Tag: vampires

Review:  On Wings of Blood: A Dark Academia Fantasy Romance with Dragons & Vampires (Bloodwing Academy Book 1) by Briar Boleyn

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Anything that brings dragons into the story has me hooked. Especially a dark fantasy series written by a new author I’ve not read before. I knew exactly what to expect from the description that Boleyn was incorporating certain popular elements into her series.  

There’s the academy aspect where the main character is forced to attend a school where they are surrounded by enemies. The character is an automatic isolated entity, by their nature and background. And forced into a dangerous situation by their status and often gender and/or species. 

Boleyn does several interesting things here by specifically not delving into the world building of this universe or of  the world that the main character of Medra Pendragon, a person dropped accidentally into a world of vampires. Even by the end of the book, we’ve learned little about how she’s actually arrived or even what the world she’s living on is actually like.

Instead, the author winnows down the narrative focus to the dramatic plot lines and relationships between Medra, vampire Blake Drakharrow  and the members of his family, the formidable and sinister Drakharrow clan. The forced consort relationship between Blake and Medra, and the hidden secrets of Blake’s uncle are well written and emotionally charged storylines that keep the reader’s attention and absolutely invested in their relationship.

The author gives us a wonderful secondary cast of humans and creatures, each interesting and in one case, very fluffy. 

The ending scenes are fantastic! Exciting and shocking. They set the stage for a new scary unpredictable second novel. 

The author has given her readers a trigger /warning  list at the beginning of the book, which I appreciate. Check it out. 

Highly recommended and I’m onto the next in the series. 

Cover Design by Ank Book Designs Interior Illustrations & Map by New Ink Book Services”

Bloodwing Academy:

On Wings of Blood #1

The Bond That Burns #2

The Wings That Bind #3 – June 14,2025

Buy link

        On Wings of Blood: A Dark Academia Fantasy Romance (Bloodwing Academy Book 1)

    

Blurb 

The Booktok, Amazon, & International Bestseller…

#1 in Vampire Romances
#1 in Paranormal Vampire Romance
#1 Arthurian Fantasy
#1 Classic Fantasy
#1 Dragons & Mythical Creatures

★★★★★ “You liked Fourth Wing? Then there’s a good chance you’ll LOVE this story (it’s definitely on my top 5 this year!!). I absolutely couldn’t put this book down.” -A Cup of Tea and a Book Please




What do you get if you mix Harry Potter with Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, a dash of Arthurian legend, and lots and lots of vampires? Bloodwing Academy.

I didn’t sign up for this.

A half-fae in a school of highblood vampires? That’s a recipe for torment.

I’m Medra Pendragon—last of the dragon riders, or so they tell me. Funny thing is, there are no dragons left. Not a single one. But somehow, that hasn’t stopped the vampires from deciding I’m worth capturing. Now I’m stuck at Bloodwing Academy, where the highbloods run everything and blightborn like me? We’re just blood in their veins, pawns in their games.

But that’s not even the worst part. 

Enter Blake Drakharrow. Cold, arrogant, and way too gorgeous for his own good. He’s been tormenting me since the moment we met, and now, thanks to some ancient ritual, we’re betrothed. He acts like he owns me, but I’m not going down without a fight.

Bloodwing isn’t just a school—it’s a battlefield. Highbloods fight for power, and if you’re weak? You’re dead.

Between deadly competitions, lies that could get me executed, and a dragon-shaped secret looming over my head, all I have to do is survive. Easy, right? Except I’m starting to think the real danger isn’t the academy—it’s what I’m becoming in this twisted game of power.

And Blake? He might just be the one who pushes me over the edge.

They think they can control me. They think they can use me.

But they have no idea what they’ve awakened.

Bestselling epic fantasy author Briar Boleyn returns with a new series perfect for fans of hate to love romance, heart-pounding action, and dark magic.

On Wings of Blood is a dark academia fantasy romance featuring a bully villain with Draco Malfoy energy who (eventually) gets the girl, all the tension and banter, and a tantalizingly dangerous blend of court and school intrigue all set in an intricately crafted world with unique vampire and dragon lore. Bloodwing Academy may have crossover characters from the world of Blood of a Fae, but can be read completely independently. If you’re a fan of original mythology, unique world-building, and character-driven romantasy books such as Crowns of Nyaxia, From Blood and Ash, and A Court of Thorns and Roses, you won’t want to miss out on this riveting new saga.

  • Publisher: Starwater Press (Indie) (October 25, 2024)
  • Publication date: October 25, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 523 pages

Review:  Wild Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower Book 1) by Annabel Chase

Rating:  4.25⭐️

Wild Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower Book 1) by Annabel Chase is a slow burn paranormal thriller romance. It has terrific world building, and some great elements to its series universe that make it even more exciting.

This world has been plunged into a forever darkness created by Earth’s super volcanoes all erupting at the same time, throwing enormous quantities of ash into the atmosphere that has created an endless night for the Earth. 

Vampires took advantage, taking control over the remaining regions, peoples, and spaces. And protecting their territories from the monsters still emerging from the craters in certain countries not under their control. 

The main protagonist is a magical warrior with a secret. That’s London Hayes, a Knight of Boudica, an all female group of soldiers who do everything from enforcing the laws to acquisition of items, taking jobs their male counterparts won’t. 

Forced by an unfortunate situation to accept a job for the ruling Vampire family, House Lewis, to find a mysterious stone, London now faces another challenge in vampire Prince Callan.

Chase sets a fast pace with the events of the story, the dark atmosphere of the world and several hidden secrets, all vying for the reader’s attention in the narrative. 

There’s also a menagerie of exotic creatures, including a three-headed Cerberus and a raven named Barnabas to help keep us invested in the story and London’s mystery. 

This is a complete series so I’m happily moving to the next book to see what happens going forward. 

I’m excited to make this author an auto read, and recommend the series to anyone who enjoys the trope. 

Cover design by Trif

The Tower series 

Wild Knight #1

Three Dog Knight #2

Deadly Knight #3

One Knight Stand #4 – finale 

Buy link

        Wild Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower Book 1)

    

Blurb 

SERIES COMPLETE*

In a world of darkness where royal vampires are in charge, I spend my days working as a knight in the city formerly known as London. Instead of a lance and a horse, I rely on my trusty axe, Babe, and ride the occasional dragon. Every day new threats emerge that require a dash of magic and a dollop of attitude.

Good thing I have both.

Naturally danger comes with the territory. What no one knows is just how dangerous it is for me. If our vampire overlords discover what I am, they’ll execute me on the spot—no questions asked—which is why I avoid them at all costs.

Until now.

If only this one didn’t have a lethal reputation, a princely pedigree, and a quest that leads to more questions than answers. The heat between us doesn’t help matters.

Unfortunately I can’t refuse a royal command, so I’m stuck until the job is complete.

And even if the job doesn’t kill me, the truth just might.

If you like humor, heart, a kickbutt heroine and an enemies-to-lovers romance, check out Wild Knight,Midnight Empire: The Tower, the first book in a new urban fantasy series.

Don’t miss all the books in the Midnight Empire world!

Midnight Empire: The Tower
Wild Knight
Three Dog Knight
Deadly Knight
One Knight Stand

Midnight Empire: The Restoration
Endless Knight
Red Rook
Glass King

Midnight Empire: New Dawn
Golden Hood
Twilight Rebel
Midnight Burns

  • Publisher: Red Palm Press LLC (November 4, 2021)
  • Publication date: November 4, 2021
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 244 pages

Review:  Fated Mates and When to Keep Them by AJ Sherwood

Rating: 4🌈

Fated Mates and When to Keep Them by AJ Sherwood is both the third book in the series and the first one that should be read.  It’s a topsy-turvey world in this series in which Sherwood wrote the series in backwards order.  

It’s a blame the characters who shuffled for the loudest voices writing moment.

I read them backwards, of course, and absolutely enjoyed Fated Mates and When to Keep Them, where I got the vampire origin story, at least from Fernando’s family’s perspective centuries ago.  We also get the adorable romance between Fernando and Noel, a couple we’ve seen only as an established mate powerful duo in the other books. 

I really enjoyed reading their journey. If a mafia boss and an orphan can have a violence filled relationship, that’s equally filled with smooching, cookies , music, and flying bodies, this was it! A highly entertaining romantic adventure!

I’d love to see a continuation of this, with some of the other, equally interesting and exciting characters get their own romances.  

A definite rec! 

Correct Reading Order (per the author and characters)

  • Fated Mates and When to Keep Them #3
  • Fated Mates and How to Woo Them #2
  • Fated Mates and Where to Find Them #1

Buy Link:

        Fated Mates and When to Keep Them

    

Blurb

Noel is desperate for cash. So PA for the mafia boss it is, or he risks losing his childhood home. Too bad the job also comes with a grumpy vampire boss. 

Family has been Fernando’s priority for centuries, so why does his adorable PA suddenly stir long-forgotten feelings?

Killing anyone that endangers Noel counts as a romantic gesture, right? Asking for a vampire. 

Tags: 

I am apparently writing this series backwards, so have book zero everyone, mafia, vampires, cute boys in trouble, this story is pure crack, I’m not even sorry, blood and sex, dino nuggies, hurt and comfort, bad guys get karma, stubborn to lovers, music is their love language, mindless violence and fluff, cinnamon roll protection squad assemble!, boss-employee trope

  • Publisher: Raconteur House LLC (August 16, 2024)
  • Publication date: August 16, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 205 pages

Review: Two Thousand Blades (Kings of Chaos Book 3) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 5🌈

Never has Jocelynn Drake’s fantastic fantasy series, Kings of Chaos, leaned so heavily and culturally into its Chinese mythological roots as it does beautifully in Two Thousand Blades.

When Two Thousand Tears dramatically ended, so many major traumatic events had happened. The Elf King had been ended. But the invasion, lead by the Elf Queen, was successful and the East Coast was falling fast as the otherworldly forest spread. But more devastating, the Clan lost a brother as a dragon sank down into the battle and stole Xiang away from his family and those fighting against the Fae.

Drake’s clear love of Chinese mythology and culture has always been used beautifully against the various otherworldly themes and mythologies at play in this series. But in Two Thousand Blades, she allows them full rein.

This tale becomes a vivid tapestry of ancient history, gods come to life, otherworldly internecine war, magical blades, and forever love. Memorable, emotional and immensely powerful.

It’s Xiang’s background. His family and past so cemented in their original home so far away and Kai, the one who becomes everything to him. The swirling mythology of which is well known today and is attached via footnotes and addendums here by the author.

It’s how Drake builds their relationship, the slow reveal of identity, and the meshing of the two ongoing conflicts/locations that work together so seamlessly here. We see the Clan of 2,000 Chinese vampires, their mates, friends and allies in Hartford fighting the Fae and desperately seeking a way to find their brother Xiang. And we have Xiang and Kai in the Dragon’s cave with Xiang equally seeking passage home, answers about their location, and the dragon.

The relationship between Xiang and Kai is revelatory personally and historically. It’s a great way, narratively, for Drake to bring the history of the Clan’s history, their horrific transformation into vampires, and their defeat of their master.

Without venturing into spoiler territory, this is an exciting, high stakes, action packed storyline where even if you think the Clan has come out ahead, nothing is as it seems. The clan and its family will have its major brutal challenges ahead and angst filled romances to come.

We know who is next as the ending is a bit of a stunner and cliffhanger, both in the best way possible. So now it’s waiting until Two Thousand Shadows comes out in December.

Until then, I’m highly recommending all the books in this series. Read them in the order they are written for character and plot development. Just a superb series in every aspect.

Love the covers, the concept. Fantastic.

The Kings of Chaos :

✓ Two Thousand Dreams #1

✓ Two Thousand Tears #2

✓ Two Thousand Blades #3

◦ Two Thousand Shadows #4 – Dec 13, 2024

Buy link

Two Thousand Blades (Kings of Chaos Book 3)

Blurb

There’s no escape from a dragon’s hoard.

Xiang thought his biggest problem was going to be defeating the fae.

Nope.

Right now, it’s escaping this dragon’s hoard.

The dragon, who tried to eat his clanmate, grabbed Xiang instead, and now Xiang is trapped.

And he’s not the only one who needs to escape the dragon’s lair.

Kai is serving as the dragon’s assistant and helping to keep Xiang from going crazy with boredom.

Xiang is sure there’s more to this sexy man beyond his sad eyes and stuffy personality, but learning all of Kai’s secrets is going to take time.

First, Xiang needs to steal Kai from the hoard, and hopefully win his heart in the process.

But will they be able to escape the reach of a very possessive dragon?

Two Thousand Blades is the third novel in the Kings of Chaos series. This book contains a stubborn vampire falling in love with someone who isn’t quite who he claims to be, shifters, vampires, a nosy family who wants all the spilled tea, other non-human surprises, snark, angst, magic, treasure, found family, brotherly bickering, chaos, pouting, cuddles, one very possessive dragon, and an endless love that crosses lines drawn by war

• Publication date: May 31, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 360 pages

Fantasy Asian Mythology

The Kings of Chaos is a spin-off series from the Lords of Discord and Princes of Mayhem series.

Lords of Discord :

Claiming Marcus

Saving Rafe

Waking Bel

Embracing Winter

Healing Aiden

Visiting the Variks: A Short Story Collection

Princes of Mayhem

How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Ruined Saved My Life :

Disaster #1: Fun with Family

Disaster #2: Pet Problems

Disaster #3: Date Night

Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead?”

Review: Two Thousand Tears (Kings of Chaos Book 2) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 5🌈

This is exactly the type of story and series I emotionally want as a reader. I absolutely wallow in it, appreciating what Jocelynn Drake is accomplishing narratively, while also still being totally immersed in the universe and the characters storylines as they are unfolding.

If I adored the first book, Two Thousand Dreams, then my deep love for this novel is for all the beautiful creativity and passion that Drake pours into this second story.

None of these are standalone novels, but intricate layered parts of an epic that’s yet to reach its climax. It’s pulling together characters from other series that form important political and mystical factions, while simultaneously creating new characters and expanding the existing world in ways we hadn’t anticipated.

It’s ancient China, the Fae, the current human world imperiled, witchcraft, necromancy, vampires and their mates . Even the Underworld and demons play an important role here. There’s skeletons on the march with varying eras making retain a piece of their long gone personality. Such an amazing foundation for the main storylines to be threaded into.

After Blood Witch Moon Mullins and 2000 year old Chinese vampire Chen and the rest of their clan of ancient Chinese vampires found the Gate the Fae were arriving through, they arrived early to rescue their family member, Yichen, who had been kidnapped 100 years earlier and disappeared into the Fae realm.

Here Yichen reappears with the Fae Prince Rei, in tow. Their 100 year old relationship clearly has been one of pain, trauma, and more brought on by the Fae King and Queen . What they’ve done and gone through is never explicitly stated but implied. But as they work together to keep themselves safe, understanding the new implications of their status, it’s the emotional state of their shaky bond that affects them and their family the most.

Imprisonment doesn’t allow for any thought beyond that of escaping. Then it’s one more goal. But Drake starts to allow the reality of their new safety to let other possibilities open up for them. It’s a story that pulls the reader into their dynamic and won’t turn us loose. Not even at the end.

Additionally, into this found family are so many fantastic characters. A Huli and its attachment to a member of the family. The other members that are extraordinary in their powers and personality.

Including the one that is the heart of the next book and the dramatic ending here. For while they have been successful in achieving their goals at the end another shattering climax awaits them .

I will undoubtedly read this again before the next book arrives. Just for the sheer pleasure and satisfaction I received from the author’s words.

I’m highly recommending this series and novels . Pls read them in the order they are written.

The Kings of Chaos :

✓ Two Thousand Dreams #1

✓ Two Thousand Tears #2

◦ Two Thousand Blades #3 – May 24,2024

The Kings of Chaos is the third series to the Lords of Discord and Princes of Mayhem series. See both below and the order to read them in.

Lords of Discord series:

✓ Claiming Marcus

◦ Saving Rafe

◦ Waking Bel

◦ Embracing Winter

◦ Healing Aiden

◦ Visiting the Variks: A Short Story Collection

Princes of Mayhem :

✓ How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Ruined Saved My Life Disaster #1:

✓ Fun with Family Disaster #2:

✓ Pet Problems Disaster #3:

✓ Date Night Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead?”

Kings of Chaos- three books

Buy link

Two Thousand Tears (Kings of Chaos Book 2)

Blurb

He was supposed to be my enemy. Not my lover.

Yichen is free at last…sort of.

He has escaped his imprisonment, but he’s still blood bound to the crown prince of the fae.

Oh gods, how is he going to explain that to his clan?

Finding a way to break the bond might not be too hard. Killing the king of the fae even seems possible.

But there’s no way he can let go of the elf who protected him, risked everything for him for a hundred years?

Rei is the breath in his lungs, the blood in his veins, and the beat of his heart. Somehow, he has to find a way to keep him.

An elf can fall in love with a vampire, right?

Two Thousand Tears is the second novel in the Kings of Chaos series, which is a spin-off from the Lords of Discord series. This book contains a somewhat broken vampire falling in love with an elf who should be his enemy but is actually his everything, shifters, meddling witches, other non-human surprises, snark, angst, car surfing, found family, brotherly bickering, magic, chaos, pouting, vampire cuddles, and an endless love that crosses lines drawn by war.

• Publisher: (March 22, 2024)

• Publication date: March 22, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 379 pages

Review: Two Thousand Tears (Kings of Chaos Book 2) by Jocelynn Drake

Rating: 5🌈

This is exactly the type of story and series I emotionally want as a reader. I absolutely wallow in it, appreciating what Jocelynn Drake is accomplishing narratively, while also still being totally immersed in the universe and the characters storylines as they are unfolding.

If I adored the first book, Two Thousand Dreams, then my deep love for this novel is for all the beautiful creativity and passion that Drake pours into this second story.

None of these are standalone novels, but intricate layered parts of an epic that’s yet to reach its climax. It’s pulling together characters from other series that form important political and mystical factions, while simultaneously creating new characters and expanding the existing world in ways we hadn’t anticipated.

It’s ancient China, the Fae, the current human world imperiled, witchcraft, necromancy, vampires and their mates . Even the Underworld and demons play an important role here. There’s skeletons on the march with varying eras making retain a piece of their long gone personality. Such an amazing foundation for the main storylines to be threaded into.

After Blood Witch Moon Mullins and 2000 year old Chinese vampire Chen and the rest of their clan of ancient Chinese vampires found the Gate the Fae were arriving through, they arrived early to rescue their family member, Yichen, who had been kidnapped 100 years earlier and disappeared into the Fae realm.

Here Yichen reappears with the Fae Prince Rei, in tow. Their 100 year old relationship clearly has been one of pain, trauma, and more brought on by the Fae King and Queen . What they’ve done and gone through is never explicitly stated but implied. But as they work together to keep themselves safe, understanding the new implications of their status, it’s the emotional state of their shaky bond that affects them and their family the most.

Imprisonment doesn’t allow for any thought beyond that of escaping. Then it’s one more goal. But Drake starts to allow the reality of their new safety to let other possibilities open up for them. It’s a story that pulls the reader into their dynamic and won’t turn us loose. Not even at the end.

Additionally, into this found family are so many fantastic characters. A Huli and its attachment to a member of the family. The other members that are extraordinary in their powers and personality.

Including the one that is the heart of the next book and the dramatic ending here. For while they have been successful in achieving their goals at the end another shattering climax awaits them .

I will undoubtedly read this again before the next book arrives. Just for the sheer pleasure and satisfaction I received from the author’s words.

I’m highly recommending this series and novels . Pls read them in the order they are written.

The Kings of Chaos :

✓ Two Thousand Dreams #1

✓ Two Thousand Tears #2

◦ Two Thousand Blades #3 – May 24,2024

The Kings of Chaos is the third series to the Lords of Discord and Princes of Mayhem series. See both below and the order to read them in.

Lords of Discord series:

✓ Claiming Marcus

◦ Saving Rafe

◦ Waking Bel

◦ Embracing Winter

◦ Healing Aiden

◦ Visiting the Variks: A Short Story Collection

Princes of Mayhem :

✓ How the Necromancer in the Gold Vest Ruined Saved My Life Disaster #1:

✓ Fun with Family Disaster #2:

✓ Pet Problems Disaster #3:

✓ Date Night Disaster #4: Who Woke the Dead?”

Kings of Chaos- three books

Buy link

Two Thousand Tears (Kings of Chaos Book 2)

Blurb

He was supposed to be my enemy. Not my lover.

Yichen is free at last…sort of.

He has escaped his imprisonment, but he’s still blood bound to the crown prince of the fae.

Oh gods, how is he going to explain that to his clan?

Finding a way to break the bond might not be too hard. Killing the king of the fae even seems possible.

But there’s no way he can let go of the elf who protected him, risked everything for him for a hundred years?

Rei is the breath in his lungs, the blood in his veins, and the beat of his heart. Somehow, he has to find a way to keep him.

An elf can fall in love with a vampire, right?

Two Thousand Tears is the second novel in the Kings of Chaos series, which is a spin-off from the Lords of Discord series. This book contains a somewhat broken vampire falling in love with an elf who should be his enemy but is actually his everything, shifters, meddling witches, other non-human surprises, snark, angst, car surfing, found family, brotherly bickering, magic, chaos, pouting, vampire cuddles, and an endless love that crosses lines drawn by war.

• Publisher: (March 22, 2024)

• Publication date: March 22, 2024

• Language: English

• Print length: 379 pages

Review: The Ashes of Ackonir by Jennifer Cody

Rating: 4.75 🌈

The Ashes of Ackonir by Jennifer Cody is a fantastic standalone novel that has the breadth and depth to be the foundation of a great series.

The author has gone to incredible detail in creating the world of Maldrin. Cody has referenced at the beginning of the book a glossary of terminology, cultural references, historical and geographic information. It’s astonishing. Right after this comes a list of the Deities, starting with Ackonir, god of blood, seduction and immortality. A god worshiped by vampires.

Then, equally important, comes a list of trigger warnings. They’re too complicated and long to repeat. But do read them carefully before making your decision to continue on.

The story is a two person narrative, which is hugely important as there’s a purposeful power imbalance from the beginning to the relationship of the main characters. It’s implicit in their political stations and more importantly, in their personal dynamics.

Sparrow, whose painful adolescence is slowly revealed over the course of the story, is the son of King Edrick’s roaming late wife and Consort, Mara.

Both Sparrow and his mother share a complex relationship and labyrinthine history that weaves together cult like religious beliefs, hidden ancestry, and, heinously, an abandonment that left Sparrow to his father’s cult members for raising. A child raised within such an environment has no connection to the outside world or any idea that some of the rules or practices aren’t common elsewhere. That’s Sparrow. And sexual activity was practiced by all members .

Edrick is a son of Ackonir. What exactly that means will become clear later on in the narrative. However, what Cody’s story brings is an immediate, and perhaps inevitable mating between the two men.

Edrick’s character is powerful, supernatural, explicitly sexual in nature, with that base of seduction and dominant sexuality laid out everywhere, from the clothes he’s wearing to the designs within the palace. Their sexual dynamics is layered with the dominance and submission that’s part of each man’s nature, carved into them by their past history, and current roles. Cody has built a very strong and compelling relationship. One that reveals itself to be even more complex than it initially appears.

The narrative is equally complicated, containing multiple storylines and all woven together to create a mystical experience and unforgettable tale of love, death, and gods.

I’m highly recommending this and hoping that Cody continues on with this universe and characters with another story.

Buy Link:

The Ashes of Ackonir70Kindle Edition$0.00or $5.99 to buy

Blurb:

Sparrow:

Life beyond the walls of Eoam, the commune where my mother raised me, has never tempted me. My needs are fulfilled as long as I work, and if my life is full of more sorrow than most, it’s because I was born for it. But even I have my limits, and when the people who’ve raised me do the unthinkable, I burn the walls down and walk away.

My first steps away from the commune lead me straight into the company of someone I barely knew existed. Edrick was once married to my mother, but the life she lived in the palace never touched me, and I’m surprised when Edrick brings me there.

I thought I’d be walking into a world similar to what I’d been taught, but the more I see of Maldrin, the more I realize that I was made powerless by the people who were meant to love me. As my anger stirs, so does Edrick’s, and he decides to empower me with a title, tutors, spies, and maybe even real, actual love.

I’ve never known what love is, but if anyone can convince me I was born for more than sorrow, it’s Edrick Dastropha, the Emperor of Maldrin.

Edrick:

I never got to live in my wife’s company more than a few months at a time, and as much as I wanted her to myself, I couldn’t keep her wild heart caged in the palace. She lived in a commune with her other lovers when she wasn’t with me or traveling, but she kept that part of her life private because she knew my ability to control my jealousy had limits. Now, more than a decade after she’s gone, she has one last surprise for me.

Sparrow is as beautiful as his mother was and far more tempting. I invited him to live with me to honor her, but when the first thing I notice about the young man is how needy he is and how beautifully he fits in my arms, the best I can offer is my solemn oath that he will always have a place under the wing of my protection.

Preparing him for life in the palace requires more than I expected, and as I spend time with him, it becomes clear that the commune I allowed to exist because my wife loved it hurt him in infuriating ways. I will do everything in my power to give him what he needs, even if that means making another sacrifice to the god of blood and seduction.

If anyone can rise from the ashes of Ackonir, Sparrow was born for it.

The Ashes of Ackonir is a MM steampunk fantasy romance between an emperor with vampiric tendencies and the tempting little lost lamb with blood that sings to him. This book includes a heavily imbalanced power-dynamic, political intrigue, war, and other complex tropes. Readers should consult the content warning at the beginning of this book before reading.

• Publication date: March 19, 2024

• Print length: 323 pages

Review: Code Name Jack Rabbit (The Vampire Guard Book 1) by Elizabeth Noble

Rating: 4🌈

“Welcome to the Vampire Guard, where legend and myth meet science and technology.”

Code Name Jack Rabbit is a book the starts a new chapter in the lives of the couples and characters from Anne Barwell and Elizabeth Noble’s excellent paranormal series, The Sleepless City.

There, along the banks of Lake Erie in the town of Boggslake, Ohio, there was a haunted mansion called Bogg’s Castle. Home to a werewolf, several ancient vampires, a human, a dog, and the ghostly original owner, they solved murders, had many found family dramatic perilous moments, and found their mates.

Code Name Jack Rabbit picks up from the end of tumultuous events in Shifting Chaos. While recovered, each is dealing with the aftermath.

I enjoyed this and was somewhat sorry to see that the intriguing town and full found family is going to be left behind for the trilogy.

Two couples, Jonas Forge and Blair Turner (both vampires) and Henri de Fluer aka Declan and Lucas Coate (vampire and werewolf) are recruited by an ancient agency. And moved, along with Moose the dog, to another location.

Left behind in Bogg’s Castle is Simon and Ben (vampire and human). And the ghost of course. And while Noble’s storyline and the characters discussions themselves have this separation make perfect sense, they are after all extremely long lived, if not eternal species, it’s not as easy for the reader who loves them as family.

So it’s a major adjustment to have a new crew of people and players. They also are a foundation of their own, like those of Bogg’s Castle.

The mystery plays well against the type of paranormal creatures and murders they have already faced prior. And I’m sensing a link that may be forming between the series villains.

Anyway, it’s shaping up to be another exciting new series and a fast paced new group of characters.

I’m definitely recommending it. And read The Sleepless City too. It a much needed foundation for this.

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

The Sleepless City:

✓ Shades of Sepia #1 by Elizabeth Noble

✓ Electric Candle #2 by Elizabeth Noble

✓ Family and Reflection #3 by Anne Barwell

◦ Shifting Chaos #4 by Anne Barwell

Sequel Series:

The Vampire Guard by Elizabeth Noble:

The Vampire Guard:

✓ Code Name Jack Rabbit #1

◦ Quarry #2

◦ Endosymbiont #3

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Blurb:

Vampires and werewolves live long lives. The Sleepless City saga might have ended but the story continues…

Welcome to the Vampire Guard, where legend and myth meet science and technology.

Vampires make the best spies. Throw a smart-mouthed werewolf in with three vampires, mix well, and The Vampire Guard’s newest team is bound to become one of their greatest assets. Super spies with a full range of skills. Warrior, hacker, thief, and scientist. They get in, do the job, and get out before the bad guys ever know what hit them.

Forge, Blair, Declan, and Lucas are thrust into the world of high-tech spies and top-secret espionage conspiracies. Recruited into the world’s most elite and secret organization with one singular mission. Protect those who can’t defend themselves from ruin.

Together they must thwart an assassination attempt on the open waters of Lake Superior while tracking a previously unknown biological weapon controlled by the Qiguan—a weapon which may very well mean death for one of them.

• Publisher: Howling Corgi Press; 2nd edition (January 12, 2021)

• Publication date: January 12, 2021

• Print length: 249 pages

Review: Fated Mates and How to Woo Them (Fated Mates #1) by A. J. Sherwood

Rating: 4🌈

The Fated Mates duology (at the moment) is a weird one. Primarily due to the fact that the books were written and released out of order. So book two, Fated Mates and Where to Find Them , Zander and Max’s romance, preceded this one. And it felt like we were missing out on important things, like foundation history and grounding within a universe framework.

While not complete, Sherwood delivers more of the detailed layering about the VSP, true mates, and a certain matchmaker that was absent from book two. It helps make the story. This and really delightful characters who have wonderful chemistry with each other.

I actually enjoyed them and their story better because I got who they were, their backgrounds, and Sherwood made me believe in their instant connection and hot chemistry.

Chase, the overly extended, pushed to his physical and mental limits grad student, is so well defined. He is over scheduled, too many responsibilities, isn’t sleeping, and he’s exhausted. He may come across as young, and naive but always kind. Definitely not an “air head”, a term that has always carried a note of derision along with it. Tbh, I was surprised to see it in the tags/description.

Ronan, a vampire of many interests and talents, is a perfect choice for Chase. I enjoyed his pursuit of Chase and Ronan’s twin brother, who clearly needs his own story. Ronan is a great character all his own, from his interests in mechanics and racing to his interactions with Father, he has layers to go with Chase’s.

Their story is 153 pages but it could easily have been much longer or even have a sequel of their own.

I’m definitely recommending Fated Mates and How to Woo Them (Fated Mates #1) by A. J. Sherwood . It’s a delightful paranormal romance and has a wonderful couple of fated mates at its heart.

Fated Mates:

✓ Fated Mates and How to Woo Them #1

✓ Fated Mates and Where to Find Them #2

Buy Link:

Fated Mates and How to Woo Them

Blurb:

Chase is crazy busy behind the scenes at the fraternity get together, so when an alumni comes in, he just notes a hot man in his vicinity and goes right back to work.

When Ronan gets hurt, and Chase feeds him, Chase’s reaction opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Ones that Ronan wants to explore.

Is Chase compatible with vampires? Or could he possibly be something more?

Tags:

Vampire story, same universe as Max and Zander, because yes the plot bunnies absolutely ran wild with this one, I am not in charge of this trainwreck, just along for the ride like you are, Chase has his airheaded moments, there is absolutely no chill where Ronan is concerned, bad guys have human sacrifice written all over them, whole story is mindless violence and fluff, sorry not sorry for this

• Publisher: (December 8, 2023)

• Publication date: December 8, 2023

• Print length: 153 pages

Review: Fated Mates and Where to Find Them (Fated Mates #2) by A J Sherwood

Rating: 3.75🌈

Fated Mates and Where to Find Them is sort of odd to begin with in that it’s book two of Sherwood’s Fated Mates series but book one hasn’t been released yet. And we get the couple from that first book in this novel in an interesting manner but what it does is highlight how much of the series world building is actually missing.

I did enjoy Fated Mates and Where to Find Them. I liked the couple, several of the secondary characters, and how fast paced the plot was. This story just flew by.

But it wasn’t supported by a strong foundation. I didn’t get anything as to the world structure. Vampire ruling class system? Human secondary status? Blood slaves? Where’d that come from? I’d have wanted more an idea of an overall portrait of the world in terms of paranormal development. I even knew who the villain was and what the dramatic event would be. How it would play out, no. But the general idea? Yes.

So really a just a tighter overall plan. Maybe that’s coming in the next book, which is book one. Normally it’s where we get a series foundation. I’m looking forward to seeing what Sherwood has in store for the characters we’ve already seen and how the author is going to handle a world where we’ve already been a visitor to.

Live fated mates, and vampires and humans as couples, this is a series you should check out.

Fated Mates:

◦ Fated Mates and How to Woo Them #1 – Dec 8,2023

✓ Fated Mates and Where to Find Them #2

Buy Link:

Fated Mates and Where to Find Them

Blurb:

Zander is in an auction house for the sole purpose of getting someone to sign a contract. He doesn’t have any interest in owning a blood slave—until he lays eyes on Max. That, he must have.

Max is there for reasons of his own, mostly desperate reasons, and he’s braced himself for a year of hell. Which doesn’t seem to be forthcoming.

Someone needs to explain to this vampire that he’s supposed to use Max, not spoil him. Zander doesn’t seem to get it.

Tags:

Paranormal romance, blood slave contract thing, except Zander doesn’t actually know how to own someone, I’m pretty sure he’d break out into hives if he couldn’t spoil Max, Max has no idea what just hit him, he just knows he’s somehow the responsible one, it’s definitely not Zander, sexy times incoming!, Zander is a walking green flag, sass, so much sass incoming, light angst, mostly as an excuse for cuddles, stubborn to lovers, part time soulmates, full time problem, whole story is just mindless violence and fluff, the summary really doesn’t get across how much sex is in this but it’s also not wrong, cinnamon protection squad, assemble!