Category: Fantasy mystery thriller. Fantasy romance mystery

Review: Black Moon Rising (Riley Blackthorne #1) by J.L. Brannick

Rating:4⭐️

I enjoyed Black Moon Rising, the first in the Riley Blackthorne urban fantasy series by J. L. Brannick. Brannick’s another new urban fantasy author for me so I was excited about this book.

The character of Riley Blackthorne doesn’t disappoint here. She’s 24 I believe, trying to finish her degree in college while staying under the “radar “ of law enforcement agencies of all kinds due to her as yet unregistered powers. 

That’s about to end. 

Werewolf children are missing and the Alpha needs her help with the investigation. He won’t take no for an answer. 

I absolutely love Riley. Life has been tough for her, she’s been raised by her uncle. Her background is filled in more in the second novel than the bits the author allows here. But it’s tantalizing hints that give depth to Riley and strengthens her character. She’s independent, intelligent and with the ability to make decisions for herself. 

She’s absolutely the best thing about the book.

Now to the most problematic. That would be the Alpha. And their dynamic. Conall Segerson is the overbearing Alpha here. I’m sure in the trope he’s the powerful dominating male. But let’s be real.

In any other context, he’s toxic. He doesn’t let her make her own decisions. He withholds key information “because it’s for her own good “. He isolates her because it’s for “her own welfare “. And continues to ignore real issues within his pack that put her life at risk. 

And when things go south, as they do.

It’s all about what his “wolf” wants and what he wants. Not exactly what is good for her. 

Hint: This aspect of the series and the characters relationship is going to be even worse in book 2.

So for every character, Ash, or the hellhounds, that I found engaging, there was Conall sapping the joy right out of the narrative because I found his so offensive. 

Yes to her. Yes to the plot minus any aspect of the story about Conall. 

It ends on a cliffhanger. Which you know won’t end well for her. 

The other books are out. Read it for a terrific woman character, and an interesting plot. The author has spent some time defining her different types of Cognizant traits. Check out the beginning of this book.   Too bad she didn’t start with DARVO. 

Cover designer Maggie G. Jackson

Riley Blackthorne series:

Black Moon Rising #1

Cold Moon Burning #2

Crimson Moon Falling #3

Buy link

 Book 1 of 3: Riley Blackthorne Series 

Blurb 

The federal agents waiting outside my ecology classroom are here for me.

One of them is an enraged Alpha.

I’ve been dodging the agents for days, and Conall Segerson seethes with impatience. His Pack children are disappearing, but the wolf shifter has few clues and no leads.

He doesn’t care about exposing an unregistered, no-name Cognizant like me if it will help him find his missing cubs.

As we race to recover the children, I become an invaluable tool in his arsenal.

His wolf’s obsession.

And a target.

Conall pledges to protect my secrets, but enemies are closing in. And the most vicious betrayals are those we never see coming.

*The first book in the thriller urban fantasy romance series where a deadly investigation leads to seduction and betrayal.

Black Moon Rising is book one in the Riley Blackthorne Series. For fans of smart, STEM FMC’s and urban fantasy romance. This book ends on a cliffhanger and contains power imbalances, a slow-burn romance, spice, and violence.

Smart Mouth Publishing LLC

Publication date

February 12, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

346 pages

Book 1 of 3

Riley Blackthorne Series

Review: Blood Jade (Phoenix Hoard #2)  by Julie Vee and Ken Bebelle

Rating: 4.75⭐️

I will admit to absolutely consuming this series. I am so engaged in the dragon magic universe and contemporary world that these authors have so fabulously created for their characters and fantasy story that I read right through the entire series. 

Blood Jade picks up after the events of Ebony Gate, where Emiko Soong finally accepts her duty as the Sentinel of the City of San Francisco. We all learn about a grander conspiracy and plot against her family and other clans from a mysterious figure known only as The General. 

As with the first book, the authors have multiple important storylines coinciding with the emotional Emiko’s development between herself and the City, what that entails, as well as Emiko’s character learning to engage with others around her in real relationships. From someone who has chosen a life of isolation to that of connection that spreads through a City to families and communities she’s been avoiding, Emiko has to undergo a major change of heart and mind.  The transition isn’t easy and accepting it completely isn’t something she can handle.

The journey towards her personal growth takes her back home to Tokyo, to face family and responsibilities she ran away from. And the story with all its new characters and complex storylines, weaves old memories and new paths together for an explosive story and several revelations.

Just a phenomenal journey and book. I can’t believe I had not heard of this before. 

Get all three books and binge read them together. 

Absolutely amazing. 

Highly recommended and thrilled to share. 

The Phoenix Hoard – 3 books completed 

#1 Ebony Gate

#2 Blood Jade

#3 Pearl City

Buy link

        Blood Jade (The Phoenix Hoard, 2)

    

Blurb 

The follow-up to Ebony Gate, the critically acclaimed debut of Vee and Bebelle’s Phoenix Hoard series.

IT TAKES A KILLER TO CATCH A KILLER

Emiko Soong, newly minted Sentinel of San Francisco, just can’t catch a break. Just after she becomes the guardian for a sentient city, a murder strikes close to home. Called by the city and one of the most powerful clans to investigate, she traces the killer whose scent signature bears a haunting similarity to her mother’s talent.

The trail will lead her back to Tokyo where the thread she pulls threatens to unravel her whole world and bring dark family secrets to light.

Meanwhile, the General rises in the East and Emiko must fight the hidden enemies of his growing army who are amped up on Blood Jade, while keeping her promises to her brother Tatsuya as he prepares for his tourney.

Her duties as Sentinel and her loyalties collide when she must choose between hiding her deepest shame or stopping the General’s relentless march.

The Phoenix Hoard

#1 Ebony Gate

#2 Blood Jade

#3 Pearl City

Tor Books

Publication date

June 17, 2025

Edition

Reprint

Language

‎English

Print length

464 pages

Book 2 of 3

The Phoenix Hoard

Review: The Second Death of Locke (The Hand and the Heart Book 1) by V.L.  Bovalino

Rating: 4⭐️

The Second Death of Locke by Tori Bovalino is a fantasy novel that I rated high for its imaginative portrayal of its characters, its use of magic and the world building. 

The relationship between the main characters, is well written and builds upon their history and current events as it happens. 

That said, did I really like this. After more thought, the answer is no. 

Bovalino constructs a magical system that requires a dominant/submissive network to operate. A mage is the dominant power, pulling the power focusing it outward towards a particular target. That power is pulled from a living “well” of magical energy, a person who is located at a young age and then trained and paired with a Master Mage to be their Hand. They hand over power, as it’s needed. And protect at all costs their Mage.  For centuries they were slaves. Recent changes have instituted laws stipulating they aren’t “bonded” for life anymore. 

Not that much in the story makes much of a distinction here. In the narrative or alternate chapters talking about the traditional mage training, their value and their referenced as property. A mention in one as a “favored dogs” is a cautionary step forward for some, treatment as an affectionate companion but equality is not on the table here. 

The power imbalance between mage and well is absolute although the actual relationship can also redefine it as it does here. But it’s seen as the only one. 

A lifetime magical binding between the two was eventually made illegal but only because it limited the use of the “well” to one mage. However , multiple military campaigns, many losses of wells in battle (drained beyond revival) changed that thinking. Due to the fact that more wells were needed in battle, the  military needed to be able to have multiple mages make use of “wells” even if they were assigned to other Masters. So no more binding made sense. Wells are still being thought of as “tools “ not people. 

So while the main relationship between the two people is one of childhood friends who have shared memories, their bond is that of mage and tool. One who uses the other and one who gives them their powers. One who stands in front in the position of power and one who stands behind, silent and unheard. 

No matter what happens to the couple, and there’s so much that does. Imaginative scenarios, moving dramatic battles, eventually love. 

The story will revolve around them, dancing around and on top of a huge embedded element of an entire group of people, magical “wells” , that no matter what country they are living in are trapped in a role that regards them as tools or property of their Masters and the Military.

And Grey Flynn has the power to change that. The author makes it clear, especially in the end, she does. However, even though a scene where a well’s Master has come to hear how she ended, it’s clear nothing has or will ever change. Because it’s not occurring to the characters that it should. 

Astonishing that a story about power, supposedly a strong woman warrior is founded upon a base of narrative oppression. No exploration of this mentality, just acceptance and onward. 

The story does come down to whether they can have any equality between them. The answer, in the end is no. 

Not for themselves. Not for anyone else either within the universe. 

So no I didn’t enjoy the book. It’s a finished storyline. The next one picks up a completely different character and couple. 

Well written but without the necessary depth of thoughtfulness I would expect with the topic. Not really for me. 

Map by Rebecka Champion (Lampblack Art) 

Cover design by Ella Garrett at L,BBG. Cover illustration by Anna Moshak

The Hand and The Heart:

The Second Death of Locke #1

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: The Hand and the Heart 

Blurb 

Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice.    

Grey Flynn has dedicated her life to her mages, Kier. She will be his blade on the battlefield, his healer and protector. The deep well of raw power inside her is Kier’s to wield. They are bound together by blood and magic, but there is one truth Grey dare not reveal … not even to Kier. 

When a quest to protect the child of an enemy kingdom pulls them into a dangerous mission, Grey will need to decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to protect her secret. For Grey is no ordinary magical well, and if she dies, all magic dies with her.

The Second Death of Locke is the first in a collection of interconnected standalones set in the same world.

“Gritty, romantic, and breathlessly fierce, The Second Death of Locke  will grip your heart and never let go.” ―Tasha Suri, author of The Jasmine Throne

Forever

Publication date

September 23, 2025

Accessibility

Learn more

Language

‎English

File size

11.3 MB

Screen Reader

Supported

Enhanced typesetting

Enabled

X-Ray

Not Enabled

Word Wise

Enabled

Print length

475 pages

ISBN-13

978-1538776582

Page Flip

Enabled

Book 1 of 2

The Hand and the Heart

Review:  The Lost Reliquary (Divine Thrall Book 1) by Lyndsay Ely

Rating: 4.75⭐️

The Lost Reliquary by Lyndsay Ely is just an astonishing piece of dark fantasy storytelling.  The author is a new discovery and this is a remarkable way to dive into her writings. 

It’s the first book in Ely’s Divine Thrall series, grounded in a universe where once there were many gods who warred among themselves.  In the aftermath of centuries of battle, a lone victor emerged, the goddess Tempestra-Innara, the Enduring Flame. 

Ely starts the story with a rebellion against the goddess in play. The perspective of the story is that of Lys, one of the divine warrior’s of Tempestra-Innara. Taken as a child to serve the last goddess, her dark childhood events are revealed as the story progresses, Lys has ulterior motives as she serves as potentiate of the Dawn Cloister, one of two divine guard forces for the goddess. 

After an assassination attempt against the goddess is foiled, the goddess sends Lys out to track down the heretics and the religious weapon that can be used against her. One that Lys hopes to obtain for herself. A plan complicated by the fact that another divine warrior is sent along with her with his own plans and agendas. 

Ely has created raw, powerful characters full of complex personalities, with dark damaged histories and the magical powers to go along with them, each suited to their unique needs. 

One , Lys, who looks at the goddess, and silently remembers her mother, their history, and the traumatic events she’s endured since becoming a divine warrior. The other? A man solid in his faith and his religious convictions, and those above him who are directing his actions, no matter what they are and who they affect. Both are credible in their own beliefs and roles. 

The journey they undertake, the lands and seas they cross, and peoples they meet. All have enormous influence on their destiny and outcome. And the relationship between them that starts to develop. 

It ends with a cliffhanger but one that I almost expected. It was logical that it would end up that way.  And now I really can’t wait for the next book to arrive so I can see what happens next.

Lyndsay Ely has created a fantastic universe for her Divine Thrall series. Complex world building with multiple countries and cultures, complete with different architectural styles and religions. And her characterizations are amazing, layered, powerful and realistically brought to life, compelling with dark trauma and painful memories that drive their storylines. 

More now please.  And highly recommended. 

Divine Thrall

The Lost Reliquary #1

The Divine Shadow #2 – Nov 10, 2026

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Lost Reliquary (Divine Thrall): Lyndsay Ely: 9781668148464

Blurb 

A divinely blessed warrior bound to the last living goddess plots deicide to win her freedom in this propulsive epic fantasy for fans of Godkiller and Gideon the Ninth.

The Devoted Lands was once home to many gods. Now, after centuries of brutal wars, only Tempestra-Innara, the Enduring Flame, remains.

As a divine warrior, Lys is outwardly loyal to her goddess. If she dreams of deicide, that’s her business. When a routine heretical execution erupts into a near-fatal assassination attempt on Tempestra-Innara, Lys sees a glimmer of hope for her freedom.

Lys is chosen to hunt down the heretics and find an ancient reliquary with the power to kill a god. Annoyingly, she’s not alone. Paired with Nolan, a warrior from a rival cloister who is as pious as he is determined, Lys must feign devotion if she hopes to keep her own god-killing ambitions within reach.

But as they pursue the heretics linked to the assassination, Lys uncovers a world with more possibility—and peril—than she ever anticipated.

Divine Thrall

The Lost Reliquary

The Divine Shadow – Nov 10, 2026

S&S/Saga Press

Publication date

October 21, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

464 pages

Book 1 of 2

Divine Thrall

Review: Ink Witch (Arcane Magic #1) by Brogan Thomas

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I’ll be honest. I picked up this book because of the Belgian Malinois on the cover. Yes, I’m that person. But what I discovered was a well written, marvelous fantasy story about a woman unfairly deprived of her magic and her dangerous journey to reclaim her identity and find a new life.

Ink Witch has so much to recommend it. It’s a complete story within a larger universe so we will have a terrific ending here for our characters. The world building is intriguing and the complicated plot of Ink Witch is both foundational and helps further the magical expansion of further stories. 

Thomas’ tale includes aspects of Hunger Games, a tribute to the Hunger Games with a game that includes chosen children of families of each district who enter into it at a certain age ,for glory and prestige, for their families. It’s ruthless and brutal with the survival left for the winner while the entire world is watching. 

And Elenora “Elmo” Morris failed that day in her run and was cast out by her parents for it. The truth of behind her failure left to the end of the story. 

Now 48, her magic drained away, Elmo and her Belgian Malinois, Mina, have become bounty hunters, killing those who have illegally used magic, including children. There’s a wonderful twist coming there. 

Thomas does an excellent job in creating in the Ink District a dark,poor subsistence society, existing on the edges of the political system, where the people are scrabbling to exist in any way possible. Slums, minimal food sourced from problematic places, and an over-site government, The Immortal Zone above that rules everything. 

It’s an enthralling tale that gets a chilling charge of energy when Mina is stolen and Elmo has to rescue her. And the entire storyline becomes immensely more complex. 

I enjoyed the slow burn romance, no spice. Cael’s development, especially towards the end, isn’t as well executed as everything that comes before. 

But I found Elmo, her sister, their relationship, Mina and their bond, incredibly engaging. And I was absolutely invested in their story. Loved it.

And I can’t wait to read the next standalone in this series, Bone Witch. 

Cover design by Melony Paradise of Paradise Cover Design

Arcane Magic 

Ink Witch #1

Bone Witch #2 – February 25, 2027

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: Arcane Magic 

Blurb 

Branded a failure. Buried in shame. Then they steal her dog.

Once, Elenora “Elmo” Morris was the pride of Ink District. Chosen as Champion for the Immortality Trials, she carried a city’s hopes on her shoulders — until it all went wrong and she crawled home in disgrace.

Now Elmo works as a bounty hunter in a city ruled by immortals. Her only friend is Mina, her beloved dog. When enforcers snatch Mina and drag her to the immortal commander’s compound, Elmo has only hours before her dog disappears for good.

Breaking in should be a death sentence. Instead, ink power flares back to life, and Elmo discovers the Trials weren’t just rigged — they were a lie.

To save her dog and face the family who cast her out, this ink witch must stop running from the past and become the spark that burns the lies down.

Ink Witch is the spellbinding first standalone in the Arcane Magic urban fantasy series. If you love fierce middle-aged heroines, slow-burn romance, loyal dogs, and magic-soaked suspense, you’ll adore this magical rollercoaster ride.

Buy Ink Witch today and witness a disgraced witch rewrite the rules.

Brogan Thomas Books

Publication date

August 27, 2026

Accessibility

Learn more

Language

‎English

File size

5.4 MB

Screen Reader

Supported

Enhanced typesetting

Enabled

X-Ray

Not Enabled

Word Wise

Enabled

Print length

368 pages

Page Flip

Enabled

Book 1 of 2

Arcane Magic

Review: Nobody Told Me Dragons use Libraries by Lindsey Devin

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I really enjoyed Nobody Told Me Dragons use Libraries by Lindsey Devin, the name a team of writers co author under. 

This makes for an inconsistency in the writing by books I find listed under this name, however this story is worth reading.

It’s well paced, the characters are engaging and the dialogue is very cleverly executed. This is what i hope to get when I reach out for more of their content. 

Librarian Artemis and Dragon Arthur are both very endearing and relatable characters. Each one has their own individual struggles with their respective parents, Artemis with her toxic relationship with her parents and Arthur with his memories of his father and his role as the head of the clan. How the authors are able to genuinely understand and express their love and respect for each other and their knowledge of literature is one of my favorite things about the book.

The relationship between Arthur and Artemis is believable and builds upon true feelings and a great dynamic between intelligent people who respect each other.

This is a low heat romance that waits until the end for any kind of romantic love. 

There’s wonderfully endearing side characters that I could have enjoyed watching more of. 

This was just lacking a bit of world building but overall it is a great paranormal romance and adventure story. Intelligent, engaging and very well written. 

Highly recommended. 

Buy link

amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › books › shop-nowNobody Told Me Dragons – Best Sellers & New Releases

Blurb 

Nobody told her dragons use libraries.

Or that one of them would ruin her filing system and her entire life plan.

She’s the head librarian who alphabetizes her trauma.

He’s the dragon alpha who crash-landed into her carefully ordered world ten minutes before closing.

Neither expected a thunderstorm, an ancient mystery, or feelings too big to fit on an index card.

✨ Perfect for readers who love: cozy chaos, grumpy/sunshine energy, nerd x nerd fated mates, and dragons who say “please” when they destroy your cataloguing system ✨ and for all the AuDHD readers, pattern-brained people, and anyone who organises their feelings into a spreadsheet.

Special Fiction Books

Publication date

April 29, 2026

Accessibility

Learn more

Language

‎English

File size

2.8 MB

Screen Reader

Supported

Enhanced typesetting

Enabled

X-Ray

Not Enabled

Word Wise

Enabled

Print length

430 pages

Review:  Morel Dilemma (Tales from the Dragon Diner Book 3) by Lindsey Buroker

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Things are getting complicated in the small town of Tranquility. The Dragon Diner is extremely busy, trying to expand with its roof elf designed garden dining area and new magic mushroom recipes. 

But first, the Elf Queen is coming to town, Rylana’s best friend, the elven assassin Sylin is being hunted down by elves, Rylana and dragon chef Jildarin have just been informed that they are going to be evicted from the place where the diner is by their landlord and magical mushrooms need to be found. 

All in a day’s work for this group.

It’s a story full of tangled feelings, a few mysteries (mostly about family), mushrooms and things that glow, and a slow burn romance that might finally get a tiny bit more heat. But not much. 

And it’s a cozy fantasy so everyone knows that it works out well. 

Adorable and still very interesting. Love the characters. 

Tales from the Dragon Diner (5 book series to date)

Calculated Whisk #1

Knead for Speed #2 

Morel Dilemma #3

Ale Storm #4 – Oct 14,2026

Buy link

        Morel Dilemma (Tales from the Dragon Diner Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Retired mercenary Rylana and the dragon chef Jildarin are on the hunt for enchanted morels in the hope of enticing the visiting elf queen to their diner. But more than a desire for mushrooms has brought the queen to the city of Tranquility.

For some reason, she has her people searching for Rylana’s best friend, the elven assassin Sylin.

Even as Rylana worries about her comrade, a new problem thrusts its way into her path. Despite the Dragon Diner’s newfound success, their landlord has decided to evict them. After all that Rylana and Jildarin have built together, will they be forced to close the business?

Review: The Spellshop (Spellshop #1) by Sarah Beth Durst

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I found this writer through a  marvelous fantasy short story and shortly thereafter this incredible fantasy series. 

Starting with the richly crafted universe of librarians fleeing a newly fallen Empire and the mythical creatures that either accompany them or welcome them into their new lives, The Spellshop begins our adventures with a revolution and librarian Kiela, her companion, the sentient spider plant Cas, and as many magical books as she can carry, fleeing the Capital. 

For a cozy fantasy adventure, I love that the author has given us a main character who’s personality isn’t automatically endearing. Kiela has spent the last years of her life withdrawing into her job, her cubicle and all the books she’s in charge of in her sector, Cas being her only companion and daily interaction. 

Then, in a horrifying moment, they have to flee for their lives. 

I’ve often wondered what it must have been like for the great libraries of Alexandria to have burned and my heart hurts. It’s no less painful to feel what Kiela and Cas go through here. 

Durst’s emotionally rendered scenes and vivid moments are so well done that I could visualize them myself. 

Once Kiela decides that she and Cas will be safe on the faraway island that was once home, the character development grows stronger as she learns to deal and become part of the otherworldly community she originally came from. 

It’s found family, magical creatures, slow burn romance and just a fantastic story about friendships, finding home and family if you let yourself. 

I love the characters and story. The universe is one I’m thrilled to share and happily ready to continue with the next novel.  It has to do with Cas, so it’s important that this book be read first. 

Highly recommended. 

And that beautiful cover. So incredibly well designed. 

Richly gorgeous cover by artist Lulu Chen and designer Esther Kim 

The Spellshop series

The Spellshop

The Enchanted Greenhouse

Sea of Charms

The Magical Cheese Emporium

Buy link

 Book 1 of 4: The Spellshop 

Blurb 

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY AND INDIE BESTSELLER!

A #1 LibraryReads pick!

An Indie Next pick!

The Spellshop is the romantasy debut by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah Beth Durst–a lush cottagecore tale full of stolen spellbooks, unexpected friendships, sweet jams, and even sweeter love. 

Join Kiela the librarian and her assistant, Caz the sentient spider plant, as they navigate the low stakes market of illegal spellmaking and the high risk business of starting over.

“Sarah Beth Durst is the hidden gem of the fantasy world.” —Book Riot

Kiela has always had trouble dealing with people. Thankfully, as librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, she hasn’t had to.

She and her assistant, Caz, a magically sentient spider plant, have spent the last eleven years sequestered among the empire’s most precious spellbooks, preserving their magic for the city’s elite. But when a revolution begins and the library goes up in flames, she and Caz save as many books as they can carry and flee to a faraway island Kiela was sure she’d never return to: her childhood home. Kiela hopes to lay low in the overgrown and rundown cottage her late parents left her and figure out a way to survive without drawing the attention of either the empire or the revolutionaries. Much to her dismay, in addition to a nosy—and very handsome—neighbor, she finds the town neglected and in a state of disrepair.

The empire, for all its magic and power, has been neglecting for years the people who depend on magical intervention to maintain healthy livestock and crops. Not only that, but the very magic that should be helping them has been creating destructive storms that have taken a toll on the island. Due to her past role at the library, Kiela feels partially responsible for this, and now she’s determined to find a way to make things right: by opening the island’s first-ever secret spellshop. 

Her plan comes with risks—the consequence of sharing magic with commoners is death. And as Kiela comes to make a place for herself among the kind and quirky townspeople of her former home, she realizes that in order to make a life for herself, she must learn to break down the walls she has built up so high.

Like a Hallmark rom-com full of mythical creatures and fueled by cinnamon rolls and magic, Sarah Beth Durst’s The Spellshop will heal your heart and feed your soul.

Expect:

Standalone romance

Grumpy x sunshine

Magical creatures

Small town cozy

Bramble books by Sarah Beth Durst

The Spellshop series

The Spellshop

The Enchanted Greenhouse

Sea of Charms

Review: A Novel Death (Witches of Willow Cove Book 1) by Sara Bourgeois 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I love Sara Bourgeois’s many different paranormal murder mystery series, whether it’s situated in the Arizona desert mountains or in a small NW Pacific coastal town.  Whether a woman has inherited a ghost filled desert ranch or a seaside bookstore or witchy herb shop that’s accompanied by a cat familiar, whatever the location or inheritance, the characters and community are intriguing, plot and character development well written, and the series one that expands into a ever deeper layered narrative and leads to wonderful relationships and even more mysteries. 

This is our introduction to Rowan Page, her inherited bookstore, Quill & Tide, the familiar, cat Moss, and the very interesting seaside town of Willow Cove, where things are brewing. Murder and plenty of mystery to go around with the charm and quirky community.

Her aunt’s presence is still there, and magic is winding its way into Rowan’s life. 

Bourgeois has, through her other series, kept her characters layered, even the murder mysteries, from victims to villains, have dimensions that have a reader feeling about them from multiple perspectives. There’s a sense of realness in their behaviors that makes us able to understand them, if not condone their actions. 

Even for a urban fantasy or paranormal murder mystery novel, having the author write characters that a reader would find engaging and relatable, even while we laugh at the “nosiness” make this a series I can’t wait to continue. 

Plus I want to visit any bookstore with the name Quill & Tide. I’m sold. 

Another winner I’m happy to share. 

Witches of Willow Cove (2 book series) 

A Novel Death #1

Tides of Betrayal #2

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: Witches of Willow Cove 

Blurb 

Rowan Page has a plan.

It is not a good plan, but it is technically a plan. She’ll come to Willow Cove, sort out the seaside bookshop her late aunt left behind, sell the property before the money runs out, and move on with her life.

Quill & Tide has other ideas.

The shelves are beautiful but impossible to navigate. The bathroom mirror keeps leaving messages in her dead aunt’s handwriting. And Moss, the sea-glass gray cat who came with the building, keeps glowing every time someone lies.

Rowan would love to pretend all of that is normal.

Unfortunately, denial gets harder when a bestselling thriller author drops dead at the town’s Masques & Manuscripts festival, right in front of half the waterfront.

The police have a suspect. The town has gossip. Moss has strong feelings about everyone involved, most of them unflattering. And Rowan has questions she really should stop asking, especially once they lead to a stolen grimoire and secrets Aunt Oona apparently took to the grave.

Willow Cove is charming, magical, and very bad at minding its own business.

Rowan was supposed to sell the bookshop and leave.

Instead, she may have inherited a murder mystery and one extremely judgmental cat.

Publication date

June 15, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

213 pages

Book 1 of 2

Witches of Willow Cove

Review: Twice Bitten (Fangs and Fur Book 1) by S.E. Babin

Rating : 4⭐️

I’m a fan of this author so I immediately picked up Twice Bitten, the beginning of S.E. Babin’s Fangs and Fur series. A paranormal tale about a hedge witch who gets mixed up with the politics of the vampire/werewolf conference by way of a traumatic encounter is off to a good start here. 

Babin is excellent at establishing a complex plot that will keep expanding into ever greater detail and often wilder realms and storylines. I can definitely see this happening with Fangs and Fur and the main group of characters Babin is starting out with.

Hint. Thankfully, this author can take the main female character on quite the twisted path with regard to her final romantic partner, so just know it might not be one of the top two atm.

First there’s Alex, a hedge witch working as a barista with a black market apothecary business on the side. She’s an orphan with a “missing” mother and a father of unknown origin. 

Alex becomes the object of an obsessive vampire, Beckett, and ends up in the middle of a mysterious species turf battle between vampire and wolf shifter. That brings in the next major characters and conflicts.

Alric, the Vampire Prime and Silas is the Wolf King, both working on an inter species conference. Until a traumatic event with Alex upsets everything.

I’m not a fan of Alric. He’s got major non consent issues, and frankly red flags plastered around him everywhere. And smacks heavily of another MMC in another series I despised. 

Silas is running a close second. 

Like Leo the chauffeur/bodyguard for Alric. He’s got great potential going forward. 

And Babin, if she’s going to be as consistent as she has in her previous series, will make this an elaborate and exciting journey for Alex, magically and romantically. 

So I’m not going to assume who it might be from the characters at the first story. 

 Very entertaining and a great start to this series. 

Fangs and Fur:

Twice Bitten #1

Bite Club #2 – Jan 11,2027

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 2: Fangs and Fur 

Blurb 

I was bitten by a vampire AND a werewolf. Now everyone wants a piece of me.

I never wanted to be a powerful witch. I’m happiest pulling espresso shots at the Three Beans café and keeping my magic secret.

But trouble is brewing…

When a turf war between vampires and shifters erupts outside the café, I get caught between the irresistibly charming Vampire Prime and the ruggedly handsome Shifter King. As these two apex predators blindly tear into each other, I am bitten, clawed, and left for dead.

My magic flares just in time to save my life, but there are… side effects. Suddenly, I find myself staring at customers’ necks. And feeling suspiciously twitchy before the full moon.

It’s impossible but… am I transforming into a vampire and a werewolf?

The Vampire Prime finds me immediately. Captivated by my scent, he tempts me with danger and luxury. The Shifter King is equally obsessed, and determined to claim me for his pack.

I am caught between them once more—but this time it’s me that they’re fighting over. And since my new blood brings strange new powers, it won’t be long before I’m the most wanted prey in town…

Second Sky

Publication date

August 10, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

326 pages

Book 1 of 2

Fangs and Fur