Rating: 4.5🌈
Meghan Maslow’s Charm City Chronicles series is a favorite among favorites. And I’ll be the first to admit it’s due to the setting of the series in Baltimore, a city I’m deeply fond of and live near.
Maslow has turned this old historic seaport city, known as Charm City, into a magical one teeming with paranormal diversity that the bosses, known as Rogers, have divided up into their own unique kingdoms. It’s incredible, and inhabited by characters from all number of species, including humans.
But my favorite? Naturally the ravens or raven shifters, so associated with Baltimore. Demon’s in the Details is a must read as the first book in the series.
As the Raven Flies sees, Abe Williams, friend of his Alpha Raven shifter Poe, on short term bodyguard duty to Poe’s bff and new Roger, Kennedy. But also assigned is dire wolf shifter, Michael Kashto, who has reluctantly pronounced them fated mates. Abe has a lot to say about this, mostly no.
Maslow has beautifully crafted two extremely different personalities, at least on the surface. Abe carries his wounds and scars inside and out that his family and past has inflicted. Michael’s is ongoing, but also family inflicted.
Baltimore, big, historic diverse seaport, has a magical gang war ongoing. The author weaves in all the dockside bars , it’s denizens with their insider’s knowledge that goes along with shipping to make it feel intimate and raw. There’s the snowy streets, and a fated mate’s romance that’s not immediately accepted? This is lively, relatable, poignant, funny, and fabulous.
Even right down to the teenagers caught out in a winter storm read absolutely true, so young, scared and yet so full of an invincible spirit that age seems to carry within them. They maybe be teenage Ravens and a young wolf shifter, but some things are just universal. I adored them.
This is tagged as related to the series but it fits so seamlessly into the books so far. I need more, of everyone and this incredible universe that Maslow is still constructing.
Haven’t been introduced to Charm City Chronicles yet? Now is a fantastic time to start. I linked the author below. She’s an auto buy for me. And the books so far in this series.
The covers are incredible. Have an amazing journey!
Charm City Chronicles:
✓ Demon’s in the Details #1
✓ Cat’s Chance in Hell #2
Related to:
✓ As the Raven Flies
Buy link
Blurb:
“Even though you’re just a bird, I accept you as my mate.”
I, Abraham Williams, raven shifter extraordinaire, am notimpressed. Not with the pronouncement. Not with the fated mates fairy tale. And most definitely not with sinfully sexy Michael Kashto, the arrogant dire wolf shifter in the thousand dollar suit.
I’ve got no time for guys who look down their noses at me or think I should be grateful for scraps. I’ve come a long way from an unwanted, scared kid to a man I can be proud of and others depend on.
When I took this job protecting a friend, I knew it would be dangerous. Accepted the risk. Only I didn’t expect the assault to target my heart instead of my body. And fellow bodyguard Michael Kashto takes no prisoners.
Forced proximity has never been so forced.
As the Raven Flies is a 30k forced proximity, fated mates, standalone romance set in the Charm City Chronicles world with a guaranteed happy ending. Shenanigans include: a raven just trying to do his freaking job, a dire wolf with a lot of groveling to do, a sweet ghost, a trigger-happy boss, and a slightly unhealthy love of Led Zeppelin.
• Publisher: Pun City Pantser (June 21, 2024)
• Publication date: June 21, 2024
• Language: English
• Print length: 138 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 