Spell It Out is less a prequel but more a side story to the wonderful Mages and Matea series by Andy Gallo. This dives into a great couple of teachers at a interspecies high school connected to the university central to the series. Here mage Dylan Jurgenson, cousin to Bart Hollen (Break The Spell), has found out that he’s one of the teacher chaperones on the high school camping trip this year. Each year he’s managed to evade the duty by passing it off to another, like his cousin. But this time, Bart’s busy, so he has no other option. And math teacher , Minotaur shifter Xavier Tollis, is going as well.
Those are the basic facts. With the characters in place, Gallo begins to give us a lovely romantic story, filled with all the details that come with new relationship building, the discovery and discussions, and the joy. That Xavier and Dylan have young teenagers in their charge too adds a wonderful dimension. Gallo allows the kids a youthful energy and enthusiasm that makes the adults feel even more connected.
There are some fantastic teens here with their own issues, some of which coincide with that of Dylan’s poor self esteem. And there are other storylines about family, child neglect, and pack culture. All woven together into a story that has romances, humor, teenage angst , adult drama , mate bonding, and HEA.
Im hoping to see more of this couple together in the series, especially as Bart makes an appearance here. They are both really great characters and have such warmth about them. Actually I’d love to see the students too.
Novellas like Spell It Out ( Mages and Mates Prequel) by Andy Gallo just wet my imagination and enthusiasm for the series and characters I meet. It makes me want to go back to the beginning and start reading again.
This is a definite recommendation. So is the series. It’s listed below.
Dylan Jurgenson hates camping but is stuck chaperoning his practical magic class on their fieldtrip. Worse, he’s bunking with sexy math teacher Xavier Tollis. You know, the hot Minotaur shifter who barely knows Dylan exists. Not that Xavier’s lack of interest comes as any surprise. Who’d be interested in a mediocre mage, anyway?
Xavier can handle crazy teens and camping. Who he’d like to handle is the cute mage giving him morning wood so often he could build a house. Unfortunately, even in human form Xavier scares Dylan. Minotaurs have terrible reputations and even worse track records in love. Who’d be crazy enough to take a chance on a big guy like him, anyway?
Just when Dylan and Xavier are finally moving beyond their insecurities and misunderstandings, two students disappear under mysterious circumstances. Working together, they put their newfound feelings and lives on the line to save their wayward charges.
Failure is not an option but playing hero can sure have unintended consequences.
Dryad on Fire by Nicole Dennis is a terrific, densely layered piece of storytelling. One of the novels that makes the most of the series central theme of the Carnival of Mysteries, that immortal circus is a major element. So it’s a delightful experience that Dennis delivers many of the main Carnival attractions we’ve already visited and performers featured in books previously released.
However, the Carnival arrives at a place and location where Dennis has created in depth a world of unique magic. It’s a university that encompasses a wealth of magically detailed elements that will be used throughout the story, including the investigation into what’s sickening the Male dryad, Professor Julian Scarlett and his majestic Scarlett Oak, the protector of the Grove, and more. All on the eve of the most important event in the university’s and community’s history, an event it turns out the world’s survival depends on.
With a great deal of emphasis on the importance of the magical science needed for the investigation, and building a ever widening foundation for this world and network of beings, the author has done a fantastic job of bringing this story vividly to life.
Each character, the university, the forest and the grove (separate entities) jump to life under the great characterizations here.
In a way, so many spectacular elements and beings , the density of the investigation, hampered the romance between male dryad Julian and Druid Emrys Cadogan, newly appointed Professor of Botany, who’s fighting his own horrendous battles.
As the events play out, by necessity Julian is sidelined, and with that , so is the relationship, to concentrate on others matters that do impact him and everything else.
But it makes this less a romance and more a fantasy thriller with a side romance. Which is fine. It’s grand at that.
When Julian does reappear, it’s to a real high emotional level and dramatic effect. It works.
In fact, this entire book contains enough elements, characters, and themes to jumpstart a fabulous series. Including new couples.
Dryad on Fire (Carnival of Mysteries novel) by Nicole Dennis is a densely packed, highly entertaining, fantasy thriller, with a small side order of HFN. It can get a bit slow at times but then the intense horror and investigation scenes grab at you and you are committed.
Fabulous plotting, vivid imagery and great characters. Love it. And highly recommending it.
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 – September 20
◦ You Can Do Magic by R.L. Merrill – September 27
◦ Sting in the Tail by TA Moore – October 4
◦ Gods and Monsters by Rachel Langella – October 25
Welcome, Traveler, to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries!
What you see before you is no mere vagabond circus. Indeed, our show is full of wonders and delights that will leave you breathless, but whether that is with amazement or dread depends entirely upon you. We are unlike any other band of creatures you have ever encountered — and you few brave souls who choose to step beyond your mundane expectations and join us may witness sights beyond your wildest imaginings.
So sit back, relax, and let us entertain you. For time and worlds are fleeting, but each soul has a tale to tell.
Male dryad, Professor Julian Scarlett lands a protected position at the Lunore Academy of the Arcane. Caretaker of his grove, he senses trouble brewing underneath his oak and grove.
A mysterious traveling carnival offers distraction and fun. For Julian, a tarot card reading sparks off fears and heightens hopes.
Brought in mid-semester to replace an ailing Professor of Botany, Emrys Cadogan tries to prevent a potential disaster. A druid, he gets lost in the overwhelming work. Until the carnival offers him a brief distraction and pause.
Sparks strike away from the midway lights. Dark magic flickers and threatens. From games and shows, to life and survival, a druid and a dryad need to survive and fight together to save more than trees.
Dryad on Fire 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 mysterious hero, a lonely wanderer, a vengeful god, and a guaranteed HEA.
Micah is such a great story. Masters pulls together so many important pieces of her foundation elements in bringing the romance of fascinating puzzle creator incubus Camden Torrence and demon architect Micah Bailey.
Just the idea of that particular humongous, thousands of years old door of a puzzle, buried in a cave beneath a mountain and needing, no, wanting to be solved, is a fabulous idea. And that it’s Cam who’s got the superior knowledge, and bubbling excitement as well to solve it? Amazing. He’s a grand character who gets better, funnier, deeper as we and Micah, get to understand him.
Micah himself, with his family connections to Gideon, Asher , and the family (grandmother) who basically runs things , is another gem of a character. Through Micah, the demons are explored as a species, their dense physique due to teleportation. Even learning the subtle facial expressions are readdressed through the relationship between Micah and Cam, and even Cam’s interactions with Micah’s family.
Cam’s not without his own personal issues to deal with, and they are dealt with by being able to communicate and by understanding each other’s personalities and needs. I love it when an author does this, instead of letting the main characters flounder about, they communicate and share what they’re thinking and feeling, like mature beings.
Not to say there isn’t some absolutely spew worthy sentences and moments here. Because there totally are. Made my day! And this book so giggle snort gold ⭐️! And no will not quote them. Read them and enjoy them in context.
There be dragons here! Appearances by Brandt, Wil, Steffen and others were wonderful. And will send me back to their series , Here Be Dragons, which is one of the linked series to the original Hidden Species.
We get Hortplatz, now becoming as real a town as any character, with its high mountains, townspeople, and places we can recognize. Cold, and with it’s own charm.
If I have a small quibble, it’s that after all the buildup and intricate details of that puzzle door, it ended too abruptly. Perhaps it will be continued in book three, but it feels incomplete here as far as Cam goes and his “new life” which we don’t get. We need a chapter or at least several pages to bridge the gap between the ending and the new future town scenes to feel grounded imo.
But that’s a quibble in a book I very much adore. From the plot to the characters, this story had me from the beginning, perfect Louisa Masters.
Now onto book three.
And yes, I’m highly recommending this and all the connected series:
Wanted: Demon assistant for incubus genius. Personal services required…
Nobody ever expected to find a secret cave protected by a giant puzzle door in the mountains near our village. Even more surprising was the knowledge that it’s been there for thousands of years and was created by a dragon. I’m not the only one who’s dying to find out what’s inside.
It’s no hardship to assist the puzzle expert who’s coming to solve the door. That thing is an incredible feat of engineering, and the man who’ll solve it is bound to be intelligent and interesting. But from the moment I meet Camden Torrence, I’m forced to reassess… everything.
He’s intelligent and interesting, sure. But he’s also scattered. Clumsy. And I want to bury my face in his mop of curls and stay there forever.
A relationship wasn’t on my agenda, no matter what my matchmaking family wants. But as the weeks go by and we get closer to discovering what the secret treasure is, Cam becomes an integral, undeniable part of my life. How can I not fall for a man who, despite past hurts, is the living embodiment of sunshine in our snow-laden village?
I never thought the love of my life would turn out to be an adorable, absent-minded incubus, but now I can’t imagine existing without him. The challenge? Convincing him to stay even after the puzzle is solved.
Anthologies are always a great place to find a new author, get reacquainted with a writer you haven’t read in a while, or just plain enjoy a story from a favorite author of yours. All centered around one theme so a reader can see if they take a different or similar approach to the topic.
In this case , it’s the popular theme of fated mates in paranormal romance.
Fated Mates, a charity anthology, offers 20 stories by 20 authors, on the subject of fated mates. Clearly, a reader will be able to find a story to enjoy out of such a wide variety.
Story Format Key:
🟦Authors who wrote standalone stories, no connection to another series
🟪Authors wrote prequels to new series
🟩Authors used their series/universe here , including characters, prior or some knowledge required.
List of Stories:
🔹Aether and the Elements by Louisa Masters 🟪
🔹How to Survive a Summoning by Nikole Knight 🟦♥️
🔹A Werewolf Called Ammon by Michelle Frost 🟩
🔹A Squirrel Gets His Nut by Kelex🟪
🔹Fated Kiss by Mia Monroe 🟦
🔹Inferno by Kiki Clark 🟪
🔹Black and White by Vinni George 🟪♥️
🔹Violent Secret by Ariana Nash 🟩♥️
🔹 Wounded Mate by Lee Colgin 🟩♥️
🔹Shiny Things by Kelly Fox 🟦♥️
🔹The Crow King’s Mate by Jennifer Cody🟦♥️
🔹Fate’s Treasure by Grae Bryan 🟦♥️
🔹Deader Than Dead by H.L Day 🟦🔹Words Not Necessary by Lisa Oliver 🟩🟪♥️
🔹As the Raven Flies by Meghan Maslow 🟩♥️
🔹Curse of Silver & Blood by Sheena Jolie 🟩♥️
🔹There’s A Bat in My Room! By Michele Notaro 🟩
🔹The Demon and the Librarian by Chloe Archer🟩
🔹A Scent Like No Other by JP Sayle🟪
🔹True Mates and Where to Find Them by AJ Sherwood🟦
———-
1. Aether and the Elements by Louisa Masters – this story, which is a prequel, has a nice twist and interesting premise. Ends abruptly but as the author intends to go into a series with these characters, it’s fine.
2. How to Survive a Summoning by Nikole Knight-Demon Lyn and human Jamie are #couplegoals and this is a fabulous tale w/ great depth and characters. Love this Demon, they are adorable.❤️
3. A Werewolf Called Ammon by Michelle Frost – part of an existing series, instant maté storyline.
4. A Squirrel Gets His Nut by Kelex- terrific little story about a squirrel shifter finding his mate. Prequel to a new series. Fantastic.
5. Fated Kiss by Mia Monroe-instant mate/love vampire story that was one dimensional, plot holes.
6. Inferno by Kiki Clark- a prequel to the author’s new Silver Oak Pack series, it’s a quick best friends to fated mates tale, via mixed up curse. Cute.
7. Black and White by Vinni George- this is another prequel to a new paranormal series, Orcas. It’s pretty terrific in that it sets out the characters, a great storyline, and foundation arc. Need more!
8. Violent Secret by Ariana Nash- part of the author’s Blackrose Brotherhood series, including the character. Well done. Terrific piece.❤️
9. Wounded Mate by Lee Colgin , set in Colgin’s Outcast Mates series, an incubus and a werewolf find true love (hurt/comfort, found family) in a well done story.
10. Shiny Things by Kelly Fox is a great read, complete with well crafted location, terrific characters and story line. Poe the Raven shifter with his avian characteristics is perfect.♥️
11. The Crow King’s Mate by Jennifer Cody is an excellent paranormal love story about a raven shifter and a wolf shifter dealing with past bad romantic experiences finding out that they are fated mates. Wonderful characters and plot.❤️
12. Fate’s Treasure by Grae Bryan is a story I wish the author would expand into a larger novel. It’s so well written with excellent plotting and terrifically detailed characters that the ending pops way up too soon. Gentle , sweet storytelling.❤️
13. Deader Than Dead by H.L Day, great elements but together they added up to a story that just didn’t work for me. Others might feel differently. Trigger warnings about death and suicide.
14. Words Not Necessary by Lisa Oliver -prequel to established series, Magic Users of Greenford Trilogy, knowledge of that is useful but not necessary. Neo the anchor and Rocky the High Magic User find themselves on a magical murder mystery case as well as fated mates in a terrific short story that will send me looking into the series.❤️
15. As the Raven Flies by Meghan Maslow . Forced proximity/fated mates and two of my favorite shifters Raven/wolf combos or dire wolf. Part of the Charm City series/universe, excellent tale in every aspect. Storytelling, hot chemistry, fabulous characters, and location. More !♥️
16. Curse of Silver & Blood by Sheena Jolie is part of the Infinite Arcana Universe by SJ Himes/Sheena Jolie. Werewolf and wounded Fae fated mate pairing that’s a prequel to a story coming out in 2024. I’ll be waiting to read it as I love this romance and need more about what happens next. ❤️
17. There’s A Bat in My Room! By Michele Notaro. This is part of the Ellwood and Brinnswood world series for those who are familiar with the universe. There’s an adorable bat shifter in trouble and his human fated mate who will help him, once he gets over his fear of bats and idea that the bat isn’t a vampire. Cute story with familiar characters showing up as support.
18. The Demon and the Librarian by Chloe Archer. Archer had me at the librarian but just continued to seal the deal with great elements that had me snort giggling at places. Fabulous characters and storylines. Part of the Monsters Hollow series, this is a favorite story and one I wish was at novel length. ♥️
19. A Scent Like No Other by JP Sayle, Enchanted Ink tattoo shop, Salem, Massachusetts, and three beings in search of their fated mates, one of whom of is a skunk shifter. Prequel and same universe as the story in the beginning of the anthology from Kelex.
20. True Mates and Where to Find Them by AJ Sherwood is a fantastic way to end this grand anthology. It’s a fated mates vampire romance with all the writing aspects associated with Sherwood’s storytelling. There’s poignant moments, humorous scenes, sexy intimacy and great characters. I seriously needed more than just the shortened ending. Love the universe and couple.❤️
All in all, a fabulous anthology, full of a wonderful selection of authors and stories to read and even new series to enjoy. And a charity that will be able to provide for the LGBTQIA community too with the readers help.
Fated Mates is a Paranormal Romance Charity Anthology from some of your favorite MM authors!
It features new, exclusive stories from Kiki Clark, Mia Monroe, Louisa Masters, Kelly Fox, Sheena Jolie, Jennifer Cody, Nikole Knight, Vinni George, Chloe Archer, Meghan Maslow, Lee Colgin, Kelex, H.L Day, Grae Bryan, AJ Sherwood, Michele Notaro, Lisa Oliver, Ariana Nash, Michelle Frost, and JP Sayle.
All royalties will be donated to the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund and the ACLU’s Drag Defense Fund.
Hellhounds Never Lie is the first in a new series, Willow Lake Supernaturals, by Lori Ames, an author I’m not really familiar with. I really enjoyed getting acquainted with her writing with Hellhounds Never Lie. It’s location is the town of
Willow Lake, a mixture of humans and supernaturals living together, albeit unknowingly by the small group of humans. It’s considered a haven for supernaturals, a safe sanctuary for all , regardless of pack or political affiliation.
Into this comes a badly wounded fire mage looking for a new home. This is Ash, whose escape from a criminal ex, and a DV and DA situation , has left him with scars inside and out. Ash is a lovely character and one easily invested in.
Ames has created an entire community of characters here to carry over from book to book. Alpha werewolf without a pack that’s part of the entire series arc, a Hellhound police captain, a cat whose supernatural identity isn’t revealed, and on it goes. So many magical hijinks afoot here, especially in the bar that’s the watering hole and gathering place for the town.
Dillon, the new Hellhound the arrives seeking Willow Lake, but ends up a misdirected at the beginning, is also a good character. He fit in well with a wounded fire mage and they have great chemistry. It makes the fated maté’s aspect easy to accept.
Some of the elements here by Ames just telegraph their intentions too easily. As in certain characters might as well have narrative red arrows above them pointing downward saying “bad guy, something wrong here”. So when at the point in the storyline they , gasp, show up as , well, bad, you’re not surprised. That’s why the ratings not higher.
But Ames is able to make a reader feel connected to the town and enough of the characters that, even with the predictable aspects of the plot and some minor characters, the enjoyment isn’t lost. Plus I’m curious about Ash’s best friend on the other side of those texts and he gets the next novel! And there is the ongoing mystery left to solve.
So I’m definitely invested in this series and author going forward. The DV/DA (off page) was handled with sensitivity and the mystery is good. I like the characters and the relationships as they develop. So onward to the next!
A mage without magic. A hellhound without a home. A greedy wolf pack in the hills.
Ash is technically a fire mage, but he can’t do much. Turning his bedroom lights on and off without having to get out of bed isn’t exactly awe inspiring, not when anyone with the right gadget could clap and do the same thing.
Worse, sometimes he senses something bigger and brighter lurking under his skin, and it feels so familiar he knows it has to be his magic, but then he burps or sneezes, and the feeling passes. So it’s probably just allergies… or gas.
Yeah… Not exactly brimming with magical oomph. Not anymore.
It sucks.
But things start to change when he finds Dillon, a hellhound, being chased through the woods by an angry wolf pack. He is instantly smitten and it’s like something inside him unlocks. What’s even crazier is Dillon seems to think Ash still has magic… and now Ash isn’t sure what to believe.
What he does know is he’ll do what needs to be done to protect his friends and the little supernatural town of Willow Lake from the dirtbag wolves in the hills. Even with his magic on the fritz he can help, right? And, with Dillon at his side, what could possibly go wrong?
Tags: a hellhound looking for a home, a fire mage without magic, a talking cat, a small town full of supernatural beings, size difference (BIG hellhound, small mage), fated mates, Ash has scars inside and out, Dillon wants to hurt people who hurt Ash, Ash is always cold (hello, big fluffy pink sweaters even in summer), and a curious human BFF who knows nothing about supes but has a very active imagination.
I love Turner’s Soulbound series and so wanted to see the author revisit this universe. I am thrilled it’s the complicated Spencer Bailey, a favorite in that series, who’s been chosen to get a new story.
The complexity that is mage Spencer Bailey and his relationship with his companion, Psychopomp ocelot , Fatima is a difficult task to describe in one story because readers of the series have gotten to know him over seven books. That goes for Fatima, the Psychopomp too, another layered character.
Not quite a necromancer that raises the dead but a soul breaker, that magical difference being the thing keeping Spencer from the death penalty in the world’s government’s opinions. His type of magic is considered so powerful and rare, so little understood, that most agencies would rather lock him away or kill him than take the chance on his magic working against them.
As with the other government agencies who don’t come off well in Turner’s series, filled with bureaucratic cliques, people’s willingness to take things at face value, it’s no surprise we immediately fall into Spencer’s side of things here as he starts his investigation into a missing artifact. He’s gone from one agency, the PIA (Paranormal Investigations Agency) who handles international investigations and doesn’t want him after that last big battle, to Supernatural Operations Agency, which is the agency that handles the investigations within the country’s boundaries. In other words, don’t leave the country after helping save the world.
Does it help to have read the Soulbound series. Yes. I really don’t consider this a standalone. You need to understand the relationships, events, and even the smallest of references to have a deep appreciation of this story and what happens to Spencer here. That includes the people that show up from the Soulbound series.
Even Spencer’s relationship with Takoma, the Master Vampire of Seattle, has a prior basis in his prior experiences with Lucian, a Master Vampire from Soulbound, unlike any other , and referred to here.
Hailey Turner took her foundational elements from Soulbound and used them as a launching point for an intriguing new story about a mysterious artifact that has gone missing from the federal vault with potential catastrophic consequences . Spencer is the one of the few people who’s had experience with this type of object and operation. The reasons why soon become clear.
The investigation, the events are suspenseful , dangerous, and vastly complicated. Takoma and Spencer have a great chemistry and a hot sexual relationship that makes them a fantastic couple. I would love to see one more story about them with Takoma,working with the New York God pack , removing Spencer altogether from all the federal agencies rosters completely and getting his new life outside of that one. What a tale that would be!
Until then, I’m ready to dive happily back into the Soulbound series, and start over again. Remembering the first time I met everyone, was astonished at the mythology, the labyrinthine storytelling, and the characters I still can’t get enough of.
Soulbound is fabulous stuff, absolutely always on my to be recommended list. Adding this to it.
Spencer Bailey has spent his entire life under government oversight for something he can’t change: his magic’s affinity for breaking souls. After surviving the end of the world, Spencer joins the Supernatural Operations Agency with the intention of keeping his head down and his hands clean.
Tasked with tracking down a stolen artifact, Spencer wants to run his first case with the SOA by the book. The master vampire of the Seattle Night Court won’t make that easy. Takoma is demanding and possessive, used to getting what he wants, and he lures Spencer into his Night Court with the seductive promise of freedom.
In the Pacific Northwest, ghosts are crawling out of the woodwork, demons are on the rise, and Spencer can’t afford to make a mistake. Torn between the life he should lead and the one Takoma is offering, Spencer has to make a choice that won’t break his soul, but it might just shatter his heart.
Resurrection Reprise is an exciting new standalone novel set in Hailey Turner’s best-selling Soulbound Universe.
I fell in love with this universe and characters when I read M. J. May’s Perfectly Imperfect Pixie, which was the first book in this series. It was a richly detailed, vibrant tale, full of beautifully crafted with fantastic characters a reader could easily imagine and commit to. Vampires, pixies, werewolves, elves, sprites, zombies, witches and more in a lively landscape with a unique foundation and framework that was so solid it just felt right.
Now we’re back for Peaches story. We pick up shortly after the events at the end of Perfectly Imperfect Pixie, so yes, read this series in the order that it’s written.
Peaches, a nature pixie, has found his home in an orchard owned by a human couple. This is a complicated process, as pixies are actually a part of the life of the land itself that they call home. It was a big element in the last story and it remains one here. So well portrayed by May emotionally and descriptively. As is Peaches.
Peaches is golden. Golden pixie dust, gold like the sun. He shines so brightly in the narrative both physically and by his personality that he is almost warm when he appears on the page. That’s amazing writing.
So the reader can understand why a vampire would be so drawn to Peaches, a bit of sunlight they haven’t been able to see in hundreds of years or more. No matter what the mythology says.
The vampire being Lucroy Moony, King of the Southeastern nest in the United States, and owner of the bar, Dusk where Peaches’ friend, Phil, used to work. He’s also the being who saved Peaches life at the trial in book one. They have a starting point of a strange relationship. Lucroy is as dark as Peaches is bright. And just as well defined by his vampire powers , intellect, and age as Peaches is by his charm , bravery, and loving nature. In other words, they oddly match.
May builds a fantastic story here full of mystery, with our characters from the first story (and fast friends with Peaches), elements that have carried over that look to be a arc storyline, and new characters that will be revealed later on to have their own romances and roles within this arc expansion .
I was so enthralled that it was a 3am ending for me. Couldn’t put it down. May gave us sprites, a new ancient vampire I need to see more of, and a new take on social pixies that will make me stay up late again, I’m sure, in the upcoming book three.
And villains. Crazy, awful, and sometimes pathetic villains. I really love these books.
I’m highly recommending them but read them in them in the order that they are written.
Peaches is a nature pixie. Fully bonded to his orchard, he can only leave his land for a finite time. Plants, soil, daylight, and every living thing Mother Nature has on tap flows like liquid sunshine through Peaches’s lively veins.
Lucroy Moony was born into his vampiric second life over six hundred years ago. King of the Southeastern nest in the United States, Lucroy is responsible for more than his bar, Dusk. Lucroy only comes alive when the sun goes down. The moon and stars are his backdrop—the sun the quickest path to a pile of ash. Death and darkness fill Lucroy’s body with borrowed blood.
Pixies and vampires couldn’t be more different, and yet, Lucroy and Peaches find themselves drawn together time and again. But vampire myth cautions that pixie blood is deadly, and Lucroy’s willing to put that tale to the test. Nothing that smells as temptingly delicious as Peaches’s blood can be toxic. Right?
Lucroy wants nothing more than to court fate with his pixie, but someone’s been whispering in the vampire council’s ears, and they aren’t pleased to learn Lucroy killed a werewolf to save a pixie. If the council decides Lucroy was in the wrong, his life is forfeit, and the nest he’s tried so hard to protect could be left in sadistic hands.
Lucroy needs to convince the council pixies aren’t toxic but precious creatures. And, more importantly, one pixie, in particular, is his beloved—his Perfectly Perfect Pixie, Peaches.
Perfectly Perfect Pixie has a HEA ending and contains a willful nature pixie, a smitten vampire bar owner, pixie dust eating sprites, and a smattering of dwarf, werewolf, and fairy intrigue. Other species come along for the ride, popping up here and there. Be warned, there is vampire violence and a few heads will roll. If that is offensive or triggering, this may not be your cup of tea.
Dealing Him In is the start of a new Kings universe series by Charlie Cochet and it’s a terrific one. So easy to dive into the high action and sexy romance between retiring Fire Chief Valentino “Val” Serrano and Kings bodyguard Santos “Saint” Cavallero that my time with the book just slid merrily by.
There’s age gap, bi-sexual awakening ,a mystery, bombs, adrenaline rush, and real chemistry between two men so this romance really ignites and makes me feel as though this relationship has a firm grounding to it.
While you don’t have to be familiar with the other series and characters, it certainly makes it easier when they appear to support Val and Saint in their tentative romance and baby steps toward a HEA, and through the entire events that will occur during the storyline.
There’s plenty of drama to be found here, and various types of support needed.
Each man has realistic doubts about the relationship, the age gap and barriers raised due to personal issues and their own struggles. Cochet did a balanced job in creating a healthy relationship with the men, and advice from friends that carefully helped them understand the stumbling blocks they had raised between each other.
Have to admit I loved the use of the Malinois, but that’s on me. I’m such a sucker for dogs , especially when they’re used appropriately as the author does here with Chip.
Wonderful work all the way up to and through that adrenaline rush of an ending! Fabulous first book of a new series and addition to the Kings Security universe.
Now to wait on the release of book two next year!
Until then I’m highly recommending Dealing Him In (The Kings: Royal Flush Book 1) by Charlie Cochet !
Santos “Saint” Cavallero had his life all figured out when he married his high school sweetheart, joined the Navy, and became a SEAL. After years of being deployed, Saint comes home for good, only to discover his wife has fallen for another man. Now divorced and a bodyguard for Four Kings Security, Saint loves his job and his found family. His dating life? A hot mess, until the spark of an unexpected attraction strikes him like lightning, leaving Saint confused. Why is he feeling hot and bothered over the ruggedly handsome Fire Chief?
After twenty years of service, Valentino “Val” Serrano is passing his fire ax on to the next Fire Chief. His retirement starts off with a bang, literally. Val is saved by the young, hot bodyguard he’s been dreaming of for longer than he cares to admit, but Saint is straight, isn’t he?
Val and Saint get roped into working on Val’s tavern, but Val is determined not to let Saint get under his skin. He’s been here before, and he’s not about to risk his heart, no matter how hot and flirty Saint is. When a killer sets his sights on Val and puts everyone he cares about in harm’s way, there’s suddenly more at risk than their hearts. If Val and Saint don’t stop the killer, their whole world could burn to the ground, and the possibility of a future together will go up in smoke.
FOUR KINGS SECURITY UNIVERSE
STANDALONES
Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts-Standalone (Spencer and Quinn. Quinn is Ace and Lucky’s cousin.) Can be read any time before In the Cards.
FOUR KINGS SECURITY
🔹Love in Spades-Book 1 (Ace and Colton)
🔹Ante Up-Book 1.5 (Seth and Kit)
Free short story
🔹Be Still My Heart-Book 2 (Red and Laz)
🔹Join the Club-Book 3 (Lucky and Mason)
🔹Diamond in the Rough-Book 4 (King and Leo)
🔹In the Cards-Book 4.5 (Spencer and Quinn’s wedding.)
FOUR KINGS SECURITY BOXED SET
Boxed Set includes all 4 main Four Kings Security novels: Love in Spades, Be Still My Heart, Join the Club, and Diamond in the Rough.
BLACK OPS: OPERATION ORION’S BELT
🔹Kept in the Dark-Book 1 (Standalone series can be read anytime)
THE KINGS: WILD CARDS
🔹Stacking the Deck-Book 1 (Jack and Fitz).
🔹Raising the Ante-Book 2 (Frank and Joshua)
🔹Sleight of Hand-Book 3 (Joker and Gio)
THE KINGS: WILD CARDS BOXED SET Boxed Set includes all 3 main The Kings: Wild Cards books: Stacking the Deck, Raising the Ante, Sleight of Hand, and bonus story In the Cards.
I was excited about this story and follow up series to The Reckless Damned . Ferry, aka Ferryman, The Grim Reaper, Charon, the being who ferried the dead souls across the River Styx was last seen leaving Hell on his way topside to the human realm.
Patience goes into Ferry’s tortured backstory, how he ended up as the Grim Reaper, and what he is doing back on Earth. Patience is a wonderful title for him and his ill- fated romance.
The other voice and half of this couple belongs to Leo, a human firefighter. Leo is a very good, very confused man. He’s aware that something has been missing from all his relationships but can’t pinpoint what it is exactly. He believes he’s straight but he struggles with feelings he doesn’t understand.
All with good reason. Leo has a history he’s not allowed to remember until he dies. And then only for one hour.
Lark has done a wonderful job with these characters and their poignant love story. One who remembers everything and one who remembers nothing. It’s a setup guaranteed to usher in huge emotions and a flood of memories and tears.
And it does, scenes upon scenes.
This series follows The Reckless Damned, which is its foundation. So those characters are important here as supporting players and suppliers of knowledge to Leo, as he navigates his way back to Ferry.
Plus there’s always a dramatic element above that of the personal challenges to the mate bond relationship. A outside force that needs to be overcome.
Here that aspect was a little bit easily figured out. But the rest of the story, which was ,in turn, humorous, poignant, sexy, heartbreaking, horrifying , and finally, incredibly beautiful, well, that was fantastic.
It made Ferenc (Ferry) and Leof (Leo’s) longtime love story one of my favorites. And the setup for the next with Leo’s younger brother and a certain enigmatic vampire has me really hooked for more. Need Justice now! But I’ll have to wait until next year.
In the meantime, I’m definitely recommending Patience. And The Reckless Damned if you haven’t already read those as well.
I paid the ultimate price when I took the gamble to save my mate’s soul.
Ferry
Ferryman. The Grim Reaper. La Muerte. La Pelona. Shinigami. Charon.
I’ve been called many names over the millennia, all thanks to my role in Hell.
Ferrying dead souls over the river Styx.
But few know the demon behind the legend, how I came to be here, or the freedom I sacrificed to save the man I love.
Now I’m free to find him again. The problem? He doesn’t remember me.
And he’s straight.
Leo fell madly in love with me once before. Will he fall again before it’s too late?
Leo
All my life, I’ve felt like something is missing. Neither my job as a firefighter, my brother Matty, nor my ex-girlfriends have been able to fill that hole.
When a mysterious stranger approaches me in a bar, I find myself captivated.
I’ve never been attracted to men before, but I can’t seem to resist him.
Why is it that spending time with Ferry feels so…right? So familiar?
Patience is a fated-mates, second-chance PNR romance. The first in the Damned Connections series, each book will follow a different couple as they find their HEA. Although better read in order, these books can stand alone.
I really enjoy the Ghostly series by E.M. Leya, it’s got a number of interesting established ghostly characters, a slow burn romance, and at least one mystery per story that has a paranormal aspect to it that brings all the main cast together to find a solution, add to the series otherworldly information, and push the romance a bit further along.
In Ghostly Claus our victim is Santa. It’s the holiday season and someone is about to kill the fat jolly elf himself. But is it due to a lack of Christmas spirit or does the killer just not like the man under the costume? That’s what our coroner, Lance, who can see and converse with ghosts, and his detective boyfriend, Angus, are about to investigate, along with his partner, Frank.
Now on the fourth book, Leya has been accumulating a foundation of characters, alive and ghostly, to act as a found family to our core couple and important side adjacent people like Frank, Angus’ partner. Ghostly Claus continues that path as two more characters arrive in town that look to add to the knowledge of the other realm and expand on the found family for Lance, Angus, and the ghosts who live with Lance.
That’s the soldier brother of Lance returns home after a prolonged absence in missions overseas, and he’s got an unannounced surprise with him.
Once again, Leya gives the reader so much to sink into here. There’s the fact of the dead Santa’s family dynamics which are awkward and difficult for all, especially since his ghost is there, angry at everything he’s hearing and seeing. The mystery of who wanted to murder Santa, and catching him. Plus there the entire brother aspect of this storyline where Lance has decided to inform his brother of his new gift and hope it doesn’t change their relationship. Their brotherly friendship and dynamic feels real, especially as it deepens over the course of the book, each letting memories guide them back to each other. Finally, Angus and Lance continue to grow stronger with each other, not rushing things, communicating, confidently speaking about their lives and the things important to each other. Quietly adult and emotionally mature. So lovely, even with ghosts all around.
I adore the characters, the relationship dynamics, the mysterious nature of the cases, and the slow growth of the love story. Fabulous.
I’m highly recommending this but it needs to be read as part of the series, so really read them in the order they are written in order to understand the events and relationship growth.
When Santa Claus appears on Lance’s autopsy table, he can’t believe his eyes or ears as the not-so-jolly ghost accompanying the body tells Lance he’s been murdered. Solving this murder will take time as the list of suspects is growing. For some, Christmas isn’t the most wonderful time of the year, but it is the most profitable.
To top it off, Lance’s brother is in town visiting and he’s not alone. He’s got a ghost attached to him. Telling his brother that he sees ghosts just became even more important as this ghost insists Lance help him make things right before he moves on.
While the rest of the world prepares for Christmas, Lance and Angus try to salvage what they can of the holiday as they work to solve Santa’s murder and keep someone from stealing everyone’s holiday spirit away
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 