Category: Fantasy

Review:  Passing Through Purgatory: Passing Through Cafe #1 by Nik Knight 

Rating: 5🌈

Nik Knight’s new rom-com urban fantasy new novel and the first installment in her new series is utterly stunning.  Passing Through Purgatory: Passing Through Cafe #1 by Nik Knight caught my eye by that cover and then by the description.

But the actual story surpassed all my expectations by being not just a great story, but one that brought such immensely diverse, believable cast of characters, human and otherworldly. Each with their own unique and fully defined sense of being.  Complete physical elements, emotional and spiritual elements, and often, as I think Knight will explore further, some hurtful, damaging aspects to their background and histories in the Hell Universe (just another world where trains run late and bigotry exists that feels very familiar).

The universe and characters are ones I connected with immediately. It starts with human Oliver Barnes, living in Chicago with friends (love Jude). He goes for a job interview in Greed district of Hell’s Pentagram but    in one realistic scenario (even if it’s in Purgatory), he misses his train. 

And in doing so, finds something else that is, everything he could possibly want.  But first he needs to go through the doors of the Passing Through Cafe. 

There Knight gives us the most chaotic place, a cafe of owners and employees who will become Oliver’s found family. Each one such a distinctive being who quickly find a place in our hearts. I found myself forgetting that the lovable Gem, is an Araknis (think spider with a great butt) as well as many eyes and arms. After a while, it was Gem, who actually had a fragility about him that endeared him even more. Same thing with Rusty the Pyclon, a pink walking Care Bear with a snarky attitude that hides a damaged past. I mean there’s 

Tad the Anura,  a tough dishwasher,

Willow the empath dyad who’s a baker assistant to the fabulously gorgeous Glyma the succubus baker.

And Zef the asexual winged Mantodea , who is sometimes a drag Queen and cafe greeter, along with the handful, handsome demon Toni the Elas. 

Quinn, owner and  partner to Glyma, along with Bob, a question mark of a species who lives in the office and resembles a bug, complete the cafe found family.

It seems like a lot, but how Knight introduces them to Oliver (and the reader) folds them beautifully into his new dynamic and the world view we are seeing.  Their lives and respective personalities as well as personal backgrounds will start to be revealed the more Oliver becomes a deeply entrenched part of their lives. 

Because the Hell world has its intricacies as far as status, bigotry, speciesism, and it’s divided along racial or specific lines and into territories.  This element is still being explored. But the basic concept is laid down and it’s ugly in its reality. And how it impacts our little group. 

I look forward to seeing what happens next.  Because while there are scenes of absolute hilarity here, there’s some of moments of such pain, of past history that’s so bad that it’s unmentionable.  Both hit hard because we’ve come to care so much about our group of characters.

And that includes the final one I haven’t mentioned yet. Liel Karakis  the Gymnot lawyer from the Greed district. He’s the one that Oliver falls for. A fantastic relationship and romance, but albeit not human in its sexual scenes. As it should be because Liel isn’t human.  But for Oliver, it’s the person who matters, not the body. And Knight has been as imaginative in this element as she is in every other aspect of the story.

Beautifully executed and well done. 

I’ll end this saying I was so excited to see the narrative flow to the ranch, every part of that storyline, and the family. A glimpse into the Christmas visit would be amazing, because you know the gang is going to have to go too.  Just saying, pretty please?

I honestly need Gratification in Gluttony now.  I highly recommend this and the author. Just fabulous.

Cover Design © 2024 Priska Mills

The Passing Through Cafe 

  • Passing Through Purgatory #1
  • Gratification in Gluttony #2  (Coming winter 2024

Buy link:

        Passing Through Purgatory: Passing Through Cafe #1

    

Blurb

When Oliver applied for a job in the Hell dimension on a whim, he didn’t expect it to turn his whole world—or his heart—entirely upside down.

Recently graduated at twenty-six, and two months behind on rent, Oliver Barnes is desperate. So desperate, in fact, that he applies for a job in the Greed district of Hell’s Pentagram. But when he misses his train and, subsequently, his job interview, he stumbles, instead, upon a strange little coffee shop in the middle of Purgatory’s barren desert—and into an unexpected opportunity.

It isn’t the job he came to Hell for, but maybe it’s exactly the job he needs.

As he navigates the demon dimension and tries to survive the ridiculous shenanigans of his unholy co-workers, Oliver soon falls head-over-ass for a tentacled lawyer with electric fingers and a deadly-sharp grin. Together, they discover that, sometimes, love and happiness can be just a train ride away.

Join Oliver and the rest of the eccentric staff of The Passing Through Cafe in Nik Knight’s new rom-com urban fantasy series, full of found family, embarrassing encounters, spicy situations, and love that crosses dimensions.

  • Publication date: September 13, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 395 pages

Review: Dragon’s Folly (Wings Over Albion Book 3) by Joy Lynn Fielding 

Rating: 4.5🌈

Dragons, mysteries, romance and multiple ongoing storylines. Yes please. I’m just loving this series by Joy Lynn Fielding.  Her Wings Over Albion just got more intriguing while expanding the series foundation knowledge and known dragon families previously laid out. 

Now , as the book begins ,the fearsome, totally powerful head of dragons, Abimelech Mortimer, has call a moot, a gathering of the heads of the dragon families in a neutral location, for a major announcement. As well as other purposes on his agenda. 

As the dragons rarely leave their own territories, this is an exceptional event, fraught with challenges and potential undertones.  A fabulous way to introduce the characters and the stakes involved with the players and challenges faced. 

We see briefly, some of the characters of the other novels. But our immediate attention will fall on the newest characters and dragons. As it should because they are remarkable. 

Especially Ollie Shaw. Ollie is that character who shows astonishing growth from the awkward, somewhat disrespected lesser member of his family to dragon who lives and loves largely. His journey, which encompasses that of Archer Talbot, and his siblings Tim and Mia, is revelatory.  We rejoice with him and Archer, along with Mia and Tim, as they shift in their thinking, struggling with their own personal pasts, and restructure into a believable, magnificent warm-hearted family. One we dearly want more of in the end. 

Fielding adds to the dragon mythology and knowledge she’s building as well as bringing more dragons of color into the series.  Everything is weaving together into a fabulous series tapestry that melds King Arthur, mystery, dragon politics, and love.  I can’t help to see what happens next.

This is beautifully written, fantastic characters and gorgeous plots.  Highly recommended!

Cover art

Wings Over Albion:

  • The Red Dragon of Oxford #1
  • In the Dragon’s Lair #2
  • Dragon’s Folly #3

Buy link

        Dragon’s Folly: MM paranormal romance, Wings over Albion, Book 3

    

Blurb

Falling for him would be pure folly. I know that. Now all I have to do is convince my heart


Allowing a strange dragon into my home was not my idea.

The Assembly assured me it was necessary, though. And that’s how I ended up with him.

Ollie Shaw is clumsy. Unfairly hot. He stumbles through my life leaving a trail of chaos and sunny charm in his wake.

And I hoard every moment with him like he’s my greatest treasure.

But with an entire dragon territory to rule, bills to pay, and treachery brewing in my family, I can’t afford to be distracted by Ollie’s copper-gilded beauty and boundless enthusiasm.

I especially can’t give in to my dragon’s primal urge to claim him.

Because loving him could cost me everything I’ve fought so hard to protect. And that would eventually come back to bite us both—with dragon’s teeth


Dragon’s Folly, Book 3 in the Wings over Albion series, is a sweet and spicy, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity paranormal m/m romance.

  • Publisher: Independently published (October 9, 2024)
  • Publication date: October 9, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 287 pages

Review:  Dawnchaser (The Summertide Chronicles Book 2) by Sam Burns 

Rating: 5🌈

The Summertide Chronicles is such an excellent , imaginative series.  One of the best by Sam Burns, who’s given the readers many incredible worlds and characters to explore and fall into love with. 

Dawnchaser is the second in the series, and the author is still exploring the world, the magic, and the threat that’s making it imperative that the four main powerful ruling families come together to find a solution before it’s too late.  

For what exactly isn’t exactly clear yet. But that is has to do with changing natural conditions and a rumbling Mount Slate, well it’s sounds ominous enough.

Burns gave us an initial glimpse into the four families as that fiasco of a gathering in Gloombringer.  There we met various individuals from the white-haired, imposing Moonstrikers, the dour Gloombringer, the power-mad Dawnchasers, and the wild Sunrunners. Each family able to use their gifts/talents by way of bonding with both an individual sentient crystal and then the head of the House with its most powerful House crystal. 

It’s a fascinating, compelling element as the sentient crystals have their own charm and personalities. And, depending upon the person that they are bonded with, a complex relationship between them. 

That dynamic is seen here in multiple threads, letting Burns go deeper into the concept of what the crystals might actually be. 

Dawnchaser follows up on the traumatic events from Gloombringer, that brings the Moonstriker, Cove, to the Dawnchaser family territory and estates on the mission to hunt and eliminate Huxley Dawnchaser.

Instead,Burns gives us Cove , as well as other members of the Moonstriker family, revisiting an older personal nightmare and understanding that the Dawnchaser’s have been yielding a legacy of even deeper family abuse.  

Florian Dawnchaser and his younger sister, Fawn, who’s sensitively portrayed as person with Down syndrome, are beautifully crafted characters, vividly realistic and engaging in every aspect of their storylines.  From the beginning of this book, where we and the Moonstrikers see them in a very different way and situation to the development of their personalities and the family dynamics as Cove helps them and himself deal with the trauma that Huxley and the Dawnchaser legacy has created.

It’s just a tremendous novel.  There’s so many layers here to appreciate and to feel connected to as multiple characters work together to forge new futures, right the some of the devastating crimes done in the past, and help create hope for the next generation. 

I love this series and characters. And can’t wait to see what the next book will bring. 

Highly recommended as well as the author.

Love these covers too. 

The Summertide Chronicles:

  • Gloombringer #1
  • Dawnchaser #2 
  • Sunrunner #3 – Jan 2, 2025

Buy Link

        Dawnchaser (The Summertide Chronicles Book 2)

    

Blurb

I came here to kill Huxley Dawnchaser.

I expected the ridiculous extravagance of his estate, his home, his life. What I didn’t expect was the trail of broken people he left in his wake long before he murdered Oberon Gloombringer. I certainly didn’t expect to be put in the position of helping Huxley’s children pick up the pieces of their own shattered lives.

There must be some way I can kill him twice.

Dawnchaser is the second in a series of four books, starring one exhausted family lord, one terrified bunny who needs to discover his inner predator, and one princess who just wants everyone but her friends to go away so she can have her tea party. It contains Cove and Florian’s HFN, and continues the overall story arc of the series.

  • Publication date: October 3, 2024
  • Language: English
  • File size: 1384 KB
  • Print length: 294 pages

Review: The Witch’s Grumpy Dragon (Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala Book 1) by Michele Notaro

Rating: 4.5🌈

The Witch’s Grumpy Dragon is the sequel we’ve been waiting for since Notaro introduced the new location and it’s characters to us in the wonderful book, The Wolf’s (Un) Lucky Fae from the Fortune Favors The Fae series.

There those side characters cried out for their own stories and romances amidst a magical world that was in a societal crisis of class and speciesism. 

That lead in book showed us the perspective of those, the Fae, who are a distinct lower class and Remi who is among those who try to help them.

Here the view of society is flipped, we’re seeing it from the top of the government and society. Or rather as it’s been viewed by its ruler, Dragon king shifter Garrick Von Stein, his friend/right hand Roman, and then by the one they hire to help them.

That’s Remi Ellwood’s best friend, Tanyl “Tan” Helegolor, a  powerful witch with death magic.  Along with his fabulous familiar, Orangelica, his bonded one, Notaro sets the reader up for a fantastic mated relationship and high new fantasy adventure.

There’s a heartbreaking story behind the King, a fated mate romance, some real magical battles that are just amazing, and a great cast of characters, past, present, and new to keep the reader totally engaged with the many storylines and relationships as they develop.

There’s a critical,  very emotional divide within the society here, and the turnaround that needs to happen, by the King and in the current administration to effect change, that’s addressed in the book. Notaro is realistic in acknowledging that believable change is slow moving however forward everything else is occurring. I love it when an author keeps all the threads complete and throughly explored in the narrative. So well written.

I can’t wait for the next book to come out.  That’s an intriguing pair , Anton the vampire and Keryth, a fae related to Bel, that was actually set up in Bel and Remi’s book and has a mystery about them that’s been following them throughout the series.  Need it now.

 I highly recommend reading this and the books I have listed below as leads to the universe.  And the author, who is an auto read for me. 

Happy reading!

Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala:

  • The Witch’s Grumpy Dragon #1
  • The Vampire’s Delicious Fae #2 – Sept 9,2025

Connected series and stories:

đŸ”·The Wolf’s (Un) Lucky Fae (Fortune Favors The Fae) – Remi and Bel’s story ❀

đŸ”·The Enchanter’s Flame (The Ellwood Chronicles I) – Ailin and Seb’s story❀

Buy Link

        The Witch’s Grumpy Dragon (Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala Book 1)

    

Blurb

I have never in my life met anyone as infuriating as that dragon. So then why do I keep wanting to spend time with him?

Step One: Find a gorgeous guy. Check.

Step Two: Talk to said gorgeous guy. Check. 

Step Three: Try not to strangle him. Uh
 do I really have to check this one? Because I really want to wrap my fingers around his—ugh. 

Garrick Von Stein is the most frustrating person I’ve ever met, and yet, as soon as he calls me for help, I jump right in. Every single time. Why? I have no idea. I mean, I really do like to look at the dragon shifter king, but that doesn’t explain this strange pull, this need, I feel to be near him.

He doesn’t even like me—believe me, I’d know—but for some reason he trusts me. And the weirdest thing of all? I trust him too.

Now if only we could find a way to work together to keep him and everyone else safe.

The Witch’s Grumpy Dragon is Book 1 of the new 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. But don’t worry, there will be some cameos along the way.

  • Publisher: (September 26, 2024)
  • Publication date: September 26, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 386 pages

Review: SOS HOTEL: Luxury To Die For #6 by Adam Vex (& Zodiac)  ( Ariana Nash)

Rating: 5🌈

As expected from the penultimate book in this wildly imaginative series, 

SOS HOTEL: Luxury To Die is an extraordinary paranormal Mr Toad’s Wild Ride of emotions and events from beginning to end.

As Adam’s identity has finally been revealed to his inner circle, and he’s slowly readjusting the way he views himself and the Prophecy, the authors, Adam Vex (& Zodiac) via Ariana Nash, proceeds to start bombarding him and us with a ton of events and elements that sends us off on a giant narrative roller coaster that’s a white knuckle ride. 

It’s a continuous beautifully crafted journey of “that’s fabulous, that’s horrifying, I’m so happy, I’m terrified, I’m thrilled, I’m petrified” and put that on repeat. 

And no one is villaining like this villain, I’m telling you.  He so needs a comeuppance. 

It ends in a sort of cliffhanger and we are getting set up for the finale, the ultimate showdown.  I can’t wait.

One more note.  None of these are standalone novels. Read them in order and pay attention to the author’s notes about the trigger warnings.  

And don’t miss out on the funny texts after the story ends. 

Cover design by Ariana Nash 

SOS Hotel:

  • For a Supernaturally Safe Stay #1
  • Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous #2
  • Sleep with Us #3 
  • Great Service from Top to Bottom #4
  • No Rest for the Wicked #5 
  • Luxury To Die For #6
  • Your Final Resting Place #7 – tbd

Buy link

        SOS HOTEL: Luxury to Die For

    

Blurb

My big secret is out. Adam Vex may be a tiny bit nothuman. But it’s not so bad. Just so long as Gideon Cain doesn’t find out.

It’s probably best if I keep my head down and stay out of trouble, especially after our ‘accident’ at the vampire chapel.

But one little date won’t hurt. We deserve some time off. And what can go wrong at a fancy dinner? It’s not as though we’ll become tangled in a corporate plot to exploit Lost Ones in brutal fights to the death for entertainment, during which we attempt to free the fighters, only for the evening to end with me riding an enraged werewolf through the restaurant, and have the entire escapade viewed millions of times online resulting in all of San Francisco asking:

“What is Adam Vex?”

Why would any of that happen?!

My name is Adam Vex and I’m your host at the SOS HOTEL, where we offer luxury to die for (Luxury not guaranteed).

*

Warning: SOS Hotel contains explicit language, situations, and content that some readers may find kinda unsettling. The books also contain the BEST F*CKING DEMON there ever was, the worlds most useless vampire who has a weird-ass thing for Swedish furniture, and a 100% human (not sus) who is super nice and deserves to have nice things.

  • Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing (September 27, 2024)
  • Publication date: September 27, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 220 pages

Review: Werewolves Hate Clogs (La Famiglia Mostro Book 1) by K.L. Hiers

Rating: 4.5🌈

Well, that was just hilarious. And sexy. And a fabulous way to jump into a brand new paranormal series and group of amazing characters written by K.L. Hiers.  

Werewolves Hate Clogs is such an entertaining and engaging read.  Hiers creates in Othniel “Neil” Ricci , a relatable, appealing character.  Neil’s a bit at loose ends, so he’s come for the summer to help his traveling Uncle run his flower shop, Uranian Flora in Somerton.  It’s a city known for its azalea festivals and past criminal history. 

It also has some very unique qualities that its hiding along with its citizenry.

Hier slowly builds a strong, fascinating and, well, the strangest paranormal found family I’ve read recently. And I adore it. All centered around a growing kinky romance between Neil and Lou Morenas-Mostro, werewolf , as well as an involved mystery that affects the entire paranormal community itself.

Neil, Lou, Lou’s very scary family that I’m certain will be explored in coming books, and ,my favorites, the entire found family of The Reliquary, a magical bracelet , as well as that shop, I just didn’t want the book to end.

Honestly any story that contains the phrase 

“ Wang wizardry equals roasty toasty” is a book I certainly needed to have on my must read list! Love , love, this!  

Crocs, battles, fabulous dialogue, sexy scenes, and found crazy family ! Definitely a book and series I’m taking to heart.

You should too.  Highly recommended.  Plus what a great cover.

Need that next book soon.

Pls note it’s a mate romance with bdsm D/s elements in it.

Cover Art by Christina Record of Itsy Bitsy Scissors 

Cover Design and Typography by Amanda Meuwissen

Buy link

        Werewolves Hate Clogs (La Famiglia Mostro)

    

Blurb

Othniel “Neil” Ricci has a sweet new gig working at his uncle’s flower shop—good hourly pay, free room and board, and he has absolutely no idea that the city is apparently infested with monsters.

That is, until he does.

Louis Morénas-Mostro is a werewolf and an underboss in the monstrous crime family who rule over everything that goes bump in the night. When a prized magical artifact becomes inadvertently attached to Neil, Lou is determined to get it back at any cost.

…Even pretending to date him.

Neil finds himself at odds with an entire monster family, their rebellious enemies, and his own growing attraction to Lou. He hopes he lives long enough to find out if their explosive chemistry can lead to something real, but first he has to make sure he doesn’t end up as monster kibble.

  • Publication date: June 23, 2023
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 432 pages

Review: Ghostridden (Ghost Townies Book 1) by E. J. Russell 

Rating: 4.5🌈

E.J. Russell begins a new series, Ghost Townies, with Ghostridden, a wonderful paranormal mystery that introduces the delightful denizens, mysteriously quirky history of this remote small town that’s Ghost, Oregon. 

It begins when ghostwriter Maz Amani, accompanied by his ginger cat Gilgamesh, arrives at the house he inherited from an Uncle Oren he barely knew. 

That house, a gorgeous Queen Anne, is its own character and promptly becomes a magnet as it pulls in neighbors and townsfolk to meet the new owner.   

Russell does such a splendid job building a sense of community by way a of a great cast of characters. Each one has a special role and warmth to them, whether it’s Tia Sophia, Saul Pasternak and Jerry McHale and their daughter, Taryn, to the other shop owners, these are folk we want to know and spend time with.

The main characters too. Maz Amani who so desperately wants a home, finds himself in the middle of a mystery.  The story of the house he inherited is more than it appears.  I love that we discover along with Maz as he learns about the house, the couple (his Uncle included), and the town through research and revelations.  Some bittersweet and heartfelt.

There’s a few elements that caught me off guard.  In one point in a conversation, Maz says

“Are you taking the piss?”

This is a distinctly UK/English phrase, definitely not one you’d hear an American say. So its appearance in a dialogue, from an American to another, in this context is very jarring and took me out of the moment.

Another is that I felt the “villain” of this book was easily tagged.  While the motivation behind the villainy isn’t clear until the end (great dramatic scenes), I feel I knew the “who” straight away.

Not a bad element because we get that wonderful storytelling about Avi and Oren in between, and it’s amazing.

I hope for much more of this going forward.  Of the main couple and characters too.  I think this will be a great series.

Cover design: L C Chase

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com â€ș Ghostr…Ghostridden – Russell, E.J.: Kindle Store

Blurb

When ghostwriter Maz Amani inherits a house from an uncle he’s never heard of, he offers heartfelt thanks to the universe, packs up his car, his cat, and his skepticism about mysterious uncles leaving all their worldly goods to unknown nephews, and high-tails it to a small town halfway to the Oregon coast.

Anything would be better than week after week of couch surfing his way around Portland. Even if the alleged house is a rundown shack ridden with termites, spiders, and—shudder—rats, he’ll deal. Because hey, he owns a house!

And when his legacy turns out to be a pristine Queen Anne beauty with nary a termite, spider, or rat in sight, he’s ready to stand the universe unlimited vodka shots.

Except not so fast.

Because instead, his house is ridden with something a little more on-brand for a place called Ghost


  • Publisher: Reality Optional Press (September 20, 2024)
  • Publication date: September 20, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 227 pages

Review:  By Rude Strength (Tales from the Tarot story) by K.L. Hiers

Rating: 4.5🌈

“This book is based on the major arcana card Strength.”

By Rude Strength by K. L. Hiers is a terrific read.  One of the 22 novels in the multi-author series, Tales from the Tarot, Hiers gives us a young man whose world has fallen apart in one day.

When we begin the story and meet LA Holmes, he’s being fired from a job he’s loved and held for 10 years. It quickly becomes apparent that he’s been working in a toxic environment, and while he’s in anguish over his job, it’s a good thing for him he’s leaving.  Then it’s another loss or crushing toxic element of his life after another just piling up on top of him. From being dumped to a narcissist mother’s call, LA’s having the worst day of his life.

Hier’s narrative is so realistic and LA’s situations so relatable that it might be triggering for some.  Especially the narcissist mother who refuses to listen and the ex whose behaviors are tagged with red flags.

But The Magic Shop, The Owner, and a positively remarkable imp, Cassie, help LA recover his strength and inner resolve.

Cassie is a marvelous character, gentle, kind, and genuine in how they show LA there’s a different path for LA to take in his life, his relationships , his job, his outlook. And together they build something wonderful.

Hier tackles sensitive topics within the storyline but it’s done with a compassionate approach, using Cassie as the voice of reason and thoughtful dialogue.  It works and gives Cassie just another layer of credibility and depth to their personality.

I loved the book and characters and would love to see Hier bring the other imps back into their roles in future stories.

Highly recommended.

Love these covers.

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 

đŸ”· Where Fools Have Tread by Jennifer Cody❀

đŸ”·The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson

đŸ”·Cleric of Desire by Amanda Meuwissen❀

đŸ”·The Nephilim’s Touch by Morgan Lysand

đŸ”·King of Hollywood by Fae Quin

đŸ”·My Minotaur Daddy: An MM Romantasy by Laura Lascarso

đŸ”·Across Space and Time by Kit Barrie

đŸ”·Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason

đŸ”·By Rude Strength by K.L. Hiers

đŸ”·Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose

đŸ”·Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley

đŸ”·No Justice for the Damned by Hellie Heat

đŸ”·The Angel’s Kiss by Nicholas Bella

đŸ”·Death Song by B. Ripley 

đŸ”·Arcanum by Ashlyn Drewek

đŸ”·The Devil’s Dilemma by Alex J. Adams

đŸ”·Camelot’s Tower by Brooke Matthews

đŸ”·A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star

by Chloe Archer

đŸ”·Trust in the Moon by Delaney Rain

đŸ”·Raising the Sun by Eryn Hawk

đŸ”·Zero Judgment by Kota Quinn

đŸ”·The End of the World by Drake LaMarque

Buy link

        By Rude Strength

    

Blurb

 If you don’t have anything nice to say


LA Holmes has never had anything nice to say and he’s not starting now.

He’s fought tooth and nail to get where he is and he’s not about to change his wicked ways just because things have gotten a little complicated. It doesn’t matter if his body is a wreck, his career has imploded, or that his love life is in complete shambles. He is not going to give up. He is not going to quit fighting. He is not going to show any weakness


Except for that random visit to a magic shop when he was feeling a tiny bit desperate, but reallywhat was the worst that could happen?

A magical monster being bound to him for eternity, that’s what.

LA is now stuck with Cass, a snarky gentle giant of a beast who is supposed to be the answer to his problems. All Cass wants to do, however, is cuddle and bake cakes and talk about feelings. His ideas are ridiculous and frustrating, and LA refuses to listen to his stupid plans. LA can’t let himself be distracted by a handsome monster when he has so much at stake and letting his guard down could cost him everything


Cass promises LA a lifetime of happiness if he’s willing to give in, but can LA find the strength to surrender?

By Rude Strength 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 Strength.

  • Publication date: September 16, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 256 pages

Review:  Chariot of Souls (Tales from the Tarot story) by Morgan Mason

Rating: 3.5🌈

Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason is another in the fascinating multi-author paranormal series, Tales from the Tarot.  

I thought Mason’s story and characters had some great ideas and potential but the narrative didn’t really seem to fulfill the expectations that the author has worked so hard to on delivering.

Arit, the reaper who’s been only delivering the brilliant souls of the world, has been following one single soul’s path for thousands of years, and has found him once more.

That’s a great hook.

Nixon is an accident prone young man, having almost lost his life close to 15 times and he’s not yet thirty. Mason built an intriguing foundation for Nixon as the only surviving infant of triplets but then does nothing with it.  Same goes for his family and younger brother. It’s interesting enough that the reader thinks that it’s a building block of the mystery of Nixon yet this element goes nowhere. 

The buildup to the relationship between Arit and Nixon is another reason why I was involved in the story. It includes background information on the various reapers and their lives that adds to the mystery.

Arit and Nixon together, however, aren’t as promising as a fated soulmate duo. For me, they needed more time to develop their relationship and chemistry, and that odd little bit towards the end felt rushed.  All that to call him home?

But what struck me the most was that the theme of the series really wasn’t present.  The tarot card here was The Chariot, the vessel of Arit to ferry the souls to their versions of the afterlife.  But does that card actually make an appearance? No.  It’s just a part of the forward.

The Magic Shop and The Owner , previously a omnipresent, somewhat ominous figure, is in a diminished capacity here, literally and figuratively.

I found that to be disappointing as well.

I did find Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason to be an enjoyable read. Read it if you’re a fan of the series and author.

Tales from the Tarot- 22 books 

đŸ”· Where Fools Have Tread by Jennifer Cody

đŸ”·The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson

đŸ”·Cleric of Desire by Amanda Meuwissen

đŸ”·The Nephilim’s Touch by Morgan Lysand

đŸ”·King of Hollywood by Fae Quin

đŸ”·My Minotaur Daddy: An MM Romantasy by Laura Lascarso

đŸ”·Across Space and Time by Kit Barrie

đŸ”·Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason

đŸ”·By Rude Strength by K.L. Hiers

đŸ”·Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose

đŸ”·Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley

đŸ”·No Justice for the Damned by Hellie Heat

đŸ”·The Angel’s Kiss by Nicholas Bella

đŸ”·Death Song by B. Ripley 

đŸ”·Arcanum by Ashlyn Drewek

đŸ”·The Devil’s Dilemma by Alex J. Adams

đŸ”·Camelot’s Tower by Brooke Matthews

đŸ”·A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star

by Chloe Archer

đŸ”·Trust in the Moon by Delaney Rain

đŸ”·Raising the Sun by Eryn Hawk

đŸ”·Zero Judgment by Kota Quinn

đŸ”·The End of the World by Drake LaMarque

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        Chariot of Souls

    

Blurb

Being a reaper, Arit has been around since the dawn of humankind, ferrying souls from one realm to the next. Always separate, always alone, his only connections are with the departed. Some he may have encountered before, but while most are unmemorable, there is one soul Arit would never fail to recognize, for he has been called to carry it more than any other.

Accident prone and clumsy, it’s a miracle Nixon has made it to adulthood. Having survived a dozen near-death experiences, everything changes one night when he manages to escape death’s call, one more time. But who is the hooded figure standing outside Nixon’s apartment window? And why does this beautiful man seem strangely familiar?

When Arit realizes Nixon might be on his last life, never to be ferried again, can he and Nixon make a bargain with Fate in time to save Nixon’s soul? Or are both man and reaper destined to part before they even get a chance at love?

Chariot of Souls is a standalone MM romance novella as part of the multi-author collaboration, Tales from the Tarot. This book is based on the major arcana card, The Chariot.

Review:  Strikes Twice (Elementally Yours Book 2)  by FN Manning 

Review:  4.25🌈

This series is so fascinating and each story enlarges the universe. With Strikes Twice , the story focus’s on characters whose different elements, are air and electricity and the challenges they’re facing.

Manning changes up the characters here in that Marty Russo had already accepted his brand as an air wizard, accomplished in his magic.  Additionally, he’s known to the family of ice mages we met in the first story, a neat twist I appreciated. I really loved seeing Mrs. Blanchard again, and in a totally new perspective. She’s wonderful.

Azure “Az” Serrano, isn’t just a cursed person, he’s a dragon. So it’s a whole different element of magic to explore as the mystery unravels.

Manning, in fact, has more narrative strengths written into the book than is explored to the depths we want, simply because they are so intriguing and interesting.  

There’s the damaging past history of Marty’s fire element parents and the impact that it left behind. We get some of that but  that mother/step father dynamic is heartwarming and would love to see more. 

The same goes for dragon history, their magic and Az’s family. A deeper dive would have felt satisfying.

But Manning gives us a romance, terrific chemistry, a stumbling-slow to grow relationship between Marty and Az that’s realistic and relatable. Their interactions, the fears and mounting hopes, it keeps the reader connected to them and the story. 

The couple, mystery and journey to a HEA makes this an entertaining and heartfelt story. It’s one I’m recommending.

Elementally Yours:

Frost or The Bite #1

Strikes Twice #2

Bold As Brass #3 – October 13,2024

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        Strikes Twice: M/M Paranormal Romance (Elementally Yours Book 2)

    

Blurb

When lightning strikes anyone he touches, can love strike back?

Marty Russo doesn’t need wings to fly. The air wizard loves using magic to soar through the sky, yet he lacks a purpose when down on the ground. So Marty tries to help a man plagued by a cruel electrical curse. But solving this impossible hex isn’t nearly as challenging as keeping his hands off Azure “Az” Serrano.

Az is guarded. Understandably so, after six years of his skin zapping anyone who gets too close. Then a determined air wizard strolls into his life and won’t go away. And when he gives the cursed man hope again, it’s hard to resist the attraction between them.

But getting closer puts the wizard in danger; electricity is especially harmful to air casters. And after they’re unable to keep their distance, the curse nearly fries Marty. Can Marty free Az, or will he fall when lightning strikes twice?

Strikes Twice features enemies to lovers, an understandably grumpy shifter, an optimistic wizard, action, steamy scenes, cruel curses, and love triumphing against all odds. This the second novel in the Elementally Yours Series, and each book features different characters and can be read seperately..

  • Publication date: August 4, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 257 pages