Fated Mates and When to Keep Them by AJ Sherwood is both the third book in the series and the first one that should be read. Itâs a topsy-turvey world in this series in which Sherwood wrote the series in backwards order.
Itâs a blame the characters who shuffled for the loudest voices writing moment.
I read them backwards, of course, and absolutely enjoyed Fated Mates and When to Keep Them, where I got the vampire origin story, at least from Fernandoâs familyâs perspective centuries ago. We also get the adorable romance between Fernando and Noel, a couple weâve seen only as an established mate powerful duo in the other books.
I really enjoyed reading their journey. If a mafia boss and an orphan can have a violence filled relationship, thatâs equally filled with smooching, cookies , music, and flying bodies, this was it! A highly entertaining romantic adventure!
Iâd love to see a continuation of this, with some of the other, equally interesting and exciting characters get their own romances.
A definite rec!
Correct Reading Order (per the author and characters)
Noel is desperate for cash. So PA for the mafia boss it is, or he risks losing his childhood home. Too bad the job also comes with a grumpy vampire boss.
Family has been Fernandoâs priority for centuries, so why does his adorable PA suddenly stir long-forgotten feelings?
Killing anyone that endangers Noel counts as a romantic gesture, right? Asking for a vampire.
Tags:
I am apparently writing this series backwards, so have book zero everyone, mafia, vampires, cute boys in trouble, this story is pure crack, Iâm not even sorry, blood and sex, dino nuggies, hurt and comfort, bad guys get karma, stubborn to lovers, music is their love language, mindless violence and fluff, cinnamon roll protection squad assemble!, boss-employee trope
Lighting The Darkness , a novel in the second Carnival of Mysteries collection, is a sequel to Eden Wintersâ marvelous supernatural science fiction thriller, Darkness.
That book wasnât a part of this series, and thatâs very complex universe is the basis for this story and that cast of characters is central to the journey of Lio and Bel here.
Lio and Bel mirror the roles somewhat of the first couple in Darkness, that of Atlanta PD Det. Morrisey James and Farren Austin, all from the dying realm Domus who came to Earth by way of inhabiting the human bodies of those in the process of dying.
Unlike the first couple, for Bel and Lio, this is a separate and highly tragic/traumatic experience. FYI for readers because it happens with Lio on the page.
Winters does an excellent job of weaving in the background information for those who havenât read the preceding novel. But the characters from that book and the agency they work for is such a substantial part of Lighting the Darkness, I highly suggest you read it.
The author throws in some interesting twists and a great turn with respect to the origin of the world and mystery. Wonderful work.
One of my favorite aspects of the story is how Winters used the Carnival of Mysteries to not only be a central element of the story but to continue to be an emotional component that moves the story forward. Truly one of the best uses of the theme in this collection.
Lighting the Darkness is a terrific story, situated within a complex universe, beautifully plotted, full of fascinating characters and layered storylines. Donât miss out on it or itâs connected novel, Darkness.
Beautiful covers.
Carnival of Mysteries 2 -2024
đšRook’s Time by Kim Fielding (sequel to Crowâs Fate-2023)
đšThe Wrong Familiar by Megan Derrâ
đšThe Villain Who Wasn’t by Liv Rancourt
đšBlue Lightning by BL Maxwell
đšMagic Escaping by Kaje Harper (sequel to Magic Burning 2023)
đšLighting the Darkness by Eden Winters – sequel to Darkness
đšYou Can Save Me by R L Merrill-Aug 21,2024
đšAirs Above the Ground by Rachel Langella-Sept 10,2024
đšGo for the Climate by Ander C. Lark
đš Flames of the Arcane by Nicole Dennis
đšMidnight on the Midway by Morgan Brice
đšDust Bowl Magic by Zam Maxfield đšDragonspark by Elizabeth Silver
Lio wakes in someone elseâs battered body with plenty of questions but no answers. Who is he? Who are the strangers who rescued him? Why do they call him Tenebris and Darkness? And why does everyone treat him like a feral dog about to attack?
Bel AmâIâs home world of Domus died moments after his escape, trapping him in the human realm with a clear mission. As Light, he must prevent Darkness from destroying Terra and the Domusians whoâve escaped there. Failure will doom billions to certain death, but how can he locate and balance a single, hidden being who doesnât want to be found?
A mysterious carnival unites Lio and Bel, who must work together to uncover Lioâs true identity and stop him from accidentally annihilating the world. Yet someone doesnât want them to succeed, someone who will stop at nothing to achieve the total destruction of both realmsâeven pitting Light against Darkness.
The battle for the end beginsâŚ
Lighting the Darkness is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series and a side story to Eden Winters’ Darkness. Each book includes at least one visit to Errante Ameâs Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world itâs on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains characters from Darkness as well as new ones, alternate realms, a twist on soul mates, and bad guys. I mean, evil, horrible, terrible guys. Definitely the type you wouldnât bring home to Mother. And one cookie-baking demon.
Publication date: August 14, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 295 pages
Carnival of Mysteries series. 2023 and 2024:
Crow’s Fate by Kim Fieldingâ¤ď¸
Step Right Up by L.A. WittÂ
Magic Burning by Kaje Harper â¤ď¸
Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr
Go For The Company by Ander C. Larkâ¤ď¸
Roustabout by Morgan Briceâ¤ď¸
Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russellâ¤ď¸
Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis â¤ď¸
The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh SkyÂ
Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth SilverÂ
You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill
Sting in the Tail by TA MooreÂ
Gods and Monsters by Rachel LangellaÂ
The Black Robes of Flanders by Sara EllisÂ
Carnival of Mysteries 2 -2024
đšRook’s Time by Kim Fielding (sequel to Crowâs Fate-2023)
đšThe Wrong Familiar by Megan Derr
đšThe Villain Who Wasn’t by Liv Rancourt
đšBlue Lightning by BL Maxwell
đšMagic Escaping by Kaje Harper (sequel to Magic Burning 2023)
đšLighting the Darkness by Eden Winters – Aug 14,2024
đšYou Can Save Me by R L Merrill-Aug 21,2024
đšAirs Above the Ground by Rachel Langella-Sept 10,2024
đšGo for the Climate by Ander C.Lark
đšFlames of the Arcane by Nicole Dennis
đšMidnight on the Midway by Morgan Brice
đšDust Bowl Magic by Zam Maxfield đšDragonspark by Elizabeth Silver
I really am invested in K Sterlingâs universe sheâs creating for The Bisbee Bachelorsâ Club series but the characters relationship, or specifically the character of Dr. Flip Satis really didnât work well for me. Or his storyline.
Itâs unfortunate because the character paired with him, Dr Wallace Brinkley, Bisbeeâs ME, is one Iâve become very fond of. Heâs quirky, older, knowledgeable, and his way of thinking and understanding his patients in the morgue is fascinating.
So having Sterling him in an age gap developing relationship with someone whoâs been, it turns out, stalking him because of a crush, is problematic for starters. The issues with Dr. Flip Satis continues because every time thereâs an instance where he might be a little bit more appealing, it turns out that heâs still full of secrets. Ones heâs keeping hidden, even from the âman he loves â.
This we learn from Flipâs inner monologue, a conversation that is full of hints about how he should be spilling secrets but doesnât. That gets old fast, in the narrative and with the character.
This also impacts on how I perceive the relationship and the investigation proceedings.
All in all, this wasnât one of the strongest stories and I didnât find Flip a character I liked. Maybe if more of his history and background had been written in, but instead as is, Flip was a person I didnât connect with.
But it does explore the personality of another ambiguous character and sets him up nicely for a book to come. Canât wait for that story.
The town and support cast are always interesting in these roles and investigations. Read it for that.
Dr. Flip Satis is in Bisbee for all the wrong reasons, but heâs chasing the right man. Heâs wanted Dr. Wallace Brinkley since Flip sat in Dr. Brinkley’s anatomy class but the chivalrous older medical examiner never acted on the chemistry between them. After making a deal with the devil to be closer to his mentor and eternal crush, a summer monsoon and a dead body throw Flipâs plans into disarray.
Wallace came to Bisbee looking for a slower pace, but now his one temptation has arrived in the eccentric former mining town. When Flip needs his help, Wallace canât turn his back on the beguiling young doctor with the haunting blue eyes.
As Flip becomes the primary suspect in the murder of a notorious businessman, Wallace turns to the Bachelorsâ club for assistance. Can he solve the crime without giving into temptation, or will falling for Flip lead to grave expectations…
Iâm a big fan of author K Sterling and that includes this fascinating paranormal series, The Bisbee Bachelorsâ Club. It takes place in a real, absolutely intriguing historical mining town of Bisbee, Arizona.
Definitely take the time to check into Bisbee, look at the history and pictures, as itâs a great place to go for a trip for its art, ghosts, and history. Donât miss out on reading the authorâs notes as well.
The Bisbee Bachelorsâ Club, that group of well known, single men in Bisbee that meet at The Bisbee Bean Company for coffee have slowly each been getting their own stories and romances. Their lives are interwoven with each otherâs as well as their stories.
Itâs common for ghosts, witches, mediums, and the paranormal to play big roles in the storylines as the town is steeped with haunted houses and historical events that resonate.
This book turned out to be a favorite. The characters, Noah Kennedy, younger brother to Hal, and Kieran, a firefighter, are two souls who are bound together and meeting each other again. This is a great element but a tough one to get right and the author does. We see it happen, the spontaneous, spiritual sparking connection and how that affects both men. If you are thinking instant acceptance, youâre wrong.
So itâs an intense, revelatory dance around this soul connection thatâs pulling them together, while a murder case that involves Noah is being investigated. Both threads are beautifully written and executed to pull the reader into the story and make them fully invested in every aspect of this book and these characters journey.
Old familiar characters are here to help them and support the investigation. There are new characters that are also involved that will be established further as towns citizens.
I canât wait to get further into this series and explore more of the ghostly history and paranormal romance to come.
The cards don’t lie… He drew the Two of Cups and the Hierophant. Noah Kennedy might be an unwilling empath but he knows better than to doubt the deck or turn his will against fate. He’s spent his whole life running from his gift and believed he was cursed. Anyone would, after a childhood overshadowed by the afterlife. Knowing too much about the living and the dead can make life nearly impossible. Seeing his brother happily engaged leaves Noah emotionally adrift and tired of being a burden. Noah wonders if he has a purpose, other than holding his brother back and making his eye twitch. The Two of Cups. Kieran Watts is the one. He’s Noah’s soulmate and his future but the otherwise fearless firefighter runs after a meet cute in a hot dog joint reveals a shockingly intense and sensual psychic bond. Kieran has deep emotional scars and does his best to avoid Noah but can’t deny the pull he feels whenever they cross paths. And he certainly can’t resist the heat and the sparks when they touch. The Hierophant. A not-so-chance encounter with a local witch sets Noah on a path our young medium hadn’t foreseen. Or refused to see until a murderer attempts to frame Noah’s new guardian angel and teacher. Noah begrudgingly accepts that he could be a powerful witch and turns to The Bisbee Bachelors’ Club for help finding a killer and learns he’s not as much of a lost cause as he thought he was.
Secrets Are Out! Adam, Vee, and Victor are all finally on the same page! Theyâre all together romantically and in battle! Bad beings beware!
This maniacally wonderful world gets even crazier in a sexy, action packed, âlet all the secrets fly â story. Itâs jammed full with our fav bunch of fantastic paranormal characters from the SOS hotel, a mission to save a family that ends up becoming so much more!
In the meantime, thereâs explosions, debris, lots of cleaning, Adamâs secrets are out and our favorite triad comes together, finally! With a lot of snark and sexy stuff. Love this narrative so much.
No Rest for the Wickedâs absolutely
yeets the prophecy into forward motion with astonishing speed here, also with some of my favorite scenes and conversations.
The ending is so satisfying and sets up the next installment in the series, Luxury To Die For. Iâm hooked so I hope this dramatic finale gets dragged out a bit longer.
If you havenât been reading the notes that come before and after the novel itself, youâre missing out. Check out the messages and ramblings from Adam and Vee where all the credits are listed at the beginning and the texts at the end. Priceless!
Yes, this is a must read and definitely recommended series and story. But do read the trigger warnings!
Humility is the finale book to Lark Taylorâs Connections series and itâs definitely worth the tissues needed to read it.
While on the surface, itâs about two commitment phobic best friends finally understanding each is the others HEA, the underlying issues, a heart wrenching event, and the backstories are the reasons that will have you reaching almost nonstop for the tissue box.
Riley, human with a history of a human stalker and dysfunctional parenting, is a series staple as heâs a best friend of Matty (Justice #2). Danny, wolf shifter firefighter, is a wounded soul with a broken history thatâs revealed in this book. He too has had many scenes throughout the series as a best friend/ co firefighter with Leo (Patience #1). So weâve been given glimpses of both characters in the preceding novels as they helped their friends through to resolving their problems and getting their mates.
With Riley and Danny , they meet, immediately click before having intense sex. Best ever. But because of various factors, each has resolved to stay commitment free. So itâs buddy only.
Until itâs not.
Taylor skillfully leads the characters through a heart wrenching and life changing event. The aftermath of which forces revelations of the past, old wounds come to light, and they journey back to Scotland where it all began for Danny , in his pack.
Lark creates a number of new and interesting characters to inhabit this new location in Scotland, and perhaps, one that will travel back to England to meet the rest of the paranormal group that resides there. Logan is an amazing shifter.
This ends one series but launches two more. One about the Seraphim and one about the wolf shifter we met in the book.
There was an absolutely wonderful epilogue that I hope gets a follow up in some way to let us see what happened next. With everyone.
Put this series on your list, including the finale. But read them in the order they are written.
Two commitment-phobes. One ridiculous plan. A decision that changes everythingâŚ
Riley
If a no-strings hookup is required, then Iâm the perfect guy.
When I meet Danny, I canât believe my luck. A sexy wolf shifter whoâs also a fireman? Who runs from relationships just as fast as I do? Sign me up.
The night that follows is one for the history books, and the best part? Neither of us is looking for a repeat.
That doesnât mean we donât see each other again. Without even realising it, we become friends. Friends who do everything together.
Everything with Danny is perfect, but when I start to yearn for more from my hookups, I know something needs to change.
So I come up with a plan. A genius plan. I sign up for an app that arranges anonymous encounters. No names. No faces shown.
No danger of pesky feelings getting involved.
What could possibly go wrong?
Danny
Unlike Riley, my desire to avoid a relationship has nothing to do with commitment issues.
Taking a mate would mean returning to the clan who betrayed me. Iâd have to leave behind this life Iâve built, a life Iâm very happy with. One where Riley occupies most of my free time.
Everything is going swimmingly until Riley tells me his plan. His genius plan, he calls it. He canât see it for what it isâan idiotic idea thatâll land him in danger.
I canât let him go through with it. My wolf wonât allow it. Problem is, Rileyâs as stubborn as they come. Once heâs decided on something, thereâs no changing his mind.
Not wanting him in danger, I realise thereâs only one thing I can do. One thing thatâll keep Riley happy while also keeping him safe.
I can be his anonymous hookup.
Itâs idiot-proof. At least, it would be, if I wasnât an idiot.
Turns out Riley isnât the only one who should be scared of hooking up and realising you want more.
Humility is the thrilling fourth instalment in the Damned Connections series and can be read as a standalone. Featuring a wolf shifter x human pairing, this spicy MM PNR romance will make you laugh and cry. Each book follows a different couple with a guaranteed HEA.
They’d always suspected there might be something special about Willow Lake, and now there isn’t just magic in the air, but love too!
If only all the jerks in the world would leave them alone, everything would be perfect… â
Cats Never Fly is the fourth book in Lori Ames Willow Lake Supernatural series, where fated mates find each other, but not before theyâre involved in the series (and townâs) ongoing conflicts, mysteries, and magical criminal investigations.
I never know who Ames is focusing on next at the end of the last book. All threads lead to a certain individual but that doesnât seem to be the one who âspokeâ to her. So itâs Simon, the cat shifter who made minor appearances thatâs getting his story and fated mate here.
Honestly it turns out to be a wonderful choice and a great story in terms of character development, new intriguing elements introduced, and a overall expansion of the series thread and arc mystery.
Simon is a particularly interesting being. When Simon showed up in other books, he wasnât an appealing figure. A timid creature who looked out for himself. Here where we can hear his voice, its different. Simonâs actions are now hard to determine if heâs being overly cautious, truly fearful, or if something undefined is actually determining the course of his activities. He doesnât seem cowardly, but his personality maybe stem from ingrained patterns of his familyâs beliefs, ones that drive him away from the direction he often knows or feels is the right one to take. Itâs frustrating at the beginning but deeply satisfying to be invested in as Simon grows and strengthens as a person and part of a relationship.
Simon is the strongest character here and makes the greatest strides in development. Dragon Ogden Walsh, a singing, passionate, albeit ancient , fated mate is a fascinating character but has less of an emotional journey here. I wished we had more of him with regard to his abilities and personal experiences, especially given the trauma he has to go through. Ames does a really great twist in making Simon, a cat shifter, the physically larger of the two people in human form, while Ogden, the ancient powerful dragon, is the smaller, colorfully dressed man. Yet shifted, itâs the opposite thatâs true. That dichotomy impacts their dynamic in interesting ways throughout their relationship and their storyline.
The ongoing supernatural trafficking investigation and storyline introduces several new elements and characters in Cats Never Fly while expanding further into the series arc and villainy. It potentially opens up a new dimension and pairing who I hoped would come next.
Unfortunately, per the authorâs note, yet another one has spoken out first. Hayden, the would be Alpha looks to be next.
Either way, Iâll be there to grab up the book. Iâm absolutely invested in Willow Lake, its inhabitants, the magic and its fated mates storylines.
Protect his nine lives. Check. Find a pretty treasure. Check. Summon a dragon. Ch– Wait, what?
Cat shifter Simon refuses to jeopardize any of his nine lives, thank you very much. That saying âcuriosity killed the catâ wonât ever apply to him. No way, no how.
ExceptâŚ
When heâs out hunting for field mice one night, he finds the most wonderful whistle. Itâs magical and intriguing and so very, very pretty. He knows he should return it, but whatâs the worst that could happen if he blew on it first? Just once.
Months later, he finally has the courage to do just that, and when he does, the craziest thing happens. He summons a dragon, of all things.
Now what is he supposed to do? Particularly when Simon would rather keep the gorgeous dragon shifter than send him back to where he came fromâŚ
Tags: MM Fated Mates Paranormal Romance, a scaredy cat who needs to find his inner lion, a flirtatious dragon, more caged supes, gray sweatpants, shiny magical whistles do amazing things, cats donât fly, having nine lives is the best, are â50s songs better than â80s songs?
Note: This book will be best enjoyed if you’ve read the first books in the series.
The Turning of the Tables by KM Avery begins Seth Mays connecting trilogy of the Beyond the Veil series, a journey thatâs got a perspective on the Arcanavirus weâve not seen before.
KM Avery âs Beyond the Veil universe is a dark, highly complex world. Itâs steeped in harsh human fears against those who are different, a divergence that has resulted from the Arcanavirus thatâs wiped out a portion of the worldâs population, the remaining population that has been exposed and is affected can change in otherworldly ways. Maybe they can hear the dead or maybe theyâre a vampire.
In its wake , the world and society roils with bigotry, specism, racism, an increasingly amount of hatred based acts, as well as inflammatory politics that seem so dangerous and familiar these days. Read the authorâs Notes on the universe information and trigger warnings before the book begins.
More so than any other books, except for Wardâs, Sethâs story , his beginning, has really moved me. Avery manages to so realistically, and with devastating exquisite clarity, covey a portrait of this gentle, sweet man coming physically, mentally, and emotionally apart in every aspect of his life. Just when he thought he had reached a good and satisfying point about his career, friends and family.
The pain is so intense as Avery does a deep emotional dive into the internal life of Seth Mays . Its from Sethâs point of view that we see his life , the events, the unthinkable aftermath, alongside a complicated, horrifying investigation, and the introduction of Elliot Crane, badger shifter, best friend of Hart, into Sethâs world.
Elliot arrives to craft a summoning table for Ward and an intense relationship is struck up between Seth and Elliot. One that is notably temporary due to their differences in locations and current circumstances, but thatâs not how this works.
We know Elliot from Valâs books but we get a deeper understanding of him here even without reading his POV. Avery gives the reader a perfect window into this character, an insight into how the relationship between them is effectively changing him too. And itâs done, part way, through a series of texts. Some sent casually, others during the worst moments of Sethâs life.
The Turning of the Tables (Beyond the Veil Book 7) by KM Avery brilliantly follows Seth as through a journey so moving and engaging that often times, I found myself having to pause in my reading because I was so wrapped up in Sethâs story that I needed a moment to reflect.
Here a life is changed so profoundly itâs shattering, both for the character and for the reader.
The ending? Exactly what it should be. Hopeful. And now Iâm exhausted but ready for the next book and step forward for Seth . Thatâs The Badger in his Burrow, no release date yet.
If you havenât read this series yet, start reading it. Itâs a must read in its entirety. Read them in order to understand the characters, their stories and relationships, the evolution of this world in terms of politics and magic. Itâs complex, highly addictive, ingenious, and often dark as well as beautifully written.
I try to be an easygoing kind of guy, but sometimes things happen that really throw you for a loop. It turns out that meeting a certain badger shifter is one of those things.
Iâd agreed to pick him up at the airport to help out a friend, and I had no idea what Iâd gotten myself into. I figured Iâd pick him up, drop him off at his hotel, and that would be that. Instead, I canât stop thinking about himâand it doesnât help that he keeps texting me, asking for my help.
The other problem is⌠he lives a thousand miles away and is only going to be here for a few weeks. Except that it hasnât taken long for me to fall hard for those hazel eyes and white-streaked hair. To say nothing of the callouses on those strong hands.
I should be paying attention to workâto the killer using the Arcanavirus as a murder weaponâbut I keep getting distracted by thoughts of Elliot Crane. Hopefully that doesnât come back to bite me in the butt.
Who am I kidding? Everything comes back to bite me in the butt. And not in a fun kind of way, either.
Iâve been desperately waiting for this book since Erasmus Boone , the Necromancer, and Aurelia, the djinn made their first appearances in the fabulous Perfectly Pixie series. Now, tied by past events , and magical connections, Erasmus and Aurelia have their own unique series, along with Erasmusâ human mate/romantic partner, Detective Franklin OâHare.
Deadly Lineage is a superb introduction to Erasmus and Aurelia if youâre not already familiar with them from the previous series. May beautifully develops the storyline around Booneâs family, Booneâs neighbors and location, the necromancer history, and gives us new well defined characters in terms of the local MS police force where Detective Franklin OâHare works and the investigations that come into play.
Booneâs complicated family just happens to include Nikodemus Holland , the feared, powerful warlock, father to Erasmus and his mother, Lydia Boone. Mayâs characterizations are well developed, vividly described and layered with personality. Itâs doesnât matter whether theyâre human or paranormal, theyâre believable in their love and concern for their son.
The Mississippi location is steeped in Southern sweet tea, wrap around porches with light blue ceilings, fans constantly swirling amidst the summer sweltering heat. The paranormal crimes committed are horrifying. The intense murder investigations are suspense filled and terrifying, and the romance between Erasmus and Franklin slowly burning.
Aurelia is an absolute gem of a character. A djinn who doesnât act or even speak as anything other than what she is, an immensely powerful being, ones who has lived through the worst of origin stories and centuries of ownership. Each appearance sees more unexpected moments with her. More development, more revelations.
Thereâs so many great elements in this story. Whether itâs the side cases that Erasmus takes, his incredible neighbor, Mrs. Hart, and her tiny dog, Miss Pattycakes, each are a narrative treasure.
I was ready for book two as soon as this one was over. I love the universe, the characters and crossovers with the Pixies, and everything new May is creating here for Erasmus, Franklin as well as Aurelia.
This is a must read, as it the series before it. Highly recommended!
Another excellent cover design by cheriefox
Related/Preceding Series:
Perfect Pixie Series
đšPerfectly Imperfect Pixie
đšPerfectly Perfect Pixie: Peachesâs Story
đšPerfectly Charmed Pixie: Parsnipâs Story
đšPerfectly Perplexing Zombie: Wendallâs Story
Shunned by most species and abandoned by their warlock fathers, necromancers are marginalized, feared, and reclusive. Erasmus Boone is different. His warlock father chose love instead of abandonment. Unusually powerful and talented, Booneâs embraced his necromantic abilities and managed to carve out an existence within a world that would rather he not exist at all.
Humans arenât the most respected species. Hell, theyâre just a step above termites in the eyes of most. Detective Franklin OâHare has never taken derision towards his humanity to heart. Determined to do the best given his human limitations, Detective OâHare does whatever it takes to right the wrongs of the worldâno matter the species concernedâeven if that means working with a necromancer. Besides, Erasmus Boone isnât so bad. In fact, heâs temptingly perfect.
Seeking solace after a difficult case, Boone walks the typically peaceful gravesites of Trinityâs Holy Cross Cemetery. The gentle hum of contented, long-dead souls ease Booneâs mindâuntil heâs hit with an unearthly cry unlike any heâs heard before. Unfortunately, that first soulful cry isnât Booneâs last, each wail revealing a disconcerting pattern. Thereâs a serial killer in the wind, and their murders are resulting in souls with painful, missing pieces, leaving their voices incoherent and
indecipherable.
Boone and OâHare must work closely together if theyâre going to stop the killings. OâHare learns quickly that keeping Boone safe from disgruntled clients and serial killers is a never-ending and nearly impossible task.
As OâHare and Boone grow closer, so does the killer. They need to figure out whoâs indiscriminately murdering seemingly unrelated species, and why the victimsâ souls are devastated beyond repair, before Boone becomes another victim on the ominous list.
Deadly Lineage is the first book in the Necromancer Tales series. This series is a spin-off of the Perfect Pixie series and takes place in the same world but can be read as a stand-alone. Deadly Lineage is a M/M romantic fantasy mystery with an unusually sane necromancer just trying to make a living, a humble human detective attempting to ignore his attraction to the aforementioned necromancer, an arrogant but redeemably overprotective warlock father, a twisted serial killer, a questionably agreeable all-powerful djinn, damaged souls, humans-some redeemable and some not, a steamy Mississippi summer, and far too much sweet tea. Deadly Lineage has a HFN ending.
Mentions of violence, murder, souls bruoght back from the beyond, speciest bigotry, and a few characters of questionable morals and sanity.
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 âsuperâ enough for high level status. Theyâre 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, thereâs 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, âelectricity runs through my bodyâ 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 heâs 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. Itâs very entertaining.
Subpar Heroes series- 15 books:
đˇThe Accidental Necromancer by Liv Rancourt
đˇBehind the 8-Ball by A. E. Wasp
đˇTransparent Is a Color by Kaje Harperâ¤ď¸
đˇImpossible Things by Alexa Land
đˇMy Not-So-Super Blind Date by Allison Temple â¤ď¸â¤ď¸
đˇAn Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling by Jenn Burke â¤ď¸â¤ď¸
đˇIn The Nick of Time by Elle Keaton
đˇStatic/Cling by Jaimie Samms
đˇSpiritual Guidance Not Required by Jacy Braegan 8/1/2024
đˇWhat Could Go Wrong? By Toshi Drake 8/6/2024
đˇLicense to Chill by Chantal Mer 8/8/2024
đˇCode Name Dolittle by Lynn Michaels. 8/22/2024
đˇSigned, Iâm Yours! By Rhys Lawless 8/29/2024
Best friends Bjorn and Leif help each other out. Whether itâs blowing off some steam in bed (as friends do), or helping each other find a new job, theyâve always been there for eachother. So when Leif points out an ad for a janitor team at SPAM itâs a perfect fit.
Bjorn will be able to work where his strange ability to gather static electricity wonât 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 theyâve ever had, and then there is Kassian. Tacitern. Unfriendly. Half computer geek, half muscle-head, heâs way more appealing than he has any right to be, and maybe the spark between them theyâve often looked for but never found.
But Kassian the computer geek is clear. He doesnât need any more friends, and he doesnât 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, itâll 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.
