Review: Ambrosius : Paranormal Council Enforcers Book One by Taylor Rylan

Rating: 3🌈

Taylor Rylan’s 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 I’m going to stop here. While there’s a few things I enjoyed about this story, they’re 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 Rylan’s 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 there’s 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 that’s 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 isn’t used in the way we’re accustomed to seeing it. Ambrosius wasn’t “turned” 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, he’s 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.

There’s 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 that’s 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 he’s pregnant. His mate and others know but don’t say anything. They assume he knows. Then he’s got kids. Then they are special. It’s a rapidly changing story without substance or grounding.

If you’re a fan of the author or any of the other series associated with this, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy it .

But other authors do this one universe, multiple connected series better and those are the ones I’ll 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.

🔷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.

🔷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?”

🔷Warlocks of Amherst Series-Edison’s warlocks have finally been blessed by the Fates and it’s their turn to find their fated Ones.

🔷Vampires of the Beloved Gem Series-Master Nikolai’s vampires aboard the Beloved Gem realized that their time has come to find their beloved ones.

🔷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?”

Buy link

Ambrosius: Paranormal Council Enforcers Book One

Blurb:

When you’re 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 there’s some mistake though, right?

Emmerich was born on Treasure Ridge, the mountain his grandparents claimed several centuries ago for a reason that wasn’t yet known. Like his brother, he longs for his mate and children but knows they aren’t on their mountain. Emmerich’s 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, he’s 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 won’t 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.

🔷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.

🔷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?”

🔷Warlocks of Amherst Series-Edison’s warlocks have finally been blessed by the Fates and it’s their turn to find their fated Ones.

🔷Vampires of the Beloved Gem Series-Master Nikolai’s vampires aboard the Beloved Gem realized that their time has come to find their beloved ones.

🔷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?”

• Publisher: Mortimer Press, LLC (February 25, 2022)

• Publication date: February 25, 2022

• Language: English

• Print length: 294 pages

— Ambrosius : Paranormal Council Enforcers Book One by Taylor Rylan

Review: Hunted (Into the Wyldewood Book 2) by Rowan McAllister

Rating: 3.75🌈

It’s been a while since I read the first book in the series, Hexes and Horns, so getting back into this universe needed prompting from the author for necessary foundation work.

There’s some really good elements here and some I feel need better explanation or more detail to feel complete.

The characters are terrific. The mixed pack of shifters trying to pull it together on the edge of an uneasy otherworldly boundary situation is a great element. It adds so much natural tension and believable shifting pack dynamics that I wish we’d had more of this aspect of the story. From Grammy, CJ, and various other pack members, the rawness and energy of this stressful scene came through perfectly.

Especially with its Alpha, Angel Velasquez, who has his own struggles to overcome, along with the otherworldly dealings and beings to deal with to ensure that the pack is safe. That includes murky agreements with one of the Fae over someone Angel has agreed to give sanctuary to.

That’s the mysterious Dafydd. His story and background very slowly reveals itself, almost too slowly. We figure out pretty quickly what type of being he is but not why he’s in danger.

That background is extremely difficult to understand and too complicated for the events that follow. It’s not well laid out narratively nor are all the vague clues as to his species history or strangely mysterious individuals that are important to this aspect of the story but without any firm foundation.

It’s frustrating that we get great characters but holes in the storylines and universe building when needed.

Like an unacknowledged mate bond. Why not just go ahead and cement that aspect of their relationship? It made no sense to leave it as one more cloudy element .

I enjoy this author and find she very imaginative and entertaining. This book has many good elements, enough to make it an enjoyable read.

Into the Wyldewood:

Hexes and Horns #1

Hunted #2

Buy link

Hunted (Into the Wyldewood Book 2)

Blurb

Keeping their distance is the safest path, but sometimes magic and the heart make other plans.

For pack alpha, Angel Velasquez, every day is a struggle to keep his head above water. Between running his bar, paying back a mountain of debt, and protecting his pack from dark witches, the Fae, and anyone else just waiting for a sign of weakness, he already has more than he can handle. The last thing he needs is a refugee from Faerie dumped in his lap, no matter how sweet and sexy he might be. But when an elven prince calls in a debt, refusal is not an option.

Dafydd hates keeping secrets almost as much as being seen as a burden. A dragon is supposed to be fierce, proud, and self-reliant. Betrayed by those he thought he could trust most and forced to run from the only home he’s ever known, he isn’t feeling very dragonly. Is it any wonder Angel can’t see him as an equal, someone worthy of his time and possibly his affection?

As Halloween approaches and their bond grows despite every reason it shouldn’t, what will they risk to protect each other when the real hunt begins?

Hunted is an over 100k slow burn romance featuring a cinnamon roll of a dragon, a grumpy alpha, meddling pack, mysterious neighbor and a guaranteed HEA. Each book of Into the Wyldewood can be read separately but are best experienced in order.

Review: Tears in Time (Arcadia Trust Book 4) by Christian Baines

Rating: 5🌈

It’s a series that starts with The Beast Without, meeting vampire Reyland and werewolf lover, Jorgas. It’s an excellent book, scary and powerful. And with each story, new paranormal characters and convoluted elements are added and explored, like The Arcadia Trust and then the horrifying Wound. Tears in Time is the fourth book in this increasingly complex and scarily powerful series.

Christian Baines has an incredible talent of writing supernatural or other worldly beings and making them absolutely credible. These are beautiful or stunningly horrifically broken creatures that bear no resemblance to human beings. Not in their reactions to events and emotions but in that they lack our standards of morality or ethics. They may understand the rules, the philosophical framework and how to manipulate them to their advantage. But actually have human empathy? Not really.

And for the reader to go in with expectations of the characters who are paranormal beings acting as humans, that’s a pitfall that should be discarded at the beginning. Because, Baines’ brilliantly written and compelling characters are not going to act like humans because they aren’t.

It might be hard to forget this but events will drive this element home. Betrayal after betrayal. Manifesting that each being and group of paranormals is operating on a different level and paths that humans find unfathomable . Such brilliant writing and amazing storytelling.

Chilling and brain breaking plot lines that connect and weave into something so shocking at the end that I’m just stunned that cable producers haven’t come running yet to put this into a show.

Tears in Time is a book whose characters and plots are so intricate and deeply detailed that a reader will have to have read the stories the preceded it. That foundation knowledge and sequencing of events is essential for a total understanding about the characters relationships and twists in the narratives that the reader will experience here.

I absolutely recommend reading this series and book if you’re a fan of paranormal fiction, horror stories, and twisted romance. But be warned, this is not for the faint of heart.

Arcadia Trust:

The Beast Without #1

The Orchard of Flesh #2

Sins of the Son #3

Tears in Time #4

Buy link Publisher: Amazon/Kindle Unlimited

Blurb

Moments have passed for Reylan since he crossed the barrier between worlds to rescue his werewolf lover, Jorgas. But on their return, nothing feels right. Faithful allies have vanished, and places that once offered solace are now derelict, filled with shadows and inhabited by evil.

How can Reylan find his friends, and who can be trusted once they’re found?

The world Reylan and Jorgas returned to has destroyed the one they left behind. In this new reality, someone is playing a deadly game with time, and their fates are its prize.

• Publication date: May 15, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 284 pages

Review: SOS HOTEL: Sleep With Us #3 by Adam Vex , Ariana Nash

Rating: 5🌈

So, so satisfying. No really. Loved it. Parts also really hurt. But Sleep With Us explored so many new areas of this world and these fabulous characters!

Adam in his desperate need to get demon Zee away from the club and out of his contract with Sebastian, is forced to accept help. Whether it’s sketchy advice from his AI bartender or something more personal and likely physical from the resident vampire, Lord Reynard, some new information is acquired about all of them.

There’s some gross action packed sequences, a few sexy scenes, and ones that make us feel so much more connected and involved with all three characters and whatever craziness is right around the corner.

I’m so in love with this series and characters. They’re so vividly drawn and widely thought out that they are just bigger than the page. Read even the credits, Zee can’t help himself.

How am I going to make it through until June 28th?

Highly recommending SOS Hotel but read them in the order they are written.

SOS Hotel:

✓ For a Supernaturally Safe Stay #1

✓ Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous #2

✓ Sleep with Us #3

◦ Great Service from Top to Bottom #4 – June 28,2024

Buy link

SOS HOTEL: Sleep With Us

Blurb

Three weeks in, and the SOS Hotel is still standing. I know, crazy right? Despite the gremlins, lethal electrics, vampire threats, a shadowbeast in the attic, and a psycho sorcerer, our doors remain open to all Lost Ones. Also, nobody has died . . . in a few days.

All I have to do is, hold it all together, keep every guest safe, not mention the body in the flowerbeds—and maybe we’ll last another week?

But Sebastien has demanded Zee return to the club, or he’ll hurt more demons. Sebastien has become a big problem. And problems, like gremlins, have a habit of multiplying at the SOS Hotel.

I promised Zee I’d stay out of his other life. But I can’t—won’t—watch Sebastien mistreat him.

I might be a boring, average, harmless human, but even I have my limits.

Plus, I’ve got a vampire on my side. Lord Reynard has a knack for getting answers out of people, and together, we’re going to find a way to break Sebastien’s hold over Zee, even if part of our plan involves an evening of la mort d’amour at Razorsedge. Reynard says we’re not going to do anything risky. But I kind of, maybe, just a little bit . . . want to?

Trust me. I’m Adam Vex. Totally normal human. It’s all going to turn out just fine.

I’m absolutely certain I have everything under control.

Probably.

Welcome to the SOS Hotel.

***

SOS Hotel is a whacky adventure about a vampire lord, an ex-porn-star demon, and a boring human who absolutely does not have any secrets. You’ll find dark humor, explicit language and sex throughout the books.

If you don’t like the f-word, sex, some minor murders, or a few questionable pies thrown in, do not read these books.

There will be triggering content for some, including sexual coercion and pets in peril.

Proceed with caution.

Have a GREAT stay!

• Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing (May 10, 2024)

• Publication date: May 10, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 176 pages

Review: Mates, Arranged by Michelle Frost

Rating: 3.5🌈

Mates, Arranged by Michelle Frost is a short, nicely crafted paranormal romance. At 65 pages, it’s the barest beginnings of mated couple, August and Torin. In fact, it ends as they actually physically mate. And it begins on the ritual mating of the two. In between, Frost gives us glimpses of two different people getting to know each other in a number of lovely connected scenes.

We don’t get much in the way of world building or background, just some hints and history tossed in here and there. Just enough to make it interesting and pull us closer into the story.

This could be a much larger book and the couple framed out within a better crafted narrative. It has so much potential.

As it is, it’s a good short story and romance. Very enjoyable.

Buy link

Mates, Arrangedby Michelle FrostBook 1 of 1: Mates, Arranged

Blurb

Will fate smile on a wolf and mage joined together?

Forced into an arranged mating, August and Torin must try to build a relationship from nothing if they hope to usher in peace between their peoples.

With willing hearts, they put aside their differences, but their commitment won’t get the chance to blossom if one of their own destroys it before it can grow.

Mates, Arranged is an MM romance novella and was first published as part of a novella promotion.

• Publication date: March 25, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 65 pages

Review: Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox’s Story (Perfect Pixie Series Book 5) by M. J. May

Rating: 5🌈

Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox’s Story is the perfect way to end this absolutely fantastic series, Perfect Pixies by M. J. May.

In this vividly realized, beautifully told story, May brings all the characters and couples together that we’ve met through each other’s stories and learned to love together to reveal and vanquish the series villains.

Each story has at its core a perfectly imperfect pixie who finds themselves in an embattled or troubled position which eventually leads them to their bonds of love and a HEA. We started with hearth and home pixie, Philodendron, whose unique size made him both an outsider and perfect for his Alpha mate and family. Then nature pixie, Peaches, with a mournful background and heart wrenching history that soon brings attention to gathering dark forces and the attraction of a powerful vampire. That mating has huge ramifications for many other otherworldly species.

Next May’s pairing and novel turns dark with the seemingly mysterious introduction of pixie trafficking and pixie dust addiction. This is Parsnip’s story and another sector of magic is heard from as Vander the warlock arrives. May is deepening the series themes, expanding the types of magic that exist in this universe, and types of found families we can expect.

The narrative themes and suspenseful atmosphere doesn’t even falter for a moment. It’s picking up momentum in emotional and well written story arcs.

Wendall’s unbelievable tale is next. It includes Hellfire Rayburn, Fairy Queen Silvidia’s most trusted and feared warrior, and Wendall, who undergoes one of the most poignant, heartbreaking moments and struggles amongst them all. Well, May is amping up to the end point. Making sure that the reader knows what at stake and we care so throughly for everyone here.

So that when a final pixie appears, one that isn’t who he seems, we are ready for the showdown .

That’s Agent Frost, aka pixie Phlox. Although he’s not exactly 100 percent pixie. What he is and his background is a huge part of the ongoing investigation and reason he’s arrived in town. The one assigned to help him? That’s 300 year old vampire, Leon McMillan, King Lucroy Moony’s second-in-command.

May does an excellent job of alternating between their burgeoning romance and the ongoing investigation into the pixie traffickers. The horrific storyline of pixie trafficking , which is widely explored through the main characters and story threads, continues to branch out to the wider threat to the community and all the couples involved.

May’s newest character is one I think will be a great reader favorite . That’s Erasmus, a young necromancer who has an intriguing , poignant backstory and a rich personality. I really can’t get enough of him. So many layers. And the other character who is equally and quizzically intrigued by Erasmus? That’s Aurelia, the djinn .

No spoilers but what an epic ending. And while I’m happy sad this superior series has ended, the author has left us with something new to anticipate.

That epilogue is everything! Why? Because it tells us that Erasmus and Aurelia are coming back in Summer/Fall 2024 in their own story. And now I’m so excited and happy for their new adventure to begin.

Read this incredible series in the order it’s written . It’s a top recommendation. So is it’s author.

Cover design by cheriefox. Absolutely splendid! Like all the other covers.

Perfect Pixies series:

✓ Perfectly Imperfect Pixie Book #1

✓ Perfectly Perfect Pixie: Peaches’s Story #2

✓ Perfectly Charmed Pixie: Parsnip’s Story #3

✓ Perfectly Perplexing Zombie: Wendall’s Story #4

✓ Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox’s Story #5 – series finale

Buy link

Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox’s Story (Perfect Pixie Series Book 5)

Blurb

Phlox isn’t your typical pixie, and his feisty shifter DNA might be the reason. Recruited by the Magical Usage Council, Phlox—who is now Agent Frost—is a pixie with a mission, and he’s not afraid to place himself in mortal danger to eradicate the latest pixie trafficking ring.

Despite being King Lucroy Moony’s second-in-command, Leon McMillan’s second life has become dangerously monotonous. For a vampire, boredom is as deadly as a stake to the heart. Three hundred years of existing has taken a mental toll—one that will eventually lead Leon into the sun’s deadly embrace. Leon needs a life raft; he just never imagined it in the form of a pushy pixie.

Phlox and Leon can’t deny their mutual attraction. However, in order for Phlox’s mission to succeed, he needs to appear helplessly alone, and Leon’s worried stalking isn’t aiding that mission.

But soon, the knowledge Phlox and Leon obtain leads to a dangerous, mentally unstable djinn, who has a vicious master holding its leash. Although history claims djinns are all-powerful, indestructible creatures, Phlox and Leon must find the secret to their destruction if they are to save Rutherford Haven’s citizens. If they can’t, Rutherford Haven will be the first to fall, but it won’t be the last.

Phlox will dig his shifter claws into anyone who dares threaten his mate and Leon will tear the heart out of anyone who dares threaten his beloved—his purrrfectly peculiar pixie.

Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie is the fifth and final book in the Perfect Pixie series. The books should be read in order. Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie features an emotionally constipated vampire, a pixie who’s far more than he appears, witches and trolls with questionable morals, an alpha werewolf whose time on planet Earth is precariously close to ending, a (questionably) good djinn, an (unquestionably) sinister djinn, an interesting necromancer, and all our previously beloved characters coming together to prove that teamwork really does make the dream work.

Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie also contains homicide of the fantasy kind (no humans were killed in the making of this book) with scenes describing death and killing.

• Publication date: April 29, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 343 pages

Review: Tempest (The Silver Oak Pack Book 1) by Kiki Clark

Rating: 3🌈

“Based within the Kincaid Pack series’s universe, the Silver Oak Pack features a pack first introduced in The Enforcer and His Mate. Led by Alpha Liam Amato, the Silver Oak Pack is small but fierce as they work to rebuild under Liam’s newfound leadership.”

Clark is starting a new series that expands on the events that have happened within the Kincaid pack universe, a paranormal world’s organizational structure, The Council, was recently brought down by the Alpha of the Kincaid Pack. Rebuilding has been slow, leaving chaos and damaging ramifications behind.

That’s the situation Tempest finds the Silver Oak pack, dealing with the fallout, full of suspicion of change, outsiders, and the result is a pack that’s in stasis.

The portrait of a community frozen by its fears, history, and prejudice is clearly defined by the author. We understand the ramifications and the ugly consequences of this continuing pack identity will have on its members.

But that makes it hard to connect with others in this story. Or any sudden reversals in behavior or decision making.

The main character of Ore, the golden eagle shifter, who shows up wounded and unable to remember what happened, is an engaging one. His background is probably one of the issues here. While i like him, his storyline is also both interesting and not so well developed. It has potential but is wrapped up so quickly, for all the buildup, that you as a reader wonder what the problem was. It’s over in minutes. And it leaves another aspect of his story unresolved.

Cash, a felidae shifter, comes from a terrible background of parental abandonment. That’s contributed to his current situation as Enforcer and attitude of Pack first mindset. So his inability to accept his mate that literally falls into his arms because he’s not a feline, is both frustrating and understandable . To a point.

The author misses the mark here because, there’s a real lack of communication between almost everyone. Mates, friends, family, and importantly, the Alpha and those that are supposed to advocate for the pack or themselves.

So for most of the book no one talks to anyone. About important things. Yes, they do talk about if Ore’s getting his memory back. But other things? Nope.

There’s something else. The Mobster’s Mate, which is listed as a standalone really isn’t. It leads into this series as sort of a prequel, and should be read as such. Characters from that appear here and events there are important references here.

In fact it’s a better developed story and its characters have more chemistry and relationship than those here

Read The Mobster’s Mate, then read this. Tempest has potential, especially with its main couple but it’s got quite a few issues with its narrative that highlights the flawed development in plot and shortcuts.

Read it because you enjoy this universe and want to see where the ongoing mystery flows and how it develops.

Silver Oak Pack:

✓ Tempest #1

Kincaid Pack-6 books

✓ The Alpha and His King #1

✓ The Second and His Bonded #2

✓ The Deputy and His Enforcer #3

✓ The Hunter and His Mates #4

✓ The Enforcer and His Heart #5

✓ The Witch and His Doctor #6

✓ The Mobster’s Mate -standalone within the Kincaid universe, so not really

✓ A New Pack for New Year (Kincaid Pack) prequel

Buy link

Tempest (Silver Oak Pack Book 1)

Blurb

When duty and desire clash, fated mates are caught in the middle.

Cash’s loyalty to his pack is unwavering. He’d sacrifice anything to protect his packmates. Do anything to keep them safe. Put their needs above his own—always.

It is the life he was born for, and the one he’s worked years to achieve. As an Enforcer, he swore an oath to his alpha: pack before self.

Not once has he regretted his choices.

Until an injured eagle shifter lands in his lap, and his protective instincts get torn in two.

He knows he can’t risk the safety of his pack—no matter what his panther demands. Once the little bird is all healed up, Cash will have to send him on his way.

For the good of his pack.

But dark, frightened eyes and a sweet smile call to his cat in a hungry, possessive way and challenge everything he’s ever thought he knew.

For the first time in his life, he might just have to put himself first.

Tempest is the first book in the Silver Oak Pack series, set within the Kincaid Pack Universe but able to be read and enjoyed completely on its own. It features an overly protective panther trapped by his own responsibility-driven morals, an eagle who can’t remember much but knows the surly cat makes him feel spine-tingling safe, magical tattoos, skinny dipping, a delicious age-gap, gobs of scenting, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after.

• Publisher: Rainbow Publishing LLC (April 23, 2024)

• Publication date: April 23, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 261 pages

Review: Only Unity Will Spare Us: The Magi Accounts Book 5 by Michele Notaro

Rating : 5🌈

There’s always so many thoughts and emotions one has when approaching a finale novel in a beloved series. When that series is a dark urban fantasy about a particularly extremely violent, torturous dystopian world, the range of emotions will be deeply varied as the storylines. Especially here where in a world where a different US is at war. A almost recognizable one we’ve seen before where the humans in charge have used other species (or races) shifters and mages, as weapons and tools, things. Those in charge inhumanly categorizing them as objects to be abused, used and discarded as the humans wanted.

Make no mistake, as gorgeously written and powerfully conceived as The Magi Accounts series is, these books are often equally wrenching and disturbing to read. The compounds the magi are bred and raised in like stock animals, as well as the abusive, torturous, often deadly nature of the treatment they were subjected to there, is harrowing reading. And the subject of more than one trigger warning. The same is said about that of the narrative treatment of shifters, although not necessarily in the gore-ridden way.

Through four books, we’ve found all the members of the now combined Ono-Nai tribe, watched them grow, in some cases learning to deal with the pain and abuse that brought them into the tribe, and for others form mate bonds with each other, until this enlarged family has become a greater whole that means something deeply special to us as readers. It’s not just the mage dyads Madeo aka Mads and Jude. Or the main bonded pair of mage Mads and alpha lion shifter Cosmo Ono-Nai. It’s Jude, and his bond mates. And the rest of the tribe, shifters, mages, humans, even pets. All have made an indelible impression and contribution to the heartfelt rightness that has developed into the Ono-Nai diverse family/tribe. One of the unity of the title and one that Mads and his family is striving for their future.

It’s a truly agonizing epic showdown, one that’s been long awaited between Mads and his tribe and the horrific, terrifying Anderson, the Red Cloak witches, with their plan to destroy all the mages and shifters for a human only universe.

Did I end up sobbing buckets of tears? Yes, yes I did. As I expected to. There’s so much going on in the narrative. From beautiful scenes of family life and laughter, to sheer terror and heartbreak, memories of darkness and pain, blood and death, all that has to come , realistically in this world, before even large battles can be won.

Is everything solved at the end? No. But the majority of the problems are resolved in a manner that leaves the characters and readers in a better place . One that makes sense and leaves us with a sense of completion and satisfaction .

Only Unity Will Spare Us: The Magi Accounts Book 5 by Michele Notaro is a fantastic finale and a perfect way to end a magnificent dark urban fantasy.

I highly recommend this series. Read it in the order it’s written and with regard for its trigger warnings.

Just a side note. I wished for more for the Taragorians. Logan had it right. That the rift or a magical aspect of it seemed sentient was fascinating. I wish for more of this place please.

The Magi Accounts:

✓ The Scars That Bind Us #1

✓ The Shackles That Hold Us #2

✓ A Purpose That Restores Us #3

✓ A Ruse To Unchain Us #4

✓ Only Unity Will Spare Us #5 -Series Finale

The Magi Accounts Companion stories:

✓ Our Hearts That Tie Us: The Magi Accounts Prequel

✓ A Kiss To Revive Me: The Magi Accounts 1.5

✓ A Date to Impress Him: The Magi Accounts 2.5

✓ A Holiday to Sustain Us: A Magi Accounts Holiday

✓ An Embrace To Hearten Me: The Magi Accounts 3.5

✓ A Heart To Revitalize Me: The Magi Accounts 4.5

Buy Link:

Only Unity Will Spare Us: The Magi Accounts 5

Blurb:

I made a promise to the enemy… and I intended to keep it.

Thank the goddess I have my pride and my wonderful, amazing mate—whose patience matches no other—because the world is in chaos, and Cosmo is my rock, my safe place inside the storm. If only I could find the time between witches, work, politics, and family to prove it to him.

The Shifter and Magi Equality Act is in full effect, supposedly making us equals, but the people themselves—the humans—are still treating us as lesser. Every time I turn around, we’re running into trouble between humans and non-humans.

To make matters worse, witches are everywhere in Fairview City, and the Red Cloth is encouraging humans to join their forces and challenge the equality my people have fought so hard to get.

And now, Anderson is back. Back and gunning for me.

But he doesn’t realize I’m gunning for him, too.

Only Unity Will Spare Us is the fifth and FINAL book in the MM urban fantasy series, The Magi Accounts. It’s recommended to read the series in order because the romance and plot progress throughout the series.

*Intended for adults only. Please read the trigger warnings at the beginning of this novel.

• Publication date: April 19, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 417 pages

Review: Oracle: Chosen Champions Book Five by Macy Blake

Rating: 5🌈

Oracle is a book that most readers will bring a compendium of knowledge about the universe, characters, and the impending crisis that the main characters immediately face. That’s really necessary.

For Macy Blake has been building up to this book through multiple series and standalone novels in the Chosen One universe to culminate in the events that occur during this story.

The gods, the magical warfare, all the stolen children that were used as experiments, all the ongoing trauma and battles, along with the mate bonding. Its leads to Oracles’ story and the being tormenting those around him, the manticore. Plus the gentle bear shifter , Dr Ben Jerrick, who has come to love Koios and his family.

Blake has written a beautifully balanced, excellently crafted novel that keeps the main character of Koios aka Oracle, in the narrative spotlight while also being able to continue with the forward movement of the other important universal themes. That’s the mystery behind this corrupt manticore, its background and the dark magical schemes behind its heinous actions.

It takes many of the main characters from all the series, banding together, to investigate who the manticore is, and begin the counterattack against it. That’s a storyline that’s not only thrilling but compelling as we’re introduced to new characters and another enlargement/explanation for Koios’ damaged body and magic.

All the while, along side, Koios, is Dr Ben Jerrick, healing, listening, giving him the support he needs and quietly loving him. Ben has been a strong staple of this universe since he was first found by Sam as a frightened young bear cub trying to escape with his younger “siblings “ from the horrors they’d endured as experiments. We’ve watched Ben grow and develop into the wonderful, thoughtful being and doctor he is here. So it’s everything that it’s his story as well.

Blake pours her heart into her characters and her excellence into the plotting to bring them and all the many themes and threads together to a great completion that’s satisfying and emotionally rewarding and powerful.

It makes me want to go back to when Sam first finds this young frightened, hurt group of mixed young shifters and his world and theirs is forever changed. What a journey!

That’s Sweet Nothings in case you’ve forgotten. I’m heading back to it now.

In the meantime, I’m highly recommending Oracle: Chosen Champions Book Five by Macy Blake . It’s outstanding but read the entire series. There’s a reading list of the book titles and series order on her website. Also at the end of each book.

Here too.

Happy reading!

Chosen Champions:

Logan #1

Gideon #2

Aleron #3

Scout #4

Oracle #5 – series finale

Oracle: Chosen Champions Book Five

Blurb

Koios, AKA the Oracle, is a man with a mission: hunt down and destroy the manticore who’s been tormenting his pack. There’s only one thing standing in his way…a giant, stubborn bear named Ben Jerrick.

• Publisher: (March 23, 2024)

• Publication date: March 23, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 295 pages

The Chosen One Suggested Reading Order

1. Sweet Nothings – Prequel – The Chosen One

2. The Trouble With Love – Nothing But Trouble, Book 1

3. Santa Trouble – Nothing But Trouble, Book 2

4. All or Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 1

5. Nothing Ventured – The Chosen One, Book 2

6. Hell on Earth – Hellhound Champions, Book 1

7. Double or Nothing

8. Next to Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 3

9. Hell To Pay – Hellhound Champions, Book 2

10. Give Him Hell – Hellhound Champions, Book 3

11. Nothing Gained – The Chosen One, Book 4

12. Stop at Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 5

13. Sweet Spot

14. All Kidding Aside – Magical Mates, Book 1

15. Stop Kidding Around – Magical Mates, Book 2

16. I Kid You Not – Magical Mates, Book 3

17. Sugar Honey Iced Tea – Magical Mates, Book 3.5

18. Hell Breaks Loose – Hellhound Champions, Book 4

19. Logan – Chosen Champions, Book 1

20. Gideon – Chosen Champions, Book 2

21. Jamal – Chosen Champions, Book 2.5

22. Cosmo and the King*

23. Aleron – Chosen Champions, Book 3

24. Scout – Chosen Champions, Book 4

25. With Kid Gloves – Magical Mates, Book 4

26. Oracle-Chosen Champions, Book 5

• I suggest putting Cosmo and the King before Oracle but that’s my opinion.

Review: Cosmo and the King by Macy Blake

Rating: 4.75🌈

While the author lists this as a standalone book, it’s not. It falls strongly before the last several books in a couple of the Chosen One series, specifically because Cosmo plays such an important role in the events that happen there and are referenced here.

And most significantly, I believe it exists as a huge part of the foundation knowledge needed for the finale book in the Chosen Champions series, one that feels like it ties up this universe. That would be Oracle, fifth book that brings everything and everyone together.

But first, back to this joyous journey of Cosmo back to his mate , King Silenus. Or perhaps more precisely, Silenus’ own development and path back into Cosmo’s life in the human realm. Their shaky reconnection, and the absolutely perfect courtship that follows.

Blake pulls in new characters and old friends to help them out and let them find their way back to each other, building new strength and confidence in their bond and ability to grow with each other.

I loved every second of the time I spent reading this romance. And it makes what’s coming even more precious and grounded.

Cosmo and the King by Macy Blake is an amazing story with fantastic characters. It’s a must read within an outstanding universe of series.

Buy Link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Cosmo…Cosmo and the King by Macy Blake – Kindle

Audio

BUY NOW

Free Read

BUY NOW

Digital

Published: February 7, 2023

Edition: 2nd Edition

Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza

Audio

Listen Length: 02:35:00

Narrator: Michael Dean

Blurb:

When Cosmo learns the faun king is in the human realm, he panics. See, Silenus happens to be his fiance… and he’s never told any of his friends in the human realm that he ran away on his wedding day, leaving his king at the alter.

Silenus made a deal with the devil–the queen of the fae–when he learned the human realm was going to be closed, keeping him separated from his mate and betrothed. He has to track down Cosmo and convince him that they are meant for each other, even though his stubborn fiance seems determined to challenge him at every turn.

Cosmo doesn’t know Silenus’s secret, though, and now the hunt is on. Silenus is facing a dark and dangerous path, and he wants nothing more than his consort at his side. He’ll follow his mate anywhere, even to the depths of the human realm, to prove to Cosmo they are meant to be together..

Now he only has to convince his stubborn mate to stop running…because no matter how long the chase lasts, Silenus will eventually catch him.

The Chosen One Suggested Reading Order

1. Sweet Nothings – Prequel – The Chosen One

2. The Trouble With Love – Nothing But Trouble, Book 1

3. Santa Trouble – Nothing But Trouble, Book 2

4. All or Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 1

5. Nothing Ventured – The Chosen One, Book 2

6. Hell on Earth – Hellhound Champions, Book 1

7. Double or Nothing

8. Next to Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 3

9. Hell To Pay – Hellhound Champions, Book 2

10. Give Him Hell – Hellhound Champions, Book 3