Review: Conduit Crisis (Ghostly Guardians #3) by Louisa Masters

Rating: 4.25🌈

I admit I wavered here with the rating. Conduit Crisis ends on a cliffhanger. A really good one, but still a cliffhanger which isn’t my favorite way to end a book. Unless I know the series is complete and I can binge read each novel through to the finale.

That’s not the case here.

Conduit Crisis is building the series storylines to a sense of overwhelming dread with the portents of imminent doom. Masters interlaces the gathering of paranormal facts about whatever incoming dangers the characters (human, spirits or whatever) are facing with a romance between Spiritual Conduit Skye and the manor’s living history farmer, Daniel.

Long time friends, Skye has been nursing a crush on his straight friend, something Daniel is clueless about.

Skye and Daniel’s relationship turns into a romance that includes a bisexual awakening along with a touch of fake boyfriend element before they settle into a HFN partnership. It would seem rushed except for the fact that these men have been in a steady solid relationship with each other since the beginning of the series.

So it’s a matter of a change in perspective which is believably written by Masters and grounded by their actions and words leading up to this story.

The newest paranormal biggie introduced is fascinating. I can’t wait for the rest of his/it’s story to fall in the upcoming Gateway Catastrophe.

Until then, I’m recommending Conduit Crisis. But make sure to read all the stories leading up to it. This series must be read in the order they are written in order to understand the events and character development.

Ghostly Guardians:

✓ Spirited Situation #1

✓ Vortex Conundrum #2

✓ Conduit Crisis #3

◦ Gateway Catastrophe #4 – June 21, 2023

Related to the series:

◦ Eternal Luck, the prequel

Buy link:

Conduit Crisis (Ghostly Guardians Book 3)

Description:

Being in love with my straight friend isn’t easy…

I thought pining for Daniel was an epic tragedy, but then I found out I’m a conduit—someone who can communicate with beings from the otherworld—and my unrequited love for one of my best friends seems less of a problem.

So when a spirit is destroyed while trying to warn me of an approaching disaster, it makes sense for Daniel to step up and help me search for more information. Or it does until my mom turns up twenty years after abandoning me and Daniel turns into Mr. Protective. One thing leads to another, and somehow the whole town now thinks we’re dating.

As if all that isn’t enough to deal with, Daniel’s having a bisexual awakening, and he’s looking to me, his gay friend, to guide him through it. I’d do anything for him, but the thought of being with him and then watching him move on to another guy… I don’t know if my heart can take it.

But I have to toughen up and get on with it, because whatever’s happening in the otherworld is spilling over to here, and it’s going to take everyone we’ve got to keep humanity safe… if we can.

Review: Edison’s Professor (Shadow Elite #3) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4🌈

Edison’s Professor is the penultimate book in this series as the members of the Shadow Elite fall in love and find their HEA.

As the group was departing Greece after the events in Kairo’s Billionaire, where Kairo was kidnapped, and found love with billionaire Isidore, we end with what will be the beginning pages from this story. It’s a great teaser and sets the scene and introduces the main characters for book 3, Edison’s Professor.

Not that we have any idea who that person is at the time.

Each novel flows seamlessly into the next, as that ending repeats itself perfectly as this story begins.

It has the feel of a romantic Indiana Jones tale (right down to the last name). There’s adventure, multiple villains, all the Shadow Elite team members and their partners are here. It’s great to see them all involved, especially Izzie and Alexei. They play a big part in Max Sutton’s integration into the found family that’s their group.

I liked the characters chemistry and relationship dynamics between Max and Ed. As usual for this series, with the exception of Will and Charlie, this relationship develops quickly into one of love in a short amount of time.

I liked the relationship, I feel it had the same similarities to Kairo and Izzie’s fast-love romance that had a natural grounding in the severity of pain, damage and danger of their shared situation. It felt believable and understandable.

There’s Egyptology, tombs, fast action, races through the streets, so much crazy entertainment to enjoy.

And a feel good ending.

Next and last is one of the toughest members of the squad and the most quiet. That’s the sniper West.

I can’t wait to see how he finishes up the series.

Until then, I’m recommending this and all the teams romantic journeys to HEA.

Shadow Elite series:

✓ Stephen’s Translator #0.5

✓ Charlie’s Doctor #1

✓ Kairo’s Billionaire #2

✓ Edison’s Professor #3

◦ Westin’s Prince – April 7, 2023 finale

Buy Link:

Edison’s Professor (Shadow Elite Book 3)

Description:

The stranger chose him.

Edison Walker had never seen the man with the wide green eyes before. He only knew that he was in trouble.

And that he took one look at Ed and decided he was his haven. His protector.

Ed would not let him down.

With the jeweled scarab the stranger pressed into his hand and the strange note written in ancient Egyptian, the Shadow Elite mercenaries are off to Cairo to find the stolen professor.

Edison’s Professor is the third full-length novel in the Shadow Elite series and features mercenaries, ancient treasure, danger, explosions, a short grumpy Egyptologist who can be very overprotective of his mercenary, cuddly couples, and love on the run in Egypt.

Review: The Husband Hoax (Accidental Love Book 1) by Saxon James

Rating: 5🌈

I’m absolutely besotted with the characters of Saxon James’ new series, Accidental Love. A group of LGBTGIA men who’ve formed a found family based on a shared history of familial rejection due to their sexuality and adolescent trauma.

They live together in a gorgeous restored Victorian called Big Boned Bertha. An elderly fabulous next door neighbor adopts “Bertha’s Boys”, becomes their Aunt Agatha, and the family, along with a grumpy cat, is complete.

Each person in the family will be getting their own romantic relationship here I’m sure as they are a fascinating group of individuals. From Rush the clothes designer and Madden, tiny blue haired artist Xander and tattooed Seven who met in foster care, gorgeous Gabe who’s loves to help people , and finally Christian Kilpatrick.

This is Christian Kilpatrick’s story. His and that of Emile Cromwell, one of the heirs to the C.W. Cromwell Shipping Company. Christian’s been invited to his cousin’s Jesse’s wedding after recently reconnecting with her. He’s been abandoned by his family since they kicked him out over his sexuality. Now he’s desperate enough to rent a plus one as a “successful boyfriend’ for the event.

Christian is such a endearing character. From his insecurities and fears over facing his rich, homophobic family who threw him away to the fumbling mannerisms that his fears bring out, Christian is that relatable person we understand and connect to.

Emile is the same. In an extremely sad situation, grieving the loss of the one person, his grandfather Pa, who essentially raised and loved him, he’s got to contend with a controlling family he’s rarely seen and a iron bound will that stipulates he must be married in order to receive a huge share of his inheritance.

They meet over disastrous conditions and the story and our love for them takes flight.

James creates such an emotional layered journey for these men, together with the rest of Bertha’s Boys, towards a HEA, that I found myself smiling throughout the entire story. I was so invested in their happiness that read right through until I was done. From Emile’s sister Elle to Auntie Agatha, from blue-haired Xander to the protective Seven, each person’s personality resonates with the reader to the point we want to spend more time with each of them.

I loved the ending. While I was so sad to see it all end , I’m excited for the next one in the series.

With it’s wonderful characters, engaging storyline, and emotional journey, The Husband Hoax elevates a well known trope into a delightful romance, one I’m highly recommending.

Accidental Love series:

🔷The Husband Hoax #1

🔷Not Dating Material #2

Buy Link:

The Husband Hoax

Description:

Christian

Being invited to my cousin’s wedding really shouldn’t be a big deal except, oh yeah, I haven’t seen my family for a decade.

My parents turned their backs on me and I’ve done everything since to become successful and show them what they lost. Only, it’s kinda hard to be a success when you’re a walking trainwreck.

So I’m going to fake it. Hire a guy with an online presence so impressive they’ll be desperate to welcome me back into the elitist fold, and roll into the wedding with the kind of confidence I’ve never felt a day in my life.

The plan’s a knockout.

Until my fake date cancels minutes before the ceremony.

Émile

One letter from my dearly departed grandfather, and suddenly I’m on a husband hunt.

He’s reworked his entire will so I’m set to inherit far more than I’m entitled to, and all because he’s asked me to use that money for “good.”

In order to get that inheritance, though, there’s one stipulation: marriage.

Even with his request, I’m tempted to stick to my original plan of getting as far from my wretched family as possible, and letting them fight it out.

But then I run into a tall drink of scattered mess outside of a wedding who’s in desperate need of a date, and the pieces click into place.

I help him, he helps me.

Marriage, money, then go our separate ways.

Easy.

Now all I have to do is stop myself from actually falling for the guy.

Review: Starting Again at Crofton Hall (Modern Crofton Book 5) by Rebecca Cohen

Rating: 5🌈

I’m so delighted that Rebecca Cohen continues to add to her amazing Crofton series, both past and present. With each new release, I seem to find myself loving the new book and with it, the latest couple it’s centered around.

In this case, half of which we’ve already met before. That’s Robin Flint, friend of Ben Redbourn, 16th Earl of Crofton, and a future Viscount Whetford in his own right. He’s been in a hidden relationship and he’s done. Robin is so relatable on multiple levels. He’s had a some truly bad judgments he’s made in his past, but you can understand why he made them when you get the reasons and the emotions of the situation at the moment. He’s just so human, even with his upbringing and financial portfolio. He’s been hurt and he’s so unsure about himself.

Then there’s DI Simon MacLove. Recently divorced, and relocated to the area, Simon has his share of damage done to him by his ex. Bruised, insecure about what he brought to the partnership, Simon’s in recovery as well . He’s a wonderful mixture of competent law enforcement, compassionate and understanding man who’s attracted to Robin, and questioning adult with a damaged relationship in the past.

These men are so wonderful to read about as they maneuver through the tricky course of their current lives and their painful pasts to head to their HEA. That it includes a murder, a mystery, several scary sisters on both sides, and their friends makes this a journey of depth, full of discussion, discovery, laughter, hot sex, and lots of love.

Plus Ben and Ashley are never far from center with their own issues and thoughtfully worked through resolutions. Much to our delight.

This is probably one of my favorites in this series. I absolutely adored every single second I spent inside Crofton and nearby locations. It’s really an addiction by now.

I’ve listed all the books by era below. I’m highly recommending them all. They must be read in order to understand all the characters, their personalities and relationships as well as events that are referenced to.

The writing is crisp, plotting superb, and the characters are always full of life and energy! Just amazing.

“The Crofton Universe :

The Crofton Chronicles–Historical (Elizabethan/ Early Stuart):

🔷The Actor and the Earl #1

🔷Duty to the Crown #2

🔷Forever Hold His Peace #3

Available as a Complete Series Boxset

Plus:

“The Love and the Anger “

Historical (Elizabethan/ Early Stuart)–Sebastian/ Anthony 10 years together

The Earls of Crofton–Historical: (Different eras–can be read as individual standalone novels): Anthony, Earl of Crofton (Early Stuart) James, Earl of Crofton (Restoration) Charles, Earl of Crofton (Regency)

The Modern Crofton–Contemporary: 🔷Saving Crofton Hall #1

🔷Making History at Crofton Hall #2

🔷Below Stairs at Crofton Hall #3

🔷Getting Married at Crofton Hall #4

🔷Starting Again at Crofton Hall #5

Standalones in the Crofton Universe “Much Ado About Lady Macbeth”Note: Sebastian Hewel is a minor character

Starting Again at Crofton Hall (Modern Crofton)

Description:

After making a decision that will change his life forever, Robin Flint arrives at Crofton Hall, looking for a place to recover and start again. Love is not enough to continue living a lie.

An unexpected meeting where sparks fly was meant to be a one off, but Simon MacLove is just too wonderful to cast aside. But since Robin hadn’t intended to continue things, Robin didn’t tell Simon, a local police officer, that he was a millionaire trust fund baby and the future Viscount Whetford. Robin has a lot of baggage, but so does Simon, and whether they can carry it together and is very much up in the air, especially as Robin’s now ex-boyfriend, movie star Dorian Marsten, hasn’t accepted things are truly over between them.

Meanwhile, Ben and Ashley are still enjoying their post-honeymoon bliss, and have decided to work on the next generation of Redbourns. Only it’s not so easy when neither of them have the necessary biological equipment, meaning the road to them becoming parents isn’t going to be straightforward.

This is the fifth Modern Crofton novel. Each story features a new couple falling in love at Crofton Hall, with the continuing life and love of Ben Redbourn, 16th Earl of Crofton, and the man of his dreams, Ashley (was Niven now Redbourn).

Review: The Alpha Experiment (Mismatched Mates Book 5) by Eliot Grayson

Rating: 4.5🌈

Mismatched Mates is a series I stopped because one book , First Blood, in it just disconnected me from the arc in that it was more of a side storyline. Unlike the other couples and relationships, that one of a sex worker and enforcer just wasn’t fully developed and I lost the momentum to continue onto the rest of the series.

It’s taken a while but I’ve meandered, via the story , Twice Bitten, back to the Armitage pack, related packs nearby and mismatched matings. So now I’m picking up where I left off earlier with The Alpha Experiment .

It’s a wonderful best friends to lovers or mates in this case storyline, with a sideline of drama, a morsel of clueless scientist, hot sex, and HEA. No mpreg.

A human born into a werewolf family by virtue of a human mother and were father, Dr. Newton McEwen has felt weaker, somewhat less than the rest of his family, although they’ve never given him reason to think that they love him any differently from his sibling because he was born without the werewolf genes. So his research has been to further develop human healing and other properties using shifter DNA. Research that’s brought shady tech company executives to his door.

Poor Newton. You feel for him immediately. He feels inadequate next to his shifter family, even his human mother. His research isn’t conclusive and he’s frankly living in a dump. Next comes the threatening emails.

I do like that he’s smart enough to realize he requires help and asks for it. And then agrees, mostly, with Colin’s advice about how to proceed with the situation.

So many times I’ve read stories where the MC blindly goes ahead putting everything and everyone in danger, earning them a TSTL title from me. Thankfully it’s avoided here. There’s a tiny section where you think it’s happening but all isn’t lost.

Newton makes mistakes. But it’s his trust , faith , and feelings for Alpha werewolf Colin Kimball that holds true. Colin, a known figure here, is a lifelong best friend of Newton’s. It’s easy to pickup on the vibes that Grayson’s written into the dynamics here for the couple. We know what they don’t early on, and have the enjoyment of watching the clueless mating dance.

Grayson builds a great bit of tension into the narrative. Sexual tension between the two main characters, the tension and suspense involved in the blackmail plot, and schemes to overturn it.

The author does all this while working to build a romance within a long-standing friendship and sorting out new conflicting emotions.

If it all came together a bit quickly, well, it was so satisfying that I was willing to look beyond that because the resolution was not a simple one and contained multiple elements to meet the conflicts that led into this situation.

I was left feeling happy, satisfied, and looking forward to the next installment.

I’m recommending this book. I like the series but recommend that you read the reviews as not all need to be read as a part of the arc flow. I have now read a couple out of order, Twice Bitten being the most recent. So the book order seems to be a suggestion rather than a requirement.

See the list below.

Mismatched Mates:

🔷The Alpha’s Warlock #1

🔷Captive Mate #2

🔷A Very Armitage Christmas #3

🔷First Blood #4

🔷The Alpha Experiment #5

🔷Lost and Bound #6

🔷Lost Touch #7

🔷The Alpha Contract #8

🔷Twice Bitten #9

🔷The Alpha’s Gamble #10

Buy Link:

The Alpha Experiment (Mismatched Mates Book 5)

Description:

Studying shifter genetics takes brains, patience…and sometimes simulating mating rituals with your alpha-werewolf bestie. You know, for science…

Brilliant geneticist Newton McEwen, the only human in a family of werewolves, has devoted his life to researching the scientific key to shifter magic. Now he’s being blackmailed and his life’s work is threatened if he can’t produce results.

Alpha werewolf Colin Kimball is a newly-minted pack leader with a mountain of responsibilities, but when his lifelong best friend tells him he needs help, Colin drops everything to run to his aid. But Newt’s not just looking for a brawny bodyguard to watch his back—he needs help with an experiment, one he can’t carry out alone.

Out of academically approved methods, and desperate to accelerate his research, Newt’s trying a last-ditch approach, with himself as the test subject. And the very alpha Colin as the catalyst.

Determined to succeed, Newt’s willing to get up close and personal with Colin as many times as it takes. Only feelings weren’t a variable logic-minded Newt took into account. Now not only is Newt’s career on the line, his most important relationship is at stake. Can they outwit Newt’s blackmailer and move on from their experimentation…or will they lose the friendship that means everything to them?

The Alpha Experiment features not-so-scientific mating rituals, magical handcuffs, some very inappropriate outdoor activities, knotting, and a guaranteed happily ever after. Even though it’s number five in the Mismatched Mates series, it can be read as a standalone. The series does not contain mpreg.

Review: Forbidden Lover (Exit Strategy #4) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 3.5🌈

Forbidden Lover has its beginnings in Final Lover, Justin Mallory and Gabriel Prescott’s “put a ring on it”storyline. That’s the book that solidified their romance into a HEA by slipping them into a mission that sees them protecting a man and his young son from a mistaken hit contract.

The assassin who took the bad contract was Kai , an old acquaintance of Gabriel’s, and someone Gabe knew would never kill a child. It stopped Kai once he knew the information was bad and then he helped them protect the man and son. Yes, there was definitely chemistry involved but it was just a wisp and gone.

Here all the dropped parts from that book that pertained to the father ,Devlin Relic and son , get picked up and woven into a new adventure and romance.

This time between Devlin and Kai.

As much as I liked the character of Kai, what makes the series work is the development of the relationship between the two characters of Justin and Gabriel over a period of time, especially with the differences in personalities. Here Kai is lacking all that history and groundwork, even with his introduction in the last book, to give him a larger dimension to his character.

It makes the drama with the villain just a bit confusing, even coming off as a forced storyline because we have nothing to frame it around.

I liked Devlin and his son, the father/son dynamics feeling more realistic than the fact that Devlin might be any sort of brilliant scientist. No one is that naive anymore, especially about other members of their scientific community. Nice character, not realistic enough for the field.

So I was entertained. It’s not my favorite in the series. Feels like more of a filler story than a actual part. Maybe people were asking for it because of Kai from Final Lover.

Read it to finish the series, or because you’re curious about that character. It’s a fun book but not necessarily a great one.

The series should be read in the order that they were written to understand the character development and events that happened.

Exit Strategy series:

✓ Deadly Lover: Special Edition #1

✓ Vengeful Lover #2

✓ Final Lover #3

✓ Forbidden Lover #4

✓ Accidental Lover #5

Buy Link :

Forbidden Lover (Exit Strategy Book 4)

Description:

Devlin Relic was off limits.

The sweet man had already lost a husband and nearly lost his life when someone put a contract on his head last year.

He needed to focus on raising his adopted son and finding a nice, normal man.

Kai was anything but nice and normal.

He was an assassin, and that did not fit into Dev’s neat and tidy life.

But when a dead body mysteriously appears in Dev’s bathtub, it looks like an assassin is exactly what he needs.

Maybe this time Kai will be brave enough to fight for Devlin and finally put his exit strategy to use.

Review: How to Defy a Vampire (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes Book 5) by Alice Winters

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s was 2020 when we last saw a release in this series, so it took a while to remember what had happened and where we stood with all the characters and their relationships.

This paranormal series stood out from the beginning due to one of its main characters. That’s Finnegan “Finn” Hayes, a human police detective who comes to work for the VRC, the Vampire Related Crimes Unit. He’s a double amputee, arm and leg, both purposely cut off by a vampire with a master plan for Finn’s life, including total control.

That’s all discovered through convoluted, and disturbing revelations and plot threads in the beginning books. His outlook, his banter, all Finn’s way of dealing with the enormous horror he’s faced and the memories he carries. Winters never lets us or Finn, through his emotional struggles, forget that those special prosthetics (part of that horror) aren’t any true replacement for his missing limbs. They can break, the electronics can stop working, the nerves or specific cap where they attach has been damaged. It’s a believable portrait of a man who both needs his prostheses to feel complete and hates the vulnerability because of what he sees he becomes without them. A issue addressed further here.

I feel Finn is actually the most complex character Winters has created. And he continues to show character growth in small ways throughout the series.

His relationship with his partner, the ancient vampire, Marcus Church, is a terrific example. Marcus isn’t forthcoming about his bloody past , but it’s often his past that’s comes to confront them, forcing an exchange of information. As it happens here.

But Winters has a deeper scheme for the series arc apparently as she doubles, shockingly, back to Finn’s beginning.

I’ll say no more. But this is a real fear inducing storyline. And it’s only partially solved, leaving several threads open for discussion and potentially more huge issues and high drama.

We also get two new characters, both fascinating and engaging, and linked to both Finn and Marcus’ pasts.

Claude and Alexei are here and clearly more established in their relationship. I adore them.

I had forgotten how much I really love this series. It’s raw in its character complexity, scary in its story execution, and while it has it humorous moments, it remains a terrifying tale at heart with love always at risk.

Hopefully we won’t have to wait as long for the next installment.

Guts are torn out, heads fly, much violence. This is dark fiction at much of the time. Not something that you would want to read? Take notice.

Otherwise I’m recommending it highly. They must be read in the order they are written in order to understand the events and characters development.

VRC: Vampire Related Crimes series:

🔷How to Vex a Vampire #1

🔷How to Elude a Vampire #2

🔷How to Lure a Hunter #3

🔷How to Save a Human #4

🔷How to Defy a Vampire #5

Buy Link:

How to Defy a Vampire (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes Book 5)

Description:

Finn
Stumbling into a crime scene is pretty typical for me. As a human, joining the VRC has done everything but keep me out of trouble. And now I seem to be playing a part that I’d really rather not play… if I want to keep my head, that is.

By my side is my partner Marcus, a vampire who has vowed to tear the world apart—and even a mattress—to keep me safe. I want to do everything I can to protect my newfound family, no matter what we’re forced to face.

Marcus
When ghosts from my past step right into my path, I want to look the other way. I’d rather enjoy my life with Finn, figure out a way to make my brother less obnoxiously gaudy, and find out how to never go roller skating ever again.

Finn is the bravest person I’ve ever met, but he’s also a human and we’re working against some of the strongest vampires in existence. I’m left doing what I can to shield those dearest to me while trying to keep the past from consuming the present.

I can’t let the same mistakes happen again.

How to Defy a Vampire contains peculiar festive wear, misguided attempts at welcoming a human, and Marcus terrifying everyone as usual.

Review: Final Lover (Exit Strategy #3) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4.75🌈

Final Lover while only being the third book in the series really puts the finishing touches on the romance of Justin Mallory and Gabriel Prescott. Now semi-retired and living in the high security house of their dreams in Colorado with their two cats and two German Shepherds, things should be easy.

But with the damaged pasts, high adrenaline needs for excitement or just something to keep a unusually intense mind occupied, both men are wondering what’s next for them. How do they get a HEA? Is it even possible?

A slide into a case involving a targeted man and young son on the run, an old acquaintance of Gabriel’s, and a mystery that will form the basis of the next book and relationship, Forbidden Lover #4. That’s an entirely new couple and dynamic.

Drake does such an excellent job creating a believable portrait of an established relationship that’s still got issues to solve, factors that each person must consider and communicate to their partner. Even among the assassins/mercenaries, whatever the job title they have at the moment. It’s still a fully developed adult relationship, with the requisite trust and commitment issues. And Drake brings that to their table every time.

The mystery, the new assassin Kai, the vulnerable father and son, even the GSDs and Norwegian Forest cats, are fantastic characters and support elements.

This is wonderful entertainment and a fast paced story to dive into and devour.

As is the series.

The next two books find Justin and Gabriel acting in secondary roles so enjoy them in their Final Lover fashion!

I’m highly recommending it.

The series should be read in the order that they were written to understand the character development and events that happened.

Exit Strategy series:

✓ Deadly Lover: Special Edition #1

✓ Vengeful Lover #2

✓ Final Lover #3

✓ Forbidden Lover #4

✓ Accidental Lover #5

Buy Link:

Final Lover (Exit Strategy Book 3)

Description:

Two assassins meet, don’t kill each other, and fall in love.

It’s happily ever after, right?

Not so fast.

Reformed mercenaries Justin Mallory and Gabriel Prescott have taken the big leap of living together. They’re even working together.

But “one last job” has them taking a falsely accused man and his young son into their home for safe keeping.

While dodging bullets and fellow hitmen out for the $27 million bounty, Justin and his G Love realize that falling in love was the easy part. Building a life together might be more than they bargained for.

Join Justin and Gabriel for their final adventure as they protect an innocent man and uncover the missing piece to their forever.

Review: Redeeming Nick (Dark Forest Pack Book 2) by Annabelle Jacobs

Rating: 4.5🌈

I’m so enjoying this series. I believe I found Redeeming Nick even more my favorite because of the characters and chemistry Jacobs creates here.

One caveat, a reader must bring a certain amount of information about the universe and characters history with them into each story. If you are new to Jacob’s’ werewolves world (and connected series), you will feel a bit lost or without a good foundation for the magic, politics, and overall series arc. That includes the Fae Realm.

That’s hugely important here when one of the main characters is a Fae guard, Dathal. Dathal is charged with the investigation into how such a rare powerful, lethal substance from the Fae Realm was smuggled through a portal into the human one, with deadly consequences.

Those events began in Claiming Rys Book 1 and the investigations continued here as it becomes apparent there’s a more complex plot behind the smuggling operation.

Dathal, cousin to Axel, a sexy, gorgeous Fae who’s been a part of the series from the beginning, is a great character. More serious, less aware or knowledgeable of the human world than Axel who lives here, Dathal’s personality and viewpoint is both humorous and fascinating. He’s definitely Fae, whereas some of the other Fae characters have softer “edges” to them from living in the human realm.

One of a two person POV format, Dathal’s perspective is distinctly Fae, with a genuine focus for his work and love for his realm, which contrasts well with that of Nick, a witch whose magical abilities hold a secret from his past.

Nick is also a terrific character. He’s demonstrated personal growth and courage in the course of this investigation as well as betrayal. He’s greatly invested in how the scheme has been implemented and who’s responsible.

When the two come together, the physical and emotional charge is remarkable. Jacobs does such a fantastic job in making this almost instant connection feel hot and genuine . That they fight it and fail comes across as absolutely believable.

I could have done with even more of their relationship but there did need to be some kind of storyline to move the smuggling theme forward and it does. Onto the next book. It’s turning out to be a very interesting and layered affair.

Next up is Axel’s story, hints of which we get here in this book. I can’t wait to read it.

Due to the series arc and story structure and character development, the books should be read in the order that they were written.

I’m highly recommending this series and book for all lovers of paranormal and fantasy fiction and romance.

Dark Forest Pack series:

🔷Claiming Rys #1

🔷Redeeming Nick #2

🔷Guarding Axel #3 – June 27, 2023

Buy Link:

Redeeming Nick (Dark Forest Pack Book 2)

Description:

A witch with a secret, a fae guard with a job to do.

Nick
As the new manager of paranormal club, Midnight, Nick Parker has his hands full. What he doesn’t have time for is an inconvenient attraction for the mysterious fae with violet eyes and the kind of magic that Nick yearns for.

Dathal
A fae guard with an affinity for seeking out the truth, Dathal has one purpose—to catch those responsible for smuggling a deadly plant out of the fae realm, and then return home. Falling for a witch isn’t on the cards, but something about Nick calls to him in a way he’s powerless to ignore.

Their paths cross as Nick is drawn into the investigation, and their connection is inevitable, but the consequences of being together are something neither of them could have foreseen.

Redeeming Nick is an MM paranormal romance featuring a hot, tattooed witch with attitude, and a silver-haired fae with a disdain for human rules. Full of magic, mystery, and sizzling UST, with a guaranteed HEA.

* For maximum enjoyment, the series should be read in order.

Review: Double or Nothing (Double Trouble #1) by Cari Z and L.A. Witt

Rating: 4🌈

Double or Nothing is an exciting start to a new series about Hacker Leotrim Nicolosi and Deputy Marshal Rich Cody.

A quick read, full of great action scenes and some wonderful characters, I was throughly entertained by the story and committed to the romance as it evolved between two damaged men from different worlds.

Deputy Marshal Rich Cody is a newly appointed Marshal who’s fighting his own battles with his military past. That’s his PTSD from his missions abroad. He’s currently on assignment to guard a criminal hacker Leotrim Nicolosi. Hacker Leotrim is to testify if the crime family doesn’t take him out first.

From a Marshal WITSEC assignment which goes really wrong fast, we get a highly detailed, very exciting fast paced action story. It’s two enemy to lovers against everyone romance. And you just want a big bag of popcorn, drink of choice and to be left alone to read until it’s over.

I love the characters, their romance is just got enough barriers and drama to be interesting and emotional, and the intrigue is top notch.

It carries over to a second story which ends the 2-part series. I’m recommending it and heading there now for the end of the story.

Double Trouble series:

✓ Double or Nothing #1

◦ Doubling Down #2

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showDouble or Nothing (Double Trouble #1) by Cari Z.

Description:

Rich Cody joined the U.S. Marshals to hunt down bad guys, not babysit witnesses. Orders are orders, though, and now he’s protecting a hacker with ties to the Albanian and Sicilian mobs. It’s just another exciting day in WITSEC.

Leotrim Nicolosi was born into a world of crime and bloodshed. When that bloodshed hits too close to home, taking down Leo’s boyfriend—the son of a notorious mob boss—Leo is determined to destroy the Grimaldi family. He’s got evidence that will send every last Grimaldi to prison, he’s got the family’s wealth in an electronic chokehold, and he’s got a vendetta that can only be settled with the blood of the man who killed his lover.

When a routine transfer to a safehouse goes horribly wrong, Rich and Leo narrowly escape with their lives.

With the Marshals compromised and Leo being framed for murder, he and Rich are on the run from criminals and law enforcement alike. They have no one to trust except each other, and nowhere to go that their enemies can’t reach.And the only way out might mean making a deal with the Devil.

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