Review: URBAN SHAMAN (The Walker Papers Book 1) by C. E. Murphy

Rating: 4⭐️

Urban Shaman brought me not only another great book but a new prolific author and series to explore. Love it when this happens.

In Urban Shaman, Murphy introduces a mixed race (Cherokee and Irish ancestry) Seattle police mechanic Joanne Walker, who on a flight home from a funeral, discovers not only is there mystical layers to her world but she’s a shaman as well.

In trying to save a woman from a threats from a Celtic god and the mythical Wild Hunt, Jo has to accept that she’s got shaman powers she’s not even close to understanding. And she needs them in order to survive the gods and the threats they have brought into her world.

The author combines Seattle location, a mechanic’s love for her cars, a middling law enforcement presence and two different types of mythology, Celtic and a broader spectrum of The People to this urban fantasy novel.

There’s murder, a race to understand the mystery behind the what the Wild Hunt and gods are doing, and most of the time, it’s spent in a dream scape of a urban fantasy world where Jo and Coyote are trying to heal her and lead her to knowledge.

This aspect of the story is where some readers will find themselves having issues. The magic isn’t well defined, especially Jo’s powers and how she’s developing them. And that so much of the story isn’t set in the real world of Seattle where the drama is occurring.

Perhaps future books will change that.

Jo is a really good and traumatized character (there’s a very sad, past history revealed here). And her relationship with the cab driver and her boss in the SPD have potential.

Looking forward to reading more of the series.

A winner here with the potential for a great series.

Cover Art & Design: G&S

Cover Design Studio Cover Model: Marissa Turcotte

The Walker Papers (10 book series):

Urban Shaman #1

Banshee Cries #2

Thunderbird Falls #3

Coyote Dreams #4

Cauldron Bourne #5

Demon Hunts #6

Spirit Dances #7

Raven Calls #8

No Dominion #9

Mountain Echoes #10 – July7,2026

Buy link

Book 1 of 10: The Walker Papers

Blurb

Joanne Walker has no use for the mystical, and up until this morning, the mystical had no use for her.

But an ancient god has reared his head, and the all-too-real riders of the mythical Wild Hunt are menacing the streets of Seattle. Caught in the middle of an age-old grudge, Joanne is forced to choose between accepting an unexpected magical heritage and facing this immortal enemy, or…dying.

(Look, nobody said it was a good choice.)

Guided by a cryptic coyote who visits her dreams and armed with magic she doesn’t know how to use, Joanne is befriended by a nosy cab driver who wants to tag along for the adventure as she hangs on to the desperate hope that she might survive the next few days.

Joanne’s journey from police department mechanic to urban shaman begins here…whether she likes it or not!

Miz Kit Productions

Publication date

October 1, 2023

Language

‎English

Print length

364 pages

Book 1 of 10

The Walker Papers

Review : Moonmagic (Witchwolf Book 2) by Sam Burns and W. M. Fawkes

Rating: 3.75🌈

Moonmagic, the second of the Witchbook series by Sam Burns and W. M. Fawkes is a story I find a bit of a mixed bag. I really like the character of the witchwolf, Dakota, the Japanese mage, who found out about his tragic family history and the clan he was born into in the first book.

Dakota has a layers to his personality, depths given to him by the two cultures, the one he was raised in, the other he is tied to by family. And the powers of his own magic and now as a shifter. He’s continually trying to connect with the pack and work mentally through his inner struggles with his past. One of which appears here, in a new form. It’s a fantastic aspect of the story.

Dakota is a multicultural and layered character and when he is in the narrative, he elevates Moonmagic’s storylines beyond that of just a good story.

The issue comes in with his mate, Jax, the Alpha werewolf, and other main character. After much inner debate, the best word I could come up with for him that explains or sums up his character is ineffectual. Jax is supposed to be the head of a billionaire company, and Alpha of a pack of werewolves who separated from an abusive prior Alpha and left for a better life.

But that strong, powerful Alpha isn’t here. Instead Jax is a bit of an emotional mess. Doesn’t come off as all that intelligent and with the same fluctuating emotions as you would associate with a hormonal teenager. He doesn’t spot where the dangers are coming from to his company and pack, clear and simple dangers.

And when one traitor has been caught, after committing a heinous crime, he lets him go. Then after the fact, goes I should have torn him to pieces. Rawr. But I’m too nice.

SMH. He’s like this throughout the story. Had there been no Dakota this book would have been a DNF.

Spoilers. Dakota actually wins the day because he was both strong and smart, knows his mate is too nice *cough* weak to do what is necessary and uses his powers to help felicitate the right outcome.

Jax wins a fight by accident but he’s so sorry. Boohoo.

I like the other pack who’s more interesting.

There’s a sample of the side story that has already been released. It’s fine but doesn’t have a lot of depth for one character, so it’s very uneven. Very much like this.

Read it if you’re fans of the authors or to finish the series.

Witchwolf (2 book series)

Witchwolf #1

Moonmagic #2

Side story:

Nerds, Words & Werecats (Witchwolf)

Buy link

Book 2 of 2: Witchwolf

Blurb

After having his world rocked by a hot billionaire CEO werewolf and the unveiling of a world of magic he didn’t know existed, Dakota is finally settling into being the alpha mate of the Crescent pack. With Jax at his side, he can even handle being heir of the witchwolf legacy, but before he can catch his breath, life throws him another curveball.

First, Dakota returns home after their visit to Japan with a barnacle of a ghost, and his great-great-grandfather isn’t terribly impressed with his descendant leading a werewolf pack.

Worse, they disembark the plane to a bloody welcome home. A member of the wolf pack Jax fled from has been attacked, and he carries a dire warning: The Wildwood wolves are coming, and they plan to retake control of the Crescent pack.

To protect everything they’ve built and hope for, Dakota has to own both his legacy and his future, but if Jax can’t face the mistakes of his past, they could both lose it all.

Moonmagic is a direct sequel to Witchwolf and should be read in order. Get ready for an extra cuddly alpha werewolf, a comforting tray of mac and cheese, a snarky Japanese ghost who gets . . . less terrible, eventually, and a pack war our heroes wish they didn’t have to fight. This book has Jax and Dakota’s HEA, as well as a few other loose ends tied up, and introduces a whole new pack to explore in our next series, Wolves of the Wildwood.

March 19, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

264 pages

Book 2 of 2

Witchwolf

Review: Witch At Odds (The Jinx Hamilton Series Book 2) by Juliette Harper

Rating: 3.5⭐️

Witch At Odds picks up shortly after the ending of the first novel. Jinx has solved her first mystery, and her best friend since childhood has come to be partners with her in the sentient store left to her by her magical aunt.

I like the mystery here, and the addition of several magical beings. Jinx and her best friend, Tori, do come across as two people who have long time relationship dynamics. That’s nicely illustrated here.

And the ghost of the cemetery, especially Beau, the Confederate Colonel. He’s genuinely a great person and developing into a major figure here.

Now for the issues. The author has almost all the important characters,with the exception of Tori, withholding if not outright lying to Jinx about who they are, what they are, and their relationship with her and the town’s history and secrets. So yeah, so many huge enormous hidden secrets here.

Ones that adversely impact Jinx, her actions, and the town. Those around her are aware of the fact, and still argue about telling her.

As a reader, I find this irritating and frankly toxic. Especially as one of the characters lying to her about his identity and her relationship to him and his family is the one “courting” her. Her supposed boyfriend.

Another is her ghostly aunt Fiona, who keeps up with the poor excuses as to why she has or doesn’t give Jinx the knowledge or support she needs. As in “I didn’t think she would do anything that magical yet with her powers “. Then aunt Fiona pops out to vacation somewhere else.

All feel incredibly lame or what I refer to as “Narratively lazy”. Awful for the characters but the author needs it down in her series arc so there you go.

She does sorta solve the problem here but it ends on a cliffhanger. And with both “girls” going to see their mothers to discuss their past histories.

So it looks like the revelations are going to happen next book unless a drama pops up again. I’ll check with it.

I’m going to see where this goes next.

The Jinx Hamilton Series (16 book series): complete and all released.

Witch At Heart #1

Witch At Odds #2

Buy link

Witch At Odds (The Jinx Hamilton Series Book 2)

Blurb

Resigned to her new life as a witch and determined to make a success of both that and her business, Jinx has a lot to learn. She sets out to both study her craft and get a true direction for her aunt’s haphazard approach to inventory. Not to mention the fact that she wouldn’t mind getting to know neighboring business owner Chase McGregor much better. Although Jinx can call on Aunt Fiona’s ghost for help, the old lady is far too busy living a jet set afterlife to be worried about her niece’s learning curve. That sets Jinx up to make a major mistake and to figure out how to set things right again.

*Note: This is a republished version of Witch At Odds.

Cabot Publishing Group

Publication date

September 8, 2025

Edition

2nd

Language

‎English

Print length

235 pages

Book 2 of 16

The Jinx Hamilton Series

Review: Jade City (The Green Bone Saga Book 1) by Fonda Lee

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Jade City is the first book I’ve read by Fonda Lee, a book and series very well known for being so remarkable in its wonderfully detailed world building and raw, yet powerful characters of the Kaul family.

I came across it by accident, as someone who was recommending it in their all time top fantasy series. Then it looked at the types of recommendations it had received.

Remarkable for a series and book that is hard to quantify. Here it’s called a fantasy novel, but alternative reality or universe, that works as well.

This is about a solitary island, Kekon, that has fought for independence from an outside country (white) and finally won, at a high cost. Its main source of wealth is jade, which can for certain individuals increase their human strength and abilities to something incredibly inhumane and frighteningly dangerous and powerful. Those people, the Green Bones, named after the Jade which gives them power, is now divided into two warring clans who control the island.

One of them is the Kaul family, the focal points of all the books.

This is an epic story, Asia-inspired tale of two crime dynasties, the Kauls and the Ayts. Its constant political manipulation and maneuvering, as well as traumatic physical, emotional, and psychological mental battles over Jade and territory. Often leading to death.

Added to this main fight between the clan giants are the smaller groups and those who covet the power they are physically unable to have. Those now trading in a new drug that has a high that gives the user Jade like ability.

All of this threatens to destabilize the Kaul family’s base of power and business. And each sibling will have to deal with their plans and place within the clan to see if and how they can make the Kaul clan survive.

It’s bloody, realistic, political, magical with the Jade being the basic element of the system that boosts their power.

And the characters are so strong, each well defined and beautifully developed.

This is only the first one and it’s so compelling and heartbreaking.

It deserves all the accolades.

It’s a World Fantasy Award winner and has been named one of TIME’s Top 100 Fantasy Books of All Time.

The Green Bone Saga

Jade City

Jade War

Jade Legacy

Buy link

Book 1 of 3: The Green Bone Saga

Blurb

In this World Fantasy Award-winning novel of magic and kungfu, four siblings battle rival clans for honor and power in an Asia-inspired fantasy metropolis.

*Named one of TIME’s Top 100 Fantasy Books Of All Time*

Jade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. It has been mined, traded, stolen, and killed for—and for centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their magical abilities and defend the island from foreign invasion.

Now, the war is over and a new generation of Kauls vies for control of Kekon’s bustling capital city. They care about nothing but protecting their own, cornering the jade market, and defending the districts under their protection. Ancient tradition has little place in this rapidly changing nation.

When a powerful new drug emerges that lets anyone—even foreigners—wield jade, the simmering tension between the Kauls and the rival Ayt family erupts into open violence. The outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones—and of Kekon itself.

Praise for Jade City:

“An epic drama reminiscent of the best classic Hong Kong gangster films but set in a fantasy metropolis so gritty and well-imagined that you’ll forget you’re reading a book.” —Ken Liu, Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award-winning author

“A beautifully realized setting, a great cast of characters, and dramatic action scenes. What a fun, gripping read!” —Ann Leckie, Hugo, Nebula, and Arthur C. Clarke Award-winning author

“An instantly absorbing tale of blood, honor, family and magic, spiced with unexpectedly tender character beats.” —NPR

The Green Bone Saga

Jade City

Review: Junkyard Cats (Junkyard Cats Book 1) by Faith Hunter

Rating: 4.5⭐️

If post-apocalyptic creatures, the disheartening yet predictable aftermath of WW III, gore and battle bots, science and geeky mechanics combined with motorcycle gangs, heinous global politics , and sentient cats aren’t your thing, go no further. No romance but very good reason for the lack of it.

I hadn’t read anything from Faith Hunter before but I throughly enjoyed Junkyard Cats, so much so that I went ahead and bought the rest of the series.

The intriguing description and great cover got me but the fast paced, almost insanely complex story kept me glue to the page right to the end.

With a fantastic female main character named Shining Smith, she’s the, presumably “dead” owner of a junkyard that she and her father had. It’s in a pretty remote desert location in West Virginia, a place so rough and hard that no one ventures into it without a very good reason. It’s Shining, her assistant who’s mostly metal, and the cats. All the cats of the junkyard.

Who Shining is or was, what’s so special about those cats, and in fact, everything about this story, including the fact that she and her father were a part of a large motorcycle gang, is a joy and a string of surprises this book is in store.

There’s a lot of talk, or perhaps, weaving in of sections about nanotechnology, bots, science, technology, ships design, and just fantastic stuff to nerd out and explore as the narrative weaves Shining’s story of her personal journey of survival and current life in as a junkyard owner. It’s action packed, fascinating, and imaginative storytelling.

It’s also a quick read. This is a novella. So if any of this sounds like something you would like, grab it up. For me, it’s a winner.

Cover design by Rebecca Frank of Bewitching Book Covers.

The Junkyard Cats Series – 5 books

JUNKYARD CATS #1

JUNKYARD BARGAIN #2

JUNKYARD WAR #3

JUNKYARD ROADHOUSE #4

JUNKYARD RIDERS #5

Buy link

Book 1 of 5: Junkyard Cats

Blurb

From the author of the best-selling Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood fantasy series comes a tough new SciFi heroine who is far more than she seems. JUNKYARD CATS is the first in the novella series.

After the Final War, after the appearance of the Bug Aliens and their enforced peace, Shining Smith is still alive, still doing business from the old junkyard bequeathed to her by her father. But Shining is no longer human, and the junkyard is no longer just a scrapyard, but a place full of secrets that she has guarded for years.

This life she has built, while empty, is predictable and safe. Until the only friend left from her previous life shows up, dead, in the back of a scrapped Tesla warplane, a note clutched in his fingers, a note warning her of a coming attack.

Someone knows who she is. Someone knows what she is guarding. Will she be able to protect the junkyard and its secrets? Will she be able to stop the coming attack without the recon satellites overhead discovering what is hidden on the barren land? Or is the life she has built for herself over? Will she have to destroy everything she loves to keep her secrets out of the wrong hands?

Publisher

Lore Seekers Press

Publication date

August 25, 2020

Accessibility

Learn more

Language

‎English

File size

3.0 MB

Screen Reader

Supported

Enhanced typesetting

Enabled

X-Ray

Enabled

Word Wise

Enabled

Print length

152 pages

ISBN-13

978-1622681556

Page Flip

Enabled

Book 1 of 5

Junkyard Cats

Review: Dragon Blood Curse (Emperor’s Assassin Book 4) by Kai Butler

Rating: 4.5🌈

Dragon Blood Curse was an exciting, immersive experience all around, as Butler’s penultimate story brings more mythical characters and magical regions into play with this fantasy action adventure.

Prince Airón and King Tallu have multiple schemes at work and not all are going according to their intended intentions. With their enemies bringing larger powers and armies against them, Airón and Tallu race to find a cure for the deadly curse that affects both brothers. And their own council falls into chaos and loyalties are divided as the enemy attacks.

It’s high politics, subterfuge, magical terrorists, and wars between enemies being waged across their borders and territories, and everything and everyone suffering.

Of course, there’s a prophecy or two, sacrifices that figures mightily in the coming novel, angst and some really great layering of information and people (look to the North) that just ups the stakes here.

No spoilers but this just grabs the reader from start to finish. For me, the relationship between Airón and Tallu is the least compelling element here. So many other great aspects of the series and story to focus on.

Great job. And I love the Spider. Awesome.

Cover by Hannah Latham at oexasart Lettering by Laura at Covers by Aura

Emperor’s Assassin (5 book series)

Betrothed to the Emperor #1

Emperor’s Wrath #2

Shadow Throne King #3

Dragon Blood Curse #4

Crown of Ash #5 – Oct 26,2026

Buy link

Dragon Blood Curse (Emperor’s Assassin Book 4)

Blurb

The generals that once served Emperor Tallu now pursue us across the continent. General Bemishu and Kacha have made their move and we find ourselves trapped by the role Tallu has been playing his entire life. As we search for allies, the rules of imperial politics force Tallu to act more and more like his deranged father.

Still, we have a hint of hope: somewhere in the dangerous Tavornai swamps, another animalia spins her webs and rearranges fate to her own desires. Can she change ours?

We have one chance to save our lives, one hope at a future that we both so desperately want. With new allies and old nemeses, we have to risk our lives to create a world for our love.

March 16, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

362 pages

Book 4 of 5

Emperor’s Assassin

Review: His Mate By Defiance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 4) by Mel Aitchess

Rating: 4🌈

“The Lunetti Pack is a steamy MM Enemies to Lovers Paranormal Romance series set in New Trinity, a city ruled by three crime families: the Lunetti Pack of mafia wolf shifters, the vampire mobster Cruor Coven, and the witch Elemental Mayhem MC. It features knotting (and other paranormal fun) but no mpreg.”

His Mate By Defiance is the penultimate story in Mel Aitchess’ paranormal mafia crime fated mate series. The Lunetti Pack has followed several top level members of this criminal wolf shifter pack as they fight to keep their place and power in the trinity of politics that’s New Trinity City, a dark horror of a city where it’s divided into sections ruled by witches, vampires or shifters, depending on the territory.

This is Rafe, the pack doctor’s romance, one that starts years prior with his first encounter with a badly injured young jaguar shifter in an underground fighting ring.

This meeting is recapped here and then we come forward to present day, where the jaguar shifter, Adrian ,aka Adri, is still part of the fight scene.

The author does an excellent job explaining Adri’s background and meshing that with the natural history/instincts of the jaguar to give Adri a distinctive personality and outlook from that of the other shifters.

And Rafe, as someone older and with different skill sets, has a perspective on what their relationship and how it might develop than Adri has.

Their dynamic is excellent and is the best thing about the story.

There’s also another aspect of the book, a continuation plot that’s not resolved here but will continue into the final story. It sets up the last fated mates match.

But the lack of at least some sort of completion to some aspect of this complicated conspiracy left me frustrated.

The romance was certainly completed but it’s a HFN, and far too many people were hurt and issues left unresolved.

I am certainly looking forward to the last book to see how it all wraps up. If you like to binge, wait until it’s finished, and read right through.

A definite winner.

Lunetti Pack (5 book series) :

His Mate By Vengeance #1 – Angelo and Vin
His Mate By Resistance #2 – Luca and Cal
His Mate By Allegiance #3 – Rocco and Emilio
His Mate By Defiance #4 – Rafe and Adri
His Mate By Dominance #5 – Alpha Marco and Seth’s, the finale. Feb, 21,2027

Buy link

Book 4 of 5: Lunetti Pack

Blurb

“For you? I will take it all. All your pain. All your desire. Everything. It’s all mine.”

Rafe is done giving Adri space. For thirteen years, he’s waited for his jaguar shifter mate to be ready to acknowledge what’s between them. Thirteen years of tracking the pack’s fighting ring and racing to respond whenever they need a doctor. The night he turns up to find Adri brutalised by a feral shifter in the ring, he knows he’ll never let him go again. Especially when shifters start going missing.

Adri told the doc he didn’t need saving over a decade ago, and nothing’s changed since. The last thing he needs is Rafe’s overbearing protectiveness when he’s trying to save his friends from a new unsanctioned fighting ring and whatever bioweapon is at play. Waking up in Rafe’s bed wasn’t in the plan. As soon as he’s healed, Adri’s out of there.

His Mate by Defiance is an MM paranormal romance with a bite. It features age gap, fated mates, and hurt/comfort

Publisher

Mel Aitchess

Publication date

March 11, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

254 pages

Book 4 of 5

Lunetti Pack

Review: Ghostly Interests (A Harper Harlow Mystery Book 1) by Lily Harper Hart

Rating: 2.5⭐️

Ghostly Interests (A Harper Harlow Mystery Book 1) by Lily Harper Hart has so many issues, and I think many (but not all) might have to do with the year that this book was published in.

Written in 2015 and it’s showing its age. I almost feel like I should list the issues and be done with it.

Main characters in their late twenties whose dialogue is more characteristic of someone much younger than themselves. Even with the colloquialism of the times and references of that specific decade.

The lack of any broader understanding between the other characters of the idea of a found family or strong female and male friendships/bonds that act like a sibling relationship without any blood relationship so it’s spelled out like one would in general terms in the book.

While it’s a given understanding these days.

How the main character and those characters around her see her body and their bodies in different aspects of attractiveness. And the terminology that’s used. The idea of body positivity is no where near here but 1950 is.

The male/female dynamics are annoying and toxic, depending upon the relationship. The men tend to talk over the women, dismiss their complaints and comments. At one point, Zander actually told Harper to shut up while he spoke to the cop about whether he thought he could date her.

Funny? Not particularly. Although I’m sure the author meant it as a humorous comment. Same I’m sure when Harper’s mom called Zander a derogatory word for a gay man and it’s shrugged off as being ok because it’s her mother. No, again not ok.

This sort of casual bigotry and sexism is written throughout the book.

While the main woman character, Harper, has a gay best friend, Zander, who’s also a partner in their ghostbuster business, how every day sexism and sexual harassment is handled here is seriously outdated.

One of the younger men who works for them is outright engaged in verbal sexist remarks towards Harper, making remarks about her body, as well as marking disparaging comments about their younger intern who’s crushing on him. Zander himself makes crude remarks towards women that’s insulting. But it’s noted he’s a masculine gay.

There’s the issue with the entire point that the men often defer to the roommate, Zander, for information that they will believe. Even though Harper has just told whoever the same story. Even though she’s the main character. More sexism.

And it’s taken as a joke or commentary, in the father’s case, as situation normal.

“I do want the divorce.” “Why are you calling Mom ‘your woman’ then?” Harper asked. “Because we’re not divorced yet and I don’t like anyone taking what’s mine before I’m ready to give it up,” Phil said. “That’s not the way things work.”

That’s the kind of relationship/dynamics written and dated tone that’s displayed here by all the characters, at every level.

It’s old at page one.

Then there’s just things that make you stop and think:

A young American woman who says “Bleeding tragic “ which no one would say at her age and situation, even as a ghost.

And the fact that a victim who is SA has that element totally glossed over as well as a predatory college professor.

In the words that Zander would understand and say. “Ewww.”

To everything. Just no.

A Harper Harlow Mystery (21 book series)

Ghostly Interests #1

Buy link

Ghostly Interests (A Harper Harlow Mystery Book 1)

Blurb

Harper Harlow lives in a world of ghosts. She sees them. She talks to them. She investigates them. She sends them on their merry way. She’s not embarrassed by her abilities, and she’s not afraid to be who she is. She’s also not looking for a relationship. Enter Jared Monroe, a smooth-talking police detective who sees things in black and white and ignores any shades of gray. He doesn’t believe in ghosts, and while he’s intrigued by the feisty blonde ghost detective, he’s not interested in the paranormal. When twenty-one-year-old Annie Dresden’s body washes up on the beach of Whisper Cove, Harper and Jared collide. Sparks may be flying, but so is confusion and mistrust. Harper calls on her loyal band of ghost hunters to solve the crime, and Jared relies on his training to tackle the same problem. It doesn’t matter what approach they take because all paths are destined to intersect. Can Harper and Jared learn to work together? And, more importantly, can new ghosts let go of the past and give in to an obscure future? It’s anyone’s guess when big personalities go to war and find they might have more in common than they think.

HarperHart Publications

Publication date

September 15, 2015

Language

‎English

Print length

212 pages

Book 1 of 21

A Harper Harlow Mystery

Review: Witches With Benefits (A Nightshade Detective Agency Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Amanda M. Lee

Rating: 3⭐️

I enjoyed Witches With Benefits (A Nightshade Detective Agency Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Amanda M. Lee but it’s a novel that, once you finish it, you realize, it doesn’t really have a lot of substance to it.

It’s like a bag of diet popcorn. You eat it. You enjoy eating it. You finish the bag. Then you think about the flavor that’s missing, the butter and the salt. All the ingredients, the great “stuff” that’s the reason why you eat popcorn. And then you realize you probably won’t be eating that brand anymore.

This is exactly like that.

It’s moves swiftly along with an interesting plot, on the surface. But then again, there’s no depth to anything. To the characters, the world building, the arc, the battles and especially the magic.

The missing sister aspect of the story? The one that is supposed to be the most traumatic and polarizing? It’s also the most inconsistent. We know nothing about the sister. And to pull the reader into this family’s tragic story,we should be able to see how much that sister and the family dynamic were real and believable. But we get nothing. No understanding of anyone or any kind of relationship other than briefly superficial.

In the following years, the father , parents are understood to have let the sister disappearance go. But Freya is said to both have become a detective to continue looking for her and also considers her sister dead. It’s a 50/50 thing depending upon what page you are on.

The characters around her have no discernible layers. That includes an alligator shifter who works with her , and a rich girl best friend who’s extremely irritating. It’s she’s rich and he’s a good old boy gator shifter from a large New Orleans family. That’s pretty much it. And the main character isn’t better developed.

Freya Holmes, a witch/vampire woman who has a hugely powerful vampire father (but only because we are told he is, no actual actions or abilities we see) and a powerful witch mother who is largely unknown. She has unique powers ( we’re told) that she “activates” the way that the Power Rangers do. As in “I’m going to be actively using my more powerful vampire powers now”. SMH

Then whoosh or whatever that powers are, it just happens. We don’t know what happens. It’s not written because Freya “blanks “ conveniently out. And any battle scene is over , bad guys are vanquished, and everyone is gazing at Freya in awe. That’s the scene. Everyone gazes at Freya in awe. Gods included.

I kid you not. That’s how all the battles are fought. No real fights. No powers for anyone seen or written out. Not even a KaBam. So poorly done.

On top of no magical abilities designed or written, the local gods and powers are shortchanged as well. It’s all mouth work. I’m gonna tell you how bad I am. Not going to show you anything but I’m definitely going to tell you that I’m pretty darn scary. Boo.

They are there but what they do? Not a clue.

Yes, there is a beginning of a romance. But they don’t have an adult relationship and the dialogue reads like 3 year olds in a sandbox. You did it, no I didn’t, yes you did.

No it’s not intelligent or particularly snarky.

So I’m leaving this here. There’s another book that will be published soon. But I don’t think it’s something I’m interested in.

You be the judge if this is what you want to read.

Nightshade Detective Agency Cozy Mystery :

Witches With Benefits #1

Survival of the Witchiest #2 – Aug 4,2026

Buy link

Book 1 of 2: A Nightshade Detective Agency Cozy Mystery

Blurb

Freya Holmes is unique in an already eccentric city.

New Orleans may be a paranormal mecca but even in a world where every type of shifter and witch is commonplace, a vampire-witch hybrid is something to worship … and fear.

Freya has never been interested in her parents’ opulent world. She finds her power in magic, which is why she formed Nightshade Detective Agency in the first place. She’s interested in helping people … even when that help might come at the cost of her life.

Knox Cullen grew up on the poor side of New Orleans. His shifter genes allowed him to climb out of poverty and embrace a certain lifestyle as a paranormal bounty hunter. He can take a punch and throw one. He’s not ready for Freya, though.

When a local mobster ends up dead and the culprit appears to be a supernatural assassin, both Freya and Knox are on the case. Unfortunately, they have no intention of working together and two hard heads don’t make for a soft landing.

Freya has her hands full. In addition to Knox, who is hiding something big, there’s a paranormal investigation unit seeking a partnership that takes advantage of her hard work and their impressive reach. The Legacy Foundation has quite the reputation, as do the two people—Charlie and Jack—who approach her with an offer she might not be able to refuse. Can she trust them? Can she trust anybody?

The clock is ticking. Freya needs to save the French Quarter. Sadly, she might lose herself in the process.

Review: Guard in the Garden: A Cozy Fantasy (Fables of Finlestia) by Z.S. Diamanti

Rating:4.75⭐️

While a reader could certainly enjoy the richness and warmth of Z.S. Diamanti’s Guard in the Garden as the cozy fantasy it’s described as, it’s also a deceptively well written story about a dwarf warrior, the only survivor of his elite unit who has returned from a long ongoing horrible war. He’s suffered a severe physical injury that’s caused a permanent disability that he’s refusing to acknowledge and is at a loss to heal his both his own wounds and deal with his mental struggles with in his new civilian life, such as it is.

For the reader, he represents so many veterans who have returned from similar wars and conflicts, with PTSD, disabilities, and with mental struggles to cope with in fitting into a civilian life and new identities.

The anger, frustration and fear is well documented in Felton Holdum, because he’s unwilling to accept that he won’t be able to get back into his squad and war. That his bonded fantasy winged partner, who perished trying to save him, won’t be revenged. Its pain, and loss and everything Felton had , now gone. And the writer brings us into Felton’s emotional state and we hurt too.

So while we may seem far away from the war and its consequences, and a small town that’s in a state of recovery, this never quite feels like a cozy place. There’s a sharp edge that waits around here, for every sweet moment,a raw piece of powerful reality to offset the tiny bits of everyday sunshine joy.

Because Galium’s inhabitants have been through it, and quietly it’s a place where, in time, Felton finds his own way through his own recovery by helping others through theirs.

It’s a beautiful, remarkable and powerful story. Rich and well crafted. Full of heart and compassion.

I’m highly recommending this. And will read the rest of the series.

Love the covers. Gorgeous.

Published by Golden Griffin Press LLC.

Seasonal Illustrations by Aleksa Stajsic.

Plant Illustrations by Z.S. Diamanti.

Fables of Finlestia (3 books)

Guard in the Garden #1

Wagons & Wyverns #2

Assassin in the Alehouse #3

Buy link

Guard in the Garden: A Cozy Fantasy (Fables of Finlestia)

Blurb

Embark on a wholesome journey of healing and self-discovery. A cozy fantasy tale of forging new friendships and overcoming fears. A quiet quest of family bonds and budding romance.

From dragon fire to garden flowers …

Felton Holdum spent his entire life training to become one of Galium’s elite dwarven warriors. When a bloody battle leaves him injured, he has no choice but to move into his eccentric twin aunts’ quaint home in the town’s quiet Garome District.

With his life of military service seemingly over, the captain of the city guard gives Felton his only chance at a fresh start in the new life he never wanted.

But when a human woman barges through his front door, the grumpy dwarf starts to wonder if there is more to life than war. The sunshine woman invites him to visit her garden, where Felton gains a new nemesis and a new purpose in life.

Take a walk through the garden and see what magic awaits.

Come enjoy the hospitality of the whimsical Garome District. Meet new friends as you sample new breads at the bakery, play a game of Castle Brick at the tavern, and taste homemade pies during the annual pie baking contest at the Fall Festival.

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