Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 307 - Lionheart by Thea Harrison, The Sergeant's Christmas Mission by Joanna Sims

Lionheart by Thea Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love this last book in the Moonshadow series. King Oberon has been fighting the poison for years and the end is near when Dr. Kathryn Shaw is brought in to try for a cure. Kathryn is not milksop. She has had years dealing with Dragos in New York and she is more than a match for Oberon when he wakes. Loved the push/pull between the two. A great story and ending to this trilogy.

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


The Sergeant's Christmas Mission by Joanna Sims
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rebecca and Shane are two very interesting characters. Rebecca is recovering from a divorce and Shane refuses to get help as he looks for a new normal after serving in the military for years. There is a candid look at Shane's problems and how they were affecting his relationship with Rebecca. I did question why Rebecca would get involved with Shane when she knew his problems. There was a bittersweet tone to the relationship and a look at what had to change for it to work. Interesting story using what is today a familiar trope.

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

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 230 - Planet Dragos by The Harrison, Ascendant by jack Campbell

Planet Dragos by Thea Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A nice way to see Pia and Dragos off to a new life. There is a lot of danger at first and then a lot of thinking about change as the story progresses. Good story for fans of the Elder Races series.

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


Ascendant by Jack Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rob Geary and Mele Darcy are called back to help. Once again Glenlyon is in danger after losing one of their two warships. This is military space opera as Geary and Darcy arrive in time to help defend their neighbor Kosatka from attack. While this victory is important all know that they are still in great danger. All of the important characters play a part in Ascendant. There is a very loose web being woven as the colonies realize that they need to work together of be defeated. Geary and Darcy get back home and the stage is set for the next round in the war. For fans of the Lost Fleet series look for the one sentence hint about how the war in that series came about.

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

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 211 - Murder At Half Moon Gate by Andrea Penrose, The Chosen by Thea Harrison

Murder at Half Moon Gate by Andrea Penrose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have a real weakness for historical mysteries. What I love are the things that are a big part of the story in Murder at Half Moon Gate. This is a mixture of the real and what could have been. In addition the characters fit the period where the story is set. This time the two main characters are Lord Wrexford, a English lord who loves science and feels that there is no room for emotion. Helping him is Charlotte Sloane, a lady with a somewhat mysterious past who uses a male pseudonym A. J. Quill to publish her scathing political cartoons. The mystery is complex, the danger ever present, and there is an excellent fit with the time period. The two have some very interesting helpers. All of the characters are very well developed, even those in a secondary role. This is book two in the series and I wished that I had read book one. Even so I had no trouble keeping up with the story. A very nice addition to the historical mystery universe.

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


The Chosen by Thea Harrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A nice story that has some ties to the Elder Races series but sits a long way outside. The characters are new and a different world is built. I liked both Wolf and Lily. They were complex characters who carried the plot and kept things interesting. There were some fun scenes between the two as rock met hard place. A story that adds to the series for fans but can stand alone as an introduction for new readers.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 122 - Until You Loved Me by Brenda Novak, Not His Werewolf by Annie Nicholas, Spellbinder by Thea Harrison

Until You Loved Me by Brenda Novak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There are several familiar tropes in Until You Loved Me but they all work to make a interesting and riveting story. Ellie Fisher walks on the wild side after finding her fiancé in bed with another man. She is just not the one night stand type but it was fun to see her break out of her usual mode. Too bad that something unexpected happens as a result. Hudson King is named for the two streets where he was found as a new born. He does not let anyone near. In his life everyone has left him and he just does not believe in a permanent relationship. The two are made for each other they just have a hard time believing it. Novak usually tackles a serious issue in her books and this one is no exception. Ellie is a scientist looking for a cure for diabetes. Another very serious issue came up when Hudson tries to find his birth parents. That one added a lot of tension to the plot. I hated to see the book end as both characters were part of such a great story.

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


Not his Werewolf: Shifter Romance by Annie Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the start of Not his Werewolf. Animal control shot a tranquilizer dart into a werewolf and then had a panic attack. Betty Newman, a werewolf who cannot shift, comes to the rescue and the unexpected happens. When Ken Birch wakes up in the cage at Betty's animal shelter he knows he has found his soul mate but nothing is as easy he he thinks it will be. I loved Betty and how she tries to take care of everyone around her. Ken is so mixed up and confused. Finding his soul mate was not suppose to be this hard. A fun story with a lot of laughs before getting to the HEA. I realized why Betty could not shift about half way through. For added fun see if you pick up the hint.


Spellbinder by Thea Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Morgan was the villain in the first book of the series. Now we get to know him and why he does what he does. He has managed to find a little freedom from the Fae Queen who controls him. When his path crosses musician Sidonie Martel his life changes. Puck is back making trouble and he makes it double for Sidonie trying to get back at Morgan. There is a secret that Morgan cannot tell but when Sidonie realizes what it is it is a game changer. There is tension and trouble enough for several books before Morgan and Sidonie get to their HEA. I loved how Morgan round ways to help Sidonie and how she saw who Morgan inspire of what the Fae Queen made him do. This is a spinoff from the original Elder Races books and some of the characters from that series do make cameo appearances. If you liked that series you will love this one.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 113 - Moonshadow by Thea Harrison, Blue Hollow Falls by Donna Kauffman, Branded as Trouble by Delores Fossen

Moonshadow by Thea Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I purchased this when it first came out and somehow it ended up near the bottom of my TBR pile. I pulled it out when I saw that the next book in the series would be out next month. I loved the book. When Nikolas encounters Sophie, (the two main characters in the book), just just know sparks are going to fly and they do. That is just part of the plot line. Sophie has a unique ability that Nikolas wants to use to help his people return home after hundreds of years but a unexpected source is working to stop him. A really great start to a new series set in the Elder Races world. This does come to a nice conclusion but it also sets up new backstory and world building. I am so ready for the next book to arrive.


Blue Hollow Falls by Donna Kauffman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In just one day life changes for Sunny (who has three middle names) Goodwin. She goes from having no family to having a new half-sister. I loved the setting. The Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia are full of great views and Kauffman puts them to great use. This is a story about choices and what makes a family. Sunny lives near DC. Her new family and her new love interest live in Blue Hollow Falls, three hours away. There does not seem to be a way for things to work out but never give up is also a big part of the story. There are two great main characters and several interesting side characters who look to have great potential for their own HEA in future books. This one is a keeper on the favorites shelf.

I received a free copy of Blue Hollow Falls in return for an honest review.


Branded as Trouble by Delores Fossen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Roman Granger, the Granger's bad boy, has finally met his match in Mila Banchini who has had a crush on Roman since their high school days. My favorite scene in the book was between Roman and his 13 year old son, Tate. Tate asked just the right question of Roman who avoids relationship like they are a plague. Roman says he is bad at relationships and Tate asked him how he knows. Just the right question at the right time. The other Granger's make a appearance in the story and at least one other gets an HEA. This had some really great laugh out loud moments while also dealing with some of the very serious issues facing teens today. A very nice addition to the Wrangler Creek series.

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

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Liam Takes Manhattan (Elder Races #9.) by Thea Harrison

Paranormal

From Goodreads

Warning: This story contains a major spoiler from SHADOW’S END (book #9, released December 1st, 2015). If readers do not want to be spoiled, they should read the stories in order of their release dates.

This is a short story (15,000 words or 50 pages) intended for readers of the Elder Races who enjoy Liam Cuelebre as a character.

Reeling from a deep loss, the magical prince of the Wyr, Dragos and Pia’s son Liam Cuelebre, turns inward and withdrawn as he struggles to come to terms with who he is, along with the challenges that lie before him.

Hoping to ease his heartache and offer comfort, a concerned Dragos and Pia offer him a gift, something he has desired for a long time. Liam’s response has a ripple effect across all of New York. Soon miracles of all kinds start arriving just in time for Christmas, along with a visit from a mysterious person who gives Liam hope and a vision of his future.

LIAM TAKES MANHATTAN is the third part of a three-story series about Pia, Dragos, and their son, Liam. Each story stands alone, but fans might want to read all three: DRAGOS GOES TO WASHINGTON, PIA DOES HOLLYWOOD, and LIAM TAKES MANHATTAN.

According to author Thea Harrison Shadows End finishes the this part of the Elder Races story arc and Liam Takes Manhattan puts Liam in a new position for future stories.

Liam has grown to match his dragon and is now a young adult.  Like many that age he is at odds with his Father, Dragos.  Something has to give and in the end Liam finds a solution they can all live with

. 

This is a nice visit with Pia, Dragos and Liam.  While it does stand alone you need to be familiar with the series for it to make sense.  If you are a fan of the series you will not want to skip finding out how Liam and his parents come to an understanding setting up future stories.

Liam Takes Manhattan releases today.

I received an ARC of Liam Takes Manhattan from Goodreads in return for an honest review.

Shadow’s End (Elder Races #9) by Thea Harrison

Paranormal Romance

From Goodreads:

The author of Lord’s Fall and Midnight’s Kiss returns with an enchanting and sizzling new tale about debts that cannot be repaid and hunger that cannot be satisfied…

For Beluviel, consort to the Elven High Lord, and Graydon, gryphon and First Sentinel of the Wyr, even the slightest desire for each other is forbidden. But two hundred years ago, after a desperate play to save Beluviel’s stepson left them indebted to the cruel Djinn Malphas, they found their fates inexorably linked together—and the hunger between them growing too strong to ignore…

Two centuries later, with their debt to Malphas coming due, Beluviel and Graydon realize that, if they are to stand any chance of saving their souls, they must once again work together—this time more closely than ever before. But every moment they spend with each other brings them nearer to losing something even more vital—their hearts.

You know it is true love when you wait and plot 200 years before you have a chance to be together.  That is what Belluviel and Graydon have done.

I loved the story and how true to each other Belluviel and Graydon were.  They have very little contact over that time period.  Neither knows how the other is feeling but they still remained true.

Before the book is over we get to see some of the other couples in the series as they all work together to free Belluviel, her son and Graydon from the curse placed on them by Djinn Malphas.

This is sweet love story filled with danger and tension.  I loved Graydon and how Belluviel saw him so differently from so many others.  The two of them are really interesting characters who fit even if others think that they don’t.

Shadow's End is a great addition to the Elder Races series.  It can stand alone but start at book one for maximum enjoyment.

Berkley published Shadow’s End by Thea Harrison in 2015.

Stacking the Shelves - Oct 10

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. 

Another short list.   I am doing better at adding to my TBR pile

For Review:

Horizon by Tabitha Lord

Dragos Goes to Washington by Thea Harrison

Anything for You by Kristan Higgins

What Happens Under the Mistletoe by Sabrina Jeffries, Karen Hawkins, Candace Camp, Meredith Duran

Musing Mondays - June 1, 2015

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme sponsored by A Daily Rhythm that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: Do you have different genres for different seasons? For example, do you choose lighter reading material for the summer, and chunkier books in the winter?

I am going to talk about Midnight's Kiss by Thea Harrison.  This is the new novel in the

Elder Races series.  I won a ARC of the book but because of other books I had scheduled to review it just sat on my TBR pile.  Last week I picked it up and started reading.  This story brings Julian, the Nightkind King and Melisande, daughter of the Light Fae Queen back together.  They had a really bad break up 20 years ago and have only yelled at each other any time them meet.  Now they have to work together to stay alive.  It is a really nice story with two interesting characters.  Julian is very dark while Melisande is just the opposite.  There is tension and danger for both as they work toward their HEA.  A great addition to the series.

I don't do different genres during different seasons.  Really never even thought about it.  I do read more in winter but my choices do not change.

Book Beginnings and The Friday 56 - May 29, 2015

I'm linking up with Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings and Freda's Voice for Page 56. Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Pick the closest book on your book stack and join the fun.

The Beginning:

"Something happened to Julian as he stood in the San Francisco alleyway, looking down at his progeny and longtime friend."

Page 56:

"The cop's expression changed drastically. "S-sir," he stammered. "I mean, your majesty. Not wait that's English royalty. You're a-a-'your grace' right?

From Midnight's Kiss by Thea Harrison. This is A Novel of the Elder Races a series I love. I won an ARC when Harrison ran a contest and am just getting around to reading it. It looks like another great story.

Stacking the Shelves - March 28 , 2015

Books Stacked on My Shelves

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. 

Purchased:

The Navy SEAL’s E-mail Order Bride (Heroes of Chance Creek #1) by Cora Seton

Her Mule Hollow Cowboy: New Horizon Ranch by Debra Clopton

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

For Review:

Undercover Bride by Margaret Brownley

The Shadow Revolution: Crown and Key by Clay and Susan Griffith

The Iron Ship by K.M. McKinley

Nothing Like a Cowboy by Donna Alward

Night of the Highland Dragon by Isabel Cooper

Effortless Healing by Dr. Joseph Mercola

Won:

Midnight's Kiss: A Novel of the Elder Races by Thea Harrison

Book Beginnings and The Friday 56, September 5, 2014

I'm linking up with Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings and Freda's Voice for Page 56.

 Check out the links above for the rules and for the posts of the participants each week. Pick the closest book on your book stack and join the fun.

The Beginning:

"Vampyre's Ball, New Year's Eve

Cautiously, Tess peered at the crowd through a side stage door. She might be able to control her behavior, but her body told a different story. Her mouth had dried out, her heart pounded and her palms had turned clammy."

Page 56:

"The blood offering could have been such a beautiful gesture, the trembling evocative, sensual and indicative of surrender, yet the taint of her fear had saturated the air."

From Thea Harrison's latest Novel of the Elder Races, Night's Honor. I had it on pre-order and received this week on it's release day. This is another series I cannot resist so it did not stay on my TBR list. It went to the top of the pile.

What Else I Read in July

Here are the books and audio books I read but did not review this month.

Books:  

Treasured (Secrets of the Loch #1) by Candace Camp - Another

familiar trope.  Brother loses home in card game and his sister will have to find another home.  Solution!  To keep a place to live the sister needs to marry the winner of the house.  I loved Jack Kensington.  He won Baillannan fair and square and really feels bad that Isobel is losing her home but that does not mean he is going to change his ways even if Isobel is very appealing.  Look for attraction, romance, danger, and attempted murder before Jack and Isobel reach their HEA. 


Peanut Goes to School by Thea Harrison - Peanut Goes to

School is the last short story in a three story arc. It can stand alone but is better if you read the previous two. Peanut or Liam is a very precocious child. In this cute story we follow Peanut as he eavesdrops on his parents, starts his first day of school and finds himself in trouble. Trouble that he handles with a great deal of maturity. Liam is a great character I could tell from the story that he will be both powerful and wonderful when he grows up.

The Collector by Nora Roberts - I had not read a Nora Roberts book for a long time and then I read Whiskey Beach and really liked it. I wish I could say the same for The Collector.  I could not warm up to Lila who thought looking in other peoples windows was OK.  The book is 483 pages and that was much too long.  The story just moved at a snails pace.  It would have been much better if edited down to 300 pages.  I made myself finish but was tempted to quit more than once.  Probably died in the wool Nora Roberts fans will love the book but I did not.

American Craftsmen by Tom Doyle - American Craftsmen

is a different take on the history of the US. After the Europeans came to America they found that some families had magical gifts. Those were called Craftsmen and they have been a secret part of the US military every since. This requires a lot of world building and back story to work. Tom Doyle does good job of working both into the story. It does take the entire book and an Appendix and Brief Notes at the back to get everything in. The book is written from several POV's and at times the jumps were a little disorienting. Even so the story line is very good and seems to be a set up for this to become a series.

The book is also full of great characters but alive and dead. My final word. Very interesting concept.

Her Temporary Hero (Once a Marine Book #2) by Jennifer Apodaca - I don't read many excerpts when they arrive in my email.  I have too many books on my TBR pile to add more but I did read the excerpt from Her Temporary Hero and it hooked me so I purchased the book.  This is a very well written story with some interesting characters.  Becky Holmes and Logan Knight need each other.  Becky to keep her baby and Logan to keep his land.  A marriage of convince is the solution but it brings additional problems.  I read it in one sitting and enjoyed it enough that I purchased book #1 in the series.

Something Borrowed, Someone Dead by M.C. Beaton - Agatha

has another hard to solve mystery.  Not only is it hard to solve but it also puts Agatha and several of her friends in danger.  In spite of looking Agatha does not find a man this time however James is around.  Both still have very mixed and confused feeling about their relationship.  This was not the best book in the series but still a quick fun read.

Audio Books:

Transcendental by James Gunn - Transcendental is a different

Science Fiction novel.  It starts with a ship load of crew and passengers looking for the transcendental machine.  There is a mix of human and alien  on the ship and as the voyage progresses several share their stories.  The two main characters, Riley and Asha, have their own agendas.  It was an interesting book to listen too.  There was a conclusion to the journey but I was left wondering if Riley and Asha would show up in a future book.