Tag: A MelanieM Review

Review: Lady (Noble’s Luck Book 1) by Mel Todd

Rating:  5⭐️

This book is my first experience with this author and I’m so very excited to have found Mel Todd. What an incredible immersive experience and magnificent tale Lady is. 

Set in the Ternion Universe, same world as Todd’s Twisted Luck series (which I haven’t read and this is a prequel to), it’s an alternate timeline in Victorian England. Magic has just started to appear, Prince Albert never dies, Disraeli stays in office longer. And Victoria never retires because she never falls into grief and mourning, but remains a strong monarch. 

So much feels believable and powerful in its depth of detail because of the incredible characters, the emotion and pull of the storylines, and the magical power that is being created.

Especially when it comes to the Lucks.  Each of these is focusing on a specific Luck sibling. The stories run concurrently with each other so we see many of the same events from different perspectives and where they were, if missing from the other person’s narrative at the time. 

Miss Emmeline Luck, the youngest of the Earl’s children and the one the Earl favors the least, gets the first story.

Emmeline’s journey from a powerless object to be bartered by her father to a striking woman who has magical abilities and a sense of her own power to direct her life is gripping and incredibly satisfying.

It’s wound through with the political drama of that day, court proceedings and battles that mark the disparity between races, status and gender of Victorian times. 

Emmeline’s development, however, includes her own family as well as new members who have the power to train her magic and influence her own destiny. 

As she says herself:

“I wanted to be Emmeline Luck, someone that was irreplaceable and in control of her own destiny, not pawned off or used to further someone else’s.”

I started rooting for her and remained so inspired and invested in her life that the pages flew by. 

There’s no romance but very stirring moments as she fights for her control over her destiny. 

Fantastic side characters that I would love to see more of, including her dress designer, Diante, a fascinating person whose history I’m dying to read. 

I’m quickly heading to Lord which is Duncan’s book. 

What a fantastic book and find. It’s one I’m highly recommending!

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

Cover by Ampersand Book Covers”

Noble’s Luck:

Lady #1

Lord #2

Bastard #3

Buy link 

        Lady (Noble’s Luck Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Miss Emmeline Luck has always strived to be a dutiful daughter, but thinking for herself has never won her favor with society—or her domineering father.

When Earl Luck announces her engagement to a slimy man unfit to be left with a scullery maid, she tries to comply. But the reality of the despicable nature of her fiancé reveals a power buried deep within her: Emmeline is a mage.

Magic is a new and controversial force in Victorian England; its emergence stirring unease while the Queen remains silent. Desperate for training, Emmeline turns to Miss Antoinette Carlton and her mentor, the Bengali mage Rohan, who has a familiar. As Emmeline delves into her training, she realizes magic could upend her family—and threaten the security of Britain itself.

When her father kicks her out, Emmeline faces an impossible choice: conform to a life without freedom or carve a path on her own terms in a society that deems a woman without a man worthless. Armed with magic, intelligence, and the law, she sets out to challenge her father’s tyranny. But with powerful forces seeking to use her as a pawn, Emmeline must summon all her strength and cunning to claim her own destiny.

In a world where magic is both feared and coveted, can she rewrite the rules—or will she remain at the mercy of others?

  • Publisher: Bad Ash Publishing
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: February 3, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 346 pages
  • Book 1 of 3: Noble’s Luck

Review:  Desperately Delicate Viper (Mafia Bound Book 4) by K.M. Neuhold

Rating: 4🌈

Mafia Bound is a series from K.M. Neuhold that focuses on the Moretti crime family and the romantic relationships and partners each Moretti man finds himself in. It’s usually been with a murderous sociopathic twink of a traumatic background. My favorite couple being Sal and dancer Dante (3) , followed by unhinged Sparrow and the family enforcer, Xaviaro (1). 

The energy, chemistry and sheer insanity that powers these relationships made the storylines and those couples. Each had layers and a certain depth of character that allowed for a realistic development of the relationship between them. 

And that’s really the issue here. While we’ve met Luca, the youngest of the Moretti family prior, we’ve not gotten to know him well.  He’s a puppy, as Dante calls him. Against all the others? He’s definitely not the same factor of darkness or seriousness of damage. He’s too young in his current form. 

And the other main character is also not supported by any foundation or framework of storytelling. Anders is a good character but everything we learn about him comes from a “as told to” approach. We don’t see any interactions between the father he’s terrified of or honestly, of the brother he’s been protecting.  It’s a diminishing aspect of the character’s storyline. 

The positives, seeing Dante and Sal (#couplegoals ) and Sparrow as well as Xav, was fantastic. The energy and intensity they bring to this narrative made it feel so much better.  And the dialogue and dynamics between them as Luca was hilarious. 

Anders and Luca’s instant love romance could have been better if they had more time to establish themselves as a couple. Instead they come off a new, younger version, without the intense energy or interest.

This is the 4th book but I believe there’s more coming.  I’m definitely going to be reading those. 

A terrific series with D/s elements, crime family romances, and lots of sexy men. 

Cover Design Natasha Snow”

Great covers.

Mafia Bound:

  • Deadly Little Sparrow #1
  • Beautifully Savage Butterfly #2
  • Unhinged Little Angel #3
  • Desperately Delicate Viper

Buy link

        Desperately Delicate Viper (Mafia Bound Book 4)

    

Blurb 

That Feeling when the man you just robbed and left tied up and blindfolded turns out to be in the mafia…

I’m not proud of the things I’ve had to do for money to pay off my dad’s debts and put my younger brother through college. But I’ll never regret it.

What I do regret is accidentally robbing a Moretti.

Having to look over my shoulder and ducking every time a car backfires is bad enough, but when the man in question starts costing me business? Yeah, I think we’re going to have a problem.

I never knew I could feel the way I do when Luca Moretti gets on his knees for me, but I don’t have time to be romanced by this obsessed, submissive, mafioso.

No one has ever made me feel as strong and capable as he does. Can I really be the viper he sees me as? If I learn how to bite, can I finally make my life my own with Luca Moretti at my side?

  • Publication date: June 6, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 203 pages
  • Book 4 of 4: Mafia Bound

Review:  The Complete Other Witch Series Box Set (4.5 books!): An Urban Fantasy Enemies-to-Lovers Series (The Other Witch Series) by Heather G. Harris 

Rating: 4.75⭐️

This is the way I’m reading my series when at all possible, omnibus or boxed sets. Binge reading right through every single book to the end. Fabulous. 

With the exception of Lucy, the Other Wolf, who I’ll never ever buy as a convincing or plausible character, I’ve loved every single other series in the Other World universe that Heather G. Harris is still creating. 

Witch Amber DeLea has consistently been a powerful if secondary character in all the other series, a solitary character with a serious grudge against the griffin assassin, Bastion, who features strongly in most of the other characters series and magical paths towards power and romance.

Harris has let fall hints and bits of knowledge of each of these characters history, individually and what has made them such enemies, in previous stories, but here the devastating backstory is finally revealed. 

I’m the first to admit I was finding Amber’s continual struggle with Bastion exhausting, especially as Harris’ empathetic scenes are able to show exactly what has been the real result of the events as well. The reader, if not Amber, is able to see both sides of the story. 

This excellent storytelling continues throughout the series, the balance between the characters, the personalities and perspectives. Even when the drama and suspense is extraordinary and the thrills are completely out of control, the thoughtful plotting is right there with the magical moments and characters.

There are elements that stem from the last moments of The Other Wolf series that have enormous impact on the events here. But I have tried twice, in 2 different ways to get through that series to no avail. 

So they remain cobbled together in my mind from various conversations said in the other series and that is more than enough. 

I ended up loving Amber DeLea, the long journey she takes from a self contained existence to one that starts embracing her small group of friends and relationships. The character development and world growth of the series is amazing.  

And Harris has yet another addition planned, The Other Detective, which has its beginning here. 

I’m loving this. And highly recommending it. Binge it all the way in the box set!

Great covers of the amazing character. 

Cover images by Christian Bentulan

Buy link 

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Complete Other Witch Series Box Set (4.5 books!): An Urban Fantasy Enemies-to- …

Blurb 

A deadly assassin. A desperate witch. A past that won’t stay buried.

I’m Amber DeLea—ambitious witch, potion mistress extraordinaire, and daughter to a woman slipping further away each day. My life is a constant battle, whether it’s cursed runes, treacherous coven politics, or dark forces closing in. But nothing haunts me more than my mother’s unravelling mind, and I’m running out of time to find a cure.

The last thing I need is Bastion—the deadly griffin assassin who shattered my world—being ordered to protect me. And yet, here he is, my reluctant bodyguard, bound to keep me alive even as old wounds fester between us.

Every whispered incantation could be my undoing. Every shadow hides a threat. And every moment with Bastion blurs the line between hatred and something far more dangerous. I’ll do whatever it takes to save my mother—even if it means risking my heart to the one man I swore to despise until my dying breath.

Devour this witchy series if you love humour, heart, and a strong heroine tangled in a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers fade-to-black romance.

This box sex collects from The Other Witch Series and includes the whole series:
Rune of the Witch, prequel
Hex of the Witch, Book 1
Coven of the Witch, Book 2
Familiar of the Witch, Book 3; and
Destiny of the Witch, Book 4.

Don’t miss all the books set in the Other Realm! New connected series coming soon. 

The Other Realm Series

Glimmer of the Other

Glimmer of Dragons

Glimmer of Hope

Glimmer of Christmas

Glimmer of Death

Glimmer of Deception

Challenge of the Court

Betrayal of the Court

Revival of the Court

The Other Wolf Series

Protection of the Pack

Guardians of the Pack

Saviour of the Pack

The Other Witch Series

Rune of the Witch

Hex of the Witch

Coven of the Witch

Familiar of the Witch

Destiny of the Witch

Written in British English.

For the maximal reader experience, it is recommended that you read The Other Wolf series before you read The Court series, though the events in The Other Wolf series are explained if you prefer to dive right in.

New series coming soon.

Written in British English.

  • Publisher: Hellhound Press Limited (February 23, 2025)
  • Publication date: February 23, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 1032 pages

Review: Inked in Ashes: A twisted fairy tale retelling (Inkbound Book 1) by Shannon Mayer

Rating:  5✨

I love stories where the author has twisted known fairy tales into their own interpretations of these beloved characters and takes on their universes and themes. 

Inked in Ashes is author Shannon Mayer’s first novel in her new Inkbound series about a princess hidden in a book of Fairy Tales until the time is finally come for her to make her way back home and save her kingdom. 

From such a simple sounding premise comes an incredible story, starting with a devastating scene of sacrifice, death , and the magic that sends a toddler princess into a book of fairy tales just as her father’s enemy destroys everything around her.  It’s heartbreaking and terrifying as any a prologue. 

Harmony Fallowell is the young woman we meet in a slum town, Hollow, along with her best friend, Moll, trying to get her friend out of going to the ball. Harmony’s got a stepfather, stepmother, and her kids. Yes, she’s not been treated well as an extra mouth or adopted sibling. 

Things go badly at the ball for Moll and then Harmony who is there for her. 

Mayer beautifully pulls in many of the familiar themes and fairy tale staples here, ones that will make the reader nod in acknowledgment.  But those are just a fantastic framework for a deeper story. 

One that has inspired characters, including falcons, violence, gore in action scenes, and some detailed deaths. There’s also an off the page mention of a SA. 

So think Grimm’s instead of Disney and you would be more prepared for the type of characters and scenarios found here. 

The journey that propels Harmony throughout this book is so well written. It combines a number of different elements, all perfectly executed to give the feeling of multiple layers being utilized at the same time to help her develop and become the person needed at the end of her journey. The one needed to save her kingdom. 

How I love this book and characters. Absolutely amazing. 

Molli too. She’s a tremendous character. 

I need Inked in Onyx asap!

Highly recommended!

 Cover by HiJinks Ink Publishing

Inkbound series:

Inked in Ashes #1

Inked in Onyx #2 – June 10,2025

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: Inkbound 

Blurb 

For fans of Once Upon a Time, and Wicked.

Escape the page, or die trying…

I’ve spent twenty-five years in the Hollow, poor as dirt, cursed with a stepmother who hates me, and dreaming about a faraway land that I don’t understand. Only two things that make life worth living are my falcon, Fetch, and my best friend, Molly.

But when Moll’s plot to land a royal husband at the palace ball goes horribly wrong, I find myself staring at a king with a glass stiletto buried in his chest and a blood-covered Molly standing over him. We’ve got to move…and fast, or we’ll both wind up swinging from the hangman’s noose.

Worse? The palace sorcerer is using everything he can to find the culprit including raising the dead.

More complicated? Duncan…brother to the King, whose eye I’ve unintentionally caught, a man whose secrets might be deadlier than the undead soldiers breathing down our necks, is making me second-guess everything I’ve ever known.

With revolution brewing and a mysterious man calling to me from my dreams, I have no choice but to embrace my fate…

But what if my fate is beyond anything I could ever imagine? What if the only land I’ve ever known isn’t home at all?

What if I’m trapped inside a fairytale, and the only way out…is through?

  • Publisher: Hijinks Ink Publishing
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: May 13, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Book 1 of 2: Inkbound

Review:  Speed (Railers Legacy Book 1) by RJ Scott and V.L. Locey

Rating: 3.5 🌈

Speed (Railers Legacy Book 1) by RJ Scott and V.L. Locey continues the Harrisburg Railers Hockey Team multi-series universe with a new addition, Railers Legacy.   Once again, we see a character who the readers have become familiar with and love now grown up and preparing to play for the team his family played for. 

It’s Noah Gunnarsson, son of the fabulous characters and NHL players, Eric Lyamin-Gunnarsson and husband, Stan Lyamin-Gunnarsson , still gloriously happy, retired with grown children and a house full of animals. 

Noah, we see him selected at draft time, and then later when it’s time for the rookies to show up and prepare to play.  

I’ll say I wish there was more ice time and locker room dynamic. That makes a hockey team and a realistic romantic story. And these authors write great hockey. But it’s downplayed so Noah’s diabetes can become a stronger element, which it is.  From Noah regulating the insulin and diet to his health regimen as an athlete and the factors that affect his performance as a diabetic.  It makes Noah an extremely effective character and folds his diabetes in as a important factor.

Noah, and family are a great aspect of the story and come with an established fan base, because honestly, Stan? Still my favorite. 

Brody and his multitude of issues don’t get that same energy or feel of being as well explored or resolved here. He’s got a controlling, abusive grandfather, severe medical problems, bi-awakening, fear of loss of control and direction. And his passion for driving and as a ex F1 driver? Not really established except for the beginning part of the book. The rest is verbiage.

For him to be a completely realized person, there should be more foundation to that race car driver essence of him. Instead the focus switches to his sexuality. Brody becomes instantly obsessed with a man he kisses on the “downlow”, Noah. Someone he tracks down, “stalks” until he’s part of an instant love story.A romance that has elements of “bisexual awakening “, “coming out” and immediate almost overnight partnership, tossed into his and their relationship that reads so quickly done that you’ll be blinking and wondering where the foundation is. 

And the controlling, threatening grandfather just disappears completely here. 

The story ends with a number of things unresolved in the story and relationship, and a clear picture of the next couple coming forward. 

I was really happy to see Eric, Stan and some of the other people who I’ve known in my series show up. Noah is just lovely. 

Read it for the connection to Stan and Eric, and the Railers. And this family as they were in the old novels. 

Cover design by Meredith Russell, Edited by Sue Laybourn”

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comSpeed (Railers Legacy Book 1) – Kindle edition by Scott, RJ, Locey, V.L.. Romance …

Blurb 

Hard ice. Fast cars. Fierce love. 

Hockey is as natural as breathing for Noah Gunnarsson. Growing up with two famous hockey stars as his dads, Noah has always aspired to join the Railers to continue the Lyamin-Gunnarsson legacy. With his degree done, it’s time to live that dream; the first step is getting a spot on the team his dads played for. The second step is to pull on that dusky blue-gray sweater and make his fathers proud. His rookie year is bound to be a season of incredible highs and lows, but one of the biggest highlights is meeting Brody Vance at a fundraiser. Brody is the living epitome of a bad boy hiding his pain behind a devil-may-care attitude. As Noah struggles to keep one eye on the puck and not on Brody, it’s only a matter of time before love collides with sport in a chaotic splash of media attention. 

Racing driver Brody Vance has spent his life chasing speed and glory and is only points away from his first world championship when a devastating crash ends his season. Determined to make a triumphant comeback, Brody is blindsided by a diagnosis that forces him off the track for good. With his world flipped upside down, and family and fans questioning why he left, Brody hides his pain by pushing the limits and refusing to let anyone see the cracks. But after a chance meeting with a sweet, sexy hockey player turns into an unforgettable one-night stand, fate keeps putting Noah in his path. With his heart on the line and his body racing against time, 

Brody must decide if he’s willing to risk it all for love—or if he’ll let fear and pride leave him in the dust. Speed is a steamy M/ M romance with a hockey rookie living his family legacy, a bad-boy racing driver with secrets, media attention that would break even the strongest of men, an unforgettable one-night stand, a love that means risking it all, and a hard-won happy ever after.”

Review:  Cheater Slicks (The Body Shop Book 4) by Hailey Edwards

Rating: 5⭐️

I really thought this was the series finale but was so thrilled to see I was wrong. There’s at least one, perhaps more to this fantastic, compelling series coming before it finished. 

This picks up shortly after the cliffhanger ending of Midnight Auto Parts, where Frankie and friends found that Matty’s soul is missing from his body. To discover what happened to his soul, Frankie, boyfriend Kierse, and several otherworldly traveling companions head to New Orleans where souls are going missing too, including another one who is incredibly close to Frankie.

Edwards absolutely brings it here in here narrative. The characters are, throughout this story and events that occur, grow their magical powers, in storylines that build a new depth of emotion as well as a connection to each other.  Edwards moves from really complex, stressful situations to hilarious moments and back to heartbreak with each new scenario and often frightening suspense filled scenes.

Yes, there’s another cliffhanger. And all the characters are pulling together, just as the mythology and world building is expanding even further. Totally amazing and highly imaginative elements that grab you! 

This is one of my must read series. It’s a series low on sexual content but highly recommended for excellent writing, great characters and fantastic world building. 

Love these covers. 

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 

Ride or Die #5-tbd release 

Buy link 

        Cheater Slicks (The Body Shop Book 4)

    

Blurb 

Matty has lost his soul, and it’s up to Frankie to find it before his body gives up the fight for survival. But soon his isn’t the only life at risk from the soulless condition. The affliction is spreading from Thunderbolt, Georgia, into the beating heart of the French Quarter and right up to Madam Vionette Fontenot’s front door.

When Frankie returns to New Orleans in search of answers, she finds herself at the mercy of a god who covets her newfound powers as the guardian of the Alcheyvāhā. He makes it clear he’s willing to do whatever it takes to wield her for his own benefit. Even if it costs Frankie everyone she loves.

  • Publisher: Black Dog Books, LLC. (May 10, 2025)
  • Publication date: May 10, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 242 pages

Review: Monochrome: An MM Shifter Romantic Suspense Novel (ORCA Book 4) by Vinni George

Rating: 4.5🌈

Monochrome is the finale story of Vinni George’s ORCA series about a group of orca whale shifters , the agency they form (ORCA ) to find and return stolen artifacts and artwork and the fated mates the find at each case and investigation. 

I really enjoyed this as it tied up the overall series mystery of the missing artwork, brought out the revelations behind several deaths, the last brother, Julius found a mate and a family, and the grandmother finally comes home. 

Julius Hunter is the last brother to find his fated mate. When he does, it’s his client, a panda shifter, Ethan Lin , who has guardianship of his young niece and nephew. 

It’s a great romance, the children who become part of the growing Hunter family, are absolutely adorable, and Ethan as an overwhelmed, stressed and anxious man is a relatable character. 

All the brothers and mates, as well as cousins and mates are here working together on the investigations and mysteries. It’s a fantastic story, pulling together every aspect of all the books and characters to create an absolutely amazing and satisfying finale.

Loved this and it’s one I’m definitely recommending. 

I wish the covers were story or character oriented in some form. They honestly could be applied to any other genre or book.

Cover Design: Alison Millsaps, Ozark Witch Cover Design

ORCA series:

Black & White #1

Grayscale #2

Full Color #3

Monochrome #4: finale 

Buy link

        Monochrome: An MM Shifter Romantic Suspense Novel (ORCA Book 4)

    

Blurb:

After a career on Wall Street, Julius Hunter is content to live his life as a modern Robin Hood. Getting corrupt corporations to invest with him while he siphons their money into charitable organizations makes his blood pump, so when he’s sent in to find out what the new CEO of a global company knows about money being used to fund the search for a priceless piece of artwork connected to his family, he’s all in.

Ethan Lin never wanted to be CEO of the company his great-great-grandfather founded. He also never wanted to be a parent, but when his sister died in a car accident, he inherited her title and her two adorable children. Balancing life as the head of a corporation and as a new dad is a challenge, and with diminishing returns at home and in the boardroom something has to give.

When Julius shows up, offering help in both areas of Ethan’s life, they learn they have more in common than they think. Including a shared enemy. Whoever is targeting the Hunter family also has their sights set on Ethan, and Julius will stop at nothing to make sure the man he’s falling for and his children stay safe as the final pieces fall into place.

Monochrome is the final book in the Organization for the Return of Criminals and Assets (ORCA) series, featuring an orca shifter financier who had no idea he liked kids, a panda shifter hellbent on making sure his family’s legacy doesn’t end with him, and a final showdown that changes everything.

  • Publication date: June 5, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 239 pages
  • Book 4 of 4: ORCA

Review:  The Other Realm :The Court Series Omnibus(3 books): An Urban Fantasy Collection by Heather G. Harris

Rating: 5⭐️

What an outstanding series and way to read this series/collection! I was able to watch the characters develop their powers, continue to work through deep personal issues and deal with betrayal and shocking twists in their lives through all the stages in their journey. Without stopping.

All the stories flow together seamlessly and reading them becomes a joyful marathon experience, shortened only because my dog has needs and I wanted coffee. 

I don’t want to give away more of the many plot lines described than are listed in the blurbs because Harris delivers characters that are so much more complex and interesting than they initially appear to be.  

We get a long overdue visit and meeting with the Dragon Court, complete with locations, lots of politics and historical or just ancient beings. 

Trials, mysteries, and more importantly , engaging new characters and threats to Emory and Jinx’s relationship and lives, as well as the status quo of the otherworldly beings by the anti-beast faction.

This has everything one could want, and written so fantastically. Action, suspense, mystery, romance, and much more. 

And the ending is so satisfying I was left grinning with deep delight. 

My bookshelf is groaning in anticipation because I’ve already decided I need these in hardback.  

Love, love, love this and the preceding omnibus too. Grab these up!

Cover images by Christian Bentulan

Buy link:

 Book 3 of 3: The Other Realm Universe – Omnibus Editions 

The Other Realm – The Court Series Omnibus: An Urban Fantasy Collection (The Other Realm Universe – Omnibus Editions Book 3)by Heather G. HarrisBook 3 of 3: The Other Realm Universe – Omnibus Editions

Blurb 

Books five to seven in The Other Realm series!

I’m supposed to be meeting with Emory’s dragon Court and amazing them with my suave wit and shining intellect. Instead I’m on the trail of a kidnapper. Someone has stolen away a centaur teenager, Alfie, from a magical circus. The circus master has hired me and Gato to find out who took him – hopefully before Alfie swims with the fishes.

The problem is, no one in the circus is who they say they are. The Other Circus is a front for a magical underground, helping those that want to leave their magical lives far behind. They’ve spent years keeping their heads down and their mouths shut and it’s going to take more than asking nicely to get this bunch to crack.

The clock is ticking, not just to find Alfie, but also for me to impress Emory’s dragon Court. When I finally meet them, I’m going to have to pass through a series of consort challenges before they’ll recognise me as Emory’s intended mate. Oh, and they won’t tell me what’s a challenge, and what’s not. Nothing is what it seems, but luckily I come with an inbuilt lie detector. I’m itching to prove to the standoffish dragon-shifters that I’m more than a pretty face but finding Alfie has to come first.

I’m juggling things as best I can, but all it will take is one wrong move to bring everything crashing down on my head …

Burn through this fun, fast-paced, laugh-out-loud mix of urban fantasy and mystery.

This collection contains the following books:

Challenge of the Court

Betrayal of the Court

Revival of the Court.

These are books five to seven in The Other Realm series. It is strongly recommended that you read Books one to four first, starting with Glimmer of the Other.

If you like humour, heart, a strong heroine and a slow burn fade-to-black romance, check out The Court Series – the addictive urban fantasy series by internationally best-selling author Heather G. Harris.

Don’t miss all the books set in the Other Realm!

The Other Realm Series

Glimmer of the Other

Glimmer of Dragons

Glimmer of Hope

Glimmer of Christmas

Glimmer of Death

Glimmer of Deception

Challenge of the Court

Betrayal of the Court

Revival of the Court

The Other Wolf Series

Protection of the Pack

Guardians of the Pack

Saviour of the Pack

The Other Witch Series

Rune of the Witch

Hex of the Witch

Coven of the Witch

Familiar of the Witch

Destiny of the Witch

Written in British English.

For the maximal reader experience, it is recommended that you read The Other Wolf series before you read The Court series, though the events in The Other Wolf series are explained if you prefer to dive right in.

  • Publication date: February 4, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 777 pages

Written in British English.

Don’t miss all the books set in the Other Realm!

The Glimmer Series

Glimmer of the Other

Glimmer of Hope

Glimmer of Death

Glimmer of Deception

The Other Wolf Series

Protection of the Pack

Guardians of the Pack

Saviour of the Pack

The Court Series

Challenge of the Court

Betrayal of the Court

Revival of the Court

The Other Witch – An Amber DeLea grimoire

Rune of the Witch

Hex of the Witch

Coven of the Witch

Familiar of the Witch

Destiny of the Witch

Review:  Riftborne (Esprithean Trilogy, #1) by Grenwich & Lennox

Rating: 3.75⭐️

Riftbourne represents new authors and a new fantasy trilogy to explore in the first of the Esprithean trilogy novels.

Authors Bree Grenwich and Parker Lennox include maps of the territories (be still my heart) and dictionaries of terminology and pronunciation to help readers understand the world building and character foundations. 

I was involved in the storyline of Fia Riftbourne, an adopted orphan of uncontrollable powers who is conscripted into the formidable Sidhe Guard, to be trained by the General and be used as a new weapon against their enemies. 

There’s a lot of world foundational structure and elements such as history and current events that the authors have to lay out in the novel as well as build Fia’s narrative and the magical elements and systems here.

With all that to pack in one book , unless absolutely brilliantly written, some aspects have to feel less than complete, and that’s a bit of everything. 

We don’t exactly know what the magical elements are and how it works. Fia’s adopted mother seems to have some kind of powers, but those aren’t really ever mentioned or defined. Nor is Fia’s adolescence fully understood. We arrive at her life pretty much as the tale begins with only the barest hints of her background. 

The conflicts, the war that destroyed her country and caused her and her countrymen to lose everything, become branded, isn’t really defined either except in an paragraph at the beginning. 

So it’s emotionally not as strong a factor it could be but more a ‘as a told to’ element. That weakens much of the other characters perspective’s of the story. We get fanatical bigotry but no real emotional connection to its foundation. 

The romance or in reality the  relationship that develops between the characters , Fia and Laryk, here feels genuine, the uneven power balance and unexplored power dynamics add to the tension between them. It’s hot, tense, and unpredictable. 

I felt that, Fia and Sidhe General, Laryk Ashford, were possibly the best elements here.  

Too many other things were left undefined or hidden, most likely due to the coming second novel’s storyline, that it felt underwhelming or less convincing in the plot, than some of the other better written aspects of the novel. 

Most have to do with Fia’s character and powers, hinted at and described. But her muddy beginnings are a factor too. 

So I’m left with a book and characters I feel are good, a universe that the authors are clearly expanding with a second novel, and a large amount of unresolved and undefined aspects of the various storylines. 

It ends on a cliffhanger. But it’s not exactly an unexpected one. 

Headed to Duskbound now. 

Cover art and Map by Parker Lennox

Esprithean Trilogy:

Riftbourne #1

Duskbound #2

Buy link

        Riftborne (Esprithean Trilogy Book 1)

    

Blurb 

He was striking in a cold-blooded kind of way, like his beauty was tinged with poison. Unassuming, alluring even.

I brought my eyes up to meet his.

“Fia Riftborne?” The words dripped from his lips like blood from a dagger.

Twenty years after a rebellion branded her an outcast, Fia Riftborne navigates a city rife with prejudice so deep, it’s often deadly. But she harbors a secret, one that would paint an even larger target on her back. A hidden power within her is growing, threatening to destroy everything she’s built for herself.

Enter the elusive Sidhe General, Laryk Ashford, who is building a unit of powerful wielders within the Guard to face a growing threat. Wraiths of darkness devour the Western border, leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake.

When Fia’s power erupts, and two daughters of Nobility are seemingly dead, General Ashford offers her a chilling choice: join the Sidhe Guard or face execution.

Because Fia might be the only hope for the Isle’s survival.

Torn between surrendering to the chaos or becoming a weapon for those who took everything from her, Fia must confront her growing feelings for the General and face a dark truth that could shatter everything she’s ever known.

  • Publisher: ONYX Publishing
  • Publication date: September 3, 2024
  • Edition: 1st
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 428 pages
  • Book 1 of 2: Esprithean Trilogy 

Review:  Bet on the Waif (Merlin’s Waif Book 2) by Renée Jaggér and Michael Anderle

Rating:  5⭐️

This outstanding series continues with Bet on the Waif, a story that continues with Merritt’s journey towards discovering more about their own species. This storyline has become a deeply compelling one, especially in a scene here. It also makes its way into the narrative through Merritt’s interactions with an older reclusive baker, an absolutely emotionally memorable part of the story. 

The baking and recipes will make you drool, so have snacks handy. Just letting you know.

There’s new characters to embrace, moments of joy, grace, gratitude and ferocity. 

Bet on the Waif shows Merritt developing trust and confidence in those around them and in the fact that, finally, Merritt might be home. 

Merlin, who I have wanted to smack more often than not for his abrupt treatment of Merritt somewhat redeems himself here.  I get it, he’s all powerful but that’s a traumatized child he’s been dealing with for years in a manner that’s borderline dismissive.  

Sigh. Anyway. Love the characters here, and the growing community. So I’m heading directly to the next book in the series. 

Another great cover. 

Highly recommended for all lovers of fantasy fiction and fantasy adventures. 

Outstanding covers and artwork. One of the things that drew me to this book. 

Cover by Mihaela Voicu

Merlin’s Waif (4 book series):

Little Waif Justice #1

Bet on the Waif #2

Waif Too Much #3

No Waif Out #4

Related/preceding series:

Valerie Stonehold (9 book series)

Buy link 

        Bet on the Waif (Merlin’s Waif Book 2)

    

Blurb 

Magic thrives in the heart of the city… and so do its dangers.

Merritt Vale is the last of her kind, a Leshbolg trying to carve out a new life in Little Avalon, the paranormal haven hidden in Brooklyn. Baking by day and embracing her magic by night, she longs to belong in a world teeming with fae, werewolves, and ancient mysteries.

When an old legend resurfaces—a relic of King Arthur’s time—Merritt is drawn into a tangled web of secrets and power. Friends stand by her side, yet shadows lurk in the alleys, and unseen forces plot in the dark.

The city hums with magic, but not all of it is kind.

To claim her place and protect those she loves, she must step beyond the safety of the life she’s built. The path ahead is uncertain, the enemies are relentless, and the cost of failure is more than she can bear.

Will she unlock the truth of her past and wield her magic before it’s too late? Or will the forces hunting her snuff out her light forever?

Dive into Bet On the Waif today and uncover the magic, mystery, and danger waiting in the shadows of New York City!

  • Publisher: LMBPN Publishing; 1st edition (March 20, 2025)
  • Publication date: March 20, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 345 pages