Tag: urban fantasy romance

Review: Monster Mayhem (A Luna Thorn Witchy Mystery Book 1) by Amanda M. Lee

Rating: 3.5⭐️

Monster Mayhem (A Luna Thorn Witchy Mystery Book 1) by Amanda M. Lee was an interesting read for me.  The first book in Lee’s Luna Thorn Witchy Mystery series, I wasn’t aware when I picked it up that it was a part of an interconnected universe of series.  Sometimes that’s not an issue but here the characters and recent impactful events come from those series and not having the knowledge of them leaves serious gaps for the new reader here. 

A Pan (god) led invasion and huge battles?Not a clue but many references are made here to this. Same for the Grimlocks, the Reaper family the main character was “adopted” by. They too have a series. See below. 

Here we have no idea what their full abilities or duties are. It’s an incomplete picture while putting this family in a huge position in the narrative and MFC’s life.

Author Lee has created many terrific elements for this character of Luna Thorn and the mystery that is her life’s story.  Her shocking arrival in a blast of pink explosive power, as a tiny teenager-looking being. Her enigmatic one sentence statement and then complete amnesia. For five years.

I enjoyed the found family aspect of the story, the surrounding personalities were a lively group of not fully developed characters. Each either had a history I wasn’t aware of or required further foundation here to be fully fleshed out.

The Greek mythology included involving some different aspects of the pantheon that other similar fantasy stories haven’t explored so that’s a plus here. And that battle was fast paced and entertaining. But over way too quickly for all its buildup.

If you’re hearing a “but” or hesitation coming about an element here, you’re correct.  I think that the lack of foundation is a real stumble here but can certainly be dealt with by a note saying this is not a standalone and part of a connected narrative. 

My main issue is with Luna. In many aspects of her character. She’s “tiny” to the extent of often being mistaken for someone minor in age. 🚩. A abnormal hair color (bright white) made her decide to dye her hair pink. Which also makes her look younger in appearance. Despite being a building owner and running a lifestyle commune. Too many dichotomies have been written into her to maintain a believable/credible character. 

“I think I’m a little old to be chastised like a teenager,” I complained when we were alone. “Can you not do that?” Reid looked caught between annoyance and embarrassment. “I’m sorry,” he said after several seconds. “I wasn’t trying to infantilize you.”

Immediately after, she’s treated like a child. As well as accepting that she’s been acting less responsibly. Then does an about face. 

She’s surrounded by people who treat her like a child or at least like a younger teenager while she’s constantly insisting that she’s an adult. A repetitive behavior that gets old quickly. 

Although, and this is a issue I have with the author’s crafting of the character, she’s a magical badass then someone who’s crying before her “adoptive father “ then proceeds to go in a different direction altogether script wise in the next scenario with a different pair of characters. She’s consistently inconsistent.  And the dynamic carries over into every aspect here and all relationships. I just couldn’t connect. 

Again, this seems to be a very popular connected universe. Just not one I’m familiar with. Perhaps if I’d started with another series I’d have a different opinion and reading experience. 

Maybe I’ll try again with another series and circle back to this. 

Connected series:

A Death Gate Grim Reapers Thriller (9 book series)

Aisling Grimlock (9 book series)

An Elemental Witches of Eternal Springs Cozy Mystery (4 book series)

A Luna Thorn Witchy Mystery (7 book series):

Monster Mayhem #1

Perilous Portions #2

Undead Urges #3

Hexy Hijinks #4

Karma Killer #5

Sinister Séance #6

Vexing Vampires #7

Buy link

 Book 1 of 7: A Luna Thorn Witchy Mystery 

Blurb 

Welcome to the Cathedral!

Luna Thorn’s past is a mystery … even to herself.

She arrived in Detroit amidst a swirl of lights and magic. She had no memory of where she came from. No idea why she was there.

Years later, she’s established herself as a force to be reckoned with on the Detroit magical scene. She ingratiated herself with the local reapers. She set up a community called the Cathedral to help those who had been displaced from their homes and families, declaring that nobody would fall through the cracks.

Still, doubt remains. Luna is determined to figure out why she’s in Detroit. She needs to know what she’s supposed to accomplish within the city’s crumbling boundaries. Her story is nowhere near finished.

When a body shows up on the grounds of the Cathedral, her quest kicks into overdrive. Ritual murders aren’t her forte, but this one is going to haunt Luna. Also haunting her is Jesse Wilder, a young detective who has been paired with an old friend. He has specific beliefs about what’s happening. Luna’s opinion doesn’t match up in the least.

He’s a “by the rules” guy. Luna likes to fly by the seat of her pants. She’s never met a problem she didn’t want to improvise.

It’s going to take both of them to solve this case. Even then, it will only be the beginning of their tale.

Settle in for excitement. Luna Thorn is about to change everything you know about the magical world.

There’s no going back … for any of them.

WinchesterShaw Publications

Publication date

April 4, 2023

Language

‎English

Print length

292 pages

Book 1 of 7

A Luna Thorn Witchy Mystery

Review: Shifting Resolve (Shifter Lords Book 5) by S.E. Babin

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Shifting Resolve basically undoes all the forward movement of the preceding novel for the characters in terms of their relationships. 

And this was to be expected given the twisted plots and various natures of the characters involved with the main character of Evie Quinn. 

With her growing powers exposed, during the climatic events with the Life Tree, multiple threats and challenges are leveled against her. And her un-acknowledged partner, lord of shifters, Caelan as well. 

There’s so many complex storylines woven into the narrative to keep track of. Various Lords with their own agendas, Evie’s father and mother whose hidden secrets and paths for Evie are also unknown. 

Those secrets the reader has been told and know they are explosive in their own ways, are elements that have storylines that haven’t been factored in yet. It’s labyrinthine structure that makes this series so gripping and compelling.

That’s the case here where stress and anxiety are the common theme, secrets are key, and everyone is trying to control Evie and claim a part of her . When she doesn’t want to be claimed or controlled. 

And everyone around her has an hidden or not so secret agenda. 

It’s high action, high suspense, high mystery and it ends in a cliffhanger of sorts. But one that the reader honestly will expecting. Because we saw it coming. 

I love the characters and this very layered, complex story. And I’m rooting for Evie and her small group of friends. 

Highly recommended and I can’t wait for the next one in this series. 

So well written and beautifully executed. 

Cover design by Covers by Christian

Shifter Lords series:

Shift of Heart #1

Shift of Morals #2

Power Shift #3

Shifting Winds #4

Shifting Resolve #5

Shift of Rule #6

Shift of the Wild #7

Buy link 

 Book 5 of 8: Shifter Lords 

Blurb 

Evie Quinn is a survivor, but she’s tired of being a pawn in everyone else’s game. 

She never asked to be the heir to the fae throne, a walking, otherworldly bridge for the gods, or the hottest bachelorette in the supernatural realms. But here she is—dodging dozens of random marriage proposals and doing her best to keep Caelan from committing paranormal genocide.

Everyone wants a piece of Evie these days. The Council’s patience has worn off, and they’re ready to marry her off to the highest bidder. The gods want to use her for their own gain, and Caelan is growing ever frustrated with her attempts to keep things between them paused. But Evie still isn’t ready to be a queen or a bride or a bridge, or anything forcing her to give up her autonomy.

But time has run out, and her only hope might be to do the one thing no one expects—finally taking control of her world-shaking power, her fate, and most important of all, her heart.

Oliver Heber Books

Publication date

December 23, 2025

Language

‎English

Print length

272 pages

Book 5 of 8

Shifter Lords

Review:  Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs

Rating: 5⭐️

Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs has been described as a terrific novel written in as several short stories. I absolutely agree and I loved it. 

The premise of the stories centers around an ancient werewolf, Asil, one who lost his beloved mate in a long past traumatic event that has continued to haunt him.  His current pack mates in Montana have decided to take him on a series of 5 blind dates, via various dating apps, at Christmas time, to pull him out of his increasingly violent behavior and depression. 

He’s even a Muslim who doesn’t celebrate Christmas as Asil will often remind his friends. So each short story is one of Asil’s dates. It begins with a open email, or text, that starts with 

Dear Asil. It then outlines the date, the app they choose from, the parameters of the date and sign it Merry Christmas, Your Concerned Friends .

The dates have a huge range from floral arrangements to kitties to ghostbusters and more. But that doesn’t even touch the surface of what the author has in store for Asil and the reader. 

It’s actually startling complex, often horrifying, well written and beautifully played out, with each story constantly evolving and reflecting back into Asil’s life. 

By the time we reach the end tale, the pieces are falling into place, the drama is charged full of suspense and chaos, and that epilogue is so satisfying and heartwarming that I read it twice. 

This is why Patricia Briggs is a highly recommended author. Grab up this new book and enjoy!

Contents:

Asil’s first date:

“Unappreciated Gifts”

Asil’s Second Date:

 “Must Love Cats: Aftermath”

Asil’s Third Date:

“Asil and the Not-Date”

Asil’s Fourth Date:

“Dating Terrors”

Asil’s Fifth Date:

“Scheherazade”

“Epilogue”

Except from 

“Alpha and Omega” by Patricia Briggs

Cover illustration Daniel dos Santos Cover and endpapers designed by Judith Lagerman

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › shop › dealsBlind Date With A Werewolf

Blurb 

When the deadly werewolf Asil is gifted five blind dates by some anonymous “friends,” his reclusive life will never be the same, in this enthralling novel in stories from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mercy Thompson series.

Includes two all-new stories as well as three previously published stories.

Dear Asil:

We are worried about you. A werewolf alone is a sad thing, especially at Christmastime. So we have a challenge for you: five dates in three weeks. We have taken the work out of it and connected you with five people from online dating sites. You should also know that we have informed the whole pack and instigated a betting pool. Have fun!

Sincerely,

Your Concerned Friends

  • Publisher: Ace
  • Publication date: October 21, 2025
  • Language: English

Review:  Bramble Burn (The Convergence Book 1) by Autumn Dawn

Rating: 3✨

Autumn Dawn and her series, The Convergence, starting with Bramble Burn, was a top recommendation on a fantasy list so I picked it up based on similar themes and recommendations. 

What I found both delighted and disappointed me in terms of character development and plot design. 

Let’s start with the positive aspects of this story. Which are primarily related to the design and detail of Bramble Burn Park itself. 

The premise is that at some point in time our world and that of the Fae Underhill world merged, violently. From the geological landscape to actual buildings, there was an explosion of activity as physical changes, actual melding or melting of structures, happened, leaving our world forever changed. 

One mage leaves her family and farm to go buy a cheap abandoned city park from the mayor and officials, the Bramble Burn Park. A park so dangerous, so overrun, and inhabited by unknown creatures that evolved from the merge that no one enters in. One she intends to remake and make her own. 

That gorgeous, mystical cover is the tree home that tree mage, Juniper, first makes in the forest. And mysterious, eerie, Bramble Burn, with all its distinctive features, wilding areas, and imaginative creatures, is a highlight of the story. 

Too bad the author leaves it behind and tosses it away for another storyline altogether. Anyway, the park and Juniper’s resolve to make it her own, is the best part of the story. 

This includes her magic and the obstacles that come as she slowly builds up the frame around the park. And her living structures made from trees. 

The author really does an excellent job in making this park as intriguing, horrifying, and beautifully alive right from the beginning. And Juniper as well. From her perspective, she’s revealed to be increasingly powerful, someone who chooses to be alone in her woods, territorial and masterful in her pursuit of her goals. 

That’s where the author had me. Until she didn’t. 

The not so great aspects of the story. 

The romantic aspects of the book and the relationships. 

Bring on the dragons and werewolves. 

Spoilers ahead.

The plot turns from Juniper needing to make Bramble Burn hers within a time frame to dragon father, dragon sister, bratty brother who might be dangerous, and a human, enabling suffocating mother full of flags. 

It gets so much worse. 

Author Autumn Dawn reveals that Juniper is a “fertile female “ half dragon, therefore she is a catch or highly regarded female for both werewolves and dragons for her abilities to breed. 

Her werewolf, blink and he’s in love with her and asserting his mate bond over her, to a newly arrived dragon, both thrilled with Juniper’s fertility.

At this point I’m wondering what happened to the character I was reading at the beginning of the story. That strong woman is reduced to a breeder, complaining about a brother who is attacking her ( mom is excusing him) and complies with accepting the werewolf because he’s nice. 

There’s a strange new plot that introduces a bunch of characters that has nothing to do with the original story. Takes them away from the park. The author decides to immediately wrap up what was originally a complex issue, leaving huge threads unexplained or just left out. 

Juniper, the powerful tree mage who wanted to just work with her Forrest now ends up mated, marriages, with twins. 

What? 

So once again, I’m floored that an author went totally south with her character, world and plot development.  

It was if she decided halfway to change everything but without any notice, explanation , or foundation. 

So I’m not proceeding with either author or the series. 

Cool cover though. 

COVER DESIGN: Autumn Dawn 

The Convergence:

Bramble Burn #1

And a bunch more books each with a different character apparently. 

Buy link

 Book 1 of 7: Convergence 

Blurb 

It’s been thirty years since the Convergence, when the dimensions aligned and combined Earth and the world of Gwyllon, known in human mythology as “Underhill”. Elven castles and ancient ruins sprouted on vacant lots and merged with existing buildings, twisting into new structures. Roads and rail systems reformed, and after the rioting, starvation and death, agriculture sorted itself and food began to flow. A new government formed of elves and men arose, a society of human tech and elven magic. Cell phones and frost giants, race cars and elven steeds, dungeons and dragons…

And everywhere, monsters.

Tree mage Juniper was twenty-three, a child of the new generation. When she found a source of magic buried in an abandoned park, she made a deal with the city. If she can stabilize the park’s wild magic, she’ll own it…if she can survive. Now she has to clear out magic spawned monsters, deal with a werewolf suitor and survive her bloodthirsty dragon uncle. She’s going to have to dig deep to subdue Bramble Burn Park.

Hot but sweet romance. Does not contain explicit sex scenes.

[Amazon notes it’s similar to the Kate Daniels series. No. Absolutely not. Amazon needs to stop making comparisons. ]

  • Publication date: April 30, 2015
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 299 pages
  • Book 1 of 7: Convergence

Review: Power Shift (Shifter Lords Book 3) by S.E. Babin

 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

The Shifter Lords series by S.E. Babin just keeps getting better with each new book she releases. In the perfectly named Power Shift, multiple characters come to new heights of development and impact in the overall series arc. 

Some have huge moments of personal magical growth and character progression. Others have revelatory scenes that shake up the backgrounds and future of main characters here. And others simply get their long awaited comeuppance. 

It’s all done through a narrative that is written with humor, dramatic scenes and wonderful threads of mystery and mythology. 

I started it and didn’t stop until I finished it, so invested in the characters and events as they rapidly unfolded. Suspense, magical creatures, endearing poisonous fauna and a found family of supernatural beings that I just adore. 

This is a series that I highly recommend and found absolutely amazing. A winner!

Cover design by Covers by Christian

Shifter Lords series:

Shift of Heart #1

Shift of Morals #2

Power Shift #3

Shifting Winds #4

Shifting Resolve #5

Shift of Rule #6

Shift of the Wild #7

Buy link 

 Book 3 of 7: Shifter Lords 

Blurb 

Snark. Sass. Sabotage.

Evie Quinn is tired.
Of magical politics. Of cursed bouquets.
Of hot Shifter Lords who kiss her like a promise and then send her potential love interest to another state.

All she wants is to run her flower shop in peace, maybe master the whole “accidentally-a-Chimera” thing, and avoid becoming a pawn in the games of gods and Lords.

But when has Evie ever gotten what she wanted?

When Finn arrives with a warning about a new threat, and her mother starts sniffing around for a lost possession she thinks Evie has stolen from her, the Floromancer feels the walls closing in on her.

Add in some unfortunate magical misfires, Caelan’s insistence on a quickie wedding she never agreed to, and the presence of a god too close to figuring out exactly what she is, and Evie has her hands full with no solutions in sight.

When secrets unravel and ancient enemies rise, Evie will have to choose: play nice to survive … or become the storm they never saw coming.

  • Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
  • Publication date: October 14, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 260 pages
  • Book 3 of 7: Shifter Lords

Review:  Family and Honor (Jacky Leon, #2) by K. N. Banet 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Family and Honor (Jacky Leon, #2) by K. N. Banet is another example of the second book in the series moving forward with character development, overall depth of series foundation and plot structure in such an exciting and fast paced way.

I honestly loved it better than the first for many reasons. Banet brings Jackie back into her territory, her home base where she’s comfortable. So we see a different aspect of the character. Right before the author begins to shake Jackie’s base and hard won stability up again. 

An impulsive contract made because, once again the human child Carey is involved, will be the one thing that will pry open the solid isolation from werecat politics that Jackie’s maintained. 

And ends up bringing her back into contact with her werecat family. 

Banet has written a complicated, high paced, multi layered book. It has murder mysteries to investigate, multiple paranormal species involved, travel outside of Jackie’s territory, and further exploration into her family dynamics and history. 

A real exciting, emotional thriller! Another late night finish! Just fantastic! Highly recommended! 

The Jacky Leon Series :

Oath Sworn 

Family and Honor 

Broken Loyalty 

Echoed Defiance 

Shades of Hate 

Royal Pawn 

Rogue Alpha 

Bitter Discord 

Volume One: Books 1-3

Buy link

 Book 2 of 12: Jacky Leon 

Blurb 

I got away with it. Carey and her family are safe and I survived to tell the tale. Now I’m the only werecat in the supernatural community that can say a small family of werewolves lives in my borders. But, in the effort of saving Carey and helping her father, I had to begin shedding the secrets that kept me safe for years.

My identity is out there now. As one of Hasan’s children, more is expected of me and I had no idea what sort of repercussions would come from my decisions. Werecats are reporting problems all over the world and when two go missing, I can’t avoid the feeling of guilt.

My name is Jacky Leon and I am a child of Hasan, ruler of the werecats. I have to learn how to live up to the obligations and expectations of my family before more people die.

My honor demands it.

  • Publication date: November 15, 2019
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 402 pages
  • Book 2 of 12: Jacky Leon

Review: Oath Sworn (Jacky Leon Book 1) by K. N. Banet 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I’m reading a lot of strong women main character centric content, mostly urban fantasy and paranormal stories.  Luckily there’s so much out there to explore from a multitude of writers as it’s a very popular genre, something I’m very excited about. 

Oath Sworn, the beginning of the Jacky Leon series by K. N. Banet, is a strong start into the series, and really great take on this popular trope. 

Banet is a new to me writer, and I’m unfamiliar with The Tribunal universe that this series takes place in. However, I don’t think that not having read other books from other series impacts on my experience here. The world building is slowly layered in as the events occur, giving them a solid foundation and putting the political and governmental system in place as needed. 

What or should I say who really does it for me here is the main character, Jackie Leon. She’s a werecat. In this story one on a mission to recover a human child stolen out of her care by a werewolf gang. She’s tracked them down and is bent on retrieving the child, which means violating The Tribunal Laws. 

It’s a terrific story with lots of storytelling and plot lines to develop and carry through to completion. It introduces Jackie, some of her origin story (part of which is an ongoing mystery). Her troubled dynamic with her werecat father, and current life. Then the father of the human child, Carey Everson , stolen from her. He’s the current Werewolf Alpha, and wolves and the werecats are vicious enemies historically. 

There’s so many emotional undercurrents and unresolved conflicts between the species, so tensions are high, constantly threatening the tentatively established peace and process needed to search for Carey amidst rising enemies.

The story is extremely well written. The action is fast paced and often emotionally charged. 

Each species is well defined and there no romantic relationship. But a hint of what might be developed in the future. 

I liked that Banet wrapped up this story completely so we start fresh in the next book. 

Cover artist isn’t credited.

Highly recommended. 

The Jacky Leon Series :

Oath Sworn 

Family and Honor 

Broken Loyalty 

Echoed Defiance 

Shades of Hate 

Royal Pawn 

Rogue Alpha 

Bitter Discord 

Volume One: Books 1-3

Buy link

 Book 1 of 12: Jacky Leon 

Blurb 

I’ve never been the type to find trouble. Owning a bar takes work and that was all I wanted. Serving cold beers and paying my taxes. Those were the responsibilities I wanted for the rest of my life.

I didn’t ask to be a werecat. I didn’t ask for the responsibility to uphold an ancient treaty. I didn’t ask to get pulled into the middle of a werewolf pack’s coup.

But Carey Everson, the very human daughter of a werewolf Alpha, needs me. Her father’s enemies are on her heels and I’m her last defense. And I’ll be that defense until my final breath, even if it means challenging the very Laws that govern the supernatural. I gave her my word.

My name is Jacky Leon and nothing is going to stop me from honoring my word.

The Jacky Leon series is an Urban Fantasy series with a slow-burn romance.

  • Publication date: July 15, 2019
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 354 pages
  • Book 1 of 12: Jacky Leon

Review:  In A Badger Way (Honey Badger Chronicles, #2) by Shelly Laurenston

Rating: 4.5⭐️

A 6 book series, stories 1 through 3 focus on the foundation family of the three MacKilligan sisters.  All three have the same criminal loser and absentee father a honey badger shifter who goes finds female companions like he does trouble, often leaving behind his children (from different mothers). Who then have to deal with his problems as adults. 

The first book centers around the oldest, Charlie Taylor-MacKilligan, a wolf/honey badger shifter who has been the caretaker for her sisters since her mother died.  Now they’ve settled into a sort of normality (for them) in a bear shifter neighborhood in a rental house. And Charlie’s got a bonded relationship with a grizzly bear shifter. 

But all the events in that book sets off a ripple effect that continues here in Stevie’s story. Stevie is the youngest, and the one who has the most issues. She’s brilliant, a certified genius. She’s got mental health issues, starting with extreme anxiety and depression that can cause her to spiral and lose control of her shift.  A concern when she’s a honey badger/tiger shifter hybrid.  The weird mixture of her father’s genes adds to her ability to do some pretty spectacular stuff. 

And for , honestly , some of the best scenes in the book, as well as in the last. 

Laurenston plays with the juxtaposition of how superficially Stevie’s perceived against the reality of what Stevie actually is. Or is capable of. This happens over and over. With multiple people. And I love it. That expectations are often wrong when taken on a simplistic level. 

Of course, this is the MacKilligan sisters, so we get all three and their often hilarious dynamics, fast paced and brutal action, and powerful scenes with full on snarky, clever, and often engaging dialogue. 

Shen, the Panda bodyguard who’s the love interest is vastly different and great in his unique role. He grows throughout the book and into the next. 

If I had an issue, it’s that Stevie kept making excuses for the father, a vile being.  I hope it doesn’t take six books to bring him down. 

This is a definite pleasure to read. And one I’m happy to share. 

Honey Badger Chronicles:

Hot and Badgered #1

In A Badger Way #2

Badger to the Bone #3

Breaking Badger #4

Born to Be Badger #5

To Kill a Badger #6

Buy link

        In a Badger Way: A Honey Badger Shifter Romance (The Honey Badger Chronicles Book 2)

    

Blurb 

Petite, kind, brilliant, and young, Stevie is nothing like the usual women bodyguard Shen Li is interested in. Even more surprising, the youngest of the lethal, ball-busting, and beautiful MacKilligan sisters is terrified of bears. But she’s not terrified of pandas. She loves pandas.

Which means that whether Shen wants her to or not, she simply won’t stop cuddling him. He isn’t some stuffed Giant Panda, ya know! He is a Giant Panda shifter. He deserves respect and personal space. Something that little hybrid is completely ignoring.

But Stevie has a way of finding trouble. Like going undercover to take down a scientist experimenting on other shifters. For what, Shen doesn’t want to know, but they’d better find out. And fast. Stevie might be the least violent of the honey badger sisters, but she’s the most dangerous to Shen’s peace of mind. Because she has absolutely no idea how much trouble they’re in . . . or just how damn adorable she is.

  • Publisher: Kensington Books
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: March 26, 2019
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 418 pages
  • Book 2 of 6: The Honey Badger Chronicles

Review:  Of Owls and Oolong (Owls, Tea Shops, and Other Magical Nuisances, Book One) by Shari L. Tapscott

Rating: 3.5⭐️

Of Owls and Oolong, the first in the Owls, Tea Shops, and Other Magical Nuisances series by Shari L. Tapscott, is an enjoyable fantasy tale.  Tapscott’s story encapsulates everything from cozy mysteries, fantastical creatures and mythical places, to slow burn romances with elements of magic and darkness. 

I be honest, I don’t understand book descriptions that I feel misrepresent the story. Nothing about this story reads “rom-com”.  Sad, poignant, hopeful, and new beginnings. But rom-com? I don’t see it. 

Kit is a summer Pixie who inherited her great aunt’s old cottage and tea shop in a magical tourist town across the country from her home and family in Washington state. 

Moss Hollow, Vermont caters to the human tourist industry while hiding the fact that it’s a paranormal community that exists along side them.  No cars inside the township, just carriages and buggies pulled by animals. Part of the charm during the many festivals. 

The author builds a believable small town dynamic with all the various kinds of shops and shopkeepers of differing species, each with their own backstories. 

It’s Kit, Rowan the Owl who’s not an owl she inherits along with the house and shop, along with Ash, her reserved neighbor and Council member, that’s the most of the main focus here. 

I appreciate the world building, and the way Tapscott wove some of the darker elements of Kit’s background into the story. But that also works against it as well, because it’s so tragic and threatening that to have that aspect of the story be a part of the bigger plot at this point feels like it doesn’t have any foundation laid out for it. 

The relationships between Kit and Ash, or Kit and Rowen aren’t really there yet. It’s a beginning but not established. So the ending feels rushed. 

I’m looking forward to seeing more of the characters and series to see how the author develops them. 

No spice, mystery, and fantasy. 

Entertaining and very enjoyable. 

Love that cover!

Cover Design by Covers by Juan

Owls, Tea Shops, and Other Magical Nuisances:

Of Owls and Oolong #1

Of Pixies and Pekoe #2 – Jan 2,2026

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: Owls, Tea Shops, and Other Magical Nuisances 

Blurb 

The author of A Vampire’s Guide to Gardening and Obsidian Queen brings you a lighthearted fantasy full of humor and romance, set in a cozy contemporary fae town. Welcome to Moss Hollow.

There are three things you need to know about my great aunt—she’s eccentric, she’s rich, and she’s dead. No, make that four things. She also named me as the sole beneficiary of her fortune. There are, however, a few stipulations.

1. I must move into her cottage in Moss Hollow, Vermont—a magical community that values tradition and tourists.

2. I must keep her beloved tea shop open and running for at least three years.

3. I must take care of her tiny owl, a prickly creature by the name of Rowan. He’s moody, opinionated, and he used to be a mage.

He doesn’t like me, he doesn’t like my dog, and he really doesn’t like the handsome fae councilman who starts hanging around as soon as I arrive in town.

But for a small fortune, Rowan and I are going to learn to coexist long enough for me to figure out how to turn him back into his normal self with my “cute and worthless” pixie magic—preferably before he ruins my dating life or drives me insane.

Owls, Tea Shops, and Other Magical Nuisances is a rom-com style contemporary fantasy. The perfect lighthearted escape, this story is sure to delight readers who enjoy cozy magic and humor.

The books in this series feature smoldering-but-sweet, closed-door romance. (Passionate kisses and some innuendo, but no spicy scenes.)

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.