All Out of Flux is the final book in Nazri Noor’s Stolen Hearts trilogy. In this story, brujo witch Leon Alcantara and mage Max Drake are still in pursuit of the Quartz Spider , a time mage who threatens existence itself.
Noor’s narrative has been building up to this, including the amazing sea dragons that inhabit Leon for a spell in exchange for powerful magic. This element expands as another dragon is introduced and a scary scenario is unveiled for their appearance.
This is a fast paced, action packed book, where if you skip a sentence or two, you’ve missed an important step or aspect of the game that’s playing out in the narrative.
I find the entire Las Lunas universe endlessly imaginative. The spider beings, from the Jade and Amethyst Spiders to the very Queen herself, this is such a uniquely fascinating element that I love and could wish for additional exploration.
And also there’s Max’s criminal, entertaining, persistent family to dive into as well. Tons of characters waiting for their own input into Max and Leon’s lives and further adventures.
That final battle and scenes left me with some major issues but it was most definitely dramatic and memorable. Did I have several questions about how it was possible and why it was happening in the first place? Yes. Did know one know about the Masque? However, everything is satisfactory and maybe any further series will bring answers for us. You never know.
If you love fantasy fiction, magical stories, here’s a trilogy you won’t want to miss.
Leon Alcantara and Max Drake are finding help in the most unlikely of places. A third dragon has manifested, promising Leon untold elemental power. Another specter from Max’s past returns to haunt him, presenting a tempting offer.
But everything comes with a price.
Perhaps the risk is worth the reward. More anomalies are erupting across Dos Lunas. The boys need all the help they can get against the rogue time mage responsible. The Quartz Spider has finally shown his hand, and only Max and Leon can stop him.
But how can they stop the enemy when the enemy is time itself?
Well, this was simply adorable. I absolutely adored Signed, I’m Yours! (Subpar Superhero story) By Rhys Lawless. One of the most enjoyable in this series.
The journey of Seojun, Mr Sinister, a not so very super villain, who wants to find the family he left behind in South Korea turns into a funny, heartfelt story about a man who instead finds love, respect, and a new found family when he never expected it.
Seojun, fabulous in Pink, meet the SPAM agent Jack “Happy” Lewis, signs Jack up for some internal secret investigation, that goes immediately rightfully wrong.
This wonderful story is so well written. The beautifully crafted characters have so much heart, including the many fabulous side characters, that it’s hard not to wish for more from this universe and gang of heroes.
Even the main villain of this piece is a man isn’t what you expect. Instead he’s poignant, the crimes also contain an unexpected twist.
Honestly, the story and characters were a total joy that it was an absolute pleasure reading this.
A winner for the series and as a whole for the author to the readers.
Subpar Heroes series- 15 books:
🔷The Accidental Necromancer by Liv Rancourt
🔷Behind the 8-Ball by A. E. Wasp
🔷Transparent Is a Color by Kaje Harper❤️
🔷Impossible Things by Alexa Land
🔷My Not-So-Super Blind Date by Allison Temple ❤️❤️
🔷An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling by Jenn Burke ❤️❤️
I’m The Sinister Signature. New York City’s biggest supervillain. And anything I sign is mine!
Including the hunky, happy-go-lucky SPAM agent with the bear-bod who catches me red-handed.
Jack “Happy” Lewis.
The man who can never turn his smile into a frown and who’s way too excited to be tied to me for the foreseeable future.
He drives me up the wall, but at least I’ve got a guy on the inside who can help me with my mission.
In my search for my missing family, SPAM, the mysterious agency that handles super-powered individuals, and Happy are my only recourse.
There is one problem however.
With Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes stuck by my side, I’m starting to feel…things and I don’t like it.
It gets worse when we have to pretend we’re engaged.
The last thing I need right now is to fall head over heels and quit my search. Or give up my criminal empire and go over to the good side.
Ew. That’s not me.
I’m a supervillain, damn it. I won’t fall victim to Jack’s charms.
No, I won’t.
Signed, I’m Yours is a standalone paranormal romcom with a grumpy supervillain, an always-happy good guy literally stuck together on a case, a fake instant engagement, a very convenient bi-awakening, and only one bed.
Part of the multi-author Subparheroes MM romance series.
Fae for Pay is the new fantasy novel by Meghan Maslow for the multi-author series, Fortune Favors the Fae, with a magical traveling two sided Fae gold coin as a connecting point.
An immediate plus goes to Maslow’s use of the fae magical coin in the storyline.It was imaginative,interesting, and a large enough of a element in the plot to make it narratively visible throughout the story.
I enjoyed all the engaging characters who have the potential for more than just one book. They were fun to get to know and enjoy along the journey. However the universe building has need of considerably more foundation information. It’s spotty at best.
We’re given to understand it’s a world that encompasses humans, vampires and werewolves but not other paranormals. Why no other species isn’t said. Not much more information is laid out about magic or paranormal phenomena other than that which is puzzling. Nor do we have any background history on if this has always been true or a historical event.
Teremie Summersis a human whose life has been changed for the worse by his ex. Known falsely as Teremie the cheater because of actions by his ex, he’s survived by streaming as an elf on his Only Fae channel and rooming with his best friend, actor Rory.
When Sheila Levy, their agent informs Rory of a actors call for a movie that’s from Rory’s childhood best book, The Elves Cursed Coin/The Prince’s Cursed Coin, it’s both of them who end up answering the call.
The story begins there, following them to the remote set location, and all the weird shenanigans that occur throughout the filming process. The story continues with the filming as relationships form between Teremie and Kade, and between other friends in the cast.
That would be Rory McMahon, friend from childhood and Alistair the vampire, also an actor.
Kade Savage, actor, wolf shifter, fated mate, is a very interesting character with a neat twist that comes into play further in the storyline. But Maslow does with this terrific element as with others here, it doesn’t get developed fully into the highly complex aspect of this thread that it could. Which is the main issue I found here.
Maslow has many great elements and neat ideas thrown in here that while some pop up consistently throughout the story (woodland animals on Teremie and Rory’s porch on the set, the wicked crows, pixies,etc), these details aren’t explored or tied into a specific story elements in a clearly defined way. So much of the story is written like this that eventually the reader just doesn’t look for any explanations or reasonable tie in to a storyline.
The dramatic reveal is strange because the reader is unfamiliar with the story of the book the plot of the movie is based upon. Had the author included more details, it would have given clarity and depth to the story and characters actions. It would have helped give foundation too a narrative that’s often not making sense. It’s fun and the characters are charming in their own way. But pulled together it’s just not.
Fae for Pay has so many great characters and good ideas. But a cohesive story and foundation is lost somewhere. It’s still a lot of fun and has the potential to spin off another romance for two characters in need of HEA.
Fun for lovers of the author and the series.
Cover art by Natasha Snow. I love the covers. Fabulous.
Fortune Favors the Fae – 15 books:
A Fae Coin Transported Me Into Another World and Now I’m the Gay Holy Maiden by AJ Sherwood #1❤️
The Wolf’s (Un)Lucky Fae by Michele Notaro #2 ❤️
Bound to the Wild Fae by Tavia Lark #3 June 13❤️
The Sorcerer’s Thief by Lee Colgin #4 ❤️🔷
The Fae Menagerie by Edie Montreaux #5
Never Darling by Sam Burns #6
Prince of Poison by Alice Winters #7 ❤️
Grave Misfortune by Nazri Noor #8 ❤️
Fae for Pay by Meghan Maslow #9
Kisses at the Crossroad by Morgan Lysand #10
Smoke and Mirrors by Kai Butler #11 ❤️
Siren in the Rain by Chloe Archer #12
I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem by Jocelynn Drake #13 ❤️
A Fae Called Wylder by Michelle Frost #14 – Aug 29,2024
Lucky or Knot by Eliot Grayson #15 – September 5,2024
A hot AF wolf who could make me howl all night long. A persistent gold coin with dubious intentions. And a magical whammy no one saw coming.
Hello, gentle reader (or online stalker). My name is Teremie—yes, it’s a T, not a J, thanks for asking—Summers. Maybe you’ve seen me on Only Fae. I play the sexpot elf of your dreams.
Through a bizarre turn of events, I end up cast as an elf in an upcoming epic fantasy film—even though my acting skills are mainly of the “fae for pay” online variety.
My co-star is the once-cute-teen-star, turned smokin’ hot, all grown up, wolf-shifter Kade Savage. He’s gentle, honorable, and he doesn’t care about my past mistakes.
All great, right? Well . . .there are a couple of teensy tiny roadblocks to my happily-ever-after. See, wolves don’t date non-wolves. It’s a thing. And, oh, yeah, he’s straight. Which is fine. I’m perfectly okay with it. My track record is so poor that I might as well be running backward. So, it’s a little crush. What’s the harm?
But before long I catch him giving me big-bad-wolf eyes when he thinks I’m not looking. His low, growly voice makes my heart beat a little faster and sends tingles down my spine and on a one-way trip to my nether regions. Just when the UST between us is about to erupt, we end up in a fantasy scene so real it would make Peter Jackson jealous. What in the Lord of the Rings alternate dimension is this?! We have to rely on each other—and a contrary magical coin—to show us that “home” isn’t a place so much as where the heart is.
Fae for Pay is a part of the multi-author series, Fortune Favors the Fae. From spicy to sweet, zany romps to epic adventures, there’s 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.
I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem is Jocelynn Drake’s funny, imaginative and quite magical story in the multi-Author Fortune Favors the Fae series. I enjoyed it on so many levels. The characters, the storyline, and all the various elements Drake threw together to make this an entertaining rousing adventure.
I can only imagine the enjoyment Drake had writing this story, one that has a certain online novelist, Adam Lockhart , with severe writers block, stumbling into his own unfinished story where none of his characters behave as they should, the plot is nothing like he intended, as everything’s going totally amuck from how he assumes the universe will be. Sort of like it might feel like in an author’s mind when working on an uncooperative project. Love this so much.
Adam’s been churning out a fantasy online series, Betrayal of the Elf Prince, with daily installments expected from his fans/paying readers. A trip to see friends is waylaid by finding a gold coin, yes, that one, and boom, Adam ends up in the town of Misty Pass, a place he’d created from his own unfinished novel. Ok, more to it than that but I’ll leave it to the book.
Of course he meets Nylian, a prince in disguise and distress. But it’s our Adam, the modern day human, we get more and more invested in. Adams who thinks he knows what will happen but watches with total bemusement and a great deal of befuddlement as the chaos continues on with his “plot” as he’s thrown into the lives of the people and world around him. Including Nylian a person he’s getting so close to.
It’s funny, exhilarating, real in the exploration of a new feelings and sexuality as well as the excitement in seeing all the different aspects of the world he’s found himself in. One he created but it’s so new too. The other characters are especially interesting and great in their own ways. The mercenary Adeline and her younger brother, Jasper, the wizard in training. Master Binx who I really needed more of, so adorable.
There’s adventure, magical goings on, dastardly characters and romance. And punny names!
If I had a quibble, it’s that the coin had a negligible role here. It’s assumed it’s good luck but as a major element it’s somewhat lacking.
But the characters, their journey and the potential for even more interesting tales is so strong, I highly recommend this book and Drake as an author for your auto list.
Cover art by Natasha Snow. I love the covers. Fabulous.
Fortune Favors the Fae – 15 books:
A Fae Coin Transported Me Into Another World and Now I’m the Gay Holy Maiden by AJ Sherwood #1❤️
The Wolf’s (Un)Lucky Fae by Michele Notaro #2 ❤️
Bound to the Wild Fae by Tavia Lark #3 June 13❤️
The Sorcerer’s Thief by Lee Colgin #4 ❤️🔷
The Fae Menagerie by Edie Montreaux #5
Never Darling by Sam Burns #6
Prince of Poison by Alice Winters #7 ❤️
Grave Misfortune by Nazri Noor #8 ❤️
Fae for Pay by Meaghan Maslow #9
Kisses at the Crossroad by Morgan Lysand #10
Smoke and Mirrors by Kai Butler #11 ❤️
Siren in the Rain by Chloe Archer #12
I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem by Jocelynn Drake #13 ❤️
A Fae Called Wylder by Michelle Frost #14 – Aug 29,2024
Lucky or Knot by Eliot Grayson #15 – September 5,2024
I was just an innocent author minding my own business. Until I found that coin…
The evil thing zapped me into the novel I was writing.
Now I’m dodging ogres, humans, elves, and a certain wizard-in-training with a proclivity for changing people into small harmless animals.
My only goal is to get home again, and the best way to do that is to get this book back on track. I must help the sexy exiled prince find his brother’s killer.
The only problem is that the prince keeps flirting with me rather than the women he’s supposed to be adding to the harem.
Wait! Flirting with me? That can’t be right.
Wait wait! Why did I call him sexy? Am I falling for the prince, too?
I Destroy the Elf Prince’s Harem is a stand-alone novel within the Fortune Favors the Fae collection and follows the adventures of one poor author as he stumbles his way through his own novel and just maybe falls in love with the hero. Along the way he will encounter elves, humans, ogres, a wizard-in-training who’s really bad at magic, jealousy, possessiveness, political intrigue, secrets, and a prince who has eyes for just one man. Unfortunately, that one man is as blind as a bat when it comes to love.
From spicy to sweet, zany romps to epic adventures, there’s something for everyone in the Fortune Favors the Fae series. Discover destiny and true love, and follow the coin on its fickle journey to the next world and a new magical adventure. Each book is a standalone and can be read in any order.
In Smoke and Mirrors, a novel in the Fortune Favors the Fae fantasy multi-author fantasy series, Kai Butler creates a group of characters and a place called Flower that just begs for a series of its own.
In what starts out as a magical undercover mission that goes sideways, Butler then takes the characters on a journey of healing, homecoming, and revelations. That it’s incredibly action-packed, romantic, and full of layered character growth and development is also what drives this story and its numbers of threads forward. We connect with them and the place. We become so invested in their journey.
Damian Reyes is our narrator. A undercover special agent for SPA, Strange Phenomenon Agency. When a barefooted Cassander,dethroned Shadow Prince of Moonlight and Whispers, runs into him ,it’s his mission that badly comprised.
The effects of which will lead Damian, Cassander in tow, back to the one place he never expected to return to, his home and family. The Reyes family, from mother Rosario, sister Candy, and the children, are realistic, well defined in their emotions, and reactions to Damian’s reappearance. The old history between them all, the perspectives on the past, and the manner in which Butler has Damian slowly start to question his own memories and ideas about his mother and his adolescence feels so raw and deep.
While it’s Damian’s growth and revelations we have the biggest window into, it’s also the reflections of Cassander’s changing as he interacts with the family and Damian that’s so important as well.
Butler’s story gives out so much more than just the insight and depth that goes into the family dynamics. The urban fantasy elements are fabulous. The coin is a major factor here and I love how the author has woven it into the storytelling.
Plus all the other characters that come together, whether they are from the bar, or the family, they have been created with care and given life as they are memorable.
So is the desert when seen through magical eyes.
More please. Much more.
A fantastic book and one universe I hope the author decides to write in again.
Cover art by Natasha Snow. I love the covers. Fabulous.
Fortune Favors the Fae – 15 books:
A Fae Coin Transported Me Into Another World and Now I’m the Gay Holy Maiden by AJ Sherwood #1❤️
The Wolf’s (Un)Lucky Fae by Michele Notaro #2 ❤️
Bound to the Wild Fae by Tavia Lark #3 June 13❤️
The Sorcerer’s Thief by Lee Colgin #4 ❤️🔷
The Fae Menagerie by Edie Montreaux #5
Never Darling by Sam Burns #6
Prince of Poison by Alice Winters #7 ❤️
Grave Misfortune by Nazri Noor #8 ❤️
Fae for Pay by Meaghan Maslow #9 – July 23,2024
Kisses at the Crossroad by Morgan Lysand #10
Smoke and Mirrors by Kai Butler #11 ❤️
Siren in the Rain by Chloe Archer #12 – Aug 15,2024
I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem by Jocelynn Drake #13 – Aug 22,2024
A Fae Called Wylder by Michelle Frost #14 – Aug 29,2024
Lucky or Knot by Eliot Grayson #15 – September 5,2024
Secret Agent Damian Reyes has two problems: he just lost his job and now he’s babysitting a deposed prince.
When Damian ran straight into a firefight to save an attractive civilian, he didn’t realize he was also sacrificing the career he’d spent twelve years building for a man whose flirting is only slightly less lethal than his blades. Now they’re stuck in Damian’s childhood bedroom as he tries to salvage his job, avoid his mother, and keep Cassander from getting murdered.
Oh, and a phenomenally powerful magical coin has decided it wants a ride in Damian’s pocket. At some point, his luck has to change, right?
Smoke and Mirrors is a part of the multi-author series, Fortune Favors the Fae. From spicy to sweet, zany romps to epic adventures, there’s 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.
Kisses at the Crossroad by Morgan Lysand has a lot of good elements going for it. Multiple storylines, a universe that includes at least three highly diverse realms (demon, Fae, and human) with a variety of different, interesting characters that thread in and out of the plot lines.
The main storyline that’s centered around the enslaved Fae, Lark, and the crossroads demon, Pike, has enough to it with the characters back stories and current plight, that it should have been more detailed and the entire focus of this book. Plus the coin as well. That’s a major part of their story.
What is nice is Lark and Pike, along with the hellhound, together. They are both very different yet sweet characters. Lark’s background is a bit better defined than Pike’s but the story behind his capture still feels lacking, as though a villainous act was committed. By maybe that fae Prince who popped up to say he wasn’t bad anymore and disappeared. A absolutely strange thread and dismissible character. But one which the author made a point about several times during the book.
So many aspects to the story like this. Odd decisions that come out of the narrative void and leaves the reader wondering. Like the huge one towards the end with Drake. That’s a major question for me. But it speaks to the overall issue here.
That Lysand has a larger overall expansive character cast and narrative in mind that effectively makes this story come off as less developed and finished. You can tell which elements and characters have been highlighted by the author for new stories or additional roles in books (in multi-author series) to come. So while their roles here in scenes are as important secondary characters , what happens to each of them is incomplete or left unresolved.
Wren isn’t mentioned but demons Wick, Van, and the interspecies human town of Hex, Indiana, get upcoming stories in two completely different series (see below).
There’s enough loose ends or unresolved issues here that it leaves other aspects of Lark’s and Pike’s romantic relationship and journey just weirdly disjointed in many sections.
So while I enjoyed it, I was equally occupied by thinking about all the things that felt underdeveloped and characters left behind.
The coin was a major part of the story. I appreciated this fact.
Cover art by Natasha Snow. I love the covers. Fabulous.
Fortune Favors the Fae – 15 books:
A Fae Coin Transported Me Into Another World and Now I’m the Gay Holy Maiden by AJ Sherwood #1❤️
The Wolf’s (Un)Lucky Fae by Michele Notaro #2 ❤️
Bound to the Wild Fae by Tavia Lark #3 June 13❤️
The Sorcerer’s Thief by Lee Colgin #4 ❤️🔷
The Fae Menagerie by Edie Montreaux #5
Never Darling by Sam Burns #6
Prince of Poison by Alice Winters #7 ❤️
Grave Misfortune by Nazri Noor #8 ❤️
Fae for Pay by Meaghan Maslow #9 – Aug 21,2024
Kisses at the Crossroad by Morgan Lysand #10
Smoke and Mirrors by Kai Butler #11 – August 8, 2024
Siren in the Rain by Chloe Archer #12 – Aug 15,2024
I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem by Jocelynn Drake #13 – Aug 22,2024
A Fae Called Wylder by Michelle Frost #14 – Aug 29,2024
Lucky or Knot by Eliot Grayson #15 – September 5,2024
Lark has the worst luck. After stumbling through a thin spot in the veil between realms, he’s been stuck in the human world for a decade and forced to perform parlor tricks for the witch that captured him. Luckily, the witch’s power wanes and Lark hopes to run for his freedom during the next full moon. But he needs help. What could it hurt to summon a crossroad demon to get him back home to the Faelands?
When Pike gets summoned for the first time in decades, he’s sure it’s for something ridiculous. Humans never think of consequences. However, the moment he lays eyes on the pretty Fae, he’s determined to help the ethereal one, no matter the cost, even if it’s his own heart.
Kisses at the Crossroads is a part of the multi-author series, Fortune Favors the Fae. From spicy to sweet, zany romps to epic adventures, there’s 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.
Publication date: August 4, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 157 pages
🔹The Nephilim’s Touch (Van’s story and the location of Hex,Indiana
Static/Cling by Jaime Samms is another in the Subpar Heroes multi-author series about a group of people who have specific abilities that have been deemed just not “super” enough for high level status. They’re subpar heroes or heroes whose abilities are diminished in some respects.
Samms story involves a group of characters, first a pair of friends/lovers that eventually ends up as a triad when they find the third that completes them. Along the way, a team of like minded and powered characters is formed, there’s a scary mission to undertake, and an evil villain to be foiled.
Static/Cling has terrific characters, interesting storylines, and the potential for additional novels, packed as it is with loose ends and underdeveloped plot lines and character elements.
I really enjoyed it.
Characters like Bjorn Bielke, “electricity runs through my body” and Leif, his best friend/lover and personal current discharge unit, who end up working for SPAM (the superhero agency) where all the rest of their future team is working, are great in their respective roles. Also fascinating, if not equally well developed, is Kassian, IT SPAM specialist, but he’s more. What exactly is not delved into.
The developing Bjorn/Leif/Kassian romance is interesting in how the author pulls it off and it makes sense for all the people involved. This could have taken up more of the plot, especially since Leif and Kassian each need more narrative development than is given towards the end.
Sal, Robert (two more intriguing members of this found family) as well as actual family members, contribute to a action packed, emotionally driven story.
Only the fact that Samms had left unexplored or unresolved some major plot lines at the end of the story did I feel unsatisfied with the finish and HFN given to the characters.
Perhaps, like other writers, Samms intends to revisit this universe. At any rate, if you are enjoying the series and are a fan of the author, I recommend reading Static/Cling (Subpar Heroes story) by Jaime Samms. It’s very entertaining.
Subpar Heroes series- 15 books:
🔷The Accidental Necromancer by Liv Rancourt
🔷Behind the 8-Ball by A. E. Wasp
🔷Transparent Is a Color by Kaje Harper❤️
🔷Impossible Things by Alexa Land
🔷My Not-So-Super Blind Date by Allison Temple ❤️❤️
🔷An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling by Jenn Burke ❤️❤️
🔷In The Nick of Time by Elle Keaton
🔷Static/Cling by Jaimie Samms
🔷Spiritual Guidance Not Required by Jacy Braegan 8/1/2024
Best friends Bjorn and Leif help each other out. Whether it’s blowing off some steam in bed (as friends do), or helping each other find a new job, they’ve always been there for eachother. So when Leif points out an ad for a janitor team at SPAM it’s a perfect fit.
Bjorn will be able to work where his strange ability to gather static electricity won’t be a problem, and Leif will still be by his side to make sure nothing bad happens.
Turns out, Bjorn should have read the fine print.
Working at SPAM is like no other job they’ve ever had, and then there is Kassian. Tacitern. Unfriendly. Half computer geek, half muscle-head, he’s way more appealing than he has any right to be, and maybe the spark between them they’ve often looked for but never found.
But Kassian the computer geek is clear. He doesn’t need any more friends, and he doesn’t need a lover, never mind two. Kassian the muscle head has a different take on the idea.
When they have to track down a missing computer file and stop a madman from ruining the lives of everyone at SPAM, it’ll take the whole team, a multi-layered plan, and no small amount of luck to succeed.
It will also take the three of them combining their skills to stay alive and save, not just the day, but each other.
Static/Cling is a part of the multi-author Subpar Superheroes MM romance series.
The Villain Who Wasn’t by Liv Rancourt was such a mixed bag for me. I enjoyed much of the story and characters, including how Rancourt wove the Carnival of Mysteries into this tale, making it an important part of Micah Jenkins journey to redemption.
Micah, how his relationship with Anders Montgomery developed amid his journey to redemption and finding home, that entire storyline , is the best part about this book. It starts with the characters.
Corbin Blande aka Micah Jenkins is terrific, a wounded being with a great back story. He’s a polymorphic being, a therianthrope, someone who could shift into any form, human or animal. A almost mythic creature who fell into the wrong hands and did terrible things to protect people he loves.
Then there’s Anders Montgomery, a beta werewolf, one of 5 children.The pack is renting the Hidden Glen Resort for a younger sister’s first shift. But it’s never that simple. Again, a great story and character set within a pack and family that cries out for further development.
Part of the main narrative includes Micah’s daughter, who because of the danger involved, doesn’t know him, and a demon that has him trapped by promises and threats. All fascinating stuff and all underdeveloped here.
The decision why is because the author decides to mash up The Carnival of Mysteries series story , and make it a sequel to her book, The Accidental Necromancer from the Subpar Heroes superhero series from a completely different universe and multi-author collection. So now SPAM and superheroes has entered the story and things go completely off the rails, narratively speaking.
Once Livcourt makes the decision to smash (not integrate) one storyline universe into another, it drastically changes tone and direction. An entirely new crew of characters, new locations and the superhero governing agency, SPAM, is the dominant force, leaving the pack and other elements pushed aside.
In fact, instead of exploring Micah’s unique natural history and having him make restitution for his actions in other ways, Livcourt brings in SPAM, takes over the story, hobbling the previous narrative, and making the Subpar Heroes the universe that’s dominating this book.
If a reader isn’t familiar with these series, especially the Subpar Heroes, or a reader of this author’s books, they will find themselves lost in the muddled world that this story has become at the end. Yes, there’s a HFN and a note from Livcourt she intends to continue on with additional stories in this universe. Which one? The subpar heroes is my guess but I’m not sure.
I liked The Villain Who Wasn’t (Carnival of Mysteries 2) by Liv Rancourt because of Micah, Anders, their relationship, and the manner in which the story began. Plus the Carnival of Mysteries was an important part of their journey. But the rest of the book was a mashup that felt forced and confusing. That was mostly the second part of this book.
Read it if you’re a fan of the author.
Again, terrific covers.
Carnival of Mysteries 2 -2024
🔹Rook’s Time by Kim Fielding (sequel to Crow’s Fate-2023)
🔹The Wrong Familiar by Megan Derr✅
🔹The Villain Who Wasn’t by Liv Rancourt ** notes (sequel to other stories/series)
🔹Blue Lightning by BL Maxwell
🔹Magic Escaping by Kaje Harper (sequel to Magic Burning 2023)
🔹Lighting the Darkness by Eden Winters – Aug 14,2024
🔹You Can Save Me by R L Merrill-Aug 21,2024
🔹Airs Above the Ground by Rachel Langella-Sept 10,2024
🔹Go for the Climate by Ander C. Lark
🔹 Flames of the Arcane by Nicole Dennis
🔹Midnight on the Midway by Morgan Brice
🔹Dust Bowl Magic by Zam Maxfield 🔹Dragonspark by Elizabeth Silver
Micah is not a nice guy. He can shift into anything with a pulse, a rare talent that caught a demon’s eye. Threatening Micah’s weak spot – his baby daughter – that demon gave Micah seven tasks, each one shittier than the last. It’s taken him almost five years, but now that he’s done, Micah can become a better man.
And he will, as soon as he figures out how.
Anders is a werewolf with a plan. When the time is right, he’ll take over his uncle’s contracting company and later become Alpha of the pack. He never intended to take a mate, even one as hot as Micah.
Who’s not a werewolf and might not be quite trustworthy.
A visit to a mysterious carnival shows Micah what it will take to be the kind of mate Anders deserves. Things get complicated, though, because while Micah thinks he’s done with the demon, the demon’s not done with him.
As Anders comes to terms with the Universe changing his plans, Micah struggles to be a worthy mate. Despite the growing strength of their bond, they need to send a certain demon back to hell, or they’ll never be able to build their future together.
• Publisher: Rancourt Publishing (July 24, 2024)
• Publication date: July 24, 2024
• Language: English
• Print length: 234 pages
Carnival of Mysteries series. 2023 and 2024:
✓ Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding❤️
✓ Step Right Up by L.A. Witt
✓ Magic Burning by Kaje Harper ❤️
✓ Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr
✓ Go For The Company by Ander C. Lark❤️
✓ Roustabout by Morgan Brice❤️
✓ Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell❤️
✓ Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis ❤️
✓ The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky
✓ Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver
✓ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill
✓ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore
✓ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella
✓ The Black Robes of Flanders by Sara Ellis
Carnival of Mysteries 2 -2024
🔹Rook’s Time by Kim Fielding (sequel to Crow’s Fate-2023)
🔹The Wrong Familiar by Megan Derr
🔹The Villain Who Wasn’t by Liv Rancourt
🔹Blue Lightning by BL Maxwell
🔹Magic Escaping by Kaje Harper (sequel to Magic Burning 2023)
🔹Lighting the Darkness by Eden Winters – Aug 14,2024
🔹You Can Save Me by R L Merrill-Aug 21,2024
🔹Airs Above the Ground by Rachel Langella-Sept 10,2024
🔹Go for the Climate by Ander C.Lark
🔹Flames of the Arcane by Nicole Dennis
🔹Midnight on the Midway by Morgan Brice
🔹Dust Bowl Magic by Zam Maxfield 🔹Dragonspark by Elizabeth Silver
Sam Burns is such an amazing prolific fantasy writer that I’m reading several new series from her while discovering ones from her backlist I’ve not yet started. And yet here’s another fabulous book that welcomes in a new incredible universe full of political intrigue, four magical ruling families, and a crisis that’s falling upon the land.
I’m so in.
And immediately invested as the entire book and multiple storylines plays out during a politically charged, emotional, and often potentially violent meeting between the heads or representatives of each ruling family.
Each story is about a different family. Burns starts with the family or what’s left of the Gloombringer family. That’s aging, cold, often nasty Oberon and his wounded younger sister Titania in their ancient large household. While we are deeply involved with this duo, their history, and their tangled relationships with the rest of the other rulers, it’s Adair Courtwright, and Rain Moonstriker that’s the central pairing here.
Adair Courtwright who’s powerfully talented in his ability to see life connections, bonded to moon tear Rhodri, and through his family legacy, is in service, as was his father, to Oberon Gloombringer. And Rain Moonstriker, who has shown up at the four-ruling family summit as the Moonstriker representative, bringing his own team and plenty of his mother’s agendas and secrets.
The Moonstriker family is large in size, intellectual in temperament, isolated and held in somewhat fearsome regard, mostly due to Rain’s mother and uncle’s power. Burns gives the reader several intriguing glimpses into a couple of Rain’s siblings, which only makes us want more of each of them. Rain is well developed individual assisted by his own bonded stones. His romantic relationship with Adair is one that needs to be understood by reading it as it’s layered with Adair’s personal story. It absolutely works, and they are assisted by those around them.
An occurrence that happens again and again as other different people appear during this meeting, as family members or employees. Each one is so well defined, uniquely themselves with a backstory that cries out for greater exploration, that this novel alone would weigh a ton would that happen.
I honestly forgot about the timeline here, as I was so caught up in the various drama plots, the romance between Adair and Rain, and the fact that this summit is headed for disaster with no stopping it. Just fabulous.
So many creative moments and imaginative elements that Burns has written into her story and universe. It just captures the reader’s attention and own imagination too. One of my favorites?
Burns has also created sentient stone, crystals of various ages, that bond with humans, gifting them with various forms of abilities depending upon the type and nature of each stone. This is a devastating aspect of the world, because it both has the capacity to elevate or subordinate a person’s status, especially as they have no choice over what stone bonds with them. They are simply great characters themselves, and I can’t wait for the author to explore this further.
I can’t wait for Dawnchaser to be released. I need to know what happens next! This is a must read, especially for lovers of fantasy fiction.
For decades, the four families who rule the Summerlands have been locked at an impasse. No one is fighting, but neither has anyone been speaking.
We don’t have time for that anymore.
Mount Slate, the volcano that sits in the middle of the Summerlands, is threatening to erupt, and only the four family heads working together can avert disaster.
As the right-hand man of the Gloombringer, it’s been up to me to convince first my boss, and now the rest to put aside their differences and work together for the good of the world. The problem is that not everyone is all that interested in the good of the world—not unless they get something out of it. Even worse, I now find myself distracted by the Moonstriker’s envoy, Rain. He’s intelligent and handsome and for the first time in my life, I’m struggling to focus on work. But I have to.
It’s up to us to save the world.
If we can.
Gloombringer is the first of four books in The Summertide Chronicles, featuring one right hand man trying to save the world, one future family head trying to seduce him, one woman badly in need of another drink, and a plethora of people trying to keep them from their goals. It ends with Rain and Adair’s HFN, but also contains an overarching storyline that will follow the entire series.
Silver & Gold finishes the wonderful Seth and Raider duology by Katherine Diane and I’m so sorry to see such an exciting, well written adventure come to an end.
This series was my first introduction to Katherine Diane and Silver & Gold just established her as an author I will put on my must read list. The world building here is amazing, rich in various cultures, vibrant in sociological aspects of each country, and deep in the many mythical creatures and beings met here.
That’s just in the layers of foundation that the characters and storylines are threaded into as they go through their epic journey to find the villains, a mystical item, and a truth about Raider’s existence.
Diane does a fantastic job in telegraphing the horrors that have happened to Raider to make him full of quicksilver without being graphic in details. She lets the reader’s imagination become the foundation for the horrors of his past instead of letting a narrative slip it definitively into his scenario. This is more subtle and terrifying in my opinion.
Silver & Gold brings fascinating new insights and characters, particularly Julian, the young arcanist, and the ifrit Adavasti. I really need a new series that uses this pair as a central element.
There’s so many outstanding new details and magical elements that I wanted Diane to halt certain threads to explore the new things she just introduced. Whether it’s the type of carriages or new desert creatures, everything feels deserving of greater exploration. Or any of the related religions she created here that we saw temples for, right down to the riches and guards.
If I had any quibbles, it’s that this series could easily be expanded to include more books just due to the richness of the world and its inhabitants. Everything begs for greater understanding and attention. And more journeys.
The wounded, passionate dynamic between Seth and Raider feels like it’s just beginning as they set out on the next step in their lives. I want more of them too.
I really hope both are in our future. This duology is highly recommending. Just make sure to read them in the order they were written.
The revelations about Raider’s past have turned Seth’s simple manhunt into a complicated mess. He’s stepped into a tangled web of arcane mysteries and political machinations. As an experienced Curator for the Arcanum College, he can handle that. What he can’t quite handle is his feelings for Raider. There’s love—gods, he can’t deny that—but Raider’s lies have made a mess of Seth’s heart, his principles—and everything else. Because Raider himself is at the very center of this tangled web.
Raider has been running from his past for ten years. (And what was wrong with that? A strong cup of raaki, a bit of music, a gorgeously scowling Curator—what more could anyone want?) The past, however, has finally caught up with him. And if Raider wants to keep his gorgeously scowling Curator alive and well, he’s going to have to face those old nightmares—because he and Seth need each other.
Only together can they navigate the treacherous court of Empress Zarina. Only together can they survive a dangerous new mission that will take them deep into the unknown reaches of the Sands, where mythical creatures and ancient mysteries await.
Silver & Gold concludes the high-heat fantasy adventure begun in Silk & Sand. Get ready for more fabulous locations and deeper, darker secrets. And of course, all the action, humor, and sexy intensity that only these two gorgeous, complicated, irresistible men can deliver.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 