Category: Paranormal adventures,

Review: Mack’s Horribly Hellacious Ghost Town (Mack’s Marvelous Manifestations #5 by AJ Sherwood 

Rating: 4🌈

Mack’s Horribly Hellacious Ghost Town  is the finale story in the Mack’s Marvelous Manifestations paranormal series by A. J. Sherwood and it’s a really good read.

I’m sorry to see this series and set of characters go, especially since Sherwood actually introduces some new and engaging characters here in the finale novel. Maybe, as the author writes in the notes, they might speak to her sometime in the future.

Brandon and Mack , new apprentice Gwyn who’s part of the story, and all the Paranormal Activity Division, FBI friends they’ve worked, all engage in two big spooky battles in Black Rock, Arizona, a mining ghost town. 

“a coal mining town in Arizona—or a former coal mining town, I should say—that’s haunted as hell.”* 

I’ll come back to this. 

Lachlan and Seiji, chaos magician and fabulous new character as well as new romantic/paranormal partner for Lochlan, were a wonderful surprise couple. They got a small amount of narrative time and  a chapter’s perspective here. Honestly they were both a lovely team and a frustrating element of the story because they were great together and then it ends. So why do it at all? 

Mack and Brandon are ready to get married and settle down, a running thread here. This is the case just before they get married and are into their next adventure. 

The town in Arizona, Black Rock, which is an actual copper mining town, here is a ghost town full of ghosts and things that go bump into the night. Tons of them. And the Mayor has asked for help.

There’s also a haunted coal mine outside of town with something down deep in the deserted mine shafts to deal with as well.  That’s the second issue.  The town’s ghosts and the thing in the mine.

Added to that is a young girl, a medium, Gywn, who needs saving from her family and the dark ghosts attacking her. 

So there’s a lot of storytelling and elements that the narrative needs to handle. Which it does by bringing back multiple characters from books to help Mack and Brandon deal with the situation. And Gywn’s, who turns out to be a great delight here. She needs to be factored into Lachlan and Seiji stories.

The actual battles seemed to be more Seiji’s than anyone else’s, fierce as they were, with Lachlan and Dor’s fighting too. 

Mack and Brandon took care of the rest of the ghosts, surprisingly easy as this is their story. 

 

The locations of the mines and areas of interest, Clifton, an actual great historical copper mining town in Arizona , about 3.5 hours east of Phoenix. Check it out! The real historical coal mining sites were northeastern parts of the state in Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation lands, like the Kayenta Mine. 

There’s more than one Black Mesa too.  That’s directly east of Phoenix. 

So in the story and town it’s a bit different than what you might expect to see historically correct sites. 

But it’s a finale book, they’re headed off to get married, which they quickly do in the epilogue. Short and sweet. 

I was disappointed not to see the characters who were in the story not to be mentioned in the wedding section but it’s so hurried that hardly anyone is. 

This book starts out great but is rushed towards the end. Still a wonderful series. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

Mack’s Marvelous Manifestations (4 book series)

Brandon’s Very Merry Haunted Christmas #1

Mack’s Perfectly Ghastly Homecoming #2

Mack’s Rousing Ghoulish Highland Adventure #3

Mack’s Horribly Hellacious Ghost Town #4

Crossover series:

Jon’s Mysteries Case (6 book series)

Buy link

 Book 4 of 4: Mack’s Marvelous Manifestations 

Blurb 

Apprentices, and two ghost towns, and almost-demons oh…no.

Mack doesn’t mind the apprentice part of this job; in fact, finding Gwyn is delightful, though he hates she grew up in such a haunted town with parents who don’t believe she’s a Medium.

Mack really hates the old mining ghost town is locked down with weird energy and none of the ghosts can see them, which makes passing them difficult.

Mack especially hates that in Black Rock there’s an almost-demon ghost inciting other ghosts to cause a mob, how is that allowed to be a thing?!

Who you gonna call for help when you’re the experts? Mack wants to know for a friend. (Him. He’s the friend.)

Tags: 

Mack has found hell on earth, this was not on his bucket list, Accidental apprentice acquisition, Lachlan is back!, ghost gangs, chaos magician, Seiji is a new bonk bro, wedding, almost demons lurking, too much water and limestone for a medium’s peace of mind, uncharted haunted mines make Lachlan’s day, Eli is her usual scary self, Mack goes Wild West, Brandon can see ghosts here, that’s not a good thing, Brandon gets to have an apprentice too and can’t be happier, ghost pranks, Mack has picked too many battles, he’s putting some back, Ghost-hunting squad–assemble!

Tropes: MM Romance, Multicultural Romance, Ghost Town, Ghost Medium, Age Gap, Apprentices, Wedding, HEA

This is the fifth and final book in the series following a plot crossover with the Jon’s Mysteries Series. While it would be best to read the books listed in the below order, you can read Mack’s Horribly Hellacious Ghost Town without having read “Book 4” with minimal confusion. To read in series order, Book 1 – Brandon’s Very Merry Haunted Christmas, Book 2 – Mack’s Perfectly Ghastly Homecoming, Book 3 – Mack’s Rousing Ghoulish Highland Adventure, Book 4 – Jon & Mack’s Terrifying Tree Troubles, and Book 5 – This title.

June 12, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

338 pages

Book 4 of 4

Mack’s Marvelous Manifestations

Review: Never Forsaken (The Kurtherian Gambit Book 5) by Michael T. Anderle 

Rating:  4.5⭐️

Terrific story with one of the best elements being the mission to reach and rescue Michael, the Patriarch, who’s been missing since the beginning of the series. 

Michael’s status and how he, a formerly strict, rigid ruler, is going to factor into a very changed world and future is just one of the great narrative challenges here.

Bethany Anne’s role and character is developing in tandem with her team’s, as she grows her mission and expands their bases and branches from military to scientific research and space innovation.

Sometimes, I’ll admit it’s hard to keep track of every new character beyond the initial Queen’s Guard, her found family and father. Then it begins to blur. 

Except for the villains of course. 

But the military hardware, the helicopters, the planes and all the other equipment/weapons are well defined and marvelously deployed here. Things go boom often.

Many, many battles, lots of fighting and tons of bloodshed and bodies. Heads and body parts do go flying. 

So, for me, it’s sort of funny to see a note from the author talking about the all the “cursing” here in the dialogue. IMO, if it’s the naughty words and not the constant bloodshed and death (however well deserved) that a reader takes issue with, maybe some sort of reflection might be needed.  Just saying. 

Anyway, I thought this story has some really terrific writing, great elements ( especially Michael in a box) and all the things factored into that thread. Plus do I love Ashur? Yes I do. Paul is another great favorite character. 

Heading quickly to more of this series. A real winner. 

Cover by Gene Mollica and Sasha Almazan

The Kurtherian Gambit (21 book series)

Death Becomes Her #1

Queen Bitch #2

Love Lost #3

Bite This #4

Never Forsaken #5

Under My Heel #6

Kneel Or Die #7

We Will Build #8

It’s Hell To Choose #9

Release The Dogs Of War #10

Sued For Peace #11

Buy link 

 Book 5 of 21: The Kurtherian Gambit 

Blurb 

Life is beyond dangerous when you are caught up in the ongoing war between Bethany Anne’s group and the Forsaken.

** AMAZON Top 100 Best Selling Author **

Both vampires and humans have been targeted, but if there is one thing those who work with Bethany Anne learn, it is that you are NEVER FORSAKEN.

This time, Bethany Anne is after Anton, who has something, or someone, Bethany Anne wants back.

Can she find out where he is and break in to save the Patriarch if he is still alive?

Or is it a trap? Will Anton, with his centuries of experience, have the final laugh at both of their expenses?

This time, Bethany Anne is up against one of Michael’s direct children, who is one of the most powerful vampires in existence.

Don’t miss the reunion.

Go up and click Read for Free or Buy Now and continue The Kurtherian Gambit.

Never Forsaken, The Kurtherian Gambit 05 follows the story after Bite This. If you haven’t read the preceding books YOU PRETTY MUCH HAVE TO. These are a series and many of the characters have been introduced in preceding volumes. 

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NOTE: This book contains cursing. Perhaps humorous cursing, but cursing nevertheless. If this offends you, I don’t suggest reading this book.

LMBPN Publishing

Publication date

January 12, 2016

Edition

3rd

Language

‎English

Print length

264 pages

Book 5 of 21

The Kurtherian Gambit

Review: Love Lost (The Kurtherian Gambit Book 3) by Michael T. Anderle 

Rating:  4.5⭐️

This book begins with a deep emotional loss for Bethany Anne. It’s not one that will register with the reader until a couple of books later with the same narrative impact when we meet his widow. 

But this murder sets in motion a series of events that has Bethany Anne further developing her team, enlarging her plans for revenge and preparing for the next phase of her journey.

It’s multiple stages, storylines and points of view and it all works. 

Thrilling and exciting!

Cover by Gene Mollica and Sasha Almazan

The Kurtherian Gambit (21 book series)

Death Becomes Her #1

Queen Bitch #2

Love Lost #3

Bite This #4

Never Forsaken #5

Under My Heel #6

Buy link 

 Book 3 of 21: The Kurtherian Gambit 

Blurb 


When one of Bethany Anne’s loved one gets caught in the crossfire between her and the Forsaken, she goes rabid in rage.

** AMAZON Top 100 Best Selling Author **

She doesn’t believe in seeking peace and harmony, but rather revenge and mayhem.

Continuing the story of Bethany Anne and TQB team, Love Lost picks up after Queen Bitch. She works to complete both her business and military team leads and we meet Stephen’s daughter Gabrielle as plans are made to exact revenge South of the Border.

You don’t touch one of Bethany Anne’s loved ones and get away with it, no matter how far away you live.

**Please note, as mentioned in another review, there is flagrantly foul language in this novel. The main character does not have a problem with cussing, just uninspired cussing.

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NOTE: This book contains cursing. Perhaps humorous cursing, but cursing nevertheless. If this offends you, I don’t suggest reading this book.

LMBPN Publishing

Publication date

November 26, 2015

Edition

3rd

Language

‎English

Print length

238 pages

Book 3 of 21

The Kurtherian Gambit

Review: Shadowspell Academy: The Culling Trials (Book 1) by K. F. Breene and Shannon Mayer

Rating: 4⭐️

I’m pretty much done with certain tropes because I feel they’ve been overdone by authors recently in many genres. It’s the academy or trial settings or trials taking place in academia settings, throw in a romance, shifters , vampires and magic and you can probably find or name over 50 books that fit that category alone, maybe more if you consider series. 

But I adore Breene and while I am waiting for her next book (Magical Midlife series) to be released, I thought I’d give this one a try. 

The setup is compelling. A farm family that’s worn down by its losses of their mother and older brother, a broken father barely making it, with debts piling up and plenty of mouths to feed. 

We meet the oldest daughter, Wild, who’s really running the farm as her father is physically in a bad state and her siblings are much younger. Her mother is dead as is her oldest brother, Tommy, who left for an academy but was killed in a mysterious accident there.

Now that same academy is demanding that her younger brother attend and Wild is equally determined that they not lose any more children to a school they don’t know about. 

Of course, it’s never that simple. There’s plenty of secrets and things that have been hidden from her. 

I absolutely adore the character of Wild, a brave and intelligent young woman, determined to save her family from another loss.

The found family aspect of the academic life and group that’s formed isn’t anything new but still very interesting and entertaining. 

It’s the first book. She’s hiding her gender and lack of knowledge in a group of misfits. And the authors don’t seem to draw this out very far with a cliffhanger ending. 

It’s got a terrific main character, predictable elements and an entertaining plot. 

Recommended for those who love the authors and this type of storytelling. It’s a good read. 

Shadowspell Academy (6 book series)

The Culling Trials #1 through 3

Year of the Chameleon #4 through 6

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 6: Shadowspell Academy 

Blurb 

You Don’t Choose The Academy. The Academy Chooses You.

I had no idea how those words would change my life. Or how they’d changed my life already…

Until the day the most dangerous man I’ve ever met waltzed onto my farm and left us a death sentence.

In an invitation.

My younger brother has been chosen for the prestigious, secret magical school hidden within the folds of our mundane world. A place so dangerous, they don’t guarantee you’ll make it out alive.If he doesn’t go our entire family will be killed.

It’s the same invitation my older brother received three years ago—the same place he mysteriously died.

The academy has already killed one sibling. I’ll be damned if they take another.

 

Hijinks Ink Publishing

Publication date

April 9, 2019

Edition

1st

Language

‎English

Print length

238 pages

Book 1 of 6

Shadowspell Academy

Review:  Death Becomes Her (The Kurtherian Gambit Book 1) by Michael T. Anderle 

Rating:  4.5⭐️

Well, this was unexpected. Picked this up when looking for another series and found an awesome series that I’m binging. 

Honestly, it’s the best, like discovering a new favorite bag of popcorn or chips for that late night snack. One you can’t stop eating when you’ve opened the bag.

Yes, I’m way past this book. 

This series is great for those who love action movies and paranormal stories. All that mixed in with military stuff, helicopters, things that go boom, vampires and werewolves and even science fiction space travel. And it’s awesome. 

No I don’t take any of this seriously but what fabulous fun. 

“Bethany Anne Reynolds is dying”

That’s the hook. She’s a very smart, beautiful and highly qualified woman in Intelligence. Her father? A general. 

Turns out all through the history of the USA, a very powerful “family” has been helping the country succeed in turn for a certain favor. Now it’s time for that favor to be paid back again. 

This is a really interesting take on vampires, their origins and how they reproduce. 

The first novel sets the stage, the characters and Bethany Anne’s first steps in taking the role that will define her character. And give her a team. 

The story is a quick read and it’s over before you know it. 

Luckily it’s a complete series and you can swiftly move on to the next one. Which I did.  And then the next. 

It absolutely wrecked my sleep and my dog’s I can tell you. 

It’s a bloody, high action, foul mouthed, blast! Loved every minute of it and Bethany Anne too! 

I need more snacks!

Highly recommended. 

Cover by Gene Mollica and Sasha Almazan

The Kurtherian Gambit (21 book series)

Death Becomes Her #1

Queen Bitch #2

Love Lost #3

Bite This #4

Buy link

        Death Becomes Her (The Kurtherian Gambit Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Bethany Anne Reynolds is dying. The monsters should be relieved she’s running out of time.

A vampire with secrets older than the legends offers her one way out: pain, power, and a place in a hidden war the government pretends doesn’t exist. Bethany Anne takes the deal with both hands and a loaded weapon. The transformation kills most who attempt it. She survives it—and wakes up with fangs, superhuman strength, and an alien consciousness living rent-free in her head.

Once she steps through the door, werewolves, black ops, alien tech, and bloodlines that rewrite the dark start crawling out of the shadows. These aren’t the vampires of legend. And Bethany Anne isn’t here to whimper, bargain, or behave. If the monsters want to run the world, they’ll have to get through the woman Death couldn’t keep—the one her enemies will learn to call the Queen Bitch.

Profane, violent, and funny as hell—the first shot in a sprawling urban fantasy / military sci-fi universe readers tear through in batches.

Scroll up and one-click to meet the Queen Bitch herself

LMBPN Publishing

Publication date

November 3, 2015

Edition

3rd

Language

‎English

Print length

248 pages

Book 1 of 21

The Kurtherian Gambit

Review:  Stir Crazy: Maya’s Blogs: Book 6 by Lara McKenzie 

Rating: 4⭐️

Stir Crazy is book 6 is Maya’s Blog, one of my all time favorite series. 

Lara McKenzie has taken her main character on a tremendous personal journey of self discovery and growth. She’s gone from someone who fled a strict religious home environment that was destroying her sense of self and wellbeing to finding a new place where she slowly became a woman who through a new life, barista job and found family of paranormals, who she is today.

Someone who has undergone an enormous transformation into a paranormal herself, found a mate in a battle demon, and now has a family, that includes a demon merchild, Sabine, and a ghost mantis shrimp, Genevieve. And a blog of millions of followers.

It’s been a great journey.And it’s not over yet. 

After Little Bean, the birth of her baby, the battle with the Project Purity people who threatened their lives, now comes the fallout. 

And how she, Scorpion (her husband and mate) , Sabine the baby, and the rest of the household are doing after the fighting is over and the ramifications is setting in.

Not well. Especially for Scorpion as Dax, his best friend and co-hort in the field, left for the Rift over his own actions. And nothing has been the same. Tension is high and effecting everyone around him.  Leaving Maya to try and figure things out.

I thought this was a good book but not the strongest one in the series. Several things I found works against it for me. 

Genevieve, the ghost mantis shrimp, is a unique character and voice. But here  McKenzie makes the decision to give Genevieve a larger audience and role in Maya’s blog. Which is the book’s format. So we get Maya’s perspective and her story about what she’s going through with trying to fix the torn dynamic between Scorpion and Dax. 

Then it’s switched to Genevieve and her new sidekick Myrtle the Turtle, and her new PI business she’s setting up. Then the cases she and Myrtle actually take. 

Then we start to see alternating blogs for Maya and Genevieve, which I found a less interesting and enjoyable format. Genevieve is fine in small doses but doesn’t work for me here in a larger capacity. Unlike Charlotte who got her own story, and it was outstanding. 

There’s a few things left open, like the sentient car who left Maya because she felt unappreciated/unheard. This was another element that I found underwhelming. It came out of nowhere.

Maya was quick to blame herself for not listening but the prior circumstances, a desperate battle, constant fighting and threats, a demolition of her home, none of which seemed to be taken into account by the car. Was no one else around her who could have intervened (friends/family) or even the car talking to someone about it? To say an intervention was needed? To a mother overwhelmed with her current circumstances? 

Seems like a bit unfair to me. That Maya is the only one able to hold everything together. New mom to a child whose very vocal cords can shatter buildings who’s starting preschool ? And a husband who is having trouble with his rage and frustration that he’s scaring people? And a ghost shrimp who wants to start a business and bring in a turtle? So let’s add an unhappy car to that. 

So yes, I found that Stir Crazy was good but not fantastic. I’ll be looking forward to seeing what happens next. 

Absolutely don’t miss out on Charlotte’s book Kiss My Ash, it’s incredible. 

I listed them all below.,

The series is highly recommended!

Maya’s Blogs (6 book series):

Espresso Yourself #1

Brew Diligence #2

Uncharted Grounds #3

Flat White Flag #4

Little Bean #5

Stir Crazy #6

Kiss My Ash: An Umbrafore Standalone Novel

Buy link 

 Book 6 of 6: Maya’s Blogs 

Blurb 

After Scorpion and Dax’s devastating fallout over Project Purity, Maya finds herself walking on eggshells around the shadow demon she loves. The bond between them is strained, and Ashvale Nocturn is feeling less like a sanctuary and more like a pressure cooker.

Meanwhile, Dax is carrying secrets, guilt, and enough emotional damage to destabilise the realms, while Genevieve launches Claw & Order into full investigative chaos with ghost shrimp professionalism and no ethical restraint.

Packed with brutal honesty, dark humor, and the messy reality of forgiveness, Stir Crazy is the sixth instalment in the Maya’s Blogs series about love, loyalty, rebuilding trust, and what happens when emotionally repressed warlords finally start talking.

May 29, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

327 pages

Book 6 of 6

Maya’s Blogs

Review: Bear Many Hats (Wicked Witches of Cauldron Hollow Book 5) by Sara Bourgeois 

Rating: 4⭐️

The author sets many different plots in motion with Bear Many Hats, the fifth book in the fantastic Wicked Witches of Cauldron Hollow series.

One storyline, the main plot that centers around the wandering bear in the town, is the one that carries the most interesting elements while also being the most easily solved mysteries of the story.  It’s a carryover from the previous book and you could pretty much see it even then.

What keeps the reader engaged is the new characters, the dry, layered dialogue between Blythe Fairfield and her familiar, Pippin, either when commenting on customers in her shop or events in their community. It’s warm, well written, and even the smallest interaction is beautifully executed.

The mystery, who shot the sheriff, is more emotional than much of a mystery. The author introduces a ex-girlfriend who I expect to add further drama and the ending is a bit of a shock for all. A definite cliffhanger of sorts. That’s extremely well done.

Love the author and series. Can’t wait to read the next book.

Wicked Witches of Cauldron Hollow (4 book series)

If the Hat Fits #1

Under The Hat #2

Hat Out of Spell #3

Hat Trick #4 

Bear Many Hats #5

Drop of a Hat #6 – Sept 22,2026

Buy link

        Bear Many Hats (Wicked Witches of Cauldron Hollow Book 5)

    

Blurb 

Blythe Fairfield was just starting to settle in.

She has a tea shop on Main Street. A talking cat who critiques her blends. A boyfriend who runs a fever nobody can explain but kisses her like he means it. And a town that’s almost stopped whispering about her.

Then someone shoots the sheriff.

Paine is found on the side of a country road with a bullet wound and no explanation for how he got there. The town is terrified. Deputy Dewey is in over his head. And Blythe is not going to sit in a hospital waiting room while whoever did this walks free.

Between an ex-girlfriend who keeps calling the hospital, a parolee who won’t explain where he was that night, and an elderly woman loudly telling everyone at the post office that the sheriff had it coming, Blythe has too many suspects and not enough answers.

But something about the case doesn’t fit. The evidence points in too many directions. And Paine, when he’s awake long enough to talk, keeps mentioning dreams he’s been having. Vivid ones. The kind that feel real.

Pippin says the dreams mean something. Pippin says a lot of things. And Baba Grimm has started showing up with gifts that aren’t entirely safe and advice that isn’t entirely free.

Some mysteries are about who did it. Some are about what’s been hiding in plain sight. And some answers change everything, including the person you thought you knew best.

date

June 7, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

216 pages

Book 5 of 6

Wicked Witches of Cauldron Hollow

Review:  Bayou Born (The Foundling Book 1) by Hailey Edwards 

Rating: 2.75⭐️

Hailey Edwards has written several books I’ve enjoyed but this isn’t one of them. Bayou Born frankly isn’t worth the $0.99 cents I paid for it, which surprised me.

Edwards has taken elements from every trope, and types of tropes themselves and mashed them together into Bayou Born, the first book in The Foundling series. 

Now while other writers have done this, here none of these elements and tropes are well defined or written. It’s a grab bag of ideas, details, plots and tropes loosely defined and stuck together. And that’s about how well it works. 

It’s a supernatural, paranormal, urban fantasy murder suspense demonic thriller. Probably romance, not sticking around to find out.

Edwards layers in with her initial wild swamp female child/now adopted police detective a weird story about demons and dragons and hellish shifters in a setting in a swamp like location. That’s just the beginning.

Luce Boudreau, a mud caked child who stumbled out of a Mississippi bayou without a memory, grew up with the police officer who found her. Luce is now a police officer herself. And here’s a major problem. She’s supposed to be a “badass”, however she’s in no way credible as a law enforcement officer. And starting immediately, in almost every scenario, she’s “saved” by the new imposing Alpha security guy who’s stalking her, her dad or “Uncle” , both officers. She needs a lot of help and saving. 

It’s one eye roll after another here. 

A rotary phone that rings on her birthday in the attic but it’s not connected. Wooooo.  Just silly little things. A voice on the phone that she never bothered to track down, even though she’s an officer. 

It’s almost like she has zero common sense or understanding of how to research anything. 

Really, things get worse with unbelievable animals in the swamp, missing people, and the absolute worst or most incompetent investigations ever conducted. 

Trust me when I say that if you stick around by 60 percent, you’ll be flipping pages to get through this. 

And that’s ending just calls for a villain standing around or up a tree rubbing his hands or claws together, and laughing maniacally. 

Do yourself a favor and say no. 

The Foundling (5 book series)

Buy link

 Book 1 of 5: The Foundling 

Blurb 

Her beginning may be our end . . . 

Deep in the humid Mississippi bayou, a half-wild child is dragged from the murky waters. She has no memories, no family and is covered in mysterious markings. Adopted by the policeman who rescued her, Luce Boudreau follows him onto the force, determined to prove herself in the eyes of those who are still suspicious.

However, there’s more of a battle ahead than Luce could possibly imagine. She may be an orphan without a past, but no one – including Luce herself – could ever be prepared for the truth of her dark, powerful destiny .

Piatkus

Publication date

October 17, 2017

Language

‎English

Print length

336 pages

Book 1 of 5

The Foundling

Review:  Night Maze (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 4) by Helen Harper

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Night Maze was excellent. And it builds around the plot from connected series /story, Squib (The Coldstream Chronicles Book 1). It’s not necessary to read that book but it’s fun and adds layers to this story.

Kit McCafferty is sent out on a mission to discover what happened to the Vampires missing giant worms who travel the Understream, the worms being a vital part of their undead community. 

One aspect of Night Maze that makes this so special and well written is that the vampires up until now have been a lesser known or even a one-dimensional entity. And the Understream, an entire city and mysterious community that exists behind secretive entrances has been an enigma. Only briefly in previous stories has Kit and others journeyed into it and then swiftly out noting the dangers and hidden tunnels. 

Harper shines a narrative light, if you’ll excuse me, on the emotional depths and hidden history of the vampires and their communities in the Understream, including the fabulous giant worms. Really, I wanted so badly to have more of them once I got to see intriguing glimpses of their personalities. 

And the vampires too, especially one. She’s magnificent.

The investigation is terrific, dark and fascinating. And gives us a new feline character to mull over and know that he’s going to pop up in the oncoming novels. 

But we get to see Kit flex her skills in multiple ways and in different challenges. She’s a powerful paranormal being and she plays a role,  “cat lady persona” , most of the time. Only occasionally does she really her “true self” out in these situations. It’s fantastic here to see her being able to be that type of shifter that none suspects she is. 

The relationship between Kat and  Thane Barrow, the lone werewolf, is admirable. They understand each other, their need for individual lives and space while also supporting each other,  insuring separate territories within Coldstream.  It’s a great element here. 

I love Night Maze and Kit. The next novel threatens to shatter the stability that Kit has built so hard for herself. I can’t wait. What an incredible character and series. 

Highly recommended! A winner and one for those who love urban fantasy series. 

Book Cover created by Covers By Juan

The Cat Lady Chronicles (5 book series):

Waifs And Strays #1

The Dark Hiss of Magic #2

A Skirl of Sorcery #3

Night Maze #4

A Killer Heart #5 – Sept 18, 2026

Related series:

Squib (The Coldstream Chronicles Book 1)

Buy link 

 Book 4 of 5: The Cat Lady Chronicles 

Blurb 

It’s one thing to be dealing death. It’s quite another to deal with the undead.

Kit McCafferty has never been fond of vampires but she can’t refuse the opportunity to learn more about their kind. When she is invited into the clandestine underground world of the Understream to investigate the mysterious disappearance of some giant worms, she soon discovers there is far more to the fanged creatures than she’d ever realised.

Danger, secrets and mysteries abound in every dark, twisting tunnel. Is there anyone in the depths who Kit can trust? Or will she have to rely on her wits – and her cats – alone?

This is the fourth book in the thrilling urban fantasy series The Cat Lady Chronicles.

May 29, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

286 pages

Book 4 of 5

The Cat Lady Chronicles

Review: Magical Midlife Love (Leveling Up #4) by K. F. Breene

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I’m so enjoying this series and growing group of paranormal characters. And each story just keeps getting better and better, the characters evolving their roles into a deeper dynamic and the storyline developing into something richer and more complex.

Magical Midlife Love was fantastic because of its many great elements. Jessie and Austin, who have been dancing around each other, finally get their relationship. It’s two complicated people with tough personal relationships in their pasts and who are in the middle of negotiating tricky current situations who finally realize they can make it through as loving equals . 

Then we get Austin’s brother and a further understanding of Austin’s past that drove him to where he is emotionally and physically. This is also a huge part of the series arc going forward. 

Plus Jessie made a magical request for a mage to help her with her magic. And that request was answered. And leads to an incredible shocking climax in the story.

Just amazing! 

Love, love the author’s plotting and characterizations here. Fabulous work that keeps me engaged throughout the story but scrambling for the next book!

A absolute winner!

Leveling Up (13 book series):

Magical Midlife Madness #1

Magical Midlife Dating #2

Magical Midlife Invasion #3

Magical Midlife Love #4

Magical Midlife Meeting #5

Magical Midlife Challenge #6

Magical Midlife Alliance #7

Magical Midlife Flowers #8

Magical Midlife Battle #9

Magical Midlife Awakening #10

Magical Midlife Rescue #11

Magical Midlife Rogue #12

Magical Midlife Conclave #13 – Nov 12,2026

Buy link

        Magical Midlife Love: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel (Leveling Up Book 4)

    

Blurb 

The fourth book in the Wall Street Journal bestselling Leveling Up series. 

The Ivy House team is shaping up, but there are still holes to be filled, and a magical summons outstanding. Jessie needs a teacher. Someone who can fit in with the whacky Ivy House crew.

And that was going just fine…until she gets a request to host a powerful, neighboring mage. A teacher isn’t going to be enough.

She needs more power in her crew. She needs some might. This time, Austin Steele might not be able to dominate what she calls in, creatures no shifter has ever dominated before.

But that isn’t all Austin has to worry about.

After a skirmish in the bar, suddenly his whole world is turned upside down. He can no longer ignore the feelings that have been growing for Jess. He also can’t ignore the town’s complete lack of readiness for the neighboring mage’s visit.

He must call in his brother to help lock down the town. And when his brother arrives, he must finally hash out the past that has split them apart so that he can claim his future.