Tag: established couple

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: Ghostly Bother (Ghostly Book 9) by E.M. Leya 

Rating: 3🌈

I’ve been a fan of the author and this paranormal series for some time now but Ghostly Bother, the ninth book in the series, didn’t hit as well as the rest of the stories.  The storyline, the main characters , the ghost of the plot, everything all came with some sort of flags or issues with the dynamics or functionality in the narrative that bothered me. 

One is the mayor Eden, a nasty woman, who took bribes, was a selfish person and, even in the afterlife is a personality bordering on oblivious selfish self interest and cruelty. Spoiler. She walks into the light after being a bad person in both the living and the afterlife.  Strike 1. 

Because she’s a huge player here in the story and has an enormous role in the next element that put up flags for me. 

That’s the relationship dynamic between Lance, who can interact with the ghosts, and Angus, his detective lover who can’t. But Angus, who has lived with his mother and her best friend, also a ghost, is familiar with ghosts and how they can impact the living. 

So does he (and author Leya) write into their relationship one of an established understanding and support when Lance is constantly harassed 24/7 by Eden, unable to find rest or do his job? No, instead of the dynamic that’s been built of steady work and love, it’s demolished by one act of lack of respect and understanding. This aspect of the story has little foundation based on the previous books and the relationship the author has been building. 

Nor does the quick resolution to this particular problem seem likely or believable. It just doesn’t make sense. 

Unfortunately, the book, plot, mystery does feel particularly well written or thought through.  It’s a miss for me. 

Hopefully the next book will see a return to the original series path. 

Cover Art by: Annabella Stone

GHOSTLY SERIES :

Ghostly Awakening 

Ghostly Findings 

Ghostly Envy 

Ghostly Claus 

Ghostly Target

Ghostly Hostage 

Ghostly Death 

Ghostly Dilemma 

Ghostly Bother 

Ghostly Force (coming soon) 

Ghostly Grandma (coming soon)

Buy link;

        Ghostly Bother

    

Blurb 

When the mayor of Fairway is killed, Angus finds himself thrust into a confusing case of bribery and corruption. While many in the city rejoice over the mayor’s death, the investigation is a nightmare for the police.

Lance wants to be supportive, but when the mayor’s ghost figures out Lance can see and hear her, she won’t leave him alone. Insisting they solve the case as soon as possible, she follows him around, bringing chaos to Lance’s usually simple life.

Feeling stress from every angle, both Angus and Lance struggle to handle everything going on without letting it affect their relationship. Everyone is working to close the case, but it isn’t easy when the victim refuses to share information that could lead to her killer.

Someone is hiding something, and it’s up to Angus and Lance to figure out exactly what that is.

  • Publisher: E.L. Publishing
  • Publication date: July 25, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 218 pages
  • Book 9 of 9: Ghostly

Review: Skeleton Crew (Psycop 14) by Jordan Castillo Price

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s been a while since I’d read any novels in this series but this author is one I automatically read so it seems like a good time to get back into the universe.

It’s recommended that you be familiar with the characters, their unique histories and backgrounds as well as the series as a foundation for the knowledge required here.

This is a complicated story that involves a layered plot, hidden secrets, beautifully developed mysteries, and an agonizing twist that puts all the cast in all types of imminent danger.

This along with the storyline of a escalating anxiety from main characters, Vic and Jacob, about Jacob’s nephew home alone during a violent storm while the couple who were his caregivers for the weekend find themselves in a increasingly dangerous situation. Without access to WiFi and phones.

Price does a realistic portrayal of the fears and distress both men are experiencing, for the boy and themselves because of the newness of the situation. Then there’s the horrific reality they currently face, of the dark basement and its own extreme dangers.

The scenes in the basement are some of the best in the book. Descriptively, the author is able to bring us down into that scary environment, continuing to elevate the horror and obstacles every one faces and then finally turning it into one poignant but terrifying scenario.

So well written.

And if that ending leaves you with a few chills, it should. That’s the playground for Psycop. Check out the full series to date below.

Psycop:

#1 Among the Living

#2 Criss Cross

#3 Body & Soul

#4 Secrets

#5 Camp Hell

#6 GhosTV

#7 Spook Squad

#8 Skin After Skin

#9 Agent Bayne

#10 Murder House

#11 Bitter Pill

#12 Other Half

#13 Subtle Bodies

#14 Skeleton Crew

Buy Link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Skelet…Skeleton Crew: PsyCop 14: Price, Jordan Castillo

Blurb

Although Victor Bayne is a valued asset of the FPMP, he still vividly recalls his PsyCop days: the eye rolls, the nasty looks, and the occasional utterance of the words “Spook Squad” whenever he showed up on a scene. So he really should empathize with Howard Jibben, the weekend lab manager known as Heebie Jeebie.

But does the guy really need to be so darn annoying?

Thanks to the researcher’s OCD tendencies, when a mysterious shipment arrives, what should be a routine ghost-check turns into an excruciating ordeal…made even worse by a freak incident that leaves them stranded in the FPMP’s basement.

Jacob may be the ranking agent on site, but even he can’t control the weather. Yet given the pressure he puts on himself to master his newfound ability, it’s as if he thinks the burden to free everyone is his alone.

Vic has never put much stock in luck, but the sheer number of disasters raining down on them can’t possibly be pure chance—and things are only getting worse. Is it a curse? Telekinesis? Sabotage?

Or is there something more sinister lurking in the shadows?

PsyCop is an ongoing series filled with supernatural action and delightfully awkward humor–with a steady undercurrent of gay romance. It’s best read in order, so if you’re new to the series, start with PsyCop #1, Among the Living…and prepare for a hauntingly good read.

• Publisher: JCP Books (May 20, 2024)

• Publication date: May 20, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 302 pages

PSYCOP SERIES
#1: Among the Living
What good is being a psychic detective if your murder victims aren’t talking?

#2: Criss Cross
Mysterious messages from Lisa lead Vic on a wild ride.

#3: Body & Soul
Three missing people. No bodies. No ghosts. At least the case gets Vic out of an awkward family dinner.

#4: Secrets
Is someone watching Vic’s every move, or is he imagining things? Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.

#5: Camp Hell
Vic delves into his repressed memories of Camp Hell and dredges up more than he bargained for.

#6: GhosTV
Lisa’s gone missing, and Vic and Jacob head to PsyTrain for some answers.

#7: Spook Squad
Victor has been avoiding the exorcism he owes the FPMP. Now it’s time to pay up.

#8: Skin After Skin
A sweeping look at the PsyCop series from Crash’s empathic point of view

#9: Agent Bayne
Victor might be through with the Chicago PD, but is he ready for the FPMP?

#10 Murder House
An undercover gig turns up more than Vic ever imagined.

#11 Bitter Pill
There’s a deadly new drug in town called Kick…and psychs find it irresistible

#12 Other Half
A wedding is stressful enough without a psychic investigation to power through

#13 Subtle Bodies (PsyCop Book 13)

#14 Skeleton Crew

Review: Encountered to Death: A Jamie Brodie Mystery (Jamie Brodie Mysteries Book 5) by Meg Perry

Rating: 4🌈

Encountered to Death is a good, in a way emotionally lighter story than the one that preceded it. Jamie and Pete are going to celebrate Pete’s older brother’s 40th birthday in Alamogordo, New Mexico and is taking Jamie’s highly intelligent, science minded nephew with them.

Steve, the brother, is a plasma physicist, and they intend to tour all the sites around the area, from caves to Roswell. Shades of Mulder and Scully! What could go wrong? Plenty it seems.

There’s aliens abduction tv show hosts, a dead body, so many investigations, as well as great characters in both Steve and the 11-year old nephew, Colin. Colin especially was well crafted. He’s realistically young in heart(emotionally the investigation caused an such a impact on him as it should) , but his imagination and personality also felt in line with someone who has high intelligence to understand a variety of science topics.

The discussions and issues between Jamie and Pete weren’t really dropped but moved slightly to the background to be a part of a larger conversation when they returned home. One car or two meaning a more solid frame for going forward together.

I was throughly entertained by this story and expanded family. Perry continues to keep the reader engaged in this realistic romantic relationship and their literary world where a murder or body can bring about a wealth of knowledge and enjoyment. Love Clinton’s word of the day!

Onto the next!

The Jamie Brodie Mysteries – 23 books

✓ Cited to Death

✓ Hoarded to Death

✓ Burdened to Death

✓ Researched to Death

✓ Encountered to Death

◦ Psyched to Death

◦ Stacked to Death

◦ Stoned to Death

◦ Talked to Death

◦ Avenged to Death

◦ Played to Death

◦ Filmed to Death

◦ Trapped to Death

◦ Promoted to Death

◦ Published to Death

◦ Cloistered to Death

◦ Haunted to Death

◦ Obsessed to Death

◦ Deserted to Death

◦ Drugged to Death

◦ Resigned to Death

◦ Snowed to Death

◦ Enchanted to Death

Dirty Laundry: The Jamie Brodie Short Stories (Jamie Brodie Mysteries)

Sequel series:

An Angeles Investigations Mystery

◦ Cheated to Death: Book 1

◦ Hunted to Death Book 2

Buy links:

Encountered to Death (Jamie Brodie Mysteries Book 5)

Blurb:

It seems Jamie Brodie can’t go anywhere any more without a body turning up. Jamie and his boyfriend Pete Ferguson are taking a week of vacation to visit Pete’s brother Steve in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They arrive to find that Alamogordo has been invaded – by fans of a TV show called Alien Visitors. The host of the show, Dixon Gill, was found dead in the lobby of Steve’s building. Gill’s fans believe he was killed by the FBI because he was about to reveal the truth about the government’s cover-up of alien visitations. Jamie and Pete know that’s not true. But who did kill Gill? The director of his show? A competitor on the same network? An angry commenter on Gill’s blog? A shadowy anti-government group? Or one of his ex-wives? The deeper Jamie probes into Gill’s past, the more potential suspects he finds.

The truth is out there – but can Jamie uncover it?

• Publication date: March 6, 2014

• Language: English

• Print length: 96 pages

Review: Ghostly Hostage (Ghostly Book 6) by E M Laya

Rating: 4.5🌈

Ghostly Hostage is an excellent example of a series can continue to grow and expand its universe and make narrative choices that are both exciting and challenging.

In Ghostly Hostage, our main couple has just finished their much needed vacation abroad a cruise. They’ve also decided to move into Lance’s house together. All big plans and steps forward in their relationship.

But immediately they and this story is plunged into a hostage situation.

Usually it’s Homicide Detective Angus whose life is placed in jeopardy. But here, instead, it’s the morgue with all its employees we’ve gotten to know and become fond of who are in eminent danger.

Laya makes the situation even more complicated by placing at its center a case and the people holding them at gunpoint, people we will understand and empathize with. It’s a horrible situation but at its heart is something far worse. A dead child who may have been murdered.

The author switches the perspective back and forth between the increasingly tense hostage situation and those outside the morgue hoping for answers, amplifying the suspense and the anxiety scene by scene. Even as the emotional component is realistically raised by those inside and out, with people crumbling under the stress, Laya remembers this is a police procedural that includes stalling by the hospital, warrants, and long hours of believable research. Even when there’s ghosts involved.

And there’s plenty of ghosts involved here. Including new ones. They flow seamlessly into the investigation in increasingly familiar but complex ways. And it adds to the paranormal aspect of this series by involving new characters in this world.

The crime, criminal, and ending was one I really appreciated. Although it’s a ghostly tale, the author treats it in a factual, grounded in reality manner that elevates the story.

I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I’m highly recommending this book and the entire series.

Ghostly series:

✓ Ghostly Awakening #1

✓ Ghostly Findings #2

✓ Ghostly Envy #3

✓ Ghostly Claus #4

✓ Ghostly Target #5

✓ Ghostly Hostage #6

◦ Ghostly Death #7-tbd

Buy Link:

Ghostly Hostage

Blurb:

Back from vacation, Lance is ready to dive back into work—that is, until the morgue employees are taken hostage on his first day back. Held at gunpoint was not how he thought he’d spend his day. With their lives on the line, Lance and the others have no choice but to follow orders and perform the autopsy that’s been demanded.

Angus never dreamed he’d be the one worrying about Lance being killed. He was the one with the dangerous job, not Lance. With the only information he can get coming from the ghosts, Angus and his mother try to sort through the evidence and do everything they can to keep Lance and the others alive.

As the case unfolds, Angus faces twists and turns he never saw coming, and as the truth is exposed, he prays the vacation he just enjoyed with Lance won’t be the last one they ever share.

• Publisher: E.L. Publishing (February 20, 2024)

• Publication date: February 20, 2024

• Language: English

• File size: 425 KB

Review: Zone of Action (Legends of Lobe den Herren #2) by A. J. Sherwood

Rating: 4.5🌈

Zone of Action concludes the fantastic story of the evolving relationship between Shiirei General Sho Renjimantoro (now Aart Warder Ren Brahms) and Aart General Arman Brahms.

The story opens with the epilogue from Fourth Point of Contact, which has the men already married, and getting ready for a big wedding celebration at Fort Brahms with family and friends. Until an urgent call comes from the King with another message from the Emperor of Shiirei.

That sees both Ren and Arman sailing back to Ren’s homeland on a mission of international security , one that has both stressed over the threats for war and those of a personal one, as same sex relationships aren’t culturally tolerated within the Shiirei nation.

Sherwood moving the narrative out of the tolerant society of Aart back to the intolerant world of Shiirei adds a great deal of new tension to the storytelling. It sharpens the sense of potential danger for the characters in even the most mundane situations to the benefit of the novel.

Not that there’s many of those. It’s a constant struggle to rebuild a fortress under siege by, at first, an unknown number of enemies who are deliberately targeted the them in their efforts to build.

A number of various countries/kingdoms are involved with this conflict as they don’t want a return to the war they fought. Many of the “countries” Sherwood has created have recognizable counterparts in real life nations today. Whether it’s by names, cultural elements, clothing…I’m sure some of not all will be guessing if it’s a composite or something similar. Either way, I found it a wonderful way to ground each nation in the various characters and cultures.

The POVs have expanded from two to three characters as well. For me, I was divided by this aspect of the story format.

First, I love these characters. All three. The interaction between them was heartwarming and added so much depth to each personally as well as to the whole relationship between the men and then them as a family. Seeing it from each person’s perspective was important for the situation and what it represents for them as a couple. And for this child. So for that reason, yes, I did like the idea and decision to have a 3-person narrative.

However, for me it also took away from the whole storyline. There was so many scenes that were a bit “off page” as far as activity because there just wasn’t enough time to cover it all.

The child herself , Sakura , had a great backstory, and, frankly, frightening current situation that as a reader we were never able to get a good grasp of. All we ever saw or heard of her was when he/she appeared before Arman or Ren. What happened to her in between those occasions was a complete mystery. That’s a shame because when her history becomes known, the tragedy of her life is a narrative goldmine that’s been left behind.

I did love her character, and her interactions with her new family, especially Arman. She’s a gem who had more potential than the length allowed.

The story goes through the events, seeing them through the eyes of each character, which considering we are talking over a year, is sped up considerably. For me it feels just too shortened.

There’s high drama, some political issues and politics that make international relations seem more like modern times than the age reflected by the world there. And , being a tad nit picky, some modern phrases that occasionally sound out of place than in a world where horses and sails are the mainstays of transportation.

But did I love it? Yes, Ren, Arman, and Sakura are a hard family to resist. I adored them going home and the welcome they received.

This wraps up the story for Ren and Arman. Although I can always hope we see them again in the next couple of books to come. That’s O’ Broin’s journey to love and marriage. He’s from another country that came to help Ren and Arman.

It should be quite a tale. I can’t wait. Until then, I’m highly recommending both the novels below, including this one. Read them in the order they were written.

Legends of Lobe den Herren :

✓ Fourth Point of Contact: The Warden and the General #1

✓ Zone of Action #2

Buy Link:

Zone of Action (Legends of Lobe den Herren Book 2)

Blurb:

Ren’s homecoming wishlist includes:

•Arman not bashing everyone’s heads together (at least not without him)

•Getting the fortress built before the Mongs attack (not at the rate they’re going with all the thefts happening)

•Going home without incident (also, again, not likely)

What it did not include was:

•Social reform

•A child

•A raiding party

•Arman actually using his words

Life once again proved reality is better than fantasy, and Ren couldn’t be happier.

Except for the Mongs. He could do without the Mongs.

Tags:

Homecoming, Arman actually uses his words, it’s a miracle, children, homophobic idiots, supportive brother, surprise visits from royalty, Ren would like to point out this was not his idea, words are hard, if you have to build a fortress do it right the first time, Arman promises to not beat the whole country to a pulp for scorning his marriage, maybe, no promises, parenting is hard, someone should have warned Arman, raiding parties are their jam, O’ Broín is a good bro, matchmaking, social change, Arman sucks at giving hints, absolutely no one is surprised by this, fantasy becomes reality.

Review: Ghost Dater by Ofelia Gränd

Rating: 4🌈

Ghost Dater has the feel of an addendum short story to the wonderful Soul Eater. It reads like a cute afterthought to that tale. Turns out I’m not far off.

The author’s publisher put out a call for Halloween shorts and Ofelia Gränd thought her readers would like to see what the couple was up to.

Having problems, apparently.

At Halloween, the anniversary of Sandy’s untimely death.

A reader needs to have read Soul Eater before this to understand the characters, their history, and what they are going through to have their relationship. Sandy’s feelings at his new status are understandable but the lack of communication about those thoughts between the partners is not.

As the ghostly aspects of his new life are still in a learning phase, the frustrations Sandy is experiencing are emotions that the reader can relate to. The author is so very good at expressing these emotions and thoughts through scenes and dialogue.

The story is very short, only 38 pages long. I felt that the balance of voices between Sandy and his sorcerer mate, Thad , was a bit off, with Sandy the dominant POV. Perhaps that’s on purpose so when we get into the story and see Thad’s part of the plot, it’s a bit of a surprise.

For me, I missed the surrounding characters and more of these characters’ current lives as they just didn’t seem to fit as well into a short story format given their complexity in terms of relationship and developing mate bond. It ends with them called off to a new case. I’d love to see that happen.

Here’s to another case and another novel. This is a wonderful bridge between the two. Happy Halloween 🎃.

Buy Link:

Ghost Daterby Ofelia Gränd

Blurb:

Thaddeus Esax has a grumpy werewolf problem. For a year, he’s been mated to Sandulf Hunter, a ghost werewolf he brought back from the dead without meaning to. It’s been great. Thad’s been happy, and he believed Sandy was too. But Sandy has been sulking for more than a week, and Thad fears their relationship isn’t going as well as he believed.

The problem with being mated to a ghost is that said ghost never can leave your side, and therefore it’s extremely hard to keep secrets. Thaddeus wants to surprise Sandy, to cheer him up, but to do that, he has to trick him into believing they’re doing something they’re not.

Telling Sandy they’re having a Halloween party doesn’t go over well, but how do you trick a ghost? By making him believe he’ll be dressed up as a pirate for an evening, of course.

• Publisher: JMS Books LLC (October 13, 2021)

• Publication date: October 13, 2021

• Print length: 38 pages

Review: Ghostly Claus (Ghostly Book 4) by E. M. Leya

Rating: 4.5🌈

I really enjoy the Ghostly series by E.M. Leya, it’s got a number of interesting established ghostly characters, a slow burn romance, and at least one mystery per story that has a paranormal aspect to it that brings all the main cast together to find a solution, add to the series otherworldly information, and push the romance a bit further along.

In Ghostly Claus our victim is Santa. It’s the holiday season and someone is about to kill the fat jolly elf himself. But is it due to a lack of Christmas spirit or does the killer just not like the man under the costume? That’s what our coroner, Lance, who can see and converse with ghosts, and his detective boyfriend, Angus, are about to investigate, along with his partner, Frank.

Now on the fourth book, Leya has been accumulating a foundation of characters, alive and ghostly, to act as a found family to our core couple and important side adjacent people like Frank, Angus’ partner. Ghostly Claus continues that path as two more characters arrive in town that look to add to the knowledge of the other realm and expand on the found family for Lance, Angus, and the ghosts who live with Lance.

That’s the soldier brother of Lance returns home after a prolonged absence in missions overseas, and he’s got an unannounced surprise with him.

Once again, Leya gives the reader so much to sink into here. There’s the fact of the dead Santa’s family dynamics which are awkward and difficult for all, especially since his ghost is there, angry at everything he’s hearing and seeing. The mystery of who wanted to murder Santa, and catching him. Plus there the entire brother aspect of this storyline where Lance has decided to inform his brother of his new gift and hope it doesn’t change their relationship. Their brotherly friendship and dynamic feels real, especially as it deepens over the course of the book, each letting memories guide them back to each other. Finally, Angus and Lance continue to grow stronger with each other, not rushing things, communicating, confidently speaking about their lives and the things important to each other. Quietly adult and emotionally mature. So lovely, even with ghosts all around.

I adore the characters, the relationship dynamics, the mysterious nature of the cases, and the slow growth of the love story. Fabulous.

I’m highly recommending this but it needs to be read as part of the series, so really read them in the order they are written in order to understand the events and relationship growth.

Ghostly series:

✓ Ghostly Awakening #1

✓ Ghostly Findings #2

✓ Ghostly Envy #3

✓ Ghostly Claus #4

◦ Ghostly Target #5 – tbd

Buy Link :

Book 4 of 4: Ghostly

Blurb:

When Santa Claus appears on Lance’s autopsy table, he can’t believe his eyes or ears as the not-so-jolly ghost accompanying the body tells Lance he’s been murdered. Solving this murder will take time as the list of suspects is growing. For some, Christmas isn’t the most wonderful time of the year, but it is the most profitable.

To top it off, Lance’s brother is in town visiting and he’s not alone. He’s got a ghost attached to him. Telling his brother that he sees ghosts just became even more important as this ghost insists Lance help him make things right before he moves on.

While the rest of the world prepares for Christmas, Lance and Angus try to salvage what they can of the holiday as they work to solve Santa’s murder and keep someone from stealing everyone’s holiday spirit away

Review: Into The Tempest (The Storm Boys Series Book 2) by N.R. Walker

Rating: 5🌈

Into The Tempest moves the story and our characters from the rain drenched lowlands wilderness of Kakadu National Park to the sunny port of Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia. The switch in locations brings us to Tully Larson’s home, where his family and his family’s shipping business is situated, giving the reader and Jeremiah another perspective on this seemingly simple, yet complex man.

It’s also allowing Jeremiah a new opportunity, however unsought at first, for being in charge of Darwin’s Bureau of Meteorology, an antiquated tiny satellite branch of that agency that time seems to have forgotten.

Walker’s stunning continuation of her Storm Boys series is no less remarkable, suspense filled or adrenaline driven by having removed itself from a naturalistic landscape to that of the port city of Darwin.

The romance between Tully and Jeremiah is firmly intertwined with the meteorological phenomenons central to each book’s narrative. Here it’s Tropical Cyclone Hazer bearing down on Darwin, with Jeremiah’s small, decrepit station, full of outdated instruments, at ground zero. It’s the station for all the area’s emergency data and meteorological information going out to the public and other agencies. And it’s all done manually , by one person.

I’m not sure if Walker has weathered through a cyclone or how she’s able to get to the heart of this storm in the manner that she has, because , through her amazing writing, Cyclone Hazer becomes a major narrative catastrophic event that creeps into the literal air , moment by moment, energizing the characters, and then the community.

The sheer power of vivid imagery, the violent nature and intensity that builds throughout the story of the impending disaster is felt, not just by Tully, worried about his family and community, but by Jeremiah, feeling the weight of responsibility for things outside of his control, and for characters like the constantly retiring meteorologist Doreen and her wife, Suri, whose PTSD is being triggered.

There’s more fascinating and compelling elements here. That of family, lighting, romantic relationships, and commitments. And a community that will need to be rebuilt at the end. Plus a baby Magpie.

But this story belongs to Tropical Cyclone Hazer, Tully, Jeremiah, Doreen, and Bruce, Doreen’s small ever present dog. That small group that heard the frantic beeping that starts it all, that turns this book into a narrative powerhouse.

I can’t imagine it ending at a third story. Tully and Jeremiah are so strong, so complex and moving a couple, that surely it will take more than just one more book to finish their arc. I could spend 10 novels with them and not be done.

Yes I’m highly recommending this book , but pls read them in the order they are written to understand the characters and relationship growth.

The Storm Boys:

✓ Outrun The Rain

✓ Into The Tempest

◦ Touch The Lightning-July 18, 2023

Second Chance at First Love: Prequel to The Storm Boys

Buy link:

Into the Tempest (The Storm Boys Series Book 2)

Description:

Jeremiah Overton is now in charge of Darwin’s Bureau of Meteorology, and his storm chaser boyfriend, Tully Larson, couldn’t be happier. For Tully, it means watching summer storms with the love of his life but for Jeremiah, it means relearning everything on equipment that’s older than he is.

But summer storms also mean it’s cyclone season. While Tully’s no stranger to tropical storms and the occasional cyclone, for Jeremiah, it’s a first.

As Tropical Cyclone Hazer bears down on the city, Jeremiah and Tully prepare to stay behind. Jeremiah knows what to expect, theoretically, but living through it is a different story.

If they live through it at all.

Review: Pole Position (A Lights Out Novel) by Charlie Novak

Rating : 4🌈

“We win and lose together. “

-Sir Lewis Hamilton”

In this series about Formula 1 racing, each author takes one racing team, a driver or two on that team , the international races in the series , and the dramatic events that occur during that season. Major events, even conversations crossover between novels.

Like the other books, this story begins with a quote from a race driver that hints at theme the tale and romance will carry.

A long time couple is the focus and heart of Charlie Novak’s contribution to the Lights Out series about a Formula 1 racing season .

Dean Williams and Mateo Llorente are established Formula 1 drivers and a long time couple, although only their families and a few friends are aware of the later. This season a new element is being introduced to their relationship. For the first time, both men will be racing for the same team- Cadigan Racing. It’s the team where Mateo has been the established driver for several years, where he’s the son of a legendary driver and the hopes for a championship win.

Novak’s chosen a different format for her storyline that provides a intimate window into the next stage into this couple’s journey, both in terms of their careers and their relationship, as heavily intertwined as they now are. It’s divided by races, almost every race in each country on the way to the grand finale , then a space of nine years as they prepare their retirement announcement.

This narrative formula has positive and negative aspects to it when I look at the way overall book made me feel about the themes and the characters.

I liked it in terms of seeing how each race and the dynamics of that particular race started to change the way in which Dean and Mateo’s were thinking about their own races (each has a team for their own car), their personal dynamics , and the team’s leadership. Where they originally thought they could handle the challenges, each race, each new event piled into an ongoing highly publicized , intense team effort, is starting to get to them.

We’re in as the stress, the constant press, the media attention and wrongful coverage puts such pressure on them that’s it effecting their team as well as them personally.

This feels very realistic.

Another great twist? The team owner, the leadership and support staff? They are aware of the fact that their top drivers are in a long term relationship with each other. And they are supportive. I love that. Terrific characters here in these roles.

On the other side of this format, I found that having the book “chopped “ into so many little sections or narration stages in this journey of Dean and Mateo’s meant less time for us in getting some of the more interesting details in more depth. Elements like Dean’s toxic relationship with his father who we never get to meet and his mother who seems to have been an equally complex person, not quite protecting her son from his father. But we hear about them. They call , he’s nearby.

Another similar aspect is Mateo’s parents who we also know about, a legendary Spanish driver and a French supermodel who adore him and Dean. We hear all about their parties, their passion and personalities. But where are they here? They even visit a race but are “absent “ in the story. It’s people and elements like this that add warmth and a great deal of value to a story and help ground a couple in a realness. That’s sort of missing from this.

Charlie Novak’s style of writing, the choice of story format gives us a sense of how a season of racing for one team impacted the relationship of two drivers racing for the win for the same team. The ambition, the fears, the stress , the excitement and yes the anger and the passion.

What is missing is the depth of actual racing action and the thrill of each man as they crossed the line to win the podium. There’s no smell of oil, exhaust, or burning rubber. And there should be in a novel about men racing at the highest speeds at the top of their game.

The relationship and the challenges Dean and Mateo face and overcome in Pole Position is well worth the read. I just didn’t get as emotionally invested as I was prepared to even as I found myself enjoying the ride. On that note, I’m recommending it.

Buy Link:

Pole Position

Lights Out:

✓ Team Orders by RJ Scott

✓ Full Throttle by Lisa Henry

✓ Pole Position by Charlie Novak

◦ Scoring Points by HL Day 6/13

◦ Black Flagged by Emma Jaye 6/20

◦ Rookie Mistakes by Beth Laycock 6/27/2023

Description:

Pole position gives a driver the best chance at winning, but can there be a winner when a long-term relationship is on the line?

Mateo Llorente was born to be Formula 1 World Champion.

Charming, handsome, and incredibly talented, Mateo is everything a champion should be. Dean Williams has fought for his position in Formula 1 with everything he has, and dreams of podium finishes and championship trophies.

For the past three years, Mateo and Dean have kept their long-term relationship under wraps, but when they both find themselves driving for Cadigan Racing, they know things won’t stay simple for long.

Keeping their relationship a secret is one thing, but dealing with the demands of the season is another.

As both drivers rack up points and the media scrutiny puts them under pressure, cracks start to appear in Mateo and Dean’s relationship.

Can their love survive the intensity of Formula 1? Or will winning cost Dean and Mateo everything?

This M/M romance from Charlie Novak features a steamy long-term secret relationship between teammates, and is set in the high octane world of Formula 1 featuring fast cars, driving at the limit, spectacular crashes, heated rivalries, and of course, a HEA.

Each book in the Lights Out collection is a standalone story, and the books can be read in any order