Category: Fantasy

Review: Cast In Shadows (Shadow’s Lure Book One) by Alice Winters

Rating: 4🌈

It took me a while to get into the storyline and connect with the characters. Alice Winters is a favorite author of mine and one of her trademarks in writing is the types of high energy characters and their roles within her narrative structure. There’s always one that has a certain amount of overpowering verbal quality and quirky character. He is often the most dangerous player, impetuous, charming, chaotic, unpredictable and often quixotic.

Here he’s mysterious , murderous,and borderline abusive towards Bastian , the Caster he kidnaps. And we don’t know why. That’s potentially a big problem. Because he’s not charming enough yet to overcome that . Not at the beginning.

I’m talking about Andras, a dark magic user who can take over dead people’s bodies. A interesting element in itself because Winters is asking the reader to connect and develop feelings for an entity whose body can be deposed of. I really like this factor. And as the plot plays out, the character too.

But the chitter chatter snappy dialogue and constant murderous tone/thoughts that Winters uses in her other books and characters ,in fact , made Andras less attractive in the first part of Cast In Shadows, the storylines more dense, because the verbiage was distracting.

Especially when on the other side was a young man who was already being abused by his cult like family and domineering father. That’s Bastian, who is at the bottom rung for everyone, on both sides. Except the reader, who feels sorry for him. Bastian is an appealing figure and one who’s easily the most engaging for the reader.

Because he’s being beaten down by everyone and everything here. We emphasize with him. Constantly.

On the other hand, it’s a challenge to understand the chemistry between the Andras who’s kidnapped him and Bastian, who hates his life. Unless it’s a case of Stockholm syndrome.

Eventually, a wider plot and a mysterious revenge motivation is revealed, but not necessarily completely. This is a “tip of the iceberg “ sort of world building scenario where only bits and pieces get scattered around for the reader to gather up and process.

I’ll admit there’s some interesting and fascinating stuff here. And the hints being thrown around look towards some whoppers of future revelations. That second book should be great. But you have to read through the sometimes murky mess that’s the Cast In Shadows, especially at the beginning.

So I’m recommending this for fans of the author, the genre, and for the really interesting elements Winters has in store for the characters and series.

Shadow’s Lure:

✓ Cast In Shadows #1

◦ Casting Light #2 – Sept 19, 2023

Buy Link:

Cast in Shadows (Shadow’s Lure Book 1)

Blurb:

Andras

When the light-magic users known as Casters took everything from me, I vowed to make them pay.

Little did I know the perfect opportunity would show up in the form of a sweet Caster the moment I took his arrow to the heart… literally. Bastian knows that I’m made of dark magic, the very thing he’s been taught to destroy. But instead of turning away from me, he takes a chance on me, leading me behind the walls of the group out to kill me.

Bastian makes me remember that there’s more to life than revenge—although I can’t help but love the look he gives me when I cause chaos. But what I don’t realize is there’s someone who’s been watching me, someone only Bastian can help me fight.

Bastian

How is it that a man wielding dark magic is the only one who can save me?

Even though Andras goes against everything I fight for, I can’t stop myself from drawing him into my life.

What’s worse is that it’s clear he wants something from the Casters, but when he makes me laugh and feel like I’m living for the first time in my life, it’s impossible to turn him away.

When I find myself caught in a web of lies between those I trusted and those I feared, I realize the only one I can rely on is the one person who’s forbidden.

Cast in Shadows contains an antihero with no filter and a strange obsession with chili, a “pet” who sleeps through all the excitement, and possibly the least romantic movie date ever.

Review: Warrior King (Warriors Book 1) by Eden Winter

Rating: 4.75🌈

Well, that was one fabulous fantasy epic romance! There’s forced marriages, death and deep intrigue, bloody battles, kingdoms at risk, and finally, finding true love.

I had such a fantastic time reading this and getting into the lives of these characters! And happily, this is only the first book in the Warriors series.

But starting us off is the taking of the Kingdom of Revellan by the Emperor’s son, Commander Draylon Aravaid. He’s leading the battle and the troops to defeat the traitor King and insure that the Emperor’s orders are carried out.

However, once the blood is spilled, the battle ends, left standing is two young siblings guarded by the enemy’s spare heir, Prince Yarif DiRici .

With those elements solidly in place,Winter creates a fantasy world of bitter kingdom politics that incorporates spies, assassins, intrigue on a vast scale, betrayal, forced marriages, and a cast of beautifully drawn characters, from the main couple to the several villains of the story.

Both men are easily seen by the reader, well defined by their personalities and rich descriptions. There’s Draylon Aravaid, Commander of the Emperor’s Army. Second son, scarred, a seasoned warrior with a thoughtfulness and determination that underpins his ability to strategize and fight. He’s such a splendid man and character. I adore him.

He plays up perfectly against his counterpart, the third son and heir spare of the traitorous and now dead King. That’s Prince Yarif DiRici, a multidimensional figure, protector, secretary, linguist, consort to be. And here he’s the one person protecting his younger brother and sister from the Emperor and his plans.

The Emperor is an evolving figure here , one I wish we could have had more insight into. He is more of a one dimensional character than he could have been, and the hints at the end would have made the Emperor a far more complex figure.

But the rest? Fabulous! Especially Rufe, Draylon’s best friend who’s suffered much in his past. The red-headed king who’s playing a big role here, no spoilers. And May from the kitchen.

Can’t wait to read more about the next in this universe from Eden Winters.

Love fantasy? Big epic adventures with romance thrown in? Grand characters and world building? Warrior King is all that and more!

I’m highly recommending it.

Buy link:

Warrior King: Warriors – Book 1by Eden Winters

Blurb:

One man is the son of a traitor. The other is the son of a tyrannical emperor. Together, they discover the fine line between duty and justice. 

Commander Draylon Aravaid doesn’t hide his lineage as the emperor’s son but doesn’t advertise his origins either. Loyal to a fault, he relies on his hard-won reputation rather than his family name, which his duplicitous father uses to full advantage. 

Prince Yarif DiRici trained his entire life to become a consort in a political marriage–all while secretly yearning for love. The death of his father and older brother suddenly thrusts an unwanted crown upon his head, and Yarif into a whirlwind of dangerous plans within plans as he and Draylon are forced into marriage. 

The political game is set, and Yarif is kidnapped. It’s up to Draylon to mount a daring rescue to prevent all-out war. 

The two men must get past each other’s mistrust, find common ground, and defeat an enemy neither knew they had…and may not survive!

Warrior King is now available for preorder on Amazon, releasing August 25.

Review: How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life: WhoWoke the Dead? #4 (Princes of Mayhem) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4.5🌈

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life: Who Woke the Dead? #4 (Princes of Mayhem) by Jocelynn Drake feels more like a stepping stone to more adventures than it does a series finale. One of the reasons why is that this is a prequel series to the author’s Lords of Discord series (the vampire Variks) and now, happily, a lead in to a new series about those chaotic male witches who are both Sky’s best friends and form his coven. Be still my heart.

So yes, Drake packs a ton into the fourth story of this crazy but highly entertaining serialized story about a powerful necromancer who finds a loving boyfriend in a human fantasy romance author and they continue to have grand adventures together along with their friends and demon minions!

Who Woke the Dead doesn’t come together as fully as a whole storyline like the previous books have. This felt more like a group of engaging events loosely tied together leading the characters and readers to a HFN for Sky and Nolan.

In each small scenario, Nolan and Sky get to discuss their experiences and why they are so different and yet well suited for each other. Whether it’s Nolan taking care of an exhausted Sky after he’s made sandwiches for the underworld (an element I loved) or having an after party for witches, this couple just is #couplegoals. They are supportive, committed, and they communicate, with humor and sexy affection. What’s not to love?

So maybe it doesn’t matter that there’s not an all consuming drama here but two men finding each other and becoming boyfriends under extraordinary circumstances. Plus I love me some Dandy Dogs! More of these please!

I really hope Drake makes a second season of this series. I’m really excited to see what happens next on this couple’s journey.

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to the witches series starting with the blood witch , Moon. He’s up first.

I’m highly recommending the series (must read all four stories) , then continue on.

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life:

✓ Disaster #1: Fun With Family

✓ Disaster #2: Pet Problems

✓ Disaster #3: Date Night

✓ Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead? – finale

Related new series with connected characters:

Kings of Chaos- the witches of above

◦ Two Thousand Dreams (Kings of Chaos Book 1)-Nov 10,2023

Buy Link

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life: Disaster #4 (Princes of Mayhem)

Blurb:

Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead?

Something has escaped from the underworld!

Sky would like to point out that this is NOT his fault.

But, yes, something has escaped, and it has all the dead crawling out of their graves.

Naturally, the humans are freaking out.

Except for the sexy one living across the street.

Nolan is ready to jump into the fray and help Sky round up the underworld fugitive.

Sky’s going to need all the help he can get–not just from his coven but all the witches he can get his hands on.

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life is a serial comprising four novellas that follow the insane adventures of necromancer Skylar Wallace and his next-door neighbor Nolan Banks. This is the final book and contains witches, demons, underworld minions, more sandwiches, stolen smexy time, an angry Grammy, and something scary running wild in Connecticut.

Review: Corin and the Courtier (Beautiful Beasts, #2) by Eliot Grayson

Rating: 2🌈

A DNF at 44%

I read the books out of order which was a very good idea because otherwise I’d never have read the far superior Deven and the Dragon. This isn’t that lovely adult fairy tale.

Instead of finding someone as sympathetic and honest as Fioric, his cousin apparently, the reader finds this dragon knight bully, Corin. He’s so unpleasant to read, that even at 30%, the reader is wondering when he’s going to stop wallowing in his pitiful self imposed martyrdom and get over himself.

Why has he hidden himself away? Because his sworn bride cheated on him. In public. Granted that’s humiliating. But does he go on about how he loves or loved her? No. It’s all about her beauty and his ruined status. So immediately, the reader isn’t exactly falling down on his side. It gets immeasurably worse when the bride’s wonderful, wounded younger brother arrives and, you guessed it, gets bullied,, and in scenes close to sexual assault, mistreated incredibly badly.

I’m caught wondering where the fairy tale charm and lovely characterizations that were the hallmarks of the first book went. Not here.

The one nice aspect of the story (and any rating) is Aster, the younger brother of the bride who has cheated on Corin publicly before their wedding. He’s run away from a horrible arranged marriage, hoping that the one being he’s crushed on for years will take him in and understand his situation.

That’s a lovely element. Too bad it’s paired up with a thug in dragon form. One who swings between meanly berating someone so desperately in need of saving so much so that even as a reader I’m absolutely appalled, then wanting to have revenge sex with him (consensual or not) then thinking maybe Aster’s not so bad, when the poor guy is weeping in despair.

All in the storyline space of 24 hours. They then actually have drunken sex with no attempt at a relationship.

I checked how far I’d continued into the book. 44 percent.

I tried. Honestly. But there’s nothing to like about Corin for me. And I find these days that I’m not going to continue on reading storylines that have little to engage me or characters that I can’t connect with. Like this one.

I’m so happy I skipped to the second book because if I’d started here I’d have never picked it up. There’s a lesson there somewhere.

What is fabulous? That cover. Both covers. Rich and eye catching.

No recommendations.

Beautiful Beasts:

✓ Corin and the Courtier #1

✓ Deven and the Dragon #2

Buy Link :

Book 1 of 2: Beautiful Beasts

Blurb:

Most people run from beasts, not to them…

Aster didn’t put much thought into his escape. All he knew when he ran up that mountain—straight into the lair of a grumpy dragon knight with a huge grudge against his family—was that he couldn’t submit to an arranged marriage. It never occurred to him that a snowstorm would strand him there. Or that he’d give in to years of longing and beg for the monster’s forbidden touch. But it happened. All of it…

Corin wasn’t trying to be a hero—especially not Aster’s hero. He couldn’t very well let him die, though. So he protected him. Which might have been considered noble…if he hadn’t also fallen into bed with him. Over and over again. But the cost of keeping Aster is far more than Corin’s willing to pay. Corin will eventually be forced to let him go—even if it destroys him.

When Aster’s problems follow him up the mountain—literally—he realizes running is no longer an option. The only question now is whether Corin will fight for him, or burn their potential happily ever after to the ground…

This spicy, steamy, M/M paranormal fantasy romance features a pair of star-crossed opposites, a little forced proximity (with only one bed), some silliness involving a lack of pants at unexpected moments, and plenty of dirty talk.

This series does not contain mpreg. There’s a brief occurrence of self-destructive ideation in this book, but no action is taken. HEA guaranteed!

Review: It Spells Trouble (Mages and Mates #2) by Andy Gallo

Rating: 4.5🌈

The second in Andy Gallo’s Mages and Mates series, It Spells Trouble picks up after the events of the first book. There we met the renowned Hollen family, one of the world’s most powerful group of mages. That book set the series theme of a Great Group of Guardians made up of a certain kind of mage/fated mate pairing, one that’s in need of replacing the current ancient pair with a new one.

Mage Jannick Pederson is half brother to Mage Bartholomew Hollen of book one. We met Jan there and got to know him, along with his troubled background and impetus personality.

Here we see the growth and maturity those events have brought on and get a new understanding of the man we barely knew. Gallo also provides a deeper perspective into the Hollen family dynamics and Jan’s relationship within their inner circle.

The framework of the story is a frightening one. Human children are being kidnapped and the reasons are unknown. Magic is at work here. So mages are needed to track down the missing.

Gallo introduces a new faction of paranormal beings, Gryphons and a conservative pack that has become a nightmare for those who live under it. It’s a relevant aspect of a fantasy world.

Gryphon shifter Conall Arwan is assigned by the Alpha, his father, to help Jan investigate the kidnappings. Conall is another layered, fantastic character as is Jan and each forms a strong bond with this investigation.

Gallo dives into the juxtaposition of families, issues of loyalty and obedience, and heritage and identity here with these two beings. All that laid next to an investigation into missing children and the dangers they may represent.

I was absolutely into this story and their relationship. Several times I was reaching for a couple of tissues.

This series and theme has me hooked. Plus love those covers!

If you’re a fan of fantasy, fated mates, and great world building, Andy Gallo has a series for you.

One I’m definitely recommending.

Mages and Mates:

✓ Break The Spell #1

✓ It Spells Trouble #2

◦ Under A Spell #3 – March 26,2024

Buy Link :

It Spells Trouble: An MM Paranormal Romance (Mages and Mates Book 2)

Blurb:

Mage Jannick Pederson thought it was a simple assignment: help the gryphon leader find some missing human children and then go home. A noble cause, even if he didn’t much like the abrasive jerk. So why didn’t someone tell him he’d be working closely with the leader’s son instead? That hot piece of perfection could make even happily-single Jannick give up his no-strings-attached ways.

Gryphon shifter Conall Arwan has simple goals for his life: get his PhD in pediatric shifter social work and stay off the radar of his disapproving father. When his father orders him to work with a hot but arrogant mage to find missing human kids, all Conall sees is how it pushes back his graduation date. Again. And even if the mage unexpectedly turns out to be not so bad—and maybe even a little sweet—there’s still no future for them. Conall’s dad has plans for him and they don’t include getting involved with a sexy, infuriating mage.

But fate has other ideas.

It Spells Trouble is a 75K word fated mates romance with a hearty dose of steam and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. This book is part of the Mages and Mates series and includes a plot to destroy the world, a desperate decision with far-reaching consequences, and one pissed off gryphon father.

Each book in the series can be read alone, but they are better read in order.

Review: Deven and the Dragon (Beautiful Beasts, #1) by Eliot Grayson

Rating: 4.5🌈

Eliot Grayson has written a fairy tale about a curse, a castle, a dragon, a Prince, a innocent ,a thief, a mission to steal a unique treasure for the sake of the village, you know all the elements that make up a typical fairy tale. Except in Grayson’s story, things are a bit twisted.

Those twists, Grayson’s winning characters, and an engaging narrative make Deven and the Dragon a fabulous story for all lovers of this genre and romances in general.

Fiora is such a sympathetic character, especially as we slowly get to know him as Deven, the handsome rapscallion from the village, does. None of the usual fairy tale traits or traditions quite fall true here unless it’s that of true love saving the day and breaking the curse.

In between, we have a wonderful relationship that develops, some heartbreaking moments, and a romance for adults that’s heartwarming and emotional.

Plus dragons and drama! Yes, please.

Highly recommended and onto the next one in this series.

Layered characters, twists in a standard format, and heartfelt ending. Yes!

Plus gorgeous covers that pull the reader in. Exquisite.

Beautiful Beasts:

✓ Deven and the Dragon #1

◦ Corin and the Courtier #2

Buy Link :

Deven and the Dragon (Beautiful Beasts Book 1)

Blurb:

The beast doesn’t ever really get a fairytale ending…does he?

Deven’s mission is clear. All he has to do is convince the dragon to give up one of his magical scales. Lies, deception, seduction—nothing is off-limits. It should be easy. But it isn’t. Especially not when said dragon is so alluring in human form. It’s not long before Deven starts to want something way more valuable than a scale from his beautiful beast. But how do you convince a dragon to give you his heart when your entire relationship was built on deceit?

Fiora is cursed. Love can kill him. Literally kill him. So keeping his mind (and hands) off the devilishly handsome Deven shouldn’t be a challenge. But it is. Deven’s entirely too warm, too attractive, too…everything to resist. And spending time with the lovable human makes Fiora question what’s more frightening—the curse, or the possibility of a life without Deven by his side.

If they want a shot at happily ever after, Deven and Fiora will need to break the potentially deadly curse and overcome all the secrets that stand between them. Easy, right?

They wish…

This book is an explicit M/M romance with an absurd cloak worn during the summer, a dragon who hoards—well, it isn’t gold, and some extremely angry parents who can breathe fire.

Review: Gale (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus Book 2) by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 4.75🌈

Hammer and Fist is a two-part series by Jennifer Cody that’s mind boggling in structure, absolutely labyrinthine in its creative threads and fantastically complex world building and characterizations.

As of now the author is alternating between the two connected series , Lexatalion and Geminatus, and their characters/arcs. But from the events in each series second books, I expect that’s about to change with the stories that will follow as the major threats and threads feel like they’re about to converge.

But first the extraordinary events that have occurred here in Gale: Geminatus Book Two. The titles, like the characters themselves, are so multifaceted and complex. Not a complete Geminatus, a single being with two physical avatars that function almost in sync with each other, the title character here is not only partially Geminatus, but also human, and demon, as well as Fae origin, although exactly how he came into being is as yet unclear. But his demonic origins are known with each of his individually functioning avatars, Hunter and Ranger, containing certain elemental magical powers. One the Inferno of the first book, the second the Gale of this story.

Honestly, the storylines are far too complex, the character development and ideas behind them equally complicated and wildly compelling that’s it’s impossible for a review to cover the important aspects of this element. Especially as , per the cliffhanger at the end, Cody is further enlarging on exactly what might be the roles of the avatars within this Geminatus.

Mind blowing.

We do get to see one of the “off page events “ from Brick and Brass (Hammer and Fist: Lextalion Book 2) occur here and mentions of the magical occurrences that will shape both series going forward.

But there’s plenty of mystery, horror, death, and bodies here for everyone to deal with. It’s part of what Hunter had been dealing with since his teenage years in town as well as part of a larger investigation.

How Cody pulls both together is brutal, exciting,and full of suspense.

There’s lots of action, surprises, and some twists and tons of anxiety for the future. I can’t wait for the next books to arrive.

Apparently, via author’s note, it’s looking like at least two more books will be coming each to finish this off. Maybe more. I can believe it. So beautifully complex and getting even more so.

I’m highly recommending this but read them in alternating order ( the first book ones, then both book two’s) from the beginning otherwise you’ll be lost.

Hammer and Fist Series

✓ Sledge and Claw (Hammer and Fist: Lextalion Book 1)

✓ Brick and Brass (Hammer and Fist: Lextalion Book 2)

✓ Inferno (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus Book 1)

✓ Gale (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus Book 2)

Buy Links:

Gale (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus Book 2)

Blurb:

Ranger/Hunter:

After nearly losing an avatar, I’m ready to sign on with IDIA, the Interdimensional Immigration Agency. I need their resources to figure out what the hell is happening to my town. Townsend keeps attracting rogue non-humans and other extraterrestrials, and I’m half convinced it’s ritual sacrifice, but who would bring people here to die? And am I being used to kill these people, or is it happenstance that I’m the one defending Townsend from the violent non-humans?

As I get closer to answers, mysteries and portals pop up and someone starts targeting the people I care about. I’m not usually known for losing my patience, but if these people want to fuck around, they’re going to find out what happens when they do. With the help of my new friends in the agency and the trainer they’ve assigned me, I’ll find out who’s threatening the people under my protection, and when I do, they’re going to regret going up against a prince of hell. I might look like a Geminatus, but I’m so much more than that.

Gale is a 68k word Urban Fantasy with darker themes including dark magic, murder, gore, mutilation, ritual sacrifice, and suicide. Mild cliffhangers happen in UF and this books isn’t an exception

Review: Break the Spell (Mages and Mates #1) by Andy Gallo

Rating: 4.5🌈

Andy Gallo’s Break The Spell is such a great introduction to this author’s writing if you’re not familiar with his work already. The first in a new fantasy series, Mages and Mates, it’s full of fully realized characters, an amazing world who’s foundation of magical powers and knowledge appears to be expanding with each new story, and a dark exciting mystery that’s an overall arc for the series.

Did I say sexy as well? Yes, it’s that too.

I really appreciated that it seems to start with a shocking scene that introduces us to Bartholomew Hollen, one of THE mage family Hollens, powerful, wealthy, and at the center of all things magical. At least in Philadelphia.

Gallo will expand on who Bart is, his role in the Hollen family, the famous Utrecht University, and as a mage worldwide. We get slowly lead into it as events allow. That lets the author reveal more of Bart’s character, personality, and history. It’s a fantastic way to develop the story and character together.

And it works not only for Bart but for the elf Caelinus Reinhold, who’s arrived in Philadelphia from Chicago to become the professor of creative magic at Utrecht University. His character becomes entwined with that of Bart’s almost immediately.

Gallo builds the suspense and mystery through various scenes and storylines. It’s in past histories and seen through current events. And while that arc’s mystery thread is being explored, Gallo is also building the relationship between a fearful Bart and Cael, whose feelings have him trying to figure out how to make Bart take a chance on them both.

The university, the Hollen family members, and magical powers are included in the fabric of this storyline that are fantastically creative elements.

Is there a resolution? Only to the couple’s scenario here. The overall arc mystery rolls forward. The ending came about a tad suddenly for me and was the only reason this didn’t earn the full five stars.

I’m heading to the next book and highly recommending you start here if you’re a lover of fantasy novels and magical romance. This has tons of both and won’t disappoint!

Mages and Mates:

✓ Break The Spell #1

◦ It Spells Trouble #2

◦ Under A Spell #3 – March 26,2024

Buy Link :

Break the Spell: An MM Paranormal Romance (Mages and Mates Book 1)

Blurb:

Bartholomew Hollen, professor of defensive magic at Utrecht University, just wanted a no strings, no feelings, no attachment hook up. Nothing messy like when his ex-boyfriend tried to feed him to a demon. Bart’s heart, however, has other ideas. But when he has a vision of the future and sees his hookup dying at his feet from yet another demon, Bart does the only sensible thing – he sneaks out like a thief in the night.

Not like he’ll see the guy again.

Caelinus Reinhold has done something no elf has done before – become the professor of creative magic at Utrecht University. His first day should be magical, except Cael can’t stop thinking about the hot mage he hooked up with the night before who then snuck out while he slept. Whatever. His loss.

He’ll never see the jerk again, anyway.

Things get awkward fast when the department assigns Bart to be Cael’s mentor. Despite their rocky start, neither can deny that Fate wants them together. But Bart’s premonitions all end in tragedy for the pair. No matter how he tries to change the future, Cael is always a casualty. How can Bart follow his heart when Cael’s death is sure to break it?

Review: The Human’s Incubus: A Brinnswick Story 1 by Michele Notaro

Rating: 4🌈

I really enjoy Michele Notaro’s work so I immediately picked up her release, The Human’s Incubus: A Brinnswick Story 1 . It’s the first in a new series but one that’s connected with two of her other larger series, and shared universe . Those would be the Ellwood Chronicles and Brinnswick Chronicles world.

Honestly, I don’t think I’ve read any of those books, but I will be after meeting some of the characters who crossed over from there into this story to help out our main characters.

That would be Hugo, a human with an angst-filled history and Zaos, an incubus with an emotional backstory who’s determined that Hugo is his viramore, his soulmate.

Unlike Michele Notaro’s The Magi Accounts series which I’m reading and throughly in love with, this isn’t the dark fiction that is. While it does contain hints about Zay’s horrific childhood, that’s all it’s got. See the author’s trigger warning. It does seem it’s more from the narrative in another series.

And that’s a bit of an issue as far as the world building goes. That the knowledge of the world is assumed because of the other series. There’s enough of a framework to fill in some necessary details but the overall structure isn’t quite there.

Does it spoil a terrific story? No. I loved getting to know Hugo and Zay, watching them navigate their way through Hugo’s problems, the idea of their bond, Zaos’ large family, and their (much needed) interference in their lives here.

I can’t wait for the next story and chapter in their relationship to be released. That will be The Human’s Heart (A Brinnswick Story Book 2). No date as yet.

Until then I’ll be heading back to pull up on the connected series and the universe I missed out on.

I’m definitely recommending this to all fans of the author and fantasy fiction.

A Brinnswick Story series:

✓ The Human’s Incubus #1

◦ The Human’s Heart #2 – TBD

Trigger warnings:

“Mentions of past child abuse/ sexual abuse (nothing on page).”

— The Human’s Incubus: A Brinnswick Story 1 by Michele Notaro

Buy Link:

The Human’s Incubus: A Brinnswick Story 1

Blurb:

When an incubus tells you he’s your soulmate, do you stay and listen or run and never look back?

I’ve spent most of my life knowing that supernatural creatures exist but never really interacting with any, so my knowledge of them is limited. Still, who would’ve thought a demisexual incubus was a thing?

Well apparently, not only is it a thing, but I have one who claims to be my soulmate—or viramore, as he calls it. And now he has it in his head that he’s going to save me from my past.

I think he might have a few screws loose, but something about him intrigues me, and I find myself drawn into his orbit. Could he be telling the truth? Could he really be my soulmate? Or should I be running from him the way I’m running from my enemies?

The Human’s Incubus is the first book in A Brinnswick Story series and is a MM paranormal romance. This series takes place in the Ellwood Chronicles and Brinnswick Chronicles world, but it’s not necessary to read those series first in order to enjoy this one.

Review: Stone Heart (The Gargoyles of Arrington Book 3) by Jenn Burke

Rating: 4 🌈

Stone Heart is the finale to Jenn Burke’s terrific The Gargoyles of Arrington trilogy. Teague O’Reilly, the object of the curse, as well as the only brother not to have found his soulmate, is currently caught up in a fabricated plot, one that has him mate bound to a shifter under false pretenses. That would be Chris Holt, a bear shifter whose cursed sleuth can’t shift properly or have young. A prophecy said a trio of gargoyle brothers would lead them home so he trapped Teague into a bond without thinking of the consequences to Teague and others.

The other being Frankie, a mountain lion shifter who’s found his way through some very dramatic events to the O’Reilly brothers mansion and into Teague’s life.

Burke is giving the last book and relationship a new aspect from the previous two. Teague has been resigned to dying, especially since finding out that Chris has deceived him. However, the twist is both Chris and Frankie are not only mates but believe Teague is their mate too. So there’s a potential for a triad relationship between the three people if they all can work through the huge issues and raised barriers.

That includes the fact that Teague is asexual and doesn’t want a sexual relationship with his “mate’, a barrier Teague has raised in his mind without any evidence that it wouldn’t work out. Teague is ace , terrific representation which puts his soulmate bonding into a different light than his brothers. Both Chris and Frankie, the would be soulmates , are definitely sexual beings. So there is a need for communication. There’s the issue of age (younger) within Teague’s mind,but, tbh , everyone is younger than the O’Reilly brothers who’ve lived hundreds of years.

The author has to tackle each element that serves as a barrier to their triad soulbond and do so while finishing off the arc theme of a vengeful Fae determined to get her promised son or bring death to all.

That’s a plentiful task for Burke to take on in one novel, let alone also get rid of the curse on Chris which would allow his bear clan to become full bear shifter once again.

Did I feel all the elements were fully explored and narratively explained to their fullest potential here? Not really. I think Burke had too many interesting topics and side storylines that needed fulfillment for that to happen.

Terrific aspects of this book? The ace representation , Frankie working through his feelings of inadequacy, and the abiding love of the O’Reilly brothers for each other. Teague has been a consistently strong character and watching him grow and develop as a partner here in his own right has been one I wanted to see. I just wish I found the chemistry between the three of them to be more believable. Perhaps it just didn’t work for me, not the triad, but that we had no prior background for this to happen.

Other storylines I found less filled out? The police department element which was never well based or executed. Chris’ sleuth’ curse ending . That requires way more explanation. And then the quick work that was made of Muirloch. Plus that other last revelation.

I did love that almost bittersweet scene at the end with all three brothers reflecting on those missing loved ones and where they all ended up. It’s a lovely quiet moment and a perfect way to end the trilogy.

While Stone Heart may not have been my favorite of the series, I did enjoy it. And I’m definitely recommending all three books that make up this remarkable arc!

The Gargoyles of Arrington:

✓ Stone Wings #1

✓ Stone Skin #2

✓ Stone Heart #3 – finale

Buy Link:

Stone Heart: An M/M/M Enemies-to-Lovers Paranormal Romance (The Gargoyles of Arrington Book 3)

Description:

Maybe his heart isn’t made of stone after all…

Centuries ago, Teague O’Reilly and his brothers were cursed to be gargoyles, and their only hope for freedom was to find their true loves. Teague knows he’ll be cursed forever—who would love someone who doesn’t want sex?

Chris Holt does. The bear shifter tricked Teague into binding their souls together in hopes of ending the Holt family curse. He didn’t realize how that jeopardized Teague’s chances to find true love, except… Chris is pretty sure he might be it. Him and Frankie.

Younger than the two other men, Frankie’s had a difficult life as an orphaned mountain lion shifter. He knows he belongs to both Teague and Chris, and Chris knows it too. But they’ll need to work a certain type of magic to convince the asexual gargoyle that there’s more to love than sex.

When the dark, fae-like creature who’s been tormenting them for months resurfaces with a new plan to subjugate them, Frankie will do anything to protect his men.

Anything.

Stone Heart features a male/male/male triad relationship between an oblivious asexual gargoyle, a gay himbo bear shifter, and a fierce gay mountain lion shifter. There’s also a cabin with only one bed, lots of self-discovery, and a huge found family. It’s the final book in the Gargoyles of Arrington series and has the hardest-won happily ever after, I promise.