Tag: complete series

Review: Impurrfect Magic (Unfamiliar Magic Book 1) by Paula Lester   

Rating: 3.25⭐️

Impurrfect Magic (Unfamiliar Magic Book 1) by Paula Lester belongs to that new trope of books where a older woman makes a drastic change in her life, finds her way to magic, mysteries and a feline companion, one who’s often her familiar. 

It’s a cozy magical mystery story with cats. And this type of book is hugely popular among readers and writers. 

And I’m reading a lot of them. 

Impurrfect Magic (Unfamiliar Magic Book 1) by Paula Lester is cute, short and easy to read. The characters don’t have much depth to them and the location of Aurum Falls is descriptively unclear, and there’s no real foundation laid down for the town, characters, and even storylines. 

Things just happen like a kid blindly knocking over dominoes. Which when it comes to murder investigation, crimes, and any kind of element that needs detailed support and evidence, this is likely lacking. 

The former middle school science teacher decides to ask questions about the murder with all the finesse of a bull in a china shop. Even when she knows the sheriff, is newly back in town, and doesn’t even know what her uncle was involved in.  It’s not a whole picture of her that makes sense. 

Nor is anything that comes afterwards. 

It all comes together quickly with some magical energy that is puzzling. 

Anyway, if you’re not going to stop and think about it too closely, it’s a quick fun read. 

Although not one I’m going forward with. 

Cover art by Kat McGee at Covers by Kat

Unfamiliar Magic (6 book series):

 Impurrfect Magic #1

Infurior Magic #2

Clawful Magic #3

Apawling Magic #4

Felinous Magic #5 

Pawthetic Magic #6

Buy link

        Impurrfect Magic (Unfamiliar Magic Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Never trust a bossy kitten—especially when she comes out of a secret room.

When Ivy Patterson traded her chaotic life as a middle school teacher for the quiet charm of her uncle’s produce market, she never expected her return to Aurum Falls would lead to murder, magic, and a feisty feline companion. 

But when her grumpy Uncle Vincent is found dead under mysterious circumstances, Ivy discovers a hidden world she never knew existed—a secret room, a magical kitten named Tabby, and a family legacy steeped in dark magic.

Armed with only her wits, latent magical talents, and a determined familiar, Ivy must uncover the truth behind her uncle’s death while managing a quirky small-town produce market. With danger lurking behind every secret, she’ll need to learn to embrace her imperfect magic—or risk losing everything she holds dear.

Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries with a magical twist, Impurrfect Magic is a spellbinding tale filled with humor, heart, and a dash of supernatural sleuthing.

Review: A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic (Adenashire, #1) by J. Penner 

Rating: 4⭐️

“A human, a dwarf and an elf walk into a bake-off…”

It had me at the tag line. 

A sweet, no spice fated soulmate fantasy romance, A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic 

follows the journey of orphaned human baker, Arleta Starstone who lives in a small village called Adenashire next door to the two orcs who raised her after her parents died. Her passion is baking, it’s how she supports herself and she’s fantastic at it. But she’s insecure because she’s human and without magic.

The Langheim Baking Battle, a famous baking contest, is the path that sees Arleta on her way to becoming a person of confidence in her abilities as a baker and as a strong kind woman. One able to make friends, achieve her goals and accept a HEA. 

Penner’s storyline brings in several characters that turn into important figures in Arleta’s life and the series. They’re characters who have strong back histories relayed here and future books in the series. I look forward to each one.

I found A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic (Adenashire, #1) by J. Penner very entertaining, the characters are engaging and fun.  

There’s issues with this that stick out. One is an element that bugs me whenever I see it. That of the “disappearing animal character “, the one character where the author has made a point about in the narrative, pages and descriptions. And it’s importance to one of the main characters. Then it vanishes from the story. Gone. 

As it does here. 

What happened to Theo’s magical Forest  Lynx cat with horns , one he rescued btw and needs to be fed? Did it go with Theo? What happened to it? No mention about it. Authors need to include the necessary details to wrap it up into the finished piece. 

And what about the difference in lifespan? That’s never addressed either.  

Those are major holes in the story.

But I will end up with huge positives. All the recipes at the end.  Some of the contest recipes are included there.  Be prepared to drool and bake, of course. 

Gorgeous Book Cover by Clara Fang

Adenashire (5 book series)

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic #1 

A Fellowship of Librarians & Dragons #2

A Fellowship of Games & Fables #3

A Fellowship of Curses & Cats #4

A Fellowship of Academics & Arts #5

Buy link

        A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic: Adenashire, A Cozy Fantasy Book Series

    

Blurb 

A human, a dwarf and an elf walk into a bake-off…

In the heart of Adenashire, where elvish enchantments and dwarven delights rule, human baker Arleta Starstone works twice as hard at perfecting her unique blend of baking with apothecary herbs. So, when her orc neighbor (and biggest fan) secretly enters her creations into the prestigious Langheim Baking Battle, Arleta faces a dilemma. Being magicless, her participation in the competition could draw more scowls than smiles. And if Arleta wants to prove her talent and establish her culinary reputation, she’ll need more than just her pastry craft to sweeten the odds.

Though Arleta may not yet believe in herself, she makes her way to Langheim―with the help of a very attractive woodland elf―and competes. While on a journey of mouthwatering pastries, self-discovery, heartwarming friendships, and potential romance, Arleta will have to decide whether winning the Baking Battle is the true prize after all. But win or lose, her adventure is only beginning…

Although this book is part of a series it can only be read as a standalone. Escape to Adenashire for a delightful cozy fantasy where every twist is a treat and every turn a step closer to home.

Review:  The House Witch (The House Witch, #1 by Delemhach

Rating: 5⭐️

When I find a new author and a series that makes me swoon as a reader, well, let me tell you, it can keep me up at night thinking about all the amazing stories in my future!

And there are many, many stories ahead of me. I’m so happy.

But first let’s talk about Delemhach’s The House Witch.  It’s a no spice , richly crafted humorous fantasy romance.  The author’s has an amazing ability to bring this fantasy kingdom to life, with all it’s meriad variety of beings , human and otherwise , pand, as we find out, very compelling problems while simultaneously creating a magical world that has such a unique and wonderful character like Finlay Ashowan in it, was incredible. I was so captivated immediately by everything that was happening. 

Fin arrives at the royal castle of the King and Queen of Daxaria. He’s the new head cook. However, he’s hiding the secret that he’s a kitchen witch, perhaps the only known one in the world. And the situation he’s coming into is a tumultuous one. A perilous political time of potential warfare, a royal beloved couple facing a heartbreaking time they’ve faced before, and hidden enemies lurking around in their shadows.

Fin is, also, a prickly personality, but one who, in every sense, fights for those who need him while trying to keep his powers hidden. 

What’s truly remarkable is this story deals with topics that require sensitivity and understanding. Women who are being harassed and targeted, miscarriages, horrific physical parental abuse, and even widespread species violence. But the author, instead of focusing on the raw material or specific details, instead uses these storylines as subtly important parts of each character‘a development or another facet of the entire story. 

And when it’s revealed, it’s as an impactful moment for the characters and readers. I can’t stress enough how fantastic this element is here. 

Not only for Fin but also for many other characters. Ones that end up being characters that the reader will hold just as close to their heart as the main characters, Fin and Annika. And Kraken the Kitchen Cat. 

This is witty, hilarious, heartbreaking, beautifully written and a fantastic read. It captures your imagination and heart. 

I’m immediately headed to book 2. Read this and follow me there. 

One of my finds of the year. 

These richly detailed covers! I love them!

Cover design by Podium Publishing

The House Witch series:

All three books of the same title!

Plus semi sequel :

The Princess of Potential series 

The Burning Witch trilogy

The Ether Witch trilogy that is due to release it’s final volume in 2026

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 3: The House Witch 

Blurb 

A heartwarming and humorous blend of fantasy, romance, and mystery featuring a witch with domestic powers and the royal household he serves . . . dinner.

When Finlay Ashowan joins the staff of the King and Queen of Daxaria, he’s an enigma. No one knows where he comes from or how he came to be where he is, which suits Fin just fine. He’s satisfied simply serving as the royal cook, keeping nosy passersby out of his kitchen, and concocting some truly uncanny meals.

But Fin’s secret identity doesn’t stay hidden for long. After all, it’s not every day a house witch and his kitten familiar, Kraken, take to meddling in imperial affairs. As his powers are gradually discovered by the court, Fin finds himself involved in a slew of intrigues: going head-to-head with knights with less-than-chivalrous intentions, helping to protect the pregnant queen, fending off the ire of the royal mage, and uncovering a spy in the castle. And that’s only the beginning—because Fin’s past is catching up with him just as his love life is getting complicated . . .

Filled with fascinating characters, courtly intrigue, political machinations, delicious cuisines, cuddly companions, magical hijinks, and will-they-won’t-they romance, The House Witch is the first in a captivating new series, guaranteed to satisfy the tastes of any reader.

  • Publisher: Podium Publishing
  • Publication date: June 21, 2022
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 474 pages
  • Book 1 of 3: The House Witch

Review: Go Fetch (Magnus Pack Book 2) by Shelly Laurenston 

Rating: 4⭐️

Another entertaining read in Laurenston’s Magnus Pack series. Go Fetch features Miki, the hacker/bar owner bestie of wolfshifter Sara. Sara now lives in California with her Alpha mate. But Miki has unresolved issues with Conall Víga-Feilan , who knew he was hooked as soon as he laid eyes on his Alpha’s best friend, the pint-sized Miki Kendrick in Texas. 

Their chemistry and dynamics are hilariously different from the previous couple but it’s so good that it keeps the reader happy and invested in their relationship. 

The drama and ongoing storyline of pack issues is not well defined or given enough foundation here. It seems to carry over into the third book. But there’s little framework for this intense plot and species plotting. 

Had the author laid out a trilogy wide storyline that encapsulated this arc and events this would have been a more compelling and well grounded series and novel. 

It’s still highly entertaining and recommended.Just wishful thinking on my part. 

Cover design by Deranged Doctor Design.

Magnus Pack: 

  • Pack Challenge 
  • Go Fetch 
  • Here Kitty, Kitty 
  • “Miss Congeniality” in When He Was Bad anthology

Buy link

        Go Fetch (Magnus Pack Book 2)

    

Blurb 

How much trouble can one small female be to a modern-day shapeshifting Viking? Well…it really depends on local gun laws.

Conall Víga-Feilan, direct descendent of Viking shifters, never thought he’d meet a female strong enough to be his mate. He especially didn’t think a short, viper-tongued human would ever fit the bill. But Miki Kendrick isn’t some average human. With an IQ off the charts and a special skill with weapons of all kinds, Miki brings the big blond pooch to his knees—and keeps him there.

Miki’s way too smart to ever believe in love and she knows a guy like Conall could only want one thing from her. But with the Pack’s enemies on her tail and a few days stuck alone with the one man who makes her absolutely wild, Miki is about to discover how persistent one Viking wolf can be.

  • Publisher: Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency
  • Publication date: July 11, 2016
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 243 pages
  • Book 2 of 3: Magnus Pack

Review:  The Witch’s Wolf ( Fated Destinies Book 1)  by Heather K. Carson

Rating: 3.5⭐️

Spoilers ahead. 

While I enjoyed this book, it’s not without some issues. Here’s the good things about The Witch’s Wolf and those elements I thought were less well executed. 

Spoilers ahead. 

The characters are engaging. A two person perspective until the very end , when a third is unexpectedly introduced, it’s easy to see each character in their mindset(s) and how they are handling the various, often chaotic, situations. 

Sage, the oldest sister is only vaguely gendered until further into the story. I’m not sure why some readers have problems with this.  What is more important is the lack of world building and personal history of both characters. I’m not sure if this is intentional on Carson’s part and will be addressed further in the future books, but its lack is a hole that’s felt here. Especially where their father is concerned. 

Further aspects I found explored or otherwise not well executed surround the characterizations, especially the main characters. 

Sage’s character as well as that of her young sister, Coral,  lived for their entire lives in a sterile, rigidly governed and controlled environment that constructed a false history of the world built on narrative necessary to control its inhabitants. 

But when dangerous events prompted them to flee outside the city, and to a place where they find a new truth and life among those who are like themselves, do they feel deeply traumatized, as one might, by the fact that their previous lives were total lies? That everything they knew was false? Not really.

I kept waiting for a believable, grounded response from Sage, a emotional breakdown or show of shock that she’d been living in a life of lies. And  not getting any believable responses. 

The author did write her other emotional responses in scenes and events that felt credible. But there should be a detailed depth of understanding to get that energy and emotion throughout her personality and character from start to finish. At least not without the necessary narrative explanation here for her storyline. 

Then there’s Maddock, the brother to the crazy Alpha. Maddox is the fated mate to Sage. His inner wolf is treated like a separate entity, an element I’ve seen before, and it works pretty well here.  A interesting but under-explored storyline is the plot of the pack has always been lead by a 3- sibling male line. But due to a “self-inflicted” tragedy, this pack no longer has one, and is failing. 

This storyline should have been more a part of the book but instead it was shoved down and only mentioned rarely. 

Instead the drama was between Maddox and his “broken” drunk Alpha brother. It’s a nonsense plot because as any reader can see , that Alpha is the villain and should be dealt with by the very beginning. So the conflict that goes on nonsensically for 481 pages with this “made up conflict “ well its not realistic within the storyline.  It’s become an element that removes the reader instead.

It does end on a cliffhanger. And introduces the voice of the younger sister, as she’s got the next story. 

My thoughts ? It’s enjoyable.  It’s got faults but the characters are fun enough that I’ll probably be going through to the next story. 

But it’s on my TBR list. And that’s a pile. 

Like the cover.

Published by Blue Tuesday Books Cover Design by Fay Lane

Fated Destinies (3 book series)

The Witch’s Wolf #1

The Broken Mate #2

The Alpha’s Curse #3

Buy link

 Book 1 of 3: Fated Destinies 

Blurb 

Fate doesn’t exist.
But try telling that to the growling wolf shifter who thinks I’m his mate…

This is not my week.
Or month.
Or year.

My now-ex-boyfriend cheating on me with my best friend?
I’d get over it eventually.
Pretentious chefs who looked down on me because I never went to culinary school while I was raising my little sister?
Screw ‘em.
Finding out my sister has Lycan wolf DNA and I have hours to get her out of the city before she’s locked away in a government research facility?
I definitely didn’t see that one coming.

To save my sister’s life, we take off in the middle of the night following cryptic instructions from our late father to what was supposed to be the toxic wastelands.

Imagine my surprise when we stumble into a fairy tale civilization of wolf shifters where magic is real and a frustrating, but ruggedly handsome pack enforcer has serious plans for me.

The big, bad, and hungry wolf thinks I’m his fated mate and he’s not taking no for an answer.

That’s just the icing on the metaphorical cake.
But this isn’t some magical bedtime story.

Real danger exists in the Cerberus pack. There’s a poison in the ranks. Shifters are leaving. My sister isn’t safe.

And a blood-thirsty Alpha murders anyone that challenges him.
Which I may–or may not–have accidentally done…
Did I mention today is not my day?

Each book in the Fated Destinies series is a full length novel told in dual POV where the main hero and heroine get their HEA. This steamy series offers spice without sacrificing the plot. Warning: These books do end on a slight cliffhanger once the individual plots are resolved. Scroll up now and start reading to find out how these fated destinies are interwoven into the overall series.

Tropes:

  • Humor
  • Grumpy/Sunshine
  • Growling Alpha Males
  • Touch her and die
  • Spicy M/F
  • HEA
  • Fated mates
  • Slow burn
  • Publication date: March 1, 2023
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 481 pages
  • Book 1 of 3: Fated Destinies

Review: Clean Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles Book 1) by Ilona Andrews 

Rating: 4.5 ✨

Here’s another fantastic magical science fiction series from the married authors (Ilona and Andrew Gordon) known as Ilona Andrews. They have quickly become my favorite authors and a must read, with my bookshelf full of great books and series of theirs.

The Innkeeper Chronicles is a complete series,a true delight of worlds and characters.  It starts with Clean Sweep, a sentient inn in a small town in Texas where The Innkeeper, a actual galactic title associated with the house and its current owner is still getting herself established with her own Inn and her clients.

Dina Demille is the daughter of Innkeepers, her parents and their famous Inn mysteriously disappeared without a trace while Dina was in college and her siblings were away from home,far far away from home on other worlds.  After years of searching and no clues, Dina has followed in their footsteps and become an Innkeeper herself. 

Dina Demille is such a fabulously written character. She really stands out from the other characters in this genre of strong female characters in that she has her own unique history and challenges that she’s been working with.  She’s incredibly strong, quietly intelligent and able to be flexible with multiple personalities and situations while still being a relatable person. Full of emotions, a width and depth of experience that is only slowly revealed, Dina is a whole new level of main female character energy!

She’s also got a very strange monster tiny dog that is her companion, a sentient Inn that’s home and more, and a current client who’s a lifetime resident and galactic criminal. And a favorite character!

We get to know the backgrounds and histories for Dina and those around her through the drama that descends on the town. Monsters are killing the townspeople’s pets. 

It’s a fantastic storyline, we meet many important characters such as alpha werewolves and vampire royals. All beautifully crafted and supplied with a great history and dramatic backstory to tell.

This particular storyline is wrapped up completely and in a very satisfying way. But leaves the ending open for more adventures and further development for the three main characters and the group that is forming. 

Honestly, it’s enormously difficult to hold myself back from binging this all the way through like I did with the fabulous Kate Daniels series. 

Highly recommended!

Art by Doris Mantair 

Innkeeper Chronicles:

Clean Sweep #1

Sweep in Peace #2

One Fell Sweep #3

Sweep of the Blade #4

Sweep with Me #5

Sweep of the Heart #6

Buy link

        Clean Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles)

    

Blurb 

This is a short novel, about 60,000 words.

On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is…different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can’t leave the grounds because she’s responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, “normal” is a bit of a stretch for Dina.

And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night…Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered before. It’s smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything.

  • Publisher: NYLA
  • Publication date: December 2, 2013
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 250 pages
  • Book 1 of 6: Innkeeper Chronicles

Review: Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf (The Unconventional Heroes Book 1) by L. G. Estrella

Rating: 4✨

This was a well written and imaginative fantasy story.  The first in a new series , The Unconventional Heroes by L. G. Estrella, Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf at first glance sounds more like a bar joke than a plot of a story.

But that’s exactly what it is. The beginning of a formation of the group of Unconventional Heroes, starting with an infamous Necromancer and his very young, very capable intern, who have decided that the life they are living needs a total change. But to do that they need the approval of their Kingdom’s council.

Luckily, a war approaches. And a special army of highly skilled criminals is required by the Kingdom. Pardons, getting to keep their own castles and goodies if they work together for the Kingdom? A definite plus. 

 

This novel launches the series so we meet Timmy, the world renowned infamous Necromancer and his scarily powerful but adorable preteen intern, Katie, and her squad of Ninja rats. Then it’s the intriguing bureaucrat, Gerald, with amazing bureaucratic skills and powers who go on a quest to get the very terrifying elf witch Avraniel (and enemy of Timmy) to join them. And kill a dragon along the way. 

At only 81 pages, this has the feel of a much larger and wider range story. The characters and world is well written and the challenges as well as battles are exciting and vividly detailed. 

This series is a great read. One I’m excited to share and recommend.  High adventure! Fun, and great storytelling. A complete series. 

Love the covers, simple and eye catching. 

Cover by L. G. Estrella.

The Unconventional Heroes Series (5 book series)

Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf #1

Two Necromancers, an Army of Golems, and a Demon Lord #2

Two Necromancers, a Dragon, and a Vampire #3

Two Necromancers, a Dwarf Kingdom, and a Sky City #4

Two Necromancers, a Fortress, and a Titan #5 

Buy link:

        Two Necromancers, a Bureaucrat, and an Elf (The Unconventional Heroes Series Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Two necromancers, a bureaucrat, and an elf – it sounds like the start of a bad joke, only the joke is on Timmy.

Timothy Walter Bolton – better known as Timmy – has spent most of his life as a necromancer. When he isn’t terrorising his enemies, he’s plotting inside his castle, which is built on top of lightless chasms filled with nameless horrors and beings of a generally malevolent and megalomaniacal nature. But after one of his latest creations, a zombie hydra-dragon-bear, tries to eat him, he decides that maybe it’s time to find a new, less dangerous, career.

But that’s easier said than done. He’s a wanted criminal with no shortage of powerful (and crazy) enemies, and he has a bone or two to pick with the Everton Council of Mages.

Hope arrives in the form of a new law. War is coming to Everton, and the Council is desperate. In exchange for providing some help, Timmy might just earn that pardon he’s been looking for. Of course, just because it’s possible to earn a pardon doesn’t mean that it’s going to be easy.

To earn his pardon, Timmy is going to have to take down some of Everton’s most dangerous enemies and put together a quirky group of unconventional heroes, most of whom want nothing more than to mangle him and/or the Council in as vicious a way as possible. It’s a good thing that he’s got some help: an obnoxious ten-year-old apprentice who thinks that pink glasses are appropriate for a budding necromancer and a bumbling bureaucrat who may or may not make it through their first real fight without puking his guts up.

Wonderful.

Still, Timmy’s never been one to back down from a challenge even if their first recruit is basically the elf version of the bogeyman.

Review: Double-Sided Magic (Legacy Book 1) by McKenzie Hunter 

Rating:3.5⭐️

“I am Levy Michaels. Once my kind were the hunters—now we are the hunted.”

This book has several things going for it. It’s a complete paranormal thriller series with a strong female main character. Its author, McKenzie Hunter, is a new writer to me, and its urban fantasy themes are ones I’ve always enjoyed. 

That said, I find that this story is enjoyable but not as engaging as some of the other similar series I find absolutely addictive. 

I’m actually past this novel in the series , and found that the storylines and characters situations are initially very interesting but soon become repetitive.

Levy Michaels is a Legacy, a being of pure magic and from a species that is reviled by the world.  All due to the Cleanse, a unimaginable heinous magical act that saw a majority of the world’s paranormal population killed just because a majority of the Legacy decided to ensure that they were the only species worthy of magic.  

 

What was left banded together to hunt down the Legacy, rendering them extinct. Only they weren’t.

That’s a good premise. And the basis for the main character. She’s been hunted her whole life for something she didn’t do.   

And she’s employed in an  well imagined antique acquisitions shop run by a fabulous fae owner, Kalen,  and friend.  As well as has a great human roommate , Savannah, who is obsessed with yoga and healthy food habits. Also a great element and character. 

Where things are less smoothly paced and written happen when she’s implicated in a murder crime and becomes involved with Gareth, the cave lion shifter leader of the Supernatural Guild.  Their relationship isn’t so much a sexy, romantic hot chemistry but rather one that reads as perplexing and strangely unlikely.  Hes immediately hot, then cold, then hot, then threatening. Put that on repeat. She’s finding him unbelievably attractive, but finds out shocking things, doesn’t like him. Repeat. 

That constant will continue through the next book. 

The exact same thing will happen with another character, Connor. The same actions, same conversations , are held chapter after chapter. The events change but the conversation stay the same. 

The most important personal growth can be found happening in the secondary characters , who I wish we could have more of. Savannah, her roommate, and Kalen, her fae boss and friend. Love them. And perhaps even Lucas, the Vampire Head of all vampires in the city. 

There’s nothing in the narrative that is a surprise but it’s entertaining.  I’ll be finishing the series, especially since each book is so short. They are quick reads. 

Entertainment for readers who enjoy urban fantasy and complete series. 

Cover Artist: Yocla Designs

Legacy Series (4 book series)

Double-Sided Magic #1

Obsidian Magic #2

Renegade Magic #3

Rogue Magic #4 – finale 

Buy link

 Book 1 of 4: Legacy Series 

Blurb 

I am Levy Michaels. Once my kind were the hunters—now we are the hunted. 

Humans are aware of the existence of supernaturals but I have to stay hidden because of the type of magic I possess. I’m a Legacy. It sounds like the title should come with reverence, a trust fund, or at the very least a cool backstory—instead it comes with a death sentence.

I have to hide in plain sight and pretend to be just human. I’m pretty good at it.

I live a simple and somewhat normal life, and I work in antique acquisitions. Everything’s going fine until a dangerous and enchanted dagger that was once in my possession is stolen. I didn’t think things could get any worse until I woke up next to a dead shifter, fae, and mage, without any memory of the past twenty-four hours.

Considered guilty of murder by most of the magical community and humans, I must work with Gareth, the sexy and dangerous leader of the Supernatural Guild. If he’s as good as rumored, it’s only a matter of time until he discovers the truth about me—then being found guilty of murder is the least of my worries.

Series Complete. This series is perfect for readers looking for edge-of-your-seat action, mystery with unexpected twists, a witty, kick-butt heroine.

  • Publisher: Sky Publishing
  • Publication date: November 5, 2016
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 230 pages
  • Book 1 of 4: Legacy Series

Review:  Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1) by Ilona Andrews

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Yes, Magic Burns (Kate Daniels Book 2) by Ilona Andrews is exactly what I was looking for when I saw llona Andrews recommended (a wife/husband writing duo) as a author I should check out for great female characters. Andrews has created a vividly wild universe of familiar,crumbling destroyed landscapes, whether skyscrapers or city high lines. Setting’s believable and terrifying, that between them, the incredible characters, compelling stories and a world constantly being explored and warped by the magic of recently historic world events, then you’ve got a series that hard to put down. 

Kate Daniels is a merc in a changed world, one where the world pendulum between mech and magic has swung catastrophically out of control, causing universal destruction, where magic is causing cities to crumble, eliminating all but the occasional uses of electricity when the magic fluctuates.  Cars out, horses and mules in, trodding the highways and overpasses, faepowered lanterns lighting buildings.  It’s a strange, complicated world. And it’s one that’s expanding into other areas and places of mythology and power as new events and storylines emerge. 

This storyline gives us a great introduction to her character, glimpses into her past life and powers. It’s the beginnings of important relationships and her journey into a more complex and involved life. 

I’m burning through this series, each of these stories is extremely well developed and engaging.

It’s a huge winner for me and one I’m really excited to recommend. 

Cover art by Juliana Kolesova 

Cover design by Jason Gill

Kate Daniels (10 book – complete series):

Magic Bites #1

Magic Burns #2

Magic Strikes #3

Magic Bleeds #4

Magic Slays #5

Magic Rises #6

Magic Breaks #7

Magic Shifts #8

Magic Binds #9

Magic Triumphs #10

The World of Kate Daniels 

gunmetal magic

 “A Questionable Client” was previously published in the anthology Dark and Stormy Knights.”

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        Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Ilona Andrews invites you to experience the first novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series featuring the intriguing fantasy world of mercenary Kate Daniels…

Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up magical problems. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta’s magic circles. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she’s way our of her league—but she wouldn’t want it any other way…

 

This edition includes in-depth information about the world of Kate Daniels with descriptions of its characters and factions. Explore Kate’s Atlanta like never before with a quiz to find your place there and with answers to frequently asked questions. And don’t miss the prequel story “A Questionable Client” as well as scenes of events in Magic Bites from Curran’s point of view.

  • Publisher: Ace
  • Publication date: March 29, 2009
  • Edition: 1st
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 353 pages
  • ISBN-13: 978-1101041970
  • Book 1 of 10: Kate Daniels

Review:  Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, Book 1) by Patricia Briggs

Rating: 4.25⭐️

While exploring other series with strong FMC’s, a reviewer suggested author Patricia Briggs. Specifically her Mercy Thompson series about a Native American skin shifter, auto mechanic Mercy Thompson.

Mercy Thompson series has so many well developed elements and characters. Set in the tri-Cities area of Washington state, Briggs gives the reader the real feel for the geography as well as the various types of societal levels found within the region. From trailers to gated mansions, it’s written about realistically and descriptively well executed. 

Narratively, Briggs gives this same focus to her characters and backgrounds, starting with Mercy Thompson. A auto mechanic who deal primarily with certain types of cars and engines, she’s got a one-woman shop, and as a skin-walker who can change into a coyote, her status, without a pack, within the local paranormal community is a shaky one. 

I was quick to invest in the story and the depths of character and hidden community dynamics . Mercy and her skin walker powers, which I believe more will be revealed in the coming stories, is extremely well written and exciting. 

So is her changing relationships with the local werewolf pack and its Alpha, Adam Hauptman.

There’s a mystery, several murders to solve, and while this book seems to end as everything is resolved, there’s another mystery coming.

So after reading an excellent book, with a fascinating strong female protagonist, with a highly unusual story, why do I not feel the need to scramble for the next novel in the series? Especially in one where there’s 14 available?

It has to do with how one character, a hugely sympathetic young man, was treated within the story. Basically he’s a throwaway element. And yes, that’s absolutely the author’s right. 

But his role here, the reactions to him , the characters and yes, the readers, seem to be at two different levels. How he ended, the characters reacted to his storyline differs greatly from how he impacted on how I felt about him. 

Or perhaps how I perceived his character’s role in the story would be, going forward. That’s on me. 

But this entire aspect of Moon Called felt so cold emotionally that even with a well written book, I felt disconnected from the rest of the universe and characters at the end. 

It’s doubtful that I will go into it further. Might change my mind. But for now. I’m leaving it here. 

if this sounds as intriguing as it’s actually written, check it out.  It’s a very popular series. 

Cover art by Daniel Dos Santos 

Cover design by Judith Lagerman 

Map by Michael Enzweiler

Mercy Thompson (14 book series)

Moon Called #1

Blood Bound #2

Iron Kissed #3

Bone Crossed #4

Silver Bourne #5

River Marked #6

Frost Burned #7

Night Broken #8

Fire Touched #9

Silence Fallen #10

Storm Cursed #11

Smoke Bitten #12

Soul Taken #13

Winter Lost #14

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        Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, Book 1)

    

blurb 

Moon Called is the novel that introduced Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson to the world and launched a #1 bestselling phenomenon… 

Mercy Thompson is a shapeshifter, and while she was raised by werewolves, she can never be one of them, especially after the pack ran her off for having a forbidden love affair. So she’s turned her talent for fixing cars into a business and now runs a one-woman mechanic shop in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State.

But Mercy’s two worlds are colliding. A half-starved teenage boy arrives at her shop looking for work, only to reveal that he’s a newly changed werewolf—on the run and desperately trying to control his animal instincts. Mercy asks her neighbor Adam Hauptman, the Alpha of the local werewolf pack, for assistance. 

But Mercy’s act of kindness has unexpected consequences that leave her no choice but to seek help from those she once considered family—the werewolves who abandoned her…

“In the increasingly crowded field of kick-ass supernatural heroines, Mercy stands out as one of the best.”—Locus

  • Publisher: Ace
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: January 31, 2006
  • Edition: 1st
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 295 pages
  • ISBN-13: 978-1101208434
  • Book 1 of 14: Mercy Thompson