Quick Reads and Quick Reviews 28

  

• She's a Good Girl: Agents of DART Book 1, Naomi Bellina
• Dragon Night: Dragon Kings Novella, Donna Grant
• Hottie Scotty and Mr. Porter, R. Cooper

Trust issues abound here in this story.  Between the inter-agency animosity, Lily's history, Dillon's past, and everyone else involved it's difficult to see beyond the neon signs regarding trust and the lack of it to the romance or the case itself.  I feel that the case gets a bit lost and muddied when the relationship is in the driver's seat and when the case takes its turn the relationship gets obscured.  It's not the interplay that builds and enhances one another, rather it's a jockeying of position that gives neither their due.  Lily's insecurities drive her from the start and I don't think they really calmed or were soothed by the end.  The case itself seemed to be a bit of a throw-away, more so Lily had a way to meet Dillon and sort through her own issues rather than a way to showcase her strength and intelligence.  Overall the story wasn't bad, it was just not as well-rounded as I hoped.  3 stars.

Dorian's hatred for humanity has kept him isolated in his mountain for millennia but an artifact's protections make it necessary for him to awaken.  Face to face with his anger and thirst for revenge, he'll have to learn control it or he might just lose the one being that could soothe his soul and grant his heart peace.  Alex's honesty and penchant for eschewing the attention her wealth brings really endeared her to me.  I felt she was genuine, forthright, strong-willed, and fierce once her heart made its decision.  She was also compassionate, empathetic, and endlessly feeling which allowed her to be the balm Dorian's soul needed.  Together they were wonderful, both passionate and intelligent.  Without reading any of the rest of the series I'd have to say that you wouldn't be completely lost, but there are so many relationships and connections and references that you'd be better off if you did.  As a standalone it was alright, but as a part of the Dark Kings series, it was fantastic.  4 stars.

Scotty is a shy, bumbling, nervous fireman with a huge crush.  The town's librarian is much more than the pitiful, wealthy widower the knitting group sees.  He and Scotty also have a little bit of history.  But Cole has made it clear that their one night together was all that was ever going to happen...or has he?  The machinations of the knitting circle are more frustrating than anything because they're all willfully blind to who these men really are.  They're busybodies of the highest order.  I liked Scotty's nervous rambling as well as his amazing thoughts.  When he's comfortable and relaxed he says the most beautiful things.  Cole's unfortunate habit of clamming up and making assumptions has caused misunderstandings and apprehension in Scott that was a bit frustrating.  Open honesty is needed all around, that's for sure.  The end is a little abrupt but it gives a great sense of hope and affection as well as quite a bit of heat.  I'd like to have had more, honestly, but as a short story it was sweet and worth the couple hours it took to read.  3 stars.