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

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‎English

File size

3.5 MB

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Print length

232 pages

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Book 1 of 2

Behind the Rhymes

Review: Hidden Storm (The Witch’s Bestiary #1) by Evangeline Hunter

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Hidden Storm is a great start to this complete series about Alicia Stormwell , a powerful witch who runs The Bestiary, a paranormal animal rescue for all types of supernatural creatures. She also goes out at night undercover to save those who need her help from exotic fantasy animal trafficking or worse.

A murder and a vampire detective set off the mystery of the story which brings Alicia into the investigation of the death of a local girl and the wolf lying beside her.

The paranormal animals that live with her and how her Bestiary is set up is imaginative and intriguing. I could have spent so much more narrative time in there just exploring the spaces and creatures she’s saved.

The mystery is excellent although the resolution is a bit too quickly resolved.

Neither male character is particularly well developed but I hope future stories will show them as more defined and fleshed out. They both have so much potential.

The setting is atmospheric and believable. It’s in the small details, the barest of memorable elements that make this world real, sad and heartbreaking at times.

I’m looking forward to seeing more of the characters and their stories.

A winner for those who love paranormal mystery and fantasy fiction.

The Witch’s Bestiary (5 book series):

Hidden Storm #1

Midnight Storm #2

Island Storm #3

Dragon Storm #4

Rising Storm #5

Buy link

Book 1 of 5: The Witch’s Bestiary

Blurb

**COMPLETE SERIES**

Rescuing fantastic beasts is child’s play. Clearing the name of a ridiculously handsome werewolf? Hold my broomstick.

My name is Alicia Stormwell. By day, I run The Bestiary, a nonprofit that saves and rehabilitates legendary critters. By night, I don my witch’s hat and battle the dark underworld of supernatural animal traffickers.

When a witch is found dead and a wolf is accused of murder, a vampire detective from the NYPD’s Magical Crimes Division hires me as a consultant. I take in the suspected hound only to discover he’s not just any fabled creature, but a werewolf. And he’s been framed.

Now, with a murderer on the loose and a hunky shifter in my care, I’ve got to use every bit of my powers and questionable instincts to uncover the truth before the killer turns his sights on me, and I end up the next witch in a body bag.

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

Bouquets and Blades Press

Publication date

August 26, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

184 pages

Book 1 of 5

The Witch’s Bestiary

Review: Virtual Games (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 5) by P.L. Matthews

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Although it’s not specifically mentioned, Virtual Games brings The Digital Detective Mystery Series to a happy ending where all the characters have moved forward in their lives, growing up in some ways and developing new relationships and friendships, finding new powers and potential partners.

And it happens in a very surprising way. With Vampire Games and visits from characters from an another Matthews series, the Green Witch. Those who have read this series will love this crossover element. I haven’t and it will likely send me there to see what it is about.

But the story here has more than enough to keep a reader engaged. Several plots, an interesting murder mystery included that brings back part of Skye’s past and an old college painful memory.

Matthews balances the needs of Skye and Seb’s relationship to move forward along with those of the other characters, as well as the individual characters whose personalities and powers continue to be developed by the events and storyline.

It’s a dynamic narrative, one that’s so powerful and jammed with interesting elements and characters that it leaves room for additional drama and stories even though it’s a satisfying finale as well. We want more but are happy with this too.

Perhaps Matthews will pick up this universe with the sister, Zephyra’s story. That would make sense and for great storytelling.

Very entertaining and engaging. I even liked Bob finally!

The Digital Detective Mystery Series (5 book series):

Murder By Code #1

Fatal Error #2

Kill Switch #3

Storm Signal #4

Virtual Games #5

Buy link

Virtual Games: A Digital Detective Mystery (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 5)

Blurb

Level up… or get eliminated. Permanently.

Skye Sanders, tech mage extraordinaire, is on the trail of a hit-and-run—only to discover it’s tangled up with the infamous Vampire Games.

Her boyfriend Seb’s invitation to “help from the sidelines” quickly becomes a front-row seat to sabotage. The Games test skill, strength, and cunning. Physical gauntlets, brain-bending riddles, and the occasional death-defying stunt are fair play.

With rival teams closing in and tensions simmering hotter than Sydney in January, Skye must unravel a sabotage trail before it claims its next victim. But in a contest where every competitor guards secrets like treasure and alliances shift faster than a server crash, even her sharpest code might not be enough to keep everyone alive—least of all Seb, who’s squarely in the crosshairs.

The stakes are literal. And losing? Not an option.

If you enjoy urban-fantasy mysteries with magic, humour, and a clever heroine—think books by Patricia Briggs, Hailey Edwards, Heather G. Harris, Annette Marie, or Kim Harrison—Virtual Games should be right up your alley.

Publication date

December 17, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

358 pages

Book 5 of 5

The Digital Detective Mystery Series

Review: Storm Signal (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 4) by P.L. Matthews

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Storm Signal is the book where it all starts to come together. Characters that I wasn’t crazy about get their redemption, main characters get deeper background information and more importantly, they are more detailed in their powers and emotional development.

A growth for the series and characters that will continue through the next novel.

As with all the novels of this series, Storm Signal picks up on the cliffhanger of the last story with the entrance of Skye’s older sister, Zephyra, back into her life and city of Sydney. Of course, bringing with her chaos, mystery, murder, and old family painful memories for Skye.

Storm Signal weaves multiple storylines with great success. Matthews gives us insight into the Fae political system along with some very important revelations about main characters. By the end of the book, several characters have made progress in their respective relationships, like Seb and Skye whose journey together is a major part of the book. New ones are also being established also alongside others already underway.

I throughly enjoyed this book. The plots were highly entertaining, the characters were great and the relationships between each other engaging and believable.

A real winner.

The Digital Detective Mystery:

Murder By Code #1

Fatal Error #2

Kill Switch #3

Storm Signal #4

Virtual Games #5

Buy link

Storm Signal: A Digital Detective Mystery (The Digital Detective Mystery Series Book 4)

Blurb

Trouble runs in the family

Skye hasn’t seen her sister Zephyra since she left Fairyland to live on Earth with Grandma and Grandpa. But now Zephyra’s back—blowing into town like a cyclone on a mission. Literally.

The police are on her trail, there’s a murder, and sibling rivalry? Yeah, that’s about to reach new heights.

Skye’s tech magic and Zephyra’s wild air magic don’t exactly blend.

Enter Skye’s vampire boyfriend, Seb—brooding, mysterious—and Fred, her charming, sarcastic best friend with a knack for trouble. The two don’t see eye to eye. Not that they’re jealous of each other over Skye… right?

With the storm building—both magical and emotional—the sisters will have to figure out how to work together to clear Zephyra’s name. But as tech and air collide in a whirlwind of trouble, the real question is: can they solve the case before they throttle each other first?

date

September 9, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

368 pages

Book 4 of 5

The Digital Detective Mystery Series

Humorous fantasy, amateur sleuth mystery, urban fantasy mystery , women sleuths, no spi

Review: Bookwyrm Acquisitions (The Book Hoard Collective 1) by Constance Lopez

Rating:4.5⭐️

Bookwyrm Acquisitions, the first in The Book Hoard Collective urban fantasy series by Constance Lopez, is an absolute delight of a story.

Lopez is new to me as an author. However , I need to learn more about her because this book clearly establishes her characters, setting up her mysteries and connected multiple family tensions and challenges. It’s a terrific read!

Here be dragons. And vampires. And merfolk bodyguards and so many intriguing fantastical beings.

The first met is Camila “Cammie”Zeleny, the younger daughter of a broken dragon clan. Since the death of her father at the hands of another dragon clan, she’s avoided all other dragons, clan politics and even what is left of her own family.

A brilliant booklover, Cammie, works at a local bookstore, sourcing rare books for clients. Which brings her to a new chapter of her life when mysterious wealthy client Nic purchases the very same book she’s been looking for herself.

The story that follows is full of fabulous characters, mystery, and action. I could see where part of the story was headed but I enjoyed every single step of the journey that Cammie is being taken on.

She’s powerless at the start but as events happen, she starts to change. Lopez is creating a believable character whose traumatic past and pain has contributed to her character’s lack of development. And finally she’s moving forward.

I can’t wait to see her continue in this series and the growth she’s achieving. Plus the author left us some tantalizing hints and details about her and the future of all of her characters to come.

Highly recommended.

Cover and title art by Moorbooks Design

The Book Hoard Collective :

Bookwyrm Acquisitions #1
Bookwyrm Deceptions #2 – coming sometime in 2026

Buy link

Book 1 of 1: The Book Hoard Collective

Blurb

How far would you go to get something you really wanted? Like, this-is-the-key-to-achieving-your-ultimate-happiness wanted?

Hi, I’m Cammie. I work at a bookshop, I love a quiet night in, and I’m a dragonshifter with no magic to speak of. Which means unless I can grow my hoard—and by extension, my magic—I’m not much different than a human.

But then the perfect book—the exact book I need to kickstart my book hoard—practically drops into my lap, only to be snatched away when a filthy rich, ridiculously hot guy sweeps in and claims it before I can.

Rude.

Now I’m desperate to get it back, and I’m willing to resort to extreme measures if necessary—measures like bribery, mild stalking, or… taking a job offer?

When the gorgeous book thief offers me the book of my dreams and a huge salary just to find him more books, how can I say no?

Except there’s a catch: the offer comes with a non-negotiable temporary relocation. If I want my book, I have to live in the hot, mysterious billionaire’s castle while I work for him. And living with him means inevitably getting mixed up in his business—some of which might be far more dangerous than I’ve bargained for.

I’m not that desperate… am I?

Bookwyrm Acquisitions is the first book in a new urban fantasy trilogy for fans of Shari Tapscott, KM Shea, and Kenley Davidson. If you love found family, animal companions, and clean romance, dive in today!

date

October 28, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

313 pages

Book 1 of 1

The Book Hoard Collective

Review: The Little Shop of Curiosities Cursed Object 1 The Music Box – Part 1. (Crawshanks Guide to the Occult) by Vawn Cassidy)

Rating: 4🌈

With this crossover series in the The Dead Serious Universe, two previously supporting characters are finally getting their own story and relationship series.

That’s which Harrison Ames, recently relocated to town to look for his mother. And former DI, now PI Sam Stone, with his own connections to Danny and Tris, and magical powers of his own.

Both characters have figured largely in prior stories, and author Cassidy takes many of these impactful moments and dramatic events from these novels and repurposes them here. The reader gets to see certain scenes again, only this time from either Harrison’s or Sam’s perspective.

I have to admit I loved (spoiler alert) seeing Chan meet Death all over again. I can’t get enough of this couple, so this was an enormous surprise and plus for me.

I think Sam turned out to be my favorite character, more mature and better defined character of the pair.

Or maybe it’s because Harrison spends the entire story lying to everyone around him. Sam, Tristan, Danny. Even as the mystery and investigation surrounding the magical bookstore, the portal, and other aspects of that storyline, Harrison, knowing full well he had important information and details about the events surrounding the ongoing crisis, kept quiet.

He’s not a teenager. He’s in his thirties. Not communicating highly needed information to people who consider him a friend in a time of crisis.

No, I long ago learned that I’d had enough of this type of character. Whether the author needed him to be incommunicative due too plot purposes or considered it a necessary part of his personality, either way it led to a disconnect for me.

Yes to Sam, no to Harrison. And there are things I do like about him. Like his dynamic with his dads. So funny. But everything else? No.

I’ll continue to read because all the wonderful crossover characters and scenes. Maybe Harrison will win me back over. Who knows.

A definite winner otherwise.

Cover design by Natasha Snow

Crawshanks Guide to the Occult:

The Little Shop of Curiosities Cursed Object 1 The Music Box

Connected series:

The Dead Serious Universe,

Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed (6 book series)

Crawshanks Guide to Mischievous Spectres & Spirits(2 book series)

The Grim Adventures of Death & Chan Vol 1-3 (on the author’s website)

Buy link

Book 1 of 1: Crawshanks Guide to the Occult

Blurb

The Music Box – Part 1.

Despite being raised and well loved by his two adoptive fathers Harrison Ames has always felt alone. As an incredibly powerful witch he’s never come across anyone else who can do the things he can. Moving to London from Devon, he’d hoped that if he finally gathered the courage to confront the biological mother who’d given him up as a baby, he might finally have some answers.

Sam Stone, carries scars of his own, both physical and otherwise, but he’s determined to ignore them and get on with his life. But when fate drops a gorgeous prickly red haired witch in his life, he figures his luck is finally changing.

With mediums, dead drag queens, and supernatural beings as his new friends Harrison finds himself drawn into a world of magic and chaos. But amidst all the insanity that is his life, there’s Sam, his anchor when the secrets of his biological family begin to tear his life apart…

Underside Press

Publication date

December 25, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

320 pages

Book 1 of 1

Crawshanks Guide to the Occult

Book 1 of 1: Crawshanks Guide to the Occult

Review: The Wizard’s Butler by Nathan Lowell

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I stumbled across this story by accident and I’m absolutely thrilled I did because I love both the story and finding a new prolific author to explore.

This highly entertaining and gently immersive series is one that builds slowly, pulling us into the magical world along with the non-magical ex soldier Roger Mulligan.

Desperately searching for a new start, after 3 tours of duty with the military in Afghanistan and as a EMT once home, a ad for a butler sends Roger upon a new path.

That the author is himself a former military veteran is telling in the crafting of Roger Mulligan. He is absolutely believable in this book, his appreciation for the uniform, the manner in which his role as a butler has similarities with his previous duties, without the hazards and risks. He’s a good man, a guardian. Which as it turns out is exactly what is needed most.

Told from Roger’s perspective, we meet the house, his “employers”, the elderly owner of the house and the magical situation he’s entering into.

I think what I love about this the most is Roger’s ability to adapt to ideas and concepts that would shatter others and, in how Lowell has written him and this story, I found him and how everything flows together totally credible.

We don’t “see” the pixies or fairies because Roger can’t. He’s not talented. A element that turns into an unlikely strength for all.

This isn’t a romance. But a terrific book full of fascinating characters and found family, as well as a magical place.

The sequel, the recently released, The Wizard’s Cat, is an excellent read and I’ll review it shortly.

I really hope that Lowell has several more books planned for this series. I’m definitely hooked.

A winner and one I’m happy to share.

Cover Art: Alexandre Rio

The Wizard’s Butler:

The Wizard’s Butler #1

The Wizard’s Cat #2

Buy link

Book 1 of 2: The Wizard’s Butler

Blurb

“He thinks he’s a wizard,” they said.

For five grand a month and a million dollar chaser, Roger Mulligan didn’t care how crazy the old geezer was. All he had to do was keep Joseph Perry Shackleford alive and keep him from squandering the estate for a year.

They didn’t tell him about the pixies.

Publisher

Durandus, Ltd.

Publication date

March 19, 2020

Language

‎English

Print length

350 pages

Book 1 of 2

The Wizard’s Butler

Review: Howling for Trouble (Sassy Shifter Shenanigans #1) by Isabel Campbell and Michael Anderle

Rating: 3.5⭐️.

The first in a new paranormal mystery shifter series by prolific authors and co-writers, Isabel Campbell and Michael Anderle, Howling for Trouble has some interesting ideas and engaging elements. I’m just not sure the main character is one of them.

She’s a young coyote shifter on the run from a past life that’s mentioned often but never in anything but an ominous reference type of way. Sort of “oh no, I’m afraid of my secret past life being found out or finding me “, or “I can’t be caged anymore”.

Which when the character seems to actually go out of her way to make it easier for her past life to just stumble onto where she’s now living and investigating murders, well, you know you’re in the TSTL category.

It’s not as though the whole story isn’t engaging. The person at the heart of the investigation was a good person and the reader genuinely feels sorry for his loss. And sorrow for his pet.

That’s another terrific aspect of the story. Roxie, the coyote shifter can communicate with the animals in her care at the Doggy Daycare/Wine Bar she’s employed at. The animals, when they are talking to Roxie aren’t coming across as anthropomorphized animals but more a realistic animal. These aren’t magical or familiars,they are beloved pets.

The townspeople are well crafted and believable in their quirky ways and various jobs. And the town’s well known festival adds to the atmosphere and sense of overall credibility.

And takes away from Roxie’s. Here’s a shifter on the run. She’s only been there a short while. The background information the authors and character feeds the reader is minimal. But, annoyingly, Roxie reminds herself (and us) continually that she’s got huge secrets, she’s a coyote shifter, and she has fled to the town from idk something and somewhere dark.

However, does she upon arriving, do her own investigation into safe places to “shift and run”? No she doesn’t.

During the investigation, does she come up against multiple reporters and photographers getting the “scoop” on celebrities who are in the same mix of the murder investigation? Yes,gets her picture taken, answers the questions. SMH. Just what I’d do if I were hiding.

And it gets worse actually. To the point I thought, I can’t finish it. But by then I was so close, I did. And came back to the conclusion that for me, Roxie is the issue here.

So it’s a 3-book series at this point but I’m stopping here. If you’re a fan of the series or authors, check it out.

Cover by Mihaela Voicu

Sassy Shifter Shenanigans

Howling for Trouble (Book 1)

Moon, Murder, and Mesquite (Book 2)

Buy link

Book 1 of 3: Sassy Shifter Shenanigans

Blurb

Hiding my coyote-shifter secret? Easy. Avoiding romantic disasters every time the moon goes full? I deserve a medal.

Three weeks into my attempt at normalcy (aka hiding from my past), my résumé now includes mocha wrangler, wine pourer, and dog-sitter extraordinaire. Who knew blending lattes, chardonnay, and corgis would be my definition of peace?

When local photography enthusiast and coffee shop regular George Harper is found dead beneath the starlit railway trestle—one I may or may not have been sniffing around myself—the townsfolk swap cozy gossip for rumors about killer coyotes. And guess who’s first in line for suspicion?

Between dodging Animal Control, keeping my furry secret under wraps, and navigating the flirtatious distraction of the annoyingly dimpled delivery guy, my plate’s fuller than Millie’s wine cellar during tourist season.

With the annual Star-Watch Festival teetering on disaster, my only choice is to unleash my inner coyote detective—before the real killer strikes again. Because, seriously, running from trouble is hard enough without having to dodge pitchforks and silver bullets too.

Can Roxie solve the murder and find justice for George without exposing her true nature? Or will her own secrets become the next target in a town where nothing stays hidden for long?

Grab your copy of Howling For Trouble today and dive into this delightful paranormal mystery where small towns harbor the biggest secrets!

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