Here we are at the penultimate story in the life of Adam Vex , his companions , ex porn star incubus Zee, and wealthy businessman vampire Reynard. All of them living in their struggling SOS Hotel, with their gremlin filled walls, weirdly scary but wonderful AI bartender Tom Collins, and some personal secrets about to come busting out!
But first, something is wrong with Tom Collins! Heās too nice, his cocktails too boring, heās not himself.
In this story, sooo many things are happening. In a race to find and bring back their beloved bartender, secrets start to come out. And not in happy moments.
But this is a series on its way to its climactic conclusion and itās building up to that point by challenging the characters to expose themselves (yes that too), emotionally and on personal terms, revealing their histories they hadnāt before.
So yes, thereās wild rescues, more than a few fight scenes. And one ginormous cliffhanger.
Itās fantastic. I need that final book! If youāre not into cliffhangers, wait until the entire series is out and binge read. Otherwise, read it in order and wait until itās released in August. Iām highly recommending this book and series. Well thought out and fabulous characters!
SOS Hotel:
ā For a Supernaturally Safe Stay #1
ā Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous #2
ā Sleep with Us #3
ā Great Service from Top to Bottom #4
ā¦ No Rest for the Wicked #5 – August 16, 2024 (finale)
Something is wrong with Tom Collins. More wrong than usual.
Tomās being nice.
I should have known trouble was right around the corner. One attempted murder later, and Reynard is forced to disarm Tom (literally).
No bartender, means no bar. Zee is grumpy and avoiding me, and the hotelās measly profits are dwindling by the day.
Things are not going well. We need our broken, foul-mouthed Tom Collins back.
But donāt worry. Zee says saving Tom should be a walk in the park for us.
Turns out, that walk in the park is more like a road to hell. But I’ve got this…
My name is Adam Vex. I’m your average and mundane, human host. Welcome to another crazy day at the SOS Hotel.
*
Warning: SOS Hotel contains explicit language, situations, and content that some readers may find uncomfortable. For full warnings, please see the author’s website or the paperback “look inside sample”.
Located on Christopher Street in the Greenwich Village, the now historic Stonewall Inn opened in 1967 in New York City. Owned by the mafia (as was many of the gay nightclubs), it was operated as a restaurant previously but now served as a gay bar serving illegal liquor for the mob and paying protection money in monthly payoffs to local cops to keep the raids down. Down but not stopped. In those days, dressing as the opposite sex was illegal and carried jail time, not just harassment and beatings. And the Stonewall Inn was heavily frequented by drag queens, transgendered people, crossdressers., and lesbians who dressed “male” or butch. The last was important because some say it was a lesbian who threw the first punch at a cop that night in retaliation over the brutal treatment of another patron. But because there are so few images and differing accounts, the truth might never be know. Others say it was a transgendered person and others still a drag queen. Although the Inn itself could not be called a fancy establishment, it’s decor not the best, it’s dance floor and atmosphere, that despite police raids, let people feel free to be themselves, kept the place alive and packed. Of course, the liquor helped too.
But the raids were growing more frequent and City Hall had orders to shut down Stonewall Inn for good. Courtesy of history.com (see that link for enlarged narrative) is the timeline of the explosion that followed that decision:
June 24, 1969: Police arrest Stonewall employees, confiscate alcohol
June 27-28, 1969: Stonewall crowd erupts after police arrest and rough up patrons.
Early hours of June 28, 1969: Transgender women* (other accounts have this as drag queens or crossdressers) resist arrest. Bottles are thrown at police.
Close to 4 a.m. June 28, 1969: Police retreat and barricade themselves inside Stonewall.
June 28-29: Stonewall reopens, supporters gather. Police beat and tear gas crowd
June 29-July 1, 1969: Stonewall becomes gathering point for LGBT activists.
July 2, 1969: Gay activists protest newspaper coverage.
The beginning of the Gay Pride Movement has been ignited!
Today, The Stonewall Inn remains a place of LGBTQIA history and a gathering spot for all, where everyone can be themselves. Only now it’s legal, the right hard fought on this spot. A sign erected lest people forget. Not that they are likely too. There are parades, and books, and vids, and movies and more ready to remind us. Especially now at the 50 year anniversary of Stonewall.
I hope you’ll visit some of those links and enjoy some of those remarkable books. Martin Duberman’s was reviewed here and the stories of the individuals in the movement made a big impact on me.
Paul Richmond, an amazing artist some of you may recognize only through his covers for Dreamspinner Press or other of itās houses, is doing this month. Over at his facebook page Paul Richmond Studio , every day this month, Paul has taken a different LGBT artist, past or present. and highlighted their works. He has talked about why this artist has meant so much to him, or perhaps the struggles this artist has had to go through. The journey through different eras, artistic lives and styles has been a revelation! Paul’s LGBT Artist of the Day has continued. If you have missed a artist or day, its not too late! Head over to Paul’s FB page and start your introduction to some jaw dropping artwork and artists.
I hope everyone has had a wonderful Pride Month! We have highlighted NHL Hockey for Everyone efforts with absolute delight, we have had great recommendations for stories, showcased Paul Richmond and LGBTQIA artists and finishing up with The Stonewall Inn. How has your Pride Month been?
This is where I will also wish everyone in the US and expats abroad a happy and safe Fourth of July!
Note:
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is looking for Reviewers! We are looking for reviewers for our blog. If you love to read or listen to LGBT stories and share your thoughts about them with others, consider reviewing with Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words. Please send all inquiries to scatteredthoughtsandroguewords@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you. We are very flexible about how many reviews each reviewer takes on. Thatās entirely up to each reviewerās own schedule.
And now onto our week ahead.
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Sunday, June 30:
New Release Blitz for Save the Date (Harrisburg Railers #9) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey
End of Pride Month and the History of Stonewall Inn
This Week at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Monday, July 1:
Blog Post – Victoria Milne – Purple Method
BLOG TOUR Change of Heart by KM Neuhold
Release Blitz – Amy Tasukada – Yakuza Path Box Set
A MelanieM Review: Ammo and Enchiladasby BA Tortuga
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Tea by Matthew J. Metzger
Tuesday, July 2:
BLITZ Palm Trees and Paparazzi by J.C. Long
Release Blitz – Ruby Moone – Eyeliner and Lace
Review Tour for Save the Date (Harrisburg Railers #9) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey
A MelanieM Review: Save the Date (Harrisburg Railers #9) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey
A Barb the Zany Old Lady Release Day Review: Raze (Riven #3) by Roan Parrish
An Alisa Release Day Review: Fox Hunt (Shifter U #4) by J. Leigh Bailey
A Caryn Release Day Review: The Importance of Being Kevin by Steven Harper
Wednesday, July 3:
Release Blitz – I’ve Got You by Becca Seymour
BLITZ Where the Night Reigns by Emilie Lucadamo
PROMO BA Tortuga on Come Back Around (Leaning N #4) by B.A. Tortuga
Blog Post – LA Bryce – Love, Trust & Secrets
A Stella Review : I’ve Got You by Becca Seymour
A MelanieM Release Day Review:Come Back Around (Leaning N #4) by B.A. Tortuga
Thursday, July 4th:
DSP PROMO j. leigh bailey and Fox Hunt (Shifter U #4)
Release Blitz – Sam Burns – Salmon & The Hazel (Rowan Harbor Cycle)
Release Blitz – MATED by Tricia Owens
TOUR DANCING WITH THE LION: BECOMING by Jeanne Reames
An Alisa Review Waited So Long by JM Dabney
Reviews – MATED by Tricia Owens
Friday, July 5:
Review Tour – Ari McKay – Recipe For Romance
PROMO Victoria Milne
Release Blitz – Espejos (South Texas Lore 1) by Michael War
A Lila Review: Espejos (South Texas Lore 1) by Michael War
A MelanieM Review: Recipe for Romance (Recipe for Romance #1-4) by Ari McKay
A Chaos Moondrawn Release Day Review: Never a Hero (Tucker Springs #5) by Marie Sexton
Saturday, July 6:
Release Blitz Tour – Michael Mandrake – Death’s Angel
A MelanieM Review: Here Comes the Son by Dahlia Donovan
Unusual Emotions is the third book in Shelby Rhodesā amazing paranormal romance series, The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx, so a couple of things right away. If youāre reading this series, you are already familiar with the trigger warnings, so Iām not going to repeat them.
Secondly, if youāre familiar with Shelby Rhodes writing, either here or any of this authorās work, then again, see my sentence above about triggers. Rhodesā writing just comes with a certain amount of warnings, primarily because of the various types of themes and content that are present in this authorās work. If you know, you know.
As this is the third book in this remarkable series, one that has to be read in order, then a reader knows what is in store for them and the characters here. Proceed forward with knowledge!
Unusual Emotions tells us exactly what our characters are dealing with. After the traumatic events and deepest horrors of the past revisited that Taste of Fear put Foxx and Harlow through, now the impact of those events and its consequences, emotionally are seen here on the partners.
Unsurprisingly, Foxx is having nightmares, the burning marks upon his body still visible, his emotional state is shattered as much as his damaged threads. Hes not in good shape as the book opens. But just as shocking, neither is his partner Harlow. Heās having feelings, anger , fear, and more, which heās trying not to identify. Heās a psychopath and , in his own words and mind, heās not supposed to be having feelings.
Rhodes weaves an intimate, increasingly confused relationship between two characters that always thought they knew what their relationship was about. Until recently, and Foxxās recent traumatic experiences have upset him and their dynamic. Both sides are stumbling around, dealing with their own issues, their partnerās unspoken difficulties with the current situation, and a multitude of new cases involving them and weird elements.
Itās Foxx and Harlow trying to figure out how to make their relationship work but itās changing in ways neither understands. The author lays this out , all the fears, the misguided ways their friends and bosses interfere in the process, all the challenges that realistically make them not trusting of anything deeper than a work relationship, itās complicated journey that makes them feel more real and broken. Incredible stuff here.
Threaded through this slow burn journey over broken glass pathways is the cases Tony is throwing their way. Unusually big numbers, scary details, weird situations. Each one coming with some defining features and scenarios that will, Iām sure, add up to something even more terrifying to the partners later on.
And Iām not just talking about the cliffhanger of that ending!
Yes, it does have a wowzer of a cliffhanger here. We also knew that would happen.
Unusual Emotions (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 3) by Shelby Rhodes is one incredibly powerful and heart stopping book. Our connection with Foxx and Harlow is made stronger, and we are all so happy that they have made a new step forward in their journey. Now about that cliffhanger!
Highly recommended! Read them in order. Not one is a standalone.
Foxx Honeywell hereā¦ Have you ever wanted something, but then when it finally happens, you panic and think of all the things that could go wrong, because things have always gone wrong? No? Just me? Well, letās backtrack.
We pick up where we last left offā¦after the hypocritical murdery priests. Yeah, I’m still dealing with all that. Cases come and go, and things are normalā¦but then normal flies out of the window. All because my mind decided to focus on things it shouldnāt. Because, as is often the case, emotions and feelings donāt give a shit about timing, place, or the sanity of those involved!
Speaking of sanity. My annoyingly insane partner, HARLOW, decided that he wants to make it all the more complicated by feeling āsomethingā as well.
Long story short, more cases, more confusion, and just the urge to burn the world down in a fit of angerā¦because why the bloody hell not? Things are decidedly not okay.
CONTENT WARNING: This is a slow burn M/M paranormal romance book, that ends in a cliffhanger. Please see inside or my website for full content warning!
The Trouble With Trying to Hook a Harbinger is another absolutely wild unhinged story in Jennifer Codyās Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees series and Iām loving every single bit of this.
No, itās not over yet. This is the penultimate tale of battles, families, universal balance and gods, shopping, engagements, ginormous rings, new adoptions, and just outright chaos in the best way possible. With blood and swords and lots of sex.
Cody does give Romily (and the reader) a further explanation into his muteness and past trauma. Itās typical of Codyās writing that this aspect of the story, while it offers Romily an explanation for his tragic past and mutism, it wonāt resolve it. Instead this storyline gives him a new perspective about this part of himself as well as sees another intriguing being added to the family.
Codyās characters are so well written, grounded in their emotions and respected relationships that we stay connected with them no matter what happens to the world around them. Here, with the incredible imagery and imagination thatās been brought by Cody to this moment, itās a very wild ride!
Thatās why I just love this entire series and story. Even the smallest scene can contain ramifications for the larger plot, or even for a characterās story later on in the series. Codyās plot is complex even when appearing at its most simplistic stage. Itās never one dimensional. Crazy, zooming off into the wilderness of the universe and who knows what else could possibly happen next but thatās what makes this work. Characters that love each other deeply amidst chaos and way too many tables.
Gotta love this. I do and canāt wait for the next one to come out. Plus I heard that there will be a new sequel series to follow. Highly recommended!
Stay tuned.
Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees :
ā The Trouble with Trying to Date a Murderer #1
ā The Trouble With Trying to Save an Assassin #2
ā The Trouble with Trying to Love a Hellion #3
ā The Trouble With Trying to Hook a Harbinger #4
ā The Adventure of Sterling Jones: A Murder Sprees and Mute Decrees Sidequest
Welcome back to Will-They-Wonāt-They? The Engagement: The Foxily Edition. Thatās the name of the show that Iām planning to pitch to a producer thatās based on my life. Will Fox ever give me a ring? Who knows! I donāt, and I donāt think Fox does either. If the rock currently sitting not-on-my-finger is any indication, we might be doomed.
In the meantime, let me introduce to you my new best friend: a cherub. (Are we surprised by this turn of events? No. I flipping love cherubs.) Akile Aristide walks into my life, declares that Iām his bestie, and then flips the world on its three way axis. Whatās a Harbinger to do except announce, āIncoming!ā and hope everyoneās buckled in?
The Trouble with Trying to Hook a Harbinger is a 63k MM Paranormal Romedy with a Harbinger who gets to change his title to The Chosen One, a slightly manic Reaper whoās out for a little blood, and the family that theyāre building one adoption at a time.
Vinni George dives into the fated mates shifter trope with a new action adventure romance series, ORCA, or the Organization for the Return of Criminals and Assets . That itās centered around a family or pod of killer whale brothers as they find their fated mates while theyāre hunting stolen artifacts or just on wild uncover missions is spot on. How that all happens is also a part of the storyline of this book.
George has a lot to lay out in this first book. We get the foundation for the universe, the culture of our shifter species, the various shifter family structures , especially in case of the two types of species of our main characters, a orca killer whale and an otter.
Felix White is a highly talented hacker and otter shifter, one whoās also in a load of trouble. That will bring his fated mate to him in the form of a bodyguard, Nero Black, bondsman now bodyguard, and orca shifter, one of a family of brothers that live together.
This is an instant recognition of the mate storyline. While Iām not always a fan of this approach, it works well with Nero and Felix due to their situation and the chemistry the author builds between them.
Because the series is going to be based on the rest of the family, they are quickly introduced and their personalities defined by jobs and appearance. Species characteristics are also very well represented here which I think makes them better realized as shifters. The holding hands by Felix as an otter is just adorable.
I had a few issues with the story in the I wish the actual villain was better executed and explored. This person sort of popped up out of nowhere. And was done equally as quickly. With all the buildup, this potion of the story doesnāt have the same kind of fulfillment as the other aspects. Itās over with in a blink.
My other quibble isnāt by the author but should have been caught. Things like this.
āāYou didnāt answer my question.ā Quin looked at me with shred eyes.ā
Iām guessing it should be shrewd eyes. Iām betting autocorrect struck again. But in a book you paid for , itās annoying and a line editor should have caught it.
Iām seeing too many errors like that in books these days.
Quibbling aside, I found Black & White: An MM Shifter Romantic Suspense Novel (ORCA Book 1) by Vinni George is very entertaining and a terrific start to a new series .
Nero Hunter is tired. Heās tired of early mornings chasing down skips. Heās tired of Shamu jokes and dealing with idiots. He’s tired of being alone. But agreeing to do one little favor for a friend turns the tide and brings Nero face-to-face with his destiny.
Felix White is unlucky. When his life is threatened and heās hauled into police custody for safekeeping, the last thing he expects is to meet his fated mate. Especially when his mate is a giant killer whale shifter, who is also his new bodyguard.
But there is more to the plot against Felix than meets the eye, and Nero and his brothers have to work together to figure out who is after Felix before itās too late…before Nero loses the mate he just found.
Black & White is book one in the Organization for the Return of Criminals and Assets (ORCA) series featuring an orca shifter art thief turned bounty hunter, a sea otter shifter hacker who might have pissed off the wrong people, and a group of orca brothers who will do anythingāeven if itās not quite legalāto save the newest member of their family.
Well this is an absolutely splendid addition to the Fortune Favors the Fae series. I loved how Michele Notaro adapted her Brinnswick universe into this series, by means of that mischievous wayward fae coin.
While its personality doesnāt really come into play as it has in a prior tale, that coin is still the means through which unlucky fae Belryn Bizidor meets wolf shifter Remington ā Remiā Ellwood, newly arrived with some of the members of his family to start a family security company on Gauhala.
Its meet cute, and mate recognition, sort of . Mostly both feel a very special unusual attraction, which I find interesting because it takes time for this relationship to develop. For Bel, his situation is fragile. His city views Fae as the lowest form of life, discrimination is common, heās homeless, and trying to protect whatās left of his family.
The more the reader learns about his character and how perilous the situation heās in, the more we connect with him. Bel is the type of character Notaro crafts so well. Layered, emotional, and warmhearted. And desperate. In this case, to save his family.
Remi the wolf shifter who finds his viramore and is determined to hold him, no matter what, is kind and loving. Just by his own history heās not as vividly drawn as a wounded Bel. Itās just the nature of the difference in the drama between them. They do have a gentle charm and connection that works well here.
Notaro has created a number of fascinating characters that support the main couple, ones that almost prove more compelling. Whether itās Tan, Remiās friend and business partner whoās in a frenemies attraction thing with the Dragon King, or Belās cousin Ker and the vampire bookstore owner, Anton Orsova, those are stories that beg to be told and look to come in a new sequel series soon to be released.
I hope we see these characters as well.
The Wolf’s (Un)Lucky Fae (a Fortune Favors the Fae story) by Michele Notaro is a highly entertaining read and one Iām happy to recommend!
Be on the lookout for the new series below.
New connected series that continues a coupleās developing romance:
The Witchās Grumpy Dragon (Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala Book 1) – Oct 25,2024
Look at whatās coming up next!
Fortune Favors the Fae – 15 books:
ā A Fae Coin Transported Me Into Another World and Now I’m the Gay Holy Maiden by AJ Sherwood #1
ā The Wolf’s (Un)Lucky Fae by Michele Notaro #2
ā¦ Bound to the Wild Fae by Tavia Lark #3 June 13
ā¦ The Sorcererās Thief by Lee Colgin #4 – June 20, 2024
ā¦ The Fae Menagerie by Edie Montreaux #5 – June 27,2024
ā¦ Never Darling by Sam Burns #6 – July 4,2024
ā¦ Prince of Poison by Alice Winters #7 – July 11,2024
ā¦ Grave Misfortune by Nazri Noor #8 – July 18,2024
ā¦ Fae for Pay by Meaghan Maslow #9 – July 23,2024
ā¦ Kisses at the Crossroad by Morgan Lysand #10 – August 1,2024
ā¦ Smoke and Mirrors by Kai Butler #11 – August 8, 2024
ā¦ Siren in the Rain by Chloe Archer #12 – Aug 15,2024
ā¦ I Destroyed the Elf Princeās Harem by Jocelynn Drake #13 – Aug 22,2024
ā¦ A Fae Called Wylder by Michelle Frost #14 – Aug 29,2024
ā¦ Lucky or Knot by Eliot Grayson #15 – September 5,2024
Call it fate, call it luck, but when a powerful wolf shifter walks into my life, everything changes.
Bel
Iāve made some stupid decisions in my life, and one in particular keeps coming back to haunt me. When I keep running into a handsome stranger, I know I should push him away, if only to keep him safe from my mess, keep him safe from me. But something inside of meāmy heart, my magic, or my soulākeeps pushing me toward him, offering to make all my secret dreams come true. And I donāt know how to stay away.
Remi
When I travel across the world to open a new businessāand get away from my overbearing familyāthe last thing I ever expect is to find the most beautiful and alluring fae Iāve ever met. Iām drawn to him, and Iām pretty sure if he lets his guard down, heāll admit heās drawn to me too. All I want to do is pull Bel into my arms and protect him from whatever heās hiding. But heās skittish and suspicious, and I just want to prove to him that he can trust me.
Fate, and a bit of luck, brought us together, and Iām not going to let it or anything else tear us apart.
The Wolfās (Un)Lucky Fae is a part of the multi-author series, Fortune Favors the Fae. From spicy to sweet, zany romps to epic adventures, thereās something for everyone in this mystical series. Discover destiny and true love and follow the coin on its fickle journey to the next world and a new magical adventure.
F. N. Manningās urban fantasy series. Supernatural Affairs, draws to a close with The Soul of an Angel.
Manningās story is a good finale in that the reader has some important questions answered about the main characters and their relationships. The author also supplies further exploration of the universe and adds on to the series world building/mythology already established.
Does everyone get a HEA? No. A HFN , which is more in keeping with the storylines and newness of the main coupleās relationship. That actually makes sense, but for a finale novel some people might not be satisfied.
Manning has a number of larger series elements that need in-depth exploration and themes that require more heavy lifting, narratively speaking, than a book 195 pages long can provide.
Frost, a Angel hiding from Heaven, revelations about the true nature of the inhabitants of Heaven and Hell, their relationship with Earth, the past and current history between the three realms, a hidden political conspiracy, complete with battle and thatās just what is basically happening.
Letās then throw in internecine family dynamics, and a main character in danger whoās the fated mate of Frost. Nathan Clinton is someone who is being hunted down and thatās what brings him to the attention of Frost because of what is hunting him.
I liked Manningās characterizations of both Frost, who weāve seen before, and Nathan, a very frightened man on the run from demons and a supernatural world just revealing itself to him.
I think that my issues here are that thereās little time for any real development in this relationship because thereās so much more that Manning needs to pay narrative attention to and does. To the detriment of this couple.
A fight for Earth. Yes, super important and that would necessitate a lot of new information and elements to be added. Which they are. Aliens who arenāt what they appear? Yes, more exploration and more details required. So much more.
Probably see where this is going.
Thereās really not enough time within the pages to lay out all the really interesting and imaginative content that Manning has written for this story and series. So in trying to get it all done, it all feels as though the author has made sacrifices and nothing has the layers and dimensions expected in a finale or book with this many storylines.
Itās got a lot of potential. I enjoyed the characters, and some of the relationship dynamics. I just wish there had been more length or another book to make that work.
The author does mention the idea of another sequel series which perhaps would tie up some of the many loose ends left behind here. And let us see what happens next to those characters without partners or just getting a start with theirs. That would be lovely.
If youāre interested in paranormal romance or urban fantasy stories, here is a series for you.
In a battle between Heaven and Hell, two lovers must fight to stay together and save the world.
Frost the angel takes pride in protecting others as an agent with the Department of Supernatural Affairs. But his days on Earth are numbered when his family intends to drag him back to Heaven. After centuries of precious freedom, wishing for more time feels greedy. Itās just a shame that Nathan enters the picture right when his time as a free man is up.
Being a high school music teacher isnāt exactly glamorous, but Nathan Clinton is happy with his life. He already did the impossible once by escaping toxic, controlling parents and starting over, so stopping the demons after his immortal soul should be a piece of cakeā¦ right? Good thing a beautiful angel has offered his assistance.
When angels and demons start taking an interest in Earth and the world is threatened, Frost and Nathan find themselves in the middle of a brewing war between worlds. With the angel being pulled to Heaven and Nathan being dragged to Hell, is there any hope of them being together on this worldāand also saving the Earth?
Never has Jocelynn Drakeās fantastic fantasy series, Kings of Chaos, leaned so heavily and culturally into its Chinese mythological roots as it does beautifully in Two Thousand Blades.
When Two Thousand Tears dramatically ended, so many major traumatic events had happened. The Elf King had been ended. But the invasion, lead by the Elf Queen, was successful and the East Coast was falling fast as the otherworldly forest spread. But more devastating, the Clan lost a brother as a dragon sank down into the battle and stole Xiang away from his family and those fighting against the Fae.
Drakeās clear love of Chinese mythology and culture has always been used beautifully against the various otherworldly themes and mythologies at play in this series. But in Two Thousand Blades, she allows them full rein.
This tale becomes a vivid tapestry of ancient history, gods come to life, otherworldly internecine war, magical blades, and forever love. Memorable, emotional and immensely powerful.
Itās Xiangās background. His family and past so cemented in their original home so far away and Kai, the one who becomes everything to him. The swirling mythology of which is well known today and is attached via footnotes and addendums here by the author.
Itās how Drake builds their relationship, the slow reveal of identity, and the meshing of the two ongoing conflicts/locations that work together so seamlessly here. We see the Clan of 2,000 Chinese vampires, their mates, friends and allies in Hartford fighting the Fae and desperately seeking a way to find their brother Xiang. And we have Xiang and Kai in the Dragonās cave with Xiang equally seeking passage home, answers about their location, and the dragon.
The relationship between Xiang and Kai is revelatory personally and historically. Itās a great way, narratively, for Drake to bring the history of the Clanās history, their horrific transformation into vampires, and their defeat of their master.
Without venturing into spoiler territory, this is an exciting, high stakes, action packed storyline where even if you think the Clan has come out ahead, nothing is as it seems. The clan and its family will have its major brutal challenges ahead and angst filled romances to come.
We know who is next as the ending is a bit of a stunner and cliffhanger, both in the best way possible. So now itās waiting until Two Thousand Shadows comes out in December.
Until then, Iām highly recommending all the books in this series. Read them in the order they are written for character and plot development. Just a superb series in every aspect.
Xiang thought his biggest problem was going to be defeating the fae.
Nope.
Right now, it’s escaping this dragon’s hoard.
The dragon, who tried to eat his clanmate, grabbed Xiang instead, and now Xiang is trapped.
And heās not the only one who needs to escape the dragonās lair.
Kai is serving as the dragonās assistant and helping to keep Xiang from going crazy with boredom.
Xiang is sure thereās more to this sexy man beyond his sad eyes and stuffy personality, but learning all of Kaiās secrets is going to take time.
First, Xiang needs to steal Kai from the hoard, and hopefully win his heart in the process.
But will they be able to escape the reach of a very possessive dragon?
Two Thousand Blades is the third novel in the Kings of Chaos series. This book contains a stubborn vampire falling in love with someone who isn’t quite who he claims to be, shifters, vampires, a nosy family who wants all the spilled tea, other non-human surprises, snark, angst, magic, treasure, found family, brotherly bickering, chaos, pouting, cuddles, one very possessive dragon, and an endless love that crosses lines drawn by war
ā¢ Publication date: May 31, 2024
ā¢ Language: English
ā¢ Print length: 360 pages
Fantasy Asian Mythology
The Kings of Chaos is a spin-off series from the Lords of Discord and Princes of Mayhem series.
Lords of Discord :
Claiming Marcus
Saving Rafe
Waking Bel
Embracing Winter
Healing Aiden
Visiting the Variks: A Short Story Collection
Princes of Mayhem
How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Ruined Saved My Life :
If youāre a fan of author Vin Georgeās Evergreen Council series, then this novella is the thing for you. Teasād is a warm-hearted glimpse into the daily lives of Charley, the half vampire/half fae adorable being from Fangād (Evergreen Council Book 1) and his vampire father, Dalziel. Naturally, this sees Luc, Charlie ās bond-mate werewolf, as an important part of his life and household as well.
This novella is a perfect illustration of how to bring a sense of loving family and deep understanding of each otherās differences to life in a meaningful but short narrative. Especially when its characters and universe are all from prior books.
The reader doesnāt have to have read those stories in order to understand these characters, their unique personalities, their histories, and the warmth and loving synergy between them all. Georgeās dialogue and fantastic storytelling has done an excellent job, laid all the groundwork, and now letās the reader enjoy and become involved in the story itself.
And what a joyful, and emotional journey it becomes. A father/son moment, a learning experience full of humor and poignancy, quixotic and sweet.
This is a group of characters and a universe I canāt get enough of . Itās also one I highly recommend.
Donāt play games with a vampire unless youāre prepared to lose.
Playing pranks on his three-hundred-year-old vampire sire wasnāt Charleyās brightest idea. Now Dalziel has set him a task. Charley is stuck with a nightās worth of brain-twisting clues and his own company until he solves them all. Not even Luc can help! Charley wants to win, but can he ever really lose? His mate is waiting for him regardless, ready to rock his world.
An Evergreen Council novella, pitting a preoccupied father against his chaotic son, with smiles, curses, and insights into both menās lives when the biggest adventure is living well.
Taylor Rylanās Ambrosius : Paranormal Council Enforcers Book One represents a new author for me as well as series. I enjoy paranormal romance fiction so I was looking forward to reading this, especially as it already has a number of books already published in the series.
Unfortunately, I believe Iām going to stop here. While thereās a few things I enjoyed about this story, theyāre overshadowed by other aspects that left me feeling disconnected from the characters, underwhelmed by the plot lines, and , most importantly, uninformed about the foundation or universe itself that the story and characters are grounded in.
Taylor Rylanās Universe of Destined Paranormals is a group of five inter-connected series and characters, of which Ambrosius is the first in the fifth series, Paranormal Council Enforcers. So thereās a lot of expectations for readers to know who everyone is and who these agencies are that they work for, this giggling goddess that just appears (not a fan), a omega/Alpha relationship thatās not well defined, especially here with one character.
This story actually ends up raising more questions than it does answer with its narrative. But quickly , the poorly crafted characters have lost my interest in their lives and this book.
That starts with the main character of Ambrosius, a made vampire. That term isnāt used in the way weāre accustomed to seeing it. Ambrosius wasnāt āturnedā or made. No a goddess who comes across as a blonde bestie from your college sorority days crafted him full blown. Thirtyish looking, now over a millennium old. But how does Ambrosius act during the book? Much like a silent movie heroine, weeping, throwing himself at his mate, overwrought by emotions and the situation he is in. Surely, heās got his own power and has learned a thing or two about weapons, or something. His character is just so ill defined. In the beginning we learned he went from being rejected by an omega because his fangs are scary to becoming an omega himself when he finds himself mate to a dragon. No explanation. Then there is basically little communication between anyone here.
Thereās really little history or reason laid down for personalities. Or for reactions, or just anything in general . And the main drama, a huge criminal investigation into a shifter trafficking organization is barely explored and not finished, a thread thatās carried over to the next book.
The only other major storyline is a mpreg one that comes out of nowhere (literally) because the main character has no clue heās pregnant. His mate and others know but donāt say anything. They assume he knows. Then heās got kids. Then they are special. Itās a rapidly changing story without substance or grounding.
If youāre a fan of the author or any of the other series associated with this, then Iām sure youāll enjoy it .
But other authors do this one universe, multiple connected series better and those are the ones Iāll read.
Paranormal Council Enforcers:
14 books to date:
Ambrosius #1
Attiticus #2 plus more
The Universe of Destined Paranormals is a world of interconnected series set in one universe. Because of this, it is recommended that you read the books in chronological order.
š·Honey Creek Den Series-When the child of the created warlock goes searching for his mate, a domino effect occurs and the den is blessed by the Fates.
š·Timber Valley Wolf Pack Series-Magic is changing and the wolf pack is next to be blessed by the Fates.
Does Edison have something to do with it?ā
š·Warlocks of Amherst Series-Edisonās warlocks have finally been blessed by the Fates and itās their turn to find their fated Ones.
š·Vampires of the Beloved Gem Series-Master Nikolaiās vampires aboard the Beloved Gem realized that their time has come to find their beloved ones.
š·Paranormal Council Enforcers Series-the magic has shifted and the Paranormal Council has been formed. Will the chosen enforcers be next to find their forever mates?ā
When youāre the created vampire, and discover your fated mate is a dominant dragon alpha, what could go wrong?
Master Ambrosius was created over a millennium ago and had come to terms with spending his life alone. He has his coven, his second, and a few close friends, but he continues to be haunted by the memory of his fated mate running from him in terror. That is, until the goddess sends him to Montana, and he discovers his body reacting to a sexy alpha with wide shoulders and dark eyes. Surely thereās some mistake though, right?
Emmerich was born on Treasure Ridge, the mountain his grandparents claimed several centuries ago for a reason that wasnāt yet known. Like his brother, he longs for his mate and children but knows they arenāt on their mountain. Emmerichās dragon insisted he would find his mate in Sicily, but after weeks of searching, he comes back to Treasure Ridge, where his dragon scents the most amazing thing. Mate. When he discovers the scent is coming from the created vampire, heās not sure about the pairing but is more than willing to accept the match.
Together, they discover a desire for unexpected things. But while they are happy switching roles at certain times, the council is still forming, and they discover an evilness none expected. Will they be able to stop the threat before their family is harmed?
Ambrosius is Book One in the Paranormal Council Enforcers series. Each book in this series will focus on a different couple, but these books are not standalones and should be read in order as there is an ongoing backstory that wonāt be resolved quickly. This is a fated mate MPreg story in an MPreg world, and you should expect all the normal vampire shenanigans, and remember that love bites in unexpected places. Especially when your beloved is a sexy dragon.
The Universe of Destined Paranormals is a world of interconnected series set in one universe. Because of this, it is recommended that you read the books in chronological order.
š·Honey Creek Den Series-When the child of the created warlock goes searching for his mate, a domino effect occurs and the den is blessed by the Fates.
š·Timber Valley Wolf Pack Series-Magic is changing and the wolf pack is next to be blessed by the Fates.
Does Edison have something to do with it?ā
š·Warlocks of Amherst Series-Edisonās warlocks have finally been blessed by the Fates and itās their turn to find their fated Ones.
š·Vampires of the Beloved Gem Series-Master Nikolaiās vampires aboard the Beloved Gem realized that their time has come to find their beloved ones.
š·Paranormal Council Enforcers Series-the magic has shifted and the Paranormal Council has been formed. Will the chosen enforcers be next to find their forever mates?ā
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 