Review: Curse of the Dragon’s Eye: An Epic Dragon Fantasy Saga (The Crystalline Dragons Saga) by Eoghan R. Cunningham

Rating: 4.5🌈

The Crystalline Dragons Saga by Eoghan R Cunningham (also released by the same author writing as Blake R. Wolfe) is new to me.

I’m so happy to have found this as a lover of fantasy novels and epic YA adventure series, as this one has the elements of all those stories done so well.

The character of Dusk is incredibly well written. Dusk’s is a haunting story, a young man captured at the age of 11 or 12, and brought to the infamous deadly mines as a slave for the next 10 perilous, darkened years of his life. If slaves survive to a certain point, they “age” out of the mines, in a worst case scenario. And we live in the moment with Dusk.

Of course, so many things happen. Horrible and magical things. Simple moments like a shining light that stuns a youth that’s been buried in darkness to magical scenes that’s clouded by a lack of knowledge.

Along the path to a new life, Dusk gathers a few friends, a lot more enemies, some astonishing new powers, and his journey becomes a rollicking adventure, sometimes nightmare, on the path to enlightenment and self discovery.

It’s a fascinating story. I’m onto book two and recommending this as a highly entertaining take on fantasy adventure.

Plus. There be dragons.

The Crystalline Dragons Saga-5 books:

✓ Curse of the Dragon’s Eye #1

◦ Mist, Shadow, and Deep #2

◦ Rise of the False King #3

◦ The Queen of Darkness #4 -May 9,2024

◦ Fall of the Crystal Moon #5-June 6,2024

Buy link:

Curse of the Dragon’s Eye: An Epic Dragon Fantasy Saga (The Crystalline Dragons Saga)

Blurb:

When the last dragon died over a thousand years ago, magic disappeared along with them. Alone and powerless, humanity was left to pick up the pieces of their once magnificent world.

But now magic returns in the hands of a young slave.

Ever since slave traders captured me as a small boy, I’ve worked in the salt mines. My destiny is hard labor and an early death. There is no escape.

Until I found the dragon.

Inside a natural cavern, I discovered an ancient dragon skeleton made entirely of crystal. Whispers in my mind told me to steal the gem from its eye. And I did, thinking I could use it to buy my freedom.

However, the moment it touches me, it fuses to my skin, and my entire world is turned upside down. Magic isn’t supposed to exist, but fire erupts from my hands every time someone tries to harm me.

Escaped from the mines at last, I form a shaky alliance when I encounter another traveler down on his luck. We are both determined to make it to the neighboring country, although we keep our reasons secret. Once there, I’ll be free. Then I can get rid of this cursed gem once and for all.

However, a mysterious sorcerer nips at our heels as we reach the final mountain pass. With a hired guide, we try to make it through without being detected. The magic of the dragon’s eye has saved us more than once, but this time, it might just be our downfall.

Curse of the Dragon’s Eye contains a diverse cast of characters and queer themes. It was previously published under the title “The Crystal Eye” by Blake R. Wolfe. Although the title and cover are different, the content remains the same.

• Publication date: February 1, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 299 pages

Review: Reading the Play (Watkins Glen Gladiators Book 5) by V. L. Locey

Rating: 4.5🌈

I’ve loved getting to know the latest of author V. L. Locey’s hockey team , the Watkins Glen Gladiators, and their various journeys into HEA.

Reading the Play actually involves two teams and players from each team, an old misunderstanding, and a white hot chemistry. On the ice, on skates with mad skills.

All of which, Locey does so beautifully.

The characters of competing ice hockey players, Watkins Glen Gladiators goalie Baskoro Huda and Comets goalie Marcus Newley are so good. Fleshed out, with personalities that have depth that makes them feel believable and interesting, these men make it easy to connect with each of their lives and situations.

The enemies to lovers trope and element here is one that is nicely resolved so that the storyline can move forward with the major thread, that of two men from opposing teams who are finding themselves in love with each other .

Each has complications that they bring into play with this dynamic. A daughter, a as yet to be announced sexuality, and much more. How everything is pulled together, and, along with introducing new characters, and giving the readers glimpses inside a troubled mind of another teammate, Locey carefully balances all the narrative needs of her characters and book to come up with another winner!

Baskoro Huda and Marcus Newley prove that goalies are indeed special, never more so than on their own path to love and family. I loved them.

More please.

I’m highly recommending this and the entire series

Watkins Glen Gladiators:

✓ Between The Pipes #1

✓ Defending The House #2

✓ Dump and Chase #3

✓ Taking The Body #4

✓ Reading The Play #5

Buy Link:

Reading the Play (Watkins Glen Gladiators 5)

Blurb:

Will there be kissing and making up or will Baskoro and Marcus be dropping the gloves?

A new season is about to kick off and Baskoro Huda is ready to win it all. As one half of the Watkins Glen Gladiators two-man tandem goalkeeping duo, Basky, as his teammates call him, is on track to deliver a winning season and everything is going his way. His summer training is paying off, his family and friends are warm and supportive, and his new nephew is the cutest thing ever. He’s even had a few casual dates. The only downside to this upcoming amazing season is the fact that he has to face goalie Marcus Newley and the Comets several times. To say there is no love lost between the two men would be an understatement. Granted, Marcus is incredibly handsome and skilled, but those qualities are overshadowed by the man’s ego. The tension between the two goalies has been percolating since senior year of college and one more pithy comment from Basky’s rival might just be all it takes for a reckoning that’s been a long time coming.

Marcus Newley has come a long way in a short time. He’s clawed his way to the top of the Comets roster and is now within reach of his dream: winning that championship cup and securing his chances for a call-up to the pros. The brass ring is within reach, and he is not about to let someone like Baskoro Huda and his team stand in his way. He’s got one very important person counting on him to make those dreams a reality. Unsure of what he ever did to twist the pretty but irritable Gladiators goalie’s shorts into such a tight knot, all he can do is fire back when the verbal barbs are launched from the other end of the ice. The time to focus on hockey is now, and he refuses to let Baskoro take up any more time in his head. It’s an all-out war as far as Marcus is concerned and nothing but complete surrender from Baskoro will satisfy those—and perhaps not so hidden—passions.

Reading the Play is a low angst, enemies-to-lovers, doting uncle and single dad queer hockey romance with two goalies who snipe at each other endlessly, one old misunderstanding, far too many sci-fi/fantasy TV show and movie references, several teammates trying to keep the peace, one goaltending coach who sees what all the others seem to be missing, and a hard won but oh-so gratifying happy ending.

• Publication date: April 18, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 189 pages

Review: Fanboy (Hot Off the Ice Book 8) by A. E. Wasp

Rating: 4.5 🌈

I love the Hot Off the Ice series by A. E. Wasp and the latest novel, Fan Boy, is just a reminder why it’s so fun and well written.

Wasp’s storylines never forgets that these characters as well as the series are grounded firmly in the sport of professional ice hockey. The team dynamics, the sheer physicality of the players and what it takes to maintain their peak performance levels while also being able to have a personal life. That last part is as important to the team and players stability as their physical conditioning.

Over and over, it’s the players who lack a support system outside of the team that fumbles their respective lives, professional and personal. Wasp has been able to explore different personalities, team dynamics and positions, and couples so far. It’s been a fascinating journey for so many different players.

Now it’s Thunder forward Alex Huberdeau, a sweet, immensely gifted hockey player. He’s just been dumped by his longtime fiancée, someone he’s known since his high school days. He’s lonely in the enormous house he bought for them after they were married, and drifting in the aftermath of this rejection.

In typical, wonderful Wasp fashion, Alex has been crafted as a character we not only can care about immediately but as he reveals more of the depth of his personality and inner voice, we fall even more deeply in love with him.

The same goes for Sunny Gonzales, a nonbinary fashion designer who’s working for their friend’s Phoebe’s cafe as a barista. Sunny is a character who is beautifully fluid, vibrantly articulate who transforms their appearance through their incredible fashion designs. Sunny’s relationship with Alex is one that incorporates humor, wonder, surprise, and growth, especially as they help Alex adjust to a new sense of awareness about his own sexuality.

It’s beautiful romance and such a great storyline. It’s got personal exploration, splendid communication between not just the two main characters but their friends who are just as much a part of them and their relationship.

There’s also laugh out loud scenes, courtesy of Alex’s best friend and fellow teammate, Devin and another couple from a previous story. Just hilarious.

We actually get two couples here. Plus plus!

Would I have been happy for an additional chapter or two? Why, yes. I wasn’t ready for this to be over. But I was satisfied with the outcome and the ending.

Fanboy (Hot Off the Ice Book 8) by A. E. Wasp is a fantastic story and source of reading happiness. A definite recommendation.

Hot Off the Ice:

✓ City Boy #1

✓ Country Boy #2

✓ Skater Boy #3

✓ Boy Toys #4

✓ Boy Next Door #5

✓ Boys of Summer #6

✓ Bad Boys #7

✓ Fanboy #8

Buy link

Fanboy (Hot Off the Ice Book 8)

Blurb:

Fashion, fake dates, and real stakes. Sometimes the only way to win is to break all the rules.

After being dumped by his fiance, Thunder forward Alex Huberdeau finds himself questioning the game of love entirely. Clueless about dating, disinterested in flings, and unable to have a normal conversation with women, Alex is convinced something’s broken inside him.

Enter Sunny Gonzales—a nonbinary, proudly polyamorous, fashion designer desperately searching for a big break. While their creativity blooms, love seems a luxury that’s eluded them, shaded by their fears of a world quick to shun people who color outside the lines.

When Alex learns that Sunny needs a partner for a game show that could be the answer to their prayers, he leaps at the chance to help. In return, Sunny will teach him all they know about love and romance.

With only three weeks to learn all they can about each other, Sunny and Alex embark on a crash course that blurs the lines between friendship and romance. As feelings grow and the game show’s climax looms, Alex and Sunny must decide if they’re playing to win or playing for keeps.

Fanboy is a story about breaking binaries and subverting expectations. It contains questionable coffee drinks, zoot suits, a talking car, and unauthorized use of a hot tub.

• Publication date: April 15, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 200 pages

Review: Hoarded to Death: A Jamie Brodie Mystery (Jamie Brodie Mysteries Book 2) by Meg Perry

Rating: 4.5🌈

In Hoarded to Death, author Meg Perry’s characters get to be seen fully realized in every aspect of their lives, from their messy personal relationships to those careers in which each is a highly successful and respected professional. Then all will have both segments, personal and professional, fiercely intertwined by a ex spouse, a reality cable show, and finally, a police murder investigation .

I really enjoyed that first case and my introduction to all the characters but Hoarded to Death really has Perry adding some interesting and moving aspects to the relationships being forged between various characters. Especially between Jamie Brodie and Pete, his brother’s former partner and best friend. Jamie is the man he dated, broke up with, and is now living with after the events of the last book. It’s not going as smoothly as everyone thinks.

Those rushed, tumultuous decisions are causing him to question how quickly he’s moved into this situation he now finds himself in, house wise and perhaps with the relationship too

Perry has more as far as hidden secrets (Pete’s) and troubling emotional baggage that will realistically impact this couple’s dynamic. It doesn’t resolve itself within the story, and given the severity of the nature of the issues, it shouldn’t . The raw and real problems that are showing up in Jamie and Pete’s relationship makes this a great story on its own. Especially as Jamie’s brother, Kevin, and girlfriend are a strong support for both, as well as Jamie’s father. The connections run deep here.

The fabulous mystery which starts out as an emotional request for support from someone from Jamie’s brother’s past but moves forward into an intriguing investigation that needs to be explored through the storyline. And we get to know more about the enigma that is Clinton.

There’s actually so much more to this book than I had expected from reading the first novel . The characters are more complex, their relationships are compelling and without any quick resolutions to issues. And the mysteries are thrilling but without the gore but with the exciting moments one wants in a mystery.

Now I’m highly anticipating book 3. And recommending Hoarded to Death: A Jamie Brodie Mystery (Jamie Brodie Mysteries Book 2) by Meg Perry.

The Jamie Brodie Mysteries – 23 books

✓ Cited to Death

✓ Hoarded to Death

◦ Burdened to Death

◦ Researched to Death

◦ Encountered to Death

◦ Psyched to Death

◦ Stacked to Death

◦ Stoned to Death

◦ Talked to Death

◦ Avenged to Death

◦ Played to Death

◦ Filmed to Death

◦ Trapped to Death

◦ Promoted to Death

◦ Published to Death

◦ Cloistered to Death

◦ Haunted to Death

◦ Obsessed to Death

◦ Deserted to Death

◦ Drugged to Death

◦ Resigned to Death

◦ Snowed to Death

◦ Enchanted to Death

Dirty Laundry: The Jamie Brodie Short Stories (Jamie Brodie Mysteries)

Sequel series:

An Angeles Investigations Mystery

◦ Cheated to Death: Book 1

◦ Hunted to Death Book 2

Buy links:

Hoarded to Death: A Jamie Brodie Mystery (Jamie Brodie Mysteries Book 2)

Blurb:

When Jamie Brodie agrees to help his ex-sister-in-law Jennifer clean her hoarded apartment, the last thing he expects to find in the hoard is a dead body – and what the dead man was clutching in his hand might be the answer to a thousand-year-old mystery. As Jamie and the police investigate, they uncover a hoard of secrets – but the biggest secret of all belongs to Jamie’s boyfriend, Pete. Suddenly Jamie is searching for the answers to three questions: who killed the man in Jennifer’s apartment? Is the paper in his hand real? And can Jamie’s relationship with Pete survive?

•

• Publication date: June 30, 2013

• Language: English

• File size: 1452 KB

• Print length: 173 pages

•

Review: How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit: Bone 5 (How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy Book 11 by A.J. Sherwood

Rating : 4.5🌈

It’s the penultimate story and we have incredibly idiotic large emu-like demons ahead. Plus equally dense academia to mess with.

This means our family of sorcerers , young budding sorcerers included, have a blast, we find out what a Piemu is, and Steve is that much closer to being a whole skeleton.

I sort of missed him here. And the skelebabies in action. They are so adorable and great fun.

One more installment to go. I can’t wait. I do wish we’d found out what Tan had done when he was lingering on campus. Whatever it was, they deserved it.

Love these covers.

Series and side stories

💥How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy-6 books

💥How Tan Acquired an Apprentice

💥How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit:Bone series

Buy Link

How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit: Bone 5 (How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy Book 11)

Blurb:

You must negotiate return of dragon wing. Penalty levied against party members. Piemu unleashed. Accept quest? (YES) (no)

Tan: How is this harder than the pirates?

Devan: I’m looking at the reason.

Tan: Uncalled for. True, but still uncalled for.

Tags:

Academic types are stingy, demonic chickens, strange version of Whac-A-Mole, Niran acquires apprentices, Fa comes to play too, candy tastes best after murder, basically the corruption is spreading

• Publisher: (April 12, 2024)

• Publication date: April 12, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 56 pages

Review: Higher Demon (The Collective Book 1) by Louisa Masters

Rating: 4.25🌈

Higher Demon begins a new a sequel series to the fantastic Ghostly Guardians, called The Collective. That’s the ancient hidden agency started to protect humanity from demons, including the hunters who tracked and killed them.

The book and series begins after the tumultuous and violent events of the previous Ghostly Guardians finale, where corruption was uncovered in the Collective and a plot to bring both the earth and the demonic realm into the same plane , which culminated in a vicious battle.

All those characters now migrate into this new series, either as main characters or as supporting but equally important players. So having the knowledge of their stories and the background is a necessity here.

The Higher Demon of the title is, of course, Marc, the higher demon we met books ago. What a fascinating character he’s been from the beginning.

Marc started as an enigma, moves into semi-villainous status, and then keeps evolving as more about him and his role is revealed. His demonic nature, however, is pleasingly unique and Marc’s. Ancient, arrogant, definitely not human, Masters’ is able to both show an evolution in his thinking and capacity to change while keeping his essence intact. I adore Marc.

Then there’s the brothers we have meet many times before, mostly when they were both younger and with their older brother, Con. There is Matty, who will be featured in book 2, and Ian, who is the main character here. Ian is a great character too. Snarky, hilarious, tempered by his years as a hunter and now teacher.

Ian has always had main character energy from the time he was 12 and used flowers to protect his older brother from Marc, a story that has it’s origins in the first series and gets retold here, multiple times . Now 6 years later, Ian is older and the strange wonderful dynamic that pulls him and Marc together gets stronger.

The relationship that builds between them is built on snark, history, appreciation of each other’s intelligence and respect, however unacknowledged.

Masters has created additional threats to the tenuous peace treaty that requires investigation from both sides, a romance between Ian and Marc that has huge implications for both species as well as both characters, and for Ian’s relationship with his family.

Masters is packing a lot of elements into this first book, so for me it feels as though some aspects weren’t as developed as they could have been. The investigation is one. It ends on a “as told by “ explanation after an intriguing start.

Another element is the character of Con, Ian’s older brother. This character has had 6 years to adapt and mature as an individual. Here, he comes perilously close to being a bully and hothead, he’s riding the line that could make him a negative narrative force rather than a positive one. It’s understandable in that ancient ghost of a relative. Him? Not so much.

Higher Demon (The Collective Book 1) by Louisa Masters is a good read. I love the main characters of Marc and Ian, and look forward to seeing them as well as Matty’s story.

I thought that there were a few things that needed more attention to detail, more development in the narrative. Also, anyone coming to this story needs to read the first series for the characters and foundation knowledge it brings here. While the author does some explaining on the backstory, it’s far too complicated with regard to the characters and plots not to read the series itself.

Both are recommended! Happy reading.

Ghostly Guardians:

✓ Spirited Situation #1

✓ Vortex Conundrum #2

✓ Conduit Crisis #3

✓ Gateway Catastrophe #4 -finale

The Collective, sequel series:

✓ Higher Demon #1

◦ Demon Hunter #2-Aug 29,2024

Buy link

Higher Demon (The Collective Book 1)

Blurb

No matter the demon, the hunter’s role is clear…

A thousand years ago, my great-something uncle founded the Collective, a secret organization dedicated to protecting humanity from demons. The hunter tradition has been passed down over the generations, from parent to child, secure in the knowledge that the Collective is a community of safety and knowledge.

But betrayal sucks, and six years ago, it turned my world—and the Collective—upside down. After generations of deception, the hunters left behind are picking up the pieces and trying something we’ve never done before—working side by side with our enemy.

Demons, just to be clear. They’re apparently “misunderstood,” but the jury is still out on that. And I—a twentysomething archivist with an addiction to hoodies—somehow ended up as liaison to the demon ambassador.

If it sounds like a nightmare, that’s because it is. The demon ambassador is a stuck-up, pretentious twat… not to mention he could kill me with a thought. Worst of all, he’s getting under my skin in ways I never expected. But I’m the only hunter who doesn’t actively want to kill him, so… tag, I’m it.

I’ve already been betrayed by those I should have been able to trust the most. How hard can hanging out with a higher demon be?

The author recommends reading the Ghostly Guardian series for full background on what happened six years ago, though it’s not essential.

• Publisher: (April 11, 2024)

• Publication date: April 11, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 246 pages

Review: Knowing You (Words We Never Said Book 1) by E. M. Lindsey

Rating: 3.5🌈

Knowing You is the first in a new series. Words We Never Said, by E.M. Lindsey. It’s a contemporary romance that has multiple core characters with the main characters here each having their own distinct struggles and personal challenges. This includes single dads or guardians as a core group and they have additional layered in issues that arise from their current situation.

Lindsey has developed a story and series that, just from the description, should be immediately relevant and easy to connect with. There’s single parenting, and children of a range of ages. They too have some depth of character, even though they don’t have as much storylines.

I came thinking I was going to have a quick, engaging experience with this book and characters. Instead, I kept questioning why I wasn’t completely convinced by certain characters or aspects of those character’s personality or even engaged by their storylines.

I was consistently made distant from the characters rather than fully invested by aspects of the story that just felt bulky . So many important elements were piled up on so few characters that it ultimately felt like a fabricated issue mountain rather than people who were just trying to make it with real life stuff.

That’s unfortunate because if you strip away some of the struggle floss, these characters work separately and together.

Let’s start with the manny/nanny (it’s an issue), it’s filled by next-door neighbor, Bowen Gallons. Bowen is the meet cute, sort of, when Lane’s 3year old daughter steals his prosthetic leg and brings it home. No spoilers, that’s in the description. He’s former stuntman who had a stunt go horribly wrong. Then got dumped on top of the loss of his leg and career.

Bowen has a lot to bring to the narrative. In this case, his own traumatic backstory as a recent amputee and being dumped by a ex boyfriend. There’s an adjustment to his body image and more. He’s a relatable character. I really like Bowen. His background with child development/education works too because of the personality he’s been given.

It’s Lane and Briar that had me questioning. Not just the father/daughter dynamic but also the label given to Lane for his behavior (four years or more) . DA is a serious topic. But we meet Lane just as he’s in the middle of a screaming match with an absent parent/spouse, Sana. Sana who has been absent for 2 years now on a “forever vacation” with no interest in coming home and had been mostly a visitor when she was younger in the relationship.

For me, she’s the missing link. What we see of her as either in “as told to” by friends or in the tiny scenes of one dimensional caricature of a scheming narcissist. But nothing of any substance or of their own dynamic to support the current situation’s labeling. Had the author given us more of them together, let us see their differences, their dynamics, and let Sana have layers. This would have made the thread a better fit and a little more accurate portrayal of what I believe the author was trying to convey.

But instead we don’t know enough of him and his story. We just see him as he is now. He’s a mess, his daughter is suffering from her own abandonment issues (there’s never any mention of getting her therapy here, although a kid who is stealing to get presents has issues), and he’s not dealing with anything in his real life. A absent spouse and mother. A daughter in trouble as well as a business who needs his attention.

There’s a lot going on here. He’s been a mess for years. So what happens? He “snaps” out of it immediately. From years of being a ‘spineless idiot’ (his words) to a man of action in a day. After years of ignoring advice/input from friends and alienating people and family.

That just doesn’t ring true for me. Then it’s followed up with a bisexual awakening, a new sexual , albeit hidden,relationship with Bowen while both are questioning their commitment to each other. Briar’s emotional issues are only intermittently mentioned here. She has been relegated to a lesser role until dramatically required for a scene. I have a quibble with that too.

Other characters that will obviously have their own stories are flowing in and out of the narrative and this couple’s relationship. Some to act as a Greek chorus, others to throw in a stumbling block or two on their path to romance.

The climax is one strange dramatic moment that drains directly into a birthday party celebration and a weird off page event that satisfies no one.

Knowing You (Words We Never Said Book 1) by E. M. Lindsey has some wonderful ideas and lovely characters. The potential for a great story is there. I just don’t think it succeeds as a whole.

Words We Never Said:

✓ Knowing You #1

◦ Resisting You #2 – Nov 30,2024

Buy link

Knowing You: A Single Dad Romance (Words We Never Said Book 1)

Blurb

“Oh my God, Briar! Where did you get that prosthetic leg?”

Things as a parent Lane thought he’d never say for four hundred, Alex.

But that’s par for the course in Lane Ashbury’s life considering everything is on the verge of falling apart. He not only has a toddler building her skills as a professional klepto, but he’s also on the verge of divorce, and hoping desperately to save his business before it goes under.

Luckily, the owner of the stolen leg might just be an angel in disguise when he offers to be Lane’s new nanny instead of pressing charges.

The whole thing would be perfect if Bowen Galanos didn’t make Lane feel things. If he didn’t make Lane question everything he thought he knew about himself every time Bowen’s touch lingered just a little too long.

And when Bowen offers some no-strings benefits to their friendship to see if maybe Lane’s not as straight as he thought, Lane finds it impossible to say no. I mean, it’s not like he’s going to realize he’s madly in love with his nanny, right?

That would be absurd.

That would be ridiculous.

And knowing him, that would be exactly his luck.

Knowing You is the first book in a light-hearted, single-dads romance series. It features a toddler with sticky fingers, a tired dad who just wants to be loved, a former stunt actor who craves to be needed, Henry Cavill man crushes, a hint of sweet, a twist of angst, a steamy bisexual awakening, and the happiest of happily ever afters.

• Publisher: (April 10, 2024)

• Publication date: April 10, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 257 pages

◦

Review: Cited to Death: A Jamie Brodie Mystery (Jamie Brodie Mysteries Book 1) by Meg Perry

Rating: 4.25🌈

I love a mystery. So give me a new-to-me author, a mystery novel that represents not one but two connected mystery series and I’m in.

Cited to Death: A Jamie Brodie Mystery (Jamie Brodie Mysteries Book 1) by Meg Perry is all the above. This is a first book by Perry for me and I was very entertained by the mystery and invested in the characters Perry has created for her series.

Academic librarian Jamie Brodie, yes, we have librarians as main characters, is delivered an envelope and mystery, both courtesy of a dead ex. Also we have so many librarians .

I’m so hooked.

There’s law enforcement officers as family and as romantic partners and many librarians as friends and fascinating colleagues. All are delightfully well-drawn and have balanced personalities as well as thoughtful roles to play in Jamie’s life and the mysteries that start to unfold.

Perry knows her subject matter and it shows in how the investigation evolves . It’s believable, the facts coming from various sources and at paces suitable for those networks. Perry’s people too have their flaws and strengths.

Jamie’s constant awareness of his severely compromised lungs and asthmatic symptoms is real. He treats his body with respect and his health as someone who acknowledges that he’s got a health condition that requires a certain diligence on his part and he does it. It’s a part of his personality and foundation. It centers us on who he is that he’s take a certain level of care and responsibility.

This type of characterization continues throughout the novel with other characters. And with the plot. There’s a tightness and depth of thought to every scene and storyline.

If I had a quibble, it’s that I saw a certain character was problematic to begin with. At what depth and to what extent, I didn’t know. But hints were there.

However, the characters and plots were entertaining, the ending suspense filled, and absolutely satisfying.

I’m on my way to Hoarded to Death .

For lovers of LGBTGIA murder mystery with a bit of romance, check it out. Especially mystery that’s more on the thoughtful side and less on the bloody aspect, this is the one that I recommend for you . I mean look at the series!

The Jamie Brodie Mysteries – 23 books

Cited to Death

Hoarded to Death

Burdened to Death

Researched to Death

Encountered to Death

Psyched to Death

Stacked to Death

Stoned to Death

Talked to Death

Avenged to Death

Played to Death

Filmed to Death

Trapped to Death

Promoted to Death

Published to Death

Cloistered to Death

Haunted to Death

Obsessed to Death

Deserted to Death

Drugged to Death

Resigned to Death

Snowed to Death

Enchanted to Death

Dirty Laundry: The Jamie Brodie Short Stories (Jamie Brodie Mysteries)

Sequel series:

An Angeles Investigations Mystery

◦ Cheated to Death: Book 1

◦ Hunted to Death Book 2

Buy links:

Cited to Death: A Jamie Brodie Mystery (Jamie Brodie Mysteries Book 1)

Blurb:

Academic librarian Jamie Brodie hasn’t seen old boyfriend Dan Christensen in years. When Jamie reads Dan’s obituary in the paper, he’s surprised. When he receives a letter from Dan, written just before his death, Jamie is shocked. Dan’s letter suggests that Dan was in danger, lists two article citations from medical journals, and asks Jamie to look into the citations. When Jamie requests the articles, strange things begin to happen. His computer is hacked, his tires are slashed, he thinks someone might be following him – and he uncovers two more deaths. The coroner’s report says that Dan died of natural causes – but did he? Is there something suspicious about the articles, or was Dan just paranoid? The closer Jamie gets to answering those questions, the more it seems that someone is trying to stop him…

• Publisher: Meg Perry; 2nd edition (December 4, 2012)

• Publication date: December 4, 2012

• Language: English

• Print length: 127 pages

Review: Shadow & Ghosts: City of Shadows Book 1 by Lex Veia

Rating: 5🌈

I’m not sure how I stumbled across this amazing book and author but Shadow & Ghosts, the first novel in the City of Shadows series by Lex Veia is the urban fantasy universe that I was most in need of.

The world building here is astonishing. I’m so intrigued by the many different ways Veia has combined recognizable elements, such as authentic US geographical features and locations with the author’s own unique narrative storylines. That Veia incorporates fantastic twisted historical creations of warfare and demonic rifts, along with a dark capital city run and divided by gangs makes this a tale you cannot put down.

“The city of monsters, mobsters, and dark magic. Oh, I know all about the witch-gangs of Las O.”

That’s the voice of Kit Winter, thief extraordinaire, aka The Shadow, and a captivating figure at the heart of this story and series. Once we make the connection with him, we can’t pull away from his vibrant character, that energetic, magnetic force that is so full of emotional/personal layers, that the author is still peeling them away even at the end of the story. Kit is someone who has hidden so much of himself for so long that , even the act of remembering is a complex act . One that never comes to fruition.

His opposite is Zach Riley, The Ghost, leader of the Renegades, the Elite Team gathered by Captain Emilie Brodie to fight demons and witches.

Zach’s background and legendary status as The Ghost is another rock solid element of this story. Zach is a constantly evolving and changing character, in part due to the revelations that are a part of his growing relationship with Kit. The two men, both different and yet so similar in emotional makeup and personality.

This is a very slow burn romance. And it works beautifully as it’s built around the team’s chemistry and the heavy lifting that comes from the missions they are sent on and the mysteries that they find.

The action sequences and the entire suspense that’s being built around the missions and the evils that the team faces is indescribably powerful. I started to go back to look at a few things in the book and before I knew it, I was sucked in , rereading it as though it was my first time.

And loving it as much if not more.

This is a story where the reader will feel the grimy surfaces, the dark magic, and poisoning of the light of the dangerous city, Las Oscura. And the author makes us take an emotional journey with all the characters through this city and all the events that occur.

What a wild, dark, intense journey it is.

I can’t wait for the next book to come.

City of Shadows:

✓ Shadow & Ghost #1

◦ Shadow & Ghost 2: City of Ghosts-coming July 2024

Buy Link:

Shadow & Ghost: City of Shadows: A Slow-Burn MM Urban Fantasy

Blurb:

Kit Winter does not get caught.

As the most infamous thief in America, Kit enjoys a carefree, transient lifestyle—or, he did, until someone slapped a pair of handcuffs around his wrists and offered him an impossible choice: Rot in prison or join the most dangerous division of the Darkmagic Investigation Agency, the Renegades.

Kit’s pretty sure he chose wrong. The Renegades are the most elite fighters in the world—none more so than their legendary dark-witch-killing lieutenant, Zach Riley. Kit is utterly outmatched and unprepared for hunting witches and demons through the dangerous, magic-riddled city of Las Oscura.

But when a routine hellhound hunt turns fatal, Kit’s criminal skillset might be the Renegades’ best shot at tracking a deadly new killer through the shadowy underground—and Kit’s chance to earn his place on the team. However, hunting witches is worlds away from Kit’s old life, and if he wants to survive, he’ll need to learn to trust his team—and balance his burgeoning feelings for a certain lieutenant.

This is an action-packed urban fantasy with slow-burn romance culminating in spicy scenes. Each book in the series will be increasingly spicy as the romance builds.

• Publisher: (February 29, 2024)

• Publication date: February 29, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 391 pages

Review: A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

Rating: 5🌈

“Do not embrace me till each circumstance

Of place, time, fortune, do cohere and jump

That I am Viola

Twelfth Night”

Regency romance has and is a great favorite of mine, starting from the first Georgette Heyer novel I read back in my childhood. And I have been steadily consuming different authors versions or interpretation of this genre, whether they stay true to the timeframe of the historical era or fast forwarded to a future world and space regency culture.

There’s some absolutely magnificent novels and series that capture the original spirit and style of those romances while letting the author explore them in their own unique, imaginative ways and with well written LGBTQIA characters.

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall is one of those extraordinary novels that pays homage to the original genre in multiple ways, by its inclusion of the time frame, the cultural context, and peerages, as well as minutia of the Ton that’s a given as part of a Regency romance. However, Hall, elevates his story by giving us a deeply moving, emotional story of complex themes. One of transcendent language, magnificent characters, and an ending that I have returned to more times than I can count.

If there be echoes of a Shakespearean character, it’s welcome. For Viola Carroll is unforgettable. Both for the reader, and for Gracewood, the Duke lost in mourning and grief for the only person who ever truly saw him and cared about him.

Viola is both the ghost of the memories of the person Gracewood is mourning but who never really existed, and the truth of who she is and sacrificed everything to finally get to be. It’s a wrenching, amazing portrait of courage, pain, sacrifice, strength, and love.

Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood, is a believable, layered, damaged man. I’m not talking about the physical damage he’s suffered by his time in as a soldier in the past war. But the mental and emotional pain he suffered and carries due to his upbringing and the expectations of his station in life .

Hall’s narrative is a thoughtful exploration of roles and expectations that society places upon people. Especially those of a certain class and gender. Of genders and their places within society, this too will figure greatly here in the story, threaded through several characters perspectives.

Aside from the superbly written main characters, there are also many other outstanding characters to connect with here. The brother and sister-in-law, Badger and Louise, Lord and Lady Marleigh. I love them both deeply. Well defined, real, heartfelt characters. Then there is Mira, Gracewood’s sister who is desperate to connect with her brother. And the not to be forgotten , very bold , Lady “Stevie” Lillimere. She is a real favorite! So many outlying characters that are impactful and relevant to the story and readers.

At the very end, a two person POV changes, and we are given one final, extremely important perspective for the epilogue. This can sometimes be jarring and confusing. But here it feels natural and makes those last moments even more magical. And possibly poetic in their power and imagery.

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall is rated not just a top five book LGBTQIA or trans historical romance for me . It’s a top five book. All tropes.

Pick it up and discover why!

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Blurb

From the bestselling author of Husband Material comes a lush, sweeping queer historical romance where sparks fly between childhood friends after a life-changing separation—perfect for fans of Bridgerton, Evie Dunmore, and Lisa Kleypas!

When Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood.

Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognises her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become.

As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that would have been impossible once and may be impossible still, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again.

• Publisher: Forever (May 24, 2022)

• Publication date: May 24, 2022

• Language: English

• Print length: 481 pages

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