The Coachman by V.L. Locey is a new historical paranormal story along the lines of angels and devils romances.
Vividly told, conversationally on point for its era, Locey has crafted a narrative of two wildly opposite men who, despite their vastly different existences, still find love with each other.
I found Livingston and Hamielâs story interesting, the horse fantastic, and several other elements absolutely intriguing. But I never quite got the chemistry between Hamiel and Livingston. Their relationship was sweet but not quite âenough â for all that surrounds them.
I think itâs the lack of background on Hamiel. Heâs just an ephemeral person. And Livingston is undeserving of his role. So thereâs an underlying issue or feeling of dissatisfaction with the overall predicament here thatâs never fully resolved.
The Coachman by V.L. Locey has some wonderfully descriptive writing, terrific universe building, and interesting characters. Itâs the main characterâs roles and relationships that I didnât fully invest in.
However, I find it entertaining and an enjoyable read.
As you draw your final breath, the coachman waitsâŠ
Awakening in a dreary, unknown cabin with no recollection of how he arrived there, Livingstone Wright is about to discover that hell is just a coach ride away.
Mysteriously cursed to serve the dark lord, he is now responsible for ferrying freshly freed souls to the fiery depths. As he struggles to come to terms with being resurrected, given a home in purgatory, and learning a new profession, he discovers that he is not the only servant of a higher being biding their time as death creeps closer.
For if the devil is waiting to lay claim to a soul, then so too must the Almighty be.
Itâs during the sometimes long wait for a person to breathe their last and the final judgment be made that Livingstone meets Hamiel, the light to his dark. The rainbow walker is fair-skinned with golden locks and wide amber eyes behind wire-rimmed spectacles, a soothing aura, and a highly inquisitive mind. The two soon become unlikely friends and then much more as they set out to unravel how it was that Livingstone came to be in Luciferâs employ.
The Coachman is an M/M historical paranormal romance with two leading men who could not be more dissimilar, a horse with a need for unearthly speed, a manservant who would rather poke holes in reality than mend them in trousers, a hellacious boss, stolen moments in a nether carriage, and a heavenly happy ending.
Content Warning: This story has references to off-page child and adult death.
Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1) by Arden Steele is a first book in a new series in an established universe. The Blackhaven Manor and connected sequel Hunters Hollow series are both full of terrific paranormal stories and interesting fated mates romances.
With their crossover characters and established mythology/histories, they have a depth of character and storyline coming into the book that I thought was missing here.
Both the main characters werenât really well developed, nor did their instant love/fated mates storyline have any chemistry.
My biggest issue out of a bunch of them is the opening scenes where a young girl is so desperate to see her deceased father that she uses dark uncontrollable magic in Sunne Tanakaâs public library and tragically ends them both.
Itâs a very unexpected traumatic moment but does Sunne Tanaka act like it? No. He could be visiting an ice cream parlor with the same overall emotional energy of placid sweet potato niceness that he exhibits here.
Did I believe in his character? No. If Arden had said Sunne was experiencing shock from his death and that of the girl , that was one thing but no, this âcinnamon roll â personality was it.
And his fated mate is an unpleasant, bitter living guard in the underworld that we get no real sense of.
Add to all the above, a third major character quickly telegraphs what his role is to be in the storyline. Itâs easy to guess at.
So adding all these elements together meant that Definitely Dead (Happily Ever Afterlife Book 1) by Arden Steele was a book I breezed through with little connection with the characters or plot.
Itâs ok but I doubt this is a series I will be following.
Cover Art by Black Butterfly Designs Published by Peccavi Pressâ
As a royal Guardian, Tyr Bergstrom is built for battle, not stillness. Not whatever this is. He followed his prince into the depths of the Underworld out of loyalty, but with no foes to vanquish and no lives to safeguard, heâs left questioning why he stays. Itâs dark, cold, and each day blends into the next with monotonous sameness.
Until a spark of sunshine arrives in the Village of Lost Souls.
Sunne Tanaka died. Not ideal, but heâs had worse Mondays. While the afterlife isnât anything like he expectedâfrankly, itâs a total scamâfrom the moment he meets Tyr, he canât help but feel that heâs exactly where he belongs. He hasnât decided if the shifter is his destiny or a beautiful disaster waiting to happen, but he knows one thing for certain. Heâs not leaving the village without him.
But Tyr knows better than anyone that some lines arenât meant to be crossed. He doesnât know what waits beyond the dark waters of the River Acheron, but itâs the only condition of his stay in the Underworld. A rule he has never questionedâŠuntil another soul puts Sunneâs very existence at risk.
Now, heâs not just questioning.
Now, heâs prepared to take on the living, the dead, and Hades himself to bring his mate back and give them both a chance at a happily ever afterlife.
I really enjoyed Finlay, it brought me back to much of the original elements and characters of this paranormal universe that I am invested in that started with the four sons of Lucifer in the Reckless Damned series.
In fact, we get to see several of the characters and couples from some of my favorite stories return here in important roles. A absolutely fantastic aspect of this story.
Finlay is a character who was introduced before in Dannyâs story and we get a brief recap here.
Chester, the florist fleeing a damaging relationship, is a wonderful character as is the assistant who is equally tragic in his background and importance here, Reid. Reid is a heartbreaking character and he, along with pack member Evan get the next story.
However, this is Finlay and Chesterâs journey to recovery and their HEA and itâs a wonderful story. I was with them every step forward in trust and recovery from the hurt and pain of loss and damage that their past relationships has brought each of them.
Taylor wraps up this coupleâs story and gives them a happy ending as well as sets up Evan (and Reid) for their book to come.
I canât wait to read it. This is another winner in a universe of connected series that continues to grow and keep me invested in their lives and relationships. Highly recommended!
Book cover design: BreathlessLit Cover model photograph: Wander Aguiar Photography LLC
Over a century ago, my alpha lost the one he loved.
And so did I.
My love for Dannyâs wife is my deepest, darkest secret. All these years later, Danny has moved on and found a new love.
I wish I could do the same.
Iâm stuck in a rut, going through the same routine day after day. Leading the clan is my motivation, but itâs not enough to fill the emptiness inside.
Thatâs until I meet Chester.
The quiet human florist has been hurt in the past. Someone has forced him to bury the person he once was.
But I see flashes of him during our interactions. Every glimpse has me desperate to know more. To learn what makes him smile. To discover what makes him happy.
All I have to do is persuade him to give me a chance. To trust me enough to let me close.
The clan has been my motivation, but I think loving Chester is meant to be my purpose.
‘Finlay’ is the first book in a thrilling MM wolf shifter series. Spice, found family, action, and protective MCs are guaranteed. Each book will follow a new couple and end with a HEA.
Jenny Schwartz is a new author for me but after this book sheâs immediately on my must read list. Stars Die, the first book in the Caldryn Parliament series, is a fabulous read.
The world building is layered and intriguing, yet so vivid and large that you can see how she will be exploring it further in the series. And even farther.
The characters themselves are incredibly complex. Each has their own histories that are only partially revealed here, multiple agendas, and completely diverse backgrounds.
This is magic, science fiction and realism all combined into a compelling narrative.
And Schwartz has beautifully crafted even more fascinating storylines that work together to create a fascinating tale of dynastic power, intrigue, galactic politics, mystery and chaos. All with an overlay of magic.
It begins with the incredible character of Vanda Kavanagh, whose powerful grandmother has recalled her from her duty on a frontier planet to become new Warden of Caldryn Parliament.
Such a simple sentence that is so powerful a statement of a womanâs heart and journey to her own path. Vanda is an incredible character. And she is accompanied by a very special companion, Giddy.
Giddy is part of the murder mystery that Vanda sets out to solve, as part of her plan and as part of a larger underlying problem.
Thereâs an entire excellent cast of equally important and well defined characters. Many of which I expect to develop and expand as the series continues.
This is a complex, emotional, exciting novel. Thereâs a potential for a romance but itâs not a romance story. Itâs a political thriller, albeit one that is a magical science fiction novel.
So highly recommended and Iâm extremely excited for the next book to be released.
Welcome to Caldryn Parliament. Golden Age mysteries in the Realm of science fiction and fantasy.
Recalled from the frontier, the new Warden of Caldryn Parliament is well aware sheâs not a popular choice, but she never expected to portal into a murder scene.
Nor did she anticipate acquiring such a unique partner.
Now, Vanda Kavanagh must discover the truth of a politicianâs death, unravel the mystery of her sabotaged wards, and survive her family.
***
Stars Die is a magic parliament mystery. If you’ve ever wished that Agatha Christie included magic or that Sherlock Holmes fought space pirates, this is the series for you!
The Legend of Lovers Hollow is a funny, ghostly tale, a veritable mansion full of characters that are entertaining, intriguing, hilarious, occasionally heartbreaking, especially if they are a young sad ghost, and offer a number of interesting relationship dynamics.
Ellis Sparks is trying his best to expand the haunted hotelâs entertainment for its guests and that now includes a play about the tragic triad of lovers from the mansionâs history, The Legend of Lovers Hollow . Only itâs bringing with it unexpected peril along with challenges in the performances.
The new guests themselves are an intriguing rowdy bunch, from a group of well-known ghost hunters to a anime artist and several married couples and a throuple. The Haunted House has never seemed busier or under more stress.
Morgan especially is struggling with his own issues and the hotelâs finances. This , alongside the problems of a lonely little ghost, feel the most grounded and relatable emotionally. In a very strange and otherwise paranormal world setting, amongst ghosts having their own issues, Morgan and sad little Artie make their own circle of connection and bond that made this story for me.
But the grandfather and his sarongs? Hilarious. And we get several great surprises in the visitors here.
My only wish was for a more definitive ending. It seems to just stop without any real resolution to the issues here.
The Haunted Hotel 2: The Legend of Lovers Hollow is a highly recommended and enjoyable paranormal romp! Poignant, hilarious and fully entertaining.
Great series.
Cover design by Natasha Snow @NatashaSnowDesigns
Crawshanks Guide to Mischievous Spectres & Spirits:
The Haunted Hotel (Crawshanks Guide to Mischievous Spectres & Spirits Book 1)
Welcome back to the Ashton-Drake Manor House Hotel!
Ellis Sparks is beyond thrilled. Not only has he discovered that ghosts are real, but the hotel heâs lived in since he was a teenager is filled with them. Okay, so the first annual murder mystery event may have gone slightly awry, and the hotel is still under threat of foreclosure.
Oh, and the whole place is being investigated by the Bureau of Domestic Hauntings. Turns out thereâs a lot of bureaucracy in the afterlife!
But life is good. Ellis is in love and now that heâs newly promoted to hotel manager, heâs even more determined to save his beloved home, starting with a brand-new event! A historical re-enactment of a local urban legend and a ghost-hunting Valentines weekend are sure to bring in more business and help save the hotel.
Thereâs just one problem.
The Legend of Lovers Hollow is real, and three potentially murderous ghosts are on a rampage through a hotel filled with amateur ghost hunters. Now, accompanied by their motley crew of quirky staff and ghostly sidekicks, Ellis and his superhot silver fox of a boyfriend must figure out how to put the furious spiritual triad back to sleep before all hell lets loose and the hotel guests get more than a frightfully good stay..
The Past in the Present (Beyond the Veil Book 9) by KM Avery is an outstanding piece of work by Avery in a series full of great novels.
The Past in the Present, Beyond the Veil book 9, finishes Seth and Elliotâs journey and inter-series trilogy.
Seth Mays and Elliot Crane have slowly made themselves into a couple, with Seth just now moving into Elliotâs home on the reservation and Seth working on his firefighter credentials in Shawano, Wisconsin.
Then a shattering phone call from a Sheriffâs Office in Staunton, Virginia , involving his estranged parents, saying his mother has been murdered , and his father is missing, presumably dead. Noah, Sethâs young brother has been held for questioning in connection with the deaths. The nightmare of Sethâs past is back and heâs got to go back to a place where he promised himself and Noah he would never have to return. Home.
The Past in the Present is a haunting, complex, and deeply moving story. Itâs dark, layered with the characters past, horrific damaged history, fully immersed in their current tumultuous lives and relationships, and folded into the twisted ways the Arcanavirus settled into certain parts of the country and communities.
It brings Seth and Elliottâs relationship into a more intimate and complete sense of balance between them, letting Elliott see firsthand what Seth (as well Noah) traumatic adolescent upbringing was like and what they endured before they escaped their father and family. Itâs a horror story at times and the authorâs note of trigger warnings at the beginning should be read.
This is also an excellent labyrinthine mystery about the current murder investigation, Sethâs family, wills, and an extreme religious sect. This aspect of The Past in the Present brings in our favorite elf agent, Val Hart (Elliotâs best friend) and his new FBI boss, Tiger shifter, Raj, who will figure in the next series group.
Itâs both a psychological mystery and action horror thriller. A well thought out story of two individuals who have overcome their differences and fears to become a true couple and have a stronger relationship. And itâs one manâs story to work through his personal demons and struggles with self worth and find peace in himself and his own new life.
I canât imagine a better story or journey for Seth than the one Avery had written here. Itâs just that exceptional.
Each story often sends me back to reread a certain moment in the series that made me realize how amazing the characters and each element is.
And now to wait on Raynâs voice. Highly recommended.
Everything was finally going well. I had a job I liked, a man I loved, and a future we were building together.
And then the past came back to haunt meâand now I have to go back to the house in Appalachia where my parents had made my childhood a living hell. Where Noah and I had been broken, over and over, as the people who were supposed to love and protect us tried to turn us into something we werenât and would never be.
It was a place Iâd never wanted to go again.
But I now I have to. Because the parents I never meant to speak to again are dead, and Noahâs fingerprints were found all over the kitchen.
I didnât know why Noah went back, what had happened to my parents, or whether my psyche was going to make it through a trip back to middle-of-nowhere rural Virginia. Or my relationship. Iâd finally managed to convince Elliot to give me a chance, and he was about to find out about a lot of skeletons in a very deep, very dark closet.
I could only hope that heâd be willing to help me bury the bones.
Itâs been a while since Iâve read this series, but quickly became reacquainted with the universe and characters and where we left off with their stories and the drama that was going on.
Mads, the UK council member with a mysterious backstory, and Ender ,the damaged vampire who has a deadly mission yet a responsibility for a younger vampire, Rylee, he clearly adores, is a very interesting couple.
This story and their roles has so many layers to it that their relationship develops really quickly, far too easily, given each manâs trauma and pasts to fully reach the levels of trust it goes into here. I wish their timelines and story length had more longer so they could have better chemistry and development.
All the other couples are present. Claude is hilarious as always. Rylee the young vampire ward of Enderâs is amazing, as is her dynamic with him and those around her. Like Orin and Finn.
Things go explosive. Fight scenes and fast paced moments of suspense. And , in a wonderful ending, Winters goes for a more believable HFN ending rather than HEA. Thereâs still too many loose ends still to be pulled together for this to happen.
How to Entice a Fiend (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes Book 6) by Alice Winters is another exciting book in an excellent paranormal series from an auto buy author.
As a member of the vampire council, being tasked with keeping an eye on a few people shouldnât be too hard, right?
Wrong.
The moment I meet the VRC, I realize how very wrong I am. Itâs fascinating how in a group filled with ancient beings, the only reasonable one is the human. Definitely not the grumpy vampire⊠or the other grumpy vampire⊠and donât get me started on the eye-searing clothes the bubbly one wears.
And thatâs when I run into Ender.
Well⊠run is probably the wrong word. Itâs more like he accidentally saves my life, joins me for a fun torture fest from some guy who woke up on the wrong side of the bed, and then ends up fleeing through unknown territory with my naked body slung over his shoulder.
Is there a better meet-cute than all of that?
Probably not, as long as we ignore the real reason Iâm here.
Ender
Keeping Rylee safe is the only thing I should care about. So then how is it that I find myself being pulled along by Mads, a member of the council that Iâve sworn to get rid of? Heâs charismatic, charming, and really far too suspicious, but our paths merge as I fight to end an injustice that started hundreds of years ago.
Mads is making me realize that maybe there is more to my life than becoming a martyr for people who seem to think Iâm the bad guy. While others see me as a monster, he sees who I really am.
And I will do anything to keep him from the danger heâs been drawn into.
As author Hailey Turner says, this is an absolute treasure of a gift to her fans, those who love and have followed the long journey Patrick Collins and Jonothon de Vere from their original book and meeting to this their final chapter where they get married, their happy epilogue.
Many of the favorites are also in attendance and we get a quick drama before the ending.
Itâs been incredible and for me itâs a series Iâll be rereading.
Patrick Collins earned the peace heâs found in New York City with his pack through sacrifice. Six years out from the end of the world, heâs satisfied with the life heâs built and doesnât think about what else the future might hold until he stumbles his way into a hostage situation he didnât ask to be part of.
Jonothon de Vere would like nothing more than to wake up each morning with the love of his life and never deal with trouble again. Except Patrick has always been a magnet for such crises, and Jono isnât one to stand idly by when his lover could use some help.
It feels just like old times when thatâs the last thing they want, but maybe itâs also the reminder they need that the future isnât set in stone. Maybe, just maybe, Patrick and Jono are finally ready to take the next step and walk down the aisle together.
Born to be Legends is what fans of Hailey Turnerâs best-selling Soulbound series have been waiting for.
Direbound is the debut fantasy novel by Sable Sorensen, a pen name of two co-authors and friends creating their first fantasy/paranormal series.
Direbound is, for the most part, a very successful romance fantasy thriller. Direbounds narrative is full of giant dire wolves, a horrific physically demanding mountain trial the main characters have to undergo. And for those that survive? They become part of a terrifying murderous academy of bonded pairs ,in a story that includes an enemies to lovers potential love story, missing children, and terror everywhere.
There are many elements I found absolutely fascinating, things that held my attention and kept me riveted to this world and ongoing drama.
I found I was totally involved in the main character of Meryn Cooper, alley cat street fighter of the Eastern Quarter who turns to the army when a family tragedy strikes. Her unexpected journey into a new path than the one she envisioned for herself. Sheâs tough, well rounded, and credible in every aspect of her journey. Well, except one.
Her character, that of the twins, Isabel and Venna, one of the sisters is hearing impaired being a factor and the use of sign language in their stories, and the Rawbonded brutality of this story is a very well written aspect of Direbound.
Another important aspect of the story is the bonding between the wolves and their human bondmates. Itâs unlike other stories, itâs far more complex, pack like and brutal than other similar tales. The raw energy, high emotional intelligence of the wolves and constant tension and conflict between them is a great way to keep the reader engaged and guessing here.
Survival isnât guaranteed, and some of the characters are more relatable than others.
Thereâs plenty of mystery and chaos and drama mixed in with the murderous conflicts and bonding events.
The relationships between characters make and break the story for me. Yes to all the wolf/human dynamics. And those relationships between the humans fighting for survival and final bond rights. Those are believable.
But outside of those? Itâs that boyfriend aspect that drags everything down.
Things that absolutely irritates me as a reader? A nickname of endearment like Kitten. One itâs has a displaced terminology aspect associated with it for the type of the locations and world foundation the author is creating here. However, more importantly, its usage indicates a different issue for the character, one I believe is telegraphed too soon. See boyfriend that bothers me above. That entire element just isnât as well written.
But the story is a gripping tale and it keeps me invested in its journey. Especially when the ending is so dramatically shocking.
Thatâs a great way to end.
Now quickly letâs talk about why I think this book deserves a better reading. The PR should let it stand on its own merits.
What this isnât is what the PR releases desperately wants it to be âFourth Wing meets The Hunger Games in dark action-packed fantasy series!â No, and I wish every heavy handed PR group would stop this kind of release approach. It does a disservice to the authors, readers and actually the book by not letting them see it on its own without a preconceived notion.
Direbound: A Dark Romantasy (The Wolves of Ruin Book 1) by Sable Sorensen is a terrific debut novel. It has some fantastic elements that make it stand out on its own right as a paranormal/fantasy thriller. This includes that great wolf bond aspect of the book.
And a woman character that is strong and well developed in Meryn Cooper.
Iâm definitely recommending this book and looking forward to reading more in the series.
Only the worthy survive the Bonding Trials. Sheâll risk her lifeâand her heartâto be one of themâŠ
Meryn Cooper has never dreamed of being one of the Bonded, the Kingâs elite warriors who form mental links with massive, vicious direwolves. Sheâs made peace with her life scraping by in poverty in the shadows of the castle. But then her younger sister Saela is kidnapped, stolen across the border by the immortal monsters her country has spent centuries fighting.
And Merynâs world falls apart.
Desperate to cross the front and save her sister, Meryn enlists in the armyâonly to discover that there are Bonding Trials this year, where all soldiers are forced to risk their lives in an attempt to connect with a direwolf. Itâs too late to turn back; Meryn is thrown into the deadly competition against her will.
Now, sheâll need to survive the next four months of training at the castle if she wants a chance of finding Saela. Everything here is a test, from the brutal classes where one mistake means death, to the glittering court parties where every smile hides a knife.
To make things worse, Meryn is bound to a feral direwolf who refuses to communicate. The other trainees would love to spill her common blood. And her gorgeous instructor, Stark Therion, is as malicious as the wolves himself.
Everyone is out to get herâeveryone but the dangerously handsome crown prince, Killian Valtiere. But if she loses her heart to him, she may also lose her life.
And the castle is hiding dark secretsâŠ
â Direbound: A Dark Romantasy (The Wolves of Ruin Book 1) by Sable Sorensen
Direbound is set in a dark fantasy world and contains dark subject matter and adult romance. Content warnings for this book include gruesome, explicit on-page violence; self harm; mental health issues including anxiety, depression and psychosis; domestic abuse; parental death; and explicit sexual content including elements of dubcon.
The Paternity Puzzle, the third series and another important evolutionary step in Sawyer Keys and Royce Lockeâs relationship and marriage.
This well written book is about families, from many emotional aspects and from different perspectives. Itâs Sawyer and Royce embarking on their own journey through prospective fatherhood, a murder case involving a fertility doctor that hits home for them, and Royceâs strained dynamic with his father gets a thoughtful storyline thatâs moving and realistic.
While this investigation is complete, the story sets up a larger narrative with a different darker story going forward.
Excellent character development, and itâs wonderful to see all my favorites here, including those podcasters from Sinister in Savannah.
Really looking forward to seeing the next in the series.
Royce Locke and Sawyer Key are back and better than ever with new mysteries and hilarious shenanigans as they tackle their greatest challenge yet: fatherhood.
A perfect holiday weekend takes a twisted turn when Royce investigates a suspicious death involving Dr. Jean Claude Matisse, a retired pioneer in fertility medicine. What first looks like an accidental overdose quickly turns into something more sinister when explosive allegations reveal hundreds of reasons why someone would want the doctor dead.
This investigation hits close to home, exposing the vulnerabilities of relying on science and a doctorâs ethics to have a family, especially when the hopeful husbands are only a positive pregnancy test away from parenthood.
The Paternity Puzzle is book one in the Felonies and Fatherhood trilogy, the third story arc for Royce Locke and Sawyer Key. ** New readers should start with the Zero Hour and Matrimony and Mayhem trilogies before reading Felonies and Fatherhood. ** The Paternity Puzzle continues Royce and Sawyerâs happily ever after as they move into the most anticipated phase of their lives. Though some storylines span the trilogy, this book does not end in a cliffhanger. Heat, humor, heart, and homicide abound. You have been warned. 18+
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 