Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 260 - Black Chamber by S.M. Stirling, An Affair with a Spare by Shana Galen

Black Chamber by S.M. Stirling
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This started with a bang as Teddy Roosevelt became president a second time as WWI started but then bogged down as the story progressed. The Black Chamber is the spy agency and the main character is Luz O'Malley Aróstegui. She is ruthless and on a mission to discover what the German's have developed in secret. The secret is indeed deadly but in setting the scene and telling the back story the tension left the story in the middle but returned in the end. It will be interesting to see where Stirling will go with this series. This history is set up with the US in grave trouble and the German's close to winning. That makes the Black Chamber more important than ever.

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


An Affair with a Spare by Shana Galen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has a nice twist. This survivor spent his time seducing secrets from the local women while his squad mates fought. Rafe is a great character. He is so charming that no one takes him seriously. Enter Collette Fortie, a French woman on a quest. Everything changes as Rafe first sees her as a job and then gets drawn into more danger than he ever faced during the war. This has great characters an interesting plot, a unexpected romance and a surprise ending. Another survivor finds his HEA but there are still more who need their story told.

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

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 210 - No Earls Allowed by Shana Galen, Lone Rider by Lindsay McKenna

No Earls Allowed by Shana Galen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another survivor bites the dust. This time it is Neil Wraxall and his load of guilt. He was the commander of the group and still feels the loss of friends who died. His current job turns out to be a lot more than he thought. Lady Juliana is stubborn and will not leave the orphanage that she is running. Neil must protect her from the danger she finds herself in. Both have issues in their past that are affecting their behavior in the here and now. A nice addition to the new series. Both Neil and Juliana are wonderful characters who must work to overcome events in their past in order to enjoy their present and their future.

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


Lone Rider by Lindsay McKenna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We have another vet joining the group at the Bar C Ranch. Tara is a photographer who comes with her own set of PTSD symptoms. She is a native of the valley and in addition is in danger from a past stalker and kidnapper. Her house mate is Harper Sutton and the two bond but are holding back because they are afraid to move too fast. This has tension and danger as well as a lot of dialog about military, PTSD, and how they are all a family. Lindsay does overkill in the military direction but in a good cause. I like the series. I read a sample of the next book and it looks like a really good story. I will be picking that on up as soon as possible.

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

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 154 - Someone to Wed by Mary Balogh, Mail-Order Christmas Baby by Sherri Shackelford, Third Son's A Charm by Shana Galen

Someone to Wed by Mary Balogh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This hits on several levels. Wren Heyden has a picture of herself based on how she was treated as a child. That is not who she is but it is a struggle to change her internal picture. Alexander Westcott, the new Earl of Riverdale, has inherited a title, a run down estate and no money. He thinks that he must make a marriage based on the money he needs not love. Turns out love sneaks up when least expected. Both Wren and Alexander are on a journey to find what both want and need. I loved Wren and how she kept saying have courage as she faces each new situation. Alex has always been an interesting character in the series and it is great to see how he handles finding a wife and how he supports Wren. Both learn and then support the other. A very nice addition to the series.

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

                 
Mail-Order Christmas Baby by Sherri Shackelford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an interesting book to read. I did have a very strong suspension about who was the bad guy but it did not change my enjoyment as I read. Sterling Blackwell does not know what to do with the baby that was mailed to him. Heather O'Connor steps in. She knows what it feels like to be unwanted as a child and will not let that happen to this child. That leads to a wedding between the two and the start of a mystery. Who mailed the child and how and who named Heather and Sterling the parents?
At the heart of the mystery is not only the baby but the ranch that Sterling is working hard to save. Seems someone does not want that to happen. This is a very well crafted story with great characters. Seeing Sterling and Heather get their HEA left me with a very warm feeling. This is book one in a new series and there were plenty of new characters who need their HEA. Don't know who will be next but I will watch and then read the next book in the series.

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

Third Son's a Charm by Shana Galen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ewan Mostyn is anything but charming. However, as Lady Lorraine learns he is honorable, honest and loyal which turns out to be much better than charming. As it turns out she also learns that he does have charm, he just does not realize it. There are things that Ewan wants to keep secret, like the fact that he has trouble reading. He is the third son and of no value to his family. A nice romance between two people look to be opposites but find value in what each has to offer. Ewan is a great hero who is much better than he thinks he is. Lorraine ends much better than she starts as she realizes that the man she thinks she loves was just a fad and Ewan is the real thing. I read the novella that started the series and was hooked from the first. I think I know the next Survivor to get his HEA. I will just have to wait and see if I am right.

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

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