Review: Across Space and Time (Tales from the Tarot novel) by Kit Barrie

Rating: 4🌈

Across Space and Time is Kit Barrie’s historical horror romance thriller. It’s a part of the fabulous multi-author Tales from the Tarot series which includes such elements as a mystical place called The Magic Shop with its eerie ever present, The Owner, covers which have a particular tarot card on them that relates to the story, and definitely forwards and warnings that should be read before diving into each book.

Across Time and Space does a good job in capturing the essence of the times, the disparity of the classes in terms of poverty and the inequality of how people are treated in terms of their racial background. This also applies to the illegality of those who are attracted by the same sex.

Barrie’s villains are especially heinous, their crimes are on page and disturbing. Please read the warnings.

Constable Hugh Danbury feels an emotional connection to the young victims he’s found on the backstreets of London. The “Molly boys”, young male prostitutes, are victims the London’s police aren’t seriously investigating. So he makes it his duty to seek justice and find the truth.

The story involves not only Hugh, a wonderfully layered character, but a different being, Spring-Heeled Jack. Where Hugh is well defined, Jack’s character needs more explanation or depth to really make it feel credible here. Especially with the addition of a “soulmate “ aspect to this relationship.

While the investigation, the setting, the victims, violence, and the secondary characters are all thoughtfully portrayed and vivid, Jack, Jack’s relationship with Hugh, the “insta-love” soulmate element is lacking. I just didn’t feel the chemistry that I have with other couples. A sense of growing friendship, yes, but a commitment to love. That didn’t come across.

While the horrors and grotesque events were depicted as horrifyingly raw and shocking, the aspects of the story, such as The Magic Shop and The Owner, or the Tarot, could have been woven into the narrative in a more effective manner. At least in my opinion.

There are some terrific action sequences and suspense filled scenarios to keep you turning the pages.

I’ll recommend but only for those who have read the warnings and author’s notes to begin with. Take those trigger warnings seriously.

Cover art: Fae Quin

Cover design: Amanda Meuwissen

Tales from the Tarot is a massive multi-author paranormal & fantasy MM romance collaboration. These 22 books, each by a different author, highlight the Major Arcana cards in a traditional Tarot deck – with some liberties taken, such as The Empress card being The Consort, for an all MM or gay romance focus.

Tales from the Tarot- 22 books

🔷 Where Fools Have Tread by Jennifer Cody

🔷The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson

🔷Cleric of Desire by Amanda Meuwissen

🔷The Nephilim’s Touch by Morgan Lysand

🔷King of Hollywood by Fae Quin

🔷My Minotaur Daddy: An MM Romantasy by Laura Lascarso

🔷Across Space and Time by Kit Barrie

🔷Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason

🔷By Rude Strength by K.L. Hiers

🔷Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose

🔷Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley

🔷No Justice for the Damned by Hellie Heat

🔷The Angel’s Kiss by Nicholas Bella

🔷Death Song by B. Ripley

🔷Arcanum by Ashlyn Drewek

🔷The Devil’s Dilemma by Alex J. Adams

🔷Camelot’s Tower by Brooke Matthews

🔷A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star

by Chloe Archer

🔷Trust in the Moon by Delaney Rain

🔷Raising the Sun by Eryn Hawk

🔷Zero Judgment by Kota Quinn

🔷The End of the World by Drake LaMarque

Buy link

Across Space and Time

Blurb:

A monster stalks London’s streets, but is he friend or foe?

Hugh Danbury knows there are monsters in the world; being a constable with London’s police has shown him that. When young homosexual men are found murdered, no one cares enough to investigate except Hugh, who has had to hide his own proclivities toward men in conservative Victorian society. In addition, there are sightings of an ephemeral creature people are calling Spring-Heeled Jack. Is this who has been committing these atrocities?

Upon confronting the mysterious Jack, Hugh learns that sometimes love can be found across space and time and that fate can bring two people together for a reason. But he also learns that there is one thing that can tear love apart: death. And it’s coming for him.

Across Space and Time is a standalone MM gaslamp-mystery romance novel as part of the multi-author collaboration Tales from the Tarot. This book is based on the major arcana card The Lovers.

Publication date: September 9, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 260 pages

Review: Cleric of Desire (Tales from the Tarot) by Amanda Meuwissen

Rating: 5🌈

Amanda Meuwissen is a author I find so fascinating. It’s in her approach to writing and storytelling that is so unique and intimate that makes her books stand out, as does this latest novel.

Cleric of Desire, a story in the fascinating multi-author magical Tales from the Tarot series, is one that’s very personal to Meuwissen. Don’t miss out on the author’s forward. In it the author gives the reader insight into what it means to be a demigendered person because she’s been through it.

This perspective and insight is one of the keys to understanding why Jeffrey’s gay demiboy journey feels so emotionally real. His struggles to find himself are so elusive at times because he feels that he’s seeing so much that doesn’t define him so it’s hard for him to discover himself. That raw frustration and hidden pain is relatable.

Meuwissen’s ability to bring Jeffrey and his journey vividly to life, within the parameters of an extraordinary universe that includes a sucubus seeking love/freedom as well as a historical area and LGBTQIA community finding unity? Just amazing.

This series is unique in that those fabulous covers are part of the story and are also a Tarot card that’s part of a deck.

The characters here are beautifully crafted, they exist within an exquisitely built location of historical significance and events, and the storylines weave together with a sense of wonder and mystery that compels the reader forward.

Highly recommended on every aspect.

I’d have a wall simply of these covers. Outstanding.

Cover art: Fae Quin

Cover design: Amanda Meuwissen

Tales from the Tarot- 22 books

🔷 Where Fools Have Tread by Jennifer Cody

🔷The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson

🔷Cleric of Desire by Amanda Meuwissen

🔷The Nephilim’s Touch by Morgan Lysand

🔷King of Hollywood by Fae Quin

🔷My Minotaur Daddy: An MM Romantasy by Laura Lascarso

🔷Across Space and Time by Kit Barrie

🔷Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason

🔷By Rude Strength by K.L. Hiers

🔷Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose

🔷Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley

🔷No Justice for the Damned by Hellie Heat

🔷The Angel’s Kiss by Nicholas Bella

🔷Death Song by B. Ripley

🔷Arcanum by Ashlyn Drewek

🔷The Devil’s Dilemma by Alex J. Adams

🔷Camelot’s Tower by Brooke Matthews

🔷A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star

by Chloe Archer

🔷Trust in the Moon by Delaney Rain

🔷Raising the Sun by Eryn Hawk

🔷Zero Judgment by Kota Quinn

🔷The End of the World by Drake LaMarque

Buy link

Cleric of Desire (Tales from the Tarot)

Blurb

Giving tours of the city’s brothel underground while dressed as historical icon, Mad Madame Mattie, is the only time Jeffrey feels close to being in his right skin. It still isn’t his true self—he isn’t sure he knows who that is—but when dwindling sales and expanding gentrification threaten to take his safety net and sanctuary away from him, he will do anything to keep it.

Including making a pact with the incubus he finds chained in the tunnels.

Odai has served many masters and mistresses over the centuries, including Madame Mattie, but never before has one captured his attention so fully or given him hope that maybe, finally, he might have found the one who can free him from his torment. Every wish he grants only grows his desire to grant more and to nourish himself on the desires of the flesh that Jeffrey offers him.

He can only hope that Jeffrey will ask the right questions quickly enough to save himself from the doom that has befallen all masters before him.

Cleric of Desire is a standalone MM romance novel as part of the multi-author collaboration Tales from the Tarot. This book is based on the major arcana card The High Priest(ess).

Publisher: Amanda Meuwissen Books (August 26, 2024)
Publication date: August 26, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 295 pages

Review: What the Hex (Blackhaven Manor #11) by Arden Steele

Rating: 3.5🌈

I’ve always enjoyed Arden Steele’s fated mates series, Blackhaven Manor. They are entertaining, have a fast/instant connection, fated mate romance with a neat twist or two found within the story. The location, Blackhaven Manor, is a safe haven location destination for otherworldly beings run by dragon siblings.

I have my definite favorites here so it’s nice that the author often brings characters/couples back from the previous stories to share in the new couples romance. Which absolutely happens here.

What the Hex as a whole has some wonderful elements and has some things that are problematic. The beginning , that utter rushed mated matchup, left both the reader and the mates, especially one, with no connection to each other, no time for anyone to learn much about the other characters. Just boom and done. Without us even being sure we liked the actor.

It actually takes a crisis, a visit to a family, and a couple of hilarious scenes later in the story where the couple acquire their own depths of personality, growth in character, and honestly, a bit of chemistry, that it feels believable. But much has passed in the narrative to get to that point.

Storm Black (actor) and Kingston Mathers (human) are the fated pair. King has several issues that include self consciousness about his body image, dysfunctional parenting, and basic insecurities. However, these get treated both ways here . Hes a good character, where the author has built a foundation for his underlying issues. But solves them too easily.

I get part of that is the book length but mate bond shouldn’t be a panacea for deep development problems.

The romance between them does become cute as they become more familiar with each other. I liked this aspect of the book.

But the one thing at the end about the semi-villain (nice twist) is odd. Either Steele is going to include him in the next book or this just doesn’t make sense. If there’s no future plans for him, then the way this is handled is plain annoying.

So I’ll wait for the next book to come out and see who the main characters are.

Check out the full list below.

Blackhaven Manor:

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
Pain in the Ice #8
Walking a Tight Rope #9
Royally Flocked #10
What The Hex? #11

Sequel/adjacent series:

Hunter’s Hollow:

Angels and Anarchy #1
Beauty and Bad Blood #2

Buy link

What the Hex (Blackhaven Manor Book 11)

Blurb

Driven and ambitious are not words anyone would use to describe Kingston Mathers, but he’s content with his lot in life. So, of course, fate throws him a curve ball that threatens to wreak havoc on his carefully constructed neutrality. Because there’s no way in heaven or hell that someone like him should end up mated to an internationally beloved actor with legions of adoring fans.

Fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Storm Black can attest to that. Even after years of monitoring his every word, action, and even his facial expressions, the lifestyle doesn’t come naturally. Frankly, he’s still not entirely sure how he stumbled into the limelight in the first place. When his latest role leads him right into the arms of his destiny, however, he’s never been more grateful for the detour.

But strange things are happening at Blackhaven Manor. When Storm suddenly forgets everything about who he is, it’s up to King to find the answers. He just hopes that when the hex is finally lifted, his mate’s newfound obsession with him doesn’t disappear with it.

Publisher: PECCAVI PRESS (August 29, 2024)
Publication date: August 29, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 150 pages

Review: Secondhand Skin (A Soulbound Universe novel) by Hailey Turner

Rating: 5🌈

I forget how much I love the Soulbound series until Hailey Turner brings out another great story about the characters from that complicated magical universe . Then I want to go back and read them all over again.

Especially when it comes to Wade Espinoza, a character who we watch get rescued as a young, horribly abused otherworldly teen. When Wade is practically adopted by Patrick and Jono, and the rest of the core of the NYC god pack, the reader follows his recovery, growth, and progress , book after book, through the events , years of therapy and support, to the circumstances we find him in today.

Wade is that character we loved from the beginning and we always remembered. And wanted to see what happened to him next. That he’s a young dragon? In a universe where dragons are rarely seen, we get the amazing emotional journey from scarred damaged youngster to the confident loved 23 year old Wade, one who’s experienced unbelievable battles, met Gods, helped saved the world, and found himself part of a warm, loving family and pack.

Now he’s being trusted with a mission to save missing alphas in Boston, and he leaves with a smile, a belief in himself, a ton of snacks, and the backing of his pack.

Can you tell I adore Wade? I could read books about him. But Turner goes and delivers an entirely different city of otherworldly beings that honestly I found intriguing and great characters on their own. Plus a fascinating selkie clan that includes Riordan Maguire.

Riordan is a well written character, layered, so beautifully crafted with his selkie personality/fae history embedded into him, with the sea and Irish heritage as much a part of him as his physical appearance. Turner has always been able to capture the essence of the otherworldly characters in the stories, whether it’s selkie, werewolf or dragon. They become real and vibrant.

The struggles against the villain of this piece are genuinely fierce and complicated by political forces that have to be dealt with in a timely manner. It makes the narrative more compelling, the drama more powerful, and all the various aspects of the story more complex.

That includes a romance that has to balance the knowledge of Wade’s past abuse with sensitivity before anything can happen between fated mates Riordan and Wade. Plus that ending is logical for them both given their respective roles and responsibilities.

I love this story so much. I really hope that Turner is up for more stories in Boston with Riordan and Wade because all this did was whet my appetite for more.

10/10 and more please!

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Secon…Secondhand Skin: A Soulbound Universe Novel eBook : Turner, Hailey: Kindle Store

Blurb

Nothing says you can’t steal a heart. Keeping it though? That’s another problem.

Wade Espinoza knows a thing or two about hoards. As a dragon, he’s got plenty. What he doesn’t have is a relationship, and he swears he’s not looking for one. But when he’s sent to Boston to answer a cry for help from another pack, he’s drawn into a mess of fae bargains centered around a selkie who Wade instantly becomes obsessed with.

Riordan Maguire is struggling to keep his selkie clan out of the clutches of a fae lord who will do anything to take over their territory. Partnering with the Boston god pack means coming face-to-face with the first person he’s ever wanted to willingly give his sealskin. Too bad Wade isn’t local and is something altogether strange that Riordan isn’t sure he can trust.

Amidst a growing danger in the streets and Boston Harbor, Wade and Riordan are desperate to find a way to keep everyone safe. For bargains are dangerous things to break, but so are hearts. Wade isn’t willing to shatter either of theirs in a race against time that could see Riordan torn from him forever.

Secondhand Skin is an exciting new standalone novel set in Hailey Turner’s best-selling Soulbound Universe focusing on Wade Espinoza.

Publication date: September 4, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 362 pages

Review: All Out of Flux (Stolen Hearts Book 3) by Nazri Noor

Rating : 4.5🌈

All Out of Flux is the final book in Nazri Noor’s Stolen Hearts trilogy. In this story, brujo witch Leon Alcantara and mage Max Drake are still in pursuit of the Quartz Spider , a time mage who threatens existence itself.

Noor’s narrative has been building up to this, including the amazing sea dragons that inhabit Leon for a spell in exchange for powerful magic. This element expands as another dragon is introduced and a scary scenario is unveiled for their appearance.

This is a fast paced, action packed book, where if you skip a sentence or two, you’ve missed an important step or aspect of the game that’s playing out in the narrative.

I find the entire Las Lunas universe endlessly imaginative. The spider beings, from the Jade and Amethyst Spiders to the very Queen herself, this is such a uniquely fascinating element that I love and could wish for additional exploration.

And also there’s Max’s criminal, entertaining, persistent family to dive into as well. Tons of characters waiting for their own input into Max and Leon’s lives and further adventures.

That final battle and scenes left me with some major issues but it was most definitely dramatic and memorable. Did I have several questions about how it was possible and why it was happening in the first place? Yes. Did know one know about the Masque? However, everything is satisfactory and maybe any further series will bring answers for us. You never know.

If you love fantasy fiction, magical stories, here’s a trilogy you won’t want to miss.

Stolen Hearts:

Hex and the City #1

Elixir of Strife #2

All Out Of Flux #3 – finale

Buy link

All Out of Flux (Stolen Hearts Book 3)

Blurb

Time is running out.

Leon Alcantara and Max Drake are finding help in the most unlikely of places. A third dragon has manifested, promising Leon untold elemental power. Another specter from Max’s past returns to haunt him, presenting a tempting offer.

But everything comes with a price.

Perhaps the risk is worth the reward. More anomalies are erupting across Dos Lunas. The boys need all the help they can get against the rogue time mage responsible. The Quartz Spider has finally shown his hand, and only Max and Leon can stop him.

But how can they stop the enemy when the enemy is time itself?

Publication date: August 30, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 148 pages

Review: Signed, I’m Yours! (Subpar Superhero story) By Rhys Lawless

Rating: 4.5🌈

Well, this was simply adorable. I absolutely adored Signed, I’m Yours! (Subpar Superhero story) By Rhys Lawless. One of the most enjoyable in this series.

The journey of Seojun, Mr Sinister, a not so very super villain, who wants to find the family he left behind in South Korea turns into a funny, heartfelt story about a man who instead finds love, respect, and a new found family when he never expected it.

Seojun, fabulous in Pink, meet the SPAM agent Jack “Happy” Lewis, signs Jack up for some internal secret investigation, that goes immediately rightfully wrong.

This wonderful story is so well written. The beautifully crafted characters have so much heart, including the many fabulous side characters, that it’s hard not to wish for more from this universe and gang of heroes.

Even the main villain of this piece is a man isn’t what you expect. Instead he’s poignant, the crimes also contain an unexpected twist.

Honestly, the story and characters were a total joy that it was an absolute pleasure reading this.

A winner for the series and as a whole for the author to the readers.

Subpar Heroes series- 15 books:

🔷The Accidental Necromancer by Liv Rancourt

🔷Behind the 8-Ball by A. E. Wasp

🔷Transparent Is a Color by Kaje Harper❤️

🔷Impossible Things by Alexa Land

🔷My Not-So-Super Blind Date by Allison Temple ❤️❤️

🔷An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling by Jenn Burke ❤️❤️

🔷In The Nick of Time by Elle Keaton

🔷Static/Cling by Jaimie Samms

🔷Spiritual Guidance Not Required by Jacy Braegan

🔷What Could Go Wrong? By Toshi Drake

🔷License to Chill by Chantal Mer

🔷Code Name Dolittle by Lynn Michaels

🔷Signed, I’m Yours! By Rhys Lawless❤️

🔷A Taste of Danger by Morgan Brice. 9/5/2024

Buy link:

Signed, I’m Yours!: A supervillainous romcom

Blurb

I’m The Sinister Signature. New York City’s biggest supervillain. And anything I sign is mine!

Including the hunky, happy-go-lucky SPAM agent with the bear-bod who catches me red-handed.

Jack “Happy” Lewis.

The man who can never turn his smile into a frown and who’s way too excited to be tied to me for the foreseeable future.

He drives me up the wall, but at least I’ve got a guy on the inside who can help me with my mission.

In my search for my missing family, SPAM, the mysterious agency that handles super-powered individuals, and Happy are my only recourse.

There is one problem however.

With Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes stuck by my side, I’m starting to feel…things and I don’t like it.

It gets worse when we have to pretend we’re engaged.

The last thing I need right now is to fall head over heels and quit my search. Or give up my criminal empire and go over to the good side.

Ew. That’s not me.

I’m a supervillain, damn it. I won’t fall victim to Jack’s charms.

No, I won’t.

Signed, I’m Yours is a standalone paranormal romcom with a grumpy supervillain, an always-happy good guy literally stuck together on a case, a fake instant engagement, a very convenient bi-awakening, and only one bed.

Part of the multi-author Subparheroes MM romance series.

Publisher: Rhys Writes Romance (August 29, 2024)
Publication date: August 29, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 284 pages

Review: Clean Finish (Goliaths of Wrestling book 2) by Lily Mayne

Rating:4.5🌈

Clean Finish is the second book in Lily Mayne’s Goliaths of Wrestling paranormal romcom series and it’s another winner, fabulous cover including.

This time the comedic romance is an age gap, first time storyline with the main characters being a young flighty sweet Fae assistant and an older werewolf bodyguard.

Larkin, the young, not very focused, elf assistant of Holt’s, is an engaging character who we met in book 1. Sunny, kind, and effervescent in outlook, Larkin is also scattered in his thought processes, not quite able to complete his tasks with all the gorgeous wrestlers about, and his hormones on overdrive.

Seb, an older thoughtful werewolf, is Holt’s bodyguard. He’s quiet, observant, a crossword puzzle enthusiast, and has been nurturing a deep abiding crush/love for Larkin from the moment he first saw him.

When Larkin decides he needs a tutor in sex, it’s Seb he turns to and starts a journey to a wonderful subtly developing friendship. Mayne creates a funny, remarkably moving, and relatable story here between Seb and Larkin that becomes a deeply passionate and loving relationship. It’s built over home-made bread, cross word puzzles, a combined love of their warmhearted supportive families, and yes, lots of very sexy exploration and personal revelations.

We also get to see our other favorite couple, Holt and Taylor , continuing their story as they work together on making Goliaths of Wrestling a better place and their own life together richer. The wrestling scene and wrestlers are front and center as important players here and as found family.

A teaser for the next book shows a slight increase as the characters aren’t in the same place or personality as these. Should be fascinating. Can’t wait.

Again fantastic artwork on this cover!

Cover illustration: Vic Gray/Bloodwrit

Goliaths of Wrestling:

🔷Impromptu Match #1

🔷Clean Finish #2

🔷Cheap Heat #3 – September 27,2024

Buy link

Clean Finish (Goliaths of Wrestling Book 2)

Blurb

Larkin

Look, here’s the thing.

I’m young, carefree, and my job as the assistant to Holt, manager and owner of the Goliaths of Wrestling, means I’m surrounded by half-naked beefcake wrestlers all day. Of courseI’m going to be interested in… getting to know them all better. It would be, like, illegal for me to not lust after them all, right?

There’s just one hurdle I have to get over first before I can… get to knowthe wrestlers in the way I want. And that hurdle makes me really, really freaking nervous.

So I come up with an amazing idea. Holt’s bodyguard Seb, a werewolf, is the quiet, dependable, calm presence in the office. He’s safe. He’s not as intimidating as the wrestlers, and we’re kind ofbuddies, so I decide to ask him for help with my little… predicament.

Just for some practice. Before I move onto the big leagues. That’s all it is. Practice.

Seb

I’m the foolish old wolf who’s pined after Larkin since the moment he started working here. I’ve had to watch him flirt with all the wrestlers, listen to him talk about how much he wants them, act like I didn’t care, and it’s never gotten easier.

At least no one knows. And I can never tell him. He’s too young for me, too carefree and irresponsible, and he’s never shown even a hint of being interested in me that way. Mentally, I’ve accepted it. My heart, however, is a different matter.

And then he comes to me with a ridiculous proposition. Something I never thought I’d get to experience, something I should absolutely turn down, but I can’t. I’m not strong enough to deny myself. And I want to help Larkin in any way I can.

It’s just practice for him. I have to keep reminding myself of that, every time I get to touch him—every time he’s pressed against me, every time he falls asleep on my chest. He doesn’t want me. He just wants… lessons. Practice.

That’s all it is. Practice.

Publication date: August 6, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 461 pages

Review: Fae for Pay (Fortune Favors the Fae novel) by Meghan Maslow

Rating: 3.5🌈

Fae for Pay is the new fantasy novel by Meghan Maslow for the multi-author series, Fortune Favors the Fae, with a magical traveling two sided Fae gold coin as a connecting point.

An immediate plus goes to Maslow’s use of the fae magical coin in the storyline.It was imaginative,interesting, and a large enough of a element in the plot to make it narratively visible throughout the story.

I enjoyed all the engaging characters who have the potential for more than just one book. They were fun to get to know and enjoy along the journey. However the universe building has need of considerably more foundation information. It’s spotty at best.

We’re given to understand it’s a world that encompasses humans, vampires and werewolves but not other paranormals. Why no other species isn’t said. Not much more information is laid out about magic or paranormal phenomena other than that which is puzzling. Nor do we have any background history on if this has always been true or a historical event.

Teremie Summersis a human whose life has been changed for the worse by his ex. Known falsely as Teremie the cheater because of actions by his ex, he’s survived by streaming as an elf on his Only Fae channel and rooming with his best friend, actor Rory.

When Sheila Levy, their agent informs Rory of a actors call for a movie that’s from Rory’s childhood best book, The Elves Cursed Coin/The Prince’s Cursed Coin, it’s both of them who end up answering the call.

The story begins there, following them to the remote set location, and all the weird shenanigans that occur throughout the filming process. The story continues with the filming as relationships form between Teremie and Kade, and between other friends in the cast.

That would be Rory McMahon, friend from childhood and Alistair the vampire, also an actor.

Kade Savage, actor, wolf shifter, fated mate, is a very interesting character with a neat twist that comes into play further in the storyline. But Maslow does with this terrific element as with others here, it doesn’t get developed fully into the highly complex aspect of this thread that it could. Which is the main issue I found here.

Maslow has many great elements and neat ideas thrown in here that while some pop up consistently throughout the story (woodland animals on Teremie and Rory’s porch on the set, the wicked crows, pixies,etc), these details aren’t explored or tied into a specific story elements in a clearly defined way. So much of the story is written like this that eventually the reader just doesn’t look for any explanations or reasonable tie in to a storyline.

The dramatic reveal is strange because the reader is unfamiliar with the story of the book the plot of the movie is based upon. Had the author included more details, it would have given clarity and depth to the story and characters actions. It would have helped give foundation too a narrative that’s often not making sense. It’s fun and the characters are charming in their own way. But pulled together it’s just not.

Fae for Pay has so many great characters and good ideas. But a cohesive story and foundation is lost somewhere. It’s still a lot of fun and has the potential to spin off another romance for two characters in need of HEA.

Fun for lovers of the author and the series.

Cover art by Natasha Snow. I love the covers. Fabulous.

Fortune Favors the Fae – 15 books:

A Fae Coin Transported Me Into Another World and Now I’m the Gay Holy Maiden by AJ Sherwood #1❤️
The Wolf’s (Un)Lucky Fae by Michele Notaro #2 ❤️
Bound to the Wild Fae by Tavia Lark #3 June 13❤️
The Sorcerer’s Thief by Lee Colgin #4 ❤️🔷
The Fae Menagerie by Edie Montreaux #5
Never Darling by Sam Burns #6
Prince of Poison by Alice Winters #7 ❤️
Grave Misfortune by Nazri Noor #8 ❤️
Fae for Pay by Meghan Maslow #9
Kisses at the Crossroad by Morgan Lysand #10
Smoke and Mirrors by Kai Butler #11 ❤️
Siren in the Rain by Chloe Archer #12
I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem by Jocelynn Drake #13 ❤️

A Fae Called Wylder by Michelle Frost #14 – Aug 29,2024
Lucky or Knot by Eliot Grayson #15 – September 5,2024

Buy link

Fae for Pay

Blurb

A hot AF wolf who could make me howl all night long. A persistent gold coin with dubious intentions. And a magical whammy no one saw coming.

Hello, gentle reader (or online stalker). My name is Teremie—yes, it’s a T, not a J, thanks for asking—Summers. Maybe you’ve seen me on Only Fae. I play the sexpot elf of your dreams.

Through a bizarre turn of events, I end up cast as an elf in an upcoming epic fantasy film—even though my acting skills are mainly of the “fae for pay” online variety.

My co-star is the once-cute-teen-star, turned smokin’ hot, all grown up, wolf-shifter Kade Savage. He’s gentle, honorable, and he doesn’t care about my past mistakes.

All great, right? Well . . .there are a couple of teensy tiny roadblocks to my happily-ever-after. See, wolves don’t date non-wolves. It’s a thing. And, oh, yeah, he’s straight. Which is fine. I’m perfectly okay with it. My track record is so poor that I might as well be running backward. So, it’s a little crush. What’s the harm?

But before long I catch him giving me big-bad-wolf eyes when he thinks I’m not looking. His low, growly voice makes my heart beat a little faster and sends tingles down my spine and on a one-way trip to my nether regions. Just when the UST between us is about to erupt, we end up in a fantasy scene so real it would make Peter Jackson jealous. What in the Lord of the Rings alternate dimension is this?! We have to rely on each other—and a contrary magical coin—to show us that “home” isn’t a place so much as where the heart is.

Fae for Pay is a part of the multi-author series, Fortune Favors the Fae. From spicy to sweet, zany romps to epic adventures, there’s something for everyone in this mystical series. Discover destiny and true love, and follow the coin on its fickle journey to the next world and a new magical adventure.

Publisher: Pun City Pantser (August 21, 2024)
Publication date: August 21, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 255 pages

Review: I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem (Fortune Favors the Fae story) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4.5🌈

I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem is Jocelynn Drake’s funny, imaginative and quite magical story in the multi-Author Fortune Favors the Fae series. I enjoyed it on so many levels. The characters, the storyline, and all the various elements Drake threw together to make this an entertaining rousing adventure.

I can only imagine the enjoyment Drake had writing this story, one that has a certain online novelist, Adam Lockhart , with severe writers block, stumbling into his own unfinished story where none of his characters behave as they should, the plot is nothing like he intended, as everything’s going totally amuck from how he assumes the universe will be. Sort of like it might feel like in an author’s mind when working on an uncooperative project. Love this so much.

Adam’s been churning out a fantasy online series, Betrayal of the Elf Prince, with daily installments expected from his fans/paying readers. A trip to see friends is waylaid by finding a gold coin, yes, that one, and boom, Adam ends up in the town of Misty Pass, a place he’d created from his own unfinished novel. Ok, more to it than that but I’ll leave it to the book.

Of course he meets Nylian, a prince in disguise and distress. But it’s our Adam, the modern day human, we get more and more invested in. Adams who thinks he knows what will happen but watches with total bemusement and a great deal of befuddlement as the chaos continues on with his “plot” as he’s thrown into the lives of the people and world around him. Including Nylian a person he’s getting so close to.

It’s funny, exhilarating, real in the exploration of a new feelings and sexuality as well as the excitement in seeing all the different aspects of the world he’s found himself in. One he created but it’s so new too. The other characters are especially interesting and great in their own ways. The mercenary Adeline and her younger brother, Jasper, the wizard in training. Master Binx who I really needed more of, so adorable.

There’s adventure, magical goings on, dastardly characters and romance. And punny names!

If I had a quibble, it’s that the coin had a negligible role here. It’s assumed it’s good luck but as a major element it’s somewhat lacking.

But the characters, their journey and the potential for even more interesting tales is so strong, I highly recommend this book and Drake as an author for your auto list.

Cover art by Natasha Snow. I love the covers. Fabulous.

Fortune Favors the Fae – 15 books:

A Fae Coin Transported Me Into Another World and Now I’m the Gay Holy Maiden by AJ Sherwood #1❤️
The Wolf’s (Un)Lucky Fae by Michele Notaro #2 ❤️
Bound to the Wild Fae by Tavia Lark #3 June 13❤️
The Sorcerer’s Thief by Lee Colgin #4 ❤️🔷
The Fae Menagerie by Edie Montreaux #5
Never Darling by Sam Burns #6
Prince of Poison by Alice Winters #7 ❤️
Grave Misfortune by Nazri Noor #8 ❤️
Fae for Pay by Meaghan Maslow #9

Kisses at the Crossroad by Morgan Lysand #10
Smoke and Mirrors by Kai Butler #11 ❤️
Siren in the Rain by Chloe Archer #12
I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem by Jocelynn Drake #13 ❤️

A Fae Called Wylder by Michelle Frost #14 – Aug 29,2024
Lucky or Knot by Eliot Grayson #15 – September 5,2024

Buy link

I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem

Blurb:

Don’t Pick Up That Coin!

I was just an innocent author minding my own business. Until I found that coin…

The evil thing zapped me into the novel I was writing.

Now I’m dodging ogres, humans, elves, and a certain wizard-in-training with a proclivity for changing people into small harmless animals.

My only goal is to get home again, and the best way to do that is to get this book back on track. I must help the sexy exiled prince find his brother’s killer.

The only problem is that the prince keeps flirting with me rather than the women he’s supposed to be adding to the harem.

Wait! Flirting with me? That can’t be right.

Wait wait! Why did I call him sexy? Am I falling for the prince, too?

I Destroy the Elf Prince’s Harem is a stand-alone novel within the Fortune Favors the Fae collection and follows the adventures of one poor author as he stumbles his way through his own novel and just maybe falls in love with the hero. Along the way he will encounter elves, humans, ogres, a wizard-in-training who’s really bad at magic, jealousy, possessiveness, political intrigue, secrets, and a prince who has eyes for just one man. Unfortunately, that one man is as blind as a bat when it comes to love.

From spicy to sweet, zany romps to epic adventures, there’s something for everyone in the Fortune Favors the Fae series. Discover destiny and true love, and follow the coin on its fickle journey to the next world and a new magical adventure. Each book is a standalone and can be read in any order.

Publication date: August 22, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 377 pages

Review: Where Fools Have Tread (Tales From The Tarot novel) by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 4.5🌈

Jennifer Cody’s new book, Where Fools Have Tread, is featured in the new multi author series, Tales From The Tarot.

Situated in the author’s Murder Sprees and Mute Degrees universe with crossover characters, this is an absolutely engaging story that promises to bring the reader additional books about this world and gargoyle guardians.

Cody weaves magic, science fiction, romance and the mystical powers of the Tarot cards into a narrative where a lonely young man of indecision finds his path, his origins, a fated mate, and a family. All with a little magical charm and assistance.

I’m a longtime fan of Cody’s, especially her ability to create beautifully realized characters and then deliver a highly imaginative, engaging storyline for them to explore and journey to their own endpoint, whatever that means.

Here Dec Scion, an aimless young man, still mourning the loss of his uncle who raised him, ends up a butler working for the unusual wealthy Staiano family. Who happen to be guardian gargoyles.

Dec, a great character who continues to reveal depths of personality and strengths of his own, meets Thoren, and the attraction sets off an highly snarky, fun relationship that allows each to learn about each other as it turns into a fated mates relationship.

There’s other gargoyle brothers and uncle, Maxime, who clearly need further exploration and stories. And great housekeeping staff equally well developed and crying for more details.

I was thoroughly entertained and delighted with this couple and new beginnings. I look forward to more novels, both in this series and from Cody.

Love love this cover!

Cover art: Fae Quin

Cover design: Amanda Meuwissen

Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees (4 book series)

Buy Link:

Where Fools Have Tread

Blurb

Dec:

I’ve never really had much in the way of direction in my life, until I walk into an eerie shop where a strange man charges me more than I should pay for a tarot reading of one card. Next thing I know, I’m graduating school to be a domestic servant and find myself employed by someone else’s weird uncle in the strangest mansion. Everyone is great even if they’re all a little… off. Except Thoren. He’s a thorn in my side, and I’m not sure how I feel about him dropping his cards all the time just to make me pick them up for him. (My ass is not what he’s looking at because… what?)

Thoren:

I’ve known since I was a child the path I would take in life. I’m a guardian, one of the Trustworthy, and I am excellent at my job. I take my pleasure wherever I can find it, because I’ve earned every second of my leisure with the hours, days, and weeks of work I put in on every mission. Finding pleasure in teasing the new butler is new, but Dec seems to like it just as much as I do, no matter how often he tries to hide in the cleaning closet. (I’m definitely looking at dat ass because… yum.)

Where Fools Have Tread is an MM paranormal romance set in the Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees universe with a human butler who finds his calling serving a household full of paranormal protectors and a gargoyle with resting bitch face who takes delight in teasing him.

Where Fools Have Tread is a standalone MM romance novel as part of the multi-author collaboration Tales from the Tarot. This book is based on the major arcana card The Fool.

Publication date: August 19, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 179 pages

Tales from the Tarot- 22 books

🔷 Where Fools Have Tread by Jennifer Cody

🔷The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson

🔷Cleric of Desire by Amanda Meuwissen

🔷The Nephilim’s Touch by Morgan Lysand

🔷King of Hollywood by Fae Quin

🔷My Minotaur Daddy: An MM Romantasy by Laura Lascarso

🔷Across Space and Time by Kit Barrie

🔷Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason

🔷By Rude Strength by K.L. Hiers

🔷Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose

🔷Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley

🔷No Justice for the Damned by Hellie Heat

🔷The Angel’s Kiss by Nicholas Bella

🔷Death Song by B. Ripley

🔷Arcanum by Ashlyn Drewek

🔷The Devil’s Dilemma by Alex J. Adams

🔷Camelot’s Tower by Brooke Matthews

🔷A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star

by Chloe Archer

🔷Trust in the Moon by Delaney Rain

🔷Raising the Sun by Eryn Hawk

🔷Zero Judgment by Kota Quinn

🔷The End of the World by Drake LaMarque

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