Find the Jinn: Wilde Contracts Book 1, Maz Maddox

The premise grabbed me right away and I was ready to jump right in. Despite feeling like we were coming in a chapter or two later even though it was the opening scene, this wasn't the first story I've read that did this kind of thing. I was sure we would get a little explanation, back story, or something to catch me up so I pressed on...but we didn't get any of those things.

For the first book of a series it felt like I was missing something -- constantly. I've read in other reviews about Killing the Messenger (or is it Kill the Messenger?) that I got through a Prolific Works giveaway event so I'll need to back to that and read to see if there's anything that can give me a better picture, but I'm not sure what to expect in that regard.

I really enjoyed all the characters, but for very different reasons. Dallas was incredibly flawed and we can see pretty early on that there's a torturous tragedy in his past that he's running away from by using drugs, danger, bravado, and any and all kinds of avoidance. I'm sure there will be a sharing, a reckoning that will take place, but that wasn't here in this first book. So for trigger warnings, there is drug use, unfaithful partners, alcohol use, and servant/master type situations.

The two other characters that play a pivotal role may or may not be actual love interests and they intrigued me from the beginning as well. There's an incubus, Sias, who seems to care for Dallas, but has no commitment or intentionally tender moments to show us that there's more than a preferred "meal" situation between them. Is there a possibility for more? Definitely. There's also some incendiary spice between them in a club where Dallas is offered up as a delicacy...

Zane is the one that intrigued me the most out of the two possible interests there. There's a bit of an enemies to reluctant partners to possibly something more spicy to maybe lovers kind of situation brewing there. Because of the connection between Zane and Dallas there's bound to be confusion, frustration, and a reluctant amount of feels that may be misconstrued, argued away, and eventually explored. At least, I sure hope so!

I'm certainly looking forward to seeing the progression, all the types of progression, that we're going to get in this series. Opening of hearts, vulnerabilities, and a whole lot of answers needs to happen before the end of it though, otherwise I might revolt...kind of, haha.

There isn't an actual romantic relationship by the end of this first story and, to be honest, I'd be a little on the disappointed side of apprehension if either potential love interest is chosen over the other one at this point; I'm kind of hoping for an MMM situation even though that's not my preference in pairings. It kind of feels right for now to imagine that will be the outcome, but there are still two more books to go.

But really, the thing to keep in mind here is that in this first book you're going to feel lost, frustrated, intrigued, annoyed, disappointed, and eager for more all at the same time. Maybe you'll be more on one side than the other, but I think you should really give the rest of the series a shot before deciding overall that this just wasn't for you. This isn't the best showing of the author in a first-of-the-series way, but it is definitely their style and I'm sure we'll get something great to follow it up...well, after being stymied by more frustration first. There are A LOT of threads that need tying off because they keep getting dropped for no good reason.

*$6.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

Omega Alone, S. Rodman

I very much wanted to like this book. The premise grabbed my attention and I was curious about how the rescue would become love, how Luca would find his strength, and how Erik would find his softness. While those three things happened, I found far too much that bothered me deeply to truly enjoy the story and the outcome.

Trigger warnings not mentioned in the synopsis:

Dubious consent during matings, yes, on more than one occasion and each time it bothers

Attempted rape

Stockholm syndrome

Administration of drugs without consent

Forcible invasion of memories through magical means

Physical abuse

Trafficking of a person

Uninformed consent at every freaking turn

Just with that list alone this book should be a one star review. There were huge issues with how Luca was sold in the first place, bound to a vampire, then sold again to the wolf shifter who becomes his mate, beginning with Luca's time with the vampire, not dealing with Luca's fear, obvious distress, lack of knowledge, his reaction to Erik's pack, and his silence in reaction to virtually everything if he's not either crying or trying to escape, seeing nothing of his own innate magic or talents in general, getting virtually no dynamics of Erik's pack...

The thing is though, I didn't hate the story. It's a long list of what was missing and inadequate, but there are moments of sweetness and hope and one tiny bit of humor after Luca does a really cool thing near the end and other characters that managed to grab my interest insomuch as to make me actually consider continuing with this world if there is to be a series to follow.

...yeah, I know.

So yeah, huge red flags, incredibly disturbing scenes that are not addressed constructively or satisfyingly, and a lack of character depth or growth that really doesn't inspire me to recommend this story at all. But...I might actually read more from the world at some point, so there is that.

*$4.99 on Amazon

A Veiled & Hallowed Eve: Soulboud Book 7, Hailey Turner

 Everything has a price, every debt always comes due, and it's finally time for Patrick to pay his.

This.  Just so much this.  I'm in love, I'm in agony, I'm grieving, I'm elated, I'm soaring, I'm astounded, I'm just...overwhelmed.  I hate that the series is over and I feel that way each time I end a series by this author because they've sucked me in, chewed me up, spat me out, and enjoyed every moment of my torture, it seems, because they do it over and over again.  But honestly, I must love that too because I just keep coming back for more.

Patrick is everything.  He's come a long way and his heart has been maturing and growing and deepening up to this point of reckoning and I can't see any other way this should have gone.  I ache for him and for everything he's gone through and to come out triumphant in some ways and desolate in others is beyond my comprehension or ability to empathize.

And then there's Jono.  He is also everything.  Everything to Patrick, everything Patrick needed, and stunning in a way that was unique to this world and made him unlike any other.  No one else would do, no one else could get into Patrick's heart they way he has and no one else could support him or get him through everything that needed to be done.

There's nothing I didn't love about this story and am profoundly in awe of the world that has been saved and decimated and put through the wringer, for this masterpiece of a series to be written, and for me to be so moved.  I'm not sure anything I can say that would do it justice.  This author has abused and saved this world and the vehicles they chose to break it apart and remake it through their journey toward redemption.

A Veiled & Hallowed Eve by Hailey Turner is now live! 

*Download today for $6.99 or read for FREE with KU

Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/Soulbound7

Death is the last lover you will ever know.

SOA Special Agent Patrick Collins has lived a life full of lies, and it has finally caught up with him. There's no denying his past any longer, not after giving up the truth to save himself from a murder charge. But truth alone can't set Patrick free, and time is running out to stop the Dominion Sect from turning his father into a god.

Jonothon de Vere knows survival isn't a guarantee, but he's desperate to keep Patrick safe, even as hope slips through his fingers. With the future unknown, Jono will follow Patrick wherever he goes, even to Salem, where a family reunion reveals a bitter secret that was never going to stay buried.

With New York City under control of their god pack, Patrick and Jono must fall back on every alliance they've brokered to fill the front lines of a war coming directly to the city streets. The veil is always thinnest on Samhain, and what awaits them on the other side is the stuff of nightmares. For when it tears, all hell will break loose, and the gods will be summoned to face a reckoning the world isn't ready for.

The stakes have never been higher, failure has never been so deadly, and the Fates have never been kind to heroes. Patrick knows that better than anyone--because everything has a price, every debt always comes due, and it's finally time for Patrick to pay his. 

Don't forget to add it to your Goodreads TBR list!

About Hailey...

Hailey Turner is a big city girl who spoils her cats rotten and has a demanding day job that she loves, but not as much as she loves writing.  She's been writing since she was a young child and enjoys reading almost as much as creating a new story.  Hailey loves stories with lots of action, gritty relationships, and an eventual HEA that satisfies the heart.

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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?

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.

How to Lure a Hunter: VRC Book 3, Alice Winters

I'd been waiting for Karsyn's book for quite some time and knew we'd be in for a bit of a ride with him.  Originally I thought it'd be him paired with DeGray, but once Claude made himself known, quite loudly and ridiculously, it was clear there was going to be another "odd couple" bit.  I'm happy with the pairing, definitely, and felt they worked really well together once all the truths were out and the walls knocked down, it just wasn't as compelling or hilarious as I'd found Marcus and Finn's story.  I'm still every bit invested with the VRC and am looking forward to more and interested to see how the next story works to give us new dynamics and shenanigans.

Claude was every bit as sweet and colorful as his clothing and his complete oblivious honesty about his clothing choices was well-played.  His belief in his outrageous combinations were unshakeable.  I liked that he was different from every other character we've gotten from Alice Winters thus far which gave a sweet, almost naive quality to the story that keeps the overall series feeling fresh with new perspectives and talents for ridiculous.  That Claude can also kick some major tail is a bonus.  He doesn't like letting the violent side of him out and it seemed a hardship unless Karsyn was requesting or needing it.  And his dynamic with Marcus was endearing.  We'd been led into an understanding of someone manipulative and possibly violent and yet what we got is someone childish in all the best and most humorous ways.  I liked him.

Karsyn on the other hand, didn't really end up as I thought he would.  Most of that was a good thing with his incredible vulnerability and softness.  I really liked his affection masked as snobbish disdain in his interactions with Finn and while many of his barbs were a bit too pointed at Claude, his softness compelled him to feel badly about it and either make amends or almost fall over himself to pretend like it never happened.  Only Claude would be able to see the innermost part of him and enjoy every bit of all of him, the prickly and the soft.

Based on the title and after the first murder scene I could guess very clearly where we were going with the dramatic elements of the story.  The depth to which it was taken however, was the surprise.  It was painful and I could see why Karsyn ended up acting the way he did.  I think the resolution worked because we got to see a lot of Claude in his moments of badassery, but some of it was a little over the top and slightly confusing in a "I don't really see why that was important to include" way.  One character ended up crazy in a way that worked despite being overly dramatic, and another was kind of an overly exaggerated non-issue.  They didn't really matter to any part of the story at all besides a certain creation bit and I feel they should have been excluded from after that moment.

This story was absolutely a departure in the overall feel and relationship dynamic in the first two VRC stories.  Not so far that it doesn't fit, but enough to know we're not reading recycled characters and plots.  I liked most of the changes in the story and really enjoyed the flashback scenes that gave us Karsyn's heartbreaking past in bits and pieces as present moments triggered them.  It was a great way to get a full picture of the past without an excessively long info-dump conversation scenario.  Claude's part of the background was amusing and where we know him through Marcus, a few holes were filled in, but nothing as detailed as Karsyn's detailed history.  I'm truly interested to see where we go from here and whether we'll get the answer to our curiosity about DeGray's compromising situation.  A more subtle win of a story from Alice Winters.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Alexei
When Marcus Church brings his brother Claude in to help solve an unusual murder, I’m positive he did it just to disrupt my monotonous life. None of my coworkers in the Vampire Related Crimes unit seem to understand that I want to keep a wall between me and everyone else—especially Claude, who does everything he can to break through it with an annoying smile.

After more vampires begin to die, Claude pinpoints the actions of the killers to a group of vampire hunters, leaving us in a race to stop them. When I discover that I have a target on my back, I’m surprised that Claude insists on staying by my side, even when things go from bad to worse. I’m determined to keep him out—I’ve lost enough people in my life—but I can’t stop feeling something every time he breaks through.

Claude
When I reunited with my brother, I never imagined it’d throw me right into Alexei Karsynov’s path. He’s short-tempered, stubborn, and dangerously adorable whenever he smiles—he just doesn’t realize it yet.

When Marcus asks me to help with a case, it gives me the excuse I need to get closer to Alexei, but what I discover threatens to change everything. Suddenly, I find myself wanting to do anything to protect Alexei and to see him smile, despite his efforts to keep his distance from others. I’m determined to show him that he can’t live in the past when his future is so much brighter.

How to Elude a Vampire: VRC Book 2, Alice Winters

Yeah, so, I feel like spouting that cliche verse of "How do I love Thee, let me count the ways..." or something.  Seriously.  How, I mean really, how in the world can you have someone as completely adorable, badA, honest, utterly ridiculous, charming, and strong as Finn and not fall head over feels for him?  Marcus can't resist either.  No matter what gets thrown at them, their commitment, intelligence, and hearts won't let them quit or fail.  They've got an utterly fabulous cast surrounding them that I can't get enough of their world.

I think the only negative I have about this book were the number of shady moments with so many characters that felt like trying too hard to throw off the scent for who some of us predicted might be the big, bad villain.  Though, to be honest, it worked.  I had an idea, then thought it might be someone else, and then someone else that may not have been the bad guy but likely played a big role in cahoots with the bad guy, only to have it turn out to be my first suspicion.  So those moments seemed heavy handed, but they were effective enough that the revealing moment was enough of a surprise that I was pleased to have been taken on a little ride.

But there's just no accounting for Finn's level of awesome.  He was incredibly vulnerable here, but the way he used his brain to make connections, plans, and to carry out the shenanigans we've come to expect was made of win.  I really liked his reactions to confinement, chafing at the restrictions placed by those whom he knows love him endlessly, but still giving in to his frustrations enough to be a believable human moment.

And then there's Marcus.  It's like the person we met in How to Vex a Vampire never existed, and watching him "avoid" those not-so-subtle reminders of his treatment of Finn in the beginning was hilarious.  Seeing him come to Finn's "rescue" and giving him exactly what he needed when things became too much was a great example of what their relationship has evolved to, a true partnership.

So then we get to all the moments of rescue.  The emotional one, the mortal one, the puppy rescue...just how many times am I going to be forced to laugh, crow, sigh, and smile in real life?  Even adding all the fun of familial relations, Karsyn's "adoration", and a semi-surprising betrayal didn't do anything to detract from the logical, believable, and anticipatory plot progression.  The investigation flowed even with all the stops and starts, lending an air of credibility to the law enforcement aspect of the whole story.  Not even the monologuing disappointed, and I have to say that was the one true ridiculously big surprise that I didn't even think to expect at all.

I never want to leave their world honestly, and I've even re-read this story in the last week since it's been published despite my super long list of reading commitments.  Reading the associated short stories from the author's FB page is helping to feed my addiction until we come back to more full-length awesomeness.  If you like snarky, vulnerable, hilarious, and sweet MC's with a heavy touch of vampires, detectives doing detective things, and a cast of chosen family that tortures, annoys, and loves the MC's to distraction, then this is absolutely a series I suggest you dive into headfirst.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Finn
When the vampire stalking me sent me a letter, I was prepared for my new life with the man I love to get thrown into chaos. But as the days stretch on and nothing happens, I become determined not to allow that monster to rule my life, and decide that Marcus and I will move on. We can’t always allow the past to haunt us. If that includes pestering Marcus and harassing my fellow detectives, they’d better learn to love it, because I’m not going anywhere even if they like to remind me I’m the only human working in a department filled with vampires. But Marcus loves me for who I am, even if he’s not crazy about the cute pet names I call him like McBitey. Being with him is more than I could have dreamed, and even with the trials thrown in our way, he never fails to make me smile.

Marcus
When Finn joined the VRC, I never expected how everything would change. Now that he’s the brightest part of my days, I’m unsure of how I existed without him. Before Finn and I can settle into our new life together, we’re called in as lead detectives when a body is found in the river, and the case soon hits closer to home than we anticipated. I want to be by Finn’s side to keep him safe, but at the same time, Finn’s fighting for the freedom he’s always wanted after being forced to live a life of fear. What I do know is that my future is with Finn, no matter what happens.

Be Fairy Game: Starfig Investigations Book 2, Meghan Maslow

Being right isn't always a great thing.  That goes for what I was anxious about for this book as well as Twig and Quinn.  The ability to say "I told you so," doesn't feel great when you were hoping for so much more.  There were some incredibly sweet sentiments expressed, a few humorous scenes, and an incredible amount of potential for the series as a whole so the story isn't a total miss, there were just also some immensely disturbing scenes that left me feeling icky and not altogether comfortable.

What I was right about in my fears expressed in my review for book one is the relationship dynamic between Twig and Quinn.  In the name of "empowering" Quinn and not following a more stereotypical dominance dynamic Quinn continually undermines Twig's decisions, makes him doubt his intentions, belittles his instincts, hurts his feelings, and dismisses his fears.  Quinn has lowered in my estimations as a good partner for Twig.

Their whole relationship is a struggle for me, actually.  I'm still in love with their potential and I'm having a difficult time reconciling that with the reality.  There are so many, too many, times that their whole dynamic is brought up to dissect only to be dismissed or interrupted and it leads to too many moments of doubt, hurt, and unresolved frustrations.  There's a power thing going on that's taking a back seat to Quinn's consistent need for secrecy and putting his struggles, his feelings, and his issues above Twig's.  I'm not a fan.

One scene that gave me all kinds of icky feels was where Twig's first time with catching was under the influence of an incubus' magic crazy dust and Quinn's inability to care for Twig.  He's lucid enough to get acknowledge the effect of the powder and to get them to a relatively private space, but once again, his desires, his situation, is far more important than all the fear and hesitation that Twig has expressed over months of being together before this moment.  Just no.  So many times, no.  And then for Twig to reassure and comfort and seek out Quinn's well-being...this can only be a bad thing in the long run.

I don't want to make this a ranty review where it seems I don't like the story because I actually do in a general way and in the view of a series as a whole with fascinating characters and shenanigans that were quite entertaining (Bill's fear of garden gnomes, anyone?).  So in the interest of keeping the ranty bits short, I'll briefly mention the other things that bothered.  Twig's father, the too-quick-to-forgive moment with his mother, the surprising lack of empathy from Twig as we, once again, defer to Quinn's sense of right and wrong when it comes to feeling for and helping misunderstood beings (Twig should be the ring-leader in seeking to help and liberate instead of being uber judgy and needing Quinn to remind him of his own perception parallels), the lack of Twig's backbone with his father's discrimination and machinations, the lack of connections made between really obvious stuff...  I think there are a couple more, but that's quite enough, I feel.

While I don't know how I feel about focusing on Quinn in the next story, I am excited to see where this series is going.  And Bill, his yearning is palpable and when he's not acting like a preachy queen I'm absolutely in love with him and hope to see him get the being who will love him.  Bill's mention of Twig's scent is incredibly intriguing and I'll absolutely stick with this until we get that answer...there are a whole lot of little foretelling bits in relation to Twig and his eventual growth and power that I'm absolutely champing at the bit for and can only hope don't come through Quinn's power or control, but from him on his own and within himself.  I want to see Twig's brain truly engage and to find out what his fae gift is.

The list of things I'm looking forward to is arguably longer than the things that bothered me in this book so it's safe to say that I'm definitely in for more and am committed to sticking with the series and I'll be holding out hope that Twig and Quinn get it together in a way that makes me feel warm and fuzzy instead of apprehensive.

*$4.99 on Amazon

They’re baaacckk!

When a simple ‘find & fetch’ case throws private investigator Twig Starfig and newly-minted wizard, Quinn Broomsparkle, into the middle of an EBI murder investigation, it’s just another day in the Elder Realm.

If murder were Twig’s only problem, he’d be the luckiest half-dragon in the land. Murder he can handle. Fulfilling his promise to his scheming, power-hungry father to run for a seat on Lighthelm’s city council? Meh, he’d rather face a demon with a toothache.

On top of their case going sideways, and Twig running for a council seat he really doesn’t want, Twig and Quinn are forced to face some unpleasant realities about their budding romance, while still learning how to handle the wizard-familiar bond they now share. Throw in a red fury with abysmal taste in boyfriends, a ghost pirate-parrot who drinks too much, a murderer who will stop at nothing to get what they want, a host of new friends and enemies, and you’ve got a situation where no one is safe and everyone is Fairy Game.

Familiar Beginnings: Happy Endings Book 2, Alice Winters

Knowing the crazy from the past isn't done with either Havoc or Miles, I was sure we were in for something rather dark before everything got solved.  That wasn't the case and I think the overall situation was incredibly well done.  Not only do we get some amazing surprises, but we finally get to see some phenomenal power, the power we saw hints of throughout Happy Endings.

Miles has a great head on his shoulders and I've always loved that he knew to think through a problem and not just rely on blasting who or whatever was in his way.  That he also finally came to terms with his guilt and what to do with it was fantastic because it showed an evolution within him that was necessary for him to truly accept the happiness he deserved.

Havoc's heart was actually a surprise.  Not like I couldn't believe it, but a shock in how fervent his feelings were.  The way Miles' memories were shared a lot more in this continuation gave us a lot more depth to their interactions and how deep Havoc's distrust went, that even though he knew something was different about Miles, it's difficult to separate centuries of betrayal and abuse.  Watching them truly share their hearts and minds was a testament to how far they've come together.  His adamant request to Miles was a bit of a surprise, but one of the most touching moments.  We don't get a lot of touchy-feely confessions from the taciturn and flirty demon so in that moment we get to see exactly his level of trust, commitment, and love for Miles.

Seeing all the pieces come together, having various confrontations and battles of the magical type, and the culmination of it all into one vanquishing moment brought everything together in a satisfactory way.  I think what I was most moved by was the softness.  Things really could have gotten crazy and gory with the story's set up but instead we were built on a foundation of feelings, of determination, of bonds.  The snark was softer, the friendships more real, the good more powerful.  This story didn't feel like so many others of this author's work and that is absolutely not a negative in any way for me.  I adored the MC's and wish there were more of them.  I'd happily dive back into their world right now.

*$3.99 on Amazon!

Smart men quit while they’re ahead—they lay low and hope disaster blows on by them. Not me. Especially when disaster seems to follow me and my soulmate Havoc, a demon I bound to me three hundred years ago with my magic.

The dark mage Geoff is back from the dead and creating chaos by devouring the hearts of people with magical abilities, giving him overwhelming power as his followers grow. And since I’m one of the strongest mages alive and am leading the resistance against him, he’s coming for me next. Oh, and it might have something to do with the fact that I was also the one who originally killed him. But you can’t blame me; the guy needed to die.

Havoc and I, along with our unlikely band of… (I don’t want to say heroes, I can’t give them that much credit) annoyances will stop at nothing to end the destruction. It doesn’t hurt that there’s a sexy demon by my side every step of the way. For the first time in three hundred years, I’m finally with the person meant for me, and I will do anything to keep from losing him.

How to Vex a Vampire: VRC: Vampire Related Crimes Book 1, Alice Winters

Yet again, Alice has created a cast I'm absolutely addicted to.  From Finn's shenanigans to Marcus' allowance, to every other vamipre dhampir on the team and in the family, I just can't seem to get enough!  So the story isn't perfect, but I kind of just don't care at all because I had such a good time reading the story.  There were a ton of things to love while there were only a couple issues that reduced "believability"...if one can believe that the world Alice created and the species present is actually, uh, believable.

So on to the praise!!

I'm in awe of how Alice can create a snarky, ridiculous, hilarious, charming, vulnerable lead each and every time and have them still be unique and captivating on their own.  They're all so utterly fantastic.  With Finn we have an incredible amount of vulnerability with his limbs and the cause as well as the fact that his nightmare really isn't over.  And then there are his antics that are stupidly funny and make me wish to be at least a little like him.  His natural setting to annoy and yet charm are what make him endearing to the team that never thought he'd fit.  The way he gets Marcus to go along with his crazy is both confusing and completely obvious, as if there is any other way to be once you get sucked into Finn's orbit.

The dots...so many connections to be made and while there were a couple distracted moments where they should have seen something coming, the connections made along the way were appropriate and no one played the dunce.  No one played the ignorant fool that so many authors use to kind of portray the obliviousness they hope the audience embodies.

Progressing the relationship could have been straightforward, but with characters like Finn and Marcus a lot more work had to go into it all.  I liked how it progressed, that there was a bit of push and pull and then the futility of fighting it brought them crashing together in all their passionate and awkward glory.  There was quite a bit of humor to be had while they were getting up to their sexy times too.  Though I can't say that their sexual chemistry in the actual bedroom was incendiary, there were some amazing moments of tenderness that went a long way to helping Finn appreciate and be open with his physical state and believing Marcus' enjoyment of Finn as a whole being.

There were two main conflicts in the story and they each had enough attention to keep a fluid story line and to give a great lead-in to the continuation.  Except how a college student could create a chemical in a casually-used lab with only a club affiliation and a bunch of textbooks, I'll never know.  Wrapping that up was a bit too tidy with the few pages of explanation before we get to the really big cliffhanger in regards to Finn's other issue.  Overall though, I think the story really worked well and the focus was well-placed all throughout.  I seriously CANNOT WAIT for book two to get here!!!

*$5.00 on Amazon!

Finn
Getting into the vampire-only detective unit was the easy part; what’s going to be more difficult is dealing with my new partner, an ancient vampire who keeps threatening to eat me. The unit has never had a human in it, and Marcus—or as I like to call him, Fangy McFangface—would really prefer to keep it that way. He’s grumpy, short-tempered, and broody, but I have a way with words and I know he’s starting to like me, even if he swears he’s not. But what he doesn’t know is that I didn’t join the unit because I was tired of being a homicide detective, I joined because there is someone after me. They’ve already taken enough from me and I’m afraid they’re going to take all of me if I don’t find someone to help. That’s all Marcus was supposed to be, but now, he’s so much more and I can’t imagine my life without him.

Marcus
The moment the pesky human walked through that door, I knew I had to get rid of him. He’s charming and almost everyone else instantly loves him, but he doesn’t understand how risky it is being part of this unit as a human. But as I get to know the stubborn man, I learn that perhaps he’s not as naive as I once thought. And maybe he’s what I needed to realize there is more to life than just work and my dog. A group arises who is threatening to disrupt the alliance between the humans and the vampires, but Finn is the one who shows me how strong that alliance can be and reminds me why it’s worth protecting. When threats hit closer to home, I realize I would do anything for Finn because he’s brought so much joy to my life—and because he’s mine.

This 105k word book contains: A creative use for undergarments, unintentional splits, a wolfhound who just wants to be a part of things, a vertically challenged human who still manages to wrap every vampire he meets around his little finger, the best date ever, possessiveness, really awkward dancing, some workplace revenge, and just a bite or two. Or three.

Soul Magic: The Triad of Magic Book 3, Macy Blake

Everyone is reeling from the vicious attack and no one more than Cormac.  The seemingly ageless vampire is struggling with something beyond his own control and while I'm not necessarily happy that he's suffering, I do like that there's something dynamic about him.  More than his vampiric nature coming out to protect Simon, he's far more than the staid, compassionate being we've met prior to now.

His struggles don't go unseen however, and it's Liam that offers more than just support, he offers his blood.  Their connection is immediate and intense but while the drama surges all around them they decide keeping that on the low is for the best.  Usually that tactic bothers me to no end, but here it allows them to build something based on depth rather than just lust and blood.  Liam's attention to detail as well as his insight combines well with Cormac's vast knowledge and desire to protect Simon as Liam protects Gray.  Together they make a really great pair and when feelings are finally shared they're intimate, soft, and very sweet.

It's not until the epilogue that you see how they end up though, so if you're looking for a start-to-finish romance between Cormac and Liam, it's there, but their complete evolution isn't spelled out like it is with Simon and Gray.

Simon was how we started the series and Simon is how we "end".  The confrontation is immense, colorful (quite literally), and ran the gamut of emotions from devastating to elation.  It wasn't an easy moment to read but the triumph was extremely hard-won and miraculous.  I really enjoyed reading the process.  It was thought out and detailed in its description so you could follow along and see how all the pieces of the journey up to this point play a part and fit together.  Without the slower pace and minute details described I'd have gotten quite lost.  Anything less would have seemed like a let-down for all the build-up we've had over the course of nearly three books.

The epilogue was perfection to see how every couple has their place, how the young boys turned out in the end, and how vast the love of the entire pack is.  Of all the men, women, and couples we've met, it's Simon and his boys that captivated me the most.  I kind of wish we'd had more of an in-between, but that's merely because I just didn't really want to let the series go.  I'm glad we get another chance to visit some of the characters with Wild Magic, at least I hope we do, because I'm not ready to say goodbye just yet.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Blood runs soul-deep, but found families are forever.

Cormac hasn’t been the same since the night the High Moon Pack was attacked. With his magic weakened, he’s consumed by a bloodlust he hasn’t felt since he first became a vampire. His need to replenish his power makes him a danger to his last remaining family member, and his hunger makes him careless. Feeding from pack beta Liam Benson was supposed to slake his appetite, not leave him craving more.

Liam is drawn to Cormac in ways he can’t explain and as the fight to protect the pack he loves reaches a critical point, his connection to Cormac deepens in a way neither wolf nor vampire anticipated. Will Cormac’s role in the final showdown against the dark forces threatening the pack sever the bond Liam and Cormac have started to weave?

Simon, Gray, and Cormac must fight a being history says shouldn’t exist—one with all three types of magic. The pack must use all their resources to combat the mysterious triad, even turning to the mysterious Conclave of Mages for help. As they learn more about this terrifying dark threat, protecting the pack proves to be riddled with challenges and sacrifices. While Gray attempts to hold his traumatized pack together, Cormac struggles to reconcile his past failures with his current desires, and Simon must attempt the impossible: an alliance between mind, body, and soul.