“The emergency contact mirror on his desk buzzed with an incoming call, jittering on the wood as if conveying the caller’s agitation.
Tan snatched it up promptly, still looking around suspiciously.
“Hi, I’m Tan. I own the place, and I’m going to go cry.”
Tan, that magnificent Black Sorcerer of Grimslock, is back in a short magical tale of acquisition and revenge. Mostly acquisition.
Here is how Tan and his husband, Devan, his Knight and now King of Goodwine, find/acquire a young “sorely in need of saving” apprentice, no really he’s family. And add another cat to their ever growing collection.
It’s got pathos, an enraged Tan, a fireball or two, an orphan, Knight Wells in a short appearance, and a highly satisfying, quietly loving ending.
Sigh.
Yes, I loved it.
The boy is Zi Rui. Be prepared to fall in love.
Buy Link:
Blurb:
Did Tan go looking for an apprentice? No.
Is Tan going to keep Zi Rui? Yes.
Did Devan agree to this decision? Debatable.
Tags:
Devan has CONCERNS, so does Wells, Tan thinks having a minion er apprentice is a wonderful idea, crackity crack, it’s a good thing Tan is cute, Villainy short story
The Mobster’s Mate by Kiki Clark is a terrific paranormal romance. I enjoyed it immensely. Anyone who’s a fan of shifters/mate romances will enjoy the story but there’s a slight caveat.
This book takes place within Clark’s Kincaid Pack universe. It’s helpful to have an understanding of the events and characters from that series as it impacts heavily upon the storyline and couple here. Important Kincaid Pack members are also a part of this story, although Clark does a good job of explaining who they are and how they figure into the plot.
Getting all that out of the way, this book is launched is a great way. With a dramatic scenario and introduction to all the major characters.
Mob boss Quinten Amato is having to adapt to the new world order since the Kincaid Pack took down the corrupt paranormal government that kept things orderly and predictable. A structure that suited him and all his businesses just fine.
Clark gives us a ruthless man at the top, in an uncertain world where he’s got to negotiate a new path without any loss of prestige or credibility. Then a dramatic scenario opens up, where we meet Caden, a deeply damaged shifter, one guaranteed to make an impact on Quinten’s future.
Caden is such a vulnerable, wounded character. It’s impossible not to connect with him, either for the reader or for Quinten’s employees who surround him. Clark’s supporting cast is as intriguing and layered in their personalities as the main couple. They grab our interest too with their interactions with Caden and Quinton, making us want to know more about each of them.
The plot lines equally interesting, up to the great characters. If it’s all over a bit too quickly, then head over to the other series to read more about this universe and the events mentioned here.
Hopefully, this couple will pop up again in another book and series. The characters have a way of doing that.
This is a wonderful read and it’s got my recommendation.
Related Series
✓ Kincaid Pack (6 books)
✓ The Mobster’s Mate – single story
✓ Silver Oak Pack-2 books so far (also within the same universe)
A human mob boss and an injured jaguar shifter brought together by a cruel enemy… and fate.
Caden hasn’t believed in fated mates since he was a cub. He figures it’s more of a fairytale that shifter parents tell their kids than the reality of what passes for mates in some of the packs he’s seen.
But then he comes face-to-face with a human man who smells like orange blossoms and radiates authority and safety.
And Caden… Well, he hasn’t felt safe in a long time.
While the rest of the world fears and reviles Quinten Amato and the things he does under the guise of his business, Caden is drawn to him like a cub to an alpha. He doesn’t care what anyone says or what Quinten does, he and his jaguar know the kind of man he is.
The kind who saved his life.
The kind who comforts him when he wakes up terrified.
The kind whose calm commands set his blood on fire.
Convincing his bossy human they’re meant to be together isn’t going to be easy. Especially not when Quinten’s certain Caden needs things he can’t get from him—and that being a part of Quinten’s life in the shadows is too dangerous.
And he might be right.
The Mobster’s Mate is a full-length novel featuring a human with questionable morals and a jaguar shifter who only sees the best in him. You’ll find an age gap, found family vibes, fated mates, and gobs of possessiveness.
This title is a standalone novel set within the Kincaid Pack universe. It can be read and enjoyed on its own. However, if you’d like to understand the nuances of the world, then start your journey with The Alpha and His King (Kincaid Pack Book 1).
The Mobster’s Mate by Kiki Clark is a terrific paranormal romance. I enjoyed it immensely. Anyone who’s a fan of shifters/mate romances will enjoy the story but there’s a slight caveat.
This book takes place within Clark’s Kincaid Pack universe. It’s helpful to have an understanding of the events and characters from that series as it impacts heavily upon the storyline and couple here. Important Kincaid Pack members are also a part of this story, although Clark does a good job of explaining who they are and how they figure into the plot.
Getting all that out of the way, this book is launched is a great way. With a dramatic scenario and introduction to all the major characters.
Mob boss Quinten Amato is having to adapt to the new world order since the Kincaid Pack took down the corrupt paranormal government that kept things orderly and predictable. A structure that suited him and all his businesses just fine.
Clark gives us a ruthless man at the top, in an uncertain world where he’s got to negotiate a new path without any loss of prestige or credibility. Then a dramatic scenario opens up, where we meet Caden, a deeply damaged shifter, one guaranteed to make an impact on Quinten’s future.
Caden is such a vulnerable, wounded character. It’s impossible not to connect with him, either for the reader or for Quinten’s employees who surround him. Clark’s supporting cast is as intriguing and layered in their personalities as the main couple. They grab our interest too with their interactions with Caden and Quinton, making us want to know more about each of them.
The plot lines equally interesting, up to the great characters. If it’s all over a bit too quickly, then head over to the other series to read more about this universe and the events mentioned here.
Hopefully, this couple will pop up again in another book and series. The characters have a way of doing that.
This is a wonderful read and it’s got my recommendation.
Related Series
✓ Kincaid Pack (6 books)
✓ The Mobster’s Mate – single story
✓ Silver Oak Pack-2 books so far (also within the same universe)
A human mob boss and an injured jaguar shifter brought together by a cruel enemy… and fate.
Caden hasn’t believed in fated mates since he was a cub. He figures it’s more of a fairytale that shifter parents tell their kids than the reality of what passes for mates in some of the packs he’s seen.
But then he comes face-to-face with a human man who smells like orange blossoms and radiates authority and safety.
And Caden… Well, he hasn’t felt safe in a long time.
While the rest of the world fears and reviles Quinten Amato and the things he does under the guise of his business, Caden is drawn to him like a cub to an alpha. He doesn’t care what anyone says or what Quinten does, he and his jaguar know the kind of man he is.
The kind who saved his life.
The kind who comforts him when he wakes up terrified.
The kind whose calm commands set his blood on fire.
Convincing his bossy human they’re meant to be together isn’t going to be easy. Especially not when Quinten’s certain Caden needs things he can’t get from him—and that being a part of Quinten’s life in the shadows is too dangerous.
And he might be right.
The Mobster’s Mate is a full-length novel featuring a human with questionable morals and a jaguar shifter who only sees the best in him. You’ll find an age gap, found family vibes, fated mates, and gobs of possessiveness.
This title is a standalone novel set within the Kincaid Pack universe. It can be read and enjoyed on its own. However, if you’d like to understand the nuances of the world, then start your journey with The Alpha and His King (Kincaid Pack Book 1).
I found it hard to rate A Thousand Second Chances (A Dash of Modern Magic Book 1) by Elric Shaw because, while it’s got so much to offer in terms of some of the characters and storylines, it’s also got a main character that presents a challenge to the reader in terms of how much we can expect to like or connect with him.
I don’t think Shaw sees this character in the way he comes across, at least not in the manner he does to this reader.
The story is a LGBTQIA contemporary Ground Hog day tale, one situated in an historic location that’s been the subject of many popular stories, lending itself to a magical atmosphere just by its very tone and history. That’s the famous Mackinac Island on Lake Huron in Michigan. No cars, bikes and carriages pulled by horses only, and the gorgeous Grand Hotel, along with all the many other shops and attractions, this is the perfect place to set a story that needs a magical twist to it.
It starts with a college trip, funded by the parent of one of the students, for a small group to go sightseeing, with an historic view, for the weekend, Professor in charge.
Chris, and his best friend, Quinn, are part of the group. Quinn has been the one who has been the instigator in getting Chris to come along. Chris has issues. He has a mother with boundaries problems, it’s her way or no way. Chris came out to family, friends and teammates at college and it didn’t go well. It’s turned him into a loner with self esteem issues. A former runner without a team. His past is also a part of his current issues, and it’s followed him on this journey.
Also on the trip, Percy, whose father set up the trip as a way for Percy to mourn the loss of his mother for both of them. Percy’s character is intertwined with that of Chris’, they have a long history, first as best friends, then as estranged secret lovers. It’s this last part that’s the main storyline of the book and most of the dramatic moments of the narrative.
Shaw’s two person POV gives the reader each character’s side of their journey to this point in their lives. Chris, who is bitter, out as gay, and fighting with his school, classmates (except for Quinn), with his parents, to be a writer. And the one person who he feels betrayed him is there on the trip, Percy.
Percy, whose story is complicated by the fact that he lost his mother to cancer, is a character I was frustrated by and unable to connect to. Yes, it was sad/heartbreaking his mother had died. That journey to a place where they had been happy as a family was a lovely touch but it was marred by a father, who much like his son, was unable to face his loss, so he pushed his “agenda of mourning “ onto his son. A legacy of cowardice that becomes a theme that the author never really thoroughly explores.
For 98 percent of this book, Perce is unable to deal with his own life fears/others expectations/inner voices, and truly face the devastating effect his actions have had on others. I’m not sure if the author is cognizant that they have written a character and a storyline that is so underwhelming weak in this way.
Perce is so unbelievably reliant upon other people’s perception of him that he has taken his own wants and even promises and dreams and tosses them away. Even if those included people who were counting on him. He did it without communication, without thoughtful process, even afterwards when he knew he must have inflicted great harm. It’s a role he set for himself and a path he continues on for almost the entirety of the book.
He says he knows he’s a coward. Chris waits for some word or actions to show that any of the multiple times or moments have changed the way things are. But while Chris is changing, there nothing but stasis for Perce.
And that’s almost certainly a killer when it comes to caring about a character going forward.
They repeat a day over and over, trying to figure out what they need to do to break the cycle. When the “aha” moment comes, it will surprise no one who the character is who makes the connection and saves the day.
Even at the end, Perce has made no concerted effort to talk in detail to anyone who he’s hurt about the choices or lack thereof that’s he’s made. Or really apologized to those people that he’s damaged. It’s left dangling.
So when it came back to the rating, it based solely on the character of Chris, the growth he underwent, the magic of Mackinac Island, and how well Shaw utilized the Ground Hog day format here that gave it that rating. Read it if you’re a fan of the author , the trope, and the storytelling elements above.
The only thing worse than waking up stuck in a time loop is realizing your ex is trapped there with you.
When Chris begrudgingly agrees to accompany his best friend Quinn on a university trip to Michigan’s picturesque Mackinac Island, he expects to suffer through a weekend of sightseeing, school-mandated activities, and entirely too much souvenir shopping. What he doesn’t anticipate is also having to avoid the boy who broke his heart.
Percy used to love his family’s annual excursions to Mackinac Island, but that all changed with the loss of his mother. This school trip is his chance to revisit some of their favorite haunts and honor her memory. However, what’s already guaranteed to be an emotionally charged weekend grows even more fraught when he discovers that he’s not only caught in a time loop, but that the boy he’d walked away from two years ago is his sole companion.
Forced together by the fickle whims of the universe, Chris and Percy must reopen old wounds and confront their painful pasts if they ever hope to escape their infinite Saturday. But even as they grow closer across myriad iterations of the same unending day, they grapple with one terrifying question.
Can the fragile connection they’re rebuilding survive their inevitable return to the real world?
A slow burn, fade-to-black M/M contemporary romance featuring second chance, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and a hard-won HEA. Every book in the A Dash of Modern Magic series is standalone and can be read in any order. Perfect for fans of Roan Parrish, Eli Easton, and Emma Scott.
A Thousand Second Chances (A Dash of Modern Magic Book 1)
The first in a new fantasy series, The Insanity of Reincarnated Mages and Amorous Vampires is a highly entertaining and fast paced fantasy adventure. It’s got reincarnated lovers, a sentient library, a found family of vampire warriors, and so much more.
All in all, a world of fun and magical action adventure, interwoven with love remembered and born again.
Sherwood’s characters are engaging, easily crossing time periods and a magical landscape to emerge in the modern world, embracing the cultural and technological aspects of the era, including even manga comics.
One of my favorite elements is the sentient library herself, Kassandra. A vibrant personality and key figure, even without a voice, I adored her. Master Declan, Ivy and the rest of the found family that defends and inhabits the library are amazing. Then there’s Kit, the one who was left behind, and Gun, the one who died and was reincarnated.
What a story and couple.
I was snared by the tragedy, pulled into the world by the adventures and hope of the future for the couple, and then just had a fabulous time with them along the way with the battles, the magic, and the ever enlarging foundation.
I can’t wait for the next in the series to come.
I’m highly recommending this to fans of this trope and author!
Reborn love. Unleashed magic. We won’t fail twice.
Hi, I’m Kit. Immortal vampire and technomage extraordinaire. You know how it goes.
For the record, I am absolutely not stalking my reincarnated husband.
Okay, I am, but it’s for his own good. And mine. Er, assuming I can somehow figure out how to tell him he’s reincarnated and a mage, and we all live in a sentient library.
Any thoughts on that? I’m currently taking suggestions.
One thing’s for sure. He’s not dying on me again. Never again.
Tags:
The fluffiest fluff to ever fluff, that y’know includes violence, magic, reincarnated lovers, vampires, sassy library, Kassandra the library has OPINIONS, found family, all the magical shenanigans, Kit and Gun are part time soulmates full time problem, authors have lost all discretion in this, Kit is a walking green flag, the crack ship armada is sailing at full speed here, master should never have access to a credit card, or a bookstore, no book is off-limits with that man, triggers involve too much sap and cuteness, occasionally blowing shit up, violence is not the question but it is the answer, Sentient Library Tells All, I’m absolutely a library book check me out.
Lay It Down is what the author calls her billionaire/grad student romance, an opposites attract story about a twin ending up with his brother’s ex lover under the worst possible circumstances.
The framework of the novel is a good one. One twin has come to see his happily “engaged to a billionaire” brother only to find himself drugged, and without his passport by his same brother who’s left for parts unknown. Now stranded on the resort island of Ibiza, Hudson has to figure out what happened and make right the damage his twin has caused.
Sounds good, right?
And for many elements of the story it is. Hudson is a lovely character. Unlike his irresponsible , and honestly, unlikable, twin, Dalvon, he’s easily someone that the reader can relate to and admire. A man who’s used his history as the protective older responsible brother as the boys navigated the foster system, he used it to better himself and get an education, which he’s still pursuing.
Calmes spent a lot of time building this character and it shows. Unlike his brother which appears here only through phone calls and by the many times he’s mentioned by others, never favorably. Even his actions are those that swing from negligence to one’s absolutely criminal.
Which means his twit of a brother? That’s where much of the problem with this story comes from.
Hudson awakens from a drugged sleep to find his brother has scampered off with his passport, stranding him in the ruins that he’s made of his life there. Doesn’t seem to matter what he’s done to anyone who has to depend on Dalvon. Off he goes.
Everything this other twin does and says is deplorable. But the author seems to think we’re going to think he’s just so helpless and a bit selfish but it’s ok. Those actions are forgivable
Nope it’s not. And to have a main character who’s constantly either being victimized by his brother or being his brother’s “savior “ doesn’t make for a satisfying story. It makes for a frustrating experience, especially since that pattern seems to continue forward at the end.
I like reading how Hudson runs around using his knowledge to help the people and businesses his brother was ruining. That worked. Especially since the characters that are grounded in the villa are wonderful.
But the instant love with Miguel , his brother’s ex was less successful a believable aspect of the book given the timeframe of a few days. Had there been more time to give their relationship growth and depth, I’d been on board.
Then there’s the whole criminal enterprise thing. That threw the story right over the top. And made no sense.
I really like Mary Calmes but this wasn’t among my favorites. Too bad because it had a lot of potential.
Most people would say being stranded in the villa of Spanish shipping magnate Miguel García Arquero on the beautiful isle of Ibiza wasn’t such a bad deal. But Hudson Barber isn’t one of them. To him, being stuck without a passport in a foreign country far from home is a nightmare, made worse by the fact that the person who did the stranding was his flighty twin brother.
Unwilling to turn Dalvon in for identity theft, Hudson is forced to wait, but meanwhile he discovers the chance to rehabilitate Miguel’s failing local businesses—enterprises left to Dalvon’s inexperienced care. The flagging ventures are a badly wrapped gift from heaven, and if Hudson can turn them around, he might be able to leverage the experience to finish his MBA.
Then Miguel returns to Ibiza, and instead of finding a boy toy, he discovers Hudson has turned his cold villa into a warm, welcoming home. Miguel’s path is clear: convince Hudson to lay down his defenses and let love in.
Mary Calmes’ other billionaire romance is Parting Shot.
Wintering with George , the second book in the With George series by Mary Calmes, is hard to be defined as a standalone series as its main characters are supported by and has its foundation knowledge based in two of this author’s most popular series (see list below).
However, Wintering with George is set two years after the events of the first novel and Calmes is able to give George and Kurt’s relationship a depth only time makes realistic. There’s still plenty of struggles and doubts, especially when George is still being unexpectedly called to duty for missions he can’t talk about.
That strain feels raw and the fear real. This is when the one person POV becomes intuitive because Calmes narrative has to include Kurt’s complex feelings, but from George’s perspective. That’s a difficult thing as Kurt has a tendency to want to psychoanalyze events and knows the boundaries where they should stop. It’s a great dynamic that we need to see more of.
It’s time to meet Kurt’s small family. Another great background story here and that turns into the main narrative going forward.
There’s plenty of action. Dogs and George’s cat, Bub. Kids to break up the adult action and add to the heartwarming atmosphere. Calmes has the best elements down pat here.
Except one.
We really need one more book to complete the trilogy and series. I hope we get it. This is too good to leave at two stories.
George Hunt is certain that spending time with his boyfriend’s family over the holidays will be a disaster. How can it not? For starters, he knows nothing about families, never having had one, as for the rest…talk about pressure. What if he messes up, says the wrong thing, and ends up losing the most important person in his life? Dr. Kurt Butler is his miracle; George can’t afford any missteps. But if he’s careful and does everything right, perhaps they’ll see his good qualities instead of the lethal ones.
Sometimes, though, fate lets you put your best foot forward, and George gets to show off how handy he is to have around when bullets start flying. If he can keep everyone alive long enough to do some wintering, maybe he’ll discover that a family is something worth having after all.
I have been invested in Nicki James’ characters and their evolving relationship since I read Temporary Partner, the first book in the series. That was our introduction to the highly complicated men , their emotional histories, and the meeting that launched their relationship.
Each novel has charted the tumultuous path they’ve had to navigate in order to move forward in their relationship. In each new book, through various issues and stages of in their lives, whether it’s Aslan’s alcoholism and family issues, Quaid’s perilously fragile ego with regard to men and his poor history of relationships, his recurring insecurities, and Quaid’s struggles to connect with others. With all of this folded in, their own relationship has been realistically defined but also made them relatable.
As they worked together to solve the different cases that came up, some horrific and beyond disturbing, there’s been some real growth demonstrated in their personal lives and relationships, at home and at the workplace.
If you sense a “but” coming, you’re correct.
After the devastating events of the last book, I was wondering what the author had in store for the couple next.
It wasn’t an agonizing half of a book that felt like both men had reversed any growth in communication and maturity in their lives and were back to their own respective ways. Aslan saying he “knew” his lover/partner and then proceeding to prove to everyone he didn’t, putting Quaid and himself, but mostly Quaid through immense emotional distress. Unnecessary, intentional, and preventable pain and suffering. For 56 percent of this book.
Over a proposal. That’s actually causes a breakdown.
Disrupted Engagement (Valor and Doyle Mysteries, #6) by Nicki James is a novel that I put down multiple times as a DNF because of the dysfunctional nature of the relationship between Aslan and Quaid in the first half of the story. The murder mystery, which is fascinating, isn’t fully complex enough, nor is the author’s “happy “ resolution for the couple a satisfying explanation for the narrative mess made of the dynamic between Aslan and Quaid throughout the storyline, primarily the first half.
This is the penultimate story, I believe. Matrimonial Merriment is listed as the next and last. It’s definitely mine as it feels like the series has run its course or lost its charm. At least for me.
Read it for the series, if you’re a fan of the author , and love this couple.
The ring has been bought, and all Aslan has to do is create the perfect setup for a proposal. No problem. Nothing to it. Quaid deserves the best, and he plans to deliver.
After choreographing a romantic evening to officially pop the question, Aslan is ready.
But things don’t go as planned, and the evening is ruined. Quaid’s insecurities rear their ugly head, making him suspicious. He knows Aslan is hiding something, but pessimism insists it isn’t a good thing.
When Aslan gets called out of town to hunt down a long-acting serial killer, there is no time to soothe his overanxious boyfriend’s worries or make a new attempt to propose.
Torn between a complicated case and figuring out the perfect way to ask Quaid to marry him, Aslan is left scrambling. Every idea falls flat. Every attempt fails. The more pressure he puts on himself, the more unsuccessful his efforts, and Quaid’s fears grow.
Aslan needs to solve this serial killer case and get home to straighten the mess he’s made.
**Disrupted Engagement is the sixth book in the Valor and Doyle mystery series. It is a same-couple series and should be read in order. Although each book has a self-contained mystery with no cliff-hangers, the romance is overarching.
With Chef Under Cover, I’ve returned to Montpelier, Vermont, home of the Hearth & Oak restaurant, Chefs Baldwin Powell and company, and easy contemporary romances. M.J. O’Shea’s Sizzle in the Kitchen series now total five books with a finale story to come.
It’s been a while since I’ve read this series, my favorite one still stands as the first one of the series, Chef in the Wild. For me, the stories that followed undermined the strengths of that original story and couple. So I never really quite reconnected again as I once had.
Chef Under Cover is much like reading a standalone novel in a series that’s more now about a location, the Hearth & Oak and a passion for food. And that’s fine.
This is a sweet story about a young man who knows he’s heading in the wrong direction career wise because of a physical talent and the support he finds to make the changes to be happy. And he comes out.
There’s a slight age gap , an implied parental homophobia, and a small amount of drama for the romance between the college football star/would be pastry chef and the physical therapist who’s treating him for shoulder pain.
Except for a rough patch in the beginning when Will and Sean meet, and assumptions ran up against sparks, this is a sweet, somewhat low angst romance. Any issues that Will is having with his parents, primarily his mother (it’s implied she’s homophobic), it occurs off page.
That’s probably my least favorite element here. Any issues, any real problems, and consequently, any resolutions (all of which have had real impact on Will, his college life and career choices) are “handled” off page. The reader is told Will had discussions with his parents, coach whoever. That includes coming out to them. A huge moment in someone’s life.
All those scenes are “as told to” in small succinct sentences. It’s emotionally unsatisfying to read if you’re trying to connect to the characters. And writing like this, choices about the narrative and characters make it harder for the reader to invest in their story. Keeping it superficial and sweet means the reader’s emotions stay on that level too.
As mine was. Sweet story. Cute couple .
If you want a sweet contemporary romance with low-ish angst, a quick low demand read, Chef Under Cover (Sizzle in the Kitchen Book 5) by M.J. O’Shea is a story for you. It’s not necessary to read any of the other books in the series to understand this one. It works as a standalone.
He played like a champion but dreamed of the sweet life…
Sean had never treated a famous person before. Not until the golden boy Will Harrington, star college quarterback and soon to be NFL legend, came in with an injured shoulder and hundreds of people’s hopes and dreams on his back.
Will never wanted to be a star quarterback. As unlikely as it sounds, it just kind of… happened. Now he’s stuck in the middle of a whole world he doesn’t fit into, surrounded by people who don’t actually know him.
Will would have never guessed that meeting one gorgeous physical therapist with a sarcastic mouth and a quirky group of small-town friends would help him become who he’s always wanted to be…a chef.
It’s Valentine’s Day and Heart2Heart is at it helping lonely hearts get their perfect match. Here, Cupid has agreed to partner with them to ensure a magical experience for the Heart2Heart database is had by all on their journey to a HEA, whatever that means.
A Devilish cover for the paranormal volume of stories, with a fabulous group of authors for Volume 7-part 2 (volume 1 is all contemporary romance and different authors).
The stories are listed in the order found within the Anthology.My favorites and must reads of this anthology are Alice Winters story which begins the anthology. It’s pure Winters in style and characters. Love it. Love Me Love My Dogs by Macy Blake is my next, such a heartwarming tale. And my other absolute best is The Hidden God of Open Doors by Tavia Lark, which, imo, should have been the story to end this collaboration as its theme and storytelling is amazing. And it’s my thought that all anthologies should begin and end with strong storytelling.
Stories:
💘Thank You , You Can’t Spell Necromancer Without Romance by Alice Winters
💘Hot Date by Eliot Grayson
💘Sweet Treats by Grae Bryan
💘Looking 4 Furever by Kiki Clark
💘Locked in Love by Lark Taylor 💘💘Love Me Love My Dogs by Macy Blake
💘Not So Cupid by Mika Nix
💘Starry Night by Pandora Pine
💘The Hidden God of Open Doors by Tavia Lark
💘Love Under the Sea by Taylor Rylan
A Letter From the H2H Team
1. Thank You , You Can’t Spell Necromancer Without Romance by Alice Winters 💘💘💘💘💘
Axton , witch with miniature horse, Hades as a familiar , Sylvan, the cute white-haired necromancer with an undead found family find love and happiness on a murderous mystery.
2. Hot Date by Eliot Grayson
David’s migraines are cured by demonic sex and lotsa love by summoning Ren. Cute, sexy story.
3. Sweet Treats by Grae Bryan such a lovely story about a half pixie Perri and an introverted wonderful gentleman, Tobias, who’s been secretly watching each other but finally connects thru H2H. Adorable 💕
4. Looking 4 Furever by Kiki Clark
Rance, coffee shop Magic Bean,
Dean, Lynx shifter, English prof. Age gap, 23/40, mate bonding, cute, but not a lot of character or relationship depth.
5. Locked in Love by Lark Taylor
Ash, vampire, looking for love after a bad ex, Lochlan, a Scottish water mage, an escape room afternoon adventure , and a tale with a surprising twist. Really enjoyed it.
6. Love Me Love My Dogs by Macy Blake 💘💘💘💘💘
Wolf shifter George Duko, with his French Bulldog, Gaston, runs Duko’s Den animal sanctuary. Braxton, nonbinary, dragon, and George’s match on H2H . A gentle, warm-hearted, laugh filled love story that I absolutely adore.💘💘💘💘💘
7. Not So Cupid by Mika Nix
Ruairi, Cupid’s little brother and
Weston, human, on a Cupid arranged Valentine’s Day date find out they’re perfect for each other. The authors do a terrific job of developing the romance.
8. Starry Night by Pandora Pine
Immortal demigod Orion Starborn, 5031 yrs old , cursed, and looking for love, is matched with Kaden Devereaux, head librarian in the folklore division of the Boston public library, also a werewolf. With an allergy problem. Not as easy as Cupid might think. I wish it had been longer because it’s got so many fascinating elements. Terrific story.
9. The Hidden God of Open Doors by Tavia Lark💘💘💘💘💘
Rune, an imprisoned demon
Raider, ritual contractor, owner of Artifacts, Alchemy etc
I’ll say nothing except it’s perfectly amazing, quietly heartbreaking if you think about the layers, and beautifully crafted.
10. Love Under the Sea by Taylor Rylan
Silver, gorilla shifter and Charlie, koala shifter , find their mates at a zoo Valentine lunch. Cute story.
Overall, a great anthology with wonderful stories by some of my favorite authors. There’s three 5-star tales that could easily be extended into larger books, but stand as fabulous paranormal short stories here. The rest have so much to recommend that this is a must read.
Once upon a time, a bunch of authors wondered… what would happen if Heart2Heart, the mystical matchmaking app adored across the supernatural world, brought in an absolute legend to help them find true love?
This Valentine’s Day, the sunshiny necromancer, the lonely vampire, and the nonbinary dragon will put their trust in H2H and a certain cheeky cherub of romance. Will Cupid’s arrows strike true?
As always, all proceeds from this anthology will benefit LGBTQ+ charities to ensure that love in all its incarnations will be celebrated and protected every single day of the year!
Stories included in this collection are:
You Can’t Spell Necromancer Without Romance, by Alice Winters Hot Date, by Eliot Grayson Sweet Treats, by Grae Bryan Looking 4 Furever, by Kiki Clark Locked in Love, by Lark Taylor Love Me Love My Dogs, by Macy Blake Not So Cupid, by Mika Nix Starry Night, by Pandora Pine The Hidden God of Open Doors, by Tavia Lark Love Under the Sea, by Taylor Rylan
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 