Category: 5 star Rating

Review: Cosy & Chill by Jackie Keswick

Rating: 5🌈⛄️

Cosy & Chill by Jackie Keswick really conveys so much of what I really think is authentic when it comes to the holidays. It’s never just that glitteringly happy, fun filled holiday. full of congenial family gatherings and mountains of gifts. No, there’s also the elements of melancholy, feelings of bitterness, loneliness, exclusion, family dysfunction, and outright pain and loss.

Yes, what the holidays can and does mean to people runs the emotional spectrum depending upon the person and their history. Judy Garland’s “Have Yourself A Merry Christmas” anyone?

Keswick brings us into Cosy & Chill as one being, a Fae, experiences the pain of betrayal, and extreme loss. She’s now trapped in the human realm by a theft of her amulet, her key home. Her anguish, loss, her rage is bone deep and as her search becomes ever fruitless… we connect deeply with her grief and loss of hope.

That’s just the beginning of this outstanding tale of renewed heart, new paths, personal growth, and learning how to reach for your dreams. While finding love and friends along the way.

Done through knitting and making ice cream! Oh, and a hunt for a silver amulet!

All the characters here are so remarkable. Whether it’s the Fae Roisen determinedly searching for her amulet through a mysterious clue, drawn to a house by magic, Finn Wooten, with his Cosy Etsy knitting store or Leo Wetherall of Chill organic ice creams, these beings and people come alive through their struggles and all the obstacles, small to large, past and present, they must overcome.

Really Keswick’s storytelling will captivate you!

Both Finn and Leo each had a wonderful supportive grandmother in their past as well as dysfunctional families. How badly dysfunctional varied. Each man’s past is rolled out and dealt with slowly as their relationship progresses and it gets closer to many important dates for all involved.

I found myself forgetting my own lists, things I really need to get to, as I sank into this tale of discovery, self determination, courage, hope, love, and, of course, Holiday spirit….in a Fae sort of way.

As the author put The End to this story I couldn’t help but hope that next Christmas Keswick sees us making a return to a certain shop on High Street, Number 13 to be exact. And all who live overtop and within.

I’d love to catch up with them. You will be enchanted and wish for that too!

Cosy & Chill by Jackie Keswick goes to my top five holiday reads this year. I’m highly recommending you out it in your own stocking and your TBR pile!

What a joy!

Synopsis:

Knitting. Ice Cream. And a Matchmaking Fae.

Quiet, industrious Finn dreams of his own knitting store. He needs Leo’s enthusiasm to make him reach for what he wants.

Cheerful, adventurous Leo sells artisan ice cream but shies away from fulfilling his grandmother’s last wish. He needs Finn’s love and support to put his past to rest for good.

Add a Saxon treasure, a fae stranded in the human world, and an empty store with very unusual rental terms – and falling in love is not the only challenge Finn and Leo have to face.

Making a dream come true takes work. But there’s magic in dreams if Finn and Leo can hold on tight.

***

Tags: I’m only here for socks and ice cream. Sometimes you just click with another guy even if you’re opposites. I look at you and know what I’ll be knitting. How to share a house with someone you’ve just met. Utensils don’t sparkle, right? Grandmas rock. Making a deal with a burglar. Roisin is a decorating wiz and Finn worries about antique furniture. If you don’t talk to me, I can’t help you. Finding treasure at inopportune moments. And yes, there’s a happy ending

https://www.goodreads.com › showCosy & Chill by Jackie Keswick – Goodreads

Review: Ghost of Lies (Medium Trouble #1) by Alice Winters

Rating: 4.5🌈.

Ghost of Lies was a great read. A scary thriller of a ghostly murder mystery with a side of romance to spice things up.

As if it needed it.

Alice Winters certainly knows how to write a messy murder detective mystery. This was terrific, amping up our anxiety and suspense as the body count increases along with the suspects.

However, Winter added ghosts and the paranormal to this and the scary became horrifying. I LOVED this!

Hiro, Medium bookstore owner who’s surrounded by ghostly companies is seeking the killer of his brother ( who’s still very much a part of his life… non corporeal state not a issue). Along the way he’s assisting other ghosts to move along, and that brings him up against Def. Grumpy.

Maddox keeps running across this strange guy at his crime scenes, and his explanations for being there and disrupting the scene just don’t add up. When a serial killer strikes again, the man, Hiro, is there.

The characters twist and combust, especially after Hiro reveals his ability to talk to ghosts. Uh yeah.

Things are exciting, funny (ghost strippers and ravens), horrific (malevolence off the scale), great plot twists, pathos, and a very rewarding romance.

If I got a tad annoyed with Hiro’s manner in which he dealt with issues, then he absolved himself later on.

This had a surprising resolution which I didn’t see coming. Absolutely enjoyed that.

I can’t wait to see how this partnership continues. Next book out in January.

So if you enjoy mysteries, detective stories, ghosts, and romance? I got just the thing for you! Great characters, outstanding plots, swoon worthy romance. Scary stuff. There you go.

Highly recommended.

Medium Trouble series:

◦ Ghost of Lies #1

◦ Ghost of Truth – coming in January 2022

Synopsis:

Hiro

Though I was born with the ability to see the dead, I struggled with it until my brother was killed and his ghost was left behind. Now, I’m determined to figure out who is responsible for his death… the problem is that Detective Maddox Booker, the one working the case, is a grumpy and stubborn man who wants nothing to do with me and definitely doesn’t believe in ghosts. It doesn’t help that I keep finding myself looking ridiculous in front of the detective, thanks to interfering ghosts who enjoy laughing at my expense. Still, the more I’m around Maddox, the more I realize that beneath that surly exterior is a kind and caring man who will do anything to help.

Maddox

When another man dies, I know we have a serial killer on our hands—the same murderer who has remained elusive for a year and a half. To add to my frustration, I keep running into Hiro at crime scenes only to hear him claim that he can talk to ghosts. The words of the dead could lead us to the serial killer and even tell us who is next, but ghosts? There’s no such thing as ghosts. Hiro is determined and charming, and no matter what I do, I can’t stop letting him get involved. He’s definitely snagged my attention, but when he nearly winds up dead, I know he’s getting closer to the truth—and if I don’t do something soon, he might be next.

Ghost of Lies is full of action, mystery, humor, and romance. Though more is planned for this couple, the mystery is solved and there is a happy ending.

https://www.goodreads.com › showGhost of Lies (Medium Trouble, #1) by Alice Winters – Goodreads

Review: Merry Elf-ing Christmas by Beth Bolden

Rating: 4.5 🌈⛄️

With the holidays almost upon us for those that celebrate at this time of the year, there’s always a number of holiday books that arrive with it.

Merry Elf-ing Christmas by Beth Bolden is a wonderful and sweet addition to anyone’s holiday reading stack this year!

I was wracking my memories if I had read any similar plots because a Tir na Nog Fae being hauled off to the North Pole because of a prophecy was all sorts of imaginative. And in terms of character development, downright awesome.

If I was from Ireland and dragged away to the ice and freezing cold, away from the pubs and rainbows, would I be happy? Without any say in the matter? Uh, no. And neither is Aiden.

Bolden is able to get the reader a real connection with Aiden’s emotional state over this huge permanent upheaval of his life. The loss of friends, home, a job he felt he was good at and is now looked down upon by certain North Pole elves as nothing important. As is Auden’s favorite holiday, St. Patrick’s Day. His entire old life is made to feel.. well less in the face of being a Christmas elf, which he doesn’t want to be.

While the North Pole May glitter , it’s often cold, freezing, and unfriendly. Except for Sam aka Santa (a title) who’s assistant Aiden is supposed to be.

Bolden builds quite the pictures of a role foisted on Aiden by a prophecy he doesn’t understand in a place he doesn’t want to be. And it’s a role that doesn’t seem to fit him. At all.

The reader, listening and watching through Aiden’s pained eyes, will tend to agree.

Then on Christmas Eve, outside of Chicago, in a small convenience store, Aiden runs into college student/store clerk Dex and a friendship as well as instant attraction is struck up.

Dexter is another layered marvelous character. Dysfunctional childhood, poor family dynamics means he’s not a fan of the holidays. Until an unhappy elf stumbles into the store looking for milk and cookies for Santa.

What follows is such a heartwarming, funny, sometimes poignant love story…via a long series of texts, and then of course there’s that prophecy.

I may have actually sniffled once or twice here.

I really felt for that given no choice here’s your new future elf Aiden and his engineer graduate boyfriend… to be…they fully grabbed at my heart .

I believe they will at yours too. That’s why I’m highly recommending this.

Synopsis:

Aidan might be a bad elf, but he’s never been naughty.

Aidan has always landed on Santa’s nice list, thank you very much. But that doesn’t mean he’s cut out to be a North Pole elf; instead of worrying about the dwindling magic of Christmas, he’d much rather be back in Tir na Nog, calculating where the next end of the rainbow is going to land.

Instead he’s freezing his butt off in Santa’s sleigh.

His situation seems grim despite all the decking the halls, until on Christmas Eve, during a milk and cookies run, he meets Dexter, an engineering student.

They couldn’t be more different, and Dexter couldn’t be more forbidden, but Aidan is drawn to the handsome human anyway. Over the next year, their emails start out as a entertaining way to pass the time in all his interminable elf meetings, but soon, hearing from Dex becomes the very best part of his day.

And when they meet up on the next Christmas Eve? Aidan and Dex discover that their infatuation is so much more than just attraction. If they believe in each other and in the love they share, together their magic might be powerful enough to save Christmas.

https://www.goodreads.com › showMerry Elf-ing Christmas by Beth Bolden – Goodreads

Review: The Hound of the Burgervilles (Quest Investigations #2 ) by E.J. Russell

Rating: 4.75🌈

The Hound of the Burgervilles was such excellent fun! A total non-stop madcap romp fest of a urban fantasy murder mystery.

How’s that for throwing in the narrative trope sink! There’s a hint of romance but it’s really a backseat story line to all the other plots running about hither and yon here in and out of Fae lands.

The Hound of the Burgervilles picks up closely after the events of Five Dead Herrings, the novel that launched this series.

Now Quest Investigations has two new employees added to the payroll since the deeds of book one. That would be Eleri, the dryad who’s now an investigator and Matt Steinitz, aka Hugh Mann’s BFF. Jordan, the ever lovable, overly energetic and accident prone young werewolf.

Jordan, a fav character of mine, has become Quest’s new, well only, intern. Probably just to save the coffee shop they like where he recently worked from anymore acts of accidental destruction. Here Jordan’s character starts to show real emotional growth. And tbh, I’m not sure I’m ready for him to outgrow his “golden retriever’ stage . Ah well.

Matt’s love life is still on hold primarily because Brody’s husband has disappeared and is needed to sever their Fae marital bond.

But more dire happenings intrude … a murder or more to investigate. Loose doggies, and a hellish quest! All described through this author’s uniquely vibrant and imaginative writing.

Russell keeps the remarkable characters hopping to a labyrinthine plot that’s cements our interest to every page and scene as it occurs.

I mean glued!

Even if we have good clues as to who dunnit HOW they did it is still a even bigger problem. And a rabbit hole we and all the characters end up following or is it falling into?

Either way… it’s a quick paced, high action, plot full of complexity and great characters and multiple storylines.

And while this story perfectly ends this mystery, it sets the stage for the next in the series The Lady Under The Lake.

This should be rated 5 🌈 but it’s so interwoven with the Mythmatched series and characters that for those readers who haven’t read those stories, you’re missing a richness of layers here that makes this story and series so much more multi dimensional.

These books must be read in the order they were written. And for, imo, complete understanding and enjoyment, read in conjunction with the other series referenced above.

Plus they’re great novels too.

So yep, recommending this, that, and all of those!

Quest Investigations Series:

◦ Five Dead Herrings #1

◦ The Hound of the Burgervilles #2

◦ The Lady Under The Lake #3 – not yet released

The Hound of the Burgervilles

Synopsis:

This case is really going to the dogs…

After I try a little off-the-books interrogation to locate my selkie almost-boyfriend’s nearly-ex-husband (don’t ask, it’s complicated), I’m in the doghouse again with my bosses, who bust me back to surveillance. Ugh. So when another human inexplicably storms into Quest Investigations—something our security spells ought to prevent since I’m supposed to be the only human admitted to our offices—I’m reduced to staking out local fast food restaurants to check out the guy’s alleged sighting of a giant, glowing-eyed, dumpster-diving spectral hound.

Ridiculous, right? Humiliating, too, not to mention boring. But at least they didn’t fire me.

Imagine my surprise when there actually is a giant, glowing-eyed, dumpster-diving spectral hound—one of the Cwn Annwn, Herne the Hunter’s traitor-tracking dog pack, to be exact. Jeez, who let this dog out? It’s my case, though, so it’s up to me—Matt Steinitz, aka Hugh Mann—to return him to Faerie. But while Herne’s normally hopping kennels are inexplicably unpopulated by pups, they’re playing host to one extremely dead body.

Uh oh. Looks like someone’s bite was a lot worse than their bark.

Guess my love life will have to take a back seat again while we nose out the truth.

Dammit.

The Hound of the Burgervilles is the second in the Quest Investigations M/M mystery series, a spinoff of E.J. Russell’s Mythmatched paranormal rom-com story world. It contains no on-page sex or violence, and although there is a romantic subplot, it is not a romance. The series is best read in order

Review: Dearest Malachi Keogh (Dearest Milton James #1.5) by N.R. Walker

Rating: 4.75 🌈

Dearest Malachi Keogh is a wonderful, romantic Christmas sequel to that incredible heartwarming novel Dearest Milton James. That story is easily in my top ten contemporary romances this year, maybe top five as it ticks so many of my emotional narrative boxes.

Dearest Malachi Keogh picks up four years later with Julian Pollard and Malachi Keogh a happily established couple, living together with a rescue cat, and with families content with their relationship.

Also back and intact is our quirky, deeply endearing ,or in Paul’s case weirdly fascinating, small family like staff at the Dead Letters Department at the Mail Office. What a great lot they are! The more I see of them the more of them I want to see! Love each and every one!

Once more the use of a letter mystery is employed here, this time by Julian himself. What we get is a beautiful blend of emotions, poetry, mystery, and joint efforts by everyone! All towards one romantic goal for Malachi and Julian.

My only thoughts here are that I wish the author had somehow utilized the whole Dearest Malachi to even greater effect.

I remember all those Dearest Milton James, as will anyone who read that story and the effect they had on me as well as the characters who read them. And I feel we had just gotten started before it was over. I wanted more, something longer, but it certainly was deeply heartfelt .

“Merry Christmas, my love” is sigh worthy.

This was a lovely, happy, wonderful and, yes, sexy, Christmas sequel to a amazing contemporary romance.

It’s really not a standalone story but needs to be read in tandem with the first I’ve referenced throughout this review.

Haven’t read that one? You’re in for a huge treat! Grab up both stories and read one right after the other.

Read the first? Then you’ll love this! It’s the HEA you’ve been waiting for. Although NR Walker shouldn’t be surprised if people start crying out for Malachi and Julian’s wedding. There’s got to be some missing invitations tie in.

And yes to the author for that rescue cat. Leaving that neighbors cat behind bothered me and this was a great solution. I know I know. You can’t go about swiping other peoples cats but still….

Ty. Extra point for that cat.

Yes, I’m highly recommending this.

Dearest Milton James series:

Dearest Milton James #1

Dearest Malachi Keogh #1.5

Synopsis:

Julian Pollard never believed in love at first sight. That was until he met Malachi Keogh. Well, maybe it wasn’t love at first sight, but it sure was something.

Julian had forgotten how to live, how to be happy, and Malachi changed all that. Now together for four years, Julian wants to give Malachi a Christmas he’ll never forget.

The only problem is, Christmas at a mail distribution centre is the busiest time of the year. It just might take the whole team to make it happen.

Dearest Malachi Keogh is a 13,000-word short story.

Dearest Malachi Keogh

Review: The Oak Wood Throne (San Amaro Investigations #2) by Kai Butler

Rating: 5 🌈

For me, the second story, the bridge book, is always the key to every series. It gives me a sense as to how the author intends to move their characters forward, what strategies and angles they might employ to enlarge the series arc and universe, and just a general idea of what sort of future might lay ahead… great, scary, whatever, for those we’ve come to care about.

If done successfully, we then are clamoring for book 3. If it’s a clodhopper? Some readers valiantly plow on. While other readers quickly put the series down. Give it a pat and walk away.

I’m thrilled to report that Kai Butler’s The Oak Wood Throne

Is a great bridge story. It absolutely checks all the needed elements and then raises the narrative bar higher, continuing the well-written arc and complex relationship dynamics laid out in the previous story, Butler now proceeds to build an ever enlarging intricate structure comprised of well defined characters capable of unlimited growth and a universe that shows no boundaries.

The main (and outstanding) focal character is Parker Ferro. It’s Parker who’s character, painful dysfunctional childhood, and equally chaotic, bruised adulthood is developing into one of astonishing growth, albeit somewhat of a mulish nature, and accompanied by an equal number of revelations. About his past, his found family. Even his new boyfriend and their ever tenuous romance.

He’s certainly the heart.. almost the heart of the story. That would be The Tree of Life who’s also a fascinating, ongoing main character. Butler’s beings as met have a complex set character but that’s merely a starting point for the author to build on. For as the story threads wind through all the devious and convoluted plot points, heading towards various pathways, these characters gain more layers, more depths to their personalities and histories.

And as we learn more about each of the people and beings involved here, nothing simplifies . Not them , not the plot. Indeed as expected, we get many mysteries as the revelations only deepen the overall arc storyline.

To our delight.

Characters are added that swell this already addictive and amazing found family. I can’t even go into who and what they are without entering spoilers city so I won’t but it’s both humorous and endearing. And unexpected.

So much in this story is.

From the way in which Parker is trying to work through his many issues of trust, feeling unworthy, inability to make a commitment, and his position of being the Windrose. Along with dealing with his obligations to that which lives deep under the City.

And being a boyfriend.

I often have issues with the manner in which a second book ends. A cliffhanger? Abruptly? Just this novel’s story with a hint going forward?

Well The Oak Wood Throne ends on a surprise! One I didn’t see coming at all! Not a cliffhanger but an actual surprise.

One I can’t wait to see the ramifications of in novel 3 out in February. Honestly, it’s not that far away. And there’s so much great stuff to unpack here I’m probably just going to reread it again immediately because I’m already sure I missed something now.

Kai Butler was a new author for me but I’m absolutely hooked now. I love this series, the universe and all the amazing characters.

If you haven’t found this yet, head immediately back to the first story and begin your journey there. Then head here.

Then I’ll see you all in February.

I’m highly recommending this and the series. It’s not to be missed.

San Amara Investigations Series:

◦ A Haunting at Midnight #0.5

◦ A Debt Unpaid #0.75

◦ Wormwood Summer #1

◦ A Belated Burial #1.5

◦ The Oak Wood Throne #2

◦ A Gilded Iron Blade #3 – not yet released, publication date in February 2022.

Synopsis:

A new case won’t solve Parker’s old problems…

Parker Ferro needs a vacation. His boyfriend is MIA on a high profile murder investigation, the fae courts have him on call at all hours, and he’s still cleaning up the mess from his last big case. Of course that’s nothing compared to the demands of the debt he owes the spirit of San Amaro.

So when a wealthy new client contacts him to locate a stolen a fae artifact, Parker’s hoping for a simple job. That the artifact in question looks eerily similar to the one that got him involved with a notorious criminal and almost ruined his life last year has no bearing on the decision, right? Not to mention the thief’s ability to enter high security areas without a trace and a few very suspicious deaths.

As his life continues to spiral out of control, Parker has to juggle what’s most important to him: his relationship, his need for revenge or his life. Then again, no one said becoming the new Windrose would be easy.

Review: The Geek Who Saved Christmas by Annabeth Albert

Rating: 5 🌈 and a ☃️

What a wonderful holiday romance from Annabeth Albert! And it starts with the names of the characters, Gideon Holiday and Paul Frost.

How absolutely perfect, especially for a story about a small town full of historic restored homes known for their holiday decorations . It’s preparing for Thanksgiving, and then for all the various holiday lights displays to start appearing on every house for all the tourists that come to enjoy the celebration(and donate funds).

Albert has chosen the perfect format for her book that lets her readers into this wonderful community and sense of belonging. It’s that the What’s Up Neighbor app (or something similar) that many neighborhoods have in use these days that’s employed to connect neighbors to each other and the daily flow of their neighborhood. I’m on mine and my parents as well. It’s awesome.

Each chapter starts with a daily installment from their community’s What’s Up Neighbor chat… whether it’s an update on the schedule for the holiday lights or a grumpy text from the neighborhood “Scrooge” about the traffic or kids crossing the greenway. It’s brings us a perfect sense of community and the citizens we will meet along our visit here. It’s intimate, fun, and familiar.

Much like the characters and plot. It’s warm-hearted, personable, filled with lovely people with issues and conflicting feelings about the holidays. Everything about those elements will have the readers connecting with these men, their loneliness and their slow friendship as they make discoveries about one another over a crisis of house in need of a holiday makeover and a brother coming home to propose.

The story, the plot structure, the men, and community… it all grabs perfectly at your emotions.

The writing is sharp, the characters beautifully crafted, and everything is marvelously wrapped up ina way to make a Scrooge want to celebrate his best Christmas ever!

If you’re into your holiday reading or just enjoy a great contemporary romance, either way The Geek Who Saved Christmas by Annabeth Albert

Is a book for you.

It’s one I’m highly recommending.

Synopsis:

His grumpy neighbor needs some holiday sunshine…

Gideon Holiday is the perfect neighbor. Need a cup of sugar? Spare folding chair? Extra batteries? He’s always ready to help. And he’s waited years for his hot, grumpy, silver fox neighbor, Paul, to need him. For anything. But this December, Gideon would be happy if he could just get the Scrooge-like Paul on board with the neighborhood holiday lights fundraiser.

Paul Frost has no intention of decking his halls or blazing any Yule logs. Even if his spunky bowtie-clad neighbor does look perfect for unwrapping, Paul would prefer to hide away until December is done. But when his beloved younger brother announces an unexpected visit, Paul needs all the trimmings for a festive homecoming—and fast.

Luckily, Gideon is there with a color-coded plan to save Christmas. Soon Paul’s hanging lights, trimming trees, and rolling out cookies. And steaming up his new flannel sheets with Gideon. How did that happen?

It’ll take some winter magic to preserve their happiness and keep these rival neighbors together longer than one holiday season.

The Geek Who Saved Christmas is a low-angst m/m holiday romance with a guaranteed happy ending. This grumpy/sunshine, neighbors-to-lovers, found family tale features two heroes in their forties figuring out that maybe their sexily-ever-after was right next door the whole time. It stands alone and is not connected to any of the author’s other universes. However, it does contain a heaping helping of the same emotions and steamy moments readers have come to expect!

https://www.goodreads.com › showWeb resultsThe Geek Who Saved Christmas by Annabeth Albert – Goodreads

Review: Wormwood Summer (San Amaro Investigations #1) by Kai Butler

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Fast upon the heels of my discovery of Ariana Nash and her urban fantasy series, I’ve stumbled across another story and urban fantasy series that’s threatened to have the very same effect upon me.

It’s straight away captivating me with its expanding universe, a mixture of things modern and mythic as well as swelling cast of characters to engage both heart and mind.

That’s Wormwood Summer

(San Amaro Investigations #1)

by Kai Butler . So far I’ve found 5 stories, releases and intended to be published (more on the later) and my investment in this series is all but cemented by the end of the story.

Apparently I love to smack myself in the head repeatedly because this also look to be fitting the same pattern as that other series, although I’ll just have to wait to February for book 3.

No, Butler has a way of starting with already complex characters and a baseline twisty storyline and then proceeds to up the game by leading us all through ever increasing labyrinthine corridors, peeling back layers to characters histories and personalities along the way.

I truly love books like that. This has witches, alchemists, werewolves, dragons, cops, forensics, zombies, murder, politics, high mystery and yes romance. And oh, yes, found families.

And it works so beautifully and smoothly as the angst, bewilderment, anxiety, and body count add up.

Parker Ferro, foster kid, part Fae, PI, down on his luck , soon to be evicted , with more problems than he wants to face is such an incredible character. He establishes himself as someone worthy of your compassion and commitment immediately,. Parker then goes onto grow during this tale into someone who’s strengths and new dimensions reveal him to be someone he never suspected. That steers him and his group towards a new path that will be fantastical and yes, perhaps heroic. And our hearts will be along with the ride.

Everything here , each new element offers up a springboard towards exciting new revelations and twists. All while Butler works their characters towards goals only the author is aware of.

I can’t wait to see what new beings, obligations (Fae after all), drama, and exciting adventures lie ahead.

I really need to track down those prequel books too.

Yes, I’m highly recommending this story and letting you know in advance that book 3 won’t be out until February 2022.

I can work with that. Happy reading!

San Amara Investigations Series:

◦ A Haunting at Midnight #0.5

◦ A Debt Unpaid #0.75

◦ Wormwood Summer #1

◦ A Belated Burial #1.5

◦ The Oak Wood Throne #2

◦ A Gilded Iron Blade #3 – not yet released, publication date in February 2022.

Synopsis: Parker Ferro owes the fae his life. They’ve come to collect.

When the Summer Queen summons Parker to her court, the private investigator knows there’s trouble brewing. Trapped into compliance by his past debt to the fae monarch, he’s tasked with locating a missing girl in San Amaro. Now he has to find the girl or give up his life.

Things only get more complicated when a very familiar cop asks Parker for his help on a case involving murdered magic users. With the victims completely drained of their magic, the San Amaro Police Department needs Parker’s special skill set to track down a killer. Navigating through San Amaro’s paranormal underbelly while dealing with his own past and this new case is the last thing Parker wants or needs. 

Now Parker’s stuck trying to locate a missing girl, stop a paranormal war, find a killer, and resist Detective Nicholas King’s many charms. Here’s hoping he doesn’t die trying. 

Wormwood Summer is a 107,000 word MM urban fantasy with a HFN ending.

https://www.amazon.com › Wormw…Wormwood Summer (San Amaro Investigations Book 1) Kindle Edition

Review: A Mage’s Guide to Human Familiars (R’iyah Family Archives #1) by A.J. Sherwood

Rating: 5 🌈

Awesome magical fun filled sexy ride!

Not every 5 star read has to be deeply complicated or filled to the brim with characters in need of therapy.

Nopes. Sometimes you’re gifted with a 5 star ticket joy ride of an adventure journey, full of snappy on point dialog, charismatic characters to die for and full out sexy magical fun.

Yeah I needed that so bad.

I want to see it filmed, I want it in a RPG, and I’m Garen btw. I just want this anyway I can have it. And it’s book one in a series with the first story wrapping up it’s own storyline while clearly setting up a potential mystery and danger to come.

For those of us who devour fantasy, supernatural, sci-fy, anything of a mysterious and suspenseful albeit magical nature, certain elements will be telegraphing the hell out of this to you.

Wonderfully so. Much like Wicky and Nico with their light sabers! It’s wicked fun. We sort of know where the bad guys might be coṃing from but who cares! Bring them on! Our guys got this!

Plus that triad of Bel & Nico & Garen? Hot, Hot, Hot! Even if you’re not into ménage or poly relationships or even age gap romances, Sherwood has managed to make this one absolutely realistic in terms of who these men are, who they have been to each other, and how their dynamics actually complete each other in every way.

All while Sherwood uses this remarkable romance and bonding to further the adventurous, magical and wildly anticipatory tale she’s crafting along with Bel’s team. That will include the amazing Chadwick “Wicky” Santos’s, Fire Mage and his partner, Zia Garzon, rounder mage.

Each mission Bel gets called on is used to explore his background, reveal more of his talents and emerging personality. We also get the same for everyone along as part of the temporary team by mission element going on at first.

As Nico and Garen come into Bel’s world and understand not only that they work well with other MAD operatives like Wicky and Matt, they are happy and belong. To Bel. As well as once again to each other.

There’s just so many fun beings (love Grandpa, just sayin’) to meet and plain hilarious outstanding stuff here. I just curled up , grabbed a bowl of popcorn, and happily read into the night, not stopping until the book was done.

There’s a satisfying ending that sets up our guys and team with , if you’re like me who has a sneaking suspicion or three, a bad guy on the horizon and a new fight on their hands.

I can’t wait. They got this. It will be so much fun. And Grandpa has to bring back the hellhounds, right?

My happy anticipation is high!

Yes! You in need of something to make you laugh? Smile? Shake your head at characters antics and revel in their joy… at kicking ass? Love spot on dialogue?

Pick up A Mage’s Guide to Human Familiars

(R’iyah Family Archives #1)

by A.J. Sherwood

Im highly recommending it.

Plus I’m with Wicky….

If “Just Fuck Me Up” isn’t a proper coffee order, then it absolutely should be, Don’t you all agree?

https://www.goodreads.com › showWeb resultsA Mage’s Guide to Human Familiars by A.J. Sherwood – Goodreads

Synopsis:

One mage, Bel Adams – needs a familiar, gun shy about being rejected by one again.

One familiar, Nico di Rossi – Army Ranger, needs a change of pace and a new purpose in life.

Plus one familiar, Garen Adan – Secret Service, needs his ex-lover Nico back.

One second chance – all for the taking.

Tags:

Mages, BOGO familiar, familiars as bodyguards, familiar bond, M/M/M, second chances, workplace romance, fated mates, magical shenanigans, Garen is part gargoyle, Bel part demon, Nico is a golden retriever in human form (though not literally), idiots in love, seriously I don’t know what to do with them, Bel loves Garen just because he wants to love him, possessive behavior, not a single degree of chill from any of them, Nico is not allowed caffeine, Nico loves swords, Wicky is his supplier, lightsaber sounds, competency kink, Garen cannot be moved, he moves when he wants to, evil cults strangely don’t clean up after themselves, absolutely no one’s surprised, Nico thinks a magically booby-trapped cave is a theme park, cuz he cray cray, Demon Grandpa is also cray cray and approve.

R’iyah Family Archives Series:

◦ A Mage’s Guide to Human Familiars

Review: Tide of Tricks (Shadows of London #2) by Ariana Nash

Rating: 5 🌈

I’ve been thinking about this book, it’s elements, and my review.

Why? Because it contains that one element guaranteed to bring me back to a basic argument I have, as a reviewer and for myself as a reader. Simply put, it is how do I feel about the cliffhanger?

Yes, Tide of Tricks, book 2 of Shadows of London, a fantastic tale of magic and mystery, has the most outrageous of all cliffhangers and THE key series/story revelation all at the same moment. Right at the end of the story! DO NOT READ the ending first. You won’t even understand it anyway.

This is a heartbreaking, mindblast of a problem for several reasons, at least for me. I trust it will be for you all as well.

And I can tell you , if we were talking over tea or coffee? The expletives would be flying!

So let me dive into the why this cliffhanger is going to be so mind boggling awful.

It starts with Ariana Nash’s character of John “Dom” Domenici. His character, his personality and background is so densely layered, like a “bloom in’ onion’ as it were. The author has crafted Dom’s past with bagged filled hidden years that get revealed only through times of immense stress or threatened violence, that the reader and his associates never know what’s coming. Dom is a man who’s means of escaping his crime-filled East End childhood was to join the Army. That also turned out to be something far more torturous and disturbing (I’ll leave that to the book). Tragically from his start in Pretty Twisted Things , we now watch a man we’ve come to greatly care about, slowly destabilize. With devastating results. And someone has planned this.

Nash has written a terrifying authentic example of a man being driven almost to the brink by forces unknown. We will feel every bit as helpless as Dom is to stop the events around him.

The people who work with him who we “think” care for him realize the dangers but there’s multiple targets. No one knows who’s the mastermind. And those who are acting on the mastermind’s orders?

A shock or two there.

This is a veritable Minotaur’s labyrinth of a plot and series arc. Bodies are falling, shadows are everywhere, magical objects of destruction of appearing all over London to destabilize people like Dom, and revelations about the primary characters start to pop like narrative gun fire. Nothing can be counted on except that everyone is in danger. And we have no real idea who everyone truly is.

Cliffhanger. In a beautifully written, outstandingly executed and almost flawless book.

Second stories are almost always a bridge book. They carry the plot and characters safely over from the foundation novel to the third book, which might be the end or even penultimate story in the series. Here Nash not only shoots out the lanterns our characters are carrying to light the way across the bridge but Nash is stranding them there before they reach the end. The bridge is going to break and all is darkness.

The third book in the series? Trial by Fire? Doesn’t come out until next May 2022. Ffs. Yup. Next year.

So back to my ongoing dilemma. When it comes to series and cliffhangers, do you (if given advance notice, clearly not here) wait until you have the entire series and read right through?

Or do what I’ve done, repeatedly, give in and read the book 1 in series after series, hopefully not to see a cliffhanger, and just go with it.

Knowing full well that come next May I’ll have to reread books 1 & 2 before diving back into this series, because the author has made it just that involved and convoluted. My mind will just not be able to hold onto all the details of this arc and plot and multiple characters until May 2022.

Sigh. It’s a old argument. I’ll probably still plow onwards. This author has me so hooked it’s unreal.

So yes… absolutely read this book and series. You decide when. If you want to wait until the series is complete, then read all the stories go for it. Read them as they come, waiting along with me? Ok we’ll suffer together.

Either way, put it on your TBR list. I’m highly recommending it.

Shadows of London series:

◦ Twisted Pretty Things #1

◦ Tide of Tricks #2

◦ Trial by Fire #3- coming May 31st, 2022 argh! The wait will kill me!

Buy link:

https://www.goodreads.com › showWeb resultsTide of Tricks (Shadows of London, #2) by Ariana Nash – Goodreads

Synopsis:

A darkness runs deep beneath London …

Reeling from recent revelations and forced to lie for Kempthorne, the unthinkable happens: Dom fails the latent competency test. One more strike and he’ll be deemed unstable, have his registration stripped, and the life he’s come to love at Kempthorne & Co will be over.

If that weren’t bad enough, someone is stalking him, taunting him. Someone who knows what Dom did all those years ago.

While Dom juggles Kempthorne’s lies and his own shady past, latents are being murdered. The police won’t help, so it’s up to Dom, Kempthorne & new-recruit Kage (Hollywood) to find the killer, before they strike too close to home.

Dom soon finds himself at the heart of it all with his control slipping, his trick breaking free, and the shadows rising.

He’s coming undone. And for unstable latents, there’s only one way out…..

Please note, this is an adult urban fantasy, so there are multiple swears, some darker themes and scenes, and on-page sex.