Stories from the small town of Fall Crosse and Four Bears Construction include:
Happy Birthday Honey (Cole and Ren)
Baby Goats (Stone and Dare)
Stone and Dare’s Wedding – ditto
Christmas Butt Plug. (Everett and Watson)
Tequila Wedding (Ollie and Daniel)
GOATS LIKE CAKE TOO – Four Bears Epilogue
Each one is exactly what the author says, a short scene from the couple’s life. Cute or sexy or both. The stories are a terrific way to close out the series and say goodbye to these characters and their HEA’s.
If you love them and want to see more of their lives, this is just the thing for you.
Side characters are often everything. And they, when fantastically crafted as they are in this series, make such an impact that you can’t help but wonder what happens to them afterwards. How did their characters go forward?
Author May supplies us with 5 short stories that focus on some of our favorites from this series and gives them their own HEA or something similar.
Did I have a favorite? No. I just adore each one. So totally satisfying and a wonderful reminder why I love and highly recommend this series so much.
Cover design by cheriefox.
Perfect Pixie Series
Perfectly Imperfect Pixie
Perfectly Perfect Pixie: Peaches’s Story
Perfectly Charmed Pixie: Parsnip’s Story
Perfectly Perplexing Zombie: Wendall’s Story
Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox’s Story—finale
Perfectly Petite Shorts: Short Stories from the Perfect Pixie Series M/M
Necromancer Tales Series: Spin-Off from the Perfect Pixie Series
Ever wonder if our favorite ancient vampire, Nirgal, found his happily ever after? What about our morally ambiguous fairy, Hamish McIntyre? How exactly did Warlock Vander Kines meet Georgiana and why did she leave her daughter, Byx, in his questionable care? What Scuttlebutts think and how Trinket views her tribe? What about the perfect gift for a pixie who already believes he has it all? Hopefully the following short stories answer those burning questions.
Lighting the Darkness
Older than memory, vampire Nirgal is often simply referred to as ancient one. Help from his new friends across the pond, along with a desperate home-and-hearth pixie, might finally give Nirgal his own HEA, Lighting the Darkness invading his soul.
Magic’s Sight
Vander is near his breaking point. Thankfully, Magic has a plan and sends aid in the form of a precocious brownie child named Byx and her mother, Georgianna. Will Magic’s Sight be the answer that saves Vander’s life?
Phil’s Gift
Dillon and Ruthie set out on a quest to find the best present ever. Deciding Phil’s friends know him best, the children embark on their mission. Turns out dwarves, pixie best friends, fauns, and fairies have some interesting ideas regarding Phil’s Gift.
A Scuttlebutt’s Loyalty
Trinket will do whatever it takes to keep her tribe safe, even if that means tearing Dusk apart to do so. Too bad it just so happens to be during Wendall and Ray’s bonding celebration. Party be damned, a Scuttlebutt’s Loyalty is too important.
Cherry Blossom’s and Fairy Blushes
Why is Hamish so distracted by the dryad who walked through his office door? Why can’t Hamish seem to dismiss his new client, and why is he so concerned for his safety? More importantly, why is this dryad’s Cherry Blossoms causing his Fairy Blushes?
Perfectly Petite Shorts is a collection of five stories revolving around side characters from the Perfect Pixie Series. For optimum enjoyment, the previous books in the series should be read prior. Perfectly Petite Shorts contains questionable gifting ideas, protective scuttlebutt violence, magenta colored pixie dust, mischievously motivated sprites, trolls with questionable fashion sense, randomly sprouting cherry blossoms, and so much more.
While I’m really enjoying this subset of paranormal fantasy novels in the Nelson & MacIlwraith Mystery universe, this book doesn’t have the same level of complexity and depth for all the main characters as previous stories. And that lack hurts my connection to the narrative.
K Sterling is a fantastic author. Her ability to weave together a coherent and compelling narrative is a huge factor in her success. She uses her unique background of investigations, murders then adds more layers of natural history, geography, multicultural history, and mythology to create a unique world and experiences.
This is where I recommend readers not to forget to include reading all Sterling’s author’s notes at the beginning of this book. On this being a love note to our parks and its Rangers, but also to their own complex, oppressive history with our indigenous people and communities over lands that were confiscated by the government.
And, there’s a dictionary for those who want to know how to pronounce some of these Irish Gaelic words seen throughout the novel and series. Honestly, I loved this.
Now to the pluses and minuses of the book.
The plot is excellent but almost too removed from actual action and its deep roots in a nefarious bargain. We should have seen more of that. And perhaps less sex, more detailed work on a real relationship.
It’s framed in that the Oracle has seen that an innocent, a Park Ranger in the Shenandoah’s, will be in danger from a demon.
That’s more than enough for the crew of Demi Sun god MacIlwraith, Nelson, Merlin, the two hellhounds and their mates to make the trip to investigate and save him. This group is always a great source for the story and dialogue. And we see Nox MacIlwraith’s powers growing.
However, thing is , the main story revolves around the Ranger, Niall, and the demon, Cenn, aka Lord Smoak. Of the two, we get one fascinating character and one bland one dimensional character. Guess who is the one note person? Niall the human.
He’s got a great background story, but that not well represented in his actual personality. The dark damage he fled from wouldn’t be the same as someone who really just comes across as an introvert from a conservative background. It’s not believable as written.
Who is on point is Cenn, the demon Lord Smoak. First of all demons, arguably murderous, arrogant, dark and complex. And flexible in his ways and character to show the ability to make choices and changes as he sees fit.
Silas, a Sheriff and new character has the next book in the series and it’s already an interesting one from the small excerpt included here.
This left one aspect of Cenn and Niall’s relationship open as well as what happened to the first villain, an ongoing conflict.
So my take on Dead Air: A Nelson & MacIlwraith Mystery (Moon Murder Mysteries) by K. Sterling is that it’s interesting but doesn’t hold up well next to the preceding stories.
Read it as a bridge between the books, for the new characters and to see how the group is evolving. Nox especially.
Exquisite covers.
Cover art by @KillerLaurent
Moon Mysteries 1 – 3 (first series)
Nelson & MacIlwraith Mystery (Moon Murder Mysteries sequel series)
He hid in the woods to escape a monster but found a demon in his bed.
Six years ago, rising political star Niall Gilpatrick was living a lie. A fearless and vocal activist, he hid that he was himself a victim. After a brush with death, Niall ran, starting over as a park ranger in the Shenandoah Mountains.
But now, strange dreams and an impossibly dashing biologist have upended his tranquil existence.
And that was the point.
An ancient Irish demon, Chance Curn was sent to tempt this surprisingly wholesome mortal into selling his soul.
He’s haunting Niall’s dreams and playing with his heart, but it is Chance who finds himself in a dangerous trap.
Since when did demons have feelings?
Now, Chance has to decide if he’s willing to risk it all for a mortal and Niall must face his fears to trust a demon with his heart and his life. Can they save each other or will they become dead air?
Dead Air is a paranormal MM romance set in the mountains of rural Virginia. There’s Celtic mythology, an evil plot to foil, and an isolated cabin where no one can hear you scream. Dead Air is set in the world of Nelson & MacIlwraith, but can be read as a standalone.
V.L. Locey writes such amazing books. It’s actually hard to name a favorite among her many different books and series, considering the variety of themes and locations. And characters, of course!
Mornings by the Linden Tree , the third book in V.L. Locey ‘s Love’s Journeys series, is a marvelous example of how diverse her books are and how well she writes them.
If there is one aspect of the story that’s made it slow to connect with, it’s with the beautifully crafted character of Wesley Barlowe. He’s rich, rigid, so tightly controlled and self restrained that he’s emotionally unavailable, even to the reader. He’s absolutely believable, understandable, and not terribly likable. He’s a single gay divorce lawyer, in Boston, who doesn’t particularly like children, and loves a perfectly scheduled world.
Then his younger drug addict sister dies in another state, leaving him the guardian of a young child he wasn’t aware existed.
Cue the upheavals on every level.
Locey addresses many difficult topics here. Both in Aida’s case, the sister who had suffered from substance abuse for years and died of its effects to Wesley, who had abandonment issues that have plagued him, and now his niece who has, as a toddler who has suffered from the effects of her mother’s drug addiction and death, now has her own fears and nightmares. The author slowly explores each of these characters pain and damage, with sensitivity and realism, and using a wonderful humorous and compelling therapist to help them navigate through their own journey together. With funny socks.
And the romantic relationship, with a singer/performer , Lennon Cole , who helps them through their own initial experience and the upheaval of becoming a family. That too, is remarkable and real.
I mean, all the various side characters are pretty much great personalities and make indelible impressions on the reader and in their interactions with the characters in the story.
This includes Boston itself, it all it’s glorious magic. The buildings, the parks, people,and the legendary Red Sox!
The story ends as it should. A work in progress for the family. We see them happy together and going forward together with new plans, friends and family.
Mornings by the Linden Tree (Love’s Journeys #3) by V.L. Locey is another fantastic book in a great series. One I’m highly recommending.
When you think you have everything you need, fate will show you all you never knew you were missing.
Wesley Barlowe has it all. He’s a highly successful divorce attorney at one of Boston’s most prestigious law firms. His name is on the rosters of many elite clubs, his clothes are from famed designers, and his historic duplex overlooks Boston Common. His lovers are few and far between by choice, his car is a sporty hybrid, and his bourbon is always aged in white oak barrels. There are no surprises in Wesley’s tightly structured life. Until his estranged sister dies, leaving her three-year-old daughter in his custody. With no other family to pass the child off to, Wesley has no other option but to take his niece into his home.
Instead of spending his days in court and his nights at home studying briefs while sipping on triple mash twenty-year-old whiskey, he now finds himself joining single-parent online groups, waffling about how to handle temper tantrums, and how to entertain a rambunctious preschooler. During a particularly rough morning, she spies a musician on the Common singing to a small group of children. At his wit’s end, he carries his niece across the street and discovers that not only do the children seated on rainbow blankets adore the handsome, funny, and charming performer, but Wesley does too. There is something incredibly calming and warm about Lennon Cole and his silly songs. Something that will show the workaholic that there is more to life than litigations, courtroom wins, and million-dollar settlements.
Mornings by the Linden Tree is a slow burn, age gap, rich man/poor man, single father, biracial MM romance with two incredibly different men, a city along a famous harbor, a precocious child, a housekeeper with plenty of sage advice, songs about frogs in baseball caps, an indecent amount of clam chowder, evenings spent slow dancing with the baby monitor on, and a wicked awesome happy ending.
*Content Warning: This story has references to loss of a family member and substance abuse*
Short, adorable and great way to mesh these three series and zany group of characters.
Will you be lost if you don’t know the characters or their respective relationships? Pretty much. It’s still an entertaining read but having all the background information on who’s who and what series they came from makes those scenes and characters more enjoyable.
Definitely a gift to the authors fans. And I love every sentence.
Cover by Katie Griffin
Series and Characters Involved:
The Tribulations of Ross Young, Supernat PA (multiple shorts/crossovers)
Turns out bath bombs are actually magical portals. Or at least, in the hands of Master Mage Declan, they became portals. Even he’s not sure why.
Said magical portal connects to Ross’s bath tub.
Which means this is also now the Unholy Trifecta’s problem because Ross absolutely refuses to deal with portal magic by himself. Thanks muchly.
Tags:
Crossover time!, Unholy Trifecta, Supernat PA, Insanity of Reincarnated Mages, bath bombs gone wild, lots of bath tub hopping, I treat Canon like a Buffet but in a Gentle Way, Canon-Typical Poor Decision-Making, brain cells assemble, it’s just mindless fluff and shenanigans, Declan use your brain challenge: failed, crack treated like crack, neither author is sorry.
I enjoyed Wooing the Wiccan (Elf Magic Book 1) by Louisa Masters, another new book and series in this author’s multi-series Hidden Species/Community of Species universe.
It was wonderful seeing King Raðulf, the head of the elves who has appeared throughout this universe in many novels, find a new love and get his own HEA, with a human Wiccan elementary schoolteacher, Jared. And his cat.
Equally wonderful? And true highlights? Having hilarious moments with dragonshifter Wing Leader Brandt, his Consort Percy, and their adorable daughter. Also Sam, Alastair, and many other great characters.
If anything, with the main issues and the characters involved, this relationship would have felt more natural and more well developed if , either the book itself had been longer or divided into two parts.
There’s so much that both characters have to immediately deal with, some of which is brushed over quickly here while still noting how deeply the changes impact on their lives and their relationships. Jared is unaware of the fact that otherworldly species exist, including the one he’s involved with.
Raðulfr has the safety of his people, the fact of his being the King with all that entails, and how much of his courtly life will be impacted by his Consort. And the fact that he is human.
Plus they don’t know each other well. They just started talking and dating.
So when Masters narrative begins to speed up once Jared is introduced to the Community of Species and all the other paranormals who exist on earth with the human community and the magic, other elements lose their depth of development and exploration.
How does Jared fit his new life into his old one? We don’t know. Does he change careers? No idea. It’s meeting and quickly developing affection between the two while hiding exactly who and what Raðulfr is. Followed by a huge argument, a shocking revelation, and then another rather quick, for this situation, resolution. And an immediate exchange of “I love you’s”.
Sigh. I was fine right up until that instant love came in. Adult conversation and working through their various issues? Fantastic. But it’s been weeks. Mere weeks.
A two part relationship development, along with further growth of magical abilities and time to explore this new aspect of the magical universe? That would’ve made this a far more interesting and believable journey.
Did I find it entertaining? Yes. It made me want to reread Brandt and Percy’s series once again. It’s a good read and gives the elf King a lovely HEA.
I’m surrounded by two hundred thousand elves, yet somehow, I’m still lonely.
After a rough few millennia, the past decade has finally brought us peace and security—and justified my choices as our leader. But as chaos gives way to calm, I have more time for myself… yet it’s not what I want it to be. I’ve been alone for a long time, but before my people and work needed me more. Now the lonely hours stretch into eternity.
Until I meet Jared.
He’s my perfect match in every way; a teacher, a gardener, a cat dad. He loves books, nature, and interacting with others. He’s sweet, funny, kind, and we’re fire in the bedroom. The only hiccup? He’s human, and he doesn’t know other species exist.
Legally, we haven’t been together long enough for me to tell him I’m not human, and it’s getting harder and harder to keep this secret. To keep part of myself from him… to lie. But what if he learns the truth—a truth that will shatter the core of his beliefs—and can’t handle it?
The first in a new series by Michele Notaro, Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie #1) was a terrific story, a little slow in the beginning but quickly picked up the pace for a dramatic ending.
The author is just starting to build the setting and form the group of characters that will eventually become a found family so we don’t have much of a history or background on them. Just the vague sketch of an idea for each.
Individually, the characters are good, as a relationship, the two main characters don’t have a real believable connection. It’s either too quickly pulled together or something. But the storyline just doesn’t give them the right chemistry even when supplying them with a back history together.
I think it’s a lack of overall world building and foundation versus the evil gnomes mystery that makes the story feel highly paced but without a feeling of depth.
I look forward to seeing what the second book brings.
Carry A Faerie:
Did It Have To Be Gnomes? #1
The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) #2 – July 15,2025
Did I take on a huge gnome job anyway? I sure did.
Am I about to ask my crush for help?
Well, I have to ask someone, right?
I get called out to a huge mansion with the biggest number of invading gnomes I’ve ever seen, and I’m not sure who to call to help. And I definitely need some help.
So when Winter Montgomery just so happens to stop by, I know I have to ask him. I’ve been crushing on the handsome guy from afar for years, so now’s my chance to get close—and get some much needed support.
As long as I don’t let him see just how much I hate gnomes—okay, I’m actually terrified of them, but he doesn’t need to know that… right?
Did It Really Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie Book 1) is a MM urban fantasy and the first book in Miles and Winter’s love story. Each book will have its own supernatural problem with a HFN ending for the couple, but there will be overarching plot themes throughout the series.
Something to Prove is another lovely sports college romance in Lane Hayes’ Smithton Bears series, a sequel to the heartwarming older hockey romance series I adore, The Elmwood Stories- Small Town stories.
Same area as Elmwood but focuses on college hockey and college atmosphere with its situations, mostly. I enjoyed the flow from the first novel into this book, the use of characters and that pivotal plot to make these characters have their own dramatic moments.
Ty and Walker are both very relatable and engaging characters. Ty especially has a well written and fleshed out family and foundation as well as hockey team that grounds him realistically.
Walker has a background that makes him a more isolated person. A person who’s been raised by his uncle and his aunt, who don’t live locally, there isn’t much other than the occasional showing of a side character, Robin, to give him the full picture details that Ty has been crafted with. What gives Walker life are the moments when he (and Ty) share while interacting for Walker’s show. Love the warmth and funny energy that Hayes brings to this.
The ending is so satisfying and one that the reader can instantly picture. And the epilogue is a great way to see the couple in their lives, happily moving forward.
Another terrific story in this ongoing series. A winner!
Cover Design by Reese Dante
Smithton Bears – Small-Town, College Hockey Series
The hockey star, the influencer, and the deal of a lifetime.
Ty
I’m going to the pros, baby! Deal made, contract signed. Now all I have to do is finish out my final season at Smithton and stay out of trouble. I like to have a good time, but don’t worry, I’ll behave.
What I won’t do is talk to that double-crossing influencer who’s been badgering me for an interview. No thanks.
I know Walker’s type—sweet as pie on the outside, a shark on the inside.
Get this…he wants to make a deal that sounds a lot like a bribe.
Not interested. No way.
But I am curious.
Walker
I’ve never worked so hard for an interview in my life. Ugh!
Look, I get that Ty doesn’t like me. As in…he won’t return my calls and avoids me like the plague on campus.
Too bad. I’m not giving up.
I don’t want to beg, but I’m willing to barter. Every man has his price—and something to prove.
Even Ty.
Something to Prove is a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a hockey star and the adorkable influencer who’s determined to win him over…
Did I lose it over the turns in this book? Why yes I did. Had zero clue Stone was going to take the series in this amazing direction. I’m so excited and in for this series.
If you haven’t read this or are familiar here, author Annabella Stone is taking black ops, military top secret missions, explosive situations, alpha military training forces, fated mates, magic, outstanding use and twists on Irish mythology and lore. Legends come to life. I feel like I’m forgetting something.
If that wasn’t enough.
Stone packs her storytelling with a found family of a black ops unit called Volcano. Then starts expanding her characters and universe with Irish mythology and folding in magical powers and fated mates in a way that’s entirely different. It’s pulled together by the steel, strength , and love for the fight for doing the right thing, for loyalty, and brotherhood.
Stone bridges the worlds between humanity and mythology and makes it powerful and believable in the men and their bonds. To the one they love and to the group they call brothers.
It’s not without elements that had me asking for more exploration or explanation about some areas. Like what happened to the supernatural training that was supposed to happen.
However, I’m betting it will be a part of the next book to come out next year.
But here? The yes, explosive story begins with *Viper* Dare and his rescue of Archaeologist *Ward* Sutherland while on a secret mission with his unit.
It’s one wild and crazy thing after another. I absolutely won’t spoil the twists and surprises but Stone’s rich lush descriptions bring to life such incredible characters and scenes that you can hear the songs, smell the banquet, and take in the atmosphere that Viper and Hank are watching and are a part of.
Great twists, outstanding characters, and action sequences, vividly captured details and beautiful use of magic and mythology.
There’s an Irish dictionary for some of the words and phrases. Loved that.
I only wish I could zoom ahead for the next book’s release date.
A fantastic book, grand series and one I’m highly excited to recommend.
Cover Design By: Golden Czermak
Operation Volcano :
Operation Magma #1
Operation Caldera #2
Operation Fuego #3 – April 30,2026 (argh!) – Reaper’s story
Navy SEAL Kelvin *Viper* Dare was born to be a frogman. He’s pretty much seen it all over his fifteen-year career, and nothing surprises him anymore. Nothing except an unexpected natural disaster, which sends his team’s latest mission to hell in a handbasket. Volcanic blasts were not even on his radar when he and his men deployed to search for the newest terrorist to dare bring war to US soil. Now he must figure out how the hell he can protect not only his team, but also the American they find deep in the cave system, which offers their only chance of survival.
Archaeologist Howard *Ward* Sutherland was supposed to be on the trip of a lifetime to study the ancient markings found at a cave entrance on an unnamed island in the Indian Ocean. The further into the cave he moves, the more of the witch symbols he deciphers, and the louder the island rumbles and shakes under his feet. He may not be able to see what is happening on the surface, but the sudden appearance of a Special Ops team, and its growly, bossy leader, tells him things are very, very wrong.
When an ancient power stirs and the veil between worlds cracks, they must choose between duty and destiny. Because some doors, once opened, demand more than loyalty—they demand your soul.
Magic, legends, and a brotherhood who’ve been waiting for their High King!
PNR/Special Forces/Military MM Fiction packed with Irish myths and legends, alpha heroes, raw emotion, fated mates, and more.
I’ve been a fan of the author and this paranormal series for some time now but Ghostly Bother, the ninth book in the series, didn’t hit as well as the rest of the stories. The storyline, the main characters , the ghost of the plot, everything all came with some sort of flags or issues with the dynamics or functionality in the narrative that bothered me.
One is the mayor Eden, a nasty woman, who took bribes, was a selfish person and, even in the afterlife is a personality bordering on oblivious selfish self interest and cruelty. Spoiler. She walks into the light after being a bad person in both the living and the afterlife. Strike 1.
Because she’s a huge player here in the story and has an enormous role in the next element that put up flags for me.
That’s the relationship dynamic between Lance, who can interact with the ghosts, and Angus, his detective lover who can’t. But Angus, who has lived with his mother and her best friend, also a ghost, is familiar with ghosts and how they can impact the living.
So does he (and author Leya) write into their relationship one of an established understanding and support when Lance is constantly harassed 24/7 by Eden, unable to find rest or do his job? No, instead of the dynamic that’s been built of steady work and love, it’s demolished by one act of lack of respect and understanding. This aspect of the story has little foundation based on the previous books and the relationship the author has been building.
Nor does the quick resolution to this particular problem seem likely or believable. It just doesn’t make sense.
Unfortunately, the book, plot, mystery does feel particularly well written or thought through. It’s a miss for me.
Hopefully the next book will see a return to the original series path.
When the mayor of Fairway is killed, Angus finds himself thrust into a confusing case of bribery and corruption. While many in the city rejoice over the mayor’s death, the investigation is a nightmare for the police.
Lance wants to be supportive, but when the mayor’s ghost figures out Lance can see and hear her, she won’t leave him alone. Insisting they solve the case as soon as possible, she follows him around, bringing chaos to Lance’s usually simple life.
Feeling stress from every angle, both Angus and Lance struggle to handle everything going on without letting it affect their relationship. Everyone is working to close the case, but it isn’t easy when the victim refuses to share information that could lead to her killer.
Someone is hiding something, and it’s up to Angus and Lance to figure out exactly what that is.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 