Tag: Scattered Thoughts Highly Recommended

Review: Dead Serious Case #5 Madame Vivienne (Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed) by Vawn Cassidy

Rating: 5🌈

How to review or even begin to describe absolutely magnificent heartbreakingly extraordinary narrative chaos?

Vawn Cassidy brings this incredible series to a close in a story that has a reader in gut wrenching sobs, for heartbreaking reasons and for ones that spring from immense joy. There’s scenes of such high comedy as well as low, drunken hilarity and madcap humor to go along with moments of heart stopping fright and one’s of such intense pain that you feel like you’ll break.

The relationships the author has built between the characters in this series covers so many facets of love. It’s the depth of love between a father and son, now at the end of the father’s life from a disease that’s slowly torn through his mind, losing himself and his memories. It’s the love between best friends who have been through the best and worst of times together and are still there for each other. It’s the love of found family and friends supporting each other and the bond between them. And the deep connection and romantic love that comes from being with the best person you know is the one who knows you and accepts you for who you are.

Cassidy has given the reader all of this through many characters and their relationships. We’ve come to know each of them, watch them grow and the relationships develop through story after story. Our emotions are heavily invested and, here, we are in every single moment and scene as the final chapter in this series plays out.

Did I laugh so much at a certain point that my dog left the room? Why yes, I did. And did I cry so much at a certain moment, that it brought her back into the room to check on me? Also yes.

But this is a journey that is one that ended beautifully. Even better than I had imagined.

No spoilers . And we will be seeing more of the crew in new adventures to come.

Dead Serious Case #5 Madame Vivienne (Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed) by Vawn Cassidy is a gorgeous book. It’s emotionally compelling and an exceptionally well written finale that’s one of the top books in my recommendations list as well as the series.

Read them in the order they were written.

Love the covers!

Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed:

✓ Dead Serious Case #1 Miz Dusty Le Frey #1

✓ Dead Serious Case #2 Mrs Delores Abernathy #2

✓ Dead Serious Case #3 Mr Bruce Reyes #3

✓ Dead Serious Case #4 Professor Prometheus Plume #4

✓ The Grim Adventures of Death and Chan: Vol. 1 (a Dead Serious Companion novella) – Side story

✓ Dead Serious Case #5 Madame Vivienne – series finale but not the end

Crawshanks Guide to the Occult :

◦ The Little Shop of Curiosities Cursed Object #1 – coming 2025

Buy Link:

Dead Serious Case #5 Madame Vivienne (Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed)

Blurb:

For one brief shining moment, the utter insanity that is Tristan Everett’s world makes sense.

He’s marrying the man he loves, has a dead drag queen for a bestie and is surrounded by an amazing found family. Okay, so his life isn’t exactly what you’d call normal. By day, he’s a quiet, mild-mannered forensic pathologist, but the rest of the time, he guides lost souls into the light. He’s also averted an apocalypse, stopped Chaos from coming through a magic door, and drunk tequila with Death.

It’s all a bit bonkers, but it’s his life… and he loves it.

He’s flying high but, like Icarus, it’s only a matter of time before he’s brought crashing down to earth with singed wings. The strange reality of his life intrudes once again when his friend, Madame Vivienne, is murdered, and it’s clear from the beginning that this is no ordinary killing.

Someone is using dark magic.

Viv’s soul has been bound, leaving her trapped and unable to communicate. Tristan, Danny, and their friends must uncover the truth and find the killer. But the deeper they delve into the old bookshop in Whitechapel, which has been in the Crawshanks family for generations, the darker and the more dangerous the secrets that begin to unravel.

And what they discover may just change their lives forever…

• Publisher: (April 3, 2024)

• Publication date: April 3, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 299 pages

Crawshanks Universe Novellas/ Spin offs

The Grim Adventures of Death & Chan Vol 1 (Website Exclusive)

Blue Thunder (Website Exclusive)”

Review: Gary the Once and Former King: MM Fantasy Romance (The Unwanted King Book 2) by Isabel Murray

Rating: 5🌈

Well, based on this series alone, Isabel Murray is a new must read/autobuy for me. These are simply breathtakingly memorable pieces of storytelling. At once brilliantly subtle works of characterization and yet still hilariously funny, threaded through with heartbreaking pathos, and sweet romance.

Such amazing work on the part of this author. From the subtle world building to deeply layered characters, from the laugh-out-loud scenes and dialogue to quiet moments of conversation and those of revelatory sexuality, it’s an amazing narrative journey Murray takes us and her characters through.

I so appreciate the subtlety with which Murray is able to create a depiction of her character’s background and the layers of that history without actually stating any specific facts or graphic details. We don’t have to know exactly what happened to Gary in his horrific adolescence, what abuses specifically he was subjected to, and we don’t have to. Thanks to Murray, it’s written into his demeanor, the manner and care in which those around him now treat him, the poor sense of self he carries. This is such an amazing portrait of a person that Murray has sensitively built that Gary speaks to us, engages with us on many emotional levels.

And it’s not just Gary. It’s every character. From the brilliant Magnus, whose history is one that’s enabled him to control a network of dubious spies and assassins to keep Gary safe to consorting with some unlikely friends. All this is guessing from the hints and subtle clues left by the author along with more new information about some beloved supporting characters and new friends as well. Truly astounding work here considering its peripheral role in the story but its bulwark narrative nature in Gary’s world.

I will be so disappointed if this series is really over at two books. Yes, sweet, beautiful Gary gets finally to be a Former King and live with Magnus in his new home. But Murray has gone and extended the already deeply loved family with new intriguing characters, mysteriously familiar looking lords, and possibly new connections. All important supporting characters or new introduced characters with impactful roles to play.

Yes, please, I want more.

Consider both stories a must read.

The Unwanted King:

✓ Gary of a Hundred Days #1

✓ Gary the Once and Former King #2

Buy Link:

Gary the Once and Former King: MM Fantasy Romance (The Unwanted King Book 2)

Blurb:

The Kingdom of Estla is in turmoil. Power plays, intrigue, and plots seethe in the corridors of power. And Gary of a Hundred Days, Last of the Tyrant Kings is…well.

He’s dead.

That’s what (almost) everyone thinks, anyway.

As far as Gary’s concerned, they can go ahead and keep thinking it. He’s busy living a whole new life with his beloved Magnus on a homestead in the heartland of Caithen—a kingdom where they don’t want to kill him—and he’s learning all sorts of interesting things about exactly what it means to be a husband and a bondmate.

Okay, he’s trying to learn. It’s turning out to be a lot harder than he thought.

Callin, the ex-stable lad and Gary’s new (first!) best friend, has been less than helpful when it comes to giving Gary the correct advice on how to proceed in intimate matters.

The books Gary ordered for instructional purposes are taking forever to arrive.

And just as he’s starting to make progress in the bedchamber, Gary’s past as the rightful King of Estla rises up once more…

Gary the Once and Former King is a sequel to Gary of a Hundred Days. It’s a low-angst fantasy romantic comedy in which a sheltered ex-king continues to undergo quite the awakening at the hands of his rugged ex-stable master, and everyone’s still way more interested in kissing and romance than in all that rightful heir to the throne business.

And this time?

Gary’s definitely getting his happily ever after.

• Publisher: (February 26, 2024)

• Publication date: February 26, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 242 pages

Review: Under a Spell: An MM Paranormal Romance (Mages and Mates Book 3) by Andy Gallo

Rating: 5🌈

Well, that was one fabulous romp through a fantasy romance! Mages and Mates has turned into a fantastic series, full of great characters, dynamic relationships, and an intriguing overall series storyline that’s continuing to bring new mysteries and magical elements with each novel.

Under a Spell starts with a murder investigation. A mage ambassador has been killed at the estate of the ruler of the dragons, a mysterious and deadly case for political and magical ramifications.

Sent by the Mage Council to run the investigation is two of the Hollen brothers, diplomat Otto Hollen and mage, Leothius Hollen. We’ve met both before, primarily Leo, but now, since the events of previous books, he’s matured and grown more serious about his profession.

Gallo’s ability to grab the reader’s attention starts immediately. It’s dramatic scenes, engaging personalities, and instant sizzling rapport between Leo and Gundhram, King of the Dragons. They go from awful first impressions to worse second impression and high drama to an unexpected twist that arises from slow revelations .

It’s such a wild and fast paced ride. Gallo weaves a fabulous romantic story with an ever growing darkness that threatens not just those present but the entire world.

It’s black magic, and ancient Guardians waiting to be replaced with their newly discovered counterparts, and the truest villain, who’s always eluding discovery. Gallo’s imaginative, hair-raising storylines weave with high energy and a lot of suspense towards an ending where everything points to even more disaster and chaos coming quickly for the remaining unbound Hollens and Guardian pairs.

It’s an extraordinary series and a fabulous tale. I highly recommend this and the series. Read them in order for events and relationships development.

Mages and Mates:

✓ Spell It Out, prequel

✓ Break the Spell #1

✓ It Spells Trouble #2

✓ Under a Spell #3

◦ Cast a Spell #4 – Nov 26,2024

Buy Link

Under a Spell: An MM Paranormal Romance (Mages and Mates Book 3)

Blurb

Leothius Hollen arrives in Presque Isle, Maine, home of the dragon rulers, to investigate the murder of the mage ambassador. The last thing he expects is to run into the sexy as sin guy who stood him up when he was in gryphon territory. No, that’s not true, the really last thing he expects is the guy is actually King Gundhram. Wait, nope, the absolute last thing he expects is that Gundhram is his mate. What did he do to the universe that the guy who humiliated him, turns out the be the guy he has to spend the rest of his life with?

Gundhram never wanted to rule, but the death of the mage ambassador left his sister in a bad spot, and he returned to Presque Isle to help her deal with the mage inquisitor sent to investigate the murder. How much did karma hate him that the inquisitor turned out to be the guy he’d rejected ten months earlier, but couldn’t get out of his thoughts? Or that this hotter than dragon fire mage still singed his scales like no one else. Finding out they were mates, however, was the ultimate pay back.

Before they settle into the whole mate thing, someone tries to murder Gund’s sister, and Leo nearly dies trying to save her. Once Leo recovers, he and Gund discover the attempted murder was just a diversion for the real threat. When they try to prevent that ultimate threat, they learn, there is an even more ultimate one waiting in the wings. With all the threats emerging, spending the rest of their lives together might not even be long enough to have a proper date.

Under a Spell is 75K word, fated mates romance with a grumpy dragon king, a snarky mage, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. This is the third book in the Mages and Mates series and includes a jealous ex, some very revealing spandex, and a mystery with more layers than you’d need to wear to go outside on a frigid winter day in Maine.

• Publisher: ; 1st edition (March 26, 2024)

• Publication date: March 26, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 268 pages

Review: Pet Delivery by Ofelia Grand

Rating : 3.25🌈

Pet Delivery is another tale from Ofelia Grand that showcases her ability to create and deliver characters and relationships a reader can connect with in a short story.

Her characters are usually outside of the main character format and often have body types that are also very relatable and realistic.

If there’s an issue, it’s that the story length doesn’t leave time for full development or attention to the characters resolving any drama that’s been introduced.

Both of that happens here but the characters are so engaging that the issues surrounding them with the plot (holes, etc) sort of but not completely make up for that.

There’s Gabriel Miller, recently a witness to a murder and now stashed by the cops in a freezing cold cabin in a small town where he is a stranger. Gabe is frightened, missing his cats and sister. He’s so scared and we connect to him immediately, no matter his actions.

Then there’s Chris Hart, whose family owns the cabin and comes to the rescue. Small town is written all over Chris but in the best of small town ways.

Grand’s writing lets us watch them connect and interact with each other over the situation and bond with each other as they grow together.

It’s a lovely story, plus cats and a sister we don’t see enough of.

Pet Delivery needs fleshing out, more development and details to really work and feel satisfying but the heart is there.

Buy Link:

JMS Books :: Amazon :: books2read.com/PetDelivery

Blurb:

Chris Hart owns the only grocery shop in Nortown, but he isn’t exactly overrun by customers. Some days he wonders why he bothers to open the doors at all. Spending his days smiling at the few people trickling in and his nights alone in bed isn’t the most interesting life a man could lead. But when Chris suddenly gets the excitement he’s been craving, it may be more than he bargained for.

Gabriel Miller loves his life. He’s close to his sister, has a job he adores and is the proud owner of one and a half cats. But all of it is taken away when he witnesses a murder. To keep him safe, the police place him in Nortown, of all possible locations.

Chris can’t believe they’re letting someone live in his gran’s old cabin in the middle of the winter. It’s too cold. When the poor man shows up in his shop looking to buy clothes, Chris’s heart melts, despite the freezing temperature. Gabriel notices the way the shopkeeper looks at him, but it can’t be right. No one looks at a heavyset man with heat in their eyes. Do they?

Review: How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit: Bone 4 (Villainy, #10) by A. J. Sherwood

Rating: 4.5🌈

When last we left our gang of magical adventurers, they had sighted another piece of Steve’s skeleton! It was hoisted on a pirate‘s ship sail and looking like another tough job to obtain it. At least without burning it to the bottom of the sea.

No fireballs sadly.

Tan, Devan , Niran, and the kids and one anxious sentient dragon skull, Steve, are off on another high seas adventure! This time with pirates, spells, and magical lunacy that may or may not include wedding planning at the end!

It’s out of control, fabulous fun! Devan just tries for the minimum of damage , hoping for the best outcome as Tan, Niran and the kids plot to obtain a dragon wing!

Of course, it’s a fantastic story, great ending, new friends, and onto the next bone discovery!

What an epic adventure this has become!

Can’t wait for the next one to be released!

Love these covers.

Series and side stories

💥How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy-6 books

💥How Tan Acquired an Apprentice

💥How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit:Bone series

Buy Link

How I Took the King on a Bone-a-Fide Quest of Piracy, Piemu, and Profit: Bone 4 (How I Stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned him to Villainy Book 10)

Blurb:

Dragon wing located on pirate ship! Board ship? (YES) (NO?!)

Devan: I feel like this is a bad idea.

Tan: Those are the best kind!

Tags:
Steve’s been gagged, Tan’s a dramatic bat, Devan adopts pirates, the crack ship armada is literally sailing, Lesia is adopted by pirates, stickers are fish food, Tan’s volunteered Devan to officiate over weddings

• Publication date: March 29, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 52 pages

Review: Gary of a Hundred Days: MM Fantasy Romance (The Unwanted King Book 1) by Isabel Murray

Rating: 5🌈

I can’t imagine when a new author made me laugh so hard as does Isabel Murray in her Gary of a Hundred Days, the first in The Unwanted King series.

Gary, that naive, gentle, innocent , sweet man who’s awkwardly stumbled through his entire life as the youngest son of a short lived, short reigning, somewhat nasty, royal family.

Now, as the last of his line, however, unprepared and unwilling Gary may be, he’s been dragged out of the family country seat, and into the shadowy political world of being a puppet King.

And that is where this all too human, beautifully written, hilariously memorable story is launched. With Gary in trouble, scrambling, in dire straits, and soon on his way to a new beginning.

We will meet mysterious Magnus, the stable master, who has been a quiet bulwark for Gary at his previous county residence, and get subtle details about exactly how rough Gary’s relationship to his family actually was, including an alluded to abusive adolescence .

But Gary himself comes through as a person one just adores.

Murray’s creation of Gary is so fully inspired, so multi dimensional, that he feels real in a fantasy setting. He’s funny and painfully naive. And when, in two scenes, he utters a three word sentence! It’s both hilarious, perfectly executed, and startling.

And I’ve actually been chortling over that scene several times now since I finished the book. Perfection!

There is such a great feeling here about the characters and the narrative choices made as they journey through the kingdom. We get to know each of them as they’re revealing how much they have always known about each other.

And that ending! Be still my heart!

And now I get the absolute joy of seeing what happens next. I’m heading the next book in the series.

But Gary of a Hundred Days: MM Fantasy Romance (The Unwanted King Book 1) by Isabel Murray is an amazing read and one I’m highly recommending.

Grab it up today!

The Unwanted King:

✓ Gary of a Hundred Days #1

◦ Gary the Once and Former King #2

Buy Link

Gary of a Hundred Days: MM Fantasy Romance (The Unwanted King Book 1)

Blurb:

The Kingdom of Estla is in turmoil. Power plays, intrigue, and plots seethe in the corridors of power. And Gary of a Hundred Days, Last of the Tyrant Kings is…well, he’s pretty offended, actually?

Tyrant?

Seriously? Who is making this up?

Gary said no thanks, don’t want to be king, and they dragged him away from all he’s ever known and stuck a stupid crown on his head anyway.

As far as Gary’s concerned, all that political intrigue can go ahead and keep seething without him. He didn’t know or care a thing about it when he was the unwanted son of a backwater lord. He definitely doesn’t care about it now they tried to kill him and he’s on the run.

Minor problem: he managed to escape, but he’s all out of ideas. It’s dark, it’s raining, he’s in the middle of nowhere, and there might be bears. In fact, he’s pretty sure one is following him.

Luckily for Gary (it’s about time he had some good luck) his ex-stable master tracks him down, and it turns out that Magnus has more than a few interesting ideas about Gary and his future.

More specifically, about their future.

Gary of a Hundred Days is a low-angst fantasy romantic comedy in which a sheltered ex-king undergoes quite the awakening at the hands of his rugged ex-stable master, and everyone’s way more interested in kissing and romance than in all that rightful heir to the throne business.

Somehow, despite an entire kingdom wishing him dead, it’s starting to look like Gary might just end up with a happily ever after?

(Unless that really is a bear following him.)

• Publisher: (September 7, 2022)

• Publication date: September 7, 2022

• Language: English

• Print length: 172 pages

Review: Oracle: Chosen Champions Book Five by Macy Blake

Rating: 5🌈

Oracle is a book that most readers will bring a compendium of knowledge about the universe, characters, and the impending crisis that the main characters immediately face. That’s really necessary.

For Macy Blake has been building up to this book through multiple series and standalone novels in the Chosen One universe to culminate in the events that occur during this story.

The gods, the magical warfare, all the stolen children that were used as experiments, all the ongoing trauma and battles, along with the mate bonding. Its leads to Oracles’ story and the being tormenting those around him, the manticore. Plus the gentle bear shifter , Dr Ben Jerrick, who has come to love Koios and his family.

Blake has written a beautifully balanced, excellently crafted novel that keeps the main character of Koios aka Oracle, in the narrative spotlight while also being able to continue with the forward movement of the other important universal themes. That’s the mystery behind this corrupt manticore, its background and the dark magical schemes behind its heinous actions.

It takes many of the main characters from all the series, banding together, to investigate who the manticore is, and begin the counterattack against it. That’s a storyline that’s not only thrilling but compelling as we’re introduced to new characters and another enlargement/explanation for Koios’ damaged body and magic.

All the while, along side, Koios, is Dr Ben Jerrick, healing, listening, giving him the support he needs and quietly loving him. Ben has been a strong staple of this universe since he was first found by Sam as a frightened young bear cub trying to escape with his younger “siblings “ from the horrors they’d endured as experiments. We’ve watched Ben grow and develop into the wonderful, thoughtful being and doctor he is here. So it’s everything that it’s his story as well.

Blake pours her heart into her characters and her excellence into the plotting to bring them and all the many themes and threads together to a great completion that’s satisfying and emotionally rewarding and powerful.

It makes me want to go back to when Sam first finds this young frightened, hurt group of mixed young shifters and his world and theirs is forever changed. What a journey!

That’s Sweet Nothings in case you’ve forgotten. I’m heading back to it now.

In the meantime, I’m highly recommending Oracle: Chosen Champions Book Five by Macy Blake . It’s outstanding but read the entire series. There’s a reading list of the book titles and series order on her website. Also at the end of each book.

Here too.

Happy reading!

Chosen Champions:

Logan #1

Gideon #2

Aleron #3

Scout #4

Oracle #5 – series finale

Oracle: Chosen Champions Book Five

Blurb

Koios, AKA the Oracle, is a man with a mission: hunt down and destroy the manticore who’s been tormenting his pack. There’s only one thing standing in his way…a giant, stubborn bear named Ben Jerrick.

• Publisher: (March 23, 2024)

• Publication date: March 23, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 295 pages

The Chosen One Suggested Reading Order

1. Sweet Nothings – Prequel – The Chosen One

2. The Trouble With Love – Nothing But Trouble, Book 1

3. Santa Trouble – Nothing But Trouble, Book 2

4. All or Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 1

5. Nothing Ventured – The Chosen One, Book 2

6. Hell on Earth – Hellhound Champions, Book 1

7. Double or Nothing

8. Next to Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 3

9. Hell To Pay – Hellhound Champions, Book 2

10. Give Him Hell – Hellhound Champions, Book 3

11. Nothing Gained – The Chosen One, Book 4

12. Stop at Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 5

13. Sweet Spot

14. All Kidding Aside – Magical Mates, Book 1

15. Stop Kidding Around – Magical Mates, Book 2

16. I Kid You Not – Magical Mates, Book 3

17. Sugar Honey Iced Tea – Magical Mates, Book 3.5

18. Hell Breaks Loose – Hellhound Champions, Book 4

19. Logan – Chosen Champions, Book 1

20. Gideon – Chosen Champions, Book 2

21. Jamal – Chosen Champions, Book 2.5

22. Cosmo and the King*

23. Aleron – Chosen Champions, Book 3

24. Scout – Chosen Champions, Book 4

25. With Kid Gloves – Magical Mates, Book 4

26. Oracle-Chosen Champions, Book 5

• I suggest putting Cosmo and the King before Oracle but that’s my opinion.

Review: Cosmo and the King by Macy Blake

Rating: 4.75🌈

While the author lists this as a standalone book, it’s not. It falls strongly before the last several books in a couple of the Chosen One series, specifically because Cosmo plays such an important role in the events that happen there and are referenced here.

And most significantly, I believe it exists as a huge part of the foundation knowledge needed for the finale book in the Chosen Champions series, one that feels like it ties up this universe. That would be Oracle, fifth book that brings everything and everyone together.

But first, back to this joyous journey of Cosmo back to his mate , King Silenus. Or perhaps more precisely, Silenus’ own development and path back into Cosmo’s life in the human realm. Their shaky reconnection, and the absolutely perfect courtship that follows.

Blake pulls in new characters and old friends to help them out and let them find their way back to each other, building new strength and confidence in their bond and ability to grow with each other.

I loved every second of the time I spent reading this romance. And it makes what’s coming even more precious and grounded.

Cosmo and the King by Macy Blake is an amazing story with fantastic characters. It’s a must read within an outstanding universe of series.

Buy Link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Cosmo…Cosmo and the King by Macy Blake – Kindle

Audio

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Digital

Published: February 7, 2023

Edition: 2nd Edition

Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza

Audio

Listen Length: 02:35:00

Narrator: Michael Dean

Blurb:

When Cosmo learns the faun king is in the human realm, he panics. See, Silenus happens to be his fiance… and he’s never told any of his friends in the human realm that he ran away on his wedding day, leaving his king at the alter.

Silenus made a deal with the devil–the queen of the fae–when he learned the human realm was going to be closed, keeping him separated from his mate and betrothed. He has to track down Cosmo and convince him that they are meant for each other, even though his stubborn fiance seems determined to challenge him at every turn.

Cosmo doesn’t know Silenus’s secret, though, and now the hunt is on. Silenus is facing a dark and dangerous path, and he wants nothing more than his consort at his side. He’ll follow his mate anywhere, even to the depths of the human realm, to prove to Cosmo they are meant to be together..

Now he only has to convince his stubborn mate to stop running…because no matter how long the chase lasts, Silenus will eventually catch him.

The Chosen One Suggested Reading Order

1. Sweet Nothings – Prequel – The Chosen One

2. The Trouble With Love – Nothing But Trouble, Book 1

3. Santa Trouble – Nothing But Trouble, Book 2

4. All or Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 1

5. Nothing Ventured – The Chosen One, Book 2

6. Hell on Earth – Hellhound Champions, Book 1

7. Double or Nothing

8. Next to Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 3

9. Hell To Pay – Hellhound Champions, Book 2

10. Give Him Hell – Hellhound Champions, Book 3

11. Nothing Gained – The Chosen One, Book 4

12. Stop at Nothing – The Chosen One, Book 5

13. Sweet Spot

14. All Kidding Aside – Magical Mates, Book 1

15. Stop Kidding Around – Magical Mates, Book 2

16. I Kid You Not – Magical Mates, Book 3

17. Sugar Honey Iced Tea – Magical Mates, Book 3.5

18. Hell Breaks Loose – Hellhound Champions, Book 4

19. Logan – Chosen Champions, Book 1

20. Gideon – Chosen Champions, Book 2

21. Jamal – Chosen Champions, Book 2.5

22. Cosmo and the King

23. Aleron – Chosen Champions, Book 3

24. Scout – Chosen Champions, Book 4

25. With Kid Gloves – Magical Mates, Book 4

26. Oracle-Chosen Champions, Book 5

Review: The Misfit Mage and His Dashing Devil: Diabolic Romance Book One by MN Bennet

Rating: 4.5🌈

I love it when I hit a literary trifecta. A new author, new book, and a new series in one swoop. That’s what I’ve done with the wonderfully devilish romance, The Misfit Mage and His Dashing Devil: Diabolic Romance Book One by MN Bennet.

MN Bennet, an author new to me, weaves an imaginative story about an awkward young mage whose magnificent mind works much better than his ability to actually master any magical spells . Wally is instantly someone who a reader can relate to and invest in emotionally. He’s spends his days categorizing, cataloging, analyzing, and in some cases, working on the magical artifacts of an enormous collection of a University’s archives. A collection that happens to include an orb containing the Devil Beelzebub or Bez, who was captured by the mage who owns the archive.

Wally and Bez have an interesting history and the storyline that follows is a fast-paced, high action mystery that includes several plot twist and turns. What an absolute treasure!

It’s all enemies, then frenemies, and then as circumstances and personal revelations pull them closer, Wally and Bez become, realistically by this time, something much more.

The author does a great job in building the story and the characters relationship, giving them and us slow reveals about each other’s own journey to their current situations. Both get to show growth and continued depth of development in their respective personalities and their relationship.

It ends , as it should, in a HFN. There’s another story coming and I can’t wait.

I’m putting this out there as a definitive recommendation! It is a great ride!

Diabolic Romance:

✓ The Misfit Mage and His Dashing Devil #1

◦ The Misfit Mage and His Darling Demon #2 – June 10,2024

Buy link

The Misfit Mage and His Dashing Devil: Diabolic Romance Book One

Blurb

Apprentice mage Wally spends his days cataloging rare artifacts and dreaming about finally mastering his magics and living the adventures he’s always desired. Bez, a once mighty devil who craves the freedom of the outside world again, despises his confinement inside a powerful object. His only company now comes from the mages working within the archives he’s stored. Among them, the most annoying of them all, an anxious and considerate Walter.

When the archive is attacked, Wally and Bez each seize the opportunity to achieve their dreams—and inadvertently create a magical link between them. With so many lives lost in this assault on the mage headquarters, Wally’s connection to a dangerous devil makes him a threat and a target, forcing the pair on the run. Wally sees Bez as a sadistic devil, and Bez finds every word out of the mage’s mouth grating. Even so, they’ll have to work together to unravel the true threat in the city or they won’t live long enough to enjoy the lives they’ve both desperately wanted.

• Publisher: (October 9, 2023)

• Publication date: October 9, 2023

• Language: English

• Print length: 348 pages

Review: The Earl and the Executive: An Imperial Space Regency Novel by Kai Butler

Rating: 4🌈

As a long time fan of the novels of Georgette Heyer, I’ve loved to see the trope of regency romance given various interpretations by other writers, whether it’s keeping the stories within the same genre‘s era but in a LGBTQIA framework. Or, as Butler and a few others have , taken Regency Romance right into Space and beyond!

The Earl and the Executive is the first of three released Imperial Space Regency novels by Butler, a must read author for me. And I wasn’t aware that these books were available.

The story of Tiral Oican , newly poor, newly made heir to the family’s title, lands and much indebtedness, and his desperate attempt to save his family is a lovely classic Regency tale. It’s got all the expected appeal, twists, and elements we hope to see out of our Regency romances.

Tiral is a brilliant engineer who’s having to give up his career as a professional aeromech designer/engineer/professor at a university to become the head of his family, the Earl of Gret , albeit an extremely poor one once they discover the dead brother has mortgaged the estate to the hilt.

Like many a regency romance, Tiral finds there’s nought to do but offer yourself up to a rich family for marriage. Let the games begin!

Butler’s space tale plays by the rules of romance by bringing in a self made, handsome billionaire in disguise, Zev. Zev has a complex history and background. I wish he had been more fully explored than he came across. At least as far as family and the people around him. Tiral is a fully developed person and that extends to his family and friends.

Outside of the romance, the world building is fascinating in how Butler combines a variety of tropes , pulling together a diverse range of ideas and sciences to create the foundation this exists within.

There’s several types of investigations. Business, law enforcement, or just nosy! Butler has thrown in Steampunk inspired inventions, Regency dress (of course), as well as people with augmented features. And it all comes together smoothly.

Zev’s pursuit of Tiral towards the end was a bit frustrating but more in keeping with the tradition of this particular style of romance.

I absolutely enjoyed The Earl and the Executive: An Imperial Space Regency Novel by Kai Butler and am going through to the next in the series.

It’s a definite yes as a recommendation!

Imperial Space Regency series:

✓ The Earl and the Executive #1

◦ The Barony Bet #2

◦ The Inconvenient Count #3

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The Earl and the Executive: An Imperial Space Regency Novel

Blurb

An impoverished earl…

Tiral Oican has inherited his brother’s title, estate, and the tremendous debt his brother took out before his unexpected death. There is only one option to save the estate and all the people who are now depending on him: marry a rich heir who is willing to pay off the debt in exchange for Tiral’s title.

Now, scholarly Tiral must transform himself into a seductive fortune hunter. The only way he can see through the mess is by hiring a tutor in love. It’s too bad that Zev is so good at his job that Tiral is falling for him.

And a rich entrepreneur…

To protect his heart, Zev Laft has spent years fooling the ton into believing he’s no more than an entertaining flirtation. He just didn’t expect the ruse to work so well that the newest penniless earl to arrive on Lus for the season would assume him a demimonde and try to hire him to be his instructor in courtship.

Now one of richest men in the empire finds himself struggling to keep up the façade, when his own heart is being taken by a man he has no intention of marrying.

The Earl and the Executive is a slow burn stand alone 90,000 word MM Regency Romance Novel set in space with a HEA.

• Publisher: Kai Butler (April 6, 2020)

• Publication date: April 6, 2020

• Language: English

• Print length: 288 pages

Science Fiction Romance

Regency Historical Romance