Secrets Are Out! Adam, Vee, and Victor are all finally on the same page! Theyāre all together romantically and in battle! Bad beings beware!
This maniacally wonderful world gets even crazier in a sexy, action packed, ālet all the secrets fly ā story. Itās jammed full with our fav bunch of fantastic paranormal characters from the SOS hotel, a mission to save a family that ends up becoming so much more!
In the meantime, thereās explosions, debris, lots of cleaning, Adamās secrets are out and our favorite triad comes together, finally! With a lot of snark and sexy stuff. Love this narrative so much.
No Rest for the Wickedās absolutely
yeets the prophecy into forward motion with astonishing speed here, also with some of my favorite scenes and conversations.
The ending is so satisfying and sets up the next installment in the series, Luxury To Die For. Iām hooked so I hope this dramatic finale gets dragged out a bit longer.
If you havenāt been reading the notes that come before and after the novel itself, youāre missing out. Check out the messages and ramblings from Adam and Vee where all the credits are listed at the beginning and the texts at the end. Priceless!
Yes, this is a must read and definitely recommended series and story. But do read the trigger warnings!
What Could Go Wrong? By Toshi Drake is another in the multi-author series about a group of people labeled subpar superheroes who work for the secret agency SPAM.
Most of them have abilities that are considered less essential or powerful to society or the agency, hence the label.
In Drakeās book, What Could Go Wrong?, the best elements of this story are the two main characters and their new developing relationship. It starts with Ezra, an awkward records clerk for SPAM. Enthusiastic about his unseen employer, April, naive about exactly SPAM does, and sort of unaware about his own weird powers, Ezraās attempts to prove himself to himself and his boss powers the events.
And itās how he accidentally but not really meets Chauncey āChazā Adams, retired subpar agent with a weird power of his own.
Itās a case of goofy, enthusiastic , out of his depth employee meets grumpy, bitter retired agent, they have a instant attraction, get ensnared in a muddled investigation involving Big Foot, that further develops into just a narrative plot line quagmire.
What does work here is the dynamic between Ezra and Chaz. Itās built slowly as they get to know each other under adverse conditions, further adjusting to each otherās expectations and differences in sexualities. Itās developed around respect and mutual understanding. They treat each other as responsible adults and with support for each otherās issues, whatever they feel they might be.
Itās a lovely romance and Ezra and Chaz make the story entertaining and sweet.
But the investigation and case they fall into is a narrative bungle. It makes little sense, itās choppy in execution, and its overall plot is muddled. Even their powers arenāt clearly defined.
So read this if youāre a fan of the author, the series, and for the relationship, which is lovely.
Subpar Heroes series- 15 books:
š·The Accidental Necromancer by Liv Rancourt
š·Behind the 8-Ball by A. E. Wasp
š·Transparent Is a Color by Kaje Harperā¤ļø
š·Impossible Things by Alexa Land
š·My Not-So-Super Blind Date by Allison Temple ā¤ļøā¤ļø
š·An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling by Jenn Burke ā¤ļøā¤ļø
š·In The Nick of Time by Elle Keaton
š·Static/Cling by Jaimie Samms
š·Spiritual Guidance Not Required by Jacy Braegan 8/1/2024
š·What Could Go Wrong? By Toshi Drake
š·License to Chill by Chantal Mer 8/8/2024
š·Code Name Dolittle by Lynn Michaels. 8/22/2024
š·Signed, Iām Yours! By Rhys Lawless 8/29/2024
All Ezra has to do is deliver a message to retired clean-up agent, Chauncey Adams, and he’ll become the go-to person for SPAM’s Canadian office. Drive to Chauncey’s, hand off the papers. That’s the mission.
What could go wrong?
Everything. Everything could go wrong. A random phone call, unexpected magic words and a grumpy retired agent are just the beginning. The end? Finding Bigfoot on the Bruce Peninsula.
Between dead bodies popping up and being kidnapped by incompetent bad guys, Ezra and Chaz have to solve the mystery of what happened before they get stomped out for good. These secret agents are more laughable than lethal, but they’ll have to rely on each other–and the growing spark between them–if they want to survive.
What Could Go Wrong? is a part of the multi-author Subparheroes MM romance series.
Humility is the finale book to Lark Taylorās Connections series and itās definitely worth the tissues needed to read it.
While on the surface, itās about two commitment phobic best friends finally understanding each is the others HEA, the underlying issues, a heart wrenching event, and the backstories are the reasons that will have you reaching almost nonstop for the tissue box.
Riley, human with a history of a human stalker and dysfunctional parenting, is a series staple as heās a best friend of Matty (Justice #2). Danny, wolf shifter firefighter, is a wounded soul with a broken history thatās revealed in this book. He too has had many scenes throughout the series as a best friend/ co firefighter with Leo (Patience #1). So weāve been given glimpses of both characters in the preceding novels as they helped their friends through to resolving their problems and getting their mates.
With Riley and Danny , they meet, immediately click before having intense sex. Best ever. But because of various factors, each has resolved to stay commitment free. So itās buddy only.
Until itās not.
Taylor skillfully leads the characters through a heart wrenching and life changing event. The aftermath of which forces revelations of the past, old wounds come to light, and they journey back to Scotland where it all began for Danny , in his pack.
Lark creates a number of new and interesting characters to inhabit this new location in Scotland, and perhaps, one that will travel back to England to meet the rest of the paranormal group that resides there. Logan is an amazing shifter.
This ends one series but launches two more. One about the Seraphim and one about the wolf shifter we met in the book.
There was an absolutely wonderful epilogue that I hope gets a follow up in some way to let us see what happened next. With everyone.
Put this series on your list, including the finale. But read them in the order they are written.
Two commitment-phobes. One ridiculous plan. A decision that changes everythingā¦
Riley
If a no-strings hookup is required, then Iām the perfect guy.
When I meet Danny, I canāt believe my luck. A sexy wolf shifter whoās also a fireman? Who runs from relationships just as fast as I do? Sign me up.
The night that follows is one for the history books, and the best part? Neither of us is looking for a repeat.
That doesnāt mean we donāt see each other again. Without even realising it, we become friends. Friends who do everything together.
Everything with Danny is perfect, but when I start to yearn for more from my hookups, I know something needs to change.
So I come up with a plan. A genius plan. I sign up for an app that arranges anonymous encounters. No names. No faces shown.
No danger of pesky feelings getting involved.
What could possibly go wrong?
Danny
Unlike Riley, my desire to avoid a relationship has nothing to do with commitment issues.
Taking a mate would mean returning to the clan who betrayed me. Iād have to leave behind this life Iāve built, a life Iām very happy with. One where Riley occupies most of my free time.
Everything is going swimmingly until Riley tells me his plan. His genius plan, he calls it. He canāt see it for what it isāan idiotic idea thatāll land him in danger.
I canāt let him go through with it. My wolf wonāt allow it. Problem is, Rileyās as stubborn as they come. Once heās decided on something, thereās no changing his mind.
Not wanting him in danger, I realise thereās only one thing I can do. One thing thatāll keep Riley happy while also keeping him safe.
I can be his anonymous hookup.
Itās idiot-proof. At least, it would be, if I wasnāt an idiot.
Turns out Riley isnāt the only one who should be scared of hooking up and realising you want more.
Humility is the thrilling fourth instalment in the Damned Connections series and can be read as a standalone. Featuring a wolf shifter x human pairing, this spicy MM PNR romance will make you laugh and cry. Each book follows a different couple with a guaranteed HEA.
They’d always suspected there might be something special about Willow Lake, and now there isn’t just magic in the air, but love too!
If only all the jerks in the world would leave them alone, everything would be perfect… ā
Cats Never Fly is the fourth book in Lori Ames Willow Lake Supernatural series, where fated mates find each other, but not before theyāre involved in the series (and townās) ongoing conflicts, mysteries, and magical criminal investigations.
I never know who Ames is focusing on next at the end of the last book. All threads lead to a certain individual but that doesnāt seem to be the one who āspokeā to her. So itās Simon, the cat shifter who made minor appearances thatās getting his story and fated mate here.
Honestly it turns out to be a wonderful choice and a great story in terms of character development, new intriguing elements introduced, and a overall expansion of the series thread and arc mystery.
Simon is a particularly interesting being. When Simon showed up in other books, he wasnāt an appealing figure. A timid creature who looked out for himself. Here where we can hear his voice, its different. Simonās actions are now hard to determine if heās being overly cautious, truly fearful, or if something undefined is actually determining the course of his activities. He doesnāt seem cowardly, but his personality maybe stem from ingrained patterns of his familyās beliefs, ones that drive him away from the direction he often knows or feels is the right one to take. Itās frustrating at the beginning but deeply satisfying to be invested in as Simon grows and strengthens as a person and part of a relationship.
Simon is the strongest character here and makes the greatest strides in development. Dragon Ogden Walsh, a singing, passionate, albeit ancient , fated mate is a fascinating character but has less of an emotional journey here. I wished we had more of him with regard to his abilities and personal experiences, especially given the trauma he has to go through. Ames does a really great twist in making Simon, a cat shifter, the physically larger of the two people in human form, while Ogden, the ancient powerful dragon, is the smaller, colorfully dressed man. Yet shifted, itās the opposite thatās true. That dichotomy impacts their dynamic in interesting ways throughout their relationship and their storyline.
The ongoing supernatural trafficking investigation and storyline introduces several new elements and characters in Cats Never Fly while expanding further into the series arc and villainy. It potentially opens up a new dimension and pairing who I hoped would come next.
Unfortunately, per the authorās note, yet another one has spoken out first. Hayden, the would be Alpha looks to be next.
Either way, Iāll be there to grab up the book. Iām absolutely invested in Willow Lake, its inhabitants, the magic and its fated mates storylines.
Protect his nine lives. Check. Find a pretty treasure. Check. Summon a dragon. Ch– Wait, what?
Cat shifter Simon refuses to jeopardize any of his nine lives, thank you very much. That saying ācuriosity killed the catā wonāt ever apply to him. No way, no how.
Exceptā¦
When heās out hunting for field mice one night, he finds the most wonderful whistle. Itās magical and intriguing and so very, very pretty. He knows he should return it, but whatās the worst that could happen if he blew on it first? Just once.
Months later, he finally has the courage to do just that, and when he does, the craziest thing happens. He summons a dragon, of all things.
Now what is he supposed to do? Particularly when Simon would rather keep the gorgeous dragon shifter than send him back to where he came fromā¦
Tags: MM Fated Mates Paranormal Romance, a scaredy cat who needs to find his inner lion, a flirtatious dragon, more caged supes, gray sweatpants, shiny magical whistles do amazing things, cats donāt fly, having nine lives is the best, are ā50s songs better than ā80s songs?
Note: This book will be best enjoyed if you’ve read the first books in the series.
The Turning of the Tables by KM Avery begins Seth Mays connecting trilogy of the Beyond the Veil series, a journey thatās got a perspective on the Arcanavirus weāve not seen before.
KM Avery ās Beyond the Veil universe is a dark, highly complex world. Itās steeped in harsh human fears against those who are different, a divergence that has resulted from the Arcanavirus thatās wiped out a portion of the worldās population, the remaining population that has been exposed and is affected can change in otherworldly ways. Maybe they can hear the dead or maybe theyāre a vampire.
In its wake , the world and society roils with bigotry, specism, racism, an increasingly amount of hatred based acts, as well as inflammatory politics that seem so dangerous and familiar these days. Read the authorās Notes on the universe information and trigger warnings before the book begins.
More so than any other books, except for Wardās, Sethās story , his beginning, has really moved me. Avery manages to so realistically, and with devastating exquisite clarity, covey a portrait of this gentle, sweet man coming physically, mentally, and emotionally apart in every aspect of his life. Just when he thought he had reached a good and satisfying point about his career, friends and family.
The pain is so intense as Avery does a deep emotional dive into the internal life of Seth Mays . Its from Sethās point of view that we see his life , the events, the unthinkable aftermath, alongside a complicated, horrifying investigation, and the introduction of Elliot Crane, badger shifter, best friend of Hart, into Sethās world.
Elliot arrives to craft a summoning table for Ward and an intense relationship is struck up between Seth and Elliot. One that is notably temporary due to their differences in locations and current circumstances, but thatās not how this works.
We know Elliot from Valās books but we get a deeper understanding of him here even without reading his POV. Avery gives the reader a perfect window into this character, an insight into how the relationship between them is effectively changing him too. And itās done, part way, through a series of texts. Some sent casually, others during the worst moments of Sethās life.
The Turning of the Tables (Beyond the Veil Book 7) by KM Avery brilliantly follows Seth as through a journey so moving and engaging that often times, I found myself having to pause in my reading because I was so wrapped up in Sethās story that I needed a moment to reflect.
Here a life is changed so profoundly itās shattering, both for the character and for the reader.
The ending? Exactly what it should be. Hopeful. And now Iām exhausted but ready for the next book and step forward for Seth . Thatās The Badger in his Burrow, no release date yet.
If you havenāt read this series yet, start reading it. Itās a must read in its entirety. Read them in order to understand the characters, their stories and relationships, the evolution of this world in terms of politics and magic. Itās complex, highly addictive, ingenious, and often dark as well as beautifully written.
I try to be an easygoing kind of guy, but sometimes things happen that really throw you for a loop. It turns out that meeting a certain badger shifter is one of those things.
Iād agreed to pick him up at the airport to help out a friend, and I had no idea what Iād gotten myself into. I figured Iād pick him up, drop him off at his hotel, and that would be that. Instead, I canāt stop thinking about himāand it doesnāt help that he keeps texting me, asking for my help.
The other problem isā¦ he lives a thousand miles away and is only going to be here for a few weeks. Except that it hasnāt taken long for me to fall hard for those hazel eyes and white-streaked hair. To say nothing of the callouses on those strong hands.
I should be paying attention to workāto the killer using the Arcanavirus as a murder weaponābut I keep getting distracted by thoughts of Elliot Crane. Hopefully that doesnāt come back to bite me in the butt.
Who am I kidding? Everything comes back to bite me in the butt. And not in a fun kind of way, either.
Iāve been desperately waiting for this book since Erasmus Boone , the Necromancer, and Aurelia, the djinn made their first appearances in the fabulous Perfectly Pixie series. Now, tied by past events , and magical connections, Erasmus and Aurelia have their own unique series, along with Erasmusā human mate/romantic partner, Detective Franklin OāHare.
Deadly Lineage is a superb introduction to Erasmus and Aurelia if youāre not already familiar with them from the previous series. May beautifully develops the storyline around Booneās family, Booneās neighbors and location, the necromancer history, and gives us new well defined characters in terms of the local MS police force where Detective Franklin OāHare works and the investigations that come into play.
Booneās complicated family just happens to include Nikodemus Holland , the feared, powerful warlock, father to Erasmus and his mother, Lydia Boone. Mayās characterizations are well developed, vividly described and layered with personality. Itās doesnāt matter whether theyāre human or paranormal, theyāre believable in their love and concern for their son.
The Mississippi location is steeped in Southern sweet tea, wrap around porches with light blue ceilings, fans constantly swirling amidst the summer sweltering heat. The paranormal crimes committed are horrifying. The intense murder investigations are suspense filled and terrifying, and the romance between Erasmus and Franklin slowly burning.
Aurelia is an absolute gem of a character. A djinn who doesnāt act or even speak as anything other than what she is, an immensely powerful being, ones who has lived through the worst of origin stories and centuries of ownership. Each appearance sees more unexpected moments with her. More development, more revelations.
Thereās so many great elements in this story. Whether itās the side cases that Erasmus takes, his incredible neighbor, Mrs. Hart, and her tiny dog, Miss Pattycakes, each are a narrative treasure.
I was ready for book two as soon as this one was over. I love the universe, the characters and crossovers with the Pixies, and everything new May is creating here for Erasmus, Franklin as well as Aurelia.
This is a must read, as it the series before it. Highly recommended!
Another excellent cover design by cheriefox
Related/Preceding Series:
Perfect Pixie Series
š¹Perfectly Imperfect Pixie
š¹Perfectly Perfect Pixie: Peachesās Story
š¹Perfectly Charmed Pixie: Parsnipās Story
š¹Perfectly Perplexing Zombie: Wendallās Story
Shunned by most species and abandoned by their warlock fathers, necromancers are marginalized, feared, and reclusive. Erasmus Boone is different. His warlock father chose love instead of abandonment. Unusually powerful and talented, Booneās embraced his necromantic abilities and managed to carve out an existence within a world that would rather he not exist at all.
Humans arenāt the most respected species. Hell, theyāre just a step above termites in the eyes of most. Detective Franklin OāHare has never taken derision towards his humanity to heart. Determined to do the best given his human limitations, Detective OāHare does whatever it takes to right the wrongs of the worldāno matter the species concernedāeven if that means working with a necromancer. Besides, Erasmus Boone isnāt so bad. In fact, heās temptingly perfect.
Seeking solace after a difficult case, Boone walks the typically peaceful gravesites of Trinityās Holy Cross Cemetery. The gentle hum of contented, long-dead souls ease Booneās mindāuntil heās hit with an unearthly cry unlike any heās heard before. Unfortunately, that first soulful cry isnāt Booneās last, each wail revealing a disconcerting pattern. Thereās a serial killer in the wind, and their murders are resulting in souls with painful, missing pieces, leaving their voices incoherent and
indecipherable.
Boone and OāHare must work closely together if theyāre going to stop the killings. OāHare learns quickly that keeping Boone safe from disgruntled clients and serial killers is a never-ending and nearly impossible task.
As OāHare and Boone grow closer, so does the killer. They need to figure out whoās indiscriminately murdering seemingly unrelated species, and why the victimsā souls are devastated beyond repair, before Boone becomes another victim on the ominous list.
Deadly Lineage is the first book in the Necromancer Tales series. This series is a spin-off of the Perfect Pixie series and takes place in the same world but can be read as a stand-alone. Deadly Lineage is a M/M romantic fantasy mystery with an unusually sane necromancer just trying to make a living, a humble human detective attempting to ignore his attraction to the aforementioned necromancer, an arrogant but redeemably overprotective warlock father, a twisted serial killer, a questionably agreeable all-powerful djinn, damaged souls, humans-some redeemable and some not, a steamy Mississippi summer, and far too much sweet tea. Deadly Lineage has a HFN ending.
Mentions of violence, murder, souls bruoght back from the beyond, speciest bigotry, and a few characters of questionable morals and sanity.
Static/Cling by Jaime Samms is another in the Subpar Heroes multi-author series about a group of people who have specific abilities that have been deemed just not āsuperā enough for high level status. Theyāre subpar heroes or heroes whose abilities are diminished in some respects.
Samms story involves a group of characters, first a pair of friends/lovers that eventually ends up as a triad when they find the third that completes them. Along the way, a team of like minded and powered characters is formed, thereās a scary mission to undertake, and an evil villain to be foiled.
Static/Cling has terrific characters, interesting storylines, and the potential for additional novels, packed as it is with loose ends and underdeveloped plot lines and character elements.
I really enjoyed it.
Characters like Bjorn Bielke, āelectricity runs through my bodyā and Leif, his best friend/lover and personal current discharge unit, who end up working for SPAM (the superhero agency) where all the rest of their future team is working, are great in their respective roles. Also fascinating, if not equally well developed, is Kassian, IT SPAM specialist, but heās more. What exactly is not delved into.
The developing Bjorn/Leif/Kassian romance is interesting in how the author pulls it off and it makes sense for all the people involved. This could have taken up more of the plot, especially since Leif and Kassian each need more narrative development than is given towards the end.
Sal, Robert (two more intriguing members of this found family) as well as actual family members, contribute to a action packed, emotionally driven story.
Only the fact that Samms had left unexplored or unresolved some major plot lines at the end of the story did I feel unsatisfied with the finish and HFN given to the characters.
Perhaps, like other writers, Samms intends to revisit this universe. At any rate, if you are enjoying the series and are a fan of the author, I recommend reading Static/Cling (Subpar Heroes story) by Jaime Samms. Itās very entertaining.
Subpar Heroes series- 15 books:
š·The Accidental Necromancer by Liv Rancourt
š·Behind the 8-Ball by A. E. Wasp
š·Transparent Is a Color by Kaje Harperā¤ļø
š·Impossible Things by Alexa Land
š·My Not-So-Super Blind Date by Allison Temple ā¤ļøā¤ļø
š·An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling by Jenn Burke ā¤ļøā¤ļø
š·In The Nick of Time by Elle Keaton
š·Static/Cling by Jaimie Samms
š·Spiritual Guidance Not Required by Jacy Braegan 8/1/2024
š·What Could Go Wrong? By Toshi Drake 8/6/2024
š·License to Chill by Chantal Mer 8/8/2024
š·Code Name Dolittle by Lynn Michaels. 8/22/2024
š·Signed, Iām Yours! By Rhys Lawless 8/29/2024
Best friends Bjorn and Leif help each other out. Whether itās blowing off some steam in bed (as friends do), or helping each other find a new job, theyāve always been there for eachother. So when Leif points out an ad for a janitor team at SPAM itās a perfect fit.
Bjorn will be able to work where his strange ability to gather static electricity wonāt be a problem, and Leif will still be by his side to make sure nothing bad happens.
Turns out, Bjorn should have read the fine print.
Working at SPAM is like no other job theyāve ever had, and then there is Kassian. Tacitern. Unfriendly. Half computer geek, half muscle-head, heās way more appealing than he has any right to be, and maybe the spark between them theyāve often looked for but never found.
But Kassian the computer geek is clear. He doesnāt need any more friends, and he doesnāt need a lover, never mind two. Kassian the muscle head has a different take on the idea.
When they have to track down a missing computer file and stop a madman from ruining the lives of everyone at SPAM, itāll take the whole team, a multi-layered plan, and no small amount of luck to succeed.
It will also take the three of them combining their skills to stay alive and save, not just the day, but each other.
Static/Cling is a part of the multi-author Subpar Superheroes MM romance series.
The Villain Who Wasn’t by Liv Rancourt was such a mixed bag for me. I enjoyed much of the story and characters, including how Rancourt wove the Carnival of Mysteries into this tale, making it an important part of Micah Jenkins journey to redemption.
Micah, how his relationship with Anders Montgomery developed amid his journey to redemption and finding home, that entire storyline , is the best part about this book. It starts with the characters.
Corbin Blande aka Micah Jenkins is terrific, a wounded being with a great back story. Heās a polymorphic being, a therianthrope, someone who could shift into any form, human or animal. A almost mythic creature who fell into the wrong hands and did terrible things to protect people he loves.
Then thereās Anders Montgomery, a beta werewolf, one of 5 children.The pack is renting the Hidden Glen Resort for a younger sisterās first shift. But itās never that simple. Again, a great story and character set within a pack and family that cries out for further development.
Part of the main narrative includes Micahās daughter, who because of the danger involved, doesnāt know him, and a demon that has him trapped by promises and threats. All fascinating stuff and all underdeveloped here.
The decision why is because the author decides to mash up The Carnival of Mysteries series story , and make it a sequel to her book, The Accidental Necromancer from the Subpar Heroes superhero series from a completely different universe and multi-author collection. So now SPAM and superheroes has entered the story and things go completely off the rails, narratively speaking.
Once Livcourt makes the decision to smash (not integrate) one storyline universe into another, it drastically changes tone and direction. An entirely new crew of characters, new locations and the superhero governing agency, SPAM, is the dominant force, leaving the pack and other elements pushed aside.
In fact, instead of exploring Micahās unique natural history and having him make restitution for his actions in other ways, Livcourt brings in SPAM, takes over the story, hobbling the previous narrative, and making the Subpar Heroes the universe thatās dominating this book.
If a reader isnāt familiar with these series, especially the Subpar Heroes, or a reader of this authorās books, they will find themselves lost in the muddled world that this story has become at the end. Yes, thereās a HFN and a note from Livcourt she intends to continue on with additional stories in this universe. Which one? The subpar heroes is my guess but Iām not sure.
I liked The Villain Who Wasn’t (Carnival of Mysteries 2) by Liv Rancourt because of Micah, Anders, their relationship, and the manner in which the story began. Plus the Carnival of Mysteries was an important part of their journey. But the rest of the book was a mashup that felt forced and confusing. That was mostly the second part of this book.
Read it if youāre a fan of the author.
Again, terrific covers.
Carnival of Mysteries 2 -2024
š¹Rook’s Time by Kim Fielding (sequel to Crowās Fate-2023)
š¹The Wrong Familiar by Megan Derrā
š¹The Villain Who Wasn’t by Liv Rancourt ** notes (sequel to other stories/series)
š¹Blue Lightning by BL Maxwell
š¹Magic Escaping by Kaje Harper (sequel to Magic Burning 2023)
š¹Lighting the Darkness by Eden Winters – Aug 14,2024
š¹You Can Save Me by R L Merrill-Aug 21,2024
š¹Airs Above the Ground by Rachel Langella-Sept 10,2024
š¹Go for the Climate by Ander C. Lark
š¹ Flames of the Arcane by Nicole Dennis
š¹Midnight on the Midway by Morgan Brice
š¹Dust Bowl Magic by Zam Maxfield š¹Dragonspark by Elizabeth Silver
Micah is not a nice guy. He can shift into anything with a pulse, a rare talent that caught a demonās eye. Threatening Micahās weak spot ā his baby daughter ā that demon gave Micah seven tasks, each one shittier than the last. Itās taken him almost five years, but now that heās done, Micah can become a better man.
And he will, as soon as he figures out how.
Anders is a werewolf with a plan. When the time is right, heāll take over his uncleās contracting company and later become Alpha of the pack. He never intended to take a mate, even one as hot as Micah.
Whoās not a werewolf and might not be quite trustworthy.
A visit to a mysterious carnival shows Micah what it will take to be the kind of mate Anders deserves. Things get complicated, though, because while Micah thinks heās done with the demon, the demonās not done with him.
As Anders comes to terms with the Universe changing his plans, Micah struggles to be a worthy mate. Despite the growing strength of their bond, they need to send a certain demon back to hell, or theyāll never be able to build their future together.
In The Nick of Time by Elle Keaton is a great example of how a reader can absolutely enjoy and be engaged by a story while recognizing that itās not exactly fulfilling expectations. Especially when itās a part of a series with certain parameters.
Did I spend a lot of time laughing and appreciating the evolving dynamics between Agent Douglas Swanson ,aka Long Shot, and his newly acquired baby agent Nicholas Sedgwick? So much. The wonderful dialogue, the believable relationship that develops as they investigate the missing agents, and even the addition of Tim the sulcata tortoise, that works together to create a fast-paced, funny narrative.
Itās sexy, funny, full of surprises, small neat characters, Las Vegas, and enjoyable storytelling.
But in a series thatās about people who have super powers or powers of a less impressive nature, thatās not an element that is as well explored by the author here as I had hoped.
We understand immediately that Dougās semi-retired and doesnāt use his superpower any longer due to a tragic event. But Nickās perhaps more interesting abilities arenāt well explained. And during Keatonās storytelling, any āusesā by Nick are often in āoff the pageā scenarios so the reader isnāt emotionally or visually involved.
The full promise the character has been showing is never reached as far as his detailed abilities. And a potential new one is never brought up again. The author leaves some elements underdeveloped. Just as Tim is left as Tim. He just is.
Even SPAM , the superpower /subpower organization, is not as well laid out as it should be.
In The Nick of Time (Subpar Heroes novel) by Elle Keaton is a story that I very much enjoyed. The characters are engaging and their relationship journey made my day. It certainly made me smile a lot. Check it out!
Subpar Heroes series- 15 books:
š·The Accidental Necromancer by Liv Rancourt
š·Behind the 8-Ball by A. E. Wasp
š·Transparent Is a Color by Kaje Harperā¤ļø
š·Impossible Things by Alexa Land
š·My Not-So-Super Blind Date by Allison Temple ā¤ļøā¤ļø
š·An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling by Jenn Burke ā¤ļøā¤ļø
š·In The Nick of Time by Elle Keaton
š·Static/Cling by Jaimie Samms 7/30/2024
š·Spiritual Guidance Not Required by Jacy Braegan 8/1/2024
š·What Could Go Wrong? By Toshi Drake 8/6/2024
š·License to Chill by Chantal Mer 8/8/2024
š·Code Name Dolittle by Lynn Michaels. 8/22/2024
š·Signed, Iām Yours! By Rhys Lawless 8/29/2024
Perennially unemployed loner Nick Sedgewick applies to an online job opening with that exact phrase and expects nothing to come of it. It was likely a no-so-funny prank after all.
If Doug ‘Long Shot’ Swanson wanted a new work partner he’d hire one himself. He’s perfectly happy on his own and if he plays his cards right he’ll retire sooner rather than later. And he certainly wouldn’t hire an irritating spicy-candy-eating slacker who’d probably miss his own funeral.
But somebody is killing off agents and Nick’s new boss needs Doug and Nick to figure out who it is and put a stop to it. And if they accidentally fall in love along the way that is no one’s business but their own.
Neither man wants to be a hero. But maybe between the two of them, they can save the world. Or at least their little corner of it.
In the Nick of Time is a part of the multi-author Subpar Superheroes MM romance series
ā¢ Publisher: Dirty Dog Press LLC (July 25, 2024)
The person holding a yellowed human skull in his hands is Cassius. Recently returned home from his six long years of boarding school confinement in England, Cassius Corbin, has an important magical mission in mind. His arrival sets off an array of explosive events and a Capulets/Montague romance thatās the dramatic storyline and serves to launch all the other knowledge to vividly capture this incredible world.
I had only read one other book by Drewek but this just cemented the author as a must read. The incredible characters of Cassius, the necromancer of the fallen Corbin family, and that of Graeme Hewitt, of the highly successful and politically placed Hewitt family, draw the reader into their feud and romance immediately. Itās a tale fraught with emotional pain, old wounds that date back to 1667, hidden secrets, and murderous mysteries. Absolutely compelling, especially when combined with growing magic and Tennebrose University thatās as divided as the two families.
Drewekās done a fantastic job in introducing this universe, balancing the torn lovers, the mysteries, and the ancient secrets. And this time, we get a happy ending for our couple.
But before Drewek lets the reader in on exactly what this magical hunt is about, we get a glimpse and first look at the world of the paranormal thatās the town of Winslow. A old place where, living hidden among the normals, are every type of witchcraft, represented by old dynastic families , lineages complete with complex political dynamics and tortured historical backgrounds.
Did I feel it got tied up a lot quickly at the end? Yes. That feels rushed. But everything else is so well written that Iām hoping that future stories sort that element out.
In the meantime, thereās other aspects of this book I feel that need highlighting.
Drewek has created a highly detailed and informative Preface + Glossary as well as a short list of Latin terms that are used here. For those readers who love extra visual content, donāt miss out on the stunning handwriting family trees, Winslow Founding families list, charts, and other excellent pieces of narrative detailing.
Malum Discordiae:(Tennebrose Book 1) by Ashlyn Drewek was a terrific read and now Iām hooked. Headed to the next story! This is a definite recommendation!
Tennebrose series (a note indicated they are standalone books but the universe building is complex as is the events and relationships so I donāt agree with that):
š¹CALIGOāa short MM story about an eager grad student, his ācrazyā history professor, and a trip to the woods in search of the infamous Winslow Witch. This is a newsletter exclusive.
š¹MALUM DISCORDIAEāa dark academia MM enemies-to-lovers paranormal romance about witches, Necromancers, and a blood feud that has lasted centuries.
š¹IGNI FERROQUEāa dark MM paranormal romance about a pious Necromancer and an incorrigible demon and what happens when their paths intersect.
š¹MORTEM OBIREāa best-friends-to-lovers MM paranormal romance novella
After Cassius Corbinās mother was murdered by fellow witches, he learned an invaluable lesson: death comes for us allāeven Necromancers. Six years later, enrolling at Tennebrose University with vengeance on his mind, the last thing he expects is to come face to face with Graeme Hewitt, the son of his motherās killer. As much as Cassius tries to avoid the naive weather witch, fate has other plans.
In spite of their familiesā ongoing feud, theyāre forced to work together if they have any hope of passing their required class. But as late nights and stolen moments turn to something more, a rash of demonic murders plagues the university. If they donāt get to the bottom of it, they could both be next.
MALUM DISCORDIAE is a dark academia, paranormal MM romance about witches, Necromancers, and a blood feud that has lasted centuries. It features plenty of steam, a lot of snark, and the pile of bodies youād expect in a magical Romeo + Juliet retellingāexcept this one has a happy ending. It is intended for a mature audience and reader discretion is advised. A full list of triggers can be found in the front matter of the book and at my website under Tropes & Triggers.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 