Review: Malicious Midpoint (Demon Magic #3) by Alice Winters

Rating: 4.75 🌈

Malicious Midpoint is the third of Alice Winters’ Demon Magic series and it’s my favorite to date. It’s a great mixture of the author’s signature snarky dialogue, quirky likable characters, which is combined with a magically twisted dark plot that’s pulled from all the previous novels. One that unexpectedly eschews the expectations of humor, ending up with emotionally moving scenes that deepen our connections with this very odd group of beings.

Not that humorous elements are left out! Far from it. There’s a scene or two that actually causes a spit take ! Waterbeds indeed! The growing family of Miles, Havoc, Menace, and others who often end up in their home or part of the peculiar intimate circle of friends are added to and, have their bonds tightened by the events here.

And it all starts so easily. With just a book and a boom!

Winters weaves a tale of love, darkness, tortured pasts, loss, family, and reclamation into something extraordinary. Just when you think the pain and darkness is unrelenting, there’s that aspect of humor to pull everything up before it’s plunging back down again.

Then there’s that ending. It’s weighing on me. Everywhere I see this is noted as 3 of 3 books in the series but this is very much an unfinished arc with so many storylines left unresolved.

It’s why this isn’t a 5 rating. Will there be more books? Another related series? I don’t know. I do know if you’re like me you won’t feel completely satisfied by this ending.

I’m still thrilled by Malicious Midpoint. But is it really instead the midpoint of this series? Is that my takeaway?

If someone has the scoop, please contact me.

In the meantime, I’m highly recommending Malicious Midpoint (Demon Magic #3) by Alice Winters and all the books that preceded it.

Demon Magic series:

🔹Shadow’s Origin #0.5

🔹Happy Endings #1

🔹Familiar Beginnings #2

🔹Malicious Midpoint #3

https://www.goodreads.com › showMalicious Midpoint (Demon Magic #3) by Alice Winters – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Nothing can go wrong with being in love with a demon and having a dragon familiar whose idea of a fun time is watching me plummet to the ground, right? Now that things have settled down, I’m hoping to finally get some peace and quiet to spend with Havoc.

Instead, we get a guy who can walk the river of the dead, a centaur that seems allergic to pants, and an angel who has only one true love: himself.

This is the group of misfits I’ve been given to protect the district.

Sometimes I can’t help but wonder how we stopped an unbelievably powerful dark mage.

After finding a strange book in the middle of the woods that seems to be connected to curse magic, I find myself in the presence of someone from my past… someone I never expected to meet again. As the clues lead us into a district on the brink of destruction, Havoc and I realize that in order to stop the district from collapsing and taking down our friends with it, we can’t do it alone. With the assistance of my chaotic crew, we are going to stop this darkness before it consumes those we care about.

But everything comes at a cost because when you work with magic, nothing is predictable.

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Sugar and Ice (Arizona Raptors #4) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey

Rating: 4.25🌈

I don’t know how I missed this the first time it was released but I’m all caught up now on a new favorite pair within the Arizona Raptors. That’s Tate Collins and Captain Vladislav Novikov. I do love me a Russian goalie ! If not Stan than definitely a Vlad!

Vlad with a potty mouthed parrot and a need to dominate? So hot. The scenes with Tate just about fog up the room. This is a couple who’s chemistry is wildly successful and off the charts because they are able to connect emotionally too.

Sugar and Ice is a story that I wish was actually longer in length because both characters have issues that could use deeper scrutiny as well as I just wanted more time with them.

For Vlad, he’s got a twin who plays professionally who’s as talented a hockey player as he is in Russia, along with the rest of his family. For a gay Russian , it’s safer politically, legally for his family in Russia for him to stay closeted. A sad and painful state of affairs.

For Tate, it’s a ex wife with mental health issues who’s determination to hurt him in the media that’s damaging him and his future.

Neither issue is examined to the extent it could be or as it was with Stan. With Tate , in fact, it was resolved extremely quickly. Both aspects of their pasts and story deserves a more detailed explanation.

However, this pair and their romance is so amazing that you take them to heart. I’d love a follow up novel after Vlad’s retirement. Or whenever. They are just that couple.

Colorado is a big character here and that’s because the next story is his. What a flamboyant, adorable man he is! Emu’s indeed!

Sugar and Ice (Arizona Raptors #4) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey is a terrific story with an incredible couple at its center.

It’s one I’m definitely recommending!

Arizona Raptors series:

✓ Coast to Coast #1

✓ Across the Pond #2

✓ Shadow and Light #3

✓ Sugar and Ice #4

✓ School and Rock #5

https://www.goodreads.com › showSugar and Ice (Arizona Raptors, #4) by R.J. Scott | Goodreads

Synopsis:

When love is on the line, the worst decisions can end up having the best endings.

Tate Collins, an all-American hockey phenomenon, was the highly marketable face of Dallas hockey. Loaded down with endorsements and playing his best game, he was a superstar and a household name. No one ever expected him to fail, but overnight, after the worst decision of his life, everything spirals out of his control. Abruptly, his reputation is in tatters, and he’s traded to the Arizona Raptors in a shocking move. Brushing off the wild and unfounded accusations that he faces on social media, and stuck on the second line, he keeps his head down and works hard to earn his spot. Tate knows he can make a difference if only his teammates would let him. Something has to change for him to earn their respect, but falling for the captain might not be his best move.

Vladislav Novikov has been called many things over his long and illustrious career, but the new nickname of Iceberg seems to fit best. Perhaps it’s due to his icy blue eyes, or the way he rams into opposing players as he defends his goalie. Or maybe it’s because of his cool demeanor when not playing the game he loves. Whatever the reason, it’s why he’s the perfect team captain for this wild bunch of puck-pushers. His perfectly controlled life is smooth as ice until Tate Collins rides into Tucson with his apple pie ways and those damn dimples. The young superstar immediately catches his eye. Despite knowing better than to start something with a teammate, the big, bad Iceberg is about to have that chilly veneer around his heart melted away by Tate one sweet kiss at a time.

Review: The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes (The Hitman’s Guide (#2) by Alice Winters

Rating: 5🌈

The fantastic insanity that is the Hitman’s Guide continues with The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes (The Hitman’s Guide (#2) by Alice Winters .

Leland’s found his true love, and Jackson, a PI, has made him promise to leave his former life of being an assassin behind. But Leland hasn’t figured out what to replace it with, other than the daily adoration of Jackson. And Leland’s gun collection.

Jackson has fallen in love with his scary, funny, reckless, and sexy former hitman. Keeping him safe and unidentified is everything. He thinks he is successful until a body is found with a note from the killer, using Leland’s old , now abandoned name.

Game on to find the copycat killer and save their new relationship.

Winters brings new heights of hilarity as well as pathos to both the character of Leland and his abusive relationship under Lucas . We suddenly understand why he uses humor to mask his inability to voice what kindness and love does to him.

It hurts.

And we hurt for him, but only momentarily. Then comes blowup Randy, or some other moment of utter mayhem, and we’re gone. Lost to guffaws, cries of laughter as Leland and Jackson, in sync, maneuver their way through Leland’s thorny personal past ( now present) dynamics to emerge stronger and happier.

Every character in the series, not just the main ones of Leland and Jackson, but those of Henry, Mason, Jeremy, Ava (Jackson’s mother), are getting stronger as each book continues. They have more layers, more complexity so we value them just as greatly as we do the main couple.

Honestly, there’s no secondary cast here. Including the animals.

The dialogue is sparkling, memorable, and hilarious. Each character is so well defined that , no matter how wildly unlikely or insanely nuts the situations Leland and Jackson (mostly Leland) creates, the reader goes, ok, I get it. It’s Leland.

Just like a character would in the story.

I’m so in love here.

Winters has done an outstanding job with this book and series. The characters resonate with their dissimilar backgrounds, but totally in love grand chemistry. All the people in the story, no matter how outrageous feel believable. Plus with the storylines there’s always the possibility that you could veer off to cry as well as die laughing. Take your pick.

Now guess who’s going to try to get married. This I gotta read.

The Hitman’s Guide is a must read series, one to be read in the order they are written for story and relationships development.

I’m highly recommending this and the series.

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 Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Jackson

Now that Leland’s decided to give up his life as a hitman and take a walk on the mild side, we’ve been enjoying a simple life of taking down bad guys the legal way. I didn’t know he would be just as reckless as a PI, but it’s not my fault if I happen to enjoy helping him hunt down the occasional criminal. If only I could keep the house from being overrun by Leland’s gun shrine—or stop him from making our cases “more exciting” by terrorizing people into confessing. Overall, life seems perfect, right? Wrong. We’ve been called in to investigate a suspicious murder committed by someone claiming to be the Sandman. When we find a note on the victim’s body, we realize that this could ruin our lives forever.

Leland:

I wasn’t involved in the murder. It might look like my writing and my note, but I wouldn’t do that to Jackson—especially after I promised him that I wouldn’t take a hit ever again. At least, not without telling him. I’m finally starting to learn that we’re stronger together, and I’m not going to jeopardize that.Luckily for both of us, this copycat doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. Game’s on, fake Sandman. You think you can mess with me? Well, maybe you can, but that’s beside the point, because I will protect Jackson no matter what, even if I almost drown him in the process. (Really, that wasn’t my fault. He should learn how to swim better.)

This 110k word book contains: Disco ball piñata, camping with Sasquatch, an acrobatic housekeeper named “Mr. Cleanyface,” a questionable massage table, weapons everywhere, Jackson’s nemesis—the fence, a turkey showdown, aerial silk antics, a reappearance of Blow-up Randy, over-the-top body armor, too many hitmen, and so many emotions that Leland’s chest might explode.

This is the second book in a series—while you could read and enjoy it on its own, you really should read The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love for maximum enjoyment.

Review: Tide of Tricks (Shadows of London #2) by Ariana Nash

Rating: 5 🌈

I’ve been thinking about this book, it’s elements, and my review.

Why? Because it contains that one element guaranteed to bring me back to a basic argument I have, as a reviewer and for myself as a reader. Simply put, it is how do I feel about the cliffhanger?

Yes, Tide of Tricks, book 2 of Shadows of London, a fantastic tale of magic and mystery, has the most outrageous of all cliffhangers and THE key series/story revelation all at the same moment. Right at the end of the story! DO NOT READ the ending first. You won’t even understand it anyway.

This is a heartbreaking, mindblast of a problem for several reasons, at least for me. I trust it will be for you all as well.

And I can tell you , if we were talking over tea or coffee? The expletives would be flying!

So let me dive into the why this cliffhanger is going to be so mind boggling awful.

It starts with Ariana Nash’s character of John “Dom” Domenici. His character, his personality and background is so densely layered, like a “bloom in’ onion’ as it were. The author has crafted Dom’s past with bagged filled hidden years that get revealed only through times of immense stress or threatened violence, that the reader and his associates never know what’s coming. Dom is a man who’s means of escaping his crime-filled East End childhood was to join the Army. That also turned out to be something far more torturous and disturbing (I’ll leave that to the book). Tragically from his start in Pretty Twisted Things , we now watch a man we’ve come to greatly care about, slowly destabilize. With devastating results. And someone has planned this.

Nash has written a terrifying authentic example of a man being driven almost to the brink by forces unknown. We will feel every bit as helpless as Dom is to stop the events around him.

The people who work with him who we “think” care for him realize the dangers but there’s multiple targets. No one knows who’s the mastermind. And those who are acting on the mastermind’s orders?

A shock or two there.

This is a veritable Minotaur’s labyrinth of a plot and series arc. Bodies are falling, shadows are everywhere, magical objects of destruction of appearing all over London to destabilize people like Dom, and revelations about the primary characters start to pop like narrative gun fire. Nothing can be counted on except that everyone is in danger. And we have no real idea who everyone truly is.

Cliffhanger. In a beautifully written, outstandingly executed and almost flawless book.

Second stories are almost always a bridge book. They carry the plot and characters safely over from the foundation novel to the third book, which might be the end or even penultimate story in the series. Here Nash not only shoots out the lanterns our characters are carrying to light the way across the bridge but Nash is stranding them there before they reach the end. The bridge is going to break and all is darkness.

The third book in the series? Trial by Fire? Doesn’t come out until next May 2022. Ffs. Yup. Next year.

So back to my ongoing dilemma. When it comes to series and cliffhangers, do you (if given advance notice, clearly not here) wait until you have the entire series and read right through?

Or do what I’ve done, repeatedly, give in and read the book 1 in series after series, hopefully not to see a cliffhanger, and just go with it.

Knowing full well that come next May I’ll have to reread books 1 & 2 before diving back into this series, because the author has made it just that involved and convoluted. My mind will just not be able to hold onto all the details of this arc and plot and multiple characters until May 2022.

Sigh. It’s a old argument. I’ll probably still plow onwards. This author has me so hooked it’s unreal.

So yes… absolutely read this book and series. You decide when. If you want to wait until the series is complete, then read all the stories go for it. Read them as they come, waiting along with me? Ok we’ll suffer together.

Either way, put it on your TBR list. I’m highly recommending it.

Shadows of London series:

◦ Twisted Pretty Things #1

◦ Tide of Tricks #2

◦ Trial by Fire #3- coming May 31st, 2022 argh! The wait will kill me!

Buy link:

https://www.goodreads.com › showWeb resultsTide of Tricks (Shadows of London, #2) by Ariana Nash – Goodreads

Synopsis:

A darkness runs deep beneath London …

Reeling from recent revelations and forced to lie for Kempthorne, the unthinkable happens: Dom fails the latent competency test. One more strike and he’ll be deemed unstable, have his registration stripped, and the life he’s come to love at Kempthorne & Co will be over.

If that weren’t bad enough, someone is stalking him, taunting him. Someone who knows what Dom did all those years ago.

While Dom juggles Kempthorne’s lies and his own shady past, latents are being murdered. The police won’t help, so it’s up to Dom, Kempthorne & new-recruit Kage (Hollywood) to find the killer, before they strike too close to home.

Dom soon finds himself at the heart of it all with his control slipping, his trick breaking free, and the shadows rising.

He’s coming undone. And for unstable latents, there’s only one way out…..

Please note, this is an adult urban fantasy, so there are multiple swears, some darker themes and scenes, and on-page sex.

Review: Pines and Violets (Colors of Love #7) by V.L. Locey

Rating: 5🌈

Colors of Love has quickly become one of my favorite series and one I highly recommend when people ask me for a contemporary romance novel to read.

Beautifully written, well crafted characters of depth that immediately grab at heart and mind, the stories all have certain fascinating elements.

One main element is a hockey player who is at a pivotal stage in his life. It could be that he’s facing a decision to retire, or a debilitating injury, perhaps the player is rehabbing a image or being traded. Even questioning their sexual identity. But the man is at a moment in his life where change is needed, whether he’s aware of it or not.

In Pines & Violets, that element is filled by Greg Mattar, D-man for the Surge NHL hockey team. He’s still mourning the loss of his beloved wife to breast cancer while adjusting to single parenthood to twin daughters. It’s not going well as he hasn’t been able to move forward, emotionally.

From the gut wrenching Prologue where we meet Larissa, his wife as she and Greg feel the lump in her breast to Chapter 1, where they are dealing with her death,we are as devastated as this small family. And 100 percent invested in Greg’s recovery and the family’s future.

When Greg’s sister talks him into spending summer in the Catskills in a cabin near their new summer house, the anticipation is huge and heartfelt that changes are coming.

And it does…amazingly accompanied by a flock of honking geese, a pair of adorable fainting goats and wearing a old straw hat.

Which brings me to another strong and reoccurring element to Locey’s series. That of the fascinating, unexpected, usually complicated second main character. They have truly run the gamut here, from cross dressing gorgeous jazz singers to yoga teachers and everyone imaginable in between. Often they might have never been mates you would have expected the author to pair the hockey player up with until it’s absolutely magical.

Like it is here.

Aiden Burke is a walking scar, his past trauma and painful history literally written in the tears across his skin. He’s a powerful character yet gentle and oh so moving one.

The way in which the men, and girls connect over the summer is so heartwarming and emotionally satisfying. You’ll need to break out the tissues in more than one moment here.

Their story is hilarious, especially where the girls are concerned, realistic, painful, and incredibly moving.

Pines & Violets made me so happy that I know I’ll be rereading it sometime soon. I’m just not ready to let these people, this small family go yet. I adore and have taken them to heart so.

I believe you will too.

Make this the top of your TBR list. It’s such a great story and perfect for the holidays.

And if you haven’t read the other books in the series, I recommend them too. Marvelous!

Colors of Love series:

Lost in Indigo

Touch of a Yellow Sun #2

The Good Green Earth #3

Slow Dances Under an Orange Moon #4

A Brush of Blue #5

Songs of a Red Currant Wine #6

Pines & Violets #7

Synopsis:

He never thought he’d find love again, but one summer changes his entire life.

Greg Mattar always had a clear path in life. The son of wealthy professionals, he and his sister wanted for nothing growing up in Montreal. His skills playing hockey led him to be picked first in the draft and a successful career as one of the premier defensemen in the league. He married his college sweetheart and within a year, they’d been blessed with twin girls. Then the unthinkable happened, and Greg’s life was turned inside out.

After losing his wife to cancer, he’s left alone to raise his daughters and at the same time balance his career. After a rough two years of mourning coupled with a dismal season, Greg and his girls travel to a small vacation community deep in the Catskills. There he meets Aiden Burke, a local artisan with a past who enchants not only Greg’s daughters but Greg as well. During a vacation filled with laughter, acceptance, and morning goose parades, the two men fall for each other, which begins a journey down a winding road of revelations and romance.

https://www.goodreads.com › showWeb resultsPines and Violets (Colors of Love, #7) by V.L. Locey – Goodreads

Review: Desert Dreams (Owatonna U Hockey #6) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey

Rating: 5🌈

It’s been about a little over a year since the events of Valentine’s Hearts, the preceding book in the Owatonna U Hockey series. In that story we saw two momentous events, a sexual assault on Jacob and finally Ryker and Jacob’s wedding.

As the series finale opens, Jacob’s dreams have been realized and Mountain Vista Ranch is a reality. And ready to receive its first occupants, at risk LGBTQ youth and their families.

I love this story. Desert Dreams feels not so much like a final chapter but a novel full of new beginnings. Honestly by the end I was even surprised to find Ryker still a Raptor because so many new paths had been opened up here for so many new outstanding new characters.

R.J.Scott and V.L. Locey are great at crossovers when it comes to their various series and characters so I wasn’t surprised to see a prime character from Scott’s Texas series (and others) make a important appearance here. Seeing him sets the foundation for the ranch and potential storylines. Again with my assumptions.

Can I say my heart embraces the ranch and it’s environment, animals and people immediately? It did. Jacob is it’s heart with Ryker providing needed support but all the staff, including a Russian security guy who’s found his inner Clint Eastwood, it’s accumulating, and the animals (horses, goats, dog… each and every one with huge personalities) are also part of the chemistry and narrative magic that makes Mountain Vista Ranch work.

Then there’s the family that arrives needing shelter and so much more. They will grab at your heart. I’m hoping the son will be making more appearances in stories to come. I need to know what happens to him.

Desert Dreams isn’t about endings but new beginnings.

I’m hoping that means a series called Mountain Vista Ranch because never has a place cried out for a series than this place.

If you’re a Owatonna U Hockey fan, this book is a fantastic way to see the series out.

But if you’re like me, you’re hopeful that this a bright, beautiful start to something wonderful….a way to not only usher out a certain stage in Ryker and Jacob’s lives but to see them into a new journey and series.

I’m most definitely recommending this book, and series.

Note. There’s a element of physical domestic abuse , already happened,as well as threats here so for those who might see these as triggers, please take note.

Owatonna U Hockey Series: 6 books

Ryker #1

Scott #2

Benoit #3

Christmas Lights #4

Valentine’s Hearts #5

Desert Dreams – #6

Synopsis:

When danger stalks their new home, it’s only their strength as a couple that keeps them safe.

Ryker misses Jacob every day he’s away. At the start of a new Raptors season with everything to play for, Jacob, the desert ranch, and their small menagerie of animals have become an oasis of peace in a turbulent world. He’s never ridden a horse, he’s never considered how much this place would mean to him, but suddenly he’s forming a connection with a mare called Tops and loving every moment of this new life. Balancing hockey with his love for Jacob, he feels that nothing can ever go wrong.

With his life finally on track, Jacob is pouring all of himself into the dream he shares with Ryker. Putting the final touches on Mountain Vista Ranch, a halfway home for troubled LGBTQ youth and their families, fills his heart with pride. When their first clients arrive, he finds himself drawn to the small family and their plight. Little does he or Ryker know that the darkness the newcomers have fled from is following them.

Review: Keeping Kellen (Keeping Him #2) by Amy Aislin

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Well, really my only issue here is with the title. It should be called Keeping Brant because Kellen? He’s a done deal here. Has been for years since he realized he saw Brant as more than his BFF’s younger brother.

So the question here? That’s Brant not Kellen. So yep, a definite change up in title needed.

Otherwise, this is a splendid story that sees us catching up on the lives of the group of men from Keeping Casey. It’s been a while, they’ve graduated from Glen Hill College and moved forward with their partners and future plans.

As with Brant, those years has been ones of growth and now he sees himself ready to move forward again, this time in a familiar direction… home and new opportunities.

Aislin opens a path into Brant’s world with this story, one barely hinted at in the first novel. Now Brant’s past, present, and , his potential future is laid out in all its pain, love, familial dysfunction , and emotional distress. It also includes his boyhood crush which has never faded. And who now has returned as well. Aislin’s writes this all so superbly that you are pulled into Brant’s world and situation, feeling easily a part of it.

Yes, I googled that region even. I could go there, indeed I could.

Then there’s Kellen, the crush. Kellen, an immediately likable and connectable character, is one with a few painful layers himself. Although not as many as Brant.

The story and the men’s relationship begins immediately as they reconnect over a drive home from the airport and bond over Ollie, a “shared dog” and just great chemistry.

Through obstacles and new challenges raised by career changes, this pair grows together by using communication and love to get stronger and solidify their partnership. I just loved that.

No failure to talk things out, no childish misunderstandings. Just two adults working together towards a loving, mutually respectful relationship. Sigh. More pls.

And they treat others in the same manner. Be still my heart.

Ok, yes. I’m so happily on board here.

Even if Keeping Him series stays at two novels , which I expect it won’t become there are others unattached, this is absolutely a book and series I recommend.

Keeping Him series:

Keeping Casey #1

Keeping Kellen #2

https://www.goodreads.com › showKeeping Kellan (Keeping Him, #2) by Amy Aislin – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Brant Harkrader is done living by other peoples’ rules. He may not know exactly what he wants out of life, but he’s perfectly happy letting that question figure itself out while starting a new job as a tour guide.

Too bad the one thing he does want—his sister’s BFF—only sees him as a little brother.

Or so he thinks…

Kellan Shelby-Briggs has never shied away from going after what he wants. And what he wants is the important contract that will put his brand new company on the map—and Brant.

Too bad Kellan’s career keeps yanking him away just as things heat up between them.

Now that Brant is back in town—up close and personal in Kell’s living space—can they finally get the timing right to go after the love that has eluded them both for too long?

By Fairy Means or Foul ( Starfig Investigations #1) by Meghan Maslow

Rating:5🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

Meghan Maslow is a relatively new author for me. I just discovered her story from a recent multi-author fantasy series and really enjoyed it. So I was wondering what else she had written.

Imagine my joy to find an entire series to dive into.

Maslow’s Starfig Investigations series offers up a wealth of characters, some truly funny dialogue, a rich universe to explore and storylines that combine mystery, comedy, romance, fantasy with more than a bit of horror.

Zombies and Orcs, cyclops and ghost ships! Plus sexy supernatural beings of all types and temperament. It’s great when a story and it’s characters can make your puls

Half fairy half dragon Twig Starfig runs Starfig Investigations. His latest client? Brandsome Nightwind , magnificent sparkly unicorn with his pet human slave,Quinn Broomsparkles, in tow.

The unicorn has an object he wants Twig to recover. What seems to be straightforward is anything but and a twisting, amazing adventure ensues.

Plus an equally strange and amazing relationship between Twig and Quinn.

There’s father issues, unholy family dynamics, bogs, yes zombies, secrets, and some just amazing characters and great scenes. I laughed, sighed, felt a little heartbroken for each in turn at points in the narrative and wholly fell in love.

I adore this story and can’t wait to see what the second installment has in store for our heroes and her readers.

Need a new fantasy book and series? Start here. Highly recommended.

Starfig Investigations:

https://www.goodreads.com/series/216331-starfig-investigations

By Fairy Means or Foul

Be Fairy Game

His Fairy Share

Review: Socially Orcward (Adventures in Aguillon #3) by Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey

Rating: 5 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

How I love this series! It really has everything to offer lovers of fantasy stories.

There’s exciting action, espionage (well eggs and spinach but you’re going to get it ), outstanding humor both gentle and guffaw worthy, and so much love in all its aspects it threatens to tumble out of the pages.

Oh, and did I mention dragons? Tiny, middle sized, graceful to downright awkward dragons! Magic no matter the stage of growth they find themselves in and utterly charming.

Perfect companions to Dave, our lovely gentle Orc of the previous storylines and adventures. Now happily ensconced in the Kings tower turned dragon incubator and sanctuary, he’s now in charge of all things dragons for Kings Quentin and Loth.

All’s well. And when a similar dragon loving soul named Simon appears in the kitchen and brings food to the tower, things look even brighter.

Such great characters, Dave and Simon! With such tremendous travails before them. Including figuring out what the new emotions they are feeling means, to themselves and eventually each other. Especially when neither has had a relationship and what they see or hear from others doesn’t sound like something they might want.

Socially Orcward is both about fantasy adventures, with dragons, and a complex story about figuring out who you are, what you stand for, and accepting the same for the one you love. I laughed….a lot. Really, the authors pulled the thespian joke and it’s still hilarious.

And I brought out the tissues in places too because both authors got right into the hearts of Simon, and Dave…. and it hurt. And then it soared, as it should.

Which made that last line and the ending so incredibly satisfying and heartwarming. Perfection really.

Everyone is happy. Even Scott.

Who saw that coming?

Adventures in Aquillon just made my comfort reads list as well as automatically recommended.

Incredibly well written, beautifully plotted, outstanding characters, with lines that have the capability to make me burst out laughing or equally shed tears.

Honestly? Farmyard fornicator? Dirty alchemist? Certain things will live on …. Not sure if I should send the authors unspeakable gingerbread as thanks or threats for these mind worms…..

Either way, read for yourself. I’m highly recommending them all, including Socially Orcward

Series:

Red Heir (Adventures in Aguillon #1

Elf Defense -2

Socially Orcward-3

https://www.goodreads.com/series/299397-adventures-in-aguillon

See the above Goodreads link for all buying options for the series.

A MelanieM Review: Coach’s Challenge (Scoring Chances #5) by Avon Gale

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

It’s been decades since blackmail forced Troy Callahan to retire from playing professional hockey, and he’s built a successful career behind the bench. When he’s offered the opportunity to coach the Asheville Ravens—the most hated team in the ECHL—he’s convinced that his no-nonsense attitude is just what the team needs to put their focus back on hockey. But Troy is disheartened when he finds out the Ravens have signed Shane North, a player known for his aggression—especially when Shane’s rough good looks have Troy thinking inappropriate thoughts about a player, even if he’s set to retire at the end of the season.

Shane’s career in the majors never quite took off. Wanting to quit on his own terms, Shane agrees to a one-year contract with the Ravens and finds himself playing for a coach who thinks he’s an aging goon, and with a team that doesn’t trust him, Troy, or each other. Despite his determination not to get involved, Shane unwillingly becomes part of the team… and is just as unwillingly drawn to the gruff, out-and-proud coach. As the Ravens struggle to build a new identity, Shane and Troy succumb to the passion that might cost them everything.

I hate coming to the last of the released books in a series I love, especially this one. Scoring Chances has really grabbed at my heart with the stories of competing teams in the ECHL, whether it’s been the Jacksonville Sea Storm, Spartanburg Spitfires, and here finally the reviled Asheville Ravens, and the hockey players within those teams that love and fought hard on and off the ice.

What a group its been. Closeted players, tormented coaches, goalies tossed away by their families and rich kids coming into their own and finding love and themselves on and off the ice. Avon Gale has captured the essence of this game at its most basic while giving the readers great romance and yes, sexy men.

ECHL is a special place. Easy Come Hard to Leave as the author has mentioned the East Coast Hockey League is called. The players come into it not solely by draft, although those lucky enough to be drafted by the NHL are sent there first to learn the ropes and get seasoning. No, hockey players can just show up and try out, no draft needed. It lends itself to a special type of player and mentality. And a camaraderie between the players off the ice after the games are over. It’s an atmosphere where the pay is miniscule, the hours long, and the passion for the game hot.

We get that in these stories and from these men and couples. Certainly so here from the man trying to rebuild one of the most hated teams in the ECHL. That would be the Ashville Ravens. In Coach’s Challenge (Scoring Chances #5) by Avon Gale we finally get an inside look at the team we’ve only seen on the other side of the rink. Usually its after they’ve tossed slurs at some of our favorite men or even committed crimes against them. Now we get the flip side as Troy Callahan takes on the unenviable job of coach and rebuilding this team completely after the events of the last story.

Troy has given up the chance to coach in the NHL to rebuild the Ravens and all the reasons why fall out quickly. Troy’s character is hockey tough, his personal pain still driving him, and he’s easy to connect to. So is the man arriving late to training, Shane North, a hockey player in the last year before retirement and looking to go out the right way.

Shane North, older, looking for one last year of hockey, played honorably, is a perfect person to represent a ECHL player. Someone with years of playing behind them who still wants to play, that one more year. Who continues to love the game. He’s human, layered, and so personable that I just fell in love with him. And his rickety car that barely made it to Ashville.

Between Shane and Troy, the chemistry is immediately hot, the dynamics perfect, and I love the way their relationship plays out professionally and out of uniform.

There is still fallout from the scandal and NHL proceedings that entwine throughout the story. The intrigue and suspense just adds to the overall depth and enjoyment. But the real stars here remain the game and the romance. The action on the ice, the plays, the excitement! You can almost imagine these teams and players are real. That goes for the love and romance too.

I just adore this series and hope eventually to see another story release. There are other players here that need their HEA and story told. I’ll be waiting for it and them.

Until that happens, I’ll be content to reread this series as is. Are you new to it? I highly recommend each and every story but read them in the order they were written to understand the history of the teams, the players, and the Kelley Cup. It’s a journey you won’t want to miss out on.

Cover art: Aaron Anderson. Again, another great cover that brands the series and the story.

Sales Links: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages
Published June 26th 2017 by Dreamspinner Press
Original Title Coach’s Challenge
ISBN139781635337662
Edition Language English
Series Scoring Chances #5

Reviewer note: arcs purchased directly from Amazon for the entire series.