Review: Demon Dance and Other Disasters (A Spirit Mage’s Journey, Book 1 ) By BR Kingsolver

Rating: 4.75 ⭐️🌈

Demon Dance and Other Disasters, the first in an urban fantasy series, A Spirit Mage’s Journey written by BR Kingsolver, is such an amazing story.

We immediately meet the main character on a vicious hunt for a dangerous vampire. She’s a bounty hunter, 16 year old orphaned Katy Brown ,tough street mage. Thrown out on the streets with nothing by her grandparents after the murder of her parents, she’s done what it takes to live for 5 years, learning how to use her magic, hunt, and barely get by on bringing in the bounties posted.

Kingsolver’s story is dark, gritty, and grounded in details of rawest realities of homelessness, especially as a child, meshed with a fantastical urban fantasy world building. Using the sort of spare fast paced narrative that I’ve come to associate with Kingsolver, it’s that detailed concise scenes, the street children relating their current experiences or circumstances calmly without any real emotion, that lends this it’s own despair and reality of their lives. Or the homeless tent cities that Katy visits for information. It’s believable and heartbreaking.

That it’s fantasy too. Because we’d expect it not to have changed that this aspect of life would have disappeared.

Katy’s recent kill brings her to the notice of the head of the Guild Mages, an offer of a job and perhaps even more.

Such an incredibly well woven tale, horrifying, full of mystery and complexity as well as the realities of life as a teenager with no real support or trust only trauma in her background. Katy is fantastic, so convincing as a street worn teen, tough, yet still vulnerable underneath all those walls she’s erected. Just a fabulous connectable character.

And when I read this, I was unaware there was a second book in the series and. Kingsolver ties up all the plot points, bringing to a satisfying resolution all the storylines of the book and for Katy Brown. When it comes to the finish, she’s ready for a new stage of her life.

Even if I hadn’t seen the second one, I would have been so happy with this novel.

That’s saying something about how completely well written and beautifully crafted it is.

Grab it up if you love urban fantasy fiction. There’s no love or romance. The characters identify themselves in multiple ways, bi, gay heterosexual, nonbinary

Honestly, she’s a teenager. And as many of the street kids here see sex as transactional, a form of survival. FYI

Highly Recommended.

Cover art by Lou Harper

A Spirit Mage’s Journey:

Demon Dance and Other Disasters #1

A City of Swords and Fangs #2

Buy link

Demon Dance and Other Disasters: (An Urban Fantasy Book) (A Spirit Mage’s Journey Book 1)

Blurb

I hunt the lost, the dangerous, and the damned. It’s how I survive. This time? It’s how I might die.

Since my parents were murdered, I’ve survived by hunting down whatever—or whoever—needs finding. Rogue vampires, runaway dogs, missing kids, even deadbeat spouses. If it comes with a paycheck, I take the job.

This hunt is different. A master mage offered me a reward I couldn’t refuse—track down a rogue summoner, stop the demon, and get out. Simple.

But as the bodies pile up and the vulnerable start vanishing, I realize this job is darker, deadlier, and more twisted than anything I’ve faced before. It isn’t just about stopping a summoner—it’s about stopping what comes next.

The hunt is on. Dare to join me in the shadows?

Publication date

August 18, 2024

Language

‎English

Print length

264 pages

Book 1 of 2

A Spirit Mage’s Journey

Welcome to Queen City—Where Magic Hunts in the Shadows

for readers who crave dark, gritty Urban Fantasy

If you love high-stakes magic, relentless action, and heroines who refuse to back down, Demon Dance and Other Disasters will pull you in and never let go.

Set in the same world as BR Kingsolver’s bestselling Rosie O’Grady’s Paranormal Bar and Grill—twelve years after Erin’s journey—the story introduces a new kind of fighter.

Katy Brown isn’t a warrior trained in secret or a chosen one destined for greatness. She’s a survivor. When the Mage Guild hires her to stop a rogue summoner, she takes the job for the payout—until the hunt turns into something far deadlier.

This is urban fantasy at its most intense, packed with magic, mystery, and danger lurking in every shadow. Fans of BR Kingsolver’s work will recognize the sharp storytelling, immersive worldbuilding, and unforgettable characters that make every page pulse with energy.

Join the Hunt: What Lies Ahead

A world where power is rutheless and the vulnerable pay the price.
A fierce, street-smart heroine who never wanted to be a hero.
Dark, high-stakes magic—raw, unpredictable, and deadly.
Mystery, action, and da

Review: The Dog Mage By James A. Haddock III

Rating: 3.5⭐️

Ok this is going to be a different sort of review. Mostly because I believe readership might break down differently here . Those who read it one way and then those who see other aspects of the story.

I finished Dog Mage, my first book by James Haddock, and I thought it was a good book. Very entertaining, fast paced fantasy adventure with some interesting magical system elements that I hadn’t really seen explored before.

The magic is certainly very thoughtfully crafted and I love how it is fitted into the narrative in multiple ways.

The plot of Jack, orphaned as a small child, finding his magic to becoming one of the most powerful mages in the known Kingdom is oddly straightforward. Jack as his magic grows and accumulates objects that helps his with his magical abilities has streamlined his approach to his life. Continue forward doing what he wants as his own person, if anything tries to get in his way more than once? Then he brutally and efficiently eliminates them, by dog, knife, whatever means necessary.

Turns out Jack is a bit of a psychopath. Not that it’s ever even remotely hinted at here. That’s my take on him.

But Jack’s answer to about everything is death, (not animals, just people, sometimes in mass quantities) in multiple ways, starting from childhood. And he’s not wasting any time, thought or emotion on it.

He chooses to change his face, name, and “character “ easily. Jack’s a chimera. That’s how he presents himself…to me. Often to others as well.

Which actually doesn’t bother me much because the story is a fantasy adventure. And had Haddock left it simply at magical battles where Jack is always the shining hero, where he vanquishes hundreds of enemies by himself, where it’s Jack in his fabulous glowing armor doing impossible things, well, it’s fun, and superficial.

But then there a romantic component and it gets problematic. Spoilers.

There’s an older princess to escort to a ball, looking for a matrimonial match. Jack’s her guardian/escort as assigned by the king. It’s a short time frame. Without any real sense of this couple having any real connection or time with each other, it’s “instalove”.

Other stories have done this. Not the issue. However,Jack isn’t one for the stationary life and he’s got things to do.There’s turmoil afloat so he needs to leave and do stuff. A man’s gotta do what he’s gotta do. Or Jack does whatever. Because that’s what Jack does.

She says no, don’t go and many other things in the same vein. None of which land well with him.So he’s done, he abandons her, engaged and all. No talking. She’s cut off, as are her folks he calls family. No contact.

Two yrs later. She’s been miserable and pining. He hasn’t given her a thought ( literally that what he said).

Someone royal else gets them together and he’s oh, I guess I missed you (she’s crying her eyes out). Let’s get together again. Wink.

Yeah,the psychopath says it’s convenient for him you’re back. And his projects are well underway. So it’s phase two. Doesn’t this make you feel all cozy? Huh. I see a bunch of flags.

Because I don’t think it’s supposed to be taken that way.

To quote the description:

“So, let the bodies fall where they may; you’ve been warned.”

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Dog Mage – Haddock, James: Kindle Store

Blurb

My name, well, they call me Jack. Though I’ve been called and named other things. Kings have named me, though that has sometimes gotten me into trouble. You see, when a king names you, he wants something. Nothing is free. Anyway, I’m an orphan. Fortunately, I’m a mage. That doesn’t make up for not having parents, but it helps . . . except when it doesn’t. The problem with being a . . . child mage is that everyone wants to use you for their own ends. The guilds, for instance. Not just one guild, all of them, everyone is looking for an edge, including me. My strongest talent is music, though no one sees that. What they do see is that my music . . . renews things, makes them new.

One of the first things I renewed was a pair of full-sized wooden dogs. I renewed them so well that they came to life and became my protectors.

Circumstances forced me to protect myself from those who would force me to work for them. Unfortunately, bodies were left on the floor, and I was forced to leave one city for another. I became too good at protecting myself, and the bodies kept piling up. That’s when the king and his spymaster took notice of me. They saw me as a means to an end and wanted to use me as a weapon against their enemies.

The problem was, their enemies weren’t necessarily my enemies, and I hate being forced to do things against my will. So, the bodies that piled up were of those who tried to force me into bondage. All I wanted was to be left alone, but no one seemed to understand that.

So, let the bodies fall where they may; you’ve been warned.

Matron Publishing

Publication date

November 6, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

230 pages

Review: The Wizard’s Cat (The Wizard’s Butler Book 2) by Nathan Lowell

Rating: 4.5⭐️

The Wizard’s Cat is a great sequel to the wonderful urban fantasy novel, The Wizard’s Butler by Nathan Lowell.

Picking up right after the dramatic events of that book, Shackleford House should be settling back into its original shape but that’s not the case.

As Roger notes immediately as he goes through his day as butler to Shackleford himself, in his multitude of duties, the house seems “off”. A bit of dust there, a dandelion there, unheard of when everything is maintained meticulously by pixies and fairies.

But as more things go awry, the narrative building suspense and mystery, it’s up to Roger, cousin Barbara, and a new character to solve the problem and come to the aid of the House.

Lowell builds on Roger’s character development as well as Barbara’s along with the House’s, giving the story and group a fuller sense of them as a unique family, with Roger, perhaps as a fundamental element as a non-talented person but a important grounded member here.

Gideon is equally impressive in his role, one that will be more fully explored in future stories. As one would expect from a magical being of his years.

Barbara is interesting but still needs some more layers. Or maybe interaction with other characters in central roles here. I really like her when she’s discussing roles and jobs with Roger as his profession as a Butler was making her uncomfortable at one point.

Just an engaging story and one I highly enjoyed. Will be watching for the next one to be released.

Read the series in order they are written. No romance or violence. Great characters and terrific writing.

Cover Art: Alexandre Rio

The Wizard’s Butler:

The Wizard’s Butler #1

The Wizard’s Cat #2

Buy link

Book 2 of 2: The Wizard’s Butler

Blurb

It started with a dandelion.

Innocuous. Ubiquitous.

Who knew it was a warning?

After claiming his big bonus, things are coming up roses for Roger Mulligan. A job he loves. A house that feels like home. Money in the bank. A solid roof over his head and job security.

But when he finds a dandelion on the pristine grounds of Shackleford House, he starts down a twisted, garden path. Old man Shackleford says the fairies have a problem, the pixies keep falling down on the job, and the house seems to grow weaker by the day.

He’s soon tossed into a confusing mixture of fact and fantasy, accompanied by Shackleford’s cousin and – of all things – a stray cat. Surrounded by the fantastical, it’s hard to tell magic from mundane.

Publisher

Durandus, Ltd

Publication date

December 7, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

344 pages

Book 2 of 2

The Wizard’s Butler

Review: The Wizard’s Butler by Nathan Lowell

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I stumbled across this story by accident and I’m absolutely thrilled I did because I love both the story and finding a new prolific author to explore.

This highly entertaining and gently immersive series is one that builds slowly, pulling us into the magical world along with the non-magical ex soldier Roger Mulligan.

Desperately searching for a new start, after 3 tours of duty with the military in Afghanistan and as a EMT once home, a ad for a butler sends Roger upon a new path.

That the author is himself a former military veteran is telling in the crafting of Roger Mulligan. He is absolutely believable in this book, his appreciation for the uniform, the manner in which his role as a butler has similarities with his previous duties, without the hazards and risks. He’s a good man, a guardian. Which as it turns out is exactly what is needed most.

Told from Roger’s perspective, we meet the house, his “employers”, the elderly owner of the house and the magical situation he’s entering into.

I think what I love about this the most is Roger’s ability to adapt to ideas and concepts that would shatter others and, in how Lowell has written him and this story, I found him and how everything flows together totally credible.

We don’t “see” the pixies or fairies because Roger can’t. He’s not talented. A element that turns into an unlikely strength for all.

This isn’t a romance. But a terrific book full of fascinating characters and found family, as well as a magical place.

The sequel, the recently released, The Wizard’s Cat, is an excellent read and I’ll review it shortly.

I really hope that Lowell has several more books planned for this series. I’m definitely hooked.

A winner and one I’m happy to share.

Cover Art: Alexandre Rio

The Wizard’s Butler:

The Wizard’s Butler #1

The Wizard’s Cat #2

Buy link

Book 1 of 2: The Wizard’s Butler

Blurb

“He thinks he’s a wizard,” they said.

For five grand a month and a million dollar chaser, Roger Mulligan didn’t care how crazy the old geezer was. All he had to do was keep Joseph Perry Shackleford alive and keep him from squandering the estate for a year.

They didn’t tell him about the pixies.

Publisher

Durandus, Ltd.

Publication date

March 19, 2020

Language

‎English

Print length

350 pages

Book 1 of 2

The Wizard’s Butler

Review: The Wolf Vs The Dragon: The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth #7) by Lauretta Hignett

Rating: 3⭐️

This is yet another review I found myself editing due to my exasperation with the main character, particularly how, at the penultimate book in this series, the author is still continuing to have Daphne’s character remain in the same place as it was at the beginning of the series.

Hignett has previously promised some growth for Daphne, especially with her annoyed “2 personality” inner dialogue, an element of the story and character that was highlighted prior as an issue.

Those constant ongoing conversations between violent‘brain Daphne’ and the other kind, naive and frankly, TSTL Daphne are an element that are repetitive, slow down the narrative, and honestly, irritating at this point. I thought the two halves were reconciled but ,no ,here we are, still with the same ongoing arguments that were old several books ago.

Brain Daphne: let me stab whoever. Emotional Daphne: No it’s wrong. Brain: stabby Stab!

ED: no, we must carry on with our internal dialogue while there’s some poor soul watching us stand here.

Just no. At 23 percent. Well the entirety of the book. Then it gets worse when one part of her calls the other part an idiot. And I’m agreeing.

Myf, the tortured alcoholic dragon shifter is now an enemy. Guess who is whining about that betrayal after Myf stayed locked in cabinets, soused after drinking binges with Dwayne, for ages, while Daphne deals with other drama? Daphne. SMH.

There’s multiple side storylines. The ones with Dwayne , which I’m sure will have ramifications in the finale, still feel like literal fluff.

By the end of the story, while there’s some good stuff here with Myf’s rescue, and a revelation, Daphne’s still such an oblivious, whiny character that I just can’t care about her anymore.

Daphne has gotten to be unreadable. Dwayne,her companion Chaos god, as well.

I’ll probably get the last one just to see what happens. But characters like Daphne? Are only interesting to me when they evolve and develop as the series progresses. By book 7, she shouldn’t be the same person as she was in the first novel. Now she’s just one more uninteresting trope.

Too bad because there is interesting mythology and world building going on, and some fascinating concepts here. Those got the rating points.

Book Cover by Atra Luna Graphic Design

Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth:

The Wolf Vs The Vampire #1

The Wolf Vs The Warlock #2

The Wolf Vs The Shifter #3

The Wolf Vs The Witch #4

The Wolf Vs The Monster #5

The Wolf Vs The Shadow Fae #6

The Wolf Vs The Dragon #7

The Wolf Vs The World #8 – Nov 15,2025 – finale

The Wolf Vs Santa: A Little Christmas Mystery

Buy link

The Wolf Vs The Dragon: The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth

Blurb

I don’t want to hurt her… but she definitely wants to hurt me.

Betrayal doesn’t sting. It hurts worse than that; it feels like a rake over coals, a disembowling, a slow, agonizing stretch on the torture rack.

Myf is hurt, and she’s found someone to blame. She’s focused all her pain on one target.

Me.

The Wolf Vs The Dragon is book seven in the Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth, a hot new Urban Fantasy series by bestselling author Lauretta Hignett.

Publication date: September 15, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 306 pages
Book 7 of 8: The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth

Review: A Dragon Rider’s Guide to Retirement (Dragons of Safeway Haven Book 1) by Julia Huni

Rating: 4.5⭐️

What a wonderful find and absolutely fabulous read! Julia Huni is an author I hadn’t heard of before but she’s now firmly in my author list to look forward to.

A Dragon Rider’s Guide to Retirement, the first book in Dragons of Safeway Haven series by Julia Huni, is a quietly stunning story. I’m not sure I’ve read one quite like this in a group of novels about dragons and dragon riders.

There’s no fast paced adventure, no real action or battles. At least not yet. Those have already happened. In a long, dark ongoing war between two countries that’s continuing to escalate and claim the lives of many, this story focuses on the recent retired warriors of each country. One a battle witch who’s losing her powers and one a disabled dragon rider who lost his dragon in the war. Both in their early 50’s and they’ve retired to Safe Haven , a mystical island unbeknownst to each other. At first.

What author Huni delivers is beautiful, deeply believable characters, ones who are dealing with their own trauma and personal losses. Who then are confronted with not only the physical enemy they have been fighting all these years, a enemy that has cost them greatly in terms of unbelievable loss and suffering, but they also have to face the fact that perhaps they have been rigid and bigoted in their own ways.

Huni’s story doesn’t preach but slowly sees change occur as the characters interact with each other and the town people who are accepting them into their own lives. It’s a magical place, full of many different kinds of beings and beautiful creatures. Including dragons.

Acceptance, loss, grief and the ability to see things from different perspectives and move on is key here. The dragon rider William Ordell, slowly becoming a part of Safe Haven, readjusting his views as he feels more at home with his new surroundings. And Calantha Stormbringer, a battle witch whose powers are fading, has returned to her home, feeling like a stranger only to find herself confronted by the very thing she was fighting in the war.

Calantha and William are both very relatable and very well defined in their own personalities and challenges that each are facing in their respective retirements. From Calantha’s loss of powers after she reached menopause, (and the fact that most battle witches never survived to this age) to William dealing with the loss of his bond with his dragon, his dragon, his small corp of brother riders, and country and his leg. They are the unlikely survivors of a deadly war that’s still going on. And this writer gives us remarkable insights into what happened, and how emotionally and physically this has and continues to affect them both.

But there’s also light-hearted and heartfelt content in this book. Magical moments and a slow burn love story as well.

I love it. Have to wait for the next one but totally worth it. I’ll savor this one and reread it just before the next is released.

A definite winner and one I’m thrilled to recommend.

Cover designed by Mariah Sinclair Designs

Dragons of Safeway Haven :

A Dragon Rider’s Guide to Retirement #1
A Blacksmith’s Guide to Dragon-Rearing #2 – Aug 31,2026

Buy

Book 1 of 2: Dragons of Safe Haven

Blurb

They survived the war. Now they just have to survive retirement.

When dragon rider William Ordell is grounded by a battlefield injury, he trades conflict for peace and purchases an abandoned lighthouse on the island of Safe Haven. But quiet doesn’t suit a man used to action. After a series of mysterious fires, William finds himself launching the island’s first fire brigade—with help from the local sea dragons.

Calantha Stormbringer has left war behind, along with the last sparks of her fading magic. She retreats to Safe Haven to rebuild her late aunt’s dusty bookshop—and maybe herself. Restoring the shop will require patience, intelligence, and gold. Calantha figures two out of three isn’t bad.

What neither of them wants? To run into each other. Again.

Old grudges, magical dragons, and one cozy, nosy village—what could possibly go right?

A Dragon Rider’s Guide to Retirement is a cozy, low-stakes fantasy filled with magic, mischief, and a slow-burn romance that won’t steam your glasses. Perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes, Cursed Cocktails, and J. Penner’s Adenashire series.

Publisher: IPH Media, LLC
Publication date: August 5, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 336 pages
Book 1 of 2: Dragons of Safe Haven

Review: Magic Stars (A Kate Daniels universe story) by Ilona Andrews

Rating: 4.75⭐️

I put a reading order for this and the titles of all the collected books below because while there’s a main series list of novels, the side stories factor greatly into this highly elaborate, incredibly detailed character driven narrative.

Think of the books more like one of those detective white boards, with pictures, notes and strings running through them, attaching to each other, like an enormous tapestry of characters , stories and unusual mysteries that will eventually come together in one whole. But you need all the pieces first.

This short story, 4 chapters, featuring Julie and Derek, provides important information and background for the upcoming drama and storytelling for events that will happen in forthcoming novels.

It also contains some emotional moments and new insights into these characters relationship, especially as Julie’s growing up and Derek’s role in her life and that with her adopted parents is changing too.

Julie is 16. Derek 20. Neither is an accurate reflection of what their lives have been like, some of which is recounted here.

Both will be seen again in Blood Heir, another step in their journey together. I can’t wait to see what the authors have in mind for them both.

Fantastic.

Reading Order : Kate Daniels Universe series:

Kate Daniels Series

MAGIC BITES

MAGIC BLEEDS

MAGIC BURNS

MAGIC STRIKES

MAGIC MOURNS

MAGIC BLEEDS

MAGIC DREAMS

MAGIC SLAYS

GUNMETAL MAGIC (Andrea and Raphael)

MAGIC GIFTS

MAGIC RISES

MAGIC BREAKS

MAGIC STEALS

MAGIC SHIFTS

MAGIC STARS (Julie and Derek)

MAGIC BINDS

IRON AND MAGIC #1 (The Iron Covenant /Hugh d’Ambray & Elara Harper) a must before the finale

MAGIC TRIUMPHS – OG finale

Kate Daniels World

BLOOD HEIR (Julie and Derek)

Roman’s Chronicles SANCTUARY Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years MAGIC TIDES

MAGIC CLAIMS

UNTITLED IRON AND MAGIC (The Iron Covenant /Hugh d’Ambray & Elara Harper #2) -NRD

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comMagic Stars (Grey Wolf Book 1) eBook : Andrews, Ilona

Blurb

Scarred, solitary Derek Gaunt has separated from his Pack, and is truly a lone wolf. With no family he answers to no one; but is fiercely loyal to a chosen few. So, when several of those close to him are murdered, he’ll stop at nothing to hunt their killer through the magic-drenched streets of Atlanta.

Never one to be left on the sidelines, equally determined—some might say stubborn—Julie Lennart-Olsen soon joins in his pursuit; and what began as revenge turns into a race to save the city. Their search pits them against powers they never imagined and magic so old, it predates history. It may cost Derek his life, but there are things for which even he would risk everything.

Publisher: NYLA
Accessibility: Learn more
Publication date: December 8, 2015
Language: English
Print length: 89 pages
Book 1 of 1: Grey Wolf

Review: Infernal Enchantment (The Firebrand Series Book 2) by Helen Harper

Rating: 5⭐️

This had so many wild elements to it. It also introduced new important characters to the series as well as moved Emma’s role as the main Supe Detective in a more matured, and more complex personality. She’s settling into that world, and shifting her perspective.

The respective wolf shifter houses, the vampires remain otherworldly, with aspects of their lives and histories still hidden and evolving here.

Infernal Enchantment is a fascinating aspect of the story. And I don’t think the author is through with it, even though the book is over.

Another exciting story and winner for me.

Check it out but read them in order.

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:

Infernal Enchantment (The Firebrand Series Book 2)

Blurb

A gruesome case of grave robbing lands on Detective Constable Emma Bellamy’s desk. But is there more to it than meets the eye?

Being the sole police detective in London’s Supernatural Squad is no easy task. I have to navigate my way through a world teeming with supernatural creatures, from vampires to werewolves and everything else in between. My inexperience might count against me but my own shocking supernatural abilities will stand me in good stead – especially when I’m confronted yet again by the gruesome spectre of death…

A vampire has been mysteriously killed in the centre of the city.

Werewolf graves have been plundered for their bodies.

And I think I might be developing an ill-advised crush on a certain black eyed vampire Lord.

Infernal Enchantment is the second book in the thrilling Firebrand urban fantasy series. If you like dark twisty mysteries, smart heroines, and the faintest touch of slow burn romance, then you’ll love Helen Harper’s mystical adventure.

Publication date: October 1, 2020
Language: English
Print length: 290 pages
Book 2 of 7: The Firebrand Series

Review: The Wolf Vs The Monster: The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth by Lauretta Hignett

Rating: 5⭐️

What a fully immersive and jammed packed story The Wolf Vs The Monster turned out to be. I was thinking this might be the last book but instead Hignett ramped up the suspense, the plot lines, gave us high action, white knuckle anxiety for our main characters, including multiple anonymous villains, unforeseen events and situations, magical powers and creatures, and a new teenage vampire I absolutely fell in love with.

This book is a fantasy Toad’s wildest adventure ride with a cliffhanger ending and every single part of the story is fabulous.

Plus a certain character gets a long overdue comeuppance.

And other things, huge plot points are revealed here too.

So it’s absolutely satisfying and that cliffhanger will lead to an amazing story. So I’m excited to read this next book.

The Wolf Vs The Monster: The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth by Lauretta Hignett might be my favorite story of the series so far. It’s extremely well written, the characters and tightly packed narrative is perfectly balanced, and that ending really adds to the overall momentum here.

Love it. And it’s a highly recommended book.

Book Cover by Atra Luna Graphic Design”

Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth:

The Wolf Vs The Vampire #1

The Wolf Vs The Warlock #2

The Wolf Vs The Shifter #3

The Wolf Vs The Witch #4

The Wolf Vs The Monster #5

The Wolf Vs The Shadow Fae #6 – July 15,2025

The Wolf Vs Santa: A Little Christmas Mystery

Buy link

The Wolf Vs The Monster: The Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth

Blurb

Sometimes it’s hard to tell who the real monsters are…

A strange creature attacked Romeo last night. A huge beast unlike anything anyone has ever seen in Philly before – an alien monster with natural armor, organic high-tech weaponry, and poison dripping from its limbs.

My intuition is screaming at me. It’s telling me the monster is not here for Romeo.

It’s here for me.

The Wolf Vs The Monster is book five in the Hidden City Supernatural Sleuth, a hot new Urban Fantasy series by bestselling author Lauretta Hignett.

Publication date: May 15, 2025
Language: English
Print length: 320 pages

Review: Midnight Auto Parts (The Body Shop Book 3) by Hailey Edwards

Rating: 4.75⭐️

It’s hard to say no spoilers when the blurb just goes ahead with the most shocking element of this book as well as the ending of the last.

But where most novels would have a hard time finding a storyline that then raises the narrative bar for the characters and series arc, Hailey Edwards has no problem moving forward with another great book that’s thrilling, emotionally compelling and plot wise extremely complex.

This is a fantastic story that I had to read twice, and then immediately regretted it because the next in the series isn’t released yet. It’s that incredible a series that I need to go straight into the next book.

Frankie’s development goes into areas I hadn’t even considered, making me even more excited about the future. There’s new mythology, new gods and powers but even greater depth to the relationships and family dynamics.

Hailey Edwards is writing an excellent series and an amazing character arc with Frankie.

A must read.

Great cover art both for storytelling and characters.

Cover by Damonza

Illustration by Marouane Hs

The Body Shop series:

Fair Market Value #1

Amber Gambler #2

Midnight Auto Parts #3

Cheater Slicks #4 – Dec 25,2025

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