Review: Warlock’s Menace: Magical Usage Council Misadventures Book 1 by MJ May

Rating: 4.5🌈

MJ May is one of those authors whose books and enlarging universe get keeps getting better and more intriguing with every new addition.

First, May introduces us to the fabulous world of the Perfect Pixies, which wasn’t frankly all that wonderful but full of past trauma and a series plot of enormous horror and unimaginable violence. One that carries over subtly into the next series. We meet incredible characters and their moving stories.

Then it’s the next series.Necromancer Tales, where a character we’ve met, Erasmus Holland, the son of a human woman and one of the world’s most powerful warlock, Nikodemus Holland, gets his story told. It’s a fantastic tale of family, magical creatures, deathly powers and an unexpected path to a great loving relationship with a police detective.

And many of the fantastic characters will cross over into this series, because of the intense storylines, the interconnected plots that the author continues to weave together throughout this universe, and how each of them are part of each other’s lives now.

Warlock’s Menace starts with Nikodemus returning home from Erasmus and Franklin’s wedding. That’s his necromancer son from the series and his detective SIL. And the warlock has picked up an unexpected surprise from the wedding.

Well, not unexpected for anyone who read that last book. Because we’ve been waiting for this.

The Kitsune, Hikaru, who is a tragic character, has taken a very serious interest in Nikodemus. Why is a great element of the story and magical world.

The magic that surrounds the warlock and the usage is revealed and seen from Hikaru’s perspective, which makes him even stronger a character.

The plot, or plots are again tied to various events and other aspects of the world, this is simply one angle that will be explored by May. Its suspense filled, emotional and so well written.

I absolutely adore the way the characters were allowed to build their relationship. And bring in other characters too that Nikodemus usually isn’t well acquainted with.

It’s just another fantastic story and great start into expanding on this outstanding universe. Can’t wait to see more.

Cover design by cheriefox.

Connected Series starting with the first:

Perfect Pixie Series (5 book series)

Necromancer Tales (4 book series)

Magical Usage Council Misadventures:

Warlock’s Menace #1 -Nikodemus Holland and Hikaru

Buy link

Book 1 of 1: Magical Usage Council Misadventures

Blurb

Warlock Nikodemus Holland is a master of his craft. Arrogant, powerful, and reserved, Nikodemus is the epitome of a warlock in every way save one—his love and commitment to his necromancer son, Erasmus Boone.

Hikaru is a seven-tailed kitsune still mourning the loss of his eighth tail and the betrayal that took it from him. Crafty, mischievous, and easily bored, Hikaru needs a distraction, and he needs it now. Lucky for him, he’s found the perfect candidate in a handsome and stuffy warlock. Hikaru just knows he’ll be oh-so-good for his Niki.

Returning from his son’s wedding, Nikodemus has acquired an unwanted tagalong kitsune that he just can’t shake. Walking through his front door, Nikodemus discovers Hikaru is the least of his worries when he finds a letter from the Warlock Council informing him that they’re investigating damning allegations and threatening to bind Nikodemus’s powers if he’s found guilty.

Someone’s been tampering with Nikodemus’s charms, turning them deadly. Nikodemus has no idea what the Warlock Council’s endgame is or what it has to do with the struggling Magical Usage Council. What he does know is that he’ll be damned if he sits back and allows himself to be framed, or worse, his loved ones threatened. Oddly enough, that category has expanded to include an ornery kitsune.

If pressed too far, the Warlock Council won’t just have a livid warlock to contend with, but the unleashed fury of a smitten kitsune. Nikodemus’s enemies are about to learn the word menace isn’t always an endearing sentiment but can be a vicious threat.

Warlock’s Menace is a mm supernatural fantasy/mystery. Expect to find arrogant warlocks (some with redeeming qualities and some sadly lacking), a mischievously ornery kitsune who is confident he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to Warlock Nikodemus Holland, an off the morality rails Warlock Council, seven fox tails that don’t know the meaning of personal space, misbehaving charms, the satisfaction proper payback brings, and HEA’s.

Warlock’s Menace is the first in the Magical Usage Council Misadventures series and is meant for adult readers. Each book will concentrate on a different couple. This is a spin off of the Necromancer series. While characters from this series are mentioned and/or make occasional appearances, one does not have to have read the Necromancer series to enjoy Warlock’s Menace.

March 19, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

331 pages

Book 1 of 1

Magical Usage Council Misadventures

Review: Penny For Your Thoughts (Shadowy Solutions #5) by Nicky James

Rating: 4.75🌈

Penny For Your Thoughts is the fifth book in Nicky James fantastic series , Shadowy Solutions. It’s a series that quickly became a hit with me, surpassing the original series it’s connected with, that of Valor and Doyle. I feel parts of Valor and Doyle became repetitive, although Aslan is a huge hit with me.

But the complexity of the dynamic between Tallus Domingo and deeply damaged PI Diem Krause, each with a legacy of parental violence, family domestic abuse, and childhood trauma. But one who carries the deepest visible scars as well as the emotional traumatic memories. Ongoing pain and PTSD. That’s Diem, who has tremendous anger issues and anxieties as well as substance abuse problems.

Over the course of 5 novels, James has built up, albeit slowly and realistically, a hard won relationship between these two very different men. It’s been compelling to watch and read about as Diem fights with his demons, and both have to devise ways to make their lives work for themselves.

Even here, Diem has to make the decisions about his use of alcohol and cigarettes, even as his father and family life has the greatest impact on his life.

I’m not sure if James is finishing the series with the story or not. I would be happy if this was the finale.

It’s got a terrific storyline. All the crossover characters are here from Valor and Doyle in meaningful scenes. Aslan, Fox, Quaid, Costa and Kitty Lavender.

Then there’s Darcy Gingrick, Echo, and Baby the snake, that actually gives both Tallus and Diem as touching family, of sorts. Especially, Darcy, what an incredible element he turns out to be.

This is one of my favorites of the series. And if it’s the finale, I’m absolutely satisfied with how everyone is left at the end.

There’s an extra bonus story, The Baby Visit, linked at the end of the book. Don’t miss out on this one. Sweet bonus and intimate window into a favorite side character.

Highly recommended.

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow Designs

Same Universe:

Valor and Doyle (8 book series)

Shadowy Solutions (5 book series):

Skeletons in the Closet #1

Power of the Mind #2

Reading Between the Lines #3

A Breath of Life #4

Penny For Your Thoughts #5

Buy link

Book 5 of 5: Shadowy Solutions

Blurb

Diem never thought he would have a steady boyfriend and enough cases to keep his business in the green. He never thought his nana would live to be ninety-three.

Life is, dare he say, good?

He could do to drink less, and he still needs to quit smoking, but he’s getting there.

He’s happy.

In love.

If he could manage his stress, life might even turn out to be… great?

But then Tallus arranges dinner with his parents, where Diem faces questions about commitment and weddings and a weekend bonding trip with a stepfather he doesn’t know.

And a resident of Nana’s nursing home ends up involved in a twisted version of a grandparent scheme, so Diem agrees to investigate. The police clearly aren’t doing their job.

It’s all downhill from there.

The case somehow leads to Diem figuratively adopting the most obnoxious teenager imaginable. A boy whose troubled life reflects Diem’s past. A boy who is deeply entwined in a con far more complex than he realizes.

One misstep tips their hand. The hunter becomes the hunted. Diem and Tallus—and their unfortunate sidekick—are in a race against the clock, desperate to nail the person responsible before he skips the country… or seeks revenge.

So much for reducing stress.

Amidst the chaos, Diem finds himself bonding with his petulant rescue-teen. Diem is nobody’s role model, but the boy’s incessant questions open Diem’s mind and heart to things he never thought possible.

Things that make him think that maybe life could be… amazing.

*This is the fifth installment in the Shadowy Solution series. It is a same-couple mystery series with mental health rep, size difference, and a sassy vs surly dynamic. The series should be read in order for full enjoyment*

March 26, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

461 pages

Book 5 of 5

Shadowy Solutions

Review: This Guy (Wood Hollow Book 1) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

Lane Hayes has written narrative gold with her Vermont based Four Forest town’s universe, and I’m not talking maple syrup, although I won’t be surprised if this factors in eventually.

First off, there was the 6 book fabulous series, The Elmwood Stories, which was written about NHL hockey players who found themselves in the small town of Elmwood, where they found love, happiness and established a hockey base for kids and players for the summer. It built slowly but surely over 6 novels and we started meeting people outside of town, including those from Wood Hollow, and the mill.

Well, it’s Wood Hollow’s time! The town has begun its own restoration and become a great charming place to live, with the mill’s prosperity being a huge part of this.

Silas, a veteran NFL player who has come to the end of his career, is facing a difficult time in his life. Divorced, a career that has ended, and no idea how to go forward, the pressure sends him to his friend’s rental property in Wood Hollow, Vermont, for a break.

His next door neighbor is Cooper, who is a bisexual divorced father of two children, and the manager of the Wood Hollow lumber mill. Cooper is a hometown man, who loves his community and his family. And isn’t prepared for the handsome football player he rescues from a snowstorm.

This Guy is an excellent romance and start into a new series in this universe. The men are relatable, their struggles are written in a way that makes them feel real and understandable. The pressures each of them are facing, whether it’s Silas from his ex-wife’s new publicity with her own relationship or, perhaps even more realistic, Cooper’s personal struggles with his dynamics with his ex-wife and the way they both feel about their separation from their children.

Here’s what I find so well written by Hayes. There’s no demonizing of anyone’s ex’s here. Any potential for a traumatic event? It’s handled by communication, like adults, without involving the children. Thank you. Same goes for Silas and his ex wife. They remain friends and understand why they didn’t work out as marriage partners.

I know I shouldn’t have to point this out, but honestly, it’s rare enough that I see it in my stories that I point it out when I see it.

The children are beautifully animated and feel true to their ages. Adore them.

That dramatic moment? Fabulous! Heartwarming and perfect for the couple and as a family we have come to love.

I can’t wait for the next story to come out. I love this entire world that Hayes is creating!

Highly recommended!

Cover Design by Sleepy Fox Studio

Four Forest towns of Vermont Universe – see note below

The Elmwood Stories (6 book series)- I love this series ❤️ it mentions the lumber mill and introduces the Four Forest towns. It’s hockey meets Vermont small town ❤️.

Wood Hollow Series:

This Guy #1

Sweet Something #2 – TBR summer 2026

Four Forest area of Vermont are : Wood Hollow, Elmwood, Pinecrest, and Fallbrook. The Elmwood Stories ❤️ series is complete

Buy link

Book 1 of 1: Wood Hollow Stories

Blurb

The football star, the lumberjack, and a small-town love story…

Silas

Not to sound dramatic, but I can’t decide if I’m a hot mess, a has-been…or both.

There’s nothing quite like being in the spotlight at my lowest point. I could use a break from LA and my agent—just for a little while.

But Vermont in the middle of a blizzard? Probably not a great idea. However, the sexy lumberjack who lives next door is a sweet surprise. And so are his kids and the town.

I like this place. I could be happy here…at least till my new season begins.

Cooper

My time is split between work and fatherhood. That’s it. Boss and Dad. Maybe that’s why the football star is a breath of fresh air. Silas is funny, charismatic, and cool.

My kids love having a celebrity living next door. And me? I can’t remember the last time I felt quite so alive.

Yes, I’m well aware this isn’t going anywhere. Our worlds are just too different.

Too bad, ’cause this guy feels like the real thing.

This Guy is an MM bisexual, single dad, small-town romance featuring a football hero, a sexy lumberjack, and some neighbor-friendly shenanigans.

date

March 25, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

304 pages

Book 1 of 1

Wood Hollow Stories

Review : Moonmagic (Witchwolf Book 2) by Sam Burns and W. M. Fawkes

Rating: 3.75🌈

Moonmagic, the second of the Witchbook series by Sam Burns and W. M. Fawkes is a story I find a bit of a mixed bag. I really like the character of the witchwolf, Dakota, the Japanese mage, who found out about his tragic family history and the clan he was born into in the first book.

Dakota has a layers to his personality, depths given to him by the two cultures, the one he was raised in, the other he is tied to by family. And the powers of his own magic and now as a shifter. He’s continually trying to connect with the pack and work mentally through his inner struggles with his past. One of which appears here, in a new form. It’s a fantastic aspect of the story.

Dakota is a multicultural and layered character and when he is in the narrative, he elevates Moonmagic’s storylines beyond that of just a good story.

The issue comes in with his mate, Jax, the Alpha werewolf, and other main character. After much inner debate, the best word I could come up with for him that explains or sums up his character is ineffectual. Jax is supposed to be the head of a billionaire company, and Alpha of a pack of werewolves who separated from an abusive prior Alpha and left for a better life.

But that strong, powerful Alpha isn’t here. Instead Jax is a bit of an emotional mess. Doesn’t come off as all that intelligent and with the same fluctuating emotions as you would associate with a hormonal teenager. He doesn’t spot where the dangers are coming from to his company and pack, clear and simple dangers.

And when one traitor has been caught, after committing a heinous crime, he lets him go. Then after the fact, goes I should have torn him to pieces. Rawr. But I’m too nice.

SMH. He’s like this throughout the story. Had there been no Dakota this book would have been a DNF.

Spoilers. Dakota actually wins the day because he was both strong and smart, knows his mate is too nice *cough* weak to do what is necessary and uses his powers to help felicitate the right outcome.

Jax wins a fight by accident but he’s so sorry. Boohoo.

I like the other pack who’s more interesting.

There’s a sample of the side story that has already been released. It’s fine but doesn’t have a lot of depth for one character, so it’s very uneven. Very much like this.

Read it if you’re fans of the authors or to finish the series.

Witchwolf (2 book series)

Witchwolf #1

Moonmagic #2

Side story:

Nerds, Words & Werecats (Witchwolf)

Buy link

Book 2 of 2: Witchwolf

Blurb

After having his world rocked by a hot billionaire CEO werewolf and the unveiling of a world of magic he didn’t know existed, Dakota is finally settling into being the alpha mate of the Crescent pack. With Jax at his side, he can even handle being heir of the witchwolf legacy, but before he can catch his breath, life throws him another curveball.

First, Dakota returns home after their visit to Japan with a barnacle of a ghost, and his great-great-grandfather isn’t terribly impressed with his descendant leading a werewolf pack.

Worse, they disembark the plane to a bloody welcome home. A member of the wolf pack Jax fled from has been attacked, and he carries a dire warning: The Wildwood wolves are coming, and they plan to retake control of the Crescent pack.

To protect everything they’ve built and hope for, Dakota has to own both his legacy and his future, but if Jax can’t face the mistakes of his past, they could both lose it all.

Moonmagic is a direct sequel to Witchwolf and should be read in order. Get ready for an extra cuddly alpha werewolf, a comforting tray of mac and cheese, a snarky Japanese ghost who gets . . . less terrible, eventually, and a pack war our heroes wish they didn’t have to fight. This book has Jax and Dakota’s HEA, as well as a few other loose ends tied up, and introduces a whole new pack to explore in our next series, Wolves of the Wildwood.

March 19, 2026

Language

‎English

Print length

264 pages

Book 2 of 2

Witchwolf

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

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Universal Buy Link | QueeRomance Ink | Goodreads

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