Secrets Are Out! Adam, Vee, and Victor are all finally on the same page! They’re all together romantically and in battle! Bad beings beware!
This maniacally wonderful world gets even crazier in a sexy, action packed, “let all the secrets fly “ story. It’s jammed full with our fav bunch of fantastic paranormal characters from the SOS hotel, a mission to save a family that ends up becoming so much more!
In the meantime, there’s explosions, debris, lots of cleaning, Adam’s secrets are out and our favorite triad comes together, finally! With a lot of snark and sexy stuff. Love this narrative so much.
No Rest for the Wicked’s absolutely
yeets the prophecy into forward motion with astonishing speed here, also with some of my favorite scenes and conversations.
The ending is so satisfying and sets up the next installment in the series, Luxury To Die For. I’m hooked so I hope this dramatic finale gets dragged out a bit longer.
If you haven’t been reading the notes that come before and after the novel itself, you’re missing out. Check out the messages and ramblings from Adam and Vee where all the credits are listed at the beginning and the texts at the end. Priceless!
Yes, this is a must read and definitely recommended series and story. But do read the trigger warnings!
Humility is the finale book to Lark Taylor’s Connections series and it’s definitely worth the tissues needed to read it.
While on the surface, it’s about two commitment phobic best friends finally understanding each is the others HEA, the underlying issues, a heart wrenching event, and the backstories are the reasons that will have you reaching almost nonstop for the tissue box.
Riley, human with a history of a human stalker and dysfunctional parenting, is a series staple as he’s a best friend of Matty (Justice #2). Danny, wolf shifter firefighter, is a wounded soul with a broken history that’s revealed in this book. He too has had many scenes throughout the series as a best friend/ co firefighter with Leo (Patience #1). So we’ve been given glimpses of both characters in the preceding novels as they helped their friends through to resolving their problems and getting their mates.
With Riley and Danny , they meet, immediately click before having intense sex. Best ever. But because of various factors, each has resolved to stay commitment free. So it’s buddy only.
Until it’s not.
Taylor skillfully leads the characters through a heart wrenching and life changing event. The aftermath of which forces revelations of the past, old wounds come to light, and they journey back to Scotland where it all began for Danny , in his pack.
Lark creates a number of new and interesting characters to inhabit this new location in Scotland, and perhaps, one that will travel back to England to meet the rest of the paranormal group that resides there. Logan is an amazing shifter.
This ends one series but launches two more. One about the Seraphim and one about the wolf shifter we met in the book.
There was an absolutely wonderful epilogue that I hope gets a follow up in some way to let us see what happened next. With everyone.
Put this series on your list, including the finale. But read them in the order they are written.
Two commitment-phobes. One ridiculous plan. A decision that changes everything…
Riley
If a no-strings hookup is required, then I’m the perfect guy.
When I meet Danny, I can’t believe my luck. A sexy wolf shifter who’s also a fireman? Who runs from relationships just as fast as I do? Sign me up.
The night that follows is one for the history books, and the best part? Neither of us is looking for a repeat.
That doesn’t mean we don’t see each other again. Without even realising it, we become friends. Friends who do everything together.
Everything with Danny is perfect, but when I start to yearn for more from my hookups, I know something needs to change.
So I come up with a plan. A genius plan. I sign up for an app that arranges anonymous encounters. No names. No faces shown.
No danger of pesky feelings getting involved.
What could possibly go wrong?
Danny
Unlike Riley, my desire to avoid a relationship has nothing to do with commitment issues.
Taking a mate would mean returning to the clan who betrayed me. I’d have to leave behind this life I’ve built, a life I’m very happy with. One where Riley occupies most of my free time.
Everything is going swimmingly until Riley tells me his plan. His genius plan, he calls it. He can’t see it for what it is—an idiotic idea that’ll land him in danger.
I can’t let him go through with it. My wolf won’t allow it. Problem is, Riley’s as stubborn as they come. Once he’s decided on something, there’s no changing his mind.
Not wanting him in danger, I realise there’s only one thing I can do. One thing that’ll keep Riley happy while also keeping him safe.
I can be his anonymous hookup.
It’s idiot-proof. At least, it would be, if I wasn’t an idiot.
Turns out Riley isn’t the only one who should be scared of hooking up and realising you want more.
Humility is the thrilling fourth instalment in the Damned Connections series and can be read as a standalone. Featuring a wolf shifter x human pairing, this spicy MM PNR romance will make you laugh and cry. Each book follows a different couple with a guaranteed HEA.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I picked up this story because the characters of Jay and Alexei appeared in Wrecking Havoc, the first book in a sequel series about the Koslov brothers (one of which is Alexei). Alexei had found his mate and his part in that story and his family dynamics had me curious as to what happened beforehand.
I have to admit I didn’t enjoy this nearly as much as I did Wrecking Havoc. I find those themes and characters just more interesting in a number of ways. Also, I jumped into the middle of the series here so I missed a lot of the other characters stories and world building. That’s on me.
However, it was the character of Johann/Jay that I had the hardest time connecting to as well as what felt like an under developed romance.
Jay, a tiny vampire who , while 200 years in age, led a life after turning that was basically that of a well trained, beautifully clothed pet of a much older vampire. She treated him well when he did as told, she left him alone and isolated when he didn’t. Circumstances made it necessary for him to escape with some other, less well treated, vampires from the den. Those are the previous novels.
The book or books pick up after their escape from this den to the settlement in Hyde Park where he meets Alexei Koslov, middle son of the American Russian mob family,who is also on the run.
That’s the basics.
Jay is more a 2 dimensional character with potential here. He’s cute, flirty, naive and shy. He’s also treated like a child, who happens to be over 200 years old, clearly traumatized but it’s never stated. There’s potential for development in his history. Definitely in the growth around how Jay is as an actual vampire, which is never much explored outside of the sexual aspects. And that’s why his relationship with Alexei comes up lacking. He’s childlike but without much depth.
Alexei is a man on the run, who immediately becomes obsessed with Jay. Obsession or mate bond? It’s supposed to be mate bond, it’s later stated as such. But again it’s not explained or understood by either of them. The rest of the family just gives each other “looks “ to imply they know. Alexei always feels like the stronger personality even though he’s a human. He’s got a “presence “ missing from his vampire mate.
And that brings me to my last issues.
It revolves around two elements, one character who arrives later in the novel as an introduction to his story (the next book) and non consensual acts. These are important scenes and moments but the author and characters give them an almost flippant treatment.
The ramifications of this new character’s actions are emotionally and physically traumatic and life changing. But how does the author have the characters handle this? With nothing more than an apology, a perceived stamp of a foot. Yes, that’s the aftermath, still it’s basically, a tut tut. Over something hugely significant and morally wrong.
It was enough to disconnect me from the book, characters, and the series.
So while it was fun to see some of the many conversations and a few of the scenes mentioned, by way of conversation, play out here. I enjoyed this the most. Turns out I’m sticking with the second series. Different characters, themes, and honestly, adore those demons!
Vampire’s Mate:
◦ Roman #1
◦ Soran #2
◦ Lucian #3
✓ Johann #4 (Jay and Alexei Koslov from here, Demon Bound 🔷)
Alexei is lost. On the run from his criminal family, hiding out in Hyde Park, he has no idea what the point or purpose of his life is anymore. Until he’s served coffee by a strange young man, one whom Alexei can’t get out of his head. And when Alexei realizes his favorite barista isn’t quite human after all, his obsession only deepens. Can he use this new knowledge to get even closer to the sweet, strange vampire of his dreams?
Jay is lonely. He has his friends (so nice!) and his job at the coffee shop (so fun!) but he knows he doesn’t really belong in Hyde Park, not for keeps. And yet, he can’t help wanting to pretend, especially with his new favorite regular, a handsome human who smells divine and watches Jay like he really matters. Alexei might just be the nicest thing to happen to Jay since he can remember, even more so when the human generously offers himself up for dinner.
But Jay’s past is complicated, and certain promises have been made. Can he and Alexei weather the storm that tracks him down, or will Jay’s new life be taken away from him before it can really begin?
Johann is a heated, fated-mates MM paranormal romance with an HEA and no cliffhanger. It contains a sweet, cinnamon roll vampire and the stoic, obsessed human who will do anything to stay by his side. It also contains steamy scenes between two men, and the moderate violence (and mentions of blood) that one might expect from a vampire romance. While each book focuses on a different couple, the series is best enjoyed in order.
It’s the cover the drew me to Wrecking Havoc by Grae Bryan, the first in the new Demon Bound series, but it’s the story and characters that make me want to continue reading the entire series. I absolutely found myself invested in this universe and couple.
I love that Bryan created various types of demons here, instead of one type. It’s fascinating as well as that they are bound together by an ancient connection between them, a number of contracts that they had to complete in order to be free. Each book is a different demon.
However, there’s also another connection between the characters. A Russian mob family that’s now down to a group of brothers, each traumatized by their (now deceased) father in their own way. The middle brother, Alexei, got his romance in this author’s series, Vampire’s Mate. I listed it below as I hadn’t read it and put it immediately on my TBR list after reading this one.
The well defined characters, the quick moving storylines, the wonderful chemistry between the characters, everything had me engaged in this universe and the relationships being built.
Sascha Koslov , the youngest son of the American raised Russian crime mob family, is at the center of Wrecking Havoc. Superficially, a spoiled, coddled young man who has , mostly, been kept away from his family’s , as the story reveals, Sascha has been traumatized by his adolescent and upbringing, rather than shielded as his brothers assumed. Sascha is a endearing personality, and the manner in which he accidentally summons a demon is perhaps perfect!
Kai, the warrior demon on his last contract, is another layered character. The world he arrives into, the person who inadvertently summons him, everything surprises him. It’s a fascinating take on this aspect of the story, and these characters just work so well together.
There’s no fated mate bond but one that builds between them, one that makes sense for us the reader and them emotionally as they connect and grow stronger together.
By the end of the book, it’s amazing how much we love them as a couple, and the future we see going forward.
Ivan and Matteo’s books are coming, with Ivan’s book up next. It should be outstanding considering who he’s going to be bonded with. Can’t wait!
I’m highly recommending this. That cover is amazing and drew me right in.
Demon Bound:
✓ Wrecking Havoc #1 – Sascha and Kai
Vampire’s Mate:
◦ Roman #1
◦ Soran #2
◦ Lucian #3
✓ Johann #4 (Jay and Alexei Koslov from here, Demon Bound 🔷)
Sascha has always felt powerless, the weak baby of a cruel family. But that’s fine. He has his looks, his ample allowance, and a smattering of one-night stands to keep him busy. But when Sascha’s oldest brother offends the wrong people, Sascha finds himself in hiding with a target on his back. And when poking around in his temporary home leads to accidentally summoning the hottest demon Sascha could ever imagine, he has to ask himself: does he want to feel powerless anymore?
Kai has been waiting centuries for a summons. When he’s at long last brought to the human realm for his final contract, he expects to find another warrior hungry for battle and bloodshed. Instead, he finds himself bound to a saucy, scared mobster princeling who can’t stop looking at Kai like he’s dinner. It isn’t long before Kai decides that—for once—he wouldn’t mind staying exactly where he is, with a certain human for his mate.
But Sascha isn’t used to anyone sticking around, let alone caring for him in any real way. It’s up to Kai to convince Sascha he can give him so much more than protection. He just has to deal with those pesky enemies—and Sascha’s own meddling family—first.
WREAKING HAVOC IS A HEATED MM PARANORMAL ROMANCE WITH A HEA AND NO CLIFFHANGER. IT CONTAINS A SPOILED (OR IS IT TRAUMATIZED?) MAFIA PRINCE WITH TRUST ISSUES, THE COCKY WARRIOR DEMON WHO WANTS NOTHING MORE THAN TO PAMPER HIM FOR ETERNITY, A STIFLING FAMILY, ELUSIVE ENEMIES, AND THE FRUSTRATION OF NEVER GETTING TO FINISH A MANICURE.
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)
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”.
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 it’s 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. That’s entirely up to each reviewer’s 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 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.
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!
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 