Review: Shadow Throne King (Emperor’s Assassin Book 3) by Kai Butler

Rating: 4🌈

Shadow Throne King is the third novel in Kai Butler’s Emperor’s Assassin series and I thought this is where the series would be wrapped up.

But there’s more to come and I’ll be honest, I’m struggling a bit here.

Butler has written about a complex political situation, with an equally strong layered world upon which the author made its foundation. Kingdoms at war, subtly and magically. Ice and fire, ancient blood magicians, and monstrosities abound.

And dragons as well as things that lurk in the dark.

That’s all pretty exciting. Love the ravens. And the characters are, individually, intriguing and given strong backgrounds.

Based on its elements alone, it’s a 4.5, as a series and story. Solidly crafted and executed so well that I really enjoyed it.

Especially that last section of dramatic fights and flight from the mountain. So excellent and moving. I was with those mountain badgers and their families every single step. And that song at that moment? Heartbreaking.

What I’m struggling with? And shouldn’t be is the relationship between the two main characters. I feel absolutely no connection with them. Individually yes. Together no.

I just don’t find them credible as a pair. No real chemistry between them. And Kai Butler can write chemistry like crazy. Just read Butler’s The Empty Throne Trilogy. But, at least for me, I’m not feeling it here.

I enjoy Airon, the northern assassin/Prince Consort, although at times I feel that he’s not consistent enough in his character for me here. He’s a trained assassin. Yet he doesn’t know to trust his instincts here in the story? Particularly regarding a certain character whose actions are screaming don’t trust me?

Things like that in a character and storyline just will take a reader right out of a narrative quickly. As it did me several times here.

For me, it just highlights that you can have all the “pretty things “ like great world building and details but you need to get the actual substance, the core , the relationship right for a story to feel complete. And at book three it’s not happening.

But could be that’s it’s just me. So for all the great execution of the plot and characters, 4 stars.

Cover by Hannah Latham at oexasart

Emperor’s Assassin series:

Betrothed to the Emperor #1

Emperor’s Wrath #2

Shadow Throne King #3

Dragon Blood Curse #4 – March 16,2026

Buy link

Book 3 of 4: Emperor’s Assassin

Blurb

As the Imperium crumbles beneath our feet, will I be able to keep hold of Tallu?

The imperial generals who so loyally served Tallu’s monstrous father have declared war on us and fled the capital. The enemy nation of Krustau claims to have Empress Koque and Prince Hallu, the second son of Emperor Millu. If that is true, Krustau would have claim to the Imperium’s throne.

Unable to risk the possibility that Tallu’s brother could fall into the wrong hands, Tallu and I must confront a greater threat than either of us could dream of. Will Tallu’s secrets lead to our loss or will he finally trust me with the truth he can barely whisper in the dark?

Publication date: October 27, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 394 pages
Book 3 of 4: Emperor’s Assassin

CW: Animal death (temporary), dismemberment, death.

Review: Deals & Dream Spells (The Charmed Leaf Legacy Book 2) by Rachel Morgan

Rating: 4✨

Deals & Dream Spells, the second book in The Charmed Leaf Legacy series by Rachel Morgan, is very good, but doesn’t quite have the depth of character development and completion of plot that the marvelous introductory story has.

Here in Deals & Dream Spells, Morgan has feuding magical families, two main characters each dealing with various types of personal problems, and one overall story of a dream park waiting to be revived.

However, the issues of these characters are very different, and emotionally unbalanced. While Evryn Rowanwood is hiding his “scandalous pen name” and sarcastic society novels from his loving family, his enemy/partner in bond/fake engagement, Mariselle Brightcrest has far more serious issues to contend with.

Her family is frankly abusive, from terrifying parents to horrible, cruel sister, exactly how awful they are is a fact Mariselle has been avoiding for years. Even her grandmother hasn’t wanted to confront the truth about them and their treatment of Mariselle.

So to protect herself, she’s gone along with her sister and mother in their cruelty and abuse of others, to her detriment.

Especially when she and Evryn have to convince his family of their “love” and engagement. No one wants her in this situation and their family, especially considering Mariselle’s shameful treatment of Iris Starspun in the first book.

The development of Evryn and Mariselle’s relationship is very emotional, often funny and well written. It’s easy to imagine them finding themselves together in the end.

But the story doesn’t really go into depth when addressing their individual issues and pulling together a coherent narrative end to each person’s problem. Evryn’s drops out of the story, and Mariselle’s years of abuse and damage is left to one unsatisfying scene, which really doesn’t resolve much of anything.

It’s a Happy for the Moment ending unlike the first book.

Very puzzling because there is much to admire and really love here.

There’s a third book releasing soon and I’ll be there to see waits on the agenda for this family and the magical regency world.

The Charmed Leaf Legacy series:

Tempests & Tea Leaves #1
Deals & Dream Spells #2
Love & Letter Charms #3 – Oct 24,2025

Buy link

Book 2 of 3: The Charmed Leaf Legacy

Blurb:

Regency romance meets cozy fantasy in this entertaining tale of rivals to lovers, a fake engagement, spit-your-tea-out banter, and endless magical shenanigans.

Step 1: Accidentally bind yourself to your sworn rival.
Step 2: Fake an engagement so no one knows about the accidental binding.
Step 3: Try to outdo each other with increasingly ridiculous magical pranks.
Step 4: Definitely don’t fall in love.

When notorious rivals Evryn Rowanwood and Mariselle Brightcrest accidentally bind themselves to a decades-old enchanted contract laying out the restoration of the failed magical attraction known as Dreamland, they must transform from bitter enemies to reluctant allies, staging the Season’s most shocking romance while secretly working together to resurrect the magical legacy that once tore their families apart.

Let the banter-laced warfare, magically assisted sabotage, and dangerously simmering slowburn commence!

Publication date: July 11, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 326 pages
Book 2 of 3: The Charmed Leaf Legacy

Review: Burn For Me (Hidden Legacy Book 1) by Ilona Andrews

Rating: 4.5⭐️

‘“You seem to be under the impression I work for you and you can give me orders. Let me fix that.” I hung up.’

Finished one Andrew’s series and immediately dive into two more simply because I can’t get enough of what these authors turn out in terms of worlds, characters and just fantastic storytelling.

Although on a current hiatus with one new release (and series) and another soon to come, luckily the married writer couple known as Ilona Andrews has a huge group of published books to explore.

Burn For Me establishes the universe in which this complicated urban fantasy story begins. In the 1800’s a chemical known as the Osiris formula was developed/found and used by humans to change their genetic composition magically. For some it was good, some great, and some horrific. It varied by individuals and family lines. And that changed the world.

Before anyone could control who got the formula, governments fell , and over time, power and control organized themselves by genetic Houses of Magical Power. It’s a deeply complex and well thought out system Andrews has created for the Hidden Legacy series. Both magical and political.

The foundation is the Baylor family and those who are connected to it, genetically and by relationships. The first trilogy is focused on Nevada Baylor and her relationship with “Mad Rogan”, Connor Rogan.

I’m actually close to completing all the novels and love this series and universe. The development and design of the growth of the Baylor family is incredible.

Nevada Baylor is a detective here in a transformed Houston. Her family is a small detective agency that scrambling to get by after the bills and debts that the long term care and eventual death of her father left them in. By their choice.

The Baylor family are outstanding characters, disabled sniper mother, vet mechanic Gran, two cousins and two sisters who are among those who will develop/reveal their own skills and powers as the storylines continue. Each one so perfectly defined and unique that they jump vividly off the page.

Connor “Mad” Rogan had to grow on me. His background was slowly revealed by the plot which helped to turn him into a more connectable character. In fact, his becomes more of a horror story than upbringing.

But Nevada is a powerhouse from the beginning. Relatable, stressed, trying to make the right choices for the family and keep the tenants that her father set down for her and the family.

I found the action sequences amazing, the magical battles suspenseful, and the plots full of political scheming and layering for future storylines.

Live for these stories! And highly recommend them!

Cover art by Gene Mollica

Hidden Legacy series : complete as of now

Divided into 2 sections, each with a different sibling as main character and her own trilogy.

Nevada Baylor and Connor’s arc, beginning trilogy:

Burn for Me #1

White Hot #2

Wildfire #3

Diamond Fire (wedding novella)

2nd Trilogy arc: sister Catalina Baylor and Alessandro Sagredo

Sapphire Flames #4

Emerald Blaze #5

Ruby Fever #6

Buy link

Book 1 of 6: Hidden Legacy

Blurb

In this spellbinding first novel in #1 New York Timesbestselling author Ilona Andrews’s urban fantasy Hidden Legacy series, private detective Nevada Baylor navigates her way through an alternate world where dynasties, built on inherited wealth and magic, guide the course of humanity.

Nevada Baylor runs a small-time detective agency in Houston, Texas, busting scammers, exposing cheaters, and dealing with petty criminals. She’s very good at her job—helped by a magical ability to sense when someone tells the truth or lies. But when she’s forced into accepting a case to find a radical pyrotechnic who can conjure heat and fire at will, Nevada knows she’s out of her league. To bring him to justice, she’ll have to join forces with someone who wields an even more dangerous power.

Connor “Mad” Rogan is a former combat mage, a telekinetic singularly responsible for mass destruction in war-torn countries, and a member of one of the most powerful magic families in the world. His nephew has been kidnapped by the fugitive pyromaniac, and Nevada is his best chance at finding them both. But unlike Nevada, Connor could care less about societal law and order, and has no qualms about extinguishing his family’s enemy.

Bound by their mission, Nevada and Connor clash over their tactics and moral beliefs, even as things undeniably heat up between them. But the man they’re chasing is involved in a darker conspiracy that threatens to destroy the city—and destabilize the balance of power the elite magical families use to influence every nation on Earth

Publisher: Avon
Accessibility: Learn more
Publication date: October 28, 2014
Edition: Reissue
Language: English
Print length: 366 pages
Book 1 of 6: Hidden Legacy

Review: His Mate By Allegiance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 3) by Mel Aitchess

Rating: 4.75🌈

This series is seriously combustible. And addictive. My biggest regret is the long release lag time in waiting for the next book to arrive. Otherwise, mwah, hot, and *fans self* so in love with these mated couples.

This one takes it to the next level.

It’s a kinky air powerful witch and even kinkier arty werewolf assassin in mate love. In a forced marriage and suspense filled thriller of a story.

More of Rocco and Emmy! I honestly need them in more than this one book. They are fantastic!

Emilio’s brutal family history has been played out over the previous storylines but it’s damage to his character is front row here. Its meshes beautifully with the shaky history and past of Rocco, so when the magical power of the mate bond begins, it’s also powered by their shared trauma and kinks. It’s sexy, raw, hot and believable for them and the reader.

Both the Lunetti Pack as led by Alpha Marco and the Elemental Mayhem MC’s, who are led by Blaze, President of the MC (witches), are in well written and impactful roles. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for them going forward. Silas too.

The vampires were curiously absent this time. I’m betting they will be a huge factor in the next book.

There’s so many great elements here. From the side families, to the ongoing mystery and drama to that artwork. I want more.

Highly recommended and fabulous.

Cover by Camberion

Lunettti Pack:

His Mate By Vengeance (Angelo & Vin) #1

His Mate By Resistance #2 (Cal and Luca)

His Mate By Allegiance #3 (Rocco and Emilio)

His Mate By Defiance #4 (Rafe and Adri) – June 12, 2026

Buy link:

His Mate By Allegiance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 3)

Blurb

The wild in you calls to the wild in me, and if you let me, I will answer. I will always answer.”

Rocco is being punished and he doesn’t like it. He probably shouldn’t have seduced and stalked the police chief’s son, but he’d been bored and no one ever should’ve noticed. His powers as an air witch skilled in illusion are too valuable for the Elemental Mayhem MC to let him go, so they’ve forced him into this sham of a wedding. They’re lucky the wolf shifter is so hot or he’d never go along with it. All bets are off once he can prove he was betrayed.

Emilio spent the last fifteen years away from New Trinity City refining his crafts—street art and assassination—but he’s still loyal to the Lunetti Pack. Unlike his traitor father. He’d do anything for his Alpha. Even marry a witch he’s never met. Coming home for his arranged marriage is the perfect excuse to hunt the source of the dangerous weapons entering the city. He has every intention of being a widower within a year, until he realises his fiancé is his mate. How is he supposed to arrange an unfortunate accident for his husband with his wolf whining about forever in his ear?

His Mate By Allegiance is an MM mafia shifter paranormal romance. It features arranged marriage, fated mates, shadow hands, and other paranormal play, including knotting. There is no mpreg in this world.

Publisher: Mel Aitchess
Publication date: July 15, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 258 pages
Book 3 of 4: Lunetti Pack

Big Demon Energy (Bedeviled Book 1) by Deborah Wilde

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Deborah Wilde writes such wonderful books and great unusual main female characters that once I found her it’s been hard not to just binge her entire catalog.

Elements that Wilde includes into her storylines and universes as well as character designs are those of Jewish history, culture, and religious traditions. From the names of the characters to their stories and even the agencies they serve, what it is to be a Jewish person is part of their identity and this book.

And her stories are mostly urban fantasy. So how she continues to fold Jewish mythology, history and religious beliefs and traditions into her urban fantasy worlds and series is smooth, unique, and fascinating.

Aviva Fleischer is an agent for the Maccabees, a government agency that regulates and deals with otherworldly events and beings. This includes having a team of diverse individuals, including vampires.

What’s not so inclusive is anyone or being that’s identified as a demon. Or part demon. Which is what Aviva is hiding, she’s part demon. And the daughter of a high ranking official in the Maccabee organization.

Wilde excellently crafts both an alternative world where vampires and humans now exist, although not exactly in harmony. Otherworldly realms can be visited but it’s a dangerous place to go if you’re a human, and there’s hidden secrets and agendas everywhere waiting to be revealed.

Aviva is a complicated character, with mother issues. An ex-boyfriend who’s come into play again and a murder mystery that’s as complicated as she is.

Just a fabulous story and it lays the groundwork for the next story to come.

Highly recommended! As is this author.

Cover by: Covers By Christian.

Bedeviled:

Big Demon Energy #1

Demon on Deck #2

Better the Demon You Know #3

Demon in Disguise #4

The Demon’s Due #5 – Aug 18,2025

Buy link

Big Demon Energy: An Enemies-to-Lovers Urban Fantasy (Bedeviled Book 1)

Blurb

She’s just a demon, standing in front of a vampire, trying not to punch him.

Aviva Fleischer hides a dangerous secret. She’s carefully concealing her infernal heritage, a.k.a. Cherry Bomb. Maybe it’s weird naming her demon side and referring to her in the third person, but guys do the same with their junk, and unlike most of them, Avi isn’t deluded about Cherry’s prowess.

Avi’s been working her ass off, climbing the ranks of a supernatural policing organization to enact change and empower those like her forced to hide their true nature. Sure, she’s bent the rules now and then, but her arrest record speaks for itself. Her promotion is in the bag.

Instead, the director strikes a deal with Avi: spy on the operative sent in to work a rash of bizarre murders and prove she can be a team player, or kiss that new rank goodbye.

No problem.

Okay, maybe just one.

Her co-leader, Ezra Cardoso, is a charming, ruthless vampire with his own agenda, whom she fantasizes about: mostly staking him then vacuuming up his remains.

But when the killer sets Aviva’s team firmly in their sights, she’ll have to decide whether to keep playing by the rules or show everyone exactly what she—and Cherry Bomb—are capable of…

Featuring a smart, funny heroine and a banter-fueled vampire romance, this wickedly addictive urban fantasy will keep you reading way past bedtime.

Dive in now for a fiendishly good time!

Publisher: Te Da Media Inc.
Publication date: August 21, 2023
Language: English
Print length: 358 pages
Book 1 of 5: Bedeviled

Urban Fantasy, vampire thrillers, humorous fantasy, paranormal suspense

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

Rating: 3.75⭐️

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Headed to Duskbound now.

Cover art and Map by Parker Lennox

Esprithean Trilogy:

Riftbourne #1

Duskbound #2

Buy link

Riftborne (Esprithean Trilogy Book 1)

Blurb

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

I brought my eyes up to meet his.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Review: Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

Rating: 5⭐️

In a recent group of highly anticipated and majorly media-hyped romance releases, Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry is one that lives up to its promise and excitement.

I’m unfamiliar with the author and wary or is it weary now of the various books being “super pushed , highly gushed about “ on many media platforms, especially prior to release.

These books are often compared to other books and series that are well established , very well written and already have enormous fan support, rightly or wrongly. Maybe the soon to be published books fit in the genre, maybe they don’t. But pre-slotting them into a category does the book or author any favors.

Rant over. Onto this amazing book.

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry does a fantastic job of capturing a unique world of fantasy and horror, of Kingdoms and magical beasts, of princesses marrying to maintain a balance that’s not exactly what it seems.

And princes to die for.

The only thing I’m upset about is I don’t have the sequel in my hands already.

Devney Perry’s world building is extraordinary, from the perilous waters their ships sail over and the creatures that lurk underneath to the realistic, harsh and beautiful nature of the Kingdom most of the novel takes place in.

Perry’s descriptions and locations are visually stunning, imaginative and beautifully written. They capture our imagination and its people our hearts moment by moment, as Odessa learns more about her new life and the people around her.

The characters, especially the main character of Odessa, is engaging and wonderfully layered, leaving her fully aware of her struggles and able to develop her strengths as she grows more aware of the challenges and realities of her situation.

Less said due to spoilers about the male characters the better as they figure greatly in the narrative plot elements and twists. I’m sure many readers will see the surprises coming but it’s still a very real moment for the story and characters. And worked through with a terrific backstory.

Is this “spicy” romance? That’s a term I feel is being used now for a wide range of sexual content in a romance novel, including some I find offensive like SA. This story is a long novel that features a true slow burn romance with a kiss and finally some sexual romance towards the end. That’s it.

Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry has left plenty of room for the magical elements and mythology to expand with the next novel. I can’t wait to see what the author has planned for the characters and their journey.

Highly recommended!

Cover design by LJ Anderson Edge design by Bree Archer

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comShield of Sparrows (Deluxe Limited Edition): Perry, Devney

Blurb

Now in development as a feature film with Amazon MGM Studios, with John Wick screenwriter Derek Kolstad attached to write the script!

Don’t miss out on the stunning DELUXE LIMITED EDITION while supplies last. This breathtaking collectible is only available on a limited first print run in the U.S. and Canada, a must-have for any book lover.

Shield of Sparrows is a slow-burn, high-stakes romantasy perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros―where enemies become lovers, monsters stalk a cursed realm, and a forgotten princess finds the strength to tear off her crown and become the warrior she was never meant to be.

The gods sent monsters to the five kingdoms to remind mortals they must kneel.

I’ve spent my life kneeling―to their will and to my father’s. As a princess, my only duty is to wear the crown and obey the king.

I was never meant to rule. Never meant to fight. And I was never supposed to be the daughter who sealed an ancient treaty with her own blood.

But that changed the fateful day I stepped into my father’s throne room. The day a legendary monster hunter sailed to our shores. The day a prince ruined my life.

Now I’m crossing treacherous lands beside a warrior who despises me as much as I despise him―bound to a future I didn’t choose and a husband I barely know.

Everyone wants me to be something I’m not―a queen, a spy, a sacrifice.

But what if I refused the role chosen for me? What if I made my own rules? What if there’s power in being underestimated?

And what if―for the first time―I reached for it?

Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books (May 6, 2025)
Publication date: May 6, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 666 pages

— Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

Entangled Publishing LLC

Review: Wild Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower Book 1) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 4.25⭐️

Wild Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower Book 1) by Annabel Chase is a slow burn paranormal thriller romance. It has terrific world building, and some great elements to its series universe that make it even more exciting.

This world has been plunged into a forever darkness created by Earth’s super volcanoes all erupting at the same time, throwing enormous quantities of ash into the atmosphere that has created an endless night for the Earth.

Vampires took advantage, taking control over the remaining regions, peoples, and spaces. And protecting their territories from the monsters still emerging from the craters in certain countries not under their control.

The main protagonist is a magical warrior with a secret. That’s London Hayes, a Knight of Boudica, an all female group of soldiers who do everything from enforcing the laws to acquisition of items, taking jobs their male counterparts won’t.

Forced by an unfortunate situation to accept a job for the ruling Vampire family, House Lewis, to find a mysterious stone, London now faces another challenge in vampire Prince Callan.

Chase sets a fast pace with the events of the story, the dark atmosphere of the world and several hidden secrets, all vying for the reader’s attention in the narrative.

There’s also a menagerie of exotic creatures, including a three-headed Cerberus and a raven named Barnabas to help keep us invested in the story and London’s mystery.

This is a complete series so I’m happily moving to the next book to see what happens going forward.

I’m excited to make this author an auto read, and recommend the series to anyone who enjoys the trope.

Cover design by Trif

The Tower series

Wild Knight #1

Three Dog Knight #2

Deadly Knight #3

One Knight Stand #4 – finale

Buy link

Wild Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower Book 1)

Blurb

SERIES COMPLETE*

In a world of darkness where royal vampires are in charge, I spend my days working as a knight in the city formerly known as London. Instead of a lance and a horse, I rely on my trusty axe, Babe, and ride the occasional dragon. Every day new threats emerge that require a dash of magic and a dollop of attitude.

Good thing I have both.

Naturally danger comes with the territory. What no one knows is just how dangerous it is for me. If our vampire overlords discover what I am, they’ll execute me on the spot—no questions asked—which is why I avoid them at all costs.

Until now.

If only this one didn’t have a lethal reputation, a princely pedigree, and a quest that leads to more questions than answers. The heat between us doesn’t help matters.

Unfortunately I can’t refuse a royal command, so I’m stuck until the job is complete.

And even if the job doesn’t kill me, the truth just might.

If you like humor, heart, a kickbutt heroine and an enemies-to-lovers romance, check out Wild Knight,Midnight Empire: The Tower, the first book in a new urban fantasy series.

Don’t miss all the books in the Midnight Empire world!

Midnight Empire: The Tower
Wild Knight
Three Dog Knight
Deadly Knight
One Knight Stand

Midnight Empire: The Restoration
Endless Knight
Red Rook
Glass King

Midnight Empire: New Dawn
Golden Hood
Twilight Rebel
Midnight Burns

Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (November 4, 2021)
Publication date: November 4, 2021
Language: English
Print length: 244 pages

Review : Enchantra (Wicked Games #2) by Kaylie Smith

Rating: 4.5⭐️

What initially appeared to be a duology, Wicked Games is clearly expanding into a full series with this novel and the addition of the paranormal Silver family to a universe that had focused solely on the Grimm sisters, Ophelia and Genevieve Grimm, and Ophelia’s love Salem.

Enchantra picks up from the events in Phantasma, a novel where Ophelia Grimm , recipient of the Grimm matriarchal necromancer powers, enters a gothic mansion looking for her sister, Genevieve Grimm , and ends up having to play a sinister deadly game, Phantasma.

It’s a fantastic story and horrifying game , which ends with Ophelia leaving with a romantic demon love, Salem, and her sister safely out of the mansion. This couple and Salem himself have a great impact on Genevieve’s reasons for her trip.

Enchantra is a new devilish game, a location, as well as being Genevieve Grimm’s story, all taking place in Italy. Genevieve or Vivi is a complex, layered character. The younger sister born into a matriarchal family of necromancers, Genevieve always felt like an outsider in her world of magical women. The one left to her own devices, the one not given any real affection or sense of belonging.

Smith builds into her character all the emotional aspects of a person wounded by her childhood and events in her adolescence. When a reader gets frustrated ,as i did, by her impulsive actions, it’s easy to think about the situation and reason behind her reactions.

This is also a marriage of convenience, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, dark fantasy romance. With deadly games and demonic monsters.

The Silver family, starting with Rowen Silver the person who greets her at the door and immediately tells her to go, are an intriguing bunch. With each new stage of the game, both the reader and Genevieve will have a better understanding of each of them.

The world building and supernatural elements are frightening, violent and full of twists. The Silver family, all the many siblings and familiars are violent, terrifying and magical.

The only member who didn’t have much of a role or well defined character is the father, a surprising aspect of the story. This factor and one other thing makes me think that the author is waiting for another book to bring him back into this series.

The ending is fantastic. Emotionally powerful and extremely satisfying. But it also has one strange twist, a element that is a pivotal part of book one and is mentioned a couple of times at the start here, and that’s the fact that Salem’s true name was forgotten by all by terms of agreement.

And yet there’s this ending. I can’t imagine that the author doesn’t keep track of her own notes on important series elements or aspects of characters . So it would seem this too is a big part of the series going forward.

Either way, it makes for delicious suspense and fun for the next novel in Wicked Games.

Highly recommended.

Great covers.

Cover design Alexandra Purtan/ Fenix Cover Designs

Wicked Games series:

Phantasma # 1

Enchantra #2

Buy link

Enchantra: A spicy fantasy romance (Wicked Games Book 2)

Blurb

Welcome to Enchantra. There’s only one rule: Never, ever trust your heart.

When Genevieve Grimm’s mother is killed, Genevieve wants answers nobody can give… until she receives an invitation to Enchantra, a cursed palace filled with temptations and illusions.

Arrogant and dangerously handsome, Rowin Silver meets her at the door and refuses to let her inside. But Genevieve finds her own way in… And soon realizes her mistake.

Enchantra is a twisted labyrinth of marble and thorns, where Rowin’s family are trapped forever in a deadly game. Now, Genevieve must win or die.

Rowin offers her a deal. They can compete together… if they convince everyone watching that they’re desperately in love.

Genevieve knows she can’t trust Rowin, but she’ll do whatever it takes to survive. As they hunt and hide together, Genevieve tries to ignore the desire burning between them. She absolutely cannot fall for this man. Cannot forget that she’s only pretending to be in love.

After all, it was Rowin who taught her Enchantra’s first rule… Never, ever trust your heart.

Packed with deadly intrigue and spicy romance, Enchantra will transport you to a world of feisty heroines and morally gray love interests, fake dating, forbidden desire and family secrets. If you love books by Kerri Maniscalco, Carissa Broadbent and Lauren Roberts, prepare to discover your new romantasy obsession.

Publisher: Second Sky (April 8, 2025)
Publication date: April 8, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 443 pages

Review: Puck Love (The Elmwood Stories #6) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s fitting that Lane Hayes brings her heartwarming series, The Elmwood Stories, to a close with one of the boys who we met in the earlier books.

Now grown and playing in the NHL, Jake Milligan is one of the boys we met from the first Elmwood junior hockey camp, and along with Denny Mellon, who’s been a character we’ve watched as their parents got their own romances in the early books.

So it’s perfect that the series finale will have Jake’s own story and we get to see many other familiar faces in this book as Jake’s enemies to lovers story unfolds.

The “enemy” is hockey arch rival Mason Trinsky, a trash talking, exuberant player who has made their rivalry a media firestorm to Jake’s chagrin.

Elmwood’s Junior Hockey Camp is now a huge success, with famous players participating as coaches and that’s how both Trinsky and Jake end up as partners for a camp weekend.

It’s a terrific story that Lane manages to bring together elements of bi awakening, Trinky’s family members with special needs as well as his mother’s history of addiction and recovery. That balances so well with the fears and need for control of Jake’s upbringing.

But we get juicy, sexy scenes of discovery, great characters, hockey, adorable kids in Eddie, Nathan, Ella and Charlotte. Truly a fabulous heartwarming story of love , family and finding your forever home.

Elmwood and its magical, small town places hold a special place in my heart. I know that I’ll be revisiting it and it’s love stories.

Lane is going to bring us a new series based in the neighboring town, Wood Hollow, and hopefully we will see some crossovers in characters. Vermont’s fictional Four Forest area has so much to offer and more towns to explore.

A highly recommended and heartwarming sendoff of a fantastic series. I love it. Read them in order and fall in love with this town and its people.

The Elmwood Stories:

You, Again #1

Next Season #2

Holiday Crush #3

Thin Ice #4

Hot Shot #5

Puck Love #6

Buy link

Puck Love: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 6)

Blurb

Two rivals, one secret, and a shot at forever…

Jake

Favorite things and peeps: hockey, family, friends.

Least favorite person in the entire history of the universe: Mason Trinsky.

I have my reasons, but since you’re curious, Trinsky is a showboat and a loudmouth. Sure, he’s a great athlete. Good for him. I accept that we have mutual friends, and I grudgingly accept that he’ll be a coach at w this summer—however, I plan to keep my distance.

Of course, some wise guy pairs us up for a camping expedition, and everything that can go wrong does go wrong.

Guess who I’m stuck with?

Trinsky

Favorite things and peeps: hockey, surfing, and my kid brother

Least favorite person in the entire history of the universe: Jake Milligan

Look, I might be in the minority, but if you ask me, Jake is a nitpicking diva who wants everything his way. I hope my NHL team crushes his, and this summer, I want my campers to out-prank his. Childish? Nah, it’s all in good fun.

Until it starts to feel…complicated. I shouldn’t care if he’s happy, should I? I don’t want to be Jake’s friend. I don’t want to have feelings for him at all.

The only thing that matters is hockey. It’s all about the puck. Not love.

Or is it?

Puck Love is an MM bisexual, small-town romance featuring hockey’s hottest rivals, a hiking trip gone wrong, and a shot at forever…

Publication date: March 21, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 280 pages

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: