Review:  False Morality (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 5) by Shelby Rhodes

Rating: 5🌈

A cliffhanger ending from the last book delivers , via Shelby Rhodes incredible story, several heartbreaking moments, a great comeuppance for a villain, and , wait, another heart stopping cliffhanger. 

What a hair raising, pulse pumping, white knuckle ride this book is.  It’s everything we’ve come to expect from this series and author and then piled on with a mountain of narrative cherries.  Fabulous!

Rhodes’ has the story five further into the dynamic between Harlow and Foxx, what the ongoing trauma of events is doing to them each and separately. It’s a needed exploration, with these characters, and their dark histories and damaging stories. 

The other characters, the ones we’ve come to love too are focused on here, in ways that will have lasting impact on everyone. And Gavin? Love Gavin. I really needed him here. IYKYK. 

And as if there aren’t already enough words of caution, I’ll add mine. This is probably the most bloody, violent and potentially disturbing book of the bunch. Just Fyi.  Read the warning but these novels have to be read in the order they are written. And honestly, it’s Shelby Rhodes. 

Highly recommended for sheer excitement, sheer excellence, and utter mayhem and madness.  I’m a fan. 

Cover Artist: Beefbeff Art Editor: Emma Luna

The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx:

  • At First Irritation #1
  • Taste of Fear #2
  • Unusual Emotions #3Ā 
  • Thirst Quenched #4Ā 
  • False Morality #5

Buy link

        False Morality (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 5)

    

Blurb 

Foxx Honeywell here and holding on. You all know where we left off. I suppose I always knew that life often has moments—painful moments—that have you questioning every choice you’ve made that led up to it. Questioning if you had done something a little different, moved just a bit faster, delayed a little less, would the outcome have changed. I’m here to tell you, those questions are bloody pointless! The only question that matters is: how are you going to make it right?!

Well, you know me, I’m sure as hell not going to forget or forgive, and Harlow would laugh at even the suggestion. So, with every fiber of my being, I say, bring on the bloodshed!

Author Note: False Morality is the fifth book in the MM paranormal romance series, The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx, a series that is meant to be read in order. Please see inside or my website for content warnings.

  • Publisher: (April 19, 2025)
  • Publication date: April 19, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 432 pages

Review:  Half Dead (Crossroads Queen Book 8) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 4.75ā­ļø

I waited until the last book in the series was released to read Half Dead, the penultimate book in the series. That way I could happily breeze right through both books.  Or so I thought. Best laid plans.

Because I keep forgetting that Chase can break my heart, that when dealing with death, demons, ghosts, and the underworld, things happen that are traumatic and I’ll need a break before I can finally finish the books. 

And yes, this ends on a cliffhanger even. 

Still, after I finished sobbing in parts, admiring the sheer artistry of Annabel Chase’s work and plotting, that even a new character that made a minuscule appearance in, yes, an incredible scene, left me absolutely bereft, I was absorbed in Lorelei’s story.  From a totally different angle of an outsider, now Lorelei is firmly connected to the people and paranormal beings of Fairhaven, characters we’ve gotten to know and care deeply about. 

Kane is a huge part of this narrative, and as his and Lorelei’s relationship has evolved, so does any threat to him become a threat to her as well as the town. 

The Corporation continues to expand its presence and entity’s evil impact. It’s truly a fascinating and awful villain. 

Half Dead (Crossroads Queen Book 8) by Annabel Chase is a fantastic book. Only the cliffhanger aspect caused it to miss a 5-star rating.  This hurt my heart, made me realize how amazing the storytelling is, and incredible the characters.

Time for the finale.

Highly recommended!

Great cover art and design. 

Cover by Trif Designs, which has changed to reflect the fact that the word has gotten out that Lorelei Clay is a demigod. So great touch with that head halo/crown addition. Love the castle in the background. 

Crossroads Queen – series complete :

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – series finale 

Buy link

        Half Dead (Crossroads Queen Book 8)

    

Blurb 

Lorelei Clay wants to play offense for a change. She’s tired of hiding from the past she didn’t even know she had. With a promising relationship and new friends in a small town she loves, Lorelei wants to be free to live life on her terms, without the threat of death or capture hanging over her.

Kane Sullivan hasn’t exactly been hiding from his past—more like he moved without a forwarding address. Unfortunately for him, the boss he tried to overthrow never gave up the search.

And now the former prince of hell has been found.

Kane wants to do whatever it takes to keep his problems from endangering his found family. He knows better than anyone what Lucifer is capable of.

Lorelei is willing to do whatever it takes to protect the demon she loves, but if she can’t convince him to get in the game, they risk losing everything they’ve built together.

When the supreme demon finally makes his move, Lorelei realizes there are some nightmares that even she can’t control.

You don’t want to miss Half Dead, the penultimate book in the Crossroads Queen urban fantasy series.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (January 2, 2025)
  • Publication date: January 2, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 288 pages

Review:  The Vampire’s Werewolf Bodyguard by Tavia Lark

Rating: 4🌈

Tavia Lark is an author I enjoy reading, so I immediately grabbed up this paranormal romance. It’s got vampires  in trouble, lone wolf werewolves in need of mates and stability, and an old fashioned murder mystery that plays out along with the romance.

The 400 ish year old vampire,Simon, is an engaging character with a new magical ability that would be fun if better explored. And werewolf bodyguard, Cody, quickly became my favorite character of the story. 

A few lines fed the reader his background, and the reasoning behind his instability as a werewolf also had a brevity of explanation in this narrative.  The majority of the story was turned over to the mystery of the threats to Simon, the perpetrators behind the attacks, and the growing relationship between Simon and Cody.

For me , their dynamic and personal relationship made the story. They had chemistry as a couple. And Lark gave them each personal stakes to make a relationship problematic enough going forward for them if they wanted it too. 

The world building was non existent. Had no real idea of what the other storylines meant or referenced, which removed any impact that they could have had on the plot.

If this book fits within a known universe, it’s not set down here. 

So the best part of this is the main couple and their relationship. It’s a chosen mates, forced proximity vampire/werewolf relationship and an enjoyable one. 

I recommend it for everyone who likes the author and this trope. 

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Vampire’s Werewolf Bodyguard – Kindle edition by Lark, Tavia. Romance …

Blurb 

Adapted from a novella originally published as The Vampire’s Werewolf Bodyguard by Liv Rider.

Simon doesn’t want protection. Especially not from a werewolf.


Too bad the reclusive vampire doesn’t have a choice. Simon barely survived an assassin’s strike, and he isn’t safe yet. The attack left him weak and vulnerable, which is why his meddling sire hires him a bodyguard.

A big, burly werewolf bodyguard.

Cody’s instincts make him a formidable guard—if he can control his wolf. Living without a pack or mate makes him unstable. Dangerous. After accidentally shifting on his previous assignment, he has one chance to prove himself:

Protecting a bratty vampire who does not want his protection.

Keeping things professional is Cody’s only hope. Simon may have four centuries’ worth of defensive habits, but Cody can handle difficult clients. Except as Cody digs up the hurt behind Simon’s prickly exterior, and Simon starts to enjoy being cared for…

Staying professional might be impossible. Just like controlling Cody’s wolf.

The Vampire’s Werewolf Bodyguard is an MM paranormal romance with forced proximity, chosen mates, and bickering to lovers.

  • Publication date: April 9, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 250 pages

Review:  SOS HOTEL: Icy Reception by Adam Vex, Ariana Nash

Rating: 4.5🌈 

Icy Reception is another grand slam adventure in the epic fantasy series of the SOS HOTEL characters and their journey through life, horrifying scenarios,  looking for their HEA or whatever suits them. 

There’s so much to quote, hilarious scenes and fabulous moments here. LARPing in the extreme, which is saying something. 

I’ll never think about concierge’s and desk bells ā€œding, ding, ding ding, dingā€ without a certain delightfully chaotic demon in mind. He’s needs one, yes, he does. 

I find this hilarious, absolutely entertaining and need the finale in the worst bestest possible way. 

Love this world and characters.

Eye-watering cover design by Ariana Nash All rights reserved.

Cover design by Ariana Nash 

SOS Hotel:

  • For a Supernaturally Safe Stay #1
  • Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous #2
  • Sleep with Us #3Ā 
  • Great Service from Top to Bottom #4
  • No Rest for the Wicked #5Ā 
  • Ho, Ho, No #5.5
  • Luxury To Die For #6
  • Your Final Resting Place #7 -ends this sequence of events.
  • On The Road #8 – starts a mini-trilogyĀ 
  • Icy Reception #9Ā 
  • End of the Road #10 – finale / coming May 30,2025

Holiday release!

 SOS HOTEL: Ho, Ho, No by Adam Vex, Ariana Nashā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļø

Buy link

        SOS HOTEL: Icy Reception

    

Blurb 

What happens when you throw a whole bunch of Lost Ones in a posh hotel, sprinkle in some grown humans who like to play dress-up, add a twist of sinister vibes, a quirky treasure hunt, a spooky riddle, and some yummy sandwiches?

Wait. You don’t know? F*ck, me neither. I guess we’re gonna find out.

Some folks will probably get unalived—not our fault. Adam will want to help, because he’s nice like that. And Fancy Fangs is gonna sleep through it—or get his fine ass kidnapped. Because he’s ancient and mostly useless.

Anyway, if folks are dying, why we gotta be heroes? It’s not like we’re famous for saving people. Oh wait… f*ck. Then there’s the whole magic snowstorm that rolls in, and now we’re stuck with Mr. Creepy Concierge, cameras in inappropriate places, and have I mentioned the axe murderer?

Just another day on the road… But so we’re all clear, we’re definitely not on the run.

SOS HOTEL: Icy Reception is the second book in a three part mini-series that takes place AFTER the main eight books in the SOS HOTEL series. If you haven’t read the main books, don’t start here. If you have read all previous books, then buckle up, babycakes. Sh*t’s about to get real.

  • Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing (April 11, 2025)
  • Publication date: April 11, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 192 pages

Review:  Bloodlust Blues (Charley Underwood Book 1) by Luanne Bennett

Rating: 4ā­ļø

I’ve been searching for new authors and series that offer different perspectives or approaches to certain tropes and main characters I enjoy reading.  

I love a good paranormal or urban fantasy universe that focuses on a different kind of location and a character that’s outside of the usual main character frame. 

So a story situated inside an old local bar & grill where its colorful walls are covered in years of signatures and memorabilia and it’s clientele is a mixture of human and supernatural beings, getting their drink on to tunes on the jukebox? Yes, sign me up. 

A town called Crimson, Georgia where the paranormal and humans have come to live in a peaceful place, sort of. 

Charley Underwood owns the bar, The White Stag, locally known as the Stag, which has been in her family. Her employees are werewolves, as well as a human or two. And her mother, a powerful witch, has recently died. 

Bloodlust Blues sees Charley running a covert blood bank out of her back rooms, using donated vampire blood to help the elderly and impoverished people of town. 

I really enjoyed the story. It sets up the foundation knowledge of the town and surrounding areas.  Bennett also brings in all the characters that will form Charley’s found family and the character that is the potential romantic connection. And his familiar. 

There’s a terrific mystery that involves a couple of murders as well as missing people.  And the introduction of a permanent villain type character too. 

Bennett shows the journey that Charley has to take, as she finds out how magical she actually is. And why she wasn’t trained all along. 

I can’t wait to see her next story and how this character is developed.

A definite winner. 

Cover design Damonza.comā€

The Charley Underwood series -complete 

Bloodlust Blues 

Bloodlust Bites 

Bloodlust Curse 

Bloodlust Shadows

Buy link

        Bloodlust Blues: A heart-racing and completely addictive urban fantasy (Charley Underwood Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Crimson, Georgia. I’m Charley—reluctant witch, and owner of the best bar in town. 

Everyone’s welcome at the Stag—vampire, wolf or human. As long as they don’t make trouble. Or ask too many questions about what we’re selling out of the back room.

I keep the beers coming, and in return the town keeps my secret. But when a gang of deadly vampires shows up at the bar, it’s clear they’re not looking for a drink. They want to take my business. Or my blood.

But this is more than just a shake down. All over town, people are dropping like flies. Disappearing or attacking their neighbors. It’s like they’re possessed. And someone—or something—is pulling the strings.

As if I didn’t have enough trouble, a fancy new restaurant just opened right across the street. And a sexy vampire from out of town seems to think I need protection. I have plenty of dangerous friends already… so why can’t I stop thinking about him?

The whole town is going to hell. Perhaps literally. And it looks like it’s up to me to stop it. 

Discover a thrilling new series that will leave you reading late into the night. With heart-stopping twists and a found family you’ll fall in love with, this urban fantasy is perfect for fans of Annabel Chase, Charlaine Harris, and Patricia Briggs.

Review:  Dead Heat (Crossroads Queen Book 7) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 5ā­ļø

Dead Heat really escalates the overall danger that’s been created and implies that the many serious threats towards Lorelei and her found family are more imminent and deadly. 

There are a boatload of plot lines here, from an incubus bartender with a strange mark on his chest that needs a bit of investigation to a new visitor in need of a place to stay, and as always, The villainous Corporation wanting Lorelei and sending its minions after her.  But of course, there’s more, and it’s Kane, her demon boyfriend, who might be in trouble. 

Dead Heat (Crossroads Queen Book 7) by Annabel Chase superbly increases the level of danger, suspense and chaos for all the characters going forward. Chase has brought Lorelei into the Fairhaven fold, made her its guardian, and given her a found family of vampires, assassins, witches, werewolves, ghosts and the odd paranormal beings.  Even a human sheriff and demon boyfriend.

And now the largest threat is to the very people and things she came there to avoid happening and having.

Great job and story.

I’m reading two books at a time. And I’ve heard that Half Dead #8 ends on a cliffhanger and Dead End #9 isn’t released yet. So I’ll wait until both are available and then read right through. 

Until then, this is one amazing series. Binge them or just read them one by one. Fab stuff. Great character development and plotting. A true winner.

Cover by Trif Designs, which has changed to reflect the fact that the word has gotten out that Lorelei Clay is a demigod. So great touch with that head halo/crown addition. 

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

        Dead Heat (Crossroads Queen Book 7)

    

Blurb 

It isn’t easy being the liminal deity of a multirealm crossroads, as Lorelei Clay can attest. There are the typical issues, of course, like a wayward god stumbling into Wild Acres, and then there are the more pressing ones…

Like an incubus who wakes up with a mysterious mark on his chest and a timer on his life.

And the demon with an urgent message for Kane.

And the mysterious flying monsters with vengeance in their hearts that threaten the peace and tranquility of Fairhaven.

And last, but definitely not least, a visit from The Corporation’s latest minion, who might finally make Lorelei an offer she can’t refuse.

Don’t miss Dead Heat, Crossroads Queen, book 7. For fans of quaint small towns chock full of vampires, fae, witches, werewolves, mage assassins, ghosts, and the clueless humans they protect

Review:  Play Dead (Crossroads Queen Book 6) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 5ā­ļø

This series just keeps getting better, and breaking my heart in places in the process. Over characters that I never expected to care about. 

Chase’s gifts in crafting storylines that are layered in ways that are so deceptive to the reader’s mind and imagination that by now we should know better than to assume anything or have any expectations for anyone. 

Because Chase is almost guaranteed to turn or twist what we think we know around into something totally unforeseen or shockingly horrifying. Or great. I dunno. 

The mythological world of characters and creatures that’s being brought into Fairhaven, through the portals or another mysterious manner, is ever expanding. It’s a fabulous series element that it’s not limited to one culture or any kind of supernatural world element, but multiple pantheons, gods, and their respective realms are coming into play. 

The Corporation is still a big bad and their minions are an ever present realistically visualized threat. What a well crafted horror they are. 

The Wild Hunt is a main event here and its arrival sets off a chain reaction of events including one I didn’t expect, one that saw me crying. Who knew. 

Lorelei is dealing letting her inner circle of friends into her secrets, renovating her crumbling castle, making sure her ghosts and visitor are safe and well, happily doing whatever.  While the Hunt comes in to cause trouble. 

A fantastic read, great character development, marvelous storylines, and the Wild Hunt was an imaginative new element to introduce.  

Another must read series and auto buy author. 

Cover by Trif Designs, which has changed to reflect the fact that the word has gotten out that Lorelei Clay is a demigod. So great touch with that head halo/crown addition. 

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

        Play Dead (Crossroads Queen Book 6)

    

Blurb 

In Fairhaven, there’s no rest for the wicked, the weary, or anyone in between.

The Wild Hunt is on its way to town, commanded by a ruthless leader who leaves only destruction in his wake.

Meanwhile, the Castle has opened its doors as a sanctuary for an unexpected and unwelcome visitor, which puts a damper on Lorelei’s budding relationship with resident demon prince of hell, Kane Sullivan. Even worse, the houseguest brings another hunting party to town, one that Lorelei has been careful to avoid. 

As the threats escalate and secrets are revealed, Lorelei must come to terms with a moment of truth she never anticipated—if she can survive the hunt.

Play Dead is the sixth book in the Crossroads Queen series.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (June 20, 2024)
  • Publication date: June 20, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 282 pages

Review:  The Wolf Vs The Shifter (The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth Book 3) by Lauretta Hignett

Rating: 4.5ā­ļø

The Wolf Vs The Shifter (The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth Book 3) by Lauretta Hignett is a great terrifying book.

It simultaneously gives the reader more insight into multiple characters but starts to move all of the major characters into new stages where you can see the ultimate danger and darkness coming for them. 

We learn who Myf, there is a thrilling dramatic scene at the end where several plots crash together into one chaotic mess and battle. 

Great elements here that make this exciting , or disturbing if you think about it, are Dwayne, the goose chaos god and his dalliances with the Fae Princess, and how they have enormous roles here.  Myf, our closet hiding enigma gets her big reveal. And the vile polar bear Alpha gets his comeuppance, finally.

Hignett doesn’t forget to write in the small emotional moments that make the reader remember that there are many children and vulnerable innocent individuals whose lives are at stake in the outcome of the events here. Not just a part of the Hidden City but a small orc child in danger. 

Then the reader sees that the narrative continues to explore all aspects of  Daphne’s life, both as the paranormal child social worker and as that as yet unknown entity that hasn’t been revealed. 

Romeo and gang is here but recovering from the recent events. 

It’s a grand story, scary and serious. Sets the tone for the next one in the series. 

I’m highly recommending this author and series. So creative and well written. 

Book Cover by Atra Luna Graphic Designā€

Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth:

The Wolf Vs The Vampire #1

The Wolf Vs The Warlock #2

The Wolf Vs The Shifter #3

The Wolf Vs The Witch #4

The Wolf Vs The Monster #5

The Wolf Vs Santa: A Little Christmas Mystery

Buy link

        The Wolf Vs The Shifter: The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth

    

Blurb 

The hunt begins…

I’ve been on lockdown in the Hidden City for weeks now. Everyone thinks I’m hiding from the Alpha because I disobeyed his orders one too many times. And, well… I have. He’s coming for me; I know that.

But he’s also coming for Myf, my mysterious agoraphobic pantry-dwelling Welsh friend, and I can’t let him take her. She’s hiding a dangerous secret — one I need her to share with me so I can protect her.

It might be too late. The Alpha is coming, and I’m not ready to face him.

And the worst part is, he’s not coming alone.

The Wolf Vs The Shifter is book three in the Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth, a hot new Urban Fantasy series by bestselling author Lauretta Hignett.

  • Publication date: January 15, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 263 pages

Review:  The Night Prince (Wolf King #2) A Fantasy Romance by Lauren Palphreyman

Rating: 4ā­ļø

I was absolutely torn about rating this novel at a 4 when at times I wanted to go lower. It’s primarily due to the character of Callum and the fact that the author seems determined to ask the reader to accept that he’s anything beyond a whiny, substance lacking himbo but actually a main romantic character who should be in a relationship with the female protagonist. 

No. 

At 84 percent in, Callum is still a the wolf shifter equivalent of the entitled ex high school football player who never grew up still expecting everyone to like him and give him what he wants.  Gets a crown? Due to his own efforts? Nope. Support skills? Lacking.  He’s never where he should be. But the author’s storyline wants the reader to believe that this is the guy that Rory is swooning about? Realistically?  That’s not a believable element.

This is me as a reader flipping pages every time Callum starts to make appearances. 

Blake is the terrific character that kept me going. He’s complex, tormented, and dark natured. Duplicitous and unpredictable. And now bonded to Rory. That’s an interesting take on a twisted relationship and compelling plot.  Blake’s damaged, horrific history and his own personal relationship to the dark world around him is what elevates the story and the unwilling bond between himself and Rory.

Its intensity also makes Rory a more interesting character herself through her connection to Blake and their dreams/nightmares and emotions. Without that aspect of her character,her personality is getting a bit one dimensional here.  Without Blake in the picture, she’s then reduced to a reactionary role , just bouncing back and forth between different men instead of becoming a proactive person the author insists she is.

Yes, her circumstances are perilous, but some of these scenes and actions on her part are not as strong or well thought out as the role is asking us to believe her to be. 

What the author has done well is to create an atmosphere of fear and suspense, where anyone can be possessed, where the darkness is rising. The mythology is wonderful and the landscape of the current plot and dramatic scenes is vividly illustrated.

The last quarter of the book is the best , most thrilling part of it.  There is plenty of drama, some surprisingly good twists and one shocking moment at the end that ends on a bit of a cliffhanger that sets up the final novel in this trilogy. 

I’ll be there to finish this trilogy. Fingers crossed that Callum is kicked out to the highest highlands, Blake is ,well , Blake, and Rory becomes a solo Queen.  I can dream can’t I?

We will see.

Another gorgeous cover. 

Cover Design by: Damonza

The Wolf King series:

The Wolf King #1

The Night Prince #2 

Buy link:

        The Night Prince: A Fantasy Romance (The Wolf King)

    

Blurb 

Aurora is caught between powerful alphas as they fight for the Wolf Throne. But darker forces are rising. . .

Aurora may have survived the Wolf King, but his bite marks her skin. In accordance with wolf law, that makes her his property. Now, he wants her back.

To beat him and take his throne, Aurora and Callum must form a dangerous alliance with one of the most feared Wolves in the Kingdom, Blake. He is their enemy, but he has entangled his life with Aurora’s—meaning she cannot harm him without forfeiting her own life.

As she fights to break their connection, she suspects Blake is keeping secrets about a dark power that rises in the north, and the unsettling nature of the bond between them. It seems there is a bigger game at play than who sits on the Wolf Throne—one that threatens both the Kingdom of Wolves, and the Kingdom of Men.

With her wolf awakening, enemies closing in, relationships tested, and secrets revealed—Aurora may be the only one who can stop an ancient evil from rising.

If she can figure out who to trust.

If she can figure out where she, and her heart, belong.

If she can stay alive.

The highly anticipated sequel to The Wolf King. A romantasy for fans of enemies to lovers, shifters, forbidden romance, villains you love to hate (or maybe just love!), and werewolves. Contains strong language and sexual situations.

  • Publication date: March 31, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 499 pages

Review:  Dead Weight (Crossroads Queen Book 5) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 5ā­ļø

I gave 5 ā­ļø to Dead Weight because, while Chase accomplishes so many important and exciting narrative goals in this book, she did two things that absolutely smashed it for me. She demolished a villain I couldn’t stand and set up the next story with a twist I didn’t see coming. 

Fantastic!

Both of those events happened at the end but all the many other things and plots that led to them were outstanding as well. Just as gripping, funny, totally absorbing in detail and weirdness. And it, again, moves more of the various characters and their individual lives forward in some respects.

Usually its relationship dynamics being shuffled around, emotional scenes and characters being truthful about their struggles, all of which allow the reader to feel even closer and deeper connected to each of them.  Because while these characters may be assassins, fae, werewolves, witches, ghosts, vampires and such, the issues that they face are often those that anyone can relate to.  Fear of rejection, abandonment, loss, betrayal , and loneliness. It’s in their stories. We get them. 

So when Chase makes this an absolutely slowest burn ever romance, the characters also will give us their emotional reasons why it’s necessary for it.  Same for any other character’s reactions to whatever happens here. It’s a natural progression from believable way they have been from the beginning to the present. 

Chase has a great sense of humor and depth of character. She builds on her stories, and each character becomes stronger and more interesting as the books continue. Especially those assassins from The Guild, her friends Gun and Cam, as well as Kane’s employees. 

Yes to the series, a definite yes to this story.  The author too. 

Cover by Trif Designs, wish it had a  more an accurate portrayal of this complicated character. One who only wears old t-shirts and jeans, boots, and is in her early 30’s.  Usually worn out by no sleep, no budget and constant physical labor on that money pit of a crumbling house.  Put that on the cover. Please. 

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

        Dead Weight (Crossroads Queen Book 5)

    

Blurb 

Lorelei Clay is determined to put down roots in the small town of Fairhaven no matter what the universe throws at her. After all, she’s invested her entire savings in the rundown monstrosity known as the Castle—and she’s on the verge of investing her heart in a certain prince of hell, if he can overcome his literal internal demon.

Lorelei and Kane aren’t the only ones haunted by their histories. When unfamiliar werewolves cause trouble in town, Arrowhead alpha Weston Davies realizes his tragic past is about to catch up with him and threaten the life he’s managed to build.

As their problems continue to mount, it becomes clear that unless they face their respective pasts—they’ll have no future.

Dead Weight is the fifth book in the Crossroads Queen paranormal andurban fantasy series. For fans of feisty females, found family, romance subplots, tortured demon heroes, and a feel-good vibe.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (April 11, 2024)
  • Publication date: April 11, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 284 pages