Bad Vocabulary – Rants and Writings!

Review: The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love (The Hitman’s Guide #1) by Alice Winters

by Alice Winters

Rating: 5 🌈

I’ve been on a fantasy binge lately and when I realized I couldn’t remember if a incubus character was one that needed a hug or shouldn’t be touched, it was time to return to contemporary fiction.

I pulled up Alice Winters because she’s a author I not only adore for her terrific well written tales but honestly, I know I’m in for a rollicking hilarious great “game on” of a read when I grab for one of her stories.

That’s exactly what I fell into with The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love. It’s one of three novels about a hitman and his hunny with a side story that’s equally amazing.

But The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love is the beginning. A laugh out loud, gut wrenchingly hilarious book about a hit man named Leland who’s career takes an unexpected turn when he spies a PI awkwardly scaling a fence to gain access into a house he’s monitoring.

I won’t go further. That’s definitely a scene to be savored in the book.

Much like their tangled relationship and Leland’s oversized personality.

Every time I start a Winters story it’s almost a given I’ll end up at after 3am … eyes still glued to the Kindle until it says… the end….

From the droll descriptions of the characters, current remarks dropped into snappy dialogue, and conversations that veer from pithy to deep emotions and back to full on hilarity with the speed of a Mach one racer, this story ( and all the rest) are flat out fantabulous!

Age gap, humorous action packed mayhem romance, complete with Randy the blowup Sex doll and adorable doggies.

I’d only complain if there wasn’t a follow up story but there is. Happy dance!

So this is an absolute must read if you love to guffaw with your contemporary romance, need spot on dialogue with characters so memorable that their staying power is all the way to 11 (movie reference).

Highly recommending the author and series! A must read!

The Hitman’s Guide series:

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love #1

◦ The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes #2

◦ The Hitman’s Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot #3

Side Story:

😎The Former Assassin’s Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love by Alice Winters – Goodreads

Synopsis:

What happens when a snarky hitman and a by-the-book PI cross paths?

Leland
Being a hitman has its perks, but I never thought getting an accidental mooning by an attractive PI while he’s caught on a fence would be one of them. While it’s not exactly love at first sight, he’s captured my interest and won’t let go.

Suddenly, I find myself caught in a game of cat and mouse, determined to attract the attention of Jackson, the PI who should be my enemy. He pretends like he’s not flattered by my flowers and the mentions of my totally-not-fictitious blow-up doll Randy (or was it Dandy?), but I know better. Why else would he be teaming up with me to bring down Hardek, one of the city’s most ruthless criminals?

Jackson
Even though the cops are telling me that the hitman is a notorious contract killer, I can’t help but admit that I’m drawn to him. He’s funny, charismatic, and attractive. There’s no way this ridiculous man can be the person the cops are after.

But when Leland ends up at my doorstep injured, I’m faced with a tough choice. It’s my duty to hand him over to law enforcement, but my heart has other plans. I want to keep him. To protect him. To be with him.

Though one question remains: why in the world does the man have so many d*mn guns?

Contains: shenanigans on a swing that you would NOT find at a playground, a car chase that sadly doesn’t have flips or explosions, a horsey ride sans horse, cuddles, an exuberant mutt, a suspicious chief of police, and lots and lots of laughs

Review: Gideon (Chosen Champions #2) by Macy Blake

Rating: 4.5

Gideon was a better tale, probably because so much of the exposition had been dealt with in Logan’s book that we’re familiar with most of the characters here.

We get the relationships happening and the new dynamics at play around the Warehouse, the headquarters for Logan’s team and new pack.

With a foundation set, a mystery arc laid out for us (again in Logan’s story), Gideon is ready for his next step forward.

For that, it’s also a trip back … towards his past with Taj, the incubus who broke his heart. We met Taj during the big investigation and now we learn the circumstances behind his conditions on this side of the Seal.

Sometimes it’s a tough thing getting a couples chemistry right, especially if it’s needed to be combustible immediately. That’s certainly not a issue here. Taj and Gideon are that romantic incendiary pair that also manages to be tragic and trapped in their past. They make this story.

Taj comes with a human best friend , Erich, who’s ignorant of the supernaturals around him, including Taj. A pair, like adopted brothers, Erich is a character we see a lot of.

The arc mystery started in the first story continues here, building its elements and characters through most investigations and cases. It’s the one aspect that’s adding on the danger and suspense in each book without giving any answers so far.

What is happening is that Logan’s family and pack is growing. Both supernatural and human beings by story and mate.

This was a terrific story and romance. I love seeing everyone and the steps forward they had taken. Including therapy for Bailey, and that his recovery is a process. Great job.

Next up is Aleron. Unfortunately, that’s not til March 22, 2022. I’ll be waiting.

I may check out some of the other connected series.

I’m definitely recommending the Chosen Champions, both stories. Read them in the order they were written.

Chosen Champions series:

✓ Logan #1

✓ Gideon #2

◦ Aleron #3 – coming March 22, 2022

https://www.goodreads.com › showGideon (Chosen Champions #2) by Macy Blake | Goodreads

Synopsis:

Gideon is a centuries-old vampire warrior with a broken heart…

Which is why he’s vowed never to risk it again. Instead, he’s channeled his passion and his legendary self-control into becoming a skilled protector — one who’s promised to wield his sword alongside a young wolf shifter leader on a mission from the mysterious Oracle to protect the human realm against the broken magic that threatens its very existence. He’s doing just fine without love, thank you very much… at least until his incubus ex reappears in his life.

Taj is an incubus without a home…

And that is every bit as unpleasant as it sounds. Banished to the human realm, Taj is learning the hard way that survival is for the fittest and, um… he’s not as fit as he thought he was. Not when his past keeps coming back to haunt him. Still, it’s only when another incubus is involved in a series of brutal attacks and Taj’s ex, Gideon, rides to the rescue that Taj learns just how dangerous this human realm might be to his life… and to his heart.

But although the fire between Gideon and Taj burns hotter than ever, they’ll need to break through the wall of secrets that divides them if they want a chance to set things right…

A second chance for the human realm.

A second chance at finding a home in the welcoming arms of their new pack.

And a second chance at building a future… together.

Review: Logan (Chosen Champions #1) by Macy Blake

Rating: 4.25 🌈

Once again I seem to have stumbled onto a new author and new series with quite a few established characters, and a solid fantasy foundation set in place by multiple series that were released prior to this one. It’s a prospect that’s full of potential for a long and happy reader relationship if I love what I find here.

Turns out I do.

Blake gives her readers the essentials of her world building here at the beginning. The magical seal, the now divided realms with the human realm now hosting, without humanities knowledge , a wide spectrum of supernatural beings caught unawares when the door home “slammed shut”as it were.

It’s how those are doing here and who’s monitoring them that’s the series. And the prior ones as far as I can tell.

Blake breaks down her different series into factions dealing with this huge closure between worlds. I’m still a little vague on the Chosen Champions thing and how they factor into the big picture. Maybe that’s coming.

Logan starts the beginning of the Chosen Champions. Each of the supernaturals who are already a secret police team are individuals that have made appearances elsewhere in other series.

Since I’m new to it all, I can say it doesn’t make a huge difference not to have read those stories prior to this one. It’s other parts of each man’s/beings past that will become a pivotal storyline in each novel.

For Logan, it’s his pack-less status, the history behind that, and his lack of mate. Those huge issues drive him emotionally, including denying his instincts as a Alpha to form a pack.

Macy Blake has a interesting group of supernaturals as Logan’s friends and team. From a dragon, a griffin, a vampire, a wolf from another family, and an enigmatic boss who’s only heard but never seen, it’s a tight knit grab bag of talents and history.

Bailey Cairn on the other hand is all human, a talented chef, exhausted student about to graduate with a business degree, loyal friend, and a bit insecure about himself.

Blake’s characters are well crafted, and relatable, whether they’re human or supernatural. Bailey comes with a small close group of college friends who’ve formed a found family amongst themselves with Bailey as the centering force. We soon find ourselves as familiar with this small human “family “ as we are with Logan’s team.

A linked series of horrific attacks pull both groups together.

A two person pov format works very well , especially in a story with a suspense element. Blake gives each character plenty of narrative time to explore their personality, history, and current situation before moving to the other person. It moves between them as needed while remaining balanced.

Blake does tackle the damage past trauma inflicts on a person and the continuing pain it carries. I appreciate that’s an element the author carries from one story to the next. These men understand how attacks this brutal traumatize people and bring up therapy to try to heal the pain within.

There’s humor to allay the suspense, sexy heat to go along with high action. Logan is an exciting, fast-paced supernatural romance. I enjoyed it immensely.

Moving now to Gideon! That’s the sexy vampire in Logan’s pack….

I’m thrilled to find a new series and author! I’m recommending both

Chosen Champions series:

✓ Logan #1

◦ Gideon #2

◦ Aleron #3 – coming March 22, 2022

https://www.goodreads.com › showLogan (Chosen Champions #1) by Macy Blake – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Logan Moore is a leader without a pack…

And after the rejection he faced from his last pack, he’s not sure he wants one. But when a mysterious benefactor he nicknames The Oracle offers Logan the chance to use his military expertise to lead a group of misfit shifters to protect the creatures of the magical realm, Logan’s wolf won’t allow him to say no.

Bailey Cairn is a man without a protector…

And for the entirety of his very human life, he hasn’t needed one. But when his friend is attacked at a bar, sweet, caretaker Bailey is drawn into a world he hadn’t known existed. A world full of secrets, and magic. A world full of danger… and gorgeous, protective Logan.

But if Bailey and Logan want to break the chains of the past, they’ll have to learn to trust each other and themselves, and start to believe in things that are bigger than they are…

That magic exists.

That packs are about more than blood ties.

That sometimes true love is a matter of fate.

And that heroes aren’t made…they’re Chosen.

Review: Ghost of Truth (Medium Trouble #2) by Alice Winters

Rating: 2.5

It’s always the second book that seals the deal one way or the other. In this case , it the flag that tells me go no further.

I like Alice Winters. Her books are normally characterized by such great elements like well-developed complicated plots, multi dimensional characters with great chemistry , and snappy intelligent dialogue.

None of which is on display here.

Based on the two books I’ve finished, the series reads like something scribbled off while completing other high priority books. The storylines are plodding. The culprits spotted easily and immediately. And any supposed mystery is so far from some being a surprise that it’s less a revelation, more a eye roll.

But the real issue lies with the main characters.

I had an issue with Hiro in the first story but thought that his lack of communication with his partner and friends had been worked through.

No. Hiro is, apparently, what I term a TSTC character. That’s a To Stupid To Communicate character. A type that’s right up there with the TSTL characters, often they are the same .

Aspects of their personality include a inability to tell anyone around them major plot points that they need to know, often to survive, even though every rational person would do so immediately.

Especially the person closest to them, which proceeds to put that person (and others) at the greatest risk. Duh.

Other elements include running into danger ; for example when you suspect a person , someone who has been acting VERY differently ( like pulling a gun on you) , then asks you to get in the car. You know things like that. Then… not telling or communicating that to anyone!

Yep. TSTC. That’s Hiro. For the entire book.

What does poor Maddox do? Spend the book angry and chasing after him. Plus wondering where he is, because, you know, no communication.

Even the ghosts are irritated with him.

I get that.

At the end, with a miserable sort of pulled together finish to their case which gives no one any satisfaction, the author tries to offer up a hint of a mystery about the final days of a major character. But , to show you how bad this series is, you can already guess the answer and who exactly the bad guys are.

Before that third book is even out! Because everything here is one dimensional, even the mysteries. Nancy Drew would have passed on this one as being too easy.

So if you’re like me and you like this author, I’m not recommending this book or series. There are , imo, far superior series and novels in her library.

Instead head over to her Hitman’s Guide or the fantastic VRC: Vampire Related Crimes series. Her character , Finn, a double amputee, is as engaging and complex as they come.

Medium Trouble series:

✓ Ghost of Lies #1

✓ Ghost of Truth #2

https://www.goodreads.com › showGhost of Truth (Medium Trouble, #2) by Alice Winters – Goodreads

Hiro
When I first realized that I could see the dead, I never imagined that it would allow me to help save the lives of others and pull me into Detective Maddox Booker’s path. Through my ability, ghosts have become some of my greatest friends and allies.

But now, someone’s dead and his ghost is gone. Ghosts have sought my help for my entire life, wanting to be heard, but something is keeping them quiet, almost hostile as our search for the ghost of the dead man leads us to a small village. Even though everything looks normal on the outside, I’m starting to wonder what’s happening on the inside.

Maddox
Life is better than it’s ever been. Hiro’s by my side and has brought my best friend Reggie back into my life—if we can consider Reggie’s harassment (even as a ghost) a positive. And even Hiro’s horde of ghosts won’t keep me from asking him to move in with me. The only issue is that work is never quiet, especially when Hiro is able to dive into a whole new side of a case by speaking to the victims of the dead.

But when someone takes Hiro from me in the middle of the night, I know that I will do absolutely anything to get him back, and I will make them pay for what they’ve done.

Ghost of Truth is full of action, mystery, humor, and romance. Though more is planned for this couple, the mystery is solved and there is a happy ending.

Review: Misfit Mage (Fledgling God #1) by Michael Taggert

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Misfit Mage, the first book in the Fledgling God series by Michael Taggert , is a brutal, vastly entertaining, and imaginative introduction to this new to me author and great universe.

A world where the supernaturals are ruthlessly hunting for power or power sources, with methods brutal, cruel, and often final, those recently awakened to those powers don’t have long to grow into them. Often too weak to survive, they are easy prey , power fodder for those stronger then themselves.

But the mundane world hasn’t a clue such viciousness exists.

Taggert creates one young man about to find out in the worst manner possible, exactly how close the magical world exists to his.

Jason Cole is a survivor. He’s also inventive, amusing, kind, and emotionally a walking soul bruise. His past has left him damaged but scrappy. In short, Jason is someone we can easily connect with.

And we do. Especially as Jason is put through rather a lot. Physically and emotionally. But mostly physically. When I say parts of this book are brutal, I mean it. Jason is attacked and the descriptions are harsh and raw. He takes a real beating. More than once. On the page. So if this is a issue or trigger , be prepared to skip over this section.

What you will delight in? The magic here. Taggert doesn’t just have a character wave a hand … and then there’s magic. Nope!

This author decided to go into the mechanics of his magic, which is fascinating. It’s on a cellular level plus there’s another element that’s tonal. So many outstanding magical threads here. Plus Taggert does so without taking away any of the wonder and awesomeness that makes a urban fantasy so unforgettable.

Taggert gives us matrixes, dancing pink cells, magical flying Grannies with Dustbusters, zooming Red energy Dots with feathers, Miniature Magical Miners, and so much more. It’s incredibly entertaining, vastly amusing, and so inventive that as a reader I’m just waiting to see what Taggert and his characters come up with next!

There’s a found family being established within a sentient House, a foundation of magic and history that’s slowly being rolled out too.

Oh there’s cats and kittens. Kittens are Life. And hugely important as characters. You will adore them, especially one.

It’s almost as though we get a magical cultural smorgasbord in some respects to entertain us. For me it absolutely works. I can envision it and it makes me laugh.

Misfit Mage is primarily concerned with Jason’s intro into his new world and the people that will become his found family. It’s also his first real look at its realities and the enemies he and his friends face.

A harsh new yet amazing world. One that gets steadily better as we advance into the next installment, Melee Mage.

I’m steadfast in my love for this small group of people who are still revealing themselves and growing their powers. So it’s a winner and one I’m definitely recommending!

Fledgling God series:

Misfit Mage #1

Melee Mage #2

https://www.goodreads.com › showFledgling God #1 – Misfit Mage – Goodreads

Synopsis:

He went searching for a fresh start. He didn’t expect to find unusual friends, fierce enemies, and primal powers.

Jason thought that it was the end of his life after being hunted and attacked by a band of ruthless thugs. Instead, he tapped into the source of creation and emerged from his Death Experience with magical powers.

As a new mage, Jason finds himself part of a wonderful – and dangerous – new supernatural world. He also finds himself in the middle of a mage war as he becomes part of an unlikely group of protectors who are defending a mystical mansion from those who want to destroy it.

Jason has little power, and the band of misfits are on the losing side, until he discovers he can see and manipulate magic at a remarkable level. What he detects begins his journey into discovering how his new powers really work, and just might be the edge that they need to survive.

If you like witty dialogue, diverse characters, magic that feels real, and intense action, then you will love this LGBTQ urban fantasy. Buy Misfit Mage today and step into a new enchanted world.

Review: Embers (Scales ‘n’ Spells #5) by A.J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4.5🌈

Embers is the fifth and as far as I can tell, the finale book in the Scales ‘n’ Spells series by A.J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake. It’s also my favorite as it’s also the one that feels the most successful In balancing out both sides of the series arc. That of dragons and mages.

Where all the other stories have been mage heavy in their narrative, leaving little space for their dragons to be little other than a story support for the mage it’s focused on, here non-binary mage Nikki and red fire dragon Gunter have equal story time. Gunter’s role in Nikki’s road to trust and healing is well documented as is Nikki’s in Gunter’s re-emergence into dragon society. This partnership and it’s growth, while stated in other novels, is clearly shown in operation here and it makes the book.

In fact, Nikki is one of my favorite characters. I appreciate the care that’s taken by all castle inhabitants to ask what pronouns Nikki wants to use and the hilarious interchange with drunk gender fluid dragon Lir during a party.

That dragons are pansexual and accepting of the spectrum of sexuality is a major theme in the series. The fact that Nikki is non binary and should be treated exactly as everyone else as they see no issues with differences in sexuality or gender is also key. To Nikki’s past ( and other mages treatment from their own clans and families) to the way in which they’ve been valued outside of dragon society.

The authors do a wonderful job with this aspect of their series and this novel. So I was a bit disappointed to see that a line editor missed a crucial error here during the dragon game night scene:

“….dungeon,” called out a familiar voice above the din,

and Nikki had to swallow back his laughter.”

Surely, of all mistakes, something like that should have been caught. When it’s been impressed upon everyone that’s their pronouns are they/them.

There are some very good action scenes, thrilling and suspenseful towards the end where there’s a cinematic fiery battle. But , here’s the thing, do the authors want us to treat this final chapter where there’s multiple injuries, deaths, explosions!

Drama!

But on the flip side … giggling? Some jokes and inconsequential banter. And neither seems to fit particularly well with the other. It’s as though the authors couldn’t decide what atmosphere or overall tone to go for, lighthearted fun or deadly drama, so they did both.

Let’s have sooo many dying…. But I’ll giggle too. Hmmmmm no. If I was the writers, I might have rethought that.

A element I did like? I had wondered previously about the lack of dragon information, background knowledge, including that of the incubators. That bit of knowledge gets filled in here nicely. Babies! And happy endings.

The Scales ‘n’ Spells series was a entertaining urban fantasy series, saving the best til last.

I enjoyed it and will recommend it.

Scales ‘n’ Spells series:

✓ Origins

✓ Breath

✓ Wish: a Novella

✓ Blood

✓ Embers

https://www.goodreads.com › showEmbers (Scales ‘N’ Spells, #4) by A.J. Sherwood – Goodreads

Once upon a time, there was a stunningly gorgeous mage named Nikki.

They were trapped by evil, horrible Jaeggi mages for ten long years until they were rescued by the brave dragon named Gunter.

The grumpy red knight swept in, carrying them off to a fair castle, where they lived happily ever after.

That’s how the story’s supposed to go, anyway. Nikki would really like to have that fairytale ending, please and thank you.

It’s too bad Gunter is oblivious and the Jaeggi are interfering. Nikki may just have to cook up some explosions to help both situations along, because they’re determined to get their happily ever after.

Is there a magic how-to guide on things that go boom?

Tags:
non-binary MC, Grumpy and Sunshine, it’s basically the air we breathe, Gunter needs a hug, Nikki likes to give them, crippling crush at first sight, Nikki has trust issues, for good reason, Nikki’s determined, Gunter is oblivious, mis-used poetry, Alric and Gunter are once again banned from drinking together, ever, schmoop, wall sex, the tongue thing is awesome, all hail Gunter’s tongue, violence, because bad guys, Nikki feels that explosions are an appropriate response to everything, Cameron and Nikki are explosion buddies, Nikki has mixed feelings on high heels, fairytales do come true.

Review: Never Stay Gone (Big Bend Texas Rangers #1) by Tal Bauer

Rating: 4.5 🌈

I’ve been so busy with fantasy and contemporary romances that I’ve neglected one really great action suspense author. Tal Bauer.

Tal Bauer writes just amazing stories. Ones that might include such elements as government agencies and military spies, secret missions, and any number of inside sub terrorist organizations to deal with. Along with folding in a wonderful romance to boot.

Never Stay Gone is the author’s first story in his new Big Bend Texas Rangers series and it’s great. Jam-packed with so many of my favorite tropes, it’s a fast paced murder mystery and a second chance at a revived passionate relationship as two men race to find a killer. All throughout the unforgettable location of Big Bend Texas.

It’s starts with a terrifying find of a body dump by Deputy Shane Carson out in the desert wilds of Big Bend country Texas. It’s our initial introduction to the murder victims and one of the main characters.

Shane Carson is a small town’s native son who’s never lived up to its and his family’s huge expectations for him. He carries the years of his “failures” heavily. But Bauer’s created a more damaged man then evidenced on the outside.

Only by flashes of his past and glimpses into bits of his relationships with those outside of work does the reader realize Shane’s floundering there too.

It’s a realistic, painful portrait of a man deeply in trouble.

The reason why appears in the form of Texas Ranger Dakota Jennings, who’s been pulled by the Governor herself to handle the investigation into the multiple murders.

One reason? His history with the region and people. Second? One of the bodies worked for the Governor.

Dakota Jennings is as complex a man, albeit in a completely different way then Shane. Each man was damaged by their past with each other. Neither has ever moved forward.

How Shane and Dakota handle their reunion amidst murder, multiple investigations, heartbreak, forgiveness and redemption is a remarkable story.

It’s so compelling from just the personal elements alone as each man grapples with the past and the trauma it’s done to them. Add to that the police work as they track the killer and trace the identities of each victim. So gritty and tough.

This has first/only love, coming out, lovers reunited, second chance at love, hurt/comfort…all set in the dry open spaces of Big Bend country in Texas as a murderer tries to escape justice. It’s thrilling, heartbreaking, and an amazing suspenseful read!

I can’t wait to see where the series takes us!

If you’re not familiar with Tal Bauer, this is a wonderful place to start. I’m highly recommending this!

Big Bend Texas Rangers series:

Never Stay Gone #1

https://www.goodreads.com › showNever Stay Gone (Big Bend Texas Rangers #1) by Tal Bauer – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Six bodies in a single grave… in the same West Texas country where Dakota left everything behind.

Every beat of my heart belongs to you.

Thirteen years ago, Dakota Jennings thought he’d found his forever when he fell in love with Shane Carson. But one afternoon shattered their love story, and both Dakota and Shane left Rustler, Texas, with broken hearts. Even now, Dakota is still feeling the agony of losing Shane. Sure, he’s a Texas Ranger, but that’s not how he wanted to live his life. All he ever wanted was to love Shane.

Loving you is the only time I feel alive.

Shane’s life was supposed to be different than this. There’d been a plan, ever since he was knee-high to his father. But falling for Dakota spun Shane’s world upside down, and for years, Shane has had nothing but the memories of all that he lost: Dakota’s gentle touch, and the sweetness of his lips, and the star-strewn nights they spent wrapped in each other’s arms.

West of the Pecos, there is no law.

When the Rangers get the call about six bodies being pulled out of a mass grave in West Texas, the governor sends Dakota to run the investigation. Dakota heads back to his hometown and comes face-to-face with the last man he ever expected to see again: only now, he’s Deputy Shane Carson… Dakota’s local partner assigned to the case.

There’s nothing Dakota wants more than a second chance with Shane, but so much is stacked against them: six corpses, a murderer on the loose, and history that refuses to stay buried. And the bodies keep piling up as Dakota and Shane try to run the killer down across the West Texas plains.

In a moment, everything changes: the hunters become the hunted, the past fractures, and all Dakota thought he knew comes tumbling down. Secrets break wide open as Dakota remembers–

This is West Texas, and out here, nothing is as it seems.


Big Bend County is a place of beauty and desolation, of secrets and small towns. Where the past and the present collide, and where nothing stays hidden forever.

This MM romantic suspense is the first in the new Big Bend Texas Rangers series. Come along for the West Texas sunsets, the heart-pounding thrills, and the hard-won Happy Ever Afters.

Review: The Enchanter’s Flame (The Ellwood Chronicles #1) by Michele Notaro

Rating: 4.5 🌈

It was a gorgeous cover that drew me to another new fantasy series and new author. It’s glorious colors and outstanding design had me stopping and grabbing the synopsis.

Never underestimate the power of a great cover!

Michele Notaro’s first installment absolutely lives up to that cover! Full of magical characters, a plot full of mystery and murders, and a universe that has a foundation that expands to embrace each new revelation as the story continues.

And it starts so mundanely. With a series of murders and a detective looking for clues to the identity to the serial killer.

That’s our introduction to Det. Sebastian Fitz, ex Special Forces, now a recently transferred Detective who’s been assigned a murder investigation that soon turns into that of multiple murders, with the same weird MO.

Drained blood, tortured victims, and symbolic markings bring Ailin Ellwood, a specialist, into Seb’s case and life.

The story and characters start off slow but as the author builds more of her universe and the characters get more involved in both the investigation and each other, then it starts to come together.

The further I read , the more the characters revealed about themselves, the more I connected with everyone and this story until at parts I was sobbing.

The ending sets up the plots and major conflicts coming for the next story. I’m headed that way.

I’m definitely recommending The Enchanter’s Flame (The Ellwood Chronicles #1) by Michele Notaro. What terrific characters!

The Ellwood Chronicles series:

✓ The Enchanter’s Flame #1

◦ The Witch’s Seal

◦ The Enchanter’s Soul #3

◦ The Witch’s Blood #4

◦ The Enchanter’s Heart #5

◦ The Enchanters New Kids #6

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Enchanter’s Flame by Michele Notaro – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Strange things are happening all around Brinnswick. Things that remind me of a piece of my past I’d rather forget. Girls are being killed, drained of blood, and left with strange markings on their bodies. When I finally connect the cases together, a specialist is called in—though, what he’s a specialist of is beyond me.

When the chief assigns him as my new partner for the case, I can’t help but groan on the inside. Why of all people would I be assigned to Ailin Ellwood? The man is a disaster waiting to happen and a jerk to boot. A sexy jerk, but a jerk nonetheless.

What will Sebastian think when he discovers Ailin’s specialty? Will he make a run for it or will he stick around and discover a world of magic hidden beneath the city’s surface?

***The Enchanter’s Flame is the first book in the Ellwood Chronicles. It’s a paranormal romance that contains explicit material and is intended for mature adults 18 and over.***

Review: Fluke and the Faultline Fiasco (Fantastic Fluke #3) by Sam Burns

Rating: 5🌈💫

Fluke and the Faultline Fiasco is the penultimate novel in Sam Burns four book Fantastic Fluke series and it’s terrific.

As the author starts to do the arduous task of both ramping up the expectations for the expected magical thrown down and accompanying revelations she also has to start , however slowly, pulling together all the loose plot threads and tidying up her narrative house as it were.

The weight carried by the penultimate story is much like that of the second novel. It’s subtle, often without the shine and glory of the finale, but with huge responsibilities for the characters and plot.

Fluke and the Faultline Fiasco Carrie’s that weight with ease, bringing new information on our main characters magical abilities to light as well as delving deep into the past that created both their ancestry and the dire issues they all face currently.

It does so through action packed scenes, quiet moments of reflection, and quirky communal times spent eating pizza amidst laughter and love. It shows us found family at its most supportive and it’s ability to continue to grow and connect to allow others within its warm embrace.

I’ve come to absolutely love this group of beings, people, familiars, mages, what have you. What a remarkable family of well defined individuals Burns has created for us to love and connect with.

And a plot that seems to want to transcend both time and realities, if the Convergence has anything to say about it.

It’s hard to believe the author has chosen to end this series at four novel. I could easily have spent a shelf of stories here.

The next will be out in February 2022. Until then I absolutely recommend reading this entire series in the order they are written for characters growth and plot development.

That cover like all the rest is astonishing.

The Fantastic Fluke Series -4 of 4:

✓ The Fantastic Fluke #1

✓ Fluke and the Failthless Father #2

✓ Fluke and the Faultline Fiasco #3

◦ Fluke and the Frontier Farce #4 – coming in February 2022

https://www.goodreads.com › showFluke and the Faultline Fiasco by Sam Burns – Goodreads

Synopsis:

When an earthquake shakes up Sage’s night, his instinct is to forget about it. They live in California—quakes happen. But this one sends the consciousness that lives in the ley lines running to him in fear, so he and his gunslinger boyfriend set out to investigate. What they uncover is a century-old plot to destroy not only the ley lines, but the city of Junction itself.

Now, they’re in a race against an unknown adversary who wants to annihilate everything they love, and the only man with the answers is Sage’s long-dead Uncle Jonathon. Good thing they only have to read his journals, not deal with the insufferable jerk in person.

Between a heist to steal a magic artifact, Uncle Jonathon’s bigoted ramblings, and one surprise after another from his allies, can Sage find what he needs to save Junction?

Fluke and the Faultline Fiasco is third in its series, so if you haven’t read a Fluke book before, you should definitely start with book one, The Fantastic Fluke. The Faultline Fiasco is a 65k word novel that follows the continuing adventures of Sage, Fluke, Gideon, and their whole family, as they try to save the world. Or at least Southern California..

Review: Blood(Scales ‘n’ Spells (#4) by A.J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4 🌈✨

Blood, book 4 in A.J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake’s Scales ‘n’ Spells series, feels like the first story that brings both sides of the mage/dragon union into the tale as equal partners.

Here we get Sora’s full background and family history that folds in with mages as a whole. It’s interesting and a perspective the reader is well familiar with.

Along side the mage pov, is Ravi, the blue Wind Dragon that was adopted during the War by the Burkhard Clan. In the previous stories, the dragons have had or told less about themselves in each book versus the amount of space given their mates.

In Blood , both Sora and Ravi have equal time, narratively speaking. Probably because Ravi’s unusual past makes him a more noteworthy subject for a bigger share of the story. And he does well by it.

This is also a bigger book dramatically in terms of widening the scope of the themes and arc storytelling. Let’s just say the cast gets much bigger almost overnight!

I adore the impulsive Ravi and find the more responsible Sora a treat as well as a great compliment to him. The chemistry works.

I enjoy this series and story for its entertainment value. Plus dragons!

However, the new big plot elements also left a few equally noticeable plot holes. Ones at least large enough I thought several small dragons could fly through.

It’s hard to explain without giving the entire plot and storyline revelations away but the use of the impulsive (and young) Ravi to go chase after, boo hisss, the bad guys?

It’s something that strikes me as merely the authors ploy to raise the drama quotient from point A to point W, not because it makes any logical sense when looking at all the characters and story components the authors just laid down.

That’s frustrating because surely another way could have been found around all that. Sigh. Plot caverns make me crazy.

What this story does right? A gorgeous bonding ceremony that again was lacking in previous novels. It was moving and magical. Lovely.

I found Blood and Ravi and Sora to be a winner. Might be my favorite yet of the series.

I’m recommending it to all those who enjoy dragons and fantasy.

Scales ‘n’ Spells series:

✓ Origins

✓ Breath

✓ Wish: a Novella

◦ Blood

◦ Embers

https://www.goodreads.com › showBlood (Scales ‘N’ Spells, #3) by A.J. Sherwood | Goodreads

Synopsis:

Secret identities are hard to keep.

Sora finds this to be doubly true after meeting the struggling Burkhard Clan and the mischievous Ravi. The wind dragon has stolen his breath, and heart, away. Sora suspects he might have found his mate. 

But his inability to be truthful with Ravi eats at Sora. When the Jaeggi attack, Sora can’t keep his secrets any longer. Not when Ravi is in the center of the war raging around them.

He has to reveal who he really is. It’s the only way to be with Ravi and give the Burkhards the help they need.

Sora’s secret could tip the scales to save them all. 

Tags: 

There’s tropes, and then there’s this book, Ravi has impulse issues, in Ravi’s defense he was left unsupervised, you’re only in trouble if you get caught, secret identity, only Ravi could have a meet-cute like this, Ravi attempts romance, it’s bad, no its really really bad, thank god for it, bored mages get into stuff, mothers with an agenda, hurt/comfort, somehow the comfort part involves tacos, Ravi is a corruptive influence, Sora is a willing corruptee, chaos incarnate, protective mate, bad guys ramp it up to the next level, Sora has an ace up his sleeve, and is not afraid to use it, Bat-Ravi