Category: Fantasy mystery thriller. Fantasy romance mystery

Review: Magical Midlife Meeting (Leveling Up #5) by K. F. Breene

Rating: 4.5⭐️

The deeper into this series I dive, the deeper the characters manage to get into my head and affections. It makes me appreciate the writing and craftsmanship of K. F. Breene that much more. 

This is one of those series where the revelations continue to get bigger and more intense, interesting in their elements and complexity. The reveals not just about the expected characters but those we had previously known. And plotting that takes us to new areas.

This story showcases how to manage a complex duo of characters, with a dubious beginning, and absolutely make the reader think about what drives them, their past lives and motivations. 

And how they might fill new roles going forward with our developing found family of paranormal characters, with Jessie and Austin at the helm. 

Of course, both of them are still very new in their own mate relationships and powers. That’s presenting its own challenges.

It’s a a fabulous tale and left me running quickly to the next. I love this series. 

Highly recommended! 

Leveling Up (13 book series):

Magical Midlife Madness #1

Magical Midlife Dating #2

Magical Midlife Invasion #3

Magical Midlife Love #4

Magical Midlife Meeting #5

Magical Midlife Challenge #6

Magical Midlife Alliance #7

Magical Midlife Flowers #8

Magical Midlife Battle #9

Magical Midlife Awakening #10

Magical Midlife Rescue #11

Magical Midlife Rogue #12

Magical Midlife Conclave #13 – Nov 12,2026

Buy link

        Magical Midlife Meeting: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel (Leveling Up Book 5)

    

Blurb 

It’s time for a magical battle Jessie isn’t sure she’s prepared for.

Elliot Graves has been a thorn in Jessie’s side since before she agreed to take the house magic. He has constantly brought the fight to her doorstep.

Not this time.

With the help of Austin’s shifters, the Ivy house crew will meet Elliot Graves in one of the most dangerous places imaginable – his home turf.

But not before another creature joins the circle.

April 27, 2021

Language

‎English

Print length

362 pages

Book 5 of 13

Leveling Up

Review: Magical Midlife Love (Leveling Up #4) by K. F. Breene

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I’m so enjoying this series and growing group of paranormal characters. And each story just keeps getting better and better, the characters evolving their roles into a deeper dynamic and the storyline developing into something richer and more complex.

Magical Midlife Love was fantastic because of its many great elements. Jessie and Austin, who have been dancing around each other, finally get their relationship. It’s two complicated people with tough personal relationships in their pasts and who are in the middle of negotiating tricky current situations who finally realize they can make it through as loving equals . 

Then we get Austin’s brother and a further understanding of Austin’s past that drove him to where he is emotionally and physically. This is also a huge part of the series arc going forward. 

Plus Jessie made a magical request for a mage to help her with her magic. And that request was answered. And leads to an incredible shocking climax in the story.

Just amazing! 

Love, love the author’s plotting and characterizations here. Fabulous work that keeps me engaged throughout the story but scrambling for the next book!

A absolute winner!

Leveling Up (13 book series):

Magical Midlife Madness #1

Magical Midlife Dating #2

Magical Midlife Invasion #3

Magical Midlife Love #4

Magical Midlife Meeting #5

Magical Midlife Challenge #6

Magical Midlife Alliance #7

Magical Midlife Flowers #8

Magical Midlife Battle #9

Magical Midlife Awakening #10

Magical Midlife Rescue #11

Magical Midlife Rogue #12

Magical Midlife Conclave #13 – Nov 12,2026

Buy link

        Magical Midlife Love: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel (Leveling Up Book 4)

    

Blurb 

The fourth book in the Wall Street Journal bestselling Leveling Up series. 

The Ivy House team is shaping up, but there are still holes to be filled, and a magical summons outstanding. Jessie needs a teacher. Someone who can fit in with the whacky Ivy House crew.

And that was going just fine…until she gets a request to host a powerful, neighboring mage. A teacher isn’t going to be enough.

She needs more power in her crew. She needs some might. This time, Austin Steele might not be able to dominate what she calls in, creatures no shifter has ever dominated before.

But that isn’t all Austin has to worry about.

After a skirmish in the bar, suddenly his whole world is turned upside down. He can no longer ignore the feelings that have been growing for Jess. He also can’t ignore the town’s complete lack of readiness for the neighboring mage’s visit.

He must call in his brother to help lock down the town. And when his brother arrives, he must finally hash out the past that has split them apart so that he can claim his future.

 

Review:  Final Shift (Shifter Lords Book 9) by S. E. Babin

Rating: 5⭐️

Incredible. Just a stunningly fabulous way to end Evie’s storyline!  With a heartbreaking twist and then fantastic finish for her and family. 

Sort of. 

Babin has 11 books planned for the series but it looks as though the final 2 novels will be about Moira, the fae/ vampire and her journey through her new powers and to her own HEA. 

This finishes up Evie’s journey. And I’ll say I wasn’t expecting how the author would bring this journey to the conclusion. Brilliant and heart stopping.

It’s always been about Evie using her powers.  And here she absolutely does in a way that’s shocking!

This is a final battle between Queen Evie and King Rowan, the Lords, those who, including Caelan who has made peace with Evie, and a group of Fae who believe that they are entitled to the land and rights to all . And have been using poison and other means to obtain it.

It’s ferocious, terrifying, there’s losses, and the ultimate battle is one I wasn’t prepared for. 

The end of the story, includes the ramifications of this war. Some people are still “missing “ from the story, alive but not heard from. The trauma of that final scene still lingers. 

I’ll be interested in seeing how this series plays forward. Moira is seriously changed and the next section is hers.

Again, amazing writing and excellent storytelling. This was edge of my seat, white knuckle scenario stuff and I loved every minute of it.

I loved Evie’s journey and I’ll be so sad when the series eventually ends . But this one was an incredible ride! Highly recommended.

Cover design by Covers by Christian

Shifter Lords (11 book series):

Shift of Heart #1

Shift of Morals #2

Power Shift #3

Shifting Winds #4

Shifting Resolve #5

Shift of Rule #6

Shift of the Wild #7 

Goddess Shifting #8

Final Shift #9 – finale to Evie’s story 

Shift Happens #10 – 8/26

Shifting Allegiance #11 – Oct 6,2026

Buy link 

 Book 9 of 11: Shifter Lords 

Blurb 

Caelan, the Shifter Lord of Texas, is living on borrowed time. 

As the fae seek to spread their influence, Caelan’s land and his people are suffering. Stubbornly refusing to accept Evie’s help, Caelan doubles down to continue fighting a battle he cannot hope to win.

As the other Lords unite, Evie is torn between her duty to her people and doing what is right. But Evie is a child born of gods, raised by humans, and changed by fate. If there is ever a hope to unite everyone, she will have to stand up and command it.

This time, the entire world’s fate hangs in the balance, and Evie can no longer deny who she is.

As she rises to power for one final, cataclysmic battle, one of her found family will rise with her and become either a threat no one saw coming or the hope that will unite them all.

Evie’s journey of heartache and hope finally comes to an end. But the question remains, will she go out with a world-rattling roar or will she succumb to the force that threatens them all?

Review:  Calculated Whisk (Tales from the Dragon Diner #1) by Lindsay Buroker

Rating:  4 ⭐️

It was the description the got me. 

Rylana is a mercenary who, along with her elf warrior friend, a complicated being herself, returns home after the long war is over. She’s done, retired and looking for a new career as a bookkeeper. 

The only place hiring? The Dragon Diner. Owned and run by, Jildarin, the same dragon she successfully attacked during the war. But he needs her skills to get him out of debt and organized and she needs the money and job. 

And he wants to win the Golden Whisk cooking contest to show that dragons can do more than just be good at terrifying and at war. 

It’s a fun, entertaining read and recipe for a story about enemies to friends. There’s a mystery left unsolved and Rylana is left with a new start, partner and just getting reacquainted with her formidable father.  It’s a story about beginnings and new friends and community.

There’s also a fair amount of talk about sexual activity as some of the recipes have an unintentional impact on certain species with their ingredients. 

The relationship between Rylana and Jildarin, the dragon chef, develops gradually, which is a very natural process between former enemies. I thought that was terrific here. 

The other intriguing character is her elf mercenary who accompanied her home. The reader and Rylana is never quite sure what she’s doing or how she is working there in the town. I’d love to see more of her. 

This is an entertaining story and a definite winner. 

Tales from the Dragon Diner (2 book series)

Calculated Whisk #1

Knead for Speed #2 – June 30,2026

Buy link 

Calculated Whisk (Tales from the Dragon Diner #1) by Lindsay Buroker

Blurb 

The Dragon Diner: Bookkeeper Wanted.

After a lifetime as a mercenary and years of war, Rylana seeks a peaceful new career, and this job looks perfect. What could be calmer and more relaxing than crunching numbers while delightful scents waft from a professional kitchen? 

There’s just one problem. The Dragon Diner is run by a realdragon, one she shot with an arrow during the war. And, oh yes, he remembers her. 

This might not be the relaxing new start to life that Rylana envisioned. 

~

The Tales from the Dragon Diner are perfect for those seeking light-hearted, low-stakes fantasy with quirky heroes. Each story stands alone. Pick up the first today!

Lindsay Buroker

Publication date

May 19, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

298 pages

Book 1 of 2

Tales from the Dragon Diner

Review:  Magical Midlife Invasion: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel (Leveling Up Book 3) by K. F. Breene

Rating: 4.5⭐️

This was absolutely hilarious. Magical Midlife Invasion, the third book in the Leveling Up series by K. F. Breene was excellent and exactly what I needed in terms of laughter, urban fantasy hijinks, and a evolving storyline that’s able to carry a multitude of plot lines, some hilarious, some suspenseful, and a few romantic, weaving them all into a rich cohesive narrative. 

The invasion? Jessie’s parents fleeing broken water pipes and a repair job, deciding now is the time to descend on their daughter with coolers of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and crab dip for a week long stay. 

Jessie, Austin, Mr. Tom, Niamh, Edgar, and Ulric have such distinct personalities and voices and when you add Jessie’s clueless and well-meaning parents into the mix, it’s absolute chaos, fabulous and richly layered with family values and magical energy. 

And let’s not forget about that magical, sentient Ivy House who turns prankster! 

Breene, however, doesn’t let the hilarity and chaos overshadow the seriousness of the series storylines and the fact that there’s a dark side here and a believable villain haunting Jessie’s life and Ivy House. That’s a great aspect of the story as well. 

Love this story and Jessie!

A fantastic story, great characters, and a journey I’m happy to follow. 

A winner!

Leveling Up (13 book series):

Magical Midlife Madness #1

Magical Midlife Dating #2

Magical Midlife Invasion #3

Magical Midlife Love #4

Magical Midlife Meeting #5

Magical Midlife Challenge #6

Magical Midlife Alliance #7

Magical Midlife Flowers #8

Magical Midlife Battle #9

Magical Midlife Awakening #10

Magical Midlife Rescue #11

Magical Midlife Rogue #12

Magical Midlife Conclave #13 – Nov 12,2026

Buy link

        Magical Midlife Invasion: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel (Leveling Up Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Jessie is well on her way to learning her new life and settling in.

The tough alpha, Austin, has joined her team, and she has painstakingly learned to fly. At the moment, life couldn’t get any better. But it can get a whole lot…more irritating.

Her parents have decided to visit. They don’t know anything about magic, about Jessie’s new digs, or about the crazy crew living in and around Jessie’s house. She must do everything in her power to keep the truth away from them. Which would be much easier without the unfelt presence lurking within Ivy House’s borders.

It seems an enemy has figured out a way to magically bypass Ivy House’s defenses. Jessie is completely exposed.

The real battle, however, won’t be with the incoming force. It will be between Mr. Tom and Jessie’s mom, each intent on being the most helpful. Mr. Tom might have met his match, and he is not pleased.

Just when things were finally settling down, Jessie is in the thick of it again, and this time, the turmoil is all around her.

Review: Dead Witch Walking:(The Hollows Book 1) by Kim Harrison 

Rating:4⭐️

Author Kim Harrison started writing this series in 2009 beginning with this book, Dead Witch Walking which introduces the reader to the dark, messy life of Rachel Morgan and her companions, a vampire and pixie with his amazing family. 

And there’s a six year break in the series, then the author “brings” the character back after saving the world in the first part of the series. From book 14 on, new city and arc. FYI. The series isn’t complete. 

It’s a interesting concept about a virus (and tomatoes) that eliminates much of the world’s human population leaving behind the paranormal species to come out of hiding to run things.  The remaining humans when they recover, naturally, ban anything that smacks of scientific research and pharmaceutical technology. You have a disease? Not going to get any medicine other than aspirin for it. 

Law enforcement has been restructured accordingly as well to deal with the various crimes and villains that have arisen based on their specific races , human and nonhuman. 

That’s where Rachel and her companions come in, they work together in a paranormal agency as runners (bounty hunters) assigned otherworldly cases to bring in. The vampire species here has a different nature and it’s very unusual. It impacts her relationship with her roommate and co-worker, Ivy a living vampire. Ivy’s a fantastic character, rich in strength of personality and darkness. Both scary and vulnerable, I adore her. Then there’s Jenks, the pixie who loves his wife (a very capable and awesome female) and his many children. He’s not been treated well by others given his species so I enjoyed his developing relationship with Rachel here. 

That leaves Rachel, the overly emotional person who has huge impulse control issues and a tendency to never research anything before actually doing something. Basically she’s a grown woman who constantly acts like a toddler, putting herself and others through tons of violence events and totally preventable issues had she either communicated with them or given her sketchy behavior just a bit of thought. 

That gets exhausting and very old after a while. Then Rachel starts falling into the TSTL category. 

And there’s Trent the boss of a strange company who has committed multiple crimes and murders, put her in cages, subjected her to all sorts of abuse, but he’s so good looking. Sigh. 

We can see where the author is headed here. SMH. 

It’s interesting and I adore several of the side characters. But I’m not sure that the main character is enough to make me commit to even that second novel. A TSTL character is always a DNF aspect of a book for me. 

Perhaps I’ll circle back to this series later on when I’ve completed some of the other ones I’m working through at the moment.

Let me know what you think if you have read the series. 

The Hollows (19 book series):

Dead Witch Walking #1

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 19: The Hollows 

Blurb 

The first book in #1 New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison’s Hollows series!

All the creatures of the night gather in “the Hollows” of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party . . . and to feed.

Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining—and it’s Rachel Morgan’s job to keep that world civilized.

A bounty hunter and a witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she’ll bring ’em back alive, dead . . . or undead.

Publisher

Harper Voyager

Publication date

October 13, 2009

Language

‎English

Print length

366 pages

Book 1 of 19

The Hollows

Review: Night Owl Bridge (A Story in the World of the Sea Wicche #2) by Seanna Kelly 

Rating:  4⭐️

Another urban fantasy short story that fits in the Sea Wicche universe, it’s a sequel to Night Owl Books, a introduction to Orla, a Eurasian Eagle Owl shifter who owns Night Owl Books, a late night bookstore she runs out of her house on the outskirts of Monterey. 

Less bookstore, more Orla’s personal enormous library where she occasionally sells a book or two, but mostly reads according to her owl’s nature, from 6 pm to 8 am every night. 

A mystery and a woman in need of help intruded into her territory and brought a shifter sheriff and his group of paranormal investigators to her bookstore.  

Now another mystery and missing dog brings the sheriff and the paranormal investigation team back into Orla’s life. The missing dog belongs to an elderly longtime customer she’s grown fond of and the hunt leads her to a greater sense of danger.

This is another very short story but beautifully written and each scene and character is so well defined and crafted.

I haven’t had any time yet to seek out the Sea Wicche series this miniseries fits into but it’s absolutely on my radar and TBR list. 

A definite winner. 

Love the covers. 

Interconnected series:

Beginning with:

Sea Wicche (5 book series)

A Story in the World of the Sea Wicche (2 book series)

Night Owl Books #1

Night Owl Bridge #2

Buy link

        Night Owl Bridge (A Story in the World of the Sea Wicche Book 2)

    

Blurb 

Owl shifter Orla’s quiet life of reading is once again disturbed. This time, Nick—bear-shifter, cop, and possible boyfriend—asks her to help him investigate an odd disappearance at a local bridge. Orla can’t see anything amiss, but she definitely feels something off. The bones she spies under the bridge lead her to believe they’re dealing with a bigger problem than Nick suspects. Orla must once again put down her book and help save her little corner of the world.

NYLA

Publication date

February 27, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

61 pages

Book 2 of 2

A Story in the World of the Sea Wicche

Review: Dire Threat (The Austin Wolves #1) by C. P. Rider 

Rating: 4⭐️

Dire Threat, the first story in The Austin Wolves series by C. P. Rider, is set in the same universe as Rider’s Sundance series, which came out first. So much of the characters and events mentioned here are from major happenings and storylines that occurred during those stories. 

The threats that come to Texas are those carrying over from the Sundance series and the horrors of certain characters situations. Crossover characters, like the Alpha Juan Martinez, who was first introduced in the second Sundance novel, when he came visiting his friend the Alpha in Arizona. 

The real threats (government and otherwise) to the paranormal community, layered across shifter territories, and brought various members together. And continues to do so with the second series. 

Siren Emmaline Spirett is still traumatized by her past, her captivity and time under a deadly paranormal organization that has left permanent damage to her and her wolf shifter brother. 

This novella sets up a new location and continues the story for survivors of the past ordeal and deadly agency, and how the tragedy affects them and their relationships.

It’s a crossover story and series but it’s not entirely necessary to have read the Sundance series, although it helps.

I enjoyed Emmeline but find that Alpha Juan Martinez is too stalker for me to connect with. I far prefer the mage to the shifter, complicated to pound the chest if you were. 

The story has terrific elements and lots of narrative energy to keep the reader engaged with the characters and the plot. 

Recommended. 

Cover design by Danielle Fine, By Definition

The Austin Wolves Series (4 book series)

Dire Threat #1

Dire Warning #2

Dire Straits #3

Dire End #4 

Buy link

 Book 1 of 4: The Austin Wolves Series 

Blurb 

An Urban Fantasy Romance NOVELLA

Siren Emmaline Spirett thought she’d escaped her violent past when she rescued her wolf-shifter brother and fled a deadly paranormal organization. But when her past not only resurfaces but snatches her off the street and holds her against her will, she realizes it might not be so far behind her after all.

Wolf shifter Juan Martinez is the alpha leader of Texas’s largest and oldest pack. Intelligent, protective, and controlling, he’s faced down more than one murderous paranormal group. But, while he’s not the sort to go looking for trouble, he never backs down when it comes looking for him—or his people.

Emmaline’s brother Noah is one of his people. However, Emmaline is not. She has no intention of remaining in Austin and even less intention of joining his pack.
So why is he moving heaven and earth to find her?

If you enjoy urban fantasy with slow-burn romance, fast-paced action, and impertinent magicals, consider picking up a copy of DIRE THREAT, Book 1 of The Austin Wolves Series.

Please note: This is a long NOVELLA. Book 2 will be a full-length novel.

VC Group, LLC

Publication date

December 1, 2022

Language

‎English

Print length

136 pages

Book 1 of 4

The Austin Wolves Series

Review:  Bargain With Fate (Blind Fury Book 2) by Annabel Chase 

Rating: 2.5⭐️

Blind Fury series has so many interesting aspects to it. A upscale hidden retirement island for paranormal beings, many of them ancient, off the coast of Georgia. 

The retirees, a fabulous, entertaining and mythically rich group of beings keep themselves busy with nude pickle ball, gossip and a wealth of activities that often include murder and mystery. 

They are, even as supporting characters, the very best thing about this series. 

Unfortunately, it’s the main character (and her MMC) and the author’s treatment of a potential relationship that just doesn’t work for me. 

Bargain With Fate is book 2 and the main character of Maya August hasn’t shown much in the way of growth or progress in her development since her boss died and left her in charge of Security for the Island and its inhabitants. It’s a responsibility she avoided as much as possible when she was hired as his assistant. And now she’s Acting Director of Security, she’s not changing anything in regard to her role or actions.  Unless absolutely necessary or pushed by her boss, she avoids any sort of accountability. 

She’s whiny, borderline rude, and honestly, taking advantage of her job. Given her constant internal refrain/insistence on her being in isolation for her “unknown dangerous past” and that only the island is safe for her. Not being an adult about her role and job (she complains about her hours, being needed etc by her elderly residents) in return for safe haven? Makes her singularly unlikable.  Don’t get me started on the cat. 

Then there’s the potential romantic relationship with a paranormal boss who doesn’t seem to take no for an answer. She repeatedly tells Vale, a Demi god and supernatural boss of the area, that she’s not going to have a relationship with him, and that she’s got extremely good reasons not to reveal her past to him. Discussion after discussion. 

He agrees, then he starts pressing her for more information and yes, a date. Against everything they had just discussed. Because obviously no means yes. To him and his men, one an elf she’s fond of, who talk to her about why she’s rejecting such a great guy. 

All of this is supposed to be straightforward storytelling, no manipulation, which is even more toxic. Because she starts to waver even though she doesn’t want to. She continues to say no . 

And so, even with a neat plot and interesting cliffhanger, I’m saying no to that relationship and main character. And this type of toxicity. 

Cover design by Trif

Blind Fury:

Bound by Fate #1

Bargain with Fate #2

Cursed with Fate #3 – Dec 21,2026

Review: Night Owl Books (A Story in the World of the Sea Wicche #1) by Seanna Kelly 

Rating:  4⭐️

Both books in this mini series are excellent introductions to the author and Sea Wicche universe, which the majority of the characters are a part of. 

At 89 pages, Kelly quickly lays out her intriguing main female character of Orla, an extremely rare Eurasian Eagle Owl Shifter. Shes settled in Monterey, California, after the deaths of her parents, her background and theirs remains unclear except for certain elements. 

She’s been raised in relative isolation due to her nature as an owl shifter as well as her needs determined by being autistic.  She’s happiest surrounded by  her enormous personal and ever growing library that she turned into a bookstore. A old huge Victorianhouse/bookstore, Night Owl Books, open only from 8pm to 6am, that rarely sells any books or sees any customers, but allows Orla plenty of time to read or fly around all the territory she owns around the house. 

Orla is fascinating, and on target as shifter where the author has done an excellent job in incorporating the physical and natural history species details into the character. She’s throughly believable in her role as both a woman happily withdrawn from the world and an owl soaring through her territory. 

 The invasion into her home by outsiders is both realistic and shocking in its own right. Upsetting her carefully constructed calm existence in multiple ways. 

I would like to have had more pages to explore the storyline , the actual villain’s identity, and all the new characters, who are actually crossovers with the other series. 

The side characters, small portraits of a few wonderful people who are returning customers of Orla’s and her relationship with them, that’s a dynamic I’d love to see more of. 

Overall, charming, interesting and over way too soon. 

Interconnected series:

Beginning with:

Sea Wicche (5 book series)

A Story in the World of the Sea Wicche (2 book series)

Night Owl Books #1

Night Owl Bridge #2

Buy link

        Night Owl Books (A Story in the World of the Sea Wicche Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Orla is an owl shifter, so her bookstore Night Owl Books is only open from 8pm to 6am. She gets very few customers—other than a couple of insomniacs—and that’s the way she likes it. Customers tend to interrupt her reading. All of that changes one night when a terrified woman runs into the bookstore, followed by two bear shifters, a werewolf, and a psychic wicche. Poor Orla’s night is about to be far less quiet.

Publisher

NYLA

Publication date

March 4, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

89 pages

Book 1 of 2

A Story in the World of the Sea Wicche