Tag: slow burn romance

Review:  The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 3) by Heather G. Harris and Jilleen Dolbeare

Rating: 5⭐️

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee has it all. High action packed scenes, great mystery investigations, enough emotional drama to pack into a cargo hold, and a highly anticipated carryover that many people could empathize with. Cause Bunny’s mother is coming to visit her with all the dysfunctional trauma she’s bringing. Plus her annoying dog.

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee has so many complicated storylines that fit perfectly into a single paranormal tale of a town under attack by multiple threats, inside and out of the barrier that has protected it. A family of banshees at odds, and Bunny facing several personal crises at the same time.

The authors remember that it’s not just the larger powerful magic elements that keep us engaged but the intimate aspects of the storytelling that pulls us in and makes us connect with the characters and the journey that each of them are on. 

Some people are lost here, some still in mourning for relationships that fell apart, and some are still trying to find their peace in this new life. It all feels remarkably normal. Even in an urban fantasy environment. 

Beautifully crafted, so well executed that I had to stop myself at book 4 at 3 am. Mostly because my dog said so.  Fluffy would approve. 

Highly recommend this and the series. Read them in order. They fly by so quickly because I’m absolutely invested with the series and characters. 

Loving these covers. And Fluffy. 

Cover design by Christian Bentulan. Published by Hellhound Press Limited.

The Portlock Paranormal Detective series:

The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death, a prequel.

The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf, Book 1.

The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren, Book 2.

The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee, Book 3.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine, Book 4.

The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergiest, Book 5.

The Vampire and the Case of the Cozy Christmas, Book 5.5.

The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag #6

The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid #7 – July 3,2025

Buy link

        The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee: An Urban Fantasy Novel (The Portlock Paranormal Detective Series Book 3)

    

Blurb 

I thought I was finally getting the hang of being a paranormal policewoman, but when one of the gemstones powering the barrier around the town is stolen, I’m as terrified as the average Joe. Of course, there’s nothing average about the Joes in this town. It’s chock full of mythical creatures, and some of them think the barrier is a waste of time.

Well, I’ve seen the cryptid monster beyond and I know we’re doomed if the magical palisade ever fails. Calling what would follow a massacre would be a gross understatement. The race is on. I need to find the gemstone before the weakened barrier fails forever and the fiend devours us all. No pressure then.

It’s a simple theft… how hard can it be to solve? Answer: Very hard. Especially when theft turns into murder.

There’s also the little outstanding matter of my date with the vampire leader, Connor, not to mention that my best friend seems to be falling apart at the seams. And if all of that isn’t enough to be cracking on with, I have a visitor due imminently. My mother.

I’d rather face the monster.

Dive into this fast-paced urban fantasy series if you love mystery, humour, found family and a slow-burn romance.

  • Publisher: Hellhound Press Limited (May 24, 2024)
  • Publication date: May 24, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 528 pages

Review:  Breathing Space: Ellis McFadden Mysteries by Kristen Painter

Rating:  4.5⭐️

Outer space is the last thing I think of when the words cozy murder mystery appear, but they absolutely work in the marvelous new discovery of mine, Breathing Space: Ellis McFadden Mysteries by Kristen Painter. 

I’ve run across quite a few writers who are confused about what this term , cozy mystery, actually means and what elements a terrific novel that is termed a cozy should contain.

Breathing Space has all that! A small town community where everyone knows what’s happening, people are nosy if not downright gossipy. A community hall space where information is readily shared, in this case both a lunch hall and chat room. And a murder where the police don’t seem interested in solving the crime. 

Except instead of a tiny New England village or English town, the location is the Athos, the premiere vessel in the Federation of Allied Nations fleet. Part cruiser, part research, part military vessel and the current home to Ellis Scheherazade McFadden, Els, head librarian of the Athos. 

Think of every fabulous older crime solving woman you love and know that Ellis is someone who is going to be the next woman added to the list. 

She’s widowed, in her 60’s, fit, and followed her daughter, the Vice Admiral of the Fleet into space, wanting a new adventure after retirement. 

Here’s a character, community, and book that had me immediately when mentioning hot flashes and cryostasis in the same sentence. Usually not two associated things I’ve come across when reading or watching science fiction.

The Athos is very much a small town, in her friends, the cliques, the quick pace of information traveling around the ship. Cozy murder works well with the concept.

There’s even adorable animals, especially the cat named Henry, even if they are androids. 

The murder is a great one, the investigation by Ellis and  friends fascinating. And the foods, and explanations are perfect. 

I can’t wait for more of this imaginative series and great new character. 

Series and characters like Ellis get me excited and hooked on further exploring more new to me authors just like Kristen Painter!

Highly recommended! More of this age group please in the main characters. 

Cover design: Cover design and composite cover art by Janet Holmes

Ellis McFadden Mysteries :

Breathing Space #1

Star Power #2

Future Tense #3

Buy link

        Breathing Space: Ellis McFadden Mysteries

    

Blurb 

Step into the enigmatic world of the Athos—a vessel that blends the luxury of a cruise ship, the intrigue of a scientific research station, and the might of a military starship. Here, amidst the stars, you’ll find Ellis McFadden, the ship’s head librarian, embarking on adventures she never anticipated this late in her career.

Even better that she gets to experience it all while in proximity to her daughter, who just happens to be the vice admiral. But life aboard the ship takes a darker turn when a library patron is found dead, and Ellis falls under suspicion.

With her reputation on the line, Ellis must navigate a labyrinth of secrets and lies. Armed with her wits, the loyalty of her eclectic friends, and her trusty android cat, she dives into a mystery that’s as thrilling as the unexplored galaxies around her. Can she find the critical evidence to clear her name before the next jump into the unknown?

  • Publication date: January 31, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 274 pages

Review:  Bloodlust Blues (Charley Underwood Book 1) by Luanne Bennett

Rating: 4⭐️

I’ve been searching for new authors and series that offer different perspectives or approaches to certain tropes and main characters I enjoy reading.  

I love a good paranormal or urban fantasy universe that focuses on a different kind of location and a character that’s outside of the usual main character frame. 

So a story situated inside an old local bar & grill where its colorful walls are covered in years of signatures and memorabilia and it’s clientele is a mixture of human and supernatural beings, getting their drink on to tunes on the jukebox? Yes, sign me up. 

A town called Crimson, Georgia where the paranormal and humans have come to live in a peaceful place, sort of. 

Charley Underwood owns the bar, The White Stag, locally known as the Stag, which has been in her family. Her employees are werewolves, as well as a human or two. And her mother, a powerful witch, has recently died. 

Bloodlust Blues sees Charley running a covert blood bank out of her back rooms, using donated vampire blood to help the elderly and impoverished people of town. 

I really enjoyed the story. It sets up the foundation knowledge of the town and surrounding areas.  Bennett also brings in all the characters that will form Charley’s found family and the character that is the potential romantic connection. And his familiar. 

There’s a terrific mystery that involves a couple of murders as well as missing people.  And the introduction of a permanent villain type character too. 

Bennett shows the journey that Charley has to take, as she finds out how magical she actually is. And why she wasn’t trained all along. 

I can’t wait to see her next story and how this character is developed.

A definite winner. 

Cover design Damonza.com”

The Charley Underwood series -complete 

Bloodlust Blues 

Bloodlust Bites 

Bloodlust Curse 

Bloodlust Shadows

Buy link

        Bloodlust Blues: A heart-racing and completely addictive urban fantasy (Charley Underwood Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Welcome to Crimson, Georgia. I’m Charley—reluctant witch, and owner of the best bar in town. 

Everyone’s welcome at the Stag—vampire, wolf or human. As long as they don’t make trouble. Or ask too many questions about what we’re selling out of the back room.

I keep the beers coming, and in return the town keeps my secret. But when a gang of deadly vampires shows up at the bar, it’s clear they’re not looking for a drink. They want to take my business. Or my blood.

But this is more than just a shake down. All over town, people are dropping like flies. Disappearing or attacking their neighbors. It’s like they’re possessed. And someone—or something—is pulling the strings.

As if I didn’t have enough trouble, a fancy new restaurant just opened right across the street. And a sexy vampire from out of town seems to think I need protection. I have plenty of dangerous friends already… so why can’t I stop thinking about him?

The whole town is going to hell. Perhaps literally. And it looks like it’s up to me to stop it. 

Discover a thrilling new series that will leave you reading late into the night. With heart-stopping twists and a found family you’ll fall in love with, this urban fantasy is perfect for fans of Annabel Chase, Charlaine Harris, and Patricia Briggs.

Review:  Dead Wrong (Crossroads Queen Book 4) by Annabel Chase

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Dead Wrong is another excellent, wonderfully written book in Annabel Chase’s Crossroads Queen series.  The author continues to play with multiple cultures and a variety of mythologies in her work with the result of intriguing characters and storylines that have been explored here. 

Dead Wrong plays with these themes even more.  It opens up after the events of the past book, with Kane, the prince of Hell disappeared after learning Lorelei’s true identity, weeks passing without any explanation. 

Soon Fairhaven’s citizens are under attack by various weird animals, and Lorelei is asked to help find them and answers to why they are there.

Chase is balancing several major plots and character storylines, evolving the overall series thread of Lorelei’s journey from a stance of total isolation from the town and any type of relationship towards multiple connections with other people, ghosts, frenemies, those she’s now regarding as real friends.  

Fairhaven, its portals and many other characters and places is an ever diverse and evolving story of its own. It fits beautifully as a location for Lorelei’s adventures and her base for a home and potential found family. 

The story’s reveal or reveals show that the larger story is going to be even more exciting and darker than imagined. The stakes higher, and the forthcoming storylines full of new characters and potential tragedies. 

I’m so addicted to the story and characters.  

What’s also great is the length. Well written and plotted within a certain length so I can easily read one a night. 

I’m highly recommending this series and author. And will be checking out other books once I’m finished reading this one. 

Cover by Trif Designs, wish it was less a young model and more an accurate portrayal of this complicated character. One who only wears old t-shirts and jeans, boots, and is in her early 30’s.  Usually worn out by no sleep, no budget and constant physical labor on that money pit of a crumbling house.  Put that on the cover. Please. 

Crossroads Queen series:

Dead to the World #1

Dead of Night #2

Dead Last #3

Dead Wrong #4

Dead Weight #5

Play Dead #6

Dead Heat #7

Half Dead #8

Dead End #9 – April 17,2025

Buy link

        Dead Wrong (Crossroads Queen Book 4)

    

Blurb

Lorelei Clay has spent a lifetime keeping her secret. Now that Kane has discovered it, the prince of hell has cut her off, but she has no idea why. Not only has he disappeared from her life, he’s also disappeared from Fairhaven, and his cohorts refuse to divulge his whereabouts.

When a series of strange attacks threaten the town, Lorelei is thrust back into the magical spotlight. This time, she isn’t sure she can weather the storm without drawing too much attention to herself and, even worse, endangering the lives of everyone she’s come to care about. 

Dead Wrong is the fourth book in the Crossroads Queen series, featuring a strong female protagonist, a slow burn romance, magic and mayhem, and a coterie of paranormal friends and found family.

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (January 11, 2024)
  • Publication date: January 11, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 252 pages

Review: Deadly Lineage: Necromancer Tales Book I by MJ May

Rating: 5🌈

I’ve been desperately waiting for this book since Erasmus Boone , the Necromancer, and Aurelia, the djinn made their first appearances in the fabulous Perfectly Pixie series. Now, tied by past events , and magical connections, Erasmus and Aurelia have their own unique series, along with Erasmus’ human mate/romantic partner, Detective Franklin O’Hare.

Deadly Lineage is a superb introduction to Erasmus and Aurelia if you’re not already familiar with them from the previous series. May beautifully develops the storyline around Boone’s family, Boone’s neighbors and location, the necromancer history, and gives us new well defined characters in terms of the local MS police force where Detective Franklin O’Hare works and the investigations that come into play.

Boone’s complicated family just happens to include Nikodemus Holland , the feared, powerful warlock, father to Erasmus and his mother, Lydia Boone. May’s characterizations are well developed, vividly described and layered with personality. It’s doesn’t matter whether they’re human or paranormal, they’re believable in their love and concern for their son.

The Mississippi location is steeped in Southern sweet tea, wrap around porches with light blue ceilings, fans constantly swirling amidst the summer sweltering heat. The paranormal crimes committed are horrifying. The intense murder investigations are suspense filled and terrifying, and the romance between Erasmus and Franklin slowly burning.

Aurelia is an absolute gem of a character. A djinn who doesn’t act or even speak as anything other than what she is, an immensely powerful being, ones who has lived through the worst of origin stories and centuries of ownership. Each appearance sees more unexpected moments with her. More development, more revelations.

There’s so many great elements in this story. Whether it’s the side cases that Erasmus takes, his incredible neighbor, Mrs. Hart, and her tiny dog, Miss Pattycakes, each are a narrative treasure.

I was ready for book two as soon as this one was over. I love the universe, the characters and crossovers with the Pixies, and everything new May is creating here for Erasmus, Franklin as well as Aurelia.

This is a must read, as it the series before it. Highly recommended!

Another excellent cover design by cheriefox

Related/Preceding Series:

Perfect Pixie Series

🔹Perfectly Imperfect Pixie

🔹Perfectly Perfect Pixie: Peaches’s Story

🔹Perfectly Charmed Pixie: Parsnip’s Story

🔹Perfectly Perplexing Zombie: Wendall’s Story

🔹Purrfectly Peculiar Pixie: Phlox’s Story—End

Necromancer Tales:

Deadly Lineage #1

Buy Link:

Deadly Lineage: Necromancer Tales Book I

Blurb

Shunned by most species and abandoned by their warlock fathers, necromancers are marginalized, feared, and reclusive. Erasmus Boone is different. His warlock father chose love instead of abandonment. Unusually powerful and talented, Boone’s embraced his necromantic abilities and managed to carve out an existence within a world that would rather he not exist at all.

Humans aren’t the most respected species. Hell, they’re just a step above termites in the eyes of most. Detective Franklin O’Hare has never taken derision towards his humanity to heart. Determined to do the best given his human limitations, Detective O’Hare does whatever it takes to right the wrongs of the world—no matter the species concerned—even if that means working with a necromancer. Besides, Erasmus Boone isn’t so bad. In fact, he’s temptingly perfect.

Seeking solace after a difficult case, Boone walks the typically peaceful gravesites of Trinity’s Holy Cross Cemetery. The gentle hum of contented, long-dead souls ease Boone’s mind—until he’s hit with an unearthly cry unlike any he’s heard before. Unfortunately, that first soulful cry isn’t Boone’s last, each wail revealing a disconcerting pattern. There’s a serial killer in the wind, and their murders are resulting in souls with painful, missing pieces, leaving their voices incoherent and

indecipherable.

Boone and O’Hare must work closely together if they’re going to stop the killings. O’Hare learns quickly that keeping Boone safe from disgruntled clients and serial killers is a never-ending and nearly impossible task.

As O’Hare and Boone grow closer, so does the killer. They need to figure out who’s indiscriminately murdering seemingly unrelated species, and why the victims’ souls are devastated beyond repair, before Boone becomes another victim on the ominous list.

Deadly Lineage is the first book in the Necromancer Tales series. This series is a spin-off of the Perfect Pixie series and takes place in the same world but can be read as a stand-alone. Deadly Lineage is a M/M romantic fantasy mystery with an unusually sane necromancer just trying to make a living, a humble human detective attempting to ignore his attraction to the aforementioned necromancer, an arrogant but redeemably overprotective warlock father, a twisted serial killer, a questionably agreeable all-powerful djinn, damaged souls, humans-some redeemable and some not, a steamy Mississippi summer, and far too much sweet tea. Deadly Lineage has a HFN ending.

Mentions of violence, murder, souls bruoght back from the beyond, speciest bigotry, and a few characters of questionable morals and sanity.

• Publication date: July 18, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 359 pages

Review: Runaway Magic (Guardians of Boston Book 1) by Zile Elliven

Rating: 4.5🌈

Zile Elliven is a relatively new author for me as I’ve only read one other book by them, a very interesting and engaging one. So I immediately picked up Elliven’s newest release to see what it was about.

What Runaway Magic holds is an amazing array of elements in its narrative , beginning with the fascinating characters. This is especially true of the main couple of Cym and Fourteen, as well as the side group of Guardians, a trio that reads as found family with an engaging powerful dynamic.

To bring all that together, Elliven has to set up a foundation for a world that includes norms, otherworldly beings, witches, an paranormal organizational hierarchy, dream walkers, demons, and the Other, a vast sea of spiritual powers that runs everything and through those that have the ability to make magic. The knowledge about this is slowly imparted into the story as some of the characters learn about magic themselves. Also about the Guardians, the magical law enforcement powers.

Elliven uses a three-person POV, a format which isn’t a favorite of mine. But here it’s necessary for the characters and universe building because of the complexity of the storylines and the various characters’ critical plot line situations. Whether it’s understanding the different traumatic backgrounds that have formed Fourteen and Cym, ones that make them uniquely vulnerable and yet so powerful. Or the world of the Guardians and Marshall, it’s head, who are soon to come into contact with the duo above.

There’s so much more to dive into, a corrupt family, an anonymous government agency, and a demon world, all of which needs further investigation and looks to receive additional exploration in the series.

I can’t wait for Killer Magic to come.

For those who are fans of this author or have read previous books by Zile Elliven, don’t miss the author’s Preface, which clears up some potential questions. I hadn’t read the earlier book the author had written.

I found Runaway Magic (Guardians of Boston Book 1) by Zile Elliven a fascinating and highly entertaining story and can’t wait to continue the series.

Check it out! It’s a definite recommendation.

Guardians of Boston:

✓ Runaway Magic #1

◦ Killer Magic #2 – TBD

Buy link

Runaway Magic (Guardians of Boston Book 1)

Blurb

Cym:

Freak. Disaster. Mistake. Cym had heard it all.

His magical family wasn’t content to lock him away ‘for the greater good’ anymore. No. Now they wanted him dead.

Protection? What was that? Cym had never known anyone who wanted to keep him safe. Either he relied on himself or he was toast. So when he landed in the lap of an assassin, Cym thought his luck was up. Little did he know his story was only beginning.

Fourteen:

No morals and a quick mind. How many times had Fourteen heard himself described that way? Usually right before getting sent on a mission they’d have to delete from his mind once he completed it.

But The Company would never be able to make him forget the terrified young man who landed in his lap during a firefight. Not when his touch made the icy cage of Fourteen’s conditioning burn away.

For someone who could barely be considered a person, Fourteen was finding it shockingly easy to act like one around Cym. Maybe that was why he was willing to do anything to keep him safe. He’d have to break Cym’s bad habit of running from him first, though.

Runaway Magic is a 119,000 word, slow-burn MM urban fantasy. You’ll find found family, obsessive love interests, and, of course, magic.

• Publication date: July 20, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 412 pages

Review: Cosmic Husband (Cosmic Romances Book 1) by Mars Quinn

Rating: 4.25🌈

The “I was abducted by aliens “ trope isn’t one I normally read but the reviews for this were good and the author is new to me.

Science fiction can be a tricky subject, especially where the world building and species is concerned. I read other books where the aliens just resemble funny colored humans living in their own humanistic world instead of actually describing what a truly alien world or species might be like.

It does depend upon a specific author’s take on scify but it comes down to the theme. I’ll admit I really enjoyed Mars Quinn’s quirky perspective on this element.

It’s a fated mates science fiction romance, the first book in a new series. So Quinn’s story has to lay out not just the characters, and their respective histories, but establish the series foundation with various worlds, different species, and the entire Crystal religion that sparks young Kalvoxrencol “Kal” on his journey through space to find his fated mate.

That would be Seth, nigh to starved, recently dumped, with his emotional rescue cat, Lucy. The background the author has created for Seth’s adolescence has continued emotional ramifications for his adult life. He has had anxiety or panic attacks since he was young, and a controlling ex left him with further issues and emotional damage. All of this is slowly revealed through the process of his being abducted, then having to deal with this event and communicating with his new companion and those on the ship.

Kal, the alien who was determined to take his fated mate away from Earth and back home, also undergoes his own transformation. Turns out he’s young, prone to mistakes, the younger of all his siblings, and the more the reader and Seth learns about Kal, the more we like and connect with him. Alien, scaled, winged even but with behaviors that make him relatable. Are some of his early misadventures a tad too “human” in this regard? Sure but by this point as a reader, you’ve already made a decision about whether you are invested in this book and characters’ journey or not.

I was and enjoyed how the author was drawing comparisons with the stages of rebelling adolescence, no matter what the species.

This was absolutely true with respect to the character of Ensign Wyn (who I’m sure belongs on Below Decks) who became a good friend of Seth’s. His ongoing experiences, especially with drinking constantly made me laugh out loud. I need his book. Please.

So many special characters that Quinn crafted and made memorable, including NAID, the AI program that gained intelligence and became a being. I really hope that we see more of her. Quinn made sure there’s different species and different worlds that are seen and visited, as well as languages and religions. I appreciate that.

That romance was a very interesting one, built of respect, communication, commitment, and consent. That was upmost importance here so any intimacy didn’t really come until around 75 percent of the book was finished. They had literally covered a lot of space by then and Seth had the choice of returning to Earth.

Of the many siblings, only one other is mated so we get a scene that certainly leads us into the next book and sibling to get their story. It sounds fascinating and I can’t wait. Totally different.

I’m recommending this , it’s quirky, the characters are well done, easy to understand, and invest in their lives. I really enjoyed their journey to HEA. I’m still laughing about Wyn.

Buy link

Cosmic Husband: A Spicy MM Sci-Fi Romance (Cosmic Romances Book 1)

Blurb:

My cat and I have been abducted by aliens…

Seth

One second I’m walking to work, and the next I’m on a spaceship. I have no idea what’s going on, but this scaled alien claims I’m his mate. That’s not going to happen. I have until we reach his planet to accept or reject him. If I don’t want him, I can go back to Earth. But six months is a long time when the alien Kal is determined to woo me.

Kalvoxrencol

The Crystal sent me to the far reaches of the universe for my soulmate, and now that I have him, I will not surrender him. I will do whatever I can to win his love and keep him by my side, where he belongs. I will not let anything from my past or his keep us apart.

This is a standalone sci-fi romance with a socially anxious human, his protective winged alien mate, a black cat companion, a slow burn with a spicy payoff, and a guaranteed HEA. This is an MM romance with explicit content intended for adult readers only. Some of the trigger warnings include: panic attacks, anxiety, swearing, and adult content (Full list inside).

• Publication date: June 3, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 435 pages

Review: SOS HOTEL: For a Supernaturally Safe Stay by Adam Nex , writing by Ariana Nash

Rating: 4.5🌈

SOS HOTEL has the feel of a terrific serialized fiction story, with a fast paced narrative, a first person point of view, and many, so so many mysteries contained within the storytelling.

In other words, it’s highly entertaining as well as a lively, sexy, mysterious paranormal romp. I really enjoyed it.

Nash, writing as the main character Adam Nex, is having a blast here with all aspects of this story. There’s an underpinning of darkness that makes this interesting and gives the characters and their personalities a needed sharpness. Murder and bloodshed does that.

But then there’s an undeniable quirkiness about so much of this too. Whether it’s the bargain bin AI bartender bought from a shady Fae , the run down, shabby quality of the hotel itself, or any of its denizens, these characters start lightly, humorously weird, and then their personalities gradually change and acquire unexpected depth. Albeit with humor to go with the flashes of dark seriousness.

Then there’s the mysterious main trio of Adam, a person hiding so many secrets, and Zee the succubus ex porn star who’s also a part owner along with Adam of the hotel. Zee has his own secrets and background to be revealed. And there’s Victor, billionaire businessman and vampire who’s strangely interested in Andy and the hotel. Along with the villain of the story.

So much is going on here that it’s a page turner. Be prepared to read until it is finished. And then need more. Honestly, what happened to Clayton?

Moving quickly to book 2, and leaving a definitive , yes, read this, right here.

SOS Hotel:

✓ For a Supernaturally Safe Stay #1

◦ Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous #2

◦ Sleep with Us #3 – May 2024

Buy link

SOS HOTEL: For a Supernaturally Safe Stay!

Blurb:

Guaranteed a supernaturally safe stay!

(Definitely no murders)

*

A scandalous, ex-porn star demon and a morally shady, billionaire vampire walk into a bar…

But this is no joke. It’s opening day at the SOS Hotel, and that lust demon? He’s my business partner. I know. What was I thinking? The sexy, suave vampire however? He’s something else…

Creating a sanctuary for the supernaturals left here when the tear in the veil sealed was always going to be difficult, but it’s all I have, and I’m going to make it work. Despite the murders, the missing humans, and the psychotic real estate mogul who wants to bulldoze the hotel…

The SOS Hotel must thrive whatever the cost. Because if it fails, I’ll lose everything. Including my life.

My name is Adam. I’m just the boring human who works here, and I absolutely, definitely do not have any secrets.

Welcome to the SOS Hotel. What can possibly go wrong?

Warning: SOS Hotel contains explicit language, situations, and content that some readers may find uncomfortable. For full warnings, please see the author’s website or the paperback “look inside sample”

• Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing (April 19, 2024)

• Publication date: April 19, 2024

• Language: English

• Word Wise: Enabled

• Sticky notes: On Kindle Scribe

• Print length: 174 pages

Review: Mr. Mustachio Sings Like a Canary (The Mr. Mustachio Murders Book 2) by Dawn McKinnon

Rating: 4.5🌈

Mr. Mustachio Sings Like a Canary is the second in the excellent The Mr. Mustachio Murders by Dawn McKinnon, a cozy murder mystery series with a paranormal twist.

McKinnon’s series picks up shortly after the events of the last book, with Chez Celine’s inhabitants trying to adjust to their losses and adapt to their newcomers.

As Sam valiantly tries to continue to struggle to write his book, another investigation comes his way. And then there’s another.

I love the way McKinnon weaves all the many happenings and storylines into a single narrative. It’s a slow, methodical but absorbing process as Sam, investigates one event after another. He’s often accompanied by Mr Mustachio, or Algernon, or the local Chief of Police (who’s only got himself as staff of one) as he visits people or places of interest to see and talk to.

While the murder(s) and investigations are ongoing, McKinnon is further exploring the mysterious layers that emerge whenever Algernon is around. Especially as they pertain to Sam and Mr Mustachio. No spoilers here but I don’t think many readers will be surprised.

What occurs will definitely make the reader want more background information if possible and definitely a lot more of the series and.

It’s still a very slow burn romance. Character and plot driven, which is wonderful given the great personalities and fabulous location the author has created and is enlarging with each book.

This is so charming and a real engaging cozy murder mystery with a paranormal twist. One I’m highly recommending.

Cover: Cate Ashwood

The Mr. Mustachio Murders:

✓ Mr. Mustachio Is Falsely Accused #1

✓ Mr. Mustachio Sings Like a Canary #2

◦ Mr. Mustachio Gets Collared #3

Buy Link:

Mr. Mustachio Sings Like a Canary (The Mr. Mustachio Murders)

Blurb:

Sam wasn’t living at Chez Celine long before he was tasked with catching a murderer, but his new case is simpler. Joan Peabody died from natural causes. All he has to do is find her will. But as he tries to figure out what the last surviving member of the town’s founding family did with her will, he begins to wonder whether something got done to her.

For an elderly lady with a heart condition, Joan had a lot of enemies. In fact, it seems like the only people who didn’t want her dead were the niece who expects to inherit her estate and the childhood sweetheart she spurned. And even they have motives.

Meanwhile, someone blew up a mailbox downtown, and there’s a reward for fingering the culprit. Investigating Joan’s death is only earning Sam enemies, one of whom is Algernon after Sam spirits Mr. Mustachio away to the vet. Algernon has secrets he’s not ready to spill, but to find Joan Peabody’s will, catch her killer, and save Mr. Mustachio from an unfortunate medical procedure, he’s going to have to start singing.

Mr. Mustachio Sings Like a Canary is book 2 in the Mr. Mustachio Murders.

Review: Poison at Penshaw Hall (The Milverton Mysteries Book 2) by G B Ralph

Rating: 4.75🌈

“With nothing else for it, Addison took a deep breath and dove in, hoping to traverse the carnage and reach the cafe without being trampled under the masses of Milvertonians. He may not have known what was going on, but he did know he’d kill for a coffee.”

— Poison at Penshaw Hall (The Milverton Mysteries Book 2) by G B Ralph

Ahhhhh, the masses of Milvertonians! So lovely to be back in the cozy mysteries of G B Ralph! He’s returned with his second in The Milverton Mysteries series, Poison at Penshaw Hall. Addison Harper, still getting acquainted to the town and looking forward to his first date with Sergeant Jake Murphy, is in the thick of it all. We are right beside him.

So happy to see all the quirky people and places that Ralph has created for Milverton, New Zealand , his location for this cozy mystery series.

Ralph gets exactly what a cozy is all about, so his small township vividly reflects that weird and wonderful intimacy that only a small population of longtime residents can bring to a community. It’s in the names of the businesses, like Lynne’s Cafe, or in the believable dynamics that play out on the town square between the local septuagenarian and craft fair organizer.

A reader needs to have the foundation of the first novel, Murder on Milverton Square, to understand why Addison Harper has ended up in Milverton (a will from a long lost relative), has gotten a reputation as a amateur sleuth (a murder solved), and began getting a tenuous relationship with romantic overtones with the local Sergeant. I mean they are just inching towards anything approximating romance here. That’s the facts. But the charm, the mystery, and all the fabulous depth of detail are in the reading.

Poison at Penshaw picks up shortly after the events of the first book, the timeline being very close between the two novels. Addison is still weighing the possibility of staying in Milverton versus returning home to the life he left behind in Wellington, such as it was. Milverton is swaying away with its small town beauty and welcoming mix of personalities and culture. I was swayed too.

In fact, Ralph plunges the reader into the craziness that’s Milverton getting ready for a Terrific Town Award contest/ceremony. There’s statues to be judged, arguments among organizers, and goats on the lawn. Perfect cozy atmosphere for murder and mystery.

Things start to go awry immediately and some of our favorite characters are pulled into the murderous proceedings. In addition to Addison, there’s the wonderfully funny septuagenarian Mabel Zhou , town library and visitor center’s volunteer. I love this character and can’t get enough of her. Vibrant, gossipy, and dedicated to Addison, Mabel is lively woman who’s into everything. Constable Sean McGiffert and Constable Manaia Edwards are welcome sights but have limited roles here. But the author expands our knowledge of Milverton’s citizens and introduces new interesting people into the narrative. And does it in such a way that we get further insight into the history of the town and Addison’s great uncle.

The murder and investigations proceed as we expect. One official and one not so much. It’s the later that’s Addison’s involved in.0

At the end Ralph has moved everything forward incrementally, case solved so Addison and Jake can continue to work on their relationship. And a decision about staying in Milverton. Yes, they progress past heart eyes but not much.

If you’re looking for a sexy story, this isn’t it. Slow slow burn it is.

It’s also charming, funny, interesting, endlessly entertaining, and with characters I find endearing in that quirky small town way.

I can’t wait to see how Addison’s life there and his relationships progress.

If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, slow burn romances, and just fun, well written stories, this series and book is a wonderful place to explore. Read the series in the order they are written in:

The Milverton Mysteries :

✓ Murder on Milverton Square #1

✓ Poison at Penshaw Hall #2

◦ Death in Douglas Glade #3- Oct 2, 2024

Buy Link:

Poison at Penshaw Hall (The Milverton Mysteries Book 2)

Blurb:

Addison Harper is back, and with another dead body at his feet. Only this time, the entire town saw it happen.

Milverton is in the running for the Terrific Town Award, so a dramatic death at the opening ceremony is far from ideal. Addison had only been lending a hand, but now finds himself much more involved than he’d ever hoped. To think his biggest worry before had been his upcoming date with Sergeant Jake Murphy.

As for the sergeant, he can hardly ignore a hall full of witnesses even if he wanted to. And they’re all pointing the finger at his date, Milverton’s newest arrival, Addison Harper.

Poison at Penshaw Hall is the latest in a wonderful cosy mystery series set in an enchanting small town nestled amongst stunning New Zealand scenery. Investigate The Milverton Mysteries for a chaotic cast of local busybodies, delicious baked treats, a demanding and disdainful ginger cat, a very slow-burn romance with a rather appealing policeman, and of course… murder!