Review: 4.25🌈
This series is so fascinating and each story enlarges the universe. With Strikes Twice , the story focus’s on characters whose different elements, are air and electricity and the challenges they’re facing.
Manning changes up the characters here in that Marty Russo had already accepted his brand as an air wizard, accomplished in his magic. Additionally, he’s known to the family of ice mages we met in the first story, a neat twist I appreciated. I really loved seeing Mrs. Blanchard again, and in a totally new perspective. She’s wonderful.
Azure “Az” Serrano, isn’t just a cursed person, he’s a dragon. So it’s a whole different element of magic to explore as the mystery unravels.
Manning, in fact, has more narrative strengths written into the book than is explored to the depths we want, simply because they are so intriguing and interesting.
There’s the damaging past history of Marty’s fire element parents and the impact that it left behind. We get some of that but that mother/step father dynamic is heartwarming and would love to see more.
The same goes for dragon history, their magic and Az’s family. A deeper dive would have felt satisfying.
But Manning gives us a romance, terrific chemistry, a stumbling-slow to grow relationship between Marty and Az that’s realistic and relatable. Their interactions, the fears and mounting hopes, it keeps the reader connected to them and the story.
The couple, mystery and journey to a HEA makes this an entertaining and heartfelt story. It’s one I’m recommending.
Elementally Yours:
Frost or The Bite #1
Strikes Twice #2
Bold As Brass #3 – October 13,2024
Buy link
Strikes Twice: M/M Paranormal Romance (Elementally Yours Book 2)
Blurb
When lightning strikes anyone he touches, can love strike back?
Marty Russo doesn’t need wings to fly. The air wizard loves using magic to soar through the sky, yet he lacks a purpose when down on the ground. So Marty tries to help a man plagued by a cruel electrical curse. But solving this impossible hex isn’t nearly as challenging as keeping his hands off Azure “Az” Serrano.
Az is guarded. Understandably so, after six years of his skin zapping anyone who gets too close. Then a determined air wizard strolls into his life and won’t go away. And when he gives the cursed man hope again, it’s hard to resist the attraction between them.
But getting closer puts the wizard in danger; electricity is especially harmful to air casters. And after they’re unable to keep their distance, the curse nearly fries Marty. Can Marty free Az, or will he fall when lightning strikes twice?
Strikes Twice features enemies to lovers, an understandably grumpy shifter, an optimistic wizard, action, steamy scenes, cruel curses, and love triumphing against all odds. This the second novel in the Elementally Yours Series, and each book features different characters and can be read seperately..
- Publication date: August 4, 2024
- Language: English
- Print length: 257 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 