Sheryl R. Hayes has a new FF paranormal romance book coming out (bi, poly), Jordan Abbey book 3, and we have the cover reveal: Chaos Kin.
In the town of Rancho Robles, can one werewolf protect the Children of the Wolf and the Bat? Chaos Wolf Jordan Abbey has made friends among the Black Oak Pack even though she refuses to join it. The same can’t be said of the vampires, but her life has taken a turn for the better.
That is until Enya Blevins, sister to the werewolf who turned Jordan, arrives in Rancho Robles. She wants to know who killed her baby brother and is less than impressed by the Chaos Wolf. Enya wants revenge, starting with Jordan and ending with the vampires infesting the area.
Jordan is prepared to flee, but a technicality makes her an Alpha Werewolf. Now she must stand her ground to protect her nascent Pack and those she loves.
The past has come back to bite her. Does she have the fangs to bite back?
About the Series:
In the Northern California town of Rancho Robles where the Children of the Wolf and the Bat share an uneasy coexistence. One werewolf woman threatens to upset that balance.
Sheryl R. Hayes can be found untangling plot threads or the yarn her three cats have been playing with. She is equally likely to be shooing one of them off the keyboard as she is working on her novels and short stories. In addition to writing, she is a cosplayer focusing on knit and crochet costumes.
A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star, while definitely in the Tales from the Tarot multi-author series, is firmly rooted in Chloe Archer’s Monster Hollow universe and her latest novel from that, The Gargoyle and the Romance Writer.
The main gargoyle characters here (and an unfortunate member under going punishment here), are met for the first time in that book. And in a delightful fashion, several characters get mentioned here too in terms of written passages from their own books or novels. It will make the reader seek out those novels to see what happens with them and their romantic adventures.
But there’s plenty to keep a reader entertained and invested in the shenanigans and adventures of one outgoing, positive human, Noah Price , and his gargoyle fated mate, Elryk DarkWing.
From the moment he connects with The Magic Shop and its mysterious Owner who, with the gift of a tarot reading, Noah gets a renewed happy energy and direction in his life that sees him flying off to Scotland and his fate.
Archer’s character of Noah is instantly likable. Positive and outgoing without being naive, able to take care of himself, he’s so easy to connect with. Easily that American abroad in Scotland or human amidst a bunch of otherworldly beings, he’s that person who can make it work either way.
This is a fated mate instant bonding relationship but it does work here because of Noah and Elryk. Archer has them in an isolated place and precarious situation, and then creates other characters we can equally enjoy and relate to as a support group for them.
As this is the first is a new sequel series set in Scotland, I can’t wait to see the others get their partners/fated mates too. Should be entertaining as this one.
If you’re a fan of Archer’s Monster Hollow series or the author, definitely grab this up. The characters are charming, the story entertaining, and the ending satisfying. I look forward to the next one in this series.
A gargoyle hotter than Goliath (IYKYK) meets a human bad luck magnet with a coveted power that attracts trouble like catnip does cats. Is it destiny or disaster?
Noah Price
When a mysterious magic shop owner draws the lucky tarot Star card for me, I drop everything and hop on a plane to Scotland for the bucket-list trip of my dreams. Outlander (and Highlander, for my fellow nerds), eat your heart out!
Chaos ensues from the moment I arrive and before I know it, the danger turns deadly. Then a smoking hot gargoyle-slash-Highland warrior swoops (literally) in to rescue me—and in a super sexy kilt, no less. Swoon!
My bad luck must be turning good because I’ve finally met the man–I mean, gargoyle–of my dreams. But Elryk DarkWing doesn’t share my optimistic outlook on life and our budding relationship soon has to take a back seat to a threat to our world. I believe in destiny, though–and I’ll make sure we get our HEA!
Elryk DarkWing
Guarding a powerful magic ley line in the heart of the Highlands has been the responsibility of the DarkWing clan for centuries. This wasn’t the path I’d wanted for my life, but here I am.
That is, until my fated mate shows up, an attractive wee human with a surprising ability and all kinds of trouble hot on his heels.
Can such a delicate being survive among battle-hardened gargoyles that risk life and limb every time there’s a threat to the ley line we protect? Can he adapt to this isolated life, removed from most of human society? Answer—not bloody likely.
Noah’s unique power has drawn the unwanted attention of friend and foe alike, and I soon realize keeping Noah safe is a Herculean task. I won’t back down though, because maybe…just maybe…Noah’s right, and our destiny’s is written in the stars.
A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star is the first book (72k) in a spinoff series set in the Monsters Hollow universe and featuring the DarkWing gargoyle clan in Scotland.
I love it when I learn about different cultures or areas of mythology through stories. Here it’s about the Nøkk, a Scandinavian or Norse being that shapeshifts into a water dwelling human form that lures people by violin playing and/or drowning by screaming. That’s a simplified version of a complex, widely accepted concept of a being used in gaming , storytelling derived from mythology.
Even better when I get to know them through a series that will introduce a cast of characters, inhuman and otherwise, as they study for various degrees and live together in the dorms of Creelin University, aka Creepin U.
The characters, human and otherworldly, are well defined and their personalities are absolutely engaging, especially as they grow and develop the more they interact with each other and the other beings/community around them.
The Nøkk, Steve Job as he’s originally called at the beginning because he had to choose a human name , is a wonderful creation. A thoughtful unhappy young person who has chosen to separate himself from his country and species because he doesn’t want to be like them or follow traditional Nøkk ways. It’s guitar and songwriting over the violin, and he definitely doesn’t want to gather up any souls.
Steve is a great character. Leslie McAdam has made his true name as well as his natural form a important part of the narrative, a definitive element of not only Steve and Brandon’s relationship but of Steve’ growth personally throughout the story.
Brandon, the human roommate and water polo player is another character that has hidden depths to his character. Too easily framed out as a “golden retriever “ personality, that glosses over the many layers the author has created for him here. He is, in fact, a complex person, and that’s a factor in making not only the relationship work but this story as well.
There’s so much to him, Steve, and the framework that McAdams has laid down in the book that makes me want further exploration and tales from this universe and couple. They are now surrounded by friends, a supportive family and a great journey ahead of them. I would love to see more of them in another story.
This series is turning out to be splendid and The Nøkk and the Jock (Creepin U Book 1) by Leslie McAdam is a definite recommendation. Check them out!
Cover Art & Formatting by Whimsical Reverie Design LLC. Fabulous work. Love the cover.
You’re formally admitted to Creelin University—known locally as “Creepin U.” The only things wilder than the monster shifters prowling around campus are the spicy male-male love stories unfolding between classes. The Nøkk and the Jock is book one, starring an emo shapeshifter and a sunshine human. Each book is a stand-alone M/M spooky romance, but we hope you enroll in them all.
Brandon:
I’m pumped to be one of the first humans to attend a monster university, but a minor, negligible, insignificant issue arises almost immediately: My new roommate wants to drag me to his underground realm and take my soul.
He’s a nøkk who could almost pass for human, except his webbed fingers and entirely black eyes give him away. In my attempt to befriend him, I give him three drops of my blood, a black animal, and a bottle of vodka (I hear it’s a nøkk thing). Which apparently triggers some ancient bonding ritual. My bad.
I must admit I’m into him. Maybe those online tests that say I’m only mostly straight are right. But there are a few hiccups: I can’t know his real name. He won’t show me his true form. And he’s both an omen and a cause of drowning … which is troubling, since he’s on the water polo team with me.
Still, something about him calls to me, even if it shouldn’t.
The Nøkk:
This human is mine.
Stay away from him.
The Nøkk and the Jock is a monster-human bi-awakening M/M romance starring Brandon Fernandez, a golden retriever of a human being, and the prickly, melancholy nøkk. It features puzzling emoji text conversations, a monster who can stop waterfalls in midair, and drunken scareoke (monster karaoke). HEA guaranteed.
I’m familiar with Ashlyn Drewek’s other dark paranormal novels so I was thrilled to see her work here in this series. Arcanum is exactly what I hoped for and a story I enjoyed immensely.
Drewek’s novel is gripping and so well written. From start to finish, it pulls the reader into a suspenseful plot that’s grows into a larger anxiety ridden, terrifying, complicated element, as we get to know the characters and their histories.
The author has also created a town that becomes as much of a living entity as the characters are. We get to explore the streets and atmosphere of small town Mapleton, with its hair salons, tight knit community, and townspeople. All of which we have taken to heart as much as we have the main couple.
Drewek’s characters include a haunted witch of the fabulous name, Greyson Darkholme. Now there’s a name to remember. He’s fled to town hoping for a new start in life, for reasons I’ll leave to the storylines. His next door neighbor is a K-9 police officer, Chris Brandt and partner Nitro. Extremely relatable and believable characters, man and dog . Love them both. In fact, Chris’ character and his role as a police officer is beautifully executed. His suspicions, fact checking, everything about his behavior screams cop. Especially when it pertains to family and town. Which makes Greyson’s later statements and observation about the importance to Chris of the badge and uniform even more interesting and on point.
There’s so many elements and different storylines that Drewek’s woven into a complex novel that makes it all work. A bisexual awakening, a magical revelation, a way of writing a ex girlfriend in a manner that makes us understand and appreciate her . Monica is a treasure! All the details here that just keep adding up, the characters, the baking, the warmth and reality of community.
Is it perfect? No. I absolutely disagreed over the choice of having Greyson withhold so much information from Chris. That was frustrating.
But the rest ? Loved it and I really wish that Drewek will revisit the characters and location in a future story. It’s too fantastic to remain one book.
Last note: Excellent use of the tarot cards, deck , and chosen card as well as The Magic Shop and The Owner. One of the best yet.
From the moment his new neighbor moves in, K9 officer Chris Brandt senses there’s something not quite right about the guy. His instincts are confirmed when he discovers the mysterious Greyson Darkholme is the prime suspect in a murder investigation—a murder that wiped out his entire family.
Despite his best efforts to keep his distance, Chris is captivated by Greyson’s eccentric charm, awakening desires he never knew he had. As they grow closer, it becomes evident that Greyson is hiding something. Determined to uncover the truth, Chris faces a shocking dilemma when Greyson’s secrets come to light.
To protect the man of his dreams, the dedicated officer must confront the ultimate question: how far will he go for love?
ARCANUM is a standalone paranormal MM romance novel and part of the multi-author collaboration Tales from the Tarot. This book is based on the major arcana card Temperance.
This book contains themes intended for a mature audience and reader discretion is advised. A full list can be found in the front matter of the book and on my website under Tropes & Triggers.
Author V.L. Locey is off to a terrific start on her new paranormal romance series with Kestrel & Kee (Paranormal Investigators) The Siren of Lake Killikee.
It begins with Archimedes Kee ‘Archie’ Kee , Asian American, who helps run his grandfather’s failing family business, Kee’s Book Store in Liverswell, MA. Archie can interact with ghosts, a family gift passes down through generations that’s now especially relevant as Archie’s current location has several resident ghosts to converse with.
There’s Reggie, who died in 1778, he haunts the bookstore, reads the latest books, and considers himself part of the establishment and family. Also the ghosts in the streets,along with a spectral cat that comes and goes, as cats do.
But it’s the living that have issues to contend with, bills to pay, and Archie’s fluency in Mandarin brings him a handsome college football player, Phil Kestrel ,seeking help and a tutor for his Asian studies class.
Archie and Phil’s developing relationship is wonderful, especially when Phil is let in on the truth about Archie’s gift and the bookstore’s resident ghosts. As the plot switches over into a investigation into the mysterious presence in the lake, and what it means for the town’s inhabitants (living and non-corporeal), it picks up speed but starts to lose some depth in the background and plot.
I liked how Locey created and then wove in the various ethnic languages and historical references from the town to make the paranormal stories and investigations the deepest, and saddest part of the story. It could have been even more detailed, but perhaps that is going to be part of the next book. It’s certainly got my attention. And it introduces certain families of the town who might have a part to play in future stories as well.
Most of my quibbles have to do with the relationship between Archie and Phil, and Archie’s gift. Archie and Phil are just getting to know each other, they admit that they really like each other, which seems reasonable and , actually quite adorable.
But, as in too many stories I’ve read, they jump immediately into the “I love you “ conversation and confessions stage which hadn’t, imo, had a the same amount of narrative time or believable aspect to their relationship that other elements had. Really like on the way to something else? Yes, absolutely. Instant love? No. That case wasn’t made. Especially when there’s so much else going on around them.
And we really know very little about Phil here. What’s the background on him?
So in Kestrel & Kee (Paranormal Investigators) The Siren of Lake Killikee I feel that V.L. Locey is setting up a terrific location, characters and themes for a new adventure and series. There’s so much she wants to lay down that not all got fully developed or explained, just put in place for future adventures and books to make use of. I absolutely adore Archie , his grandfather, Reggie, and look forward to learning more about Phil and the rest of the town.
This is a definite recommend for lovers of paranormal romance.
One speaks to the dead, the other talks to everyone else. Both have hearts that are whispering to each other’s.
Archimedes Kee has always had the gift. From his youngest days, he has been able to communicate with the dearly departed. Most of the time, they seek him as a way to correct wrongs or for help moving over to the next plane. Some just want to complain about badly written books. Generally, he does his best to aid the stranded spirits as he juggles working part-time at his grandfather’s bookstore, a job he adores, with attending a local college. Stuck in the grind of the day-to-day, he is totally unprepared for the arrival of Phil Kestrel, who blows into the shop like a hurricane with his blond hair, blue eyes, and unparalleled exuberance.
For the first time in forever, Archie can’t pull back into the protective shell he has learned to keep up. Phil is not only a charmingly sweet and sexy man, but he’s also slowly winning Archie’s heart one 80’s song at a time. After witnessing an unearthly book club meeting late one night the football star slash film major discovers Archie’s secret and proposes a plan. They make a ghost hunter show for extra credit and to bring much-needed foot traffic to the old bookstore. The plan has merit, so they seek out a local legend and face off against an anguished soul who puts their new bond to the test.
Kestrel and Kee – The Siren of Lake Killikee is an opposites attract queer paranormal romance starring a shy medium, a gregarious footballer, a resident bookstore specter with a decidedly wicked mind, one otherworldly feline, a small town filled with ghostly goings on, an elderly family member eager to play matchmaker, a haunted lake, and a spirited happy ending.
Burned is a fitting way to end the Drake Security series, with Lord’s story and his tortured enemies to lovers, fated mates romance.
Lord’s been that character with the older brother syndrome. Stolid, serious, constantly in control and ever watchful over the family business as well as all over the family, including his brothers, their mates, and younger clutchings.
So it makes sense that his story is the very antithesis of his life and nature. It’s dramatic, compulsive, and absolutely terrifying, the opposite of how he’s been living and taught.
Mika Nix , aka authors K.M. Neuhold and Mia Monroe, mirrored his impulsive acts toward a specific target, his fated mate who happens to be his worst enemy, a dragon hunter. That’s a fatally wounded Alrick Havaror, a young Viking from a notorious dragon hunter family.
Lord and Alrick have matching angst filled emotions towards each other as they fight their own battles with the bond and their backgrounds. I really enjoyed this element of the story. They were well suited and their journey was full of chemistry and communication.
While we are very familiar with the Drake family and their mates, Alrick’s history and family background could have used more development, especially given that ending. Considering the foul deeds his father, older brother, grandfather etc have committed, that end wasn’t exactly satisfying, even with the overlaying factor of kinship.
New wonderful characters included Viggo (middle brother of Alrick’s), and Xanthis, a powerful Scottish dragon mage who promptly flirts with Dahlia. And while the authors let us know what happened with the two women, Viggo, who had an important role and his own journey here, oddly vanished from the story. After being told he was from now on a permanent member of the Drake family. SMH
If they say he went home with good old dad and brother. No. That doesn’t track as both authors had him say he wanted to remember the events and what they had done and everything that had occurred. So no.
Big narrative hole here and missing character.
So Burned ends up a good story but not a great one. I enjoyed the couple but there’s quite a few stumbles narratively speaking that keeps this shy of 5 stars. Still a lovely series and one I’m recommending.
Of all the creatures I could have accidentally mate bonded with, did it have to be a dragon slayer?
I never let my dragon take control. Never. Distraught after the death of a friend, I made a mistake…
Finding a beautiful, broken viking on the verge of death in the middle of a forest, all of my instincts screamed at me to save him. My dragon wouldn’t have it any other way. For two-thousand years I’ve saved my mating fire, waiting for fate to bring me true, binding love. But with this stranger only a breath away from the afterlife, I didn’t have a choice.
I can’t really be mated to a dragon slayer, can I? There has to be a way to break this bond before his brothers come looking for him or mine realize what I’ve done.
The only problem is, the more time I spend with the captivating, big hearted man, the more I think that fate might have had a hand in things after all…
Is he feeling it too, or am I about to get burned?
Bold As Brass (Elementally Yours Book 3) by FN Manning is a well written, well executed paranormal romance. I thought Manning did a good job of explaining why Oliver Brass, brother and son to the Brasses held responsible for the crimes in book 1, makes the decisions he does here with regard to his magic and the use of a D/s relationship with respect to his control.
There’s a very good author’s note about this element. Read it carefully. This story incorporates a realistic D/s relationship between two people, one of which is older than the other. If this isn’t an element that you enjoy reading about, you might want to skip the book.
For me, I found I didn’t connect with these characters as I had with the other couples in the preceding novels. I’m not sure why, because a D/s relationship isn’t an issue for me. Nor the difference in ages. Although the fact that (but not truly ) they almost rode the line between student and professional life is slightly troubling. It was addressed by the author.
I think that I felt that there wasn’t enough of a real connection between them to account for the sudden admission of deep love that happens.
That could be a difference of perspective. Another reader might think it’s fine.
I do wish there was more information about what exactly went on towards the end. A resolution about what happened to fix everything . Instead we get a dinner and a HFN. It didn’t feel entirely satisfactory.
All in all, Bold As Brass (Elementally Yours Book 3) by FN Manning was well written but needed a better wrap up.
Control is everything… until you find someone worth surrendering to.
Oliver Brass is beyond prim and proper. He’s practically English after spending years studying metal magic in posh British schools. But when a family scandal turns his world upside down and his powers stop obeying, a stiff upper lip isn’t helping him regain control. Instead, an alluring professor shows the metal mage how to surrender.
A charming educator by day and a dirty dom by night, Liam Monroe has the unique ability to control a person’s body and magic. Liam demands obedience, and even though Oliver may never stop blushing, he and his magic are eager to comply.
Everything is going well until dragons drop in with a score to settle, determined to make the wizard pay for the sins of his family. Oliver will need to rely on his powers if he has any hope of stopping the vengeful dragons… or keeping Liam. Can Oliver be bold enough to fight for the man he loves, or will it all go up in flames?
Bold as Brass features an innocent wizard being ‘corrupted’ and an intelligent literature professor who also happens to be a wicked dominant. There’s also shamelessly perverted moon rituals, literal and magical power exchange, BDSM, finding strength in unexpected places, dangerous dragons, and romantic moonlit confessions. This is the third book in the Elementally Yours series of magical gay romances. Each book features different characters and can be read alone
Dragons, mysteries, romance and multiple ongoing storylines. Yes please. I’m just loving this series by Joy Lynn Fielding. Her Wings Over Albion just got more intriguing while expanding the series foundation knowledge and known dragon families previously laid out.
Now , as the book begins ,the fearsome, totally powerful head of dragons, Abimelech Mortimer, has call a moot, a gathering of the heads of the dragon families in a neutral location, for a major announcement. As well as other purposes on his agenda.
As the dragons rarely leave their own territories, this is an exceptional event, fraught with challenges and potential undertones. A fabulous way to introduce the characters and the stakes involved with the players and challenges faced.
We see briefly, some of the characters of the other novels. But our immediate attention will fall on the newest characters and dragons. As it should because they are remarkable.
Especially Ollie Shaw. Ollie is that character who shows astonishing growth from the awkward, somewhat disrespected lesser member of his family to dragon who lives and loves largely. His journey, which encompasses that of Archer Talbot, and his siblings Tim and Mia, is revelatory. We rejoice with him and Archer, along with Mia and Tim, as they shift in their thinking, struggling with their own personal pasts, and restructure into a believable, magnificent warm-hearted family. One we dearly want more of in the end.
Fielding adds to the dragon mythology and knowledge she’s building as well as bringing more dragons of color into the series. Everything is weaving together into a fabulous series tapestry that melds King Arthur, mystery, dragon politics, and love. I can’t help to see what happens next.
This is beautifully written, fantastic characters and gorgeous plots. Highly recommended!
Falling for him would be pure folly. I know that. Now all I have to do is convince my heart…
Allowing a strange dragon into my home was not my idea.
The Assembly assured me it was necessary, though. And that’s how I ended up with him.
Ollie Shaw is clumsy. Unfairly hot. He stumbles through my life leaving a trail of chaos and sunny charm in his wake.
And I hoard every moment with him like he’s my greatest treasure.
But with an entire dragon territory to rule, bills to pay, and treachery brewing in my family, I can’t afford to be distracted by Ollie’s copper-gilded beauty and boundless enthusiasm.
I especially can’t give in to my dragon’s primal urge to claim him.
Because loving him could cost me everything I’ve fought so hard to protect. And that would eventually come back to bite us both—with dragon’s teeth…
Dragon’s Folly, Book 3 in the Wings over Albion series, is a sweet and spicy, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity paranormal m/m romance.
Publisher: Independently published (October 9, 2024)
I had started into this universe and the various characters stories with Lysand’s first book, Kisses at the Crossroads (Fortune Favors the Fae series). That was Lark, an imprisoned fae and a crossroads demon’s love story. It introduced the town of Hex, Indiana and Lysand’s intention of expanding into various other relationships of the side characters in future series and stories.
This approach, as I noted earlier, left the original plot a bit unsatisfying as it appeared that Lysand was concentrating on setting up the foundation for other plots to come.
They ended up across several different multi-author, various themed series. I have listed them below as has the author under the title Hex, Indiana. Does this make for a comprehensive or complete sense of the universe or greater understanding of the characters represented? Not really. But I’ll let you be the judge.
The concept behind this story is a good one. The idea of two best friends/potential lovers, in this case a summoned crossroads demon and a young witch separated from each other . By loss of memory, an inability to find their person, a mystery , combined with an unknown determined enemy, is a terrific one. It catches your attention and engages your imagination. Especially the characters here, one Prof. Ethan Speller who’s engaged to his best friend, the nonbinary Florence, an engagement and marriage neither wants but can seem to stop because of their powerful families. Add to that an unhappy crossroads demon, Warwick, who doesn’t know what happened to the young witch who was his best friend? Amazing plot.
However, How To Summon A Memory just doesn’t have enough depth or page length to really capture the potential of the story the author has set out to create. There’s so much that gets lost here.
Florence, the best friend? Terrific character. Their familiars , chubby squirrel (Florence) and hummingbird (Ethan) are important but not well introduced. Other parts of this story, like the school, or subplots like the ones involving the students and chemistry classes, aren’t either necessary but overly dramatic or needed and not well executed. Much of the story goes along these lines.
The narrative doesn’t flow smoothly or in an evenly balanced/paced way that makes the book feel cohesive. Which is a shame because a really good idea and couple gets lost along the way.
The person responsible for all the woe gets off with a “do better “, the explanation for the magic doesn’t really work, and I’m left wondering why it wasn’t combined into one series to begin with.
This was interesting . If you are a fan of the series and author, that’s who I’m going to recommend it as a read.
Cauldrons and Kisses (8 books)
🔹Love Potions and Moonlight by Kota Quinn
🔹Charmed by Rainbow by Jax Stuart
🔹Enchanted Hearts by Jacey Davis
🔹Oral Hex: An MM Omegaverse Romance by Salem Jack
🔹How To Summon A Memory by Morgan Lysand
🔹Half Past Hex by Toby Wise
🔹Prince, Charmed by Ducky Mack
🔹The Trouble With Spells by Raiven Mathews
——
Connected universe books:
Welcome to Hex, Indiana :
🔷Kisses at the Crossroads (Fortune Favors the Fae series)
🔷The Nephilim’s Touch (Tales from the Tarot series)
Who is the beautiful demonic stranger in my dreams? That’s what I want to know. But between teaching at Hex University and preparing for my unfortunate nuptials to a fellow witch, I don’t have time to explore why the demon seems so familiar. I just know the demon is important, but why?
Warwick
I’ve been searching for my best friend, Ethan, for six years. One minute he stood in front of me, finally ready to make his crossroads deal to free him of his arranged marriage, the next he’s gone and he took my heart with him. I’ll do anything to find him, if only to tell him off for leaving me right when we could finally be together. Color me surprised when one night Ethan walks through the door of the bar I’m moping in. But he’s not the same sweet, goofy boy I fell in love with. No, this is a man who has forgotten me and his true self. Will my crossroads magic be enough to bring back his memories? It better, I won’t be forgotten.
How To Summon A Memory is a fluffy and spicy paranormal romance featuring a witch missing his memories and a possessive crossroads demon determined to get back to the man he loves.
Cauldrons and Kisses is a multi-author series of MM magical standalone stories.
Back In The Hunt both continues the overall themes and universe started with the Moon Murder Mysteries (3 book series) that introduces the characters, locations and incredible complex mythologies and cultural linguistic concepts/elements that are at the heart of everything here.
That each book needs at the beginning of the story its own introduction to the various aspects of the mythologies in use, the translations of the old Gaelic terms in casual usage, witch lore is testament to Sterling’s dedication to a well crafted universe and the depth of detail and development that’s being explored here.
This achievement of increasingly complex concepts and character dimensions does several things to this story and new series. It makes it necessary for a reader to have read the preceding Moon Murder Mysteries before arriving here so they have the right background information and understanding of the circle of characters that is the basis for this book and group of people.
The other aspect of this densely packed narrative is that you must be able to carry that knowledge with you throughout the story, so even that minutiae from a prior book is available to pull out when a character, say Merlin, mentions it in a throw away bit of conversation here.
For me, it engages my brain in absolute appreciation even if I’m not completely emotionally attached to the characters. Odd how that has worked out, at least for me. I’m so fascinated by the conceptual context and issues that it’s removed me from the emotional connection.
Did I enjoy reading this? Absolutely. Thought the entire aspect of the changeling and how Sterling saw them was imaginative and well constructed.
I did find that it was resolved too quickly and in a way we didn’t quite find out what happened to the two “troublesome “ beings. That felt unsatisfying to me. Perhaps in the future stories we will find some further resolution.
Until the next book, which I’m really anticipating, I am content to leave the group of Prof Lennox ‘Nox’ MacIlwraith ,FBI Agent Grady Nelson,
Merlin Oglethorpe ,Prof Darrach Clancy , Bryn Cadwallader and Everly Wells, Bryn’s twin brother, Arawn, surgeon, married to
Dr Fletcher Bixby, gathered together as yet another personal case is ready for their attention.
I’m definitely recommending this but please ignore that sentence in the description that states it can be read as a standalone. No. Why do they keep putting those things on books that absolutely aren’t standalone stories. SMH.
Cover Art isn’t credited but I love it.
Moon Murder Mysteries (3 book series):
Nelson & MacIlwraith #1, 2, and 3
A Nelson & MacIlwraith Mystery (Moon Murder Mysteries related)
Your soul is his to take. And he takes that very seriously.
After a string of gutting losses, Everly Wells has given up on life. But a near-death experience and an encounter with a cocky paramedic with glowing green eyes, gives Everly a new reason to live…and powerful allies fighting to keep him out of danger.
Bryn Cadwallader and his twin brother might be descended from the hounds of the Wild Hunt, but there are limits to their powers. When Bryn saves Everly’s life, refusing to take the lost mortal’s soul onwards, he realises darker, stranger forces are at work. Rattled but determined to save Everly’s life, Bryn looks to a very different, but uniquely qualified pair of investigators.
FBI Agent Grady Nelson and Professor Nox MacIlwraith.
To track a foe who uses both modern and ancient means, Nelson and Nox must use their knowledge of the occult and experience fighting crime and evil to help Bryn thwart this new, mystical threat. Can they save Everly, or will Bryn be cursed to an eternity hunting for his lost love?
Formerly listed as The Case of the Curious Cadwallader, Back In The Hunt is a hurt-comfort, paranormal mystery romance. It overlaps with the epilogue of Nelson & MacIlwraith: Moon Murder Mysteries #3, and references some events from the Moon Murder Mysteries trilogy, but can be read as a stand alone.
*From me: no, just no. They absolutely can’t be read as a standalone. Why do they insist on putting this in? SMH
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 