Review: Demon on Deck (Bedeviled Book 2) by Deborah Wilde

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Demon on Deck, the second book in Deborah Wilde’s Bedeviled series, explores the origins of the main female character, Aviva Fleischer, a agent of the Jewish paranormal agency The Maccabees, who is trying to hide her identity as a half demon being. 

The complex universe that author Wilde created in book 1, and started establishing a series mystery arc about a human purity sect and a cure for vampirism continues here.  The cases that Aviva, her team as well as her ex-boyfriend, the Vampire Prince, Ezra, involve multiple otherworldly fascinating characters, intriguing paranormal realms, and compelling investigations. 

Ones in this case that lead to some surprising twists and revelations.

Demon on Deck strengthens the game here all the way through. The characters have been able to be used in ways that deepen their power and development. The storylines have greatly expanded both the world building and the overall arc narrative. 

And the suspense and plot going forward is greatly amplified by the ending here without it being a cliffhanger. 

I’m really excited for the next book in this series. Another winner and rec for me. 

Cover by: Covers By Christian.

Bedeviled:

Big Demon Energy #1

Demon on Deck #2

Better the Demon You Know #3

Demon in Disguise #4

The Demon’s Due #5 – Aug 18,2025

Buy link 

        Demon on Deck: An Enemies-to-Lovers Urban Fantasy (Bedeviled Book 2)

    

Blurb 

“I don’t want you calm. I never have.” Ezra’s lips curled up into a smile with sharp edges and no warmth, his fangs peeking through. “I want you dangerous.”

When Aviva lands a baffling murder investigation, she discovers that the key to solving the crime lies in the last place she expects—a deadly magic gaming hall aboard a freaking yacht. Because why solve a supernatural murder on nice solid ground?

While she navigates this high-stakes inquiry on the high-seas, she’s also hunting a mysterious artifact. Should it fall into the wrong hands, it’s game over for any half-demons—like her.

No pressure.

But here’s the real storm on the horizon. Her ex-lover and partner-in-crime, Ezra, is still in the picture. Sparks are flying, and not the good kind. Well, not always. Old wounds and smoldering desires have resurfaced, and she’s not sure if she’ll sink or swim.

Bon voyage.

Featuring a smart, funny heroine and a banter-fueled vampire romance, this wickedly addictive urban fantasy will keep you reading way past bedtime.

Dive in now for a fiendishly good time!

  • Publisher: Te Da Media Inc.
  • Publication date: March 18, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 327 pages
  • Book 2 of 5: Bedeviled

Review:  Barely Magic (Maddy Madrigal Mysteries Book 1) by Debra Castaneda

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Debra Castaneda is another new to me author I’ve discovered via her Maddy Madrigal Mysteries series.  Based in the Chavez Ravine area of Los Angeles, it’s a location the author has a personal and familial connection with.

As the description suggests, it’s monsters, mayhem, and Mexican food. But it’s much more. It’s about Mexican culture, mythology, and the politics of the past that allows certain ethnic groups to be seen as less important or even less visible so their presence and property can be considered up for grabs. 

It’s scare tactics but the monsters are real. 

Barely Magic (Maddy Madrigal Mysteries Book 1) by Debra Castaneda is a story I feel got better, scenario wise. The character of Maddy Madrigal finds herself back in a home where she and her family have history. Quite by accident, or so it seems. 

As Maddy becomes more assertive about her own personal relationship to the place where she’s living in and working, the character’s growth and story development will continue to work to strengthen the plot and the connection between them. 

By the end I was thoroughly engaged and rooting for the character and her new community of friends. 

I’m really excited to see where this character and series will go. So I’m onto the next in the series. 

It’s a definite hit for me. And a recommendation for those who enjoy strong female characters, mysteries with a cultural element. 

Cover design by: Jacqueline Sweet

Maddy Madrigal Mysteries:

Barely Magic #1

Somewhat Magic #2

Desperate Magic #3

Semi-related:

Chavez Ravine Stories (3 books)

Buy link

        Barely Magic (Maddy Madrigal Mysteries Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Maddy Madrigal doesn’t believe she’s magic. If she were, she wouldn’t be busting her butt every day working for the Los Angeles Police Department’s Occult Affairs division, rounding up the strange and nasty entities unleashed by the last earthquake. At forty, if she were magic, she’d have less aggravation and more money.

So, when a security job opens up in an exclusive gated community, she takes it. Better money, great perks, and best of all, no entities.

At first, her problems are solved—the job’s great, she’s made new friends, and a good-looking man has caught her eye. She even has time to cook her favorite Mexican dishes while her new cat watches, though there’s something not quite right about him.

But the fancy neighborhood she was hired to protect hides a secret: something supernatural is attacking the residents, and as Maddy tries to unravel the mystery, she discovers a secret of her own: she may have inherited magical abilities from her famous great aunt, a Mexican witch.

With monsters roaming the hilly streets, residents up in arms, and her boss breathing down her neck, Maddy must decide how far she’s willing to go to preserve her new life.

Barely Magic is the first book in Maddy Madrigal Mysteries, a new urban fantasy series from Debra Castaneda, the award-winning author of The Monsters of Chavez Ravine and the Dark Earth Rising series including The Root Witch and A Dark and Rising Tide.

  • Publisher: Shadow Canyon Press
  • Publication date: March 20, 2025
  • Language: English
  • File size: 5.3 MB
  • Print length: 328 pages
  • Book 1 of 3: Maddy Madrigal Mysteries

Review:  The Vampire in the Potting Shed (Groom & Doom Book 1) by Hailey Edwards 

Rating: 4⭐️

Hailey Edwards has a really great new start on a series with her new paranormal novella, The Vampire in the Potting Shed. 

The first in the Groom & Doom series, we don’t get much of a world foundation, although I saw mention that it’s set in the same universe as the author’s Black Hat Bureau (10 book) series.

This particular story is tied to one small town and territory, and focuses on Ana Sartori, who runs Gwinnett Street Groomers, a small pet grooming business and has an Alpha wolf shifter as an overprotective father. She herself can’t shift so remains outside of the pack business and affairs. 

At 125 pages, Edwards packs a lot of information, interesting characters, and relationship dynamics into her storyline. That includes some neat twists and reveals.

It’s a quick, highly entertaining story and it makes you wish the next book was ready for reading. 

I’m definitely reading it when it’s available. 

A new winner for an author I enjoy. 

Cover by Damonza

Groom & Doom 

The Vampire in the Potting Shed #1

Buy link

        The Vampire in the Potting Shed (Groom & Doom Book 1)

    

Blurb 

There are two things Ana Sartori knows for certain. She can’t shapeshift into a wolf like her father or his pack. And, despite her being a latent, little more than human, he loves her despite her faults. She’s never going to be an alpha like him, but she can still hold her own in a fight. Not that her life is violent. He makes sure of that. Aside from occasionally wrestling pets into a headlock when it’s time to trim their nails at Gwinnett Street Groomers, Ana leads a simple life.

At least that was the case until someone broke into her pet resort and spa, leaving a mystery dog behind in one of the bougie boarding suites. Not to mention there’s a vampire hiding in the potting shed. A very tall, very handsome vampire. He even smells nice, minus the blood drenching his clothes.

Ana could handle those things, probably, but now there’s a new alpha determined to claim the town—and Ana—as his territory. Either she stands and fights for her home, or she runs to her father with her (metaphorical) tail tucked between her legs. Life is a lot of things, but for Ana, simple isn’t one of them anymore.

  • Publisher: Black Dog Books, LLC.
  • Publication date: June 16, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 125 pages
  • Book 1 of 1: Groom & Doom

Review: The Birthday List (Maysen Jar #1) by Devney Perry

Rating: 3⭐️

I found author Devney Perry through her recent romantasy release, Shield of Sparrows. I really enjoyed that book so when this title popped up I thought I’d give it a shot. 

And, at least, in this case, I’ve found that Devney Perry’s contemporary work probably isn’t for me. 

I quickly finished the story of a young woman widowed early and dealing with her grief. It’s also the fact that she’s trying how best to move forward alone as well as losing the future she’d envisioned of them together growing old.

It’s sweet and moving in some parts. I liked the dog. But it took me a while to figure out what was bothering me about the storylines and characters. And I believe it’s because Perry’s woman characters and story are male centric. And that’s a pass for me.

Poppy Maysen, whose husband Jamie is killed in a robbery, decides to check off all the items Jamie had written on his annual birthday to do list. A list of items he wanted to do each birthday before he was 35, skydiving, jump in a pool of green jello, etc. And open a restaurant , called Maysen Jar, which she accomplishes.

Poppy, a gorgeous woman (almost so perfect it’s unbelievable), is a fabulous cook, who everyone loves who comes into contact with her (with some exceptions). She’s also focused on her husband’s memory, his family and her own interconnected relationships with her brother’s family. It’s a life lived through the lens of men. Mostly Jamie.  Or Finn, her brother. Then it’s Cole, the next one to step into her life. 

The MMC , Cole Goodman , is a handsome sheriff with a deep connection with her. And it’s a dual perspective story, from Poppy and Cole’s POV. Which normally helps, except for Cole’s constant thoughts of Poppy’s physical attributes and what he wants to do with her. Overlaid with trad wife goals (lots a babies , small town families) that he’s envisioning with her immediately. 

But while they are working through her deceased husband’s list (it’s his list, again, another problematic factor for a partnership), but there’s a bigger issue here for me. 

Poppy has an older brother, Finn, who was married to Poppy’s best friend Molly. Finn’s gardening business took priority over Molly and their young children. He was away on business, then came home and took his anger and stress out on Molly. This is straight out from the book. She asked him to go to counseling.He didn’t and moved out. She thought the marriage was over and during a party had a drunken one night stand. Which she told Poppy and Finn about. And was vilified for. Finn? Nowhere is he even mentioned for any responsibility for the broken relationship or marriage. No, Finn can’t EVER forgive Molly for her awful cheating behavior. Again, straight from the novel, over and over. 

This is how the author writes about them and their actions and marriage. Even Poppy who had declared herself “Switzerland” here has called Molly a cheater And , and while she regrets that she called her best friend that, Poppy still hasn’t placed any weight on Finn for his part in the matter.  Nope, it’s all on poor Molly. Huge flags here for me. 

Like I said, a narrative which is male centric or the female character are male focused, right down to the author having them forfeit responsibility doesn’t work for me. 

Now book 2 of the Maysen Jars series is Letters to Molly which we get the first chapter. Molly is now getting her independence and feeling good about herself. Guess who’s getting back into the picture. Finn. After that treatment. 

So I’m noping right out of the series. 

I prefer a strong female character, a realistic story and definitely not a traditional take which makes a contemporary story look more like a fantasy novel than one containing otherworldly creatures within it. 

Cover: Sarah Hansen, Okay Creations

Maysen Jar:

The Birthday List

Letters to Molly

The Dandelion Diary 

Buy link

        The Birthday List (Maysen Jar)

    

Blurb 

From #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Devney Perry, comes a heartwarming and emotional small town Montana romance.

I carry a journal with me. A journal with a list.

Take a karate class. Go skydiving. Learn to play the ukulele. Say yes to everything for an entire day. The list goes on, line by line, of youthful dreams.

For too long that list has haunted me. But starting today, I’m going to cross one item off. Today, I’m opening my new restaurant in Bozeman, Montana. The Maysen Jar.

It should have marked the first day of a new life. A fresh start. But then Cole Goodman waltzed through the door and brought with him the past. A man who shattered my heart. A man I tried to forget.

Maybe it’s a good thing he insists on sticking around. Because the only way I’ll finish the list is with Cole’s help. And then I can finally say goodbye.

  • Publisher: Devney Perry LLC
  • Publication date: April 3, 2018
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 404 pages
  • Part of series: Maysen Jar

Review: The Gate of the Feral Gods: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 4 by Matt Dinniman

Rating:  4.75⭐️

The Gate of the Feral Gods, Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 4, by Matt Dinniman is a big read in many respects. It’s long, it’s one where the characters face their largest challenge s, where the main characters start to become more complex and separated by powers and their individual abilities and goals. 

And Carl’s hidden agenda is framed out in great detail as well as the powers that are involved within and without the game who are involved in their own plots. 

It’s a great book. Involved and sets up at the end a sad and interesting story/confrontational scene to come.

Amazing work by the author in every aspect. 

Cover Illustration by Luciano Fleitas Cover and Interior Design by Toby Dinniman

Series not complete/Dungeon Crawler Carl:

Dungeon Crawler Carl #1

Carl’s Doomsday Scenario #2

The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook #3

The Gate of the Feral Gods #4

The Butcher’s Masquerade #5

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride #6

This Inevitable Ruin #7

Buy link

        The Gate of the Feral Gods: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 4

    

Blurb 

New Achievement! Total, Utter Failure.

You failed a quest less than five minutes after you received it. Now that’s talent.

A floating fortress occupied by warrior gnomes. A castle made of sand. A derelict submarine guarded by malfunctioning machines. A haunted crypt surrounded by lethal traps.

It was supposed to be easy. One bubble. Four castles. Fifteen days. Capture each one, and the stairwell is unlocked.

Here’s the thing. It’s never easy. Carl and his team can’t go it alone. Not this time. They must rely on the help of the low-level, I-can’t-believe-these-idiots-are-still-alive crawlers trapped in the bubble with them. But can they be trusted?

Welcome, Crawler. Welcome to the fifth floor of the dungeon.

  • Publisher: Dandy House
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: July 1, 2021
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 586 pages
  • Book 4 of 7: Dungeon Crawler Carl

Big Demon Energy (Bedeviled Book 1) by Deborah Wilde

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Deborah Wilde writes such wonderful books and great unusual main female characters that once I found her it’s been hard not to just binge her entire catalog. 

Elements that Wilde includes into her storylines and universes as well as character designs are those of Jewish history, culture, and religious traditions. From the names of the characters to their stories and even the agencies they serve, what it is to be a Jewish person is part of their identity and this book.

And her stories are mostly urban fantasy. So how she continues to fold Jewish mythology, history and religious beliefs and traditions into her urban fantasy worlds and series is smooth, unique, and fascinating. 

Aviva Fleischer is an agent for the Maccabees, a government agency that regulates and deals with otherworldly events and beings. This includes having a team of diverse individuals, including vampires. 

What’s not so inclusive is anyone or being that’s identified as a demon. Or part demon. Which is what Aviva is hiding, she’s part demon. And the daughter of a high ranking official in the Maccabee organization. 

Wilde excellently crafts both an alternative world where vampires and humans now exist, although not exactly in harmony. Otherworldly realms can be visited but it’s a dangerous place to go if you’re a human, and there’s hidden secrets and agendas everywhere waiting to be revealed.

Aviva is a complicated character, with mother issues. An ex-boyfriend who’s come into play again and a murder mystery that’s as complicated as she is.

Just a fabulous story and it lays the groundwork for the next story to come. 

Highly recommended! As is this author. 

Cover by: Covers By Christian.

Bedeviled:

Big Demon Energy #1

Demon on Deck #2

Better the Demon You Know #3

Demon in Disguise #4

The Demon’s Due #5 – Aug 18,2025

Buy link 

        Big Demon Energy: An Enemies-to-Lovers Urban Fantasy (Bedeviled Book 1)

    

Blurb 

She’s just a demon, standing in front of a vampire, trying not to punch him. 

Aviva Fleischer hides a dangerous secret. She’s carefully concealing her infernal heritage, a.k.a. Cherry Bomb. Maybe it’s weird naming her demon side and referring to her in the third person, but guys do the same with their junk, and unlike most of them, Avi isn’t deluded about Cherry’s prowess.

Avi’s been working her ass off, climbing the ranks of a supernatural policing organization to enact change and empower those like her forced to hide their true nature. Sure, she’s bent the rules now and then, but her arrest record speaks for itself. Her promotion is in the bag.

Instead, the director strikes a deal with Avi: spy on the operative sent in to work a rash of bizarre murders and prove she can be a team player, or kiss that new rank goodbye.

No problem.

Okay, maybe just one.

Her co-leader, Ezra Cardoso, is a charming, ruthless vampire with his own agenda, whom she fantasizes about: mostly staking him then vacuuming up his remains.

But when the killer sets Aviva’s team firmly in their sights, she’ll have to decide whether to keep playing by the rules or show everyone exactly what she—and Cherry Bomb—are capable of…

Featuring a smart, funny heroine and a banter-fueled vampire romance, this wickedly addictive urban fantasy will keep you reading way past bedtime.

Dive in now for a fiendishly good time!

  • Publisher: Te Da Media Inc.
  • Publication date: August 21, 2023
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 358 pages
  • Book 1 of 5: Bedeviled

Urban Fantasy, vampire thrillers, humorous fantasy, paranormal suspense 

Review:  Luxuries of Lust: Passing Through Cafe #3 by Nik Knight

Rating:  4.25🌈

Luxuries of Lust is the third of the Passing Through Cafe series by Nik Knight, set in the Hells universe and Passing Through Cafe where we’ve gotten to know its many different species of paranormal beings that own the cafe and are the ones that work together as a weird little found family. 

Nik Knight has always done an excellent job of crafting characters that, other than Oliver and Jude who are human, feel, look and come across as otherworldly. There’s an actual dictionary of terms and list of species at the end of a reader gets confused.

Rusty and Gem have been headed towards each other for a couple of books now. And I’ve looked forward to seeing how they get together. 

There’s aspects of the book that I just really thought about as deeply emotionally and engaging.  Moments where Rusty takes Gem to see the desert and the places where he and his mother once lived. Those scenes are stirring and very touching.

Equally, when Gem, who’s background gets filled in here, take Rusty home to see his family. It’s funny, warmhearted, and a time of acceptance for Rusty that he’s not had in his life.

We get to revisit several important storylines from previous books, a traumatic experience for Gem that sets off memories for Rusty.

I enjoyed reading this, think Gem and Rusty are among the most unique couples I’ve read. It maybe felt a bit overly long towards the end, especially the story bit about Tony and their relationship.  But it’s still a very enjoyable book and this universe is fascinating in concept and characters. 

Highly sexual and fun. Grab it up if you’re interested in the author and trope. 

Cover Design © 2025 Priska Mills

Passing Through Cafe :

Passing Through Purgatory #1

Gratification in Gluttony #2

Luxuries of Lust #3

Buy link 

        Luxuries of Lust: Passing Through Cafe #3

    

Blurb 

When it came to love, Rusty had resigned himself to never being enough, and Gem knew he would always be too much. Turns out, they were both wrong.

As a Pyclon from Lust, Rusty learned early the cruel rules of the Pentagram. Happiness is for the privileged. Hope for the weak. And absolutely nothing comes free. So he accepts a life of happy enough, of good enough, of just… enough. Anything more is impossible for someone like him.

That is, until he meets Gemae Akyllo.

With a brain that never rests and an ass that won’t quit, Gem is objectively a lot. His physical size is rivaled only by that of his personality—neither of which he will ever apologize for—but there’s a cost. He’s fun for a night, chosen first for a good time, but come morning, his bed is cold and empty. Always wanted, but never kept.

That is, until he meets Rusty Róisyn.

Rusty never wanted love, and Gem doesn’t need it. But together, they find it all the same.

Join Gem and Rusty and the rest of the eccentric staff of the Passing Through Cafe in Nik Knight’s rom-com, urban fantasy series, full of found family, absurd antics, healing hope, and a love that takes their hearts by storm.

— Luxuries of Lust: Passing Through Cafe #3 by Nik Knight

Review:  Paternal Instincts (Valor and Doyle Book 8) by Nicki James

Rating: 4.25🌈

Paternal Instincts is the finale story in Nicki James Valor and Doyle series, the one that sees the married couple waiting on the birth of their baby, the next step in their journey together as a family. 

Incorporating a mystery about a missing child into their final chapter was a great way to work through Quaid’s traumatic issues with his past before he becomes a father. He must deal with his own emotional pain, his history that he sees reflected in Sparrow, the sister who is being neglected by everyone around her, and the desperate hunt to find Crow. 

Meanwhile, Az is left to deal with his own emotional reactions to this case, his husband’s absence and their more immediate situation of a baby that’s coming.

James has built a complicated story on several levels, that of the missing child’s life and that of Quaid and Aslan’s. It’s a gripping tale and puts a great ending to this couple. Although they are appearing in the sequel series, one I really love. 

It’s not perfect. For me, the overuse of the word sneer, sneered or any form of sneer just took me out of the story. I began to start counting how many times I saw it until I realized I wouldn’t get through the book that way.  I had to let it go.  

Valor and Doyle is a series I enjoyed, especially the books in the beginning of the series.  This ties up many characters nicely and leaves everyone in great shape. That’s a satisfying ending. 

 Buy link

        Paternal Instincts (Valor and Doyle Book 8)

    

Blurb 

At the heart of a missing child case, Quaid and Aslan learn the true nature of fatherhood.

With their baby due any day, Quaid ends up tangled in a case on the last day of work before his parental leave begins. Between eerie ransom notes and family secrets, unanswered questions pile up, twisting the case into something Quaid has never seen.

Someone is lying. Someone knows more than they’re saying.

With the help of supportive friends and colleagues, Quaid and Aslan are determined to solve the case before it’s too late. When their surrogate goes into labor, Quaid struggles to let go and walk away.

A boy has vanished.

A life is in danger.

Can they find the missing child before their baby makes their way into the world?

  • Publication date: June 24, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 370 pages
  • Book 8 of 8: Valor and Doyle

Review:  Lord (Noble’s Luck Book 2) by Mel Todd

Rating: 3🌈

Honestly, Lord is a huge letdown after the fabulous Lady. And that’s totally due to the character of Emmeline’s clueless brother, Duncan Luck.

Of the three siblings who are the focus of this series, Duncan was always going to be the most problematic. So I was hopeful that Todd was going to be able to make him a more balanced and empathetic character here instead of a self absorbed, socially naive, and yes, cowardly person. However, brilliant he might be.

I cannot count how many times this story was almost a DNF for me. 

Several things kept me going.

Firstly, the interesting format Todd had chosen for this trilogy. The timeline for three books, Lady (Emmeline), Lord (Duncan), and Bastard (Silas Emmason), have them occurring simultaneously, just seeing the same events from different perspectives. As well as filling in the missing details and information from when each character is absent from the other’s storyline. 

And this factor works against Duncan in every aspect.  Every horror Emmeline endures, all the fear and despair, the pain and humiliation at their father’s hand, we see that Duncan ignores it, ignores her, hiding behind his experiments. Or refusing to acknowledge that he has been behaving in a manner which seems cowardly and naive.  He’s basically a grown man who either refuses to act or when he chooses, doesn’t consider the consequences to others.  For 85 percent of the story. 

No, however badly Todd seems to want to excuse or explain his actions, Duncan isn’t a character I could care about or invest in.  Mostly I thought him a dangerous fool. Well written, but not one I would ever connect with. 

The story was interesting from just the different standpoint and to see Silas’ interactions here with Duncan .  And, of course, to see Emmy set Duncan straight again on his deplorable outlook and behavior. 

Next to Emmy, Silas is the most interesting. And I’m onto his story which wraps up their trilogy. 

This is an alternate timeline in Victorian England. Magic has just started to appear, Prince Albert never dies, Disraeli stays in office longer. And Victoria never retires because she never falls into grief and mourning, but remains a strong monarch. More is learned about the world political landscape and unrest here.  Another important aspect of this story. 

Lady/Emmy remains the absolute gem of this series. Lord/Duncan is the charcoal. Both are needed. 

I adore the covers. Each and every one.  Detailed to fit the character. 

Cover by Ampersand Book Covers

Noble’s Luck:

Lady #1

Lord #2

Bastard #3

Buy link 

        Lord (Noble’s Luck Book 2)

    

Blurb 

Mr. Duncan Luck has always preferred the clarity of science to the chaos of human expectations.


Crippled as a teenager, he has endured years of his father’s disdain, deemed unworthy of both respect and the family title. When his father reveals a bastard heir who could replace him and forces his sister into a wretched engagement, Duncan’s carefully ordered world begins to unravel.

An accident in his laboratory changes everything. Instead of death, Duncan awakens to something far stranger: magic. The discovery shakes him to his core, offering a new field of study more exhilarating than science—and perhaps, a chance to prove himself. Dragging his reluctant new brother along, Duncan seeks training under the formidable and mysterious Miss Antoinette Carlton. While magic captivates him, Duncan’s efforts to impress his father lead him to develop enchanted looms to revolutionize their family’s mill.

Just as success and his father’s respect feel within reach, tragedy strikes, leaving Duncan broken in body and spirit. With his dreams in tatters and his self-worth shattered, he must confront his failures and decide who he wants to become. Accepting a dubious and possibly dangerous offer from Miss Carlton, Duncan resolves to use his mind and magic to forge a path uniquely his own.

In a society that values strength and dominance, can a man of intellect and magic find his place—and his worth—before it’s too late?

  • Publisher: Bad Ash Publishing
  • Publication date: February 17, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 328 pages
  • Book 2 of 3: Noble’s Luck

Review:  Lost: a Christmas novella by Jenny Schwartz 

Rating: 5✨

This remarkable emotional short story has the power to absolutely break your heart and then knit it back together again.  Lost: a Christmas novella is a science fiction tale of a retiring space soldier rejected by his earth based family because of the wars damage turned him cyborg. And the diverse found family that gave him and them a potential future. 

It’s sheer serendipity that I found this story shortly after finishing this author, Jenny Schwartz ‘s fantastic book, Stars Die, the first in her new Caldryn Parliament science fiction series. 

A short poignant holiday read, its emotional context is rooted in past events and even more importantly, in our own connections with people, veterans within our communities and families.  It’s real and lastly, gives the characters and readers a sense of hope for a better future. 

I honestly don’t know how I missed this author before but she’s now finally on my list of writers to read. She should be on yours too. 

Just incredible. 

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comLost: A Christmas Novella eBook – Jenny Schwartz

Blurb 

Merry Christmas, son. Don’t come home.

Stuck on Central Transit Station, Sergeant Ryan Dabrowski receives a Dear John letter from his family. The home he fought to protect doesn’t want him. He’s left too much of his body out among the stars. The aug-doctors patched him up better than new, but cyborg freaks aren’t welcome on Earth.

“Don’t ruin your sister’s life.”

But what about Rye’s life?

***

Lost is a short Christmas novella about found family, new beginnings, and believing that anything is possible. Merry Christmas! Happy Wishing Tree!

  • Publication date: November 4, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 44 pages