Tag: Scattered Thoughts Highly Recommended

Review:  Flat White Flag: A Paranormal Comedy with Heart (Maya’s Blogs Book 4) by Lara McKenzie 

Rating: 5⭐️

Again, how to say that Maya’s Blog is an absolute must read series. Each one continues to improve upon its predecessor and show its characters development in a way that’s consistent with the journey and emotional growth of the series. 

It’s fabulous writing and I’m so hooked. 

Plus yes to the great covers that happen to showcase the storytelling within. That’s happening less and less so claps  and kudos. 

This is the story where Maya accepts and comes into her own.  What makes this so special is to understand the time line between the beginning of her journey, when she fled her abusive family and the traumatic events and powerful affirming experiences she’s experienced that have led her here. It’s been just three years.  

Oftentimes it’s felt so much longer. 

So when you think about her life before, her anxiety and other personal issues, on top of the trauma and tragedy, for her to be able to realistically start to accept her own power and new life is extraordinary. And believable within the narrative and her situation. 

Her support and maybe even the lack of here when it comes to this major crisis, is crafted in such a layered, emotional manner. Raw, heartfelt, powerful. And truly written in such a way that the reader can relate to Maya’s feelings and the way she needs to express her reactions to this moment.

No spoilers but fabulous. It’s part horror, romance, comedy and all things fantastic. Just amazing stuff all around. 

I love it when a family comes together to destroy things. Especially the women. What an awesome scene! 

There’s another book coming out. A surprise because this easily could have been the finale. I’m thrilled we’re going forward. 

More and more please.

Cover Illustration Main image by Manuka Madushan, Digital Illustrator.

MAYA’S BLOGS:

Espresso Yourself #1

Brew Diligence #2

Uncharted Grounds #3

Flat White Flag #4

Little Bean #5 (coming soon)

Buy link

        Flat White Flag: A Paranormal Comedy with Heart (Maya’s Blogs Book 4)

    

Blurb 

Maya Rivers’ post-resurrection body has developed magical broadcasting capabilities. Unfortunately, the signal feeds directly into her fiancé’s nervous system. As if that weren’t mortifying enough, she’s also inherited a demonic estate with a flair for psychological warfare and a disturbing passion for cataloguing other people’s trauma for fun and menace.


Maya’s juggling supernatural politics, a shadow-wielding warlord who moisturises with military precision, and her body evolving faster than her coping mechanisms.


She’s starting to realise something horrifying: she might actually be the powerful one now.


Nobody is more alarmed.

  • Publication date: September 1, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 322 pages
  • Book 4 of 5: Maya’s Blogs

Review : Pack Challenge (Magnus Pack #1) by Shelly Laurenston

Rating: 4⭐️

I’m continuing my journey through Shelly Laurenston’s catalog and started in on the Magnus Pack trilogy as it’s focused on three closely knit girlfriends. Each has her own story, only one of which is a shifter but there are shifters in each connected story. 

Things to consider first. These are sexy, sexy tough women and the stories are full of scenes that flow accordingly. If you’re looking for sweet content, you might want to look elsewhere. 

Considering my favorite series is Laurenston’s honey badger series I really enjoyed it. IYKYK.

The first character and girlfriend is a heavily scarred, damaged, pain-filled woman, Sara Morrighan. With scars across her face and a limp from a badly damaged leg when she and her dad were attacked by mountain lions and she was left for dead. 

Sara, along with her best friends, Miki Kendric and Angelina Santiago, keep an eye out for each other, keeping each other safe and supporting them. Especially Sara, raised by a crazy grandmother and has an employer/surrogate father, Marrec, owner of a local motorcycle shop. 

But the small Texas town has secrets. Sara’s life is about to change, she’s getting aggressive and her leg is still full of pain. 

Then a group of people on motorcycles rides into town. Zack, one of them, shows an immediate reaction to Sara. One that’s returned.

This is a very good fast paced story about someone who doesn’t know what she is. And is about to find out the hard way.   There’s shifter battles, tons of great sex scenes and wonderful chemistry between characters that makes the instant lust realistic. 

The three women are hilarious together. The sisterhood is alive and well and relatable here. We absolutely believe these women grew up together and know each other inside and out.  The dialogue is amazing. 

Some world building feels under explored as does the shifter universe here. But on the individual level, it’s exciting and sexy storytelling. 

A definite winner. 

Cover design by Deranged Doctor Design.

Magnus Pack: 

  • Pack Challenge 
  • Go Fetch 
  • Here Kitty, Kitty 
  • “Miss Congeniality” in When He Was Bad anthology

Buy link

 Book 1 of 3: Magnus Pack 

Blurb 

What’s an Alpha Male to do when he meets the Alpha Female of his dreams? Step one, hide all sharp objects. 

All Zach Sheridan ever wanted was to become Alpha Male of his Pack and to be left alone. What he definitely didn’t need in his life was some needy female demanding his attention. What he never saw coming was the vicious, scarred female who not only demanded his attention but knew exactly how to get it.

Sara Morrighan knew this was the best she could expect from her life. Good friends. A nice place to live. And a safe job. But when Zach rode into her small Texas town with his motorcycle club, Sara knew she wanted more. She knew she wanted him. But after one sexy encounter with her dream biker, everything is starting to change. Her body. Her strength. That new thing she’s doing with the snarling. Even her best friends are starting to wonder what’s going on with her.

But this is only the beginning. Sara’s about to find out her life was meant for so much more. And Zach’s about to find true love with the one woman who makes him absolutely insane.

Review: Review: Uncharted Grounds (Maya’s Blog’s Book 3) by Lara McKenzie

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Uncharted Grounds, the third book in Maya’s Blog’s series is indeed uncharted territory for the characters here. 

Lara McKenzie’s format of having her character, Maya, chart her growth and  life events through a Blog that’s grown substantially from 5 readers to a inter species paranormal readership of millions , including ones she now includes as friends and found family, has become a stunning journey of inspiring personal growth and self discovery. 

But it’s a realistic one, full of painful and awful moments of despair and even death. Those have been equally terrifying and tragic for Maya and those around her. 

And this deals with the consequences of that event, the aftermath, and the unexpected repercussions that it will bring upon Maya’s relationship with her shadow demon warrior fiancée. 

There are hilarious scenes, terrifying moments, utter heartbreak, and solemn moments of thoughtful reflection upon her own experiences and past history that make her look at her current situation and how she feels about going forward. 

I can’t say enough about how much I love this beautifully written series about Maya and her journey through her new life , her friends and how she has grown up and dealt with each new challenge she’s faced.

While this is a fantasy/science fiction universe, the parallels to a contemporary world are very real and heartfelt. And often heartbreaking. 

Keep your tissues close by. 

This is a deeply personal and emotional story that connects with each reader in differently. 

Highly recommended. 

Love these covers with their specific topics, this one being Genevieve who had a big role here. 

Cover Illustration Main image by Manuka Madushan, Digital Illustrator.

MAYA’S BLOGS:

Espresso Yourself #1

Brew Diligence #2

Uncharted Grounds #3

Flat White Flag #4

Little Bean #5 (coming soon)

Buy link

        Uncharted Grounds: A Paranormal Comedy with Heart (Maya’s Blogs Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Life hasn’t been normal since a mermaid resurrected Maya Rivers.

Between supernatural side effects, the terrifying mermaid mafia who wants more than she’s prepared to give, and a shadow demon who would raze realms to keep her safe, Maya is trying to figure out who she is—and where she truly belongs.

In a world of chaotic friendship and found family, one thing’s certain: Maya isn’t just surviving anymore.

She’s ready to stand her ground.

  • Publication date: July 21, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 310 pages
  • Book 3 of 5: Maya’s Blogs

Review:  Family and Honor (Jacky Leon, #2) by K. N. Banet 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Family and Honor (Jacky Leon, #2) by K. N. Banet is another example of the second book in the series moving forward with character development, overall depth of series foundation and plot structure in such an exciting and fast paced way.

I honestly loved it better than the first for many reasons. Banet brings Jackie back into her territory, her home base where she’s comfortable. So we see a different aspect of the character. Right before the author begins to shake Jackie’s base and hard won stability up again. 

An impulsive contract made because, once again the human child Carey is involved, will be the one thing that will pry open the solid isolation from werecat politics that Jackie’s maintained. 

And ends up bringing her back into contact with her werecat family. 

Banet has written a complicated, high paced, multi layered book. It has murder mysteries to investigate, multiple paranormal species involved, travel outside of Jackie’s territory, and further exploration into her family dynamics and history. 

A real exciting, emotional thriller! Another late night finish! Just fantastic! Highly recommended! 

The Jacky Leon Series :

Oath Sworn 

Family and Honor 

Broken Loyalty 

Echoed Defiance 

Shades of Hate 

Royal Pawn 

Rogue Alpha 

Bitter Discord 

Volume One: Books 1-3

Buy link

 Book 2 of 12: Jacky Leon 

Blurb 

I got away with it. Carey and her family are safe and I survived to tell the tale. Now I’m the only werecat in the supernatural community that can say a small family of werewolves lives in my borders. But, in the effort of saving Carey and helping her father, I had to begin shedding the secrets that kept me safe for years.

My identity is out there now. As one of Hasan’s children, more is expected of me and I had no idea what sort of repercussions would come from my decisions. Werecats are reporting problems all over the world and when two go missing, I can’t avoid the feeling of guilt.

My name is Jacky Leon and I am a child of Hasan, ruler of the werecats. I have to learn how to live up to the obligations and expectations of my family before more people die.

My honor demands it.

  • Publication date: November 15, 2019
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 402 pages
  • Book 2 of 12: Jacky Leon

Review: About a Dragon (Dragon Kin, #2) by G.A. Aiken 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

There’s an author’s note at the beginning where she describes her own fondness for the character of Briec the Mighty , Lord Arrogance. He’s truly convinced of his own high status as a royal dragon and that anyone else isn’t worthy of notice. 

Briec, who we met before in the first book when Annwyl hilariously asked if he gave himself the name of Briec the Mighty, is a harder sell here. His personality isn’t one I relate to like the author does. But it’s in the scenes where he’s a subtle surprise, using his arrogance to be a support for his partner and family that ends up winning the reader over. 

To begin with, it’s the witch I really connected with , and whose journey I throughly invested in.  And what a path she took! 

Talaith is the human Chosen one for the goddess Arzhela. Shes lived a very hard life according to her goddess’s wishes, one of deprivation and loss. 

It starts out in a village where she’s married to a man she clearly dislikes. And takes a downward turn from there. 

One element I just love about G. A. Aiken , a pen name for author Shelly Laurenston, a writer who is an auto read, is her women characters. Strong, well written, multi dimensional, great dialogue that is in accord with what background and culture they’re from. But also with frailties and damage from whatever they have had to endure. That even as witches or shifters, readers like myself can relate to them. 

As we do with Talaith and the events and challenges she has to face here. 

Albeit not alone, with a sexy Lord Arrogance along side her. 

As with the first book, there’s plenty of violence, battles and extremely sexy scenes between the characters. 

So if a sweet paranormal love tale is what you’re looking for, this probably isn’t it. 

But dragons, witches, warrior women, and battles? All found within! Check out this complete series . A definite winner!

Dragon Kin:

Dragon Actually #1

About A Dragon #2

What a Dragon Should Know #3

Last Dragon Standing #4

The Dragon Who Loved Me #5

How to Drive a Dragon Crazy #6

Light My Fire #7

Feel The Burn #8

Bring The Heat #9

Buy link

        About A Dragon

    

Blurb 

For Nolwenn witch Talaith, a bad day begins with being dragged from bed by an angry mob intent on her crispy end and culminates in rescue by—wait for it—a silver-maned dragon. Existence as a hated outcast is nothing new for a woman with such powerful secrets. The dragon, though? A tad unusual. This one has a human form to die for—and knows it. According to dragon law, Talaith is now his property, for pleasure . . . or otherwise. But if Lord Arrogance thinks she’s the kind of damsel to acquiesce without a word, he’s in for a surprise . . . 

Is the woman never silent? Briec the Mighty knew the moment he laid eyes on Talaith that she would be his, but he’d counted on tongue-lashings of an altogether different sort. It’s embarrassing, really, that it isn’t this outspoken female’s magicks that have the realm’s greatest dragon in her thrall. No, Briec has been spellbound by something altogether different—and if he doesn’t tread carefully, what he doesn’t know about human women could well be the undoing of his entire race . . .

  • Publisher: Zebra Books
  • Publication date: November 25, 2008
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 385 pages
  • Book 2 of 9: Dragon Kin

Review: Oath Sworn (Jacky Leon Book 1) by K. N. Banet 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I’m reading a lot of strong women main character centric content, mostly urban fantasy and paranormal stories.  Luckily there’s so much out there to explore from a multitude of writers as it’s a very popular genre, something I’m very excited about. 

Oath Sworn, the beginning of the Jacky Leon series by K. N. Banet, is a strong start into the series, and really great take on this popular trope. 

Banet is a new to me writer, and I’m unfamiliar with The Tribunal universe that this series takes place in. However, I don’t think that not having read other books from other series impacts on my experience here. The world building is slowly layered in as the events occur, giving them a solid foundation and putting the political and governmental system in place as needed. 

What or should I say who really does it for me here is the main character, Jackie Leon. She’s a werecat. In this story one on a mission to recover a human child stolen out of her care by a werewolf gang. She’s tracked them down and is bent on retrieving the child, which means violating The Tribunal Laws. 

It’s a terrific story with lots of storytelling and plot lines to develop and carry through to completion. It introduces Jackie, some of her origin story (part of which is an ongoing mystery). Her troubled dynamic with her werecat father, and current life. Then the father of the human child, Carey Everson , stolen from her. He’s the current Werewolf Alpha, and wolves and the werecats are vicious enemies historically. 

There’s so many emotional undercurrents and unresolved conflicts between the species, so tensions are high, constantly threatening the tentatively established peace and process needed to search for Carey amidst rising enemies.

The story is extremely well written. The action is fast paced and often emotionally charged. 

Each species is well defined and there no romantic relationship. But a hint of what might be developed in the future. 

I liked that Banet wrapped up this story completely so we start fresh in the next book. 

Cover artist isn’t credited.

Highly recommended. 

The Jacky Leon Series :

Oath Sworn 

Family and Honor 

Broken Loyalty 

Echoed Defiance 

Shades of Hate 

Royal Pawn 

Rogue Alpha 

Bitter Discord 

Volume One: Books 1-3

Buy link

 Book 1 of 12: Jacky Leon 

Blurb 

I’ve never been the type to find trouble. Owning a bar takes work and that was all I wanted. Serving cold beers and paying my taxes. Those were the responsibilities I wanted for the rest of my life.

I didn’t ask to be a werecat. I didn’t ask for the responsibility to uphold an ancient treaty. I didn’t ask to get pulled into the middle of a werewolf pack’s coup.

But Carey Everson, the very human daughter of a werewolf Alpha, needs me. Her father’s enemies are on her heels and I’m her last defense. And I’ll be that defense until my final breath, even if it means challenging the very Laws that govern the supernatural. I gave her my word.

My name is Jacky Leon and nothing is going to stop me from honoring my word.

The Jacky Leon series is an Urban Fantasy series with a slow-burn romance.

  • Publication date: July 15, 2019
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 354 pages
  • Book 1 of 12: Jacky Leon

Review: The Soulless Slipper (The Fairmyth Chronicles #1) by Abigail Manning 

Rating: 4.25⭐️

An excellent weaving of Greek mythology and fairy tale by Abigail Manning in her story, The Soulless Slipper , the first book of The Fairmyth Chronicles .

Priscilla Korinder, is the character who is the stand-in for both Cinderella and Persephone. She’s got an evil stepmother, selfish stepsisters and a cursed kingdom in a human realm. Shes becomes the obsession of a divine Prince and his Kingly father who have hidden agendas. Thats Zeus under another name and his son. 

But the other main character comes from the underworld, here called Underworth. King Hayden. Aka Hades. 

There’s an enchanted slipper. Several twists on both myths and god legends and a HEA. Well written, engaging characters and fast paced plotting.

It’s very imaginative and a highly entertaining mashup. Check this and the other’s out. 

Cover design by Lunaris Falcon Studio

The Fairymyth Chronicles: 

  • The Soulless Slipper: A Retelling of Persephone and Cinderella #1
  • The Serpent’s Tower: A Retelling of Medusa and Rapunzel #2
  • The Beast’s Labyrinth: A Retelling of The Minotaur and Beauty and the Beast #3
  • The Dozen Damsels: A Retelling of The 12 Labors of Hercules & The 12 Dancing Princesses #4

Buy link

 Book 1 of 4: The Fairmyth Chronicles 

Blurb

Cinderella meets Persephone and Hades.

Priscilla Korinder has been forced to work the fields of Mortalia ever since her mother disappeared when she was nine. Unfortunately for her, Mortalia is plagued with a curse that punishes any being who uses divine magic, leaving Priscilla covered in bruises at the end of each day. Despite her constant injuries, Priscilla’s stepmother is in disbelief that Priscilla could possibly be a divine one. She’s convinced her stepdaughter’s exhaustion is mere laziness…

King Hayden is the lone ruler of Underworth, a kingdom utilized only as a mass graveyard. He typically resides in solitude with his three-toed cat, until one day his peace is disrupted by his eager nephew. Prince Aaron of Olympia has grown infatuated with a nameless maiden in Mortalia and insists Hayden use his divine portal magic to deliver her to him. When he refuses, the prince decides to take matters into his own hands, and lure the girl out with an enchanting ball.

Will Hayden be able to stand by and do nothing as he watches his nephew draw the girl into a trap? He could always try to stop him, but how does one prevent a divine prince from getting what he wants? Hayden could always kidnap her first…

The Fairmyth Chronicles is a collection of clean interconnecting fantasy romance novels that can be read in any order.

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

Review: Breaking Badger (Honey Badger Chronicles, #4) by Shelly Laurenston

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Books 4 through 6 (to date) focus in on Max’s childhood friends and basketball teammates. These females are also dangerous honey badgers and have been a part of a tight knit group of friends that have run their own small time operations since their school days. It been Max, Streep, Mads, Nelle, and Tock. Through crime and punishment (often with Charlie as backup and safety for the younger girls). 

This is Mads book, and along with the other teammates, get hooked up with the Malone brothers, Keane, Finn, and Shay ,Siberian Tigers, who are searching for the people who killed their father. These Tiger shifters are also related to Max, Stevie and Charlie  as Nat, their younger sister turns out to be half honey badger and a half McKilligan.  Complicated relationships introduced as well as some awkward dynamics  during the last fantastic story .

Laurenston weaves tightly packed, violent action scenes and densely layered storylines into developing new found family bonds and growing group relationships. The “Black Malones” tigers start out emotionally stunted and reactive yet during intense interactions and small one to one conversations, each Malone exhibits surprising emotions and hidden depths. 

And while the focus is on Mads, and her interactions with her awful family and the growing one with Finn, the strengths of this series, the MacKilligan sisters (Charlie, Max and Stevie) still have impactful moments and roles to play here. 

As do others. So many new and familiar characters here , beautifully detailed and engaging in their own personalities. It just one more reason I can’t get enough of this series. 

There’s an overall plot and mystery that seems to be going through the next section of books. It’s a really great one. I can’t wait to see how it’s explained. 

Remember these books are gory, violent and murderous. Blood and body parts everywhere. FYI.

Highly recommended. 

I really like the covers for the series. Great work. Eye catching and character related. 

Honey Badger Chronicles:

  • Hot and Badgered #1
  • In A Badger Way #2
  • Badger to the Bone #3
  • Breaking Badger #4
  • Born to Be Badger #5
  • To Kill a Badger #6

Buy link

 Book 4 of 6: The Honey Badger Chronicles 

Blurb 

It’s instinct that drives Finn Malone to rescue a bunch of hard battling honey badgers. The Siberian tiger shifter just can’t bear to see his fellow shifters harmed. But no way can Finn have a houseful of honey badgers when he also has two brothers with no patience. Things just go from bad to worse when the badgers rudely ejected from his home turn out to be the only ones who can help him solve a family tragedy. He’s just not sure he can even get back into the badgers’ good graces. Since badgers lack graces of any kind . . .

Mads knows her teammates aren’t about to forgive the cats that were so rude to them, but moody Finn isn’t so bad. And he’s cute! The badger part of her understands Finn’s burning need to avenge his father’s death—after all, vengeance is her favorite pastime. So Mads sets about helping Finn settle his family’s score, which has its perks, since she gets to avoid her own family drama. Besides, fighting side by side with Finn is her kind of fun—especially when she can get in a hot and heavy snuggle with her very own growling, eye-rolling, and utterly irresistible kitty-cat . . .

“Filled with high-octane action, some serious snark, and a plethora of humor.. the resulting madcap adventures are sure to please series fans.”

—Publishers Weekly 

  • Publisher: Kensington Books
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: August 31, 2021
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 370 pages
  • Book 4 of 6: The Honey Badger Chronicles

Review:  Ride Or Die (The Body Shop Book 5) by Hailey Edwards 

Rating : 4.75⭐️

Ride Or Die wraps up this fantastic series with mythical battles, high stakes, epic magical revelations, and an absolutely satisfying ending for all the characters. 

The Body Shop series has followed Frankie and her adopted siblings, the Mary’s as they call themselves after the official ‘house of horror’ they were forced to live as children, they’ve come through perilous events and horrific experiences that’s seen them come out more powerful individually and as a found family. 

From one where Frankie was the one who provided and held everything together to a family that worked together as a unit for a common purpose.  The character development and plotting was even, strong and often compelling. And Edwards didn’t leave any character behind in bringing relationships and old friendships forward as things went further into new developments. 

Kierce sacrificed himself for Frankie and now she’s going to save him. It’s time for revelations, god comeuppances, and the final showdown. And some real surprises. 

Dis Pater is shown to be even worse than thought to be. But the biggest bad is a well crafted evil, multi dimensional villain who’s horrific in his clarity of vision.  

It’s reasonable and believable and makes this credible that’s there’s a cost of defeating him.  It wouldn’t have made sense otherwise. Or been in keeping with the types of magical powers and abilities that were used by all of the characters here. 

In the end, we get a sense of how the characters are in their lives and how they feel going forward. It’s contentment and happiness. And that makes The Body Shop a well written, highly compelling and satisfying series, one I’m happy to recommend. 

Love the covers. Every single one.

Cover by Damonza

Illustration by Marouane Hs

The Body Shop – series complete: 5 books:

Fair Market Value #1 

Amber Gambler #2 

Midnight Auto Parts #3 

Cheater Slicks #4 

Ride or Die #5 – series finale 

Buy link

        Ride or Die (The Body Shop Book 5)

    

Blurb 

Kierce sacrificed himself to save Frankie, and now it’s her turn to rescue him. Whether he wants her to or not. That means venturing into Abaddon, the land of the dead, and hoping she can locate him within its shadowed depths before Dis Pater notices his favorite toy is missing. But Dis Pater isn’t the only deity she has to fear.

Frankie’s father has learned of her journey down to his domain, and he won’t take no for an answer when he welcomes her into his home. As if one MIA parent materializing wasn’t bad enough, her mother arrives with her own emotional baggage in hand. Forget the perils of traversing the underworld. Navigating this family reunion just might be what kills her.

  • Publisher: Black Dog Books
  • Publication date: September 16, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 241 pages
  • Book 5 of 5: The Body Shop