Category: eBooks

Review:  Wooing the Wiccan (Elf Magic Book 1)  by Louisa Masters 

Rating: 4šŸŒˆ

I enjoyed Wooing the Wiccan (Elf Magic Book 1)  by Louisa Masters, another new book and series in this authorā€™s multi-series Hidden Species/Community of Species universe. 

It was wonderful seeing King RaĆ°ulf, the head of the elves who has appeared throughout this universe in many novels, find a new love and get his own HEA, with a human Wiccan elementary schoolteacher, Jared. And his cat. 

Equally wonderful? And true highlights? Having hilarious moments with dragonshifter Wing Leader Brandt, his Consort Percy, and their adorable daughter.  Also Sam, Alastair, and many other great characters. 

If anything, with the main issues and the characters involved, this relationship would have felt more natural and more well developed if , either the book itself had been longer or divided into two parts. 

Thereā€™s so much that both characters have to immediately deal with, some of which is brushed over quickly here while still noting how deeply the changes impact on their lives and their relationships.   Jared is unaware of the fact that otherworldly species exist, including the one heā€™s involved with.  

RaĆ°ulfr has the safety of his people, the fact of his being the King with all that entails, and how much of his courtly life will be impacted by his Consort.  And the fact that he is human. 

Plus they donā€™t know each other well. They just started talking and dating. 

So when Masters narrative begins to speed up once Jared is introduced to the Community of Species and all the other paranormals who exist on earth with the human community and the magic, other elements lose their depth of development and exploration.

How does Jared fit his new life into his old one? We donā€™t know. Does he change careers? No idea. Itā€™s meeting and quickly developing affection between the two while hiding exactly who and what RaĆ°ulfr is. Followed by a huge argument, a shocking revelation, and then another rather quick, for this situation, resolution. And an immediate exchange of ā€œI love youā€™sā€. 

Sigh. I was fine right up until that instant love came in. Adult conversation and working through their various issues? Fantastic. But itā€™s been weeks. Mere weeks. 

A two part relationship development, along with further growth of magical abilities and time to explore this new aspect of the magical universe? That wouldā€™ve made this a far more interesting and believable journey. 

Did I find it entertaining? Yes. It made me want to reread Brandt and Percyā€™s series once again.   Itā€™s a good read and gives the elf King a lovely HEA. 

Cover Photo: Wander Aguiar 

Model: Douglas 

Cover Design: Booksmith Design

Elf Magic:

Wooing the Wiccan #1

Enticing the Elf #2 – Nov 6,2025

Buy link

        Wooing The Wiccan (Elf Magic Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Iā€™m surrounded by two hundred thousand elves, yet somehow, Iā€™m still lonely.

After a rough few millennia, the past decade has finally brought us peace and securityā€”and justified my choices as our leader. But as chaos gives way to calm, I have more time for myselfā€¦ yet itā€™s not what I want it to be. Iā€™ve been alone for a long time, but before my people and work needed me more. Now the lonely hours stretch into eternity.

Until I meet Jared.

Heā€™s my perfect match in every way; a teacher, a gardener, a cat dad. He loves books, nature, and interacting with others. Heā€™s sweet, funny, kind, and weā€™re fire in the bedroom. The only hiccup? Heā€™s human, and he doesnā€™t know other species exist.

Legally, we havenā€™t been together long enough for me to tell him Iā€™m not human, and itā€™s getting harder and harder to keep this secret. To keep part of myself from himā€¦ to lie. But what if he learns the truthā€”a truth that will shatter the core of his beliefsā€”and canā€™t handle it?

What if he canā€™t forgive the lies?

  • Publication date: August 7, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 238 pages
  • Book 1 of 2: Elf Magic

Review:  Three Charms for Murder (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 5) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5ā­ļøāœØ

Intriguing murder mystery, new adorable Felixā€™s, and a terrific insight into Henriā€™s thoughts and emotions on why he has been so thoughtful and slow in his courtship of Jamie.  And hers in return on why it was important for her to have the time to establish herself and continue to work on her trauma and transition before anything personal could occur. 

Depth of evolution of the characters and a highly intelligent investigation of this unusual, and for Henri, emotional case, make Three Charms for Murder  a fantastic read and engaging narrative full of action, magic, and fast paced storytelling. 

I love this so much!

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Three Charms for Murder (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 5)

    

Blurb 

It takes more than three charms to commit murder.

When an old childhood friend comes to Henri asking for help in solving his parentsā€™ murders, Henri agrees immediately. He knows this case is not going to be easy. Mr. and Mrs. Atwoodā€™s bodies had been found magically posed to mimic a statue, and the investigator in charge ruled it a murder-suicide. Which is simply not feasible according to the Atwood children.

Aware this is a high society case and all attention will be on them, the team makes their way out to the Atwoodsā€™ vacation home. Upon arrival, Jamie and Henri are horrified to find most of the trace evidence destroyed by incompetence, the bodies unpreserved, and the case file a single page of notes. To top it all off, the local police force wants nothing more than to see them fail.

Add in a string of suspicious burglaries, compromised wards, arson, and a suspect who will do anything to keep the truth under wraps, and Jamie and Henri are ready to commit murder themselves.

Review:  Breaking and Entering 101 (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 4) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5ā­ļøāœØ

I really enjoyed Breaking and Entering 101 for a number of reasons. Obviously because I love the characters and series, they continue to develop and evolve in their respective roles, professionally as we see here as Kingsmen consultants, and personally as Jamie has consistently shown that sheā€™s dedicated to her new world and found family. And they to her. 

Thereā€™s two distinct mysteries to solve here, both extremely important to undertake and each has its own unique quirks and skills required to succeed in understanding and investigating it. 

One is the theft of heavy gold ingots from a train car thatā€™s locked and warded. Another, which introduces a favorite new character of mine, is a mystery of how the Royal palace (and its many incredible wards) is being constantly being surpassed by a trespasser who doesnā€™t do anything much but look around, sampling food and drinks. 

This brings in the wonderfully crafted Queen, the many Kingsmen familiar with Jamie, and those slowly becoming a part of Jamie and Henriā€™s (and RM Seaton as well as Felix Clint) inner circle.   

The time frame has moved by 2 years. That includes new ā€œdiscoveries and inventionsā€ Jamie has introduced via Ellie to this world. 

Donā€™t miss out on the additions by Jamie of her knowledge and comparisons at the end. It grows by each novel. 

Another must read in a must have series. 

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Breaking and Entering 101 (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 4)

    

Blurb 

Since Jamie and Henri agreed to be Kingsmen consultants, theyā€™d not had much call to actually consult. Which is a fortuitous thing, as Henri is up to his neck in labwork and interviews for a new Magical Examiner due to Sandersonā€™s departing. He is hardly in any position to add more tasks onto his shoulders. 

Which, naturally, means two disasters strike at once. 

In a brilliant coup, a group of thieves have struck the railroad and stolen a breathtaking three hundred thousand crowns in gold. No one has any idea how, who, or where the ingots have gotten to. The Kingsmen on the case are baffled, as this is hardly their normal purview. They naturally reach out to their Kingsmen consultants, which mean Jamie and Henri are now on the week-old case. 

To spice things up further, someone is routinely sneaking through the palace wards and lurking about the grounds, and no one has any idea how the breach is occurring. Seatonā€™s beside himself trying to figure it out and Henri has been drawn in to assist him. 

As Jamie would say: When it rains, it pours.

Review:  Magic Outside the Box (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 3) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5ā­ļøāœØ

What a great mystery and story! Both sad, satisfying and it will be the story the propels an important element of this series into more development and exploration for Jamie and her closest friends. 

In addition, Royal Mage Sherard, now a close friend and colleague, is here, Clint the talking magical cat, and one of Jamieā€™s police ducklings, McSparrin, and sheā€™s got Ellie the magician engineer, to soup up the engine of the cars she rides in to go 50 mph instead of 30!

Again, itā€™s a fantastic formula for a story. Henri is writing his cases but in such a way that the reader can see it published in the future. But his friends, Jamie and Sherard insert themselves into these pages via hilarious notes and even entire sections which he then smartly remarks upon. All in different colored ink. Black ink for Henri, blue ink for Jamie and green ink for Sherard. And if that sounds chaotic, itā€™s not. Itā€™s remarkably clear whose voice it is and the emotionally tones carry through vividly.

Another sparkling performance from the author and characters. 

Fabulous!

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Magic Outside the Box (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Henri is quite accustomed to dangerous and unusual cases landing in his lap. Being partnered to the Shinigami Detective likely has something to do with it. What he is NOT accustomed to is the queen herself marching into his lab and handing them such a case. 

Former Royal Mage Joseph Burtchell was found dead in his home, all signs pointing to murder. However, itā€™s in question as to how the murderer accomplished the deedā€”the house was locked, the wards fully up, and the body bearing a peculiar wound.

Itā€™s a locked room mystery, one with a suspiciously absent murder weapon and lack of suspects. Henriā€™s left baffled. Jamieā€™s excited, relishing the challenge the case represents. 

Whoā€™s powerful enough to thwart a royal mageā€™s wards and murder him undetected?

Review:  Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 2) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5ā­ļøāœØ

ā€œā€˜How upset is our good Queen?ā€™

ā€œLivid, Seaton answered cheerfully.

Iā€™m quite happy about that. Angry women change the world.ā€™ā€

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) the oh so appropriate title of book two is a great, emotional story. The mystery hits on many levels as well, bringing in everything from the societal aspects of health care (or lack thereof), the need for better government regulation of magical items and their manufacture, and general police procedures on multiple fronts. 

Itā€™s dealing with epidemics, ignorance, violence and scam artists who have caused unprecedented harm. 

And all while showing how Jamie is still recovering from her ordeal, maneuvering through a society and systems that are designed to keep women from being able to live as equals, and instituting change from a world that is unknown and one she canā€™t return to. 

New fantastic characters are emerging in continuing important roles, in Jamieā€™s life and the series, such as RM Seaton, and the notes of each character, identified by color, are highly entertaining and important to the story and influence of their respective roles here. 

How do I love this? Let me count the ways.

  1. Spectacular writing.
  2. Great mysteriesĀ 
  3. Fabulous characters that continue to developĀ 
  4. Found familiesĀ 
  5. World building thatā€™s incredible in depth and vividly detailedĀ 
  6. Slowish burn ever romanceĀ 

Yes and yes! 

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 2)

    

Blurb

A dead charm maker is only the beginning. 

Humanity seems determined to come up with increasingly clever ways to murder one another. They seize upon new technological advances in a way thatā€™s alarming, their creativity and blood-thirstiness knowing no bounds.

When a charm maker is blown up inside his own vehicle, for once itā€™s not Henri Davenforthā€™s expertise needed: itā€™s Jamie Edwardsā€™, the Shinigami Detective. Car bombs are something unique in Kingston, and only she has experience with them. But the unique murder takes an unexpected turn when it becomes evident that the dead charm maker dabbled in something he should not have, inciting disastrous results.

The dangers he unleashed upon Kingston threaten thousands of lives and it launches a race requiring not only Jamie and Henriā€™s expertise, but the Kingsmenā€™s as well to beat the menace spreading through the city.

Meanwhile, the murderer is still at large, leaving Henri and Jamie to wonder: what will blow next?

Review:  Magic and the Shinigami Detective (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 1) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5ā­ļøāœØ

When I found this book and series, I found my new favorite obsession and the reason Iā€™ve had no sleep since as Iā€™ve been binging the series. 

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth has everything I look for in a series, itā€™s got magnificent characters, outstanding world building, amazing plots, and a format that is just so great and entertaining that it makes my brain and heart stay engaged and focused on the storytelling. But also while being able to admire and throughly be amazed by the flexibility of its structure. 

Yes, may this series never end. 

Science fiction, magical realism, urban fantasy, historical fiction, one of the slowest burn romances ever, outstanding mysteries, and yes, mystical cats . 

All beautifully rendered and crafted with depth and attention to detail that will continue to expand and evolve with each book. 

Iā€™m well into book 5 now. 

Honor Raconteur has used as a basis for her mysteries some real little known murders. See the authorā€™s notes for more information. Then given them a fantastic magical twist. 

The character of former FBI agent Jamie Edwards, kidnapped and brought to another world by an insane powerful witch, who performed experiments on her and others who died. This is the story and series of how Jamie became the Shinigami Detective, and co-worker with Dr. Henri Davenforth, Magical Examiner for the police department. 

Slowly, in a world of paranormal species and time that resembles 18th century America, Jamie assembles a found family, finds a new home, job and future while solving mysteries with Henri. And others. 

She with science brought from Earth and her training as a FBI agent, he with magic and his formidable intelligence. 

The 11th book was released this year and now Iā€™m going to have to clear a bookshelf for this series. Causeā€™ I need them. Iā€™ll be rereading this series, they are those books. 

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Magic and the Shinigami Detective (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 1)

    

Blurb 

When the Night Foxes boldly break into the Fourth Precinctā€™s Evidence Building, it causes quite the stir. The break-in is daring enough, but their method shreds the magical wards and protections on the building like confetti paper. To say the police are ā€˜alarmedā€™ by this is the understatement of the century.

As a Magical Examiner, Henri Davenforth is of course immediately called in. Quite to his astonishment, Captain Gregson has him work the case like a detective. Even more astounding, he assigns Henri a partner. The Shinigami Detective.

The woman is famous for killing the most destructive rogue witch of the century, and no one is quite certain where sheā€™s from. Every officer in the precinct is either in awe of her or a little frightened by her. Henri is just baffled. What is he supposed to do with a partner?

Hopefully killing one witch makes Jamie Edwards enough of an expert on magic to be helpful, as the thieves arenā€™t content to just break into one building. They in fact seem to have an agenda, as with each theft, they take magical objects. Itā€™s all mounting to a dangerously powerful magical construct capable of toppling the wards on any building.

And no one has any idea what the thievesā€™ true target is.

Review:  Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie #1) by Michele Notaro

Rating: 4 šŸŒˆ

The first in a new series by Michele Notaro, Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie #1) was a terrific story, a little slow in the beginning but quickly picked up the pace for a dramatic ending. 

The author is just starting to build the setting and form the group of characters that will eventually become a found family so we donā€™t have much of a history or background on them.  Just the vague sketch of an idea for each. 

Individually, the characters are good, as a relationship, the two main characters donā€™t have a real believable connection. Itā€™s either too quickly pulled together or something. But the storyline just doesnā€™t give them the right chemistry even when supplying them with a back history together. 

I think itā€™s a lack of overall world building and foundation versus the evil gnomes mystery that makes the story feel highly paced but without a feeling of depth. 

I look forward to seeing what the second book brings. 

Carry A Faerie:

  • Did It Have To Be Gnomes? #1
  • The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) #2 – July 15,2025

Buy link

        Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Am I afraid of gnomes? 

Maaaaaaaybe.

Did I take on a huge gnome job anyway? I sure did.

Am I about to ask my crush for help? 

Well, I have to ask someone, right?

I get called out to a huge mansion with the biggest number of invading gnomes Iā€™ve ever seen, and Iā€™m not sure who to call to help. And I definitely need some help. 

So when Winter Montgomery just so happens to stop by, I know I have to ask him. Iā€™ve been crushing on the handsome guy from afar for years, so nowā€™s my chance to get closeā€”and get some much needed support. 

As long as I donā€™t let him see just how much I hate gnomesā€”okay, Iā€™m actually terrified of them, but he doesnā€™t need to know thatā€¦ right?

Did It Really Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie Book 1) is a MM urban fantasy and the first book in Miles and Winterā€™s love story. Each book will have its own supernatural problem with a HFN ending for the couple, but there will be overarching plot themes throughout the series.

  • Publication date: July 31, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 296 pages
  • Book 1 of 2: Carry A Faerie

Review: Obsidian Magic (Legacy Series Book 2) by McKenzie Hunter 

Rating: 3.5ā­ļø

ā€œHe once made the comment that behind every good fighter was a tragic past.ā€

ā€œThe turgid muscles of his arm contracted and then relaxed.ā€

Those two sentences embody the best and worst examples of the writing found in this book and series.  That sort of whiplash of concise emotional expression versus one of excessive florid language is mirrored by the characters in their respective relationships and their own personal actions. Towards each other and in moments of conflict.

Levy, the main character has lovely scenes with her friends, antiques dealer Kalen and roommate Savannah, that ring true. Sheā€™s a more believable person in her trust issues, snarky humor, and energy than when dealing with the ā€œromantic tension ā€œ of Gareth, or the ā€œvillainous waysā€ of Connor. Both of them, their scenes with Levy, have the same oddly similar toxicity and certain aspects of narcissistic behavior. 

The secondary characters, once again, have the most interesting and fascinating roles that draw a readerā€™s attention. Blu, the witch , Lucas the Vampire Master, and the other two characters that are both great, Kalen and Savannah. 

Iā€™m enjoying the journey and series enough to see it through but not really emotionally invested in the characters. It makes it easy to stop the series, read another book, and then pick it up again. Something I wouldnā€™t do if Iā€™m throughly focused and engaged with the characters and universe. 

Much like I am with other similar stories such as the Kate Daniels series/universe by Ilona Andrews for example.

So for readers who enjoy urban fantasy and complete series I think this is a good read and fun series. Thatā€™s my take. 

Cover Artist: Yocla Designs

Legacy Series (4 book series)

Double-Sided Magic #1

Obsidian Magic #2

Renegade Magic #3

Rogue Magic #4 – finale 

Buy link

        Obsidian Magic (Legacy Series Book 2)

    

Blurb 

The only thing standing between me and death is my secret.

Iā€™m a Legacyā€”a secret Iā€™d planned on taking to my grave. Gareth, the enigmatic leader of the Supernatural Guild, knows it, but can I trust him to keep it? When mysterious deaths occur as a result of magic that mimics my own, I no longer have to worry about Gareth exposing me ā€“ it will be one of my own that does.

Another Legacy is causing the chaos, and Iā€™m forced to hunt my own kind. It seems simple, but weā€™ve existed for as long as we have because weā€™re better hunters than prey. Iā€™m forced to work with Gareth to clear my name and find the Legacy responsible. Not only is my secret about to be revealedā€”so is his. Gareth is much more dangerous than I expected. Is he my friend or my enemy?

  • Publisher: Sky Publishing
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: March 17, 2017
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 254 pages
  • Book 2 of 4: Legacy Series

Review: Double-Sided Magic (Legacy Book 1) by McKenzie Hunter 

Rating:3.5ā­ļø

ā€œI am Levy Michaels. Once my kind were the huntersā€”now we are the hunted.ā€

This book has several things going for it. Itā€™s a complete paranormal thriller series with a strong female main character. Its author, McKenzie Hunter, is a new writer to me, and its urban fantasy themes are ones Iā€™ve always enjoyed. 

That said, I find that this story is enjoyable but not as engaging as some of the other similar series I find absolutely addictive. 

Iā€™m actually past this novel in the series , and found that the storylines and characters situations are initially very interesting but soon become repetitive.

Levy Michaels is a Legacy, a being of pure magic and from a species that is reviled by the world.  All due to the Cleanse, a unimaginable heinous magical act that saw a majority of the worldā€™s paranormal population killed just because a majority of the Legacy decided to ensure that they were the only species worthy of magic.  

 

What was left banded together to hunt down the Legacy, rendering them extinct. Only they werenā€™t.

Thatā€™s a good premise. And the basis for the main character. Sheā€™s been hunted her whole life for something she didnā€™t do.   

And sheā€™s employed in an  well imagined antique acquisitions shop run by a fabulous fae owner, Kalen,  and friend.  As well as has a great human roommate , Savannah, who is obsessed with yoga and healthy food habits. Also a great element and character. 

Where things are less smoothly paced and written happen when sheā€™s implicated in a murder crime and becomes involved with Gareth, the cave lion shifter leader of the Supernatural Guild.  Their relationship isnā€™t so much a sexy, romantic hot chemistry but rather one that reads as perplexing and strangely unlikely.  Hes immediately hot, then cold, then hot, then threatening. Put that on repeat. Sheā€™s finding him unbelievably attractive, but finds out shocking things, doesnā€™t like him. Repeat. 

That constant will continue through the next book. 

The exact same thing will happen with another character, Connor. The same actions, same conversations , are held chapter after chapter. The events change but the conversation stay the same. 

The most important personal growth can be found happening in the secondary characters , who I wish we could have more of. Savannah, her roommate, and Kalen, her fae boss and friend. Love them. And perhaps even Lucas, the Vampire Head of all vampires in the city. 

Thereā€™s nothing in the narrative that is a surprise but itā€™s entertaining.  Iā€™ll be finishing the series, especially since each book is so short. They are quick reads. 

Entertainment for readers who enjoy urban fantasy and complete series. 

Cover Artist: Yocla Designs

Legacy Series (4 book series)

Double-Sided Magic #1

Obsidian Magic #2

Renegade Magic #3

Rogue Magic #4 – finale 

Buy link

 Book 1 of 4: Legacy Series 

Blurb 

I am Levy Michaels. Once my kind were the huntersā€”now we are the hunted. 

Humans are aware of the existence of supernaturals but I have to stay hidden because of the type of magic I possess. Iā€™m a Legacy. It sounds like the title should come with reverence, a trust fund, or at the very least a cool backstoryā€”instead it comes with a death sentence.

I have to hide in plain sight and pretend to be just human. Iā€™m pretty good at it.

I live a simple and somewhat normal life, and I work in antique acquisitions. Everythingā€™s going fine until a dangerous and enchanted dagger that was once in my possession is stolen. I didnā€™t think things could get any worse until I woke up next to a dead shifter, fae, and mage, without any memory of the past twenty-four hours.

Considered guilty of murder by most of the magical community and humans, I must work with Gareth, the sexy and dangerous leader of the Supernatural Guild. If heā€™s as good as rumored, itā€™s only a matter of time until he discovers the truth about meā€”then being found guilty of murder is the least of my worries.

Series Complete. This series is perfect for readers looking for edge-of-your-seat action, mystery with unexpected twists, a witty, kick-butt heroine.

  • Publisher: Sky Publishing
  • Publication date: November 5, 2016
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 230 pages
  • Book 1 of 4: Legacy Series

Review: Something to Prove (Smithton Bears Book 2) by Lane Hayes 

Rating: 4šŸŒˆ

Something to Prove is another lovely sports college romance in Lane Hayesā€™ Smithton Bears series, a sequel to the heartwarming older hockey romance series I adore, The Elmwood Stories- Small Town stories.

Same area as Elmwood but focuses on college hockey and college atmosphere with its situations, mostly. I enjoyed the flow from the first novel into this book, the use of characters and that pivotal plot to make these characters have their own dramatic moments.

Ty and Walker are both very relatable and engaging characters. Ty especially has a well written and fleshed out family and foundation as well as hockey team that grounds him realistically. 

Walker has a background that makes him a more isolated person. A person whoā€™s been raised by his uncle and his aunt, who donā€™t live locally, there isnā€™t much other than the occasional showing of a side character, Robin, to give him the full picture details that Ty has been crafted with.  What gives Walker life are the moments when he (and Ty) share while interacting for Walkerā€™s show. Love the warmth and funny energy that Hayes brings to this. 

The ending is so satisfying and one that the reader can instantly picture. And the epilogue is a great way to see the couple in their lives, happily moving forward. 

Another terrific story in this ongoing series. A winner!

Cover Design by Reese Dante

Smithton Bears – Small-Town, College Hockey Series 

  • One-Time Shot
  • Something to ProveĀ 
  • The Roommate Game – Coming November 2025Ā 

The Elmwood Stories- Small Town/Hockey Series 

You, Again 

Next Season 

Holiday Crush 

Thin Ice 

Hot Shot 

Puck Love

Buy link

 Book 2 of 3: Smithton Bears 

Blurb 

The hockey star, the influencer, and the deal of a lifetime. 

Ty

Iā€™m going to the pros, baby! Deal made, contract signed. Now all I have to do is finish out my final season at Smithton and stay out of trouble. I like to have a good time, but donā€™t worry, Iā€™ll behave.

What I wonā€™t do is talk to that double-crossing influencer whoā€™s been badgering me for an interview. No thanks.

I know Walkerā€™s typeā€”sweet as pie on the outside, a shark on the inside.

Get thisā€¦he wants to make a deal that sounds a lot like a bribe.

Not interested. No way.

But I am curious.

Walker

Iā€™ve never worked so hard for an interview in my life. Ugh!

Look, I get that Ty doesnā€™t like me. As inā€¦he wonā€™t return my calls and avoids me like the plague on campus.

Too bad. Iā€™m not giving up.

I donā€™t want to beg, but Iā€™m willing to barter. Every man has his priceā€”and something to prove.

Even Ty.

Something to Prove is a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a hockey star and the adorkable influencer whoā€™s determined to win him overā€¦

  • Publication date: July 29, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 224 pages
  • Book 2 of 3: Smithton Bears