Tag: penultimate book of the series

Review:  Flightless Afternoon: Ageless Mysteries – Book 5 by Vanessa Nelson 

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

Flightless Afternoon is the penultimate book and it’s hard knowing that this fantastic series is drawing to a close. Nelson’s complex story is pulling together, all the mysteries and deeply held secrets that link the Ageless to the various characters and agendas working against them. 

This has a murder of a character, a Ageless we were fond of, and pulls the previous investigations into areas and twists that, while not unexpected, still add up to a deeper history and greater understanding of the otherworldly nature of the universe here. 

Thea’s character continues to evolve into someone of strength and power. And her relationships, including that with her father, develop into something that expands into her new understanding and role.   

I like that that there’s no instant resolution of Thea’s long trauma, or the strained feelings in connection with her father. It’s a believable work in progress, to understand him and work through her childhood trauma. 

And her feelings towards her mother’s revelations. Also raw and emotional. 

Outstanding narrative work and a fantastic tale. Highly recommended. 

This is one of my favorite dark fantasy series. Not a romance.

Ageless Mysteries (6 book series):

 Deadly Night #1

False Dawn #2

Morning Trap #3

Assassin’s Noon #4

Flightless Afternoon #5

Ascension Day #6

Buy link 

 Book 5 of 6: Ageless Mysteries 

Blurb 

With one of their own dead, the ruling elite want answers. 

The unthinkable has happened. One of the Ageless has been killed, their body left in a public space, displayed for all to see.

The Archon is furious and threatens to burn the entire city, unless the person responsible is found and turned over to her for justice.

Thea March is called on to investigate again. As little as she wants to turn anyone over to the Archon, she also knows that the Ageless could burn the city to the ground and not care about the death and destruction they cause.

Working with Niath, can Thea find the person responsible for the Ageless’ death? And, if she finds them, can she bring herself to turn them over to the Archon?

Flightless Afternoon is the fifth book in the Ageless Mysteries series, and continues Thea’s story which started in Deadly Night.

If you like fantasy with magic and mystery, you will love this series. Get your copy of Flightless Afternoon today to continue Thea’s story.

Review:  Half Dead (Crossroads Queen Book 8) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 4.75⭐️

I waited until the last book in the series was released to read Half Dead, the penultimate book in the series. That way I could happily breeze right through both books.  Or so I thought. Best laid plans.

Because I keep forgetting that Chase can break my heart, that when dealing with death, demons, ghosts, and the underworld, things happen that are traumatic and I’ll need a break before I can finally finish the books. 

And yes, this ends on a cliffhanger even. 

Still, after I finished sobbing in parts, admiring the sheer artistry of Annabel Chase’s work and plotting, that even a new character that made a minuscule appearance in, yes, an incredible scene, left me absolutely bereft, I was absorbed in Lorelei’s story.  From a totally different angle of an outsider, now Lorelei is firmly connected to the people and paranormal beings of Fairhaven, characters we’ve gotten to know and care deeply about. 

Kane is a huge part of this narrative, and as his and Lorelei’s relationship has evolved, so does any threat to him become a threat to her as well as the town. 

The Corporation continues to expand its presence and entity’s evil impact. It’s truly a fascinating and awful villain. 

Half Dead (Crossroads Queen Book 8) by Annabel Chase is a fantastic book. Only the cliffhanger aspect caused it to miss a 5-star rating.  This hurt my heart, made me realize how amazing the storytelling is, and incredible the characters.

Time for the finale.

Highly recommended!

Great cover art and design. 

Cover by Trif Designs, which has changed to reflect the fact that the word has gotten out that Lorelei Clay is a demigod. So great touch with that head halo/crown addition. Love the castle in the background. 

Crossroads Queen – series complete :

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – series finale 

Buy link

        Half Dead (Crossroads Queen Book 8)

    

Blurb 

Lorelei Clay wants to play offense for a change. She’s tired of hiding from the past she didn’t even know she had. With a promising relationship and new friends in a small town she loves, Lorelei wants to be free to live life on her terms, without the threat of death or capture hanging over her.

Kane Sullivan hasn’t exactly been hiding from his past—more like he moved without a forwarding address. Unfortunately for him, the boss he tried to overthrow never gave up the search.

And now the former prince of hell has been found.

Kane wants to do whatever it takes to keep his problems from endangering his found family. He knows better than anyone what Lucifer is capable of.

Lorelei is willing to do whatever it takes to protect the demon she loves, but if she can’t convince him to get in the game, they risk losing everything they’ve built together.

When the supreme demon finally makes his move, Lorelei realizes there are some nightmares that even she can’t control.

You don’t want to miss Half Dead, the penultimate book in the Crossroads Queen urban fantasy series.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (January 2, 2025)
  • Publication date: January 2, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 288 pages