V.L. Locey has written a new MM fantasy romance in The Pastel Prince, the first novel in her Crowns of Melowynn series.
Itās an age gap, slow burn romantasy thatās setting the stage and foundation for the world and stories to follow.
Locey has managed a magical horrifying journey, a terrifying mystery, an epic adventure, and a developing relationship to engage the readerās imagination and hold our attention.
Mages, elves, pixies, and various other creatures and types of magical elements that will continue to be explored as the series deepens its knowledge of the political system and its history, little of which is set down here.
Kenton, the young Druid and Beirach , the archdruid , were a solid well written couple and strong start to a new series.
If you love fantasy romance, check them out and this series from VL Locey!
Kenton, a young druid prince, feels trapped in the bustling city life, a world away from the forests of his birth. Despite his royal duties keeping him tethered to the urban sprawl, his spirit remains tangled with the whispering trees and the ancient, mystical rhythms of the forest. But when a sinister threat endangers his peopleās land and lives, Kenton embarks on a perilous journey to track down a powerful and ancient being; the lone archdruid powerful enough to stop the darkness.
Only, Beirach is nothing like the archdruids of old tales. Instead of withered and world-weary, he is younger than expected, vital, and has a magnetic charm that Kenton canāt ignore. Thrown together by fate and bound by a shared mission, Kenton and Beirach find themselves in the heart of a battle to save nature. As the dark mageās shadow looms over the forest, they fight together and find a love as raw and wild as the forest itself.
The Pastel Prince is an M/M age gap romantasy set in a faraway land with magicks and mythical beasts, a belligerent pixie, a young druid on an epic quest, an older archdruid whoās not as washed up as he thought, Elven castles, long glances over a campfire, and a fey-tastic happily-ever-after.
Deliciously demented! Alice Winters has another great book and character with A Simple Mistake, the first novel in her new Deadly Mistakes series.
Dark humor and psychopathic main characters are my jam. That makes Wintersā A Simple Mistake and Homicide Det Liam Paige, the psychopath whoās one delicious side of this two POV narrative definitely my new favorite. The other voice being the , shakes head, engagingly normal, law abiding Detective Gabriel Hyde and his cat,Lucille Pawl aka Lucy Fur.
Clearly you see what side I fall on.
Liamās POV and dialogue, clearly non empathetic as it should be unless it relates to Gabriel, often had me cackling. My enjoyment ran deep. And Winters, while laying down the traumatic scenes and background for Liam, doesnāt ask us or Liam for remorse or for him to change his behavior or actions. He simply is what he is. Itās only from Gabriel that heās slightly willing to make alterations.
Iāll be so fascinated to see how this dynamic evolves as the series and their relationship develops.
The murderer and the investigations are complex, wonderfully detailed and constructed. Winters built so much suspense, intelligent psychological drama and horror into a story with equal amounts of gleeful dialogue and great action that itās a must read!
Alice Winters is an auto buy and this fantastic book is just one more reason why. Highly recommended!
Great characters, fantastic writing, excellent story. Win, win, win.
Weirdly, people donāt react overly well when youāre caught standing over the dead body of a murderer whoād walked free.
Itās not that I thought my fellow homicide detective would rejoice when he saw what Iād done, but is a pat on the back too much to ask for? Maybe a gold star at the very least?
The problem is that the person who caught me is Gabriel, the only person I care for and adoreā¦ and heās prepared to look the other way if I leave homicide and promise to never kill again. Yet when Gabriel gets taken by a serial killer, thereās absolutely no way I can sit back while this parasite takes what is mine.
But what the killer doesnāt know is that Iām coming for him and that I would destroy the world to keep Gabriel safe. After all, who could hunt a serial killer better than another one?
Gabriel
Drawing Liam back into homicide is the last thing I thought Iād ever do, but the killer is picking off my fellow detectives, and the only way weāre going to make it out of this is with Liam heading the case (even if thereās oneāor fiveācoworkers heād rather not save).
Liam is smart, sarcastic, and the most dangerous man Iāve ever met, and yet I canāt look awayāeven if he calls my adorable cat Lucy Fur. No one has any idea just how far Liam will go for me, especially not the killer, who wonāt realize until too late that the prey he hunts is actually a predator.
A Spell for Heartsickness (The Rune Tithe #1) by Alastair Reeves is a fantasy romance or romantasy written by an author Iāve never read before.
The story is preceded by a lengthy authorās note, which I always read. This one was informative, but somewhat overly detailed, especially equating curses to debilitating illnesses. More on this later.
For two thirds of this story, Reeves had me absorbed into the lives of the characters and the magical mysteries of the island of Coill Darragh. Thereās well crafted engaging ghost witch, Gretchen. Sheās a character with a huge role here, as well as part of a horrific mystery needed to solve thatās got multiple layers to it.
The main characters start out astonishingly well. Witch Briar Wyngraveās personality and character is reflected by his painful reality and dire circumstances. Heās cursed which has resulted in a incurable physical illness . And Briar wants to achieve his life goals within a certain time period.
The history and the ramifications of this curse will be revealed slowly by events and by Briar, the narrator of the story. How Briar handles living with his increasingly debilitating physical condition, the impact of his curse has on his life emotionally and mentally, is very well written. It helps bring him closer to the readerās perspective, understanding his mindset as he deals with his life as the curse worsens.
However , thereās a flip side to this approach. As the only pov , to stay connected, Briarās actions need to be relatable and consistent with his personality and storytelling. . By making Briar carry the sole responsibility and weight of this narrative, the author risks losing some appeal to the readers when Briarās actions become either mind numbingly inconceivable (read SMH dumb) or ones certain readers wonāt get over (like knowingly sleeping with the villain).
That starts to happen just as heās gotten to the point this reader was able to understand his background and his new positive life choices.
The others characters , including damaged Rowan , the mysteriously scarred alderman,his wonderful sister and her family, are fantastic in their vivid characters and beautifully crafted locations. Plus letās not forget Gretchen, the ghost witch whose involvement starts strong and then storyline goes sideways. Thatās a real shame.
The wild, enraged magical forest, the angry vines, all these elements are wonderfully brought to life, vibrant and horrifying.
I wish I could say the same about the villain. From the moment he appears heās got a capital V stamped on him that inescapable. Itās a matter of oh yeah, there the bad guy immediately which makes Briarās actions even worse.
So thereās much here to enjoy and admire. Thereās also quite a bit of elements in the characters and storytelling that make the narrative puzzling and less appealing.
If the author and their books are in your TBR folder, add this to it.
In this charming MM romantic fantasy, cursed witch Briar Wyngrave has a date with destinyābut isnāt totally sure which man that date is with.
Witch Briar Wyngraveās time is limited. The wasting curse that killed his mother is coming for him too, consuming his magic bit by bit. At least heāll have the chance to make his name as a magical fashion designer with an elite placement in Pentawynn, the countryās glittering capital, after graduation. Until, that is, a prophecy sends him to the remote island of Coill Darragh instead, in search of a predestined lover with a mysterious mask.
When Briar arrives with his grumpy magpie familiar, Vatii, he finds an unwelcoming town, a murdered poltergeist named Gretchen in his apartment, and a handsome alderman named Rowan with a haunting scar. He also gets pulled into the mysterious magic of the darkly enchanted forest that surrounds the town and seems to have something to do with his curse . . . As if all that werenāt enough, famous witch Linden Fairchild has come to town, complete with a charismatic smile, an unreadable aura, and a surefire plan to cure curses.
Howās a cursed witch to know which enchanting man is his destiny? And can Briar possibly make an impact as a magical fashion designer in this tiny town? One thing is certain: a witchās magic requires a titheāa berry, a feather, a cut into fleshāand Coill Darragh may take tithes Briar isnāt ready to give . . .
Cursebreakers, Inc is a series that has released books 1 and 2 in the terrific new paranormal fantasy romances from the authors known as A.M. Rose. Sexy, fascinating, dystopian in the world setting, magical and often horrifying, Rose grabbed me from the beginning of this novel.
The Cursebreakers, a group of men (in this case) who are born with a mark that lets the magical governing agency know what they are and what they might be capable of magically as they develop. The history and backgrounds of each Cursebreaker is relayed by the characters in their stories, in most cases not very pleasant ones. And, as we find out in Book 2, how exactly this group was formed.
Like a House on Fire sets down the basic foundations of the world and agency. Itās a tantalizing framework that immediately begs for more exploration and detailed knowledge because of the defining features Rose lets us see through the lens of their creations.
The first of the Cursebreakers is Ash, who has an affinity with fire and fighting. Heās impulsive and highly skilled in a certain type of curses as is everyone in their group. Each having a specific skill set or sets of magical abilities to breaking curses.
Itās a two person POV, and the magical drama, which is horrifyingly subtle at first, is built skillfully as the scenes bounce between the two protagonists.
Morgan and his bff, Brea, arrive at a dilapidated house heās just inherited by an aunt he barely knew. Itās not an ordinary house, fyi. Various things happen and heās trapped inside.
In a panic, Brea calls the Cursebreakers and Ash is sent to handle whatās assumed to be a simple case. Itās not.
From the central point of a strange situation, an unknown magical force which happens to be a house, Rose writes a novel that tells multiple stories. Ash and Morgan develop into fascinating layered characters, people with depths able to develop different aspects of their personalities as they explore and deal with each new frightening situation.
Then thereās all the magical elements, the spells and craftwork, the tools and techniques created to enhance the characters and world building. Itās remarkable and feels believable in such a dark fantasy environment.
As the terror and suspense keeps multiplying, more series knowledge and intense magical energy becomes available that pulls in other members of the Cursebreakers so we meet them and lays a foundation for new plots going forward.
Thereās a trigger warning for people with issues with tight spaces and claustrophobia. Take note because I found parts, ok many parts, of this story terrifying.
I just was so invested in this story and the characters. A definite page turner and a must read for all lovers of paranormal or fantasy dark romance.
Right, soā¦letās see how he got himself in this mess.
An estranged family member left him a house. Which is great. The house looks like itās a soft breeze away from crumbling. Less great. The house is cursed and now Morgan is trapped inside it. Anything BUT great.
Cursebreaker, please! And make him hot. Morganās been through a lot.
Herbs? Check. Fire? Check. Being the best at his job and knowing it? Double effing check.
Ash had everything he needed to get his client out of a cursed house. So how in the world did he get himself trapped inside with him? Why is the house so against them leaving? And why is his client the hottest thing since wildfire?
Time for a new plan.
One that involves breaking the curse, and breaking the bed. Not necessarily in that order.
Author V.L. Locey is off to a terrific start on her new paranormal romance series with Kestrel & Kee (Paranormal Investigators) The Siren of Lake Killikee.
It begins with Archimedes Kee āArchieā Kee , Asian American, who helps run his grandfatherās failing family business, Keeās Book Store in Liverswell, MA. Archie can interact with ghosts, a family gift passes down through generations thatās now especially relevant as Archieās current location has several resident ghosts to converse with.
Thereās Reggie, who died in 1778, he haunts the bookstore, reads the latest books, and considers himself part of the establishment and family. Also the ghosts in the streets,along with a spectral cat that comes and goes, as cats do.
But itās the living that have issues to contend with, bills to pay, and Archieās fluency in Mandarin brings him a handsome college football player, Phil Kestrel ,seeking help and a tutor for his Asian studies class.
Archie and Philās developing relationship is wonderful, especially when Phil is let in on the truth about Archieās gift and the bookstoreās resident ghosts. As the plot switches over into a investigation into the mysterious presence in the lake, and what it means for the townās inhabitants (living and non-corporeal), it picks up speed but starts to lose some depth in the background and plot.
I liked how Locey created and then wove in the various ethnic languages and historical references from the town to make the paranormal stories and investigations the deepest, and saddest part of the story. It could have been even more detailed, but perhaps that is going to be part of the next book. Itās certainly got my attention. And it introduces certain families of the town who might have a part to play in future stories as well.
Most of my quibbles have to do with the relationship between Archie and Phil, and Archieās gift. Archie and Phil are just getting to know each other, they admit that they really like each other, which seems reasonable and , actually quite adorable.
But, as in too many stories Iāve read, they jump immediately into the āI love you ā conversation and confessions stage which hadnāt, imo, had a the same amount of narrative time or believable aspect to their relationship that other elements had. Really like on the way to something else? Yes, absolutely. Instant love? No. That case wasnāt made. Especially when thereās so much else going on around them.
And we really know very little about Phil here. Whatās the background on him?
So in Kestrel & Kee (Paranormal Investigators) The Siren of Lake Killikee I feel that V.L. Locey is setting up a terrific location, characters and themes for a new adventure and series. Thereās so much she wants to lay down that not all got fully developed or explained, just put in place for future adventures and books to make use of. I absolutely adore Archie , his grandfather, Reggie, and look forward to learning more about Phil and the rest of the town.
This is a definite recommend for lovers of paranormal romance.
One speaks to the dead, the other talks to everyone else. Both have hearts that are whispering to each otherās.
Archimedes Kee has always had the gift. From his youngest days, he has been able to communicate with the dearly departed. Most of the time, they seek him as a way to correct wrongs or for help moving over to the next plane. Some just want to complain about badly written books. Generally, he does his best to aid the stranded spirits as he juggles working part-time at his grandfatherās bookstore, a job he adores, with attending a local college. Stuck in the grind of the day-to-day, he is totally unprepared for the arrival of Phil Kestrel, who blows into the shop like a hurricane with his blond hair, blue eyes, and unparalleled exuberance.
For the first time in forever, Archie canāt pull back into the protective shell he has learned to keep up. Phil is not only a charmingly sweet and sexy man, but heās also slowly winning Archieās heart one 80ās song at a time. After witnessing an unearthly book club meeting late one night the football star slash film major discovers Archieās secret and proposes a plan. They make a ghost hunter show for extra credit and to bring much-needed foot traffic to the old bookstore. The plan has merit, so they seek out a local legend and face off against an anguished soul who puts their new bond to the test.
Kestrel and Kee – The Siren of Lake Killikee is an opposites attract queer paranormal romance starring a shy medium, a gregarious footballer, a resident bookstore specter with a decidedly wicked mind, one otherworldly feline, a small town filled with ghostly goings on, an elderly family member eager to play matchmaker, a haunted lake, and a spirited happy ending.
Nik Knightās new rom-com urban fantasy new novel and the first installment in her new series is utterly stunning. Passing Through Purgatory: Passing Through Cafe #1 by Nik Knight caught my eye by that cover and then by the description.
But the actual story surpassed all my expectations by being not just a great story, but one that brought such immensely diverse, believable cast of characters, human and otherworldly. Each with their own unique and fully defined sense of being. Complete physical elements, emotional and spiritual elements, and often, as I think Knight will explore further, some hurtful, damaging aspects to their background and histories in the Hell Universe (just another world where trains run late and bigotry exists that feels very familiar).
The universe and characters are ones I connected with immediately. It starts with human Oliver Barnes, living in Chicago with friends (love Jude). He goes for a job interview in Greed district of Hellās Pentagram but in one realistic scenario (even if itās in Purgatory), he misses his train.
And in doing so, finds something else that is, everything he could possibly want. But first he needs to go through the doors of the Passing Through Cafe.
There Knight gives us the most chaotic place, a cafe of owners and employees who will become Oliverās found family. Each one such a distinctive being who quickly find a place in our hearts. I found myself forgetting that the lovable Gem, is an Araknis (think spider with a great butt) as well as many eyes and arms. After a while, it was Gem, who actually had a fragility about him that endeared him even more. Same thing with Rusty the Pyclon, a pink walking Care Bear with a snarky attitude that hides a damaged past. I mean thereās
Tad the Anura, a tough dishwasher,
Willow the empath dyad whoās a baker assistant to the fabulously gorgeous Glyma the succubus baker.
And Zef the asexual winged Mantodea , who is sometimes a drag Queen and cafe greeter, along with the handful, handsome demon Toni the Elas.
Quinn, owner and partner to Glyma, along with Bob, a question mark of a species who lives in the office and resembles a bug, complete the cafe found family.
It seems like a lot, but how Knight introduces them to Oliver (and the reader) folds them beautifully into his new dynamic and the world view we are seeing. Their lives and respective personalities as well as personal backgrounds will start to be revealed the more Oliver becomes a deeply entrenched part of their lives.
Because the Hell world has its intricacies as far as status, bigotry, speciesism, and itās divided along racial or specific lines and into territories. This element is still being explored. But the basic concept is laid down and itās ugly in its reality. And how it impacts our little group.
I look forward to seeing what happens next. Because while there are scenes of absolute hilarity here, thereās some of moments of such pain, of past history thatās so bad that itās unmentionable. Both hit hard because weāve come to care so much about our group of characters.
And that includes the final one I havenāt mentioned yet. Liel Karakis the Gymnot lawyer from the Greed district. Heās the one that Oliver falls for. A fantastic relationship and romance, but albeit not human in its sexual scenes. As it should be because Liel isnāt human. But for Oliver, itās the person who matters, not the body. And Knight has been as imaginative in this element as she is in every other aspect of the story.
Beautifully executed and well done.
Iāll end this saying I was so excited to see the narrative flow to the ranch, every part of that storyline, and the family. A glimpse into the Christmas visit would be amazing, because you know the gang is going to have to go too. Just saying, pretty please?
I honestly need Gratification in Gluttony now. I highly recommend this and the author. Just fabulous.
When Oliver applied for a job in the Hell dimension on a whim, he didnāt expect it to turn his whole worldāor his heartāentirely upside down.
Recently graduated at twenty-six, and two months behind on rent, Oliver Barnes is desperate. So desperate, in fact, that he applies for a job in the Greed district of Hellās Pentagram. But when he misses his train and, subsequently, his job interview, he stumbles, instead, upon a strange little coffee shop in the middle of Purgatoryās barren desertāand into an unexpected opportunity.
It isnāt the job he came to Hell for, but maybe itās exactly the job he needs.
As he navigates the demon dimension and tries to survive the ridiculous shenanigans of his unholy co-workers, Oliver soon falls head-over-ass for a tentacled lawyer with electric fingers and a deadly-sharp grin. Together, they discover that, sometimes, love and happiness can be just a train ride away.
Join Oliver and the rest of the eccentric staff of The Passing Through Cafe in Nik Knightās new rom-com urban fantasy series, full of found family, embarrassing encounters, spicy situations, and love that crosses dimensions.
Mel Aitchess isnāt an author Iāve read often, if ever before, but based on how much I enjoyed His Mate By Vengeance, Iām adding Aitchess to my list of musts.
This is the first book in a new paranormal fated mate crime family romance series (thatās a mouthful), and I loved it.
His Mate By Vengeance (Lunetti Pack, #1) by Mel Aitchess has individual mobs/packs of werewolves, vampires, witches, each with their own crime bosses, etc, all living their best criminal lives alongside an oblivious human society. Thereās a very cool map included of the City and distinct territories.
Aitchess does an excellent job of laying out the disputes that are occurring, internally whether from political or power struggles , or from outside factors that are affecting the various criminal families. The author does this, through the well written characters and their interactions, but also with revelations about their history through dialogue with others.
Itās a multi dimensional narrative that gives the reader beautifully balanced characters that inhabit a developing universe along with a growing mystery.
The main characters? Hot, so so hot. Equally emotionally damaged, murderously skilled, insanely sexy, with horrendous past histories that make them a perfect fit. Assassin Vampire to guardian werewolf. Thatās both Vin, the vampire assassin, and Angelo, the adopted werewolf protector of the Lunetti pack. Theirs is a fated mate enemy to lover romance thatās one I easily engaged with and found that I not only enjoyed the relationship but the storylines being built up around them.
That includes Marco, the Alphaās, and the next book to be released, His Mate By Resistance, which is Lucaās story .
Iām absolutely looking forward to reading this.
Final notes. These are crime families so expect certain events or elements to happen. See warnings. No mpreg.
I have lived for centuries. I have used and been used. Had countless lovers. And I have never wanted more. Not once. Not until today. Not until you.
Angelo is a protectorāhead of the Lunetti Pack’s security. He walks a delicate line avoiding the darker side of his mafia shifter pack’s business, but there’s no grey area in his hatred of vampires. Not after what they did to his family. When his Alpha orders him to keep one safe, it takes everything in him to obey. So, why is his wolf so intoxicated by the sassy vampire assassin’s scent permeating the safe house? And did there have to be only one damn bed?
Vin doesn’t know who’s trying to frame him for the bombing targeting the head of the local vampire coven, but he’s got the skills and ruthlessness to figure it out. When he called in a favour for somewhere to lay low, he hadn’t intended it to come equipped with a wolf shifter bodyguard, but he isn’t complaining. Angelo is as easy on the eyes as he is to rile up. Seduction is a game and Vin’s always loved a challenge. Until Angelo does something no one ever has before. He cares.
Now, all bets are off. Angelo is his.
His Mate By Vengeance is a steamy enemies to lovers, fated mates, MM paranormal romance between a grumpy wolf shifter and a murder sunshine vampire assassin. It features forced proximity, only one bed, and knotting. There is no mpreg in this world.
The Witchās Grumpy Dragon is the sequel weāve been waiting for since Notaro introduced the new location and itās characters to us in the wonderful book, The Wolf’s (Un) Lucky Fae from the Fortune Favors The Fae series.
There those side characters cried out for their own stories and romances amidst a magical world that was in a societal crisis of class and speciesism.
That lead in book showed us the perspective of those, the Fae, who are a distinct lower class and Remi who is among those who try to help them.
Here the view of society is flipped, weāre seeing it from the top of the government and society. Or rather as itās been viewed by its ruler, Dragon king shifter Garrick Von Stein, his friend/right hand Roman, and then by the one they hire to help them.
Thatās Remi Ellwoodās best friend, Tanyl āTanā Helegolor, a powerful witch with death magic. Along with his fabulous familiar, Orangelica, his bonded one, Notaro sets the reader up for a fantastic mated relationship and high new fantasy adventure.
Thereās a heartbreaking story behind the King, a fated mate romance, some real magical battles that are just amazing, and a great cast of characters, past, present, and new to keep the reader totally engaged with the many storylines and relationships as they develop.
Thereās a critical, very emotional divide within the society here, and the turnaround that needs to happen, by the King and in the current administration to effect change, thatās addressed in the book. Notaro is realistic in acknowledging that believable change is slow moving however forward everything else is occurring. I love it when an author keeps all the threads complete and throughly explored in the narrative. So well written.
I canāt wait for the next book to come out. Thatās an intriguing pair , Anton the vampire and Keryth, a fae related to Bel, that was actually set up in Bel and Remiās book and has a mystery about them thatās been following them throughout the series. Need it now.
I highly recommend reading this and the books I have listed below as leads to the universe. And the author, who is an auto read for me.
Happy reading!
Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala:
The Witchās Grumpy Dragon #1
The Vampire’s Delicious Fae #2 – Sept 9,2025
Connected series and stories:
š·The Wolf’s (Un) Lucky Fae (Fortune Favors The Fae) – Remi and Belās story ā¤ļø
š·The Enchanterās Flame (The Ellwood Chronicles I) – Ailin and Sebās storyā¤ļø
I have never in my life met anyone as infuriating as that dragon. So then why do I keep wanting to spend time with him?
Step One: Find a gorgeous guy. Check.
Step Two: Talk to said gorgeous guy. Check.
Step Three: Try not to strangle him. Uhā¦ do I really have to check this one? Because I really want to wrap my fingers around hisāugh.
Garrick Von Stein is the most frustrating person Iāve ever met, and yet, as soon as he calls me for help, I jump right in. Every single time. Why? I have no idea. I mean, I really do like to look at the dragon shifter king, but that doesnāt explain this strange pull, this need, I feel to be near him.
He doesnāt even like meābelieve me, Iād knowābut for some reason he trusts me. And the weirdest thing of all? I trust him too.
Now if only we could find a way to work together to keep him and everyone else safe.
The Witchās Grumpy Dragon is Book 1 of the new 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. But don’t worry, there will be some cameos along the way.
Well, that was just hilarious. And sexy. And a fabulous way to jump into a brand new paranormal series and group of amazing characters written by K.L. Hiers.
Werewolves Hate Clogs is such an entertaining and engaging read. Hiers creates in Othniel āNeilā Ricci , a relatable, appealing character. Neilās a bit at loose ends, so heās come for the summer to help his traveling Uncle run his flower shop, Uranian Flora in Somerton. Itās a city known for its azalea festivals and past criminal history.
It also has some very unique qualities that its hiding along with its citizenry.
Hier slowly builds a strong, fascinating and, well, the strangest paranormal found family Iāve read recently. And I adore it. All centered around a growing kinky romance between Neil and Lou Morenas-Mostro, werewolf , as well as an involved mystery that affects the entire paranormal community itself.
Neil, Lou, Louās very scary family that Iām certain will be explored in coming books, and ,my favorites, the entire found family of The Reliquary, a magical bracelet , as well as that shop, I just didnāt want the book to end.
Honestly any story that contains the phrase
ā Wang wizardry equals roasty toastyā is a book I certainly needed to have on my must read list! Love , love, this!
Crocs, battles, fabulous dialogue, sexy scenes, and found crazy family ! Definitely a book and series Iām taking to heart.
You should too. Highly recommended. Plus what a great cover.
Need that next book soon.
Pls note itās a mate romance with bdsm D/s elements in it.
Cover Art by Christina Record of Itsy Bitsy Scissors
Othniel āNeilā Ricci has a sweet new gig working at his uncle’s flower shopāgood hourly pay, free room and board, and he has absolutely no idea that the city is apparently infested with monsters.
Neil finds himself at odds with an entire monster family, their rebellious enemies, and his own growing attraction to Lou. He hopes he lives long enough to find out if their explosive chemistry can lead to something real, but first he has to make sure he doesnāt end up as monster kibble.
E.J. Russell begins a new series, Ghost Townies, with Ghostridden, a wonderful paranormal mystery that introduces the delightful denizens, mysteriously quirky history of this remote small town thatās Ghost, Oregon.
It begins when ghostwriter Maz Amani, accompanied by his ginger cat Gilgamesh, arrives at the house he inherited from an Uncle Oren he barely knew.
That house, a gorgeous Queen Anne, is its own character and promptly becomes a magnet as it pulls in neighbors and townsfolk to meet the new owner.
Russell does such a splendid job building a sense of community by way a of a great cast of characters. Each one has a special role and warmth to them, whether itās Tia Sophia, Saul Pasternak and Jerry McHale and their daughter, Taryn, to the other shop owners, these are folk we want to know and spend time with.
The main characters too. Maz Amani who so desperately wants a home, finds himself in the middle of a mystery. The story of the house he inherited is more than it appears. I love that we discover along with Maz as he learns about the house, the couple (his Uncle included), and the town through research and revelations. Some bittersweet and heartfelt.
Thereās a few elements that caught me off guard. In one point in a conversation, Maz says
āAre you taking the piss?ā
This is a distinctly UK/English phrase, definitely not one youād hear an American say. So its appearance in a dialogue, from an American to another, in this context is very jarring and took me out of the moment.
Another is that I felt the āvillainā of this book was easily tagged. While the motivation behind the villainy isnāt clear until the end (great dramatic scenes), I feel I knew the āwhoā straight away.
Not a bad element because we get that wonderful storytelling about Avi and Oren in between, and itās amazing.
I hope for much more of this going forward. Of the main couple and characters too. I think this will be a great series.
When ghostwriter Maz Amani inherits a house from an uncle heās never heard of, he offers heartfelt thanks to the universe, packs up his car, his cat, and his skepticism about mysterious uncles leaving all their worldly goods to unknown nephews, and high-tails it to a small town halfway to the Oregon coast.
Anything would be better than week after week of couch surfing his way around Portland. Even if the alleged house is a rundown shack ridden with termites, spiders, andāshudderārats, heāll deal. Because hey, he owns a house!
And when his legacy turns out to be a pristine Queen Anne beauty with nary a termite, spider, or rat in sight, heās ready to stand the universe unlimited vodka shots.
Except not so fast.
Because instead, his house is ridden with something a little more on-brand for a place called Ghostā¦
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 