What's on the Reading Radar? #read #WishList #TBR

 This has been a slow week. Caught a bug and spent several days feeling awful, so not much got done. I did some rereading until I remembered I had the latest There Be Dragons book waiting for me. When I opened my kindle app I had a new release notice for Jennifer Cody. Instantly my attention was diverted. I picked up the book after reading only the first two lines of the blurb.

Title: Inferno 

Series: (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus Book 1)

Author: Jennifer Cody

Length: 260 pages

Genre: Slow Burn Romance / Urban Fantasy / Found Family / Gay

Notes: If you read the paragraph above, you know that I started reading this after only reading a small part of the blurb. You should probably start with the next book on this list, Sledge and Claw, first since it is in the same world with a little overlap and earlier in the timeline. But I didn't realize this and read this one first. Not reading the other didn't diminish my enjoyment of this story, though I would have known who some of the side characters were if I'd started where I should have.

That being said, I enjoyed the story a lot. The world is intricate and the characters unique and compelling. There was a little bit a confusion for me with Ranger/Hunter in the intimacy scene. Things just got jumbled for me. But as with me and my can-take-or-leave the intimacy scenes, I didn't reread to try an parse out what was going on. Everyone had a good time and that was all I really needed to know. The rest I just gobbled up and will probably reread this again in the coming weeks.

The scene with the crossover agents made my eye twitch for a couple of reasons. If I'd read the other book first I would have been able to distinguish the characters better. Lex kept switching between his trainee's names, calling her Gillian or Roberts, and that was what confused me. I thought there was another person in the room when I was trying to keep track of 5 characters and suddenly I thought there was 6. I will admit, the antics of Lex, Tor, Roberts, and the other person Ranger/Hunter was there to meet with really irked me. I was just as incensed as Ranger/Hunter was and had this WTF are they doing moment. But now that I've read the other book I understand the underlying subtext. But I also think that not reading Sledge and Claw first also helped me to see them through Ranger/Hunter's eyes without being colored by foreknowledge.

That being said, I do suggest that you read Sledge and Claw first. At the end of that book is a short about how Ranger/Hunter met his nurse. Questions that I had about the beginning of this book was answered there.

This does leave off on a tenuous HFN and everyone being okay, but as a friend of mine would say, there is a slight cliffy on the last page. But it's nothing that would cause anxiety or heart failure. 

Blurb: Ranger/Hunter:

After an encounter with gremlins that almost kills one of my avatars, I’m forced to get involved with the government agency that enforces the laws that govern non-humans on Earth. The Inter-dimensional Immigration Agency—IDIA, according to the office agent assigned to my case—has a vested interest in me. I’m a species that they’ve only just discovered, and I have a few gifts that I shouldn’t. Plus, I’ve been doing the work of a field agent for more than a decade, and they want to recruit me into the fold. It may be time I start getting paid for my efforts, but I’ll only agree to it if they can respect the family I’ve built and the people I’m protecting. If they want my loyalty, they’re going to have to earn it.

Inferno is an MM Urban Fantasy in the Hammer and Fist series. For a more informed reader experience, read Sledge and Claw (Hammer and Fist Lextalion Book 1) first, or explore the world for the frist time with Ranger/Hunter for a fun adventure into magic and inter-dimensional mayhem.

Title: Sledge and Claw
Series: (Hammer and Fist Book 1)

Author: Jennifer Cody

Length: 281 pages

Genre: Slow Burn Romance / Urban Fantasy / Gay

Notes: When I read the back matter of Inferno, I realized that I missed another release and started reading this. LOL. Again, I only read the first couple of lines of the blurb before diving in. I found Roberts utterly annoying at the beginning. She grew on me, and I better understood her motives before I was halfway into the story, but her intrusion into a private matter with Lex in that beginning will probably always rub me wrong.

Lex is a complex and interesting character. The balance between him and his monster side was well done and kept me on my toes. The plot was fast paced with there never being a dull moment.

There is a cliff hanger warning, but if you read past the end to the snap shot of the next book in this series, that cliff will be alleviated for you.

Blurb: 

Lex:

I work, I sleep, I fuck. That's what I do.

My alphabet soup agency recruited me because of my unique blend of magic and innate talent, but those come with a steep price and it’s getting harder to pay with every investigation.

I never thought Knoxville would be the place that kills me, but between someone targeting me to get me fired (or start a war; could go either way), taking on a naïve new trainee, and investigating a non-human trafficking ring, it looks like I'm about to bite off more than I can chew.

The question is, can I figure out what’s going on before it all blows up in my face?

Sledge and Claw is an MM Urban Fantasy with triggers for the horrors of slave trafficking and consent issues. There also happens to be a cliffhanger ending.

Title: The Dragon Experiment
Series: (Here Be Dragons Book 3)

Author: Louisa Masters

Length: 229 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: #reading This series has been pretty angst free. There isn't any action/adventure like in the other one and is focused on the romance between the MCs. This one, the love interests are such an unlikely pairing. As of the writing of this post, I'm only about 15% in but I'm not sure I see how these two are going to fall in love. Though they are similar in a way. The blurb makes this sound as if there is only one POV but there are two so you get both sides. 

Blurb: Who knew sleeping around could save the entire species?

I’m a simple dragon. Give me knowledge, give me research, give me rings for my hoard, and give me athletic men who want to get sweaty between the sheets… or anywhere else. Those things make me happy. Other things… well, who cares about those?

Turns out, I should have cared. Or at least paid attention. Because I somehow signed up for a scientific study run by a shy, nerdy sorcerer with the body of a god. And the study just happens to be about my favorite form of exercise.

It doesn’t take long for me to know I want to do more than science with Rhys. I’ve never been the kind of dragon to mix feelings with fun, but Rhys could be the one person who meets all my needs, even if he won’t wear a ring on every finger.

But when his research becomes more important than any of us could have imagined, our relationship enters a new phase. Now it’s up to me to show Rhys how much he’s worth… both to me and to the future of his species.

Title: Seducing the Sorcerer

Series: 

Author: Lee Welch

Length: 261 pages

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Gay

Notes: I'm thinking about this one. New-to-me author so I'm not sure how much angst is in the story which is about 90% of what is holding me back. I can't always tell by the sample if books are for me or not, but I sent myself a sample.

Blurb: Homeless and jobless, Fenn Todd has nearly run out of hope. All he has left is his longing for horses and the strength of his own two hands. But when he’s cheated into accepting a very ugly sackcloth horse, he’s catapulted into a world of magic, politics and desire.

Fenn’s invited to stay at the black tower, home of the most terrifying man in the realm: Morgrim, the court sorcerer. Morgrim has a reputation as a scheming villain, but he seems surprisingly charming—and sexy—and Fenn falls hard for him.

However, nothing is as it seems and everyone at the tower is lying about something. Beset by evil hexes, violent political intrigue and a horse that eats eiderdowns, Fenn must make the hardest choices of his life.

Can a plain man like Fenn ever find true love with a scheming sorcerer?

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

What's on the Reading Radar? #read #TBR #WishList

It's been a busy-not-busy week. Trying to get some world building changed, plotting fixed, and figure out systems for something-that-is-secret. So yeah, the week sped by and suddenly the weekend was looming. 

Reading had been alright. I got some new reads in last week but forgot about the Radar. This week, I've been rereading what used to be old favorites only to run into so, so many glaring problems. It was a reminder why I don't read certain things anymore. I'm always really disappointed when books don't stand up to the 'test of time'. So much misogyny in some of these old used-to-be-favorites that it hurts, but it can also be a measuring rod for how my views have changed, how I won't overlook things like I used to, and well, just a lot of me changing, which is not a bad thing.

The reading that I did before rereading was good though and covered a wide range of things. LOL

Title: Never Trust A Guy With Fangs 

Series: (Covens of Eaton Falls Book 1)

Author: Mia Monroe

Length: 325

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Vampires / Witches / Gay

Notes: This is a new to me author and I do love vampires. It was a fun story with the majority of the plot being very strong on the romance and relationship between the two MCs. The action/adversary side of the story, the MCs were reactionaries instead of proactive, but that worked for the story since it was mainly about their forbidden relationship. 

Blurb: Waking up in my enemy’s bed is just the start of my problems.

The first rule of being a witch: don’t trust the vampires. My entire life has been filled with stories of our warring covens. We tenuously coexist in the New England city of Eaton Falls, where the locals think we’re merely the stuff of fairy tales and horror movies.

We live life as the mortals do, keeping our magic behind the scenes. Everything is fine until the day I wake up inside notorious Eaton Manor, in the bed of none other than the sexy and terrifying head vampire, Augustus Rainier, with no memory of how I got there.

His presence makes my skin tingle and my heart beat just a little faster. I know the inherent danger of associating with violent, often unpredictable vampires. I’ve got bigger problems, though, when I discover my coven is in hiding, leaving me on my own.

When danger shows up at Eaton Manor, it becomes clear it’s not only the witches in trouble. Both covens need to decide: do we fight separate battles against the same enemy or break every rule in our history and join forces to defeat a common foe? The other major question—will possessive and domineering Augustus let me go when this is over?

Never Trust A Guy With Fangs is an MM paranormal romance. It is book one in the Covens of Eaton Falls series featuring a rebellious twink of a witch with eternal optimism, an edgy vampire with a strong mistrust of witches, two stubborn and quirky covens, a threat from an unknown enemy, and a dangerous desire that could tear apart tradition, all in a beautiful New England backdrop. It is not a standalone.

Title: Mist and Marrow 

Series: (Breaking Tradition Book 2)

Author: Mary Calmes

Length: 318

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Omegaverse (not mpreg) / Gay

Notes: Omegavereses are not light and fun reads. For me, they can be painful and I usually avoid them unless they are tagged with 'light and fluffy'. This omegaverse world is rife with injustices that people are now trying to fix, but that isn't the core of this story, though it's part of the series plot arc. There are trigger warnings and if you're in a light and fluffy state of mind, don't read this book. On most days, I wouldn't be able to read this myself because my heart is quite squishy. :)

I enjoyed the first book of this series and that is where we meet Linden and Wade. Linden's backstory is heart rending but his strength of character is what helped me keep reading. He has built something that he's proud of since being technically emancipated, and he's a character who I really liked. I liked Wade, too, and was so interested to see how these two worked since Wade was not a shifter. There was a bit of a mystery here that I didn't even try to guess at and just went with the flow. I really enjoyed the story, romance, and outcome, though I don't think this will be a reread simply because Linden's backstory hurts the heart and can make one ragey about a world that would overlook injustices like he suffered. 

Blurb: Linden Van Doren is in a strange position. He’s an emancipated omega holding down two jobs, so he should be out from under anyone’s thumb but in reality, there are still weird lupine rules to follow. For instance, if an alpha wants to court him, he’s not allowed to say no. If that same alpha asks for his hand in bonding, however, as there’s no contract that anyone holds but him, he can certainly say no to that. And would. He trusts no alpha to keep their word even though they’re the only ones who could make his dreams come true. It’s all very confusing and a bit ridiculous but until all omegas are free to do whatever they want with their lives, his odd circumstances are the norm. He’s also doing his very small part to help others—and that just became a problem.

Wade Massey is a homicide detective with the Chicago PD. He’s partners with Avery Davenport, which puts him in close, continual contact with Avery’s friend, Linden Van Doren. Wade isn’t sure what it is about Linden that drives him nuts. And annoying the hell out of the stunning omega should make Wade want to stay away from him. The problem is, he can’t seem to do that. Besides, Linden needs a keeper. Wade has never actually met anyone who needs someone looking out for them more and really, no one but Wade can be trusted to do it and keep their hands off the tantalizing man.

When the FBI comes knocking because omegas have gone missing, Wade finds out that Linden has been far more active in the fight to help other omegas than he imagined. When both men are drafted to help, they are suddenly thrown together in a situation where, for once, neither of them can walk away. Wade’s been great at making excuses and Linny’s been fantastic about hiding his feelings. None of that works anymore.

Linden knows he wants Wade—he knew the night the possessive human carried him out of hell—but loving someone who can never return his feelings is stupid and Linden’s finished with that. Wade’s never been attracted to a man before and perhaps it’s not desire or lust, but simply his protective instincts gone wild. If neither of them can be brave, there’s no hope for the future. But perhaps just winnowing through the mist of confusion down to the marrow where the truth lies will set them both free.


Trigger Warning: Discussion of repeated sexual abuse of a main character, including when he was a minor. No abuse occurs on page.

Title: Big 3

Series: Multiple Love, 1

Author: Stephanie Brother

Length: 236 pages

Genre: Romance / Contemporary / RH

Notes: This is my first Stephanie Brother's book, though I've seen them around for years. I will probably read more. I enjoyed the FMC, though I did expect them to get caught long before they did. It was a fun story and I picked up the next one in the series. I wonder if she writes paranormal?

Blurb: I didn’t know I had three ripped, gorgeous stepbrothers until I’d already crossed the mind-blowing line.

A sexy photoshoot is not supposed to end with the model showing me all of his best positions. Especially not so soon after my break up. After what my ex did, I’ve concluded that men aren’t worth my time or trust.

Except Mason is fun and sexy as hell. When he smiles, his dimples and blue eyes melt a little bit of the ice inside me, and when he takes his shirt off, well damn! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more sculpted body in real life.

I resist his flirtation until I’ve had a few drinks. Then my body silences my brain. It tells me that it’s time to have some fun. And it is.

Oh, it is.

More fun than I’ve ever had. More than I actually think I can bear.
But when I wake, Mason is gone, and I’m feeling sore in more ways than one. I bury the ache in my heart and head to my mom’s beach house for brunch and to meet my stepbrothers for the first time.
Coming face to face with Mason over coffee and bacon is humiliating enough. Finding out he’s an identical triplet and that there are now three sexy alpha-holes to avoid is three times the misery. It’s easy to think the worst of them, but Miller is as perceptive as he is gorgeous, and Max, with his tattoos and piercings, shows me just how protective a man can be.

They warm my heart and show me that there’s so much more to relationships than heartache until trouble rears its ugly head, and everything falls apart.

BIG 3 is a Reverse Harem Stepbrother Romance with a happy ever after ending. It's book 1 in the Multiple Love Series, standalone romances with characters who continue to make appearances!

Title: The Fallen King's Penitent Soldier 

Series: (Tales of the High Court Book 5)

Author: Megan Derr

Length: 437

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Gay / Redemption Arc / 

Notes: After reading this series, I was dying to get into Chass's head. I already knew that I wasn't a fan of the parents and seeing them from this angle just sealed the deal. If I was Serica (I probably spelled that wrong) I would go all High King on the Queen of Gaulden. I find her just vile.

This doesn't skirt Chass's past actions with Alan but plows throw and he owns it and every other terrible thing he's done. This redemption arc is awesome. I wasn't sure about Desmond though there have been glimpses of his character through the series, you don't get any kind of vibes about him. I really liked him and these two together, absolutely.

On a side note, the world building in this is series is fantastic. The religion/pantheon details for the different countries is just... so much thought went into that and those detail gave this book a depth to the characters that pushed the story out of good into fantastic. 

Blurb: The youngest son of a despised king, thrust upon a throne he never wanted, Desmond nevertheless tried to be a good monarch to Benta. Despite his efforts, the rebels discontent with him and the alliance with the Harken Empire have taken control, and Desmond's private guards are either dead or turned traitor. On the verge of being executed, Desmond gets an unexpected rescue from Harken, in the form of the fearsome Penance Gate mercenaries and the beautiful, brutal man who leads them.

Beneath the shining edifice of every empire is a foundation of violence and pain, and Chass has always done his duty to Harken by being the bastard who endures and metes out both. He is used to being hated, and does not deny he deserves it. But in the aftermath of rescuing the enchanting, compelling Desmond, he wishes more than ever that he could be the noble hero just once, instead of the monster good only for spreading terror.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

What's on the Reading Radar? #WishList #TBR

I have no idea what I want to put on the Radar this week. I've been rereading and crawling my way through a couple of audiobooks. I'm in this gray space where I want to read, I have started a couple of books and though I like them well enough, I'm just in the mood for a different storyline. What that storyline is, I don't know. Not that I have to the time to become absorbed into something. My niece is visiting this weekend, so it's not like I'm going to have the time anyway.

So, I'm going to go with a Wish List list today. :)

Title: Mazarin Blues
Series: Hep Cats of Boise, 1

Author: Al Hess

Length: 285 pages

Genre: Science Fiction

Notes: I'd heard this is really good and has LGBTQ+ representation. I'm hoping that isn't as angsty as it sounds.

Blurb: Having an obnoxious AI in your head will really cramp your style, daddy-o.

 Introvert Reed Rothwell is part of a subculture of art deco era enthusiasts, pushing back against bland mainstream society and its mandated technology. Stuck with an AI assistant in his head is bad enough, but when he's inflicted with a forced upgrade to a new beta version, named Mazarin, the navigator starts to take on feelings and opinions of his own.​

When rumors spread of beta navs turning on their pilots, Reed is determined not to become a victim. Mazarin hasn’t become violent yet—the AI is sympathetic and understanding—but with beta participants coerced into slitting their own throats, it’s only a matter of time before Reed is next.

The AI megacorporation already has an unhealthy interest in Reed, and all the beta testers who have sought help for their navigators have disappeared. The swingin' cats of the deco scene have the means to illegally terminate Reed's AI. But Mazarin has never tried to harm Reed—he loves Reed.

Grappling with ridding himself of intrusive technology, the morality of hurting his self-aware AI, and avoiding the attention of a company that wants to sweep Reed’s existence under the rug might be too much for one hep cat to handle.

Title: The Reaper Incarnate
Series: Reaped, 1

Author: CA Rene

Length: 155 pages

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Dark Comedy / RH

Notes: I asked for a reaper recommendation and this was one of them.

Blurb: The Reaper is hot on your tail, What have you done? You’ve made it onto her list, Who did you hurt? The hunt is just the beginning, How far can you run? Your soul is hers to reap, Where can you hide? Watch out for her scythe, Why do you cry? The life of a vigilante is meant to be a lonely one, Roaming darkened streets and collecting secrets. Until the four of them forced their way into mine, Stirring up feelings I didn’t know I had. But if they try to fuck with my plans, My pretty knife will be through their throats and my bloody scythe on their foreheads.

Title: The Alien Emissary
Series: Interspecies Alliances, 1

Author: Eryn Ivers

Length: 94 pages

Genre: Romance / Alien / Gay

Notes:

Blurb: The metal tentacles tightened around Bryant’s wrists and for the first time in years he finally felt...safe.

When Bryant breaks into the ship of a powerful Qeshian emissary, he knows he might get caught. But he needs the money to save his daughter, and for her anything is worth the risk.

What Bryant doesn’t know is that Emissary Serihk can see everything that happens on his ship, and he’s got enough flex metal tentacles packed into its every nook and cranny to do something about it.

But when Serihk has Bryant bound and kneeling on the floor, the feelings the human brings out in him are far from vengeful...

Title: Never Trust a Guy with Fangs
Series: Coven of Eaton Falls, 1

Author: Mia Monroe

Length: 325 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Vampires / Witches / Gay

Notes: I've been looking forward to this one. The cover is different since I saved this when it was on pre-order.

Blurb: Waking up in my enemy’s bed is just the start of my problems.

The first rule of being a witch: don’t trust the vampires. My entire life has been filled with stories of our warring covens. We tenuously coexist in the New England city of Eaton Falls, where the locals think we’re merely the stuff of fairy tales and horror movies.

We live life as the mortals do, keeping our magic behind the scenes. Everything is fine until the day I wake up inside notorious Eaton Manor, in the bed of none other than the sexy and terrifying head vampire, Augustus Rainier, with no memory of how I got there.

His presence makes my skin tingle and my heart beat just a little faster. I know the inherent danger of associating with violent, often unpredictable vampires. I’ve got bigger problems, though, when I discover my coven is in hiding, leaving me on my own.

When danger shows up at Eaton Manor, it becomes clear it’s not only the witches in trouble. Both covens need to decide: do we fight separate battles against the same enemy or break every rule in our history and join forces to defeat a common foe? The other major question—will possessive and domineering Augustus let me go when this is over?

Never Trust A Guy With Fangs is an MM paranormal romance. It is book one in the Covens of Eaton Falls series featuring a rebellious twink of a witch with eternal optimism, an edgy vampire with a strong mistrust of witches, two stubborn and quirky covens, a threat from an unknown enemy, and a dangerous desire that could tear apart tradition, all in a beautiful New England backdrop. It is not a standalone.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

What's on the Reading Radar? #read #TBR #WishList

It's sort of weird that it's already April, but I love how the weather is warming up. I'm looking forward to outdoor activities, even if it's just sitting in a chair on the porch. :)

So, I have a lot to say about a series that I've been reading. If you've seen the last two Radars, you already know which one I'm talking about. If you haven't and are curious, here are a couple of quick links to the posts. Last week. The week before that.

I was going to talk about both the books under the notes of one, but decided against that because I don't want there to be confusion.

Title: Capture

Series: Shattered Pawns, 2

Author: Jennifer Cody

Length: 307 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Pantheons & Gods / S&M (see triggers at the end of the blurb) / Gay

Notes: I have to admit, I was a little worried going into this, and it mainly had to do with the S&M and the complete power exchange. Qis has spent three years in Erroll's tender care. In the first book of the series, Tio hurries to free his brother after Erroll is dealt with, so you know what state Qis was found in and it pulls at all the heart strings. I'm not an S&M expert but I've read it a few times and I feel that how these two eased into their relationship was believable for these two characters. I wasn't really sure how much I would like Monet, but I grew into him. Now, full disclosure, I did skip all sex scenes and any S&M play they had which were not short scenes whatsoever (LOLOLOL) but skipping that did not hinder the flow or understanding of the plot, which was insanely crazy in all the best ways. (At least for me.) Loved it. The plot is what keeps bringing me back even when I'm not keen on other parts of the story. There is a sort of cliffhanger-but-not, at the end. It made me glad that the next book was already out or I'd urge you to just skip the last two pages.  

Blurb: Monet:

Qis is everything I have ever desired in a mate. The lovely little snake shifter ticks all my boxes: the ones that make me want to wrap him up in a warm blanket and the ones that make me want to blanket him myself. I’d love to bathe in the ache of his tortured soul. His emotional pain calls to the most basic desires I have. What I want—no, what I need more than anything else is to take care of him. I’m going to connect with him; I’m going to make him feel his pain and learn to love it. I’ll shatter him from the inside out and then put the pieces back together just the way he needs them.

War is coming to Houston, and I’m the man Fate sent to defend the city. Who better than an Ouroboros to stand by my side?

Qis:

Meeting Monet forces me to look in the mirror, but all I see is a stranger. Not just the person on the inside; the man on the outside is just as foreign. I don’t know if I trust him as much as he wants me to, but giving him my heart, soul, and body isn’t a choice. The Fates have woven our strings together, and they don’t seem to care how weird that is. He shatters me and feeds my soul, but time is running out on us.

My father is bringing war to Houston, and Monet has to be there. I may not know how I can help, but I’ll stand by his side to the end and devour anyone that gets in my way.

Capture is a continuation of the story begun in Pass: Shattered Pawns Book One. This is not a standalone. Expect to uncover more of the overarching plot centered around a war between the gods, plenty of flaming hot scenes between a Dom and his sub, and find out the reason Qis is the favorite brother.

Trigger Warning:

Human readers:

This book contains fictional scenes of torture, physical and psychological trauma, and actions that humans consider war crimes. It also depicts a loving, healing, consensual, fulltime complete power exchange D/s relationship involving sadomasochism, including things such as knife and blood play and biting. If you are concerned about any of these, please proceed with caution.

Non-human readers:

This book contains scenes of war time actions, as well as standard, consensual, primal mating behaviors between an Ouroboros and a Seraph.

Title: Promote

Series: Shattered Pawns, 2

Author: Jennifer Cody

Length: 471 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Pantheons & Gods / Dominance/submission / Spanking / Age Gap / Gay

Notes: I went into this thinking this was the last book in the series. It isn't and I didn't know this until I got to the end and read the author's note. Dude! That aside, I enjoyed this pairing much more than anticipated. I'd grown to like Kim and Ryan became interesting in book two. I have to say that I really, really liked Ryan. At one point I wondered if I would have to suspend disbelief since he was just under 19 and a Dom, but it just worked for him. I also really enjoyed that Kim didn't have to change, his monotone delivery wasn't 'cured'. Again with the sex, I only read a couple of the scenes and everything flowed fine before and after the skipped ones.

At the end of this, the author gives you a glimpse into the future to reassure the reader that things will work out fine, even with the multiple WTFs that came in the chapter before. I think the last book will be out this summer. So this isn't the last time you'll hear me talk about this series. It's a wild, wild ride with lots of moving parts and really powerful individuals who, if they get their act together can save the universe.

Would I recommend this series? Yeah, I would and remind you that you need to start with the Diviner's Game series. Even if you're like me and not enthusiastic about some parts, they can be skipped/skimmed. The overall story is well worth it. 

Blurb: Kim:

Overseeing the Houston Hub of the Non-human Community comes with challenges I couldn’t have predicted even if I’d bothered looking into my own future. Pixies and gods are dropping all around me, and trying to pin down the person responsible is giving me a headache. When Ryan Reinhardt barrels into my life, I’m too busy and too distracted to give in to his flirting, but Ryan’s not the type to let me ignore him. No matter what else is happening, Ryan can turn every eye toward him–if that’s what he wants. He’s personable, charismatic, and fun–everything I’m not, but for some reason, Fate has chosen me for him. Fear isn’t an emotion I’m very familiar with, but mating Ryan? That scares me more than the Diviner trying to turn Houston to rubble.

Ryan:

It takes me less than a day to turn the non-human community on its head. Scratch that, I have this community jumping to obey within four hours. I didn’t mean to target their overseer; I had no intention of getting involved at all, but the moment I laid eyes on Kim Marduke, I knew he was the one for me. Fated mates; it’s a non-human thing apparently. I may not have planned to become the queen of Houston, but I’m nothing if not adaptable. Fighting against an insane Diviner might get us all killed, but fighting for him to preserve my mate bond? Well, I can’t complain if I don’t exist. The Void is calling, and we’re all going to answer the summons.

This is NOT A STANDALONE and it has a not-really-a-cliffhanger ending. This book is the third book of the Shattered Pawns series and should be read in order. This is an MM paranormal romance with BDSM themes between consenting adult partners with a significant age-gap. Triggers include one scene of religious homophobia, very mild violence against a homosexual teen, and war.

Title: Black Friday

Series: The Valen's Legacy, 1

Author: Jan Stryvant

Length: 224 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Polyamory

Notes: #reading This was suggested to me earlier in the week and so far, I'm really enjoying it. There are 18 books to the series so I don't have to worry about when the next one will release. I've read the blurb on a few and this seems like it will be fun. :)

Blurb: In his junior year at college, studying for his computer science degree, the only things on Sean's mind are doing his homework and getting out of college to get a real job and finally escape the utter poverty he's lived in since his father was killed in an industrial accident when Sean was only eight years old. A gamer and a bit of a nerd, Sean's philosophy in life has been to keep his head down and get his work done, he doesn't have the time or money for anything more.

But when a failed kidnapping attempt leaves him with a gaping hole in his memory, his oldest friend dead, and his mother missing, Sean suddenly finds his whole world turned upside down as he's suddenly thrust into the hidden world of magic and the supernatural. Apparently he's now wanted, dead or alive, by all of the magical societies, though he has no idea why. About the only thing going for him is what his friend did for him just before he died, and the cute track star that lives in the room next to his, that has suddenly taken a very personal interest in his problems.

WARNING: "Black Friday" contains explicit sexuality, nudity, violence, bad language, attempted murder, actual murder, self-defense, pro-active self-defense, destruction of private property, arson, tantric magic, polyamory, mayhem, gratuitous sex and violence, littering, jay-walking, firearms, a racist goblin, an honest lawyer, and a kindly old gossip who likes to give cookies to kids.

Title: Spark Fate

Series: The Shifting Fate series, 1

Author: Tessa Hale

Length: 264 pg

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / RH

Notes: In a RH book group, I asked for recommendations. (copy of what I requested below) And I was told this matched my requestion 100%. I guess we'll see! #TBR

"Whatcha got for grim reaper harems or perhaps necromancers!

Good with MM or FF in the harem
Don't care how many there are
Love cinnamon rolls and caregivers are a plus
Love me a good plot.

No noncon or dubcon or BDSM
Not too much angst
No bully"

Blurb: It was supposed to be a fresh start. A completely blank slate in a place where no one knew about the tragedy that ripped her family apart six months ago. A tragedy Rowan can’t help but blame herself for.

Now the only thing she wants is to blend in. To escape the house that has become more like a prison. Her new school is her only hope. Somewhere she can pretend she’s just like everyone else.

Only Rowan doesn’t realize how unique she is. Holden is the first to recognize it, but he’s not the last.

Rowan can’t explain the draw she feels to the guys who have found their way into her life. The way something seems to spark the first moment she touches each of them. How it almost hurts to walk away from them at the end of each day.

Things are changing, from the ripple of power humming just below her skin to this new family she’s finding herself a part of. But not all of the changes are good.

Someone doesn’t like the power Rowan is stepping into or the bonds she’s forming with the guys who have gifts as rare and strong as her own. And when the truth is revealed, it has the power to burn everything in its wake…

**Book one in a continuing three-book series. A reverse harem, why choose romance. Think fated mates, a heroine who has no idea just how special she is, broody, swoony, crazy protective heroes, and a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.**

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!