Review: My Not-So-Super Blind Date (a Subpar Heroes story) by Allison Temple

Rating: 4.75🌈

I’m such a fan of the multi-author series because it’s a great way to find new writers or rediscover ones that you haven’t read in a while.

There’s been a huge variety in the series themes and authors who have decided to participate so it makes this format even more exciting.

The Subpar Heroes is a terrific theme, the not quite good enough hero, the one who has a power but it’s subpar, does strange stuff, is considered weak.

In the case of this book’s subpar hero character, Morgan Murray, he’s barely able to whip up enough of a current to charge his phone’s battery, but then he might actually start a fire.

He’s not a member of SPAM, that was his famous mother. He works in scientific research to save the world.

Then Morgan is matched by friends to go on a blind date with Jasper, who’s a henchman. And things get interesting. And scary. And maybe romantic. And they do them again and again and again. Over and over again.

The manner in which Temple builds the story, the surprise element of repeating the date, and then the slow revelation of how long it has been happening. Which one recounts the first time he knew what happened, it’s just chilling. And extremely well written.

It down to fantastic characters and a plot that both has to develop yet replicate itself.

Temple’s execution of the circular structure of the narrative, ala Groundhog Day, is just superb. When the date begins, and that’s the triggering point that starts the day again, is due to one factor. A person’s life is ended. Over and over. There’s a warning note at the very beginning of the book.

From there out, the narrative veers from the original, there’s character and relationship growth. The universe explores the present histories of these people and how they got there. Then the author takes us and them on another related journey.

It’s an incredible story, a heartfelt and at times, heartbreaking book. I really wanted more at the end. But then again, maybe just that was probably perfectly fine. A full future ahead.

This is one of the best of this series to date. I’m definitely recommending it.

Great cover.

Subpar Heroes series- 15 books:

🔷The Accidental Necromancer by Liv Rancourt

🔷Behind the 8-Ball by A. E. Wasp

🔷Transparent Is a Color by Kaje Harper❤️

🔷Impossible Things by Alexa Land

🔷My Not-So-Super Blind Date by Allison Temple ❤️❤️

🔷An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling by Jenn Burke ❤️❤️

🔷In The Nick of Time by Elle Keaton 7/25/2024

🔷Static/Cling by Jaimie Samms 7/30/2024

🔷Spiritual Guidance Not Required by Jacy Braegan 8/1/2024

🔷What Could Go Wrong? By Toshi Drake 8/6/2024

🔷License to Chill by Chantal Mer 8/8/2024

🔷Code Name Dolittle by Lynn Michaels. 8/22/2024

🔷Signed, I’m Yours! By Rhys Lawless 8/29/2024

🔷A Taste of Danger by Morgan Brice. 9/5/2024

Buy links:

My Not-So-Super Blind Date

Blurb:

I’m Morgan Murray. You probably haven’t heard of me. With a raft of allergies and powers that won’t do more than charge a phone, I never lived up to my super family’s super expectations. It’s okay. I’m used to being overlooked.

But there’s only so much disappointment one man can take, and finding out the cute guy on my blind date is a henchman for the city’s most notorious crime boss? That’s one letdown too many. This date is over before it even starts.

Or is it?

In the meet cute that won’t end, Jasper and I are stuck in a time loop and the only way out is deadly. Good and evil may be relative terms, but if we can’t escape, we may find out that love is forever…and ever.

My Not-So-Super Blind Date is part of the Subpar Heroes multi-author MM romance series.

• Publisher: (June 6, 2024)

• Publication date: June 6, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 254 pages

Review: Wrecking Havoc (Demon Bound Book 1) by Grae Bryan

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s the cover the drew me to Wrecking Havoc by Grae Bryan, the first in the new Demon Bound series, but it’s the story and characters that make me want to continue reading the entire series. I absolutely found myself invested in this universe and couple.

I love that Bryan created various types of demons here, instead of one type. It’s fascinating as well as that they are bound together by an ancient connection between them, a number of contracts that they had to complete in order to be free. Each book is a different demon.

However, there’s also another connection between the characters. A Russian mob family that’s now down to a group of brothers, each traumatized by their (now deceased) father in their own way. The middle brother, Alexei, got his romance in this author’s series, Vampire’s Mate. I listed it below as I hadn’t read it and put it immediately on my TBR list after reading this one.

The well defined characters, the quick moving storylines, the wonderful chemistry between the characters, everything had me engaged in this universe and the relationships being built.

Sascha Koslov , the youngest son of the American raised Russian crime mob family, is at the center of Wrecking Havoc. Superficially, a spoiled, coddled young man who has , mostly, been kept away from his family’s , as the story reveals, Sascha has been traumatized by his adolescent and upbringing, rather than shielded as his brothers assumed. Sascha is a endearing personality, and the manner in which he accidentally summons a demon is perhaps perfect!

Kai, the warrior demon on his last contract, is another layered character. The world he arrives into, the person who inadvertently summons him, everything surprises him. It’s a fascinating take on this aspect of the story, and these characters just work so well together.

There’s no fated mate bond but one that builds between them, one that makes sense for us the reader and them emotionally as they connect and grow stronger together.

By the end of the book, it’s amazing how much we love them as a couple, and the future we see going forward.

Ivan and Matteo’s books are coming, with Ivan’s book up next. It should be outstanding considering who he’s going to be bonded with. Can’t wait!

I’m highly recommending this. That cover is amazing and drew me right in.

Demon Bound:

✓ Wrecking Havoc #1 – Sascha and Kai

Vampire’s Mate:

◦ Roman #1

◦ Soran #2

◦ Lucian #3

✓ Johann #4 (Jay and Alexei Koslov from here, Demon Bound 🔷)

◦ Wolfgang #5

◦ Colin #6

Buy link

Wreaking Havoc (Demon Bound Book 1)

Blurb

Sascha has always felt powerless, the weak baby of a cruel family. But that’s fine. He has his looks, his ample allowance, and a smattering of one-night stands to keep him busy. But when Sascha’s oldest brother offends the wrong people, Sascha finds himself in hiding with a target on his back. And when poking around in his temporary home leads to accidentally summoning the hottest demon Sascha could ever imagine, he has to ask himself: does he want to feel powerless anymore?

Kai has been waiting centuries for a summons. When he’s at long last brought to the human realm for his final contract, he expects to find another warrior hungry for battle and bloodshed. Instead, he finds himself bound to a saucy, scared mobster princeling who can’t stop looking at Kai like he’s dinner. It isn’t long before Kai decides that—for once—he wouldn’t mind staying exactly where he is, with a certain human for his mate.

But Sascha isn’t used to anyone sticking around, let alone caring for him in any real way. It’s up to Kai to convince Sascha he can give him so much more than protection. He just has to deal with those pesky enemies—and Sascha’s own meddling family—first.

WREAKING HAVOC IS A HEATED MM PARANORMAL ROMANCE WITH A HEA AND NO CLIFFHANGER. IT CONTAINS A SPOILED (OR IS IT TRAUMATIZED?) MAFIA PRINCE WITH TRUST ISSUES, THE COCKY WARRIOR DEMON WHO WANTS NOTHING MORE THAN TO PAMPER HIM FOR ETERNITY, A STIFLING FAMILY, ELUSIVE ENEMIES, AND THE FRUSTRATION OF NEVER GETTING TO FINISH A MANICURE.

• Publication date: June 18, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 255 pages

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

Rating: 5🌈

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! He’s too nice, his cocktails too boring, he’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 it’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 hadn’t before.

So yes, there’s wild rescues, more than a few fight scenes. And one ginormous cliffhanger.

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

SOS Hotel:

✓ For a Supernaturally Safe Stay #1

✓ Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous #2

✓ Sleep with Us #3

✓ Great Service from Top to Bottom #4

◦ No Rest for the Wicked #5 – August 16, 2024 (finale)

Buy link

SOS HOTEL: Great Service from Top to Bottom

Blurb

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

Tom’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 hotel’s measly profits are dwindling by the day.

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

But don’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”.

• Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing (June 19, 2024)

• Publication date: June 19, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 214 pages

Pride Month and the History of Stonewall Inn .This Month at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Pride Month and the History of The Stonewall Inn

Located on Christopher Street in the Greenwich Village, the now historic Stonewall Inn opened in 1967 in New York City. Owned by the mafia (as was many of the gay nightclubs), it was operated as a restaurant previously but now served as a gay bar serving illegal liquor for the mob and paying protection money in monthly payoffs to local cops to keep the raids down. Down but not stopped. In those days, dressing as the opposite sex was illegal and carried jail time, not just harassment and beatings. And the Stonewall Inn was heavily frequented by drag queens, transgendered people, crossdressers., and lesbians who dressed “male” or butch. The last was important because some say it was a lesbian who threw the first punch at a cop that night in retaliation over the brutal treatment of another patron. But because there are so few images and differing accounts, the truth might never be know. Others say it was a transgendered person and others still a drag queen. Although the Inn itself could not be called a fancy establishment, it’s decor not the best, it’s dance floor and atmosphere, that despite police raids, let people feel free to be themselves, kept the place alive and packed. Of course, the liquor helped too.

But the raids were growing more frequent and City Hall had orders to shut down Stonewall Inn for good. Courtesy of history.com (see that link for enlarged narrative) is the timeline of the explosion that followed that decision:

A Stonewall Riot Timeline :

June 24, 1969: Police arrest Stonewall employees, confiscate alcohol

June 27-28, 1969: Stonewall crowd erupts after police arrest and rough up patrons.

Early hours of June 28, 1969: Transgender women* (other accounts have this as drag queens or crossdressers) resist arrest. Bottles are thrown at police.

Close to 4 a.m. June 28, 1969: Police retreat and barricade themselves inside Stonewall.

June 28-29: Stonewall reopens, supporters gather. Police beat and tear gas crowd

June 29-July 1, 1969: Stonewall becomes gathering point for LGBT activists.

July 2, 1969: Gay activists protest newspaper coverage.

The beginning of the Gay Pride Movement has been ignited!

Today, The Stonewall Inn remains a place of LGBTQIA history and a gathering spot for all, where everyone can be themselves. Only now it’s legal, the right hard fought on this spot. A sign erected lest people forget. Not that they are likely too. There are parades, and books, and vids, and movies and more ready to remind us. Especially now at the 50 year anniversary of Stonewall.

Here are some links you might want to visit:

The Stonewall Inn: The People, Place and Lasting Significance of ...

The Night the Stonewall Inn Became a Proud Shrine – The New York …

50 Years Ago the Stonewall Riots Sparked a Movement That Lead to …

And books to read:

Stonewall: The Riots That Sparked the Gay Revolution by David Carter

Stonewall: The Definitive Story of the LGBTQ Rights Uprising that Changed America, by Martin Duberman

The Stonewall Riots: A Documentary History, by Marc Stein

The Stonewall Reader, edited by New York Public Library with Edmund White

We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation, by Matthew Riemer and Leighton Brown

The Stonewall Riots: Coming Out in the Streets, by Gayle E. Pitman

What Was Stonewall?, by Nico Medina, Who HQ, and Jake Murray

I hope you’ll visit some of those links and enjoy some of those remarkable books. Martin Duberman’s was reviewed here and the stories of the individuals in the movement made a big impact on me.

Paul Richmond, an amazing artist some of you may recognize only through his covers for Dreamspinner Press or other of it’s houses, is doing this month. Over at his facebook page Paul Richmond Studio , every day this month, Paul has taken a different LGBT artist, past or present. and highlighted their works. He has talked about why this artist has meant so much to him, or perhaps the struggles this artist has had to go through. The journey through different eras, artistic lives and styles has been a revelation! Paul’s LGBT Artist of the Day has continued. If you have missed a artist or day, its not too late! Head over to Paul’s FB page and start your introduction to some jaw dropping artwork and artists.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Pride Month! We have highlighted NHL Hockey for Everyone efforts with absolute delight, we have had great recommendations for stories, showcased Paul Richmond and LGBTQIA artists and finishing up with The Stonewall Inn. How has your Pride Month been?

This is where I will also wish everyone in the US and expats abroad a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Note:

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is looking for Reviewers! We are looking for reviewers for our blog. If you love to read or listen to LGBT stories and share your thoughts about them with others, consider reviewing with Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words. Please send all inquiries to scatteredthoughtsandroguewords@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you. We are very flexible about how many reviews each reviewer takes on. That’s entirely up to each reviewer’s own schedule.

And now onto our week ahead.

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, June 30:

New Release Blitz for Save the Date (Harrisburg Railers #9) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey
End of Pride Month and the History of Stonewall Inn
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Monday, July 1:

Blog Post – Victoria Milne – Purple Method
BLOG TOUR Change of Heart by KM Neuhold
Release Blitz – Amy Tasukada – Yakuza Path Box Set
A MelanieM Review: Ammo and Enchiladas by BA Tortuga
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Tea by Matthew J. Metzger

Tuesday, July 2:

BLITZ Palm Trees and Paparazzi by J.C. Long
Release Blitz – Ruby Moone – Eyeliner and Lace
Review Tour for Save the Date (Harrisburg Railers #9) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey
A MelanieM Review: Save the Date (Harrisburg Railers #9) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Raze (Riven #3) by Roan Parrish
An Alisa Release Day Review: Fox Hunt (Shifter U #4) by J. Leigh Bailey
A Caryn Release Day Review: The Importance of Being Kevin by Steven Harper

Wednesday, July 3:

Release Blitz – I’ve Got You by Becca Seymour
BLITZ Where the Night Reigns by Emilie Lucadamo
PROMO BA Tortuga on Come Back Around (Leaning N #4) by B.A. Tortuga
Blog Post – LA Bryce – Love, Trust & Secrets
A Stella Review : I’ve Got You by Becca Seymour
A MelanieM Release Day Review:Come Back Around (Leaning N #4) by B.A. Tortuga

Thursday, July 4th:

DSP PROMO j. leigh bailey and Fox Hunt (Shifter U #4)
Release Blitz – Sam Burns – Salmon & The Hazel (Rowan Harbor Cycle)
Release Blitz – MATED by Tricia Owens
TOUR DANCING WITH THE LION: BECOMING by Jeanne Reames
An Alisa Review Waited So Long by JM Dabney
Reviews – MATED by Tricia Owens

Friday, July 5:

Review Tour – Ari McKay – Recipe For Romance
PROMO Victoria Milne
Release Blitz – Espejos (South Texas Lore 1) by Michael War
A Lila Review: Espejos (South Texas Lore 1) by Michael War
A MelanieM Review: Recipe for Romance (Recipe for Romance #1-4) by Ari McKay
A Chaos Moondrawn Release Day Review: Never a Hero (Tucker Springs #5) by Marie Sexton

Saturday, July 6:

Release Blitz Tour – Michael Mandrake – Death’s Angel
A MelanieM Review: Here Comes the Son by Dahlia Donovan

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

Rating: 4.25🌈

Cassius, the coffee shop running oracle and the wounded grey angel Kushiel get their romance and journey to HEA finally. It’s full of the other characters we’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, don’t miss out on the author’s notes on flower language at the end of the book. Fantastic touch of knowledge.

Then there’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. It’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 aren’t to be missed. Read them all and see who are your favorites!

Fabulous covers.

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance 🔷 A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters #1

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures #2

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades #3

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers #4

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Novellas:

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles (A Holiday Novella)

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Pet Demons

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Demonic Possessions

Demonic Disasters and

Afterlife Adventures Collections: 🔷Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Collection 1

Hellhounds of Paradise Falls -sequel series:

◦ How to Flirt with a Hellhound #1 – (Coming Soon)

Buy link

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, it’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 can’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:

Kushiel’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 Cass’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 he’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 couldn’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 Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers can be read as a stand alone. However, it is best read after A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades, since Mike and Ari do pop up in this book.

• Publication date: June 19, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 254 pages

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

Rating: 4.5🌈

Mage Wally and his bonded Demon, Bez, return in MN Bennet’s highly imaginative sequel, Darling Demon, a book that’s astonishing in creative elements and plot twists.

I really enjoyed this book, it’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.

There’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. It’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. He’s adorable. The scorpion familiar isn’t happy.

And that ending still makes me think of whether or not, I’m impressed by the author’s choices because I didn’t see it coming or sorry because I wanted something more comfortable when this book has been anything but. That’s on me.

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

I hope we and Bennet return, someday to check in. I love to see what’s happened next.

highly recommended.

Diabolic Romance:

The Misfit Mage and His Dashing Devil #1

The Misfit Mage and His Darling Demon #2

Buy Link

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 can’t match a Diabolic’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 dimensions—and threatening to expose his secret.

Bez is not the unstoppable devil that everyone believes he is. If the Collective learns about Bez’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.

• Publisher: M.N. Bennet LLC (June 10, 2024)

• Publication date: June 10, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 366 pages

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

Rating: 5🌈

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

Secondly, if you’re familiar with Shelby Rhodes writing, either here or any of this author’s work, then again, see my sentence above about triggers. Rhodes’ writing just comes with a certain amount of warnings, primarily because of the various types of themes and content that are present in this author’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. He’s having feelings, anger , fear, and more, which he’s trying not to identify. He’s a psychopath and , in his own words and mind, he’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 Foxx’s recent traumatic experiences have upset him and their dynamic. Both sides are stumbling around, dealing with their own issues, their partner’s unspoken difficulties with the current situation, and a multitude of new cases involving them and weird elements.

It’s Foxx and Harlow trying to figure out how to make their relationship work but it’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, it’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, I’m sure, add up to something even more terrifying to the partners later on.

And I’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:

✓ At First Irritation #1

✓ Taste of Fear #2

✓ Unusual Emotions #3

◦ Thirst Quenched #4 – August 24,2024

◦ False Morality #5 – TBD

Buy link

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

Blurb

Foxx Honeywell here… 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, let’s backtrack.

We pick up where we last left off…after the hypocritical murdery priests. Yeah, I’m still dealing with all that. Cases come and go, and things are normal…but then normal flies out of the window. All because my mind decided to focus on things it shouldn’t. Because, as is often the case, emotions and feelings don’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 ‘something’ as well.

Long story short, more cases, more confusion, and just the urge to burn the world down in a fit of anger…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!

• Publisher: (June 11, 2024)

• Publication date: June 11, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 343 pages

Review: In The Dragon’s Lair (Wings Over Albion Book 3) by Joy Lynn Fielding

Rating: 4🌈

It’s been six months since I read the first book in Fielding’s Wings Over Albion series. That’s Rufus Mortimer’s novel, a shy red dragon who’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 it’s a must read for this book.

That’s because the story opens as two dragon shifters view a “must attend” high society party already in progress. It’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. That’s Alex Teague, a country dragon, someone who wants to know why he’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 he’s building with Alex as they combined their interests, growing attracted to each other and move about Bath ‘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 people’s stories, like Ella’s or just some random scenes from the household. There’s some fun and interesting elements about Jane Austin, and just Roman history throughout the story as Nate’s cover for being there is that he’s writing a book about Jane Austin.

However, I wish they’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. There’s so much more to explore here.

Wings Over Albion:

✓ The Red Dragon of Oxford #1

✓ In The Dragon’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.

He’s also the last man I should ever be with.

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

I’m investigating the Fortescues, one of the richest, most powerful dragon families in Britain. Problem is, I’m not the only one who’s undercover. Every time I turn around, Nate’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 mind—or hands—off him.

If I’m not careful, falling for the wrong dragon-shifter could cost me so much more than just my heart…

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

• Publisher: Independent (June 10, 2024)

• Publication date: June 10, 2024

• Language: English

• Sticky notes: On Kindle Scribe

• Print length: 278 pages

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

Rating: 4.5🌈

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

No, it’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. It’s typical of Cody’s writing that this aspect of the story, while it offers Romily an explanation for his tragic past and mutism, it won’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.

Cody’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 that’s been brought by Cody to this moment, it’s a very wild ride!

That’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 character’s story later on in the series. Cody’s plot is complex even when appearing at its most simplistic stage. It’s never one dimensional. Crazy, zooming off into the wilderness of the universe and who knows what else could possibly happen next but that’s what makes this work. Characters that love each other deeply amidst chaos and way too many tables.

Gotta love this. I do and can’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 :

✓ The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer #1

✓ The Trouble With Trying to Save an Assassin #2

✓ The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion #3

✓ The Trouble With Trying to Hook a Harbinger #4

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

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

Blurb:

Romily:

Welcome back to Will-They-Won’t-They? The Engagement: The Foxily Edition. That’s the name of the show that I’m planning to pitch to a producer that’s based on my life. Will Fox ever give me a ring? Who knows! I don’t, and I don’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 I’m his bestie, and then flips the world on its three way axis. What’s a Harbinger to do except announce, “Incoming!” and hope everyone’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 who’s out for a little blood, and the family that they’re building one adoption at a time.

• Publication date: June 7, 2024

• Language: English

• File size: 1483 KB

• Print length: 237 pages

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

Rating: 4.25🌈

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 it’s centered around a family or pod of killer whale brothers as they find their fated mates while they’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 who’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 I’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 doesn’t have the same kind of fulfillment as the other aspects. It’s over with in a blink.

My other quibble isn’t by the author but should have been caught. Things like this.

““You didn’t answer my question.” Quin looked at me with shred eyes.”

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

I’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 :

✓ Black & White #1

◦ 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. He’s tired of early mornings chasing down skips. He’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 he’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 it’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 anything—even if it’s not quite legal—to save the newest member of their family.

• Publication date: June 6, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 212 pages

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Pride Month and the History of The Stonewall Inn

A Stonewall Riot Timeline :

The Stonewall Inn: The People, Place and Lasting Significance of ...

And books to read:

Stonewall: The Definitive Story of the LGBTQ Rights Uprising that Changed America, by Martin Duberman

The Stonewall Riots: A Documentary History, by Marc Stein

The Stonewall Reader, edited by New York Public Library with Edmund White

This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Sunday, June 30:

Monday, July 1:

Tuesday, July 2:

Wednesday, July 3:

Thursday, July 4th:

Friday, July 5:

Saturday, July 6:

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