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

Rating: 3🌈

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cover Art by: Annabella Stone

GHOSTLY SERIES :

Ghostly Awakening

Ghostly Findings

Ghostly Envy

Ghostly Claus

Ghostly Target

Ghostly Hostage

Ghostly Death

Ghostly Dilemma

Ghostly Bother

Ghostly Force (coming soon)

Ghostly Grandma (coming soon)

Buy link;

Ghostly Bother

Blurb

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

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

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

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

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

Review: Cramming at Randy’s (Diner Days Book 3) by Alex Silver

Rating: 4.5🌈

I forget how much I love this series until I read another book about that fabulous all inclusive diner in Boston and the people who live near it and have found their authentic selves and love there.

Cramming at Randy’s is one of my favorites. Alex Silver’s characters and their stories are so beautifully written and believable, funny, raw, young and compelling.

Ray, coming from the large loving Quebec home, to go to college in Boston, is everything. He’s a fully fleshed out person, multilingual, fearfully setting out to find his true identity and the ability to live as he knows he is, a man, not the girl his family thinks of him as.

He encounters Jordan, a student, who’s secure in their own right, but has struggled with their past romantic relationship. Together, they find themselves first friends helping each other out in classes and with Ray’s new transition.

Then it turns into romance.

Everything about them and their storyline is beautifully written. It sensitive and funny, moments where they become awkwardly young adults yet it’s sexy and loving. And it has one of the funniest scenes of coming out to a family I can remember.

And these families? Totally supportive and just as respectful and wonderful as the main characters.

Honestly, I could have done with a longer version because I enjoyed it so much.

This is a series not to be missed and this is a must read among them!

Highly recommended!

Great cover!

Cover design by Cormar Covers

Diner Days series -11 books:

🔷Written at Randy’s by Katherine McIntyre

🔷Final Boy at Randy’s by Loren Leigh

🔷Cramming at Randy’s by Alex Silver 🩷💚🌈

🔷Temptation at Randy’s by Emily Alter

🔷Hitched at Randy’s by A. E. Madsen

🔷Gaming at Randy’s by Duckie Mack

🔷Striking a Chord at Randy’s by K. C. Carmine

🔷Composed at Randy’s by Zile Elliven❤️

🔷Roleplay at Randy’s by Rikki Leighton

🔷Finding Home at Randy’s by Abrianna Denae

🔷Aftercare at Randy’s by R.A. Frick

Buy link

Cramming at Randy’s

Blurb

These study buddies are getting randy.

When Ray transfers to university in Boston, he has every intention of using his new start in a new city to step out of the closet. His family knows he’s bi, but he hasn’t quite figured out how to tell them he isn’t the daughter they always thought of him as. His first new friend, Jordie, is the one who gives him the courage to follow through on living as himself. Ray has Jordie pegged as the one he wants to take from study buddy to steady date—he just needs to figure out how to get Jordie to see him as partner material.

With graduation in their sights, Jordie isn’t looking to mentor another baby queer. Let alone get tangled up in a messy crush after he imprints on them. But there’s something intoxicating about helping Ray embrace his gender euphoria. Is it really such a wild idea to turn their study dates at Randy’s into a love connection?

Love beyond the binary: serving up low angst trans romance at Randy’s Diner.

Cramming at Randy’s is an X/X friends to lovers standalone romance between a newly out demiboy transfer student and an openly genderqueer older student who helps him find the confidence to be himself.

Publisher: (September 5, 2024)
Publication date: September 5, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 285 pages

Review: SOS HOTEL: On The Road by Adam Vex (Ariana Nash)

Rating: 4.5🌈

No, our favorite triad, Adam the surprising non-human, Victor aka Fancy Fangs, and Zee the fabulous incubus, aren’t done yet!

After all the explosive and deadly events of Your Final Resting Place #7, where they vanquished the Big Bad and saved the SOS Hotel and Lost Ones as maybe the world, you’d think they’d be able to rest.

But Adam’s story isn’t finished. And his history is coming for him and those he loves.

So Adam does what he does best and runs. With Victor and Zee together on the road, destination unknown.

I really loved that their relationship has grown so that Adam trusts them with his highly problematic history and the danger that’s following them.

Of course, they encounter strange events and a few bodies with a murder to solve.

Entertaining, sexy, formidable challenges again to face, and a wild ride for all involved. So happy to see them back!

Cover design by Ariana Nash

SOS Hotel:

For a Supernaturally Safe Stay #1
Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous #2
Sleep with Us #3
Great Service from Top to Bottom #4
No Rest for the Wicked #5
Ho, Ho, No #5.5
Luxury To Die For #6
Your Final Resting Place #7 -ends this sequence of events.
On The Road #8 – starts a mini-trilogy
Icy Reception #9 – coming soon

Holiday release!

SOS HOTEL: Ho, Ho, No by Adam Vex, Ariana Nash❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Buy link

SOS HOTEL: On the Road

Blurb

Did you think it was the end of our wild hotel adventures?

Yeah, us too.

The Big Bad is gone. We’re heroes! Adam, Fancy Fangs, and me (Zee, obvs) are long overdue some downtime. I’d also like a foot rub, a string of Tom’s hallucination‑inducing cocktails, and endless hours of some much needed personal time between the sheets with my two favorite people. And my pole.

Hello, happy ever after!

But it turns out, fate ain’t done with us yet.

Everyone’s favorite sunshine twink is great at unexpectedly unaliving folks who probably deserve it. What he’s not great at is keeping secrets. So when Adam packs our bags and springs a surprise vacation on us, it’s obvious—even to senile ancient vampires like Lord Fancy Fangs—that something is up.

We’ll play along and won’t ask questions, because it’s Adam. He’ll tell us what’s really going on . . . eventually.

But as we take the SOS Hotel team on the road and the weirdness stacks up—biker‑gang werewolves, psycho witchy influencers, trolls, fairy souls, and sinkholes—there’s one question Fancy Fangs and I can’t shake.

What the f*ck do dragons run from?

(We’re back in a new three part mini-series! Ha, didn’t see that coming did you? Yeah, neither did we. I still don’t get a book about ME, but the author “allowed” me to write this blurb, so long as I don’t f*ckin’ swear. Pfft. So buckle up, b*tches, the ride ain’t fuckin’ over yet. You think you’re ready? Think again, cupcake. The crazy just got crazier.)

Welcome to the SOS Hotel ~ Where we’re definitely not on the run.

Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing (February 28, 2025)
Publication date: February 28, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 160 pages

Review: The Courtship of Julian St Albans (Consulting Magic Book 1) by Amy Crook

Rating: 4.5🌈

The Courtship of Julian St Albans (Consulting Magic Book 1) by Amy Crook is this author’s first published novel and it’s an absolute delight. A steampunk murder mystery romance, it’s got a grand cast of characters, an intriguing system of magic, and a combination of historical and cultural influences in the narrative that make the atmosphere and situations so different.

The ritual around courtship and Suitors is given its own special treatment here when Julian St Albans’ longtime Suitor is found dead. It restarts the process of finding Julian, the heir to substantial lands and fortunes, a new Suitor to run the family and take over the titles.

Alexander Benedict is a magical investigator and consultant to the police, especially in high profile cases or where magic is used. Julian’s case involves both.

Crook’s take on an historical murder mystery and romance is a cleverly crafted story. Steampunk narrative is threaded throughout with fantasy characters and elements to my absolute delight. The author dives into the details of her magical world, from the magical bespoke clothing worn to balls to the dangerous and fascinating crafted instruments used by the villain to threaten and destroy.

The slowly developing relationship between Julian and Alex is lovely. Determined by the rituals of Courtship and the fact that Alex realizes he’s falling for Julian, not just because he’s involved in the case, draws out the romantic tension.

How it ends , for Julian and Alex, and sets up the next step in their relationship is so satisfying. I’m thrilled to have found a new author and series to recommend and read.

Check it out. Series is complete!

Consulting Magic series:

The Courtship of Julian St Albans #1

The Apprenticeship of Julian St. Albans #2

The Guardianship of Julian St. Albans #3

A Flutter of Fae #4

I love the simplicity of design of these covers. Beautiful, important to the story (that’s Horace) and elegant.

Buy link

The Courtship of Julian St. Albans (Consulting Magic)

Blurb

Alexander Benedict is a misanthropic thirtysomething magical consultant, working with the Agency’s top homicide detective, and perfectly content with his life, thank you very much.

Julian St. Albans is the youthful heir to his family’s fortune and affiancéd to his beloved Cecil Mandeville, a family friend as well as Julian’s lover.

When Mandeville is murdered using magical means, Alex is brought in on the case. It’s the worst day of Julian’s life, but until they meet, it’s just another case for Alex. Neither of them have any idea how their lives are about to change.

Alex has to disentangle the magical threads until he can catch the murderer, and to do that he has to put himself right in the thick of things. His long-denied family connections get him invited to participate in Julian’s Courtship as a Suitor, where he can observe the suspects firsthand. He just has to stay alive long enough to figure out which of the competition thinks Julian is a prize worth killing for.

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (June 25, 2013)
Publication date: June 25, 2013
Language: English
Print length: 361 pages

Review: The Hidden God of Open Doors by Tavia Lark

Rating: 3🌈

It didn’t immediately register but I had read this before as a short story in the Heart2Heart Valentine Day’s Anthology. It worked there, surrounded by other like stories and given a foundation by the Anthology basis of the Heart2Heart matchmaking process, a well established tradition and built upon by each story.

As a standalone? Removed from that structure and foundation? Unfortunately, without a solid narrative support, it doesn’t really make the type of satisfying story you would expect from Tavia Lark.

I love the premise and the potential of this story. That someone has been imprisoned for an indefinite amount of time within a small room for a unknown reason is horrifying. Especially as we get glimpses into his tiny room and his personality. Then Lark flips over to Raider, who, along with his sister Val, owns and runs a shop for magic items and are newly immortal.

Ruin finally gets to communicate with someone else when mysteriously they are hooked up via the Heart2Heart dating app.

I can’t see where this was expanded from the original version. The story is still a good concept but given the trauma of being held prisoner for thousands of years and then having a relationship, albeit a verbal one? I would have thought Rune’s reactions to have been considerably more intense and internalized.

The backgrounds of the locals or location need further explanation, especially as that’s where Rune was imprisoned. As it was there is so many unanswered questions.

The Hidden God of Open Doors by Tavia Lark is a sweet paranormal short story. A quick read that needs more attention to detail and depth of character.

Cute.

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Hidden God of Open Doors – Kindle edition by Lark, Tavia. …

Blurb

Forget finding his perfect match. Rune is just desperate to talk to someone.

Rune is lonely, immortal, and trapped in a mysterious prison. Objects appear and disappear as the decades pass, and his only companions are the books and television. He hasn’t spoken to a real, live person in over two hundred years.

Until one day a phone appears, with a magical dating app already installed.

The app promises to find Rune’s perfect match for Valentine’s Day. Rune is tempted, even though he knows that’s impossible. Nobody wants a perfect match they can’t meet.

Then he matches with Raider—a confident ex-treasure hunter who shamelessly flirts past Rune’s loneliness.

And Raider doesn’t believe in impossible.

The Hidden God of Open Doors is a short Valentine’s Day MM romance about a trapped immortal, the flirty treasure hunter who wants to discover everything about him, and the dating app magic that brings them together.

Previously published in the Heart2Heart Volume 7 Paranormal Anthology

Publication date: January 24, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 62 pages

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Most Memorable Series and Books of 2024

Making Best of Lists has always been problematic for me, especially when it comes to books and series. That’s such a broad range of categories, tropes, themes, and spectrums of characters to whittle it down to a favorable few for such a long time period.

There’s so much I love about many genres and read so different tropes and authors, so many characters and stories that to reflect and refine them down to those that I have taken to heart during this year is close to impossible.

I always forget about the ones early on in the year or even smaller series that had a couple of books to them instead of an ongoing collection. And this year I’m adding some books I have found so beautiful and memorable but not necessarily that fall under the LGBT umbrella. I’m including them in my year in lists here because they are now forever comfort reads or books that will remain near my bedside for re-reading.

Among them is the magnificently written novel, The Women by Kristin Hannah, along with a fantastic dragonrider series that has some LGBT characters but not the main characters. That’s The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros. And a book that I read and then immediately read again, as it resonates with me so. That’s the incredible Whiskey and Warfare: The Team Huntress Flights by E. M. Hamill.

Then there are series that had finale stories and series that have just begun. With the exception of the multiple authors series, all series listed here are ones whose books should be read in the order they were written. No matter was some descriptions said. Just no.

These aren’t in any kind of order btw when listed under certain categories. Chaos is my name here. Enjoy and let me know what books and series you recommend.

My Must Read/Bedside Books Found In 2024

🔷The Women by Kristin Hannah Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Wome…The Women: A Novel – Hannah, Kristin: Books

🔷Whiskey and Warfare: The Team Huntress Flights by E. M. Hamill

Book 1 of 1: The Team Huntress Flights

🔷The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Pairing…The Pairing: Special 1st Edition: McQuiston, Casey: 9781250862747

I own these books in several formats, including hardback. That’s the impression they have made on me. I wanted them permanently in my library. And now I do.

Fantastic 5 Star Series /Stories

Paranormal , some dark fantasy with horror elements, some humor:

🔷Beyond the Veil by K. M. Avery

(In particular for this year, Turning of the Tables and Badger in his Burrow-amazing )

The Badger in His Burrow (Beyond the Veil Book 8)

🔷SOS HOTEL: series by Adam Vex (Ariana Nash)-7 books complete

Adam Vex

and 1 more

🔷Goliaths of Wrestling series by Lily Mayne

Impromptu Match (Goliaths of Wrestling Book 1)

🔷The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx series by Shelby Rhodes

Book 4 of 5: The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx

Fantasy

🔷Mammoths At The Gates (The Singing Hills Cycle Book 4) by Nghi Vo- all the novels

Book 4 of 5: The Singing Hills Cycle

🔷Fourth Wing (The Empyrean Book 1) by Rebecca Yarros (not LGBT specifically)

Fourth Wing (The Empyrean Book 1)

🔷Kings of Chaos by Jocelynn Drake

Two Thousand Promises (Kings of Chaos Book 5)

🔷Gary of a Hundred Days: MM Fantasy Romance (The Unwanted King Book 1 and 2) by Isabel Murray

Book 1 of 2: The Unwanted King

🔷On the Wind series by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes 3 books

Book 3 of 3: On the Wind

🔷The Summertide Chronicles by Sam Burns

Book 2 of 4: The Summertide Chronicles

🔷How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy Book 12) by A. J. Sherwood – 13 books?

Book 12 of 13: How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy

🔷Deadly Lineage: Necromancer Tales Book I by MJ May (sequel to the Pixie series)

Deadly Lineage: Necromancer Tales Book I

🔷Smoke and Mirrors (Fortune Favors the Fae novel) by Kai Butler

See series below

🔷Silver & Gold : Seth and Raider Book 2 by Katherine Diane (the entire duology in fact)

Book 2 of 2: Seth & Raider

🔷Tournament Mage (Fledgling God Book 5) by Michael Taggert

Misfit Mage: Fledgling God: book 1

🔷Enchanting Exposition (Demon Magic Book 4) by Alice Winters- finale

Book 4 of 4: Demon Magic

Contemporary Romance – Novels and Series

Many of the ones I read and loved fell under holiday collections, including the great Christmas Falls, season 2.

🔷Winnie Takes Paris (Love and Travels #2) by Lane Hayes

🔷The Christmas Keeper (Laurel Holidays Book 6) by V.L. Locey

🔹Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice (Once Upon a Holiday story) by R L Merrill

🔹Second Song: Second Chance School by Con Riley

🔷The Nannies of Manhattan by K Sterling -7 books so far

🔹The Play (Charleston Condors Book 4) by Beth Bolden – finale

Fiction

The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson- LGBT book list of the year/ Quietly stunning

Historical

🔹Death In The Spires by K. J. Charles

🔹A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8040641/type/dlg/http://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781538753767

Science Fiction

🔹Chaos Station series by Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen

Chaos Station

🔹Cosmic Soul: A MM Sci-fi Romance (Cosmic Romance 2) by Mars Quinn

Book 2 of 3: Cosmic Romance

🔹Why Did The Alien Cross The Galaxy? To Find a Fake Boyfriend and Befriend a Vacuum Cleaner by A. M. Rose (yes, 2023 but I found it this year and wheezed laughed the entire book)

Terrific Multi-Author Collections ( I’m still working on the larger collections)

🔹Tales from the Tarot – 22 books

Part of: Tales from the Tarot (22 books)

🔹Christmas Falls, season 2- 10 books

Part of: Christmas Falls: Season 2 (10 books)

🔹Once Upon a Holiday Story –

Part of: Once Upon a Holiday Story (8 books)

🔹Fortune Favors the Fae series – 15 books

Part of: Fortune Favors the Fae (15 books)

🔷Subpar Heroes- 15 books

Part of: Subparheroes (14 books)

There were several books I wanted to include here from the beginning of the year but when I went to check out the links I found that they weren’t available, anywhere. Even the small press that had published them was no longer in business. And these were remarkable first books for the authors. I’d lost track because I read so many.

It’s a hard reminder of how hard it is for these incredible authors to keep writing and keep publishing stories that we love to read and hold dear. And every book and author’s voice lost is a lessening of the rich narrative fabric that they bring to us daily. One that lets us escape or become more thoughtful and aware or just more.

I’m so thankful for the authors and books I’ve read this year. Those listed and those who are not but still held dear. You have made and continue to make a difference in my life. You are treasured.

🫶

Happy New Year and Happy Reading from Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Join us for the tour for Feuds and Interludes“ by R.L. Merrill (Other Worlds Ink Tour )

R.L. Merrill has a new MM contemporary rock ‘n’ roll romance out in the Road to Rocktoberfest series: Feuds and Interludes.

From the award-winning author of Hurricane Reese, Summer of Hush, and You Can Do Magic comes a new rock star romance series inspired by legendary rock ‘n’ roll love affairs. Feuds and Interludes is a rivals-to-lovers, hurt/comfort love story complete with adorable septuagenarian lovebirds and beloved characters from Merrill’s previous rock-inspired series.

Boone Collins and Shane Butler are two of rock music’s brightest stars today. Their grandfathers founded a powerhouse rock supergroup that ruled the airwaves in the late 1970s, and the grandsons grew up in their shadows to become frontmen of their own successful bands. The epic rivalry between Boone and Shane is notorious, and it’s about to blow up.

When Shane’s grandfather Bruce inducts his deceased bandmate into the Rock Music Hall of Fame, he admits to the world that he wrote the band’s biggest hit about his best friend’s widow—Boone’s grandmother Vera Jean. The two want to rekindle their relationship, and their grandsons are determined to keep them apart. Only, working together for a common goal reveals surprising similarities between the rock stars as well as a chemistry they cannot ignore. Shane sees behind Boone’s glittery facade to the secrets he hides from his bandmates, and Boone is there to pick up the pieces when Shane’s professional world implodes. Together, they plot a musical collaboration to celebrate their grandfathers’ accomplishments instead of fighting—a star-studded tribute at the storied Rocktoberfest event in the Nevada desert—but will being in the spotlight prove to be too much for their fledgling romance to handle?

About the Series:

Feuds and Interludes is part of the multi-author Road to Rocktoberfest 2024 series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not read them all and see what antics our bands get into next? Hot rockstars and the men who love them, what more could you ask for. Kick back, load up your kindle, and enjoy the men of Rocktoberfest!

Universal Buy Link

Giveaway

R.L. is giving away $25 Amazon gift card with this tour:

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47319/

Excerpt

“Boone, honey, will you zip me up?”

Vera Jean Collins had the kind of beauty that turned heads, the grace of a royal, and the unshakeable poise to shrug off even the most rabid paparazzi. And tonight, all those characteristics would be put to the test.

I’d never get over how beautiful my grandmother was. The only constant in my life, she was my home, my role model, and my best friend. Wearing a form-fitting, sleeveless black dress adorned with iridescent rainbow sparkles, she had a youthful glow about her at sixty-eight years old and still commanded attention. A statuesque former actress, beleaguered rockstar wife, and now passionate philanthropist, Vera Jean Collins carried herself with an elegance that belied her years spent married to my lovable scoundrel of a grandfather.

“That tuxedo is very flattering,” she said as I stepped behind her and carefully zipped her dress to the nape of her neck. She’d pulled her long silver hair into a twist that looked professionally done, and with her heels on, she stood nearly eye-to-eye with my five-eleven frame. “I love the vest, too.”

I looked down at the navy velvet suit and gold brocade vest and smiled. “The tailor did a nice job taking it in. I think Papa would get a kick out of me wearing this. He loved this one.”

I held up the matching tie and she took it from me, gesturing for me to let her tie it. She looped it over my head and went to work, a wistful smile on her face.

“He certainly did. He bought it to irritate me, and then was frustrated when I told him that I loved how it brought out the blue in his eyes. He was always trying to pull a fast one on me.”

“And you’d always call his bluff.”

She handed me her diamond choker to fasten, and I winced when I noticed her hands were shaking. She was so brave, no matter the challenge before her, but I’d learned to notice the subtle traces of her struggles. Tonight her task would be smiling and waving at her deceased husband’s adoring fans and colleagues as he was posthumously inducted into the Rock Hall. I knew she missed him terribly. We both did.

“Kept things fun,” she said with a little shrug. She ran her fingers over her choker and relaxed her shoulders. “Always kept him guessing.”

I had my own reason for being nervous. My band, Stellar, was chosen to lead the tribute performance. In a few hours, I would be performing for an arena full of my musical heroes. With Bruce Duncan. I usually did my best when under pressure, but this was ridiculous.

“It was weird seeing Bruce at rehearsal.”

I’d grown up hearing the stories of when he and my grandfather ruled the world, but I hadn’t seen him in years and had no idea what to make of him as a person.

“Oh? How so?”

Gran stopped what she was doing and turned to face me.

“He talked to everyone else in the room but me. Well, he scolded me about the timing on one of the songs.”

“Relax, darling,” she said as she fastened her bracelet. “He’s probably just as nervous as you.”

“I’m not nervous. I know these songs like the back of my hand.”

“Right,” she said as she looked me up and down. “And that’s why your shirt is misbuttoned.”

I ran my hand down my shirt, and sure enough, I’d missed a button and the thing had a big bump in the middle sticking out from my vest. I went about undoing and redoing my shirt and vest. You’d think by the age of thirty, I’d be able to dress myself. You’d be wrong, apparently.

“Yeah, well, his infuriating grandson has probably told him terrible things about me.”

“Oh, nonsense. Shane is a good boy.”

“Boy? He’s two years older than me.”

“You two have more in common than you’d think.”

“He’s determined to be rude to me, so I guess I’ll never know.”

She was right in the sense that we came from similar backgrounds, but that’s where the similarities ended. I put together a band of unique artists interested in playing smart rock music with a point and a backbone. Shane was a hotheaded, brilliant musician who, instead of following in his grandfather’s virtuoso footsteps, had chosen to while away his time in a mediocre albeit popular metal band, making record after record of predictable drivel. He could do so much better.

“Maybe if you two walked a mile in each other’s shoes, you’d get along better. Speaking of which, do you have to wear those shoes?”

I looked at my feet and back at her. “My Chucks? Of course, I’m wearing my Chucks. They’re custom-made. Most comfortable shoes I own.” I’d chosen my gold sparkly ones tonight to match the tuxedo, so they really stood out.

She exhaled through her nose and raised an eyebrow at me. “You’re lucky you’re so handsome,” she said as she fastened her dangly diamond earrings. “You get away with a lot more that way.”

“And you wouldn’t let just anyone escort you tonight. Right. You said that already.” She could tease me all she wanted. I knew how much she loved me.

“Are you almost ready? Or do you have more metal to put in your head?”

She smiled sweetly at me and I rolled my eyes. I adjusted my septum piercing and ran my fingers over the thick silver rings in both ears. I had a stud through my tongue as well.

“I think I’m good.” I crossed my eyes at her and she wrinkled her nose. Then her smile morphed into that grandmotherly look I recognized.

“How about you, Boone? How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay. All good.”

I’m not changing the shoes, though. I mentally stuck my tongue out at her.

Gran slipped her hand through my offered arm and I leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.

“Chin up, tits out,” she muttered.

“I’ll try to remember that.”

She subtly hip-bumped me and put on her most dazzling smile, no doubt practicing for the evening ahead.

I loved this woman, owed her my life, and I would stand by her side no matter what. I wanted her to be happy. She deserved happy.

As for me? I just needed to survive without making a fool of myself. I knew I was good enough to keep up with the likes of Bruce Duncan, but he’d rattled me more than I let on at that rehearsal. The idea that I wouldn’t do my grandfather’s music justice terrified me.

Papa taught me everything I needed to know to launch my career. I would do him proud tonight.

And if that meant dealing with the likes of Bruce Duncan or his aggravating grandson, Shane Butler, so be it.

Author Bio

Whether she’s writing contemporary romance featuring quirky and relatable characters or diving deep into the paranormal and supernatural to give readers a shiver, R.L. Merrill loves creating compelling, diverse, and inclusive stories that will stay with readers long after. Winner of the Kathryn Hayes “When Sparks Fly” Best Contemporary award for Hurricane Reese, Paranormal Romance Guild’s Best Rockstar Romance for You Can Do Magic, and Daphne DuMaurier finalist for Connection, Ro spends every spare moment improving her writing craft and striving to find that perfect balance between real-life and happily ever after. You can find her connecting with readers on social media, advocating for America’s youth, cruising around town with Great Dane Velma, cuddling with twin black cat familiars Frankenstein and Dracula, or headbanging at a rock show near her home in the San Francisco Bay Area! Stay Tuned for more…

Author Website: https://www.rlmerrillauthor.com

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

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

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rlmerrillauthor

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9828914.R_L_Merrill

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/R.L.-Merrill/author/B00PI6Q1LI

Review: Demon-In-Law (Gods of Chaos, #2) by Aja Foxx

Rating: 3.25🌈

It seems that every time Foxx writes a short story for an anthology, this series gets another book. The first one, How To Summon A Boyfriend, was written for the Fate’s Call Anthology – Manlove Edition. Now it’s Demon-In-Law, originally part of the Uncontrolled Chaos Anthology. It should be noted that both were revised, extended, and then relaunched for publication in their current forms.

I just hope that it doesn’t take another anthology to get a third story because there’s characters and plot lines a plenty that need additional exploration here. The mystery behind the overall arc themes is still left hanging pretty much at the end of the story.

These are short demon/human almost instantaneous mate connections that occur during a dramatic storyline that will have an ongoing arc thread and ties to a main character.

And while there’s serious topics involved, there’s no on page subject scene or raw material that would be considered extremely triggering.

It’s sweet, sexy stuff and happy endings that just so happen to be in the underworld.

The main character here, Abigor, was a gatekeeper to the underworld of the first book. Now promoted by Hades to bodyguard to Herby, Abigor’s story revolves around Jamie and his sister.

It’s a rescue, with a serious topic but while sweet, a lot of the story has dropped plot lines and issues that remain unresolved at the end of the book.

A reader is left wondering if there was a second half or more chapters that were left unfinished. Or if it’s all coming in another book.

Demon-In-Law (Gods of Chaos, #2) by Aja Foxx was a cute, quick read but wasn’t as well developed as the first.

Still entertaining and I hope Foxx returns to the series with a more balanced story soon.

Gods of Chaos:

How To Summon A Boyfriend #1

Demon-In-Law #2

Buy link

Demon-In-Law (Gods of Chaos Book 2)

Blurb

As the personal bodyguard to the consort of Hades, god of the dead and king of the underworld, I very rarely got any time off. When Hades himself gives me the day off, I had some great ideas of how to spend my free time. Only, they didn’t go according to plan. Instead, I was summoned by a human wanting to make a deal for his soul. I had a better idea.

Warning: Gay erotic romance. The material in this book contains explicit sexual content that is intended for mature audiences only. All characters involved are adults capable of consent, are over the age of eighteen, and are willing participants.

Note: This story was originally part of the Uncontrolled Chaos Anthology. It has been revised and extended by 12,000 words.

Publisher: (October 27, 2023)
Publication date: October 27, 2023
Language: English
Print length: 152 pages

Review: Cheap Heat (Goliaths of Wrestling book 3) by Lily Mayne

Rating:4.5🌈

Cheap Heat continues Lily Mayne’s unique paranormal romance series set in an otherworldly underground wrestling world, Goliaths of Wrestling.

It’s a real departure from the author’s other dark fiction. Those still has a romantic theme, but are often raw, futuristic, and dystopian. Here, we get a bit of paranormal romcom, wild otherworldly sexual imagery and practices (especially in this case), and a company of found family wrestlers that’s evolving alongside each other’s romantic journeys.

Cheap Heat is notable in that’s its couple is markedly different from the other two relationships Mayne has created for this series. In the previous books, the types of beings involved with each other were, probably, recognizable to the reader. Human, werewolf, Fae, and a type of paranormal, a Empyn, that reads as a type of succubus, even as each had a great, layered personality and background. That vague sense of connection extends to most (although not all) the rest of the Goliaths. Some truly bizarre and unique beings are part of this wrestling world.

Rafe Hare, a ghoul, is the new IT guy hired to bring the company and the Goliaths online and streaming worldwide. He’s a prickly, socially awkward introvert, who has no idea of the world he’s about to enter.

Dan Ewen is one of the most popular of the wrestlers at the Goliaths of Wrestling. What specifically makes Dan so popular also makes him unique. He’s a dullahan. His head comes off, and his body operates separately from his head. A wildly different situation no matter how you slice it. Or view it.

These two are “opposite attracts” in every sense. And while the other books were downright giggle fests as well as wonderful love stories, this has a different, albeit well written, feel to it. The characters have been through some very different obstacles, including their own struggles towards understanding each other , and their reliance on their assumptions about each other has to be addressed as well.

All of which is done while some pretty imaginative sex is occurring, alone and together. And with a pumpkin. Ok, that last is snort funny.

I absolutely enjoyed Cheap Heat, loved the journey Rafe and Dan had to take to arrive at their own HEA. Rafe’s friends are amazing and I hope they figure into future books.

What a fantastic series and story. The author has such an incredible voice and imagination that I never know what will happen or which way a narrative will go.

Read the warnings. Sexy, kinky, otherworldly, hilariously spew worthy, and a definite recommendation.

Cover illustration: Vic Gray/Bloodwrit

Goliaths of Wrestling:

🔷Impromptu Match #1

🔷Clean Finish #2

🔷Cheap Heat #3

🔷False Comeback #4-tbd

Buy link

Cheap Heat (Goliaths of Wrestling Book 3)

Blurb

Rafe

I really, really don’t like my neighbour.

We’ve lived next door to each other for three years, and we couldn’t be more opposite. I’m a quiet, introverted ghoul with a small friend group and a love of true crime podcasts and tabletop role-playing games. Dan Ewen a party boy with an endless string of ‘guests’ who likes to blare country music all night. He’s loud, inconsiderate, messy, loud, a total dudebro… did I mention loud?

And when I start my new job as IT manager at Goliaths of Wrestling, an underground supernatural wrestling organisation, I quickly discover that my terrible dullahan neighbour is now my new colleague. Great.

I still don’t like him. It doesn’t change anything. I can avoid him at work. But when I spot him one night through his living room window doing something that is utterly shocking, obscene, really weird… I find myself thinking about my annoying neighbour. A lot.

All the time, actually.

Oh no.

Dan

That neighbour of mine is a cute, surly ghoul whose pretty green eyes and angry scowl just make me want to rile him up even more.

We’ve never really been buddies, despite living side by side for three years. But when he starts working at Goliaths as our IT manager, helping to bring us into a new digital age, our lives begin to become a bit more entangled.

Mainly because he starts watching me each night while I… relax. So I make sure to give him a good show through my living room window.

I’ve always assumed Rafe Hare is straight, but it quickly becomes clear that I might be wrong. And when I propose a fantastic new way for us to get… ahem… friendlier, he’s as all-in as I am.

Which means I get to show him just how weird it can get with a dullahan. And I can’t wait.

Publication date: September 27, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 505 pages

Join us for the Tour for “Glitches of Gods“ by Jurgen “Jojo” Appelo (excerpt and giveaway, a OWL tour)

Jurgen “Jojo” Appelo has a new queer sci-fi book out (pan, non-binary, gender fluid, trans FTM), Playspheres book one: Glitches of Gods. And there’s a giveaway!

Julien, the AI genius, craves freedom, but the gods wield total control. In this ominous world, will his android bring hope and salvation or yet more death and destruction?

Julien feels utterly miserable. Creator of the AI that killed his father, the brilliant engineer deftly evades work on the world’s first human-level android, dodging the off-chance of snuffing out more lives. Instead, Julien much prefers bickering with his virtual assistant, crafting memes with his quirky friends, and shagging dates across a broad spectrum of genders. Yet, due to a maddening jump across timelines, he grudgingly faces his greatest dreads: raising a family and leading his team to win the AI race.

Drowning in new duties, Julien aims to avoid a second AI disaster. But when a mysterious, technological infection wreaks havoc on the city, Julien flip-flops between shielding his loved ones and leading his team as he battles it out with broken machines, idiot protestors, and a rather sinister cat. Learning he got himself involved in a war between gods, should Julien save his new family or finish his team’s android to prevent an AI apocalypse?

Glitches of Gods is the extraordinary first book in the Playspheres epic science fantasy series. If you like cynical sentients, wacky worlds, and plenteous profanity, then you’ll love the kick-off of Jurgen Appelo’s bewildering saga.

Universal Buy Link

Giveaway

Jurgen is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour:

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47316/?

Excerpt

The city park brimmed with people crawling under a mantle of sun in the late afternoon. Carrying his jacket over his shoulder, Julien strolled off the little red Japanese bridge on his customary route while people on skates, blades, hoverboards, floorbots, and wheelers passed him by on all sides. The crisp scent of freshly cut grass tickled his nose, while above, several flyers soared over the treetops, presumably on their way to the bustling park lake beyond.Julien’s univice attempted to draw his attention. Dozens of messages awaited his consideration, but he took pleasure in ignoring the world for a bit longer. After his escape from the incessant nagging of his colleagues, there was no reason to let anyone else distract him.

“There are one hundred and twenty-three messages—”

“Shut up, Orec—”

An anguished shout startled him. Julien barely had time to sidestep an older woman who speed-walked past at a pace that didn’t seem entirely natural. He watched as she yelled and gestured at other people before vanishing among the trees, leaving a trail of agitated pedestrians in her wake. Half-expecting a sonic boom to follow, Julien wondered if the lady’s impressive pace was entirely voluntary. A malfunctioning bodymod, perhaps? But then, a hideous sticker on a nearby lamppost drew his attention.

Reject suppression.
Reject secrecy.
Reject slavery.
Reject AIs.
#Wetwares

Gods, did Burt put this here? The Wetwares movement online was annoyingly outspoken about the dangers of AI, but this was Julien’s first encounter with an actual physical sticker—and an appalling one, too. It looked like it was designed in a traffic accident. I’ll ask Burt about it tomorrow.

“Orec, is there something to eat at home?”

“The available food items in the kitchen do not sufficiently meet the recommended minimum when considering standard dietary intake.” Julien let that pass for a moment, and then Orec added, “You’ll be hungry and grumpy.”

“I’ll grab something nearby, then.” Julien knew a food stall at the edge of the park. “Any dating prospects for tonight, Orec?”

“You have twelve invites; seven of them identify as women, three as men, two as genderqueer, one transgender, one bi-gender, one pangender, one agender, one novigender, and one intergender.”

Julien’s mind performed some calculus. “That makes eighteen, not twelve.”

“The person identifying as pangender also identifies as agender and genderqueer.”

“What about the other genderqueer?”

“They identify as man, woman, and intergender.”

“That would be trigender, then.”

“They may not identify as three genders when they also identify as genderqueer.”

“What about the bi-gender person? Are they the same as the transgender?”

“No, the bi-gender person identifies as a woman and novigender.”

“By the gods. And the transgender?”

“They identify solely as a woman.”

“Well, I’m glad one of them keeps it simple.”

“What preference are you leaning toward tonight?”

“Who cares about gender? Just give me tits. I’m in the mood for tits today—any gender. Gods, if I were straight, I’d save hours on the matching rituals.”

“I count another ‘fallacy of oversimplification.’”

“Nobody cares, Orec. Nobody cares.”

Julien wound his way between the trees and walked around the lake. The flyers he’d spotted earlier were now boarding passengers while children swam, splashed, and laughed in the water. Nearby, a standard Class 3 robot, looking like the outcome of a stirring union between C-3PO and a Cyberman, stood with its feet just shy of the lake’s edge, holding a pile of towels. Poor guy—or girl. One day, you will drop everything and dive right in with the others. You may even desire a swimsuit.

Ten minutes later, Julien was in a heated exchange involving his Turkish pizza. “So, credit cards don’t work; debit doesn’t work; Gitcoin doesn’t work; Kurrenzee doesn’t work; Swipe doesn’t work; Europay doesn’t work, and XDollar doesn’t work.” He cocked his head. “Where’d you get your payment systems? At a garage sale in Pyongyang?”

The woman—assuming she identified as such—offered an apologetic shrug. Exasperated, Julien rummaged through his pockets and slammed a few coins on the counter. Thank the gods for cash. He snatched the food and, making a show of his boundless frustration, walked off without saying another word. The entire universe is conspiring against me.

With some effort, he spotted a cast-iron park bench that wasn’t occupied, hurried over to claim it, and settled down. He laid his jacket beside him and grumbled under his breath as he unwrapped his meal.

“Gods, Orec. It’s 2054, and we still need cash.” He savored a bite of the rolled-up pizza, the flavors of spiced meat, cheese, garlic, and hot sauce tingling in his mouth. After swallowing, he continued, “I’m telling you, fifty years from now, we’ll have a hundred different ways of not being able to pay. And we’ll be surrounded by these ‘Wetwares’ zealots convinced that super-intelligent AIs use these technical problems to drive us all nuts and enjoy a good laugh.”

Orec remained silent.

Oh, here we go again. “What’s bothering you, Orec?”

“I detect no problems with my performance or functionalities.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

Orec resumed his silence.

Julien sighed. “I know you, Orec. I helped to create you. You don’t like it when I complain about the sad state of AIs; you don’t like my work on Tweeki, and you don’t like the possibility of Tweeki surpassing you.” He paused for a moment. “Plus, Tweeki has a body.”

“I wish you hadn’t decommissioned me,” said Orec.

“I wish you hadn’t killed people,” answered Julien.

There was no time to wait for a response. A piercing screech from overhead assaulted Julien’s ears, and mere moments later, less than a stone’s throw away from where he sat, the grass erupted, and a shock wave rattled the trees when a flyer crash-landed into the ground.

Author Bio

Jurgen Appelo travels the world to share inspiring stories about people and organizations. Slightly anarchistic, autistic, and eccentric, he happily adopted the nickname “jojo” when it was given to him at the age of sixteen. He wrote several best-selling nonfiction books before trying a hand at science fiction. He is the donor-father of five amazing teenagers and lives with his husband in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Jurgen likes coffee, books, games, and people leaving him alone when he’s being creative.

Author Website: https://jurgenappelo.com/

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

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jurgenappelo

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4462627.Jurgen_Appelo

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jurgen-Appelo/author/B00460MCJM