Tag: #newbookreleases

Review:  The Vampire in the Potting Shed (Groom & Doom Book 1) by Hailey Edwards 

Rating: 4⭐️

Hailey Edwards has a really great new start on a series with her new paranormal novella, The Vampire in the Potting Shed. 

The first in the Groom & Doom series, we don’t get much of a world foundation, although I saw mention that it’s set in the same universe as the author’s Black Hat Bureau (10 book) series.

This particular story is tied to one small town and territory, and focuses on Ana Sartori, who runs Gwinnett Street Groomers, a small pet grooming business and has an Alpha wolf shifter as an overprotective father. She herself can’t shift so remains outside of the pack business and affairs. 

At 125 pages, Edwards packs a lot of information, interesting characters, and relationship dynamics into her storyline. That includes some neat twists and reveals.

It’s a quick, highly entertaining story and it makes you wish the next book was ready for reading. 

I’m definitely reading it when it’s available. 

A new winner for an author I enjoy. 

Cover by Damonza

Groom & Doom 

The Vampire in the Potting Shed #1

Buy link

        The Vampire in the Potting Shed (Groom & Doom Book 1)

    

Blurb 

There are two things Ana Sartori knows for certain. She can’t shapeshift into a wolf like her father or his pack. And, despite her being a latent, little more than human, he loves her despite her faults. She’s never going to be an alpha like him, but she can still hold her own in a fight. Not that her life is violent. He makes sure of that. Aside from occasionally wrestling pets into a headlock when it’s time to trim their nails at Gwinnett Street Groomers, Ana leads a simple life.

At least that was the case until someone broke into her pet resort and spa, leaving a mystery dog behind in one of the bougie boarding suites. Not to mention there’s a vampire hiding in the potting shed. A very tall, very handsome vampire. He even smells nice, minus the blood drenching his clothes.

Ana could handle those things, probably, but now there’s a new alpha determined to claim the town—and Ana—as his territory. Either she stands and fights for her home, or she runs to her father with her (metaphorical) tail tucked between her legs. Life is a lot of things, but for Ana, simple isn’t one of them anymore.

  • Publisher: Black Dog Books, LLC.
  • Publication date: June 16, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 125 pages
  • Book 1 of 1: Groom & Doom

Review:  Luxuries of Lust: Passing Through Cafe #3 by Nik Knight

Rating:  4.25🌈

Luxuries of Lust is the third of the Passing Through Cafe series by Nik Knight, set in the Hells universe and Passing Through Cafe where we’ve gotten to know its many different species of paranormal beings that own the cafe and are the ones that work together as a weird little found family. 

Nik Knight has always done an excellent job of crafting characters that, other than Oliver and Jude who are human, feel, look and come across as otherworldly. There’s an actual dictionary of terms and list of species at the end of a reader gets confused.

Rusty and Gem have been headed towards each other for a couple of books now. And I’ve looked forward to seeing how they get together. 

There’s aspects of the book that I just really thought about as deeply emotionally and engaging.  Moments where Rusty takes Gem to see the desert and the places where he and his mother once lived. Those scenes are stirring and very touching.

Equally, when Gem, who’s background gets filled in here, take Rusty home to see his family. It’s funny, warmhearted, and a time of acceptance for Rusty that he’s not had in his life.

We get to revisit several important storylines from previous books, a traumatic experience for Gem that sets off memories for Rusty.

I enjoyed reading this, think Gem and Rusty are among the most unique couples I’ve read. It maybe felt a bit overly long towards the end, especially the story bit about Tony and their relationship.  But it’s still a very enjoyable book and this universe is fascinating in concept and characters. 

Highly sexual and fun. Grab it up if you’re interested in the author and trope. 

Cover Design © 2025 Priska Mills

Passing Through Cafe :

Passing Through Purgatory #1

Gratification in Gluttony #2

Luxuries of Lust #3

Buy link 

        Luxuries of Lust: Passing Through Cafe #3

    

Blurb 

When it came to love, Rusty had resigned himself to never being enough, and Gem knew he would always be too much. Turns out, they were both wrong.

As a Pyclon from Lust, Rusty learned early the cruel rules of the Pentagram. Happiness is for the privileged. Hope for the weak. And absolutely nothing comes free. So he accepts a life of happy enough, of good enough, of just… enough. Anything more is impossible for someone like him.

That is, until he meets Gemae Akyllo.

With a brain that never rests and an ass that won’t quit, Gem is objectively a lot. His physical size is rivaled only by that of his personality—neither of which he will ever apologize for—but there’s a cost. He’s fun for a night, chosen first for a good time, but come morning, his bed is cold and empty. Always wanted, but never kept.

That is, until he meets Rusty Róisyn.

Rusty never wanted love, and Gem doesn’t need it. But together, they find it all the same.

Join Gem and Rusty and the rest of the eccentric staff of the Passing Through Cafe in Nik Knight’s rom-com, urban fantasy series, full of found family, absurd antics, healing hope, and a love that takes their hearts by storm.

— Luxuries of Lust: Passing Through Cafe #3 by Nik Knight

Review:  Paternal Instincts (Valor and Doyle Book 8) by Nicki James

Rating: 4.25🌈

Paternal Instincts is the finale story in Nicki James Valor and Doyle series, the one that sees the married couple waiting on the birth of their baby, the next step in their journey together as a family. 

Incorporating a mystery about a missing child into their final chapter was a great way to work through Quaid’s traumatic issues with his past before he becomes a father. He must deal with his own emotional pain, his history that he sees reflected in Sparrow, the sister who is being neglected by everyone around her, and the desperate hunt to find Crow. 

Meanwhile, Az is left to deal with his own emotional reactions to this case, his husband’s absence and their more immediate situation of a baby that’s coming.

James has built a complicated story on several levels, that of the missing child’s life and that of Quaid and Aslan’s. It’s a gripping tale and puts a great ending to this couple. Although they are appearing in the sequel series, one I really love. 

It’s not perfect. For me, the overuse of the word sneer, sneered or any form of sneer just took me out of the story. I began to start counting how many times I saw it until I realized I wouldn’t get through the book that way.  I had to let it go.  

Valor and Doyle is a series I enjoyed, especially the books in the beginning of the series.  This ties up many characters nicely and leaves everyone in great shape. That’s a satisfying ending. 

 Buy link

        Paternal Instincts (Valor and Doyle Book 8)

    

Blurb 

At the heart of a missing child case, Quaid and Aslan learn the true nature of fatherhood.

With their baby due any day, Quaid ends up tangled in a case on the last day of work before his parental leave begins. Between eerie ransom notes and family secrets, unanswered questions pile up, twisting the case into something Quaid has never seen.

Someone is lying. Someone knows more than they’re saying.

With the help of supportive friends and colleagues, Quaid and Aslan are determined to solve the case before it’s too late. When their surrogate goes into labor, Quaid struggles to let go and walk away.

A boy has vanished.

A life is in danger.

Can they find the missing child before their baby makes their way into the world?

  • Publication date: June 24, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 370 pages
  • Book 8 of 8: Valor and Doyle

Review:  The Dark Hiss of Magic (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 2) by Helen Harper

Rating:  5⭐️

The Cat Lady Chronicles returns with a fabulously funny and well written book, The Dark Hiss of Magic by Helen Harper.  

I fell in love with the fascinating character of Kit McCafferty, retired assassin, now trying to remain low key as a jumper-wearing older neighborhood cat lady, albeit one hiding a very unique trait. She’s a rare cat sith. 

The first mystery novel introduced her character, the paranormal town of Coldstream she lives in, and its many characters and supernatural communities that coexist within its boundaries. 

But it’s Kit herself that’s so compelling and complex. Kit and her group of cats, that supply a sense of family, comfort, and advise her when mysteries come into her life. From She Without an Ear to He Who Crunches Bird Bones, to He Who Wanders Wide and the others, it’s a feline cast that’s endlessly entertaining and intriguing. Yes, they name themselves. 

There’s others too. Thane, a werewolf, with a new demon kitten and neighbor Dave, who I haven’t figured out yet. 

Harper keeps us guessing about mainstay characters. Their roles, true identities, and whatever they are really important to Kit in the over arc storyline. And as the various murders and mysteries occur, the investigations roll along, and everyone gets involved, the narrative continues to build into this amazing adventure. 

It’s got great dialogue, wild moments, fight sequences, and loads of engaging cats and unusual personalities. And magic. 

I wanted the next book immediately. And because I so thoroughly enjoyed this one, will reread it again soon. 

Beautifully executed storytelling? Check. Fantastic female main character? Check! Great world building and mystery? Check and check. 

Another great book and winner of a series.  Check it out now. 

COVER DESIGN BY COVERS BY JUAN

The Cat Lady Chronicles:

Waifs And Strays #1

The Dark Hiss of Magic #2

A Skirl of Sorcery #3 – Oct 13,2025

Buy link

        The Dark Hiss of Magic (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 2)

    

Blurb 

There will be no pussy-footing around. Not when Kit McCafferty is involved.

When Kit rescues a wealthy witch from the treacherous, monster-filled waters of the River Tweed, she reckons she’s completed her fair share of good deeds for the day. But when a second anonymous body is pulled from the same river, Kit is dragged into a mystery as murky as the water itself. The corpse has no identification, no personal possessions and no one who cares. 

Kit is determined to change that.

At least Thane Barrow, the copper-haired werewolf who sees the world in a similar way to Kit, is happy to also get involved. Together, they navigate Coldstream’s magical streets and mysterious secrets, determined to uncover the truth about John Doe. 

Alas, it soon becomes clear that his death was no accident. Kit finds herself investigating a complex crime with more than one victim. She will have her claws full if she’s going to get to the bottom of what’s happened.

One thing is for certain – when death threatens, Kit McCafferty doesn’t back down. She pounces.

Review:  Emperor’s Wrath (Emperor’s Assassin Book 2) by Kai Butler 

Rating : 4🌈

I really enjoyed the Emperor’s Wrath l, the second book in the Emperor’s Assassin trilogy by Kai Butler. The action packed story was highly entertaining, moved the entire plot forward with an enormous amount of magical details, new elements, and growth in the relationship between Tallu and Airón. 

The political drama and plotting behind the generals was well done. All the various and newly introduced characters (as we as their backgrounds) added interesting layers of intrigue to the story.

I did find that the increased density of new characters, plots, magical creatures, techno magic elements started that emerged here also left similar unexplored areas or just narrative holes that felt unsatisfying for me.

Certain emotional storylines ( no spoilers) that applied to one section of small characters but later not at all to one large impactful one. Inconsistency in the character design or something else.  But here, as well as other things, feels more like too many storylines and an over abundance of new elements made for some interesting oversights.

I’m definitely looking forward to the final book, Shadow Throne King, due out in the fall. 

Check out this fantasy series by Butler! Entertaining reading!

Cover by Hannah Latham at oexasart

Emperor’s Assassin trilogy:

Betrothed to the Emperor #1

Emperor’s Wrath #2

Shadow Throne King #3 – Oct 27,2025

Buy link

        Emperor’s Wrath (Emperor’s Assassin Book 2)

    

Blurb 

In this den of vipers and vultures, can I trust the emperor I was sent to kill or is he using me to destroy all I love?

I abandoned my destiny in favor of a new goal: working with Emperor Tallu to take down the Southern Imperium. Only things are not so easy when we’re faced with the imperial generals who brought the continent to its knees.

If my mother knew what I was doing, her rage would melt the Silver City, but I have no choice as Tallu and I pursue a powerful weapon that could end any opposition to the Imperium.

Why does it matter if I’m finding myself all too attracted to a husband I can’t trust, whose secrets multiply the closer he lets me get?

  • Publication date: June 23, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 403 pages
  • Book 2 of 3: Emperor’s Assassin

Review:  The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (And Other War Crimes) (Guides to Villainy and Love Book 1) by Tiffany Hunt

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Two immediate thoughts about this remarkable story. One, I absolutely love it. Secondly,  book two in the series isn’t going to be released until next year, so if you’re a reader who finds that hard to take, wait! Don’t read this yet. Because, much like me, are end of this book, you’ll be craving the next one.  And knowing we have a long wait ahead. Argh!

That said, what a fabulous tale this is. Hunt is another writer I discovered via this series and whether it’s her ingratiating characters, smart, snarky dialogue and humor, or just plain great storytelling, I was invested from the beginning. 

I love stories that  switch up the perspectives. It’s the villains who are the main (and magnificent) characters. And the well written women who are supposed to be the damsel in distress but aren’t. Instead, they’re women who are intelligent, strategic, and powerful in their own right. A equal. And morally grey partner to the villain in her story. 

As a fan of Hannah Nicole Maehrer’s Assistant to the Villain series, I was quick to pick this up. Its similar only in that the villain is the main character (a dashing, dark magical lord) and that the relationship between the Dark Lord, Kaz, and his Lady, Arabella, is a very similar, fully developed one of growth, understanding and trust. It’s their fantastic dialogue and fierce dynamic, combining all their own strengths and hidden fears as well as magical abilities that will eventually combust into a new hot full partnership. 

But not until they have a strong understanding and connection with each other. That’s the key here. Respect, trust and understanding of each other. Remarkably adult thinking. 

There’s plenty of bloodshed, and violence. He’s a villain. But also there’s plenty of villainous deeds done by “the good guys “. Including her family.

There’s interesting mythology that’s just getting started and will grow into the next book. A dark mystery too. 

And a dragon!

But it’s Lord and Lady Blackrose ( yes, there are black roses, they bite) who make the story. They are an outstanding villainous couple. I love them and will find it hard to wait until next year to see what happens next!

Highly recommended!

 

Guides to Villainy and Love:

  • The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (And Other War Crimes) #1
  • The Dark Lord’s Guide to Honeymooning (And Other Villainous Deeds) – Feb 10,2026

Buy link

        The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating (And Other War Crimes) (Guides to Villainy and Love Book 1)

    

Blurb:

Perfect for fans of Assistant to the Villain, but darker and spicier.

In this riotously funny dark romantasy, a conflicted villain and his unstoppable bride form the realm’s most chaotic alliance.

“What’s mine, stays mine.”

Step One: Kidnap someone cute.

Step Two: Force her into marriage.

Step Three: Try not to get feelings.

When Dark Lord Kazimir Blackrose kidnaps Lady Arabella for a forced marriage, he expects an obedient, trembling bride. What he gets is a knife to the throat and a furious woman with her own terms. He may need her heroic bloodline to achieve ultimate dominion, but she’s not about to make this easy for him.

Arabella has already survived her father’s tower prison and a lifetime of being treated like property. Being abducted by the realm’s most notorious villain is just another Tuesday. If she must be married to the infuriating (and infuriatingly attractive) Dark Lord, she’ll do it on her terms: freedom within his fortress, hands strictly to himself, and complete honesty about his plans.

But when his plans go awry, Kazimir faces his most terrifying challenge yet. He must actually date his own wife. Between magical training sessions, playing golf with the eyeballs of his enemies, and aphrodisiac dinners gone spectacularly wrong, his villainous seduction plans are failing at every turn.

As they navigate magical explosions and jealous exes, they discover a far more terrifying prospect than war or magical catastrophe:

They might actually be falling for each other.

This dark and sexy fantasy romance is perfect for readers who love:

  • A morally gray antihero (who stays that way)
  • A strong heroine who embraces her dark side (she doesn’t need rescuing, thanks)
  • Touch her and die
  • Hilarious, wicked banter and sizzling spice
  • One bed/forced proximity
  • Kidnapped bride/forced marriage
  • Dark humor

Review: Future Tense (Ellis McFadden Mysteries) by Kristen Painter

Rating: 2.75✨

Spoilers 🚫

Unfortunately for me, Future Tense, the newest release in Kristen Painter’s Ellis McFadden Mysteries series fell very short of all the previous stories.

While those centered around life and the mysteries on the star ship Ellis and her friends were living on, Future Tense brings in a new alien species, a element which ends up being the most underwhelming and poorly conceived aspect of the story.

It didn’t help that I had just finished another science fiction series where the universe building and science was exceptional. 

The idea of a multi use enormous star liner, part science vessel, part military liner and civilian transportation ship, could easily let a rarely seen species go among its quarters , ship levels and communities , toting in unique and unknown objects throughout, spreading its messages across its media channels? Without tight controls and quarantines in place prior? None of this happens and it breaks down my belief in the idea of a sound narrative foundation that any part of this is a realistic idea of a scientific or military vessel or has officers with that status on board. The author seems to have forgotten her own statement about the Athos’ mission and its command in lieu of the theme of this mystery. 

And when things go wrong, as one might expect, The Captain (military mind you) goes to her daughter, the ship’s librarian (and librarians are fabulous) and her wealthy retired IT boyfriend, to solve the mystery. 

I can only suspend my belief so far. And it couldn’t go that distance. 

Even so many other aspects of the story were not well constructed. At any time during the serious investigation into missing persons, including a teenager, was it an official crime matter or military action? No. On a spaceship considered a main fleet vessel, carrying a number of people in cryotubes? Maybe that part of the series has been sidelined. But it’s a science and military ship so where’s that structure?

And oh by the way, given the epilogue, it appears they could have figured out who those aliens and their ship were after all with a bit of space Google.

There were a few positive things like Ellis’s decision about remaining single because she and Frank enjoy their personal spaces and privacy but that’s countered by having the fascinating IA pets like Henry be reduced to saying “I’d like to watch fish today, Mom”, instead of being a integral member of the investigating team.  Such an empty role as opposed to what they have been prior. 

Given all the above, this book was a disappointment. I won’t be recommending it. 

Cover design: Cover design and composite cover art by Janet Holmes

Ellis McFadden Mysteries :

  • Breathing Space #1
  • Star Power #2
  • Future Tense #3 

Buy link

        Future Tense: Ellis McFadden Mysteries

    

Blurb 

Step into the enigmatic world of the Athos—a vessel that blends the luxury of a cruise ship, the intrigue of a scientific research station, and the might of a military starship. Here, amidst the stars, you’ll find Ellis McFadden, the ship’s head librarian, embarking on adventures she never anticipated this late in her career.

The plot thickens when the Athos comes to the aid of a stranded craft, taking aboard three mysterious sisters and their father. They offer a tantalizing trade: visions of the future for those eager to know their fate. The crew and guests are soon captivated by the predictions.

But Ellis senses something amiss. The price for these glimpses into tomorrow seems too steep. So she, boyfriend Frank, and her android cat investigate, uncovering dubious secrets, but her friends are already entranced by the charlatans’ charms. Can Ellis break the spell and save the ship’s crew from an ominous future?

  • Publisher: Sugar Skull Books
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: May 31, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 299 pages
  • Book 3 of 3: Ellis McFadden Mysteries

Review:  Wicked Witch of the Wolf: The Smokethorn Paranormals Series Book 3 by C.P. Rider

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Wicked Witch of the Wolf: The Smokethorn Paranormals Series Book 3 by C.P. Rider is absolutely my favorite and most satisfying read of this terrific series. 

When Betty’s friend, Bronwyn, asks her to investigate why Maya, a woman and close friend who had been seeking a divorce now has an odd personality and is content in her marriage.  Marriage to a male witch known to be problematic and in Bronwyn’s coven. 

Wicked Witch of the Wolf resolves a number of complex conflicts and character issues that have been long standing elements within the series. And it makes the book so compelling, satisfying and fascinating as it moves so many relationships forward.

The personal growth that Betty undergoes is enormous. That’s aligning with the magical power that comes from the knowledge and acceptance that she achieves here.  Betty’s stubbornness or resistance to acknowledge certain truths, a trait she’s been slowly working through, is a main element of her storyline. 

And the characters who have impacted her life in the past , here are the ones who will help her finally move forward. 

There’s so many layers to this book . So many threads, great characters, new and old, fantastic developments, and one or two where I just want to thump Ronan, as he’s still too much “controlling, save the weak women” figure.   Luckily, the women here are quick to tell him to knock it off, and they don’t need saving, and btw, they just saved him.   He, however, is in need of much change or growth. 

That may be coming next book. 

As always the mysterious omnipresent DJ with their on point selection of 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s rock music is fabulous. 

I need to know if each book has a complete set list. Awesome. 

Highly recommended and wish I had the next book now. 

Cover design by The Book Brander”

The Smokethorn Paranormals Series :

Strike It Witch #1

Any Which Wolf #2

Wicked Witch of the Wolf #3

The Wolfing Hour #4 – Nov 30,2025

Buy link

        Wicked Witch of the Wolf: The Smokethorn Paranormals Series Book 3

    

Blurb 

“One thing, though. What was the last straw that made Maya file for divorce?”
“She told me Desmond said he was going to kill her.”

Betty Lennox, earth witch and paranormal investigator, has a whole slew of problems. Her magic is as finicky as a jackrabbit in the desert; the local werewolf alpha lurks around every corner, giving her death threats; and a certain sexy werewolf isn’t returning her calls.

What’s a witch to do? Focus on work.

Betty is hired to investigate a one-eighty personality change in a woman who was going to divorce her husband but suddenly loves him again. That’s suspicious by itself, but the fact that he’s a member of the local coven puts Betty on high alert.

With her team of allies—Ida, her BFF and a retired necromancer; Fennel, a magical cat, and Cecil, a homicidal garden gnome with a penchant for explosives—Betty digs deeper into the case and quickly realizes this deadly plan goes far beyond Maya’s marriage. She finds herself facing off with witches, shifters, and dark, arcane magic.

The good news? Betty finds unexpected new allies to join her crew and help her solve the case. The bad news? Some of them start disappearing. It’s up to Betty and her unreliable magic to find her friends, protect her client, and save Smokethorn as something wicked this way comes…

For fans of urban fantasy with a side of slow-burn romance.

  • Publisher: VC Group, LLC
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: May 31, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 302 pages
  • Book 3 of 4: The Smokethorn Paranormals Series

Review:  The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening: A New Zealand Paranormal Cozy Mystery by Naomi Kuttner

Rating: 4.5 🔍⭐️

Another great new to me author, another new book and series that I found absolutely fascinating and thoroughly entertaining.

Naomi Kuttner’s new paranormal cozy mystery is unusual in its use of multiple main character voices to provide the story. It took me a while to get the feel for the flow and framing of how these three highly detailed, yet very different characters would be pulled together to form a compelling trio of unlikely friends who solve a mystery. Or mysteries. 

The town of Te Kohe, New Zealand exhibits plenty of main character energy on its own, due to its unique community and character, including its citizens who have a tendency to reveal unexpected sides to themselves. 

It starts with Dante, a retired assassin, who’s moved to Te Kohe, New Zealand and now, mostly due to his choice of homes, finds himself living with a life he never anticipated. He expected isolation, and instead he gets a nonstop flow of visitors, and then a gardener. 

That arrival of Charlie Wilson, a lovely gardener with his own secrets, sets off an entire ripple of events and murder mysteries to solve. The redoubtable Eleanor is right there , to help them, especially Dante, navigate through the town in their investigations. 

Each is such a fantastic character. Dante has been focused on his work as an assassin so now adjusting to being an actual person who’s a part of a team and community is a challenging process. As written by Kuttner, Dante’s personality is realistically chilling in places, hilariously lacking in social skills, and his growth is a result of his own decisions to act on Charlie’s behalf. Eleanor is one revelation after another, a woman of strengths, ingenuity, and a hidden past. And then there’s Charlie, a young man whose story is the basis for the mystery. 

Set in New Zealand, the story and characters are well defined by their location and their respective nationality. From the nature, plants and fauna ( I had to look up several of the birds and trees Charlie referenced to my delight), to the languages and foods, I absolutely knew I was in a small town community in New Zealand. That dynamic of the real nature of a type of place where everyone knows everyone is a prerequisite of a cozy and Kuttner has it down. 

The small trio of strangers that becomes friends through mystery investigations is a fascinating and great storyline.  It fit perfectly into the classic cozy format albeit with a paranormal addition of ghosts here. 

There’s no romantic element between the three main characters. They are, at least here, firmly in the friend zone.  Eleanor appears to have the promise of one in the future with a great side character.

The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening: A New Zealand Paranormal Cozy Mystery by Naomi Kuttner is just terrific. Self published, it’s full of amazing twists, great storylines, wonderful characters, and a fascinating town of citizens to explore. 

I can’t wait for the next book to be released. 

Highly recommended for lovers of cozy mysteries and fantastic stories.

Retired Assassin’s Guide (2 book series)

The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening #1

The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Orchid Hunting #2 – Dec 16,2025

Buy link 

        The Retired Assassin’s Guide to Country Gardening: A New Zealand Paranormal Cozy Mystery

    

Blurb 

Dante has come to the small coastal town of Te Kohe, New Zealand, for a fresh start in life. But he doesn’t want to open a BnB, or save a charming bookshop, or start a romance with a single mother in need of rescuing.

He just wants to forget about his past career (which involved a lot of dead bodies) and have everyone leave him the heck alone. Unfortunately for Dante, life has other plans…

  • Publication date: January 25, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 471 pages

Review:  One-Time Shot: MM Small-Town College Hockey Romance (Smithton Bears Book 1) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

If you loved The Elmwood Stories then the Smithton Bear is just your thing. One-Time Shot: MM Small-Town College Hockey Romance (Smithton Bears Book 1) by Lane Hayes is such an adorable romance.  

The two main characters are an absolute delight to read and I easily read this in one evening. 

Jett, the college hockey player is layered, finding his year challenging, and his life full of unexpected stumbles.  Malcolm, the science major who has a thesis and needs Jett’s help to complete it, is fully realized and relatable. He’s so cute.

Together they are funny believable duo, learning from each other, walking around, figuring things out, within the context of their social groups and sports influence. 

Hayes makes these two young men very honest and real in their issues and how they find their way to overcome the obstacles between them.

 

A lovely romance and terrific couple. 

Cover Design by Reese Dante

Smithton Bears:

One-Time Shot #1

Something to Prove #2 – July 29,2025

Buy link

        One-Time Shot: MM Small-Town College Hockey Romance (Smithton Bears Book 1)

    

Blurb 

The jock, the geek, and the hockey project…

Jett

My pro hockey dreams are hanging by a thread. I need to have a great season and that means no partying, no distractions, no fun. The grad student’s science experiment is the definition of no fun, so…okay.

Pros and cons of agreeing to this deal:

Pros: Positive use of free time. (At least that’s what my agent says.)

Cons: Malcolm is bossy, clumsy, and he doesn’t know the first thing about hockey.

But he’s also cute and he’s got a great sense of humor and—oh no.

I cannot have a crush on the geek. No way. Not now.

Malcolm

Yes, I’m a serious student, but a hockey project is not serious. Who cares about big hunky hockey players zipping around a sheet of ice at warp speed? Not I.

However, according to my professor, the only way to attain the required data is to study the specimen in his natural habitat, AKA, the ice rink.

Pros: My thesis should lead to a bevy of job offers.

Cons: Jett. He’s impossibly big and gruff and handsome and disarmingly charming and—

Fine. Guilty. I like the jock…perhaps too much.

Lately, I find myself wondering if there’s such a thing as a one-time shot at forever.

One-Time Shot is a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a charismatic hockey star and an adorkable scientist.

  • Publication date: May 27, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 186 pages
  • Book 1 of 2: Smithton Bears