Tag: friends to lovers

Review: Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms by Lindsey Devin

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Honestly, stop with the cover traps. Yes, put a Belgian Malinois or GSD on it and yes, I’m going to pick it up. It’s a given. And the authors known as Lindsey Devin fills the story with them. 

Really? Sigh. 

Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms by Lindsey Devin is an absolutely adorable urban fantasy romance that sealed the deal for me with the dog that was main character all the way through the tale, a retired veteran service dog, a gentleman of enormous charm and character, Max.

Quinn Bradley, the overworked law intern, was another delightful aspect of the story. Layered, independent, intelligent and resourceful, along with Max, she worked realistically (as one does with dragons and otherworldly beings) in her professional role as well as feeling like a partner here in her relationships with Max and her friends. I so thoroughly enjoyed her conversations with everyone and her dynamic. 

Rafe Virelli is a nice change from some of the other types of dragons that appear in these books as is his family. The background and ongoing storyline with his mother is handled so beautifully, and realistically. There’s no miracle here but the acceptance of her continued condition and their love for her. And his father’s love for his wife. 

The way that the story ends is perfect imo. I was thrilled when it ended here, and not in the expected direction of most romances. That wouldn’t make sense given the circumstances and time constraints. 

With Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms by Lindsey Devin there are so many great narrative choices made by the authors that, combined, give this book a fantastic energy and a great story. 

Highly recommended! Honestly, that cover! Going to show it to my dog right now! She has opinions. 

If anyone knows who the cover artist is, please let me know. 

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comNobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms

Blurb 

Rafe Virelli has spent his whole life watching his family’s history disappear piece by piece — sold, stolen, and scattered across a city that doesn’t know or care what it’s holding. He’s down to one missing relic and no leads, until his law firm’s intern shows up wearing it.

Quinn Bradley didn’t mean to become the reason a half-dragon shifter starts showing up at her office. She definitely didn’t mean to negotiate her way onto his case, get pulled into rigged auctions and museum standoffs, or end up in the middle of an actual heist when a rival collector decides Rafe’s family relics are worth killing for.

She just wanted a law degree and a dog with a stable temperament. Instead she got a client who fixes her door locks at midnight, a dragon who’d burn down a mansion for her, and a front-row seat to exactly how far someone will go to protect what’s left of their family.

The relics can be replaced. This can’t.

Enemies-to-allies-to-lovers. Workplace romance. High-stakes recovery plot. Guaranteed HEA.

 

Review: Philippa Flynn’s Year of Panic and Piracy by Jacqueline Firkins

  

Rating : 4.75⭐️

I’ve had a great run of recommendations lately that have resulted in not only some fantastic stories but also discovering writers I’ve never read before. 

   

Philippa Flynn’s Year of Panic and Piracy by Jacqueline Firkins is one of these, a beautifully written, heartfelt contemporary story about a woman’s journey to reconfigure her life after a typical bike ride into work nearly turns tragic. It shocks her into rethinking her current career and life. 

And she makes a sea change. One that comes with disapproving parents, realistic struggles, and emotional difficulties. Financial issues too. 

Philippa Flynn is so relatable. Intelligent, the one sibling who is the outlier in her uber successful family in her career choices as a history professor and her single life. And an unexpected event is about to happen to shake her life up in ways no one would have imagined.

Except perhaps for her grandmother, who left her a storied house, its contents, and a pirate ship by the sea. 

As well as a surprise inside the house in the form of a tenant. 

Firkins’ characters are so realistic and richly emotional. Their histories and their struggles with their families and their current situation. Just their initial impressions, and awkward conversations, funny and so beautifully crafted in its raw language and realness. 

And as Philippa and Dylan navigate through their slow journey to a romantic relationship and partnership, fighting family and fears, the reader has become entrenched in their lives, rooted into their journey and emotionally invested in the outcome.

I loved the story. And could have stayed with them for longer. 

And I’ll definitely be seeking out more of this author’s work. 

Highly recommended.

Cover design and illustration by Philip Pascuzzo 

Cover image: MarinaDreams / Getty

Other Books by this author:

Hearts, Strings, and Other Breakable Things 

How Not to Fall in Love 

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned 

The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch 

The Goode Girls of Maple Lane

Buy link:

https://www.amazon.com/Jacqueline-Firkins/e/B07SSJGYWW/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Blurb 

An introverted history professor and a former romance cover model collaborate on a life-changing endeavor in a witty and swoonworthy novel about new beginnings in unexpected waters.

When a sinkhole nearly swallows her whole, burned-out history professor Philippa Flynn takes it as a wake-up call. Leaving her carefully planned but unfulfilling life behind, she moves into an old seaside house she inherited from her grandmother, a bestselling author of swashbuckling romances. 

Philippa expects the clutter, disrepair, proximity to the family she deliberately moved away from, and reclusive writer she’ll be sharing the house with. She doesn’t expect that writer to also be the cover model who personified Iris Flynn’s bare-chested, cavalier-booted pirate king.

While navigating their awkward cohabitation and searching for creative inspiration, the pair discovers the outlines for six more novels they could work on together. But Philippa’s used to facts, Dylan has writer’s block, and neither can craft a love scene while real sparks are flying.

To write the story on the page, Philippa will have to embrace the one she’s living, even if it means swapping tenure for treasure maps and plans for pirate kings.

Review:  Wolf Blood (At First Bite #2) by Lola Glass 

Rating: 4⭐️

Wolf Blood, the second book in this series, is one I feel is the better story here. 

It’s still an interesting take on the vampire species although I’m not entirely sold on the idea that vampires are a weaker species than werewolves which they are here. 

Walk about in daylight? Check. Drink blood from bags, but not often? Check. Move swiftly and gracefully? Check. But strength? That’s not really certain what it is. So they’re very pretty, model like species who drink blood and are reviled by everyone else for their actions in the previous war. 

Here it’s Harper, Bloom’s best friend, who’s bitten and turned against her will (from the first book). She also in her violent feeding frenzy, attacks a coworker that launched a main plot of that story. 

Wolf Blood deals with the ramifications of her becoming a made vampire, and her new quasi relationship with Rhône, the beta of the wolf pack that Bloom is now a member of. 

The issues raised of her even wanting to be a vampire, if she can remain stable, and the struggle for herself to separate herself from Bloom’s future and find a new life for herself.  All good elements. 

And the relationship dynamics that she has with Rhône are far stronger and more complex than the one that Bloom had with the Alpha. 

That said, this is another tiny woman/ huge man storyline that I could have done without. I do like that she created a new persona for her new role and lifestyle. 

The issues she had with her mother and vampire Council were resolved with a sentence. After a lifetime of abuse, that was not enough explanation for this situation. 

I liked the couple and characters much better than the first two. But I really never bought into the species interpretation of the author’s here. It just didn’t work for me and that maybe because it needed more explanation.

It was an entertaining read and I recommend it if you’re looking for something different. 

Cover by Francesca Michelon

At First Bite (2 book series):

Sweet Blood #1

Wolf Blood #2

Same universe:

Wildwood (3 book series)

Buy link

        Wolf Blood (At First Bite Book 2)

    

Blurb 

The werewolf who’s been keeping me alive with his blood for the last few months just declared me his. 

He also says he isn’t mine, so that’s fantastic.

At least we’re not soulmates. Yet.

Being a turned vampire has been rough for me, but I’m determined to survive long enough to make sure that my best friend has a support system of some kind when I’m gone.

It doesn’t help that my mother is somehow behind the murders that nearly took her out, though.

Or that the wolf who’s claimed me isn’t willing to let me go.

Somehow, I have to keep myself sane just long enough for everything to fall into place… and I have to do it without falling for a werewolf.

*This is a spicy enemies to lovers romance with a happily ever after

August 5, 2026

Accessibility

Learn more

Language

‎English

Print length

399 pages

Book 2 of 2

At First Bite

Check out the latest release “P.S. I Love You“ by Meg Macy (Tour and excerpt)

Review: P.S. I Love You - Meg Macy

Meg Macy has a new MM contemporary book out, Love is Love book three: P.S. I Love You.

Jackson Riley and Juliette (aka Jules) Baxter are enmeshed in new situations. Jack fled his latest trauma to act in a rom-com film, taking a break from his relationship with Reese, but now regrets his impulsiveness. His ex-lover Kyle is the least of his problems when odd things happen on set and off.

Jules and Chris are committed to their new love affair and in charge of the breakfast café and a new bakery, but keeping on top of employees and finances is not yet a “piece of cake.” Family problems also plague Jules and Reese, while Jack discovers that acting in a film is totally different than acting on the stage.

Will he ever answer Reese’s barrage of texts and voicemails? Will Reese solve the mystery of Jack’s mysterious past?

Warnings: Past trauma.

About the Series:

In the Love Is Love series, these LGBTQA+ contemporary romance novels explore past hurts, healing, and the vulnerability of gay love and acceptance. Friendship, trust, courage, and resilience unite to combat fear and homophobia in reshaping lives and communities.

Amazon

Excerpt

Life sometimes throws you a curveball out of nowhere. You either react fast and catch it, or you’re blindsided when it smacks you in the head. The latter applies to Jack Riley’s man, for sure. Reese Baxter missed the worst signs of trouble in their relationship.

Jack knows all about those curveballs, too, after surviving on the streets. He shivers after stepping out of the shower and checks the new tattoo on his upper arm. It’s healed, for the most part, but his skin has raised goosebumps. Michigan ain’t that far from Ontario, but damn. It’s fucking cold in Canada. When he first woke, he caught a glimpse of fat snowflakes outside the window against the darkness. Back in Ann Arbor, he wore shorts and a tee in a string of days with upper sixties temperatures. No need for a coat or a hoodie.

“Jesus. I’m gettin’ to be an old man bitchin’ about the damned weather.”

The patio installation at the café must be almost finished for the one year celebration. Jack wouldn’t blame his bestie and co-owner, Jules Baxter, for going ahead without him. Not that he knows what’s happening, since he ain’t answered any anyone’s texts. After packing a suitcase, donning a sweatshirt he stole from Reese, Jack rode with Kyle Kingston to this town in Canada to share an old house with his ex-lover’s friends. At least until they find out where they’re gonna be sent for the film production.

After toweling dry, Jack dons boxer briefs, jeans, a tee shirt, plus a wool and cashmere ice blue hoodie sweater he bought in Vegas. Takes out his makeup kit, adds moisturizer and bronzer. When his phone on the counter buzzes with a text, his hand slips. Cursing under his breath, he ignores the phone and wipes off his ruined eyeliner. Decides to go femboy with shimmery lavender shadow on his eyelids, contour and blush, then uses setting spray. He brushes and styles his hair, applies lip oil. At a loud crash, Jack rushes out of the bathroom.

“What the hell, King! You okay?”

Muffled mumbling reaches his ears. Kyle rises from the floor, hands blindly groping, and slides back under the covers. “Do I look okay? Goddammit,” he grumbles. “You didn’t have to insist on twin beds, Tink.”

“Fuck off. You’re gonna be late if you ain’t got an alarm set.”

He throws a pillow at Jack. “Go fuck yourself. I need more sleep.”

“’Cause you got drunk last night.”

Kyle pulls the covers over his head. Jack chose to ignore everyone last night, since the table read today is stressful enough. Jack kept waking up, the party keeping him from much needed sleep. Deep snores from the other bedrooms reach his ears now. He failed to memorize his dialogue due to the noise. Hope he don’t bomb today. Reese always helped him relax, rubbing his back, huggin’ or kissin’ him. Jack misses seeing his man’s deep blue eyes, dark hair, scruffy jaw, that broad smile. He inserts his earbuds and chooses a playlist.

After tossing his kit on the flimsy bed, Jack heads to the kitchen. Good thing he set the machine up last night to brew at five a.m. Yawning, he fills two paper cups with black coffee. Adds lids to each… Until their production assistant can find a better place, he’s stuck here with actor friends of Kyle’s. Decent guys but total slobs.

Having to share a room is another bone of contention. No way is Jack gonna film all day for two or three months with his ex-lover and deal with him all night, too. He wants privacy to chill on his own. That better happen, or he’s gonna pitch a fuckin’ fit.

But Jack smiles to hear Conan Gray’s song, “Maniac.” Perfect choice, given how he ended up here with Kyle. His ex abandoned him, then turned up again outta the blue. Wantin’ him back, despite Jack bein’ with Reese now. He shoulda never let him get under his skin.

Donning his boots, heavy parka, and gloves, Jack slings his backpack on one shoulder and carries the coffee cups into the cold. His breath steams in the air. He curses when a sip of coffee burns his tongue. It’s a ten minute walk to the table read location, but he ain’t in the mood to wait for Kyle. Too restless, Jack figures the fresh air will help clear his head. And bein’ early might make a good impression on the director.

Whatever that’s worth.

His homesickness keeps getting worse, his misery deep. Jack tramps on. Every step fails to ease his jumpy nerves. Why did he agree to do this film? For the money, of course, helping the café survive. They got so far in the red, Jack worried they’d lose everything. Until Reese stepped up and took over without telling him, renovating a building on the other side of the café’s parking lot into the Sunshine Bakery. That was a smart move. Less than a month after it opened, profits are paying off some of the debt.

But his man stepped over the line, not telling him he paid half the new patio’s cost with Jules. “Too fuckin’ late to quit this rom-com,” Jack says aloud. “I’m an asshole, lettin’ Kyle talk me into it. I should be at the café, not a stupid table read.”

Jack wished he listened to Stevie’s advice before running off. Regret hits him now. He misses Reese, bad. Seeing his man, sharing meals, cuddling after sex and playing with his chest hair, waking early to see him, his cheeks flushed, hair mussed, naked under a sheet. Or without anything covering his muscular shoulders, arms, and ass. Jack loved to watch Reese sleep or wake up, grumpy and silent, until he drinks coffee.

“Dammit. Stop being so fucking stubborn and text him…”

Author Bio

National bestselling author Meg Macy first dreamed of seeing a book with her name on it in the school library. She’s always found comfort, adventure, and connection in books—which might explain why she now writes stories that offer all three.

Meg writes LGBTQIA+ romance with a touch of spice, intrigue, and plenty of emotional payoff in the LOVE IS LOVE series. M/M romance and M/F polyamory, her stories are comfort reads with a twist. She’s also written cozy mysteries for Kensington, the Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear series, and is one half of the D.E. Ireland team for the Agatha-Award nominated historical mysteries featuring Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins.

She lives with her writing companion, Mr. Whiskers the cat, and prefers pages to parties.

Author Website: http://www.megmacy.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/authormegmacy/

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/MegMacyAuthor

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meg.macy.author/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15751255.Meg_Macy

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/meg-macy/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Meg-Macy/author/B01N3KTK1N

Other Worlds Ink logo

Review : Sex At A Funeral by K Sterling 

Rating: 3.75🌈

K Sterling writes such an amazing spectrum of stories, from urban Gaelic mythology based fantasy series grounded in the mid-Atlantic states to contemporary paranormal ghost mysteries set In Bisbee, Arizona and everything in between. 

That includes contemporary romances. 

Sex At A Funeral is K Sterling’s latest contemporary story, a book about three young friends, two of whom are siblings, torn apart by events and secrets started at a funeral. One of a succession of funerals that impacted their lives in surprising ways.

Skylar and Sarina Sutton and their best friend, Mason Cartwright. Together for most of their lives growing up. Until a disastrous happening at their Uncle’s funeral drives Skylar apart from his friends and family.  

It’s a very good idea to read K Sterling’s forward where the author talks her writing, explaining how close she is to the topic of autism and the character of Skylar. It’s explains why this character is so well written and has such depth throughout the book. 

Skylar is easily the best personality here. Sarina, his sister who chose a lavender marriage and motherhood over her brother and Mason, a closeted gay best friend who went with his parent’s career path and “saving” Sarina, are less well developed.

Sarina more so than Mason. He just comes off as selfish and immature. Especially when he asks Skylar to become his “side piece” so he can remain Mayor and stay Sarina ‘s husband.  Still keeping secrets.

I don’t think Sterling made the case that Mason was a healthy choice for Skylar at any point here.  That Skylar was seeing a therapist about him, and was trying to make the correct choices by staying away? That feels positive.  Not the way the book ends in order for everyone to have a forced HEA .

There’s many positive aspects of Sex At A Funeral by K Sterling , Skylar and his lesbian bestie in NYC? That’s the sequel we should be looking forward to. 

If you are a fan of the author, pick it up. 

Buy link

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Sex-At-Funeral-K-Sterling-ebook/dp/

Blurb 

Hooking up with his brother-in-law at a funeral isn’t the worst thing a Sutton has ever done.

Not by a long shot.

Skylar Sutton, a black sheep raised by WASP wolves, has avoided his hometown of Roseview, New York for most of his adult life. Autistic, caustic, and gay—the trifecta—Sky was shunned after a scandal.

Now, he’s been welcomed back after his debut novel became an international bestseller.

But Sky wants no part of the Roseview lifestyle and his nightmare family. Especially his sister, Sarina, and her husband, Mason Cartwright. Once upon a time, the three of them were inseparable. But a terrible secret shattered their friendship. Sky knows the picture-perfect life that Sarina and Mason have built is all a lie. Between the small-town gossip, his sister’s twisted marriage, and his adversarial relationship with his mother, Sky prefers to keep a distance.

A family tragedy is just about the only thing that will bring Sky back to Roseview. And, for reasons Sky would rather not unpack, he can’t resist his golden-retriever brother-in-law at family funerals.

Every encounter leaves Sky more confused and torn.

A lavender marriage, an unexpected pregnancy, scheming relatives, and heaps of family secrets. For Sky, home is where the heart breaks. But finally learning the truth—that he was never the problem and Mason isn’t a villain—might be worth the journey back.

Might.

Bawdy Books

Publication date

July 14, 2026

Accessibility

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Language

‎English

File size

1.8 MB

Screen Reader

Supported

Enhanced typesetting

Enabled

X-Ray

Not Enabled

Word Wise

Enabled

Print length

314 pages

Review:  Witch At Odds (The Jinx Hamilton Series Book 2) by Juliette Harper 

Rating: 3.5⭐️

Witch At Odds picks up shortly after the ending of the first novel. Jinx has solved her first mystery, and her best friend since childhood has come to be partners with her in the sentient store left to her by her magical aunt.

I like the mystery here, and the addition of several magical beings. Jinx and her best friend, Tori, do come across as two people who have long time relationship dynamics. That’s nicely illustrated here. 

And the ghost of the cemetery, especially Beau, the Confederate Colonel. He’s genuinely a great person and developing into a major figure here.

Now for the issues. The author has almost all the important characters,with the exception of Tori, withholding if not outright lying to Jinx about who they are, what they are, and their relationship with her and the town’s history and secrets. So yeah, so many huge enormous hidden secrets here.

Ones that adversely impact Jinx, her actions, and the town.  Those around her are aware of the fact, and still argue about telling her. 

As a reader, I find this irritating and frankly toxic. Especially as one of the characters lying to her about his identity and her relationship to him and his family is the one “courting” her. Her supposed boyfriend. 

Another is her ghostly aunt Fiona, who keeps up with the poor excuses as to why she has or doesn’t give Jinx the knowledge or support she needs. As in “I didn’t think she would do anything that magical yet with her powers “. Then aunt Fiona pops out to vacation somewhere else. 

All feel incredibly lame or what I refer to as “Narratively lazy”. Awful for the characters but the author needs it down in her series arc so there you go. 

She does sorta solve the problem here but it ends on a cliffhanger. And with both “girls” going to see their mothers to discuss their past histories. 

So it looks like the revelations are going to happen next book unless a drama pops up again.  I’ll check with it.

I’m going to see where this goes next.

The Jinx Hamilton Series (16 book series): complete and all released. 

Witch At Heart #1

Witch At Odds #2

Buy link

        Witch At Odds (The Jinx Hamilton Series Book 2)

    

Blurb 

Resigned to her new life as a witch and determined to make a success of both that and her business, Jinx has a lot to learn. She sets out to both study her craft and get a true direction for her aunt’s haphazard approach to inventory. Not to mention the fact that she wouldn’t mind getting to know neighboring business owner Chase McGregor much better. Although Jinx can call on Aunt Fiona’s ghost for help, the old lady is far too busy living a jet set afterlife to be worried about her niece’s learning curve. That sets Jinx up to make a major mistake and to figure out how to set things right again.

*Note: This is a republished version of Witch At Odds.

Cabot Publishing Group

Publication date

September 8, 2025

Edition

2nd

Language

‎English

Print length

235 pages

Book 2 of 16

The Jinx Hamilton Series

Review:  Hidden Storm (The Witch’s Bestiary #1) by Evangeline Hunter

Rating:  4.5⭐️

Hidden Storm is a great start to this complete series about Alicia Stormwell , a powerful witch who runs The Bestiary, a paranormal animal rescue for all types of supernatural creatures. She also goes out at night undercover to save those who need her help from exotic fantasy animal trafficking or worse. 

A murder and a vampire detective set off the mystery of the story which brings Alicia into the investigation of the death of a local girl and the wolf lying beside her.

The paranormal animals that live with her and how her Bestiary is set up is imaginative and intriguing. I could have spent so much more narrative time in there just exploring the spaces and creatures she’s saved. 

The mystery is excellent although the resolution is a bit too quickly resolved. 

Neither male character is particularly well developed but I hope future stories will show them as more defined and fleshed out. They both have so much potential. 

The setting is atmospheric and believable. It’s in the small details, the barest of memorable elements that make this world real, sad and heartbreaking at times. 

I’m looking forward to seeing more of the characters and their stories. 

A winner for those who love paranormal mystery and fantasy fiction. 

The Witch’s Bestiary (5 book series):

Hidden Storm #1

Midnight Storm #2

Island Storm #3

Dragon Storm #4

Rising Storm #5

Buy link

 Book 1 of 5: The Witch’s Bestiary 

Blurb 

**COMPLETE SERIES**

Rescuing fantastic beasts is child’s play. Clearing the name of a ridiculously handsome werewolf? Hold my broomstick. 

My name is Alicia Stormwell. By day, I run The Bestiary, a nonprofit that saves and rehabilitates legendary critters. By night, I don my witch’s hat and battle the dark underworld of supernatural animal traffickers.

When a witch is found dead and a wolf is accused of murder, a vampire detective from the NYPD’s Magical Crimes Division hires me as a consultant. I take in the suspected hound only to discover he’s not just any fabled creature, but a werewolf. And he’s been framed.

Now, with a murderer on the loose and a hunky shifter in my care, I’ve got to use every bit of my powers and questionable instincts to uncover the truth before the killer turns his sights on me, and I end up the next witch in a body bag.

The Witch’s Bestiary includes:

· Witches, Werewolves, and Vampires

· Hidden magic and a magical underworld

· A slow-burn / RH romance

· Fantastic creatures

· A badass female main character with snark and humor

Bouquets and Blades Press

Publication date

August 26, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

184 pages

Book 1 of 5

The Witch’s Bestiary

Review: The Wolfing Hour (Smokethorn Paranormals  #4) by C. P. Rider

Rating: 5⭐️

From Book 1: “Thanks for your concern, but I don’t need your protection. I have a mystical cat, an unprincipled gnome with a violent streak, and I have my magic.”

Such an excellent series, my only regret being the wait time between releases. But its absolutely worth it as proved by the newest book in C. P. Rider’s Smokethorn Paranormals series, The Wolfing Hour.

In a series already bursting with thoughtfully crafted, complex and compelling storylines about multi dimensional damaged characters, this story took them all to new levels. 

Of betrayal, pain, loss, self discovery, recovery and revelation. New depths to their relationships and, of course, a cliffhanger of a twist in one or maybe two of the series plots. 

Never has the writing been better or more engrossing, able to pull the reader immediately into the story and the ongoing conflicts and never losing their interest. 

Betty’s character here undergoes an extraordinary transformative growth.  It’s startling and terrifying. To her, those characters around her and the readers who have come to know her. It’s truly a remarkable piece of her journey and the story.  And we’re not done yet. 

A thriller of an urban fantasy romance that’s absolutely amazing and satisfying in every way.   I’m highly recommending this series. And eagerly awaiting the next one to come. 

Cover design by The Book Brander

The Smokethorn Paranormals Series (5 book series):

Strike It Witch #1

Any Witch Wolf #2

Wicked Witch of the Wolf #3

The Wolfing Hour #4

Last Witch Effort #5 – July 31,2026

Buy link

        The Wolfing Hour: The Smokethorn Paranormals Series Book 4

    

Blurb 

“Ah, Ronan. This witch is about to make your life a whole lot more complicated.”

Just when Betty Lennox thought she had a handle on her life—reconnected with her earth magic, brought the saguaros back from the dead, sexy alpha wolf sharing her bed—everything goes sideways.

Turns out she’s not just an earth witch. Thanks to dear old Grandpa Sexton, she’s got a demon side that’s tired of being locked away. A powerful and ruthless demon side with zero qualms about damage control when someone threatens her people. When Demon Betty takes the wheel, Witch Betty ends up doing morally questionable things like killing people who really, really need to die.

Meanwhile, Ronan’s birth father—Alpha Floyd Pallás, certified creep and all-around evil person—has kidnapped his sister to force him into submission. The pack is in chaos, shifters across the county are dying, and Betty’s running out of time to find her before the convocation where Ronan must challenge Floyd for the pack.

But here’s the thing about power-hungry wolves: they cheat. And here’s the thing about Betty: She won’t let the people she loves get hurt—even if it means embracing the monster within.

For fans of urban fantasy.

VC Group, LLC

Publication date

July 31, 2026

Accessibility

Learn more

Language

‎English

Simultaneous device usage

Unlimited

ISBN-13

978-1969799013

Book 5 of 5

The Smokethorn Paranormals Series

Review: Legends and Librarians (Legends and Librarians  #1)  by Pandora Pierce

Rating: 4.25⭐️

Honestly, it had me at a librarian who’s going to restore a magical library.  I’m in. 

I kept hearing a certain librarian saying “I am a librarian “ as I was reading the story. And being completely delighted by such whimsical fantasy creatures as neglected tiny free libraries who hopped on their stakes like wooden puppies when seeing new books.  The joy flew off the page and made these little decrepit boxes full of life and wonder.  They became one of my favorites here. 

Among so many offerings found in the abandoned Misty Mountain Library’s shelves, and now alive characters of the books that live on the shelves.  Tiny dragons and knights, amongst them. 

All waited for years for someone to return to help them. 

Ah what a journey and a struggle for librarian Nyssa to get the library to forgive and accept her. And then another battle with the town that the old library up the mountain is as magical and beautiful as anything else around. 

This is an imaginative, fantasy story that has so many great elements to it. Storybooks and their characters come to life, a library that has feelings and has been not just neglected but hurt. And a librarian returning home. 

It’s not perfect. There’s several things that need more attention or exploration of their history to feel complete. Mostly it’s the secondary human characters who come off as one dimensional , especially when the little free magical libraries are so small and lively that they are more credible, adorable, and funny. I want one. 

The second novel features a one of the characters from the books that were waiting for the librarian when she came up the Mountain. He’s quite the personality.  Looking forward to reading his novel. 

Beautifully illustrated and rich in detail. I love these covers. 

Cover Design: The Book Brander Boutique 

Interior Illustrations: Della Claire

Legends and Librarians (2 book series):

Legends and Librarians #1

Myths and Manuscripts #2

Buy link

        Legends and Librarians: A Cozy Fantasy Bound with Love

    

Blurb 

At the Misty Mountain Library, stories don’t just sit on shelves—they leap right off the page.

When Nyssa returns to the magical library she adored as a child, it’s not quite how she remembered it. A wild magic storm has brought the books to life, leaving her to repair the library while wrangling tiny dragons, even tinier knights, a grumpy demon lord, and so much more.

With the Tales and Tomes Festival just around the corner, Nyssa needs the library ready for its grand reopening or it might disappear for good. But with the story spirits causing playful chaos, and the townsfolk convinced it’s haunted, she’ll need help bringing the magic back.

Roan, a wandering adventurer, takes the job expecting danger but instead finds himself charmed by the library and by Nyssa. As they prepare for the festival, they’ll learn that restoring the library isn’t just about fixing what’s broken, it’s about building something new, together.

Legends and Librarians is a cozy fantasy full of found family, whimsical magic, and the warm feeling of discovering where you truly belong.

Review: Demon Dating Service by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4🌈

Demon Dating Service by Jocelynn Drake is a really cute paranormal romance.  A graduate student in need of housing and romantic relationship advice gets both in the form of a “haunted” mansion that’s home to a found family of demons. 

Luke is in desperate need of a cheap place to rent when the crows he feeds drop a flyer advertising a room near campus that’s the right price. Except he’s not aware that the landlords are demons playing a game of scare the human because they are bored. 

This is an engaging out story with well defined characters, especially the demons which I really enjoyed. The joint journey they all take to acceptance, friendship and found family is marvelous. 

The romantic relationship is less interesting as we don’t get as much background on the other character or their time together. 

For me, Luke and his demon found family made the story. Along with his best friend who deserves more time here. 

Cute and entertaining.

Cover by Phoenix Design Covers.

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comDemon Dating Service – Kindle edition by Drake, Jocelynn. Romance …

Blurb 

Even demons get bored…

Luke is a poor grad student, desperate for a cheap place to live.

Desperate enough even to live in a house full of demons.

(Anything is better than his last roommate.)

When the demons find it’s nearly impossible to scare Luke away, they decide on a new plan to amuse themselves.

They’re going to help Luke with his love life.

Can they really aid Luke’s efforts to catch his college crush? Or are they headed for a disaster that neither heaven nor hell can fix?

Demon Dating Service is a fluffy, chaotic stand-alone novel about a sweet guy making friends with the misfits of the demon world, trying to survive grad school, and snagging the hottest guy on campus.