Tag: fated mates

Review: Evan (The Wild Edges Book 2)

by Lark Taylor

Rating: 4.5🌈

Evan is the second in Taylor’s crossover series in her fabulous Reckless Damned universe. I’m highly fond of the foundation series and its sequel featuring Lucifer’s sons and their fated mates. Just incredible tales. 

The Wild Edges contains characters from many of their stories and preceding events which have been woven into newer characters and their search for their own fated mates.

Evan and his clan are werewolves with ties to the original characters who are mentioned here. The dramatic storyline carries over from Finlay’s book and his tragic story, the ripples of which continue on centuries later.

There are trigger warnings associated with Reid story that are listed on Taylor’s website and I suggest that a reader should take the time to check them out. It includes DV, child abuse, and physical violence. 

Reid suffers from his childhood trauma and the damage inflicted by his father and clan. He’s has untreated ADHD as well as a terrible self image issues from years of neglect and continual abuse.  This includes his depression. All of which are handled throughout the storyline with sensitivity and a clear understanding of these issues by the author. 

So although it’s titled Evan, the book is really about Reid, the human born into the jaguar clan. And how Evan, the werewolf, handles his involvement in Reid’s past and reappearance in Evan’s clan’s territory. 

Because that’s as hurtful and traumatic to them, but especially to Reid. 

I really enjoyed their romance and the entire storyline with multiple new characters, family members as well as some of my old favorites. Like Logan.

Taylor’s setting up several different couples for their fated mates storylines, all of which look intriguing. Calan’s next up. A glimpse of his is a bit of a cliffhanger. 

I’m so looking forward to it.

Another winner.

 Book cover design: BreathlessLit

The Wild Edges: 

Finlay #1

Evan #2

Calan #3 – Dec 9,2026

Complete universe in the order it should be read:

▪️Reckless Damned Series ( the OG foundation series /Lucifer’s sons)

Devil’s Mark 1

Devil May Care 2

Deal With the Devil 3

Luck of the Devil 4

Damned Collections: Volume One 

▪️Damned Connections Series – 2nd series:

Patience 1

Justice 2

Temperance 3

Humility 4

▪️Hopeless Blessed (crossover):

Conflicted 1

Devoted 2

Guarded 3

Enchanted 4

▪️The Wild Edges (crossover ):

Finlay 1

Evan 2

Calan 3

Buy link

 Book 2 of 3: The Wild Edges 

Blurb 

Thirteen years ago, I made a terrible mistake.

One I’ll never repeat again.

When I first met Reid, I failed to see the signs that were right in front of me. He asked me to do one thing–take him away and keep him safe.

I turned my back on him.

Now I have to live with the guilt and shame of knowing I let him down. He can’t forgive me, and that’s okay.

Because I’ll never forgive myself.

When Reid’s family comes to take him away, I have a chance to redeem myself. I can keep him safe. But the more I watch him, the more I fall for the man who doesn’t see his self-worth.

Trouble is, can either of us forget the past in favour of the future? Or did my mistake all those years ago cost me any chance with the man of my dreams?

Either way, I’m not giving up until I find out.

Evan is a heartfelt hurt/comfort, M/M shifter x human romance. The second in the Wild Edges series, these books are best enjoyed in order. Each story follows a new couple, and always ends in a HEA.

Publisher

Lark Taylor

Publication date

January 2, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

466 pages

Book 2 of 3

The Wild Edges

▪️Reckless Damned Series ( the OG foundation series /Lucifer’s sons)

Devil’s Mark 

Devil May Care 

Deal With the Devil 

Luck of the Devil 

Damned Collections: Volume One 

▪️Damned Connections Series – 2nd series:

Patience 

Justice 

Temperance 

Humility 

▪️Hopeless Blessed (crossover):

Conflicted 

Devoted 

Guarded 

Review:  How to Trust a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls Book 4) by Shannon Mae 

Rating: 4🌈

How to Trust a Hellhound is the fourth book in the Hellhounds of Paradise Falls series by Shannon Mae. A terrific interconnected series with Mae’s preceding work with crossover characters, here we’re watching an adopted family of Hellhounds find their fated mates, often from a similarly small group of found family of humans friends, starting with a paranormal author next door. 

The humans have, for the most part, damage and horror in their past or present lives, which meshes well with hellhounds intent on delivering justice and dark souls to the underworld. 

How to Trust a Hellhound focuses on adoptive Hellhound father, Wilder, who has returned to his “boys” and the town of Paradise Falls only to find someone who needs him.

That’s human Josh, close friends with Toby (the author and now hellhound mate). It’s been obvious for several books that Josh has been in dire trouble, mostly due to his controlling boyfriend. But here Mae shows us exactly what Josh has been through. The emotional and physical abuse, and the damage it has caused. 

This particular situation and how the characters, especially Josh and Wilder, as well as the various other characters, handled it, was well written.  Multiple reactions, including shock. Anger, withdrawal. Everything reads realistic and painfully true. 

Along with the development of Josh and Wilder’s relationship, which is slow, given the current situation, there’s also the fact that Josh was unaware of the otherworldly beings around him. Hellhounds being number one. That’s was very funny. 

The only aspect of this story I felt was underdeveloped or not as well explored was the big dramatic climax which sets up the next relationship and novel to come.

There’s no foundation for it. Any of it. You could say it was all meant to be a surprise but there should be some kind of narrative shoring up of the plot and aha moments but instead it feels muddled and confusing. 

The author states that originally another couple was to have the next book but she changed her mind because these two were speaking up. I get that. But it feels rushed. 

Especially since it looks to be a very intriguing relationship.  Can’t wait to see how that plays out. 

Recommended! 

Cover design by Morningstar Ashley

Hellhounds of Paradise Falls: (Paranormal Romance) 

How to Flirt with a Hellhound 

How to Hack a Hellhound 

How to Tame a Hellhound 

How to Trust a Hellhound 

How NOT to Kill a Hellhound (Coming Soon)

Linked series:

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance)

Buy link

 Book 4 of 4: Hellhounds of Paradise Falls 

Blurb 

Wilder 

Angels, demons, hellhounds, Nephilim, and a whole host of other non-mortals—my pack of adopted hellhound sons sure knows how to pick a place. And yet somehow, the most interesting one of all is the sad, quiet human who’s become friends with the pack. Helping people heal and learn to trust is a specialty of mine, but I don’t see Josh as someone to adopt—my hellhound sees him as a mate. The problem? Josh doesn’t believe in anything supernatural. Plus, there’s the vicious and oddly hard to track ex-boyfriend, the meddling but strangely helpful sheriff, the delicate side project I’m working on, and the immortal evil rich guy running around. As I said, my boys sure know how to pick a town. 

Josh 

I’m the boring one. No imagination. No fun. In control. My ex-boyfriend taught me how to let loose and explore things, but then he changed… or maybe I just realized who he truly was. I want someone who cares for me, not someone who controls me, but I don’t think Rick will let me go easily. Everyone is willing to help, though, including the handsome dad of my best friend’s boyfriend. My inappropriate feelings for him aren’t helping matters, though. Not to mention that the more I hang out with everyone, the more my writer friend’s supernatural stories suddenly don’t seem so far-fetched. Something is strange about Paradise Falls, and I can’t help but think that Wilder is more involved than he lets on. 

Tags: It’s always the quiet ones (wink, wink); Josh doesn’t believe in hellhounds, but they believe in him; Wilder is just the hellhound to give Josh all the comfort and healing he needs; Helene is the best therapist for someone who’s been wronged; the entire pack gets involved (of course) and chaos ensues; abusive ex-boyfriends always get what’s coming to them; there’s torture and death (but only of really bad people); hellhounds have tails, and they know how to use them.

Review: Operation Caldera: PNR/Special Forces/Military MM Fiction (Operation Volcano Book 2) by Annabella Stone

Rating: 4.5🌈

Did I lose it over the turns in this book? Why yes I did.  Had zero clue Stone was going to take the series in this amazing direction.  I’m so excited and in for this series.

If you haven’t read this or are familiar here, author Annabella Stone is taking black ops, military top secret missions, explosive situations, alpha military training forces, fated mates, magic, outstanding use and twists on Irish mythology and lore. Legends come to life. I feel like I’m forgetting something. 

If that wasn’t enough. 

Stone packs her storytelling with a found family of a black ops unit called Volcano. Then starts expanding her characters and universe with Irish mythology and folding in magical powers and fated mates in a way that’s entirely different. It’s pulled together by the steel, strength , and love for the fight for doing the right thing, for loyalty, and brotherhood. 

Stone bridges the worlds between humanity and mythology and makes it powerful and believable in the men and their bonds. To the one they love and to the group they call brothers. 

It’s not without elements that had me asking for more exploration or explanation about some areas. Like what happened to the supernatural training that was supposed to happen. 

However, I’m betting it will be a part of the next book to come out next year. 

But here? The yes, explosive story begins with *Viper* Dare and his rescue of Archaeologist *Ward* Sutherland while on a secret mission with his unit.

It’s one wild and crazy thing after another. I absolutely won’t spoil the twists and surprises but Stone’s rich lush descriptions bring to life such incredible characters and scenes that you can hear the songs, smell the banquet, and take in the atmosphere that Viper and Hank are watching and are a part of. 

Great twists, outstanding characters, and action sequences, vividly captured details and beautiful use of magic and mythology. 

There’s an Irish dictionary for some of the words and phrases.  Loved that. 

I only wish I could zoom ahead for the next book’s release date.  

A fantastic book, grand series and one I’m highly excited to recommend. 

Cover Design By: Golden Czermak

Operation Volcano :

  • Operation Magma #1
  • Operation Caldera #2
  • Operation Fuego #3 – April 30,2026 (argh!) – Reaper’s story 

Buy link 

        Operation Caldera: PNR/Special Forces/Military MM Fiction (Operation Volcano Book 2)

    

Blurb 

𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒, 𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑡𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑙𝑒𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒!

Navy SEAL Kelvin *Viper* Dare was born to be a frogman. He’s pretty much seen it all over his fifteen-year career, and nothing surprises him anymore. Nothing except an unexpected natural disaster, which sends his team’s latest mission to hell in a handbasket. Volcanic blasts were not even on his radar when he and his men deployed to search for the newest terrorist to dare bring war to US soil. Now he must figure out how the hell he can protect not only his team, but also the American they find deep in the cave system, which offers their only chance of survival.

Archaeologist Howard *Ward* Sutherland was supposed to be on the trip of a lifetime to study the ancient markings found at a cave entrance on an unnamed island in the Indian Ocean. The further into the cave he moves, the more of the witch symbols he deciphers, and the louder the island rumbles and shakes under his feet. He may not be able to see what is happening on the surface, but the sudden appearance of a Special Ops team, and its growly, bossy leader, tells him things are very, very wrong.

When an ancient power stirs and the veil between worlds cracks, they must choose between duty and destiny. Because some doors, once opened, demand more than loyalty—they demand your soul.

Magic, legends, and a brotherhood who’ve been waiting for their High King!

PNR/Special Forces/Military MM Fiction packed with Irish myths and legends, alpha heroes, raw emotion, fated mates, and more.

  • Publisher: Embers Romance LLC
  • Publication date: July 31, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 360 pages
  • Book 2 of 2: Operation Volcano

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

Review: Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1) by Arden Steele

Rating: 3🌈

Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1) by Arden Steele is a first book in a new series in an established universe. The Blackhaven Manor and connected sequel Hunters Hollow series are both full of terrific paranormal stories and interesting fated mates romances. 

With their crossover characters and established mythology/histories, they have a depth of character and storyline coming into the book that I thought was missing here.

Both the main characters weren’t really well developed, nor did their instant love/fated mates storyline have any chemistry. 

My biggest issue out of a bunch of them is the opening scenes where a young girl is so desperate to see her deceased father that she uses dark uncontrollable magic in Sunne Tanaka’s public library and tragically ends them both. 

It’s a very unexpected traumatic moment but does Sunne Tanaka act like it? No. He could be visiting an ice cream parlor with the same overall emotional energy of placid sweet potato niceness that he exhibits here.

Did I believe in his character? No. If Arden had said Sunne was experiencing shock from his death and that of the girl , that was one thing but no, this “cinnamon roll “ personality was it. 

And his fated mate is an unpleasant, bitter living guard in the underworld that we get no real sense of. 

Add to all the above, a third major character quickly telegraphs what his role is to be in the storyline. It’s easy to guess at.

So adding all these elements together meant that Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1) by Arden Steele was a book I breezed through with little connection with the characters or plot.

It’s ok but I doubt this is a series I will be following. 

Cover Art by Black Butterfly Designs Published by Peccavi Press”

Happily Ever Afterlife :

Definitely Dead #1

Dead Ringer #2 – June 5, 2025

Buy link

        Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1)

    

Blurb 

As a royal Guardian, Tyr Bergstrom is built for battle, not stillness. Not whatever this is. He followed his prince into the depths of the Underworld out of loyalty, but with no foes to vanquish and no lives to safeguard, he’s left questioning why he stays. It’s dark, cold, and each day blends into the next with monotonous sameness.

Until a spark of sunshine arrives in the Village of Lost Souls.

Sunne Tanaka died. Not ideal, but he’s had worse Mondays. While the afterlife isn’t anything like he expected—frankly, it’s a total scam—from the moment he meets Tyr, he can’t help but feel that he’s exactly where he belongs. He hasn’t decided if the shifter is his destiny or a beautiful disaster waiting to happen, but he knows one thing for certain. He’s not leaving the village without him.

But Tyr knows better than anyone that some lines aren’t meant to be crossed. He doesn’t know what waits beyond the dark waters of the River Acheron, but it’s the only condition of his stay in the Underworld. A rule he has never questioned…until another soul puts Sunne’s very existence at risk.

Now, he’s not just questioning.

Now, he’s prepared to take on the living, the dead, and Hades himself to bring his mate back and give them both a chance at a happily ever afterlife.

  • Publisher: Peccavi Press
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: May 15, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 213 pages

Review:  How to Tame a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #3) by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4🌈

How to Tame a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #3) by Shannon Mae continues this fated mates series with the next couple, two damaged people, Atlas the Hellhound who’s mostly feral, and Aiden, the human being who is still recovering from his ordeal from his time as a prisoner and kidnap victim. 

Shannon Mae, an author who’s written many of the series I have reviewed and highly recommended, writes here about some very disturbing and very sensitive topics with genuine compassion and respect.  She does it well and I think within a therapeutic framework.  FYI for those readers who should look at TW going forward. 

Fluffy and Aiden’s growing relationship started in the previous books, with Aiden going on walks in the woods and dog-like Atlas as his companion, Fluffy.  Aiden not yet understanding who or what Fluffy really is, a mostly feral Atlas who’s found his mate in the wounded Aiden.

Mae has always done a good job in presenting the Hellhounds, or a section of them, as truly otherworldly beings lacking the necessary social knowledge or understanding that allows humans to interact with others and interpret their behavior. 

So the scenes and dialogue between the Hellhounds and their mates or SO’s are humorous but serve a better purpose to underscore their own Otherworldly ignorance. It works here really well. 

Aiden and Atlas’s personal experiences with trauma and pain help them to find their own way through to a deeper relationship. It makes sense to us as readers. 

The author has multiple storylines included here, ones that are still playing out for the next book.

It’s a highly emotional, suspense filled and satisfying story. 

I was so happy for Atlas and Aiden to get their HEA.  

Paradise Falls is Shannon Mae’s favorite location to play in. Can’t wait to see what happens next here. 

A definite recommendation!

Hellhounds of Paradise Falls:

How To Flirt With A Hellhound #1

How To Hack A Hellhound #2

How To Tame A Hellhound #3

How To Trust A Hellhound #4 – Oct 4,2025

What else takes place in Paradise Falls? 

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures (8 book series)

Buy link

        How to Tame a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Aiden

Apparently, the trauma from being kidnapped doesn’t end when you’re rescued, although I’m doing better. I have a roommate who has become family, and we’ve been adopted by a pack of otherworldly creatures who protect us. I’m still a little jumpy, and most people make me uncomfortable, but baking, therapy, and my daily walks are all helping. The sweet guard dog who follows me around in the woods helps, too. I can tell him anything I want—even how scared I am of my own family. I’m afraid to bring trouble to my new family’s doorstep, but I can’t end up caged again.

Atlas (aka Fluffy)

I have never belonged. I never knew my parents, and I grew up with a pack of wolves. (Yes, I was literally raised by wolves. Believe me, I see the humor in that too.) Wilder found me and adopted me, and I have a pack and a good life. People still make me uncomfortable, though, unless I’m torturing and killing them (only hellbound people—I’m not just some random serial killer). I just like solitude. But there’s something about Aiden that calls to my hellhound, and I can’t help wanting to protect the sweet human. I’ll even put up with being nicknamed Fluffy so long as I get to stay close to him. When I find out he’s in danger, I know I can’t sit back any longer. The only problem? How will my traumatized human react to finding out I’m not just a guard dog?

Tags: Both characters have tragic backstories and need lots of comfort; Aiden loves cuddles and Fluffy is totally cuddle material; Atlas kind of likes being called Fluffy by his human, but he’ll maim anyone else who tries it; there’s torture and death (but only of really bad people); hellhounds have tails, and they know how to use them.

  • Publication date: May 1, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 234 pages

Review:  Witchwolf by Sam Burns and W. M. Fawkes 

Rating: 4🌈

Normally I’m not one for the “virgin trope” storyline but Burns and Fawkes are two of my favorite authors and in their hands, it turns into Witchwolf, a delightful urban fantasy romance about a young man who in looking for a hot night out before a new job finds far more than he ever imagined.

Dakota Morris is the young man, recently graduated from college, and ready for his dream job and adventure. But before then? He wants that hot date and experience he’s denied himself by concentrating on his college and studies.

Burns and Fawkes have created a wonderful exuberant character in Dakota and then given him the absolutely best possible place to explore his new life and possibilities for his future. 

Of course he doesn’t expect his future to come with werewolves, mages and a ton of magic. 

The corporate world and culture the authors are laying down will be expanding with the next book , a chapter of which is included at the end of Witchwolf. 

But we get the outline of how the company works and its origins. Pack owned and operated but not exclusively employed by just werewolves.  This is a rich universe Burns and Fawkes are building and I’m hopeful that we get more than just two books here. 

Dakota’s story has mysteries and some drama associated with it.  I wish we could have had more details about his background but understand why that wasn’t given. There’s so much more here that cries out for greater detail and exploration, into the mage history and paranormal being rivalries. 

I’m hoping that future stories dive into this element.

The romance between Dakota and Alpha Ajax is hot, fun, and the dynamic between them makes us absolutely love this couple. Want to throttle Ajax occasionally because of his lack of communication skills but still Dakota makes up for it. 

Love the ending and energy going forward. But having the entire first chapter of Book 2 (great chapter too) and not the book? Argh.  

I will be watching out for that book next. 

A definite winner for lovers of urban fantasy and these authors.

Witchwolf series:

  • Witchwolf #1
  • Word, Nerds, & Werecats #2 – coming early 2026 – chapter 1 included in the first book. ❤️

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://a.coWitchwolf – Kindle edition by Burns, Sam, Fawkes, W.M.. Romance …

Blurb 

Dakota Morris has decided it’s time he lost that pesky virginity.

He’s a college graduate, and he’s tired of being a virgin. So he goes out to a club his friends don’t frequent, and picks up the hottest man he’s ever seen. It’s truly a night to remember . . . until he walks into the boardroom for his new job the next morning and wishes he could forget it, because his hot pick-up is also his new boss and CEO, Ajax Fyse.

The fact that he unknowingly slept with his newest employee is the least of Jax’s problems right now. Not only is he trying to navigate a merger with a mage family who disdains werewolves as beasts, it turns out the mage he took home last night didn’t even believe magic existed till this morning.

This morning, when his magic abilities manifested.

Now, Dakota’s stapler is flying across the room, and Jax has landed himself in the position of ushering his gorgeous new hire into the realm of magic. If only sleeping with a werewolf wouldn’t ruin Dakota’s reputation among other mages . . .

  • Publication date: May 1, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 253 pages

Review:  Demon (Mystic Guardians Book 3) by Rinda Elliott

Rating:3🌈

Demon (Mystic Guardians Book 3) by Rinda Elliott is a series that started out strong but has wobbled narratively with each following story.

Details and drama surrounding this couple isn’t clearly defined or well established. And unfortunately the ending is very unsatisfactory.

Which is sad because Demon has the potential to be a good paranormal romance and this couple is extremely engaging. 

This series and novel is a fated mates, instant love romance/relationship between a human being who can see preternatural beings and the other beings who’re their fated mate. 

Lonnie Russell, a professor of writing, has a scary stalker so his sister, a successful author,has hired the otherworldly agency to supply a bodyguard for him. That bodyguard happens to be the demon, Demon Callan Ambrose, who’s desperate for a mate.

Cute aspects to the story and relationship? Lonnie collects anime figurines, including demons, from his favorite shows and comics. And introduces Callan to anime, a great element which was underutilized. 

They were sweet and really had the potential for a better romance here. The author gave Lonnie’s character some serious issues that instead of being addressed were lightly touched on. He has ADHD admittedly, body image issues (although Callan finds him sexy), and a writer’s block that has been around for a while. Then a stalker who has been watching him 24/7 that he didn’t take seriously at first so more than just body image issues.  None of this is actually well defined or explored in the storyline or the relationship. 

If as a author you don’t have that much page time to authentically talk about the serious elements that you have used to help create a character, then perhaps it better not to use them in this book at all.  Save it for a longer novel and different character. 

The same lack of development goes for the dramatic element of the story. It comes out of nowhere. No foundation for it. 

Spoiler. 

But as the villain is, even excluding the main aspect of his character, highly obsessive and delusional, to end this with him able to recover , remaining just as cemented in his delusion, and ready to go forward makes zero sense. 

The excuses the head of the agency makes are just as bad. It throws the reader out of any plausible connection that’s remaining to the story and this scenario. 

I doubt I’m going forward with any further books in the series. 

Too bad because there’s some good things here but nothing is carried through to the any of its full potential. 

Cover by Rinda Elliott  Created with Vellum

Mystic Guardians:

Basilisk #1

Elf #2

Demon #3

Buy link

 Book 3 of 3: Mystic Guardians 

Blurb 

Demon Callan Ambrose wants a soulmate more than anything but is sure he’ll never find his. One of his brothers is mated and soulmates are rare, so the odds are against him. Then he takes a job protecting Lonnie Russell, a creative writing professor who is quirky, and sweet, and just…perfect. But someone is terrorizing Lonnie with threatening notes. 

Lonnie has always been able to see the preternaturals in the world and he’s always been fascinated with them. Especially demons. He even has an entire room dedicated to them. So he’s thrilled when his new bodyguard turns out to be one. Callan is big and gruff, his grumpy exterior a mask for someone who’s really a cuddle monster. And the gifts? He sure would like to know what that’s all about. 

What started out as vague threats quickly escalates and when they realize what they’re up against, Callan is determined to keep his newfound treasure safe. 

Demon is a long MM paranormal romance novella with a grumpy/sunshine pairing, traditional demon courting, and plenty of steam. It’s the third in the Mystic Guardians series, but can be read as a standalone

  • Publication date: April 6, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 145 pages

Review:  The Vampire’s Delicious Fae (Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala Book 2) by Michele Notaro

Rating: 4🌈

I absolutely enjoyed this fantasy romance of miscommunication resolved between an ancient vampire and a green fae, both of which have their own families to share.  

It’s a sort of fantasy With Eight You Get Eggrolls, but with drama, plants, and mate bonds. 

Anton and Keryth were both very great characters and wonderful together, quickly figuring out why they were so drawn together (fated mates).  It wasn’t the normal fast paced relationship I expected in a fated mate story. I loved the way Notaro let them go down a slower path than an immediate step into a full blown love match. Each has a family to consider and those kids (young and old) were part of the bigger picture (and discussions) as they grew together.

Ker’s children are a more well known group (from previous stories) than Anton’s with the exception of Jed, Anton’s youngest. 

The full found family Ker and  Keryth’s young sisters Alsira, Gemma, Saranor, and Zellya, and Anton has his fledglings Phaeron, Beshiro, Katja, Jedediah. Then there’s one more youngster who becomes a major character and storyline here. 

All played out while a series or universe drama /mysteries is going on around them, including them in its horror. 

There is one book left in this trilogy and I can’t see how the huge overall plot is tied together within that book.  It’s just that big. 

But the author already has another series coming to follow this one, about the vampires. Which makes sense because vampires are the focus of the ongoing mystery and arc plot. 

So I expect a switch in locations and characters. What fun! And more crossovers as well. 

Looking forward to the final book in this series and the next series.

A definite winner. 

Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala (3 book series):

The Witch’s Grumpy Dragon #1

The Vampire’s Delicious Fae #2

The Dragon’s Devoted Defender #3 – March 17,2026

Buy link 

        The Vampire’s Delicious Fae (Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala Book 2)

    

Blurb 

I hate vampires. Well, just one in particular. But I do kinda love how his eyes follow me whenever he’s around… Sigh.

Step One: Find a hot vampire. Check.

Step Two: Get the hot vamp to drink from me. Check. 

Step Three: Try to forget his stupid face. Ugh. This one’s impossible to check. F my life. Sigh. 

Anton is beyond frustrating. He was so sweet when we first met, and I’d thought we had a real connection. But then he had to ruin everything with his big mouth and jerky face. Ugh.

I can’t get him out of my head. Even when I’m beyond angry at him, I still feel a pull to be near him. A pull I can’t seem to ignore.

And when my entire world gets turned upside-down, I can’t help but reach for the ancient vampire and hope that together, we can conquer anything that’s thrown at us… anything that’s coming for us.

The Vampire’s Delicious Fae is Book 2 of the MM urban fantasy series, Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala. It follows a new couple in each book with a guaranteed HEA. It takes place in the Brinnswick world in the far away country of Gauhala and brings a whole new cast of characters, so you don’t need to read the other series first. But don’t worry, there will absolutely be some cameos along the way.

  • Publication date: March 27, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 360 pages

Review:  Draken the Rules (Blackhaven Manor Book 13) by Arden Steele

Rating: 4🌈

Draken the Rules is a sweet, sexy paranormal novella in Arden Steele’s long running fated mates Blackhaven Manor universe.  

It’s a quick read and I really enjoyed the characters, especially as Arden added another dragon shifter to the universe who a total powerhouse! 

Up until now, we had only the original dragon siblings acknowledged and now we know that there are others out there. Fantastic expansion of this series and universe.  Also intriguing little toy , a fabulous tiny dragon that used blood magic to animate it.  Was it sentient or not? Could have used an entire story on it alone. 

Minor drama that was easily removed but the couple was adorable and Itri Lockwood , Storm dragon shifter , morally grey magic item dealer needs a series. Especially now that his mate has decided to work with him. 

That would be great!

Another recommendation!

Check out the full list below.

Blackhaven Manor:

  • Purrfect Harmony #1
  • Night and Fae #2
  • Dragon It Out #3
  • Grin and Bear It #4
  • Pixie Little Liar #5
  • Dead Over Heals #6
  • Silent Knight #7
  • Pain in the Ice #8
  • Walking a Tight Rope #9
  • Royally Flocked #10
  • What The Hex? #11
  • Dewitched #12
  • Draken the Rules #13

Sequel/adjacent  series:

Hunter’s Hollow:

  • Angels and Anarchy #1
  • Beauty and Bad Blood #2

Buy link

        Draken the Rules (Blackhaven Manor Book 13)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Hell Week. 

For Arlo Eichen, the annual Heritage Festival is less of a beloved tradition and more of a weeklong exercise in patience. The crowds are insane, the chaos is overwhelming, and the sense of entitlement is off the charts. So, when an honest-to-the-gods storm erupts inside one of the ballrooms? Just another day at Blackhaven Manor.

Until he sets eyes on the source of the storm. 

Six-and-half feet of brooding, lightning-throwing dragon shifter, Itri Lockwood has a bad-boy reputation and a temper as short as his patience. And he doesn’t take kindly to threats against what’s his—especially when it comes to Arlo.

Mixing business with pleasure was never part of the plan. He came for a distraction, but now he’s juggling a coveted artifact, a deal gone sideways, and a mate who went from an unexpected temptation to a primal obsession.

Itri might be able to control the storm but keeping Arlo out of trouble…

That’s going to take a miracle.

  • Publisher: Peccavi Press (March 27, 2025)
  • Publication date: March 27, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 144 pages