Category: M/M Paranormal Fiction

Review: SOS HOTEL: Sleep With Us #3 by Adam Vex ( Ariana Nash)

Rating: 5šŸŒˆ

Here we are at the penultimate story in the life of Adam Vex , his companions , ex porn star incubus Zee, and wealthy businessman vampire Reynard. All of them living in their struggling SOS Hotel, with their gremlin filled walls, weirdly scary but wonderful AI bartender Tom Collins, and some personal secrets about to come busting out!

But first, something is wrong with Tom Collins! Heā€™s too nice, his cocktails too boring, heā€™s not himself.

In this story, sooo many things are happening. In a race to find and bring back their beloved bartender, secrets start to come out. And not in happy moments.

But this is a series on its way to its climactic conclusion and itā€™s building up to that point by challenging the characters to expose themselves (yes that too), emotionally and on personal terms, revealing their histories they hadnā€™t before.

So yes, thereā€™s wild rescues, more than a few fight scenes. And one ginormous cliffhanger.

Itā€™s fantastic. I need that final book! If youā€™re not into cliffhangers, wait until the entire series is out and binge read. Otherwise, read it in order and wait until itā€™s released in August. Iā€™m highly recommending this book and series. Well thought out and fabulous characters!

SOS Hotel:

āœ“ For a Supernaturally Safe Stay #1

āœ“ Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous #2

āœ“ Sleep with Us #3

āœ“ Great Service from Top to Bottom #4

ā—¦ No Rest for the Wicked #5 – August 16, 2024 (finale)

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SOS HOTEL: Great Service from Top to Bottom

Blurb

Something is wrong with Tom Collins. More wrong than usual.

Tomā€™s being nice.

I should have known trouble was right around the corner. One attempted murder later, and Reynard is forced to disarm Tom (literally).

No bartender, means no bar. Zee is grumpy and avoiding me, and the hotelā€™s measly profits are dwindling by the day.

Things are not going well. We need our broken, foul-mouthed Tom Collins back.

But donā€™t worry. Zee says saving Tom should be a walk in the park for us.

Turns out, that walk in the park is more like a road to hell. But I’ve got this…

My name is Adam Vex. I’m your average and mundane, human host. Welcome to another crazy day at the SOS Hotel.

*

Warning: SOS Hotel contains explicit language, situations, and content that some readers may find uncomfortable. For full warnings, please see the author’s website or the paperback “look inside sample”.

ā€¢ Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing (June 19, 2024)

ā€¢ Publication date: June 19, 2024

ā€¢ Language: English

ā€¢ Print length: 214 pages

Review: A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Book 8) by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4.25šŸŒˆ

Cassius, the coffee shop running oracle and the wounded grey angel Kushiel get their romance and journey to HEA finally. Itā€™s full of the other characters weā€™ve met, a terrifying, heartbreaking mystery, a lovely nosy family ghost, and a plot that is extremely complex in layers.

The best part is the characters here. Cass is a great character, with his well defined personality and deep family history , we get to know him and his Aunt Ro (and all her dresses) in heartwarming ways. Btw, donā€™t miss out on the authorā€™s notes on flower language at the end of the book. Fantastic touch of knowledge.

Then thereā€™s Kushiel, who we have met in previous books. Such a great light of a angel, giving to the point of hurting himself, wounded and touch deprived, the layers to Kush and the need that finds his answers in Cass makes this book such a beautiful story.

The imaginative elements of the lost souls is one that I wish was better developed. That one we see (sorta) is intriguing so the potential for the plot to further explore this aspect is huge but it does so in a way that takes away from the emotional element rather than boosts it. In its place, other scenes and side trips occur.

When the villain is exposed and the plot mystery resolves into a quick action that takes relatively short amount of time, it feels like a let down of sorts. Itā€™s has some interesting moments and a new character that will drive a sequel series to come. That looks great. But I feel like a tad more something/exploration could have been fit in rather than the villain monologuing about his reasons for the deeds here.

At any rate, we got a heartfelt romantic journey, and a great couple. As well as Aunt Ro.

This is just such a favorite series of mine. Shannon Mae has come up with some really amazing stories and unique and unexpected ideas about love and romance. They arenā€™t to be missed. Read them all and see who are your favorites!

Fabulous covers.

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance šŸ”· A Beginnerā€™s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters #1

šŸ”·A Beginnerā€™s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures #2

šŸ”·A Beginnerā€™s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades #3

šŸ”·A Beginnerā€™s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers #4

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Novellas:

šŸ”·A Beginnerā€™s Guide to Christmas Miracles (A Holiday Novella)

šŸ”·A Beginnerā€™s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Pet Demons

šŸ”·A Beginnerā€™s Guide to Demonic Possessions

Demonic Disasters and

Afterlife Adventures Collections: šŸ”·Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Collection 1

Hellhounds of Paradise Falls -sequel series:

ā—¦ How to Flirt with a Hellhound #1 – (Coming Soon)

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A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Book 8)

Blurb

Cassius:

Cass has always had the sight. Although his official job may be to run his coffee shop, in reality he deals with grumpy ghosts, troublesome demons, uptight angels, and all sorts of paranormal issues. When the archangel Gabriel gives him a message that he has to help a gray angel, itā€™s just par for the course for Cassius. But who could predict that Kushiel would be the brightest soul Cassius had ever met, even if the angel canā€™t see that about himself? Cassius is determined not just to save the afterlife (and possibly the entire universe), but also to save one very sexy angel (who just might be his soulmate) along the way.

Kushiel:

Kushielā€™s work is his life, and if angels shun him and he feels like he never quite fits in with demons, at least he has the souls he redeems. That is, until someone steals his entire purpose in the afterlife. Some vague clues from a demon seer send him straight into Cassā€™s coffee shop, where he learns some surprises about afterlife rules. With a little help from Cass, Kushiel is sure they can solve the mystery, especially since the coffee shop owner is the kindest, sweetest, sexiest human heā€™s ever met. Now if only he could figure out how to respond to all the compliments Cass keeps sending his way, because surely someone as wonderful as Cassius couldnā€™t be interested in a gray angel.

Tags: Kushiel is hurting, and Cass is happy to offer comfort and compliments; afterlife rules are more complicated than angels or demons knew; Aunt Ro keeps trying to not-so-subtly send messages through flowers; Cass runs into demons, angels, ghosts, a sea monster, and a hellhound; messages from seers and through oracles are annoyingly mysterious; Kushiel likes being told what to do, and Cass likes taking charge; Kushiel will finally get his own happily-ever-after (Cass will make sure of it).

Note: A Beginnerā€™s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers can be read as a stand alone. However, it is best read after A Beginnerā€™s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades, since Mike and Ari do pop up in this book.

ā€¢ Publication date: June 19, 2024

ā€¢ Language: English

ā€¢ Print length: 254 pages

Review: The Misfit Mage and His Darling Demon: Diabolic Romance Book Two by MN Bennet

Rating: 4.5šŸŒˆ

Mage Wally and his bonded Demon, Bez, return in MN Bennetā€™s highly imaginative sequel, Darling Demon, a book thatā€™s astonishing in creative elements and plot twists.

I really enjoyed this book, itā€™s so mentally entertaining, with the sheer amount of depth that Bennet goes into as Wally and Bez get into a horrible situation with first the Fae, and then an ever increasingly worse group of villains.

Thereā€™s really no way to go about pointing out aspects of this story that I adore without giving spoilers because I feel as though they are also some of the most clever elements that Bennet wrote into the storyline. Itā€™s one creative piece of thinking after another that just builds onto each other here , expanding on the universe as we thought we knew it magically.

What can I say? That the fabulous characters, demon Mora and her witch wife Kell, are back as main characters and their deep relationship and outlook on love is as remarkable and rewarding as anything else here.

We get a new family member, a pet. Heā€™s adorable. The scorpion familiar isnā€™t happy.

And that ending still makes me think of whether or not, Iā€™m impressed by the authorā€™s choices because I didnā€™t see it coming or sorry because I wanted something more comfortable when this book has been anything but. Thatā€™s on me.

Bennet has always narratively gone for the wild and intriguing, the unimaginable and deliciously dangerous. Thatā€™s how we end up. True to everything and everyone.

I hope we and Bennet return, someday to check in. I love to see whatā€™s happened next.

highly recommended.

Diabolic Romance:

The Misfit Mage and His Dashing Devil #1

The Misfit Mage and His Darling Demon #2

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The Misfit Mage and His Darling Demon: Diabolic Romance Book Two

Blurb

Wally and Bez have spent the last six months eluding the Collective together. Not that the mages have spent much time pursuing the dangerous devil and his misfit mage, since even the best magics canā€™t match a Diabolicā€™s strength.

When Bez surprises Wally with an anniversary trip to a special event hosted by the Fae, Wally is presented with a chance to work on rare artifacts belonging to a Fae noble. However, Bez learns the Fae may be connected to the recent abductions of fellow demons, allowing them to crossover into various Hell dimensionsā€”and threatening to expose his secret.

Bez is not the unstoppable devil that everyone believes he is. If the Collective learns about Bezā€™s deceit, they will rain down the full force of their magical resources to kill him. Wally and Bez will need to work together to unravel the mystery behind the missing demons and study intricate dimensional magics all while traveling in a magical villa through space and time.

ā€¢ Publisher: M.N. Bennet LLC (June 10, 2024)

ā€¢ Publication date: June 10, 2024

ā€¢ Language: English

ā€¢ Print length: 366 pages

Review: Unusual Emotions (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 3) by Shelby Rhodes

Rating: 5šŸŒˆ

Unusual Emotions is the third book in Shelby Rhodesā€™ amazing paranormal romance series, The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx, so a couple of things right away. If youā€™re reading this series, you are already familiar with the trigger warnings, so Iā€™m not going to repeat them.

Secondly, if youā€™re familiar with Shelby Rhodes writing, either here or any of this authorā€™s work, then again, see my sentence above about triggers. Rhodesā€™ writing just comes with a certain amount of warnings, primarily because of the various types of themes and content that are present in this authorā€™s work. If you know, you know.

As this is the third book in this remarkable series, one that has to be read in order, then a reader knows what is in store for them and the characters here. Proceed forward with knowledge!

Unusual Emotions tells us exactly what our characters are dealing with. After the traumatic events and deepest horrors of the past revisited that Taste of Fear put Foxx and Harlow through, now the impact of those events and its consequences, emotionally are seen here on the partners.

Unsurprisingly, Foxx is having nightmares, the burning marks upon his body still visible, his emotional state is shattered as much as his damaged threads. Hes not in good shape as the book opens. But just as shocking, neither is his partner Harlow. Heā€™s having feelings, anger , fear, and more, which heā€™s trying not to identify. Heā€™s a psychopath and , in his own words and mind, heā€™s not supposed to be having feelings.

Rhodes weaves an intimate, increasingly confused relationship between two characters that always thought they knew what their relationship was about. Until recently, and Foxxā€™s recent traumatic experiences have upset him and their dynamic. Both sides are stumbling around, dealing with their own issues, their partnerā€™s unspoken difficulties with the current situation, and a multitude of new cases involving them and weird elements.

Itā€™s Foxx and Harlow trying to figure out how to make their relationship work but itā€™s changing in ways neither understands. The author lays this out , all the fears, the misguided ways their friends and bosses interfere in the process, all the challenges that realistically make them not trusting of anything deeper than a work relationship, itā€™s complicated journey that makes them feel more real and broken. Incredible stuff here.

Threaded through this slow burn journey over broken glass pathways is the cases Tony is throwing their way. Unusually big numbers, scary details, weird situations. Each one coming with some defining features and scenarios that will, Iā€™m sure, add up to something even more terrifying to the partners later on.

And Iā€™m not just talking about the cliffhanger of that ending!

Yes, it does have a wowzer of a cliffhanger here. We also knew that would happen.

Unusual Emotions (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 3) by Shelby Rhodes is one incredibly powerful and heart stopping book. Our connection with Foxx and Harlow is made stronger, and we are all so happy that they have made a new step forward in their journey. Now about that cliffhanger!

Highly recommended! Read them in order. Not one is a standalone.

Love the covers.

The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx:

āœ“ At First Irritation #1

āœ“ Taste of Fear #2

āœ“ Unusual Emotions #3

ā—¦ Thirst Quenched #4 – August 24,2024

ā—¦ False Morality #5 – TBD

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Unusual Emotions (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 3)

Blurb

Foxx Honeywell hereā€¦ Have you ever wanted something, but then when it finally happens, you panic and think of all the things that could go wrong, because things have always gone wrong? No? Just me? Well, letā€™s backtrack.

We pick up where we last left offā€¦after the hypocritical murdery priests. Yeah, I’m still dealing with all that. Cases come and go, and things are normalā€¦but then normal flies out of the window. All because my mind decided to focus on things it shouldnā€™t. Because, as is often the case, emotions and feelings donā€™t give a shit about timing, place, or the sanity of those involved!

Speaking of sanity. My annoyingly insane partner, HARLOW, decided that he wants to make it all the more complicated by feeling ā€˜somethingā€™ as well.

Long story short, more cases, more confusion, and just the urge to burn the world down in a fit of angerā€¦because why the bloody hell not? Things are decidedly not okay.

CONTENT WARNING: This is a slow burn M/M paranormal romance book, that ends in a cliffhanger. Please see inside or my website for full content warning!

ā€¢ Publisher: (June 11, 2024)

ā€¢ Publication date: June 11, 2024

ā€¢ Language: English

ā€¢ Print length: 343 pages

Review: In The Dragonā€™s Lair (Wings Over Albion Book 3) by Joy Lynn Fielding

Rating: 4šŸŒˆ

Itā€™s been six months since I read the first book in Fieldingā€™s Wings Over Albion series. Thatā€™s Rufus Mortimerā€™s novel, a shy red dragon whoā€™s a librarian and his human mate, Mark. Loved it.

That story really contained so much of the foundation knowledge and insight into the dragon culture that Fielding is still creating for her series, that itā€™s a must read for this book.

Thatā€™s because the story opens as two dragon shifters view a ā€œmust attendā€ high society party already in progress. Itā€™s from the perspective of a member of a dragon family seen very differently in status in current dragon society. One Nate Mortimer is from the main banking family, top four in society, power and influence.

The other? From Cornwall, a family that prefers to live quietly, no matter what the legends may say. Thatā€™s Alex Teague, a country dragon, someone who wants to know why heā€™s been brought into the house of the powerful Fortescues, along with members of his family.

Nate too is there, directed by his own intensely powerful grandfather Bim, to investigate the theft of monies from their bank and see who is behind it.

Fielding has several mysteries to build, two relationships to handle as well. One is that of Nate and his ex Charlie Fortescue, not a nice person. The other one is the tentative one heā€™s building with Alex as they combined their interests, growing attracted to each other and move about Bath ā€˜s historic sites.

Everything is made more volatile as everyone is staying at the Fortescue mansion under the observant eyes of the head of the family, James Fortescue.

The story got a little bogged down at times with other peopleā€™s stories, like Ellaā€™s or just some random scenes from the household. Thereā€™s some fun and interesting elements about Jane Austin, and just Roman history throughout the story as Nateā€™s cover for being there is that heā€™s writing a book about Jane Austin.

However, I wish theyā€™d networked with Rufus and Mark here, considering the Cornwall aspect. Also more about the dynamics between families should have been explored as it was in the first story. Bim has always been an extraordinary character.

I do enjoy this universe and look forward to seeing more of it in future books. Thereā€™s so much more to explore here.

Wings Over Albion:

āœ“ The Red Dragon of Oxford #1

āœ“ In The Dragonā€™s Lair #2

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In the Dragon’s Lair: MM paranormal romance (Wings over Albion, Book 2)

Blurb:

Nate Mortimer is hot, funny, and kissing him is like falling into the sun.

Heā€™s also the last man I should ever be with.

Heā€™s smooth, wealthy, and practically dragon royalty. Me? Iā€™m just a dragon from the Cornish countryside. Or so I like people to think.

Iā€™m investigating the Fortescues, one of the richest, most powerful dragon families in Britain. Problem is, Iā€™m not the only one whoā€™s undercover. Every time I turn around, Nateā€™s in my way.

Can I trust him? He has his own issues with the Fortescues. Those dragons are dangerous, and his plotting could draw me into a lethal power struggle. His emotional baggage and troublesome ex? Also problematic.

And none of that helps me keep my mindā€”or handsā€”off him.

If Iā€™m not careful, falling for the wrong dragon-shifter could cost me so much more than just my heartā€¦

In the Dragonā€™s Lair is an m/m paranormal romance. Book 2 in the Wings over Albion series, it can be read as a standalone.

ā€¢ Publisher: Independent (June 10, 2024)

ā€¢ Publication date: June 10, 2024

ā€¢ Language: English

ā€¢ Sticky notes: On Kindle Scribe

ā€¢ Print length: 278 pages

Review: The Trouble With Trying to Hook a Harbinger (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Book 4) by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 4.5šŸŒˆ

The Trouble With Trying to Hook a Harbinger is another absolutely wild unhinged story in Jennifer Codyā€™s Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees series and Iā€™m loving every single bit of this.

No, itā€™s not over yet. This is the penultimate tale of battles, families, universal balance and gods, shopping, engagements, ginormous rings, new adoptions, and just outright chaos in the best way possible. With blood and swords and lots of sex.

Cody does give Romily (and the reader) a further explanation into his muteness and past trauma. Itā€™s typical of Codyā€™s writing that this aspect of the story, while it offers Romily an explanation for his tragic past and mutism, it wonā€™t resolve it. Instead this storyline gives him a new perspective about this part of himself as well as sees another intriguing being added to the family.

Codyā€™s characters are so well written, grounded in their emotions and respected relationships that we stay connected with them no matter what happens to the world around them. Here, with the incredible imagery and imagination thatā€™s been brought by Cody to this moment, itā€™s a very wild ride!

Thatā€™s why I just love this entire series and story. Even the smallest scene can contain ramifications for the larger plot, or even for a characterā€™s story later on in the series. Codyā€™s plot is complex even when appearing at its most simplistic stage. Itā€™s never one dimensional. Crazy, zooming off into the wilderness of the universe and who knows what else could possibly happen next but thatā€™s what makes this work. Characters that love each other deeply amidst chaos and way too many tables.

Gotta love this. I do and canā€™t wait for the next one to come out. Plus I heard that there will be a new sequel series to follow. Highly recommended!

Stay tuned.

Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees :

āœ“ The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer #1

āœ“ The Trouble With Trying to Save an Assassin #2

āœ“ The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion #3

āœ“ The Trouble With Trying to Hook a Harbinger #4

āœ“ The Adventure of Sterling Jones: A Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Sidequest

Buy link

The Trouble With Trying to Hook a Harbinger (Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Book 4)

Blurb:

Romily:

Welcome back to Will-They-Wonā€™t-They? The Engagement: The Foxily Edition. Thatā€™s the name of the show that Iā€™m planning to pitch to a producer thatā€™s based on my life. Will Fox ever give me a ring? Who knows! I donā€™t, and I donā€™t think Fox does either. If the rock currently sitting not-on-my-finger is any indication, we might be doomed.

In the meantime, let me introduce to you my new best friend: a cherub. (Are we surprised by this turn of events? No. I flipping love cherubs.) Akile Aristide walks into my life, declares that Iā€™m his bestie, and then flips the world on its three way axis. Whatā€™s a Harbinger to do except announce, ā€œIncoming!ā€ and hope everyoneā€™s buckled in?

The Trouble with Trying to Hook a Harbinger is a 63k MM Paranormal Romedy with a Harbinger who gets to change his title to The Chosen One, a slightly manic Reaper whoā€™s out for a little blood, and the family that theyā€™re building one adoption at a time.

ā€¢ Publication date: June 7, 2024

ā€¢ Language: English

ā€¢ File size: 1483 KB

ā€¢ Print length: 237 pages

Review: Black & White: An MM Shifter Romantic Suspense Novel (ORCA Book 1) by Vinni George

Rating: 4.25šŸŒˆ

Vinni George dives into the fated mates shifter trope with a new action adventure romance series, ORCA, or the Organization for the Return of Criminals and Assets . That itā€™s centered around a family or pod of killer whale brothers as they find their fated mates while theyā€™re hunting stolen artifacts or just on wild uncover missions is spot on. How that all happens is also a part of the storyline of this book.

George has a lot to lay out in this first book. We get the foundation for the universe, the culture of our shifter species, the various shifter family structures , especially in case of the two types of species of our main characters, a orca killer whale and an otter.

Felix White is a highly talented hacker and otter shifter, one whoā€™s also in a load of trouble. That will bring his fated mate to him in the form of a bodyguard, Nero Black, bondsman now bodyguard, and orca shifter, one of a family of brothers that live together.

This is an instant recognition of the mate storyline. While Iā€™m not always a fan of this approach, it works well with Nero and Felix due to their situation and the chemistry the author builds between them.

Because the series is going to be based on the rest of the family, they are quickly introduced and their personalities defined by jobs and appearance. Species characteristics are also very well represented here which I think makes them better realized as shifters. The holding hands by Felix as an otter is just adorable.

I had a few issues with the story in the I wish the actual villain was better executed and explored. This person sort of popped up out of nowhere. And was done equally as quickly. With all the buildup, this potion of the story doesnā€™t have the same kind of fulfillment as the other aspects. Itā€™s over with in a blink.

My other quibble isnā€™t by the author but should have been caught. Things like this.

ā€œā€œYou didnā€™t answer my question.ā€ Quin looked at me with shred eyes.ā€

Iā€™m guessing it should be shrewd eyes. Iā€™m betting autocorrect struck again. But in a book you paid for , itā€™s annoying and a line editor should have caught it.

Iā€™m seeing too many errors like that in books these days.

Quibbling aside, I found Black & White: An MM Shifter Romantic Suspense Novel (ORCA Book 1) by Vinni George is very entertaining and a terrific start to a new series .

ORCA :

āœ“ Black & White #1

ā—¦ Grayscale #2 – Dec 31,2024

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Black & White: An MM Shifter Romantic Suspense Novel (ORCA Book 1)

Blurb

Nero Hunter is tired. Heā€™s tired of early mornings chasing down skips. Heā€™s tired of Shamu jokes and dealing with idiots. He’s tired of being alone. But agreeing to do one little favor for a friend turns the tide and brings Nero face-to-face with his destiny.

Felix White is unlucky. When his life is threatened and heā€™s hauled into police custody for safekeeping, the last thing he expects is to meet his fated mate. Especially when his mate is a giant killer whale shifter, who is also his new bodyguard.

But there is more to the plot against Felix than meets the eye, and Nero and his brothers have to work together to figure out who is after Felix before itā€™s too late…before Nero loses the mate he just found.

Black & White is book one in the Organization for the Return of Criminals and Assets (ORCA) series featuring an orca shifter art thief turned bounty hunter, a sea otter shifter hacker who might have pissed off the wrong people, and a group of orca brothers who will do anythingā€”even if itā€™s not quite legalā€”to save the newest member of their family.

ā€¢ Publication date: June 6, 2024

ā€¢ Language: English

ā€¢ Print length: 212 pages

Review: Darkness by Eden Winters

Rating: 4.75šŸŒˆ

Eden Winters new release, Darkness, is a superb supernatural thriller. Wintersā€™ beautifully written narrative combines elements of horror, murder mystery, political conspiracy, as well as a deeply intriguing romance to create a dark, suspenseful, and gripping story.

It starts with Atlanta PD Det. Morrisey James. Heā€™s a wounded, broken man, with a disturbing talent that allows him to sense what the newly deceased felt, a gift he keeps hidden in his job investigating violent crimes.

Thatā€™s where Winters drops the reader into the narrative. James and his partner have just arrived at the scene of a truly horrific crime, one that will have ramifications for the rest of the story. We immediately get a feel for Morriseyā€™s battered emotional state, the close dynamic between himself and his deeply depressed partner. And the author is able to portray, just from the remarks of the other crime scene officers, a city under siege as waves of high crime just overwhelm the police and all departments.

When tragedy strikes again and loss hits Morrisey, its help from Farren Austin that turns his life upside down.

The characters of Morrisey and Farren, the darkness and the light, are so thoughtfully and beautifully crafted. Winters builds believable people who we have real empathy for , but leaves them with so much more room to expand their characters into increasingly larger and complex roles.

I couldnā€™t stop reading. I was so caught up in Morriseyā€™s story, Farrenā€™s role in it, each new revelation about all the various travelers and their tumultuous journeys from a dying world. Winters has enough elements for a series should she want to continue exploring the world and characters she has created and set in motion.

I wasnā€™t really ready for Darkness to be over as I felt the characters were just getting started with their own new beginning. There were also other characters I had grown fond of and needed to see more of them.

Whether this is a standalone or the beginning of an extraordinary series, itā€™s a great story and one Iā€™m excited to share.

Buy link

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CY9ZJR45

Blurb

Darkness follows Lieutenant Morrisey James.

As an Atlanta PD detective, Morrisey understands the worst atrocities the city has to offerā€”or believes he does. His recent cases present something new: a killer who unleashes unbridled terror in victims before moving in for the kill. Morrisey has an edge, though, the terrifying ability to gain flashes of insight from each victim.

Most people assume Farren Austin is a shallow, pretty boy, but heā€™s so much more. Agent Austin keeps secrets as part of the FBIā€™s Alternate Entities Task Force, a unit created to monitor travelers from another realm. Although they might look human, theyā€™re anything but.

And theyā€™ve taken a special interest in Morrisey.

Partnered with Farren, Morrisey finds himself in the middle of demons trying to possess his body, a succubus sidekick who wants to cook him breakfast, accusations of being a powerful destructive force, and a growing number of people calling him ā€œDarkness.ā€ Not to mention a sudden overwhelming attraction to his new partner.

Itā€™s going to take the mysterious Farrenā€™s help to keep the latest case from being Morriseyā€™s last.

ā€¢ Publication date: June 1, 2024

ā€¢ Language: English

ā€¢ Print length: 442 pages

Review: The Soul of an Angel (Supernatural Affairs Book 5) by F. N. Manning

Rating: 4šŸŒˆ

F. N. Manningā€™s urban fantasy series. Supernatural Affairs, draws to a close with The Soul of an Angel.

Manningā€™s story is a good finale in that the reader has some important questions answered about the main characters and their relationships. The author also supplies further exploration of the universe and adds on to the series world building/mythology already established.

Does everyone get a HEA? No. A HFN , which is more in keeping with the storylines and newness of the main coupleā€™s relationship. That actually makes sense, but for a finale novel some people might not be satisfied.

Manning has a number of larger series elements that need in-depth exploration and themes that require more heavy lifting, narratively speaking, than a book 195 pages long can provide.

Frost, a Angel hiding from Heaven, revelations about the true nature of the inhabitants of Heaven and Hell, their relationship with Earth, the past and current history between the three realms, a hidden political conspiracy, complete with battle and thatā€™s just what is basically happening.

Letā€™s then throw in internecine family dynamics, and a main character in danger whoā€™s the fated mate of Frost. Nathan Clinton is someone who is being hunted down and thatā€™s what brings him to the attention of Frost because of what is hunting him.

I liked Manningā€™s characterizations of both Frost, who weā€™ve seen before, and Nathan, a very frightened man on the run from demons and a supernatural world just revealing itself to him.

I think that my issues here are that thereā€™s little time for any real development in this relationship because thereā€™s so much more that Manning needs to pay narrative attention to and does. To the detriment of this couple.

A fight for Earth. Yes, super important and that would necessitate a lot of new information and elements to be added. Which they are. Aliens who arenā€™t what they appear? Yes, more exploration and more details required. So much more.

Probably see where this is going.

Thereā€™s really not enough time within the pages to lay out all the really interesting and imaginative content that Manning has written for this story and series. So in trying to get it all done, it all feels as though the author has made sacrifices and nothing has the layers and dimensions expected in a finale or book with this many storylines.

Itā€™s got a lot of potential. I enjoyed the characters, and some of the relationship dynamics. I just wish there had been more length or another book to make that work.

The author does mention the idea of another sequel series which perhaps would tie up some of the many loose ends left behind here. And let us see what happens next to those characters without partners or just getting a start with theirs. That would be lovely.

If youā€™re interested in paranormal romance or urban fantasy stories, here is a series for you.

Supernatural Affairs series:

The Werewolfā€™s Heart #1

Shifter for Brains #2

Crazy Like a Fox #3

Body By Mage #4

The Soul of a Angel #5

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The Soul of an Angel: Gay Urban Fantasy (Supernatural Affairs)

Blurb

In a battle between Heaven and Hell, two lovers must fight to stay together and save the world.

Frost the angel takes pride in protecting others as an agent with the Department of Supernatural Affairs. But his days on Earth are numbered when his family intends to drag him back to Heaven. After centuries of precious freedom, wishing for more time feels greedy. Itā€™s just a shame that Nathan enters the picture right when his time as a free man is up.

Being a high school music teacher isnā€™t exactly glamorous, but Nathan Clinton is happy with his life. He already did the impossible once by escaping toxic, controlling parents and starting over, so stopping the demons after his immortal soul should be a piece of cakeā€¦ right? Good thing a beautiful angel has offered his assistance.

When angels and demons start taking an interest in Earth and the world is threatened, Frost and Nathan find themselves in the middle of a brewing war between worlds. With the angel being pulled to Heaven and Nathan being dragged to Hell, is there any hope of them being together on this worldā€”and also saving the Earth?

ā€¢ Publication date: September 24, 2023

ā€¢ Language: English

ā€¢ Print length: 195 pages