Category: Books

Review: The Fix Is In (Torus Intercession #4) by Mary Calmes

Rating: 3.5🌈

The Fix Is In is the fourth book in Mary Calmes’ Torus Investigations series and it’s probably my least favorite of the group to date.

Surprisingly because this one sort of breaks a number of patterns set out in all the previous novels and it includes a circle of friends and support characters that I really got into.

Shaw James, seventh son of a seventh Scottish son and Torus fixer, has been handed a new case from his boss’ idea of helping people who can’t normally afford their expensive services by doing pro bono work on a selective basis.

His new assignment involves rainy Oregon, and a paranormal investigator that someone seems to feel might be in danger.

The character of Shaw James is splendid . He’s not what I term a typical Calmes golden boy but I do love the character traits she gave him and the personality as well as family history that makes Shaw so interesting and attractive. He’s terrific and incredibly likable immediately.

The small town he arrives at feels realistically sodden and uncomfortable (I’d leave). And the towns citizens are what I’d expect of some of the Pacific Northwest small townships…quirky, interesting, a patchwork of humanity. Calmes really does a excellent job here in getting a feel for life as in this area and it’s people.

Even the investigations into the potential “ghostly scares” that the other main character, Benjamin Grace and tiny crew, are inquiring about, are done with equal amounts of respect, seriousness, and a smidge of humor.

So my issue? Sigh. It’s that for the majority of the story, I felt that Benjamin Grace is or was an absolute dunderhead. A twit of the biggest proportions! Honestly, there were so many times I just wanted to smack him myself. The man was as clueless as can be. A kindergartner would have glommed onto the facts around him, seen the lightbulb going off over his head, and not been a total nit about things! And not once did any of the supposedly sane people around him, at any time, ever speak up and announce “Benjamin Grace, you great doofus, that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard or seen anyone ever do or utter outside of a Adam Sandler movie. “!!!!

He withholds important information from everyone all the time!

Outside of Monty Python, when did idiocy become so attractive?

Good thing everyone and everything is so good that I worked overtime to ignore Benny there. He’s not even one of the typical “golden boys” but a cousin. Many, many …… many times removed.

Trust me, Benjamin is a character I feel just didn’t work. Why even write a character this dim?

Calmes does break a pattern here with her formula for the series which makes me think she’s setting up her next novel in the series and it’s couple.

Needed to get them out and away.

I look forward to that one.

I’ve enjoyed this series and if you’re a Mary Calmes fan, I know you have too. I’ve listed the series below in case you’ve missed any. Check them out.

Torus Intercession series:

No Quick Fix #1

In A Fix #2

Fix It Up #3

The Fix Is In #4

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Fix Is In (Torus Intercession, #4) by Mary Calmes – Goodreads

How can a man who doesn’t believe in things that go bump in the night possibly protect a man who does?

It’s safe to say that Shaw James is a pragmatist who has no patience for anything but the facts. He is good at assessing threats and focusing on a clear objective when he goes out on a job for Torus Intercession. But he hasn’t had to be a detective before, it’s all brand new, so why his boss chose him to figure out who may, or may not, be trying to kill Benjamin Grace is beyond him. Protecting a paranormal investigator from whoever—or whatever—may be trying to kill him is completely out of Shaw’s wheelhouse, and how is he supposed to help find an attacker when the guy he’s sent to protect maintains that the threat is ghostly in origin? It’s insane, and Shaw does not do insane. Benjamin Grace is going to be a problem.

But Benji is nothing at all like Shaw imagined he’d be, and the fixer is spellbound from their first meeting. Benji is kind and can laugh at himself, doesn’t take things too seriously, and, more than anything, he wants to help everyone. The man is inarguably Shaw’s polar opposite, and he brings out every protective instinct in Shaw. Best of all, though, is that Benji seems every bit as enchanted by the man sent to protect him.

Together, Benji and Shaw must work to figure out what’s happening in the small town of Rune, Oregon, and it quickly proves more difficult than it should be to keep Benji alive. When it goes from difficult to seemingly impossible, Shaw packs Benji up and takes him back home to Chicago where the most frightening thing is Shaw’s own big, loud, loving, and overly-invested-in-his-love-life family who can’t seem to resist meddling in his affairs.

Or not. Turns out the scariest thing might just be Benji, the guy who seems perfect for Shaw.

Review: Beautifully Unexpected by Lily Morton

Rating: 5🌈

With Lily Morton I find I have to look at her stories as I would a rare treat. Something I need to remind myself not to binge on, but rather a gift I give to myself a little bit at a time. Mostly when I know I need to laugh during unexpected moments, or lie in bed giggling over scenes that rear vividly back to life, along with their characters to make me feel warm and happy.

Last night it was Endof romping hilariously out of control through a park, to Laurie’s endless amusement (and mine) and everyone else’s dismay.

Just one small scene and I’m instantly transported back into the world of Mags and Laurie and Beautifully Unexpected.

And it made me want to pick up their story and start their journey all over again.

Lily Morton’s books have a way of making me want to do that. It becomes a Sisyphusian task to get by a Morton library!

Key Morton elements include making any location not just a mere setting but a rich aspect of her stories. From well known historical sites that get a new perspective to out of the way pubs and galleries, the way the streets and structures look in a certain light during a season…There’s a love and affection that flows through all the descriptions to the places where the men walk, the stops they make from the bingo hall, to the parks. So that each stop becomes an integral rich part of them and their relationship and story.

In every book, I itch to get a ticket and retrace their steps.

But it’s Mags, Magnus Carlsen, the magnificent Dane himself. And Laurie Gentry who will sneak up on you and slowly send their way into your heart as they do each other’s. The men are deeply layered, believable human beings. You delight in them, even as you find them grumpy or outrageous. So it’s falls in line that as a reader you’re pulled immediately into their lives and growing relationship.

It’s funny, often hilarious, sneaky, so clever, sexy, loving, and heartwarming.

It’s very hard to describe such a strange path these two take towards a relationship and HEA. They are both later in life, neither has looked to have a relationship, each has an extremely rewarding career.

They are totally different. Yet absolutely perfect for each other.

Such a joy and fun , and poignant, because that’s life and this author doesn’t forget that part too.

And when the ending comes, it stays true to who these men are. I loved that too.

Once again, Lily Morton has given us an brilliant opportunity to peer into a unique romance and relationship between two unforgettable men. One that still has me smiling. Or laughing.

As her stories so often do.

It’s why this one is another I’m recommending. So lovely. And honestly, Endof is just as unforgettable as well!

Check it out to find out exactly who that is!

https://www.goodreads.com › showBeautifully Unexpected by Lily Morton – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Sometimes love comes when you least expect or want it.

Magnus Carlsen is determined to grow old disgracefully. At fifty-two, he doesn’t believe in keeping anything. Men, sofas, books—everything gets jettisoned, eventually. He’s divided his life into happy compartments. A successful trial lawyer, he spends his days lecturing jurors, exasperating judges, and striding arrogantly around courtrooms. He fills his nights with a parade of handsome young men who want to make him happy. Why date someone his own age to discuss back pain, retirement-planning, and corns, when he can date men who don’t care to discuss anything at all?

However, when one of these sunny young men shows an inclination for dramatic scenes, Magnus meets his new neighbour. And his whole world implodes.

Laurie Gentry is nearly the same age as Magnus, but that’s where the similarity ends. He’s messy and creative and nosy and mysterious. He’s everything that Magnus has spent a lifetime avoiding. So, why can’t he get Laurie out of his head?

Luckily, Laurie is only in London for the summer. Magnus can uncover Laurie’s mysteries and indulge their annoyingly hot attraction, and Laurie will be gone before complications arise. A few months isn’t long enough to lose his heart. Is it?

From bestselling author, Lily Morton comes a romantic comedy about two footloose older men and how one summer in London brings something quite beautifully unexpected into their lives.

Review: Breath (Scales ‘n’ Spells (#2) by A.J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4 🌈

Breath is the second book in Sherwood and Drake’s fantasy series and it takes the series off to Finland, Poland..a tiny travelogue of countries really, in search of new mages and Dragon mates for the Burkhard Fire Clan. The path taken through Riga, then Wrocław is so descriptive and charming that you scramble to Google it. Locations are always a plus here.

However with both Origin and now Breath, there was an underlying element that tugged at me when I finished both stories and it took this book to figure out what it was.

I like the fantasy arc the authors have established and the mystery of the enemy mages to overcome. Nor have I mislaid the aspect of the Lost Clans the authors only mentioned in the beginning. All good.

I do like that the story concentrates on the mage for most of the novel. Here it’s Tori Taavi. He’s lived a miserable life in a hidden village that’s pretty much a matriarchal homophobic society where only the females who test out magically are valued, males who do are valued solely as mates to procreate and anyone else is considered worthless. Tori fell in the later as gay and someone who did work magic under their rigid guidelines.

Both Sherwood and Drake do a fantastic job in creating a sympathetic and relatable personality in Tori. He’s so easy to connect with, that making him our window into the story and his personal journey into a new world of hope is amazing. I’m with him and his tale of love and growth all the way.

In fact Tori’s emotional tale overpowers everything here. Baldewin, the sweet giant of a red fire dragon, definitely comes in second as a narrator instead of on equal standing. Same for Baldewin’s story. It’s Tori’s book really, not that I mind. He’s a great character. Much like the first book belonged to Cameron, Cassie, and Ha Na instead of King Alric.

But shouldn’t it be at least more uh… dragon sided too?

Right now it’s all about the mages but we learn very little about dragons here.

That’s part of the issue that’s been troubling me. Dragons, for all the castles and verbiage given to them here, have, little natural history or foundation. So there’s a magical incubator. Great! How does it work?why, other than the war basics, don’t we really know much about dragons here?

The mate ceremony is over before you know it . Which considering that it’s what all the drama and wars were/are fought over, wouldn’t you expect something more uh noteworthy? Here that’s the section that feels the most incomplete. When it should be the most uplifting and important.

And it was that way for both stories. So I see a pattern emerging here.

Great mage characters and their storyline. Lesser dragons characters with a rushed ending.

Thankfully Tori was so great that I really enjoyed his journey and thought Baldewin made a lovely mate for him.

Now onto the novella, Wish.

I’m recommending this because the characters are terrific and fantasy is always my jam.

Read them in the order they are written.

Scales ‘n’ Spells series:

✓ Origins

✓ Breath

◦ Wish: a Novella

◦ Blood

◦ Embers

https://www.goodreads.com › showBreath (Scales ‘N’ Spells #2) by A.J. Sherwood – Goodreads

A Mage’s List for Freedom:

1. Escape his evil, controlling clan.

2. Get a job.

3. Work magic on HIS terms.

4. Avoid all dragons.

Tori was doing great until sexy dragon Baldewin interfered.

Between the little gifts, constant protection, and the steadfast confidence from the overgrown lizard, Tori wonders if maybe that last step needs revising. He has no chance to consider it.

Not before trouble called Jaeggi REALLY hits. Now he’s on the road trip from hell to the one place he’d never thought would be a safe haven. A clan of dragons.

Assuming they make it, that is.

Tags:

Dragon shifters, mages, fated mates, hurt/comfort, enemies to lovers, not mpreg, interracial couple, road trip, No Flying, nope not even with a dragon, dwarf hunting in Poland, Tori needs allll the hugs, Baldewin is happy to supply them, dragons are ninjas, attempted kidnapping, mages being BAMF, insecurity, trust issues, Tori is an arse, Baldewin is adorable, Cassie is over it, virgin character, but not for long fufufufu, dysfunctional family, family of choice, magical realism, cuuuuudles, the authors regret nothing.

Review: A Sanctuary for Soulden (The Lords of Bucknall Club #4) by J.A. Rock and Lisa Henry

Rating: 4.5 🌈

In Rock and Henry’s marvelous Regency series, The Lords of Bucknall Club, the authors start with a premise that history zigged instead of zagged in 1783 when the Marriage Act Amendment was introduced in England to allow same sex marriages. Why? Because it wanted to encourage childless marriages between the many lesser young men and women of the Realm. Those who wouldn’t inherit and therefore strengthen the right of the first born to inherit the title and property, not the younger siblings.

It’s a great twist on history and their take on Regency romance is just plain out splendid. It’s full of rakes, spies, romantic twits, Lords of high intelligence and those of questionable morals. It’s got it’s Bow Street Runners and it’s French Haberdashery! It’s just grand fun.

Sanctuary for Soulden , the fourth novel in the series, has at its center the enigmatic Philip Winthrop, Viscount Soulden. Viscount Soulden has been a major character over the series , always in the middle of things. Especially with his friend Lord Christmas Gale (A Case for Christmas #1).

Finally, after the major role Soulden played in what I affectionately call The Tale of Two Twits aka A Rival for Rivingdon #3, the man gets his own fabulous story.

By turns exciting, sexy, unexpectedly poignant, and yes, a tad funny, A Sanctuary for Soulden is such a great romantic romp that I forgot to take notes and just blew right through it.

The dialogue is sheer delight! Especially when it’s Soulden and the rest of the group gathered at The Bucknall Club. Whether it’s Soulden calling Worry “Wally”, a mare being mistaken for a stallion, or a waistcoat of hand painted buttons….of one’s husband. There’s always something memorable to comment one and chuckle at.

The medical profession, the subject of the need for corpses, the war, and it’s traumatic impact is strongly dealt with. But is ways that often sneak up on you, as they do the characters. Here the moments that recollect overwhelming loss, grief, anger, and guilt play out…a cacophony of emotions. All through the great characters of Surgeon Edmund Fernside and Fitz.

Not only can a reader clearly picture each setting and situations, but each character is so well defined that it’s a feeling of being connected each time we drop into the relationships and maneuverings as the story continues.

Like all the couples, who appear here, the relationship is one that is relatable and nicely realistic in its expectations. It’s definitely a HFN. I think that was a great choice here. Especially as all the others are going through changes and growth as well.

I’m excited over the next book, An Affair for Aument. It’s one that feeds beautifully out from this one with a new , yet amazing character.

This series just continues to expand and amaze. I highly recommend it to all. It’s just just a splendid thing you shouldn’t pass this or any of the books up. Read them in the order they are written.

Series – ThLords of Bucknall Club

A Husband for Hartwell #1

A Case for Christmas #2

A Rival for Rivingdon #3

A Sanctuary for Soulden #4.

A Affair for Aument #5 – coming later

https://www.goodreads.com › showA Sanctuary for Soulden by J.A. Rock – Goodreads

Synopsis:

He wasn’t meant for a quiet life.

Philip Winthrop, Viscount Soulden, is a fop. An idle popinjay with nothing more on his mind than how to best knot his cravat. He definitely doesn’t spy against the French. Or arrange hasty weddings. Or occasionally commandeer the navy. And he certainly doesn’t seek out mortal danger in order to combat his pervasive ennui. It’s all just a big misunderstanding when he’s shot by a French intelligence officer during a merry riverside chase. And what a wonderful bit of quick thinking to pretend to be a corpse in order to get himself taken to the local surgeon’s autopsy cellar. The French will never find him there. If the French are even looking for him. Which they’re not. Now he just needs to locate a way out before this surgeon fellow attempts to dissect him.

He’d rather deal with the dead than the living.

Surgeon Edmund Fernside does his best to heal the living, but in truth, he’d much rather look into the gaping chest cavity of a corpse than into the startling blue eyes of a…corpse that just climbed off his autopsy table. Well then. Lord Soulden is clearly a man with some complicated secrets. But with the French in hot pursuit and a rather brutal gunshot wound, Soulden’s not going anywhere anytime soon, and Fernside discovers that he enjoys the pleasure of his company. In more ways than one.

Now, trusting each other could mean the difference between life and death.

As Soulden learns to be still for the first time in his life, Fernside wonders if perhaps it’s time to spread his wings a little. They can only hide from the outside world—and from their pasts—for so long before the secrets they’ve uncovered about each other strain the growing attraction between them. Each man must decide whether a life of comfortable lies is preferable to one full of difficult truths. And whether the sanctuary they’ve created together is something worth fighting for.

A Sanctuary for Soulden is the fourth book in the Lords of Bucknall Club series, where the Regency meets m/m romance. The Lords of Bucknall Club can be read in any order.

Review: Origin (Scales ‘n’ Spells #1) by A.J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4🌈

When I saw that two of my go to authors had co-writtten a series together, I needed to check it out. Especially a fantasy series.

Origin, the first in A.J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake’s Scales ‘n’ Spells series is a terrific story. It overflows with dragons, magic, and romance.

The world building is straight forward and, unless the authors intend to throw substantial twists into the upcoming novels, without the multiple complexities and overall murkiness I’ve had in my other sagas. This contributes to a lighter narrative, that moves the plot swiftly along. Germany makes for a rich location in terms of language and culture and both are put to excellent use by the authors.

The Park Twins, both Cameron and his sister Cassie are charming and well conceived. In fact, the entire all the Noh family, including the wonderful grandmother are such a plus! I gravitated to them all. More so then any of the other characters. Hopefully we will see more of them in the upcoming novels.

The arc story threads is set forth almost immediately as are the stakes for all the beings involved. The action scenes are well done but I want more of the dragons. Balancing mage and dragons here isn’t a easy task.

Alric and Cameron make a relatable couple. I think his sister Cassie and her mate make an even more adorable one, and wanted to see more of them too.

Origins was a very good start to a new series and I look forward towards the rest of the series.

As a lover of fantasy, I’m recommending it.

Scales ‘n’ Spells series:

Origins

Breathe

Wish: a Novella

Blood

Embers

https://www.goodreads.com › showOrigin (Scales ‘N’ Spells, #1) by A.J. Sherwood – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Cameron wants to make it clear that he did not go into the festival to find a dragon mate.

Germany is supposed to be an escape. With a new mechanical engineering degree, a new job looming, and a whole life planned out that isn’t his, Germany seems like the best place to find himself.

So, how does he end up discovering his lost magic heritage, running from bad guys with a secret agenda, and being adopted by the not-so-extinct Fire Dragon clan?

Cameron blames tall, dark, and sexy Alric, King of the Fire Dragons. His fated mate. Because of course he is, and mates are meant to take the blame, right?

It may take a hot second, but as Cameron learns more about the scarred Alric and the life he’s landed in, Cameron realizes that perhaps this is where he’s meant to be, magic and mates and kidnapping and all.

Turns out coming to Germany wasn’t an escape but his awakening.

Tags: Not-so-extinct, Shifter dragons, mages, fated mates, secret clans, epic libraries, hurt/comfort, not mpreg, age gap, not that Alric cares, magical heritage, mechanical engineers being BAMF, grumpy dragon kings being protective of their cute mates, really the cuteness is downright criminal, we might need a firehose for these two, or not, sass, so much sass, Ravi and Cameron are no longer allowed to be alone together, for reasons, dragons hoarding, when you live long enough statistics will get you, bats named Cheryl, beheadings, no damsels in distress here, just very unhappy mages, with trigger fingers, anyone have life hacks on how to get rid of kidnappers, Cameron is open to suggestions.

Review: Right as Raine (Aster Valley #1) by Lucy Lennox

Rating: 4 🌈

I had started this series with the third book in the series and decided to backtrack to the beginning and I’m glad I did. I really enjoyed the first installment and my introduction to the location of Aster Valley .

The relationship and romance between Mikey Vining, personal chef and son of a NFL Coach and the NFL wide receiver on his father’s team, Tiller Raine, is told in rotating 2-person pov. It’s a sexy, fun, and heartwarming contemporary romance that’s got terrific dialogue and a wonderful group of support players, many of which become a full time Aster Valley cast.

Lennox does a good job with getting the importance of great nutrition across as a source of better job performance for athletes, making what Mikey does essential. He becomes believable as a professional as well as a person. And it enhances both Tiller’s character and his job as a pro Football player.

The flashbacks are kept to a minimum, the relationship feels based in a real dynamic between the men and I loved the chemistry going forward.

Just the odd element about Truman pulled into the book towards the end seemed out of keeping with the rest of the tone and added another pov out of nowhere. I get the author’s setting up a bridge to the next story but perhaps another method could have been found.

Other then this aspect of the story, I liked my introduction to Aster Valley and it’s dwellers very much. I also really like this couple and look forward to seeing more of them in future novels.

I’m recommending this!

https://www.goodreads.com › showRight as Raine (Aster Valley #1) by Lucy Lennox – Goodreads

Aster Valley Series:

◦ Winter Waites #0.5

✓ Right as Raine #1

◦ Sweet as Honey #2

✓ Hot as Heller #3

◦ Thick as Thieves #4 – coming 2022

Book Synopsis

Tiller:

As the first openly gay professional football player, I can’t afford to make any mistakes, on or off the field. And the absolute biggest mistake I could make right now would be to fall for Mikey Vining, my best friend, employee and, more importantly, Coach’s baby boy. I might fantasize about Mikey at night–every night-but actually touching him would be a serious personal foul.

And falling for him? That’s completely out of bounds.

Mikey:

I’ve learned my lesson about falling for one of my dad’s players. They’re a bunch of spoiled jocks with more muscles than brains. I’ve spent years learning to keep my eyes, and my hands, to myself. But resisting the temptation becomes nearly impossible when Tiller Raine and I end up together in a small cabin in a remote Colorado town.

Suddenly, there’s not much to do but look at each other. And talk. And hopefully, hopefully touch.

But what happens when our stay in Aster Valley is over and it’s time to return to the real world? Will Coach blow the whistle on our relationship? Or will Tiller admit there might actually be something he loves more than football after all?

Review: Wake The Dead (Godstones Saga #3) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 5🌈

Well that was wonderfully unexpected!

So many twists and wild turns in this installment to keep my brain in a whirl until the fourth book is released in January. So many I honestly did not see coming, and I’m a very suspicious person.

Love when that happens.

Wake the Dead is such a huge book in a variety of ways, not just because of the wild revelations at the end. As much as I found those thrilling and wildly entertaining…

No, it’s the layers peeled back off from familiar characters, revealing hidden depths to their personalities and letting us see them both as people capable of acts of great ruthlessness and cruelty. Or as people too easily swayed by surface actions when I expected them to be more discerning. Hidden depths, differences in agendas, and potential for even more revelations to come the more we get to know these men.

These are the quiet turns in the narrative that balances the larger, more explosive surprises the author lays out for all (characters and readers alike) throughout the amazing journey here.

I have come to look forward to all the characters I meet along the paths our quartet must take to achieve their god quests. This book is full of fully realized, memorable beings that come across as absolutely believable, sometimes poignant, often larger than life itself. Ones I hope to see somehow at the end of the series if at all possible.

Drake is creating such a fantastic fantasy series, a gift really. One that pulls at your heart, mind, and imagination.

Now to wait until January 22,2022 for the fourth in the series. She has six planned overall.

We are halfway there on our journey. It’s a magnificent one.

If you’re a lover of fantasy romance and fiction, grab up and read the books along with me. Read them in the order they are written to understand the sequence of events and characters growth and changes in relationships.

I’m highly recommending them all.

https://www.goodreads.com › showWake the Dead (Godstone Saga, #3) by Jocelynn Drake – Goodreads

Godstone Saga Series:

✓ Steal The Wind #1

✓ Breathe of Life #2

✓ Wake the Dead #3

◦ Wings of Fire #4 – coming January 22, 2022

Synopsis:

The dead wait for Caelan.

The Goddess of Life has sent Caelan to wake her brother, the Dead God.

But crossing the reclusive country of Zastrad is even more treacherous when Caelan and his friends aren’t sure they can trust their guide.

The four friends will be tested by violence, death, political intrigue, and secrets better left in the dark.

When Caelan finally reaches the fractured godstone, he may have to give up everything to save the family he’s cobbled together.

Wake the Dead is the third book in the six-book Godstone Saga fantasy series and is not a standalone. The story contains danger, secrets, bossy gods, stolen kisses, a new king finding his way, a possessive boyfriend, magic, and lots of delicious angst..

Review: Breathe of Life (Godstones Saga #2) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 5🌈

As I’ve said before, it’s always the second book in a series that cements the foundation and really establishes the pillars the author’s is resting their epic fantasy storylines upon.

Breathe of Life, the second novel in the Godstones Saga by Jocelynn Drake does all that and more beautifully. It’s here the author lays out the fantasy themes and storylines the main group of characters must strive for. The epic goals and the unbelievable obstacles that lie ahead of them all become clear as well.

All while our intrepid group fights gallantly through enemy battalions, encountering unexpected dangers within and without, and dealing with gods. Who have their own agendas.

To say my time with this book just flew would be an understatement.

I’m so committed to these people and each new event and obstacle raises each man to find within himself some new flaws as well as strengths. The characters develop deeper relationship dynamics between each other that just adds such amazing interest and brings us closer to them. Individually and as they find attractions towards each other.

Drake has such great skills when writing fantasy. It shows in the imaginative Godstones/gods as well as extends towards the battles and internal emotions that Caelan fights within him. Plus the rotating 4-man pov strengthens the narrative and our commitment to each character and their role in this epic journey.

This series has quickly become a must read and I’m hot onto the next book in the series Wake the Dead.

Then I’ll have to wait like every one for the January release. Sigh.

Until then, if you love fantasy romance and fiction, grab up this series. Read it straight through and meet me at the next story!

I’m loving this! And highly recommending it!

https://www.goodreads.com › showBreath of Life (Godstone Saga, #2) by Jocelynn Drake – Goodreads

Godstone Saga Series:

✓ Steal The Wind #1

✓ Breathe of Life #2

◦ Wake the Dead #3

◦ Wings of Fire #4 – coming January 22, 2022

Synopsis:

Caelan wants his throne back.

The bargain has been struck, and it’s time to return home.

But the situation is worse in Erya than he previously suspected. Betrayal runs deep in the streets of Stormbreak, and finding people he can trust will be treacherous.

He has no choice, though. He’s fighting for his birthright, and maybe even a little revenge if he can get it.

Will the gods come between him and the crown?

Or worse, him and Drayce?

Breath of Life is the second book in the six-book Godstone Saga fantasy series and is not a standalone. The story contains explosions, gods with secret plans, hidden romance, a prince set on revenge, magic, and lots of delicious angst..

Review: Ever After (Chester Falls #7) by Ana Ashley

Review: 3.75 🌈

How To Catch A Happily Ever After by Ana Ashley is the author’s Chester Falls series finale and ties up loose ends for all the series couples.

While there’s one overall story, it really feels more like a series of connected anecdotes or narratives about every couple in the series. It brings the reader up to date with their current situations as each small couple capsule weaves in and out of Tom and Wren’s wedding. There’s also a homecoming and new yet returning relationship to pickup on.

This is a book for those fans of this series only. If you have no idea who these people are, their histories, connecting relationships, then you’re going to be absolutely lost. Ashley is making sure her couples get the send off she wants for each one and that leaves no room for anything but the wedding, filling in the reader on any new major happenings for each couple and the new HEA dynamic.

If you have been following Chester Falls and loving this series, then this is a grand way to say goodbye.

If you’re new to the series, skip this and head to the first story written. Take it from there.

I really enjoyed my time in Chester Falls. Lovely contemporary romances, ending here. Check them out. Recommended!

https://www.goodreads.com › showHow to Catch a Happy Ever After (Chester Falls, #7) by Ana Ashley – Goodreads

Chester Falls series:

♦️How To Catch a Bookworm #0.5

♦️How To Catch a Prince #1

♦️How To Catch a Rival #2

♦️How To Catch a Bodyguard #3

♦️How To Catch a Batchelor #4

♦️How To Catch the Boss #5

♦️How To Catch a Biker #6

♦️How To Catch A Happily Ever After #7. (Series finale)

Synopsis:

You are hereby invited to the wedding of the century.
Yes, you got it, Tom and Wren are getting married this Christmas.

Drama.
Sparkles.
Well intentioned, but meddling friends.
Surprise pregnancies.
This wedding is set to have it all, including a brand new couple who is well overdue for their Happy Ever After.

How to Catch a Happy Ever After is the final book in the Chester Falls series. Told from multiple points of view, this book is not a standalone, but better enjoyed after previous books in the series.

Review: Steal The Wind (Godstone Saga #1) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Again I’ve fallen into a new fantasy epic and new author with Steal The Wind (Godstone Saga #1) by Jocelyn Drake. I’m so happy with both new additions to my reading and author lists.

We meet our important quartet of main characters immediately

Prince Carlen of the Kingdom of Erya, with his royal companion and best friend, Drayce. Also there Royal advisor Lord Rayne Laurent and Royal Bodyguard Lord Eno Bevyn

With Caelan at the pivotal narrative point and the others as his important support, Drake builds a epic fantasy tale, full of tragedy, magic, gods, misfortune, kingdoms lost… and waiting to be won once more. With romance and love woven throughout.

I was absolutely pulled into the first installment and Caelan’s journey. Drake’s ability to make even the smallest of characters memorable as well as the briefest of scenes made me stay connected to the group’s struggles to battle through heartbreak, weariness, deception, and shattering revelations.

Each character is given their own pov which works given each man’s importance to each other and the developing saga storylines.

While it ends on a cliffhanger, it feels right and I’m eagerly moving forward to the next book.

The author intends this to be a six book series. There’s three currently released with the fourth out next month.

I’m happily anticipating some busy nights ahead.

In the meantime, if you love fantasy fiction and romance, put Steal The Wind (Godstone Saga #1) by Jocelyn Drake on your TBR list. It’s a winner!

https://www.goodreads.com › showSteal the Wind (Godstone Saga, #1) by Jocelynn Drake – Goodreads

Godstone Saga Series:

✓ Steal The Wind #1

◦ Breathe of Life #2

◦ Wake the Dead #3

◦ Wings of Fire #4 – coming January 22, 2022

Synopsis:

Everything Caelan knows about his world is a lie.

A war is brewing. As the crown prince of Erya, it’s only natural that Caelan is sent on a secret diplomatic mission to support one of the kingdom’s allies. With his advisor, his bodyguard, and his best friend as traveling companions, what could go wrong?

Everything.

Everything goes wrong.

Now they are on the run, dodging assassins, setting secret meetings, and even making deals with a sleeping god.

So, this is probably a really bad time to cave to feelings he’s been fighting for his best friend. But Drayce has owned his heart for more years than he can count and if he’s going to die, shouldn’t he have just one kiss?

The fate of the world is on the line, and only Caelan holds the power to save them all.

Steal the Wind is the first book in the six-book Godstone Saga fantasy series and is not a standalone. The story contains explosions, secrets, cranky gods, hidden romance, a prince on the run, a possessive ex-boyfriend, magic, and lots of delicious angst.