Review: Enticing the Elf (Elf Magic #2) by Louisa Masters

Rating: 4.5🌈

The second book in Masters’ Elf Magic series, Enticing the Elf was a romantic joyride, a comedic urban fantasy journey of love. That’s a phrase I’m sure those bros would appreciate!

This is Dáithí and Eoin’s story, characters we’ve grown to love and appreciate throughout this series and stories from the Hidden Species universe. It’s a couple that have been seeing each other, so no insta-love but realistic obstacles and struggles that they face that are keeping them from a committed relationship.

Immediately I like the story better than the first. The groundwork is there, the characters are well defined, and Masters’ plot hilariously allows for many of our favorite characters to shine in supporting roles to bring Dáithí and Eoin to their HEA.

It’s got comedy, romance, realistic relationship discussions and heartwarming moments. And bunnies!

Plus we get a setup for the next book and couple to watch for.

Dáithí and Eoin turn out to be #relationshipgoals. What a happy ending and fabulous story.

Highly recommended.

Cover Photo: Wander Aguiar

Model: Ryan

Cover Design: Booksmith Design

Elf Magic:

Wooing the Elf #1

Enticing the Elf #2

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Enticing the Elf (Elf Magic Book 2)

Blurb

There’s nothing I want more than a life with him… but my past is the world’s worst wingman.

For a big chunk of my life, I expected to die along with the rest of my species. Nobody thought we’d make it, and I did my best to live in the now and enjoy every second of precious life.

Now that’s coming back to bite me in the ass.

Because the impossible happened, and we got our second chance. A safe home. A tomorrow worth planning for. And a future I want to spend with Dáithí.

He’s amazing—sassy, clever, the kind of guy who can cut you down with one eyebrow and still make you laugh. We’ve known each other a long time, and convincing him to date me was one of the best wins of my long life. Convincing him to be my boyfriend? That’s a fight I might not win.

Because the reputation I earned when I was living life to the fullest has stuck, and Dáithí’s convinced I’m only in this for a good time, not a long time. He’s protecting his heart from future damage by keeping things casual between us… even though they’re not.

How do I prove I want him forever?

Review: Four Bears Construction Bonus Scenes by K.M. Neuhold

Rating: 4🌈

Stories from the small town of Fall Crosse and Four Bears Construction include:

Happy Birthday Honey (Cole and Ren)

Baby Goats (Stone and Dare)

Stone and Dare’s Wedding – ditto

Christmas Butt Plug. (Everett and Watson)

Tequila Wedding (Ollie and Daniel)

GOATS LIKE CAKE TOO – Four Bears Epilogue

Each one is exactly what the author says, a short scene from the couple’s life. Cute or sexy or both. The stories are a terrific way to close out the series and say goodbye to these characters and their HEA’s.

If you love them and want to see more of their lives, this is just the thing for you.

Four Bears Construction series- 8 books

Related series:

Big Bull Mechanics series

Ink Slingers series

Review: Wooing the Wiccan (Elf Magic Book 1) by Louisa Masters

Rating: 4🌈

I enjoyed Wooing the Wiccan (Elf Magic Book 1) by Louisa Masters, another new book and series in this author’s multi-series Hidden Species/Community of Species universe.

It was wonderful seeing King Raðulf, the head of the elves who has appeared throughout this universe in many novels, find a new love and get his own HEA, with a human Wiccan elementary schoolteacher, Jared. And his cat.

Equally wonderful? And true highlights? Having hilarious moments with dragonshifter Wing Leader Brandt, his Consort Percy, and their adorable daughter. Also Sam, Alastair, and many other great characters.

If anything, with the main issues and the characters involved, this relationship would have felt more natural and more well developed if , either the book itself had been longer or divided into two parts.

There’s so much that both characters have to immediately deal with, some of which is brushed over quickly here while still noting how deeply the changes impact on their lives and their relationships. Jared is unaware of the fact that otherworldly species exist, including the one he’s involved with.

Raðulfr has the safety of his people, the fact of his being the King with all that entails, and how much of his courtly life will be impacted by his Consort. And the fact that he is human.

Plus they don’t know each other well. They just started talking and dating.

So when Masters narrative begins to speed up once Jared is introduced to the Community of Species and all the other paranormals who exist on earth with the human community and the magic, other elements lose their depth of development and exploration.

How does Jared fit his new life into his old one? We don’t know. Does he change careers? No idea. It’s meeting and quickly developing affection between the two while hiding exactly who and what Raðulfr is. Followed by a huge argument, a shocking revelation, and then another rather quick, for this situation, resolution. And an immediate exchange of “I love you’s”.

Sigh. I was fine right up until that instant love came in. Adult conversation and working through their various issues? Fantastic. But it’s been weeks. Mere weeks.

A two part relationship development, along with further growth of magical abilities and time to explore this new aspect of the magical universe? That would’ve made this a far more interesting and believable journey.

Did I find it entertaining? Yes. It made me want to reread Brandt and Percy’s series once again. It’s a good read and gives the elf King a lovely HEA.

Cover Photo: Wander Aguiar

Model: Douglas

Cover Design: Booksmith Design

Elf Magic:

Wooing the Wiccan #1

Enticing the Elf #2 – Nov 6,2025

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Wooing The Wiccan (Elf Magic Book 1)

Blurb

I’m surrounded by two hundred thousand elves, yet somehow, I’m still lonely.

After a rough few millennia, the past decade has finally brought us peace and security—and justified my choices as our leader. But as chaos gives way to calm, I have more time for myself… yet it’s not what I want it to be. I’ve been alone for a long time, but before my people and work needed me more. Now the lonely hours stretch into eternity.

Until I meet Jared.

He’s my perfect match in every way; a teacher, a gardener, a cat dad. He loves books, nature, and interacting with others. He’s sweet, funny, kind, and we’re fire in the bedroom. The only hiccup? He’s human, and he doesn’t know other species exist.

Legally, we haven’t been together long enough for me to tell him I’m not human, and it’s getting harder and harder to keep this secret. To keep part of myself from him… to lie. But what if he learns the truth—a truth that will shatter the core of his beliefs—and can’t handle it?

What if he can’t forgive the lies?

Publication date: August 7, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 238 pages
Book 1 of 2: Elf Magic

Review: Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie #1) by Michele Notaro

Rating: 4 🌈

The first in a new series by Michele Notaro, Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie #1) was a terrific story, a little slow in the beginning but quickly picked up the pace for a dramatic ending.

The author is just starting to build the setting and form the group of characters that will eventually become a found family so we don’t have much of a history or background on them. Just the vague sketch of an idea for each.

Individually, the characters are good, as a relationship, the two main characters don’t have a real believable connection. It’s either too quickly pulled together or something. But the storyline just doesn’t give them the right chemistry even when supplying them with a back history together.

I think it’s a lack of overall world building and foundation versus the evil gnomes mystery that makes the story feel highly paced but without a feeling of depth.

I look forward to seeing what the second book brings.

Carry A Faerie:

Did It Have To Be Gnomes? #1
The Pushy Pixies Are Going Down (Hopefully) #2 – July 15,2025

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Did It Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie Book 1)

Blurb

Am I afraid of gnomes?

Maaaaaaaybe.

Did I take on a huge gnome job anyway? I sure did.

Am I about to ask my crush for help?

Well, I have to ask someone, right?

I get called out to a huge mansion with the biggest number of invading gnomes I’ve ever seen, and I’m not sure who to call to help. And I definitely need some help.

So when Winter Montgomery just so happens to stop by, I know I have to ask him. I’ve been crushing on the handsome guy from afar for years, so now’s my chance to get close—and get some much needed support.

As long as I don’t let him see just how much I hate gnomes—okay, I’m actually terrified of them, but he doesn’t need to know that… right?

Did It Really Have To Be Gnomes?! (Carry A Faerie Book 1) is a MM urban fantasy and the first book in Miles and Winter’s love story. Each book will have its own supernatural problem with a HFN ending for the couple, but there will be overarching plot themes throughout the series.

Publication date: July 31, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 296 pages
Book 1 of 2: Carry A Faerie

Review: Man Advantage by L.A. Witt

Rating: 3.75🌈

Man Advantage by L.A. Witt was a sweet trans m/m hockey romance from an author who writes excellent sports stories. I did enjoy the second chance, friends reunited elements here as well as the twins who figure greatly in this story.

The boys are well imagined children, believable at their ages and interactions with their parents and adults around them.

And Witt’s hockey team and locker room dynamics are all real and grounded in the sports world and teamwork. Just a great example of Witt’s understanding of hockey and how a team’s character unique culture works.

The romance was good and I enjoyed Cam’s and Trev’s relationship although some aspects of it, especially those that were a part of their resolution of their issues didn’t make sense to me. And the way all the problems with Trev’s ex started getting smoothed over with one “clearing the air “ semi-fight? Way too easy for all the obstacles that were involved here.

But it was made clear that therapy was needed and included for all of them, letting them move forward as a mixed family. Which was lovely.

I enjoyed this, and while not a favorite of Witt’s hockey books, it’s entertaining and sweet. I’m recommending it for everyone who wants a good romance story.

Cover Art by Lori Witt

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comMan Advantage – Kindle edition by Witt, L.A.. Romance Kindle eBooks …

Blurb

Trev Allen and his ex-husband had an amicable joint custody arrangement. During the hockey season, his ex took the twins whenever Trev’s team was on the road. Easy peasy.

But now, just two weeks before training camp, Trev’s ex gives him an ultimatum—lock down reliable, full-time childcare for Trev’s custody weeks before the start of the season, or his ex is pursuing full custody.

Trev’s in a panic to keep his kids, but as luck would have it, an old friend—and old flame—is also in a jam.

Cam Wright’s ex didn’t just cheat, he kicked Cam out andgot him fired. Cam’s desperate and flailing… until he receives a message from a man he hasn’t seen in years. Now he has hope of getting back on his feet, not to mention reconnecting with his friend and first love.

Cam’s not prepared for how much Trev has glowed up. Trev is stunned by how kind time and a fitness career have been to Cam. The intense attraction is both instantaneous and hotter than ever; living together, it’s only a matter of time before passion ignites.

But Cam is depending on Trev for stability. Trev is depending on Cam to keep joint custody of his kids. Like it or not, they need each other.

Which means if they stop wanting each other, their lives could come unraveled.

Man Advantage is a 99,000-word standalone Trans M/M hockey romance.

Publisher: GallagherWitt Publishing LLC
Accessibility: Learn more
Publication date: July 16, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 361 pages

Review: Scorched Heart (The Firebrand Series Book 4) by Helen Harper

Rating: 4.25⭐️

Scorched Heart is a terrific story in that the author answers the reader and main female character’s questions about her phoenix origins. Harper’s best elements here are those dealing with Emma’s emotional return to the small village of her parents brutal murdered and the beginnings of her own life of traumatic experiences.

The small details of that community and how, years later, that tragedy still lingers was so vivid portrayed that it was remarkably raw.

The investigation and true “evil” character behind the events here was imaginative and horrifying. It would have been better if there had been some foundation laid out for this aspect of the story somewhere in the series but as it was it revealed as a complete surprise twist.

Same goes for exactly how Emma became a Phoenix. New powers, brand new characters that have entered into the story with enormous impact on Emma and her past. But they’re without any magical legs or previous knowledge to make them a real force here.

Scorched Heart (The Firebrand Series Book 4) by Helen Harper is a terrific read but the writing and character development is beginning to show some strange signs of having issues being solved by “surprise elements “ rather than well written and well conceived aspects of a deeply rooted framework.

Still recommended but each is a short read which is helps when deciding whether to read or not.

BOOK COVER DESIGN BY YOCLA DESIGNS

The Firebrand Series

Brimstone Bound
Infernal Enchantment
Midnight Smoke
Scorched Heart
Dark Whispers
A Killer’s Kiss
Fortune’s Ashes

The Wolfbrand Series

The Noose Of A New Moon
Licence to Howl

Buy link

Scorched Heart (The Firebrand Series Book 4)

Blurb

My parents were brutally murdered when I was five years old. Their killer has spent the last twenty five years in prison for his terrible crimes – but I still have unanswered questions. After all, I am the phoenix. When I die, I am reborn in fire and brimstone. It happens again and again and again.

I have no idea where my strange ability came from and nobody to ask. Now another shocking murder has been committed in the small village where my parents died and there is evidence which suggests the killer is supernatural. The crime gives me the perfect reason to return to my childhood home. I can offer my expertise as a Supe Squad detective – and seek the truth behind what I really am.

The trouble is that I might not like what I find.

Scorched Heart is the fourth book in the action-packed urban fantasy Firebrand series. Events occur at the same time as The Noose Of A New Moon in the Wolfbrand series, although the books do not have to be read together to be enjoyed.

Review: Paternal Instincts (Valor and Doyle Book 8) by Nicki James

Rating: 4.25🌈

Paternal Instincts is the finale story in Nicki James Valor and Doyle series, the one that sees the married couple waiting on the birth of their baby, the next step in their journey together as a family.

Incorporating a mystery about a missing child into their final chapter was a great way to work through Quaid’s traumatic issues with his past before he becomes a father. He must deal with his own emotional pain, his history that he sees reflected in Sparrow, the sister who is being neglected by everyone around her, and the desperate hunt to find Crow.

Meanwhile, Az is left to deal with his own emotional reactions to this case, his husband’s absence and their more immediate situation of a baby that’s coming.

James has built a complicated story on several levels, that of the missing child’s life and that of Quaid and Aslan’s. It’s a gripping tale and puts a great ending to this couple. Although they are appearing in the sequel series, one I really love.

It’s not perfect. For me, the overuse of the word sneer, sneered or any form of sneer just took me out of the story. I began to start counting how many times I saw it until I realized I wouldn’t get through the book that way. I had to let it go.

Valor and Doyle is a series I enjoyed, especially the books in the beginning of the series. This ties up many characters nicely and leaves everyone in great shape. That’s a satisfying ending.

Buy link

Paternal Instincts (Valor and Doyle Book 8)

Blurb

At the heart of a missing child case, Quaid and Aslan learn the true nature of fatherhood.

With their baby due any day, Quaid ends up tangled in a case on the last day of work before his parental leave begins. Between eerie ransom notes and family secrets, unanswered questions pile up, twisting the case into something Quaid has never seen.

Someone is lying. Someone knows more than they’re saying.

With the help of supportive friends and colleagues, Quaid and Aslan are determined to solve the case before it’s too late. When their surrogate goes into labor, Quaid struggles to let go and walk away.

A boy has vanished.

A life is in danger.

Can they find the missing child before their baby makes their way into the world?

Publication date: June 24, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 370 pages
Book 8 of 8: Valor and Doyle

Review: Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, Book 1) by Patricia Briggs

Rating: 4.25⭐️

While exploring other series with strong FMC’s, a reviewer suggested author Patricia Briggs. Specifically her Mercy Thompson series about a Native American skin shifter, auto mechanic Mercy Thompson.

Mercy Thompson series has so many well developed elements and characters. Set in the tri-Cities area of Washington state, Briggs gives the reader the real feel for the geography as well as the various types of societal levels found within the region. From trailers to gated mansions, it’s written about realistically and descriptively well executed.

Narratively, Briggs gives this same focus to her characters and backgrounds, starting with Mercy Thompson. A auto mechanic who deal primarily with certain types of cars and engines, she’s got a one-woman shop, and as a skin-walker who can change into a coyote, her status, without a pack, within the local paranormal community is a shaky one.

I was quick to invest in the story and the depths of character and hidden community dynamics . Mercy and her skin walker powers, which I believe more will be revealed in the coming stories, is extremely well written and exciting.

So is her changing relationships with the local werewolf pack and its Alpha, Adam Hauptman.

There’s a mystery, several murders to solve, and while this book seems to end as everything is resolved, there’s another mystery coming.

So after reading an excellent book, with a fascinating strong female protagonist, with a highly unusual story, why do I not feel the need to scramble for the next novel in the series? Especially in one where there’s 14 available?

It has to do with how one character, a hugely sympathetic young man, was treated within the story. Basically he’s a throwaway element. And yes, that’s absolutely the author’s right.

But his role here, the reactions to him , the characters and yes, the readers, seem to be at two different levels. How he ended, the characters reacted to his storyline differs greatly from how he impacted on how I felt about him.

Or perhaps how I perceived his character’s role in the story would be, going forward. That’s on me.

But this entire aspect of Moon Called felt so cold emotionally that even with a well written book, I felt disconnected from the rest of the universe and characters at the end.

It’s doubtful that I will go into it further. Might change my mind. But for now. I’m leaving it here.

if this sounds as intriguing as it’s actually written, check it out. It’s a very popular series.

Cover art by Daniel Dos Santos

Cover design by Judith Lagerman

Map by Michael Enzweiler

Mercy Thompson (14 book series)

Moon Called #1

Blood Bound #2

Iron Kissed #3

Bone Crossed #4

Silver Bourne #5

River Marked #6

Frost Burned #7

Night Broken #8

Fire Touched #9

Silence Fallen #10

Storm Cursed #11

Smoke Bitten #12

Soul Taken #13

Winter Lost #14

Buy link

Moon Called (Mercy Thompson, Book 1)

blurb

Moon Called is the novel that introduced Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson to the world and launched a #1 bestselling phenomenon…

Mercy Thompson is a shapeshifter, and while she was raised by werewolves, she can never be one of them, especially after the pack ran her off for having a forbidden love affair. So she’s turned her talent for fixing cars into a business and now runs a one-woman mechanic shop in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State.

But Mercy’s two worlds are colliding. A half-starved teenage boy arrives at her shop looking for work, only to reveal that he’s a newly changed werewolf—on the run and desperately trying to control his animal instincts. Mercy asks her neighbor Adam Hauptman, the Alpha of the local werewolf pack, for assistance.

But Mercy’s act of kindness has unexpected consequences that leave her no choice but to seek help from those she once considered family—the werewolves who abandoned her…

“In the increasingly crowded field of kick-ass supernatural heroines, Mercy stands out as one of the best.”—Locus

Publisher: Ace
Accessibility: Learn more
Publication date: January 31, 2006
Edition: 1st
Language: English
Print length: 295 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1101208434
Book 1 of 14: Mercy Thompson

Review: Emperor’s Wrath (Emperor’s Assassin Book 2) by Kai Butler

Rating : 4🌈

I really enjoyed the Emperor’s Wrath l, the second book in the Emperor’s Assassin trilogy by Kai Butler. The action packed story was highly entertaining, moved the entire plot forward with an enormous amount of magical details, new elements, and growth in the relationship between Tallu and Airón.

The political drama and plotting behind the generals was well done. All the various and newly introduced characters (as we as their backgrounds) added interesting layers of intrigue to the story.

I did find that the increased density of new characters, plots, magical creatures, techno magic elements started that emerged here also left similar unexplored areas or just narrative holes that felt unsatisfying for me.

Certain emotional storylines ( no spoilers) that applied to one section of small characters but later not at all to one large impactful one. Inconsistency in the character design or something else. But here, as well as other things, feels more like too many storylines and an over abundance of new elements made for some interesting oversights.

I’m definitely looking forward to the final book, Shadow Throne King, due out in the fall.

Check out this fantasy series by Butler! Entertaining reading!

Cover by Hannah Latham at oexasart

Emperor’s Assassin trilogy:

Betrothed to the Emperor #1

Emperor’s Wrath #2

Shadow Throne King #3 – Oct 27,2025

Buy link

Emperor’s Wrath (Emperor’s Assassin Book 2)

Blurb

In this den of vipers and vultures, can I trust the emperor I was sent to kill or is he using me to destroy all I love?

I abandoned my destiny in favor of a new goal: working with Emperor Tallu to take down the Southern Imperium. Only things are not so easy when we’re faced with the imperial generals who brought the continent to its knees.

If my mother knew what I was doing, her rage would melt the Silver City, but I have no choice as Tallu and I pursue a powerful weapon that could end any opposition to the Imperium.

Why does it matter if I’m finding myself all too attracted to a husband I can’t trust, whose secrets multiply the closer he lets me get?

Publication date: June 23, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 403 pages
Book 2 of 3: Emperor’s Assassin

Review: Desperately Delicate Viper (Mafia Bound Book 4) by K.M. Neuhold

Rating: 4🌈

Mafia Bound is a series from K.M. Neuhold that focuses on the Moretti crime family and the romantic relationships and partners each Moretti man finds himself in. It’s usually been with a murderous sociopathic twink of a traumatic background. My favorite couple being Sal and dancer Dante (3) , followed by unhinged Sparrow and the family enforcer, Xaviaro (1).

The energy, chemistry and sheer insanity that powers these relationships made the storylines and those couples. Each had layers and a certain depth of character that allowed for a realistic development of the relationship between them.

And that’s really the issue here. While we’ve met Luca, the youngest of the Moretti family prior, we’ve not gotten to know him well. He’s a puppy, as Dante calls him. Against all the others? He’s definitely not the same factor of darkness or seriousness of damage. He’s too young in his current form.

And the other main character is also not supported by any foundation or framework of storytelling. Anders is a good character but everything we learn about him comes from a “as told to” approach. We don’t see any interactions between the father he’s terrified of or honestly, of the brother he’s been protecting. It’s a diminishing aspect of the character’s storyline.

The positives, seeing Dante and Sal (#couplegoals ) and Sparrow as well as Xav, was fantastic. The energy and intensity they bring to this narrative made it feel so much better. And the dialogue and dynamics between them as Luca was hilarious.

Anders and Luca’s instant love romance could have been better if they had more time to establish themselves as a couple. Instead they come off a new, younger version, without the intense energy or interest.

This is the 4th book but I believe there’s more coming. I’m definitely going to be reading those.

A terrific series with D/s elements, crime family romances, and lots of sexy men.

Cover Design Natasha Snow”

Great covers.

Mafia Bound:

Deadly Little Sparrow #1
Beautifully Savage Butterfly #2
Unhinged Little Angel #3
Desperately Delicate Viper

Buy link

Desperately Delicate Viper (Mafia Bound Book 4)

Blurb

That Feeling when the man you just robbed and left tied up and blindfolded turns out to be in the mafia…

I’m not proud of the things I’ve had to do for money to pay off my dad’s debts and put my younger brother through college. But I’ll never regret it.

What I do regret is accidentally robbing a Moretti.

Having to look over my shoulder and ducking every time a car backfires is bad enough, but when the man in question starts costing me business? Yeah, I think we’re going to have a problem.

I never knew I could feel the way I do when Luca Moretti gets on his knees for me, but I don’t have time to be romanced by this obsessed, submissive, mafioso.

No one has ever made me feel as strong and capable as he does. Can I really be the viper he sees me as? If I learn how to bite, can I finally make my life my own with Luca Moretti at my side?

Publication date: June 6, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 203 pages
Book 4 of 4: Mafia Bound

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