Review: Amber Gambler (The Body Shop Book 2) by Hailey Edwards

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Amber Gambler really was a revelation for me. Where I might have been slow to connect with the universe and the relationships here, maybe even understanding the main character of Frankie Mary as much as I should, this story now immediately has me committing to them, and this series. I’m all in.

It picks up after the shocking events of Fair Market Value. The Mary’s are dealing with the emotional and physical damage of the deep betrayal of someone who they thought was a friend. Frankie’s recovering, missing Kierce who’s left to heal his wounds as well as trying to find the right mental state to heal herself from the trauma of Lyle and his son, Harrow.

There’s Carter’s awful storyline left hanging to bring in here, plus Josie and Matty’s own emotional wounds.

With all that going on, a ghost comes to Frankie in his need. His granddaughter is missing and he needs Frankie’s help to find her.

Edwards story is so compelling in that it’s complex and emotional nature allows the author to explore the tragedy of those children who were failed by the society, social care system, or even their own families. Whether it’s the Mary siblings and their horrific experiences in their foster care system or for the missing girls and abandoned kids Frankie finds along the way, this is a raw, tragic and deeply personal element here.

Frankie is undergoing physical and psychological changes as well, changes she’s not understanding, something she’s hiding from her family.

Kierse and his companion crow, Badb , a great character who’s both comedic relief and mysterious being, are back as powerful entities. Kierse is also the potential romantic partner and is more multidimensional. I’m absolutely team Kierse, especially considering the events the play out. Harrow continues to be that toxic personality that everyone regrets.

Carter is a marvel. She’s quickly becoming a great new surprise as a layered individual who can deliver a new facet of her personality when it’s time.

As Frankie works with Carter and Kierse to find the missing child, the narrative builds a compelling emotional journey with Edwards creating multiple threads that connect murder mysteries , numerous mythological gods and legends , entwined with deeply intimate personal experiences and characters histories.

Characters now become more flawed, more complex and wounded. Believable because they’re grounded by revealed histories and ,now, shared trauma, that we too have been a part of. Especially that devastating dramatic event that ends the book.

Amazing storytelling by Hailey Edwards. A absolute treasure of a story and cast of characters.

A must read.

Great cover art both for storytelling and characters.

Cover by Damonza

Illustration by Marouane Hs

The Body Shop series:

Fair Market Value #1

Amber Gambler #2

Midnight Auto Parts #3

Cheater Slicks #4 – Dec 25,2025

Review: The Wolf Vs The Shifter (The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth Book 3) by Lauretta Hignett

Rating: 4.5⭐️

The Wolf Vs The Shifter (The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth Book 3) by Lauretta Hignett is a great terrifying book.

It simultaneously gives the reader more insight into multiple characters but starts to move all of the major characters into new stages where you can see the ultimate danger and darkness coming for them.

We learn who Myf, there is a thrilling dramatic scene at the end where several plots crash together into one chaotic mess and battle.

Great elements here that make this exciting , or disturbing if you think about it, are Dwayne, the goose chaos god and his dalliances with the Fae Princess, and how they have enormous roles here. Myf, our closet hiding enigma gets her big reveal. And the vile polar bear Alpha gets his comeuppance, finally.

Hignett doesn’t forget to write in the small emotional moments that make the reader remember that there are many children and vulnerable innocent individuals whose lives are at stake in the outcome of the events here. Not just a part of the Hidden City but a small orc child in danger.

Then the reader sees that the narrative continues to explore all aspects of Daphne’s life, both as the paranormal child social worker and as that as yet unknown entity that hasn’t been revealed.

Romeo and gang is here but recovering from the recent events.

It’s a grand story, scary and serious. Sets the tone for the next one in the series.

I’m highly recommending this author and series. So creative and well written.

Book Cover by Atra Luna Graphic Design”

Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth:

The Wolf Vs The Vampire #1

The Wolf Vs The Warlock #2

The Wolf Vs The Shifter #3

The Wolf Vs The Witch #4

The Wolf Vs The Monster #5

The Wolf Vs Santa: A Little Christmas Mystery

Buy link

The Wolf Vs The Shifter: The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth

Blurb

The hunt begins…

I’ve been on lockdown in the Hidden City for weeks now. Everyone thinks I’m hiding from the Alpha because I disobeyed his orders one too many times. And, well… I have. He’s coming for me; I know that.

But he’s also coming for Myf, my mysterious agoraphobic pantry-dwelling Welsh friend, and I can’t let him take her. She’s hiding a dangerous secret — one I need her to share with me so I can protect her.

It might be too late. The Alpha is coming, and I’m not ready to face him.

And the worst part is, he’s not coming alone.

The Wolf Vs The Shifter is book three in the Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth, a hot new Urban Fantasy series by bestselling author Lauretta Hignett.

Publication date: January 15, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 263 pages

Review: The Night Prince (Wolf King #2) A Fantasy Romance by Lauren Palphreyman

Rating: 4⭐️

I was absolutely torn about rating this novel at a 4 when at times I wanted to go lower. It’s primarily due to the character of Callum and the fact that the author seems determined to ask the reader to accept that he’s anything beyond a whiny, substance lacking himbo but actually a main romantic character who should be in a relationship with the female protagonist.

No.

At 84 percent in, Callum is still a the wolf shifter equivalent of the entitled ex high school football player who never grew up still expecting everyone to like him and give him what he wants. Gets a crown? Due to his own efforts? Nope. Support skills? Lacking. He’s never where he should be. But the author’s storyline wants the reader to believe that this is the guy that Rory is swooning about? Realistically? That’s not a believable element.

This is me as a reader flipping pages every time Callum starts to make appearances.

Blake is the terrific character that kept me going. He’s complex, tormented, and dark natured. Duplicitous and unpredictable. And now bonded to Rory. That’s an interesting take on a twisted relationship and compelling plot. Blake’s damaged, horrific history and his own personal relationship to the dark world around him is what elevates the story and the unwilling bond between himself and Rory.

Its intensity also makes Rory a more interesting character herself through her connection to Blake and their dreams/nightmares and emotions. Without that aspect of her character,her personality is getting a bit one dimensional here. Without Blake in the picture, she’s then reduced to a reactionary role , just bouncing back and forth between different men instead of becoming a proactive person the author insists she is.

Yes, her circumstances are perilous, but some of these scenes and actions on her part are not as strong or well thought out as the role is asking us to believe her to be.

What the author has done well is to create an atmosphere of fear and suspense, where anyone can be possessed, where the darkness is rising. The mythology is wonderful and the landscape of the current plot and dramatic scenes is vividly illustrated.

The last quarter of the book is the best , most thrilling part of it. There is plenty of drama, some surprisingly good twists and one shocking moment at the end that ends on a bit of a cliffhanger that sets up the final novel in this trilogy.

I’ll be there to finish this trilogy. Fingers crossed that Callum is kicked out to the highest highlands, Blake is ,well , Blake, and Rory becomes a solo Queen. I can dream can’t I?

We will see.

Another gorgeous cover.

Cover Design by: Damonza

The Wolf King series:

The Wolf King #1

The Night Prince #2

Buy link:

The Night Prince: A Fantasy Romance (The Wolf King)

Blurb

Aurora is caught between powerful alphas as they fight for the Wolf Throne. But darker forces are rising. . .

Aurora may have survived the Wolf King, but his bite marks her skin. In accordance with wolf law, that makes her his property. Now, he wants her back.

To beat him and take his throne, Aurora and Callum must form a dangerous alliance with one of the most feared Wolves in the Kingdom, Blake. He is their enemy, but he has entangled his life with Aurora’s—meaning she cannot harm him without forfeiting her own life.

As she fights to break their connection, she suspects Blake is keeping secrets about a dark power that rises in the north, and the unsettling nature of the bond between them. It seems there is a bigger game at play than who sits on the Wolf Throne—one that threatens both the Kingdom of Wolves, and the Kingdom of Men.

With her wolf awakening, enemies closing in, relationships tested, and secrets revealed—Aurora may be the only one who can stop an ancient evil from rising.

If she can figure out who to trust.

If she can figure out where she, and her heart, belong.

If she can stay alive.

The highly anticipated sequel to The Wolf King. A romantasy for fans of enemies to lovers, shifters, forbidden romance, villains you love to hate (or maybe just love!), and werewolves. Contains strong language and sexual situations.

Publication date: March 31, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 499 pages

Review: Slouch Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 1) by Helen Harper

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

My must read/auto buy list is growing. Put Helen Harper on there right now. Every series I read from her just makes me appreciate her writing more .

Here’s another. And it’s due to the awesome main female character.

That is 27 year old Ivy Wilde, someone outside the normal FMC outline in every conceivable way, from her outlook on exercise ( just no, she loves her plumpish short figure), avoidance of healthy habits and binging her favorite series. She’s got magic but uses it on her terms.

I love it when someone writes a woman character who’s not a crowd pleaser, an extrovert or someone who’s just wildly gorgeous. Nope here we get a witch determined to be that kind of girl whose goal is to be an underachiever. Stay on that couch, eat those Cheetos, chat with your cat, be a part time Taxi driver and do the minimum each day to get by. Woohoo. It’s actually all in the title.

Slouch Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 1) by Helen Harper. I so love her.

Ivy’s life changes when she’s mistaken for her out of town roommate, and ends up magically bound to Adeptus Exemptus Raphael Winter. Winter works for Arcane Branch, an investigative service for the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. None of which holds any real value for Ivy who wishes Winter and them gone.

What follows is a marvelous story about two hugely opposite personalities forced to work together on an epic case until the bond wears off. It’s a funny, magical, thoughtfully crafted mystery about people, power dynamics, and expectations.

The humor is everything. There’s scenes where I reread them just before bedtime so I could giggle myself off to sleep. Cats!

If you’ve consorted with cats, been owned by one, then be prepared to howl at the cats here, especially Ivy’s familiar Brutus.

But the investigations, especially as they start to let Ivy reveal so much about herself and her own recent experiences, are what power this fantastic novel.

It finishes with a solid ending to this investigation but an open question as to whether the partnership between Ivy and Winter will resume or be over.

Luckily there more released books to devour and I’m immediately heading forward. Highly recommending this fabulous female character and author.

Don’t miss out on Ivy Wilde and her familiar, Brutus. They are musts!

Cover by Yocla Designs. Close but a accurate representation would be nicer. She’s a fantastic character. Let’s put her on that cover.

The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic:

Slouch Witch #1

Star Witch #2

Spirit Witch #3

Sparkle Witch #4

Buy link

Slouch Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 1)

Blurb

Hard Work Will Pay Off Later. Laziness Pays Off Now.

Let’s get one thing straight – Ivy Wilde is not a heroine. In fact, she’s probably the last witch in the world who you’d call if you needed a magical helping hand. If it were down to Ivy, she’d spend all day every day on her sofa where she could watch TV, munch junk food and talk to her feline familiar to her heart’s content.

However, when a bureaucratic disaster ends up with Ivy as the victim of a case of mistaken identity, she’s yanked very unwillingly into Arcane Branch, the investigative department of the Hallowed Order of Magical Enlightenment. Her problems are quadrupled when a valuable object is stolen right from under the Order’s noses.

It doesn’t exactly help that she’s been magically bound to Adeptus Exemptus Raphael Winter. He might have piercing sapphire eyes and a body which a cover model would be proud of but, as far as Ivy’s concerned, he’s a walking advertisement for the joyless perils of too much witch-work.

And if he makes her go to the gym again, she’s definitely going to turn him into a frog.

Publisher: (June 8, 2017)
Publication date: June 8, 2017
Language: English
Print length: 290 pages

Review: Dead Weight (Crossroads Queen Book 5) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 5⭐️

I gave 5 ⭐️ to Dead Weight because, while Chase accomplishes so many important and exciting narrative goals in this book, she did two things that absolutely smashed it for me. She demolished a villain I couldn’t stand and set up the next story with a twist I didn’t see coming.

Fantastic!

Both of those events happened at the end but all the many other things and plots that led to them were outstanding as well. Just as gripping, funny, totally absorbing in detail and weirdness. And it, again, moves more of the various characters and their individual lives forward in some respects.

Usually its relationship dynamics being shuffled around, emotional scenes and characters being truthful about their struggles, all of which allow the reader to feel even closer and deeper connected to each of them. Because while these characters may be assassins, fae, werewolves, witches, ghosts, vampires and such, the issues that they face are often those that anyone can relate to. Fear of rejection, abandonment, loss, betrayal , and loneliness. It’s in their stories. We get them.

So when Chase makes this an absolutely slowest burn ever romance, the characters also will give us their emotional reasons why it’s necessary for it. Same for any other character’s reactions to whatever happens here. It’s a natural progression from believable way they have been from the beginning to the present.

Chase has a great sense of humor and depth of character. She builds on her stories, and each character becomes stronger and more interesting as the books continue. Especially those assassins from The Guild, her friends Gun and Cam, as well as Kane’s employees.

Yes to the series, a definite yes to this story. The author too.

Cover by Trif Designs, wish it had a more an accurate portrayal of this complicated character. One who only wears old t-shirts and jeans, boots, and is in her early 30’s. Usually worn out by no sleep, no budget and constant physical labor on that money pit of a crumbling house. Put that on the cover. Please.

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

Dead Weight (Crossroads Queen Book 5)

Blurb

Lorelei Clay is determined to put down roots in the small town of Fairhaven no matter what the universe throws at her. After all, she’s invested her entire savings in the rundown monstrosity known as the Castle—and she’s on the verge of investing her heart in a certain prince of hell, if he can overcome his literal internal demon.

Lorelei and Kane aren’t the only ones haunted by their histories. When unfamiliar werewolves cause trouble in town, Arrowhead alpha Weston Davies realizes his tragic past is about to catch up with him and threaten the life he’s managed to build.

As their problems continue to mount, it becomes clear that unless they face their respective pasts—they’ll have no future.

Dead Weight is the fifth book in the Crossroads Queen paranormal andurban fantasy series. For fans of feisty females, found family, romance subplots, tortured demon heroes, and a feel-good vibe.

Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (April 11, 2024)
Publication date: April 11, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 284 pages

Review: Crazy as a Loon (Yard Birds Book 1) by Hailey Edwards

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Hailey Edwards has quickly become another author who’s an auto read. So when I saw this amazing cover ( yes, an absolute classic) I was hooked.

Yard Birds is an urban fantasy series about a group of retired coven of witches, once a part of powerful undercover force ,WitchLight Hub.

Now down to five, Ellie Gleason and what’s left of the coven, Flo, Betty, Joan and Ida, have protected the town of Samford, Alabama for decades.

I love that Edwards has these wonderful women as both realistically worn down by their lives as past magical agents and by life itself. They are widowed in some cases, had hip replacements, suffering various ailments, hardened by their previous employment, trying to hide their past and get by as old women. Who they are and aren’t, in a community that hasn’t a clue as to what they are.

Then Elle’s great-nephew comes to her in need of help. And the old coven is reassembled to go investigate and solve the mystery of what is attacking the paranormal youth in a summer camp.

The author has created many questions within the story and given the readers many curious elements and aspects of certain character histories that require further exploration. The one that immediately comes to mind is the curse and mystery of Wally, Ellie’s dead husband. He’s or his soul is been stuffed into one of those mounted talking fish that you see on tv. You know, the talking Bass?

Why and who has cursed Wally isn’t revealed here. Just what the curse entails, what it takes to break it. A heartbreaking element for this couple.

It’s one of those things going forward that I hope the author will resolve this for them both.

The investigation was short but satisfactory. The fight scene involved a walker, which was also amazing.

And there’s a recipe for a Yard Bird Margarita at the very beginning that I intend to try out this weekend.

This is a book that keeps on giving.

Another winner, fantastic content and cover. More please. Especially of books with main characters of different generations. Not everyone needs FMC or MMC in their 20’s consistently.

Cover by Damonza. Great cover design and artwork.

Yard Birds series:

Crazy as a Loon #1

Dead as a Dodo #2

Free as a Bird #3

Buy link

Crazy as a Loon (Yard Birds Book 1)

Blurb

Ellie Gleason has protected the town of Samford, Alabama for decades. It’s not as glamorous as her glory days as the WitchLight Hub, but it keeps her active during her golden years.

Life is good.

Well, it’s okay.

Fine.

It could be bloodier with a smidge more gore, but retirement is meant to be low-key. It’s not like her fragile bones could handle the strenuous hunt for monsters anymore, even if her current duties are dull as dishwater.

But when her great-nephew shows up on her doorstep in tears—or is he her great-great nephew?—begging for help, Ellie straps on her beloved shotgun, Bam-Bam, and gets the coven back together.

Sure, Betty just had a hip replacement, and Flo would rather flirt than fight, and Ida is busy with her anniversary plans, and Joan is…Joan. But Ellie is certain she can whip the girls into shape in time to defeat the creature preying on kids at a nearby summer camp. She might even have them home in time for dinner.

Publisher: Black Dog Books, LLC. (May 5, 2023)
Publication date: May 5, 2023
Language: English
Print length: 133 pages

Review: Dead Wrong (Crossroads Queen Book 4) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Dead Wrong is another excellent, wonderfully written book in Annabel Chase’s Crossroads Queen series. The author continues to play with multiple cultures and a variety of mythologies in her work with the result of intriguing characters and storylines that have been explored here.

Dead Wrong plays with these themes even more. It opens up after the events of the past book, with Kane, the prince of Hell disappeared after learning Lorelei’s true identity, weeks passing without any explanation.

Soon Fairhaven’s citizens are under attack by various weird animals, and Lorelei is asked to help find them and answers to why they are there.

Chase is balancing several major plots and character storylines, evolving the overall series thread of Lorelei’s journey from a stance of total isolation from the town and any type of relationship towards multiple connections with other people, ghosts, frenemies, those she’s now regarding as real friends.

Fairhaven, its portals and many other characters and places is an ever diverse and evolving story of its own. It fits beautifully as a location for Lorelei’s adventures and her base for a home and potential found family.

The story’s reveal or reveals show that the larger story is going to be even more exciting and darker than imagined. The stakes higher, and the forthcoming storylines full of new characters and potential tragedies.

I’m so addicted to the story and characters.

What’s also great is the length. Well written and plotted within a certain length so I can easily read one a night.

I’m highly recommending this series and author. And will be checking out other books once I’m finished reading this one.

Cover by Trif Designs, wish it was less a young model and more an accurate portrayal of this complicated character. One who only wears old t-shirts and jeans, boots, and is in her early 30’s. Usually worn out by no sleep, no budget and constant physical labor on that money pit of a crumbling house. Put that on the cover. Please.

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

Dead Wrong (Crossroads Queen Book 4)

Blurb

Lorelei Clay has spent a lifetime keeping her secret. Now that Kane has discovered it, the prince of hell has cut her off, but she has no idea why. Not only has he disappeared from her life, he’s also disappeared from Fairhaven, and his cohorts refuse to divulge his whereabouts.

When a series of strange attacks threaten the town, Lorelei is thrust back into the magical spotlight. This time, she isn’t sure she can weather the storm without drawing too much attention to herself and, even worse, endangering the lives of everyone she’s come to care about.

Dead Wrong is the fourth book in the Crossroads Queen series, featuring a strong female protagonist, a slow burn romance, magic and mayhem, and a coterie of paranormal friends and found family.

Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (January 11, 2024)
Publication date: January 11, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 252 pages

Review: Waifs And Strays (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 1) by Helen Harper

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Another new author and new book and series to explore in Waifs And Strays (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 1) by Helen Harper.

It’s a paranormal mystery thriller that has a 43 year old woman of mysterious origins and her 5 cats taking in a teenage werewolf boarder who’s soon kidnapped. That’s the basic premise.

They live in a city/town, Coldstream, that’s home to most of the paranormal population and throughout the story, Harper takes us by way of the characters and events through the streets and places of this highly unusual city brimming with otherworldly beings living their typical daily lives. It’s a lively, well worn and believable city and works perfectly as the location and atmosphere of the series.

Kit McCafferty’s a character whose life unfolds as the story progresses. She’s remarkable in so many ways. For the book and in series I enjoy reading. One is that Harper has written a retired woman, hugely successful in her former career but forced to take retirement due to her age.

Most women in the novels I read are much younger so it’s an absolute joy to read a main character of her age and experience. And Harper’s dialogue for Kit’s character, inner monologue and the conversations that she has with others seem perfectly in sync with her personality.

She’s absolutely phenomenal.

And holding secrets, all of which need to be disclosed during the course of the story.

The cats , each of whom has its own unique identity, are just as important and well crafted. So too are the people, paranormal characters that are equally powerful in their impact on the lives and multiple storylines Harper is threading through the pages here.

Nick, the teenage werewolf is vulnerable and easily accessible to the reader. Thane too is a good character but could use more depth.

This is a fast moving story, full of charm, surprises, and terrific elements. There’s plenty of gruff emotional moments and satisfying action sequences, but really little romantic scenes. However there’s the potential for some in the future.

And the ending is both an hilarious twist and perfect way to finish the story off. Some people will be shaking their heads in total agreement. Yes indeed.

I absolutely recommend this book. I’m heading to the next. If you’re interested in reading urban fantasy or paranormal mysteries, this is a great fit for you.

The covers are ok. Not sure who the artist is but someone needs to tell them it’s ok to put a 40ish woman on the cover, wearing the clothes she wears in the story. While not all the readers are women , it’s likely most are . And would appreciate a better representation.

Goes for the series.

Book Cover created by JoY Cover Designs/ Covers By Juan

The Cat Lady Chronicles:

Waifs And Strays #2

The Dark Hiss of Magic #2

Buy link:

Waifs And Strays (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 1)

Blurb

Nobody is just a cat lady.

Kit McCafferty’s life is quiet, unremarkable and filled with cat hair. In the magical city of Coldstream, located on the border between Scotland and England, Kit is viewed as little more than mildly eccentric and mostly harmless. She passes her days caring for her family of five cats, feeding the local feral moggies, and maintaining relatively good relations with her neighbours.

All that changes, however, when a teenage werewolf shows up at her door in the desperate hope of renting out a nearby vacant flat. Kit knows that the smart move is to tell him to leave. The last thing she needs is to become embroiled in complicated shapeshifter politics. But something about the secretive young werewolf tugs at her heartstrings.

It’s not long before Kit ends up caught in a maelstrom of mysterious crime and magical wrong-doing. Fortunately, there’s far more to Kit McCafferty than meets the eye and she has a few dark secrets of her own.

Of course, anyone with an ounce of intelligence knows that you underestimate a cat lady at your own peril.

Waifs And Strays is the first book in a new urban fantasy crime series. Expect mystery, magic and adventure with a heroine who will keep you turning pages late into the night. There will also be a lot of cats.

Publication date: February 10, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 300 pages

Review: Moonstriker (The Summertide Chronicles #4) by Sam Burns

Rating: 4.75🌈

Sam Burns fantastic series, The Summertide Chronicles, comes to an end, not with a bang but with wedding, which is attended by all the other characters and couples.

Was it a great finale? Yes. Sticking with the theme and incredible complexity of this series and characters, it is. Burns may not have written a story that explosively dynamic in its entirety but its narrative is still powerful in its own way, deeply satisfying and compelling to the end.

Mt. Slate is shaking the earth, threatening to destroy the entire world, unless the four families gathering together there can find a way to make it stop.

Kit Moonstriker’s entire life has revolved around The Plan, one he and his crystal, Nikka, have made/foreseen to keep Mt Slate’s from shaking apart and the world saved. It all comes down now to Aubrey, an orphan raised apart from the families.

Everything about the story is so different and beautifully written. Kit’s story is further explained and more importantly, why all those decisions were made by himself are now revealed. And Aubrey’s history comes into full view, for himself too. His lack of bonding with a crystal, his family connections, and his emotional perspective on life and family.

Having the two men working together, discussing their own lives and their misconceptions about each other, it really lets the reader into their growing relationship and intimacy.

It’s also a slow melding of big moments and storylines as another huge aspect of this story emerges during this journey of theirs.

Burns’ fantastic story swells to a close with a sense of wonder, many “ah ha” moments and scenes of love and joy.

It makes sense when you have a series where the characters are not just magical people but beings who are sentient crystals and even shifters. What an incredible series this has been. I truly love it and could have stayed for many more stories.

It’s fitting that we end on a wedding. A great satisfying sendoff.

If you are looking for a beautifully crafted, outstanding piece of fantasy fiction, grab up The Summertide Chronicles by Sam Burns. It’s one of my favorite series and one I’m highly recommending!

Love these covers too.

The Summertide Chronicles:

Gloombringer #1
Dawnchaser #2
Sunrunner #3
Moonstriker #4 – finale

Buy Link

Moonstriker (The Summertide Chronicles Book 4)

Blurb

I’ve spent the better part of a decade trying to save the world. Twice a century, Mount Slate threatens to erupt, and for my entire life, the four families in charge haven’t seemed to care about their impending doom.

So it fell to me to try to fix things.

To make peace.

Me, a man whose greatest skill is pissing people off so much that they challenge me to a duel, and then killing them in that duel.

Now the moment is here, and my clever stone is telling me that one man—a sweet, innocent, infuriating judgmental bastard—is the only one who’s capable of saving the world. And I have to help him do it.

I’m starting to wonder if the world is even worth saving.

Moonstriker is the last in a series of four books, starring one cynical not-quite-assassin, one ray of sunshine, and one very grumpy mountain. It both Aubrey and Kit’s HEA, as well as the conclusion of the overall series arc.

Review: The Vampire’s Delicious Fae (Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala Book 2) by Michele Notaro

Rating: 4🌈

I absolutely enjoyed this fantasy romance of miscommunication resolved between an ancient vampire and a green fae, both of which have their own families to share.

It’s a sort of fantasy With Eight You Get Eggrolls, but with drama, plants, and mate bonds.

Anton and Keryth were both very great characters and wonderful together, quickly figuring out why they were so drawn together (fated mates). It wasn’t the normal fast paced relationship I expected in a fated mate story. I loved the way Notaro let them go down a slower path than an immediate step into a full blown love match. Each has a family to consider and those kids (young and old) were part of the bigger picture (and discussions) as they grew together.

Ker’s children are a more well known group (from previous stories) than Anton’s with the exception of Jed, Anton’s youngest.

The full found family Ker and Keryth’s young sisters Alsira, Gemma, Saranor, and Zellya, and Anton has his fledglings Phaeron, Beshiro, Katja, Jedediah. Then there’s one more youngster who becomes a major character and storyline here.

All played out while a series or universe drama /mysteries is going on around them, including them in its horror.

There is one book left in this trilogy and I can’t see how the huge overall plot is tied together within that book. It’s just that big.

But the author already has another series coming to follow this one, about the vampires. Which makes sense because vampires are the focus of the ongoing mystery and arc plot.

So I expect a switch in locations and characters. What fun! And more crossovers as well.

Looking forward to the final book in this series and the next series.

A definite winner.

Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala (3 book series):

The Witch’s Grumpy Dragon #1

The Vampire’s Delicious Fae #2

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The Vampire’s Delicious Fae (Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala Book 2)

Blurb

I hate vampires. Well, just one in particular. But I do kinda love how his eyes follow me whenever he’s around… Sigh.

Step One: Find a hot vampire. Check.

Step Two: Get the hot vamp to drink from me. Check.

Step Three: Try to forget his stupid face. Ugh. This one’s impossible to check. F my life. Sigh.

Anton is beyond frustrating. He was so sweet when we first met, and I’d thought we had a real connection. But then he had to ruin everything with his big mouth and jerky face. Ugh.

I can’t get him out of my head. Even when I’m beyond angry at him, I still feel a pull to be near him. A pull I can’t seem to ignore.

And when my entire world gets turned upside-down, I can’t help but reach for the ancient vampire and hope that together, we can conquer anything that’s thrown at us… anything that’s coming for us.

The Vampire’s Delicious Fae is Book 2 of the MM urban fantasy series, Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala. It follows a new couple in each book with a guaranteed HEA. It takes place in the Brinnswick world in the far away country of Gauhala and brings a whole new cast of characters, so you don’t need to read the other series first. But don’t worry, there will absolutely be some cameos along the way.

Publication date: March 27, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 360 pages

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