Review: Grave Situation by Louise Masters

Rating: 3.75🌈

Grave Situation by Louise Masters is a story that was so emotionally moving at times that it had me sobbing in parts and yet, left me wondering why I wasn’t completely satisfied by how the story was finished. Nicely written, had humor, pathos, dragons, with a diverse cast of characters but with a book of this length and thought that’s gone into the storytelling, there’s something along the lines that is also missing.

The twins Talon, the mage, and Tia, the dragonrider sister, are wonderful . The his class and the character of Talon, especially,are vividly illustrated , easily becoming people we care about. As too are the found family that Talon starts to gather together along the way on the journey he’s sent on.

Each one is well crafted , easily recognizable and relatable. There’s a non-binary one. The big hearted gorgeous but not bright one, the naive young one, etc. But because they are so well done, they become winners in their own right.

But there’s noticeable flaws that’s frustrating. Example, Masters tells us what a powerful mage Talon is but the magic , unless it’s telepathic, isn’t really there in any scenarios to prove that. Dangling a person upside down a couple of times isn’t really enough.

And we get dragons , without a substantial foundational knowledge about them, and then later on when its becomes a major narrative element, we realize that for the most of the book there is no background information for our characters. In a novel that’s 577 pages.

That’s an aspect of the story that’s seen elsewhere. Religion plays a huge role here but we’ve no idea what it is about. What, other than the name, that makes it so important or fun or interesting or whatever. It’s a “waves hand “ something religion.

There’s no substance to the governments, kingdoms, religions, or even magic.

But there’s zombies and a mission and a gang of found family to save the world. And dragons.

Grace Situation is a serialized story that began on her Patron page and for me, it has that feel.

It’s fun. Definitely entertaining and moving in parts but it doesn’t come across as a well defined and deeply developed world. Nor does that end feel very satisfying. Good but not great.

I’ll still recommend it but it’s not a book I read straight through as I did others of the same style and length.

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comGrave Situation – Kindle edition by Masters, Louisa. Romance …

Blurb

He’s not the hero they deserve, but he’s the hero they’ve got.

No, seriously. Talon wants to know what he did to deserve this. What would make a sentient rock decide that he of all people should be the one to save the world from zombies? That’s right. Zombies. Because apparently a higher power decided that teaching magic to teenagers wasn’t enough of a challenge.

With a ridiculously attractive healer (who may or may not hate him), his sister (who he miiiight have a forbidden telepathic link with), a sentient god-like rock (that can only communicate via yes/no vibes), a disdainful dragon, and a rude matchmaking horse by his side, he just might be able to save the world.

Or die trying.

Meet Talon Silverbright. He’ll save the world, but only because a rock said he has to.

Publication date: March 20, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 577 pages

Review: Guardian (On the Wind Book 2) by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes

Rating: 4.5🌈

Guardian is not the book I expected it to be. Knowing that Hector was going to The Wall, with the Crane Clan, to defend the borders of Nemeda against the southerners in their never ending war, I expected non-stop battles, bloodshed, and angst.

Especially from Hector, a man who has lost everything and has arrived in a new land where he has no status, no martial skills. And the youngest, most gentle sibling he’s always protected, due to love and responsibility, is the one who has ended up rescuing not only himself but Hector and their sister (Sanctuary). He’s a very tragic, wounded figure in many ways.

But Burns and Fawkes delivers a great story and fantastic characters in a narrative that will go into a more intimate, emotionally powerful world, rather than a larger, action packed adventure.

Hector, in a story that sees himself redefining his thinking about his life and future, is paired with a man who, once the layered are revealed, is similar in his own mind and history. That’s Killian, war Chief of the Crane Clan, whose interesting internal family and child raising structure has produced a person who understands the burdens of responsibility that Hector has borne since adolescence.

Having Hector and Killian work together and struggle with their own issues as well as Hector’s need to redefine who he is as a man in a new world, needing new ideas and skills, is a brilliant way to bring them closer together and to make them relatable to the reader. Hector’s insights into why he’s so torn, unhappy, and confused are thoughts that anyone can understand. So too are those of Killian’s as he seeks to help Hector while still struggling to stay apart emotionally. It all makes sense and their relationship is one I couldn’t get enough of. The authors writing is so skilled in detailing their emotions and dynamics.

I was thrilled to see both siblings again in important roles and emotional moments together. That sister has found her home in Nemeda as the fierce consort to the Chief of the Raven Clan, is no surprise as we saw the women together at the end of the first novel. Men and women rule Clans in Nemeda, something that’s not true to the north and south, so I wonder if it will play into future plans.

The authors have created such a great background and culture for the Crane Clan (along with the many other clans) that it’s easy to get sidetracked imagining more than just the cultural tidbits that are being given out. There’s a wealth of riches here throughout the whole story and series, and it’s goes into making this a beautiful, compelling book.

The ending was as astonishing and satisfying as the storylines that led up to it. And it made me anticipate the next in this fabulous series even more.

Guardian (On the Wind Book 2) by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes is an excellent read as is the series. Absolutely recommend!

On The Wind series:

Sanctuary #1

Guardian #2

Harbor #3 – November 14,2024

Buy link

Guardian (On the Wind Book 2)

Blurb

Only months ago, Hector was in his deathbed. Now, he’s fled his home, abandoning everything he’s ever known to protect his family. But in Nemeda, Paris and Helena don’t need their older brother to provide for them. Unmoored, Hector struggles to find his purpose, until a conniving Nemedan chief questions their legitimacy in the clans. The three refugee siblings must each serve a year on the wall, fighting in the unending war with Nemeda’s southern enemies, but Paris and Helena have carved a place for themselves in their new home. Hector alone is unanchored, and to keep his family safe, determines to serve all three years himself.

The chance to get close to formidable silver-haired chief of the Crane Clan—a man who looked at Hector at his weakest and saw value still—is only a faraway dream.

Killian has led the Nemedan war effort for twenty years. Duty and fairness surpass every other concern, but with Hector of Urial stationed in his lands, he finds himself bending rules that have kept Nemeda secure for generations. While Hector tests his boundaries, he also makes Killian question his assumption that love has no place in war, or in his life.

Killian will move armies to see Hector safe, but with a war looming and the threat of an illness that might steal Hector’s life as easily as any enemy blade, they’re on a collision course with fate that will change the whole land.

Publication date: October 24, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 299 pages

Review: Immortal Sentry by Eden Winters

Rating: 3.25🌈

While I’m a huge fan of this author, unfortunately Immortal Sentry doesn’t seem to have the same energy or narrative features as this author’s many other books.

The story of a lone survivor, Prince Eron, of his royal family’s betrayal and demise and subsequent struggles to regain the throne, are densely worded and dull “as told to” scenarios instead of being lively, vividly illustrated with memorable scenes, and emotional moments.

It was indeed a struggle to connect with the characters and storylines. The language and dialogue was stiff and uninteresting. It lacked emotional overtones and saps any semblance of life from the characters and storylines.

It’s a huge difference from the author’s other novels I adore and rec. Those have a highly satisfying narrative, vastly better dynamics between characters that are relevant and believable on paper. Everyone here is dry and one dimensional. The plot is well written, as it’s definitely had many characters and storylines woven together to create a wider story. But the couple and its main action sequences didn’t really work well. That’s my main issue.

I enjoyed Winters previous novels, contemporary or fantasy driven, but this turned out to be not my cup of coffee.

Check it out if you’re a fan of the author, maybe it will be yours.

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Immor…Immortal Sentry – Kindle edition by Winters, Eden. Romance …

Blurb

Honor, redemption, destiny, and magic.

As captain of the king’s guard, Kerric should have laid down his life for the royal family. Now, the king and his heirs lie dead. Kerric deserves death, too, yet the court mage has another punishment in mind. For their failure on the fateful day an enemy invasion killed the king, Captain Kerric and his men will forever guard the castle as gargoyles, both as a curse and as a warning. His one chance for redemption is to put a rightful heir on the throne. How can that happen when there are no living heirs, and he’s encased in stone?

Eron doesn’t remember much about his time before being rescued by notorious highwayman Lord Night and taught to live the life of a noble by day and brigand by night. There’s much more to Lord Night than meets the eye and much more to Eron’s destiny than purses of gold and nightly conquests.

A mysterious mage appears, saying it’s time for Eron to return home, overthrow an evil usurper, and take his rightful place.

As king.

Publication date: October 19, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 259 pages

Review: Dawnchaser (The Summertide Chronicles Book 2) by Sam Burns

Rating: 5🌈

The Summertide Chronicles is such an excellent , imaginative series. One of the best by Sam Burns, who’s given the readers many incredible worlds and characters to explore and fall into love with.

Dawnchaser is the second in the series, and the author is still exploring the world, the magic, and the threat that’s making it imperative that the four main powerful ruling families come together to find a solution before it’s too late.

For what exactly isn’t exactly clear yet. But that is has to do with changing natural conditions and a rumbling Mount Slate, well it’s sounds ominous enough.

Burns gave us an initial glimpse into the four families as that fiasco of a gathering in Gloombringer. There we met various individuals from the white-haired, imposing Moonstrikers, the dour Gloombringer, the power-mad Dawnchasers, and the wild Sunrunners. Each family able to use their gifts/talents by way of bonding with both an individual sentient crystal and then the head of the House with its most powerful House crystal.

It’s a fascinating, compelling element as the sentient crystals have their own charm and personalities. And, depending upon the person that they are bonded with, a complex relationship between them.

That dynamic is seen here in multiple threads, letting Burns go deeper into the concept of what the crystals might actually be.

Dawnchaser follows up on the traumatic events from Gloombringer, that brings the Moonstriker, Cove, to the Dawnchaser family territory and estates on the mission to hunt and eliminate Huxley Dawnchaser.

Instead,Burns gives us Cove , as well as other members of the Moonstriker family, revisiting an older personal nightmare and understanding that the Dawnchaser’s have been yielding a legacy of even deeper family abuse.

Florian Dawnchaser and his younger sister, Fawn, who’s sensitively portrayed as person with Down syndrome, are beautifully crafted characters, vividly realistic and engaging in every aspect of their storylines. From the beginning of this book, where we and the Moonstrikers see them in a very different way and situation to the development of their personalities and the family dynamics as Cove helps them and himself deal with the trauma that Huxley and the Dawnchaser legacy has created.

It’s just a tremendous novel. There’s so many layers here to appreciate and to feel connected to as multiple characters work together to forge new futures, right the some of the devastating crimes done in the past, and help create hope for the next generation.

I love this series and characters. And can’t wait to see what the next book will bring.

Highly recommended as well as the author.

Love these covers too.

The Summertide Chronicles:

Gloombringer #1
Dawnchaser #2
Sunrunner #3 – Jan 2, 2025

Buy Link

Dawnchaser (The Summertide Chronicles Book 2)

Blurb

I came here to kill Huxley Dawnchaser.

I expected the ridiculous extravagance of his estate, his home, his life. What I didn’t expect was the trail of broken people he left in his wake long before he murdered Oberon Gloombringer. I certainly didn’t expect to be put in the position of helping Huxley’s children pick up the pieces of their own shattered lives.

There must be some way I can kill him twice.

Dawnchaser is the second in a series of four books, starring one exhausted family lord, one terrified bunny who needs to discover his inner predator, and one princess who just wants everyone but her friends to go away so she can have her tea party. It contains Cove and Florian’s HFN, and continues the overall story arc of the series.

Publication date: October 3, 2024
Language: English
File size: 1384 KB
Print length: 294 pages

Review: I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem (Fortune Favors the Fae story) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4.5🌈

I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem is Jocelynn Drake’s funny, imaginative and quite magical story in the multi-Author Fortune Favors the Fae series. I enjoyed it on so many levels. The characters, the storyline, and all the various elements Drake threw together to make this an entertaining rousing adventure.

I can only imagine the enjoyment Drake had writing this story, one that has a certain online novelist, Adam Lockhart , with severe writers block, stumbling into his own unfinished story where none of his characters behave as they should, the plot is nothing like he intended, as everything’s going totally amuck from how he assumes the universe will be. Sort of like it might feel like in an author’s mind when working on an uncooperative project. Love this so much.

Adam’s been churning out a fantasy online series, Betrayal of the Elf Prince, with daily installments expected from his fans/paying readers. A trip to see friends is waylaid by finding a gold coin, yes, that one, and boom, Adam ends up in the town of Misty Pass, a place he’d created from his own unfinished novel. Ok, more to it than that but I’ll leave it to the book.

Of course he meets Nylian, a prince in disguise and distress. But it’s our Adam, the modern day human, we get more and more invested in. Adams who thinks he knows what will happen but watches with total bemusement and a great deal of befuddlement as the chaos continues on with his “plot” as he’s thrown into the lives of the people and world around him. Including Nylian a person he’s getting so close to.

It’s funny, exhilarating, real in the exploration of a new feelings and sexuality as well as the excitement in seeing all the different aspects of the world he’s found himself in. One he created but it’s so new too. The other characters are especially interesting and great in their own ways. The mercenary Adeline and her younger brother, Jasper, the wizard in training. Master Binx who I really needed more of, so adorable.

There’s adventure, magical goings on, dastardly characters and romance. And punny names!

If I had a quibble, it’s that the coin had a negligible role here. It’s assumed it’s good luck but as a major element it’s somewhat lacking.

But the characters, their journey and the potential for even more interesting tales is so strong, I highly recommend this book and Drake as an author for your auto list.

Cover art by Natasha Snow. I love the covers. Fabulous.

Fortune Favors the Fae – 15 books:

A Fae Coin Transported Me Into Another World and Now I’m the Gay Holy Maiden by AJ Sherwood #1❤️
The Wolf’s (Un)Lucky Fae by Michele Notaro #2 ❤️
Bound to the Wild Fae by Tavia Lark #3 June 13❤️
The Sorcerer’s Thief by Lee Colgin #4 ❤️🔷
The Fae Menagerie by Edie Montreaux #5
Never Darling by Sam Burns #6
Prince of Poison by Alice Winters #7 ❤️
Grave Misfortune by Nazri Noor #8 ❤️
Fae for Pay by Meaghan Maslow #9

Kisses at the Crossroad by Morgan Lysand #10
Smoke and Mirrors by Kai Butler #11 ❤️
Siren in the Rain by Chloe Archer #12
I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem by Jocelynn Drake #13 ❤️

A Fae Called Wylder by Michelle Frost #14 – Aug 29,2024
Lucky or Knot by Eliot Grayson #15 – September 5,2024

Buy link

I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem

Blurb:

Don’t Pick Up That Coin!

I was just an innocent author minding my own business. Until I found that coin…

The evil thing zapped me into the novel I was writing.

Now I’m dodging ogres, humans, elves, and a certain wizard-in-training with a proclivity for changing people into small harmless animals.

My only goal is to get home again, and the best way to do that is to get this book back on track. I must help the sexy exiled prince find his brother’s killer.

The only problem is that the prince keeps flirting with me rather than the women he’s supposed to be adding to the harem.

Wait! Flirting with me? That can’t be right.

Wait wait! Why did I call him sexy? Am I falling for the prince, too?

I Destroy the Elf Prince’s Harem is a stand-alone novel within the Fortune Favors the Fae collection and follows the adventures of one poor author as he stumbles his way through his own novel and just maybe falls in love with the hero. Along the way he will encounter elves, humans, ogres, a wizard-in-training who’s really bad at magic, jealousy, possessiveness, political intrigue, secrets, and a prince who has eyes for just one man. Unfortunately, that one man is as blind as a bat when it comes to love.

From spicy to sweet, zany romps to epic adventures, there’s something for everyone in the Fortune Favors the Fae series. Discover destiny and true love, and follow the coin on its fickle journey to the next world and a new magical adventure. Each book is a standalone and can be read in any order.

Publication date: August 22, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 377 pages

Review: Gloombringer (The Summertide Chronicles Book 1) by Sam Burns

Rating: 5🌈

Sam Burns is such an amazing prolific fantasy writer that I’m reading several new series from her while discovering ones from her backlist I’ve not yet started. And yet here’s another fabulous book that welcomes in a new incredible universe full of political intrigue, four magical ruling families, and a crisis that’s falling upon the land.

I’m so in.

And immediately invested as the entire book and multiple storylines plays out during a politically charged, emotional, and often potentially violent meeting between the heads or representatives of each ruling family.

Each story is about a different family. Burns starts with the family or what’s left of the Gloombringer family. That’s aging, cold, often nasty Oberon and his wounded younger sister Titania in their ancient large household. While we are deeply involved with this duo, their history, and their tangled relationships with the rest of the other rulers, it’s Adair Courtwright, and Rain Moonstriker that’s the central pairing here.

Adair Courtwright who’s powerfully talented in his ability to see life connections, bonded to moon tear Rhodri, and through his family legacy, is in service, as was his father, to Oberon Gloombringer. And Rain Moonstriker, who has shown up at the four-ruling family summit as the Moonstriker representative, bringing his own team and plenty of his mother’s agendas and secrets.

The Moonstriker family is large in size, intellectual in temperament, isolated and held in somewhat fearsome regard, mostly due to Rain’s mother and uncle’s power. Burns gives the reader several intriguing glimpses into a couple of Rain’s siblings, which only makes us want more of each of them. Rain is well developed individual assisted by his own bonded stones. His romantic relationship with Adair is one that needs to be understood by reading it as it’s layered with Adair’s personal story. It absolutely works, and they are assisted by those around them.

An occurrence that happens again and again as other different people appear during this meeting, as family members or employees. Each one is so well defined, uniquely themselves with a backstory that cries out for greater exploration, that this novel alone would weigh a ton would that happen.

I honestly forgot about the timeline here, as I was so caught up in the various drama plots, the romance between Adair and Rain, and the fact that this summit is headed for disaster with no stopping it. Just fabulous.

So many creative moments and imaginative elements that Burns has written into her story and universe. It just captures the reader’s attention and own imagination too. One of my favorites?

Burns has also created sentient stone, crystals of various ages, that bond with humans, gifting them with various forms of abilities depending upon the type and nature of each stone. This is a devastating aspect of the world, because it both has the capacity to elevate or subordinate a person’s status, especially as they have no choice over what stone bonds with them. They are simply great characters themselves, and I can’t wait for the author to explore this further.

I can’t wait for Dawnchaser to be released. I need to know what happens next! This is a must read, especially for lovers of fantasy fiction.

The Summertide Chronicles:

✓ Gloombringer #1

◦ Dawnchaser #2 – Oct 3,2024

Buy Link

Gloombringer (The Summertide Chronicles Book 1)

Blurb

For decades, the four families who rule the Summerlands have been locked at an impasse. No one is fighting, but neither has anyone been speaking.

We don’t have time for that anymore.

Mount Slate, the volcano that sits in the middle of the Summerlands, is threatening to erupt, and only the four family heads working together can avert disaster.

As the right-hand man of the Gloombringer, it’s been up to me to convince first my boss, and now the rest to put aside their differences and work together for the good of the world. The problem is that not everyone is all that interested in the good of the world—not unless they get something out of it. Even worse, I now find myself distracted by the Moonstriker’s envoy, Rain. He’s intelligent and handsome and for the first time in my life, I’m struggling to focus on work. But I have to.

It’s up to us to save the world.

If we can.

Gloombringer is the first of four books in The Summertide Chronicles, featuring one right hand man trying to save the world, one future family head trying to seduce him, one woman badly in need of another drink, and a plethora of people trying to keep them from their goals. It ends with Rain and Adair’s HFN, but also contains an overarching storyline that will follow the entire series.

• Publication date: July 25, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 334 pages

Review: A Tale of Whispers and Rogues: An MM Fantasy Romance (Shadowborn Book 1) by Jordan Lee

Rating: 4🌈

Once again, a glorious cover pulled me to a book and got me to the description and the decision to read the story. See the artist credits below. A Tale of Whispers and Rogues by Jordan Lee is the first in the Shadowborn fantasy series and I was really entertained by the world building and characters.

This is a very much a fast paced action adventure with a slow burn romance thread that builds as a small group of people journey or flee across the country. Why they are running, the political and religious state of the world and countries are revealed as the group flees.

That’s Uncle Amias who works for The Legion. The Legion is the world’s governing body. Next is Colt O’Malley, a former thief, fighter and gambler who’s indebted to Amias, and most importantly, there’s Amias’ nephew, Owen Greene. Owen, who has led a life of temporary homes and caregivers, is finally orphaned fully into his Uncle’s care, only to be left behind again. The truth behind his story becomes clear at the beginning of the journey when Amias and Colt come to collect him. Events force the disclosure that Owen is a Shadowborn.

Lee does a powerful job in showing the tragic events that lead up to Amias abandoning his job and running to gather up Owen. Also the pain of Owen leaving behind the only real home he’s ever had. All to flee for his life.

It’s about religion, magic, interpretation of that religious word and the actual horrors being enacted by fanatical factions in power to keep their beliefs intact. Including acts that have ended up destroying lives, many of which are children.

The storylines and characters are great. I was absolutely invested in this journey because of them and the growth that I saw. And the mysteries being laid out still in the landscape and the mythology.

However, Lee also decided to throw in multiple POVs, beyond that of the expected two main characters of Colt and Owen, and honestly, it weakens the narrative and the suspense that builds upon that singular experience between the one group because if you are experiencing it from just their perspective, then anything else is going to be a surprise to you as well.

I’m not a fan of this format, it rarely makes sense, and for me, it doesn’t here.

It also changes the way the book ends. Not from a HFN but to a cliffhanger.

A Tale of Whispers and Rogues: An MM Fantasy Romance (Shadowborn Book 1) by Jordan Lee is a very good, well crafted, and involved read. I think its sequel is going to be even better. I can’t wait to see where the author takes the story next. A definite recommendation.

Gorgeous covers on both.

Book cover art by Olga Panfilova Book cover design by Selkkiedesigns

Shadowborn series:

✓ A Tale of Whispers and Rogue #1

◦ A Saga of Wielders and Hunters #2

Buy link

A Tale of Whispers and Rogues: An MM Fantasy Romance (Shadowborn)

blurb

Owen Greene must die.

Being Shadowborn, the Essence of a fallen god runs through Owen’s veins. It gives him power, but it comes with a bullseye painted on his back, one the Legion is determined to hit once they learn he exists. Wielding such power comes at the cost of his life, and with the Legion close to finding him, Owen must leave his home to escape their hands.

Charged with protecting Owen, Colt O’Malley knows the dangers that might accompany them. He’s been tasked with protecting Owen on their dangerous journey with the promise that he can go home at the end of it. But what Colt didn’t count on was just how often that dimpled smile and tender-hearted Shadowborn would weaken him.

Fleeing the country to escape the Legion might have been their main goal, but neither Owen nor Colt had planned on falling for each other along the way. And with the Legion on their heels, falling in love couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

A Tale of Whispers and Rogues is an M/M fantasy romance featuring a man gifted with the cursed power of a fallen god, the handsome rogue sworn to protect him, ruthless henchman, a mysterious shadow, a slow burn romance, and a budding romance with a HFN ending

• Publication date: March 19, 2024

• Language: English

• File size: 6871 KB

• Print length: 431 pages

Review: The Sorcerer’s Thief (Fortune Favors the Fae book 4) by Lee Colgin

Rating: 4.5🌈

Another great book in the Fortune Favors the Fae series, this one by Lee Colgin.

The Sorcerer’s Thief takes place in Colgin’s Luminia series universe, a series I hadn’t read so wasn’t familiar with. Did I feel I was missing a bit of foundation information about the magical political regime’s history? Yes, as the story could only fill in so much. But this is such a terrific tale that those gaps, while important, lessen in comparison to the main characters and their lives.

Here’s where that fae coin interferes again, when the outstanding character Cricket arrives, stealing into the royal household, to make his last appearance as a thief before heading home. He’s been away too long from his village and wants one last great item to sell.

Colgin lets the reader immediately into what’s special about Cricket, as he introduces him stealing what we all know will be that meddlesome coin. Cricket’s partly fae, just enough to have some sort of magic but looks completely human. In a Fae kingdom that’s only just recently been accepting of other species, that hasn’t been a good thing. His family history is one that’s revealed as the story evolves. It’s how we get to know Cricket, his personality and why he’s a thief with trust issues.

That coin brings him to the immediate attention of another player. A would be thief and sorcerer, Julian, who desperately wants that coin. Julian is a damaged, broken being with hidden secrets but both the coin and Cricket keep directing him towards another path.

Throw in a nearly blind pony, a journey of discovery, magic, and misadventure and danger and you have a fantastic tale of romance and found family.

Julian’s last minute story of his real life parentage didn’t make much sense to me and didn’t add anything to a grand finale so it must have been for the series readers. It felt like an addition.

The Sorcerer’s Thief (Fortune Favors the Fae book 4) by Lee Colgin is another winner in this fabulous collection and another book that I’m recommending.

These covers are just spectacular, some of my favorites in years.

Fortune Favors the Fae – 15 books:

✓ A Fae Coin Transported Me Into Another World and Now I’m the Gay Holy Maiden by AJ Sherwood #1❤️

✓ The Wolf’s (Un)Lucky Fae by Michele Notaro #2 ❤️

✓ Bound to the Wild Fae by Tavia Lark #3 June 13❤️

✓ The Sorcerer’s Thief by Lee Colgin #4 ❤️🔷

◦ The Fae Menagerie by Edie Montreaux #5 – June 27,2024

◦ Never Darling by Sam Burns #6 – July 4,2024

◦ Prince of Poison by Alice Winters #7 – July 11,2024

◦ Grave Misfortune by Nazri Noor #8 – July 18,2024

◦ Fae for Pay by Meaghan Maslow #9 – July 23,2024

◦ Kisses at the Crossroad by Morgan Lysand #10 – August 1,2024

◦ Smoke and Mirrors by Kai Butler #11 – August 8, 2024

◦ Siren in the Rain by Chloe Archer #12 – Aug 15,2024

◦ I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem by Jocelynn Drake #13 – Aug 22,2024

◦ A Fae Called Wylder by Michelle Frost #14 – Aug 29,2024

◦ Lucky or Knot by Eliot Grayson #15 – September 5,2024

🔷Ties into the author’s Luminia Romances (3 books) for universe foundation

Buy link

The Sorcerer’s Thief

Blurb

The Thief

Cricket thought he’d stolen the ultimate prize: a rare coin rumored to possess magical powers. But when an alluring sorcerer upends his world in a moonlit alley, Cricket discovers the coin is more powerful than he’d ever imagined.

And he’ll risk his life to keep it.

The Sorcerer

Julian needs that stupid coin, and seeing as it’s fallen into the hands of a mortal man—a beguiling, smooth-talking thief, really—it should be easy enough to claim. So why does he continue to fail in his every attempt?

Unstoppable Ancient Magic

For someone who thrives in the shadows, Cricket discovers there’s no hiding from the magic that binds him to the coin, or the infuriatingly seductive Fae sorcerer intent on reclaiming it. Soon, both men find themselves battling volatile magic and a dangerous attraction while desperately holding on to what neither can afford to lose: their hearts.

***

The Sorcerer’s Thief is a part of the multi-author series Fortune Favors the Fae. From spicy to sweet, zany romps to epic adventures, there’s something for everyone in this mystical series. Discover destiny and true love and follow the coin on its fickle journey to the next world and a new magical adventure.

• Publisher: (June 20, 2024)

• Publication date: June 20, 2024

• Language: English

• File size: 3039 KB

• Simultaneous device usage: Unlimited

• Text-to-Speech: Enabled

• Screen Reader: Supported

• Enhanced typesetting: Enabled

• X-Ray: Not Enabled

• Word Wise: Enabled

• Sticky notes: On Kindle Scribe

• Print length: 252 pages

Review: Mist, Shadow, and Deep: An Epic Dragon Fantasy Saga (The Crystalline Dragons Saga Book 2) by Eoghan R. Cunningham

Rating: 3.75🌈

Mist, Shadow, and Deep, the next book in The Crystalline Dragons Saga, suffers a bit from the second book syndrome. Where the first book introduces the characters, had the huge amount of mystery, fantastic emotional dramatics for the characters and in events, and lays out the mythology. We get pathos, murder, sorrow, and some heroic moments.

That’s hard for a second book to continue forward while maintaining the momentum of that previous novel, keeping the magic alive, and juggling the newly created relationships between the trio of widely different characters.

It’s a narrative job that can turn into a struggle as it does at points here. At times it’s overly dense, where the reader just wants them (Dusk and his two companions) to just get on with it. Other times, the author creates these gems of scenes that encapsulates moments of startling high scary action, ones that demonstrates both the camaraderie that’s growing between the group and the mysterious dragon magic hidden inside Dusk .

We don’t get nearly enough of those.

The character of Dusk is a well thought out, beautiful creation. He’s undoubtedly the best thing here because it’s his stolen adolescence as a salt mine slave that plays into his actions and thoughts here. He’s an innocent on the outside world. He can’t read people, he can’t read period. Can’t hunt or fish. And he’s got an impulsive kind heart in a world that wants to kill him.

We see the villain coming a mile away. Which is a real problem here. Because we still have most of the book to get through to see how it ends. We know badly. Just how badly is the question.

Which doesn’t make for enjoyable reading.

So read Mist, Shadow, and Deep as the bridge it is to get to the next level of this saga . I’m onto Rise of the False King next.

The Crystalline Dragons Saga-5 books:

✓ Curse of the Dragon’s Eye #1

✓ Mist, Shadow, and Deep #2

◦ Rise of the False King #3

◦ The Queen of Darkness #4 -May 9,2024

◦ Fall of the Crystal Moon #5-June 6,2024

Buy link:

Mist, Shadow, and Deep: An Epic Dragon Fantasy Saga (The Crystalline Dragons Saga Book 2)

Blurb:

A shadow rises to meet the light and, with it, an evil sorcerer. Dusk must choose between what is right and what is easy.

In his hour of need, a new face emerges. But is he friend or foe? Only time will tell.

Barely escaping with their lives, Dusk and his companions head south, following the mountains as they search for another way through. That is until they’re lost within a misty bog that threatens to consume them.

Out of the mist appears a figure who saves Dusk before the monster of the bog can consume him. Grateful and indebted, they head south together toward the port town of Emerald Deep. There’s a pass through the mountains there that will lead the party to their freedom at last.

But Emerald Deep is filled with mysteries, thieves, and temptation. The moment they arrive, the group begins to crumble, and Dusk is left wondering if his companions ever cared about him at all.

And that’s the moment the shadow attacks.

Mist, Shadow, and Deep contains a diverse cast of characters and queer themes. It was previously published under the title “The Crystal Archivist” by Blake R. Wolfe. Although the title and cover are different, the content remains the same.

• Publication date: March 14, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 264 pages

Review: Curse of the Dragon’s Eye: An Epic Dragon Fantasy Saga (The Crystalline Dragons Saga) by Eoghan R. Cunningham

Rating: 4.5🌈

The Crystalline Dragons Saga by Eoghan R Cunningham (also released by the same author writing as Blake R. Wolfe) is new to me.

I’m so happy to have found this as a lover of fantasy novels and epic YA adventure series, as this one has the elements of all those stories done so well.

The character of Dusk is incredibly well written. Dusk’s is a haunting story, a young man captured at the age of 11 or 12, and brought to the infamous deadly mines as a slave for the next 10 perilous, darkened years of his life. If slaves survive to a certain point, they “age” out of the mines, in a worst case scenario. And we live in the moment with Dusk.

Of course, so many things happen. Horrible and magical things. Simple moments like a shining light that stuns a youth that’s been buried in darkness to magical scenes that’s clouded by a lack of knowledge.

Along the path to a new life, Dusk gathers a few friends, a lot more enemies, some astonishing new powers, and his journey becomes a rollicking adventure, sometimes nightmare, on the path to enlightenment and self discovery.

It’s a fascinating story. I’m onto book two and recommending this as a highly entertaining take on fantasy adventure.

Plus. There be dragons.

The Crystalline Dragons Saga-5 books:

✓ Curse of the Dragon’s Eye #1

◦ Mist, Shadow, and Deep #2

◦ Rise of the False King #3

◦ The Queen of Darkness #4 -May 9,2024

◦ Fall of the Crystal Moon #5-June 6,2024

Buy link:

Curse of the Dragon’s Eye: An Epic Dragon Fantasy Saga (The Crystalline Dragons Saga)

Blurb:

When the last dragon died over a thousand years ago, magic disappeared along with them. Alone and powerless, humanity was left to pick up the pieces of their once magnificent world.

But now magic returns in the hands of a young slave.

Ever since slave traders captured me as a small boy, I’ve worked in the salt mines. My destiny is hard labor and an early death. There is no escape.

Until I found the dragon.

Inside a natural cavern, I discovered an ancient dragon skeleton made entirely of crystal. Whispers in my mind told me to steal the gem from its eye. And I did, thinking I could use it to buy my freedom.

However, the moment it touches me, it fuses to my skin, and my entire world is turned upside down. Magic isn’t supposed to exist, but fire erupts from my hands every time someone tries to harm me.

Escaped from the mines at last, I form a shaky alliance when I encounter another traveler down on his luck. We are both determined to make it to the neighboring country, although we keep our reasons secret. Once there, I’ll be free. Then I can get rid of this cursed gem once and for all.

However, a mysterious sorcerer nips at our heels as we reach the final mountain pass. With a hired guide, we try to make it through without being detected. The magic of the dragon’s eye has saved us more than once, but this time, it might just be our downfall.

Curse of the Dragon’s Eye contains a diverse cast of characters and queer themes. It was previously published under the title “The Crystal Eye” by Blake R. Wolfe. Although the title and cover are different, the content remains the same.

• Publication date: February 1, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 299 pages

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