Review: House Party in Gretna Green: A Midlife Recorder Novella #3.5 by Linzi Day

Rating 4.5⭐️

“Dola is 1400 on Sunday. What do you give a sentient house?”

This is an absolutely lovely short story with a twist I didn’t expect! Love those.

Well written so that it continues to show all the characters maturity in their new roles and individual development personally as well as in their perspectives. Perspectives that have changed dramatically, especially about Dola.

A heartwarming series that’s becoming a true comfort read.

Gorgeous Covers that absolutely drew me in. With the ever changing Recorder Star and Gateway in the center that’s pertinent to each book

Cover Design: Axe Designs

Midlife Recorder series:

Midlife in Gretna Green #1

Painting the Blues in Gretna Green #2

Ties That Bond in Gretna Green #3

House Party in Gretna Green #3.5

Seeing Red in Gretna Green #4

Code Yellow in Gretna Green #5

Market Forces in Gretna Green #6

Coming next

Spilling The Tea in Gretna Green #7

Half An Orange in Gretna Greene #8-Oct 30,2026

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comHouse Party in Gretna Green: A Midlife Recorder Novella

Blurb

NOTE: THIS NOVELLA IS INTENDED TO BE READ BETWEEN BOOKS 3 & 4 OF THE MIDLIFE RECORDER SERIES.

After completing all the bondings in Ties that Bond, Niki finds herself with a few days respite before her departure for the Red Celt realm to stay with Prince Dai.

But her plans take an unexpected turn when she discovers that Dola’s 1400th birthday is just around the corner—this Sunday, to be exact.

Niki is determined to make the celebration special. Yet, orchestrating festivities for Dola—a sentient house with spying Dolinas scattered throughout the realms—without giving away the secret proves to be quite the challenge.

To navigate this delicate situation, Niki calls upon her Knight Adjutants and a mix of old and new friends to help distract Dola and gather gifts.

This feel-good novella celebrates the joy of connection and community. Sadly, it doesn’t feature a single doughnut … but there is cake.

Join the party at Gateway Cottage – where the real surprise is the power of true belonging.

date

August 22, 2023

Language

‎English

Print length

92 pages

Review: The Hitman’s Guide to Stately Fences and Killer Defenses (The Hitman’s Guide Book 8) by Alice Winters

Rating: 4.75🌈

The Hitman’s Guide to Stately Fences and Killer Defenses is the eighth book in the suspense filled , violent, and often hilarious series by Alice Winters.

It’s followed the tumultuous path that Leland “The Sandman”, a lonely contract hitman, finds himself on when he meets an equally lonely PI named Jackson who’s caught on a backyard fence while on a job. Book after book, they find themselves together, working through deep issues (and criminal investigations) towards a complex relationship. One that brings them a strange wonderful future of odd mixture of friends, found family, scary happenings and hilariously funny stories. It’s found them engaged then happily married, with dogs and an illegally adopted teenage son.

Book eight brings in all the many characters from their multiple stories when Waylon, 15 yr old illegally adopted son of Jackson and Leland, is threatened along with his new best friend.

Who is behind the newest danger to Leland and Jackson’s family and life is one of the best elements of this story. There’s so much to it. It’s all the various characters, their partners coming to help. And a new police officer who’s highly suspicious of Leland and his past to add additional tension and drama to the already established growing suspense and anxiety about the situation.

Winters has written a fantastic novel. It’s a fast paced, white knuckle roller coaster narrative ride that keeps the reader on the edge of the seat. With her dialogue that has elements of pain, hilarity and life’s deepest realities. Guns, dogs, friends , love and family. Maybe blow up dolls. And a car. And now a cat.

And with those final reminiscences from Jackson as he watches his “boys” walking ahead, if this is where Winters leaves them, I’m happy.

There’s no indication that this is the finale but somehow it feels like it. While there’s a few things where the author could return to this universe to open up a new chapter, that last sentence feels like a closing scene.

I’m good with that. They are in a wonderful place.

A great story in a highly recommended series.

Cover by Natasha Snow Designs

The Hitman’s Guide series:

The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love

The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes

The Hitman’s Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot

The Former Assassin’s Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend

The Hitman’s Guide to Righting Wrongs While Causing Mayhem

The Hitman’s Guide to Codenames and Ill-Gotten Gains

The Mercenary’s Guide to Mishaps and Romance

The Hitman’s Guide to Stately Fences and Killer Defenses #8

Buy link

Book 8 of 8: The Hitman’s Guide

Blurb

Leland

Life is normal… suspiciously normal.

During my long, lonely years as a hitman, I never realized that one day, I would have a family to call my own.

Now, instead of stalking my targets and taking down people with a flick of my wrist, my specialties lie in things like planning sleepovers (why does Waylon look terrified?), The Fence hour (those are screams of joy), and involving others to help our child succeed (no, of course I didn’t abduct anyone).

But for a guy like me, things can’t stay good for too long. Someone seems to think that I should still be the ruthless hitman I used to be. They want to draw me back into the limelight and prove to me that what I’m living now is a lie.

But they don’t realize how much they’re going to regret meeting the Sandman–especially once they threatened my family.

Jackson

This person seems to be obsessed with an image of Leland from the past, and because of it, we now have a crime boss on our tail and a bounty on Leland’s head. The stalker has no idea that Leland comes with multiple ex-assassins, a sketchy Scotsman, and the chief of police who likes to pretend he doesn’t want to be involved.

I adore my life with Leland just the way it is (someone, please burn down The Fence), and no one is going to ruin that (I will pay well).

They’d better be afraid to sleep because the Sandman is coming (and if they took down The Fence while they were at it, I wouldn’t mind).

January 20, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

355 pages

Book 8 of 8

The Hitman’s Guide

Review: Ties that Bond in Gretna Green: Paranormal Women’s Cozy Contemporary Fantasy (Midlife Recorder Book 3) by Linzi Day

Rating: 5⭐️

“And the little girl realised that just because things were going to be different, it didn’t mean they had to be scary. Different could be fun, and new things could be exciting, and she thanked the Recorder and admitted that perhaps her mother had been right all along.”

-The Recorder Always Knows Best: Cautionary Tales for Incautious Children by Margarita Encimera

Yes! We’re back in Gateway Cottage, Gretna Green, Scotland. It’s book 3 and yes, there’s another fictional tome to give Day’s characters guidance within the fantasy novel! Be still my heart!

Another extraordinary story that brings in multiple new characters, allows the ones we’ve met important new developments in their own lives and storylines, and layers in powerful elements that will impact them individually and the realms . It’s a series of revelations, a story of compelling surprises and mysteries that hit emotionally.

One aspect of Linzi Day’s writing that I find most intriguing and beautifully crafted is the depth of her character development. Each character may appear to have a specific personality and arc but that’s too superficial. For Day often has plotted, supremely I’ll add, far ahead in this character’s journey. There’s hidden information, surprising history and damaging events that will be revealed, novels later, if then, to make the character and their storyline an integral part of the entire plot.

The Hobs, Katy, her ever growing conflicted memories of her grandmother, the bonds, the Kings that factored heavily into her childhood and now as a Recorder, Dola, the sentient being that’s the Gateway House! Each has huge storylines here.

It is difficult to separate out individual aspects of the book because it’s a magnificent magical tapestry of tightly woven narrative threads. Linzi Day’s stories and this series has become my favorite of the year, and I’m predicting that it will land in my top ten of series once completed.

It’s a must read!

Gorgeous Covers that absolutely drew me in.

Cover Design: Axe Designs

Midlife Recorder series:

Midlife in Gretna Green #1

Painting the Blues in Gretna Green #2

Ties That Bond in Gretna Green #3

Seeing Red in Gretna Green #4

Code Yellow in Gretna Green #5

Market Forces in Gretna Green #6

Coming next

Spilling The Tea in Gretna Green #7

Half An Orange in Gretna Greene #8-Oct 30,2026

Buy link

Ties that Bond in Gretna Green: Paranormal Women’s Cozy Contemporary Fantasy (Midlife Recorder Book 3)

Blurb

It’s Valentine’s week in the Gateway, and Niki McKnight is preparing to conduct her first bondings for the fated, soul-bonded mates of the Kingdoms.

She was a registrar who married thousands of people in her former job—this will be a breeze … Right?

Wrong!
The bondings don’t quite go to plan. Cue hilarity, heartbreak and mysterious magical prophecies for some of our favourite characters.

Niki’s goddaughter Autumn is visiting, and her heart’s desires are to ride a unicorn and be a bridesmaid for the first time. So no pressure then!

And there are mysteries to solve:

Why is the Recorder forbidden from bonding the members of an entire race?
Why is Prince Charming Dai, her childhood crush, suddenly avoiding her?
Why were so many bondmates trying to deceive her gran?
Why is Dola sending everyone gifts?
Why are there no doughnuts, brownies or other sugary goodness?

But in what’s supposed to be the busiest week of the Gateway’s year, Niki finally has some time on her hands to sort her own life out. Even if she still can’t manage to get her hair cut.

In this full-length, light-hearted addition to the Midlife Recorder series, you’ll find humour, tension and magical food as the Recorder confirms the soul bonds for Celts, Galicians, Vikings, Hobs, Picts and Fae.

Review: A City of Swords and Fangs (A Spirit Mage’s Journey Book 2 ) By BR Kingsolver

Rating: 4⭐️

A City of Swords and Fangs picks up almost immediately after the events of Demon Dance and Other Disasters, the novel where we meet 16 year old Katy Brown. Street toughened by loss, hardened by homelessness and abandonment and trauma, she’s a powerful self taught mage and hunter surviving alongside the monsters in the streets of the city.

But now she’s on a different path, one that’s brought her to Zurich as the student of one of the world’s most powerful mage’s of the Guild. She’s 17, soon to be in college and eager for her new adventures and life.

Unfortunately politics and the religious order has a different plan for Europe and magic that will disrupt her life and those who have taken her in.

I found this story very interesting and absorbing. It moves at an extremely fast pace, packed with history and current events of the world this is situated in. The paranormal, mundane and religious aspects of the European setting are very familiar coded, if that makes sense. The elements that are stirring up the political atmosphere and hatred here, while layered with magical or paranormal overtones, still have that racial and religious and ethnic tension and bigotry that’s been present throughout history. It’s urban fantasy and current reality.

The school and all the various other groups within the Guild are interesting but, like much of the relationships between the characters, don’t get the same detail and exploration as the political aspect of the story. She’s sent to certain groups and we see her as being part of a larger community but there’s no depth in the design of this particular part of her life. We know nothing about these characters or the school or even her lessons. Which is why she was sent there to begin with.

Everything other than the political instability becomes a non-element in the story. That means a whole lot of narrative is left behind or discarded in favor of another plot line that loses track of her character development. She’s moved quickly from A to Z without any further learning, real believable relationships with others, and although she’s said that Zurich feels like home, I’m astounded. Because the author hasn’t made her case for it.

And there’s no realistic connection between a vampire she’s just worked with on a dramatic short time case and immediately overcoming her issues about trust etc. That entire scene felt entirely unrealistic.

So yes to the action packed adventure, yes to the political drama and magical moments. But this was disappointing after the well crafted characters seen in the first novel. Those relationships were absent.

A mixed bag but enjoyable.

Cover art by Lou Harper

(Note: Pls take time to appreciate the wonderful cover art for both novels done by Lou Harper who has passed recently. She will be missed. )

A Spirit Mage’s Journey:

Demon Dance and Other Disasters #1
A City of Swords and Fangs #2

Buy link

A City of Swords and Fangs (A Spirit Mage’s Journey Book 2)

Blurb

“In my world, keeping my head on my shoulders has always required paying attention to what goes on around me. I’ve seen chaos, and I’ve seen evil…”

In Zurich—the wealthy, peaceful city where I plan to attend university—I walk into a war zone. Vampires, werewolves, Knights Magica, and the Mage Guild battle for supremacy. Apprenticed to a man considered the greatest living mage, I have a lot to learn—if I survive.

“Balance is messy. Freedom is messy. People and their social constructs aren’t always pretty.”

A dark, character-driven urban fantasy where magic is power, alliances are fragile, and survival means walking the line between order and chaos.

Perfect for readers who love:

Dark, immersive urban fantasy with political depth
Complex heroine with untamed magic
Magic vs. morality stories where no side is clean
High-stakes danger, evolving friendships, and hard-earned power

date

May 21, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

254 pages

Book 2 of 2

A Spirit Mage’s Journey

Review: Painting the Blues in Gretna Green: Paranormal Cozy Fantasy Novel (Midlife Recorder Book 2) by Linzi Day

Rating: 5⭐️

Now Linzi Day has done it! I’m book immobilized. Her fabulous urban fantasy series and cast of beautifully crafted characters has me so hooked that all I can do is binge read these books until I have no more of them available for devouring! Onwards!

“With the eyes of your realm upon you, it can be too easy to revert to tradition in an effort to avoid an embarrassing mistake. Change is often feared, but a rare person can choose to innovate. Why not you? Demonstrate to your subjects that times change and so must we. Or would you prefer to return to the days of forced marriage, high infant mortality and syphilis and wait patiently for someone to invent coffee?”

-Ruling Regally: A Monarch’s Guide to the 21st Century by Margot Hobart-Smythe

Just one of the many reasons why I love this series is that each novel starts with a quote from a different, albeit totally fictional tome, one that will make a impact on the various rulings factions, including the Recorder herself. Ruling Regally is quoted often and with great precision throughout this story, to my delight and absolute joy in how Day has written and layered her series and world building.

Painting the Blues in Gretna Green brings Niki, the new team that she’s assembling to support her role as Recorder, and Dola, the sentient being that’s the gateway house, new dangerous challenges, major events that offer revelations, bringing growth and powerful development to Niki and those around her.

Author Day has created Kingdoms and cultures of Fae, Viking, Celtic and other mythological figures that will be seen throughout the series and gates in the Recorder’s house. Each being richly detailed, deep in its own history, and culturally distinct from the others.

And the characters from each of them are as intriguing as the realm they originate from. There’s past and current warfare, pain and suffering, loss and love.

It’s what makes them and the series so extraordinary.

In this case there are several ancient injustices that Niki must face and find a way to heal or a way to begin healing a long term damage. And some of it rests with the inaction of past Recorders.

Niki’s own personal trauma and tragedy is tangled with current events and its handling of her emotions and struggles feels every bit as important and meaningful as the other situations that require her attention.

Day has layers upon layers of intricately connected, subtly written storylines, ones that will only emerge to “ping” a aha moment a book later. Just an amazing piece of narrative writing.

As you can imagine, I’m merrily ahead here. But this series will find itself as hardback’s groaning on my shelves.

Must recommends from me.

Gorgeous Covers that absolutely drew me in.

Cover Design: Axe Designs

Midlife Recorder series:

Midlife in Gretna Green #1

Painting the Blues in Gretna Green #2

Ties That Bond in Gretna Green #3

Seeing Red in Gretna Green #4

Code Yellow in Gretna Green #5

Market Forces in Gretna Green #6

Coming next

Spilling The Tea in Gretna Green #7

Half An Orange in Gretna Greene #8-Oct 30,2026

Buy link

Painting the Blues in Gretna Green: Paranormal Cozy Fantasy Novel (Midlife Recorder Book 2)

Blurb

My powers are growing, and my tolerance is low. My second week in my new role as the Gretna Green Recorder is making the first week look relaxing.

I have quite the to-do list.

✅ Fix a thousand-year-old injustice that threatens the future of the Pictish royal family and their realm? Check.

✅ Test my new Knight Adjutant candidates? Check.

✅ Discover one of those candidates is the guy I had a huge crush on when I was twelve? Oh yeah. Check.

❌ Feed the cat? No, she’s not hungry—which is worrying, very worrying.

❓ Prevent a bloodbath? Let’s freaking hope so.

Niki McKnight is settling in as the new Recorder in the Gretna Gateway in Scotland. She’s joined by the usual colourful cast of magical beings.

Celtic, Fae and Viking royalty all have their own agendas, but none more so than the Pictish royal family.

Magic, psychic powers, a stroppy, condescending cat goddess, and lots of coffee smooth the way.

Niki plans to make her gran proud by reminding everyone that kings and queens are ten-a-penny in the seven realms, but there is ONLY one Recorder, and now she has more power than anyone expected.

Painting the Blues in Gretna Green is perfect for readers who’d enjoy an uplifting story with cozy paranormal fantasy elements. Set in a sentient Scottish house with a woman who needs to learn to wield her increased powers before lives are lost.

Publication date

November 5, 2022

Language

‎English

Print length

590 pages

Book 2 of 7

Midlife Recorder

Check out the latest release, All You Need is Love“ by Meg Macy (tour and excerpt)

Meg Macy has a new MM romance book out, Love is Love book one: All You Need is Love.

Longtime friends Jack Riley and Juliette (aka Jules) Baxter are now partners in a new breakfast café, but they are surprised to be confronted by a wave of homophobia in a town known for its inclusive and diverse LGBTQA+ community.

Their romantic lives are just as uncertain. Jack, a gay former actor and fashion model, has failed at committed relationships due to his unsavory past – until he meets Reese Baxter, his partner’s handsome, closeted cousin.

Jules juggles several polyamorous relationships due to major trust issues, until she’s drawn to an intriguing artist. However his jealousy of her bestie Jack is getting out of hand. Is the vandalism against their café from conservative hate groups, or is it a focused personal attack?

Warnings: past trauma; past SA; homophobia; vandalism

In the Love Is Love series, three LGBTQA+ contemporary romantic suspense novels explore past hurts, healing, and the vulnerability of gay love and acceptance. Friendship, trust, courage, and resilience unite to combat fear and homophobia in reshaping lives and communities.

Universal Buy Link | QueeRomance Ink | Goodreads

Excerpt

Jack glances at the clock. Forty-five minutes to go before closing. His anxiety deflates like a balloon after a needle prick. At Jules’s squeal of delight, Jack turns to see a tall, handsome man enter the café. He’s in a bespoke three-piece navy suit with dark hair and deep blue eyes. The guy avoids his curious gaze and smiles when Jules runs over to greet him with a hug.

“Hey, Reese. I hoped you’d come in!”

Hmm, the guy looks familiar. Jack figures he’s another Baxter when Jules calls him “cousin.” After cashing out more customers and answering questions, Jack empties the donation bucket again. He better count all this and announce the amount they raised after closing time. Jack checks his watch, the first responder Casio G-Shock that Drew always wore—fifteen minutes left. Most customers have departed. Ed has the kitchen under control, so he heads to the office.

He sorts through the bills, ones, fives, and tens. Someone threw in a fifty, whoa. But he’s disappointed at the total amount. Jack hoped for more, but it’s early days for an idea that some people like Paul Baxter think is foolish.

Jules peeks her head through the door. “Hey, Anna locked the door. My cousin is curious how much money we raised for veterans.”

“Meh. Enough to start the program, at least,” Jack says.

“Come on, let’s tell everyone!”

She drags him back out front, where a few soiled dishes are left at tables or booths. While Anna checks out the register, Keisha and Jack bus the tables. He breathes a sigh of relief, since that lack of sleep is taking its toll. Reese Baxter lingers near the front counter. He looks in his late twenties, sporting a five o’clock shadow in mid-afternoon. Not baby-faced like him. Jack hates that at twenty-four, he can’t grow a mustache or much of a beard even after a few months.

He’s only got a few scattered hairs on his chest, too. Damn.

Reese observes everything happening around him, quiet and still, from a stool at the far end. Cool and collected, but damned hot with that strong chin and those gorgeous blue eyes. His suit looks crisp, his white sleeves cuffed with gold links. Reese wears an expensive Cartier watch, too. And Italian loafers.

Jack knows that brand since he has a similar pair in his closet upstairs. He pushes his reading glasses on top of his head, stretches his back and arms, and exhales a deep breath. Jules looks ready to burst. She grabs a few more bills out of the bucket.

“Don’t forget to add these to the count.”

Anna and Keisha both use their fists to hammer out a drumroll on the counter. “So what’s the total from the donation bucket?” Jules asks. “Stop stalling. Tell us!”

“Two-hundred and forty, plus that extra three bucks.” Jack slides an arm around her and Keisha to form an impromptu line dance. “Not great, but we got time yet to collect more. Come on, kick a little.”

“Yeah, let’s do A Chorus Line,” she says with a giggle.

Keisha doubles over with laughter, her knot braids swinging. “Ain’t no way I’ma try that. Beyoncé’s moves, though, I can do.”

“I bet Jack could be a dancer in one of her videos, and he’s just as pretty,” Jules teases. “I’ve got a picture to prove he looks great in makeup and fishnet stockings.”

Jack sticks out his tongue. “Thought you trashed that photo.”

“Hey, Juli? Come here,” Reese says, beckoning.

“You dressed in drag for a party, Jack?” Keisha asks him. Anna crowds closer as well. “Come on, let’s see.”

“Jules took that photo and never sent—”

They all stop at her loud shriek. “Hey, everyone! My cousin Reese more than doubled the money donated today for veterans’ free breakfasts,” she says, waving a check and jumping up and down. “Now the fund has over five-hundred dollars. Fabulous!”

Jack stares at her cousin in shock. “Whoa. I oughta kiss you for that.”

Reese raises an eyebrow. “Never kissed a guy before.”

His deadpan tone is a tempting challenge. On impulse, Jack grabs him by his tie and tugs him down, one hand behind his head, then kisses his soft mouth. Startled by the guy’s woodsy scent, the intense shiver down his spine, and his quickening heartbeat, the feeling that everything surrounding them disappears, Jack backs away. Clears his throat nervously, given the sparking tension between them. Uh-oh. He’s been punched in the nose before after an unexpected kiss.

Jack grins, hoping Reese doesn’t lash out. “Can’t say that no more, huh?”

The guy flushes scarlet, matching his own flaming cheeks. Odd that Jules’s cousin doesn’t speak in turn. Jack scrubs damp palms on his jeans. Damn, that kiss was fantastic. Too brief as well, but he isn’t about to push his luck.

Author Bio

National bestselling author Meg Macy is a reader first and foremost. She’s always found comfort, adventure, and connection in books—which might explain why she now writes stories that offer all three. Best known for her Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery series (Kensington), several Christmas romance novellas with rescue pets, and as one-half of D.E. Ireland, the Agatha Award-nominated duo behind the Eliza Doolittle and Professor Higgins mysteries, Meg has long embraced the cozy end of fiction.

Now, she’s rewriting the rules with a new direction: LGBTQA+ romantic suspense —queer characters in a cozy setting, with spice, intrigue, and plenty of emotional payoff. M/M or polyamory, traditional or trailblazing, her stories are comfort reads with a twist.

Unique? Yep. Meg loves breaking the rules.
She lives with her writing companion, Mr. Whiskers the cat, and prefers pages to parties any day.

Author Website: https://www.megmacy.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/authormegmacy/

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/MegMacyAuthor

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meg.macy.author/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15751255.Meg_Macy

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/meg-macy/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Meg-Macy/author/B01N3KTK1N

Review: MidLife in Gretna Green (Midlife Recorder Book 1 ) by Linzi Day

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Linzi Day and her fantastic series Midlife Recorder are both new to me. And I’m so very excited and thrilled about this new author and urban fantasy adventure she’s sending me on.

It’s got everything I look for and love in main characters and world building. Both are complex and realistic in their respective forms and have so much potential for deeper exploration and growth.

It begins with Niki McKnight, an older woman who has just been widowed and is now mired down in loss. She’s cut herself off from her small group of friends, and she’s bullied by her boss at work. Only her small Maltese dog, Tilly, is keeping her grounded.

Day paints such a raw, painful portrait of a woman who is so despairing, so lost, unable to breathe, she’s incapable of movement. And at this point, she’s hit with one more awful event. A letter from a lawyer with a notice about her grandmother’s death and estate.

Niki is forced into a reluctant journey that becomes an emotional roller coaster of revelations, magical moments,and intense memories as everything Niki is forced to understand that she’s been living with a faded life.

Such a richly crafted, intelligent and inspiring story. Time after time, Nike comes to a point where she’s got to make new connections and decisions about her life, where old perceptions have to change and new ones formed. It’s a remarkable journey and the relationships she forges as she grows are ones the reader engages with as well.

So many amazing characters here to connect with and love. That’s including a sentient house whose storyline is as powerful as Niki’s. What I love is I think the author is giving the readers so many subtle details and elements to think about alongside the amazing storylines that are happening. Tiny little things I puzzle with as scenarios work themselves out. Love that.

The magical moments and systems are intriguing and I can’t wait to see how they expand as her powers as a Recorder grow.

This will definitely be a great favorite of mine. And Niki? She’s right there too!

There is a potential for romance but she’s a widow and the relationship was abusive. She’s in no hurry to go into another relationship.

She’s building something new here. That’s her focus. And I’m here for every single step of her journey.

Just outstanding work.

Gorgeous Covers that absolutely drew me in.

Cover Design: Axe Designs

Midlife Recorder series:

Midlife in Gretna Green #1

Painting the Blues in Gretna Green #2

Ties That Bond in Gretna Green #3

Seeing Red in Gretna Green #4

Code Yellow in Gretna Green #5

Market Forces in Gretna Green #6

Coming next

Spilling The Tea in Gretna Green #7

Half An Orange in Gretna Greene #8-Oct 30,2026

Buy link

Midlife in Gretna Green: Cozy Contemporary Celtic Scottish Fantasy (Midlife Recorder Book 1)

Blurb

It’s never too late to learn how to stand up for yourself

Niki McKnight has spent her entire adult life being bullied—first by her husband and then by her boss.

Recently widowed, she’s in dire need of an extreme life makeover. But she never expected it to come in the form of her beloved Gran leaving her a magical Celtic estate and a mysterious new job as a Recorder—whatever the hell that is!

She and Tilly, her adorable Bichon Frise, head to Scotland to claim her inheritance with no freaking clue what’s in store for them.

In Gretna Green, they meet a colourful cast of characters, including a sentient house, talking cat, Celtic god, Fae king and a sketchy lawyer.

Can the woman who wouldn’t stand up to her husband and was bullied by her boss find and wield the authority required to keep Vikings, Pict and Fae royalty in line?

With the help of her family’s psychic gift and some magic – she just might!

MidLife in Gretna Green is perfect for readers who’d enjoy an uplifting story of found family with cozy paranormal fantasy elements. Set in a magical house with a woman who wants to find and use her own voice and finally claim her power.

Publication date

July 4, 2022

Language

‎English

Print length

474 pages

Book 1 of 7

Midlife Recorder

Review: The Snow Yeti’s Grouchy Werewolf (Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala Book 3) by Michele Notaro

Rating: 3🌈

The Snow Yeti’s Grouchy Werewolf (Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala Book 3) by Michele Notaro is a perfect example why I’m finding it hard to continue reading this series. I enjoyed the first book but it’s gotten more difficult to stay connected with each new release.

The Tales From Gauhala series is a crossover from the Brinnswick series and is deeply rooted in the universe. It’s characters and their relationships are intertwining with each other’s relationships in each other stories, so it’s often hard to remember these complex family dynamics. Thousand year old mates claiming hundreds (or more, I can’t keep track) of children and their children’s children lend towards a seriously over populated universe.

Yes, many outlying characters from other the series show up here in ways that add nothing to the plot. They are just references for the reader. Look, so and so, the ancient powerful mages are here. I’m not that invested in them here. That’s part of the issue as I see it.

The story, about fated mates werewolf Dain, and shy Yeti Avalanche “Lanche” has its own issues. The characters are cute. But the author has included a dramatic storyline that’s seems underwhelming, or not well written. After all the work going into the suspense of the climax and drama behind the villain, there’s a huge letdown and considerable lack of foundation laid down for this aspect of the story. Makes little sense because there’s no solid narrative behind it.

That whole icicle thing itself was problematic.

Every other element feels hastily assembled. Let’s give the Yeti family cute names and throw them together in an ice palace. Ok, but where’s the natural history? Any real grounding? Absent.

When a reader is distracted from the story, even the smallest detail or aspect in a scene can make the reader look again at the story a different way.

Example:

“I didn’t blame him for it. It wasn’t his fault that the people under him who were supposed to carry out his will had been lying to him for so long.”

Talking about the King here who while grieving, abdicated all responsibility for his Kingdom and ruling to those below him, not checking for decades, to see what monstrous things were going on. Up in his tower, while horrifying acts and events were being carried out in his name.

Whose responsibility? It’s his. The fault is his.

Something even the author isn’t saying. SMH.

So this clearly isn’t the book for me. Cute . But too many things I find problematic.

If you’re a fan, I’m sure you’ll like it.

Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala :

The Witch’s Grumpy Dragon #1

The Vampire’s Delicious Fae #2

The Snow Yeti’s Grouchy Werewolf #3

The Dragon’s Devoted Defender #4-March 17,2026

Buy link

Book 3 of 4: Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala

Blurb

Being shy sucks. Being shy and having a crush sucks even more. But I can’t get the grouchy werewolf out of my head, so I need to do something… as long as it doesn’t include talking…

Step One: Leave my crush a gift. Check.

Step Two: Wait for him to open it. Check.

Step Three: Try to convince him we’re meant to be. Ugh, I definitely have my work cut out for me.

Dain caught my attention the moment I walked into the bookstore. Tall. Broody. Growly in that definitely-a-werewolf way. The more time I spend near him, the more certain I become of one impossible truth:

He’s my viramore. My soulmate.

Too bad I can barely string two words together in his presence.

When I finally tell him about our connection, he doesn’t believe me. But he does agree to a date. Hopefully I can turn one date into two, then three, and then maybe, just maybe, he’ll see that I’m right. We’re viramores, and no matter what trouble comes our way, nothing will change that.

The Snow Yeti’s Grouchy Werewolf is Book 3 in Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala, an MM urban fantasy romance filled with grumpy/sweet energy, fated mates, gentle humor, and cozy found-family vibes. The series follows a new couple in each book with a guaranteed HEA. It takes place in the Brinnswick world, but you don’t need to read the other series first, although there will be familiar faces along the w

Review: Demon Dance and Other Disasters (A Spirit Mage’s Journey, Book 1 ) By BR Kingsolver

Rating: 4.75 ⭐️🌈

Demon Dance and Other Disasters, the first in an urban fantasy series, A Spirit Mage’s Journey written by BR Kingsolver, is such an amazing story.

We immediately meet the main character on a vicious hunt for a dangerous vampire. She’s a bounty hunter, 16 year old orphaned Katy Brown ,tough street mage. Thrown out on the streets with nothing by her grandparents after the murder of her parents, she’s done what it takes to live for 5 years, learning how to use her magic, hunt, and barely get by on bringing in the bounties posted.

Kingsolver’s story is dark, gritty, and grounded in details of rawest realities of homelessness, especially as a child, meshed with a fantastical urban fantasy world building. Using the sort of spare fast paced narrative that I’ve come to associate with Kingsolver, it’s that detailed concise scenes, the street children relating their current experiences or circumstances calmly without any real emotion, that lends this it’s own despair and reality of their lives. Or the homeless tent cities that Katy visits for information. It’s believable and heartbreaking.

That it’s fantasy too. Because we’d expect it not to have changed that this aspect of life would have disappeared.

Katy’s recent kill brings her to the notice of the head of the Guild Mages, an offer of a job and perhaps even more.

Such an incredibly well woven tale, horrifying, full of mystery and complexity as well as the realities of life as a teenager with no real support or trust only trauma in her background. Katy is fantastic, so convincing as a street worn teen, tough, yet still vulnerable underneath all those walls she’s erected. Just a fabulous connectable character.

And when I read this, I was unaware there was a second book in the series and. Kingsolver ties up all the plot points, bringing to a satisfying resolution all the storylines of the book and for Katy Brown. When it comes to the finish, she’s ready for a new stage of her life.

Even if I hadn’t seen the second one, I would have been so happy with this novel.

That’s saying something about how completely well written and beautifully crafted it is.

Grab it up if you love urban fantasy fiction. There’s no love or romance. The characters identify themselves in multiple ways, bi, gay heterosexual, nonbinary

Honestly, she’s a teenager. And as many of the street kids here see sex as transactional, a form of survival. FYI

Highly Recommended.

Cover art by Lou Harper

A Spirit Mage’s Journey:

Demon Dance and Other Disasters #1

A City of Swords and Fangs #2

Buy link

Demon Dance and Other Disasters: (An Urban Fantasy Book) (A Spirit Mage’s Journey Book 1)

Blurb

I hunt the lost, the dangerous, and the damned. It’s how I survive. This time? It’s how I might die.

Since my parents were murdered, I’ve survived by hunting down whatever—or whoever—needs finding. Rogue vampires, runaway dogs, missing kids, even deadbeat spouses. If it comes with a paycheck, I take the job.

This hunt is different. A master mage offered me a reward I couldn’t refuse—track down a rogue summoner, stop the demon, and get out. Simple.

But as the bodies pile up and the vulnerable start vanishing, I realize this job is darker, deadlier, and more twisted than anything I’ve faced before. It isn’t just about stopping a summoner—it’s about stopping what comes next.

The hunt is on. Dare to join me in the shadows?

Publication date

August 18, 2024

Language

‎English

Print length

264 pages

Book 1 of 2

A Spirit Mage’s Journey

Welcome to Queen City—Where Magic Hunts in the Shadows

for readers who crave dark, gritty Urban Fantasy

If you love high-stakes magic, relentless action, and heroines who refuse to back down, Demon Dance and Other Disasters will pull you in and never let go.

Set in the same world as BR Kingsolver’s bestselling Rosie O’Grady’s Paranormal Bar and Grill—twelve years after Erin’s journey—the story introduces a new kind of fighter.

Katy Brown isn’t a warrior trained in secret or a chosen one destined for greatness. She’s a survivor. When the Mage Guild hires her to stop a rogue summoner, she takes the job for the payout—until the hunt turns into something far deadlier.

This is urban fantasy at its most intense, packed with magic, mystery, and danger lurking in every shadow. Fans of BR Kingsolver’s work will recognize the sharp storytelling, immersive worldbuilding, and unforgettable characters that make every page pulse with energy.

Join the Hunt: What Lies Ahead

A world where power is rutheless and the vulnerable pay the price.
A fierce, street-smart heroine who never wanted to be a hero.
Dark, high-stakes magic—raw, unpredictable, and deadly.
Mystery, action, and da

Review: Space Deputy (Interstellar Sheriff #1) by Jenny Schwartz

Rating: 4⭐️

Jenny Schwartz, especially her recent work, is an auto read for me. Her world building is detailed, fascinating and imaginative. And her universe is filled with characters that are memorable even if their roles are ones that are secondary in nature, or even just narrative beautifully crafted flashes of beings that make indelible impressions.

More often than not, these are AI beings, or beings other than humans who capture the reader’s attention and engage with their emotions.

It’s Harry the Mech and the Interstellar ship, the Lonesome, with their own stories and secrets. I adore them.

Thelma Bach, the outrider from a mining planet who naively thought she’d overcome the prejudices against her “kind” is a terrific character. I really wanted to know more about her planet, upbringing, the type of society that raised someone like her and her brother Joe.

This is an area of background I wish Schwartz had explored more. Because the prejudice against “Rockers”, their sort of unique accent is mentioned frequently and a historical context is required here.

The masterpiece of the story is the universe building, the types of chemistry, minerals and asteroids mining that’s going on. And how some of the different elements are used in this world. And exploited. By companies, governments and sought after by interstellar pirates. The political system and layers of bureaucracy seem very realistic and credible.

Back to the main characters. Thelma who’s in an awful position at the beginning of the book is a resourceful woman. And I appreciate that about her.

What’s not credible about this book is the romance. It’s a no spice, no chemistry, and imo, ‘where’s the time to actually set up any relationship between them’ sort of romantic dynamic. Blink and they are spouting feelings of love. Without any reason for it. She had no idea. But ok let’s go with it.

And that’s an issue. Because Thelma is trying to adjust to a new world, new people in whatever form they make take, new jobs including one she’s trying to create for herself, and several galactic or interstellar missions to answer as a newbie.

So why push a credible woman character into a relationship with her boss , flag of unequal power issues, (who isn’t as multi dimensional a personality as she is) in the first book. Whenever Max appears in a scene, all I see is a generic bland male character. For one who is supposed to be a ex-soldier, dangerous etc, the character comes across as none of those things. I’m thinking he’s my grandmother’s soap operas lead. Not good.

So the women characters are well done. The romance aspect is puzzling. The world building is everything. Love the supporting cast of characters. Especially the diner owner. Love her!

It’s intriguing enough that I’m going on. It’s a quick read. Which is another win for it.

Interstellar Sheriff series:

Space Deputy # 1

Space Rodeo #2

Space Specter #3

Space Baby #4

Buy link:

Book 1 of 4: Interstellar Sheriff

Blurb

Welcome to the Saloon Sector, Deputy!

Thelma Bach graduated top of her class after four years at the Galactic Justice academy. But she’s a Rock Sector citizen. She was a fool to believe the core worlders would ever allow her to beat them at their own game. She’s been assigned to serve her seven years as a deputy in the Saloon Sector. The message for the Federation’s out-world citizens is clear: you’ll never be our equal, so don’t even try.

The core worlders chose the wrong person to push around.

Assigned to the despised frontier, Thelma will get her revenge even if she has to subvert a sheriff with a mysterious background (one who served with her Star Marine brother – will she be a baby sister forever?), charm artificial intelligences, fight bandits and negotiate with aliens.

It’s not a question of whether Thelma will survive her exile, but whether the Saloon Sector will survive her!

***

If you love hopeful science fiction with strong characters, fast-paced action, and a sense of fun, dive into the Interstellar Sheriff series, now.

Publication date

July 12, 2018

Language

‎English

Print length

220 pages

Book 1 of 4

Interstellar Sheriff

Galactic fiction, science fiction,

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Universal Buy Link | QueeRomance Ink | Goodreads

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