Review: The Engineer (Magic and Steam #1) by C. S. Poe

Rating: 4.5🌈

What a fantastic story and start to a new series by author C. S. Poe. The Engineer, a fabulous mix of Wild West, magic, amidst a steampunk universe where a touch starved Special Federal Magic Agent ends up hunting a magical terrorist known as Tinkerer.

Only he’s not the only one. There’s another man after the Tinkerer too. But that person is decidedly on the other side of the law. The other one is Gunner the Deadly, the top of the Bureau’s Most Wanted List.

Poe creates a bedlam of dust, panic, and steampunk magic as Special Agent Gillian Hamilton, outlaw Gunner , and madman engineer, the Tinkerer , all descend on the small silver mining town of Shallow Grave , Arizona in 1881.

Hamilton is especially compelling as a magic caster forced to work for the government by federal laws and personal guilt. But regulations and society morals have forced him into such severe self isolation that he’s essentially dying inside. He hides his sexuality because homosexuality isn’t allowed, and the strength of his magic makes touch of another unsafe.

Until Gunner touches him, unleashing tightly imprisoned feelings and making him feel alive again.

They are both such fascinating characters. Poe has left just enough gaps in their histories that future stories can use that knowledge to enrich their developing relationship.

Here it’s a tenuous emotional connection that’s building between them, and a bargain struck over the need to bring down a unexpectedly more powerful villain.

Poe has created some marvelous steampunk magical inventions along with the usual airships and expected western Gatling guns of that era.

It’s poured together in a fabulous 72 pages that has the feel of a much bigger story. One that leaves us on a hopeful note going forward into The Gangster (Magic & Steam #2).

Magic & Steam series:

🔹The Engineer #1

🔹The Gangster #2

🔹The Doctor #3

Btw, what outstanding covers each story has! They absolutely caught my eye!

Cover art: Reese Dante

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Engineer (Magic & Steam, #1) by C.S. Poe – Goodreads

1881—Special Agent Gillian Hamilton is a magic caster with the Federal Bureau of Magic and Steam. He’s sent to Shallow Grave, Arizona, to arrest a madman engineer known as Tinkerer, who’s responsible for blowing up half of Baltimore. Gillian has handled some of the worst criminals in the Bureau’s history, so this assignment shouldn’t be a problem. But even he’s taken aback by a run-in with the country’s most infamous outlaw, Gunner the Deadly.

Gunner is also stalking Shallow Grave in search of Tinkerer, who will stop at nothing to take control of the town’s silver mines. Neither Gillian nor Gunner are willing to let Tinkerer hurt more innocent people, so they agree to a very temporary partnership.

If facing illegal magic, Gatling gun contraptions, and a wild engineer in America’s frontier wasn’t enough trouble for a city boy, Gillian must also come to terms with the reality that he’s rather fond of his partner. But even if they live through this adventure, Gillian fears there’s no chance for love between a special agent and outlaw.

Based on the short story, “Gunner the Deadly.” Entirely revised, newly expanded, and Book One in the exciting new steampunk series, Magic & Steam.

Review: Vortex Conundrum (Ghostly Guardians #2) by Louisa Masters

Rating: 4.5 🌈

I was so excited to see the new story as I’ve been waiting to dive back into the fascinating world of Mannix Estates with its amazing group of characters.

That it includes a powerful medium in love with a blacksmith, a found family of ghosts from an assortment of eras , each with their own quirky personalities, as well as a staff that’s endearing and fascinating on their own, makes it a universe you can dwell in for a very long time.

The first book, Spirited Situations, introduced us to Josh, the medium, as he found his way to the very haunted Mannix Estates. It was also home to a 50 some odd year old open gateway, a beacon for trouble.

The ramifications from opening that gate continues into this story as the combined found family of Mannix Estates, alive and ghostly, need help to handle more trouble coming through that open gateway.

Masters builds upon a already lively and unique cast of amazing characters we come to love by adding several new people. One we’ve gotten to know anonymously by text when he’s helped in the last book. He acquires a name here. That’s Connor.

And his best friend, Gabe. And a paranormal enforcement agency.

So Masters is expanding her universe to include the growing series new topics, romances, and mysteries she’s threading through her storylines. It’s such an exciting element, one that lends a real sense of anticipation towards each new book and plot thread.

While that’s happening, there’s additional character growth in terms of power and romances.

Connor and site manager, Kieran, are the main couple working through their romantic impulses while dealing with demons, ghostly matchmakers, and, the everyday occurrences that comes with guests at a living history event sight.

The paranormal and the mundane, the magical and the murderous are all perfectly balanced for the most entertaining reads. I read right through!

And unfortunately now it looks like I’ll have to wait until 2023 for the next in the series.

Until then, I’m highly recommending the first two books in this fantastic series. Read them in the order they are written, to understand the relationships and theme storylines.

Ghostly Guardians:

Spirited Situation #1

Vortex Conundrum #2

https://www.goodreads.com › showVortex Conundrum (Ghostly Guardians, #2) by Louisa Masters – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Wanted: one demon hunter. Beware the matchmaking ghosts.

After years managing a haunted hotel and estate, I thought things were good. Sure, the ghosts can be a handful—nosy, opinionated, interfering—but they’re also friendly and fun. We have a system. Everything was under control.

Cue hysterical laughter.

But after a minor blip with a demon in the basement and a vortex to the spirit world, the ghosts swear they have no more secrets. The danger is gone, and we’ve done everything we can to make the vortex safe. It should be fine. Nothing’s come through it for fifty years.

It’s never that easy at Mannix Estate.

Lucky for us, the demon expert we met online is willing and able to help us out. I’m so grateful, I’d willingly kiss his feet. Until he arrives and opens his mouth.

Connor is… a jerk. But he’s a sexy jerk who’s doing us a favor, so I’m going to be polite no matter what. Even when he makes me mad. When he flirts hard. When the roof falls in and we have to share a bed. When we realize the vortex upstairs is just the beginning.

Suddenly, Connor’s real strengths shine. Beneath the smoking hot yet annoying surface is a heart of gold, and I don’t think I can hold out against it… or that I want to.

——-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Captive Mate (Mismatched Mates #2) by Eliot Grayson

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Captive Mate , second in Eliot Grayson’s Mismatched Mates series, picks up after the events in The Alpha’s Warlock. Wildly traumatic ordeals that saw Ian, a alpha werewolf and Nate, a warlock long imprisoned by his father, mated. And the Armitage pack under siege by mage and were.

And the worst was the betrayal by Matthew Armitage because of a curse.

Captive Mate begins with the pack dealing with the ramifications of Mathew’s actions, Ian’s assuming temporary leadership, and the shaman who worked with their enemies now their prisoner.

Arik, shaman , who cursed Mathew, the one responsible for pack deaths, and the near deaths of Ian and Nate, is one complicated character.

One of the two POV’s, Arik is resolved to escape by any means possible. He’s not particularly interested in those he’s hurting or may have hurt . He’s only interested in his survival. He knows no remorse, and shows little compassion.

Not a easy character to like. It takes time to see or understand that Arik’s a long term abuse survivor. He’s still running and has no reason to trust anyone to help him. His actions and mentality come from a deep place of brokenness and pain.

And to the credit of Grayson, Arik’s not fixed here. What’s broken, is truly broken in a lot of ways. Tiny bits might be on the path to healing as the book winds it way down, but even in the next story, Arik’s sharpness and pain whips out like a knife at a whisper.

Trying to balance Arik against the basic strengths and character of Matthew is a challenge for the author. Because the element of making Matthew seem weak under the manipulations of Arik might undermine the reader’s connection to the couple’s romance.

It’s a tightrope to walk narratively speaking. One I think the author threads through exactly right.

All the extremely tough personalities that are having to negotiate new relationships while the pack is still under attack by enemies old and new.

There’s major suspense. High action, great magic scenes, and real poignancy.

Captive Mate really balanced tricky characters, major themes, and complicated relationship dynamics. Just a fantastic book.

I’m highly recommending this story and series to date. Read them in the order they are written to understand the series plot progression and characters.

Mismatched Mates:

🔹The Alpha’s Warlock #1

🔹Captive Mate #2

🔹A Very Armitage Christmas #2.5

🔹First Blood #2.6

🔹The Alpha Experiment #3

🔹Lost and Bound #4

🔹Lost Touch #5

🔹The Alpha Contract #6, only loosely connected to the above series

https://www.goodreads.com › showCaptive Mate (Mismatched Mates #2) by Eliot Grayson – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Captured, imprisoned, and…falling in love?

Arik is many things. Shaman, necromancer, a little on the snarky side…no one could ever accuse him of being boring. But one thing he never intended to be was imprisoned by angry werewolves. Maybe casting that love spell on the sexy alpha pack leader wasn’t such a great idea after all.

Matthew Armitage has a problem. Several of them, actually. And the biggest one is Arik. The shaman can’t be trusted. He’s dangerous enough to get the entire pack killed. Matthew knows that. But knowing doesn’t make it any easier to keep his mind (and hands) off Arik. Surely everything he’s feeling is a side effect of the spell…right?

It’s not long before enemies of the pack start circling—including one intent on claiming Arik as his unwilling mate. If they have any hope of surviving, Arik and Matthew will need to work together. And if they want a shot at happily ever after…well, they’ll just have to cross that bridge when they get to it.

If they get to it…

Captive Mate can (sort of) be read as a standalone, but works best when read in order as part of the Mismatched Mates series, beginning with The Alpha’s Warlock. This book contains a vivid memory of a sexual assault, but the assault occurs in the past and off-page and is not between the main characters. This series does not contain mpreg.

Review: The Alpha’s Warlock (Mismatched Mates #1) by Eliot Grayson

Rating: 4.25 🌈

Werewolves and mages just seem to be a great match! So I always gravitate to any story and series with these elements to check out what the author’s take will be.

The Alpha’s Warlock (Mismatched Mates #1) by Eliot Grayson was a story I thought was very entertaining, and had characters I enjoyed reading about.

It certainly opens with Warlock Nate Hawthorne in the worst possible situation. Running for his life.

“It had been years since I set foot in the Armitage pack’s territory, and I’d hoped to keep that winning streak going for a while longer. Of course, being kidnapped and cursed had a way of changing your plans.”

— The Alpha’s Warlock (Mismatched Mates Book 1) by Eliot Grayson

Immediately, we are seeing the story, and immediate scenario, from the perspective of a very human and hurting Nate. He’ll give us a lot of the history on the backgrounds of the beings we meet and their relationship dynamics.

For the most part.

The others are the Alpha werewolves of the Armitage pack. Head Alpha Matthew, who you initially think is the one referred to. And Ian Armitage, Matthew’s brother, also a Alpha.

That I found really interesting, as other authors have packs as a one Alpha structure. Having 2-alpha pack, with brothers as a supportive structure is a great idea.

There’s a huge discordant past relationship between Ian and Nate, one that never fully gets explored in terms of the misunderstandings and history. I wish we got a more layered picture of that weird start but I have the feeling the author may intend to use it in future books.

It means their relationship is always a little unbalanced in terms of equality. That’s probably realistic in that Ian’s a were, Nate’s a human, while still a warlock. It’s a status that seems to be a element that’s a factor going forward that at least one is aware of, in terms of what they want in their future plans.

Nate’s a character dealing with serious emotional and physical issues due to a traumatic past. Having to “mate”, his choice taken away is a topic that’s brought up and continues to be addressed. I appreciate that this wasn’t romanticized.

The themes of forced mating, the right of personal choice, trust. All not only big storylines here but ones used throughout the series.

Grayson’s story gives us romance, suspense, elements of horror, touches of humor , and a great plot that leaves plenty of room to explore new territory and characters ahead.

That’s certainly true for the way it’s left for a main character here to lead into the next novel.

I’m on my way there.

If you’re a lover of shifters, magic, and paranormal romance, here’s a series and book to add to your list. I’m recommending this!

Mismatched Mates:

🔹The Alpha’s Warlock #1

🔹Captive Mate #2

🔹A Very Armitage Christmas #2.5

🔹First Blood #2.6

🔹The Alpha Experiment #3

🔹Lost and Bound #4

🔹Lost Touch #5

🔹The Alpha Contract #6, only loosely connected to the above series

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Alpha’s Warlock (Mismatched Mates #1) by Eliot Grayson – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Cursed, mated, and in for the fight of their lives…

Warlock Nate Hawthorne just wants a cup of coffee. Is that too much to ask? Apparently. Because instead of precious caffeine, all he gets is cursed by a pack of werewolves who want to use him for his magic. Now the only way to fix the damage is a mate bond to a grumpy and oh-so-sexy alpha in the rival pack, who happens to hate him. This is so not how he wanted to start his day.

Ian Armitage never intended to take Nate as his mate. The Hawthorne family can’t be trusted. Ian knows that better than anyone. The fact that he’s lusted after the way-too-gorgeous man for years? Totally irrelevant. Ian’s just doing what is necessary to protect his pack. This whole mating arrangement has nothing to do with love and never will. That’s his story and he’s sticking to it.

Nate and Ian will have to work together if they have any hope of staving off the pack’s enemies and averting disaster. That’s assuming they can stop arguing (and keep their hands off each other) long enough to save the day…

The Alpha’s Warlock is an explicit M/M paranormal romance featuring a snarky warlock, a brooding alpha werewolf, knotting, enchanted socks (long story), and a guaranteed happily ever after. This series does not contain mpreg.

Review: Deke (Fake Boyfriends #3) by Eden Finley

Rating: 4.5🌈

“Deke”

Verb: to fake an opponent out of position (hockey)”

— Deke (Fake Boyfriend Book 3) by Eden Finley

It the run for the Stanley Cup and my team is out of it. So it’s time to bury myself in hockey romances and storylines.

What better time to catch up on Eden Finley’s Fake Boyfriend series which figures around pro athletes, many NHL players, coming to terms with their sexuality and their careers as pro athletes.

Many of these stories were written several years ago, and while some pro sports , like the NHL, have become more accepting of LGBTGIA people, the fact is, still very few male players have yet to feel comfortable and safe being out.

Until the books I read and present day reality finally mesh, it’s authors like Finley and others who’s love for both the sports they write about and the players involved leave me happy and connected to both worlds.

Deke is a great story about a player who, while not hiding his homosexuality from his family and friends, isn’t out to his team and the “outside” world.

Ollie Strömberg’s life is one of hockey, family, and a constant stress and pressure on him about his sexuality. That Ollie’s stayed in the closet to protect himself and his career from the notoriety and bigotry of a out NHL hockey player would garner has cost him a long-term relationship. And more.

Then there’s Lennon, the sport’s journalist, who happens to run into the Strömberg family celebration (a huge undertaking with 5 boys, now giant men) at a restaurant/bar at a time when Ollie’s under fire, again, by his too supportive family for his closeted life and lack of a relationship.

The way Findlay is able to instantly connect these men to each other in a matter of scenes, make it realistic and easy for us too see it. Well, it’s great.

The chemistry is working right there, a few bumbles, the perfect amount of humor, and I’m totally engaged.

A sports journalist, with not a lot of hockey knowledge (he covers football and baseball), and a hockey player who’s drawn to a man who is demonstrating he actually sees him, through the family dynamics playing out over the dinner antics.

Lennon, aka Clark, his alias at the family dinner, is a man of ethics. Even if he’s not familiar with the sport he’s been assigned to cover, he’s trying his best . While coming to care for a man he sees living under extreme pressure, not just from his team but unexpectedly from his family.

The story is tender, hot, funny, and full of believable characters, and real moments that you’ll read and connect with. Whether it’s within the family context or on the ice.

I throughly enjoyed Deke and can’t wait to work my way through the rest of this series.

I’m highly recommending this and the author.

Fake Boyfriends series:

🔹Fake Out #1

🔹Trick Play #2

🔹Rebound #2.5

🔹Deke #3

🔹It’s Complicated #3.5

🔹Blindsided #4

🔹Winning You #4.5

🔹Hat Trick #5

🔹Final Play #6

🔹Fake Boyfriends Breakaways

https://www.goodreads.com › showDeke (Fake Boyfriend, #3) by Eden Finley – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Ollie

Word of advice: don’t come out to random guys in public restrooms. Even if they’re charming and adorably nerdy and offer to help.

My family believe I can’t be happy if I’m not out to the world. I have a bitter ex-boyfriend and an unstable NHL career to show for it. A fake boyfriend seems like an easy and quick solution to get my family off my back, and this guy is volunteering. I take him up on it without asking his name.

I really should’ve asked for his name.

Lennon

Word of advice: learn how to introduce yourself properly.

In my defense, I don’t recognize Ollie Strömberg right away. I cover football, not hockey.

I’m not supposed to see him again, and he’s never supposed to find out I’m a reporter.

That all changes when my editor reassigns me.

It’s a lesson I should’ve learned by now. Nothing’s changed since high school. Jocks still hate nerds. But even worse, athletes hate journalists. Especially ones who know their secret.

*Deke is a full-length MM novel with a HFN/HEA and no cliffhanger*

Review: Mage Bond by Eden Winters

Rating:4🌈

Mage Bond is Eden Winters’ new fantasy romance that expands into what could be the beginnings of a epic fantasy series.

The novel’s first chapters are also the characters upheavals out of their familiar lives, putting them ,as well as the reader , on their own personal journeys to bring them together.

We’re introduced to two boys, initially so different in backgrounds and families. Arkenn’s small family life is one of secrets, hiding high in the mountains, and, his fleeing in pain and loss.

The other? Petran’s lives aboard a pirate ship, the Seabird, with his Captain father, and a host of seafaring mates.

The energy and sense of a fantastic adventure is here with the youth at the beginning of their journeys. You get a real idea of mystery, and the fate pulling them towards each other.

Each will realize great personal loss, and achieve enormous growth through challenges they undertake, but it’s on paths they take separately away from each other for a while.

And this is where Winters lost me momentarily.

While the young men are together and exploring their backgrounds, powers, and sexuality, Mage Bond has a real chemistry and dynamic energy.

But as soon as a brown cloaked priest can say , “you’ll see each other again one day” , and pushes each away towards different “journey “, the story starts to loose something.

Now as Arkenn becomes Martin and Petran becomes Peter, each needs their own book in a way. In trying to insure that the main characters acquire all the necessary elements for their powers to be believable, Mage Bond ‘s middle section’s overly packed exposition reads more as a told to which slows down the momentum of the narrative.

For me, at least, it’s not until, Martin and Peter are brought back together that we regain the original energy and the storylines their strengths.

From that moment on, it just starts pouring on the narrative speed as we learn more about all the monsters, the Grand Evil that’s plagued the world, and the real identities of some of the characters who have been playing major roles in everyone’s lives.

The resolution to the end of all the battles is one that’s left me thinking. I can’t exactly roll out doubts here without giving away major spoilers. But while the battles were splendid, the final solution had a few patchy tears in it . Logically speaking. If that’s all it took to take “care” of the villain at the end, then why not just do it at the beginning? It doesn’t follow all the arguments for the reasons it starts at all. I don’t know. Just wasn’t satisfying as a logical, thoughtful ending.

It does set up the possibility for a series of stories with quite a few characters from this book going forward.

I really liked Martin/Arkenn and Peter/ Petran. They have the potential to continue to grow into a even more powerful couple. There’s several other people and beings that helped make this a enjoyable experience.

I found Mage Bond entertaining and it’s lead couple easy to connect with. If you’re a lover of fantasy and this author, this is a story you’re sure to want to pick up.

Synopsis:

A long-ago meeting sets fate into motion…

As captain of the city guards, Martin protects E’Skaara by day. At night, he creeps in shadows to defend the citizens from predators most cannot see. He’s escaped from his past as a mage-born lad who’d nearly destroyed a village in self-defense. The three things he can’t so easily elude? Rage at a deity who condemns mages to death, memories of a pirate who saved him, and the magic he must conceal.

Tavernkeeper Peter keeps secrets. Secrets that can get him killed: his desire for men, a pirate past, and magical abilities. He should run from the one place mages cannot be safe, but yearning for a lost love binds him to where they shared their last kiss, waiting for one more glimpse of a dear face.

When dark forces reunite them, the magic both men try so hard to hide might just be their salvation.

Mage Bond is now available for preorder on Amazon

This reviewer was given a copy to review by the author.

Review: Hell Breaks Loose (Hellhound Champions, #4) by Macy Blake

Rating: 5🌈

Of the Hellhound Champions series,

Hell Breaks Loose (Hellhound Champions, #4) turns out to be my very favorite. It’s also the last of this series, setting up what I expect to be the next stage in this multi series universe, the Familiar Fated Mates series. Or whatever the author will title it.

Hell Breaks Loose takes place after Solomon has become the Alpha of the Hellhounds with Cody as the alpha mate. The Chosen One arc has been resolved with Meshaq and Drew set to a new path as Gods.

Achim’s life is a frazzled one for a Hellhound. Instead of things setting down after the Chosen One and his brother battled it out, with the Chosen One winning, the magic has gotten more unstable. More beings have come through into the human realm, keeping Hellhounds busy 24/7 . Achim and the rest of his pack are exhausted. And their situation is getting worse.

Ozias, the Prince of Hell, isn’t having a good day. Horrible in fact. His magic isn’t working and he’s being chased by his mother’s hellhounds. When a human appears before him . In Hell!

Achim goes through a portal but the colors all wrong. Not the usual red. And ends up where he lasts expects to.

This is a marvelous romance and engaging story. The characters are so amazing and have such great personalities. Watching them navigate the intricacies of their developing relationship while handling the widening magical chaos in the human realm , which is also Ozias’ first time there? It’s so deeply wonderful that you can’t turn away from it.

It’s funny, sad, horrifying, sexy , and all kinds of romantic.

This story brings us back into Nick’s family and all the kids he and his mate rescued. We see Solomon and Cody. We also see another extraordinary couple with huge news to impact the entire universe.

It’s quite the story.

I read the middle novels as part of the Chosen Ones collection. It works but I’m glad I read this here. I’m ready for whatever Blake has next for us and this amazing collection of characters.

I’m recommending you read them all to understand how they all fit together and the events and relationships as they form.

See the list below.

Hellhound Champions series:

1. Hell on Earth – Hellhound Champions, Book 1

2. Hell To Pay – Hellhound Champions, Book 2

3. Give Him Hell – Hellhound Champions, Book 3

4. Hell Breaks Loose (Hellhound Champions, #4)

https://www.goodreads.com › showHell Breaks Loose (Hellhound Champions, #4) by Macy Blake – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Safe to say Achim’s life wasn’t going as planned.

First, his mission for the fire goddess ended up with him—a hellhound who’d never actually been to hell—being sent precisely there. Worse, he found himself stuck in the strange hellscape with Ozias, a guy who’s a) hotter than the fire of both suns in the hell-realm, b) really, really likable, despite his arrogance, and c) oh yeah, the actual prince of hell.

Their connection comes in handy, though, when a demon escapes into the human realm and Ozias is sent to track it down. With magic fluctuating wildly around them, the hellhound pack is run ragged trying to keep the supernatural world a secret from the humans… especially since Achim is just a wee bit distracted keeping his mind and hands off the gorgeous-but-cocky prince.

But when the strange forces wreaking havoc on the human realm attempt to drive Achim and Ozias apart… well, that’s when things get really messed up. Because if they think they’re gonna keep a hellhound from the guy who might just be his mate…

They’re gonna watch all hell break loose.

❤️Chosen Universe Multi-series Reading Order:

1. Sweet Nothings- Prequel
– The Chosen One

2. The Trouble With Love
– Nothing But Trouble, Book 1

3. Santa Trouble
– Nothing But Trouble, Book 2

4. All or Nothing
– The Chosen One, Book 1

5. Nothing Ventured
– The Chosen One, Book 2

6. Hell on Earth
– Hellhound Champions, Book 1

7. Double or Nothing

8. Next to Nothing
– The Chosen One, Book 3

9. Hell To Pay
– Hellhound Champions, Book 2

10. Give Him Hell
– Hellhound Champions, Book 3

11. Nothing Gained
– The Chosen One, Book 4

12. Stop at Nothing
– The Chosen One, Book 5

13. Sweet Spot

14. All Kidding Aside
– Magical Mates, Book 1

15. Stop Kidding Around
– Magical Mates, Book 2

16. Hell Breaks Loose
– Hellhound Champions, Book 4

17. Logan
– Chosen Champions, Book 1

18. Gideon
– Chosen Champions, Book 2

19. Jamal
– Chosen Champions

20. Cosmo and the King

21. Aleron
– Chosen Champions, Book 3

Review: Silent Knight (Blackhaven Manor #7) by Arden Steele

Rating: 4.5🌈

Silent Knight was totally charming. Low angst, sweet, and huge on holiday spirit. It should make everyone’s holiday seasonal reading list.

Simon Russell has been a staple in these stories for a while. But what type of being or who he exactly is has never been stated. He’s always been the sunny guy who hangs around the receptionist desk, or goes off to handle whatever requests have been handed out by the Manor’s guests or it’s Owners. He’s a good natured, gorgeous guy.

As the Manor gets ready for its holiday season, it also prepares for the arrival of its latest employee, Snow leopard shifter,Archer Knight.

Archer was part of the Guardians seen briefly in Grin and Bear it. Now Archer’s been forcibly retired from the Guardians due to physical disabilities caused on the job. He’s been hired by the Maddox siblings to work security at the Manor.

Archer is one of the great characters in this series. A magical attack left him without the ability to verbally communicate and with a heavily scarred visage. Archer communicates with ASL. His background is not a happy one and is best left to the story.

Having his fated mate be Simon Russell , who comes from a large, loving family is perfect. And makes for a romantic relationship you’re going to love to read about.

The reveal about Simon’s true nature is part of their mating bond. One more terrific element.

Silent Knight, a reference to the mute Guardian Archer once was is a lovely book about finding love and family when you least expect it.

Blackhaven Manor is a series of short romances that keeps surprising me with the wonderful stories and great couples.

I’m highly recommending you look into the series if you’re not familiar with them already.

Blackhaven Manor Series:

✓ Purrfect Harmony #1

✓ Night and Fae #2

✓ Dragon It Out #3

✓ Grin and Bear it #4

✓ Pixie Little Liar #5

✓ Dead Over Heals #6

✓ Silent Knight #7

https://www.goodreads.com › showSilent Knight (Blackhaven Manor #7) by Arden Steele – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Being part siren isn’t exactly a secret, but it’s not something Simon Russel likes to advertise, either. He’s not ashamed of who he is or anything so dramatic as that. But people tend to treat him differently once they realize he can manipulate their emotions. Just once, he wishes someone could see him and not the demon within.

Enter Archer Knight, a former Enforcer and the newest guard at Blackhaven Manor.

Forced into retirement after a poorly executed mission leaves him damaged and disfigured, Archer figures he has a right to be a little bitter. With his scarred face and surly attitude, he’s not going to win any popularity contests, which suits him just fine, or so he tells himself.

Until he meets Simon.

Mix one not-so-chance encounter, a heap of holiday cheer, and a dash of misguided but well-meaning intentions in this recipe for Christmas magic. Season with love and serve with a side of awkward family get-togethers.

Don’t forget the marshmallows.

Review: Good Intentions (Intentions Duet #2) by Ella Frank

Rating: 4.5🌈

“GABRIEL ROMERO HAD just hung up on me. No goodbye. No “we’ll talk about this when you get back.” That charming, persistent young man had called me up, lobbed several accusations my way, and then ended our conversation before I was through talking to him.”

— Good Intentions (Intentions Duet Book 2) by Ella Frank

Good Intentions slides immediately into the moment after Bad Intentions ends, when Gabe hangs up on Marcus.

This is exactly why these novels make fantastic binge reading. Because they really are two halves of a whole story.

Where Bad Intentions was the beginnings of Marcus and Gabe, Good Intentions is precisely that. The place where both men realize how important each is becoming to them and the huge difference each other are making in their emotional lives.

This story is the place for revelations, character growth, and an overall internal examination by both Gabe and Marcus of their present lives, as well as future goals.

That includes if they are willing to take chances with their hearts.

Once again, Ella Frank moves Gabe and Marcus forward, across current obstacles raised by business opportunities, by challenges of borne of personal insecurities and varying relationship goals. Frank does it with intelligent dialogue, believable emotional storylines, humor, and heartwarming romance.

They make mistakes with each other, they acknowledge it, and then work through it in the best way that is suitable to them both. Often accompanied by very hot sex!

Such a terrific couple and two-book series. Just enough to be absolutely enjoyable and thoughtfully romantic.

Gabe and Marcus are surrounded by couples and people who have had

or will have their own series.

It’s a very connected universe. So if you’re intrigued by a couple, check out their stories!

I’m highly recommending Intentions Duo. Read them in the order they were written to grasp the entire story relationship dynamics.

Intentions Duet:

🔹Bad Intentions #1

🔹Good Intentions #2

https://www.goodreads.com › showGood Intentions (Intentions Duet, #2) by Ella Frank – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Gabriel Romero made me hungry for things I’d never wanted, and starved of the things I didn’t think I’d ever need.
Until now…
Until him…

I was never the man who believed in love, romance, or happily ever afters. I was married to my work, and happy to be that way. Until one night, not too long ago, when an audacious young man lied his way into my life and showed me what I’d been missing.

Bold and sexy, with a face that could melt through the iciest of exteriors, Gabriel Romero is the one factor I never saw coming. There are so many reasons we shouldn’t work—my age, his, our career goals in life—and yet we are drawn together by a passion for music, and each other, that neither of us can deny.

I’ve always been the one to think things through, to follow my head instead of my heart. But if I don’t open myself to what’s possible, instead of thinking of all the ways this seems impossible, I might miss out on the best thing that has ever happened to me.

So I’m taking a chance, and laying myself at his mercy, opening my heart with nothing but good intentions. Only time will tell if Gabriel Romero decides to let me back in.

Good Intentions is the second book in the Intentions Duet.

Review: Bad Intentions (Intentions Duet #1) by Ella Frank

Rating: 4.5🌈

I go into writing a review for a Ella Frank2 book series fighting the impulse to combine my reviews for both stories into one. Usually I’ve read both novels, one right after the other. And also because each story is truly one half of the same book.

Good Intentions (Intentions Duet #2) literally starts with Marcus’ perspective on the phone call that Gabe just hung up on at the end of this story.

So the flow is virtually seamless.

Bad Intentions marks the start of the relationship between Gabriel Romero, a soon to be PA at a law firm, and Marcus St. James, President of cable news giant ENN.

It starts off on what was supposed to be a hot encounter at an exclusive work party where Gabe used someone else’s name to get close to a powerful, but hugely gorgeous man he wants to meet.

What could go wrong?

Frank gives us the consequences of that action in such deliciously awkward, yet clever scenes that pack a emotionally powerful punch. It’s full of chemistry, confusion, and the sheer need to keep pursuing the other man. For both Gabe and Marcus.

One of the many elements I enjoyed about this Duet of novels is the surprises the author has in store for both the readers and her character when it comes to the layers she’ll peel back with regard to who these men really are and what they’re looking for in the future.

They are much deeper then they originally appear. I really appreciated that depth of personality.

Another is the age gap. Although there’s a large one as the men are written, the difference in ages isn’t a barrier because it’s a plus as far as Gabe is concerned. And any reference is a playful and interesting one.

The same goes for the notable difference in wealth and achievement. It’s talked about, and instead of a inequality that’s a barrier, Gabe’s looks towards Marcus’s wonderful achievements as goals of his own he also fully intends to realize. A healthy understanding, that includes a great recognition of his own brilliance.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. That’s part of having read both stories.

The story here is their struggles to figure out what they want to be to each other and how that would work given each other’s goals.

All big realistic questions. Especially when both men have little, or in the case of Marcus, no experience being in a relationship.

Ella Frank’s writing is crisp, often humorous, with a clever turn of phrase that had me grinning page after page.

I have such affection for these characters.

They are entertaining and their stories interwoven with those of the couples around them. So you can finish these and then go binge on their series as well.

But first, gather up both Bad Intentions and Good Intentions. Then read them, one right after the other for a marvelously entertaining, and quite lovely romance!

I’m highly recommending both!

Intentions Duet:

Bad Intentions #1

Good Intentions #2

https://www.goodreads.com › showBad Intentions (Intentions Duet, #1) by Ella Frank – Goodreads

Synopsis:

My name isn’t Logan Mitchell, but Marcus St. James doesn’t know that…

When I showed up at my roommate’s work party, the last thing I expected was to find a man straight out of my dreams. But when the crowd parted and the fates aligned, there he was, waiting for me. Marcus St. James, president of ENN WorldWide News.

Sexy and powerful, with a stare that could freeze you in place, Marcus was the perfect reward for securing a job at Mitchell & Madison, the best law firm in Chicago. To play with the big fish, however, one must become a big fish, and that’s where my little white lie began.

It was one night. I was never going to see him again, and from the second we spoke, I knew he was interested. It was there in his eyes, the same fire in my veins. It was there in his voice, whenever he said my name.

The only problem? It wasn’t my name, and now I wanted more—much more.

But how can anything good come out of something that started with such bad intentions?

Bad Intentions is the first book in the Intentions Duet.

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