Tag: #newbookreleases

Review:  Here Comes Santa Paws (Christmas Falls Season 2 ) by Lee Blair 

Rating: 4.5🌈

Lee Blair’s Here Comes Santa Paws , an adorable holiday romance in this year’s Christmas Falls series, is a story guaranteed to entertain and make your Christmas reading lists merry.

It’s got rescue dogs and puppies, matchmaking grandfathers, a sweet/grumpy couple, and a small town full of the spirit of Christmas. 

Elias, the Director of the Santa’s Helper Animal Shelter in Christmas Falls,Illinois is the sweet, kind man who is fully committed to the town he lives in, along with his grandfather who raised him. He lives in a duplex, the other half of which is occupied by Roman, a physical therapist whose nomadic upbringing has made him afraid to commit to anything other than his career. 

I like that Blair’s characterizations are well written and their histories are realistic rather than drama oriented. It makes for a balanced narrative and men whose relationship with each other and their personal growth within the story a journey we can relate to.

It’s the author using a person’s misinterpretations, or just adolescent’s perspective on a past reality that impacted their life in a way that feels believable. 

The characters are charming and their own romance heartfelt, especially when it comes with adorable dogs. And a grandfather to love as well. 

I’m really enjoying the second season of Christmas Falls, and this is another winner.  It’s a definite recommendation.

Cover art by Morningstar Ashley Designs 

And check out all the books in the Christmas Falls series, both 1 and 2.

❄️Christmas Falls, Season 2:

❤️The Snuggle is Real by DJ Jamison 

❤️Flake It til You Make It by Beth Bolden 

12 Dates of Christmas by Brigham Vaughn 

❤️Here Comes Santa Paws by Lee Blair 

Under the Mistle-Foe by Rye Cox Christmas Beau by Amy Aislin

No Business Like Snow Business by J.A. Rock & Lisa Henry 

Frost Impressions by Kelly Fox

Promise Yule Be Mine by Rhys Everly Mingle All The Way by Hayden Hall

❄️Christmas Falls, Season 1:

Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison Snowbody Loves You by Jacki James Get Frosted by Amy Aislin 

Silent Knight by Beth Bolden 

Under the Mistle-Tome by Sammi Cee 

Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox 

No Elf-ing Way by Hayden Hall 

Ready, Set, Glow! by Rye Cox 

Scrooge You! By Brigham Vaughn

Buy link

        Here Comes Santa Paws

    

Blurb

When a sunshiny cinnamon stick with paws-itively purrfect holiday plans meets a grumpy Grinch neighbor with a smokin’ hot… chimney, bells aren’t the only thing jingling.

I spend all year gearing up for the Christmas Falls festival season. Those five weeks are showtime for the animal shelter, and I’ve got it down to a science to help all my four-legged friends find their furever homes.

My well-oiled machine goes off track when I discover a massive leak at the shelter. And Grandpa, my only family, is recovering from a hip replacement, and I can’t stop worrying about our latest shelter dog. To put a star on the top of my anxiety tree, Roman, my Scrooge neighbor, is giving me a hard time about the festive decor on my half of our duplex. It’s not my fault I’ve got more Christmas spirit in my pinky than he does in his entire broad-shouldered body.

But something about Roman tells me he could love Christmas and this town as much as I do if he just gave them a chance. I don’t care if I’ve got a thousand other priorities on my list, I’m making it my holiday mission to get him to let down his guard and show me the wonderful and caring man behind the terse talk and award-winning RBF. It’s like opening a present on Christmas morning and seeing exactly what you wanted from Santa.

It’s all tinsel and sugar cookies until my heart decides it wants Roman under the tree. But his New Year’s resolution is to leave town, and I can’t let myself fall for a man who doesn’t plan to stick around.

Christmas Falls is my forever home. How do I convince him it could be his?

Christmas Falls: Season 2 revisits a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie. It’s a multi-author M/M romance series.

  • Publisher: Bosta Books (November 22, 2024)
  • Publication date: November 22, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 252 pages

Review:  His Mate By Resistance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 2) by Mel Aitchess

Rating: 4.75🌈

There’s certain books and series that just so grab your attention that they make you think why haven’t you been reading this author all along? Especially when it’s a trope that’s a common must have for you.

That’s what comes to mind when reading Mel Aitchess’ Lunetti Pack series, a paranormal fated mate crime family romance series. That’s a bunch of elements and tropes that just ticks all my boxes, narratively speaking.   And the author does it outstandingly.

Now on book two and Aitchess’ series gives us the hugely broken brother of the criminal Lunetti pack, brother to the Alpha and its IT hacker. 

There’s basically three crime families that run the city. One’s a vampire clan, one’s all witches, and lastly, there’s the Wolf pack, the Lunettis. The author gives the reader a beautiful map in the beginning to help establish the territories and city’s layout in our minds.   It’s needed because one of the series storylines is a murderous mystery and suspense driven plot of an anonymous character/group trying to drive a wedge between the three factions.  That’s a great story as a foundation for all the other plotting and elements to overlay.

Because prior we’ve known that Luca has a tragic, traumatic past that has made the pack overly protective and turned him into an angry, solitary being. Scenes from the first book are now seen from his perspective and with more knowledge than we had previously. It builds a compelling narrative and complicated character.

Adding to this is another great character, that of the previously neutral water witch, Cal, who owns the hot night club, Hex Rated, we saw too in His Mate By Vengeance #1 .  Cal and his club get fully fleshed out into his amazing water witch personality, complete with his water powers explored. Then it’s taken up a notch.  

Aitchess is weaving a brutal tale about two men with damaged pasts, in terrifying situations, under horrific strain and they still build a relationship, while not wanting to immediately accept what’s apparent.There’s rightfully trigger warnings for violence among other things. 

There’s magic, brutality, crime, family, betrayal, fated mates, everything you would expect from a paranormal mafia romance, but more, complex, and the situation is ongoing into the future stories.  I’m beyond frustrated I have to wait because I’m so addicted to this universe and characters. 

The next book promises to be even more epic and dangerously exciting. Looks like several rereads in my future before then.

Both books, to be read in order, are highly recommended.  A must read each. 

Cover by Camberion

Lunetti Pack:

  • His Mate By Vengeance #1
  • His Mate By Resistance #2 
  • His Mate By Allegiance #3 – October 12,2025

Buy link

        His Mate By Resistance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 2)

    

Blurb 

His boy deserved better. He deserved to be the centre of someone’s world.

Luca stumbled on something he shouldn’t have and now someone’s trying to kill him. If only he knew what and who. He hates that he has to use his hacking skills against his own pack as he hunts down the traitor. He hates it even more when his Alpha sends him away for his safety. Hex-Rated—the hottest gay nightclub in New Trinity—is the last place he expected to be hiding out. The water witch who owns it better keep his damn hands to himself.

Cal has no time for the three crime families that run the city. He’s worked hard to keep his club on the right side of the law. That’s all put at risk when a favour for a friend has him faking a relationship with a Mafia wolf shifter. Luca’s a criminal and there’s no way Cal would go there for real. Even if the shifter brings out every protective instinct in him. Even if Luca is so good for him despite himself.

His Mate By Resistance is an enemies to lovers MM Paranormal Romance. It’s book two in the Lunetti Pack series, but can be read as a standalone. It features forced proximity, a fake relationship, knotting, a water witch Daddy, and magic sensory play. There is no mpreg in this world.

— His Mate By Resistance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 2) by Mel Aitchess

  • Publisher: Mel Aitchess (November 19, 2024)
  • Publication date: November 19, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 260 pages

Review:  Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss (Once Upon a Holiday story) by Sammi Cee

Rating: 4🌈

Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss by Sammi Cee is another story in the Christmas series, Once Upon a Holiday, a 8-novel multi author holiday offering.

Cee’s story is low angst, sweet, full of found family and holiday romance, wrapped up in about 95 pages.

Grumpy work from home IT guy gets new neighbors, divorced dad with adorable kids, great ex wife, and cute dog. A reluctant relationship develops between them and it turns into a happy family, finally at Christmas.

The connection to all the books in this series is The Hook’s Book Nook Traveling Library, a library or bookstore ,depending on the book , on wheels owned by Jane and Cybil, two old ladies in love. It’s a brief element here. Didn’t need it except that’s it’s part of the series theme.

Cee’s got a lovely story and warmhearted ending.  A win for the season.

Cover design by Kelly York

Once Upon a Holiday series – 8 books:

Once Upon a Second Chance by Davidson King

Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss by Sammi Cee

Once Upon a Holiday Vacation by Annabella Michaels 

Once Upon a Lullaby Lane by K York

Once Upon a Christmas Con by Skylar M Cates

Once Upon A Christmas Song by Mary Calmes

Once Upon a Yuletide Romance by RJ Peterson

Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice by R L Merrill 

Buy link

        Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss

    

Blurb 

There’s no place like home for the holidays…

Especially if you hate them and want to pretend they don’t exist.

When the older man moves in next door with his two loud children and irritating pets, I ignore them. I don’t want my life to change.

Except it does. Between him and his kids, someone’s always knocking on my door needing something.

Or wanting to share delicious baked goods or a meal. I don’t need nice neighbors. I don’t want people in my space—especially ones with small, dirty fingers and a million questions.

But there’s something about his smile. The twinkle in his eyes and his merry laugh when it comes to all things festive…

He’s making me wish and dream and hope for holiday magic and mistletoe kisses. He’s making me believe in family.

Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss is a part of the multi-author series Once Upon a Holiday Story. Each book can be read as a standalone and in any order. What links these books together is The Hook’s Book Nook Traveling Library, a library on wheels owned by two old ladies in love.

  • Publication date: November 19, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 95 pages

Review:  The Snuggle is Real (Christmas Falls Season 2) by DJ Jamison

Rating: 4.5🌈

Tis’ the season for holiday stories and series and I’ve dived into Season 2 of a holiday favorite, Christmas Falls.  

Christmas Falls, that small town in Illinois whose residents lives for all things Christmas.  It’s alive in every aspect of the town’s culture, from the names on its streets to the shops to the festivals it’s renowned for. 

Through each book, different authors have been building a sense of community and connected relationships.  Shops and couples from prior stories pop up in current books and romances under development. 

DJ Jamison’s couple starts with Mason of the Holiday Hope Foundation (coat drive, angel tree, raising awareness of the needs of the community). He’s a good man, still finding his way into the community and with the Foundation, as he’s given new funding and support for expansion. And it’s Christmas.

Into his path comes a man in need of help in every way possible. Ford has lost his job, is barely coping when his ex-wife’s lawyer calls unexpectedly, asking him to come pick up Charlie his young stepdaughter .  His ex wife is going to rehab and Charlie needs a guardian and a safe place to stay.

An adorable child at Christmas, a proud overwhelmed man who loves his kid deeply even if she’s not his biological child, a foster dog even, and a magical town. And a giving heart in a man who lives to help others.

Yes, definitely a heartwarming, holiday story that I absolutely loved.  Even the ex-wife wasn’t a terrible person but one of a layered personality who loved a child she couldn’t care for. 

There are a few quibbles but this is a terrific story and one I definitely enjoyed. Add it to your holiday reading list!

And check out all the books in the Christmas Falls series, both 1 and 2.

❄️Christmas Falls, Season 2:

The Snuggle is Real by DJ Jamison ❤️

Flake It til You Make It by Beth Bolden ❤️

12 Dates of Christmas by Brigham Vaughn Here Comes Santa Paws by Lee Blair Under the Mistle-Foe by Rye Cox Christmas Beau by Amy Aislin No Business Like Snow Business by J.A. Rock & Lisa Henry Frost Impressions by Kelly Fox

Promise Yule Be Mine by Rhys Everly Mingle All The Way by Hayden Hall

❄️Christmas Falls, Season 1:

Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison Snowbody Loves You by Jacki James Get Frosted by Amy Aislin 

Silent Knight by Beth Bolden 

Under the Mistle-Tome by Sammi Cee 

Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox 

No Elf-ing Way by Hayden Hall 

Ready, Set, Glow! by Rye Cox 

Scrooge You! By Brigham Vaughn

Buy link

        The Snuggle is Real

    

Description:

I never saw this Christmas gift coming…

When my ex-wife lands in rehab, I get a surprise for the holidays. A 7-year-old girl who’s got no place to go. I love my former stepdaughter like she’s my own, but I have no idea how to give her everything she needs.

In a holiday-crazed town like Christmas Falls, it seems inevitable I’ll let her down.

Unless I finally let go of my pride and accept help from the new director of the Holiday Hope Foundation. Mason West is eager to lend support however he can. And when I let him, he goes above and beyond.

For Charlie’s sake. Not mine. Even if I maybe, kind of, wish that it was for me.

I’ve never been into men before, but Mason is so sweet, so giving, so…perfectly sized to snuggle in against my holiday sweater. Maybe if I can figure out what all this means, I can gain more than a daughter for the holidays.

Maybe I can keep the gift I’ve always wanted most—a family of my own.

Christmas Falls: Season 2 revisits a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie. It’s a multi-author M/M romance series.

  • Publication date: November 12, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 262 pages

Review:  Once Upon a Second Chance (Once Upon a Holiday Story Book 1) by Davidson King

Rating: 4.5🌈

Once Upon a Holiday Story is a new multi author holiday series that has some of my favorite writers as contributors.  It starts out with a warmhearted story, Once Upon a Second Chance by Davidson King, a lovely age gap small town Christmas tale of two lonely people finding love at a time both had given up on love. 

Daniel Laverton lives alone, with the exception of his cat, in Everlasting Springs, a town founded by his family and whose care and responsibility for Daniel still shoulders with love.  He’s grown up there and doesn’t intend to ever leave. That has come at a cost. 

But in this lovely emotional holiday story, it also brings him and a desperate young man together in a time of crisis and seasonal change.

The younger man is Aaron Darwin, someone familiar with loss and survival.  A snowy night brings him to Everlasting Springs, Daniel, and a new journey ahead.

This is a gentle story, with no high angst but the reality of how a person’s life changes quickly. For worse and for the better. The men feel grounded in their circumstances, their lives and the world around them. The community there has the distinct small town feel and the story wraps up in a believable, satisfying way.

I wasn’t sure until I read the description but the connection between all the books will be a traveling library, owned by a older pair of women, clearly in love, The Hook’s Book Nook Traveling Library. I would have liked a little more information about them in this story. 

I think this idea as a theme and a connective element is so interesting and look forward to see how each author introduces it in their stories.

If you’re a fan of this author and holiday novels, this is a great book to dive into! Check it out and the entire series listed below.

Great covers, every single one.

Cover design by: Sleepy Fox Studio

Once Upon a Holiday series – 8 books:

Once Upon a Second Chance by Davidson King

Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss by Sammi Cee

Once Upon a Holiday Vacation by Annabella Michaels 

Once Upon a Lullaby Lane by K York

Once Upon a Christmas Con by Skylar M Cates

Once Upon A Christmas Song by Mary Calmes

Once Upon a Yuletide Romance by RJ Peterson

Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice by R L Merrill 

Buy link

        Once Upon a Second Chance (Once Upon a Holiday Story Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Can two men weighed down by their pasts find a future with each other?

Daniel Laverton is a wealthy man who was born into privilege. His family helped build Everlasting Springs, and he spends his days ensuring it prospers. The town is in his veins, the love he has for it keeping him there, happily. In his big house on the top of a hill he resides—just him, his cat, and his past. With middle age knocking at his door and the holidays approaching, loneliness is creeping in.

Aaron Darwin is used to struggling. He lives a moment at a time, traveling in his not-so-trusty car, going from place to place and looking for work. When a huge storm looms, Aaron’s luck goes from bad to worse and his vehicle decides to die. With no shelter, very little money, and a town ahead that is closing down, Aaron has no idea how he will get through this impending disaster.

Perhaps it’s the jingle bells in the air or his own solitude, but there’s no way Daniel can leave the man stranded. When he takes a reluctant Aaron in to hunker down and ride out the storm, the two get more than they bargained for. It is easy for them to see all the reasons they shouldn’t work and overlook all the ways they do, but it is holiday season in Everlasting Springs, a time for miracles and second chances. A time for two lonely men to realize they’ve already received the best gift for Christmas: each other.

Once Upon a Second Chance is a part of the multi-author series Once Upon a Holiday Story. Each book can be read as a standalone and in any order. What links these books together is The Hook’s Book Nook Traveling Library, a library on wheels owned by two old ladies in love.

  • Publication date: November 15, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 136 pages

Review:  Flake It Til You Make It (Christmas Falls 2 ) by Beth Bolden

Rating: 5🌈

How I live for the Morettis! Doesn’t matter what series or circumstances Bolden is putting them in on their way to a HEA, it’s a culinary Italian fabulous journey. 

Christmas Falls that imaginary small town that’s all things Christmas is now getting the Bolden touch again in it’s second season as a Moretti has moved to town!

This story was everything. I’m a huge fan of Bolden’s, her ability to create real life stories and relatable characters, pulling the reader into their relationships and circumstances.   But here? It’s a holiday story, where we get familiar characters, heartwarming themes, a wonderful romance,mouthwatering food (wanted that lasagna so bad), and the fabulous Moretti clan.  Be still my heart!

Rocco Moretti has moved to Christmas Falls to carve out his own niche in the Moretti family of chefs and restaurateurs.  He’s bought out a longtime favorite coffee shop, Jolly Java, to make his own and settle down. But things go wrong almost immediately.

Bolden sets up a faked boyfriend story during the holidays but with a twist when the Deputy Mayor Taylor Hall, needs a boyfriend for his interview and Rocco needs helps winning the town back after a goat cheese fiasco.  Let a lovely heartwarming romance and relationship between these wonderful men begin. With the town fully invested.

This romance and the development of the men’s relationship made my night. It’s a holiday hug and a cosy evening reading with the drink of choice. 

Highly recommended any time of the year but especially at Christmas.Don’t miss out on the recipe at the end. 

Christmas Falls, Season 2:

The Snuggle is Real by DJ Jamison Flake It til You Make It by Beth Bolden ❤️

12 Dates of Christmas by Brigham Vaughn Here Comes Santa Paws by Lee Blair Under the Mistle-Foe by Rye Cox Christmas Beau by Amy Aislin No Business Like Snow Business by J.A. Rock & Lisa Henry Frost Impressions by Kelly Fox

Promise Yule Be Mine by Rhys Everly Mingle All The Way by Hayden Hall

Christmas Falls, Season 1:

Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison Snowbody Loves You by Jacki James Get Frosted by Amy Aislin 

Silent Knight by Beth Bolden 

Under the Mistle-Tome by Sammi Cee 

Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox 

No Elf-ing Way by Hayden Hall 

Ready, Set, Glow! by Rye Cox 

Scrooge You! By Brigham Vaughn

Buy link

        Flake It Til You Make It

    

Blurb 

It’s beginning to taste a lot like Christmas . . .

When Rocco Moretti gets the chance to buy a coffee shop in a small Illinois town, it feels like a miracle. And in true Christmas Falls tradition, Jolly Java is a holiday-flavored one.

He sets up shop and starts experimenting with recipes. The only problem? His changes go over like a piece of coal on Christmas morning. Instead of serving up cups of holiday cheer, he’s getting a solid “bah humbug” vibe from the town.

He needs another miracle, stat.

Enter Deputy Mayor Taylor Hall.

With the town’s city manager retiring, Taylor is looking to make a leadership move, but his dream is melting because the city council still sees him as an outsider. He needs to prove he’s in Christmas Falls to stay, and what better way than by getting a boyfriend?

Even a fake one.

Rocco needs the town’s acceptance, so why not date the deputy mayor? Faking it till they make it will be a means to an end. That’s all.

But sharing the holiday season wins over more than the town’s hearts. With each date, each mistletoe kiss, and every steamy night in front of the fire, it wins over theirs as well.

Come Christmas morning, there’s really only one miracle Rocco wants under his tree.

For the love they’ve been faking to become real.

Christmas Falls: Season 2 revisits a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie. It’s a multi-author M/M romance series.

  • Publication date: November 15, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 307 pages

Review:  SOS HOTEL: Ho, Ho, No by Adam Vex/Ariana Nash

Rating:  5🌈

Adam Vex decided to give us the tale of how a holiday visit to that famous Swedish store known for its DIY furniture and complicated instructions goes horrifically hilariously and, of course, incendiary sexy, awry.

There’s terrifying gnomes, a weird twists on familiar Holiday mythological characters and general all out chaos.  

And they save Christmas. 

I absolutely adore this series and characters. 

Don’t miss out on any of the stuff beforehand or afterwards, including this.

“HOW TO SURVIVE THE HOLIDAYS BY ZEE”

Cover design by Ariana Nash 

SOS Hotel:

  • For a Supernaturally Safe Stay #1
  • Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous #2
  • Sleep with Us #3 
  • Great Service from Top to Bottom #4
  • No Rest for the Wicked #5 
  • Ho, Ho, No #5.5
  • Luxury To Die For #6
  • Your Final Resting Place #7 – tbd

Holiday release!

 SOS HOTEL: Ho, Ho, No by Adam Vex, Ariana Nash❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Buy link

Blurb 

One day, we might leave the hotel for a date or a shopping trip and not be hunted, shot at, kidnapped, and almost unalived by a hoard of gnomes…

Apparently, that day is not today.

My name is Adam Vex, and this is what happened when a day trip to a well-known Scandinavian home furniture store turned into a nightmare for me, Victor and Zee.

No cacti were harmed in the making of this book, but some gnomes were. A whole lot of gnomes, actually. Reader discretion is advised.

SOS HOTEL Christmas Special can be read anytime after book 5 in the series to avoid spoilers.

This book is a NOVELLA, and is shorter in length than the main books in the series.

  • Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing (November 15, 2024)
  • Publication date: November 15, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 65 pages

Review:  Harbor (On the Wind Book 3) by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes

Rating:  4.75🌈

Harbor, the third in Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes’ fabulous On the Wind fantasy series, is a redemption romance story for two men whose journey we’ve been following for several books.

On the Wind will be my most rec’d series by these authors because of the consistently excellent storytelling, the depth of the characters development, and the emotional journeys they undertake complex, moving, and relatable.  And each new book has made me say “oh, now, this one is my favorite.”

Orestes, of the now dishonored and disbanded Eagle Clan, is a character that has been a staple of the series. A consistent character whose power hungry father destroyed their family and clan, Orestes has been a tragic figure, friend, and needed support for the main characters in the series. But he’s been a bit of an enigma as well.  Here the authors give him the depth of character and history as well redemptive arc his Eagle deserves. I adore this giant thoughtful man who’s lost so much.

He’s paired with another so desperately in need of a redemption story himself. That’s Prince Tybalt, the sulky, beautiful heir to the throne of frigid Urial. His father, King Albany, a ruler is proving himself increasingly unpopular, contemptuous of others, including his son, and untrustworthy in his dealings. But over the past novels, Tybalt’s own actions and behaviors has made him a figure of contempt, someone’s who’s weak and unimportant, consumed by pretty things and his own personal interests. 

But always Tybalt was seen through the perspective of others, his actions and personality reflective by their own history and court status, not that he didn’t earn his reputation.  But here in Harbor, both men unexpectedly find that they didn’t know they could have, a new start, a twist in their life lives and love. All done through an amazing combination of outstanding character development, great story plotting, and a combination of magical powers and a grand romantic arc. 

Tybalt turns into a real man, a person we can trust and love, worthy of the friendships he starts to build.  And Orestes, the Eagle without a Clan, finds a new home, a people who he can fit in with, and a man to build a life together with and love. 

I read this book twice.

Harbor (On the Wind Book 3) by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes is a fantastic story , one I didn’t want to end.  I love the series and hope the authors continue with new books going forward. Especially because I want to see Mercutio get his HEA. Absolutely recommend!

This one may be my favorite one so far. 

Cover art Š 2023 by Natasha Snow Designs

On The Wind series:

Sanctuary #1

Guardian #2

Harbor #3 

Buy link

        Harbor (On the Wind Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Orestes father was killed, his clan dissolved, and now, it’s snowing, which is the worst affront of all.

The last scion of the ended Eagle clan, Orestes is sent to frigid Urial to negotiate peace with King Albany, but the sitting monarch has no interest in him, and his son, Prince Tybalt, has too much.

For all his life, Tybalt has been a disappointment to his father and an embarrassment to any lord in Urial with a sense of decorum. Quick-witted and sharp-tongued, Tybalt thrives in indecency, and the new Nemedan diplomat provides the perfect opportunity to astonish court. When his father casts him aside for a new wife and heir, he is determined to take the mammoth of a man to bed. After all, any attention is better than none, even if it comes alongside horrified gasps.

With nothing to anchor him to Urial, Orestes is all too happy to let the prince use him in his play for revenge, but unexpected affection lurks just behind the prince’s roguish smirk. Anything more than a tumble between them is forbidden, dangerous, deadly—but letting the last Eagle sink his claws into him is a risk Tybalt can’t help taking, even if it changes Urial forever.

  • Publication date: November 14, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 261 pages

Review:  A Dash of Halloween by Andy Gallo

Rating: 3.25🌈

A Dash of Halloween by Andy Gallo is a short cute instant love romance for the spooky holidays.  A sort of paranormal cozy mystery with a romantic theme, it’s got a small town that’s devoted to the holiday of Halloween in every aspect.  A newly arrived resident, fleeing a bad situation, and huge haunted mansion and its gorgeous owner. Who is in need of help. 

The characters of new resident, Dash  Reeves and ghostly manor owner, Slate Blackwood, are charming.  There’s a woman bestie and ghosts behind the scenes.

The romance between the two men happens too fast for me without the necessary emotional development I want but Gallo supplies an argument for the relationship and connection that happens so quickly.   At 28k things move pretty rapidly along to a dramatic ending and epilogue.

This was short and entertaining. 

Buy link

Andy Gallo

Blurb

When software engineer Dash Reeves accepts a too-good-to-refuse job offer in Oriskany Falls, he expects small-town quirks. What he doesn’t expect is a town obsessed with Halloween, or the mysterious and charming Slate Blackwood, whose family’s haunted house attraction draws visitors from miles around.

Slate has spent years hiding his family’s dangerous secret behind staged scares and special effects at Blackwood Manor. But when Dash appears at his gate one autumn evening, Slate recognizes something special in the handsome newcomer – if only he can convince the relationship-shy engineer to take a chance on love.

As Dash and Slate grow closer, the veil between worlds begins to tear. Spirits long trapped in darkness seek escape, threatening to overwhelm the living. Dash discovers he shares Slate’s gift for communicating with the dead, but will their combined powers be enough to prevent catastrophe? With Halloween’s Blue Moon approaching and malevolent forces gathering strength, they must find a way to seal the breach between worlds – or one of them might have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

A Dash of Halloween is a charming 28K word paranormal MM romance novella featuring:

– A Halloween-obsessed small town with real magic

– A cynical engineer who doesn’t believe in love (or ghosts)

– The charming medium who changes his mind about both

– Family secrets

– A guaranteed happy ending

– Sweet romance that leaves the bedroom door closed

Perfect for fans of cozy paranormal romance who love their ghost stories with a side of slow-burn love and small-town charm.

  • Publication date: October 28, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 118 pages

Review:  Zero Judgment (Tales from the Tarot story) by Kota Quinn

Rating: 3.5🌈

Major arcana card : Judgement 

Zero Judgement is short paranormal romance in the Tales from the Tarot series.  It’s a sequel or side story to Quinn’s novel, Love Potions and Moonlight.  That story, which I haven’t read, is from another multi-author series and shared universe, Cauldrons and Kisses. 

Zero Judgment highlights how a story is often hurt by a author’s decision to make a new book’s storyline a crossover from another universe, complete with those characters and world building, without fully laying down all the knowledge and details needed for new readers to understand and appreciate the characters, relationships in this world and local setting. 

I enjoyed the story and characters and was able to see the connections that carried over from the first book but I also missed the details and depth this might have had if it would be a world unto itself. 

Example of this is the character of Calix, the childhood friend who’s had a tragic history that led to him being kidnapped, becoming a prisoner and being turned into a vampire.  There’s enormous amounts of information and trauma associated with Calix and his background, most of which is “off page” information.  His story and character is connected to another person’s story, Nico, who turns out to be a witch.  How they came to be together, there’s a significant connection between them (friendship, not romance) but hugely important to the story, but then Nicole basically disappears except for one more reoccurring scene.  

But there’s enough missing narrative here for a book or two, the least of which is that Calix was a witch himself. 

But the trauma, and most of the realistically induced emotional distress is done away with when the other main character makes his entrance . At The Magic Shop.

The Owner, The Magic Shop and pertinent tarot card are included in the story and get their important part to play. Quinn does a good job of incorporating the series elements into the book.

The fated mates aspect happens immediately which serves to speed up the relationship and romance between the characters of Calix and Zero, the dragon shifter/former vampire hunter.  

I think, for me, the reunion part of this was my favorite and could have used further exploration and time spent on their renewed connection. 

There’s a dramatic element that brings the main theme back into play but the villain and his story wasn’t really that well explored.

Overall, a nice story with potential but with an attached book that I probably should have read beforehand to get all the characters and universe firmly connected. 

Cover art: Fae Quin . Fabulous as always 

Cover design: Amanda Meuwissen

Tales from the Tarot- 22 books 

🔷 Where Fools Have Tread by Jennifer Cody❤️

🔷The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson

🔷Cleric of Desire by Amanda Meuwissen❤️

🔷The Nephilim’s Touch by Morgan Lysand

🔷King of Hollywood by Fae Quin

🔷My Minotaur Daddy: An MM Romantasy by Laura Lascarso

🔷Across Space and Time by Kit Barrie

🔷Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason

🔷By Rude Strength ❤️by K.L. Hiers

🔷Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose

🔷Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley

🔷No Justice for the Damned by Hellie Heat

🔷The Angel’s Kiss by Nicholas Bella

🔷Death Song by B. Ripley 

🔷Arcanum ❤️by Ashlyn Drewek

🔷The Devil’s Dilemma by Alex J. Adams

🔷Camelot’s Tower by Brooke Matthews

🔷A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star

❤️by Chloe Archer

🔷Trust in the Moon ❤️by Delaney Rain

🔷Raising the Sun ❤️by Eryn Hawk

🔷Zero Judgment by Kota Quinn

🔷The End of the World by Drake LaMarque

Buy link

        Zero Judgment

    

Blurb 

Zero is a tracker for the Elite Guard, the supernatural police that hunts down rogues. Zero’s number one goal was to work for the Elite and seek revenge on the vampires who killed his childhood friend.

But after so many years of moving from place to place, he wants to settle down. Zero volunteers to help guard one of the magical small towns where paranormals and humans live together openly.

He’s settled in this new town, has a life, friends, and hopefully, soon he’ll meet his mate. But what he doesn’t expect to find is his childhood friend alive and well. Except his friend isn’t alive. He’s undead, just like all the creatures he’s hunted down.

Zero Judgment is a standalone MM romance novel as part of the multi-author collaboration Tales from the Tarot. This book is based on the major arcana card Judgment.

  • Publication date: November 7, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 129 pages

Note: some purchasers were saying that their copies were incomplete at 75 pages or less. Some had it corrected. Pls double check your copy. 

Connected to :

Love Potions and Moonlight (Cauldrons and Kisses novel) – 8 books in a multi author series