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Review: Jon’s Spooky Corpse Conundrum (Jon’s Mysteries #3) by A.J. Sherwood

Rating: 4.75🌈

Jon’s Spooky Corpse Conundrum is the penultimate novel in this series and one that brings the emotional elements that have kept Jon’s deep insecurities about himself and his ability to have a person willing to commit themselves to him, given his gifts, at play. Yes, it’s all about Jon’s past history and his family.

That element is neatly woven into a complicated case about a historic house and a missing corpse.

Sherwood takes a long look at multiple relationships here. Doesn’t matter whether they be in the past, in the present, or one’s looking towards their future together. All get inspected under the author’s narrative lens, to see how each one , each decision made with regard towards a making or breaking a relationship impacted those now.

It’s an emotionally painful for everyone, cathartic for some, devastating for others. For Jon it lead him forward, letting him move into another stage of his relationship with Donovan and his own family.

I love where Sherwood is leading us with this story and it’s elements. The growth in the main characters and new depth to their relationships just makes the book. Along with a great mystery of course!

This is one novel where too much detail in the review gives away too many revelations coming in the story. Even one spoiler is one too many.

This is a tremendously gratifying journey and series. We have another to go.

See you at the series finale. Until then, I’m highly recommending Jon’s Spooky Corpse Conundrum (Jon’s Mysteries #3) by A.J. Sherwood .

Love the author! Read the series in the order they are written!

Jon’s Mysteries series:

✓ Jon’s Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case #1

✓ Jon’s Crazy Head-Boppon’ Mystery #2

✓ Jon’s Spooky Corpse Conundrum #3

◦ Jon’s Boom Shaka Laka Problem #4

✓ Brandon’s Very Merry Haunted Christmas

Jon’s Spooky Corpse Conundrum by A.J. Sherwood – Goodreads

Synopsis:

I’ve investigated some pretty strange cases in my life, but I have to say this is a first. A corpse—a murder victim—has gone missing during the middle of an investigation, and no one has any clue where it went. Psy is called in to clear the investigative team, make sure they’re not an accomplice. It’s a four hour drive outside of Nashville, to a place famous for being haunted, so none of us are particularly eager to go.

And then we arrive on scene and I see who we’re dealing with and I want nothing more than to turn around and go right back to Nashville.

This case is complicated and strange, and absolutely nothing is as it seems at first glance. Even with my eyes, it’s going to take some digging to get to the truth.




Tags:

haunted house, disappearing corpses, not in a zombie way, Donovan doesn’t do ghosts, family drama, because families are complicated, muuuuurder, bareback sex, terrible parenting, Donovan puts up with a lot to say the least, developing relationship, Garrett’s a good bro, sometimes, yeeeeeeeeeeeeees, FINALLY, healthy life choices, possibly wrong forensics, I don’t even know, I tried, no ghosts were harmed in the making of this story, supernatural elements, the author regrets nothing

Review: Pretty Poison (Sinister in Savannah #3) by Aimee Nicole Walker

Rating: 5🌈

I’ll start my review much the same as the author did. With trigger warnings.

Pretty Poison deals with some very traumatic issues. The main character of Rocky continues to suffer from PTSD, the emotional damage he carries deep from the trauma inflicted from a murder-suicide that occurred while he was on a case. That case and all that occurs happens in the Prologue. And while it’s not overly graphic, it’s emotionally disturbing enough to cause distress or harm for those people for whom it’s a trigger and anyone that might feel anxiety. That is something Rocky is also dealing with.

Pretty Poison is full of serious elements that get a extremely thorough examination without it feeling like a scientific lecture. In Mr Perfect, we learned of Rocky’s husband and a mention of Vegas wedding. But now we get to see the events that brought Rocky and his husband together but also devastated their marriage and his career.

It’s the detritus of a broken marriage that’s strewn across chapters as we learn , bit by bit, everything that tore them apart, just as the current case is bringing them back together.

Just a masterful job of characterization and writing.

In between we also have the ongoing heartbreak of knowing that Miss Marla is dying and the community is doing everything they can not to mourn as she’s asked. She’s still the fabulous heart of this series and the one the men turn to for hugs, love, irreverent advice,and an amazing casserole.

The case of Tess Hamilton that the men are investigating is as fascinating and labyrinthine as the others. It’s full of implications for each man’s past, reflections on redemption and forgiveness, and the ability to recover and heal to move forward.

Pretty Poison is an emotional journey and an extraordinary story. It’s an incredibly gratifying way to wrap up the Sinister in Savannah trilogy. Even more so since the author has promised to revisit this universe with stories for characters we met in each of the three novels who also deserve further attention.

I can’t wait. But I’m so happy to leave the men, their partners and Miss Marla here, in Savannah at this point in time.

This is a truly amazing series and shouldn’t be missed. Read them in the order they were written for the character, and series arc development.

I’m highly recommending all three.

Sinister in Savannah series:

✓ Ride the Lightning #1

✓ Mr. Perfect #2

✓ Pretty Poison #3

https://www.goodreads.com › showPretty Poison (Sinister in Savannah, #3) by Aimee Nicole Walker – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Redemption seeker. Chameleon. Damaged heart.

By day, Rocky Jacobs is a private investigator. By night, he produces Sinister in Savannah, a true-crime podcast, with his two best friends. Rocky’s life revolves around three principles: possessing skill is better than having luck, a man’s reputation is everything, and there’s no sacrifice too great for those you love.

Is Tess Hamilton pretty poison or just unlucky in love?

That’s the question the trio of trouble will try to uncover. This investigation strikes a little too close to home for one of them. Tess, a woman accused of killing her three husbands, has been tried and convicted in the media, something Rocky knows all too well. When their investigation turns up nothing but dead ends, Rocky will keep digging. Is it because he believes in her innocence? Or does Rocky hope to find redemption for himself by achieving it for Tess?

A stagnant case turns out to be the least of his problems.

What happens in Vegas never truly stays stay there. For fifteen months, Rocky has been running from a tragedy that shattered his life and countless others. The most painful casualty was the destruction of his marriage to Asher Dunleavy. When the sexy federal marshal turns up in Savannah, Rocky is reminded of his greatest love and deepest regret. Every minute spent in Asher’s presence makes him yearn for the life they lost. Will Rocky drown in the sorrows of what might’ve been or fight for what could be?

Sinister in Savannah series is a fictional podcast exploring the city’s most nefarious crimes with Southern-fried snark. The books explore friendship, love, loss, and the irrepressible human spirit. Pretty Poison is book three of three. While each novel is written about a different couple, the series should be read in order due to continuing storylines. Sinister in Savannah is an LGBT romantic suspense series with mature language and sexual content intended for adults eighteen and older.

Trigger warning: the main character struggles with PTSD resulting from an investigation involving a murder-suicide. While the content is not overly graphic, it could still cause emotional harm to some readers. One of Rocky’s side effects is anxiety, which may trigger similar reactions in those battling the disorder. As with the murder-suicide scene, I avoided being too graphic with his attacks.

Review: Hell and Gone by Tal Bauer

Rating: 5 🌈

I’m thrilled to see Tal Bauer branching out into the western genre. Hell and Gone is the second western novel I’ve read of his. The first being the terrific Never Stay Gone, the beginning of his new Texas Rangers series.

Prior to these stories, it was Bauer’s excellent espionage or political thrillers I knew him by.

But extending his world of law enforcement characters to include those branches of western police such as Stock Detectives, Range Detectives, and Brand Inspectors is not only exciting but in an age where cattle rustling is close to a multi million dollar business, a section of criminal activity rarely covered outside of historic novels. As the author himself tells us these officers can be called upon to assist federal, state and local agencies investigations or arrests. No matter what they may be for.

And the American west covers a lot of territory.

Here it’s a section of Montana and a mountain range known as the Crazies. Bauer’s writing has never been finer or emotionally deep when describing the wildness of this land and the soul deep hold it has on the men here. The gritty harshness of ranch life high in the Crazies that runs along side the Incredible wild beauty of the mountains speaks to the reader on every page.

The men are tough, hard, filled with pain. Torn by life, damaged, filled with rage , and yet still capable of great sweetness.

Everett Dawson is one shut down man until he arrives at his new assignment, his first as a Stock Detective. His background, his damage, come through in trickles, pulled from him by his case and the one man demanding Everett look beyond the easy answers everyone else is giving him.

That’s the amazing character of Lawrence Jackson. All fire, rage, competence, and sheer belief in himself and his knowledge of the land, Law burns off the page, igniting the story and Everett’s case.

It’s a matter of conflagration!

The investigation is scary, tumultuous and one long white knuckle horse back ride. It’s so suspenseful that you literally find yourself holding your breath.

There’s violence, high action, murder , and a fantastic resolution.

Law and Everett make an outstanding, fascinating couple. One I’d love to see made into a series with Stock Detective as the focus agency.

Hope Bauer is listening.

In the meantime, what a marvelous exciting new tale, full of rarely explored sectors of law enforcement and amazing descriptions of a pristine area of Montana.

I’m highly recommending Hell and Gone by Tal Bauer. Don’t miss it or the author!

https://www.goodreads.com › showHell and Gone by Tal Bauer – Goodreads

Synopsis:

One hanged man.
Two vanished cowboys.
Three hundred missing cattle.
The Crazy Mountains are devouring everything they see.


Everett Dawson, Montana’s newest Stock Detective, has been sent from Helena down to the Crazy Mountains. Cattle are going missing in the Crazies and Everett is charged with finding these modern-day rustlers and bringing them in.

When he arrives, he finds a hanged cowboy and a heap of questions. Was it suicide or was it murder? Why are cowboys fleeing the Crazies? Far from a simple investigation, Everett’s case plunges deep into the mountains’ dark past.

Lawrence Jackson, the bad boy who runs the Lazy Twenty Two, was the last man to see the dead cowboy alive. There’s a whole forest fire of smoke swirling around Lawrence, and where there’s smoke, there’s flame… and maybe even murder.

But Everett is drawn to Lawrence, and if he takes the risk Lawrence offers, will Everett find what he craves, or will the Crazies claim their next victim?

Review: Rivals (Harrisburg Railers #11) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey

Rating: 4.75🌈

Our favorite hockey players head to China, well not really, but in a well imagined story, Ten, Jared, Stan, Tate, Ryker, Colorado, Bryan, and Vlad all end up heading to Bejing for the Winter 2022 Olympics.

Thanks to Covid, the NHL players and committee ended up pulling out of this year’s Olympics but in Rivals, all the teams went forward!

The authors mention that the hosting nation is not a one where LBGTQIA+ rights are recognized or welcome . That heavy burden is then worked into the stresses the characters here endure among the obvious ones of Olympic level play, world wide telecast, and the even more… playing against family and teammates who are close friends.

It’s all done realistically and without making any political platform within the story. Honestly so many could have, but they avoided it by using beloved characters as examples of what happens under such conditions, and their ability to go forward with love.

It was great having Colorado use his unique perspective to guide Ten through some worrying moments when Jared, as a Canadian teammate couldn’t help.

It also made me aware, as someone who loves her Caps which is made up of nationalities, how it must feel during international competition to face players who are normally your teammates. And friends.

The hockey was intense and exciting, as I expect from both authors. So amazing. The emotional impact high and lasting. What an incredible group of characters these men are that they remain such long standing favorites! Of mine included.

The ending was lovely and extremely satisfying. But I’m always hoping for more of these couples and series. They are just too wonderful for us to ever say a lasting goodbye.

I’m highly recommending Rivals. Read it and enjoy!

Harrisburg Railers: 15 books

http://vllocey.com › category › rj-sc…RJ Scott – VL Locey

http://vllocey.comV.L. Locey Romance Author

https://www.goodreads.com › showRivals by R.J. Scott – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Playing for their country in the Winter Olympics is the highest of all honors, but when family members are pitted as rivals and a dark specter from the past turns up in Beijing, tensions run high, and abruptly, it’s not all about the hockey.

Jared is torn—assistant coach for Team Canada, with Ryker on the team; he bleeds red and white and wears the maple leaf with pride. Only Ten is now a rival, and not only that, but the country they’re all playing in frowns on his marriage and keeps him and Ten apart. Jared wants to win gold for his country and his son, but he’d be so proud if Ten were to win. He’s confused and concerned, but when a face from their past turns up to play, he’s furious.

Being picked for Team USA is one of the things Tennant dreamed of when he was a little boy. All of his other aspirations have come true through hard work, determination, and pure talent. Now he’s about to represent his country in front of the world, and the pressure is starting to build. He’s also just come face-to-face with a hated rival from a dark period in his past. Add in the burden of squaring off against his husband and stepson, and Ten is feeling the pressure to be perfect.

Family becomes rivals—but love always wins.

Review: How To Save a Human (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #4) by Alice Winters

Rating: 4🌈

How To Save a Human is the last story in the VRC: Vampire Related Crimes series by Alice Winters.

Books one and two had the same couple as it’s focus, Finn and Marcus. Their romance and Finn’s arc took both novels to finish. Both were major characters in the VRC unit.

So was Alexei Karsynov aka Karsen, a Detective at the unit and Finn’s best friend. Claude Church was Marcus’ brother as well as a major character in the plot. So not surprisingly How to Lure a Hunter was their story and romance.

They could have actually had a two parter as well. But since they didn’t, Winters wrote a fourth story. It’s couple had a secondary character that only made brief appearances throughout the other stories and a completely new character.

It was based on a sentence, a mere mention of a boyfriend, a book or two ago …that … well honestly I’m not sure if that is what is the foundation for this. Anyway. Unlike, the other three, I felt no real need to read this other then to complete the series.

However, it turns out I did enjoy How to Save a Human. It was a slow start because neither character was especially appealing after the dynamic characters they followed. But I found both grew on me.

River did the more of his current situation and past was revealed. Bentley DeGray, who I’d never given much thought to at all, became something more than just so much background noise next to everyone else.

But all that took time. The other couples were there, working on the investigation at hand, which helped keep me engaged while I was waiting to feel connected to the main couple.

That did happen and then I was involved in their struggle but , something was missing here.

There were a few plot holes. Investigative problems within the tight knit group that felt “off” . Questions not asked or answers accepted without hesitation.

Either way. I felt at the end this was a good story but not as satisfying as the three that preceded it.

I’ll still recommend it and the series. Make sure to read them in the order they are written.

VRC: Vampire Related Crimes Series:

✓ How to Vex a Vampire #1

✓ How to Elude a Vampire #2

✓ How to Lure a Hunter #3

✓ How to Save a Human #4

https://www.goodreads.com › showHow to Save a Human by Alice Winters – Goodreads

Synopsis:

River
When I meet Bentley DeGray, I’m at the lowest point in my life because no matter how much I fight, my past won’t let me escape. Bentley makes me laugh and care and love, but what does any of that mean when I’m living a lie?

Things get complicated when I find out he’s with the Vampire Related Crimes Unit, the organization looking for answers about the abductions of prominent vampires.

The same organization that stands in my way.

My time is ticking down while I’m wound up in this role I’ve been forced to play, but I know that I would be drowning without Bentley by my side.

Bentley
We’re facing something that runs so deep that we don’t know who we can trust besides each other, even within the VRC. River makes me feel like every day is worth living and enjoying—like I’m not so alone. I can’t imagine life without him. But I know that if I want to keep him by my side, I will need to do everything I can to help him so our love doesn’t get cut short before it can truly grow.

How to Save a Human contains a cat who shows her affection by not drawing (much) blood, art projects that are a little… sketchy, the most underwhelming “bull” ride ever, and vampires that may or may not be in the mob.

Review: The Paladin’s Shadow (Radience #2) by Tavia Lark

Rating: 4🌈

Both main characters in The Paladin’s Shadow are people we’ve read about before. One, Ronan the thief, although a very minor character as far as part of the book’s plot, was actually someone who was pivotal in launching the events that started Arthur off on his journey in The Necromancer’s Light.

We find out more about Ronan and Arthur’s past relationship here, from Ronan perspective and that clears everything up.

For our thief is anything but what we’ve been lead to believe he is. Here we learn he’s actually a part of a small group of individuals, all from different countries all worship a different one of the 6 gods. The Locksmiths as the group calls themselves have one goal and Ronan has been leading them towards it one theft at a time.

Karis too had a few mentions in that first book but here get his time to shine, literally. As a member of the Radient order and secretly, the one person who actually hears the voice of his God Vara, he’s not happy with the mixed messages he’s been getting lately. His church says one thing but his God says another…

Tavia Lark second book in the Radience series has a quick to love romance, a very likable couple and interesting group of characters in the Locksmiths. Lark’s plot is creative and I’d loved more time unraveling it’s effects upon the trapped Gods and them once released.

Maybe that’s coming in book three.

I enjoyed Karis and Ronan’s journey and it appears to be joined with our first couple in some way now if I read that ending correctly. Sounds like fun.

Anyway I’m onto the next and recommending this to lovers of fantasy.

Radiance series:

✓ The Necromancer’s Light #1

✓ The Paladin’s Shadow #2

◦ The Sword-Witch’s Heart #3 – to be released Feb 23

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Paladin’s Shadow (Radiance #2) by Tavia Lark – Goodreads

Synopsis:

His secret could kill him.

Karis is the arrogant young prodigy of the Radiant Order, and his talent gets him plenty of attention but very few friends. Under the order’s prying eyes, there’s one secret Karis has to hide at all costs: the meddling, un-paladin-like voice in his head. Sometimes the voice is helpful. Sometimes it gets him into trouble.

This time, trouble’s name is Ronan.

Ronan does the dirty work. Anything for the trickster god he serves, no matter how tired he’s getting. He’s so used to deception, he wouldn’t recognize real love if it bit him. When he’s captured by the Radiant Order, he doesn’t think twice before kidnapping a cute little squire to cover his escape.

His new hostage is a lot more complicated than he expected.

Between escape attempts and counterspells, Karis keeps getting under Ronan’s skin, and Ronan keeps getting inside Karis’s head. And the longer they stay together, Karis starts thinking less about escaping, and more about how Ronan might taste.

But the conspiracy they’re tangled in is far deadlier than they know.

The Paladin’s Shadow is a gay fantasy romance, with enemies to lovers, hurt/comfort, and Very Inconvenient divine intervention. Book Two in the Radiance series; events from The Necromancer’s Light are referenced, but the romance arc can stand alone. 65,000 words, HEA guaranteed.

Review: Mr. Perfect (Sinister in Savannah #2) by Aimee Nicole Walker

Rating: 5🌈

I wasn’t aware when I started the Sinister in Savannah series that each novel would feature one of the three men and close friends who run the podcast of the same title as this series.

All three books have Savannah as their atmospheric and historic heart. The series also has the formidable and magnificent Miss Marla as its heart, for the men and the community.

After that first book belongs to Jonas St John and his romance with Avery, along with an outstanding murder mystery.

The reverberations from that case carries over into Mr Perfect and Felix Franklin. Felix, an Investigative reporter, is and has been, due to their past history, at fierce odds with news anchor, Jude Arrow.

Another case brings Felix and the Sinister in Savannah team investigating local businesses, including one that brings Felix back into association with Jude.

Walker always points a microscopic lens towards whatever major character is involved in the story, peeling back layers to reveal the heart of the person beneath the facade or walls they’ve established. For Felix , it’s getting to see the damage done growing up extremely destitute with an unstable mother dealing with issues of addiction. A target for bullying, it left him , with no friends or idea of a home life. How he grew into the man he became is told over as their shared history is remembered.

The complicated mysteries, yes more than one, Felix and Jude’s emotionally fraught reunion, … it’s all folded into a tapestry of warm community stories, the main one being Miss Marla.

We are always aware that the clock is ticking down for that glorious person and every time Miss Marla is with us on the page is something to be savored.

That’s how real everyone feels here.

Aimee Nicole Walker doesn’t paint her narratives in black and white but in tones of greys and washes of color throughout the spectrum of the rainbow. It takes into account both life’s fragility and strengths, where people fail and where they struggle to pick themselves back up again.

There’s another connecting series to this so once finished here I’m onto that one.

But I’m not done here yet and neither is the author.

What a wonderful thing.

I’m highly recommending Mr. Perfect and Sinister in Savannah.

Read them in the order they are written.

Sinister in Savannah series:

✓ Ride the Lightning #1

✓ Mr. Perfect #2

◦ Pretty Poison #3

https://www.goodreads.com › showMr. Perfect (Sinister in Savannah, #2) by Aimee Nicole Walker – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Word-slinger. Purveyor of truth. Jaded heart.

By day, Felix Franklin is an investigative journalist. By night, he produces Sinister in Savannah, an investigative podcast, with his two best friends. Felix’s life revolves around three principles: fortune favors the bold, honesty is everything, and love is for schmucks.

The podcast is back to investigate allegations that a local businessman is dabbling in money laundering. On the surface, everything about Cameron Spencer, aka The Auto King, appears to be perfect. The trio of trouble quickly learns all that glitters is not gold. Seeking the truth will challenge Felix’s convictions and put his life in grave danger. The biggest threat to his well-being isn’t an unknown villain; it’s the reappearance of his first and only love.

Jude Arrow had it all: great looks, charming personality, and a lucrative career as Atlanta’s hottest news anchor. So, why had he recently relocated to Savannah? When the two reporters are forced to work together, Felix will get a chance to ask him. The answer will stun Felix until he remembers not to believe anything that comes out of the heartbreaker’s pretty mouth.

Love and hate are two sides of the same coin and just as conflicting as the battle of wills that ensues. Will the chip on Felix’s shoulder save him from trusting Mr. Wrong or ruin his chances with Mr. Perfect?

Sinister in Savannah series is a fictional podcast exploring the city’s most nefarious crimes with Southern-fried snark. The books explore friendship, love, loss, and the irrepressible human spirit. Mr. Perfect is book two of three. While each book is written about a different couple, the series should be read in order due to continuing storylines. Sinister in Savannah is an LGBT romantic suspense series with mature language and sexual content intended for adults eighteen and older.

Review: Jon’s Crazy Head-Boppon’ Mystery (Jon’s Mysteries #2) by A.J. Sherwood

Rating: 4.5🌈

What I appreciate about Sherwood’s mysteries is the layers she writes into them. We get Jon’s team exhibiting their unique talents, not just Jon.

Then we do get another of Jon’s abilities, and the physical and emotional aftermath of its use.

Which then plays into the furthering growth of Jon’s and Donovan’s relationship and dynamic. A growth and change that always triggers bouts of self doubt and insecurities within Jon.

All this while the overlying mystery plays out around them.

There’s also the multiple secondary relationships charging in and out of their lives. Garrett and Sho, to be exact, another couple slowly working things out as well as the complex Bane family dynamics.

By the end of the story, Sherwood has tied up her many storylines beautifully. The mystery has a nicely complicated ending. Jon and Donovan are taking their relationship to another major stage.

And the reader? Happy and extremely satisfied.

And ready for the next story to come.

I’m highly recommending this book and series.

What a reading pleasure!

Jon’s Mysteries series:

✓ Jon’s Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case #1

✓ Jon’s Crazy Head-Boppon’ Mystery #2

◦ Jon’s Spooky Corpse Conundrum #3

◦ Jon’s Boom Shaka Laka Problem #4

✓ Brandon’s Very Merry Haunted Christmas

https://www.goodreads.com › showJon’s Crazy Head-Boppin’ Mystery by A.J. Sherwood – Goodreads

Synopsis:

I’m rather used to the crazy cases, because let’s face it, most cops can handle the run-of-the-mill with their eyes closed. I’m only called in when the situation is weird or they need to solve the case fast.

This case is a little of both.

Someone’s attacking women as they get off of work, hitting them in the back of the head. What started as a case of battery has steadily built up to homicide. With three murders, six victims, and no leads, the Clarksville PD are desperate to catch the assailant. But there’s no real leads for us to follow, either, and for once my eyes can’t really help.

A madman running around attacking women is bad enough, but the police are demanding answers we can’t give them, and they’re not taking no for an answer. It’s pushing us all past our limits, and frankly, I don’t know what’s going to break first: The case or Donovan’s patience.

Tags:

Explicit sexual content, Relationships, Loss of control, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Domestic, Tenderness, Tooth-rotting fluff, (I didn’t know that was a tag until just now), POV Alternating, Women being awesome, Protectiveness, The fluffiest mystery you’ll ever read, I mean really this is just ridiculous, Bisexuality, Size Difference, Communication, Holding Hands, Healthy Relationships, Pansexual Character, Donovan is Boss AF, Jon is so smitten it’s embarrassing, Aftercare, Jon what are you getting yourself into?, Violence, Because they’re detectives duh, bit of pain, That sounds terrible, it’s brief I promise, Snuggles heal all the pains, most pain, some pain?, Jon basically has to deal with everyone wanting to cuddle him, cuddle porn

Review: Gathering Mage ( Fledgling God #3) by Michael Taggert

Rating: 4.75🌈

The third installment in Michael Taggert’s Fledgling God series is out and Gathering Mage is an absolute delight of a fantasy adventure tale!

Epic doesn’t begin to describe Jason and Sandy’s adventures at the Gathering, an enormous conference of the Heads of the Households of the supernatural world , including all the mages and supernatural beings get together. They network, talk regulations, issues…bring up collective problems. It’s an important event, especially for such a young House as House Louisville.

With all the problems facing the House at home, only Sandy and Jason are able to go and represent their house. Thinks newbs headed to NYC for the first time. Or Paris for that matter. You get my drift.

They have no idea what’s in store.

Now if you’re a reader who likes no explanation about their magic other than Kazaam, poof, and the magical spell has done its job, well this isn’t the book or series for you.

However, if you enjoy imaginative interpretations of a magical process, or a highly creative twist on magic, right down to the cellular level, including cute minute characters, dive right in! Taggert runs happily amuck with his magical processes, his highly creative philosophies on runes and magical power. It’s fascinating and it’s uses through Jason and Sandy here , especially Jason, keep us riveted to the story!

Both Jason and Sandy under go enormous amounts of growth here. Some are humorous, some are through some stunning emotional moments. We range from everything from lively hedge wars to intimate moments with llama centaurs and glassblowing to a final heartwarming Circle Dance.

There’s so much here. So many great memorable characters. The llama centaurs especially, that entire nation and element! Great characters, beautifully written scenes, fantastic descriptions…. Be still my heart!

Taggert gives Sandy’s journey an excellent amount of narrative time . She’s so important to Jason and their partnership. I was glad to feel that I never felt her part was less than his.

Gathering Mage was another one of those 2am finishes. I wasn’t going to put it down until it was done.

Michael Taggert has chosen an unusual format for this series in that none of these books end. They just….stop. Or perhaps I should say pause.

And the next starts immediately right where this one stops.

So it’s as if a reader has a divided book chopped into two and it’s missing the other half. Gathering Mage is sort of finished. They are home. But that last page is one where you’re going to turn into the next….

That’s the only reason this isn’t getting a 5 rating. Had it ended with them going through the portal? Awesome. I’d think brilliant.

But this is very close.

I’m highly recommending it and the first two.

I love the attention to details, one’s that don’t exist of course! But that so much fun! Can’t wait for more!

Fledgling God series:

Misfit Mage #1

Melee Mage #2

Gathering Mage #3

https://www.amazon.com › Gatherin…Gathering Mage: Fledgling God: book 3 – Kindle edition – Amazon.com

Synopsis:

Jason is getting ready to have the adventure of his life!

He and Sandy are heading to the Gathering, which is a conference where the Heads of the Households of the supernatural world network, talk about problems and solutions facing the Houses, and learn a few things.

Jason is going just to support Sandy, and figures he’ll have a mildly interesting time and be home soon. Instead, he gets poisoned, fights for his life, meets a whole new nation, learns the history and secrets of runes, has a cosmic encounter, makes many new friends, and finally gets in touch with his godhood.

It’s a wild ride, so make sure you have snacks, a comfy blanket, hot chocolate, a lap cat/dog/bunny of choice, and get ready for some fun!

Review: Jon’s Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case (Jon’s Mysteries #1) by A.J. Sherwood

Rating: 4.5 🌈

It’s not a secret I love humor in my stories and author A.J. Sherwood does that so well.

So I dove into another series of hers, well backed into it as I already read Brandon’s Very Merry Haunted Christmas, so I knew the main couple superficially from a brother’s pov.

Now I got to see how they met, and get to know them more Intimately.

Sherwood seems to layer at least one of her main characters with a area of emotional damage or trauma to them. Whether it’s been inflicted by their childhood, families, or something else in their past, it’s heavy baggage is something that the character is still carrying.

Jonathan Bane, a licensed psychic, has been emotionally damaged by his parents and childhood. A mother who’s bond with her Anchor caused incredible chaos within the Bane family, leaving Jon with huge issues of trust, abandonment, and fear of commitment. A terrible thing when psychics need a anchor for stability.

For Donovan,it’s scars across his skin that, along with his size, makes people find him intimidating.

Sherwood does an excellent job of making us see exactly how Jon’s gift translates into reality. As well as how he actually he uses it in different situations..

I could, because of this, buy into the growing bond between the two men. Seeing Donovan “glow “ so brilliantly from Jon’s perspective made all the difference. So did the rest of the Havili family. I wish I’d read this first.

The murder mystery was a good one. The resolution and reveal was a stunner, which upped my total enjoyment and appreciation for the writing and plotting of the novel.

The relationship and complicated dynamics between Jon and Donovan is one that will play out over several stories simply because there’s so much to unpack between them. Not the least of which is the Psychic/Anchor deep relationship.

I’m looking forward to all the books and getting to know the rest of the found family of the department.

It’s another terrific story from a author I really enjoy.

Jon’s Mysteries series:

✓ Jon’s Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case #1

✓ Jon’s Crazy Head-Boppon’ Mystery #2

◦ Jon’s Spooky Corpse Conundrum #3

◦ Jon’s Boom Shaka Laka Problem #4

✓ Brandon’s Very Merry Haunted Christmas

https://www.goodreads.com › showJon’s Downright Ridiculous Shooting Case by A.J. Sherwood | Goodreads

Synopsis:

A psychic without an anchor. A student in trouble. A shooter on the loose. I’m Jonathan Bane, a licensed psychic who consults for the police. I routinely help the police put the bad guys away and, for that reason, the criminal world doesn’t like me much. People like to take a swing at me, or go stabbity, or try for a gun. It makes for interesting times. My psychic ability prevents me from handling anything electronic—and I do mean ANYTHING, I fry it in seconds—so calling for help isn’t always a possibility. I need an anchor, a partner, but I’m resigned: it’s just wishful thinking.At least, I thought so until he walked through the door.

Donovan Havili looks like a thug and has the soul of a superhero. He shines so bright in my vision it’s like watching a supernova. He definitely has the right mindset and skills for this crazy job. But asking anyone to take me on long-term is a bit much. And now we’ve got multiple cases to handle, a Chinese exchange student falsely accused who needs our help, and someone taking random shots at me. It’s a bit much for any new guy to handle and I’m half-afraid that my new partner will run for the door.But in Donovan Havili, the criminal world has met its match. And maybe, just maybe, I have as well.

Trigger Warnings:Your average cop show violence and criminals

:tags:Companionable snark, Flirting, Kissing, Jon needs a hug, Donovan gives the best hugs, Getting together, Self-esteem issues, Explicit content, Anal Sex, Romantic Sex, Random shooting, Which Donovan isn’t happy about, Donovan is a gentleman, Sort of, Jon just makes it REALLY REALLY HARD Okay?,

Bisexual character, Public displays of affection, Muscles, Communication, Healthy relationships, The fluff might kill you, Supernatural elements, Modern with Magic, Feels, All the Feels, Mostly accurate medical stuff, Multiple electronics died in the creation of this story, blame Jon