I discovered G B Ralph through his delightful cozy mysteries, The Milverton Mysteries. Ralph’s stories are tend towards the same elements. Character driven stories with the people , all of them with their faults included, fully realized and completely layered with human frailties. These characters carry the fears, joys as well as inabilities to move forward that the reader might recognize from their realities . It certainly makes them relatable.
If not occasionally a tad frustrating.
In this sweet, short trilogy, Ralph gives us the journey of Arthur and Gabriel, from Arthur’s awkward coming out to their relationship happily ending.
Each novella a sweet quick tale of a section of passage through that journey.
Duck and Dive starts it off with Arthur, an awkward Duckling trying to come out to friends and well, anyone, that’s he’s gay. And it’s not going well.
This is sweet, funny, painful in its own way in that you feel for Arthur in his fears and yearning to be out at his age. And his friends don’t make it easy.
Read all three together for a delightful lighthearted romantic afternoon.
A gay romantic comedy novella about coming out and failing spectacularly.
Arthur knows it’s time he told his mates he’s gay. So what’s the holdup? He’s wound so tight he can’t get the words out – giving himself injuries, spilling his dinner, and all-round making a mess of it.
And that’s before the nosy neighbour gets involved with her spiced apple muffins. Or the elderly residents of the Sunset Villas retirement home start complicating matters. Not to mention the gorgeous straight guy from the driving range.
If only Arthur could get his act together…
Duck and Dive is a quick, light, and fun read – the first in the completed Rise and Shine series. It’s filled with buckets of banter, dashes of comic tragedy, and more food and booze than any story ought to have. Our boys are surrounded by a cast of chaotic characters and thrown into the most unlikely situations. Their story continues in Slip and Slide, and concludes in Over and Out.
‘I didn’t know what to expect, but I genuinely enjoyed it. I’m glad I did, otherwise that would’ve been a very awkward conversation.’ Author’s partner.
It’s always exciting when Shelby Rhodes releases a new book, yet alone one that’s the start of a new series, but A Spark of Something (A Librarian’s Guide to Witchery Book 1) is exactly that.
A new LGBTQIA paranormal romance thriller that has all the elements we hope to see in a Shelby Rhodes novel, it sets the foundation going forward with the characters and world building for the books to come.
It’s horrifying, sexy, otherworldly, humorous, and funny. And leaves plenty of room for exploration and expansion in this series.
It starts with a sweetheart of a person, Oliver ‘Ollie’ Cross, who lives above his family’s building, Cross Heritage Private Library. He’s 30, orphaned from a wealthy family, and takes incredible pride and delight in sharing his love of books and the collection with children of his community and his diverse employees. And his irascible black cat, Red.
Who and exactly what Noble Vincent is, the man who enters Ollie’s life, is a major storyline and won’t be spoiled here. This is a two person POV, one of which is Noble’s. That’s important because of his type of character and history, only an inkling is implied.
Ollie’s employees are amazing and that library has wonders yet to come, I’m sure. It’s definitely got ghosts.
I thought it was a little unbalanced in terms of character storytelling at the beginning. But that changed dramatically as the two characters met and their relationship created a new dynamic. And Ollie became aware of the otherworld.
Noble’s element is horrifying and that, honestly, makes his quick relationship with Ollie a bit problematic for me. Rhodes has so many open opportunities for this story to move forward. And it’s just beginning to lay out the details of Ollie’s history and current situation. Nobles as well. Don’t get me started on Red and that book.
So I’m extremely excited to see where this author goes next. Surprising, terrifying, sexy and amazing. I’m there for it!
Hello there, I don’t think I’ve seen you here before. Well, if you are new, welcome. I’m Oliver ‘Ollie’ Cross, owner of the Cross Heritage Private Library, and I have a problem. Several actually. To explain the full weight of my conundrum, I feel I have to put out there that I am skeptical of all paranormal ‘things’, and always have been. Mostly, I just find the supernatural a bunch of nonsense. At least…I did…until ghosts started appearing…and my cat started talking to me… And if that weren’t enough, there is a book that constantly insults me, while claiming that I’m a witch!
So, as you can see, I have quite a conundrum on my hands, in that I…may be losing my ever-loving mind.
On a positive note, for the first time in my life, a man may actually like my tendency to babble, so…winning there? But then, Noble Vincent is perfect… Mysterious, but perfect. Though my cat doesn’t like him, and my best friend thinks he is hiding something. But if anything that’s happening is reality…my cat also lied to me my whole life…and my best friend usually thinks everyone is hiding something, so…opinions rejected!
Anyhoo, things are fine! I’m fine! What’s a few life altering events, some breakdowns, and…multiple people trying to kill me—hah… Things will be okay! I hope…
Author Note: A Spark of Something is the first book in the MM paranormal romance series, A Librarian’s Guide to Witchery, a series that is meant to be read in order. Please see inside or my website for content warnings.
Warren Rochelle has a new FF/MM romance fantasy/sci-fi short story collection out: The Great Forest and Other Love Stories. And there’s a giveaway!
“The course of true love never did run smooth” might be a cliché, but for the lovers in these stories, it’s an understatement. Consider: having to rescue your beloved from seven years of service to sentient trees, or your lover wants you to curse an entire town, or your husband is sure aliens are calling to him from a comet. Find out what happens in these and other stories in The Great Forest and Other Love Stories.
Chesapeake Air and Spaceport, North Terminal, Interplanetary Concourse A
The sun shimmered on the water, as the train pulled into the Chesapeake Air and Spaceport RR station. He gathered his things and walked out onto a winding path, into a garden of dwarf sugar maples and ash trees. The path led him over a little bridge and a stream, and lavender star-shaped flowers. He stopped there to collect himself, to remember what his therapists had taught him, Alana on Avalon, and Gavin and Julia, at Blue Ridge. Deep breaths, center and focus on the safe, on the gurgle of the stream below his feet, the star-shaped flowers, blooming by the water. Interrupt his fear-talk looping, be present now. The main building of the spaceport was straight ahead. The building seemed almost made of sunlight and water. Sea turtles, eels, dolphins, and sea horses seemed to be swimming inside its walls.
Inside, the spaceport would be filled with people from all across Terra, from who knew how many HC planets. And aliens. Strangers, all of them. Breathe in for three, hold for four, release for five. Center. Through the sliding glassteel doors, follow the signs to the ticket kiosks. Everybody was busy, going, coming. Edvard was just one more young human.
He could do this, and he had done it. He could do it again. He could hear Luc telling him that, as he touched him, kissed him.
I’m coming.
No answer.
Scattered trees inside, fountains and pools. Whoever designed the spaceport must have wanted it to look as if it was part of the bay itself. Water currents and tree-shapes in the metal and glassteel, the beams, and the afternoon sun visible in a great skylight over the departure lobby. Were those real birds flying overhead? Edvard caught the off-world accents he knew as he walked—Avalonian, Jardinero, New Scandinavian. A trio of enhanced chimpanzees, clearly traveling on business. He tried to stare at the nest of Kalsons traveling together, with their pointed ears, white-gold hair, and skin. Like Luc and his father. There were a few Kalsons like Manon with skin a darker gold, hair, a deep brown. He stepped back, as did everyone around him, at who he saw next coming down the concourse. Even though the Second Interstellar War had ended thirty-three standard years ago, clearly not enough time had passed for any Zoki to walk through the one of the largest spaceports on the North American east coast without armed HC security. No one had forgotten how many thousands of Wertyngeris had either died or were put in hibernacula for years, or how many of the frozen had been thawed and eaten. No one had forgotten how many HC soldiers died in the war. Yes, the war had ended with a palace coup, led by the Zoki crown princess. She had immediately offered reparations for the atrocities on Wertynger, and they had been paid, and were still being paid.
Edvard watched as the reptilian Zoki, all dressed in white, with ashes on their forehead, walked silently through the spaceport, staring at the floor. According to the treaty ending the war, the Zoki had to publicly atone for eating sentient life. The crown princess, now empress, had suggested fifty Terran standard years of shame and public penance. She had acknowledged that not all Zoki had known or participated, but the government she had overthrown had known, and it had had wide popular support.
Never again.
Someone spat on the floor as the Zoki and their guards walked past. He wondered if fifty Terran standard would be enough penance.
Edvard stepped in front of a ticket kiosk beside a family which was clearly emigrating. Everybody seemed to be carrying some sort of luggage, the three kids, the two dads. He inserted his passport and Universal ID into the kiosk, and selected shuttle to the station, star service to Wertynger, Next available ship, leaving Union Station. An option for stasis for the three week trip in hyperspace? Maybe after week one. Micro-cabin, no, too claustrophobic. Single double, Family? Single. It felt like forever for funds verification. Ding! Transaction complete. Please proceed to Concourse B, Gate 29, shuttle already boarding. Proceed to gate, please have ID and passport ready.
He had done it.
Author Bio
Warren Rochelle lives in Crozet, Virginia, with his husband, and their little dog, Gypsy. He retired from teaching English and Creative Writing at the University of Mary Washington in 2020. His short fiction and poetry have been published in such journals and anthologies as Icarus, North Carolina Literary Review, Forbidden Lines, Aboriginal Science Fiction, Collective Fallout, Queer Fish 2, Empty Oaks, Quantum Fairy Tales, Migration, Clarity, Innovation, The Silver Gryphon, Jaelle Her Book, Colonnades, and Graffiti, as well as the Asheville Poetry Review, GW Magazine, Crucible, The Charlotte Poetry Review, and Romance and Beyond. His short story, “The Golden Boy,” was a finalist for the 2004 Spectrum Award for Short Fiction.
Rochelle is the author of five novels, including The Wild Boy (2001), Harvest of Changelings (2007), and The Called (2010), all published by Golden Gryphon Press. The Werewolf and His Boy, originally published by Samhain Publishing in September 2016, was re-released from JMS Books in August 2020. In Light’s Shadow: A Fairy Tale was published by JMS Books in 2022.
V.L. Locey has written a new MM fantasy romance in The Pastel Prince, the first novel in her Crowns of Melowynn series.
It’s an age gap, slow burn romantasy that’s setting the stage and foundation for the world and stories to follow.
Locey has managed a magical horrifying journey, a terrifying mystery, an epic adventure, and a developing relationship to engage the reader’s imagination and hold our attention.
Mages, elves, pixies, and various other creatures and types of magical elements that will continue to be explored as the series deepens its knowledge of the political system and its history, little of which is set down here.
Kenton, the young Druid and Beirach , the archdruid , were a solid well written couple and strong start to a new series.
If you love fantasy romance, check them out and this series from VL Locey!
Kenton, a young druid prince, feels trapped in the bustling city life, a world away from the forests of his birth. Despite his royal duties keeping him tethered to the urban sprawl, his spirit remains tangled with the whispering trees and the ancient, mystical rhythms of the forest. But when a sinister threat endangers his people’s land and lives, Kenton embarks on a perilous journey to track down a powerful and ancient being; the lone archdruid powerful enough to stop the darkness.
Only, Beirach is nothing like the archdruids of old tales. Instead of withered and world-weary, he is younger than expected, vital, and has a magnetic charm that Kenton can’t ignore. Thrown together by fate and bound by a shared mission, Kenton and Beirach find themselves in the heart of a battle to save nature. As the dark mage’s shadow looms over the forest, they fight together and find a love as raw and wild as the forest itself.
The Pastel Prince is an M/M age gap romantasy set in a faraway land with magicks and mythical beasts, a belligerent pixie, a young druid on an epic quest, an older archdruid who’s not as washed up as he thought, Elven castles, long glances over a campfire, and a fey-tastic happily-ever-after.
Mickie B. Ashling has a new MMM contemporary romance out, The Basque Trilogy book one: A Unique Request. And there’s a giveaway!
Mickie has reduced the price of A Unique Request to $1.99 while the book is on tour.
Seven years have passed since Paul Alcott and Mick Henley separated, but hearing the familiar voice reinforces what Paul has known all along―he still loves Mick and wants him back.
Hope flares upon receiving a dinner invitation, but his dream evaporates when he learns that Mick is in a relationship with Basque jai alai player, Tono Garat.
To make matters worse, Paul’s services as a book editor are solicited to help Tono through the final revision of a love story he’s written.
Paul refuses until Mick reveals he’s been diagnosed with a fatal disease, and the novel is Tono’s only means of coping.
Paul and Tono resent each other, but they can’t deny the strong sexual attraction between them. Will they overcome their differences to provide the loving support necessary to sustain the man they love or will their animosity destroy Mick’s final days?
Warnings: Second chances, bittersweet, fatal disease
Paul stood outside the door, debating his decision to show up. He had a bottle of red wine in one hand and a bunch of colorful wildflowers in the other. He’d given in to a moment of sentimental weakness, and now he wondered what the hell he was doing. He turned to leave when the door was yanked open by a fractious brunet with a scowl on his face. “¿Sí?”
“Hi. I’m Paul Alcott.”
The stranger scowled and scrutinized him from the top of his shining head down his designer-clad body.
Paul was unfazed. He was just as curious about the man who’d replaced him in Mick’s life. He inspected him like he would any rival, noting the chestnut-colored hair curling around his neckline. His upper body was hidden behind a loose T-shirt, but the corded muscles of his forearms were a clear indication of what was underneath. He was striking, no doubt about it. The heated gaze was bad enough, but it was his luscious mouth that sent Paul’s mind straight to the gutter. He was shocked by his body’s quick response to this stranger, despite the obvious antagonism. He brought his hand down, covering the evidence of his growing interest with the flowers.
The Spaniard blinked and rewarded Paul with a tentative smile. “I’m Tono Garat,” he announced in a heavily accented voice.
“Nice to meet you.” Paul nodded. “Is Mick around?”
“Yes, of course. Come in, please.”
Tono spun around, and Paul zeroed in on the rounded ass covered in tight white shorts. No garter lines meant he was naked underneath, and Paul couldn’t help but notice.
“Paul!” Mick called out, rushing forward and hugging Paul tightly. “God, it’s been too long.”
“I know,” Paul said, falling under Mick’s spell within seconds. It had always been so good between them, and despite the years and the distance, the sentiment remained the same. “You’re still as gorgeous as ever.
“Oh, stop. You always were good for my ego.”
“The years have been kind to you, my friend,” Paul continued, taking in every part of Mick. He did look great, trim and fit, clean-shaven. His hair was a little longer than Paul remembered, but the dark curls framed Mick’s tanned face, making the violet-tinged eyes pop.
“You don’t look half-bad either.” Mick’s voice shifted, and the words came out like a soft caress. He toyed with a lock of Paul’s silky hair, curling it around his finger. “When did you let your hair grow?”
“After my father died; no more memos about looking professional.” Paul smirked as he recalled Paul Senior’s edicts.
“Shall I take the bottle?” Tono interrupted, looking uncomfortable. Perhaps he was aware of their long history, but seeing the chemistry was a different matter altogether.
“Sure,” Paul replied, handing over the wine.
“I made a pitcher of sangria. Would you like a glass?” Tono asked, never taking his eyes off Paul.
“Sounds good. I’m assuming it’s authentic.”
“I made it from scratch,” Tono huffed.
“Come on,” Mick stepped in, trying to diffuse the situation. He took Paul by the arm and led him out to the tiny patio that had a wrought iron table for four and several wooden planters filled with assorted vegetables. The tomatoes were almost ripe and hanging from branches held up with green sticks. The Weber grill was off to one side―a tribute to summer and warm evenings.
“This is nice, Mick. I had no idea this was out here.”
“Not too many people do. I guess the owners were into gardening, so I benefit. It’s what attracted me to this unit in the first place.”
Paul sat down and stretched out, loving the sight of Mick after so long. “So, what have you been up to?”
“Living La Vida Loca.” Mick smiled. “I’ve been writing, of course, but mostly enjoying my life.”
“Sounds great. Are you still working on your sequel?”
“Yes, as well as something new.”
“Oh?”
“I’m helping Tono with his book.”
Paul gave Tono a frosty look. “You’re a writer?”
“I’m not,” Tono replied, placing a large wineglass with chunks of fruit in front of Paul. “I’m a professional jai alai player, but I’ve written a romance, based on my relationship with Mick.”
“A romance?” Paul turned to Mick for the answer. “Why?”
“Because I’m dying.”
Author Bio
MICKIE B. ASHLING is the pseudonym of a multi-published author who resides in a suburb outside Chicago. She is a product of her upbringing in various cultures, having lived in Japan, the Philippines, Spain, and the Middle East. Fluent in three languages, she’s a citizen of the world and an interesting mixture of East and West. A little bit of this and a lot of that have brought a unique touch to her literary voice she could never learn from textbooks.
Since 2009, Mickie has written several dozen novels in the LGBTQ+ genre—which have been translated into French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Audiobooks and foreign translations are available at Amazon and Audible. Her award-winning novels have been described as “gut- wrenching, daring, and thought-provoking.”
I just love this and fell deeply under the spell of Winnie Rodriquez as he conquered not only Paris but his wonderful, brilliant professor, Dr. Alistair Creighton.
One of the many things I appreciate about this novel is the absolute joy I can see the author took in writing this. It’s everywhere, in every aspect of the book. The places that Winnie and Alistair travel to and visit while in Paris are all museums, shops, and special spaces that Hayes herself has been and the affection and love shines in her descriptions. Her views of Paris and the surrounding areas mirror Winnie’s in so many ways in the wonderful outlook and appreciation.
I can also see the creativity and passion for this story in the outright hilarity of the conversations, dialogue’s between Winnie and Alistair as they learn about each other, that joyful and deeply rooted in how special each is.
These characters are beautifully real, aware, vividly written, gorgeous characters. I couldn’t look away from the pages and their journey into a relationship and love. And Paris was a stunning background for them to discover that they were perfect for each other and fit together.
I could see both Winnie and Alistair so clearly, their personalities and clothes were as finely detailed as everything else.
My one quibble is I wanted more. One book isn’t nearly enough for this couple who’s spread across multiple countries. I would love to see them together again in books to come.
The fabulous stylist, the absentminded professor, and a Parisian adventure…
Winnie
Someone once said, when life gets you down and you’re feeling blue, brush yourself off and go to Paris!
Okay, maybe that was me.
Hey, I don’t regret taking an oddball assignment to assist a British professor abroad. I could use a break from my life as an aspiring hair and style guru in LA. The only worrisome snag is that the professor is determined to do everything on his own.
Not acceptable. I’m here to help the impossibly smart geek with mismatched socks who just happens to be my best friend’s boss.
No, I don’t know nothing about history, but I’m nothing if not resourceful. What could go wrong?
Alistair
I’ve been called an absent-minded professor more than once. I don’t mind at all. My work is important and living on a diet of biscuits and tea while delving into ancient civilizations doesn’t seem so terrible. But Paris calls. And somehow, I have a new temporary assistant.
Winnie is a technicolor, whirlwind American with a wicked laugh and the subtlety of a steamroller. He’s brash and ridiculous and…funny, warm, lovely, and—
Oh no. This can’t be happening. I swore I’d never fall for anyone again.
Winnie can take Paris, but he can’t take my heart.
Every reader has comfort reads and comfort authors. Mary Calmes is one of mine. She’s happily ever after. I know her heroes without even looking at her name on the cover. They’re highly competent in their abilities, gorgeous (whether they acknowledge it or not), full of warmth and kindness, especially for a certain inner circle of people. They shine.
And fall in love, usually deeply , quickly and forever. And Calmes makes a great story for their romantic journey to the point we believe in them.
They are fixers in a highly specialized agency, Torus Intercession, which has a unique and often powerful clientele. But the fixers themselves often have need of fixing as much as the people they are hired to work with. And the romance between them is quick, combustible, and as memorable as the men themselves.
I definitely have my favorites in the series. And while Get A Fix might not be quite at that level, I definitely enjoyed this story and the couple. It’s very close.
That’s due to Cooper Davis, the Torus fixer. I fell in love with him as he helped Ainsley Cushing, mom to big brood and having airport meltdown along with Gemma, 2, at the Bangor International Airport. Its there we got to know him, watch him interact with Gemma,2, fill a overwhelmed Ainsley about himself as he helps her get her stroller and get back together before meeting up with her husband coming in on the next flight.
There’s sequence after sequence of heartwarming moments, real and genuine in their ability to ground us in this character and the family we will get to know better.
Ashford Lennox appears at the wedding location, an Inn that’s not exactly what the bride or anyone else expects. Under construction, ghostly fog instead of photographic backdrop worthy snow covers the Bay and surrounding landscape, and the wedding party is a stressful affair. As you’d imagine. All beautifully written and executed.
I enjoyed Ash. This relationship, as new as it is, is understandable. They both realize it is a hard like and lust with amazing potential. They want to see where it goes. I think that’s a great foundation here. The chemistry is sizzling and they are a terrific team.
There’s other smaller elements I appreciated. I’m not sure if everyone will agree with me on this. The ex and how he was handled is one of those. I think he was very well done. Yes, he’s an appalling man. But even those people have a right not to be outed. For me, Calmes made calm thoughtful choices about him. I’m sure others wanted a more dramatic comeuppance.
The ending was a bit abrupt but I’m hopeful that we see more of them in the upcoming wedding.
For me, this was another winner in a series I really enjoy.
Simply because your world collides with a shooting star doesn’t mean that’s a sign, does it?
Cooper Davis has a nice life he’s quite fond of. He has a wonderful family, good friends, and a job he excels at. As a fixer with Torus Intercession, he’s entrusted with the well-being of the people relying on his guidance. He is protector, guardian, but most of all, as his boss always says, everyone needs to be better off once he leaves. The issue is, when he’s asked to watch over the actor Ashford Lennox, he’s not sure that leaving is what he wants to do.
Ashford Lennox is a movie star on the rise. He has everything he’s ever wanted, except someone to love and call his own. He’s learned over the years that home is not a place but sharing a life with one special person you can count on. When he meets the man tasked with keeping him safe during a wedding, it’s like a lightning bolt. Suddenly he can see his whole future unfolding.
Being on the same page is an epiphany for both, now if they could just make it to the happily ever after without getting shot…
K.J. Charles has written another delightful novel in the Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune series, The Duke at Hazard. Here, a severely insulated Duke is robbed of his ducal ring during an anonymous encounter . To get it back, he makes a bet that he undertakes the task without use of his power and authority. For a month. If he loses, he forfeits his greys, his beloved horses.
Charles does a fantastic job in establishing the personality of Severn at the beginning of the story, then as a man out of his depth on this mission, then again as one who is finally finding himself on the road. It’s an astonishing journey of development and growth. And it happens along with that of another person’s remarkable story, and their relationship.
Severn becomes Cassian and journey companion to Daizell Charnage, a disgraced noble whose is helping him retrieve his ring . Along the way, each has experienced so much that they are able to recognize the men they both are , together and individually.
It’s a terrific story, the characters are well written, the universe authentic, and the relationship that builds is one that feels believable in its growth and obstacles encountered.
Additionally , Charles has included so many beautifully crafted side characters and well thought out elements here that together all add up to a truly satisfying experience for the reader. We enter into the story involved in Severn’s journey and then get fully invested until the final sentence.
There were a couple of things that I had issues with. One was the character of Leo, Cassian’s cousin. He was the one who prompted the bet, but it was his gambling problems that were real reason behind Leo wanting Cassian’s greys. And his attitude of entitlement and expectations from Cassian was deplorable. It made Leo a “tiresome” personality throughout the story, even afterwards when things had been resolved. I wonder if Charles realizes how thoroughly obnoxious he came across.
Lastly, the end feels too abrupt. We’re told what their future might look like but little is actually shown. It’s just cut off. I wish we might have been given a glimpse or two. That would have been very satisfying. But it’s a good ending and ties things together really well.
If you want to know further about the details of this story, see the author’s notes on the development of that all important card game and why the term silhouette isn’t used here. If you’re thinking about authenticity, this is exactly why everything rings so believable here. Charles does the work and layers it into the narrative. It shows in the depth and details.
I’m highly recommending this to all lovers of historical fiction and romance. And fans of this author, of course!
The Duke of Severn is one of the greatest men in Britain.
He’s also short, quiet, and unimpressive. And now he’s been robbed, after indulging in one rash night with a strange man who stole the heirloom Severn ring from his finger. The Duke has to get it back, and he can’t let anyone know how he lost it. So when his cousin bets that he couldn’t survive without his privilege and title, the Duke grasps the opportunity to hunt down his ring-incognito.
Life as an ordinary person is terrifying…until the anonymous Duke meets Daizell Charnage, a disgraced gentleman, and hires him to help. Racing across the country in search of the thief, the Duke and Daizell fall into scrapes, into trouble-and in love.
Daizell has been excluded from polite society, his name tainted by his father’s crimes and his own misbehaviour. Now he dares to dream of a life somewhere out of sight with the quiet gentleman who’s stolen his heart. He doesn’t know that his lover is a hugely rich public figure with half a dozen titles. And when he finds out, it will risk everything they have…
“Once more we bid you Welcome, Travelers, to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries! Join us for another round of fantastic, space-and-time spanning tales by a talented group of some of the best authors to be found in M/ M romance. Whether you enjoy mystery, action, danger, or just sweet romance, there is something for everyone at the Carnival!”
Many of this author’s books are on my fantasy rec list, and I always look forward to her novels. So when I saw that the multi-authors series, Carnival of Mysteries , was releasing a 2024 group of stories, I was excited to see The Wrong Familiar: Carnival of Mysteries 2 by Megan Derr among them.
The Wrong Familiar is a story that carries so many of the great qualities that I think of when reading a Derr novel. It has a great story, as well as characters that tug at you emotionally by their depth of personality and often angst-laden histories. The themes of loss, grief, self discovery, and love are woven together in a magical journey that culminates in a dramatic ending and our heroes happily sharing a home and a future.
As with so many of Megan Derr’s characters and the worlds she has created for them to inhabit, one book isn’t enough for all the exploration i want in this world and story. There’s so much detail and depth I needed to learn more about. That cave? We don’t see them returning there?
And it’s also the main characters themselves. Ninos, a sylven mage who has spent his whole life, since the age of 5, under the care and supervision of the professors and Headmaster of Havenbright Academy of Magic in the Iron Strike Mountains. He undergoes a tremendous transformation, from the insulated, naive young man he is at the beginning to the strong, independent, intelligent and powerful mage we recognize at the end. One who has just begun to learn how to connect with and explore the range of his abilities. More, I definitely have to read more about Ninos.
And with him, that’s Sinn, his Raven familiar, partner in all things magical and a mischievous mind of his own. Sinn’s journey is part of the story’s twists and turns here but he’s a fabulous character. Sinn too needs further exploration.
Derr’s narrative delivers action packed sequences, lovely animals as side characters, her usual wild imagery in terms of aspects of elements that effect the characters, and just intriguing notions thrown hither and yonder that subtly make you wonder.
Is the plot and overall story perfectly crafted? No, the family that all but abandoned Ninos is embraced without question or hesitation. The family themselves barely outlines. That section needed further attention.
Also when the villain appears, where’s his familiar? Although Derr gave us the answer as to what happens to them afterwards. That was a very good idea. Tie up that part beforehand.
My other concern was either an editor issue or possibly printing one. But it does show that even a small mistake shouldn’t be overlooked.
Towards the beginning, on one page a secondary character’s name is Tarsok. But several paragraphs later and he appears as Tarkan. Later on when he’s come back into the narrative, his name has reverted back to Tarsok. It’s a small mistake , one that could have been easily corrected. But wasn’t. And it made me doubt and double check every single name and title in the book instead of totally investing myself into the journey as I should have done.
Things like this take me out of the story and disconnect me from the characters. And it’s a quick fix. FYI.
The Wrong Familiar: Carnival of Mysteries 2 by Megan Derr is a book I highly enjoyed and one I’m recommending. Check it out alongside the new stories in this series.
Again, terrific covers.
Carnival of Mysteries 2 -2024
🔹Rook’s Time by Kim Fielding (sequel to Crow’s Fate-2023)
🔹The Wrong Familiar by Megan Derr✅
🔹The Villain Who Wasn’t by Liv Rancourt
🔹Blue Lightning by BL Maxwell
🔹Magic Escaping by Kaje Harper (sequel to Magic Burning 2023)
🔹Lighting the Darkness by Eden Winters – Aug 14,2024
🔹You Can Save Me by R L Merrill-Aug 21,2024
🔹Airs Above the Ground by Rachel Langella-Sept 10,2024
🔹Go for the Climate by Ander C. Lark
🔹 Flames of the Arcane by Nicole Dennis
🔹Midnight on the Midway by Morgan Brice
🔹Dust Bowl Magic by Zam Maxfield 🔹Dragonspark by Elizabeth Silver
Ninos has been training all his life to be a sylvan mage. Trees, plants, herbs, flowers, fruits, berries, nuts—he knows them all, and he intends to use that knowledge for the good of his home, a village he has not seen in more than a decade.
The final step to becoming a full-fledged mage is the conjuring and binding of a familiar, a faithful companion and guide who will supplement his power and remain at his side the rest of his life. Instead of a sylvan familiar, like a unicorn or stag, however, something goes horribly awry and Ninos finds himself bound instead to Sinn, a raven familiar meant for dark magics.
Neither is happy about it. Ninos wants a familiar who can help him with life, with growing and restoring a place destroyed by fire and plague. Sinn should be helping to raise the dead or cast blood workings. They were never meant to meet, let alone be bound.
Bindings are permanent, however, and cannot be broken. Their only chance at setting this wrong to rights is to locate the dark mage that Sinn was meant for, hope they in turn have Ninos’ true familiar, and perform a rare but not impossible switch…
• Publisher: (July 17, 2024)
• Publication date: July 17, 2024
• Language: English
• Print length: 202 pages
Carnival of Mysteries series. 2023 and 2024:
✓ Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding❤️
✓ Step Right Up by L.A. Witt
✓ Magic Burning by Kaje Harper ❤️
✓ Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr
✓ Go For The Company by Ander C. Lark❤️
✓ Roustabout by Morgan Brice❤️
✓ Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell❤️
✓ Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis ❤️
✓ The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky
✓ Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver
✓ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill
✓ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore
✓ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella
✓ The Black Robes of Flanders by Sara Ellis
Carnival of Mysteries 2 -2024
🔹Rook’s Time by Kim Fielding (sequel to Crow’s Fate-2023)
🔹The Wrong Familiar by Megan Derr
🔹The Villain Who Wasn’t by Liv Rancourt
🔹Blue Lightning by BL Maxwell
🔹Magic Escaping by Kaje Harper (sequel to Magic Burning 2023)
🔹Lighting the Darkness by Eden Winters – Aug 14,2024
🔹You Can Save Me by R L Merrill-Aug 21,2024
🔹Airs Above the Ground by Rachel Langella-Sept 10,2024
🔹Go for the Climate by Ander C.Lark
🔹Flames of the Arcane by Nicole Dennis
🔹Midnight on the Midway by Morgan Brice
🔹Dust Bowl Magic by Zam Maxfield 🔹Dragonspark by Elizabeth Silver
Kai Butler’s finale story, Ascendant King is everything I had hoped for. And it makes me so sad this series is over while leaving me completely satisfied with the ending and the way the author has tied up the storylines.
Butler’s trilogy and fabulous romantic arc ties up with thrilling storytelling, incredible character growth, and imaginative narrative visuals that continue to make me think.
What a journey this has been for Miles and Cade as one becomes Emperor of Werewolves and the other the King of his House, and so much more. This tale has so many complex elements and intricate magical detailing to the components that Butler’s creating and then slowly revealing. It’s breathtaking in conception and execution but as the reader is so focused on the action and character-driven dramatic scenes, it’s elements that are apparent afterwards when you think about the story and events.
To say that I think the universe Butler created here can easily be extended beyond to further stories is one driven by love of the characters and need for more tales to see what happens next.
That unique pack, those bonded mates, that future that still holds so many questions. Yes, more please. Even the page length wasn’t nearly enough.
Now to wait for whatever comes next from this amazing author.
Miles Castillo has the one thing his mother never did: time. As he gathers new members to his pack and help in his war against House Bartlett, he can’t help but wish that Cade was more than a reluctant ally. But the ice prince has made his position clear and nothing Miles can do will change the history that divides them.
Still, as they both confront the echoes of their past, they must learn to work together and find something like a middle ground. With nothing to lose, Cade and Miles must make a choice that will save both of them.
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Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 