Category: M/M Paranormal Fiction

Review: Fake Dates and Fanged Mistakes (Fanged Mistakes Book 1) by Alice Winters

Rating: 5🌈

I’m an Alice Winters fan and this latest book is a prime example why. Fake Dates and Fanged Mistakes is the first in Winters new Fanged Mistakes series and contains all the best of a Winters novel experience.

Her characters are intelligent with at least one having a history that’s incredibly tragic or traumatic. The dialogue is witty, fast paced, sarcastic , and filled with humor. Same often applies to the scenes of tension, where the interaction between the characters is interspersed with moments of humor and quiet understanding is used as a basis for the solidification of the relationship, as it so often does here with werewolf Julian and vampire Casimir.

It helps that Winters has created a strong group of characters, including a poodle Gustov, that supports the couple in a number of ways, comedic, action wise, and emotionally compelling.

I spent so much of this book cackling over the dialogue, finding total enjoyment in the dynamic between Julian and Casimir that Winters is developing that the story just flew by.

There’s a faint mystery that’s surrounds Julian’s character but that’s left for future stories to unravel. Plus we have a fabulous grumbling romance in progress between a human detective and Casimir’s second in command sorta , these two alone had me howling! All kinds of shenanigans galore and a nasty villain to boot!

Really, this is golden Alice Winters. A fabulously scripted and gloriously entertaining narrative that had me laughing out loud and ready to read it once again when I was done.

I’m highly recommending this and ready for the next in the series.

Fanged Mistakes:

✓ Faked Dates and Fanged Mistakes #1

◦ Dire Straits and Entwined Fates # 2 – March 12, 2024

Buy Link:

Fake Dates and Fanged Mistakes

Blurb:

Julian:

This week hasn’t gone the best for me unless you count Casimir, the sexy ancient vampire, bringing me back from the brink of death (and tying my fate to his in the process). Not that it matters if the werewolves and vampires don’t stop their ridiculous feud, because someone is targeting them and widening the divide between our communities with each body they leave in their wake.

But as the alpha’s son, I have a plan to fix everything. I’m going to convince Casimir to fake date me to show the others that we can work together.

I mean… what could go wrong?

Casimir
Everything.

Literally everything could go wrong. Who is actually going to believe that I want this joke-cracking, cute werewolf tagging alongside me?

Honestly, do I even care if people get along? I really think I have much more important things to do than going on hardware store dates, learning the torturous art of holding hands, and attending awkward family dinners, like… staring at my dog… and… I’m sure there’s something else.

Okay, fine, maybe this whole fake dating scheme isn’t the worst idea that I’ve come across in the past five hundred years, but it’s definitely in the running. The two of us are just going to have a bit of fun while I stop whoever’s hunting down the vampires and werewolves… right?

Fake Dates and Fanged Mistakes has a sunshiny yet stubborn werewolf who just wants everyone to get along, dang it; a bored vampire who isn’t nearly as aloof as he wants to appear; paper napkins trying (and failing) to stand in for clothes; some awesome swordsmanship; and the last thing you’d expect to find in a secret cupboard.

Review: Shades of Sepia (The Sleepless City #1 ) by Anne Barwell

Rating: 3.5🌈

I’ve read this series out of order and this probably has hurt the way in which I have viewed the first story, Shades of Sepia.

I’m already familiar with the couple and characters here. Also how the events of this story unfolded and were resolved. I read it basically to complete the series and grab up any new information or missing details before heading into the series finale.

I liked getting to know Ben Leyton, a New Zealand human drawn to Boggslake, Ohio because of an old photograph from his grandfather. He’s a wonderful, relatable character. Simon Hawthorne, vampire with a terrifying past, is a quiet presence here against the vibrancy that’s Ben.

I liked them but my main quibble here is the rushed relationship. There’s no foundation, no chemistry at the beginning. Yes a feel for a realistic dynamic comes later in the book, but at the beginning, it’s all soulmate, insta-love ‘oh, I love you’ type of relationship and I just think it comes across as flawed and flat.

Especially when viewed against the funny, partly antagonistic tone of the one that emerges from Electric Candle with Blair and Forge. That is one that’s slowly grown and, even with a soulmate bond, definitely not an instant love connection. As I said, series should be read in order.

I thought the second half of the story and plot was better constructed. But again, I had the advantage of reading books 2 and 3 . For me, I enjoyed it but got frustrated that the investigation into the murders was simply too slow to see what was going on around the main characters. And major plot points weren’t followed through on, another issue which bothered me.

For me , there’s a large amount of sex to the exclusion of character and relationship development. Instead of giving the reader information about what exactly happened to certain characters, what did the investigation reveal, and some more vampire bonding details, we get sex.

It’s not as satisfying as it sounds.

So while there are some good things about this book. The characters themselves are lovely, some really nice moments individually, the whole story doesn’t come across as strongly as the book that follow.

It’s still a rec for me. It a good lead in to a terrific series. Read them in the order they are written.

The Sleepless City:

✓ Shades of Sepia #1 by Elizabeth Noble

✓ Electric Candle #2 by Elizabeth Noble

✓ Family and Reflection #3 by Anne Barwell

◦ Shifting Chaos #4 by Anne Barwell

Sequel Series:

The Vampire Guard by Elizabeth Noble:

◦ Code Name: Jack Rabbit #1

◦ Quarry #2

◦ Endosymbiont #3

Buy Link:

Shades of Sepia (The Sleepless City Book 1)

Blurb:

To be soulmates they first have to survive.

A serial killer stalks the streets of Boggslake, Ohio. The victims are always found in pairs, one human and one vampire.

Simon Hawthorne has been a vampire for nearly a hundred years, and he has never seen anything like it. Neither have the other supernaturals he works with to keep the streets safe for both their kind and the humans.

One meeting with Simon finds Ben Leyton falling for a man he knows is keeping secrets, but he can’t ignore the growing attraction between them. A recent arrival in Boggslake, Ben finds it very different from his native New Zealand, but something about Simon makes Ben feel as though he’s found a new home.

After a close friend falls victim to the killer, Simon is torn between revealing his true nature to Ben, and walking away to avoid the reaction he fears. But with the body count rising and the murders becoming more frequent, either, or both of them, could be the killer’s next target.

Author’s note: This story was originally released in 2014 by another publisher. This edition has been revised and re-edited with the end result being a better, stronger story.

• Publisher: LaceDragon Publishing; 2nd edition (July 11, 2020)

• Publication date: July 11, 2020

• Print length: 240 pages

Review: All I Want for Christmas is Tentacles: A Winter Holiday MM Tentacle Romance by Chloe Archer

Rating: 5🌈

Chloe Archer had me at every single aspect of this story, from the disillusioned Grinch of a human who’s lost his job as an “elf” to the small ship full of found family tentacled aliens, complete with a runaway groom, arriving at Earth with visions of Hallmark Christmases and rom-com movies abounding in their heads!

I laughed, smiled, and just delighted in all the many imaginative elements and great scenarios that Archer incorporates into this imaginative sci fy holiday romance. It’s got adorable aliens escaping a totalitarian world where only warriors are celebrated and those with other personalities and other types of skills and abilities are deemed lesser or weaker in nature.

One is, in fact, a wealthy IT alien, Khephren, who’s a definite fan of the Earth rom-coms and Hallmark movies. Yep , these will survive into the future , was there ever any doubt? This is such a hilarious and perfect idea and it’s used beautifully throughout this storyline.

Holodeck anyone?

Anyway, Khep goes all runaway groom, as one does, after seeing those movies and heads for Earth with his small found family of friends with similar problems. Which I love. Archer has a great way with characters, alien and human.

There Kheph kidnaps/encounters a depressed human , Sasha. Recently fired, and with a very sad past. Cue the restoration of Christmas spirit to the Scrooge human by aliens!

Honestly, this is such a joyful, hilarious, and heartwarming story. The characters have been given such depth that, human or alien, the reader connects with them easily and comes to care about them greatly.

Even that “Christmas tree” that arrives on board. More pls.

I would love to see where this merry crew is next Christmas. What’s happening with the show and what worlds they’ve visited.

I’m hooked. My favorite of the series and one I’m highly recommending any time of the year.

Tinsel and Tentacles (11 books)

◦ Jingle Bells and Elder Gods by Kiernan Kelly

✓ All I Want for Christmas is Tentacles by Chloe Archer ❤️🫶

◦ Tentacles and Other Stocking Stuffers by Delaney Rain

◦ Tentacles Rock by K.C. Carmine

✓ A Sucker for Christmas by J.P. Sayle

✓ Kraken Klaus by Charlotte Brice

◦ Twelve Days of Squidmas by H.L. Hiers

◦ It’s a Tenta-ful Life by Amanda Muewissen

✓ Rebel without a Claus by L Eveland

✓ Cthulhu for Christmas by Meghan Maslow ❤️🫶

◦ Tentacle Wonderland by Reese Morrison – Jan 1,2024

Buy Link:

All I Want for Christmas is Tentacles: A Winter Holiday MM Tentacle Romance

Blurb:

Seasons greetings and alien abductions! Can two misfits find love together? It might just take a Christmas miracle! Let’s hope Santa doesn’t mind that tentacles can be both naughty and nice…

Khephren

There’s no way in Helgar’s Nebula I’m marrying the candidate my parents have chosen for me. I don’t want to be the house-husband of some stoic warrior who only cares about training all day. Boring! Thankfully, I’ve learned a thing or two from all those rom-com human movies I’ve illegally downloaded off the intergalactic web. No one will see it coming when I pull a runaway groom maneuver on them!

Once I make my escape, I can go on the solo honeymoon of my dreams—to planet Earth. It’s almost that wondrous time of year when they celebrate their holiday known as “Christmas.” Human Hallmark movies make it seem so magical. I want to experience it for myself! Now, I just need to find a human who can make my wish come true and help me have an authentic holly jolly time…

Sasha

Scrooge was right when he said “bah humbug” to Christmas. This time of year sucks balls, and not the fun kind. I’ve just lost my crappy part-time job and I’m slowly sinking under a sea of student loan debt and crushed dreams.

Just when I think my life couldn’t possibly get any worse, my cat and I are abducted by an alien who wants me to help him experience a “real human Christmas” on his ship. WTF? Clearly he’s chosen the worst possible candidate for the job.

But there’s something about Khephren’s enthusiasm and eternal optimism that starts to melt even my grumpy, cynical heart. Heck, I even agree to be his fake fiancé to get his parents off his back! I don’t know what’s happening to me, but Khephren’s charm is making me feel things I never have before. And those bright pink tentacles of his are strangely fascinating. I can’t help but wonder what all they can do…

As we spend more time together, I start to realize I might not want to go home and that maybe, just maybe, I’ve found what I’ve always been looking for. Could Khephren feel the same? If so, it would be a Christmas miracle and I don’t believe in those…right?

All I Want for Christmas is Tentacles is a standalone novel (74k words) in the Tinsel and Tentacles multi-author winter holiday MM tentacle romance series. It features a runaway tentacled-alien groom obsessed with Hallmark movies and Christmas, a grumpy human who’s down on his luck and says “bah, humbug” to the holidays, an alien abduction, fake fiancé fun, a cat named Jonesey, a droid named Rambo, a ship called the Sleigh Belle, found family, sweet and cozy vibes for the season, and a guaranteed HEA!

• Publisher: Rainbow Dreams Press LLC (November 24, 2023)

• Publication date: November 24, 2023

• Print length: 277 pages

Linked series:

Tentacular Tales

Review: Mr. Mustachio Gets Collared (The Mr. Mustachio Murders Book 3) by Dawn McKinnon

Rating: 4.5🌈

Mr. Mustachio Gets Collared has the feel of a finale story without all the characters and smaller threads getting their due.

McKinnon’s third book contains several mysteries, a couple of murders, and a case of mistaken paternity, in this case, Mr Mustachio, who has been accused of having “relations” with another prize winning Persian cat who’s now expecting kittens! And everyone, including Algernon wants his name cleared!

It’s hard to say if this is indeed the finale book because I can’t find anything else from the author (this was written in 2022). So I’m just not sure. But it has that tone.

It starts ,as they all have, with Mr Mustachio’s POV , him out on the town and having an encounter trying to prevent a amorous cattery attack that’s part of the story and his character’s thread.

Then it’s right off back to Chez Celine, the richly entertaining daily life of its human characters where more investigations are about to drop into Sam’s lap. At this point, Sam has finally finished his book, his and Algernon’s relationship is going well, and Chez Celine is adjusting nicely to new artists.

So things should start to fall apart, naturally!

There’s potential for Algernon real identity to be discovered by others outside of those already in the know. There’s multiple murders that center around a restaurant, and many other complex investigations for Sam, Algernon, Mr Mustachio, and Chief Baldwin to get involved in. Even Sven does his own wild part here.

I can’t help but think that the author crammed more than one book into this one. It’s full of so many different stories themes and plots that it’s hard for McKinnon to bring them all to completion, let alone explore them to the fullest extent possible.

Sam finishes a book he’s had problems writing. We never explore Algernon’s character fully, his background nebulous and his type of being purposefully vague on certain aspects. Sven never gets his due and that’s a shame.

But we do have several completely good mysteries, dramatic moments, adorable kitties, and HEA’s for more than one couple.

I can’t find any more information on this author or more books. But I’m ever hopeful. I just adore this series, found them charming. And am absolutely recommending them to all lovers of cozy mystery romance with a delightful twist.

Cover: Cate Ashwood

The Mr. Mustachio Murders (3 books)

✓ Mr. Mustachio Is Falsely Accused #1

✓ Mr. Mustachio Sings Like a Canary #2

✓ Mr. Mustachio Gets Collared #3-finale

Buy Link:

Mr. Mustachio Gets Collared (The Mr. Mustachio Murders)

Blurb:

Algernon is eager to assist Sam in his cases, and Sam is willing to let him—as long as there’s no murder involved. But the embezzlement case he’s been hired to investigate for a local restaurant turns sinister when a diner gets poisoned right in front of his eyes.

Sam sets out to discover whether the death was the accidental result of a plan to sabotage the restaurant or if the high-maintenance woman who got served poisonous mushrooms was the target of a plot to kill her. She does seem like the type you’d want dead.

Meanwhile, Chez Celine learns Mr. Mustachio is going to be a father. Or so the high-maintenance woman claims when her prize-winning cat turns up pregnant. Algernon denies responsibility, but how to prove it? When Mr. Mustachio’s habit of poking his nose in where it doesn’t belong lands him in cat jail, Sam has to ask the one man he least wants to turn to for help in saving his partner.

Mr. Mustachio Gets Collared is book 3 in the Mr. Mustachio Murders.

Review: Worth His Salt (a Tattooed Corpse story) by Ofelia Gränd

Rating:4🌈

Sometimes a story by Ofelia Grand is less a long winding, complicated adventure for her characters and more a fleeting vivid window into a certain important moment of her characters lives. It doesn’t matter if it’s a science fiction story or a tale of a ghost and a family of witches set in a lighthouse in an anonymous coastal town.

Each novella has all this author’s narrative hallmarks. They contain weirdly mysterious elements, wonderfully detailed characters, and a story that, much like a work day, just ends once that storyline “job” is fulfilled, leaving the reader feeling both filled with awe at the story itself and dismayed by its abrupt ending.

The tattooed corpse stories were born out of a group discussion about having a tattooed corpse just appearing in a story, no matter the trope. This is Grand’s ghost story.

Eldred Henstare, guardian of a city, has been feeling a ghost calling to him from across the town. Now, he’s out in the middle of a storm, blindly following the voiceless call. Which leads him to a lighthouse.

That’s the start of another strange, remarkable tale from this author I can’t get enough of. As with Worth His Salt (a Tattooed Corpse tale), Grand gives the reader fascinating characters, fleeting glimpses into mysterious family backgrounds , a foundation story to sink your teeth into, and a finish that ends the story just as the characters begin what appears to be a very magical romantic relationship.

It’s fabulous, well written, and also frustrating, because it feels like we’ve been given a glance into a new world and the beginning of a life we want to see more of.

Which is typical of Grand and her flights of narrative fancy.

Will we see these characters again? Maybe. Maybe not. It’s sounds as though this highly unusual author has a mind full of ideas and drawer(s) stuffed with stories, so who knows which will see the light of a publisher?

I will be waiting for every one. And recommending them.

Cover art: Amy Spector

Tattooed Corpse Stories:

✓ Worth His Salt (ghost story and lighthouse)

✓ It Doesn’t Translate (syfi universe)

Buy Link:

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Worth-…Worth His Salt eBook : Gränd, Ofelia: Kindle Store

Blurb:

Eldred Henstare is a not so powerful witch who’s been left in charge of helping the city’s lingering spirits to move on. He usually handles it pretty well, but something’s wrong with the spirit leading him to the abandoned lighthouse.

Mo Vin likes his quiet life in the cottage next to the lighthouse, at least it’s quiet until one night when Eldred Henstare — young, beautiful, and crazy — arrives. After that night things aren’t the same. A man is found dead on the beach outside Mo’s cottage, and he’s almost sure he’s the one who killed him, except it doesn’t make sense. Why would he kill anyone?

Eldred needs to get rid of the ghost haunting Mo. If he doesn’t Mo’s life is in danger, but to do it he needs both Mo and his brother Lachtin to help out.

• Publisher: JMS Books LLC (March 13, 2021)

• Publication date: March 13, 2021

• Print length: 54 pages

Review: The Red Dragon of Oxford (Wings over Albion, #1) by Joy Lynn Fielding

Rating: 4.5🌈

The first in Fielding’s new Wings over Albion series, The Red Dragon of Oxford is a great intro to this author while diving into a favorite trope and subject matter of mine. I’m talking dragons! And librarians. As well as romance and mystery.

I love the setting and the imaginary Mortimer College in Oxford where the events take place. Fielding builds on Oxford’s tradition and history when creating the riches of architecture and atmosphere that’s Mortimer College and its library. It’s alive, full of students in every emotional state, and two very special and impressive librarians, one of which is a dragon.

A dragon into whose life comes a doctorate student of immense determination and courage.

I love the way Fielding unfolds the tale of Mark Stevens, post doc German theology student who happens to see a red dragon in the early morning hours to his utter delight and disbelief . Mark’s life is one of constant doubt about himself and continuous study and stress to get through his first year. The author paints a realistic picture of a the struggles and stresses that are present under this situation. Mark is definitely relatable.

Rufus Mortimer, the Liberian who’s so much more than a librarian is also not the normal idea of a powerful, confident dragon. His is a complex, intelligent, and layered character with a background that has just enough foundation to give his issues believability but also left the series and family history room to enlarge for future books. Adore Rufus.

The plot includes multiple characters, storylines, and the potential for dragon history and mythology to explore as the series continues to develop.

Fielding starts with a dragon who is on the edge of his own family’s power and outside of the inner circle and knowledge. Rufus by his color is an outlier . That’s exciting, satisfying, and starting to change by the end.

This, so far, isn’t a soul mate romance. But the relationship between Mark and Rufus evolves slowly and is so lovely to read. It’s a HFN.

The next picks up with another dragon, Rufus’s big brother who we met in this book. I wish I had my hands on it now. Unfortunately, no information as of yet.

Until then, Im highly recommending The Red Dragon of Oxford (Wings over Albion, #1) by Joy Lynn Fielding for lovers of paranormal romance, dragons, mythical tales, and mystery.

I absolutely adore this.

Wings Over Albion:

✓ The Red Dragon of Oxford #1

Buy link:

The Red Dragon of Oxford: MM Paranormal romance (Wings over Albion, Book 1)

Blurb:

Dragons aren’t real. Or so I used to think.

Oxford isn’t exactly what I’d imagined. Sure, the colleges are romantic, and everyone is brilliant enough to trigger my impostor syndrome. I expected that.

The dragon, however, was a big surprise.

I saw him on my first day. The beautiful beast spoke to me, then disappeared. I’ve been looking for him ever since.

When I’m not on a wild dragon chase, I spend my time in the library. I’d like to think I’m only there to study, but who am I kidding?

I’m there for him.

Rufus Mortimer is the world’s hottest librarian. He’s strict, enigmatic, and sexy. He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before.

But he has a secret. One that could destroy everything.

So now, all I have to do is find a dragon, earn my doctorate, and try to not to let my new romance burn my life to the ground. Easy, right?

I wish…

The Red Dragon of Oxford, book 1 in the Wings over Albion series, is a sweet and spicy paranormal m/m romance. Download today, and get ready to fall in love with Mark and Rufus.

• Publisher: (January 15, 2024)

• Publication date: January 15, 2024

• Print length: 250 pages

Book 2 is Nate’s story.

Review: Mr. Mustachio Sings Like a Canary (The Mr. Mustachio Murders Book 2) by Dawn McKinnon

Rating: 4.5🌈

Mr. Mustachio Sings Like a Canary is the second in the excellent The Mr. Mustachio Murders by Dawn McKinnon, a cozy murder mystery series with a paranormal twist.

McKinnon’s series picks up shortly after the events of the last book, with Chez Celine’s inhabitants trying to adjust to their losses and adapt to their newcomers.

As Sam valiantly tries to continue to struggle to write his book, another investigation comes his way. And then there’s another.

I love the way McKinnon weaves all the many happenings and storylines into a single narrative. It’s a slow, methodical but absorbing process as Sam, investigates one event after another. He’s often accompanied by Mr Mustachio, or Algernon, or the local Chief of Police (who’s only got himself as staff of one) as he visits people or places of interest to see and talk to.

While the murder(s) and investigations are ongoing, McKinnon is further exploring the mysterious layers that emerge whenever Algernon is around. Especially as they pertain to Sam and Mr Mustachio. No spoilers here but I don’t think many readers will be surprised.

What occurs will definitely make the reader want more background information if possible and definitely a lot more of the series and.

It’s still a very slow burn romance. Character and plot driven, which is wonderful given the great personalities and fabulous location the author has created and is enlarging with each book.

This is so charming and a real engaging cozy murder mystery with a paranormal twist. One I’m highly recommending.

Cover: Cate Ashwood

The Mr. Mustachio Murders:

✓ Mr. Mustachio Is Falsely Accused #1

✓ Mr. Mustachio Sings Like a Canary #2

◦ Mr. Mustachio Gets Collared #3

Buy Link:

Mr. Mustachio Sings Like a Canary (The Mr. Mustachio Murders)

Blurb:

Sam wasn’t living at Chez Celine long before he was tasked with catching a murderer, but his new case is simpler. Joan Peabody died from natural causes. All he has to do is find her will. But as he tries to figure out what the last surviving member of the town’s founding family did with her will, he begins to wonder whether something got done to her.

For an elderly lady with a heart condition, Joan had a lot of enemies. In fact, it seems like the only people who didn’t want her dead were the niece who expects to inherit her estate and the childhood sweetheart she spurned. And even they have motives.

Meanwhile, someone blew up a mailbox downtown, and there’s a reward for fingering the culprit. Investigating Joan’s death is only earning Sam enemies, one of whom is Algernon after Sam spirits Mr. Mustachio away to the vet. Algernon has secrets he’s not ready to spill, but to find Joan Peabody’s will, catch her killer, and save Mr. Mustachio from an unfortunate medical procedure, he’s going to have to start singing.

Mr. Mustachio Sings Like a Canary is book 2 in the Mr. Mustachio Murders.

Review: A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Demons: A Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Novella by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4.5🌈

Time for the road to romance for Beel the demon pet frog to begin! And what a hilarious journey it is. Beel or Beelbufo, a lower demon, was first mentioned back in book 1. Beel had been summoned by Gabe’s Grams as a pet and companion for the little boy (long, involved, and heartwarming plot thread). Beel ends up happily spending his time (decades as Gabe grew up ) in a lovingly decorated aquarium with a heat rock) watching horror films and eating popcorn, listening to Gabe and becoming family.

Now with Az and Gabe happily paired up as soulmates, Az has plans to find Beel a love life. After all, that’s what a lust demon who’s also an Infernal King of Hell supposed to do! Meddle with the lives of those who have become family.

Mae brings Beel, previously only seen as a furiously croaking frog, into gloriously chaotic life as a confused, frantic demon. Newly back to a human form in decades, bad at deception and absolutely falling for his pet sitter, Jonathan. Who thinks he’s a frog.

While the story ends a bit abruptly, everything that goes before it is a narrative wonder. Hilarious, with moments of genuine sweetness and heart, there’s scenes of high humor and ones of poignancy. A demon frog and pet store owner find their HEA while watching horror films and eating popcorn. How perfect.

A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Demons: A Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Novella by Shannon Mae is an excellent read and reason why I have come to love this series and author so.

The writing is marvelous, the characters well crafted, and the plotting layered with vivid details and emotional scenes.

Read this series in the order it’s written because it’s got a very complex plot that is developed book by book. Amazing! And one I’m highly recommending.

Great cover again, probably my favorite so far!

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance) :

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Demons (A Novella)

◦ A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Book 6)-June 19, 2024

Buy Link:

A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Demons: A Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Novella

Blurb:

Beelbufo has lived a comfortable life as a pet frog for two decades, enjoying pets, human food, and horror movie nights with his favorite human, Gabe. But when Gabe and Az fall head over heels in love, they decide Beel needs a companion too. Little does Beel know that the charming pet shop owner, Jon, is about to become his unsuspecting caretaker. There’s only one small catch – Jon thinks Beel is just an ordinary pet frog.

When Jon’s safety is threatened, Beel can’t help making an appearance in his human form. Now Jon’s eyeing him with suspicion (turns out his cover story wasn’t that great), Gabe and Az are up to their matchmaking antics, and Beel really just wants another kiss with the adorable pet shop owner. (Oh, did we forget to mention they shared a kiss? Spoiler alert: it was magical.)

If Beel’s meddling family can stop interfering, Jon can stop being so suspicious, and Beel can stop being so scared of outing his true identity, these two might just get their own happily ever after. (Hopefully with more kisses, because Beel really does like the kissing.)

Tags: Beel despises romantic comedies, but maybe he’s about to star in one; Jon’s got a troublesome ex and could use a knight in shining armor – Beel’s more than happy to oblige; Az keeps weaving fairy tale and frog references into their lives, much to everyone’s chagrin; Beel’s cover stories are laughably bad; coming out as your true self is tougher than Beel imagined, but sometimes it’s worth it.

• Publisher: (January 11, 2024)

• Publication date: January 11, 2024

• Print length: 140 pages

Review: It’s a Tenta-ful Life : A Winter Holiday MM Tentacle Romance by Amanda Muewissen

Rating: 4🌈

My holiday reading has slowed somewhat but I’m still enjoying the Tentacle holiday series novels from last year.

Amanda Muewissen’s stories have always been so interesting to read. It’s the author’s approach to various popular themes , a Christmas story that carries a strong fondness for a darker fictional component rather than the sleigh bells and holly one normally is used to. In this case, it’s a bloody body found in the snow by a bartender on Christmas Eve. The second one he’s found on this date.

But the person isn’t dead, just wounded. And maybe not even a person. But an Eldritch Horror in mourning. But Brady, a bartender on his way home, knows the person he found and calls Goldy, needs his help. Together they start a relationship that’s oddly sweet, honest, and otherworldly.

It’s elements like these that take It’s a Tenta-ful Life : A Winter Holiday MM Tentacle Romance by Amanda Muewissen and elevate it into something darkly special, a Christmas tale about love, no matter what form or circumstances it may take .

It also has murder, loss, a creature from a void that pines for a different kind of love and life, and an ending that comes about far too quickly.

There were some aspects of the story that weren’t as well developed as they deserved, given how interesting the characters and backgrounds provided.

But as written, there’s still so many sweet, otherworldly moments and, yes, tentacles, that Muewissen delivers a story to satisfy those wanting Christmas cheer with a touch of horror.

This is a definite recommend!

Tinsel and Tentacles (11 books)

◦ Jingle Bells and Elder Gods by Kiernan Kelly

✓ All I Want for Christmas is Tentacles by Chloe Archer ❤️🫶

◦ Tentacles and Other Stocking Stuffers by Delaney Rain

◦ Tentacles Rock by K.C. Carmine

✓ A Sucker for Christmas by J.P. Sayle

✓ Kraken Klaus by Charlotte Brice

✓ Twelve Days of Squidmas by H.L. Hiers

✓ It’s a Tenta-ful Life by Amanda Muewissen

✓ Rebel without a Claus by L Eveland

✓ Cthulhu for Christmas by Meghan Maslow ❤️🫶

◦ Tentacle Wonderland by Reese Morrison

Buy Link

It’s a Tenta-ful Life: A Winter Holiday MM Tentacle Romance

Blurb

If angels get wings, what do monsters get?

Brody Hawkins was living the good life. Unattached, young, attractive, with a great job at the Shangri-La La Land gay bar and bringing men and women back to his bed most nights without ever being tied down.

Until the night he stumbles upon an injured man in the snow.

Wary of the circumstances that might have left someone for dead so near to Christmas, instead of taking the man to a hospital, Brody brings him home. He dubs the man Goldie, having no other name offered to him when Goldie wakes, but his golden hair and eyes are like tinsel on a tree.

Goldie couldn’t have anything to do with the murders or missing person from a few blocks down. He couldn’t. He’s too sweet and soft-spoken and even a little sad. He’s no monster.

But he also might not be human.

It’s a Tenta-ful Life is part of the Tinsel and Tentacles multi-author collaboration and a complete standalone. Expect to find a lifelong bachelor who never planned to fall in love, an eldritch horror in disguise who longs for love, mutual pining, strangers to friends to lovers, dark and deadly secrets, tentacles with hidden talents, and more in this slightly darker take on a holiday MM romance. Want more tantalizingly tentacular winter holiday romances? Grab the whole series!

• Publisher: Amanda Meuwissen Books (December 22, 2023)

• Publication date: December 22, 2023

• Print length: 122 pages

Review: Twelve Days of Squidmas: A Winter Holiday MM Tentacle Romance by K.L. Hiers

Rating: 4🌈

There’s so many great things to like about K.L. Hiers’ Twelve Days of Squidmas, one of the Winter Tentacle Holiday collection. It’s got a truly poignant storyline about loss and the damage that years of family abuse does to a person. It talks about someone who’s watched and been a caregiver for someone dying of cancer. Then the reader is there, as the funeral is over, the grandmother’s death so deeply devastating that her grandson is having trouble moving forward, and his family is descending like vultures.

Bright and happy a start this is not.

But Hiers brings into this realistically portrayed scenario of a grief stricken young man alone with his loss and house, a new wild card that upsets everything Jack Marsh thought he knew about his grandmother. Jack summons Xorvash, an interdimensional tentacle creature who was his grandmother’s best friend.

Hiers has such fun and does a fantastic job capturing both the essence and power of the demon Xorvash, especially his impact on “Cuddles “. While there’s an amazing effervescent energy and joy that comes from this character and his scenes, Hiers still manages to bring in the smallest detail of Jack’s painful background and the emotional damage he’s suffered in ways that are fleeting but powerful. Then it’s onto a scene that’s familiarly funny and satisfying for the season.

I enjoyed the many side characters and storylines, especially the next door neighbors. I wish that aspect could have been more developed as a few details were left unexplored.

Same went for the ending. It wasn’t exactly satisfying. Jack and Horvash go to all that trouble to boot the family out of the house and then what? They leave and what happens to the house? That was an important narrative loose end that was left flapping around. And it should have been a simple one to explain or tie up.

Things like this make me wonder why, when the rest of the piece is so well written and emotionally balanced.

I’m recommending Twelve Days of Squidmas: A Winter Holiday MM Tentacle Romance by K.L. Hiers because even with these quibbles it’s a pleasure to read.

Tinsel and Tentacles (11 books)

◦ Jingle Bells and Elder Gods by Kiernan Kelly

✓ All I Want for Christmas is Tentacles by Chloe Archer ❤️🫶

◦ Tentacles and Other Stocking Stuffers by Delaney Rain

◦ Tentacles Rock by K.C. Carmine

✓ A Sucker for Christmas by J.P. Sayle

✓ Kraken Klaus by Charlotte Brice

✓ Twelve Days of Squidmas by H.L. Hiers ❤️

✓ It’s a Tenta-ful Life by Amanda Muewissen

✓ Rebel without a Claus by L Eveland

✓ Cthulhu for Christmas by Meghan Maslow ❤️🫶

◦ Tentacle Wonderland by Reese Morrison

Buy Link:

Twelve Days of Squidmas: A Winter Holiday MM Tentacle Romance

Blurb:

Jack Marsh has twelve days to pull off the perfect Christmas.

Even though his beloved grandmother has just passed, his rotten family is expecting him to host in her place. He already hated this time of year, and now he has to decorate, bake cookies, wrap presents, and create a delicious holiday feast.

Enter Xorvash, an interdimensional tentacle creature from another plane of existence. Thanks to a minor kitchen mishap, Xorvash comes crashing into Jack’s life and promises to do the impossible. Jack suspects Xorvash’s interest in him goes far beyond merely wanting to help him deck the halls, and he’s having trouble resisting Xorvash’s unique charms. With some luck and a sprinkle of holiday magic, Jack might get some sweet tentacle romance for Christmas—plus a little miracle or two.

Twelve Days of Squidmas is part of the Tinsel and Tentacles multi-author collaboration and a complete standalone. Expect to find a grumpy human and a sunshine tentacle creature, lots of silly snark, smexy tentacle times, and a magical happily ever after. Want more tantalizingly tentacular winter holiday romances? Grab the whole series!

• Publisher: (December 15, 2023)

• Publication date: December 15, 2023

• Print length: 167 pages