Tag: magic

Review: Two Thousand Tears (Kings of Chaos Book 2) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 5🌈

This is exactly the type of story and series I emotionally want as a reader. I absolutely wallow in it, appreciating what Jocelynn Drake is accomplishing narratively, while also still being totally immersed in the universe and the characters storylines as they are unfolding.

If I adored the first book, Two Thousand Dreams, then my deep love for this novel is for all the beautiful creativity and passion that Drake pours into this second story.

None of these are standalone novels, but intricate layered parts of an epic that’s yet to reach its climax. It’s pulling together characters from other series that form important political and mystical factions, while simultaneously creating new characters and expanding the existing world in ways we hadn’t anticipated.

It’s ancient China, the Fae, the current human world imperiled, witchcraft, necromancy, vampires and their mates . Even the Underworld and demons play an important role here. There’s skeletons on the march with varying eras making retain a piece of their long gone personality. Such an amazing foundation for the main storylines to be threaded into.

After Blood Witch Moon Mullins and 2000 year old Chinese vampire Chen and the rest of their clan of ancient Chinese vampires found the Gate the Fae were arriving through, they arrived early to rescue their family member, Yichen, who had been kidnapped 100 years earlier and disappeared into the Fae realm.

Here Yichen reappears with the Fae Prince Rei, in tow. Their 100 year old relationship clearly has been one of pain, trauma, and more brought on by the Fae King and Queen . What they’ve done and gone through is never explicitly stated but implied. But as they work together to keep themselves safe, understanding the new implications of their status, it’s the emotional state of their shaky bond that affects them and their family the most.

Imprisonment doesn’t allow for any thought beyond that of escaping. Then it’s one more goal. But Drake starts to allow the reality of their new safety to let other possibilities open up for them. It’s a story that pulls the reader into their dynamic and won’t turn us loose. Not even at the end.

Additionally, into this found family are so many fantastic characters. A Huli and its attachment to a member of the family. The other members that are extraordinary in their powers and personality.

Including the one that is the heart of the next book and the dramatic ending here. For while they have been successful in achieving their goals at the end another shattering climax awaits them .

I will undoubtedly read this again before the next book arrives. Just for the sheer pleasure and satisfaction I received from the author’s words.

I’m highly recommending this series and novels . Pls read them in the order they are written.

The Kings of Chaos :

✓ Two Thousand Dreams #1

✓ Two Thousand Tears #2

◦ Two Thousand Blades #3 – May 24,2024

The Kings of Chaos is the third series to the Lords of Discord and Princes of Mayhem series. See both below and the order to read them in.

Lords of Discord series:

✓ Claiming Marcus

◦ Saving Rafe

◦ Waking Bel

◦ Embracing Winter

◦ Healing Aiden

◦ Visiting the Variks: A Short Story Collection

Princes of Mayhem :

✓ How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Ruined Saved My Life Disaster #1:

✓ Fun with Family Disaster #2:

✓ Pet Problems Disaster #3:

✓ Date Night Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead?”

Kings of Chaos- three books

Buy link

Two Thousand Tears (Kings of Chaos Book 2)

Blurb

He was supposed to be my enemy. Not my lover.

Yichen is free at last…sort of.

He has escaped his imprisonment, but he’s still blood bound to the crown prince of the fae.

Oh gods, how is he going to explain that to his clan?

Finding a way to break the bond might not be too hard. Killing the king of the fae even seems possible.

But there’s no way he can let go of the elf who protected him, risked everything for him for a hundred years?

Rei is the breath in his lungs, the blood in his veins, and the beat of his heart. Somehow, he has to find a way to keep him.

An elf can fall in love with a vampire, right?

Two Thousand Tears is the second novel in the Kings of Chaos series, which is a spin-off from the Lords of Discord series. This book contains a somewhat broken vampire falling in love with an elf who should be his enemy but is actually his everything, shifters, meddling witches, other non-human surprises, snark, angst, car surfing, found family, brotherly bickering, magic, chaos, pouting, vampire cuddles, and an endless love that crosses lines drawn by war.

• Publisher: (March 22, 2024)

• Publication date: March 22, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 379 pages

Review: Two Thousand Tears (Kings of Chaos Book 2) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 5🌈

This is exactly the type of story and series I emotionally want as a reader. I absolutely wallow in it, appreciating what Jocelynn Drake is accomplishing narratively, while also still being totally immersed in the universe and the characters storylines as they are unfolding.

If I adored the first book, Two Thousand Dreams, then my deep love for this novel is for all the beautiful creativity and passion that Drake pours into this second story.

None of these are standalone novels, but intricate layered parts of an epic that’s yet to reach its climax. It’s pulling together characters from other series that form important political and mystical factions, while simultaneously creating new characters and expanding the existing world in ways we hadn’t anticipated.

It’s ancient China, the Fae, the current human world imperiled, witchcraft, necromancy, vampires and their mates . Even the Underworld and demons play an important role here. There’s skeletons on the march with varying eras making retain a piece of their long gone personality. Such an amazing foundation for the main storylines to be threaded into.

After Blood Witch Moon Mullins and 2000 year old Chinese vampire Chen and the rest of their clan of ancient Chinese vampires found the Gate the Fae were arriving through, they arrived early to rescue their family member, Yichen, who had been kidnapped 100 years earlier and disappeared into the Fae realm.

Here Yichen reappears with the Fae Prince Rei, in tow. Their 100 year old relationship clearly has been one of pain, trauma, and more brought on by the Fae King and Queen . What they’ve done and gone through is never explicitly stated but implied. But as they work together to keep themselves safe, understanding the new implications of their status, it’s the emotional state of their shaky bond that affects them and their family the most.

Imprisonment doesn’t allow for any thought beyond that of escaping. Then it’s one more goal. But Drake starts to allow the reality of their new safety to let other possibilities open up for them. It’s a story that pulls the reader into their dynamic and won’t turn us loose. Not even at the end.

Additionally, into this found family are so many fantastic characters. A Huli and its attachment to a member of the family. The other members that are extraordinary in their powers and personality.

Including the one that is the heart of the next book and the dramatic ending here. For while they have been successful in achieving their goals at the end another shattering climax awaits them .

I will undoubtedly read this again before the next book arrives. Just for the sheer pleasure and satisfaction I received from the author’s words.

I’m highly recommending this series and novels . Pls read them in the order they are written.

The Kings of Chaos :

✓ Two Thousand Dreams #1

✓ Two Thousand Tears #2

◦ Two Thousand Blades #3 – May 24,2024

The Kings of Chaos is the third series to the Lords of Discord and Princes of Mayhem series. See both below and the order to read them in.

Lords of Discord series:

✓ Claiming Marcus

◦ Saving Rafe

◦ Waking Bel

◦ Embracing Winter

◦ Healing Aiden

◦ Visiting the Variks: A Short Story Collection

Princes of Mayhem :

✓ How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Ruined Saved My Life Disaster #1:

✓ Fun with Family Disaster #2:

✓ Pet Problems Disaster #3:

✓ Date Night Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead?”

Kings of Chaos- three books

Buy link

Two Thousand Tears (Kings of Chaos Book 2)

Blurb

He was supposed to be my enemy. Not my lover.

Yichen is free at last…sort of.

He has escaped his imprisonment, but he’s still blood bound to the crown prince of the fae.

Oh gods, how is he going to explain that to his clan?

Finding a way to break the bond might not be too hard. Killing the king of the fae even seems possible.

But there’s no way he can let go of the elf who protected him, risked everything for him for a hundred years?

Rei is the breath in his lungs, the blood in his veins, and the beat of his heart. Somehow, he has to find a way to keep him.

An elf can fall in love with a vampire, right?

Two Thousand Tears is the second novel in the Kings of Chaos series, which is a spin-off from the Lords of Discord series. This book contains a somewhat broken vampire falling in love with an elf who should be his enemy but is actually his everything, shifters, meddling witches, other non-human surprises, snark, angst, car surfing, found family, brotherly bickering, magic, chaos, pouting, vampire cuddles, and an endless love that crosses lines drawn by war.

• Publisher: (March 22, 2024)

• Publication date: March 22, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 379 pages

Review: Present Tense (The ABC’s of Spellcraft Book 8) by Jordan Castillo Price

Rating:5🌈

Yuri and Dixon and the rest of their family are back in this absolutely adorable, perfect short story by Jordan Castillo Price.

The ABC’s of Spellcraft is a series that just gets better with each new chapter in Yuri and Dixon’s lives. Here they are scrambling to get each other’s gifts at Christmas, with all the glorious events you might imagine, including drama and the magic!

It ends appropriately with another move forward in their relationship and a HFN. And the realization for me that this is a series for every season for the excellent writing and fabulous characters.

I’m recommending this and the series. It’s magical ride! Binge read for your pleasure!

The ABC’s of Spellcraft series:

✓ Quill Me Now #1

✓ Trouble in Taco Town #2

✓ Something Stinks at the Spa #3

✓ Dead Man’s Quill #4

✓ Last But Not Lease #5

✓ Don’t Rock The Boardwalk #6

✓ What The Frack? #7

✓ Present Tense: A Spellcraft Christmas short #8

◦ Brownie Points #9

◦ Forging Ahead #10

◦ Mayor May Not #11

◦ Bucket List #12

◦ Comic Sans #13

◦ It’s All Relative #14

Buy Link:

Present Tense: A Spellcraft Christmas Short (The ABCs of Spellcraft Book 8)

Blurb

Christmas is a festive time of year, one filled with food, family and tradition—Dixon Penn’s ideal holiday. Too bad Spellcrafters don’t celebrate Christmas.

Dixon’s parents have always been strict about their no-present rule, reluctant to entrap anyone in an “endless cycle of reciprocal obligation.”

Yuri Volnikov was not raised in the Craft, but Dixon has made sure he understands that for Spellcrafters, Christmas presents are verboten.

No gifts. None. Nada. And everyone is on the same page in regards to presents….

Or are they?

The ABCs of Spellcraft is a series filled with bad jokes and good magic, where MM Romance meets Paranormal Cozy. A perky hero, a brooding love interest, and delightfully twisty-turny stories that never end up quite where you’d expect. The books are best read in order, so be sure to start at the beginning with Quill Me Now.

This holiday short is set after What the Frack? and contains series spoilers.

Review: Dealing With Mapinguari and Dogged Engineers (The Sorcerer’s Grimoire Book 2) by AJ Sherwood

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s hard to rate exactly which of Sherwood’s many series are my favorites, but The Sorcerer’s Grimoire is, even at two books, among those I hold dear.

It’s in the universe she’s created, so recognizable and yet not, magical, imaginative and with our histories carefully bound together. It’s in the beautifully crafted, multidimensional characters she’s created and then given such emotional histories that, as readers we can’t help but attach ourselves to them, investing in their lives and stories.

Whether it’s the boys, Julian and MacMallin, and their horrific start on the streets before Adrien’s rescue or Adrien himself and his abysmal family life, there’s so many backstories to these characters. The strength and wonder of this dynamic that builds between the three of them is such a heartwarming element. The boys each develop into young men with their own unique powers and interests while gaining confidence in themselves. The same goes for Adrien and his new relationship with Hugh.

That’s Sir Hugh Quartermain, a businessman, engineer extraordinaire, and someone who’s coming to love Adrien, despite all the barriers he’s raised. And in a time and land when homosexuality isn’t legal.

The tapestry on which these relationships play out is a magical trip to Brazil to a manganese mine. There’s jungle monsters holding up the mining, killing the workers, and Hugh needs their help.

It’s everyone off to an epic adventure! The first one abroad for the boys and an old enemy and a meeting with even older friends for Adrien.

Sherwood even gives us some major drama on the home front which will lead into the next book.

I will say that I was surprised but happy to see that Adrien and Hugh were able to move forward with their relationship. I thought Sherwood was going to stretch out the romance into a really slow burn. But it makes sense given the context.

The boys are such an amazing aspect of this series. They show such growth in their personalities and interests, yet retain the same fears still that the horrors of the street instilled in them. Julian and MacMallin are truly unforgettable young men. So are their Masters, Adrien and Hugh. I need more of all four plus their dog, Darby.

I’m highly recommending this book but read the series in order to understand the universe and the relationships.

The Sorcerer’s Grimoire:

✓ A (Non) Comprehensive Guide to Sea Serpents #1

✓ Dealing With Mapinguari and Dogged Engineers #2

Buy link

Dealing With Mapinguari and Dogged Engineers (The Sorcerer’s Grimoire Book 2)

Blurb:

As Shakespeare once said, the course of true love never did run smooth.

Since parting with Adrien after their first case, Hugh Quartermain has committed himself to one fact: he wants Adrien. With the months’ long trip to Brazil ahead of them, Hugh should have no problem confessing, right?

The problem is the universe seems determined to thwart Hugh. Between creatures terrorizing his worksite, bothersome Americans, and not having any alone time with Adrien, Hugh’s foiled at every turn. When Hugh does get Adrien one-on-one, his advances always hit the wall Adrien refuses to lower, but the rare flare of desire in Adrien’s gaze motivates him to keep trying.

Come hell or highwater, Hugh will confess to Adrien. He just has to figure out how first.
Tags:

Adventures in Brazil, commence!, magical AU, friends to lovers, healthy communication, Hugh’s genius saves the day, confessions in unusual locations, apprentices being awesome, Prince Henry to the rescue, and yes he quite enjoyed that, portals, fights, and shenanigans, oh my!, monsters are always in the most inconvenient locations, romantic getaway in Thailand, oh look relationship development, pesky Americans, romantic getaway, cheeky apprentices, minor home renovations as a romantic gift, Darby is best girl.

• Publisher: (March 8, 2024)

• Publication date: March 8, 2024

• Print length: 213 pages

Review: Exiled Heir (Empty Throne Trilogy Book 1) by Kai Butler

Rating: 4.75🌈

After finishing the absolutely stunning San Amara Investigations series by Butler, I was almost hesitant to start with this because that other series set the bar so high in every aspect. There’s other factors too. San Amaro, a complex, almost labyrinthine tapestry of fantasy storytelling ended up involving ten books total, including prequels and a few adjacent/side stories. That depth of storytelling in terms of themes explored, and overall development (characters, plots, elements) that the larger story narrative gives an author versus a three book trilogy can’t be overlooked.

So while I was excited to read Exiled Heir, I was apprehensive about approaching a narrative that wasn’t going to have the time and length for the exploration and expansion I was used to from a Butler experience.

This is a first person perspective, told from the POV of werewolf Miles Castillo, who is a great emotional pathway into the deadly situation the story opens up with . Miles is a believable, damaged character who becomes even stronger as the story develops.

I’m a definite fan of a two person pov because having both characters thoughts on the events that occur and foundation of the narrative often supplies the reader with a greater sense of the world building of the story/series. But this format is certainly a familiar one to readers of Butler’s novels.

It a dire situation for Miles that opens up the story. The reader only gets a partial picture and explanation for Miles situation, how he arrived in such a state. It’s instant high drama, magical suspense, other main character introduced , and the game is on!

In a way , the reader, along with Miles, is being given the Cliff Notes version of why he is wanted, what’s happening, by Cade Bartlett, the

mage prince. The fuller details slowly emerge as they tentatively set parameters within the contract , and the strained dynamics when they enter the Bartlett Estate.

Cade is a lot to unpack. He’s a morass of emotions and magic. A tattooed mage swamped by feelings of survivor guilt, PTSD, grief, fear, trauma, anger, and dealing with a host of damaging family issues, it would have been interesting to have heard his voice but it’s also intriguing to compile a portrait of this mage from Miles’ observations alone.

I’m a bit fuzzy on the world building here, especially the mage/werewolves dynamics. That’s probably intentional. There’s an “old school “ version that’s been outlawed and a new shiny one that’s got some flaws. The entire werewolf community/werewolf aspect of this story feels like a driving force of the narrative. It’s where many of the most powerful and the mysterious plot twists emerge from.

There’s quite a lot of characters to explore as shifting pack and family loyalties set off the swiftly changing dramatic events of this novel. I love how Butler keeps the suspense high and the emotional tension between the all the characters stretched tight because of the many different storylines, hidden and known.

The mysteries continue to change in complexity , evolving with the narrative and relationships, for good and bad.

I throughly entertained and absolutely invested in these characters and this world they are fighting for. I only wish I didn’t have to wait as long for the next book to be released.

I’m highly recommending Exiled Heir (Empty Throne Trilogy Book 1) by Kai Butler . It’s going to be a fabulous trilogy as this is an amazing read. It’s up to you whether you want to read it now or wait and binge all three together. They are listed below with release dates.

The Empty Throne Trilogy:

✓ Exiled Heir #1

◦ Contested Crown #2 – Feb 26,2024

◦ Ascendant King #3 – June 17,2024

Buy Link:

Exiled Heir (The Empty Throne Trilogy)

Blurb:

Without him, I’m a dead man, but if he knew who I was, he would kill me himself.

Miles Castillo has spent his entire life running from the crime his parents committed. He’s an alpha without a pack, and a son whose very name is poisoned. When two werewolf hunters catch him, he has to choose between a man who wants his head mounted on a wall and Cade Bartlett, the mage prince who doesn’t realize who Miles is.

The icy prince has a job for Miles, one that will keep Miles’s head on his shoulders: become Prince Cade’s consort and find out who is trying to kill him.

As Miles delves deeper into Cade’s court, he begins seeing the truth beneath Cade’s chilly exterior. The more the prince trusts him, the closer he gets to seeing under Miles’s mask as well.

What will happen when Cade realizes the secret Miles holds puts both of their lives at risk?

• Publisher: (October 23, 2023)

• Publication date: October 23, 2023

• Print length: 473 pages

Review: Smoke and Mirrors (Carnival of Mysteries) by Elizabeth Silver

Rating: 2.5🌈

Smoke and Mirrors is the first book I’ve read by Elizabeth Silvers and I had quite a few issues with it, starting at the beginning.

It’s a two-person point of view narrative. The first voice the reader is introduced to sets the stage in many ways for the story to come. But Smoke and Mirrors stumbles immediately when it’s Justus, who lives on another planet with magic. He’s telling us about a magical explosion, citizens of Arcania, some Aquaspire Mountains, a town of Lumia, and how he joins the Luminere Squad. Honestly, right there, the author is losing me. I’m picturing dancing candlesticks, watery mountains, and all things Disney.

Not what Silver had in mind, obviously, but , there’s a lesson there in how not to name things if you’re creating another world. Don’t do that!

It gets progressively worse when the author delivers up the next main character. That’s Xander back on Earth. We met him as he’s bemoaning his terrible taste in men, while preparing to go on a date with someone who’s got a reputation in his office for, wait for it, treating people badly. This is “Dorian, the hottie from accounting who no one seems to like.” He will go on for pages about how he knows this won’t go well but he’s going to do it anyway.

Yes, immediately, we have a TSTL character that’s making me think this is a DNF story. At 3%. Honestly, I’ve had as much of the TSTL character in my books as I’ve had billionaires recently asking people for money. Both need to go.

Plus the author has made Xander (another quibble of mine, pls find another name) someone with dyslexia, which is not a problem by itself. Only issue with this is his dyslexia is such that Xander can’t read at all for reasons we will find out later. It’s so bad he has had to tattoo left and right on his hands as a guide. (except for he can’t read) . So what’s his job? He went into Library Science and does reference. The dyslexia is less a real problem than an element stuck on purely out of necessity for the storyline .

Spoiler: How a reader might feel about a deeply serious learning disorder being treated as merely a mild case of “oh look I’m an alien “ is up to each individual. However, I find it a tad insensitive.

Silver just doesn’t seem to have a good handle on the logical flow of her storyline. Xander goes from not reading, to no magic to THE magical power . All without much training. I won’t go into the holes the dot the narrative landscape here but it’s a veritable pothole Main Street of storytelling.

Justus and Xander are all very cute and instant love in their relationship. There’s a secondary relationship that’s one dimensional and comes out of nowhere. As do several agencies, agents, and frankly, most of the world building.

As to the Carnival of Mysteries element? Blink and you will miss it.

Even what happened to the villain was unsatisfying. He was an intelligent delusional mass murderer so,yes, let him go somewhere else . It’s not like you gave him a personality transplant. What harm could he possibly do? SMH.

Like I said, it’s choices like these that Silver makes that leave a reader confused and frustrated instead of wanting more.

No recommendation.

Even that cover is off. If that’s Xander, and I’m sure it is, he’s in his early twenties in the book. One of the few misses in a group of fabulous covers.

Carnival of Mysteries series:

✓ Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding❤️

✓ Step Right Up by L.A. Witt

✓ Magic Burning by Kaje Harper ❤️

✓ Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr

✓ Go For The Company by Ander C. Lark❤️

✓ Roustabout by Morgan Brice❤️

✓ Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell❤️

✓ Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis ❤️

✓ The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky

✓ Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver

◦ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill – September 27

◦ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore – October 4

◦ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25

Buy Link :

Smoke and Mirrors: Carnival of Mysteries

Blurb:

Two things I know for sure: Magic isn’t real and never date your coworkers.

Xander knows for a fact magic belongs solely in the realm of fiction. But fate has other plans when he finds himself reluctantly going on a date to a mysterious traveling carnival. Little does he know that this seemingly harmless outing will thrust him into an entirely different dimension, where magic is very much a reality—though its practitioners label it as science.

As Xander navigates this extraordinary new world, he finds himself accompanied by distractingly attractive government agent Justus Farhill, whose good looks and honest heart make it challenging to keep those pesky emotions in check. Their undeniable chemistry grows the more they work together, and even though he knows he should be fighting to find his way home, Xander instead finds himself with one heck of a reason to stay.

But amidst the blossoming romance, the veil of tranquility over this strange realm has begun to fracture. A cataclysmic battle decades in the making looms on the horizon, where the balance of power between science and magic threatens the very fabric of existence if the wrong side gains control.

As alliances shift and loyalties are tested, Xander finds himself questioning what’s real… and what’s really worth fighting for. With the fate of multiple dimensions at stake, both Xander and Justus must confront doubts and insecurities about themselves and where they belong.

Even if that means sacrificing everything in the end.

Smoke and Mirrors is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains a roller-coaster ride of magic, science, and heart-pounding romance—are you ready to take the plunge?

Review: Hellhounds Never Lie (Willow Lake Supernaturals, #1) by Lori Ames

Rating: 4🌈

Hellhounds Never Lie is the first in a new series, Willow Lake Supernaturals, by Lori Ames, an author I’m not really familiar with. I really enjoyed getting acquainted with her writing with Hellhounds Never Lie. It’s location is the town of

Willow Lake, a mixture of humans and supernaturals living together, albeit unknowingly by the small group of humans. It’s considered a haven for supernaturals, a safe sanctuary for all , regardless of pack or political affiliation.

Into this comes a badly wounded fire mage looking for a new home. This is Ash, whose escape from a criminal ex, and a DV and DA situation , has left him with scars inside and out. Ash is a lovely character and one easily invested in.

Ames has created an entire community of characters here to carry over from book to book. Alpha werewolf without a pack that’s part of the entire series arc, a Hellhound police captain, a cat whose supernatural identity isn’t revealed, and on it goes. So many magical hijinks afoot here, especially in the bar that’s the watering hole and gathering place for the town.

Dillon, the new Hellhound the arrives seeking Willow Lake, but ends up a misdirected at the beginning, is also a good character. He fit in well with a wounded fire mage and they have great chemistry. It makes the fated maté’s aspect easy to accept.

Some of the elements here by Ames just telegraph their intentions too easily. As in certain characters might as well have narrative red arrows above them pointing downward saying “bad guy, something wrong here”. So when at the point in the storyline they , gasp, show up as , well, bad, you’re not surprised. That’s why the ratings not higher.

But Ames is able to make a reader feel connected to the town and enough of the characters that, even with the predictable aspects of the plot and some minor characters, the enjoyment isn’t lost. Plus I’m curious about Ash’s best friend on the other side of those texts and he gets the next novel! And there is the ongoing mystery left to solve.

So I’m definitely invested in this series and author going forward. The DV/DA (off page) was handled with sensitivity and the mystery is good. I like the characters and the relationships as they develop. So onward to the next!

And a definite recommendation for this!

Willow Lake Supernaturals:

✓ Hellhounds Never Lie #1

◦ Wolves Always Bite #2 – Nov 1, 2023

Buy Link:

Hellhounds Never Lie: MM Paranormal Romance (Willow Lake Supernaturals Book 1)

Blurb:

A mage without magic. A hellhound without a home. A greedy wolf pack in the hills.

Ash is technically a fire mage, but he can’t do much. Turning his bedroom lights on and off without having to get out of bed isn’t exactly awe inspiring, not when anyone with the right gadget could clap and do the same thing.

Worse, sometimes he senses something bigger and brighter lurking under his skin, and it feels so familiar he knows it has to be his magic, but then he burps or sneezes, and the feeling passes. So it’s probably just allergies… or gas.

Yeah… Not exactly brimming with magical oomph. Not anymore.

It sucks.

But things start to change when he finds Dillon, a hellhound, being chased through the woods by an angry wolf pack. He is instantly smitten and it’s like something inside him unlocks. What’s even crazier is Dillon seems to think Ash still has magic… and now Ash isn’t sure what to believe.

What he does know is he’ll do what needs to be done to protect his friends and the little supernatural town of Willow Lake from the dirtbag wolves in the hills. Even with his magic on the fritz he can help, right? And, with Dillon at his side, what could possibly go wrong?

Tags: a hellhound looking for a home, a fire mage without magic, a talking cat, a small town full of supernatural beings, size difference (BIG hellhound, small mage), fated mates, Ash has scars inside and out, Dillon wants to hurt people who hurt Ash, Ash is always cold (hello, big fluffy pink sweaters even in summer), and a curious human BFF who knows nothing about supes but has a very active imagination.

Review: Roustabout (Carnival of Mysteries ) by Morgan Brice

Rating: 4.75🌈

Morgan Brice’s entry, Roustabout, is true to this author’s wonderful ability to weave a complex emotional story that’s a mixture of paranormal elements, mysteries, horror, the mundane, and the romantic.

The theme of a mysterious other worldly Carnival of Mysteries plays so well to this author’s strengths in terms of her characters and plots. The circus’s elements are beautifully crafted, right down to the title Roustabout who is defined as circus workers who handled materials for construction on fairgrounds.

Brice has used the circus/carnival aspects of the theme not just as the series intended but also in building a character as well defined as RJ Tucker, a psychic who’s spent years as a circus roustabout since fleeing abuse as a foster kid. Brice’s characters, one or both , are often depicted as emotionally wounded or physically scarred by their past history, carrying their trauma forward into whatever scenario the storyline might lead.

That’s certainly true for RJ, and Roustabout. Part of the mystery here is watching Bartlett Gibson, necromancer and an agent for the Tennessee Bureau of Supernatural Investigation, assigned to track the con “Ghost Boy” down , figure out who he’s dealing with and why this man is stealing from these people in a manner that feels so personal.

But Brice’s universe isn’t a mundane one, each character has a paranormal aspect to their character, so it follows that there’s an equally magical element to their storylines aside from the Carnival of Mysteries. Which in a Brice way, can indicate a darkly complex element or character to act as a catalyst or villain, as it happens in Roustabout.

This story ends up being a fabulous mixture of romance, emotional drama, mystery, police investigations and politics, paranormal characteristics , intense magical battles, and even the anguish of the realities of foster care as seen through the eyes of RJ’s memories. Brice digs deep into the circus culture so we even get the secret language, Cizarny that’s spoken within this mobile world. Such a richly crafted tale.

I love the chemistry of RJ and Bart together. They have that same energy and sense of belonging that makes them a great couple and team.

According to Morgan Brice, they appear as an established couple in her Kings of the Mountains series. So maybe this was her chance to give them an origin story. If so, how wonderful.

I’m highly recommending Roustabout. And now I’ll be off to check out that series above.

Carnival of Mysteries series:

✓ Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding❤️

✓ Step Right Up by L.A. Witt

✓ Magic Burning by Kaje Harper ❤️

✓ Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr

✓ Go For The Company by Ander C. Lark❤️

✓ Roustabout by Morgan Brice❤️

✓ Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell❤️

◦ Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis – Sept 13

◦ The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky – Sept 6

◦ Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver – September 20

◦ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill – September 27

◦ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore – October 4

◦ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25

Buy Link :

Roustabout: Carnival of Mysteries

Blurb:

A con man and a government agent walk into a carnival…

Bartlett Gibson is a necromancer and an agent for the Tennessee Bureau of Supernatural Investigation. He’s hot on the trail of RJ Tucker, a psychic con man who has eluded him at every turn and led him on a merry chase. Pursuit leads to grudging respect in their game of cat and mouse, which becomes a high-stakes game of seduction. Bart chases RJ to the Carnival of Mysteries and realizes that nothing is as it seems. A dark witch’s curse ups the ante, creating a deadline for revenge and redemption, and the clock is ticking.

Falling in love breaks all the rules. Can Bart and RJ stop the witch, break the curse, and find a way around RJ’s spot on the “most wanted” list before time runs out?

Roustabout is a fast-paced MM paranormal romance filled with supernatural suspense, snarky humor, crafty carnival workers, sarcastic ghosts, midway magic, hurt/comfort angst, adversaries-to-lovers tension, and a very happy ending!

Part of the multi-author, shared-world Carnival of Mysteries series. Can be read as a stand-alone.

Morgan Bricehttps://morganbrice.com › booksKings of the Mountain

Kings of the Mountains series:

• Roustabout

• Kings of the Mountain

• Sins of the Fathers

Review: Cast In Shadows (Shadow’s Lure Book One) by Alice Winters

Rating: 4🌈

It took me a while to get into the storyline and connect with the characters. Alice Winters is a favorite author of mine and one of her trademarks in writing is the types of high energy characters and their roles within her narrative structure. There’s always one that has a certain amount of overpowering verbal quality and quirky character. He is often the most dangerous player, impetuous, charming, chaotic, unpredictable and often quixotic.

Here he’s mysterious , murderous,and borderline abusive towards Bastian , the Caster he kidnaps. And we don’t know why. That’s potentially a big problem. Because he’s not charming enough yet to overcome that . Not at the beginning.

I’m talking about Andras, a dark magic user who can take over dead people’s bodies. A interesting element in itself because Winters is asking the reader to connect and develop feelings for an entity whose body can be deposed of. I really like this factor. And as the plot plays out, the character too.

But the chitter chatter snappy dialogue and constant murderous tone/thoughts that Winters uses in her other books and characters ,in fact , made Andras less attractive in the first part of Cast In Shadows, the storylines more dense, because the verbiage was distracting.

Especially when on the other side was a young man who was already being abused by his cult like family and domineering father. That’s Bastian, who is at the bottom rung for everyone, on both sides. Except the reader, who feels sorry for him. Bastian is an appealing figure and one who’s easily the most engaging for the reader.

Because he’s being beaten down by everyone and everything here. We emphasize with him. Constantly.

On the other hand, it’s a challenge to understand the chemistry between the Andras who’s kidnapped him and Bastian, who hates his life. Unless it’s a case of Stockholm syndrome.

Eventually, a wider plot and a mysterious revenge motivation is revealed, but not necessarily completely. This is a “tip of the iceberg “ sort of world building scenario where only bits and pieces get scattered around for the reader to gather up and process.

I’ll admit there’s some interesting and fascinating stuff here. And the hints being thrown around look towards some whoppers of future revelations. That second book should be great. But you have to read through the sometimes murky mess that’s the Cast In Shadows, especially at the beginning.

So I’m recommending this for fans of the author, the genre, and for the really interesting elements Winters has in store for the characters and series.

Shadow’s Lure:

✓ Cast In Shadows #1

◦ Casting Light #2 – Sept 19, 2023

Buy Link:

Cast in Shadows (Shadow’s Lure Book 1)

Blurb:

Andras

When the light-magic users known as Casters took everything from me, I vowed to make them pay.

Little did I know the perfect opportunity would show up in the form of a sweet Caster the moment I took his arrow to the heart… literally. Bastian knows that I’m made of dark magic, the very thing he’s been taught to destroy. But instead of turning away from me, he takes a chance on me, leading me behind the walls of the group out to kill me.

Bastian makes me remember that there’s more to life than revenge—although I can’t help but love the look he gives me when I cause chaos. But what I don’t realize is there’s someone who’s been watching me, someone only Bastian can help me fight.

Bastian

How is it that a man wielding dark magic is the only one who can save me?

Even though Andras goes against everything I fight for, I can’t stop myself from drawing him into my life.

What’s worse is that it’s clear he wants something from the Casters, but when he makes me laugh and feel like I’m living for the first time in my life, it’s impossible to turn him away.

When I find myself caught in a web of lies between those I trusted and those I feared, I realize the only one I can rely on is the one person who’s forbidden.

Cast in Shadows contains an antihero with no filter and a strange obsession with chili, a “pet” who sleeps through all the excitement, and possibly the least romantic movie date ever.

Review: Hex and the City (Stolen Hearts Book 1) by Nazri Noor

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Hex and the City starts off a new series, Stolen Hearts, by Nazri Noor, and I’m happy to share that’s it’s a very exciting start indeed.

The beginning was a titch rocky for me as I’m not a fan of the insufferably vain ,so self-indulgently awesome as to be stupid , main character. Especially when that’s the first voice the reader “hears” as they drop into the narrative.

But that quickly turns into something else, a more layered reality when a second main character and different perspective is added. Then we see that the first character’s voice and projection isn’t exactly what the reality is.

And that changes everything.

Leon Alcantara or Witch Boy as he’s called, is a finder. He’s the last of his line. A bruho, a male witch. But he’s constantly on the run, barely making it, moving from place to place. Hardly the careless happy image he’s projecting at the beginning of the story. He may be good looking but he’s seriously not the strongest , successful player in town and he knows it. And we soon see exactly where Leon stands by looking at him through the eyes of another finder.

That’s Maximilian Drake. A mysterious man of wealth who still lives as a finder, he sees the ragged clothes Leon wears and will come to hear Leon’s history of subsistence and endurance.

Noor completely brings us into the universe he’s creating, slowly leaving us bits of knowledge about the world, its structure, and the struggles within. We get the criminal families, and the Masques, a strange enigmatic group of magical law enforcement agents wearing their own masks that cover magical crimes. One of which is the basis of the story here.

The author creates a fascinating story around a semi-lawful culture of Spiders, a group of beings that accumulate wealth of knowledge of ,well, everything, and the finders they send out for things. A hunt that brings Max and Leon together with huge complications. The more the hunt goes wrong, the more creative and layered the characters and plot becomes as the author expands on the history, relationships, and world building.

It goes on to explore what the characters relationship might turn into, what mysteries their backgrounds hold, and the layers Noor is still working into the series. All of which are very compelling.

The second book, Elixir of Strife, will be released soon. I can’t wait. I’m highly recommending you begin your Stolen Hearts journey with Hex and the City. It’s a great beginning to what looks to be a fabulous tale!

Stolen Hearts:

✓ Hex and the City #1

◦ Elixir of Strife #2 – July 28,2023

◦ All Out of Flux #3 -Sept 29,2023

Buy Link:

Hex and the City (Stolen Hearts Book 1)

Description:

Leon Alcantara is a real son of a witch.

The last in a proud line of witches, he’s come to test his small magic in the big city. Stealing enchanted artifacts pays the rent, but the competition is fierce. And handsome. And great at magic, too.

But Maximilian Drake and his dark, brooding glances are the least of Leon’s problems. A chain of anomalies surges through the city, strange distortions in reality that threaten both Dos Lunas and its people.

Suspected by the arcane authorities, Leon is forced to work with his nemesis to clear his name. But Max is so secretive over his shrouded past. Can he even be trusted? Leon must decide before the anomalies destroy the city — and his entire life.