Review: Inviting Bedlam (Demon Bound Book 2) by Grae Bryan

Rating: 4.75🌈

Well, this was the best yet. Crazy, sinfully sexy, twisted and beautiful. Yup, a definite winner.

Grae Bryan’s Demon Bound series is carefully working its way through not only a damaged Russian American mafia family but a small group of hell bound demons. Each story ends up with a bound mated pair from each group/family and each story has been so incredibly emotional and different from each other.

The Koslov crime family, three brothers , is a severely damaged group of people. Each a massively damaged product of their late conservative Russian mob boss father and his powerful patriarchal legacy. The younger brothers, now having removed themselves emotionally and physically, have left the running of the family business to Ivan , the oldest and the one who has most resembled their father.

In Ivan, the author has created such a complex, flawed dynamic character. Unlike the other brothers, he enjoys his status while still being angry and bitter about his brothers’ ability to leave him behind in the family business. It’s a charged, charismatic personality, flawed, powerful, and undeniably appealing. And it needs an equally powerful personality in a demon. And it gets it.

But not the one either the reader or Ivan expects. Which is one of the greatest pleasures of the book.

Ivan has found himself at odds with various criminal elements, mostly due to his brother’s actions. He has had several unpleasant encounters and emotional jolts. Which leads to a summoning of Nix, one of the group of demons bound together. Nix is everything.

In Nix, the author cuts loose narratively, letting the vibrancy of the character, the sheer force of Nix’s personality and presence almost steal the show. And if it weren’t for the equally strong presence of Ivan to crash up against, Nix would. But together? This book flames hotter than anything else I’ve read lately. Ivan never wanted a male lover before but can’t keep his hands off Nix? Absolutely believable. Nix decides Ivan is his? Yes, absolutely.

Not a wrong choice here. Nix’s advice and the manner in which Bryan gives Nix a personality that’s lacking the human moral compass so that the demon is able to be that perfect fit for Ivan, a crime boss who matches him so well.

I delighted in their relationship, that dark journey that’s sexual, bloody, and violent but very compelling and satisfying. It’s one that develops in astonishing depth and ways that makes it hard to imagine that this couple is confined to just one book.

I absolutely wanted more. And while the next couple is intriguing, this one is hard to beat.

Inviting Bedlam (Demon Bound Book 2) by Grae Bryan is a must read for lovers of dark paranormal romance and the series as well. I’m highly recommending both.

Cover designed by MiblArt.

Demon Bound:

🔹Wrecking Havoc #1 (Kai and Sascha)

🔹Inviting Bedlam #2 (Nix and Ivan)

🔹Calling Chaos #3 – May 1,2025

Buy link

Inviting Bedlam (Demon Bound Book 2)

Blurb

Ivan Kozlov doesn’t make mistakes, no matter what his brothers might say. Mistakes in his world mean death. So while he may have summoned the wrong sort of demon to aid him in cementing his empire, binding himself to the creature with an irreversible contract, that doesn’t mean he can’t make use of him. Except the seductive incubus he’s summoned seems to want more from Ivan than just a piece of his soul. Nix wants Ivan’s body, his desire, his faults and his regrets. But giving those things to him would be a mistake. And one Ivan might never recover from.

Nix has been waiting to be summoned again for ages. And while he might have had to trick his handsome mob boss to make it happen, he’s not going to waste the opportunity while he has it. Only now that he’s here, he doesn’t just want to stay in the human realm. He wants Ivan—his greed and his rage and his lust. And if Nix has to fix Ivan’s life to make that happen—if he needs to handle the dangers in his business, mend the broken bits left by Ivan’s father—then that’s what he’ll do. Even an incubus can be useful to a mobster, if given the right incentive.

INVITING BEDLAM IS A HEATED, MM PARANORMAL ROMANCE WITH A HEA AND NO CLIFFHANGER. IT CONTAINS A REPRESSED, CONTROLLING MOB BOSS AND THE NAUGHTY INCUBUS DETERMINED TO MAKE HIM CRACK, BROTHERS WHO WON’T COMMUNICATE, MORE DEMONS THAN IVAN ASKED FOR, AND A PAIR OF PANTIES IVAN WOULD LIKE TO SET ON FIRE. WHILE EACH BOOK FOCUSES ON A DIFFERENT COUPLE, THE SERIES IS BEST ENJOYED IN ORDER.

Publication date: October 25, 2024
Language: English
File size: 3936 KB
Print length: 268 pages

Review: The Christmas Keeper (Laurel Holidays Book 6) by V.L. Locey

Rating: 5🌈

V. L. Locey’s Laurel Holidays novels are a must read for me , and this season’s release has to be my absolute favorite of all. The Christmas Keeper, Laurel Holidays Book 6, just resonates with me on multiple levels.

All the heartwarming Locey elements are here and elevated. From the realistic, beautifully crafted small Pennsylvania town and community, as well as the wonderfully layered characters and holiday traditions. Locey weaves all these elements together to create a truly heartfelt romance that makes you feel so much a part of the season and the lives of a town and couple that you forget all are fictional.

Brann Argraves, a man whose previous relationship has soured him on romance and the holidays, is returning home from his sister’s wedding, when he helps a man in need at the small airport near home.

Brann is a perfectly realized character, from his wounded personality with raised shields to the well drawn family who are concerned about him. Every detail of his life fits, his great realistic rescue geese, his small sparse cabin , bare of most usual personal touches expected from someone that’s well settled and happy. It all speaks to the character Locey has built and who will evolve over the course of the story. The excellent attention to character building continues with Kenan Gardet, a busker singer in a small airport , with a history of substance abuse, who’s trying to chart a new path for his life. Kenan is a moving character, but his equal is Brann in surprisingly strong depths of personality traits and support in terms of narrative foundation . In short, they work as believably wounded people finding their way towards recovery and each other. During the holidays, Kenan’s Jewish traditions and those of of Breann’s he’s rediscovering, which will bring them closer together.

Honestly, The Christmas Keeper (Laurel Holidays Book 6) by V.L. Locey will be on re-read, and not only for the holidays, it’s just that comfort story that you embrace.

And one I’m highly recommending, no matter what or if any holiday you celebrate.

Laurel Holidays series:

The Easter Redemption

The Christmas Extra

The Christmas Oaks #1

The Christmas Pundit #2

The Christmas Tenor #3

The Christmas Rescue #4

The Christmas Keeper #6

Buy link

vllocey.comhttp://vllocey.com › the-christmas-…The Christmas Keeper (Laurel Holidays #6)

Blurb

A grumpy pub owner is about to have his chilly heart warmed by a down-on-his-luck country singer.

Brann Argraves has never left the charming village of Whiteham before nor does he wish to. As the owner of the Whiteham Taphouse, he is content to spend his life serving drafts of beer to the locals, shooting darts with his buddies, and shutting himself away in his cabin for the duration of the holidays. Who needs all that ho-ho-ho, any who? His sister, on the other hand, not only yanked him out of his happy yet somewhat solitary bubble, but she’s also reveling in it. Planning a winter wedding was plain foolish, Brann feels, as is making people fly to some frozen wasteland in Canada to tie the knot. Now, he’s never been happier to return home after the wedding and get back to his bar, his darts, and his little home on the outskirts of town.

Landing at a wintry airport smack dab in the middle of a nasty snow squall, Brann and his weary fellow flyers are entertained by a handsome, rumpled man busking outside the airport. There’s something almost magical about the man’s dark, sad gaze as well as his angelic vocals. Perhaps it’s the residual merry-merry of his sister’s nuptials, or maybe he recognizes a lonely kindred soul, but Brann steps way out of his comfort zone when he offers the man a warm place to sleep above his bar. Kenan Gardet settles into the pub with ease and Southern grace. The down-and-out singer quickly proves himself an asset to Brann’s business as a good barkeep and as a nightly draw on stage. What he didn’t expect was Kenan capturing his heart one plaintive song and gentle kiss at a time.

The Christmas Keeper is a standalone grumpy/sunshine, hurt/comfort, insta-love, gay Christmas romance with a bah-humbug bar owner, a recovering country crooner, a small town tavern chock full of unique townsfolk, two geese who are not feeling the Christmas spirit, a gingerbread house bake-off, and a sweet as plum pudding happy ending.

Content warning: This story has references to past substance abuse.

Publication date: November 30, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 186 pages

Review: Fourth Wing (The Empyrean Book 1) by Rebecca Yarros

Rating: 5🌈

“A dragon without its rider is a tragedy.

A rider without their dragon is dead.”

—Article One, Section One The Dragon Rider’s Codex”

Ages ,decades ago, when I first read and fell deeply in love with Anne McCaffrey and her Dragonriders of Pern , there hasn’t been a book written about dragonriders and dragons that I’ve been able to pass on. They call to me, with their dragon’s roar of a siren’s song. And read them I must.

Completely by accident I came across this author and series, Fourth Wing (The Empyrean Book 1) by Rebecca Yarros, about another young woman who becomes a dragon rider.

The world building and characters are incredible, and the writing passionately fraught with mystery and drama. Especially the circumstances under which a somewhat frail 22 year old Violet Sorrengail finds herself thrown into, not into her desired path of becoming a Scribe, but into the brutal world and journey towards the possibility of becoming a dragon rider.

Yarros has surprises and twists around every narrative bend. This is at its heart a gripping tale, a young woman who has to fight for her life, under conditions she never imagined she’d be in, learning about herself, and who she really is at her core. Plus there’s these amazing sentient dragons with a governing power and outlook that’s framing part of the same world, a perspective that’s only revealed a bit at a time.

This story is framed around Violet’s struggles to overcome her physical limitations while surviving everything, mentally, emotionally, and physically that the school and her fellow students are throwing at her. This includes attempts on her life, as the less candidates there are than those standing have the better chance of being successful in becoming a rider.

The experiences and school itself are brutal in every sense of the word. And it makes for such compelling moments that I couldn’t put the book down.

The Basgiath War College is so well written, each aspect of it developed so that as the storylines expand and become more complex, so too do the different elements to the College, including the history.

This attention to detail and the way it’s so beautifully woven into the story continues with the students and their teachers, the families, and right to the dragons, who are breathtaking in scope.

This isn’t a LGBT story. While sexuality is part of the story, in terms of what gender riders are attracted to plays no importance. Some have lovers of the same gender, here the main character has a hetero relationship.

Yarrow is also developing political themes and conflicts, current and historical one that figure heavily into relationships and status struggles. While densely packed with plots and characters, Fourth Wing never feels weighed down by the elements its characters have to endure and carry forward into the second book.

This is an extraordinary story and the characters grab on to the reader’s heart immediately. As do these events that are shaping up to become an exciting, emotional epic series.

If you love dragons, adventure, and epic fantasy, put this on your list of books to read.

The Empyrean series is best enjoyed in order.

Reading Order:

Book #1 Fourth Wing

Book #2 Iron Flame

Book #3 Onyx Storm releasing Jan 21,2025

Buy link

Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, 1)

Blurb

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general―also known as her tough-as-talons mother―has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter―like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda―because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.

The Empyrean series is best enjoyed in order.

Reading Order:

Book #1 Fourth Wing

Book #2 Iron Flame

— Fourth Wing (The Empyrean Book 1) by Rebecca Yarros

Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books (May 2, 2023)
Publication date: May 2, 2023
Language: English
Print length: 643 pages

Review: Phase Shift (Chaos Station Book 5) by Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen

Rating: 5🌈

Phase Shift brings the epic saga of the crew of the Chaos, specifically that of the damaged super soldier Zander Anatolius and his partner, Felix Ingesson. Felix, former prisoner of war, engineer and co-owner of the Chaos, carries his own trauma from the war inside, mentally and emotionally, and on his body.

After all Felix and Zander have been through, along with the rest of the crew of the Chaos, it’s far from over as Project Dreamweaver, the failed AEF super soldier experiment that continues to haunt Zan, rises up to threaten them all again.

Characters Qek, Elias and Ness who are such a fantastic, integral part of this series and as Felix’s found family, are here in their own emotional roles. The Guardians, an enigmatic race that’s a guiding force for the known species introduced here, seem more relatable by the dramatic impact brought on by the circumstances as created by the authors and wrought by the human race’s need for more.

As we know, the emotional, damaged and highly complex nature of the men involved and the very nature of the themes involved in the series makes finalizing all the threads and storylines a complicated process.

But in this action packed, grab your tissues, heart pounding finale, Burke and Jensen bring their couple and series to a resounding satisfying conclusion. And then gives the reader a fabulous honeymoon short story to go along with it at the end.

There’s a few things that I wanted a tiny bit more exploration but this universe is so vast, the potential for more stories so full that it’s never really going to be enough. At least for this reader.

But for now, I’m happy. Especially after that gift of a short story where I even got to see my favorite aliens, the Resonance, one more.

So satisfying and this one is a series and book that’s definitely on my recommendation list. Happy reading!

Series – read them in the order below:

Chaos Station 1
Lonely Shore 2
Skip Trace 3
Inversion Point 4
Phase Shift 5 – series finale

Buy link:

Phase Shift (Chaos Station Book 5)

Blurb

Zander and Felix’s relationship has always pushed boundaries—personal and professional alike—but their love and commitment is stronger than ever. So strong that Zander’s ready to ask commitment-shy Felix the question of a lifetime when he’s interrupted. The Chaos is being hacked, and crucial, top secret information about the project that created Zander—and his fellow super soldiers—has been leaked.

Neither man could have expected the enormity of what’s discovered at the end of the data trail: an entire colony of super soldiers run by the very doctor who changed Zander’s life forever. And now she needs them both—Zander to train her new crop of soldiers, and Felix’s new crystalline arm to stabilize their body chemistry.

With help from the unlikeliest of allies, Zander, Felix and the Chaos crew must destroy the project and all its ill-gotten information. But when the team is split up and Felix is MIA after a dangerous run, galactic disaster is a very real possibility…and Zander may have missed his chance to ask for forever.

Publisher: Ghost Ship Books; 2nd edition (August 27, 2024)
Publication date: August 27, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 352 pages

Review: Cast A Spell (Mages and Mates Book 4) by Andy Gallo

Rating: 4.75🌈

Andy Gallo writes about family love, family dynamics and relationships so beautifully, no matter what the theme or situations his characters are facing. Whether it’s a fantasy story, paranormal romance or something completely different, it’s in the realistic relationships between the characters he’s creating and the firm, strong foundations on which their lives have been set that we believe in, magical or not.

And that’s never more apparent than in his Mages and Mates series and this novel in particular.

Throughout this series, book by book, we’ve gotten to know the politically powerful , magical Hollen family as the brothers discover their mates and the fact that they’re part of a larger plan to save their world.

Each novel, by design, has slowly been revealing more of a sinister plot to destroy the Great Ward along with the other thread of the ancient guardians, four magical fated mate couple in a designated place, who are being replaced by the newly mated Hollen brothers. But there’s also more to this still evolving series arc and we get more of those elements here.

In Cast A Spell, Gallo delivers several great new twists and it really makes this series even better in terms of character development and the depths of the storylines. It also derives from the family, on two sides at its core.

The Hollen family, the mages , with Otto now being the brother in line to make his own match and potentially be another chosen new guardian along with whoever is his mate. But there’s a secret or maybe a danger he’s hiding.

The other side is a family or herd of unicorns, one known more for its isolation out in Montana. Its oldest son and heir, Thalion Eisenwald, knows he might be the one the Hollens are looking to as a possible match for Otto, or one of his other brothers.

I don’t want to get into the specifics of this wonderfully fascinating and complex story but it’s got brotherly dynamics that feel very familiar and real even when based in a fantasy setting, as well as realistic emotional moments and inner turmoil that comes from the same places that we can relate to. Fear for those we love.

Gallo has given us a strong narrative, full of excitement, great action, and believable character development that happens between brothers and lovers and multiple characters. All that while bringing together the major elements and characters that’s required to move everything forward to a higher, even darker and more complex storyline for the series.

I believe there’s only one book left. And it comes out next year. That’s Spellbound. I can’t wait for that story. But this amazing universe deserves far more attention than this series. And these characters and magical creatures need more attention and stories. I hope that happens.

I highly recommend this series and the book but none are standalones. All must be read in the order they are written in order to understand the characters and the arc development.

Cover Art by Alex Forza

Mages and Mates series:

Break the Spell #1

It Spells Trouble #2

Under a Spell #3

Cast A Spell #4

Spellbound #5 – June 26,2025

Buy link:

Cast A Spell: An MM Paranormal Romance (Mages and Mates Book 4)

Blurb

Otto Hollen has always protected his younger brothers. Three of them have been chosen to be guardians for the next Great Ward, and Otto’s determined to avoid the final position. Yes, being chosen is a great honor, but Otto’s convinced it will force Owen, his youngest brother, to sacrifice himself for the greater good. Otto would rather die himself than let that happen – even if he has to fight the Earth itself.

Thalion Eisenwald should be celebrating. His father, the unicorn alpha, named Thalion to be his heir. It’s what he’s wanted his entire life. So why does the arrival of two Hollen brothers make him uneasy? He’s heard rumors of new guardians being chosen, but those are stories. Besides, Thalion plans to be the next alpha of the herd, not a guardian for the world.

When the Earth chooses Otto as Thalion’s mate, Otto shockingly rejects the bond. Thalion is furious, hurt, and grudgingly impressed. But their brothers’ capture changes everything. To save them, Otto will need to accept the bond with Thalion. Faced with an impossible choice, they desperately search for search for a third option. One that doesn’t result in those they love ending up dead.

Cast a Spell is a 75K word fated mates romance with high-stakes magical battles and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. This fourth and penultimate book in the Mages and Mates series. It can be read as a stand alone, but it’s best to read the series in order. Cast a Spell includes talking swords, ancient curses, and a no nonsense unicorn grandmother who dishes out life lessons with a large scoop of tough love.

Publisher: ; 1st edition (November 21, 2024)
Publication date: November 21, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 290 pages

Review: His Until Christmas (Con Riley’s Christmas Collection) by Con Riley

Rating: 4.5🌈

His Until Christmas is another of Con Riley’s Christmas Collection that involves a group of people from various stories and similar circles of friends. It’s fabulously seasonal, deeply rooted in the special Christmas traditions of the people of the stories and locations they love so dearly. Whether it’s any of the many well known attractions or off the beaten path finds in London or small well trodden pathways in places in Cornwall, Riley makes us see them through the eyes of the characters, as though we look at them with the same vision of knowledge, history, and abiding affection that’s carrying them to those places again and again. We see them in depth , the details sparkling with Christmas lights and lore, magical moments for us and them.

And as the characters, here it’s a torn PA, Jack, fleeing the changes at his office as his beloved boss , Rex , leaves for Cornwall. Rex is leaving London for Cornwall where his husband, grandfather, and new part of their business will expand. He’s been in other stories and is a remarkable man as is his grandfather.

Jack’s upending his life for many reasons, some of which will not be revealed until the end of the story. It’s an emotional, layered tale of grief, remembrance, and love in many respects. And how we deal with those things.

While it helps to have read the other books and know the background history of the foundation and the issues that’s talked about, a reader can pick up enough not to be confused here.

As someone who has read them, it will send me back to read them once more. I remember loving them so much. And I want to remember meeting Rex and his grandfather again.

But this wonderful romantic journey for Jack and Reece ( of the three Trelawney brothers) isn’t to be missed. It’s warmhearted, funny, poignant, and often moving.

And we get to see favorite characters once again at Christmas.

We also get a glimpse at who has the next Christmas story. I can’t wait.

His Until Christmas (Con Riley’s Christmas Collection) by Con Riley is a definite must and a holiday recommendation! Check out all the stories below.

Cover artist: Natasha Snow. Gorgeous cover.

Christmas Collection :

His Last Christmas in London

We Only Kiss at Christmas

His Until Christmas

A Loser By Christmas – Nov 14,2025

His Series:

His Horizon

His Compass

His Haven

Learning to Love:

Charles

Sol

Luke

Austin

Heppel Ever After

Second Chance School:

Second Song

Second Shot

Second Story

Shared-World Novels :

Finding Mr. Fabulous – Rex’s story

A Wedding in a Week

True Brit

Be My Best Man

Buy link:

His Until Christmas (Con Riley’s Christmas Collection)

Blurb

Welcome back to London for another snow-dusted and super-emotional holiday romance from Con Riley’s Christmas collection.

“What do you mean I’ll be someone else’s PA?” I slump, the bell on my Santa hat tinkling. “For how long?”

“Just until Christmas,” Rex promises. “Don’t worry, Jack. You’ll like him.”

Set in a shared world and gift-wrapped with sweet and steamy first times, His Until Christmas is a low-angst friends-to-lovers workplace romance set in London and Cornwall. Each book in this festive collection can stand alone, starting with the much-loved His Last Christmas in London.

Publisher: Figment Ink (November 20, 2024)
Publication date: November 20, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 190 pages

Review: Here Comes Santa Paws (Christmas Falls Season 2 ) by Lee Blair

Rating: 4.5🌈

Lee Blair’s Here Comes Santa Paws , an adorable holiday romance in this year’s Christmas Falls series, is a story guaranteed to entertain and make your Christmas reading lists merry.

It’s got rescue dogs and puppies, matchmaking grandfathers, a sweet/grumpy couple, and a small town full of the spirit of Christmas.

Elias, the Director of the Santa’s Helper Animal Shelter in Christmas Falls,Illinois is the sweet, kind man who is fully committed to the town he lives in, along with his grandfather who raised him. He lives in a duplex, the other half of which is occupied by Roman, a physical therapist whose nomadic upbringing has made him afraid to commit to anything other than his career.

I like that Blair’s characterizations are well written and their histories are realistic rather than drama oriented. It makes for a balanced narrative and men whose relationship with each other and their personal growth within the story a journey we can relate to.

It’s the author using a person’s misinterpretations, or just adolescent’s perspective on a past reality that impacted their life in a way that feels believable.

The characters are charming and their own romance heartfelt, especially when it comes with adorable dogs. And a grandfather to love as well.

I’m really enjoying the second season of Christmas Falls, and this is another winner. It’s a definite recommendation.

Cover art by Morningstar Ashley Designs

And check out all the books in the Christmas Falls series, both 1 and 2.

❄️Christmas Falls, Season 2:

❤️The Snuggle is Real by DJ Jamison

❤️Flake It til You Make It by Beth Bolden

12 Dates of Christmas by Brigham Vaughn

❤️Here Comes Santa Paws by Lee Blair

Under the Mistle-Foe by Rye Cox Christmas Beau by Amy Aislin

No Business Like Snow Business by J.A. Rock & Lisa Henry

Frost Impressions by Kelly Fox

Promise Yule Be Mine by Rhys Everly Mingle All The Way by Hayden Hall

❄️Christmas Falls, Season 1:

Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison Snowbody Loves You by Jacki James Get Frosted by Amy Aislin

Silent Knight by Beth Bolden

Under the Mistle-Tome by Sammi Cee

Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox

No Elf-ing Way by Hayden Hall

Ready, Set, Glow! by Rye Cox

Scrooge You! By Brigham Vaughn

Buy link

Here Comes Santa Paws

Blurb

When a sunshiny cinnamon stick with paws-itively purrfect holiday plans meets a grumpy Grinch neighbor with a smokin’ hot… chimney, bells aren’t the only thing jingling.

I spend all year gearing up for the Christmas Falls festival season. Those five weeks are showtime for the animal shelter, and I’ve got it down to a science to help all my four-legged friends find their furever homes.

My well-oiled machine goes off track when I discover a massive leak at the shelter. And Grandpa, my only family, is recovering from a hip replacement, and I can’t stop worrying about our latest shelter dog. To put a star on the top of my anxiety tree, Roman, my Scrooge neighbor, is giving me a hard time about the festive decor on my half of our duplex. It’s not my fault I’ve got more Christmas spirit in my pinky than he does in his entire broad-shouldered body.

But something about Roman tells me he could love Christmas and this town as much as I do if he just gave them a chance. I don’t care if I’ve got a thousand other priorities on my list, I’m making it my holiday mission to get him to let down his guard and show me the wonderful and caring man behind the terse talk and award-winning RBF. It’s like opening a present on Christmas morning and seeing exactly what you wanted from Santa.

It’s all tinsel and sugar cookies until my heart decides it wants Roman under the tree. But his New Year’s resolution is to leave town, and I can’t let myself fall for a man who doesn’t plan to stick around.

Christmas Falls is my forever home. How do I convince him it could be his?

Christmas Falls: Season 2 revisits a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie. It’s a multi-author M/M romance series.

Publisher: Bosta Books (November 22, 2024)
Publication date: November 22, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 252 pages

Review: His Mate By Resistance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 2) by Mel Aitchess

Rating: 4.75🌈

There’s certain books and series that just so grab your attention that they make you think why haven’t you been reading this author all along? Especially when it’s a trope that’s a common must have for you.

That’s what comes to mind when reading Mel Aitchess’ Lunetti Pack series, a paranormal fated mate crime family romance series. That’s a bunch of elements and tropes that just ticks all my boxes, narratively speaking. And the author does it outstandingly.

Now on book two and Aitchess’ series gives us the hugely broken brother of the criminal Lunetti pack, brother to the Alpha and its IT hacker.

There’s basically three crime families that run the city. One’s a vampire clan, one’s all witches, and lastly, there’s the Wolf pack, the Lunettis. The author gives the reader a beautiful map in the beginning to help establish the territories and city’s layout in our minds. It’s needed because one of the series storylines is a murderous mystery and suspense driven plot of an anonymous character/group trying to drive a wedge between the three factions. That’s a great story as a foundation for all the other plotting and elements to overlay.

Because prior we’ve known that Luca has a tragic, traumatic past that has made the pack overly protective and turned him into an angry, solitary being. Scenes from the first book are now seen from his perspective and with more knowledge than we had previously. It builds a compelling narrative and complicated character.

Adding to this is another great character, that of the previously neutral water witch, Cal, who owns the hot night club, Hex Rated, we saw too in His Mate By Vengeance #1 . Cal and his club get fully fleshed out into his amazing water witch personality, complete with his water powers explored. Then it’s taken up a notch.

Aitchess is weaving a brutal tale about two men with damaged pasts, in terrifying situations, under horrific strain and they still build a relationship, while not wanting to immediately accept what’s apparent.There’s rightfully trigger warnings for violence among other things.

There’s magic, brutality, crime, family, betrayal, fated mates, everything you would expect from a paranormal mafia romance, but more, complex, and the situation is ongoing into the future stories. I’m beyond frustrated I have to wait because I’m so addicted to this universe and characters.

The next book promises to be even more epic and dangerously exciting. Looks like several rereads in my future before then.

Both books, to be read in order, are highly recommended. A must read each.

Cover by Camberion

Lunetti Pack:

His Mate By Vengeance #1
His Mate By Resistance #2
His Mate By Allegiance #3 – October 12,2025

Buy link

His Mate By Resistance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 2)

Blurb

His boy deserved better. He deserved to be the centre of someone’s world.

Luca stumbled on something he shouldn’t have and now someone’s trying to kill him. If only he knew what and who. He hates that he has to use his hacking skills against his own pack as he hunts down the traitor. He hates it even more when his Alpha sends him away for his safety. Hex-Rated—the hottest gay nightclub in New Trinity—is the last place he expected to be hiding out. The water witch who owns it better keep his damn hands to himself.

Cal has no time for the three crime families that run the city. He’s worked hard to keep his club on the right side of the law. That’s all put at risk when a favour for a friend has him faking a relationship with a Mafia wolf shifter. Luca’s a criminal and there’s no way Cal would go there for real. Even if the shifter brings out every protective instinct in him. Even if Luca is so good for him despite himself.

His Mate By Resistance is an enemies to lovers MM Paranormal Romance. It’s book two in the Lunetti Pack series, but can be read as a standalone. It features forced proximity, a fake relationship, knotting, a water witch Daddy, and magic sensory play. There is no mpreg in this world.

— His Mate By Resistance: MM Mafia Shifter PNR (Lunetti Pack Book 2) by Mel Aitchess

Publisher: Mel Aitchess (November 19, 2024)
Publication date: November 19, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 260 pages

Review: Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss (Once Upon a Holiday story) by Sammi Cee

Rating: 4🌈

Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss by Sammi Cee is another story in the Christmas series, Once Upon a Holiday, a 8-novel multi author holiday offering.

Cee’s story is low angst, sweet, full of found family and holiday romance, wrapped up in about 95 pages.

Grumpy work from home IT guy gets new neighbors, divorced dad with adorable kids, great ex wife, and cute dog. A reluctant relationship develops between them and it turns into a happy family, finally at Christmas.

The connection to all the books in this series is The Hook’s Book Nook Traveling Library, a library or bookstore ,depending on the book , on wheels owned by Jane and Cybil, two old ladies in love. It’s a brief element here. Didn’t need it except that’s it’s part of the series theme.

Cee’s got a lovely story and warmhearted ending. A win for the season.

Cover design by Kelly York

Once Upon a Holiday series – 8 books:

Once Upon a Second Chance by Davidson King

Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss by Sammi Cee

Once Upon a Holiday Vacation by Annabella Michaels

Once Upon a Lullaby Lane by K York

Once Upon a Christmas Con by Skylar M Cates

Once Upon A Christmas Song by Mary Calmes

Once Upon a Yuletide Romance by RJ Peterson

Once Upon A Goth Dog Solstice by R L Merrill

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Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss

Blurb

There’s no place like home for the holidays…

Especially if you hate them and want to pretend they don’t exist.

When the older man moves in next door with his two loud children and irritating pets, I ignore them. I don’t want my life to change.

Except it does. Between him and his kids, someone’s always knocking on my door needing something.

Or wanting to share delicious baked goods or a meal. I don’t need nice neighbors. I don’t want people in my space—especially ones with small, dirty fingers and a million questions.

But there’s something about his smile. The twinkle in his eyes and his merry laugh when it comes to all things festive…

He’s making me wish and dream and hope for holiday magic and mistletoe kisses. He’s making me believe in family.

Once Upon A Mistletoe Kiss is a part of the multi-author series Once Upon a Holiday Story. Each book can be read as a standalone and in any order. What links these books together is The Hook’s Book Nook Traveling Library, a library on wheels owned by two old ladies in love.

Publication date: November 19, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 95 pages

Review: The Snuggle is Real (Christmas Falls Season 2) by DJ Jamison

Rating: 4.5🌈

Tis’ the season for holiday stories and series and I’ve dived into Season 2 of a holiday favorite, Christmas Falls.

Christmas Falls, that small town in Illinois whose residents lives for all things Christmas. It’s alive in every aspect of the town’s culture, from the names on its streets to the shops to the festivals it’s renowned for.

Through each book, different authors have been building a sense of community and connected relationships. Shops and couples from prior stories pop up in current books and romances under development.

DJ Jamison’s couple starts with Mason of the Holiday Hope Foundation (coat drive, angel tree, raising awareness of the needs of the community). He’s a good man, still finding his way into the community and with the Foundation, as he’s given new funding and support for expansion. And it’s Christmas.

Into his path comes a man in need of help in every way possible. Ford has lost his job, is barely coping when his ex-wife’s lawyer calls unexpectedly, asking him to come pick up Charlie his young stepdaughter . His ex wife is going to rehab and Charlie needs a guardian and a safe place to stay.

An adorable child at Christmas, a proud overwhelmed man who loves his kid deeply even if she’s not his biological child, a foster dog even, and a magical town. And a giving heart in a man who lives to help others.

Yes, definitely a heartwarming, holiday story that I absolutely loved. Even the ex-wife wasn’t a terrible person but one of a layered personality who loved a child she couldn’t care for.

There are a few quibbles but this is a terrific story and one I definitely enjoyed. Add it to your holiday reading list!

And check out all the books in the Christmas Falls series, both 1 and 2.

❄️Christmas Falls, Season 2:

The Snuggle is Real by DJ Jamison ❤️

Flake It til You Make It by Beth Bolden ❤️

12 Dates of Christmas by Brigham Vaughn Here Comes Santa Paws by Lee Blair Under the Mistle-Foe by Rye Cox Christmas Beau by Amy Aislin No Business Like Snow Business by J.A. Rock & Lisa Henry Frost Impressions by Kelly Fox

Promise Yule Be Mine by Rhys Everly Mingle All The Way by Hayden Hall

❄️Christmas Falls, Season 1:

Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison Snowbody Loves You by Jacki James Get Frosted by Amy Aislin

Silent Knight by Beth Bolden

Under the Mistle-Tome by Sammi Cee

Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox

No Elf-ing Way by Hayden Hall

Ready, Set, Glow! by Rye Cox

Scrooge You! By Brigham Vaughn

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The Snuggle is Real

Description:

I never saw this Christmas gift coming…

When my ex-wife lands in rehab, I get a surprise for the holidays. A 7-year-old girl who’s got no place to go. I love my former stepdaughter like she’s my own, but I have no idea how to give her everything she needs.

In a holiday-crazed town like Christmas Falls, it seems inevitable I’ll let her down.

Unless I finally let go of my pride and accept help from the new director of the Holiday Hope Foundation. Mason West is eager to lend support however he can. And when I let him, he goes above and beyond.

For Charlie’s sake. Not mine. Even if I maybe, kind of, wish that it was for me.

I’ve never been into men before, but Mason is so sweet, so giving, so…perfectly sized to snuggle in against my holiday sweater. Maybe if I can figure out what all this means, I can gain more than a daughter for the holidays.

Maybe I can keep the gift I’ve always wanted most—a family of my own.

Christmas Falls: Season 2 revisits a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie. It’s a multi-author M/M romance series.

Publication date: November 12, 2024
Language: English
Print length: 262 pages

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