Category: 5 star Rating

Review:  Hexes Fly (Caldryn Parliament Book 2) by Jenny Schwartz

 

Rating: 5 ⭐️✨

Jenny Schwartz’s Caldryn Parliament series is one of those series where the books just get more brilliant and more highly complex as the series progresses.  The writing, the incredible characters, and this labyrinthine storytelling is beyond amazing. 

For those readers who dislike cliffhangers, yes, this book, Hexes Fly, ends on a cliffhanger. FYI.

Also there’s really no romance. Just a fantastic science fiction thriller, multiple magical mysteries, a cast of incredibly powerful multidimensional characters, and enough hidden political agents and agendas for a number of galaxies. 

It all starts with Vanda Kavanagh, the Warden of Caldryn Parliament, who is still defining how she will handle the job of Warden while rebuilding it and restoring the Wards and stabilizing the situation that her predecessors have undermined. 

There’s no way to go about describing the complexities and depths of world politics here that Schwartz has and continues to craft. Utterly brilliant. Contains science fiction, magical systems, mythology and more. And it all works perfectly alongside political and military power dynamics. 

To follow this character of Vanda in her journey, the reader must absolutely start with the first book and continue reading forward. But the path is full of action, but never at the expense of forgetting about the human factor. Here it’s two young people who have to face the consequences of their actions and find their way forward. A moving and powerful element of this book. 

The only drawback? Waiting until the next book is released. 

This is an absolute dream of a book and a new must read for me. Highly recommended! 

  

Cover by Jenny Schwartz . I adore these covers!

Caldryn Parliament:

Stars Die #1

Hexes Fly #2

Rogues Lie #3 – Nov 29,2025

Buy link

 Book 2 of 3: Caldryn Parliament 

Blurb 

The Spring Ball on the first Saturday of Caldryn Parliament’s Spring Term is a night of glamour and power.

However, this year the witch clans are feuding, and when rival clans trade curses in the ballroom non-magical bystanders are the victims.

As people transform into animals, burst into unwilling song, or fall into magical slumber Vanda Kavanagh, the Warden of Caldryn Parliament, is suspicious.

The witches claim they never intended to hurt anyone, and Vanda believes them. So, who is using the witches as a stalkinghorse for their own agenda, and what is it that they hope to achieve?

Most importantly, why can’t the witches undo their own hexes?

If the spells aren’t broken by the next full moon the curses will be permanent.

  • Publication date: July 26, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 346 pages
  • Book 2 of 3: Caldryn Parliament

Review: Court of Midnight and Deception: The Complete Trilogy by  K. M. Shea

Rating: 5✨⭐️🌙

If I thought I loved the first series, this is the one that made me laugh out louder, read passages multiple times, snort giggles, and decide , yup chef’s kiss. 

I’m keeping it. 

Truthfully, I’m binging all the trilogies that Shea has written for the Magiford Supernatural City Universe and while all are fantastic, this remains my all time favorite. 

In fact, when the hilarious characters from this Night Court make their unforgettable appearances in the other series, it’s in scenes that make me laugh out loud and want to immediately start reading this trilogy all over again. 

Leila, half human, half fae, is the gift that keeps on giving. Her voice and character development here is exceptional. And every single element that I thought I’d was waffling about turns into something marvelous and magical here in her journey towards finding her own way in the supernatural realm.  

That means turning the Night Court into something totally new, eventually. 

Hall of Blood and Mercy is full of memorable characters, exploring new magical creatures and areas where this Universe has a mysterious darkness that’s threatening all magic and those who are associated with it. 

 Honestly, I’m so in love with K.M. Shea and her Magiford Supernatural City Universe, this great number of trilogies that I hope will have future episodes to bring to life all the areas we haven’t explored yet. 

Highly recommended for all lovers of urban fantasy stories.

This series:  

Crown of Shadows

Crown of Moonlight 

The Queen’s Crown 

The series in order of reading: All Magiford Supernatural City Universe.

  • Hall of Blood and Mercy: The Complete Trilogy ❤️
  • Court of Midnight and Deception: The Complete Trilogy (Magiford Supernatural City)❤️5
  • Pack of Dawn and Destiny: The Complete Trilogy
  • Gate of Myth and Power: The Complete Trilogy (Magiford Supernatural City)
  • Magic on Main Street: The Complete Trilogy (Magiford Supernatural City)

Cover Art by Covers by Christian

Magiford Supernatural City is a registered trademark of K. M. Shea LLC. 

Buy link

 Part of: Magiford Supernatural City (5 books) 

Blurb 

The fae of the Night Court are desperate to find and crown their new monarch before the Court collapses.

I couldn’t care less.

I’ve done everything I can to bury my fae blood and embrace my human half. That changes when some fae nobles show up on my doorstep and announce that I’m the next Queen of the Night Court.

Becoming an unwilling fae queen? Check. Inheriting a terrible mess? Double check.

The Court is almost bankrupt, my citizens’ favorite hobby is backstabbing one another, and I don’t know who I can trust since someone keeps trying to assassinate me.

Speaking of assassins, I get introduced to the best in the business—a fae lord nicknamed the Wraith. His deadly profession means he fears No. One.

The only reason he doesn’t kill me on the spot is he’s a member of the Night Court and the Court’s magic protects me. But that doesn’t prevent him from trading verbal barbs with me whenever we meet.

And if cat herding uncooperative fae while chatting with assassins wasn’t enough, I’m required to get married as part of some archaic Court law. This “queen” gig is the worst!

Supposedly I can choose anyone to marry, but with all the infighting I need someone who is unaffiliated and won’t cause political power struggles.

So, why do I keep thinking of a certain assassin?

Court of Midnight and Deception is a completed urban fantasy trilogy that takes place in the Magiford Supernatural City universe. It features fae, werewolves, vampires, and wizards! 

With over 28,000 ratings on Amazon and Goodreads, and millions of pages read this trilogy is packed with humor, adventure, and a sweet, slow burn romance between a reluctant fae queen and the assassin who tried to kill her.

This bundle includes all three books in the series: Crown of Shadows, Crown of Moonlight, and the Queen’s Crown.

Review:  The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid (The Portlock Paranormal Detective #7) by Heather G. Harris and Jilleen Dolbeare

Rating: 5✨

Another great story in The Portlock Paranormal Detective series! Bunny and her found family of supernatural characters in this small town in Alaska are getting closer to the end of the series.  And the authors still have plenty of mysteries, drama, and dark cases to unravel before that happens. 

There’s an emotional case of missing teenagers that’s hitting the small town police department of supernaturals hard, especially since it looks like both girls are from the supernatural world. 

Bunny is dealing with the investigation, while Connor is facing his father threatening to come to town.  With all the drama and fear that comes with it. 

And always their friend, mer Sidnee kidnapped boyfriend is on their minds. As well as Reggie, who spends most of his time as Fluffy.

Just amazing with an incredible plot or multiple plots, tons of suspense and the potential for heartbreak. And my fav hag, Matilda’s role is growing.

So hard to wait for that penultimate book to come this winter. Another fantastic book and recommendation.

Cover design by Christian Bentulan. Published by Hellhound Press Limited.

The Portlock Paranormal Detective series:

The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death, a prequel.

The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf, Book 1.

The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren, Book 2.

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee, Book 3.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine, Book 4.

The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergiest, Book 5

The Vampire and the Case of the Cozy Christmas, Book #5.5

The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag #6

The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid #7

The Vampire and the Case of the Ghastly Golem #8 – Jan 29,2026

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        The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid: An Urban Fantasy Series (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 7)

    

Blurb 

Portlock’s secrets are about to explode.

After everything that went down in Chrome Mine, I’m starting to fear that I may never see my Sidnee again because the Sidnee I’ve been left with – well, she’s downright scary.

Just as we try to catch our breath, calamity strikes again: the mayor’s son-in-law is murdered. Suspicion is being thrown around like confetti, and those in the frame include the mayor himself and the usually mild-mannered Sidnee.

To make matters worse, a couple of teenage girls have vanished – no clues, no witnesses and no explanation. And it appears they might not be the first to be snatched.

As if I needed one more thing to juggle, Connor’s father, the Vampire King of America, sends a team to interfere in our investigation. One of the girls is a rare, born vampire and the king has given us an ultimatum: find her … or he’ll come knocking. I am absolutely not ready to meet the in-laws, especially not the terrifying, homicidal sort who sees hybrids like me as something to exterminate.

Connor is falling apart, the case is slipping through my fingers, and our happily-ever-after is looking further away than ever…

Dive into this fast-paced urban fantasy series if you love mystery, humour, found family, and a slow-burn romance.

Review:  Lost: a Christmas novella by Jenny Schwartz 

Rating: 5✨

This remarkable emotional short story has the power to absolutely break your heart and then knit it back together again.  Lost: a Christmas novella is a science fiction tale of a retiring space soldier rejected by his earth based family because of the wars damage turned him cyborg. And the diverse found family that gave him and them a potential future. 

It’s sheer serendipity that I found this story shortly after finishing this author, Jenny Schwartz ‘s fantastic book, Stars Die, the first in her new Caldryn Parliament science fiction series. 

A short poignant holiday read, its emotional context is rooted in past events and even more importantly, in our own connections with people, veterans within our communities and families.  It’s real and lastly, gives the characters and readers a sense of hope for a better future. 

I honestly don’t know how I missed this author before but she’s now finally on my list of writers to read. She should be on yours too. 

Just incredible. 

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comLost: A Christmas Novella eBook – Jenny Schwartz

Blurb 

Merry Christmas, son. Don’t come home.

Stuck on Central Transit Station, Sergeant Ryan Dabrowski receives a Dear John letter from his family. The home he fought to protect doesn’t want him. He’s left too much of his body out among the stars. The aug-doctors patched him up better than new, but cyborg freaks aren’t welcome on Earth.

“Don’t ruin your sister’s life.”

But what about Rye’s life?

***

Lost is a short Christmas novella about found family, new beginnings, and believing that anything is possible. Merry Christmas! Happy Wishing Tree!

  • Publication date: November 4, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 44 pages

Review:  Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher 

Rating: 5⭐️

Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher reads like a the type of fairy tale that you would expect from the a grimmer or perhaps Grimm era of fantasy fiction. Dark, magical, full of secrets and royal kingdoms gone awry. 

There’s a terrible prince, several sister princesses whose awful fate has been sealed by their small Kingdom’s geography, and their younger sister who finally decides on a journey of revenge. 

Kingfisher’s incredible tale brings us bone dogs, fairy godmothers, ghosts and a journey full of unexpected adventures, overwhelming odds, and , at the end , love in a number of different forms. 

I don’t think I’ve read anything by T. Kingfisher before but now I’m on a mission to discover everything this author has written. The imagery and beauty of this book, the fantastic characters and unsettling but gripping story just thrilled me as a reader. 

Dark, magical, fabulous. 

No real romance but ends on the promise of a potential romance in the future for the main character of Marra.

Winner of the Hugo award for Best novel of 2022 (a fact I wasn’t aware of before I read it) , this book absolutely deserved it. 

Highly recommended! 

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comNettle & Bone: Kingfisher, T. – Books

Blurb 

Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel

An Instant USA Today & Indie Bestseller

An Oprah Daily Top 25 Fantasy Book of 2022

A Vulture Best Fantasy Novel of 2022

An NPR Best Sci Fi, Fantasy, & Speculative Fiction Book of 2022

A Goodreads Best Fantasy Choice Award Nominee

From Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes an original and subversive fantasy adventure.

*The very special hardcover edition features a gold foil stamp on the casing and custom endpapers illustrated by the author.*

This isn’t the kind of fairy tale where the princess marries a prince.

It’s the one where she kills him.

Marra ― a shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter ― is relieved not to be married off for the sake of her parents’ throne. Her older sister wasn’t so fortunate though, and her royal husband is as abusive as he is powerful. From the safety of the convent, Marra wonders who will come to her sister’s rescue and put a stop to this. But after years of watching their families and kingdoms pretend all is well, Marra realizes if any hero is coming, it will have to be Marra herself.

If Marra can complete three impossible tasks, a witch will grant her the tools she needs. But, as is the way in stories of princes and the impossible, these tasks are only the beginning of Marra’s strange and enchanting journey to save her sister and topple a throne.

Review:  The Dark Hiss of Magic (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 2) by Helen Harper

Rating:  5⭐️

The Cat Lady Chronicles returns with a fabulously funny and well written book, The Dark Hiss of Magic by Helen Harper.  

I fell in love with the fascinating character of Kit McCafferty, retired assassin, now trying to remain low key as a jumper-wearing older neighborhood cat lady, albeit one hiding a very unique trait. She’s a rare cat sith. 

The first mystery novel introduced her character, the paranormal town of Coldstream she lives in, and its many characters and supernatural communities that coexist within its boundaries. 

But it’s Kit herself that’s so compelling and complex. Kit and her group of cats, that supply a sense of family, comfort, and advise her when mysteries come into her life. From She Without an Ear to He Who Crunches Bird Bones, to He Who Wanders Wide and the others, it’s a feline cast that’s endlessly entertaining and intriguing. Yes, they name themselves. 

There’s others too. Thane, a werewolf, with a new demon kitten and neighbor Dave, who I haven’t figured out yet. 

Harper keeps us guessing about mainstay characters. Their roles, true identities, and whatever they are really important to Kit in the over arc storyline. And as the various murders and mysteries occur, the investigations roll along, and everyone gets involved, the narrative continues to build into this amazing adventure. 

It’s got great dialogue, wild moments, fight sequences, and loads of engaging cats and unusual personalities. And magic. 

I wanted the next book immediately. And because I so thoroughly enjoyed this one, will reread it again soon. 

Beautifully executed storytelling? Check. Fantastic female main character? Check! Great world building and mystery? Check and check. 

Another great book and winner of a series.  Check it out now. 

COVER DESIGN BY COVERS BY JUAN

The Cat Lady Chronicles:

Waifs And Strays #1

The Dark Hiss of Magic #2

A Skirl of Sorcery #3 – Oct 13,2025

Buy link

        The Dark Hiss of Magic (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 2)

    

Blurb 

There will be no pussy-footing around. Not when Kit McCafferty is involved.

When Kit rescues a wealthy witch from the treacherous, monster-filled waters of the River Tweed, she reckons she’s completed her fair share of good deeds for the day. But when a second anonymous body is pulled from the same river, Kit is dragged into a mystery as murky as the water itself. The corpse has no identification, no personal possessions and no one who cares. 

Kit is determined to change that.

At least Thane Barrow, the copper-haired werewolf who sees the world in a similar way to Kit, is happy to also get involved. Together, they navigate Coldstream’s magical streets and mysterious secrets, determined to uncover the truth about John Doe. 

Alas, it soon becomes clear that his death was no accident. Kit finds herself investigating a complex crime with more than one victim. She will have her claws full if she’s going to get to the bottom of what’s happened.

One thing is for certain – when death threatens, Kit McCafferty doesn’t back down. She pounces.

Review:  The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 3 by Matt Dinniman

Rating:  5⭐️

This author continues to amaze me with the depth of his writing.  It’s a fast paced science fiction/game Lit story, so jam packed with mind boggling elements, new technology gifted or created, and incredible characters who at this point it doesn’t even matter what species they or were after the alterations made to their bodies during the game. 

It’s a brutal, messy, murderous and very sad slog from point to point as the players, including now the NPG players, try to keep going, until they get the chance to reach the next stage and level of the game. 

Each book is one travel experience to the next level, with enormous losses, some wins with explosive attacks and equally devastating consequences. 

The players we know and are familiar with can level up their skills and equipment, get sponsors, and also find a bigger bounty on their heads as they become popular. Carl, Princess Donut, Donut’s pet raptor Mongo, new player Katia have formed a team, albeit temporarily until Katia gets reunited with her old team of women players. One with a leader of many agendas. 

This time the focus is on trains and subways. That’s how the players must travel to the next destination, their safe spaces, and the elevators to the next level when the designated time comes. 

It’s full of new horrors, so so many body parts, and just when it’s a bit too much, things like this happen. 

Carl is speaking to a NPG who just wants to read and has only a few books. 

“I’ll tell you what,” I said. I pulled five Louis L’Amour books from my inventory. I’d read each of them already, from Sackett’s Land to Lando. I’d actually read almost all of them already, but I didn’t want to give them all up. “I’ll trade you these five for five of your books. Straight-up trade.””

So happens I love these myself. And some of the books Carl chooses? The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin and The Forever War by Joe Haldeman. All beloved reads of mine. 

The narrative of quietly familiar scenes offset those that can immediately flow from high action intense scenes to the dramatic ones of fear, frustration or rage when Carl has a raw break alone to react with the reality of their situation and the insane amount of loss that they have suffered and will continue to endure going forward. 

It hits the reader then equally hard. Keep the tissues nearby. 

It’s hard not to care about the players. But this game is one where you find it hard to believe anyone will survive it. 

I’m heading quickly to the next level and story. 

The cover illustration is incredible. It’s so well done and exact to the characters and storyline. Honestly, you rarely see this fantastic artwork these days. 

Cover Illustration by Luciano Fleitas Cover Design by Toby Dinniman

Series not complete/Dungeon Crawler Carl:

Dungeon Crawler Carl #1

Carl’s Doomsday Scenario #2

The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook #3

The Gate of the Feral Gods #4

The Butcher’s Masquerade #5

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride #6

This Inevitable Ruin #7

Buy link

        The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 3

    

Blurb 

The top ten list is populated. The sponsorship program is open. The difficulty is ramping up. The first three floors were nothing compared to what Carl and Donut now face. 

The Iron Tangle. An impossibly-complicated subway system built out of the world’s subterranean railway systems, all combined and then tied together into a knot. Up is down. Down is up. Close is far. The cars are filled with monsters, the railway stations are less than safe, and the exit is always just a few stops away.

But there is hope. For the first time, the crawlers are all working together. The loot is better than ever. And the secret to unraveling it all may be hidden in the pages of a seemingly-useless book. Welcome, crawlers. Welcome to the fourth floor of the dungeon

  • Publisher: Dandy House
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: April 2, 2021
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 534 pages
  • Book 3 of 7: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Review:  Doubt (The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist Book 2) by Jenny Schwartz 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Doubt sees Nora’s solitary existence crumbling as she builds a found family, which includes that of her alien AI companion Jonah, a real favorite in the cast of well crafted characters. 

An excellent and well written book that moves all the many elements and character relationships of this series into new territory by revealing more of Nora’s history and allowing the conflicts of the characters to be explored and worked on, if possible. 

The burrs, the science (so fascinating in how Schwartz is describing it), and its expansion towards a wider role in the coming stories is highly important and exciting. 

Again, this book will send you immediately onto the next. 

A winner in the writing, characters, world building, and fabulous storytelling. 

Cover designed by MiblArt”

The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist:

Astray #1

Doubt #2

Rebel #3

Cajole #4

Resolve#5

Buy link

 Book 2 of 5: The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist 

Blurb 

Alien mysteries. Parental responsibilities. The scout ship Kangaroo has jumped into trouble.

Nora Devi intended to leave her old life behind. But when a quick detour to acquire the funds for a new identity goes awry, she finds herself plunged ever deeper into the troubles she hoped to avoid. 

The Human Sector is a stash of fuel cells just waiting for a spark to explode. The Great Game of politics and power has shifted from the inner realm to the border. Captain Liam Kimani of the battlecruiser RC Genghis Khan is the man in position to suppress the explosion – or ride the wave of it.

It’s been half a millennium since the Stranding. Is the power of the royals still worth supporting, or is it time to risk everything for the chance to rejoin the rest of humanity?

Review:  The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (And Other War Crimes) (Guides to Villainy and Love Book 1) by Tiffany Hunt

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Two immediate thoughts about this remarkable story. One, I absolutely love it. Secondly,  book two in the series isn’t going to be released until next year, so if you’re a reader who finds that hard to take, wait! Don’t read this yet. Because, much like me, are end of this book, you’ll be craving the next one.  And knowing we have a long wait ahead. Argh!

That said, what a fabulous tale this is. Hunt is another writer I discovered via this series and whether it’s her ingratiating characters, smart, snarky dialogue and humor, or just plain great storytelling, I was invested from the beginning. 

I love stories that  switch up the perspectives. It’s the villains who are the main (and magnificent) characters. And the well written women who are supposed to be the damsel in distress but aren’t. Instead, they’re women who are intelligent, strategic, and powerful in their own right. A equal. And morally grey partner to the villain in her story. 

As a fan of Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s Assistant to the Villain series, I was quick to pick this up. Its similar only in that the villain is the main character (a dashing, dark magical lord) and that the relationship between the Dark Lord, Kaz, and his Lady, Arabella, is a very similar, fully developed one of growth, understanding and trust. It’s their fantastic dialogue and fierce dynamic, combining all their own strengths and hidden fears as well as magical abilities that will eventually combust into a new hot full partnership. 

But not until they have a strong understanding and connection with each other. That’s the key here. Respect, trust and understanding of each other. Remarkably adult thinking. 

There’s plenty of bloodshed, and violence. He’s a villain. But also there’s plenty of villainous deeds done by “the good guys “. Including her family.

There’s interesting mythology that’s just getting started and will grow into the next book. A dark mystery too. 

And a dragon!

But it’s Lord and Lady Blackrose ( yes, there are black roses, they bite) who make the story. They are an outstanding villainous couple. I love them and will find it hard to wait until next year to see what happens next!

Highly recommended!

 

Guides to Villainy and Love:

  • The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (And Other War Crimes) #1
  • The Dark Lord’s Guide to Honeymooning (And Other Villainous Deeds) – Feb 10,2026

Buy link

        The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (And Other War Crimes) (Guides to Villainy and Love Book 1)

    

Blurb:

Perfect for fans of Assistant to the Villain, but darker and spicier.

In this riotously funny dark romantasy, a conflicted villain and his unstoppable bride form the realm’s most chaotic alliance.

“What’s mine, stays mine.”

Step One: Kidnap someone cute.

Step Two: Force her into marriage.

Step Three: Try not to get feelings.

When Dark Lord Kazimir Blackrose kidnaps Lady Arabella for a forced marriage, he expects an obedient, trembling bride. What he gets is a knife to the throat and a furious woman with her own terms. He may need her heroic bloodline to achieve ultimate dominion, but she’s not about to make this easy for him.

Arabella has already survived her father’s tower prison and a lifetime of being treated like property. Being abducted by the realm’s most notorious villain is just another Tuesday. If she must be married to the infuriating (and infuriatingly attractive) Dark Lord, she’ll do it on her terms: freedom within his fortress, hands strictly to himself, and complete honesty about his plans.

But when his plans go awry, Kazimir faces his most terrifying challenge yet. He must actually date his own wife. Between magical training sessions, playing golf with the eyeballs of his enemies, and aphrodisiac dinners gone spectacularly wrong, his villainous seduction plans are failing at every turn.

As they navigate magical explosions and jealous exes, they discover a far more terrifying prospect than war or magical catastrophe:

They might actually be falling for each other.

This dark and sexy fantasy romance is perfect for readers who love:

  • A morally gray antihero (who stays that way)
  • A strong heroine who embraces her dark side (she doesn’t need rescuing, thanks)
  • Touch her and die
  • Hilarious, wicked banter and sizzling spice
  • One bed/forced proximity
  • Kidnapped bride/forced marriage
  • Dark humor

Review:  Wicked Witch of the Wolf: The Smokethorn Paranormals Series Book 3 by C.P. Rider

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Wicked Witch of the Wolf: The Smokethorn Paranormals Series Book 3 by C.P. Rider is absolutely my favorite and most satisfying read of this terrific series. 

When Betty’s friend, Bronwyn, asks her to investigate why Maya, a woman and close friend who had been seeking a divorce now has an odd personality and is content in her marriage.  Marriage to a male witch known to be problematic and in Bronwyn’s coven. 

Wicked Witch of the Wolf resolves a number of complex conflicts and character issues that have been long standing elements within the series. And it makes the book so compelling, satisfying and fascinating as it moves so many relationships forward.

The personal growth that Betty undergoes is enormous. That’s aligning with the magical power that comes from the knowledge and acceptance that she achieves here.  Betty’s stubbornness or resistance to acknowledge certain truths, a trait she’s been slowly working through, is a main element of her storyline. 

And the characters who have impacted her life in the past , here are the ones who will help her finally move forward. 

There’s so many layers to this book . So many threads, great characters, new and old, fantastic developments, and one or two where I just want to thump Ronan, as he’s still too much “controlling, save the weak women” figure.   Luckily, the women here are quick to tell him to knock it off, and they don’t need saving, and btw, they just saved him.   He, however, is in need of much change or growth. 

That may be coming next book. 

As always the mysterious omnipresent DJ with their on point selection of 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s rock music is fabulous. 

I need to know if each book has a complete set list. Awesome. 

Highly recommended and wish I had the next book now. 

Cover design by The Book Brander”

The Smokethorn Paranormals Series :

Strike It Witch #1

Any Which Wolf #2

Wicked Witch of the Wolf #3

The Wolfing Hour #4 – Nov 30,2025

Buy link

        Wicked Witch of the Wolf: The Smokethorn Paranormals Series Book 3

    

Blurb 

“One thing, though. What was the last straw that made Maya file for divorce?”
“She told me Desmond said he was going to kill her.”

Betty Lennox, earth witch and paranormal investigator, has a whole slew of problems. Her magic is as finicky as a jackrabbit in the desert; the local werewolf alpha lurks around every corner, giving her death threats; and a certain sexy werewolf isn’t returning her calls.

What’s a witch to do? Focus on work.

Betty is hired to investigate a one-eighty personality change in a woman who was going to divorce her husband but suddenly loves him again. That’s suspicious by itself, but the fact that he’s a member of the local coven puts Betty on high alert.

With her team of allies—Ida, her BFF and a retired necromancer; Fennel, a magical cat, and Cecil, a homicidal garden gnome with a penchant for explosives—Betty digs deeper into the case and quickly realizes this deadly plan goes far beyond Maya’s marriage. She finds herself facing off with witches, shifters, and dark, arcane magic.

The good news? Betty finds unexpected new allies to join her crew and help her solve the case. The bad news? Some of them start disappearing. It’s up to Betty and her unreliable magic to find her friends, protect her client, and save Smokethorn as something wicked this way comes…

For fans of urban fantasy with a side of slow-burn romance.

  • Publisher: VC Group, LLC
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: May 31, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 302 pages
  • Book 3 of 4: The Smokethorn Paranormals Series