Short, adorable and great way to mesh these three series and zany group of characters.
Will you be lost if you don’t know the characters or their respective relationships? Pretty much. It’s still an entertaining read but having all the background information on who’s who and what series they came from makes those scenes and characters more enjoyable.
Definitely a gift to the authors fans. And I love every sentence.
Cover by Katie Griffin
Series and Characters Involved:
The Tribulations of Ross Young, Supernat PA (multiple shorts/crossovers)
Turns out bath bombs are actually magical portals. Or at least, in the hands of Master Mage Declan, they became portals. Even he’s not sure why.
Said magical portal connects to Ross’s bath tub.
Which means this is also now the Unholy Trifecta’s problem because Ross absolutely refuses to deal with portal magic by himself. Thanks muchly.
Tags:
Crossover time!, Unholy Trifecta, Supernat PA, Insanity of Reincarnated Mages, bath bombs gone wild, lots of bath tub hopping, I treat Canon like a Buffet but in a Gentle Way, Canon-Typical Poor Decision-Making, brain cells assemble, it’s just mindless fluff and shenanigans, Declan use your brain challenge: failed, crack treated like crack, neither author is sorry.
The first in a new series by Michele Notaro, Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie #1) was a terrific story, a little slow in the beginning but quickly picked up the pace for a dramatic ending.
The author is just starting to build the setting and form the group of characters that will eventually become a found family so we don’t have much of a history or background on them. Just the vague sketch of an idea for each.
Individually, the characters are good, as a relationship, the two main characters don’t have a real believable connection. It’s either too quickly pulled together or something. But the storyline just doesn’t give them the right chemistry even when supplying them with a back history together.
I think it’s a lack of overall world building and foundation versus the evil gnomes mystery that makes the story feel highly paced but without a feeling of depth.
I look forward to seeing what the second book brings.
Carry A Faerie:
Did It Have To Be Gnomes? #1
The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) #2 – July 15,2025
Did I take on a huge gnome job anyway? I sure did.
Am I about to ask my crush for help?
Well, I have to ask someone, right?
I get called out to a huge mansion with the biggest number of invading gnomes I’ve ever seen, and I’m not sure who to call to help. And I definitely need some help.
So when Winter Montgomery just so happens to stop by, I know I have to ask him. I’ve been crushing on the handsome guy from afar for years, so now’s my chance to get close—and get some much needed support.
As long as I don’t let him see just how much I hate gnomes—okay, I’m actually terrified of them, but he doesn’t need to know that… right?
Did It Really Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie Book 1) is a MM urban fantasy and the first book in Miles and Winter’s love story. Each book will have its own supernatural problem with a HFN ending for the couple, but there will be overarching plot themes throughout the series.
Did I lose it over the turns in this book? Why yes I did. Had zero clue Stone was going to take the series in this amazing direction. I’m so excited and in for this series.
If you haven’t read this or are familiar here, author Annabella Stone is taking black ops, military top secret missions, explosive situations, alpha military training forces, fated mates, magic, outstanding use and twists on Irish mythology and lore. Legends come to life. I feel like I’m forgetting something.
If that wasn’t enough.
Stone packs her storytelling with a found family of a black ops unit called Volcano. Then starts expanding her characters and universe with Irish mythology and folding in magical powers and fated mates in a way that’s entirely different. It’s pulled together by the steel, strength , and love for the fight for doing the right thing, for loyalty, and brotherhood.
Stone bridges the worlds between humanity and mythology and makes it powerful and believable in the men and their bonds. To the one they love and to the group they call brothers.
It’s not without elements that had me asking for more exploration or explanation about some areas. Like what happened to the supernatural training that was supposed to happen.
However, I’m betting it will be a part of the next book to come out next year.
But here? The yes, explosive story begins with *Viper* Dare and his rescue of Archaeologist *Ward* Sutherland while on a secret mission with his unit.
It’s one wild and crazy thing after another. I absolutely won’t spoil the twists and surprises but Stone’s rich lush descriptions bring to life such incredible characters and scenes that you can hear the songs, smell the banquet, and take in the atmosphere that Viper and Hank are watching and are a part of.
Great twists, outstanding characters, and action sequences, vividly captured details and beautiful use of magic and mythology.
There’s an Irish dictionary for some of the words and phrases. Loved that.
I only wish I could zoom ahead for the next book’s release date.
A fantastic book, grand series and one I’m highly excited to recommend.
Cover Design By: Golden Czermak
Operation Volcano :
Operation Magma #1
Operation Caldera #2
Operation Fuego #3 – April 30,2026 (argh!) – Reaper’s story
Navy SEAL Kelvin *Viper* Dare was born to be a frogman. He’s pretty much seen it all over his fifteen-year career, and nothing surprises him anymore. Nothing except an unexpected natural disaster, which sends his team’s latest mission to hell in a handbasket. Volcanic blasts were not even on his radar when he and his men deployed to search for the newest terrorist to dare bring war to US soil. Now he must figure out how the hell he can protect not only his team, but also the American they find deep in the cave system, which offers their only chance of survival.
Archaeologist Howard *Ward* Sutherland was supposed to be on the trip of a lifetime to study the ancient markings found at a cave entrance on an unnamed island in the Indian Ocean. The further into the cave he moves, the more of the witch symbols he deciphers, and the louder the island rumbles and shakes under his feet. He may not be able to see what is happening on the surface, but the sudden appearance of a Special Ops team, and its growly, bossy leader, tells him things are very, very wrong.
When an ancient power stirs and the veil between worlds cracks, they must choose between duty and destiny. Because some doors, once opened, demand more than loyalty—they demand your soul.
Magic, legends, and a brotherhood who’ve been waiting for their High King!
PNR/Special Forces/Military MM Fiction packed with Irish myths and legends, alpha heroes, raw emotion, fated mates, and more.
I’ve been a fan of the author and this paranormal series for some time now but Ghostly Bother, the ninth book in the series, didn’t hit as well as the rest of the stories. The storyline, the main characters , the ghost of the plot, everything all came with some sort of flags or issues with the dynamics or functionality in the narrative that bothered me.
One is the mayor Eden, a nasty woman, who took bribes, was a selfish person and, even in the afterlife is a personality bordering on oblivious selfish self interest and cruelty. Spoiler. She walks into the light after being a bad person in both the living and the afterlife. Strike 1.
Because she’s a huge player here in the story and has an enormous role in the next element that put up flags for me.
That’s the relationship dynamic between Lance, who can interact with the ghosts, and Angus, his detective lover who can’t. But Angus, who has lived with his mother and her best friend, also a ghost, is familiar with ghosts and how they can impact the living.
So does he (and author Leya) write into their relationship one of an established understanding and support when Lance is constantly harassed 24/7 by Eden, unable to find rest or do his job? No, instead of the dynamic that’s been built of steady work and love, it’s demolished by one act of lack of respect and understanding. This aspect of the story has little foundation based on the previous books and the relationship the author has been building.
Nor does the quick resolution to this particular problem seem likely or believable. It just doesn’t make sense.
Unfortunately, the book, plot, mystery does feel particularly well written or thought through. It’s a miss for me.
Hopefully the next book will see a return to the original series path.
When the mayor of Fairway is killed, Angus finds himself thrust into a confusing case of bribery and corruption. While many in the city rejoice over the mayor’s death, the investigation is a nightmare for the police.
Lance wants to be supportive, but when the mayor’s ghost figures out Lance can see and hear her, she won’t leave him alone. Insisting they solve the case as soon as possible, she follows him around, bringing chaos to Lance’s usually simple life.
Feeling stress from every angle, both Angus and Lance struggle to handle everything going on without letting it affect their relationship. Everyone is working to close the case, but it isn’t easy when the victim refuses to share information that could lead to her killer.
Someone is hiding something, and it’s up to Angus and Lance to figure out exactly what that is.
I’ve really enjoyed this series and this might be my favorite one of them all. Watching Ian and vampire Andre navigate through their lives and journey to mates and HEA was funny, sweet and often moving.
I honestly could have used more scenes of them together shopping for the kids of the home, or Andre using his favorite animated tv shows to teach French. Or just the family dynamics when Ian got added, it was heartwarming and wonderful.
Unlike some of the other books, this is angst free, even while it does mention some of the worst events with the VSB that happened prior.
Sherwood’s characters and abilities to craft a story and romance the reader can relate to are excellent and represented by the couple here.
After Ian Moore steps in to save resident playboy and vampire André Castor from a spiked drink, he expects life to go back to normal. Why, he doesn’t know, but that assumption seems reasonable, right?
Only André doesn’t want it to go back to normal. He’s found a cute, trustworthy human, which is an anomaly in his world. Can’t he just keep Ian?
Ian knows how this game ends, patiently waiting for the playboy to move on…so why is André proving him wrong?
Tags:
Finally written in order, I treat canon like a buffet but in a gentle way, new ship here all aboard!, fated mates, vampires and humans, stubborn to lovers, sometimes vampires need to be rescued too, André is part cat, Ian has been adopted and has no idea what to do from here, marriage proposal, love at first sight, or at least Crippling Crush at First Sight, Fluff, so much fluff, I’m not even sorry, Casper the kitty, the VSB is on the eternal shitlist, playboy meets his match, Casper the Cat is a matchmaker, say no to drugs kids, unless the drug is love
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.
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.
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.
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?
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
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.
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)
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.
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.
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
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 