Review : Kiss My Ash: A paranormal fantasy with chaos and heart (An Umbrafore Novel) by Lara McKenzie

Rating: 5⭐️

“Grief is a squatter. You can’t evict it or reason with it, and it keeps touching your things.”

This is a story I want to share, underline, have quotes made into bumper stickers, and just absolutely love.

But it’s not an easy story to read at times. It’s emotionally draining, raw, heartbreaking, funny, full of truth and tragedy, and for many women who are struggling with their bodies, trauma, and grief, this story can only be described as a tale of recovery and healing.

Lara McKenzie always manages to balances darkness with humor in her writing, and that’s especially true here in Kiss My Ash.

Charlotte Marelli, ex-lawyer, now owner of a supernatural coffee shop in the realm of Umbrafore. Charlotte is a character we’re familiar with if you’re a reader of the connected series, Maya’s Blogs, written in the similar style.

Charlotte has been a wonderfully steady force in the lives of many beings around her but here it’s Charlotte who is in need as her life begins to shatter.

Careful to keep complete control of her life, reasons for which become apparent as the story develops, her past life begins to invade her current situation and her physically changes of perimenopause and hot flashes are making her everyday life even more difficult.

This is truly such a powerful read as Charlotte’s struggles through her tragic history, current dangers and watch as she grows into a survivor and warrior.

A remarkable book that’s relevant, quotable, and heartfelt. I highly recommend both the author , Kiss My Ass, and Maya’s Blogs too.

Cover Illustration by Mansitha.

Side story. Related to

Maya’s Blogs (5 book series)

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comKiss My Ash: A paranormal fantasy with chaos and heart (An Umbrafore Novel) eBook …

Blurb

Forty-seven, perimenopausal, and armed with a lethal wit, ex-barrister Charlotte Marelli runs a supernatural coffee shop.

Her small and carefully controlled life shatters when someone from her past reappears just as her no-strings-attached relationship becomes complicated.

Thrust into a web of surveillance and old traumas, Charlotte must unravel a conspiracy tied to her own kidnapping, forcing her to decide whether trusting anyone is worth the risk of being broken again.

February 2, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

312 pages

Women’s fantasy fiction, fantasy fiction,

Kiss My Ash contains depictions of: Mild PTSD and panic attacks Past captivity and human trafficking (not depicted on page) Alcohol as a coping mechanism Death of a parent Trauma responses Menopause and perimenopause experiences Violence and threats of violence (non-explicit) Please, take care of yourself.

Note; written for neurodivergent readers, with shortish chapters, accessible prose, and minimal filler.

Review: Masquerade (Knight and Daywalker Book 3) by Sam Burns

Rating: 3.75🌈

Masquerade finishes out the urban fantasy trilogy of Knight and Daywalker by Sam Burns and I have to admit it’s a little underwhelming.

Both Smokescreen and Façade were excellent. The plots were very well executed and the characters were engaging and the growing relationships between Flynn Knight and his day walker vampire boyfriend, Davin Byrne, just were so well done. And that goes for the intriguing side characters like the scary void kitten Twist and the paranormal siblings who run the confectionery shop. Love them.

But this story feels rushed. As though Burns had so many elements and unfinished storylines that had big implications that were never really explored but had to go into this book anyway. Some were lovely while introducing new characters.

But most of all the storylines were just too one layered. There was no substance to them.

I suppose that’s because there’s no page time for many main series plots to be developed and executed at the last book, often in the very last chapters. So it feels underwhelming and certainly rushed into an ending where the villain gets his comeuppance, the characters their happy ending but the reader isn’t exactly satisfied.

Spoilers. Don’t read further if you don’t want to know.

The villain is revealed, as is his longtime nefarious plan that heinously threatens to destroy all dragons and a terrible magical machine. None of these are given much as far as depth of in storyline knowledge or exploration of any other laid out foundation. It’s more here they are or someone says they exist. It’s very superficial.

The “dramatic rescue” as well as the preceding arrival of Flynn’s father, missing for decades, again given short shrift narratively speaking. The father is used basically to give Flynn’s mother a HEA, but we know nothing about him or his captivity. He appeared and it’s happy family once again.

The rescue and fight isn’t much fun. No one lives up to any expectations of power or possible magical growth. Even Twist falls short. And worse, when the cells , full of traumatized broken dragons, plus others who’s got wounds to be healed, instead of dealing directly with their injuries, Flynn’s dithering about in his head with “stuff “, for pages. Which makes me lose interest and patience.

Burns has made a big deal of Flynn being neurodivergent, but , imo, this is the worst decision to make narratively in the scene. The dragons and others are suffering and Flynn’s not paying attention to what’s happening instead of getting things done right away. It’s Davin to the rescue instead.

I believe had this been stretched out to four books instead of cramming everything together into a trilogy, things might have been better handled. Or maybe not.

But as is, Masquerade as a finale and a story is too rushed and underdeveloped. Which is unfortunate because this had so much potential to be outstanding.

Read them in the order they were written.

Knight and Daywalker :

Smokescreen #1
Façade #2
Masquerade #3 – finale

Same universe as

THE FANTASTIC FLUKE-complete ❤️

The Fantastic Fluke

Fluke and the Faithless Father

Fluke and the Faultline Fiasco

Fluke and the Frontier Farce

Fluke and the Fantastic Finale

Content Warning: gruesome deaths described in detail, violence, fraught parental relationships, serial killer & kidnapping (prior to book, off-page).

Buy link

Book 3 of 3: Knight & Daywalker

Blurb

Flynn is just out here trying to live his #bestlife. He’s feeding his cat, running his business, and dating his boyfriend . . . well, trying to date his boyfriend. Every time things start to get intimate, something seems to interrupt them, no matter where they are or how many cell phones they turn off.

When the interruption is Flynn’s cousin, having been attacked and drained of energy, Flynn realizes that the monster who’s been killing dragons isn’t just a distant thing, but a clear and present threat.

But can a man who’s always let other people fight his battles handle his own this time?

Masquerade is the final book in the Knight & Daywalker series, starring one scatterbrained detective, a spoiled kitten, a frustrated daywalking boyfriend who just wants a nice quiet dinner, the world’s most overprotective mother, and whole cast of other friends Flynn has made along the way, including a surprise or two.

Review: Death’s Rival (Jane Yellowrock Book 5) by Faith Hunter

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Death’s Rival was a fantastic read! It’s a chilling thrill a minute, a plague that threatens vampires, a powerful enemy with old ties to Jane’s history, and new characters who I absolutely adore.

Did I mention I love this book? And there’s traumatizing moments and betrayal too! I mean, it’s got everything.

One thing I really love is the addition of the Younger brothers, who form not only Jane’s first personal team but her own second foundation of a “family” outside of Molly. They start to act as a her needed buffer at times,when possible, between her, and the paranormal power struggles constantly present.

This also is the beginning of a long process of series reveals about the overall story threads and major plots being uncovered that center around Jane, MOC Leo, and the New Orleans territory.

Incredible storytelling, so exciting and satisfying. Highly recommended! Read them in the order they are written.

I wish I knew more about the artist who created the series covers because I really love them. Consistently great.

Jane Yellowrock (15 book series):

Skinwalker #1

Blood Cross #2

Mercy Blade #3

Raven Cursed #4

Death’s Rival #5

Blood Trade #6

Black Arts #7

Broken Soul #8

Dark Heir 9

Shadow Rites #10

Cold Reign #11

Dark Queen #12

Shattered Bonds #13

True Dead #14

Final Heir #15

Buy link

Death’s Rival (Jane Yellowrock Book 5)

Blurb

Jane Yellowrock is a shapeshifting skinwalker you don’t want to cross—especially if you’re one of the undead…

For a vampire killer like Jane, having Leo Pellisier as a boss took some getting used to. But now, someone is out to take his place as Master Vampire of the city of New Orleans, and is not afraid to go through Jane to do it. After an attack that’s tantamount to a war declaration, Leo knows his rival is both powerful and vicious, but Leo’s not about to run scared. After all, he has Jane. But then, a plague strikes, one that takes down vampires and makes their masters easy prey.

Now, to uncover the identity of the vamp who wants Leo’s territory, and to find the cause of the vamp-plague, Jane will have to go to extremes…and maybe even to war.

Review: How To Tell If Your K-9 Is A Demon by Trista Ricketts

Rating: 3.25⭐️

How To Tell If Your K-9 Is A Demon by Trista Ricketts is the first book by the author and it’s a cute little story. If you like the cover, then you have a great idea of what the story is about.

The author wrote a note telling the reader what prompted her writing this book, and I remember that meme. It was a good one.

The story about a K-9 officer who inadvertently adopts a demon made dog as part of his punishment is pretty cute. However, the writing doesn’t really live up to the potential of the theme.

The demon dog doesn’t really act like a rescue dog but like a demon in a dog’s body, carrying out duties and activities a rescue animal wouldn’t be able to perform. And the K-9 Officer, Chuck, isn’t bothered by the fact she’s got a paranormal being instead of a rescue dog.

This happens almost immediately into the story. Would have been more interesting had the dog and Chuck had time to develop a relationship and working partnership. But no, immediately into a bond and recognition process. And there’s a pug who watches daily tv with them who appears to be something else.

There’s a mystery about Chuck’s dad, a police officer who died while on duty, and Malachi who has been charged by his own hellish command with corrupting Chuck’s soul. Which is never believable. A golden retriever is more believable in this role than Malachi.

It all works out in the end. Cute and happily funny.

The reader will be able to know what will happen from page 1. It’s cute but predictable. If this is something you enjoy, then grab it up.

Cover Art: White Rose Publishing Service

Trista Ricketts notes:

“In 2025, I was lurking in a social media forum for lovers of Fantasy and Romance books. Someone posted a picture of a female police officer kneeling next to her K-9, a solid black dog who was “smiling” for his photo. The caption read, “Imagine you’re running from the police, and you hear ‘Fetch me his soul’, then you turn and see this.” The person who posted it commented they would love to read that book. A lot of other people chimed in saying the same. I commented and said, “I’ll write it!” Now I wish I had saved that post so I could thank that person for the prompt because otherwise, Malachi might have been adopted by someone else.”

Buy link

Blurb

She went to adopt a K-9 partner.

She did not mean to adopt a demon.

Officer Kelly “Chuck” Charles thought choosing her new K-9 would be straightforward.

Obedient. Loyal. Not possessed by ancient evil.

She was wrong.

Her new K-9 partner growls in dead languages, smirks like he’s plotting world domination, and reacts to holy water like it personally insulted his ancestors.

Because Malachi isn’t just a dog.

He’s a centuries-old demon trapped in a canine body — morally black, dangerously clever, and very annoyed about it.

The problem?

Chuck doesn’t know any of that yet.

She’s just a cop trying to survive long shifts, bad coffee, and a partner who may or may not be judging her soul.

She definitely doesn’t know she’s part angel.

And she absolutely isn’t prepared for the supernatural chaos headed straight for her life.

When a well-meaning witch gives Malachi his body back, everything goes from “weird dog behavior” to full-blown celestial disaster.

Redeem him.

Banish him.

Or fall for the demon who was never meant to have a heart.

How To Tell If Your K-9 Is A Demon is a laugh-out-loud paranormal romantic comedy packed with:

Accidental demon adoption
Snarky banter and slow-burn tension
A morally black demon with opinions
A strong female cop who didn’t sign up for destiny
Celestial Hijinks

If you love paranormal rom-coms with heart, humor, and just enough hellfire — this book will have you laughing, swooning, and side-eyeing every dog you meet.

Review: Assassin’s Noon: Ageless Mysteries – Book 4 by Vanessa Nelson

Rating: 5⭐️

Assassin’s Noon is such a remarkable book. The plot is outstanding, the characters show great depth and development and it’s not too close to the end, that I’m mourning the finish of this fantastic series. Which I will btw.

We have a locked room murder mystery worthy of the our best iconic mystery authors, and then the next moment, the entirety of the investigation turns darker when the murder motive and ongoing political conspiracy seems to be intertwined.

That aspect of the story is excellent . And alongside this, Nelson is detailing the new tentative relationship between Thea and her father, and her quiet growing bond with Mage Niath. Beautifully crafted and layered in among the storylines and scenes that they have together.

Thea’s mother, Ware, the others of the Watch and all the characters like the science officer that we’ve come to love continuously grow better as the demands of the thriller get darker and more intense.

No spoilers but the story arc is so suspense filled as well as magically satisfying action battle scenes. Thrilling and intense.

This is one of my favorite dark fantasy series. Not a romance.

Ageless Mysteries (6 book series):

Deadly Night #1

False Dawn #2

Morning Trap #3

Assassin’s Noon #4

Flightless Afternoon #5

Ascension Day #6

Buy link

Book 4 of 6: Ageless Mysteries

Blurb

One dead man. A fortified house full of innocent people.

One of the city’s wealthiest and most powerful residents is found dead in his own home. Murder is suspected, but the house was supposed to be absolutely secure against any intruder. Thea is faced with a hostile group of household servants inside the house and demands for swift justice outside its walls.

Working with Mage Niath, it doesn’t take long to realise that it’s not a straightforward death and the dead man has ties to opponents they have faced before.

Can Thea uncover the truth of the death before the tensions in the city spill over and more deaths occur?

Assassin’s Noon is the fourth book in the Ageless Mysteries series, and continues Thea’s story which started in Deadly Night.

If you like your fantasy with mystery and magic, you will love Thea’s story. Get your copy of Assassin’s Noon today to continue Thea’s story.

Publication date

February 25, 2022

Edition

2nd

Language

‎English

Print length

248 pages

Book 4 of 6

Ageless Mysteries

Review: Deadly Night (Ageless Mysteries Book 1) by Vanessa Nelson

Rating: 4.75⭐️

“Can she serve justice in an unjust world?”

Vanessa Nelson, a prolific writer, was an unknown author to me before this book. But by the time I was done, at 3:33 am this morning, after reading through nonstop, she’s now gone directly to the front of my list of TBR authors.

What an incredible story and woman character Nelson serves up in Deadly Night, the first book in her Ageless Mysteries.

It’s been described as fantasy horror, or perhaps dark fantasy mystery, and it’s all that.

From page one, the writer drops us into a magical world of swords, carriages, and a very stratified society where a group of beings, the magical, flighted Ageless, rule over the world with the same sort of perception of a god looking upon lesser creatures. Then there’s the Ageless born, who have mixed human-Ageless heritage, who live in fear of being discovered and brought to The Citadel, the Ageless city, where they will be conscripted by the Ageless Society for whatever reason they want.

Then there’s the rest of the population, the humans and the other species, considered oddities by the Ageless. Most of the people leave their lives in abject poverty or in survival conditions.

Each small village has a Town Watch , a weapon-less law enforcement branch, to help police the community. Watch Officer Thea March has been newly promoted and sent to a new location and given a murder mystery to solve. The brutal slaughter of a young woman.

Nelson is laying down all her foundation while subtly building up her the world for her series, as Thea and her group of colleagues investigate the murder and move around the countryside and surrounding towns. We travel by carriage, move by foot to the docks, as each person does solid research into each case and their investigation. And while we are throughly invested in this aspect of the story, and we are because it’s suspense filled, tension laden, and compelling, there’s so much more happening.

Tiny personal moments and deep mysteries are appearing, mostly focused on Thea, but not all. And they look like tragic scenes and traumatic moments from her family’s past. This thread is likely one that will be continued throughout the series.

There’s no romance or hint of one. At least not in this novel. Too many other storylines and elements to introduce (and extremely well) and areas to explore. Even Thea’s difficulties with her bullying boss in her new job, how she manages to handle it realistically without making her feel weak but turning it into a positive experience for her job feels believable and very true.

It was extremely hard for me not to start on the second book right after this one. Even as an adult, I had to tell myself to wait for a couple of hours of sleep. Sigh.

Yes, it’s incredible. Yes, I’m absolutely recommending this. And best of all? It’s completely finished. You know I’m already binging it. My shelves are groaning.

Ageless Mysteries (6 book series):

Deadly Night #1

False Dawn #2

Morning Trap #3

Assassin’s Noon #4

Flightless Afternoon #5

Ascension Day #6

Buy link

Book 1 of 6: Ageless Mysteries

Blurb

Can she serve justice in an unjust world?

Newly-promoted Watch Officer Thea March is assigned her very first death investigation. Someone has brutally killed a young woman and dumped her body in an empty warehouse. The only real clue left at the scene points to one of the elite – the Ageless – as being involved.

The Watch might ignore one anonymous woman’s death, but when more bodies appear, killed in the same way, the deaths attract the attention of the ruling elite, and Mage Niath is assigned to work with Thea to hunt down the killer.

Having spent most of her life trying to avoid attracting the attention of the elite, the last thing that Thea wants is a prominent mage shadowing her every move.

But they will have to depend on each other, and all the skills at their disposal, to hunt down and stop the killer.

Deadly Night is the first book in the now-complete Ageless Mysteries series by Vanessa Nelson.

If you like your fantasy full of mystery and magic, then you will love this series. Get your copy now to start Thea’s story.

May 13, 2021

Edition

2nd

Language

‎English

Print length

271 pages

Book 1 of 6

Ageless Mysteries

Review: Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock Book 1) by Faith Hunter

Rating: 4.5⭐️

It only took 2 books but Faith Hunter has become not just a autobuy but an author I have to have and binge all of her series and books. And right now. She’s made my TBR pile so much longer! As if it wasn’t already out of control.

Did I tell you that she’s prolific and writes under two different names? Yep. And I’m just exploring one at the moment.

Hunter’s Urban fantasy series about a Cherokee skinwalker, Jane Yellowstone, who’s a traveling rogue vampire hunter is fantastic. A complete series, the first book was released in 2009, however, with the exception of some references to politicians and musicians from the same period, it’s still pretty current.

Jane Yellowstone’s past and her true nature is a fragmented history that will continue to be revealed over the series. It makes for a fascinating aspect of her story and adds more mystery to her character and series.

Her latest commission brings her to New Orleans, where she has been hired by the madam of Katies’s Ladies, a powerful woman vampire herself, to hunt down a rogue vampire who is killing other vampires in the city.

But nothing is that simple. And this turns into something layered with the mythology and magic of multiple mythologies and cultures. Foremost is the Cherokee skinwalker and other skin walker legends of various native tribes because it differs from tribal cultures. And Jane’s fractured memories leaves her trying to figure out where she falls in the spiritual spectrum. Is her skinwalker side dark or light?

And her enormous cat, the Beast that’s the main animal she can become, is a separate entity. Strong and entirely that of a creature that hunts and isn’t human in any sense of the way. The history behind the two of them is also a very strong part of her story.

New Orleans is beautifully portrayed, clearly by someone who loves and knows the city. Its locations are very well written and feel real.

The other characters here, from the wonderful women in Katies’s Ladies who make an indelible impression, to the various Vampire masters and their assistants who Jane gives nicknames, yes I love Troll so much, they made this a universe to sink into.

There’s potential romantic leads, each with their own secrets and unique personalities and agendas that make them poor choices. And the top Master Leo who’s obsessed with Jane’s ability and what type of unknown supernatural being she is.

Hunter is leaving much of Jane’s true identity and past unknown so it can slowly be revealed throughout the series. And the growth and development is something I really look forward to.

Fantastic all around. And highly recommended.

Jane Yellowrock (15 book series):

Skinwalker #1

Blood Cross #2

Mercy Blade #3

Raven Cursed #4

Death’s Rival #5

Blood Trade #6

Black Arts #7

Broken Soul #8

Dark Heir 9

Shadow Rites #10

Cold Reign #11

Dark Queen #12

Shattered Bonds #13

True Dead #14

Final Heir #15

Buy link

Book 1 of 15: Jane Yellowrock

Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, Book 1) by Faith Hunter

Blurb

Meet shapeshifting skinwalker Jane Yellowrock in the first novel in the New York Times bestselling series that captures “the essence of urban fantasy” (SF Site).

Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind—a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. But now she’s been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katies’s Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who’s killing other vamps.

Amidst a bordello full of real “ladies of the night,” and a hot Cajun biker with a panther tattoo who stirs her carnal desire, Jane must stay focused and complete her mission—or else the next skin she’ll need to save just may be her own…

Publisher

Ace

Publication date

July 7, 2009

Edition

Original

Language

‎English

Print length

336 pages

Book 1 of 15

Jane Yellowrock

Review: Dragon Blood Curse (Emperor’s Assassin Book 4) by Kai Butler

Rating: 4.5🌈

Dragon Blood Curse was an exciting, immersive experience all around, as Butler’s penultimate story brings more mythical characters and magical regions into play with this fantasy action adventure.

Prince Airón and King Tallu have multiple schemes at work and not all are going according to their intended intentions. With their enemies bringing larger powers and armies against them, Airón and Tallu race to find a cure for the deadly curse that affects both brothers. And their own council falls into chaos and loyalties are divided as the enemy attacks.

It’s high politics, subterfuge, magical terrorists, and wars between enemies being waged across their borders and territories, and everything and everyone suffering.

Of course, there’s a prophecy or two, sacrifices that figures mightily in the coming novel, angst and some really great layering of information and people (look to the North) that just ups the stakes here.

No spoilers but this just grabs the reader from start to finish. For me, the relationship between Airón and Tallu is the least compelling element here. So many other great aspects of the series and story to focus on.

Great job. And I love the Spider. Awesome.

Cover by Hannah Latham at oexasart Lettering by Laura at Covers by Aura

Emperor’s Assassin (5 book series)

Betrothed to the Emperor #1

Emperor’s Wrath #2

Shadow Throne King #3

Dragon Blood Curse #4

Crown of Ash #5 – Oct 26,2026

Buy link

Dragon Blood Curse (Emperor’s Assassin Book 4)

Blurb

The generals that once served Emperor Tallu now pursue us across the continent. General Bemishu and Kacha have made their move and we find ourselves trapped by the role Tallu has been playing his entire life. As we search for allies, the rules of imperial politics force Tallu to act more and more like his deranged father.

Still, we have a hint of hope: somewhere in the dangerous Tavornai swamps, another animalia spins her webs and rearranges fate to her own desires. Can she change ours?

We have one chance to save our lives, one hope at a future that we both so desperately want. With new allies and old nemeses, we have to risk our lives to create a world for our love.

March 16, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

362 pages

Book 4 of 5

Emperor’s Assassin

Review: Brutal Justice (The Other Detective Series Book 4) by Heather G. Harris

Rating: 5⭐️

Just outstanding. According to Harris, the author had originally intended Brutal Justice to become the finale for the series but this amazing character’s journey has become so complex and layered that one last novel was needed.

Harris with her goal of making this the penultimate narrative, fills this incredible story with so many shocking moments, absolutely stunning twists to the plot that makes sense once you see it but still makes the reader gasp in appreciation and shock that we didn’t see it coming.

This storyline brings Evie back to the trauma that set her on the path she’s taken in life, back to her kidnapping and torture.

Now she’s supported by Robbie, her fiancée and King of Orcs, her staff (and friends) through this journey.

It’s several investigations, and includes one of the most heinous criminals created, Jude Jingo.

The relationship between Robbie and Evie continues to be a very strong one, building on acknowledgement of their roles as well as their commitment towards each other. I love their dynamic.

Other crossover characters play important roles here as well, Amber and Bastion for example.

There’s thrilling, heartbreaking moments, scary battles, and shocking twists. None of which I’ll spoil. I hope no one else will either.

This and the characters are my favorites in this universe. I’ll be so sad when it’s over. But I still have one more novel to go.

What a thrilling read this is! Five stars!

Cover design by Christian Bentulan. Published by Hellhound Press Limited.

The Other Realm Universe: Should be read in order to understand the world and characters .Events and relationships build upon each other.

The Other Realm series

⭐️Glimmer of Dragons- Book 0.5 (a prequel story),

Glimmer of The Other- Book 1, Glimmer of Hope- Book 2,

Glimmer of Christmas – Book 2.5 (a Christmas tale),

Glimmer of Death – Book 3,

Glimmer of Deception – Book 4,

*It is recommended that you read The Other Wolf books 1 to 3 before continuing with

Challenge of the Court– Book 5,

Betrayal of the Court– Book 6

Revival of the Court– Book 7.

⭐️The Other Wolf Series

Defender of The Pack– Book 0.5 (a prequel story),

Protection of the Pack– Book 1, Guardians of the Pack– Book 2, Saviour of The Pack– Book 3, Awakening of the Pack – Book 4, Resurgence of the Pack – Book 5; and Ascension of the Pack – Book 6.

⭐️The Other Witch Series

Rune of the Witch – Book 0.5 (a prequel story),

Hex of the Witch– Book 1,

Coven of the Witch;– Book 2,

Familiar of the Witch– Book 3; and Destiny of the Witch – Book 4.

⭐️The Other Detective Series❤️

Frustrated Justice – Book 0.5 (a prequel story),
Veiled Justice – Book 1
Mystic Justice – Book 2
Arcane Justice – Book 3
Brutal Justice – Book 4
Ruthless Justice-Book 5 , Oct 14,2026 (finale)

Buy link

Brutal Justice: A Supernatural Crime Thriller (The Other Detective Series Book 4)

Blurb

Death has changed bodies… and justice is about to get personal.

A dead dryad on my medical examiner’s lawn wasn’t how this week was supposed to start. But when I discover the victim was merely the latest body worn by the Other realm’s most notorious criminal, I realise this isn’t just murder.

It’s a possession.

Jude Jingo doesn’t kill the usual way. He steals lives from the inside out, jumping from body to body and leaving corpses in his wake. And now he’s wearing a face I recognise.

A face that’s getting dangerously close to someone I care about.

Officially, I’ve been ordered to close the case. Unofficially? I’m digging deeper. Because when a vampyr tries to gut me in the street and whispers about “orders”, I know this goes far beyond one dead dryad. Someone powerful wants this buried.

But I don’t bury murder.

With my rookie partner covering my back, my bonded bird raising hell, and an ogre king who takes threats against me very personally, I’m stepping off the books to hunt a body-stealing killer hiding in plain sight.

If I’m wrong, I’ll destroy an innocent man.

If I’m right, I’ll have to stop a monster wearing borrowed skin… without killing the man trapped inside.

No pressure.

Immerse yourself in The Other Detective Series – perfect for fans of supernatural crime, featuring a fierce heroine, political intrigue, brutal magic, and a slow-burn romance.

Written in British English.

The Other Detective Series

Frustrated Justice – a prequel story

Veiled Justice – Book 1

Mystic Justice – Book 2

Arcane Justice – Book 3

Brutal Justice – Book 4

Ruthless Justice – Book 5

Publisher

Hellhound Press Limited

Publication date

March 5, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

324 pages

Book 4 of 5

The Other Detective Series

Review: Bring the Heat (Dragon Kin Book 9) by G.A. Aiken

Rating: 4⭐️

Bring the Heat is the finale of the series, bringing most but not all of the major plot lines to a conclusion.

And the issue is that there’s far too much drama and too many elements to pull off for one book for that to feel completely satisfying.

I absolutely love books 7 and 8, which featured the sisters of the Riders of the Steppe, Elina Shestakova and Kachka Shestakova. Each have their own unique story and voice that still resonates with me. I mean I woke up at night giggling madly thinking about them. Still do.

Then comes this book which tries to capture the relationship development between Aiden and Brannie but that’s overshadowed by a multitude of plots that Aiken is trying to create and then resolve by the end.

Think of a juggler with a number of different balls in the air, each vying for the attention of the audience. Each is important for the act’s success but you can’t concentrate on each individual piece too long because the next is taking its place.

That’s what happens here.

The reader can’t concentrate or connect with any scene or character because just as we get started, Aiken switches to another location, characters and drama. Something totally different is going on, removed from what we were just reading about.

The final battles to win against the Eyeless God and his priests has started. But this book is all over the place. An enormous cast of characters, on all sides and we get their POV’s, so multiple perspectives.

Changes in realms, locations, new kingdoms.

Keita the Viper is off on a covert rescue/assassination mission with Brannie and Aiden and a few of the Mi-runach who are sort of goofy, Queen Annwyl is missing ( huge section here in a new different location), then we’re back with scary Dagmar and her weird family, then the Abomination trio making plans for battle with the Dragon Queen, then Katcha and her crew. And the one-eyed King Gaius, and more. So many more.

I will admit to flipping through a couple of pages because I couldn’t figure out who some of these people were.

The final battle was predictable enough but still satisfying. And there was, as I said, still lots of loose ends about the children, that should the author ever want to revisit this universe she could easily pick up their stories.

My favorite books might just be those about the Riders of the Steppe. A fierce matriarchal sisterhood. Maybe that’s a series we should have. Amazing characters and stories.

And for now, it’s at an end. What a wild fabulous ride!

Highly recommended the series which should be read in the order it is written.

Dragon Kin – 9 books complete series :

Dragon Actually #1

About A Dragon #2

What a Dragon Should Know #3

Last Dragon Standing #4

The Dragon Who Loved Me #5

How to Drive a Dragon Crazy #6

Light My Fire #7

Feel The Burn #8

Bring The Heat #9

Buy link

Bring the Heat (Dragon Kin Book 9)

Blurb

HE SAYS . . .

I, Aidan the Divine, am, well divine. My name was given to me by the Dragon Queen herself! I’m a delight! Cheerful. Charming. And a mighty warrior who is extremely handsome with a very large and well-hidden hoard of gold. I am also royal born, despite the fact that most in my family are horrendous beings that don’t deserve to live. And yet, Branwen the Awful—a low-born, no less—either tells me to shut up or, worse, ignores me completely.

SHE SAYS . . .

I’ll admit, I ignore Aidan the Divine because it annoys him. A lot. But, we have so much to do right now, I can’t worry about why he keeps looking at me like he’s thinking about kissing me. We have our nations to save and no time for such bloody foolishness . . . no matter how good Aidan looks or how long his spiked tail is. Because before this war destroys everything we love, we’ll have to face our enemies together. But if we make it out alive, who knows what the future will hold . . .

Zebra Books

Publication date

August 29, 2017

Language

‎English

Print length

414 pages

Book 9 of 9

Dragon Kin

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