The Grim Adventures of Death and Chan by Vawn Cassidy - Volume 1

TITLE: ⟫ The Grim Adventures of Death and Chan

AUTHOR: ⟫ Vawn Cassidy

SERIES: ⟫ Volume 1

RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ CRAWSHANKS GUIDE TO THE RECENTLY DEPARTED

A Dead Serious Companion Novella

Set in the Dead Serious Universe, The Grim Adventures of Death & Chan is a compendium of bonus shorts told in chronological order and documenting the hilarious but sweet beginnings of the relationship between a drag queen and the supernatural entity known as Death.

This Volume includes the following:

Death goes on a Date

Death goes Shopping

Death goes on Holiday

Death gets a Puppy

REVIEW: ⟫ This was absolutely delightful! I haven’t read any of the bonus shorts before but was entranced at the idea of reading about Chan and Death’s courtship and these did not disappoint!

Chan has always been an intriguing character and we learn much more about him through these shorts – more about him and Dusty, how they came to be drag queens and the deep friendship that they share – even beyond death.

And then we have Death with a capital D who sounds like a complete DILF and is obviously head over heels for Chan! Chan decides Death needs to learn what it is to be human and the shenanigans are sexy, sweet and touching in a way that Chan truly deserves.

I loved reading these shorts and look forward to reading more – especially if it includes Death in a speedo! I received an ARC from the author.

Creekside Township Rivals by J T Fader

TITLE: ⟫ Creekside Township Rivals

AUTHOR: ⟫ J T Fader

SERIES: ⟫ Books #1 - 3

RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Three HEA stories set in Creekside, a sleepy little town, where rivalries don't generally occur due to the leadership of the East Creekside pack. This boxed set follows the love stories of three brothers, dedicating a book to each. Lots of knotting, MPreg, and of course love.

REVIEW: ⟫ This is pretty much exactly as the blurb describes – three tales set in Creekside, featuring members of the East Creekside pack. It includes mpreg but doesn’t go into huge amounts of detail. There is minimal angst, some violence and an interesting look at werewolves living alongside humans and the issues it can cause.

Reading these was a nice way to while away a few hours – they are nice, gentle and romantic, with fated and chosen mates as the main tropes. If you’re looking for something simple and pleasant, these stories won’t steer you wrong.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Dead Serious: Case #4 Professor Prometheus Plum by Vawn Cassidy

TITLE: ⟫ Dead Serious: Case #4 Professor Prometheus Plum

AUTHOR: ⟫ Vawn Cassidy

SERIES: ⟫ Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed #4

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Inspector Danny Hayes has something very important to ask his boyfriend Tristan Everett. Over the past six months they’ve survived reapers, chaos monsters, and biblical storms, not to mention averting an apocalypse. So, what’s left to do but pop the big question?

Tristan is ready for a break from world-saving, spectral crises, and most definitely from ghosts. He wants some one-on-one time with his boyfriend, preferably horizontally. So when the incredibly thoughtful aforementioned boyfriend books a romantic New Year’s getaway at a quiet little hotel in the wilds of the north Yorkshire moors and away from London, Tristan can’t wait.

But as usual nothing ever goes according to plan. Snowed in during an unexpected murder mystery weekend at what turns out to be one of the most haunted hotels in Northern England is not what they had in mind, but when one of the actors turns up really dead not just fake dead, they once again find themselves caught up in another investigation.

With only one night to figure out who the killer is while wrangling a multitude of overly helpful ghosts, Tristan begins to wonder if romance really is dead…

REVIEW: ⟫ It would be very easy for the romance between Tristan and Danny to take a backseat to a rip-roarer of a weekend where murder, family, extra marital affairs and ghosts are running riot, so it is a credit to Vawn Cassidy that that doesn’t happen.

Danny wants to propose to Tristan – has been planning it for some time – but can’t seem to find the right time. A weekend away where they can both relax after the extremely busy and challenging last few months seems like the perfect opportunity – now if only there wasn’t a murder, an affair, an insane amount of ghosts and a hotel on its’ last legs getting in the way.

I really loved the way that Tristan supported Danny as he faced up to various things from his past, and I was pleased with how went and was handled. Dusty is, as always, the absolute bomb and the interactions between her and Danny had me giggling at various stages. Once again, we have a murder and Tristan using his abilities to help solve the case. This time, other people get up close and personal with the ghosts and it was fascinating seeing their reactions, Danny in particular. At one point, Tristan notes that this is Danny’s first face-to-face conversation with a ghost and for some reason that really made me stop and pause. Up until now, Danny has taken Tristan at his word, not unduly questioned him or made him feel even stranger than he already does. But this represents an opportunity for Danny to see what it is like for Tristan all of the time and I really appreciated this touch.

This was an excellent follow-up to the previous books, with call-outs to characters from other books that were lovely little hints for regular readers to pick up on without being obnoxious for people only now discovering the author. I look forward to the next book – the ending definitely set things up to be completely fascinating and also more than a little bit darker.

This book was like watching a romantic comedy with a little drama/murder for added spice and I really enjoyed it. Definitely recommend.

I received an ARC.

Beyond Time by Lee McCormick (Beyond Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Beyond Time

AUTHOR: ⟫ Lee McCormick

SERIES: ⟫ Beyond Book #1

RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ SETH

I always thought my world would begin and end with Jayce Walker. When a sleep study offers us life-changing money, we jump at the opportunity. There’s only one I don’t have insomnia. Bluffing my way in is easy, but getting there and losing everything that’s ever mattered is a nightmare I can’t escape.

Jayce is gone. My only ally is a voice in my head named Clay, who insists the body walking around — the one I’ve known and loved my entire life — belongs to a man named Kade, and he only wants one thing.

To kill me.

KADE

Most people don’t get second chances, but I did. Brought back to life by a power-hungry company, I have one thought: I want revenge.

But... the man I’m chasing isn’t Clay. His name is Seth, and all my years of being a heartless, psychopathic killer never prepared me for the way his wide eyes make me feel. I don’t know how to deal with the emotions still knocking around in my chest that used to belong to someone named Jayce.

They make me question things. They make me wonder if my agenda has changed…

I want to make Seth mine.

~~~

BEYOND TIME is a dual POV dark romance with a twist on soulmates that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Prepare yourself for scorching heat, high emotions, and a psychopath who doesn’t know what to do with all the feelings he’s suddenly being forced to experience. Guaranteed HEA with a universe that’s wide open for exploration!

REVIEW: ⟫ Well, I had no idea what I was letting myself in for, but boy oh boy, this kicked 2024 off with a bang!

The premise is so simple and yet full of twists, turns and idiosyncrasies and the characters are fully fleshed out – even the ones that are not at the forefront of the story for long become real through memories and feelings. The idea of bringing back assassins from the past is absolutely genius, and Clay and Kade were the ultimate duo. Their first task is to take the other one out – to prove that they are worthy – but both men have a personal stake in things. After all, Clay killed Kade once already.

Add to that baby-tiger Seth and the depths to his character that could not have been expected, and this book is an absolute roller-coaster of a ride. It’s actually difficult to know who to root for – the ultimate bad boy who decides from one taste of Seth that they are meant to be, or Clay who simply wants to keep Seth safe. And then we have Seth, who seems to be drawn to the very person who wants to kill him! It’s a troubling one – unless you’re used to, and love, the whole concept of Psychos in love!

I really enjoyed this and am very pleased to see that it is the first in a series – I can only imagine where the author will take things from here and I am excited to see where this goes.

I received an ARC from GRR.

The Royal Curse by Eliot Grayson (Twilight Mages Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ The Royal Curse

AUTHOR: ⟫ Eliot Grayson

SERIES: ⟫ Twilight Mages

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Dawn mage. Twilight mage. Cursed, useless, damaged, dangerous…

His birth magic leaves Prince Nikola with nothing but bad live as another man’s possession, subject to his whims and his desires, or remain dependent on a potion that stunts his powers and prevents him from knowing love. Andreas vows to protect the prince with his life—whether Nikola wants him to or not. After all, the queen pays his soldier’s wage. Nikola’s nothing but a job to do. But when they find themselves stranded, with Nikola’s potion running out, Andreas has to…improvise. Because what Prince Nikola needs to survive is the opposite of a lowly guard’s respectful protection. It should’ve been only one night. Just until the potion’s refilled. But now that Nikola’s had Andreas’s touch, he craves Andreas again and again. He shouldn’t. But he—and his magic—can’t live without it…

The Royal Curse is a high-heat MM fantasy romance with a stubborn prince, an even more stubborn soldier, and cursed magic that can’t be denied. There is an attempted on-page assault that is not between the main characters. HEA guaranteed.

REVIEW: ⟫ I need to start by saying that I am extremely happy that this is going to be a series because there needs to be so much more about Twilight Mages! Their magic is fascinating and I really enjoyed the descriptions included in the story.

This book is described as high heat and is well deserving of the notification – once Andreas and Nikola get going, they really get going! And I loved reading the two of them together – they were hot, sexy, caring and oh, so much fun! I enjoyed the back story regarding Niko’s trip and the reasoning behind it, and the subplot was entertaining even if just for seeing Andreas getting all possessive and violent over Niko.

This was a lovely addition to my Eliot Grayson library and I will happily re-read it in preparation for the next story – which, please, be out soon!

I received and ARC from GRR.

Tied Over by Mary Calmes (Marshals Book #6)

TITLE: ⟫ Tied Over

AUTHOR: ⟫ Mary Calmes

SERIES: ⟫ Marshals Book #6

RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Josiah Redeker has been tied up, tied down, and just plain tied to Bodhi Callahan since the younger marshal was paired with him five years ago. It was an easy slide from partners to best friends, and though Bodhi wanted more, Josiah thought Bodhi could do far better than him. That made for a bumpy ride, and, of course, the moment Josiah realized that trying to live without the man he loved more than anything was not something he could do, that was when Bodhi broke the big news that he was getting married. Adding to that nightmare, they got reassigned as partners because other people needed them more.

It’s a disaster all around, and all Josiah sees ahead of him is pain—and not only from getting shot.

But what he thinks he knows for sure isn’t exactly all there is. Turns out, he’s not the only one who’s missing his touchstone, and Bodhi might be fraying at the edges, coming undone. When two people have been tied together over and over for so long, it’s not so easy to get loose. And maybe neither wants to be free of the other, and that could be their future, as long as no one comes between them… with a gun.

REVIEW: ⟫ This one has been coming for some time and Mary Calmes did not disappoint.

Jed Redeker is determined that his partner, fellow marshall, Bodhi Callahan should only have the best. And despite how much Jed loves him, he is also pretty determined that there is someone more worthy of Bodhi’s love than he.

That lasts until Bodhi finally seems to give up on his pining and moves on with his life, falling in love and getting engaged. That’s what it takes for Jed to realise that he has lost his chance at having Bodhi be his partner in all ways, and life kinda sucks. Add to that getting shot and being forced to vacation with Bodhi and his fiance and Jed is pretty sure he’s in hell.

Man, I had forgotten how much I loved the way Mary Calmes writes her characters. They’re not perfect – both Jed and Bodhi are argumentative, pig-headed, stubborn, know it alls with alpha male stamped all over them. But the streak of protectiveness in each of them and just how much they care about each other make them pretty much perfect together. It is a tried and trusted method that Mary Calmes uses – the main lead who everyone loves and sees in the best possible way, along with the partner who just has to get them to get their head out of their behind to see how happy they could be together. And it totally worked with Jed and Bodhi – no matter how frustrating the two of them could be (Jed is so determined that Bodhi has the best that he ignores his own desires for FOUR years), you are still rooting for them to make it.

Add in fellow marshals from the past – including Sam Kage who is one of my absolute fave of Mary’s characters, alongside Miro and Ian of course – and this story took me away from daily life and into the whirlwind that is the Marshals series. If you’ve read any of the other books, you know pretty much what you are in for: action, romance, banter, friendship, and men who will stand in front of a bullet for someone because it’s the right thing to do.

I regularly re-read the previous Marshals books, and having book six to add to that re-read list makes me a very happy person!

Weddings, Christmas and Such by Amy Lane (Holiday Stories from Granby)

TITLE: ⟫ Weddings, Christmas and Such

AUTHOR: ⟫ Amy Lane

SERIES: ⟫ Holiday Stories from Granby

RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Welcome back to the world of Granby, where the yarn is soft, the knitting is fine, and the critters are never far off.... After the happy ever after of Blackbird Knitting in a Bunny's Lair, Jeremy and Aiden continued to be fan favorites, and author Amy Lane visited them from time to time in a series of whimsical shorts that were posted on her blog and Patreon. Those shorts, together with a brand-new, never before seen Christmas novel featuring the entire Granby family, are gathered here in Weddings, Christmas, and Such, a collection of stories that show the good times in the bad, and the hope even in the darkness. Welcome back to the world of Granby—Jeremy, Aiden, Craw, Ben, Stanley, Johnny, Ariadne, Rory, and baby Persephone are all happy to see you again!

In This The Gift of a

The folks at Craw's mill and shop have always knitted for each other's big holidays, but one person in their midst hasn't been entirely honest about his own birthday... Ariadne and Rory are going off on a much-needed vacation--are Jeremy and Aiden prepared for full-time childcare and all the hard questions it might entail?

And the Mountains Should

Hard times have come to Granby--can Craw and his small patchwork family survive fire in the pandemic, and find something to be thankful for on the other side?

Weddings and

After all the troubles and some years of peace, it really is time for everybody to get married. Has Jeremy come far enough along from his rabbit days to be the center of attention while his boy makes an honest man out of him?

Crocheting Hawks and Knitting Christmas

Gideon Haze and Pippen Madison commit a near-tragic mistake, and everybody's favorite bunny is laid up for Christmas! Can the bodyguard and his vulnerable charge find a way to atone for their lapse in judgment and grow into the men who can make themselves and their new Granby family safe from Pippen's dangerous father?

REVIEW: ⟫ The chicken in a Tuxedo on the front cover is fully explained, I promise.

Do you ever experience that feeling where you return somewhere and think, yeah, it was okay at the time but nothing special now? What about when you return somewhere and remember everything good about it, how it made you feel, the way it touched your heart and mind? Returning to Granby is definitely the latter – I only vaguely remembered Jeremy and Aiden until I started reading and my brain went ‘oh yes, happy place!’

Not that these stories are all happy – some of them are quite poignant, they remind us of a difficult time that the world went through, the struggles many are currently facing. But they also give us hope and faith that if we find our family – by blood or by choice – then we can make it out the other side.

I promised myself I was just going to read one of the short stories, and here I am at 6 am in the morning, sniffing away happy tears and writing these reviews whilst I still have all of those Granby feelings still in my heart. Having this now – for Christmas – may just be exactly what I needed to get me through the next few weeks, and I can only imagine the feeling is similar for so many other people. How Amy Lane continues to manage to rip my heart out with one hand, whilst giving me the mushiest love feelings of all time with the other is beyond me, but this book of stories is a perfect addition to Granby.

And, hey, if you can’t quite remember reading the Knitting/Crochet books, what better treat than to get them all for yourself in time for Christmas!

I received an ARC from the author.