The first in a series, The Fantastic Fluke is another one of those magical tales that author Sam Burns writes so beautifully.
From the opening sentence and our introduction to mage Sage McKinley, we have an immediate understanding of this manās current situation, his thoughts on his past, his present predicament, even his self image. Itās intimate and concise. And it serves as both a foundation and way to connect the reader emotionally to Sage.
How could it not? Then we get thrown further afterwards as it gets more evidenced that this story is firmly bound to the magical world by ghosts, mages, familiars and murders most supernatural!
Not all the great characters are human, some are delightfully foxy! Or ghostly! Burns has built this story around multiple magical murder mysteries (alliteration is not a key), fantastic layered characters, and a romance.
The story is so well plotted that it moves along smoothly, all the elements coming together at the end for a perfect āahaā revelation or two!
I was just captivated the entire story. Whether it was Sageās ghastly adolescence, the trauma he endured, or his future path that was happening , whether he wanted it or not. Magic was coming for him.
The Fantastic Fluke is just the first of The Fantastic Fluke series by Sam Burns. I canāt wait to read on and see where this journey takes Sage and his companions.
Iām highly recommending this. And the author, Sam Burns.
And btw? That cover is gorgeous! Love it.
The Fantastic Fluke Series:
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 – coming in 2022
A lost fox. A gorgeous ghost. And an unlikely partnership to stop a murderer.
Since his mother’s murder, Sage McKinley doesnāt live, he exists. His weak magic has made him an outcast, shadowing his life with self-doubt. All that changes when the spirit of a gunslinger appears in his bookstore with a message that will flip Sageās world upside down. According to the mesmerizing apparition, a powerful magic lies within Sage… if he can find a way to tap into it.
But dastardly threats accompany this untapped power. Bodies are piling high as a killer hunts for the secrets of the mage that now course through Sageās veins. Can Sage find the confidence to embrace all heās capable of? Or will the next life snuffed out be his own?
With Lily Morton I find I have to look at her stories as I would a rare treat. Something I need to remind myself not to binge on, but rather a gift I give to myself a little bit at a time. Mostly when I know I need to laugh during unexpected moments, or lie in bed giggling over scenes that rear vividly back to life, along with their characters to make me feel warm and happy.
Last night it was Endof romping hilariously out of control through a park, to Laurieās endless amusement (and mine) and everyone elseās dismay.
Just one small scene and Iām instantly transported back into the world of Mags and Laurie and Beautifully Unexpected.
And it made me want to pick up their story and start their journey all over again.
Lily Mortonās books have a way of making me want to do that. It becomes a Sisyphusian task to get by a Morton library!
Key Morton elements include making any location not just a mere setting but a rich aspect of her stories. From well known historical sites that get a new perspective to out of the way pubs and galleries, the way the streets and structures look in a certain light during a seasonā¦Thereās a love and affection that flows through all the descriptions to the places where the men walk, the stops they make from the bingo hall, to the parks. So that each stop becomes an integral rich part of them and their relationship and story.
In every book, I itch to get a ticket and retrace their steps.
But itās Mags, Magnus Carlsen, the magnificent Dane himself. And Laurie Gentry who will sneak up on you and slowly send their way into your heart as they do each otherās. The men are deeply layered, believable human beings. You delight in them, even as you find them grumpy or outrageous. So itās falls in line that as a reader youāre pulled immediately into their lives and growing relationship.
Itās funny, often hilarious, sneaky, so clever, sexy, loving, and heartwarming.
Itās very hard to describe such a strange path these two take towards a relationship and HEA. They are both later in life, neither has looked to have a relationship, each has an extremely rewarding career.
They are totally different. Yet absolutely perfect for each other.
Such a joy and fun , and poignant, because thatās life and this author doesnāt forget that part too.
And when the ending comes, it stays true to who these men are. I loved that too.
Once again, Lily Morton has given us an brilliant opportunity to peer into a unique romance and relationship between two unforgettable men. One that still has me smiling. Or laughing.
As her stories so often do.
Itās why this one is another Iām recommending. So lovely. And honestly, Endof is just as unforgettable as well!
Sometimes love comes when you least expect or want it.
Magnus Carlsen is determined to grow old disgracefully. At fifty-two, he doesnāt believe in keeping anything. Men, sofas, booksāeverything gets jettisoned, eventually. Heās divided his life into happy compartments. A successful trial lawyer, he spends his days lecturing jurors, exasperating judges, and striding arrogantly around courtrooms. He fills his nights with a parade of handsome young men who want to make him happy. Why date someone his own age to discuss back pain, retirement-planning, and corns, when he can date men who donāt care to discuss anything at all?
However, when one of these sunny young men shows an inclination for dramatic scenes, Magnus meets his new neighbour. And his whole world implodes.
Laurie Gentry is nearly the same age as Magnus, but thatās where the similarity ends. Heās messy and creative and nosy and mysterious. Heās everything that Magnus has spent a lifetime avoiding. So, why canāt he get Laurie out of his head?
Luckily, Laurie is only in London for the summer. Magnus can uncover Laurieās mysteries and indulge their annoyingly hot attraction, and Laurie will be gone before complications arise. A few months isnāt long enough to lose his heart. Is it?
From bestselling author, Lily Morton comes a romantic comedy about two footloose older men and how one summer in London brings something quite beautifully unexpected into their lives.
In Rock and Henryās marvelous Regency series, The Lords of Bucknall Club, the authors start with a premise that history zigged instead of zagged in 1783 when the Marriage Act Amendment was introduced in England to allow same sex marriages. Why? Because it wanted to encourage childless marriages between the many lesser young men and women of the Realm. Those who wouldnāt inherit and therefore strengthen the right of the first born to inherit the title and property, not the younger siblings.
Itās a great twist on history and their take on Regency romance is just plain out splendid. Itās full of rakes, spies, romantic twits, Lords of high intelligence and those of questionable morals. Itās got itās Bow Street Runners and itās French Haberdashery! Itās just grand fun.
Sanctuary for Soulden , the fourth novel in the series, has at its center the enigmatic Philip Winthrop, Viscount Soulden. Viscount Soulden has been a major character over the series , always in the middle of things. Especially with his friend Lord Christmas Gale (A Case for Christmas #1).
Finally, after the major role Soulden played in what I affectionately call The Tale of Two Twits aka A Rival for Rivingdon #3, the man gets his own fabulous story.
By turns exciting, sexy, unexpectedly poignant, and yes, a tad funny, A Sanctuary for Soulden is such a great romantic romp that I forgot to take notes and just blew right through it.
The dialogue is sheer delight! Especially when itās Soulden and the rest of the group gathered at The Bucknall Club. Whether itās Soulden calling Worry āWallyā, a mare being mistaken for a stallion, or a waistcoat of hand painted buttonsā¦.of oneās husband. Thereās always something memorable to comment one and chuckle at.
The medical profession, the subject of the need for corpses, the war, and itās traumatic impact is strongly dealt with. But is ways that often sneak up on you, as they do the characters. Here the moments that recollect overwhelming loss, grief, anger, and guilt play outā¦a cacophony of emotions. All through the great characters of Surgeon Edmund Fernside and Fitz.
Not only can a reader clearly picture each setting and situations, but each character is so well defined that itās a feeling of being connected each time we drop into the relationships and maneuverings as the story continues.
Like all the couples, who appear here, the relationship is one that is relatable and nicely realistic in its expectations. Itās definitely a HFN. I think that was a great choice here. Especially as all the others are going through changes and growth as well.
Iām excited over the next book, An Affair for Aument. Itās one that feeds beautifully out from this one with a new , yet amazing character.
This series just continues to expand and amaze. I highly recommend it to all. Itās just just a splendid thing you shouldnāt pass this or any of the books up. Read them in the order they are written.
Philip Winthrop, Viscount Soulden, is a fop. An idle popinjay with nothing more on his mind than how to best knot his cravat. He definitely doesnāt spy against the French. Or arrange hasty weddings. Or occasionally commandeer the navy. And he certainly doesnāt seek out mortal danger in order to combat his pervasive ennui. Itās all just a big misunderstanding when heās shot by a French intelligence officer during a merry riverside chase. And what a wonderful bit of quick thinking to pretend to be a corpse in order to get himself taken to the local surgeon’s autopsy cellar. The French will never find him there. If the French are even looking for him. Which theyāre not. Now he just needs to locate a way out before this surgeon fellow attempts to dissect him.
He’d rather deal with the dead than the living.
Surgeon Edmund Fernside does his best to heal the living, but in truth, he’d much rather look into the gaping chest cavity of a corpse than into the startling blue eyes of a…corpse that just climbed off his autopsy table. Well then. Lord Soulden is clearly a man with some complicated secrets. But with the French in hot pursuit and a rather brutal gunshot wound, Souldenās not going anywhere anytime soon, and Fernside discovers that he enjoys the pleasure of his company. In more ways than one.
Now, trusting each other could mean the difference between life and death.
As Soulden learns to be still for the first time in his life, Fernside wonders if perhaps itās time to spread his wings a little. They can only hide from the outside worldāand from their pastsāfor so long before the secrets theyāve uncovered about each other strain the growing attraction between them. Each man must decide whether a life of comfortable lies is preferable to one full of difficult truths. And whether the sanctuary theyāve created together is something worth fighting for.
A Sanctuary for Soulden is the fourth book in the Lords of Bucknall Club series, where the Regency meets m/m romance. The Lords of Bucknall Club can be read in any order.
So many twists and wild turns in this installment to keep my brain in a whirl until the fourth book is released in January. So many I honestly did not see coming, and Iām a very suspicious person.
Love when that happens.
Wake the Dead is such a huge book in a variety of ways, not just because of the wild revelations at the end. As much as I found those thrilling and wildly entertainingā¦
No, itās the layers peeled back off from familiar characters, revealing hidden depths to their personalities and letting us see them both as people capable of acts of great ruthlessness and cruelty. Or as people too easily swayed by surface actions when I expected them to be more discerning. Hidden depths, differences in agendas, and potential for even more revelations to come the more we get to know these men.
These are the quiet turns in the narrative that balances the larger, more explosive surprises the author lays out for all (characters and readers alike) throughout the amazing journey here.
I have come to look forward to all the characters I meet along the paths our quartet must take to achieve their god quests. This book is full of fully realized, memorable beings that come across as absolutely believable, sometimes poignant, often larger than life itself. Ones I hope to see somehow at the end of the series if at all possible.
Drake is creating such a fantastic fantasy series, a gift really. One that pulls at your heart, mind, and imagination.
Now to wait until January 22,2022 for the fourth in the series. She has six planned overall.
We are halfway there on our journey. Itās a magnificent one.
If youāre a lover of fantasy romance and fiction, grab up and read the books along with me. Read them in the order they are written to understand the sequence of events and characters growth and changes in relationships.
The Goddess of Life has sent Caelan to wake her brother, the Dead God.
But crossing the reclusive country of Zastrad is even more treacherous when Caelan and his friends arenāt sure they can trust their guide.
The four friends will be tested by violence, death, political intrigue, and secrets better left in the dark.
When Caelan finally reaches the fractured godstone, he may have to give up everything to save the family heās cobbled together.
Wake the Dead is the third book in the six-book Godstone Saga fantasy series and is not a standalone. The story contains danger, secrets, bossy gods, stolen kisses, a new king finding his way, a possessive boyfriend, magic, and lots of delicious angst..
As Iāve said before, itās always the second book in a series that cements the foundation and really establishes the pillars the authorās is resting their epic fantasy storylines upon.
Breathe of Life, the second novel in the Godstones Saga by Jocelynn Drake does all that and more beautifully. Itās here the author lays out the fantasy themes and storylines the main group of characters must strive for. The epic goals and the unbelievable obstacles that lie ahead of them all become clear as well.
All while our intrepid group fights gallantly through enemy battalions, encountering unexpected dangers within and without, and dealing with gods. Who have their own agendas.
To say my time with this book just flew would be an understatement.
Iām so committed to these people and each new event and obstacle raises each man to find within himself some new flaws as well as strengths. The characters develop deeper relationship dynamics between each other that just adds such amazing interest and brings us closer to them. Individually and as they find attractions towards each other.
Drake has such great skills when writing fantasy. It shows in the imaginative Godstones/gods as well as extends towards the battles and internal emotions that Caelan fights within him. Plus the rotating 4-man pov strengthens the narrative and our commitment to each character and their role in this epic journey.
This series has quickly become a must read and Iām hot onto the next book in the series Wake the Dead.
Then Iāll have to wait like every one for the January release. Sigh.
Until then, if you love fantasy romance and fiction, grab up this series. Read it straight through and meet me at the next story!
The bargain has been struck, and itās time to return home.
But the situation is worse in Erya than he previously suspected. Betrayal runs deep in the streets of Stormbreak, and finding people he can trust will be treacherous.
He has no choice, though. Heās fighting for his birthright, and maybe even a little revenge if he can get it.
Will the gods come between him and the crown?
Or worse, him and Drayce?
Breath of Life is the second book in the six-book Godstone Saga fantasy series and is not a standalone. The story contains explosions, gods with secret plans, hidden romance, a prince set on revenge, magic, and lots of delicious angst..
Again Iāve fallen into a new fantasy epic and new author with Steal The Wind (Godstone Saga #1) by Jocelyn Drake. Iām so happy with both new additions to my reading and author lists.
We meet our important quartet of main characters immediately
Prince Carlen of the Kingdom of Erya, with his royal companion and best friend, Drayce. Also there Royal advisor Lord Rayne Laurent and Royal Bodyguard Lord Eno Bevyn
With Caelan at the pivotal narrative point and the others as his important support, Drake builds a epic fantasy tale, full of tragedy, magic, gods, misfortune, kingdoms lostā¦ and waiting to be won once more. With romance and love woven throughout.
I was absolutely pulled into the first installment and Caelanās journey. Drakeās ability to make even the smallest of characters memorable as well as the briefest of scenes made me stay connected to the groupās struggles to battle through heartbreak, weariness, deception, and shattering revelations.
Each character is given their own pov which works given each manās importance to each other and the developing saga storylines.
While it ends on a cliffhanger, it feels right and Iām eagerly moving forward to the next book.
The author intends this to be a six book series. Thereās three currently released with the fourth out next month.
Iām happily anticipating some busy nights ahead.
In the meantime, if you love fantasy fiction and romance, put Steal The Wind (Godstone Saga #1) by Jocelyn Drake on your TBR list. Itās a winner!
A war is brewing. As the crown prince of Erya, itās only natural that Caelan is sent on a secret diplomatic mission to support one of the kingdomās allies. With his advisor, his bodyguard, and his best friend as traveling companions, what could go wrong?
Everything.
Everything goes wrong.
Now they are on the run, dodging assassins, setting secret meetings, and even making deals with a sleeping god.
So, this is probably a really bad time to cave to feelings heās been fighting for his best friend. But Drayce has owned his heart for more years than he can count and if heās going to die, shouldnāt he have just one kiss?
The fate of the world is on the line, and only Caelan holds the power to save them all.
Steal the Wind is the first book in the six-book Godstone Saga fantasy series and is not a standalone. The story contains explosions, secrets, cranky gods, hidden romance, a prince on the run, a possessive ex-boyfriend, magic, and lots of delicious angst.
Gleaming, incredibly lifelike and often haunting sculptures seen in museums worldwide, from The Dying Gaul (my favorite) to Apollo to Rodinā The Kiss, have the ability to mesmerize upon sight. Their creatorās ability to turn stone into something that goes past magnificent art into something haunting, beautiful, and timeless. And unforgettable
These sculptures also inspire other forms of art, from paintings to songs to movies to books. Especially the idea of one of those statues coming to life .
A local favorite is Edgar Degasā Little Dancer of Fourteen Years . Itās one of those that resonates with so many.
But when I think of statues and stories, the one that immediately jumps to mind is that of Pygmalion and Galatea, his stature brought to life. Itās a story thatās been told over and over.
Anyway, Lily Morton returns to this magical idea of wish fulfillment and a creatorās sculpture that has so resonated with one young man throughout his life that itās the one heās confided in, run to, and hidden behind all his years.
Barnaby Greenwood is a man in desperate need. At Christmas. Heās about to lose everything thatās ever mattered, to himself, his family, his ancestors, and the village.
He needs a miracle.
In true Morton form, we are given a heart wrenching situation, great characters we can connect with, especially Barnaby. A estate full of sculptures and a dark forest green.
Cosmo is a total delight, complete with canine companion. I love the villagers. The fleeting aspect of the very nature of week and the passing of daysā¦ makes for a harrowing tale. We are filled with anxiety as the time passes even as we relish the relationship that builds.
Itās a magical romance, with all sorts of grand and small elements. Plenty to delight over, laugh and sniffle as well.
Pygmalion and Galatea would be pleased.
Merry Christmas! Happy Yule!
Highly recommended! So is this author.
For those interested, Iāve a few pictures of both Degasā dancer and the iconic Dying Gaul below.
It can safely be said that Lord Barnaby Greenwood is not having the best of Christmases.
Heās penniless, up to his eyeballs in debt, and about to lose his estate. Therefore, itās hardly surprising that when a local property developer offers a lot of money to buy Kingās Wood from him, Barnaby is very tempted. But his father had always impressed on him that the green wood was sacred and must be protected at all costs, so he finds himself saying no.
He knows this will result in the loss of his home, but duty comes before everything. However, that fateful decision leads instead to a magical Christmas for Barnaby, complete with an old god who grants him a favour, and a beautiful statue that comes to life.
Cosmo is perfect for him. Heās funny and kind and completely enraptured with Barnaby, and for the first time in his life, Barnaby falls in love. But how can this lead to anything but heartache, when on the last stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, Cosmo will go back to being a statue and take Barnabyās heart with him?
From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a truly magical romantic comedy.
12 Days of Christmas (or Whatever you Celebrate) Reading List!
āļøTis the season for holiday stories and Iāve read some outstanding ones so far, oneās that made me roar with laughter, some that had me reaching for the tissues, and so many that had me shaking my head at the mad writing skills and imagination of the authors represented on the list here.
āøāļøHereās my list of Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 12 Days of the Holidays 2021 Favorites to Read!šāļø
There were a couple of Christmas series above that I loved. They are indicated by a *, so gather up all the books there.
Honestly many authors are listed multiple times because they just rocked the holiday tales! That includes a review to come on the wonderful On A Midnight Clear by Lily Morton so it will be on an updated and expanded End of Year list
Have I left out some of your favorites this season? Let me know! Iām always on the hunt for new authors and stories. Or just plain out stuff I missed.
Itās just me now, and since Iām buying the books Iām reading , I actually have a TBR list thatās growing. šš¤·āāļøHelp me add to it. **
Happy Holidays whatever you may celebrate from myself and my blog, Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.
I like it when my stories come with a lovely dosing of hilarity. Especially holiday romances. Maz Maddoxās book, Ethan and Jag Destroy the World , is actually two combined holiday stories that manages to present a funnyāotherworldly ā perspective at some of our favorite holidays while delivering a terrific romance.
As most things that go south are wont to do, it all starts with a dumping, a rejection taken badly, and a linguistics expert with his hands on a ancient suspect tome. Amirite?
Before you can say forsooth, a recently dumped human named Ethan has Jagmarith, Demon champion of the Blood Wars plunked down in his kitchen. At Christmas.
What follows is a funny, oddly moving , supernatural love story that spans a number of human holidays, giving the author,through Jag, a perfect foil to express a joyous weird perspective on these occasions. Some I found myself nodding in total agreement.
Honestly, Valentineās Day . Misshapen human ideas of the human hearts ( the authorās words) hung every where surrounded by children with wings and weaponry? Wouldnāt it make more sense if those were the hearts of rivals? Hmmm maybe the demon had it spot onā¦..
Anyway, thereās great characters, wonderful events to ponder, uh some very sexy hot scenes, some hilarious demon confusion about earth customs, and just a marvelous story overall.
Ethan and Jag really are a remarkable couple! I could have used an entire series. Their love and relationship felt real, inter species or not. Their support group of friends and familiar were just as amazing. Surety thereās more holidays, however obscure, to celebrate.
Hopefully the author is listening.
Until then, check out this wonderful book and settle in for nine months of great fun and warm loving feelings.
Jagmarith, Demon champion of the Blood Wars, detests festivities.
Heās certainly not a fan of humans or their ridiculous holidays.
Winter festivals. Celebrations of flowers. Misshapen hearts to symbolize love. All pointless and weak.
Unfortunately, his feelings are not taken into consideration when heās summoned by ancient magic to the human realm.
Stolen from his home in Hell, Jagmarith is now at the mercy of a bumbling, adorable human named Ethan, who has accidentally bound Jagmarith to him. Now, Jag must endure grueling human holidays like Christmas and pretend to be a nice human boyfriend to the man who summoned him.
The fake boyfriend role has been very trying.
But along with the upcoming Halloween party and fuss over finding the perfect ghoulish decorations, not to mention the very odd feelings heās developing for Ethan, thereās that little matter of the impending Armageddon to deal with.
Jag is not pleased.
***
This book includes short story Demon All the Way and continues Ethan & Jag’s adventure.
The wonderful Kim Fielding is at it again this holiday season with the absolutely wonderful new story Dreidels & Do Overs. Itās a true heartwarminer of a holiday contemporary romance that landed itself in my top ten books this year with its unconventional characters and lovely, gentle love story.
Itās not as often that we get a romance that is focused around Jewish men and their religion, and does so authentically. Then encapsulates so many potentially problematic issues as we might expect a angst filled story.
Instead, Fielding proceeds to deliver a realistic, believable, moving story of reconnection,redemption belief in oneself, self discovery, and love.
The heart of every Fielding story remains her characters. Itās the same here. Caleb Stern, a janitor working a holiday craft fair, is a man we slowly we get know. His history and current living situation will reveal itself in bits and pieces, through conversations with his boss and with Jasper Adams, a man who knew him years ago in high school. Caleb is such an amazing person, a bit worn, hesitant, and yet courageous in a quiet way. I loved him.
Jasper Adams also is in many ways a quintessential Fielding personality. Heās someone whoās reevaluated his life choices and struck out on what most people would call a different, even lesser path. Jasperās not got a ripped body, he feels a bit self conscious about that, but he loves what he does and is content that heās happy in his new choice of careers. And when a chance to connect with a person he had a crush on years ago appears, he takes a chance on that too. And the man.
Fold two lovely lonely men together at Hanukkah and you have a beautiful story for the holidays.
Itās perfect Fielding and one Iām highly recommending.
Caleb Stern was the high school hotshot, but a bad attitude and poor decisions led to years of misery. Now heās trying to do better, and a job on the cleaning crew at a holiday craft fair could be a new beginning. What he didnāt expect was that his new start might be tangled up with ties from long ago.
Jasper Adams left an unfulfilling career and unsupportive boyfriend to follow his dreams. His handmade journals are a big success at the craft fair, which is great, but the real holiday miracle turns out to be a blast from his past.
Hanukkah nears, and both men yearn for holiday happiness. But moving forward often means first making peace with where youāve been.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 