Review:  High Stakes and Soulmates (Fanged Mistakes Book 3) by Alice Winters 

Rating: 3.75🌈

Honestly, as much as I was anticipating this book, I’m surprised at that I didn’t find it as enjoyable as I hoped it would be. 

The characters of Ezio, a vampire who’s been a outsized character in the previous novels, and Cyrus, the human detective who has been circling the inner group here and the object of Ezio’s desire, are both terrific in each way. 

I’ve loved how they both have figured into the weird dynamic between the main couple of Casimir and Julian, as well as dealing with their own personalities and quirks. 

But in their own story, certain aspects either have been completely changed or in one element, or say twist, overwhelmed the whole story. And for me, the twist just doesn’t work.

It was to convoluted, taking the series, story and character into unexpected territory and creating a ā€œas told toā€ narrative that bogged down the action and flow of the whole story. 

At some parts, it was just page flipping time. 

The best part for me? That entire absolutely hilarious dog show scenes. I out right laughed and laughed. I’d recommend it just for those moments alone. Just fantastic writing and comedic humor. 

So for me, this was a mixed bag after loving the previous books in the series.  As I said, read it because of the series, the author, and some hilarious moments not to be missed. 

But what happened between Cyrus and Ezio? I couldn’t really get into it. 

Fanged Mistakes:

Fake Dates and Fanged Mistakes #1

Dire Straits and Entwined Fates #2

High Stakes and Soulmates #3

Buy link

        High Stakes and Soulmates (Fanged Mistakes Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Ezio

One would think that being over two hundred years old would at least give me some skill at wooing the man of my dreams, though oddly, I seem to be fumbling around more than wooing.

But that’s alright, I will fumble my way right into Cyrus’s life if he lets me. After a rocky start, Cyrus is finally starting to open up to me as he realizes that vampires might not be all bad.

When Cyrus pulls me into a case, he discovers how much he needs me… and my werewolf friend disguised as a detection dog.

My past haunts my every step, but there’s nothing I want more than to leave my mistakes behind and focus on my future with the man I adore.

Cyrus

Death after death draws Ezio and me deeper into a mystery that is tearing through the city. My fear is that whoever is killing these people is toying with us, and I know I can’t figure it out alone.

Thankfully, Ezio is prepared to help me with anything I need (and then some), and he doesn’t come alone. He has Casimir (who is happy as long as Steve isn’t around), Julian (when he’s not naked), and Yorick (why is Yorick here?), who are determined to end this. But what we find is unlike anything we ever imagined.

Though it can’t possibly be worse than the delivery lady walking in on Julian naked again.

Ezio is ready to help me through it (the murder bit, not the Julian bit), if only I can leave my fears behind me long enough to accept the man I want more than anything.

  • Publication date: July 24, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 354 pages
  • Book 3 of 3: Fanged Mistakes

Review:  Accidental Bond (Damned Mercenaries Book 1) by Mika Nix

Rating: 3.25🌈

Accidental Bond , the first book in the Damned Mercenaries by Mika Nix, is a sequel to the fated mates dragon shifter series, Drake Security. 

I enjoyed that series very much, featuring the Drake family of dragons as they found their fated mates. 

One of the main characters here is related to that family, 

Mika Nix is the combined name of  authors of MM romance, K.M. Neuhold and Mia Monroe, takes a different approach with this series than that of an established close knit family of ancient dragons.  

Here it’s a boss mercenary demon who has obtained a group of mixed paranormal beings to work for him. They,  by contracts obtained by ā€œconsent ā€œ , ill conceived bargains, or some other means, now are basically ā€œownedā€ by the demon, and are forced into his bidding. He calls them his Pets. 

So yes, this immediately has elements that will not sit well with me. When I saw how this series was going, it was close to a DNF, but I did see it through. And there’s some nice things here. 

Mac, the irresponsible Dragon has appeared in the Drake Security series, where he had to be rescued from some very dangerous situations due to his lack of control and overall behavior.  Here, he’s finally getting some good development and growth. 

Too late but he’s on a journey to find his mate. And in one of the better aspects of the story, we find out what and the history behind Mac’s dragon hoard. 

Each of the ā€œPetsā€ will have a story and find a mate. That’s clear.  

But there’s just enough here that are elements in my auto DNF lists, that I’m stopping. 

Glossing over being tricked into basically a forever servant clause. No. Sentient beings called pets. No. And while the authors have written demon Drax as some sort of cinnamon roll happy bunny, the other Pets/group members clearly have issues here with their roles. 

So I’m noping right out. Others will find it interesting and charming.  Check it out. 

Cover design: Natasha Snow

Drake Security Series (first series)

Damned Mercenaries -sequel series 

Accidental Bond #1

Buy link:

        Accidental Bond (Damned Mercenaries Book 1)

    

Blurb 

I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but accidentally becoming a mercenary for a demon might be the biggest one yet…

My inner dragon has always been more like a devil on my shoulder, talking me into making bad decisions and creating chaos. I have a hoard full of demon artifacts, each one likely to cost me my life if the owners ever come after me.

I thought accidentally becoming a mercenary was the worst mistake I would make in a single day… until I inadvertently mated myself to a demon. It’s not my fault his mating ring was so pretty!

It’ll be fine… all I have to do is fulfill my contract, not do anything else to make things worse, and avoid falling for the surprisingly sweet, himbo demon who thinks I’m his mate. Should be easy… right?

  • Publication date: July 18, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 231 pages
  • Page Flip: Enabled
  • Book 1 of 1: Damned Mercenaries

Review:  Cosmic Captain: An MM Alien Romance (Cosmic Romance 4) by Mars Quinn

Rating: 4.5🌈

Of the 4 released stories in Mars Quinn’s Cosmic Romance series, Cosmic Captain is the one that I feel is the darkest, longest in its exploration of the trauma of the having been kidnapped by an unknown and exploitive alien race, then repeatedly sold to various buyers, who then deeply abused them, emotionally, physically and mentally. 

Although Seth, and Teddy (friends and fellow kidnapped humans) have each had hugely different experiences, it’s Vince who has suffered some of the worst injuries and the longest, having been sold to a galactic brothel, the horrors of which have left him with unending nightmares and in terrible physical condition. 

Quinn wants to deal responsibly with Vince’s reactions to his rescue, his initial shock response, and his tough road to any kind of recovery from his traumatic experiences . And his loss of his hopes for his love for Seth. That’s a lot of work for him and this narrative to carry but it handles this dark load with sensitivity and thoughtful storytelling.

Linked to Vince is Prince Dontilvynsan , Captain of the starship that rescued him and one who can read people’s minds and emotions. His is also a story of a being who has been less accepted because of the gift of his inner fire.  How he and Vince start to support each other and communicate is a fascinating story. It’s so different from his brothers and their mates.

The last quarter or so of the book seems hurried or thrown together, without the solid character or narrative of the rest of the book.  The attacks and return rather than explore the meeting with the Crystal .

But it’s a terrific story and another discussion of how a unique couple finds it bond.

The trigger warnings are a necessity for the book and series. Please read prior to diving in. 

Cover Artist: Etheric Designs

Cosmic Romance:

Cosmic Husband #1

Cosmic Soul #2

Cosmic Castaway #3

Cosmic Captain #4

Buy link

        Cosmic Captain: An MM Alien Romance (Cosmic Romance 4)

    

Blurb 

Nowhere feels safe—except when I’m with you.

Vince

My life has been hell since I was abducted by aliens and sold to a brothel. When Prince Dontilvynsan purchases me, my life changes again. I refuse to believe I’m safe, even though he reunites me with my friends. But a slow trust begins to blossom as he comforts me through the near-constant nightmares plaguing me. As time passes, I wonder if I like Don’s gift—or just him? When I learn I can go back to Earth and forget everything, I have a tough choice. Stay with Don and my friends, or go home and have all that happened to me erased?

Dontilvynsan

I don’t know what about this small human calls to me like no other. His thoughts are always close to mine; I hear his fear and pain. I want to help him in any way possible, even if it means risking myself in the process. When Vince and I grow closer, the thought of him leaving guts me. Can I survive without him? Do I even want to?

This is a spicy stand-alone MM romance in the Cosmic Romance series. It’s an alien romance with a spiky human, a soft alien, overprotective brothers, hurt/comfort, and a happily ever after. This book is for adult audiences only and has explicit content. Content warning inside.

  • Publication date: July 14, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 465 pages
  • Book 4 of 4: Cosmic Romance

Review:  His Mate By Allegiance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 3) by Mel Aitchess 

Rating: 4.75🌈

This series is seriously combustible. And addictive. My biggest regret is the long release lag time in waiting for the next book to arrive. Otherwise, mwah, hot, and *fans self* so in love with these mated couples. 

This one takes it to the next level.

It’s a kinky air powerful witch and even kinkier arty werewolf assassin in mate love. In a forced marriage and suspense filled thriller of a story.

More of Rocco and Emmy! I honestly need them in more than this one book. They are fantastic!

Emilio’s brutal family history has been played out over the previous storylines but it’s damage to his character is front row here. Its meshes beautifully with the shaky history and past of Rocco, so when the magical power of the mate bond begins, it’s also powered by their shared trauma and kinks. It’s sexy, raw, hot and believable for them and the reader. 

Both the Lunetti Pack as led by Alpha Marco and the Elemental Mayhem MC’s, who are led by Blaze, President of the MC (witches), are in well written and impactful roles. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for them going forward. Silas too. 

The vampires were curiously absent this time. I’m betting they will be a huge factor in the next book. 

There’s so many great elements here. From the side families, to the ongoing mystery and drama to that artwork. I want more.

Highly recommended and fabulous. 

Cover by Camberion

Lunettti Pack:

His Mate By Vengeance (Angelo & Vin) #1

His Mate By Resistance #2 (Cal and Luca)

His Mate By Allegiance #3 (Rocco and Emilio)

His Mate By Defiance #4 (Rafe and Adri) – June 12, 2026

Buy link:

        His Mate By Allegiance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 3)

    

Blurb 

The wild in you calls to the wild in me, and if you let me, I will answer. I will always answer.ā€

Rocco is being punished and he doesn’t like it. He probably shouldn’t have seduced and stalked the police chief’s son, but he’d been bored and no one ever should’ve noticed. His powers as an air witch skilled in illusion are too valuable for the Elemental Mayhem MC to let him go, so they’ve forced him into this sham of a wedding. They’re lucky the wolf shifter is so hot or he’d never go along with it. All bets are off once he can prove he was betrayed.

Emilio spent the last fifteen years away from New Trinity City refining his crafts—street art and assassination—but he’s still loyal to the Lunetti Pack. Unlike his traitor father. He’d do anything for his Alpha. Even marry a witch he’s never met. Coming home for his arranged marriage is the perfect excuse to hunt the source of the dangerous weapons entering the city. He has every intention of being a widower within a year, until he realises his fiancĆ© is his mate. How is he supposed to arrange an unfortunate accident for his husband with his wolf whining about forever in his ear?

His Mate By Allegiance is an MM mafia shifter paranormal romance. It features arranged marriage, fated mates, shadow hands, and other paranormal play, including knotting. There is no mpreg in this world.

  • Publisher: Mel Aitchess
  • Publication date: July 15, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 258 pages
  • Book 3 of 4: Lunetti Pack

Review:  Unleashing Mayhem (Demon Bound Book 4) by Grae Bryan

Rating: 4.5🌈

While Inviting Bedlam #2 (Nix and Ivan) remains the highlight of this series for me, Unleashing Mayhem  is a terrific way in which to wrap up the Demon Bound quartet. 

As each book has had as its main focus one of the four demons sealed away together, repeatedly summoned until finally they find themselves getting with their mates who summoned them. From a book that ends up in the hands of a Russian American mafia family. 

Here in the finale, it’s an emotionally and physically damaged Matty, a young man rescued by the Koslovs and their mates, escaping from his barbarically disturbed own criminal family. Matty has been living (hiding) in Sascha’s and Kai’s home. 

But he’s plagued by his past , PTSD and nightmares. Until the demon Nightmare comes to view him. And makes plans of his own. 

This was a wild, incredibly satisfying story and great way to end the series. By bringing the final demon into the world and giving him his own mate, Matty, in a highly unusual and unique manner, it gives Matty and the reader the resolution to the story we were waiting for. And in a way that’s emotionally powerful and satisfying. 

Everyone gets their HEA, the real villains are foiled in a manner that is befitting their crimes, and we get to see Matty in a new perspective, and supported. By his demon, Nightmare. 

And while, Ivan and Nix will remain my favorite characters here, this is a fantastic ending to a demonic quartet and their mates!

Definitely a winner.

Cover designed by MiblArt.

Demon Bound:

šŸ”¹Wrecking Havoc #1 (Kai and Sascha) 

šŸ”¹Inviting Bedlam #2 (Nix and Ivan)

šŸ”¹Calling Chaos #3 (Chaos and Cooper)

šŸ”¹Unleashing Mayhem #4 – finale (Matty and Nightmare)

Buy link

        Unleashing Mayhem (Demon Bound Book 4)

    

Blurb 

Matteo’s been running scared for so long he’s forgotten what it’s like to feel safe. Or maybe he never knew in the first place. Raised by a cruel man, tormented by an even crueler one, and recently rescued by a demon, Matty’s still jumping at shadows around every corner. When he sees a familiar face from the past and realizes his ghosts really have come back to haunt him, Matty does the only reasonable thing he can think of.

He summons someone even worse.

Nightmare is a solitary demon by nature. He’s never needed a companion or a lover or a friend, and he’s never minded being feared by others of his kind. But one taste of Matteo’s sweet, terrified soul and Nightmare needs more. When he’s finally summoned to Matteo’s side, Nightmare finds himself exactly where he wants to be. Now it’s only a matter of patience, seduction, and convincing his little human that one contract isn’t enough.

What they really need is an eternity.

UNLEASHING MAYHEM IS A HEATED MM PARANORMAL ROMANCE WITH A HEA AND NO CLIFFHANGER. IT CONTAINS A SWEET HUMAN AFRAID OF EVERYONE BUT THE MONSTER AT HIS SIDE, A DEMON SO POSSESSIVE EVEN OTHER DEMONS RUN SCARED, A FOUND FAMILY MADE OF MOBSTERS AND MONSTERS, AND A SUMMONING GONE RIGHT (FOR ONCE). WHILE EACH BOOK FOCUSES ON A DIFFERENT COUPLE, THE SERIES IS BEST ENJOYED IN ORDER.

  • Publication date: July 17, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 249 pages
  • Book 4 of 4: Demon Bound

Review:  Luxuries of Lust: Passing Through Cafe #3 by Nik Knight

Rating:  4.25🌈

Luxuries of Lust is the third of the Passing Through Cafe series by Nik Knight, set in the Hells universe and Passing Through Cafe where we’ve gotten to know its many different species of paranormal beings that own the cafe and are the ones that work together as a weird little found family. 

Nik Knight has always done an excellent job of crafting characters that, other than Oliver and Jude who are human, feel, look and come across as otherworldly. There’s an actual dictionary of terms and list of species at the end of a reader gets confused.

Rusty and Gem have been headed towards each other for a couple of books now. And I’ve looked forward to seeing how they get together. 

There’s aspects of the book that I just really thought about as deeply emotionally and engaging.  Moments where Rusty takes Gem to see the desert and the places where he and his mother once lived. Those scenes are stirring and very touching.

Equally, when Gem, who’s background gets filled in here, take Rusty home to see his family. It’s funny, warmhearted, and a time of acceptance for Rusty that he’s not had in his life.

We get to revisit several important storylines from previous books, a traumatic experience for Gem that sets off memories for Rusty.

I enjoyed reading this, think Gem and Rusty are among the most unique couples I’ve read. It maybe felt a bit overly long towards the end, especially the story bit about Tony and their relationship.  But it’s still a very enjoyable book and this universe is fascinating in concept and characters. 

Highly sexual and fun. Grab it up if you’re interested in the author and trope. 

Cover Design Ā© 2025 Priska Mills

Passing Through Cafe :

Passing Through Purgatory #1

Gratification in Gluttony #2

Luxuries of Lust #3

Buy link 

        Luxuries of Lust: Passing Through Cafe #3

    

Blurb 

When it came to love, Rusty had resigned himself to never being enough, and Gem knew he would always be too much. Turns out, they were both wrong.

As a Pyclon from Lust, Rusty learned early the cruel rules of the Pentagram. Happiness is for the privileged. Hope for the weak. And absolutely nothing comes free. So he accepts a life of happy enough, of good enough, of just… enough. Anything more is impossible for someone like him.

That is, until he meets Gemae Akyllo.

With a brain that never rests and an ass that won’t quit, Gem is objectively a lot. His physical size is rivaled only by that of his personality—neither of which he will ever apologize for—but there’s a cost. He’s fun for a night, chosen first for a good time, but come morning, his bed is cold and empty. Always wanted, but never kept.

That is, until he meets Rusty Róisyn.

Rusty never wanted love, and Gem doesn’t need it. But together, they find it all the same.

Join Gem and Rusty and the rest of the eccentric staff of the Passing Through Cafe in Nik Knight’s rom-com, urban fantasy series, full of found family, absurd antics, healing hope, and a love that takes their hearts by storm.

— Luxuries of Lust: Passing Through Cafe #3 by Nik Knight

Review:  Paternal Instincts (Valor and Doyle Book 8) by Nicki James

Rating: 4.25🌈

Paternal Instincts is the finale story in Nicki James Valor and Doyle series, the one that sees the married couple waiting on the birth of their baby, the next step in their journey together as a family. 

Incorporating a mystery about a missing child into their final chapter was a great way to work through Quaid’s traumatic issues with his past before he becomes a father. He must deal with his own emotional pain, his history that he sees reflected in Sparrow, the sister who is being neglected by everyone around her, and the desperate hunt to find Crow. 

Meanwhile, Az is left to deal with his own emotional reactions to this case, his husband’s absence and their more immediate situation of a baby that’s coming.

James has built a complicated story on several levels, that of the missing child’s life and that of Quaid and Aslan’s. It’s a gripping tale and puts a great ending to this couple. Although they are appearing in the sequel series, one I really love. 

It’s not perfect. For me, the overuse of the word sneer, sneered or any form of sneer just took me out of the story. I began to start counting how many times I saw it until I realized I wouldn’t get through the book that way.  I had to let it go.  

Valor and Doyle is a series I enjoyed, especially the books in the beginning of the series.  This ties up many characters nicely and leaves everyone in great shape. That’s a satisfying ending. 

 Buy link

        Paternal Instincts (Valor and Doyle Book 8)

    

Blurb 

At the heart of a missing child case, Quaid and Aslan learn the true nature of fatherhood.

With their baby due any day, Quaid ends up tangled in a case on the last day of work before his parental leave begins. Between eerie ransom notes and family secrets, unanswered questions pile up, twisting the case into something Quaid has never seen.

Someone is lying. Someone knows more than they’re saying.

With the help of supportive friends and colleagues, Quaid and Aslan are determined to solve the case before it’s too late. When their surrogate goes into labor, Quaid struggles to let go and walk away.

A boy has vanished.

A life is in danger.

Can they find the missing child before their baby makes their way into the world?

  • Publication date: June 24, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 370 pages
  • Book 8 of 8: Valor and Doyle

Review:  Emperor’s Wrath (Emperor’s Assassin Book 2) by Kai Butler 

Rating : 4🌈

I really enjoyed the Emperor’s Wrath l, the second book in the Emperor’s Assassin trilogy by Kai Butler. The action packed story was highly entertaining, moved the entire plot forward with an enormous amount of magical details, new elements, and growth in the relationship between Tallu and Airón. 

The political drama and plotting behind the generals was well done. All the various and newly introduced characters (as we as their backgrounds) added interesting layers of intrigue to the story.

I did find that the increased density of new characters, plots, magical creatures, techno magic elements started that emerged here also left similar unexplored areas or just narrative holes that felt unsatisfying for me.

Certain emotional storylines ( no spoilers) that applied to one section of small characters but later not at all to one large impactful one. Inconsistency in the character design or something else.  But here, as well as other things, feels more like too many storylines and an over abundance of new elements made for some interesting oversights.

I’m definitely looking forward to the final book, Shadow Throne King, due out in the fall. 

Check out this fantasy series by Butler! Entertaining reading!

Cover by Hannah Latham at oexasart

Emperor’s Assassin trilogy:

Betrothed to the Emperor #1

Emperor’s Wrath #2

Shadow Throne King #3 – Oct 27,2025

Buy link

        Emperor’s Wrath (Emperor’s Assassin Book 2)

    

Blurb 

In this den of vipers and vultures, can I trust the emperor I was sent to kill or is he using me to destroy all I love?

I abandoned my destiny in favor of a new goal: working with Emperor Tallu to take down the Southern Imperium. Only things are not so easy when we’re faced with the imperial generals who brought the continent to its knees.

If my mother knew what I was doing, her rage would melt the Silver City, but I have no choice as Tallu and I pursue a powerful weapon that could end any opposition to the Imperium.

Why does it matter if I’m finding myself all too attracted to a husband I can’t trust, whose secrets multiply the closer he lets me get?

  • Publication date: June 23, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 403 pages
  • Book 2 of 3: Emperor’s Assassin

Review:  One-Time Shot: MM Small-Town College Hockey Romance (Smithton Bears Book 1) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

If you loved The Elmwood Stories then the Smithton Bear is just your thing. One-Time Shot: MM Small-Town College Hockey Romance (Smithton Bears Book 1) by Lane Hayes is such an adorable romance.  

The two main characters are an absolute delight to read and I easily read this in one evening. 

Jett, the college hockey player is layered, finding his year challenging, and his life full of unexpected stumbles.  Malcolm, the science major who has a thesis and needs Jett’s help to complete it, is fully realized and relatable. He’s so cute.

Together they are funny believable duo, learning from each other, walking around, figuring things out, within the context of their social groups and sports influence. 

Hayes makes these two young men very honest and real in their issues and how they find their way to overcome the obstacles between them.

 

A lovely romance and terrific couple. 

Cover Design by Reese Dante

Smithton Bears:

One-Time Shot #1

Something to Prove #2 – July 29,2025

Buy link

        One-Time Shot: MM Small-Town College Hockey Romance (Smithton Bears Book 1)

    

Blurb 

The jock, the geek, and the hockey project…

Jett

My pro hockey dreams are hanging by a thread. I need to have a great season and that means no partying, no distractions, no fun. The grad student’s science experiment is the definition of no fun, so…okay.

Pros and cons of agreeing to this deal:

Pros: Positive use of free time. (At least that’s what my agent says.)

Cons: Malcolm is bossy, clumsy, and he doesn’t know the first thing about hockey.

But he’s also cute and he’s got a great sense of humor and—oh no.

I cannot have a crush on the geek. No way. Not now.

Malcolm

Yes, I’m a serious student, but a hockey project is not serious. Who cares about big hunky hockey players zipping around a sheet of ice at warp speed? Not I.

However, according to my professor, the only way to attain the required data is to study the specimen in his natural habitat, AKA, the ice rink.

Pros: My thesis should lead to a bevy of job offers.

Cons: Jett. He’s impossibly big and gruff and handsome and disarmingly charming and—

Fine. Guilty. I like the jock…perhaps too much.

Lately, I find myself wondering if there’s such a thing as a one-time shot at forever.

One-Time Shot is a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a charismatic hockey star and an adorkable scientist.

  • Publication date: May 27, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 186 pages
  • Book 1 of 2: Smithton Bears

Review: Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1) by Arden Steele

Rating: 3🌈

Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1) by Arden Steele is a first book in a new series in an established universe. The Blackhaven Manor and connected sequel Hunters Hollow series are both full of terrific paranormal stories and interesting fated mates romances. 

With their crossover characters and established mythology/histories, they have a depth of character and storyline coming into the book that I thought was missing here.

Both the main characters weren’t really well developed, nor did their instant love/fated mates storyline have any chemistry. 

My biggest issue out of a bunch of them is the opening scenes where a young girl is so desperate to see her deceased father that she uses dark uncontrollable magic in Sunne Tanaka’s public library and tragically ends them both. 

It’s a very unexpected traumatic moment but does Sunne Tanaka act like it? No. He could be visiting an ice cream parlor with the same overall emotional energy of placid sweet potato niceness that he exhibits here.

Did I believe in his character? No. If Arden had said Sunne was experiencing shock from his death and that of the girl , that was one thing but no, this ā€œcinnamon roll ā€œ personality was it. 

And his fated mate is an unpleasant, bitter living guard in the underworld that we get no real sense of. 

Add to all the above, a third major character quickly telegraphs what his role is to be in the storyline. It’s easy to guess at.

So adding all these elements together meant that Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1) by Arden Steele was a book I breezed through with little connection with the characters or plot.

It’s ok but I doubt this is a series I will be following. 

Cover Art by Black Butterfly Designs Published by Peccavi Pressā€

Happily Ever Afterlife :

Definitely Dead #1

Dead Ringer #2 – June 5, 2025

Buy link

        Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1)

    

Blurb 

As a royal Guardian, Tyr Bergstrom is built for battle, not stillness. Not whatever this is. He followed his prince into the depths of the Underworld out of loyalty, but with no foes to vanquish and no lives to safeguard, he’s left questioning why he stays. It’s dark, cold, and each day blends into the next with monotonous sameness.

Until a spark of sunshine arrives in the Village of Lost Souls.

Sunne Tanaka died. Not ideal, but he’s had worse Mondays. While the afterlife isn’t anything like he expected—frankly, it’s a total scam—from the moment he meets Tyr, he can’t help but feel that he’s exactly where he belongs. He hasn’t decided if the shifter is his destiny or a beautiful disaster waiting to happen, but he knows one thing for certain. He’s not leaving the village without him.

But Tyr knows better than anyone that some lines aren’t meant to be crossed. He doesn’t know what waits beyond the dark waters of the River Acheron, but it’s the only condition of his stay in the Underworld. A rule he has never questioned…until another soul puts Sunne’s very existence at risk.

Now, he’s not just questioning.

Now, he’s prepared to take on the living, the dead, and Hades himself to bring his mate back and give them both a chance at a happily ever afterlife.

  • Publisher: Peccavi Press
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: May 15, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 213 pages