Category: 5 star Rating

Review: Oracle: Chosen Champions Book Five by Macy Blake

Rating: 5🌈

Oracle is a book that most readers will bring a compendium of knowledge about the universe, characters, and the impending crisis that the main characters immediately face. That’s really necessary.

For Macy Blake has been building up to this book through multiple series and standalone novels in the Chosen One universe to culminate in the events that occur during this story.

The gods, the magical warfare, all the stolen children that were used as experiments, all the ongoing trauma and battles, along with the mate bonding. Its leads to Oracles’ story and the being tormenting those around him, the manticore. Plus the gentle bear shifter , Dr Ben Jerrick, who has come to love Koios and his family.

Blake has written a beautifully balanced, excellently crafted novel that keeps the main character of Koios aka Oracle, in the narrative spotlight while also being able to continue with the forward movement of the other important universal themes. That’s the mystery behind this corrupt manticore, its background and the dark magical schemes behind its heinous actions.

It takes many of the main characters from all the series, banding together, to investigate who the manticore is, and begin the counterattack against it. That’s a storyline that’s not only thrilling but compelling as we’re introduced to new characters and another enlargement/explanation for Koios’ damaged body and magic.

All the while, along side, Koios, is Dr Ben Jerrick, healing, listening, giving him the support he needs and quietly loving him. Ben has been a strong staple of this universe since he was first found by Sam as a frightened young bear cub trying to escape with his younger “siblings “ from the horrors they’d endured as experiments. We’ve watched Ben grow and develop into the wonderful, thoughtful being and doctor he is here. So it’s everything that it’s his story as well.

Blake pours her heart into her characters and her excellence into the plotting to bring them and all the many themes and threads together to a great completion that’s satisfying and emotionally rewarding and powerful.

It makes me want to go back to when Sam first finds this young frightened, hurt group of mixed young shifters and his world and theirs is forever changed. What a journey!

That’s Sweet Nothings in case you’ve forgotten. I’m heading back to it now.

In the meantime, I’m highly recommending Oracle: Chosen Champions Book Five by Macy Blake . It’s outstanding but read the entire series. There’s a reading list of the book titles and series order on her website. Also at the end of each book.

Here too.

Happy reading!

Chosen Champions:

Logan #1

Gideon #2

Aleron #3

Scout #4

Oracle #5 – series finale

Oracle: Chosen Champions Book Five

Blurb

Koios, AKA the Oracle, is a man with a mission: hunt down and destroy the manticore who’s been tormenting his pack. There’s only one thing standing in his way…a giant, stubborn bear named Ben Jerrick.

• Publisher: (March 23, 2024)

• Publication date: March 23, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 295 pages

The Chosen One Suggested Reading Order

1. Sweet Nothings – Prequel – The Chosen One

2. The Trouble With Love – Nothing But Trouble, Book 1

3. Santa Trouble – Nothing But Trouble, Book 2

4. All or Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 1

5. Nothing Ventured – The Chosen One, Book 2

6. Hell on Earth – Hellhound Champions, Book 1

7. Double or Nothing

8. Next to Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 3

9. Hell To Pay – Hellhound Champions, Book 2

10. Give Him Hell – Hellhound Champions, Book 3

11. Nothing Gained – The Chosen One, Book 4

12. Stop at Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 5

13. Sweet Spot

14. All Kidding Aside – Magical Mates, Book 1

15. Stop Kidding Around – Magical Mates, Book 2

16. I Kid You Not – Magical Mates, Book 3

17. Sugar Honey Iced Tea – Magical Mates, Book 3.5

18. Hell Breaks Loose – Hellhound Champions, Book 4

19. Logan – Chosen Champions, Book 1

20. Gideon – Chosen Champions, Book 2

21. Jamal – Chosen Champions, Book 2.5

22. Cosmo and the King*

23. Aleron – Chosen Champions, Book 3

24. Scout – Chosen Champions, Book 4

25. With Kid Gloves – Magical Mates, Book 4

26. Oracle-Chosen Champions, Book 5

• I suggest putting Cosmo and the King before Oracle but that’s my opinion.

Review: Two Thousand Tears (Kings of Chaos Book 2) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 5🌈

This is exactly the type of story and series I emotionally want as a reader. I absolutely wallow in it, appreciating what Jocelynn Drake is accomplishing narratively, while also still being totally immersed in the universe and the characters storylines as they are unfolding.

If I adored the first book, Two Thousand Dreams, then my deep love for this novel is for all the beautiful creativity and passion that Drake pours into this second story.

None of these are standalone novels, but intricate layered parts of an epic that’s yet to reach its climax. It’s pulling together characters from other series that form important political and mystical factions, while simultaneously creating new characters and expanding the existing world in ways we hadn’t anticipated.

It’s ancient China, the Fae, the current human world imperiled, witchcraft, necromancy, vampires and their mates . Even the Underworld and demons play an important role here. There’s skeletons on the march with varying eras making retain a piece of their long gone personality. Such an amazing foundation for the main storylines to be threaded into.

After Blood Witch Moon Mullins and 2000 year old Chinese vampire Chen and the rest of their clan of ancient Chinese vampires found the Gate the Fae were arriving through, they arrived early to rescue their family member, Yichen, who had been kidnapped 100 years earlier and disappeared into the Fae realm.

Here Yichen reappears with the Fae Prince Rei, in tow. Their 100 year old relationship clearly has been one of pain, trauma, and more brought on by the Fae King and Queen . What they’ve done and gone through is never explicitly stated but implied. But as they work together to keep themselves safe, understanding the new implications of their status, it’s the emotional state of their shaky bond that affects them and their family the most.

Imprisonment doesn’t allow for any thought beyond that of escaping. Then it’s one more goal. But Drake starts to allow the reality of their new safety to let other possibilities open up for them. It’s a story that pulls the reader into their dynamic and won’t turn us loose. Not even at the end.

Additionally, into this found family are so many fantastic characters. A Huli and its attachment to a member of the family. The other members that are extraordinary in their powers and personality.

Including the one that is the heart of the next book and the dramatic ending here. For while they have been successful in achieving their goals at the end another shattering climax awaits them .

I will undoubtedly read this again before the next book arrives. Just for the sheer pleasure and satisfaction I received from the author’s words.

I’m highly recommending this series and novels . Pls read them in the order they are written.

The Kings of Chaos :

✓ Two Thousand Dreams #1

✓ Two Thousand Tears #2

◦ Two Thousand Blades #3 – May 24,2024

The Kings of Chaos is the third series to the Lords of Discord and Princes of Mayhem series. See both below and the order to read them in.

Lords of Discord series:

✓ Claiming Marcus

◦ Saving Rafe

◦ Waking Bel

◦ Embracing Winter

◦ Healing Aiden

◦ Visiting the Variks: A Short Story Collection

Princes of Mayhem :

✓ How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Ruined Saved My Life Disaster #1:

✓ Fun with Family Disaster #2:

✓ Pet Problems Disaster #3:

✓ Date Night Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead?”

Kings of Chaos- three books

Buy link

Two Thousand Tears (Kings of Chaos Book 2)

Blurb

He was supposed to be my enemy. Not my lover.

Yichen is free at last…sort of.

He has escaped his imprisonment, but he’s still blood bound to the crown prince of the fae.

Oh gods, how is he going to explain that to his clan?

Finding a way to break the bond might not be too hard. Killing the king of the fae even seems possible.

But there’s no way he can let go of the elf who protected him, risked everything for him for a hundred years?

Rei is the breath in his lungs, the blood in his veins, and the beat of his heart. Somehow, he has to find a way to keep him.

An elf can fall in love with a vampire, right?

Two Thousand Tears is the second novel in the Kings of Chaos series, which is a spin-off from the Lords of Discord series. This book contains a somewhat broken vampire falling in love with an elf who should be his enemy but is actually his everything, shifters, meddling witches, other non-human surprises, snark, angst, car surfing, found family, brotherly bickering, magic, chaos, pouting, vampire cuddles, and an endless love that crosses lines drawn by war.

• Publisher: (March 22, 2024)

• Publication date: March 22, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 379 pages

Review: Two Thousand Tears (Kings of Chaos Book 2) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 5🌈

This is exactly the type of story and series I emotionally want as a reader. I absolutely wallow in it, appreciating what Jocelynn Drake is accomplishing narratively, while also still being totally immersed in the universe and the characters storylines as they are unfolding.

If I adored the first book, Two Thousand Dreams, then my deep love for this novel is for all the beautiful creativity and passion that Drake pours into this second story.

None of these are standalone novels, but intricate layered parts of an epic that’s yet to reach its climax. It’s pulling together characters from other series that form important political and mystical factions, while simultaneously creating new characters and expanding the existing world in ways we hadn’t anticipated.

It’s ancient China, the Fae, the current human world imperiled, witchcraft, necromancy, vampires and their mates . Even the Underworld and demons play an important role here. There’s skeletons on the march with varying eras making retain a piece of their long gone personality. Such an amazing foundation for the main storylines to be threaded into.

After Blood Witch Moon Mullins and 2000 year old Chinese vampire Chen and the rest of their clan of ancient Chinese vampires found the Gate the Fae were arriving through, they arrived early to rescue their family member, Yichen, who had been kidnapped 100 years earlier and disappeared into the Fae realm.

Here Yichen reappears with the Fae Prince Rei, in tow. Their 100 year old relationship clearly has been one of pain, trauma, and more brought on by the Fae King and Queen . What they’ve done and gone through is never explicitly stated but implied. But as they work together to keep themselves safe, understanding the new implications of their status, it’s the emotional state of their shaky bond that affects them and their family the most.

Imprisonment doesn’t allow for any thought beyond that of escaping. Then it’s one more goal. But Drake starts to allow the reality of their new safety to let other possibilities open up for them. It’s a story that pulls the reader into their dynamic and won’t turn us loose. Not even at the end.

Additionally, into this found family are so many fantastic characters. A Huli and its attachment to a member of the family. The other members that are extraordinary in their powers and personality.

Including the one that is the heart of the next book and the dramatic ending here. For while they have been successful in achieving their goals at the end another shattering climax awaits them .

I will undoubtedly read this again before the next book arrives. Just for the sheer pleasure and satisfaction I received from the author’s words.

I’m highly recommending this series and novels . Pls read them in the order they are written.

The Kings of Chaos :

✓ Two Thousand Dreams #1

✓ Two Thousand Tears #2

◦ Two Thousand Blades #3 – May 24,2024

The Kings of Chaos is the third series to the Lords of Discord and Princes of Mayhem series. See both below and the order to read them in.

Lords of Discord series:

✓ Claiming Marcus

◦ Saving Rafe

◦ Waking Bel

◦ Embracing Winter

◦ Healing Aiden

◦ Visiting the Variks: A Short Story Collection

Princes of Mayhem :

✓ How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Ruined Saved My Life Disaster #1:

✓ Fun with Family Disaster #2:

✓ Pet Problems Disaster #3:

✓ Date Night Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead?”

Kings of Chaos- three books

Buy link

Two Thousand Tears (Kings of Chaos Book 2)

Blurb

He was supposed to be my enemy. Not my lover.

Yichen is free at last…sort of.

He has escaped his imprisonment, but he’s still blood bound to the crown prince of the fae.

Oh gods, how is he going to explain that to his clan?

Finding a way to break the bond might not be too hard. Killing the king of the fae even seems possible.

But there’s no way he can let go of the elf who protected him, risked everything for him for a hundred years?

Rei is the breath in his lungs, the blood in his veins, and the beat of his heart. Somehow, he has to find a way to keep him.

An elf can fall in love with a vampire, right?

Two Thousand Tears is the second novel in the Kings of Chaos series, which is a spin-off from the Lords of Discord series. This book contains a somewhat broken vampire falling in love with an elf who should be his enemy but is actually his everything, shifters, meddling witches, other non-human surprises, snark, angst, car surfing, found family, brotherly bickering, magic, chaos, pouting, vampire cuddles, and an endless love that crosses lines drawn by war.

• Publisher: (March 22, 2024)

• Publication date: March 22, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 379 pages

Review: How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit: Bone 3 (Villainy, #9) by A. J. Sherwood

Rating: 5🌈

When a story contains the phrase “For Bone Daddy” and its uttered by a army of skelebabies in the middle of a rollicking bone rattling battle, well, you just know the book is going to be epic.

For all its short length, Sherwood packs a ton of high quality action, snarky humor, dubious necromancer goings on, and an ever- widening search for the bones of a sentient skeleton dragon called Steve.

I’m so committed to this series and found family of absolutely glorious people, young sorcerers in training in tow included. It’s hilarious, sexy, stunning and entertaining on every level.

I can’t wait for the pirates.

Dive into the series right at the beginning and then follow along. It’s all fabulous.

Love these covers.

Series and side stories

💥How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy-6 books

💥How Tan Acquired an Apprentice

💥How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit:Bone

Buy Link

How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit: Bone 3 (How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy Book 9)

Blurb

Do you wish to deploy the necromancer to fight? (YES) (no)

Niran: The leg bone’s connected to the ~ leg bone. The leg bone’s connected to the ~

Tan: Sword hilt~ the sword hilt’s connected to the bad guy~ hear the voice of the Steve~!

Steve: My boooOOOOoooone!

Tags:

Necromancers, fight!, it’s Niran’s time to shine, lawless city is our friend, onsen nookie, Steve makes a bad alarm clock, look at me, I’m the captain now, stinky city, Sword of the Sea makes an appearance, Steve needs his fainting couch to clutch his pearls upon, ragdoll Steve

• Publisher: (March 15, 2024)

• Publication date: March 15, 2024

• Print length: 61 pages

Science Fiction & Fantasy Shorts Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy

Review: Dire Straits and Entwined Fates (Fanged Mistakes, #2) by Alice Winters

Rating: 5🌈

Fanged Mistakes is everything I love about an Alice Winters universe and series. Fanged Mistakes incorporates humor (high and low), relatable complicated family relationships, interspecies courtship, drama, murder, psychological trauma, and layers upon layers of emotional, often tragic back histories.

These are all further entwined with some of the most memorable, surprisingly written characters, ones which, during both the course of each book and over the series, make decisions that challenge the reader’s perceptions of what we thought we knew about them. Instead, we get another layer of depth and generosity of spirit we didn’t see coming.

It’s not just the main characters this happens to either. More than once, I saw a scene or moment reveal a character’s real identity, one not previously seen. It’s done swiftly and succinctly and with impact. I can name every scene it happens in. The writing is that successful and great.

Dire Straits and Entwined Fates charts the next stage in Julian and Casamir’s relationship. Julian’s family is adjusting, albeit maybe not his father, to their mating, and things are doing well.

Naturally, here comes the past to throw up the biggest challenges they have faced yet. This was briefly hinted at in Faked Dates and Fanged Mistakes but Casamir’s past is back in one roaring, fast paced, action packed, emotional thriller of a ride.

Winters manages to keep all the heavy elements like Julian’s PTSD from his past attacks, the continuing emotional fallout, the devastating impact the return of his past is having on Casamir, the changing dynamics of their relationship, all of this raw material, is kept real and believable.

But interwoven into this is moments of hilarity, scenes of wonderful silliness and outrageous fun with their found family. It’s an eclectic group of friends and family formed of human detective, vampire sidekick, poodle, and a surprising newcomer. This allows a break from the tension and drama. And gives us some truly heartwarming scenes.

The ending and villain of this story are as compelling and complex as the themes and narrative calls for. It’s thoughtful storytelling that makes this a fantastic novel and these memorable characters.

I really need more. There’s that pesky question that keeps rearing its head of what exactly is Julian? No one seems to have the answer. More books please.

I’m highly recommending this and the series but read them in the order they are written for the events and relationships.

Fanged Mistakes:

✓ Faked Dates and Fanged Mistakes #1

✓ Dire Straits and Entwined Fates # 2

Buy Link

Dire Straits and Entwined Fates (Fanged Mistakes Book 2)

Blurb

Julian

When did fake-then-real dating an ancient vampire become the easy part?

Casimir’s ridiculously sweet now that he’s conquered “the art of the flirt,” as he calls it. He tries hard to fit in with my family—if we forget about those silly threatening chocolates he sent my father—and he even makes me popcorn… okay, he tried. I know, I know, I’m just bragging at this point.

Everything is perfect until we stumble upon a half-dead vampire who is being hunted by someone. And I’m afraid the person hunting him knows all about Casimir’s history. Casimir has fought so hard to drive the darkness away, but we both know that he needs to bury his past… one last time.

Casimir

I never saw myself in a relationship, let alone with a pesky werewolf. He’s funny and sweet, has questionable friends, and phenomenal taste in dog bandanas. After five hundred years, I think I’ve finally convinced myself that I deserve this.

However, someone else isn’t quite certain I do. Julian has assured me that it’s time to move forward, but when there’s a masked man waiting in the shadows for me, I find it hard to ignore my past mistakes.

But I have something I didn’t have the last time I faced him.

Someone who loves me.

Dire Straits and Entwined Fates has a cheerful werewolf who seems to have an aversion to clothes; a vampire leader who overuses speedy delivery services; board games with a little too much exhibitionism; and animals that are too cute to be eaten.

• Publisher: (March 12, 2024)

• Publication date: March 12, 2024

• Print length: 368 pages

Review: Present Tense (The ABC’s of Spellcraft Book 8) by Jordan Castillo Price

Rating:5🌈

Yuri and Dixon and the rest of their family are back in this absolutely adorable, perfect short story by Jordan Castillo Price.

The ABC’s of Spellcraft is a series that just gets better with each new chapter in Yuri and Dixon’s lives. Here they are scrambling to get each other’s gifts at Christmas, with all the glorious events you might imagine, including drama and the magic!

It ends appropriately with another move forward in their relationship and a HFN. And the realization for me that this is a series for every season for the excellent writing and fabulous characters.

I’m recommending this and the series. It’s magical ride! Binge read for your pleasure!

The ABC’s of Spellcraft series:

✓ Quill Me Now #1

✓ Trouble in Taco Town #2

✓ Something Stinks at the Spa #3

✓ Dead Man’s Quill #4

✓ Last But Not Lease #5

✓ Don’t Rock The Boardwalk #6

✓ What The Frack? #7

✓ Present Tense: A Spellcraft Christmas short #8

◦ Brownie Points #9

◦ Forging Ahead #10

◦ Mayor May Not #11

◦ Bucket List #12

◦ Comic Sans #13

◦ It’s All Relative #14

Buy Link:

Present Tense: A Spellcraft Christmas Short (The ABCs of Spellcraft Book 8)

Blurb

Christmas is a festive time of year, one filled with food, family and tradition—Dixon Penn’s ideal holiday. Too bad Spellcrafters don’t celebrate Christmas.

Dixon’s parents have always been strict about their no-present rule, reluctant to entrap anyone in an “endless cycle of reciprocal obligation.”

Yuri Volnikov was not raised in the Craft, but Dixon has made sure he understands that for Spellcrafters, Christmas presents are verboten.

No gifts. None. Nada. And everyone is on the same page in regards to presents….

Or are they?

The ABCs of Spellcraft is a series filled with bad jokes and good magic, where MM Romance meets Paranormal Cozy. A perky hero, a brooding love interest, and delightfully twisty-turny stories that never end up quite where you’d expect. The books are best read in order, so be sure to start at the beginning with Quill Me Now.

This holiday short is set after What the Frack? and contains series spoilers.

Review: Dealing With Mapinguari and Dogged Engineers (The Sorcerer’s Grimoire Book 2) by AJ Sherwood

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s hard to rate exactly which of Sherwood’s many series are my favorites, but The Sorcerer’s Grimoire is, even at two books, among those I hold dear.

It’s in the universe she’s created, so recognizable and yet not, magical, imaginative and with our histories carefully bound together. It’s in the beautifully crafted, multidimensional characters she’s created and then given such emotional histories that, as readers we can’t help but attach ourselves to them, investing in their lives and stories.

Whether it’s the boys, Julian and MacMallin, and their horrific start on the streets before Adrien’s rescue or Adrien himself and his abysmal family life, there’s so many backstories to these characters. The strength and wonder of this dynamic that builds between the three of them is such a heartwarming element. The boys each develop into young men with their own unique powers and interests while gaining confidence in themselves. The same goes for Adrien and his new relationship with Hugh.

That’s Sir Hugh Quartermain, a businessman, engineer extraordinaire, and someone who’s coming to love Adrien, despite all the barriers he’s raised. And in a time and land when homosexuality isn’t legal.

The tapestry on which these relationships play out is a magical trip to Brazil to a manganese mine. There’s jungle monsters holding up the mining, killing the workers, and Hugh needs their help.

It’s everyone off to an epic adventure! The first one abroad for the boys and an old enemy and a meeting with even older friends for Adrien.

Sherwood even gives us some major drama on the home front which will lead into the next book.

I will say that I was surprised but happy to see that Adrien and Hugh were able to move forward with their relationship. I thought Sherwood was going to stretch out the romance into a really slow burn. But it makes sense given the context.

The boys are such an amazing aspect of this series. They show such growth in their personalities and interests, yet retain the same fears still that the horrors of the street instilled in them. Julian and MacMallin are truly unforgettable young men. So are their Masters, Adrien and Hugh. I need more of all four plus their dog, Darby.

I’m highly recommending this book but read the series in order to understand the universe and the relationships.

The Sorcerer’s Grimoire:

✓ A (Non) Comprehensive Guide to Sea Serpents #1

✓ Dealing With Mapinguari and Dogged Engineers #2

Buy link

Dealing With Mapinguari and Dogged Engineers (The Sorcerer’s Grimoire Book 2)

Blurb:

As Shakespeare once said, the course of true love never did run smooth.

Since parting with Adrien after their first case, Hugh Quartermain has committed himself to one fact: he wants Adrien. With the months’ long trip to Brazil ahead of them, Hugh should have no problem confessing, right?

The problem is the universe seems determined to thwart Hugh. Between creatures terrorizing his worksite, bothersome Americans, and not having any alone time with Adrien, Hugh’s foiled at every turn. When Hugh does get Adrien one-on-one, his advances always hit the wall Adrien refuses to lower, but the rare flare of desire in Adrien’s gaze motivates him to keep trying.

Come hell or highwater, Hugh will confess to Adrien. He just has to figure out how first.
Tags:

Adventures in Brazil, commence!, magical AU, friends to lovers, healthy communication, Hugh’s genius saves the day, confessions in unusual locations, apprentices being awesome, Prince Henry to the rescue, and yes he quite enjoyed that, portals, fights, and shenanigans, oh my!, monsters are always in the most inconvenient locations, romantic getaway in Thailand, oh look relationship development, pesky Americans, romantic getaway, cheeky apprentices, minor home renovations as a romantic gift, Darby is best girl.

• Publisher: (March 8, 2024)

• Publication date: March 8, 2024

• Print length: 213 pages

Review: The Play (Charleston Condors Book 4) by Beth Bolden

Rating: 5🌈

What a wonderful story and fantastic way to send off the series and this team.

The interactions between holdover player, defensive end Deacon Harris and the new owner of the Charleston Condors, security industry billionaire Grant Green, has been a subtle but significant part of the series and team’s dynamic. It was always clear that the two men had a strong connection and attraction to each other. But, throughout each book it was clear that they never actually had acted on it due to their roles in the organization. And we wanted them to have their romance.

The Play returns us to the beginning of their history together, back in college as student tutor and college football player needing help. The chemistry that’s never acknowledged but present is cut short by choices made for career reasons that will quickly separate them until years later. Because of the realness of these scenes we feel every bit of the pain and frustration of this unexpected change in this new relationship. And the startling moment when they meet once more.

Bolden’s writing has never been better. Her characters go from uncertain college youth with the future ahead of them to seasoned men who have been living full lives. One, Grant, now at the pinnacle of his career and the other , Deacon, ready to retire after a shattering year of betrayal and disappointment. Each has made big impacts in their professional careers but their emotional relationships haven’t been as successful. The reason is because they have been only interested in one person.

How Bolden works the past and present together, weaving the emotions that never left either man back together into a tight layered narrative of sports, team dynamics, partnership, and a deep bond between them is a read that can’t be missed.

We get the present day run for a playoff spot, as intense as can be and fantastically realistic. Bolden gives us boardroom NFL drama such as what might be likely to be played out across CNN and sports coverage alike, and then while all that is happening, layers into the story, all the human drama we love.

Grant and Deacon trying to find a way to each other in an organization where Grant is the owner and Deacon a player, albeit a retiring player who wants to continue to work with the club. This is a complicated situation that’s believable and loving. They are great, they communicate, and we love them.

And finally, as if I hadn’t just bawled my eyes out over Jason Kelce’s retirement speech, here comes another. Deacon’s speech was a fabulous second. And all the players from the other series who meant so much to the readers are there as well as the important individuals from this series. It’s a testament to Bolden’s ability to create great characters and deeply moving moments that everything about the scene is beautiful and real. And I was bawling again.

Tissues had a workout this week.

Read this book. But not without reading the stories that come before. It’s a great series. And Bolden’s an auto read for me. The Play is simply another example why.

Charleston Condors:

✓ The Star #1

✓ The Game #2

✓ The Score #3

✓ The Play #4 – finale

Bolden’s connected Football series in order they are written:

✓ The Riptide

✓ Miami Piranhas

✓ Charleston Condors

Buy Link:

The Play (Charleston Condors Book 4)

Blurb

Last year, defensive end Deacon Harris witnessed the very worst of the Charleston Condors. After everything he and the team went through, he promised himself he’d walk away from football. But before he can retire, the team is sold to the last person he ever expected to see again.

Deacon stays because the Condors are going into major rebuilding mode. New owner. New coach. New players. New rules.

But one rule hasn’t changed: don’t fall in love with the owner of your football team.

Grant might be brilliant and a billionaire, but Deacon only remembers Grant as his tutor in college—and as the one who got away.

In all his dreams about reconnecting, he never imagined that Grant would end up as his boss. Both his downfall, and also his salvation.

Or that they’d be forced into confronting the Condors’ most difficult challenge yet—but that they’d face it together, hand in hand, tackling their critics and proving once and for all that love doesn’t take sides.

• Publisher: (March 6, 2024)

• Publication date: March 6, 2024

• Print length: 391 pages

Review: Rogue (Jericho’s Boys, #2) by Onley James

Ratings: 5🌈

When it comes fiction that’s categorized as vigilante justice thrillers or found family psychopathic vigilantes, author Onley James’ books are at the top of the list. They are there because of the depth of characterization, the complexity of their storylines, the inclusion of therapy when possible, and that the damage and trauma dealt out is met, if possible, by an equally powerful or more violent ending for those monsters involved. It’s dark fiction for a reason.

It starts with the seven dark fantastic books of the Necessary Evils series and then leads here to Jericho’s Boys, now on its second successful novel.

Jericho, married to Atticus Mulvaney, who became an adopted guardian to a group of troubled teenagers, now young men. They were a part of Jericho’s story in Necessary Evils and the subsequent books.

Paladin was Arseny Lebedev and Ever’s story. Rogue belongs to Levi Akira, a familiar character, and Shiloh

Mizrahi, who becomes the new addition to the growing found family of Jericho and Atticus.

As with each book, James reveals the deep emotional landscape of Levi Akira in every aspect of his personality and history. From his tortured childhood to his current deeply dysfunctional dynamic with his homeless, alcoholic mother, the author’s treatment of Levi is an raw painful , constantly evolving portrayal of a young man who’s never been able to express his complex feelings about himself and what he has been and continues to go through internally.

Add to that, James has created a new monstrous family comprised of a sadistic middle brother, and two other brothers each with their own unique sets of traits and issues. None of which I’ll mention because they are an integral part of the story. But all are so well crafted, cruelly real in one way, and heartbreakingly raw in another. As to the oldest? I’m hoping we get so much more of him.

It starts with a small surprising situation. And then continues to escalate until eventually the Mulvaney’s are involved as well,as they should be. After all, it’s one big family.

The epilogue is very satisfying because it’s HFN, as it could be given their ages and length of time together. They are a work in progress. Luckily we will see them again in the next book and whatever action the Mulvaney family gets involved with.

I’m highly anticipating both. And recommending Rogue (Jericho’s Boys, #2) by Onley James as a must read. But that’s including Necessary Evils as the foundation series.

Jericho’s Boys:

✓ Paladin #1

✓ Rogue #2

◦ Bard #3 – tbd

*Necessary Evils (7 book series) – this is the foundation series for Jericho’s Boys. Many ,if not all , of the couples and characters from this series play important roles in Jericho’s Boy books. So it helps to have read the books first.

Buy Link:

Rogue (Jericho’s Boys Book 2)

Blurb:

Levi Akira’s existence is far from ideal. His mother’s addiction consumes their lives, his academic standing is crumbling, and the convenience store he works at is a constant target for ruthless robberies. But amidst the chaos, Levi finds solace in only three things: his tight-knit group of friends, protecting his neighborhood as one of Jericho’s Boys, and streaming his favorite video game, where he assumes the role of Rogue—a hero who will break the rules for the greater good.

Shiloh Mizrahi’s hope has all but dwindled. With one brother unjustly imprisoned, and the other a sadistic puppeteer, he endures daily torment at the hands of the latter. And his latest demand? Get close to Levi at any cost.

In the midst of another ordinary night shift, Levi’s world is upended when a captivating and terrified stranger appears, brandishing a weapon and claiming he has been forced to kill Levi by his own brother. Levi, torn between self-preservation and an instinctive aversion to harming the vulnerable boy, takes a bold leap—he kisses him. And then, just like that, the boy disappears into the night, leaving Levi haunted by his memory.

Driven by an unshakeable connection, Levi’s path crosses with Shiloh’s once more, igniting a passionate bond that refuses to be extinguished. However, Shiloh harbors a labyrinth of secrets, torn between loyalty and desire. With his brother’s freedom dangling in the balance, can Levi and Shiloh navigate the treacherous path to be together, or will Levi forever remain a hero confined to the online realm?

• Publisher: (February 29, 2024)

• Publication date: February 29, 2024

• Print length: 364 pages

Review: How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu and Profit : Bone 2 (How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy Book 8) by A. J. Sherwood

Rating: 4.5🌈

Need a smile? A absolutely feel happy to the , well , bones , reading experience? Look no further than A. J. Sherwood’s latest serialized book, How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu and Profit : Bone 2 (How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy.

Now on chapter 8, the epic adventure is really about to start, especially since Tan, his necromancer brother Niran, and Devan, have accepted that their tiny charges, the powerful budding sorcerers-in-training, Lesia and Zi Rui, are coming with them.

That together, with a chatty sentient dragon skull, Steve, in search of his bone body. And barbarians everywhere! And it’s fabulous and funny! With fireballs.

And always over way too soon. But that’s the way of serialized fiction. It’s a quick, addictive tasty morsel that leaves you happy with the bite you had and wanting more. As this one does.

Bring on chapter 9!!!!

Love these covers.

💥How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy-6 books

💥How Tan Acquired an Apprentice

💥How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit

Bone

Buy Link

How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu and Profit : Bone 2 (How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy Book 8)

Blurb:

Ribs located! Penalty activated if you refuse. Proceed with quest? (YES) (no)

Devan: But the ribs are in the middle of a barbarian village.

Tan: Historically speaking, fireball would fix–

Niran: Charred bone. No.

Devan: Time to do this the hard way.

Tags: BoooOOOooones, trekking through barbarian lands to find dragon bones is not as fun as it sounds, they marrowly escape, yes all the bad bone puns, Niran can’t help himself, dragon ribs are big, Niran has more bones in his workshop than a collector, whole story is just mindless violence and fluff, and fireballs

• Publisher: (March 1, 2024)

• Publication date: March 1, 2024

• Print length: 58 pages