Demon Gideon Bailey decides it’s time to introduce Sam to his family. Long overdue but all the potentially world shattering events have kept them busy, including Sam finding himself the new Lucifer, head of the Community of Species Government. For their full story, see Demons Do It Better, first in Masters Hidden Species series.
In Reunion, a informative and entertaining prequel to Masters new connected series, Demons-In-Law, we get our first view of the family dynamics that make up the Bailey demon dynasty.
Turns out the exceedingly frightening Gideon comes from a hugely wealthy, influential demon family, one with a matriarch of nightmarish proportions, scads of relatives, uncles and aunts, and cousins, it turns out he’s close to.
It’s a eye opener. For the reader and his beloved Sam.
Of special importance is Gideon’s thoughts on how others, other species especially, mentally and emotionally translate his species facial expressions. Huh.
I’ll leave that bit of information to the story. Fascinating as one would say.
Reunion sets up the start of the next book but honestly I wasn’t ready to let this go yet. Sam’s interaction with the entire Bailey clan and his observations just kept spinning and sparking the story further into more paths and interesting layers.
More pls!
I’m recommending this and the Hidden Species series it has as its foundation.
Description:
I love Gideon. But do I have to love his family too?
Finally, Gideon is taking Sam home to meet his family… including his scary grandmother. But this reunion has some surprises in store.
It was so easy to fall back into Meghan Maslow’s rich paranormal universe of Charm City Chronicles. Baltimore or if you’re local then it’s “Bawlmer” or “Bawl-ah-mur.” A city so rich in varied cultures, a startling variety of architectural styles, and history that it’s a place to overwhelm your senses. In good and, *cough* bad ways.
Maslow’s setting is both a love letter and an acknowledgment of the reality of life in every aspect and area of that old (by American standards) city. Resting place of Poe, birthplace of the nation’s anthem, with the wildness of the Bay at its side, surely magic must exist there.
As it does in the series. Vampires, werewolves, shifters, and a Demon! Oh my!
In Demon’s In The Details, our initial introduction to the Demon Tommy Tittoti and his mate, the Raven shifter, Poe Dupin, we met Tommy’s assistant, Carter Strike.
Sassy, snarky, sexy Siamese shifter, Carter Strike. Exceptionally gifted when it comes to gathering information about Tommy’s enemies, he’s not afraid to take risks to get what he’s looking for.
We instantly adored him. And wanted more.
We get it when he runs through and smack into Bengal Damon-Cowles, the Roger or head of the South-West Baltimore territory. That starts an explosive relationship between him and Damon-Cowles, a Rakshasa, a powerful being of secretive origins.
Maslow’s story has launched a new storyline with this book that’s full of mystery, packed with potential dread and suspense for all our favorite characters going forward, and yes, there’s a bit of a cliffhanger at the end.
There’s just no way to go into any aspect of this book without giving away some secrets or important information that would spoil something for the reader.
I will say I wasn’t expecting the romance elements and that turned out to be so very satisfying.
Now I need that all important next installment. Asap!
I’m definitely recommending this. But if cliffhangers make you crazy, you decide if you want to wait until the next book is released and then read one after the other.
When a feline fatale meets his magical match, Baltimore might just go up in flames.
I, Carter Strike, Siamese shifter extraordinaire and a powerful demon’s right-hand cat . . .er, man, have a job to do. My boss’ boy toy is in the crosshairs of an unknown assassin. And when my boss is unhappy, all of Charm City burns.
That’s where I come in. Intel is my specialty and leads me to the doorstep of one drop-dead gorgeous but annoyingly secretive Rakshasa.
Bengal Damon-Cowles—even his name is obnoxious—runs South-West Baltimore and is nothing if not frustratingly contrary. I don’t care if he is a demi-god among shifters, I don’t need the complications from a sexy as sin Rakshasa with the utter gall to turn down a fine piece of feline-fantasy like myself. Especially when we’re forced to work together. Except, every day we spend in close proximity turns up the heat between us.
A roomful of secrets, a looming Nor’Easter, and friends with questionable—or nonexistent—morals, add gasoline to the blaze. As the stakes climb ever higher, and people start dying, I’ve got a cat’s chance in hell of coming out of this one unscorched.
Cat’s Chance in Hell is a 113k snarktastic, size difference, forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, car-careening-out-of-control romance with a guaranteed happy ending and lots of steam. Shenanigans include: a catnapping gone very, very wrong, a hot pot incident that will go down in infamy, and a Rakshasa with more layers than a Smith Island Cake.
With The Dragon King’s Philosopher , Amy Sumida expands her universe and basic foundation knowledge her readers understood for The Dragons of Serai series. That new depth alone makes this a fascinating book.
Each book picks up directly from the events of the last, the narrative backtracking a scene or two to refresh the reader’s memory on every aspect of the novel’s story.
So we’re ready to jump into Prince Thais’ life, knowing the humiliation and pain his twin sister has caused him and his family in the aftermath of The Dragon Prince’s Necromancer (#2).
He’s sworn off his crushes on warriors, and needs an immediate diversion, preferably away from family, home, and sister. He’s answered by a official missive from The Kingdom of Ha’tezan asking for his help on a archaeological project of great significance.
It’s yes and he’s off to a place few have made voyages to.
By traveling to the country (an island) and kingdom of Ha’tezan, Sumida creates an entire new continent of different niche environments along with new races, cultures, and histories that inhabit it. Ones that both challenge and entrance Prince Thais.
Lord Thas Thorncal, family enclave Fyrehollde, of Zaru, scholar, linguist, philosopher, but not warrior, isn’t exactly ready for the King or Kingdom he’s flying into.
It’s one of remarkable ancient traditions and architecture, wonders and marvels that rival nothing Thas has ever seen. Yet the culture he’s meeting is steeped in mistrust, a lack of scientific vision, as well as superstitious, beliefs passed down through generations until they’ve become so rigidly accepted as non-refutable.
It’s also built upon the notion that power and fear rules. A society hard for a non-warrior to understand and find a place to fit in.
I found myself really thinking about the layers Sumida is adding in here to her world building. Ones that not only layers over prior foundation knowledge, but new ones that can substantially change , enhance, or even twist that she’s already given us.
So that our minds are occupied with all this rich tapestry of knowledge when we are also involved in other equally complex storylines involving our characters , their lives, and potential relationship.
I wasn’t a complete fan of King Xa’din of Ha’tezan. I found myself thinking there’s at least one other candidate I prefer for Thas here over a superstitious brute of a King with the communication skills of a toddler. Honestly, that never went completely away. And is the reason this story didn’t get a 5 star review.
Because Sumida handles so many other issues and tricky elements of the story with a deft narrative hand. The format, the amazing imagery, the fantastic storytelling and new characters!
I was enthralled.
Thas Thorncal, and the new characters (which I absolutely cannot speak of without giving away huge spoilers) are beautifully written, captivating in their portrayal of men in a momentous moment in their lives, and a yet , in a fantasy world, made believable by their circumstances and choices.
I can’t wait for the next installment and this journey to unfold.
I’m highly recommending that you read these book in the order that they are written to understand the history, characters, relationships, and world building.
A broken heart sent me running right into his arms.
I live in a world of magic, but I’m a man of science. Nothing thrills me more than learning, be it a new language, culture, or the way something works. That is, until I fell for the Dragon Prince of Zaru. After he mated another man, I found myself listless, searching for something to ease the heartache. So when the offer of an archaeological job in Ha’tezan came to me, I accepted it instantly. I didn’t ask what it paid or who was hiring me; I didn’t care. I just needed to get out of Zaru.
My employer is a king—King Xa’din of Ha’tezan. At first, he seemed brutal, ruling his kingdom with an iron claw and a pair of cursed, mismatched eyes. But I sense there’s something magnificent waiting behind his hard exterior, just as there is behind the ancient doors he’s unearthed. And as intriguing as King Xa’din is, so is his island kingdom. It’s full of exotic creatures and people I’ve never seen before. I intend to uncover all the secrets of Ha’tezan, especially those of its King. I just pray that I haven’t traded heartbreak for something more fatal.
Linus finishes out Blakes’ heartwarming Christmas Sprites series and it’s a magical end I’d hoped for.
Linus, the last of the Christmas sprite cousins to find a mate, has always thought he’d be the first one to find the perfect one to love and spend the rest of his life with.
Instead, the fumbling, large-hearted innkeeper has stood by and watched, a tad jealously, as the other three found their mates, and got their magical “glow up”.
So Linus makes a plan to change his luck. And Colby, Tate’s best friend (and Eldon’s mate) comes to town, looking for Tate, and to check out the mysterious village he’s living in.
With all the other couples and inhabitants of Mistletoe Falls involved in the growing relationship between Colby and Linus, mischief and magical hijinks soon abound! From tiny “borrowed “ goats to Easter eggs and bunnies out of season, this is a heartwarming story, full of charming moments, happy memories, and a couple fated for HEA!
I totally recommend this no angst, heartwarming holiday quartet of magical tales!
Linus is having a Christ-massive problem. His cousins have all found their fated mates and their sprite magic is making beautiful things happen in the small town of Mistletoe Falls they call home. His magic? Well, it’s making a fa-la-la-la-lasting impression…and not in a good way.
No need to Claus a scene!
When Colby’s best friend runs away to Mistletoe Falls, Colby follows. From the moment he arrives, things are an elf-ing mess. Strange things keep occurring in and around the Tinseled Inn, all involving its bewitching owner, Linus. Colby is determined to find out Linus’s secret, and if he doesn’t end up getting his chestnuts roasted, he may discover that Linus will make more than his Christmas bright.
If you love fated mates, Christmas hijinks, and magical elves, er, sprites, who make the season bright, this holiday romance will help you have a tree-mendous holiday season.
—-
Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer
Oh those fabulous Christmas sprites! Eldon, the serious one, gets his mate, in a story that runs almost concurrently with all the others. So we get mentions of events we know happened in the other Sprites romances.
Here in a not really “frenemies to lovers “ trope, it’s Tatum William Bixby III , new owner of the Snowda Shoppe, that has Eldon in a snit.
Tate won’t tell Eldon his plans for the shop and the mystery is making Eldon nuts, along with all the magical drama his cousins are causing.
Tate has his own personal reasons for fleeing to Mistletoe Falls. Tate grows on the reader as he wanders about town, falling into the charm of the town and its inhabitants, learning to love it and Eldon.
Once more, Blake has built on the previous books and storylines, and made this story and characters stronger. It’s a lovely romance and it’s leading up to the very last cousin, Linus, and his romantic partner. He’s here too.
Eldon doesn’t care what Tatum William Bixby the third thinks, he absolutely will not allow the Snowda Shoppe to become some corporate monstrosity. Mistletoe Falls is Eldon’s home, his life’s work, and some stuck-up, irritating, rich grinch will not ruin their small town spirit—no matter how gorgeous and intriguing Eldon finds the annoying newcomer.
Baby it’s cold outside. Frigid even, if the adorable Eldon’s reaction to Tate’s arrival in Mistletoe Falls is anything to go by. His plan to secretly escape to the small town for a much needed break has turned into a challenge to drive Eldon over the edge.
Sweet Eldon has a bite to him, though, and when Tate’s secret emerges, he and Eldon reach a holiday crisis of their own. Will the magic of Mistletoe Falls finally miss its mark, or did Eldon and Tate find love at frost sight?
If you love fated mates, enemies to lovers, and magical elves, er, sprites, who make the season bright, this holiday romance will leave you in pepper-mint condition.
Arden Powell has been writing such an amazing selection of books for the Flos Magicae series. All have been crafted with a certain subtlety, the world building and any foundation information is such that the reader has to cobble together the hints scattered throughout the book or from the odd statements in dialogue to try to understand the societal framework the novels take place in.
Sometimes it frustrating, other times it flows perfectly within the magical quiet flow of the narrative. Here, it’s a bit of both.
We start off in 20th century Toronto. A ugly city, where homosexuality is a severe crime punishable by long term imprisonment or even death. There’s magic and magic wielders but those with major powers seem to be few . Or not heard of within the lowest orders of the working class. If you’re truly without magic, then your prospects are dim.
Non magical David, who works, like his parents did, for the big distillery in Toronto, barely has any money to his name. Again much like his parents who scraped to feed him.
We come upon him as he’s fighting his way through the blizzard, up towards Manitoba, looking for a friend who disappeared months ago.
The backstory comes out in bits and pieces throughout this tale, as David, and Amaruq, the friend he’s been looking for, struggle to communicate.
I mean struggle. There’s a lot of silence, started conversations that go nowhere. Snow. Freezing temperatures. A sense of deep pain and fatigue that surrounds them both. There’s a ghost. Whether he’s real or not, that’s left up to each reader to decide.
But Powell makes it all feel believable, even down to the magical elements. The stumbling blocks they’ve raised between themselves, the misconceptions. It’s as much due to the times and circumstances in which they lived rather than who they actually were.
I could have done more with the ending and a vast spiritual experience that occurred than what was left on the page. I felt it was way too brief for the magnitude of the events.
But that seems par for the course with the stories within this series.
I find my imagination keeps returning to different aspects of this couple and the story. That is a huge plus for me in any story. And another reason I’m recommending The Solstice Cabin (Flos Magicae) by Arden Powell.
——
Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer
Ah, the serial story has come to a satisfactory conclusion and all right with the infamous Black Sorcerer of Grimslock and First Knight of Goodwine. Or former First Knight of Goodwine. Hmmmm.
Our merry and bloodthirsty crew is all here at the end. Tan‘a siblings, Wells, Devan’s cutthroat family, all the people we’ve gotten to know through the previous stories.
At the end of the penultimate episode, Sherwood left our hero , Devan, in a shocking predicament. The princess and the King had used the latest crisis they’d created (and Devan and Tan had solved) to try and force a engagement with the princess. In front of a huge audience.
Including a raging Tan. Here we start up right where the story left off. It doesn’t go well for the princess or the King to our delight.
The rest of the tale revolves around the insanity the princess employing to have her revenge against the lovers and the challenges Tan, Devan, and crew face against her.
It’s gripping, funny, quickly paced, and ends way too soon for someone who’s so enjoyed the entertainment and drama the series has provided.
We needed a bit more beat down, more rescue of the mages for this to feel 100% deeply satisfying. But totally enjoyable? Absolutely.
If you love a bent fairytale, a princess romance gone very tilted in the most entertaining way, How I Stole The Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him To Villainy: Miracles 1 to 6 By A.J. Sherwood is for you.
What’s Devan to do when Serenity claims him as her lover? Run.
What’s Tan to do when Serenity claims Devan as her lover? Start a revolution.
All’s fair in love and war.
Tags:
the First Knight of Goodwine has officially quit, or at least he’s trying really hard to quit, problem is no one wants to let him go, Serenity’s going to be an extinct species at this rate, accidental revolt, Tan’s rocking his crown though, shenanigans shall now commence, mercenaries, kidnappings, rule one when dealing with black sorcerers, don’t piss them off, rule two is don’t touch their knight, just a little murder, it’s fine.
—-
Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer
Ruins marks the outstanding beginning of Wings ‘N’ Wands series by A.J. Sherwood and Jocelynn Drake. It’s a spin-off or sequel series to their Scales ‘N’ Spells saga about dragons and their mages.
The Ice Dragon clan was introduced in the first series so we already have (if you’re a fan or reader of those novels) a solid understanding of the characters and foundation of the Ice Dragons history going into Ruin.
But for those who don’t, the authors weave the tragic past , the devastating wars and loss into the storylines here. It’s so satisfying to see King Rodrigo and Ha Na, as well as others again.
However, it’s Dr Samuel Hunter, archeologist, searching for the long lost Tupã dragon clan and the neighboring Sousa Mage clan, who’s so easy to connect with. From a mage family where his twin brother is favored because of his magical abilities and Samuel isn’t taken as seriously because of a broken core, Samuel is someone we can identify with and feel for.
Troubling family dynamics aside, his personality is lively and engaging. Which makes Dimitri’s drive to have a relationship believable .
The authors include an ongoing investigation into the disappearance of the missing dragon and mage clans, the research for a solution to Samuel’s broken core, and an entire clan of Ice Dragons with mage mate drama.
It’s an engrossing story, full of adventure, dragon flight, romance, and poignant moments. I loved every bit of it. And I’m looking to see what shape the next story takes.
What does he not want? A bossy, overprotective, possessive, teasing dragon sticking his nose in business that is not his.
Even if he is sexy. And supports Samuel on his quest to find the lost Sousa Mage Clan.
Utterly beside the point. He does not need a dragon boyfriend.
(Un)fortunately, Dimitri disagrees.
Tags:
Ice dragons, Brazil, fated mates, dragon shifters, not mpreg, found family, true acceptance, hurt/comfort, broken cores, lost clans, magical creatures, beware of stompers, fun with waterfalls, snowball fights in summer, ice dragons know how to stay cool, Dimitri licked him and now he’s his, overprotective and grumpy, calming cuddles, seriously Dimitri needs all the cuddles, booby traps, Sam was not trying to seduce Dimitri, it was the cuteness that snuck under Dimitri’s guard, communication, because miscommunication is the devil’s trope, Dimitri has a weakness for sassy intellects, who knew, Dimitri is a walking air conditioner, Sam approves
—-
Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.
It’s the penultimate story and Sherwood is giving us heartburn!
From Tan’s explosive attempts to fix his biggest mistake to being a jailbird then , well , nothing prepared us for this short frustrating story of fighting, explosions, heart eyes, and an evil princess.
It’s got a big cliffhanger ending too!
Sigh.
Actually that’s pretty typical of serialized stories but argh!
Just sayin.
How I Stole The Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him To Villainy: Miracle 6 will be out on November 25, 2022. I’m so ready for a Royal smack down.
The covers have been changing. Notice the heart! Hmmmm, maybe a clue?
I’m highly recommending the series, frustration and all. Bring on the finale!
What’s Tan to do when an experiment goes wrong? Nothing. He’s unconscious and captured.
What’s Devan to do when his lover shows up in the palace prison? Keep calm and smuggle on.
Tan would say don’t put him into a box, but he actually does fit. Devan despairs.
Tags:
Tan gets himself into trouble, what? No one’s surprised by that?, Tan maybe forgot a teensy weensy promise, it bites him in the ass, in Tan’s defense, yeah I got nothin’, boyfriend to the rescue, Protective Devan, light angst, mostly as an excuse for cuddles, smuggling, cancuns saying inappropriate things, Serenity has successfully pissed Devan off for the last time, and then she does something even worse, magic battle, minotaurs, portals, Fa actually fixes her hair, it’s a miracle.
—-
Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.
Conspiracy of Dragons marks the end of Louisa Masters’ Here Be Dragons series and it’s Steffen’s story that brings everything to a surprisingly strong and emotional close.
Steffen is a dragon who’s character has always ridden that edge of humor with a element of mystery and pathos about him. His overly suspicious, oftentimes paranoid tendencies, even as the head of security for Brandt and Here Be Dragons, brought about some comic scenes as well as sad ones over the previous novels.
But here we get to travel next to him, see into his traumatic past, and realize what a tremendous character of depth has been lurking around the periphery all this time. From the heart tugging revelation of what constitutes Steffen’s hoard to a hidden love that’s enduring all his fears and pain to continue to nurture and support him, Steffen’s romance extends beyond the couple backwards to their history, encapsulates their current relationships, and then tries to envision a new future for all.
That’s quite a story.
It picks up shortly after The Dragon Experiment where the life force has shown them that humans must re-learn how to use their magical abilities, otherwise all the other beings, except dragons, will eventually perish. That humans should regain magic has Steffen terrified.
Weaving that overall species goal, as seen through Steffen’s perspective, as well as through others trying to figure out best to slowly and safely implement this is wonderful. We get to have many of our favorite characters from all the stories involved (Alistair, Gideon,Sam…) as well as those so important to Steffen and his growth here.
That’s Wil. A gentle, warm-hearted dragon who’s essential to Steffen in every way. While Steffen is the center here, Wil is Steffen’s heart. Their story is painful, sexy, quietly strong, and loving. Perfect for a finale.
A suspenseful hunt, a surprise character, and a joyous element previously revealed in an earlier story help round out the narrative themes and bring the series to a satisfying close.
I will be very sad to see these characters go. I have come to love them so.
If you haven’t found this series or author, there’s a reading list of connected universe story/series.
Read all the stories in this universe so you’re familiar with the events that have occurred and the characters and relationships that are referred to.
I’m highly recommending them all, including this one.
It’s no secret that I’m hard to handle. People get annoyed by me. Sometimes they’re amused, but not for long. It’s not easy to deal with a paranoid conspiracy theorist, and I stretch everyone’s patience.
Everyone except Wil. He was there at the beginning, when I left my old life behind, and he’s stuck with me since. He’s been my friend when no one else wanted to. Patiently taught me how to fit in. He’s the one person I know I can rely on.
He’s the only man I can see myself ever being with. The only man I would want to spend eternity with.
But when my past rears its ugly head and the stuff of my nightmares rises from the dead, the hope of a happy future rapidly fades. I need him more than ever, but I can’t risk him. I can’t let anyone use him against me.
Torture doesn’t have to be physical to hurt. And I’m not going to let myself be hurt again.
—-
Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 