Category: M/M Fiction

Review: Elixir of Strife (Stolen Hearts Book 2) by Nazri Noor

Rating: 3.25🌈

Elixir of Strife is the second in the Stolen Hearts series by Nazri Noor and I’m not sure it passes the all important second book test.

That’s the one that’s supposed to deepen the arc plot while further engaging the reader in the main characters storylines and relationships. While it does tick some of those boxes, it actually makes the reader take a harder look at the main characters personalities, relationships, and elements thereof.

Those don’t come off as good as they did in the first book unfortunately.

Elixir of Strife (Stolen Hearts Book 2) by Nazri Noor is a strange mix of terrifically intriguing ideas, great secondary beings, increasingly irritating main characters, and a flawed plot. It’s so hard to find a good way to find a way through the entire story without having to stop at the bits that just don’t work.

It’s starts off with the best and worst of the elements. It’s a 2-person narrative, Leon Alcantara or Witch Boy and Maximilian Drake, who’s also a member of the Brilliant family. They are practicing their thievery skills but it’s their individual voices that’s becoming problematic.

For Max, the rich son whose rejected his wealthy arcane family for a semi independence, it’s a borderline self-indulgent, sexed up rich bad boy , “look at me” attitude that’s becoming sort of off putting. Especially when combined with his feelings towards Leon (confused) and his family (waffling).

Then there’s Leon. He’s still my favorite but now he’s leaning towards that deadly character tendency called TSTL. Combined with utter magical greediness, it makes sense he’s marching towards this aspect of the arc storyline without any real thought, but it’s enough to make a reader want to smack him.

“Consider this. How does it benefit us to weaken and kill a human who has willingly presented themself as a conduit for our power? Early man could not have traversed the oceans without a seaworthy vessel. Why would we break the best vessel we’ve found in a long while, knowing that the rest of our kind may still want a turn on the raft?”

My gut was so prepared to send me running away from all sea dragons, blaring warning sirens throughout my body. But yet again the lure of power left me standing with feet firmly planted”

That’s Leon taking on yet another dragon inside him, after questioning what’s the cost for the experience/power exchange. A bit of his soul? Yeah, let’s do it! Cause I’m not thinking through this. SMH. A classic TSTL.

But it’s right in the middle of a truly interesting aspect of this series storyline, that of sea dragons that approach Leon with a deal to inhabit his body in exchange for water magic/powers. So far we’ve met the god Tiamat and now we get Bakunawa, Filipino sea serpent, command of storms, fury of the seas.

I love the cultural aspect of the dragons and my only wish is that this is explored further.

Also great. New character Edel Wise (say that fast) , a hagiculturalist who’s a Demon gardener. They/she worked in the prime hells but was ready for something new! Loved her.

The new mission involves Daniel D Lyon from a large arcane family and his new business.

That’s Succulence and it’s forbidden evil olive. It needs an elixir. One wanted by many.

The mission is involved with lots of layers. Including the fabulous Jade spider herself , another fabulous woman and aspect of the series.

Noor keeps mixing bits that absolutely work with ones that make the reader question whether they should continue with the series. Wonderful details and character development with Leon meshing together the dragon of the moment. The way it goes wrong. The way is supposed to be a “hidden Entity “ but Leon basically tells everyone. Then at the end , after Leon has even let Bakunawa talk through him to a group of people, the Jade Spider says she forgives him his secrets. What secrets? He’s basically shouted it to the universe! Another SMH moment..

We go back and forth like this. Small betrayals, secrets that aren’t, and villains that always get away.

I’ll continue with the series but my frustration is increasing with the books.

Do i recommend reading this ? Read over my review and decide for yourself.

Stolen Hearts:

✓ Hex and the City #1

✓ Elixir of Strife #2

◦ All Out of Flux #3 -Sept 29,2023

Buy Link:

Elixir of Strife (Stolen Hearts Book 2)

Blurb:

Water, water, everywhere.

Leon Alcantara and Maximilian Drake have barely caught their breath after saving the city from an untimely fate. Now the Jade Spider has a new assignment. A local magical plant shop has requested a strange elixir, the liquid essence of purest water.

In pursuit of the ocean potion, Max stumbles upon a tormentor from his past. Leon faces the challenge of hosting a second dragon, a legend much closer to home. And the mysterious Masques are more watchful than ever, shadowing the boys at every turn.

But strangest of all is a fresh spate of elemental anomalies in Dos Lunas. Life or death, sink or swim, Leon and Max must rise to the challenge — or drown under a tide of wicked magic.

Review: Dearly & Deviant Daniel (Dearly and The Departed #1) by L.A. Kaye

Rating: 3.75🌈

Dearly & Deviant Daniel is the first in a new series, Dearly and The Departed, by L.A. Kaye. Centered firmly in the popular trope of main characters who’re able to see and converse with the dead/newly departed, Kaye’s MC is Mortician Keir Dearly, of Dearly & Son Mortuary, a business that’s been handed down through generations of Dearly men.

He’s been able to see and talk to the dead since his teens, a fact he’s kept to himself. Naturally. Unfortunately, since he’s always in the mortuary, there’s dead people ready to talk to him and ask for favors constantly.

Which happens when a particularly nasty person dies and asks Keir to help his brother stay out of the prison . Seems that the dead man has framed his brother for things he regrets but definitely not murder.

That’s the basic premise of the story.

Around that Kaye needs to build her storyline,as well as fill in the paranormal background , all the weird characters, and continue with the growing relationships that started within the narrative.

Is the author successful? Only partially. The world building has the feeling of jumbled assembly. As a reader, I’m just getting into the interesting aspects of the historical paranormal history and foundations being setup but instead of continuing to explore the universe being laid out, the opposite happens. The narrative breaks here and there , so only bits and pieces are visible, or it opens gaps where elements disappear all together.

A mysterious helper arrives, background of which is constantly changing. A grandfather appears in an unexpected place and just as quickly disappears. His supportive role diminished when it is explained that it’s really a portent of darkness coming. So why not embellish it ? Why allow this to dribble narratively away? It’s elements like this that add up to storyline with issues.

There’s the odd physical descriptions. Forty-ish, Keir describes himself as tall, thin, of the whitish skin, with brown hair and ice blue eyes. An appearance typical of someone, he thinks, you associate with the mortuary and dead. He very much resembles all the Dearly men. Sounds a bit on the vampire/ghoul side. Not even a hint that’s he’s remotely attractive. But the other main character insists Keir is insanely hot. That’s so odd because the author hasn’t put in the groundwork for this. He’s kind, compassionate, and intelligent. Insanely hot? Nope, haven’t done the paperwork on that.

Mechanic Dashiell Clegg and his dead dreadful brother are weak points here. Not sure why Kaye called Daniel deviant outside of the need for a cute name. Dead Daniel is reprehensible. A man who thought nothing of betraying everyone around him, framing his brother, putting others into danger, a sexual predator, oddly he now decides to save his living brother he supposedly hates and has setup makes zero sense. Especially when he’s still a manipulative dead mess throughout the book. Great smarmy character though. Dashiell is younger hotheaded mechanic who borders on the TSTL character. When in doubt, run off into dangerous situations without telling anyone then be surprised at the obvious consequences. SMH.

When Keir has a chance to date two people, a great detective and Dashiell, I started rooting for the detective.

What saves Dearly & Deviant Daniel is the side storylines, those of the dearly departed of lesser characters . Some are funny, some grim, and one had me outright sobbing, it was so well written that the pain, regret , and bitter loss was overwhelming. That was believable and raw.

I wish the main characters and theme had showcased more of that aspect and emotion.

I’m onto the next to see what happens after the cliffhanger this ends on. A strange one that again made absolutely zero sense.

Read this for the fun of the trope, and the beauty of those small scenes I indicated above. They are worthy of the entire story.

Dearly and Departed series:

✓ Dearly & Deviant Daniel #1

◦ Dearly & Vain Valentino #2

◦ Dearly & Notorious Nancy #3

◦ Dearly & Homeless Horace #4-Jan 16,2024

◦ Dearly & Threatening Thane #5-June 28, 2024

Buy Link:

Dearly & Deviant Daniel: M/M Urban Fantasy Romance (Dearly and The Departed Book 1)

Blurb:

When the family business is death, what does it take to feel alive?

Maybe a gorgeous motorcycle mechanic with a dark past has a few ideas?

Mortician Keir Dearly has a secret he plans to take to his grave. If he tells anyone he speaks with the dead who come through his funeral home, who will believe him? Keeping the secret prevents Keir from pursuing a love life because how would a lover react to such news?

Mechanic Dashiell Clegg owns Clegg Cycles, the family business his father left to him and his estranged brother Daniel. Dash has only seen Daniel twice since Dash was released from prison, and that’s perfectly fine with both of them. The brothers stay out of each other’s lives until one day, Dash gets a call that changes everything.

When Dash’s brother, deviant Daniel Clegg, shows up on Keir’s table with a final request: Keep my brother from being blamed for my murder, the temptation to jump into the mix is too much for Keir to resist. Can Keir save Dashiell Clegg without telling anyone about his conversations with the dead?

After being warned about communing with the Departed, will Dearly have to pay a price for assisting them in finding their final peace?

L.A. Kaye’s debut novel, Dearly & Deviant Daniel, is the first tale in the Dearly & the Departed M/M paranormal romance series.It’s a little mysterious, a little creepy, and a lotta sexy, so be sure to check it out! It’s approximately 90,000 words in length and ends happily for now.

Review: A Wedding in A Week by Con Riley

Rating: 4.5🌈

A Wedding in A Week by Con Riley is expanded from the author’s short story, Keeping Him in Cornwall, that appeared last year in the charity anthology, Heart2Heart #6. It’s also part of Riley’s Cornwall universe, which connects it to one of my favorite books of this author’s, Charles, a fact I didn’t discover until I read a note at the end.

All that aside, A Wedding in A Week is such a lovely romantic story. We get to wallow in all that beautiful Cornish countryside, steeped in the traditions of the family and villages, with that sparkling dark sea beyond the cliffs. Overlay that with a complicated fabric of two men’s common history, pained backgrounds of losses and heavy burdens, and hidden love so Riley’s story is full of remarkable layers.

It starts with Stef recuperating from a potentially devastating accident as well as still in mourning over the loss of his father three years earlier, and the heaviest of knowledges, that of his younger brother’s inherited the then heart condition that killed the father. That brother, Lukas, sends back Mark, a man who stayed with the family while growing up, to help during recovery.

That reunion between Mark and Stef is one of quiet emotional homecoming’s. I loved the many elements Riley used to bring the men romantically back together after a hurtful split. The loving memories of them with Lukas, Mark’s best friend. The pasties moment that included his mother in his kitchen. And always there’s the inspirational landscape of Kara-Tir , the farm that’s the heart of Stef, his family and this book.

So many little details, so many lovely moments that all combine into a beautiful contemporary romance.

I’m absolutely recommending A Wedding in A Week by Con Riley and if you haven’t already read them, now’s the time to dive into the others in this universe!

Cornwall universe:

Learning to Love :

✓ Charles ❤️

◦ Sol

◦ Luke

◦ Austin

◦ Heppel Ever After

Cornish Shared World Standalones

✓ Finding Mr. Fabulous

✓ A Wedding in a Week

Christmas Collection

◦ His Last Christmas in London

◦ We Only Kiss at Christmas

Buy Link:

Amazon  

Description:

A second chance with his brother’s best friend also comes with a deadline.

Three years after inheriting his family farm, an accident forces Stefan Luxton to rethink his future. Turning his farm into a five-star wedding venue is one goal. Another is to reconnect with Marc, who Stefan loved but let slip away to the city.

Now Marc’s back, trying for a job that might keep him in Cornwall long term, and Stefan’s determined to help him. There’s just one problem — he only has seven days to do it.

Review: How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life: Disaster #2 (Princes of Mayhem) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4.75🌈

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life is a marvelously humorous, sometimes romantic, often horrifying serialized 4 piece story. Last one ending on a cliffhanger!

Which is where Pet Problems picks up. Pets, as in vampire human pets whether they want to be or not. There’s a trigger warning that comes with the story and it’s at the beginning of the book. It concerns a vampire’s actions that are non-con, can be defined as assault. The author mentions where they will occur so a reader can choose to read those pages or not.

It’s totally appropriate.

The book deals with secrets and a huge danger that Nolan has fallen into trying to free his scrounge of a brother from his debts. We get to see more of Nolan trying to deal with a shattering revelation about the paranormal world that has always coexisted with his.

But the real story is Sky. Sky who on the surface is sweet, small, adorable Sky the Necromancer. Here we get to see what’s been bubbling darkly underneath, just emerging in hints with demons who like sandwiches, or shrubbery gone cannibalistic. And it’s wonderful!

Finally! A dark raging necromancer and it’s fabulous! I so wanted more of this Sky! And the blood witch that showed up too. Ok all that is towards the end but what a climax!

The middle of the story is pretty good too. Oh, yes, Nolan does something predictably dumb but you knew that was coming. And since it sets up that amazingly awesome battle? I say let’s do it again.

This series is so much horrifying fun! But a reader needs to remember that it’s dark fiction as well so heed any trigger warnings the author includes.

It’s a definite recommendation. But you need to read them in the order that they are written.

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life:

Disaster #1: Fun With Family

Disaster #2: Pet Problems

Disaster #3: Date Night -Aug 11

Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead?-Aug 28

Buy Link:

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life: Disaster #2 (Princes of Mayhem)

Description:

Disaster #2: Pet Problems

Nolan has been keeping a secret.

In his defense, he wasn’t sure if he could trust Sky at first.

And then, well…his life got pretty crazy for a while. He might have just forgotten.

But that secret has come calling and it’s about to take a big bite out of Nolan.

Of course, there’s no way Sky’s going to let anyone hurt his neighbor, friend, and possibly one-day baby daddy. He’s hitting back hard to keep Nolan safe.

Even the roses are angry in this one. (Just trust me on this one. Beware of the roses.)

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life is a serial comprising four novellas that follow the insane adventures of necromancer Skylar Wallace and his next-door neighbor Nolan Banks. This is book two of four and contains vampires, werewolves, witches, underworld minions, danger, a meddling ghost grammy, aggressive roses, and one very angry necromancer. Seriously, nobody better touch his man.

Trigger Warnings:

“Just a warning to sensitive readers: some of Christoph’s actions can be viewed as aggressive, verging on assault. You might want to proceed with caution in chapter one and the last half of chapter seven. Thanks,”

— How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life: Disaster #2 (Princes of Mayhem) by Jocelynn Drake

Review: Wayward by Mary Calmes

Rating: 5 🌈

There’s certain authors you read because you know what you’re going to get in terms of characterization and narrative structure. It’s a happy satisfying feeling of familiarity combined with a love for the manner of storytelling the author puts forth.

Short version? It’s a book hug. You know what you need and the author gives you it, wrapped up in lovely words and warmhearted feelings.

That’s a Mary Calmes story at its finest.

Wayward by Mary Calmes brings together all those Calmes literary elements , the flawed man who’s seen as a hero. He will forever change for the better a small town and its inhabitants lives by his arrival. There’s a probability he’s a bad man with a heart of gold,unknowingly loved by many, and who finds his HEA in this new life. This will inevitably will include small children and adorable animals.

Here Calmes throws us into the world of the Russian mobs, specifically one criminal family that includes Maksim Lenkov, son of the boss. It’s an ugly, sordid dark place that Maksim lives in and runs the crime part of his family’s business.

The casual cruelties, the brutality, and the dehumanization is very well written. That Maksim is able to still get across as less a monster than those around him is astonishing. It makes the transition all the more believable.

Because transition he does into a small town in Oregon. One where the oddest people live next door, weird animals abound, the smallest of them up and adopts you, and you end up finding a home and love.

Honestly, all the characters here were marvelous. From Misha,the tiniest of Morkies to the fabulous Ada and her crumbling mansion of marvels, to the man who captures the heart of Maks, that’s Gale, the police officer in Rune, Oregon. Plus all the others we meet and wish we could spend much more time with. Turns out Rune is a very interesting place to explore.

I could see several books there. Plus I love the couple.

When it was all over I was completely satisfied with the ending. The threads and threats had been dealt with, their futures settled and I was so excited about what was in store for them and the small group of found family going forward. Misha included.

That’s why I read Mary Calmes and that’s why I loved this book. And why I’m recommending it.

Buy Link :

https://www.amazon.com › Waywar…Wayward – Kindle edition by Calmes, Mary . Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Description:

Maksim Lenkov is certain he’s not a good man. His father isn’t, and since Maks is his second in command, then certainly, he’s just as evil. The list of sins is long, and there’s no getting around that. What’s messing him up is that despite all that, in the midst of life and death, his only friend tells him he’s been a blessing; law enforcement is treating him like he prevented more bloodshed than he caused, and everyone is concerned with doing right by him. Why? And how is Maks supposed to figure out who he is, when everything he thought he knew is suddenly turned upside down?

It only gets weirder once he begins his new life in witness protection. Because if he’s a guardian angel of women and children, dogs, and one eccentric heiress, can he really be a bad man? Added into the mix is a handsome, loyal deputy chief of police, who lives next door and thinks Maks hangs the moon. Is it possible that living in hell never actually made him into the devil? Perhaps it was only a wayward life, and now it’s time to chart a new course.

Review: With Kid Gloves (Magical Mates: Book Four) by Macy Blake

Rating:5🌈

Magical Mates, part of Macy Blake’s The Chosen One universe, is an adorable little series , and With Kid Gloves it goes out with a magical, magnificent narrative bang!

Absolutely my favorite of the series, it plays beautifully to the strengths of Blake’s themes and characters, reminding us and them of the importance of love in every aspect, the need for support from people who love and support each other whether it be family or pack or both, and the deep emotional connections that we make and share are sometimes broken. And need to be grieved for.

What a story.

The base structure starts with Tiger shifter, Bayu, who’s been a bit of an enigma. He’s a crush for Ollie, a formidable force that lingers in the woods, protecting the compound, and silently guarding those around him. Now as Bayu starts collecting rocks to build something, his past is slowly revealed. This nebulous project becomes, as a perfect narrative tool, a way for Blake to build a strong framework for a secondary theme . As the project grows, reshaping itself into something memorable, something remarkable happens. I won’t spoil it. Just say this thread is such a deeply rooted one in the philosophy of this universe and the overall storyline. I love it so much.

It helps with the relationship between Ollie and Bayu, which builds realistically. And they in turn extend outward to the other players in the compound who have need of them both.

Several major characters we have grown to love through past storylines and novels are at crossroads here. And one will die. And everyone will grieve deeply, including the reader.

I didn’t expect this element in a book about children, rescues, and even babies. But it makes sense. Because this is about cycles of nature too. Natural passages of life. Blake handles this so perfectly, with the love, compassion and sensitivity I have come to expect from the author.

The ending is so powerful and well conceived. It’s hard to believe that this is the last in this series but it also makes sense that it is. That it’s put a closure to so many threads and we get to see so many of the couples who got their families.

As I said, it by far, my favorite of the series. An absolute 5 star read and a comfort level storyline!

I’m highly recommending this fabulous book! Read them in the order that they are written. Unfamiliar with the Chosen One universe? The author’s website has a comprehensive reading guide for you there. It’s a must with so many series and books involved.

Magical Mates:

✓ All Kidding Aside #1

✓ Stop Kidding Around #2

✓ I Kid You Not #3

✓ With Kid Gloves #4 – finale ❤️

Buy Link :

With Kid Gloves Magical Mates: Book Four: An MM Paranormal Fated Mates Romance

Description:

A grumpy tiger thinks he can be a lonely drifter? Not on Ollie Jerrick self-proclaimed Happiness Champion’s watch.

Ollie Jerrick has a hero complex. As a wolf shifter, he’s been surrounded by real-life heroes since his dads rescued him from an evil witch when he was six. He’s the son of a doctor wolf shifter, his boss is a billionaire griffin, and his big brother…well, he’s a super-powered mage mated to the mythical Chosen One. Not convinced yet? The hellhounds, guardians of the human realm…they’re Ollie’s adopted uncles. So when a mysterious tiger arrives, Ollie decides to save him from his miserable, lonely life. It’s not like it’ll be hard…right?

Bayu prefers the solitude being a tiger provides, but tragedy leads him to Nick Smith and the menagerie of kids he rescued. He accepts the role as a pack guard on one condition: the lion shifter will use his powerful connections to help Bayu find the answers he seeks. He has zero intentions of staying on a permanent basis. Some pack members seem to have other ideas, though. Especially Ollie, a young, gorgeous wolf who seems to enjoy nothing more than talking Bayu’s ears off while coaxing him into leaving his isolated existence behind.

Bayu and Ollie find themselves brought together in ways neither of them could have anticipated. When tragedy strikes again, this time it’s Bayu who has to decide if he’s hero enough to save Ollie from himself, especially when the cost will be nothing less than Bayu’s heart.

An MM Paranormal Fated Mates 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.”

— With Kid Gloves (Magical Mates: Book Four) An MM Paranormal Fated Mates Romance by Macy Blake

Reading Order:

1. Sweet Nothings – Prequel – The Chosen One

2. The Trouble With Love – Nothing But Trouble, Book 1

3. Santa Trouble – Nothing But Trouble, Book 2

4. All or Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 1

5. Nothing Ventured – The Chosen One, Book 2

6. Hell on Earth – Hellhound Champions, Book 1

7. Double or Nothing

8. Next to Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 3

9. Hell To Pay – Hellhound Champions, Book 2

10. Give Him Hell – Hellhound Champions, Book 3

11. Nothing Gained – The Chosen One, Book 4

12. Stop at Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 5

13. Sweet Spot

14. All Kidding Aside – Magical Mates, Book 1

15. Stop Kidding Around – Magical Mates, Book 2

16. I Kid You Not – Magical Mates, Book 3

17. Sugar Honey Iced Tea – Magical Mates, Book 3.5

18. Hell Breaks Loose – Hellhound Champions, Book 4

19. Logan – Chosen Champions, Book 1

20. Gideon – Chosen Champions, Book 2

21. Jamal – Chosen Champions, Book 2.5

22. Cosmo and the King

23. Aleron – Chosen Champions, Book 3

24. Scout – Chosen Champions, Book 4

25. With Kid Gloves – Magical Mates, Book 4

Review: Hex and the City (Stolen Hearts Book 1) by Nazri Noor

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Hex and the City starts off a new series, Stolen Hearts, by Nazri Noor, and I’m happy to share that’s it’s a very exciting start indeed.

The beginning was a titch rocky for me as I’m not a fan of the insufferably vain ,so self-indulgently awesome as to be stupid , main character. Especially when that’s the first voice the reader “hears” as they drop into the narrative.

But that quickly turns into something else, a more layered reality when a second main character and different perspective is added. Then we see that the first character’s voice and projection isn’t exactly what the reality is.

And that changes everything.

Leon Alcantara or Witch Boy as he’s called, is a finder. He’s the last of his line. A bruho, a male witch. But he’s constantly on the run, barely making it, moving from place to place. Hardly the careless happy image he’s projecting at the beginning of the story. He may be good looking but he’s seriously not the strongest , successful player in town and he knows it. And we soon see exactly where Leon stands by looking at him through the eyes of another finder.

That’s Maximilian Drake. A mysterious man of wealth who still lives as a finder, he sees the ragged clothes Leon wears and will come to hear Leon’s history of subsistence and endurance.

Noor completely brings us into the universe he’s creating, slowly leaving us bits of knowledge about the world, its structure, and the struggles within. We get the criminal families, and the Masques, a strange enigmatic group of magical law enforcement agents wearing their own masks that cover magical crimes. One of which is the basis of the story here.

The author creates a fascinating story around a semi-lawful culture of Spiders, a group of beings that accumulate wealth of knowledge of ,well, everything, and the finders they send out for things. A hunt that brings Max and Leon together with huge complications. The more the hunt goes wrong, the more creative and layered the characters and plot becomes as the author expands on the history, relationships, and world building.

It goes on to explore what the characters relationship might turn into, what mysteries their backgrounds hold, and the layers Noor is still working into the series. All of which are very compelling.

The second book, Elixir of Strife, will be released soon. I can’t wait. I’m highly recommending you begin your Stolen Hearts journey with Hex and the City. It’s a great beginning to what looks to be a fabulous tale!

Stolen Hearts:

✓ Hex and the City #1

◦ Elixir of Strife #2 – July 28,2023

◦ All Out of Flux #3 -Sept 29,2023

Buy Link:

Hex and the City (Stolen Hearts Book 1)

Description:

Leon Alcantara is a real son of a witch.

The last in a proud line of witches, he’s come to test his small magic in the big city. Stealing enchanted artifacts pays the rent, but the competition is fierce. And handsome. And great at magic, too.

But Maximilian Drake and his dark, brooding glances are the least of Leon’s problems. A chain of anomalies surges through the city, strange distortions in reality that threaten both Dos Lunas and its people.

Suspected by the arcane authorities, Leon is forced to work with his nemesis to clear his name. But Max is so secretive over his shrouded past. Can he even be trusted? Leon must decide before the anomalies destroy the city — and his entire life.

Review: Magic Burning (Carnival of Mysteries story) by Kaje Harper

Rating: 5🌈

Magic Burning is a perfect example of why I find these types of series so exciting. Kaje Harper’s story incorporates the central theme of a mysterious otherworldly carnival smoothly into her multi-layered narrative. The author weaves the Carnival of Mysteries seamlessly within the novel’s important topics of late coming out, parallel existing worlds, magical governments with its own governing bodies and laws, dysfunctional families, found families, and fighting for love once found.

And did I even mention fires and the firefighters?

Harper has so many elements here and uses them superbly. Some in combination and some are addressed individually.

The magical aspect, which has so many of its own unique features, is centered around the character of Alan Hiranchai. He’s gay, Thai-American , fourth grade teacher, and an unregistered sorcerer. That last bit plays into the magical universe that’s a part of a previous series of Harper’s and it’s folded into the world building here. One where sorcery has always been a part of human history, it’s use both for good and evil purposes leading to wars and political instability. Now unbeknownst to humans, the magical realm has made new rules and withdrawn, making magic users seem useless to the human world.

This is a beautifully crafted aspect of the story and deeply rooted for Alan as far as his history and his personal abilities. And it will play out into how his relationship with firefighter might be affected.

Jason, the human firefighter, is another fantastic character. A solid dependable person, leader of his team, but one struggling with his own sexuality. He’s afraid to admit he’s gay to his large conservative family which includes his firefighter family as well. His strengths as a firefighter are believable, the bonds formed between the group realistic. And the pain of his coming out to his family is heartbreaking.

Apart and together, Alan and Jason are a formidable team. And I haven’t even addressed Alan’s hilarious familiar, a conure named Sunny. I need more of every one in this book actually.

There’s quite a bit here I haven’t even delved into. Marvelous work of narrative storytelling that brings together side groups of characters you can’t get enough of, and more fascinating interactions from magical beings that begs for more time and tales.

It’s a fantastic story, magnificent characters and a great ending. And it leaves me wanting more.

Magic Burning (Carnival of Mysteries story) by Kaje Harper is a highly recommended book! Grab it up immediately! And prepare yourself for a delightful trip into a magical place!

Love these covers!

Carnival of Mysteries series:

✓ Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding❤️

✓ Step Right Up by L.A. Witt

✓ Magic Burning by Kaje Harper ❤️

◦ Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr – Aug 2,

◦ Assassin by Accident by E.J.Russell-Aug16

◦ Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis – Sept 13

◦ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25

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Magic Burning: Carnival of Mysteries

Description:

Alan

I haven’t been out with a guy in the last two years. Partly because I’m a gay elementary-school teacher in a fairly small, conservative town. Partly because I’m a sorcerer, and dating ordinary humans only leads to trouble. Sleeping with one though? That’s doable, so when my birdbrained familiar Sunny lines up a tall, muscular firefighter for me, I’m not going to say no. Just once, though. Maybe twice. I don’t need more trouble in my life.

Jason
I don’t regret moving back to my hometown and my big family. Well, not much. I’m not out to them, and I miss the anonymity of the big city, but I like the local fire house and the slower-paced life. Still, when I see my niece’s teacher, Mr. Hiranchai, in gray sweatpants talking to a mini-parrot on his shoulder, something inside me (or maybe something in front of me) perks up and says “I want that one.” I can’t have an actual boyfriend, but I sure wouldn’t mind getting laid, and Alan’s slim, dark-haired, smart-assed style rings all my bells.

It’s no surprise we turn out to be great together, even if my job and his responsibilities make it hard to find time. It is a surprise when I realize I want more than just an occasional night. But some weird fires out in the brush keep us firefighters hopping, and when this strange carnival comes to town and lands me with a pair of magical doll shoes, life gets truly confusing. There’s more to Alan than he’s telling me, and I’m getting a bad, bad feeling about all this.

Magic Burning is a story in the Necromancer universe, 60 years after Marked by Death, and is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains a snarky, matchmaking bird, a lonely young teacher, and a gay firefighter finally coming out to his large family.

Review: What The Frack? (The ABC’s of Spellcraft Book 7) by Jordan Castillo Price

Rating: 4.5🌈

Well, this was tons of explosive fun! While a bit short on the personal relationship between the main couple, Price delivers hugely on the big epic elements!

Mysterious goings on! Dastardly corporate underhanded doings! A town and family in danger! Yes to the exclamation marks! The story cries out for it! But all the weirdness, the historical drama, and even stranger strangers that show up as Pinyan Bay is under attack is the stuff that makes Yuri and Dixon jump to investigate!

Love the twists, the Indiana Jones atmosphere at times, and the enlargement of the world building here.

All around a terrific story. And don’t forget to read the author’s notes at the end. They are as enjoyable and interesting as the story.

I’m recommending this and the series. It’s magical ride! Binge read for your pleasure!

The ABC’s of Spellcraft series:

✓ Quill Me Now #1

✓ Trouble in Taco Town #2

✓ Something Stinks at the Spa #3

✓ Dead Man’s Quill #4

✓ Last But Not Lease #5

✓ Don’t Rock The Boardwalk #6

✓ What The Frack? #7

◦ Present Tense: A Spellcraft Christmas short #8

◦ Brownie Points #9

◦ Forging Ahead #10

◦ Mayor May Not #11

◦ Bucket List #12

◦ Comic Sans #13

◦ It’s All Relative #14

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What the Frack? (The ABCs of Spellcraft Book 7)

Description:

It’s all fun and games until something blows up.

Thanks to the recent explosion in Pinyin Bay, most of its residents got out while the getting was good. Not Dixon Penn. He grew up there, and from the power plant to the strip malls, the city is full of fond memories. But if the mysterious corporation that bought up the shoreline doesn’t stop drilling, memories may soon be all that remain.

Yuri Volnikov is finally fitting in. He crossed an ocean to find a loving home with Dixon. Now, that home is threatened. And he won’t give it up without a fight.

The drilling has attracted plenty of attention. While a harebrained reporter covers the scene, a traveling geologist shows up who might shed some light on the situation. He’ll need all the light he can get, since he can hardly see three feet in front of his own face.

Whoever is digging up the shore, they’re using Spellcraft to exploit every possible loophole so no one can put a stop to their operations. Can Dixon and Yuri defuse the Craftings before Pinyin Bay goes up in smoke?

The ABCs of Spellcraft is a series filled with bad jokes and good magic, where MM Romance meets Paranormal Cozy. A perky hero, a brooding love interest, and delightfully twisty-turny stories that never end up quite where you’d expect. The books are best read in order, so be sure to start at the beginning with Quill Me Now.

Review: Most Wanted (Wrecked: Guardians, #3) by Kelly Fox

Rating: 4🌈

Most Wanted picks up from the events of the last book, Full Contact. There we met US Marshals Ronan as he quietly aided the Guardians on a mission to rescue sex trafficked kids and take down the federally protected pedophiles.

Now cut loose, Ronan is reunited with his past boyfriend, Guardian Thane Ashford in the aftermath of those events.

Fox’s characters are emotionally attached to each other even as they are separated by their feelings and past trauma. The story, which helps us see their relationship over the years from both sides, goes into Thane’s damaging relationship with his father, his insecurities about his body image which date back to his childhood, and why he was so against any idea of a commitment.

The characters are still working through their past differences and what that means to the current group dynamics. It makes for interesting interactions and sexy encounters.

I like that the entire team is involved here, new teammates are added, and Fox smoothly moves the story forward while also introducing the thread for the book to come. Which involves their boss, DeShawn, who’s emotionally weary and in need of retiring from the daily operations.

Fox writes characters that seem simple yet have layers. It may take a while to reveal but they do surface. Same with each couple’s relationship, there’s always that extra backstory that adds an element you might not expect but appreciate once you’ve got it.

I found Most Wanted highly enjoyable. I really like the strong women characters that continue to appear. The themes , especially of

sexually trafficked children and women are ones some will find disturbing so be aware of the nature of their investigations.

I’m recommending this and looking forward to the next.

That’s for Odd , Anders’ twin, and DB’s relationship.

Wrecked: Guardians

✓ Hard Target #1

✓ Full Contact #2

✓ Most Wanted #3

◦ Deep Impact #4

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Most Wanted: An M/M Friends-To-Lovers Romance (Wrecked: Guardians Book 3)

Description:

Letting Ronan go was the biggest mistake of my life. Giving me a second chance might be the biggest mistake of his.

I’d spent a year as Ronan’s friend-with-benefits, convincing myself that he could never feel the way I felt. I was floored when those three little words flew out of his mouth.

So, I ran. And have regretted that decision every day for the last five years.

Now fate has led him back to me and to the Guardians, the merry band of mercenaries who have become my family. Our last several missions have gone sideways, and Ronan is convinced that he needs to go back into the field to understand what our team is dealing with.

He’s putting himself in harm’s way and we can’t keep our hands off each other. God help me if anything happens to him.

I can’t think of anything more dangerous than giving my heart to a man who’s already destroyed it.

Then again, I might not have much say in the matter. My life’s been upended, and the only place that’s safe is with Thane and the Guardians.

It doesn’t take us long to figure out that our passion burns just as hot as it always did. Undeniable. Unstoppable.

I can’t keep my hands off him, but I can’t go back to being his friend with benefits. And I have no clue how to trust him.

Thing is…if we could learn to trust each other, I might actually have something to offer this team of morally flexible do-gooders.

Most Wanted is a mercenary MM romance set in Austin, Texas. It features a gentle (if slightly murderous), muscle-bound giant, a beautiful, wickedly flexible man, and more chemistry than a high school science lab.

This is the third book in the Wrecked: Guardians Series. Several characters from Wrecked, my series about a gym for combat vets, crossover into these books. While you can enjoy the slightly more nefarious Guardians without reading Wrecked, lots of people end up wanting all the juicy backstories.