Tag: Scattered Thoughts Highly Recommended

Review: Light from the Grave by Sara Dobie Bauer

Rating: 5🌈

What a stunner! Sara Dobie Bauer’s recent release, Light from the Grave is such fabulous cornucopia of paranormal elements of powerful magical families, beautifully crafted characters textured with layers of darkness, grief, and death, set into the mossy, old southern landscape of Charleston, South Carolina. Bauer’s plot is a thriller of horrifying beauty.

I was immediately entranced by the characters, the raw emotion that the author keeps pulling out of her scenes and how she can carry those heart wrenching memories over into a new situation that becomes an entirely different experience. One that may have humorous overtones.

Everyone here, each character, from childhood to adulthood, has experienced gut wrenching loss. And that pain, that overwhelming grief continues to haunt them deeply in various ways.

Dylan Quinn’s lost his foster mother and he’s unable to process her loss. It’s not the first or last deep grief he’s had to deal with but it’s the most devastating.

Bauer’s nightmarish descriptions of Dylan’s pain feels so real, the emotional turmoil and endless loop of mourning raw and believable. The power of the memories doesn’t have to be magical to make us feel what it’s putting him through.

More subtle, and deadlier is Keller Rex. Keller too has deeply suffered, and ,in turn , caused unbelievable losses. He’s been sent to bring Dylan to the Zaine ancestral home in Charleston. What type of magical creature he is should be left to the story as it’s so much a part of the powerful narrative.

But it’s the growth and revelations that Kelley’s presence and the death of Vivian Zayne start to bring about in Dylan that’s brings the darkness and magic to this story.

I just wanted to jump in and start reading it again after I finished to see what I’d missed the first time around.

There’s battles, zombies, crazy families, familiars (wish more had been done with the bobcats), and quite a few bittersweet moments. And a fierce young girl, Raven, who needs more page time, as she’s a great character on her own.

Actually, Light from the Grave by Sara Dobie Bauer is bursting with darkly detailed and fabulous scenes that make a reader want more than was left on the page. More of the characters in that army, more backgrounds, just more. Because what we did get was so imaginative and marvelous that we naturally needed more. Of everything and everyone.

Yes, this beautifully written and plotted book is a must read. It’s dark fiction and romance, just a reminder. So if grief, dying and death isn’t your thing, this might not be either.

It’s definitely mine.

Buy Link:

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Light-G…Light From The Grave – Kindle edition by Bauer, Sara Dobie. Paranormal Romance …

Blurb:

I’m what nightmares are made of, but I’m not sure who’s more dangerous: him or me.

In the world of witches, Keller Rex is a legendary monster—a dark sorcerer with a gift for suffering. He has long been the protector of the Zayne coven and their ancestral home in Charleston, South Carolina. When the family matriarch, Vivian Zayne, dies under mysterious circumstances, he is tasked with finding the only person who can open her sealed Book of Shadows: the son no one knew she had.

Dylan Quinn has never bothered to figure out why cats follow him everywhere, but it’s been that way for as long as he can remember. After the unexpected passing of his adoptive mother, he had to make a new home for himself in small-town Ohio. Things have been quiet ever since, but lately, there are strange voices in his dreams and a sense of being watched.

When a striking Southern gent appears in town, Dylan welcomes the distraction. Keller is handsome and charming, but Dylan can tell there’s something else, something eerie about him. And he discovers he’s right, as Keller goes from being Dylan’s seducer… to his abductor.

Now back in Charleston, Dylan’s newfound family is shocked when it’s discovered his magical affinity is for death itself. Despite his fears, he’ll need to learn to control his terrifying powers in order to open the Zayne Book of Shadows. He also needs to keep his coven safe, and time is running out. The estate’s protective wards expire on Halloween, and power-hungry witches from all over are ready to pounce.

While Dylan’s awakening darkness threatens to overwhelm him, Keller finds himself confronted by feelings he thought long dead. Keller will do anything to protect his young necromancer and open Vivian’s Book of Shadows, but the Zaynes are in for a surprise when Dylan resurrects someone he shouldn’t.

• Publisher: Carnation Books (October 24, 2023)

• Publication date: October 24, 2023

• Print length: 352 pages

Review: Beauty and Bad Blood (Hunters Hollow Book 2) by Arden Steele

Rating: 4.5🌈

Arden Steele’s Hunter Hollow series continues with Beauty and Bad Blood. With some characters transplanted from the original series, Blackhaven Manor, we now have more paranormal stories about romance, mystery, and murder to get invested in.

This time, our new location is Hunters Hollow, owned by one of the Dragon siblings, and its township of mostly Otherlings. They tend to work for Ministry of Otherling Affairs in various fields. Now a new case has emerged and investigation team has been formed.

Among that team, newly arrived vampire, Agent Rogue. He’s among a team of MOA Otherlings agents assigned the task of finding what or who are killing young people , leaving them drained of blood.

Human Dylan Murray, true crime podcaster, is having a personal crisis. His best friend, Braeden, mate of nephillim Inspector Zarrik Cox, has been constantly telling him to come stay with them until he knows what he’s going to do next.

Two totally different personalities, one coffee shop, and one unassailable attraction. And several horrific murders to solve.

Steele’s narrative once again brings dramatic storylines to the fated mate trope. Dylan made an impression in Braeden’s book and he becomes an even more engaging, vulnerable character here. The author gives Dylan that layer of armor formed by parental negligence and emotional abuse that feels realistic along with a very real sense that he could still somehow get the love he wants.

Rogue’s backstory is not as fully explored but he’s a powerful character in the present. Especially as it pertains to his quickly evolving feelings towards Dylan.

Dylan’s reaction to Rogue and his actions, and how each handled their dynamics in developing their relationship was a good touch. Each side was open to communicating with each other and with other people. Absolutely beats the no communication approach in other situations.

I thought the mysteries and the murders were interesting but could have used further context or explanation. But that dramatic scene? Heart breaking, emotionally. No way around it.

Nothing that came later could take away from the power of that moment. And frankly, from there, everything was anticlimactic. I enjoyed the rest, but it was already over.

I can’t wait to see what and for who the next book is for. I’m sort of rooting for the new head elf Bastille. You never know. Steele keeps surprising me.

In the meantime, if you’re not already familiar with this universe, you can catch up by reading these in order . See below. Or go all in and go way back to the original series, read all nine books and join in the migration to Hunters Hollow!

I’m highly recommending them all.

Hunter’s Hollow:

✓ Angels and Anarchy #1

✓ Beauty and Bad Blood #2

Connected To:

Blackhaven Manor series-9 books

Blackhaven Manor9 booksArden Steele

Buy Link:

Beauty and Bad Blood (Hunters Hollow Book 2)

Blurb:

When a young woman turns up dead on the banks of the river with half her blood missing, vampires are the obvious suspects. Rogue Masters, however, doesn’t think the case is all that open and shut. As a special agent for the MOA Intelligence Division, it’s his job to find the truth. To do that, the last thing he needs is distractions.

So, of course, the most tempting distraction he’s ever seen strolls through the door of the local bakery, not just flipping the script, but rewriting it completely.

Stuck in a rut and drowning in his own insignificance, Dylan Murray needs a change. For starters, he needs to make a clean break from his selfish and demanding mother. It’s also probably a good time to swear off men, at least until he can get his life back on track. Spending some time in Hunters Hollow with his best friend is exactly what he needs to turn things around. The small town is quiet, a little boring, and completely free of the drama that plagued him in the city.

Now, if he can just stop thinking about a certain sexy vampire with penetrating eyes and a devilish smile, everything would be perfect.

Navigating the ups and downs of any new relationship is challenging. Doing so while searching for a killer will test more than just their commitment. When the worst happens, and Dylan joins the list of humans to mysteriously vanish from the French Quarter, Rogue will do whatever it takes to get his new mate back safely.

Even if that means becoming the very monster he’s meant to be hunting.

Review: Sting in the Tail: Carnival of Mysteries by TA Moore

Rating:5+🌈

TA Moore, what a story! I love this so much! Although I feel I should put a titch of a warning out there for anyone looking for a feel good, cozy hearted romantic tale that they won’t get the book they’re looking for here.

A whopping fabulous story that has huge elements of horror, murder, mystery, and the paranormal. A bittersweetness and just plain bitterness, yes. All so beautifully written. But warm and fuzzy? Uh no.

But you kind of have to figure that goes hand in hand with a story who’s centered around a dead serial killer and his son who has to deal with the ramifications of the father’s debts. Not that his son isn’t as morally ambiguous a figure as dear old dad. He’s just not a serial killer.

Not in the entirety of this collection or in any recent books I’ve read have I met as intriguing and layered a character as Ledger Conroy. Moore could write legions of stories about him and Wren and never be done.

Ledger, son of convicted killer, Bell Conroy, returned to dispose of the old family house and the ghastly things that his dad might have left hidden inside. Why? Because , considering what they are, they would bring a profit. Ledger’s in the business of selling darkness, in the form of items, to people and beings who can use them. Yes, magic is real. And dear old dad dealt with the worst.

Every paragraph, every page adds depth and clarity of purpose to our character and history. Even as we get more information, I begrudge the the space the author isn’t able to give to the small elements introduced to fill out Ledger’s backstory. I need to know more about that sister!

Then there’s Wren, an otherworldly figure in service to a truly horrifying creature. I’ll leave Earl to the book. Make no mistake, Earl is one of the scarier nightmares to haunt any narrative.

Wren is a very complex being. One whose relationship with Ledger grows them emotionally in an unexpected manner , but doesn’t change what or who they are fundamentally just as it doesn’t Ledger.

This aspect of the story is probably the most interesting part about this. Moore stays true to her creations, neither of them becoming something they’re not but continuing to act /or emotionally maneuver within their respective personalities.

The plot is fantastic, a hunt for an object that belongs to Earl. Plus a short timetable and a horrific bargain that was made by Ledger. During this process, the Carnival of Mysteries is introduced and employed in a perfect way that not only is important to the game but has a profound impact on the outcome. Another exemplary usage of the overall theme.

There are several different storylines woven into the main theme of that have compelling endings, almost endings. There’s a tenuous quality to them, a vagueness that’s so satisfying and horrifying because, that’s what this tale calls for. You wish it wasn’t so but how else would it end?

Ledger and Wren have made it clear of the present danger. That’s the only spoiler I’ll give.

But what wouldn’t I give for Moore to send Ledger and Wren off on more murderous magical missions. Horror awaits. I hope the author is listening.

I’m highly recommending this to lovers of dark fiction and paranormal romance. I only wish I could rate it higher.

Spectacular cover. This collection’s artwork is amazing.

Carnival of Mysteries series:

✓ Crow’s Fate by Kim Fielding❤️

✓ Step Right Up by L.A. Witt

✓ Magic Burning by Kaje Harper ❤️

✓ Night-blooming Hearts by Megan Derr

✓ Go For The Company by Ander C. Lark❤️

✓ Roustabout by Morgan Brice❤️

✓ Assassin by Accident by E.J. Russell❤️

✓ Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis ❤️

✓ The Extraordinary Locket of Elijah Gray by Kayleigh Sky

✓ Smoke and Mirrors by Elizabeth Silver

✓ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill♥️

✓ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore ♥️♥️

✓ The Black Robe of Flanders by Sara Ellis

◦ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25

Buy link:

Sting in the Tail: Carnival of Mysteries

Blurb:

The Carnival of Mysteries just arrived in Sutton County. They say if you cross the fortune teller’s palm with silver she can read your future like a map. Right now all Ledger Conroy wants to know is if he has a future.

Back in Sutton after over a decade, Ledger’s plan had been to bury his father–recently deceased convicted serial killer and less-well known warlock, Bell Conroy–clear the property, and then finally wash his hands of being a Conroy. Instead there’s a cured human heart in the larder, a pissed off pretty boy who is definitely not human at the door, and a debt to the devil that Ledger’s just inherited.

Devil. Monster. Something like that. He’d not asked for its pedigree

Whatever it was, it’s given Ledger a week to fulfill the terms of his father’s contract. Or else he’s never going to leave Sutton again. With pretty-boy Wren at his heels, more to make sure Ledger doesn’t skip town than to provide assistance, Ledger tries to track his father’s sins across Sutton. The problem is there’s so many of them.

Ledger is faced with old grudges, a Sheriff that thinks Ledger knows more about his father’s crimes than he’s ever said (and isn’t wrong), and a dead man with a book shop. Not to mention the on-going distraction of Wren, who can’t decide whether to be a hindrance, a help, or just hot.

Luckily Ledger has a nose for this sort of work.

Sting in the Tail is part of the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series. Each book stands alone, but each one includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. This book contains a dealer in dark collectibles, a man who’s NOT people, and a monster with a debt it expects to be paid.”

— Sting in the Tail: Carnival of Mysteries by TA Moore

Review: Son of the Arch Demon (Possessive Love) by Amanda Meuwissen

Rating: 5 🌈

Well, this made me exceptionally happy. In a collection about demons from hell finding a mate and a relationship, in whatever form that may take, I have a story where the characters are actually coming across as demonic. With a few minor exceptions. And hell’s no vacation spot.

Amanda Meuwissen’s tale of love and demons is an intriguing affair. I love it when a collection reacquaints me with an author I haven’t read in a while with outstanding results, and that’s what I found here.

Immediately the author gives us a compelling opening . It’s Avriel’s 21st birthday and he’s feeling a bit out of sorts, even for him. From beautifully detailed descriptions of the characters and their personalities and lives , the reader is intimately familiar with the situation as the story begins and understands the types of people involved. Avi is immediately real and grounded in his small group of friends and college town.

And when he dies, it’s gut wrenching. That’s not a spoiler. It’s in the blurb and how he changes into his true self. But are we still prepared for it? No.

Then there’s Marchosias, the demon imp, also known as Marc. He’s the other half of this incredibly complicated, emotional narrative. From the start, Marc has a surprising history and agenda that prompts a character development that’s both in keeping with his demonic tendencies and newfound sense of self worth. It’s an exceptional journey.

But it’s done in tandem with the changes brought forth by the death and rebirth of Avi’s demon nature. And the battles they face from the Princes of Hell.

Meuwissen was so clever in using the seven deadly sins as avatars for the Princes of Hell. How they manifested themselves in the earthly realm I’ll leave to the book as well as those formidable battles. Just outstanding on every level.

Even the other characters that support Avi and Marc are so good in their roles and depth of personality. The father who is just glimpsed until the later stages still has a strong sense of self. The cast is believable and grounded in emotion and real life, even given the paranormal nature of the situations.

Let’s get to the part where there’s pain, blood, suffering, and death, because yes, these are demons. There may be a beauty in their brutality and otherworldly physicality but they are definitely demons. It’s reflected in the evolving relationship between Avi and Marc, the conflicted nature of their roles as Avi changes and Marc becomes more aware of his own feelings. Such an emotional connection and excellent element of this story.

Avi and Marc have decisions to make if possible. That’s part of the amazing story and the author’s ability to create a great narrative. I won’t spoil it but will say this is my favorite of the collection. And I’m delighted to have rediscovered this author once more.

Grab this one up if paranormal fiction and romances are your wheelhouse.

Check out the rest of the Possessive Love series! 15 books by 15 authors

◦ A Slice For My Demon by K.L. Hiers & Mozzarus Scout

✓ Cuddly Demon by Aster Rae – DNF

✓ My Demon Husband by Jax Stuart ♥️

✓ Exercising A Demon by H.L Day ♥️

✓ Drop Dead Demon by B. Ripley

✓ The Demon’s Dealbreaker by Delaney Rain

◦ My Demon Rebound by Ashlynn Mills

✓ Curiosity Caught the Demon by Travis Beaudoin

◦ My Saintly Demon by RM Neill

◦ Terrible Lovely Demon by Odessa Hywell

✓ Son of the Arch Demon by Amanda Meuwissen ❤️♥️

◦ Recalling My Demon by Colette Davison

✓ The Demon Undertaker by Alex J. Adams

◦ Gift for a Demon by Emily Alter

Buy Link :

Son of the Arch Demon: An MM Paranormal Romance

Blurb:

Sometimes the high road leads straight to Hell.

Avriel

Turning twenty-one is almost universally seen as the age of transformation, of coming into one’s own, reaching adulthood, and sometimes even as a symbol of death and rebirth. I never knew how literal that last part could be until, on my twenty-first birthday, I died and was resurrected as a demon.

Well, half-demon and would have died if I wasn’t prophesized to become the Antichrist and take over the world. All I wanted was to survive graduation, achieve my dream of becoming an artist, and maybe have Marc, the hot new guy who I thought liked me for me, be anything other than a lust demon hoping to guide me on my path to the apocalypse.

Marchosias

Occasionally, ya gotta make yer own destiny, my lovelies, so when I found a thin spot in the veil between Hell and earth, I leapt right through it. Sensing the soon-to-be successor to the throne of Hell, I insinuated myself on campus and into his life to await his awakening and fell to my knees in supplication once he did. Pity Avi is so set on denying his destiny.

But I can convince him. I will serve and aid and arouse my master in whatever manner necessary to get what I want. I’ve been an underling, a doormat, a lesser demon for far too long, and his path to glory is going to be mine.

Son of the Arch Demon is part of the MM paranormal romance collaboration Possessive Love.

Review: The Demon’s Dealbreaker (Possessive Love) by Delaney Rain

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Books like these are a reason I enjoy reading collections. The Demon’s Dealbreaker (Possessive Love) by Delaney Rain is written by an author I’ve never read before and now I can add them to my list of writers I whose works I find very entertaining.

It starts with what should be a heartbreaking story and reveal to the main character on his birthday. His parents have sold him eight times to eight different otherworldly beings in exchange for various gifts/items. Without his knowledge and without each of the other beings knowing about the deals his parents made with the others.

It’s a dramatic open onto the moment where Dwyer Eamonn’s life shatters with the knowledge of his parents actions and the fact he’s been sold. To more than one person. To be specific to a witch, two fairies, a minor god, and four demons all of which have arrived to claim him.

To say they aren’t happy with the situation and his parents is an understatement.

Rain immediately sets about introducing the reader to all the claimants as well as giving us insight into Dwyer and his family history. It’s clear from the beginning that Dwyer’s parents have viewed him not as a child but as an asset and treated him just as coldly.

The format the author has constructed to allow him and us to learn more about the other characters brings a sense of urgency and connection to his fate. He has to learn about them and so must the reader. It’s a wonderful element.

However, it comes with the trigger warnings mentioned. There’s a scenario with a non con sex scene. I have issues with the ramifications from this episode in that I don’t think it shows the being ever realizing the cause and effect of his actions. And, imo, this is the only aspect of the storyline where I think the author doesn’t either fully explore here the gravity of a non consensual moment or it’s so weakens it with other elements that it might as well not have been used as all.

I think it’s supposed to be that, yes, all these otherworldly beings aren’t exactly “nice people” or have the greatest of personalities, at least on the surface. Our impression of them evolves as Dwyer spends time getting to know each of them in their respective worlds.

Some naturally are more powerful as characters because of the fact that they have bigger roles in the storyline and in Dwyer’s present life. But each of them is interesting and layered with a unique background.

Rain is also fond of creating unusual sexual body shapes for the beings here, tentacles do sort of make an appearance, even if it’s just one. Just an fyi.

I so enjoyed the ending. Did I wish for a bit more of a revenge aspect? Sure but it still feels very satisfying. And I could certainly do with seeing more of the rest of the crew.

The collection is an odd mix but this one is a definite winner. Grab it up but do heed the warnings.

Check out the rest of the Possessive Love series! 15 books by 15 authors

◦ A Slice For My Demon by K.L. Hiers & Mozzarus Scout

◦ Cuddly Demon by Aster Rae

✓ My Demon Husband by Jax Stuart ♥️

✓ Exercising A Demon by H.L Day ♥️

✓ Drop Dead Demon by B. Ripley

✓ The Demon’s Dealbreaker by Delaney Rain

◦ My Demon Rebound by Ashlynn Mills

◦ Curiosity Caught the Demon by Travis Beaudoin

◦ My Saintly Demon by RM Neill

◦ Terrible Lovely Demon by Odessa Hywell

◦ Son of the Arch Demon by Amanda Meuwissen

◦ Recalling My Demon by Colette Davison

◦ The Demon Undertaker by Alex J. Adams

◦ Gift for a Demon by Emily Alter

Buy Link:

The Demon’s Dealbreaker: An MM Paranormal Romance

Blurb:

A witch, two fairies, a minor god, and four demons walk into a bar and suddenly Dwyer Eamonn’s life will never be the same.

Turns out that Dwyer’s parents promised him—their firstborn—as payment when they made eight different deals with various supernatural beings. At the stroke of midnight on his twenty-first birthday, every single claimant comes calling, ready to make Dwyer their heir.

Unable to deny them all, it’s up to Dwyer to choose which supernatural being he wants to become by spending time with each of them. What does a witch do all day? Do crossroads demons really hang out on street corners? He has eight hours to learn about them one at a time before he must make a decision.

Right away, one of them draws Dwyer in like no one ever has. He doesn’t want to become a demon, but he does want to be with one. Is that even possible? And since choosing an heir means these people want to shuffle off their mortal coil, is love reason enough to make one of them stay? After all, they’ll have forever once Dwyer makes his choice.

The Demon’s Dealbreaker is a M/M paranormal romance featuring a cranky cast of supernatural beings who thought they’d all made deals for a firstborn son, a human man who knew magic existed but not at this level, parents who deserve what they get, and the revelation of several incredible secrets as the dealbreaker becomes who he was always meant to be.

Content Warnings: See my website, gaymonsterromance.com

Review: Zone of Action (Legends of Lobe den Herren #2) by A. J. Sherwood

Rating: 4.5🌈

Zone of Action concludes the fantastic story of the evolving relationship between Shiirei General Sho Renjimantoro (now Aart Warder Ren Brahms) and Aart General Arman Brahms.

The story opens with the epilogue from Fourth Point of Contact, which has the men already married, and getting ready for a big wedding celebration at Fort Brahms with family and friends. Until an urgent call comes from the King with another message from the Emperor of Shiirei.

That sees both Ren and Arman sailing back to Ren’s homeland on a mission of international security , one that has both stressed over the threats for war and those of a personal one, as same sex relationships aren’t culturally tolerated within the Shiirei nation.

Sherwood moving the narrative out of the tolerant society of Aart back to the intolerant world of Shiirei adds a great deal of new tension to the storytelling. It sharpens the sense of potential danger for the characters in even the most mundane situations to the benefit of the novel.

Not that there’s many of those. It’s a constant struggle to rebuild a fortress under siege by, at first, an unknown number of enemies who are deliberately targeted the them in their efforts to build.

A number of various countries/kingdoms are involved with this conflict as they don’t want a return to the war they fought. Many of the “countries” Sherwood has created have recognizable counterparts in real life nations today. Whether it’s by names, cultural elements, clothing…I’m sure some of not all will be guessing if it’s a composite or something similar. Either way, I found it a wonderful way to ground each nation in the various characters and cultures.

The POVs have expanded from two to three characters as well. For me, I was divided by this aspect of the story format.

First, I love these characters. All three. The interaction between them was heartwarming and added so much depth to each personally as well as to the whole relationship between the men and then them as a family. Seeing it from each person’s perspective was important for the situation and what it represents for them as a couple. And for this child. So for that reason, yes, I did like the idea and decision to have a 3-person narrative.

However, for me it also took away from the whole storyline. There was so many scenes that were a bit “off page” as far as activity because there just wasn’t enough time to cover it all.

The child herself , Sakura , had a great backstory, and, frankly, frightening current situation that as a reader we were never able to get a good grasp of. All we ever saw or heard of her was when he/she appeared before Arman or Ren. What happened to her in between those occasions was a complete mystery. That’s a shame because when her history becomes known, the tragedy of her life is a narrative goldmine that’s been left behind.

I did love her character, and her interactions with her new family, especially Arman. She’s a gem who had more potential than the length allowed.

The story goes through the events, seeing them through the eyes of each character, which considering we are talking over a year, is sped up considerably. For me it feels just too shortened.

There’s high drama, some political issues and politics that make international relations seem more like modern times than the age reflected by the world there. And , being a tad nit picky, some modern phrases that occasionally sound out of place than in a world where horses and sails are the mainstays of transportation.

But did I love it? Yes, Ren, Arman, and Sakura are a hard family to resist. I adored them going home and the welcome they received.

This wraps up the story for Ren and Arman. Although I can always hope we see them again in the next couple of books to come. That’s O’ Broin’s journey to love and marriage. He’s from another country that came to help Ren and Arman.

It should be quite a tale. I can’t wait. Until then, I’m highly recommending both the novels below, including this one. Read them in the order they were written.

Legends of Lobe den Herren :

✓ Fourth Point of Contact: The Warden and the General #1

✓ Zone of Action #2

Buy Link:

Zone of Action (Legends of Lobe den Herren Book 2)

Blurb:

Ren’s homecoming wishlist includes:

•Arman not bashing everyone’s heads together (at least not without him)

•Getting the fortress built before the Mongs attack (not at the rate they’re going with all the thefts happening)

•Going home without incident (also, again, not likely)

What it did not include was:

•Social reform

•A child

•A raiding party

•Arman actually using his words

Life once again proved reality is better than fantasy, and Ren couldn’t be happier.

Except for the Mongs. He could do without the Mongs.

Tags:

Homecoming, Arman actually uses his words, it’s a miracle, children, homophobic idiots, supportive brother, surprise visits from royalty, Ren would like to point out this was not his idea, words are hard, if you have to build a fortress do it right the first time, Arman promises to not beat the whole country to a pulp for scorning his marriage, maybe, no promises, parenting is hard, someone should have warned Arman, raiding parties are their jam, O’ Broín is a good bro, matchmaking, social change, Arman sucks at giving hints, absolutely no one is surprised by this, fantasy becomes reality.

Review: Fourth Point of Contact: The Warden and the General (Legends of Lobe den Herren #1) by A. J. Sherwood

Rating: 5🌈

I don’t know how I missed this one when it first came out but I’ve read it now and what a fantastic story.

The first of a duology for this couple, Sherwood’s is a tale of two soldiers from different countries who became everything to each other over the course of a war. At the end , they then have to find a way back together outside of established relationships roles from wartime. This is a simply amazing epic that encompasses a number of countries, tenuous post war political realities, cultural differences and conflicts, found families, and sexual awakenings.

And the reader is able to intimately explore all those elements through the experiences of the characters in the story, Shiirei General Sho Renjimantoro and Aart General Arman Brahms.

Sherwood chooses to open the novel with a prologue, which captures the moment at the end of a long devastating war that Ren agrees to leave his country of Shiirei behind to follow General and best friend Arman Brahms to his home and country. It’s a highly emotional scene, full of drama and history about the men and their lives.

Ren, who’s always been open about his sexuality, has never accepted for it in his own country. But within his own company of soldiers and that of Arman, he’s been able to be open about his preference for the company of men. That freedom and deep connection with Arman is forefront in his decision for leaving for Aart as well as the fact his Emperor can no longer employ his army.

Arman is more a subtle character than Ren. Ren’s voice is more prevalent here both as a character and for the reader as the main POV. Arman is a man of few words, Ren being his interpreter in the relationship for others, and often the talkative one in their dynamic.

Sherwood uses Arman’s language to convey his love for others and ease in their presence. It’s extremely effective and becomes even an integral aspect of his personality in the second book, Zone of Action.

But here it’s Arman’s journey to understanding his relationship with Ren, its evolving stages from deep friendship to deepest romantic love. Sherwood makes it believable without us being in on all the emotional mental work Arman goes through. It works because of the discussions had between Ren and Arman about his feelings for Ren, and that realness comes through beautifully.

Sherwood lays in the background and foundation for Aart’s reigning family and the other governing bodies to make plans that the war they just fought and won won’t be repeated.

There’s political intrigue, assaults, assassination attempts, and more. All woven into the story of the evolution of the deep relationship between Ren and Arman.

I couldn’t put this down. Fourth Point of Contact: The Warden and the General (Legends of Lobe den Herren #1) by A. J. Sherwood turned into a favorite of mine.

I highly recommend it to all readers of this genre and fans of this author if you haven’t discovered it already. It’s an absolute gem.

Legends of Lobe den Herren :

✓ Fourth Point of Contact: The Warden and the General #1

✓ Zone of Action #2

Buy Link:

Fourth Point of Contact (Legends of Lobe den Herren Book 1)

Blurb:

Ren’s fantasy wishlist includes:

A sexy lover (preferably of the male variety)

Peace inside of the palace

Possibly an onsen

His best friend never deployed again, and always beside him

It does not include:

Assassins inside of his palace

Far too many conspiracies

Being proposed to while hungover. In bed. By his straight best friend.

Arman Brahms falling in love with him is a fantasy Ren’s buried for over six years, so to have it come true seems unreal. He has questions. All the questions. Mainly because Arman is bad at using his words.

But the most important question?

Is the fantasy worth risking everything?

Tags:

Friends to lovers, GFY, Arman is the king of demisexual, Arman is absolutely done with this nonsense and lets people know it, no fainting damsels here, proposing is difficult, indecent proposal, Arman uses words, not too many, that’s what Ren is for, Ren’s up to rule twenty-five, Arman’s still violating three, five, and sixteen, too many potential conspiracies, too many assassination attempts, Ren would like less assassins please and thank you, being warden to a palace is not as much fun as it looks, Fourth Point of Contact doesn’t mean what you think, don’t mix alcohol with a teenage princess, accidental princess corruption, royal meddlers, fantasy world but no magic

Review: Teighan (Veiled City #2) by Eryn Hawk

Rating: 4🌈

Teighan is another story whose potential for a greater layered narrative isn’t entirely realized. Hawk has two far more compelling and complex characters than the original story. Plus the elements that make them so intriguing are ones that derive from their equally dysfunctional, cold-blooded family dynamics and treatment. That one’s human and one a Fae, matters little. Both have and are suffering under parental control and abuse .

It’s how that has affected them that’s the issue and an emotional element that’s explored. For some readers, this might be problematic. Read the trigger warnings.

I think that Hawk does a really good job in creating in Alex Lawrence, a rich young man who has been emotionally abandoned by his family for his sexuality and artistic life, yet remains under a tight restraining control that borders on a financial prison. One he acknowledges he accepts which leads to self loathing and a certain amount of self harm. Why he accepts is one best discovered within the story. The more the story unfolds and the strange relationship between Alex and Teighan develops, the author’s definition of this character really changes and becomes so much understandable and compelling.

Teighan also is an emotional minefield. And everything about Alex , including preconceived notions, sets Teighan off. I find that this half brother to Cair far more interesting than the other half. Perhaps Hawk does too because the background created for him as revealed slowly here, asks more questions, has me wanting to know more about him and his mother than I did Cair. Maybe we can get another novel about him from the author down the road.

Their relationship is tempestuous. There’s hate sex, physicality pain kink, all of which are asked for btw. It makes perfect sense considering Alex, his emotional state, and needs. Again see trigger warnings.

Mild Daddy kink that came and went and was never seen again. But some mild D/s and spanking is found here.

There is an odd dramatic element here which seemingly came out of nowhere. Honestly, couldn’t figure out why the author included this because there’s so much else going on that this aspect of the story felt superfluous.

The two trying to figure out they were actually a good match for each other, as well as mates? That’s high drama enough considering their backgrounds and who they are.

Luca and Cair pop in and out with regularity with updates on their lives and the search for Luca’s father.

But I stayed connected to Teighan and Alex. And wondered if Alex’s brother would show up one day soon.

Like I said, the potential this couple and this story showed wasn’t really reached, so I’m hoping that Hawk will extend the storylines into a second book of their own.

If you enjoy paranormal fiction or romance, this is a series to check out. Read them in the order they are written. It’s a definite yes from me.

Veiled City:

✓ Cair #1

✓ Teighan #2

◦ Luca #3 – tbd 2024

Buy Link:

Teighan: MM Paranormal Romance (Veiled City Book 2)

Blurb:

Alexander Lawrence is bored. At twenty-seven, his life is an endless loop of painting and teaching—and lots of mind-numbing sex to distract himself from the fact he’s trapped in a gilded cage of his mother’s making. That is, until his best friend goes back to the Fae realm, leaving a seven-foot hunk of grumping gorgeousness to act as Alex’s bodyguard, and he suddenly finds himself totally uninterested in anyone else. It’s challenging, pursuing a guy who seems to hate his guts, knowing it might well end in disaster, but Alex never could resist the thrill of the chase.

Teighan Haryk is the half-blood son of a King, and a war-hardened Fae Captain to boot. Babysitting humans isn’t part of his resume. But he made a promise to watch over Alex—and he never goes back on his word—so for the time being, he’s stuck guarding the insufferable artist with the smart mouth and pretty eyes. It’s infuriating, but he’s oddly enthralled by the creature, and after learning that the boy’s life isn’t as easy as he assumed, his protective streak awakens. Teighan’s resolve is tested to its limit, and despite his efforts to stay indifferent, he’s forced to admit that he may have met his perfect match.

Alex struggles to deal with his issues while Teighan tries to pretend his feelings don’t exist. Their chemistry is scorching, but there’s no way their attraction will ever be more than physical.

Will it?

TEIGHAN is a MM paranormal romance with spice, size difference, and soulmates. It features a sunshine human using flirting in place of therapy, and a surly Fae whose plans of a peaceful life take a mate-shaped detour. TEIGHAN is second in the VEILED CITY series, which is best read in order due to the overarching plot. Each book focuses on its own pair and their HEA.

If you want to know more about this story’s tropes, kinks and warnings, visit my Instagram (authorerynhawk) for a full content list—or check the content warning at the beginning of the book.

Review: Ghost Dater by Ofelia Gränd

Rating: 4🌈

Ghost Dater has the feel of an addendum short story to the wonderful Soul Eater. It reads like a cute afterthought to that tale. Turns out I’m not far off.

The author’s publisher put out a call for Halloween shorts and Ofelia Gränd thought her readers would like to see what the couple was up to.

Having problems, apparently.

At Halloween, the anniversary of Sandy’s untimely death.

A reader needs to have read Soul Eater before this to understand the characters, their history, and what they are going through to have their relationship. Sandy’s feelings at his new status are understandable but the lack of communication about those thoughts between the partners is not.

As the ghostly aspects of his new life are still in a learning phase, the frustrations Sandy is experiencing are emotions that the reader can relate to. The author is so very good at expressing these emotions and thoughts through scenes and dialogue.

The story is very short, only 38 pages long. I felt that the balance of voices between Sandy and his sorcerer mate, Thad , was a bit off, with Sandy the dominant POV. Perhaps that’s on purpose so when we get into the story and see Thad’s part of the plot, it’s a bit of a surprise.

For me, I missed the surrounding characters and more of these characters’ current lives as they just didn’t seem to fit as well into a short story format given their complexity in terms of relationship and developing mate bond. It ends with them called off to a new case. I’d love to see that happen.

Here’s to another case and another novel. This is a wonderful bridge between the two. Happy Halloween 🎃.

Buy Link:

Ghost Daterby Ofelia Gränd

Blurb:

Thaddeus Esax has a grumpy werewolf problem. For a year, he’s been mated to Sandulf Hunter, a ghost werewolf he brought back from the dead without meaning to. It’s been great. Thad’s been happy, and he believed Sandy was too. But Sandy has been sulking for more than a week, and Thad fears their relationship isn’t going as well as he believed.

The problem with being mated to a ghost is that said ghost never can leave your side, and therefore it’s extremely hard to keep secrets. Thaddeus wants to surprise Sandy, to cheer him up, but to do that, he has to trick him into believing they’re doing something they’re not.

Telling Sandy they’re having a Halloween party doesn’t go over well, but how do you trick a ghost? By making him believe he’ll be dressed up as a pirate for an evening, of course.

• Publisher: JMS Books LLC (October 13, 2021)

• Publication date: October 13, 2021

• Print length: 38 pages

Review: Soul Eater by Ofelia Gränd

Rating: 4.75🌈

Swedish author, Ofelia Gränd’s latest novel reminds me that I really need to put her on my auto buy list.

Soul Eater’s wonderful universe drew me in completely and the storylines kept me invested in the characters and the potential for more tales to come.

She begins the story with a Paranormal Investigations Department that employs a number of different beings, from a psychic to a witch with detectives of various shifter species, including a jaguar Captain.

We get a glimpse into a squad out of sorts with each other and the cases several missing women to solve.

The individuals within the squad are divided into two groups, the magical humans and the shifters, as personalities and deep feelings have contributed to conflict between the members. Gränd’s believable well defined characters help the reader understand the differences that now exist between them as the case investigation gets underway.

I’m not sure exactly what it is about this author’s work that adds that extra dimension to it. That touch of subtle horror or oddity that overlies the most mundane of actions.

Not that there’s much of those here in a paranormal mystery murder thriller where shifters, sorcery, a ghost, and Halloween overlap .

Especially a wereghost. I found that aspect of the story so satisfying as it develops on multiple levels.

The author’s world building expands as the story goes along, our knowledge of the magical universe coming to include a division of human witchcraft into wizards, mages, sorcerers and warlocks, an distinction that’s been hidden from the human population and paranormal one alike. This has implications for a major part of the storyline and not one I would spoil. It’s just one more thing I found entertaining and added more to the characters.

It’s elements like this that will keep me returning to Gränd’s books and hopefully more in this universe.

I found the narrative fascinating, the elements marvelous, the characters well developed, and all of it thrilling and suspenseful.

A definite recommendation for this author and book! Love it!

Buy Link:

Blurb:

Detective Thaddeus Ezax is in over his head. He’s the only wizard in Rockshade’s Paranormal Investigations Department, and it was his name that got him the job. The Ezaxs are known as some of the most powerful wizards in the world, but Thaddeus isn’t your average Ezaxs. Is it any wonder his family shuns him?

When a kidnapping case is dropped into his lap, Thaddeus must act fast. While most five-year-olds can cast a location spell, Thaddeus can’t and is forced to get creative. When he finds himself in possession of a black market werewolf skull with a ghost trapped inside, accidentally releases the spirit, and somehow forms a connection with it, things get even crazier.

Sandulf Hunter doesn’t remember dying, but he remembers the last thing he saw before everything went black — a wizard. All wizards must die! The only problem is, the wizard standing next to him smells too damned good, so good Sandy thinks he might have to keep him.

And since wherever Thaddeus goes, Sandulf finds himself yanked along, he might not have a choice in the matter anyway.

• Publisher: JMS Books LLC (October 31, 2020)

• Publication date: October 31, 2020

• Print length: 186 pages