Category: Shifters, Weres

Review: Tombyards and Butterflies (Montague and Strong Detective Agency Book 1) by Orlando A. Sanchez

Rating: 3⭐️

If you’re looking for a magical fast paced , shootum up immortal partners story/series, here’s one for you.

Its world building is non-existent, the characters have zero chemistry, between themselves or any relationship that’s created here. It’s just a jumble of paranormal beings intermingling with a Greek mythological pantheon of gods who have hidden secrets and agendas, some of which concern the two main characters. 

It’s all rather confusing. No one really knows what is happening. Not even them. But they accept cases , from vampires or goddesses, things go badly. Then go even worse. 

I don’t know. There’s no depth to this or to the characters. I was connecting to any of it. Especially when one character is asked if he’s dumb(his actions and remarks indicate yes) and his partner , a Mage with a painful history, and this reader agree with whoever is asking. And he’s immortal and, apparently, forever immature. Lovely. SMH

Lots of magical action however. 

It ends up with them having a mythical pet demon dog. And another likely mission to look forward to. 

Not me. I need more than this to get me interested in a series and characters. And TSTL characters. But not everyone does. 

It’s got lots of books to this, 32 of them. Check them out if you’re so inclined. 

Cover Art: Deranged Doctor Design

Buy link

 Book 1 of 32: Montague & Strong Case Files 

Blurb 

A Missing Ferryman. An Undead Dilemma. An Immortal Detective.

An emissary from the Dark Council has just materialized in the office of the Montague & Strong Detective Agency, and makes Simon Strong an offer he can’t refuse. Charon is missing. The legendary ferryman responsible for transporting sorcerer souls across the river Styx hasn’t been seen in days. And with each passing hour, those unable to cross the river are left to walk among the living, tilting the world further out of balance.

Meet Simon Strong, an immortal, who is also the best private detective in New York City. Together with his surly partner-Tristan Montague, a mage of indeterminate age, they must find the Ferryman and get him back to work before another Supernatural War ravages the earth, destroys humanity, and Simon’s local coffee shop.

Time is running out. His landlord wants the rent and Karma with a capital K is paying him a visit, and she can be a real…

Join the Montague & Strong Detective Agency and help them locate Charon, so he can restore balance to the universe, put the dead sorcerers to rest, and maybe solve the age old conundrum-coffee or tea?

Bitten Peaches Publishing

Publication date

February 27, 2017

Edition

1st

Language

‎English

Print length

310 pages

Book 1 of 32

Montague & Strong Case File

Review:  Moonbright by Leah Ryan

Rating: 3.75⭐️

Moonbright by Leah Ryan is a paranormal werewolf romance, the first book that I’ve read by this author. And there’s so much that I absolutely love about it. And a couple I don’t. 

The main character is one, a small woman, a healer of mysterious origin who has been alone in the dark woods since childhood. She’s hand built herself a small homestead over the years, chickens and herbs, carefully tended. And she’s mended the wolves that have come needing medical care, and her specially crafted medicines that she’s  created over her years tending them. 

Ryan hints at a dark history behind a child , 12 years old that had to live alone in the woods, learning to build herself a makeshift home, forging for herself and learning enough to survive to craft and maintain her livelihood. 

But we never find out what happened to Mel the Healer , now 22, in her past life to bring her to the existence she living now.

The book is full of these unexplained mysteries, around characters and the world history. It’s just there, part of the story. If this sort of thing is something that you as a reader find irritating, then really this book, and probably the writer, are not for you. 

What I love about this book? That it honestly made me laugh out loud in many instances. The dialogue is dry, sarcastic, and funny. Guffaw funny at times. Scenes too, including ones with Mel’s pet chicken Nugget. And the relationship between Mel and her best friend, a rough woman hunter, Kestria, who stops by with venison and other items to help Mel keep going. Their friendship feels real and established, believable in their past history and conversations. 

Events shake up Mel’s current situation as the local healer, and care givers to the wolves in the woods. Who aren’t exactly wolves but werewolves.

Ryan brings in a long ongoing war between humans and werewolves, with the humans being unaware that the wolves are actually supernatural beings with families.

And a romantic relationship between a young Mel and the older Alpha Keer, which I don’t feel is as strong an element here or as believable in a romantic sense.  The role that Mel eventually transitions into for the pack works at the beginning and then seems to be lost towards the end. 

That’s much of what I have issues with the story here. It starts off extremely strong, terrific characters and interesting plot choices, albeit with missing parts to major characters back history that’s never filled in. 

But towards the ending, the narrative speeds up, crashing towards a dramatic buildup that’s never quite right. There’s one scene where, a climactic moment occurs. There’s talking, and the villain gets driven (stalks) off. 

Oddly unsatisfying because nothing is really settled for good. It’s a temporary fix. 

And that real ending? Think the end of The Sopranos. That sort of mid-sentence abruptness. Because this literally ends mid-sentence. 

Yes. It absolutely feels incomplete.  And I didn’t like the way that show ended either. 

Moonbright by Leah Ryan starts off strong, has some great characters, especially in Mel the healer and her best friend, Kestria. Even Nugget the chicken. 

But the romance didn’t exactly work and that the story felt rushed, while an unfinished ending will never be ok with me. Finish the sentence! And the ending is.

Interesting.

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comMoonbright: A Standalone Werewolf Romance eBook : Ryan, Leah: Kindle Store

Blurb 

I have a cottage, a garden, a pink chicken named Nugget, and a strict personal

policy against asking questions.

That last one is why it took me years to notice that the wolves I’ve been

stitching back together are not, technically, wolves.

In my defense, nobody told me.

In their defense, they were trying very hard not to.

Now my cottage is rubble, my best friend has a tail, and thirty werewolves are

standing in my herb beds having a collective crisis about how much I know.

Their Alpha is taking it worst. One eye. All scars. No interest whatsoever in

humans, in healers, or in a woman who talks this much.

He also won’t stop watching my hands while I work.

Neither of us plans to mention it.

Then someone starts turning moonbright into poison. The flower I grow. The one

I’ve been using to keep every single one of them alive.

And it turns out there’s exactly one person left who knows how to turn it back.

It’s me. It’s the one with the chicken.

🌙 Standalone fantasy werewolf romance with a full HEA

🌙 Laugh-out-loud funny — banter-heavy, dual POV

🌙 Grumpy/sunshine · touch-starved alpha · forced proximity

🌙 Found family · fated mates · healer heroine

🌙 Slow burn, explicit, takes its time getting there

🌙 One (1) pink chicken. One (1) homicidal rooster named Keer Jr.

May 9, 2026

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File size

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Print length

368 pages

Review: Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms by Lindsey Devin

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Honestly, stop with the cover traps. Yes, put a Belgian Malinois or GSD on it and yes, I’m going to pick it up. It’s a given. And the authors known as Lindsey Devin fills the story with them. 

Really? Sigh. 

Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms by Lindsey Devin is an absolutely adorable urban fantasy romance that sealed the deal for me with the dog that was main character all the way through the tale, a retired veteran service dog, a gentleman of enormous charm and character, Max.

Quinn Bradley, the overworked law intern, was another delightful aspect of the story. Layered, independent, intelligent and resourceful, along with Max, she worked realistically (as one does with dragons and otherworldly beings) in her professional role as well as feeling like a partner here in her relationships with Max and her friends. I so thoroughly enjoyed her conversations with everyone and her dynamic. 

Rafe Virelli is a nice change from some of the other types of dragons that appear in these books as is his family. The background and ongoing storyline with his mother is handled so beautifully, and realistically. There’s no miracle here but the acceptance of her continued condition and their love for her. And his father’s love for his wife. 

The way that the story ends is perfect imo. I was thrilled when it ended here, and not in the expected direction of most romances. That wouldn’t make sense given the circumstances and time constraints. 

With Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms by Lindsey Devin there are so many great narrative choices made by the authors that, combined, give this book a fantastic energy and a great story. 

Highly recommended! Honestly, that cover! Going to show it to my dog right now! She has opinions. 

If anyone knows who the cover artist is, please let me know. 

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comNobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms

Blurb 

Rafe Virelli has spent his whole life watching his family’s history disappear piece by piece — sold, stolen, and scattered across a city that doesn’t know or care what it’s holding. He’s down to one missing relic and no leads, until his law firm’s intern shows up wearing it.

Quinn Bradley didn’t mean to become the reason a half-dragon shifter starts showing up at her office. She definitely didn’t mean to negotiate her way onto his case, get pulled into rigged auctions and museum standoffs, or end up in the middle of an actual heist when a rival collector decides Rafe’s family relics are worth killing for.

She just wanted a law degree and a dog with a stable temperament. Instead she got a client who fixes her door locks at midnight, a dragon who’d burn down a mansion for her, and a front-row seat to exactly how far someone will go to protect what’s left of their family.

The relics can be replaced. This can’t.

Enemies-to-allies-to-lovers. Workplace romance. High-stakes recovery plot. Guaranteed HEA.

 

Review:  Call of the Blood (Everly Abbott #4) by K.N. Banet

Rating: 4.5⭐️

The fourth book in K.N. Banet’s new Everly Abbott series, I thought it was the best one where the characters are finding their rhythm and how their relationships are going to evolve. 

I also found the author’s Tribunal Archives timeline for this and how it fits into the other series. So I have a better understanding of the overall storyline and what is happening with the Tribunal here. Yes, it really does make sense now. 

Alexius and Everly head out to see her brother and encounter some surprises after the events of the last novel. 

Isaiah has disappeared, dealing with the death of his longtime companion and lover, Jacob. Which leaves Everly and Alexius at loose ends and when a call comes in from the other coast from a Vampire Master requesting assistance from Alexius, they are traveling away from Savannah and home. 

Banet packs so much into this terrific adventure. We meet Declan, Everly’s brother and his girlfriend. That’s a fantastic storyline. 

Callahan is head of the Werewolves and on the Tribunal with his mate Carissa. The Tribunal Archives time line can be found on the author’s website. I have listed it on the longer version of this review on my website as well. The author is going to add to it as new releases come available. 

But back to Call of the Blood because it packs a punch. Full of action, more than a few twists, and some extremely powerful drama here, including new relationship dynamics between the main characters. 

I’m so thrilled to see this author writing again. Wonderful novel and great addition to the universe. 

⭐️Series in the connected Tribunal Archives Universe (crossover characters and storylines);

Kaliya Sahni (6 book series)

Jacky Leon (12 book series to date-waiting for the 13th)

Everly Abbot – 4 books atm/9 books planned :

Servant of the Blood #1

Blood of the Wicked #2

Tainted Blood #3

Call of the Blood #4 

Tribunal archive Timeline – to date for Everly Abbott series:

Jacky Leon book 1

Kaliya Sahni Book 1

Kaliya Sahni Book 2

Jacky Leon #2

Kaliya Sahni #3

KS #4

Jackie Leon #3

KS#5

KS#6

Jackie Leon #4

Ancient and Immortal Standalone story 

Everly Abbott #1

Everly Abbott #2

Jackie Leon #5

Everly Abbott #3

Jackie Leon #6

Jackie Leon #7

Hearts & Wars/Tribunal Archives story 

Jackie Leon #8

Buy link

 Book 4 of 4: Everly Abbott 

Blurb 

Book overview 

Madness lives at the edge of every vampire’s mind.

We’re driven by a need to hunt and feed on the blood of what we once were. Blood, though, is not the only thing that can drive us to madness.

Alexius and I are learning that firsthand, stuck together for months, unable to leave Savannah, trapped in tight corridors as the tension rises. Conversations grow difficult and need becomes a painful thing that we both avoid. So when the opportunity arises to escape the quasi house arrest Isaiah condemned us to, we take it. My brother, my last living family member, wants to see me and I can’t resist the call.

The call of the blood brought me here.

It is also the source of a madness that can break me.

And we’re not the only vampires who ran to escape madness.

August 28, 2026

Language

‎English

Print lengthz as

326 pages

Book 4 of 4

Everly Abbott

Review: Everly Abbott Volume One: Books 1-3 by K. N. Banet

Rating: 4⭐️

First things first. It’s three books that get progressively better as the series and character of Everly Abbott develops. 

The beginning, where Everly and her mother are working together for the vampires is suspense filled but that entire story has little to no history or foundation to rest on. That comes later. So it’s a bit frustrating story wise ,along with the character and personality of Everly at the moment.

It gets better. 

I don’t want to spoil the plot but Banet builds up the characters history’s along with the series foundation as the books storylines develop, getting progressively stronger and more complex.

And it’s where the other characters from series like Kaliya Sahni and her character fit in. Their stories and backgrounds mesh into the ongoing mystery that the author is creating for Everly, Alexius, and Isaiah. 

There’s no romance here, perhaps the mere suggestion of one in the future. But that’s it.  It’s all action adventure and revenge here for the various characters. 

Probably my biggest frustration as a long time reader of this author and her other series are all part of this universe and i believe overall plot is that, at the moment, the Everly Abbott series is hard to place within the Tribunal timeline. 

If you’re not familiar with the other series, maybe it won’t matter. If you are, seeing characters in roles that , in the Jacky Leon series you are aware they no longer have , it will make you wonder where this fits in.

I almost feel compelled to make a white board to trace all the various characters , their relationships, and crossover references to other series as well appearances made here by the main characters from them. I need a relevant timeline for the series to put it in perspective. 

And will this series eventually join up with the long awaited last book in the Jacky Leon series? Big questions! Which is why the timeline is so important. 

K. N. Banet is an author of several of my favorite paranormal series all in her Tribunal universe, including the still  unfinished Jacky Leon series. 

She paused her writing after a RL upheaval and relocation. That was several years ago.

Then I saw the release of a three-book collection, followed by a fourth book, written this month. Extremely excited and yes happy to recommend!

⭐️Series in the connected Tribunal Archives Universe (crossover characters and storylines);

Kaliya Sahni (6 book series)

Jacky Leon (12 book series to date-waiting for the 13th)

Everly Abbot – 4 books atm/9 books planned :

Servant of the Blood #1

Blood of the Wicked #2

Tainted Blood #3

Call of the Blood #4 

Buy link

 Collects books from: Everly Abbott 

Blurb 

I’m Everly Abbott, and my story is a bloody one.

Why wouldn’t it be? I grew up with vampires. I worked for them. I was friends with some, related to another. My family was safe with them, protected by promises kept for centuries.

Then it was gone.

When the leader of the local vampires died, everything shifted. Normalcy was thrown away for depravity as new leadership came to power.

But I refused to buckle under the weight of the shift. Once meek and quiet, through the great shifting of the world around me, there was also a great shift in me. I found a new ally in Alexius the Hunter, an infamous vampire that hunted his own kind. I stood up, and I fought back, and I made a choice.

My story is a bloody one.

And they deserve every drop I make them bleed.

This collection includes Everly Abbott books 1, 2, and 3.

-Servant of the Blood (Everly Abbott 1)

-Blood of the Wicked (Everly Abbott 2)

-Tainted Blood (Everly Abbott 3)

August 20, 2026

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Language

‎English

Print length

888 pages

Review:  Wolf Blood (At First Bite #2) by Lola Glass 

Rating: 4⭐️

Wolf Blood, the second book in this series, is one I feel is the better story here. 

It’s still an interesting take on the vampire species although I’m not entirely sold on the idea that vampires are a weaker species than werewolves which they are here. 

Walk about in daylight? Check. Drink blood from bags, but not often? Check. Move swiftly and gracefully? Check. But strength? That’s not really certain what it is. So they’re very pretty, model like species who drink blood and are reviled by everyone else for their actions in the previous war. 

Here it’s Harper, Bloom’s best friend, who’s bitten and turned against her will (from the first book). She also in her violent feeding frenzy, attacks a coworker that launched a main plot of that story. 

Wolf Blood deals with the ramifications of her becoming a made vampire, and her new quasi relationship with Rhône, the beta of the wolf pack that Bloom is now a member of. 

The issues raised of her even wanting to be a vampire, if she can remain stable, and the struggle for herself to separate herself from Bloom’s future and find a new life for herself.  All good elements. 

And the relationship dynamics that she has with Rhône are far stronger and more complex than the one that Bloom had with the Alpha. 

That said, this is another tiny woman/ huge man storyline that I could have done without. I do like that she created a new persona for her new role and lifestyle. 

The issues she had with her mother and vampire Council were resolved with a sentence. After a lifetime of abuse, that was not enough explanation for this situation. 

I liked the couple and characters much better than the first two. But I really never bought into the species interpretation of the author’s here. It just didn’t work for me and that maybe because it needed more explanation.

It was an entertaining read and I recommend it if you’re looking for something different. 

Cover by Francesca Michelon

At First Bite (2 book series):

Sweet Blood #1

Wolf Blood #2

Same universe:

Wildwood (3 book series)

Buy link

        Wolf Blood (At First Bite Book 2)

    

Blurb 

The werewolf who’s been keeping me alive with his blood for the last few months just declared me his. 

He also says he isn’t mine, so that’s fantastic.

At least we’re not soulmates. Yet.

Being a turned vampire has been rough for me, but I’m determined to survive long enough to make sure that my best friend has a support system of some kind when I’m gone.

It doesn’t help that my mother is somehow behind the murders that nearly took her out, though.

Or that the wolf who’s claimed me isn’t willing to let me go.

Somehow, I have to keep myself sane just long enough for everything to fall into place… and I have to do it without falling for a werewolf.

*This is a spicy enemies to lovers romance with a happily ever after

August 5, 2026

Accessibility

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Language

‎English

Print length

399 pages

Book 2 of 2

At First Bite

Review: Twice Bitten (Fangs and Fur Book 1) by S.E. Babin

Rating : 4⭐️

I’m a fan of this author so I immediately picked up Twice Bitten, the beginning of S.E. Babin’s Fangs and Fur series. A paranormal tale about a hedge witch who gets mixed up with the politics of the vampire/werewolf conference by way of a traumatic encounter is off to a good start here. 

Babin is excellent at establishing a complex plot that will keep expanding into ever greater detail and often wilder realms and storylines. I can definitely see this happening with Fangs and Fur and the main group of characters Babin is starting out with.

Hint. Thankfully, this author can take the main female character on quite the twisted path with regard to her final romantic partner, so just know it might not be one of the top two atm.

First there’s Alex, a hedge witch working as a barista with a black market apothecary business on the side. She’s an orphan with a “missing” mother and a father of unknown origin. 

Alex becomes the object of an obsessive vampire, Beckett, and ends up in the middle of a mysterious species turf battle between vampire and wolf shifter. That brings in the next major characters and conflicts.

Alric, the Vampire Prime and Silas is the Wolf King, both working on an inter species conference. Until a traumatic event with Alex upsets everything.

I’m not a fan of Alric. He’s got major non consent issues, and frankly red flags plastered around him everywhere. And smacks heavily of another MMC in another series I despised. 

Silas is running a close second. 

Like Leo the chauffeur/bodyguard for Alric. He’s got great potential going forward. 

And Babin, if she’s going to be as consistent as she has in her previous series, will make this an elaborate and exciting journey for Alex, magically and romantically. 

So I’m not going to assume who it might be from the characters at the first story. 

 Very entertaining and a great start to this series. 

Fangs and Fur:

Twice Bitten #1

Bite Club #2 – Jan 11,2027

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 2: Fangs and Fur 

Blurb 

I was bitten by a vampire AND a werewolf. Now everyone wants a piece of me.

I never wanted to be a powerful witch. I’m happiest pulling espresso shots at the Three Beans café and keeping my magic secret.

But trouble is brewing…

When a turf war between vampires and shifters erupts outside the café, I get caught between the irresistibly charming Vampire Prime and the ruggedly handsome Shifter King. As these two apex predators blindly tear into each other, I am bitten, clawed, and left for dead.

My magic flares just in time to save my life, but there are… side effects. Suddenly, I find myself staring at customers’ necks. And feeling suspiciously twitchy before the full moon.

It’s impossible but… am I transforming into a vampire and a werewolf?

The Vampire Prime finds me immediately. Captivated by my scent, he tempts me with danger and luxury. The Shifter King is equally obsessed, and determined to claim me for his pack.

I am caught between them once more—but this time it’s me that they’re fighting over. And since my new blood brings strange new powers, it won’t be long before I’m the most wanted prey in town…

Second Sky

Publication date

August 10, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

326 pages

Book 1 of 2

Fangs and Fur

Review:  Found Objects by Mary Calmes

Rating: 4.5🌈

Found Objects is the latest urban fantasy romance by Mary Calmes and it’s exactly what we expect from this author. The old,settled rich location of a small town high in the mountains of West Virginia, an intriguing group of found family of town,  and a great setup for a slow paced romantic journey.  

Calmes’ plot lines includes a newly arrived werewolf pack that has brought with them to the town, pack dysfunction, mystery and loads of action packed moments.

I love Merritt Baker and the mystery that Calmes builds around his character. Merritt is the owner of the town’s restaurant, and a central figure in the community. A friend and someone who acts as a shield or protector when needed. 

When a new shifter pack arrives in Coille, West Virginia to establish themselves in a new territory , they bring with them old problems along with a dysfunctional pack and history. And Cole Swann and his younger brother, Evan, nephews of the Alpha of the Swann pack. 

The way this author blends the well known Appalachian mythology with other lore is intriguing and well done. It works well for the many other characters here and for adding some really great layers to this story. 

It ends with a HFN, given the specific species of each character. And known life spans. 

I will admit to hoping that Calme revisits this town and special community as I really enjoyed them and didn’t get enough of several of their storylines. 

A definite winner and one I’m happy to recommend. 

Cover art: Reese Dante

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comFound Objects – Kindle edition by Calmes, Mary. Romance Kindle eBooks …

Blurb 

Merritt Baker is older than he looks. Quite a bit older, in fact. He knows all about the woods and where one should never wander at night, but the fact of the matter is, sometimes men are the scariest creatures of all, and Merritt makes it his business to protect the innocents caught in their wake. In the small town of Coille, West Virginia, where he makes his home, he takes care of quite a few people, and that’s always been enough. Or has been. Lately though, he’s felt a bit lost, as though he’s forgotten what it means to really live rather than simply exist.

Change arrives when a pack of shifters buys the land that borders his. He doesn’t think twice about them until his simple rules are ignored, and suddenly there’s conflict. One of the wolves, Cole Swann, is very interested in him, and surprisingly, Merritt can’t seem to get the man out of his head. But things aren’t what they seem, and between other packs, ghosts, and worst of all, love, Merritt might be in over his head. That’s the thing about being lost—it can be wonderful when you’re finally found, but is it worth the risk of losing yourself?

Mary Calmes Books, LLC.

Publication date

July 30, 2026

Edition

1st

Language

‎English

Print length

268 pages

Review: The Alpha and The Baker by Roxie Ray

Rating:4

Roxie Ray is a relatively new group of writers for me but I’m really enjoying the books that they write.  The Alpha and The Baker by Roxie Ray is an excellent example.  It’s a paranormal romance about a small town that has two very different pack of shifters with an interesting deep entwined heritage. 

Who will be caught up between them, in a gentle and entertaining manner is a human Asian American baker, Felicia, who is struggling to keep her bakery going after the loss of her mother. 

The authors give us the big exuberant Irish pack of Castiel who runs to Felicia’s bakery in need of cakes for a pack get together. And then an equally lovely and tradition based Mexican pack that lives adjacent to them in town. 

So it’s meet cute, a growing relationship with Castiel and his pack, all of the recipes, Felicia’s culture and background of loss and love, and a divide between the packs that needs to be resolved. 

It’s well written, full of terrific food, great characters, multiculturalism, spicy sex scenes and body positivity. 

Highly enjoyable and recommended. 

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Alpha And The Baker eBook : Ray, Roxie

Blurb 

A grumpy-sweet alpha. A broke but brilliant baker. One emergency cake order that might just be fate.

When Castiel’s pack reunion turns into a frosting-fueled disaster, the last thing he expects is to find salvation in the form of a tiny bakery—and the fiery, flour-dusted woman who runs it.

Felicia’s barely keeping her business alive, her heart is still healing, and she has zero time for distractions—especially not the ridiculously hot country guy begging for last-minute cakes. But with a hundred people waiting for dessert and a cash offer she can’t refuse, she says yes.

One rushed bake. Three ruined ovens. A van full of dreams.

And a connection that neither of them saw coming.

She’s a human with a whisk.

He’s an Alpha with responsibilities.

But when their worlds collide, it’s anything but half-baked.

Fans of small-town shifter romance, soft alpha energy, and banter that melts frosting will devour this slow-burn standalone with found family, first shifts, and the sweetest damn love story this side of the forest.

Special Fiction Books

Publication date

July 25, 2025

Edition

1st

Language

‎English

Print length

466 pages

Review:  Sweet Blood (At First Bite #1) by Lola Glass 

Rating: 3.75⭐️

Sweet Blood (At First Bite #1) by Lola Glass is the first book by this author I’ve read and it’s got several interesting elements about it. 

The first story in a paranormal fated mate’s romance murder mystery series, it has a different take on vampire and shifters than I’ve seen before. 

Here in this universe, vampires are a much weaker species. There was a paranormal war and werewolves came out on top. They now are the ones that have the political power over everyone, including humans who have the same feelings about the few remaining vampires as they do. 

Those vampires who survived, remain hidden among them by using contacts and other forms of camouflage to prevent them from being “outed” as vampires. 

All very opposite to the norm of the genre. 

The lack of strength, ability to walk in sunlight. That’s not exactly explored here. 

The main female character is a vampire who is, of course, hiding her species identity, while working in a high level job in an important werewolf company. 

Bloom, the vampire assistant to a non paranormal director, is the immediate suspect, when one of the other employees is found dead, a victim of a vampire attack. The king of werewolves, Maverick, has her arrested and held after biting her, determining she is a vampire.

This aspect of the story was something I thought needed more attention. No police, just held and moved by the wolves to a cell and “convicted” until proven innocent. 

Any foundation for this isn’t given until much later. And then there’s still no information about any separation between police and the werewolves themselves. And a real legal legitimate framework. I found that missing totally. 

The base is a tenuous fated mate relationship being established between vampire Bloom and King Maverick. He’s insistent upon it. She’s not so sure. Her family? Absolutely not. His own species? Mixed bag. 

Meanwhile, bodies are falling. There’s a heinous plot to be investigated and Bloom’s best childhood friend is in serious trouble. 

Many storylines. And actually one of the best relationships here is that of Bloom and Harper, her best friend who is featured in the second book and mystery.

It’s not a lack of interesting characters and storylines or elements here but maybe follow through. I found myself flipping through pages of spicy sex trying to figure out plots and story arcs that were under explored and required further development. Only to discover that there wasn’t really any other information. 

Another person mentioned that there’s other books and series about vampire/shifter fated mates from this author that exist in the same universe. Maybe some further world building exists there.

I’m at least going to read the second book.  See how the mystery unfolds there. 

If you enjoy paranormal fated mates romance, here is a different take on the trope. 

At First Bite:

Sweet Blood #1

Wolf Blood #2

Same universe:

Wildwood (3 book series)

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: At First Bite 

Blurb 

A werewolf showed up to investigate a murder in my office building—then bit me, and accused me of being the killer.

When I’m proven innocent, he admits the truth:

We’re soulmates.

Unfortunately for both of us, I’m a vampire. Our people are mortal enemies, so we have no choice but to ignore the connection we share until it eventually fades.

The only problem?

His instincts won’t let him walk away, and he isn’t trying to fight them.

When I’m nearly offed by the murderer myself, all bets are off.

My werewolf will take out the killer and make me his… or we’ll both die trying.

*This is a spicy enemies to lovers romance with a happily ever after

June 24, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

522 pages

Book 1 of 2

At First Bite