Category: Paranormal adventures,

Review: What Blooms From Death by S.M. Gaither

Rating: 4.5

What Blooms From Death by S.M. Gaither is an excellent read. The description doesn’t really do justice to the incredible story and imagery that Gaither brings to the plot of a traumatized necromancer Princess ready to walk into hell to find a weapon that will get revenge on those who wronged her. 

The magical elements and symbols that make the world here are thoughtfully crafted ,with layers of natural elements, characters history, threads of emotional details built into each part of this fantastic piece of the story.  It’s in the beads of Nova’s bracelets and her dog, Phantom. It’s even in the leaves of the trees. 

Nova, her history, magic and journey through the underworld is just incredible. Especially as she’s accompanied by her dog, Phantom, a remarkable character on his own.  

Aleks, the Light King, and company are well drawn. Aleks is a compelling character with trauma of his own, and his story matches with that of Nova’s. 

Gaither storytelling includes some dynamic relationship twists and great action sequences. And an ending that borders on a cliffhanger.  It will certainly make you want that next book due out in December. 

Another terrific read in the fantasy fiction genre. A winner for lovers of the romance fantasy novel. 

Cover Art by Lila Raymond (@ lettersbylila_) 

Nova art by Chrissa Barton (@ chrissabug)”

What Blooms From Death:

What Blooms From Death #1

What Echoes in the Dark #2 – Dec 2,2025

Buy link

        What Blooms From Death

    

Blurb 

Princess Bellanova has survived in the shadows for years. 

An exile haunted by a curse that plunged her family into a deathless sleep and left her home rotting, Nova has spent seven years trying to endure, to make sense of her torturous past, all while honing her gifts with necromancy magic—

And now she will use those gifts to walk willingly into death.

For rumor has it that Luminor, the Blade of Light—the cursed weapon that felled her family—is buried deep in the heart of the underworld. If Nova can steal it back from the realm of the dead, she might break the spell that shattered her life and reclaim the kingdom that once was hers.

The only things standing in her way are the endless twists and turns of the underworld, its terrifying monsters, unpredictable magic…and Aleksander, the infamous Light King himself—keeper of the blade, and the one who wielded it on the night of her family’s ruin.

King Aleks has spent nearly a decade trapped in the below, a phantom of his former self, unable to truly die. When Nova crash lands into his purgatory—an inexplicably bright and lively being in a sea of endless dead things—he begins to dream of the world above for the first time in ages.

He needs her to get him back to that world above. She needs him to undo the curse. But as the two form a reluctant alliance that soon blooms into something dangerously deeper, they find themselves unraveling ancient magic and dark secrets that will have greater consequences than either of them could have ever imagined…

  • Publication date: April 17, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 621 pages

Review:  The Complete Other Witch Series Box Set (4.5 books!): An Urban Fantasy Enemies-to-Lovers Series (The Other Witch Series) by Heather G. Harris 

Rating: 4.75⭐️

This is the way I’m reading my series when at all possible, omnibus or boxed sets. Binge reading right through every single book to the end. Fabulous. 

With the exception of Lucy, the Other Wolf, who I’ll never ever buy as a convincing or plausible character, I’ve loved every single other series in the Other World universe that Heather G. Harris is still creating. 

Witch Amber DeLea has consistently been a powerful if secondary character in all the other series, a solitary character with a serious grudge against the griffin assassin, Bastion, who features strongly in most of the other characters series and magical paths towards power and romance.

Harris has let fall hints and bits of knowledge of each of these characters history, individually and what has made them such enemies, in previous stories, but here the devastating backstory is finally revealed. 

I’m the first to admit I was finding Amber’s continual struggle with Bastion exhausting, especially as Harris’ empathetic scenes are able to show exactly what has been the real result of the events as well. The reader, if not Amber, is able to see both sides of the story. 

This excellent storytelling continues throughout the series, the balance between the characters, the personalities and perspectives. Even when the drama and suspense is extraordinary and the thrills are completely out of control, the thoughtful plotting is right there with the magical moments and characters.

There are elements that stem from the last moments of The Other Wolf series that have enormous impact on the events here. But I have tried twice, in 2 different ways to get through that series to no avail. 

So they remain cobbled together in my mind from various conversations said in the other series and that is more than enough. 

I ended up loving Amber DeLea, the long journey she takes from a self contained existence to one that starts embracing her small group of friends and relationships. The character development and world growth of the series is amazing.  

And Harris has yet another addition planned, The Other Detective, which has its beginning here. 

I’m loving this. And highly recommending it. Binge it all the way in the box set!

Great covers of the amazing character. 

Cover images by Christian Bentulan

Buy link 

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Complete Other Witch Series Box Set (4.5 books!): An Urban Fantasy Enemies-to- …

Blurb 

A deadly assassin. A desperate witch. A past that won’t stay buried.

I’m Amber DeLea—ambitious witch, potion mistress extraordinaire, and daughter to a woman slipping further away each day. My life is a constant battle, whether it’s cursed runes, treacherous coven politics, or dark forces closing in. But nothing haunts me more than my mother’s unravelling mind, and I’m running out of time to find a cure.

The last thing I need is Bastion—the deadly griffin assassin who shattered my world—being ordered to protect me. And yet, here he is, my reluctant bodyguard, bound to keep me alive even as old wounds fester between us.

Every whispered incantation could be my undoing. Every shadow hides a threat. And every moment with Bastion blurs the line between hatred and something far more dangerous. I’ll do whatever it takes to save my mother—even if it means risking my heart to the one man I swore to despise until my dying breath.

Devour this witchy series if you love humour, heart, and a strong heroine tangled in a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers fade-to-black romance.

This box sex collects from The Other Witch Series and includes the whole series:
Rune of the Witch, prequel
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.

Don’t miss all the books set in the Other Realm! New connected series coming soon. 

The Other Realm Series

Glimmer of the Other

Glimmer of Dragons

Glimmer of Hope

Glimmer of Christmas

Glimmer of Death

Glimmer of Deception

Challenge of the Court

Betrayal of the Court

Revival of the Court

The Other Wolf Series

Protection of the Pack

Guardians of the Pack

Saviour of the Pack

The Other Witch Series

Rune of the Witch

Hex of the Witch

Coven of the Witch

Familiar of the Witch

Destiny of the Witch

Written in British English.

For the maximal reader experience, it is recommended that you read The Other Wolf series before you read The Court series, though the events in The Other Wolf series are explained if you prefer to dive right in.

New series coming soon.

Written in British English.

  • Publisher: Hellhound Press Limited (February 23, 2025)
  • Publication date: February 23, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 1032 pages

Review:  Cheater Slicks (The Body Shop Book 4) by Hailey Edwards

Rating: 5⭐️

I really thought this was the series finale but was so thrilled to see I was wrong. There’s at least one, perhaps more to this fantastic, compelling series coming before it finished. 

This picks up shortly after the cliffhanger ending of Midnight Auto Parts, where Frankie and friends found that Matty’s soul is missing from his body. To discover what happened to his soul, Frankie, boyfriend Kierse, and several otherworldly traveling companions head to New Orleans where souls are going missing too, including another one who is incredibly close to Frankie.

Edwards absolutely brings it here in here narrative. The characters are, throughout this story and events that occur, grow their magical powers, in storylines that build a new depth of emotion as well as a connection to each other.  Edwards moves from really complex, stressful situations to hilarious moments and back to heartbreak with each new scenario and often frightening suspense filled scenes.

Yes, there’s another cliffhanger. And all the characters are pulling together, just as the mythology and world building is expanding even further. Totally amazing and highly imaginative elements that grab you! 

This is one of my must read series. It’s a series low on sexual content but highly recommended for excellent writing, great characters and fantastic world building. 

Love these covers. 

Cover by Damonza 

Illustration by Marouane Hs

The Body Shop series :

Fair Market Value #1 

Amber Gambler #2 

Midnight Auto Parts #3 

Cheater Slicks #4 

Ride or Die #5-tbd release 

Buy link 

        Cheater Slicks (The Body Shop Book 4)

    

Blurb 

Matty has lost his soul, and it’s up to Frankie to find it before his body gives up the fight for survival. But soon his isn’t the only life at risk from the soulless condition. The affliction is spreading from Thunderbolt, Georgia, into the beating heart of the French Quarter and right up to Madam Vionette Fontenot’s front door.

When Frankie returns to New Orleans in search of answers, she finds herself at the mercy of a god who covets her newfound powers as the guardian of the Alcheyvāhā. He makes it clear he’s willing to do whatever it takes to wield her for his own benefit. Even if it costs Frankie everyone she loves.

  • Publisher: Black Dog Books, LLC. (May 10, 2025)
  • Publication date: May 10, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 242 pages

Review: Monochrome: An MM Shifter Romantic Suspense Novel (ORCA Book 4) by Vinni George

Rating: 4.5🌈

Monochrome is the finale story of Vinni George’s ORCA series about a group of orca whale shifters , the agency they form (ORCA ) to find and return stolen artifacts and artwork and the fated mates the find at each case and investigation. 

I really enjoyed this as it tied up the overall series mystery of the missing artwork, brought out the revelations behind several deaths, the last brother, Julius found a mate and a family, and the grandmother finally comes home. 

Julius Hunter is the last brother to find his fated mate. When he does, it’s his client, a panda shifter, Ethan Lin , who has guardianship of his young niece and nephew. 

It’s a great romance, the children who become part of the growing Hunter family, are absolutely adorable, and Ethan as an overwhelmed, stressed and anxious man is a relatable character. 

All the brothers and mates, as well as cousins and mates are here working together on the investigations and mysteries. It’s a fantastic story, pulling together every aspect of all the books and characters to create an absolutely amazing and satisfying finale.

Loved this and it’s one I’m definitely recommending. 

I wish the covers were story or character oriented in some form. They honestly could be applied to any other genre or book.

Cover Design: Alison Millsaps, Ozark Witch Cover Design

ORCA series:

Black & White #1

Grayscale #2

Full Color #3

Monochrome #4: finale 

Buy link

        Monochrome: An MM Shifter Romantic Suspense Novel (ORCA Book 4)

    

Blurb:

After a career on Wall Street, Julius Hunter is content to live his life as a modern Robin Hood. Getting corrupt corporations to invest with him while he siphons their money into charitable organizations makes his blood pump, so when he’s sent in to find out what the new CEO of a global company knows about money being used to fund the search for a priceless piece of artwork connected to his family, he’s all in.

Ethan Lin never wanted to be CEO of the company his great-great-grandfather founded. He also never wanted to be a parent, but when his sister died in a car accident, he inherited her title and her two adorable children. Balancing life as the head of a corporation and as a new dad is a challenge, and with diminishing returns at home and in the boardroom something has to give.

When Julius shows up, offering help in both areas of Ethan’s life, they learn they have more in common than they think. Including a shared enemy. Whoever is targeting the Hunter family also has their sights set on Ethan, and Julius will stop at nothing to make sure the man he’s falling for and his children stay safe as the final pieces fall into place.

Monochrome is the final book in the Organization for the Return of Criminals and Assets (ORCA) series, featuring an orca shifter financier who had no idea he liked kids, a panda shifter hellbent on making sure his family’s legacy doesn’t end with him, and a final showdown that changes everything.

  • Publication date: June 5, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 239 pages
  • Book 4 of 4: ORCA

Review:  The Other Realm :The Court Series Omnibus(3 books): An Urban Fantasy Collection by Heather G. Harris

Rating: 5⭐️

What an outstanding series and way to read this series/collection! I was able to watch the characters develop their powers, continue to work through deep personal issues and deal with betrayal and shocking twists in their lives through all the stages in their journey. Without stopping.

All the stories flow together seamlessly and reading them becomes a joyful marathon experience, shortened only because my dog has needs and I wanted coffee. 

I don’t want to give away more of the many plot lines described than are listed in the blurbs because Harris delivers characters that are so much more complex and interesting than they initially appear to be.  

We get a long overdue visit and meeting with the Dragon Court, complete with locations, lots of politics and historical or just ancient beings. 

Trials, mysteries, and more importantly , engaging new characters and threats to Emory and Jinx’s relationship and lives, as well as the status quo of the otherworldly beings by the anti-beast faction.

This has everything one could want, and written so fantastically. Action, suspense, mystery, romance, and much more. 

And the ending is so satisfying I was left grinning with deep delight. 

My bookshelf is groaning in anticipation because I’ve already decided I need these in hardback.  

Love, love, love this and the preceding omnibus too. Grab these up!

Cover images by Christian Bentulan

Buy link:

 Book 3 of 3: The Other Realm Universe – Omnibus Editions 

The Other Realm – The Court Series Omnibus: An Urban Fantasy Collection (The Other Realm Universe – Omnibus Editions Book 3)by Heather G. HarrisBook 3 of 3: The Other Realm Universe – Omnibus Editions

Blurb 

Books five to seven in The Other Realm series!

I’m supposed to be meeting with Emory’s dragon Court and amazing them with my suave wit and shining intellect. Instead I’m on the trail of a kidnapper. Someone has stolen away a centaur teenager, Alfie, from a magical circus. The circus master has hired me and Gato to find out who took him – hopefully before Alfie swims with the fishes.

The problem is, no one in the circus is who they say they are. The Other Circus is a front for a magical underground, helping those that want to leave their magical lives far behind. They’ve spent years keeping their heads down and their mouths shut and it’s going to take more than asking nicely to get this bunch to crack.

The clock is ticking, not just to find Alfie, but also for me to impress Emory’s dragon Court. When I finally meet them, I’m going to have to pass through a series of consort challenges before they’ll recognise me as Emory’s intended mate. Oh, and they won’t tell me what’s a challenge, and what’s not. Nothing is what it seems, but luckily I come with an inbuilt lie detector. I’m itching to prove to the standoffish dragon-shifters that I’m more than a pretty face but finding Alfie has to come first.

I’m juggling things as best I can, but all it will take is one wrong move to bring everything crashing down on my head …

Burn through this fun, fast-paced, laugh-out-loud mix of urban fantasy and mystery.

This collection contains the following books:

Challenge of the Court

Betrayal of the Court

Revival of the Court.

These are books five to seven in The Other Realm series. It is strongly recommended that you read Books one to four first, starting with Glimmer of the Other.

If you like humour, heart, a strong heroine and a slow burn fade-to-black romance, check out The Court Series – the addictive urban fantasy series by internationally best-selling author Heather G. Harris.

Don’t miss all the books set in the Other Realm!

The Other Realm Series

Glimmer of the Other

Glimmer of Dragons

Glimmer of Hope

Glimmer of Christmas

Glimmer of Death

Glimmer of Deception

Challenge of the Court

Betrayal of the Court

Revival of the Court

The Other Wolf Series

Protection of the Pack

Guardians of the Pack

Saviour of the Pack

The Other Witch Series

Rune of the Witch

Hex of the Witch

Coven of the Witch

Familiar of the Witch

Destiny of the Witch

Written in British English.

For the maximal reader experience, it is recommended that you read The Other Wolf series before you read The Court series, though the events in The Other Wolf series are explained if you prefer to dive right in.

  • Publication date: February 4, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 777 pages

Written in British English.

Don’t miss all the books set in the Other Realm!

The Glimmer Series

Glimmer of the Other

Glimmer of Hope

Glimmer of Death

Glimmer of Deception

The Other Wolf Series

Protection of the Pack

Guardians of the Pack

Saviour of the Pack

The Court Series

Challenge of the Court

Betrayal of the Court

Revival of the Court

The Other Witch – An Amber DeLea grimoire

Rune of the Witch

Hex of the Witch

Coven of the Witch

Familiar of the Witch

Destiny of the Witch

Review:  The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 6) by Heather G. Harris and Jilleen Dolbeare

Rating: 5⭐️

As what I believe is the penultimate book in the series, The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag is a fantastic story.  

The plot takes the characters and readers into a different area of Portlock that hasn’t yet been explored, the Chrome Mines and the dwarves that spend their lives inside. 

Of course it starts off with a murder case, an investigation by NOMO’s Sheriff Gunner and Officer Bunny, and an introduction to a great new character, Hag Matilda who lives deep inside the mines. 

There’s so much to admire about this book and the beautifully crafted storylines.  Bunny’s a person who has consistently shown that she’s able to grow and thrive in her new role and environment, finding a found family and strength in her life. Every one of these characters feature heavily here in the story, as the investigation evolves into unexpected moments and challenges. 

Even the enigmatic characters like Shadow and Fluffy, the curses wolfshifter uncomfortable with his human presence, are here in complicated ways. 

This ends on a heartbreaking cliffhanger which will lead directly into the final story, The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid, to be released later this summer. 

What an amazing story and series. I’m sure when it comes out as a compendium or set  I’ll read completely through it again. 

Highly recommended and now waiting for the next one to be released. 

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

The Portlock Paranormal Detective series:

The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death, a prequel.

The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf, Book 1.

The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren, Book 2.

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee, Book 3.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine, Book 4.

The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergiest, Book 5

The Vampire and the Case of the Cozy Christmas, Book #5.5

The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag #6

The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid #7 – July 3,2025

Buy link

        The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 6)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Portlock: where the dead don’t always stay that way.

When a human inspector drops dead in the Chrome Mine, things get messy fast. The dwarves are up in arms, swearing the mine is cursed, and when a second body turns up—this time without its head—all fingers point to the local hag.

But I’ve met Matilda. She’s terrifying, sure, but she doesn’t seem like the elaborate crime scene type. More of a ‘crush you under a landslide’ kind of gal. Still, with the dwarves baying for blood and a murderer on the loose, I need answers before this case spirals out of control.

Tracking killers is hard enough without worrying about a cryptid monster lurking beyond the town’s magical barrier, my four-legged best friend struggling with his humanity, and my infuriatingly attractive vampire mate trying to keep me out of trouble (good luck with that, Connor).

With a town full of suspects and secrets, I’ll have to dig deep to unearth the truth. Let’s hope I don’t end up buried—undead.

Dive into this fast-paced urban fantasy series if you love mystery, humour, found family, and a slow-burn romance.

Don’t miss the other Portlock Paranormal adventures!

The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death

The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf

The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee

The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine

The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag

The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid

  • Publisher: Hellhound Press Limited (March 7, 2025)
  • Publication date: March 7, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 403 pages

Review:  How to Tame a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #3) by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4🌈

How to Tame a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #3) by Shannon Mae continues this fated mates series with the next couple, two damaged people, Atlas the Hellhound who’s mostly feral, and Aiden, the human being who is still recovering from his ordeal from his time as a prisoner and kidnap victim. 

Shannon Mae, an author who’s written many of the series I have reviewed and highly recommended, writes here about some very disturbing and very sensitive topics with genuine compassion and respect.  She does it well and I think within a therapeutic framework.  FYI for those readers who should look at TW going forward. 

Fluffy and Aiden’s growing relationship started in the previous books, with Aiden going on walks in the woods and dog-like Atlas as his companion, Fluffy.  Aiden not yet understanding who or what Fluffy really is, a mostly feral Atlas who’s found his mate in the wounded Aiden.

Mae has always done a good job in presenting the Hellhounds, or a section of them, as truly otherworldly beings lacking the necessary social knowledge or understanding that allows humans to interact with others and interpret their behavior. 

So the scenes and dialogue between the Hellhounds and their mates or SO’s are humorous but serve a better purpose to underscore their own Otherworldly ignorance. It works here really well. 

Aiden and Atlas’s personal experiences with trauma and pain help them to find their own way through to a deeper relationship. It makes sense to us as readers. 

The author has multiple storylines included here, ones that are still playing out for the next book.

It’s a highly emotional, suspense filled and satisfying story. 

I was so happy for Atlas and Aiden to get their HEA.  

Paradise Falls is Shannon Mae’s favorite location to play in. Can’t wait to see what happens next here. 

A definite recommendation!

Hellhounds of Paradise Falls:

How To Flirt With A Hellhound #1

How To Hack A Hellhound #2

How To Tame A Hellhound #3

How To Trust A Hellhound #4 – Oct 4,2025

What else takes place in Paradise Falls? 

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures (8 book series)

Buy link

        How to Tame a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Aiden

Apparently, the trauma from being kidnapped doesn’t end when you’re rescued, although I’m doing better. I have a roommate who has become family, and we’ve been adopted by a pack of otherworldly creatures who protect us. I’m still a little jumpy, and most people make me uncomfortable, but baking, therapy, and my daily walks are all helping. The sweet guard dog who follows me around in the woods helps, too. I can tell him anything I want—even how scared I am of my own family. I’m afraid to bring trouble to my new family’s doorstep, but I can’t end up caged again.

Atlas (aka Fluffy)

I have never belonged. I never knew my parents, and I grew up with a pack of wolves. (Yes, I was literally raised by wolves. Believe me, I see the humor in that too.) Wilder found me and adopted me, and I have a pack and a good life. People still make me uncomfortable, though, unless I’m torturing and killing them (only hellbound people—I’m not just some random serial killer). I just like solitude. But there’s something about Aiden that calls to my hellhound, and I can’t help wanting to protect the sweet human. I’ll even put up with being nicknamed Fluffy so long as I get to stay close to him. When I find out he’s in danger, I know I can’t sit back any longer. The only problem? How will my traumatized human react to finding out I’m not just a guard dog?

Tags: Both characters have tragic backstories and need lots of comfort; Aiden loves cuddles and Fluffy is totally cuddle material; Atlas kind of likes being called Fluffy by his human, but he’ll maim anyone else who tries it; there’s torture and death (but only of really bad people); hellhounds have tails, and they know how to use them.

  • Publication date: May 1, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 234 pages

Review: Three Dog Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower Book 2) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 4⭐️

I really enjoy this author and her characters and series in Midnight Empire: The Tower are getting more interesting with each book. 

Three Dog Night’s best elements are involved in its main mystery and investigation, that of what’s making the local werewolf population go out of control.

It’s both a werewolf Alpha that seeks out Knights of Boudicca, specifically London Hayes, to solve the mystery. And that means bringing, unfortunately, the vampire royalty into this in the form of Prince Callan. 

Chase has this investigation go incredibly complicated, takes the odd couple on the road, across territorial borders, which gives the author a chance to expand her universe and explore additional possibilities for other paranormal creatures and magical powers. 

London herself emotionally doesn’t evolve that much but everything else around her is changing and it ends in a bit of a cliffhanger.  Not unexpected as this story has some wonderful twists and surprises to it. 

Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. 

Cover design by Trif

Books in the Midnight Empire: The Tower series include: 

Wild Knight 

Three Dog Knight 

Deadly Knight 

One Knight Stand

Buy link

        Three Dog Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower Book 2)

    

Blurb 

I survived a job for royal vampires with my life and identity intact. That means I can return to my normal life as a knight, right?

Wrong.

When a group of werewolves goes berserk in our local pub, there’s a new threat in the city and the local pack hires me to find out what it is. 

Unfortunately that decision draws the attention of a certain vampire prince who likes to keep tabs on the most powerful pack in the city. Just when I thought I was free of the Demon of House Duncan, we’re embarking on a road trip together to investigate.

And what we discover changes everything—as well as each other.

Three Dog Knight is the second book in the Midnight Empire: The Tower series. Don’t miss this supernatural joy ride that features a kick-butt heroine, a powerful hero with a deadly past, and a quirky cast of characters.

Review:  Witchwolf by Sam Burns and W. M. Fawkes 

Rating: 4🌈

Normally I’m not one for the “virgin trope” storyline but Burns and Fawkes are two of my favorite authors and in their hands, it turns into Witchwolf, a delightful urban fantasy romance about a young man who in looking for a hot night out before a new job finds far more than he ever imagined.

Dakota Morris is the young man, recently graduated from college, and ready for his dream job and adventure. But before then? He wants that hot date and experience he’s denied himself by concentrating on his college and studies.

Burns and Fawkes have created a wonderful exuberant character in Dakota and then given him the absolutely best possible place to explore his new life and possibilities for his future. 

Of course he doesn’t expect his future to come with werewolves, mages and a ton of magic. 

The corporate world and culture the authors are laying down will be expanding with the next book , a chapter of which is included at the end of Witchwolf. 

But we get the outline of how the company works and its origins. Pack owned and operated but not exclusively employed by just werewolves.  This is a rich universe Burns and Fawkes are building and I’m hopeful that we get more than just two books here. 

Dakota’s story has mysteries and some drama associated with it.  I wish we could have had more details about his background but understand why that wasn’t given. There’s so much more here that cries out for greater detail and exploration, into the mage history and paranormal being rivalries. 

I’m hoping that future stories dive into this element.

The romance between Dakota and Alpha Ajax is hot, fun, and the dynamic between them makes us absolutely love this couple. Want to throttle Ajax occasionally because of his lack of communication skills but still Dakota makes up for it. 

Love the ending and energy going forward. But having the entire first chapter of Book 2 (great chapter too) and not the book? Argh.  

I will be watching out for that book next. 

A definite winner for lovers of urban fantasy and these authors.

Witchwolf series:

  • Witchwolf #1
  • Word, Nerds, & Werecats #2 – coming early 2026 – chapter 1 included in the first book. ❤️

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://a.coWitchwolf – Kindle edition by Burns, Sam, Fawkes, W.M.. Romance …

Blurb 

Dakota Morris has decided it’s time he lost that pesky virginity.

He’s a college graduate, and he’s tired of being a virgin. So he goes out to a club his friends don’t frequent, and picks up the hottest man he’s ever seen. It’s truly a night to remember . . . until he walks into the boardroom for his new job the next morning and wishes he could forget it, because his hot pick-up is also his new boss and CEO, Ajax Fyse.

The fact that he unknowingly slept with his newest employee is the least of Jax’s problems right now. Not only is he trying to navigate a merger with a mage family who disdains werewolves as beasts, it turns out the mage he took home last night didn’t even believe magic existed till this morning.

This morning, when his magic abilities manifested.

Now, Dakota’s stapler is flying across the room, and Jax has landed himself in the position of ushering his gorgeous new hire into the realm of magic. If only sleeping with a werewolf wouldn’t ruin Dakota’s reputation among other mages . . .

  • Publication date: May 1, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 253 pages

Review:  The Unlikeable Demon Hunter (Nava Katz Book 1) by Deborah Wilde

Rating: 4.5⭐️🌈

🌈 for the many LGBT characters 

I came across writer Deborah Wilde by accident when looking for female main characters outside of the norm. She writes several books with characters that just aren’t the female main characters you normally expect and I really appreciate that. 

In her Navia Katz , The Unlikeable Demon Hunter series, Wilde actually has written a character that reminds me of a friend whose family resembles this one, in that her brother, not her, was the golden *cough* only child. Yes, it was a traditional Jewish family and decades ago. But I remember the damage done, her feelings , and the painful dynamics clearly, even now. 

The situation is fraught with emotional trauma, and made worse by the fact that it’s a twins dynamic that is involved here, and that it’s a beloved brother and distant parents in a Jewish household that holds many secrets. 

I like that Wilde isn’t afraid to make Navia a little unlikable, highly sexual, and “in your face” individual. She’s full of anger, not so hidden pain, and lost dreams. And she doesn’t have a sense of where she’s going or support.  Except from her driven “chosen “ twin brother. 

And when her brother’s initiation in the Demon Hunting Brotherhood goes wrong in an hilarious scene, her life and his takes a spiraling out of control turn. 

This is a paranormal tale, the world building isn’t there, at least in this story. But I’m thinking that’s because, like the secret society, it will be filled in along with her training and events that will happen.

Wilde isn’t afraid to create unapologetically unlikable characters or ones that will be able to change and show considerable growth. The twin’s dynamic is full of damage, transforming energy and love. 

It’s also full of their Jewish heritage. Wilde provides a Jewish/Yiddish dictionary here for all the words and phrases used. 

This is a culturally rich, paranormally diverse tale. I really enjoyed it and Navia, a female character I rarely come across. Amazing woman. 

I highly recommend her and this. 

Great covers!

Cover design by Damonza

Nava Katz series- complete 

The Unlikeable Demon Hunter : Nava Katz series:

  • The Unlikeable Demon Hunter #1
  • Sting 2
  • Need #3
  • Crave #4
  • Fall #5
  • Buy link 

        The Unlikeable Demon Hunter: A Devilishly Funny Urban Fantasy Romance (Nava Katz Book 1)

    

Blurb 

The mission: kill demons. The catch: infuriatingly sexy minder. The challenge: don’t get the two confused.

Nava Katz is an expert at burying her lost dreams and wielding cynicism as her personal brand. Then she interrupts her twin brother’s induction ceremony into a secret supernatural society, accidentally torches his life-long dream, and steals his destiny as a Chosen Demon Hunter.

Oops?

Now she’s trying to wrangle her new-found powers while facing her worst nightmare: being needed.

Her questionable reward? Being assigned to Rohan Mitra, rockstar turned ruthless slayer. A man whose inner demons earn nods of respect from actual ones. The chemistry between them is as dangerous as the monsters they hunt, yet he’d be the perfect bad boy fling—if only he wasn’t determined to make her face her demons too.

And speaking of facing demons…

Odds saving her brother from one’s hit list? Um…

Odds of her succeeding out of spite? Way better.

The Brotherhood wants her gone.

The demons want her dead.

First gig as a Chosen One and she’s already nailing it.

Featuring a snarky heroine, kickass action, and spicy romance, this laugh-out-loud, deliciously addictive series sucker-punches you in the heart when you’re not looking.

Binge the complete series now!