Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 173 - A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Rayburn, Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krantz

A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Veronica and Stoker are in over their heads again. They need to solve a murder and save a innocent man from hanging. That kept my interest but that is not the main mystery in the series. Veronica's parents were revealed in the first book and one of Stoker's secrets comes out in this book. However, both seem to have many more secrets that are part of the story line. In addition to the two main characters there are some very interesting side characters who are part of the story line. A interesting historical mystery series with a lot more to reveal about the characters and their past.


Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Virginia Troy and Cabot Sutter are typical of Krantz's main characters. Both are flawed and have trouble relating to others. Their dating lives are a disaster so when they come together of course they are a very good fit. The mystery here is interesting. There are red herrings, tension filled moments and a lot of blowback from the past. The back story is very well spelled out adding additional feeling to the plot. A nice interesting read with good characters, a well plotted story line and of course a romance.

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 172 - Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs, Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley

Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charles and Anna are two of my favorite characters. The story of how they met is on my favorites shelf and a novella I read when I want a comfort book. When I received Burn Bright from Netgalley I waited one week before I read it and then I read it in one sitting. I loved the story line and how the two had to face some very hard decisions while in charge of the pack. No spoilers as the book does not come out until March (my bad that I could not wait to read). Just a recommendation that you pick this one up when it comes out if you are a fan of the series and that if you have never read the series that you start now so you will be ready when Burn Bright comes out.


Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There is a prequel novella that features the characters in Death Below Stairs and I recommend you read it first. I did not. As a result I found the hints to the backstory frustrating. They did not tell me all I wanted to know. Other than that I loved the book and the characters. Kat Holloway is a gem. She is strong and has managed to support herself in spite of her past. Daniel McAdam is a bit of a mystery. How and what he is changes throughout the story. The mystery was two fold and well developed. The characters are interesting and the look into the past feels very authentic. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

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

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews #171 - Still Life by Dani Pettrey, Dark Deeds by Mike Brooks

Still Life by Dani Pettrey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What this did not say anywhere was that this is a Christian Fiction Mystery/Romance. If it had I probably would not have picked it up and I would have missed a good story.  I listened to this on CD and really liked the story line. The plot was interesting and full of twists and turns. The side trips into religion stopped the action briefly but not enough to change the tension in the story. The characters had interesting backgrounds. One of the main characters came from a very dysfunctional background and credited Jesus with her change in behavior. The story line held up with or without religion. Part of a series this can be read as a standalone.


Dark Deeds by Mike Brooks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Dark part of the title is very true in this third book in the Keiko series. Events just seem to go against the crew and as a result the action is non-stop and the tension just keeps ramping up. The story follows two tracks as the crew separates and it is touch and go as to how everything will end. Another hard to put down book by Brooks.

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Merry Christmas

We Almost had a White Christmas this year.  This was Dec. 23rd and our first snow in a very long time.

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 170 - Vanguard by Jack Campbell, Aydarr by Veronica Scott

Vanguard by Jack Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn't think I would like this series so it took me awhile to give it a try. Turns out I was wrong, I do like the series. I thought it would be close in time to the Lost Fleet series but it is not. It is set many years before that series and it gives it a fresh feeling. I love the three main characters. Robert Geary, a young former junior fleet officer, Ninja, a computer hacker and Mele Darcy, a onetime enlisted Marine are on a planet that has just recently been colonized. When danger comes the three rise to the occasion. The back story is very well developed, the plot is not new but is very well done and the character development fits the story line. Several other characters are important at first but play a small part in the whole. They seem to be in line to play a more important role in future stories. I listed to this as a audio book and the reader did a great job on timing and voices.

Aydarr by Veronica Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was disappointed when I started Aydarr. I though Oh No another alien abduction story. It is that but it had some interesting twists that kept it from being run of the mill. For one thing the main female character was a Sector solider at one time and she can take care of herself. Of course there is that alien she bonds with. She was abducted from the Sector and that is the tie in to the previous series set in the Sector. The abductors are another tie in as they are the same enemies from the sector series. There are some very interesting characters, a well developed plot and a very predictable romance.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 169 - Rescuing Prince Charming by Edward Hoornaert, For the Greater Good by Greta van der Rol

Rescuing Prince Charming by Edward Hoornaert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This has one of the best opening scenes every. What a way for two people to meet. The rest of the book had to work very hard to live up to the opening. Prince Charming has not been successful in life, in fact he just kept messing up. This time he wants to succeed but events and things are working against him. Dusty Johnson just wants to be left alone to work on humans first space ship. She does not trust and he is afraid he will mess up again. The two are on an interesting course that kept the story line moving. A unexpected plot and an interesting romance. All in all a fun book.


For the Greater Good: Puss in Space by Greta van der Rol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Imperial agents Tian Axmar and Brent Walker are back in a new story. Brent is getting used to his new status. Tian has a new pet. Both are causing problems. This time we get a nice visit with the Admiral and his wife, main characters in a previous story. This problem is series and brings Brent back in contact with the past he had to leave behind. The focus of the story is two fold. First is the danger from the Human's First group and second with Brent coming to grips with leaving the past in the past. The best thing is the new pet. That is the Puss in space part of the title. Puss in a really great character. She is much more than just a cat. Great story for cat fans.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 168 - If Ever I Should Love You by Cathy Maxwell, A Cowboy's Christmas by Vicki Lewis Thompson

If Ever I Should Love You by Cathy Maxwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Leonie Charnock and the Earl of Rochdale have a history. That history destroyed Rochdale's military career while leaving Leonie unable to trust any man. Getting them together should be impossible. I really liked the fact that Leonie seemed very strong even as she battled with THE EVENT in her past. I liked how Rochdale could dream and then work to make it a fact not just a dream. The story of the two followed a familiar path but seemed fresh and new. Maxwell treats a serious subject while telling a interesting story.


A Cowboy's Christmas by Vicki Lewis Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hayley Bennett has her life in order but really does hate how her Mother keeps trying to fix her up every time she comes home for a visit. Badger Calhoun is just visiting his friend for Christmas. The two come up with a plan and of course it backfires. Badger is such a interesting character. He comes from wealth and does not need to work but is looking for a focus in his life. He is very contained and does not let many people in. Hayley is more open and shares her past, present and future while Badger does not. Makes for some tension as feeling develop between the two. A very good addition to the McGavin Brothers series.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 167 - The Pines of Winder Ranch by RaeAnne Thane, A Cowboy's Courage by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Year One by Nora Roberts

The Pines of Winder Ranch: A Cold Creek Homecoming\A Cold Creek Reunion by RaeAnne Thayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review. My copy only contained A Cold Creek Reunion. I though it was a nice story but I kept wondering why the two really broke up ten years ago. The reason seemed a little contrived. Other than that there were cute kids, a nice dog and two people who belonged together but were having trouble trusting because of the past. I did like that one of the kids was special needs and this showed how loving she was.


A Cowboy's Courage by Vicki Lewis Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Trevor McGavin and Olivia Shaw have a lot to overcome. Olivia is still loves her husband who died three years ago. She finds Trevor very attractive but does not see how she can love another. Trevor is the last McGavin to find his HEA. I loved how patient Trevor was giving Olivia space to decide if she could give in to her attraction. There was an event that helped Olivia see that she could love her late husband and love Trevor. I thought it was a nice way to open her eyes.


Year One by Nora Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What happens when most of the people in the world die and some who live are changed. That is what Nora Roberts addresses in Year One. The book follows several different groups as the Doom changes the world. Each has to follow a different path but they do finally meet. Then after being invested in some very interesting characters something happens and the book follows only one character. There is a lot of foreshadowing in the story line. The world Roberts builds is pretty grim. While some people just want to build a new life others turn to evil. It was interesting enough that I want to see what happens in the next book. I got this as an audio book.

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