I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc is a 5-chapter serialized fantasy story by Jennifer Cody. Itās one that, if you ever wondered how an author plots a storyline, here she cheerfully notes this oneās by dice throw. Rolls one way, and oopsy, the current battle may not go in this characterās favor! Fun chaos ensues.
Thereās a powerful necromancer (Lawton) thatās comes in a adorable compact size, a green half orc with a mean soul hammer and a love affair with his mead (Bertlak) , a clumsy paladin with a dark god as a dad, an assortment of fascinating fellow adventurers with mysterious pasts , all on a epic journey to save the kingdom.
We meet more of this intriguing group of characters that are accompanying Prince Lawton and Bertlak out into the country. To start thereās two more women warriors as well as a bumbling paladin with dark parentage with the face of an innocent who added just before they leave, a traveling band already assembled of mixed paranormal beings.
Cody adds in additional world building along with character growth and scenes of action and magical derring do! Here there be nasty spiders galore and necromancy battles.
Itās fun, itās sexy, and five chapters will probably not be near enough time for me to have these characters in my life. Iām enjoying this series that much.
Starting an adventure is always an exciting time. Iāve gone on a few by myself, but nothing compares to gathering a full party and seeing how everyone will mesh. We might have a clumsy bard and a chaotic paladin, but with everyone working together, weāll figure out whatās happening in Fasgard. We may have to break a few laws to do it, but I donāt think thereās anything an orc would change about that.
Well, I might change how quickly Iām getting attached to the necromancer, but thereās nothing to be done about that now; heās mine.
Lawton:
Iām finally getting out of the palace, and I even manage to do it without breaking too many laws! Only, like, two, maybe three depending on your interpretation of āsmugglerā and āspy.ā My adventuring party is amazing. They like me, donāt flinch when I touch them, and are genuinely interested in my magic, and I donāt know if a necromancer could ask for anything more.
Well, except for maybe a few more hours of alone time with his traveling companion; I could definitely get behind (or rather in front of) that idea.
I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc is a five chapter serial fantasy adventure with a light-hearted, fun TTRPG vibe. Expect big magic, lots of cuddles, plenty of steam, and a team of characters that might not get a natural 20 on every roll, but they make up for it with creative solutions to both magical and mundane problems.
Smoke and Mirrors is the first book Iāve read by Elizabeth Silvers and I had quite a few issues with it, starting at the beginning.
Itās a two-person point of view narrative. The first voice the reader is introduced to sets the stage in many ways for the story to come. But Smoke and Mirrors stumbles immediately when itās Justus, who lives on another planet with magic. Heās telling us about a magical explosion, citizens of Arcania, some Aquaspire Mountains, a town of Lumia, and how he joins the Luminere Squad. Honestly, right there, the author is losing me. Iām picturing dancing candlesticks, watery mountains, and all things Disney.
Not what Silver had in mind, obviously, but , thereās a lesson there in how not to name things if youāre creating another world. Donāt do that!
It gets progressively worse when the author delivers up the next main character. Thatās Xander back on Earth. We met him as heās bemoaning his terrible taste in men, while preparing to go on a date with someone whoās got a reputation in his office for, wait for it, treating people badly. This is āDorian, the hottie from accounting who no one seems to like.ā He will go on for pages about how he knows this wonāt go well but heās going to do it anyway.
Yes, immediately, we have a TSTL character thatās making me think this is a DNF story. At 3%. Honestly, Iāve had as much of the TSTL character in my books as Iāve had billionaires recently asking people for money. Both need to go.
Plus the author has made Xander (another quibble of mine, pls find another name) someone with dyslexia, which is not a problem by itself. Only issue with this is his dyslexia is such that Xander canāt read at all for reasons we will find out later. Itās so bad he has had to tattoo left and right on his hands as a guide. (except for he canāt read) . So whatās his job? He went into Library Science and does reference. The dyslexia is less a real problem than an element stuck on purely out of necessity for the storyline .
Spoiler: How a reader might feel about a deeply serious learning disorder being treated as merely a mild case of āoh look Iām an alien ā is up to each individual. However, I find it a tad insensitive.
Silver just doesnāt seem to have a good handle on the logical flow of her storyline. Xander goes from not reading, to no magic to THE magical power . All without much training. I wonāt go into the holes the dot the narrative landscape here but itās a veritable pothole Main Street of storytelling.
Justus and Xander are all very cute and instant love in their relationship. Thereās a secondary relationship thatās one dimensional and comes out of nowhere. As do several agencies, agents, and frankly, most of the world building.
As to the Carnival of Mysteries element? Blink and you will miss it.
Even what happened to the villain was unsatisfying. He was an intelligent delusional mass murderer so,yes, let him go somewhere else . Itās not like you gave him a personality transplant. What harm could he possibly do? SMH.
Like I said, itās choices like these that Silver makes that leave a reader confused and frustrated instead of wanting more.
No recommendation.
Even that cover is off. If thatās Xander, and Iām sure it is, heās in his early twenties in the book. One of the few misses in a group of fabulous covers.
Carnival of Mysteries series:
ā Crow’s Fate by Kim Fieldingā¤ļø
ā Step Right Up by L.A. Witt
ā Magic Burning by Kaje Harper ā¤ļø
ā Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr
ā Go For The Company by Ander C. Larkā¤ļø
ā Roustabout by Morgan Briceā¤ļø
ā Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russellā¤ļø
ā Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis ā¤ļø
ā The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky
ā Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver
ā¦ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill – September 27
ā¦ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore – October 4
ā¦ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25
Two things I know for sure: Magic isn’t real and never date your coworkers.
Xander knows for a fact magic belongs solely in the realm of fiction. But fate has other plans when he finds himself reluctantly going on a date to a mysterious traveling carnival. Little does he know that this seemingly harmless outing will thrust him into an entirely different dimension, where magic is very much a realityāthough its practitioners label it as science.
As Xander navigates this extraordinary new world, he finds himself accompanied by distractingly attractive government agent Justus Farhill, whose good looks and honest heart make it challenging to keep those pesky emotions in check. Their undeniable chemistry grows the more they work together, and even though he knows he should be fighting to find his way home, Xander instead finds himself with one heck of a reason to stay.
But amidst the blossoming romance, the veil of tranquility over this strange realm has begun to fracture. A cataclysmic battle decades in the making looms on the horizon, where the balance of power between science and magic threatens the very fabric of existence if the wrong side gains control.
As alliances shift and loyalties are tested, Xander finds himself questioning whatās realā¦ and whatās really worth fighting for. With the fate of multiple dimensions at stake, both Xander and Justus must confront doubts and insecurities about themselves and where they belong.
Even if that means sacrificing everything in the end.
Smoke and Mirrors is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ameās Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world itās on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains a roller-coaster ride of magic, science, and heart-pounding romanceāare you ready to take the plunge?
Casting Light ends the duology or two-part series, Shadowās Lure by Alice Winters. I both loved this and had my frustrations with this end novel, all of which stem from the authorās typical style of storytelling.
Starting with the wondrous, that would be the narrative elements. They are imaginative, incredibly complex, especially with the light and dark magic themes embedded into the characters and many plot lines. The shades, the Casters, the dark history of the characters and their world thatās revealed, layer by layer, as the story unfolds, is thrilling. By turns, suspense filled, humorous, highly entertaining, or strewn with blooded bodies filled with magical rage, the plot is complex and contains quite a few twists to keep the reader engaged.
The characters are well written but are also where I have my frustrations with the novel and authorās writing style, one I enjoy by the way. The secondary characters end up being the most interesting ones simply because they are less chatty, unencumbered by paragraphs of conversations filled with what feels like overly cutesy dialogue or just so unendingly smirky. Thatās Andras, by the way. Heās a tragic figure but his dialogue often makes him annoying rather than funny. Itās the wonderful way Winters has with this type of character and snappy dialogue but taken a tad too far. Itās the stage where it feels repetitive and thatās the place where itās irritating, at least to me.
Andras and Bastian are a good match with each otherās stories and magical backgrounds. Bastian especially is a favorite of mine, so endearing and emotionally layered. Even the shade snake works for me incredibly well here when it comes down to the fighting and battle with The Hooded Man. That too was an excellent choice by Winters and a fabulous moment.
Oliver and Ronan, they were both great and their development throughout the series was a huge success. Itās one of the things this author does well with secondary characters, making them so important and necessary to the reader and the narrative that we need more of them.
Casting Light contains many chilling, suspenseful scenes and dramatic moments to make this a great read and way to finish off Shadowās Lure. I was happy to see how the characters were able to get on with their lives, and satisfied with the explanation of the new status quo.
Iām definitely recommending this but read the series in the order that they are written, otherwise it wonāt make any sense.
When life dragged me down, I assumed Iād never get back up. I never guessed that Andrasāthe dark magic user I was always told to fearāwould not only give me a helping hand but draw me into his arms and protect me from those who wished to harm me.
I never imagined that Andras and his ādanger noodleā would be there to make me laugh, to care about me, and show me what it means to be loved. But now, the two of us have to prove to the Casters that we wonāt be knocked down. Not when we donāt know who we can trustā¦ and when thereās something darker coming for all of us.
Andras
As the hunt for the book that started all of this comes to a head, our enemies are getting closer, but so is the truth of what happened when my light magic was taken years ago. While theyāve fought to tear us apart, theyāve done nothing but draw us together as well as nearer to the truth.
Iām determined to finish this so I can get my happy ever after with the man I love and show him all of the little things he missed out in life. Oh, and so he can make me more chili.
Casting Light is the thrilling and humorous conclusion to the Shadowās Lure duology.
The Nightingale Prince is a first novel from author Zack Bell and itās a wonderful jump into the world of paranormal fiction.
Bell is establishing a universe thatās full of mythological elements, deeply rooted in a past history and past lives of the beings weāve barely met and just gotten to know. The author has chosen a main character whoās just as ignorant of the world around him as the reader as our guide through the story, a format that allows both the reader and the person the same distance from the events as they occur.
Bell is creating such a vast, complicated arc and universe that at moments within their narrative it becomes a bit unclear as to what the characters are actually thinking, what their motivations are, and where they actually came from. This series is one where the characters have many rejuvenations and their past lives and actions are currently reverberating through the present day.
Confusing? Yes, but interesting? Very.
The romance between Toby who thought he was human ( heās not, heās a reincarnated Fae), and the ancient nature Fae, Amaethon, whoās living on the grounds of the magical house Toby has inherited, is a weak aspect to the story. It starts off as an instant love without much connection between them to back it up, so itās hard to invest in it initially.
Does it get better? Yes, as does the other threads, but thereās so much more going on that Bell needs to lay down in terms of knowledge or drama, that the emotional connections are oftentimes dropped. Or not connected enough because our attention is everywhere.
But the cast of characters? Intriguing. The drama? Well done, including the battle scenes. The more I read about certain sections of the universe and mythology, the more I want to know about the pieces that arenāt laid down yet or fully.
Bell gives the reader and characters a cliffhanger at the end of The Nightingale Prince to set up the next story to come, The Lyrebird Prince.
I think Zack Bel did a great job with their first published novel and Iām looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
Tobyās boyfriend just kicked him to the curb, so when he inherits a decrepit mansion in the remote Aussie bush, he jumps at the chance for a break. He finds a charming little town full of big personalities, and a handsome, mysterious gardener. But Toby will soon discover that everything he thought he knew is a lie. Heās not even human.
The Fae are real, and heās one of them.
The ancient nature Fae Amaethon has buried the pain of losing his lover a century ago. These days, he finds plants easier to talk to than people, but Toby pulls him out of his shell so easily. When the same evil that took his lover returns, he’ll fight to protect Toby and the chance to love again.
An ancient magic is reawakening, and Toby is the heir. To make matters worse, Fae hunters want him dead, and theyāll destroy this quiet town to stop the Nightingale Prince from rising.
Amaethon and Toby will have to fight together to survive, and failure means the end of all Fae kind.
The Nightingale Prince is a paranormal MM romance with a touch of the gothic. Book 1 of The Songbird Princes, each book follows a different main couple with a HEA, but the series must be read in order. May contain: Lots of chocolate chip cookies, a crumbling mansion with a library to put Belle to shame, an eccentric old lady who mightāve given King Arthur his sword, a magical housekeeper, and a badass witch librarian. It contains explicit content. Check the copyright page for content warnings.
Spell It Out is less a prequel but more a side story to the wonderful Mages and Matea series by Andy Gallo. This dives into a great couple of teachers at a interspecies high school connected to the university central to the series. Here mage Dylan Jurgenson, cousin to Bart Hollen (Break The Spell), has found out that heās one of the teacher chaperones on the high school camping trip this year. Each year heās managed to evade the duty by passing it off to another, like his cousin. But this time, Bartās busy, so he has no other option. And math teacher , Minotaur shifter Xavier Tollis, is going as well.
Those are the basic facts. With the characters in place, Gallo begins to give us a lovely romantic story, filled with all the details that come with new relationship building, the discovery and discussions, and the joy. That Xavier and Dylan have young teenagers in their charge too adds a wonderful dimension. Gallo allows the kids a youthful energy and enthusiasm that makes the adults feel even more connected.
There are some fantastic teens here with their own issues, some of which coincide with that of Dylanās poor self esteem. And there are other storylines about family, child neglect, and pack culture. All woven together into a story that has romances, humor, teenage angst , adult drama , mate bonding, and HEA.
Im hoping to see more of this couple together in the series, especially as Bart makes an appearance here. They are both really great characters and have such warmth about them. Actually Iād love to see the students too.
Novellas like Spell It Out ( Mages and Mates Prequel) by Andy Gallo just wet my imagination and enthusiasm for the series and characters I meet. It makes me want to go back to the beginning and start reading again.
This is a definite recommendation. So is the series. Itās listed below.
Dylan Jurgenson hates camping but is stuck chaperoning his practical magic class on their fieldtrip. Worse, heās bunking with sexy math teacher Xavier Tollis. You know, the hot Minotaur shifter who barely knows Dylan exists. Not that Xavierās lack of interest comes as any surprise. Whoād be interested in a mediocre mage, anyway?
Xavier can handle crazy teens and camping. Who heād like to handle is the cute mage giving him morning wood so often he could build a house. Unfortunately, even in human form Xavier scares Dylan. Minotaurs have terrible reputations and even worse track records in love. Whoād be crazy enough to take a chance on a big guy like him, anyway?
Just when Dylan and Xavier are finally moving beyond their insecurities and misunderstandings, two students disappear under mysterious circumstances. Working together, they put their newfound feelings and lives on the line to save their wayward charges.
Failure is not an option but playing hero can sure have unintended consequences.
Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis is a terrific, densely layered piece of storytelling. One of the novels that makes the most of the series central theme of the Carnival of Mysteries, that immortal circus is a major element. So itās a delightful experience that Dennis delivers many of the main Carnival attractions weāve already visited and performers featured in books previously released.
However, the Carnival arrives at a place and location where Dennis has created in depth a world of unique magic. Itās a university that encompasses a wealth of magically detailed elements that will be used throughout the story, including the investigation into whatās sickening the Male dryad, Professor Julian Scarlett and his majestic Scarlett Oak, the protector of the Grove, and more. All on the eve of the most important event in the universityās and communityās history, an event it turns out the worldās survival depends on.
With a great deal of emphasis on the importance of the magical science needed for the investigation, and building a ever widening foundation for this world and network of beings, the author has done a fantastic job of bringing this story vividly to life.
Each character, the university, the forest and the grove (separate entities) jump to life under the great characterizations here.
In a way, so many spectacular elements and beings , the density of the investigation, hampered the romance between male dryad Julian and Druid Emrys Cadogan, newly appointed Professor of Botany, whoās fighting his own horrendous battles.
As the events play out, by necessity Julian is sidelined, and with that , so is the relationship, to concentrate on others matters that do impact him and everything else.
But it makes this less a romance and more a fantasy thriller with a side romance. Which is fine. Itās grand at that.
When Julian does reappear, itās to a real high emotional level and dramatic effect. It works.
In fact, this entire book contains enough elements, characters, and themes to jumpstart a fabulous series. Including new couples.
Dryad on Fire (Carnival of Mysteries novel) by Nicole Dennis is a densely packed, highly entertaining, fantasy thriller, with a small side order of HFN. It can get a bit slow at times but then the intense horror and investigation scenes grab at you and you are committed.
Fabulous plotting, vivid imagery and great characters. Love it. And highly recommending it.
Carnival of Mysteries series:
ā Crow’s Fate by Kim Fieldingā¤ļø
ā Step Right Up by L.A. Witt
ā Magic Burning by Kaje Harper ā¤ļø
ā Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr
ā Go For The Company by Ander C. Larkā¤ļø
ā Roustabout by Morgan Briceā¤ļø
ā Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russellā¤ļø
ā Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis ā¤ļø
ā The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky
ā¦ Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver – September 20
ā¦ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill – September 27
ā¦ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore – October 4
ā¦ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25
Welcome, Traveler, to Errante Ameās Carnival of Mysteries!
What you see before you is no mere vagabond circus. Indeed, our show is full of wonders and delights that will leave you breathless, but whether that is with amazement or dread depends entirely upon you. We are unlike any other band of creatures you have ever encountered — and you few brave souls who choose to step beyond your mundane expectations and join us may witness sights beyond your wildest imaginings.
So sit back, relax, and let us entertain you. For time and worlds are fleeting, but each soul has a tale to tell.
Male dryad, Professor Julian Scarlett lands a protected position at the Lunore Academy of the Arcane. Caretaker of his grove, he senses trouble brewing underneath his oak and grove.
A mysterious traveling carnival offers distraction and fun. For Julian, a tarot card reading sparks off fears and heightens hopes.
Brought in mid-semester to replace an ailing Professor of Botany, Emrys Cadogan tries to prevent a potential disaster. A druid, he gets lost in the overwhelming work. Until the carnival offers him a brief distraction and pause.
Sparks strike away from the midway lights. Dark magic flickers and threatens. From games and shows, to life and survival, a druid and a dryad need to survive and fight together to save more than trees.
Dryad on Fire is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ameās Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world itās on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains a mysterious hero, a lonely wanderer, a vengeful god, and a guaranteed HEA.
Micah is such a great story. Masters pulls together so many important pieces of her foundation elements in bringing the romance of fascinating puzzle creator incubus Camden Torrence and demon architect Micah Bailey.
Just the idea of that particular humongous, thousands of years old door of a puzzle, buried in a cave beneath a mountain and needing, no, wanting to be solved, is a fabulous idea. And that itās Cam whoās got the superior knowledge, and bubbling excitement as well to solve it? Amazing. Heās a grand character who gets better, funnier, deeper as we and Micah, get to understand him.
Micah himself, with his family connections to Gideon, Asher , and the family (grandmother) who basically runs things , is another gem of a character. Through Micah, the demons are explored as a species, their dense physique due to teleportation. Even learning the subtle facial expressions are readdressed through the relationship between Micah and Cam, and even Camās interactions with Micahās family.
Camās not without his own personal issues to deal with, and they are dealt with by being able to communicate and by understanding each otherās personalities and needs. I love it when an author does this, instead of letting the main characters flounder about, they communicate and share what theyāre thinking and feeling, like mature beings.
Not to say there isnāt some absolutely spew worthy sentences and moments here. Because there totally are. Made my day! And this book so giggle snort gold āļø! And no will not quote them. Read them and enjoy them in context.
There be dragons here! Appearances by Brandt, Wil, Steffen and others were wonderful. And will send me back to their series , Here Be Dragons, which is one of the linked series to the original Hidden Species.
We get Hortplatz, now becoming as real a town as any character, with its high mountains, townspeople, and places we can recognize. Cold, and with itās own charm.
If I have a small quibble, itās that after all the buildup and intricate details of that puzzle door, it ended too abruptly. Perhaps it will be continued in book three, but it feels incomplete here as far as Cam goes and his ānew lifeā which we donāt get. We need a chapter or at least several pages to bridge the gap between the ending and the new future town scenes to feel grounded imo.
But thatās a quibble in a book I very much adore. From the plot to the characters, this story had me from the beginning, perfect Louisa Masters.
Now onto book three.
And yes, Iām highly recommending this and all the connected series:
Wanted: Demon assistant for incubus genius. Personal services requiredā¦
Nobody ever expected to find a secret cave protected by a giant puzzle door in the mountains near our village. Even more surprising was the knowledge that itās been there for thousands of years and was created by a dragon. Iām not the only one whoās dying to find out whatās inside.
Itās no hardship to assist the puzzle expert whoās coming to solve the door. That thing is an incredible feat of engineering, and the man whoāll solve it is bound to be intelligent and interesting. But from the moment I meet Camden Torrence, Iām forced to reassessā¦ everything.
Heās intelligent and interesting, sure. But heās also scattered. Clumsy. And I want to bury my face in his mop of curls and stay there forever.
A relationship wasnāt on my agenda, no matter what my matchmaking family wants. But as the weeks go by and we get closer to discovering what the secret treasure is, Cam becomes an integral, undeniable part of my life. How can I not fall for a man who, despite past hurts, is the living embodiment of sunshine in our snow-laden village?
I never thought the love of my life would turn out to be an adorable, absent-minded incubus, but now I canāt imagine existing without him. The challenge? Convincing him to stay even after the puzzle is solved.
Anthologies are always a great place to find a new author, get reacquainted with a writer you havenāt read in a while, or just plain enjoy a story from a favorite author of yours. All centered around one theme so a reader can see if they take a different or similar approach to the topic.
In this case , itās the popular theme of fated mates in paranormal romance.
Fated Mates, a charity anthology, offers 20 stories by 20 authors, on the subject of fated mates. Clearly, a reader will be able to find a story to enjoy out of such a wide variety.
Story Format Key:
š¦Authors who wrote standalone stories, no connection to another series
š¹True Mates and Where to Find Them by AJ Sherwoodš¦
āāā-
1. Aether and the Elements by Louisa Masters – this story, which is a prequel, has a nice twist and interesting premise. Ends abruptly but as the author intends to go into a series with these characters, itās fine.
2. How to Survive a Summoning by Nikole Knight-Demon Lyn and human Jamie are #couplegoals and this is a fabulous tale w/ great depth and characters. Love this Demon, they are adorable.ā¤ļø
4. A Squirrel Gets His Nut by Kelex- terrific little story about a squirrel shifter finding his mate. Prequel to a new series. Fantastic.
5. Fated Kiss by Mia Monroe-instant mate/love vampire story that was one dimensional, plot holes.
6. Inferno by Kiki Clark- a prequel to the authorās new Silver Oak Pack series, itās a quick best friends to fated mates tale, via mixed up curse. Cute.
7. Black and White by Vinni George- this is another prequel to a new paranormal series, Orcas. Itās pretty terrific in that it sets out the characters, a great storyline, and foundation arc. Need more!
8. Violent Secret by Ariana Nash- part of the authorās Blackrose Brotherhood series, including the character. Well done. Terrific piece.ā¤ļø
9. Wounded Mate by Lee Colgin , set in Colginās Outcast Mates series, an incubus and a werewolf find true love (hurt/comfort, found family) in a well done story.
10. Shiny Things by Kelly Fox is a great read, complete with well crafted location, terrific characters and story line. Poe the Raven shifter with his avian characteristics is perfect.ā„ļø
11. The Crow Kingās Mate by Jennifer Cody is an excellent paranormal love story about a raven shifter and a wolf shifter dealing with past bad romantic experiences finding out that they are fated mates. Wonderful characters and plot.ā¤ļø
12. Fateās Treasure by Grae Bryan is a story I wish the author would expand into a larger novel. Itās so well written with excellent plotting and terrifically detailed characters that the ending pops way up too soon. Gentle , sweet storytelling.ā¤ļø
13. Deader Than Dead by H.L Day, great elements but together they added up to a story that just didnāt work for me. Others might feel differently. Trigger warnings about death and suicide.
14. Words Not Necessary by Lisa Oliver -prequel to established series, Magic Users of Greenford Trilogy, knowledge of that is useful but not necessary. Neo the anchor and Rocky the High Magic User find themselves on a magical murder mystery case as well as fated mates in a terrific short story that will send me looking into the series.ā¤ļø
15. As the Raven Flies by Meghan Maslow . Forced proximity/fated mates and two of my favorite shifters Raven/wolf combos or dire wolf. Part of the Charm City series/universe, excellent tale in every aspect. Storytelling, hot chemistry, fabulous characters, and location. More !ā„ļø
16. Curse of Silver & Blood by Sheena Jolie is part of the Infinite Arcana Universe by SJ Himes/Sheena Jolie. Werewolf and wounded Fae fated mate pairing thatās a prequel to a story coming out in 2024. Iāll be waiting to read it as I love this romance and need more about what happens next. ā¤ļø
17. Thereās A Bat in My Room! By Michele Notaro. This is part of the Ellwood and Brinnswood world series for those who are familiar with the universe. Thereās an adorable bat shifter in trouble and his human fated mate who will help him, once he gets over his fear of bats and idea that the bat isnāt a vampire. Cute story with familiar characters showing up as support.
18. The Demon and the Librarian by Chloe Archer. Archer had me at the librarian but just continued to seal the deal with great elements that had me snort giggling at places. Fabulous characters and storylines. Part of the Monsters Hollow series, this is a favorite story and one I wish was at novel length. ā„ļø
19. A Scent Like No Other by JP Sayle, Enchanted Ink tattoo shop, Salem, Massachusetts, and three beings in search of their fated mates, one of whom of is a skunk shifter. Prequel and same universe as the story in the beginning of the anthology from Kelex.
20. True Mates and Where to Find Them by AJ Sherwood is a fantastic way to end this grand anthology. Itās a fated mates vampire romance with all the writing aspects associated with Sherwoodās storytelling. Thereās poignant moments, humorous scenes, sexy intimacy and great characters. I seriously needed more than just the shortened ending. Love the universe and couple.ā¤ļø
All in all, a fabulous anthology, full of a wonderful selection of authors and stories to read and even new series to enjoy. And a charity that will be able to provide for the LGBTQIA community too with the readers help.
Fated Mates is a Paranormal Romance Charity Anthology from some of your favorite MM authors!
It features new, exclusive stories from Kiki Clark, Mia Monroe, Louisa Masters, Kelly Fox, Sheena Jolie, Jennifer Cody, Nikole Knight, Vinni George, Chloe Archer, Meghan Maslow, Lee Colgin, Kelex, H.L Day, Grae Bryan, AJ Sherwood, Michele Notaro, Lisa Oliver, Ariana Nash, Michelle Frost, and JP Sayle.
All royalties will be donated to the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund and the ACLU’s Drag Defense Fund.
Hellhounds Never Lie is the first in a new series, Willow Lake Supernaturals, by Lori Ames, an author Iām not really familiar with. I really enjoyed getting acquainted with her writing with Hellhounds Never Lie. Itās location is the town of
Willow Lake, a mixture of humans and supernaturals living together, albeit unknowingly by the small group of humans. Itās considered a haven for supernaturals, a safe sanctuary for all , regardless of pack or political affiliation.
Into this comes a badly wounded fire mage looking for a new home. This is Ash, whose escape from a criminal ex, and a DV and DA situation , has left him with scars inside and out. Ash is a lovely character and one easily invested in.
Ames has created an entire community of characters here to carry over from book to book. Alpha werewolf without a pack thatās part of the entire series arc, a Hellhound police captain, a cat whose supernatural identity isnāt revealed, and on it goes. So many magical hijinks afoot here, especially in the bar thatās the watering hole and gathering place for the town.
Some of the elements here by Ames just telegraph their intentions too easily. As in certain characters might as well have narrative red arrows above them pointing downward saying ābad guy, something wrong hereā. So when at the point in the storyline they , gasp, show up as , well, bad, youāre not surprised. Thatās why the ratings not higher.
But Ames is able to make a reader feel connected to the town and enough of the characters that, even with the predictable aspects of the plot and some minor characters, the enjoyment isnāt lost. Plus Iām curious about Ashās best friend on the other side of those texts and he gets the next novel! And there is the ongoing mystery left to solve.
So Iām definitely invested in this series and author going forward. The DV/DA (off page) was handled with sensitivity and the mystery is good. I like the characters and the relationships as they develop. So onward to the next!
A mage without magic. A hellhound without a home. A greedy wolf pack in the hills.
Ash is technically a fire mage, but he canāt do much. Turning his bedroom lights on and off without having to get out of bed isnāt exactly awe inspiring, not when anyone with the right gadget could clap and do the same thing.
Worse, sometimes he senses something bigger and brighter lurking under his skin, and it feels so familiar he knows it has to be his magic, but then he burps or sneezes, and the feeling passes. So itās probably just allergiesā¦ or gas.
Yeahā¦ Not exactly brimming with magical oomph. Not anymore.
It sucks.
But things start to change when he finds Dillon, a hellhound, being chased through the woods by an angry wolf pack. He is instantly smitten and itās like something inside him unlocks. Whatās even crazier is Dillon seems to think Ash still has magicā¦ and now Ash isnāt sure what to believe.
What he does know is heāll do what needs to be done to protect his friends and the little supernatural town of Willow Lake from the dirtbag wolves in the hills. Even with his magic on the fritz he can help, right? And, with Dillon at his side, what could possibly go wrong?
Tags: a hellhound looking for a home, a fire mage without magic, a talking cat, a small town full of supernatural beings, size difference (BIG hellhound, small mage), fated mates, Ash has scars inside and out, Dillon wants to hurt people who hurt Ash, Ash is always cold (hello, big fluffy pink sweaters even in summer), and a curious human BFF who knows nothing about supes but has a very active imagination.
I love Turnerās Soulbound series and so wanted to see the author revisit this universe. I am thrilled itās the complicated Spencer Bailey, a favorite in that series, whoās been chosen to get a new story.
The complexity that is mage Spencer Bailey and his relationship with his companion, Psychopomp ocelot , Fatima is a difficult task to describe in one story because readers of the series have gotten to know him over seven books. That goes for Fatima, the Psychopomp too, another layered character.
Not quite a necromancer that raises the dead but a soul breaker, that magical difference being the thing keeping Spencer from the death penalty in the worldās governmentās opinions. His type of magic is considered so powerful and rare, so little understood, that most agencies would rather lock him away or kill him than take the chance on his magic working against them.
As with the other government agencies who donāt come off well in Turnerās series, filled with bureaucratic cliques, peopleās willingness to take things at face value, itās no surprise we immediately fall into Spencerās side of things here as he starts his investigation into a missing artifact. Heās gone from one agency, the PIA (Paranormal Investigations Agency) who handles international investigations and doesnāt want him after that last big battle, to Supernatural Operations Agency, which is the agency that handles the investigations within the countryās boundaries. In other words, donāt leave the country after helping save the world.
Does it help to have read the Soulbound series. Yes. I really donāt consider this a standalone. You need to understand the relationships, events, and even the smallest of references to have a deep appreciation of this story and what happens to Spencer here. That includes the people that show up from the Soulbound series.
Even Spencerās relationship with Takoma, the Master Vampire of Seattle, has a prior basis in his prior experiences with Lucian, a Master Vampire from Soulbound, unlike any other , and referred to here.
Hailey Turner took her foundational elements from Soulbound and used them as a launching point for an intriguing new story about a mysterious artifact that has gone missing from the federal vault with potential catastrophic consequences . Spencer is the one of the few people whoās had experience with this type of object and operation. The reasons why soon become clear.
The investigation, the events are suspenseful , dangerous, and vastly complicated. Takoma and Spencer have a great chemistry and a hot sexual relationship that makes them a fantastic couple. I would love to see one more story about them with Takoma,working with the New York God pack , removing Spencer altogether from all the federal agencies rosters completely and getting his new life outside of that one. What a tale that would be!
Until then, Iām ready to dive happily back into the Soulbound series, and start over again. Remembering the first time I met everyone, was astonished at the mythology, the labyrinthine storytelling, and the characters I still canāt get enough of.
Soulbound is fabulous stuff, absolutely always on my to be recommended list. Adding this to it.
Spencer Bailey has spent his entire life under government oversight for something he canāt change: his magicās affinity for breaking souls. After surviving the end of the world, Spencer joins the Supernatural Operations Agency with the intention of keeping his head down and his hands clean.
Tasked with tracking down a stolen artifact, Spencer wants to run his first case with the SOA by the book. The master vampire of the Seattle Night Court wonāt make that easy. Takoma is demanding and possessive, used to getting what he wants, and he lures Spencer into his Night Court with the seductive promise of freedom.
In the Pacific Northwest, ghosts are crawling out of the woodwork, demons are on the rise, and Spencer canāt afford to make a mistake. Torn between the life he should lead and the one Takoma is offering, Spencer has to make a choice that wonāt break his soul, but it might just shatter his heart.
Resurrection Reprise is an exciting new standalone novel set in Hailey Turner’s best-selling Soulbound Universe.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 