A combination of adorable cover, new author, and fun title lead me to How To Summon a Boyfriend by Aja Foxx . It was everything I had hoped for.
Foxx actually had me at the idea of someone summoning a potential fake boyfriend but throw in the moniker Herby for the cute guy in need ? Iām all in.
A two person POV, we get a wide-eyed Herby who definitely sees things through a uniquely wonderful āHerbyā perspective as well as a bored Hades, whoās role as the Ruler of the Underworld had gotten a tad tedious. Itās Herby whoās arrival shakes things up fundamentally.
The characters are well done, the dialogue snappy and the plot extremely well paced.
Thereās so many terrific secondary characters from Lionid, to Abigor, Cerberus, and other figures of mythology.
I wish there was a bit more about Herbyās family, and those books. But itās shorter length works against that.
Iām still so happy to have read this book. It was entertaining, a fun romance, with an exciting storyline.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
Iām recommending How To Summon a Boyfriend by Aja Foxx !
Herby I needed a boyfriend to keep my father from marrying me off to a man handpicked by him. What better way to get one than to summon a demon? When I found a book of shadows in my grandfather’s attic, I knew I’d found the answer, but something went wrong. Instead of summoning a demon, I ended up in hell. What was I supposed to do now?
Hades Judging souls was boring. Ruling the underworld was boring. Everything was boring. I needed something to happen to keep me from going insane. I never imagined the fates would answer my unspoken prayer by dropping a human into the underworld, and I’d certainly never met a human quite like Herby. He confused me, amused me, and drove me crazy. Why else would I agree to be his boyfriend?
Note: This story was originally part of the Fate’s Call Anthology – Manlove Edition. It has been revised and extended by 21,000 words.
Warning: Gay erotic romance. The material in this book contains explicit sexual content that is intended for mature audiences only. All characters involved are adults capable of consent, are over the age of eighteen, and are willing participants.
A Kiss To Revive Me is a account of the events that occur in the first novel, The Scars That Bind Us, but from the perspective of Cosmo Ono-Nai , the alpha of the pride of shifters working with the dyad Mages, Madeo and Jude Driscoll.
This must be read after that first story or it wonāt make any sense at all. For it jumps from event to event, and things that we know have already occurred, but this time, itās viewed from Cosmoās POV.
Whereas Mads stands in as the voice for not only himself but for Jude too, and all mages that endure all the brutal, inhuman treatment and abuse theyāve barely lived through to their status as government weapons, nothing more.
Cosmo and pride comes into the team thinking of mages much as the Governmentās military campaign has made the population think of magesā¦as entitled beings, living a life of wealthy magicians. Covering up the truth and hiding the horrific tragedy and torture thatās continuing now.
Through Mads recounting to Cosmo of his past horrors, the abuse, the torture they endure if they donāt behave, the gruesome outcome of others that have tried to leave, Cosmo and the reader gain an explicit picture of what life as a magi means.
While the torture, abuse, and other horrors are committed off page, for those for whom this is a trigger, pls note and make the decision for your self if this is a story you are comfortable with.
For me, this was a terrific addendum to the first story, adding another essential layer to whatās going to be a raw, gripping battle and journey for a ever growing found family of shifters and magi in a terrifying world.
Iām eagerly awaiting The Shackles That Hold Us #2, out June 7, 2022.
Until then read them all in the order theyāve been written. Iām highly recommending them all to date.
A prickly mage has me under his spell, and I think I kinda like it.
The first time I met him, I knew I was in trouble, but I hadnāt known just how much. I hadnāt been looking for a relationship, hadnāt wanted one, but it seems that a stubborn little mage did it for me because heās impossible to resist.
When the NHSO goes on a manhunt for an unregistered mage, I can tell itās upsetting for Mads and Jude. Itās upsetting for me, too, but even more so when I find out exactly why Mads is so worried about this kid. The more I find out about Madeoās past and his world, the more I realize how special he is. No one whoās gone through what he has should come out the other side sane, let alone as kindhearted as him. I just hope he wants this thing between us to continue as badly as I do. And I want it to. Bad.
A Kiss To Revive Me is a 30K word MM urban fantasy novella and meant to be read AFTER The Scars That Bind Us (The Magi Accounts 1). Itās from Cosmo’s perspective and takes place between books 1 and 2 of the main series. This is a companion novella, NOT a standalone or the start of a new series.
*Intended for adults only. Please read the trigger warnings at the beginning of this novella.
As a book I really ended up looking at it at two different ways once I completed it.
First letās talk about Royal Lines as a contemporary romance. As a love story, it soars. The men are throughly seated in their prospective cultures and personal histories.
Marquis Miller is completely grounded in his Detroit family and city. His father and uncle, the Miller twin brothers , now in bad health, have worked their entire lives to bring their families, their business into the international company it is now and Marquis is itās expected heir to head it after hockey. However, this is all about Marquisā appreciation for his family and the City, black history, and his awareness of his familyās company abilities in promoting diversity. Marquis is a great character. Charismatic with depth.
Prince Kaleb, young son to a Royal family in mourning , is also well defined. Heās also grounded by a family in turmoil, a recent death of a not so loved Royal consort, necessary Royal marriages, unnecessary marriages, media intrusion, a moldering castle, and a Queen mother whoās in need of a son to handle everything as the heir seems unwilling or unable to do so at the moment. A family overwhelmed by circumstances yet always in the public eye. Thereās no way not to feel for him. And when both men collide over a construction bid to replace the broken plumbing in said castle? You feel the sparks down to your toes!
This love story is stumbling hot! Marquis and Kaleb trying not to have an affair, discussing faulty pipes, and all they want is to bounce into the nearest Royal bed! Incendiary!
Thereās various subplots about the other Royal siblings, also emotional messes, that get nicely tied up.
While this is a lust/love at first sight, it absolutely works. You buy into it completely because the way these characters are crafted, their personalities, you can totally see it happening.
As a love story, including the HEA ending? Itās a 5!
Now to the other part. Is this a hockey story? Um , in my opinion, no.
With the exception of a charity game thatās basically there to bring in Dunny for the next book, hockey isnāt here at all.
Boston isnāt mentioned. The team the Rebels are non existent except as a line where Marquis says he finished out his contract in the Epilogue. Nothing.
Marquis mentions that heās a player for the team once. Thatās the extent of it.
Iām sort of perplexed about a series called Boston Rebels when the last several books the teamās a ghost. And the story is more about what happens to players or ex players after theyāve left the team.
When you think about such wonderful series as Harrisburg Railers or Arizona Raptors or even the Owatonna U Hockey series, Cayuga Cougars series, those are absolutely about the team, ice on ice action, team dynamics, as well as players and their lives.
Here in this series, Boston Rebels barely exists. It serves only loosely as a something to tie these men together. Not a solid framework.
This pattern looks to continue with Dunny in the next story. Unfortunately it heās seems he will have a life changing event. Read no hockey. Or , as Iām guessing, no Rebels.
So not sure why the team even continues to be even a element here.
These stories are excellent on their own. They can certainly be standalone novels. As a love story itās amazing.
As a hockey romance? Not so much as thatās the element thatās almost totally missing.
Iām definitely recommending it. Loved the characters and the story.
The rest was just me wondering about the series. Take it for what itās worth.
Theyāre setting fire to the sheets, but a romance between an out and proud hockey star and a closeted playboy prince could end up burning them both.
Marquis Miller might be one of the NHLās best players, single, wealthy, and open about his sexuality, but he knows his future lies in taking over the reins of the familyās multimillion-dollar company after retirement. Jumping on the family jet, he heads to Europe, tasked with schmoozing a prince into accepting his companyās bid on a significant castle renovation. Assuming heād be faced with a dusty old monarch well into his dotage, Marquis is stunned to find out that Kaleb is a young, sophisticated, beautiful man with an impressive work ethic, to-die-for eyes, and a certain flair that captures Marquisās attention.
Dragging the royal palace into the twenty-first century is one battle after another for the Kingās youngest son. Juggling renovations, his royal duties, and attempting to reverse his former playboy prince reputation is impossible when no one seems to want to give Kaleb a chance. His chaotic life takes yet another turn when an American hockey player arrives at the castle to discuss a renovation project. Marquis is the antithesis of Kalebās newly minted, responsible outlook on life, a jock, a player, willing to take chances. Although the forbidden sex is hot, Kaleb is not ready to turn on his family responsibilities for a pretty smile and a smart mouth.
For both men, family is everything, and romance will always come in second until they open their hearts to love.
āIt’s a simple old storyāprincess, dragon, knightāsimple unless they’re all the same personā
ā The Anti-Quest (The Pudding Protocol Universe) by Angel Martinez
And just like that , weāre wonderfully, imaginatively, wandering, narratively, through another Angel Martinez universe.
Itās a urban fantasy, fairytale of a f/f sci fi romance! Uh , got that? Bumblebee dragons, a Royal advisor called Kipcup, a discouraged post doc Professor needing field work on probably extinct Tarrabotian dragons who calls herself after a ancient earth cheese, and half human/half Dzedek Palladin Snillek, who never thought sheād be the heir to inherit a planet.
Into the mesmerizing Martinez mixing bowl goes all sorts of wild and crazily authentic sounding elements to bring about a journey of self acceptance, personal exploration, and love.
It also has its share of the Palladin being strong, shiny scales awesomeness! She is a warrior after all. And GruyĆØre gets to be the wonderful researcher she is , all while trekking through splendid back territory full of surprises.
With gentle tweaking, and a couple of subtle twists, the authorās characters and plots show how quickly assumptions are formed, what judgements the characters (and readers) might make based on appearance, actions, even names.
The story flies by quickly. Itās so entertaining and I throughly enjoyed it. I loved the couple, each with their amazing personalities.
I enjoyed getting caught by an assumption or two of my own making. So much fun in overturning faulty thought processes!
Love Angel Martinez? Love any or all those elements I mentioned? The Anti-Quest (The Pudding Protocol Universe) by Angel Martinez is the book for you.
Brave paladin. Royal princess. Fierce dragon. Simple. Bring all three at once? Way too complicated.
Paladin Snillek’s mother was human and ruled a planet. That’s about the extent of her knowledge since they didn’t see each other much. When her mom dies in a freak accident, her father tells Snillek she’s inherited the title, and she has to learn how to pass as the mostly human Princess Siel for a planet she never thought about much. The dresses alone are horrifying and the courtiers aggravating.
In a moment of frustrated rage, Snillek’s princess persona slips and frightened palace staff misinterpret what they see. Now Paladin Snillek has been called upon to rescue Princess Sielā¦from herself.
Gruyere wants desperately to journey into the wilds of Tarribotia, but it’s too dangerous to go alone and so far, everyone’s laughed at her for suggesting it. When she spots a Dzedek paladin sulking in a tavern, she offers her services, hoping to pass herself off as a rogue guide.
Two women with secrets and possibly opposing goals head out into the hinterlands of a planet neither one of them knows well. They might both make it back by Winterfest if nothing eats them first.
This book contains one out-of-her-element paladin, the perils of academia, deadly cake, and unconventional dragons.
So Into You (The PI Guys #2) by S.E. Harmon is a book I enjoyed far better than the one preceding it. That one, Stay With Me, had so many flags for me I thought I was at a heavily contested football play at 4th and down at NFL Sunday.
The relationship here between PI Drew Rodriguez and Screenwriter Noah Ashley is more balanced and, frankly, nuanced.
Both have issues with their childhoods, mostly stemming from one of their parents. The traumatic wounds drive their behaviors and determine their relationships. How they maneuver through and around these emotionally laden issues and barriers each has erected (in one case, the barrier is sitting himself in a chair in the living having arrived unannounced), is wonderful to read and a pleasure to be connected to.
Drew and Noah argue over the expected trust issues, work timorously towards something real, and it feels believable. The men work as a couple and as friends.
The cases they investigate are mundane, boring, sad, and, occasionally scary.
Drewās home life mirrors just how quickly complicated things get and how they get handled. With resigned frustration that also feels as real as it comes.
The first couple makes appearances here but honestly I hardly noticed them. The real people, the ones putting in the work were right in front of me. And I was loving every bit of time I was spending with them.
So Into You (The PI Guys #2) by S.E. Harmon is a terrific realistic contemporary romance. It has people with damaged childhoods, working through their issues, and moving forward to have healthy relationships and hopefully a HEA.
I really loved them. Iām highly recommending this story. Check it out!
Screenwriter Noah Ashley has a few four-letter words for his agent when she suggests he improve his script by shadowing a PI. Still, because heās an artist dedicated to his craft and she knows where the bodies are buried, he agrees. Then he spends a little time with the gorgeous PI, and suddenly it seems like a really good plan. The PI doesnāt seem to entirely love the idea, but Noah has never been afraid to go after what he wants.
PI Drew Rodriguez is used to people depending on him. Heās the classic rock for his family. Responsible. Dependable. The classic rock would never succumb to the borderline sleazy temptation of friends with benefits, no matter how sexy that temptation is. Drew is looking for something enduring.
Despite Drewās misgivings, itās not long before theyāve got all the requisites for friends with benefits going. Friendly, good conversation? Check. Fun times in and out of bed? Check. Hot, electrolyte-sapping sex? Double check. Falling in love? Yeah. About thatā¦.
Originally published in April of 2014, Stay With Me (The PI Guys #1) by S.E. Harmon immediately dates itself with continuing references to popular technologies (Walkmans,DVDs), on trend brands, Mom vehicles of the day (Dodge Caravans), and new leading edge wearables like head sets, iTouch and Nanos. Every sentence is a pull back into a framework of cultural references that makes one pause enough to consider the source, and maybe the need for a Google moment.
Kevin McCallister and Home Alone?
I know, I know. š±
How this constant immersion in a dated timeframe affects a reader might depend on their age. Some will feel nostalgic, others mildly irritated, others confused by the ongoing usages of elements they simply arenāt familiar with or donāt understand.
Authors beware the need to appear plugged in or knowledgeable by the overuse of trendy or highly popular technology in your stories. In a few years or more? They and your story are obsolete. Or at best rendered Recent Historic Contemporary Fiction.
Next. Relationship issues with the main characters.
As you can tell this was a problematic book for me. A surprise as I very much like their newer series.
Private investigator Mackenzie Williams has a history of bad relationships. The last one was a āstraight ā lawyer he was in love with, they were saving to move in together, even had a dog. Yet no one outside of his family, knew they were together. Mac, a outwardly gay man , was in the closet when he was around the man he was supposed to move in with. Until that man proposed to another lawyer, a female one.
Mac Williams comes off as a emotionally torn individual ,who in relationships, becomes a doormat.
Itās not especially enjoyable to read about someone who tells himself not to fall instantly for a straight guy again, does so, then proceeds to make all the same errors one shouldnāt make in that situation. With a client too.
Jordan Channing is one flag after another. Engaged to a woman whoās also a good friend. Also believes himself to be straight. Charming. Becomes attracted to Mac. Eventually decides he needs a experiment to see if heās gay. With someone whoās told him not to come after him until heās figured things out. So there no respect of established boundaries. Heās also sees himself as the arbitrator of what is happening in their relationship.
I wonāt go into using someone to figure out if youāre on the Spectrum or not. Nor do I think people should be rushed into figuring out their sexuality.
My issues with the character of Jordan is that he repeatedly lies to Mac about different situations and issues. Gets discovered in those lies, gets angry, then makes Mac feel hugely guilty because heās discovered Jordanās lies .
āBut I did it because I knew youād be upsetā¦ā
Flag!
Is this a couple and relationship Iām supposed to get behind?
The relationships Harmonās written in their latest series donāt seem to have any of these issues. Maybe it was 2014 . I donāt know. But, honestly, whether it was then or now, those things are aspects of a relationship that should be addressed.
Iām going to read the second book in this series to see if itās the authorās take on this couple and characters or the entire series.
Iām confused as to why someone would write such a relationship. Or one that comes across as such to me.
Maybe Iām the only person seeing issues here.
Add that couple, that relationship, to a story full of old brands, past itās time technology, and names rarely heard anymore, and itās no wonder that the smallest issue stood out amongst all of that.
Yes, thereās a happy ending. If you enjoy this couple, then youāll be pleased by the satisfying manner in which the author leaves them.
Overall, the story moves quickly, with only a few places where it seems to slow for emotional issues to resolve.
I hesitated over the rating. Itās well written but I think the issues for me made it less than enjoyable.
Of course, Mackenzie has never been accused of doing the smart thing. Being a smart aleck is more his MO. Relationships arenāt up his alley, never have been. So whyās he so inexplicably drawn to his new client?
Jordan has always been the high achiever, a man who lives in a focused, controlled, and carefully constructed manner. But for the first time in his life, he has to admit the impossibleāanother man is getting his engine running on all cylinders. Despite Jordanās denial, itās not long before he can no longer resist the strong undercurrents pulling them together. Now Jordan must decide if he can go against everything heās ever known to have the only love heās ever wanted.
Amy Aislinās Lighthouse Bay is one of those lovely contemporary romance series thatās continues to resonate with me. Itās the gorgeous setting of Lighthouse Bay, with its small town community, with its variety of people, from itās Mayor to itās Main Street of stores ,whoās owners weāve gotten to know well through the novels.
Weāve loved the townās heartwarming displays at the Christmas season and watched, as they planned, built, and then marched down Main Street for the parades! Aislin has made us feel a part of these people and their community.
Weāre there as they work through their personal issues, cry out and get support and love when facing a health crisis, and when they decide to trust and find true love again.
These are gentle, emotionally adult novels where the people are remarkable in their love for their town, friends and family, and the often slow to romances.
Often a balm to the heart with the gentle love stories, the men here in Sweet to the Core, Dev Stone of Devās Bakery, and Clark Ricci, wildlife biologist, with a little ghostly intervention, get their own story and HEA. Itās that favorite friends to lovers trope.
Dev and Clark have been a part of the previous books as everyone is connected through friendship and family relationships. Dev has had an enduring crush on his older cousinās best friend for decades. Now in his thirties, Dev has no reason to expect their friendship to change anytime soon.
A two person POV, we have a front seat to the resigned state of Devās affections for Clark, the dreams heās letting go of, and the way heās pushing himself at the Bakery. Dev is a believable young man whoās falling into a pattern he soon wonāt know how to get out of.
Clark Ricci, is a man who loves his job, but with his friends settling down, starts to get the uneasy feeling heās missing something.
It takes his fatherās very real, financial issues to launch a change for all of them. With some ghostly assistance that points the way to the Annual Sweet to the Core Apple baking contest.
Aislinās beautifully layered characters, a community with its shops in all stages of financial growth, and a group of citizens that have come to feel like family, full of believable life situations, relationships that require communication and emotional depth, and lots of love, fill Sweet to the Core .
Itās a terrific way for this trilogy to end, however much Iād like it to continue. Or at least end on another Christmas novel.
Iām highly recommending this and all the books of Lighthouse Bay. They are lovely, heartwarming contemporary romances.
Dev has pined for his cousin’s best friend for years, but no matter how hard he wishes, Clark sees him as nothing but a friend. And it’s as a friend that Clark comes to him for help.
Clarkās father is on the brink of losing his house and the fastest way to make a quick buck is to win the $10,000 prize in the inaugural Sweet to the Core apple baking contest. Only problem? He’s never baked anything that hasnāt come out of a box.
But Dev has. As a baker, heās Clarkās best chance.
For the first time, Dev has something Clark wants. Only problem? Dev needs the prize for himself. The only thing he wantsābesides Clarkāis to buy the local lighthouse where he last spent time with his parents before they died.
Working together means opening a lot more than a barrel of apples, though. They may have found the recipe to love.
But will Dev have to give up the only connection he has left to his parents in order to have it? Or will Clark let his father down? They can’t both have everything.
Jodi Payne and B.A. Tortugaās Lone Star series is back with a second chance at love story between former young sweethearts who meet up ages later just when the timing might be right for them to get their HEA.
A longer story, Roped In has the necessary history and time that allows businessman, Jude Sharpe , to reconnect with his former love, rodeo champion , Rope Canutt, just as heās getting ready to retire.
Jude, a widower and single father to 7-year old Silas, is a man who loves his son, enjoys his job, but is missing that love he shared with his husband who died of cancer. Jude is a well-rounded character, easy to recognize, and connect with. A good man and great father.
And Silas is a utter joy to meet and read about. Especially as he changes, committing totally to the ranch and life in Texas. His goats, his chickens. Adorable.
Rope Canutt is not one of those rodeo cowboys whoās dreading retirement. Instead, Rope has listened to his body, all the injuries and steel plate in his head, and recognized that itās time to get out while at the top. Itās his last tour for his sponsors and to finish in the money.
Itās a portrait of a smart man , seasoned by years on the tour and the pain of old injuries. Itās a great character and he meshed well with his old flame , Jude.
The walks in the neighborhood in NYC, the visits in the kitchen. Itās a real pleasure watching the men get reacquainted with each otherās lives, seeing the sparks fly, and Rope start to love Silas.
The dramatic moments here are more about instances that happen in daily life. The huge decisions those that couples make when they decide they will make a future together.
The story, the romance, the family, they are all very realistic and wonderful.
Itās a perfect ending. And those that have come to love these cozy romances as well as readers who love contemporary love stories will throughly enjoy this.
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but sometimes distance makes people drift apart.
Rope Canutt has announced his retirement from bull riding and is making the most of his final year on the circuit, riding the big shows and resting in between so he can finish the season on a high note. He isnāt sure whatās next for him. He has no plan yet and nowhere to go, especially since his family sold their ranch a few years back.
Jude Sharpe remembers Rope fondly from their younger days in Austin. Mostly he remembers how hot the rodeo cowboy was and how much fun they had hooking up every time their paths crossed. That was a long time ago, and Judeās been married and lost his husband to cancer in the years since theyāve seen each other. Now heās raising a son alone.
When bull riding comes to New York City, Judeās consulting firm uses their private box to entertain clients from Houston, and Jude brings his son Silas along to see the show. Rope is riding and Jude hopes to introduce Silas to a real bull rider. Theyāve each lived a whole lifetime apart, and Jude and Rope arenāt sure how much they have in common anymore. So will they be drawn to each other when their paths cross again?
The books in this series are standalones and can be read in any order.
Tending Tyler is another of Jodi Payne and B.A. Tortugaās incredibly sweet contemporary cozy cowboy romances. The beginning of the Lone Star series , thatās Texas, ranches, and cowboys, with the addition of cute kids.
Truly you canāt go wrong with those elements and these writers.
Payne and Tortuga have the local lingua and food of the heart down pat, as well as the expected community musts (WallyWorld anyone). Their affection and cellular knowledge of the people and regional landscape add such a richness to this and each story that you know immediately who authored them.
Thereās other aspects too. The instant love factor that needs a firm grounding to make us believe in it and the relationship. As well as the ability to write children, of multiple age groups, realistically.
The character of Tyler McKeehan, a NYC bartender whoās had a lifetime of loss and just undergone another heartbreaking one, is a portrait of lonely vulnerability and stasis.
The recent death of his best friend has him moving in place, from the flow at the gay bar he works at to the overtime that fills his schedule. The tragedy behind Willās death is part of the storyline I feel was underutilized by the authors.
Itās a connection shared by the other main character, rancher Matthew Whitehead. The cowboy had come to NYC for the book fair and ends up with not only boxes of books, but meeting Tyler with whom he shares an immediate bond.
And more , as his sister underwent much the same devastating loss.
With such a strong, emotional topic to help bind the men together, Iām not sure why this thread was dropped altogether. For me, it would have been a deeper journey , full of familial ties, a shared history, and growth.
Instead, for dramatic impact, we had another less developed idea. One that came, hit, then was just as quickly resolved, without much explanation or background.
A shame, because the romance. The welcoming of Tyler by the girls into ranch life, however, overwhelming, was lovely and adorable. Tyler and Matt worked without too much effort as a delightful couple that readers of contemporary romance, and lovers of cowboys, will slide into.
Payne and Tortuga bring along a cast of other fabulous characters to support the love story of Tyler and Matt. These people always make each book so much stronger.
Iām recommending Tending Tyler (Lone Star #1) by Jodi Payne and B.A. Tortuga . Another captivating cozy cowboy romance from these wonderful authors!
Bartender Tyler McKeehan feels like his whole life is on hold. All he does is work and sleep because he doesnāt know how to move on with his day to day after the shocking loss of his best friend. When he meets Matt at Lesās Bar where he works in New York, though, he thinks he might have found someone who can nudge him out of his rut. The cowboy seems to live on fast forward, but at the same time this kind, generous man makes Tyler feel wanted and safe.
Ranch owner Matthew Whitehead is just in New York for a visit. But when he runs into Tyler at Lesās Bar, he knows right away that Tyler is special. Mattās family thinks he makes snap decisions, and they worry about him, but he knows what he wants, and even after just a few days heās willing to fight to keep Tyler in his life. When Matt has to head back to Texas, he asks Tyler to come visit him and meet his kids. Soon.
Tyler doesnāt know if he can pick up and go to Texas, but he misses Mattās affection and calming presence, so when life gets overwhelming, he makes the call. Between Mattās huge, boisterous family, his children, his busy ranch, and the vast differences between New York City and Texas, Tyler wonders every day if he should go back to his old life. Matt is determined to keep Tyler right where he is, but can they overcome the odds against them and make a new life together?
I love this introduction to a new author and a universe whoās fabric is exquisitely complicated, rich with the mythologies of a multitude of cultures and nations, as well as one that has the ability to expand through portals to endless worlds as the investigations require.
Jennifer Codyās Hammer and Fist, as the Field Agentās of the IDIA refer to themselves , is not just one series but as of now, two series. Each with a different character as a focal point.
I havenāt started on the second series, Inferno (Hammer and Fist : Geminatus #1) yet. But we meet that species here and it seems that the two intersect at a horrific mystery and investigation over the investigation into the abduction of species from their home worlds and slave trafficking.
First, Sledge and Claw. Itās fantastic. The beautifully defined characters run the gamut from human (or part human) to Fae to main oneās you need to discover in these pages.
It will start with Lextalion Farrow, FA for the IDIA, Inter-dimensional Immigration Agency. Heās the main, but not only POV. Lex is a mystery that slowly unravels . A top field agent , if not the top, for a somewhat nebulous agency. What that means exactly will be sharply defined, both by his actions and words, as he moves from one investigation to another, each pointing the way to a larger , more horrifying conspiracy of species abduction and slave trafficking.
Cody has crafted some incredibly strong, multidimensional female characters that constantly change as circumstances and relationship dynamics require. To go further would spoil a wonderful element here.
The other man, who is soon to stir things up, is such a strong personality, that you can sense that he will be a bigger player in this book as it continues. He too has secrets.
Thereās Norse gods, mini gods, and a strange spelling of Nidhƶggr, which Iām sure was intentional. I really liked that.
The writing was excellent, the plotting outstanding. And while I say thereās a cliffhanger, the author makes up for it by including a sneak peek at the next in the series, Brick and Brass, which lets us know exactly how that cliffhanger was resolved.
Since we donāt have a release date for book 2, that sneak peek was greatly appreciated and virtually eliminated the angst brought on by the cliffhanger.
All good.
I suspect that we are at the start of the beginning of a foundation of a found family of sorts. It has so many magnificent possibilities.
I was grateful for that sneak peek as I said for book 2. Now I need the actual release date for Brick and Brass!
If you love fantasy fiction, and the potential for new characters, new worlds, and mysteries as well as romances?
My alphabet soup agency recruited me because of my unique blend of magic and innate talent, but those come with a steep price and itās getting harder to pay with every investigation.
I never thought Knoxville would be the place that kills me, but between someone targeting me to get me fired (or start a war; could go either way), taking on a naĆÆve new trainee, and investigating a non-human trafficking ring, it looks like I’m about to bite off more than I can chew.
The question is, can I figure out whatās going on before it all blows up in my face?
Sledge and Claw is an MM Urban Fantasy with triggers for the horrors of slave trafficking and consent issues. There also happens to be a cliffhanger ending
Review notes: at the end of the story is a brief sneak peek at the beginning of Brick and Brass that resolves the cliffhanger. FYI for all that canāt abide cliffhangers!
