Review: Blood Jade (Phoenix Hoard #2)  by Julie Vee and Ken Bebelle

Rating: 4.75⭐️

I will admit to absolutely consuming this series. I am so engaged in the dragon magic universe and contemporary world that these authors have so fabulously created for their characters and fantasy story that I read right through the entire series. 

Blood Jade picks up after the events of Ebony Gate, where Emiko Soong finally accepts her duty as the Sentinel of the City of San Francisco. We all learn about a grander conspiracy and plot against her family and other clans from a mysterious figure known only as The General. 

As with the first book, the authors have multiple important storylines coinciding with the emotional Emiko’s development between herself and the City, what that entails, as well as Emiko’s character learning to engage with others around her in real relationships. From someone who has chosen a life of isolation to that of connection that spreads through a City to families and communities she’s been avoiding, Emiko has to undergo a major change of heart and mind.  The transition isn’t easy and accepting it completely isn’t something she can handle.

The journey towards her personal growth takes her back home to Tokyo, to face family and responsibilities she ran away from. And the story with all its new characters and complex storylines, weaves old memories and new paths together for an explosive story and several revelations.

Just a phenomenal journey and book. I can’t believe I had not heard of this before. 

Get all three books and binge read them together. 

Absolutely amazing. 

Highly recommended and thrilled to share. 

The Phoenix Hoard – 3 books completed 

#1 Ebony Gate

#2 Blood Jade

#3 Pearl City

Buy link

        Blood Jade (The Phoenix Hoard, 2)

    

Blurb 

The follow-up to Ebony Gate, the critically acclaimed debut of Vee and Bebelle’s Phoenix Hoard series.

IT TAKES A KILLER TO CATCH A KILLER

Emiko Soong, newly minted Sentinel of San Francisco, just can’t catch a break. Just after she becomes the guardian for a sentient city, a murder strikes close to home. Called by the city and one of the most powerful clans to investigate, she traces the killer whose scent signature bears a haunting similarity to her mother’s talent.

The trail will lead her back to Tokyo where the thread she pulls threatens to unravel her whole world and bring dark family secrets to light.

Meanwhile, the General rises in the East and Emiko must fight the hidden enemies of his growing army who are amped up on Blood Jade, while keeping her promises to her brother Tatsuya as he prepares for his tourney.

Her duties as Sentinel and her loyalties collide when she must choose between hiding her deepest shame or stopping the General’s relentless march.

The Phoenix Hoard

#1 Ebony Gate

#2 Blood Jade

#3 Pearl City

Tor Books

Publication date

June 17, 2025

Edition

Reprint

Language

‎English

Print length

464 pages

Book 2 of 3

The Phoenix Hoard

Review: The Second Death of Locke (The Hand and the Heart Book 1) by V.L.  Bovalino

Rating: 4⭐️

The Second Death of Locke by Tori Bovalino is a fantasy novel that I rated high for its imaginative portrayal of its characters, its use of magic and the world building. 

The relationship between the main characters, is well written and builds upon their history and current events as it happens. 

That said, did I really like this. After more thought, the answer is no. 

Bovalino constructs a magical system that requires a dominant/submissive network to operate. A mage is the dominant power, pulling the power focusing it outward towards a particular target. That power is pulled from a living “well” of magical energy, a person who is located at a young age and then trained and paired with a Master Mage to be their Hand. They hand over power, as it’s needed. And protect at all costs their Mage.  For centuries they were slaves. Recent changes have instituted laws stipulating they aren’t “bonded” for life anymore. 

Not that much in the story makes much of a distinction here. In the narrative or alternate chapters talking about the traditional mage training, their value and their referenced as property. A mention in one as a “favored dogs” is a cautionary step forward for some, treatment as an affectionate companion but equality is not on the table here. 

The power imbalance between mage and well is absolute although the actual relationship can also redefine it as it does here. But it’s seen as the only one. 

A lifetime magical binding between the two was eventually made illegal but only because it limited the use of the “well” to one mage. However , multiple military campaigns, many losses of wells in battle (drained beyond revival) changed that thinking. Due to the fact that more wells were needed in battle, the  military needed to be able to have multiple mages make use of “wells” even if they were assigned to other Masters. So no more binding made sense. Wells are still being thought of as “tools “ not people. 

So while the main relationship between the two people is one of childhood friends who have shared memories, their bond is that of mage and tool. One who uses the other and one who gives them their powers. One who stands in front in the position of power and one who stands behind, silent and unheard. 

No matter what happens to the couple, and there’s so much that does. Imaginative scenarios, moving dramatic battles, eventually love. 

The story will revolve around them, dancing around and on top of a huge embedded element of an entire group of people, magical “wells” , that no matter what country they are living in are trapped in a role that regards them as tools or property of their Masters and the Military.

And Grey Flynn has the power to change that. The author makes it clear, especially in the end, she does. However, even though a scene where a well’s Master has come to hear how she ended, it’s clear nothing has or will ever change. Because it’s not occurring to the characters that it should. 

Astonishing that a story about power, supposedly a strong woman warrior is founded upon a base of narrative oppression. No exploration of this mentality, just acceptance and onward. 

The story does come down to whether they can have any equality between them. The answer, in the end is no. 

Not for themselves. Not for anyone else either within the universe. 

So no I didn’t enjoy the book. It’s a finished storyline. The next one picks up a completely different character and couple. 

Well written but without the necessary depth of thoughtfulness I would expect with the topic. Not really for me. 

Map by Rebecka Champion (Lampblack Art) 

Cover design by Ella Garrett at L,BBG. Cover illustration by Anna Moshak

The Hand and The Heart:

The Second Death of Locke #1

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: The Hand and the Heart 

Blurb 

Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice.    

Grey Flynn has dedicated her life to her mages, Kier. She will be his blade on the battlefield, his healer and protector. The deep well of raw power inside her is Kier’s to wield. They are bound together by blood and magic, but there is one truth Grey dare not reveal … not even to Kier. 

When a quest to protect the child of an enemy kingdom pulls them into a dangerous mission, Grey will need to decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to protect her secret. For Grey is no ordinary magical well, and if she dies, all magic dies with her.

The Second Death of Locke is the first in a collection of interconnected standalones set in the same world.

“Gritty, romantic, and breathlessly fierce, The Second Death of Locke  will grip your heart and never let go.” ―Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

Forever

Publication date

September 23, 2025

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Review: The Witch Roads (The Witch Roads #1) by Kate Elliott 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I stumbled across this author and duology recently and am absolutely thrilled with the discovery. 

The Witch Roads is the first book in Kate Elliott’s completed epic fantasy adventure duology and it’s incredible. 

Stretching across multiple continents, with a universe of diverse cultures and characters, the author focuses her narrative upon a world where the political ruling system and mythology mirrors ancient Chinese culture, so there’s a framework for the tightly packed royal infighting and conflict that’s important to the story. 

Elen, her background, that of her nephew and deceased sister are slow to be revealed here. And actually a huge part of Elen’s character is never fully explained at all by the author. 

That’s part of this novel I feel are frustrating. There’s gaps in the book that remain unexplained and then, for things I think are wonderful, there’s elements that, like cthe nephew having a voice in deciding what gender to be, is a very interesting part of the story. And it’s just a thread that weaves into his role here as his part and journey develops. 

Elliott has a great cast of characters whose relationships with each other develop and deepen as they journey forward, including one of my favorite characters, a certain “haunt”. 

This does end with a cliffhanger. But the second book is available and it picks up immediately after the end of this one.  Grab both novels up at the same time and read seamlessly right to the end of the series like I did.

So satisfying. Except for the fact I now want a third book. 

Highly recommended and I’m now looking into this author’s other work. 

Love the covers. 

Cover art by Raja Nandepu

Cover design by Jess Kiley

The Witch Roads Duology :

The Witch Roads #1

The Nameless Land #2

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: The Witch Roads 

Blurb 

Book 1 in the Witch Roads duology, the latest epic novel by fan favorite Kate Elliott.

Status is hereditary, class is bestowed, trust must be earned.

When an arrogant prince (and his equally arrogant entourage) gets stuck in Orledder Halt as part of brutal political intrigue, competent and sunny deputy courier Elen—once a child slave meant to shield noblemen from the poisonous Pall—is assigned to guide him through the hills to reach his destination.

When she warns him not to enter the haunted Spires, the prince doesn’t heed her advice, and the man who emerges from the towers isn’t the same man who entered.

The journey that follows is fraught with danger. Can a group taught to ignore and despise the lower classes survive with a mere deputy courier as their guide?

Tor Books

Publication date

June 10, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

439 pages

Book 1 of 2

The Witch Roads

Review:  The Lost Reliquary (Divine Thrall Book 1) by Lyndsay Ely

Rating: 4.75⭐️

The Lost Reliquary by Lyndsay Ely is just an astonishing piece of dark fantasy storytelling.  The author is a new discovery and this is a remarkable way to dive into her writings. 

It’s the first book in Ely’s Divine Thrall series, grounded in a universe where once there were many gods who warred among themselves.  In the aftermath of centuries of battle, a lone victor emerged, the goddess Tempestra-Innara, the Enduring Flame. 

Ely starts the story with a rebellion against the goddess in play. The perspective of the story is that of Lys, one of the divine warrior’s of Tempestra-Innara. Taken as a child to serve the last goddess, her dark childhood events are revealed as the story progresses, Lys has ulterior motives as she serves as potentiate of the Dawn Cloister, one of two divine guard forces for the goddess. 

After an assassination attempt against the goddess is foiled, the goddess sends Lys out to track down the heretics and the religious weapon that can be used against her. One that Lys hopes to obtain for herself. A plan complicated by the fact that another divine warrior is sent along with her with his own plans and agendas. 

Ely has created raw, powerful characters full of complex personalities, with dark damaged histories and the magical powers to go along with them, each suited to their unique needs. 

One , Lys, who looks at the goddess, and silently remembers her mother, their history, and the traumatic events she’s endured since becoming a divine warrior. The other? A man solid in his faith and his religious convictions, and those above him who are directing his actions, no matter what they are and who they affect. Both are credible in their own beliefs and roles. 

The journey they undertake, the lands and seas they cross, and peoples they meet. All have enormous influence on their destiny and outcome. And the relationship between them that starts to develop. 

It ends with a cliffhanger but one that I almost expected. It was logical that it would end up that way.  And now I really can’t wait for the next book to arrive so I can see what happens next.

Lyndsay Ely has created a fantastic universe for her Divine Thrall series. Complex world building with multiple countries and cultures, complete with different architectural styles and religions. And her characterizations are amazing, layered, powerful and realistically brought to life, compelling with dark trauma and painful memories that drive their storylines. 

More now please.  And highly recommended. 

Divine Thrall

The Lost Reliquary #1

The Divine Shadow #2 – Nov 10, 2026

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Lost Reliquary (Divine Thrall): Lyndsay Ely: 9781668148464

Blurb 

A divinely blessed warrior bound to the last living goddess plots deicide to win her freedom in this propulsive epic fantasy for fans of Godkiller and Gideon the Ninth.

The Devoted Lands was once home to many gods. Now, after centuries of brutal wars, only Tempestra-Innara, the Enduring Flame, remains.

As a divine warrior, Lys is outwardly loyal to her goddess. If she dreams of deicide, that’s her business. When a routine heretical execution erupts into a near-fatal assassination attempt on Tempestra-Innara, Lys sees a glimmer of hope for her freedom.

Lys is chosen to hunt down the heretics and find an ancient reliquary with the power to kill a god. Annoyingly, she’s not alone. Paired with Nolan, a warrior from a rival cloister who is as pious as he is determined, Lys must feign devotion if she hopes to keep her own god-killing ambitions within reach.

But as they pursue the heretics linked to the assassination, Lys uncovers a world with more possibility—and peril—than she ever anticipated.

Divine Thrall

The Lost Reliquary

The Divine Shadow – Nov 10, 2026

S&S/Saga Press

Publication date

October 21, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

464 pages

Book 1 of 2

Divine Thrall

Review: Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms by Lindsey Devin

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Honestly, stop with the cover traps. Yes, put a Belgian Malinois or GSD on it and yes, I’m going to pick it up. It’s a given. And the authors known as Lindsey Devin fills the story with them. 

Really? Sigh. 

Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms by Lindsey Devin is an absolutely adorable urban fantasy romance that sealed the deal for me with the dog that was main character all the way through the tale, a retired veteran service dog, a gentleman of enormous charm and character, Max.

Quinn Bradley, the overworked law intern, was another delightful aspect of the story. Layered, independent, intelligent and resourceful, along with Max, she worked realistically (as one does with dragons and otherworldly beings) in her professional role as well as feeling like a partner here in her relationships with Max and her friends. I so thoroughly enjoyed her conversations with everyone and her dynamic. 

Rafe Virelli is a nice change from some of the other types of dragons that appear in these books as is his family. The background and ongoing storyline with his mother is handled so beautifully, and realistically. There’s no miracle here but the acceptance of her continued condition and their love for her. And his father’s love for his wife. 

The way that the story ends is perfect imo. I was thrilled when it ended here, and not in the expected direction of most romances. That wouldn’t make sense given the circumstances and time constraints. 

With Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms by Lindsey Devin there are so many great narrative choices made by the authors that, combined, give this book a fantastic energy and a great story. 

Highly recommended! Honestly, that cover! Going to show it to my dog right now! She has opinions. 

If anyone knows who the cover artist is, please let me know. 

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comNobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms

Blurb 

Rafe Virelli has spent his whole life watching his family’s history disappear piece by piece — sold, stolen, and scattered across a city that doesn’t know or care what it’s holding. He’s down to one missing relic and no leads, until his law firm’s intern shows up wearing it.

Quinn Bradley didn’t mean to become the reason a half-dragon shifter starts showing up at her office. She definitely didn’t mean to negotiate her way onto his case, get pulled into rigged auctions and museum standoffs, or end up in the middle of an actual heist when a rival collector decides Rafe’s family relics are worth killing for.

She just wanted a law degree and a dog with a stable temperament. Instead she got a client who fixes her door locks at midnight, a dragon who’d burn down a mansion for her, and a front-row seat to exactly how far someone will go to protect what’s left of their family.

The relics can be replaced. This can’t.

Enemies-to-allies-to-lovers. Workplace romance. High-stakes recovery plot. Guaranteed HEA.

 

Review:  Call of the Blood (Everly Abbott #4) by K.N. Banet

Rating: 4.5⭐️

The fourth book in K.N. Banet’s new Everly Abbott series, I thought it was the best one where the characters are finding their rhythm and how their relationships are going to evolve. 

I also found the author’s Tribunal Archives timeline for this and how it fits into the other series. So I have a better understanding of the overall storyline and what is happening with the Tribunal here. Yes, it really does make sense now. 

Alexius and Everly head out to see her brother and encounter some surprises after the events of the last novel. 

Isaiah has disappeared, dealing with the death of his longtime companion and lover, Jacob. Which leaves Everly and Alexius at loose ends and when a call comes in from the other coast from a Vampire Master requesting assistance from Alexius, they are traveling away from Savannah and home. 

Banet packs so much into this terrific adventure. We meet Declan, Everly’s brother and his girlfriend. That’s a fantastic storyline. 

Callahan is head of the Werewolves and on the Tribunal with his mate Carissa. The Tribunal Archives time line can be found on the author’s website. I have listed it on the longer version of this review on my website as well. The author is going to add to it as new releases come available. 

But back to Call of the Blood because it packs a punch. Full of action, more than a few twists, and some extremely powerful drama here, including new relationship dynamics between the main characters. 

I’m so thrilled to see this author writing again. Wonderful novel and great addition to the universe. 

⭐️Series in the connected Tribunal Archives Universe (crossover characters and storylines);

Kaliya Sahni (6 book series)

Jacky Leon (12 book series to date-waiting for the 13th)

Everly Abbot – 4 books atm/9 books planned :

Servant of the Blood #1

Blood of the Wicked #2

Tainted Blood #3

Call of the Blood #4 

Tribunal archive Timeline – to date for Everly Abbott series:

Jacky Leon book 1

Kaliya Sahni Book 1

Kaliya Sahni Book 2

Jacky Leon #2

Kaliya Sahni #3

KS #4

Jackie Leon #3

KS#5

KS#6

Jackie Leon #4

Ancient and Immortal Standalone story 

Everly Abbott #1

Everly Abbott #2

Jackie Leon #5

Everly Abbott #3

Jackie Leon #6

Jackie Leon #7

Hearts & Wars/Tribunal Archives story 

Jackie Leon #8

Buy link

 Book 4 of 4: Everly Abbott 

Blurb 

Book overview 

Madness lives at the edge of every vampire’s mind.

We’re driven by a need to hunt and feed on the blood of what we once were. Blood, though, is not the only thing that can drive us to madness.

Alexius and I are learning that firsthand, stuck together for months, unable to leave Savannah, trapped in tight corridors as the tension rises. Conversations grow difficult and need becomes a painful thing that we both avoid. So when the opportunity arises to escape the quasi house arrest Isaiah condemned us to, we take it. My brother, my last living family member, wants to see me and I can’t resist the call.

The call of the blood brought me here.

It is also the source of a madness that can break me.

And we’re not the only vampires who ran to escape madness.

August 28, 2026

Language

‎English

Print lengthz as

326 pages

Book 4 of 4

Everly Abbott

Review: Ink Witch (Arcane Magic #1) by Brogan Thomas

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I’ll be honest. I picked up this book because of the Belgian Malinois on the cover. Yes, I’m that person. But what I discovered was a well written, marvelous fantasy story about a woman unfairly deprived of her magic and her dangerous journey to reclaim her identity and find a new life.

Ink Witch has so much to recommend it. It’s a complete story within a larger universe so we will have a terrific ending here for our characters. The world building is intriguing and the complicated plot of Ink Witch is both foundational and helps further the magical expansion of further stories. 

Thomas’ tale includes aspects of Hunger Games, a tribute to the Hunger Games with a game that includes chosen children of families of each district who enter into it at a certain age ,for glory and prestige, for their families. It’s ruthless and brutal with the survival left for the winner while the entire world is watching. 

And Elenora “Elmo” Morris failed that day in her run and was cast out by her parents for it. The truth of behind her failure left to the end of the story. 

Now 48, her magic drained away, Elmo and her Belgian Malinois, Mina, have become bounty hunters, killing those who have illegally used magic, including children. There’s a wonderful twist coming there. 

Thomas does an excellent job in creating in the Ink District a dark,poor subsistence society, existing on the edges of the political system, where the people are scrabbling to exist in any way possible. Slums, minimal food sourced from problematic places, and an over-site government, The Immortal Zone above that rules everything. 

It’s an enthralling tale that gets a chilling charge of energy when Mina is stolen and Elmo has to rescue her. And the entire storyline becomes immensely more complex. 

I enjoyed the slow burn romance, no spice. Cael’s development, especially towards the end, isn’t as well executed as everything that comes before. 

But I found Elmo, her sister, their relationship, Mina and their bond, incredibly engaging. And I was absolutely invested in their story. Loved it.

And I can’t wait to read the next standalone in this series, Bone Witch. 

Cover design by Melony Paradise of Paradise Cover Design

Arcane Magic 

Ink Witch #1

Bone Witch #2 – February 25, 2027

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: Arcane Magic 

Blurb 

Branded a failure. Buried in shame. Then they steal her dog.

Once, Elenora “Elmo” Morris was the pride of Ink District. Chosen as Champion for the Immortality Trials, she carried a city’s hopes on her shoulders — until it all went wrong and she crawled home in disgrace.

Now Elmo works as a bounty hunter in a city ruled by immortals. Her only friend is Mina, her beloved dog. When enforcers snatch Mina and drag her to the immortal commander’s compound, Elmo has only hours before her dog disappears for good.

Breaking in should be a death sentence. Instead, ink power flares back to life, and Elmo discovers the Trials weren’t just rigged — they were a lie.

To save her dog and face the family who cast her out, this ink witch must stop running from the past and become the spark that burns the lies down.

Ink Witch is the spellbinding first standalone in the Arcane Magic urban fantasy series. If you love fierce middle-aged heroines, slow-burn romance, loyal dogs, and magic-soaked suspense, you’ll adore this magical rollercoaster ride.

Buy Ink Witch today and witness a disgraced witch rewrite the rules.

Brogan Thomas Books

Publication date

August 27, 2026

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Review: Everly Abbott Volume One: Books 1-3 by K. N. Banet

Rating: 4⭐️

First things first. It’s three books that get progressively better as the series and character of Everly Abbott develops. 

The beginning, where Everly and her mother are working together for the vampires is suspense filled but that entire story has little to no history or foundation to rest on. That comes later. So it’s a bit frustrating story wise ,along with the character and personality of Everly at the moment.

It gets better. 

I don’t want to spoil the plot but Banet builds up the characters history’s along with the series foundation as the books storylines develop, getting progressively stronger and more complex.

And it’s where the other characters from series like Kaliya Sahni and her character fit in. Their stories and backgrounds mesh into the ongoing mystery that the author is creating for Everly, Alexius, and Isaiah. 

There’s no romance here, perhaps the mere suggestion of one in the future. But that’s it.  It’s all action adventure and revenge here for the various characters. 

Probably my biggest frustration as a long time reader of this author and her other series are all part of this universe and i believe overall plot is that, at the moment, the Everly Abbott series is hard to place within the Tribunal timeline. 

If you’re not familiar with the other series, maybe it won’t matter. If you are, seeing characters in roles that , in the Jacky Leon series you are aware they no longer have , it will make you wonder where this fits in.

I almost feel compelled to make a white board to trace all the various characters , their relationships, and crossover references to other series as well appearances made here by the main characters from them. I need a relevant timeline for the series to put it in perspective. 

And will this series eventually join up with the long awaited last book in the Jacky Leon series? Big questions! Which is why the timeline is so important. 

K. N. Banet is an author of several of my favorite paranormal series all in her Tribunal universe, including the still  unfinished Jacky Leon series. 

She paused her writing after a RL upheaval and relocation. That was several years ago.

Then I saw the release of a three-book collection, followed by a fourth book, written this month. Extremely excited and yes happy to recommend!

⭐️Series in the connected Tribunal Archives Universe (crossover characters and storylines);

Kaliya Sahni (6 book series)

Jacky Leon (12 book series to date-waiting for the 13th)

Everly Abbot – 4 books atm/9 books planned :

Servant of the Blood #1

Blood of the Wicked #2

Tainted Blood #3

Call of the Blood #4 

Buy link

 Collects books from: Everly Abbott 

Blurb 

I’m Everly Abbott, and my story is a bloody one.

Why wouldn’t it be? I grew up with vampires. I worked for them. I was friends with some, related to another. My family was safe with them, protected by promises kept for centuries.

Then it was gone.

When the leader of the local vampires died, everything shifted. Normalcy was thrown away for depravity as new leadership came to power.

But I refused to buckle under the weight of the shift. Once meek and quiet, through the great shifting of the world around me, there was also a great shift in me. I found a new ally in Alexius the Hunter, an infamous vampire that hunted his own kind. I stood up, and I fought back, and I made a choice.

My story is a bloody one.

And they deserve every drop I make them bleed.

This collection includes Everly Abbott books 1, 2, and 3.

-Servant of the Blood (Everly Abbott 1)

-Blood of the Wicked (Everly Abbott 2)

-Tainted Blood (Everly Abbott 3)

August 20, 2026

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Check out the latest Release “Night Home“ by Rose Titus (tour and excerpt by Other Worlds Ink)

Night Home - Rose Titus

Rose Titus has a new paranormal vampire book out: Night Home.

When college student Muriel Aubrey inherits an old house in a small town, she imagines that moving into the rural community will be deathly dull. But the old house once belonged to her eccentric granduncle, a professor said to be researching something mysterious before his untimely death.

Then Muriel finds the research notes that had been hidden away in the old Victorian; and she discovers what the professor was researching: vampires. It isn’t long before Muriel meets residents of the small town who knew the professor almost a century ago, and learns that everything he wrote in the notes he kept is true.

And then she finds herself stalked by a vampire hunter.

Universal Buy Link | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Liminal Fiction

Excerpt

There was the usual convenience store stuff on the rack: Tabloids, celebrity gossip, fashion magazines, newspapers. The store sold lottery tickets, junk food, candy, beer, a few grocery items, even a few small appliances. She noticed the guy who owned the place was watching her. It made her nervous. Not because he watched her, but because he was so pale. He did not look unhealthy. It was like he just never got out into the sun.

“You must be the new girl.”

“Huh?” She spun around to face him.

“You’re new in town. You just moved into that old house.”

“H-how do you know?”

“Well, how could I not know? I live across the field and saw the light was on for the first time in a long time.”

“Oh,” she felt silly. “Yeah. That’s right. I’m new in town. The house will need some work, but it’s not really that bad. My eccentric old uncle owned it a long time ago and—”

“I know. Professor Aubrey. He was a good man,” there was sadness in his voice.

“Yeah, that’s what they say—” how the hell would he know if he was a good man? This guy looked no more than thirty. The old guy had been dead for at least since 1936, according to the old newspaper clipping.

“Elton.” He seemed to smile as he introduced himself. “Elton Masaryk.”

“Muriel Aubrey.”

“That’s a pretty name.”

She went up to pay for the magazine she picked.

“You let me know if you need anything over there, all right? I live just across the field. If you need anything, don’t hesitate. Really.”

“Thank you.” She went for the door but turned around. “You sound as if you know something about Professor Aubrey?”

He hesitated. “A little. Why?”

“He was related to me, but I hardly know anything about him. I heard he was murdered by his colleague from the University and—”

“Yeah. That’s right. The same guy who murdered your uncle also killed three other people too. They gave him the chair. Bastard deserved it.” But then he was silent. He was beginning to sound as if he knew more than he could tell. As if it still angered him somehow. “Oh well.” Then he went silent.

“Okay. Thank you.” She left. She returned home as the sky began to brighten, and finally slept.

Author Bio

Rose Titus resides somewhere in cold, dreary New England with two manipulative cats and a very out of date computer with which she creates horror and fantasy fiction. She also has a restored classic Buick to ride around in while in search of adventure.

For travel she has stayed the night in an allegedly haunted castle, has taken a boat ride on Loch Ness, and has visited the Bermuda Triangle — without getting lost.

Her work has previously appeared in Lost Worlds, Lynx Eye, Bog Gob, Mausoleum, Weird Terrain, Descend, The Dead River Review, and other literary magazines. She also writes regularly for Blood Moon Rising Magazine.

When she’s not working or writing or messing with her old car, she waits by the mailbox for her Fortean Times to arrive.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRoseTitus

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B077RLWKN3

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9864680.Rose_Titus

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Review: Nobody Told Me Dragons use Libraries by Lindsey Devin

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I really enjoyed Nobody Told Me Dragons use Libraries by Lindsey Devin, the name a team of writers co author under. 

This makes for an inconsistency in the writing by books I find listed under this name, however this story is worth reading.

It’s well paced, the characters are engaging and the dialogue is very cleverly executed. This is what i hope to get when I reach out for more of their content. 

Librarian Artemis and Dragon Arthur are both very endearing and relatable characters. Each one has their own individual struggles with their respective parents, Artemis with her toxic relationship with her parents and Arthur with his memories of his father and his role as the head of the clan. How the authors are able to genuinely understand and express their love and respect for each other and their knowledge of literature is one of my favorite things about the book.

The relationship between Arthur and Artemis is believable and builds upon true feelings and a great dynamic between intelligent people who respect each other.

This is a low heat romance that waits until the end for any kind of romantic love. 

There’s wonderfully endearing side characters that I could have enjoyed watching more of. 

This was just lacking a bit of world building but overall it is a great paranormal romance and adventure story. Intelligent, engaging and very well written. 

Highly recommended. 

Buy link

amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › books › shop-nowNobody Told Me Dragons – Best Sellers & New Releases

Blurb 

Nobody told her dragons use libraries.

Or that one of them would ruin her filing system and her entire life plan.

She’s the head librarian who alphabetizes her trauma.

He’s the dragon alpha who crash-landed into her carefully ordered world ten minutes before closing.

Neither expected a thunderstorm, an ancient mystery, or feelings too big to fit on an index card.

✨ Perfect for readers who love: cozy chaos, grumpy/sunshine energy, nerd x nerd fated mates, and dragons who say “please” when they destroy your cataloguing system ✨ and for all the AuDHD readers, pattern-brained people, and anyone who organises their feelings into a spreadsheet.

Special Fiction Books

Publication date

April 29, 2026

Accessibility

Learn more

Language

‎English

File size

2.8 MB

Screen Reader

Supported

Enhanced typesetting

Enabled

X-Ray

Not Enabled

Word Wise

Enabled

Print length

430 pages