Itās been almost a year since I finished Tide of Tricks (Shadows of London #2), which left Nashās incredible characters and tightly woven storylines in a bit of a cliffhanger. Ok a major one.
So the minute I saw this was released, I grabbed it up and started reading, diving back into Nashās wildly addictive urban fantasy world of people with latent talents, governments who both fear them and want them, as well as those who strive to possess power and knowledge for goals unknown. The layers for the storylines and the characters the authorās has crafted feel both familiar and absolutely imaginative, the magical and ghastly soaring to creative levels that engage both our hearts, and our minds.
In Trials By Fire we get to see characters weāve grown to love expand personally in their ability to love, become more vulnerable and make commitments yet also place themselves at greater risk. Itās Alexander Kempthorneās time to reveal more of himself, his past history, as well as his ability to love. If I didnāt already feel deeply connected to Alex, this book will let Alex ās powerful personality open up , become even more layered and fascinating then before.
John “Dom” Domenici is in enormous danger when the story opens. Heās been the heart and key to Alex and the series, or so I thought. This book really has me rethinking several of the theories I had drafted in my own mind about where Nash was taking this and the couple. Dom is such a extraordinary character. Heās complex, immensely ātalented latentā. His past history with his criminal king father and military training just further the complexity to his personality. And with all that, he still manages to have a huge forgiving heart.
The other characters are extremely well written and actions that occur are complicated, fast paced, and highly suspenseful. Youāll be tightly gripping whatever device youāre reading on much of the time, trust me!
We end , yet again, on a smaller cliffhanger. But the overall storyline has been satisfactorily resolved. But not without some truly pain filled, traumatic moments, and times of heartbreaking loss.
Shadows of London is a outstanding urban fantasy series and Trials By Fire is a magnificent installment!
Iām ready for Truth or Dare, the forth book on the series. Itās coming soon!
Until then, if youāre not familiar with this series, start at the beginning. They should be read in the order they are written so you can understand the relationships and the situational development.
Iām highly recommending them all.
Shadows of London Series reading order:
Twisted Pretty Things #1 Tide of Tricks #2 Trial by Fire #3 Truth or Dare #4 – coming April 22,2022 Without a Trace #5
It’s not just Alexander Kempthorne’s secrets bubbling to the surface of London’s streets…
Time is running out for John “Dom” Domenici.
Outmanoeuvred at every turn by the figure known as “M”, only Kempthorne can free Dom, but juggling the horrors of his own past, containing a rising preternatural threat and the twisted machinations of “M” might just be too much, even for Kempthorne. Can Kage Mitchell be trusted to help?
Alexander Kempthorne lost an agent before. He’ll not lose another. He’ll do anything to save Dom, and if that means revealing who and what he truly is, then his time has come.
***
Trial by Fire is the mid-series finale, in this action-packed all-new Shadows of London urban fantasy series. Action, mystery, and gay romance combine in this fast-paced adventure from the author who brought you the award-winning Prince’s Assassin series.
Content warning: mention of past mental and physical abuse.
Please note the Shadows of London series is set in London and the characters are all British (so is the author). Although the series has been edited in US English for the US market, to include US spelling and grammar, many English slang words and spelling remain as part of the character of the work.
R.J. Scott has written an beautiful, emotionally moving story, one that happens to include a romance, with her latest installment in the Single Dads series .
Listen revolves around the potential adoption of a 3 yr deaf child by investigative journalist Nick Horner. Nick, a widower and single parent to three children, is someone we meet earlier when heās still deeply grieving the loss of his husband to cancer, and depression has his spiraling.
At that time he meets Elliot Curtis, teacher at St. Josephās. Nickās actions at the time and their interactions have repercussions later on. Nickās background , his thoughts give us a thorough perspective of the man himself. Especially when we see him together with his children. We grieve with him and connect with him.
Elliot is an amazing character. Scott has poured a huge amount of research of Deaf culture into Elliot and his family. It shows as Elliot comes across so realistically as a CODA or child of deaf adults. Many aspects of the ramifications of this are reflected in Elliottās memories as a child, as ASL as his first language, to his feelings as being the only hearing person in his family.
This is such a remarkable element. Itās not just Elliott. Itās also Elliottās family but most importantly itās Teegan, the 3 year old. Itās concerning her needs , how and what a deaf child needs, develops, and what decisions she might make for herself in the future. In addition, sheās been in foster care and a victim of FASD. Teegan is a child as winning and real on the page as they come.
And none of it feels like a info dump . Indeed , itās all folded into a fantastic book of deep love, concern for a child , and the family who wants to adopt her. Itās a joyous romance that will slowly become about two men forming a new family.
I heart this book and itās wonderful characters so much.
Scott has a outstanding, warm-hearted story of second chances, family and love in Listen. Itās one Iāll be rereading and one Iām highly recommending!
He only wanted to make the best home for his new daughter; he never meant to fall in love with the man who might steal her away.
Nick and his husband had always wanted a big family, but when cancer took Danny six years ago, Nick was left a single dad of three. He never considered his broken heart would heal enough to add to his family, but as soon as he meets Teegan he knows he wants to adopt the little girl. Born profoundly deaf, Teegan has been rejected twice already in the adoption process and hasn’t found her forever home. Nick wants to be her heroāher dadāand create a world that is safe and happy for her. He knows he wants to make her life perfectāhe doesn’t know how to go about it or understand the best thing to do for his family, and he needs help. Enter Elliot, and Nick finds himself falling for the frustrating, sexy, inspiring, and caring teacher who can make things right.
Elliot is wary of helping the man who appears more interested in public opinion than the needs of his own family. But, learning that Nick, wealthy and entitled, is now adopting a deaf child, Elliot knows this is a step too far and strides into battle. As the child of deaf adults, Elliot knows he is the best person to advocate for little Teegan and, if needed, he is determined to intervene and halt the adoption. Nothing and no one will get in Elliot’s way when it falls on him to protect Teegan. Not even love.
This single dad story features a widower struggling to make things right, a teacher battling for a child’s wellbeing, an adorable toddler, three loving siblings, and a home with a view of the ocean.
Style for Love is A.J. Sherwoodās terrific first book in her new series, Gay 4 Renovations. Located in small town (real place) Plymouth, Michigan, with its Victorians, Tudors, Craftsmen, and other equally charming houses in need of renovating by their owners, the queer business owners , all friends, have their business lives full while seeking their HEA.
Thereās Gage, architect and structural engineer. Cohen, their contractor. Riggs, the ultimate in CEO office managerās and Asher.
First up is Asher, Interior designer of Gay 4 Renovations. Asher, has a toxic family thatās not accepting of his sexuality and a found family that includes everyone at his business as well as Zar, the childhood best friend, a police officer, whoās always been his biggest supporter and protector.
Both Asher and Zar have never had relationships that have worked out, each otherās friendship is their only long commitment theyāve been able to have.
Sherwoodās Style for Love is a wonderful best friends to lovers, contemporary romance. One where the entire town knows what theyāve been oblivious to for yearsā¦they were made for each other.
Itās also a sexual awakening story for Zar who, because of unexpected circumstances, becomes aware of his best friend in a way thatās surprising. This is handled in a great and touching manner. I mean Zar, his sister Adah, and Gage, talking through his thoughts and feelings on the revelations that had come about.
Sherwood doesnāt forget about the impact on Asher that this change would bring. The communication and support from his circle of friends that allows Asher to work through his issues is just one more lovely aspect of this story.
I happen to adore Thai and Korean BL stories and happily so do the characters here! Whether itās Asher and Riggs, or Ami and Shaunice ( two more people who work at Gay 4 Renovations) fan girling over certain actors or storylines in well known BL series, I was there with them! And wanting to add my suggestions as well!
I also lost my heart to BFG , the mastiff mix. I adore him so much. You had me at giant dog! Yes, you did!
Thereās a toxic family element. They are frustrating because they seem so realistic in their own phobic behavior and attitudes. Itās painful and sad.
The town itself is real. Yes, I looked it up. Itās seems as cute and lovely as Sherwood makes it out to be. Then I remember Michigan. Cold , and oh no. My desire to move is gone. Iām just going to visit in these stories.
But ,I do have a smidge of a issue here. While this has been labeled a GFY (a term I always have issues with) , Zar is open to all aspects of sexuality. He examines their relationship and realizes theyāve never been in a friendship thatās conforms to the norm for just best friends, and heās never been exactly straight. What label isnāt clear nor should it matter. Heās never been straight. Whether itās Pansexual or something else.
Thatās not a gay for you. Sry , small peevish moment over.
Style for Love is a romance I absolutely adore. Itās the characters, the setting, the storylines, and the wonderful ending. I really sank into this universe. I expect you will do the same.
Now I need the next in the series. Thatās Structure for Love. Hmmm, who could that be?
His dream boyfriend: Park Bo Gum ā not check. Sadly.
Straight as a board, childhood bff Zar: check
Zar becoming his boyfriend: cheāwait, what?!
Tags:
Oh look a contemporary romance, GFY, Best friends to lovers, Dumbasses to lovers, not so much slowburn as two idiots standing around on fire, emotional baggage check, HGTV meets BL, family of choice, Asher needs a better family, Zarās will adopt him, healthy choice making (and some impulsive ones), no angst here only cuddles, best friends giving The Talk, yes that one, Gage hates -coughlovescough- them, tropey tropes a lot, yaoi fangirls as co-workers leads to interesting situations, and sexy photoshoots, best supporting character goes to the dog, small town, Asher and Zar are so obvious there is a bet riding on them, Zar uses handcuffs for not sexy reasons, at least the first time, only one sledgehammer was sacrificed in the making of this book
Well, this just got way more fabulous and complicated!
Buried Mage immediately corrects the one issue I had with Gathering Mage, and thatās where the author had divided that section of his 2-part story. Heād gone past their arrival home and into new events when it made sense to stop at their arrival.
Buried Mage has at the beginning the Cliffs Notes versions of the preceding books to catch you up if you need a refresh and then we ( and those fantastic characters) all together, start at the moment when Sandy and Jason return from the Gathering, having come through stronger and with new powers due to the trials and events that occurred there.
Itās time for them to get caught up with everything and everyone who was left behind at the House. Itās a great way too , for the author to reacquaint the readers with all the characters who were missing for a story, except for a mention or two.
Now with one celebration, itās found family time , and we get to embrace our fondness for them and the quirky House as well . Plus we get to meet another Companion. Mr. Tubbles, Tylerās worn and torn older cat. Heās a real enigma.
But soon Jason and the House of Louisville are off and running as they, with Jason as the spark , start to experiment with new forms of combat, enhancing it with their own magic abilities , including runes they make, experimenting through techniques they picked up with glasswork. Great stuff here. This is so simplified because the book ās elements regarding this are fun, and complex. I enjoyed every bit . Those who want a boom and the magic wand does the trick?
Hmmm , no. This really isnāt the book or series for you. Why?
All this is described in fascinating, wildly imaginative details! The characters are excited about whatās happening, and weāre along with them every step of the way, as they fail and as they finally succeed.
Taggert has quite the imagination and itās full of humor. His grannies, his ass blasters, the miners and surfer dudes! Love each and every one! Plus the respect that Jason shows his creations. Iām hoping that really comes into play further down the series because thatās such a joyous element.
Naturally, the villains, Marius and Karl, that have been lurking the past novels come back horrifically here. They are some very nasty pieces of work .
No spoilers but again some incredible scenes, Jason goes through terrifying trials that shove him up into the growth he needs , essentially, to power up. But , wow, painful. Very gripping and so well written that it keeps us on the edge til itās over.
Truly, the synopsis just canāt do justice to what youāre going to find inside this story. Itās a bit like saying āoh, Moby Dick? Ah yeah, itās got a whale.ā
Buried Mage has at the least ā¦a magical sword that wants to be a vase, zombies students, evil villains, adorable cats, tiny Magical Grannies who suck up magic, a House that gives you a family and everything you wantā¦for a price. And so much more.
I will say we get a great conclusion to this 2-book mini arc and a very fun slide which will start the next 2 book arc (thatās the format the author seems to prefer).
This series, which has a fifth book coming, is addicting. Itās ever expanding universe, a growing cast of amazing people and beings who continue to develop personally and in their relationships.
Iām so sold!
That means Iām highly recommending the entire series to date, which should be read in the order they were written.
The Gathering only lasted for seven days, but it ended up being a lot more of an adventure than Jason had expected. Now itās time to head home, and Jason is excited to sleep in his own bed and hang out with John, Tyler, and Annabeth again.
Jason learned a lot, and heās eager to put that knowledge to use. If his ideas work, it could totally revolutionize how Sandy and the crew make charmsāallowing them to heal, train, and defend the House even better than before.
So when the rotten mages show up, Jason is still feeling confident in himself and his new knowledge.
He has a new shield. Heās fought for his life in the arena. His matrix is much denser than before.
Heās a warrior mage now and stronger than ever before.
Anthologies/collections are a fantastic way to get to know new authors or rediscover writers you havenāt read for a while!
If anyone asks me to recommend one collection of contemporary stories? It would be this one! You have a great selection of writers who have never had their work in this charity anthology before, and the stories here are just incredible. Honestly 5 star reads! All together in one place to savor.
Not familiar with these authors? What a treat lies within. Most are on my Auto read-must have lists, but I added to mine as well here. Happy happy joy joy!
Plus all proceeds from the charity anthology go to benefit LGBTGIA + charities.
The overall Collection is always the H2H dating app, but this collection has the theme of #NeverHaveIEver for 14 Authors and their romance stories.
The H2H app users challenge themselves to do something outside of their comfort zones. And fall in love along the way.
I have listed all the stories and authors below. An extended version with a mini-review of each is on my website, scattered thoughts and rogue words dot com. Honestly, itās a tad long for here! But these stories deserve it. Heart eyes, folks!
Love it so much!
Stories and Authors:
1. Never Have I Ever Fallen In Love by Lucy Lennox
2. Never Have I Everā¦Cold Called A Strangerās Phone Number by A.M. Arthur
3. Never Have I Everā¦ Ridden A Bike by Alice Winters
4. Never Have I Everā¦ Dyed My Hair Flaming Red by Daryl Banner
5. Never Have I Everā¦worn That For Halloween by E.M.Lindsey
6. Never Have I Everā¦Sung In Public byJodi Payne
7. Never Have I Everā¦Gotten Lost by K. Webster
8. Never Have I Everā¦Taken A Vacation by Kate Hawthorne
9. Never Have I Everā¦Spent the Night With Blanche by Louisa Masters
10. Never Have I Everā¦Had A Makeover by Mia Monroe
11. Never Have I Everā¦Flown in A Airplane by Neve Wilder
12. Never Have I Everā¦Gone Skinny Dipping by Riley Hart
13. Never Have I Ever ā¦ Watched The Godfather by S.E. Harmon
14. Never Have I Everā¦ Kissed Someone On the Lips by Spencer Spears
15. Never Have I Everā¦Been On A Date by Tal Bauer
16. Never Have I Ever Fallen In Love by Lucy Lennox-part 2. The End
And now for my blog šā¦..
1. Heart2Heart by Lucy Lennox
Jonah , on behalf of his employer H2H, went off to Alaska,taking an adventure in a floatplane to create content for their latest event.
His taxi to the town, a tiny floatplane from Knockwood Aviation, flown by Pilot Pete Valentine started his adventure immediately. And so did my laughter. As Pete and Jonah go on many āneverhaveIEverā firsts for Jonah and his article, their attraction and feelings for each other grow.
The story is split in half,as it begins and ends the anthology.
Itās a fav of mine š itās also a prequel to Lennoxās next series focusing on Knockwood Aviation.
2. Never Have I Everā¦Cold Called A Strangerās Phone Number by A.M. Arthur
āFor A Good Time Callā¦ā says a note stashed in a library book. What Charlie finds is romance where he never thought heād find it, with the help of his jock roommate, Jasper.
Heartwarming, sweet, and lovely.
3 Never Have I Everā¦ Ridden A Bike by Alice Winters
Owen, the baker , writes ānever have I ever ridden a bikeā into the H2H app chat, and with those words , Alice Winters sends Owen, his roommate Lance, and their cat Thor the Destroyer off on a madcap afternoon of zany insanity, also includes bike riding lessons! Not surprisingly it ends happily and with declarations of love! Hilarious, sweet, and pure Winters!
4. Never Have I Everā¦ Dyed My Hair Flaming Red by Daryl Banner
Stagehand Zakary Tisdale wrote ānever have I ever dyed my hair a wild colorā on the H2H forum. Itās his birthday and heās naked in his bathroom , looking at himself in the mirror.
I wasnāt familiar with Daryl Banner but after reading this wonderful story Iām putting him on my list to seal out what else heās written. Because this is a little gem with lots of heart. One flaming red hair color changes everything, including the way he thinks about himself. Love it.
5. Never Have I Everā¦worn That For Halloween by E.M.Lindsey
Baker Domenico has loved his
best friend, Shiloh, since they were children. But heās been afraid to tell him until the H2H forum NeverHaveIEver persuaded him to post a comment about Halloween. Now heās committed to a couples costume. And everything is about to change.
Lindsey has written a beautiful, moving story, about deeply layered characters and their love for each other. Itās absolutely one of my favorites here.
6. Never Have I Everā¦Sung In Public byJodi Payne
Nathaniel Killineyās a dentist who admits on the H2H forum heās never sung in public.
Ethan Lowman is a high school theater/arts teacher and Nathaniel Killineyās crush when they were in the very same high school yearās ago.
Nathanielās comment on the H2H forum brings about a reunion thatās full of promise, for a romance as well as letting Nathaniel finally being able to sing in public. Very sweet.
7. Never Have I Everā¦Gotten Lost by K. Webster
āA single line āNever have I ever gotten completely and utterly lostā in the āMeet local friendsā thread in the H2H forum starts Hunter obsessing over this as if anyone could get lost in the age of almost instant GPS availability and map directions
Hunterās never been lost . So heās scanning quickly through the comments until he sees one from like minded Dallas Drew. Dallas aka Andrew, who claims to also never have gotten lost. Both are Americans that now live and work in Norway. Both also have elements to them that make that fact something thatās capable of drawing them together for a meetup.
Andrew, on the high functioning end of the ASD spectrum is lost in his life. Alone and missing his mother after her recent death, is going to try for an adventure. Something this meetup with Hunter represents. Hunter is feeling alone ,depressed, and his self image has taken a big hit due to his awful last relationships. Now heās reaching out for a change and a chance for someone and something more.
What follows is a wonderful, vulnerable, magical journey. I heart this story so much. Adding this author to my must have more of pile.
8. Never Have I Everā¦Taken A Vacation by Kate Hawthorne
Jermaine. Never have he ever taken a vacation. Raised by a struggling single parent, that wasnāt an option and his job as a flight attendant makes flying to other places something thatās just a stopover.
Milo, a travel blogger . For him, nearly every day was a vacation. One flight to New Orleans when they meet provides the sparks for changes they never expected.
Sexy, and unexpected!
9. Never Have I Everā¦Spent the Night With Blanche by Louisa Masters
H2H forum line Golden Girls prompts a user to sayā¦.Never Have I ever binge watched the Golden Girls.
Soon thereās a planned Golden Girls marathon at a coffee shop/ bookstore for everyone, especially the one whoās severely lacking in knowledge of the Blanche. Thatās Fin.
At the marathon, he meets several ppl , among them Clayton Hollingsworth Devereaux. Clay and Fin instantly hit it off.
10. Never Have I Everā¦Had A Makeover by Mia Monroe
Constantine needs a makeover. A company offers a professional event geared just for that very thing. There he meets a stylist named Deacon who sees a quiet, lovely teddy bear of a professor with self image issues. Con is just the man Deaconās been waiting for, and this makeover is the pathway to the start of a beautiful relationship.
A terrific story with relatable characters.
11. Never Have I Everā¦Flown in A Airplane by Neve Wilder
Beau , a musician, had never been on a airplane. Now he had to fly to a old friendās wedding in Venice, Italy. Beau mentions this fact on the H2H forum and gets a reply from UpRightPosition that he has to visit a certain restaurant in Venice while heās there and have a safe flight!
So itās so of fated that UpRightPosition turns out to be Jack, the hugely attractive flight attendant flying from Atlanta with him to Venice. That flight to Venice is the beginning of many firsts and a HEA.
A very sweet story.
12. Never Have I Everā¦Gone Skinny Dipping by Riley Hart
Mikey on the H2H message board: Never have I ever gone skinny dipping.
Shy, awkward, the one who never followed through Mikey. With a secret pen name. Who had a crush on someone heās only known online since he was 16. Itās been 2 years of steady chatting and every time itās been time to meet, Mikey has found excuses not to.
So it stopped. And that became Mikeyās biggest regret.
Now heās secretly writing erotic novels under another name when heās not being Mickey Boring, the librarian ( his real name) by day.
Time to change things up!
Ronan Winters runs the local coffee shop , Extra Shot, and runs a queer podcast Sex with Ronan.
Things are going to happen online personalities and real life collide, revelations occur and thereās a HEA waiting at the end.
Very well written and sweet romance.
13. Never Have I Ever ā¦ Watched The Godfather by S.E. Harmon
Ad: Looking for someone to go see to movies in the parks , Iāll bring the popcorn and snacks.
Ashton Westlake, lawyer, in Michigan, while things get smoothed over with the client he offended at his fatherās law offices. Loves baking.
His cousin puts the ad in the H2H message boards hoping to get company for Ashton as he watches movie classics, for the first time, in the park.
Levi, HistoryBuff24/7 , answers CoolLawDudes ad . Professor of American History, Late of a bad relationship. And also former teacher of Ashton!
Whoād had a very obvious crush on him.
Fifteen years difference in age, but equal in attraction. The reunion at the park sees a return of the sparks of attraction from so long ago.
What follows is an absolute delightful romance of two men finding their way back to each other at the exactly right stage in their lives, through movies, tv shows, and baked goods. Itās totally charming, and I was engaged from start to finish.
14. Never Have I Everā¦ Kissed Someone On the Lips by Spencer Spears
Westley: Never ever have I kissed someone on the lipsā¦
Thatās Wesleyās post on the H2H board. Heās shy, awkward, 20, and never been kissed.
Heās in DC for an internship , from Connecticut, sweating out the wonderful Dc summer (the author has our summer right). Living his Professorsā Washington DC row house , he finds himself hiding up on the roof deck, watching a neighborās party . Itās sad and pretty til a thief jumps out of their window with a haul of jewels, causing Westās world to upend in the strangest way possible.
Oh, Spencer Spears! What a fabulous tale that youāve written! I was with these two all the way! And I need more! I want to know if West called him! Give me that sequel!
A favorite!
15. Never Have I Everā¦Been On A Date by Tal Bauer
H2H board. Never have I ever been on a date
Cletus, heliopilot for a mission for Strickland, mngr for National Science Foundation for Antarctica. Responsible for 3k lives spread between 3 bases, now holding a bloody uniform as they lifted off.
Damien Bronson, Dino Doc to his students at the South Pole, came to Antarctica chasing his dream of proving his thesis right, that the bones of dinosaurs exist there. Heās also nurses a very big crush on pilot Cletus.
When their boss Dr. Strickland asks the men to find the body of the scientist that disappeared and whoās bloodied garment Cletus has now found, it sets off a series of events that could only have come from the fabulous Tal Bauer. Exciting, horrific, fast paced, and romantic, itās an A ticket ride the whole way. Outstanding!
And finally the last half of
16. Never Have I Ever Fallen In Love by Lucy Lennoxā¦ part 2
Jonah is flying around in a floatplane, trying first time adventures for his article for H2H , and Knockwood Aviation and the Valentines family, especially one in particular,Pete, Is keeping him busy.
Never Have I Ever Been To Alaskaā¦.
Now Jonah and Pete have been everywhere, theyāve spent time getting to know one another and Jonah has had time to make some life changing decisions.
Lucy Lennoxās story brought us a great new universe and engaging family, the Valentines. The Knockwood Aviation company, in all its elements, and all the Valentines are Lennoxās next series. This story is the absolutely perfect prequel to launch it.
Iām invested in these people and their romance, but also in the tiny town and itās citizens.
I canāt wait for more.
What an outstanding collection of authors and stories this is! You have a great selection of writers who have never had their work in this charity anthology before, and the stories here are just incredible.
Not familiar with these authors? What a treat lies within. Most are on my Auto read-must have lists, but I added to mine as well here.
And on top of fabulous romances, the proceeds go to support LGBTGIA + charities.
Win win!
Iām highly recommending this anthology. Grab it up before the next one comes out. Thatās the kinky oneš
Once upon a time, a bunch of authors wondered… what would happen if Heart2Heart, the dating and community app responsible for bringing together couples from all over the world, encouraged people to do something theyād never done before?
#NeverHaveIEver is trending on H2H, and fourteen authors whoāve never before appeared in a Heart2Heart anthology (and one whoās never left) have come together to show how funny, hot, and heartwarming it can be when H2H app users challenge themselves to do something outside of their comfort zones–from singing in public, to skinny dipping, to getting their first real kiss–while they manage to fall in love along the way.
As always, all proceeds from this anthology will benefit LGBTQ+ charities to ensure that love in all its incarnations will be celebrated and protected every single day of the year!
The Hitmanās Guide to Righting Wrongs While Causing Mayhem is the fourth book in Alice Winters series about a retired hitman whoās now happily married and in business with his PI husband. Weāve followed their hilarious , zany, sometimes murder-filled lives, from the meeting at the infamous and now enshrined Fence all the way through their engagement and marriage.
I have adored every second of every bit of the time Iāve spent getting to know former hitman Leland and his now husband Jackson, chief of police, Henry, whoās basically stepped in as father figures for Leland, fellow former hitman Cassel, and his boyfriend cop , Jeremy, dogs Cayenne and Sarge, ā¦. I mean the cast of fantastic characters is huge! And they weave in and out of every story, regardless of what that particular bookās theme is. You can count on certain people and animals to be a part of the investigations and whatever shenanigans that ensues.
Lelandās ( and Casselās ) adolescence and twisted mentorship under Lucas has also been a constant dark thread in the series. Sometimes it manifests itself as Lelandās inability to connect in a ānormalā to established family celebrations or traditions. They physically make him hurt as something so warm and loving is so outside of his universe. Lucas manipulated him and all his āboysā in a utterly, cruel way. Hand picking abused, starved boys at their worst then narrowing their world down to Lucas, their kill, their training, and their next target. Those that didnāt live up to Lucasās standards, were āgone ā.
That past gets reflected through Lelandās actions and remarks through every story too. And Jackson is there supporting and helping Leland with the pain and growth.
I love that element.
This couple is hilarious, loving, but the substance is always present.
This was an especially complicated investigation. Of course, it starts with someone from Lelandās past coming for Leland and his special ātalentsā.
Naturally, the case goes sideways right from the start with bodies piling up, false identities, porn names, and the reappearance of the Sasquatch!
Itās fast moving, often over the top action, matched by equally snappy,snarky dialogue . Lots of shooting, and explosions!
Lucas makes several important appearances here. The deep damage done as he molded both as youth into assassins, damage thatās left both Leland and Cassel traumatized, is clear here. So is the influence he continues to have on both men even from prison.
This is the one major element that is only partially dealt with. Lucas has been THE major bad for the entire series, deservedly so. Heās a fully developed, multidimensional villain. Thereās a reason heās to be feared.
At one point Leland gets his moment of revelation about himself and his emotional growth. Itās allowing him to move forward.
However, and this is a huge however, this gigantic emotional step forward isnāt complete because the story doesnāt allow it to be. Unless thereās another book to come. Leland never goes to see Lucas to see if Lucas can still get to him.
Lucas and his part in Leland and Casselās lives needs a closure.
While heās still in prison pulling strings , no one is getting any. Leland , no matter what happened during that case, has been unable to face him without being traumatized. Cassel canāt face him at all.
The series needs to address that.
Plus Ava, that strong AF mother in law, who went through so much? You canāt tell me there arenāt some emotional fallout elements to come there. There should be. Because there always been some very truthful threads underneath the caustic comedy routine between Ava and Leland. We need to see what happens next.
So Iām hoping this isnāt the end of the series because while itās a terrific story, thereās still much important stuff left to bring to closure.
It should be clear how very much I love this universe and series. These people are so close to my heart. I want nothing less than the absolute best. Because the way Alice Winters wrote and created them? They are deserving of nothing less.
What a series! What a wonderful story! Iām highly recommending them all . And honestly waiting for the next.
The Hitmanās Guide series:
ā The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love #1
ā The Hitmanās Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes #2
ā The Hitmanās Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot #3
ā The Hitmanās Guide to Righting Wrongs While Causing Mayhem #4
Side Story:
šThe Former Assassinās Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend
Growing up, I was taught that getting too close to someone would be my downfall. But Iāve proven that wrong now that Iām happily married to Jackson, the greatest man in the world. The issue is that mayhem always seems to find me (which is definitely not my fault), and this time, it comes in the form of a woman looking for her daughter. What starts as a simple missing persons case turns into so much more, forcing me to rely on my found family and others, including a muscley ābearā who will definitely not whisk away my husband with his irritatingly sexy accentāI mean, yes, Iām very focused on this caseā¦ Jackson, donāt look at me like that.
Jackson
While Leland is ācode potatoingā (whatever that means on his strange cheat sheet), Iām left questioning what heās gotten himself into this time. At least heās willing to let me assist him, even if heās still positive that I should just āsit prettyā and let him handle everything. But with the girl missing, he knows we need to work together to determine whose game weāre playing because not everything is as it seems. Of course, when one gets involved with Leland, nothing is ever simple. But maybe thatās just the way I like it.
Contains: speed walking up way too many stairs while holding pointy objects, feel-better cookies that didnāt turn out quite right, Spanish that definitely isnāt Spanish, and lots of long-suffering people being swept up in Lelandās shenanigans once more
Thick As Thieves is the Aster Valley finale and itās a wonderful story to bid the series goodbye with.
Best friends to lovers is a great trope and Lennox gives us two endearing characters who have known each all all their lives, being each otherās one to go to in all times.
Never is that more true or needed when Parker Ellisā wedding day is shattered. His bride dumps him as heās getting ready to say I do.
Julian Thick is there to pick up the pieces and Parker, after itās called off. Julian takes Parker to Aster Valley to his new cabin to recover but both men get far more then they anticipate when hidden feelings are revealed.
Julian has loved only Parker. But Julian has watched him for years with someone else who was female, thinking Parker was straight. That pain is buried deep within Julian now.
Thereās issues of trust, examinations of sexuality, friendship, and , of course, finally, declarations of love.
Other couples from the previous books make appearances here too.
Itās funny, genuine, romantic, and lovely.
Plus Lennox brings in characters from her next series Knockwood Aviation for us to get a glimpse of. Thereās two men I really want a romance for.
If youāve been a fan of this series like me, grab up this story and give it a happy send off.
If not, it can still be read as a standalone, itās just richer with a context.
I’ve been in love with my best friend since forever. Okay, fine. Like, kindergarten. It started out platonic, obviously, but then became… nope. Still platonic. The problem is that Parker Ellis has been straight since forever. And that makes it difficult to convince him the two of us are meant to be together.
And now there’s no point. All is lost. He’s gone and gotten engaged to his high-school sweetheart which means I have to grin and bear it while pretending to be the happy, supportive best man while he prepares to commit his life to a woman I can’t even fault. She’s great. We’ve all been friends forever. I know he’ll be happy with Erin, just not… just not as happy as he could be with me.
Parker:
I’ll admit. Sometimes I press the easy button. Like when Julian Thick had offered me half his sandwich back in grade school after noticing I didn’t have any food. Or when I’d needed a date to homecoming in tenth grade and Erin told me she was it. Or when I’d used the one thing that came easy to me, skiing, to get my college tuition paid for. Or when Erin had showed back up in my life six months ago and told it was time to marry and start a family…
But for the first time in my life I’m facing something that’s not at all easy. It’s my wedding weekend and I’ve just been left at the altar. Not only that, but when my best friend whisks me away to drown my sorrows in a snowy cabin in Aster Valley, I accidentally discover Julian’s been keeping secrets. Big secrets.
The kind of secrets that lead to hot experimental kisses in front of a blazing fire, tenative physical exploration in a way I’d never imagined before, and the kind of intimate, true confessions I’d never even dreamed of between me and the one person who’s always been my true home.
But after twenty-plus years of thinking of Jules as my friend without benefits, is it truly possible to change who we are to each other? There’s no easy button this time, but I’m willing to do the work. I only wonder if Julian is ready to trust I really mean it.
Thick as Thieves can be read on its own or enjoyed as part of the Aster Valley series.
Code: Blue is the sequel to N.R. Walkerās first book about a band in its last stages of its life. Code: Red was itās last tour and the romance between its singer Maddox and his manager Roscoe.
Code:Blue , the last album, signals the turmoil thatās ongoing between the bandās label, the band members and the unhealthy physical and mental health conditions they now find themselves in after years of constant touring and stress.
Jeremy, the other band member thatās been a well defined character in Code: Red, gets his story and romance now. Jeremy is physically breaking down under a decadeās worth of abusing his body and not listening to doctors instructions. Heās a diabetic and his lack or inability to stay on target to the nutritional structure he needs to stay healthy has finally taken its toll. Heās a mess.
And no one knows the full extent of how bad itās gotten.
Jeremy is a wonderful character. Heās well developed, and his personality as well as his diabetes is worked into this story extremely well. We get to know him, his trust issues, and his confusion over his sexuality.
We āseeā him through the loving eyes of his security manager/guard, Steve Frost. The story is told from Steveās perspective. A issue I talk about below.
Steve is another terrific character. Older , with a painful history, that tbh, didnāt seem realistic to need to be hidden given its the music industry. Heās protection/security. That element seemed a bit contrived. I liked many aspects of Steveās personality but thereās also others that fell short given how long heās been in the business.
When the danger to Jeremy becomes clear, Steve does up Jeremyās security system. But then the couple , together and separately, proceeded to take chances , that I canāt see any professional security manager or team doing. Even with the emotional involvement.
You know the cameras, drones, media are looking at you everywhereā¦ yet they do things that make you smack your head.
So yes, I liked perhaps loved and got behind this coupleās romance. But it took an occasional suspension of belief in the professionalism here.
I had to wonder why I was having issues with both stories. I honestly like Code: Blue better then the first book.
And I think thereās several answers.
Sexual Identity: Let me tackle the sexuality aspect first. Why was the only choice Jeremy has when heās so confused about why heās now suddenly attracted to Steve is you are either straight or now youāre bisexual. What happened to being pansexual or omnisexual? Both made more sense here, but itās as though they didnāt exist on the sexual spectrum. That bothers me.
The Rock/Band/Theme:
This element needs several sections to deal with. First because both novels could be standalone stories, without any attempt to attach them to a band theme.
Itās that whole band theme is a one dimensional layer thatās just a element in name only, except for the songs written at the end of each story.
Why?
First, the books are about the band and itās musicians/rockstars. But both are told ,not from the perspective of any of them but from someone who, however close, is not a musician and not a band member. For me, thatās a odd choice to begin with. That loss of an intimate viewpoint from a heart of a story is never made up for.
These voices stay missing in other ways too.
You have five members. The author makes much of the bandās symbol and the fact that they are brothers that canāt be broken apart.
The two books? Atrous the band? Nonexistent except that we see their label, managers, fans, and talking about the tours, the promotional lineups. Them actually on stage? Nopes.
Whereās the band? Whereās the on stage synergy ? That electric, everything is jamming, loud, louder, the crowds out of its mind, sweating, rocking, mind blowing synergistic feeling that rock bands truly exhibit only out on the stage? I know writers who know how to pull that into their narrative when writing about musicians and bands.
The band members. Except for occasional appearances, the only defined members are Maddox and Jeremy. The other three? One dimensional characters, basically character sketches.
We get the band as itās ending. The last tourā¦we donāt actually get the tour. Just some written songs at the end. Plus they tell us itās the last tour.
Code: Blue, the definition and reason for that name comes much like the first novelās did, at the end of the story. It signaled the last album.
Ok . But we donāt get the guys putting together the album, the emotions, or anything at all of what it felt like to put a last album together. So why a band theme at all? Itās really missing in both books if you think about it.
These guys could be any celebrities and their manager/ security guard. Doesnāt change a thing.
Just seems like a half hearted effort.
Romances are fine. The main characters are nice, sweet, I especially liked the dog, but thereās not much foundation.
Thatās not like Walker .
Read it for the romance and if youāre a fan of this author.
Steve Frost had dreams of wearing the national championship belt in mixed martial arts, maybe even going pro, but instead, finds himself working as a security guard for the rich and famous in LA.
Quickly earning a reputation for his blunt and precise people management skills, he lands a position on the security team for an up-and-coming boyband, Atrous. Years later, heās head of security. He knows these boys, and with countless tours, flights, car trips, public events, concerts, heās closer to one band member in particular.
Jeremyās been a pillar for Atrous since day one, but even more so these last few months. Now the face of the band more than ever, heās also got himself the attention of a delusional stalker-fan.
When the fame and stress become too much, when Jeremyās health takes a hit, Steve becomes Jeremyās lifeline. But as Jeremy knows already, and as Steve is about to learn, not even the brightest star can shine forever.
You know when you read a book thatās so clever, so fantastically crafted, so beautifully ingenious that when the āahaā moments hit you , youāre both giggling AND gobsmacked because you love it so much , you appreciate the writerās artistry, well, you just didnāt see it coming?
Thatās the entire Fluke and the Frontier Farce (Fantastic Fluke #4) by Sam Burns! Iāve read it twice now and with each new reading, Iāve found different elements I missed and new aspects to admire and think about. In fact , this maybe my favorite Sam Burns series yet, and thatās saying a lot!
This novel has a main element of time travel, no surprise there as itās in the description. But anything more should absolutely not be said. This is a book that must be read!
Itās the penultimate book in the series (yes I know I said that before) but the author starts tying up the series storylines in some of the most amazing and incredibly satisfying ways. Ones I didnāt even realize needed resolution get a finalization they needed and deserved. Truly wonderful and often emotional as well.
And thatās the other thing here that Burns never letās go of, that her characters, their relationships and growth is the key to this series. Yes itās about magic and mystery but itās heart is itās people. They are who weāve come to love and theyāre lives and loves are who weāre invested in.
Thatās never more clear here that when itās family and love that comes together to make things happen!
Iāll say no more!
Fluke and the Frontier Farce , the fourth novel in Sam Burnsā Fantastic Fluke series is magnificent! Itās one of the best fantasy stories this year in one of my favorite series! Itās so imaginative, the storylines are incredibly clever, and the characters are ones Iām well certain not to be ready to let go of by the end of the Finale.
Usually I might say a book is too short, or sometimes a tad longish. But Fluke and the Frontier Farce is exactly as long as it had to be!
I donāt need to tell you what that means do I?
Highly recommend this, the series, and the author! Binge read it in order before the finale comes out! I should be done rereading this by then!
The Fantastic Fluke Series -4 of 5:
ā The Fantastic Fluke #1
ā Fluke and the Failthless Father #2
ā Fluke and the Faultline Fiasco #3
ā Fluke and the Frontier Farce #4
ā¦ Fluke and the Fantastic Finale #5 – August 25, 2022 release date
Itās been a long year for Sage and his friends, and all of Junction, California, and itās not over yet.
Freddy’s school of magic is still a mystery, and figuring it out would be enough work, but the investigation leads them to the mysterious coded notes of Junctionās long-dead first magical artist, and then to the last place any of them ever expected to end up: the nineteenth century. Worse yet, when they get there Fluke is missing, and Sage isnāt sure he can get back home without his best friend.
Nowāor is it then?āthey just need to find Fluke, decode the notes, avoid changing the past, dodge evil Uncle Jonathon and the shady French nobleman at his side, and maybe most importantly, find their way home.
But there’s more in the past than trouble, and Gideon might want to stay there with his wife. If Sage has to leave him behind, is it worth returning to his own time at all?
Marshall Thornton is a great writer and a favorite author of mine. So I was happy to see a new story in a brand new series just released from him.
The Less Than Spectacular Times of Henry Milch has many of the terrific elements I expect from a Marshall Thornton book. It has a well developed sense of era, in this case the 2000ās, right down to the historical political events and the technology , like iPods, which to our jaded eyes is downright old fashioned. Thereās Britney, Irag wars, the fashion of the eraā¦ and yes, the drugsā¦including opioids.
Thornton has always been able to make an era and location not only recognizable but believable, pulling a reader into whatever decade heās locating his series and characters. It works beautifully for Boystown and Pinx Video, and again here for The Wyandot County Mysteries.
The county, the people, and even the mystery, are all extremely well crafted, with that care to detail that this author does so well.
Itās realistic and believable. I just wish I liked the book better. I donāt. I couldnāt wait to finish it and say goodbye to these characters. Well except for the dog maybe.
Why?
Because unlike the other series I mentioned above, I disliked the characters here, especially the main one, Henry āMoochā Milch. Yes, his nickname is Mooch, thatās a hint. But heās such an unappealing character, that no one in the book likes him either, except the dog. Heās been sent to his grandmotherās place in Wyandot County, MIchigan because he overdosed on opioids so it was that or rehab. He chose Grandma rather than get straight.
For the rest of the novel he proceeds to rifle through peoples bathroom cabinets and drawers, stealing prescription drugs, to feed a growing habit heās refusing to recognize. All the while pronouncing judgements on everything. He decided to solve a mystery, because he wanted to money to leave town, not because itās the thing that actually needed doing.
I could continue but you get my drift. Heās just an unlikable man who stays that way. And heās surrounded by them, including Grandma, Emma. These characters are realistically crafted, layered and understandable.
Just not people I want to spend time with.
Which they kind of have to be if I want to read a story.
The other series Thornton wrote had characters that broke my heart while making me love them ever so deeply.
This one, however well written , makes me want to say good luck and goodbye.
If this series is something that sounds like itās something thatās in your wheelhouse, than a Marshall Thornton story and mystery is it for you.
A new mystery series from the award-winning author of the Boystown and Pinx Mystery series.
Things have not been going well for Henry Milch. After a Saturday night clubbing in his beloved West Hollywood, he took one pill too many and ended up banished to northern lower Michigan to live on a farm with his ultra-conservative grandmother. It was that or rehab. While working a part-time job for the local land conservancy he stumbles across a dead body in the snowāas if things couldnāt get worse. But then things take a turn for the better, thereās a reward for information leading the manās killer. All Henry has to do is find the murderer, claim the reward and he can go back to his real life in L.A.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 