Category: LGBTQ Book Reviews

Review: How to Start the New Year Right: According to the Minions (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees) by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 4.5🌈

Santano’s been away from his mate and boyfriends, now it’s the New Year. It’s time for his family and all the minions to celebrate with a special party! Mostly sans clothes, lots of sex and energy to celebrate his return and the New Year!

It’s all charming characters on board and their new family dynamic on sexy loving display. 

Fun, sexy and a great addition to this series. 

Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees :

  • The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer #1
  • The Trouble With Trying to Save an Assassin #2
  • The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion #3
  • The Trouble With Trying to Hook a Harbinger #4
  • The Adventure of Sterling Jones: A Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Sidequest
  • How to Start the New Year Right: According to the Minions

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › How-S…According to the Minions (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees)

Blurb 

Gregory:

In preparation for Santanos’s return from a retreat in the Alps, the minions are putting on a New Year’s Eve party, but if one more person touches Edovard, the celebration is going to get bloody.

Hassan:

My mate is adorable, but he’d be even cuter with bloody hands. If only that wouldn’t upset Edovard.

How to Start the New Year Right is a 6k short story featuring a New Year’s Eve party with fewer clothes than people and the minions’ evil New Year’s resolutions.

  • Publication date: December 31, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 31 pages

Review:  An Unwitting Bargain by Grae Bryan

Rating: 4🌈

Well, this was just adorable. Like holding a lively lovable golden retriever but in narrative form .  Grae Bryan’s short fantasy story is a quick delight of a romance.

That’s totally due to the author’s engaging couple and a common theme given a fun twist. 

Benny, the human golden retriever main character, is one who has appeared in this author’s other terrific series, Demon Bound. I’m so delighted that Benny gets his HEA here.  Benny is a joy. Bryan has created in Benny someone who’s enthusiastic about everything new that comes his way. His brilliant positive energy jumps off the page. 

So of course, he doesn’t really know what he’s getting into when he meets this gorgeous man in a bar who’s paying attention to him. Helio, someone who listens and asks questions, and lets him do his thing.

Helio is that other hilariously funny character, a frustrated Fae where nothing he’s doing is working on the happiest human he’s ever seen. 

There’s not a lot of world building or layers to the backstory but it’s short and honestly, these two (plus a misbehaving villa) are fabulous together.

I loved it and would hope they pop up together in the Demon Bound series in some future roles.

Or maybe a tiny sequel. Highly recommended! Just adorable.

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Unwitt…An Unwitting Bargain – Kindle edition by Bryan, Grae. Romance …

Blurb

Never give your name. Never accept a gift or favor. Never eat the food of the realm.

Benny is having the best summer ever. He’s made a new friend, and now he’s getting an extended vacation at a private island. And sure, his buddy didn’t ask Benny’s permission before taking him there, but what could be so bad about exclusive sandy beaches and a free stay in a fancy villa?

Helio is having the worst time of his life. Here he’s gone to all the trouble of kidnapping a human to the fae realm, and the man doesn’t even have the decency to be afraid. Benny’s broken all the rules, and Helio has a right to keep him, but his prey doesn’t even realize he’s been captured. Is this human messing with Helio, or is it truly possible for one man to be so damned oblivious?

AN UNWITTING BARGAIN IS A 15K NOVELLA FEATURING AN OBLIVIOUS HIMBO HUMAN AND THE MORALLY GRAY FAE HE’S ACCIDENTALLY DRIVING A WEE BIT MAD. THERE’S A KIDNAPPING THAT GOES UNNOTICED, A MAGICAL VILLA WITH A CRUSH, AND AN EXTREMELY WHOLESOME HUMAN WHO JUST WANTS TO MAKE HIS NEW FRIEND HAPPY.

  • Publication date: January 3, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 68 pages

Review: The Sheriff of Shard Hills: An M/M Alien-Human Sci-Fi Romance by Jenn Burke 

Rating: 4.5🌈

Jenn Burke is an auto read/buy author for me so I needed to read this novella I hadn’t gotten to before.  

Varuna Das, half human half Dimeti, and  Major Kerrick StarCourser, human UTS officer, have had an ongoing relationship whenever Kerrick’s path leads him back to Varuna’s space station. Now Varuna is transferring off, ready for a new life and a new job planet side as Sheriff of Shard Hills. 

Surprisingly, a bruised Kerrick arrives from his last mission just as Varuna is shipping out, and somehow a companion is acquired.

Kerrick is seen through Varuna’s eyes, famous soldier for his war exploits, fabulous makeup and popularity. Yet he’s a layered figure with his own personality and surprises.

Varuna or Run as Kerrick refers to him, has had a tough life, rising up to the stage he’s in now. Half the species the humans have been warring, a lifetime of racism and hate on his path. 

There’s a terrific town and population, great Sheriff’s Office and its staff, as well as a dramatic storyline with a surprising twist or two.

This is one of those books that I wished would have been longer or had a sequel to. I found everything about this engaging and fascinating.

Highly recommended.

Buy link 

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Sheriff…The Sheriff of Shard Hills: An M/M Alien-Human Sci-Fi Romance

Blurb 

Space station cop Varuna Das is different. He’s half-human, half-dimeti, and the mix of DNA has had some interesting consequences…like a tail he does his best to keep hidden. Well into middle age, he’s used to being treated badly because of his looks, and as much as he hates it, he understands it. Humans and dimeti just finished a twenty-year war, after all.

What he doesn’t understand is why Major Kerrick StarCourser, a young, beautiful war hero, keeps coming back to him for no-strings sexy fun. Or why Kerrick’s suddenly shown up, bruised and battered, just as Varuna transfers to Shard Hills, a small town on a nearby planet, to take over as sheriff. Kerrick doesn’t show any sign of leaving this time, settling into Varuna’s new home and cooking up a storm. It’s as though he was never a special forces officer.

Confused as he is, Varuna loves having Kerrick there. His life in Shard Hills is shaping up to provide everything he’s ever wanted: a home, a purpose, a family. But when Varuna’s dark past catches up to him, will Kerrick’s heroic integrity let him forgive and forget…and stay?

The Sheriff of Shard Hills is a 30,000 word novella with a middle-aged, half-alien cop who doesn’t see his own value, a young, fem war hero who does, and a happily ever after. Once the shooting stops, of course.

  • Publisher: Jenn Burke (January 31, 2023)
  • Publication date: January 31, 2023
  • Language: English

Check out the latest release , for “Chaos Kin“ by Sheryl R. Hayes (Other Worlds Ink Tour and excerpt)

New Release: Chaos Kin - Sheryl R. Hayes

Sheryl R. Hayes has a new MMF paranormal book out (bi, poly), Jordan Abbey book 3: Chaos Kin.

In the town of Rancho Robles, can one werewolf protect the Children of the Wolf and the Bat? Chaos Wolf Jordan Abbey has made friends among the Black Oak Pack even though she refuses to join it. The same can’t be said of the vampires, but her life has taken a turn for the better.

That is until Enya Blevins, sister to the werewolf who turned Jordan, arrives in Rancho Robles. She wants to know who killed her baby brother and is less than impressed by the Chaos Wolf. Enya wants revenge, starting with Jordan and ending with the vampires infesting the area.

Jordan is prepared to flee, but a technicality makes her an Alpha Werewolf. Now she must stand her ground to protect her nascent Pack and those she loves.

The past has come back to bite her. Does she have the fangs to bite back?

About the Series:

In the Northern California town of Rancho Robles where the Children of the Wolf and the Bat share an uneasy coexistence. One werewolf woman threatens to upset that balance.

Universal Buy Link | Liminal Fiction | Goodreads

Giveaway:

Sheryl is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour:

a Rafflecopter giveawayhttps://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47323/

Excerpt:

MEME 2 - Chaos Kin

“You ready for this?”

Jordan nodded. She and Montgomery had pulled over three blocks from the entrance to the Black Oak Pack’s compound for one last quick discussion. “Got the Uber request programmed in to meet me here. If things go wrong, we run.”

Montgomery shook his head, hand tightening on the steering wheel. “No, you run.”

Jordan’s expression tightened. “I’m not leaving you.”

“Jordan, you have to run without me.” Montgomery stared at her until she looked away. “I know you’re afraid of what will happen to me. But they won’t harm me. To do so is to risk open conflict with Elder Marcus.”

Jordan bit back her response. Alpha Shane may have a vested interest in living in peace with the Elder of the Conclave of Rancho Robles. That didn’t mean that these strangers who came from far away would have the same desires. Add to the fact things were personal between Montgomery and Enya, and the odds were that they wouldn’t be thinking about insulting the vampires in the area.

She sighed and recited the plans they had come up with the night before. “If things go south, I run back to the Cataluña and wait for you or Thorn. If after twenty-four hours, neither of you show up, I ask Elder Marcus for help getting someplace safe. You and Thorn will join me once you’re able to.”

Montgomery smiled and nodded. She noticed a tear in the corner of his eye. “Hopefully, it won’t come to that.”

She didn’t bother to say that he didn’t sound like he believed it any more than she did.

Jordan closed her eyes but lifted her head as she and Montgomery drove up to the gate of the Black Oak Pack’s home territory. As if by mutual consent, neither of them spoke as Sentry Rodriguez waved them through. There was no point hashing out their plans further. In the next ten minutes, they would know if she would have to run and hide with her tail between her legs.

The silence continued as they walked to the front door. Angela opened the door before she had a chance to knock on it, focusing on Jordan instead of Montgomery. The blonde blond werewolf arched her eyebrows in a question.

Jordan shook her head ever so slightly.

Angela’s lips pressed together as she narrowed her eyes. Jordan could hear her thoughts. Why am I not surprised? Instead, she gestured them inside. “This way please.”

The entire pack was gathered, clumping together in little knots around the room. Pamela met her eyes and then turned her attention back to her conversation with Tran. Alpha Shane, Envoy Blevins, and Talespeakers stood by the cold, dark fireplace. Angela took her place with the rest of the younger people in the room. The tension in the room ramped up as the four highest-ranking werewolves focused on her and Montgomery. Alpha Shane dipped his head in greeting. “Chaos Wolf Abbey, Mr. Cooper.”

Enya was far less formal, not giving Montgomery and Jordan a chance to greet them. She assessed Jordan, head lifted so she stared down her nose. “Were you able to retrieve the fangs?”

Jordan drew herself up to stand straight and as tall as she could. “No.”

Everyone around her tensed, which she expected.

“This isn’t her fault,” Montgomery said. “She didn’t know—”

“Silence, vampire!” Enya snapped. Her focus was on Jordan as she paced forward. “It’s not completely your fault. I blame you as much as I blame him.” She nodded towards Alpha Shane. “And him.” Her gaze turned towards Montgomery.

Alpha Shane’s shoulders hunched. He shifted his weight but said nothing.

She felt her ears flatten, an impressive trick as she was in her human form. Jordan opened her mouth, trying to force her words through her snarl. To her surprise, Billy, Juan, Tran, and Maria surrounded her and Montgomery with Angela taking the point in front of Jordan. Jordan couldn’t see her expression, but the young woman stood stiffly, legs apart, and fists braced on her waist.

Confused, Jordan looked at Billy on her right, eyes wide. “What’s going on?” she whispered as Montgomery put a hand on her shoulder.

“We’re saving your skin,” he said. “Now, shush.”

Angela looked at Enya. “Jordan shouldn’t be treated as a chaos wolf. She is—”

“Angela!” Alpha Shane barked, glaring at her.

His daughter didn’t stop speaking. “—An alpha wolf in her own right.”

Author Bio

Sheryl R. Hayes can be found untangling plot threads or the yarn her three cats have been playing with. She is equally likely to be shooing one of them off the keyboard as she is working on her novels and short stories. In addition to writing, she is a cosplayer focusing on knit and crochet costumes.

Author Website: https://www.sherylrhayes.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/sherylreneehayes

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/sherylrhayes

Author Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@sherylrhayes

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherylrhayes/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16468770.Sheryl_R_Hayes

Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/sheryl-r-hayes/

Author Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/sherylrhayes

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Review: Head Above Water (The Little Ships Book 1) by J. Evermore 

Rating: 4.5🌈

A science fiction romance novel that’s got the best plot twist and elements that keeps it exciting and filled with suspenseful moments, Head Above Water is the first novel I read by this author and I’m definitely excited about the already published sequel. 

Evermore’s world building is excellent, the way in which the story plot, the characters and the mystery is all set from the beginning is exciting and extremely well executed. 

Told from one man’s point of view, a man who has a head injury that’s caused amnesia, a crashed spaceship, and a alien there with him, one who he has no idea whether that being is friendly or not. From that planet or not. 

From this frightening moment it’s a matter of following him through that world, his thoughts and an evolving relationship with the being he’s paired up with as they tackle this world together.

While the story twist isn’t exactly unexpected, it’s still terrific. And the epilogue does a great turn in taking the reader and tale backwards to how it all started.

Loved this. Recommending it and heading to the sequel.

The Little Ships (2 books):

Head Above Water #1

Rock and a Hard Place #2

Buy link 

        Head Above Water (The Little Ships)

    

Blurb 

No memories.
No rescue.
Just one determined alien.

When I wake up bloody and bruised beneath the lurid glow of emergency lighting, I know I’m in trouble, and that’s before I realize I don’t even remember my name.

I only have a minute to catch my breath before I learn the worst part…I’m not alone.

The monster that overtakes me from the shadows of my crashed spaceship is the stuff of nightmares, and he’s decided he’s going to help me whether I want him to or not.

We’ll need to work together to survive—and hopefully, return home, wherever that may be for both of us. With no common language outside of hand gestures and sketches in the dirt, communicating is a challenge, but the attraction that binds us ignites faster than a forest fire. I may not find my memory in this alien jungle, but I just might discover my heart.

Head Above Water is a slow burn standalone MM (male/male) romance.

  • Publication date: August 15, 2023
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 226 pages

Review:  The Last Gargoyle’s Christmas Wish (MM Monster Christmas Book 3) by Gigi Rivers

Rating: 4.5🌈❄️

Gigi Rivers’ has such a captivating, warmhearted series with her Berry family of hearth and kitchen witches and their assorted otherworldly mates.  With every member finding their love at Christmas, during the same time period, it’s been a joy to watch the same events from the various family members perspectives.

Dragons, gargoyles, werewolves, cat shifters, and orcs! It’s all about love and acceptance in a large family that’s been through so much pain and sorrow, stayed together, and still has room and love in their lives and hearts for more.

Grady is the oldest of the Berry family. He’s the one who remembers, who was there when everything fell apart, and the one who held them together as a family and kept their family bakery from being sold.  The responsibility and the feeling that he is the guardian of them and everything that keeps them safe is pressing in on him as the stress of the years is getting to him. 

Looking down upon the Berry family activities, of their bakery and home, is Uzoth, the last of the gargoyles. Perched high over the town, he’s fascinated by this family, Grady in particular.

Rivers writes an emotional story of two guardians, one increasingly overwhelmed by his own family and his inability to step back from his past, and the other slowly becoming stone, because he’s without a mission, and family, having lost both long ago. 

How they come together at Christmas is a hard won, absolutely magical tale.  I loved it. And them. 

Grady’s struggles are so real, the pressures he puts on himself are so intense and relatable. And the loneliness that is Uzoth is heartbreaking. 

This is another marvelous story in a terrific series and Rivers intends to bring them all back next season. I can’t wait!

Pick them up and dive into a magical seasonal wonderland of Christmas markets, otherworldly beings in love, and magic!

Great covers!

AN MM MONSTER CHRISTMAS 

🔹A Werewolf Mate for Christmas 

🔹The Orc Who Hated Christmas 

🔹The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas 

🔹The Last Gargoyle’s Christmas Wish 

AN MM MONSTER CHRISTMAS SIDE STORY 

🔹Me and My Christmas Familiar

Buy link

        The Last Gargoyle’s Christmas Wish (An MM Monster Christmas Book 3)

    

Blurb 

An ancient gargoyle. A hearth witch baker. They’ve always looked after others. Is it time to look after themselves… and their hearts? 

Uzoth is the last of the gargoyles. He sits on rooftops as snow gathers on his wings. But Uzoth is used to the cold. He once had people to protect and brethren to stand beside, but that is all gone. Still, he continues his silent watch, wishing he had a purpose once again.

Strung-out and overworked, Grady is the eldest of ten children. Since his parent’s death, he’s dedicated himself to caring for his siblings and running the family bakery. He hasn’t had a moment for himself. Or for love.

One night, thieves attack Grady. Uzoth swoops in and rescues him. An unusual and tentative friendship forms between them. Soon, feelings and desires grow. Still, Grady has so much responsibility. Can he find time for a relationship with Uzoth? Or will he end up sacrificing a chance at love for the sake of others?

The Last Gargoyle’s Christmas Wish is a cosy fantasy romance with plenty spice. It features an ancient gargoyle, an older sibling who takes on too much responsibility, cosy Christmas vibes, inappropriate uses of a tail, and a guaranteed HEA.

  • Publication date: December 13, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 174 pages

Review:  Where There’s Smoke (Elementally Yours, #4) by F. N. Manning 

Rating: 4🌈

Where There’s Smoke continues F.N. Manning’s Elementally Yours series about elemental mages learning to use their powers, get their brand, and finding love in the process.

Where There’s Smoke is about two supposedly opposite elements, Fire and Water.  Water is represented by the exiled Argyle, half-water nymph and half-human, who is on campus taking courses to help him and others like him adapt to their magic. That’s where he meets with Samson, a fire mage who can’t control his element.

Manning puts together a wonderful romantic story, with well defined magical elements, a horrific magic themed mystery that has huge implications for Argyle and Samson. In the course of investigating the mystery, the story provides the necessary background and missing family information for them both.

I really enjoyed this story and couple.  It was very well plotted and the couple was engaging and easy to relate to. 

Absolutely looking forward to the next one in this series.

Elementally Yours:

  • Frost or The Bite #1
  • Strikes Twice #2
  • Bold As Brass #3
  • Where There’s Smoke #4

Buy link

        Where There’s Smoke: M/M Paranormal Romance

    

Blurb 

When fire meets water, can love extinguish the turmoil?

Argyle is more familiar with schools of fish than a college education. Half-water nymph and half-human, Argyle is building a life on land for the first time at age 42, which includes taking classes in order to help others with his magic. But when his studies hit rough waters, he partners with an irresistibly hot fire mage for tutoring.

Samson knows how to bring the heat. The 26-year-old fire caster seems interested in Argyle despite their age difference and he’s quick to flirt, but the man has trouble opening up about his own magical issues. And while the chemistry between them is undeniable, their fire and water powers clash, creating only smoke.

Just as their bond begins to blossom, trouble brews under the surface in Argyle’s seaside home. Cruel magic poisons the water and threatens Argyle’s family. Argyle and Samson may be the key to combating the damage, if they can find a way to unite their conflicting elements. Will their connection save everyone, or will it all go up in smoke?

  • Publication date: January 5, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 196 pages

Review: George’s Big Day (With George Book 3) by Mary Calmes

Rating: 4.5🌈

George Hunt started out as a minor character in the popular Marshals series as a bodyguard to Sam and Jory’s daughter, Hannah. But as written by Calmes, there was just something special about George. Something extraordinary.  The readers just wanted more. 

The character developed as did his roles throughout various crossover stories, each redefining his history, his character and his heroic actions. And it brought him into the shared world, because of many traumatic events, with Hannah’s doctor, Dr Kurt Butler. 

These are all fantastic novels that should be read, not just for the foundation knowledge but for the terrific storytelling.

But all those narrative paths led to George’s Big Day. A hilarious, sometimes poignant, action packed novel in which George tries to get married. Accompanied by many of the characters from his missions (and crossover novels) as well as the friends and co-workers from the Marshals series, it’s a law enforcement thriller, matrimonial circus, where hijinks ensue, love is pledged, there’s blood and casts, and a HFN with rings in sight.

Plus dogs and and a very mean kitty.

Did I say how much I love George and his stories? I absolutely adore George, and all his books.  Especially this one. And while I’m not sure if this is the last, it’s ok if it is. What a wild ride it is. 

Love it and it’s a total joy.

Great covers by Reese Dante.

With George:

  • Just George #1
  • Wintering with George #2
  • George’s Big Day #3

Connected Series:

A Matter of Time – 6 books 

Marshals  – 6 books 

Standalone:

Again

🔹See the author’s notes for the entire list of crossover characters and the books/series they came from.

Buy Link

        George’s Big Day (With George Book 3)

    

Blurb 

George Hunt wants to get married. The fact that he does is utterly amazing and a huge leap of faith for a man who’s always been certain that happily ever afters only happen in fairy tales. The thing is, though, ever since Christmas, when Dr. Kurt Butler, the man he loves, gave him a ring, he’s changed his mind about what’s possible. But between deployments and venues that have to be booked years in advance, matrimonial bliss seems persistently out of reach. Fortunately, George’s friends come through, offering the perfect setting.

Of course, when your life is full of heroes, there are always villains looking to even the score. When the day of the nuptials conflicts with murderous agendas, the only thing that really matters is being married at the end of the day. If George can keep his eye on the prize and everyone does what they do best, it might just all work out.

  • Publication date: January 2, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 128 pages

Review:  Sunrunner (The Summertide Chronicles Book 3) by Sam Burns 

Rating: 5🌈

Sunrunner is the penultimate book in this fantastic fantasy series by Sam Burns, The Summertide Chronicles. A epic fantasy adventure that’s been focusing on the four main magical houses or families of this world, houses that have fallen into disrepute or aren’t functioning properly.  And a huge ecological disaster is looming that threatens to end them all if the houses aren’t put to right and ready to go and meet the needs of the threat as a whole.

The stories so far have been the around the heirs and histories of the Gloombringers, the Dawnchasers, and now the Sunrunners.  The most powerful and striking figures belong to the white-haired Moonstrikers.  They are central characters in every story and they will also have the final word and finale novel.

The characters that are involved in this series are one that are introduced at the beginning and evolve into fully developed characters throughout this series, especially in their respective stories. That’s never more accurate than here with the Sunrunner family.

Sam Burns writing is so outstanding and the characters are all so different  but compelling in how beautifully Burns created them. Layered, vibrant, and yet their depths of cultures and family dynamics are there . It allows for the reader to easily see the nuances the author is factoring into her characters.  Just magnificent characterizations which are then laid out into an ever changing narrative, one which is exploring further the relationships and bonds of the sentient stone people, and the crisis on the horizon.

Sunrunner has some of the most interesting, potentially powerful characters of the series.  There’s Kit Moonstriker, the duelist formerly known as Winter. His book is the last. He’s there along with their sister, Ember,  and importantly, their brother, Frost, a highly intelligent, innocent man who rarely leaves the family house and territory. 

It’s due to Caspian Sunrunner and Ember showing up to ask for help at the end of the last novel that’s set these events in motion. Caspian’s father, The Sunrunner, has disappeared and he needs to be found before the family summit on Mount Slate.

The storylines here are incredibly complex and full of emotional twists. What starts off as a great adventure with characters framed out in certain aspects soon becomes a very different story. One that’s unsurprisingly darker, more complicated and more intriguing. Also one that grabs the reader’s heart as well as the reader’s mind. 

Both are completely invested in all the characters and all the various aspects of the emerging plots and new storylines.  The different sentient stones that each family member is bonded to also is a major character with a distinct personality.  Their relationships, with their bonded as well as each other, is another expanding storyline that I can’t get enough of.  These stones have enormous power and influence, as well as unexplored abilities.  I could read an entire series based on them and the history alone. 

Sam Burns really has a masterpiece here. And Sunrunner is the best of a fabulous series. I can’t imagine what that fourth book will bring.  

But Frost himself says it the best. 

“The word you’re looking for is perfect. It’s perfect.”

I won’t ever be ready for it to end.

Among my best of 2024, and I expect of 2025.

Highly recommended as well as the author.

Love these covers too. 

The Summertide Chronicles:

  • Gloombringer #1
  • Dawnchaser #2 
  • Sunrunner #3 
  • Moonstriker #4 – March 2025

Buy Link

        Sunrunner (The Summertide Chronicles Book 3)

    

Blurb 

My father is missing, and along with him, the Sunrunner family stone, Nausa. My aunt swears this is common for him, but I know different. Yes, my father is lost deep in his addictions, but he’s never disappeared before. If it weren’t up to me to handle the mess my family has made, I’d be a thousand miles away by now. But time is running out and the threatening eruption of Mount Slate keeps inching closer.

Now, Half the Moonstriker family has come to help me look for Nausa, including Kit, a freaking assassin, and his brother Frost, the most beautiful man ever born. Frost almost makes me want to stick around, for the first time in my life.

But suddenly, nothing can go right. From a near-miss in the car to an ugly realization about my entire childhood, not to mention the way Kit Moonstriker keeps looking at me like he’s deciding where to stab, saving the world isn’t as simple as it sounds.

Sunrunner is the third in a series of four books, starring one beautiful mathematician ingenue, one bad boy who isn’t so bad—he swears, and one overprotective brother who might be forced to teach him a lesson or two. It contains Caspian and Frost’s HFN, and continues the overall story arc of the series.

  • Publication date: January 2, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 270 pages

Review:  How to Hack a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #2) by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4.5🌈

I’m so enjoying this series, a sequel to Mae’s fantastic Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures (8 book series).  Same location, many crossover characters and fascinating interactions between them that make this series a great read.

It’s dark and violent but without being graphic, sexy with fated mates and magical otherworldly characters. Many of the characters have tragic or otherwise damaged pasts that still currently haunt their lives.  And that  factors into the narrative of their stories and romantic relationships.

Yes, I’m throughly invested here.  

Mae’s done a fantastic job in creating the new interlocking cast of characters that’s launched the series.  A found family of Hellhounds that’s moved to Paradise Falls and will start to find their mates.

First , they ended up moving next door to human horror author, Toby, and HellhoundDexter ended up helping Toby with his writing but saving him too from a trafficking ring. 

That storyline continues with two of the survivors , Quinton and Aiden, who’ve been adopted into the small group of otherworldly friends, including the Hellhounds.  

While this is Quinton and Liam’s story, it’s also Aiden’s because Aiden’s trauma and Quinton’s is linked by their captivity and now survivor closeness, a deep relatable friendship.  I love how Mae handles this aspect of the story as well as the different facets that’s introduced to the relationships that exist within the group that’s developing here.  There room for so many types of relationships and understanding of each other and how they relate to various dynamics within the group. 

It’s lovely. And I look forward to more of this and these types of conversations happening.

The other thing is that the Hellhounds, a well defined and diverse group of individuals, have been created as distinctly non human entities. They come across completely, in their language and actions as otherworldly beings.  And we’re still learning about them and their history.

I love this story, the world and the characters.  Shannon Mae ties up the trafficking storylines here satisfactorily and sets up the narrative for the next couple to come. It should be fascinating , and full of emotions.

I can’t wait. 

I’m highly recommended this series and book. Read them in the order written for plot and characters development.

Hellhounds of Paradise Falls:

  • How to Flirt with a Hellhound #1
  • How to Hack a Hellhound #2 
  • How to Tame a Hellhound #3 – May 1,2025

Related series, same universe:

🔹Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures (8 book series)

Buy link

        How to Hack a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls Book 2)

    

Blurb 

Quinton

Getting kidnapped and held hostage in a human trafficker’s basement was not on my bingo card. Getting rescued by a paranormal being was also not on my bingo card. (Apparently I needed to trade in bingo cards.) The guy who took me may be dead, but I know there are more people behind the operation, and I plan to shut it down. If I need to get the help of one of the creepy glowing eyed dudes to do it, I will. It turns out Liam is incredibly sexy and really good with technology, too. He may be great at hacking into computers, but I’m determined to hack my way into his life.

Liam

Ever since I looked into the feisty human that Dexter rescued from a basement, I’ve been a little… obsessed. Is it wrong that I watch him all the time and hack into all his technology? I’m just trying to keep him safe. After all, he’s sticking his nose into some troubling areas, and I can’t deal with the thought of him getting taken again. Of course I offer to help him when I discover his mission to take down a trafficking ring, although my motives aren’t exactly pure. The little human attracts me in a way that I can’t explain, and my hellhound thinks he’s mine, whether he wants to be or not.

Tags: Emotionally traumatized, feisty vigilante and hacker hellhound fall in love; Liam has Quinton under surveillance 24/7 and will protect him; Quinton doesn’t mind being watched if the dude with the glowing eyes will keep him safe; there’s torture and death (but only of really bad people); hellhounds have tails, and they know how to use them.

  • Publication date: January 2, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 240 pages