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

Y'all are going to laugh, but I spent the week rereading Murderbot Diaries again. I can't help it. Some of my pre-orders showed up this week. I'm excited about them, so we'll see how it goes after I finish this read-thru out Murderbot... LOL

Title: The Stolen Court

Series: Unbreakable Soldiers, 3

Author: Megan Derr

Length: 315 pages

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Ace / Bisexual /

Notes: I'm really excited for this. I'm thinking about reading the first two books to refresh my memory, though if I'm impatient, I'll just jump in. I adore this cover. ADDED note: so after I created this post, I decided that I would test the waters and see if I needed to reread the first two books. Then stayed up until 1 a.m. reading. There are enough reminders to give you pertinent background information. So, no, I didn't need to reread and I'm loving the story. As of this update, I'm at 52% and will probably finish before this post goes live. :)

Blurb: Bertin is a liar and a thief. Once an orphan on the street stealing purses, his life was forever changed when he saved a boy's life—and then became that boy to the rest of the world. But one lie always leads to another, and life as a Belemeren spy planted in the Engineer Corp has led him to the role of liaison in Ruemri, a kingdom he helped Ruemri's enemies steal.

His primary duty is to watch King Sesta, which means he is himself watched by the whole of Ruemri's royal court. For a man used to being overlooked and ignored, the situation is a living nightmare. That situation is further worsened when he receives word of an unspecified terrible event that is going to take place—and then the last person he expected arrives, bringing Bertin's past and secrets with him.

Title: Changeling

Series: Outcast Mates

Author: Lee Colgin

Length: 244 pages

Genre: Romance / Historical Fantasy / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: I've been looking forward to this since I read Mongrel.

Blurb: Dominus—an incubus who runs a brothel called The Twig & Berries—is bored with his life and customers alike.

Sebastian—a changeling faerie swapped at birth for a human infant—is reeling with the knowledge of his true heritage. Unsafe among humans, he travels north to meet others of his kind.

But danger lurks, and when Sebastian is forced to hunker down with Dominus for safe harbor, the tension between them flares hot.

Sebastian is the only person that’s piqued Dominus’s interest in ages, but he’s fae. And Dominus has reason to despise faeries.

Forced together as trespassers infiltrate the territory, will enemies become lovers or will a curse keep them apart forever?

***

Changeling is an MM Paranormal Fantasy Romance featuring enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, a steamy love story, lamb on a stick, and surprise visitors from other novels. If you enjoyed Beneath the Opal Arc, this book's for you.

Title: Blood of the Pack

Series: Dark Ink Tattoo, 1

Author: Cassie Alexander

Length: 158 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Bisexual

Notes: this was saved in my interested folder. I've never read this author before so not sure what to expect. BTW, what does 'strong sexual situations' actually mean? 

Blurb: Angela: I know fear well. It’s had me looking over my shoulder since the day I ran from The Pack, Nevada’s most dangerous werewolf motorcycle gang. I’ve had seven years to build a life and my tattoo parlor with the help of my best artist, Jack. But I’m living on borrowed time. My ex-boyfriend may still be in prison, but that won’t stop him from getting what he wants — our son.

Jack: I want her, I crave her, but I can never have her. So I wait and watch from the shadows. But when a friend is murdered by the same gang that’s threatening Angela, I vow that they will never touch her. Their blood will be mine first.

She’s a wolf backed into a corner.
He’s a vampire on a tight leash.

Welcome to Dark Ink Tattoo, where needles aren't the only things that bite.

Blood of the Pack is the first book in the Dark Ink Tattoo series -- it's a scorching paranormal in the vein of Sons of Anarchy, with strong sexual situations and bisexual MCs.

Title: Plaidypus

Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count)

Author: RJ Blain

Length: 

Genre: Urban Fantasy 

Notes: The release date for this has been pushed around a couple of times, from 11/2021 to 01/2022, the last that I heard. I thought I'd missed it's release but I didn't. The release was pushed back to May. I'm okay with that.

Blurb: After a close encounter of the hotspot kind, Nadine’s paws are full figuring out how to feed her thirsty vampire of a brother, trying to convince the CDC she actually can be a shapeshifter infected with the lycanthropy virus, and dodging the pack of crazy women out for her blood—or her brother’s body.

She’s not sure if they want her or her brother, but she doesn’t want to find out.Nadine knows one thing for certain: her backwater town is too small for everybody coming to pay her family of two a visit. Maybe she doesn’t have a male platypus’s venomous spurs, but she’s ready to put up a fight to protect her brother, and not even the sexy plaid-clad stranger strutting his stuff is going to lure her away from home.

Assuming she’ll be given a choice in the matter is only the first of her mistakes.

Warning: this novel contains the mythical plaidypus and other deadly puns, romance, bodies, a minimum of two Canadians, and a mandatory magical adventure to Australia. Proceed with caution.

Plaidypus can be read as a standalone.

Title: The Vampire and His Pleasant Companion

Series: Vol 1

Author: Narise Konohara

Length: 238 pages

Genre: Manga

Notes: I've been wanting to read this for a while.

Blurb: Since becoming a vampire, Albert’s life has fallen into an unchanging cycle-day to night, bat to vampire, USA to…Japan? After a mishap at a meat-processing plant in Nebraska, bat-Al is flash-frozen alongside his midday snack and shipped to a foreign land! Explaining to police how he really ended up wandering naked is out of the question, not to mention he doesn’t know a word of Japanese! Al will have to rely on the kindness (?) of his new companions if he’s going to get by in Tokyo-that is, if he can convince them he’s the bat!

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

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

Hello, February!

I'm kind of glad we are out of January. It's not my favorite month mostly because it's typically the coldest month of the year and the dreariest when it comes to sunlight and spending time outside. You would think that I would get a chance to read more because all of that, but it's usually not the case.

I finished the relisten to the Murderbot Diaries and contemplated another go with it. Surprisingly, I was browsing reading recommendations and download a book that lead to me reading something completely different.

Title: The Rabbit's Foot

Series: The Wald Pack, 1

Author: Parker Williams

Length: 186 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: This a non-ABO paranormal romance. It was refreshing to read one without the ABO dynamics (that I'm really not interested in reading about nowadays). This is a little bit on the dark side in relation to what happens in the labs. In a some romances you'll know the lab experiments happened and that they were awful with the details glossed over. This doesn't do that so be prepared to hear about the details. Those details have a profound effect on Alp and it isn't something that gets swept under the carpet with a "it happened but he's fine" mentality. There is some struggle and it's appropriately addressed in thoughtful realistic way. There were some really delightful side characters, Cece being my favorite. Since I really enjoyed this, I picked up Cultivating Caden.

Blurb: All rabbit shifter Alpin Dawkins wanted was some peace and quiet. Being kidnapped and trundled off to a lab to undergo six years of sadistic experiments wasn’t what he had in mind. And now all he wants is to go home.

Although Malachi Kurian spent years training to be a First, the leader of his wolf pack, he had no desire to be at anyone’s beck and call, so he ran. Life as a lone wolf worked out great - until the night he heard the screams.

He might have escaped, but Alp is certain this time he’s going to die. When a wolf kills his pursuers, Alp fears he's about to be on the menu.

He never expects the wolf will save him, or come to love him.

Now all they have to do is rescue the others still held in the labs….

Title: The Cloud Roads

Series: The Books of Raskura, 1

Author: Martha Wells

Length: 290 pages

Genre: Fantasy / Sci-Fi

Notes: Since I loved Murderbot so much, I looked up Martha Wells' backlist and decided to give this one a go. I bought the audibook along with the ebook. I'm hoping the choice of narrators for this series is better than the Murderbot series, but if not, I will have the ebook to read.

Blurb: Moon has spent his life hiding what he is — a shape-shifter able to transform himself into a winged creature of flight. An orphan with only vague memories of his own kind, Moon tries to fit in among the tribes of his river valley, with mixed success. Just as Moon is once again cast out by his adopted tribe, he discovers a shape-shifter like himself... someone who seems to know exactly what he is, who promises that Moon will be welcomed into his community. What this stranger doesn't tell Moon is that his presence will tip the balance of power... that his extraordinary lineage is crucial to the colony's survival... and that his people face extinction at the hands of the dreaded Fell! Now Moon must overcome a lifetime of conditioning in order to save and himself... and his newfound kin.

Title: Minotaur

Series: Sex with Monsters

Author: Kaye Draper

Length: 23 pages

Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance

Notes: I'm not sure I would say these are romances. They are erotic short stories that follow one character. There might be a love interest plot arc later if I'm following the little hints correctly. Or perhaps it's wishful thinking on my part. These are quick reads that let you get through the story without worrying about finding a place to breakaway.

Blurb: Looking for a quickie?

A paranormal escort service. That kind of thing can’t possibly exist, right?

But I’ve learned that otherkin are real, and my mage boss insists that sometimes they need a little quality time with a convenient, willing human body. My next client is a little less human than the first two were. But big, awkward bull-men need love too, right?

This short story is just under 6,300 words.

Author’s Note

The Sex With Monsters collection is a series of erotic short stories. While they will flow better if read in order, they can also be enjoyed as bite-sized stand-alone stories. Each story will outline an encounter with a new paranormal creature. Have a creature you want to see featured? Visit me on social media and let me know!

*Includes explicit language, and graphic sex scenes.
*Stories may contain MF, FF, MM, and menage or poly situations. (Love is love!)
*Stories may contain characters of all genders/gender expressions.
*Some characters may have traumatic backstories which they may or may not discuss or think about. The story arc itself will not include on-page trauma, but it is possible that such situations may be discussed at some point in the series.
*It’s called sex with monsters for a reason, kinkiness possible/inevitable.

Title: Reflection of a Curse

Series: Romancing a Curse, 3

Author: Lissa Kasey

Length: 266 pages

Genre: Romance / Urban Fantasy / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: I need to catch up!

Blurb: A manor filled with secrets is Brand’s last hope for recovery, and maybe love.

After a yearlong battle with declining health, Brand is offered the opportunity to live and work building a small home community in Upstate New York, and reconnecting with his best friend. But Brand is a long way from recovered and doesn’t know if he’ll actually be able to do the job.

Law thought he escaped small town life, and was on the verge of adding to his list of rehab skills when everything shut down. Now he’s in limbo, unable to work with suspended certificates, and back home with a family curse he’d like to keep secret.

Brand needs more than just a physical therapist. And Law is looking for a place to belong. When the truth is revealed, can the two of them find love, despite the mysteries and curses that plague their past?

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

What's on the Reading Radar? #read #obsessing #cantputdown #givemethenextonenow #adventuringwithmurderbot

 Sooooo..... I don't think that I have ever dedicated a Reading Radar to a series before. But seriously, it's necessary... imperative... to use all this space to talk about my latest obsession, The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. Let's just put the cover and info up before I get all wordy. Also, there might be possible spoilers in the 'My Thoughts' part, so if you don't want that, then just skip it. (that is also the reason I put my thoughts below the book info)

Title: All Systems Red

Series: Murderbot Diaries, 1

Author: Martha Wells

Length: 156 pages

Genre: Sci-Fi / Action Adventure

Blurb: Winner: 2018 Hugo Award for Best NovellaWinner: 2018 Nebula Award for Best Novella
Winner: 2018 Alex Award
Winner: 2018 Locus Award
One of the Verge's Best Books of 2017
A New York Times and USA Today Bestseller

A murderous android discovers itself in All Systems Red, a tense science fiction adventure by Martha Wells that interrogates the roots of consciousness through Artificial Intelligence.

"As a heartless killing machine, I was a complete failure."

In a corporate-dominated spacefaring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. Exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids, for their own safety.

But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern.

On a distant planet, a team of scientists are conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid — a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module, and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is.

But when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.

My Thoughts

I have so many thoughts about this and they are all over the place. This is the part where I needed to sit down with a group of people and discuss this series... for hours. I'm not even kidding about that. 

All week I've been trying to decide how to approach this so, 1) I don't give away spoilers, and 2) I don't want to say something that will chase people away from the series. I binged this series, which I never, ever do. I get really disappointed when I binge something, so I don't, but as I cautiously started each book right after I finished the one before, that disappointment didn't come. I devoured all six books in three days. Something to note: I have the audiobooks, but there are some issues with that because Murderbot is a bot and not human. It doesn't identify as male, female, or even non-binary because it is not human and has no wish to be human. As it stated in one of the books, "Gender: N/A". With the audiobook, the narrator is male and that does color the perception so you might want to just read it so that you can form your own voice for Murderbot. Also, the narrator was not particularly good at making other voices. You would think he'd get better over time, but by book three in my relisten of the series, he didn't.

There are six books in the series. The first four are novellas that follow an arc, but each are also self-contained so you don't have to worry about hitting a cliffhanger. Book five is a full length novel while six is a novella. In my opinion, book six's timeline follows book four. It doesn't mention anything that happened in book five, so you could read it before five just fine. I wish I had. 

I'll start my thoughts with the easy stuff first. This is not a romance but it is a story about relationships and the struggle to define those relationships. There are queer characters, POC, and polycule households (side characters). There is a lot of action and adventure. There is suspense and some mystery. But mainly, this is a character driven story. Oh, and the world building is phenomenal. 

The series is about all sorts of relatable struggles from identifying the emotions you feel and how to deal (or not) with them. Struggling with being overwhelmed while hiding it (or not). Not knowing what you want and the revelations that follows when you basically run away. How media is a stress reliever, in this case it's serials (i.e. TV series), and how it influences the person. I probably should stop here, because I really don't want to give away things.

I love this series and it wasn't until I finished that I realized I had emotions about it. Like, I would be washing the dishes, thinking about the story, and I would be sniffly and teary-eyed. Murderbot touch me in ways I struggle to identify, and in that, I feel a kinship with Murderbot, which sounds really, really weird, I know, but I'm just too old to care. This story has so much heart that it's hard not to be emotionally involved. There are other bots throughout the story, Three, ART and Micky, and I loved them in different ways, and if I wasn't trying to keep this from having spoilers, I would so go into depth over my thoughts about them.

I'm not sure that I can start a different book/series at this time. This is probably a book hangover, but I'm just not interested in moving past it yet. I restarted the series and I'm already on book four again. I would recommend this to everyone I know. This would also be a good read for young adults. Even if you haven't tried sci-fi, give it a go. You won't regret it.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!

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

 I've missed posting the Reading Radar the last couple of Saturdays. Those two weeks went by in a blink and I didn't remember until the day was long past. Whoops. I really haven't been reading a lot. Mostly rereading my favorites, or my favorites released on audio which I did include in this post. 

Title: Until His Last Goodbye

Series: Scythe, 1

Authors: Kiki Clark, EM Lindsey

Length: 

Genre: Romance / Urban Fantasy / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: I've been looking forward to this one.

Blurb: When Death is your soulmate, finding love has never been so heart-stopping.

Having been a powerful medium for as long as he can remember, Elias knows his fair share about the afterlife.

Spirits are pushy.

Spirits are needy.

And they don’t respect personal boundaries.

Being a conduit between the living and the dead is exhausting but ignoring his gift isn’t an option. Even though embracing his calling has ruined nearly every relationship he’s ever had, Elias has learned to offer what comfort he can to those left behind, knowing his own time is limited.

So the day Death comes knocking, Elias is resigned.

Then intrigued.

And then enchanted.

He has no business falling for an immortal collector of souls. No matter how kind and surprisingly innocent he is. Or how the Reaper’s gentle nature soothes the hollow ache inside his chest.

There can be no way forward when you fall for Death...

...unless you join him.

Until His Last Goodbye is the first installment in the epic Scythe trilogy by E.M. Lindsey and Kiki Clark. It features an uptight Victorian reaper, a medium eager to corrupt him, witchy best friends willing to hex anyone who hurts the people they love, and a former Spanish pirate who doesn't have time for other people's nonsense.

Title: The (Alien) Nanny for Christmas 

Series: (Stolen by an Alien)

Authors: Amanda Milo

Length: 142 pages

Genre: Audiobook / Romance / Alien / 

Notes: Found out that this was on audio when I noticed Beth's Stable was also on audio. I'm actually on my second listen-thru of it. :) Of the series, this might be my favorite story even though it's a side story. You could probably read it as a standalone, but the background on the Rakki species isn't delved into, so you might not understand the motivation of the alien at times. Without giving spoilers, I would say that Rakki are the ultimate caretakers. It's not something they can ignore or turn off. With that information, I think you will understand well enough if this is the place you want to dip your toes into the series. 

Blurb: Hi. I’m Gwen. I’m a single mom to two growing boys—and now I’m the brand new owner of an alien whose greatest wish in life is to become a live-in nanny.

It’s been kind of a weird day.

I wholeheartedly recommend adding an alien to your household though. He cooks, he cleans—and the kids love him. But three things you should know if you’re going to keep a seven-foot-tall alien in your basement?

You might want to invest in flameproof cookware.

He will think of you as his planet’s equivalent of a princess.

And my alien is totally stealing my underwear.

**This is a 37K, sweet Standalone Novella. Note: Explicit language and adult scenes are contained in this book.

***Heads up for readers of the Stolen series: this is an interconnected standalone, so hop in and have some fun “Ha!” moments with me!

Title: The Purveli

Series: Aldebarian Alliance, 3

Authors: Dianne Duvall

Length: 

Genre: Audiobook / Romance / Sci-Fi

Notes: I've waited all year for this book. It's a good addition to the series and I wish that the story had gone further in time than the first book of the series since we basically know what happens to Ava, but this gives the heart behind the story. There was one plot twist that shook up what I thought happened, so I did learn something new. The audio has an excerpt of the next book in the series. Yes, please, give it to me now. 

Blurb: Ava has always been different. Born with strong telepathic abilities, she lives a very isolated life until she is offered a job with an obscure network that aids powerful Immortal Guardians in their quest to protect humanity from the psychotic vampires who prey upon them. Suddenly, she doesn’t feel so different. For the first time in her life, Ava has found a place where she belongs. She’s happy. Life is good. And when her employers invite her to join a group of other gifted ones and a handful of Immortal Guardians on a journey to another planet, it becomes absolutely fantastic.

In no time at all, she is speeding across the galaxy aboard a Lasaran warship manned by two amazing alien races. It’s the dream of a lifetime… until a vicious attack by a mutual enemy of Lasara and Earth lands her alone in an escape pod with no habitable planet in sight and only one ship within range: one that carries the enemy who wants to know why the bioengineered virus they released on Earth long ago didn’t exterminate humanity and leave the planet ripe for their claiming.

Jak’ri doesn’t know how long he has been a prisoner aboard the Cebaun, but he fears the enemy’s twisted experiments will soon lead them to a virus that will eradicate the Purveli people. Despair grips him until a female from Earth is taken captive and reaches out to him telepathically. The gift that Ava said caused her such misery in the past soon becomes his salvation as the two of them form a fast friendship. Determined to distract each other from the horrors of their existence, they immerse themselves in telepathic communion during the day, then seek solace and adventure together in shared dreams. As their friendship deepens into love, the two hatch a daring plot to escape their captors. But the enemy will not let them go without a fight.

Can Ava and Jak’ri stand against so many and emerge victorious?

Title: Beth's Stable

Series: Stolen By The Alien, 6

Authors: Amanda Milo

Length: 470 pages

Genre: Audiobook / Romance / Sci-Fi / RH

Notes: I really enjoy this series and didn't realize this had released on audio until this past week. Yep, already listened to it. Eaken (sp?), the puckish character is a hoot. 

Blurb: They say that in space, no one can hear you...(Yeah, you know what I'm quoting.)

But there are lots of places you can still scream and be heard. Especially if you suddenly find yourself on a ship traveling through space.

I’ve been abducted by aliens and auctioned to an alien pirate.
My epic love of movies sort of comes in handy, what with all the sci-fi suddenly in my face. Therefore, I don’t completely lose my mind when my new owner takes me to his ship where I learn I’m under the control of not one, but *five* space pirates.

(...And it’s not scary at all when I only meet four of them, and everyone warns me away from the mystery fifth alien.)

Luckily, they’re not deterred by the fact that I've come to them carrying a passenger.

I’m pregnant.

Last I saw my ex, he was hell-bent on giving me another beating I wouldn’t forget. But with my new 'owners,' I’m safe for the first time in a long time--and so is my little girl. Not that everything is all raindrops on roses, and innocent kittens: they’re pirates. They’ve got a real addiction to plundering, and a passion for purloining.

I’m pretty fond of the former, but when it comes to the thieving, I’m afraid they’re going to take more than my body.

...Piece by piece, all five of my pirates are stealing my *heart.*

Beth’s Stable is 125K words, and has a HEA with hot pirates.

**Note: Beth’s Stable is a standalone Reverse Harem romance where five men woo one woman. They’re space pirates, but there are no crossed energy sabers in this story. There is a Happily Ever After. You should probably be at least 18 if you crack open this ebook because Beth would hate to corrupt you. (Although if her pirates had met you before they grew completely, totally devoted to her, they would have loved showing you the ropes. Sorry, doves! ;D

Title: Thirst Trap 

Series: (Vampire Vigilante Book 2)

Authors: Nazri Noor

Length: 318 pages

Genre: Urban Fantasy / Mystery / Bisexual

Notes: I've been waiting for this. I love Sterling. I'm hoping it comes out on audio soon. 

Blurb: The hunter becomes the hunted.

Life for Sterling the vampire is sweet in sleepy Silveropolis. Blood is in easy supply with college kids and cryptid hunters swarming the town for mountain madness, an annual search for an elusive creature known as Smallfoot.

But another corpse is discovered in the woods. Are the Everetts back? Is it a ritual killing, or a random murder? With the help of a brooding journalist and a jealous storm god, Sterling must investigate before it’s too late. The victim was staked through the heart, after all.

A vampire hunter has come to Silveropolis.

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

Cherish Bonus Scene! #bookblast #spaceopera #thevalespianpact #lgbtqia #newrelease

 

Today begins Cherish's Book Blast. At the end of the post you'll find a list of the blog stops. Make sure that you check them out and participate for a chance to win an Amazon gift card.

I have a bonus scene for you. It takes place right after Destin and his bonded are freed from captivity. This is from Ellatha's POV, which we didn't get in the book. Enjoy!

Contact

Ellatha stared at the psychologist who had been assigned to her and her bonded for group therapy. They all struggled to adjust to being free. Personally, she was hyper aware of everything going on around them and could not seem to completely relax, waiting for someone to come in and attempt to separate her from her bonded. Every time someone visited, she placed herself between them and her bonded sure that this would be the day the GIP showed their true colors, only to realize they were safe. The staff of the Galactic Imperial Patrol’s medical starship had been infinitely patient. They always waited for her to relax and consent to their entry into the spacious suite that was their temporary roost.



Consent. Consent was something precious and given over and over again. The doctors and medtechs reaffirmed consent before they did anything. They did not press or push, but waited for her or someone else to confirm or deny treatment. After so many years in labs where she was never asked for permission, she found herself testing the resolve of the medical professionals time and again. Even when she did not speak in these group therapy sessions, the psychologist did not press for her participation.



Today, they sat on a sectional facing Dr. Analeese. Destin was on one side and Myo her other. Bogie and Worth capped both ends, but Ellatha’s skin crawled, a small voice whispering that they needed to be closer. If she’d still had wings, she would have spread them over the back of the sectional to touch them all.



Dr. Analeese watched her as if he could read her insecurities and fears. Perhaps he could since he treated other survivors. Her reactions probably were not unique. Since the day they were unexpectedly reunited with Myo and Worth, she hadn’t lashed out at anyone for getting too close. Her protective instincts got the better of her that day when she was sure that someone would try to separate them again. Dr. Analeese kept reassuring her that her reaction was understandable, but she also needed to voice her concerns, allowing the staff to address her—their—needs.



The Gaziniti’s ankles were crossed, and the light glinted off the polish of his shoes as he swung his legs back and forth. For three weeks, they met with Dr. Analeese every day. She was only now getting used to the fact that saying no would not result in repercussions. The doctors respected her choices and carefully explained what they were doing, how they were going to do a procedure, and if they had to go to the medical center, then she and her bonded were given a couple of days warning to prepare themselves for entering lab-like areas.



Ellatha was grateful for the consideration and care the staff gave her and her bonded. But today’s anxiety had nothing to do with medical procedures and everything to do with contacting family who had not been captured.



“Many have asked about waiting to contact extended family and friends,” Dr. Analeese said as if he hadn’t just shaken Ellatha’s world. “It is perfectly all right to postpone contact if you feel you need more time. Your wellbeing comes first. Reconnecting to one’s past after everything you have been through will no doubt be stressful. Situations change, as do people, and being unsure if you can cope if the reunion does not go as expected or hoped for is a valid concern. Your mental health comes first and if you are not ready, do not force yourself to reach out. We can take small steps. We have professionals who can sit with you, if you feel you need additional support. If you want to start by sending messages instead of face-to-face meetings, we can arrange that as well.”



A fine tremble worked its way up Ellatha’s spine at the thought of people making an issue of her claiming not one batore but four as her own. She fought to hold on to her bonded in captivity and she sensed that she would have a similar battle when they were reintegrated into GyrFalconi society. She wanted to squawk and screech, imagining all the scenarios where she would have to keep outsiders from tearing her family apart because they were an unconventional nest. She wanted to be left alone and if they could have survived the forests of Aries 7, she would have already been making plans to move her batore away from those who would attempt to take them from her.



“And if we do not want to talk to family at all?” Myo asked, tugging on his chin feathers hard enough that a small one fluttered to the floor. Ellatha unwrapped Myo’s fingers and took his hand. He leaned into her, giving her a grateful look.



Dr. Analeese watched the small blue feather flutter to the floor. His expression was one of understanding. “That, of course, is your choice. Just remember that if you change your mind at a later date, there is no shame.”



Myo made a noise of acknowledgement, but Ellatha was more worried about Destin who hadn’t uttered a word this session when he usually contributed. As soon as Dr. Analeese had started talking about connecting with family, Destin had taken her hand and held on with a steely grip that bordered on painful. His breathing had turned so shallow that at first, she thought he was holding his breath.



Worth’s bonded chantelle had died trying to free him, and Myo never bonded before he was captured. But Destin had a bonded chantelle and two chicks who were old enough to be on their own by now. She had secretly inquired when we were freed and knew Dena, Paxx, and Alaina had not been captured, but were living in different sky-cities. She had always known that another chantelle had a claim on Destin, but that knowledge did not keep her from loving him.



Looking down at his red crest, she wondered, not for the first time, what happened that Dena was not with him when he was captured? Why had he been flying in the flock without her? Destin never said and Ellatha did not pry, but now she wished she had. She knew nothing about Dena aside from her name and a couple of stories Destin shared about their younger years. What type of chantelle was she? Would she understand Destin bonding with others in captivity? Would she love him enough to be happy he found people to love and lean on? Or would she be jealous?



The thought that she would say something to hurt Destin made Ellatha’s crown feathers rise with her temper. She tried to relax and remain calm, but her secret fear of losing Destin had its claws sunk deep into her and she could not shake the trepidation that feeling brought. She would do anything to make Destin happy, but if she had to let him go? Could she do it and not tear down the world in her grief? She glanced around at her bonded: Bogie, Worth, and Myo. She would not be the only one heartbroken if Dena demanded Destin return to her. Dena was not the only one who had a claim on him. His chicks, Paxx and Alaina, had to be dying to reunite with their dahen.



Bogie escorted Dr. Analeese to the door, jolting Ellatha out of her thoughts. She hadn’t heard anything else he’d said, and she wondered what she’d missed. Worth’s worried gaze bounced between Myo and Destin. Myo tried for a reassuring smile, but Destin was lost in thought, unaware of Worth’s concern. Everyone was quiet, which was not unusual after a group therapy session, but today it felt stifling. Ellatha was not the only one who thought so. Destin rose to his feet, not looking at anyone as he mumbled that he needed some time to himself and left their quarters.



Ellatha stared at the closed door, willing Destin to return. She wanted him to trust them with his thoughts, but he’d spent captivity being strong and relying on himself, especially after Myo and Worth were taken away and sent to the mines. The Terrens had hurt Destin in a way that Ellatha was unsure he would ever recover from, making him fiercely independent.



“What are we going to do?” Bogie sat on a stool briefly before hopping up to pace.



The Terrens had fed them well enough, but the experimentations had taken a toll on everyone. Bogie was not skeletal like Destin, but neither was he robust. She knew it was not her fault, but as a chantelle who was responsible for the welfare of her batore, she sometimes could not help but feel their health was a reflection of how she had not taken care of them.



“What if Destin leaves?” Bogie voiced one of Ellatha’s biggest fears.



“Then we do our best to…” Worth waved his small hand in the air, groping for words. “Woo her, I guess? Do what we can to prove we can share Destin’s heart with her, that we do not want to steal him away?”



Myo frowned. “And what if she rejects him?”



Ellatha rose to her feet. She could not imagine rejecting her bonded, but there were hardline traditionalists who would not hesitate to walk away if their bonded did not meet their idea of what was proper. At one time, abandonment was an uncommon and frowned upon action, but society had been shifting when the Terrens invaded. How much had ideas changed while she had been gone?



“I am going to see if he is all right,” she said before leaving.



Whatever he chose to do, she would support him, and she needed him to know that.



The medical starship was huge and was just one of many who had taken freed captives aboard for treatment. She searched the common areas on their current deck. Her gaze sweeping over sickly GyrFalconi talking in clusters mixed with the various species that made up the ship’s staff. Ellatha had never met a more kind or thoughtful group of people. At first, her suspicions colored her interactions with them as she waited for a trap to spring, revealing their true intentions. But time and again, they proved they would not harm her or her bonded. Their only desire was to see them in good health and able to stand on their own.



When she did not find Destin in the usual places, she had a sneaking suspicion where he went. She scrounged up the courage to ask a member of staff for directions. Communications was two decks up and she endured a ride in the enclosed space of the lift, the tight quarters leaving her trembling and relieved when she stepped onto the new deck. The floor was a hive of alcoves, each with its own vidscreen. The murmur of voices was only slightly muffled since most people did not opt to erect soundproof barriers for their conversations. Ellatha did not blame them since the alcoves were not roomy. The thought of being trapped in such a small space, even if only temporarily, would make any survivor uncaring if their conversation was overheard.



She walked by, unabashedly looking in each room for Destin. When she turned a corner, she glimpsed Destin’s distinctive red crest further down the corridor where an attendant was showing him to a room. By the time she reached him, he was already being connected to Dena. Ellatha slumped against the wall, heart thundering in her ears. She expected to hear joyful outcries from both Destin and Dena. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to reassure herself that everything would work out for the best.



“You are supposed to be dead,” said a callous voice. Ellatha’s eyes flew open. “I do not have time for this complication.”



She stood ramrod straight, barely holding herself back. She wanted to charge into the alcove and demand Dena—no, she wanted to rip out the chantelle’s tongue. But Destin had not asked Ellatha to stand by his side for this conversation. She waited for Destin’s reply, but none was forthcoming and Ellatha was forced to listen as Dena shunned him. She could feel his heart breaking. Ellatha stifled a squawk of outrage.



Not able to stay away from Destin any longer, she moved to stand in the doorway. Destin’s call had already been cut and he was turning away from the blank vidscreen. His narrow shoulders rounded forward, his head hanging until he glimpsed her. Ellatha wanted to blind Dena for the tears that tracked down Destin’s cheeks. The need to comfort him was overwhelming and she raised her arms. Destin crossed the space without hesitation, and she wrapped his fragile body in a secure embrace. He was more bone than muscle and his complexion was ashy with both sickness and sorrow.



As Destin cried, she stroked his crest and with each gentle caress, reminding him that he was loved and not alone. When he pulled away to wipe at his wet face, she asked, “Do you want me to sit with you when you contact Paxx and Alaina?”



Immediately, he shook his head. “No. I mean, yes, I want you to sit with me when I contact them. I just do not want to do that now. I need… I cannot… Not today and probably not tomorrow.”



He did not need to finish the statement for her to understand he was afraid they too would reject him.



“Dr. Ananleese said you choose the time. No pressure,” she said. She drew him against her side as she walked him back to the lift. “Bogie, Myo, and Worth will be worrying. Let us return to the roost.”



She kept Destin tucked to her side the entire walk to their suite. She would be talking to Dr. Analeese tomorrow about this clawing need to keep Destin close. Hovering was so unlike her and seemed to be getting worse instead of better. But until then, she would cuddle him and her other bonded as much as they would allow. Perhaps the prospect that she could have lost Destin was what stirred this frantic need? Though a part of her was relieved he would not be leaving them, a larger part mourned with Destin the loss of his bonded. To be shunned…



When they arrived at their temporary roost, Ellatha gathered her bonded to her. They did not ask questions, just came to her. Even Bogie burrowed into her side, and she held them all close as she battled her demons. She could not lose them, any of them.

* * * *

I hope you enjoyed that look into the aftermath of the Twenty-Year War.

Tour Schedule

January 5 - Wednesday - Mickie B. Ashling

January 5 - Wednesday - Bonkers About Books

January 5 - Wednesday - Never Hollowed By The Stare

January 5 - Wednesday - Matt Doyle Media

January 5 - Wednesday - Drops of Ink

January 5 - Wednesday - Joyfully Jay

January 5 - Wednesday - Anna Butler/Love That's Out of This World

January 5 - Wednesday - Archer Kay Leah

January 5 - Wednesday - J. Scott Coatsworth

January 5 - Wednesday - Liminal Fiction

January 5 - Wednesday - QueeRomance Ink

January 5 - Wednesday - Queer Sci Fi

January 6 - Thursday - kittenwylde

January 6 - Thursday - Love Bytes

January 6 - Thursday - Bayou Book Junkie

January 6 - Thursday - Stories That Make You Smile

January 6 - Thursday - Author Anthony Avina's Blog

January 6 - Thursday - TTC Books and more

January 7 - Friday - Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author

January 7 - Friday - Boy Meets Boy Reviews

January 7 - Friday - Emotion in Motion

January 7 - Friday - The Faerie Review

January 7 - Friday - Paranormal Gay Romance

January 7 - Friday - Xtreme Delusions

January 7 - Friday - Quiet Fury Books

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

Cherish's Upcoming Book Blast! #newrelease #spaceopera #lgbtqia #thevalespianpact

 

From January 5th thru January 7th Cherish (The Valespian Pact, 4) will be on a short Book Blast and appearing on more than thirty blogs. 

There will be some unique posts and interviews scattered through the tour, and here on my blog, I'll have a never seen before scene from Cherish. So make sure that you stop by and read it!

Also, if you participate in the tour, you have a chance of winning one of three Amazon gift certificates. :)

Tour Schedule

January 5 - Wednesday - Mickie B. Ashling

January 5 - Wednesday - Bonkers About Books

January 5 - Wednesday - Never Hollowed By The Stare

January 5 - Wednesday - Matt Doyle Media

January 5 - Wednesday - Drops of Ink

January 5 - Wednesday - Joyfully Jay

January 5 - Wednesday - Anna Butler/Love That's Out of This World

January 5 - Wednesday - Archer Kay Leah

January 5 - Wednesday - J. Scott Coatsworth

January 5 - Wednesday - Liminal Fiction

January 5 - Wednesday - QueeRomance Ink

January 5 - Wednesday - Queer Sci Fi

January 6 - Thursday - kittenwylde

January 6 - Thursday - Love Bytes

January 6 - Thursday - Bayou Book Junkie

January 6 - Thursday - Stories That Make You Smile

January 6 - Thursday - Author Anthony Avina's Blog

January 6 - Thursday - TTC Books and more

January 7 - Friday - Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author

January 7 - Friday - Boy Meets Boy Reviews

January 7 - Friday - Emotion in Motion

January 7 - Friday - The Faerie Review

January 7 - Friday - Paranormal Gay Romance

January 7 - Friday - Xtreme Delusions

January 7 - Friday - Quiet Fury Books

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

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

The beginning of the New Year and I've already got a list of books that I want to buy. LOL!

Title: The Heart of a Dragon Tamer

Series: 

Author: S. Legend

Length: 766 pages

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Age Gap / Arranged Marriage / Gay

Notes: I've never read S. Legend before, so I'm not sure what to expect. But the cover is great and the blurb is compelling. I do love the arranged marriage trope.

Blurb: Jude has a complicated relationship with his unusual powers: he’s scared to use them and scared to be without them. No one knows what happened to his parents. No one remembers them. He’s left to grapple life as an orphan for most of his youth.

Everything changes when he’s reunited with his father. He discovers his family is one of the oldest wizarding families next to Merlin. As a Prince, he’s expected to abide the four Prince tenets which includes taking a vow of purity and entering a marriage that’s been arranged by his father. Wizarding families tend to be old-fashioned and eccentric so it’s not surprising, but it makes dating tough.

Things get weird. His nemesis becomes a valuable ally or well, in the least, a hijinks co-conspirator—Jude’s not sure.

But his world truly spins on its axis when he meets Charlie, handsome and powerful dragon tamer. Jude falls hard for the iron-handed redhead despite him being an insufferable clodpole who thinks he can tell Jude what to do.

“You don’t have dragons, love. You tame them and hope they come back to you,” said the dragon tamer once and that about sums up their relationship, which blossoms and deepens over nine years. But getting married when you’re a Prince? That’s a whole other Merlinforsaken ordeal. If Jude and Charlie can’t meet the Prince requirements for marriage, the ancient Prince name will end with his father.

The Heart of A Dragon Tamer is a long-arse MM novel that has a dreamy, redheaded dragon tamer who finds his soulmate and gives him the care he needs. It’s a captivating novel about the families we’re born into, and those that we make for ourselves. It features age gap and semi-arranged marriages. This book is actually three books in one at over 220K words.

Title: Alien Heart

Series: 

Author: Alex Timothy

Length: 353 pages

Genre: Young Adult / Sci-Fi / Aliens (obviously) / Romance (unsure) / Gay

Notes: So I haven't read this author before. The category for this is Teen/Young Adult Science Fiction. After reading the reviews, this might be a bit angstier than I like to read, but I'm going to give it a try.

Blurb: Landon Evans is an unwilling recruit in Earth’s fight against alien invasion. Tall, bristling with muscles, Landon is every commander’s ideal soldier. But Landon hates fighting and hates the dark void of space. For a loner like Landon, the only good part of his new life in the military are the friends he’s made.

When a mission goes horribly wrong, Landon finds himself a prisoner of Earth’s enemies — the brutal animalistic Sorg aliens and the technologically superior and ethereal Hush. Both see the same potential in Landon that Earth commanders saw— Landon’s height and strength, the body of a warrior.

Now Landon must decide if his loyalty lies with his friends and his home world, or with the austere and beautiful young Hush commander he has come to admire.

Title: Ravenous

Series: 

Author: R. Cooper

Length: 183 pages

Genre: Romance / Urban Fantasy / Contemporary Fantasy / Gay

Notes: 

Blurb: Those who come back from the mysterious place known as the Realm, if they come back, are changed. Some return haunted. Others with knowledge of themselves that they will not share, and the magic of the Realm at their disposal. The peculiari, as these few are called, are tolerated at best, feared at worst.
Nicodemus isn’t anything like one of the exceptional, adventurous peculiari. For the most part, he’s content to keep house for the peculiari of the Arawn Agency and rarely ventures outside of the manor they all call home. As an asterion, one of the unwanted, monstrous children of the Realm, Nicodemus is human in appearance except for the ram’s horns growing from his head, and prefers the company of those who don’t judge him. There’s just one hitch in his otherwise safe and orderly world. One awkward, inconvenient, twice-a-year problem in which Nicodemus goes into what can humiliatingly only be called a rut.

It’s a secret he keeps from the others. But this year, unable to stand the thought of spending his rut alone, he ventures out in search of company—only to run into Bel, the one person he hopes will never discover his secret. Bel is powerful enough to make even other peculiari wary and far more experienced than Nicodemus in the ways of the world. But tonight, Bel isn’t out seeking pleasure. He’s on the hunt for a true monster that has slithered from the Realm to hurt people, and he seems to think Nicodemus is especially in danger. The Realm, and this creature, are drawn to people who want, and sheltered, lonely Nicodemus, with his rut approaching, is nothing but want.

According to Bel, the best way for anyone to stay protected from the temptations of the Realm is to indulge themselves enough to make their desires manageable. Alone with Bel for the first time after Bel vows to keep him safe, Nicodemus starts to wonder what it is that he really wants, and why Bel understands the appetites of a monster so well, and if perhaps Nicodemus should follow Bel’s advice and indulge some desires of his own.

Title: Winter of the Owl: Seasons of the Lukoi Book One

Series: 

Author: Iris Foxglove

Length: 224 pages

Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Gay

Notes: New to me author. This sounds sweet with a hint of intrigue.

Blurb: Sava has the best house in all of Lukos. He built it himself, dreaming of the day when he and Milan, the man he loved, could live there and brave the harsh winters of Lukos together—only to be devastated when Milan was found dead in the spring. Fraught with grief, Sava resigns himself to spending his winters alone.
Then a stranger appears on his doorstep, and everything changes.

Victor is a scholar from Gerakia, a land known for its long summers and vibrant history, and he has never been more unprepared in his life. Abandoned on the inhospitable island of Lukos after a disastrous relationship, Victor has to adapt quickly to survive. It helps, of course, that he’s taken in by Sava, who has the biggest heart of any man Victor has ever known. Victor and Sava start to make a home together, growing close as snow falls outside, but the true danger of a Lukos winter is closer than they suspect...

Title: Sired

Series: Terrin Pass Pack

Author: EM Leya

Length: 85 paged

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: 

Blurb: After his mother admitted on her death bed who his biological father was, Dan seeks to find him. Traveling to a small town in Montana, he hopes to have all the questions he has answered. What he didn't expect to find was a pack of wolf shifters who he supposedly shares genetics with.

Andre has spent his life hoping to find his mate, but as the years flew by, his optimism was fading, until one afternoon his wolf smells the scent of his mate and he goes to him, only to find that the man meant for him has no clue that he is a wolf.

Love is never easy, but determined to find a way, Dan steps into the arms of a man he can't resist while trying to navigate a world he may never understand.

Title: A Jackalope for Christmas

Series: 

Author: Kaye Draper

Length: 128 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: This was the only holiday story that I read and I really enjoyed it. Sweet shifter paired with haughty vampire. Hellfire cows! Recommended!

Blurb: Ashley Morgan Charlemagne Prime is sick of following orders, sick of living under the influence of his cold, powerful vampire father, and sick of his sheltered coven life. When a witch friend loans him her secluded cabin for the month, Ashley jumps at the chance to get away from people and find himself. What he didn't anticipate was escaped flaming cattle and a hot as hell shifter neighbor who knows nothing about trying to court a vampire prime and insists on talking about Ashley's suppressed fae heritage. And to make matters worse, the guy is adamantly against having a fling with someone who plans to return to his coven on the other side of the country after the winter solstice.

Jackson Brown is perfectly content with his quiet existence as a supernatural creature rancher. He grows or makes everything he needs, and he does it all far away from the rambunctious family that never quite got over him not being a bear. Sure, sometimes it would be nice to have some help around the farm. Maybe someone to share his burdens with. But the last guy he dated was a fae who left him feeling like a used tissue. Casual hookups are not his thing. Especially with spoiled, rich, bratty half-vampires who come with a boatload of baggage of their own. So why the hell can't he leave Ashely alone?

Author's Note

♥Fluffy

♥Standalone

♥M/M

♥Explicit language and sexual content

♥36,000 words

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!

Happy Holidays!

 Giving myself a day off for the Holidays.

Happy Yule!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Kwanzaa!

Seasons Greetings!

I hope that your weekend is filled with peace.

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

 What's going on this week? Just regular work. Word count is coming along all right on Curse Breakers. I'm probably having too much fun with Tiamat. She's stretching her Goddess of Chaos muscles. 

Reading has been okay. I've sampled a lot of books and hardly anything is keeping my attention. The first book on this list I started right after it released and put it down at about 30%. I came back to it and finished it up this past week and went back to sampling things I already have on my ereader. (Trying to deplete the TBR one way or another. I guess scooping things into the DNF pile is one way to go about it. LOL) I've put some things on the Wish List for now, since I'm being really particular in what I want to read.

Title: Defending Nightmares

Series: ISS, 2

Author: M. Sinclair

Length: 342 pages

Genre: Romance / Alternate World / Paranormal / RH

Notes: So I thought that since the next book to be released is about someone else that this would be the last book for the FMC. It is not and just as a warning, it stops in the middle of the storytelling with a huge cliffhanger. I'm enjoying the story, but I'm not attached to the characters in way that such a cliffhanger would be awful. The majority of this book was about the FMC getting claimed by a portion of her guys. It's more character focused with them following threads to the overall plot. There are small partial resolutions for a few of the characters, so don't expect more than that.

Blurb: I crave my nightmares.

I crave the shadows.

I don’t want the light if it doesn’t include them…

The human terror organization MAM has come to our doorstep—we just don’t know what they want. When a nightmare who resides in the high-security section of the institute tells us that this chaos, this hate that the humans feel is because of a god terror, we realize that the solution to our problems lies outside of the institute walls. Walls I’ve never left before… Something that is about to change.

Traveling across the country in an RV with my nightmares? What could possibly go wrong? Apparently a lot, and when we find ourselves in a nightmare forest far from home, we realize that our problem is so much worse than we ever imagined.

Will we be able to save the institute, or will chaos and hate reign supreme?

Join Arabella and her possessive nightmares as one human woman finds the monster within herself to protect those that she loves. The ISS series is promised to feature terrifying monsters that include everything from the literal monster under the bed to Lucifer’s overbearing son, the prince of Hell.

If you love large harems, brilliant, sassy, but slightly naive female main characters with no fear, and a thrilling adventure filled with steam, vengeance, and a happily ever after, then you are absolutely going to love this.

Warning: This medium-fast burn RH contains several dark themes from swearing, violence, and sexual themes suitable for +18.

Title: Fractured Souls

Series: Fallen Messengers, 1

Author: Ava Marie Salinger

Length: 334 pages

Genre: Romance / Fated / Urban Fantasy / Gay

Notes: I have been looking at this one for a while, so I'm officially moving it to my wish list. I'm not looking for an angsty read and hoping more for a mystery.

Blurb: Humans are dying in San Francisco. The most shunned angel on Earth may very well hold the key as to why...

When Cassius Black moves to San Francisco for a fresh start, the angel's hopes of staying below the radar of the supernatural organizations that oversee the otherworldly and magic users in the city are dashed when he stumbles across a dead body in the sewers. His grim discovery soon puts him in the sights of the Argonaut Agency and Francis Strickland, the bureau director who knows his darkest secrets.

Morgan King and his team of Argonaut agents have been on the hunt all summer for the culprits behind a series of gruesome killings that have rocked the city. Killings that bear sinister hallmarks of human sacrificial rituals where the victims’ souls have been stolen. When Fate puts Cassius in Morgan’s path, he realizes the angel everyone likes to call The Devil may very well be the only person who can help them track down the murderers.

Morgan and Cassius soon find themselves chasing down a sect of black-magic sorcerers and crossing paths with a mysterious warlock whose actions evoke disturbing echoes of an incident from Cassius's past. As rumors of a potential plot to tear open the Nether reach their ears, Cassius and Morgan must work together to defeat their common enemy and save the city from destruction, all while fighting their growing attraction for one another.

Fractured Souls is the first novel in the gay urban fantasy romance series Fallen Messengers. This is an action-packed MM paranormal adventure with angels, demons, magic, romance, snark, and a cat.

Title: Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Vol. 1)

Series: 

Author: Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

Length: 449 pages

Genre: Fantasy / LGBTQIA+

Notes: 

Blurb: Born the crown prince of a prosperous kingdom, Xie Lian was renowned for his beauty, strength, and purity. His years of dedicated study and noble deeds allowed him to ascend to godhood. But those who rise may also fall, and fall he does--cast from the heavens and banished to the world below.


Eight hundred years after his mortal life, Xie Lian has ascended to godhood for the third time, angering most of the gods in the process. To repay his debts, he is sent to the Mortal Realm to hunt down violent ghosts and troublemaking spirits who prey on the living. Along his travels, he meets the fascinating and brilliant San Lang, a young man with whom he feels an instant connection. Yet San Lang is clearly more than he appears... What mysteries lie behind that carefree smile?

Title: Alpha and Bear

Series: Apex Investigations, 4

Author: Julia Talbot

Length: 155 pages

Genre: Romance / Paranormal / Gay

Notes: 

Blurb: Wolf shifter PI Mick Hartness is sick to death of being on the bad side of a criminal who wants him and his whole team dead. Now, with the help of the cops and the feds, Apex Investigations Inc. is closer than ever to reeling the guy in and getting back to living life without hiding. But that means Mick needs all of his mixed pack on deck and ready to fight, including their youngest member, bear shifter Kit, who Mick has the softest spot for.

Kit is sure his skills can help not only catch their nemesis, but help take some of the stress of running the agency off Mick. Too bad Mick will never see him as anything as a kid who needs to be protected. Which is why Kit decides to strike out on his own and get a job that allows him to do more than take pictures of cheating husbands and keep the motor pool running.

The thought of losing Kit finally makes Mick ready to show Kit how he really feels; that kit his mate. Can he keep Kit with him and also catch a killer who's becoming more and more dangerous everyday? Or will Mick lose everything he holds dear?

Thank you for stopping by and reading!!