Review: A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Book 8) by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4.25🌈

Cassius, the coffee shop running oracle and the wounded grey angel Kushiel get their romance and journey to HEA finally. It’s full of the other characters we’ve met, a terrifying, heartbreaking mystery, a lovely nosy family ghost, and a plot that is extremely complex in layers.

The best part is the characters here. Cass is a great character, with his well defined personality and deep family history , we get to know him and his Aunt Ro (and all her dresses) in heartwarming ways. Btw, don’t miss out on the author’s notes on flower language at the end of the book. Fantastic touch of knowledge.

Then there’s Kushiel, who we have met in previous books. Such a great light of a angel, giving to the point of hurting himself, wounded and touch deprived, the layers to Kush and the need that finds his answers in Cass makes this book such a beautiful story.

The imaginative elements of the lost souls is one that I wish was better developed. That one we see (sorta) is intriguing so the potential for the plot to further explore this aspect is huge but it does so in a way that takes away from the emotional element rather than boosts it. In its place, other scenes and side trips occur.

When the villain is exposed and the plot mystery resolves into a quick action that takes relatively short amount of time, it feels like a let down of sorts. It’s has some interesting moments and a new character that will drive a sequel series to come. That looks great. But I feel like a tad more something/exploration could have been fit in rather than the villain monologuing about his reasons for the deeds here.

At any rate, we got a heartfelt romantic journey, and a great couple. As well as Aunt Ro.

This is just such a favorite series of mine. Shannon Mae has come up with some really amazing stories and unique and unexpected ideas about love and romance. They aren’t to be missed. Read them all and see who are your favorites!

Fabulous covers.

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance 🔷 A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters #1

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures #2

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades #3

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers #4

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Novellas:

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles (A Holiday Novella)

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Pet Demons

🔷A Beginner’s Guide to Demonic Possessions

Demonic Disasters and

Afterlife Adventures Collections: 🔷Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Collection 1

Hellhounds of Paradise Falls -sequel series:

◦ How to Flirt with a Hellhound #1 – (Coming Soon)

Buy link

A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Book 8)

Blurb

Cassius:

Cass has always had the sight. Although his official job may be to run his coffee shop, in reality he deals with grumpy ghosts, troublesome demons, uptight angels, and all sorts of paranormal issues. When the archangel Gabriel gives him a message that he has to help a gray angel, it’s just par for the course for Cassius. But who could predict that Kushiel would be the brightest soul Cassius had ever met, even if the angel can’t see that about himself? Cassius is determined not just to save the afterlife (and possibly the entire universe), but also to save one very sexy angel (who just might be his soulmate) along the way.

Kushiel:

Kushiel’s work is his life, and if angels shun him and he feels like he never quite fits in with demons, at least he has the souls he redeems. That is, until someone steals his entire purpose in the afterlife. Some vague clues from a demon seer send him straight into Cass’s coffee shop, where he learns some surprises about afterlife rules. With a little help from Cass, Kushiel is sure they can solve the mystery, especially since the coffee shop owner is the kindest, sweetest, sexiest human he’s ever met. Now if only he could figure out how to respond to all the compliments Cass keeps sending his way, because surely someone as wonderful as Cassius couldn’t be interested in a gray angel.

Tags: Kushiel is hurting, and Cass is happy to offer comfort and compliments; afterlife rules are more complicated than angels or demons knew; Aunt Ro keeps trying to not-so-subtly send messages through flowers; Cass runs into demons, angels, ghosts, a sea monster, and a hellhound; messages from seers and through oracles are annoyingly mysterious; Kushiel likes being told what to do, and Cass likes taking charge; Kushiel will finally get his own happily-ever-after (Cass will make sure of it).

Note: A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers can be read as a stand alone. However, it is best read after A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades, since Mike and Ari do pop up in this book.

• Publication date: June 19, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 254 pages

Review: Shades of Sepia (The Sleepless City #1 ) by Anne Barwell

Rating: 3.5🌈

I’ve read this series out of order and this probably has hurt the way in which I have viewed the first story, Shades of Sepia.

I’m already familiar with the couple and characters here. Also how the events of this story unfolded and were resolved. I read it basically to complete the series and grab up any new information or missing details before heading into the series finale.

I liked getting to know Ben Leyton, a New Zealand human drawn to Boggslake, Ohio because of an old photograph from his grandfather. He’s a wonderful, relatable character. Simon Hawthorne, vampire with a terrifying past, is a quiet presence here against the vibrancy that’s Ben.

I liked them but my main quibble here is the rushed relationship. There’s no foundation, no chemistry at the beginning. Yes a feel for a realistic dynamic comes later in the book, but at the beginning, it’s all soulmate, insta-love ‘oh, I love you’ type of relationship and I just think it comes across as flawed and flat.

Especially when viewed against the funny, partly antagonistic tone of the one that emerges from Electric Candle with Blair and Forge. That is one that’s slowly grown and, even with a soulmate bond, definitely not an instant love connection. As I said, series should be read in order.

I thought the second half of the story and plot was better constructed. But again, I had the advantage of reading books 2 and 3 . For me, I enjoyed it but got frustrated that the investigation into the murders was simply too slow to see what was going on around the main characters. And major plot points weren’t followed through on, another issue which bothered me.

For me , there’s a large amount of sex to the exclusion of character and relationship development. Instead of giving the reader information about what exactly happened to certain characters, what did the investigation reveal, and some more vampire bonding details, we get sex.

It’s not as satisfying as it sounds.

So while there are some good things about this book. The characters themselves are lovely, some really nice moments individually, the whole story doesn’t come across as strongly as the book that follow.

It’s still a rec for me. It a good lead in to a terrific series. Read them in the order they are written.

The Sleepless City:

✓ Shades of Sepia #1 by Elizabeth Noble

✓ Electric Candle #2 by Elizabeth Noble

✓ Family and Reflection #3 by Anne Barwell

◦ Shifting Chaos #4 by Anne Barwell

Sequel Series:

The Vampire Guard by Elizabeth Noble:

◦ Code Name: Jack Rabbit #1

◦ Quarry #2

◦ Endosymbiont #3

Buy Link:

Shades of Sepia (The Sleepless City Book 1)

Blurb:

To be soulmates they first have to survive.

A serial killer stalks the streets of Boggslake, Ohio. The victims are always found in pairs, one human and one vampire.

Simon Hawthorne has been a vampire for nearly a hundred years, and he has never seen anything like it. Neither have the other supernaturals he works with to keep the streets safe for both their kind and the humans.

One meeting with Simon finds Ben Leyton falling for a man he knows is keeping secrets, but he can’t ignore the growing attraction between them. A recent arrival in Boggslake, Ben finds it very different from his native New Zealand, but something about Simon makes Ben feel as though he’s found a new home.

After a close friend falls victim to the killer, Simon is torn between revealing his true nature to Ben, and walking away to avoid the reaction he fears. But with the body count rising and the murders becoming more frequent, either, or both of them, could be the killer’s next target.

Author’s note: This story was originally released in 2014 by another publisher. This edition has been revised and re-edited with the end result being a better, stronger story.

• Publisher: LaceDragon Publishing; 2nd edition (July 11, 2020)

• Publication date: July 11, 2020

• Print length: 240 pages

Review: A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Demons: A Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Novella by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4.5🌈

Time for the road to romance for Beel the demon pet frog to begin! And what a hilarious journey it is. Beel or Beelbufo, a lower demon, was first mentioned back in book 1. Beel had been summoned by Gabe’s Grams as a pet and companion for the little boy (long, involved, and heartwarming plot thread). Beel ends up happily spending his time (decades as Gabe grew up ) in a lovingly decorated aquarium with a heat rock) watching horror films and eating popcorn, listening to Gabe and becoming family.

Now with Az and Gabe happily paired up as soulmates, Az has plans to find Beel a love life. After all, that’s what a lust demon who’s also an Infernal King of Hell supposed to do! Meddle with the lives of those who have become family.

Mae brings Beel, previously only seen as a furiously croaking frog, into gloriously chaotic life as a confused, frantic demon. Newly back to a human form in decades, bad at deception and absolutely falling for his pet sitter, Jonathan. Who thinks he’s a frog.

While the story ends a bit abruptly, everything that goes before it is a narrative wonder. Hilarious, with moments of genuine sweetness and heart, there’s scenes of high humor and ones of poignancy. A demon frog and pet store owner find their HEA while watching horror films and eating popcorn. How perfect.

A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Demons: A Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Novella by Shannon Mae is an excellent read and reason why I have come to love this series and author so.

The writing is marvelous, the characters well crafted, and the plotting layered with vivid details and emotional scenes.

Read this series in the order it’s written because it’s got a very complex plot that is developed book by book. Amazing! And one I’m highly recommending.

Great cover again, probably my favorite so far!

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance) :

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Demons (A Novella)

◦ A Beginner’s Guide to Ghosts, Fallen Angels, and Other Afterlifers (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Book 6)-June 19, 2024

Buy Link:

A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Demons: A Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Novella

Blurb:

Beelbufo has lived a comfortable life as a pet frog for two decades, enjoying pets, human food, and horror movie nights with his favorite human, Gabe. But when Gabe and Az fall head over heels in love, they decide Beel needs a companion too. Little does Beel know that the charming pet shop owner, Jon, is about to become his unsuspecting caretaker. There’s only one small catch – Jon thinks Beel is just an ordinary pet frog.

When Jon’s safety is threatened, Beel can’t help making an appearance in his human form. Now Jon’s eyeing him with suspicion (turns out his cover story wasn’t that great), Gabe and Az are up to their matchmaking antics, and Beel really just wants another kiss with the adorable pet shop owner. (Oh, did we forget to mention they shared a kiss? Spoiler alert: it was magical.)

If Beel’s meddling family can stop interfering, Jon can stop being so suspicious, and Beel can stop being so scared of outing his true identity, these two might just get their own happily ever after. (Hopefully with more kisses, because Beel really does like the kissing.)

Tags: Beel despises romantic comedies, but maybe he’s about to star in one; Jon’s got a troublesome ex and could use a knight in shining armor – Beel’s more than happy to oblige; Az keeps weaving fairy tale and frog references into their lives, much to everyone’s chagrin; Beel’s cover stories are laughably bad; coming out as your true self is tougher than Beel imagined, but sometimes it’s worth it.

• Publisher: (January 11, 2024)

• Publication date: January 11, 2024

• Print length: 140 pages

Review: Family and Reflection (The Sleepless City #3 ) by Anne Barwell

Rating: 4.5🌈

I’m jumping around this remarkable paranormal series by authors Anne Barwell and Elizabeth Noble as I recently discovered it by reading the second book in the series. That story, the fascinating universe that these authors were creating was something that immediately drew me into the narrative. From its location of Boggslake, a small historical Ohio town situated alongside Lake Erie with all its atmospheric layers , to that odd expanding group of found family of supernatural beings plus a human as well as a dog, I was all in.

Then Barwell and Noble introduced a twist or two on the fated mate/soul bound trope, and I was more than committed, I was delighted with the idea that, fated mates didn’t equal instant love but instead perhaps a more thoughtful approach for both men, including dismay, hilarity, dismissals, before finally finding acceptance. Yes, that works.

So here , it’s an exploration between two species that , in this series, have a serious animosity towards each other, even if the individuals themselves have a friendship that is looking to go further.

That’s the current werewolf and vampire species. There’s also the arc storyline and threatening mystery that’s involved multiple murders, several mysterious creatures, and an ongoing hunt for the mastermind behind it all.

All these complicated plot threads and the characters and elements converge together as Lucas Coate, werewolf (estranged from his pack) is asked for help from his sister to solve a horrific mystery. But the vampire Declan, recently returned from abroad, is being framed for thefts around town, and now needs help from his friends at Boggs Castle to find the real thief. All while dealing with this attraction to Lucas and the new soulbond of his friend/long time vampire lover, Jonas Forge to Blair.

This story has complicated relationships that speak to complex layered dynamics between friends and family, friends and their own lovers, friends and their long term friends. All woven into storylines that have murders, mysteries, and developing romances.

It’s not entirely satisfactory an ending because the arc storyline has one more book before it can be completed. So the elements I feel were left unfinished here were probably done so for a purpose. I won’t know exactly until that last novel is read.

I get the feeling that everything is fitting together like a puzzle piece and so now it’s off to finish the puzzle. But first back to grab up that first story before I can finish up.

I’m highly impressed with the series and authors. It’s a must read. Dare I say, don’t do as I did, and read them in order? Yes! Do that!

The Sleepless City:

◦ Shades of Sepia #1 by Elizabeth Noble

✓ Electric Candle #2 by Elizabeth Noble

✓ Family and Reflection #3 by Anne Barwell

◦ Shifting Chaos #4 by Anne Barwell

Sequel Series:

The Vampire Guard by Elizabeth Noble:

◦ Code Name: Jack Rabbit #1

◦ Quarry #2

◦ Endosymbiont #3

Buy Link:

Family and Reflection (The Sleepless City Book 3)

Blurb:

When a rebel werewolf and a vampire thief fall in love, only one thing is certain—trouble.

For as long as Lucas Coate can remember, werewolves have been taught to mistrust vampires. Lucas is an exception—he has close friends who are vampires. The werewolf pack in Boggslake—and their leader, Jacob Coate—have made it clear that Lucas’s association with vampires is barely tolerated, and another transgression will be his last. When Lucas finds out about the plague of werewolf deaths in the area, he wants to help even though his own life may already be in danger.

Declan has been away from Boggslake for ten years, but he isn’t surprised to learn that the internal politics of the Supernatural Council haven’t changed for the better. When a series of burglaries hit close to home soon after he arrives, Declan—a vampire and professional thief—is their prime suspect, although for once, he isn’t responsible. With the council keeping secrets, no one is safe. Time is running out, and for Lucas and Declan, everything is about to change.

Authors Note: This story was originally released in 2015 by another publisher. This edition has been re-edited with additional content.

• Publisher: LaceDragon Publishing; 2nd edition (September 11, 2020)

• Publication date: September 11, 2020

• Print length: 275 pages

Review: A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4.5🌈

It’s the holidays and time for Shannon Mae’s Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures to go all things Christmas! What an absolute blast and ho ho ho happy romance this is!

Mae gives us her version of the Santa origin story this time around with a touch of chaotic demonic energy and angelic joy combined to create happiness and love for children at a certain time of year. That had serious ramifications for one Nachielus (not Nicholas).

I absolutely loved seeing Nach return to the human realm. Mae’s ability to make the reader see the joy and wonder of the season, the warmth and happiness he’s able to bring, is a marvel of its own.

That carries over to the other characters, Beckett, a human, whose love for Christmas is deep and abiding as well as his roommate, who adds to the holiday spirit.

Together, we get a portrait of two beings who are soulmates, completely compatible in every sense of their being. It’s sexy, fun, but also filled with the joy and excitement of the Christmas spirit.

Happily, we get appearances from another important couple too. That’s the frosting or maybe tree topper on the Christmas tree here. As well as hints for a new book and identity of a character that’s been around in the background of the preceding stories.

All in all, a fabulous time was had back in this universe and I have another Christmas story to recommend.

Great cover again!

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures: (Paranormal Romance) :

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades

◦ A Beginner’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Demons (A Novella)

Buy Link:

A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles30Kindle Edition$0.00or $2.99 to buy

Blurb:

Nachielus (not Nicholas) may have gotten into a bit of trouble over unsanctioned miracles, ending up on the upstairs’ naughty list. Sure, maybe he’d gotten a little carried away with the whole Christmas thing, but he hadn’t meant to become a part of folklore, and surely that wasn’t a reason to bury him in centuries of paperwork. Banned from topside and missing his favorite holiday, he gets a push from a certain demon to pop up and have a look around. When he meets Beckett, a Christmas-loving elf enthusiast who mistakes him for the Santa hired for a fundraiser, how can he say no? Next thing he knows, Nach is in over his head again, because this is one human he can’t resist.

Beck’s Christmas is merry and bright, especially after he encounters Nach, the hottie in questionable Santa attire. Nach’s kindness, generosity, and charm have Beck falling faster than a snowflake. With no place to stay, obviously Beck needs to bring Nach home with him. Beck never believed in love at first sight before, but there’s just something about Nach that calls to him, and it isn’t long before he’s trying to figure out to keep this sexy Santa all to himself.

Tags: Beck is living his own Christmas rom-com, complete with a meet cute and lots of Christmas kisses; Nach never means to cause trouble—it just seems to find him (and the reindeer thing was definitely not his fault); Nach has a very loose definition of what constitutes a miracle; corporate Scrooges try to suck the fun out of Christmas (but don’t worry, they don’t succeed); Nach is an angel of joy of fulfillment, so expect plenty of joy… and fulfillment (wink, wink).

A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles is a 30k novella bursting with laughs, holiday spirit, and a Happily Ever After that even the Grinch would approve of. Get ready for festive chaos, Christmas kisses, and a love story weirder than Grandma’s fruitcake.

— A Beginner’s Guide to Christmas Miracles by Shannon Mae

• Publication date: November 27, 2023

• Print length: 118 pages

Review: A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Book 2) by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4.5🌈

I love it when the author improves upon the original themes and world building they originate in the first novel of the series. In A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Book 2), Mae continues with the humor of humans and demons finding each other their eternal soulmate, and all that entails.

But here in Mistakenly Summoned Demons, she ups the heart factor, emphasizing the importance of emotional connections and the depth of their relationship to each other and ones family. Whatever that means.

The humor and laughter is still here, but the serious topics and larger issues are always present. Not to pull down or burden the characters or storylines, but to underline their various roles, or themes within the plot.

Gabe is a perfect example. Having his marvelous grandmother summon a lust demon for his birthday, it’s not going according to plan. Gabe’s newest companion is asking Gabe to explore his sexuality, to think about how and why he’s not had a fulfilling sexual relationship or any at all. How this is done, by letting human Gabe and the Infernal King of Hell, Prince of Lust, Asmodeus, get to know each other as friends, gradually becoming more deeply acquainted (yes, it’s not just any ol’ demon).

They do start to work on Gabe’s idea of what he finds sexually attractive (there’s some kink) and it’s very hot! However, it’s also character driven with a sharp focus on plot growth and series world building. Mae throws in some fabulous plot twists and great new character developments . She’s building a group of characters who will eventually find their soulmates too. And by doing that, add to a greater pattern.

I am so enamored of Gabe and As that I’m thrilled to hear from the author they will be popping up again in the other books. They are simply amazing and too good to contain to one story.

So far there’s three ready and more planned. I’m so excited to see what happens next.

Absolutely recommending the series. Read them in the order they are written.

Check out the great covers and dates for book three to drop!

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures:

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Death, Demons, and Other Afterlife Disasters #1

✓ A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures #2

◦ A Beginner’s Guide to Revenge, Chaos, and Other Absurd Escapades #3-Oct 5,2023

Buy Link

A Beginner’s Guide to Mistakenly Summoned Demons and Other Misadventures (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures Book 2)

Description:

Gabriel:

Mistakenly summoning a lust demon was not on Gabe’s to-do list, but with a meddling grandmother, he’s gotten used to the unexpected. The real trouble begins when Gabe realizes exactly who he’s summoned. What’s a guy supposed to do when an Infernal King of Hell has decided he’s staying and wants to follow Gabe around like a stray puppy? Add having a job as a teacher, living in a family of meddlers, and dealing with a bureaucratic underworld, and Gabe is about ready to lose his patience. When the Prince of Lust decides he’s going to help Gabe figure out his sexuality, though, things really start to get interesting. Maybe mistakenly summoning a demon wasn’t the worst thing to happen after all.

Asmodeus:

Asmodeus has dealt with humans and their lust since they were first created, and he has never met someone immune to his powers. So when he’s forcibly summoned (which should be impossible), and he realizes he has no power whatsoever over the human (which hasn’t happened before), he’s more than a little intrigued. No way is he going back to hell when he’s found such a mystery. When he realizes that Gabe is confused about his own sexuality, Az happily decides to help him figure it out. Who better than a lust demon for the job, after all? If Az happens to get slightly obsessed with his human in the process, who’s going to tell him he can’t keep the guy? Now Az just needs to convince Gabe that keeping a lust demon around forever is the perfect plan.

Tags: A lust demon meets his match in a human who experiences limited sexual attraction; Grams cannot be trusted when she’s in the kitchen; siblings are annoying; Az doesn’t understand why Gabe thinks a demon shouldn’t pretend to be a high school teacher; sexuality is not always clear cut; Az likes to watch, and maybe Gabe does too; exploring what checks your boxes can be tons of fun with the right person (or demon).

Review: A Mage’s Guide to Wicky (R’iyah Family Archives: Volume #3) by A.J. Sherwood

Rating: 4.75🌈

Scattered, wacky, Wicky, adorable perfection!

What happens when a magical seeking spell won’t leave Wicky alone? Well, as much as his curiosity is killing him, Wicky knows this time , he needs to call in his team and found family to find answers.

With Bel, Nico, and Garan involved, Wicky’s team are going to find out who is magically stalking their wonderful, flighty friend. And the reason why.

This is such a fabulous story. It flies by on wings of combined cultural magic and values, soars with the joy of discovery, of finding one’s true purpose and path, with characters infused with humor, intelligence, love, and sheer outrageousness.

Sun , Wicky’s soulmate, is amazing, and I look forward to seeing how a wind elemental will fit into the team. Plus the journey into parts of Thailand, along with the food made my mouth water.

Each aspect of the story contained some great elements that made you want to linger a bit longer. And still hurry forward towards the next stop . Incredible.

You giggle, you smack your head, laugh, and keep on appreciating the world that Sherwood has created that has such fantastic characters within it.

My only quibble? I wanted more.

Who wouldn’t?

And now Mobius decides to speak?

Pls we need more. More adventures of the team as they adjust to the new status quo.

I’m highly excited for that story to arrive. And recommend this until it does!

R’iyah Family Archives:

✓ A Mage’s Guide to Human Familiars #1

✓ A Mage’s Guide to Aussie Terrors #2

✓ A Mage’s Guide to Wicky #3

Buy Link:

A Mage’s Guide to Wicky (R’iyah Family Archives: Volume Book 3)

Description:

Wicky’s never been magically stalked before.

He kinda likes it, to be honest.

For some reason, it’s upsetting everyone else though. Maybe he should figure out who it is?

Ooooo, maybe his fated one is on the other end! In…Thailand?

Tags:

Wicky use your brain challenge: Failed, author has lost discretion in this, Wicky is in Thailand, pray for Thailand, the trio is along for the ride, fated mates, Thai magic, don’t mind the author I’m just over here building a ship, Sun is the younger of the two but he’s also resigned to being the responsible one, chosen family, Mobius talks, in Thai, Wicky feels so betrayed, look this is pure romantic crack, Sun is cute that’s all you need to know

Review: How To Date A Dragon (a Here Be Dragons prequel) by Louisa Masters

Rating: 3.5🌈

How To Date A Dragon is a short cute prequel to Louisa Masters Here Be Dragons series. This quick romance between Hagen, a dragon, and real estate agent, the vampire Jaiden is about 88 pages long. That doesn’t allow much time for character or relationship development. It comes with the expectation that the reader is already familiar with the characters and the world building behind it.

The purpose of Hagen and Jaiden meeting is to find the location for what will become in the series Here Be Dragons, the seat and home of the dragons on Earth. They meet hot and heavy, go on a couple of romantic dates, and then the epilogue flashes forward to find them into an established relationship.

It’s sexy, the couple engaging, and the entire thing short. Definitely a story that could benefit from more exposition and length. But it’s a cute addition to Louisa Masters series and dragons.

Read it if you’re a fan of both!

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › How-Da…How To Date A Dragon (Here Be Dragons)

Description:

Tip #1 for dealing with dragons: be prepared for anything

My whole life, I thought dragons were majestic, wise, and fearsome creatures. Not to mention fictional. It’s been less than a year since that last belief was debunked. Dragons are real, they’re now living among us, and I’m the lucky realtor who gets to sell a house to their leader. I just have to impress his representative first. No problem—I’m a professional.

Except the dragon rep turns out to be the guy I hooked up with last night, and he’s fast disproving everything I believed about dragons. Unless “wise” actually means “addicted to glitter” and “majestic” is a euphemism for “overgrown frat boy.”

Hagen might actually be the most annoying person I’ve ever met, yet I can’t resist going on a date with him. One thing’s for sure, someone needs to write me a how-to guide for dating a dragon… glitter not included.

Related to: Here Be Dragons

Review: Where There’s a Witch There’s a Way (Cadenbury Town #2) by E. Broom

Rating: 3🌈

Where There’s a Witch There’s a Way dives right into a instant mate situation, albeit between two people who’ve known each other for a while.

One is Titus Compton, of the town’s Witches Council. The other is one of the many werewolf Stone brothers, Kean Stone, brother to the Alpha/Mayor Adhan.

There’s little background, Broom assumes you’ve read the first book in the series, The Crazy Bookshop, where everyone and everything was established.

You really do require that history there because all the drama and mystery coming into play here stems from the events there. You’re going to be pretty much lost without it.

All the characters, the warm-hearted relationships are back! The mystery, the villain and yes, the sex are all on the soft, PG-13 side. The group works together to learn magic, become a found family, and confront what looks to be a deepening series arc piece of villainy.

It’s fun, mostly light hearted, and not really scary.

I did have several issues here. Especially at the end , when the group goes off to discover what and where all the dark magic is coming from, they split up. The reader gets one group’s side of the action. The other more fabulous tale? With waaay more interesting things that occurred? It’s as told to.

I was absolutely dumbfounded. If I’d had the author there, this is how it would have gone.

Me: so there’s was zombies, an apocalypse, flames, ghouls, everything underground. Magical fighting galore?

Author: yup

Me: you gave us two , maybe 3 sentences. Of the best stuff?

Author: yup

Me: *blink blink* huh.

Walks to door, door closes.

Author: you’re coming back, right?

Hmmmm.

So utterly disappointing.

It also introduces a couple of new characters but we get nothing?

So either that going to be a whole new book to describe those happenings or we in the dark but either way, it’s a majorly flawed component here.

And it reduces the impact of that whole event. As does the way the author leaves many of the new and secondary characters.

So for me, Where There’s a Witch There’s a Way keeps adding new characters and new bits to the overall arc but I’m not sure it’s made the series any better. It’s lost some of the original charm, some of the whimsy and goofiness that I enjoyed so.

I’m sure I’ll be continuing on if only to see if it can recapture some of the joy that brought me into it.

If you’re a fan of this author, or of light fantasy, I’ll leave that decision up to you as well.

Cadenbury Town series:

🔹The Crazy Bookshop 1

🔹Where There’s a Witch There’s a Way 2

https://www.goodreads.com › showWhere There’s a Witch There’s a Way by E. Broom – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Who knew letting my walls down would change my life?

Titus Compton works for the Witches’ Council. He has nothing in his life but work with the occasional town witch meeting in Cadenbury thrown in.

However, Titus has a secret. He’s in love with Kean Stone, the sinfully handsome, fun-loving wolf shifter.

What would Kean want with a pompous, workaholic witch?

A phone call from his mother telling him his father is sick leads Titus back home, but no way are his new friends letting him go alone.

With secrets revealed and dark witches causing trouble, Kean is happy to lend his support to Titus and be his safe harbour. But it will take all his family and friends to stop disaster from striking, and along the way, they might just score perfect tens.

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Witchin Warlock (Witchin #1) by Charity Parkerson

Rating: 3.25🌈

Witchin Warlock (Witchin #1) by Charity Parkerson is a cute short romance about a witch who hides his identity and a cop who uses the witch’s help with his cases. While being clueless as to why he solves them so quickly.

Parkerson doesn’t give much attention to background here. Not the backstory between Caspian (the witch) or Brock the cop. It’s a fated soulmates thing but only at the end.

So it’s really rushed, and little relationship has time to gain ground.

We get a murder or several. A hunt for bodies. Some passionate embracing, and hidden magic.

It’s cute. It’s a quick read at 87 pages. But I personally found the lack of layers a little disappointing.

If you’re in the mood for quick, fluffy, magical and hot, this is something you might want to check out.

Witchin series:

🔹Witchin’ Warlock #1

🔹Witchin’ Solstice #2

🔹Witchin’ Moonbeam #3

🔹Witchin’ Fangs

🔹Witchin’ Wildcat #4

https://www.goodreads.com › showWitchin Warlock (Witchin, #1) by Charity Parkerson – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Caspian comes from a long line of witches. Brock is third generation F.B.I. They shouldn’t fit but they do.

A year ago, Caspian moved to a small town in Ohio. He hoped the lack of competition in the area would be good for his psychic business, Futures Untold. The last thing he expected was a sexy F.B.I. agent to show up and treat him like a missing person’s bloodhound. Even though Caspian keeps doing favors for Special Agent Brock Wray, his distrust of authority runs deep. After all, they used to drown witches in this area back in the day, and Caspian has no desire to end up on Brock’s missing persons’ list.

Officially, no one knows how Brock keeps solving so many huge cases. Caspian is Brock’s secret weapon. The man knows things no one should. That’s not why Brock keeps showing up and making excuses to see Caspian. Caspian fascinates Brock. Not only does Brock’s inner detective need to know how Caspian knows so much, but Caspian is also smoking hot. He is the single most gorgeous man to step foot in their tiny town in ages. Brock isn’t dumb. He has to take Caspian off the market as quickly as possible and he’ll use any excuse to get close enough to do it.

When Brock takes Caspian along for the ride on a case, things will get weird. Let’s hope Caspian isn’t forced to show why he’s the most witchin warlock around or Brock might run for the hills.

Witchin Warlock is a fun short story just in time for Halloween.

———-

Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.