Category: Vampires

Review: Perfectly Perplexing Zombie (Perfect Pixie, #4) by M. J. May

Rating: 5🌈

Honestly, I finish each story thinking this is the best yet of the series. Then the next surpasses it, building on the complex storylines and characters relationships the author is creating and linking together in an epic as yet unfinished fantasy tapestry.

Each new couple incorporates a deeply unique perspective on love and relationships. While May has bright humor , magical wonder, and so much lively personality floating through the narrative, the darker side is never far away.

There’s so many serious elements included with each being, most to do with their history but not always. With Phil, it’s his outsize physique as a pixie, or Parsnip, whose horrific past of capture and permanent damage adds a dark series thread, as well as a dramatic well developed emotional plot for his book. Each character’s aspect of their life that has caused them pain and or sorrow has to be revealed, investigated, emotionally developed , and, fully explored in every possible aspect before the ending.

So many serious themes and topics. Slavery, addiction, low self esteem, bullying, self harm, the list goes on as to what May has narratively tackled in this series. And done a spectacular job of it.

Now comes Wendell. A lovely, kind, warmhearted human being who was cold heartedly murdered and turned into a zombie. Only Muriel, a powerful witch intervened, and Wendell became conscious, still a zombie but himself still. Unique in many ways.

A incredibly special way. Which brings Hellfire Rayburn, Fairy Queen Silvidia’s most trusted and feared warrior, into the role of main character after being a wildly popular secondary character in the preceding books.

The zombie and the fiery fairy warrior walk into the bar. It would be a joke if it wasn’t a tragedy in itself. May makes the reader feel every bit of the emotional pain and suffering every character is undergoing here.

The author has managed to make Wendell such a bright, engaging, and vulnerable young man, however dead he may be. As he’s falling apart, the reader is provided a window into his thoughts and feelings, which not only serves to connect us further but breaks our hearts. Wendell feels alive inside but is very much aware he isn’t. He wants to cry but can’t, he wants to blush, but a dead, rotting body betrays him. May quietly makes the reader cry when Wendell can’t.

Then comes Hellfire Rayburn, or Ray, who himself undergoes a huge mental and emotional transformation . Exposure to Wendell does that. Listening to Ray’s ancient inner voice, his arguments about Wendell with himself, then his growing sense of affection for the zombie, then mounting fear and anguish, it mirrors our own thoughts and feelings.

This author’s has such a superb gift for writing highly emotional scenes that escalates the anguish that the reader and the characters are feeling, as bit by bit, necrotic patch of skin by skin, Wendall’s time to a final death approaches.

She encapsulates all the details of the deteriorating flesh, Wendell’s emotional state, and his friends hope and horror as they scramble for some means to stop it.

What May also does so extraordinarily well is subtly continue to run darker plot threads through the current storylines. So that as you’re reading and totally aware of the scenes before you, lurking on the edges are the barest of mentions of what the author has to come.

The pixie dust addiction and slavery thread is there as a small topic. A hint of something that needs to be addressed in the near future. The most evil villain I’ve encountered is suddenly invigorated by events here. Please someone help get his comeuppance.

There’s no listed title for the next story but I have a guess which I’ll keep to myself.

It says in the descriptions these books can be read as standalones No they cannot. They are absolutely narrative building bricks for each other, which eventually leads to the next one, and finally a magical whole.

This series and each book is at the top of my TB recommended list. A must read/must have if you will.

Wendell and Ray gave me so many heartbreaking moments but so many more beautiful ones. What a special gift.

Again, another gorgeous cover in a series of them.

Buy Link:

Perfectly Perplexing Zombie: Wendall’s Story (Perfect Pixie Series Book 4)

Blurb:

Blessed with eternal fire, Hellfire Rayburn is Fairy Queen Silvidia’s most trusted and feared warrior. In a world living under fairy rule, Ray’s accustomed to serving his queen by upholding the law. Now, Queen Silvidia wants more.

Wendall Galen never expected to wake up reanimated as a zombie. Then again, he never expected to be murdered either. Wendall’s second life is far better than his past human life. Unfortunately, the diluted bit of fairy DNA he didn’t know existed interferes with his reanimation. With his body deteriorating, Wendall’s second life is destined to be a short one.

Queen Silvidia might have discovered Wendall’s living life too late, but she won’t let the last remaining descendant of her beloved, deceased brother perish. A fairy bond is needed to preserve Wendall, and Hellfire Rayburn still has his to give away. Wendall just needs to accept the eternal bond. Too bad he’s a zombie with a conscience.

Wendall won’t condemn Ray to an eternity bonded to someone Ray doesn’t care for, let alone love. He would rather perish than do that. Despite Wendall’s refusal, or perhaps because of it, Ray’s smitten with the human-turned-zombie and can’t imagine a life without him.

But Wendall’s deteriorating body isn’t the only threat. His murderer is still out there and fearful Wendall will reveal his secret. Power breeds paranoia, and Wendall’s murderer is oozing with one and being taken over by the other. Having awakened one of the most dangerous and feared creatures alive, Wendall’s murderer is willing to wield that power no matter the cost.

Wendall’s good nature calls to Ray, but that same sacrificial nature threatens to steal him away. Hellfire Rayburn never dreamed a day could come when his eternal fire failed him, his queen, and his love.

Perfectly Perplexing Zombie is the forth book in the Perfect Pixie Series. Each book relates to previous installments but can be read as a stand alone. They are more enjoyable if read in order. This book follows Hellfire Rayburn and Wendall Galen’s paths to their HEA

Perfectly Perplexing Zombie contains a zombie that didn’t follow the rulebook for creation, a millennia old fairy warrior, a human with delusions of grandeur, a powerful djinn that just wants to be left alone, a power hungry alpha werewolf, witches, priestesses, warlocks, vampires, a faun, and good old fashioned interspecies teamwork. It is a slow burn novel that focuses on finding and acknowledging love in unexpected places.

• Publisher: (December 22, 2023)

• Publication date: December 22, 2023

• Print length: 334 pages

Review: Claw’d (Evergreen Council Book 2) by Vin George

Rating: 4.5🌈

Claw’d (Evergreen Council Book 2) by Vin George is the only book I’ve read in the series. I rarely agree when it’s stated in a description that a book in a series can be read as a standalone because it always turns out that so much information and universe building is missing. But here, I felt that I was on fairly solid ground with the world I entered into, and the characters the author had created.

Am I going back and picking up the first book? Yes. Do I feel it’s necessary for this one? No.

George has a large cast of characters already in place as the story starts. It’s a universe of paranormal beings that live along side human beings who are unaware of them.

Evergreen Council, a new governing group of shifters, vampires, Fae, etc, working together to police their own, is something I believe might have happened in book one.

But we meet a disheveled, broken vampire, Sorley, who’s been arrested for breaking into a house of a wolf shifter. Gethin, the wolf who happens to work for the Evergreen Council, and upon his questioning of Sorley in the Council’s jail, realizes that something is seriously wrong.

This initial encounter sets in motion an investigation that continues throughout the story, bringing together multiple paranormal races and characters as more incidents and horrifying events happen.

I particularly enjoyed how George developed the relationship between Sorley and Gethin, two complicated characters who have a prejudice towards each other’s race. The author builds barriers between them only to then explore their own experiences, reveal their long histories, and make their own decisions to form a new bond with each other.

It’s well defined, somewhat torturous path, very emotional, and well thought out.

Both Sorley and Gethin have their own friends and families that push/pull them through the difficult decision making process of these events. Whether it’s the newly forming relationship, or the investigation, there is multiple voices and pressures impinging upon them.

It’s been a while since I’d read Vin George and now, based on the excellent work here in Claw’d, I’ll be going back to pick up Fang’d. There’s so many great elements here that carry through beautifully. Fine details, and still there is some interesting questions left over for the author to make the reader think about going forward.

I can’t wait to see what happens next. A definite recommendation for lovers of paranormal fiction and romance.

Evergreen Council:

◦ Fang’d #1

✓ Claw’d #2

Buy Link:

Claw’d (Evergreen Council Book 2)

Blurb:

Conditioned to hate him but I can’t stop craving him.”

On the verge of bloodlust, vampire Sorley breaks into wolf shifter Gethin’s home. Gethin, who’s been indoctrinated to avoid and even despise bloodsuckers, wants to turn him over to higher ups in the Evergreen Council and forget about him. If only it were that simple! Sorley seems to be a victim of a mysterious attack, pinging Gethin’s protective instincts. He’s also devastatingly gorgeous, and Gethin is thrown by the attraction. As a wolf he has no business getting entangled with an immortal malevampire. Even if they give in to their desire, it can only ever be a fling.

Sorley just wants to go home and bury his pretty head in the proverbial sand, but however much he hates it, he needs Gethin’s help. He might even get some benefits out of the deal. The infuriating, furry hunk of a shifter has kind eyes, and his scent is unexpectedly delicious. He also, curiously, makes Sorley feel safe. But Sorley is definitely not developing any feelings for the man. That would be absurd.

When it becomes apparent Sorley is not the only victim of an unknown assailant, the entire Council must pull together to stop the attacks. Egos clash as tension rises, and you could even say there’s a lot at stake.

Claw’d is the second book in the Evergreen Council series, featuring a chaotic mess of a gay vampire and the closeted, long-suffering, wolf-shifter charged with keeping him safe. HEA. Can be read as standalone

Review: Taste of Fear (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 2) by Shelby Rhodes

Rating: 5🌈

Before getting into the review, two things. One, these books definitely need to be read in the order they are written in. Secondly, heed the author’s trigger warnings. If you’re familiar with the series or author, then as a reader the content won’t necessarily be as much of a surprise but emotionally it’s still powerful and moving. Especially as it’s got extreme torture, mental, physical and traumatic moments at its core. On page scenes. So read the notes.

This isn’t to dissuade a reader from diving into the story but to inform those who will have issues with those elements in advance so informed choices can be made.

Now as to Taste of Fear. Its excellent. Heartbreaking and a stunning story that will stick with you for some time after you have finished reading it.

Possibly because the manner in which Rhodes does two things simultaneously. The relationship between vampire Foxx Honeywell and scarred human hunter Harlow is progressing uniquely, given each of their respective personalities and histories. Harlow is the one that’s the most perplexed about his odd behavior and feelings towards his vampire partner. Foxx represents so many new aspects to his life he never thought he would have. First sexual encounter with a man, then lots of sexual encounters. Now he’s living with him. And thinking about the vampire, a lot. A stunning reversal of his previous life. The growth and development of the dynamic of this weirdly complex duo is compelling and powerful.

While Rhodes, through scenes both humorous and murderous, give the reader a sense of deepening affection between Foxx and Harlow, a case arises that, adjacent to everything else that has been going on, starts to build a sense of high anxiety and suspense. That something truly horrific is coming.

And it’s target is Foxx.

I can’t begin to tell you how effective Rhodes narrative is here, as chapter by chapter, like a disastrous tragedy we see coming but are unable to stop, the horror slowly creeps in, deathly clues dropping. The reader is deeply apprehensive but still needing to read onward.

I won’t go further into the story line or the reasons for the trigger warnings. Yes, they are necessary for the situation, the plot, and for readers because it’s so real, the emotional connection between us and the characters are very impactful and profound. It will hurt.

I won’t say I enjoyed this. But I did love it on another level. Such outstanding work. It changes the characters fundamentally. It’s shattering. And now I’ll have to wait for the next one for the ramifications to set in.

If you love Shelby Rhodes, dark paranormal fiction. This is the series and story for you. I’m highly recommending this.

If you love paranormal romance but in a lighter vein ( real pun intended), there are other equally terrific books to explore.

Happy reading!

The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx:

✓ At First Irritation #1

✓ Taste of Fear #2

◦ Unusual Emotions #3 – April 12,2024

◦ Thirst Quenched #4 – June 24,2024

Buy Link:

Taste of Fear (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 2)

Blurb:

Foxx Honeywell here. You know those fun stories where nothing goes wrong and everything is happy and joyful…yeah, that is not this book. This book is where everything goes wrong—multiple times. Horribly wrong. Because sadly, there are people out there who hate others simply for existing. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Our story picks up a few months after the whole crazy cult thing, right before the horrible, terrifyingly awful holiday called…Christmas. Because, of course, why wouldn’t we end up back on the job right when not only is it bloody cold outside, but when the ho-ho-hoing menace is plaguing poor innocent vampires everywhere?

Anyway, we go on one hunt, and things are relatively normal-ish. It’s not until the next one where…well, I maybe almost die. What follows is some resurfacing trauma…and a fair few meltdowns. No doubt terrifying my psycho of a partner, Harlow. Who, by the way, through all this seems okay…maybe. A big maybe. So, yeah, that happens. And you know, if that was all that happened, it would have been fine. Really, it would—mostly. It’s just that what followed…really drove home all those years of no therapy. Like a blast in the face from my past nightmare-inducing trauma. I’m sure it will be fine?

CONTENT WARNING: This is a slow burn M/M paranormal romance series with heat. This book ends on a soft cliffhanger. There will be blood, violence, death, trauma induced panic attacks, and mentions of SA (no on page details). PLEASE SEE INSIDE OR CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE FOR THE FULL CONTENT WARNING!

• Publisher: (December 15, 2023)

• Publication date: December 15, 2023

• Print length: 369 pages

Review: Fated Mates and How to Woo Them (Fated Mates #1) by A. J. Sherwood

Rating: 4🌈

The Fated Mates duology (at the moment) is a weird one. Primarily due to the fact that the books were written and released out of order. So book two, Fated Mates and Where to Find Them , Zander and Max’s romance, preceded this one. And it felt like we were missing out on important things, like foundation history and grounding within a universe framework.

While not complete, Sherwood delivers more of the detailed layering about the VSP, true mates, and a certain matchmaker that was absent from book two. It helps make the story. This and really delightful characters who have wonderful chemistry with each other.

I actually enjoyed them and their story better because I got who they were, their backgrounds, and Sherwood made me believe in their instant connection and hot chemistry.

Chase, the overly extended, pushed to his physical and mental limits grad student, is so well defined. He is over scheduled, too many responsibilities, isn’t sleeping, and he’s exhausted. He may come across as young, and naive but always kind. Definitely not an “air head”, a term that has always carried a note of derision along with it. Tbh, I was surprised to see it in the tags/description.

Ronan, a vampire of many interests and talents, is a perfect choice for Chase. I enjoyed his pursuit of Chase and Ronan’s twin brother, who clearly needs his own story. Ronan is a great character all his own, from his interests in mechanics and racing to his interactions with Father, he has layers to go with Chase’s.

Their story is 153 pages but it could easily have been much longer or even have a sequel of their own.

I’m definitely recommending Fated Mates and How to Woo Them (Fated Mates #1) by A. J. Sherwood . It’s a delightful paranormal romance and has a wonderful couple of fated mates at its heart.

Fated Mates:

✓ Fated Mates and How to Woo Them #1

✓ Fated Mates and Where to Find Them #2

Buy Link:

Fated Mates and How to Woo Them

Blurb:

Chase is crazy busy behind the scenes at the fraternity get together, so when an alumni comes in, he just notes a hot man in his vicinity and goes right back to work.

When Ronan gets hurt, and Chase feeds him, Chase’s reaction opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Ones that Ronan wants to explore.

Is Chase compatible with vampires? Or could he possibly be something more?

Tags:

Vampire story, same universe as Max and Zander, because yes the plot bunnies absolutely ran wild with this one, I am not in charge of this trainwreck, just along for the ride like you are, Chase has his airheaded moments, there is absolutely no chill where Ronan is concerned, bad guys have human sacrifice written all over them, whole story is mindless violence and fluff, sorry not sorry for this

• Publisher: (December 8, 2023)

• Publication date: December 8, 2023

• Print length: 153 pages

Review: Two Thousand Dreams (Kings of Chaos Book 1) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4.75🌈

Two Thousand Dreams Is the first in Jocelynn Drake’s new Kings of Chaos series. This is the third connected series with overlapping characters within the same universe.

The main character, Moon Mullins, is a blood witch, a rarity among all witches. Moon is a member of a small all male coven that consists of two earth witches and a necromancer. Readers following the author met this coven in the series, Princes of Mayhem, which focuses on the powerful necromancer’s adventures in love and the group’s support. They are best friends after all.

Now it’s Moon’s turn and, much like the other series, a major crossover event is coming. Once every 100 years, a portal opens up between the Fae realm and the earthly kingdom, and the Fae come through. The consequences of Coming Day are never good, especially for earth witches.

But it’s the new characters Drake is introducing that’s going to bring the biggest impact on the universe in expanding it beyond its current form.

It’s a clan of two thousand year old Chinese vampires who’ve come from their native homeland on a rescue mission. Both their backstory and current lives are threaded through with loss and grief. It’s a fantastic new element and I can’t wait for more of their stories to come forward.

The first book combines Moon with the frustrated, tense Chen, whose character is searching wildly for answers in an unfamiliar setting. Moon and Chen are a great example of chemistry in an opposites attract trope. The way in which Moon maneuvers himself through the inner circle of the clan, assessing the situation, and his new emotions about Chen just kept this reader connected at all times.

Also that, as we stayed focused on the core group of Moon and Chen and the clan, all the other important characters, like Moon’s best friends/coven weren’t forgotten. Instead, they were brought into the narrative as needed as well as in dramatic moments that highlighted their role in Moon’s life.

If I had a small quibble, it would have been that Drake allow more of Moon’s extraordinary powers as a blood witch to be evident throughout the story as opposed to sacrificing them to Chen’s role.

The end of the story is as dramatic and heartbreaking as any one could imagine. And it sets up the next book perfectly. No cliffhanger. Just the frustration of having to wait until next March for the release date.

Until then, I’m highly recommending Two Thousand Dreams (Kings of Chaos Book 1) by Jocelynn Drake. It’s a fast paced, incredibly detailed, fabulous read.

And if you’re not familiar with the other series, I’ve listed them for you below. Check them out!

Buy Link:

Two Thousand Dreams (Kings of Chaos Book 1)

Kings of Chaos:

✓ Two Thousand Dreams #1

◦ Two Thousand Tears #2 – March 22,2024

Blurb:

The Blood Witch Has Changed Everything.

Chen traveled to the US with his clan, hoping to rescue his kidnapped brother from the fae.

They just need a witch to find the exact location of where the door between the human world and the fae world will open.

The one thing Moon can’t do.

Chen grabbed the wrong type of witch.

That’s not stopping Moon from clinging to Chen as he guides them through a new territory, introducing them to the witches, shifters, and vampires who can help them.

The longer Moon remains at Chen’s side, the more he hopes the witch might consider staying with him always.

Except that the king of the fae might have other deadly plans for Chen.

Two Thousand Dreams is the first novel in the Kings of Chaos series, which is a spin-off from the Lords of Discord series. This book contains one very grumpy vampire falling in love with a very perky blood witch, shifters, overprotective witches, other non-human surprises, snark, angst, found family, brotherly bickering, magic, chaos, vampire cuddles, and an endless love that grows stronger with each kiss.

—————

The Kings of Chaos is a spin-off series from the Lords of Discord and Princes of Mayhem series. Binge both series and get your fill of vampires, witches, and the adorable men they love!

Lords of Discord:

Claiming Marcus

Saving Rafe

Waking Bel

Embracing Winter

Healing Aiden

Visiting the Variks: A Short Story Collection

Princes of Mayhem

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Ruined Saved My Life :

Disaster #1: Fun with Family

Disaster #2: Pet Problems

Disaster #3: Date Night

Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead?”

The Kings of Chaos:

Two Thousand Dreams #1

Two Thousand Tears #2

— Two Thousand Dreams (Kings of Chaos Book 1) by Jocelynn Drake

Review: Fated Mates and Where to Find Them (Fated Mates #2) by A J Sherwood

Rating: 3.75🌈

Fated Mates and Where to Find Them is sort of odd to begin with in that it’s book two of Sherwood’s Fated Mates series but book one hasn’t been released yet. And we get the couple from that first book in this novel in an interesting manner but what it does is highlight how much of the series world building is actually missing.

I did enjoy Fated Mates and Where to Find Them. I liked the couple, several of the secondary characters, and how fast paced the plot was. This story just flew by.

But it wasn’t supported by a strong foundation. I didn’t get anything as to the world structure. Vampire ruling class system? Human secondary status? Blood slaves? Where’d that come from? I’d have wanted more an idea of an overall portrait of the world in terms of paranormal development. I even knew who the villain was and what the dramatic event would be. How it would play out, no. But the general idea? Yes.

So really a just a tighter overall plan. Maybe that’s coming in the next book, which is book one. Normally it’s where we get a series foundation. I’m looking forward to seeing what Sherwood has in store for the characters we’ve already seen and how the author is going to handle a world where we’ve already been a visitor to.

Live fated mates, and vampires and humans as couples, this is a series you should check out.

Fated Mates:

◦ Fated Mates and How to Woo Them #1 – Dec 8,2023

✓ Fated Mates and Where to Find Them #2

Buy Link:

Fated Mates and Where to Find Them

Blurb:

Zander is in an auction house for the sole purpose of getting someone to sign a contract. He doesn’t have any interest in owning a blood slave—until he lays eyes on Max. That, he must have.

Max is there for reasons of his own, mostly desperate reasons, and he’s braced himself for a year of hell. Which doesn’t seem to be forthcoming.

Someone needs to explain to this vampire that he’s supposed to use Max, not spoil him. Zander doesn’t seem to get it.

Tags:

Paranormal romance, blood slave contract thing, except Zander doesn’t actually know how to own someone, I’m pretty sure he’d break out into hives if he couldn’t spoil Max, Max has no idea what just hit him, he just knows he’s somehow the responsible one, it’s definitely not Zander, sexy times incoming!, Zander is a walking green flag, sass, so much sass incoming, light angst, mostly as an excuse for cuddles, stubborn to lovers, part time soulmates, full time problem, whole story is just mindless violence and fluff, the summary really doesn’t get across how much sex is in this but it’s also not wrong, cinnamon protection squad, assemble!

Review: Forever Together (The Undead Detective Agency book 4) by Shelby Rhodes

Rating: 4.75🌈

Forever Together, the book in which Shelby Rhodes emotionally glitter bombs the readers with a roller coaster of a finale plot for vampire Octavius Evander and his now zombified hunny bunny love, Turney, and the rest of the Undead Detective Agency family.

I was wondering how Rhodes was going to pull all the wandering plot threads together and give this series and couple the finale they deserve. Especially after all they’ve been through to get to this point in their undead lives. Does it come together? Absolutely, in a well written and exciting manner!

It’s Halloween in the story (and date of release), so naturally Octavius has gone completely over-the-top batty in planning out his Halloween party for the house, his family and his love. It’s an extravaganza of glitter, exuberance and shocking horror. Not surprisingly, and to Octavius’ dismay, most of his crew isn’t happy about the results. That includes Turney.

Imagine a toddler on about a 18-wheeler’s worth of sugar high, and that’s a realistic description of Rhodes’ Octavius. It would be easy to get irritated by this character if not for his traumatic past history and death which is absolutely terrifying. That darkness and the psychopath who killed him has been a black thread throughout the narrative. That knowledge has balanced the childishness and chaos that Octavius sometimes brings to this storyline. It’s his way of dealing with that trauma and part of his life that’s never left him and what happened to parts of his family. And that aspect of his personality allows us a better understanding of him as a whole complex individual.

Turney, an excellent character, is still reeling from all the changes he’s undergone as well as the guilt he feels about surviving when others have been lost. The trauma of his death, being brought back to life by Scarlett, adjusting to his new status, it’s so much emotionally and physically for Turney at the moment. And Octavius isn’t aware of his issues.

I think if I do have any quibbles about this, it’s Octavius’ lack of awareness about Turney’ feelings. Whether it’s to his new status as a zombie or that he really dislikes being scared by the tricks laid out by his vampire partner, it takes someone else to make Octavius look at what he’s doing or not noticing about Turney. That wasn’t a satisfying aspect of this relationship for me. It’s their own type of relationship that’s unchanged since the beginning but certain events here have highlighted that more.

The side relationships for Scarlett, Henry, and the others are just as important and well done. Especially Scarlett who’s been through so much and who’s independence means more to her than anything.

Honestly, Rhodes has written more than one heartbreaking scenes here, amidst some fast paced action packed sequences. With glitter!

Gots to have glitter.

Did I wish the villain , Dayan, had gotten an even better or say worse send off? Perhaps. Honestly, he was so awful Rhodes could have dedicated a page to his death scene to make it really gory.

But dead he is, happy we are.

And per Rhodes, there will be more stories for the side characters and Agency as well to come. Be still my heart.

So Forever Together (The Undead Detective Agency book 4) by Shelby Rhodes gives us a great finale and launching point for more stories to come. I’m extremely satisfied and looking forward for more mysteries and murderous glittering mayhem.

Not familiar with this series and characters? Start at the beginning and read all the way through for the complete journey of Octavius and Turney. It’s one wild and wonderful adventure.

The Undead Detective Agency:

✓ Get It Together #1

✓ Keep It Together #2

✓ In Death Together #3

✓ Forever Together #4 – finale

More stories to come in other related series!

Buy Link:

Forever Together (The Undead Detective Agency Book 4)

Blurb:

Octavius Evander here. I suppose you have come to see how it all ends. Well, ‘ends’, as in, we’ve reached the end of this part of my story. It wouldn’t be proper of me to move on until we finish it all off, right?

As this is the last book in this series, I feel it is my duty, to end things with a bang! A glittery bang. By bang, I mean, a giant, super cool, Halloween party. And what a party it was… Costumes, decorations, family, frenemies, scares, Turney screaming and clinging on to me—fun times! Not so fun was the interruption to said party. It really was unfair to me. I was on vacation from real murder and mayhem—case related mayhem only—yet somehow, someone had the audacity to be murdered. Inconsiderate people all around!

But you didn’t all come here just for the Halloween party. I know that. There is a certain someone you are waiting to hear about, I’m sure. A certain horrible, maggot of a person. Well…you won’t be disappointed. That issue will be solved, once and for all. The question you may be asking yourselves now is, how will it be solved? All I’m willing to say is, it happened in an unusual and extremely unprepared way. While, you shouldn’t worry too much, as my story, my precious Turney’s story, has a happy ending…it may be good to keep in mind that happiness sometimes shines brightest right after despair.

CONTENT WARNING: This is an M/M paranormal romance book. There will be blood, violence, gore, mention of SA (no on-page details), and death. Please do not read if you find any of the previous situations triggering.

Review: Jaeger’s Lost and Found by Ofelia Grand

Rating: 3🌈

Grand’s affinity for writing quirky, offbeat characters is evident in her paranormal novella, Jaeger’s Lost and Found. It’s in every main character and all the secondary characters as well. Their personalities are so different from the mainstream, even the paranormal ones.

What makes them so unusual is both easily understood and vaguely explained, a dichotomy of traits that’s a hallmark of Grand’s. That quicksand of characterization, while making the beings interesting can also make them less connectable.

It starts with Archibald Jaeger, the last of the famed Jaegers. The bloodline has become so weakened in him as he’s the last that the famous gift of the family, to be able to find anything, has become weakened as well. It no longer works as it should and his livelihood depends on it as does that of his partner.

Archie’s got his own deep quirks outside of a gift gone wonky. He hates to leave his establishment but the author refuses to call it agoraphobia. He’s got a certain way he’s got to dress and act (won’t step on cracks in the pavement) but again there’s an outright decision on Grand’s part not to label him as OCD or anything else behavior related. But those odd mannerisms add up, continuing to pile on top of one another. Plus he’s otherworldly, just what we don’t know. It’s a constant lack of definition here and it’s frustrating.

His partner is slightly better. She’s a naga. Or considered part naga because of an inability to shift. This changes towards the end of the story. We get fangs and venom and the fact she’s an unwelcome species but not much else. Just that as outsiders, she and Archie have stuck together.

We really need so much more world building than we get here.

There’s some really great stuff here. Like Archie needing to suddenly veer off and find lost things because they call to him. Love that aspect of the narrative.

But instead the main storyline goes to a vampire who’s behaved so poorly to his coven they’ve cut him loose. We get to meet the vampire equivalent of entitlement. Oh joy.

Gael Murray is another one of those characters that I can’t get invested in. His backstory for one isn’t that type of story that makes one immediately root for him. Yes he’s dying. But, he’s been living his life away from the coven, hasn’t stayed in touch with them, preferring the company of people. Now he’s whining about lost contact. Hmmm, ok. Yes. Got it.

There’s an actual romance that makes no sense and has no foundation laid down for it Or little chemistry between them. And the journey to find the coven is that of hardly going anywhere.

I think the solution for Gael’s problem the author came up with and the descriptions involved ,was again, one of the better elements here.

So, in the end, I found the story interesting and certain elements fascinating, but the romance made no sense, and many of the other things were absolutely frustrating.

Read this because you’re a fan of the author and genre. It’s short enough that the interesting aspects are worth it.

Buy Link:

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Jaegers-…Kindle – Jaeger’s Lost and Found eBook : Gränd, Ofelia

Blurb:

Jaeger’s Lost and Found is the only finder shop to be had on the whole of the west coast. The problem is, Archibald Jaeger, the last of the Jaeger line, seems to be defective. A result of too many generations of crossbreeding with humans. But Jaegers are finders, and there’s nothing to be done about it.

Gael Murray has lost his connections. A vampire can’t survive without the energy exchange he has with the members of his coven through mental links. And, as of this morning, they’ve all vanished. Gael will die if he doesn’t reinstate his connections through a blood exchange. And his only hope to find the other members of his coven is to hire a finder.

Even a terrible finder is better than none at all.

Together Gael and Archie set out to save Gael’s life, but what was an already difficult task becomes nearly insurmountable. And Archie, who can never find what he’s looking for, finds himself falling in love with a man he’ll be hard pressed to save.

• Publisher: JMS Books LLC (June 1, 2019)

• Publication date: June 1, 2019

• Print length: 107 pages

Review: Beauty and Bad Blood (Hunters Hollow Book 2) by Arden Steele

Rating: 4.5🌈

Arden Steele’s Hunter Hollow series continues with Beauty and Bad Blood. With some characters transplanted from the original series, Blackhaven Manor, we now have more paranormal stories about romance, mystery, and murder to get invested in.

This time, our new location is Hunters Hollow, owned by one of the Dragon siblings, and its township of mostly Otherlings. They tend to work for Ministry of Otherling Affairs in various fields. Now a new case has emerged and investigation team has been formed.

Among that team, newly arrived vampire, Agent Rogue. He’s among a team of MOA Otherlings agents assigned the task of finding what or who are killing young people , leaving them drained of blood.

Human Dylan Murray, true crime podcaster, is having a personal crisis. His best friend, Braeden, mate of nephillim Inspector Zarrik Cox, has been constantly telling him to come stay with them until he knows what he’s going to do next.

Two totally different personalities, one coffee shop, and one unassailable attraction. And several horrific murders to solve.

Steele’s narrative once again brings dramatic storylines to the fated mate trope. Dylan made an impression in Braeden’s book and he becomes an even more engaging, vulnerable character here. The author gives Dylan that layer of armor formed by parental negligence and emotional abuse that feels realistic along with a very real sense that he could still somehow get the love he wants.

Rogue’s backstory is not as fully explored but he’s a powerful character in the present. Especially as it pertains to his quickly evolving feelings towards Dylan.

Dylan’s reaction to Rogue and his actions, and how each handled their dynamics in developing their relationship was a good touch. Each side was open to communicating with each other and with other people. Absolutely beats the no communication approach in other situations.

I thought the mysteries and the murders were interesting but could have used further context or explanation. But that dramatic scene? Heart breaking, emotionally. No way around it.

Nothing that came later could take away from the power of that moment. And frankly, from there, everything was anticlimactic. I enjoyed the rest, but it was already over.

I can’t wait to see what and for who the next book is for. I’m sort of rooting for the new head elf Bastille. You never know. Steele keeps surprising me.

In the meantime, if you’re not already familiar with this universe, you can catch up by reading these in order . See below. Or go all in and go way back to the original series, read all nine books and join in the migration to Hunters Hollow!

I’m highly recommending them all.

Hunter’s Hollow:

✓ Angels and Anarchy #1

✓ Beauty and Bad Blood #2

Connected To:

Blackhaven Manor series-9 books

Blackhaven Manor9 booksArden Steele

Buy Link:

Beauty and Bad Blood (Hunters Hollow Book 2)

Blurb:

When a young woman turns up dead on the banks of the river with half her blood missing, vampires are the obvious suspects. Rogue Masters, however, doesn’t think the case is all that open and shut. As a special agent for the MOA Intelligence Division, it’s his job to find the truth. To do that, the last thing he needs is distractions.

So, of course, the most tempting distraction he’s ever seen strolls through the door of the local bakery, not just flipping the script, but rewriting it completely.

Stuck in a rut and drowning in his own insignificance, Dylan Murray needs a change. For starters, he needs to make a clean break from his selfish and demanding mother. It’s also probably a good time to swear off men, at least until he can get his life back on track. Spending some time in Hunters Hollow with his best friend is exactly what he needs to turn things around. The small town is quiet, a little boring, and completely free of the drama that plagued him in the city.

Now, if he can just stop thinking about a certain sexy vampire with penetrating eyes and a devilish smile, everything would be perfect.

Navigating the ups and downs of any new relationship is challenging. Doing so while searching for a killer will test more than just their commitment. When the worst happens, and Dylan joins the list of humans to mysteriously vanish from the French Quarter, Rogue will do whatever it takes to get his new mate back safely.

Even if that means becoming the very monster he’s meant to be hunting.

Review: Angels and Anarchy (Hunters Hollow, #1) by Arden Steele

Rating: 4.25🌈

If you’re a fan of this author and the series, Blackhaven Manor, or if you just enjoy an entertaining paranormal mystery, then this is the book for you.

It’s a terrific otherworldly thriller with a fated mates romance that has characters from that connected universe and references dramatic events that saw the creation of Hunters Hollow.

Now that one of the three Maddock dragon siblings has established a town and new hotel called Hunters Hollow as a sanctuary for the otherworldly community, the author is set to place a new set of fated mates romances inside the warded township and hotel.

It starts with Angels and Anarchy and a serial killer on the loose. A dead vampire Councilman brings together human waiter/bartender Braeden Burke and nephilim Detective Zarrik Cox . One as a witness , the other as an investigator.

Steele does an excellent job in defining the characters, their personalities, the magical bond that makes them gravitate towards each other, and the messy investigation that follows the murder.

I normally have a issue with couples that don’t communicate but, as friends and family point out, on top of an immediate bond, there’s a serial killer racking up the body count that’s taking up most of Zarrik’s time.

I wish that Braeden had been more open to the idea of therapy than he was, considering that as written, he comes across as severely traumatized by his experience. That was dropped as an element and not addressed again, a weak point here in an individual who has a number of great qualities.

In fact, Steele has potentially so many wonderful storylines threaded in here that not all could be fully realized or explored in the length given. I can only hope that the author will pick them up in the books to come.

The relationship ,once the communication ,begins is wonderful, the chemistry is warm and believable. They make a terrific couple.

The mystery, the dramatic finale, is exactly what you want to see and what the author delivers. With a bit of an unexpected twist.

I can’t wait for the next one in the series. Im definitely recommending Angels and Anarchy (Hunters Hollow, #1) by Arden Steele, it’s a winner.

Hunter’s Hollow:

✓ Angels and Anarchy #1

◦ Beauty and Bad Blood #2

Connected To:

Blackhaven Manor series-9 books

Blackhaven Manor9 booksArden Steele

Buy Link:

Angels and Anarchy (Hunters Hollow Book 1)

Blurb:

Slinging drinks in New Orleans’ French Quarter isn’t the most glamorous job, but Braeden Burke loves the lights, the music, and the excitement. As a long-time believer—even before Otherlings had waltzed out of the paranormal closet—spending his nights flirting with gorgeous werewolves and smooth-talking vampires isn’t exactly a chore. His life is easy, colorful, and for the most part, free of drama.

Until fate throws him a curveball.

It was supposed to be his day off. Instead, Zarrik Cox is called in to investigate the murder of a high-ranking member of the Ministry of Otherling Affairs. Tracking down the only witness to the crime is easy. Discovering the vulnerable human is his mate is a complication he wasn’t expecting.

He might be a nephilim, but he’s no angel, and he’s damn sure no one’s savior. But with a killer on the loose, and Braeden caught in the crosshairs, there’s no limit to how far he’ll go to keep his new mate safe.