Tag: A MelanieM Review

Review:  Protection of the Pack: An Urban Fantasy Novel by Heather G. Harris

Rating: 3.25⭐️

I picked up this series and another because the authors are co-authoring an urban fantasy series that I’m absolutely in love with, and I thought I’d explore what each writer was doing separately. 

At least, if this (and Jilleen Dolbeare’s Splintered Magic novel) are any indication, they are far stronger together than apart. 

Heather G. Harris’ Protection of the Pack has some interesting ideas and promising elements but it’s derailed by its main female character , a surprise here, and a world building where its lack might be due to its many related series and overlapping characters, none of which are well explained in the story. It’s assumed that the reader has the foundation knowledge of this universe to understand the under explored elements. 

But it’s mostly on the shoulders of a poorly conceived main female character that is unable to carry the weight of the story and a romantic relationship that had little to no chemistry between them that’s the issue here.

I’ll try to make it brief. 

Lucy is was a regular person until her serial killer incubus boyfriend made her his next victim and put her into the ICU in the hospital. A quick bite from her werewolf bestie and she’s a werewolf and , in a plot from another story, a reluctant Alpha of an unhappy little pack.   That’s the facts. 

But Lucy? She’s another SMH character. Instead of trying to learn how to lead, focus on pack dynamics, etc. That girl’s gonna party. And whine about her problems. 

There’s a good element of the werewolf or just wolf being a separate entity within her, complete with its own personality and goals. Esme, the wolf inside has hidden knowledge and history of pack rules and otherworldly creatures from the advice she offers to Lucy. Not that Lucy is willing to listen all that much.

Lucy is frankly written as an annoying person. That boyfriend is a serial killer, has basically killed her, murdered multiple women. Her stance? She feels sorry for him. 

What is the author doing? Consistently, Lucy is running off, not informing anyone where she’s going, putting herself, the shaky pack leadership, and the pack itself in danger.  Honestly, she’s a gorgeous twit. 

Greg Manners, former dragon brethren, is an overlapping character from another series. His story is scribbled in briefly so maybe his background is described in another series. But his lack of one makes him very one dimensional here, especially as he’s seen as the main romantic character for Lucy.  No chemistry and no real sense of connection. 

That’s the issue here with the other characters. They seem to be carryover from other books and it’s assumed we know what their relationships and stories are.  New readers will feel completely lost as very little information is given out about any of them. 

This isn’t to say there’s not some intriguing plot lines or great characters. There are.  Bob the gargoyle and his group. The Griffin assassin (from another series) is fascinating, if only for his stance on morality. 

But the fact that the main characters are not the strongest characters in the series or are not as well crafted as to be able to keep me invested in her story is a big problem here. 

It’s continues to be in book 2, but I’ll address that in my review later. 

I’m actually very surprised that I didn’t like the story more. That Lucy wasn’t as good a character or as well constructed as I expected from having read the other co-authored series.

I’ve read book two and it’s more of the same.  Honestly I’m debating on whether I should read all the books. 

Cover Design by Christian Bentulan.

The Other Wolf Series – now complete!

Protection of the Pack, Book 1

Guardians of the Pack, Book 2

Saviour of the Pack, Book 3

Awakening of the Pack, Book 4

Resurgence of the Pack, Book 5

Ascension of the Pack, Book 6

Buy link

        Protection of the Pack: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Other Wolf Series Book 1)

    

Blurb

***Series Complete!***

I have a wolf in my head. Her name is Esme, and she likes killing things.

I’m Lucy, a regular accountant turned alpha werewolf. A tryst with the wrong incubus ripped me from my ordinary life and sent me tumbling into a magical realm that I’d never even dreamed existed.

I was just adjusting to pack life when I was asked to mercy-kill the current alpha. I’m not a total bitch so I did what he asked, but it’s left me as alpha of a pack I don’t know, full of werewolves who resent that I still live and breathe while their old alpha doesn’t. If I’m to survive in this dog-eat-dog realm, I’m going to have to win my new pack over – and fast.

I’m still trying to find my way in this violent new world when my third in command, Mark, is brutally murdered right under my damn nose. To regain control of the pack, I need to find the killer and bring him to vigilante justice. Luckily, my wolf, Esme, is more than happy to get her paws dirty.

When the werewolf council show up to question me, things get a little dicey. Thank goodness I have the deadly Greg Manners, former dragon brethren and general ass-kicker, to back me up. Now I just need to unravel who’d want to kill Mark – and there’s a really long list of suspects because he was shadier than an oak tree.

I’m hip-deep in suspects, and I need to move swiftly – before the killer strikes again…

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

This is the first book in the Other Wolf series. Don’t miss this internationally best-selling series if you like humour, heart, a strong heroine and a slow burn fade-to-black romance.

Written in British English.

  • Publisher: Hellhound Press Limited (September 9, 2022)
  • Publication date: September 9, 2022
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 387 pages 

The Other Wolf Series – now complete!

Protection of the Pack, Book 1

Guardians of the Pack, Book 2

Saviour of the Pack, Book 3

Awakening of the Pack, Book 4

Resurgence of the Pack, Book 5

Ascension of the Pack, Book 6

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

Review: SOS Hotel: End of the Road (SOS Hotel #10) by Adam Vex and Ariana Nash

Rating: 5🌈

Welp, it’s finally here! The end of the road and the insane finale for our beloved triad of paranormal lovers, Adam, Fancy Fangs aka Victor , and the ever fabulous Zee! 

This story has everything! Road trips gone wrong, supernatural mobsters, Miami because, you know, Florida, sex, music, crazed family stuff, Florida, frogs, drama, dragons, frogs!  

Florida. 

And of course, finally, very importantly, a happy ending for our beloved otherworldly throuple. 

It’s a veritable kitchen sink of storylines, events, weirdly funny characters and makes for a celebration of a send off. 

Love it and them! Been a great ride!

Cover design by Ariana Nash 

SOS Hotel:

  • For a Supernaturally Safe Stay #1
  • Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous #2
  • Sleep with Us #3 
  • Great Service from Top to Bottom #4
  • No Rest for the Wicked #5 
  • Ho, Ho, No #5.5
  • Luxury To Die For #6
  • Your Final Resting Place #7 -ends this sequence of events.
  • On The Road #8 – starts a mini-trilogy 
  • Icy Reception #9 
  • End of the Road #10 – finale 

Holiday release!

 SOS HOTEL: Ho, Ho, No by Adam Vex, Ariana Nash❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Buy link

        SOS HOTEL: End of the Road

    

Blurb 

It’s the end! Again.

Being on the road has been fun an’ all (no, it hasn’t). Van life is awesome (it sucks, there’s no room for my fabulousness). But all good things must end, according to Fancy Fangs. He’s wrong. Good things should last forever.

Just so long as me, Victor and Adam don’t end, right?

So after we solved a burly werewolf murder, got ourselves mixed up with an evil luxury hotel, we’re now in Florida! Sun, sea, and… the troll mafia, a trap we walked right into, and did I mention… THERE’S F*CKING FROGS HERE?!

We all gonna die.

SOS HOTEL 10: End of the Road, is the end of the road for our hotel threesome. If you’ve read all nine previous books, you’d be silly not to read this one, the last ever one – for real this time. Our terrible trio are more powerful than ever, but so is Adam’s wicked brother. The epic showdown is here.

  • Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: May 23, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 212 pages
  • Book 10 of 10: SOS Hotel

Review:  The Vampire and the Case of the Cozy Christmas: An Urban Fantasy Holiday Story (The Portlock Paranormal Detective #(5.5) by Heather G. Harris and Jilleen Dolbeare

Rating: 4.5⭐️

A sweet heartwarming holiday story with Bunny getting the family type of Christmas dinner and gathering she’s always dreamed about but never had. All her found family and friends have come together at Conner’s house to celebrate and share gifts. 

Sig is in the kitchen making the best food imaginable, and the wine is flowing. 

Of course it’s Portlock, so there’s a few surprises. But it’s a lovely Christmas story and a narrative present for fans of the series and characters. 

A heartwarming tale.

Love it and the cover.

Cover design by Christian Bentulan. Published by Hellhound Press Limited.

The Portlock Paranormal Detective series:

The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death, a prequel.

The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf, Book 1.

The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren, Book 2.

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee, Book 3.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine, Book 4.

The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergiest, Book 5

The Vampire and the Case of the Cozy Christmas, Book #5.5

The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag #6

The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid #7 – July 3,2025

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Vampire and the Case of the Cozy Christmas: An Urban Fantasy Holiday Story …

Blurb 

Vampires, gingerbread and Christmas magic – what could possibly go wrong?

All I want is a perfect Christmas with great food, amazing friends and the love of my life by my side. The tree is decorated, the feast (cooked by a hearth witch!) is ready, and Connor’s home is buzzing with festive cheer. This year I can feel it: Christmas magic is within my reach.

Then Liv calls.

When a necromancer rings for a favour, you know it’s not about borrowing sugar. Throw in a car accident involving the town drunk and a mysterious gingerbread thief targeting poor Sigrid’s baking, and my carefully planned holiday is on the brink of collapse.

Can I juggle saving Christmas, helping my friends and making it back in time to celebrate the holiday of my dreams?

Join Bunny and Connor in this heartwarming, magical holiday tale packed with festive mischief, a sprinkle of mystery – and plenty of Christmas cheer!

  • Publisher: Hellhound Press Limited (December 13, 2024)
  • Publication date: December 13, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 80 pages

Review:  The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergeist: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 5) by Heather G. Harris and Jilleen Dolbeare

Rating:  5⭐️

In The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergeist authors take Bunny and her best friend, Sidnee outside of Portlock to the Alaska State Trooper training academy for training and certification. 

It’s a mixture of hidden paranormal cadets and normal human beings with all the same bigotry and prejudice that people face in social situations. Except that the paranormal recruits are expected to hide their abilities from their classmates and staff and still get their certificates. A difficulty in dealing with some bullying recruits.

I really loved this story and appreciated the many well developed storylines that further broadened the series arc mystery and allowed many of these characters to deepen their relationships and potential for their own powers. 

Bunny’s character is growing stronger with each case. She’s discovering new powers, allowing herself to become closer to the people she is now considering her “found family “, and her own powers are being expanded into a new level of magic.  Sidnee, the shifter whose friendship and trauma has been so much a part of Bunny’s story, is a big part of the story too. She’s struggling still with past events but trying hard to find her way through. 

Without specific details, Heather G. Harris and Jilleen Dolbeare use a poltergeist, a truly poignant piece of work here, to bring another bit of this series back into play. Outstanding storytelling!

And of course, I have to mention Fluffy and his own personal struggles with his transformation ability or lack thereof. Love Fluffy and that enigma Shadow. 

Another fantastic book! I’m so addicted to these characters and world.  

Highly recommended!

Cover design by Christian Bentulan. Published by Hellhound Press Limited.

The Portlock Paranormal Detective series:

The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death, a prequel.

The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf, Book 1.

The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren, Book 2.

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee, Book 3.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine, Book 4.

The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergiest, Book 5.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cozy Christmas, Book 5.5.

The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag #6

The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid #7 – July 3,2025

Buy link

        The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergeist: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 5)

    

Blurb 

This academy’s secrets could get you killed – if the poltergeist doesn’t get you first…

I thought going back to school would be fun. After all, we’re adults now – no angst-ridden teen dramas here – and we’re all law-enforcement recruits training to become State Troopers. Surely we’ll work together like professionals, right? Wrong.

One of my fellow recruits has it in for me. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I’d peed in his cereal or corrected his grammar in public, but I swear I’ve done nothing to deserve the daggers he’s throwing my way.

The problem is that he’s not the only one giving me grief.

The academy has a unique resident, a poltergeist who loves nothing more than causing havoc. What starts as harmless pranks quickly turns sinister and I’m left wondering just how far the spirit will go.

The deeper I dig the more I realise this academy isn’t just haunted, it’s hiding something far worse than ghosts and ghouls. And if I don’t uncover the truth soon, I might not make it to graduation…

Dive into this fast-paced urban fantasy series if you love mystery, humour, found family and a slow-burn romance.

  • Publisher: Hellhound Press Limited (December 6, 2024)
  • Publication date: December 6, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 257 pages

Review: The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 4) by Heather G. Harris and Jilleen Dolbeare

Rating: 5⭐️

The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine: An Urban Fantasy Novel is a story I’ve been anticipating but sort of dreading. Because it’s focused on Fluffy, that endearing, remarkable German Shepherd who Bunny rescued in London, and has been a huge emotional support and absolute love for her here. 

Well, it doesn’t start out as being a Fluffy centric story but as an investigation into who is hexing people around town with increasingly complex and dangerous curses. Really  mysterious cases lead into ones that are closely linked to the people Bunny holds dear and are getting curses that are highly dangerous, even deadly.

The new elements introduced a fabulous magical black market and intriguing sides to established characters. 

But the biggest issue and surprise is that Fluffy carries a curses that no one knew about and has no idea what it entails.

 Again, this is such a completely layered and beautifully crafted story that I’m not throwing in any spoilers. Just that it’s wrenching emotionally, funny, but mostly poignant and sad. It’s gives Bunny and the reader even greater insight into her traumatic childhood and recent horrible events that led her to Alaska. 

This book is full of scenes and characters that have reverberations that will carry forward for the rest of the series. 

Amazing stuff and fantastic writing.

Highly recommended, a reader’s choice for me. Read the series in the order written. 

Again, love Fluffy and the covers. 

Cover design by Christian Bentulan. Published by Hellhound Press Limited.

The Portlock Paranormal Detective series:

The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death, a prequel.

The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf, Book 1.

The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren, Book 2.

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee, Book 3.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine, Book 4.

The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergiest, Book 5.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cozy Christmas, Book 5.5.

The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag #6

The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid #7 – July 3,2025

Buy link

        The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 4)

    

Blurb 

Spells, hexes and curses.

Curses are falling on this town like rain in London. Just when I think I’ve found a link between the hexed victims, someone else shows up who’s been jinxed. It feels like the devil is playing darts with my paranormal town and if the dart hits you, you get whammied with a curse.

To be honest, I haven’t a clue how to find the perpetrator. My sole lead is pointing at the travelling black market that has just arrived in Portlock. That would be all fine and dandy —ifI could find it. Weirdly, no one is willing to direct the cops to a highly illegal market. I’m obviously persona non grata – though being a slightly-less-than-undead vampire, I’m kind of used to that.

On top of everything, my overbearing British mother has come to visit. Stuck in my shoebox of a house together, we might actually have to deal with some of our issues. Thank goodness I have Connor Mackenzie, vampire leader and sexy lumberjack, to run to when the going gets tough.

I’m juggling things—badly—when I discover my dog is cursed. What am I willing to do to save my hound? Anything and everything.

The world can burn for all I care, as long as I can save my pup…

Dive into this fast-paced urban fantasy series if you love mystery, humour, found family and a slow-burn romance.

  • Publisher: Hellhound Press Limited (June 28, 2024)
  • Publication date: June 28, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 471 pages

Review:  The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 3) by Heather G. Harris and Jilleen Dolbeare

Rating: 5⭐️

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee has it all. High action packed scenes, great mystery investigations, enough emotional drama to pack into a cargo hold, and a highly anticipated carryover that many people could empathize with. Cause Bunny’s mother is coming to visit her with all the dysfunctional trauma she’s bringing. Plus her annoying dog.

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee has so many complicated storylines that fit perfectly into a single paranormal tale of a town under attack by multiple threats, inside and out of the barrier that has protected it. A family of banshees at odds, and Bunny facing several personal crises at the same time.

The authors remember that it’s not just the larger powerful magic elements that keep us engaged but the intimate aspects of the storytelling that pulls us in and makes us connect with the characters and the journey that each of them are on. 

Some people are lost here, some still in mourning for relationships that fell apart, and some are still trying to find their peace in this new life. It all feels remarkably normal. Even in an urban fantasy environment. 

Beautifully crafted, so well executed that I had to stop myself at book 4 at 3 am. Mostly because my dog said so.  Fluffy would approve. 

Highly recommend this and the series. Read them in order. They fly by so quickly because I’m absolutely invested with the series and characters. 

Loving these covers. And Fluffy. 

Cover design by Christian Bentulan. Published by Hellhound Press Limited.

The Portlock Paranormal Detective series:

The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death, a prequel.

The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf, Book 1.

The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren, Book 2.

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee, Book 3.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine, Book 4.

The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergiest, Book 5.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cozy Christmas, Book 5.5.

The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag #6

The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid #7 – July 3,2025

Buy link

        The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 3)

    

Blurb 

I thought I was finally getting the hang of being a paranormal policewoman, but when one of the gemstones powering the barrier around the town is stolen, I’m as terrified as the average Joe. Of course, there’s nothing average about the Joes in this town. It’s chock full of mythical creatures, and some of them think the barrier is a waste of time.

Well, I’ve seen the cryptid monster beyond and I know we’re doomed if the magical palisade ever fails. Calling what would follow a massacre would be a gross understatement. The race is on. I need to find the gemstone before the weakened barrier fails forever and the fiend devours us all. No pressure then.

It’s a simple theft… how hard can it be to solve? Answer: Very hard. Especially when theft turns into murder.

There’s also the little outstanding matter of my date with the vampire leader, Connor, not to mention that my best friend seems to be falling apart at the seams. And if all of that isn’t enough to be cracking on with, I have a visitor due imminently. My mother.

I’d rather face the monster.

Dive into this fast-paced urban fantasy series if you love mystery, humour, found family and a slow-burn romance.

  • Publisher: Hellhound Press Limited (May 24, 2024)
  • Publication date: May 24, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 528 pages

Review:  The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 2) by Heather G. Harris and Jilleen Dolbeare

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Another great story, investigative case and overall excellent work that explores the town’s citizens, the issues that have become a major factor and the deepening role that Bunny’s playing in the Sheriff’s Department and in her private life in town. 

Authors Harris and Dolbeare take a real issue from our society, that of the influx of drugs into the streets and high schools and uses it expertly for their story. A known horrifying element becomes even more terrifying and the suspense is heightened by the fact that it’s teenagers who are involved in the case.

It’s hard to call any character here a supporting personality as they become so important to the reader, to Bunny in a variety of ways, and in their variety of roles in the Portlock town. The more we learn about them, as the authors explore their own lives and species here the better we invest in them too. 

As with the first book, it’s written using British English,  with that spelling and phrases, which here makes sense for a Londoner who has moved to Alaska. 

With each story, Bunny is more a part of Portlock, and less a transplant. I’m here for every step of her journey.

What a fabulous book and series. Read them all in the order written. A must read!

Cover design by Christian Bentulan. Published by Hellhound Press Limited.

The Portlock Paranormal Detective series:

The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death, a prequel.

The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf, Book 1.

The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren, Book 2.

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee, Book 3.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine, Book 4.

The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergiest, Book 5.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cozy Christmas, Book 5.5.

The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag #6

The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid #7 – July 3,2025

Buy link 

        The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 2)

    

Blurb 

Sex, drugs and siren songs.

Ok, so not much sex is going on. The closest I’ve gotten to some action is a date with Stan which ended in disaster. But with all the eye-candy walking around this small town, including the sexy vampire leader, Connor, I’m definitely re-thinking my ‘no dating’ rule. I don’t get the chance to do much about it though because some ruffians think it’s funny to break into the Grimes’ moonshine shop.

It doesn’t take too long to identify the shifters responsible, but it opens up a whole can of worms. Inebriated worms, like the ones you find in tequila. The kids weren’t just drunk, they were high. High on a new kind of drug that’s washing into Portlock. Literally. We found bags of the stuff floating in the harbour and it quickly becomes clear that this drug is anything but recreational. It can make you high, or it can shut down your organs quicker than you can say ‘shotgun funeral’.

We need to find the dealers and shut them down, before any more of our town gets hoodwinked by this powerful stuff.

Oh, and there’s a small problem with the barrier. The barrier that keeps us all safe from the cryptid monster that lurks beyond its confines. That barrier. Rips have been appearing in it, and if it falls, we’re all doomed.

An average day in Portlock then. 

Dive into this fast-paced urban fantasy series if you love mystery, humour, found family and a slow-burn romance.

Review:  The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf by Heather G. Harris, Jilleen Dolbeare

Rating: 4.75⭐️

I just love this series and group of characters. Everything about this is just amazing. New to me authors, Heather G. Harris and Jilleen Dolbeare have created a wonderful character in transplanted Londoner and newly created (not by consent) vampire, Elizabeth Octavia ‘But everyone calls me Bunny.’ Barrington. 

She’s escaped to the paranormal town of Portlock, Alaska as the assistant to the Sheriff there, to start a new life and, well, hide from her old one. And she’s brought along her rescue German Shepherd, Fluffy, whose outsize character is immediately endearing.

We’re introduced to a multitude of different personalities and paranormal types of beings as Bunny , Gunnar Johansen, the supernatural chief of police, the Nomo Sheriff’s Department, and Sidnee Gunnar’s mermaid daytime assistant.  

The story has great cases, investigative storylines, which gives us further insight into the town’s people, its history and the beginning of Bunny’s real commitment to Portlock and her new home.

I’ll admit I love this series and universe so much I read through books 1 through three in one day. Was getting ready to read The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine, which is book 4 when I realized it was almost 3am. And my dog was saying enough, turn the lights off.

The character and relationship development is outstanding. The dynamic between the characters is so good and real that it’s hard to remember that these are paranormal people.

Seven books! Be still my heart! Way to make this reader incredibly happy. 

This is an absolute winner of a book and series. If you’re a lover of the paranormal world, mystery novels, and even a bit of a fated mates slow burn romance, here’s just the series for you. 

Highly recommended. 

Love the cover. I mean they had me at Fluffy. 

Cover design by Christian Bentulan. Published by Hellhound Press Limited.”

The Portlock Paranormal Detective series:

The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death, a prequel.

The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf, Book 1.

The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren, Book 2.

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee, Book 3.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine, Book 4.

The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergiest, Book 5.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cozy Christmas, Book 5.5.

The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag #6

The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid #7 – July 3,2025

Buy link 

        The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Someone paid the vampire king’s creepy son to turn me into one of the bitey undead. I’m not hanging about to find out who or why. The vampires want me to stay with them for one hundred years of indentured servitude but I have this thing about following orders so I ran from the streets of London to the wilds of Alaska.

I have an eidetic memory and a can-do attitude. I can-do anything to get away from the vampire king. So when the Sheriff of Portlock, a hidden paranormal town, invites me to be his assistant, I say sure thing. It beats servitude hands down.

At first things seem ideal in Portlock, I make a new friend and even get asked out on a date. But the truth is, there are secrets aplenty. The paranormal council are at each other’s throats, figuratively of course. But then someone rips out a werewolf’s throat, literally this time.

I need to work with the Sheriff to find the killer, before he strikes again. We just need to winnow through werewolf pack issues, council politics, and more suspects than you can shake a stake at. Simple.

Portlock is a melting pot of witches, necromancers, vampires and shifters, but things are starting to boil over. I hope I don’t get burnt.

Dive into this fast-paced urban fantasy series if you love mystery, humour, found family and a slow-burn romance.

Don’t miss the other Portlock Paranormal adventures!

The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death – Prequel

The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf – Book 1

The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren – Book 2

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee – Book 3

The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine – Book 4

  • Publisher: Hellhound Press Limited (March 1, 2024)
  • Publication date: March 1, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 529 pages

Review:  Stay in Your Lane! By Cari Z and L.A. Witt

Rating: 4.25🌈

Stay in Your Lane! By Cari Z and L.A. Witt is a terrific suspense action packed thrill ride of a contemporary romance.  Full of incredible characters, great animals sidekicks like Steve the Piranha, and hilariously crafted but vividly executed locations like the Waffles, this is a highly entertaining novel.

The characters are just amazing. Each with their own issue-based families and unique personalities. Everett Mulligan works with his family in the Mulligan Funeral Home. They are a troubled family and Everett, the youngest bears the brunt of the worst of the family’s dysfunctional relationship. 

Kyle’s comes from a law enforcement family, a tradition he veered away from into a company and job as a crime scene cleaner.  It’s not just the fact he’s stepping away from the family career but them as well. 

They are so well defined and beautifully crafted as characters, each with distinctive qualities that endear to us and each other. 

The case that brings them together is one that looks simple but becomes realistically complicated and horrifying in the implications for a larger scenario as they investigate.

It’s a very complex and well plotted case. Both emotionally and psychologically.

The families are drawn into the process too. And here is where it’s both well written and then, at the end, dropped. 

While one family is brought together, the other side, the one with the most family members in upheaval, is left without resolution. Especially Everett’s dysfunctional relationship with his father.  

With such a strong narrative in every other aspect of the story, I’m surprised that this element was left unexplored. 

A terrific story and a definite recommendation. 

Buy link 

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comStay in Your Lane! – Kindle edition by Z, Cari, Witt, L.A.. Romance …

Blurb 

The tasks are simple. Everett Mulligan is there to collect the body. Kyle Bowman is there to clean up the scene. Easy peasy. Get in, get out, get gone.

But Everett, for all he can be on another planet with fourteen tabs open in his brain, isn’t stupid like the cops think he is. Something about this death scene isn’t sitting right, and he’s going to figure it out. Bonus? He gets to team up with the adorkable crime-scene cleanup guy to solve the mystery.

Kyle, ever the thorough and detail-oriented cleaner, can’t ignore the scene’s irregularities either. He also can’t ignore the seriously attractive himbo from the mortuary who insists they should work together to solve what the cops insist isn’t a crime. Especially when that himbo is also enamored with Kyle’s cats and fiercely determined to make friends with his cranky piranha, Steve.

There’s a reason this death isn’t being treated as a homicide, though, and there are people who are very motivated to keep it that way.

And they’ll do whatever it takes to keep the pair of amateur sleuths from uncovering the truth.

  • Publisher: GallagherWitt Publishing LLC (March 26, 2025)
  • Publication date: March 26, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 290 pages

Review: Fake It Til You Break It (+One Book 5) by Arden Steele

Rating: 4🌈

I picked up Fake It Til You Break It (+One Book 5) by Arden Steele because I enjoy this author’s work and I was intrigued by the description of the story. 

I haven’t read any of the books in the series but it wasn’t necessary to read and enjoy this contemporary romance. 

The characters are well written, the story is engaging and the romance develops beautifully, with the background factoring in so it reads less like a instant love but more like a real life affection that is growing stronger between two men. 

The ending did feel a bit rushed which was a shame because the rest of the story is so good with the storyline about Jasper Ryan’s charity, his intimate connection and interactions with the kids that come through his programs, and Beckett Shaw’s relationship to him and his passion for these kids as well. 

That’s well written and they really could have done with a longer story.

Fake It Til You Break It (+One Book 5) by Arden Steele is a terrific read and the couple is one who will make your day as they discover their own HEA. 

A definite winner. 

“Cover Design by Black Butterfly Design”

+One Series:

One Good Thing #1

Ex-Boyfriend Material #2

Mr. Big Shot #3

Bad Habits #4

Fake It Til You Break It #5

Buy link 

        Fake It Til You Break It (+One Book 5)

    

Blurb 

Jasper Ryan has spent his entire life faking it. He smiles on cue, nods when expected, and endures all the banal small talk. It’s exhausting, and without his favorite plus-one, he’s flailing. Worse, since Project SafeHouse depends on donations from the city’s elite, if he doesn’t get it together soon, his social standing won’t be the only thing on shaky ground.

Reluctantly, he turns to +One. All he needed was a buffer. What he gets is Beckett Shaw.

Adept at navigating the nuances of social etiquette, Beckett knows when to blend in and when to stand out. But none of the usual rules apply when it comes to Jasper. Shy, anxious, too polite for his own good—the guy is a walking disaster wrapped in cashmere. And while he’s comfortable being a hired shield, the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to remember that’s all he is.

It was supposed to be simple. It wasn’t supposed to feel like this. But every touch lingers, every glance sparks, and now, pretending is no longer an option.

Because if Beckett has his way? 

Jasper won’t have to fake a damn thing.

  • Publisher: Peccavi Press (April 24, 2025)
  • Publication date: April 24, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 146 pages