Christmas in Haggerty

Christmas in Haggerty by Betsy Brannon Green

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


My first copy of this book was actually a gift at a book signing where I met Betsy Brannon Green. My second copy was a gift from a friend when the first one was slightly damaged while she borrowed it. This is a very short and sweet, yet sometimes melancholy Christmas story with the favorite characters from Haggerty. Kate is struggling with the fact that she can't have any more children while being pushed to do family history (though her own is already finished) and Miss Eugenia has her own loneliness issues. Mark seems the most ambivalent of the group and even Miss Annabelle admits to going along with many of Miss Eugenia's plans just to humor her sister (amusing considering the way the two of them often snipe at each other in public). As a short story, this is very easy to read in a brief sitting once you get going on it.

View all my reviews

Puzzle Pieces

Puzzle Pieces by Betsy Brannon Green

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The title certainly fits the story in many ways. The book starts off both confusing and thrilling in the middle of a hospital escape. We're not sure yet why this escape is taking place, only that it is and apparently involves a great deal of risk for the few people involved. Slowly, we get to know this escapee, who turns out to be our new main character, Presley. It isn't just her story that is focused on in this book though. There's also a rather lengthy history lesson resulting in a 80-year old murder being solved along with a continuing family secret that Presley now has to hold for the sake of her new potential family. Pretty much from the moment Presley sets foot in Haggerty, her fugitive status is put on hold for the Skeleton Murder(s), lengthy history lessons, George Ann's health problems, and budding romance she tries very hard to ignore. This reveals several "pieces" to the overall puzzle, but also brings the pace of the book down to about a snail's. The plus to all this is that we see many old characters from Haggerty who are now very familiar to anyone who's read Green's previous works. Haggerty, and its residents, never seem to be far from the action.

View all my reviews

Duty 5: Danger Ahead

Duty 5: Danger Ahead by Betsy Brannon Green

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I still thoroughly enjoy Green's work, but this book was a little harder than most. First off, it dives straight into everything without any refresher course on what is happening. If you haven't read the rest of the series, or even if it's just been awhile so your memory might not be spot on, it takes awhile to make heads and tails of what is happening. The entire book is set up so that you grow to hate Rex for everything and more than a little on edge with everything happening, especially as Brooke and Hunter are driven further apart by one extreme after another. In the end though, it's helping family that sets things straight for everyone. I have to be satisfied with the ending as it tied up all the loose ends and wrapped things as well as they will be short of seeing a real planned wedding for Brooke and Hunter. Really, there is just no down time with all the risks and emotions in this book.

View all my reviews

Pivot Point

Pivot Point by Betsy Brannon Green

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Normally I love Green's work and find dreams interesting, but this one was a little off the charts even for me. Dr. Marrow has developed a technology that allows you to pick a "pivot point" in your life, and them dream of what your life might have been had you chosen differently. The catch is that the dreams are so real that you can no longer differentiate reality from dreams. It's beyond addictive and you're convinced this other life and emotions are just as real as the reality you knew before the "dream therapy" begins. This brings Meghan and Joey back together after 10 years of separation following an ugly abortion. While the reconciliation may be good, I cannot believe that the fake life and destruction of their current families and happiness is in any way good for any of them. While on the one hand, it is sad to see the main pair separated again at the end, I can't help but cheer Joey on for realizing just how destructive their addiction is to their families and current lifestyles. Now if only "Doctor" Meghan would wake up and smell the roses too. Makes me feel sorry for Chase, even though he did totally go about separating them the wrong way with the false police charges. Can't imagine there wouldn't be some trouble for that. The end of the book is most certainly not the end as nothing has truly been solved or resolved. I could easily see a sequel coming out in the future on this one, and while it would be nice to see closure for all the characters, I'm not sure it'll be jumping to the top of my reading list any time soon.

View all my reviews

Duty 4: Proceed with Caution

Duty 4: Proceed with Caution by Betsy Brannon Green

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I generally love Green's books. Sadly, this one was a little disappointing. Hack and Steamer just can't seem to get along, constantly acting like bickering children throwing the same insults at each other over and over. Hunter and Brooke's "romance" is a little rushed, if not somewhat one sided until the very end. Despite this, they are still fun together and by far were the best part of the book.

Christopher is above and beyond controlling to the point of maddening. They overreacted a lot with the audit to the point that Neely is thinking they need to sell the house and close the business. Raleigh's business isn't the first financial institution to have this problem and wouldn't be the last. The characters rebound from one extreme to the next.

To top this all off is the ending. Green is known for tasteful cliff hangers that leave you wanting more. This wasn't just a teaser, this was an outright alarm. All I can think is it's a shame readers have to wait so long for her next book because this ending is far from satisfying.

View all my reviews

Kennedy Killingsworth 3: Murder By The Way

Kennedy Killingsworth 3: Murder By The Way by Betsy Brannon Green

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I love Green's books, and this one wasn't any different. It's been awhile since I read her last book from this series, but this recent installation didn't disappoint, drawing me right back in and refreshing the characters easily. Makes a lot more sense why Drake made people's skin crawl and grew more bad will despite his supposed "good intentions" by the end of this book. Especially didn't like the insinuations with how powerful he was that he was also the reason why Luke was called off so close to their wedding - good thing they pushed up the time rather than letting him leave and reschedule. Hate to think what Drake might have done on top of his current schemes in that situation. Good for Kennedy sticking to her morals - I like her and Luke more and more with each book. Not as much with Kate and Mark, the original favorites from Haggerty, but Miss Eugenia still has a leading roll. Also struck by the awkward situation with HannaLeigh at the end of the book - could she get any farther off track? Oh well. At least Cade isn't as much of a concern.

View all my reviews

Kennedy Killingsworth 2: Murder by Design

Kennedy Killingsworth 2: Murder by Design by Betsy Brannon Green

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book was both fun and frustrating in the same breadth. More from the characters we already love from Green's previous Haggerty series as well as the first Kennedy book. More interaction with Kennedy and Luke. Still no real conclusion, though there was that hint of wedding plans at the very end. This really just makes me want a third book to see exactly how it will all end. Cade and Sloan still give me the creeps, so I was glad to see them getting knocked off Kennedy's radar. Cade just keeps looking more and more like an inconsiderate bug to me. Definitely team Luke for this series.

View all my reviews