Review: Dead Serious Case #4 Professor Prometheus Plume: MM Paranormal Romance & Dark Comedy (Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed) by Vawn Cassidy

Rating: 5🌈

Vawn Cassidy’s Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed is one of my favorite series. Dark humor, beautifully realized characters, and extremely well executed plots that convey the heartbreak and the joy of love and romance, the horror and hope of experiencing life and losing it, as well as the light and darkness that exists beyond. It’s all there in every story.

Each book revolves around a case of a dead person. Sometimes it’s horrifying, sometimes hilariously funny or tragic and traumatic. Sometimes it’s both sad and frightening. And all these things.

In Dead Serious Case #3 Mr Bruce Reyes #3, the small group, Inspector Danny Hayes, forensic pathologist Tristan Everett, ghost Dusty Le Frey, and her boyfriend, ghost Bruce Abernathy, among others, helped save the world. A scary, horrific tale, even if being immensely satisfying.

Now, Cassidy has written a fabulous story, one that’s naturally got a crime, a murder, a manor house full of the most wildly entertaining and exasperating people and ghosts. A natural bookend to the one prior.

The story opens up, realistically and wryly in the morgue, with an extremely exhausted Tristan trying to complete an examination, with ghostly onlookers inference. The outcome of this wonderful scenario will see two very tired men on a much needed holiday. One of which keeps trying to find the perfect place to propose.

What ensues is absolute narrative perfection. Amidst high comedy, murder most theatrical, and ghostly antics at The Ashton-Drake Manor House Hotel, Cassidy’s also includes the raw issues these men face and the daily pain of their experiences. There’s an emotional reunion between Danny and his long estranged family, as well the wrenching emotional scenes of Tris trying to come to terms with the reality of his father’s approaching death from dementia.

The hijinks , murder included, to be found at the Manor, is a romp over the reality that Danny and Tris have left behind. When I say that Cassidy has created new characters and moments so quietly hilarious that I’d say they were “spew worthy” is to be understated.

Ah, Dilys! This the ancient, tiny bartender will forever be held responsible for the wine stains on the carpet as I giggled away at her approach!

I fell so deeply in love with everyone at The Ashton-Drake Manor House Hotel, alive and ghostly, that I want the author to revisit this location and entertaining little group of inhabitants, whether it’s by a individual book or story in this series in the future. They are simply so perfect to consign to one book.

Throughout the events that occur and the characters that make up the zaniness’s of this investigation, this is one fabulous piece of murder that ranks among my favorite books of the year.

Of course, it’s a gift from the author, because the ending proves that this has always been a part of the larger universe and the scary enlarging arc the author’s been creating.

So amazing. Breathtaking really. For now we are halfway prepared for the darkness to come.

The is a series that’s an absolute must read, but do it in the order that the books are written. Highly recommended, at the top of my rec list.

Fabulous cover as usual.

Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed:

✓ Dead Serious Case #1 Miz Dusty Le Frey #1

✓ Dead Serious Case #2 Mrs Delores Abernathy #2

✓ Dead Serious Case #3 Mr Bruce Reyes #3

✓ Dead Serious Case #4 Professor Prometheus Plume #4

◦ Dead Serious Case #5 Madame Vivienne: Schedule 2024

Buy Link:

Dead Serious Case #4 Professor Prometheus Plume: MM Paranormal Romance & Dark Comedy (Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed)

Blurb:

Inspector Danny Hayes has something very important to ask his boyfriend Tristan Everett. Over the past six months they’ve survived reapers, chaos monsters, and biblical storms, not to mention averting an apocalypse. So, what’s left to do but pop the big question?

Tristan is ready for a break from world-saving, spectral crises, and most definitely from ghosts. He wants some one-on-one time with his boyfriend, preferably horizontally. So when their Boxing Day celebrations result in a drunken booking of a romantic New Year’s getaway at a quiet little hotel near the wilds of the north Yorkshire moors, Tristan can’t wait.

But as usual nothing ever goes according to plan. Snowed in during an unexpected murder mystery weekend at what turns out to be one of the most haunted hotels in Northern England is not what they had in mind, but when one of the actors turns up really dead not just fake dead, they once again find themselves caught up in another investigation.

With only one night to figure out who the killer is while wrangling a multitude of overly helpful ghosts, Tristan begins to wonder if romance really is dead…

• Publisher: (December 31, 2023)

• Publication date: December 31, 2023

• Print length: 285 pages

Review: Accidental Bonds (Elemental Bonds Book 1) by Marie Reynard

Rating: 4.75🌈

In the author’s notes, Reynard states that Accidental Bonds is her debut novel. Well, it’s a remarkable story, whether it’s her first book or one of many.

Accidental Bonds, the first in the Elemental Bonds series, follows the meeting of independent mage Elijah Lauring with Alpha Victor Mills of the nearby Mills pack. Victor has come to Elijah to contract for a mage’s help with failing pack wards.

That’s the basis for an exciting, extremely well written, and highly suspenseful paranormal tale. This contains so many great elements. It has a frenemies to bonded mates romance, a dark magical series mystery that’s, frankly, extremely frightening and well scripted, and multidimensional characters that continue to develop throughout the storyline.

Yes, please, I’m well and truly hooked.

There’s not just the standard wolf shifter mating, but another type to consider. The mage aspect is equally interesting and important for the story as is the pack/wolf shifter elements. There’s a lovely balance not just between Elijah and Victor, but also between their foundations, their history, and friends.

Every part of this narrative, Reynard creates a strong sense of definition to her characters and the storytelling, crafting layers that include foundation building for the series and backstories of the characters.

That mage shop, with its dust motes, odd vials, and weirdly intuitive cat becomes a place that’s believable and visually lush. The same goes for the Mills territory, the woods and the surrounding landscape and down to the small pack of endearing individuals we get to meet. Real, grounded in their stories, and the pack they are a part of.

The blackness and mystery that’s a great part of this story and series is truly frightening. Keeping it both real and unknown is a marvelous element.

My biggest frustration? I couldn’t go immediately to the next story! I loved this so much I wanted to see what happened next asap.

Reynard does give this couple a good HFN, meaning they are settled but the series mystery continues. The next book will follow different but connected characters, one from each group of friends. Like I said, I can’t wait.

I’m highly recommending Accidental Bonds (Elemental Bonds Book 1) by Marie Reynard. It’s an amazing book, especially as it’s her debut novel. Grab it up and enjoy!

Elemental Bonds:

✓ Accidental Bonds #1

◦ Impulsive Connections #2 – Oct 2024

Buy link:

Accidental Bonds (Elemental Bonds Book 1)

Blurb:

It was meant to be temporary. Fate had other ideas.

Victor Mills would do anything to protect his pack, even work with magic he detests. When the wards safeguarding his territory start to deteriorate, he’s forced to hire a local mage to fix them. He could tolerate the abrasive stench of sorcery, if only the mage didn’t also smell like everything his wolf has ever wanted.

Elijah Lauring has no intention of tying himself to a shifter pack; his neutrality pays the bills. Repairing the Mills pack wards should be a one-off job, but the spell he casts to tap into Victor’s energy stubbornly refuses to fade. The intoxicating connection that lingers between them plunges his magic into chaos right when he needs it the most.

As they grapple with their conflicting desires, they soon discover the wards aren’t the only thing decaying. An evil is infecting the pack land, and they must learn to trust each other and their growing bond to defeat it. If they fail, Victor’s pack will pay the ultimate price.

Accidental Bonds is a steamy 115k M/M paranormal romance featuring a broody wolf shifter, a headstrong mage, meddling friends, a perpetually unimpressed cat, and knotting. It’s perfect for readers who love thrilling action, snarky banter, and characters who rub each other in all the wrong ways before they realize the right ones are much more enjoyable. While it guarantees a happy ending for its main couple, the overarching plot does contain cliffhangers. Please look inside for content warnings. (This series does not contain mpreg.)

Trigger warning:

This book contains scenes with elements of dubious consent and mentions of rape in a historical context.

— Accidental Bonds (Elemental Bonds Book 1) by Marie Reynard

• Publisher: Peace Garden Publishing, LLC (July 15, 2023)

• Publication date: July 15, 2023

• Print length: 446 pages

Review: Claw’d (Evergreen Council Book 2) by Vin George

Rating: 4.5🌈

Claw’d (Evergreen Council Book 2) by Vin George is the only book I’ve read in the series. I rarely agree when it’s stated in a description that a book in a series can be read as a standalone because it always turns out that so much information and universe building is missing. But here, I felt that I was on fairly solid ground with the world I entered into, and the characters the author had created.

Am I going back and picking up the first book? Yes. Do I feel it’s necessary for this one? No.

George has a large cast of characters already in place as the story starts. It’s a universe of paranormal beings that live along side human beings who are unaware of them.

Evergreen Council, a new governing group of shifters, vampires, Fae, etc, working together to police their own, is something I believe might have happened in book one.

But we meet a disheveled, broken vampire, Sorley, who’s been arrested for breaking into a house of a wolf shifter. Gethin, the wolf who happens to work for the Evergreen Council, and upon his questioning of Sorley in the Council’s jail, realizes that something is seriously wrong.

This initial encounter sets in motion an investigation that continues throughout the story, bringing together multiple paranormal races and characters as more incidents and horrifying events happen.

I particularly enjoyed how George developed the relationship between Sorley and Gethin, two complicated characters who have a prejudice towards each other’s race. The author builds barriers between them only to then explore their own experiences, reveal their long histories, and make their own decisions to form a new bond with each other.

It’s well defined, somewhat torturous path, very emotional, and well thought out.

Both Sorley and Gethin have their own friends and families that push/pull them through the difficult decision making process of these events. Whether it’s the newly forming relationship, or the investigation, there is multiple voices and pressures impinging upon them.

It’s been a while since I’d read Vin George and now, based on the excellent work here in Claw’d, I’ll be going back to pick up Fang’d. There’s so many great elements here that carry through beautifully. Fine details, and still there is some interesting questions left over for the author to make the reader think about going forward.

I can’t wait to see what happens next. A definite recommendation for lovers of paranormal fiction and romance.

Evergreen Council:

◦ Fang’d #1

✓ Claw’d #2

Buy Link:

Claw’d (Evergreen Council Book 2)

Blurb:

Conditioned to hate him but I can’t stop craving him.”

On the verge of bloodlust, vampire Sorley breaks into wolf shifter Gethin’s home. Gethin, who’s been indoctrinated to avoid and even despise bloodsuckers, wants to turn him over to higher ups in the Evergreen Council and forget about him. If only it were that simple! Sorley seems to be a victim of a mysterious attack, pinging Gethin’s protective instincts. He’s also devastatingly gorgeous, and Gethin is thrown by the attraction. As a wolf he has no business getting entangled with an immortal malevampire. Even if they give in to their desire, it can only ever be a fling.

Sorley just wants to go home and bury his pretty head in the proverbial sand, but however much he hates it, he needs Gethin’s help. He might even get some benefits out of the deal. The infuriating, furry hunk of a shifter has kind eyes, and his scent is unexpectedly delicious. He also, curiously, makes Sorley feel safe. But Sorley is definitely not developing any feelings for the man. That would be absurd.

When it becomes apparent Sorley is not the only victim of an unknown assailant, the entire Council must pull together to stop the attacks. Egos clash as tension rises, and you could even say there’s a lot at stake.

Claw’d is the second book in the Evergreen Council series, featuring a chaotic mess of a gay vampire and the closeted, long-suffering, wolf-shifter charged with keeping him safe. HEA. Can be read as standalone

Review : The Adventure of Sterling Jones: A Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Sidequest by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 4.75🌈

What a lot of fun Jennifer Cody must have had writing this story. Specifically, the character of Sterling Jones and his seemingly endless highly playful, exaggerating teenage ish propensity purple prose for names for the his sexual organs and his partners, plus the physical reactions that their bodies make during their sexual encounters. Sterling is also a murderous, incredibly kinky, one-armed, adventurous adorable menace with a propensity for kidnapping people to add to his growing found family.

With the exception of a middle chapter or two, this story is narrated by the wildly “out there “ Sterling. Honestly, this is an addictive voice. it just invites the reader calmly into the madness, where we happily stay for the roller coaster ride.

Especially when we start adding Sterling’s best friend and then new addition (aka Hennessey and Re) as the journey rolls along, like some murderous Toad’s Wild Ride but on a perverted sentient motorcycle and a fated mate ghost hunter werewolf, Jethro, at the helm.

Jethro is amazing. So is that perverted sentient bike. They need their own review. Heart eyes.

It’s all a “pow” and “Kazaam” but with kinky sex , occasionally tentacles, kidnapping, and always paranormal wildly weird stuff happening.

I’m definitely down for that.

And at the very end, like a very long joke you’ve been waiting for a punch line for but didn’t was coming, we get a series tie in to another previous book. Which will send me running back to read that all over again.

Honestly, I’m not sure this is everybody’s jam. But it’s definitely mine. Hilarious, over the top madness.

Yes please. More.

Related Series:

Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees (3 book series)

✓ 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

Buy link:

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Advent…The Adventure of Sterling Jones: A Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Sidequest

Blurb:

Sterling:

My life has been full of danger and fun since the day I realized what widening my big, blue eyes a bit could do for a boy like me. Guys the world over have fallen into that look-at-me-I’m-so-innocent trap, and I’ve never regretted it, even when I was staring down the muzzle of some poor straight boy’s weapon after confusing him with the best bj of his life (they don’t usually try to murder me, and he didn’t succeed, so obviously I’ve never learned my lesson). I love a good adventure, and now I’m looking at the greatest one I’ve ever seen.

Jethro Jones knows exactly what hits him the moment I sidle into his personal space, and it’s not because I only have one arm and an off-putting manic grin (I’m very cute, even with the psycho smile). It’s definitely the boner I’m rocking. The ride I offer him after his motorcycle’s been stolen? Well, that’s just the beginning, isn’t it? Besides, I’m adorable, fun, and only inclined to kidnap people I like.

The Adventure of Sterling Jones is a 32k word, insta-love/insta-lust MM paranormal romance, Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees sidequest featuring a thrill-seeking trouble magnet and his dangerous werewolf mate with more heat than is probably advisable for how combustible these two are and a stolen engagement ring.

• Publication date: December 20, 2023

• Print length: 128 pages

Review: Pain In The Ice (Blackhaven Manor #8) by Arden Steele

Rating: 4.75🌈

This book is why I love this series so. Steele has written a strong story about the importance of the depths of friendships, loyalty, compassion for each other under the most extreme conditions, as well as how finding your own soulmate gives you comfort and support when you need it most.

Thade Maddock is leaving Blackhaven Manor for a cruise to Hawaii. However, it’s not a joyful occasion but rather to escort his oldest friend, a demon fury , to the place where he has decided to die.

Steele gets us into this amazing friendship in its last stages, when one is slowly losing his mind, then his life energies. And as they share these precious memories and time together, we can understand why Thade makes the sacrifices he does for his friend, Akira. Akira is multilayered, a tragically beautiful character.

Into this situation, there’s the humans Micah and his best friend, Lettie, on the cruise to celebrate her impending wedding and their friendship. Two different sets of close friends, two completely different occasions, one emotionally devastating and one so deeply happy. Steele writes about the dynamics of each set of friendships and lets the reader understand that they are real friends and family to each other.

Then they come together, when Micah and Thade turn out to be soulmates.

Pain In the Ice explores so many different emotions and layers of love. For some readers, the emotional sensitivity of having a character approaching death and die within a novel might be something that is triggering. Pls take note.

This is a genuine element of the story and part of Akira and Thade’s thousand years long journey.

I love the story and the way every part is developed. I cried and rejoiced, eventually. I hope Steele will consider a novel or more about that castle and how Thade and Micah are going to repurpose it in Akira’s name.

Pain In The Ice (Blackhaven Manor #8) by Arden Steele is got great characters, emotional elements folded into a well developed story, and love in all its forms. I’m highly recommending it.

And the series.

Check out the full list below.

Blackhaven Manor:

✓ Purrfect Harmony #1

✓ Night and Fae #2

✓ Dragon It Out #3

✓ Grin and Bear It #4

✓ Pixie Little Liar #5

✓ Dead Over Heals #6

✓ Silent Knight #7

✓ Pain in the Ice #8

✓ Walking a Tight Rope #9

✓ Royally Flocked #10

Sequel/adjacent series:

Hunter’s Hollow:

✓ Angels and Anarchy #1

✓ Beauty and Bad Blood #2

Buy Link :

Pain in the Ice (Blackhaven Manor Book 8)

Blurb:

Thade Maddock would literally rather die than spend four weeks aboard a cruise ship with nine hundred strangers in the middle of the Pacific. When it happens to be his best friend’s dying request, however, he can’t exactly refuse the invitation. On the bright side, the ship’s pool does offer some stunning views. Like the human male with fiery red hair and a smile to rival the sun.

Although he wouldn’t consider himself naïve, Micah Francis has led a rather insulated life. Having had limited contact with Otherlings and little knowledge about the paranormal world in general, meeting a dragon shifter his first day on the ship is nothing less than magical. Tall and brooding with a body made for sin, Thade is everything he had imagined a dragon would be. He didn’t, however, expect to feel so obsessively drawn to the guy after just one conversation.

But falling in love is the easy part. When Thade’s friend begins to deteriorate quicker than anticipated, the demon’s illness places the entire ship in danger. As pandemonium ensues and a multitude of dark emotions infects the passengers, happily-ever-after feels a long way off.

Because unless they can find a way to bring order to the madness, no one is making it out alive.

• Publisher: PECCAVI PRESS (September 14, 2022)

• Publication date: September 14, 2022

• Print length: 204 pages

◦

Review: Pain In The Ice (Blackhaven Manor #8) by Arden Steele

Rating: 4.75🌈

Then they come together, when Micah and Thade turn out to be soulmates.

This is a genuine element of the story and part of Akira and Thade’s thousand years long journey.

Pain In The Ice (Blackhaven Manor #8) by Arden Steele is got great characters, emotional elements folded into a well developed story, and love in all its forms. I’m highly recommending it.

And the series.

Check out the full list below.

Blackhaven Manor:

✓ Purrfect Harmony #1

✓ Night and Fae #2

✓ Dragon It Out #3

✓ Grin and Bear It #4

✓ Pixie Little Liar #5

✓ Dead Over Heals #6

✓ Silent Knight #7

✓ Pain in the Ice #8

✓ Walking a Tight Rope #9

✓ Royally Flocked #10

Sequel/adjacent series:

Hunter’s Hollow:

✓ Angels and Anarchy #1

✓ Beauty and Bad Blood #2

Buy Link :

Pain in the Ice (Blackhaven Manor Book 8)

Blurb:

Because unless they can find a way to bring order to the madness, no one is making it out alive.

• Publisher: PECCAVI PRESS (September 14, 2022)

• Publication date: September 14, 2022

• Print length: 204 pages

◦

Review: Taste of Fear (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 2) by Shelby Rhodes

Rating: 5🌈

Before getting into the review, two things. One, these books definitely need to be read in the order they are written in. Secondly, heed the author’s trigger warnings. If you’re familiar with the series or author, then as a reader the content won’t necessarily be as much of a surprise but emotionally it’s still powerful and moving. Especially as it’s got extreme torture, mental, physical and traumatic moments at its core. On page scenes. So read the notes.

This isn’t to dissuade a reader from diving into the story but to inform those who will have issues with those elements in advance so informed choices can be made.

Now as to Taste of Fear. Its excellent. Heartbreaking and a stunning story that will stick with you for some time after you have finished reading it.

Possibly because the manner in which Rhodes does two things simultaneously. The relationship between vampire Foxx Honeywell and scarred human hunter Harlow is progressing uniquely, given each of their respective personalities and histories. Harlow is the one that’s the most perplexed about his odd behavior and feelings towards his vampire partner. Foxx represents so many new aspects to his life he never thought he would have. First sexual encounter with a man, then lots of sexual encounters. Now he’s living with him. And thinking about the vampire, a lot. A stunning reversal of his previous life. The growth and development of the dynamic of this weirdly complex duo is compelling and powerful.

While Rhodes, through scenes both humorous and murderous, give the reader a sense of deepening affection between Foxx and Harlow, a case arises that, adjacent to everything else that has been going on, starts to build a sense of high anxiety and suspense. That something truly horrific is coming.

And it’s target is Foxx.

I can’t begin to tell you how effective Rhodes narrative is here, as chapter by chapter, like a disastrous tragedy we see coming but are unable to stop, the horror slowly creeps in, deathly clues dropping. The reader is deeply apprehensive but still needing to read onward.

I won’t go further into the story line or the reasons for the trigger warnings. Yes, they are necessary for the situation, the plot, and for readers because it’s so real, the emotional connection between us and the characters are very impactful and profound. It will hurt.

I won’t say I enjoyed this. But I did love it on another level. Such outstanding work. It changes the characters fundamentally. It’s shattering. And now I’ll have to wait for the next one for the ramifications to set in.

If you love Shelby Rhodes, dark paranormal fiction. This is the series and story for you. I’m highly recommending this.

If you love paranormal romance but in a lighter vein ( real pun intended), there are other equally terrific books to explore.

Happy reading!

The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx:

✓ At First Irritation #1

✓ Taste of Fear #2

◦ Unusual Emotions #3 – April 12,2024

◦ Thirst Quenched #4 – June 24,2024

Buy Link:

Taste of Fear (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 2)

Blurb:

Foxx Honeywell here. You know those fun stories where nothing goes wrong and everything is happy and joyful…yeah, that is not this book. This book is where everything goes wrong—multiple times. Horribly wrong. Because sadly, there are people out there who hate others simply for existing. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Our story picks up a few months after the whole crazy cult thing, right before the horrible, terrifyingly awful holiday called…Christmas. Because, of course, why wouldn’t we end up back on the job right when not only is it bloody cold outside, but when the ho-ho-hoing menace is plaguing poor innocent vampires everywhere?

Anyway, we go on one hunt, and things are relatively normal-ish. It’s not until the next one where…well, I maybe almost die. What follows is some resurfacing trauma…and a fair few meltdowns. No doubt terrifying my psycho of a partner, Harlow. Who, by the way, through all this seems okay…maybe. A big maybe. So, yeah, that happens. And you know, if that was all that happened, it would have been fine. Really, it would—mostly. It’s just that what followed…really drove home all those years of no therapy. Like a blast in the face from my past nightmare-inducing trauma. I’m sure it will be fine?

CONTENT WARNING: This is a slow burn M/M paranormal romance series with heat. This book ends on a soft cliffhanger. There will be blood, violence, death, trauma induced panic attacks, and mentions of SA (no on page details). PLEASE SEE INSIDE OR CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE FOR THE FULL CONTENT WARNING!

• Publisher: (December 15, 2023)

• Publication date: December 15, 2023

• Print length: 369 pages

Review: Walking a Tight Trope (Blackhaven Manor #9) by Arden Steele

Rating: 3.75🌈

In reading book 10, I realized I had missed two of the novels beforehand, so I’ve gone back to pick them up starting with Walking a Tight Trope (Blackhaven Manor #9).

for those who might be new to the series, this is a paranormal fated mates romance that’s located at a Colorado small town and at a huge estate nearby owned by three Dragons. The latter, Blackhaven Manor caters to the Otherworldly community, hosts their weddings, meetings, whatever else is needed, and festivals that draw huge audiences. Whether it’s vampires, pixies, werewolves, sirens, the Fae or something else, it’s got a sanctuary from human beings within the boundaries of Blackhaven Manor.

Jarrett Crawford, a werewolf, has been tasked by Skye Maddox, one of the dragon siblings, to build a gazebo for the upcoming royal Fae wedding. A event of political, social and power ramifications for the Otherworldly community so it’s got a lot of invitees and events happening around the marriage.

At the bar, fae Oliver McKenzie, part-time employee and writer, someone who’s there for observation but also hides a secret.

It’s an arranged meeting by Skye for the fated mates who start getting to know each other on a sweet, lower lusty note than the previous stories. More woo than rut. It’s instant mate without the intimacy.

But there’s another element, a mental one as Oliver is a telepath. This was an interesting aspect to his personality and their bond. And it plays out well in the mystery of the storyline too.

I wish the mystery and the attacks had been better integrated into the couple’s story but this is a short tale and it did very well for the length.

All in all, another enjoyable fated mates love story in the Blackhaven Manor series.

Check out the full list below.

Blackhaven Manor:

✓ Purrfect Harmony #1

✓ Night and Fae #2

✓ Dragon It Out #3

✓ Grin and Bear It #4

✓ Pixie Little Liar #5

✓ Dead Over Heals #6

✓ Silent Knight #7

◦ Pain in the Ice #8

✓ Walking a Tight Rope #9

✓ Royally Flocked #10

Sequel/adjacent series:

Hunter’s Hollow:

✓ Angels and Anarchy #1

✓ Beauty and Bad Blood #2

Buy Link :

Walking a Tight Trope (Blackhaven Manor Book 9)

Blurb:

In love with the idea of love, Oliver McKenzie has made a career out of crafting swoon-worthy romances. He doesn’t need to work at the café in Blackhaven Manor, but the daily interactions fuel his muse and provide him with an unlimited supply of inspiration. He just never imagined he would find his own happily-ever-after within the hotel walls.

Contracted to build a gazebo for the upcoming royal wedding, Jarrett Crawford assumes it’s a job like any other. He’ll find out the details, order the supplies, and finish with time to spare. It doesn’t occur to him that the meddlesome dragon who owns the place is setting him up for the hardest fall of his life. But that’s exactly what happens when he meets Oliver.

When his new mate comes under psychic attack, Jarrett, of course, takes it personally. While he might be ill-equipped to fight a battle of the mind, he’ll risk everything to protect his elf.

Even his own life.

• Publisher: PECCAVI PRESS (July 20, 2023)

• Publication date: July 20, 2023

• Print length: 158 pages

Review: Haunted Hearts (The Bisbee Bachelors’ Club Book 1) by K Sterling

Rating: 4.5🌈

K Sterling’s series The Bisbee Bachelors’ Club is a wonderful strange world to tumble into. For starters, it exists. Bisbee, Arizona is a real place. That knowledge alone sent me running to google as much as I could about a place that is as descriptively beautiful, narratively haunting, and just outright fascinating as you might imagine. The photographs made me want to take the next plane out to see it for myself.

With that rich, historic haunted town as both a backdrop and foundation, Sterling populates it with some great characters, of equal degrees of emotional depth and haunted backstories. The Bisbee Batchelor s Club. Stories written about the single men of the queer friendly, hippy artsy former copper mining town.

And it starts with one of the most emotionally haunted man of them all,

Cace Talbot. Surrounded by his son and close friends, it’s still not enough to keep the pain away from losing his soul mate, the man who left him and the town to pursue his art. Cace is still struggling and Sterling make him easy to understand and relate to.

Especially when the man he’s been trying to forget returns to town. That’s Laurence “Lorrie” Nixon, who’s come back after 25 years away.

There’s a realistic look at the years these men have lost. It’s a true bittersweet element that runs through their reunion and reconnecting relationship. Discussions over what might have been, the children they should have had, the moments lost they will never get, it’s so sad in those moments when they are sharing memories , painful, and heartbreaking. It’s twenty-five years of love and loss and longing that they know could have been theirs but wasn’t. This aspect is there even as they decide to go forward because it’s ingrained into who they’ve become.

I love that Sterling is able to build this not only into the storyline but into their characters too. It makes the depth of their bond even more believable.

The murder mystery that runs along side the romance rebuilding is good but strangely just a secondary storyline. It never feels like a main theme. I liked how it plays out, but wanted a little bit more details and depth to the investigation until the reveal. It was all a bit pat for me.

But the relationship between Lorrie and Cace? That was emotional and heartfelt. And adding in all the found family members around them was perfect.

I’m onto the next. I’m absolutely sold on the town and these characters. And I’m a fan of the author, so I’m thrilled to gave a new series to binge.

I’m happily recommending Haunted Hearts (The Bisbee Bachelors’ Club Book 1) by K Sterling. Enjoy!

The Bisbee Bachelors’ Club:

✓ Haunted Hearts #1

◦ Moonlight & Madness #2

◦ Unhappy Medium #3

◦ Grave Expectations #4

◦ Riddles & Rivals #5

◦ Shadows & Reservations #6

◦ Heart & Soulless #7

◦ Specters & Sparks #8

Buy Link

Haunted Hearts (The Bisbee Bachelors’ Club Book 1)

Blurb:

There are worse things haunting Cace Talbot than the ghosts inhabiting his beloved hometown. Hidden in Arizona’s Mule Mountains, Bisbee was small in a cozy way and just casually haunted with specters from its wild and sometimes dark past. Then, Laurence “Lorrie” Nixon returns after breaking Cace’s heart twenty-five years earlier and the town becomes too small and the memories a lot scarier.

Lorrie’s waited long enough and is determined to win Cace back no matter how hard he has to grovel. He’s already got his work cut out for him when a pair of copycat killings with echoes from Bisbee’s past cast suspicion Lorrie’s way. Lorrie turns to Cace and their band of childhood friends for help solving the brutal murders.

Cace doesn’t want to see his first love accused of a gruesome crime he didn’t commit but that doesn’t mean he’s letting Lorrie Nixon back into his life. At least, that’s what Cace says. His body on the other hand… Can Cace help find a killer without getting caught up in the memories and the pull of Lorrie’s lips?

Review: Fated Mates and How to Woo Them (Fated Mates #1) by A. J. Sherwood

Rating: 4🌈

The Fated Mates duology (at the moment) is a weird one. Primarily due to the fact that the books were written and released out of order. So book two, Fated Mates and Where to Find Them , Zander and Max’s romance, preceded this one. And it felt like we were missing out on important things, like foundation history and grounding within a universe framework.

While not complete, Sherwood delivers more of the detailed layering about the VSP, true mates, and a certain matchmaker that was absent from book two. It helps make the story. This and really delightful characters who have wonderful chemistry with each other.

I actually enjoyed them and their story better because I got who they were, their backgrounds, and Sherwood made me believe in their instant connection and hot chemistry.

Chase, the overly extended, pushed to his physical and mental limits grad student, is so well defined. He is over scheduled, too many responsibilities, isn’t sleeping, and he’s exhausted. He may come across as young, and naive but always kind. Definitely not an “air head”, a term that has always carried a note of derision along with it. Tbh, I was surprised to see it in the tags/description.

Ronan, a vampire of many interests and talents, is a perfect choice for Chase. I enjoyed his pursuit of Chase and Ronan’s twin brother, who clearly needs his own story. Ronan is a great character all his own, from his interests in mechanics and racing to his interactions with Father, he has layers to go with Chase’s.

Their story is 153 pages but it could easily have been much longer or even have a sequel of their own.

I’m definitely recommending Fated Mates and How to Woo Them (Fated Mates #1) by A. J. Sherwood . It’s a delightful paranormal romance and has a wonderful couple of fated mates at its heart.

Fated Mates:

✓ Fated Mates and How to Woo Them #1

✓ Fated Mates and Where to Find Them #2

Buy Link:

Fated Mates and How to Woo Them

Blurb:

Chase is crazy busy behind the scenes at the fraternity get together, so when an alumni comes in, he just notes a hot man in his vicinity and goes right back to work.

When Ronan gets hurt, and Chase feeds him, Chase’s reaction opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Ones that Ronan wants to explore.

Is Chase compatible with vampires? Or could he possibly be something more?

Tags:

Vampire story, same universe as Max and Zander, because yes the plot bunnies absolutely ran wild with this one, I am not in charge of this trainwreck, just along for the ride like you are, Chase has his airheaded moments, there is absolutely no chill where Ronan is concerned, bad guys have human sacrifice written all over them, whole story is mindless violence and fluff, sorry not sorry for this

• Publisher: (December 8, 2023)

• Publication date: December 8, 2023

• Print length: 153 pages

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