Since I’m busy preparing for Thanksgiving, here are some of the books I’ve read in the last week. Enjoy!

Dani Spevak travels from New Jersey to Scottsdale, Arizona to attend the prestigious Mountain Shadows Performing Arts High School. This is the first time Dani’s been on her own. She’s enjoying the freedom and opportunities–especially the one to be on a new reality teenage dance show. While being selected from the many dancers is flattering, it soon proves unhealthy. First a stage accident, then a studio fire. Soon it becomes apparent that someone’s out to stop the show and the list of suspects keeps growing. Now Dani and her friends must figure how to ensure that the show goes on.

Dani’s angst, her confidence and her obsession with her perceived shortcomings all make for a character that practically walks off the page. With a light hand, Ms. Brice touches on the topic of anorexia prevalent in such an appearance driven industry as the performing arts. Dani’s friends are supportive as they bumble their way through the investigation.

For a light and enjoyable read with a touch of mystery look no further than Codename: Dancer.

Amazon

Galaxy Girls

The planet Kergeron is harsh and brutal. The men are genetically engineered to be warriors and the women breeders. There is no room for finer emotions like love and tenderness, except what a mother feels for her child before it is stripped from her arms. Phryne was born into the Kergeron world and was abused as a breeder. Taking advantage of the chaos of war, Phryne, her mother, cousin and aunt steal a ship and head to Earth. They arrive needing money, money they get from a casino. Their winning sets into motion a series of events that culminates in Phryne seducing a man and bearing his child.

Hawk Higgens is a former FBI agent. Phyrne’s seduction ruined his career and him for other women. After six years of hunting her, he’s finally tracked her down and the child they created that fateful day. But he’s not the only one looking for them. Warriors from Kergeron have finally decided to track down Phryne and her family and bring them back to the planet.

Galaxy Girls is a well-written scifi romance set on planet Earth. Ms. Ramer does a wonderful job of creating a world full of familial love against a backdrop of distrust. Phryne and her kind are breeders, needing men to fulfill their purpose but hating their brutality. Hawk has experienced his own brutality at the hands of a woman, one who used his love to advance her career.

Both will have to overcome their past if they expect to have a future.

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Centauri Twilight

Months ago, General Anton Coridian was betrayed. Worse than watching his men slaughtered, he was captured and tortured. He would have died if his ex-fiancé and current sister-in-law hadn’t rescued him. Now, he’s off on one last mission–to find his sister-in-law’s twin sister. Only after that debt is repaid will he allow the darkness eating at his soul to consume him.

Lara Danexx grew up a slave in the cruel Slavarien world. She’s been degraded, raped and beaten but the worst torture was thinking her family had thrown her away. She survived by never giving in and has even managed to escape her master. The two year of freedom she’s enjoyed has made her more determined to end slavery once and for all.

Anton’s presence provides an opportunity to do just that, even if she has to manipulate him to do it. Anton can’t believe he’d find a life mate in Lara just as he was ready to give up on everything. The two warriors were always willing to die for the cause and their enemies are willing to oblige, after a little torture. It’s easy to fight when you have nothing to lose, but are they brave enough to love and risk finding something to live for?

Centauri Twilight is a great addition to the Ms. Woolf’s series. The villains are sadistically evil. Lara, who’s been through so much, is strong with just a hint of vulnerability that makes her a dedicated leader. Anton’s a wounded warrior who recognizes his kindred spirit in Lara. Both need to defeat this enemy so they can finally be free of their past. If you’re looking for the perfect underdog story, look no further than Centauri Twilight.

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Centauri Dawn

Audra is awakened by a man claiming she is the Princess of Centauri. After the ensuing struggle, she does what any sensible girl would do–she calls her mother. Instead of laughing it off, her mother confirms the man’s assertion. Captain Darius has come to Earth to reclaim the princess. He must present her before the senate and save his people from a horrible fate–the rule and tyranny of her Uncle Slaverian.

Complications arise from the start the biggest being how can Darius allow his life mate to marry his brother as prophesied? He knows his duty and is willing to do it, but that’s not the biggest obstacle. Slaverian isn’t about to give up his claim to the Centauri throne, and he’s willing to kill both Audra and Darius to get it.

Centauri Dawn is a great addition to the scifi romance genre. There are battles, intrigue and adventure set against the backdrop of human desires and ambitions. Audra is compelling as a woman forced to straddle two worlds while Darius struggles between his desire for a life mate and his loyalty to his brother. Will they choose to be together or will they have to pay too high a price for love?

Amazon