Category: Shifters, Weres

Review: Cats Never Fly (Willow Lake Supernaturals Book 4) by Lori Ames

Rating: 4.5🌈

“Where there is magic, anything is possible!

They’d always suspected there might be something special about Willow Lake, and now there isn’t just magic in the air, but love too!

If only all the jerks in the world would leave them alone, everything would be perfect… “

Cats Never Fly is the fourth book in Lori Ames Willow Lake Supernatural series, where fated mates find each other, but not before they’re involved in the series (and town’s) ongoing conflicts, mysteries, and magical criminal investigations.

I never know who Ames is focusing on next at the end of the last book. All threads lead to a certain individual but that doesn’t seem to be the one who “spoke” to her. So it’s Simon, the cat shifter who made minor appearances that’s getting his story and fated mate here.

Honestly it turns out to be a wonderful choice and a great story in terms of character development, new intriguing elements introduced, and a overall expansion of the series thread and arc mystery.

Simon is a particularly interesting being. When Simon showed up in other books, he wasn’t an appealing figure. A timid creature who looked out for himself. Here where we can hear his voice, its different. Simon’s actions are now hard to determine if he’s being overly cautious, truly fearful, or if something undefined is actually determining the course of his activities. He doesn’t seem cowardly, but his personality maybe stem from ingrained patterns of his family’s beliefs, ones that drive him away from the direction he often knows or feels is the right one to take. It’s frustrating at the beginning but deeply satisfying to be invested in as Simon grows and strengthens as a person and part of a relationship.

Simon is the strongest character here and makes the greatest strides in development. Dragon Ogden Walsh, a singing, passionate, albeit ancient , fated mate is a fascinating character but has less of an emotional journey here. I wished we had more of him with regard to his abilities and personal experiences, especially given the trauma he has to go through. Ames does a really great twist in making Simon, a cat shifter, the physically larger of the two people in human form, while Ogden, the ancient powerful dragon, is the smaller, colorfully dressed man. Yet shifted, it’s the opposite that’s true. That dichotomy impacts their dynamic in interesting ways throughout their relationship and their storyline.

The ongoing supernatural trafficking investigation and storyline introduces several new elements and characters in Cats Never Fly while expanding further into the series arc and villainy. It potentially opens up a new dimension and pairing who I hoped would come next.

Unfortunately, per the author’s note, yet another one has spoken out first. Hayden, the would be Alpha looks to be next.

Either way, I’ll be there to grab up the book. I’m absolutely invested in Willow Lake, its inhabitants, the magic and its fated mates storylines.

Add this to your TBR list! It’s a winner!

Willow Lake Supernaturals :

Hellhounds Never Lie #1

Wolves Always Bite #2

Oracles Always Win #3

Cats Never Fly #4

Buy link

Cats Never Fly (Willow Lake Supernaturals Book 4)

Blurb:

Protect his nine lives. Check. Find a pretty treasure. Check. Summon a dragon. Ch– Wait, what?

Cat shifter Simon refuses to jeopardize any of his nine lives, thank you very much. That saying “curiosity killed the cat” won’t ever apply to him. No way, no how.

Except…

When he’s out hunting for field mice one night, he finds the most wonderful whistle. It’s magical and intriguing and so very, very pretty. He knows he should return it, but what’s the worst that could happen if he blew on it first? Just once.

Months later, he finally has the courage to do just that, and when he does, the craziest thing happens. He summons a dragon, of all things.

Now what is he supposed to do? Particularly when Simon would rather keep the gorgeous dragon shifter than send him back to where he came from…

Tags: MM Fated Mates Paranormal Romance, a scaredy cat who needs to find his inner lion, a flirtatious dragon, more caged supes, gray sweatpants, shiny magical whistles do amazing things, cats don’t fly, having nine lives is the best, are ‘50s songs better than ‘80s songs?

Note: This book will be best enjoyed if you’ve read the first books in the series.

Willow Lake Supernaturals Series

Book 1: Hellhounds Never Lie (Ash and Dillon)

Book 2: Wolves Always Bite (Jeremy and Adrian)

Book 3: Oracles Always Win (Jake and Gage)

Book 4: Cats Never Fly (Simon and Ogden)

• Publication date: August 1, 2024

• Language: English

• File size: 2435 KB

• Print length: 384 pages

Review: The Turning of the Tables (Beyond the Veil Book 7) by KM Avery

Rating: 5🌈

The Turning of the Tables by KM Avery begins Seth Mays connecting trilogy of the Beyond the Veil series, a journey that’s got a perspective on the Arcanavirus we’ve not seen before.

KM Avery ‘s Beyond the Veil universe is a dark, highly complex world. It’s steeped in harsh human fears against those who are different, a divergence that has resulted from the Arcanavirus that’s wiped out a portion of the world’s population, the remaining population that has been exposed and is affected can change in otherworldly ways. Maybe they can hear the dead or maybe they’re a vampire.

In its wake , the world and society roils with bigotry, specism, racism, an increasingly amount of hatred based acts, as well as inflammatory politics that seem so dangerous and familiar these days. Read the author’s Notes on the universe information and trigger warnings before the book begins.

More so than any other books, except for Ward’s, Seth’s story , his beginning, has really moved me. Avery manages to so realistically, and with devastating exquisite clarity, covey a portrait of this gentle, sweet man coming physically, mentally, and emotionally apart in every aspect of his life. Just when he thought he had reached a good and satisfying point about his career, friends and family.

The pain is so intense as Avery does a deep emotional dive into the internal life of Seth Mays . Its from Seth’s point of view that we see his life , the events, the unthinkable aftermath, alongside a complicated, horrifying investigation, and the introduction of Elliot Crane, badger shifter, best friend of Hart, into Seth’s world.

Elliot arrives to craft a summoning table for Ward and an intense relationship is struck up between Seth and Elliot. One that is notably temporary due to their differences in locations and current circumstances, but that’s not how this works.

We know Elliot from Val’s books but we get a deeper understanding of him here even without reading his POV. Avery gives the reader a perfect window into this character, an insight into how the relationship between them is effectively changing him too. And it’s done, part way, through a series of texts. Some sent casually, others during the worst moments of Seth’s life.

The Turning of the Tables (Beyond the Veil Book 7) by KM Avery brilliantly follows Seth as through a journey so moving and engaging that often times, I found myself having to pause in my reading because I was so wrapped up in Seth’s story that I needed a moment to reflect.

Here a life is changed so profoundly it’s shattering, both for the character and for the reader.

The ending? Exactly what it should be. Hopeful. And now I’m exhausted but ready for the next book and step forward for Seth . That’s The Badger in his Burrow, no release date yet.

If you haven’t read this series yet, start reading it. It’s a must read in its entirety. Read them in order to understand the characters, their stories and relationships, the evolution of this world in terms of politics and magic. It’s complex, highly addictive, ingenious, and often dark as well as beautifully written.

And one I highly recommend. Always.

Series couples to date (not standalone):

Ward’s story (1-3):

The Ghost in the Hall

The Boy in the Locked Room

The Skeleton Under the Stairs.

Hart’s story (4-6):

The Dog in the Alley

The Bones in the Yard

The Elf Beside Himself

Seth’s story (7-9):

The Turning of the Tables

The Badger in his Burrow (coming 2024/ 5)

The Past in the Present (coming 2025)

Rayn’s Story (10 +) (coming 2025-2026)

Buy Link

The Turning of the Tables (Beyond the Veil Book 7)

Blurb:

I try to be an easygoing kind of guy, but sometimes things happen that really throw you for a loop. It turns out that meeting a certain badger shifter is one of those things.

I’d agreed to pick him up at the airport to help out a friend, and I had no idea what I’d gotten myself into. I figured I’d pick him up, drop him off at his hotel, and that would be that. Instead, I can’t stop thinking about him—and it doesn’t help that he keeps texting me, asking for my help.

The other problem is… he lives a thousand miles away and is only going to be here for a few weeks. Except that it hasn’t taken long for me to fall hard for those hazel eyes and white-streaked hair. To say nothing of the callouses on those strong hands.

I should be paying attention to work—to the killer using the Arcanavirus as a murder weapon—but I keep getting distracted by thoughts of Elliot Crane. Hopefully that doesn’t come back to bite me in the butt.

Who am I kidding? Everything comes back to bite me in the butt. And not in a fun kind of way, either.

A MM Shifter Romance.

Part one in Seth’s story.

• Publisher: (July 31, 2024)

• Publication date: July 31, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 398 pages

Seth’s story (7-9):

The Turning of the Tables

The Badger in his Burrow (coming 2024/ 5)

The Past in the Present (coming 2025)

Rayn’s Story (10 +) (coming 2025-2026)”

Review: Ascendant King (The Empty Throne Trilogy Book 3) by Kai Butler

Rating: 5🌈

Kai Butler’s finale story, Ascendant King is everything I had hoped for. And it makes me so sad this series is over while leaving me completely satisfied with the ending and the way the author has tied up the storylines.

Butler’s trilogy and fabulous romantic arc ties up with thrilling storytelling, incredible character growth, and imaginative narrative visuals that continue to make me think.

What a journey this has been for Miles and Cade as one becomes Emperor of Werewolves and the other the King of his House, and so much more. This tale has so many complex elements and intricate magical detailing to the components that Butler’s creating and then slowly revealing. It’s breathtaking in conception and execution but as the reader is so focused on the action and character-driven dramatic scenes, it’s elements that are apparent afterwards when you think about the story and events.

To say that I think the universe Butler created here can easily be extended beyond to further stories is one driven by love of the characters and need for more tales to see what happens next.

That unique pack, those bonded mates, that future that still holds so many questions. Yes, more please. Even the page length wasn’t nearly enough.

Now to wait for whatever comes next from this amazing author.

Highly recommended!

The Empty Throne Trilogy:

✓ Exiled Heir #1

✓ Contested Crown #2

✓ Ascendant King #3

Buy Link

Ascendant King (The Empty Throne Trilogy Book 3)

Blurb:

His life is in my hands, but my heart is in his.

Miles Castillo has the one thing his mother never did: time. As he gathers new members to his pack and help in his war against House Bartlett, he can’t help but wish that Cade was more than a reluctant ally. But the ice prince has made his position clear and nothing Miles can do will change the history that divides them.

Still, as they both confront the echoes of their past, they must learn to work together and find something like a middle ground. With nothing to lose, Cade and Miles must make a choice that will save both of them.

• Publication date: June 17, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 466 pages

Review: Per Sanguinem: A MM Vampire Romance by Ashlyn Drewek

Rating: 4🌈

Another new author and a new paranormal law enforcement vampire romance. A excellent find in both writer and story.

Several things that Drewek created here for her universe that I absolutely found fascinating and wanted more exploration into was the vampire society and creation lore. That its territories are women ruled/dominated definitely needs further development within the story than the fabulous juicy bits offered up by scenes the author gave us here. I was definitely invested.

That feeds in so well into the fact that Chicago PD Det Eric Collins, 250 year old vampire is a solitary male, working his department’s night shift. His heavy caseloads as well as his memories and routines are what mark his days. The author lets Eric’s past stories and losses be revealed only once his solo existence starts to change. However, Eric the detective is a fully formed character as is his place within his department.

Drewek also does a great job in creating the other characters, including Chase Turner, a complicated person with a multitude of issues. He’s a cop who’s the son of cops. His mother is deceased, and his father a bullying alcoholic officer, now retired who’s either revered or hated because of his former position as the head of IA. Chase is also suffering from PTSD, from his tour of duty in the Army. Plus he’s got ex issues too.All that and a tragic case brings him into the same mess as Eric when both are on the scene at the same time.

Drewek has written so many terrific storylines, all ongoing that involve vampires, other investigators, and fully formed characters that interact with each other to keep the reader invested in their relationship and the storylines that emerge.

One element of relationships that I find problematic in a story is where one person will , for whatever reason, takes actions or makes important decisions that affect their relationship without discussing it with their partner, purposely. Effectively it relegates their partner or mate to a lesser or unequal status because they are making decisions for them without their knowledge or permission. Doesn’t matter the trope. This is a familiar element in some couples.

And this aspect of Eric and Chase’s dynamic was an issue that I struggled with throughout the book while enjoying the characters, their interactions and terrific histories created for them by the author. It was minutely addressed towards the end of the novel and I appreciated that but I wish it had been dealt with differently.

As a standalone story, Drewek has developed such a rich environment and cast that I keep thinking that it would make a great series. Aubrey, Eric’s werewolf friend from his past who lives in New Orleans, definitely deserves a sequel.

It’s a terrific universe that needs further exploration and I hope this author will return to it sometime soon.

In the meantime, I’ll be looking into Drewek’s other works and series. If they are as interesting and well written as this, I can’t wait to read them.

This is a great find! And I love the cover.

Buy Link:

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Sangu…Per Sanguinem: A MM Vampire Romance – Kindle edition by Drewek, Ashlyn. …

Blurb

Vampires don’t get a happily ever after. Eric Collins learned that the hard way, which is why he swore off the whole idea and prefers to throw himself into his job as a Chicago PD detective. His plan for a peaceful, solitary existence, however, is disrupted the night he saves Chase Turner—a human and a fellow cop—from being brutally murdered.

With vindictive vampires after them and Chase’s meddling ex around every corner, it’s time for Eric to leave Chicago. But first he has to make a choice—convince Chase to give up everything and come with him, or say goodbye to the love of his life?

PER SANGUINEM is a slow-burn MM paranormal romance with a lot of suspense, police procedures, and sexual tension between two cops on the DL. It features an overprotective vampire, two insanely loyal partners, and a forbidden love story set against a complicated backdrop of murder and vampire politics. It is intended for a mature audience and reader discretion is advised. A full list of triggers can be found in the front matter of the book and at my website under Tropes & Triggers.

• Publisher: Fox Hollow Books (October 24, 2022)

• Publication date: October 24, 2022

• Language: English

• Print length: 494 pages

Review: The Elf Beside Himself (Beyond the Veil Book 6) by KM Avery

Rating: 5🌈

The Elf Beside Himself finishes PI Valentine Hart’s storyline group within the Beyond the Veil series.

This paranormal series has been following a format that sees each wildly different couple, each of whom has been effected by the Arcanavirus in various ways, through the all the travails of their intense relationships. The author creates such a wonderful, culturally diverse group of backgrounds for each character. And then, using mysteries, police cases, and ghosts of the dead, weaves in the expanding series themes of magic, bigotry, speciesism, deep persecution that occurs when something happens to scare people into believing propaganda or giving into their own worst fears. In this case a disease, the Arcanavirus which changes people into paranormal beings, if they live through it.

Avery’s plots has Human Only Rights groups out in the streets, in gangs, working against any nonhuman creature, as well focusing on the neglect that indigenous peoples criminal cases often face from various law enforcement agencies that allow the criminal to go unpunished. Its layers upon layers in believable, heartbreaking detail.

And each book sees this element only increasing in depth and alarm as the groups grow stronger. It all seems so familiar.

In this story, Val Hart, an elf made due to the Arcanavirus and his dog shifter lover, Taavi Camal, are headed back to Val’s hometown of Shawano, Wisconsin. Its land of the cheese, frigid winter weather, small town Community values and memories of when Val was normal and forgettable. But his childhood friend’s father has died, a man Val also considered family. And his best friend has asked him for his help.

Avery builds such gripping narratives because the author starts with creating compelling complex characters, ones who have histories the reader can in some way relate to, and then place them into extraordinary circumstances. Circumstances that require imagination, intelligence and are often difficult for the reader and characters to comprehend or undergo.

Here in The Elf Beside Himself there is a boatload of emotional elements and personal/professional/life issues to unpack and explore. It starts with deep grief for Gregory Crane, father of his best friend Elliot. Both men badger shifters, as well as members of the Ho Chunk and Mamaceqtaw tribes. The heartfelt grieving continues as investigative factors points to persecution and increased violence towards shifters and indigenous peoples.

Hart is also dealing with bringing Taavi home to meet everyone for the first time under extreme pressure and intense conditions. When they’re just 2.5 months into their relationship and unprepared for the situation, winter weather, and family scrutiny.

Hart, who has been a favorite of mine since he appeared on the page, just shows all the vulnerability, the growth, and depth of his character in the various situations that arise here. Especially in the complex relationships between himself, Taavi, and Elliot.

The writing is exceptional, the characters are so memorable, and well plotted storylines will feed into the next group flawlessly as Seth and Elliot are set up to start a new trilogy while enlarging on the anti-magic, human first movement that’s growing.

I’m so invested. If you aren’t already familiar, go back to the first book and begin your journey there. It’s a fabulous read and a series you will love.

Highly recommended!

Beyond the Veil Series which is broken into couples stories, see below (books need to be read in order they are written for relationships and events development):

Ward’s story (1-3):

The Ghost in the Hall

The Boy in the Locked Room

The Skeleton Under the Stairs.

Hart’s story (4-6):

The Dog in the Alley

The Bones in the Yard

The Elf Beside Himself

Seth’s story (7 +):

The Turning of the Tables (2024/2025)

Buy link

The Elf Beside Himself (Beyond the Veil Book 6)

Blurb

Nothing can prepare you for the phone call from your best friend telling you his dad was murdered. Not even if you’re a former homicide cop.

But here I am, getting on a plane to fly halfway across the country to hold his hand and hope to hell that I’m not walking into a complete disaster.

Who am I kidding?

The police think Gregory Crane killed himself, or at least that’s what they’re telling us, but Elliot is sure they’re wrong. And the dead man can’t tell us what happened, either, so I’m going to have to use good old-fashioned detective work to figure this one out. Except I’m not a cop anymore and all my contacts are half a country away.

Add to that the fact that the state I’m in is in the middle of a huge anti-magic movement, and everywhere I turn I have people spitting in my face and calling me a freak.

My mother is going ballistic, my father is threatening to sue the police department, and I’m trying to juggle a brand-new relationship and my falling-apart oldest friend from childhood.

Yeah, you could say I’m beside myself.

Now if only I can hold it together long enough to put together the pieces, maybe, just maybe I can manage to get through this without losing my best friend, my boyfriend, or my life. Whether or not I lose my mind is pretty low on the list of priorities—I’m willing to give that up if only I can keep the rest.

• Publication date: September 29, 2023

• Language: English

• Print length: 427 pages

Review: Sanctuary (On The Wind Book 1) by Sam Burns and W. M. Fawkes

Rating: 4.5🌈

It took a short time for me to find my way to really connecting with both of these characters in Sanctuary, Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes’ new book and series.

At first, Paris comes across as a cosseted, naive young nobleman who’s just lost his father, a man who is the hidden lover of the heir to the throne. But quickly, through the means of a political mission, the authors start him towards a journey of astonishing personal growth.

Paris travels to the land of Nemeda, where he’s to make a peace treaty with the unknown southern tribes, who are said to be bird worshippers. This is absolutely where the narrative pulls the reader into this amazing universe, giving us a window into his development as he opens up himself to new cultures, uses his ingenuity and knowledge to create opportunities for himself and to help others.

We get to watch him grow and fall in love with the person he’s becoming.

The same goes for head of the Hawk clan, Brett. Brett was a harder character for me to invest in to start. Part of this is the disconnect between the clan bird/Avatar and what this clan is known for. It also ties into Brett’s personality. They are the Hawk clan. However, instead of being known for their warrior spirit or their fierce nature, this clan is one of farmers and land oriented talents. It absolutely doesn’t match up with the Hawk as a species.

Other clans do match better with their namesake. Cranes, Ducks, Eagles and especially the Crows, all beautifully suited to their clan’s needs and abilities. So why stray so far off from the Hawk’s? As a someone in the field (wildlife biologist) this is an irritating factor, but not the only one. More on this at the end.

Anyway, Brett comes off as clueless or hapless as a clan leader when he first starts making his appearance in the novel. The worst of it involves how he’s handled the wife he was dealt with. This is a important storyline that will thread throughout the novel, especially how it’s handled by him at the beginning of the story. Does Brett improve in character development as the novel continues? Yes, but for me, this is a very weak beginning point.

Burns and Fawkes have just begun with their world building, as the various clans are introduced, along with their histories and the territorial/clan wars reveal themselves. So to the geographical and climate changes that are typical of each region that impacts each clan and kingdom. It’s fascinating, detailed, and gives depth to the characters in ways that makes them relatable.

I enjoyed and was very engaged with many of the other characters here, definitely wanting more of the Crow Clan and their fierce leader. There is so much more of the magical side to be explored. And that’s the spoilers side too that I won’t be going into. Fantastic if not wholly unexpected.

The relationship, slowly growing, the respect for each other’s privacy and culture is something I enjoyed watching unfold and look forward to seeing more of in future stories.

Finally, my last words to the authors (other writers too), please rethink wise owl usage. I can tell you that is absolutely not the case. A alpha predator? Positively. Fierce? Beyond measure. But wise? Nope, I blame Disney and that face! SMH. Let’s try to keep the owl more in tune with its natural behaviors, same as you do with the other birds here. With the exception of that pesky Hawk.

Otherwise, a terrific read and wonderful adventure.

On The Wind:

✓ Sanctuary #1

◦ Guardian #2 – TBD

Buy link

Sanctuary (On the Wind Book 1)

Blurb:

Paris’s path is clear, his future settled. He’s trained his whole life in politics and the running of a kingdom. He’s going to be an adviser to the future king, his beloved prince. But when his father dies unexpectedly, the current king takes the opportunity to get rid of him, sending him to the barbaric southern tribe lands of Nemeda as a diplomat.

No one has ever returned from the tribes alive.

But he won’t give up on true love. If it costs him everything, he’ll bargain his way back to the arms of Prince Tybalt. Only what he finds when he arrives in Nemeda is not what he expected. The tribes aren’t barbaric at all, and their chief is . . . well, Paris can’t be distracted by the man’s rugged beauty that easily. Can he?

• Publication date: June 13, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 340 pages

Review: As the Raven Flies (a Charm City Chronicles novella) by Meghan Maslow

Rating: 4.5🌈

Meghan Maslow’s Charm City Chronicles series is a favorite among favorites. And I’ll be the first to admit it’s due to the setting of the series in Baltimore, a city I’m deeply fond of and live near.

Maslow has turned this old historic seaport city, known as Charm City, into a magical one teeming with paranormal diversity that the bosses, known as Rogers, have divided up into their own unique kingdoms. It’s incredible, and inhabited by characters from all number of species, including humans.

But my favorite? Naturally the ravens or raven shifters, so associated with Baltimore. Demon’s in the Details is a must read as the first book in the series.

As the Raven Flies sees, Abe Williams, friend of his Alpha Raven shifter Poe, on short term bodyguard duty to Poe’s bff and new Roger, Kennedy. But also assigned is dire wolf shifter, Michael Kashto, who has reluctantly pronounced them fated mates. Abe has a lot to say about this, mostly no.

Maslow has beautifully crafted two extremely different personalities, at least on the surface. Abe carries his wounds and scars inside and out that his family and past has inflicted. Michael’s is ongoing, but also family inflicted.

Baltimore, big, historic diverse seaport, has a magical gang war ongoing. The author weaves in all the dockside bars , it’s denizens with their insider’s knowledge that goes along with shipping to make it feel intimate and raw. There’s the snowy streets, and a fated mate’s romance that’s not immediately accepted? This is lively, relatable, poignant, funny, and fabulous.

Even right down to the teenagers caught out in a winter storm read absolutely true, so young, scared and yet so full of an invincible spirit that age seems to carry within them. They maybe be teenage Ravens and a young wolf shifter, but some things are just universal. I adored them.

This is tagged as related to the series but it fits so seamlessly into the books so far. I need more, of everyone and this incredible universe that Maslow is still constructing.

Haven’t been introduced to Charm City Chronicles yet? Now is a fantastic time to start. I linked the author below. She’s an auto buy for me. And the books so far in this series.

The covers are incredible. Have an amazing journey!

Charm City Chronicles:

✓ Demon’s in the Details #1

✓ Cat’s Chance in Hell #2

Related to:

✓ As the Raven Flies

Buy link

Meghan Maslow

Blurb:

“Even though you’re just a bird, I accept you as my mate.”

I, Abraham Williams, raven shifter extraordinaire, am notimpressed. Not with the pronouncement. Not with the fated mates fairy tale. And most definitely not with sinfully sexy Michael Kashto, the arrogant dire wolf shifter in the thousand dollar suit.

I’ve got no time for guys who look down their noses at me or think I should be grateful for scraps. I’ve come a long way from an unwanted, scared kid to a man I can be proud of and others depend on.

When I took this job protecting a friend, I knew it would be dangerous. Accepted the risk. Only I didn’t expect the assault to target my heart instead of my body. And fellow bodyguard Michael Kashto takes no prisoners.

Forced proximity has never been so forced.

As the Raven Flies is a 30k forced proximity, fated mates, standalone romance set in the Charm City Chronicles world with a guaranteed happy ending. Shenanigans include: a raven just trying to do his freaking job, a dire wolf with a lot of groveling to do, a sweet ghost, a trigger-happy boss, and a slightly unhealthy love of Led Zeppelin.

• Publisher: Pun City Pantser (June 21, 2024)

• Publication date: June 21, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 138 pages

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

Rating: 5🌈

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! He’s too nice, his cocktails too boring, he’s 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 it’s building up to that point by challenging the characters to expose themselves (yes that too), emotionally and on personal terms, revealing their histories they hadn’t before.

So yes, there’s wild rescues, more than a few fight scenes. And one ginormous cliffhanger.

It’s fantastic. I need that final book! If you’re not into cliffhangers, wait until the entire series is out and binge read. Otherwise, read it in order and wait until it’s released in August. I’m highly recommending this book and series. Well thought out and fabulous characters!

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

◦ No Rest for the Wicked #5 – August 16, 2024 (finale)

Buy link

SOS HOTEL: Great Service from Top to Bottom

Blurb

Something is wrong with Tom Collins. More wrong than usual.

Tom’s 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 hotel’s measly profits are dwindling by the day.

Things are not going well. We need our broken, foul-mouthed Tom Collins back.

But don’t 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”.

• Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing (June 19, 2024)

• Publication date: June 19, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 214 pages

Review: Unusual Emotions (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 3) by Shelby Rhodes

Rating: 5🌈

Unusual Emotions is the third book in Shelby Rhodes’ amazing paranormal romance series, The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx, so a couple of things right away. If you’re reading this series, you are already familiar with the trigger warnings, so I’m not going to repeat them.

Secondly, if you’re familiar with Shelby Rhodes writing, either here or any of this author’s work, then again, see my sentence above about triggers. Rhodes’ writing just comes with a certain amount of warnings, primarily because of the various types of themes and content that are present in this author’s 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. He’s having feelings, anger , fear, and more, which he’s trying not to identify. He’s a psychopath and , in his own words and mind, he’s 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 Foxx’s recent traumatic experiences have upset him and their dynamic. Both sides are stumbling around, dealing with their own issues, their partner’s unspoken difficulties with the current situation, and a multitude of new cases involving them and weird elements.

It’s Foxx and Harlow trying to figure out how to make their relationship work but it’s 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, it’s 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, I’m sure, add up to something even more terrifying to the partners later on.

And I’m 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.

Love the covers.

The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx:

✓ At First Irritation #1

✓ Taste of Fear #2

✓ Unusual Emotions #3

◦ Thirst Quenched #4 – August 24,2024

◦ False Morality #5 – TBD

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Unusual Emotions (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 3)

Blurb

Foxx Honeywell here… 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, let’s backtrack.

We pick up where we last left off…after the hypocritical murdery priests. Yeah, I’m still dealing with all that. Cases come and go, and things are normal…but then normal flies out of the window. All because my mind decided to focus on things it shouldn’t. Because, as is often the case, emotions and feelings don’t 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 ‘something’ as well.

Long story short, more cases, more confusion, and just the urge to burn the world down in a fit of anger…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!

• Publisher: (June 11, 2024)

• Publication date: June 11, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 343 pages