Tag: urban fantasy romance

Review: The Last Valkyrie (The Last Valkyrie Trilogy Book 1) by Karina Espinosa

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Karina Espinosa has a terrific trilogy in her Last Valkyrie series. It starts with Raven Romero, the last Valkyrie left on earth when all the other Valkyries sealed themselves away in Valhalla, leaving the despised mortal humans to their fates. 

Raven now lives on doubting her choice to remain behind, subsisting on sex, drugs, and alcohol, her wings torn off in a self inflicted rage. Her warrior’s life locked in away in a box that she has no intention of opening. 

The author gives the reader Raven‘s past in alternating chapters, some that should come with trigger warnings. Especially an early chapter where Raven’s induction into Valkyrie life includes a graphic non-consensual threesome forced upon her by an older woman. FYI. 

Her earthly quiet existence starts to unravel when a body is found with runes carved into it, a message meant for her. And old enemies are appearing wanting her magical sword. 

The story is full of Norse mythology, twisted tales and betrayals. I like the author’s own use of cultural references within the established mythology. I do wish she’d explored the strained dynamics between the Valkyries and the power imbalance there. 

However, it’s implied throughout most of their relationships and storylines. The toxicity of Odin and the unquestioning nature of the Valkyries following his orders is everywhere. 

Especially in Raven’s history. It’s a perspective that you can view Raven as someone who has been indoctrinated into a godlike cult since a small child. Taught by abusive methods to insure that their “Father’s” rules and wishes are followed without question. Deaths, Wars, whatever he wants. Favorite’s are “blessed His attentions. 

Then come his absence, and his mysterious abandonment. And things fall apart.

Raven’s actions on Earth reflect a person who is isolated from the only family and foundation she’s known. Even if she’s the cause of her situation. It’s a raw and believable character. 

And as events go sideways and it looks like she’s at the center of a new otherworldly disaster targeting humanity. 

The trauma, the fast paced action, and the complexity of the relationships between the different characters are all well crafted. Espinosa’s narrative twists and flows as hidden agendas are revealed and Raven fights her long held beliefs to see what is true about the people and paths open up to her.

If sex scenes, blood shed and raw material isn’t your thing, this might not be the best read for you. 

Well done and about to get better. 

Cover design by © Orina Kafe

The Last Valkyrie Trilogy (3 book series)

The Last Valkyrie #1

The Sword of Souls #2

The Rise of the Valkyries #3

Buy link 

        The Last Valkyrie (The Last Valkyrie Trilogy Book 1)

    

Blurb 

She tore out her own wings. She can’t outrun what she is.

Raven Romero used to be Odin’s favorite — a valkyrie, a warrior, a daughter of Asgard. Now she pours cheap whiskey at a dive bar in Portland, sleeps off her hangovers, and keeps her head down among the humans she was once sworn to protect. The wings are gone. She burned them off herself. As far as Raven’s concerned, the gods can rot.

Then a body turns up carved with ancient runes — a message meant for her — and the quiet little life she built starts to unravel. The dead won’t stay buried, an old enemy is moving in the shadows, and a stolen sword could crack the nine realms wide open.

The only one watching her back is Fen: infuriating, magnetic, and far more dangerous than the bad-boy charm lets on. Raven swore she was done with gods, monsters, and men who growl when they’re angry. She was wrong about all three.

To stop what’s coming, the last valkyrie will have to pick up the blade she swore she’d never wield again.

Perfect for fans of snarky, hard-drinking heroines, Norse mythology with teeth, and a slow burn that bites. The first in a completed urban fantasy romance trilogy.

K.E. Media Enterprises, LLC

Publication date

August 3, 2018

Language

‎English

Print length

272 pages

Book 1 of 3

The Last Valkyrie Trilogy

Review: Crimson Moon Falling (Riley Blackthorne #3) by J.L. Brannick

Rating:3⭐️

Crimson Moon Falling finishes up the Riley Blackthorne series with a story that’s just remotely better than the dreadful second book. 

It’s got Riley dealing with her sentient implant which is depressing her emotions. And it’s scientist/creator stalking her to get her back. Along with the investigation into the abductions of other supernaturals, her father’s disappearance and government corruption, there’s no let up on the dangers to herself and those around her. 

Once again Conall, his brother, who has been a dangerously out of control element for 3 books and remains one here, are among the worst of the storylines. In a pack where the Alpha is the final boss, here Conall consistently has let his brother undermine his authority, his ability to rule, and even his choices. Without a single real confrontation or consequence. Yes, let’s believe that. 

And that Riley’s decision to constantly forgive those actions makes sense. Because yes, being a passive doormat in a relationship where you’ve been the constant victim but made to be the one who has to give in is healthy. 

That’s the overriding dynamic here. Three books of it. 

There’s an open ended aspect of this where the stalker is still out there, still writing to her, she’s still in contact with him. Yeah, that’s great. Should talk about that too. 

That great young woman who wanted to finish her degree? Wanted nothing to do with the Alpha? I liked her. Too bad she’s completely lost at the end.  Vanished under a sentient brain implant by a male doctor that has its own agenda and a bond with a selfish Male Alpha who can’t or won’t communicate. Don’t even recognize her. 

Too bad.  I’m done anyway. 

No recommendations. 

Cover designer Maggie G. Jackson

Riley Blackthorne series:

Black Moon Rising #1

Cold Moon Burning #2

Crimson Moon Falling #3

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Blurb

Silent frost creeps through me as my new mate bond slowly dies.

The implant embedded in my cortex at Roswell suppresses my emotions while sharpening my intellect.

At the cost of my mate bond.

When another park ranger goes missing in Yellowstone, I come full circle to my father’s disappearance. 

My troll partner and I uncover a conspiracy so dark that only the most cunning and ruthless will survive.

And my agonizing choices will help keep the supernaturals safe, but the aftermath could haunt the Alpha and Pack for years to come.

If I stay alive long enough to make it back to them.

Book 3 in the Riley Blackthorne thriller urban fantasy romance trilogy, where an Alpha and his mate work to uncover a corrupt government’s insidious plot before war erupts.

Review: Cold Moon Burning (Riley Blackthorne #2) by J.L. Brannick

Rating:2⭐️

Spoilers. Don’t read further if you don’t want to know. 

As much as I liked the first book in the series, that’s as much as I dislike Cold Moon Burning, book 2 of the Riley Blackthorne series. 

It’s primarily due to the relationship dynamics between Riley and the Alpha Conall Segerson which imo, worsens here. Starting with his own decisions about strict rules on no contact with Riley within the Pack or himself,  having disastrous consequences for Riley’s health and his own. All without any communication on his part about why this happened. One of my top reasons for DNF novels. 

The reasons he will give for this decision later are ,honestly, extremely cowardly and irresponsible. He told someone else to do it. Then didn’t follow up. On and on here. The author seems to find this behavior only somewhat toxic, in a SMH way, instead of the  enormous truckload of red flags that it represents. 

The Alpha Male as set forth here is all important here that his actions are forgiven . Not every Alpha male that I’ve read is written in other books is as selfish or self interested or non communicative as this one.

However, Riley’s character, once an interesting , independent woman is about to be subjected to even more multiple traumatic events. Each reduces her to a man’s obsession and/or object of possession, which honestly she never recovers from. I’m talking about the end of the series as well. 

She’s made a horrifying special experiment subject. Brain implants that make her feel like she is less emotionally attached to people and more physically strong. With a mad “maker” scientist now  throughly obsessed with his new possession. Who’s seen as this man’s “pet” in his eyes. 

But wait there’s worse. 

The trigger warnings for this are there at the beginning. Yes it’s a graphic SA scene. But worse? And this sums up for me what’s wrong with the whole book, is that in my opinion, it’s a gratuitous plot element. Not that I ever think that it would be relevant. But here it’s especially heinous in its use. 

It happens towards the about the last fourth of the story to Riley who is kidnapped, again. During a scenario where it makes no sense for it to happen. 

The reader is “there”  while she’s getting assaulted by a doctor and the other doctors are watching. Absolutely no need for it. Yes we know they are evil. But is there any emotional reaction from Riley to this? Any real visceral response that feels believable? No. Anything that doesn’t make it feel like SA porn?

Where’s the rage you want and expect to see come from on the page? Women? No. The men. Her uncle and of course, Conall, because his mate was SA. 

If you write about trauma and actual act of SA with your story, then it’s about the real impact, on the victims, the damage and trauma that should be dealt with as well. The aftermath of the emotional damage, the trauma the victim has suffered. Not the men. 

Instead it’s Riley  who feels like she’s been used as a ploy here, a tool to for the sake of the story. 

Do I even need to say more?

Does Riley even get to take revenge against the doctors herself? Like the badass she is? No, that’s up to her Alpha Male. She gets to have a press conference. 

Talk about a book that is written essentially focused on a patriarchal system that is supposed to be about a strong woman but uses her as a tool. 

This was close to a DNF so many times. 

I actually finished the book and the series. The third book is only marginally better. 

No recommendations. 

Cover designer Maggie G. Jackson

Riley Blackthorne series:

Black Moon Rising #1

Cold Moon Burning #2

Crimson Moon Falling #3

Buy link

Blurb 

The Pack Alpha abandoned me to suffer the bond-withdrawal sickness alone.

Conall imposed an interdiction on his Pack and forced me to take the brutal Federal Registration test alone. But when I’m critically injured, he’s the only one who can save me. The truth comes out, but I’m leary of him and his Pack.

When my first investigation takes a deadly turn, I’m compelled to work with the Alpha of the Northwestern States Pack again. Can I trust him to help keep me safe and track down an insidious operation before war erupts? Or will betrayal, deceit, and deadly enemies win?

*The second book in the thriller-urban-fantasy romance trilogy, where betrayal and a deadly plot lead to open war and devastating losses.

Cold Moon Burning is book two of the Riley Blackthorne Series trilogy. For fans of smart STEM FMC’s and urban fantasy romance. The second book in a trilogy and contains power imbalances, a slow-burn romance, spice, and violence.

Review: Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms by Lindsey Devin

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Honestly, stop with the cover traps. Yes, put a Belgian Malinois or GSD on it and yes, I’m going to pick it up. It’s a given. And the authors known as Lindsey Devin fills the story with them. 

Really? Sigh. 

Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms by Lindsey Devin is an absolutely adorable urban fantasy romance that sealed the deal for me with the dog that was main character all the way through the tale, a retired veteran service dog, a gentleman of enormous charm and character, Max.

Quinn Bradley, the overworked law intern, was another delightful aspect of the story. Layered, independent, intelligent and resourceful, along with Max, she worked realistically (as one does with dragons and otherworldly beings) in her professional role as well as feeling like a partner here in her relationships with Max and her friends. I so thoroughly enjoyed her conversations with everyone and her dynamic. 

Rafe Virelli is a nice change from some of the other types of dragons that appear in these books as is his family. The background and ongoing storyline with his mother is handled so beautifully, and realistically. There’s no miracle here but the acceptance of her continued condition and their love for her. And his father’s love for his wife. 

The way that the story ends is perfect imo. I was thrilled when it ended here, and not in the expected direction of most romances. That wouldn’t make sense given the circumstances and time constraints. 

With Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms by Lindsey Devin there are so many great narrative choices made by the authors that, combined, give this book a fantastic energy and a great story. 

Highly recommended! Honestly, that cover! Going to show it to my dog right now! She has opinions. 

If anyone knows who the cover artist is, please let me know. 

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comNobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms

Blurb 

Rafe Virelli has spent his whole life watching his family’s history disappear piece by piece — sold, stolen, and scattered across a city that doesn’t know or care what it’s holding. He’s down to one missing relic and no leads, until his law firm’s intern shows up wearing it.

Quinn Bradley didn’t mean to become the reason a half-dragon shifter starts showing up at her office. She definitely didn’t mean to negotiate her way onto his case, get pulled into rigged auctions and museum standoffs, or end up in the middle of an actual heist when a rival collector decides Rafe’s family relics are worth killing for.

She just wanted a law degree and a dog with a stable temperament. Instead she got a client who fixes her door locks at midnight, a dragon who’d burn down a mansion for her, and a front-row seat to exactly how far someone will go to protect what’s left of their family.

The relics can be replaced. This can’t.

Enemies-to-allies-to-lovers. Workplace romance. High-stakes recovery plot. Guaranteed HEA.

 

Review: Ink Witch (Arcane Magic #1) by Brogan Thomas

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I’ll be honest. I picked up this book because of the Belgian Malinois on the cover. Yes, I’m that person. But what I discovered was a well written, marvelous fantasy story about a woman unfairly deprived of her magic and her dangerous journey to reclaim her identity and find a new life.

Ink Witch has so much to recommend it. It’s a complete story within a larger universe so we will have a terrific ending here for our characters. The world building is intriguing and the complicated plot of Ink Witch is both foundational and helps further the magical expansion of further stories. 

Thomas’ tale includes aspects of Hunger Games, a tribute to the Hunger Games with a game that includes chosen children of families of each district who enter into it at a certain age ,for glory and prestige, for their families. It’s ruthless and brutal with the survival left for the winner while the entire world is watching. 

And Elenora “Elmo” Morris failed that day in her run and was cast out by her parents for it. The truth of behind her failure left to the end of the story. 

Now 48, her magic drained away, Elmo and her Belgian Malinois, Mina, have become bounty hunters, killing those who have illegally used magic, including children. There’s a wonderful twist coming there. 

Thomas does an excellent job in creating in the Ink District a dark,poor subsistence society, existing on the edges of the political system, where the people are scrabbling to exist in any way possible. Slums, minimal food sourced from problematic places, and an over-site government, The Immortal Zone above that rules everything. 

It’s an enthralling tale that gets a chilling charge of energy when Mina is stolen and Elmo has to rescue her. And the entire storyline becomes immensely more complex. 

I enjoyed the slow burn romance, no spice. Cael’s development, especially towards the end, isn’t as well executed as everything that comes before. 

But I found Elmo, her sister, their relationship, Mina and their bond, incredibly engaging. And I was absolutely invested in their story. Loved it.

And I can’t wait to read the next standalone in this series, Bone Witch. 

Cover design by Melony Paradise of Paradise Cover Design

Arcane Magic 

Ink Witch #1

Bone Witch #2 – February 25, 2027

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: Arcane Magic 

Blurb 

Branded a failure. Buried in shame. Then they steal her dog.

Once, Elenora “Elmo” Morris was the pride of Ink District. Chosen as Champion for the Immortality Trials, she carried a city’s hopes on her shoulders — until it all went wrong and she crawled home in disgrace.

Now Elmo works as a bounty hunter in a city ruled by immortals. Her only friend is Mina, her beloved dog. When enforcers snatch Mina and drag her to the immortal commander’s compound, Elmo has only hours before her dog disappears for good.

Breaking in should be a death sentence. Instead, ink power flares back to life, and Elmo discovers the Trials weren’t just rigged — they were a lie.

To save her dog and face the family who cast her out, this ink witch must stop running from the past and become the spark that burns the lies down.

Ink Witch is the spellbinding first standalone in the Arcane Magic urban fantasy series. If you love fierce middle-aged heroines, slow-burn romance, loyal dogs, and magic-soaked suspense, you’ll adore this magical rollercoaster ride.

Buy Ink Witch today and witness a disgraced witch rewrite the rules.

Brogan Thomas Books

Publication date

August 27, 2026

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‎English

File size

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368 pages

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Book 1 of 2

Arcane Magic

Review: Nobody Told Me Dragons use Libraries by Lindsey Devin

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I really enjoyed Nobody Told Me Dragons use Libraries by Lindsey Devin, the name a team of writers co author under. 

This makes for an inconsistency in the writing by books I find listed under this name, however this story is worth reading.

It’s well paced, the characters are engaging and the dialogue is very cleverly executed. This is what i hope to get when I reach out for more of their content. 

Librarian Artemis and Dragon Arthur are both very endearing and relatable characters. Each one has their own individual struggles with their respective parents, Artemis with her toxic relationship with her parents and Arthur with his memories of his father and his role as the head of the clan. How the authors are able to genuinely understand and express their love and respect for each other and their knowledge of literature is one of my favorite things about the book.

The relationship between Arthur and Artemis is believable and builds upon true feelings and a great dynamic between intelligent people who respect each other.

This is a low heat romance that waits until the end for any kind of romantic love. 

There’s wonderfully endearing side characters that I could have enjoyed watching more of. 

This was just lacking a bit of world building but overall it is a great paranormal romance and adventure story. Intelligent, engaging and very well written. 

Highly recommended. 

Buy link

amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › books › shop-nowNobody Told Me Dragons – Best Sellers & New Releases

Blurb 

Nobody told her dragons use libraries.

Or that one of them would ruin her filing system and her entire life plan.

She’s the head librarian who alphabetizes her trauma.

He’s the dragon alpha who crash-landed into her carefully ordered world ten minutes before closing.

Neither expected a thunderstorm, an ancient mystery, or feelings too big to fit on an index card.

✨ Perfect for readers who love: cozy chaos, grumpy/sunshine energy, nerd x nerd fated mates, and dragons who say “please” when they destroy your cataloguing system ✨ and for all the AuDHD readers, pattern-brained people, and anyone who organises their feelings into a spreadsheet.

Special Fiction Books

Publication date

April 29, 2026

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Language

‎English

File size

2.8 MB

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430 pages

Review:  A Witch’s Legacy (Drakethorn Legal Book 1) by Michael Anderle and Isabel Campbell

Rating: 3⭐️

Michael Anderle is an extremely prolific author who often co writes his books and series with several other authors, Isabel Campbell among them. 

And I admit I often pick up a book by him because the premise is intriguing, offering something I haven’t seen before in a paranormal/fantasy or science fiction novel. 

That happens with A Witch’s Legacy, the first book in the Drakethorn Legal series.  

It has a really great storyline about a main female character who is a lawyer who turns out to be a dragon. There’s so much potential there for interesting character history, courtroom drama, and, well dragon related stuff. 

Stacy Drake, a lawyer who has an eye for cases for the underdog, doesn’t know she’s a dragon until she starts blacking out . Turns out she’s a dragon or the offspring of a dragon and a witch. 

It starts off entertaining and with all the drama and elements that drew me into this story. But then begins to lose me. 

Anderle is very good at writing action and fantasy stories. He can build worlds and make them real. But here the bridges between Stacy’s character and storyline and how we get to her father and his past and the fantasy isn’t well established. 

She’s mad at dad. He’s fabulously wealthy. Huge castle and estate. She sees him again and wonder of wonders, the servants are gone, estate is looking shabby, and our young lawyer says nothing about it. Her dad doesn’t look so hot either. Any chance of Stacy mentioning that? No. 

She’s supposedly extremely intelligent, great attorney. Yet time after time, things slide right by her. Not just her father and the past. But SMH plot points that make a reader wonder about the character’s motivations and smarts. 

Then there’s the entire she’s supposed to be a dragon but we get the magic of her mother, so there’s that. A bit disappointing and the magical system we do get is never explained but more on the poof, it’s magical thing. Not very exciting.

I finally finished it but nothing made me feel as though I had to go further. 

Interesting. But the potential for more was what brought me here. 

Cover by Mihaela Voicu

Drakethorn Legal (With Michael Anderle) 

A Witch’s Legacy (Book 1) 

Scales of Truth (Book 2)

Buy link

 Book 1 of 6: Drakethorn Legal 

Blurb 

You don’t read books about lawyers.

Neither did she — until the lawyer turned out to be a dragon.

Stacy Drake champions the people no one else will fight for. Evicted single moms. Bullied shop owners. An entire nation the city wants to bulldoze. She buried her old-money family name so every courtroom win would be hers and hers alone — and she’s very, very good at making smug, powerful men squirm.

Then a masked man jumps her in an alley with a knife and a warning. She blacks out. She wakes up with no memory, a bloodied shirt, and a headline about three attackers found torn apart — “WITNESS CLAIMS SUPERHUMAN ATTACK.”

The truth is older than she could imagine. Her estranged father is the last Red Dragon. Her dead mother was a powerful witch. And Stacy is both — just as the rival she keeps beating in court hires something inhuman to bring him her head.

A snarky, big-hearted urban fantasy for readers of Annette Marie and Lindsay Buroker — dragon fire, witch magic, found family, and an underdog you’ll be c heering by page two. Clean read, no spice, all bite.

One-click A Witch’s Legacy and start the series readers binge in a weekend.

Review:  Magical Midlife Invasion: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel (Leveling Up Book 3) by K. F. Breene

Rating: 4.5⭐️

This was absolutely hilarious. Magical Midlife Invasion, the third book in the Leveling Up series by K. F. Breene was excellent and exactly what I needed in terms of laughter, urban fantasy hijinks, and a evolving storyline that’s able to carry a multitude of plot lines, some hilarious, some suspenseful, and a few romantic, weaving them all into a rich cohesive narrative. 

The invasion? Jessie’s parents fleeing broken water pipes and a repair job, deciding now is the time to descend on their daughter with coolers of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and crab dip for a week long stay. 

Jessie, Austin, Mr. Tom, Niamh, Edgar, and Ulric have such distinct personalities and voices and when you add Jessie’s clueless and well-meaning parents into the mix, it’s absolute chaos, fabulous and richly layered with family values and magical energy. 

And let’s not forget about that magical, sentient Ivy House who turns prankster! 

Breene, however, doesn’t let the hilarity and chaos overshadow the seriousness of the series storylines and the fact that there’s a dark side here and a believable villain haunting Jessie’s life and Ivy House. That’s a great aspect of the story as well. 

Love this story and Jessie!

A fantastic story, great characters, and a journey I’m happy to follow. 

A winner!

Leveling Up (13 book series):

Magical Midlife Madness #1

Magical Midlife Dating #2

Magical Midlife Invasion #3

Magical Midlife Love #4

Magical Midlife Meeting #5

Magical Midlife Challenge #6

Magical Midlife Alliance #7

Magical Midlife Flowers #8

Magical Midlife Battle #9

Magical Midlife Awakening #10

Magical Midlife Rescue #11

Magical Midlife Rogue #12

Magical Midlife Conclave #13 – Nov 12,2026

Buy link

        Magical Midlife Invasion: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel (Leveling Up Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Jessie is well on her way to learning her new life and settling in.

The tough alpha, Austin, has joined her team, and she has painstakingly learned to fly. At the moment, life couldn’t get any better. But it can get a whole lot…more irritating.

Her parents have decided to visit. They don’t know anything about magic, about Jessie’s new digs, or about the crazy crew living in and around Jessie’s house. She must do everything in her power to keep the truth away from them. Which would be much easier without the unfelt presence lurking within Ivy House’s borders.

It seems an enemy has figured out a way to magically bypass Ivy House’s defenses. Jessie is completely exposed.

The real battle, however, won’t be with the incoming force. It will be between Mr. Tom and Jessie’s mom, each intent on being the most helpful. Mr. Tom might have met his match, and he is not pleased.

Just when things were finally settling down, Jessie is in the thick of it again, and this time, the turmoil is all around her.

Review: Dead Witch Walking:(The Hollows Book 1) by Kim Harrison 

Rating:4⭐️

Author Kim Harrison started writing this series in 2009 beginning with this book, Dead Witch Walking which introduces the reader to the dark, messy life of Rachel Morgan and her companions, a vampire and pixie with his amazing family. 

And there’s a six year break in the series, then the author “brings” the character back after saving the world in the first part of the series. From book 14 on, new city and arc. FYI. The series isn’t complete. 

It’s a interesting concept about a virus (and tomatoes) that eliminates much of the world’s human population leaving behind the paranormal species to come out of hiding to run things.  The remaining humans when they recover, naturally, ban anything that smacks of scientific research and pharmaceutical technology. You have a disease? Not going to get any medicine other than aspirin for it. 

Law enforcement has been restructured accordingly as well to deal with the various crimes and villains that have arisen based on their specific races , human and nonhuman. 

That’s where Rachel and her companions come in, they work together in a paranormal agency as runners (bounty hunters) assigned otherworldly cases to bring in. The vampire species here has a different nature and it’s very unusual. It impacts her relationship with her roommate and co-worker, Ivy a living vampire. Ivy’s a fantastic character, rich in strength of personality and darkness. Both scary and vulnerable, I adore her. Then there’s Jenks, the pixie who loves his wife (a very capable and awesome female) and his many children. He’s not been treated well by others given his species so I enjoyed his developing relationship with Rachel here. 

That leaves Rachel, the overly emotional person who has huge impulse control issues and a tendency to never research anything before actually doing something. Basically she’s a grown woman who constantly acts like a toddler, putting herself and others through tons of violence events and totally preventable issues had she either communicated with them or given her sketchy behavior just a bit of thought. 

That gets exhausting and very old after a while. Then Rachel starts falling into the TSTL category. 

And there’s Trent the boss of a strange company who has committed multiple crimes and murders, put her in cages, subjected her to all sorts of abuse, but he’s so good looking. Sigh. 

We can see where the author is headed here. SMH. 

It’s interesting and I adore several of the side characters. But I’m not sure that the main character is enough to make me commit to even that second novel. A TSTL character is always a DNF aspect of a book for me. 

Perhaps I’ll circle back to this series later on when I’ve completed some of the other ones I’m working through at the moment.

Let me know what you think if you have read the series. 

The Hollows (19 book series):

Dead Witch Walking #1

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 19: The Hollows 

Blurb 

The first book in #1 New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison’s Hollows series!

All the creatures of the night gather in “the Hollows” of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party . . . and to feed.

Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining—and it’s Rachel Morgan’s job to keep that world civilized.

A bounty hunter and a witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she’ll bring ’em back alive, dead . . . or undead.

Publisher

Harper Voyager

Publication date

October 13, 2009

Language

‎English

Print length

366 pages

Book 1 of 19

The Hollows

Review:  Midlife Demon Hunter (Forty Proof 3 by Shannon Mayer

Rating: 2.75⭐️

I tried. I tried really hard. And I’ll get around eventually to writing my review for Midlife Fairy Hunter, book 2.

But this book, Midlife Demon Hunter is where I stop. With the series and the author. 

I’m done. 

And it’s not because there’s not some good elements here or creative aspects of the storytelling. But at its foundation, there’s some very problematic things that, imo, will keep me from going forward. 

They circle around how the main character of Bree, her perspective on ageism and gender, and her relationship with men. Specifically the men in her life here in the series. 

She’s in her forties but acts as though she’s someone who is in her sixties or seventies, viewing herself as elderly. Yet also excuses the “flirtatious/jump their bones “ way she interacts with men as due to her “hormones” acting up as though she’s in heat. Which is honestly offensive. Normal healthy (whatever you choose it to be) sexuality doesn’t seem to be part of the narrative here. 

Don’t get me started on that poor gay werewolf. That’s another issue here. 

Additionally, Bree is someone who, no matter what a man has done to her, against her, she’s excused their behavior and actions. This includes some really reprehensible actions. There’s three men, each of them have currently lied to her, been abusive physically and or mentally, and are involved in shady activities. But she’s highly aware and hot for them, physically engaging with them.

Here, Cody, who disappeared for a week without any communication (as has another one, Crash) reveals he’s the person responsible for her despicable ex-husband’s knowledge of the otherworld, which he then used to strip Bree of everything she had. But oh no, Bree says it’s not Cody’s fault. Even absolving Cody of his  abusive behavior towards her because he’s related to her ex. 

All this while cuddling. Just no. 

Between the ageism, the excuses for abusive behavior and seemingly continuous support of patriarchal values (Crash , the Fae blacksmith “saves” a female character by making her his slave), this is a series, character, and author that I can’t go forward with.

The problematic outweighs the good here. 

That might not be the case for everyone but it is for me. 

There are many other authors and series that have the same elements but without the issues I’ve found here. I’m working my way through those. 

The Forty Proof Series (9 book series):

Midlife Bounty Hunter #1

Midlife Fairy Hunter #2

Midlife Demon Hunter #3

Midlife Ghost Hunter #4

Midlife Zombie Hunter #5

Midlife Witch Hunter #6

Midlife Magic Hunter #7

Midlife Soul Hunter #8

Midlife Vampire Hunter #9

Buy link

        Midlife Demon Hunter: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel (The Forty Proof Series Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Goblins and ghouls and magic, oh my! Hang tight to your britches, this laugh out loud adventure is about to light you up!

Ousted from the Hollows Group, the shadow world has officially taken notice of me.

With loan sharks sniffing around and knocking on my door, I need to figure out how my ex-husband pushed all his debt onto me, because it stinks of black magic and back alley dealings.

Until I can get some answers there, I distract myself with a new job—working for a goblin. The job is as simple as hiding some paperwork for him. Only . . . someone else wants what he gave me. And they are playing dangerously dirty to get what they want.

Throw in a lovesick bigfoot, a siren going through menopause, a demon next door, and two hot guys vying for my attention, and you’ve got my life in a nutshell.

Well, that is if you don’t count on Robert showing up and saving my bacon again. Which he has to, because this time . . .this time I’ve really put my foot in it.