Review: Shifting Winds (Shifter Lords #4) by S.E. Babin

Rating: 4.75⭐️

This was an excellent read. The fourth book in what I believe is a seven book series, Babin packs so many important series elements and shocking moments into this book, jamming a multitude of various character’s storylines, relationship dynamics, and unexpected events together to make this story a memorable, explosive dramatic and extremely compelling book.

Evie and Caelin’s relationship is one that still stands out as one of powerfully compelling fragility. Each of them has their own unique powers as well as responsibilities and deeply rooted secrets that make any type of permanent connection between them almost untenable. Never more is this made clear than here as events escalate.

But Evie’s friends are ongoing challenges and their own personal relationship issues. Ones that her choices are making an impact.

It’s one thing after another. One dramatic moment that arises when you least expect it. And the author folds every single piece of information and plot effortlessly into the whole, using mythology and fantasy and the richness of the location to bring the characters and wildness of this story to life.

That ending was so satisfying and intense. Which makes me want more immediately!

There’s a bit of a mystery left unanswered that will be carried over to the next book. I can wait for it to be released.

Highly recommended. Grab them up and read in the order they were written.

This is a series that I find absolutely amazing. A winner!

Cover design by Covers by Christian

Shifter Lords series:

Shift of Heart #1

Shift of Morals #2

Power Shift #3

Shifting Winds #4

Shifting Resolve #5

Shift of Rule #6

Shift of the Wild #7

Buy link

Shifting Winds (Shifter Lords Book 4)

Blurb

Everything’s a mess. The gods won’t stay out of her business. And Evie? All she wants is a little peace or drowning by bottomless margaritas.

Evie should be basking in the afterglow after her romp with the Shifter Lord. Instead, she’s dodging his increasingly aggressive courtship rituals like a runaway bride carrying dynamite. Not because she doesn’t care about him, but because she’s keeping big secrets.

Cernunnos has decided to retire. On the surface, totally fine. Except … Daddy Dearest wants to hand Evie the keys to the fae kingdom, and he’s been dropping in with divine homework and cryptic warnings about the future.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Caelan is hinting at forever, the Council is sniffing around, searching for answers about Donovan’s untimely demise, and Cliona keeps dropping by, hinting she wants a mother-daughter relationship, while conveniently forgetting she tried to kill Evie a few months ago.

The cherry on top? After a split-second decision to swallow the World Tree seed to keep it out of Chimera hands, Evie is now a bridge to other worlds—a power she has no idea how to use, but one that everyone covets, leaving her to ask the most important question of all…

Who can she trust?

And who wants to take her out for good?

Publisher

Oliver Heber Books

Publication date

November 4, 2025

‎English

Print length

264 pages

Review: Little Bean: A Paranormal Comedy with Heart (Maya’s Blogs Book 5) by Lara MacKenzie

Rating: 5⭐️

Little Bean brings Maya’s Blog to a close, with tears, drama and, yes, more growth and more hopeful happiness in the future for her and her growing family and friends.

Maya’s undergone so many dramatic changes from the broken abused human who started a blog she wasn’t sure anyone would want to read to a paranormal being herself with readers in the millions from many realms (it’s listed at the top of every chapter). She’s documented her journey, her fears and the challenges, every milestone and every step backwards. Her successes and her failures.

And each one has been one that’s had resonated with me, deeply, with this remarkable character that the author has framed out in this great blog format.

There’s side stories about women who are victims of domestic violence and abuse. And the organization that offers them and their children more than just food and shelter.

It’s about recovery, healing, and the ability to accept help to move forward when needed. It’s emotional magic and it’s honestly so hard to put into words, what it means to read this series and reach the end.

I’m not ready. Truly I’m not.

So I’ll leave you with this small piece at the end.

From Maya to her readers as she writes as she thinks about what comes next, just one tiny bit.

“You’re allowed to take up space. You’re allowed to want more than survival.

You’re allowed to fall apart and rebuild yourself into something new.

You’re allowed to be scared and brave at the same time.”

I can’t even get past the rest without going back and starting over. With tissues.

Given the current state of our world, especially for women, this character and series hits hard. An emotional gut punch, book by book.

Laughing, crying, recovery, loss, and renewed strength to move forward.

It’s a series I never expected when I first started reading. New author and format. But it’s one that’s stuck with me and it’s been a great read and source of comfort.

Now I’m passing it along to you. It a special kind of treasure, something to share with the next person who you think might be want a special voice in their lives.

The cover has a tag, An Umbrafore novel, which might possibly promise more novels to come in this chaotic universe. I can always hope.

Cover Illustration Main image by Manuka Madushan, Digital Illustrator.

MAYA’S BLOGS:

Espresso Yourself #1

Brew Diligence #2

Uncharted Grounds #3

Flat White Flag #4

Little Bean #5 – series finale

Buy link

Little Bean: A Paranormal Comedy with Heart (Maya’s Blogs Book 5)

Blurb

Maya Draven thought marrying a shadow demon warlord was the craziest thing she’d ever do. She was wrong.

As she faces escalating attacks from hate groups, Maya discovers that having a hybrid baby doesn’t make her vulnerable—it makes her dangerous.

And Maya is about to face her biggest challenges yet.

This is the explosive conclusion to Maya’s journey from anxious barista to fierce mother, where she proves that sometimes the best response to people trying to silence you is to speak even louder.

Publication date: November 2, 2025
Language: English
File size: 2.6 MB
Simultaneous device usage: Unlimited
Screen Reader: Supported
Enhanced typesetting: Enabled
X-Ray: Not Enabled
Word Wise: Enabled
Print length: 322 pages
Page Flip: Enabled
Book 5 of 5: Maya’s Blogs

Review: Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Selena ,with her dog, Copper, has fled an abusive relationship after the death of her mother. Broken and desperate with dollars to her name, she’s bought a train ticket and traveled days to a small desert town of Quartz Creek in search of an aunt she barely knows.

Kingfisher’s novel pulls us immediately into the character of Selena, as it’s her voice that’s telling her story. Quietly contained, tense, and worried as we watch through her eyes, her journey to a town so dry , so small that there’s nothing to see when she’s deposited at her final destination with her few belongings and gentle old lab, Copper.

We’ve no idea exactly how broken Selena is or how horrific a relationship and past she’s fled. That is slowly revealed throughout the narrative as she starts to find her own way and new foundation in this quirky community.

Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher is a richly woven, beautifully written tale of a broken woman who finds in small dusty desert town full of secrets, small Gods both frightening and dangerous and some benign a refuge and home, along with a found family. People who are ready to support her, give her comfort and the space she needs to recover and develop her own strengths.

It’s a remarkable journey. Full of humor, compassion, joy and yes, horror.

All the characters are remarkable in their design and detail, human and otherwise. The mythology and mystical elements are incredible.

And I appreciate that even in the “horror “ aspect of this tale, there is a grey area attached to the “villain” here. Yes, its actions now are wrong but all the characters can see their origin came from a very different place. I really like having a broader perspective on subjects like this. Nothing is ever black and white.

T. Kingfisher or author Ursula Vernon is a writer whose work is quietly thoughtful and insightful. Her love for this desert and its beauty is apparent here, it flows through the landscape of the narrative in every sentence.

As does her approach to life and wildlife. Roadrunners are indeed far more than the cartoon characters would have you believe. Authors notes are a delight. Check them out.

Highly recommended. Both author and book.

Exquisite cover that carries major themes of the story.

Cover design by Logan Matthews Cover illustration by Tristan Elwell

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comSnake-Eater: Kingfisher, T.: 9781662525094

Blurb

From New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award–winning author T. Kingfisher comes an enthralling contemporary fantasy seeped in horror about a woman trying to escape her past by moving to the remote US desert—only to find herself beholden to the wrath of a vengeful god.

With only a few dollars to her name and her beloved dog Copper by her side, Selena flees her past in the city to claim her late aunt’s house in the desert town of Quartz Creek. The scorpions and spiders are better than what she left behind.

Because in Quartz Creek, there’s a strange beauty to everything, from the landscape to new friends, and more blue sky than Selena’s ever seen. But something lurks beneath the surface. Like the desert gods and spirits lingering outside Selena’s house at night, keeping watch. Mostly benevolent, says her neighbor Grandma Billy. That doesn’t ease the prickly sense that one of them watches too closely and wants something from Selena she can’t begin to imagine. And when Selena’s search for answers leads her to journal entries that her aunt left behind, she discovers a sinister truth about her new home: It’s the haunting grounds of an ancient god known simply as “Snake-Eater,” who her late aunt made a promise to that remains unfulfilled.

Snake-Eater has taken a liking to Selena, an obsession of sorts that turns sinister. And now that Selena is the new owner of his home, he’s hell-bent on collecting everything he’s owed.

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

Rating: 4🌈

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cover by Hannah Latham at oexasart

Emperor’s Assassin series:

Betrothed to the Emperor #1

Emperor’s Wrath #2

Shadow Throne King #3

Dragon Blood Curse #4 – March 16,2026

Buy link

Book 3 of 4: Emperor’s Assassin

Blurb

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

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

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

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

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

Review: Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs

Rating: 5⭐️

Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs has been described as a terrific novel written in as several short stories. I absolutely agree and I loved it.

The premise of the stories centers around an ancient werewolf, Asil, one who lost his beloved mate in a long past traumatic event that has continued to haunt him. His current pack mates in Montana have decided to take him on a series of 5 blind dates, via various dating apps, at Christmas time, to pull him out of his increasingly violent behavior and depression.

He’s even a Muslim who doesn’t celebrate Christmas as Asil will often remind his friends. So each short story is one of Asil’s dates. It begins with a open email, or text, that starts with

Dear Asil. It then outlines the date, the app they choose from, the parameters of the date and sign it Merry Christmas, Your Concerned Friends .

The dates have a huge range from floral arrangements to kitties to ghostbusters and more. But that doesn’t even touch the surface of what the author has in store for Asil and the reader.

It’s actually startling complex, often horrifying, well written and beautifully played out, with each story constantly evolving and reflecting back into Asil’s life.

By the time we reach the end tale, the pieces are falling into place, the drama is charged full of suspense and chaos, and that epilogue is so satisfying and heartwarming that I read it twice.

This is why Patricia Briggs is a highly recommended author. Grab up this new book and enjoy!

Contents:

Asil’s first date:

“Unappreciated Gifts”

Asil’s Second Date:

“Must Love Cats: Aftermath”

Asil’s Third Date:

“Asil and the Not-Date”

Asil’s Fourth Date:

“Dating Terrors”

Asil’s Fifth Date:

“Scheherazade”

“Epilogue”

Except from

“Alpha and Omega” by Patricia Briggs

Cover illustration Daniel dos Santos Cover and endpapers designed by Judith Lagerman

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › shop › dealsBlind Date With A Werewolf

Blurb

When the deadly werewolf Asil is gifted five blind dates by some anonymous “friends,” his reclusive life will never be the same, in this enthralling novel in stories from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series.

Includes two all-new stories as well as three previously published stories.

Dear Asil:

We are worried about you. A werewolf alone is a sad thing, especially at Christmastime. So we have a challenge for you: five dates in three weeks. We have taken the work out of it and connected you with five people from online dating sites. You should also know that we have informed the whole pack and instigated a betting pool. Have fun!

Sincerely,

Your Concerned Friends

Publisher: Ace
Publication date: October 21, 2025
Language: English

Review: Borrowed Amulet (Splintered Realms, #1) by Jilleen Dolbeare

Rating: 3.25⭐️

I should have remembered why I didn’t finish the original Splintered Realms series before I picked up this book. In fact, I didn’t make it past book 2 there. And I’m stopping here.

I do like Jileen Dolbeare overall but find I need to be selective about what books or series of hers to read. I just read a prequel book that was terrific and I’m getting ready for the series finale of a paranormal romance thriller that’s highly recommended she’s co-authored with Heather G. Harris.

But her Splintered Realms series just continues to be one that has too many issues. That of problematic characters and plots with storylines that are nonsensical, given the characters status and current events or just seem forced into the plot for the sake of drama itself.

This one is based off history and events that happened in the previous series. A death has already happened. The main character, a dragon rider, is grieving . She’s supposed to be older here but acts younger. Merlin, that Merlin of King Arthur’s Court, is an unpleasant character but not a complete bad person.

The actual story is a bit of a mess if you’re not familiar with the universe and background already set down in previous novels.

But it’s the actions of the main character that I find actionable here as written by Dolbeare. I’m not sure why she’s not thinking a reader will listen and look at this whole woman and wonder why the lack of development.

Granted she’s grieving and yes, Merlin was deeply cruel in his comments. All true. But past that, her dragon is very young and inexperienced in his own way.

Then comes a young dragon mage, who has zero experience because she’s been totally isolated in Scotland, beloved, and given to an equally untrained wanna-be rider.

Megan and Merlin decide to go after the eminently powerful Big Bad Mage with his own dragon who was responsible for her hunny’s death. Guess who they take with them?

Oh no what could possibly go wrong?

That’s a SMH scenario. And of course, it ends in a cliffhanger that anyone could see coming. When a author has her characters who are supposed to be seasoned mages act with all the instincts of first year grade students going into battle with kindergarteners, it destroys any credibility that they have. Including that plot line.

So I’ll try to remember that it is the Splintered Realms series I’m not reading.

If you are a fan, I’ll leave it to you.

Cover Designer: Covers by Christian

Splintered Realm Series

Borrowed Magic: Book .5

Borrowed Amulet: Book 1

Borrowed Chaos: Book 2*

Borrowed Trouble: Book 3*

Buy link

Book 1 of 3: Splintered Realms

Blurb

Megan’s world has shattered. The love of her life is gone, leaving her hollow and consumed by grief. In the midst of this despair, one venomous remark from Merlin—yes, that Merlin—sends her over the edge, pushing her into a reckless new purpose: bounty hunting across the Splinters of reality with her red dragon, Goch.

One target fuels her obsession: Mordred and his dragon. It’s the only thing keeping her from drowning in sorrow. But the hunter’s guild has left Mordred’s bounty up for grabs, and it’s already claimed lives. Worse, as a realm walker, Mordred’s impossible to track across the splinters, driving Megan mad with frustration and leaving her too much time to think.

Out of options, she grudgingly teams up with Merlin. Powerful, legendary, and hard to ignore, he should be the perfect ally—except she loathes him with the fire of a million burning suns. Then Mordred makes a move, reaching out to both of them.

The hunt is back on, but Merlin’s shadowy past is catching up, turning an already dangerous mission into a deadly gamble. Can Megan capture Mordred, survive Merlin’s demons, and make it out alive? Or will her pursuit lead to her ultimate downfall?

Enjoy this urban fantasy adventure with an older heroine, a slow burn enemies to lovers romance, dragon riding, and tons of action!

Check out the new Tour for the new release “Captains of Oartheca“ by James Siewert (Other Worlds Ink tour and excerpt)

James Siewert has a new MM sci-fantasy romance out, Oarthecan Star Saga book 3: Captains of Oartheca.

Welcome to Oartheca—a world of shattered beauty and stolen futures.

Where noble Barons rule with ironclad grace, and loyal drones unquestionably obey. A wounded world, rich with history and pride, struggling to heal… while war still smoulders at its edges.

Hoping to change the fate of all Oarthecans, Captain Rowland Hale II and Toar Grithrawrscion embark on a mission as herculean as it is perilous: to bring Oartheca under the aegis of the Coalition of Allied Planets, and in doing so, usher in a new era of strength, stability, and peace.

But nothing on Oartheca is so easily won. Not peace. Not unity. And certainly not the truth.

In Captains of Oartheca, James Siewert sees our heroes challenge empires, defy impossible odds, and confront the terrible cost of hope. But when victory demands everything they are—and all they have—can they pay the price?

Warnings: Explicit sex scenes between consenting adult males

About the Series

An action-oriented, sci-fi extravaganza staring heroes who battle vicious foes, overcome galactic obstacles, find true love, all while just happening to be men-who-love-men. For adults only, the Oarthecan Star Saga will thrill readers with cinematic battles, daring romances and authentic, one-of-a-kind characters that rise to face challenges through bravery, courage and loyalty.

Amazon | Universal Buy Link

Excerpt

Get the hell off me!’ I shout angrily, futilely pushing at the rhino of a man smothering me. Goddamn he’s heavy but I’m giving it everything I’ve got, trying to wriggle free. I manage to get my head out from under the behemoth and turn to try and see what the hell is going on.

‘Stay down, Baron!’ the security guard overtop of me orders, his voice hard and urgent. There’s another bright green flash, and this time I see a plasma shot streak harmlessly into the skies, followed soon by more yelling and the sounds of intense struggle.

Annoyingly, cyan telemetry floods my cybernetic ocular display—suit’s integrity is down to ninety-two percent, but no injuries, and my shields are regenerating. That shot was a point-blank, direct hit. Thank God for top-tier CAPS engineering—anything less, and I’d be dead.

‘No!’ I hear a man yell. ‘No, he killed my brother!’

What?

‘Evacuate, evacuate!’ a stronger voice booms, and the man over top of me begins to ease up slightly; I immediately scoot out from under him and try to get a decent look around.

There’s a pile of security guards clustered together—it looks like there are three of them surrounding a fourth, having driven him to his knees. One is wrenching the kneeling man’s rifle from his hands, but the man is not letting go anytime soon. It takes the butt of another security guard’s rifle being driven into the side of his head before his grip finally weakens, and the gun is wrenched free.

The rhino then steps in front of me, blocking my view of the struggling men. I scowl and try to push him out of the way, but this guy’s a stormcoat, maybe a snowcoat, and I don’t even budge him a centimetre.

‘This way, Baron. Now,’ He pushes into me, using his superior bulk to knock me back. With one hand on my shoulder, he spins me around so that I’m facing away from the scene.

‘Where is Ton?’ I demand, trying to slip this guy’s grasp but his grip on my shoulder is firm—not painful, thanks to my exosuit’s kinetic absorption—but I’m not getting free unless I put up a serious struggle, which I don’t think is the wisest of things to do right now.

‘We’ll meet at the safe-point. Hurry, Baron, straight ahead,’ the rhino orders, and I follow as he steers me deeper into the docking bay. He sets a brisk pace—nearly a jog—we’re moving fast. A tug on my shoulder turns me left toward an open corridor, where two guards stand ready, rifles raised and scanning.

‘Inside, Baron.’ I’m not used to being manhandled like this, but I know if this dude wanted to, he could pick me up like an infant. He’s at least letting me move under my own power, so I do as I’m told, and head into the corridor.

We head down a gently sloping, well-lit cement tunnel—hopefully toward the safe-point rhino-guy mentioned. He’s stopped steering me, but with only one path ahead, we keep moving. After about thirty seconds, a circular portal sealed by sliding doors appears and opens as we approach.

‘Through the doors, Baron,’ my escort says. I step into the next tunnel, and he follows, tapping commands into a wall-mounted keypad. The doors slide shut behind us, leaving me to figure out what comes next.

The security guard then turns to face me, placing his hand over his heart, his fingers splayed, and gives me a deep bow. ‘We are secured now, Baron. The safe-point is just down this hall.’

‘Thank you,’ I reply genuinely. ‘I prefer Captain Hale, however. What’s your name, officer?’

‘Second Lieutenant Crahlstran Grithrawrclan, OSS Navy, Captain Hale,’ the man answers. ‘I’ve been assigned to you as your personal security representative. Are you injured?’

I immediately shake my head. ‘No, my suit took the damage. I’m fine. Where is m’Ton? Or the High Baron Grithrawr?’

‘At or en route to the safe-point. Please, if you will follow me, Captain,’ Crahl offers, extending his hand down the new corridor. With him leading the way, I follow as we descend further, until we reach another set of closed sliding doors. Crahl enters a command on the keypad, and they open. He stands aside to allow me to enter first.

Author Bio

James and his husband live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Part-time office drone, part-time storyteller, full-time sci-fi and fantasy enthusiast (and some spooky ghost tales), James couldn’t find enough stories involving guys like him and his hubby are: big men with big hearts, full of big ideas!

Taking matters into his own hand, James seeks to share high adventure, low-angst stories where the heroes are solid blokes who take centre stage. Come join the adventure and explore bold new worlds full of authentic characters, gripping scenes, lush imagination and a touch of mushy stuff – there’s a whole galaxy waiting for you to discover!

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21531168.James_Siewert

Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/james-siewert/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/James-Siewert/author/B095T25ZSB

Review: The Things Gods Break (The Crucible Book 2) by Abigail Owens

Rating: 4.5🔥

The Things Gods Break , a follow up to The Games Gods Play, is the book in The Crucible series that will make a reader want to absolutely scream at the author at the end. Especially knowing they have to wait for the next book to be released.

Yes, major cliffhangers happen here.

No I’m not going to make any spoilers.

The Things Gods Break is excellently written, has so many fantastic twists and unexpected plot surprises that no one should spoil it for another reader.

At the end of the first book, our main female protagonist, Lyra and her best friend Boone are trapped behind locked doors in the underworld prison of Tartarus. That left Hades on the other side, threatening to burn the entire world to the ground to free her.

In Tartarus with Lyra and Boone? The Titans. And Lyra is the key to their success in leaving the prison. It’s a succession of seven ancient locks that are that major elements here. The key to freedom for both the Titans and Lyra and Boone.

So many great aspects of the story. Here Hades and Lyra are kept apart, so we get their development and storylines separated. It’s powerful and will contribute to that ending.

Owens’ use of Greek mythology and its gods within her series, tweaking it for her own narrative is imaginative and interesting. They continue to remain compelling figures.

Here the author really dives hard into the characters (and our emotions). As the events and heart wrenching experiences continue to unfold, and the characters become more complex, the unexpected twists pop up. That ending!

The Things Gods Break will read unlike the first, but it’s just as compelling. And now I can’t wait for the next one to come out.

Highly recommended.

Cover design by LJ Anderson and Bree Archer

Interior map design by Elizabeth Turner Stokes

Interior map images by Nadia Murash/Shutterstock,

The Crucible series

Book #1 The Games Gods Play

Book #2 The Things Gods Break

Buy link

Book 2 of 2: The Crucible

Blurb

The gods want her dead…Hades will bury them.

You’d think I’d have learned by now:

Don’t mouth off to deities.

Don’t fall for the King of the Underworld.

And definitely don’t get dragged into a divine death match where I’m the cursed mortal prize.

But here I am—trapped in Tartarus, humanity’s worst pit stop, squaring off against monsters who make the gods look merciful. Titans, twisted by centuries of rage and ruin, are sealed behind seven ancient locks.

And guess what?

I’m the key.

To escape, I’ll have to survive every horrifying trial they throw at me.

To win, I might have to become something the gods never saw coming.

Oh, and Hades?

He’s about to break every rule the gods ever wrote.

Because to save me…the god of death will burn the world.

But if I break free? So do the Titans.

And the world won’t just suffer—it’ll beg for the end.

The Crucible series is best enjoyed in order.

Reading Order:

Book #1 The Games Gods Play

Book #2 The Things Gods Break

Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Publication date: October 21, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 673 pages
Book 2 of 2: The Crucible

Review: The Bounty Hunter and the Spirit Wolf: An Urban Fantasy Action Adventure (The Magical Bounty Hunter’s Guild) by Jileen Dolbeare

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Quite a few of Jileen Dolbeare’s inhabit the same universe so I’m not sure yet if this goes for this series. But it’s not necessarily required to be absolutely invested into this character and her journey and growth as a magical bounty hunter.

From starving, homeless thief on to the run , albeit with a magical companion, to a trained respected bounty is a great storyline and character.

Especially her tough beginnings. We really emphasize with her. It’s an emotional, scary start.

At only 126 pages, we have a lot of background that still needs developing and main characters, aside from Astrid, who also require additional history. I feel that’s coming in the first book.

What The Bounty Hunter and the Spirit Wolf successfully does is make the reader want that next book, the next step in Astrid’s journey now!

Unfortunately we’re going to have to wait until next year. But I’ll be sure to keep my eye out for the release.

Until then? Pick up the prequel and get ready for the next urban fantasy series that looks to be a winner.

The Magical Bounty Hunter’s Guild:

The Bounty Hunter and the Spirit Wolf prequel #0.5
The Bounty Hunter and the Assassin # 1 – September 5, 2026

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Bounty Hunter and the Spirit Wolf: An Urban Fantasy Action Adventure …

Blurb

Before she was a bounty hunter, she was the hunted.

It’s been three months since I ended up on the streets of Anchorage with nothing but the clothes on my back and Teekon, my spirit animal, for company. Once upon a time, I had dreams. Now, I’d settle for a hot meal and somewhere warm that doesn’t come with a side of rats.

I steal to survive, but I’m spectacularly bad at it. Hunger makes you reckless. Stupid. Desperate. My stomach was loud, and I ignored my whispering instincts that told me using magic to steal was a bad idea.

Naturally, I got caught.

Now the Magical Enforcement Agency has my scent, and they’ve sent a grizzled bounty hunter to drag my sorry ass in. Because rule one of the magical underground? Don’t flash your power in front of humans. Whoops.

I’ve got two options: trust a stranger with a badge and a scowl, or end up dead, or worse. And life has taught me there is always a worse.

Teekon says this bounty hunter could be our chance at something better. I reckon he’s just another predator in a world full of them.

But when your life’s on the line, you don’t get the luxury of easy choices.

One mistake landed me here. One choice might set me free.

Publisher: Ice Raven Publications
Publication date: September 26, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 126 pages

Review: Diamond Wishes: An Aladdin Retelling by Abigail Manning

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Abigail Manning takes well known fairytales from our childhood and gives them her own unique twists and fabulous turns of character and plays on the themes.

This is one of the “All That Glitters” series and is , as all of her stories are, a no-spice, clean romance.

Diamond Wishes turns Aladdin into Kya, a female thief with a humorous, snarky parrot companion.

All That Glitters- 12 books/different authors:

Tainted Beauty by Alesha Adamson

Stolen Magic by Camille Peters

Amphibian’s Kiss by Lichelle Slater

Rapunzel’s Gambit by Mary Mecham

Golden Goose by Lea Doué

Siren’s Treasure by Suzanna Fowers

Rose Crown by Nina Clare

Feathered Thief by J.M. Stengl

Snow Bound by C. J. Brightley

Gilded Locks by Julene Johnson

Lost Starlight: A Peter Pan Retelling by Kayla Eshbaugh

Diamond Wishes: An Aladdin Retelling by Abigail Manning

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comDiamond Wishes: An Aladdin Retelling eBook : Manning, Abigail: Kindle Store

Blurb

A mute guard, a chatty parrot, and a diamond ring that could change it all…

Few people have heard the legend of the wondrous wishing diamond, and even fewer have wasted their efforts searching for it. Kya couldn’t care less about jewels unless they can sell for enough money to feed her and her mouthy parrot. Her chronic fainting spells make it impossible to hold down a real job, and difficult to escape the guards when a charming stranger interrupts her heist.

Caught and caged, Kya admits defeat as she wastes away in the palace prison. Not even befriending a royal guard can get her out of her chains, but a deal with a smooth-talking nobleman might… It would seem that the boy from the market isn’t the only person on a diamond hunt.

If anyone can find a diamond ring in a cave full of treasures, it’s a jewel thief, but that doesn’t mean she knows how to use it. Wishes gone wrong and a power struggle between royals quickly trap Kya once again, but this time as a fake princess. Even a counterfeit diamond can sparkle, but can it fool a treasure hunter? Life as a royal sure does have a nice ring to it—if you can live long enough to wish for a crown.

Diamond Wishes is a standalone, no-spice, fairy retelling and is a part of the series “All That Glitters.” A collection of 12 treasure-themed fairy tale retellings full of adventure, romance, and glittering gold.

Publication date: July 19, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 208 pages
Part of series: All That Glitters

More Twists on Fairytales

The Emerald Realm :

Poisoned Heart: A Retelling of Snow White

Bearly Free: A Retelling of Goldilocks Framed in Florals: A Retelling of Cinderella

Stolen Crown: A Retelling of Thumbelina

Towering Future: A Retelling of Rapunzel

The Ruby Realm series:

Crimson Claws: A Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood

Wilting Captive: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

Sole of Secrets: A Retelling of the 12 Dancing Princesses

Insomniac’s Curse: A Retelling of Sleeping Beauty

Forged Gold: A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin

Once Upon A Rhyme series:

The Itsy Bitsy Liar

Little Bo Sneak

Hush A Bye Lady

Do You Know the Muffin Scam?

Baa Baa Black Market

Twinkle Twinkle Little Scars

The Fairmyth Chronicles

The Soulless Slipper: A Retelling of Persephone and Cinderella The Serpent’s Tower: A Retelling of Medusa and Rapunzel

The Beast’s Labyrinth: A Retelling of Beauty & the Beast and The Minotaur The Dozen Damsels: A Retelling of The 12 Dancing Princesses & The 12 Labors of Hercules

Short Story Collections

The Crystal Realm: A Collection of Retold Christmas Tales

The Rose Realm: A Collection of Retold Flower Tales

The Shadow Realm: A Collection of Retold Halloween Tales

The Feather Realm: A Collection of Retold Bird Tales

Fit For A Crown

Fit For A Prince

Standalone Novellas

To Shatter A Slipper: A Retelling of Cinderella

Charlotte and the Cozy Cottage: A Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin

The Snowy Footprints: A Retelling of The Elves and the Shoemaker Diamond Wishes: A Retelling of Aladdin

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