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: His Mate By Allegiance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 3) by Mel Aitchess

Rating: 4.75🌈

This series is seriously combustible. And addictive. My biggest regret is the long release lag time in waiting for the next book to arrive. Otherwise, mwah, hot, and *fans self* so in love with these mated couples.

This one takes it to the next level.

It’s a kinky air powerful witch and even kinkier arty werewolf assassin in mate love. In a forced marriage and suspense filled thriller of a story.

More of Rocco and Emmy! I honestly need them in more than this one book. They are fantastic!

Emilio’s brutal family history has been played out over the previous storylines but it’s damage to his character is front row here. Its meshes beautifully with the shaky history and past of Rocco, so when the magical power of the mate bond begins, it’s also powered by their shared trauma and kinks. It’s sexy, raw, hot and believable for them and the reader.

Both the Lunetti Pack as led by Alpha Marco and the Elemental Mayhem MC’s, who are led by Blaze, President of the MC (witches), are in well written and impactful roles. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for them going forward. Silas too.

The vampires were curiously absent this time. I’m betting they will be a huge factor in the next book.

There’s so many great elements here. From the side families, to the ongoing mystery and drama to that artwork. I want more.

Highly recommended and fabulous.

Cover by Camberion

Lunettti Pack:

His Mate By Vengeance (Angelo & Vin) #1

His Mate By Resistance #2 (Cal and Luca)

His Mate By Allegiance #3 (Rocco and Emilio)

His Mate By Defiance #4 (Rafe and Adri) – June 12, 2026

Buy link:

His Mate By Allegiance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 3)

Blurb

The wild in you calls to the wild in me, and if you let me, I will answer. I will always answer.”

Rocco is being punished and he doesn’t like it. He probably shouldn’t have seduced and stalked the police chief’s son, but he’d been bored and no one ever should’ve noticed. His powers as an air witch skilled in illusion are too valuable for the Elemental Mayhem MC to let him go, so they’ve forced him into this sham of a wedding. They’re lucky the wolf shifter is so hot or he’d never go along with it. All bets are off once he can prove he was betrayed.

Emilio spent the last fifteen years away from New Trinity City refining his crafts—street art and assassination—but he’s still loyal to the Lunetti Pack. Unlike his traitor father. He’d do anything for his Alpha. Even marry a witch he’s never met. Coming home for his arranged marriage is the perfect excuse to hunt the source of the dangerous weapons entering the city. He has every intention of being a widower within a year, until he realises his fiancé is his mate. How is he supposed to arrange an unfortunate accident for his husband with his wolf whining about forever in his ear?

His Mate By Allegiance is an MM mafia shifter paranormal romance. It features arranged marriage, fated mates, shadow hands, and other paranormal play, including knotting. There is no mpreg in this world.

Publisher: Mel Aitchess
Publication date: July 15, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 258 pages
Book 3 of 4: Lunetti Pack

Review: Unleashing Mayhem (Demon Bound Book 4) by Grae Bryan

Rating: 4.5🌈

While Inviting Bedlam #2 (Nix and Ivan) remains the highlight of this series for me, Unleashing Mayhem is a terrific way in which to wrap up the Demon Bound quartet.

As each book has had as its main focus one of the four demons sealed away together, repeatedly summoned until finally they find themselves getting with their mates who summoned them. From a book that ends up in the hands of a Russian American mafia family.

Here in the finale, it’s an emotionally and physically damaged Matty, a young man rescued by the Koslovs and their mates, escaping from his barbarically disturbed own criminal family. Matty has been living (hiding) in Sascha’s and Kai’s home.

But he’s plagued by his past , PTSD and nightmares. Until the demon Nightmare comes to view him. And makes plans of his own.

This was a wild, incredibly satisfying story and great way to end the series. By bringing the final demon into the world and giving him his own mate, Matty, in a highly unusual and unique manner, it gives Matty and the reader the resolution to the story we were waiting for. And in a way that’s emotionally powerful and satisfying.

Everyone gets their HEA, the real villains are foiled in a manner that is befitting their crimes, and we get to see Matty in a new perspective, and supported. By his demon, Nightmare.

And while, Ivan and Nix will remain my favorite characters here, this is a fantastic ending to a demonic quartet and their mates!

Definitely a winner.

Cover designed by MiblArt.

Demon Bound:

🔹Wrecking Havoc #1 (Kai and Sascha)

🔹Inviting Bedlam #2 (Nix and Ivan)

🔹Calling Chaos #3 (Chaos and Cooper)

🔹Unleashing Mayhem #4 – finale (Matty and Nightmare)

Buy link

Unleashing Mayhem (Demon Bound Book 4)

Blurb

Matteo’s been running scared for so long he’s forgotten what it’s like to feel safe. Or maybe he never knew in the first place. Raised by a cruel man, tormented by an even crueler one, and recently rescued by a demon, Matty’s still jumping at shadows around every corner. When he sees a familiar face from the past and realizes his ghosts really have come back to haunt him, Matty does the only reasonable thing he can think of.

He summons someone even worse.

Nightmare is a solitary demon by nature. He’s never needed a companion or a lover or a friend, and he’s never minded being feared by others of his kind. But one taste of Matteo’s sweet, terrified soul and Nightmare needs more. When he’s finally summoned to Matteo’s side, Nightmare finds himself exactly where he wants to be. Now it’s only a matter of patience, seduction, and convincing his little human that one contract isn’t enough.

What they really need is an eternity.

UNLEASHING MAYHEM IS A HEATED MM PARANORMAL ROMANCE WITH A HEA AND NO CLIFFHANGER. IT CONTAINS A SWEET HUMAN AFRAID OF EVERYONE BUT THE MONSTER AT HIS SIDE, A DEMON SO POSSESSIVE EVEN OTHER DEMONS RUN SCARED, A FOUND FAMILY MADE OF MOBSTERS AND MONSTERS, AND A SUMMONING GONE RIGHT (FOR ONCE). WHILE EACH BOOK FOCUSES ON A DIFFERENT COUPLE, THE SERIES IS BEST ENJOYED IN ORDER.

Publication date: July 17, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 249 pages
Book 4 of 4: Demon Bound

Review: Luxuries of Lust: Passing Through Cafe #3 by Nik Knight

Rating: 4.25🌈

Luxuries of Lust is the third of the Passing Through Cafe series by Nik Knight, set in the Hells universe and Passing Through Cafe where we’ve gotten to know its many different species of paranormal beings that own the cafe and are the ones that work together as a weird little found family.

Nik Knight has always done an excellent job of crafting characters that, other than Oliver and Jude who are human, feel, look and come across as otherworldly. There’s an actual dictionary of terms and list of species at the end of a reader gets confused.

Rusty and Gem have been headed towards each other for a couple of books now. And I’ve looked forward to seeing how they get together.

There’s aspects of the book that I just really thought about as deeply emotionally and engaging. Moments where Rusty takes Gem to see the desert and the places where he and his mother once lived. Those scenes are stirring and very touching.

Equally, when Gem, who’s background gets filled in here, take Rusty home to see his family. It’s funny, warmhearted, and a time of acceptance for Rusty that he’s not had in his life.

We get to revisit several important storylines from previous books, a traumatic experience for Gem that sets off memories for Rusty.

I enjoyed reading this, think Gem and Rusty are among the most unique couples I’ve read. It maybe felt a bit overly long towards the end, especially the story bit about Tony and their relationship. But it’s still a very enjoyable book and this universe is fascinating in concept and characters.

Highly sexual and fun. Grab it up if you’re interested in the author and trope.

Passing Through Cafe :

Passing Through Purgatory #1

Gratification in Gluttony #2

Luxuries of Lust #3

Buy link

Luxuries of Lust: Passing Through Cafe #3

Blurb

When it came to love, Rusty had resigned himself to never being enough, and Gem knew he would always be too much. Turns out, they were both wrong.

As a Pyclon from Lust, Rusty learned early the cruel rules of the Pentagram. Happiness is for the privileged. Hope for the weak. And absolutely nothing comes free. So he accepts a life of happy enough, of good enough, of just… enough. Anything more is impossible for someone like him.

That is, until he meets Gemae Akyllo.

With a brain that never rests and an ass that won’t quit, Gem is objectively a lot. His physical size is rivaled only by that of his personality—neither of which he will ever apologize for—but there’s a cost. He’s fun for a night, chosen first for a good time, but come morning, his bed is cold and empty. Always wanted, but never kept.

That is, until he meets Rusty Róisyn.

Rusty never wanted love, and Gem doesn’t need it. But together, they find it all the same.

Join Gem and Rusty and the rest of the eccentric staff of the Passing Through Cafe in Nik Knight’s rom-com, urban fantasy series, full of found family, absurd antics, healing hope, and a love that takes their hearts by storm.

— Luxuries of Lust: Passing Through Cafe #3 by Nik Knight

Review: The Coachman by V.L. Locey

Rating: 4🌈

The Coachman by V.L. Locey is a new historical paranormal story along the lines of angels and devils romances.

Vividly told, conversationally on point for its era, Locey has crafted a narrative of two wildly opposite men who, despite their vastly different existences, still find love with each other.

I found Livingston and Hamiel’s story interesting, the horse fantastic, and several other elements absolutely intriguing. But I never quite got the chemistry between Hamiel and Livingston. Their relationship was sweet but not quite “enough “ for all that surrounds them.

I think it’s the lack of background on Hamiel. He’s just an ephemeral person. And Livingston is undeserving of his role. So there’s an underlying issue or feeling of dissatisfaction with the overall predicament here that’s never fully resolved.

The Coachman by V.L. Locey has some wonderfully descriptive writing, terrific universe building, and interesting characters. It’s the main character’s roles and relationships that I didn’t fully invest in.

However, I find it entertaining and an enjoyable read.

Cover by Dawne Dominique”

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Coachman – Kindle edition by Locey, V.L. . Romance Kindle eBooks …

Blurb

As you draw your final breath, the coachman waits…

Awakening in a dreary, unknown cabin with no recollection of how he arrived there, Livingstone Wright is about to discover that hell is just a coach ride away.

Mysteriously cursed to serve the dark lord, he is now responsible for ferrying freshly freed souls to the fiery depths. As he struggles to come to terms with being resurrected, given a home in purgatory, and learning a new profession, he discovers that he is not the only servant of a higher being biding their time as death creeps closer.

For if the devil is waiting to lay claim to a soul, then so too must the Almighty be.

It’s during the sometimes long wait for a person to breathe their last and the final judgment be made that Livingstone meets Hamiel, the light to his dark. The rainbow walker is fair-skinned with golden locks and wide amber eyes behind wire-rimmed spectacles, a soothing aura, and a highly inquisitive mind. The two soon become unlikely friends and then much more as they set out to unravel how it was that Livingstone came to be in Lucifer’s employ.

The Coachman is an M/M historical paranormal romance with two leading men who could not be more dissimilar, a horse with a need for unearthly speed, a manservant who would rather poke holes in reality than mend them in trousers, a hellacious boss, stolen moments in a nether carriage, and a heavenly happy ending.

Content Warning: This story has references to off-page child and adult death.

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: Finlay (The Wild Edges Book 1) by Lark Taylor

Rating: 4.5🌈

I really enjoyed Finlay, it brought me back to much of the original elements and characters of this paranormal universe that I am invested in that started with the four sons of Lucifer in the Reckless Damned series.

In fact, we get to see several of the characters and couples from some of my favorite stories return here in important roles. A absolutely fantastic aspect of this story.

Finlay is a character who was introduced before in Danny’s story and we get a brief recap here.

Chester, the florist fleeing a damaging relationship, is a wonderful character as is the assistant who is equally tragic in his background and importance here, Reid. Reid is a heartbreaking character and he, along with pack member Evan get the next story.

However, this is Finlay and Chester’s journey to recovery and their HEA and it’s a wonderful story. I was with them every step forward in trust and recovery from the hurt and pain of loss and damage that their past relationships has brought each of them.

Taylor wraps up this couple’s story and gives them a happy ending as well as sets up Evan (and Reid) for their book to come.

I can’t wait to read it. This is another winner in a universe of connected series that continues to grow and keep me invested in their lives and relationships. Highly recommended!

Book cover design: BreathlessLit Cover model photograph: Wander Aguiar Photography LLC

Reckless Damned Series :

Devil’s Mark #1

Devil May Care #2

Deal With the Devil #3

Luck of the Devil #4

Damned Collections: Volume One

Damned Connections Series

Patience #1

Justice #2

Temperance #3

Humility #4

Hopeless Blessed :

Conflicted #1

Devoted #2

Guarded #3

The Wild Edges :

Finlay #1

Evan #2 – May 24,2025

Buy link:

Finlay: MM Shifter x human romance (The Wild Edges Book 1)

Blurb

Over a century ago, my alpha lost the one he loved.

And so did I.

My love for Danny’s wife is my deepest, darkest secret. All these years later, Danny has moved on and found a new love.

I wish I could do the same.

I’m stuck in a rut, going through the same routine day after day. Leading the clan is my motivation, but it’s not enough to fill the emptiness inside.

That’s until I meet Chester.

The quiet human florist has been hurt in the past. Someone has forced him to bury the person he once was.

But I see flashes of him during our interactions. Every glimpse has me desperate to know more. To learn what makes him smile. To discover what makes him happy.

All I have to do is persuade him to give me a chance. To trust me enough to let me close.

The clan has been my motivation, but I think loving Chester is meant to be my purpose.

‘Finlay’ is the first book in a thrilling MM wolf shifter series. Spice, found family, action, and protective MCs are guaranteed. Each book will follow a new couple and end with a HEA.

Publisher: Lark Taylor
Publication date: June 19, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 396 pages
Book 1 of 2: The Wild Edges

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: The Past in the Present (Beyond the Veil Book 9) by KM Avery

Rating: 5🌈

The Past in the Present (Beyond the Veil Book 9) by KM Avery is an outstanding piece of work by Avery in a series full of great novels.

The Past in the Present, Beyond the Veil book 9, finishes Seth and Elliot’s journey and inter-series trilogy.

Seth Mays and Elliot Crane have slowly made themselves into a couple, with Seth just now moving into Elliot’s home on the reservation and Seth working on his firefighter credentials in Shawano, Wisconsin.

Then a shattering phone call from a Sheriff’s Office in Staunton, Virginia , involving his estranged parents, saying his mother has been murdered , and his father is missing, presumably dead. Noah, Seth’s young brother has been held for questioning in connection with the deaths. The nightmare of Seth’s past is back and he’s got to go back to a place where he promised himself and Noah he would never have to return. Home.

The Past in the Present is a haunting, complex, and deeply moving story. It’s dark, layered with the characters past, horrific damaged history, fully immersed in their current tumultuous lives and relationships, and folded into the twisted ways the Arcanavirus settled into certain parts of the country and communities.

It brings Seth and Elliott’s relationship into a more intimate and complete sense of balance between them, letting Elliott see firsthand what Seth (as well Noah) traumatic adolescent upbringing was like and what they endured before they escaped their father and family. It’s a horror story at times and the author’s note of trigger warnings at the beginning should be read.

This is also an excellent labyrinthine mystery about the current murder investigation, Seth’s family, wills, and an extreme religious sect. This aspect of The Past in the Present brings in our favorite elf agent, Val Hart (Elliot’s best friend) and his new FBI boss, Tiger shifter, Raj, who will figure in the next series group.

It’s both a psychological mystery and action horror thriller. A well thought out story of two individuals who have overcome their differences and fears to become a true couple and have a stronger relationship. And it’s one man’s story to work through his personal demons and struggles with self worth and find peace in himself and his own new life.

I can’t imagine a better story or journey for Seth than the one Avery had written here. It’s just that exceptional.

Each story often sends me back to reread a certain moment in the series that made me realize how amazing the characters and each element is.

And now to wait on Rayn’s voice. Highly recommended.

Series couples to date (not standalone):

Ward’s story (1-3):

The Ghost in the Hall

The Boy in the Locked Room

The Skeleton Under the Stairs.

Hart’s story (4-6):

The Dog in the Alley

The Bones in the Yard

The Elf Beside Himself

Seth’s story (7-9):

The Turning of the Tables

The Badger in his Burrow

The Past in the Present

Rayn’s Story (10 +) (coming 2025-2026)

Buy Link

The Past in the Present (Beyond the Veil Book 9)

Blurb

Everything was finally going well. I had a job I liked, a man I loved, and a future we were building together.

And then the past came back to haunt me—and now I have to go back to the house in Appalachia where my parents had made my childhood a living hell. Where Noah and I had been broken, over and over, as the people who were supposed to love and protect us tried to turn us into something we weren’t and would never be.

It was a place I’d never wanted to go again.

But I now I have to. Because the parents I never meant to speak to again are dead, and Noah’s fingerprints were found all over the kitchen.

I didn’t know why Noah went back, what had happened to my parents, or whether my psyche was going to make it through a trip back to middle-of-nowhere rural Virginia. Or my relationship. I’d finally managed to convince Elliot to give me a chance, and he was about to find out about a lot of skeletons in a very deep, very dark closet.

I could only hope that he’d be willing to help me bury the bones.

Book 3 in Seth’s Story

Publication date: June 27, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 370 pages
Book 9 of 9: Beyond the Veil

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