Category: M/M Romance

Review: Assassin by Accident (Carnival of Mysteries) by E.J. Russell

Rating: 4.75🌈

“Welcome, Traveler! Join us for a series of M/ M fantasies by a talented group of both new and established authors. Whether you enjoy mystery, action, danger, or just sweet romance, there is something for everyone at the Carnival of Mysteries!”

Assassin by Accident is E.J. Russell’s offering to the Carnival of Mysteries series and it’s just a marvelous heartwarming fantasy read. Russell has combined her Mythmatched universe with the themes of the Carnival of Mysteries, giving each its due and letting the reader feel they’ve been immersed in a balanced narrative.

Welsh water horse Nevan Quirke’s young sister has been kidnapped by a nasty earth mage for nefarious purposes. And in order to get her back, Nevan made a hasty bargain to do whatever the mage wants, once. Unfortunately, he didn’t read the small print.

I love this story so much. It has so much depth and heart to it. There’s Nevan, a being who feels unloved by all, a true monster, except by his adopted sister. He’s raised her and kept her safe and loved until she wished to visit the Outside World, and everything went wrong.

And when under the horrible geas of the earth mage to accomplish a terrible task , it’s goes wrongly right in the best of ways. In this story, a case of mistaken identity and the introduction of a truly beloved character. Seb Ardelean, a nanny who’s mistaken for an assassin is a marvelous character. Seb’s one of Russell’s grand creations , a character who can marshal a horde of mischievous children with grubby hands to dealing with villains bent on destroying innocents. And do it with a sense of humor, compassion, and resolve that’s sexy and admirable. Yes, totally adore Seb.

There’s magical shenanigans, familiar faces, among them favorites Jordan and Doop the Hellhound, a race to find the sister, two beings facing danger and falling in love while coming to terms with past issues and traumas. It’s so lovely and heartwarming. I dove in and didn’t surface until I’d finished the book.

I like the different ways Russell plays with mythology and the types of beings found within the various cultures, here it’s the Welsh ceffyl dŵr. The central theme is well used, but unfortunately that means clowns. *Shudders*

Assassin by Accident (Carnival of Mysteries) by E.J. Russell is a favorite in this multi-author series. One I’m definitely recommending. And if you haven’t already found this author’s MythMatched series that’s an element here, look those up as well for some great reads.

Carnival of Mysteries series:

✓ Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding

✓ Step Right Up by L.A. Witt

✓ Magic Burning by Kaje Harper

✓ Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr

✓ Go For The Company by Ander C. Lark

✓ Roustabout by Morgan Brice

✓ Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell

◦ Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis – Sept 13

◦ The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky – Sept 6

◦ Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver – September 20

◦ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill – September 27

◦ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore – October 4

◦ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25

Buy Link:

Part of: Carnival of Mysteries (13 books)

Blurb:

If a megalomaniacal earth mage kidnaps your little sister, do you:

A) Kill him

B) Kill him

C) Kill him

D) Magically indenture yourself to him to ensure her safe return

Welsh water horse Nevan Quirke would have happily opted for A, B, or C, but had no idea where his sister was hidden—so, option D it is. He’s not a fool, though. He made sure to limit his obligation to a single task.

Unfortunately, he neglected to nail down a few tiny details before the geas brand was seared into his skin, and now:

A) He can’t shift

B) He can’t swim

C) He can’t drink

D) If he fails, he’ll be bound to the mage for eternity

Oh, and that task? Assist in an assassination.

If only he weren’t so thirsty.

And if only his partner for the heinous job weren’t the most appealing man Nevan has seen in his entire two-thousand-year life.

Assassin by Accident takes place in E.J. Russell’s Mythmatched universe and is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. This book features grumpy/sunshiny, hurt/comfort, mistaken identity, opposites attract, unexpected derring-do, and of course an HEA—no matter how little the men in question think they deserve it.

Review: Go For The Company (Carnival of Mysteries story) by Ander C. Lark

Rating: 4.75🌈

I believe that Go For The Company is a first published novel by Ander C. Lark and, if so I look forward to many more by this author. Ander C. Lark’s Go For The Company takes many popular paranormal themes and gives them the author’s own unique insight and twist to make them feel fresh and interesting.

Several things stood out here in the narrative for me. Lark’s knowledge of various cultures mythologies which plays In beautifully to the storyline in unexpected places. I also really enjoyed the fact that Lark never forgets that while so often the characters and narrative feels light and humorous, we are dealing with some dark and hellish elements. So yes, to the lovely moments and finding an engaging found family in Hell. However , Lark’s writing will insure that lurking in the shadows is something to be truly frightened of. And that the raw reality of the beings and place these characters inhabit is never far away from current events. Reparation/road to redemption or unrelenting torture. Disneyland rides or undergoing agony. Here we get both.

And a beautiful use of the central theme of the Carnival of Mysteries and Madam Persephone. Her character as a fortune teller is so poignant and layered. So well thought out.

As is the entire concept of Hell and Heaven, and its various entities. Such an entertaining place and a wonderful read.

Gabe’s journey through the afterlife isn’t one I would spoil for anyone. It’s just too good. The characters here are so multifaceted, the world building is extensive, and the plot horrifying enough to warrant a trigger warning or two about torture scenes, on page death, and domestic violence (not together).

As I said this author’s work was so enjoyable that I can’t wait to see what they do next. Until then, I’m highly impressed with Go For The Company (Carnival of Mysteries story) by Ander C. Lark and recommending it.

Carnival of Mysteries series:

✓ Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding

✓ Step Right Up by L.A. Witt

✓ Magic Burning by Kaje Harper

✓ Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr

✓ Go For The Company by Ander C. Lark

✓ Roustabout by Morgan Brice

✓ Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell

◦ Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis – Sept 13

◦ The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky – Sept 6

◦ Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver – September 20

◦ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill – September 27

◦ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore – October 4

◦ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25

Buy Link:

Go for the Company: Carnival of Mysteries

Blurb:

Someone once said, “Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.” Gabe Rossi didn’t believe in either and figured it would be a long time until he had to deal with finding out if he was right. Instead, he’s dragged off a balcony the day after an unnerving meeting with a fortune teller and into a postmortem reality he never would have expected.

Now Gabe is in Hell, which ends up being full of some really nice people who have necessary (if unpleasant) jobs. He’s been promised a transfer to Heaven, but in the meantime Gabe will have to deal with a psychotic ex who’s turned out to be a former despotic ruler of Ancient Rome, an aged-down grandmother who keeps causing chaos, corporate politics, a pet hellhound, a lot of unanswered questions about his own existence, and a growing attachment to the guy in charge of the place. What’s a dead college student to do, aside from enjoy the company?

Go for the Company is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains slow-burn paranormal romance, asexual representation, and a guaranteed Happily Ever Afterlife.

Review: Night-blooming Hearts (Carnival of Mysteries story) by Megan Derr

Rating: 2🌈

I’m astonished. I adore this author and her stories rank among the many of my favorites and most rec’d.

But you can’t like everything someone writes. And at the top of my lists of problematic elements in stories these days is a TSTL character, even if he’s a dead one. In this case a Vampire . That’s a character that will have me wondering what an author is thinking because their actions are so inconceivably idiotic that a reader is smacking their head in disbelief as well as putting a DNF to a book that’s coming across as too poorly constructed to continue to.

But before that aspect is addressed, what needs to be talked about is a multitude of characters and a flawed base compiled from a complicated series and related universe that appear here with no solid foundation.

If you’re a new reader, and wondering why the name Dracula is thrown about for more than one character, you’re probably not alone. Even reader’s familiar with Derr’s books can’t conjure up all the necessary detailed information needed to get through the histories, government bureaucracy, relationships, and titles packed in here. Why are there dragons? Who’s married to whom? Why is Dracula not a single person ?English? American? Such a jumble. All the beings and their incomplete series information that’s constantly thrown at a reader. Mind Boggling.

So if you are feeling lost, that’s very legitimate.

So cut loose from a firm foundation with vague mentions of the city and bits of how the past and present sort of operate, the reader then has to dwell on the dubious details and main characters of the story.

This is not a positive thing.

Starting with someone we desperately need to connect with. That’s the traumatized, wounded, thrown away vampire Phoenix.

Now Phoenix came from a German royal household, the wealthy Grimmelshausens, but a magical experiment/explosion gone awry that almost cost him his undead life (don’t think about that too hard) did destroy his beauty. It’s the loss of his gorgeous face and body that gets him tossed out of castle, family, and fiancé as vampires trade on their looks for survival ( although money , power and prestige seems to be more important here). So many conflicting elements.

Phoenix , centuries old Phoenix, who survived on the streets doing what it took to survive. Because the other vampires were mean and ignored him. He couldn’t even get blood. This perplexed me to no end. He was a vampire, correct? But he got fat and had muscles, which is abhorrent? That was never a fully explained element. Just another fact in this character’s history which is full of such “huh “ moments.

But present day, he now has powerful friends on high , dragons, demons, beings we have no idea who they are but live in high rises, Phoenix is a powerful necromancer, world class apparently.

So our expectations are that the characterization that follows meets with those elements of his history and trauma.

But time and time, that’s not what we get. Instead, in almost every case, Phoenix presents himself as someone who has the emotional and physical skill set of a bunny rabbit. Survival abilities too. The “task “ he’s asked to take on in exchange for a family heirloom comes from his brother, a murderous, repulsive sort of man/vampire. One who turned on him, reviled him, all but personally stomped his broken body into the ground.

So what does Phoenix do? Repeatedly? Trust the brother, go out of his way to accommodate him, and poorly investigate said task. Keep in mind, this main character is a centuries old world renowned necromancer who was bitterly betrayed by his family, including this awful brother. Yeah, why not go with it.

That’s the mildest of how poorly this character is written. It gets so much worse that you want to beat your head against whatever reader you’re using.

And the other main character is just a cardboard outline used to hold up the romance. We’ve no firm idea who this magical cowboy is, other than a widowed healer with a son. There’s obviously a huge backstory . It’s just not here in this narrative. But he’s not a whole lot brighter than Phoenix in some respects.

Unfortunately, I kept on reading and ended up in a disaster of a storyline. I just started flipping through to the finale.

It’s all a huge nope.

If you’re a fan of this author, take a pass. If you’re a fan of this trope and series, do the same. Unless you’re someone invested in the connected series and knows who and what all these people are and what they’re talking about. Then maybe you should read it.

Not a recommendation otherwise.

Final note. The author indicated this story as a Dance with the Devil 8.1 , then a Carnival of Mysteries. That made more sense as the Carnival of Mysteries definitely feels like a forced element into an established universe. One that doesn’t really fit.

Other authors can use established elements, characters, and even a foundation in a series with a central theme but it can’t be to the point no one can understand the concept or context. Which is what happens here. Too bad.

Carnival of Mysteries series:

✓ Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding

✓ Step Right Up by L.A. Witt

✓ Magic Burning by Kaje Harper

✓ Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr

✓ Go For The Company by Andre C. Lark

✓ Roustabout by Morgan Brice

✓ Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell

◦ Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis – Sept 13

◦ The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky – Sept 6

◦ Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver – September 20

◦ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill – September 27

◦ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore – October 4

◦ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25

Buy Link:

Night-blooming Hearts: Carnival of Mysteries

Blurb:

Phoenix sacrificed everything to become one of the greatest necromancers in nightwalker history—including his beauty, though that was by accident rather than design. As beauty is everything to vampires, he has been a pariah ever since, disowned, discarded, and largely forgotten by everyone he once called family and friend.

Nowadays, he lends his skills to sorcerer Jackie Black and the notorious Clan Mordred. If he still feels lonely and isolated, and rejected by the man he’d been stupid enough to think returned his interest, that’s his own problem, no one else’s. He’s used to rejection anyway.

Then his brother shows up on his doorstep begging for help with a blackmail problem—and offering the one thing Phoenix cannot refuse as payment. But if there’s one thing he’s learned about nightwalkers, it’s that nothing is ever as it seems, and problems always get worse before they get better…

Night-blooming Hearts is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains a lonely vampire convinced he’s unloveable, a pining cowboy who wants to prove him wrong, and a guaranteed HEA.

Review: Cast In Shadows (Shadow’s Lure Book One) by Alice Winters

Rating: 4🌈

It took me a while to get into the storyline and connect with the characters. Alice Winters is a favorite author of mine and one of her trademarks in writing is the types of high energy characters and their roles within her narrative structure. There’s always one that has a certain amount of overpowering verbal quality and quirky character. He is often the most dangerous player, impetuous, charming, chaotic, unpredictable and often quixotic.

Here he’s mysterious , murderous,and borderline abusive towards Bastian , the Caster he kidnaps. And we don’t know why. That’s potentially a big problem. Because he’s not charming enough yet to overcome that . Not at the beginning.

I’m talking about Andras, a dark magic user who can take over dead people’s bodies. A interesting element in itself because Winters is asking the reader to connect and develop feelings for an entity whose body can be deposed of. I really like this factor. And as the plot plays out, the character too.

But the chitter chatter snappy dialogue and constant murderous tone/thoughts that Winters uses in her other books and characters ,in fact , made Andras less attractive in the first part of Cast In Shadows, the storylines more dense, because the verbiage was distracting.

Especially when on the other side was a young man who was already being abused by his cult like family and domineering father. That’s Bastian, who is at the bottom rung for everyone, on both sides. Except the reader, who feels sorry for him. Bastian is an appealing figure and one who’s easily the most engaging for the reader.

Because he’s being beaten down by everyone and everything here. We emphasize with him. Constantly.

On the other hand, it’s a challenge to understand the chemistry between the Andras who’s kidnapped him and Bastian, who hates his life. Unless it’s a case of Stockholm syndrome.

Eventually, a wider plot and a mysterious revenge motivation is revealed, but not necessarily completely. This is a “tip of the iceberg “ sort of world building scenario where only bits and pieces get scattered around for the reader to gather up and process.

I’ll admit there’s some interesting and fascinating stuff here. And the hints being thrown around look towards some whoppers of future revelations. That second book should be great. But you have to read through the sometimes murky mess that’s the Cast In Shadows, especially at the beginning.

So I’m recommending this for fans of the author, the genre, and for the really interesting elements Winters has in store for the characters and series.

Shadow’s Lure:

✓ Cast In Shadows #1

◦ Casting Light #2 – Sept 19, 2023

Buy Link:

Cast in Shadows (Shadow’s Lure Book 1)

Blurb:

Andras

When the light-magic users known as Casters took everything from me, I vowed to make them pay.

Little did I know the perfect opportunity would show up in the form of a sweet Caster the moment I took his arrow to the heart… literally. Bastian knows that I’m made of dark magic, the very thing he’s been taught to destroy. But instead of turning away from me, he takes a chance on me, leading me behind the walls of the group out to kill me.

Bastian makes me remember that there’s more to life than revenge—although I can’t help but love the look he gives me when I cause chaos. But what I don’t realize is there’s someone who’s been watching me, someone only Bastian can help me fight.

Bastian

How is it that a man wielding dark magic is the only one who can save me?

Even though Andras goes against everything I fight for, I can’t stop myself from drawing him into my life.

What’s worse is that it’s clear he wants something from the Casters, but when he makes me laugh and feel like I’m living for the first time in my life, it’s impossible to turn him away.

When I find myself caught in a web of lies between those I trusted and those I feared, I realize the only one I can rely on is the one person who’s forbidden.

Cast in Shadows contains an antihero with no filter and a strange obsession with chili, a “pet” who sleeps through all the excitement, and possibly the least romantic movie date ever.

Review: Warrior King (Warriors Book 1) by Eden Winter

Rating: 4.75🌈

Well, that was one fabulous fantasy epic romance! There’s forced marriages, death and deep intrigue, bloody battles, kingdoms at risk, and finally, finding true love.

I had such a fantastic time reading this and getting into the lives of these characters! And happily, this is only the first book in the Warriors series.

But starting us off is the taking of the Kingdom of Revellan by the Emperor’s son, Commander Draylon Aravaid. He’s leading the battle and the troops to defeat the traitor King and insure that the Emperor’s orders are carried out.

However, once the blood is spilled, the battle ends, left standing is two young siblings guarded by the enemy’s spare heir, Prince Yarif DiRici .

With those elements solidly in place,Winter creates a fantasy world of bitter kingdom politics that incorporates spies, assassins, intrigue on a vast scale, betrayal, forced marriages, and a cast of beautifully drawn characters, from the main couple to the several villains of the story.

Both men are easily seen by the reader, well defined by their personalities and rich descriptions. There’s Draylon Aravaid, Commander of the Emperor’s Army. Second son, scarred, a seasoned warrior with a thoughtfulness and determination that underpins his ability to strategize and fight. He’s such a splendid man and character. I adore him.

He plays up perfectly against his counterpart, the third son and heir spare of the traitorous and now dead King. That’s Prince Yarif DiRici, a multidimensional figure, protector, secretary, linguist, consort to be. And here he’s the one person protecting his younger brother and sister from the Emperor and his plans.

The Emperor is an evolving figure here , one I wish we could have had more insight into. He is more of a one dimensional character than he could have been, and the hints at the end would have made the Emperor a far more complex figure.

But the rest? Fabulous! Especially Rufe, Draylon’s best friend who’s suffered much in his past. The red-headed king who’s playing a big role here, no spoilers. And May from the kitchen.

Can’t wait to read more about the next in this universe from Eden Winters.

Love fantasy? Big epic adventures with romance thrown in? Grand characters and world building? Warrior King is all that and more!

I’m highly recommending it.

Buy link:

Warrior King: Warriors – Book 1by Eden Winters

Blurb:

One man is the son of a traitor. The other is the son of a tyrannical emperor. Together, they discover the fine line between duty and justice. 

Commander Draylon Aravaid doesn’t hide his lineage as the emperor’s son but doesn’t advertise his origins either. Loyal to a fault, he relies on his hard-won reputation rather than his family name, which his duplicitous father uses to full advantage. 

Prince Yarif DiRici trained his entire life to become a consort in a political marriage–all while secretly yearning for love. The death of his father and older brother suddenly thrusts an unwanted crown upon his head, and Yarif into a whirlwind of dangerous plans within plans as he and Draylon are forced into marriage. 

The political game is set, and Yarif is kidnapped. It’s up to Draylon to mount a daring rescue to prevent all-out war. 

The two men must get past each other’s mistrust, find common ground, and defeat an enemy neither knew they had…and may not survive!

Warrior King is now available for preorder on Amazon, releasing August 25.

Review: Just Friends (Never Just Friends Book 1) by Saxon James

Rating: 3.75🌈

This book has so many interesting elements to offer plus an author I’m a fan of. Just Friends (Never Just Friends Book 1) by Saxon James has a best friends to lovers trope, a bi-sexual awakening low angst romance with characters that have several different aspects to their lives that makes this a tad different from the usual contemporary fiction.

One of the main characters, Roo, is an epileptic who has families in both the US and Australia, where he’s from originally, hence the nickname. His disability progresses to the point, that , he decides to have surgery to reduce the amount and extent of the episodes he’s having. And that necessitates a return to Australia after high school graduation in the US.

His best friend all through school and adolescence is Tanner. A great friend, both as a boy and man, and someone who’s dealing with his lifelong learning disability, dyslexia. It’s keeping him from a permanent position as a firefighter as he can’t pass the written exams. Tanner was Roo’s support through school when the bullying got to him, when the epileptic seizures had Roo crashing to the ground in hallways and classrooms, with the expected ramifications from classmates who didn’t care or understand.

James has written two well defined men, a realistic small town near Portland with all the flaws , challenges, and pluses that come with living in that environment. Then James gives the reader a window into the minds and hearts of Tanner and Roo as they explore the adults they’ve become in the time they were apart. And what they might have now they are together again.

Based on the reviews I read, I expected to connect with them and their story more than I did. I appreciate the work James put in here creating the location, their backgrounds, and the attention to detail where Roo’s epilepsy is concerned.

The rating is for the overall quality and storytelling.

Personally, I found myself just too detached from the men themselves to be engaged in their relationship, let alone their life choices. James never pulled me into either of these men’s situations emotionally. It could have been the way they handled their issues, a drawn out , now we do , now we don’t, ok we do meandering mess. Or side elements within the narrative that bothered me. Those get to me a lot, picking away at any connectivity I might have.

With Tanner it’s his trait of just being so dense or oblivious, even after the entire town it seems has pointed out how his actions and emotions have been pointed towards a deep bond between him and Roo. I just can’t do dense as a brick anymore. Pls stop.

Then there’s the way his sexual awakening is explained and is drawn out here. It feels repetitive, not in a way that makes the reader think Tanner’s always getting the context, see dense above.

Then there’s the fact that he’s refusing help for his dyslexia, a reading disorder, that’s keeping him from his dream job and stability. None of the objections as stated make sense, but appear to be that author’s tool needed for a scenario where something else happens down the storylines.

Roo’s epilepsy is part of him, defining his school years by his seizures and bullying. I feel he’s the more layered character here. However, there’s hints of a bitter family divide between the parents, and a mother whose behavior seems very controlling and actually mean spirited here. Was it James’ intention to write a mother whose words indicate how very opposed she is to Tanner in every way, clearly thinking that Tanner isn’t good enough for her son. Then, years ago when she “whisks” Roo back home to Australia and now as she tries to get Roo to leave again. And basically, the author and Roo give the woman a pass, writing it as just part of her “character “.

Well, I’d call it toxic but I’m not writing the script, obviously.

No, I couldn’t get emotionally invested here. Enjoyed the location, the side characters and small town citizenry, and aspects of the storytelling. Read it because I liked Saxon James.

If you like contemporary romance, this author, and any of the elements I mentioned above, then give this a try. It’s the first of a four novels series to date.

Never Just Friends series:

✓ Just Friends #1

◦ Fake Friends #2

◦ Getting Friendly #3

◦ Friendly Fire #4

Buy Link:

Just Friends (Never Just Friends Book 1)

Blurb:

Roo

Five years ago, I walked away from Sunbury, Oregon, and left my best friend behind.

The move was supposed to get my life on track. I even had a list.

Life changing epilepsy surgery. Check.

See the world. Check.

Get over my straight best friend … Not exactly.

No matter where I go or who I meet, I can’t let Tanner go.

I’m back to tell him how I feel. To get the closure I need once and for all.

Only now I’m here and falling for him all over again, it’s getting harder to say the words.

Because once I have my closure, I’ll be gone.

And this time it will be for good.

Tanner

When my best friend, Roo, left for Australia, it was the worst day of my life.

I thought we’d have each other always.

But Roo needed the surgery so I let him go, thinking he’d come straight back.

Five years is a long time.

Now he’s here, all I want is to hold on tight.

I need to show him what he means to me.

The problem is, I’m not exactly sure what that is.

My draw to him has always been confusing and different—everyone in town says so. But I struggle to understand it.

All I know is I won’t survive him leaving again.

And I’ll do anything to make him stay.

Just Friends is a best friends-to-lovers romance with an oblivious MC, only one bed, and terrible kangaroo jokes.

Review: How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life: WhoWoke the Dead? #4 (Princes of Mayhem) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4.5🌈

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life: Who Woke the Dead? #4 (Princes of Mayhem) by Jocelynn Drake feels more like a stepping stone to more adventures than it does a series finale. One of the reasons why is that this is a prequel series to the author’s Lords of Discord series (the vampire Variks) and now, happily, a lead in to a new series about those chaotic male witches who are both Sky’s best friends and form his coven. Be still my heart.

So yes, Drake packs a ton into the fourth story of this crazy but highly entertaining serialized story about a powerful necromancer who finds a loving boyfriend in a human fantasy romance author and they continue to have grand adventures together along with their friends and demon minions!

Who Woke the Dead doesn’t come together as fully as a whole storyline like the previous books have. This felt more like a group of engaging events loosely tied together leading the characters and readers to a HFN for Sky and Nolan.

In each small scenario, Nolan and Sky get to discuss their experiences and why they are so different and yet well suited for each other. Whether it’s Nolan taking care of an exhausted Sky after he’s made sandwiches for the underworld (an element I loved) or having an after party for witches, this couple just is #couplegoals. They are supportive, committed, and they communicate, with humor and sexy affection. What’s not to love?

So maybe it doesn’t matter that there’s not an all consuming drama here but two men finding each other and becoming boyfriends under extraordinary circumstances. Plus I love me some Dandy Dogs! More of these please!

I really hope Drake makes a second season of this series. I’m really excited to see what happens next on this couple’s journey.

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to the witches series starting with the blood witch , Moon. He’s up first.

I’m highly recommending the series (must read all four stories) , then continue on.

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life:

✓ Disaster #1: Fun With Family

✓ Disaster #2: Pet Problems

✓ Disaster #3: Date Night

✓ Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead? – finale

Related new series with connected characters:

Kings of Chaos- the witches of above

◦ Two Thousand Dreams (Kings of Chaos Book 1)-Nov 10,2023

Buy Link

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life: Disaster #4 (Princes of Mayhem)

Blurb:

Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead?

Something has escaped from the underworld!

Sky would like to point out that this is NOT his fault.

But, yes, something has escaped, and it has all the dead crawling out of their graves.

Naturally, the humans are freaking out.

Except for the sexy one living across the street.

Nolan is ready to jump into the fray and help Sky round up the underworld fugitive.

Sky’s going to need all the help he can get–not just from his coven but all the witches he can get his hands on.

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Saved My Life is a serial comprising four novellas that follow the insane adventures of necromancer Skylar Wallace and his next-door neighbor Nolan Banks. This is the final book and contains witches, demons, underworld minions, more sandwiches, stolen smexy time, an angry Grammy, and something scary running wild in Connecticut.

Review: Corin and the Courtier (Beautiful Beasts, #2) by Eliot Grayson

Rating: 2🌈

A DNF at 44%

I read the books out of order which was a very good idea because otherwise I’d never have read the far superior Deven and the Dragon. This isn’t that lovely adult fairy tale.

Instead of finding someone as sympathetic and honest as Fioric, his cousin apparently, the reader finds this dragon knight bully, Corin. He’s so unpleasant to read, that even at 30%, the reader is wondering when he’s going to stop wallowing in his pitiful self imposed martyrdom and get over himself.

Why has he hidden himself away? Because his sworn bride cheated on him. In public. Granted that’s humiliating. But does he go on about how he loves or loved her? No. It’s all about her beauty and his ruined status. So immediately, the reader isn’t exactly falling down on his side. It gets immeasurably worse when the bride’s wonderful, wounded younger brother arrives and, you guessed it, gets bullied,, and in scenes close to sexual assault, mistreated incredibly badly.

I’m caught wondering where the fairy tale charm and lovely characterizations that were the hallmarks of the first book went. Not here.

The one nice aspect of the story (and any rating) is Aster, the younger brother of the bride who has cheated on Corin publicly before their wedding. He’s run away from a horrible arranged marriage, hoping that the one being he’s crushed on for years will take him in and understand his situation.

That’s a lovely element. Too bad it’s paired up with a thug in dragon form. One who swings between meanly berating someone so desperately in need of saving so much so that even as a reader I’m absolutely appalled, then wanting to have revenge sex with him (consensual or not) then thinking maybe Aster’s not so bad, when the poor guy is weeping in despair.

All in the storyline space of 24 hours. They then actually have drunken sex with no attempt at a relationship.

I checked how far I’d continued into the book. 44 percent.

I tried. Honestly. But there’s nothing to like about Corin for me. And I find these days that I’m not going to continue on reading storylines that have little to engage me or characters that I can’t connect with. Like this one.

I’m so happy I skipped to the second book because if I’d started here I’d have never picked it up. There’s a lesson there somewhere.

What is fabulous? That cover. Both covers. Rich and eye catching.

No recommendations.

Beautiful Beasts:

✓ Corin and the Courtier #1

✓ Deven and the Dragon #2

Buy Link :

Book 1 of 2: Beautiful Beasts

Blurb:

Most people run from beasts, not to them…

Aster didn’t put much thought into his escape. All he knew when he ran up that mountain—straight into the lair of a grumpy dragon knight with a huge grudge against his family—was that he couldn’t submit to an arranged marriage. It never occurred to him that a snowstorm would strand him there. Or that he’d give in to years of longing and beg for the monster’s forbidden touch. But it happened. All of it…

Corin wasn’t trying to be a hero—especially not Aster’s hero. He couldn’t very well let him die, though. So he protected him. Which might have been considered noble…if he hadn’t also fallen into bed with him. Over and over again. But the cost of keeping Aster is far more than Corin’s willing to pay. Corin will eventually be forced to let him go—even if it destroys him.

When Aster’s problems follow him up the mountain—literally—he realizes running is no longer an option. The only question now is whether Corin will fight for him, or burn their potential happily ever after to the ground…

This spicy, steamy, M/M paranormal fantasy romance features a pair of star-crossed opposites, a little forced proximity (with only one bed), some silliness involving a lack of pants at unexpected moments, and plenty of dirty talk.

This series does not contain mpreg. There’s a brief occurrence of self-destructive ideation in this book, but no action is taken. HEA guaranteed!

Review: French Fancy (The Model Agency Book 2) by Lily Morton

Rating: 5🌈

“Choose love not in the shallows but in the deep.” – Christina Rossetti”

— French Fancy (The Model Agency Book 2) by Lily Morton

French Fancy rose right into a tie for the top spot for favorite Lily Morton romances and, happily, into my small comfort read list of books I must have by my bedside to grab as needed for emergency occasions.

I picked it up when I got the notification it was out and, finished at 4 am in the morning, as a grumpy canine companion can attest to. I probably would have finished sooner but I kept going backwards over certain areas, laughing until I had tears in my eyes, or giggling in sheer appreciation of some of the sharpest dialogue and snappy interchanges in recent memory between characters.

Help me, some of those phrases are setting me off still! I don’t want to bring them up here for several reasons. One, I doubt Amazon would let most of the quotes get through with their racy content but more importantly, it’s because I want the readers to have the spontaneous delight in coming across them in context and having their own reactions! Whatever they may be.

This book and characters just does it for me! Ticks all my boxes in terms of excellent storytelling, fabulous writing, and memorable characters.

I could talk about character development and depth of personality but, honestly, the best thing I can say about French Fancy is that it’s not as if I’m reading a story about characters , but seeing people living their best lives, finding their true paths with help from their friends and families, whether they be through blood or through a foundation built by connections. I absolutely feel I know and genuinely love these people, would recognize them if I met them.

If someone asked me about them, I think I might actually reply as I would if you’d asked about a friend “yes, they’re doing fabulous last I heard , finally!”.

Pip Simmonds, Olivier Durand, the gorgeous villa Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, they have found a permanent place in my heart. It didn’t take long. My TBR pile will suffer as I’m heading back for a reread.

I really need more of them and look forward of getting that in future books to come just as saw delightful , moving scenes with Dean and Jonas and Ruby, their daughter.

I wish I could go higher than 5. Oh well.

Lily Morton goes deep into the fears of loss, the endurance people are capable of, the strength of the support of families and friends, and, finally, how, the power of love can overcome even the most painful of barriers.

French Fancy (The Model Agency Book 2) by Lily Morton is a fantastic book and one I’ll have one reread. I’m highly recommending it!

The Model Agency:

✓ The Sunny Side #1

✓ French Fancy #2

Buy Link:

French Fancy (The Model Agency Book 2)

Blurb:

Pip Simmonds is the twinkiest twink in London. He’s loud, proud, and packed to the brim with sass. But when he’s laid low by illness, even his hotpants lose their sparkle and his worried boss sends him to the South of France to recuperate in his holiday home.

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is beautiful, and the periwinkle-blue villa is luxurious, but the real draw for Pip is the villa’s other resident—his boss’s younger brother, Olivier Durand.

Olivier owns a perfume empire and has spent his whole life running from any other form of commitment. He’s worldly, carefree, wild, and the perfect choice for a holiday fling.

Drawn together by proximity, the two men become lovers and friends and then something more. Something special. But will their special bond hold true after summer’s end, when they both must return to their real lives?

This is the second book in the bestselling Model Agency series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Review: Bad Boys (Hot Off The Ice Book 7) by A. E. Wasp

Rating: 4🌈

I’ve enjoyed A. E. Wasp’s hockey romance series, Hot Off The Ice, since the first book debuted back on June 29, 2017. That was the lovely City Boy, about farmer Dakota and closeted NHL player Bryce Lowery.

Now at book 7, with 2 more novels planned, the series continues with the Seattle Thunder going strong and a new troubled arrival from Las Vegas coming for a second and perhaps only last chance to make it in the NHL.

Bad Boys is a hurt/comfort, age gap redemption love story. And when it works great when it stays on the main couple’s relationship, and Noah’s journey to a more well adjusted, healthy adult who can then carry that new understanding over into his career. Those things make Bad Boys a terrific read.

There’s many aspects to Bad Boys that A.E. Wasp does so well narratively speaking. Her characters are so well done, layered with their own unique personalities and combined with elements that speak to their passions and strengths. If they’re hockey players, we see the difference in physicality between them and other people. We get great team dynamics and a depth of understanding about the game. For characteristics, if they’re cooks, business peoples or whatever, Wasp has given each the right amount of detail that they can standout and still be able to be believable and alive. This will add to the richness of the story and hurt it when certain people drop out of sight.

The relationship between Adam and Noah is engaging and wonderful to be a part of. It’s funny, serious, sexy , and real. While there is an age gap, it’s not mentioned or discussed much here, in the relationship or elsewhere. I only found that odd when it was brought up that Adam had played with Noah’s father, however, no mention of either man’s age at the time (Adam or Noah’s dad), although it was said Noah was very young at the time.

Wasp brings therapy into the storyline as a means to get healthy and understand what is driving certain aspects of a person’s behaviors. And how to counteract these behaviors through therapy. It’s a great tool for both men and the league. It was wonderful seeing it here.

Team dynamics, Noah’s redemption within the team and himself is real and fully worth the book. You can see him struggling with his toxic relationship with his father, it’s ramifications, and his mental awareness that allows him to move forward. All amazing elements here.

Same goes for Adam’s grief over his failed marriage and hidden secrets about his dead husband. That actually needed more page time for Adam to finish that chapter of his life. But the author is speeding towards the finish line.

Which brings me to what is still bothering me about this story.

Usually it’s a case of the disappearing animal character that has me so irritated. But here it’s a father, island, and a married couple. Read on but there’s spoilers ahead.

Elements that weren’t allowed to come to fruition or were dropped completely. ⛔️ Spoiler Alert ⛔️

1. Noah Braterman’s toxic father and his relationship with him. The last mention of this man was that the coach was fielding his insistent nasty phone calls, informing Noah the man was coming across as unhinged. Not a single word or sentence afterwards was given over to this man or large section of Noah’s redemptive storyline where he dealing with the toxicity of an adolescence and adulthood under this man. It’s an emotional matter not dealt with, and I can’t understand that. It’s not logical not to include at least some semblance of closure.

2. Then in a connected storyline thread, there’s the unexpected, startling way that the island and mansion were made to disappear from Adam’s life. Towards the end, Dev , the BIL, arranges for a Japanese firm to buy both the island and mansion. Deal done, and a major narrative element is dealt with and vanishes. Just a few sentences and buhbye. Goodbye to all the important scenes, places, whales, the boat, everything. Which brings us to big number 3.

3. Guess who else disappeared with the mansion and island not to be mentioned again. The all important, ever heartwarming fabulous strong women characters who live on the island too. The ones who have been Adam’s support system for years and who the readers get to know and love almost as completely as everyone else in this book. That’s Annie or Ms Potts and her ceramic artist wife, Tracy. They live on the caretaker’s cottage on the island and are a big part of not only Adam’s life, past and present, but become part of Noah’s as well. After parting with Adam in an emotional scene to tell him to, basically, go get his man, they disappear. Not a word about these important people is written again in this book. No goodbye’s, nothing. Not even a vague statement of missing them.

“You’re moving off the island?” Paul asked.

“Yep. It’s sold. House and island together.””

— Bad Boys (Hot Off the Ice Book 7) by A. E. Wasp

A.E. Wasp writes in her author’s notes that it took her years to finish this book. If that’s the case, then I would have expected that the issues that popped up and have stayed with me to the detriment of the overall polished product and satisfaction I derived from Bad Boys to have been resolved.

I wonder about these issues. In the epilogue, the happy couple talk about inviting people over to their new place. Guess who’s not included in that list? Yup, the women who held Adam together.

If I was Wasp’s editor, that would have been on my list for things easily inserted that would have been expected and made readers happy.

So it turned out that Bad Boys is a good book but not a great one. I’m interested in seeing what the next two books will be about. And if some of the things that are a bit flawed here can get corrected in books to come.

I’m recommending this as a good hockey romance, part of a terrific series, and one that fans of this author won’t want to miss.

Off The Ice Series:

✓ City Boy #1

✓ Country Boy #2

✓ Skater Boy #3

✓ Boy Toys #4

✓ Boy Next Door #5

✓ Boys of Summer #6

✓ Bad Boys #7

Buy link:

Bad Boys (Hot Off the Ice Book 7)

Blurb:

Behave or be benched.

Noah Braterman’s hotheaded attitude may cost him his NHL career before it truly begins. After alienating his current teammates, coaches, fans, and the press, Noah gets a second chance to prove his worth when he’s traded to the Seattle Thunder with one ultimatum—lose the attitude or lose his spot on the team.

Enter Adam Labatt, former NHL player, and Noah’s last, best Vegas fling.

After his own rocky past in the show, Adam turned himself around and is now being asked by his old mentor to help Noah learn to play well with others. Living in isolation on his private island and still guilt-ridden over the way his marriage ended, how can Adam possibly mentor anyone? But the man he shared an unexpectedly intimate passionate night with is worth fighting for, even if he has to fight Noah himself.

Forced into close quarters, the walls they’ve erected to protect themselves crumble as they share their hopes, dreams, and fears.

Fate brought them together. Now it’s up to them to find the courage to face the world unafraid. If they do, they just might create a future better than they could have imagined that night in Vegas under the desert stars.