Category: M/M Paranormal Fiction

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

Review: Family and Reflection (The Sleepless City #3 ) by Anne Barwell

Rating: 4.5🌈

I’m jumping around this remarkable paranormal series by authors Anne Barwell and Elizabeth Noble as I recently discovered it by reading the second book in the series. That story, the fascinating universe that these authors were creating was something that immediately drew me into the narrative. From its location of Boggslake, a small historical Ohio town situated alongside Lake Erie with all its atmospheric layers , to that odd expanding group of found family of supernatural beings plus a human as well as a dog, I was all in.

Then Barwell and Noble introduced a twist or two on the fated mate/soul bound trope, and I was more than committed, I was delighted with the idea that, fated mates didn’t equal instant love but instead perhaps a more thoughtful approach for both men, including dismay, hilarity, dismissals, before finally finding acceptance. Yes, that works.

So here , it’s an exploration between two species that , in this series, have a serious animosity towards each other, even if the individuals themselves have a friendship that is looking to go further.

That’s the current werewolf and vampire species. There’s also the arc storyline and threatening mystery that’s involved multiple murders, several mysterious creatures, and an ongoing hunt for the mastermind behind it all.

All these complicated plot threads and the characters and elements converge together as Lucas Coate, werewolf (estranged from his pack) is asked for help from his sister to solve a horrific mystery. But the vampire Declan, recently returned from abroad, is being framed for thefts around town, and now needs help from his friends at Boggs Castle to find the real thief. All while dealing with this attraction to Lucas and the new soulbond of his friend/long time vampire lover, Jonas Forge to Blair.

This story has complicated relationships that speak to complex layered dynamics between friends and family, friends and their own lovers, friends and their long term friends. All woven into storylines that have murders, mysteries, and developing romances.

It’s not entirely satisfactory an ending because the arc storyline has one more book before it can be completed. So the elements I feel were left unfinished here were probably done so for a purpose. I won’t know exactly until that last novel is read.

I get the feeling that everything is fitting together like a puzzle piece and so now it’s off to finish the puzzle. But first back to grab up that first story before I can finish up.

I’m highly impressed with the series and authors. It’s a must read. Dare I say, don’t do as I did, and read them in order? Yes! Do that!

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:

Family and Reflection (The Sleepless City Book 3)

Blurb:

When a rebel werewolf and a vampire thief fall in love, only one thing is certain—trouble.

For as long as Lucas Coate can remember, werewolves have been taught to mistrust vampires. Lucas is an exception—he has close friends who are vampires. The werewolf pack in Boggslake—and their leader, Jacob Coate—have made it clear that Lucas’s association with vampires is barely tolerated, and another transgression will be his last. When Lucas finds out about the plague of werewolf deaths in the area, he wants to help even though his own life may already be in danger.

Declan has been away from Boggslake for ten years, but he isn’t surprised to learn that the internal politics of the Supernatural Council haven’t changed for the better. When a series of burglaries hit close to home soon after he arrives, Declan—a vampire and professional thief—is their prime suspect, although for once, he isn’t responsible. With the council keeping secrets, no one is safe. Time is running out, and for Lucas and Declan, everything is about to change.

Authors Note: This story was originally released in 2015 by another publisher. This edition has been re-edited with additional content.

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

• Publication date: September 11, 2020

• Print length: 275 pages

Review: Electric Candle (The Sleepless City #1) by Elizabeth Noble

Rating: 4.5🌈

Such a fascinating series! A four-book series, with two authors, each writing two books a piece to complete the arc and couple storylines. And it works beautifully, flowing pretty seamlessly from one author’s narrative to the next.

Barwell and Noble have created a really remarkable paranormal universe.

It’s got a found family of supernatural beings (werewolves , vampires, and a ghost), one human, one dog, all of which are living in a haunted castle near Lake Erie in a small town of Boggslake, Ohio. The group has an unusual set of backstories among them, including a current history of unrest and animosity between different paranormal species. Specifically, between werewolf and vampire species which often will impact the group dynamics.

The authors, especially Noble here, offer a very different approach on the typical soulmate/soul bonding process. I really found this to be such a surprising and fascinating element of these characters and storylines.

Noble’s characters include a very old vampire who needs antihistamines . And upon discovering the person who’s his soulmate, isn’t instantly rapturous over the thought but instead thinks that person is a bit of a naive idiot ,definitely not soulmate material. Nope, no instant love , more deep mortification.

Noble’s story involves a several current murders, possibly a deeper connection to mysterious deaths in the past, and plenty of slow revelations about each species and the dynamics within Boggs Castle, as the new relationships being forged.

I’m absolutely hooked. The characters are a marvelous combination of well developed personalities but leaving just the right amount of mystery to their respective backgrounds that the reader just needs to know more.

Plus the author’s folds in the Lake, as it’s called there, perfectly, using its unique allure, scary qualities, and beauty to a narrative charm.

I can’t wait to read all the books in this series.

Start here, it’s an excellent read and got so many new twists to familiar elements.

The Sleepless City:

✓ Electric Candle #1 by Elizabeth Noble

◦ Shades of Sepia #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:

Electric Candle (The Sleepless City Book 2)

Blurb

When a vampire finds his soulmate, the bond is forever. It’s love at first sight.

Or is it?

Homicide Detective Jonas Forge has been a vampire for centuries. He’s fought wars, seen life go from the simple colonial days to the modern high-tech world. He’s evolved with the times, adapted to each new era, blended into each new life. The one constant is his best friend, mentor, and lover, Declan. Even though not fated to bond as soulmates, Forge and Declan are happy and settled in their life together.

Until Forge’s real soulmate falls, literally, into his life.

Forge isn’t thrilled with the guy, despite the pheromones attracting them to each other, and the feeling seems mutual. While trying to adjust to his clumsy soulmate and equally awkward feelings, Forge is also on the hunt for a serial-killer witnesses can’t identify who’s leaving a trail of bodies in its wake.

Will the bond Forge is finally forming with his soulmate be destroyed when the hunter becomes the victim?

If you like fated mates who aren’t perfect for each other, a paranormal killer who might not be caught and found families then you’ll love Elizabeth Noble’s Electric Candle

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🌈

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

◦