Eden Winters new release, Darkness, is a superb supernatural thriller. Wintersā beautifully written narrative combines elements of horror, murder mystery, political conspiracy, as well as a deeply intriguing romance to create a dark, suspenseful, and gripping story.
It starts with Atlanta PD Det. Morrisey James. Heās a wounded, broken man, with a disturbing talent that allows him to sense what the newly deceased felt, a gift he keeps hidden in his job investigating violent crimes.
Thatās where Winters drops the reader into the narrative. James and his partner have just arrived at the scene of a truly horrific crime, one that will have ramifications for the rest of the story. We immediately get a feel for Morriseyās battered emotional state, the close dynamic between himself and his deeply depressed partner. And the author is able to portray, just from the remarks of the other crime scene officers, a city under siege as waves of high crime just overwhelm the police and all departments.
When tragedy strikes again and loss hits Morrisey, its help from Farren Austin that turns his life upside down.
The characters of Morrisey and Farren, the darkness and the light, are so thoughtfully and beautifully crafted. Winters builds believable people who we have real empathy for , but leaves them with so much more room to expand their characters into increasingly larger and complex roles.
I couldnāt stop reading. I was so caught up in Morriseyās story, Farrenās role in it, each new revelation about all the various travelers and their tumultuous journeys from a dying world. Winters has enough elements for a series should she want to continue exploring the world and characters she has created and set in motion.
I wasnāt really ready for Darkness to be over as I felt the characters were just getting started with their own new beginning. There were also other characters I had grown fond of and needed to see more of them.
Whether this is a standalone or the beginning of an extraordinary series, itās a great story and one Iām excited to share.
As an Atlanta PD detective, Morrisey understands the worst atrocities the city has to offerāor believes he does. His recent cases present something new: a killer who unleashes unbridled terror in victims before moving in for the kill. Morrisey has an edge, though, the terrifying ability to gain flashes of insight from each victim.
Most people assume Farren Austin is a shallow, pretty boy, but heās so much more. Agent Austin keeps secrets as part of the FBIās Alternate Entities Task Force, a unit created to monitor travelers from another realm. Although they might look human, theyāre anything but.
And theyāve taken a special interest in Morrisey.
Partnered with Farren, Morrisey finds himself in the middle of demons trying to possess his body, a succubus sidekick who wants to cook him breakfast, accusations of being a powerful destructive force, and a growing number of people calling him āDarkness.ā Not to mention a sudden overwhelming attraction to his new partner.
Itās going to take the mysterious Farrenās help to keep the latest case from being Morriseyās last.
Well, this was an absolute blast! A beautifully crafted, well written, and wildly entertaining fantasy story that I really didnāt want to see end.
A. J. Sherwood, a author Iām an enormous fan of, just has a fabulous time with the theme of this multi author collection and gives us a tale of a man ripped out of his own life and into a new world! Itās one complete with talking magical fae coin, peopled with many species in need of some dire, or in this case divine intervention, a handsome intelligent warrior/Duke, and a quest the displaced businessman is surprisingly well suited to solve.
Thereās so many great layers to this world and Sherwoodās story. The characters alone are ones I could write pages about, not just the main characters but all the well defined but important ones. Like the child Izzy, Grandma the Herb Master, Mina and her grandfather, Grandpa Hawes, a farmer, Boss Melva, and so many others. Each voice distinct and memorable. Their personalities and presence made this book and world real and vibrant with emotion.
However itās Jake Alexander, soon to be divorced from a disastrous marriage, whoās hit by a truck and transported by a mischievous fae coin to another realm where a quest and new life awaits him. Jake is someone who, no matter what his family or his beleaguered life has delivered, has always been able to make the best of what he has been dealt. That attitude, and with his own personality and integrity makes Jake a character we cheer on, especially as we learn more about his past life and upbringing.
The person who is supporting Jake, in his new role as the gay Holy Maiden (thatās a hilarious aspect Iāll leave to the story), is Theon, a warrior who, in his own right, is the only person who has treated Jake the way that he has been hoping for. Theon whoās responsible, intelligent and warmhearted. Worried about the welfare of his people yet still has the same caring attitude towards Jake. Itās a marvelous relationship to watch evolve. Humorous, warm hearted and , slow to kick in. Loved it
Thereās several terrific surprises. Every person, every being is treated with respect and kindness. Here youāll find yourself and the world you are meant to live in.
So yes, I wasnāt finished with this crew or world when the end hit. I could have kept going. I so hope that thereās a sequel somewhere someday. Fingers crossed
Highly recommend!
Great cover!
Look at whatās coming up next!
Fortune Favors the Fae – 15 books:
ā A Fae Coin Transported Me Into Another World and Now I’m the Gay Holy Maiden by AJ Sherwood #1
ā¦ The Wolf’s (Un)Lucky Fae by Michele Notaro #2 June 6
ā¦ Bound to the Wild Fae by Tavia Lark #3 June 13
ā¦ The Sorcererās Thief by Lee Colgin #4 – June 20, 2024
ā¦ The Fae Menagerie by Edie Montreaux #5 – June 27,2024
ā¦ Never Darling by Sam Burns #6 – July 4,2024
ā¦ Prince of Poison by Alice Winters #7 – July 11,2024
ā¦ Grave Misfortune by Nazri Noor #8 – July 18,2024
ā¦ Fae for Pay by Meaghan Maslow #9 – July 23,2024
ā¦ Kisses at the Crossroad by Morgan Lysand #10 – August 1,2024
ā¦ Smoke and Mirrors by Kai Butler #11 – August 8, 2024
ā¦ Siren in the Rain by Chloe Archer #12 – Aug 15,2024
ā¦ I Destroyed the Elf Princeās Harem by Jocelynn Drake #13 – Aug 22,2024
ā¦ A Fae Called Wylder by Michelle Frost #14 – Aug 29,2024
ā¦ Lucky or Knot by Eliot Grayson #15 – September 5,2024
What happens when you fall and hit the webtoons trope tree? You get killed by Truck-kun, get transported to a fantasy world by a sentient Fae coin, and become the first gay holy maiden.
Jake Alexander is Not Happy to be sure. Fortunately in Jakeās case, part of the trope tree includes the gorgeous Duke of the North, Theon. And starting a business from scratch, which heās always wanted to do. And revitalizing his new country which is on the verge of collapse.
He could do without the killer miasma and corrupted kings and the singing magic and a sentient coin that doesnāt shut up, however.
Jakeās not sure if he should thank or melt the Fae coin into *ahem* something more useful.
Tags:
Fell on the trope tree and hit every branch going down, truck-kun, fae duke of the north, holy maiden, miasma threat, Jakes needs singing lessons, duke needs to take a business course, magic coin is about to be melted into a cock ring, bingo card for tropes, dragons, contracts are Jakeās love language, potato soup cures all, potatoes are friends, fourth wall who, basically I took all of the webtoon tropes and crammed them in
Gay Holy Maiden is a part of the multi-author series, Fortune Favors the Fae. From spicy to sweet, zany romps to epic adventures, thereās 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.
Taylor Rylanās Ambrosius : Paranormal Council Enforcers Book One represents a new author for me as well as series. I enjoy paranormal romance fiction so I was looking forward to reading this, especially as it already has a number of books already published in the series.
Unfortunately, I believe Iām going to stop here. While thereās a few things I enjoyed about this story, theyāre overshadowed by other aspects that left me feeling disconnected from the characters, underwhelmed by the plot lines, and , most importantly, uninformed about the foundation or universe itself that the story and characters are grounded in.
Taylor Rylanās Universe of Destined Paranormals is a group of five inter-connected series and characters, of which Ambrosius is the first in the fifth series, Paranormal Council Enforcers. So thereās a lot of expectations for readers to know who everyone is and who these agencies are that they work for, this giggling goddess that just appears (not a fan), a omega/Alpha relationship thatās not well defined, especially here with one character.
This story actually ends up raising more questions than it does answer with its narrative. But quickly , the poorly crafted characters have lost my interest in their lives and this book.
That starts with the main character of Ambrosius, a made vampire. That term isnāt used in the way weāre accustomed to seeing it. Ambrosius wasnāt āturnedā or made. No a goddess who comes across as a blonde bestie from your college sorority days crafted him full blown. Thirtyish looking, now over a millennium old. But how does Ambrosius act during the book? Much like a silent movie heroine, weeping, throwing himself at his mate, overwrought by emotions and the situation he is in. Surely, heās got his own power and has learned a thing or two about weapons, or something. His character is just so ill defined. In the beginning we learned he went from being rejected by an omega because his fangs are scary to becoming an omega himself when he finds himself mate to a dragon. No explanation. Then there is basically little communication between anyone here.
Thereās really little history or reason laid down for personalities. Or for reactions, or just anything in general . And the main drama, a huge criminal investigation into a shifter trafficking organization is barely explored and not finished, a thread thatās carried over to the next book.
The only other major storyline is a mpreg one that comes out of nowhere (literally) because the main character has no clue heās pregnant. His mate and others know but donāt say anything. They assume he knows. Then heās got kids. Then they are special. Itās a rapidly changing story without substance or grounding.
If youāre a fan of the author or any of the other series associated with this, then Iām sure youāll enjoy it .
But other authors do this one universe, multiple connected series better and those are the ones Iāll read.
Paranormal Council Enforcers:
14 books to date:
Ambrosius #1
Attiticus #2 plus more
The Universe of Destined Paranormals is a world of interconnected series set in one universe. Because of this, it is recommended that you read the books in chronological order.
š·Honey Creek Den Series-When the child of the created warlock goes searching for his mate, a domino effect occurs and the den is blessed by the Fates.
š·Timber Valley Wolf Pack Series-Magic is changing and the wolf pack is next to be blessed by the Fates.
Does Edison have something to do with it?ā
š·Warlocks of Amherst Series-Edisonās warlocks have finally been blessed by the Fates and itās their turn to find their fated Ones.
š·Vampires of the Beloved Gem Series-Master Nikolaiās vampires aboard the Beloved Gem realized that their time has come to find their beloved ones.
š·Paranormal Council Enforcers Series-the magic has shifted and the Paranormal Council has been formed. Will the chosen enforcers be next to find their forever mates?ā
When youāre the created vampire, and discover your fated mate is a dominant dragon alpha, what could go wrong?
Master Ambrosius was created over a millennium ago and had come to terms with spending his life alone. He has his coven, his second, and a few close friends, but he continues to be haunted by the memory of his fated mate running from him in terror. That is, until the goddess sends him to Montana, and he discovers his body reacting to a sexy alpha with wide shoulders and dark eyes. Surely thereās some mistake though, right?
Emmerich was born on Treasure Ridge, the mountain his grandparents claimed several centuries ago for a reason that wasnāt yet known. Like his brother, he longs for his mate and children but knows they arenāt on their mountain. Emmerichās dragon insisted he would find his mate in Sicily, but after weeks of searching, he comes back to Treasure Ridge, where his dragon scents the most amazing thing. Mate. When he discovers the scent is coming from the created vampire, heās not sure about the pairing but is more than willing to accept the match.
Together, they discover a desire for unexpected things. But while they are happy switching roles at certain times, the council is still forming, and they discover an evilness none expected. Will they be able to stop the threat before their family is harmed?
Ambrosius is Book One in the Paranormal Council Enforcers series. Each book in this series will focus on a different couple, but these books are not standalones and should be read in order as there is an ongoing backstory that wonāt be resolved quickly. This is a fated mate MPreg story in an MPreg world, and you should expect all the normal vampire shenanigans, and remember that love bites in unexpected places. Especially when your beloved is a sexy dragon.
The Universe of Destined Paranormals is a world of interconnected series set in one universe. Because of this, it is recommended that you read the books in chronological order.
š·Honey Creek Den Series-When the child of the created warlock goes searching for his mate, a domino effect occurs and the den is blessed by the Fates.
š·Timber Valley Wolf Pack Series-Magic is changing and the wolf pack is next to be blessed by the Fates.
Does Edison have something to do with it?ā
š·Warlocks of Amherst Series-Edisonās warlocks have finally been blessed by the Fates and itās their turn to find their fated Ones.
š·Vampires of the Beloved Gem Series-Master Nikolaiās vampires aboard the Beloved Gem realized that their time has come to find their beloved ones.
š·Paranormal Council Enforcers Series-the magic has shifted and the Paranormal Council has been formed. Will the chosen enforcers be next to find their forever mates?ā
Itās been since February 27, 2022 when I read the fabulously horrifying book Buried Mage, fourth in Michael Taggertās wildly imaginative, densely packed and beautifully detailed fantasy series, Fledgling God.
So seeing that Taggert had finally released another book in the series is a great joy and, one that takes a bit to remember all that has happened in the previous novels as itās been a while .
This is a series I think might be worth waiting for all the books to be published and then binge reading them all together . You might be absolutely book drunk at the end but youāve had the most amazing experience and itās been a journey you will remember.
Individually, each book stops and starts right after the other has ended. Taggertās picking up his narrative as though thereās been no interruption. Such as having to write another book!
Honestly, I seem to overlook things here that otherwise would normally make me narratively have issues with the story simply because the of the incredible ideas, the wildly wackadoodle flights of imagination that are the hallmarks of this author and series.
Every character. Including the House of House Louisville has a uniquely fascinating personality. One that continues to grow and deepen throughout the series in surprising ways. Itās not just about the characters. Itās magical charms and crystals, Marks and soul creations like tiny Miners and Surfers, and more importantly, each type of being that two of the mages, Jason and Annabeth, encounter here or create, vividly come to life on the page and mean something special to the reader. Itās a uniquely beautiful and powerful cast of characters that , from bugs to crystals to enslaved mages, they draw the reader inside the story and whatever small sections they inhabit.
This time the focus is primarily narrowed down to Jason and Annabeth, although we do get some new information about the other three members of the House. They have to enter a contest and what a contest it is . The book ends before the contest is finished. Itās simply epic. A giant quest, a RPG with real teams and on a planet where things can kill your team. Sort of.
I canāt begin to explain what this is about. And normally Iād say that Taggert has too much laid in his story that slows down his narrative . But I canāt. Every crazy, zany, over-the-top scene this author has thought of and written, and Iām talking Tim Gunn narrating a male fashion show for Jason type of insanity, and Iām totally committed. Iām 100 percent invested.
And he does this over and over. And it works. Wild side trips here and there, junkets to vaults, itās just so fun or personal and imaginative while sticking with the same theme and emotions. It keeps the reader connected and fascinated and thrilled with everything that is happening.
Then, boom . We need to wait for the next one to come. Sigh. Which I will.
Taggert does a small book by book recap at the beginning but itās not even close to what happened. So do think about what type of reader you are and the experience you want to get into here.
After all of their adventures, the crew of House Louisville was ready to sit back and take it easy. But a surprise visitor informed them they owed millions of pearls to the Bank.
He was willing to take them all as indentured servants for the Bank and let them work decades to pay off their debt. That would mean splitting up the House, though, and nobody was willing to let that happen.
To save the House, and to stay together, Jason and Annabeth find themselves in a tournament they must win. Because one thing is for sure, the Bank doesn’t play around!
āThe scream that explodes from within Menace would put a dying banshee to shame.ā
So begins Enchanting Exposition, book four in Alice Wintersā marvelous fantasy romance series.
If this is the last in the Demon Magic series, then Iām going to be sad because I absolutely love this universe. But Iāll also be very satisfied because of the way Winters has left the all characters, ok maybe most, happily settled in their lives. All after a wildly terrifying, exhilarating, and emotional adventure that brings the original Geoff narrative to a close.
Geoff, the fiendish mage whose diabolical plans is at the very heart of so much misery and death, will be the basis for much of the story here. The author weaves in all the many painful backgrounds of the characters , established beings and new characters, so that this series arc can finally end. Itās powerful, imaginative, certainly has the hallmarks of the Wintersā take with humor and terror intermixed, along with a great deal of romance and love. Not just between Havoc and Miles. Thatās front and center, and totally entertaining.
What else is outright hilarious? Menace and his reactions to Cottontuff. More , love this.
And Marco. Somehow, Marco (my beauty is my contribution) and Lachlanās developing relationship is everything this book. Along with Evan, Etienne, Dyame combo, even Nicco. Not sure who else Iāve left out, someone Iām sure. Everyone showed up and it was absolutely scarily splendid!
We get a great new character and Iād really love to see more of him . Thereās an interesting dynamic weāre left with that needs to be explored.
Miles and Havoc? Happy! So so happy.
Enchanting Exposition (Demon Magic Book 4) by Alice Winters is a must read and fabulous book. Itās a definite recommend in a series I deeply enjoyed. Read them all!
Maybe it wasnāt my best idea to draw dark magic into myself to save a friendā¦ but itās definitely not my worst (donāt ask Havoc what that was). The first thing on our list of āSave Miles from the Dark Magic That Might Be Making Him Do Ridiculous Thingsā is to destroy the ominous book thatās snagging my attention. But what I donāt expect is to be dragged into the book filled with dark mysteries that leaves me with more questionsā¦ and a lack of pants.
But itās nothing that Havoc and I canāt handle. The two of us have proven that our relationship is strong enough that we can face anything life throws at us, so I think we can handle a measly bookā¦ maybeā¦ I mean, so far it may look like weāre not winning, but thatās just because itād be boring if heroes won immediately.
And itās not like we have to fight this battle alone, especially with an awe-inspiring dragon familiar who is forced to face his greatest adversary (a common housecat), a narcissistic angel who comes with a sword that compliments every cut made, a centaur who always manages to look like heās on the set of a cologne commercial, andā¦ Etienne (whatever he is).
With the demon I love by my side and my found family, weāre going to stop this darkness before it spreads. But doing so might unveil some things we never expected.
Itās been a while since I read the first book in the series, Hexes and Horns, so getting back into this universe needed prompting from the author for necessary foundation work.
Thereās some really good elements here and some I feel need better explanation or more detail to feel complete.
The characters are terrific. The mixed pack of shifters trying to pull it together on the edge of an uneasy otherworldly boundary situation is a great element. It adds so much natural tension and believable shifting pack dynamics that I wish weād had more of this aspect of the story. From Grammy, CJ, and various other pack members, the rawness and energy of this stressful scene came through perfectly.
Especially with its Alpha, Angel Velasquez, who has his own struggles to overcome, along with the otherworldly dealings and beings to deal with to ensure that the pack is safe. That includes murky agreements with one of the Fae over someone Angel has agreed to give sanctuary to.
Thatās the mysterious Dafydd. His story and background very slowly reveals itself, almost too slowly. We figure out pretty quickly what type of being he is but not why heās in danger.
That background is extremely difficult to understand and too complicated for the events that follow. Itās not well laid out narratively nor are all the vague clues as to his species history or strangely mysterious individuals that are important to this aspect of the story but without any firm foundation.
Itās frustrating that we get great characters but holes in the storylines and universe building when needed.
Like an unacknowledged mate bond. Why not just go ahead and cement that aspect of their relationship? It made no sense to leave it as one more cloudy element .
I enjoy this author and find she very imaginative and entertaining. This book has many good elements, enough to make it an enjoyable read.
Keeping their distance is the safest path, but sometimes magic and the heart make other plans.
For pack alpha, Angel Velasquez, every day is a struggle to keep his head above water. Between running his bar, paying back a mountain of debt, and protecting his pack from dark witches, the Fae, and anyone else just waiting for a sign of weakness, he already has more than he can handle. The last thing he needs is a refugee from Faerie dumped in his lap, no matter how sweet and sexy he might be. But when an elven prince calls in a debt, refusal is not an option.
Dafydd hates keeping secrets almost as much as being seen as a burden. A dragon is supposed to be fierce, proud, and self-reliant. Betrayed by those he thought he could trust most and forced to run from the only home heās ever known, he isnāt feeling very dragonly. Is it any wonder Angel canāt see him as an equal, someone worthy of his time and possibly his affection?
As Halloween approaches and their bond grows despite every reason it shouldnāt, what will they risk to protect each other when the real hunt begins?
Hunted is an over 100k slow burn romance featuring a cinnamon roll of a dragon, a grumpy alpha, meddling pack, mysterious neighbor and a guaranteed HEA. Each book of Into the Wyldewood can be read separately but are best experienced in order.
Whenever Arden Powell decides to dive back into the Flos Magicae universe they created, the results are always going to be narratively interesting, full of unexpected surprises, magical elements, and incredible moments of emotional growth. Whether the personās thoughts are turned inward towards self examination, or outside towards their new surroundings and the possibilities that may arise from their new situation, we see clearly what they are thinking and feeling. And then itās reality intruding, in a magical world, and hard choices to make.
The story and its elements has a natural flow to it, however fantastical the nature of the world and wild some of the aspects to the details.
In this case, Arden Powellās magical world follows the story of the idle, wealthy young person, Flora Mulberry. Flora, whoād announced to the family at a very young age that they were a boy (it had been ignored), was fleeing London and a two romantic involvements.
This is the story of how Flora found he was or always had been Florian Mulberry on his magical journey to fulfillment and a new future. That Florian finds it stranded on a farm owned by an Irish potion witch in Hertfordshire is a fantastic element. Kells and her grumpy little dog, Grim,are my favorite characters of the story. Kells is beautifully straight forward, a great character who can be so easily visualized, with Grim by her side, working in her lab and potions or in her sheds in the gardens. Sheās real and grounded in her natural world.
Itās Florian I often find myself having issues with. One of the reasons, many reasons, Florian is fleeing their old life is because Florian has become romantically involved their two best friends. One a woman and the other a man. The three of them are longtime friends and Florian has been, sort of, having romantic relations with both to the point that their families are expecting engagements. So Florian was supposed to choose and it would have hurt the other, not that that person would know. So, knowing that theyāve disappeared before for a time and no one, meaning family, has had cause to raise alarm, Florian flees.
Powell does a sensitive, and layered job of letting the reader understand the jumbled inner thoughts and emotions that the person who becomes Florian has before they embark upon their journey that sees them end up in a shed.
We absolutely get their state of mind, and the impetuous decisions that see them asking Kell to let them stay and learn about farming and hard manual labor. Something theyāve never done before. This physical and mental (and emotional) adjustment to their state of mind as well as the magical one to their body, is a terrific aspect of the book. Love it and the slowly growing relationship between Florian and Kells.
But what of those other friends? While all this is going on, those were abandoned to their fears and absolutely not knowing what happened to the person who, at the very least, was supposed to be their best friend . This is addressed in a few inadequate sentences towards the end and then they are dismissed.
It makes me think less of the character and the plot overall. Why have them there if this is how they are going to be treated? The friends and that history isnāt explained or fully understood. Itās a few sentences at the beginning. And the same at the end. And only serves to make Florian look a tad selfish.
So The Potion Gardener (Flos Magicae) by Arden Powell isnāt my favorite of the intriguing Flos Magicae series but itās always an interesting and thoughtful read.
Desperate to escape a messy romance, Florian Mulberry flees London: tipsy, panicked, and without a plan. Itās while hiding in a rural garden shed that he meets Kells, a potion witch, who agrees to shelter him in exchange for manual labor until he gets his life together. Leaving his pampered London existence to work on a secluded cottage farm is a shock, but Florian throws himself into it with passionate determination.
And itās not just gardening he’s passionate about. In no time, Florian falls head over heels for his skillful, hardworking mentor.
Thereās just one problem. Florian is only disguised as a boy, and the enchantment hiding his real body is going to wear off. Florianās main concern is how to explain himself when it happens. He’s definitely not a girl, but he’s not entirely a boy, either. With all the magic in Kellsā garden, there must be a way to achieve his ideal androgyny.
However he looks, Florian will have to face his past if he wants a future with Kells. Even if he avoids London forever, eventually his past is going to come looking for the girl he used to be.
The Potion Gardener is a low-stakes, low-angst cozy fantasy novella in the Flos Magicae series, a collection of queer romances set in an alternate 1920s world with magic. Featuring a trans, nonbinary lead, a butch cis lesbian love interest, a scruffy terrier with anxiety, and a great deal of gardening. All the Flos Magicae stories are standalones, and can be read in any order.
Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox’s Story is the perfect way to end this absolutely fantastic series, Perfect Pixies by M. J. May.
In this vividly realized, beautifully told story, May brings all the characters and couples together that weāve met through each otherās stories and learned to love together to reveal and vanquish the series villains.
Each story has at its core a perfectly imperfect pixie who finds themselves in an embattled or troubled position which eventually leads them to their bonds of love and a HEA. We started with hearth and home pixie, Philodendron, whose unique size made him both an outsider and perfect for his Alpha mate and family. Then nature pixie, Peaches, with a mournful background and heart wrenching history that soon brings attention to gathering dark forces and the attraction of a powerful vampire. That mating has huge ramifications for many other otherworldly species.
Next Mayās pairing and novel turns dark with the seemingly mysterious introduction of pixie trafficking and pixie dust addiction. This is Parsnipās story and another sector of magic is heard from as Vander the warlock arrives. May is deepening the series themes, expanding the types of magic that exist in this universe, and types of found families we can expect.
The narrative themes and suspenseful atmosphere doesnāt even falter for a moment. Itās picking up momentum in emotional and well written story arcs.
Wendallās unbelievable tale is next. It includes Hellfire Rayburn, Fairy Queen Silvidiaās most trusted and feared warrior, and Wendall, who undergoes one of the most poignant, heartbreaking moments and struggles amongst them all. Well, May is amping up to the end point. Making sure that the reader knows what at stake and we care so throughly for everyone here.
So that when a final pixie appears, one that isnāt who he seems, we are ready for the showdown .
Thatās Agent Frost, aka pixie Phlox. Although heās not exactly 100 percent pixie. What he is and his background is a huge part of the ongoing investigation and reason heās arrived in town. The one assigned to help him? Thatās 300 year old vampire, Leon McMillan, King Lucroy Moony’s second-in-command.
May does an excellent job of alternating between their burgeoning romance and the ongoing investigation into the pixie traffickers. The horrific storyline of pixie trafficking , which is widely explored through the main characters and story threads, continues to branch out to the wider threat to the community and all the couples involved.
Mayās newest character is one I think will be a great reader favorite . Thatās Erasmus, a young necromancer who has an intriguing , poignant backstory and a rich personality. I really canāt get enough of him. So many layers. And the other character who is equally and quizzically intrigued by Erasmus? Thatās Aurelia, the djinn .
No spoilers but what an epic ending. And while Iām happy sad this superior series has ended, the author has left us with something new to anticipate.
That epilogue is everything! Why? Because it tells us that Erasmus and Aurelia are coming back in Summer/Fall 2024 in their own story. And now Iām so excited and happy for their new adventure to begin.
Read this incredible series in the order itās written . Itās a top recommendation. So is itās author.
Cover design by cheriefox. Absolutely splendid! Like all the other covers.
Perfect Pixies series:
ā Perfectly Imperfect Pixie Book #1
ā Perfectly Perfect Pixie: Peaches’s Story #2
ā Perfectly Charmed Pixie: Parsnip’s Story #3
ā Perfectly Perplexing Zombie: Wendall’s Story #4
ā Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox’s Story #5 – series finale
Phlox isn’t your typical pixie, and his feisty shifter DNA might be the reason. Recruited by the Magical Usage Council, Phloxāwho is now Agent Frostāis a pixie with a mission, and he’s not afraid to place himself in mortal danger to eradicate the latest pixie trafficking ring.
Despite being King Lucroy Moony’s second-in-command, Leon McMillan’s second life has become dangerously monotonous. For a vampire, boredom is as deadly as a stake to the heart. Three hundred years of existing has taken a mental tollāone that will eventually lead Leon into the sun’s deadly embrace. Leon needs a life raft; he just never imagined it in the form of a pushy pixie.
Phlox and Leon can’t deny their mutual attraction. However, in order for Phlox’s mission to succeed, he needs to appear helplessly alone, and Leon’s worried stalking isn’t aiding that mission.
But soon, the knowledge Phlox and Leon obtain leads to a dangerous, mentally unstable djinn, who has a vicious master holding its leash. Although history claims djinns are all-powerful, indestructible creatures, Phlox and Leon must find the secret to their destruction if they are to save Rutherford Haven’s citizens. If they can’t, Rutherford Haven will be the first to fall, but it won’t be the last.
Phlox will dig his shifter claws into anyone who dares threaten his mate and Leon will tear the heart out of anyone who dares threaten his belovedāhis purrrfectly peculiar pixie.
Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie is the fifth and final book in the Perfect Pixie series. The books should be read in order. Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie features an emotionally constipated vampire, a pixie who’s far more than he appears, witches and trolls with questionable morals, an alpha werewolf whose time on planet Earth is precariously close to ending, a (questionably) good djinn, an (unquestionably) sinister djinn, an interesting necromancer, and all our previously beloved characters coming together to prove that teamwork really does make the dream work.
Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie also contains homicide of the fantasy kind (no humans were killed in the making of this book) with scenes describing death and killing.
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.
Thatās 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.
Itās a narrative job that can turn into a struggle as it does at points here. At times itās 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 thatās growing between the group and the mysterious dragon magic hidden inside Dusk .
We donāt get nearly enough of those.
The character of Dusk is a well thought out, beautiful creation. Heās undoubtedly the best thing here because itās his stolen adolescence as a salt mine slave that plays into his actions and thoughts here. Heās an innocent on the outside world. He canāt read people, he canāt read period. Canāt hunt or fish. And heās 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 doesnāt make for enjoyable reading.
So read Mist, Shadow, and Deep as the bridge it is to get to the next level of this saga . Iām onto Rise of the False King next.
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.
I picked up An Archerās Awakening because of that fabulous cover and interesting description. Morales is also a author Iāve never read before.
What I found was a story that has strong themes, great characters, and wonderful potential for the storyline. So why not a higher rating?
The format. Unfortunately Morales undermines whatās best about his story, everything that connects the reader to his characters and their situations by his choices with his narrative.
To begin with the author has multiple points of view which only serve to muddle the various characters and our connections to them. Some of these are honestly secondary cast people who get chapters, like two who get assigned as the POV only to āvanishā, and later be described as an object of their mission. Theyāre here, disrupting the flow of the narrative and then gone. Literally.
Thatās the main issue. Itās a chopped up story. Iām not sure how many books Morales intends for his series but the titles for books one and two are about The Archer. Not 7 or 8 other people. So make it about the Archer.
However itās as though Morales canāt decide which direction heās going in this story . So he begins with his two main characters. They truly are the main couple and have the most depth, the relatability of their dynamic. Thatās Ranger DeClan Rea (cadet when we meet him) and noble born, fellow Ranger, Ayden. We follow them through training ,through individual exploration of romantic feelings and self worth, and a mystical experience in the mountains. All of which is abruptly, jarringly, stopped by a sudden change in direction.
For no apparent reason we are reading a different story. We get a new set of characters, narrators, new location, and a whole new set of plots about them, an interesting investigation, and yes, one of them turns out to be the mage brother of Ranger DeClan. Itās time for us to forget about that couple and their growing relationship and mystery and now focus entirely on someone else. Itās the brother Mage Keelan and his group now.
Then their section is abruptly ended. And itās a Princess and King and a Sheriffās son. And so on.
Frustrating? Absolutely. And this is only the beginning of this questionable process.
Any sort of logical process or narrative flow that allows a reader to follow freely the themes as they thread through the story or any important element or plot lines is almost impossible. Itās too jumbled.
And by extension, taking away from the main characters voices and storylines to squeeze in a perspective from a person that, in my opinion, isnāt necessary, lessens the impact and connectivity on the reader.
Just as we start to care about these characters and their lives and futures, Morales comes up with more strange ways to make less sense and divide our attention.
Towards the end of the book, the author finally brings two of his separate pieces together and the mage brother Kellan is reunited with his Ranger brother DeClan. The story is working in a manner it could have been all along. And itās terrific. The mysteries are being revealed, investigations started. The book is dynamic and the relationships are revealing hidden depths of information and emotions.
Of course, it canāt stay true to course. Now that itās working. Letās go back to separating everything and everyone in a nonsensical manner.
Thereās so much more here that I havenāt begun to address. Thereās a prologue that sets down a magical threat and future events that involve a prophecy (gods involved of course). That pops up in the middle of the book in a character that had no previous voice so it really adds to the confusion. And thereās a character that everyone can identify as a āvillainā without having a V stamped on him. Heās that guy.
So yes, among the fine characters, great scenes, and remarkable moments, thereās just too many overwhelmingly strange writing choices Morales made here that derail the narrative momentum, remove the reader from their connection to the characters and plot, and halt the flow of the storytelling.
Will I read the next book in the series? Yes. Hopefully the author will have abandoned the many pov , multiple sections format that he employed so disastrously here. A great editor helps with this.
Great cover. It did its job and got me to read the book.
Two Brothers. One Gift. A World on the Brink of Disaster.
In a world where most wield a Gift, Ranger cadet Declan Rea grapples with his lack of magicās touch. His ungifted status breeds tension with his brother, Keelan, and fuels deep-seated insecurities.
Amidst his struggles, Declan finds solace and strength in a budding romance with fellow cadet, Ayden.
When a shadowy threat rises, and an ancient cult threatens to resurrect a long-forgotten queen, the world is plunged into chaos. Kidnappings and whispers of impending catastrophe set the stage for a showdown of epic proportions, where alliances are forged and loyalties tested.
As Keelan investigates, Declan and Ayden’s burgeoning romance faces the shadowy threat, as they navigate treacherous paths of betrayal and uncertainty.
Amidst the chaos, love becomes their guiding light.
Declan and Ayden uncover secrets of the past and within themselves, confronting their destinies and realizing that true courage lies not in the heat of battle, but in the quiet moments shared between two souls bound by an unbreakable connection.
Perfect for contemporary and fantasy mm romance fans alike, An Archer’s Awakening promises a heartwarming, slow burn, enemies-to-lovers story wrapped in a riveting adventure. From heart-stopping intrigue to tender moments, this story captivates with its blend of romance and peril.
Immerse yourself today in a world where love conquers all and heroes rise to meet their destiny.
