Review: Dragon Blood Curse (Emperor’s Assassin Book 4) by Kai Butler

Rating: 4.5🌈

Dragon Blood Curse was an exciting, immersive experience all around, as Butler’s penultimate story brings more mythical characters and magical regions into play with this fantasy action adventure.

Prince Airón and King Tallu have multiple schemes at work and not all are going according to their intended intentions. With their enemies bringing larger powers and armies against them, Airón and Tallu race to find a cure for the deadly curse that affects both brothers. And their own council falls into chaos and loyalties are divided as the enemy attacks.

It’s high politics, subterfuge, magical terrorists, and wars between enemies being waged across their borders and territories, and everything and everyone suffering.

Of course, there’s a prophecy or two, sacrifices that figures mightily in the coming novel, angst and some really great layering of information and people (look to the North) that just ups the stakes here.

No spoilers but this just grabs the reader from start to finish. For me, the relationship between Airón and Tallu is the least compelling element here. So many other great aspects of the series and story to focus on.

Great job. And I love the Spider. Awesome.

Cover by Hannah Latham at oexasart Lettering by Laura at Covers by Aura

Emperor’s Assassin (5 book series)

Betrothed to the Emperor #1

Emperor’s Wrath #2

Shadow Throne King #3

Dragon Blood Curse #4

Crown of Ash #5 – Oct 26,2026

Buy link

Dragon Blood Curse (Emperor’s Assassin Book 4)

Blurb

The generals that once served Emperor Tallu now pursue us across the continent. General Bemishu and Kacha have made their move and we find ourselves trapped by the role Tallu has been playing his entire life. As we search for allies, the rules of imperial politics force Tallu to act more and more like his deranged father.

Still, we have a hint of hope: somewhere in the dangerous Tavornai swamps, another animalia spins her webs and rearranges fate to her own desires. Can she change ours?

We have one chance to save our lives, one hope at a future that we both so desperately want. With new allies and old nemeses, we have to risk our lives to create a world for our love.

March 16, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

362 pages

Book 4 of 5

Emperor’s Assassin

Review: The Hitman’s Guide to Stately Fences and Killer Defenses (The Hitman’s Guide Book 8) by Alice Winters

Rating: 4.75🌈

The Hitman’s Guide to Stately Fences and Killer Defenses is the eighth book in the suspense filled , violent, and often hilarious series by Alice Winters.

It’s followed the tumultuous path that Leland “The Sandman”, a lonely contract hitman, finds himself on when he meets an equally lonely PI named Jackson who’s caught on a backyard fence while on a job. Book after book, they find themselves together, working through deep issues (and criminal investigations) towards a complex relationship. One that brings them a strange wonderful future of odd mixture of friends, found family, scary happenings and hilariously funny stories. It’s found them engaged then happily married, with dogs and an illegally adopted teenage son.

Book eight brings in all the many characters from their multiple stories when Waylon, 15 yr old illegally adopted son of Jackson and Leland, is threatened along with his new best friend.

Who is behind the newest danger to Leland and Jackson’s family and life is one of the best elements of this story. There’s so much to it. It’s all the various characters, their partners coming to help. And a new police officer who’s highly suspicious of Leland and his past to add additional tension and drama to the already established growing suspense and anxiety about the situation.

Winters has written a fantastic novel. It’s a fast paced, white knuckle roller coaster narrative ride that keeps the reader on the edge of the seat. With her dialogue that has elements of pain, hilarity and life’s deepest realities. Guns, dogs, friends , love and family. Maybe blow up dolls. And a car. And now a cat.

And with those final reminiscences from Jackson as he watches his “boys” walking ahead, if this is where Winters leaves them, I’m happy.

There’s no indication that this is the finale but somehow it feels like it. While there’s a few things where the author could return to this universe to open up a new chapter, that last sentence feels like a closing scene.

I’m good with that. They are in a wonderful place.

A great story in a highly recommended series.

Cover by Natasha Snow Designs

The Hitman’s Guide series:

The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love

The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes

The Hitman’s Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot

The Former Assassin’s Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend

The Hitman’s Guide to Righting Wrongs While Causing Mayhem

The Hitman’s Guide to Codenames and Ill-Gotten Gains

The Mercenary’s Guide to Mishaps and Romance

The Hitman’s Guide to Stately Fences and Killer Defenses #8

Buy link

Book 8 of 8: The Hitman’s Guide

Blurb

Leland

Life is normal… suspiciously normal.

During my long, lonely years as a hitman, I never realized that one day, I would have a family to call my own.

Now, instead of stalking my targets and taking down people with a flick of my wrist, my specialties lie in things like planning sleepovers (why does Waylon look terrified?), The Fence hour (those are screams of joy), and involving others to help our child succeed (no, of course I didn’t abduct anyone).

But for a guy like me, things can’t stay good for too long. Someone seems to think that I should still be the ruthless hitman I used to be. They want to draw me back into the limelight and prove to me that what I’m living now is a lie.

But they don’t realize how much they’re going to regret meeting the Sandman–especially once they threatened my family.

Jackson

This person seems to be obsessed with an image of Leland from the past, and because of it, we now have a crime boss on our tail and a bounty on Leland’s head. The stalker has no idea that Leland comes with multiple ex-assassins, a sketchy Scotsman, and the chief of police who likes to pretend he doesn’t want to be involved.

I adore my life with Leland just the way it is (someone, please burn down The Fence), and no one is going to ruin that (I will pay well).

They’d better be afraid to sleep because the Sandman is coming (and if they took down The Fence while they were at it, I wouldn’t mind).

January 20, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

355 pages

Book 8 of 8

The Hitman’s Guide

Check out the latest release, All You Need is Love“ by Meg Macy (tour and excerpt)

Meg Macy has a new MM romance book out, Love is Love book one: All You Need is Love.

Longtime friends Jack Riley and Juliette (aka Jules) Baxter are now partners in a new breakfast café, but they are surprised to be confronted by a wave of homophobia in a town known for its inclusive and diverse LGBTQA+ community.

Their romantic lives are just as uncertain. Jack, a gay former actor and fashion model, has failed at committed relationships due to his unsavory past – until he meets Reese Baxter, his partner’s handsome, closeted cousin.

Jules juggles several polyamorous relationships due to major trust issues, until she’s drawn to an intriguing artist. However his jealousy of her bestie Jack is getting out of hand. Is the vandalism against their café from conservative hate groups, or is it a focused personal attack?

Warnings: past trauma; past SA; homophobia; vandalism

In the Love Is Love series, three LGBTQA+ contemporary romantic suspense novels explore past hurts, healing, and the vulnerability of gay love and acceptance. Friendship, trust, courage, and resilience unite to combat fear and homophobia in reshaping lives and communities.

Universal Buy Link | QueeRomance Ink | Goodreads

Excerpt

Jack glances at the clock. Forty-five minutes to go before closing. His anxiety deflates like a balloon after a needle prick. At Jules’s squeal of delight, Jack turns to see a tall, handsome man enter the café. He’s in a bespoke three-piece navy suit with dark hair and deep blue eyes. The guy avoids his curious gaze and smiles when Jules runs over to greet him with a hug.

“Hey, Reese. I hoped you’d come in!”

Hmm, the guy looks familiar. Jack figures he’s another Baxter when Jules calls him “cousin.” After cashing out more customers and answering questions, Jack empties the donation bucket again. He better count all this and announce the amount they raised after closing time. Jack checks his watch, the first responder Casio G-Shock that Drew always wore—fifteen minutes left. Most customers have departed. Ed has the kitchen under control, so he heads to the office.

He sorts through the bills, ones, fives, and tens. Someone threw in a fifty, whoa. But he’s disappointed at the total amount. Jack hoped for more, but it’s early days for an idea that some people like Paul Baxter think is foolish.

Jules peeks her head through the door. “Hey, Anna locked the door. My cousin is curious how much money we raised for veterans.”

“Meh. Enough to start the program, at least,” Jack says.

“Come on, let’s tell everyone!”

She drags him back out front, where a few soiled dishes are left at tables or booths. While Anna checks out the register, Keisha and Jack bus the tables. He breathes a sigh of relief, since that lack of sleep is taking its toll. Reese Baxter lingers near the front counter. He looks in his late twenties, sporting a five o’clock shadow in mid-afternoon. Not baby-faced like him. Jack hates that at twenty-four, he can’t grow a mustache or much of a beard even after a few months.

He’s only got a few scattered hairs on his chest, too. Damn.

Reese observes everything happening around him, quiet and still, from a stool at the far end. Cool and collected, but damned hot with that strong chin and those gorgeous blue eyes. His suit looks crisp, his white sleeves cuffed with gold links. Reese wears an expensive Cartier watch, too. And Italian loafers.

Jack knows that brand since he has a similar pair in his closet upstairs. He pushes his reading glasses on top of his head, stretches his back and arms, and exhales a deep breath. Jules looks ready to burst. She grabs a few more bills out of the bucket.

“Don’t forget to add these to the count.”

Anna and Keisha both use their fists to hammer out a drumroll on the counter. “So what’s the total from the donation bucket?” Jules asks. “Stop stalling. Tell us!”

“Two-hundred and forty, plus that extra three bucks.” Jack slides an arm around her and Keisha to form an impromptu line dance. “Not great, but we got time yet to collect more. Come on, kick a little.”

“Yeah, let’s do A Chorus Line,” she says with a giggle.

Keisha doubles over with laughter, her knot braids swinging. “Ain’t no way I’ma try that. Beyoncé’s moves, though, I can do.”

“I bet Jack could be a dancer in one of her videos, and he’s just as pretty,” Jules teases. “I’ve got a picture to prove he looks great in makeup and fishnet stockings.”

Jack sticks out his tongue. “Thought you trashed that photo.”

“Hey, Juli? Come here,” Reese says, beckoning.

“You dressed in drag for a party, Jack?” Keisha asks him. Anna crowds closer as well. “Come on, let’s see.”

“Jules took that photo and never sent—”

They all stop at her loud shriek. “Hey, everyone! My cousin Reese more than doubled the money donated today for veterans’ free breakfasts,” she says, waving a check and jumping up and down. “Now the fund has over five-hundred dollars. Fabulous!”

Jack stares at her cousin in shock. “Whoa. I oughta kiss you for that.”

Reese raises an eyebrow. “Never kissed a guy before.”

His deadpan tone is a tempting challenge. On impulse, Jack grabs him by his tie and tugs him down, one hand behind his head, then kisses his soft mouth. Startled by the guy’s woodsy scent, the intense shiver down his spine, and his quickening heartbeat, the feeling that everything surrounding them disappears, Jack backs away. Clears his throat nervously, given the sparking tension between them. Uh-oh. He’s been punched in the nose before after an unexpected kiss.

Jack grins, hoping Reese doesn’t lash out. “Can’t say that no more, huh?”

The guy flushes scarlet, matching his own flaming cheeks. Odd that Jules’s cousin doesn’t speak in turn. Jack scrubs damp palms on his jeans. Damn, that kiss was fantastic. Too brief as well, but he isn’t about to push his luck.

Author Bio

National bestselling author Meg Macy is a reader first and foremost. She’s always found comfort, adventure, and connection in books—which might explain why she now writes stories that offer all three. Best known for her Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery series (Kensington), several Christmas romance novellas with rescue pets, and as one-half of D.E. Ireland, the Agatha Award-nominated duo behind the Eliza Doolittle and Professor Higgins mysteries, Meg has long embraced the cozy end of fiction.

Now, she’s rewriting the rules with a new direction: LGBTQA+ romantic suspense —queer characters in a cozy setting, with spice, intrigue, and plenty of emotional payoff. M/M or polyamory, traditional or trailblazing, her stories are comfort reads with a twist.

Unique? Yep. Meg loves breaking the rules.
She lives with her writing companion, Mr. Whiskers the cat, and prefers pages to parties any day.

Author Website: https://www.megmacy.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/authormegmacy/

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/MegMacyAuthor

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meg.macy.author/

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15751255.Meg_Macy

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/meg-macy/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Meg-Macy/author/B01N3KTK1N

Review: The Snow Yeti’s Grouchy Werewolf (Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala Book 3) by Michele Notaro

Rating: 3🌈

The Snow Yeti’s Grouchy Werewolf (Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala Book 3) by Michele Notaro is a perfect example why I’m finding it hard to continue reading this series. I enjoyed the first book but it’s gotten more difficult to stay connected with each new release.

The Tales From Gauhala series is a crossover from the Brinnswick series and is deeply rooted in the universe. It’s characters and their relationships are intertwining with each other’s relationships in each other stories, so it’s often hard to remember these complex family dynamics. Thousand year old mates claiming hundreds (or more, I can’t keep track) of children and their children’s children lend towards a seriously over populated universe.

Yes, many outlying characters from other the series show up here in ways that add nothing to the plot. They are just references for the reader. Look, so and so, the ancient powerful mages are here. I’m not that invested in them here. That’s part of the issue as I see it.

The story, about fated mates werewolf Dain, and shy Yeti Avalanche “Lanche” has its own issues. The characters are cute. But the author has included a dramatic storyline that’s seems underwhelming, or not well written. After all the work going into the suspense of the climax and drama behind the villain, there’s a huge letdown and considerable lack of foundation laid down for this aspect of the story. Makes little sense because there’s no solid narrative behind it.

That whole icicle thing itself was problematic.

Every other element feels hastily assembled. Let’s give the Yeti family cute names and throw them together in an ice palace. Ok, but where’s the natural history? Any real grounding? Absent.

When a reader is distracted from the story, even the smallest detail or aspect in a scene can make the reader look again at the story a different way.

Example:

“I didn’t blame him for it. It wasn’t his fault that the people under him who were supposed to carry out his will had been lying to him for so long.”

Talking about the King here who while grieving, abdicated all responsibility for his Kingdom and ruling to those below him, not checking for decades, to see what monstrous things were going on. Up in his tower, while horrifying acts and events were being carried out in his name.

Whose responsibility? It’s his. The fault is his.

Something even the author isn’t saying. SMH.

So this clearly isn’t the book for me. Cute . But too many things I find problematic.

If you’re a fan, I’m sure you’ll like it.

Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala :

The Witch’s Grumpy Dragon #1

The Vampire’s Delicious Fae #2

The Snow Yeti’s Grouchy Werewolf #3

The Dragon’s Devoted Defender #4-March 17,2026

Buy link

Book 3 of 4: Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala

Blurb

Being shy sucks. Being shy and having a crush sucks even more. But I can’t get the grouchy werewolf out of my head, so I need to do something… as long as it doesn’t include talking…

Step One: Leave my crush a gift. Check.

Step Two: Wait for him to open it. Check.

Step Three: Try to convince him we’re meant to be. Ugh, I definitely have my work cut out for me.

Dain caught my attention the moment I walked into the bookstore. Tall. Broody. Growly in that definitely-a-werewolf way. The more time I spend near him, the more certain I become of one impossible truth:

He’s my viramore. My soulmate.

Too bad I can barely string two words together in his presence.

When I finally tell him about our connection, he doesn’t believe me. But he does agree to a date. Hopefully I can turn one date into two, then three, and then maybe, just maybe, he’ll see that I’m right. We’re viramores, and no matter what trouble comes our way, nothing will change that.

The Snow Yeti’s Grouchy Werewolf is Book 3 in Brinnswick: Tales From Gauhala, an MM urban fantasy romance filled with grumpy/sweet energy, fated mates, gentle humor, and cozy found-family vibes. The series follows a new couple in each book with a guaranteed HEA. It takes place in the Brinnswick world, but you don’t need to read the other series first, although there will be familiar faces along the w

Review: Dragons Don’t Eat Meat: A Dark & Humorous Urban Fantasy (Valkyrie Bestiary Book 1) by Kim McDougall

Rating: 3.5⭐️

“The Flood Wars have come and gone, leaving a world at the mercy of magic. Kyra Greene is an exiled Valkyrie who finds her place in Montreal Ward as a pest controller of extraordinary creatures. She already has an apartment full of rescues, including a basilisk who thinks he’s a turkey, a banshee nanny, and a pygmy kraken. She might take care of them, but they also fill her need for family. And when that family is threatened, she’ll risk everything to save them.”

I picked this book up because I really enjoyed Kim McDougall’s The Knack series and her female characters in particular. That series was my first time reading this author and I thought to explore other books as well.

Unfortunately, I found that Dragons Don’t Eat Meat, the first book in the completed 9-book Valkyrie Bestiary series isn’t going to be nearly as interesting or entertaining as I hoped.

Written four years earlier, it has many elements and aspects of the story that I found engaging. But ultimately it comes down to the main character of this series itself that I find the least enjoyable.

First to the positive aspects. The exotic animals in her Bestiary, including Ollie, the baby dragon. While not exploring much of the dragon’s history or much of any of the other creatures in her care, they remain an important and engaging part of her life and story. Which unfortunately, comes with a negative side in the narrative as well. Another plus is Jacoby, a dervish. His plight, and need for a home made me connect to the story and situation in a way that Kyra never did.

The gargoyles, are introduced as though they were a bigger part of some previous story. So it feels like the reader is missing something, key information. Especially as one, Henry Mason a gargoyle she had a brief kiss with, doesn’t seem very layered as a character or have much chemistry with Kyra.

Things that I found needing further clarification or better explanation or just something.

Plot points or holes. Her shop which is also her home, and the home for her creatures and banshee? Not warded or alarmed. A huge question mark considering a dramatic event that occurs in the story that causes minor character deaths. FYI. That’s absolutely illogical.

One villain is easily spotted, at least by the reader. Does anyone in this story think that maybe that person is acting strangely. Yes. Do the main characters continue on course. Why yes. SMH. Keep in mind the fact that the main characters are immortal or immortal somethings.

To short it up, my last big issue is with Kyra.

She’s a Valkyrie. With an amazing soul eater sword. Powerful weapon, powerful woman. Right?

Except for the fact that McDougall has written her as an apologist. I’m so sorry for my actions. I’m so sorry for my sword’s actions. I wish I wasn’t a Valkyrie. I wish. Well, you know.

Everything I’m so over in seeing in a woman character. Haven’t women characters stopped apologizing enough. For what and who they are? This is supposed to be comedic fantasy fiction but I see nothing funny about this.

I may try to read one more book in the series to see if it gets better. But usually once it starts out with this kind of characterization it continues on in this vein.

Luckily, The Knack is different. Read that series. That’s my recommendation.

Published by Wrongtree Press.

Cover and book design by Castelane, Cover art by Pamela Francescut.

Valkyrie Bestiary (9 book series):

Dragons Don’t Eat Meat #1

Buy link

Book 1 of 9: Valkyrie Bestiary

Blurb

One lost baby dragon. One fae pest controller. And a city on the brink of civil war.

Kyra Greene is a sucker for a vulnerable critter. The exiled Valkyrie turned pest controller shares her chaotic home with a banshee roommate, a pygmy kraken, and a basilisk who thinks he’s a turkey. But when she rescues a baby dragon that swallowed a dangerous artifact, she’s stuck working with a mysterious gargoyle who kissed her a year ago and then ghosted.

With a rogue fae prince after the relic stuck in the dragon’s belly, Kyra and her irritating companion venture into the magical and lawless Inbetween to find the dragon’s elders. And as attraction brews and enemies converge, she fears they might not make it out alive without triggering a supernatural civil war.

Can she reunite the lost dragon with his thunder and save her quirky family of magic creatures? Or will Montreal fall to chaos and monsters?

Dragons Don’t Eat Meat is the laugh-out-loud first book in the now complete Valkyrie Bestiary urban fantasy series. If you like feisty female leads, smart snark, found-family fantasy, and romance that’s just right, then you’ll love Kim McDougall’s action-packed adventure.

Dive into a world of magic and fantastic beasts—buy Dragons Don’t Eat Meat today and start your adventure!

WrongTree Press

Publication date

August 15, 2020

Language

‎English

Print length

288 pages

Book 1 of 9

Valkyrie Bestiary

Review: The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) (Carry A Faerie #2) by Michele Notaro

Rating: 4🌈

The second novel in Michele Notaro’s Carry A Faerie series, The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) is an entertaining tale , one jammed packed with emotional drama of the group of characters as well as their multiple personal storylines.

There’s sub plots which have a series mystery element associated with abducted fantasy creatures. A big storyline that’s building is one that features the younger characters of mages Aeson and Chaos, now working at a local museum. Their story is prominent here in, not just because they require the help of Miles (Empath) and Winter (Null) to take care of another pixie infestation but as we can see, they aren’t doing as well personally since we saw them last.

Miles and Win’s relationship moves forward in several ways, including the reveal of their own histories.

But most interesting, a third POV is added to the mix at the end of the story.

The characters of the young mages and the fantasy animals/familiars are fantastic. Detailed, engaging and engaging. Their circumstances are such that the reader is immediately empathetic to their story.

Which is why another aspect of this book is bothering me. Hard to go into details without spoilers but for the author to go down this route so early in the series (and having set up the situation to go bad considering the characters involved), makes me wonder why and what Notaro’s thoughts were. Especially given the sensitivity of the storyline.

This series seems to veer from comedic scenarios to extremely complex emotional dark scenes and histories. And I’m not sure it’s giving enough context and depth to the latter. And this talented author is more than capable of doing so. See her series, The Magi Accounts.

I’m recommending this story. It’s cute, shows lots of potential and has great characters.

It will be a year before the next book is released. I’ll be looking forward to it.

Carry A Faerie (3 book series):

Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! #1

The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) #2

Gremlins, Goblins, And… What Is THAT? #3 – November 5,2026

Buy link

Book 2 of 3: Carry A Faerie

Blurb

Am I afraid of gnomes? Maaaaaaaybe.

Did I take on a huge gnome job anyway? I sure did.

Am I about to ask my crush for help?

Well, I have to ask someone, right?

I get called out to a huge mansion with the biggest number of invading gnomes I’ve ever seen, and I’m not sure who to call to help. And I definitely need some help.

So when Winter Montgomery just so happens to stop by, I know I have to ask him. I’ve been crushing on the handsome guy from afar for years, so now’s my chance to get close—and get some much needed support.

As long as I don’t let him see just how much I hate gnomes—okay, I’m actually terrified of them, but he doesn’t need to know that… right?

Did It Really Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie Book 1) is a MM urban fantasy and the first book in Miles and Winter’s love story. Each book will have its own supernatural problem with a HFN ending for the couple, but there will be overarching plot themes throughout the series

Publication date

July 31, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

296 pages

Book 1 of 3

Carry A Faerie

Review: Enticing the Elf (Elf Magic #2) by Louisa Masters

Rating: 4.5🌈

The second book in Masters’ Elf Magic series, Enticing the Elf was a romantic joyride, a comedic urban fantasy journey of love. That’s a phrase I’m sure those bros would appreciate!

This is Dáithí and Eoin’s story, characters we’ve grown to love and appreciate throughout this series and stories from the Hidden Species universe. It’s a couple that have been seeing each other, so no insta-love but realistic obstacles and struggles that they face that are keeping them from a committed relationship.

Immediately I like the story better than the first. The groundwork is there, the characters are well defined, and Masters’ plot hilariously allows for many of our favorite characters to shine in supporting roles to bring Dáithí and Eoin to their HEA.

It’s got comedy, romance, realistic relationship discussions and heartwarming moments. And bunnies!

Plus we get a setup for the next book and couple to watch for.

Dáithí and Eoin turn out to be #relationshipgoals. What a happy ending and fabulous story.

Highly recommended.

Cover Photo: Wander Aguiar

Model: Ryan

Cover Design: Booksmith Design

Elf Magic:

Wooing the Elf #1

Enticing the Elf #2

Buy link

Enticing the Elf (Elf Magic Book 2)

Blurb

There’s nothing I want more than a life with him… but my past is the world’s worst wingman.

For a big chunk of my life, I expected to die along with the rest of my species. Nobody thought we’d make it, and I did my best to live in the now and enjoy every second of precious life.

Now that’s coming back to bite me in the ass.

Because the impossible happened, and we got our second chance. A safe home. A tomorrow worth planning for. And a future I want to spend with Dáithí.

He’s amazing—sassy, clever, the kind of guy who can cut you down with one eyebrow and still make you laugh. We’ve known each other a long time, and convincing him to date me was one of the best wins of my long life. Convincing him to be my boyfriend? That’s a fight I might not win.

Because the reputation I earned when I was living life to the fullest has stuck, and Dáithí’s convinced I’m only in this for a good time, not a long time. He’s protecting his heart from future damage by keeping things casual between us… even though they’re not.

How do I prove I want him forever?

Review: Shadow Throne King (Emperor’s Assassin Book 3) by Kai Butler

Rating: 4🌈

Shadow Throne King is the third novel in Kai Butler’s Emperor’s Assassin series and I thought this is where the series would be wrapped up.

But there’s more to come and I’ll be honest, I’m struggling a bit here.

Butler has written about a complex political situation, with an equally strong layered world upon which the author made its foundation. Kingdoms at war, subtly and magically. Ice and fire, ancient blood magicians, and monstrosities abound.

And dragons as well as things that lurk in the dark.

That’s all pretty exciting. Love the ravens. And the characters are, individually, intriguing and given strong backgrounds.

Based on its elements alone, it’s a 4.5, as a series and story. Solidly crafted and executed so well that I really enjoyed it.

Especially that last section of dramatic fights and flight from the mountain. So excellent and moving. I was with those mountain badgers and their families every single step. And that song at that moment? Heartbreaking.

What I’m struggling with? And shouldn’t be is the relationship between the two main characters. I feel absolutely no connection with them. Individually yes. Together no.

I just don’t find them credible as a pair. No real chemistry between them. And Kai Butler can write chemistry like crazy. Just read Butler’s The Empty Throne Trilogy. But, at least for me, I’m not feeling it here.

I enjoy Airon, the northern assassin/Prince Consort, although at times I feel that he’s not consistent enough in his character for me here. He’s a trained assassin. Yet he doesn’t know to trust his instincts here in the story? Particularly regarding a certain character whose actions are screaming don’t trust me?

Things like that in a character and storyline just will take a reader right out of a narrative quickly. As it did me several times here.

For me, it just highlights that you can have all the “pretty things “ like great world building and details but you need to get the actual substance, the core , the relationship right for a story to feel complete. And at book three it’s not happening.

But could be that’s it’s just me. So for all the great execution of the plot and characters, 4 stars.

Cover by Hannah Latham at oexasart

Emperor’s Assassin series:

Betrothed to the Emperor #1

Emperor’s Wrath #2

Shadow Throne King #3

Dragon Blood Curse #4 – March 16,2026

Buy link

Book 3 of 4: Emperor’s Assassin

Blurb

As the Imperium crumbles beneath our feet, will I be able to keep hold of Tallu?

The imperial generals who so loyally served Tallu’s monstrous father have declared war on us and fled the capital. The enemy nation of Krustau claims to have Empress Koque and Prince Hallu, the second son of Emperor Millu. If that is true, Krustau would have claim to the Imperium’s throne.

Unable to risk the possibility that Tallu’s brother could fall into the wrong hands, Tallu and I must confront a greater threat than either of us could dream of. Will Tallu’s secrets lead to our loss or will he finally trust me with the truth he can barely whisper in the dark?

Publication date: October 27, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 394 pages
Book 3 of 4: Emperor’s Assassin

CW: Animal death (temporary), dismemberment, death.

Review: Four Bears Construction Bonus Scenes by K.M. Neuhold

Rating: 4🌈

Stories from the small town of Fall Crosse and Four Bears Construction include:

Happy Birthday Honey (Cole and Ren)

Baby Goats (Stone and Dare)

Stone and Dare’s Wedding – ditto

Christmas Butt Plug. (Everett and Watson)

Tequila Wedding (Ollie and Daniel)

GOATS LIKE CAKE TOO – Four Bears Epilogue

Each one is exactly what the author says, a short scene from the couple’s life. Cute or sexy or both. The stories are a terrific way to close out the series and say goodbye to these characters and their HEA’s.

If you love them and want to see more of their lives, this is just the thing for you.

Four Bears Construction series- 8 books

Related series:

Big Bull Mechanics series

Ink Slingers series

Review: Spellbound: An MM Paranormal Romance (Mages and Mates Book 5) by Andy Gallo

Rating: 4🌈

I’ve been fully invested in this series, following the Hollen mages as they found their mates along the mysterious path to saving the World and restoring the failing Great Ward.

But in this last novel, something has been lost. I don’t know if it’s because it’s been a while since I’ve read the series or because there’s so much “information” packed into the narrative that it’s talky as opposed to action filled, but it’s coming across as a bit dense.

We miss out on any real relationship building between mage Roderick Hollen and Phoenix Cinaed FionnLaoch because apparently they’ve known each other for decades, known they are fated mates but denied it by the Phoenix King. So when the book begins, they are an established couple but we get no chemistry and no real chance to understand the bond, unlike the other books.

The characters are just not as relatable because Gallo has so much to accomplish with his story that, pulling off the series storyline, solving the mystery and resolving the issues with the villain and the Great Ward that fleshing out the main characters gets left behind.

The dramatic climax at the end of the book is fantastic, and it’s absolutely the best thing of the story. Pulls together all the couples and the magic for a fabulous finish to the Ward and answers to the villain.

The book should have ended there because the epilogue felt unnecessary, and anticlimactic.

This was a highly entertaining and enjoyable series and that last battle went out with a fantastic bang!

If you enjoy fantasy fiction, here’s a series for you.

Mages and Mates :

Break the Spell #1

It Spells Trouble #2

Under A Spell #3

Cast A Spell #4

Spellbound #5 – finale

Buy link

Spellbound: An MM Paranormal Romance (Mages and Mates Book 5)

Blurb:

Spellbound

Roderick Hollen met his mate forty years ago. As one half of the fifth guardian pair, Rod knows their destiny is tied to the Great Ward. If it failed before the new one was created, he and his mate will die creating the replacement. There’s just one problem, Ailpein, the phoenix king, has forbidden any phoenix from mating with a mage, and used his powerful magic to enforce his will. No mate bond means no new Great Ward.

Cinaed FionnLaoch burns with frustration at his grandfather’s refusal to lift the mating prohibition. He and Rod have honored his edict for forty years, but now the consequences reach far beyond them. The Earth’s increasingly urgent warnings tell him the Ward is failing, but he’s powerless to fix it unless his grandfather relents. But when King Ailpein vanishes without a trace, he takes with him any hope of lifting the spell.

James Blackstone has spent centuries plotting his revenge against the magical world that destroyed his demon-summoning ancestors. He’s abducted King Ailpein and plans to use the phoenix king’s life force to destroy the barrier separating Hell and Earth. Killing Ailpein will also prevent the new guardians from creating a new Great Ward.

Rod and Cinaed gather the other guardians and race to save Ailpein. But even if they find him, it might already be too late. Their love has survived four decades of separation, but if they don’t reach Ailpein in time, the only way to save the world will cost them their long delayed chance at happiness– and their lives.

Spellbound is a 75K word fated mates romance with lots of magic, sacrifice and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. This is book five of the Mages and Mates series and includes a meticulous plot to destroy the world, proof that love is more powerful than hate, and one very pissed off demon prince.

This is the final book in the series. Reading the first four books is recommended before reading Spellbound.

Publication date: July 25, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 276 pages
Book 5 of 5: Mages and Mates

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Universal Buy Link | QueeRomance Ink | Goodreads

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