Review: I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc: Crack Fantasy Adventure Chapter Four by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 4.75🌈

Heading towards the end of this crack fantasy adventure and I find it hard to believe Cody will be able to wrap it all up in the next chapter.

There’s a lot here to take in, more information and plain ol magical stuff about the mystery of the evil miasma that’s threatening Fasgard and the Underthyr, the darkness that started the quest and the gang out on their journey.

Cody gives us more road trip puzzles to solve , entertaining dwarven family dynamics, the emotional ramifications of the deepening new bond between Lawton and Berklak, and revelations of what might be behind the female animosity that’s causing such suffering and chaos across the land. It’s one wild roll of the dice after another as the group interpersonal relationships form new romances and hopes for future adventures.

I can’t wait to see what happens next. And just a note! I love the names here, especially the towns. This is a fabulous example of otherworldly names done right! They fit, they sound astoundingly familiar yet not, and as though they fit in this world. Love them.

Highly recommend this and the series.

Covers are so cute.

Buy Link:

I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc: Crack Fantasy Adventure Chapter Four

Blurb:

Lawton:

I don’t know if I appreciate learning new things about myself. Bonding with Berklak has been eye-opening, but I might be a tiny bit terrified by it, because suddenly I have more magic than I’m supposed to, and now I kind of understand why other necromancers have rampaged across thyr. I’m not saying I’m going to start leaving a trail of bodies behind me, but I’m not saying I’m incapable of it either. And that might have me a tiny bit worried.

Berklak:

My necromancer is worried. I don’t know what’s going on in that beautiful head of his, but his heart beats in the bond between us, and something is stressing him. I’ll get him to talk it out, and then we’ll make a plan, and somehow we’ll figure out what is happening in Fasgard and the Underthyr. But first, I’m going to make sure Lawton relaxes for at least a minute and takes a few deep breaths. Nothing is so bad that we don’t have time for a little self-care.

I Went on an Adventure and All I Got Was This Barbarian Orc is a five chapter serial fantasy adventure with a light-hearted, fun TTRPG vibe. Expect big magic, lots of cuddles, plenty of steam, and a team of characters that might not get a natural 20 on every roll, but they make up for it with creative solutions to both magical and mundane problems

Review: Get Frosted (a Christmas Falls novel) by Amy Aislin

Rating: 4🌈

Get Frosted is a sweet Christmas romance with elements of small towns at Christmas, retired NHL players looking for a new start, home, and love.

This is a low angst story about a family that has two retired NHL players that have returned back home to Christmas Falls after their careers have ended. It’s the younger brother , Mik, who’s the main character, one who has had a long rivalry with/crush with his older brother’s best friend and NHL teammate, Rudy Snow.

This charts their relationship and Rudy’s indecision about staying in Christmas Falls, the longest stretch of stability in his life.

There are so many wonderful elements written into this book. Aislin’s scenes of Mik’s helping one of his young hockey players learn how to high stick properly highlights not only the author’s own knowledge of the game but her ability to bring this moment beautifully to life, making the shared love and passion for hockey, the teaching that’s etched into the ice, sticks and blades feel real and meaningful.

And there’s the decorations, from the Bigfoot collection to the icicles lighting of memory that mean so much to the men, town, and most likely many readers. The author writes that into the narrative in ways that are humorous, and poignant, much as this mixed feelings of this holiday tradition often brings us.

As the relationship develops and grows, we are able to develop a feeling about the town and characters, not just the couple. It turns into a sweet Christmas romance with a sense of humor and touches of small town pride that makes it a lovely read.

Christmas Falls:

✓ Get Frosted by Amy Aislin

◦ Grinch Kisses by DJ Jamison

◦ Snowbody Loves Me by Jacki James

◦ Silent Knight by Beth Bolden

◦ Under the Mistle-tome by Sammi Cee

◦ Clausing a Scene by Casey Cox

◦ No Elfing Way by Hayden Hall

◦ Ready, Set, Glow by Rye Cox

◦ Scrooge You! by Brigham Vaughn

“Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/ M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.”

— Get Frosted by Amy Aislin

Buy Link:

Get Frosted

Blurb:

For years, Mik has wanted nothing more than to put coal in Rudy Snow’s stocking.

As former pro hockey players, they’ve been rivals for years. It started in Mik’s rookie season, when a reporter pitted him against his older brother’s best friend. Rudy pushes Mik’s buttons like no one else, going out of his way to one-up him at every turn.

Now they’re both pub owners in a small town that takes Christmas to a level best seen in Hallmark movies, but not much else has changed. They’re still rivals, this time pitting gingerbread martinis against pomegranate sangria.

But when they’re forced to work together to plan a special holiday party, sparks ignite. Maybe it’s a bad idea to put coal in Rudy’s stocking after all. They both might just catch fire.

Then again, what better way is there to stay warm on a cold winter’s night?

Christmas Falls is a multi-author M/M romance series set in a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie.

Review: The Hitman’s Guide to Codenames and Ill-Gotten Gains (The Hitman’s Guide, #5) by Alice Winters

Rating: 5🌈

I believe this is the last in The Hitman’s Guide series and if it is, it’s a fantastic way to see this series off. I laughed out loud, and at the end, I may have sniffled a bit, because Winters layered in some moving, emotional scenes of deep love and growth for retired hitman Leland and his now husband, Jackson, along with those of outrageous hilarity.

But before we get to those moments, there’s high action, mystery, hilarious murderous hijinks, car chases, explosions, a young teenager in need of help, and, of course, that evil monster, Lukas, still trying to manipulate Leland from behind bars. In short, it’s got all the narrative bells and whistles we expect from this series and characters and more!

It delivers on all our expectations and then goes further into high emotional gear!

What I especially loved about this story was how Winters created her tale, starting with a small time holdup by amateurs, a seemingly throwaway scene. But with this author, the smallest of details , like a barely there character, that threads throughout the many storylines , to end up being a big part of the plot and eventual found family. It’s beautiful fabrication and imaginative storytelling.

And not to be lost among the fireworks and gunfire is the emotional turmoil and toll that exists within Leland, Cassel, and everyone else who is involved with Lukas. That monster manipulator behind bars but still causing emotional damage to Leland’s peace of mind. That’s as well written as the high pitched action and suspense that comes with the comedic timing and moments here that had me in stitches.

Winters balances the moving moments where Leland’s heart and vulnerability shows through with the flat out bad jokes and nonstop violence that’s associated with this former hitman and gang of found family. Yes, Winters has everyone back together here, dogs and mother in law included.

With that combination, this becomes a fabulous narrative ballet of bullets and comedic verbal poetry that absolutely kills it in every aspect!

I’m so sorry to see this series and group of characters go but what a book to end on. It’s a great finale. One I’m highly recommending, along with the series.

Hitman’s Guide:

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love #1

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes #2

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot #3

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Righting Wrongs While Causing Mayhem #4

✓ The Hitman’s Guide to Codenames and Ill-Gotten Gains #5 – finale

Related side story: Cassel’s romance:

✓ The Former Assassin’s Guide to Snagging a Reluctant Boyfriend

Buy Link:

The Hitman’s Guide to Codenames and Ill-Gotten Gains

Blurb:

Leland

Stopping a robbery was only the beginning—to fun, action-filled mayhem. Jackson’s afraid that I’m running headfirst into trouble (again), but I’m not… I’m running gun-first into it. When one of the robbers who’s really just a kid comes begging for my help, I definitely have no choice but to help him.

The kid is convinced his brother has been wrongly accused, and while Jackson My Love might be over there going, “You were hired to look into it, not to go undercover, sink a boat, and hunt down a gang,” I feel like he’s simply confused… because I’m gonna hunt down TWO gangs (and is that a car chase I see?).

Jackson

A simple “Whodunnit” turns into us being targeted by multiple bad guys as we run after them instead of away from them, dragging Cassel and Henry—and some others—along for the ride. I really can’t be the only one who sees the issue here, but… as I watch them race into danger, I’m starting to think I am.

Loving Leland comes easy, but keeping him safe doesn’t because there’s someone trailing Leland who might want to hurt him. The problem is that as Lucas strings us along and tales begin to become tangled, it’s hard to tell who is right and who is wrong.

Contains: Lifejackets used to protect all the wrong things (Leland: all the RIGHT things), the greatest tragedy of ALL TIME (involving The Fence)(even if Jackson doesn’t think so), and the kind of friends that make you realize you don’t need enemies.

Review: Holiday Heart Strings (Hartbridge Christmas, #4) by N. R. Walker

Rating: 5 🌈

I love this series so much and it just keeps getting better with each story. Holiday Heart Strings sees Hartbridge, Montana getting a new elementary school teacher in the form of newly arrived Englishman, Braithe Branson.

Braithe has a temporary position as a kindergarten teacher until the permanent one comes back from maternity leave. Just enough time for the legendary Hartbridge Christmas Cupid connection to kick in.

Walker’s series is that Christmas gift that keeps on giving, and now we get a new couple and emotionally charged romance. While Braithe is a English spot of delightful positivity and optimism, the story belongs to Deputy Colson Price, a wounded man in need of healing and help so he can find his way forward to a real family and community within the place where he calls home.

I found myself in tears more than once, at the pain and suffering that Walker realistically wrote into Colson’s fear over being gay and the abusive homophobic history that led to it. But Walker balances it with the joy of Braithe’s compassion and understanding as well as love showed Colson he could be safe in his sexuality as their relationship progresses.

I love all the Hartbridge couples but this may be my favorite story. It’s so moving and deeply rooted in the feelings of the community and characters.

With each release there’s always a bit of apprehension that this is the last of Walker’s Hartbridge Christmas novels but there’s a new gay firefighter in town in need of his own HEA so, delightfully, we can look forward to another narrative gift next Christmas! I’ll be waiting! And rereading this amazingly beautiful series to celebrate!

Don’t miss out on the Hartbridge map so you know just where everything is in this fabulous town!

Hartbridge Christmas:

✓ Tic-Tac-Mistletoe #1

✓ Christmas Wish List #2

✓ Merry Christmas Cupid #3

✓ Holiday Heart Strings #4

Buy Link:

Holiday Heart Strings (Hartbridge Christmas Series Book 4)

Blurb:

Hartbridge Christmas Series – Book Four

Englishman Braithe Branson arrives in Hartbridge, Montana, to take on a brief substitute kindergarten teacher position. His introduction to the sleepy town is being pulled over for speeding. Not an ideal start, but at least the deputy was cute.

Colson Price takes being a deputy very seriously. After all, his job is all he has. Disowned by his family ten years ago, he’s vowed to stay closeted so it won’t cost him everything all over again.

But the holidays are tough for Colson, and the new guy in town is far too tempting. With a promise of some very private no-strings encounters on the downlow, he can’t resist.

Braithe is charmed by the handsome deputy, the gorgeous town, and the great group of friends he meets. But as the countdown to leaving gets closer, the more tangled the ‘no strings’ becomes.

Braithe and Colson have to hope that Hartbridge will find a way for this Christmas wish to come true.

• Publisher: BlueHeart Press (November 21, 2023)

• Publication date: November 21, 2023

• Print length: 319 pages

Review: You, Again (The Elmwood Stories 1) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

You, Again is the first in Lane Hayes heartwarming, contemporary romance series set In Elmwood, Vermont. This is another case of me running back to the beginning of a series after reading the second book, Next Season, and falling into love

with the town and characters.

Delightfully, You, Again, just reinforces all my impressions that Hayes has carefully crafted with the previous book, having left such a warmhearted and deeply happy memory of this series and town.

It’s got Vermont with all its small town charm and northern beauty, especially with its rich history and traditions. Then folds that in with hockey, at every level. From the famous NHL D-man reluctantly retiring from a game he passionately loves to return home for reasons he’s not even aware. Then the local ice rink and junior hockey teams with their tag team coaching, it’s all there realistically on the page. The kids pushing on ice, raw and full of energy but maybe not talent, using whatever equipment available, for the love of a game that defies age and skill and background. Hayes’ writing has this element richly jumping off the pages , off the ice and into our hearts. Along with the returning recently retired hockey god, Vinnie Kempinski, 36, trying to make amends and find a future.

Nolan the man Vinnie left behind, Ronnie who is Vinnie’s old friend and Nolan’s brother ,and MK, Ronnie’s daughter, all are amazing characters. Nolan especially as he’s been the one to shoulder the burdens of a family and the bitterness of a career left behind.

Hayes’ narrative has to rebuild relationships by revealing old ones and replacing them with new structures that have new truths for all involved. This is an emotional story and journey for both men. The fear on Vinnie’s side for his sexuality revelation, his coming out late in life feels believable.

This was the foundation for Next Season which is still my favorite of the series but I very much loved the characters and journey here to HEA. I’m hoping that the author has quite a few more stories planned for Elmwood. It’s a fabulous place to visit.

The Elmwood Stories:

✓ You, Again #1

✓ Next Season #2

◦ Holiday Crush #3 – Dec 10, 2023

Buy Link:

You, Again: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 1)

Blurb:

The hometown hockey hero and his best friend’s brother…

Vinnie

Hockey is in my blood. I learned to skate before I learned how to ride a bike. I’ve been on a wild ride, playing at the highest level for some of the biggest and best teams in the league. But now it’s over, and I’m not sure what to do with myself.

So I’m going home to Elmwood.

But I’ll tell you what I’m not gonna do—I’m not going to coach my buddy’s junior hockey league. No chance. I don’t know how to deal with kids, and besides, the other coach—who happens to be my best friend’s brother—hates me. With reason.

That may be old news, yet something tells me we’re going to have to deal with the past.

And that’s almost as scary as coaching teens.

Nolan

No, I don’t hate Vinnie, but he drives me nuts.

He’s cocky, goofy, selfish, and yeah…after all these years, I’m still attracted to him. But I’m a responsible adult now. I run my family’s business, and with the help of my ex, I’ve made Elmwood Diner into a New England institution.

So maybe my life isn’t particularly exciting at the moment, and maybe Vinnie isn’t the worst. Nonetheless, I have no desire to rekindle a friendship with the hockey hero who no doubt will be on the first flight out of town the second he gets bored or gets a better offer.

And I’m not coaching with him. No way.

Ugh…

I can’t believe I’m doing this again.

You, Again is an MM bisexual, best friend’s brother, frenemies to lovers romance featuring old friends, a new quest, and a little hockey HEA!

Review: The Christmas Veto (Festive Fakes Book 3) by Keira Andrews

Rating: 4🌈

Author Keira Andrews rings in the holidays with the third in her Festive Fakes series, The Christmas Veto. Another in with a fake boyfriend theme, it has connected characters from the first story in this series, The Christmas Deal, which brings a special treat and holiday continuity.

Reid Cabot’s grandmother, matriarch of their wealthy family’s business, is still trying to fix Reid up with a suitable old money society girlfriend, thinking his bisexuality is just a phase that will fade away.

Reid’s solution is a fake boyfriend for the holidays. His younger brother’s best friend, Connor Lisowski, to be exact.

Connor’s is younger, someone who crushed hard on Reid growing up. And accepts for his own reasons.

Andrews’ storylines pulls together several themes, including first times, as well as fake boyfriends and sets it all down in well known New York City locations, made moving and fabulously beautiful by the season of Christmas. Whether it’s the well known High Line or the Carousel, the scenes with Reid and Connor are richer by their location.

Connor’s issues with coming out, considering he has two dads, are less clear because his problems with his biological father aren’t clearly stated here until the end. I found some of his background a little lost here.

The relationship between the two men is lovely. The author is able to build real connections between them, establishing a chemistry the reader can believe in.

The story moves forward pretty quickly, the few secrets that are held back from the beginning are revealed, and the holiday scenes are the heartwarming moments you want and expect from this author and Christmas romances. That includes a happy epilogue that leaves you feeling satisfied with the story and characters.

If you’re looking for a holiday story or three, check out the Festive Fakes series below. Absolutely charming holiday stories.

Festive Fakes:

✓ The Christmas Deal #1

✓ The Christmas Leap #2

✓ The Christmas Veto #3

Buy Link:

The Christmas Veto (Festive Fakes)

Blurb:

Can fake dating lead to true love?

My name’s Connor Lisowski, and here’s what you need to know about me:

I’ve had a massive crush on my best friend’s older brother since high school.

Everyone thinks I’m straight.

I have two dads but I’m afraid to come out.

I’ve never even been kissed.

And somehow, I’ve been roped into pretending to be Reid’s boyfriend for the holidays. Who’s Reid, you ask? Only the aforementioned best friend’s older brother who never looked at me twice.

Until now.

The Christmas Veto by Keira Andrews is a gay Christmas romance featuring fake boyfriends, a bisexual king in a designer suit, first times, and of course a happy ending. Connor first appears in The Christmas Deal, but this novel can be read as a standalone

Review: The Christmas Extra (Laurel Holidays #5) by V.L. Locey

Rating: 5🌈

If you look forward to reading warmhearted Christmas stories, then V. L. Locey’s Laurel Holidays series is a fabulous place to start. Full of small town charm and great characters, each tale is full of the holiday spirit and special moments that this season brings to mind.

The Christmas Extra, the latest in the series, is a great example of why I love the series and this author’s work.

It starts with Stillman King. Rockmount, Pennsylvania’s small-town sheriff whose life has settled into a quiet, small town pace. Whether he’s helping round up pigs, deliver babies, or just keep the locals stay within the law, Stillman and his old cat, Ellery, are content with their lives.

Locey makes us feel like we know him, how the years have aged him, and how much the town’s people count on him as one of them. He’s real and grounded within Rockmount.

The second chance at love and lovers reunited has to be two of my favorite tropes and they are combined here as the Mayor has managed to make their small town a cable show location for a popular tv soap series. It’s the holidays and the town is decorated with the beautiful trappings of the holiday season drawing in the locals and the tourists alike. Perfect for the show. Which is also bringing in a ex boyfriend of Stillman’s.

Tony Gugliotti, popular tv actor, has come to Rockmount with the series crew to film his new movie. And maybe see his ex boyfriend from college, the man he loved and left behind.

Both men, now older, both living very different lives at different coasts. But even with all the years and anger, the scenes between them and the intimacy that Locey is able to bring about through her images makes the reader understand the chemistry and feelings that the men still share.

I was absolutely invested in this romance and relationship. Watching the men reconnect, through memories and experiences was heartwarming and wonderful. Especially as the author wove the town and its inhabitants into their growing relationship as well. We got a feel of community pulling together as well as the love rebuilding.

The ending was perfect. There was a dramatic , suspenseful moment and then a lovely epilogue that tied up the storyline. What made this perfect was an element I’ve found missing in other books recently , and that’s the author has paid attention to the important animal character . At the end, Ellery, the cat, was not forgotten but followed his beloved owners to their HEA, as it should be. So happy about this.

I was left with a happy ending, feeling totally satisfied, and a great book to rec for the holidays.

And don’t forget to check out the others in this series if you haven’t found them already.

The Laurel Holidays Series:

✓ The Christmas Oaks—Laurel Holidays #1

✓ The Christmas Pundit—Laurel Holidays #2

✓ The Christmas Tenor—Laurel Holidays #3

✓ The Christmas Rescue—Laurel Holidays #4

✓ The Christmas Extra—Laurel Holidays #5

◦ The Easter Redemption—A Laurel Holidays Spring Romance Novella

Buy Link:

The Christmas Extra (Laurel Holidays #5)4Kindle Edition$4.99

Blurb:

’Tis the season for a second chance at love.

Stillman King likes his life in the small rural farming community of Rockmount, Pennsylvania. It’s a different pace of life than Philly, but Philadelphia was where his heart was broken, and he was happy to leave. He might be lonely, but he’s settled and has even managed to win over his snooping neighbors. Overall, his days as a small-town sheriff are peaceful with only the occasional traffic accident, drunk and disorderly conduct, or a random meandering cow to deal with. That was until the day the mayor announced that Rockmount was going to be the filming location for a Christmas romance movie starring the popular soap opera star, Tony Gugliotti. The same Tony who’d left him right after college graduation and headed west to the bright lights of Los Angeles without even a goodbye.

Hearing his former lover’s name shatters all the merry bucolic vibes that usually fill Rockmount, at least for Stillman. He’d not seen or spoken to Tony for over twenty years and had no wish to ever again. But, suddenly, here Tony was, looking just as good as he did way back when with his killer smile and movie star jawline. Hollywood descended on Rockmount and Stillman did his best to balance keeping the peace while maintaining a polite distance from his ex. Pity it’s such a small town packed with incredibly meddlesome people. All it takes is one stake out, a night stuck in the courthouse’s basement, and one kiss wound in a lighted pine tree to reignite the passion both men thought they’d left far behind.

The Christmas Extra is a standalone small town, forced proximity, gay second chance Christmas romance with all the glitter of Hollywood, two mature men who never really got over each other, a village packed with holiday cheer as well as inquisitive neighbors, a well-meaning cast and crew, and a tinselly happy-ever-after.

Review: We Only Kiss At Christmas (Con Riley’s Christmas Collection) by Con Riley

Rating: 5 🌈

Con Riley regularly makes me cry at Christmas. Actually at Riley’s Christmas Collection stories. This year’s new edition to the series was a great sodden Kleenex wads worth of heartwarming moments and absolutely stunning moments of love and family.

Riley’s shared universe, between London and Cornwall, never disappoints in bringing us closer together with the characters and investing us deeply into their lives and journey.

Flatmates Sebastian Street (that heartbreaking name) and his best friend, Patrick, are heading into the holidays, a season fraught with emotional minefields. Their flat is freezing, they have one roommate less to help with the bills, and a stressful scene is upon them.

That’s the moment we open up the story. Emotions are high, exams are coming, rent is due. And while we have met Seb and Pat before, the intimacy is new. The hopes and fears is real.

Seb especially is so raw in his prickly voice that I could feel him emerging off the page, all past pain, and anger and rage against those who have hurt him and others. And made him afraid to have hope. And Pat, so gentle and mindful and patient. Pat is as believable as Seb however opposite of him he is emotionally.

Riley has done such a beautiful job with not only the characters but their backgrounds, weaving in the various interpersonal dynamics to the storyline unfolding throughout to become a richer emotional tapestry for all involved. From Seb to Patrick to Patrick’s family to Jack, a young man who has his own journey ahead, and the readers, who have been heavily invested into this story from the beginning.

This is what I think of when I look forward to my Christmas stories. It encapsulates all that good will, warmth, and love that stays with you after the book is over.

And it’s the reason I’m highly recommending not just this but all of Con Riley’s Christmas Collection. Enjoy!

Outstanding cover art .

Con Riley’s Christmas Collection:

✓ His Last Christmas In London #1

✓ We Only Kiss At Christmas #2

◦ His Until Christmas- Nov 12, 2024

Buy Link:

We Only Kiss at Christmas (Con Riley’s Christmas Collection)

Blurb:

Prepare for another snow-dusted, super-romantic and heart-clenching holiday gay romance from Con Riley.

All Sebastian Street wants for Christmas is justice. Oh, and some privacy to kiss his flatmate.

Heat shouldn’t sizzle between best friends like it does between me and Patrick. He’s my flatmate, not my boyfriend, a gym-bro powered by peace, love, and understanding. In comparison, I’m a yappy terrier fuelled by rage and sugary baked goods.

Expect a third flatmate to understand our opposites-attract dynamic?

No.

This could be our last December together. Our first alone in this flat.

I can’t share it. Or Patrick.

Not when we only kiss at Christmas.

Perfect for fans of friends to lovers and found families, visit London and Cornwall in We Only Kiss at Christmas, or double your festive enjoyment with His Last Christmas in London, the first standalone romance in this shared-world series.

Review: Brewtiful’s (Culinary Creatures Book 4) by L Eveland

Rating: 5🌈

Brewtiful’s is the heartwarming, wonderful finale story in L Eveland’s fantastic Culinary Creatures series. I’m so sorry to see this series end.

Bluz, the preceding novel, is a small masterpiece of storytelling that combined a old musical sounding style of Appalachian dialect , a vanishing American mountain voice, with a vivid location, mouth watering BBQ and layered memorable characters. It remains a top tier book for me.

Now Brewtiful’s, with characters, especially one, that could have been written as tragic but end up as triumphantly beautiful and with a joyful ending that brings this series to a satisfying conclusion.

Why have I fallen in love so quickly with this story? I’ll start with one of the main characters. Tripp Powers.

Tripp Powers has the emotional power to move the reader to tears but it won’t be immediately evident why. The clues, his halting words as he assembles his thoughts and sentences to give voice to his own inner feelings. It’s those beautifully written scenes that will carry Tripp’s sometimes jumbled excited messages that will melt the reader’s heart and that of Nicola Lightwing, a mothman he meets in Las Vegas.

You see Tripp is suffering from an injury that comes from being a ex-NHL hockey player. He’s got head/brain trauma from taking a hit. He’s in forced retirement, has memory issues, migraines, and more. He’s lost his passion and focus. But in an extraordinary way, found a new one.

Tripp is real, heartbreaking, and inspiring. And he wakes up married.

To a mothman.

Yes it’s a wake up married, bi-awakening, hockey romance in a paranormal world with antennas and it’s fabulous.

Tripp has a well written bi-awakening journey along with finding true love. Done with another character, Nicola Lightwing, a mothman. We met Nicola before in Bluz but he comes fully into his own here. He’s a successful agent who sacrifices his private life for his clients and now , because of an impulsive decision, has the potential to make changes for himself and Tripp.

Eveland’s story weaves a gentle reminder that sometimes the simplest thing can bring the best possible outcome to a person’s life. A cup of coffee, an act of kindness, a smile or even a positive saying to start the day with. Or find true love and happiness.

The author gives the characters depth of personality, intelligence, interesting uses of otherworldly sexuality, love in all its forms, and as always, a fabulous recipe at the end. Never miss out on those.

L Eveland’s Culinary Creatures is four books and I’ll always regret it isn’t more. But those four books are on auto reread for me, the last two in particular. The entire series is a must read for just splendid storytelling.

Pick up the series today and prepare for some joy in your day.

Culinary Creatures with great recipes at the end of each story:

✓ Brimstone #1

✓ Beefcake #2

✓ Bluz #3❤️+

✓ Brewtiful’s #4 ❤️-finale

Buy Link:

Brewtiful’s: A High Heat, Low Stakes MM Monster Romance Novella (Culinary Creatures Book 4)

Blurb:

They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas…unless you accidentally marry a mothman.

My name’s Tripp Powers, former NHL star, notorious playboy, and aspiring coffee connoisseur. My plan? Open a chain of coffee shops to brighten everyone’s day. All of that was going according to plan until I woke up in bed with a man.

And not just any man, but Nicola Lightwing, a mothman!

It’s a mistake we’re both keen to undo as fast as possible until we realize we have a lot in common. Nicola is smart, suave, and almost as obsessed with coffee as I am. With his help, I might even be able to make my coffee shop dreams into reality.

There’s only one problem. Until today, I was sure I was straight. Yet I can’t help but want to drink Nicola up, especially when he’s promised he’s good to the last drop.

Can I resist his bold advances? Or is a lifelong romance brewing?

• Publisher: Grim Cat Press LLC (November 15, 2023)

• Publication date: November 15, 2023

• Print length: 138 pages

Review: Two Thousand Dreams (Kings of Chaos Book 1) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4.75🌈

Two Thousand Dreams Is the first in Jocelynn Drake’s new Kings of Chaos series. This is the third connected series with overlapping characters within the same universe.

The main character, Moon Mullins, is a blood witch, a rarity among all witches. Moon is a member of a small all male coven that consists of two earth witches and a necromancer. Readers following the author met this coven in the series, Princes of Mayhem, which focuses on the powerful necromancer’s adventures in love and the group’s support. They are best friends after all.

Now it’s Moon’s turn and, much like the other series, a major crossover event is coming. Once every 100 years, a portal opens up between the Fae realm and the earthly kingdom, and the Fae come through. The consequences of Coming Day are never good, especially for earth witches.

But it’s the new characters Drake is introducing that’s going to bring the biggest impact on the universe in expanding it beyond its current form.

It’s a clan of two thousand year old Chinese vampires who’ve come from their native homeland on a rescue mission. Both their backstory and current lives are threaded through with loss and grief. It’s a fantastic new element and I can’t wait for more of their stories to come forward.

The first book combines Moon with the frustrated, tense Chen, whose character is searching wildly for answers in an unfamiliar setting. Moon and Chen are a great example of chemistry in an opposites attract trope. The way in which Moon maneuvers himself through the inner circle of the clan, assessing the situation, and his new emotions about Chen just kept this reader connected at all times.

Also that, as we stayed focused on the core group of Moon and Chen and the clan, all the other important characters, like Moon’s best friends/coven weren’t forgotten. Instead, they were brought into the narrative as needed as well as in dramatic moments that highlighted their role in Moon’s life.

If I had a small quibble, it would have been that Drake allow more of Moon’s extraordinary powers as a blood witch to be evident throughout the story as opposed to sacrificing them to Chen’s role.

The end of the story is as dramatic and heartbreaking as any one could imagine. And it sets up the next book perfectly. No cliffhanger. Just the frustration of having to wait until next March for the release date.

Until then, I’m highly recommending Two Thousand Dreams (Kings of Chaos Book 1) by Jocelynn Drake. It’s a fast paced, incredibly detailed, fabulous read.

And if you’re not familiar with the other series, I’ve listed them for you below. Check them out!

Buy Link:

Two Thousand Dreams (Kings of Chaos Book 1)

Kings of Chaos:

✓ Two Thousand Dreams #1

◦ Two Thousand Tears #2 – March 22,2024

Blurb:

The Blood Witch Has Changed Everything.

Chen traveled to the US with his clan, hoping to rescue his kidnapped brother from the fae.

They just need a witch to find the exact location of where the door between the human world and the fae world will open.

The one thing Moon can’t do.

Chen grabbed the wrong type of witch.

That’s not stopping Moon from clinging to Chen as he guides them through a new territory, introducing them to the witches, shifters, and vampires who can help them.

The longer Moon remains at Chen’s side, the more he hopes the witch might consider staying with him always.

Except that the king of the fae might have other deadly plans for Chen.

Two Thousand Dreams is the first novel in the Kings of Chaos series, which is a spin-off from the Lords of Discord series. This book contains one very grumpy vampire falling in love with a very perky blood witch, shifters, overprotective witches, other non-human surprises, snark, angst, found family, brotherly bickering, magic, chaos, vampire cuddles, and an endless love that grows stronger with each kiss.

—————

The Kings of Chaos is a spin-off series from the Lords of Discord and Princes of Mayhem series. Binge both series and get your fill of vampires, witches, and the adorable men they love!

Lords of Discord:

Claiming Marcus

Saving Rafe

Waking Bel

Embracing Winter

Healing Aiden

Visiting the Variks: A Short Story Collection

Princes of Mayhem

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Ruined Saved My Life :

Disaster #1: Fun with Family

Disaster #2: Pet Problems

Disaster #3: Date Night

Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead?”

The Kings of Chaos:

Two Thousand Dreams #1

Two Thousand Tears #2

— Two Thousand Dreams (Kings of Chaos Book 1) by Jocelynn Drake

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