Tag: magic

Review: Prince and Bodyguard (Perilous Courts Book 4) by Tavia Lark

Rating: 5🌈

In one sweet, moving, and foreboding scene from the Prologue, Lark manages to set her characters and simultaneously break our hearts even before the present day story begins.

It’s a succinct , heartbreaking sentence and we’re pulled in and completely crushed emotionally.

I’ve been a huge fan of Lark’s Perilous Courts series since I read the amazing Prince and Assassin book with it’s haunting, damaged character of Whisper, one of the famed Kennel hound assassins who ends up with a Prince of the intriguing Silaise Kingdom, Julien. It was my favorite book, until now. Mostly because of the Kennel Hounds aspect and the character of Whisper who has managed to remain such a strong, complicated character throughout the series.

Stories one through three centered around the three Princes, their magical abilities, and the power structure of their matriarchal Kingdom of Silaise.

Now Lark switches focus to a new realm but one that’s had a huge impact on the other stories and kingdoms. That’s Draskora, an island Kingdom that’s incredibly powerful, incredibly wealthy and with a magical ability for weather. But more importantly, it’s has two things no one else has and everyone else wants. Scalestone, a purple stone that is mined and dragons that need Scalestone. The kingdom that has one, controls the other.

Its people are also known for their purple colored eyes (see Whisper), an effect that comes from the Scalestone. A harsh, cruel place that is mirrored by its rulers, King Imrik, his bloodmage wife, and his three sons, two of whom are adopted through coercion treaties with neighboring kingdoms forced to give up their sons. The other a natural son considered spoiled if a bit unstable.

Prince and Bodyguard starts the Draskoran three son arc.

This is the story of how Vana Kaiskara Tellik of the Kingdom of Kaiskara became Vana Dire, adopted son of Imrik, wielder of storm powers, along with his bloodguard Daromir Azri.

It’s got everything. Magic, dragons, political schisms within the ruling family, layers of pain and damage to the characters and unbelievable chemistry to the dynamics between Vana and Daromir.

The author continues to weave her world arc threads into the ongoing drama, here bringing back characters from prior novels as well as elements such as the Kennel Hounds, and Fellrin fellcats, which will help set up the next novel.

It’s a series that is playing out like a huge board game but we can’t yet see all the pieces. I’m sure Fellrin or Kaiskara is coming,knowledge of each of those places have been very interesting but limited.

And the prize or prizes at stake are Scalestone and dragons which will see that whoever has them has the power or potential to control what the other kingdoms are able to do logistically, monetarily and influentially.

But as rich as this is in details, as layered in cultural fabrication and depth of imagination, it beats at its center a heart that’s guaranteed to make you weep more than once , and then want to shout for joy.

It’s that fabulous a story and a journey for two men over time.

Yes, definitely my favorite. And one I’m highly recommending, along with this incredible series. But it has to be read in order to understand the complex character relationships, the situations and story development.

Perilous Courts:

🔷Prince and Assassin #1❤️

🔷Prince in Disguise #2

🔷Prince and Pawn #3

🔷Prince and Bodyguard #4 ❤️

🔷Prince and Betrothed #5 – Oct 31,2023

🔷Prince of Agony #6 – Feb 29,2024

Buy Link:

Prince and Bodyguard (Perilous Courts Book 4)

Description:

Vana Dire can’t show weakness if he wants to survive the Draskoran court. The only man he can be vulnerable with is Daromir—Vana’s magic-bound bodyguard. The binding lets them share each other’s pain, and Vana depends on Daromir’s comfort as much as his services as a guard. Vana could never risk their friendship.

Even if he craves far more than Daromir’s loyalty.

Daromir Azri sees a side of Vana nobody else sees. Behind closed doors, the cold, elegant prince is kindhearted. Vulnerable. He needs Daromir. If Daromir’s devotion sometimes feels like something else? Daromir must be mistaken. His duty comes first, and he’ll do anything to protect Vana—including one thing he’s never done before:

He’s keeping a secret.

Then their magic bond changes, and suddenly Vana and Daromir don’t just share pain anymore. Each shared sensation pushes their friendship to the breaking point, just when Vana and Daromir need each other most. They’re facing a mysterious ambassador, a chaos-stirring prince, the consequences of past schemes—

And an assassin seeking Vana’s life.

Prince and Bodyguard is a gay fantasy romance with pining, hurt/comfort, and codependent cuddling. The Perilous Courts series is best read in order, and Prince and Bodyguard begins a new three-book arc about the princes of Draskora.

Review: Guarding Axel (Dark Forest Pack #3) by Annabelle Jacobs

Rating: 3.5🌈

Guarding Axel is the penultimate book in Jacobs’ Dark Forest Park series, so the series arc themes, which are plentiful, need to start coming together.

Axel Molhieth, a tormented Fae with full of secrets and a dark past has been a great source of mystery and interest for me and I think most people. Especially when it comes to the complicated relationship he has with the wolf shifter Talis.

Best friends until the enemy captures Axel , Talis, and others with a toxic Fae plant . The fallout from that traumatic event, destroys their close relationship, and sets the pack to guarding Axel against an old betrayer from his past.

I was looking forward to this story because of the hot chemistry between the were Talis and the Fae Axel but something happened and along the way, it dissipated under the weight of Axel’s overly complicated “secret “ and inability to trust within the storyline.

While Talis remains the tormented soul, denied his bond by Axel, by circumstances, hurt by the close proximity of Axel, Talis is the strongest character in the story. The most compelling.

That’s partly the reason why the story doesn’t work out as well. Both main characters need to balance out each other and, for me at least, they don’t.

Jacobs builds up this enormous amount of narrative suspense and anticipatory anguish around a secret that Axel’s been holding onto. It’s the one keeping him from having a relationship with Talis, why he’s causing so much drama and damage within the pack structure, so it should be something so earth shattering, so emotionally and physically traumatizing to makeup for all the harm the reader sees him causing for us to make sense of it all.

It’s one his cousin knows about. Btw.

But when it’s revealed, I kept waiting for the rest of the reveal. Thinking surely there’s more. There wasn’t.

And when his own cousin and the mate of the Alpha both tell Axel , the equivalent of “snap out of it” because you know better, this has been going on for too long, then either the secret wasn’t written well enough or this element was executed in a way that made Axel a character I just couldn’t connect with.

There’s far too many loose ends. I’m sure Jacobs will pick them up in the next book. But this just didn’t have the same feeling as the previous stories, at least as far as the main couple. I didn’t feel like Axel had a great relationship with either the pack or Talis, given his actions and inability to understand how they impacted those around him.

Usually Annabelle Jacobs does a great job explaining the dynamics behind those decisions and how the character comes back into balance. Here I never thought that happened.

I’m looking forward to Loving Jake, the series finale. And to seeing how everything plays out.

Dark Forest Pack series:

🔷Claiming Rys #1

🔷Redeeming Nick #2

🔷Guarding Axel #3

🔷Loving Jake #4 – Sept 28, 2023

Buy Link:

Guarding Axel (Dark Forest Pack Book 3)

Description:

A silver-haired fae with a shattered heart—a green-eyed shifter with enough love to heal him.

Axel

Burnt by a past betrayal, I’ve learnt the hard way to keep my heart locked up tight. As tempting as Talis is, all I can offer is friendship, because trusting someone again is a risk I can’t take. Love means sharing the true nature of my magic, and the last time I did that it almost cost me my life.

Talis

I want what every shifter wants.

A mate, a partner. Someone I can call mine.

Axel Molhieth, beautiful and free-spirited, makes it crystal clear that isn’t him. Will never be him.

I know it’ll end badly for me, but I want him anyway.

One night is all it takes to ruin their friendship, and avoidance is the easy way out. But when Axel’s past catches up with him, putting his life in danger, they’re forced to finally face the consequences of their night together.

Guarding Axel is an MM paranormal romance featuring a protective shifter desperate for love, and a beautiful fae afraid to trust. Full of magic, suspense, and sizzling UST, with a guaranteed HEA.

Review: A Mage’s Guide to Wicky (R’iyah Family Archives: Volume #3) by A.J. Sherwood

Rating: 4.75🌈

Scattered, wacky, Wicky, adorable perfection!

What happens when a magical seeking spell won’t leave Wicky alone? Well, as much as his curiosity is killing him, Wicky knows this time , he needs to call in his team and found family to find answers.

With Bel, Nico, and Garan involved, Wicky’s team are going to find out who is magically stalking their wonderful, flighty friend. And the reason why.

This is such a fabulous story. It flies by on wings of combined cultural magic and values, soars with the joy of discovery, of finding one’s true purpose and path, with characters infused with humor, intelligence, love, and sheer outrageousness.

Sun , Wicky’s soulmate, is amazing, and I look forward to seeing how a wind elemental will fit into the team. Plus the journey into parts of Thailand, along with the food made my mouth water.

Each aspect of the story contained some great elements that made you want to linger a bit longer. And still hurry forward towards the next stop . Incredible.

You giggle, you smack your head, laugh, and keep on appreciating the world that Sherwood has created that has such fantastic characters within it.

My only quibble? I wanted more.

Who wouldn’t?

And now Mobius decides to speak?

Pls we need more. More adventures of the team as they adjust to the new status quo.

I’m highly excited for that story to arrive. And recommend this until it does!

R’iyah Family Archives:

✓ A Mage’s Guide to Human Familiars #1

✓ A Mage’s Guide to Aussie Terrors #2

✓ A Mage’s Guide to Wicky #3

Buy Link:

A Mage’s Guide to Wicky (R’iyah Family Archives: Volume Book 3)

Description:

Wicky’s never been magically stalked before.

He kinda likes it, to be honest.

For some reason, it’s upsetting everyone else though. Maybe he should figure out who it is?

Ooooo, maybe his fated one is on the other end! In…Thailand?

Tags:

Wicky use your brain challenge: Failed, author has lost discretion in this, Wicky is in Thailand, pray for Thailand, the trio is along for the ride, fated mates, Thai magic, don’t mind the author I’m just over here building a ship, Sun is the younger of the two but he’s also resigned to being the responsible one, chosen family, Mobius talks, in Thai, Wicky feels so betrayed, look this is pure romantic crack, Sun is cute that’s all you need to know

Review: Endurance: The Triad Series: Book Two by Cari Z

Rating: 4.75🌈

With Endurance, Cari Z’s Trilogy, The Triad, just overcame the second book hurdle and became stronger and more moving a story.

Changing her format here, the author divides the book into three sections, one for each of her main characters and members of the polyamorous relationship. This arrangement where each man receives an equal amount of narrative time with the reader allows her to explore each personality so much more in depth than previously seen.

The story has moved forward, the men now in a loving polygamous relationship but only two of them , Princes Symon and Petur, legally married, the third , Deyvid, the ex Harrior warrior bodyguard being seen by others outside the triad as a hidden lover.

The stakes facing them are high as the Harriors, Deyvid’s former Head of Clan , are coming for all the other Kingdoms, using assassins, betrayal, and political attacks. Including one killer very close to Deyvid.

Petur’s nephew Prince Arven’s wedding, an alliance necessity, into a Kingdom whose culture doesn’t welcome or respect shifters or same sex relationships is adding unbelievable stress . Especially as attacks happen that seem to try to prevent them from getting there for the marriage.

And Symon is getting sick , and thinks it’s his mother’s debilitating curse attacking him.

The author handles all these important issues so well, letting us see how the untold stress , the unrelenting pressure is impacting each man and their relationship. From the attacks on each other and their bonds, to the expectations that they think they must live up to, their own responsibilities, their obligations, and the new revelations each event seems to throw at them, we get to see how, well or or how badly each man tries to deal with the fluctuating reality of their situations.

In Alliance, Symon and Deyvid were clear favorites. Petur had less narrative page time, so we really didn’t see him clearly as a man, ruler, or true member of this polyamorous group.

But in Endurance, Petur becomes seen, an equal partner, a man who’s capable of showing both his strengths and admitting his weaknesses and fears. And there’s plenty to be fearful of in this book. All his beloveds are being threatened. His very marriage and family are at risk. We see his foundation being shaken. And not just his.

As we go from man to man, threat to threat, deep fears and the anguish of loss permeates the entire storyline.

Symon and Deyvid have strong compelling stories of their own here that intertwine with all the complex plotting of their other mate, Petur’s.

The end is both a cliffhanger and a heartbreaker. It makes us quickly yearn for the finale to come, Dominion.

I highly recommend this story, but it’s one that must be read in order for the characters, their relationships, the the complicated plot developments to make sense.

This is just beautifully done all the way, in every aspect. I hope she keeps the new format as it has really captured her characters fully and made the author’s imagination and plot soar!

Triad Series:

✓ Alliance #1

✓ Endurance #2

◦ Dominion #3 – June 13, 2023

Buy Link:

Endurance: The Triad Series: Book Two

Description:

Three royal lovers, one goal: to make an alliance with their neighboring kingdom before war takes away their chance for peace.

Now that Symon is happily married to his husband Petur and in love with Petur’s longtime lover Deyvid, things should be easier…right? Not with the Harrier clans of the north stirring up trouble. Tasked with escorting Petur’s nephew Arven to his wedding in neighboring Mersaighe, Symon hopes that things will go smoothly.

He ought to know better.

Not only are they heading into a nation where shifters like Petur are distrusted, Petur and his nephew fight constantly, an assassin is still trying to kill Deyvid, and Symon is hiding a secret of his own…one that could mean his days of happiness are numbered before a family curse drives him insane.

With enemies to lovers, graphic violence, snarky humor, and explicit sexual content, Endurance is a polyamorous M/M/M fantasy that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Review: Alliance: The Triad Series: Book One by Cari Z

Rating: 4. 25🌈

Alliance is a new polyamorous M/M/M fantasy from author Cari Z, the first in a series.

I enjoyed the book and my introduction to all three main characters, Symon Parador (mage and reluctant groom), queen’s brother, Prince Petur (shifter with multiple shapes, also reluctant groom ), and Deyvid, a warrior/bodyguard who’s been made null to all magic (and who happens to be Petur’s not so hidden love for years).

Cari Z weaves the three person POV between these characters, starting with my favorite, Symon. It’s he who gets the shocking news he’s immediately to be married to Petur, then the equally unpleasant element that Petur’s got a long time love . Nothing says Symon will be happy or welcome in his new life.

Symon becomes, through his deep, passionate and empathetic spirit that the author has created for him, a person we connect to. His journey to his new life with the Prince’s guards lets the reader and guards form a foundation of knowledge of him that makes Symon a great favorite here.

I only wish that I had more of a glimpse of how Symon looks as a whole, beyond his eyes, jewelry, piercings and great magical abilities. We get individual snapshots but never a whole picture. That’s frustrating. Clothes? Hair? Everything that would help flesh out the man and culture he came from.

Oddly, it’s Deyvid, the warrior who’s also the long time love of Petur that’s next in powerful character embodiment. Deyvid’s a character who is second in coming across as being the most fully formed. We see him. From his figure to his face which always carries a faint aroma of a stain , we can see him. His background and personality feels the most layered next to Symon’s, his personality the more complex, and his personal back story is certainly full of angst, deception, betrayal, and damage.

I have the weirdest feeling that the author just loves writing him because the chemistry Cari Z creates for him , starts with Symon, and then Petur. But it’s Deyvid who’s the glue here of the triad.

Finally there’s Prince Petur. He’s not a character who has a great appeal to begin with. There’s little interaction with others, what we see is quick, sexy moments with Deyvid, and solo moments of intense concentration on his own inner plans and suspicions. When we do see him meet up with Symon, someone we’ve come to love, it reflects poorly on Petur.

Of the three, he’s the weakest link. The one with the least amount of information offered to the reader, the lack of background on the shifter species he belongs to is frustrating, as is the world building here as a whole.

I hope that the next story, Endurance, will build out on the universe so lightly framed out here.

Also on the monarchy and kingdoms that have their political roots at the heart of the arc espionage’s threats. That too was not fully established.

Alliance: The Triad Series: Book One by Cari Z is an entertaining fantasy novel. I felt the triad romance was unbalanced towards two of the men who had most of the narrative time , most of the chemistry, and frankly, were my favorites. Prince Petur wasn’t given the same page time as the others so when he espoused that he now loved Symon, it wasn’t believable. It didn’t have the necessary time to become real.

If you want a fantasy with enemies to lovers romance with a triad of three interesting characters, and ongoing mysteries, this is a good place to start.

A recommended read!

The Triad Series:

Alliance #1

Endurance #2

Buy Link:

Alliance: The Triad Series: Book One

Description:

One wedding. Two grooms. Three lovers, preparing to fight for themselves, and their kingdoms.

Symon Parador is a prince in name only until the day he’s bartered away to the neighboring kingdom, to marry their queen’s brother, Petur. A mage in a nation full of shifters who distrust his magic is bad enough, but even worse is the fact that Petur is already as good as married—to an assassin from the north named Deyvid, who’s immune to all magic.

He doesn’t expect to love either of them, but Deyvid’s surprising kindness is too addictive to run from, and even Petur’s ferocity is lightened by his sly sense of humor. Sy could see himself falling for them…if any of them survive the sudden onslaught of attacks against the royal family.

Entwined in a dangerous game of survival, love, and loyalty, the cost of saving his lovers may be Sy’s own life.

Alliance is a polyamorous M/M/M fantasy with enemies to lovers, graphic violence, snarky humor, and explicit sexual content.

Review: Soul Bound by Cari Z

Rating: 4.25🌈

Soul Bound is a moving fantasy tale, a short story that just begs for a sequel because of the intriguing universe and fascinating characters.

Two desperate men, each in need of a magical solution to a horrible fate. They meet on the road to enter The Marvel, where the person chooses to undergo a series of trials to earn the right to a prize of their asking. However, the chances of being awarded the right to enter are limited and even less are those who survive The Marvel and exit to win the prize.

Cari Z’s story drew me in for many reasons. She did a wonderful job creating a world where magic had gone, or was disappearing. What was left was a world of the mundane, the suffering, poor people, the powerful and the rich. We understood the characters, especially that of the warrior Caz. A scarred mercenary hiring himself out to help where needed, how he became cursed immediately puts us on his side. As does his actions every day. He’s a good hearted man, weary of being a warrior.

The other one wishing to enter The Marvel is a courtesan, Lias. Lias is traveling with a tiny bird companion on the way to the Marvel when they meet. His history is revealed slowly through out the story and conversations with Cas.

Of the two characters, for me , even when important details are revealed about their lives and reasons for the need Marvel trails, Cas remains the more sympathetic personality. I can see clearly how Cari Z’s story will play out, although not the minutiae.

But she’s such an empathetic writer, that, even knowing how it will most likely proceed, I’m still invested in the characters, their emotional state, and their relationships.

I like the world, the people and want them to succeed.

Was I ever fully on board with Lias? Probably not. Was I still satisfied with the ending? Yes. Sometimes that’s the way it happens.

I’m recommending Soul Bound by Cari Z for its sympathetic characters, moving scenes, emotional depth , and fascinating themes.

Check it out!

Love the cover.

Buy Link :

Soul Boundby Cari Z

Magic has faded out of everyday life. Only in the darkest corners of the world, or the richest coffers, does the power of magic endure.

Everyone says it’s for the best.

When rogue magic lashes out, though, there’s only one place the afflicted can go to solve their problems—the Marvel.

Whoever is chosen to enter the Marvel has to endure a trial unlike any other—a trial that most people fail, leaving their hopes and their bones behind to feed the wild magic of the place.

When two people are chosen, soul bound, to endure the trial simultaneously…well, either the gods have a sense of humor or the magic is angling for a feast. Can warrior Caz and courtesan Lias, men with wildly different magical problems, survive the trials if they work together?

Or will the magic feed on two souls instead of one?

Review: Murder Without Magic (Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery Book 3) by Ripley Hayes

Rating: 4.75🌈

Murder Without Magic is a stellar story. Third in Ripley Hayes’ Tuder and Stewart Cosy Mystery series, it’s one that is so much more than its 169 pages numerically would have you believe.

Within a plot to find out who murdered the person in the garden next door to their new home, Hayes’ story encompasses a newly established relationship that deepens through adversity, personal differences over things held basic to Lorne like magic and ghosts, emotional doubts , and abiding love.

Yes , there’s a ghost. Our favorite horse from Abergwyn makes a hugely important contribution, as does Uncle Wint.

The mysteries, multiple, are poignant, terrifying , and fascinating. Hayes’ narrative lays out this element so well that it’s easy to get involved in the process of discovery. Ade, our detective from Abergwyn, is also part of the supporting cast.

But the heart is our couple, Peter and Lorne. Having a new home, establishing themselves in place where they don’t know anyone, a new dream job for Peter with all its stresses, a dream kitchen for Lorne. Only to have everything start to come apart.

That personal struggle to grow together as a couple while solving the mysteries is what makes me love this story, this series and author so.

The people have flaws, they don’t always react well, but because they do love each other, they eventually find a way to make it work and get the culprits.

I think this might be the final book in the series. Hope not. But if it is, I’m happy to see them off in their new kitchen and place by the sea.

Highly recommend this entire series. Read them in the order they are written.

Also don’t miss the recipe for Lorne’s Emergency Refrigerator Cake at the end! It’s a winner!

Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery series:

✓ No Accident at Abergwyn #1

✓ No Friends at Abergwyn #2

✓ Murder Without Magic #3

Buy Link:

Murder Without Magic: Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery 3 (Tudor and Stewart Abergwyn Mysteries)

Description:

Peter and Lorne have taken the plunge: moved in together in a little house by the sea.

Peter has his dream job, and Lorne has his dream kitchen, and so what if things go bump in the night next door? they can ignore it. The ghost with a violent streak isn’t so easy to ignore. Nor is the dead body in next door’s garden.

Much against their better judgement, and the advice of their friends, Peter and Lorne are dragged kicking and screaming into another investigation.

Only two questions remain: do the bad guys have any idea how hard it will be to to defeat Peter and Lorne, and second, has Peter finally started to believe in magic?

Review: The Elemental Ruins (Circle the Square Book 2) by Sam Burns

Rating: 5🌈

Ten out of ten. Happily recommend. Isn’t that how it’s done? Although for me that not nearly enough for this outstanding work by Sam Burns.

“The magic filled every cell of my body to bursting, and the scorching, white-hot pressure made me want to scream. Born a fire mage, I’d never been burned before. I could jump into a bonfire naked, and it wouldn’t even feel overly warm.

For the first time in twenty-five years, I truly understood what it meant to burn.”

So begins , The Elemental Ruins, the second book of Circle The Square’s two – story arc, a tale that involves no less than the dark magic, twisted murderous family histories and labyrinthine secrets, and four brothers whose fates and bonds will save two worlds.

Burns’ first novel was set on Earth on the day it was about to die, the birthday of Blaze Keys, water mage, twin brother to fire mage (and criminal king), River Keyes.

A fabulously detailed, exciting, adventure filled story, it ended on a cliffhanger. Which this book starts out on.

There’s no way to go into the specifics of this intricately written, fabulously woven, adrenaline rush of a story. The characters are beautifully achieved in terms of their personalities and backgrounds, they have great storylines, and each is memorable in their own right, from the main characters to the supporting cast that have just scenes scattered throughout. They are solid and purposeful.

While I wish we could have spent more time throughout the world here to see how it differs from Earth, if any, what we do get is fascinating, so much so I hope Burns revisits this universe in the future.

The drama, the action, the downright white knuckle suspense? Amazingly well written. Especially racing towards the conclusion, where there’s fast action, shocking moments, and a great ending that awaits!

I love these characters, their journey to each other’s hearts, the race to save the Kingdom and the people. I wanted to linger to get to know them better. Especially the ones who had such an impact in such defining scenes. Grandmother, I’m looking at you.

So to the people left on Earth, there’s a chemistry and appeal to them that’s lasting. Crossover anyone?

Until that occurs, I’m highly recommending Circle The Square two book series. They must be read in order. What an absolute joy! Read them now. Then read them again, savoring the journey.

Circle the Square- 2 books

✓ The Elemental Keyes Book 1

✓ The Elemental Ruins Book 2

Buy Link:

The Elemental Ruins (Circle the Square Book 2)

Description:

This blurb contains spoilers for book one, so proceed with caution!


What do you do the day after the world doesn’t end?

If you’re River Keyes (yeah, me), you try to figure out how you’re going to live without the internet. Because we might have kept two worlds from being destroyed, but now I’m trapped in a place with no electricity, no takeout, and no phoning home.

Worse, it’s a world where my absent father is not just present, but in power, and even more of a jerk than I remember.

At least if I’ve got to be trapped away from home, there’s Lasya Zarani, hot elven general and best eye-candy ever. Once he decides whether he wants to cut me to ribbons or take me to bed, things might get interesting.

But that’s only if my father doesn’t kill one or both of us first.

The Elemental Ruins is the second of two books featuring travel between two very different worlds, a snarky criminal trapped far from home, the angry elven general he’s lusting after, his terrible father, and a few surprises along the way. It concludes the story begun in The Elemental Keyes with happily ever afters all around.

Review: Dead Man’s Quill (The ABC’s of Spellcraft Book 4) by Jordan Castillo Price

Rating: 4.75🌈:

Finally, finally, Dixon and Yuri catch up to the missing Uncle Fonzo! In a story that will finish Uncle Fonzo’s arc and start the couple off on a new adventure, Dead Man’s Quill picks up where the last book ended, with a surprise phone call from Uncle Fonzo!

Dixon and Yuri have been in pursuit of Uncle Fonzo since they uncovered the events that led to Dixon’s failed exam, and their family’s poor financial situation. That it all started with Uncle Fonzo and his disappearance.

Since then they’ve been chasing him from town to town but never catching him. Now mysteriously, Uncle Fonzo wants to meet up.

Price gives Fonzo , Dixon, and Yuri a whopping great yarn of a tale here and it needs to be for all the themes involved. Fonzo has betrayed the Handed, he caused Dixon to fail his exam with all the damage that followed, no matter that he was tricked, he knew better. So there’s much to make amends for. And Dixon has never been able to admit exactly how angry he is at the one man who he has thought of as his father, and who betrayed him. He’s ignored those emotions and the thoughts behind them. And for Yuri, there’s a barrel of issues that Fonzo represents, a reason not to trust, a family member not to accept, and more.

All that wrapped up in a magical, somewhat darkish story of redemption, remuneration, and family. It’s a fabulous story, even better when you know how short it is.

Love those twins too. One slight thing, vulture feathers don’t a plume make. I should know. Straight and stiff as can be. Nothing plummy about them.

Other than that, perfect.

I’m highly recommending this and the series as far as I’ve read. It’s fantastic! 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:

Dead Man’s Quill (The ABCs of Spellcraft Book 4)

Description:

It’s all fun and games until someone loses a hand.

Dixon has been dying to introduce Yuri to Uncle Fonzo, the Hand of his family, and now he’ll finally get that chance. All they need to do is meet him at a traveling carnival with an unused piece of Spellcraft.

Easy peasy, right?

Not even a little. And even worse, they might encounter a clown.

Uncle Fonzo has left a trail of magical destruction in his wake, but he claims he’s been helping people. Spellcrafters are a slippery bunch, and it’s hard to say if he’s stretching the truth or telling an outright lie. One thing’s for sure, he’s between a rock and a hard place now, and if he doesn’t deliver an outrageous ransom to Strange Manor by midnight, all deals are off.

From a lackluster carnival with a booby-trapped tour bus to the decrepit mausoleum behind an old mental asylum, the Spellcraft leads Dixon and Yuri on a goose chase that’s not only wild…but deadly.

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.

Review: No Friends At Abergwyn (Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery Book 2) by Ripley Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

No Friends At Abergwyn is the second story in the Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery trilogy and it’s even better than the first.

Ripley Hayes dives into the background of the magical baker who lives in a field, Lorne Stewart. Peter Tudor, the nurse who’d left his A&E job in the city to come home to care for his disabled mother, has found himself at odds with his life in Abergwyn. While he’s fond of his hometown, his mother has ample support, a boyfriend, and no real need for him. And his skills aren’t being used in his current job. Only in his new relationship with Lorne can he be said to be happy. With questions.

Does Peter believe in magic?

Hayes builds a story strong on mysteries, full of questions both personal and those that involve the mystical. All threaded so neatly together that it feels completely natural.

With the ancient oaks, the sea, Enzo the horse and Charlie the dog, both of which seem perfectly capable of communicating with the humans they adore, and magic that makes itself a real presence. These are storylines that pull the reader in , through murders, through personal experiences, drama and joy!

The characters are sympathetic, easy to empathize with, interesting and layered.

The third book should be the most interesting in that it’s removed from Abergwyn. That was a character all it’s own.

Now onto the last one of the trilogy.

I’m highly recommending this and the one prior. Great characters and elements. I love a terrific cosy. Here you have two!

Loving those covers!

Note: don’t miss out on the recipes at the end!

Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery series:

✓ No Accident at Abergwyn #1

✓ No Friends at Abergwyn #2

◦ Murder Without Magic #

Buy Link:

No Friends at Abergwyn: Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery 2 (Tudor and Stewart Abergwyn Mysteries)

Description:

Lorne’s past has caught up with him in the shape of a mini-convoy of camper vans, and a mysterious book of his mother’s recipes. Which turns out to be magic. Of course it does.

Peter knows there is no such thing as magic, but he’s falling hard for Lorne and trying to keep an open mind.It’s harder to be open-minded abut the camper van people, who just sit around drinking tea and eating Lorne’s cakes. Then one of them turns up dead, and Lorne is arrested for the killing — by Peter’s schoolboy-crush-turned-policeman.

With his mother and Dave-next-door all loved-up, his old job calling him back, and tarot cards at every turn, the last thing Peter needs is a murder to investigate. But that’s life: what happens when you’d planned something else.

No Friends at Abergwyn is the second book in the Tudor and Stewart gay cozy mystery series from bestselling author Ripley Hayes.