Tag: Scattered Thoughts Highly Recommended

Review: Stealth (Operation Justice Force Book 5) by Reese Knightley

Rating: 4.25🌈

These books pick up pretty much where the events in the preceding stories left off. So if you’re looking to understand the characters, the relationships, even the agency itself, then you’ll need a prior history and knowledge coming into Stealth. Because, honestly, I couldn’t remember who was who and from where at times here. Too many overlapping series and books and too much time in between reading them.

That said, these two characters are among my favorites here. They have just started a relationship, and despite the difficulties of their circumstances, their chemistry is still outstanding, and they are in sync with each other in every way.

Knightley really brings us into their relationship and unique dynamic, the intrigue, the missions, and now with Seven, his tragic family situation and history. The author has a twofold plot ongoing. One that involves Seven looking into the murder of his younger sister and the disastrous home life his brother is forced into with his father. And an internal conspiracy that will involve multiple agencies and countless characters from crossover series.

Both are so complex and intriguing that I kept wishing for more narrative time spent on each element. But probably would have doubled the size of the book. Still I felt that with such complicated storylines also comes the expectations that an equally layered exposition would follow each thread to its conclusion. Instead I’m left with questions about each plot line and wondering if we’re going to get the answers in future books.

From the epilogue, it seems not. At least on Seven’s personal side.

I really wavered over the rating. I loved the main characters. They and their relationship is so well written. They balance each other out. However, weak points like Theo (very annoying, a one note character given too much page time), the suddenly appearing villain on Seven’s element, works against the good aspects of the story.

Overall, a hugely entertaining, and often enjoyable story, another in a terrific series.

If you have issues with overlapping characters, a multitude of characters, crossed paths with other series, then this might not be the best thing for you.

However, if you’re a fan of the author, her related series, and this series already, then it’s one I recommend. I love this couple and it’s great to see them get a HFN!

Operation Justice Force :

✓ Lethal #1

✓ Rough #2

✓ Honor #3

✓ Rebel #4

✓ Stealth #5

Buy Link:

Stealth (Operation Justice Force Book 5)

Description:

Hunter –

Seven is hot as hell, possessive, and dangerous—his perfect match. Except Seven is not into long-term commitments. So, when the man is still in his bed one morning, Hunter thought they’d have a couple of perfect days together. Hunter wants to share about his past. Then again, maybe he shouldn’t say a word since his secrets could get both of them killed.

When Hunter’s past rears its ugly head, he is out of time.

Seven –

Hunter is sexy, lethal, and irresistible. Seven can’t decide which trait is more appealing. There’s something else, though—something dangerous simmers beneath Hunter’s surface that intrigued him and has brought him back for more. Seven can’t stay… he won’t commit until he finds his sister’s killer. He needs to take care of that before he can make promises. Best-laid plans don’t always work out and staking his claim can’t wait when assassins come gunning for Hunter. Seven will need to pull out every trick from his arsenal to stop them.

Because nobody is going to take Hunter from him.

-Shadows emerge from the darkness and hitmen suddenly have faces, and Seven is thrust into a world he knows nothing about. What the hell is going on…

Related Series:

Cobalt Security2 booksReese Knightley

Out for Justice7 booksReese Knightley

Code Of Honor8 booksReese Knightley

Review: Paranormal Princes: The Complete Series by Charlie Cochet

Rating: 4.5🌈

Paranormal Princes: The Complete Series by Charlie Cochet is a fantastic way to binge read the series. Three stories, two bridged by a kingly developing tale of romance of its own which will resolve itself with the third series tale, a culmination of all three storylines.

I happily breezed through them, admittedly the first couple still being my favorite. Cochet really outdid herself with Prince Owin, Prince of the Ocelots. If you’ve ever been owned by a cat, known a cat, or just plain observed any, then this character and felid portrayal of an ocelot shifter will ring so true you be laughing. I do every time he makes an appearance here, and in other stories. I heart him so much. Grimmwolf, wolf shifter and bodyguard , as ordered by their king and his advisor, is perfect for him as well.

This is, of course, my favorite story of the three. First and best, imo.

It goes that King Alarick , King (and father) of all Shifters, and the blind immortal Lord Jean Eldritch, king’s adviser , have devised individual quests for the King’s children, the Princesses and Princes to prove they can rule their kingdoms and their people. Theirs is also a developing romance of over a thousand years, with a mystery included.

First quest and book is:

1. The Prince and His Bedeviled Bodyguard

The tale of a very adorable, spoiled persnickety ocelot prince and his quietly smitten wolfy bodyguard on a quest to prove the ocelot prince deserves his crown. Feline purfection! Feline high handed glam versus a canine werewolf sensibility, with maybe a long-standing crush. How they tackle the quest involves a magical bag, a purple orb, and some great crossover characters from a Macy Blake series!

2. The Prince and his Captivating Carpenter

The Prince this time is a deeply grieving bear shifter. Prince Bernd lost his father up on a mountain when they were hiking and he’s never recovered from the tragedy. He’s withdrawn from his people and never leaves his castle. Until time for his quest.

His king and advisor have assigned him a coyote shifter, Saer, who looks very familiar. It’s up to the two of them to survive together and complete a daunting and dangerous task.

Unlike the first story, the second is much less lighthearted, the grim reality of the painful nature of Bernd’s behavior and withdrawal never far from the surface. Saer also has deep insecurities and fears to overcome. This is a darker journey that’s a trend for the series.

The characters are excellent, and I enjoyed their journey immensely.

3. The King and The Vigilant Valet

This story was both the one that had the most goals, the most themes and plot stories to wrap up. I really enjoyed all the twists and plots turns. Considering it’s really the biggest quest of them all , with life and death stakes for all involved, it stands to reason that Cochet has a cast of multitudes here, heroes and villains.

The ending wasn’t entirely satisfying for me as I didn’t feel that the outcome for Jean’s true form did anything but defang him. I kept thinking surely there must have been a more imaginative way to keep him true to his mythical nature while leaving him able to be more himself than before.

Ah well. ‘‘Twas not to be. But it left me with feeling that there could have been more. Especially after the epilogue.

So while I loved the first, really enjoyed the second, the final chapter had issues for me. Still the whole thing was great and a wonderful journey for lovers of Shifter romance and especially those of the feline characters.

I’m definitely recommending this!

Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com › Paranor…Paranormal Princes: The Complete Series – Kindle edition by Cochet, Charlie. …

Description:

Let the good times roar! Enjoy the complete Paranormal Princes series.

THE PRINCE AND HIS BEDEVILED BODYGUARD

Prince Owin

Being a fierce predator—not at all adorable, despite my graceful stature—the last thing I needed was a bodyguard. Especially a wolf shifter, whose presence alone was an insult to my princely principles. As Prince of the Ocelot Shifters, I prided myself on my infallible feline instincts, uncompromisable dignity, and flawless fashion sense. If having a canine follow me around at all times wasn’t bad enough, I now faced the most important moment of my entire life. The time had come to prove I was worthy of my crown. If only I could find a way to get rid of the pesky bodyguard.

Grimmwolf

When the King of All Shifters asked me to guard Prince Owin, I admit I had no idea what to expect. Cat shifters tend to be a little intense, not to mention kinda cranky. Owin was no exception, though he seemed crankier than most. Being his bodyguard was proving to be one of the greatest challenges of my life—but not nearly as great as convincing him there was something special between us. When Owin is faced with a perilous quest to prove his worth, I was determined to keep him safe, even if the same couldn’t be said of my heart.

THE PRINCE AND HIS CAPTIVATING CARPENTER

Prince Bernd

As Prince of the Bear Shifters, I knew the time would come for me to prove myself worthy of my crown. I expected my quest to be perilous. What I didn’t expect was for it to take me up into Espen Mountain, a place that’s brought me nothing but grief and terrible nightmares. Not only must I find the five magical ingredients, but I have to do so alongside Saer, a mysterious and charming shifter coyote summoned by the king to be my guide. But who is Saer, and why do I feel as if we’ve met before?

Saer
Crushing on Prince Bernd from afar was one thing. Being given the responsibility of saving the prince and his kingdom was a whole other story. Banished from my kingdom by my own prince years ago, I never imagined I would be summoned to help Bernd. What could I possibly offer a prince? How was I supposed to save him? I was no one. A shifter with no place to call home. What I did know was that I would do everything in my power to help Bernd succeed on his quest. All I had to do was stop crushing on the guy, find the magical ingredients hidden up a dangerous mountain, and save his heart. What could go wrong?

THE KING AND HIS VIGILANT VALET

Jean

The past has a way of catching up with you, even if you are immortal. I’ve spent thousands of years as the valet and companion to the powerful King of All Shifters. It has been my honor and duty to protect, serve, and advise him. I never intended to fall in love with him. My past is filled with death and bloodshed, but I never once regretted keeping Alarick safe. Now an evil I thought long gone has resurfaced, determined to kill Alarick and plunge the world into chaos. Saving Alarick means revealing the truth about myself. I don’t know what’s worse, failing to protect the king I love, or watching him turn away from me when he discovers what I really am.

King Alarick

As King of All Shifters, my powers are connected to the cosmos, and I have been around since the dawn of time. There are few things that can kill me. Unfortunately, one of those things has escaped its prison and is set to destroy me. The only weapon that can defeat this creature is the Scythe of Kronos, which has been missing for nearly as long as I have lived. When Jean and I set out on a quest to find the scythe, questions I had long ignored must now be answered. What is Jean’s connection to this evil? Why will he trust me with his life but not his secrets? As my most trusted valet, and my greatest friend, surely nothing that happens along this perilous journey can change what I feel in my heart for him. Or can it?

Review: Ghostly Envy (Ghostly Book 3) by E.M. Leya

Rating: 4.5🌈

Ghostly Envy see big changes in the interpersonal relationships of some of the main characters of the Ghostly series.

Detective Angus Young reveals to Franks that he’s been getting his information from the ghosts of the victims of the crimes he and his partner have been investigating. It’s a huge deal because it could upset their friendship as well as their professional partnership.

It has the effect of bringing Franks more throughly into the inner circle, a mixed bag of real and ghostly found family members that’s been accumulating over each story. Angus’s ghost seeing mother, her ghost friends, his father, ME Lance, his ghostly friends like the hundred plus years Ray, Cele the celebrated cook, and more. This book will certainly bring new additions to the group.

It all starts innocently enough with Angus and Lance having talked Franks into looking at buying a house. It’s while house shopping that Franks becomes a part of his friend’s paranormal life and we meet a lovely poignant ghost.

Ghostly Envy might be my favorite to date. Not because it’s lacks the horrific crime scenes of the prior stories but because we get to know this ghost and her story so intimately. She makes a real impact on us, just as she does on Franks and the rest.

The crime, its resolution, even the criminal, it all makes sense, in a very sad human way.

On the paranormal side, we see that even ghosts, at least according to E.M. Leya, have a shot at love, albeit in a different aspect. That’s a delightful thought.

I absolutely enjoyed this story and the growth it demonstrates in terms of characters, relationships, and world building.

There’s another story coming, just no date as yet. I’m waiting with great anticipation!

Definitely recommending the Ghostly series for all lovers of the paranormal romance trope with the elements of mystery and murder thrown in.

Ghostly series:

✓ Ghostly Awakening #1

✓ Ghostly Findings #2

✓ Ghostly Envy #3

◦ Ghostly Claus #4 – TBD

Buy Link :

Ghostly Envy

Description:

The last thing Lance expected to find while helping Franks look for a new house was a ghost. Shelia just wanted to graduate and get on to college, but that never happened. The last thing she remembers is being at home on the couch, then waking up in a deep hole in the middle of nowhere. She wants answers. How did she get there and why?

Who wanted her dead?

Lance and Angus can’t ignore the plea for help and get to work, piecing together the evidence and talking to those who knew the victim. Nothing makes any sense. There is no reason this girl had to die. As they work the case, they also welcome a new member to the team, one who is fighting Angus for his side of Lance’s bed.

E.L. Publishing

Review: Ghostly Findings (Ghostly Book 2) by E.M. Leya

Rating: 4.5🌈

Ghostly Findings finds ME Lance and his boyfriend, Detective Angus Young, soon involved in a horrific case of murder and a hunt for a serial killer who might have victims waiting to be found.

I thought this was a great case, one which added quite a few new ghosts to the paranormal family existing at Lance’s house, and maybe even more interesting tidbits about the life after each passes. Author Laya is building out to their already established ghostly foundation as well as the earthly one with each new book.

The crimes are heinous but have happened off page. The ghosts are no longer traumatized by the crimes and events they’ve endured.

Lance and Angus are trying to find time to work on their own relationship and romance but their jobs and workload realistically interferes. Plus we get a better look at Angus and Lance’s work situations and coworkers. This includes Angus’ partner Franks, a character we get to know well and become invested in too.

The determination, the investigation, the manner in which the ghostly details must be shared or threaded into their reports feels about right. Even the ending. Did I wish for more high drama? Yes. But was the way it unfolded probably more in keeping with the story? Yes.

I’m absolutely enjoying these stories and characters. The mysteries and the relationships are amazing.

So it’s onto Ghostly Envy and new murders, and obviously new ghosts. Can’t wait.

Definitely recommending the Ghostly series for all lovers of the paranormal romance trope with the elements of mystery and murder thrown in.

Ghostly series:

✓ Ghostly Awakening #1

✓ Ghostly Findings #2

✓ Ghostly Envy #3

◦ Ghostly Claus #4 – TBD

Buy Link :

Ghostly Findings

Description:

As a medical examiner, seeing ghosts has its advantages. After being informed by a ghost that there is a mass grave in the area, Lance and Detective Angus Young feel the fallout. As one investigates the murders, the other investigates the bodies, both trying to piece together what happened. Luckily, the dead aren’t all silent. As ghosts of the victims appear, clues to what happened start to come together. The only problem now is figuring out who the killer is and catching him before he strikes again.

Review: No Friends At Abergwyn (Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery Book 2) by Ripley Hayes

Rating: 4.5🌈

No Friends At Abergwyn is the second story in the Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery trilogy and it’s even better than the first.

Ripley Hayes dives into the background of the magical baker who lives in a field, Lorne Stewart. Peter Tudor, the nurse who’d left his A&E job in the city to come home to care for his disabled mother, has found himself at odds with his life in Abergwyn. While he’s fond of his hometown, his mother has ample support, a boyfriend, and no real need for him. And his skills aren’t being used in his current job. Only in his new relationship with Lorne can he be said to be happy. With questions.

Does Peter believe in magic?

Hayes builds a story strong on mysteries, full of questions both personal and those that involve the mystical. All threaded so neatly together that it feels completely natural.

With the ancient oaks, the sea, Enzo the horse and Charlie the dog, both of which seem perfectly capable of communicating with the humans they adore, and magic that makes itself a real presence. These are storylines that pull the reader in , through murders, through personal experiences, drama and joy!

The characters are sympathetic, easy to empathize with, interesting and layered.

The third book should be the most interesting in that it’s removed from Abergwyn. That was a character all it’s own.

Now onto the last one of the trilogy.

I’m highly recommending this and the one prior. Great characters and elements. I love a terrific cosy. Here you have two!

Loving those covers!

Note: don’t miss out on the recipes at the end!

Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery series:

✓ No Accident at Abergwyn #1

✓ No Friends at Abergwyn #2

◦ Murder Without Magic #

Buy Link:

No Friends at Abergwyn: Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery 2 (Tudor and Stewart Abergwyn Mysteries)

Description:

Lorne’s past has caught up with him in the shape of a mini-convoy of camper vans, and a mysterious book of his mother’s recipes. Which turns out to be magic. Of course it does.

Peter knows there is no such thing as magic, but he’s falling hard for Lorne and trying to keep an open mind.It’s harder to be open-minded abut the camper van people, who just sit around drinking tea and eating Lorne’s cakes. Then one of them turns up dead, and Lorne is arrested for the killing — by Peter’s schoolboy-crush-turned-policeman.

With his mother and Dave-next-door all loved-up, his old job calling him back, and tarot cards at every turn, the last thing Peter needs is a murder to investigate. But that’s life: what happens when you’d planned something else.

No Friends at Abergwyn is the second book in the Tudor and Stewart gay cozy mystery series from bestselling author Ripley Hayes.

Review: No Accident At Abergwyn (Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery Book 1) by Ripley Hayes

Rating: 4.25🌈

What a delightful find! New to me author! Small village Welsh location, with all that entails. And it’s a cosy mystery.

That means the following elements. Busybody main characters, small community’s over abundance of gossip and intrigue, a murder or more , a romance however slow to build, and animals. A dog, cat, or in this story a charming dog and a horse!

Both of those belong to a bit of a magical man, Lorne Stewart, who along with Enzo the horse and Charlie the dog, have invaded the quiet village of Abergwyn, and settled into his field, and started baking his acceptance into the villagers hearts.

Recently returned home to Abergwyn is Peter Tudor. Once a A&E nurse but now a rural district nurse in order to return home to live with his disabled mother, diagnosed with MS. A mother who decidedly needs less help from Peter than he realizes.

The mother/son relationship is real, warm, and loving. Peter almost blindly not accepting the truth of the degree his mother is able to do on her own. The strong support system in place from neighbors and friends he’s been unaware of away from home.

Peter’s situation too is believable. He’s suffering from leaving a position and type of ER job he thrived in to go to one where his skills are wasted and he’s feeling cut off from others and maybe even depressed.

Hayes’ realistically, and with gentle humor and care, builds up her foundation and the personalities of the people who will make up the series and the stories we will invest our time in.

I was entertained, really got into the village life and people, and saw the start of the romance that will build.

I thought it ended abruptly. The villain was caught but there was still questions left over for the next book to dive into. Plus personally, Peter has much to ponder at the end.

I’m thrilled to find this author and new cosies to read. Definitely a recommendation! Plus great covers!

Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery series:

✓ No Accident at Abergwyn #1

◦ No Friends at Abergwyn #2

◦ Murder Without Magic #3

Buy Link:

No Accident at Abergwyn : Tudor and Stewart Cosy Mystery 1 (Tudor and Stewart Abergwyn Mysteries)

Description:

Meet Peter Tudor. Nurse. Gay. Twenty-nine years old…and living with his disabled mother in the village where he grew up.

Only, it’s not that simple. His mother doesn’t really need his help. Peter’s given up the job he loves to move ‘home’ so now he’s drowning his sorrows in gin and cake. It doesn’t help that his schoolboy crush is still around, working for the police and handsomer than ever.

With the big birthday coming up, it’s time to take action. It’s on with the running shoes and onto the beach … where there is a fabulous sunrise. There’s also a dead body, and a man with a horse.

Publisher: cabins and mystery

Review: Westin’s Prince (Shadow Elite #4) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 4.5🌈

Westin’s Prince is the finale for Jocelynn Drake’s marvelous Shadow Elite series . It’s fitting it goes out on the story for Westin St James , the former marine, former CIA, now member of the mercenary Shadow Elite Unit. West’s been the one quietly in the background, the deadly sniper who can be counted on to have the team’s backs every dangerous moment of their outings. He’s a damaged man, and he’s been a mystery until now.

Who knew West could turn into such a favorite for me? A weird assassin contract that’s rejected by Justin and Gabriel is turned over to West by their joint handler because the target and terms are just too “off”. Something’s obviously wrong and the situation needs to be at least researched.

Drake creates a island kingdom that’s a supposedly combination of Chinese culture with Japanese influences. Honestly other than a mention that the language was a combination of Mandarin and Japanese languages there was little indication of anything Japanese to reference.

The other major characters are , and quite frankly, very engaging ones too:

🔷Jin Long Wei, Dianxia or Your Royal Highness , the target of the heart of the contract

🔷Prince Jin Ming Tao, younger brother to the heir.

🔷Qin, all around PA, to Long Wei

West lands into a kingdom who’s in love with its royal family, The Jins. Drake lays a good foundation for this, allowing the reader to see the people’s reactions to their Prince and interact with him as West and Long Wei themselves meet, discuss, and discover a deeper connection between them.

The island, it’s peace, and it’s Prince represents a powerful hope for West , if only that pesky contract is eliminated first.

The conflict is convincingly escalated, all the great team members and their new partners/husbands appear to help save the Kingdom, the Emperor, and the newly formed couple. Even the retired killer uncles are there, to back up West.

As it’s the last, there is betrayals, bloodshed, high suspense, and lots of action to take place along side the romance and relationship drama of acceptance and anxiety over the question of time.

The author’s able to work some of the readers own doubts about their relationship into the discussion process this way and it smoothly turns us into supporters of their romance and this book’s main theme.

The oddity for me remained that “forced melding” Asian influences when actually there were none. It was a mention and then used later in the story as a reference for the lack of aggressive behaviors in the island because as a nation long overrun by wars, only by cooperation can they succeed. So that’s all they do.

Nice thought for the faux Gaoxing, placed between China ,Japan, and Russia. But as I said I found little cultural aspects here other than Chinese seem to be represented.

The Chinese elements are:

🔷Chinese names for the characters, including grandfather, dad, etc.

🔷mah-jongg playing aunties

🔷The historically accurate headwear and manner in which the royal family should have their hair worn:

◦ Xiaoguan-(small guan) headwear worn around the topknot, typically held in place with a hairpin to help stabilize the topknot”

◦ Touji-topknot

🔷The mythology included, which is definitely Chinese (kitsune is Japanese):

“The huli jing is just a fox spirit, but after a thousand years of cultivation, it can become a juiwei hu. A nine-tailed fox, which is what the statue is in the old square.”

The Chinese elements gave Gaoxing a realistic impression and firm vision for its people. The idea of a mixture was immediately lost.

So I throughly enjoyed the romance, the plot, seeing the entire team form up against a common enemy to save one of its own, and finally a rewarding ending for them all.

There’s a free second epilogue that shouldn’t be missed showing the happy family six years down the road. It’s a heartwarming read and makes this even better.

So really, loved everything but had questions about the world building of Gaoxing.

Definitely recommending it, especially if you’re a fan of the series and author.

Don’t come at this cold. Read the series first in the order that they were written.

Shadow Elite series:

✓ Stephen’s Translator #0.5

✓ Charlie’s Doctor #1

✓ Kairo’s Billionaire #2

✓ Edison’s Professor #3

✓ Westin’s Prince #4 – finale

Buy Link:

Westin’s Prince (Shadow Elite Book 4)

Description:

The contract on the prince’s head was only the beginning…

This was supposed to be a quick job.

Pop in. Check out the prince. Alert his security that someone wanted him dead.

Easy.

But a chance meeting in a tea shop left West unable to walk away.

Crown Prince Jin was far too sweet and trusting to be left unattended.

(Not to mention devastatingly handsome and mind-blowingly sexy.)

However, Prince Jin has a dark secret that leads to even bigger problems. West is going to need the entire team for this one…and maybe even those crazy assassins.

Oh God, and a makeover as he goes undercover in the elite world of royalty.

Westin’s Prince is the fourth and final full-length novel in the Shadow Elite series and features mercenaries, assassins, royalty, a sassy assistant, conspiracies, danger, insta-swoon, yet another cinnamon roll, a fish out of water who will do anything for his prince, a “fake” boyfriend but nobody believes them, and love on the run in Asia.

Review: Something Stinks at the Spa (The ABC’s of Spellcraft Book 3) by Jordan Castillo Price

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Rating: 4.5🌈:

In Book 3 of The ABC’s of Spellcraft series by Jordan Castillo Price, Something Stinks at the Spa, our main couple, Dixon and Yuri , are continuing their search for Dixon’s magical wayward Uncle Fonzo.

A seemingly focus of chaos wherever he lands, Uncle Fonzo is yet to be revealed as either a villain or a hero. Or something interestingly in between.

Here he’s been traced to Spring Falls Hot Spring Spa, so Dixon and Yuri speed over from their last town to see if they can catch him.

Magical hijinks, more couple bonding, and lots of humor follow! Both men continue to grow further into their roles as Scriveners and Seers. Apart and as partners. Each story finds them exploring new possibilities for their magical abilities and the mysteries manage to challenge the pair , strengthening their skills as they finish each event.

Next up, maybe Uncle Fonzo!

I’m recommending this and the highly entertaining series.

The ABC’s of Spellcraft series:

✓ Quill Me Now #1

✓ Trouble in Taco Town #2

✓ Something Stinks at the Spa #3

◦ Dead Man’s Quill #4

◦ Last But Not Lease #5

◦ Don’t Rock The Boardwalk #6

◦ What The Frack? #7

◦ Present Tense: A Spellcraft Christmas short #8

◦ Brownie Points #9

◦ Forging Ahead #10

◦ Mayor May Not #11

◦ Bucket List #12

◦ Comic Sans #13

◦ It’s All Relative #14

Buy Link:

Something Stinks at the Spa (The ABCs of Spellcraft Book 3)

Description:

Mineral spas are so calm and relaxing…unless they smell like a derrière at a bean-lover’s convention, that is!

Dixon and Yuri have a hot tip that Uncle Fonzo is taking the waters at Spring Falls Hot Spring Spa. Not only is the spring stinky enough to make your eyes water—but the foul odor reaches peak level just as the resort is gearing up for a visit from an important critic that will make or break its reputation.

Normally, this wouldn’t be Dixon’s problem…except that it appears that a piece of his uncle’s Spellcraft might be responsible. He can’t be entirely sure, though, since that particular slip of paper managed to go through the shredder.

Dixon and Yuri pitch in to help the spa’s owner appease a jilted bride, an obnoxious businessman, and the world’s most boring critic while they scramble to reconstruct the shredded Spellcraft. Can they fix the wonky spell before it does any permanent damage? Or will all their efforts at saving the spa end up swirling down the drain?

The ABCs of Spellcraft is a series filled with bad jokes and good magic, where MM Romance meets Paranormal Cozy. A perky hero, a brooding love interest, and delightfully twisty-turny stories that never end up quite where you’d expect. The books are best read in order, so be sure to start at the beginning with Quill Me Now.

Review: Ghostly Awakening (Ghostly Book 1) by E.M. Leya

Rating: 4🌈

There’s so many books written about paranormal characters that talk to ghosts along with a law enforcement element or partner that helps with solving mysteries/murders that’s it should be its own trope. It’s a marvelously creative framework. Over and over, by various authors, it’s been threaded, twisted and tweaked to fit their particular personal narrative takes on this theme to wonderful effect.

Such variety makes it a great thrill to explore new stories in the same lane by new authors when I run across them. Like this one.

Ghostly Awakening (Ghostly Book 1) by E.M. Leya is the first in her new series. It’s a slow burn, paranormal romance that involves murder mysteries and of course, a detective and a man, in this case, a assistant medical examiner, who talks to ghosts.

I enjoyed reading this story. The characters are interesting and layered, with good dialogue and the right balance of quirky family dynamics and vagueness of solid foundation that will allow them to grow in future stories. Unlike other books, these aren’t tragic, haunted men. Instead, both Angus, the detective, and Lance, the assistant ME, are people who have the normal reactions and emotions you’d expect from people in their professions and with their experiences.

Except Lance starts to see ghosts. It’s a new thing for him and I’ll leave that part of the story to the book.

The ghosts are great. Leya has created a foundation for them , religious based, and spiritually oriented. FYI I’m not a religious person so this isn’t a sticking issue for me. Heaven or another plain . You decide. I liked her ghosts a lot. Big personalities and small.

The murders, while gruesome, all have already occurred and happen off page. The mystery is solved through ghostly events and hard work.

The romance is molasses slow and the book ends and the relationship is getting started. Everything about this makes me want more. And I’m heading to the next book quickly.

I’m recommending this for all lovers of this genre and fans of the author.

Ghostly series:

✓ Ghostly Awakening #1

◦ Ghostly Findings #2

◦ Ghostly Envy #3

Buy Link:

Ghostly Awakening

Description:

As assistant medical examiner, Lance is used to seeing strange things, but when he suddenly starts seeing ghosts, he worries he’s losing his mind.

Angus grew up around the strange. With his mother able to see and speak to ghosts, he’s grown up knowing there are things most people can’t see or understand. When he accidentally catches Lance arguing with a ghost, he knows he has to step in before the man thinks he’s going crazy.

As Lance adjusts to his new ability, he also realizes seeing ghosts has its advantages. When several women are murdered in the area, it’s up to Lance and Angus to work with the ghosts of the victims to catch the killer.

Review: Perfectly Imperfect Pixie (Perfect Pixie Series Book 1) by M.J. May

Rating: 4.75🌈

Perfectly Imperfect Pixie (Perfect Pixie Series Book 1) by M.J. May is a fantastically imaginative story, filled with characters so vivid and beautifully written that you embrace them immediately.

It helps that May, a new author to me, has created a richly detailed and creative universe into which to place these characters. I wanted to know as much about the world and it’s unique history as I did about the found family of beings coming together on the pages before me.

A world now run by fairy law, and these are very different fairies than the ones you might have in mind, our tale starts with a highly unusual pixie.

Philodendron, Phil for short, isn’t your normal pixie. While he’s beautiful, has pixie dust and glorious wings, he’s far from delicate or tiny. Quite the opposite. He’s big, tall in fact. Which makes it hard for him as a home and hearth pixie to get hired. Who wants a ginormous pixie around when it should be someone small, delicately flitting about bonding and cleaning?

The author’s two person POV invites the reader into the heartbreak of Phil’s current situation and his insecurities, his despair at ever finding a home .

Concurrently, we meet equally desperate werewolf Alpha Sedrick. Uncle to recently orphaned kids, Dillon and Kelsie, he’s got the terrifying family of his deceased brother’s wife to contend with. These are children are so well written, hurting and complicated while just being children and werewolves.

Sedrick, has an formidable fairy lawyer, Ray, and wonderful staff of miners, dwarves, and a need for someone, hearth and home pixie to get his house in order and help the grieving children.

It’s a great theme and May uses it as a framework to build a heartfelt bond between children, and Phil, and Sedrick, and all the others in this community. Like Peaches, the garden pixie, Phil’s best friend, and a bar owning vampire.

It’s simply a marvelous place to spend time in and grand beings to get to know. Plus there’s a evil grandfather to deal with too!

I’m thrilled this is the first one in a series. I was so impressed with how this story ended and wanted to linger on.

Now I can look forward to seeing this world and characters once more.

I’m highly recommending Perfectly Imperfect Pixie (Perfect Pixie Series Book 1) by M.J. May! Check it out now!

Buy Link:

Perfectly Imperfect Pixie (Perfect Pixie Series Book 1)

Description:

Size matters. Pixies are supposed to be petite, beautifully lithe creatures with gossamer wings. Sporting luscious, ombre pink hair and fluttering pink wings, Phil meets two out of three of those criteria. At over six feet tall, no one would dare call Phil petite. As a home-and-hearth pixie, Phil yearns to find a home and family he can bond to. When no one’s willing to hire a pixie of his stature, Phil is forced to find work elsewhere. Turns out, pixies make terrible bouncers.

The sudden death of Sedrick’s brother and sister-in-law left Sedrick Voss a pack of one—plus two young, traumatized were children. Sedrick needs help. He needs a home-and-hearth pixie. But pixies are small, delicate creatures nowhere near sturdy enough to stand up to a couple of growing werewolves. Phil seems like the perfect answer—a pixie that might be able to physically withstand small werewolf teeth and claws.

Phil is overjoyed, finally able to do a job that speaks to his heart and soul. But peace is a hard-won commodity. Sedrick is in the middle of a nasty custody battle with his niece and nephew’s maternal grandfather—one of the most arrogantly deceitful werewolf alphas to ever lead a pack. If their grandfather gets custody, Sedrick’s niece and nephew are in for a lifetime of manipulation.

Between the custody battle, noxiously invasive garden gnomes, and fairy lawyers, Phil and Sedrick struggle to keep their home and family safe. Werewolves and pixies don’t mate. Phil and Sedrick are about to challenge that misconception.

Perfectly Imperfect Pixie is a m/m standalone title with a HEA, a rough but kind werewolf, fairy lawyers, vampire bar owners, dwarf miners, questionably intelligent humans, pesky garden gnomes, and charming pixies.

My one issue this sentence.

“Deep, purple bags rested below his tender brown orbs”

— Perfectly Imperfect Pixie by MJ May

Pls no orbs ever. Otherwise perfectly imperfectly lovely.