Tag: LGBTQIA Supernatural Romance

Review: How To Lure a Hunter (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #3) by Alice Winters

Rating: 4.5šŸŒˆ

How To Lure a Hunter is Alexei and Claudeā€™s story. The third book in the VRC: Vampire Related Crimes series, this one takes a character weā€™ve known through the previous stories, Alexei, and puts him under the microscope as the romance between himself and Claude advances.

Alexei, also known as Karsen, hasnā€™t had much of his background revealed. Turns out heā€™s been keeping secrets.

When a older true vampire with a nose fit research is the one romancing you, thatā€™s a hard thing to continue.

Especially when your past arrives and makes it impossible to hide your secrets.

This novel delves into the history of both Claude and Alexei in a number of ways. Itā€™s a two person pov so we get their memories from the past events that has delivered each man to their current situationā€¦. mostly.

With Claude, heā€™s lived a long and fascinating life , so itā€™s only the relevant times and places.

But it serves to flesh out each man further and give their romance the right depth of emotional quality needed to back up the words coming from Claude. He may seem frivolous but heā€™s anything but.

The plot is intriguing and complicated enough that you stay connected to the men as the events unfold and the action ramps up.

Thereā€™s some deep scares and wonderful elements here. And yes, lively animals to adore.

I loved Claude the minute the author introduced him and he only got better with each story. He and Alexei deserved their HEA. Iā€™m thrilled they got it.

How To Lure a Hunter (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #3) by Alice Winters is another winner in this series with one left to go to wrap it all up.

Highly recommending it!

VRC: Vampire Related Crimes Series:

āœ“ How to Vex a Vampire #1

āœ“ How to Elude a Vampire #2

āœ“ How to Lure a Hunter #3

āœ“ How to Save a Human #4

https://www.goodreads.com ā€ŗ showHow to Lure a Hunter by Alice Winters – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Alexei
When Marcus Church brings his brother Claude in to help solve an unusual murder, Iā€™m positive he did it just to disrupt my monotonous life. None of my coworkers in the Vampire Related Crimes unit seem to understand that I want to keep a wall between me and everyone elseā€”especially Claude, who does everything he can to break through it with an annoying smile. After more vampires begin to die, Claude pinpoints the actions of the killers to a group of vampire hunters, leaving us in a race to stop them. When I discover that I have a target on my back, Iā€™m surprised that Claude insists on staying by my side, even when things go from bad to worse. Iā€™m determined to keep him outā€”Iā€™ve lost enough people in my lifeā€”but I canā€™t stop feeling something every time he breaks through.

Claude
When I reunited with my brother, I never imagined itā€™d throw me right into Alexei Karsynovā€™s path. Heā€™s short-tempered, stubborn, and dangerously adorable whenever he smilesā€”he just doesnā€™t realize it yet. When Marcus asks me to help with a case, it gives me the excuse I need to get closer to Alexei, but what I discover threatens to change everything. Suddenly, I find myself wanting to do anything to protect Alexei and to see him smile, despite his efforts to keep his distance from others. Iā€™m determined to show him that he canā€™t live in the past when his future is so much brighter.

How to Lure a Hunter is a 107k word book that contains: Clothes so bright they could cause retina damage, a ridiculous amount of gifts showered on a reluctant recipient, a cranky Russian with a soft spot he tries to hide, a library full of books that need to be treated with the proper respect, some possibly unhealthy sibling teasing, and a sunshiny 300-year-old vampire with an unexpected protective streak.

Review: How To Vex A Vampire (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #1) by Alice Winters

Rating: 4.5 šŸŒˆ

As far as I can tell, VRC: Vampire Related Crimes is a four book series with book 1 and 2 centered around Finn and Marcus, book 3 Is another pair, and book four still another.

All members of the VRC: Vampire Related Crimes Unit and with close ties to each other.

How To Vex A Vampire scores high just on the character of Finn alone. Finn has a number of unusual elements to his character you donā€™t normally find in romances, supernatural or otherwise. Heā€™s a double amputee to start off with. Heā€™s missing a leg and arm. How he came to lose both is part of the story and wonā€™t be gone into here.

However, his issues with self image as a amputee are dealt with here realistically. So are the problems that occur with prosthetics, over use, accidents, and the perceptions held by others about amputees. Itā€™s all here. Inside Finnā€™s head and outside, in the Department and people heā€™s associating with.

Winters has written a fascinating character with a physical disability in a way thatā€™s realistic and believable. Even though thereā€™s other aspects with supernatural elements to factor in. Finn asks to be treated as a equal , and we come to regard him as much more.

Marcus, the true vampire, whoā€™s adamant that humans not be a part of the unit, is the one who falls for Finn. After Finn, everyone is less layered, but I like Marcus, and thoroughly enjoy their chemistry and relationship.

Winters has created a horrifying plot and a terrifying villain. Both of which are fully revealed in the next story. Here we are just beginning to get the chills and frightening idea of whatā€™s ahead.

That is the thing, along with your total affection for Finn, that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Excellent job!

Wintersā€™ marvelous characters, fantastic plots, and dialogue make VRC: Vampire Related Crimes and How To Vex A Vampire both must reads!

And the dogs? Adorable!

Buy it on Amazon

VRC: Vampire Related Crimes Series:

How to Vex a Vampire #1

How to Elude a Vampire #2

How to Lure a Hunter #3

How to Save a Human #4

Synopsis:

Finn
Getting into the vampire-only detective unit was the easy part; whatā€™s going to be more difficult is dealing with my new partner, an ancient vampire who keeps threatening to eat me. The unit has never had a human in it, and Marcusā€”or as I like to call him, Fangy McFangfaceā€”would really prefer to keep it that way. Heā€™s grumpy, short-tempered, and broody, but I have a way with words and I know heā€™s starting to like me, even if he swears heā€™s not. But what he doesnā€™t know is that I didnā€™t join the unit because I was tired of being a homicide detective, I joined because there is someone after me. Theyā€™ve already taken enough from me and Iā€™m afraid theyā€™re going to take all of me if I donā€™t find someone to help. Thatā€™s all Marcus was supposed to be, but now, heā€™s so much more and I canā€™t imagine my life without him.

Marcus
The moment the pesky human walked through that door, I knew I had to get rid of him. Heā€™s charming and almost everyone else instantly loves him, but he doesnā€™t understand how risky it is being part of this unit as a human. But as I get to know the stubborn man, I learn that perhaps heā€™s not as naive as I once thought. And maybe heā€™s what I needed to realize there is more to life than just work and my dog. A group arises who is threatening to disrupt the alliance between the humans and the vampires, but Finn is the one who shows me how strong that alliance can be and reminds me why itā€™s worth protecting. When threats hit closer to home, I realize I would do anything for Finn because heā€™s brought so much joy to my lifeā€”and because heā€™s mine.

This 105k word book contains: A creative use for undergarments, unintentional splits, a wolfhound who just wants to be a part of things, a vertically challenged human who still manages to wrap every vampire he meets around his little finger, the best date ever, possessiveness, really awkward dancing, some workplace revenge, and just a bite or two. Or three.

How to Vex a Vampire Blurb

Review: Fractured Souls (Fallen Messengers #1) by Ava Marie Salinger

Rating: 4.25 šŸŒˆ

Fractured Souls is the first book Iā€™ve read by author Ava Marie Salinger but it definitely wonā€™t be the last, if for no other reason that Fractured Souls is the first in a series.

But after reading this imaginative and gripping fantasy story (non-stop btw), Iā€™m ready to rush headlong into the second round and more in this universe and series.

Salinger starts us off in a world where a cataclysmic event has already occurred hundreds of years ago. Then a tear in the void between worlds saw demons, angels and a host of otherly beings from all Realms fall to Earth. After much warring a peace was brokered and all species co-exist, tentatively side by side.

Thatā€™s the interesting basis that the author then starts really building her edifice upon. Salinger does so through her strong characters as they navigate her incredibly dark and complicated storyline, which includes murder, sacrifices, humor, action, surprise revelations, and just plain great plotting.

Much like her universe, we get a basic understanding of who her characters are and then the author proceeds to show us thatā€™s just a mere outline sheā€™s using to create something astonishing. Not just for one major character but for many as the revelations, small and large, stumble out .

Whatā€™s more remarkable is that not only is the reader highly surprised by each change or new element with regard to the characters but the characters themselves are shocked!

Yes The Fall wiped out most memories of past existence for those who survived it. Talk about a great concept! So both the readers and characters find out the new details about themselves at the same time. Love it.

Salinger has so many great details here to go along with a heinous murder spree. A series arc thatā€™s delicious , devious, and dangerous in its own right. And characters that are just memorable in every way.

If I have a issue here itā€™s with the language or descriptions. While Salingerā€™s plots are stellar, the writing sometimes gets a little less tidy. Some characters get the same words used to describe them repeatedly.

Poor Adrianne. She comes to mind the most.

Adrianne said dully.

Adrianne said leadenly. (She does this a lot)

Adrianne snarled.

Thereā€™s also a lot of ā€œmuscles jumping in cheeksā€™ of both sexes when upset. Including Adrianneā€™s. Itā€™s as though the author knew she didnā€™t want her characters muscles to ā€œtickā€ so they ā€œjumpā€. Often, sometimes in the same paragraph. SMH. Anyway.

The plot kept my interest glued as the pace is fast and the events occurring are action packed. Had that not been the case, verbiage like those examples above would soon drag your attention out of the storyline.

Luckily, a great concept and enough mystery keeps your mind centered on the characters.

Here thereā€™s no demons versus angels but all factions actually work together. More or less, power struggles not withstanding. Nice change that.

Cassius Black and Morgan King are perfect for each other. And their chemistry grows along with their complicated relationship.

All the support characters are equally strong and have the potential for more growth in the future. They make up a great team, one you connect with and invest yourself emotionally in.

Iā€™m heading now quickly over to book 2 in the Fallen Messengers series. That would be Spellbound.

Iā€™ll let you all know what I find. This was an terrific , exciting, sexy fantasy novel. And a great start and introduction to a new author and universe.

I canā€™t wait for my journey to continue with both.

Definitely recommended.

Fallen Messenger series:

Unbound #0.5

Fractured Souls #1

Spellbound #2

Edge Lines #3

Oathbreaker #4

Synopsis:

Humans are dying in San Francisco. The most shunned angel on Earth may very well hold the key as to why…

When Cassius Black moves to San Francisco for a fresh start, the angel’s hopes of staying below the radar of the supernatural organizations that oversee the otherworldly and magic users in the city are dashed when he stumbles across a dead body in the sewers. His grim discovery soon puts him in the sight of the Argonaut Agency and Francis Strickland, the bureau director who knows his darkest secrets. 

Morgan King and his team of Argonaut agents have been hunting for the culprits behind a series of gruesome killings that have rocked the city all summer. Killings that bear sinister hallmarks of sacrificial rituals where the victimsā€™ souls have been ripped from their bodies. When Fate brings Cassius in Morganā€™s path, he realizes the angel everyone likes to call The Devil may very well be the only person who can help them track down the murderers.

Morgan and Cassius soon find themselves chasing down a sect of black magic sorcerers and cross paths with a mysterious warlock whose actions evoke disturbing echoes of an incident from Cassius’s past. As rumors of a potential plot to tear the Nether reach their ears, Cassius and Morgan must work together to defeat their common enemy and save the city from destruction, all while fighting their growing attraction for one another.

Fractured Souls is the first novel in the MM urban fantasy romance series Fallen Messengers. If you like action-packed paranormal adventures with romance and snark, then get this pulse-pounding book today and enter a world you wonā€™t want to leave! 

https://www.goodreads.com ā€ŗ showFractured Souls (Fallen Messengers #1) by Ava Marie Salinger – Goodreads

Review: One Bite With a Vampire (Hidden Species #2) by Louisa Masters

Rating: 5 šŸŒˆ

One Bite With a Vsmpire introduces us to Noah Cage, a human who is one of the most fascinating characters of the Hidden Species series. Noahā€™s personality and character is one of unknown depths, continual growth, and unexpected revelation.

Honestly, even at the end of the series finale, I felt as though the life force and Louisa Masters wasnā€™t done with Noah yet.

Heā€™s almost mesmerizing in his grumpiness, painful past of which we are never fully cognizant, and inability to fully trust.

His scary journey here to the CSG and the found family of species within the inner circle of the Lucifer is a white knuckle ride.

That itā€™s Andrew Turner, the 800 year old vampire, with a fondness for cake and snark whoā€™s the being thatā€™s the one at Noahā€™s side? Both a touch of perfection and source of poignancy.

For as irritation slides into lust and then something more, whatā€™s continually highlighted is Noahā€™s humanity and short lifespan against Andrewā€™s great age and continued longevity.

And we watch as both Andrew and Noah each try to deal with this element of their relationship in their own way, unsuccessfully, however subtly.

Masters can, with just a few sentences, create a scene of such emotional fragility , containing both despair and hope, you will want to weep.

And she does it over and over again.

Book after book here in this series.

Then follow it up with one of equal hilarity.

Goddess love those hellhounds!

While I have focused on Noah here as a character, Andrew Turner , vampire, is just as complicated as his years would have made him. More of his background and history as it relates to other members of the inner circle comes out in another vastly important and emotional story. But much like Noah, Andrew has just as many depths and dimensions to him waiting for us to discover.

They are a truly great pair.

This story doesnā€™t so much end on a solid note so much as it gets ready to flow into the next book.

This is a ending youā€™re going to see until the finale as the huge investigation ramps up and the horror begins to unveil.

So yes run immediately to Hijinks With A Hellhound because you need to know what happens next and well, itā€™s Alistair. Thatā€™s reason enough.

Honestly Alistair became alive to me as did all the Hellhounds. I physically hurt over the fact they donā€™t exist. We really need Hellhounds in our lives. Especially Alistair.

At any rate. Noahā€™s journey which starts here is a compelling and emotional story. So is his romance with Andrew, full of snarky love, pain and surprise.

Iā€™m highly recommending One Bite with A Vampire and the entire Hidden Species series.

They are must reading for me.

šŸ”¶Hidden Species series:

Demons Do It Better #1

One Bite with A Vampire #2

Hijinks With A Hellhound #3

Sorcerers Always Satisfy #4

šŸ”¶Sequel Series:

Here Be Dragons (happens immediately after the events of Hidden Species)

Dragon Ever After#1

Synopsis:Getting kidnapped was never part of my life plan. But being rescued opened up a whole world of crazy.

Itā€™s not easy being the only human at the Community of Species Governmentā€”and especially not when youā€™re the rescue case. Two years ago, I was planning to go to college, have a wild time, then settle into a normal life. Instead, I was kidnapped, spent months being a test subject, was in hiding for nearly a year, and then found out that my whole existence is a science experiment conducted by the bad guys. Itā€™s definitely time to reassess.

My rescuers at CSG have been awesomeā€¦ mostly. They gave me a job, a home, and a support network. But the whole demons, vampires, shifters thing is not easy to get used to. Especially when one particular vampire makes me want to take up stake sharpening for a hobby. How can someone be over eight centuries old and have the maturity of a drunk frat boy?

The thing is, teenage mentality or not, Andrew is a fierce protector. With the bad guys still on the loose, I need someone like that on my side. Plus, did I mention that heā€™s not hard to look at? I could stare at him all day if only he never opened his mouth.

As we race to find my former captor before he can find me, life takes another twist and upends my world all over again. This time, though, Iā€™m readyā€”after all, Iā€™ve got an eight-hundred-year-old vampire at my back. What could possibly go wrong?

One Bite With a Vampire

Hidden Species Cast of Characters:

Community of Species Government-CSG

Percy Caraway: the Lucifer . Aka the Head of State of the Physical Plane

Senior Investigators Team:

Sam Tiller – team admin

Gideon Bailey, Demon

Elinor Martin, Hellhound, cousin to Alistair

David Carew, sorcerer

Lily Heath, succubus

Andrew Turner, Vampire

Alistair Smythe, Hellhound

Noah Cage, human

Aiden Byrne, Felix shifter-Shifter Species Leader

Review: Demons Do It Better ( Hidden Species #1) by Louisa Masters

Rating: 4.5 šŸŒˆ

Well, finally, here I am! Back at the beginning of the Hidden Species series Iā€™ve been meaning to return to after finding and diving into the first novel at the start of the sequel series (Dragon Ever After

(Here Be Dragons #1) ). Yikes!

That story and the introduction to all the amazing characters and existing universe (plus writing style of Mastersā€™) had me hooked but good.

Still it took a while.

Now Iā€™m gobbling up the Hidden Species books like bonbons.

Which works really well because they flow smoothly one into the next.

Louisa Masters actually sets up all the series, both of them, by presenting us with the complicated story of Sam Tiller, a man who will become the heart of the CSG , the center , and by that I mean the admin, of the Luciferā€™s team , and the first to get his romance. Heā€™s also setup here to slowly work himself into the center of our and all the hearts of this marvelous found family of various species.

Oh wait til you get to the Hellhounds!

In all that, the title may be a bit misleading because the demon in question is Gideon, a feared and formidable Investigator of the luciferā€™s first team at CSG.

Ok the Lucifer? Itā€™s a title, not a devil. Nope, nothing to do with religion. Thatā€™s just a bad rap from a pissed off bunch at the other end of a bargaining table. Iā€™ll save it for the story.

At any rate. Thereā€™s a complicated relationship between Sam and Gideon thatā€™s amazing to watch unfold, full of sexy dynamics and awesome UST.

However, itā€™s Samā€™s journey here that is unexpected. Emotionally compelling, imaginative and action wise fantastic, and page after page, turns this into a tale of depth, pain, personal growth, humor, and love.

And yes horror. Thatā€™s a series thread, one of growing horror, you will see as a major mystery keeps looming ever larger over the group.

Honestly once you set out to read these books, just know youā€™re not going to want to stop until youā€™re finally done. Just have all the books lined up ready to go like I did and plow right through!

Then onto series 2!

Honestly what a great treat is in store for anyone who hasnā€™t discovered this author or series.

Great characters, amazing universe, wonderful writing, and humor to keep me in stitches while it had suspense that had me holding my breath! Love that! And this!

Highly recommended!

For all series and books look below synopsis.

Demons Do It Better (Hidden Species #1)

Synopsis:The truth is, Iā€™m an admin assistant who applied for a job that sounded kind of interesting and ended up working for the Community of Species Government. Iā€™m the only human in the office, and basically I ride herd on a team of rambunctious shifters and demons.

I also spend a lot of time avoiding Gideon Bailey, the demon I had a one-night stand with right before I took this job. He hates me, and I really want to avoid being murdered. But Iā€™ve been offered a promotion that will mean working with him, so weā€™re both going to have to get over it.

Plus, people are going missing. Pregnant people. And the word is that someone is dabbling in genetic experimentation. Putting a stop to that is more important than the sexual tension Gideon and I have been ignoringā€¦ isnā€™t it?

šŸ”¶Hidden Species series:

Demons Do It Better #1

One Bite with A Vampire #2

Hijinks With A Hellhound #3

Sorcerers Always Satisfy #4

šŸ”¶Sequel Series:

Here Be Dragons (happens immediately after the events of Hidden Species)

Dragon Ever After#1

Cover note. Of all the covers in this series, this is the only one for me that missed the mark. For me thatā€™s not Gideon, cold, aloof, forbidding, Rich Gideon in any way. Too bad. The rest are fabulous and spot on.

Review: Thackā€™s Angel: Midnight Rodeo #12 by BA Tortuga

Rating:4šŸŒˆ

Itā€™s a great concept, a hellā€™s rodeo full of supernatural beings that tours like a regular rodeo around the US, only the bulls are really demons doing hell time for their bad deeds and the rodeo staff and bull riders are a very interesting mixture of supernatural beings of various species.

The books, 12 including this one, follow the members of the rodeo along a usually rocky path to romance as we also learn about their histories.

A found family of sorts each character is a reappearing member in every story. So itā€™s nice to continually reconnect with them book to book.

Thack is the demon is charge of the Darque and Knight supernatural rodeo. As we start the story , one central torment is the loss of his angelic mate years ago without a trace or explanation. Who unexpectedly now reappears out of nowhere.

Years lost, with no memory of who he is and where he belongs, Uri is drawn to the strange rodeo in the town heā€™s passing through. A rodeo whoā€™s staff remember who he is and more importantly a rodeo that may change contain the being most centrist to regaining his past and his heart.

This is a strange, sexy, poignant second chance at love, lovers reunited story. A two person narrative that works perfectly to bring out the pain , anger, and pathos of years of lost love. Also the mystery and anguish of Uriā€™s journey back to his mate and found family is explored from many sides as the revelations come.

It helps to have read the other books to be familiar with the peripheral characters but not totally necessary as their dynamics are also somewhat laid out here.

I adored the Thack/Uri reunion and that of the fam but found that of the villain reveal a bit rushed. For me, it needed a little more foundation for it to have felt satisfying. Also fire demon/ice demon? Did I miss something there?

At any rate, that element kept me from rating it higher.

This is a terrific series and a fascinating concept. Love the characters and couples. Not familiar with it and them? Check it out! Iā€™m recommending it!

Thack’s Angel (Midnight Rodeo, #12)

šŸ’€Midnight Rodeo series:

Welcome to the Pack #1

Oklahoma Rain #2

Big Bear, Little Bear #3

Light a Rocket #4

Freaked Out #5

Tails and Whiskers #6

Above the Fold #7

Vampire Protection #8

Shifting Responsibility #9

Brownieā€™s Sway #10

The Dragonā€™s Dilemma #11 by Julia Talbot

Thackā€™s Angel #12

Synopsis:Demon Thackery has been running the actual rodeo show at the Midnight Rodeo since anyone can remember. He has a damn good life on earth: he loves his job, he has good friends, and he has a personal assistant who understands that a good horn rub has nothing to do with sex. Only one thing is missing. His angel Uri, who disappeared years ago without even a goodbye.

When Uri rides into the Midnight Rodeo on his Harley, he has the sense that heā€™s been there before. And when the regulars see him, they know that the proverbial stuff is about to hit the fan. Thack is going to lose it when he sees Uri. Except that Uri canā€™t remember anything about his past, and he has no idea why he left.

Uri knows one thing for sure when he sees Thack; that he big demon is his mate. Period. Even if someone wants to keep them apart, now that Uri is back, there will be no separating them. Or at least thatā€™s the plan. Can they get Uriā€™s memory back and keep everything else together?

Review: The Demon’s in the Details by Meghan Maslow

Rating: 5šŸŒˆ

Author Meghan Maslow is a writer I only recently became familiar with but already sheā€™s a must read and highly recommended one. Iā€™m quickly gobbling up anything from her that Iā€™ve not read yet. Which is how I came across this outstanding story.

The Demon’s in the Details

by Meghan Maslow was previously published in the Fables Retold Anthology, which I somehow missed.

Now rereleased as a stand-alone story, itā€™s fairytale storylines, outstanding characters and great location of Baltimore all combines into one fantasy to remember.

Honestly, basing this in Baltimore? Epic idea! From all the memorable historic locations in and around Baltimore that get used, beautifully I might add, in this story and plots, you have the authorā€™s use of Raven shifters and a major character with the name of Poe.

Edgar Allen Poe , the author and poet is synonymous with Baltimore and heā€™s buried there. To locate a clan of Raven shifters there? Perfection! And have as one of its main characters a Raven shifter in need whoā€™s also a theft? Genius!

The demon Tommy is such a well developed character and has so many well defined layers to his personality that it was marvelous watching the tiny reveals. Almost as fascinating and wonderful as it was watching the dance of attraction/passions play out between Poe and Tommy while all the other clan and territorial drama ignites around them.

Maslow doesnā€™t shortchange any character here, all get plenty of attention to detail and admirable depth to each. So much that we learn to anticipate and enjoy each one as we see them and their interactions with our couple. Whether itā€™s Carter or Kennedy or Lucy, one of the twins. Itā€™s more, pls, of everyone, well, except Ethan. That stepfather was pure evil.

I really do need a sequel here. Need to know what happens to certain other characters and how the roost is doing. Even how a certain crow is enjoying his new digsā€¦.

Maslow made these beings come alive and Baltimore, itā€™s history and plain weirdness, never came across better.

What a grand story, what fantastic beings, how I love this!

And highly recommend it!

Synopsis:Can a sexy demon really spin straw into gold?

Poe Dupin, raven shifter and thief extraordinaire, is in trouble with a capital ā€˜T.ā€™ Not only did he get his wing caught in the cookie jar during his latest heist, but his loser stepdad, the alpha, seems determined to run their roost into the ground. And Baltimore is many things, but forgiving is not on the list.

When his stepdad puts the roost in peril, Poe sees no choice but to bargain with Charm Cityā€™s only demon, Tommy Tittoti. Rumors are that Tommy eats the souls of those foolish enough to try. Three strikes and youā€™re out. But really, Poe wasnā€™t using his soul anyway. And if it saves his roost? Worth it.

Tommy isnā€™t what Poe expects. Demonā€”huge, horned, hairy, and scary, right? Nope. Blond, gorgeous, with a bubble butt, and a lilting drawl that beckons Poe to come play. Total hookup-app fantasy material. Even if he is a murder twink.

Poeā€™s no angel, but Tommy . . . well heā€™s more devil than demon. Yet, Poe just canā€™t seem to keep his feathers out of the fire. As one bargain turns into two, and then a third tragedy strikes the ravens, Poe finds himself falling for a guy who may very literally be the death of him. Or maybe the flames will burn them both.

The Demonā€™s in the Details is a fast-paced, roller coaster of a romance with a guaranteed HEA and lots of steam. Shenanigans include: a gold object that is definitely not a ring, a best friend whoā€™s trigger-happy, and a demon whoā€™s got a few surprises up his, uh, sleeve.

**Previously published in the Fables Retold Anthology. ~60,000 words. No new content has been added

Stores

A MelanieM Release Day Review: THE TAKEDOWN (Superpowered Love #8) by Katey Hawthorne

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

 

Jody Aguirre’s family was kidnapped and tortured by witch hunters. After a few days of captivity, he’s all that’s left. Using his frosty awakened superpowers, Jody manages to escape and is rescued from the side of the road by Bren Faulkner’s stretch Town Car. Bren, a hot-thermal awakened with government connections, promises to help find the witch hunters who destroyed Jody’s life.

While navigating his trauma and pain, Jody comes to rely on Bren for more than just food, his house, and his superpowered connections. Brendan is all that reminds Jody what’s left to live for, and a strong advocate for justice vs. vengeance, like the proverbial knight in shining armor he is. As their affection for one another deepens and their attraction becomes impossible to deny, Bren wonders if acting on their feelings would be taking advantage. Jody, meanwhile, struggles to claw his way back to something like normality, knowing that Bren’s part of the solution, not the problem.

But none of it matters, if they don’t take down those witch hunters.

I Ā have loved Katey Hawthorne’s Superpowered Love series from the very first story Equilibrium (Superpowered Love #1) where the author introduced her superpowered humans called “the awakened”, each having a different elemental power (fire, water, electricity, etc.). Ā Unknown to the general human population, they are hunted by a faction called witch hunters and protected by an Awakened Force working with the FBI. Ā The Takedown is an emotionally intense story, dealing as it does with an horrific event in one young man’s life. Ā  Ā Happy, getting ready to graduate from college, Jody’s life goes to hell in one gruesome, nightmarish day.

While we aren’t there for the actual event where Jody’s father is killed, and he and his mother are kidnapped, we are for Jody’s harrowing escape. Ā Hawthorne jumps us into Jody’s plight and into his head, on the run, scared, doped up and in shock. Ā We stay that way for some time, along with Jody. Ā Even when picked up by Bren Faulkner, the trauma Jody has suffered has had consequences far past the physical ones he’s suffered. I’m talking the mental and emotional ones, PTSD, acute anxiety and more. Ā All this is treated here within the story as it should be for someone who has undergone such an atrocity. Plus it’s still going on as all the members responsible are still at large. Ā Thus the title, The Takedown. Ā For Jody is determined to bring down those who destroyed his family at all costs, even if it’s himself. Ā Something Bren is not ok with for reasons obvious and veiled.

We get Jody, we really do. Ā We can understand his need for revenge and the compulsion to narrow his life down to just the hunt. Ā Then there’s Bren Faulkner.

Bren Faulkner is a special character, one with many surprises for both the reader and Jody. Ā Bren has his own reasons for staying away from any romantic complications involving Jody no matter how hard it may be getting. Ā I loved the part where Bren turns out to be hot-thermal to Jody’s cold, a delicious touch. He’s also older than Jody, which gives Jody a strong support when he needs it the most. Ā Bren has as many layers and doubts about his role in Jody’s life as Jody does. Ā How that is worked out is something not to be resolved until the end, which I thought was smart indeed. Ā Too much else going on in between these two and around them for anything else to feel authentic and believable.

I loved the actual takedown part! Ā If I could “fist bump” the author and yell “hell yes” I would have. Ā It was suspenseful and Jody got his answers. Ā Perfect.

If you haven’t started the Superpowered Love series, I suppose you could read this story, but you would be lacking some necessary background information I find important to the novel. Ā Far better to start at the beginning and working your way through (don’t miss Riot Boy or Losing Better…love them)! Ā I recommend them all, including the free reads!

Cover Artist: PL Nunn does another splendid job with the cover.

Sales Links: Ā Loose Id and Amazon,

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 189 pages
Expected publication: June 6th 2017 by Loose Id LLC
ASINB071W9TVQW
SeriesSuperpowered Love #8

Coffee Sip and Book Break: Everything Anise by Natalie-Nicole Bates (excerpt and giveaway)

EverythingAnise1400

Everything Anise by Natalie-Nicole Bates
Release Date: October 7, 2015

Publisher: Torquere Press
Cover Artist: Kris Norris

Buy the book: Torquere Press

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Blurb

A Victorian-era vampire living in the modern world, Emigh Bennettā€™s favorite activity is watching people from the window of her little bookshop. When she spots a woman nearly killed on the street outside her shop, she rushes to her rescue, and she meets Anise.

The proprietress of a little home business called ā€œEverything Anise,ā€ Anise crafts one-of-a-kind perfumes all with a touch of her namesake spice, all with the power to intoxicate and delight the senses. She is smart, sexy, beautiful, and happens to be a little bit different.

Although Anise is everything Emigh could ever ask for and more, she canā€™t quite figure her out. Anise possesses the duality of an innocent angel and a vivacious vixen. Even if Emigh can ever peel away the multi layers of Anise to uncover the truth beneath, what will happen when she finally reveals the truth about herself?

Pages or Words: 16,200 words
Categories: Lesbian Romance, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Excerpt

For the first time inā€¦hell, it must be years, Emighā€™s life felt bright and vibrant. Meeting Anise was the dawning of a new day. The lift sheā€™d needed for so long.
She dared to pick up the phone that first night and call Anise. To hear that special kind of something in her voice as they spoke. To talk about everything and anythingā€¦well, not everything. She didnā€™t broach the subject of her sexualityā€”maybe not hers, but Aniseā€™s. As a matter of fact, Anise mentioned neither male nor female friends.
Anise spoke of her passion for crafting corsets and perfume. She loved to bake. She was estranged from her family. They didnā€™t understand that she didnā€™t want to work a boring nine-to-five job, train into the city, train home again at night, exhausted. They thought she was wasting her life away, and because she wouldnā€™t come around to their strict way of thinking and living, she walked away from them.
Emigh admired her spunk and dedication. Smart, sweet, articulate, and she made her laugh, which was a tough thing to do. Anise was definitely a rare breed of woman.
But how long could it last?
She couldnā€™t tell Anise she was a vampire, let alone that she would never die.
Vampire.
How she hated the word! But until someone came up with a better one, she was stuck with it.
Of course, Anise would never believe her. No one did. Every once in a while some beautiful woman would come along, and their connection would be instantaneousā€¦sizzling. Emigh would find herself whispering the truth to her beloved. Inevitably, the not-so-twin flame would beat a hasty retreat, believing Emigh was crazy, or a liarā€¦or both.
Crazy and liar are never good things in a relationship.

 

RC

Meet the Author

Natalie-Nicole Bates is a book reviewer and author.
Her passions in life include books and hockey along with Victorian and Edwardian era photography and antique poison bottles. Natalie contributes her uncharacteristic love of hockey to being born in Russia.
She currently resides in the UK where she is working on her next book and adding to her collection of 19th century post-mortem photos.

Where to find the author:
Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/Natalie-Nicole
Tsu : https://www.tsu.co/NatalieNicoleBates
Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/585466478240251/
Twitter: @BatesNatalie https://twitter.com/BatesNatalie
Facebook Author Page
Blog: http://www.natalienicolebates.com
Street Team Sign Up: https://www.facebook.com/groups/441841792565396/
Amazon Author Central Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0071MP0DC `

Tour Dates & Stops:

Parker Williams, Bayou Book Junkie, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Inked Rainbow Reads, Wicked Faerieā€™s Tales and Reviews, SA McAuley, The Jena Wade, BFD Book Blog, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Up All Night, Read All Day, Molly Lolly, Charley Descoteaux, Divine Magazine, Dawnā€™s Reading Nook, SA McAuley, Velvet Panic, SJD Peterson

 

Final

Giveaway

Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: E-copy of ā€˜Everything Aniseā€™. Ā Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.
Rafflecopter Code:
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