Category: Action and adventure fantasy

Review: Swordheart by T Kingfisher 

Rating: 4⭐️

Swordheart is one of three books planned in this series by T. Kingfisher, an author whose books I  automatically read. I often find them sharply plotted, full of intriguing characters and the narratives can often turn dry, humorous and bittersweet while maintaining a depth of truth and honesty to the situation and storyline. 

This carries many of these elements here. 

It starts with widowed 36 year old Halla who’s been taking care of her ailing uncle, a collector of oddities in his enormous house. When he dies, to the chagrin of his greedy relatives, it’s Halla who unexpectedly inherits her uncle’s entire fortune. When the relatives decide to force Halla to give up his estate to them, by marriage or by locking her up inside the house, she becomes desperate.

How Sarkis comes into her life and gets her out of the house is a remarkable aspect of the story. It demonstrates Halla’s resilience and gives us a perfect example of her personality. 

What I could have done without is Sarkis’s constant remarks about Halla’s physical appearance. And his own reaction to it. 

It’s a road trip and a slow burn romance but I could have done with just a road trip action adventure. There’s a lot of stories about Sarkis, the time that’s passed, the current religious beliefs and tensions between the different temples and their territories. And, of course, those who wish to possess magical items, like swords. 

And interwoven with all that is Halla needing to obtain her own goals and end game. With Sarkis at her side. 

All beautifully descriptive as this is, and as well executed is the world building, I felt that the story was or got too slow, especially around the middle. I had figured out who was the bad guy(s), what they were going to do, and then had to wait pages and pages until the action and drama came into play towards the end. Then it all came together and got interesting. 

It felt like it took too long to get there. 

One aspect of this I do appreciate is there’s no magical “fix” for Sarkis. No waving of a crystal or anything to undo his magic. Bittersweet and realistic. 

That’s T Kingfisher. Recommended. 

Swordheart series:

Swordheart

Daggerbound #2

Shieldborn #3 – Aug 24, 2027

Buy link

 Book 1 of 3: Swordheart 

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comSwordheart: Kingfisher, T.: 9781250400222

Blurb 

The delicious bodyguard romance of From Blood and Ash meets the delightful charm of The Princess Bridein this cozy fantasy romance from New York Timesbestselling author T. Kingfisher

Halla has unexpectedly inherited the estate of the wealthy distant uncle she’s been caring for for the past decade. Unfortunately, she is also saddled with money-hungry relatives full of devious plans for how to wrest the inheritance away from her.

While hiding in her bedroom to escape her family, Halla inspects the ancient sword that’s been collecting dust on the wall since before she moved in. On a whim, she pulls it down and unsheaths it—and suddenly a man appears in her bedroom. His name is Sarkis, he tells her, and he is an immortal warrior trapped in a prison of enchanted steel.

Sarkis is sworn to protect whoever wields the sword, and for Halla—a most unusual wielder—he finds himself not fending off grand armies and deadly assassins but instead everything from kindly-seeming bandits to roving inquisitors to her own in-laws. But as Halla and Sarkis become closer, they overlook the biggest threat of all—the sword itself.

Bramble

Publication date

September 20, 2024

Language

‎English

Print length

458 pages

 

Review:  Storm’s Edge (Storm Herald – An Epic Urban Fantasy Series Book 1) by Sean Cunningham 

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Sean Cunningham is another new discovery for me in urban fantasy fiction and I am absolutely loving his characters and universe I’ve found in the first story in his new Storm Herald series, Storm’s Edge. 

It’s an action packed urban fantasy thriller, full of paranormal beings who battle mythical creatures, seek to obtain clients magical objects even investigating murders. All the while they are hiding their own problematic dark backgrounds. 

The main character is a woman whose identity and past history is slowly being revealed over the course of the series. But who she was is a persona of enormous power and dark energy. On the wrong side of the line.  Now she’s called Vanessa Montiero, not as powerful but strong enough. Vanessa works temporarily both for a coffee shop and as a courier who takes less than legal jobs. It’s a living and keeps her out of the notice of others. 

Until it doesn’t. 

I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying this character and the storylines here. 

First of all, no romance. She exists first as a solo character, and then, reluctantly, as perhaps someone who might consider her to think of one or two of the other characters she’s gathering around her as friends. 

Not that she’d ever come out and acknowledge that. 

Vanessa is a hard personality. The past is one she’s working to overcome, as well as a core that thrives on violence.  As the story continues, she has to develop and adapt to her changing circumstances, and that’s means that instead of being able to always battle her way through a difficult situation, she has to learn how to handle it differently.

And Cunningham has just the other characters to assist her in this change in perspective. Including a vampire who’s not exactly the poster boy for the species himself, Leo. 

With every new character, there’s a good chance they might not make it through to the end. Cunningham exhibits a willingness to take his characters out of the narrative, even when we’re getting fond of them. 

Be warned. 

I hope Vanessa stays romantically free, that’s a great element here. The story is exciting, fast paced and very well executed. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the next book and see what happens next. 

I hope the author has more than 3 books planned for the series. 

Highly recommended and yes, when I’m done reading this, I’ll head to the writer’s other series too. 

Cover art © MIBLArt.com 2025

Storm Herald – An Epic Urban Fantasy Series (3 book series)

Storm’s Edge #1

Storm’s Reckoning #2

Storm’s Awakening #3

Buy link 

        Storm’s Edge (Storm Herald – An Epic Urban Fantasy Series Book 1)

    

Blurb 

She just wanted to stay hidden. They had other plans.

Vanessa Montiero has spent a year keeping her head down – slinging coffee by day, running courier jobs by night. It was enough to stay off the radar of the people hunting her. It was safe.

Until a wealthy eccentric offers her more money than she’s seen in months to extract one girl from the Brotherhood: a gang of street-level warlocks who burn through their girlfriends like batteries to fuel their magic.

Simple job. Get in, get Mia, get out.

Except Freddie Wright isn’t about to let his “crucible” walk away. And the magic he wields is far more dangerous than anyone realised.

With Leo at her side – a vampire who’d rather cook you dinner than drain you, and whose strange abilities make him an outcast even among the undead – Vanessa will face necromancers, ancient vampires, and relentless warlocks, all while keeping one traumatised girl alive.

But the thing that made Vanessa so good at violence never really left her. Unleashing her old self might be the only way to save them – or it might shatter the life she’s worked so hard to build.

Storm’s Edge launches the Storm Herald series with brutal fight scenes, morally complex characters, and a London where magic hides just beneath the surface. Perfect for fans of Alex Verus, Kate Daniels, and The Dresden Files who like their urban fantasy served with found family forged in fire.

Join Vanessa on this action-packed urban fantasy adventure across London today!

Falconbrook Press

Publication date

December 6, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

316 pages

Book 1 of 3

Storm Herald – An Epic Urban Fantasy Series

Review: Tombyards and Butterflies (Montague and Strong Detective Agency Book 1) by Orlando A. Sanchez

Rating: 3⭐️

If you’re looking for a magical fast paced , shootum up immortal partners story/series, here’s one for you.

Its world building is non-existent, the characters have zero chemistry, between themselves or any relationship that’s created here. It’s just a jumble of paranormal beings intermingling with a Greek mythological pantheon of gods who have hidden secrets and agendas, some of which concern the two main characters. 

It’s all rather confusing. No one really knows what is happening. Not even them. But they accept cases , from vampires or goddesses, things go badly. Then go even worse. 

I don’t know. There’s no depth to this or to the characters. I was connecting to any of it. Especially when one character is asked if he’s dumb(his actions and remarks indicate yes) and his partner , a Mage with a painful history, and this reader agree with whoever is asking. And he’s immortal and, apparently, forever immature. Lovely. SMH

Lots of magical action however. 

It ends up with them having a mythical pet demon dog. And another likely mission to look forward to. 

Not me. I need more than this to get me interested in a series and characters. And TSTL characters. But not everyone does. 

It’s got lots of books to this, 32 of them. Check them out if you’re so inclined. 

Cover Art: Deranged Doctor Design

Buy link

 Book 1 of 32: Montague & Strong Case Files 

Blurb 

A Missing Ferryman. An Undead Dilemma. An Immortal Detective.

An emissary from the Dark Council has just materialized in the office of the Montague & Strong Detective Agency, and makes Simon Strong an offer he can’t refuse. Charon is missing. The legendary ferryman responsible for transporting sorcerer souls across the river Styx hasn’t been seen in days. And with each passing hour, those unable to cross the river are left to walk among the living, tilting the world further out of balance.

Meet Simon Strong, an immortal, who is also the best private detective in New York City. Together with his surly partner-Tristan Montague, a mage of indeterminate age, they must find the Ferryman and get him back to work before another Supernatural War ravages the earth, destroys humanity, and Simon’s local coffee shop.

Time is running out. His landlord wants the rent and Karma with a capital K is paying him a visit, and she can be a real…

Join the Montague & Strong Detective Agency and help them locate Charon, so he can restore balance to the universe, put the dead sorcerers to rest, and maybe solve the age old conundrum-coffee or tea?

Bitten Peaches Publishing

Publication date

February 27, 2017

Edition

1st

Language

‎English

Print length

310 pages

Book 1 of 32

Montague & Strong Case File

Review: The Second Death of Locke (The Hand and the Heart Book 1) by V.L.  Bovalino

Rating: 4⭐️

The Second Death of Locke by Tori Bovalino is a fantasy novel that I rated high for its imaginative portrayal of its characters, its use of magic and the world building. 

The relationship between the main characters, is well written and builds upon their history and current events as it happens. 

That said, did I really like this. After more thought, the answer is no. 

Bovalino constructs a magical system that requires a dominant/submissive network to operate. A mage is the dominant power, pulling the power focusing it outward towards a particular target. That power is pulled from a living “well” of magical energy, a person who is located at a young age and then trained and paired with a Master Mage to be their Hand. They hand over power, as it’s needed. And protect at all costs their Mage.  For centuries they were slaves. Recent changes have instituted laws stipulating they aren’t “bonded” for life anymore. 

Not that much in the story makes much of a distinction here. In the narrative or alternate chapters talking about the traditional mage training, their value and their referenced as property. A mention in one as a “favored dogs” is a cautionary step forward for some, treatment as an affectionate companion but equality is not on the table here. 

The power imbalance between mage and well is absolute although the actual relationship can also redefine it as it does here. But it’s seen as the only one. 

A lifetime magical binding between the two was eventually made illegal but only because it limited the use of the “well” to one mage. However , multiple military campaigns, many losses of wells in battle (drained beyond revival) changed that thinking. Due to the fact that more wells were needed in battle, the  military needed to be able to have multiple mages make use of “wells” even if they were assigned to other Masters. So no more binding made sense. Wells are still being thought of as “tools “ not people. 

So while the main relationship between the two people is one of childhood friends who have shared memories, their bond is that of mage and tool. One who uses the other and one who gives them their powers. One who stands in front in the position of power and one who stands behind, silent and unheard. 

No matter what happens to the couple, and there’s so much that does. Imaginative scenarios, moving dramatic battles, eventually love. 

The story will revolve around them, dancing around and on top of a huge embedded element of an entire group of people, magical “wells” , that no matter what country they are living in are trapped in a role that regards them as tools or property of their Masters and the Military.

And Grey Flynn has the power to change that. The author makes it clear, especially in the end, she does. However, even though a scene where a well’s Master has come to hear how she ended, it’s clear nothing has or will ever change. Because it’s not occurring to the characters that it should. 

Astonishing that a story about power, supposedly a strong woman warrior is founded upon a base of narrative oppression. No exploration of this mentality, just acceptance and onward. 

The story does come down to whether they can have any equality between them. The answer, in the end is no. 

Not for themselves. Not for anyone else either within the universe. 

So no I didn’t enjoy the book. It’s a finished storyline. The next one picks up a completely different character and couple. 

Well written but without the necessary depth of thoughtfulness I would expect with the topic. Not really for me. 

Map by Rebecka Champion (Lampblack Art) 

Cover design by Ella Garrett at L,BBG. Cover illustration by Anna Moshak

The Hand and The Heart:

The Second Death of Locke #1

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: The Hand and the Heart 

Blurb 

Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice.    

Grey Flynn has dedicated her life to her mages, Kier. She will be his blade on the battlefield, his healer and protector. The deep well of raw power inside her is Kier’s to wield. They are bound together by blood and magic, but there is one truth Grey dare not reveal … not even to Kier. 

When a quest to protect the child of an enemy kingdom pulls them into a dangerous mission, Grey will need to decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to protect her secret. For Grey is no ordinary magical well, and if she dies, all magic dies with her.

The Second Death of Locke is the first in a collection of interconnected standalones set in the same world.

“Gritty, romantic, and breathlessly fierce, The Second Death of Locke  will grip your heart and never let go.” ―Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

Forever

Publication date

September 23, 2025

Accessibility

Learn more

Language

‎English

File size

11.3 MB

Screen Reader

Supported

Enhanced typesetting

Enabled

X-Ray

Not Enabled

Word Wise

Enabled

Print length

475 pages

ISBN-13

978-1538776582

Page Flip

Enabled

Book 1 of 2

The Hand and the Heart

Review:  The Lost Reliquary (Divine Thrall Book 1) by Lyndsay Ely

Rating: 4.75⭐️

The Lost Reliquary by Lyndsay Ely is just an astonishing piece of dark fantasy storytelling.  The author is a new discovery and this is a remarkable way to dive into her writings. 

It’s the first book in Ely’s Divine Thrall series, grounded in a universe where once there were many gods who warred among themselves.  In the aftermath of centuries of battle, a lone victor emerged, the goddess Tempestra-Innara, the Enduring Flame. 

Ely starts the story with a rebellion against the goddess in play. The perspective of the story is that of Lys, one of the divine warrior’s of Tempestra-Innara. Taken as a child to serve the last goddess, her dark childhood events are revealed as the story progresses, Lys has ulterior motives as she serves as potentiate of the Dawn Cloister, one of two divine guard forces for the goddess. 

After an assassination attempt against the goddess is foiled, the goddess sends Lys out to track down the heretics and the religious weapon that can be used against her. One that Lys hopes to obtain for herself. A plan complicated by the fact that another divine warrior is sent along with her with his own plans and agendas. 

Ely has created raw, powerful characters full of complex personalities, with dark damaged histories and the magical powers to go along with them, each suited to their unique needs. 

One , Lys, who looks at the goddess, and silently remembers her mother, their history, and the traumatic events she’s endured since becoming a divine warrior. The other? A man solid in his faith and his religious convictions, and those above him who are directing his actions, no matter what they are and who they affect. Both are credible in their own beliefs and roles. 

The journey they undertake, the lands and seas they cross, and peoples they meet. All have enormous influence on their destiny and outcome. And the relationship between them that starts to develop. 

It ends with a cliffhanger but one that I almost expected. It was logical that it would end up that way.  And now I really can’t wait for the next book to arrive so I can see what happens next.

Lyndsay Ely has created a fantastic universe for her Divine Thrall series. Complex world building with multiple countries and cultures, complete with different architectural styles and religions. And her characterizations are amazing, layered, powerful and realistically brought to life, compelling with dark trauma and painful memories that drive their storylines. 

More now please.  And highly recommended. 

Divine Thrall

The Lost Reliquary #1

The Divine Shadow #2 – Nov 10, 2026

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Lost Reliquary (Divine Thrall): Lyndsay Ely: 9781668148464

Blurb 

A divinely blessed warrior bound to the last living goddess plots deicide to win her freedom in this propulsive epic fantasy for fans of Godkiller and Gideon the Ninth.

The Devoted Lands was once home to many gods. Now, after centuries of brutal wars, only Tempestra-Innara, the Enduring Flame, remains.

As a divine warrior, Lys is outwardly loyal to her goddess. If she dreams of deicide, that’s her business. When a routine heretical execution erupts into a near-fatal assassination attempt on Tempestra-Innara, Lys sees a glimmer of hope for her freedom.

Lys is chosen to hunt down the heretics and find an ancient reliquary with the power to kill a god. Annoyingly, she’s not alone. Paired with Nolan, a warrior from a rival cloister who is as pious as he is determined, Lys must feign devotion if she hopes to keep her own god-killing ambitions within reach.

But as they pursue the heretics linked to the assassination, Lys uncovers a world with more possibility—and peril—than she ever anticipated.

Divine Thrall

The Lost Reliquary

The Divine Shadow – Nov 10, 2026

S&S/Saga Press

Publication date

October 21, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

464 pages

Book 1 of 2

Divine Thrall

Review: Ebony Gate (Phoenix Hoard #1) by Julie Vee and Ken Bebelle

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Ebony Gate (Phoenix Hoard #1) by Julie Vee and Ken Bebelle is one more recent discovery where it’s a combination of both great new book and great new writers. Win and winner. And finished series! Be still my heart! I hit the reader’s trifecta!

Yes, I’m absolutely thrilled with this book. It was another 3am finish and I had to stop myself from getting the second and immediately diving back into this incredible universe and character. 

Set in contemporary San Francisco, the main character is Emiko Soong, oldest child of the magical Soong Clan, a dragon people who fled the destruction of their world to the human realm. One of eight powerful magical families, each with their own abilities and agendas, Emiko has removed herself to San Francisco after a long, bloody history with her family as their assassin.

Of course her past, her family, and clan politics dictate that she is soon pulled back into the magical family life and world she’s trying to escape.

I couldn’t put it down. Emiko’s past is bleak, filled with memories that invade narrative with bodies and vague scenes of her parents and blood. That her parents haven’t been totally honest about Emiko’s past or talent is clear throughout the story. And it’s a thread that will not be revealed here. 

She’s a haunted, martial arts master, The Butcher of Peking, who now lives in San Francisco, remaining apart because of her past experiences and her secret life as a dragon clan.  

I think interesting aspects of her life, the lower families, those outside of the clan’s protective influence that she’s become friends with, but the delicate relationships that are always present within the “invisible social structures“ that must be adhered to, that’s all perfectly defined by the authors. That balance of power and cultural strictures of both Asian and their Dragon magic is wonderfully crafted and laid out. 

That scene alone in the library is everything. 

Emiko’s mother, who is absent physically but whose impact is enormous here, is a character I can’t wait to meet. It’s because of her that Emiko’s presence is required by a shinigami.  Absolutely terrifying and fascinating aspect of the story. 

There’s a mission to save the City, herself and much more. It’s exciting, action packed and thrilling. 

My only issue with it was that the Sentinel aspect took longer than I thought it should. That felt too drawn out. 

Now onto the next book and some new exciting characters (like parents to meet) and locations. 

Highly recommended and thrilled to share. 

Buy link

 Book 1 of 3: The Phoenix Hoard 

Blurb 

A CALIBA 2023 Golden Poppy Book Award Finalist

Julia Vee and Ken Bebelle’s Ebony Gate is a female John Wick story with dragon magic set in contemporary San Francisco’s Chinatown.

Emiko Soong belongs to one of the eight premier magical families of the world. But Emiko never needed any magic. Because she is the Blade of the Soong Clan. Or was. Until she’s drenched in blood in the middle of a market in China, surrounded by bodies and the scent of blood and human waste as a lethal perfume. 

The Butcher of Beijing now lives a quiet life in San Francisco, importing antiques. But when a shinigami, a god of death itself, calls in a family blood debt, Emiko must recover the Ebony Gate that holds back the hungry ghosts of the Yomi underworld. Or forfeit her soul as the anchor.

What’s a retired assassin to do but save the City by the Bay from an army of the dead?

The Phoenix Hoard

#1 Ebony Gate

#2 Blood Jade

#3 Pearl City

Review:  Morel Dilemma (Tales from the Dragon Diner Book 3) by Lindsey Buroker

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Things are getting complicated in the small town of Tranquility. The Dragon Diner is extremely busy, trying to expand with its roof elf designed garden dining area and new magic mushroom recipes. 

But first, the Elf Queen is coming to town, Rylana’s best friend, the elven assassin Sylin is being hunted down by elves, Rylana and dragon chef Jildarin have just been informed that they are going to be evicted from the place where the diner is by their landlord and magical mushrooms need to be found. 

All in a day’s work for this group.

It’s a story full of tangled feelings, a few mysteries (mostly about family), mushrooms and things that glow, and a slow burn romance that might finally get a tiny bit more heat. But not much. 

And it’s a cozy fantasy so everyone knows that it works out well. 

Adorable and still very interesting. Love the characters. 

Tales from the Dragon Diner (5 book series to date)

Calculated Whisk #1

Knead for Speed #2 

Morel Dilemma #3

Ale Storm #4 – Oct 14,2026

Buy link

        Morel Dilemma (Tales from the Dragon Diner Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Retired mercenary Rylana and the dragon chef Jildarin are on the hunt for enchanted morels in the hope of enticing the visiting elf queen to their diner. But more than a desire for mushrooms has brought the queen to the city of Tranquility.

For some reason, she has her people searching for Rylana’s best friend, the elven assassin Sylin.

Even as Rylana worries about her comrade, a new problem thrusts its way into her path. Despite the Dragon Diner’s newfound success, their landlord has decided to evict them. After all that Rylana and Jildarin have built together, will they be forced to close the business?

Review: The Spellshop (Spellshop #1) by Sarah Beth Durst

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I found this writer through a  marvelous fantasy short story and shortly thereafter this incredible fantasy series. 

Starting with the richly crafted universe of librarians fleeing a newly fallen Empire and the mythical creatures that either accompany them or welcome them into their new lives, The Spellshop begins our adventures with a revolution and librarian Kiela, her companion, the sentient spider plant Cas, and as many magical books as she can carry, fleeing the Capital. 

For a cozy fantasy adventure, I love that the author has given us a main character who’s personality isn’t automatically endearing. Kiela has spent the last years of her life withdrawing into her job, her cubicle and all the books she’s in charge of in her sector, Cas being her only companion and daily interaction. 

Then, in a horrifying moment, they have to flee for their lives. 

I’ve often wondered what it must have been like for the great libraries of Alexandria to have burned and my heart hurts. It’s no less painful to feel what Kiela and Cas go through here. 

Durst’s emotionally rendered scenes and vivid moments are so well done that I could visualize them myself. 

Once Kiela decides that she and Cas will be safe on the faraway island that was once home, the character development grows stronger as she learns to deal and become part of the otherworldly community she originally came from. 

It’s found family, magical creatures, slow burn romance and just a fantastic story about friendships, finding home and family if you let yourself. 

I love the characters and story. The universe is one I’m thrilled to share and happily ready to continue with the next novel.  It has to do with Cas, so it’s important that this book be read first. 

Highly recommended. 

And that beautiful cover. So incredibly well designed. 

Richly gorgeous cover by artist Lulu Chen and designer Esther Kim 

The Spellshop series

The Spellshop

The Enchanted Greenhouse

Sea of Charms

The Magical Cheese Emporium

Buy link

 Book 1 of 4: The Spellshop 

Blurb 

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY AND INDIE BESTSELLER!

A #1 LibraryReads pick!

An Indie Next pick!

The Spellshop is the romantasy debut by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah Beth Durst–a lush cottagecore tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love. 

Join Kiela the librarian and her assistant, Caz the sentient spider plant, as they navigate the low stakes market of illegal spellmaking and the high risk business of starting over.

“Sarah Beth Durst is the hidden gem of the fantasy world.” —Book Riot

Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she hasn’t had to.

She and her assistant, Caz, a magically sentient spider plant, have spent the last eleven years sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite. But when a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz save as many books as they can carry and flee to a faraway island Kiela was sure she’d never return to: her childhood home. Kiela hopes to lay low in the overgrown and rundown cottage her late parents left her and figure out a way to survive without drawing the attention of either the empire or the revolutionaries. Much to her dismay, in addition to a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor, she finds the town neglected and in a state of disrepair.

The empire, for all its magic and power, has been neglecting for years the people who depend on magical intervention to maintain healthy livestock and crops. Not only that, but the very magic that should be helping them has been creating destructive storms that have taken a toll on the island. Due to her past role at the library, Kiela feels partially responsible for this, and now she’s determined to find a way to make things right: by opening the island’s first-ever secret spellshop. 

Her plan comes with risks—the consequence of sharing magic with commoners is death. And as Kiela comes to make a place for herself among the kind and quirky townspeople of her former home, she realizes that in order to make a life for herself, she must learn to break down the walls she has built up so high.

Like a Hallmark rom-com full of mythical creatures and fueled by cinnamon rolls and magic, Sarah Beth Durst’s The Spellshop will heal your heart and feed your soul.

Expect:

Standalone romance

Grumpy x sunshine

Magical creatures

Small town cozy

Bramble books by Sarah Beth Durst

The Spellshop series

The Spellshop

The Enchanted Greenhouse

Sea of Charms

Review: Glyphs & Merit: The Glyphwright Chronicles Book 5 by Jeremy Fabiano

Rating: 4⭐️ 

Glyphs & Merit shows definitive maturity and character growth in the the small group and couples that have formed over five novels in The Glyphwright Chronicles. 

Marcus and Felix are now in established relationships, with Felix and Katherine soon to return home from their honeymoon. Rose Fairwind, Marcus’ sister, an artificer works alongside them and others now in their own home and shop. 

This story is about Marcus and Felix working through individual issues, both personal and professional. They obtain a brother and sister as interns which affects their group dynamics and business model. 

And they also have to deal with their future work in the Guild and other partnerships. 

It’s a lot. Plus there is an overall plot that involves an old enemy who is undermining their work in an “invisible” manner. 

Sometimes it seems as though it takes forever for various characters and storylines to get the heft and information they need to feel interesting and relevant. Not just laid down and left behind in the narrative. 

It all eventually comes together. And there’s an engagement as well. 

Does this feel as satisfying or as well put together as the books that came before? No, but Jeremy Fabiano has under a health crisis while he was at a conference, and makes (in his own notes) an apology for the errors found in the book because it was rushed to release. 

Swift hopes to the author and I’m looking forward to reading his next book in the series. 

A great series and I’m in love with the characters, including the new additions. 

Cover design by Jacqueline Sweet Design

 Glyphwright Chronicles (5 book series to date):

  • Ashes & Anchors #0.5 (Erasmus’s backstory)
  • Ink & Intent  #1
  • Wards & Measures #2
  • Trades & Treaties #3 
  • Vision & Venture #4
  • Glyphs & Merit #5 
  • Legacy & Succession #6

Buy link

        Glyphs & Merit: The Glyphwright Chronicles – Book 5

    

Blurb 

Six weeks without Felix was supposed to be the hardest part of the season. Then the mayor walked into the shop with a problem the town had already failed to solve four times.

With Felix away and Erasmus at the capital, Marcus Fairwind is running the shop alone. He expected a quiet stretch of routine commissions and a partner home by month’s end. Instead, Mayor Weatherby arrives with a district that has gone twelve years without hot water and a budget smaller than the boiler it can’t afford.

The town has voted the replacement down four times. Marcus thinks Millbrook has been solving the wrong problem. The right one is a utility that serves every house on the line at once, and nobody in the region has ever built one.

Then a Senior Inspector asks him to take two apprentices on trial, and the Guild sends a board inspector to decide whether a shop this young has any business teaching anyone. Marcus has spent two years learning the craft. Now he has sixty days to prove he can explain it — while a quiet campaign against the mayor gathers somewhere he can’t see.

The Glyphwright Chronicles continues with civic infrastructure, first apprentices, small-town politics, one long-postponed question, and the lesson that the hardest part of mastering a craft is teaching it to someone else.

Pour yourself something warm, settle into your favorite reading spot, and discover that the work nobody sees is the work holding the whole town up.

op this young has any business teaching anyone. 

Marcus has spent two years learning the craft. Now he has sixty days to prove he can explain it — while a quiet campaign against the mayor gathers somewhere he can’t see.

Unbounded Creation

Publication date

August 11, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

511 pages

Book 5 of 5

The Glyphwright Chronicles

Review: Twice Bitten (Fangs and Fur Book 1) by S.E. Babin

Rating : 4⭐️

I’m a fan of this author so I immediately picked up Twice Bitten, the beginning of S.E. Babin’s Fangs and Fur series. A paranormal tale about a hedge witch who gets mixed up with the politics of the vampire/werewolf conference by way of a traumatic encounter is off to a good start here. 

Babin is excellent at establishing a complex plot that will keep expanding into ever greater detail and often wilder realms and storylines. I can definitely see this happening with Fangs and Fur and the main group of characters Babin is starting out with.

Hint. Thankfully, this author can take the main female character on quite the twisted path with regard to her final romantic partner, so just know it might not be one of the top two atm.

First there’s Alex, a hedge witch working as a barista with a black market apothecary business on the side. She’s an orphan with a “missing” mother and a father of unknown origin. 

Alex becomes the object of an obsessive vampire, Beckett, and ends up in the middle of a mysterious species turf battle between vampire and wolf shifter. That brings in the next major characters and conflicts.

Alric, the Vampire Prime and Silas is the Wolf King, both working on an inter species conference. Until a traumatic event with Alex upsets everything.

I’m not a fan of Alric. He’s got major non consent issues, and frankly red flags plastered around him everywhere. And smacks heavily of another MMC in another series I despised. 

Silas is running a close second. 

Like Leo the chauffeur/bodyguard for Alric. He’s got great potential going forward. 

And Babin, if she’s going to be as consistent as she has in her previous series, will make this an elaborate and exciting journey for Alex, magically and romantically. 

So I’m not going to assume who it might be from the characters at the first story. 

 Very entertaining and a great start to this series. 

Fangs and Fur:

Twice Bitten #1

Bite Club #2 – Jan 11,2027

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 2: Fangs and Fur 

Blurb 

I was bitten by a vampire AND a werewolf. Now everyone wants a piece of me.

I never wanted to be a powerful witch. I’m happiest pulling espresso shots at the Three Beans café and keeping my magic secret.

But trouble is brewing…

When a turf war between vampires and shifters erupts outside the café, I get caught between the irresistibly charming Vampire Prime and the ruggedly handsome Shifter King. As these two apex predators blindly tear into each other, I am bitten, clawed, and left for dead.

My magic flares just in time to save my life, but there are… side effects. Suddenly, I find myself staring at customers’ necks. And feeling suspiciously twitchy before the full moon.

It’s impossible but… am I transforming into a vampire and a werewolf?

The Vampire Prime finds me immediately. Captivated by my scent, he tempts me with danger and luxury. The Shifter King is equally obsessed, and determined to claim me for his pack.

I am caught between them once more—but this time it’s me that they’re fighting over. And since my new blood brings strange new powers, it won’t be long before I’m the most wanted prey in town…

Second Sky

Publication date

August 10, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

326 pages

Book 1 of 2

Fangs and Fur