Tag: paranormal shifter and witch romance

Review: Shifting Resolve (Shifter Lords Book 5) by S.E. Babin

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Shifting Resolve basically undoes all the forward movement of the preceding novel for the characters in terms of their relationships. 

And this was to be expected given the twisted plots and various natures of the characters involved with the main character of Evie Quinn. 

With her growing powers exposed, during the climatic events with the Life Tree, multiple threats and challenges are leveled against her. And her un-acknowledged partner, lord of shifters, Caelan as well. 

There’s so many complex storylines woven into the narrative to keep track of. Various Lords with their own agendas, Evie’s father and mother whose hidden secrets and paths for Evie are also unknown. 

Those secrets the reader has been told and know they are explosive in their own ways, are elements that have storylines that haven’t been factored in yet. It’s labyrinthine structure that makes this series so gripping and compelling.

That’s the case here where stress and anxiety are the common theme, secrets are key, and everyone is trying to control Evie and claim a part of her . When she doesn’t want to be claimed or controlled. 

And everyone around her has an hidden or not so secret agenda. 

It’s high action, high suspense, high mystery and it ends in a cliffhanger of sorts. But one that the reader honestly will expecting. Because we saw it coming. 

I love the characters and this very layered, complex story. And I’m rooting for Evie and her small group of friends. 

Highly recommended and I can’t wait for the next one in this series. 

So well written and beautifully executed. 

Cover design by Covers by Christian

Shifter Lords series:

Shift of Heart #1

Shift of Morals #2

Power Shift #3

Shifting Winds #4

Shifting Resolve #5

Shift of Rule #6

Shift of the Wild #7

Buy link 

 Book 5 of 8: Shifter Lords 

Blurb 

Evie Quinn is a survivor, but she’s tired of being a pawn in everyone else’s game. 

She never asked to be the heir to the fae throne, a walking, otherworldly bridge for the gods, or the hottest bachelorette in the supernatural realms. But here she is—dodging dozens of random marriage proposals and doing her best to keep Caelan from committing paranormal genocide.

Everyone wants a piece of Evie these days. The Council’s patience has worn off, and they’re ready to marry her off to the highest bidder. The gods want to use her for their own gain, and Caelan is growing ever frustrated with her attempts to keep things between them paused. But Evie still isn’t ready to be a queen or a bride or a bridge, or anything forcing her to give up her autonomy.

But time has run out, and her only hope might be to do the one thing no one expects—finally taking control of her world-shaking power, her fate, and most important of all, her heart.

Oliver Heber Books

Publication date

December 23, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

272 pages

Book 5 of 8

Shifter Lords

Review : Demon Hunter (The Collegium Book 1) by Jenny Schwartz 

Rating:3⭐️

I enjoy author Jenny Schwartz’ work, especially her recent series. But Demon Hunter is an example of how the age of a novel can date the story and how certain aspects of society can change our perspectives on how we view a story.

This was written in 2014.  How readers look at diversity and women in particular has certainly changed. While the majority of Schwartz’s main female characters tend towards white, blonde and powerful, magically, not all have fit within that tight box. 

However, Fay Olwen, the MFC here does. While there’s an ever so brief mention of a great great grandmother being of color, that’s dropped afterwards. And her jaguar shifter boyfriend/future husband/partner is said to look like having Arabian influences, that’s it.  He’s based in Cyprus for what that’s worth. 

The bigger issues are with accountability, responsibility and how women are treated and perceived here as opposed to the men in this world and their lives. 

Spoilers ahead. This is a novella so not all aspects of the story and world as well developed as you might expect from a longer version.

But her father, the head of the Collegium and one who has been directing the events of the past and current storyline, one that includes some devastating moments, is at the end, not really held totally accountable.  For her traumatic upbringing, her current situation, the attacks against her etc. He says his version of “ my bad “ but then goes on to place the blame his secretary. It’s her fault! Bad secretary!

Yes, indeed. His power hungry, sex driven secretary. Poor little(big power hungry ruthless) guy. She did all number of bad things and deeds. Which she acknowledges her part. However,she didn’t raise Fay, keep her from her mother. Or any of the other heinous acts. Turns out it really doesn’t matter, because now everything is alright between father and daughter. It’s the secretary’s fault. She just wants to be powerful. Oh no. Just like the father. But it’s worse when the secretary wants it. 

Doesn’t seem to matter the abuse he put his daughter through, that he was going to turn her into a demon. All’s well. 

And the last? After she had sacrificed herself , then tada! It worked out, she, the most powerful mage ever, is going to become the “little woman “ standing next to Leopard shifter Steve Jekyll,  the next in line ruler to be. That’s extremely frustrating to see that her storyline is playing out in this manner. Both story threads are much in keeping with a patriarchal narrative with father and boyfriend’s role. Very 2014.

When i read this, there weren’t any additional stories and no “series “. So I have no idea if this character or the dynamics evolved from this basic plot and foundation. 

It does appear that not seven books are about this couple. Only book 2, which has husband shifter Steve getting a mission, and needing help from his wife/mate. So nope. 

The last was written in 2016 with different characters. I don’t think so. 

Sometimes the year a book was written in dates a story and sometimes it doesn’t. Here it definitely does. 

For me, it diminishes it.  It might not for everyone. 

Cover design by Lou Harper Designs

The Collegium – 7 books

Demon Hunter #1 2014

Buy link

 Book 1 of 7: The Collegium 

Blurb 

The most powerful mage in the world has been betrayed. So where is she hiding? What happens when she returns?

You can bleed and die banishing a demon, but Fay Olwen discovers there are worse hurts. Betrayed by the Collegium and by her father, she must build a new life away from New York.

Leopard shifter Steve Jekyll would have her build it with him. But loyalties are never simple and new love never easy.

When demons are unleashed, Fay tracks the evil back to the Collegium, and now all hell will break loose because Fay fights for the innocent, and Steve will protect what is his.

Jenny Schwartz

Publication date

December 15, 2014

Language

‎English

Print length

141 pages

Book 1 of 7

The Collegium

Review:  Mystic Justice (The Other Detective Series Book 2) by Heather G Harris

Rating: 5⭐️

I loved Veiled Justice, the first book in this series but feel that this excellent story far exceeds my expectations for the second novel and character development. 

Krieg, King of the Orcs and Detective Stacy and her companion caladrius, Loki are back in action in a fantastic new story. Stacy and Krieg are further along in their new relationship. They are getting to know each other, their history as Krieg continues to make himself a part of Stacy’s life, professional and personal. 

This is happening, framed around several brutal murders. Each rawly heartbreaking that’s so realistically relayed by the followed investigative scenes to the next of kin. 

Writing that shows it doesn’t have to be current fiction or fantasy for losses and brutality to hit hard. 

This type of storytelling continues throughout this book. 

As all involved, Stacy and her team, race to uncover the killer before another is kidnapped, the suspense is ratcheted up and the tension is heightened. 

Towards the end, we see exactly the toll this case has taken on Casey, and a hidden part of her story is partially revealed. 

There is also something going on with Loki that’s subtly disturbing.  I don’t believe it was part of this storyline. So now I can’t wait for the next book to come. 

Harris has a fantastic series here that’s complicated and getting better with each new story.  

This might be my favorite series in a multi-series universe. 

Highly recommend this and dive into this universe if you’re not familiar with it already.  I’ve listed the reading order below. 

Cover design by Christian Bentulan. Published by Hellhound Press Limited.

The Other Realm Universe: Should be read in order to understand the world and characters .Events and relationships build upon each other.

The Other Realm series 

⭐️Glimmer of Dragons- Book 0.5 (a prequel story), 

Glimmer of The Other- Book 1, Glimmer of Hope- Book 2, 

Glimmer of Christmas – Book 2.5 (a Christmas tale), 

Glimmer of Death – Book 3, 

Glimmer of Deception – Book 4, 

*It is recommended that you read The Other Wolf books 1 to 3 before continuing with

Challenge of the Court– Book 5, 

Betrayal of the Court– Book 6

 Revival of the Court– Book 7. 

⭐️The Other Wolf Series 

Defender of The Pack– Book 0.5 (a prequel story), 

Protection of the Pack– Book 1, Guardians of the Pack– Book 2, Saviour of The Pack– Book 3, Awakening of the Pack – Book 4, Resurgence of the Pack – Book 5; and Ascension of the Pack – Book 6. 

⭐️The Other Witch Series 

Rune of the Witch – Book 0.5 (a prequel story), 

Hex of the Witch– Book 1, 

Coven of the Witch;– Book 2,

Familiar of the Witch– Book 3; and Destiny of the Witch – Book 4.

⭐️The Other Detective Series❤️

  •  Frustrated Justice – Book 0.5 (a prequel story), 
  • Veiled Justice – Book 1
  • Mystic Justice – Book 2
  • Arcane Justice – Book 3 – Dec 26,2025
  • Brutal Justice – Book 4 TBD

Buy link

        Mystic Justice: A Supernatural Crime Thriller (The Other Detective Series Book 2)

    

Blurb 

A drowned dryad. Ritual markings. A killer who isn’t finished.

They pulled her from the lake – young, beautiful, and very, very dead. As Chester’s only magical Detective Inspector, I get the cases the Common police can’t handle, and this one has Other Realm written all over it.

When the medical examiner discovers runes carved into the corpse’s bones, I know we’re in for a bumpy ride. Elemental runes. First victim drowned. My gut says there’s more coming, and my gut is rarely wrong.

Then a centaur drops out of the sky, literally, and my theory’s confirmed. The only link between the victims? Botany, a vampire-owned bar that serves the magical and the mundane… and never seems short of trouble.

I’ve got a new unit at my back, Unit 13, and we’re still figuring out how to work together. Add Krieg, the King of Ogres – deadly, smart, and far too good at getting under my skin – and things get complicated fast.

With a killer on the loose and the clock ticking, we’ll have to move quickly… or the next body that drops may well be one of ours.

Immerse yourself in The Other Detective Series – perfect for fans of supernatural crime, complete with a fierce heroine, gritty murder investigations, and a slow-burn romance.

Written in British English.

The Other Detective Series

Frustrated Justice, a prequel story,

Veiled Justice – Book 1

Mystic Justice – Book 2

Arcane Justice – Book 3

Brutal Justice – Book 4

  • Publisher: Hellhound Press Limited
  • Publication date: October 2, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 264 pages
  • Book 2 of 3: The Other Detective Series