Review: Curse of Silver & Blood: An Infinite Arcana Novella by Sheena Jolie

Rating: 4.5🌈

I thoroughly enjoyed Curse of Silver & Blood: An Infinite Arcana Novella by Sheena Jolie ( formerly writing under the pen name SJ Himes). It’s been a long while since I read their Infinite Arcana novels, so getting to dive back into this universe was exciting.

It’s not essential to have read the other books to understand the world of the characters and the foundation behind the storytelling. Jolie’s narrative does a splendid job of explaining the history of the world and otherworldly beings living there.

Curse of Silver & Blood literally has an explosive start, one that has our main characters on a collision course with fate.

Alec, an elf is escaping horrific captivity, and Leif, a cursed ancient werewolf, who hears the explosion on the edge of his territory, are two fantastic, well defined characters. Beautifully rendered, from their personalities to their own backgrounds, it’s easy to slip into connecting with each of them and their fated mates relationship.

Their fated mate relationship is built in the story in a way that’s makes the reader accept their bond and their growing chemistry. These characters work together. Jolie also creates magical elements that feel realistic in that situation but fascinating enough that I would want this couple to have additional stories.

The ending is solid and holds so much promise for the characters and their future together. I loved it.

I highly recommend Curse of Silver & Blood: An Infinite Arcana Novella by Sheena Jolie and the others in this universe.

Cover designed by Kelley York of Sleepy Fox Studio

An Infinite Arcana Novel series:

The Beacon Hill Sorcerer*

The Necromancer’s Dance

The Necromancer’s Dilemma

The Necromancer’s Reckoning

A History of Trouble Collection Mastering the Flames

Love Springs Eternal

Blood Omen

The Necromancer’s War

The Edge of Fate

Infinite Arcana Novels*

Curse of Silver & Blood

Wolfsbane (Werewolves of Boston)

The Wolfkin Saga

Wolves of Black Pine

Wolf of the Northern Star

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Curse-…Curse of Silver & Blood: An Infinite Arcana Novella eBook : Jolie, Sheena: Kindle Store

Blurb

Alec has been held prisoner for months, coerced into using his magic to manufacture illegal drugs for the mountain mafia. His gifts are profitable and dangerous, and his captors have no intention of letting him go. Alec engineers his escape–which lands him in the territory of a local legend–an ancient werewolf, a lone alpha cursed by silver and blood.

Leif has been alone for a thousand years. Forced to keep his distance from his own people, Leif settles into the depths of the Appalachian Mountains and spends his endless days patrolling his territory. One night the forest is rattled by an explosion, and the sudden appearance of a bedraggled fae running for his life.

Neither expected to come face to face with their fated mate in the cold, dark woods.

Fate has a hand in uniting Alec and Leif–but it’ll be up to them to forge the nascent mate bond between them, and Alec and Leif have a fight on their hands–the mafia wants Alec back, and the curse laid on Leif is out for blood.

The expanded version of the FATED MATES Charity Anthology short story, set in the Infinite Arcana Universe by bestselling author Sheena Jolie (formerly SJ Himes.) Contains new content. Novella, MM Paranormal Fantasy Romance. 36k words.

Publisher: Sheena Jolie Books (December 27, 2024)
Publication date: December 27, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 154 pages

Review: How to Hack a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #2) by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4.5🌈

I’m so enjoying this series, a sequel to Mae’s fantastic Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures (8 book series). Same location, many crossover characters and fascinating interactions between them that make this series a great read.

It’s dark and violent but without being graphic, sexy with fated mates and magical otherworldly characters. Many of the characters have tragic or otherwise damaged pasts that still currently haunt their lives. And that factors into the narrative of their stories and romantic relationships.

Yes, I’m throughly invested here.

Mae’s done a fantastic job in creating the new interlocking cast of characters that’s launched the series. A found family of Hellhounds that’s moved to Paradise Falls and will start to find their mates.

First , they ended up moving next door to human horror author, Toby, and HellhoundDexter ended up helping Toby with his writing but saving him too from a trafficking ring.

That storyline continues with two of the survivors , Quinton and Aiden, who’ve been adopted into the small group of otherworldly friends, including the Hellhounds.

While this is Quinton and Liam’s story, it’s also Aiden’s because Aiden’s trauma and Quinton’s is linked by their captivity and now survivor closeness, a deep relatable friendship. I love how Mae handles this aspect of the story as well as the different facets that’s introduced to the relationships that exist within the group that’s developing here. There room for so many types of relationships and understanding of each other and how they relate to various dynamics within the group.

It’s lovely. And I look forward to more of this and these types of conversations happening.

The other thing is that the Hellhounds, a well defined and diverse group of individuals, have been created as distinctly non human entities. They come across completely, in their language and actions as otherworldly beings. And we’re still learning about them and their history.

I love this story, the world and the characters. Shannon Mae ties up the trafficking storylines here satisfactorily and sets up the narrative for the next couple to come. It should be fascinating , and full of emotions.

I can’t wait.

I’m highly recommended this series and book. Read them in the order written for plot and characters development.

Hellhounds of Paradise Falls:

How to Flirt with a Hellhound #1
How to Hack a Hellhound #2
How to Tame a Hellhound #3 – May 1,2025

Related series, same universe:

🔹Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures (8 book series)

Buy link

How to Hack a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls Book 2)

Blurb

Quinton

Getting kidnapped and held hostage in a human trafficker’s basement was not on my bingo card. Getting rescued by a paranormal being was also not on my bingo card. (Apparently I needed to trade in bingo cards.) The guy who took me may be dead, but I know there are more people behind the operation, and I plan to shut it down. If I need to get the help of one of the creepy glowing eyed dudes to do it, I will. It turns out Liam is incredibly sexy and really good with technology, too. He may be great at hacking into computers, but I’m determined to hack my way into his life.

Liam

Ever since I looked into the feisty human that Dexter rescued from a basement, I’ve been a little… obsessed. Is it wrong that I watch him all the time and hack into all his technology? I’m just trying to keep him safe. After all, he’s sticking his nose into some troubling areas, and I can’t deal with the thought of him getting taken again. Of course I offer to help him when I discover his mission to take down a trafficking ring, although my motives aren’t exactly pure. The little human attracts me in a way that I can’t explain, and my hellhound thinks he’s mine, whether he wants to be or not.

Tags: Emotionally traumatized, feisty vigilante and hacker hellhound fall in love; Liam has Quinton under surveillance 24/7 and will protect him; Quinton doesn’t mind being watched if the dude with the glowing eyes will keep him safe; there’s torture and death (but only of really bad people); hellhounds have tails, and they know how to use them.

Publication date: January 2, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 240 pages

Review: Impulsive Connections (Elemental Bonds #2) by Marie Reynard

Rating: 4.5🌈

The second book in Marie Reynard’s excellent paranormal fated mate mystery series, Impulsive Connections is one of those stories that kept me up til the early morning hours. Then ended on a thrilling cliffhanger. I wasn’t expecting that.

Reynard has been building a superb paranormal mystery that borders on the horror for this series. It’s a fated mate romance that has an overlying series plot about a disappearing shifters, shifter territories under siege by mysterious dark forces, and entire packs suffering or sometimes failing from odd magical symptoms.

With each new book and couple (a mage/shifter fated mate storyline), more of the complex arc plot and its elements are revealed.

Reynard’s characterizations and plot lines are excellent. Both in terms of how the author builds the relationship between scholarly mage Liam Batiste and the extroverted romantic wolf shifter, Kade Mills, weaving series foundation knowledge and mystery elements into it while maintaining the core plot of a fated mate couple. Our attention is secured, our emotions engaged.

The author never fails to let her characters grow as the relationship develops, letting them reveal more of their inner lives and desires be communicated as the story progresses. This is true for not just the main characters but the equally important side characters as well, like Aran, and the other mages and shifters.

Another well done aspect of the series and the story is the magical elements. The various spells, the crafting abilities, and even the deep lore and research, stressing the importance for resources, it’s all realistic and exciting. It makes sense and grounds this magical world.

Liam and Kade’s relationship is one I absolutely connected with, while enjoying their friendships with other people, including the close knit group of mages that arrived to help the Mills pack with their dark spirits troubling their territory.

There’s a cliffhanger I hadn’t expected after the first book, and it’s a heartbreaking moment. It’s times like this when I love having a fully finished series to read.

However, I’ll be waiting in mad anticipation for the third book to arrive and probably re-visiting this one to be ready!

I’m highly recommending this series and story for all lovers of the fated mate trope and paranormal romance novels. No mpreg. There’s plenty of great suspense and magical battles to look forward to.

Read them in the order they are written for plot and character development.

Elemental Bonds:

Accidental Bonds #1 (Victor and Elijah)
Impulsive Connections #2 (Kade and Liam)
Unexpected Alliances #3 – (Aran’s story) coming soon

Buy link

Impulsive Connections (Elemental Bonds Book 2)

Blurb

Ignited by accident, fueled by fate. Some bonds burn brighter than any flame.

Kade Mills has spent over a decade dreaming of his ideal meet-cute. Surely the universe wouldn’t toss the perfect mage at him while he’s a scarred shadow of his former flirtatious self, recovering from his last encounter with the malicious spirits haunting his pack’s territory.

Liam Batiste is a man of simple pleasures; a quiet room and a stack of books are all he needs to be happy. He’s only in Lost Creek to help his friend save the Mills pack from the unknown evil infesting their land, but everything changes when he and Kade are paired up to capture the supernatural threat.

After a run-in with a spirit leaves them entangled—physically and magically—they must learn to control the newfound power their unwanted connection grants them. As they struggle to resist the heady pull of their bond, they begin to realize it may hold the key to defeating the dark forces that are endangering far more than just Kade’s pack… and perhaps it’s not as unwelcome as they first thought.

Impulsive Connections is a steamy 149k M/M paranormal romance featuring a playboy wolf shifter, a nerdy mage, and friends who are trying their very best not to meddle. This simmering slow burn is perfect for readers who love reluctant mates, unintended bonds, forced proximity, unfortunate bed shortages, and knotting. While it guarantees a happy ending for its main couple, the overarching plot does contain cliffhangers, and the series should be read in order. Please look inside for content warnings. (This series does not contain mpreg.)

Publisher: Peace Garden Publishing, LLC (December 14, 2024)
Publication date: December 14, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 576 pages

Review: Atticus: Paranormal Council Enforcers Book Two by Taylor Rylan

Rating: 4🌈

This is my first dive into author Taylor Rylan’s Universe of Destined Paranormals. A universe of connected paranormal series, five at the moment, in which there’s fated mates and mpreg/omegaverse stories. I listed all the series in the suggested order of reading below, however, did come into Atticus with no prior series knowledge or universe foundation.

The reason I chose Atticus to explore this multi series world was the lack of mpreg here, one that’s a factor in many of the other novels. This story has two alpha males at its center, and that’s why they are incapable of having any offspring.

The characters are carryovers from prior stories and the events mentioned in the book, some hugely impactful to the characters, may have happened during previous novels. Rylan’s story does bring those threads and backgrounds forward, but it can’t be with the same depth given the length of the book and the current plots that have to be explored.

I did enjoy this story. I found the characters engaging and the plots interesting. The themes, an ongoing series arc of an investigation into paranormal trafficking, especially the young, is handled here without specific details while maintaining an emotional connection.

I really like both Atticus and Brice, and they look to figure into the future storylines as Atticus’s alpha status emerges with regard to the hellhounds. I found that I could get involved in the characters and the many dramatic moments even though I hadn’t read the other series and wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about many aspects of the universe and characters that appeared here.

The writing and plotting was well done and I was engaged in the storyline from the beginning. There’s fifteen books in the Paranormal Council Enforcers and I’ll probably do what I did here, deciding which story interests me most going forward.

If fated mates and a paranormal universe interests you, take a look at the many series and books here. Be aware that most include a mpreg/omegaverse element. But not all.

It’s a definite recommendation.

Cover by Jay Aheer of Simply Defined Art

Paranormal Council Enforcers series:

Ambrosius #1

Atticus #2

Reinhold #3

Garic #4 – Dec 7, 2024

Everett #5

Benjamin #6

Raiden #7

Parker #8

Ramsey #9

Castiel #10

Damien #11

Sebastian #12

Warwick #13

Dimitri #14

Frederick #15

Buy link

Atticus: Paranormal Council Enforcers Book Two

Blurb

Hellhounds don’t have mates. But after a decade of denying his attraction to Brice, Atticus realizes the lion shifter is just that: his fated mate.

Atticus was banished from the demon realm well over a century ago when he could no longer do his master’s bidding. He had been many places but truly felt at home when he found Honey Creek. His attraction to Brice was unexpected, and when it became too much for him to control his beast, he left, leaving the lion alpha behind.

Brice wasn’t sure what the fates were doing when they gave him a human male for his mate, but he didn’t care. He just wanted Atticus and the life he knew they could have together. When Atticus left, never acknowledging their connection, Brice tried to make the best of what fate had gifted him.

When trouble threatens Brice’s sister and family, he rushes to New Orleans to help. While there, he makes a life-changing discovery about his missing mate. Atticus isn’t a human, and he’s never truly been gone. He’s now a council enforcer, and the hellhound is hell-bent on claiming his mate. But will Brice give in easily?

Atticus is Book Two in the Paranormal Council Enforcers series. Each book in this series will focus on a different couple, but these books are not standalones and should be read in order as there is an ongoing backstory that won’t be resolved quickly. This is a fated mate story in an MPreg world, but this is an alpha/alpha pairing and there is no pregnancy in this story. You should expect all the normal shenanigans, and remember that sometimes fated mates don’t necessarily understand what is going on.

Publisher: Mortimer Press, LLC (July 15, 2022)
Publication date: July 15, 2022
Language: English
Print length: 304 pages

Welcome to the Universe of Destined Paranormals

The Universe of Destined Paranormals is a world of interconnected series set in one universe. Because of this, it is recommended that you read the books in chronological order.

Honey Creek Den Series-When the child of the created warlock goes searching for his mate, a domino effect occurs and the den is blessed by the Fates.

Timber Valley Wolf Pack Series-Magic is changing and the wolf pack is next to be blessed by the Fates. Does Edison have something to do with it?

Warlocks of Amherst Series-Edison’s warlocks have finally been blessed by the Fates and it’s their turn to find their fated Ones.

Vampires of the Beloved Gem Series-Master Nikolai’s vampires aboard the Beloved Gem realized that their time has come to find their beloved ones.

Paranormal Council Enforcers Series-the magic has shifted and the Paranormal Council has been formed. Will the chosen enforcers be next to find their forever mates?

Review: Cast A Spell (Mages and Mates Book 4) by Andy Gallo

Rating: 4.75🌈

Andy Gallo writes about family love, family dynamics and relationships so beautifully, no matter what the theme or situations his characters are facing. Whether it’s a fantasy story, paranormal romance or something completely different, it’s in the realistic relationships between the characters he’s creating and the firm, strong foundations on which their lives have been set that we believe in, magical or not.

And that’s never more apparent than in his Mages and Mates series and this novel in particular.

Throughout this series, book by book, we’ve gotten to know the politically powerful , magical Hollen family as the brothers discover their mates and the fact that they’re part of a larger plan to save their world.

Each novel, by design, has slowly been revealing more of a sinister plot to destroy the Great Ward along with the other thread of the ancient guardians, four magical fated mate couple in a designated place, who are being replaced by the newly mated Hollen brothers. But there’s also more to this still evolving series arc and we get more of those elements here.

In Cast A Spell, Gallo delivers several great new twists and it really makes this series even better in terms of character development and the depths of the storylines. It also derives from the family, on two sides at its core.

The Hollen family, the mages , with Otto now being the brother in line to make his own match and potentially be another chosen new guardian along with whoever is his mate. But there’s a secret or maybe a danger he’s hiding.

The other side is a family or herd of unicorns, one known more for its isolation out in Montana. Its oldest son and heir, Thalion Eisenwald, knows he might be the one the Hollens are looking to as a possible match for Otto, or one of his other brothers.

I don’t want to get into the specifics of this wonderfully fascinating and complex story but it’s got brotherly dynamics that feel very familiar and real even when based in a fantasy setting, as well as realistic emotional moments and inner turmoil that comes from the same places that we can relate to. Fear for those we love.

Gallo has given us a strong narrative, full of excitement, great action, and believable character development that happens between brothers and lovers and multiple characters. All that while bringing together the major elements and characters that’s required to move everything forward to a higher, even darker and more complex storyline for the series.

I believe there’s only one book left. And it comes out next year. That’s Spellbound. I can’t wait for that story. But this amazing universe deserves far more attention than this series. And these characters and magical creatures need more attention and stories. I hope that happens.

I highly recommend this series and the book but none are standalones. All must be read in the order they are written in order to understand the characters and the arc development.

Cover Art by Alex Forza

Mages and Mates series:

Break the Spell #1

It Spells Trouble #2

Under a Spell #3

Cast A Spell #4

Spellbound #5 – June 26,2025

Buy link:

Cast A Spell: An MM Paranormal Romance (Mages and Mates Book 4)

Blurb

Otto Hollen has always protected his younger brothers. Three of them have been chosen to be guardians for the next Great Ward, and Otto’s determined to avoid the final position. Yes, being chosen is a great honor, but Otto’s convinced it will force Owen, his youngest brother, to sacrifice himself for the greater good. Otto would rather die himself than let that happen – even if he has to fight the Earth itself.

Thalion Eisenwald should be celebrating. His father, the unicorn alpha, named Thalion to be his heir. It’s what he’s wanted his entire life. So why does the arrival of two Hollen brothers make him uneasy? He’s heard rumors of new guardians being chosen, but those are stories. Besides, Thalion plans to be the next alpha of the herd, not a guardian for the world.

When the Earth chooses Otto as Thalion’s mate, Otto shockingly rejects the bond. Thalion is furious, hurt, and grudgingly impressed. But their brothers’ capture changes everything. To save them, Otto will need to accept the bond with Thalion. Faced with an impossible choice, they desperately search for search for a third option. One that doesn’t result in those they love ending up dead.

Cast a Spell is a 75K word fated mates romance with high-stakes magical battles and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. This fourth and penultimate book in the Mages and Mates series. It can be read as a stand alone, but it’s best to read the series in order. Cast a Spell includes talking swords, ancient curses, and a no nonsense unicorn grandmother who dishes out life lessons with a large scoop of tough love.

Publisher: ; 1st edition (November 21, 2024)
Publication date: November 21, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 290 pages

Review: Basilisk (Mystic Guardians Book 1) by Rinda Elliot

Rating: 3.75🌈

Although Rinda Elliot has co authored stories with a writer, Jocelynn Drake, on my auto read list, this is the first book I think I’ve read of hers. It’s the beginning of a new paranormal soulmates series and I enjoyed Basilisk, the first book.

The series central premise is an otherworldly security agency headed by an ancient sorcerer, Xavier, whose employees will be finding their soulmates, story by story.

Magical beings, here called Preternaturals, exist side by side with an unaware human society. There’s a vague history that is relayed by Xavier about the past and conflicts but it’s not well explored.

Basilisk is the first book and I would expect more world building from Elliott in letting the reader understand the universe in which these characters coexist. Because while beings like Bain get a wonderful description and fully developed history, he seems not to realize himself the extent of the universe he lives in despite the long years he’s lived.

And the reason why Clive Manning, human accountant, proves to be so special needs further explanation as well. I hopeful that these elements will become further developed in the stories to come.

The relationship between Clive and Bain was full of chemistry and felt believable. Although that short time and dramatic aspect of their relationship didn’t ring true towards the end of the story. Communication had been key up until then between them. And the villain got wrapped up too easily without much resolution.

I enjoyed Basilisk. I liked the characters and the series premise while thinking it needs more world building and further development. I’ll definitely be checking out the next book in the series when it’s available.

If you’re a fan of the author and this trope, definitely check out this book and series.

Buy link

Basilisk (Mystic Guardians Book 1)

Blurb

As a basilisk, Bain Ophion has lived over two hundred years. For the last ten, he’s worked for his best friend, a sorcerer who runs Protective Solutions. Bain loves his work as a bodyguard and especially loves proving his skills when clients take one look at him and doubt. Yeah, he may dress flashy and have androgynous looks, but he also comes with preternatural strength. Humans don’t know that, though. Because, like all his fellow bodyguards, he uses a glamour to hide what doesn’t blend. Most humans aren’t ready to know about the supernatural world around them, but he’s about to learn that there are a few who are special.

Clive Manning has no idea which of his new clients is threatening his life, but when they send someone to break into his home, he knows he can’t handle this alone. He lives a perfectly ordered life and works from home for a reason. Lifelong fear. He calls Protective Solutions and hires a bodyguard, and when that man shows up, Clive is shocked. He expected something like a man in black and instead, he got a rockstar.

But Clive is highly attracted to this colorful bodyguard and soon Bain proves he’s very good at his job…among other things.

Basilisk is a long novella with a sexy shapeshifter who’s stunned by his fierce attraction to an uptight accountant and the accountant who learns his lifetime of fear had good reason.

Publication date: September 28, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 148 pages

Review: Zero Judgment (Tales from the Tarot story) by Kota Quinn

Rating: 3.5🌈

Major arcana card : Judgement

Zero Judgement is short paranormal romance in the Tales from the Tarot series. It’s a sequel or side story to Quinn’s novel, Love Potions and Moonlight. That story, which I haven’t read, is from another multi-author series and shared universe, Cauldrons and Kisses.

Zero Judgment highlights how a story is often hurt by a author’s decision to make a new book’s storyline a crossover from another universe, complete with those characters and world building, without fully laying down all the knowledge and details needed for new readers to understand and appreciate the characters, relationships in this world and local setting.

I enjoyed the story and characters and was able to see the connections that carried over from the first book but I also missed the details and depth this might have had if it would be a world unto itself.

Example of this is the character of Calix, the childhood friend who’s had a tragic history that led to him being kidnapped, becoming a prisoner and being turned into a vampire. There’s enormous amounts of information and trauma associated with Calix and his background, most of which is “off page” information. His story and character is connected to another person’s story, Nico, who turns out to be a witch. How they came to be together, there’s a significant connection between them (friendship, not romance) but hugely important to the story, but then Nicole basically disappears except for one more reoccurring scene.

But there’s enough missing narrative here for a book or two, the least of which is that Calix was a witch himself.

But the trauma, and most of the realistically induced emotional distress is done away with when the other main character makes his entrance . At The Magic Shop.

The Owner, The Magic Shop and pertinent tarot card are included in the story and get their important part to play. Quinn does a good job of incorporating the series elements into the book.

The fated mates aspect happens immediately which serves to speed up the relationship and romance between the characters of Calix and Zero, the dragon shifter/former vampire hunter.

I think, for me, the reunion part of this was my favorite and could have used further exploration and time spent on their renewed connection.

There’s a dramatic element that brings the main theme back into play but the villain and his story wasn’t really that well explored.

Overall, a nice story with potential but with an attached book that I probably should have read beforehand to get all the characters and universe firmly connected.

Cover art: Fae Quin . Fabulous as always

Cover design: Amanda Meuwissen

Tales from the Tarot- 22 books

🔷 Where Fools Have Tread by Jennifer Cody❤️

🔷The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson

🔷Cleric of Desire by Amanda Meuwissen❤️

🔷The Nephilim’s Touch by Morgan Lysand

🔷King of Hollywood by Fae Quin

🔷My Minotaur Daddy: An MM Romantasy by Laura Lascarso

🔷Across Space and Time by Kit Barrie

🔷Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason

🔷By Rude Strength ❤️by K.L. Hiers

🔷Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose

🔷Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley

🔷No Justice for the Damned by Hellie Heat

🔷The Angel’s Kiss by Nicholas Bella

🔷Death Song by B. Ripley

🔷Arcanum ❤️by Ashlyn Drewek

🔷The Devil’s Dilemma by Alex J. Adams

🔷Camelot’s Tower by Brooke Matthews

🔷A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star

❤️by Chloe Archer

🔷Trust in the Moon ❤️by Delaney Rain

🔷Raising the Sun ❤️by Eryn Hawk

🔷Zero Judgment by Kota Quinn

🔷The End of the World by Drake LaMarque

Buy link

Zero Judgment

Blurb

Zero is a tracker for the Elite Guard, the supernatural police that hunts down rogues. Zero’s number one goal was to work for the Elite and seek revenge on the vampires who killed his childhood friend.

But after so many years of moving from place to place, he wants to settle down. Zero volunteers to help guard one of the magical small towns where paranormals and humans live together openly.

He’s settled in this new town, has a life, friends, and hopefully, soon he’ll meet his mate. But what he doesn’t expect to find is his childhood friend alive and well. Except his friend isn’t alive. He’s undead, just like all the creatures he’s hunted down.

Zero Judgment is a standalone MM romance novel as part of the multi-author collaboration Tales from the Tarot. This book is based on the major arcana card Judgment.

Publication date: November 7, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 129 pages

Note: some purchasers were saying that their copies were incomplete at 75 pages or less. Some had it corrected. Pls double check your copy.

Connected to :

Love Potions and Moonlight (Cauldrons and Kisses novel) – 8 books in a multi author series

Review: Trust in the Moon (Tales from the Tarot story) by Delaney Rain

Rating: 4.5🌈

Major arcana card The Moon

Trust in the Moon (Tales from the Tarot story) by Delaney Rain was just adorable. It had just the right amount of charm, engaging characters, and a great story that had a cute little twist or two in it that made me laugh and want more.

Honestly? Miami drag queen wedding in a Colorado mountain resort setting? Yes! Add in fated mates, spicy best friends, shifters and a mystery and I just enjoyed every minute of this.

Rain did a lovely job adding in the series theme and carryover element of The Magic Shop, The Owner, and the tarot cards. In fact, here there are some things i wished had further exploration, like those volumes of family history that are passed on at the end of the book.

The author has included so many other things I really enjoyed. Other characters that caught my eye because of their personality or story (Fabian and Matt-the wedding couple, Charlie, one of the “bridesmaids”), unusual elements written into the shifts and recovery, all contributed to making me love the story and wishing that the book was longer. Or that Rain would consider making this a series in its own.

Gavril, Sacha’s little brother, needs more attention. And members of both sides of the aisle of the wedding. Just a prequel too because Fabian’s drag queen name is a thing of beauty!

So I really enjoyed Trust in the Moon (Tales from the Tarot story) by Delaney Rain. Another highly recommended book in this fantastic series.

Cover art: Fae Quin . Fabulous as always

Cover design: Amanda Meuwissen

Tales from the Tarot- 22 books

🔷 Where Fools Have Tread by Jennifer Cody❤️

🔷The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson

🔷Cleric of Desire by Amanda Meuwissen❤️

🔷The Nephilim’s Touch by Morgan Lysand

🔷King of Hollywood by Fae Quin

🔷My Minotaur Daddy: An MM Romantasy by Laura Lascarso

🔷Across Space and Time by Kit Barrie

🔷Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason

🔷By Rude Strength ❤️by K.L. Hiers

🔷Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose

🔷Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley

🔷No Justice for the Damned by Hellie Heat

🔷The Angel’s Kiss by Nicholas Bella

🔷Death Song by B. Ripley

🔷Arcanum ❤️by Ashlyn Drewek

🔷The Devil’s Dilemma by Alex J. Adams

🔷Camelot’s Tower by Brooke Matthews

🔷A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star

❤️by Chloe Archer

🔷Trust in the Moon ❤️by Delaney Rain

🔷Raising the Sun by Eryn Hawk

🔷Zero Judgment by Kota Quinn

🔷The End of the World by Drake LaMarque

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Trust in the Moon

Blurb

Fresh off of a bad breakup, Zeke Castro is done with men and love even though he’s in a resort town in Colorado for his cousin’s big gay wedding. After a ruggedly handsome man kisses him in the hotel lobby, though, Zeke realizes his heart might not be so frozen after all.

Sacha Lupescu knows he’s found his fated mate and though he’s thrilled, he already knows that his mother won’t be. He needs to find a way to change her mind while also revealing his truth to Zeke without losing him.

Secrets ruined Zeke’s last relationship, and he’s started to notice that Sacha has a lot of secrets. But when the truth finally comes out, Zeke will need to decide if he can accept that fate is real and that he has a place in a world more magical than he ever could’ve dreamed.

Trust in the Moon is a standalone MM romance novel as part of the multi-author collaboration Tales from the Tarot. This book is based on the major arcana card The Moon with elements of trust issues, instalust/instalove, a bisexual awakening, pack politics, knotting and biting, shifted shenanigans, and a happily ever after.

Publication date: October 21, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 148 pages

Review: Dewitched (Blackhaven Manor Book 12) by Arden Steele

Rating: 3.5🌈

The fated mates romance of Owen Zhas, an Accipere (an out of control syphon witch) and Felix Hohlt, Guardian, begun in the previous book What the Hex? There Owen ends up being at the center of all the magical issues and leads to the fated mate relationship of the main couple.

Owen’s a sympathetic character with a real problem that potentially makes him a danger to other magical beings around him.

It’s one of my issues with the storyline actually. Steele’s Blackhaven Manor series foundation element is that dragon magic is drawing the fated mates there at the right time to get the HEA under the right circumstances. But in this case that meant sending Owen off for a year by himself , after the dramatic events that could have seen him jailed, with his magic still out of his control. And his mindset in a worsening situation.

Yes he’s back at Halloween because of an invitation. But now he’s fearful and subdued. Steele’s written a character that realistic in his depression and isolation. But Dewitched isn’t got the length of a storyline to make that transition and fated mates work in relation to the character presented.

It’s good, got terrific elements and the potential for more is there. So it’s close. I loved the couple and the Princess. But for all his pain, we needed more.

The series continues to intrigue with people/couples like this and that’s why I read it.

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

Sequel/adjacent series:

Hunter’s Hollow:

Angels and Anarchy #1
Beauty and Bad Blood #2

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Dewitched (Blackhaven Manor Book 12)

Blurb

Ever since an unfortunate incident at Blackhaven Manor, Owen Zhas has closed himself off from the rest of the world. It’s not that he has anything against Otherlings, but he never asked to be one, and honestly, he’s barely even a witch. With no magic of his own, he’s stuck stealing it from others, whether he wants to or not. Unable to control it, he finds it easier to just avoid people altogether.

But when a certain female dragon shifter invites him to one of the hotel’s famous festivals, he can’t exactly say no.

As a Guardian, Fenix Hohlt has spent more than two decades watching over the youngest Nightstar, and when the precocious princess wants something, she usually gets it. Which is how he ends up in Colorado for the spookiest event of the year. He just never expected the journey to change the course of his future. One look at Owen, however, and he knows there is no going back.

While their first meeting went about as smooth as sandpaper, he’s determined to do whatever it takes to help Owen fight his demons. Even if that means banishing them to the deepest corners of the Underworld. He does have connections, after all.

With a hotel full of unsuspecting Otherlings, time is running out to find a solution, and he has a bad feeling things are going to get a whole lot worse before they get better.

Publisher: PECCAVI PRESS (October 20, 2024)
Publication date: October 20, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 119 pages

Review: Soar (Wings ‘N’ Wands Book 3) by AJ Sherwood, Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 3.5🌈

I’m not sure if Soar is the end of the Wings ‘N’ Wands series but it does read as if it is. With all the previous couples and all the dragon clans and mages being present here in one role or another , it’s got the essence of a finale story. Especially that epilogue and speech.

So that’s how I will treat it. I’ve enjoyed reading the three stories immensely, with Sam and Dimitri’s probably being my favorite (Ruins). So it’s fitting that Soar concludes with a return to Sam’s story by way of his twin brother, Salem, a pediatric surgeon in the US.

Salem’s in Brazil for a celebration for his brother, Sam and Dimitri, meets ice dragon Gregori, and after a fabulous one night stand, finds himself with a fated mate he doesn’t want.

There’s several aspects of the story I enjoyed and others I didn’t connect with as well. It starts with the main characters and storyline. If you consider Sam and Dimitri’s (my favorite) , the elements in Ruins are similar but Sam’s character is far more appealing. Sam’s magical core is broken but Salem’s isn’t. So while Sam and Dimitri’s relationship dynamic is reflective of the same snark and behavior that Salem and Gregori demonstrate to begin with, the issues they faced, the dangers and unknown terrain made their journey more complex, and their struggles more understandable in emotional terms.

However , while many of us could understand not wanting to overturn our lives, jobs etc, it’s Sam’s continued conflicting and often abrasive or self-centered towards Gregori that’s the issue. The authors made it an important part of his character, a factor that left me feeling less than invested in his life and journey. The authors may have wanted to separate his character from his twin but it felt as though they went as far as they could in the opposite direction, sympathetically speaking. He’s just not as relatable with his constant references to himself and his actions as being a “a-hole” or something in that sense. Not that he’s wrong as he’s written. The narrative makes vague mentions as to some bad relationships in his past but the authors give no evidence of any, nothing to suggest that outright nastiness that’s been ongoing.

Yes, no one wants to overturn their lives. So communication is key. Doesn’t happen. Gregori is given more depth and better communication skills. He’s seen expanding his social circle and committing to the community. We get one well rounded character and one that needs more dimension to him.

Same unbalanced aspects of the storyline and relationship occur when (spoiler alert) Gregori starts to feel ill. Why he does is a well written element of the book.

Again Salem’s responses doesn’t always match a physician’s ethic. Although, it was a narrative choice to have Salem choose to become a doctor/pediatric surgeon because of his competitive nature with his brother. Salem is written as excellent doctor, however he began.

The comparisons do add up. For me, Sam’s a problematic factor throughout the book. Right up almost to the end.

There’s some thrilling scenes of flying dragons, additional dragon information about clans and physiology, and a grand reunion of all the dragons and mages we’ve gotten to know at the finish. I adore that.

I don’t know if there’s going to be any further stories in this universe. They’ve entered a new age. I’m sure new characters will be coming out and asked to be heard. But probably not here.

If you love dragons , instant fated mates, and fantasy love stories, check out the series as well as the fantastic series that started it, Scales ’N’ Spells . Ruins remains my favorite of this series, as does its couple. But read this for that ending and to see everyone once again. Plus dragon twins! Adorable.

Happy reading.

Cover by Katie Griffin.

Scales ’N’ Spells Series

Origin #1
Breath #2
Wish: A Novella #3
Blood #4
Embers #5

Wings ’N’ Wands :

Dawn: A Prequel Novella (Ha Na and King Rodrigo)
Ruins #1 – Sam and Dimitri’s book
Rise #2 – Vasily & Luka & Amura
Soar #3 – Salem and Gregori

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Soar (Wings ‘N’ Wands Book 3)

blurb

Salem’s guide to making a dragon break up with him:

Step 1: Don’t sleep with him. (No, seriously, don’t.) And definitely don’t let him into your apartment, he won’t leave.

Step 2: Deny being mates and don’t fall in love with him.

…Step one and two failed. Gregori is too stubborn and irresistable.

Salem is currently taking suggestions that don’t involve giving in to his feelings.

(Please note, do not try making the dragon jealous. Jealousy sex is too much fun and cannot be resisted. This will backfire.)

Tags:

One-night stand, ha! just kidding, surgeons be stubborn, no seriously Salem is the king of stubborn, Gregori is stubborn too, how to woo a reluctant mage 101, idiots to lovers, idiots to still idiots, no change on that front, ice dragons can burn up the sheets, more dragon cuddles, broken magic, Brazil, medical magic, mate fog can be dangerous, Rodrigo despairs of his dragons, Ha Na is Very Disappointed, that scares everyone, Sam is ready to throat punch Salem, Russian food is magical, all the cameos, age of mages, Ravi and his twins haven’t burned down the world, yet, 3 a.m. is a perfectly valid time for naked bonding ceremonies

Publication date: October 18, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 312 pages

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