Another difficult Mystery

Murder on Cold Street by Sherry Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charlotte Holmes is off on a new case and it is both interesting and difficult. Lord Ingram is both a help and a distraction. As they work to prove that Inspector Treadles is innocent of the murder he is accused of they have to work with Mrs. Treadles and have to involve several others as they search for the truth. Another great mystery with wonderful characters. Love the interaction between Charlotte and Lord Ingram. I will be looking for more to come between the two.

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

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews #300 - The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas, In the Mood Fur Love by Eve Langlais

The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This third book in the Lady Sherlock series left me with mixed feelings. For me the beginning was too slow and I kept waiting for the mystery to start. Then when it did I was hooked but it seems that there were things I just did not know. When the story went back in time to explain I hated that I had not know the plan behind the plot. The ending did leave the relationships open to future development as the series progresses. What I liked? I love the different characters and how they interact as they are true to their character's development and how Thomas weaves a very complex plot.

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


In the Mood Fur Love by Eve Langlais
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Three cute stories about finding your mate. Each has a interesting female who has issues of some kind. Each has the help of a male who realizes that she is his mate and who has to work hard to win her approval and love. Read one at a time or all three at once. Either way you are in for a treat.

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

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 156 - A Spoonful of Magic by Irene Redford, The Heart is A Universe by Sherry Thomas, Star-Begotten by James Gunn

A Spoonful of Magic by Irene Radford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There is magic in the world and Daphne "Daffy" Rose Wallace Descants is about to not only find out but be thrust into the middle of a very dangerous situation. Daffy is the central character in this story. She has always been very good at baking, in fact people call her creations magic. Turns out they are right. I liked how the story started with Daffy finding her husband has not been faithful. From there new characters are added, danger builds and Daffy grows into a very different person. The main danger is solved, a different world full of magic is built and the backstory for the main characters is revealed. A fun start to a new series.

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


The Heart Is a Universe by Sherry Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sherry Thomas has the ability to write in many different worlds. This time it is a Science Fiction Romance with interesting characters and a surprise ending. Vitals is the current Chosen One to be sacrificed on her home world of Pax Cara. Eleian of Terra Illustrate has been fascinated with Vitals for years. How they meet, who they are and how they decide what to do drives the story. A interesting read with a unexpected ending. The story highlights Thomas's skill and ability to write.


Star-Begotten: A Life Lived in Science Fiction by James Gunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Reading James Gunn's life story is like reading a history of science fiction. A award winning author he has been published since the early days of pulp fiction. The added glances into his life from childhood to today mirror the changes in how we look at and react to the world we live in. A must read for science fiction fans and a great way to follow the changes in our world today.

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

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 138 - Going Dark by Monica McCarty, A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas, The Lady Travelers Guide to Scoundrels and Other Gentlemen by Victoria Alexander

Going Dark by Monica McCarty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What do you do when you are a Seal group and your mission goes very, very bad. Someone has betrayed you and all the survivors go dark. One goes to Scotland and while trying to stay under the radar finds himself in the middle of a plot to blow up a drilling ship. Oh, and of course there is a woman involved that needs help. A really good start to the new Lost Platoon series. The backstory is covered at the beginning. The character development is first rate and the danger is very real. I loved how the Annie Henderson and Dan Warren (not his real name) learn to work together while protecting Dan's identity. A easy to read and hard to put down book.

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


A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A new mystery of Charlotte Holmes and a new set of characters walk through the series. It turns out Lord Ingram's wife is up to more than anyone knows. At the same time Charlotte has a marriage proposal - one that would make her more acceptable to society. I am enjoying this series and all of the ends and outs that are part of the plot. I am not that much of a Sherlock Holmes fan so I don't really know or care how it follows or deviates from the original stories. I just like the mystery and suspense that kept me guessing throughout the story.

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


The Lady Travelers Guide To Scoundrels And Other Gentlemen by Victoria Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

India Prendergast is off to prove that the Lady Travelers Guide is up to no good. Derek Saunders is determined to prove just the opposite. That leads to a fun romp where India learns some things about herself and how she reacts to other people and Derek learns that there is more to India than he thought. An interesting take on what different people do during difficult times of their lives and how they react to events in their past. A nice start to a new series with a interesting twist to the plot line.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 60 - A Study in Scarlett Women by Sherry Thomas, The Quest by Dani Hoots, The Four Thousand, the Eight Hundred by Greg Egan

A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I requested this book on Netgalley but was not approved. On Black Friday week-end I had a 30% off coupon from Barnes and Noble and went in to browse. I did not have a specific book in mind but when I saw A Study in Scarlet Women I decided to pick it up. There have been quite a few take-0ffs on the Sherlock Homes stories. This is another where Sherlock is a woman. Charlotte Holmes is rather different in the role. She is one of the Scarlet Women and the other is part of the mystery. There is a lot of world building, backstory and character development in the story. By the end the mystery is solved and everything is in place for the next book in the series. I enjoyed the story and look forward to the next book due out in 2017.


The Quest by Dani Hoots
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I don't mind a cliff hanger in a book that is part of a series. However when there is one I want something solved and a another problem as the cliff hanger. The Quest did not have that. It just ended with the entire cast of characters in place for some kind of solution and then a bright white light and wait for the next book. The book was mainly backstory, world building and some plot development.

In spite of the length the character development left something to be desired. I did not warm to any one in the book and did not understand what their motives were. That left me wondering how or if they even fit into the very loosely woven plot. I will give the second book a chance. If it does not move the characters and plot alone better than book one I will leave the series behind.

 The Four Thousand, the Eight Hundred by Greg Egan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was not an easy story to read or review. It says a lot about human nature and what we will do or not do to our fellow humans. Although set in space it has elements that are applicable to today. I found it very disturbing and a little depressing. Not the kind of story I usually like to read. No happy ending here.

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