Review: Wild Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower Book 1) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 4.25⭐️

Wild Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower Book 1) by Annabel Chase is a slow burn paranormal thriller romance. It has terrific world building, and some great elements to its series universe that make it even more exciting.

This world has been plunged into a forever darkness created by Earth’s super volcanoes all erupting at the same time, throwing enormous quantities of ash into the atmosphere that has created an endless night for the Earth.

Vampires took advantage, taking control over the remaining regions, peoples, and spaces. And protecting their territories from the monsters still emerging from the craters in certain countries not under their control.

The main protagonist is a magical warrior with a secret. That’s London Hayes, a Knight of Boudica, an all female group of soldiers who do everything from enforcing the laws to acquisition of items, taking jobs their male counterparts won’t.

Forced by an unfortunate situation to accept a job for the ruling Vampire family, House Lewis, to find a mysterious stone, London now faces another challenge in vampire Prince Callan.

Chase sets a fast pace with the events of the story, the dark atmosphere of the world and several hidden secrets, all vying for the reader’s attention in the narrative.

There’s also a menagerie of exotic creatures, including a three-headed Cerberus and a raven named Barnabas to help keep us invested in the story and London’s mystery.

This is a complete series so I’m happily moving to the next book to see what happens going forward.

I’m excited to make this author an auto read, and recommend the series to anyone who enjoys the trope.

Cover design by Trif

The Tower series

Wild Knight #1

Three Dog Knight #2

Deadly Knight #3

One Knight Stand #4 – finale

Buy link

Wild Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower Book 1)

Blurb

SERIES COMPLETE*

In a world of darkness where royal vampires are in charge, I spend my days working as a knight in the city formerly known as London. Instead of a lance and a horse, I rely on my trusty axe, Babe, and ride the occasional dragon. Every day new threats emerge that require a dash of magic and a dollop of attitude.

Good thing I have both.

Naturally danger comes with the territory. What no one knows is just how dangerous it is for me. If our vampire overlords discover what I am, they’ll execute me on the spot—no questions asked—which is why I avoid them at all costs.

Until now.

If only this one didn’t have a lethal reputation, a princely pedigree, and a quest that leads to more questions than answers. The heat between us doesn’t help matters.

Unfortunately I can’t refuse a royal command, so I’m stuck until the job is complete.

And even if the job doesn’t kill me, the truth just might.

If you like humor, heart, a kickbutt heroine and an enemies-to-lovers romance, check out Wild Knight,Midnight Empire: The Tower, the first book in a new urban fantasy series.

Don’t miss all the books in the Midnight Empire world!

Midnight Empire: The Tower
Wild Knight
Three Dog Knight
Deadly Knight
One Knight Stand

Midnight Empire: The Restoration
Endless Knight
Red Rook
Glass King

Midnight Empire: New Dawn
Golden Hood
Twilight Rebel
Midnight Burns

Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (November 4, 2021)
Publication date: November 4, 2021
Language: English
Print length: 244 pages

Review : Enchantra (Wicked Games #2) by Kaylie Smith

Rating: 4.5⭐️

What initially appeared to be a duology, Wicked Games is clearly expanding into a full series with this novel and the addition of the paranormal Silver family to a universe that had focused solely on the Grimm sisters, Ophelia and Genevieve Grimm, and Ophelia’s love Salem.

Enchantra picks up from the events in Phantasma, a novel where Ophelia Grimm , recipient of the Grimm matriarchal necromancer powers, enters a gothic mansion looking for her sister, Genevieve Grimm , and ends up having to play a sinister deadly game, Phantasma.

It’s a fantastic story and horrifying game , which ends with Ophelia leaving with a romantic demon love, Salem, and her sister safely out of the mansion. This couple and Salem himself have a great impact on Genevieve’s reasons for her trip.

Enchantra is a new devilish game, a location, as well as being Genevieve Grimm’s story, all taking place in Italy. Genevieve or Vivi is a complex, layered character. The younger sister born into a matriarchal family of necromancers, Genevieve always felt like an outsider in her world of magical women. The one left to her own devices, the one not given any real affection or sense of belonging.

Smith builds into her character all the emotional aspects of a person wounded by her childhood and events in her adolescence. When a reader gets frustrated ,as i did, by her impulsive actions, it’s easy to think about the situation and reason behind her reactions.

This is also a marriage of convenience, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, dark fantasy romance. With deadly games and demonic monsters.

The Silver family, starting with Rowen Silver the person who greets her at the door and immediately tells her to go, are an intriguing bunch. With each new stage of the game, both the reader and Genevieve will have a better understanding of each of them.

The world building and supernatural elements are frightening, violent and full of twists. The Silver family, all the many siblings and familiars are violent, terrifying and magical.

The only member who didn’t have much of a role or well defined character is the father, a surprising aspect of the story. This factor and one other thing makes me think that the author is waiting for another book to bring him back into this series.

The ending is fantastic. Emotionally powerful and extremely satisfying. But it also has one strange twist, a element that is a pivotal part of book one and is mentioned a couple of times at the start here, and that’s the fact that Salem’s true name was forgotten by all by terms of agreement.

And yet there’s this ending. I can’t imagine that the author doesn’t keep track of her own notes on important series elements or aspects of characters . So it would seem this too is a big part of the series going forward.

Either way, it makes for delicious suspense and fun for the next novel in Wicked Games.

Highly recommended.

Great covers.

Cover design Alexandra Purtan/ Fenix Cover Designs

Wicked Games series:

Phantasma # 1

Enchantra #2

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Enchantra: A spicy fantasy romance (Wicked Games Book 2)

Blurb

Welcome to Enchantra. There’s only one rule: Never, ever trust your heart.

When Genevieve Grimm’s mother is killed, Genevieve wants answers nobody can give… until she receives an invitation to Enchantra, a cursed palace filled with temptations and illusions.

Arrogant and dangerously handsome, Rowin Silver meets her at the door and refuses to let her inside. But Genevieve finds her own way in… And soon realizes her mistake.

Enchantra is a twisted labyrinth of marble and thorns, where Rowin’s family are trapped forever in a deadly game. Now, Genevieve must win or die.

Rowin offers her a deal. They can compete together… if they convince everyone watching that they’re desperately in love.

Genevieve knows she can’t trust Rowin, but she’ll do whatever it takes to survive. As they hunt and hide together, Genevieve tries to ignore the desire burning between them. She absolutely cannot fall for this man. Cannot forget that she’s only pretending to be in love.

After all, it was Rowin who taught her Enchantra’s first rule… Never, ever trust your heart.

Packed with deadly intrigue and spicy romance, Enchantra will transport you to a world of feisty heroines and morally gray love interests, fake dating, forbidden desire and family secrets. If you love books by Kerri Maniscalco, Carissa Broadbent and Lauren Roberts, prepare to discover your new romantasy obsession.

Publisher: Second Sky (April 8, 2025)
Publication date: April 8, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 443 pages

Review: Bloodlust Blues (Charley Underwood Book 1) by Luanne Bennett

Rating: 4⭐️

I’ve been searching for new authors and series that offer different perspectives or approaches to certain tropes and main characters I enjoy reading.

I love a good paranormal or urban fantasy universe that focuses on a different kind of location and a character that’s outside of the usual main character frame.

So a story situated inside an old local bar & grill where its colorful walls are covered in years of signatures and memorabilia and it’s clientele is a mixture of human and supernatural beings, getting their drink on to tunes on the jukebox? Yes, sign me up.

A town called Crimson, Georgia where the paranormal and humans have come to live in a peaceful place, sort of.

Charley Underwood owns the bar, The White Stag, locally known as the Stag, which has been in her family. Her employees are werewolves, as well as a human or two. And her mother, a powerful witch, has recently died.

Bloodlust Blues sees Charley running a covert blood bank out of her back rooms, using donated vampire blood to help the elderly and impoverished people of town.

I really enjoyed the story. It sets up the foundation knowledge of the town and surrounding areas. Bennett also brings in all the characters that will form Charley’s found family and the character that is the potential romantic connection. And his familiar.

There’s a terrific mystery that involves a couple of murders as well as missing people. And the introduction of a permanent villain type character too.

Bennett shows the journey that Charley has to take, as she finds out how magical she actually is. And why she wasn’t trained all along.

I can’t wait to see her next story and how this character is developed.

A definite winner.

Cover design Damonza.com”

The Charley Underwood series -complete

Bloodlust Blues

Bloodlust Bites

Bloodlust Curse

Bloodlust Shadows

Buy link

Bloodlust Blues: A heart-racing and completely addictive urban fantasy (Charley Underwood Book 1)

Blurb

Welcome to Crimson, Georgia. I’m Charley—reluctant witch, and owner of the best bar in town.

Everyone’s welcome at the Stag—vampire, wolf or human. As long as they don’t make trouble. Or ask too many questions about what we’re selling out of the back room.

I keep the beers coming, and in return the town keeps my secret. But when a gang of deadly vampires shows up at the bar, it’s clear they’re not looking for a drink. They want to take my business. Or my blood.

But this is more than just a shake down. All over town, people are dropping like flies. Disappearing or attacking their neighbors. It’s like they’re possessed. And someone—or something—is pulling the strings.

As if I didn’t have enough trouble, a fancy new restaurant just opened right across the street. And a sexy vampire from out of town seems to think I need protection. I have plenty of dangerous friends already… so why can’t I stop thinking about him?

The whole town is going to hell. Perhaps literally. And it looks like it’s up to me to stop it.

Discover a thrilling new series that will leave you reading late into the night. With heart-stopping twists and a found family you’ll fall in love with, this urban fantasy is perfect for fans of Annabel Chase, Charlaine Harris, and Patricia Briggs.

Review: — The Wolf Vs The Witch: The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth by Lauretta Hignett

Rating: 5⭐️

What an outstanding book. A full out rollercoaster fantasy thriller. Laura Hignett just decided to take all the writing tropes, including science fiction, paranormal, Supernatural and mythological elements, add on some mystery thriller material and romance and stuff to go boom, and you have The Wolf Vs The Witch.

This book finally answers the question what happened to Daphne, what’s in her head, and that’s a fantastic story thread in itself, but still manages to keep this aspect of the series and her character still a bit of a mystery that will flow into the next book.

Hignett’s characters are deeply damaged and traumatized by events in their lives. So we get a Mwf who’s not dealing well with her exposure, her shifter identity, and the clash of opposing traumas from her own past life. She’s a mean drunk and Dwayne the chaos goose and her enabler Alpha, got his own issues.

There’s no scenario, no character that Hignett doesn’t focus on or make a real believable mess of, no matter what situation they’re in or the danger they are facing.

That includes Romeo, his coven, and a new character, his step sister, as well as Daphne, all of whom are chasing down Christopher the powerful witch threatening the world.

There’s no way I’d describe the incredible, somewhat terrifying, often bizarre and always fabulously violent journey that follows, all the way to Greece. It’s got battle scenes, mythological creatures, and great moments. And twists too.

Just a superb story. And that epilogue sets up what will be a momentous tale that I can hardly wait to read when it’s released.

If you love strong women characters, great storytelling, and compelling situations. This is the series for you.

Highly recommended.

Book Cover by Atra Luna Graphic Design

Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth:

The Wolf Vs The Vampire #1

The Wolf Vs The Warlock #2

The Wolf Vs The Shifter #3

The Wolf Vs The Witch #4

The Wolf Vs The Monster #5 – May 15,2025

The Wolf Vs Santa: A Little Christmas Mystery

Buy link

The Wolf Vs The Witch: The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth

Blurb

“I can’t open up. Don’t you understand? I’m literally a box. If I open up to anyone, this whole world could be destroyed…”

My worst fear has come to pass. A vicious, sadistic witch has seen the darkness inside me, and he wants it for himself. Christopher Jupiter – the man responsible for the Great Suffocation, the reason why thousands and thousands of my people are dead – he saw the evils. And he wants them.

He’s not a powerful witch, but he’s smart. Too smart. He already knows what he needs to do to crack me open. Now, it’s a deadly race against time to find the artefact he needs so I can destroy it.

But I can’t do this by myself. How can I stop Christopher, if I can’t even tell Romeo what is inside of me?

The Wolf Vs The Witch is book four in the Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth, a hot new Urban Fantasy series by bestselling author Lauretta Hignett.

Publication date: March 15, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 404 pages

Review: Dead Heat (Crossroads Queen Book 7) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 5⭐️

Dead Heat really escalates the overall danger that’s been created and implies that the many serious threats towards Lorelei and her found family are more imminent and deadly.

There are a boatload of plot lines here, from an incubus bartender with a strange mark on his chest that needs a bit of investigation to a new visitor in need of a place to stay, and as always, The villainous Corporation wanting Lorelei and sending its minions after her. But of course, there’s more, and it’s Kane, her demon boyfriend, who might be in trouble.

Dead Heat (Crossroads Queen Book 7) by Annabel Chase superbly increases the level of danger, suspense and chaos for all the characters going forward. Chase has brought Lorelei into the Fairhaven fold, made her its guardian, and given her a found family of vampires, assassins, witches, werewolves, ghosts and the odd paranormal beings. Even a human sheriff and demon boyfriend.

And now the largest threat is to the very people and things she came there to avoid happening and having.

Great job and story.

I’m reading two books at a time. And I’ve heard that Half Dead #8 ends on a cliffhanger and Dead End #9 isn’t released yet. So I’ll wait until both are available and then read right through.

Until then, this is one amazing series. Binge them or just read them one by one. Fab stuff. Great character development and plotting. A true winner.

Cover by Trif Designs, which has changed to reflect the fact that the word has gotten out that Lorelei Clay is a demigod. So great touch with that head halo/crown addition.

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

Dead Heat (Crossroads Queen Book 7)

Blurb

It isn’t easy being the liminal deity of a multirealm crossroads, as Lorelei Clay can attest. There are the typical issues, of course, like a wayward god stumbling into Wild Acres, and then there are the more pressing ones…

Like an incubus who wakes up with a mysterious mark on his chest and a timer on his life.

And the demon with an urgent message for Kane.

And the mysterious flying monsters with vengeance in their hearts that threaten the peace and tranquility of Fairhaven.

And last, but definitely not least, a visit from The Corporation’s latest minion, who might finally make Lorelei an offer she can’t refuse.

Don’t miss Dead Heat, Crossroads Queen, book 7. For fans of quaint small towns chock full of vampires, fae, witches, werewolves, mage assassins, ghosts, and the clueless humans they protect

Review: Spirit Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 3) by Helen Harper

Rating: 5⭐️

Ok I read this at 3am in the morning because I’d just finished Star Witch with its shocking ending and had to rush here to see what happened.

Whew!

What is it with this trend of authors killing their main characters? This is the third book in a row and series where this has been a major element. Not sure my heart is ready for more at this point.

But this sets up Ivy for several new stages in her life. A new romance with Winter, who’s all in now, especially after losing her and getting her back. Because Ivy definitely was dead but was brought back.

And Ivy can now see and communicate with the dead. And a livelier, albeit dead, group has never been seen. Or heard than here.

She’s asked for help to find a missing person, which leads her into a serial killer case involving dead witches and a threat to her friends and lover.

Harper leans into the intimate details of Ivy’s new relationship with Winter, who has resigned from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, blaming the Order for Ivy’s death, even though she was resurrected. But he’s struggling, and so is she in the new dynamic, a very realistic scenario.

Comedic relief in this story comes in many forms, sometimes it’s with the ghost who demands Ivy’s attention , with an outdated idea of attitudes towards women and the world. Or , in a scene that still has me giggling, it’s Ivy herself, attempting to enter through a second story window. I’ll not spoil it, but needless to say, I’ve reread this scene several times.

The story is harrowing, funny, well executed , full of several layered plot lines that are balanced and compelling. From a tight investigation into various murder mysteries to the intimacy of their personal relationship, the book continuously weaves both together until it reaches a great conclusion.

Spirit Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 3) by Helen Harper is a fantastic book. In many respects it feels like it could be the series finale as it beautifully ties together so many characters storylines and gives them a great ending. I was so happy when I was done.

There is another story, a holiday novella to read, which I’m onto next.

Ivy is a character who I wish there were more of in the books I read. She’s outside of the main character norm and I absolutely adore her. The series is terrific and the characters around her just as compelling.

A must read.

Cover by Yocla Designs. an accurate representation actually . She’s a fantastic character.

The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic:

Slouch Witch #1

Star Witch #2

Spirit Witch #3

Sparkle Witch #4 – a holiday novella

Buy link

Spirit Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 3)

Blurb

If anyone appreciates what it means to be dead to the world, it’s Ivy Wilde.

Barely recovered from her brush with necromancy, Ivy is flung once more into a world of intrigue, adventure and potential death and disaster. It’s not her fault – it just so turns out that she’s now the only person in the entire world who can communicate with the dead. And they’re a chatty bunch with a list of demands.

When the ghosts offer information about a witch-hating mass murderer in return for Ivy’s help, she has no choice but to get involved. She might be getting herself into more trouble than she realises though – and that’s even before she’s dragged to Sunday dinner so she can meet Winter’s family…

This is the third book in The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic series.

Publication date: August 23, 2017
Language: English
File size: 1.9 MB
Simultaneous device usage: Unlimited
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
Screen Reader: Supported
Enhanced typesetting: Enabled
X-Ray: Enabled
Word Wise: Enabled
Print length: 288 pages

Review: Play Dead (Crossroads Queen Book 6) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 5⭐️

This series just keeps getting better, and breaking my heart in places in the process. Over characters that I never expected to care about.

Chase’s gifts in crafting storylines that are layered in ways that are so deceptive to the reader’s mind and imagination that by now we should know better than to assume anything or have any expectations for anyone.

Because Chase is almost guaranteed to turn or twist what we think we know around into something totally unforeseen or shockingly horrifying. Or great. I dunno.

The mythological world of characters and creatures that’s being brought into Fairhaven, through the portals or another mysterious manner, is ever expanding. It’s a fabulous series element that it’s not limited to one culture or any kind of supernatural world element, but multiple pantheons, gods, and their respective realms are coming into play.

The Corporation is still a big bad and their minions are an ever present realistically visualized threat. What a well crafted horror they are.

The Wild Hunt is a main event here and its arrival sets off a chain reaction of events including one I didn’t expect, one that saw me crying. Who knew.

Lorelei is dealing letting her inner circle of friends into her secrets, renovating her crumbling castle, making sure her ghosts and visitor are safe and well, happily doing whatever. While the Hunt comes in to cause trouble.

A fantastic read, great character development, marvelous storylines, and the Wild Hunt was an imaginative new element to introduce.

Another must read series and auto buy author.

Cover by Trif Designs, which has changed to reflect the fact that the word has gotten out that Lorelei Clay is a demigod. So great touch with that head halo/crown addition.

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

Play Dead (Crossroads Queen Book 6)

Blurb

In Fairhaven, there’s no rest for the wicked, the weary, or anyone in between.

The Wild Hunt is on its way to town, commanded by a ruthless leader who leaves only destruction in his wake.

Meanwhile, the Castle has opened its doors as a sanctuary for an unexpected and unwelcome visitor, which puts a damper on Lorelei’s budding relationship with resident demon prince of hell, Kane Sullivan. Even worse, the houseguest brings another hunting party to town, one that Lorelei has been careful to avoid.

As the threats escalate and secrets are revealed, Lorelei must come to terms with a moment of truth she never anticipated—if she can survive the hunt.

Play Dead is the sixth book in the Crossroads Queen series.

Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (June 20, 2024)
Publication date: June 20, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 282 pages

Review: Possessive Puckboy (Puckboys Book 8) by Eden Finley, Saxon James

Rating: 4.25🌈

Possessive Puckboy is Connor Kikishkin’s redemption story. He’s been a secondary character to his brothers books and a problematic one at that. One of the four Kiki hockey players, Connor’s the one who has been the most controlling of his brothers lives, personal and professional. He’s come off as a bully and a bit of a homophobe.

It got to the point in the last book that his brother, Easton and his best friend, Knox, hid their relationship and Easton who plays on the same NHL team, Colorado, now wants a transfer out.

The beginning of Possessive Puckboy has a man who was horribly bullied in the same high school as the Kiki siblings by the football players buying the hockey team.

This is a true enemy to lovers, reformed bully, secret relationship, bi-awakening journey story. There’s even more elements here packed into dense emotional baggage stated above. Deep family expectations, self awareness and realization, and one thing I thought should have been talked about more clearly, rage management.

But there was already a lot narratively on the table here for the authors to explore with their characters.

The relationship between gay IT billionaire/owner Parker Duchene, the man who was horribly bullied in high school, and the straight Connor Kikishkin, the jock who stood by and did nothing, is a very engaging one. It’s tough, hilarious in parts, emotional and smartly executed.

Connor is a mess. So to have him immediately improve is unlikely. And he doesn’t.

It messes with his head as well as his game. And his other relationships and team dynamics. As it should.

Parker too is slow to find his way as an owner, making plenty of mistakes.

All those aspects of the story really work together to bring a believable sense of a growing relationship.

What I missed was the authors exploring how Connor reached the stage where he was so rigid in his own life and outlook that he was drowning in it. That the lack of empathy and communication between him and his family, his parents who pushed him into the role and kept him there, and his siblings who didn’t talk to him enough to make him understand, none of that is really covered.

Instead it’s a quick conversation and done. Which really removes an entire accountability and aspect of reality to his own redemption arc.

Anyway I enjoyed this, and it’s onto Stubborn Puckboy , where a certain new Russian character we just met gets his own romance. I’m looking forward to seeing more of him!

Check this one out!

Puckboys:

Egotistical Puckboy #1
Irresponsible Puckboy #2
Shameless Puckboy #3
Foolish Puckboy #4
Clueless Puckboy #5
Bromantic Puckboy #6
Forbidden Puckboy #7
Possessive Puckboy #8
Stubborn Puckboy #9 – July 31,2025

Buy link

Possessive Puckboy (Puckboys Book 8)

Blurb

Connor

Finding out those closest to me don’t see me as the great guy I think I am not only kicks me in the gut, it makes me question everything.

Until that happened, I didn’t think I had many regrets in my life. Now, I have nothing but regrets. And when my NHL team is bought out, and the new owner makes his presence known, my existential crisis kicks up a notch. Because he might be my biggest regret of all.

Parker Duchene.

I made his life a living hell in high school, and now he’s inserting himself into my career to repay the favor.

With everything in my personal life already on the line, I can’t risk hockey too. I need to figure out a way to play nice with the new owner.

Parker

I bought Colorado’s NHL team to honor my late father. I did. Only reason.

Emotionally playing with one of my many high school tormentors is a nice bonus though.

Connor Kikishkin may be the one who made me the target for years of name-calling, but I’ve always wondered if my hatred for him bordered too much on the obsessive side to truly be classified as hate.

Infatuation is probably the right word for it.

Now his whole life is in my hands, and I can’t wait to see him beg for my mercy. Seeing Mr. Popular find his humility will definitely ease the grief from losing my dad … right? Because right now, that’s all I have, and I need to hold on to it so I don’t crumble.

Publisher: Sadenverse Books (March 27, 2025)
Publication date: March 27, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 308 pages

Review: Star Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 1) by Helen Harper

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Star Witch is a deceptively read, a book that looks to be a very quirky paranormal take on the popular tv survivor shows but with witches as contestants. Throw in a murder mystery or two and a reunion of lovers, and this is a fabulous quick mystery thriller with a romantic couple involved in the investigation.

That’s not enough? Then the author decides to add in another hidden storyline that darkens the entire aspect of the novel, throwing the whole plot, the future of everything and everyone into jeopardy.

Then , boom. Gives us a scene that will change everything. For all the characters. Forever.

Never saw it coming. Just shocking.

It was at 2am in the morning when I finished this. But with that ending I had to go immediately to read the next book, Spirit Witch, to pick up the events that will occur.

You’re going to want to do the same. Outstanding series. And the characters are amazing, starting with Ivy Wilde, a FMC we definitely need more of. She’s fine with her looks, including the fact she’s full figured, her clothes are worn jeans and comfy shoes, and she’s not the tallest person out there or the most energetic. But she’s perceptive, kind, inventive and good at hiding exactly how intelligent and talented she’s always been. I adore her. And the characters around her, including her maybe suitor, Raphael Winter. And her snarky familiar.

Run to grab up this series and books. Read them in order for character and plot development. Each is about 20 so chapters long but beautifully written and well crafted. They go quickly.

Highly recommended.

Cover by Yocla Designs. an accurate representation actually . She’s a fantastic character.

The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic:

Slouch Witch #1

Star Witch #2

Spirit Witch #3

Sparkle Witch #4-a holiday novella

Buy link

Star Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 2)

Blurb

Lights. Camera. Inaction. Ivy Wilde, the laziest witch in the West, is still entangled with the Hallowed Order of Magical Enlightenment. That’s not a bad thing, however, because it gives her plenty of excuses to spend more time with sapphire eyed Raphael Winter, her supposed nemesis. And when he comes knocking because he needs her to spy on the latest series of Enchantment, she jumps at the chance. Hanging around a film set can’t be hard … or dangerous … right?

Publication date: July 10, 2017
Language: English’s
Print length: 334 pages

Review: Amber Gambler (The Body Shop Book 2) by Hailey Edwards

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Amber Gambler really was a revelation for me. Where I might have been slow to connect with the universe and the relationships here, maybe even understanding the main character of Frankie Mary as much as I should, this story now immediately has me committing to them, and this series. I’m all in.

It picks up after the shocking events of Fair Market Value. The Mary’s are dealing with the emotional and physical damage of the deep betrayal of someone who they thought was a friend. Frankie’s recovering, missing Kierce who’s left to heal his wounds as well as trying to find the right mental state to heal herself from the trauma of Lyle and his son, Harrow.

There’s Carter’s awful storyline left hanging to bring in here, plus Josie and Matty’s own emotional wounds.

With all that going on, a ghost comes to Frankie in his need. His granddaughter is missing and he needs Frankie’s help to find her.

Edwards story is so compelling in that it’s complex and emotional nature allows the author to explore the tragedy of those children who were failed by the society, social care system, or even their own families. Whether it’s the Mary siblings and their horrific experiences in their foster care system or for the missing girls and abandoned kids Frankie finds along the way, this is a raw, tragic and deeply personal element here.

Frankie is undergoing physical and psychological changes as well, changes she’s not understanding, something she’s hiding from her family.

Kierse and his companion crow, Badb , a great character who’s both comedic relief and mysterious being, are back as powerful entities. Kierse is also the potential romantic partner and is more multidimensional. I’m absolutely team Kierse, especially considering the events the play out. Harrow continues to be that toxic personality that everyone regrets.

Carter is a marvel. She’s quickly becoming a great new surprise as a layered individual who can deliver a new facet of her personality when it’s time.

As Frankie works with Carter and Kierse to find the missing child, the narrative builds a compelling emotional journey with Edwards creating multiple threads that connect murder mysteries , numerous mythological gods and legends , entwined with deeply intimate personal experiences and characters histories.

Characters now become more flawed, more complex and wounded. Believable because they’re grounded by revealed histories and ,now, shared trauma, that we too have been a part of. Especially that devastating dramatic event that ends the book.

Amazing storytelling by Hailey Edwards. A absolute treasure of a story and cast of characters.

A must read.

Great cover art both for storytelling and characters.

Cover by Damonza

Illustration by Marouane Hs

The Body Shop series:

Fair Market Value #1

Amber Gambler #2

Midnight Auto Parts #3

Cheater Slicks #4 – Dec 25,2025

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