I struggled with the rating for many reasons. I had been looking forward to a story that was about the strange dynamic between Seven and Xander, two of my favorite characters. And I wondered how James would create a perfect person to fold into the existing tight relationship. And what that personality would be like.
Honestly, Molly wouldnāt be my choice of person or character to fit into the tight family. But thatās just me. I found Molly swung between irritating or grating while still appreciative of some of the aspects of his personality that Jamesā wrote into his character.
I thought her portrait of Sevenās as someone afraid of being hurt, again was so well done. Of being open to the exact same emotions that ended up being the thing that damaged him was so beautifully written. It goes perfectly with the well established abuse suffered by Xander. The reader can understand how their dynamic developed and why they are so codependent upon each other still, deeply emotional as family/brothers.
Itās such a strong element here that Molly , is a lesser player just by being himself. I liked that James wrote in the way he was able to examine his own actions and past experiences. And then try to understand how to use peopleās help to move on. But he equally at times just feels too superficial in comparison.
I donāt know. I just felt that his character, theāIām so cute ā personality came across as too much so often of the time. Couldnāt invest in his character or his romantic life.
Which was a shame because I adore Seven and Xander. So two thirds of this story I was anticipating a different kind of partnership. Oh well.
Many will feel differently.
Iām enjoying the series and look forward to the next book.
Moving to Seattle is supposed to be all about getting a fresh start and leaving the bitter man I was becoming behind.
I have new roommatesāquirky, sometimes strange, roommatesāa nosy, next door neighbor and a grumpy kitty for company, but even surrounded by people, I still donāt feel like I belong. Plus, it turns out the men in Seattle are exactly the same as the ones I left behind, and my string of romantic disconnections continues.
Itās not until one of my roommates, Seven, hits me with some hard truths that I realize where I was going wrong.
Maybe the men arenāt the problem.
I am.
And thereās only one way to fix that.
SEVEN
Being found tied up naked to my bed by my cute new roommate isnāt an ideal way for us to start a friendship.
But apparently a quid-pro-quo is.
He keeps his pretty lips zipped about the compromising position, and I step in as his dating coach. We go out, I note where heās going wrong, and he magically becomes dating material.
The problem is, between my codependent brother Xander and a new best friend I canāt get rid of, Molly and I are the target of a matchmaking scheme. My life is way too busy to add another person to it, and Molly is the kinda guy who needs to be made a priority, which I just canāt do. Xanderās medical anxiety takes up too much of my time, and Iāve never found a partner who doesnāt resent it.
Iām determined to help Molly find his ever after.
Jennifer Cody has started a serialized fantasy story thatās an absolutely fantastic read and entertaining adventure. The drawback? Itās in a serialized format so each story is short and ends far sooner than the reader wants.
I was totally immersed in the characters, the storylines, and the journey they were about to embark on when this tale ended. Argh ! But thatās absolutely in keeping with the spirit and tradition of a serialized story.
So if thatās an issue, then waiting until all the stories are published, then reading them together is probably the best option for you.
But otherwise, dive into a lively tale of a half orc and a necromancer who meet and go on a journey to find the enemy whoās destroying their Kingdom. Each character is intriguing, well fleshed out, and full of great elements. Thereās plenty of interesting side characters and an established world thatās further explored as they get closer to their next stage in their relationship.
The sorcerer is a popular character, especially in this form but I really like where Cody is taking Lawton in terms of family dynamics and powers. And of course, his new role and relationship with Berklak, the half-orc. Berklak is another being thatās got plenty of depth and room for growth. Equipped with what we already know about Berklak, heās already a great main character.
I believe Cody intends to have the installments released pretty quickly. I canāt wait.
Need a new fantasy read? Hear a new addiction for you!
Being a half-orc is fun most of the time. Most people think Iām all orc, and that usually slicks things up so I can glide in and out of town without much fuss. Most of the time things go really smoothly for me. Sometimes, young watchmen from small towns with too much time on their hands pick a fight with half-orcs just trying to get some mead, and sometimes that ends up with me taking a kid all the way to the capital to become a bard, and sometimes that means I discover along the way a new questline that I need to follow. Sometimes. Well, this time, at least, and my companion for this quest is the cutest little necromancer Iāve ever seen (heās the only one Iāve ever seen, but heās adorable).
Now, where did I leave my barrel of mead again?
Lawton:
Being the most feared human in Fasgard is annoying and inconvenient. Itās not like I went out of my way to be born a necromancer, but since my options are death or working for the king, I gladly accept my role as high sorcerer. It doesnāt matter that Iām a prince of the realm, at least not to anyone in the palace. When one of my fatherās concubines loses her temper a little too hard, the things I discover lead me to the most wonderful half-orc Iāve ever met (Iāve only met the one, but heās amazing), and my very first real adventure.
I canāt believe Iām finally going to leave the palace!
I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc is a five chapter serial fantasy adventure with zen a light-hearted, fun TTRPG vibe. Expect big magic, lots of cuddles, plenty of steam, and a team of characters that might not get a natural 20 on every roll, but they make up for it with creative solutions to both magical and mundane problems.
Upon completion, Iāve found that thereās a few interesting things about the book and some really problematic aspects of the story that make it less compelling reading.
Letās start with the world building. Half of the information and history or perhaps less, is included here. And that arrives at the end of the story. Which means the reader and actually the characters are operating on incomplete knowledge and assumptions.
We can assume the world is based on arranged marriages that has nothing to do with affection. The people here are bonded to animals. When that started and why ? Donāt know, no history. We get zero information about how each being acquired itās bonded animal. Only that the type of animal is indicative of status. Dragon high, I would imagine mouse low, or something. Blood has something to do with it but what is not specified.
So immediately, some of the most important and intriguing elements are missing. This type of choice continues throughout the book. Even worse is that when some of the missing pieces are hinted at, as in many children tragically die because the father has forced them to bond with animals they canāt control, do we get more? No. Itās dropped completely and not brought back up.
Instead the reader is dumped into a politically charged situation that we wonāt be given any time to āhear about ā or process the various family members of Genys, the MC whoās to be married off the the man bonded to a dragon, Prince Mikhail Vasiliev. The royal family is the Vasilievs and thereās a whole Russian themed world going on here with dachas and other Russian elements, but itās haphazard at best. Russian names, objects, but Kings not Czars. Should have just gone with it.
We get no sense of who Genys is before heās married and actually not much of one after. Heās a very young 19 years old, whoās been protected by a strong mother. Genys is bonded to a mink, Grusha. Mink cute , no magic. But his character traits are all over the map. Heās an innocent but heās not. Socially adept but not. Heās a sexual person but heās a young 19 whoās been protected by his mother and out of his element. The authors did such a weak job of creating Genys that itās hard to establish a connection with him.
Now another thing about this aspect of the universe, thereās no magic . The main one seems to be the one where you and the animal are one in a bonded sort of way here. So Genys gets a cute pet basically and Mikhail/Misha gets a dragon to ride if the dragon is amenable and not a jerk. But if something happens to the animal, it happens to the person too, a fact acquired later in the story. So itās a narrative tool primarily for the plot for book 2. So they are one and the same but they arenāt the same.
Please define the elements when itās this important to your story, authors.
Is that substance enough in the form itās in to make this element a huge aspect of the book? Not here itās not. Itās just missing too much foundation.
Both authors reach wide when going for a wider arc and plot line but they focus more on book 2 than on the story thatās laying the foundation for the series and events that follow. How do I know this? They include the first chapter of book 2 at the end of this story. SMH. Incredibly frustrating to see those events that should have been folded in here in some manner.
Thatās like saying, if you are running a race, āok Iām going to have to move sections of it around, let me get back to you about the map. ā
And no I didnāt even like the romance, not that there was any, or relationship ( not much of that either) between the two main characters. No chemistry, no communication, zero respect. But they then immediately say I love you. Yes , itās one of those.
The more I think about it, the problematic area far outweigh the few interesting ones. And thereās a King whoās not in his right mind but thatās not even a minor issue here. So much isnāt even addressed because thereās such a lack of world building, the animal bonding is nonsensical, and thatās a major part of the series.
When thereās an issue with even the smallest to the largest of characters, then the narrative becomes a storyline thatās constantly stumbling.
Iām surprised to find that with Sam Burns. And I wonāt be recommending this.
Trapped in an arranged marriage with a beast of a prince, Genya has nothing but his beauty and wits to help him survive.
For nineteen years, I have carved myself into a dutiful son, a courtier of unimpeachable wit, and a genuine delight at a tea party. Now that my success in society has planted me in the path of Mikhail Vasiliev, itās clear Iād have been better off keeping my head down.
Prince Mikhail is the second son of a traitor. Third in line to the throne, he has a reputation for violence, debauchery, and being a thorn in the side of his cousin, King Dmitri. That is, until the king decides to get him out of the wayāby marrying him off.
To me.
Suddenly prince of a brutal, frozen land, I have no choice but to spy on my fatherās behalf. From the morning of our wedding, my beastly husband and I have been at odds, but if I cannot win him over, Iāll find myself in the jaws of his colossal red dragon.
By the time I realize there is more between us than hostility and mistrust, it is too late. The die has been cast, the knife thrust, and our private battle is set to topple the whole kingdom.
Beauty gets tied to a real beast in this MM high fantasy romance, featuring: the cutest companion mink to ever bite the hand of a prince, two reluctant husbands who hate each other everywhere but between the sheets, and a heap load of court intrigue to ensure things go perfectly wrong for our murderhimbo and his slinky courtier beau.
Morgan Briceās entry, Roustabout, is true to this authorās wonderful ability to weave a complex emotional story thatās a mixture of paranormal elements, mysteries, horror, the mundane, and the romantic.
The theme of a mysterious other worldly Carnival of Mysteries plays so well to this authorās strengths in terms of her characters and plots. The circusās elements are beautifully crafted, right down to the title Roustabout who is defined as circus workers who handled materials for construction on fairgrounds.
Brice has used the circus/carnival aspects of the theme not just as the series intended but also in building a character as well defined as RJ Tucker, a psychic whoās spent years as a circus roustabout since fleeing abuse as a foster kid. Briceās characters, one or both , are often depicted as emotionally wounded or physically scarred by their past history, carrying their trauma forward into whatever scenario the storyline might lead.
Thatās certainly true for RJ, and Roustabout. Part of the mystery here is watching Bartlett Gibson, necromancer and an agent for the Tennessee Bureau of Supernatural Investigation, assigned to track the con āGhost Boyā down , figure out who heās dealing with and why this man is stealing from these people in a manner that feels so personal.
But Briceās universe isnāt a mundane one, each character has a paranormal aspect to their character, so it follows that thereās an equally magical element to their storylines aside from the Carnival of Mysteries. Which in a Brice way, can indicate a darkly complex element or character to act as a catalyst or villain, as it happens in Roustabout.
This story ends up being a fabulous mixture of romance, emotional drama, mystery, police investigations and politics, paranormal characteristics , intense magical battles, and even the anguish of the realities of foster care as seen through the eyes of RJās memories. Brice digs deep into the circus culture so we even get the secret language, Cizarny thatās spoken within this mobile world. Such a richly crafted tale.
I love the chemistry of RJ and Bart together. They have that same energy and sense of belonging that makes them a great couple and team.
According to Morgan Brice, they appear as an established couple in her Kings of the Mountains series. So maybe this was her chance to give them an origin story. If so, how wonderful.
Iām highly recommending Roustabout. And now Iāll be off to check out that series above.
Carnival of Mysteries series:
ā Crow’s Fate by Kim Fieldingā¤ļø
ā Step Right Up by L.A. Witt
ā Magic Burning by Kaje Harper ā¤ļø
ā Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr
ā Go For The Company by Ander C. Larkā¤ļø
ā Roustabout by Morgan Briceā¤ļø
ā Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russellā¤ļø
ā¦ Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis – Sept 13
ā¦ The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky – Sept 6
ā¦ Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver – September 20
ā¦ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill – September 27
ā¦ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore – October 4
ā¦ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25
A con man and a government agent walk into a carnivalā¦
Bartlett Gibson is a necromancer and an agent for the Tennessee Bureau of Supernatural Investigation. Heās hot on the trail of RJ Tucker, a psychic con man who has eluded him at every turn and led him on a merry chase. Pursuit leads to grudging respect in their game of cat and mouse, which becomes a high-stakes game of seduction. Bart chases RJ to the Carnival of Mysteries and realizes that nothing is as it seems. A dark witchās curse ups the ante, creating a deadline for revenge and redemption, and the clock is ticking.
Falling in love breaks all the rules. Can Bart and RJ stop the witch, break the curse, and find a way around RJās spot on the āmost wantedā list before time runs out?
Roustabout is a fast-paced MM paranormal romance filled with supernatural suspense, snarky humor, crafty carnival workers, sarcastic ghosts, midway magic, hurt/comfort angst, adversaries-to-lovers tension, and a very happy ending!
Part of the multi-author, shared-world Carnival of Mysteries series. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Well, Bluz is by far my favorite in an extraordinary paranormal series of magical depths. In Bluz , L Eveland has given this story so many riches in terms of narrative structure and character development that its almost tactile atmosphere could be overlooked for its sublime world building.
Itās inherit within its location, its beings, the culture in this story in a way that is so unique and deeply personal to both characters but especially one. Thatās Greyson Boggs,human ,guitarist, a blues musician with an old border collie, Simon. Turns out Simon is also his guide dog as Greyson been going blind since early adolescence from retinitis pigmentosa, another perfectly implemented element.
But thatās just the beginning to the layers of this man. Hereās his voice.
āFootsteps crisscrossed in front of me, busy folk shuffling to places they didnāt want to be. I used the steady beat as my percussion, counting out a one, a two, a five-six-seven-eight while the guitar cried into the humid morning, conveying all the words I couldnāt.
I sang about the places Iād been from the deep dark hollers in rural Georgia to that summer I rode the rails all the way down to New Orleans. I sang about the south, about crawdads and creeks, collard greens and running from the law. The words came with no effort, shaken free from where they rattled around in my head with no pre-planned pattern. ā
Thereās a particular melodic progression to that voice, one that the author is also born with. And one thatās unfortunately disappearing from the world. Itās the sound and vernacular of spoken Appalachian English language, one of the oldest nonnative spoken languages here in the US. Specifically, the Appalachian dialect or as itās also known, Smokey Mountains Holler dialect, with its colorful imagery, slow linguistic patterns, and changing tones /spoken words. Itās a language that might even feel a titch familiar, such as where I might say āI took the dog outā
it becomes :
āOne night that dog was a-beggin’ and a-cryin’ to go out.ā
*In The Language and Life Project that set about documenting the dialects, one man said of his talk āā¦itās more like singing than talkingā¦ā
Thatās pure Appalachian. A dialect so beautifully suited for an Appalachian blind blues singer named Greyson Boggs and his old dog, Simon, that it makes me question that this man is really fictional.
Except, of course, for the werewolves, demons, incubus, and such.
But they get the same layered treatment. A pack in financial straits and leadership issues. A storm coming, a real mixed community to meet, which includes a homeless shelter,imminent storms, and the raw reality of those who live life on the margins. Thatās very much an important part of this story and Greysonās as well.
Gaston, the chef who returned home to help out his recovering father and the packās restaurant, Bluz, is a marvelous character. Eveland did a wonderful job in giving him his own issues to work through and challenges to overcome. Gaston is lovely. But heās next to the powerful Greyson. And he is one of those sharp shining personalities whose life becomes important to the narrative and the reader because of who he is personally. We care so much for him that itās hard for anyone else to measure up. Itās that voice.
Gaston has a pansexual coming out, not that he wasnāt already, but out to his parents and pack. Another nice aspect of the story because there so many equally strong emotional things that are going on in the story. That includes homelessness. A camp where people/beings live , homeless shelters and what it must feel like to have no where to go when a major disaster is occurring. And itās done in a matter of fact way that drives home the facts about this aspect of society even more.
Thereās a happy romantic journey with communication, some very sexy mate bonding, and very familiar faces from previous books that show up at the end for a satisfying conclusion. Love it.
And through it all, runs songs, and southern cooking. BBQ and the Blues. Do not miss out on all the recipes at the end of each book, this time for pork butt. So yummy. Put on some Etta James or Bill Whithers and grill you some BBQ.
Iām highly recommending Bluz (a Culinary Creatures novel) by L Eveland. This series just continues to get better and expand on the topics within a paranormal realm. Fantastic.
ā¢ YouTube: The Language and Life Project : see video
No one cooks like Gaston, and Iām hungry like a wolf.
Eight years ago, I missed my chance to be with the love of my life. Now, Gaston is back in town to rescue his packās troubled bar and grill, Bluz. Heās keen to rekindle things between us, but Iāve still got the blues over how it all went down before.
Gastonās got a whole life out west full of fast cars, fancy dinners, and famous friends. He claims heās ready to settle down, and that his wolf has chosen me, but Iām just a country boy, a drifter. Gaston is refined and cultured. I donāt fit into his elegant lifestyle, even if our nights together have been sizzling hot.
His wolf wants me, and I want him, but Iām running out of time to decide. Can I put our troubled past behind me before I lose him forever? Or will our relationship finally go up in smoke?
Bluz is a smoking hot and sticky sweet second chance MM romance between an anthropomorphic werewolf and a visually impaired blues singer. This third installment of the Culinary Creatures series can be read as a standalone, and features a delicious BBQ recipe for you to try at home!
*Appalachian language: The Language and Life Project
āWelcome, Traveler! Join us for a series of M/ M fantasies by a talented group of both new and established authors. Whether you enjoy mystery, action, danger, or just sweet romance, there is something for everyone at the Carnival of Mysteries!ā
Assassin by Accident is E.J. Russellās offering to the Carnival of Mysteries series and itās just a marvelous heartwarming fantasy read. Russell has combined her Mythmatched universe with the themes of the Carnival of Mysteries, giving each its due and letting the reader feel theyāve been immersed in a balanced narrative.
Welsh water horse Nevan Quirkeās young sister has been kidnapped by a nasty earth mage for nefarious purposes. And in order to get her back, Nevan made a hasty bargain to do whatever the mage wants, once. Unfortunately, he didnāt read the small print.
I love this story so much. It has so much depth and heart to it. Thereās Nevan, a being who feels unloved by all, a true monster, except by his adopted sister. Heās raised her and kept her safe and loved until she wished to visit the Outside World, and everything went wrong.
And when under the horrible geas of the earth mage to accomplish a terrible task , itās goes wrongly right in the best of ways. In this story, a case of mistaken identity and the introduction of a truly beloved character. Seb Ardelean, a nanny whoās mistaken for an assassin is a marvelous character. Sebās one of Russellās grand creations , a character who can marshal a horde of mischievous children with grubby hands to dealing with villains bent on destroying innocents. And do it with a sense of humor, compassion, and resolve thatās sexy and admirable. Yes, totally adore Seb.
Thereās magical shenanigans, familiar faces, among them favorites Jordan and Doop the Hellhound, a race to find the sister, two beings facing danger and falling in love while coming to terms with past issues and traumas. Itās so lovely and heartwarming. I dove in and didnāt surface until Iād finished the book.
I like the different ways Russell plays with mythology and the types of beings found within the various cultures, here itās the Welsh ceffyl dŵr. The central theme is well used, but unfortunately that means clowns. *Shudders*
Assassin by Accident (Carnival of Mysteries) by E.J. Russell is a favorite in this multi-author series. One Iām definitely recommending. And if you havenāt already found this authorās MythMatched series thatās an element here, look those up as well for some great reads.
Carnival of Mysteries series:
ā Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding
ā Step Right Up by L.A. Witt
ā Magic Burning by Kaje Harper
ā Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr
ā Go For The Company by Ander C. Lark
ā Roustabout by Morgan Brice
ā Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell
ā¦ Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis – Sept 13
ā¦ The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky – Sept 6
ā¦ Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver – September 20
ā¦ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill – September 27
ā¦ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore – October 4
ā¦ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25
If a megalomaniacal earth mage kidnaps your little sister, do you:
A) Kill him
B) Kill him
C) Kill him
D) Magically indenture yourself to him to ensure her safe return
Welsh water horse Nevan Quirke would have happily opted for A, B, or C, but had no idea where his sister was hiddenāso, option D it is. Heās not a fool, though. He made sure to limit his obligation to a single task.
Unfortunately, he neglected to nail down a few tiny details before the geas brand was seared into his skin, and now:
A) He canāt shift
B) He canāt swim
C) He canāt drink
D) If he fails, heāll be bound to the mage for eternity
Oh, and that task? Assist in an assassination.
If only he werenāt so thirsty.
And if only his partner for the heinous job werenāt the most appealing man Nevan has seen in his entire two-thousand-year life.
Assassin by Accident takes place in E.J. Russellās Mythmatched universe and is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ameās Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world itās on, so each visit is unique and special. This book features grumpy/sunshiny, hurt/comfort, mistaken identity, opposites attract, unexpected derring-do, and of course an HEAāno matter how little the men in question think they deserve it.
I believe that Go For The Company is a first published novel by Ander C. Lark and, if so I look forward to many more by this author. Ander C. Larkās Go For The Company takes many popular paranormal themes and gives them the authorās own unique insight and twist to make them feel fresh and interesting.
Several things stood out here in the narrative for me. Larkās knowledge of various cultures mythologies which plays In beautifully to the storyline in unexpected places. I also really enjoyed the fact that Lark never forgets that while so often the characters and narrative feels light and humorous, we are dealing with some dark and hellish elements. So yes, to the lovely moments and finding an engaging found family in Hell. However , Larkās writing will insure that lurking in the shadows is something to be truly frightened of. And that the raw reality of the beings and place these characters inhabit is never far away from current events. Reparation/road to redemption or unrelenting torture. Disneyland rides or undergoing agony. Here we get both.
And a beautiful use of the central theme of the Carnival of Mysteries and Madam Persephone. Her character as a fortune teller is so poignant and layered. So well thought out.
As is the entire concept of Hell and Heaven, and its various entities. Such an entertaining place and a wonderful read.
Gabeās journey through the afterlife isnāt one I would spoil for anyone. Itās just too good. The characters here are so multifaceted, the world building is extensive, and the plot horrifying enough to warrant a trigger warning or two about torture scenes, on page death, and domestic violence (not together).
As I said this authorās work was so enjoyable that I canāt wait to see what they do next. Until then, Iām highly impressed with Go For The Company (Carnival of Mysteries story) by Ander C. Lark and recommending it.
Carnival of Mysteries series:
ā Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding
ā Step Right Up by L.A. Witt
ā Magic Burning by Kaje Harper
ā Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr
ā Go For The Company by Ander C. Lark
ā Roustabout by Morgan Brice
ā Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell
ā¦ Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis – Sept 13
ā¦ The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky – Sept 6
ā¦ Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver – September 20
ā¦ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill – September 27
ā¦ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore – October 4
ā¦ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25
Someone once said, “Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.” Gabe Rossi didn’t believe in either and figured it would be a long time until he had to deal with finding out if he was right. Instead, he’s dragged off a balcony the day after an unnerving meeting with a fortune teller and into a postmortem reality he never would have expected.
Now Gabe is in Hell, which ends up being full of some really nice people who have necessary (if unpleasant) jobs. He’s been promised a transfer to Heaven, but in the meantime Gabe will have to deal with a psychotic ex who’s turned out to be a former despotic ruler of Ancient Rome, an aged-down grandmother who keeps causing chaos, corporate politics, a pet hellhound, a lot of unanswered questions about his own existence, and a growing attachment to the guy in charge of the place. What’s a dead college student to do, aside from enjoy the company?
Go for the Company is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ameās Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world itās on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains slow-burn paranormal romance, asexual representation, and a guaranteed Happily Ever Afterlife.
Iām astonished. I adore this author and her stories rank among the many of my favorites and most recād.
But you canāt like everything someone writes. And at the top of my lists of problematic elements in stories these days is a TSTL character, even if heās a dead one. In this case a Vampire . Thatās a character that will have me wondering what an author is thinking because their actions are so inconceivably idiotic that a reader is smacking their head in disbelief as well as putting a DNF to a book thatās coming across as too poorly constructed to continue to.
But before that aspect is addressed, what needs to be talked about is a multitude of characters and a flawed base compiled from a complicated series and related universe that appear here with no solid foundation.
If youāre a new reader, and wondering why the name Dracula is thrown about for more than one character, youāre probably not alone. Even readerās familiar with Derrās books canāt conjure up all the necessary detailed information needed to get through the histories, government bureaucracy, relationships, and titles packed in here. Why are there dragons? Whoās married to whom? Why is Dracula not a single person ?English? American? Such a jumble. All the beings and their incomplete series information thatās constantly thrown at a reader. Mind Boggling.
So if you are feeling lost, thatās very legitimate.
So cut loose from a firm foundation with vague mentions of the city and bits of how the past and present sort of operate, the reader then has to dwell on the dubious details and main characters of the story.
This is not a positive thing.
Starting with someone we desperately need to connect with. Thatās the traumatized, wounded, thrown away vampire Phoenix.
Phoenix , centuries old Phoenix, who survived on the streets doing what it took to survive. Because the other vampires were mean and ignored him. He couldnāt even get blood. This perplexed me to no end. He was a vampire, correct? But he got fat and had muscles, which is abhorrent? That was never a fully explained element. Just another fact in this characterās history which is full of such āhuh ā moments.
But present day, he now has powerful friends on high , dragons, demons, beings we have no idea who they are but live in high rises, Phoenix is a powerful necromancer, world class apparently.
So our expectations are that the characterization that follows meets with those elements of his history and trauma.
But time and time, thatās not what we get. Instead, in almost every case, Phoenix presents himself as someone who has the emotional and physical skill set of a bunny rabbit. Survival abilities too. The ātask ā heās asked to take on in exchange for a family heirloom comes from his brother, a murderous, repulsive sort of man/vampire. One who turned on him, reviled him, all but personally stomped his broken body into the ground.
So what does Phoenix do? Repeatedly? Trust the brother, go out of his way to accommodate him, and poorly investigate said task. Keep in mind, this main character is a centuries old world renowned necromancer who was bitterly betrayed by his family, including this awful brother. Yeah, why not go with it.
Thatās the mildest of how poorly this character is written. It gets so much worse that you want to beat your head against whatever reader youāre using.
And the other main character is just a cardboard outline used to hold up the romance. Weāve no firm idea who this magical cowboy is, other than a widowed healer with a son. Thereās obviously a huge backstory . Itās just not here in this narrative. But heās not a whole lot brighter than Phoenix in some respects.
Unfortunately, I kept on reading and ended up in a disaster of a storyline. I just started flipping through to the finale.
Itās all a huge nope.
If youāre a fan of this author, take a pass. If youāre a fan of this trope and series, do the same. Unless youāre someone invested in the connected series and knows who and what all these people are and what theyāre talking about. Then maybe you should read it.
Not a recommendation otherwise.
Final note. The author indicated this story as a Dance with the Devil 8.1 , then a Carnival of Mysteries. That made more sense as the Carnival of Mysteries definitely feels like a forced element into an established universe. One that doesnāt really fit.
Other authors can use established elements, characters, and even a foundation in a series with a central theme but it canāt be to the point no one can understand the concept or context. Which is what happens here. Too bad.
Carnival of Mysteries series:
ā Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding
ā Step Right Up by L.A. Witt
ā Magic Burning by Kaje Harper
ā Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr
ā Go For The Company by Andre C. Lark
ā Roustabout by Morgan Brice
ā Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell
ā¦ Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis – Sept 13
ā¦ The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky – Sept 6
ā¦ Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver – September 20
ā¦ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill – September 27
ā¦ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore – October 4
ā¦ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25
Phoenix sacrificed everything to become one of the greatest necromancers in nightwalker historyāincluding his beauty, though that was by accident rather than design. As beauty is everything to vampires, he has been a pariah ever since, disowned, discarded, and largely forgotten by everyone he once called family and friend.
Nowadays, he lends his skills to sorcerer Jackie Black and the notorious Clan Mordred. If he still feels lonely and isolated, and rejected by the man he’d been stupid enough to think returned his interest, that’s his own problem, no one else’s. He’s used to rejection anyway.
Then his brother shows up on his doorstep begging for help with a blackmail problemāand offering the one thing Phoenix cannot refuse as payment. But if there’s one thing he’s learned about nightwalkers, it’s that nothing is ever as it seems, and problems always get worse before they get betterā¦
Night-blooming Hearts is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ameās Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world itās on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains a lonely vampire convinced he’s unloveable, a pining cowboy who wants to prove him wrong, and a guaranteed HEA.
It took me a while to get into the storyline and connect with the characters. Alice Winters is a favorite author of mine and one of her trademarks in writing is the types of high energy characters and their roles within her narrative structure. Thereās always one that has a certain amount of overpowering verbal quality and quirky character. He is often the most dangerous player, impetuous, charming, chaotic, unpredictable and often quixotic.
Here heās mysterious , murderous,and borderline abusive towards Bastian , the Caster he kidnaps. And we donāt know why. Thatās potentially a big problem. Because heās not charming enough yet to overcome that . Not at the beginning.
Iām talking about Andras, a dark magic user who can take over dead peopleās bodies. A interesting element in itself because Winters is asking the reader to connect and develop feelings for an entity whose body can be deposed of. I really like this factor. And as the plot plays out, the character too.
But the chitter chatter snappy dialogue and constant murderous tone/thoughts that Winters uses in her other books and characters ,in fact , made Andras less attractive in the first part of Cast In Shadows, the storylines more dense, because the verbiage was distracting.
Especially when on the other side was a young man who was already being abused by his cult like family and domineering father. Thatās Bastian, who is at the bottom rung for everyone, on both sides. Except the reader, who feels sorry for him. Bastian is an appealing figure and one whoās easily the most engaging for the reader.
Because heās being beaten down by everyone and everything here. We emphasize with him. Constantly.
On the other hand, itās a challenge to understand the chemistry between the Andras whoās kidnapped him and Bastian, who hates his life. Unless itās a case of Stockholm syndrome.
Eventually, a wider plot and a mysterious revenge motivation is revealed, but not necessarily completely. This is a ātip of the iceberg ā sort of world building scenario where only bits and pieces get scattered around for the reader to gather up and process.
Iāll admit thereās some interesting and fascinating stuff here. And the hints being thrown around look towards some whoppers of future revelations. That second book should be great. But you have to read through the sometimes murky mess thatās the Cast In Shadows, especially at the beginning.
So Iām recommending this for fans of the author, the genre, and for the really interesting elements Winters has in store for the characters and series.
When the light-magic users known as Casters took everything from me, I vowed to make them pay.
Little did I know the perfect opportunity would show up in the form of a sweet Caster the moment I took his arrow to the heartā¦ literally. Bastian knows that Iām made of dark magic, the very thing heās been taught to destroy. But instead of turning away from me, he takes a chance on me, leading me behind the walls of the group out to kill me.
Bastian makes me remember that thereās more to life than revengeāalthough I canāt help but love the look he gives me when I cause chaos. But what I don’t realize is there’s someone who’s been watching me, someone only Bastian can help me fight.
Bastian
How is it that a man wielding dark magic is the only one who can save me?
Even though Andras goes against everything I fight for, I canāt stop myself from drawing him into my life.
Whatās worse is that itās clear he wants something from the Casters, but when he makes me laugh and feel like Iām living for the first time in my life, itās impossible to turn him away.
When I find myself caught in a web of lies between those I trusted and those I feared, I realize the only one I can rely on is the one person whoās forbidden.
Cast in Shadows contains an antihero with no filter and a strange obsession with chili, a āpetā who sleeps through all the excitement, and possibly the least romantic movie date ever.
Well, that was one fabulous fantasy epic romance! Thereās forced marriages, death and deep intrigue, bloody battles, kingdoms at risk, and finally, finding true love.
I had such a fantastic time reading this and getting into the lives of these characters! And happily, this is only the first book in the Warriors series.
But starting us off is the taking of the Kingdom of Revellan by the Emperorās son, Commander Draylon Aravaid. Heās leading the battle and the troops to defeat the traitor King and insure that the Emperorās orders are carried out.
However, once the blood is spilled, the battle ends, left standing is two young siblings guarded by the enemyās spare heir, Prince Yarif DiRici .
With those elements solidly in place,Winter creates a fantasy world of bitter kingdom politics that incorporates spies, assassins, intrigue on a vast scale, betrayal, forced marriages, and a cast of beautifully drawn characters, from the main couple to the several villains of the story.
Both men are easily seen by the reader, well defined by their personalities and rich descriptions. Thereās Draylon Aravaid, Commander of the Emperorās Army. Second son, scarred, a seasoned warrior with a thoughtfulness and determination that underpins his ability to strategize and fight. Heās such a splendid man and character. I adore him.
He plays up perfectly against his counterpart, the third son and heir spare of the traitorous and now dead King. Thatās Prince Yarif DiRici, a multidimensional figure, protector, secretary, linguist, consort to be. And here heās the one person protecting his younger brother and sister from the Emperor and his plans.
The Emperor is an evolving figure here , one I wish we could have had more insight into. He is more of a one dimensional character than he could have been, and the hints at the end would have made the Emperor a far more complex figure.
But the rest? Fabulous! Especially Rufe, Draylonās best friend whoās suffered much in his past. The red-headed king whoās playing a big role here, no spoilers. And May from the kitchen.
Canāt wait to read more about the next in this universe from Eden Winters.
Love fantasy? Big epic adventures with romance thrown in? Grand characters and world building? Warrior King is all that and more!
One man is the son of a traitor. The other is the son of a tyrannical emperor. Together, they discover the fine line between duty and justice.
Commander Draylon Aravaid doesn’t hide his lineage as the emperor’s son but doesn’t advertise his origins either. Loyal to a fault, he relies on his hard-won reputation rather than his family name, which his duplicitous father uses to full advantage.
Prince Yarif DiRici trained his entire life to become a consort in a political marriage–all while secretly yearning for love. The death of his father and older brother suddenly thrusts an unwanted crown upon his head, and Yarif into a whirlwind of dangerous plans within plans as he and Draylon are forced into marriage.
The political game is set, and Yarif is kidnapped. It’s up to Draylon to mount a daring rescue to prevent all-out war.
The two men must get past each other’s mistrust, find common ground, and defeat an enemy neither knew they had…and may not survive!
Warrior King is now available for preorder on Amazon, releasing August 25.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 