Tag: Scattered Thoughts Highly Recommended

Review:  Operation Magma: A PNR / Special Forces / Protector MM Romance (Operation Volcano Book 1) by Annabella Stone

Rating: 4🌈

I just recently finished my first LGBTQIA military suspense romance book from Annabella Stone when I noticed she had taken her love and passion for military service relationships and turned it towards a PNR series.   Operation Magma is the first in her new paranormal black ops special forces series.  I really enjoyed it, especially as Stone approaches the shifter character element from a very different and interesting perspective. 

Taylor *Trace* Reeves is an ancient warrior who fought for the honor of being the one left behind to guard the gate after the King of the Fianna and all the others left for Tyr Na Og. He is the Hound of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, both man and fearsome wolf, two distinct beings in one.

Most shifters have their beasts an integrated aspect of their characters. They might shift from one form to another but the basic “personality” remains the same. Here they are completely separate, two different personalities, right down to their own names. The man is Travis, and the wolf is Bran. They coexist within the same body and have conversations about their situations. 

It might take some adjustment for readers who are more familiar with shifters of the first description but once you have made the connection, it’s fascinating and easy to invest in this aspect of the story.

Stone’s creativity about the Hound of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the mythology and foundation behind his life is layered and fascinating.  I’m hoping that because of the storylines, the connections to the other characters, we will get further exploration to fill in some of the gaps left here.

This is a fated mate’s romance built in with a special forces operation that’s also , I expect, finding a new mission. So many elements and characters have to be introduced in this story that it’s a bit jam packed.  Some holes are bound to be left open.

But the important elements are all there. All the characters are great, not just the main characters and couple.  I love the journey of Travis/Bran and John “Juice “ O’Leary, his fated mate take.  Really it’s just getting started as this book ends.  There we see a new tighter unit being developed in special forces Volcano with the great characters we have gotten to know.  

I’m assuming each getting their own story. Viper is next up.

I’m highly recommending this book and series. 

Volcano unit:

CO Kelvin “Viper “ Dare  Volcano 1

John “Juice“ O’Leary,Volcano 2

Kazan “Kaze” Black  Volcano 3

Michael “Reaper” Rodriquez  4

Zane “Zero” Morgan  Volcano 5

Taylor *Trace* Reeves/Bran , Volcano 6

 Cover Art: Golden Czermak

Operation Volcano series:

🔹Operation Magma #1

🔹Operation Caldera #2 – July 1,2025

Buy link

        Operation Magma: A PNR / Special Forces / Protector MM Romance (Operation Volcano Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Taylor *Trace* Reeves has served in various branches of the military, and in multiple human wars over his life time which spans millennia. Once the faithful hound of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, Trace continues to protect the innocent and fight the wars of man. He will continue to keep his presence a secret from humans, even the ones he calls brothers.

Over time, the return of Fionn and The Fianna has faded out of the memories of man and into their myths and legends. Yet Trace and his wolf, Bran, still wait for the sound of the Dord Fiann, the hunting horn of the Fianna, to sound three times.

When the call comes, The Fianna will arise and Trace and Bran will once more be the hound of The Fianna. Until then, his mission is to keep the men he guards alive, by any means necessary.

Operation Magma is the prequel novella to Operation Volcano.

  • Publisher: Embers Romance LLC (November 5, 2023)
  • Publication date: November 5, 2023
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 178 pages

Review:  Don’t Come For My Operator: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 1) by Annabella Stone

Rating:4.75🌈

I came into this book absolutely not having read any of the many connected series and books in this complicated black ops universe but I still found myself throughly invested in the gripping story and the complex characters.

Don’t Come For My Operator: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 1) by Annabella Stone is part of a black op universe of multiple stories, series and characters that cross over into each others lives and missions as they often work together and for the umbrella agency. 

While not having a deep understanding about how the foundation of the universe works or all the various aspects of the characters dynamics, Stone lays down the basic concepts and gives the reader a clear explanation of how they interact and work in the field so it’s believable and meaningful.

Whether as a lone operative or as part of a team, these men come across as exactly what Stone is trying to accomplish. 

Throwing the reader right into a tense undercover black ops mission seen first hand from both perspectives of Black Ops Reconnaissance Operative, Black Squadron, Elijah *Rogue* Dunmore, in Afghanistan because of a caravan on its way to a fragile peace mission. Inside one of the trucks is CIA Ground Branch Operative Travis *South* Zimmer, escorting tribal leaders to a peace meeting he helped broker. 

The tension starts building immediately, then everything goes explosive. The scenes are realistic without being raw , gritty and suspenseful.  From then on out these men are on the move, danger is literally everywhere, and nothing is safe. 

There’s a mystery, escape, battles, and a red hot romance between Travis and Elijah that develops as they travel through Afghanistan , back to the US, and as the plot gets more complicated, beyond the US boundaries.

Stone brings in characters and teams from all parts of the agency which helps solidify the relationship and world that’s being created around Travis and Elijah.

If I had a quibble, it would have been to have drawn out the dramatic scenes at the end so it felt as though the villain(s) were fully aware of the situation as well as taken down.

I definitely can’t wait for the next book in this series to be released. 

I’m definitely recommending this and will be running back to catch up on it other series.

Cover Design: Golden Czermak

Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron:

🔹Don’t Come For My Operator #1

🔹Don’t Come For My Night Stalker #2 – Feb 28,2025

See all connected series below.

Buy link

        Don’t Come For My Operator: MM Military Suspense (Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron Book 1)

    

Blurb

If you come for him, you deal with me!

Former Navy SEAL, and current Black Ops Reconnaissance Operative for the elite agency, Black Squadron, Elijah *Rogue* Dunmore has spent most of his adult life running ops and working solo missions in some of the worst places on earth. Working alone adds the edge of danger he craves to keep his life interesting. He has one last mission to complete, overwatch for a peace talks convoy at a border crossing on the notorious AfPak border, then its crunch time. He must decide if he takes the offer to rotate into a desk role, or if he hangs up his weapons and walks away from the world of Special Operations which defines who he is. This mission on a border which has cost him so much over his career, may take that decision out of his hands, by sneaking temptation right into his world.

Former SEAL and CIA Ground Branch Operative Travis *South* Zimmer, has one final task to complete before he’s up for promotion. Escorting tribal leaders from Afghanistan to peace talks in Pakistan sounds doable. But peace talks have the potential to stop wars and stopping wars costs arms dealers’ money. When Travis’s mission goes to hell in a handbasket because someone is determined his convoy will not make it through the Hindu Kush, rescue comes from an Overwatch Operative who calls to the one thing Travis has always guarded—his heart.

Blindsided by an attraction neither can resist; Elijah and Travis need to make it to safety, and they need to do it without compromising, their jobs, their teams, and most of all their hearts.

Can these Tier One Operators find it within themselves to say, ‘when the battle stops, let me love you.’

  • Publisher: Embers Romance LLC (October 16, 2024)
  • Publication date: October 16, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 372 pages

Full list of Crossover Series of Connected characters/couples and Agencies in the same universe in order:

🔹DELTA FORCE: TEAM PANTHER Jonah’s Compass 

Tied Up In Steele 

Malik’s Redemption 

Micah’s Promise 

Christmas-Panther Style 

Grif’s Salvation 

Jason’s Justice 

🔹TAGS OF HONOR: RED SQUADRON 

Zenko 

Noble 

Don’t Let Go 

Drax 

Roman  

Saxon 

Rees

🔹DELTA FORCE TEAM LYNX Salvation’s Sinner 

Redemption’s Rebel 

Temptation’s Tango 

🔹THE GHOST PROTECTORS 

To Love A Ghost 

To Claim A Ghost 

To Tame A Ghost 

🔹Tags Of Honor: Black Squadron:

Don’t Come For My Operator #1

Don’t Come For My Night Stalker #2

🔹SHORT STORIES 

They Won’t Ask If We Don’t Tell (Delta Force Team Panther)

Review:  Trust in the Moon (Tales from the Tarot story) by Delaney Rain

Rating: 4.5🌈

Major arcana card The Moon

Trust in the Moon (Tales from the Tarot story) by Delaney Rain was just adorable.  It had just the right amount of charm, engaging characters, and a great story that had a cute little twist or two in it that made me laugh and want more.

Honestly? Miami drag queen wedding in a Colorado mountain resort setting? Yes! Add in fated mates, spicy best friends, shifters and a mystery and I just enjoyed every minute of this.

Rain did a lovely job adding in the series theme and carryover element of The Magic Shop, The Owner, and the tarot cards. In fact, here there are some things i wished had further exploration, like those volumes of family history that are passed on at the end of the book. 

The author has included so many other things I really enjoyed. Other characters that caught my eye because of their personality or story (Fabian and Matt-the wedding couple, Charlie, one of the “bridesmaids”), unusual elements written into the shifts and recovery, all contributed to making me love the story and wishing that the book was longer.  Or that Rain would consider making this a series in its own. 

Gavril, Sacha’s little brother, needs more attention. And members of both sides of the aisle of the wedding. Just a prequel too because  Fabian’s drag queen name is a thing of beauty! 

So I really enjoyed Trust in the Moon (Tales from the Tarot story) by Delaney Rain.  Another highly recommended book in this fantastic series. 

Cover art: Fae Quin . Fabulous as always 

Cover design: Amanda Meuwissen

Tales from the Tarot- 22 books 

🔷 Where Fools Have Tread by Jennifer Cody❤️

🔷The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson

🔷Cleric of Desire by Amanda Meuwissen❤️

🔷The Nephilim’s Touch by Morgan Lysand

🔷King of Hollywood by Fae Quin

🔷My Minotaur Daddy: An MM Romantasy by Laura Lascarso

🔷Across Space and Time by Kit Barrie

🔷Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason

🔷By Rude Strength ❤️by K.L. Hiers

🔷Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose

🔷Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley

🔷No Justice for the Damned by Hellie Heat

🔷The Angel’s Kiss by Nicholas Bella

🔷Death Song by B. Ripley 

🔷Arcanum ❤️by Ashlyn Drewek

🔷The Devil’s Dilemma by Alex J. Adams

🔷Camelot’s Tower by Brooke Matthews

🔷A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star

❤️by Chloe Archer

🔷Trust in the Moon ❤️by Delaney Rain

🔷Raising the Sun by Eryn Hawk

🔷Zero Judgment by Kota Quinn

🔷The End of the World by Drake LaMarque

Buy link

        Trust in the Moon

    

Blurb 

Fresh off of a bad breakup, Zeke Castro is done with men and love even though he’s in a resort town in Colorado for his cousin’s big gay wedding. After a ruggedly handsome man kisses him in the hotel lobby, though, Zeke realizes his heart might not be so frozen after all.

Sacha Lupescu knows he’s found his fated mate and though he’s thrilled, he already knows that his mother won’t be. He needs to find a way to change her mind while also revealing his truth to Zeke without losing him.

Secrets ruined Zeke’s last relationship, and he’s started to notice that Sacha has a lot of secrets. But when the truth finally comes out, Zeke will need to decide if he can accept that fate is real and that he has a place in a world more magical than he ever could’ve dreamed.

Trust in the Moon is a standalone MM romance novel as part of the multi-author collaboration Tales from the Tarot. This book is based on the major arcana card The Moon with elements of trust issues, instalust/instalove, a bisexual awakening, pack politics, knotting and biting, shifted shenanigans, and a happily ever after.

  • Publication date: October 21, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 148 pages

Review:  A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star (Tales from the Tarot story) by Chloe Archer

Rating: 4🌈

A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star, while definitely in the Tales from the Tarot multi-author series, is firmly rooted in Chloe Archer’s Monster Hollow universe and her latest novel from that, The Gargoyle and the Romance Writer.  

The main gargoyle characters here (and an unfortunate member under going punishment here), are met for the first time in that book. And in a delightful fashion, several characters get mentioned here too in terms of written passages from their own books or novels. It will make the reader seek out those novels to see what happens with them and their romantic adventures.

But there’s plenty to keep a reader entertained and invested in the shenanigans and adventures of one outgoing, positive human, Noah Price , and his gargoyle fated mate, Elryk DarkWing.

From the moment he connects with The Magic Shop and its mysterious Owner who, with the gift of a tarot reading, Noah gets a renewed happy energy and direction in his life that sees him flying off to Scotland and his fate.

Archer’s character of Noah is instantly likable. Positive and outgoing without being naive, able to take care of himself, he’s so easy to connect with.  Easily that American abroad in Scotland  or human amidst a bunch of otherworldly beings, he’s that person who can make it work either way. 

This is a fated mate instant bonding relationship but it does work here because of Noah and Elryk.  Archer has them in an isolated place and precarious situation, and then creates other characters we can equally enjoy and relate to as a support group for them.

As this is the first is a new sequel series set in Scotland, I can’t wait to see the others get their partners/fated mates too.  Should be entertaining as this one.

If you’re a fan of Archer’s Monster Hollow series or the author, definitely grab this up. The characters are charming, the story entertaining, and the ending satisfying. I look forward to the next one in this series.

Tales from the Tarot- 22 books 

🔷 Where Fools Have Tread by Jennifer Cody❤️

🔷The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson

🔷Cleric of Desire by Amanda Meuwissen❤️

🔷The Nephilim’s Touch by Morgan Lysand

🔷King of Hollywood by Fae Quin

🔷My Minotaur Daddy: An MM Romantasy by Laura Lascarso

🔷Across Space and Time by Kit Barrie

🔷Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason

🔷By Rude Strength ❤️by K.L. Hiers

🔷Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose

🔷Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley

🔷No Justice for the Damned by Hellie Heat

🔷The Angel’s Kiss by Nicholas Bella

🔷Death Song by B. Ripley 

🔷Arcanum by Ashlyn Drewek

🔷The Devil’s Dilemma by Alex J. Adams

🔷Camelot’s Tower by Brooke Matthews

🔷A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star

by Chloe Archer

🔷Trust in the Moon by Delaney Rain

🔷Raising the Sun by Eryn Hawk

🔷Zero Judgment by Kota Quinn

🔷The End of the World by Drake LaMarque

Buy link

        A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star

    

Blurb 

A gargoyle hotter than Goliath (IYKYK) meets a human bad luck magnet with a coveted power that attracts trouble like catnip does cats. Is it destiny or disaster?

Noah Price

When a mysterious magic shop owner draws the lucky tarot Star card for me, I drop everything and hop on a plane to Scotland for the bucket-list trip of my dreams. Outlander (and Highlander, for my fellow nerds), eat your heart out!

Chaos ensues from the moment I arrive and before I know it, the danger turns deadly. Then a smoking hot gargoyle-slash-Highland warrior swoops (literally) in to rescue me—and in a super sexy kilt, no less. Swoon!

My bad luck must be turning good because I’ve finally met the man–I mean, gargoyle–of my dreams. But Elryk DarkWing doesn’t share my optimistic outlook on life and our budding relationship soon has to take a back seat to a threat to our world. I believe in destiny, though–and I’ll make sure we get our HEA!

Elryk DarkWing

Guarding a powerful magic ley line in the heart of the Highlands has been the responsibility of the DarkWing clan for centuries. This wasn’t the path I’d wanted for my life, but here I am.

That is, until my fated mate shows up, an attractive wee human with a surprising ability and all kinds of trouble hot on his heels.

Can such a delicate being survive among battle-hardened gargoyles that risk life and limb every time there’s a threat to the ley line we protect? Can he adapt to this isolated life, removed from most of human society? Answer—not bloody likely.

Noah’s unique power has drawn the unwanted attention of friend and foe alike, and I soon realize keeping Noah safe is a Herculean task. I won’t back down though, because maybe…just maybe…Noah’s right, and our destiny’s is written in the stars.

A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star is the first book (72k) in a spinoff series set in the Monsters Hollow universe and featuring the DarkWing gargoyle clan in Scotland.

  • Publication date: October 17, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 278 pages

Review:  Guardian (On the Wind Book 2) by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes

Rating: 4.5🌈

Guardian is not the book I expected it to be.  Knowing that Hector was going to The Wall, with the Crane Clan, to defend the borders of Nemeda against the southerners in their never ending war, I expected non-stop battles, bloodshed, and angst. 

Especially from Hector, a man who has lost everything and has arrived in a new land where he has no status, no martial skills.  And the youngest, most gentle sibling he’s always protected, due to love and responsibility, is the one who has ended up rescuing not only himself but Hector and their sister (Sanctuary). He’s a very tragic, wounded figure in many ways.

But Burns and Fawkes delivers a great story and fantastic characters in a narrative that will go into a more intimate, emotionally powerful world, rather than a larger, action packed adventure. 

Hector, in a story that sees himself redefining his thinking about his life and future, is paired with a man who, once the layered are revealed, is similar in his own mind and history. That’s Killian, war Chief of the Crane Clan, whose interesting internal family and child raising structure has produced a person who understands the burdens of responsibility that Hector has borne since adolescence.  

Having Hector and Killian work together and struggle with their own issues as well as Hector’s need to redefine who he is as a man in a new world, needing new ideas and skills, is a brilliant way to bring them closer together and to make them relatable to the reader.  Hector’s insights into why he’s so torn, unhappy, and confused are thoughts that anyone can understand.  So too are those of Killian’s as he seeks to help Hector while still struggling to stay apart emotionally.  It all makes sense and their relationship is one I couldn’t get enough of. The authors writing is so skilled in detailing their emotions and dynamics.

I was thrilled to see both siblings again in important roles and emotional moments together.  That sister has found her home in Nemeda as the fierce consort to the Chief of the Raven Clan, is no surprise as we saw the women together at the end of the first novel.  Men and women rule Clans in Nemeda, something that’s not true to the north and south, so I wonder if it will play into future plans.

The authors have created such a great background and culture for the Crane Clan (along with the many other clans) that it’s easy to get sidetracked imagining more than just the cultural tidbits that are being given out. There’s a wealth of riches here throughout the whole story and series, and it’s goes into making this a beautiful, compelling book.

The ending was as astonishing and satisfying as the storylines that led up to it.  And it made me anticipate the next in this fabulous series even more.

Guardian (On the Wind Book 2) by Sam Burns and W.M. Fawkes is an excellent read as is the series. Absolutely recommend!

Cover art © 2023 by Natasha Snow Designs

On The Wind series:

Sanctuary #1

Guardian #2

Harbor #3 – November 14,2024

Buy link

        Guardian (On the Wind Book 2)

    

Blurb 

Only months ago, Hector was in his deathbed. Now, he’s fled his home, abandoning everything he’s ever known to protect his family. But in Nemeda, Paris and Helena don’t need their older brother to provide for them. Unmoored, Hector struggles to find his purpose, until a conniving Nemedan chief questions their legitimacy in the clans. The three refugee siblings must each serve a year on the wall, fighting in the unending war with Nemeda’s southern enemies, but Paris and Helena have carved a place for themselves in their new home. Hector alone is unanchored, and to keep his family safe, determines to serve all three years himself.

The chance to get close to formidable silver-haired chief of the Crane Clan—a man who looked at Hector at his weakest and saw value still—is only a faraway dream.

Killian has led the Nemedan war effort for twenty years. Duty and fairness surpass every other concern, but with Hector of Urial stationed in his lands, he finds himself bending rules that have kept Nemeda secure for generations. While Hector tests his boundaries, he also makes Killian question his assumption that love has no place in war, or in his life.

Killian will move armies to see Hector safe, but with a war looming and the threat of an illness that might steal Hector’s life as easily as any enemy blade, they’re on a collision course with fate that will change the whole land.

  • Publication date: October 24, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 299 pages

Review:  The Nøkk and the Jock (Creepin U Book 1)  by Leslie McAdam

Rating: 4.5🌈

I love it when I learn about different cultures or areas of mythology through stories.  Here it’s about the Nøkk, a Scandinavian or Norse being that shapeshifts into a water dwelling human form that lures people by violin playing and/or drowning by screaming. That’s a simplified version of a complex,  widely accepted concept of a being used in gaming , storytelling derived from mythology. 

Even better when I get to know them through a series that will introduce a cast of characters, inhuman and otherwise, as they study for various degrees and live together in the dorms of Creelin University, aka Creepin U. 

The characters, human and otherworldly, are well defined and their personalities are absolutely engaging, especially as they grow and develop the more they interact with each other and the other beings/community around them.  

The Nøkk, Steve Job as he’s originally called at the beginning because he had to choose a human name , is a wonderful creation.  A thoughtful unhappy young person who has chosen to separate himself from his country and species because he doesn’t want to be like them or follow traditional Nøkk ways. It’s guitar and songwriting over the violin, and he definitely doesn’t want to gather up any souls.  

Steve is a great character. Leslie McAdam has made his true name as well as his natural form a important part of the narrative, a definitive element of not only Steve and Brandon’s relationship but of Steve’ growth personally throughout the story. 

Brandon, the human roommate and water polo player is another character that has hidden depths to his character.  Too easily framed out as a “golden retriever “ personality, that glosses over the many layers the author has created for him here.  He is, in fact, a complex person, and that’s a factor in making not only the relationship work but this story as well.

There’s so much to him, Steve, and the framework that McAdams has laid down in the book that makes me want further exploration and tales from this universe and couple.  They are now surrounded by friends, a supportive family and a great journey ahead of them. I would love to see more of them in another story.

This series is turning out to be splendid and The Nøkk and the Jock (Creepin U Book 1)  by Leslie McAdam is a definite recommendation. Check them out!

Cover Art & Formatting by Whimsical Reverie Design LLC.  Fabulous work. Love the cover.

Creepin U series:

  • The Nøkk and the Jock by Leslie McAdam #1
  • Dryad, Try Again by C.D. Rachels #2
  • Vexing the Viper by Ashley Rayne #3
  • Penn and Incubus by Essie Sloane #4
  • Surviving His Gaze by Rorie Kage #5

Buy link:

        The Nøkk and the Jock

    

Blurb

You’re formally admitted to Creelin University—known locally as “Creepin U.” The only things wilder than the monster shifters prowling around campus are the spicy male-male love stories unfolding between classes. The Nøkk and the Jock is book one, starring an emo shapeshifter and a sunshine human. Each book is a stand-alone M/M spooky romance, but we hope you enroll in them all.

Brandon:

I’m pumped to be one of the first humans to attend a monster university, but a minor, negligible, insignificant issue arises almost immediately: My new roommate wants to drag me to his underground realm and take my soul.

He’s a nøkk who could almost pass for human, except his webbed fingers and entirely black eyes give him away. In my attempt to befriend him, I give him three drops of my blood, a black animal, and a bottle of vodka (I hear it’s a nøkk thing). Which apparently triggers some ancient bonding ritual. My bad.

I must admit I’m into him. Maybe those online tests that say I’m only mostly straight are right. But there are a few hiccups: I can’t know his real name. He won’t show me his true form. And he’s both an omen and a cause of drowning … which is troubling, since he’s on the water polo team with me.

Still, something about him calls to me, even if it shouldn’t.

The Nøkk:

This human is mine.

Stay away from him.

The Nøkk and the Jock is a monster-human bi-awakening M/M romance starring Brandon Fernandez, a golden retriever of a human being, and the prickly, melancholy nøkk. It features puzzling emoji text conversations, a monster who can stop waterfalls in midair, and drunken scareoke (monster karaoke). HEA guaranteed.

  • Publication date: October 1, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 264 pages

Review:  Arcanum (Tales from the Tarot story) by Ashlyn Drewek

Rating: 4.5🌈

Tarot card: Temperance 

I’m familiar with Ashlyn Drewek’s other dark paranormal novels so I was thrilled to see her work here in this series.  Arcanum is exactly what I hoped for and a story I enjoyed immensely. 

Drewek’s novel is gripping and so well written.  From start to finish, it pulls the reader into a suspenseful plot that’s grows into a larger anxiety ridden, terrifying, complicated element, as we get to know the characters and their histories. 

The author has also created a town that becomes as much of a living entity as the characters are. We get to explore the streets and atmosphere of small town Mapleton, with its hair salons, tight knit community, and townspeople.  All of which we have taken to heart as much as we have the main couple. 

Drewek’s characters include a haunted witch of the fabulous name, Greyson Darkholme.  Now there’s a name to remember.  He’s fled to town hoping for a new start in life, for reasons I’ll leave to the storylines.  His next door neighbor is a K-9 police officer, Chris Brandt and partner Nitro. Extremely relatable and believable characters, man and dog .  Love them both.  In fact, Chris’ character and his role as a police officer is beautifully executed.  His suspicions, fact checking, everything about his behavior screams cop. Especially when it pertains to family and town. Which makes Greyson’s later statements and observation about the importance to Chris of the badge and uniform even more interesting and on point. 

There’s so many elements and different storylines that Drewek’s woven into a complex novel that makes it all work.  A bisexual awakening, a magical revelation, a way of writing a ex girlfriend in a manner that makes us understand and appreciate her . Monica is a treasure! All the details here that just keep adding up, the characters, the baking, the warmth and reality of community.

Is it perfect? No. I absolutely disagreed over the choice of having Greyson withhold so much information from Chris. That was frustrating.   

But the rest ? Loved it and I really wish that Drewek will revisit the characters and location in a future story.  It’s too fantastic to remain one book.

Last note: Excellent use of the tarot cards, deck , and chosen card as well as The Magic Shop and The Owner. One of the best yet. 

Highly recommended!

Cover art: Fae Quin . Fabulous as always 

Cover design: Amanda Meuwissen

Tales from the Tarot- 22 books 

🔷 Where Fools Have Tread by Jennifer Cody❤️

🔷The Magician’s Heart by J.P. Jackson

🔷Cleric of Desire by Amanda Meuwissen❤️

🔷The Nephilim’s Touch by Morgan Lysand

🔷King of Hollywood by Fae Quin

🔷My Minotaur Daddy: An MM Romantasy by Laura Lascarso

🔷Across Space and Time by Kit Barrie

🔷Chariot of Souls by Morgan Mason

🔷By Rude Strength ❤️by K.L. Hiers

🔷Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose

🔷Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley

🔷No Justice for the Damned by Hellie Heat

🔷The Angel’s Kiss by Nicholas Bella

🔷Death Song by B. Ripley 

🔷Arcanum ❤️by Ashlyn Drewek

🔷The Devil’s Dilemma by Alex J. Adams

🔷Camelot’s Tower by Brooke Matthews

🔷A Highland Gargoyle’s Lucky Star

by Chloe Archer

🔷Trust in the Moon by Delaney Rain

🔷Raising the Sun by Eryn Hawk

🔷Zero Judgment by Kota Quinn

🔷The End of the World by Drake LaMarque

Buy link

        Arcanum

    

Blurb 

From the moment his new neighbor moves in, K9 officer Chris Brandt senses there’s something not quite right about the guy. His instincts are confirmed when he discovers the mysterious Greyson Darkholme is the prime suspect in a murder investigation—a murder that wiped out his entire family.

Despite his best efforts to keep his distance, Chris is captivated by Greyson’s eccentric charm, awakening desires he never knew he had. As they grow closer, it becomes evident that Greyson is hiding something. Determined to uncover the truth, Chris faces a shocking dilemma when Greyson’s secrets come to light.

To protect the man of his dreams, the dedicated officer must confront the ultimate question: how far will he go for love?

ARCANUM is a standalone paranormal MM romance novel and part of the multi-author collaboration Tales from the Tarot. This book is based on the major arcana card Temperance.

This book contains themes intended for a mature audience and reader discretion is advised. A full list can be found in the front matter of the book and on my website under Tropes & Triggers.

  • Publisher: Fox Hollow Books (October 7, 2024)
  • Publication date: October 7, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 450 pages

Review:  Passing Through Purgatory: Passing Through Cafe #1 by Nik Knight 

Rating: 5🌈

Nik Knight’s new rom-com urban fantasy new novel and the first installment in her new series is utterly stunning.  Passing Through Purgatory: Passing Through Cafe #1 by Nik Knight caught my eye by that cover and then by the description.

But the actual story surpassed all my expectations by being not just a great story, but one that brought such immensely diverse, believable cast of characters, human and otherworldly. Each with their own unique and fully defined sense of being.  Complete physical elements, emotional and spiritual elements, and often, as I think Knight will explore further, some hurtful, damaging aspects to their background and histories in the Hell Universe (just another world where trains run late and bigotry exists that feels very familiar).

The universe and characters are ones I connected with immediately. It starts with human Oliver Barnes, living in Chicago with friends (love Jude). He goes for a job interview in Greed district of Hell’s Pentagram but    in one realistic scenario (even if it’s in Purgatory), he misses his train. 

And in doing so, finds something else that is, everything he could possibly want.  But first he needs to go through the doors of the Passing Through Cafe. 

There Knight gives us the most chaotic place, a cafe of owners and employees who will become Oliver’s found family. Each one such a distinctive being who quickly find a place in our hearts. I found myself forgetting that the lovable Gem, is an Araknis (think spider with a great butt) as well as many eyes and arms. After a while, it was Gem, who actually had a fragility about him that endeared him even more. Same thing with Rusty the Pyclon, a pink walking Care Bear with a snarky attitude that hides a damaged past. I mean there’s 

Tad the Anura,  a tough dishwasher,

Willow the empath dyad who’s a baker assistant to the fabulously gorgeous Glyma the succubus baker.

And Zef the asexual winged Mantodea , who is sometimes a drag Queen and cafe greeter, along with the handful, handsome demon Toni the Elas. 

Quinn, owner and  partner to Glyma, along with Bob, a question mark of a species who lives in the office and resembles a bug, complete the cafe found family.

It seems like a lot, but how Knight introduces them to Oliver (and the reader) folds them beautifully into his new dynamic and the world view we are seeing.  Their lives and respective personalities as well as personal backgrounds will start to be revealed the more Oliver becomes a deeply entrenched part of their lives. 

Because the Hell world has its intricacies as far as status, bigotry, speciesism, and it’s divided along racial or specific lines and into territories.  This element is still being explored. But the basic concept is laid down and it’s ugly in its reality. And how it impacts our little group. 

I look forward to seeing what happens next.  Because while there are scenes of absolute hilarity here, there’s some of moments of such pain, of past history that’s so bad that it’s unmentionable.  Both hit hard because we’ve come to care so much about our group of characters.

And that includes the final one I haven’t mentioned yet. Liel Karakis  the Gymnot lawyer from the Greed district. He’s the one that Oliver falls for. A fantastic relationship and romance, but albeit not human in its sexual scenes. As it should be because Liel isn’t human.  But for Oliver, it’s the person who matters, not the body. And Knight has been as imaginative in this element as she is in every other aspect of the story.

Beautifully executed and well done. 

I’ll end this saying I was so excited to see the narrative flow to the ranch, every part of that storyline, and the family. A glimpse into the Christmas visit would be amazing, because you know the gang is going to have to go too.  Just saying, pretty please?

I honestly need Gratification in Gluttony now.  I highly recommend this and the author. Just fabulous.

Cover Design © 2024 Priska Mills

The Passing Through Cafe 

  • Passing Through Purgatory #1
  • Gratification in Gluttony #2  (Coming winter 2024

Buy link:

        Passing Through Purgatory: Passing Through Cafe #1

    

Blurb

When Oliver applied for a job in the Hell dimension on a whim, he didn’t expect it to turn his whole world—or his heart—entirely upside down.

Recently graduated at twenty-six, and two months behind on rent, Oliver Barnes is desperate. So desperate, in fact, that he applies for a job in the Greed district of Hell’s Pentagram. But when he misses his train and, subsequently, his job interview, he stumbles, instead, upon a strange little coffee shop in the middle of Purgatory’s barren desert—and into an unexpected opportunity.

It isn’t the job he came to Hell for, but maybe it’s exactly the job he needs.

As he navigates the demon dimension and tries to survive the ridiculous shenanigans of his unholy co-workers, Oliver soon falls head-over-ass for a tentacled lawyer with electric fingers and a deadly-sharp grin. Together, they discover that, sometimes, love and happiness can be just a train ride away.

Join Oliver and the rest of the eccentric staff of The Passing Through Cafe in Nik Knight’s new rom-com urban fantasy series, full of found family, embarrassing encounters, spicy situations, and love that crosses dimensions.

  • Publication date: September 13, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 395 pages

Review: Dragon’s Folly (Wings Over Albion Book 3) by Joy Lynn Fielding 

Rating: 4.5🌈

Dragons, mysteries, romance and multiple ongoing storylines. Yes please. I’m just loving this series by Joy Lynn Fielding.  Her Wings Over Albion just got more intriguing while expanding the series foundation knowledge and known dragon families previously laid out. 

Now , as the book begins ,the fearsome, totally powerful head of dragons, Abimelech Mortimer, has call a moot, a gathering of the heads of the dragon families in a neutral location, for a major announcement. As well as other purposes on his agenda. 

As the dragons rarely leave their own territories, this is an exceptional event, fraught with challenges and potential undertones.  A fabulous way to introduce the characters and the stakes involved with the players and challenges faced. 

We see briefly, some of the characters of the other novels. But our immediate attention will fall on the newest characters and dragons. As it should because they are remarkable. 

Especially Ollie Shaw. Ollie is that character who shows astonishing growth from the awkward, somewhat disrespected lesser member of his family to dragon who lives and loves largely. His journey, which encompasses that of Archer Talbot, and his siblings Tim and Mia, is revelatory.  We rejoice with him and Archer, along with Mia and Tim, as they shift in their thinking, struggling with their own personal pasts, and restructure into a believable, magnificent warm-hearted family. One we dearly want more of in the end. 

Fielding adds to the dragon mythology and knowledge she’s building as well as bringing more dragons of color into the series.  Everything is weaving together into a fabulous series tapestry that melds King Arthur, mystery, dragon politics, and love.  I can’t help to see what happens next.

This is beautifully written, fantastic characters and gorgeous plots.  Highly recommended!

Cover art

Wings Over Albion:

  • The Red Dragon of Oxford #1
  • In the Dragon’s Lair #2
  • Dragon’s Folly #3

Buy link

        Dragon’s Folly: MM paranormal romance, Wings over Albion, Book 3

    

Blurb

Falling for him would be pure folly. I know that. Now all I have to do is convince my heart…

Allowing a strange dragon into my home was not my idea.

The Assembly assured me it was necessary, though. And that’s how I ended up with him.

Ollie Shaw is clumsy. Unfairly hot. He stumbles through my life leaving a trail of chaos and sunny charm in his wake.

And I hoard every moment with him like he’s my greatest treasure.

But with an entire dragon territory to rule, bills to pay, and treachery brewing in my family, I can’t afford to be distracted by Ollie’s copper-gilded beauty and boundless enthusiasm.

I especially can’t give in to my dragon’s primal urge to claim him.

Because loving him could cost me everything I’ve fought so hard to protect. And that would eventually come back to bite us both—with dragon’s teeth…

Dragon’s Folly, Book 3 in the Wings over Albion series, is a sweet and spicy, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity paranormal m/m romance.

  • Publisher: Independently published (October 9, 2024)
  • Publication date: October 9, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 287 pages

Review:  Composed at Randy’s (a Diner Days story) by Zile Elliven 

Rating:4.5🌈

Zile Elliven is one of those terrific authors who I so admire their writing. I was really happy to see a new release from Elliven that also came with a new multi-author series to explore as well. 

Composed at Randy’s by Zile Elliven is among the eleven books of the new Diner Days series, centered around a LGBTQIA friendly diner.  The covers are colorful and an absolute delight as are the stories and characters if this one is an indication of what I’ll find here.

I’ve read other reviews where these wonderfully crafted, so engaging characters were called “himbos” and the reviewers meant that in the best sense. But, imo, Wren, an artist, and Bael, the rock singer, come across as having brain synapses that just fire differently than any one else’s.  Wren is unlike any other character I’ve read recently. He understands that he’s unable to self care and needs the support system that’s been established for him (Marty, Shelly and Kai).  We get glimpses of Wren’s past, the journey taken to become his true self, and his understanding that being trans is a situation that requires extra awareness.  Wren feels so real in depth of personality that reducing him to a “himbo” seems unfair.  To Wren , the author’s work, and this book.

Same goes for Bael.  His glimmering of deeper awareness of what might be possible in various situations is a developing element.  Part of revealing more about him, their journey, and the formation of a larger group of found family and friends.

Bael, his friends (and band members) which are the equal counterparts to Wren’s support group, are marvelous. Big in personality, interesting in a multitude of ways, they cry out for their own stories.  How I love Mel!

In fact, my biggest issue is that there’s so much great work here, fabulous characters with backgrounds we need, additional stories going forward, just more, that it’s almost more than this book can convey or indeed cover.

I’m highly recommending Composed at Randy’s (a Diner Days story) by Zile Elliven and looking forward to seeing what the rest of the series brings.

Cover Art by Cormar Covers. Love it!

Diner Days series -11 books:

🔷Written at Randy’s by Katherine McIntyre

🔷Final Boy at Randy’s by Loren Leigh

🔷Cramming at Randy’s by Alex Silver 

🔷Temptation at Randy’s by Emily Alter

🔷Hitched at Randy’s by A. E. Madsen 11/14

🔷Gaming at Randy’s by Duckie Mack

🔷Striking a Chord at Randy’s by K. C. Carmine 

🔷Composed at Randy’s by Zile Elliven❤️ 

🔷Roleplay at Randy’s by Rikki Leighton 11/7

🔷Finding Home at Randy’s by Abrianna Denae 10/24

🔷Aftercare at Randy’s by R.A. Frick 10/31

Buy link

        Composed at Randy’s

    

Blurb

How do I tell the guy I like that I’m not homeless, just a dumbass?

Wren:

Help! I accidentally got kidnapped by a hot rock star who thinks he’s doing the right thing by housing and feeding me. He thinks I’m homeless because my absent manager is the one who remembers petty details like my home address, and my broken phone is the one who knows the numbers of anyone who can prove I am who I say I am. What do I do?


Bael:

Help! My impulse control issues made me kidnap an adorable homeless guy who’s too proud to accept my help. He keeps trying to get away, but I’m pretty sure he’ll starve to death if I let him go. He’s tiny, so I don’t think he’ll take up too much space on the tour bus. I just need to convince him to stay. What do I do?



Love beyond the binary, serving up low angst trans romances at Randy’s Diner.

Composed at Randy’s is a ‘dumbasses in love’, cis male/trans male pairing with a smooth-brained (not remotely smart) genius, a goth himbo, and all the help they can get to achieve their happily ever after.

  • Publication date: October 10, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 179 pages