Review: A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s the holidays and time for Shannon Mae’s Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures to go all things Christmas! What an absolute blast and ho ho ho happy romance this is!

Mae gives us her version of the Santa origin story this time around with a touch of chaotic demonic energy and angelic joy combined to create happiness and love for children at a certain time of year. That had serious ramifications for one Nachielus (not Nicholas).

I absolutely loved seeing Nach return to the human realm. Mae’s ability to make the reader see the joy and wonder of the season, the warmth and happiness he’s able to bring, is a marvel of its own.

That carries over to the other characters, Beckett, a human, whose love for Christmas is deep and abiding as well as his roommate, who adds to the holiday spirit.

Together, we get a portrait of two beings who are soulmates, completely compatible in every sense of their being. It’s sexy, fun, but also filled with the joy and excitement of the Christmas spirit.

Happily, we get appearances from another important couple too. That’s the frosting or maybe tree topper on the Christmas tree here. As well as hints for a new book and identity of a character that’s been around in the background of the preceding stories.

All in all, a fabulous time was had back in this universe and I have another Christmas story to recommend.

Great cover again!

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance) :

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades

◦ A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Demons (A Novella)

Buy Link:

A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles30Kindle Edition$0.00or $2.99 to buy

Blurb:

Nachielus (not Nicholas) may have gotten into a bit of trouble over unsanctioned miracles, ending up on the upstairs’ naughty list. Sure, maybe he’d gotten a little carried away with the whole Christmas thing, but he hadn’t meant to become a part of folklore, and surely that wasn’t a reason to bury him in centuries of paperwork. Banned from topside and missing his favorite holiday, he gets a push from a certain demon to pop up and have a look around. When he meets Beckett, a Christmas-loving elf enthusiast who mistakes him for the Santa hired for a fundraiser, how can he say no? Next thing he knows, Nach is in over his head again, because this is one human he can’t resist.

Beck’s Christmas is merry and bright, especially after he encounters Nach, the hottie in questionable Santa attire. Nach’s kindness, generosity, and charm have Beck falling faster than a snowflake. With no place to stay, obviously Beck needs to bring Nach home with him. Beck never believed in love at first sight before, but there’s just something about Nach that calls to him, and it isn’t long before he’s trying to figure out to keep this sexy Santa all to himself.

Tags: Beck is living his own Christmas rom-com, complete with a meet cute and lots of Christmas kisses; Nach never means to cause trouble—it just seems to find him (and the reindeer thing was definitely not his fault); Nach has a very loose definition of what constitutes a miracle; corporate Scrooges try to suck the fun out of Christmas (but don’t worry, they don’t succeed); Nach is an angel of joy of fulfillment, so expect plenty of joy… and fulfillment (wink, wink).

A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles is a 30k novella bursting with laughs, holiday spirit, and a Happily Ever After that even the Grinch would approve of. Get ready for festive chaos, Christmas kisses, and a love story weirder than Grandma’s fruitcake.

— A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles by Shannon Mae

• Publication date: November 27, 2023

• Print length: 118 pages

Review: Tied Over (Marshals Book 6) by Mary Calmes

Rating: 4.75 🌈

Honestly, a tried and true hero Mary Calmes story was just what I needed at the moment. And that’s what I get in the sixth installment in Calmes’ Marshals series, Tied Over.

I’m a long time fan of this universe which started with another series I no longer rec (publisher issues) and continues into the Marshals series, run by Sam Kage. So many great and familiar characters are staples throughout the storylines that each book feels like a homecoming.

That’s a plus for fans of the series but perhaps a drawback for readers new to the universe and couples. There’s so much built in knowledge and background that accompanies a book in this universe. Even with the details the author provides into their backstory, a reader is still missing out on much of the depth of relationships and past experiences of the Marshals that’s built even into the mere flyaway sentences. Doesn’t mean, don’t read it, that simply means go back and enjoy starting at the beginning.

Why? Because of getting to enjoy the thrill of the journey to love and happiness with the Marshal or usually Marshals that make up the couple of the novel.

That glorious Mary Calmes knight in shining armor character who everyone loves, who in this case is US Deputy Marshal Josiah Redeker, aka Jed. He’s the perfect example of why I read and love this author. He’s a typical Calmes hero. He saves the day every time. He saves small children from bad men, he takes down really evil people, he saves dogs, and most importantly, he saves his partner and love of his life from making a bad decision.

And Calmes has Jed do all this with heart stopping action, poignant scenes, moving moments, children so realistic and fragile is scary, and scenes just plain raw that you know you’re going to be rereading the book as soon as it’s finished.

And it’s not just Jed, it’s his partner US Deputy Marshal Bodhi Callahan, the other half of him. This is not the first time that the reader has met this couple if you’ve been following the series as they’ve appeared in other books.

They’ve been partners for years, in love for years, in a relationship that’s been personally rough for them at times, but always partners, even when assigned babysitting duties to other baby Marshals. Both characters are fully realized, with a deep sense of connection that the author makes the reader feel so invested in.

Calmes pulls us in immediately into various dramatic scenes, giving the readers the details on the law enforcement scenes and the personal lives of the main characters so once we enter, it’s one fast paced read to the emotional satisfying end.

I was thrilled at the way the story went and how the couple had grown back together and gotten the ending they deserved.

Just exactly what I needed as well. This is why I read Mary Calmes and will continue to make her a go to author.

Haven’t read this series? Check out the list below.

Marshals:

✓ All Kinds of Tied Down #1

✓ Fit To Be Tied #2

✓ Tied Up In Knots #3

✓ Twisted and Tied #4

✓ Balanced and Tied #5

✓ Tied Down #6

Buy Link:

Tied Over (Marshals Book 6)

Blurb:

Josiah Redeker has been tied up, tied down, and just plain tied to Bodhi Callahan since the younger marshal was paired with him five years ago. It was an easy slide from partners to best friends, and though Bodhi wanted more, Josiah thought Bodhi could do far better than him. That made for a bumpy ride, and, of course, the moment Josiah realized that trying to live without the man he loved more than anything was not something he could do, that was when Bodhi broke the big news that he was getting married. Adding to that nightmare, they got reassigned as partners because other people needed them more.

It’s a disaster all around, and all Josiah sees ahead of him is pain—and not only from getting shot.

But what he thinks he knows for sure isn’t exactly all there is. Turns out, he’s not the only one who’s missing his touchstone, and Bodhi might be fraying at the edges, coming undone. When two people have been tied together over and over for so long, it’s not so easy to get loose. And maybe neither wants to be free of the other, and that could be their future, as long as no one comes between them… with a gun.

• Publisher: (November 28, 2023)

• Publication date: November 28, 2023

• Print length: 258 pages

Review: The Holigay Hookup by Louisa Masters

Rating: 3🌈

A story in shared universe with the author’s Mr Romance of the Franklin U series collection, this holiday short features the uncles of Mr Romance’s young main couple.

I’m a solid fan of Masters and her ability to build great characters, relationships, and, indeed, imaginative worlds to throw them into.

But the short length here limits this to a cute story with characters and a relationship that’s one note, quickly built, instant love, with little of the author’s usual narrative charm and depth. There’s just too little page length.

It’s a meet, insult, meet again with great embarrassment. Apologies and into bed. Love and immediate commitment. Done. With family that you don’t have much time to get a feel for.

So if you’re interested in a quick holiday tale that’s a cute read. Pick it up, read, put down. Mainly because of the author. Interested? The Holigay Hookup by Louisa Masters is a short story for you.

Buy Link:

Blurb:

The hot guy at my new job is my nephew’s boyfriend’s uncle… and I just insulted his whole family…

Transferring to the California office is a great opportunity for me, and it gives me the chance to spend more time with my nephew, Liam. There’s no way to lose in this situation—especially when I meet Jim, who works in my office, is super-hot, and seems interested.

Except, for reasons I can’t explain, I might have complained about having to spend Thanksgiving with Liam’s boyfriend’s family, who are mega rich. I wasn’t expecting to turn up and discover that Jim’s nephew is dating mine… and that the family I called snobs is his.

Now I have to find a way to apologize and convince Jim to keep my secret. There’s no way I’ll risk damaging Liam’s relationship. Too bad there’s no chance he’ll still be interested in me… right?

A fun holiday romp with cameo appearances by Liam and Charlie from Mr. Romance.

Review: York: Yule Lads Book One by Macy Blake

Rating: 5🌈

“Frosted snickerdoodle antlers!”

And it’s back to Mistletoe Falls after last year’s terrific Christmas Sprites Series, but this time it’s the Sprites counterparts, the Yule Lads getting back their magic and mates.

York, the first Yule Lad we meet, is Christmas Falls mechanic. A mixture of grumbly mischief with a deep love for his cousins, and an appreciation for the weirdness of his town, he’s just perfect. I adore him and all the quirky little elements that Blake layered into him, carrot fondness included.

He’s balanced with the relatable human Gabriel Baum and his adorable corgi, Bogie, who has come to Christmas Falls to sell his beautiful hand crafted gifts and ornaments at the annual Christmas fair. Gabe is in desperate need of some help and maybe even some magic. He’s got a sad backstory but he’s landed in a town that is warm and welcoming.

Love this town and its inhabitants. More please.

Macy Blake has written a delightful, heartwarming story that has all the holiday charm and great elements woven into a perfect fantasy romance. It sparkles with magical moments and scenes of comfort as well as ones of comedy.

What a great start in a short Christmas present! I can’t wait to see what Uriel’s story brings.

Highly recommended.

Yule Lads:

✓ York #1

◦ Uriel #2 – December 7,2023

Buy Link:

York: Yule Lads Book One

Blurb:

Naughty but nice…

York Lad is stunned when his magic unexpectedly returns, but he’s ready to bring a little mischief to the small town of Mistletoe Falls. Along with his cousins, the other Yule Lads, York has spent the last year planning pranks to add their version of holiday cheer to the season.

Gabriel Baum needs to succeed at Mistletoe Falls annual craft fair. He doesn’t expect for the town’s quirky residents to embrace him with open arms, especially York, the town’s mechanic. When his beloved vehicle breaks down, Gabriel is stranded unless York can save him from certain doom.

York may not have been expecting to lose his heart over the holidays, but with his magic sparkling in the air and the man of his dreams at his side, he has a few new reasons to love the season…if his Yule Lad magic doesn’t get up to snow good.

If you love small towns, mischief makers, and holiday magic, your heart will melt over this feel-good Christmas romance.

The Chosen Universe is a group of interconnected series set in one universe. There is some overlap to the series, so it’s recommended to read the books in order. You can download a FREE reading order guide by clicking here

Sweet Nothings: The Chosen One Prequel–When Sam Baker discovers a small child at his backdoor, he learns that a world of magic and shifters exists all around him—including the alpha werewolf he had a one night stand with years before.

The Chosen One Series–The mythical Chosen One is set to return with his eight guardians and correct the magical wrongs done centuries before.

Hellhound Champions Series–As the champions of the fire goddess, the hellhounds have one task: keep the secret of the supernatural world safe.

Magical Mates Series–After the Chosen One returns, magic is in the air, and shifters are finally finding their fated mates… with a little help on the side.

Chosen Champions Series–With the magical realm in chaos, a new set of champions emerges to keep the human world secure.

Cosmo and the King–Cosmo never told any of his friends in the human realm that he ran away on his wedding day, leaving his king at the alter. Now Silenus has to track down Cosmo and convince him that they are meant for each other, even though his stubborn fiancé seems determined to challenge him at every turn.

Christmas Sprites Series–With magic in the human realm on the fritz, four Christmas Sprites find themselves trying to keep the Christmas spirit alive in Mistletoe Falls… and finding love along the way.

Yule Lads Series–You better watch out… the Yule Lads are coming to Mistletoe Falls this holiday season! A follow up to the pun-filled Christmas Sprites series, prepare for mischief, mayhem, and maybe a little love in time for Yule. If you prefer to read in chronological order, check out the Chosen Universe Box Sets

— York: Yule Lads Book One by Macy Blake

Review: Silent Knight (a Christmas Falls novel) by Beth Bolden

Rating: 3🌈

Silent Night by Beth Bolden is a novel written for the Christmas Falls multi-author collaboration about a small town whose inhabitants live and breathe Christmas.

But it’s very much a mashup with her successful football series, the Charleston Condors, as one of the main characters, Jem Knight, is a famous Condor player currently on the injured reserve list.

We know Jem from his best friend relationship with Deacon, another character and teammate. Both men are going through some very difficult times, emotionally, mentally, and in Jem’s case, physically.

Sports (also food) is where Bolden’s writing excels. It’s in the team dynamics, the on-field team chemistry and excitement, and the ability to translate the author’s knowledge and love for each sport into a compelling narrative.

Here Jem is outside of his usual comfort zone and it shows in making him an outsider in his hometown. It absolutely works in his status and his emotional distance from the town’s citizens and events. We feel that outsider status from the minute he arrived back into town. He’s never emotionally home and that’s the issue, no matter what happens, he and Bolden never believably make him a viable choice to come back for us or him. It’s Told To Us. But nope.

The other man, local craftsman made famous, gnome carver , Murphy Clark, is also a terrific creation. He’s vulnerable, fearful of repeating the past, and insecure about his own attributes. Murphy is a very strong character. He belongs to Christmas Falls one hundred percent.

However, it’s the reality and relationship between the men, the parents (especially Jem’s) that just wasn’t there for me. The intrusive aspect where Jem’s parents decided they were the best judge of two grown men’s lives, including leaning against the son over another man, struck me as cold. Instead I found it completely natural for Jem to have stayed away from the town and family for years.

The author made a case, but not in the way she anticipated. And that negated most of the rest of her storyline. I could see a friendship rekindled but didn’t Bolden didn’t make me feel the chemistry that normally comes with one of her stories and couples. And so much of the deeper characters and depth, with the exception of Murphy’s best friend, was missing. Jem never felt a part of this town or family. It all seemed forced, unlike Charleston.

Run, Jem, run. How’s that for Christmas?

See you back at the Charleston Condors.

Christmas Falls:

✓ Get Frosted by Amy Aislin

◦ Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison

◦ Snowbody Loves Me by Jacki James

✓ Silent Knight by Beth Bolden

◦ Under the Mistle-tome by Sammi Cee

◦ Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox

◦ No Elfing Way by Hayden Hall

◦ Ready, Set, Glow by Rye Cox

◦ Scrooge You! by Brigham Vaughn

Buy Link:

Silent Knight

Blurb:

Of all the things Murphy Clark loves about Christmas Falls, there’s always been one he loves a little more than the rest:

His childhood best friend, Jem Knight.

Doesn’t matter that Jem’s barely been home in years, or that he’s busy conquering football fields instead of hanging out at Jolly Java or admiring Murphy’s carved wooden gnomes. Murphy’s always loved him anyway.

But now Jem’s finally returned to Christmas Falls to be the honorary figurehead of the biggest holiday festival in the Midwest.

Murphy’s hoping to rekindle their friendship but he didn’t count on Jem not recognizing him. Or flirting with him. Or re-igniting the hopeless crush he’s always had for his best friend.

He definitely didn’t expect for his crush to no longer be hopeless at all.

Or for both of them to realize that all they want for Christmas this year is each other.

Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.

Charleston Condors:

✓ The Star #1

✓ The Game #2

✓ The Score #3

◦ The Play #4 – March 31, 2024

Review: Rise (Wings ‘N’ Wands, #2) by A. J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4🌈

I loved Ruins, the preceding book, where Sam and Dimitri found out they were not only soulmates but located the ruins of the mysterious and previously thought lost Sousa clan. Now comes the exciting adventures to explore the ramifications of those ruins and the clan they belong to.

Sherwood and Drake have packed a lot into this book. It easily could taken two stories to tell just because of the narrative ground it has to cover along with the complexity of the romance of the novel. That’s where I’m not sure all the elements came out equally well conceived for me given the potential of the concepts and emotions involved.

First the romance. That has been something that has been around for a while. The relationship between the two dragons, Luka and Vassily, which is unique when the mate combination is dragon/mage, not dragon/dragon. So their relationship has been fraught with fears for one of them finding a mate and tearing the couple apart, a thread from other stories. So potentially heartbreaking.

It continues here when a voice calls to both in dreams, asking them to save him. Amaura Sousa, a mage who needs their help to wake him and the rest of his clan from a 500 year old sleep. The Sousa clan’s spirit and strength lies in their love of creating new science and technology merged with magic, which in this case also has been the basis of their long slumber.

The romance/mate bond between Luka/Vassily/Amaura of this book is one the aspects that frustrated me the most of the storylines. One of the best but most frustrating. It always comes down to communication for me and the fact that the characters don’t seem to talk to each other. That’s become an almost a flag for as a reader in books so it takes a lot in a story for me to stay connected and continue reading.

Luckily, the authors do have other characters step in and help clarify the issues but , good grief, that’s a lot of work for some charming characters.

Both Sherwood and Drake built some imaginative magical clan history and new knowledge with the retrieved Sousa clan. I could have spent chapters more on the breaking of that spell, waking everyone up to a new era and reordering of dragon/mage dynamics.

Then only to give the reader brief moments and glimpses into what the Sousa city, ruin’s magical rebirth included, well, there’s even more possibilities and potential I feel was left out of the story, scenes I wanted to read and feel a part of. Mostly because what we were given were so special and fascinating that I was absolutely invested into them.

And then there’s Sam who with his broken core, started the search for the Sousa to begin with. Sam’s story and his role is so emotionally important. He’s the heart and hero, and I wanted his happiness and heroics to get the best scenario possible. The authors came so so close. I guess they couldn’t have explosions. But again, Sam and Dimitri could have had chapters to finish off their well deserved section of this tale.

Rise (Wings ‘N’ Wands, #2) by A. J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake was a case of a bunch of wonderful ideas, imaginative elements, mixed with great characters but just not having enough page time or narrative space to give them all the attention they deserve.

I had a fabulously entertaining time reading it and look forward to the next.

Scales ’N’ Spells Series

✓ Origin #1

✓ Breath #2

✓ Wish: A Novella #3

✓ Blood #4

✓ Embers #5

Wings ’N’ Wands :

✓ Dawn: A Prequel Novella (Ha Na and King Rodrigo)

✓ Ruins #1 – Sam and Dimitri’s book

✓ Rise #2

◦ Soar (coming in 2024!)

Buy Link

Rise (Wings ‘N’ Wands Book 2)

Blurb:

For the record, putting the Sousa clan to sleep for five hundred years is not Amaru’s fault.

At least he’s found his two, count ‘em two sexy, hunky, adorable, overprotective dragon mates because of it, and they’ll help him wake up his clan.

So why. Are his mates. AVOIDING HIM? Especially Luka. This should not be as hard as they’re making it.

What’re the proper tools to fix relationship problems? Is it screwdrivers?

Tags:

Chaos thine name is Amaru, one keeper is not sufficient, hence triad, lost clans, malfunctioning magic, confused dragons, the whole enchilada, 500 years is one hell of a power nap, zipper are awesome, Ravi has twins, pray, relationships are work, hope is too, who needs sleep when there is nookie, don’t touch the screwdrivers, all unattended electronics will be taken apart, breaking traditions, dragon cuddles are the best cuddles

Review: Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes by Eli Easton

Rating: 3🌈

Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes by Eli Easton is based loosely on one of this author’s favorite movies with comedic actors Steve Martin and John Candy, “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”.

Both have unexpected road trips at its core and new relationships that form as part of the plot.

Easton’s is a sweet instant love story that happens at Christmas during a road trip racing to escape a Hurricane bearing down on Florida and the east coast.

One man’s an engaged uptight medical businessman trying to get to his wedding, and the other’s a social worker trying to see a mother who’s sick to say goodbye. Both in New York City. Or there bouts.

The premise is cute and the characters are straight up Easton adorable. But the quickness of breakdown in Joe Blankenship’s life, from engaged overworked medical executive to “madly in love” running after the social worker who’s convinced him to give up everything.

It feels more like a mid life crisis than a real life romantic moment. It’s a hurricane. They run around a Six Flags type of theme park while fleeing it , smh! Then it’s crisis mode and pressed into relief and more crisis related events.

No relationship really but sex and high emotions that just don’t make me feel like this isn’t anything but intense events and pressure piled into each other. For me, the author didn’t make the connection between the two men viable past the hurricane.

If the author had made the relationship between the two men more realistic , then maybe leave out running around doing crazy stuff while a major hurricane’s impact on their car ride and the world around them. Make that clear and direct, because the events that happen just take the men and their trip out of any kind of realistic scenario until Easton decides to plunge them back in again.

It’s fun, it’s not. It’s a break, it’s a disaster. It’s a roller coaster of a narrative that has not a lot of substance.

Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes by Eli Easton is a cute Christmas story but not my favorite from this author. Read it because you’re a fan or you like holiday stories.

Buy Link:

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Planes-…Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes: A Christmas road trip romance

Blurb:

Joe knows where he is going in life. But one crazy road trip just might change everything.

Joe Blankenship knows where he’s going. He’s on track to marry the boss’s daughter and become heir apparent to a multi-million dollar medical supply business. The financial security he never had growing up is within his grasp along with a glitzy Manhattan lifestyle. All he has to do is get to New York by Christmas Eve for his engagement party.

Joe didn’t count on getting grounded in Florida thanks to a hurricane. He couldn’t have anticipated having to rent a broken-down car for the long drive north. And he certainly never foresaw being stuck with a passenger like Remy Guidry, a sweet-natured Cajun boy, social worker at a children’s home, and free spirit. Remy is the opposite of everything Joe has worked for. But he just might teach Joe, not only the spirit of Christmas, but what’s truly of value in life.

Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes is a Christmas road trip, forced proximity, opposites attract romance.

Buy Link:

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Planes-…Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes: A Christmas road trip romance

Blurb:

Joe knows where he is going in life. But one crazy road trip just might change everything.

Planes, Trains, and Hurricanes is a Christmas road trip, forced proximity, opposites attract romance.

Review: I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc: Crack Fantasy Adventure Chapter Four by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 4.75🌈

Heading towards the end of this crack fantasy adventure and I find it hard to believe Cody will be able to wrap it all up in the next chapter.

There’s a lot here to take in, more information and plain ol magical stuff about the mystery of the evil miasma that’s threatening Fasgard and the Underthyr, the darkness that started the quest and the gang out on their journey.

Cody gives us more road trip puzzles to solve , entertaining dwarven family dynamics, the emotional ramifications of the deepening new bond between Lawton and Berklak, and revelations of what might be behind the female animosity that’s causing such suffering and chaos across the land. It’s one wild roll of the dice after another as the group interpersonal relationships form new romances and hopes for future adventures.

I can’t wait to see what happens next. And just a note! I love the names here, especially the towns. This is a fabulous example of otherworldly names done right! They fit, they sound astoundingly familiar yet not, and as though they fit in this world. Love them.

Highly recommend this and the series.

Covers are so cute.

Buy Link:

I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc: Crack Fantasy Adventure Chapter Four

Blurb:

Lawton:

I don’t know if I appreciate learning new things about myself. Bonding with Berklak has been eye-opening, but I might be a tiny bit terrified by it, because suddenly I have more magic than I’m supposed to, and now I kind of understand why other necromancers have rampaged across thyr. I’m not saying I’m going to start leaving a trail of bodies behind me, but I’m not saying I’m incapable of it either. And that might have me a tiny bit worried.

Berklak:

My necromancer is worried. I don’t know what’s going on in that beautiful head of his, but his heart beats in the bond between us, and something is stressing him. I’ll get him to talk it out, and then we’ll make a plan, and somehow we’ll figure out what is happening in Fasgard and the Underthyr. But first, I’m going to make sure Lawton relaxes for at least a minute and takes a few deep breaths. Nothing is so bad that we don’t have time for a little self-care.

I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc is a five chapter serial fantasy adventure with a light-hearted, fun TTRPG vibe. Expect big magic, lots of cuddles, plenty of steam, and a team of characters that might not get a natural 20 on every roll, but they make up for it with creative solutions to both magical and mundane problems

Review: Get Frosted (a Christmas Falls novel) by Amy Aislin

Rating: 4🌈

Get Frosted is a sweet Christmas romance with elements of small towns at Christmas, retired NHL players looking for a new start, home, and love.

This is a low angst story about a family that has two retired NHL players that have returned back home to Christmas Falls after their careers have ended. It’s the younger brother , Mik, who’s the main character, one who has had a long rivalry with/crush with his older brother’s best friend and NHL teammate, Rudy Snow.

This charts their relationship and Rudy’s indecision about staying in Christmas Falls, the longest stretch of stability in his life.

There are so many wonderful elements written into this book. Aislin’s scenes of Mik’s helping one of his young hockey players learn how to high stick properly highlights not only the author’s own knowledge of the game but her ability to bring this moment beautifully to life, making the shared love and passion for hockey, the teaching that’s etched into the ice, sticks and blades feel real and meaningful.

And there’s the decorations, from the Bigfoot collection to the icicles lighting of memory that mean so much to the men, town, and most likely many readers. The author writes that into the narrative in ways that are humorous, and poignant, much as this mixed feelings of this holiday tradition often brings us.

As the relationship develops and grows, we are able to develop a feeling about the town and characters, not just the couple. It turns into a sweet Christmas romance with a sense of humor and touches of small town pride that makes it a lovely read.

Christmas Falls:

✓ Get Frosted by Amy Aislin

◦ Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison

◦ Snowbody Loves Me by Jacki James

◦ Silent Knight by Beth Bolden

◦ Under the Mistle-tome by Sammi Cee

◦ Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox

◦ No Elfing Way by Hayden Hall

◦ Ready, Set, Glow by Rye Cox

◦ Scrooge You! by Brigham Vaughn

“Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/ M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.”

— Get Frosted by Amy Aislin

Buy Link:

Get Frosted

Blurb:

For years, Mik has wanted nothing more than to put coal in Rudy Snow’s stocking.

As former pro hockey players, they’ve been rivals for years. It started in Mik’s rookie season, when a reporter pitted him against his older brother’s best friend. Rudy pushes Mik’s buttons like no one else, going out of his way to one-up him at every turn.

Now they’re both pub owners in a small town that takes Christmas to a level best seen in Hallmark movies, but not much else has changed. They’re still rivals, this time pitting gingerbread martinis against pomegranate sangria.

But when they’re forced to work together to plan a special holiday party, sparks ignite. Maybe it’s a bad idea to put coal in Rudy’s stocking after all. They both might just catch fire.

Then again, what better way is there to stay warm on a cold winter’s night?

Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.

Review: The Hitman’s Guide to Codenames and Ill-Gotten Gains (The Hitman’s Guide, #5) by Alice Winters

Rating: 5🌈

I believe this is the last in The Hitman’s Guide series and if it is, it’s a fantastic way to see this series off. I laughed out loud, and at the end, I may have sniffled a bit, because Winters layered in some moving, emotional scenes of deep love and growth for retired hitman Leland and his now husband, Jackson, along with those of outrageous hilarity.

But before we get to those moments, there’s high action, mystery, hilarious murderous hijinks, car chases, explosions, a young teenager in need of help, and, of course, that evil monster, Lukas, still trying to manipulate Leland from behind bars. In short, it’s got all the narrative bells and whistles we expect from this series and characters and more!

It delivers on all our expectations and then goes further into high emotional gear!

What I especially loved about this story was how Winters created her tale, starting with a small time holdup by amateurs, a seemingly throwaway scene. But with this author, the smallest of details , like a barely there character, that threads throughout the many storylines , to end up being a big part of the plot and eventual found family. It’s beautiful fabrication and imaginative storytelling.

And not to be lost among the fireworks and gunfire is the emotional turmoil and toll that exists within Leland, Cassel, and everyone else who is involved with Lukas. That monster manipulator behind bars but still causing emotional damage to Leland’s peace of mind. That’s as well written as the high pitched action and suspense that comes with the comedic timing and moments here that had me in stitches.

Winters balances the moving moments where Leland’s heart and vulnerability shows through with the flat out bad jokes and nonstop violence that’s associated with this former hitman and gang of found family. Yes, Winters has everyone back together here, dogs and mother in law included.

With that combination, this becomes a fabulous narrative ballet of bullets and comedic verbal poetry that absolutely kills it in every aspect!

I’m so sorry to see this series and group of characters go but what a book to end on. It’s a great finale. One I’m highly recommending, along with the series.

Hitman’s Guide:

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love #1

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes #2

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot #3

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Righting Wrongs While Causing Mayhem #4

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Codenames and Ill-Gotten Gains #5 – finale

Related side story: Cassel’s romance:

✓ The Former Assassin’s Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend

Buy Link:

The Hitman’s Guide to Codenames and Ill-Gotten Gains

Blurb:

Leland

Stopping a robbery was only the beginning—to fun, action-filled mayhem. Jackson’s afraid that I’m running headfirst into trouble (again), but I’m not… I’m running gun-first into it. When one of the robbers who’s really just a kid comes begging for my help, I definitely have no choice but to help him.

The kid is convinced his brother has been wrongly accused, and while Jackson My Love might be over there going, “You were hired to look into it, not to go undercover, sink a boat, and hunt down a gang,” I feel like he’s simply confused… because I’m gonna hunt down TWO gangs (and is that a car chase I see?).

Jackson

A simple “Whodunnit” turns into us being targeted by multiple bad guys as we run after them instead of away from them, dragging Cassel and Henry—and some others—along for the ride. I really can’t be the only one who sees the issue here, but… as I watch them race into danger, I’m starting to think I am.

Loving Leland comes easy, but keeping him safe doesn’t because there’s someone trailing Leland who might want to hurt him. The problem is that as Lucas strings us along and tales begin to become tangled, it’s hard to tell who is right and who is wrong.

Contains: Lifejackets used to protect all the wrong things (Leland: all the RIGHT things), the greatest tragedy of ALL TIME (involving The Fence)(even if Jackson doesn’t think so), and the kind of friends that make you realize you don’t need enemies.

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