3 Truths and A Lie ~ Lisa Gardner (earc) review [@LisaGardnerBks @DuttonBooks]

Three Truths and a Lie (Detective D.D. Warren #7.5)
Dutton
January 5, 2016
add to Goodreads/buy from B&N/or Amazon

Boston Detective D.D. Warren faces her most brutal adversaries yet—a class of jaded thriller writers—in New York Times Bestselling Author Lisa Gardner’s exclusive e-Book short story

In Lisa Gardner's second short story, after the New York Times bestseller The 7th Month, Detective D.D. Warren takes on her most intimidating assignment yet: a fifty-minute class meant to educate a horde of bloodthirsty thriller writers on the ways of actual police work. Yet sometimes life really does imitate fiction, as D.D. takes the writers through the reality of one of her most twisted cases—a case that involves a seedy motel room, drugs, prostitution . . . and a severed leg.

With Gardner’s trademark suspense, sharp observations, and thrilling storytelling, Three Truths and a Lie is a fascinating chapter in D.D.’s storied career. Includes an early look at Lisa Gardner’s next novel of suspense, Find Her, coming February 9, 2016.

Speaking to a classroom full of thriller writers on police procedure is not exactly Detective D.D. Warren's dream afternoon. She is there at all because Alex is leading his own class. Only, blood spatter, she knows, is going to be so much more appealing to everyone than proper procedure. They are fiction writers after all.

Needing to keep everyone's attention - and keep them awake - D.D. decides to go with one of her more bizarre cases.  As she tells them of the case (involving a severed leg) readers get to experience an abbreviated D.D. Warren story.The mix of D.D. telling the story and the class of writers trying to guess the detectives next move and solve the case, keeps the story exciting. It is a fun combination of what was actually done and what thriller writers might expect or want to happen.

Stories like this one - that pull in some real life thriller writers (which, let's not forget author Lisa Gardner is) into the story and poke fun at the (fictional) detective's view of how those writers view her job - can really be a lot of fun. There is the recognition of some fellow authors, the admission of the difference between exciting, thrilling fictional investigations and the, often, much slower less exciting real life police work.

Even better, the short story is not all that is offered in 3 Truths and a Lie. We also get the first two chapters of the next, full length D.D. Warren story Find Her (out February 9th).

3 Truths and a Lie is a wonderful mix of a smart, even funny short story and a preview of the upcoming novel.

Santa 365 ~ Spencer Quinn (earc) review [@atriabooks @ChetTheDog]

Santa 365: A Chet and Bernie eShort Story (The Chet and Bernie Mystery Series)
Atria Books
November 24, 2015
add to Goodreads/buy from B&N/or Amazon

Santa doesn’t just deliver gifts—he takes them too!—in this delightful holiday e-short featuring New York Times bestselling sleuths Chet and Bernie.

He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake. This year, jolly old St. Nick knows Bernie has been sleeping on preparations for a special Christmas celebration with his son Charlie. Enter Plumpy Napoleon, fresh from a short stint in prison, to save Bernie from the naughty list. Plumpy calls his latest business plan “Santa 365.” For a small fee (that only gets bigger), he’ll fill your life with holiday cheer, including elves, a festive party, gifts, and even a Christmas tree delivered right to your front door. Bernie signs on for the full yuletide experience. But after the blowout holiday bash, Bernie and Chet the dog discover one of Santa’s helpers helped himself to more than Christmas candy. The intrepid duo sets out to find the sticky-fingered perp and reclaim the stolen goods. Add in a surprise visit from Bernie’s mom, two elderly sisters seeking their own brand of justice, and an elf with a stocking full of secrets, and you have a Christmas mystery that only Chet and Bernie could possibly unwrap.

Whether you love that Thanksgiving is just about here and that it means Christmas is on its way . . . or you wish there were a few more weeks to go, you will enjoy 'Santa 365'.

In this e-only short story addition to the Chet and Bernie Mysteries series, Bernie celebrating Christmas with his son Charlie (and Chet, too, of course) when an opportunity presents itself. It may not be quite Christmas yet, but that's not stopping Napoleon - one of the crooks Chet and Bernie helped put away. Plumpy's new business, Santa 365, promises to bring the holiday cheer any day. For a fee, of course.

To make the holidays special for Charlie, Bernie agrees. The party goes mostly as planned, until a crime is discovered.

Now it's up to Chet and Bernie to crack the case and solve the day.

'Santa 365' is Christmas themed - with Santa, Christmas trees, presents and elves - but you don't need to be in a Christmas-y mood (or celebrate it at all) for this story. The focus is on Bernie and Charlie, the mystery and, as always, Chet's observations on the situation.

This story, as the author notes in the beginning, doesn't have to fit anywhere in the series, in particular. Some of the relationships or circumstances in the story may fit better between certain books, but it can be read whenever.

Chet's observations continue to be great: as per usual he has taken note of their finances, knows Bernie's the smartest guy around and is ready to grab any bad buy's pants leg.  A few of the lines did seem similar (if not the same) as ones in Scents and Sensibility the latest book,  Those may not be the same in the final version and,aren't noticeable if you don't read the novel and the short story close together.

'Santa 365' is a great read to get you in the holiday spirit . . . and then steal away some of that cheer. With Chet's brilliant and humorous observations and narration style, this is a read for fans of the series or new readers.







review copy received, via NetGalley, from publisher

The Scarlets ~ Madeline Roux review [@HarperTeen]

The Scarlets (Asylum #1.5)
Harper Teen
August 5, 2014
87 pages
add to Goodreads/buy from Amazon

When Dan and his friends meet Cal in Sanctum their impression of the privileged New Hampshire College student is less than stellar. But Cal wasn't always the cold, sarcastic guy he is now. In this digital original story preceding the events of Sanctum, we meet Cal when he is experiencing college like any other kid with a group of close friends and a dad who piles on the pressure. Only, when the pressure starts getting to him and Cal accepts an invitation to meet a selective group of students and alumni known only as the Scarlets, the course of Cal's life changes forever. And the price of joining the Scarlets might be higher than he can pay.

With plenty of twists, turns, and thrills, The Scarlets is an exhilarating installment in the Asylum series that can stand on its own for new readers or provide a missing piece of the puzzle for series fans.

I should preface this review by saying that several Goodreads reviews indicate that reading The Scarlets prior to reading Asylum Book 2, Sanctum will spoil you for Sanctum. I have not read Sanctum so I can't say for sure if that's true but it does seem likely.

Reading The Scarlets I couldn't tell how Cal, his life and the other characters fit in with the world of Asylum. (My Nook was weird and opened The Scarlets - on the epigraph page - when I'd clicked another title, so I hadn't yet read the synopsis.) It was set at the New Hampshire College where Dan and the other characters attended their summer program, but the characters themselves did not overlap with Asylum.

Cal is a character in Sanctum and The Scarlets gives us some of his background, letting us know how he became the way he is in Sanctum.

Ignoring any possible spoilers, The Scarlets is an enjoyable read. Cal is a character who you don't exactly like, yet he is still a sympathetic character. He makes a lot of not so great choices, but we see some of what drives him to those choices. His father's expectations and beliefs are more than Cal needs or wants and we see how Cal reacts.

While I do hate that some of Sanctum might be spoiled for me (I do hate when the series numbering of novellas indicates they're between the first and second books, but really should be read later), what transpired in The Scarlets has me intrigued and anxious to read Sanctum.

If you have read Sanctum, I would recommend The Scarlets, if you have not yet read it, wait to do so - unless you like spoilers!

This Night So Dark ~ Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooer [@DisneyHyperion @AmieKaufman @MeaganSpooner]

This Night So Dark (Starbound #1.5)
Disney Hyperion
October 7, 2014
109 pages
add to Goodreads/free on Kindle/and NOOK

Don’t miss the breathtaking short story that connects the first two novels in the Starbound trilogy, These Broken Stars and This Shattered World.

Tarver still has nightmares about the night, six months before the Icarus crash, when he rescued a group of civilian researchers being held hostage by brutal mercenaries. Now Tarver and Lilac must reconcile his memories of that fateful night with the truth that they uncovered on a mysterious planet after the Icarus crashed.

Includes a bonus preview chapter from This Shattered World!

If you have been eagerly awaiting the release of This Shattered World later this month (my review is coming soon), make sure you don't miss This Night So Dark.

A short digital short released this fall, This Night So Dark bridges the first two Starbound books, These Broken Stars* and This Shattered World.

This e-story features the characters from These Broken Stars but introduces some new ones as well to tell a story that gives a deeper understanding of some things from that book while hinting at some of what will be in This Shattered World. It is one of my favorite e-shorts, so far. It does, understandably, contain some spoilers for These Broken Stars but the bigger things (ie you'll know there's a forest, but not know what the individual trees look like). If you don't mind spoilers, This Night So Dark will tempt you into reading These Broken Stars.

It does not have spoilers for This Shattered World, except to maybe hint at what is going to be a part of the story, somehow. Though, that's also hinted at with it being a trilogy, each book tied together somehow.

I read This Night So Dark after This Shattered World and liked doing it that way. I read the first two novels not being sure how they would be connected, what they would have in common. (But I also abhor spoilers of any sort - even those in synopses.)

Whatever order you want to read the books in, do read them - This Night So Dark, included. It's a short story but done very well. It's  another glimpse into the lives of characters we fell in love with in These Broken Stars and a reminder of why This Shattered World's release can't come soon enough.

This Night So Dark is free on Kindle and NOOK so you have no reason not to get it! If you don't have an ereader, you can get the free app: FREE Kindle Reading App on Most Devices and read it on your smartphone, computer, etc.)

I almost missed this one; if there's another enovella, digital short story you think I should know about, let me know!






Starbound Series in Order:

The Fear Trials ~ Lindsay Cummings Tour Review [@LindsayCWrites @HarperTeen @TUABFC #FFBC]

The Fear Trials (The Murder Complex #0.5
HarperTeen Impulse
June 3, 2014
100 pages
add to Goodreads/buy Nook version/on iTunes/or Kindle

Meadow Woodson has been trained to survive. This is a prequel to The Murder Complex, by Lindsay Cummings, and it is set in a blood-soaked world where the murder rate is higher than the birth rate. For fans of Moira Young's Dust Lands series, La Femme Nikita, and the movie Hanna.

Meadow Woodson's father calls it The Fear Trials, and it is a rite of passage in their family. Meadow is up against her brother Koi. The Fear Trials will both harden her and make her brave. If Meadow wins, she will get a weapon of her own and the right to leave the Woodsons' houseboat without her father or mother at her side. Set in the violent, complex, and mysterious world of The Murder Complex, and introducing Meadow Woodson—a teenage girl trained to survive no matter what the cost—and her family, who are together for the last time on their houseboat in the Florida Everglades.

"Set in the violent, complex, and mysterious world of The Murder Complex, and introducing Meadow Woodson," is probably the most important bit of the 'The Murder Complex' summary. This enovella prequel is an introduction to the character, Meadow, that we'll get to know better in the novel, The Murder Complex.

Meadow is a girl who loves her family, her sister Peri, brother Koi and her parents - distant and different though they may be. Her father is trying to train her to fight, to survive in the world they live in. But Meadow isn't fully committed, yet; she doesn't understand all of the dangers. As Meadow begins to comprehend all of the danger , during 'The Fear Trials,' so do readers.

This prequel is much more an introduction to Meadow's character than to The Murder Complex world. We learn some through Meadow's narration, but also through her experiences.

If this were a standalone novella, it would not quite work. There's too much unexplained, too much information the world where it takes place that isn't give. As it is the introduction to a series, though, it really does work. We see an evolution of Meadow's character and get just enough about her world for it to be mysterious, yet tantalizing.

After meeting Meadow and her family, seeing who her character is at the end, and little bits of her world, I'm anxious to read The Murder Complex once it's out June 10th.


Rating: 8/10


about The Murder Complex, the author and giveaway below . . .

Dangerous Dream (novella) ~ Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (earc) review

(AT&T doesn't seem to want me to have internet lately; its inconsistent but oh so frequent connection failures paired with holiday busy-ness have messed up my posting. I apologize. [and glare at AT&T.])

** Synopsis/review contains spoilers for the Beautiful Creatures series -- find links to my reviews of those books at the bottom of this post **


Dangerous Dream (Dangerous Creatures #0.5
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
December 17, 2013
60 pages (ebook)
add to Goodreads/buy Kindle edition/or NOOK Book

Novellas are hard to summarize without telling the whole story, but I'll try:

It's time for Lena, Ethan and Link to graduate Stonewall Jackson High School and almost time to leave Gatlin behind. But, first, there's the whole summer . . . a summer with Ridley around and all the opportunities for something to go wrong. Something with great effects.

The Link and Ridley story of "Dangerous Dream" is around thirty-five pages (based on my Adobe Digital Editions) and then there's a preview of Dangerous Creatures. The first book in the Beautiful Creatures spin-off series Dangerous Creatures will be released in May and revolve around Link and Ridley.

It didn't really take anything at all for me to want to read Dangerous Creatures. The Beautiful Creatures books were so great and Link and Ridley were both fantastic characters whose interactions were even better so the idea of books centered on them was more than enough. What "Dangerous Dream" does, however, is set up just where Dangerous Creatures is going to start. A bit of what the stakes are.

While still leaving readers with quite a question.

One that makes you anxious to read the full book.

The characters felt as true in this enovella as they have in the previous four Beautiful Creatures novels. Ethan and Lena were Ethan and Lena (though I did picture them as Alden Ehrenreich and Alice Englert as I've seen the movie now . . .). Ridley felt a bit fuller than Link, in terms of seeing them as main characters, not supporting characters but that was likely as she had more story.

I loved that they both seemed like expansions of the characters we've already come to know in the other books.  There wasn't a different air to them now that they're the focus.

While that may change in the full novel, I hope it doesn't. It's really nice when the characters (who are the same characters) don't seem to be new characters.

"Dangerous Dream" may be a short novella but it's a great glimpse into what's coming with Dangerous Creatures and a it's really fantastic getting to slip back into that world, if only for a little bit.



 

Related reviews:
(Beautiful Creatures series reviews:
1 Beautiful Creatures
2 Beautiful Darkness
3 Beautiful Chaos
4 Beautiful Redemption

Icons by Margaret Stohl
Unbreakable by Kami Garcia


 digital galley received from publisher for review consideration

Natural Selection ~ Malinda Lo (earc) review

Natural Selection (Adaptation #1.5)
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
September 3, 2013
40 pages (ebook novella)
add to Goodreads/buy Kindle version

I was born on Earth, not Kurra. I'm not human,even though I try to be. My people, the Imria, think I'm a little unusual because of that. They call me an Earthsider: as if I've crossed a line, chosen a side. Gone native.

Before she met her girlfriend Reese, before she knew the role she would play in the fate of two worlds, Amber was a fifteen-year-old Imrian torn between two identities. Imrian by blood, Amber was forced to hide her true self to pass as human during the time she spent on earth. And even when she returns to Kurra, her human experiences, including first love and heartache, still separate her from her fellow Imrians. But when Amber undergoes kibila, a traditional Imrian coming-of-age ceremony during which Amber will choose her name and identity for the next fifteen years, she will be forced to either accept her role in both worlds or forge her own path.

Malinda Lo's digital exclusive novella companion to Adaptation and Inheritance takes readers on a journey through Amber's past, giving fans a glimpse into her life on Kurra and a deeper understanding of one of Adaptation's most compelling characters.

I may be the odd one here, but I'd forgotten the role of Amber in Adaptation -- at least by her name -- when I read 'Natural Selection.' While I couldn't figure out how these Imirian characters fit in the world of Adaptation -- aside, of course, from the general -- I still really enjoyed it.

I'm actually quite happy I didn't know how they were a part of the novels as I was reading; it was nice taking in their story on its own, not trying to fit it into the bigger picture at the same time.

'Natural Selection' gives a great glimpse of life on Kurra. We learned just a little bit of what the Imirians were like in Adaptation but here, we get a real 'at home' look. It's especially great if you're going to read Inheritance, the second book in the series. Not only do you get a fuller picture of what it's like on Kurra and Imirian society, but of Amber, as well.

The story alternates between Amber's life on Earth, posing as a human and her life back on Kurra. The back and forth could get a bit confusing at times, with the transitions not always entirely clear. However, the parallels between what she experienced on Earth prior to returning to Kurra and what's happening during the ceremony line up perfectly. Both story lines flow very well and work incredibly well together. They work better told concurrently, rather than consecutively.

While not remembering who the character of Amber was, I really liked this digital short story. I liked that background on the Imirians, it gave me a leg up - upon starting Inheritance - on Reese and David. As they're figuring things out, trying to understand things, I already had some of that understanding.

Once I did remember who Amber was -- also upon starting Inheritance -- I really appreciated the character development she received in 'Natural Selection.' She's an intriguing character after both Adaptation and the short story and I couldn't wait to see what happened with her in Inheritance.

Rating: 9/10



thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy to review

Novella Review Roundup

A Dawn Most Wicked
Harper Teen
June 4, 2013
150 pages
add to Goodreads/buy for Kindle/Harper site
Something Strange and Deadly #0.5

Daniel Sheridan is an engineer’s apprentice on a haunted Mississippi steamer known as the Sadie Queen. His best friend–the apprentice pilot, Cassidy Cochran–also happens to be the girl he’s pining for…and the captain’s daughter. But when it looks like the Sadie Queen might get taken off the river, Daniel and Cassidy have to do whatever they can to stop the ghosts that plague the ship.

Fortunately, there happens to be a Creole gentleman on board by the name of Joseph Boyer-–and he just might be able to help them…

This prequel gives us Daniel's back story - or some of it. We meet him while he's working on the Sadie Queen, a haunted Mississippi steam boat. If you haven't read Dennard's first book with his character, you may be lost at the start of this novella. Though it's a prequel, things start out assuming readers know who the character is . . .

A Dawn Most Wicked is listed as number zero point five in the Something Strange and Deadly series, but really it's best as a 'go back and read it after you've read the first book' prequel type of book. It's a good read if you haven't already read Something Strange and Deadly, but it's much better if you already have -- if you know Daniel already and have some interest in him.

Verdict: A Dawn Most Wicked is an enjoyable read. A prequel that assumes readers know the character (ie have read Book 1), it's likely a lot more enjoyable if you've read Something Strange and Deadly but a good story on its own.

(Features a preview of A Darkness Strange and Lovely (#2) at the end.)
Rating: 3.5/5



The Prince
Harper Teen
March 5, 2013
64 pages
add to Goodreads/buy Kindle version/Harper site
The Selection #0.5

Before thirty-five girls were chosen to compete in the Selection...

Before Aspen broke America's heart...

There was another girl in Prince Maxon's life...

Don't miss this thrilling 64-page original novella set in the world of the New York Times bestselling novel The Selection. Also features a teaser to The Elite, Kiera Cass's hotly anticipated sequel to The Selection.

After how I felt about The Selection (my review-ish HERE) it may be surprising that I read this at all, but I was curious. And I actually liked it. Told from Maxon's point-of view we get a bit of lead up into the actual start of The Selection and see how he's feeling about the whole thing.

I do feel the synopsis is a bit misleading because it makes it seem as if the novella is mainly about this 'other girl' when really she just seemed to be one part of it, to me. Not a small part, sure but not the story, either.

I did like seeing Maxon as more than just The Prince as well as some of the lead up into the Selection. It made Maxon seem like more of a whole character. I may have to see what I think of The Elite.

While this one has a preview of The Elite at the end, I think it's one that could be read before or after The Selection -- if you've read The Selection you'll understand more but with the different character POV and being set at the start, it's good for those new to things as well.

Verdict: It's nice to see a bit more of who Maxon is here; how he felt going into the Selection. This one can be read before or after Book 1.

Rating: 3.5/5


Playing Keira
Harper Teen
May 7, 2013
40 pages
add to Goodreads/buy Kindle version /Harper site
prequel to You Look Different in Real Life

From a breakthrough voice in YA fiction comes a captivating digital-original short story, starring a supporting character from the novel You Look Different in Real Life.

The premise was simple: five kids living their real lives, with a new movie about them every five years. But that was before Keira’s mother walked out, and the cameras captured every heartbreaking detail for the world to see. Now Keira doesn’t even know what “real life” means – she only knows how to pretend to be herself.

Then she meets Garrett on a bus to New York City. At first, Keira creates a fictional identity and enjoys the freedom of being someone totally different. But as their brief connection turns into something more, Keira starts to see what life could be like if she just stopped pretending and accepted the person she really is.

I adored Jennifer Castle's The Beginning of After so I have to admit to having high hopes for her follow-up - and it's prequel novella.  Lucky for me and I suppose you, Playing Keira completely exceeded all of those expectations.

I loved Playing Keira. It's a fantastic little story all on its own. We're drawn into Keira's story, her journey on the bus and this new persona, this new identity she's creating. All the while wondering both why . . . and what's going to happen at the end of the bus ride.

Playing Keira is a great short story whether it's a prequel or not. Even if you don't plan to read You Look Different in Real Life (which, really, why would you not? But if you don't), do yourself a favor and read this. In, really, just a few pages we meet such a great character and learn so much about her, while still wanting to learn so much more.

There aren't a lot of contemporary novels with prequel novellas (at least, that I have seen) so I was surprised to see this one but so glad I stumbled upon it!

Verdict: A pretty amazing short story prequel or no. Great introduction to the character and some of the story for You Look Different in Real Life.

Rating: 4.5/5

Isolation ~ Dan Wells review

Isolation (Partials #0.5)
Balzer + Bray
August 28, 2012
~75 pages (enovella)
add to Goodreads/buy on Kindle/or Nook

Two decades before the events of Partials, the world was locked in a different battle for survival: a global war for the last remaining oil reserves on the planet. It was for the Isolation War that the American government contracted the ParaGen Corporation to manufacture the Partials—our last hope in reclaiming energy independence from China. And it was on these fields of battle that the seeds of humanity's eventual destruction were sown.

Isolation takes us back to the front lines of this war, a time when mankind’s ambition far outstripped its foresight. Heron, a newly trained Partial soldier who specializes in infiltration, is sent on a mission deep behind enemy lines. What she discovers there has far-reaching implications—not only for the Isolation War, but for Partials and humans alike long after this war is over.

A powerful take of our world on the brink, Isolation gives readers a glimpse into the history from which Partials was born—as well as clues to where the Partials Sequence is heading next.

After reading Partials last February, I was really excited to read both Fragments, the sequel and "Isolation", the prequel novella. Though, "Isolation", is set prior to Partials, it was released just this past August -- between the releases of the two full length novels in the series.

If you've already read Partials and are looking for some more insight into how the Partials are made, how they come to be and a bit of insight into the Isolation War, I would recommend, "Isolation".

The story is told through Heron and alternates between her inception as a Partial and her assignment inside the Chinese military.

As a stand-alone tale or as an introduction to the series, I'm not sure I would recommend "Isolation." I loved Partials, the characters, their interactions, the plot, the way things unfolded, but, "Isolation" didn't really work for me.

The Chinese generals felt almost like we were hearing the dubbed version of them, if that makes sense. Their dialogue didn't really flow and seemed like it was Chinese translated (a bit oddly) into English before we read it.

That was on top of, perhaps, my bigger trouble with, "Isolation." What was going on with the gender roles in this story? 2060 China and 2060 military is apparently more misogynistic than 2013, which, okay plausible, I guess. But the ease with which Heron knows, accepts and plays into this as well as another place it was part of the story . . . Yes, it worked for what needed to be accomplished, but was it the only way? It felt cheap. Contrasting the treatment of Heron, the only female character, with Kira, Partials main character left me really disappointed.

I liked learning how the Partials were 'conceived' and trained, but I don't feel that this short story was crucial to Partials and I'll see if it plays a role in Fragments as I read it.



Rating: 5/10


A Novel Toybox does, possibly, a better job making some of my same points in her review

A Killer First Date ~ Alyxandra Harvey mini review

A Killer First Date (Drake Chronicles #3.5)
Walker Childrens
February 14, 2012
40 pages
add to Goodreads/buy from Amazon/or B&N (where it's a LendMe ebook)

**spoilers through Out for Blood, book three**

Nicholas and Lucy have known each other for most of their lives, but now that they've finally admitted their feelings for each other, Nicholas wants to take her on their official first date-away from all the life-and-death drama that has surrounded them lately. Is it too much to ask for just a fun double date at the local carnival with his older brother, Quinn, and Quinn's new girlfriend, Hunter?

'A Killer First Date' is an e-novella in the Drake Chronicles series by Alyxandra Harvey. Though published between books four and five - Bleeding Hearts and Blood Moon it takes place prior to Bleeding Hearts.

Telling the tale of both Lucy and Nicholas as well as Quinn and Hunter's first dates - which take place together, 'A Killer First Date' is an enjoyable interlude that stays true to the rest of the series. It doesn't really need to be read in between books three and four, it just fits best there plot wise.

To avoid character spoilers, it shouldn't be read earlier - but then, reading this review or the synopsis of the story would already tell you the characters are dating. I read it after Blood Moon and after that book's more heavy story line and its ending, the lighter short story, the interaction of the characters and the bit of fun was incredibly refreshing. Almost like a flashback.

When short stories are done well, as this one very much is, I love to read them as it shows just how well the author know their characters and gives me yet another peek into the lives of the characters I've grown to love.

From Hearts at Stake (aka My Love Lies Bleeding) the first book, I've been in love with the Drake Chronicles series and I'm happy to say that the short stories are just as fantastic. (Lost Girls was in the back of some editions of Blood Moon and it was brilliant as well.)

Rating: 4/5