Review:  A Beginner’s Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and Other Management Mishaps (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures #5) by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4🌈

The penultimate (so the author says) book in this delightful  paranormal romance series,  Mae is looking towards tying up several important series storylines by bringing back secondary characters from previous stories. The purpose of which is to connect them together with their soulmate by way of elevating them into main character roles.

Gabriel,the tightly wrapped, overly worked, stressed out Divine Herald, the messenger of the Lord, the Angel of Revelation we’ve known before is now ready for a new path. Mae’s charted a sexy, joyful story for Gabriel here. It’s one of discovery and insight for himself and his afterlife. We feel so happy for him. And his partner. 

That’s the demon Leviathan aka Levi , a sea demon/monster who has also made appearances in preceding books. Levi is a sexy tentacled delight of a demon and his development along side his relationship with Gabriel is wonderful to read.

The story also brings in important elements and characters that will help finish off the series in the concluding storylines. I’m really excited to see what this will entail. 

Shannon Mae has written a highly entertaining, happy and sexy story. It’s a terrific read and one I’m happy to recommend.

Cover artwork by, Grimm Kat Cover assembly by, Tammy, Aspen Tree E.A.S.

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures:

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance ):

šŸ”· A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters #1

šŸ”·A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures #2

šŸ”·A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades #3

šŸ”·A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers #4

šŸ”·A Beginner’s Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and Other Management Mishaps (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures #5)

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Novellas: 

šŸ”·A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles (A Holiday Novella) 

šŸ”·A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Pet Demons 

šŸ”·A Beginner’s Guide to Demonic Possessions

Demonic Disasters and 

Afterlife Adventures Collections: šŸ”·Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Collection 1

Hellhounds of Paradise Falls -sequel series:

  • How to Flirt with a Hellhound #1 – (Coming Soon)

Buy link

        A Beginner’s Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and Other Management Mishaps (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Book 8)

    

Blurb 

Gabriel:

Gabriel is the Divine Herald, the messenger of the Lord, the Angel of Revelation… and he’s currently losing ground to social media. (Really, how is he supposed to compete with that ticking app?) When the afterlife’s management team forces him into a ā€œprofessional development partnershipā€ with a demon, Gabriel is horrified—until he meets Leviathan, a sea monster with tattoos, tentacles, and a knack for helping him connect with mortals.

Levi:

Leviathan has no interest in going back to the underworld. He’d much rather spend his time topside with his octopus sidekick and now, apparently, one very uptight angel. Teaching Gabriel about mortal pleasures—food, coffee, books, and other things (that require less clothes)—is the best adventure Levi’s had in centuries.

But as they both start to enjoy their unexpected partnership, one problem remains: what happens when the leadership team decides the partnership is over? Levi isn’t about to give up his angel, and Gabriel isn’t sure he wants to return to Heaven without his demon.

Tags: Featuring one grumpy angel and one cheery sea monster demon; accidental stroke of genius from the leadership team (very accidental); Mt. Everest is overrated, but mortal coffee is divine; even angels enjoy a good book; Gabriel discovers the joys of food, and other mortal pleasures (wink, wink); Levi has tentacles, and Gabriel definitely approves.

December 1, 2025

Language

ā€ŽEnglish

Print length

262 pages

Book 8 of 8

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures

Review: Enticing the Elf (Elf Magic #2) by Louisa Masters 

Rating: 4.5🌈

The second book in Masters’ Elf Magic series, Enticing the Elf was a romantic joyride, a comedic urban fantasy journey of love. That’s a phrase I’m sure those bros would appreciate!

This is DĆ”ithĆ­ and Eoin’s story, characters we’ve grown to love and appreciate throughout this series and stories from the Hidden Species universe.  It’s a couple that have been seeing each other, so no insta-love but realistic obstacles and struggles that they face that are keeping them from a committed relationship. 

Immediately I like the story better than the first. The groundwork is there, the characters are well defined, and Masters’ plot hilariously allows for many of our favorite characters to shine in supporting roles to bring DĆ”ithĆ­ and Eoin to their HEA. 

It’s got comedy, romance, realistic relationship discussions and heartwarming moments. And bunnies!

Plus we get a setup for the next book and couple to watch for.

DƔithƭ and Eoin turn out to be #relationshipgoals. What a happy ending and fabulous story.

Highly recommended. 

Cover Photo: Wander Aguiar 

Model: Ryan 

Cover Design: Booksmith Design

Elf Magic:

Wooing the Elf #1

Enticing the Elf #2

Buy link 

        Enticing the Elf (Elf Magic Book 2)

    

Blurb 

There’s nothing I want more than a life with him… but my past is the world’s worst wingman.

For a big chunk of my life, I expected to die along with the rest of my species. Nobody thought we’d make it, and I did my best to live in the now and enjoy every second of precious life.

Now that’s coming back to bite me in the ass.

Because the impossible happened, and we got our second chance. A safe home. A tomorrow worth planning for. And a future I want to spend with DƔithƭ.

He’s amazing—sassy, clever, the kind of guy who can cut you down with one eyebrow and still make you laugh. We’ve known each other a long time, and convincing him to date me was one of the best wins of my long life. Convincing him to be my boyfriend? That’s a fight I might not win.

Because the reputation I earned when I was living life to the fullest has stuck, and DĆ”ithí’s convinced I’m only in this for a good time, not a long time. He’s protecting his heart from future damage by keeping things casual between us… even though they’re not.

How do I prove I want him forever?

Review:  Shadow Throne King (Emperor’s Assassin Book 3) by Kai Butler 

Rating: 4🌈

Shadow Throne King is the third novel in Kai Butler’s Emperor’s Assassin series and I thought this is where the series would be wrapped up. 

But there’s more to come and I’ll be honest, I’m struggling a bit here. 

Butler has written about a complex political situation, with an equally strong layered world upon which the author made its foundation. Kingdoms at war, subtly and magically. Ice and fire, ancient blood magicians, and monstrosities abound. 

And dragons as well as things that lurk in the dark. 

That’s all pretty exciting. Love the ravens. And the characters are, individually, intriguing and given strong backgrounds. 

Based on its elements alone, it’s a 4.5, as a series and story. Solidly crafted and executed so well that I really enjoyed it.  

Especially that last section of dramatic fights and flight from the mountain. So excellent and moving. I was with those mountain badgers and their families every single step. And that song at that moment? Heartbreaking. 

What I’m struggling with? And shouldn’t be is the relationship between the two main characters. I feel absolutely no connection with them. Individually yes. Together no. 

I just don’t find them credible as a pair. No real chemistry between them. And Kai Butler can write chemistry like crazy. Just read Butler’s The Empty Throne Trilogy. But, at least for me, I’m not feeling it here.

I enjoy Airon, the northern assassin/Prince Consort, although at times I feel that he’s not consistent enough in his character for me here. He’s a trained assassin. Yet he doesn’t know to trust his instincts here in the story? Particularly regarding a certain character whose actions are screaming don’t trust me?  

Things like that in a character and storyline just will take a reader right out of a narrative quickly.  As it did me several times here. 

For me, it just highlights that you can have all the ā€œpretty things ā€œ like great world building and details but you need to get the actual substance, the core , the relationship right for a story to feel complete. And at book three it’s not happening. 

But could be that’s it’s just me. So for all the great execution of the plot and characters, 4 stars. 

Cover by Hannah Latham at oexasart 

Emperor’s Assassin series:

Betrothed to the Emperor #1

Emperor’s Wrath #2

Shadow Throne King #3

Dragon Blood Curse #4 – March 16,2026

Buy link

 Book 3 of 4: Emperor’s Assassin 

Blurb 

As the Imperium crumbles beneath our feet, will I be able to keep hold of Tallu?

The imperial generals who so loyally served Tallu’s monstrous father have declared war on us and fled the capital. The enemy nation of Krustau claims to have Empress Koque and Prince Hallu, the second son of Emperor Millu. If that is true, Krustau would have claim to the Imperium’s throne. 

Unable to risk the possibility that Tallu’s brother could fall into the wrong hands, Tallu and I must confront a greater threat than either of us could dream of. Will Tallu’s secrets lead to our loss or will he finally trust me with the truth he can barely whisper in the dark?

  • Publication date: October 27, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 394 pages
  • Book 3 of 4: Emperor’s Assassin

CW: Animal death (temporary), dismemberment, death.

Review:  Perfectly Petite Shorts (Short Stories From The Perfect Pixie Series) by M. J. May

Rating: 4.5🌈✨

Stories Include:

 Lighting the Darkness 

Magic’s Sight 

Phil’s Gift 

A Scuttlebutt’s Loyalty 

Cherry Blossoms & Fairy Blushes

Side characters are often everything. And they, when fantastically crafted as they are in this series, make such an impact that you can’t help but wonder what happens to them afterwards. How did their characters go forward?

Author May supplies us with 5 short stories that focus on some of our favorites from this series and gives them their own HEA or something similar.

Did I have a favorite? No. I just adore each one. So totally satisfying and a wonderful reminder why I love and highly recommend this series so much. 

Cover design by cheriefox.

Perfect Pixie Series 

Perfectly Imperfect Pixie 

Perfectly Perfect Pixie: Peaches’s Story 

Perfectly Charmed Pixie: Parsnip’s Story 

Perfectly Perplexing Zombie: Wendall’s Story 

Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox’s Story—finale 

Perfectly Petite Shorts: Short Stories from the Perfect Pixie Series M/M 

Necromancer Tales Series: Spin-Off from the Perfect Pixie Series

Deadly Lineage: Book I 

Deadly Deception: Book II 

Deadly Avarice: Book III 

Necromancer Tales Book IV–Coming Fall/Winter 2025 

Buy link 

Related to: Perfect Pixie Series

Blurb 

Ever wonder if our favorite ancient vampire, Nirgal, found his happily ever after? What about our morally ambiguous fairy, Hamish McIntyre? How exactly did Warlock Vander Kines meet Georgiana and why did she leave her daughter, Byx, in his questionable care? What Scuttlebutts think and how Trinket views her tribe? What about the perfect gift for a pixie who already believes he has it all? Hopefully the following short stories answer those burning questions.

Lighting the Darkness

Older than memory, vampire Nirgal is often simply referred to as ancient one. Help from his new friends across the pond, along with a desperate home-and-hearth pixie, might finally give Nirgal his own HEA, Lighting the Darkness invading his soul.

Magic’s Sight

Vander is near his breaking point. Thankfully, Magic has a plan and sends aid in the form of a precocious brownie child named Byx and her mother, Georgianna. Will Magic’s Sight be the answer that saves Vander’s life?

Phil’s Gift

Dillon and Ruthie set out on a quest to find the best present ever. Deciding Phil’s friends know him best, the children embark on their mission. Turns out dwarves, pixie best friends, fauns, and fairies have some interesting ideas regarding Phil’s Gift.

A Scuttlebutt’s Loyalty

Trinket will do whatever it takes to keep her tribe safe, even if that means tearing Dusk apart to do so. Too bad it just so happens to be during Wendall and Ray’s bonding celebration. Party be damned, a Scuttlebutt’s Loyalty is too important. 

Cherry Blossom’s and Fairy Blushes

Why is Hamish so distracted by the dryad who walked through his office door? Why can’t Hamish seem to dismiss his new client, and why is he so concerned for his safety? More importantly, why is this dryad’s Cherry Blossoms causing his Fairy Blushes?

Perfectly Petite Shorts is a collection of five stories revolving around side characters from the Perfect Pixie Series. For optimum enjoyment, the previous books in the series should be read prior. Perfectly Petite Shorts contains questionable gifting ideas, protective scuttlebutt violence, magenta colored pixie dust, mischievously motivated sprites, trolls with questionable fashion sense, randomly sprouting cherry blossoms, and so much more.

  • Publication date: August 23, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 286 pages

Review :  THE BANNING OF THE BATH BOMBS (A Ross Young, Unholy Trifecta, and Spellbound Crossover) by AJ Sherwood and Devon Vesper 

Rating: 4.25🌈

Short, adorable and great way to mesh these three series and zany group of characters. 

Will you be lost if you don’t know the characters or their respective relationships? Pretty much. It’s still an entertaining read but having all the background information on who’s who and what series they came from makes those scenes and characters more enjoyable.

Definitely a gift to the authors fans. And I love every sentence. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

Series and Characters Involved:

The Tribulations of Ross Young, Supernat PA (multiple shorts/crossovers)

Unholy Trifecta (3 book series)

Spellbound (1 book series)

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Banning of Bath Bombs (The Tribulations of Ross Young, Supernat PA) eBook

Blurb

Turns out bath bombs are actually magical portals. Or at least, in the hands of Master Mage Declan, they became portals. Even he’s not sure why.

Said magical portal connects to Ross’s bath tub.

Which means this is also now the Unholy Trifecta’s problem because Ross absolutely refuses to deal with portal magic by himself. Thanks muchly.

Tags:

Crossover time!, Unholy Trifecta, Supernat PA, Insanity of Reincarnated Mages, bath bombs gone wild, lots of bath tub hopping, I treat Canon like a Buffet but in a Gentle Way, Canon-Typical Poor Decision-Making, brain cells assemble, it’s just mindless fluff and shenanigans, Declan use your brain challenge: failed, crack treated like crack, neither author is sorry.

  • Publication date: August 7, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 42 pages

Review: Fated Mates and How to Seduce Them ( Fated Mates 4 )by AJ Sherwood 

Rating: 4.5🌈

I’ve really enjoyed this series and this might be my favorite one of them all. Watching Ian and vampire Andre navigate through their lives and journey to mates and HEA was funny, sweet and often moving. 

I honestly could have used more scenes of them together shopping for the kids of the home, or Andre using his favorite animated tv shows to teach French.  Or just the family dynamics when Ian got added, it was heartwarming and wonderful.

Unlike some of the other books, this is angst free, even while it does mention some of the worst events with the VSB that happened prior. 

Sherwood’s characters and abilities to craft a story and romance the reader can relate to are excellent and represented by the couple here. 

Another winner and one I’m recommending. 

Fated Mates:

Fated Mates and When to Keep Them #1

Fated Mates and How to Woo Them #2

Fated Mates and Where to Find Them #3

Fated Mates and How to Seduce Them #4

Cover by Katie Griffin

Buy link 

        Fated Mates and How to Seduce Them

    

Blurb 

After Ian Moore steps in to save resident playboy and vampire AndrĆ© Castor from a spiked drink, he expects life to go back to normal. Why, he doesn’t know, but that assumption seems reasonable, right?

Only AndrĆ© doesn’t want it to go back to normal. He’s found a cute, trustworthy human, which is an anomaly in his world. Can’t he just keep Ian?

Ian knows how this game ends, patiently waiting for the playboy to move on…so why is AndrĆ© proving him wrong? 

Tags:

Finally written in order, I treat canon like a buffet but in a gentle way, new ship here all aboard!, fated mates, vampires and humans, stubborn to lovers, sometimes vampires need to be rescued too, AndrĆ© is part cat, Ian has been adopted and has no idea what to do from here, marriage proposal, love at first sight, or at least Crippling Crush at First Sight, Fluff, so much fluff, I’m not even sorry, Casper the kitty, the VSB is on the eternal shitlist, playboy meets his match, Casper the Cat is a matchmaker, say no to drugs kids, unless the drug is love

  • Publication date: July 25, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 213 pages
  • Book 4 of 4: Fated Mates

Review:  High Stakes and Soulmates (Fanged Mistakes Book 3) by Alice Winters 

Rating: 3.75🌈

Honestly, as much as I was anticipating this book, I’m surprised at that I didn’t find it as enjoyable as I hoped it would be. 

The characters of Ezio, a vampire who’s been a outsized character in the previous novels, and Cyrus, the human detective who has been circling the inner group here and the object of Ezio’s desire, are both terrific in each way. 

I’ve loved how they both have figured into the weird dynamic between the main couple of Casimir and Julian, as well as dealing with their own personalities and quirks. 

But in their own story, certain aspects either have been completely changed or in one element, or say twist, overwhelmed the whole story. And for me, the twist just doesn’t work.

It was to convoluted, taking the series, story and character into unexpected territory and creating a ā€œas told toā€ narrative that bogged down the action and flow of the whole story. 

At some parts, it was just page flipping time. 

The best part for me? That entire absolutely hilarious dog show scenes. I out right laughed and laughed. I’d recommend it just for those moments alone. Just fantastic writing and comedic humor. 

So for me, this was a mixed bag after loving the previous books in the series.  As I said, read it because of the series, the author, and some hilarious moments not to be missed. 

But what happened between Cyrus and Ezio? I couldn’t really get into it. 

Fanged Mistakes:

Fake Dates and Fanged Mistakes #1

Dire Straits and Entwined Fates #2

High Stakes and Soulmates #3

Buy link

        High Stakes and Soulmates (Fanged Mistakes Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Ezio

One would think that being over two hundred years old would at least give me some skill at wooing the man of my dreams, though oddly, I seem to be fumbling around more than wooing.

But that’s alright, I will fumble my way right into Cyrus’s life if he lets me. After a rocky start, Cyrus is finally starting to open up to me as he realizes that vampires might not be all bad.

When Cyrus pulls me into a case, he discovers how much he needs me… and my werewolf friend disguised as a detection dog.

My past haunts my every step, but there’s nothing I want more than to leave my mistakes behind and focus on my future with the man I adore.

Cyrus

Death after death draws Ezio and me deeper into a mystery that is tearing through the city. My fear is that whoever is killing these people is toying with us, and I know I can’t figure it out alone.

Thankfully, Ezio is prepared to help me with anything I need (and then some), and he doesn’t come alone. He has Casimir (who is happy as long as Steve isn’t around), Julian (when he’s not naked), and Yorick (why is Yorick here?), who are determined to end this. But what we find is unlike anything we ever imagined.

Though it can’t possibly be worse than the delivery lady walking in on Julian naked again.

Ezio is ready to help me through it (the murder bit, not the Julian bit), if only I can leave my fears behind me long enough to accept the man I want more than anything.

  • Publication date: July 24, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 354 pages
  • Book 3 of 3: Fanged Mistakes

Review:  Accidental Bond (Damned Mercenaries Book 1) by Mika Nix

Rating: 3.25🌈

Accidental Bond , the first book in the Damned Mercenaries by Mika Nix, is a sequel to the fated mates dragon shifter series, Drake Security. 

I enjoyed that series very much, featuring the Drake family of dragons as they found their fated mates. 

One of the main characters here is related to that family, 

Mika Nix is the combined name of  authors of MM romance, K.M. Neuhold and Mia Monroe, takes a different approach with this series than that of an established close knit family of ancient dragons.  

Here it’s a boss mercenary demon who has obtained a group of mixed paranormal beings to work for him. They,  by contracts obtained by ā€œconsent ā€œ , ill conceived bargains, or some other means, now are basically ā€œownedā€ by the demon, and are forced into his bidding. He calls them his Pets. 

So yes, this immediately has elements that will not sit well with me. When I saw how this series was going, it was close to a DNF, but I did see it through. And there’s some nice things here. 

Mac, the irresponsible Dragon has appeared in the Drake Security series, where he had to be rescued from some very dangerous situations due to his lack of control and overall behavior.  Here, he’s finally getting some good development and growth. 

Too late but he’s on a journey to find his mate. And in one of the better aspects of the story, we find out what and the history behind Mac’s dragon hoard. 

Each of the ā€œPetsā€ will have a story and find a mate. That’s clear.  

But there’s just enough here that are elements in my auto DNF lists, that I’m stopping. 

Glossing over being tricked into basically a forever servant clause. No. Sentient beings called pets. No. And while the authors have written demon Drax as some sort of cinnamon roll happy bunny, the other Pets/group members clearly have issues here with their roles. 

So I’m noping right out. Others will find it interesting and charming.  Check it out. 

Cover design: Natasha Snow

Drake Security Series (first series)

Damned Mercenaries -sequel series 

Accidental Bond #1

Buy link:

        Accidental Bond (Damned Mercenaries Book 1)

    

Blurb 

I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but accidentally becoming a mercenary for a demon might be the biggest one yet…

My inner dragon has always been more like a devil on my shoulder, talking me into making bad decisions and creating chaos. I have a hoard full of demon artifacts, each one likely to cost me my life if the owners ever come after me.

I thought accidentally becoming a mercenary was the worst mistake I would make in a single day… until I inadvertently mated myself to a demon. It’s not my fault his mating ring was so pretty!

It’ll be fine… all I have to do is fulfill my contract, not do anything else to make things worse, and avoid falling for the surprisingly sweet, himbo demon who thinks I’m his mate. Should be easy… right?

  • Publication date: July 18, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 231 pages
  • Page Flip: Enabled
  • Book 1 of 1: Damned Mercenaries

Review:  Emperor’s Wrath (Emperor’s Assassin Book 2) by Kai Butler 

Rating : 4🌈

I really enjoyed the Emperor’s Wrath l, the second book in the Emperor’s Assassin trilogy by Kai Butler. The action packed story was highly entertaining, moved the entire plot forward with an enormous amount of magical details, new elements, and growth in the relationship between Tallu and Airón. 

The political drama and plotting behind the generals was well done. All the various and newly introduced characters (as we as their backgrounds) added interesting layers of intrigue to the story.

I did find that the increased density of new characters, plots, magical creatures, techno magic elements started that emerged here also left similar unexplored areas or just narrative holes that felt unsatisfying for me.

Certain emotional storylines ( no spoilers) that applied to one section of small characters but later not at all to one large impactful one. Inconsistency in the character design or something else.  But here, as well as other things, feels more like too many storylines and an over abundance of new elements made for some interesting oversights.

I’m definitely looking forward to the final book, Shadow Throne King, due out in the fall. 

Check out this fantasy series by Butler! Entertaining reading!

Cover by Hannah Latham at oexasart

Emperor’s Assassin trilogy:

Betrothed to the Emperor #1

Emperor’s Wrath #2

Shadow Throne King #3 – Oct 27,2025

Buy link

        Emperor’s Wrath (Emperor’s Assassin Book 2)

    

Blurb 

In this den of vipers and vultures, can I trust the emperor I was sent to kill or is he using me to destroy all I love?

I abandoned my destiny in favor of a new goal: working with Emperor Tallu to take down the Southern Imperium. Only things are not so easy when we’re faced with the imperial generals who brought the continent to its knees.

If my mother knew what I was doing, her rage would melt the Silver City, but I have no choice as Tallu and I pursue a powerful weapon that could end any opposition to the Imperium.

Why does it matter if I’m finding myself all too attracted to a husband I can’t trust, whose secrets multiply the closer he lets me get?

  • Publication date: June 23, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 403 pages
  • Book 2 of 3: Emperor’s Assassin

Review: Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1) by Arden Steele

Rating: 3🌈

Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1) by Arden Steele is a first book in a new series in an established universe. The Blackhaven Manor and connected sequel Hunters Hollow series are both full of terrific paranormal stories and interesting fated mates romances. 

With their crossover characters and established mythology/histories, they have a depth of character and storyline coming into the book that I thought was missing here.

Both the main characters weren’t really well developed, nor did their instant love/fated mates storyline have any chemistry. 

My biggest issue out of a bunch of them is the opening scenes where a young girl is so desperate to see her deceased father that she uses dark uncontrollable magic in Sunne Tanaka’s public library and tragically ends them both. 

It’s a very unexpected traumatic moment but does Sunne Tanaka act like it? No. He could be visiting an ice cream parlor with the same overall emotional energy of placid sweet potato niceness that he exhibits here.

Did I believe in his character? No. If Arden had said Sunne was experiencing shock from his death and that of the girl , that was one thing but no, this ā€œcinnamon roll ā€œ personality was it. 

And his fated mate is an unpleasant, bitter living guard in the underworld that we get no real sense of. 

Add to all the above, a third major character quickly telegraphs what his role is to be in the storyline. It’s easy to guess at.

So adding all these elements together meant that Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1) by Arden Steele was a book I breezed through with little connection with the characters or plot.

It’s ok but I doubt this is a series I will be following. 

Cover Art by Black Butterfly Designs Published by Peccavi Pressā€

Happily Ever Afterlife :

Definitely Dead #1

Dead Ringer #2 – June 5, 2025

Buy link

        Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1)

    

Blurb 

As a royal Guardian, Tyr Bergstrom is built for battle, not stillness. Not whatever this is. He followed his prince into the depths of the Underworld out of loyalty, but with no foes to vanquish and no lives to safeguard, he’s left questioning why he stays. It’s dark, cold, and each day blends into the next with monotonous sameness.

Until a spark of sunshine arrives in the Village of Lost Souls.

Sunne Tanaka died. Not ideal, but he’s had worse Mondays. While the afterlife isn’t anything like he expected—frankly, it’s a total scam—from the moment he meets Tyr, he can’t help but feel that he’s exactly where he belongs. He hasn’t decided if the shifter is his destiny or a beautiful disaster waiting to happen, but he knows one thing for certain. He’s not leaving the village without him.

But Tyr knows better than anyone that some lines aren’t meant to be crossed. He doesn’t know what waits beyond the dark waters of the River Acheron, but it’s the only condition of his stay in the Underworld. A rule he has never questioned…until another soul puts Sunne’s very existence at risk.

Now, he’s not just questioning.

Now, he’s prepared to take on the living, the dead, and Hades himself to bring his mate back and give them both a chance at a happily ever afterlife.

  • Publisher: Peccavi Press
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: May 15, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 213 pages