Review: Cosmic Cardio (Once Upon A Bite Book 2) by Charity Parkerson

Rating: 3.75 🌈

Charity Parkerson has written a darkly funny trio of sexy vampire romances. Short tales of life cut unexpectedly, savagely short for three young men who end up with their HEA, no, it’s a true forever ever after, unless they see the sunlight, as they each get a vampire forever after.

I really adored the first story, Little Pest. I thought the author was able to bring about so many layers to her characters, let us into what made the unusual relationship between a “little” vampire who needs to be loved and taken care of and a ancient vampire who’s been lonely and lost in bitterness. The Daddy kink is well done, the humor works, the plot just came together. All in Las Vegas.

Cosmic Cardio just doesn’t rise to the same levels. The comedy is missing, and I understand that, given the elements. But something similar was also in place in book 1, and Parkerson found a way to insert a humorous scene or two. Here it’s death, revenge, instant sex, and instant love/affection. All as a way to control a murderous teenage vampire on a rampage. A stepdad vampire as a revenge act. A overwhelmed single dad agreeing because he can’t control his teenager. Oh my.

Hmm. Nope, maybe if there had been a longer scenario, more time for the men to get together, lay out the plan to control angsty vampire teen with an attitude problem. The author has a huge comic relief element there and never explored it. That might taken this a more likable and interesting way.

Instead it’s all let’s have quick sex for the adults. Tiny exposition, and boom step vampire.

For me , it harder to care about any of them this way. Even Cosmo who we met briefly in Little Pest.

At the 75 percent level, Parkerson’s characters take a turn into realistic form. We see a believable sense of multi-dimensional interpersonal relationships, and a true understanding of family dynamics arrives. That remaining part of the book is perhaps its best . It’s certainly it most emotionally real and satisfying.

I liked it but didn’t adore it. Still a great cover.

Now onto Must be Clowning, book 3.

Clowns. I hate Clowns. Thank you, Dumbo, very much. But I’ll read it and hope that the humor , wit, and well rounded storytelling I found In Little Pest makes a return.

Until then, I’m recommending Once Upon A Bite series of quick paranormal vampire tales. Like romantic horror Bonbons, make a swift snack with them!

Once Upon A Bite:

✓ Little Pest #1

✓ Cosmic Cardio #2

◦ Must be Clowning Me #3 – May 8, 2023

Note: love these covers!

Buy Link:

Cosmic Cardio (Once Upon a Bite Book 2)

Description:

Cosmos feels like he’s just found himself. Then a young vamp rips everything away from him. Now he must get his revenge.

In his twenties, Cosmos fluttered around, doing every odd job imaginable. Only recently has he discovered his passion: fitness. He’s started his spin class, Cosmic Cardio, and—for the first time—everything in his life feels complete. Until one bite at a club ruins everything. Now, there’s only one thing Cosmos can do to reclaim his pride. He has to find the vampire who bit him and destroy his life.

When Vega’s ex left him with a teenaged son years ago, he thought being a single dad would be his biggest challenge. Then his son came home a vampire. Now his son won’t stop turning people against their will. When Cosmos shows up angry and bent on teaching his son a lesson, Vega is just fed up enough to let it happen. After all, it’s not like Cosmos plans to kill him. He simply intends to marry Vega and be the step-vampire from hell. Vega has already had one nightmare marriage. At least Cosmos intends to co-parent. What does he have to lose? Only maybe his heart. That’s nothing he hasn’t lost before.

Cosmic Cardio is the second book in Charity Parkerson’s Once Upon a Bite series. These books are meant to be short, fun paranormal romps to brighten your day.

Review: Necromancing with a Ghost (Haunted Love #8) by Cari Z

Rating: 4🌈

I just can’t resist a dog story. Even one where the dog is dead. And a ghost. Or two ghostly dogs.

The Haunted Love series are stories of ghostly romance told by ten different authors.

Cari Z gives us a alternate universe where necromancers were used on both sides of WWII, magic , especially necromancy, is common place as to have specific roles and abilities, even a power qualifier that would enable one to get into the highest ranks of society and business levels.

Having skills that allow one to communicate with animals, specifically dogs, or having companions that facilitate the interaction with ghostly animals, doesn’t rate high for most people. Except those with the need for help and love that involves dogs in some case’s.

Pet psychic Carsen McAllister works for a company that handles all types of cases that call for a necromancer. In his case, he , along with his two trained canine companions get handed those specific files that involve animal spirits.

The author has a special backstory for Carsen’s trained canines. One, Ruby is a Belgian Malinois, who just happens to be a ghost herself. The other is Bess, a darling very much alive Pomeranian especially breed to work with spirits. Carsen’s himself has a fascinating history with a near tragedy that he shares with his brother.

I really wanted to know more about what happened to cause Ruby’s death, and the events surrounding the incident that’s caused a rift between brothers. This short story just can’t handle the questions the great elements the author’s set afloat.

It starts with a job to clear a haunted property of its ghost. The family that owns it and a developer need the ghost gone so they can get in to clear the place. Problem is the ghost is a scary dog who’s kept everyone out for decades, even physically threatening them.

The author’s story turns into a layered investigation into a historical romance. Two soldiers and a dog.

I’ll be honest and say I definitely needed some tissues. Carsen’s intervention into one , make that two ghosts grief and then the recognition that love , being loved is enough.

The ending is lovely but I was left with questions. It’s in the details. As in what happens to that moving grave marker and Rafael Medrano’s body?

I’m mean, the plan is to bulldoze the place. It’s the small items like those that I need closure for.

On the whole? Necromancing with a Ghost (Haunted Love #8) by Cari Z is a heartwarming ghostly tale and I’m delighted to recommend it for all lovers of the paranormal stories.

Yes, dead dogs. But they’re splendid! And ghosts! And already dead when the story starts , so don’t let that stop you from reading. ( As it does me in the movies and TV shows).

Haunted Love series (10 books)

◦ Stargazing With A Ghost by K.L. Hiers

◦ Sexting With A Ghost by Ashlynn Mills

◦ Screwing With a Ghost by Morgan Mason

◦ Gardening with a Ghost by Amanda Meuwissen

◦ Baking With A Ghost by RM Neill

✓ Necromancing with a Ghost by Cari Z

◦ Dancing with a Ghost by Alex J. Adams

◦ Haunting With A Ghost by B. Ripley

◦ Flunking with a Ghost by Baylin Crow

Note: I realize 9 books are listed but unfortunately unable to find the 10th.

Buy Link:

Necromancing With A Ghost: An MM Paranormal Romance (Haunted Love)

Carsen McAllister isn’t much of a necromancer. He doesn’t lay spirits to rest or handle dangerous hauntings. He’s more of a dog guy—a pet psychic, to be precise, with a tiny Pomeranian familiar on one side and his childhood (un)dead dog on the other. So when his boss asks him to handle a haunting at an abandoned farm in rural Kansas, his first instinct is to say “Not only no, but hell no!” But when the spirit doing the haunting is a dog, Carsen can’t just leave it to suffer.

The farm turns out to have far more secrets than anyone knew, even the ghost of the man haunting the place. Rafael Medrano is handsome, funny, kind…and he died more than seventy years ago. What’s keeping him here? Why did his dog stay, driving away anyone who came here? And how does he keep pulling Carsen into visions from the past—not only the violence of war, but the tenderness of true love?

Most importantly…will their dogs get along?

Review: A Hellhound Called Derek (Mated to a Human Book 1) by Michelle Frost

Rating: 3.75🌈

I’ve recently stumbled into several new short paranormal romance series, each by a different author. The authors are new discoveries as well. So a novella works so well to get a feel for their writing style and love for the subject matter.

A Hellhound Called Derek (Mated to a Human Book 1) by Michelle Frost is about 87 pages. Frost gives us a barebones framework for the universe, humans and paranormal beings are, for reasons political and social, given mates from each other’s species. Names plucked from folders, mated, and hopefully, a HEA.

We meet the three paranormal beings getting their mates sitting in a bureaucrat’s office, waiting for their names. Each will have books in the series. First up is Derek, Alpha Hellhound. The way in which he chooses his mate from the folder pile makes sense.

His human mate is adorable. Hollis runs along the lines of the cute, human in need of a protector character but he’s still engaging and earns our sympathy.

The storyline does a good job of building a relationship given it’s a short story. Same goes for the dramatic elements.

There’s a subplot with a human hate group that needs more foundation, more details to come in future books I’m sure.

But in 87 pages, we get a quick romance, terrific characters, and an ongoing dramatic arc. I enjoyed it. Very entertaining and looking forward to the other stories.

Pick them all up and read them in one fell swoop!

A definite recommend!

Mated To A Human series:

✓ A Hellhound Called Derek #1

◦ A Warlock Called Jacob #2

◦ A Vampire Called Leander #3

Buy Link:

A Hellhound Called Derek (Mated To The Human Book 1)

Touch his mate and you’ll wish for the fires of hell.

Alpha of the Hellhound enforcers, Derek doesn’t think he has time for a mate until the Paranormal Council of the city gives him one.

Hollis is smart, funny, vulnerable…human, and his police commissioner uncle has designs to use Hollis’s new mating for his own ends.

He’ll learn quickly not to mess with a hellhound’s mate.

A Hellhound Called Derek is the first in this fast-paced novella series where the paranormals are all deliciously protective of their humans…no matter what type of trouble they get into.

Review: A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures #1) by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4🌈

Innocent mistakenly ends up in Hell, falls for a Demon, has his HEA.

If that sounds familiar, it’s because it’s has become a popular theme lately, a new trope forming.

Shannon Mae (a new to me author) is the latest to tackle this idea and she does so very amusingly. Her book, A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters, a suitably detailed title, has charming characters and a well crafted universe. It’s the first in her new series, Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures, which features gods, goddesses, Heaven, levels of Hell, and Limbo which is the place to partay! We have bureaucrats on every level, hellish and heavenly. Turns out, as suspected, there’s not much difference.

Mae has crafted some very entertaining elements and a romance that’s a winner. There’s Adam, sent to Hell by mistake . And a very bored Minos, Judge of the Damned, whose unlife needs a shaking up and is about to get it.

This story is a fast, enjoyable read and I had so much fun with these characters.

I’m looking forward to a return when the next story is released.

Cute cover.

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures:

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters #1

◦ A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures #2 – TBR July 15,2023

Buy Link:

A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters: An M/M Paranormal Romance (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Book 1)

Description:

Adam:
Adam is not having a good day. First, he finds out his very long time boyfriend has been having an affair. Then, his dramatic exit becomes a little too dramatic when he ends up dead. To top it off, he finds out that the afterlife isn’t at all what he expected (he has no desire to learn to play the harp, thank you very much). Fortunately for him, some afterlife bureaucratic screw up ends him up with the most smoking hot demon he’s ever seen, and he decides he’s keeping him. Maybe the afterlife won’t be so bad after all.

Minos:
As Judge of the Damned, Minos has seen all sorts of human depravity over his endless existence. When a beautiful, shining soul pops into his chamber for judgment, he knows it’s a mistake. The human, however, seems quite content to hang around, and it isn’t long before Minos decides he just might decide to keep this one. Minos isn’t the optimistic or happy sort, but he can’t help but be caught up in the whirlwind that is Adam. When forces beyond his control want to return Adam to his designated afterlife, Minos decides that will not be happening, heaven and hell be damned.

Tags: A very grumpy demon meets his match in a snarky, sunshine-filled human; not all angels are nice; Limbo is the party place to be; the afterlife is run like a corporate office, complete with red tape, pointless memos, and high levels of frustration; Minos has a tail and knows how to use it.

Review: Dead Man’s Quill (The ABC’s of Spellcraft Book 4) by Jordan Castillo Price

Rating: 4.75🌈:

Finally, finally, Dixon and Yuri catch up to the missing Uncle Fonzo! In a story that will finish Uncle Fonzo’s arc and start the couple off on a new adventure, Dead Man’s Quill picks up where the last book ended, with a surprise phone call from Uncle Fonzo!

Dixon and Yuri have been in pursuit of Uncle Fonzo since they uncovered the events that led to Dixon’s failed exam, and their family’s poor financial situation. That it all started with Uncle Fonzo and his disappearance.

Since then they’ve been chasing him from town to town but never catching him. Now mysteriously, Uncle Fonzo wants to meet up.

Price gives Fonzo , Dixon, and Yuri a whopping great yarn of a tale here and it needs to be for all the themes involved. Fonzo has betrayed the Handed, he caused Dixon to fail his exam with all the damage that followed, no matter that he was tricked, he knew better. So there’s much to make amends for. And Dixon has never been able to admit exactly how angry he is at the one man who he has thought of as his father, and who betrayed him. He’s ignored those emotions and the thoughts behind them. And for Yuri, there’s a barrel of issues that Fonzo represents, a reason not to trust, a family member not to accept, and more.

All that wrapped up in a magical, somewhat darkish story of redemption, remuneration, and family. It’s a fabulous story, even better when you know how short it is.

Love those twins too. One slight thing, vulture feathers don’t a plume make. I should know. Straight and stiff as can be. Nothing plummy about them.

Other than that, perfect.

I’m highly recommending this and the series as far as I’ve read. It’s fantastic! Binge read for your pleasure!

The ABC’s of Spellcraft series:

✓ Quill Me Now #1

✓ Trouble in Taco Town #2

✓ Something Stinks at the Spa #3

✓ Dead Man’s Quill #4

◦ Last But Not Lease #5

◦ Don’t Rock The Boardwalk #6

◦ What The Frack? #7

◦ Present Tense: A Spellcraft Christmas short #8

◦ Brownie Points #9

◦ Forging Ahead #10

◦ Mayor May Not #11

◦ Bucket List #12

◦ Comic Sans #13

◦ It’s All Relative #14

Buy Link:

Dead Man’s Quill (The ABCs of Spellcraft Book 4)

Description:

It’s all fun and games until someone loses a hand.

Dixon has been dying to introduce Yuri to Uncle Fonzo, the Hand of his family, and now he’ll finally get that chance. All they need to do is meet him at a traveling carnival with an unused piece of Spellcraft.

Easy peasy, right?

Not even a little. And even worse, they might encounter a clown.

Uncle Fonzo has left a trail of magical destruction in his wake, but he claims he’s been helping people. Spellcrafters are a slippery bunch, and it’s hard to say if he’s stretching the truth or telling an outright lie. One thing’s for sure, he’s between a rock and a hard place now, and if he doesn’t deliver an outrageous ransom to Strange Manor by midnight, all deals are off.

From a lackluster carnival with a booby-trapped tour bus to the decrepit mausoleum behind an old mental asylum, the Spellcraft leads Dixon and Yuri on a goose chase that’s not only wild…but deadly.

The ABCs of Spellcraft is a series filled with bad jokes and good magic, where MM Romance meets Paranormal Cozy. A perky hero, a brooding love interest, and delightfully twisty-turny stories that never end up quite where you’d expect. The books are best read in order, so be sure to start at the beginning with Quill Me Now.

Review: Paranormal Princes: The Complete Series by Charlie Cochet

Rating: 4.5🌈

Paranormal Princes: The Complete Series by Charlie Cochet is a fantastic way to binge read the series. Three stories, two bridged by a kingly developing tale of romance of its own which will resolve itself with the third series tale, a culmination of all three storylines.

I happily breezed through them, admittedly the first couple still being my favorite. Cochet really outdid herself with Prince Owin, Prince of the Ocelots. If you’ve ever been owned by a cat, known a cat, or just plain observed any, then this character and felid portrayal of an ocelot shifter will ring so true you be laughing. I do every time he makes an appearance here, and in other stories. I heart him so much. Grimmwolf, wolf shifter and bodyguard , as ordered by their king and his advisor, is perfect for him as well.

This is, of course, my favorite story of the three. First and best, imo.

It goes that King Alarick , King (and father) of all Shifters, and the blind immortal Lord Jean Eldritch, king’s adviser , have devised individual quests for the King’s children, the Princesses and Princes to prove they can rule their kingdoms and their people. Theirs is also a developing romance of over a thousand years, with a mystery included.

First quest and book is:

1. The Prince and His Bedeviled Bodyguard

The tale of a very adorable, spoiled persnickety ocelot prince and his quietly smitten wolfy bodyguard on a quest to prove the ocelot prince deserves his crown. Feline purfection! Feline high handed glam versus a canine werewolf sensibility, with maybe a long-standing crush. How they tackle the quest involves a magical bag, a purple orb, and some great crossover characters from a Macy Blake series!

2. The Prince and his Captivating Carpenter

The Prince this time is a deeply grieving bear shifter. Prince Bernd lost his father up on a mountain when they were hiking and he’s never recovered from the tragedy. He’s withdrawn from his people and never leaves his castle. Until time for his quest.

His king and advisor have assigned him a coyote shifter, Saer, who looks very familiar. It’s up to the two of them to survive together and complete a daunting and dangerous task.

Unlike the first story, the second is much less lighthearted, the grim reality of the painful nature of Bernd’s behavior and withdrawal never far from the surface. Saer also has deep insecurities and fears to overcome. This is a darker journey that’s a trend for the series.

The characters are excellent, and I enjoyed their journey immensely.

3. The King and The Vigilant Valet

This story was both the one that had the most goals, the most themes and plot stories to wrap up. I really enjoyed all the twists and plots turns. Considering it’s really the biggest quest of them all , with life and death stakes for all involved, it stands to reason that Cochet has a cast of multitudes here, heroes and villains.

The ending wasn’t entirely satisfying for me as I didn’t feel that the outcome for Jean’s true form did anything but defang him. I kept thinking surely there must have been a more imaginative way to keep him true to his mythical nature while leaving him able to be more himself than before.

Ah well. ‘‘Twas not to be. But it left me with feeling that there could have been more. Especially after the epilogue.

So while I loved the first, really enjoyed the second, the final chapter had issues for me. Still the whole thing was great and a wonderful journey for lovers of Shifter romance and especially those of the feline characters.

I’m definitely recommending this!

Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com › Paranor…Paranormal Princes: The Complete Series – Kindle edition by Cochet, Charlie. …

Description:

Let the good times roar! Enjoy the complete Paranormal Princes series.

THE PRINCE AND HIS BEDEVILED BODYGUARD

Prince Owin

Being a fierce predator—not at all adorable, despite my graceful stature—the last thing I needed was a bodyguard. Especially a wolf shifter, whose presence alone was an insult to my princely principles. As Prince of the Ocelot Shifters, I prided myself on my infallible feline instincts, uncompromisable dignity, and flawless fashion sense. If having a canine follow me around at all times wasn’t bad enough, I now faced the most important moment of my entire life. The time had come to prove I was worthy of my crown. If only I could find a way to get rid of the pesky bodyguard.

Grimmwolf

When the King of All Shifters asked me to guard Prince Owin, I admit I had no idea what to expect. Cat shifters tend to be a little intense, not to mention kinda cranky. Owin was no exception, though he seemed crankier than most. Being his bodyguard was proving to be one of the greatest challenges of my life—but not nearly as great as convincing him there was something special between us. When Owin is faced with a perilous quest to prove his worth, I was determined to keep him safe, even if the same couldn’t be said of my heart.

THE PRINCE AND HIS CAPTIVATING CARPENTER

Prince Bernd

As Prince of the Bear Shifters, I knew the time would come for me to prove myself worthy of my crown. I expected my quest to be perilous. What I didn’t expect was for it to take me up into Espen Mountain, a place that’s brought me nothing but grief and terrible nightmares. Not only must I find the five magical ingredients, but I have to do so alongside Saer, a mysterious and charming shifter coyote summoned by the king to be my guide. But who is Saer, and why do I feel as if we’ve met before?

Saer
Crushing on Prince Bernd from afar was one thing. Being given the responsibility of saving the prince and his kingdom was a whole other story. Banished from my kingdom by my own prince years ago, I never imagined I would be summoned to help Bernd. What could I possibly offer a prince? How was I supposed to save him? I was no one. A shifter with no place to call home. What I did know was that I would do everything in my power to help Bernd succeed on his quest. All I had to do was stop crushing on the guy, find the magical ingredients hidden up a dangerous mountain, and save his heart. What could go wrong?

THE KING AND HIS VIGILANT VALET

Jean

The past has a way of catching up with you, even if you are immortal. I’ve spent thousands of years as the valet and companion to the powerful King of All Shifters. It has been my honor and duty to protect, serve, and advise him. I never intended to fall in love with him. My past is filled with death and bloodshed, but I never once regretted keeping Alarick safe. Now an evil I thought long gone has resurfaced, determined to kill Alarick and plunge the world into chaos. Saving Alarick means revealing the truth about myself. I don’t know what’s worse, failing to protect the king I love, or watching him turn away from me when he discovers what I really am.

King Alarick

As King of All Shifters, my powers are connected to the cosmos, and I have been around since the dawn of time. There are few things that can kill me. Unfortunately, one of those things has escaped its prison and is set to destroy me. The only weapon that can defeat this creature is the Scythe of Kronos, which has been missing for nearly as long as I have lived. When Jean and I set out on a quest to find the scythe, questions I had long ignored must now be answered. What is Jean’s connection to this evil? Why will he trust me with his life but not his secrets? As my most trusted valet, and my greatest friend, surely nothing that happens along this perilous journey can change what I feel in my heart for him. Or can it?

Review: Ghostly Envy (Ghostly Book 3) by E.M. Leya

Rating: 4.5🌈

Ghostly Envy see big changes in the interpersonal relationships of some of the main characters of the Ghostly series.

Detective Angus Young reveals to Franks that he’s been getting his information from the ghosts of the victims of the crimes he and his partner have been investigating. It’s a huge deal because it could upset their friendship as well as their professional partnership.

It has the effect of bringing Franks more throughly into the inner circle, a mixed bag of real and ghostly found family members that’s been accumulating over each story. Angus’s ghost seeing mother, her ghost friends, his father, ME Lance, his ghostly friends like the hundred plus years Ray, Cele the celebrated cook, and more. This book will certainly bring new additions to the group.

It all starts innocently enough with Angus and Lance having talked Franks into looking at buying a house. It’s while house shopping that Franks becomes a part of his friend’s paranormal life and we meet a lovely poignant ghost.

Ghostly Envy might be my favorite to date. Not because it’s lacks the horrific crime scenes of the prior stories but because we get to know this ghost and her story so intimately. She makes a real impact on us, just as she does on Franks and the rest.

The crime, its resolution, even the criminal, it all makes sense, in a very sad human way.

On the paranormal side, we see that even ghosts, at least according to E.M. Leya, have a shot at love, albeit in a different aspect. That’s a delightful thought.

I absolutely enjoyed this story and the growth it demonstrates in terms of characters, relationships, and world building.

There’s another story coming, just no date as yet. I’m waiting with great anticipation!

Definitely recommending the Ghostly series for all lovers of the paranormal romance trope with the elements of mystery and murder thrown in.

Ghostly series:

✓ Ghostly Awakening #1

✓ Ghostly Findings #2

✓ Ghostly Envy #3

◦ Ghostly Claus #4 – TBD

Buy Link :

Ghostly Envy

Description:

The last thing Lance expected to find while helping Franks look for a new house was a ghost. Shelia just wanted to graduate and get on to college, but that never happened. The last thing she remembers is being at home on the couch, then waking up in a deep hole in the middle of nowhere. She wants answers. How did she get there and why?

Who wanted her dead?

Lance and Angus can’t ignore the plea for help and get to work, piecing together the evidence and talking to those who knew the victim. Nothing makes any sense. There is no reason this girl had to die. As they work the case, they also welcome a new member to the team, one who is fighting Angus for his side of Lance’s bed.

E.L. Publishing

Review: Ghostly Findings (Ghostly Book 2) by E.M. Leya

Rating: 4.5🌈

Ghostly Findings finds ME Lance and his boyfriend, Detective Angus Young, soon involved in a horrific case of murder and a hunt for a serial killer who might have victims waiting to be found.

I thought this was a great case, one which added quite a few new ghosts to the paranormal family existing at Lance’s house, and maybe even more interesting tidbits about the life after each passes. Author Laya is building out to their already established ghostly foundation as well as the earthly one with each new book.

The crimes are heinous but have happened off page. The ghosts are no longer traumatized by the crimes and events they’ve endured.

Lance and Angus are trying to find time to work on their own relationship and romance but their jobs and workload realistically interferes. Plus we get a better look at Angus and Lance’s work situations and coworkers. This includes Angus’ partner Franks, a character we get to know well and become invested in too.

The determination, the investigation, the manner in which the ghostly details must be shared or threaded into their reports feels about right. Even the ending. Did I wish for more high drama? Yes. But was the way it unfolded probably more in keeping with the story? Yes.

I’m absolutely enjoying these stories and characters. The mysteries and the relationships are amazing.

So it’s onto Ghostly Envy and new murders, and obviously new ghosts. Can’t wait.

Definitely recommending the Ghostly series for all lovers of the paranormal romance trope with the elements of mystery and murder thrown in.

Ghostly series:

✓ Ghostly Awakening #1

✓ Ghostly Findings #2

✓ Ghostly Envy #3

◦ Ghostly Claus #4 – TBD

Buy Link :

Ghostly Findings

Description:

As a medical examiner, seeing ghosts has its advantages. After being informed by a ghost that there is a mass grave in the area, Lance and Detective Angus Young feel the fallout. As one investigates the murders, the other investigates the bodies, both trying to piece together what happened. Luckily, the dead aren’t all silent. As ghosts of the victims appear, clues to what happened start to come together. The only problem now is figuring out who the killer is and catching him before he strikes again.

Review: Something Stinks at the Spa (The ABC’s of Spellcraft Book 3) by Jordan Castillo Price

(

Rating: 4.5🌈:

In Book 3 of The ABC’s of Spellcraft series by Jordan Castillo Price, Something Stinks at the Spa, our main couple, Dixon and Yuri , are continuing their search for Dixon’s magical wayward Uncle Fonzo.

A seemingly focus of chaos wherever he lands, Uncle Fonzo is yet to be revealed as either a villain or a hero. Or something interestingly in between.

Here he’s been traced to Spring Falls Hot Spring Spa, so Dixon and Yuri speed over from their last town to see if they can catch him.

Magical hijinks, more couple bonding, and lots of humor follow! Both men continue to grow further into their roles as Scriveners and Seers. Apart and as partners. Each story finds them exploring new possibilities for their magical abilities and the mysteries manage to challenge the pair , strengthening their skills as they finish each event.

Next up, maybe Uncle Fonzo!

I’m recommending this and the highly entertaining series.

The ABC’s of Spellcraft series:

✓ Quill Me Now #1

✓ Trouble in Taco Town #2

✓ Something Stinks at the Spa #3

◦ Dead Man’s Quill #4

◦ Last But Not Lease #5

◦ Don’t Rock The Boardwalk #6

◦ What The Frack? #7

◦ Present Tense: A Spellcraft Christmas short #8

◦ Brownie Points #9

◦ Forging Ahead #10

◦ Mayor May Not #11

◦ Bucket List #12

◦ Comic Sans #13

◦ It’s All Relative #14

Buy Link:

Something Stinks at the Spa (The ABCs of Spellcraft Book 3)

Description:

Mineral spas are so calm and relaxing…unless they smell like a derrière at a bean-lover’s convention, that is!

Dixon and Yuri have a hot tip that Uncle Fonzo is taking the waters at Spring Falls Hot Spring Spa. Not only is the spring stinky enough to make your eyes water—but the foul odor reaches peak level just as the resort is gearing up for a visit from an important critic that will make or break its reputation.

Normally, this wouldn’t be Dixon’s problem…except that it appears that a piece of his uncle’s Spellcraft might be responsible. He can’t be entirely sure, though, since that particular slip of paper managed to go through the shredder.

Dixon and Yuri pitch in to help the spa’s owner appease a jilted bride, an obnoxious businessman, and the world’s most boring critic while they scramble to reconstruct the shredded Spellcraft. Can they fix the wonky spell before it does any permanent damage? Or will all their efforts at saving the spa end up swirling down the drain?

Review: Ghostly Awakening (Ghostly Book 1) by E.M. Leya

Rating: 4🌈

There’s so many books written about paranormal characters that talk to ghosts along with a law enforcement element or partner that helps with solving mysteries/murders that’s it should be its own trope. It’s a marvelously creative framework. Over and over, by various authors, it’s been threaded, twisted and tweaked to fit their particular personal narrative takes on this theme to wonderful effect.

Such variety makes it a great thrill to explore new stories in the same lane by new authors when I run across them. Like this one.

Ghostly Awakening (Ghostly Book 1) by E.M. Leya is the first in her new series. It’s a slow burn, paranormal romance that involves murder mysteries and of course, a detective and a man, in this case, a assistant medical examiner, who talks to ghosts.

I enjoyed reading this story. The characters are interesting and layered, with good dialogue and the right balance of quirky family dynamics and vagueness of solid foundation that will allow them to grow in future stories. Unlike other books, these aren’t tragic, haunted men. Instead, both Angus, the detective, and Lance, the assistant ME, are people who have the normal reactions and emotions you’d expect from people in their professions and with their experiences.

Except Lance starts to see ghosts. It’s a new thing for him and I’ll leave that part of the story to the book.

The ghosts are great. Leya has created a foundation for them , religious based, and spiritually oriented. FYI I’m not a religious person so this isn’t a sticking issue for me. Heaven or another plain . You decide. I liked her ghosts a lot. Big personalities and small.

The murders, while gruesome, all have already occurred and happen off page. The mystery is solved through ghostly events and hard work.

The romance is molasses slow and the book ends and the relationship is getting started. Everything about this makes me want more. And I’m heading to the next book quickly.

I’m recommending this for all lovers of this genre and fans of the author.

Ghostly series:

✓ Ghostly Awakening #1

◦ Ghostly Findings #2

◦ Ghostly Envy #3

Buy Link:

Ghostly Awakening

Description:

As assistant medical examiner, Lance is used to seeing strange things, but when he suddenly starts seeing ghosts, he worries he’s losing his mind.

Angus grew up around the strange. With his mother able to see and speak to ghosts, he’s grown up knowing there are things most people can’t see or understand. When he accidentally catches Lance arguing with a ghost, he knows he has to step in before the man thinks he’s going crazy.

As Lance adjusts to his new ability, he also realizes seeing ghosts has its advantages. When several women are murdered in the area, it’s up to Lance and Angus to work with the ghosts of the victims to catch the killer.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: