Tag: paranormal thriller romance

Review:  Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs

Rating: 5⭐️

Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs has been described as a terrific novel written in as several short stories. I absolutely agree and I loved it. 

The premise of the stories centers around an ancient werewolf, Asil, one who lost his beloved mate in a long past traumatic event that has continued to haunt him.  His current pack mates in Montana have decided to take him on a series of 5 blind dates, via various dating apps, at Christmas time, to pull him out of his increasingly violent behavior and depression. 

He’s even a Muslim who doesn’t celebrate Christmas as Asil will often remind his friends. So each short story is one of Asil’s dates. It begins with a open email, or text, that starts with 

Dear Asil. It then outlines the date, the app they choose from, the parameters of the date and sign it Merry Christmas, Your Concerned Friends .

The dates have a huge range from floral arrangements to kitties to ghostbusters and more. But that doesn’t even touch the surface of what the author has in store for Asil and the reader. 

It’s actually startling complex, often horrifying, well written and beautifully played out, with each story constantly evolving and reflecting back into Asil’s life. 

By the time we reach the end tale, the pieces are falling into place, the drama is charged full of suspense and chaos, and that epilogue is so satisfying and heartwarming that I read it twice. 

This is why Patricia Briggs is a highly recommended author. Grab up this new book and enjoy!

Contents:

Asil’s first date:

“Unappreciated Gifts”

Asil’s Second Date:

 “Must Love Cats: Aftermath”

Asil’s Third Date:

“Asil and the Not-Date”

Asil’s Fourth Date:

“Dating Terrors”

Asil’s Fifth Date:

“Scheherazade”

“Epilogue”

Except from 

“Alpha and Omega” by Patricia Briggs

Cover illustration Daniel dos Santos Cover and endpapers designed by Judith Lagerman

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › shop › dealsBlind Date With A Werewolf

Blurb 

When the deadly werewolf Asil is gifted five blind dates by some anonymous “friends,” his reclusive life will never be the same, in this enthralling novel in stories from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series.

Includes two all-new stories as well as three previously published stories.

Dear Asil:

We are worried about you. A werewolf alone is a sad thing, especially at Christmastime. So we have a challenge for you: five dates in three weeks. We have taken the work out of it and connected you with five people from online dating sites. You should also know that we have informed the whole pack and instigated a betting pool. Have fun!

Sincerely,

Your Concerned Friends

  • Publisher: Ace
  • Publication date: October 21, 2025
  • Language: English

Review: License to Curse (The Merlin Mysteries, Book One) by Kim Richardson 

Rating: 3⭐️

I have written and rewritten this review several times.  And finally decided to try and keep it as concise as possible. 

This was a DNF multiple times for me for many reasons but ultimately I finished it and enjoyed it. But I won’t be going further with this series. 

Main issues revolve around the characterization and plot issues. Things and elements that repeatedly occur throughout the story or seem to be a part of the main character makeup which makes any credibility of a magical law enforcement officer impossible. 

Arcane witch Rhea Morven is a newly credited Merlin. That’s a Magical Enforcement Response League Intelligence Network. Basically they’re the magical law enforcement agents who police the paranormal world. Rhea’s got a sketchy family history and wildcard powers. And she’s a newbie. But still an agent with a badge. 

And she’s sent out to an equally sketchy town, Gallows Gate, where a fellow agent disappeared and 3 teenagers have gone missing. 

Should be a great mystery and law enforcement storyline. 

However, author Kim Richardson gives little insight or foundation into the political structure or powers here. So instead of the Merlin coming into town as a powerful magical force or police officer, there’s nothing to this aspect of the plot. 

The agency has given no resources and dumped her. Might as well be a civilian. And she’s whiny. When the Council (and parents) blame her for certain crimes/events that have happened in her absence and without an investigation, she immediately agrees she’s a failure. She’s been there one day. 

People refuse to listen or talk to her. Fine. Off she goes. No procedure. What training? Zero credibility as a Merlin for me as a reader. 

Rhea’s personality too is lacking. Absolutely gullible as written, especially for a trained agent and magically powerful person. Rhea who listens to the person who’s got “big bad Villain“ stamped on their forehead while suspecting the person who’s saved her repeatedly and reeks of ancient great being.  Let’s do that. 

While there are some funny moments and engaging characters, like the ghost who’s attached to the dilapidated house that called the local Merlin office/ home, they’re swamped by scenarios and situations that are frankly eye-rolling. 

The narrative continues to grow less credible as events unfold that the reader recognizes aren’t well developed mysteries but rather easily explained events.  But the author keeps insisting that Morven can’t have the intelligence to guess immediately who and what is going on. 

Example: The previous Merlin who was investigating several cases disappeared ten days ago. Now a new body of a man has been discovered. Looks like he’s been there a while. Week, maybe ten days . Oh no! Whoever could it be? Not like there’s a missing person or something. SMH. 

Then in the dramatic climax and battle, a character turns into a well used trope. Why not. No foundation laid but ok. 

For me this became a kitchen sink paranormal narrative, with little cohesion thrown together with some likable characters but not enough to make me go forward. 

Read it if you’re a fan of this author. 

Cover design by Kim Richardson

The Merlin Mysteries:

License to Curse #1

Witch on Probation #2 – Oct 31,2025

Magical Misconduct #3 – Nov 30,2025

Buy link:

 Book 1 of 3: The Merlin Mysteries 

Blurb 

First day on the job? Missing teens. Dangerous magic. Zero backup.

I’m Rhea Morven, rookie Merlin agent, walking magical anomaly, and proud owner of a cursed bloodline no one trusts.

My first case dumps me in Gallows Gate, a hidden town full of secrets, politics, and creatures that bite. The assignment? Find three missing paranormals before the town tears itself apart. The twist? They’re not just anyone. They’re the children of the ruling council.

Now I’m stuck navigating vampire egos, witch rivalries, and suspicious council members who’d rather see me fail.

Good thing I’ve got a sharp tongue, a dangerous kind of magic, and a very low tolerance for bullsh*t.

Also, there’s a broody shifter with eyes like gold and a tendency to save my life. Not helpful for focus.

They sent me here to fail, but I’m not leaving without a fight.

Love found-family, magical suspense, and snarky witches who bite back? Welcome to The Merlin Mysteries, where a cursed bloodline meets a case from hell.

  • Publication date: July 22, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 281 pages
  • Book 1 of 3: The Merlin Mysteries

Review:  Demon in Disguise: An Enemies-to-Lovers Urban Fantasy (Bedeviled Book 4) by Deborah Wilde

Rating: 4.5✨⭐️

In the series penultimate story, author Deborah Wilde really kicks things up into the  anticipated narrative high gear as the characters and storylines head towards the end.

Yes, this finishes on an agonizing climax and cliffhanger. Just a FYI. 

Wilde does excellent work in continuing to make the Jewish faith, culture and religion, as well as history a major factor and foundation for the world building and characters. It’s seamless storytelling while still being able to create a compelling paranormal universe that has vampires and demons, half demons and other otherworldly beings as a part of the plot and as citizens.

This is a rich tapestry of beings that inhabit a complex layered universe of political magical powers, scheming, racial dynamics, and horrors.  To go along with the typical vices of greed, overwhelming need for power and revenge. 

Agent Aviva, her Maccabee director mother, Michael, hopefully bf Vampire Crimson Prince Ezra, and team are fighting multiple battles and investigating each crimes. Her demon father and his vampire mob boss father are both threatening each of them in various ways. 

And a new , more complicated villain has appeared. 

Aviva has yet to totally accept her demon self, still referring to herself as Cherry Bomb, a separate entity rather than herself.  Hiding her true nature is getting to be a bigger part of her story and the overall theme here.   It’s so important and well done. 

Each character has depth and damage in their background. Issues they are very much still working through as events unfold. It’s challenging and a realistic growth in a paranormal world. 

Highly recommended, the author too!

Cover by: Covers By Christian.

Bedeviled:

Big Demon Energy #1

Demon on Deck #2

Better the Demon You Know #3

Demon in Disguise #4

The Demon’s Due #5 – series finale 

Buy link 

        Demon in Disguise: An Enemies-to-Lovers Urban Fantasy (Bedeviled Book 4)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Vancouver, where the coffee’s strong, the magic’s stronger, and the murders are getting personal.

With tensions between the magic and non-magic communities already at a breaking point, Aviva goes undercover on a murder case that could shatter the city’s fragile peace. As if that weren’t enough pressure, she uncovers a deadly connection to demons—and her own past.

But why have one code red crisis when you could have two? Enter the Ashbishop: a shadowy figure convinced a vampire breeding ritual is a good idea.

Spoiler alert: it’s not.

And forget juggling stolen moments with Ezra between supernatural smackdowns. Fed up with her work-life chaos, Aviva realizes that sometimes, the best disguise is no disguise at all.

Cherry Bomb is ready for her close-up.

Featuring a smart, funny heroine and a banter-fueled vampire romance, this wickedly addictive urban fantasy will keep you reading way past bedtime.

Binge the complete series now

  • Publisher: Te Da Media Inc.
  • Publication date: January 20, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 348 pages

Review:  The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 6) by Heather G. Harris and Jilleen Dolbeare

Rating: 5⭐️

As what I believe is the penultimate book in the series, The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag is a fantastic story.  

The plot takes the characters and readers into a different area of Portlock that hasn’t yet been explored, the Chrome Mines and the dwarves that spend their lives inside. 

Of course it starts off with a murder case, an investigation by NOMO’s Sheriff Gunner and Officer Bunny, and an introduction to a great new character, Hag Matilda who lives deep inside the mines. 

There’s so much to admire about this book and the beautifully crafted storylines.  Bunny’s a person who has consistently shown that she’s able to grow and thrive in her new role and environment, finding a found family and strength in her life. Every one of these characters feature heavily here in the story, as the investigation evolves into unexpected moments and challenges. 

Even the enigmatic characters like Shadow and Fluffy, the curses wolfshifter uncomfortable with his human presence, are here in complicated ways. 

This ends on a heartbreaking cliffhanger which will lead directly into the final story, The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid, to be released later this summer. 

What an amazing story and series. I’m sure when it comes out as a compendium or set  I’ll read completely through it again. 

Highly recommended and now waiting for the next one to be released. 

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

The Portlock Paranormal Detective series:

The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death, a prequel.

The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf, Book 1.

The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren, Book 2.

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee, Book 3.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine, Book 4.

The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergiest, Book 5

The Vampire and the Case of the Cozy Christmas, Book #5.5

The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag #6

The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid #7 – July 3,2025

Buy link

        The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 6)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Portlock: where the dead don’t always stay that way.

When a human inspector drops dead in the Chrome Mine, things get messy fast. The dwarves are up in arms, swearing the mine is cursed, and when a second body turns up—this time without its head—all fingers point to the local hag.

But I’ve met Matilda. She’s terrifying, sure, but she doesn’t seem like the elaborate crime scene type. More of a ‘crush you under a landslide’ kind of gal. Still, with the dwarves baying for blood and a murderer on the loose, I need answers before this case spirals out of control.

Tracking killers is hard enough without worrying about a cryptid monster lurking beyond the town’s magical barrier, my four-legged best friend struggling with his humanity, and my infuriatingly attractive vampire mate trying to keep me out of trouble (good luck with that, Connor).

With a town full of suspects and secrets, I’ll have to dig deep to unearth the truth. Let’s hope I don’t end up buried—undead.

Dive into this fast-paced urban fantasy series if you love mystery, humour, found family, and a slow-burn romance.

Don’t miss the other Portlock Paranormal adventures!

The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death

The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf

The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee

The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine

The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag

The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid

  • Publisher: Hellhound Press Limited (March 7, 2025)
  • Publication date: March 7, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 403 pages