Thursday, December 8, 2016

Short and Sweet Book Reviews #61 - The Reluctant Cowboy by Kate Pearce, Unquiet Land by Sharon Shinn, Quantum by Jess Anastasi

The Reluctant Cowboy (Morgan Ranch #1)The Reluctant Cowboy by Kate Pearce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pearce used some familiar themes in The Reluctant Cowboy. There are four brothers who are estranged. A father who took off after his wife and young daughter disappeared and are presumed dead. A Grandmother who is holding the ranch together and naturally a young woman who is helping around the ranch as she writes about the history of the Morgan Ranch. While the first part of the book seemed like the same old, same old it quickly got more interesting as the characters reacted to events in new ways. I loved all of the main characters. Grandma Ruth is strong and determined to keep the ranch in the family. Chase Morgan is the oldest brother and just wants to forget everything that happened with his father and the ranch. January (yes that is her name) had a very different upbringing and has worked very hard to become strong and independent. The three are a wonderful and fun mix. Throw in Blue, another Morgan brother, and the mix gets even better. I loved the book and have the next book, Blue's story, on my wish. list.


Unquiet Land (Elemental Blessings, #4)Unquiet Land by Sharon Shinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In book four of the Elemental Blessing series the focus is on Leah Frothen who was a side character in book three. Leah has returned home after being gone for five years. During that time she has grown and matured and wants nothing more than to reconnect with the daughter who was a new born when she left. That adds to the story but this is more about the events that are happening when Leah becomes involved with the delegation from a land that has very different values. The danger comes from there. There is romance that comes with a big problem. There is danger that arrives just as Leah thinks everything with her daughter and the man she loves will work smoothly. Like other stories by Shinn this is a gently story that moves at a slow and orderly pace giving time for both back story, world building and character development. I did notice a small change from previous books by Shinn. The demand for more graphic sex has caught up with the author and there is one scene with explicit sex where in previous book the character would have gone in the room, closed the door and left the everything to our imagination. This can stand-alone but is better if you have read the previous books. I received an ARC of Unquiet Land in return for an honest review.


Quantum (Atrophy, #2)Quantum by Jess Anastasi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are still shape shifters around and the big question in Quantum revolves around is he or is he not a shape shifter. Lieutenant Marshal Mae Petros has been sent to find out if Captain Admiral Zander Graydon is a shape shifter or if he is still human. It seems someone is trying to kill Zander and Mae is spending all of her time protecting him while trying to survive. Mae and Zander have a difficult time getting to safety with Rian Sherron and the crew of the Imojenna. When they do arrive the danger is not over; it just keeps getting worse. Another fun space opera with great characters and an interesting world. Jess Anastasia teases us with hints who will have their own story. I love who she decided to feature next. Like Quantum it should be a very fun story to read.

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