Review:  By Rude Strength (Tales from the Tarot story) by K.L. Hiers

Rating: 4.5🌈

“This book is based on the major arcana card Strength.”

By Rude Strength by K. L. Hiers is a terrific read.  One of the 22 novels in the multi-author series, Tales from the Tarot, Hiers gives us a young man whose world has fallen apart in one day.

When we begin the story and meet LA Holmes, he’s being fired from a job he’s loved and held for 10 years. It quickly becomes apparent that he’s been working in a toxic environment, and while he’s in anguish over his job, it’s a good thing for him he’s leaving.  Then it’s another loss or crushing toxic element of his life after another just piling up on top of him. From being dumped to a narcissist mother’s call, LA’s having the worst day of his life.

Hier’s narrative is so realistic and LA’s situations so relatable that it might be triggering for some.  Especially the narcissist mother who refuses to listen and the ex whose behaviors are tagged with red flags.

But The Magic Shop, The Owner, and a positively remarkable imp, Cassie, help LA recover his strength and inner resolve.

Cassie is a marvelous character, gentle, kind, and genuine in how they show LA there’s a different path for LA to take in his life, his relationships , his job, his outlook. And together they build something wonderful.

Hier tackles sensitive topics within the storyline but it’s done with a compassionate approach, using Cassie as the voice of reason and thoughtful dialogue.  It works and gives Cassie just another layer of credibility and depth to their personality.

I loved the book and characters and would love to see Hier bring the other imps back into their roles in future stories.

Highly recommended.

Love these covers.

Cover art: Fae Quin 

Cover design: Amanda Meuwissen

Tales from the Tarot is a massive multi-author paranormal & fantasy MM romance collaboration. These 22 books, each by a different author, highlight the Major Arcana cards in a traditional Tarot deck – with some liberties taken, such as The Empress card being The Consort, for an all MM or gay romance focus.

Tales from the Tarot- 22 books 

🔷 Where Fools Have Tread by Jennifer Cody❤️

🔷The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson

🔷Cleric of Desire by Amanda Meuwissen❤️

🔷The Nephilim’s Touch by Morgan Lysand

🔷King of Hollywood by Fae Quin

🔷My Minotaur Daddy: An MM Romantasy by Laura Lascarso

🔷Across Space and Time by Kit Barrie

🔷Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason

🔷By Rude Strength by K.L. Hiers

🔷Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose

🔷Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley

🔷No Justice for the Damned by Hellie Heat

🔷The Angel’s Kiss by Nicholas Bella

🔷Death Song by B. Ripley 

🔷Arcanum by Ashlyn Drewek

🔷The Devil’s Dilemma by Alex J. Adams

🔷Camelot’s Tower by Brooke Matthews

🔷A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star

by Chloe Archer

🔷Trust in the Moon by Delaney Rain

🔷Raising the Sun by Eryn Hawk

🔷Zero Judgment by Kota Quinn

🔷The End of the World by Drake LaMarque

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        By Rude Strength

    

Blurb

 If you don’t have anything nice to say…

LA Holmes has never had anything nice to say and he’s not starting now.

He’s fought tooth and nail to get where he is and he’s not about to change his wicked ways just because things have gotten a little complicated. It doesn’t matter if his body is a wreck, his career has imploded, or that his love life is in complete shambles. He is not going to give up. He is not going to quit fighting. He is not going to show any weakness…

Except for that random visit to a magic shop when he was feeling a tiny bit desperate, but reallywhat was the worst that could happen?

A magical monster being bound to him for eternity, that’s what.

LA is now stuck with Cass, a snarky gentle giant of a beast who is supposed to be the answer to his problems. All Cass wants to do, however, is cuddle and bake cakes and talk about feelings. His ideas are ridiculous and frustrating, and LA refuses to listen to his stupid plans. LA can’t let himself be distracted by a handsome monster when he has so much at stake and letting his guard down could cost him everything…

Cass promises LA a lifetime of happiness if he’s willing to give in, but can LA find the strength to surrender?

By Rude Strength is a standalone MM romance novel as part of the multi-author collaboration Tales from the Tarot. This book is based on the major arcana card Strength.

• Publication date: September 16, 2024
• Language: English
• Print length: 256 pages