Tag: hurt comfort

Review:  Call of the Blood (Everly Abbott #4) by K.N. Banet

Rating: 4.5⭐️

The fourth book in K.N. Banet’s new Everly Abbott series, I thought it was the best one where the characters are finding their rhythm and how their relationships are going to evolve. 

I also found the author’s Tribunal Archives timeline for this and how it fits into the other series. So I have a better understanding of the overall storyline and what is happening with the Tribunal here. Yes, it really does make sense now. 

Alexius and Everly head out to see her brother and encounter some surprises after the events of the last novel. 

Isaiah has disappeared, dealing with the death of his longtime companion and lover, Jacob. Which leaves Everly and Alexius at loose ends and when a call comes in from the other coast from a Vampire Master requesting assistance from Alexius, they are traveling away from Savannah and home. 

Banet packs so much into this terrific adventure. We meet Declan, Everly’s brother and his girlfriend. That’s a fantastic storyline. 

Callahan is head of the Werewolves and on the Tribunal with his mate Carissa. The Tribunal Archives time line can be found on the author’s website. I have listed it on the longer version of this review on my website as well. The author is going to add to it as new releases come available. 

But back to Call of the Blood because it packs a punch. Full of action, more than a few twists, and some extremely powerful drama here, including new relationship dynamics between the main characters. 

I’m so thrilled to see this author writing again. Wonderful novel and great addition to the universe. 

⭐️Series in the connected Tribunal Archives Universe (crossover characters and storylines);

Kaliya Sahni (6 book series)

Jacky Leon (12 book series to date-waiting for the 13th)

Everly Abbot – 4 books atm/9 books planned :

Servant of the Blood #1

Blood of the Wicked #2

Tainted Blood #3

Call of the Blood #4 

Tribunal archive Timeline – to date for Everly Abbott series:

Jacky Leon book 1

Kaliya Sahni Book 1

Kaliya Sahni Book 2

Jacky Leon #2

Kaliya Sahni #3

KS #4

Jackie Leon #3

KS#5

KS#6

Jackie Leon #4

Ancient and Immortal Standalone story 

Everly Abbott #1

Everly Abbott #2

Jackie Leon #5

Everly Abbott #3

Jackie Leon #6

Jackie Leon #7

Hearts & Wars/Tribunal Archives story 

Jackie Leon #8

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 Book 4 of 4: Everly Abbott 

Blurb 

Book overview 

Madness lives at the edge of every vampire’s mind.

We’re driven by a need to hunt and feed on the blood of what we once were. Blood, though, is not the only thing that can drive us to madness.

Alexius and I are learning that firsthand, stuck together for months, unable to leave Savannah, trapped in tight corridors as the tension rises. Conversations grow difficult and need becomes a painful thing that we both avoid. So when the opportunity arises to escape the quasi house arrest Isaiah condemned us to, we take it. My brother, my last living family member, wants to see me and I can’t resist the call.

The call of the blood brought me here.

It is also the source of a madness that can break me.

And we’re not the only vampires who ran to escape madness.

August 28, 2026

Language

‎English

Print lengthz as

326 pages

Book 4 of 4

Everly Abbott

Review:  Dreams and Reptiles (Foggy Basin Season 3) by R L Merrill

Rating: 3.75🌈

Dreams and Reptiles (Foggy Basin Season 3) by R L Merrill is a sweet contemporary small town romance. It’s one of a multi-author series now in its third called Foggy Basin, set in a California small town.

Dreams and Reptiles is an age gap, hurt/comfort, multicultural romance that includes characters who have been through many traumatizing experiences, including work place assault. 

There’s a lot to like about this story. The characters are engaging. Francis, who has been through a traumatic experience with his work and his father, has bought a new home that will allow him to live his dream of a having artists retreat. 

Next door is an older firefighter, Kendall, who runs a reptile sanctuary. Kendall’s a divorced father, who is trying to deal with his own family issues of a daughter in college, a demanding job and a sanctuary full of animals needing him.

I really enjoyed the secondary characters of Francis’s mother and aunt, and his cousin, Derek, the real estate agent who is soon to be involved in a throuple storyline in the next book. 

Things that I would have liked to have seen more exploration here was the traumatic event that sent Francis to Foggy Basin and the aftermath with  his father. That resolution was over in a couple of sentences. Plus the fact that the father continued to call Francis’ mother “his wife “ despite being divorced, that was a big flag here.  Nothing about that aspect of the story felt particularly satisfying. 

And to be honest, the entire relationship felt rushed between Francis, who was trying to set boundaries because of his trauma, and Kendall, who didn’t really deal well with his daughter’s return from college. 

So, while the animals were adorable. The relationship between them sweet, I was left with a HFN and a timeline that sped forward without answering questions. 

It’s was good reading. But not anything I’d revisit. 

Foggy Basin Season Three (11 book series)

Keystrokes and Kittens by Gabbi Grey

Boss and Brat by Brina Brady

Silk and Honey by Kota Quinn

Fruit and Flash by R.A Frick

Dreams and Reptiles by R L Merrill

Flights and Sights by Riley Long 

Bales and Brawn by Jem Wendal

Fibre and Ink by Jamie Sands

Herds and Hooves by B L Maxwell 

Hammer and Hops by Lynn Michaels

Nicks and Cuts by TJ Nichols 

Buy link

 Part of: Foggy Basin Season Three (11 books) 

        Dreams and Reptiles: A Small Town MM Romance

    

Blurb 

From the award-winning author of Under His Sheets and Once Upon a Goth Dog Solstice comes an age-gap, hurt/comfort romance between two men with bruised and battered hearts ready for a second chance at happiness in small-town California.

Francis

I refer to the events of the past year as My Demise, and now that I’ve received a significant settlement, I’m ready to move on with my life. While visiting the town of Foggy Basin for their Pride Festival, I fell in love with the vibe. Lots of folks move there to start over, so why shouldn’t I? My cousin Derek shows me a quirky property for sale just outside of town, and once I see it, inspiration hits. Why not create a retreat where folks can make their dreams a reality? I ignored mine for way too long, but not anymore, and if I happen to run into the hot firefighter I shared a kiss with at Pride, well, I’ll take it as a sign.

Kendall

My entire adult life, I’ve taken care of others, and now I’m ready to start the next phase of my journey in California. I’ve spent years learning about various species of reptiles, and it just so happens that Grandma left me the perfect place to build a sanctuary. Only, I soon discover that my passion project is a bit trickier than I thought it would be. My spirits lift, however, when the saucy young guy I met at Pride moves in next door to me. At first, I worry perhaps he’s one of those wealthy people who come to town and throw their money around, but when I learn the truth about his past, I’m determined to make him see just how deserving of love he is.

For Mature Readers due to sexual content, frisky aunties, reptilian escape artists, and meddling polyamorous firefighters.

Welcome to Foggy Basin. Nestled at the base of the foothills in Northern California, this small town is full of characters just waiting to tell you their story. Whether you’re just passing through or you decide to stay a while longer, you’ll always find a warm welcome from the townsfolk. From farmers and animal rescues to artists and small business owners. Foggy Basin has it all.

Celie Bay Publications LLC

Publication date

August 13, 2026

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‎English

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Foggy Basin Season Three

Review: Nemesis, Inc: Alpha Team  Collection 2: by Bella Stone 

Rating: 4 ⭐️

This is Arabella Stone writing as Bella Stone, who is so prolific in military and action romances. I honestly don’t have the space to list all her many series and related excellent books here. 

But collections like these are wonderful ways to get acquainted with her work and characters if you’re unfamiliar with them or to get caught up on her series that you are reading. 

I enjoyed this three books collection and read right through them easily. There was an author’s note about the Christmas story being a present and sort of final kiss to the end of that couple’s story. And that perhaps you should read their journey first. 

I hadn’t and I still loved it. I’ll read about them eventually. And then hit it again. 

Stone can write battles, and weapons and action filled scenarios. Along with terrific characters. 

Read and enjoy. 

 Just some of her related series:

Stronghold (3 book series)

The Four X’s Group: La Spezia (6 book series)

The Four X’s Group: Morocco (1 book series)

Nemesis Inc. Alpha Team (6 book series)

Nemesis Inc. Bravo Team (4 book series)

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 Collects books from: Nemesis Inc. Alpha Team 

Blurb 

Rory: Taking his mandated leave was supposed to be a fun trip for Nemesis Inc.’s Alpha Team, recon expert Rory *Mokaccino* Costa. Leave which lasts all of five minutes when a phone call from a teammate sends him to Paris to rescue Adalyn Cassidy and her son, Sam. Changing things up on the fly and living life at a hundred miles an hour is typically his jam. He’ll rescue the divorced author and her kid, send them home, and get back to his vacation. A couple of days in the French capital could be fun… right?

Stay Frosty: Dalton and Lina Knight have fought terrorists, governments, the Organization, and themselves for the chance to have a happy ever after with the family they both crave. With the birth of their first child just days away and Christmas on the horizon, fate throws them a curveball, and one of their people goes missing in Syria.

Aria: Aria doesn’t do attachments, and Jasper’s not the kind of man who believes in hopes and dreams. When the final pieces of the Organization surface and King makes his last move, all bets are off—because Aria survived hell once, and she refuses to lose the man who snuck in under her defenses, got on her last nerve, and claimed her heart… Jasper.

Embers Romance LLC

Publication date

April 24, 2026

Language

‎English

Review:  Kill the Beast by Serra Swift

Rating: 4.5⭐️

This is an excellent first book by this author. Kill the Beast by Serra Swift, a fantasy adventure novel, is a remarkable tale of revenge, found family and redemption. 

Situated In lands where humanity has  expanded into lands once shared with Fae, the forward movement of humans and their developments have disastrous consequences when they encounter the otherworldly creatures and the monsters that the fae have created and left behind. 

The fae, fleeing from the iron technology of humanity and losses of their forests or just insults to their superior species, ensured their revenge against humans is often deep and brutal. 

For one woman, Lyssa Cadogan, now Lyssa Carnifax, the Fae’s brutality has been incredibly devastating, the loss of her beloved brother who was murdered by a faerie-made monster known as the Beast. She made an oath on his grave to revenge him and kill the Beast.  And that’s been her life’s goal and work since then. 

A warrior/hunter consumed by her hatred for the Fae and need for revenge. She is hired by a wealthy, sort of dandy Alderic Casimir de Laurent, who has knowledge of the Monster and hires her to kill it. 

And it’s not just as simple as that.

So many interesting and tragic layers to the story and of these people. Multiple losses, deep emotional scars, slowly bonding with each other and with the scary found family that Lyssa has gained over the years. This includes an enormous bullmastiff called Brandy. 

There’s no romance. A past relationship is mentioned and there is a possibility of a future romance. But this is about dealing with trauma, the tragedy of your past, revenge and forgiveness. And finally being able to move forward. 

An absolutely fantastic book by a first time author. I can’t wait to see what they write next. 

Highly recommended. 

Love the cover.

Cover design by Shreya Gupta 

Cover illustration by Kelly Chong

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comKill the Beast: Swift, Serra: 9781250373786

Blurb 

The Witcher meets Howl’s Moving Castle in this debut original faerie tale of revenge, redemption, and friendship—for fans of T. Kingfisher, Naomi Novik, and cozy fantasy with a dash of gritty adventure.

The night Lyssa Cadogan’s brother was murdered by a faerie-made monster known as the Beast, she made him a promise: she would find a way to destroy the immortal creature and avenge his death. For thirteen years, she has been hunting faeries and the abominations they created. But in all that time, the one Beast she is most desperate to find has never resurfaced.

Until she meets Alderic Casimir de Laurent, a melodramatic dandy with a coin purse bigger than his brain. Somehow, he has found the monster’s lair, and—even more surprising—retrieved one of its claws. A claw Lyssa needs in order to forge a sword that can kill the Beast.

Alderic is ill-equipped for a hunt and almost guaranteed to get himself killed. But as the two of them search for the rest of the materials that will be the Beast’s undoing, Alderic reveals hidden depths: dark secrets that he guards as carefully as Lyssa guards hers. Before long, and against Lyssa’s better judgment, an unlikely friendship begins to bloom—one that will either lead to the culmination of Lyssa’s quest for vengeance, or spell doom for them both.

Tor Books

Publication date

October 14, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

309 pages

Review:  Fractured Doors and Forgotten Gods (Hidden Realms #1) by Alice Winters 

Rating:  3.75🌈

Even with a nice twist at the end, Fractured Doors and Forgotten Gods (Hidden Realms #1) by Alice Winters was a story that just didn’t connect with me. 

There’s many stories from this author I’ve found absolutely entertaining and some are in my reread piles, but the main characters, their dynamics between themselves and even those who they are forced into working with are such that I don’t enjoy reading their scenes or didn’t think their relationships felt believable.

Issues like a lack of communication of major issues, especially when Riley’s “secret” he’s not telling anyone/has told anyone smacks of martyrdom. The other issue is that Torin, the god swings emotionally from irritating arrogance to impulsive toddler to sexual being to instant love partner, all without a credible relationship built between the couple.

The story has some interesting mythical creatures, fantasy familiars and the twist plays into another mythology that will play out into the second book. 

But I’m not sure Winters has made me care enough about the characters to go further with the series. 

Still deciding. 

Cover design by Natasha Snow Designs

Hidden Realms 

Fractured Doors and Forgotten Gods #1

Timeless Doors and Captured Gods #2 – July 9,2026

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 2: Hidden Realms 

Blurb 

Riley

Trying to keep my familiar out of the meat display while shopping is the hardest part of my day… until someone drops a god right into my humdrum existence.

Torin, a massive man claiming to be a god, is unlike anyone I’ve ever met. He insists on learning English through adult graphic novels, believes the pizza delivery guy is an assassin, and thinks he can kick a subway into submission (talk about adding a bit of spice to my life, which has been sadly lacking since I left the Magical Interference Unit).

The handsome and strangely charismatic god drags me (literally) right into his problems, starting with a creature who wants to tear my head off, yet I find myself following along with his whims.

He knows something is wrong when Doors to another realm begin to open up, allowing an ominous power to get a foothold in our world… but I’m afraid this quirky god and I might be the only ones keeping this world from ending.

Oh joy.

Torin

I never expected that simply stepping through a Door into Riley’s world would introduce me to so many amazing curiosities, like pizza and burritos! Oh, and a pesky human who really should recognize that I’m a god of war and love—emphasis on the love.

But there’s more to Riley than meets the eye; why else would their special forces place me with a man who can borrow magic from others? My attempts to woo this mystifying human are thwarted at every turn (I doubt that has anything to do with me tossing him on a horse or taking over his bed).

As Riley and I grow closer, I realize that he might be the very person needed to save this realm… because what is coming for them is beyond anything they can comprehend… one even worse than the atrocity called an “escalator.”

Fractured Doors and Forgotten Gods is the first book in a series that has a continuing storyline.

June 2, 2026

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‎English

File size

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Book 1 of 2

Hidden Realms

Review: Apollo (The Noah Project Book 1) by M. Tasia 

Rating: 4🌈

I’ve read M. Tasia before in her fantasy novels and enjoyed them, so I picked up Apollo not realizing it was part of a larger universe. Starting with Fire Lake series and continuing with The Noah Project, both are focused on the survivors of a hidden, government agency science project. One that used soldiers, and kidnapped civilians in horrific lab experiments to create paranormal mutations in the military’s secret weapon branch. It was called The Noah Project. 

Each series has what’s left of the survivors trying to discover to the others, rescue them and destroy the remnants of The Noah Project that continues to operate unchecked.

It’s a couple per book type of story and series. And  the length, here 200 pages, doesn’t really give the characters adequate space for a relationship of any depth to develop to at a realistic level. So it’s an instant/lust/love type of relationship. Which is acknowledged, a mystical connection.

It develops very quickly, the drama and the resolution. And the next couple is highlighted at the end. 

It’s entertaining and quick. But I wasn’t as connected to the characters here as I have been in similar situations and storylines. Not enough depth for the story.

Interconnected series, starting with:

Fire Lake (9 book series)

The Noah Project:

Apollo #1

Buy link

        Apollo (The Noah Project Book 1)

    

Blurb 

A Soul Forged in Shadow, A Heart Found in the Light

For years, Apollo was nothing more than a number. A perfect weapon crafted in the cold, sterile labs of the Noah Group. He knew only the grey of concrete walls and the sting of betrayal until the day he finally escaped his chains and claimed his freedom.

But even though he broke free from the group’s stranglehold, he couldn’t deny the isolation of being a “mutant” in a world that feared him. Now he’s a leader with a fearsome burden on his shoulders.

Then Rocko comes calling.

A weary detective who’d walked away from everything, Rocko wasn’t looking for a hero. And he certainly wasn’t looking for a man who could sense the hum of the world around him. But in Apollo’s guarded eyes, Rocko sees a soul worth protecting.

And in Rocko’s steady presence, Apollo finds the one thing the Noah Group could never manufacture: a reason to hope.

As they lead a band of survivors against the shadowy organization that still hunts them, the battle becomes personal. In the quiet moments between the gunfire and the narrow escapes, a bond forms that is more powerful than any genetic enhancement.

Apollo has spent his life fighting to survive. Now, with Rocko by his side, he’s finally learning what it means to live.

Boroughs Publishing Group

Publication date

March 18, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

200 pages

Book 1 of 1

The Noah Project

Review: Penny For Your Thoughts (Shadowy Solutions #5) by Nicky James

Rating: 4.75🌈

Penny For Your Thoughts is the fifth book in Nicky James fantastic series , Shadowy Solutions. It’s a series that quickly became a hit with me, surpassing the original series it’s connected with, that of Valor and Doyle.  I feel parts of Valor and Doyle became repetitive, although Aslan is a huge hit with me.

But the complexity of the dynamic between Tallus Domingo and deeply damaged PI Diem Krause, each with a legacy of parental violence, family domestic abuse, and childhood trauma. But one who carries the deepest visible scars as well as the emotional traumatic memories. Ongoing pain and PTSD.  That’s Diem, who has tremendous anger issues and anxieties as well as substance abuse problems. 

Over the course of 5 novels, James has built up, albeit slowly and realistically, a hard won relationship between these two very different men. It’s been compelling to watch and read about as Diem fights with his demons, and both have to devise ways to make their lives work for themselves. 

Even here, Diem has to make the decisions about his use of alcohol and cigarettes, even as his father and family life has the greatest impact on his life. 

I’m not sure if James is finishing the series with the story or not. I would be happy if this was the finale.

It’s got a terrific storyline. All the crossover characters are here from Valor and Doyle in meaningful scenes. Aslan, Fox, Quaid, Costa and Kitty Lavender.

Then there’s Darcy Gingrick, Echo, and Baby the snake, that actually gives both Tallus and Diem as touching family, of sorts. Especially, Darcy, what an incredible element he turns out to be. 

This is one of my favorites of the series. And if it’s the finale, I’m absolutely satisfied with how everyone is left at the end. 

There’s an extra bonus story, The Baby Visit, linked at the end of the book.  Don’t miss out on this one. Sweet bonus and intimate window into a favorite side character. 

Highly recommended. 

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow Designs

Same Universe:

Valor and Doyle (8 book series)

 Shadowy Solutions (5 book series):

Skeletons in the Closet #1

Power of the Mind #2

Reading Between the Lines #3

A Breath of Life #4

Penny For Your Thoughts #5

Buy link

 Book 5 of 5: Shadowy Solutions 

Blurb 

Diem never thought he would have a steady boyfriend and enough cases to keep his business in the green. He never thought his nana would live to be ninety-three.

Life is, dare he say, good?

He could do to drink less, and he still needs to quit smoking, but he’s getting there.

He’s happy.

In love.

If he could manage his stress, life might even turn out to be… great?

But then Tallus arranges dinner with his parents, where Diem faces questions about commitment and weddings and a weekend bonding trip with a stepfather he doesn’t know.

And a resident of Nana’s nursing home ends up involved in a twisted version of a grandparent scheme, so Diem agrees to investigate. The police clearly aren’t doing their job.

It’s all downhill from there.

The case somehow leads to Diem figuratively adopting the most obnoxious teenager imaginable. A boy whose troubled life reflects Diem’s past. A boy who is deeply entwined in a con far more complex than he realizes.

One misstep tips their hand. The hunter becomes the hunted. Diem and Tallus—and their unfortunate sidekick—are in a race against the clock, desperate to nail the person responsible before he skips the country… or seeks revenge.

So much for reducing stress.

Amidst the chaos, Diem finds himself bonding with his petulant rescue-teen. Diem is nobody’s role model, but the boy’s incessant questions open Diem’s mind and heart to things he never thought possible.

Things that make him think that maybe life could be… amazing.

*This is the fifth installment in the Shadowy Solution series. It is a same-couple mystery series with mental health rep, size difference, and a sassy vs surly dynamic. The series should be read in order for full enjoyment*

March 26, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

461 pages

Book 5 of 5

Shadowy Solutions

Review:  Mercy Blade: A Jane Yellowrock Novel Book 3 by Faith Hunter 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Mercy Blade is a book whose description is one I think was deliberately kept succinct and vague for a reason. And that was to keep the readers from any plot spoilers that might have been picked up from a longer blurb.

Mercy Blade itself opens up an entire introduction to new characters, paranormal species, and several areas of ways that the various beings govern themselves, or have the ability to. 

Hunter has really constructed a complex universe that is just starting to emerge here. And it’s going to spread throughout the course of the series and over the country.

The few things I will say is that Mercy Blade sees the official emergence of a African black were-leopard group, in New Orleans to meet with Leo, a tumultuous revelation that includes Rick, and yet several more paranormal species that will have ongoing conflicts and roles for the future. 

Jane’s life will be more heartbreaking, dangerous and in an unstable state where she’s scrambling for trust and support.

It’s a danger greater than anything before and makes for a fantastic story.

I’m so hooked into this character and universe. 

Jane Yellowrock (15 book series): 

Skinwalker #1

Blood Cross #2

Mercy Blade #3

Raven Cursed #4

Death’s Rival #5

Blood Trade #6

Black Arts #7

Broken Soul #8

Dark Heir 9

Shadow Rites #10

Cold Reign #11

Dark Queen #12

Shattered Bonds #13

True Dead #14

Final Heir #15

Buy link

        Mercy Blade: A Jane Yellowrock Novel

    

Blurb 

Jane, a shapeshifting vampire-hunter-for-hire, crosses paths with a stranger who has arrived in New Orleans, enlisted to hunt vampires who have gone insane-or so he says…

Publisher

Ace

Publication date

January 4, 2011

Language

‎English

Print length

322 pages

Book 3 of 15

Jane Yellowrock

Review:  His Mate By Defiance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 4) by Mel Aitchess

Rating: 4🌈

“The Lunetti Pack is a steamy MM Enemies to Lovers Paranormal Romance series set in New Trinity, a city ruled by three crime families: the Lunetti Pack of mafia wolf shifters, the vampire mobster Cruor Coven, and the witch Elemental Mayhem MC. It features knotting (and other paranormal fun) but no mpreg.”

His Mate By Defiance is the penultimate story in Mel Aitchess’ paranormal mafia crime fated mate series. The Lunetti Pack has followed several top level members of this criminal wolf shifter pack as they fight to keep their place and power in the trinity of politics that’s New Trinity City, a dark horror of a city where it’s divided into sections ruled by witches, vampires or shifters, depending on the territory. 

This is Rafe, the pack doctor’s romance, one that starts years prior with his first encounter with a badly injured young jaguar shifter in an underground fighting ring. 

This meeting is recapped here and then we come forward to present day, where the jaguar shifter, Adrian ,aka Adri, is still part of the fight scene. 

The author does an excellent job explaining Adri’s background and meshing that with the natural history/instincts of the jaguar to give Adri a distinctive personality and outlook from that of the other shifters.

And Rafe, as someone older and with different skill sets, has a perspective on what their relationship and how it might develop than Adri has. 

Their dynamic is excellent and is the best thing about the story. 

There’s also another aspect of the book, a continuation plot that’s not resolved here but will continue into the final story. It sets up the last fated mates match. 

But the lack of at least some sort of completion to some aspect of this complicated conspiracy left me frustrated. 

The romance was certainly completed but it’s a HFN, and far too many people were hurt and issues left unresolved. 

I am certainly looking forward to the last book to see how it all wraps up. If you like to binge, wait until it’s finished, and read right through. 

A definite winner. 

Lunetti Pack (5 book series) :

  • His Mate By Vengeance #1 – Angelo and Vin
  • His Mate By Resistance #2 – Luca and Cal
  • His Mate By Allegiance #3 – Rocco and Emilio 
  • His Mate By Defiance #4 – Rafe and Adri 
  • His Mate By Dominance #5 – Alpha Marco and Seth’s, the finale. Feb, 21,2027

Buy link

 Book 4 of 5: Lunetti Pack 

Blurb 

“For you? I will take it all. All your pain. All your desire. Everything. It’s all mine.”

Rafe is done giving Adri space. For thirteen years, he’s waited for his jaguar shifter mate to be ready to acknowledge what’s between them. Thirteen years of tracking the pack’s fighting ring and racing to respond whenever they need a doctor. The night he turns up to find Adri brutalised by a feral shifter in the ring, he knows he’ll never let him go again. Especially when shifters start going missing.

Adri told the doc he didn’t need saving over a decade ago, and nothing’s changed since. The last thing he needs is Rafe’s overbearing protectiveness when he’s trying to save his friends from a new unsanctioned fighting ring and whatever bioweapon is at play. Waking up in Rafe’s bed wasn’t in the plan. As soon as he’s healed, Adri’s out of there.

His Mate by Defiance is an MM paranormal romance with a bite. It features age gap, fated mates, and hurt/comfort

Publisher

Mel Aitchess

Publication date

March 11, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

254 pages

Book 4 of 5

Lunetti Pack

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

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        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

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Language

‎English

Simultaneous device usage

Unlimited

ISBN-13

978-1969799013

Book 5 of 5

The Smokethorn Paranormals Series