Review: A Knack for Metal and Bone: An Epic Fantasy Steampunk Adventure (The Knack Book 1) by Kim McDougall

Rating: 4.5⭐️

“A royal tinker and a rogue soldier must unite to stop the monsters threatening their city—and unravel the secrets lurking within it.”

I’ve been incredibly lucky lately as the books I’ve grabbed up by “new to me” authors have turned out to be fabulous novels and, in some cases, great series. This is one of those.

I wasn’t familiar with Kim McDougall before but she’s firmly in my TBR list now. A Knack for Metal and Bone, the first in her series, The Knack, is a fantastic steampunk fantasy novel. Inventive, full of magnificent characters and epic storytelling, once I started I couldn’t put it down.

The characters are richly detailed and beautifully crafted in their variety of backgrounds and forms. From mech to shifters to elves to extraordinary creatures that emerge from the Meadow, the world is full of characters the engage both mind and heart with their journey and their own unique abilities.

Rowan is one I count as my favorite character and a uniquely crafted hero in this genre. She’s a royal princess who prefers her mechanics and workshop, avoiding her role in society and court. She’s a mech engineer, with a unique talent and touch, one that comes with an own story. She lost her arm as a child in an attack, one that sent her older brother, the heir into a 20 year coma, and cost the Kingdom their father who died.

Now she works in her tower workshop, with her mech arm and mech bird as companion, visiting her comatose brother daily and beloved Aunt. Until a mission changes her life.

Rowan is a masterful character. Multilayered, believable, grounded by her intelligence and ability with machines. Brace without stupidity, thoughtful and just an impressive personality. And her equal is the wolf shifter, Conall. An ex-commander in the Kingdom’s Rangers, he’s been hiding due to his actions in a past war. But this mission brings them together with others of equally strong or strange abilities.

The mission, their journey through wildly unpredictable situations and weird environments is exciting, dangerous and compelling. It’s breathtaking reading. And watching the growth of the individuals coming together, well most of them, into a cohesive unit is everything. The relationships between them are believable, grounded and real.

Which often makes the events suspenseful and nerve wracking. Because the danger is high at each stage of the journey.

The ending sets up the next story. It’s a steady progression as they set out to continue forward on the knowledge they’ve gained.

They’ve finished one stage but the next one, the very dangerous one is just starting.

This is such a fantastic story, full of outstanding characters and epic storytelling that I’m excited to share it.

Grab it up. The second book too.

Published by Wrongtree Press.

Cover art and design by Christian Bentulan

The Knack (2 book series to date)

A Knack for Metal and Bone #1

Mech and Magic #2

Buy link

A Knack for Metal and Bone: An Epic Fantasy Steampunk Adventure (The Knack Book 1)

Blurb

A royal tinker and a rogue soldier must unite to stop the monsters threatening their city—and unravel the secrets lurking within it.

Rowan doesn’t just work with machines—she hears them. The hum of engines, the whisper of gears and wires—they speak to her through the magic that flows from her mech hand. Whether she’s fine-tuning the colossal automaton that protects New Torwood City or toiling in her workshop, being a mechanic is the only life she truly enjoys. But the Regent’s Council wants more. They demand a princess who will embrace the pomp and ceremony of royal duty, not a tinker with oil-stained hands.

When she’s unexpectedly recruited into Ranger Squad 54 for a mission deep into the wild Meadows, Rowan leaps at the chance. Finally, a way to serve her city and put her unique talents to use—far from the glittering halls of royalty.

Conall, an ex-commander, knows the dangers of the Meadows firsthand. Discharged from the Rangers when his inner wolf broke free during battle, he now makes a living running rare artifacts between New Torwood and the southern cities. But the Rangers have a new mission for him—one that could clear his tarnished record. A group of international scientists has vanished, and recovering them is critical for the future of New Torwood. Failure could push the city into a war it cannot afford.

Thrown together on a high-risk mission, Rowan, Conall, and the Rangers of Squad 54 will face unimaginable dangers in the wilderness and uncover dark secrets that could shake the foundations of the city they’ve sworn to protect. But the real menace might be at the heart of New Torwood itself.

Embark on a thrilling adventure with A Knack for Metal and Bone, the first book in an epic new fantasy-steampunk series from the author of The Valkyrie Bestiary.

December 5, 2024

Language

‎English

Print length

450 pages

Book 1 of 2

The Knack

Fantasy, steampunk/fantasy, epic fantasy adventure, steampunk science fiction/fantasy,

Review: One-Time Shot: MM Small-Town College Hockey Romance (Smithton Bears Book 1) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

If you loved The Elmwood Stories then the Smithton Bear is just your thing. One-Time Shot: MM Small-Town College Hockey Romance (Smithton Bears Book 1) by Lane Hayes is such an adorable romance.

The two main characters are an absolute delight to read and I easily read this in one evening.

Jett, the college hockey player is layered, finding his year challenging, and his life full of unexpected stumbles. Malcolm, the science major who has a thesis and needs Jett’s help to complete it, is fully realized and relatable. He’s so cute.

Together they are funny believable duo, learning from each other, walking around, figuring things out, within the context of their social groups and sports influence.

Hayes makes these two young men very honest and real in their issues and how they find their way to overcome the obstacles between them.

A lovely romance and terrific couple.

Cover Design by Reese Dante

Smithton Bears:

One-Time Shot #1

Something to Prove #2 – July 29,2025

Buy link

One-Time Shot: MM Small-Town College Hockey Romance (Smithton Bears Book 1)

Blurb

The jock, the geek, and the hockey project…

Jett

My pro hockey dreams are hanging by a thread. I need to have a great season and that means no partying, no distractions, no fun. The grad student’s science experiment is the definition of no fun, so…okay.

Pros and cons of agreeing to this deal:

Pros: Positive use of free time. (At least that’s what my agent says.)

Cons: Malcolm is bossy, clumsy, and he doesn’t know the first thing about hockey.

But he’s also cute and he’s got a great sense of humor and—oh no.

I cannot have a crush on the geek. No way. Not now.

Malcolm

Yes, I’m a serious student, but a hockey project is not serious. Who cares about big hunky hockey players zipping around a sheet of ice at warp speed? Not I.

However, according to my professor, the only way to attain the required data is to study the specimen in his natural habitat, AKA, the ice rink.

Pros: My thesis should lead to a bevy of job offers.

Cons: Jett. He’s impossibly big and gruff and handsome and disarmingly charming and—

Fine. Guilty. I like the jock…perhaps too much.

Lately, I find myself wondering if there’s such a thing as a one-time shot at forever.

One-Time Shot is a low-angst, geek-jock MM bisexual college hockey romance featuring a charismatic hockey star and an adorkable scientist.

Publication date: May 27, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 186 pages
Book 1 of 2: Smithton Bears

Review: Slouch Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 1) by Helen Harper

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

My must read/auto buy list is growing. Put Helen Harper on there right now. Every series I read from her just makes me appreciate her writing more .

Here’s another. And it’s due to the awesome main female character.

That is 27 year old Ivy Wilde, someone outside the normal FMC outline in every conceivable way, from her outlook on exercise ( just no, she loves her plumpish short figure), avoidance of healthy habits and binging her favorite series. She’s got magic but uses it on her terms.

I love it when someone writes a woman character who’s not a crowd pleaser, an extrovert or someone who’s just wildly gorgeous. Nope here we get a witch determined to be that kind of girl whose goal is to be an underachiever. Stay on that couch, eat those Cheetos, chat with your cat, be a part time Taxi driver and do the minimum each day to get by. Woohoo. It’s actually all in the title.

Slouch Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 1) by Helen Harper. I so love her.

Ivy’s life changes when she’s mistaken for her out of town roommate, and ends up magically bound to Adeptus Exemptus Raphael Winter. Winter works for Arcane Branch, an investigative service for the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. None of which holds any real value for Ivy who wishes Winter and them gone.

What follows is a marvelous story about two hugely opposite personalities forced to work together on an epic case until the bond wears off. It’s a funny, magical, thoughtfully crafted mystery about people, power dynamics, and expectations.

The humor is everything. There’s scenes where I reread them just before bedtime so I could giggle myself off to sleep. Cats!

If you’ve consorted with cats, been owned by one, then be prepared to howl at the cats here, especially Ivy’s familiar Brutus.

But the investigations, especially as they start to let Ivy reveal so much about herself and her own recent experiences, are what power this fantastic novel.

It finishes with a solid ending to this investigation but an open question as to whether the partnership between Ivy and Winter will resume or be over.

Luckily there more released books to devour and I’m immediately heading forward. Highly recommending this fabulous female character and author.

Don’t miss out on Ivy Wilde and her familiar, Brutus. They are musts!

Cover by Yocla Designs. Close but a accurate representation would be nicer. She’s a fantastic character. Let’s put her on that cover.

The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic:

Slouch Witch #1

Star Witch #2

Spirit Witch #3

Sparkle Witch #4

Buy link

Slouch Witch (The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Magic Book 1)

Blurb

Hard Work Will Pay Off Later. Laziness Pays Off Now.

Let’s get one thing straight – Ivy Wilde is not a heroine. In fact, she’s probably the last witch in the world who you’d call if you needed a magical helping hand. If it were down to Ivy, she’d spend all day every day on her sofa where she could watch TV, munch junk food and talk to her feline familiar to her heart’s content.

However, when a bureaucratic disaster ends up with Ivy as the victim of a case of mistaken identity, she’s yanked very unwillingly into Arcane Branch, the investigative department of the Hallowed Order of Magical Enlightenment. Her problems are quadrupled when a valuable object is stolen right from under the Order’s noses.

It doesn’t exactly help that she’s been magically bound to Adeptus Exemptus Raphael Winter. He might have piercing sapphire eyes and a body which a cover model would be proud of but, as far as Ivy’s concerned, he’s a walking advertisement for the joyless perils of too much witch-work.

And if he makes her go to the gym again, she’s definitely going to turn him into a frog.

Publisher: (June 8, 2017)
Publication date: June 8, 2017
Language: English
Print length: 290 pages

Review: Gratification in Gluttony: Passing Through Cafe #2 by Nik Knight

Rating: 3.5🌈

“Welcome to The Passing Through Cafe, where the coffee is hot, the pastries mouth-watering, and the staff are more than a little unholy. They will make you feel welcome—more or less—as they provide exceptional service—most of the time. Conveniently located outside Purgatory Station, stop in as you wait for your next train and enjoy a latte with a shot of something special, a savory bite of kriltcake, and the sauciest tea this side of the Pentagram.

Open Monday-Saturday

6:00-21:00

*Watch out for ninja stars*

Passing Through Purgatory #1 , a story that was not only a stellar introduction to the complicated series universe but to the highly diverse characters from both worlds this series is based upon is a favorite of mine. Including the otherworldly diner they work in, The Passing Through Purgatory Cafe.

I love that book and couple. Oliver and Liel, both so different and yet so deeply compelling as a couple , along with everyone else were a fantastic story.

It’s where we met human Oliver’s best friend, Jude, and co worker, Toni, an extroverted demon Elas. Knight beautifully portrayed the Hell dimension, its many species and territories, including the political and societal issues that are seen in the human world. Not astonishing since some of the territories have names such as Gluttony, Lust, or Greed.

That narrative gave the reader overlays of pathos to go with humor, thoughtfulness and compassion to go with the sexiness of the developing relationship. And the excellent characterizations!

However, in Gratification in Gluttony, something has been lost, starting with the characters. The anticipated romance between Jude and Toni isn’t as strong as the one between Oliver and Liel. And that has to do with not only the characters as they’re portrayed but the relationship between them. There’s so much sex, not unusual but it’s given so much attention that everything else like cohesion of characters and details of grounding in backgrounds is lacking.

Primarily, my issue is the character of Toni the Elas. He has so much potential but feels like it’s not really well defined. He’s a being that has left his family business, cutting ties with them, mostly to become his own being. But the few scenes written with interactions between himself and them (with the exception of a BIL), don’t seem to support that framework. What is off putting is Toni’s explosive anger issues, and his continued poor treatment of Rusty the Pyclon, a pink walking Care Bear with a snarky attitude that hides a very damaged past. Toni is told repeatedly by different friends, including bff Gem, that Rusty is very young whose sometimes annoying facade is due to a terrible past. Does he have compassion or stop being borderline abusive? No, not even when Rusty himself offers to the group a bit of his awful adolescence.

His temper and lack of compassion to others ,as written, didn’t extend to expectations for himself. I wasn’t sure why Knight thought that showing him consistently in this way was a good idea. But it kept me from connecting with him.

As did Jude’s treatment of him during their growing relationship. Jude is an incredibly well crafted character but not one I liked a lot. I understood their background and actions but together this wasn’t a relationship that I enjoyed wholly. Maybe towards the end. But that’s when it could be perceived as a start of a relationship.

Unlike the other characters, these two are the primary focus. No isn’t much narrative wandering about here to enhance our observations about this dimension or our understanding of these characters. There’s scenes from the first novel we see from different angles, and the next couple is being set up for their story.

This really didn’t expand on any new world building or add much to the series overall in terms of exploration of the territories, economics, or even the environment that surrounds them. More of this please just as in the original story.

Interesting but not a couple I can connect with. Looking forward to book 3.

Great cover.

Passing Through Cafe:

Passing Through Purgatory #1

Gratification in Gluttony #2

Buy link:

Gratification in Gluttony: Passing Through Cafe #2

Blurb

When Jude entered The Passing Through Cafe, Toni thought he’d be nothing more than a fun night, a challenge to win, a fixation to satisfy; Toni didn’t expect Jude to be exactly what he never knew he was looking for.

As the rightful heir to the Maryno family dynasty, Toni grew up with clear expectations of who he was supposed to be, and more importantly, who he wasn’t. Growing up a constant disappointment isn’t a childhood experience he recommends, but he’s come a long way from the little boy who could never quite measure up to his family’s toxic standards. At twenty-nine, he’s finally proud of the man he’s built himself into, and while the routine of his life is simple and, sure, sometimes lonely, he’s content.

Or so he thought.

Enter Jude, a human from across the veil who ignites something in Toni that he’s never allowed himself to explore, and Toni can’t wait to burn. While the spark of attraction is instantaneous, he knows it’s going to take more than a romp in the hay to win Jude over, and Toni quickly sets to work, proving to Jude that home can be found in the most unexpected places, that chosen family is always something worth fighting for, and that their love is far from small.

Join Toni and the rest of the eccentric staff of The Passing Through Cafe in Nik Knight’s rom-com urban fantasy series, full of found family, hilarious hijincks, spectacular self-discovery, and love that defies definition.

Publication date: December 13, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 393 pages

Review: On Circus Lane (The Wright Brothers, #1) by Lily Morton

Rating: 4.5🌈

On Circus Lane by Lily Morton is another one of this author’s fantastic heartwarming Christmas stories. The second novel, Merry Measure, was released first in December 2020, and is the hilarious holiday story of Arlo Wright, the younger brother. And I love it.

But it had been several years since I’d read it so I approached On Circus Lane with fresh eyes and as though the characters were completely new to me. After a reread, I think this is the best way to go into the book because Bee and Tom Wright were secondary characters in Merry Measure and I love their personalities and characters so much more here .

As they roam around the snow covered streets of Edinburgh, peering into the tiny alleyways and decorated shops that Morton vividly describes, we become deeply connected to this complicated marvelous couple. As with all her books, Morton has visited and traveled the same pathways that her characters take so the incredible sights and experiences of their journey come alive through the author’s own eyes as her imagination. It’s so beautifully written and charming.

Layered into the charming holiday landscape are the perfectly executed characters of Bee Bannister and Tom Wright. Bee is that slowly unfolding gift of hidden depths, adolescence painful secrets, and unimaginable intelligence wrapped up in a lovely quirky man who trusts few and has an unlimited appetite for knowledge. I adore him . Tom Wright, with his unusual family background and his parents romantic love story, is the perfect companion and character whose own journey to love is one that fits in so beautifully that the reader is along with them emotionally each step forward.

Secondary characters like Sal and Ivy, Frank and awful boyfriend Stephen are just as well crafted, full of energy and personality. We love them, root for them, and even dislike one of them ,it’s a complete cast of recognizable people that add to a warmhearted romance full of the sights and atmosphere of the holiday season in Edinburgh.

In short, a fabulous story and a must read this year.

Wright Brothers series:

On Circus Lane #1

Merry Measure #2

Buy link:

https://getbook.at/OnCircusLane

Blurb

The first time Bee Bannister met Tom Wright, he couldn’t stand him.

Everything about the man aggravated him—his perfect hair and body, his confident arrogance, and the way he looked straight through Bee.

Which is why it’s such an unpleasant shock to find that he’ll be sharing space with him while on a Christmas holiday with friends in Scotland.

However, as the days fly by and snowy Edinburgh begins to work its magic on him, Bee discovers that sometimes first impressions can be very misleading. Tom is kind and funny, and somehow, rather than looking through Bee, he actually sees and likes all of him.

The two men grow closer, but will Bee follow his heart or his head when the holiday ends? And can relationships that start so badly ever lead to love?

From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a festive romantic comedy about enemies to lovers and the magic of Christmas.

This is the first book in the Wright Brothers series.

Publication date: December 17, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 262 pages

Review: Moody’s Grumpy Holiday by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

Lane Hayes has written a funny engaging holiday romance about a two completely opposite men, ones who aren’t looking for a relationship, who find in themselves a unexpected love. In a Christmas Town during the holidays.

With Hayes’ gift for memorable, endearing characters and the ability to create realistic locations are fully illustrated in this book. It’s everywhere in scenes the reader can easily visualize the citizens, the places, and the situations with the characters as they develop in the relationship. Each house, that fabulous bookstore, even the baby goat comes alive.

But it’s the dialogue and heartwarming journey to a HEA for Moody, the town’s Christmas Scrooge, and Hudson, its newest arrival and cowboy, that’s the heart and spirit of this wonderful book.

I adore them and their romance. And highly recommend reading their story.

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Mood…Moody’s Grumpy Holiday: MM Grumpy-Sunshine Romance

Blurb

The geek, the cowboy, and a not-so-grumpy holiday…

Moody

Living in Christmas Town doesn’t make me a fan of the holidays. Quite the opposite. In fact, eleven months of the year, I’m perfectly happy running my bookstore in peace and quiet. Of course, that changes in December when it’s mistletoe madness and mayhem. Ugh.

But this year, there’s a new cowboy in town and it’s not as easy to grumble about…anything. I admit, Hudson is handsome and hunky, but everyone knows I’m not myself till January, so he’ll have to buzz off and charm someone else.

Bah humbug.

Hudson

Moving to California wasn’t in my plans. I could use the change of scenery, though, and Oak Ridge Ranch is a good investment. That’s not a sneaky way of saying I’m hiding from my past—no siree. I’m following a new path to a new town, that’s all.

And so far, so good. Except…my attraction to the nerdy bookstore owner is throwing me off my game.

Look, I’m not interested in anything other than a casual hookup. But Moody is a mystery, and I want to know more about the adorable geek with a sunny disposition who turns into a holiday grump every year.

For some reason, he feels like home away from home. December may be the last month of the year, but something tells me this is our beginning.

Moody’s Grumpy Holiday is an MM grumpy-sunshine, romantic comedy featuring an adorkable geek, a hunky cowboy, and a little seasonal magic.

Publication date: December 12, 2024
Language: English

Check out this new release “Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice“ by R.L. Merrill (tour and excerpt)

R.L. Merrill has a new MM romance out (gay, bisexual/genderqueer), part of the multi-author Once Upon A Holiday series: Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice. And there’s a giveaway!

From the author of the award-winning novel You Can Do Magic: Carnival of Mysteries and Publishers Weekly’s BookLife quarterfinalist Earthquake Ethan comes a heartwarming holiday tale of found family and sacrifice. Two wildly opposite veterans connect over a shared love of art, rescue dogs, and a very special foster child.

Doug Cross spent the first half of his life attempting to appease his career-military father. After a stint in the Air Force and a successful career in cybersecurity, he’s traveled the world in search of fulfillment. He believes he’s found it in the San Francisco Bay Area with a room on an urban farm, a new spot in a goth punk band, and the support of his extended family. He’s always been a helper by nature, so when he learns that his housemate’s dog rescue is in trouble, he creates goth-influenced dog accessories to sell at the Treasure Island Arts and Crafts Fair in hopes of raising much-needed funds for the pups. He also lends a helping hand to his neighbor at the fair, and the two have a potential meet-cute…that quickly fizzles, leaving Doug wondering why his charming personality failed to make a new friend.

Luther Sorenson is a disabled Marine veteran who is struggling to keep his family afloat—and himself literally on his feet. His sister convinces him to sell his wood paintings at the fair as a way to supplement his income. He’s a single foster dad to eight-year-old Mila and is desperate to give her everything she deserves. His body doesn’t always cooperate, however, and having to ask for help from the goth guy next door at the art market could have potentially been humiliating. But Doug makes it easy, and Luther can’t stop thinking about him in between markets. Doug seems like the kind of person Luther could add to his support network. Not to mention, his superb makeup skills and the way he rocks a utilikilt have Luther smitten in no time.

A brunch “business meeting” turns into adult summer camp, and Doug and Luther embark on a tentative courtship while navigating the challenges of parenthood and owning a small business. But as the seasons change, the two men find in each other what they’ve always desired: love, family, and acceptance. On the night of the winter solstice, will they choose to combine forces and step into the unknown together?

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

About the Series:

Universal Buy Link

Giveaway

R.L. is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card with this tour:

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47321/

Excerpt

“I had a bad dream.”

Eight-year-old Mila Saavedra stood in the doorway of Luther’s room with a stuffed dinosaur hanging limply from one hand. Her other hand was pressed against her stomach.

Luther turned over and sat on his yoga mat with his arm out, gesturing for her to come closer. The brief seconds she hesitated to move toward the mat gutted him. Once she settled on a course of action, she approached him, not front on but coming around the mat to stand nearer his side.

“What happened in your dream?”

Mila sat cross-legged and folded her hands in her lap with Terry D’actyl against her body. It was still tough to get her to make eye contact, but Luther knew better than to push that issue. It hadn’t worked with him as a young man, and he was determined not to make the same mistakes as the foster parents he’d lived with.

“I went to school and no one was there to greet us. I went to my classroom and no one was there. No one came to take us to lunch. I sat at my desk all day, and no one came. And at the end of the day…” She ducked her head, and Luther heard the shaky breath she took in.

“At the end of the day, I come to get you.”

She shook her head.

Luther let out a breath. As much as he hated to revisit his past, Mila’s social worker, Miss Vanessa, told him from the start that building rapport with his foster daughter would likely require him to find ways to connect with her around their shared experiences.

The whole reason he’d become a foster parent was to help other kids avoid having those kinds of shared experiences.

“I used to have dreams like that, too.”

She lifted her head long enough to look at him from under her thick bangs, and then she looked at his feet. “What did you do?”

Luther definitely didn’t want to get into all of the negative ways he’d coped as a kid. That was in the past. But he could tell her about the ways he coped with life now.

“When I have bad dreams now, I exercise, or I go work in my studio. Those are things that make me feel better.” He let out a breath and thought how much he wished he could spend the day with Mila, but he’d signed on to work the art market on Treasure Island one weekend a month, and today was his first day. He’d gone over and parked his trailer in his spot the previous night, so he could scope the place out. He’d been a little nervous about registering to become a vendor, but once he’d stepped out of his truck and breathed in the San Francisco Bay breeze, he’d allowed himself the briefest moment of peace. The view of the San Francisco Bay at sunset was breathtaking, the weather was forecast to be mild, and he’d finally have a chance to see what—if any—kind of money he could make selling his wood paintings.

It had been his sister’s idea for him to try selling the art he usually reserved as gifts for his closest friends. Violet helped him research vendor opportunities, got him registered for this one, and helped him get everything set up to run a business. She volunteered to stay with Mila on the days he’d be at the fair. If he hadn’t already known how incredible his sister was, well…now he knew she was an absolute gift.

“I like to fix things,” Mila said quietly. She reached over and tentatively touched a tiny hole in the hem of his sweatpants. “My tummy feels better when things are all right.”

Luther’s own stomach clenched at her words. “Mine does, too. What do you think would make things all right this morning?”

She glanced at him under her bangs. “I wish I could sew,” she nearly whispered. “I could fix your pants.”

Luther wanted to reach out and take her hand, but Miss Vanessa had suggested he wait for her to engage with him when she was ready. She’d been with him for six months now, and they’d made huge progress, but he was determined to do everything right so she could have a chance to heal. He wanted to make things safe for her, give her a place to find herself.

“These old things?” He tugged at the cuff and showed her the inside. She gasped at the barely attached threads. “Don’t you worry about these. I’ve had them since before I was in the Marines.” There was a hitch in his voice as he mentioned his previous calling. He cleared his throat. “If you tried to sew these holes, the material would likely disintegrate in your fingers. Auntie Violet will be up soon. She’s an expert at sewing.”

That got him a timid smile. “Would she teach me?”

“I’m sure she will. She taught me.”

Her eyes bugged out. “You know how to sew?”

Luther let out an exaggerated sigh. “Marines know everything, remember?”

She groaned and squeezed Terry tight. Then she turned him around and pointed to a seam on the critter’s back that was barely hanging on. “Do you think I can fix this?”

Poor Terry had been through it. Luther had gently tried to replace him, but every morning he’d find Mila’s arms wrapped around the beat-up pterodactyl. He was the only toy she’d been able to bring with her when Miss Vanessa took her from her unsafe situation, and Luther knew the two of them had seen some shit together.

“I do. Now,” Luther said, looking at where she still had a hand on her stomach. “What can we do to fix your tummy?”

She tilted her head as though it was a difficult decision, but Luther knew her answer.

“Pancakes?”

“As if it would be anything else. Come on,” he said, knowing that cutting his exercise time short would bite him in the ass later, but he was determined to give the world to this little girl, no matter the price he paid.

He managed to push himself up off the floor without cursing and he took it slow as he straightened his back, stretching his arms above his head.

Author Bio

R.L. Merrill loves creating compelling stories that will stay with readers long after. Ro writes inclusive contemporary romance, paranormal, and horror-inspired music reviews. A mom, wife, daughter, former educator, and advocate for social and reproductive justice, you can currently find cruising in her Bronco with Great Dane pup Velma, being terrorized by feline twins Dracula and Frankenstein, or headbanging at a rock show near her home in the San Francisco Bay Area! Stay Tuned for more…

Author Website: https://www.rlmerrillauthor.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/rochellerlmerrill

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/rlmerrillauthor

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rlmerrillauthor

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/rlmerrillauthor

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/R.L.-Merrill/author/B00PI6Q1LI

Review: The Nøkk and the Jock (Creepin U Book 1) by Leslie McAdam

Rating: 4.5🌈

I love it when I learn about different cultures or areas of mythology through stories. Here it’s about the Nøkk, a Scandinavian or Norse being that shapeshifts into a water dwelling human form that lures people by violin playing and/or drowning by screaming. That’s a simplified version of a complex, widely accepted concept of a being used in gaming , storytelling derived from mythology.

Even better when I get to know them through a series that will introduce a cast of characters, inhuman and otherwise, as they study for various degrees and live together in the dorms of Creelin University, aka Creepin U.

The characters, human and otherworldly, are well defined and their personalities are absolutely engaging, especially as they grow and develop the more they interact with each other and the other beings/community around them.

The Nøkk, Steve Job as he’s originally called at the beginning because he had to choose a human name , is a wonderful creation. A thoughtful unhappy young person who has chosen to separate himself from his country and species because he doesn’t want to be like them or follow traditional Nøkk ways. It’s guitar and songwriting over the violin, and he definitely doesn’t want to gather up any souls.

Steve is a great character. Leslie McAdam has made his true name as well as his natural form a important part of the narrative, a definitive element of not only Steve and Brandon’s relationship but of Steve’ growth personally throughout the story.

Brandon, the human roommate and water polo player is another character that has hidden depths to his character. Too easily framed out as a “golden retriever “ personality, that glosses over the many layers the author has created for him here. He is, in fact, a complex person, and that’s a factor in making not only the relationship work but this story as well.

There’s so much to him, Steve, and the framework that McAdams has laid down in the book that makes me want further exploration and tales from this universe and couple. They are now surrounded by friends, a supportive family and a great journey ahead of them. I would love to see more of them in another story.

This series is turning out to be splendid and The Nøkk and the Jock (Creepin U Book 1) by Leslie McAdam is a definite recommendation. Check them out!

Cover Art & Formatting by Whimsical Reverie Design LLC. Fabulous work. Love the cover.

Creepin U series:

The Nøkk and the Jock by Leslie McAdam #1

Dryad, Try Again by C.D. Rachels #2
Vexing the Viper by Ashley Rayne #3
Penn and Incubus by Essie Sloane #4
Surviving His Gaze by Rorie Kage #5

Buy link:

The Nøkk and the Jock

Blurb

You’re formally admitted to Creelin University—known locally as “Creepin U.” The only things wilder than the monster shifters prowling around campus are the spicy male-male love stories unfolding between classes. The Nøkk and the Jock is book one, starring an emo shapeshifter and a sunshine human. Each book is a stand-alone M/M spooky romance, but we hope you enroll in them all.

Brandon:

I’m pumped to be one of the first humans to attend a monster university, but a minor, negligible, insignificant issue arises almost immediately: My new roommate wants to drag me to his underground realm and take my soul.

He’s a nøkk who could almost pass for human, except his webbed fingers and entirely black eyes give him away. In my attempt to befriend him, I give him three drops of my blood, a black animal, and a bottle of vodka (I hear it’s a nøkk thing). Which apparently triggers some ancient bonding ritual. My bad.

I must admit I’m into him. Maybe those online tests that say I’m only mostly straight are right. But there are a few hiccups: I can’t know his real name. He won’t show me his true form. And he’s both an omen and a cause of drowning … which is troubling, since he’s on the water polo team with me.

Still, something about him calls to me, even if it shouldn’t.

The Nøkk:

This human is mine.

Stay away from him.

The Nøkk and the Jock is a monster-human bi-awakening M/M romance starring Brandon Fernandez, a golden retriever of a human being, and the prickly, melancholy nøkk. It features puzzling emoji text conversations, a monster who can stop waterfalls in midair, and drunken scareoke (monster karaoke). HEA guaranteed.

Publication date: October 1, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 264 pages

Review: Arcanum (Tales from the Tarot story) by Ashlyn Drewek

Rating: 4.5🌈

Tarot card: Temperance

I’m familiar with Ashlyn Drewek’s other dark paranormal novels so I was thrilled to see her work here in this series. Arcanum is exactly what I hoped for and a story I enjoyed immensely.

Drewek’s novel is gripping and so well written. From start to finish, it pulls the reader into a suspenseful plot that’s grows into a larger anxiety ridden, terrifying, complicated element, as we get to know the characters and their histories.

The author has also created a town that becomes as much of a living entity as the characters are. We get to explore the streets and atmosphere of small town Mapleton, with its hair salons, tight knit community, and townspeople. All of which we have taken to heart as much as we have the main couple.

Drewek’s characters include a haunted witch of the fabulous name, Greyson Darkholme. Now there’s a name to remember. He’s fled to town hoping for a new start in life, for reasons I’ll leave to the storylines. His next door neighbor is a K-9 police officer, Chris Brandt and partner Nitro. Extremely relatable and believable characters, man and dog . Love them both. In fact, Chris’ character and his role as a police officer is beautifully executed. His suspicions, fact checking, everything about his behavior screams cop. Especially when it pertains to family and town. Which makes Greyson’s later statements and observation about the importance to Chris of the badge and uniform even more interesting and on point.

There’s so many elements and different storylines that Drewek’s woven into a complex novel that makes it all work. A bisexual awakening, a magical revelation, a way of writing a ex girlfriend in a manner that makes us understand and appreciate her . Monica is a treasure! All the details here that just keep adding up, the characters, the baking, the warmth and reality of community.

Is it perfect? No. I absolutely disagreed over the choice of having Greyson withhold so much information from Chris. That was frustrating.

But the rest ? Loved it and I really wish that Drewek will revisit the characters and location in a future story. It’s too fantastic to remain one book.

Last note: Excellent use of the tarot cards, deck , and chosen card as well as The Magic Shop and The Owner. One of the best yet.

Highly recommended!

Cover art: Fae Quin . Fabulous as always

Cover design: Amanda Meuwissen

Tales from the Tarot- 22 books

🔷 Where Fools Have Tread by Jennifer Cody❤️

🔷The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson

🔷Cleric of Desire by Amanda Meuwissen❤️

🔷The Nephilim’s Touch by Morgan Lysand

🔷King of Hollywood by Fae Quin

🔷My Minotaur Daddy: An MM Romantasy by Laura Lascarso

🔷Across Space and Time by Kit Barrie

🔷Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason

🔷By Rude Strength ❤️by K.L. Hiers

🔷Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose

🔷Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley

🔷No Justice for the Damned by Hellie Heat

🔷The Angel’s Kiss by Nicholas Bella

🔷Death Song by B. Ripley

🔷Arcanum ❤️by Ashlyn Drewek

🔷The Devil’s Dilemma by Alex J. Adams

🔷Camelot’s Tower by Brooke Matthews

🔷A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star

by Chloe Archer

🔷Trust in the Moon by Delaney Rain

🔷Raising the Sun by Eryn Hawk

🔷Zero Judgment by Kota Quinn

🔷The End of the World by Drake LaMarque

Buy link

Arcanum

Blurb

From the moment his new neighbor moves in, K9 officer Chris Brandt senses there’s something not quite right about the guy. His instincts are confirmed when he discovers the mysterious Greyson Darkholme is the prime suspect in a murder investigation—a murder that wiped out his entire family.

Despite his best efforts to keep his distance, Chris is captivated by Greyson’s eccentric charm, awakening desires he never knew he had. As they grow closer, it becomes evident that Greyson is hiding something. Determined to uncover the truth, Chris faces a shocking dilemma when Greyson’s secrets come to light.

To protect the man of his dreams, the dedicated officer must confront the ultimate question: how far will he go for love?

ARCANUM is a standalone paranormal MM romance novel and part of the multi-author collaboration Tales from the Tarot. This book is based on the major arcana card Temperance.

This book contains themes intended for a mature audience and reader discretion is advised. A full list can be found in the front matter of the book and on my website under Tropes & Triggers.

Publisher: Fox Hollow Books (October 7, 2024)
Publication date: October 7, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 450 pages

Review: Soar (Wings ‘N’ Wands Book 3) by AJ Sherwood, Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 3.5🌈

I’m not sure if Soar is the end of the Wings ‘N’ Wands series but it does read as if it is. With all the previous couples and all the dragon clans and mages being present here in one role or another , it’s got the essence of a finale story. Especially that epilogue and speech.

So that’s how I will treat it. I’ve enjoyed reading the three stories immensely, with Sam and Dimitri’s probably being my favorite (Ruins). So it’s fitting that Soar concludes with a return to Sam’s story by way of his twin brother, Salem, a pediatric surgeon in the US.

Salem’s in Brazil for a celebration for his brother, Sam and Dimitri, meets ice dragon Gregori, and after a fabulous one night stand, finds himself with a fated mate he doesn’t want.

There’s several aspects of the story I enjoyed and others I didn’t connect with as well. It starts with the main characters and storyline. If you consider Sam and Dimitri’s (my favorite) , the elements in Ruins are similar but Sam’s character is far more appealing. Sam’s magical core is broken but Salem’s isn’t. So while Sam and Dimitri’s relationship dynamic is reflective of the same snark and behavior that Salem and Gregori demonstrate to begin with, the issues they faced, the dangers and unknown terrain made their journey more complex, and their struggles more understandable in emotional terms.

However , while many of us could understand not wanting to overturn our lives, jobs etc, it’s Sam’s continued conflicting and often abrasive or self-centered towards Gregori that’s the issue. The authors made it an important part of his character, a factor that left me feeling less than invested in his life and journey. The authors may have wanted to separate his character from his twin but it felt as though they went as far as they could in the opposite direction, sympathetically speaking. He’s just not as relatable with his constant references to himself and his actions as being a “a-hole” or something in that sense. Not that he’s wrong as he’s written. The narrative makes vague mentions as to some bad relationships in his past but the authors give no evidence of any, nothing to suggest that outright nastiness that’s been ongoing.

Yes, no one wants to overturn their lives. So communication is key. Doesn’t happen. Gregori is given more depth and better communication skills. He’s seen expanding his social circle and committing to the community. We get one well rounded character and one that needs more dimension to him.

Same unbalanced aspects of the storyline and relationship occur when (spoiler alert) Gregori starts to feel ill. Why he does is a well written element of the book.

Again Salem’s responses doesn’t always match a physician’s ethic. Although, it was a narrative choice to have Salem choose to become a doctor/pediatric surgeon because of his competitive nature with his brother. Salem is written as excellent doctor, however he began.

The comparisons do add up. For me, Sam’s a problematic factor throughout the book. Right up almost to the end.

There’s some thrilling scenes of flying dragons, additional dragon information about clans and physiology, and a grand reunion of all the dragons and mages we’ve gotten to know at the finish. I adore that.

I don’t know if there’s going to be any further stories in this universe. They’ve entered a new age. I’m sure new characters will be coming out and asked to be heard. But probably not here.

If you love dragons , instant fated mates, and fantasy love stories, check out the series as well as the fantastic series that started it, Scales ’N’ Spells . Ruins remains my favorite of this series, as does its couple. But read this for that ending and to see everyone once again. Plus dragon twins! Adorable.

Happy reading.

Cover by Katie Griffin.

Scales ’N’ Spells Series

Origin #1
Breath #2
Wish: A Novella #3
Blood #4
Embers #5

Wings ’N’ Wands :

Dawn: A Prequel Novella (Ha Na and King Rodrigo)
Ruins #1 – Sam and Dimitri’s book
Rise #2 – Vasily & Luka & Amura
Soar #3 – Salem and Gregori

Buy link

Soar (Wings ‘N’ Wands Book 3)

blurb

Salem’s guide to making a dragon break up with him:

Step 1: Don’t sleep with him. (No, seriously, don’t.) And definitely don’t let him into your apartment, he won’t leave.

Step 2: Deny being mates and don’t fall in love with him.

…Step one and two failed. Gregori is too stubborn and irresistable.

Salem is currently taking suggestions that don’t involve giving in to his feelings.

(Please note, do not try making the dragon jealous. Jealousy sex is too much fun and cannot be resisted. This will backfire.)

Tags:

One-night stand, ha! just kidding, surgeons be stubborn, no seriously Salem is the king of stubborn, Gregori is stubborn too, how to woo a reluctant mage 101, idiots to lovers, idiots to still idiots, no change on that front, ice dragons can burn up the sheets, more dragon cuddles, broken magic, Brazil, medical magic, mate fog can be dangerous, Rodrigo despairs of his dragons, Ha Na is Very Disappointed, that scares everyone, Sam is ready to throat punch Salem, Russian food is magical, all the cameos, age of mages, Ravi and his twins haven’t burned down the world, yet, 3 a.m. is a perfectly valid time for naked bonding ceremonies

Publication date: October 18, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 312 pages

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: