Tag: #newbookreleases

Review: The Sorcerer’s Thief (Fortune Favors the Fae book 4) by Lee Colgin

Rating: 4.5🌈

Another great book in the Fortune Favors the Fae series, this one by Lee Colgin.

The Sorcerer’s Thief takes place in Colgin’s Luminia series universe, a series I hadn’t read so wasn’t familiar with. Did I feel I was missing a bit of foundation information about the magical political regime’s history? Yes, as the story could only fill in so much. But this is such a terrific tale that those gaps, while important, lessen in comparison to the main characters and their lives.

Here’s where that fae coin interferes again, when the outstanding character Cricket arrives, stealing into the royal household, to make his last appearance as a thief before heading home. He’s been away too long from his village and wants one last great item to sell.

Colgin lets the reader immediately into what’s special about Cricket, as he introduces him stealing what we all know will be that meddlesome coin. Cricket’s partly fae, just enough to have some sort of magic but looks completely human. In a Fae kingdom that’s only just recently been accepting of other species, that hasn’t been a good thing. His family history is one that’s revealed as the story evolves. It’s how we get to know Cricket, his personality and why he’s a thief with trust issues.

That coin brings him to the immediate attention of another player. A would be thief and sorcerer, Julian, who desperately wants that coin. Julian is a damaged, broken being with hidden secrets but both the coin and Cricket keep directing him towards another path.

Throw in a nearly blind pony, a journey of discovery, magic, and misadventure and danger and you have a fantastic tale of romance and found family.

Julian’s last minute story of his real life parentage didn’t make much sense to me and didn’t add anything to a grand finale so it must have been for the series readers. It felt like an addition.

The Sorcerer’s Thief (Fortune Favors the Fae book 4) by Lee Colgin is another winner in this fabulous collection and another book that I’m recommending.

These covers are just spectacular, some of my favorites in years.

Fortune Favors the Fae – 15 books:

✓ A Fae Coin Transported Me Into Another World and Now I’m the Gay Holy Maiden by AJ Sherwood #1❤️

✓ The Wolf’s (Un)Lucky Fae by Michele Notaro #2 ❤️

✓ Bound to the Wild Fae by Tavia Lark #3 June 13❤️

✓ The Sorcerer’s Thief by Lee Colgin #4 ❤️🔷

◦ The Fae Menagerie by Edie Montreaux #5 – June 27,2024

◦ Never Darling by Sam Burns #6 – July 4,2024

◦ Prince of Poison by Alice Winters #7 – July 11,2024

◦ Grave Misfortune by Nazri Noor #8 – July 18,2024

◦ Fae for Pay by Meaghan Maslow #9 – July 23,2024

◦ Kisses at the Crossroad by Morgan Lysand #10 – August 1,2024

◦ Smoke and Mirrors by Kai Butler #11 – August 8, 2024

◦ Siren in the Rain by Chloe Archer #12 – Aug 15,2024

◦ I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem by Jocelynn Drake #13 – Aug 22,2024

◦ A Fae Called Wylder by Michelle Frost #14 – Aug 29,2024

◦ Lucky or Knot by Eliot Grayson #15 – September 5,2024

🔷Ties into the author’s Luminia Romances (3 books) for universe foundation

Buy link

The Sorcerer’s Thief

Blurb

The Thief

Cricket thought he’d stolen the ultimate prize: a rare coin rumored to possess magical powers. But when an alluring sorcerer upends his world in a moonlit alley, Cricket discovers the coin is more powerful than he’d ever imagined.

And he’ll risk his life to keep it.

The Sorcerer

Julian needs that stupid coin, and seeing as it’s fallen into the hands of a mortal man—a beguiling, smooth-talking thief, really—it should be easy enough to claim. So why does he continue to fail in his every attempt?

Unstoppable Ancient Magic

For someone who thrives in the shadows, Cricket discovers there’s no hiding from the magic that binds him to the coin, or the infuriatingly seductive Fae sorcerer intent on reclaiming it. Soon, both men find themselves battling volatile magic and a dangerous attraction while desperately holding on to what neither can afford to lose: their hearts.

***

The Sorcerer’s Thief is a part of the multi-author series Fortune Favors the Fae. From spicy to sweet, zany romps to epic adventures, there’s something for everyone in this mystical series. Discover destiny and true love and follow the coin on its fickle journey to the next world and a new magical adventure.

• Publisher: (June 20, 2024)

• Publication date: June 20, 2024

• Language: English

• File size: 3039 KB

• Simultaneous device usage: Unlimited

• Text-to-Speech: Enabled

• Screen Reader: Supported

• Enhanced typesetting: Enabled

• X-Ray: Not Enabled

• Word Wise: Enabled

• Sticky notes: On Kindle Scribe

• Print length: 252 pages

Review: Wrecking Havoc (Demon Bound Book 1) by Grae Bryan

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s the cover the drew me to Wrecking Havoc by Grae Bryan, the first in the new Demon Bound series, but it’s the story and characters that make me want to continue reading the entire series. I absolutely found myself invested in this universe and couple.

I love that Bryan created various types of demons here, instead of one type. It’s fascinating as well as that they are bound together by an ancient connection between them, a number of contracts that they had to complete in order to be free. Each book is a different demon.

However, there’s also another connection between the characters. A Russian mob family that’s now down to a group of brothers, each traumatized by their (now deceased) father in their own way. The middle brother, Alexei, got his romance in this author’s series, Vampire’s Mate. I listed it below as I hadn’t read it and put it immediately on my TBR list after reading this one.

The well defined characters, the quick moving storylines, the wonderful chemistry between the characters, everything had me engaged in this universe and the relationships being built.

Sascha Koslov , the youngest son of the American raised Russian crime mob family, is at the center of Wrecking Havoc. Superficially, a spoiled, coddled young man who has , mostly, been kept away from his family’s , as the story reveals, Sascha has been traumatized by his adolescent and upbringing, rather than shielded as his brothers assumed. Sascha is a endearing personality, and the manner in which he accidentally summons a demon is perhaps perfect!

Kai, the warrior demon on his last contract, is another layered character. The world he arrives into, the person who inadvertently summons him, everything surprises him. It’s a fascinating take on this aspect of the story, and these characters just work so well together.

There’s no fated mate bond but one that builds between them, one that makes sense for us the reader and them emotionally as they connect and grow stronger together.

By the end of the book, it’s amazing how much we love them as a couple, and the future we see going forward.

Ivan and Matteo’s books are coming, with Ivan’s book up next. It should be outstanding considering who he’s going to be bonded with. Can’t wait!

I’m highly recommending this. That cover is amazing and drew me right in.

Demon Bound:

✓ Wrecking Havoc #1 – Sascha and Kai

Vampire’s Mate:

◦ Roman #1

◦ Soran #2

◦ Lucian #3

✓ Johann #4 (Jay and Alexei Koslov from here, Demon Bound 🔷)

◦ Wolfgang #5

◦ Colin #6

Buy link

Wreaking Havoc (Demon Bound Book 1)

Blurb

Sascha has always felt powerless, the weak baby of a cruel family. But that’s fine. He has his looks, his ample allowance, and a smattering of one-night stands to keep him busy. But when Sascha’s oldest brother offends the wrong people, Sascha finds himself in hiding with a target on his back. And when poking around in his temporary home leads to accidentally summoning the hottest demon Sascha could ever imagine, he has to ask himself: does he want to feel powerless anymore?

Kai has been waiting centuries for a summons. When he’s at long last brought to the human realm for his final contract, he expects to find another warrior hungry for battle and bloodshed. Instead, he finds himself bound to a saucy, scared mobster princeling who can’t stop looking at Kai like he’s dinner. It isn’t long before Kai decides that—for once—he wouldn’t mind staying exactly where he is, with a certain human for his mate.

But Sascha isn’t used to anyone sticking around, let alone caring for him in any real way. It’s up to Kai to convince Sascha he can give him so much more than protection. He just has to deal with those pesky enemies—and Sascha’s own meddling family—first.

WREAKING HAVOC IS A HEATED MM PARANORMAL ROMANCE WITH A HEA AND NO CLIFFHANGER. IT CONTAINS A SPOILED (OR IS IT TRAUMATIZED?) MAFIA PRINCE WITH TRUST ISSUES, THE COCKY WARRIOR DEMON WHO WANTS NOTHING MORE THAN TO PAMPER HIM FOR ETERNITY, A STIFLING FAMILY, ELUSIVE ENEMIES, AND THE FRUSTRATION OF NEVER GETTING TO FINISH A MANICURE.

• Publication date: June 18, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 255 pages

Review: SOS HOTEL: Sleep With Us #3 by Adam Vex ( Ariana Nash)

Rating: 5🌈

Here we are at the penultimate story in the life of Adam Vex , his companions , ex porn star incubus Zee, and wealthy businessman vampire Reynard. All of them living in their struggling SOS Hotel, with their gremlin filled walls, weirdly scary but wonderful AI bartender Tom Collins, and some personal secrets about to come busting out!

But first, something is wrong with Tom Collins! He’s too nice, his cocktails too boring, he’s not himself.

In this story, sooo many things are happening. In a race to find and bring back their beloved bartender, secrets start to come out. And not in happy moments.

But this is a series on its way to its climactic conclusion and it’s building up to that point by challenging the characters to expose themselves (yes that too), emotionally and on personal terms, revealing their histories they hadn’t before.

So yes, there’s wild rescues, more than a few fight scenes. And one ginormous cliffhanger.

It’s fantastic. I need that final book! If you’re not into cliffhangers, wait until the entire series is out and binge read. Otherwise, read it in order and wait until it’s released in August. I’m highly recommending this book and series. Well thought out and fabulous characters!

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 – August 16, 2024 (finale)

Buy link

SOS HOTEL: Great Service from Top to Bottom

Blurb

Something is wrong with Tom Collins. More wrong than usual.

Tom’s being nice.

I should have known trouble was right around the corner. One attempted murder later, and Reynard is forced to disarm Tom (literally).

No bartender, means no bar. Zee is grumpy and avoiding me, and the hotel’s measly profits are dwindling by the day.

Things are not going well. We need our broken, foul-mouthed Tom Collins back.

But don’t worry. Zee says saving Tom should be a walk in the park for us.

Turns out, that walk in the park is more like a road to hell. But I’ve got this…

My name is Adam Vex. I’m your average and mundane, human host. Welcome to another crazy day at the SOS Hotel.

*

Warning: SOS Hotel contains explicit language, situations, and content that some readers may find uncomfortable. For full warnings, please see the author’s website or the paperback “look inside sample”.

• Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing (June 19, 2024)

• Publication date: June 19, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 214 pages

Review: A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Book 8) by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4.25🌈

Cassius, the coffee shop running oracle and the wounded grey angel Kushiel get their romance and journey to HEA finally. It’s full of the other characters we’ve met, a terrifying, heartbreaking mystery, a lovely nosy family ghost, and a plot that is extremely complex in layers.

The best part is the characters here. Cass is a great character, with his well defined personality and deep family history , we get to know him and his Aunt Ro (and all her dresses) in heartwarming ways. Btw, don’t miss out on the author’s notes on flower language at the end of the book. Fantastic touch of knowledge.

Then there’s Kushiel, who we have met in previous books. Such a great light of a angel, giving to the point of hurting himself, wounded and touch deprived, the layers to Kush and the need that finds his answers in Cass makes this book such a beautiful story.

The imaginative elements of the lost souls is one that I wish was better developed. That one we see (sorta) is intriguing so the potential for the plot to further explore this aspect is huge but it does so in a way that takes away from the emotional element rather than boosts it. In its place, other scenes and side trips occur.

When the villain is exposed and the plot mystery resolves into a quick action that takes relatively short amount of time, it feels like a let down of sorts. It’s has some interesting moments and a new character that will drive a sequel series to come. That looks great. But I feel like a tad more something/exploration could have been fit in rather than the villain monologuing about his reasons for the deeds here.

At any rate, we got a heartfelt romantic journey, and a great couple. As well as Aunt Ro.

This is just such a favorite series of mine. Shannon Mae has come up with some really amazing stories and unique and unexpected ideas about love and romance. They aren’t to be missed. Read them all and see who are your favorites!

Fabulous covers.

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance 🔷 A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters #1

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures #2

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades #3

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers #4

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Novellas:

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles (A Holiday Novella)

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Pet Demons

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Demonic Possessions

Demonic Disasters and

Afterlife Adventures Collections: 🔷Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Collection 1

Hellhounds of Paradise Falls -sequel series:

◦ How to Flirt with a Hellhound #1 – (Coming Soon)

Buy link

A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Book 8)

Blurb

Cassius:

Cass has always had the sight. Although his official job may be to run his coffee shop, in reality he deals with grumpy ghosts, troublesome demons, uptight angels, and all sorts of paranormal issues. When the archangel Gabriel gives him a message that he has to help a gray angel, it’s just par for the course for Cassius. But who could predict that Kushiel would be the brightest soul Cassius had ever met, even if the angel can’t see that about himself? Cassius is determined not just to save the afterlife (and possibly the entire universe), but also to save one very sexy angel (who just might be his soulmate) along the way.

Kushiel:

Kushiel’s work is his life, and if angels shun him and he feels like he never quite fits in with demons, at least he has the souls he redeems. That is, until someone steals his entire purpose in the afterlife. Some vague clues from a demon seer send him straight into Cass’s coffee shop, where he learns some surprises about afterlife rules. With a little help from Cass, Kushiel is sure they can solve the mystery, especially since the coffee shop owner is the kindest, sweetest, sexiest human he’s ever met. Now if only he could figure out how to respond to all the compliments Cass keeps sending his way, because surely someone as wonderful as Cassius couldn’t be interested in a gray angel.

Tags: Kushiel is hurting, and Cass is happy to offer comfort and compliments; afterlife rules are more complicated than angels or demons knew; Aunt Ro keeps trying to not-so-subtly send messages through flowers; Cass runs into demons, angels, ghosts, a sea monster, and a hellhound; messages from seers and through oracles are annoyingly mysterious; Kushiel likes being told what to do, and Cass likes taking charge; Kushiel will finally get his own happily-ever-after (Cass will make sure of it).

Note: A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers can be read as a stand alone. However, it is best read after A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades, since Mike and Ari do pop up in this book.

• Publication date: June 19, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 254 pages

Review: The Misfit Mage and His Darling Demon: Diabolic Romance Book Two by MN Bennet

Rating: 4.5🌈

Mage Wally and his bonded Demon, Bez, return in MN Bennet’s highly imaginative sequel, Darling Demon, a book that’s astonishing in creative elements and plot twists.

I really enjoyed this book, it’s so mentally entertaining, with the sheer amount of depth that Bennet goes into as Wally and Bez get into a horrible situation with first the Fae, and then an ever increasingly worse group of villains.

There’s really no way to go about pointing out aspects of this story that I adore without giving spoilers because I feel as though they are also some of the most clever elements that Bennet wrote into the storyline. It’s one creative piece of thinking after another that just builds onto each other here , expanding on the universe as we thought we knew it magically.

What can I say? That the fabulous characters, demon Mora and her witch wife Kell, are back as main characters and their deep relationship and outlook on love is as remarkable and rewarding as anything else here.

We get a new family member, a pet. He’s adorable. The scorpion familiar isn’t happy.

And that ending still makes me think of whether or not, I’m impressed by the author’s choices because I didn’t see it coming or sorry because I wanted something more comfortable when this book has been anything but. That’s on me.

Bennet has always narratively gone for the wild and intriguing, the unimaginable and deliciously dangerous. That’s how we end up. True to everything and everyone.

I hope we and Bennet return, someday to check in. I love to see what’s happened next.

highly recommended.

Diabolic Romance:

The Misfit Mage and His Dashing Devil #1

The Misfit Mage and His Darling Demon #2

Buy Link

The Misfit Mage and His Darling Demon: Diabolic Romance Book Two

Blurb

Wally and Bez have spent the last six months eluding the Collective together. Not that the mages have spent much time pursuing the dangerous devil and his misfit mage, since even the best magics can’t match a Diabolic’s strength.

When Bez surprises Wally with an anniversary trip to a special event hosted by the Fae, Wally is presented with a chance to work on rare artifacts belonging to a Fae noble. However, Bez learns the Fae may be connected to the recent abductions of fellow demons, allowing them to crossover into various Hell dimensions—and threatening to expose his secret.

Bez is not the unstoppable devil that everyone believes he is. If the Collective learns about Bez’s deceit, they will rain down the full force of their magical resources to kill him. Wally and Bez will need to work together to unravel the mystery behind the missing demons and study intricate dimensional magics all while traveling in a magical villa through space and time.

• Publisher: M.N. Bennet LLC (June 10, 2024)

• Publication date: June 10, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 366 pages

Review: First Dates and Birthday Cakes: MM Romantic Comedy by Isabel Murray

Rating: 4.5🌈

I have been an absolute fan of Isabel Murray since I read Gary of a Hundred Days. Everything since has just cemented this author as a superb writer, one of great hearted, strong characters as well as wild, imaginative plots. I hadn’t read much if any of her contemporary works.

First Dates and Birthday Cakes is a gentle, wonderful contemporary romantic comedy. It’s also one that takes all the elements that I associate with this author’s writing in her fantasy novels like layered characters, and wonderful settings, and showcases it here in a contemporary story.

Ben Porter is turning 40 when the story begins. It’s the morning of his birthday, one he’s been dreading. And, honestly, Ben is every one of us who has been in denial about any kind of birthday that is a milestone in life. Instant connection!

What’s worse is he told family and friends not to make a big deal and then they had the nerve to actually listen to him. I was already laughing at the reality of that moment and the real emotional reactions Murray was vividly conveying.

Memories of a birthday past , way way past, has Ben scurrying off to an ice rink and his future.

This is so humorous. Warmly real, awkward, and so very true to each man’s spirit. Plus there’s a fantastic best friend, a mother who I love even though we see her briefly. We know her. Murray has brought every character exquisitely to life no matter how long or short they appear in this story.

I ended up smiling at the imagery and ending. And vowing to go through the rest of Murray’s contemporary catalog.

I’ve left my favorites below. I’m including this as well. Enjoy!

Favorites by Isabel Murray:

Merman Romance :

Catch and Release

Must Reads!

Fantasy Romance :

Gary of a Hundred Days

Gary the Once and Former King

The Naiad’s Gift

— First Dates and Birthday Cakes: MM Romantic Comedy by Isabel Murray

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › First-…First Dates and Birthday Cakes: MM Romantic Comedy eBook : Murray, Isabel

Blurb

Ben Porter is turning forty, and he’s not being cool about it.

He told his friends and family that he wanted to let this particular milestone pass by without any fuss, and for once, they actually listened.

Which is great. Because now here he is, sitting in his kitchen on a rainy Saturday morning, all alone, and he can feel himself aging.

So he decides to do something about it.

And maybe throwing himself a last-minute ice-skating party for one in an attempt to recreate the carefree birthdays of his expired youth wasn’t the best idea. Or the most normal. He’d even go so far as to say it was a terrible idea, as there’s a non-zero chance that his impromptu birthday activity will turn into an impromptu birthday trip to the hospital. Because despite the fact that he remembers being pretty hot stuff at skating?

He’s not. He’s really, really not.

He’s so incredibly bad at it that a tall, gorgeous member of staff—who actually is pretty hot stuff—has to come over and scrape him off the ice, just so he stops ruining everyone else’s Saturday.

Except Jake isn’t a member of staff, he has an ulterior (romantic!) motive for helping Ben, and Ben’s worst birthday ever is about to take a surprising turn for the better…

First Dates and Birthday Cakes is a 33k-word romantic comedy novella with a midlife crisis, a big surprise that Ben really should have seen coming, and something that looks a whole lot like happily ever after.

• Publisher: (June 4, 2024)

• Publication date: June 4, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 132 pages

Review: Bound to the Wild Fae (a Fortune Favors the Fae Book 3) by Tavia Lark

Rating: 5🌈

Honestly, this series is making me deliriously happy. Outstanding authors, fantastic theme, and the storylines are just so excellent. It’s really spoiling me for any other multi author series to come.

That mischievous little otherworldly Fae coin is now interfering with the lives of two intriguing people. One, a wild fae, Yarrow, whose been given a mission by his Queen to kill a mysterious shapeshifter in order to return to her court. The other is a man in the human realm, one terrified of the Fae, who has a Fae’s golden eye that he was “given” one night as a child.

Tavia Lark, an auto read author, starts immediately weaving her tale of two men on a collision course with each other, and Lark does so in a way we get a definitive impression of each character’s personality.

From his actions to his thoughts, it’s clear how unsettled the human Folly is in his current situation. He’s hiding, and it’s not just the fact that he has a golden eye that’s kept hidden under an eye patch, it’s more than that. Lark’s creating a glimmer of Folly’s past for the reader to see by allowing his fears, his reliance on lies and mistrust to build a portrait of his history as something painful and unreliable. Outstanding work. What an incredible character.

Yarrow will turn out to be just as compelling as Folly, albeit in a different manner. His issues are tied to his parentage, how it’s affected his mother and her relationship to the Court. He’s light hearted and exuberant yet feels emotions deeply.

Lark creates several realms for Folly and Yarrow to travel through on this dangerous journey to complete Yarrow’s mission and break the curse they’ve been set with.

I’ve read several of Lark’s series and her characters are all so beautifully written. Just as Folly and Yarrow, but it’s seen through smaller but equally intriguing beings that are essential to the story and their mission. They pop up, make huge chunks of emotional impact, and the reader wants to know more about them, especially when we meet up with them again at the end.

The plot or plots are entertaining, well layered with mysteries, and full of magical elements and creatures. I was absolutely absorbed by them, this couple, and the story every bit of the way.

And I found myself thinking about how it would be a great start to a new series as well for the author. I’d love to see more about this universe and the characters we met.

Bound to the Wild Fae (a Fortune Favors the Fae Book 3) by Tavia Lark is a fabulous tale of magic, adventure, mystery and love. It’s an amazing book and a must read.

Love that cover!

Fortune Favors the Fae – 15 books:

✓ A Fae Coin Transported Me Into Another World and Now I’m the Gay Holy Maiden by AJ Sherwood #1❤️

✓ The Wolf’s (Un)Lucky Fae by Michele Notaro #2 ❤️

✓ Bound to the Wild Fae by Tavia Lark #3 June 13❤️

◦ The Sorcerer’s Thief by Lee Colgin #4 – June 20, 2024

◦ The Fae Menagerie by Edie Montreaux #5 – June 27,2024

◦ Never Darling by Sam Burns #6 – July 4,2024

◦ Prince of Poison by Alice Winters #7 – July 11,2024

◦ Grave Misfortune by Nazri Noor #8 – July 18,2024

◦ Fae for Pay by Meaghan Maslow #9 – July 23,2024

◦ Kisses at the Crossroad by Morgan Lysand #10 – August 1,2024

◦ Smoke and Mirrors by Kai Butler #11 – August 8, 2024

◦ Siren in the Rain by Chloe Archer #12 – Aug 15,2024

◦ I Destroyed the Elf Prince’s Harem by Jocelynn Drake #13 – Aug 22,2024

◦ A Fae Called Wylder by Michelle Frost #14 – Aug 29,2024

◦ Lucky or Knot by Eliot Grayson #15 – September 5,2024

Buy link

Bound to the Wild Fae

Blurb

Hiding from the fae isn’t an option anymore.

Folly is a fortuneteller, according to the sign outside his tent. Actually, he’s a nervous wreck and a total fraud. His golden eye might be magical, but Folly doesn’t see the future. He sees the fae: dangerous, beautiful creatures lurking in the shadows between realms. Avoiding the fae keeps Folly safe—

Until a misfired curse binds him to one.

Yarrow is a wild fae. Half fae, half other, and all seductive confidence. He’s on a quest to slay a monster and earn his place in the summer court. An easy task for a warrior like Yarrow.

Not so easy when the monster’s curse tethers him to a terrified human.

Now, Folly and Yarrow can’t leave each other’s proximity without agonizing pain. Folly is desperate to return home, but to break the curse, he has to follow the intimidating Yarrow into a world full of the creatures he’s spent his life hiding from.

And Yarrow’s familiar homeland seems far deadlier when he has a tiny, fascinating human to protect.

Bound to the Wild Fae is an MM fantasy romance, part of the multi-author series Fortune Favors the Fae. Each book is a standalone and can be read in any order. From spicy to sweet, zany romps to epic adventures, there’s something for everyone in this mystical series. Discover destiny and true love and follow the coin on its fickle journey to the next world and a new magical adventure.

• Publication date: June 13, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 224 pages

Review: A Stealthy Situation (Franklin U 2) by Saxon James

Rating: 3🌈

Please note I’ve got spoilers for the story below.

Franklin U is getting a second set of couples and the twins from a famous hockey family , seen previously in James and Eden Finley’s hockey series (Puckboys and CU Hockey). Think the brothers Westley Dalton / Asher Dalton combination from CU Hockey which along with their partners, bled over into the other series.

Now the twins Emmett and Benny are grown and in college. This is primarily Benny’s book with a good deal of Emmett thrown in. Emmett’s story is the romance that ends this year’s crop of couples.

Honestly, while I liked the character of Harrison/Bowser and his story which carried plenty of interesting elements. For me, the rest of the narrative was filled with storylines that had issues.

It begins with the twins. The idea of interchangeable identical twins who swap out parts of their lives , think Parent Trap, is really cute and fun. When the characters are kids or preteens. And the reason they do so is one the reader or viewer finds relatable.

But then age those kids into adults, college students. And they are still pulling the same trick. Only this time , it’s college classes. One takes an English course for one, the other takes math. Because it’s easier and they’ve always done it for each other.

Cool right? Except it’s cheating. They are doing it for a degree. No one knows about it. That it’s wrong is something that isn’t brought up until it the book is almost done and they’ve been caught by Benny’s boyfriend.

Now this the peculiar thing about the story. Almost at the end , it’s discovered that Benny has a serious learning disability. The author gives it a name and has the brother see a therapist to get tested. But it’s at the end of the story and so much goodwill and exploration into his troubles with math are completely ignored over the need for cute texts, twin stories, and Greek life. Had the reader known about this issue earlier, it would have changed everything. But no. The author wanted a shocking revelation late in the narrative.

This story and the twin’s life is full of explanations that need further detail and exploration as to why they were left to their own development, one that has served them so poorly. But any references to their parent’s death and its impact are quickly glossed over and forgotten.

Over and over again, when any element or aspect of their lives comes up that could have been used to give depth to the story, it’s discarded or used as a brief sentence or two in discussion.

Perhaps it’s the added pressure to get both of the brothers involved in the story, along with Harrison. Harrison, imo, has the best developed thread and well defined character of the three of them. Then that weird Epilogue that jumps ten years into the future.

It’s just one strange choice by this author after another.

Emmett ,who disappears from the scene , has his own story from Eden Finley, that is released last. I read the description and it’s very much along the lines of the one set out here.

I think this is one story readers will either like or not really be invested in. Count me among the latter.

MEET ALL THE COUPLES OF FRANKLIN U2!

🔷The Hookup Mix-up by Riley Hart (Perry and Theo)

🔷A Stealthy Situation by Saxon James (Harrison and Benny)

🔷Batting Style by Louisa Masters (Blaise and Jordan)

🔷Level Up by Max Walker (Jay and Ryan)

🔷Full Service by Cora Rose (Silas and Everly)

🔷Tongue-Tied by Christina Lee (Dex and Austin)

🔷Method Acting by N R Walker (Chase and Amos)

🔷Twincerely Yours by Eden Finely (Emmett and Jonah)

Buy link

A Stealthy Situation (Franklin U 2)

Blurb:

Harrison

My life’s goal? Make plants fun!

I’m gonna be fighting for flora when I’m older and it all starts with auditing stats so I can level up for my masters, and lucky for me, the intriguing guy in my class is a math whizz.

He’s standoffish at first, but after a class where I bet my sitcoms can make him laugh, one bet leads to another and we’re hanging out all the time. Even though I know he’s interested in me, we’re easy friends, until I start to think I might be a little interested in him, too.

The only problem? He seems like a totally different guy in class to when we hang out. I brush it off as him trying to concentrate, but then I spot something I can’t explain away.

A scar. On his palm.

One I’m positive Benny has never had before.

Benny

Since we were little, my twin brother and I have always switched things up–literally. It started as funsies, and now we’re college juniors and still taking each other’s classes. I suck at Math, he sucks at English, and we both have a rule not to make friends in class as the other person. Our system is perfect.

Only Emmett has the audacity to get sick right before stats and I have to actually show up for my own class–where I meet my future husband.

Harrison is smart, weirdly into plants, and we instantly hit it off like old friends.

Only of course the gorgeous mountain of a nerd is straight.

Just when I’m telling myself to let my dreams of matching rings go, our text messages become constant, flirtier, deeper than I’ve had with any other guy before. My butterflies have butterflies every time we catch up.

And then I get a text from Emmett: I’m so sorry. I think I messed up.

• Publisher: May Books (June 14, 2024)

• Publication date: June 14, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 294 pages

Review: An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling (Subpar Heroes story) by Jenn Burke

Rating: 5🌈

As a fan of this author, I couldn’t wait for her contribution to the multi-author Subpar Heroes series. It’s excellent! One of my favorites so far.

An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling includes the two ends of the super hero spectrum. One, Ward Sullivan aka Firefox, a man’s whose talent was so powerful that it’s got him damaged permanently. Now Ward’s bitter and angry about his past and the loss of what he once had.

The other? So little is thought of his talent that he hasn’t even been assigned a superhero code name. He’s just been shunted off to Thunder Bay for minor tasks , where he’s content to living his life in a small Canadian community he’s called home. That’s, cheery, bearded, outfitted in plaid, ax wielding Devlin Campbell.

A weird case of arson in the middle of a park campground in winter brings Devlin together with Ward who’s sent to investigate the case, in what’s probably his last venture with SPAM.

Burke takes interesting characters, a great location full of small town culture as well as the frigid winter conditions then just starts layering on all the necessary elements as well as adding the details that give the story the fantastic depth.

She brings to Ward, Dev and a certain young Hallie, as the story develops, all personality growth and needed revelations that make the reader feel like we have an immediate connection to them. And Dev’s oh so inconsequential talent soon is seen to be not so inconsiderable after all.

That’s one of the best qualities of Burke’s narrative. She slyly feeds us several truths about the characters. The way they are being treated or perceived as well as the way the character are truly defined. These are not portraits that form at once but ones that may take almost the entire plot to reveal, giving the reader plenty of time to form their own thoughts and become more fully involved in this journey to love and HEA.

A special note about how Burke treats Ward’s issues and injuries. This is a choice the author made to go realistic with the outcome and I absolutely agree and appreciate that she went with it. It’s in keeping with his hard won journey, with the theme of the series (these aren’t Superheros) , and it’s reflective of the trauma that he has been through.

I just loved these characters, their relationship and their journey. Hallie is fabulous too.

Top of this series! A must read. And that cover is everything.

Subpar Heroes series- 15 books:

🔷The Accidental Necromancer by Liv Rancourt

🔷Behind the 8-Ball by A. E. Wasp

🔷Transparent Is a Color by Kaje Harper

🔷Impossible Things by Alexa Land

🔷My Not-So-Super Blind Date by Allison Temple

🔷An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling by Jenn Burke ❤️

🔷In The Nick of Time by Elle Keaton 7/25/2024

🔷Static/Cling by Jaimie Samms 7/30/2024

🔷Spiritual Guidance Not Required by Jacy Braegan 8/1/2024

🔷What Could Go Wrong? By Toshi Drake 8/6/2024

🔷License to Chill by Chantal Mer 8/8/2024

🔷Code Name Dolittle by Lynn Michaels. 8/22/2024

🔷Signed, I’m Yours! By Rhys Lawless 8/29/2024

🔷A Taste of Danger by Morgan Brice. 9/5/2024

Buy links:

An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling

Blurb

No more Mr. Nice Hero

Ex-hero Ward Sullivan used to be a household name before his career went up in smoke. Now he’s stuck hunting for the cause of mysterious fires in Northern Ontario. Worse still is his new partner, an overly cheery Canadian named Devlin Campbell.

Dev’s a lumberjack and he’s okay with that. It sure beats working in an office where his not-so-super power forced everyone to be nice to him. Partnering with the famous ex-hero Firefox is a dream come true. Not only is he one of Dev’s idols, he’s immune to his niceness.

Dev’s upbeat vibe soothes Ward’s grumpy soul, but he’d never admit it. Nor would he admit that he really likes the way Dev handles an axe. But when a threat from the past comes roaring into Ward’s present, it’s no more Mr. Nice Hero. Ward may have to give up a future with the nicest guy he knows to save the world one last time.

An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe-Handling is a part of the multi-author Subparheroes MM romance series.

• Publication date: June 13, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 192 pages

Review: Unusual Emotions (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 3) by Shelby Rhodes

Rating: 5🌈

Unusual Emotions is the third book in Shelby Rhodes’ amazing paranormal romance series, The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx, so a couple of things right away. If you’re reading this series, you are already familiar with the trigger warnings, so I’m not going to repeat them.

Secondly, if you’re familiar with Shelby Rhodes writing, either here or any of this author’s work, then again, see my sentence above about triggers. Rhodes’ writing just comes with a certain amount of warnings, primarily because of the various types of themes and content that are present in this author’s work. If you know, you know.

As this is the third book in this remarkable series, one that has to be read in order, then a reader knows what is in store for them and the characters here. Proceed forward with knowledge!

Unusual Emotions tells us exactly what our characters are dealing with. After the traumatic events and deepest horrors of the past revisited that Taste of Fear put Foxx and Harlow through, now the impact of those events and its consequences, emotionally are seen here on the partners.

Unsurprisingly, Foxx is having nightmares, the burning marks upon his body still visible, his emotional state is shattered as much as his damaged threads. Hes not in good shape as the book opens. But just as shocking, neither is his partner Harlow. He’s having feelings, anger , fear, and more, which he’s trying not to identify. He’s a psychopath and , in his own words and mind, he’s not supposed to be having feelings.

Rhodes weaves an intimate, increasingly confused relationship between two characters that always thought they knew what their relationship was about. Until recently, and Foxx’s recent traumatic experiences have upset him and their dynamic. Both sides are stumbling around, dealing with their own issues, their partner’s unspoken difficulties with the current situation, and a multitude of new cases involving them and weird elements.

It’s Foxx and Harlow trying to figure out how to make their relationship work but it’s changing in ways neither understands. The author lays this out , all the fears, the misguided ways their friends and bosses interfere in the process, all the challenges that realistically make them not trusting of anything deeper than a work relationship, it’s complicated journey that makes them feel more real and broken. Incredible stuff here.

Threaded through this slow burn journey over broken glass pathways is the cases Tony is throwing their way. Unusually big numbers, scary details, weird situations. Each one coming with some defining features and scenarios that will, I’m sure, add up to something even more terrifying to the partners later on.

And I’m not just talking about the cliffhanger of that ending!

Yes, it does have a wowzer of a cliffhanger here. We also knew that would happen.

Unusual Emotions (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 3) by Shelby Rhodes is one incredibly powerful and heart stopping book. Our connection with Foxx and Harlow is made stronger, and we are all so happy that they have made a new step forward in their journey. Now about that cliffhanger!

Highly recommended! Read them in order. Not one is a standalone.

Love the covers.

The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx:

✓ At First Irritation #1

✓ Taste of Fear #2

✓ Unusual Emotions #3

◦ Thirst Quenched #4 – August 24,2024

◦ False Morality #5 – TBD

Buy link

Unusual Emotions (The Unwilling Adventures of Harlow & Foxx Book 3)

Blurb

Foxx Honeywell here… Have you ever wanted something, but then when it finally happens, you panic and think of all the things that could go wrong, because things have always gone wrong? No? Just me? Well, let’s backtrack.

We pick up where we last left off…after the hypocritical murdery priests. Yeah, I’m still dealing with all that. Cases come and go, and things are normal…but then normal flies out of the window. All because my mind decided to focus on things it shouldn’t. Because, as is often the case, emotions and feelings don’t give a shit about timing, place, or the sanity of those involved!

Speaking of sanity. My annoyingly insane partner, HARLOW, decided that he wants to make it all the more complicated by feeling ‘something’ as well.

Long story short, more cases, more confusion, and just the urge to burn the world down in a fit of anger…because why the bloody hell not? Things are decidedly not okay.

CONTENT WARNING: This is a slow burn M/M paranormal romance book, that ends in a cliffhanger. Please see inside or my website for full content warning!

• Publisher: (June 11, 2024)

• Publication date: June 11, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 343 pages