Midlife Spirits Box Set, Books 7-9 - HP Mallory

The third box set of this fantastic series, full of mystery, malice and manipulation. 

This is the third box set for the Midlife Spirits series and contains books 7-9: Ghostly Gathering, Magic in the Night, and Making Spirits Bright. The books are primarily set in modern day New Orleans, with a trip back to 1910 New York.

Once again I found myself racing through these books. I was fully immersed in that world. These three books are full of mystery, intrigue, malice and manipulations. The character development is outstanding. The world building is incredible. In book seven, Mallory really brought 1910 New York to life for me. We had the opportunity to get to know Drake so much better in that book and Peyton’s connection with him is stronger than ever.

These three books introduce new characters and pull the story in a new, dark but exciting direction. The combinations of both love and heartbreak makes for compelling reading. Peyton’s life is far from the settled and quiet existence she had envisioned for herself when she first arrived in New Orleans. Interference from the local voodoo practitioners is coming to fruition. Dark magic has been worked and strange things are afoot. Peyton’s life is about to be turned upside-down once again. Her visions are getting stronger, there are gaps in her memory and she doesn’t have much time to undo the curses before she reaches the point of no return.

The end of book nine made me shout out loud. I am so invested in these characters. I cannot wait to dive into book ten.

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Midlife Spirits Box Set, Books 4-6 - HP Mallory

The second box set of this fantastic series, full of possessions, time travel and an impossible love. 

This is the second box set for the Midlife Spirits series and contains books 4-6: Bump in the Night, Bone Voyage, and Deadly Intentions. The books are primarily set in modern day New Orleans, with a trip back to 1910.

I raced through the three books in this box set. I couldn’t put them down. This is definitely one of my favourite series of books. The characters really feel as though they come to life on the pages, even the ghosts! I love the way that Mallory writes; I feel drawn into her worlds and I don’t want to leave them.

Peyton’s recent experiences with ghosts, possession and the interference of a local feared voodoo priestess, have left her open to the spirit world around her. She makes broad and foolish promises to Loa Baron Samedi, which could put her life in danger. Her new abilities allow her to investigate mysteries by communicating with the dead and in doing so, she uncovers a previously hidden truth, which could have huge ramifications for her future.

Her attention is torn between Ryan and Drake. She loves them both but it would seem that in reality, she can only have one of them as neither of them want to share. By the end of these three books I felt emotionally attached to all of them. Fortunately, there are more in this series and they are already published. 

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Midlife Spirits Box Set, Books 1-3 - HP Mallory

The first box set of this fantastic series, full of the supernatural, the spooky and the scary. 

This is the first box set for the Midlife Spirits series and contains books 1-3: Afraid of the Dark, A Ghost of a Chance, and Mischief Brewing. The books are set in modern day New Orleans. I know I've reviewed all of these as individual novels but they have just been released as a box set and I love them so much, I thought I'd shout about it.

The books are written in HP Mallory’s usual easy to read and fluent style. The stories are well paced and make the reader feel like they are being taken on a journey. The character development and world building are very good; all the characters are interesting, relatable and have depth. You want to get to know them and their journeys. 

I love this series. It follows the life of Peyton Clark, a 40-something recently divorced woman who inherits an old Antebellum house in the Garden District of New Orleans. For Peyton, this is a sign that she can start afresh, 2000 miles away from her abusive ex. Her new life introduces her to Ryan, her neighbour who is a potential new love interest, as well as Drake, the ghost of a former police officer who haunts her house and her dreams.

The stories are full of the supernatural; ghosts, malevolent entities, witches, warlocks and voodoo priestesses. The books have wonderfully descriptive scenes of frustrated passions, hauntings, possession and a glimpse into the ritual practices of voodoo witchcraft. The story arc which crosses the first three books ends on a dramatic note and leaves the reader itching to dive into book four, which fortunately is published.

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Salvation (An Owensen Witches Story) - Dreia Wells

Action filled steamy Vampire romance.

Salvation is a standalone Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance novel set three years after the events in the original Owensen Witches trilogy (Chosen, Temptation, Destiny). There are descriptive scenes of a sexual nature.

I really enjoyed this book. Dreia Wells has an easy to read writing style, which has developed and improved markedly since her first book was published. Her characters are interesting and the world building is solid. This story focuses on the Vampires, who were briefly mentioned in the original trilogy but not a main feature. 

The Vampires are dying out. To reduce their ability to challenge him, the Devil used witchcraft to remove their ability to create progeny. Roman, leader of the local Vampire clan, thinks he may have found a way to reverse the curse and save his species. This involves the kidnapping of two Owensen Witches, risking the wrath of the powerful Owensen family.

Roman gets a lot more than he bargained for though. Other clan leaders are fearful of his motives and betrayal within his own clan threatens to tear them all apart. Can he save his species, as well as defend himself on all sides from rival clans and the Owensen family? 

Not only that, can he come to terms with his emerging and confusing feelings for Tempest Owensen who already has another potential Vampire suitor in Faust, the bodyguard he appointed to keep her safe? Will they come to blows over her or can the three of them cohabit in a polyamorous relationship? 

If you’ve read the original trilogy, you will definitely want to read this. 

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His Heart Beats for Her - JA Roles

Cosy contemporary romance with a twist

This review is for His Heart Beats for Her by JA Roles; a short cosy contemporary romance story published as part of the Secret Santa limited edition Christmas anthology.

This is a quick, fun and festive love story. Perfect for popping your feet up in front of the fire with your favourite drink. The writing style is easy to read. The story is interesting and we do get to know the characters, despite it being a short story. 

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Breathlessly - Heather Relken

If you’re fascinated by the strange and the unusual, this book is definitely one for you.

This standalone polyamorous Sci-Fi Romance was written as a full length novel based on an earlier short story by this author. It’s set in a not too distant galaxy and contains scenes of consenting interspecies sexual activity between two males and a female. There is a trigger warning for homophobia experienced by one of the main characters. 

I really enjoyed this book. Heather Relken has a very fluent style of writing which makes her work a pleasure to read. The characters are well thought out and her alien species are very detailed, right down to anatomy, culture and language. The world building is excellent and Relken paints a beautifully clear picture with her words.

The galaxy is a vast place, housing the strange and unusual. Amongst the strange and unusual are the Kholorua; a race of benevolent beings, more than 100 feet tall who like to collect other species as pets.

Milo is a human who wakes one day on an idyllic beach in what seems to be paradise. Definitely not where he fell asleep. He’s one of around seventy humans who have been collected by the Kholorua as a pet. Life is, for the most part, stress free and all his needs are catered for, except for one thing; it appears that Milo is the only gay in the village and most of the villagers do not approve. 

This is a story of how Milo learns to love himself and how he finds his place within a new family. After moving back to the beach, away from the toxic environment created by other humans, he is soon joined by two others of an alien aquatic species, who bond with him and accept him for who he is. This is very much a love story, with a secondary story arc about the villagers. It’s a reflection of how humanity can be both loving and terrible, accepting and intolerant. It shines a light on how damaging a narrow-minded way of living is and how life can be so much better all round with an open heart and mind.

There are scenes of a sexual nature. There are scenes which are openly homosexual and there are very descriptive scenes of interspecies sexual activity and alien genitalia. If you’re fascinated by the strange and the unusual, this book is definitely one for you.

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Mystic Veil (Haven Hollow, Book 11) - HP Mallory & JR Rain

A parting of the veil leads to the resolution of a decades old mystery. 

This is the 11th book in the Haven Hollow series. It is a collaboration between HP Mallory and JR Rain. The book falls in the Paranormal Women’s Fiction genre. In this book there is no romance and no scenes of a sexual nature. 

This series improves with each book. The world building and character development are excellent. With each book we see the introduction of new characters and the further development of familiar ones. The stories are well paced and entertaining.

Wanda and Poppy have gone from rivals to best friends. Poppy’s friendship with Marty seems to be heading towards being more than just friends, if either of them can pluck up the courage to move things forward. As for Wanda and Lorcan, his intentions have always been clear and it looks as though her opinion of him might be starting to soften. About time really. 

This book sees the very satisfying end of one long running story arc and the exciting beginning of the next. Wanda’s character has grown markedly since her introduction and she has reluctantly taken on more responsibilities and made herself care about the people around her. I’m hoping she will finally pluck up the courage to start her own coven and rid herself of her mother’s interference once and for all.

If you haven’t read any of this series so far, I’d recommend them. They are easy to read, entertaining and feature a host of interesting characters who I find myself quite invested in.

The Haven Hollow series is written from a variety of points of view and features stories from Wanda’s Witchery, Poppy’s Potions, Haven Homes and Remarkable Remedies. They all run in parallel to each other. The reading order so far is:

Gypsy Magic : Poppy’s Potions (Haven Hollow, Book 1) 

Cashmere Curses : Wanda’s Witchery (Haven Hollow, Book 2)

Faery Enchantment : Poppy’s Potions (Haven Hollow, Book 3)

Spandex Sorcery : Wanda’s Witchery (Haven Hollow, Book 4)

Love’s Goddess : Poppy’s Potions (Haven Hollow, Book 5)

Demon in Denim : Wanda’s Witchery (Haven Hollow, Book 6)

Taffeta Trickery : Wanda’s Witchery (Haven Hollow, Book 7)   

The Black Cat Cocktail Club : Poppy’s Potions (Haven Hollow, Book 8)

French Country Frights : Haven Homes (Haven Hollow, Book 9)

All Hallows Eve : Remarkable Remedies (Haven Hollow, Book 10)

Mystic Veil : Poppy’s Potions (Haven Hollow, Book 11)

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Dark Redemption (The Dark Creatures Saga, Book 4) - Ella Stone

An excellent urban fantasy. Great story and really well developed characters.

This is the fourth book in the Dark Creatures Saga, an Urban Fantasy from Ella Stone. This book is set primarily in modern day Europe and the UK. There is some romance and a brief non-descriptive scene of an adult nature.

This series just gets better with each book. The writing is beautiful. The story is well paced and quite intense. The constant change of scenery as they travel from country to country keeps the story alive and interesting. Each story arc is well thought through.

Familiar characters are continually developed and new characters added. They are well written and very individual. Naz, the main female character, has grown exponentially since book one. Her experiences, losses and forced positions of responsibility have made her grow up fast. 

Naz’s relationships with Calin and Oliver have changed. She’s angry about the death of her Mother being kept secret and she is struggling to deal with that grief. She has the added responsibility of trying to find a cure for her friend while managing the ever growing band of shifters who all want her to take on the mantle of Alpha. The Vampire Council are far more devious and dangerous than had first been thought and in order to try and stop them, Naz must put her own life and safety on the line. It’s a huge gamble and it’s one that might not pay off.

As ever, the book ends with a hook and I am definitely caught on it. I cannot wait for book five. 

Available from Amazon

Beyond the Shadows - JA Roles

Paranormal romance with a touch of danger and intrigue

This review is for Beyond The Shadows by JA Roles; a short Paranormal Romance story published as part of the Once You Go Shifter anthology. It can be read as a stand alone and is a spin off from a wider series (Pennine Prophecies) due to be published by this author in Dec 2021. There are some descriptive scenes of a sexual nature.

This is the first published work from JA Roles, who has a fluid and easy to read style of writing. Being a short story, it does have a cosy feel to it. The world building is good. The characters are relatable and the story is entertaining. 

The story predominantly features vampires with appearances from shifters and witches, as well as those who hunt supernatural beings. It is set primarily in a corrective institution for vampires who have broken their laws. Corruption and conspiracy abound and the two main characters find themselves fighting for survival both for themselves and their friends and families. 

I enjoyed this story. If you like your paranormal entertainment with a touch of romance and some danger and intrigue, you’ll enjoy this too. I’m looking forward to Roles’ full length novel. 

Available on Amazon

Thud - Skye MacKinnon

Christmas as you’ve never envisioned it. A fun and stabby festive read.

This novella is a Christmas Special spin off set four years after the events in the Catnip Assassins series. It’s a fun story which can be read as a stand alone; readers do not need to have read the series to understand this book. 

This is a short, entertaining and unusual Christmas story featuring a supernatural family of one female and three males. Bored during the holidays while their children are away, the family take on an investigative job for the agency they used to run. There has been a murder. It may involve supernatural beings and the former investigator / assassin family seems just the group to look into it.

This is Christmas as you’ve probably never envisioned it. Secretive cults, sacrificial rituals and manipulative, power hungry leaders meet a sarcastic, frustrated former assassin who just wants to get back into the swing of things. All she wants for Christmas is the opportunity to get a bit stabby. Surely that’s not too much to ask.

I really like Skye MacKinnon’s style of writing. This was a fun read. I will definitely go back and read the Catnip Assassins series. 

Available from Amazon