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

Rating: 3.75🌈

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

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

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

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

It was to convoluted, taking the series, story and character into unexpected territory and creating a “as told to” narrative that bogged down the action and flow of the whole story.

At some parts, it was just page flipping time.

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

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

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

Fanged Mistakes:

Fake Dates and Fanged Mistakes #1

Dire Straits and Entwined Fates #2

High Stakes and Soulmates #3

Buy link

High Stakes and Soulmates (Fanged Mistakes Book 3)

Blurb

Ezio

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

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

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

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

Cyrus

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 3.25🌈

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Each of the “Pets” will have a story and find a mate. That’s clear.

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

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

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

Cover design: Natasha Snow

Drake Security Series (first series)

Damned Mercenaries -sequel series

Accidental Bond #1

Buy link:

Accidental Bond (Damned Mercenaries Book 1)

Blurb

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating : 4🌈

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

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

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

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

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

Check out this fantasy series by Butler! Entertaining reading!

Cover by Hannah Latham at oexasart

Emperor’s Assassin trilogy:

Betrothed to the Emperor #1

Emperor’s Wrath #2

Shadow Throne King #3 – Oct 27,2025

Buy link

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

Blurb

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rating: 3🌈

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cover Art by Black Butterfly Designs Published by Peccavi Press”

Happily Ever Afterlife :

Definitely Dead #1

Dead Ringer #2 – June 5, 2025

Buy link

Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1)

Blurb

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

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

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

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

Now, he’s not just questioning.

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

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

Review: The Haunted Hotel 2: The Legend of Lovers Hollow (Crawshanks Guide to Mischievous Spectres & Spirits) by Vawn Cassidy

Rating: 4🌈

The Legend of Lovers Hollow is a funny, ghostly tale, a veritable mansion full of characters that are entertaining, intriguing, hilarious, occasionally heartbreaking, especially if they are a young sad ghost, and offer a number of interesting relationship dynamics.

Ellis Sparks is trying his best to expand the haunted hotel’s entertainment for its guests and that now includes a play about the tragic triad of lovers from the mansion’s history, The Legend of Lovers Hollow . Only it’s bringing with it unexpected peril along with challenges in the performances.

The new guests themselves are an intriguing rowdy bunch, from a group of well-known ghost hunters to a anime artist and several married couples and a throuple. The Haunted House has never seemed busier or under more stress.

Morgan especially is struggling with his own issues and the hotel’s finances. This , alongside the problems of a lonely little ghost, feel the most grounded and relatable emotionally. In a very strange and otherwise paranormal world setting, amongst ghosts having their own issues, Morgan and sad little Artie make their own circle of connection and bond that made this story for me.

But the grandfather and his sarongs? Hilarious. And we get several great surprises in the visitors here.

My only wish was for a more definitive ending. It seems to just stop without any real resolution to the issues here.

The Haunted Hotel 2: The Legend of Lovers Hollow is a highly recommended and enjoyable paranormal romp! Poignant, hilarious and fully entertaining.

Great series.

Cover design by Natasha Snow @NatashaSnowDesigns

Crawshanks Guide to Mischievous Spectres & Spirits:

The Haunted Hotel (Crawshanks Guide to Mischievous Spectres & Spirits Book 1)

The Haunted Hotel 2: The Legend of Lovers Hollow

Buy link

The Haunted Hotel 2: The Legend of Lovers Hollow (Crawshanks Guide to Mischievous Spectres & Spirits)

Blurb

Welcome back to the Ashton-Drake Manor House Hotel!

Ellis Sparks is beyond thrilled. Not only has he discovered that ghosts are real, but the hotel he’s lived in since he was a teenager is filled with them. Okay, so the first annual murder mystery event may have gone slightly awry, and the hotel is still under threat of foreclosure.

Oh, and the whole place is being investigated by the Bureau of Domestic Hauntings. Turns out there’s a lot of bureaucracy in the afterlife!

But life is good. Ellis is in love and now that he’s newly promoted to hotel manager, he’s even more determined to save his beloved home, starting with a brand-new event! A historical re-enactment of a local urban legend and a ghost-hunting Valentines weekend are sure to bring in more business and help save the hotel.

There’s just one problem.

The Legend of Lovers Hollow is real, and three potentially murderous ghosts are on a rampage through a hotel filled with amateur ghost hunters. Now, accompanied by their motley crew of quirky staff and ghostly sidekicks, Ellis and his superhot silver fox of a boyfriend must figure out how to put the furious spiritual triad back to sleep before all hell lets loose and the hotel guests get more than a frightfully good stay..

Publisher: Underside Press
Accessibility: Learn more
Publication date: May 21, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 265 pages

Review: Starfire (Legends of Lobe den Herren Book 3) by AJ Sherwood

Rating: 4.5 🌈

I adore this series and group of characters so seeing it continue with Luca O’ Broín and architect Noe Keller is amazing.

The story flows beautifully as the men go through the process of friendship to lovers, working together on the structure of the castle and with their crews. It’s a natural progression and the reader feels folded seamlessly into their journey and the love that they share.

Sherwood doesn’t forget the dramatic moments, which comes from both sides of each man’s family. But Starfire satisfactorily deals with each struggle and ends with a sense of accomplishment and success. Of a love and happiness for their future.

If this is the last book, I’m extremely happy for how they are going out.

A definite winner and highly recommended.

Cover by Katie Griffin

Legends of Lobe den Herren series:

Fourth Point of Contact #1

Zone of Action #2

Starfire #3

Buy link:

Starfire (Legends of Lobe den Herren Book 3)

Blurb

Luca O’ Broín’s original wife checklist:

a loving marriage
mother for his children
capable of running a fortress
sexually compatible
someone intelligent

Luca’s REVISED non-negotiable husband checklist:

dependable friend
capable of running a fortress
willing to move to Bhodhsa
someone with brains

Noe Keller’s husband checklist:

Luca

Luca’s UPDATED husband checklist:

Turns out wishing on the stars isn’t hopeless after all.

Tags:

Marriage pact, age gap, hurt/comfort, gay for you, workplace romance, chosen family, cinnamon roll protection squad, assemble!, I did not plan this book, Noe was the one on ship building duty this time, communication, no third act breakups because I can’t stand those, O’ Broin is getting his happily ever after, so is Noe, peanut gallery included, naked proposals are a thing for this series, Sakura dispenses wisdom like candy, Ren and Arman are hashtag relationship goals

Publication date: April 19, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 337 pages

Review: Witchwolf by Sam Burns and W. M. Fawkes

Rating: 4🌈

Normally I’m not one for the “virgin trope” storyline but Burns and Fawkes are two of my favorite authors and in their hands, it turns into Witchwolf, a delightful urban fantasy romance about a young man who in looking for a hot night out before a new job finds far more than he ever imagined.

Dakota Morris is the young man, recently graduated from college, and ready for his dream job and adventure. But before then? He wants that hot date and experience he’s denied himself by concentrating on his college and studies.

Burns and Fawkes have created a wonderful exuberant character in Dakota and then given him the absolutely best possible place to explore his new life and possibilities for his future.

Of course he doesn’t expect his future to come with werewolves, mages and a ton of magic.

The corporate world and culture the authors are laying down will be expanding with the next book , a chapter of which is included at the end of Witchwolf.

But we get the outline of how the company works and its origins. Pack owned and operated but not exclusively employed by just werewolves. This is a rich universe Burns and Fawkes are building and I’m hopeful that we get more than just two books here.

Dakota’s story has mysteries and some drama associated with it. I wish we could have had more details about his background but understand why that wasn’t given. There’s so much more here that cries out for greater detail and exploration, into the mage history and paranormal being rivalries.

I’m hoping that future stories dive into this element.

The romance between Dakota and Alpha Ajax is hot, fun, and the dynamic between them makes us absolutely love this couple. Want to throttle Ajax occasionally because of his lack of communication skills but still Dakota makes up for it.

Love the ending and energy going forward. But having the entire first chapter of Book 2 (great chapter too) and not the book? Argh.

I will be watching out for that book next.

A definite winner for lovers of urban fantasy and these authors.

Witchwolf series:

Witchwolf #1
Word, Nerds, & Werecats #2 – coming early 2026 – chapter 1 included in the first book. ❤️

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://a.coWitchwolf – Kindle edition by Burns, Sam, Fawkes, W.M.. Romance …

Blurb

Dakota Morris has decided it’s time he lost that pesky virginity.

He’s a college graduate, and he’s tired of being a virgin. So he goes out to a club his friends don’t frequent, and picks up the hottest man he’s ever seen. It’s truly a night to remember . . . until he walks into the boardroom for his new job the next morning and wishes he could forget it, because his hot pick-up is also his new boss and CEO, Ajax Fyse.

The fact that he unknowingly slept with his newest employee is the least of Jax’s problems right now. Not only is he trying to navigate a merger with a mage family who disdains werewolves as beasts, it turns out the mage he took home last night didn’t even believe magic existed till this morning.

This morning, when his magic abilities manifested.

Now, Dakota’s stapler is flying across the room, and Jax has landed himself in the position of ushering his gorgeous new hire into the realm of magic. If only sleeping with a werewolf wouldn’t ruin Dakota’s reputation among other mages . . .

Publication date: May 1, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 253 pages

Review: Bright Shiny Love by Pat Henshaw

Rating: 4🌈

In the same universe as Fragile As Glass, Bright, Shiny Love by Pat Henshaw focuses on the relationship between two childhood friends , who have recently reunited as adults.

Both have become artists in different mediums, with metal artist Martin working in the commercial arts space owned by the artist from Fragile As Glass.

It’s a sweet, almost instant love story, with a refreshed crush. The other main character, Ty, has many family complications, that are resolved very quickly, which after years of being their doormat, is a bit of a issue here. I thought it needed more attention or exploration.

But if you want a sweet, contemporary story with a hint of fantasy, then this short tale will go nicely. Put it together with Fragile As Glass for a romantic bookend reading experience.

Buy link

Click here to preorder from JMS Books

Blurb

Metal artist Martin Murphy knows dragons don’t talk, especially the dragon crafted of sequins on a former flame’s vest. So when the dragon seems to reach out and tells him to help its creator Ty, Marty refuses to believe the illusion. The sparks between him and Ty, on the other hand? They’re as real as it gets.

As he and Ty reconnect after so many years, Marty sees firsthand how the big man’s innate kindness and willingness to help others consume his time and energy. Maybe the dragon was right, and Ty needs saving.

While Marty is willing to try, what he really wants to do is pounce on the man and keep him all to himself while they walk down the path to HEA. Does that count as saving him?

JMS Press

GENRE: Gay Romance

LENGTH: 19,179 words

Review: SOS HOTEL: Icy Reception by Adam Vex, Ariana Nash

Rating: 4.5🌈

Icy Reception is another grand slam adventure in the epic fantasy series of the SOS HOTEL characters and their journey through life, horrifying scenarios, looking for their HEA or whatever suits them.

There’s so much to quote, hilarious scenes and fabulous moments here. LARPing in the extreme, which is saying something.

I’ll never think about concierge’s and desk bells “ding, ding, ding ding, ding” without a certain delightfully chaotic demon in mind. He’s needs one, yes, he does.

I find this hilarious, absolutely entertaining and need the finale in the worst bestest possible way.

Love this world and characters.

Cover design by Ariana Nash

SOS Hotel:

For a Supernaturally Safe Stay #1
Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous #2
Sleep with Us #3
Great Service from Top to Bottom #4
No Rest for the Wicked #5
Ho, Ho, No #5.5
Luxury To Die For #6
Your Final Resting Place #7 -ends this sequence of events.
On The Road #8 – starts a mini-trilogy
Icy Reception #9
End of the Road #10 – finale / coming May 30,2025

Holiday release!

SOS HOTEL: Ho, Ho, No by Adam Vex, Ariana Nash❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Buy link

SOS HOTEL: Icy Reception

Blurb

What happens when you throw a whole bunch of Lost Ones in a posh hotel, sprinkle in some grown humans who like to play dress-up, add a twist of sinister vibes, a quirky treasure hunt, a spooky riddle, and some yummy sandwiches?

Wait. You don’t know? F*ck, me neither. I guess we’re gonna find out.

Some folks will probably get unalived—not our fault. Adam will want to help, because he’s nice like that. And Fancy Fangs is gonna sleep through it—or get his fine ass kidnapped. Because he’s ancient and mostly useless.

Anyway, if folks are dying, why we gotta be heroes? It’s not like we’re famous for saving people. Oh wait… f*ck. Then there’s the whole magic snowstorm that rolls in, and now we’re stuck with Mr. Creepy Concierge, cameras in inappropriate places, and have I mentioned the axe murderer?

Just another day on the road… But so we’re all clear, we’re definitely not on the run.

SOS HOTEL: Icy Reception is the second book in a three part mini-series that takes place AFTER the main eight books in the SOS HOTEL series. If you haven’t read the main books, don’t start here. If you have read all previous books, then buckle up, babycakes. Sh*t’s about to get real.

Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing (April 11, 2025)
Publication date: April 11, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 192 pages

Review: Moonstriker (The Summertide Chronicles #4) by Sam Burns

Rating: 4.75🌈

Sam Burns fantastic series, The Summertide Chronicles, comes to an end, not with a bang but with wedding, which is attended by all the other characters and couples.

Was it a great finale? Yes. Sticking with the theme and incredible complexity of this series and characters, it is. Burns may not have written a story that explosively dynamic in its entirety but its narrative is still powerful in its own way, deeply satisfying and compelling to the end.

Mt. Slate is shaking the earth, threatening to destroy the entire world, unless the four families gathering together there can find a way to make it stop.

Kit Moonstriker’s entire life has revolved around The Plan, one he and his crystal, Nikka, have made/foreseen to keep Mt Slate’s from shaking apart and the world saved. It all comes down now to Aubrey, an orphan raised apart from the families.

Everything about the story is so different and beautifully written. Kit’s story is further explained and more importantly, why all those decisions were made by himself are now revealed. And Aubrey’s history comes into full view, for himself too. His lack of bonding with a crystal, his family connections, and his emotional perspective on life and family.

Having the two men working together, discussing their own lives and their misconceptions about each other, it really lets the reader into their growing relationship and intimacy.

It’s also a slow melding of big moments and storylines as another huge aspect of this story emerges during this journey of theirs.

Burns’ fantastic story swells to a close with a sense of wonder, many “ah ha” moments and scenes of love and joy.

It makes sense when you have a series where the characters are not just magical people but beings who are sentient crystals and even shifters. What an incredible series this has been. I truly love it and could have stayed for many more stories.

It’s fitting that we end on a wedding. A great satisfying sendoff.

If you are looking for a beautifully crafted, outstanding piece of fantasy fiction, grab up The Summertide Chronicles by Sam Burns. It’s one of my favorite series and one I’m highly recommending!

Love these covers too.

The Summertide Chronicles:

Gloombringer #1
Dawnchaser #2
Sunrunner #3
Moonstriker #4 – finale

Buy Link

Moonstriker (The Summertide Chronicles Book 4)

Blurb

I’ve spent the better part of a decade trying to save the world. Twice a century, Mount Slate threatens to erupt, and for my entire life, the four families in charge haven’t seemed to care about their impending doom.

So it fell to me to try to fix things.

To make peace.

Me, a man whose greatest skill is pissing people off so much that they challenge me to a duel, and then killing them in that duel.

Now the moment is here, and my clever stone is telling me that one man—a sweet, innocent, infuriating judgmental bastard—is the only one who’s capable of saving the world. And I have to help him do it.

I’m starting to wonder if the world is even worth saving.

Moonstriker is the last in a series of four books, starring one cynical not-quite-assassin, one ray of sunshine, and one very grumpy mountain. It both Aubrey and Kit’s HEA, as well as the conclusion of the overall series arc.

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