Tag: A MelanieM Review

Review:  The Night Prince (Wolf King #2) A Fantasy Romance by Lauren Palphreyman

Rating: 4⭐️

I was absolutely torn about rating this novel at a 4 when at times I wanted to go lower. It’s primarily due to the character of Callum and the fact that the author seems determined to ask the reader to accept that he’s anything beyond a whiny, substance lacking himbo but actually a main romantic character who should be in a relationship with the female protagonist. 

No. 

At 84 percent in, Callum is still a the wolf shifter equivalent of the entitled ex high school football player who never grew up still expecting everyone to like him and give him what he wants.  Gets a crown? Due to his own efforts? Nope. Support skills? Lacking.  He’s never where he should be. But the author’s storyline wants the reader to believe that this is the guy that Rory is swooning about? Realistically?  That’s not a believable element.

This is me as a reader flipping pages every time Callum starts to make appearances. 

Blake is the terrific character that kept me going. He’s complex, tormented, and dark natured. Duplicitous and unpredictable. And now bonded to Rory. That’s an interesting take on a twisted relationship and compelling plot.  Blake’s damaged, horrific history and his own personal relationship to the dark world around him is what elevates the story and the unwilling bond between himself and Rory.

Its intensity also makes Rory a more interesting character herself through her connection to Blake and their dreams/nightmares and emotions. Without that aspect of her character,her personality is getting a bit one dimensional here.  Without Blake in the picture, she’s then reduced to a reactionary role , just bouncing back and forth between different men instead of becoming a proactive person the author insists she is.

Yes, her circumstances are perilous, but some of these scenes and actions on her part are not as strong or well thought out as the role is asking us to believe her to be. 

What the author has done well is to create an atmosphere of fear and suspense, where anyone can be possessed, where the darkness is rising. The mythology is wonderful and the landscape of the current plot and dramatic scenes is vividly illustrated.

The last quarter of the book is the best , most thrilling part of it.  There is plenty of drama, some surprisingly good twists and one shocking moment at the end that ends on a bit of a cliffhanger that sets up the final novel in this trilogy. 

I’ll be there to finish this trilogy. Fingers crossed that Callum is kicked out to the highest highlands, Blake is ,well , Blake, and Rory becomes a solo Queen.  I can dream can’t I?

We will see.

Another gorgeous cover. 

Cover Design by: Damonza

The Wolf King series:

The Wolf King #1

The Night Prince #2 

Buy link:

        The Night Prince: A Fantasy Romance (The Wolf King)

    

Blurb 

Aurora is caught between powerful alphas as they fight for the Wolf Throne. But darker forces are rising. . .

Aurora may have survived the Wolf King, but his bite marks her skin. In accordance with wolf law, that makes her his property. Now, he wants her back.

To beat him and take his throne, Aurora and Callum must form a dangerous alliance with one of the most feared Wolves in the Kingdom, Blake. He is their enemy, but he has entangled his life with Aurora’s—meaning she cannot harm him without forfeiting her own life.

As she fights to break their connection, she suspects Blake is keeping secrets about a dark power that rises in the north, and the unsettling nature of the bond between them. It seems there is a bigger game at play than who sits on the Wolf Throne—one that threatens both the Kingdom of Wolves, and the Kingdom of Men.

With her wolf awakening, enemies closing in, relationships tested, and secrets revealed—Aurora may be the only one who can stop an ancient evil from rising.

If she can figure out who to trust.

If she can figure out where she, and her heart, belong.

If she can stay alive.

The highly anticipated sequel to The Wolf King. A romantasy for fans of enemies to lovers, shifters, forbidden romance, villains you love to hate (or maybe just love!), and werewolves. Contains strong language and sexual situations.

  • Publication date: March 31, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 499 pages

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

Rating:  4.5 ⭐️

My must read/auto buy list is growing. Put Helen Harper on there right now.  Every series I read from her just makes me appreciate her writing more .

Here’s another. And it’s due to the awesome main female character. 

That is 27 year old Ivy Wilde, someone outside the normal FMC outline in every conceivable way, from her outlook on exercise ( just no, she loves her plumpish short figure), avoidance of healthy habits and binging her favorite series.  She’s got magic but uses it on her terms. 

I love it when someone writes a woman character who’s not a crowd pleaser, an extrovert or someone who’s just wildly gorgeous.  Nope here we get a witch determined to be that kind of girl whose goal is to be an underachiever. Stay on that couch, eat those Cheetos, chat with your cat, be a part time Taxi driver and do the minimum each day to get by. Woohoo. It’s actually all in the title. 

Slouch Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 1) by Helen Harper. I so love her. 

Ivy’s life changes when she’s mistaken for her out of town roommate, and ends up magically bound to Adeptus Exemptus Raphael Winter. Winter works for Arcane Branch, an investigative service for the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. None of which holds any real value for Ivy who wishes Winter and them gone.

What follows is a marvelous story about two hugely opposite personalities forced to work together on an epic case until the bond wears off.  It’s a funny, magical, thoughtfully crafted mystery about people, power dynamics, and expectations. 

The humor is everything. There’s scenes where I reread them just before bedtime so I could giggle myself off to sleep. Cats! 

If you’ve consorted with cats, been owned by one, then be prepared to howl at the cats here, especially Ivy’s familiar Brutus. 

But the investigations, especially as they start to let Ivy reveal so much about herself and her own recent experiences, are what power this fantastic novel. 

It finishes with a solid ending to this investigation but an open question as to whether the partnership between Ivy and Winter will resume or be over. 

Luckily there more released books to devour and I’m immediately heading forward.   Highly recommending this fabulous female character and author. 

Don’t miss out on Ivy Wilde and her familiar, Brutus.  They are musts!

Cover by Yocla Designs. Close but a accurate representation would be nicer. She’s a fantastic character. Let’s put her on that cover. 

The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic:

Slouch Witch #1

Star Witch #2

Spirit Witch #3

Sparkle Witch #4

Buy link 

        Slouch Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Hard Work Will Pay Off Later. Laziness Pays Off Now. 

Let’s get one thing straight – Ivy Wilde is not a heroine. In fact, she’s probably the last witch in the world who you’d call if you needed a magical helping hand. If it were down to Ivy, she’d spend all day every day on her sofa where she could watch TV, munch junk food and talk to her feline familiar to her heart’s content.

However, when a bureaucratic disaster ends up with Ivy as the victim of a case of mistaken identity, she’s yanked very unwillingly into Arcane Branch, the investigative department of the Hallowed Order of Magical Enlightenment. Her problems are quadrupled when a valuable object is stolen right from under the Order’s noses. 

It doesn’t exactly help that she’s been magically bound to Adeptus Exemptus Raphael Winter. He might have piercing sapphire eyes and a body which a cover model would be proud of but, as far as Ivy’s concerned, he’s a walking advertisement for the joyless perils of too much witch-work. 

And if he makes her go to the gym again, she’s definitely going to turn him into a frog.

  • Publisher: (June 8, 2017)
  • Publication date: June 8, 2017
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 290 pages

Review:  Dead Weight (Crossroads Queen Book 5) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 5⭐️

I gave 5 ⭐️ to Dead Weight because, while Chase accomplishes so many important and exciting narrative goals in this book, she did two things that absolutely smashed it for me. She demolished a villain I couldn’t stand and set up the next story with a twist I didn’t see coming. 

Fantastic!

Both of those events happened at the end but all the many other things and plots that led to them were outstanding as well. Just as gripping, funny, totally absorbing in detail and weirdness. And it, again, moves more of the various characters and their individual lives forward in some respects.

Usually its relationship dynamics being shuffled around, emotional scenes and characters being truthful about their struggles, all of which allow the reader to feel even closer and deeper connected to each of them.  Because while these characters may be assassins, fae, werewolves, witches, ghosts, vampires and such, the issues that they face are often those that anyone can relate to.  Fear of rejection, abandonment, loss, betrayal , and loneliness. It’s in their stories. We get them. 

So when Chase makes this an absolutely slowest burn ever romance, the characters also will give us their emotional reasons why it’s necessary for it.  Same for any other character’s reactions to whatever happens here. It’s a natural progression from believable way they have been from the beginning to the present. 

Chase has a great sense of humor and depth of character. She builds on her stories, and each character becomes stronger and more interesting as the books continue. Especially those assassins from The Guild, her friends Gun and Cam, as well as Kane’s employees. 

Yes to the series, a definite yes to this story.  The author too. 

Cover by Trif Designs, wish it had a  more an accurate portrayal of this complicated character. One who only wears old t-shirts and jeans, boots, and is in her early 30’s.  Usually worn out by no sleep, no budget and constant physical labor on that money pit of a crumbling house.  Put that on the cover. Please. 

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

        Dead Weight (Crossroads Queen Book 5)

    

Blurb 

Lorelei Clay is determined to put down roots in the small town of Fairhaven no matter what the universe throws at her. After all, she’s invested her entire savings in the rundown monstrosity known as the Castle—and she’s on the verge of investing her heart in a certain prince of hell, if he can overcome his literal internal demon.

Lorelei and Kane aren’t the only ones haunted by their histories. When unfamiliar werewolves cause trouble in town, Arrowhead alpha Weston Davies realizes his tragic past is about to catch up with him and threaten the life he’s managed to build.

As their problems continue to mount, it becomes clear that unless they face their respective pasts—they’ll have no future.

Dead Weight is the fifth book in the Crossroads Queen paranormal andurban fantasy series. For fans of feisty females, found family, romance subplots, tortured demon heroes, and a feel-good vibe.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (April 11, 2024)
  • Publication date: April 11, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 284 pages

Review: Crazy as a Loon (Yard Birds Book 1) by Hailey Edwards

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Hailey Edwards has quickly become another author who’s an auto read.  So when I saw this amazing cover ( yes,  an absolute classic) I was hooked. 

Yard Birds is an urban fantasy series about a group of retired coven of witches, once a part of powerful undercover force ,WitchLight Hub. 

Now down to five, Ellie Gleason and what’s left of the coven, Flo, Betty, Joan and Ida, have protected the town of Samford, Alabama for decades. 

I love that Edwards has these wonderful women as both realistically worn down by their lives as past magical agents and by life itself. They are widowed in some cases, had hip replacements, suffering various ailments, hardened by their previous employment, trying to hide their past and get by as old women. Who they are and aren’t, in a community that hasn’t a clue as to what they are. 

Then Elle’s great-nephew comes to her in need of help. And the old coven is reassembled to go investigate and solve the mystery of what is attacking the paranormal youth in a summer camp. 

The author has created many questions within the story and given the readers many curious elements and aspects of certain character histories that require further exploration.  The one that immediately comes to mind is the curse and mystery of Wally, Ellie’s dead husband.  He’s or his soul is been stuffed into one of those mounted talking fish that you see on tv. You know, the talking Bass? 

Why and who has cursed Wally isn’t revealed here. Just what the curse entails, what it takes to break it. A heartbreaking element for this couple. 

It’s one of those things going forward that I hope the author will resolve this for them both. 

The investigation was short but satisfactory. The fight scene involved a walker, which was also amazing. 

And there’s a recipe for a Yard Bird Margarita at the very beginning that I intend to try out this weekend. 

This is a book that keeps on giving. 

Another winner, fantastic content and cover.   More please. Especially of books with main characters of different generations.  Not everyone needs FMC or MMC in their 20’s consistently. 

Cover by Damonza. Great cover design and artwork. 

Yard Birds series:

Crazy as a Loon #1

Dead as a Dodo #2

Free as a Bird #3

Buy link

        Crazy as a Loon (Yard Birds Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Ellie Gleason has protected the town of Samford, Alabama for decades. It’s not as glamorous as her glory days as the WitchLight Hub, but it keeps her active during her golden years.

Life is good.

Well, it’s okay.

Fine.

It could be bloodier with a smidge more gore, but retirement is meant to be low-key. It’s not like her fragile bones could handle the strenuous hunt for monsters anymore, even if her current duties are dull as dishwater.

But when her great-nephew shows up on her doorstep in tears—or is he her great-great nephew?—begging for help, Ellie straps on her beloved shotgun, Bam-Bam, and gets the coven back together.

Sure, Betty just had a hip replacement, and Flo would rather flirt than fight, and Ida is busy with her anniversary plans, and Joan is…Joan. But Ellie is certain she can whip the girls into shape in time to defeat the creature preying on kids at a nearby summer camp. She might even have them home in time for dinner.

  • Publisher: Black Dog Books, LLC. (May 5, 2023)
  • Publication date: May 5, 2023
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 133 pages

Review:  Dead Wrong (Crossroads Queen Book 4) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Dead Wrong is another excellent, wonderfully written book in Annabel Chase’s Crossroads Queen series.  The author continues to play with multiple cultures and a variety of mythologies in her work with the result of intriguing characters and storylines that have been explored here. 

Dead Wrong plays with these themes even more.  It opens up after the events of the past book, with Kane, the prince of Hell disappeared after learning Lorelei’s true identity, weeks passing without any explanation. 

Soon Fairhaven’s citizens are under attack by various weird animals, and Lorelei is asked to help find them and answers to why they are there.

Chase is balancing several major plots and character storylines, evolving the overall series thread of Lorelei’s journey from a stance of total isolation from the town and any type of relationship towards multiple connections with other people, ghosts, frenemies, those she’s now regarding as real friends.  

Fairhaven, its portals and many other characters and places is an ever diverse and evolving story of its own. It fits beautifully as a location for Lorelei’s adventures and her base for a home and potential found family. 

The story’s reveal or reveals show that the larger story is going to be even more exciting and darker than imagined. The stakes higher, and the forthcoming storylines full of new characters and potential tragedies. 

I’m so addicted to the story and characters.  

What’s also great is the length. Well written and plotted within a certain length so I can easily read one a night. 

I’m highly recommending this series and author. And will be checking out other books once I’m finished reading this one. 

Cover by Trif Designs, wish it was less a young model and more an accurate portrayal of this complicated character. One who only wears old t-shirts and jeans, boots, and is in her early 30’s.  Usually worn out by no sleep, no budget and constant physical labor on that money pit of a crumbling house.  Put that on the cover. Please. 

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

        Dead Wrong (Crossroads Queen Book 4)

    

Blurb

Lorelei Clay has spent a lifetime keeping her secret. Now that Kane has discovered it, the prince of hell has cut her off, but she has no idea why. Not only has he disappeared from her life, he’s also disappeared from Fairhaven, and his cohorts refuse to divulge his whereabouts.

When a series of strange attacks threaten the town, Lorelei is thrust back into the magical spotlight. This time, she isn’t sure she can weather the storm without drawing too much attention to herself and, even worse, endangering the lives of everyone she’s come to care about. 

Dead Wrong is the fourth book in the Crossroads Queen series, featuring a strong female protagonist, a slow burn romance, magic and mayhem, and a coterie of paranormal friends and found family.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (January 11, 2024)
  • Publication date: January 11, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 252 pages

Review: Waifs And Strays (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 1) by Helen Harper

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Another new author and new book and series to explore in Waifs And Strays (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 1) by Helen Harper.  

It’s a paranormal mystery thriller that has a 43 year old woman of mysterious origins and her 5 cats taking in a teenage werewolf boarder who’s soon kidnapped. That’s the basic premise. 

They live in a city/town, Coldstream, that’s home to most of the paranormal population and throughout the story, Harper takes us by way of the characters and events through the streets and places of this highly unusual city brimming with otherworldly beings living their typical daily lives. It’s a lively, well worn and believable city and works perfectly as the location and atmosphere of the series. 

Kit McCafferty’s a character whose life unfolds as the story progresses. She’s remarkable in so many ways. For the book and in series I enjoy reading. One is that Harper has written a retired woman, hugely successful in her former career but forced to take retirement due to her age.  

Most women in the novels I read are much younger so it’s an absolute joy to read a main character of her age and experience. And Harper’s dialogue for Kit’s character, inner monologue and the conversations that she has with others seem perfectly in sync with her personality. 

She’s absolutely phenomenal.

And holding secrets, all of which need to be disclosed during the course of the story. 

The cats , each of whom has its own unique identity, are just as important and well crafted.  So too are the people, paranormal characters that are equally powerful in their impact on the lives and multiple storylines Harper is threading through the pages here. 

Nick, the teenage werewolf is vulnerable and easily accessible to the reader.  Thane too is a good character but could use more depth.

This is a fast moving story, full of charm, surprises, and terrific elements.  There’s plenty of gruff emotional moments and satisfying action sequences, but really little romantic scenes. However there’s the potential for some in the future. 

And the ending is both an hilarious twist and perfect way to finish the story off.  Some people will be shaking their heads in total agreement. Yes indeed. 

I absolutely recommend this book. I’m heading to the next. If you’re interested in reading urban fantasy or paranormal mysteries, this is a great fit for you. 

The covers are ok. Not sure who the artist is but someone needs to tell them it’s ok to put a 40ish woman on the cover, wearing the clothes she wears in the story. While not all the readers are women , it’s likely most are . And would appreciate a better representation.

Goes for the series. 

Book Cover created by JoY Cover Designs/ Covers By Juan

 

The Cat Lady Chronicles:

Waifs And Strays #2

The Dark Hiss of Magic #2

Buy link:

        Waifs And Strays (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 1)

    

Blurb

Nobody is just a cat lady.

Kit McCafferty’s life is quiet, unremarkable and filled with cat hair. In the magical city of Coldstream, located on the border between Scotland and England, Kit is viewed as little more than mildly eccentric and mostly harmless. She passes her days caring for her family of five cats, feeding the local feral moggies, and maintaining relatively good relations with her neighbours.

All that changes, however, when a teenage werewolf shows up at her door in the desperate hope of renting out a nearby vacant flat. Kit knows that the smart move is to tell him to leave. The last thing she needs is to become embroiled in complicated shapeshifter politics. But something about the secretive young werewolf tugs at her heartstrings.

It’s not long before Kit ends up caught in a maelstrom of mysterious crime and magical wrong-doing. Fortunately, there’s far more to Kit McCafferty than meets the eye and she has a few dark secrets of her own.

Of course, anyone with an ounce of intelligence knows that you underestimate a cat lady at your own peril.

Waifs And Strays is the first book in a new urban fantasy crime series. Expect mystery, magic and adventure with a heroine who will keep you turning pages late into the night. There will also be a lot of cats.

  • Publication date: February 10, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 300 pages

Review:  Dead Last (Crossroads Queen Book 3) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 5⭐️

Dead Last is a game changer because I didn’t expect to get the answer to important series and character questions this early in the series, but got them we did!

Chase delivered the most important answer to what Lorelei’s character is in a stunning way and it still feels like the series hasn’t lost any momentum. But instead is ramping up its narrative engine even further with this revelation.

This book is funny. It’s highly suspenseful, the characters have become more endearing to us and each other. So much so that as real relationships are being developed, the dangers that Chase is bringing into a town that has been balanced and peaceful is unacceptable and scary. Even for those considered monsters. 

And the ending is just as divided. On one hand, it’s satisfying and happy. On another, disturbing and unsettled. Much like the town and characters themselves. 

So perhaps, perfect. 

I’m jumping rapidly into the next phase of Lorelei’s journey. And definitely recommending that readers who love paranormal stories, great characters, and mystery should dive right into this series. 

Cover by Trif Designs, love it

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

        Dead Last (Crossroads Queen Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Lorelei Clay is desperate to stay safe behind her castle walls.

She’s also desperate for money.

When a mage assassin asks for help with a delicate matter involving a ruthless vampire mobster, Lorelei agrees—for a price. Part of the deal is that Kane Sullivan can’t know. Yes, that Kane. Prince of hell. Demon to end all demons. Stubborn, nosy, and ridiculously sexy. 

If only the demon weren’t so curious about her.

Lorelei has spent her life moving, hiding, laying low, and avoiding relationships of any kind.

In Fairhaven, that’s all about to change.

Find out how in Dead Last, the third book in the six-book Crossroads Queen urban fantasy series that features a strong female protagonist, a slow-burn romance, monster takedowns, and Scrabble-playing vampires.

Review:  Dead of Night (Crossroads Queen Book 2) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Another fun, engaging paranormal mystery tale about that mysterious new resident to Fairhaven, Pennsylvania, a small town who seems to be supernatural center in Pike County. 

Annabel Chase’s enigmatic magical newcomer, Lorelei Clay can’t seem to keep up her plans off renovations and isolation in her rundown Bluebeard’s Castle of a ruin but once again is reluctantly caught up in a local ghostly mystery.

A local legend of a real estate agent comes knocking with a deal that’s hard to ignore, get rid of a ghost so she can sell a house and she’s will get Lorelei’s moat redone for free.

But in this town, it’s never simply a quick fix. 

Chase has written another great little story, full of new quirky characters, new questions about Lorelei’s identity, and further expands and explores the history of Fairhaven and the otherworldly beings that inhabit it.

Slowest burn romance evah. I’m here for it. 

And I love these so much it’s tough to stop to remember to review each one.

Another find and recommendation!

Cover by Trif Designs, love it

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

        Dead of Night (Crossroads Queen Book 2)

    

Blurb 

For Lorelei Clay, no good deed goes unpunished…

Reluctant ghost whisperer Lorelei Clay wants a working moat, which is the only reason she agrees to help with yet another supernatural situation. The simple ghostbusting job quickly escalates when Lorelei discovers the involvement of a powerful and ancient collective not known for their social skills.

Lorelei wants nothing more than to get back to her renovations and her life of solitude, but it becomes painfully clear that if she can’t fix this small-town problem, Fairhaven is going to suffer big-time consequences.

Dead of Night is the second book in the Crossroads Queen urban fantasy series.

Review:  Adopt a Vampire (a Ross Young & Unholy Trifecta Crossover ) by AJ Sherwood

Rating: 4.5🌈

What an excellent read! I’m always happy when Sherwood returns to some of my favorite universes and characters. So when I see a crossover story, I’m thrilled.

Adopt a Vampire (a Ross Young & Unholy Trifecta Crossover ) by AJ Sherwood is an entertaining and highly recommended read, especially if you’re a fan of both series like me.

Vampire Jessie Hunt is clueless about vampire life, just trying to get by not hunting or hurting anyone. It’s not going well for him. Until he runs into the local pack of werewolves who decides he’s in need of some serious care and support.

And it’s Alpha Barrett Walker sees in Jesse something more.

This is a delightful, sweet and funny crossover romance. Full of great new characters and old faces stopping in as support and laughter.

I absolutely love this , and if you’re a fan of these series and the author, you will too. 

A definite winner.

Buy link to Amazon:

Amazon.cahttps://www.amazon.caAdopt a Vampire – Sherwood, AJ, Wade, Cait

Buy link to Author’s page:

        Adopt a Vampire

      

Blurb 

Newly turned vampire Jesse Hunt has been spotted by two werewolves! Should he:

-Run

-Fight

-Ask for noms

Barrett Walker, alpha of the local pack, has two options upon meeting the starving but sweet Jesse! Should he:

-Hand him over to the local vampire clan

-Adopt him

Barrett’s in favor of adoption but can adoption include smexy bite bite times too?

Tags:

Who’s on ship building duty this time?, Coconut water is banned, eating shouldn’t be this complicated, Jesse.exe is constantly crashing, werewolves court differently than vampires, who knew, Unholy Trifecta crossover, Ross crossover, Cinnamon rolls deserve all the love, Hacker besties, Full moon shenanigans, Found family for the win, Pillow gifts make me squeeee

   

Review:  Dead to the World (Crossroads Queen Book 1) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Another new book, another new to me author , series and universe to explore. What fun!

Several great elements here that I love. Lorelei Clay is an enigma. She’s powerful but exactly where she draws the power from or what she is, well, here, there’s only the tiniest bit of clues. 

I love a good mystery. 

The town itself is another. Its history is part of the narrative and twines itself perfectly with the mystery and Lorelei’s investigation into the missing girl and her own discoveries of the community around her.

Chase has created in Lorelei Clay an intriguing older woman, one of tightly controlled emotions and magic. I instantly connected with her, the ghosts of the crumbling castle she’s renovating, and the weirdness of the small town community that keeps inserting itself into her isolation.

I can see myself gobbling up these books like the best book binge evah. 

Love the covers. It seems that the publisher has a similar style for its authors. 

Now onto the next. 

A definite winner.  Check it out. Oh and no romance, so no spice. But ghosts and a mystery. Great characters. 

Cover by Trif Designs, love it

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

        Dead to the World (Crossroads Queen Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Lorelei Clay isn’t like other people.

She isn’t even like other supernaturals. Her specialties are the nightmares of the living, communication with the dead, and cooking bacon until it’s golden brown and perfectly crispy—no magic required.

Six months ago she moved to the ultimate fixer upper, a monstrosity from the Gilded Age that borders the local cemetery in the sleepy Pennsylvania town of Fairhaven. Lorelei is content to spend the next few years in solitude, renovating the house and avoiding humanity, until a missing young woman disrupts her plans. Lorelei’s search for the teenager means crossing paths with the residents she’s successfully avoided so far, including the human police chief, the coven, a cursed vampire, the assassins guild, the werewolf pack, and the mysterious and infuriatingly alluring owner of The Devil’s Playground, an elegant nightclub that caters to the local supernatural clientele.

Lorelei plans to find the girl quickly and return to the privacy of her castle walls before anyone learns her secrets, but you know what they say about the best laid plans…

Dead to the World is the first book in the Crossroads Queen urban fantasy series.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (May 11, 2023)
  • Publication date: May 11, 2023
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 236 pages