Och, Ness!: Wet 'n' Wild Book 1, Eryn Hawk

This is a new take on a mythical creature shifter romance for me.  Not truly unique, but a slightly different take that I thought was interesting.  The connection Gray had with Nessie and with Hamish was definitely a draw and one of my favorite moments was when Gray checked in with Hamish about their status.  It spoke to something awkward that he wasn't aware of but an honesty and genuine feeling for both entities that was very sweet.

There was something missing though, and I think it was in the actual relationship evolution.  Going from one side of the spectrum to the other, "we have a connection, but let's not pursue it, but maybe we should make the most of our time together, and yet not spend a lot of time together", was an inconsistency and a vacillation that detracted from the relationship growing.  I became more interested in Gray with Nessie more than Gray with Hamish despite them being the same creature.

Ultimately this was a cute story with an interesting take and some good spicy times.  It was the first story I've read by this author and I think I'd be open to more from them.

*$3.49 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

Eggsquisite: Glitter Dragons Book 1, Jinx Jax

I think it was the writing and the pacing and the overall voice that threw me off.  By all rights the premise and the fact that are are legit glitter dragons threatening to dominate the world via social media with the force of cute should have been enough to have me ass over tea kettle in love with the story.  Except I wasn't.  I wanted to, really, I truly wanted to love this story, but I just didn't.

Even the intimate chemistry was lacking along with the actual romance.  Nothing actually built, it was just a whole lot of hesitations, distractions, interruptions, and spontaneous shifting that I really didn't believe the idea of mates by the end.  I'm a sucker for fated mates and while this was purported to be a magical mating situation, very little of it felt magical.

And speaking of magic, very little of that was explained or demonstrated, with notable exceptions of weird glitter explosions and happy-feeling makings once the shifting happens.  Yes, each dragon has individual abilities, but an overly enticing pool isn't enough to convince me that the magic is actually a compelling element of the story or the characters.

Between the awkwardness, the disrespect and insecurity, the rushed pace of everything, the vague discussion of magics, and the overall dynamic between all the characters, there wasn't much left to rave about in a positive way.  Oh the story was fine, it was interesting in its unique elements, it just failed to wow me.  I won't be continuing the series.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Just when you think you've seen it all...

Heavy metal musician Keith Lane knows all about the hustle. After all, he's been chasing fame and fortune for almost a decade while working as a pool boy. When he stumbles upon six stunning and very naked men claiming to be dragon-shifters from another world, he's dubious until one changes right before his very eyes.

Captive to a cruel king, Nionn has longed for freedom and a mate. With the help of his brothers, they use magic to travel far from home and into the presence of one destined to help them. When Nionn senses Keith is his mate, he refuses to believe he deserves him, choosing instead to think he must be overcome by the perilous journey.

When the dragons enchant every human who sees them, it becomes clear they have remarkable star power. Keith vows to keep them safe from unscrupulous promoters and human groupies. Of course, he'll have to start by keeping his hands off Nionn, and that's going to be almost impossible when he feels an overwhelming urge to be with him.

With a scheme to help the dragons become celebrities, and a group of talented and dedicated humans determined to pull off the superstar launch of the century, will Keith and Nionn come together or will they find a way to resist the powerful allure of the mating call?

Fables Retold, Morgan Brice and Various Authors

I'm a sucker for a good fairy tale retelling, especially when there are a few twists or modernizations thrown in wisely. Four of the included stories really caught my interest and two were written by a couple of my must-read authors so I was pretty excited for this anthology.

Below are reviews for only four of the stories: The Cat Returns to Adderly, Sam Burns; The Seventh Ring of Bertram Bell, W.M. Fawkes; Gruff, Morgan Brice; and The Demon's in the Details, Meghan Maslow.

The Cat Returns to Adderly, Sam Burns
This was a really unique take on Puss in Boots, that the boots were the tool used to bring back the element of humanity in a supernaturally altered cat.  The romance itself took a back seat to Luke's making a home in the mansion of a missing witch while making sense of the life he's trying to gain.  In and amongst all the little discoveries there's something going on between him and the Alastair of his dreams, but none of that really comes together until the very end and by then we're supposed to believe there's a romantic connection, though it's a bit of curiosity, lust, and desperation all mixed up in a way that's okay for a start, but not a good way to end the story.  While the epilogue bit was cute and shows a far more settled couple, it doesn't really deepen the believability of the romance.  I wished there were more magic, more romance, and more of a build, but overall the unique take and interesting premise was passable.  3 stars.

Gruff, Morgan Brice
I love Fox Hollow!  Each story in this world fits the setting and adds interest to a town I wish I could visit in real life.  Adiel and Joe are new additions to the town and their meet-cute was a good intro to Adiel, getting to know Joe came a bit later.  My favorite bit was probably the first shift where they meet one another's goats...adorable!  Their hesitance was endearing until Adiel let his fear and insecurity get the better of him.

The romantic conflict was super predictable and the way they both flew off the handle and stomped off full of self-righteousness and hurt feelings was definitely not appreciated, but what made it excusable was that during their separation both truly reflected on their overreactions and made really astute observations that led to believable resolutions.

And the introduction of the Three Billy Goats Gruff aspect was far more dramatic than I expected, they were powerfully different, violent, and challenging.  Very little resembled the Norwegian fairy tale beyond the desire to consume the challenger and I liked the intent behind the changes.  They were a little repetitive, but still quite effective.  The whole experience helped Adiel to prove, not only to Joe, but to himself that he was stronger than he thought, that he was deserving of more than he's been given or had accepted up to now.  And the assists from Joe were just right; a partnership and a non-verbal show of just where his own heart and hopes lay.  Definitely unique and great addition to the Fox Hollow stories.  4 stars.

The Seventh Ring of Bertram Bell, W.M. Fawkes

Quite grim nearly from the start with a whole lot of loss and apprehension about huge life changes for everyone, Elio had a lot to come to terms with over the course of the story.  The creepy nature of Bertram, the house setup, the mystery...all of it was fitting to the original tale.  While I was glad things worked out as they did, I didn't connect with any of the characters much at all even though I really wanted to.  I was more interested in Grim, the random dog who was a mystery on their own and left unexplained to the very end.

There was a lot that was unresolved by the end, most the minutiae of consequences from the climax, and I would have really appreciated seeing some of the transition because Elio had two more huge changes coming at him; the hopeful expectation regarding those changes just wasn't enough to satisfy me.  Between the magic that I wanted more of and the friends-to-lovers setup with Dutch that I also didn't get enough of, the story was fine, I just didn't feel there was enough.  3 stars.

The Demon's in the Details, Meghan Maslow

By far the best book I have ever read from this author.  Poe and Tommy are fascinating and memorable on their own and together they are incendiary and fickle and salty and sweet too.  I enjoyed their roller coaster, though I wish it had been an alternating POV and not just Poe's.  From the very beginning I was intrigued and engaged and interested in the MC's and rooted for their HEA, which they most definitely got.

The plot was clear and focused, it progressed well without too many complications thrown in just to make things more interesting.  There was drama, of course, but it was resolved in a way that fit the characters and the family they surrounded themselves by.  There weren't any true surprises along the way, but neither was it exactly predictable; it was just right, in my opinion.  There was a strength in the subtleties, the bad guys were clear, and the good guys were a lot of fun while also being clever and deadly.

There was compassion, heart, passion, and family in all the right ways.  I really want more from this world.  If you sign up for the author's newsletter you could gain access to a short story from Tommy's POV from when he met Poe and while it was kinda nice, it was incredibly short and I thought it was underwhelming.  I'd recommend not reading it after the story, read it as part of the story where it belongs chronologically if you really want to read it, I just think it was unnecessary.  4.5 stars.

*$8.99 on Amazon

Tales as old as time…reimagined.

What if your favorite fairy tales…kicked some serious, urban fantasy ass?

Fueled by magic, steam, and scorching men, this MM romance anthology has just the thrill you’re looking for.

Stories included:

Blake & the Beast by Rhys Lawless (Beauty & the Beast)

The Cat Returns to Adderly by Sam Burns (Puss in Boots)

The Seventh Ring of Bertram Bell by W.M. Fawkes (Bluebeard)

Gruff by Morgan Brice (Three Billy Goats Gruff)

The Demon's in the Details by Meghan Maslow (Rumpelstiltskin)

Spirit of Snow by Richard Amos (Snow White)

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 50

• Love You So Hard: Love You So Book 1, Tara Lain
• Fate's Final Chapter: A Collection of Strays Book 6, Toby Wise
• Night Skies and Galaxy Leggings, Nikole Knight

While we didn't get to know the men a whole lot, less of Jessie than of Craig, we got enough of a sense of rightness between them, that they were the right person for one another.  I ached for Craig and even teared up when everything in his life seemed to be falling apart and seeing him find his forever with Jessie was very sweet.  Though the individual growth where he finds his courage and confidence isn't complete or even completely solid by the time the story ends, it is on an upward trajectory.

His Charlie Brown thoughts got to be a bit too much for me at times and there was very little sense at all of who Jessie is other than a good match for Craig because he's so complementary.  But despite the cheese and simplistic characters, I did like the overall feel of the story. I also liked the words a certain boss had for him and that those that needed their comeuppance got it.  Very low angst, this short story was full of sweetness, fluffy feels, and some spice to balance it all out.  3.5 stars

Such a sweet ending, a great way to close out the series of all the unlikely yet perfect pairings.  Being guided by Fate to find their fated mates and to bring life into the pack lands as well as the heart of their adopted father, each group gets one final moment to show us just how wonderful it is to find the being(s) meant for your soul.  True to each character there were twin shenanigans, steamy moments, tender feels, and all the good stuff we've come to expect from each and every book in the series.  Along with some truly interesting female alpha explanations that I'd always been curious about, there were snippets from each grouping that rounded out and solidified every good thing I've felt over the course of following all their journeys.  4 stars.

Tender, heartbreaking, and triumphant.  

Casey and Andy are so incredibly young and only starting out in life. On their own they're so very different and yet there's a common thread of admiration, yearning, and discovery that ties them together. There's also an attraction that's more than physical and while they navigate a mostly homophobic community and their changing feelings they find that young love isn't enough when life comes calling.

I enjoyed the story so much and when the heartbreak came I teared up knowing that it was such a difficult moment for both of them and cursing the fact that there were only a few more pages in the novella left. The epilogue was short and wonderful and I wanted to say I didn't like the book because it was so short, but that would be a disservice to effective writing just because I wasn't ready to let these young people go. I want more.  4 stars.

The Hunter and the Cultist: Hunter X Slayer Book 1, J.A. Giaquinto

The premise seemed really, really intriguing with an MC romantic pairing that really didn't work on paper but could have become something amazing.  Adding in the threats of an unknown danger, unlikely allies, and a whole lot of sarcastic snark balanced with naive sweetness and I was definitely interested in reading this story.

For being the first book in a series I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a world I should have known about already.  Some of the explanations came as Gustav and Kain explained things to Abel, but those explanations didn't really come until pretty deep into the story, not far along but deep into the crazy unfolding.  Using terminology, relationships, and situations that seemed well established and well known without cluing us in in some way left me a bit frustrated for a good third of the story.

There was a definite pull between the MC's and I could see the fated mate thing working and was glad their culmination of the romantic part of their relationship didn't happen right away.  It took a while for everything to be right for their moment to come together...though I will say it felt a little too "perfect" seeing as how Abel was a complete virgin and there was still quite a bit that wasn't fully fleshed out between them.

It wasn't until near the end that Gustav's bad habits took the fore and nearly ruined everything.  And it certainly didn't help that Abel's anger issues and sudden lack of understanding and patience coincided with Gustav's epic pity party.  The separation was kind of necessary, I guess, but with so much awful that happened up to that point I was hoping for something a little different.  Ending as it did with counseling, hope, forgiveness, love, and bonding really helped to smooth things over.

So while there was turmoil and turbulence from the word go, there was a softer side of things that made a valiant attempt to balance it all out and end things on a happier note.  There are quite a few side characters we met along the way that made me curious as to whose story will be next so there's also that, I suppose, to bring me back to their world.

*$5.99 on Amazon

Gustav Markov is one of the best Rogue Hunters the Vampire Council has ever seen. But he's snide, sarcastic, and is by far the most infuriating man ever to walk the Earth. That changes when a mission puts him on the path of not only a fiend from his past but his Lifemate.

Abel Simpson has never known a life outside The Willows. His faith has been shaken by the actions of those around him. But nothing has rocked him like the dark-haired man who walks into his life.

Gustav and Abel find a connection neither man has ever felt before, and it seems almost perfect. Until the specter from Gustav's past rears their head, intent on repeating history.  Can Gustav and Abel stop this menace before another young life is destroyed? Or will more blood be spilled all in the name of family?

Angel of Death: Mages of Ravenshire Book 3, Stella Rainbow

For having trauma in their pasts this story was surprisingly sweet and uplifting.  The focus was kept on the men and how they both were uniquely right for one another which allowed them to work through their personal demons and become stronger individually before they became stronger together.  They needed exactly what the other could provide and I truly enjoyed watching them get to their HEA.

Yes, everything was pretty simple, understanding to the point of unbelievable, patient to the point of saintly, and sweet to the point of cavities, but there were also difficult moments that tested their problem-solving skills and stretched them to accommodate more than one would expect them to.  Both of them rose to the occasion and became the best version of themselves while being loved, supported, and encouraged from within and without.  They found companionship, community, and their heart's home.

*$4.99 on Amazon

There is freedom in letting go...

Niall:

When the man I thought was the love of my life sold me to repay his debts, I lost all hope of ever finding happiness again. I'd let him turn me into a vampire, and then he'd turned me into a slave.

After getting rescued from my prison, I swore I'd let no one control me ever again.

But when I find out my fated mate is a necromancer, the one type of mage able to control vampires and all the undead, I have a decision to make. Can I trust him, after everything that happened, or will I let my fears get the best of me?

Aeron:

When I escaped my captivity, I didn't expect to live. I was bleeding too much, and I had nowhere to go. I knew it wouldn't be long before my miserable life ended. And I was okay with it.

Then I woke up, safe, sound and completely healed, and I saw him. The beautiful, sweet man who couldn't bear to be touched but whose eyes were bright with longing. I knew he was important to me long before I realized he was my semnyar.

But what do I do when our shared demons are determined to keep us apart? How do I earn his trust when I keep using my magic on him?

9 Willow Street & And Then They Were Three, Nell Iris

9 Willow Street

This was such a sweet story.  I truly enjoyed the way the supernatural aspect was woven in and how it was developed as the relationship grew between Hannes and Mattis.  There was a moment I thought things would get more dramatic than the pages left in the story could sort out, but it was resolved quickly and well while still feeling a good amount of tension so it didn't seem too easy.  Similarly with the men, their connection was definitely there and they still took a reasonable amount of time to think about the gravity of what truly bonding would mean for them.  Simple, sweet, and yet the type of deep that sticks with you and is believable.

Because of the nature of the binding that needed to happen between the two men this was a much spicier story than this author usually writes and I have to say, for someone who doesn't always include the more prurient side of a romance, they did fantastically.  It was just hot enough, just tender enough, just right for the men and the situation.  But as with all their stories, they end too soon for me.  Not because it wasn't a good place to end the story, but because I always become so attached to the characters that I'm not ready to leave them.  I always want to know more.

And Then They Were Three

Utterly sweet and just the right change for Mattis and Hannes.  I enjoyed that it was still in Hannes' POV as he guided us through the whole initial journey and it's really his heart that makes a home not only for Mattis, but the foundations of one for a sweetly vulnerable kit.

This was short.  I mean, really, really short.  And instead of an epilogue feel, it was more of a snippet and for that it can only be 4 stars for me.  It fits really well with the whole story, but I would have liked to see the claiming of the boy.  What we did get though, was incredibly tender and a wonderful glimpse into exactly what's in store for the couple and for the boy as they share of themselves and their home.

***A note for anyone interested, you MUST read the short story that precedes this snippet of their happy life and a hint at the changes coming into their lives.  Without that context the sweetness is lost, the gravity doesn't make sense, and the dynamic will completely fall flat.

Touch of Magic: Mages of Ravenshire Book 1, Stella Rainbow

 

This was a really cute story and I'm always a sucker for the idea of fated mates.  To believe there's someone out there that matches your soul, it's beautiful.  What made this different from most insta-love situations between fated mates is the emphasis on them building on their bond by getting to know one another, connecting on a level that's more than just physical.  By adding that slightly unique take on the common magical trope we get a much more well-rounded relationship development that's truly believable.  I mean, we're dealing in forever here, and starting off strong with both commitment and genuine affection is a great place to start.  Building that into a love that can stand the eons before them and it's even better.

Jai is very sweet and so very sick.  I liked the dose of reality, that he didn't try to overwork himself just because he didn't like the body fated him, but he saw his limitations clearly.  Even though those limitations isolated him, he didn't let them take away from the things that did bring him joy.  His relationship with Padfoot was cute, as with his little brother, Joy.  Finding Raph was a miracle and a blessing, both for his health, but for the heart that wasn't meant to be alone.  He had so much care to give and Raph was the perfect recipient.  And seeing him grow into a fierceness I wasn't sure was there made him that much better.

Raphael was similar in his isolation, except his was a far deeper wound because he was rejected and reviled by the family that was supposed to love and support him no matter what.  Unfortunately it led to a self-imposed exile from a home he loved, but even tragedy can lead the way to freedom.  For him it came in the forms of a saucy squirrel and the mate of his soul.  If not for the bad, he wouldn't have found his true self and his forever.  Raph was a very sweet man and even though he's described as goofy I didn't see that side of him at all, even the cheesy lines he threw at Jai weren't what I'd say was goofy.  His charm is in his giant heart and will to do good despite his circumstances.

I honestly can't wait to delve back into their town to learn all about and more of Cass, the fire mage that comes to everyone's rescue.  The kidnapping bit in the story served as a way to bring him over from Ravenshire, but I can't say that it was a great element in the story.  It brought about three good things: bringing Cass, showing Jai's fierceness, and making Raph realize his own cowardice...but something about the whole thing just didn't truly fit though I can't exactly put my finger on why.  It was kind of out of left field and I felt like something else would have suited the story better and still have done those three things.

Overall this was such a sweet story with really great characters, perfect "pets", and an introduction to a world I'm looking forward to getting back to.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Fate always has a plan...

Jai:
I've lived my whole life with a terminal illness, knowing I'd never be "normal." I basically just existed, one day at a time with my dog as my sole, faithful companion. Then one day, Fate intervened and an encounter with a beautiful man gave me something I'd never had before: Hope.
Could I really have the life I never thought I would have? Could I have all the things I'd only ever dreamed of having?
Health, happiness, a full life...love?

Raphael:
I was always the black sheep of the family, the mage with faulty magic. I'd lived for a hundred and fifty years being taunted and put down, and I'd had to take it all with a smile.
When I'd finally had enough, I left my home in Ravenshire and moved to Mistvale. Fate intervened when I was least expecting it and a chance encounter with a beautiful man tipped my world on its axis, and I discovered things I hadn't known about myself.
Could Jai really be the answer to all my questions?

Hunter's Moon: Alpha Triplets Book 1, Minerva Howe

This story definitely made the most of the tropes.  Fated mates with instant attraction and aggression toward the interlopers and insta-love being at the forefront of those tropes.  I'd say this story was a little light on the plot and the depth, but if you can get past all the gratuitous sexy times, you do find the bits of a plot that rescues omegas in danger as well as a set of alpha triplets that are as unique as they are the same that have a lot of potential for a fantastic pack.

The world itself is interesting, but we get very few, read none, of the details of the unique aspects of it, like the different names of the moon, the significance of triplet alphas that share a soul, the different wolf breeds, the pack structure they do and don't follow...there's a lot of detail that is missing and brings down the enjoyment of the story.  I'm hoping we get more in the subsequent stories, but I doubt it if they're all meant to be short stories that focus on the sexual healing of the magic peen and the bonding of mates through that oft-repeated act.

I actually felt myself being interested in the alphas and when the story finally got to the plot outside the bedroom.  The MC's in this particular story felt unbalanced and unlikely, though Derek was interesting because we actually got more of his thoughts regarding his family, job, art, and future hopes.  Ethan was kind of a stereotype come to life and his naivety was written more like a child and both his style and level of communication came of so childlike that it made nearly every intimate scene quite uncomfortable for me until near the end when he started to read as simply a naive, abused young man.

Despite feeling this book is more of a 2.5 stars than a legit 3, there are some grains of potential that I'm mildly interested to find out how they turn out.  Chris intrigues me as do the other alphas, Jax and Ryder, so I'd be willing to give the series a further read, but I can't say I'm running out to add them to my TBR list either.

*$2.99 on Amazon

When a rogue wolf brings a sweet omega to Derek Lowell's tattoo shop, he takes one deep breath and knows he can't let Ethan leave with the jerk. This omega is meant to be his, and Derek will do whatever he needs to do to save him.

Ethan is a Worthless One, an omega sold to a bad pack as a child, but he has a core of steel under his vulnerable exterior. When Derek offers him a safe haven, Ethan knows he has to try to overcome his past and grab his new Alpha with both hands. Cam Derek keep Ethan safe and teach him how to accept all the gifts Derek has to give him?

Huntsman: Fox Hollow Zodiac Book 1, Morgan Brice

A fox and a wolf, fated mates and good men, who never would have met if not for the danger of a hunter of lore used to scare children into keeping the shifter secret among a world of humans.  There was so much to enjoy in this story from the world to the chemistry between mates, side characters with loyalty and personality as well as tact, a self-sacrificing MC that is NOT TSTL, and a subtly sweet way of expressing grieving and healing from it.  With a strong start to this series I know we'll be in for a romantic and supernaturally chaotic ride that fits right in with this author's style.

Liam ran away from danger in the way that foxes do and I liked his character, the way he was invested in his job and was eager to make friends in a town he knew would become his home.  I'm glad he didn't fight his mating instinct though truly appreciated the way he tempered that desire with honesty and caution.  Just because they were mates didn't mean they had to rush into a claiming.  Sometimes we get the fated-mate = insta-love situation in these trope-based stories, but in this story we got something that used human sensibilities and a very believable progression...up to a point, of course.

In addition to being interesting on his own as a part of a relationship with Russ, Liam became my favorite when he dove head-first into the search for the Huntsman, both in determination and in logic.  Too many times we see one MC feeling guilty and then running headlong into danger with nary a thought to using their brain and embodying the TSTL heroines we see in bad horror B-movies.  Instead Liam tempers that guilt with intelligence, precaution, and common sense.

Russ was good in a more subtle way.  He was dealing with years of grief over the loss of his husband, though not his fated mate.  Attempting to reconcile those two types of love gave us a mature and sweet evolution for Russ as he came to accept his fated mate while balancing not forgetting his former husband and also not letting it be a reason to avoid Fate's guidance.

The overall danger that surrounded everyone and everything was pretty well hidden despite having predictable parts that moved the story along.  While having the villain doing the cliche monologuing wasn't exactly awesome, the rest was, as was the introduction of other nefarious foes that may come calling as well as other characters that are sure to get their own stories.  I'm really looking forward to watching the series grow and evolve as we get other stories from the little town's residents and newcomers.

*$5.99 on Amazon

A grieving wolf. A hunted fox. Fated mates, thrown together by chance, and the looming threat of a fabled Huntsman who might tear them apart forever.

Fox shifter Liam Reynard is running from a killer. He uproots his life to find sanctuary in Fox Hollow, deep in the Adirondack Forest in New York.

When his car breaks down, sexy wolf shifter Russ Lowe comes to the rescue, and one touch makes it clear they’re fated mates. Neither man was looking for love, and both are still mending from past heartbreak. When mysterious fires and disappearances threaten Fox Hollow, Liam fears the killer is hot on his trail. Can he protect the town and his fated mate from the evil hunting him, or will an ex-lover’s betrayal cost Liam everything he loves?

All Kidding Aside: Magical Mates Book 1, Macy Blake

Jumping back into the world of The Chosen One and the Hellhounds gives us all the after, all the children, and all the crazy that follows every single individual.  There are happy surprises, interesting discoveries, an alpha lion who never met a four-letter word he didn't like, and a murderous fae who nearly ruins everything.  If you're looking for a crazy world, adorable shifter children, and a pair of mates who need a miracle to get on the same page then look no further.

Victor is a prickly griffin with a big job to do.  And when a cute little red panda cub sets his sights on him his life is instantly changed.  No white shirts will survive, but neither will his heart; it now belongs in the little grubby hands  that have just as tight of a grip on his vintage Hermes tie.  But it's when the giant bear shifter enters his life that everything makes sense...and scares him beyond imagining.  I liked Victor, even his little escape fits him to a T and is actually quite tolerable because aside from distance, he doesn't do idiotic things to truly ruin everything as one might expect from many other stories with characters like him.

Riggs is baffled by the beautifully fractious Victor and their attraction is definitely present.  My favorite moment between them was definitely the half-asleep kitchen shuffle that started everything steamy between them.  It was adorable and spicy all at the same time and endeared me to him more than nearly every other moment in the story.

Both men coming together for the project of housing everyone showed a pretty competent team and then when they worked together to care for and about Gus I was sold.  That's not to say they were perfect or awesome, they didn't truly meet those descriptors.  They were pretty simplistic characters, good ones, but not especially deep or compelling.  It was how everything worked together as a whole family unit within a rambunctious pack that made it all fit.  This was definitely a fitting story to add to the Chosen One Universe and I'm absolutely coming back to it to see more magical mate pairings because I can't seem to get enough of their world and the children that need so very much.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Building houses for a pack of orphans might lead one griffin to find his heart’s home.

Victor Eastaughffe knows three things for a fact:
-He does not have a mate.
-He does not like children.
-His duty is to his griffin clan.

When Victor meets Orsen Riggs, a scruffy bear shifter, and little Gus, an orphaned red panda cub, his orderly, structured world becomes messy and chaotic. All the things he once held true suddenly don’t make sense.

Asked to help the Smith pack navigate the difficult world of shifter politics, Victor realizes he might not know himself as well as he thought. Magic is in the air, and it’s making him long for things he never wanted before. But duty comes before all else, even at a price Victor no longer wants to pay.

Shayne's Hope: Timberwood Cove Book 12, Liam Kingsley

Shayne gets a raw deal and to find himself with no better choice than to give his precious daughter a chance at a life he knows he can't provide at 17 makes me ache.  His broken heart is beautifully written and I hurt for him and hoped so hard for his future happiness.  (And introducing Hogan as his best friend and ginger brother was a great move because it puts us in an excellent position for Hogan's story next.)  I didn't have any major problems with anything Shayne said or did because all of his actions and hesitations were pretty logical and even though I don't like perpetuating secrets, his concerns were incredibly valid, especially after Vince expressed his insecurity regarding Charlotte's birth family.

So then we get to Vince.  He started out really great and I was so interested in him.  The biggest issue I had with him was his reaction to Shayne's secret.  Knowing he had his own whopper of one that he literally surprised Shayne with with so very little preparation and explanation and then to react as he did in such a brutal fashion was pretty reprehensible.  And then there was so little groveling.  Shayne was so eager to forgive because of his love that the apology was simple and direct but lacked depth and I wasn't exactly impressed by that scene at all.  He did have a ton of heart and was a fantastic father so there was a lot to make up for what bothered me so overall he wasn't so bad.

There was so much unsaid, even when both Charlotte and Vince expressed the desire to know Shayne's story.  I know that we got it because we started with it, but Shayne's intuition, his impression that the unknown-Vince was the man Charlotte needed to go to, his yearning to stay despite Vince's edict for him to leave...there was a lot that I wanted to see from Vince's perspective as Shayne shared his past and all that brought him to Timberwood Cove.  And Dan's not telling Vince Shayne's feeling and intention after their first enlightening scene in the diner when Shayne realized the truth was also a missed opportunity.  I think I wanted Vince to feel a bit more of a knife twist so the big gesture, the groveling, the huge apology could have come more convincingly from Vince rather than a moment of fate that forced Shayne's return.

I truly love this author's writing.  From their first book to now, every book I've read that they published (omitting the co-written ones) has been really good.  I felt for the characters right at the start and rooted for their happiness until the last word on the page.  Shayne's Hope is no different and despite my frustration with Vince and a bit of explanation that doesn't get page space everything else has me sold on Timberwood Cove as a place and a series.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Vince
I’ve been hurt before, but Shayne makes me want to try again …
I haven’t been lucky in romance, and for the past twelve years my daughter Charlotte has been my number one priority. But my senses go crazy every time I’m around Shayne and my inner wolf is convinced he’s my fated mate. He fits right into my family, but he doesn’t know a thing about shifters and I don’t want to scare him away before I find a way to convince him to stay in town. It all seems too good to be true - but maybe this time, love will last.

Shayne
He adopted my daughter and now he’s stealing my heart …
Giving my kid up for adoption twelve years ago was the hardest thing I ever did. I never expected to see her again, and I definitely didn’t think I’d fall for her hot firefighter father. I’m not supposed to stay in Timberwood Cove for long, but when Vince asks for my help, I can’t resist. It doesn’t hurt that his kisses are hotter than the fires he puts out! But he doesn’t know who I really am, and if he finds out, I’m afraid it will ruin everything.

Submitting to Fate: A Collection of Strays Book 5, Toby Wise

Rhett and Wyn have both led lives that seem to imply they're either perfect for one another or "never the 'twain shall meet" and I'm so glad that both men found a way to submit to Fate and all the ways they could fill one another's souls.  There were some rocky moments, but just like with each and every story in the series, they pulled it out in the end and gave in to a plan larger and more knowledgeable than their own.

One bit that didn't gel for me was their big moment of "communication" where the lead up to Wyn and Rhett's dynamic was building only to culminate in a moment that felt uncomfortable.  Wyn's thoughts regarding knowing what Rhett needed and yet ignoring the signs didn't feel right and that their moment of sharing all the angst from their hearts came so late in the story didn't exactly fit their flow either.  With such a short story I wasn't expecting it to be all hearts and roses, but two really big things that were specific to them and their story weren't given enough page time to feel resolved.

What I did love were all the sweet moments when you could see Rhett growing from the brat-for-brattiness'-sake into the brat-with-a-cornerstone.  With Wyn to ground him, to give him the peace he needs he could assume his role as the brat with more humor than before because he didn't need the facade to cover his pain.  Wyn softened as well and his journey was more one of bringing his past alongside his present and reveling in love instead of grief.  Rhett's insistence in keeping Wyn's past as an integral part of their hearts and going so far as to pass it on to their future was immensely wonderful.  It showed growth and a true understanding of love multiplying rather than living with a heart divided.  That was my favorite part.  These two men needed one another and I was pleased overall with their story.

$2.99 on Amazon

I hide behind snarky comments and teasing smiles because letting people see the true me is terrifying. The day I find out Wyn is my mate, all the BS falls away. He sees me, the real me, and instead of running for the hills, he stays by my side. My past reminds me of my failings but Wyn says I’m good. As I submit to him, just maybe I'll learn to believe him. -Rhett

Here I am, finding myself mated for the second time, pregnant without even really trying with a mouthy, bratty alpha. What the heck was Lady Fate thinking? As time goes on and with a little trial and error, Rhett and I learn to fit into our new dynamics. Rhett may submit to me, but I submit to Lady Fate, and so far, She's never pushed me past what I could take. -Wyn

Alpha's Embrace: Omega Misfits Book 3, Wendy Rathbone

From the very beginning of the series I was intrigued by the idea of Sylphs and new we'd get at least one of their stories.  For all the mystery and agony surrounding these men, there had to be individuals among them that didn't fit the lore passed around their society.  Misha was one such man and it took a kind, earnest, and determined Alpha to give him the future filled with love he didn't dare to dream could become a reality.

There were quite a few directions we could have been taken in with this story and while none that I expected happened, the path we took was interesting in quite a few ways.  Despite being interesting it drifted from one point to another while not really progressing and that made this book a little harder to read than the previous two.  I think there was a bit missing in the way of depth because for all the intrigue, mystery, genetic anomalies, surprise bonds, nefarious characters, and "planning" for their future, we got virtually none of the completion of any of those points.  They really could have been streamlined and refined and this would have easily been my favorite of the series.

It took way, way too long for anything romantic to happen and Geoff's constant denial was incredibly taxing, especially because there were a couple times when he seemed to come to the defining conclusion about his convictions toward Misha rather than away from him and in the next moment he's mentally and verbally denying anything he feels about him.  This is not my kind of roller coaster.

Overall there was a whole lot that drew me in with the premise, but the slow-burn wasn't implemented effectively to make me believe in the MC's or their romance.  With so many points of interest that weren't visited with intention I'm wondering where this series is going from here.  I'm still interested enough in how the author weaves a story from unconventional societal pairings with the men of this world that I'll absolutely be back for more.

*$3.99 on Amazon

I am Misha.

My name was given to me at birth by the doctor who delivered me. I have never known my parents. I live in a ten by ten space with one window, a sink and toilet, a bed and a locked door. Once a day I’m taken to an outdoor exercise area. I am allowed a limited access tablet and tutored online by computer programs. I have one friend I talk to through a tiny crack in the wall. His name is Cedric and he has trouble keeping himself quiet. When he isn’t talking to me about monsters and demons, he screams all the time.

Why is my life so isolated and depressing? Because I am a Sylph. Sylphs are the byproduct of illegal Omega to Omega matings. We are all beautiful, but 99.9% are born insane. The rarest of Sylphs, like me, show no outward signs of madness or brain damage, but we live in institutions because we cannot be trusted.

All of us Sylphs who have lived long enough to pass through puberty have hypersexual disorder which makes life even more difficult for us, let alone our keepers. It is like something Alphas call the Burn, a mating urge Alphas experience once every couple of months.

But we’re Sylphs, not Alphas, and this Burn thing? We experience it all the time. It’s a huge problem and why we are kept isolated. Most of us don’t survive through our teens because of it.

One day, a handsome Alpha comes to interview and study me. He calls himself the Chief of Staff but his real name is Geo. Like magic, I fall in love with him instantly. I do everything I can to seduce him. He will have none of it because touch between an Alpha and a Sylph is taboo. But I have plans. No matter what, I intend to bond him and make him mine. Forever.

The Witch's Familiar: Familiar Mates Book 1, T.J. Nichols

Loved the premise, wished for more answers and believable romance.

With a supremely interesting premise I eagerly dove into the story.  Getting to know Jude in the beginning was an okay way to start out, but besides realizing that he was immature in many ways and really milquetoast, there were a whole lot of questions brought up with the very first chapter, most of which get zero answers and only serves to set the scene for some shady circumstances and players that may or may not come to any kind of a conclusion in the series itself.

The best part of the story was the confrontation with the mystery creature.  Those animals were fascinating and I really, really wished there was more on-page about the research into what the culprit could be, what they can do, and suggested solutions for them after realizing that eradication may not be the best idea that came from Jude, not the mysterious and dubious council that sent him on a mission intended to fail.  This story really needed more of any kind of procedure, findings, showing character's intelligence, and conviction.

As for the romance, well, I can't say there really was one.  While the motel scene was jarring in a unique way, I can't say there was anything endearing about the individuals or the couple.  Both men were romantically challenged and a true relationship never got a chance to really build at all before difficult decisions were made and we get to an HFN that didn't feel believable.  I wish so hard that there had been as much to love about the actual story as there was in the synopsis.  The next story in the series has an interesting premise too, but in all honesty, I don't think I'll be back for more.

*$3.99 on Amazon

He can hold lightning in his hand, but will love slip through his fingers?

Jude Sullivan has one more chance to prove he isn’t a danger to the paranormal community. If he fails, he’ll be stripped of his magic, a painful process to make a witch human.

As a test, the Coven sends him to Mercy South, Colorado, to stop a creature that’s been mutilating cows and scaring the locals. Jude hates cows and small towns. The Coven should’ve sent a nature witch.

Rob Mackenzie is the local mechanic and bear shifter. If the locals knew his secret, they’d run him out of town. He wants someone to really know him and not be afraid. With several chewed-up cows and some other weird happenings, he’s wondering if he’s no longer the strangest creature in Mercy.

After meeting Mack, Jude thinks he’s found the cause of the trouble. But the trouble is only just getting started when Mack realizes he’s Jude’s fated mate. As the cow-mutilating creature starts hunting in town, Mack and Jude will have to quit fighting their attraction and each other, to stop the creature from killing again.