Michelle Frost has written a fast-paced, urban fantasy short prequel for her new series, On Guard. This uses the same universe and characters as the previous series, Mated to a Human so knowledge of that world and those themes is necessary.
This was an action filled story that includes a romance that almost but not quite falls into the insta love category. That would be the relationship between Council mage Atlas and human Gavin, a barista.
The story picks up from the events happening in A Vampire Called Leander where the anti supernatural terrorist group is stepping up its attacks against the mated pairs and now a new group.
I liked the characters, they were very engaging and the new group of oracles, mages, and now Gavin, at the Hub are all very interesting and diverse.
The potential for a great new series is amazing and Iām excited to see where Frost takes this new group and expands on this new world of oracles, demons and humans.
When a story contains the phrase āFor Bone Daddyā and its uttered by a army of skelebabies in the middle of a rollicking bone rattling battle, well, you just know the book is going to be epic.
For all its short length, Sherwood packs a ton of high quality action, snarky humor, dubious necromancer goings on, and an ever- widening search for the bones of a sentient skeleton dragon called Steve.
Iām so committed to this series and found family of absolutely glorious people, young sorcerers in training in tow included. Itās hilarious, sexy, stunning and entertaining on every level.
I canāt wait for the pirates.
Dive into the series right at the beginning and then follow along. Itās all fabulous.
Love these covers.
Series and side stories
š„How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy-6 books
š„How Tan Acquired an Apprentice
š„How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit:Bone
Do you wish to deploy the necromancer to fight? (YES) (no)
Niran: The leg boneās connected to the ~ leg bone. The leg boneās connected to the ~
Tan: Sword hilt~ the sword hiltās connected to the bad guy~ hear the voice of the Steve~!
Steve: My boooOOOOoooone!
Tags:
Necromancers, fight!, itās Niranās time to shine, lawless city is our friend, onsen nookie, Steve makes a bad alarm clock, look at me, Iām the captain now, stinky city, Sword of the Sea makes an appearance, Steve needs his fainting couch to clutch his pearls upon, ragdoll Steve
Itās hard to rate exactly which of Sherwoodās many series are my favorites, but The Sorcererās Grimoire is, even at two books, among those I hold dear.
Itās in the universe sheās created, so recognizable and yet not, magical, imaginative and with our histories carefully bound together. Itās in the beautifully crafted, multidimensional characters sheās created and then given such emotional histories that, as readers we canāt help but attach ourselves to them, investing in their lives and stories.
Whether itās the boys, Julian and MacMallin, and their horrific start on the streets before Adrienās rescue or Adrien himself and his abysmal family life, thereās so many backstories to these characters. The strength and wonder of this dynamic that builds between the three of them is such a heartwarming element. The boys each develop into young men with their own unique powers and interests while gaining confidence in themselves. The same goes for Adrien and his new relationship with Hugh.
Thatās Sir Hugh Quartermain, a businessman, engineer extraordinaire, and someone whoās coming to love Adrien, despite all the barriers heās raised. And in a time and land when homosexuality isnāt legal.
The tapestry on which these relationships play out is a magical trip to Brazil to a manganese mine. Thereās jungle monsters holding up the mining, killing the workers, and Hugh needs their help.
Itās everyone off to an epic adventure! The first one abroad for the boys and an old enemy and a meeting with even older friends for Adrien.
Sherwood even gives us some major drama on the home front which will lead into the next book.
I will say that I was surprised but happy to see that Adrien and Hugh were able to move forward with their relationship. I thought Sherwood was going to stretch out the romance into a really slow burn. But it makes sense given the context.
The boys are such an amazing aspect of this series. They show such growth in their personalities and interests, yet retain the same fears still that the horrors of the street instilled in them. Julian and MacMallin are truly unforgettable young men. So are their Masters, Adrien and Hugh. I need more of all four plus their dog, Darby.
Iām highly recommending this book but read the series in order to understand the universe and the relationships.
The Sorcererās Grimoire:
ā A (Non) Comprehensive Guide to Sea Serpents #1
ā Dealing With Mapinguari and Dogged Engineers #2
As Shakespeare once said, the course of true love never did run smooth.
Since parting with Adrien after their first case, Hugh Quartermain has committed himself to one fact: he wants Adrien. With the monthsā long trip to Brazil ahead of them, Hugh should have no problem confessing, right?
The problem is the universe seems determined to thwart Hugh. Between creatures terrorizing his worksite, bothersome Americans, and not having any alone time with Adrien, Hughās foiled at every turn. When Hugh does get Adrien one-on-one, his advances always hit the wall Adrien refuses to lower, but the rare flare of desire in Adrienās gaze motivates him to keep trying.
Come hell or highwater, Hugh will confess to Adrien. He just has to figure out how first. Tags:
Adventures in Brazil, commence!, magical AU, friends to lovers, healthy communication, Hughās genius saves the day, confessions in unusual locations, apprentices being awesome, Prince Henry to the rescue, and yes he quite enjoyed that, portals, fights, and shenanigans, oh my!, monsters are always in the most inconvenient locations, romantic getaway in Thailand, oh look relationship development, pesky Americans, romantic getaway, cheeky apprentices, minor home renovations as a romantic gift, Darby is best girl.
āHanahaki: A fictional disease popular in the fanfiction community. According to the lore, a person develops Hanahaki when they fall in love with a person so deeply that they canāt live without them.ā
Well, this was just adorable. From the cover to the predictably cute HEA ending, Fated was a quick fun fantasy short .
Zile Elliven is a new author for me and immediately introduced me to the fictional disease of Hanahaki. Lovesickness in all its floral glory. Or is it gory? Hmmm.
Anyway. Max and his gamer friends are instantly recognizable, cheerful and funny. Maxās fated mate? A glorious fantasy that has been waiting for him.
And itās even got a cute dog too.
Iām definitely seeking out more from this author and recommending this for all lovers of fantasy fiction.
Me? In love with a fictional character? Of course not! So why was I coughing up flowers every time I thought about the fictional character from my favorite video game?
Areth was a sexy, badass monster and utterly perfect, but none of that mattered because he wasnāt real. If I really was in love with him, I was going die, and there was nothing I could do about it.
This story contains:
ā¢ Unrealistic size difference resolved by magic
ā¢ Fated mates
ā¢ A very small dog
ā¢ Monster love
ā¢ Dimension hopping
ā¢ Wanton destruction of furniture
ā¢ So very many flowers
Fated is a ridiculous 16,000-word novella with super heckin’ gay monster sexy times.
Need a smile? A absolutely feel happy to the , well , bones , reading experience? Look no further than A. J. Sherwoodās latest serialized book, How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu and Profit : Bone 2 (How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy.
Now on chapter 8, the epic adventure is really about to start, especially since Tan, his necromancer brother Niran, and Devan, have accepted that their tiny charges, the powerful budding sorcerers-in-training, Lesia and Zi Rui, are coming with them.
That together, with a chatty sentient dragon skull, Steve, in search of his bone body. And barbarians everywhere! And itās fabulous and funny! With fireballs.
And always over way too soon. But thatās the way of serialized fiction. Itās a quick, addictive tasty morsel that leaves you happy with the bite you had and wanting more. As this one does.
Bring on chapter 9!!!!
Love these covers.
š„How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy-6 books
š„How Tan Acquired an Apprentice
š„How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit
Ribs located! Penalty activated if you refuse. Proceed with quest? (YES) (no)
Devan: But the ribs are in the middle of a barbarian village.
Tan: Historically speaking, fireball would fixā
Niran: Charred bone. No.
Devan: Time to do this the hard way.
Tags: BoooOOOooones, trekking through barbarian lands to find dragon bones is not as fun as it sounds, they marrowly escape, yes all the bad bone puns, Niran canāt help himself, dragon ribs are big, Niran has more bones in his workshop than a collector, whole story is just mindless violence and fluff, and fireballs
Prince of Agony ends Tavia Larkās wonderful Perilous Courts fantasy series. Itās been a dark journey through several Kingdoms and different characters and couples to arrive at our final dark romance.
The Prince of Agony is House Direās Prince Kazia. Itās fitting that Lark is circling back to the beginning, Kingdom of Draskora , the Kingdom that produced the assassin Whisper (Prince and Assassin #1), has Scalestone the necessary mineral upon which their magic and the dragons cannot exist without.
Kazia has been an enigmatic peripheral character in the previous books that featured his family and Kingdom. But even in the smallest of scenes, Kazia, long purple hair, small stature, and with a bitter personality and conversation that matches that of the finest blade, took over.
He was a mysterious figure waiting to be revealed. Which Lark does in the most painful, dark way. This element contains on page parental physical abuse to the point of torture. So if this is a trigger, you will know that leading up should you want to read ahead.
Itās an important part of his life and character. And his treatment and the reason why he endures it , and circles back to another person and storyline. This was a great aspect of Prince of Agony and I canāt help but wish it had been explored further.
I thought that about so many different threads here that there easily could have been two more books in this series instead of this being the finale.
Lucien Vaire, and his own storyline was another one I both wanted more than what we had here. His well developed relationship and role in our understanding of Kaziaās tormented history is a remarkable part of this book. I wish we had more of his magical abilities than we do. To only bring them in at the dramatic climax is to shortchange his character. The other aspect which could have done more with, especially considering its powerful nature of bonding and the increased intensity to them as a unit, is the dragon herself. She is glorious. Sheās a novel.
As itās a finale book, all the couples from the previous books make their appearances. Itās good to see them together again and interacting with each other. Especially Whisper, whoās not only my favorite character but his storyline and book have remained my favorite of this series. His complicated, intense backstory with the Hounds , an infamous group of assassins, gets a resolution of sorts here as well.
I also have thought about that element of Whisperās life as one of the greatest aspects and most compelling things that Lark created for the series. I only wish that it could have been explored more thoroughly. Even through its own series perhaps.
Prince of Agony (Perilous Courts Book 6) by Tavia Lark ties up most of the important storylines and gives all its characters a great ending. The Kingdoms are certainly better off than when we first encountered them.
I definitely enjoyed this series. I have my favorites and Prince of Agony gave it a good send off. Itās a definite must for fantasy lovers.
Prince Kazia Dire isnāt nice. Being nice lets people close. Letting people close risks revealing Kaziaās greatest secretāthe power that condemns him to a lifetime of abuse.
Until opportunity appears in the form of a captive enemy mage.
Following a dragon across the border lands Lucien Vaire in chains, and matters only get worse from there. Lucien has hated House Dire since the last war. Now, heās under the notorious brat princeās direct control.
Painful experience has taught Kazia to fear mages. He needs to keep Lucien at a distance even as he uses Lucienās talents. But that distance narrows with each careful kindness. Each accidental touch. Lucien acts more like a protector than a prisoner, and Kazia is tempted by the dangerous sweetness of trust.
But Lucien is still a mage, and Kazia is still broken. And Kaziaās cruel parents may still destroy them both.
Prince of Agony is a high fantasy gay romance, featuring captivity, hurt/comfort, and enemies hiding in a linen closet together. This is the final book in the Perilous Courts series, which is best enjoyed in order.
ā¢ Publisher: (February 28, 2024)
ā¢ Publication date: February 28, 2024
ā¢ Print length: 295 pages
Content Notes: This book includes captivity, coercive magic, physical abuse, and references to past child abuse. The abuse is not between the two protagonists. Thereās also an age gap, but thatās really the least of their problems.
Contested Crown, the second novel in The Empty Throne Trilogy, hits so many high marks. It easily overcomes the usual second book syndrome in a series, by ramping up the multiple storylines Butler has already established in the first book. The author does a great job introducing new characters whose meaning and connections to the men on the run are clouded by the new dark mysteries forming. Some of these new storylines include elements that are of a wildly magical nature while others are deeply rooted within the supernatural drug-related crime world.
It picks up right after the shocking events of Exiled Heir, with mage Cade and werewolf Miles on the run after Cade , Prince of House Bartlett, was betrayed by those closest to him m, stealing his throne and his heritage. But Miles, whose real name is Miles Castillo, is also a dethroned Prince in hiding from the very man heās on the run with.
Butlerās narrative explores this tangled relationship thatās full of potential conflict between two cruelly connected pasts , pasts with dangerous secrets . The authorās dramatic choice to make the suspenseful , angst filled , hunted run the driving force behind the story is a fantastic narrative springboard.
Emotionally, the forced intimacy, their continued dependency under these circumstances, the constant peril, and the growing affection/attachment towards each other that this trip is allowing them to feel, itās everything the reader wants and the authorās storytelling is beautifully achieving. It packs a darkly magical, sexual punch.
Butlerās writing simultaneously moves into new areas here with Cade and Miles, especially with regard to their magic, the use of tattoos, and the return of a old friend. The new creativity here giving their world more depth and diversity in its magical history as well as using it in the current criminal scene.
Thereās so many great twists and shocks here, ones to delight and horrify. This is a book once you get started itās impossible to put down.
That ending especially is a killer.
Now everything is in place for the dramatic events and tumultuous times to come in Ascendant King. That canāt be here quickly enough.
One last note, Contested Crown, as magnificent as it is, is definitely a bridge novel. It doesnāt exist without the first book . Nor the one to come. As a reader you must have read that first book, and have the knowledge to go along with it to understand and appreciate the events and stories that happen here.
Iām highly recommending you read both because both are outstanding.
I canāt give him up, even if it costs me my life…
Miles and Cade are on the run. Without money, protection, or allies they have only each other to rely on as they flee the most powerful mage house in the country. Unfortunately, the outside world is even more dangerous than the lionās den they just escaped from.
No matter how right it feels to have the mage prince relying on him, Miles knows the closer they get to each other the more dangerous it is for both of them.
A new mage house is Cadeās only chance to survive the magical war he started. With House Morrison exclusively interested in Cade, Miles will be left out in the cold. And can he stay with Cade when every moment together risks revealing Milesās deepest secret?
In 52 pages, Sherwood fantastically opens up an entire new world of magical creatures, humorously giving us a newly enlarged found family of sorcerers, a talking dragon skull who has a name that has me giggling, and begins a mysterious adventure that will take 7 chapters to complete.
To my delight, thereās two very young apprentices that have been added to Tan and Devanās odd little family. Zi Rui, who got his own story, and the very sassy little girl who matches her own way into the mix and our hearts, Lesia.
The dynamics and dialogue is funny, heartwarming no matter how alarming Tan might find that, and makes this story fly by all too quickly.
Especially since Sherwood delivers a sentient dragon skull and a gleeful Niran who ,along with his skelebabies , is willingly heading with them into the northern lands for magical adventures!
I canāt wait for the next episode to come out!
Itās highly anticipated and another great recommendation!
Love these covers.
š„How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy-6 books
š„How Tan Acquired an Apprentice
š„How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit
Bone #1
Buy Link:
Blurb:
Sentient dragon skull acquired! Do you wish to find rest of body? (yes) (no)
Tan: Yes!
Devan: No, but why?
Tan: We get half of his hoard~
Devan: We leave tomorrow.
Tags:
Tanās field trips go awry, no one is surprised, only he can find a sentient dragon skull in a churchās basement, Quest time!, Wells gets stuck babysitting, again, Niranās more excited than anyone else, except maybe the apprentices, gold is a great motivator, all the bone puns.
Justice is the second in Taylorās Damned Connections paranormal romance series, a sequel to the original Reckless Damned that featured the sons of Lucifer and their mates. This one focuses on the outlier characters from that series and their own journey to find their mates.
Vampire assassin Sebastian has lurked about the edges of many a story, snarling and sneering, while providing evidence for his deadly powers with his legendary blade Bessy. Now we get his romance as his tragic history.
Taylor has paired him , that most āmonstrous of menā , up with with a man most would consider a true innocent. Thatās Matty, whoās brother and mate got their story in the first book, Patience. Matty is that sunny, effervescent personality, a knitting sunny bundle of emotions thatās recently undergone a severely traumatic experience. One that he still has nightmares about.
Please read the trigger warnings for this story. They happened in a prior story and anything here is off page details but those sensitive to this subject matter should be aware.
Taylorās story gives us two men working through the darkness and damage that lifeās worst has dealt them. Each character has let the traumatic violence , emotional damage and the deep fear of loss/death theyāve experienced impact their lives, but in different ways.
Sebastian has cut himself off from all relationships, removing himself ,and potentially anyone he might come to care for, from repeat of the history that continues to haunt him. Mattyās life has become more circumspect, heās got protection 24/7 whether he wants it or not. Plus heās unaware of the paranormal world and beings that exist in and around him. Theyāve all kept him ignorant for his safety.
In Justiceās fast paced storyline, Clark brings everything together on a collision course. The previous plots from the Damned Connection series weaves together with the story here to bring Sebastian and Matty together.
Itās heartbreaking, tortuous, a definite hurt/comfort, but so satisfying when it all finally comes back together as the characters work through their own struggles and emotional damage to a realistic mating the reader feels fit them both as it should.
Sebastian was never going to be an easy fix but I didnāt realize how hard Clark was going to make the journey for Matty too. That balance was needed for this to be true for them both.
Now for the next novel, Temperance. I canāt wait.
Blood. Torture. Murder. Theyāve been my only companions for centuries. I havenāt needed or wanted anything else.
Until I see Matty smile. Then something in me, something thatās been dormant for centuries, begins to reawaken.
Matty doesnāt belong in my world. Heās loving, innocent, and full of joy. The darkness of my life would corrupt him in a heartbeat, but when heās dragged into it against his will, nothing can stop me delivering my personal brand of justice.
Matty keeps fighting for things I canāt give him, for things Iām no longer capable of. I canāt come between him and his family. I canāt give him what he needs.
But I also canāt stay away from him.
Matty
Iām surrounded by couples in love.
Once, I thought thatād be me. That Iād be swept off my feet and experience the kind of epic love you only see in movies.
Now, I know better.
A horrific night taught me to look for other things in a partner. Someone whoās predictable. Safe. Stable.
Sebastian is anything but.
Everyone tells me to stay away from him, but I donāt understand their concerns. How can he be a villain when all heās shown me is kindness?
He makes me want things I thought Iād given up on. Things Iām too scared to admit I still want.
The trouble is, I canāt figure out what Sebastian wants. He tells me he canāt say no to me, but he wonāt open up. He says to stay away from him, but he keeps coming around.
One thing is for sure, Sebastian is who I want in my future.
But how can I keep fighting for us if Iām the only one doing it?
Justice is a MM PNR romance about a grumpy vampire assassin and the sunshine human he canāt stay away from. The second in the Damned Connections series, each book will follow a different couple as they find their HEA. Although better read in order, these books can stand alone.
āThe emergency contact mirror on his desk buzzed with an incoming call, jittering on the wood as if conveying the callerās agitation.
Tan snatched it up promptly, still looking around suspiciously.
āHi, Iām Tan. I own the place, and Iām going to go cry.ā
Tan, that magnificent Black Sorcerer of Grimslock, is back in a short magical tale of acquisition and revenge. Mostly acquisition.
Here is how Tan and his husband, Devan, his Knight and now King of Goodwine, find/acquire a young āsorely in need of savingā apprentice, no really heās family. And add another cat to their ever growing collection.
Itās got pathos, an enraged Tan, a fireball or two, an orphan, Knight Wells in a short appearance, and a highly satisfying, quietly loving ending.
Sigh.
Yes, I loved it.
The boy is Zi Rui. Be prepared to fall in love.
Buy Link:
Blurb:
Did Tan go looking for an apprentice? No.
Is Tan going to keep Zi Rui? Yes.
Did Devan agree to this decision? Debatable.
Tags:
Devan has CONCERNS, so does Wells, Tan thinks having a minion er apprentice is a wonderful idea, crackity crack, it’s a good thing Tan is cute, Villainy short story
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 