Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 363 - Severed by Shona Husk, Jake's Redemption by Jamie Schulz

Severed by Shona Husk
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Severed was a hard book to put in a category. It is science fiction that flows over into erotica, There is a lot of sex and much of it male/male. Then it goes to a triad for two males and one female. Both are the norm for this world that Shona Husk has built. I loved the three main characters. All are strong but have very human weaknesses. The world building is unique as women fly and men walk. Halle Ish, Avin Lent, and Jarro Coblic end up together while facing danger. Their reactions to each other drive the story. This is the start of a new series and I look forward to seeing what happens next in the very fascinating world.

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


Jake's Redemption: The Angel Eyes Series Prequel by Jamie Schulz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jake's Redemption turns the tables on male and female relationships. Jake is a slave as are most of the men in this world. Women have a new power and the fate of men was changed during a war mentioned in the book. Jake's status is not changed in the story. He is always a slave but what does change is how he is treated when he leaves a place where he is kept barely alive to one where he is treated with respect. I liked the concept and the world building. I did think the book would have been better if it had been edited down and the story presented in a more concise manner. I found it to drag between the action and wanted the story to speed up. That said I am looking forward to the next book that continues the story started here.

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

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The Mage Tales Prequels by Ilona Waters - Book Blast and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Ilana Waters will be awarding a $75 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

From USA Today bestselling author Ilana Waters:

Vampire. Witch. Hero. Monster.

Titus Aurelius is all of these things. Ever since he rose from the ashes of ancient Pompeii, this former Roman general has fought for survival.

A few millennia later, bloodseeker Titus isn’t looking for trouble—just a quick meal. But when his path crosses the witch Abigail’s, that plan gets shot to Hades. They find out the Paranormal Investigation Agency (PIA) is plotting something monstrous—something that involves exploding gas mains, lethal bird-shifters, and sadistic vampire minions.

Will they uncover the PIA’s murderous secret before every supernatural in its path is destroyed?

And what is Titus and Abigail’s connection to the mage who, almost twenty years later, is exiled to a paranormal boarding school? Can this mage solve a mystery concerning a stolen potion and ghostly figure before students—including him—wind up dead?

Together for the first time, the Mage Tales Prequels: Books 0-II are action-packed, edge-of-your-seat suspense stories shot through with a megadose of snark. If you love authors like Kevin Hearne, Lev Grossman, and Ilona Andrews, give these a try! This box set contains one novella and two full-length novels:

When Darkness Falls
Blood and Magic
Mage Lessons

Read an Excerpt

From Mage Lessons:

It took all I had just to keep the protection spell up. My supply of magic began to run dangerously low.

Miles . . . Pen . . . anyone! If you’ve a heroic rescue in mind, now would be a really good time. My heart hammered against my rib cage. Even with the protection spell, I was covered in sweat. I felt the heat seeping through, burning my mouth, my throat. What little air I could get was so hot, it hurt to breathe.

No one’s coming. The realization hit me like an iceberg dropped into my stomach, despite the heat all around me. No one will get here in time. I’m going to burn to death, just like the witches of old. Now my heart was beating so fast, it felt like one long whir. Futilely, I covered my head with my arms and squeezed my eyes shut.

Oh, God. This is going to hurt so, so bad. At least it’ll be quick. Please, God, let it be quick.

Just as I was sure the fire would claim me, I saw a blinding flash of white. I honestly thought it was because I was about to die. Then, I heard a strange sound. It was faint inside my fiery prison. It took me a moment to recognize the sound as glass shattering. The hourglass had exploded, the way it always did at the end of a game. Outside the window, I saw its brightness light up the nighttime sky. Tournament was over.

And so am I.

About the Author:

Hi! I'm Ilana Waters, USA Today bestselling author of the Mage Tales.

I write urban fantasy for those who like it fast, funny, and fierce. If you're into cross-blended creatures (think witch-vampire hybrids and half-breed mages) and supernatural ass-kicking, I'm all over that. Ditto if your book turn-ons are equal parts creepy and action-packed (think ancient cities and crypts combined with beheadings and bombs).

Sign up for my newsletter here, and I'll give you a free book: http://tinyurl.com/zp7q9u8

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Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MJT1RWB/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 362 - Death in the Stocks by Georgette Heyer, Fleet of Knives by Gareth L. Powell

Death in the Stocks by Georgette Heyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Death in the Stocks is the first in a mystery series by Georgette Heyer. It has the classic Heyer witty dialog and interesting characters. There are a lot of red herrings before the mystery is solved. However the characters seemed to be too in love with the sound of their own voices. All of the dialog became receptive and caused the story to drag. I think that the mystery is a little dated and it did not hold up as well as Heyer's historical romances have. Even so I was a little surprised by who did the two murders.

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


Fleet of Knives by Gareth L. Powell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Poor Trouble Dog (remember she is a warship that did not like what she had done and changed sides) Even a routine shape up flight after repairs turns into trouble. And not just trouble for her - trouble also for the ship they try to rescue. This changed view points throughout the book as danger from multiple fronts are revealed. There are new characters introduced and the crew of the Trouble Dog returns. Nod is still my favorite character and there is a big surprise when the ship goes off on the rescue mission. This set the stage for the next book and while the Trouble Dog is in constant danger much of that danger remains.

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Short and Sweet book Reviews # 361 - The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas, The Ruin of Kings by Jennifer Lyons

The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you think you know what time travel is like think again. Can't be in the same place at the same time - not true. You can have several of you from years apart in the same room at the same time. That allows the plot in The Psychology of Time Travel to move from a character from one time period to the same character from another time period while all are in the same place. And while that is part of the plot the action revolves around the murder of one of the main characters. We follow several people as they interact often without knowing that they are all part of the same story. This was very interesting with its different take on time travel and how different people saw the same action. The history, the backstory and the world building are all very well done and help keep the story line and characters moving. Pick this up for a very interesting and different murder mystery.

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


The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This follows Kihrin both before and after he becomes a slave. There are many hints about who and what Kihrin is but no answers. What does happen as the story progresses is complex world building, hints about Kihrin's backstory, and the introduction of multiple characters. Kihrin's actions bring danger and tension to himself and the people around him. All of this sets the stage for what will follow. There are no solutions to problems instead there is just an end to the book knowing that there is more to come. An interesting part of the world building is the addition of foot notes to things or people in the story adding information to the world and back story,

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

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 360 - Believe in Me by Ella Quinn, The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Rowal

Believe in Me by Ella Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There is a perfect match and there is a solution to all of your dreams you just have to work to find a solution. For Lady Augusta Vivers and Lord Phineas Carter-Wood it just takes time and travel. Throw in a little danger and the Worthingtons and you have the basis for this story. I did love how Augusta hated the restrictions placed on women and how she opened Phineas' eyes to the things that made her resistant to marriage. Phineas was a very good student and as both were very intelligent it made for great reading and an HEA for both.

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


The Fated Sky by Mary Robinette Kowal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This time it is Mars and Elma York has a big decision to make. Children or space and we know what she choses. This follows her on the trip of her dreams but it is not without pitfalls. I enjoyed the characters and how they interacted. Even Parker came out as not so much as ***hole as before. I hated to leave Elma when she finally got to Mars so I looked up the short story that takes place many years later. (It was published first). I wished I had skipped it as it left me in tears. Even so a really good book and Mary Robinette Kowal does a wonderful job reading her story.

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Millionaire B&B by Robin Daniels - Book Blast and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Robin Daniels will be awarding a $50 mazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Sadie is a successful romance author. She can write a swoon-worthy man with the best of them but can’t seem to find one for herself. Miles is the cute and wealthy heir to Copeland Press, Sadie’s publishing house. It’s hard to find a woman in his social circle who appreciates a down-to-earth book nerd.

When a twist of fate has Miles and Sadie double booked in the same vacation rental, they decide to share the cabin. Even though Miles isn’t Sadie’s type, she can’t deny the chemistry between them. Sadie’s down for a flirty fling, but Miles has other plans. He’s got a huge crush, and just one week to convince Sadie they were meant for a happily ever after.

Read an Excerpt

SADIE

“What’ll it be?” I looked at Miles after grabbing Ethan’s beer and a Diet Coke for myself.

“What do you have?”

I leaned over and hung on the refrigerator door, surveying its contents. “Corona Light, some cheap boxed wine, orange juice, Diet Coke, Dr Pepper, milk, water.” Miles hadn’t answered, and when I turned back, I caught him dragging his gaze away from my butt. “French vanilla creamer…” I teased, boring my eyes into him. He knew he was busted, but he played it off smoothly.

Miles chuckled. “I was going to say Dr Pepper, but you may have just sold me on the Coffee-Mate.” I grinned at his witty comeback, and his face lit up. Then he winked, and my heart skipped a beat.

There are all kinds of winkers in this world: the squinty winker, the rapid winker, the slow-motion winker, the blinker, the can’t-get-my-eye-closed-all-the-way half-blinker, and my least favorite, the over winker. Like Goldilocks, I decided Miles’s wink was just right.

“I’d have pegged you for a beer man,” I replied, handing Miles a Dr Pepper.

“I’m actually more of a wine guy. But I’ve just learned that wine with hamburgers is gross, and I’m trying to impress you.” I pressed my lips together. Was he teasing me or flirting with me? Because it sounded like a little of both.

About the Author:

Robin is an overgrown child who fancies herself a bit of a comedienne. She loves to laugh, crack jokes, create flirty characters, write witty banter and believes in happy endings. Robin lives outside of Phoenix with her wonderful husband, five crazy kids and naughty labradoodle puppy. Millionaire B&B is her first adult rom-com, but she has six YA titles that are equally fun.

BOOK LINK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MWHP4PY
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Website: https://www.authorrobindaniels.com/

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 359 - Stroke of Luck by B.J. Daniels, The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal

Stroke of Luck by B.J. Daniels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really loved the plot in Stroke of Luck. I was in the dark about who did what and who was who for most of the book. The two main characters (Will and Poppy) have a history that is playing out as danger, tension and death stalk the Sterling Montana's Ranch season opening. This is a great start to a new series with Luck being a big part of the story. There is a small touch of the paranormal in the story line as there is one character who believes in curses.

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


The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Calculating Stars title is a play on words and a very clever one. The setting follows what happens when a large meteor strikes the earth setting up the need to find a way off planet as this may be an climate cataclysm. The story follows Elma York, a math genius and WASP pilot as she works to get humans into space. I loved the detail in the story and Mary Robinette Kowal does a really great job reading her creation. The background shows that the author did a lot of research as she wrote the book. I also identified with Elma and her struggle to included as an astronaut. That made it a very difficult book to quit listening to. I love that this is book one in the series and that I can connect with Elma in future books.

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Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 358 - Constellation XXI by Edward Hoornaert, Unforgettable You by Brenda Novak

Constellation XXI by Edward Hoornaert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book three in the Repelling the Invasion series and I had not read the first two. As a result I missed the backstory and world building and was dropped right into the story. What was done in Constellation XXI was the character development. I loved both Sienna and Crispin. They had a past and it was getting in the way of the present. Sienna had a secret that was covered in guilt. Crispin was just happy to finally be back around Sienna. He also had a secret and that one was what they needed to win the war they were in. Ships had quit working and Crispin has found the secret. That secret was putting them in a lot of danger. Great story line with interesting aliens as well as humans. 

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


Unforgettable You by Brenda Novak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Back in Silver Springs a new set of characters are center stage. This time the tension is very evident from the first page. While I liked the main characters I had trouble buying into the plot. Forgiveness is at the heart of the story. The event that lead to needing forgiveness made it hard to believe that the past could ever be put behind in the way the story was told. I do believe in moving on just not in the ways it came about in the story. 

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

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