Category: Vampires

Review:  Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock Book 1) by Faith Hunter 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

It only took 2 books but Faith Hunter has become not just a autobuy but an author I have to have and binge all of her series and books.  And right now. She’s made my TBR pile so much longer! As if it wasn’t already out of control. 

Did I tell you that she’s prolific and writes under two different names? Yep. And I’m just exploring one at the moment. 

Hunter’s Urban fantasy series about a Cherokee skinwalker, Jane Yellowstone, who’s a traveling rogue vampire hunter is fantastic.  A complete series, the first book was released in 2009, however, with the exception of some references to politicians and musicians from the same period, it’s still pretty current. 

Jane Yellowstone’s past and her true nature is a fragmented history that will continue to be revealed over the series. It makes for a fascinating aspect of her story and adds more mystery to her character and series. 

Her latest commission brings her to New Orleans, where she has been hired by the madam of Katies’s Ladies, a powerful woman vampire herself, to hunt down a rogue vampire who is killing other vampires in the city.

But nothing is that simple. And this turns into something layered with the mythology and magic of multiple mythologies and cultures. Foremost is the Cherokee skinwalker and other skin walker legends of various native tribes because it differs from tribal cultures. And Jane’s fractured memories leaves her trying to figure out where she falls in the spiritual spectrum. Is her skinwalker side dark or light?

And her enormous cat, the Beast that’s the main animal she can become, is a separate entity. Strong and entirely that of a creature that hunts and isn’t human in any sense of the way.  The history behind the two of them is also a very strong part of her story.

New Orleans is beautifully portrayed, clearly by someone who loves and knows the city. Its locations are very well written and feel real. 

The other characters here, from the wonderful women in Katies’s Ladies who make an indelible impression, to the various Vampire masters and their assistants who Jane gives nicknames, yes I love Troll so much, they made this a universe to sink into.

There’s potential romantic leads, each with their own secrets and unique personalities and agendas that make them poor choices. And the top Master Leo who’s obsessed with Jane’s ability and what type of unknown supernatural being she is. 

Hunter is leaving much of Jane’s true identity and past unknown so it can slowly be revealed throughout the series. And the growth and development is something I really look forward to. 

Fantastic all around. And highly recommended. 

Jane Yellowrock (15 book series): 

Skinwalker #1

Blood Cross #2

Mercy Blade #3

Raven Cursed #4

Death’s Rival #5

Blood Trade #6

Black Arts #7

Broken Soul #8

Dark Heir 9

Shadow Rites #10

Cold Reign #11

Dark Queen #12

Shattered Bonds #13

True Dead #14

Final Heir #15

Buy link

 Book 1 of 15: Jane Yellowrock 

 Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, Book 1) by Faith Hunter

Blurb 

Meet shapeshifting skinwalker Jane Yellowrock in the first novel in the New York Times bestselling series that captures “the essence of urban fantasy” (SF Site).

Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind—a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. But now she’s been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katies’s Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who’s killing other vamps.

Amidst a bordello full of real “ladies of the night,” and a hot Cajun biker with a panther tattoo who stirs her carnal desire, Jane must stay focused and complete her mission—or else the next skin she’ll need to save just may be her own…

Publisher

Ace

Publication date

July 7, 2009

Edition

Original

Language

‎English

Print length

336 pages

Book 1 of 15

Jane Yellowrock

Review: Once Bitten (Cursebreakers, Inc. Book 4) by A.M. Rose

Rating: 4.75🌈

Once Bitten (Cursebreakers, Inc. Book 4) by A.M. Rose just continues to show what an absolutely fantastic series Cursebreakers is. Dark, heartbreaking at times, and thrilling in its weirdly beautiful, damaged characters, Once Bitten is up there among my favorites so far.

It’s been a while since the series has had an update but it doesn’t take long to dive back deep into this dark landscape of brilliant psych damaged children, then men, brought up in a government institution and then put in a forced family setting that would “balance” their talents while using their abilities for government missions. No matter what age they were. 

Here we get two family houses of talents , one for each city, who will have to work together because of the sheer size of the cursed problem and organization that they are facing. 

It’s also the element that will bring Wren, whose talent is that of talking to animals, removing their curses from them, and Teddy, a cursebreaker who loved Wren when they were young together. Forced apart by NEXUS, that government agency that had control over them, both Wren and the readers finally get the truth about the secret to Wren’s history and the heartbreak he’s endured. 

We get new fantastic characters from Teddy’s family. The twins, Saint and the scary Eerie especially to the fragile Echo, I loved Teddy’s family as much as Wren’s. That includes Wren’s animals like Blu and Sable.

Once Bitten is the best yet. Horrifying, devastatingly cruel and tragic, multiple intriguing storylines and Wren and Teddy’s story, interwoven with heartbreaking handwritten letters that span the years they were separated. 

I think the authors wrote something extraordinary special here. In the characters and the multiple plots, one of which is ongoing. 

I can’t wait for this to continue. 

Fantastic work by the team that is A.M. Rose. Highly recommended!

 Cover designed by BCJ Art & Design

Cursebreakers, Inc:

Like a House on Fire #1

Fool Me Twice #2

A Thousand Cuts #3

Once Bitten #4

Buy link 

        Once Bitten (Cursebreakers, Inc. Book 4)

    

Blurb 

“He’s never met a rule he liked.”

Defiant. Rebellious. Disobedient.

Wren had been called that and worse since the moment he could openly express his hatred of Nexus and everything it stood for. But he played along. Not for them. But for the animals he helped along the way and the one boy who made those words sound like compliments instead of insults. Until they took him away.

Loveable. Inspiring. Exemplary.

Teddy had been seen as perfect since the moment he started training. He wasn’t perfect, though. He had broken only one rule, but it was the biggest one of them all. He fell for another cursebreaker. He gave his heart to the one he wasn’t allowed to. And they both paid the price for it.

Forced apart, they spent a decade loving the memory of each other, until a shocking case brings them back together. Will their love prevail, or will the Little Bird be forced to leave his Teddy Bear behind?

March 16, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

393 pages

Book 4 of 4

Cursebreakers, Inc.

Review:  His Mate By Defiance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 4) by Mel Aitchess

Rating: 4🌈

“The Lunetti Pack is a steamy MM Enemies to Lovers Paranormal Romance series set in New Trinity, a city ruled by three crime families: the Lunetti Pack of mafia wolf shifters, the vampire mobster Cruor Coven, and the witch Elemental Mayhem MC. It features knotting (and other paranormal fun) but no mpreg.”

His Mate By Defiance is the penultimate story in Mel Aitchess’ paranormal mafia crime fated mate series. The Lunetti Pack has followed several top level members of this criminal wolf shifter pack as they fight to keep their place and power in the trinity of politics that’s New Trinity City, a dark horror of a city where it’s divided into sections ruled by witches, vampires or shifters, depending on the territory. 

This is Rafe, the pack doctor’s romance, one that starts years prior with his first encounter with a badly injured young jaguar shifter in an underground fighting ring. 

This meeting is recapped here and then we come forward to present day, where the jaguar shifter, Adrian ,aka Adri, is still part of the fight scene. 

The author does an excellent job explaining Adri’s background and meshing that with the natural history/instincts of the jaguar to give Adri a distinctive personality and outlook from that of the other shifters.

And Rafe, as someone older and with different skill sets, has a perspective on what their relationship and how it might develop than Adri has. 

Their dynamic is excellent and is the best thing about the story. 

There’s also another aspect of the book, a continuation plot that’s not resolved here but will continue into the final story. It sets up the last fated mates match. 

But the lack of at least some sort of completion to some aspect of this complicated conspiracy left me frustrated. 

The romance was certainly completed but it’s a HFN, and far too many people were hurt and issues left unresolved. 

I am certainly looking forward to the last book to see how it all wraps up. If you like to binge, wait until it’s finished, and read right through. 

A definite winner. 

Lunetti Pack (5 book series) :

  • His Mate By Vengeance #1 – Angelo and Vin
  • His Mate By Resistance #2 – Luca and Cal
  • His Mate By Allegiance #3 – Rocco and Emilio 
  • His Mate By Defiance #4 – Rafe and Adri 
  • His Mate By Dominance #5 – Alpha Marco and Seth’s, the finale. Feb, 21,2027

Buy link

 Book 4 of 5: Lunetti Pack 

Blurb 

“For you? I will take it all. All your pain. All your desire. Everything. It’s all mine.”

Rafe is done giving Adri space. For thirteen years, he’s waited for his jaguar shifter mate to be ready to acknowledge what’s between them. Thirteen years of tracking the pack’s fighting ring and racing to respond whenever they need a doctor. The night he turns up to find Adri brutalised by a feral shifter in the ring, he knows he’ll never let him go again. Especially when shifters start going missing.

Adri told the doc he didn’t need saving over a decade ago, and nothing’s changed since. The last thing he needs is Rafe’s overbearing protectiveness when he’s trying to save his friends from a new unsanctioned fighting ring and whatever bioweapon is at play. Waking up in Rafe’s bed wasn’t in the plan. As soon as he’s healed, Adri’s out of there.

His Mate by Defiance is an MM paranormal romance with a bite. It features age gap, fated mates, and hurt/comfort

Publisher

Mel Aitchess

Publication date

March 11, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

254 pages

Book 4 of 5

Lunetti Pack

Review:  Witches With Benefits (A Nightshade Detective Agency Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Amanda M. Lee

Rating: 3⭐️

I enjoyed Witches With Benefits (A Nightshade Detective Agency Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Amanda M. Lee but it’s a novel that, once you finish it, you realize, it doesn’t really have a lot of substance to it. 

It’s like a bag of diet popcorn. You eat it. You enjoy eating it. You finish the bag. Then you think about the flavor that’s missing, the butter and the salt. All the ingredients, the great “stuff” that’s the reason why you eat popcorn. And then you realize you probably won’t be eating that brand anymore. 

This is exactly like that. 

It’s moves swiftly along with an interesting plot, on the surface. But then again, there’s no depth to anything. To the characters, the world building, the arc, the battles and especially the magic. 

The missing sister aspect of the story? The one that is supposed to be the most traumatic and polarizing? It’s also the most inconsistent. We know nothing about the sister. And to pull the reader into this family’s tragic story,we should be able to see how much that sister and the family dynamic were real and believable. But we get nothing. No understanding of anyone or any kind of relationship other than briefly superficial.

In the following years, the father , parents are understood to have let the sister disappearance go. But Freya is said to both have become a detective to continue looking for her and also considers her sister dead. It’s a 50/50 thing depending upon what page you are on.

The characters around her have no discernible layers. That includes an alligator shifter who works with her , and a rich girl best friend who’s extremely irritating. It’s she’s rich and he’s a good old boy gator shifter from a large New Orleans family. That’s pretty much it. And the main character isn’t better developed. 

Freya Holmes, a witch/vampire woman who has a hugely powerful vampire father (but only because we are told he is, no actual actions or abilities we see) and a powerful witch mother who is largely unknown. She has unique powers ( we’re told) that she “activates” the way that the Power Rangers do. As in “I’m going to be actively using my more powerful vampire powers now”. SMH

Then whoosh or whatever that powers are, it just happens. We don’t know what happens. It’s not written because Freya “blanks “ conveniently out. And any battle scene is over , bad guys are vanquished, and everyone is gazing at Freya in awe. That’s the scene. Everyone gazes at Freya in awe. Gods included. 

I kid you not. That’s how all the battles are fought. No real fights. No powers for anyone seen or written out. Not even a KaBam.  So poorly done. 

On top of no magical abilities designed or written, the local gods and powers are shortchanged as well. It’s all mouth work. I’m gonna tell you how bad I am. Not going to show you anything but I’m definitely going to tell you that I’m pretty darn scary. Boo. 

They are there but what they do? Not a clue.

Yes, there is a beginning of a romance. But they don’t have an adult relationship and the dialogue reads like 3 year olds in a sandbox. You did it, no I didn’t, yes you did. 

No it’s not intelligent or particularly snarky. 

So I’m leaving this here. There’s another book that will be published soon. But I don’t think it’s something I’m interested in. 

You be the judge if this is what you want to read. 

Nightshade Detective Agency Cozy Mystery :

Witches With Benefits #1

Survival of the Witchiest #2 – Aug 4,2026

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: A Nightshade Detective Agency Cozy Mystery 

Blurb 

Freya Holmes is unique in an already eccentric city.

New Orleans may be a paranormal mecca but even in a world where every type of shifter and witch is commonplace, a vampire-witch hybrid is something to worship … and fear.

Freya has never been interested in her parents’ opulent world. She finds her power in magic, which is why she formed Nightshade Detective Agency in the first place. She’s interested in helping people … even when that help might come at the cost of her life.

Knox Cullen grew up on the poor side of New Orleans. His shifter genes allowed him to climb out of poverty and embrace a certain lifestyle as a paranormal bounty hunter. He can take a punch and throw one. He’s not ready for Freya, though.

When a local mobster ends up dead and the culprit appears to be a supernatural assassin, both Freya and Knox are on the case. Unfortunately, they have no intention of working together and two hard heads don’t make for a soft landing.

Freya has her hands full. In addition to Knox, who is hiding something big, there’s a paranormal investigation unit seeking a partnership that takes advantage of her hard work and their impressive reach. The Legacy Foundation has quite the reputation, as do the two people—Charlie and Jack—who approach her with an offer she might not be able to refuse. Can she trust them? Can she trust anybody?

The clock is ticking. Freya needs to save the French Quarter. Sadly, she might lose herself in the process.

Review:  Brutal Justice (The Other Detective Series Book 4) by Heather G. Harris

Rating:  5⭐️

Just outstanding.  According to Harris, the author had originally intended Brutal Justice to become the finale for the series but this amazing character’s journey has become so complex and layered that one last novel was needed. 

Harris with her goal of making this the penultimate narrative, fills this incredible story with so many shocking moments, absolutely stunning twists to the plot that makes sense once you see it but still makes the reader gasp in appreciation and shock that we didn’t see it coming.

This storyline brings Evie back to the trauma that set her on the path she’s taken in life, back to her kidnapping and torture. 

Now she’s supported by Robbie, her fiancée and King of Orcs, her staff (and friends) through this journey. 

It’s several investigations, and includes one of the most heinous criminals created, Jude Jingo.

The relationship between Robbie and Evie continues to be a very strong one, building on acknowledgement of their roles as well as their commitment towards each other. I love their dynamic.  

Other crossover characters play important roles here as well, Amber and Bastion for example. 

There’s thrilling, heartbreaking moments, scary battles, and shocking twists. None of which I’ll spoil. I hope no one else will either. 

This and the characters are my favorites in this universe. I’ll be so sad when it’s over. But I still have one more novel to go. 

What a thrilling read this is! Five stars!

Cover design by Christian Bentulan. Published by Hellhound Press Limited.

The Other Realm Universe: Should be read in order to understand the world and characters .Events and relationships build upon each other.

The Other Realm series 

⭐️Glimmer of Dragons- Book 0.5 (a prequel story), 

Glimmer of The Other- Book 1, Glimmer of Hope- Book 2, 

Glimmer of Christmas – Book 2.5 (a Christmas tale), 

Glimmer of Death – Book 3, 

Glimmer of Deception – Book 4, 

*It is recommended that you read The Other Wolf books 1 to 3 before continuing with

Challenge of the Court– Book 5, 

Betrayal of the Court– Book 6

 Revival of the Court– Book 7. 

⭐️The Other Wolf Series 

Defender of The Pack– Book 0.5 (a prequel story), 

Protection of the Pack– Book 1, Guardians of the Pack– Book 2, Saviour of The Pack– Book 3, Awakening of the Pack – Book 4, Resurgence of the Pack – Book 5; and Ascension of the Pack – Book 6. 

⭐️The Other Witch Series 

Rune of the Witch – Book 0.5 (a prequel story), 

Hex of the Witch– Book 1, 

Coven of the Witch;– Book 2,

Familiar of the Witch– Book 3; and Destiny of the Witch – Book 4.

⭐️The Other Detective Series❤️

  •  Frustrated Justice – Book 0.5 (a prequel story), 
  • Veiled Justice – Book 1
  • Mystic Justice – Book 2
  • Arcane Justice – Book 3 
  • Brutal Justice – Book 4
  • Ruthless Justice-Book 5 , Oct 14,2026 (finale)

Buy link

        Brutal Justice: A Supernatural Crime Thriller (The Other Detective Series Book 4)

    

Blurb 

Death has changed bodies… and justice is about to get personal.

A dead dryad on my medical examiner’s lawn wasn’t how this week was supposed to start. But when I discover the victim was merely the latest body worn by the Other realm’s most notorious criminal, I realise this isn’t just murder.

It’s a possession.

Jude Jingo doesn’t kill the usual way. He steals lives from the inside out, jumping from body to body and leaving corpses in his wake. And now he’s wearing a face I recognise.

A face that’s getting dangerously close to someone I care about.

Officially, I’ve been ordered to close the case. Unofficially? I’m digging deeper. Because when a vampyr tries to gut me in the street and whispers about “orders”, I know this goes far beyond one dead dryad. Someone powerful wants this buried.

But I don’t bury murder.

With my rookie partner covering my back, my bonded bird raising hell, and an ogre king who takes threats against me very personally, I’m stepping off the books to hunt a body-stealing killer hiding in plain sight.

If I’m wrong, I’ll destroy an innocent man.

If I’m right, I’ll have to stop a monster wearing borrowed skin… without killing the man trapped inside.

No pressure.

Immerse yourself in The Other Detective Series – perfect for fans of supernatural crime, featuring a fierce heroine, political intrigue, brutal magic, and a slow-burn romance.

Written in British English.

The Other Detective Series

Frustrated Justice – a prequel story

Veiled Justice – Book 1

Mystic Justice – Book 2

Arcane Justice – Book 3

Brutal Justice – Book 4

Ruthless Justice – Book 5

Publisher

Hellhound Press Limited

Publication date

March 5, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

324 pages

Book 4 of 5

The Other Detective Series

Review: Review: Shifting of the Wild (Shifter Lords Book 7) by S.E. Babin

Rating: 4.75⭐️

“In-hiding hedgewitch florist by day. Powerful demigoddess by blood. Shapeshifting immortal by accident.”- book 1 hook

Well, it’s taken seven books to get here but Shifting of the Wild is the story I’ve been waiting for and so, so satisfying. 

In all my reviews I’ve made it clear that the character of Caelan has been one I consider a being I’m absolutely not a fan of, especially in the toxic relationship he’s had with Evie. He’s been the epitome of a controlling, dangerous, narcissistic personality who’s only interested in power and dominance. 

And the sad, damaging nature of this relationship has been one of the worst aspects of the series. Domestic violence and abuse are front and center here. Cheating and humiliation as well in the previous story. 

So this book is where Evie begins with her healing, her understanding of her past relationships , of Caelan, their abusive dynamic , and slowly starting to change and move happily forward. 

Shes in Rowan’s territory after the last battles and ordeals suffered in the previous story. The damage incurred is devastating. Physically and emotionally.  She’s needed space and time to heal and recover. 

And yes, Rowan has been a great favorite of mine. What a great and well balanced character, including his own secrets and powers. 

This narrative has multiple layers, including a new huge threat to the world from unknown sources. And Cernunnos and Moira are setting up a new plot and role for Moira with her new powers. 

I just love this story, and really want the trajectory of Evie’s new relationship to continue. Fantastic work and series.

Highly recommended!

So well written and beautifully executed. 

Cover design by Covers by Christian

Shifter Lords (11 book series):

Shift of Heart #1

Shift of Morals #2

Power Shift #3

Shifting Winds #4

Shifting Resolve #5

Shift of Rule #6

Shift of the Wild #7 

Goddess Shifting #8 – April 14, 2026

Final Shift #9 – Aug 26,2036

Shift Happens #10 – 8/26

Shifting Allegiance #11 – Oct 6,2026

Buy link 

        Shift of the Wild (Shifter Lords Book 7)

    

Blurb 

When Mother Earth comes calling, you’d better answer the door…

Evie has asked for sanctuary with Rowan, and he’s accepted, allowing her into his territory to lick her wounds and heal. Things are good for a while, until strange occurrences start happening when Rowan and Evie are together.

With similar magic, Evie feels like she’s found a kindred soul in the Shifter Lord, but other forces are about to shatter her rest and respite time and plunge them both into a type of danger they’ve never experienced before.

Someone is poisoning Rowan’s land and attempting to wrest his territory away from him. This time, the Lord isn’t powerful enough to win. But the enemy never counted on the fae heir and Floromancer’s visit, and one thing Evie is very good at is fighting for her friends.

Complications arise when Caelan figures out where she is and attempts to bring her home. But Evie never abandons a friend, and certainly not for a man who wouldn’t fight for her when she needed him to. Between fighting Caelan and fighting for Rowan, Evie is mentally and physically exhausted, something the enemy jumps on.

When the chips are down and the future looks grim, Evie will have to muster all her strength and power to fight back for Rowan, for herself, and to save Mother Earth from total annihilation.

Even if she loses herself in the process.

Oliver Heber Books

Publication date

March 3, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

249 pages

Book 7 of 11

Shifter Lords

Review:  Midnight Storm (The Witch’s Bestiary #2)  by Evangeline Hunter

Rating:  3⭐️

After enjoying Hidden Storm, the first book in The Witch’s Bestiary  by Evangeline Hunter, unfortunately, I found Midnight Storm suffering from second story syndrome.

It just doesn’t carry through on the potential from the original story.  Many of the interesting elements, the Bestiary itself are relegated to just barest scenes and the fact that Alicia Stormwell is a powerful rescuer and ally of exotic species is an inconsistent aspect of this story. 

The werewolf shifter she helped and is now her assistant, Kyle Matthews, is the most problematic character here. He’s still in search of his missing sister and wants Alicia to continue to help him find her. No issue here. 

However, his behavior is extremely immature. For a grown adult. When they run into dead ends and Alicia, reasonably wants to enlist all the assistance they can get, police aid included, he objects. Whining, throwing tantrums. 

As a reader, I both want to stop reading or put that character in a timeout.  He’s that childish. 

Only the author wants us to continue to connect with him and accept that this intelligent,highly powerful woman is attracted to this toddler? Just no.

And the storyline is further proof that the series has lost its original path when during the last section where the sister, just as irritating as her brother, has been located, it’s among the very abused exotics Alicia’s life is focused around. 

But that’s hardly mentioned except for a sentence at the end of the story.

It should be a huge deal but it’s not. And even the sister doesn’t mention her role in their damage. It’s all about her.

I’m surprised I finished this. And I’m debating going forward. The only reason why I would is that wolf boy isn’t in the next book . A plus.

No recommendation here.

The Witch’s Bestiary (5 book series):

Hidden Storm #1

Midnight Storm #2

Island Storm #3

Dragon Storm #4

Rising Storm #5

Buy link

        Midnight Storm: A Fast-paced Humorous Urban Fantasy Book (The Witch’s Bestiary Book 2)

    

Blurb 

A brutal tournament, a missing sister, and a witch with nothing left to lose.

I’m Alicia Stormwell, a witch who spends her days rescuing fantastic creatures and my nights battling the dark underworld of magical animal trafficking. But nothing prepares me for the mess I’m about to walk into.

When my hunky werewolf friend, Kyle Matthews, asks for my help in finding his missing sister, Sabrina, I’m all in. Our search leads us to the Velvet Claw, a shadowy organization running a supernatural fight ring where lives are currency and losing isn’t an option.

As the tournament reaches its sinister climax, I must race against time and use every ounce of my magical skill to rescue Sabrina before the Velvet Claw gets its claws deeper into her life, Kyle’s, and mine.

The Witch’s Bestiary includes:

· Witches, Werewolves, and Vampires

· Hidden magic and a magical underworld

A slow-burn / RH romance

· Fantastic creatures

· A badass female main character with snark and humor

Review: Bound By Fate (Blind Fury Book 1) by Annabel Chase 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Bound By Fate (Blind Fury Book 1) is a new series by Annabel Chase and the first book is a terrific one.

I absolutely love the premise of a paranormal retirement community, along with the attendant issues of its otherworldly residents in their “later, much much later years “ of existence. Witches, vampires who have lived extremely long and rich lives and now live out their lives together. Some lively souls, enjoying their ancient lives while others exhibit significant signs of dementia. 

It’s a familiar setting and group made fantastical in a complex and intimate story. One that will flow together with a weekly meeting of cardsharp players and fanatical cliques of pickleball teams. All beautifully written and believable. 

Chase treats them with kindness, respect and compassion. These people are layered with degrees of history and poignancy of life at its for some.

The assistant head of their security team is an enigma, Maya August, an intriguing figure herself. She’s in hiding on this retirement island off of Savannah,Georgia. She’s been personally isolating herself from everyone.  And that gives Chase ample room for her to develop Maya’s personality and reveal bits about her background as events happen.

And, wonderfully, Chase does this by bringing Maya into the community. She finally fully acknowledges her role as protector and part of them. We are enveloped by their presence as well as Maya’s ability to make her own choices for herself.

But there’s also mystery, murders, and outside forces of power here. One of those includes a person called Zale, someone who will figure into the series. 

I love everything about this. The many characters, types of beings, the various mythology the author is introducing (she’s excellent at it), but above all, this realistic yet not retirement community of powerful paranormal beings. All who have issues we can identify with but on extraordinary levels. 

I really can’t wait for the next story to arrive. 

Btw, HOA’s are still awful no matter what the setting. FYI. 

A winner and so happy to share with you. 

Cover design by Trif

Blind Fury:

Bound By Fate #1

Bargain With Fate #2 – May 26,2026

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 2: Blind Fury 

Blurb 

 Most people move to a magical retirement island for peace and quiet—and pickleball.

Maya August moved there to disappear.

As the assistant director of security for Evermore Island—a secret community where elderly paranormals fade into obscurity—Maya has built the perfect hiding place. Her days consist of magical mishaps, avoiding the clothing-optional tennis courts, and definitely not getting attached to the island’s strays (feline or otherwise).

Then her boss vanishes. A resident turns up dead. And Maya’s carefully constructed refuge begins to crumble.

She could handle a murder investigation. She’s handled much, much worse. What she can’t handle is the HOA president forcing her back to the mainland after five years in self-imposed exile to meet Vale, the mysterious and powerful figure who’s claimed jurisdiction over her case.

But Maya isn’t interested in playing by his rules or anyone else’s.

Because if Maya can’t solve this case and keep her past buried, there are fates far worse than letting a killer walk free.

Perfect for fans of morally gray heroines, slow-burn tension, and retirement home chaos meets magical noir, Bound By Fate is the first book in the new Blind Fury-urban fantasy series.

Publisher

Red Palm Press LLC

Publication date

February 12, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

276 pages

Book 1 of 2

Blind Fury

Review: Squib (The Coldstream Chronicles Book 1) by Helen Harper 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Squib is a side story to The Cat Lady Chronicles that features Kit McCafferty, retired assassin/agent living in the paranormal city of Coldstream. 

Harper has chosen two of her more intriguing, often irritating secondary characters from The Cat Lady Chronicles to feature in the first of The Coldstream Chronicles, the crossover series. And it works beautifully on multiple levels. 

Mallory has popped up numerous times in Kit’s stories because she’s a powerful information broker. She trades in secrets and the ability to deliver items that no other person or company is capable of doing. What she deals in is absolute promises. Which as a “mere” human in a paranormal world makes her powerful.

Her companion in the story is another frequent character as well in Kit’s series. Another powerful player in Coldstream, the werewolf Alpha Enter Alexander MacTire.  He’s got an interesting mission for her. 

Harper has their interactions playing out with intelligence, great dialogue, and believable chemistry. 

Plus a terrific mystery that’s not totally resolved but will have ramifications for both series. 

I am very excited to see how Harper is going to weave in the storylines and sustain the many characters that crossover throughout this mystery.

Another great winner. And honestly, I loved how these characters became so much more well developed and relatable here than they were in the first series. 

The Coldstream Chronicles 

Squib #1

Crossover from:

The Cat Lady Chronicles 

Buy link

 Book 1 of 1: The Coldstream Chronicles 

Blurb 

She’s supposed to find him the perfect match. Falling for him herself was not part of the deal.

Mallory has zero magic. No spells, no shape-shifting and no flashy Preternatural strength. But in the magical city of Coldstream, Mallory has made knowledge her power and she turns secrets and favours into currency. 

Enter Alexander MacTire: alpha werewolf, wealthy businessman, and walking temptation. He wants Mallory to find him a mate. She wants absolutely nothing to do with him.

But MacTire isn’t used to hearing no—and Mallory’s not immune to his charm, no matter how hard she tries. What starts as a reluctant business arrangement soon turns into something dangerously personal. Because the more she gets to know him, the less she wants to help him find love … with anyone but her.

The first book in the Coldstream Chronicles is jam-packed full of magic, mayhem, and slow-burn heat. It can be read as a standalone or alongside The Cat Lady Chronicles.

January 13, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

303 pages

Book 1 of 1

The Coldstream Chronicles

Review:  Rhyme or Treason (Behind the Rhymes Book 1) by Sarah Beran

Rating: 4⭐️

Rhyme or Treason (Behind the Rhymes Book 1) by Sarah Beran was a sweet urban fantasy mystery romance. It’s a no spice, bordering YA romance novel.

There’s some interesting elements in it and ones that I find too “Twilight cuteness “ for me to personally enjoy.

Beran used children’s nursery rhymes as both a reference and cute little reader Easter egg list for the book and series. Whether you feel that adds or distracts from the story will depend on your preference for the book.

Here the part of the rhyme goes: 

Hey, diddle diddle

The cat and the fiddle…

I’m sure you can fill in the rest.

With nicknames like Dish for the MNC bodyguard and Spoon for the FMC fae woman who’s in need of him, you can get a feel for the type of sweet dynamic that the author is building. 

The writer has some interesting ideas and elements here, especially as pertains to vampires and their natural history. It’s an unusual take. But, for me, that scientific approach is lessened by the addition of rainbow sparkles and so much twinkling. 

It’s the same throughout the book. A serious and thoughtful discussion of survivor guilt and a resourceful paranormal woman character with a debilitating illness is woven with scenes of rainbow fae sparkling power. And scenes that are extremely cute or propels Wyn, by her own admission, into certain dangerous situations. Definitely SMH moments. 

There’s not a lot of world building, so we don’t know why all these paranormals have settled on Earth. 

And while this couple has a HFN ending, there’s a much that’s left open ended as far as storylines go. Which isn’t entirely satisfactory.

That will feed over into the next novel for those interested in following up on the story. 

Honestly, this is not the book for me. It’s too young. Had the rhyme played out differently, with a clever twist and perhaps fed into the mystery, and the relationships , especially given the supposed age of the characters, felt more layered, then maybe. 

But as a YA or teen fantasy mystery romance, this book is a good read. 

Behind the Rhymes (2 book series):

Rhyme or Treason #1

(P)rhyme Numbers #2 – Dec 21,2026

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: Behind the Rhymes 

Blurb 

Hey diddle, diddle, let me give you a riddle:

How do a chronically ill secretary and a straight-as-an-arrow bodyguard plan a heist?

Without rhyme or treason.

No one applies for secretarial jobs for the thrills and excitement. And while I love an organized, color-coded schedule as much as (okay, probably more than) the next person, I knew that serving as the mayor’s administrative assistant would mean long days of answering phone calls, scheduling meetings, and dealing with cantankerous constituents. Still, for a supernatural with my…condition…the desk job is ideal.

Until someone decides they want to get to the mayor—who also happens to be the Fae King—and they’re going to do it through me. But, hey, now instead of diddling away time behind a desk, I’m finding ways to entertain Dish, the very handsome, very stoic, very humanbodyguard that the mayor assigned me, and convincing him that the best way to get to the bottom of things is to let me play bait.

Why? Because these people have gotten their hands on information that could have disastrous consequences for the supernatural community, and I want it back—if for no other reason than I’m not exactly over the moon at the idea of the flood of concerned phone calls and emails I’ll have to answer. The plan is simple:

In the game of cat and mouse, I’ll be the cat…and I’m going to play them like a fiddle.

Rhyme or Treason is the first book in Behind the Rhymes, an urban fantasy trilogy with humor, snark, quirky side characters, and clean, no-spice romance, and inspired by classic nursery rhymes. Though each installment follows a different couple, the complete story arc is best enjoyed by reading the books in or

November 25, 2025

Accessibility

Learn more

Language

‎English

File size

3.5 MB

Screen Reader

Supported

Enhanced typesetting

Enabled

X-Ray

Not Enabled

Word Wise

Not Enabled

Print length

232 pages

Page Flip

Enabled

Book 1 of 2

Behind the Rhymes