Mule Hollow Cowboy by Debra Clopton – Maddie Rose is one of those strong characters who just cannot ask for help.  She also keeps her heart secure by keeping everyone at a distance.  Enter Cliff Masterson who sees Maddie’s need for control but works very hard to get into her heart.  This is a nice sweet story with some Christian influence.  It is just a short few paragraphs so it is not enough to be a turn off if that is something you don’t like in a book.  No explicit sex just some hot kisses as Cliff wins Maddie over.  A really nice short love story.

Joe Steele by Harry Turtledove – I can’t say I liked or disliked Joe Steele.  I can say I found it was a depressive read but one that struck an uncomfortable cord.  This could happen today.  We could take that slippery slope that leads to a country we don’t want.  I have to wonder if that is the reaction Turtledove wanted.  Read at your own risk.

Audio Books:

Raging Heat by Richard Castle - I love Castle the TV show and have watched from the first episode.  Richard Castle is the fictional hero on the show and he is the author of the Nickki Heat books.  It turns out there are actual books being released with Richard Castle listed as the author.  Raging Heat is the first one I have read/listened too.  It is a fun book with lots of action, romance and tension.  I don't know who actually writes them but I think any fan of the show would enjoy the story.  

The Blood of an Englishman by M.C. Beaton - Agatha is once

again looking for love and this time it looks like she might find it.  Her luck has not changed though.  All of her possibilities fall through.  As all of this happens she is trying to solve several murders.  I have followed this series from book one and it just does not get old.  Look for all the previous characters to appear and some like Charles to play a major role.  There was a twist in the book that I did not expect.  I  won't be eating certain foods for awhile.