New Release Book Review: A Traitor Shows His Hand by Mia Monroe

I am really enjoying the Covens of Eaton Falls series, once again, I like the way the books continue on from the previous one and things don’t get rehashed all over again. I can’t believe we are nearly at the end, only one more book to go until we find out how this war will turn out for everyone involved.

In A Traitor Shows His Hand ( Covens of Eaton Falls #5) things are really starting to heat up and move along, there was plenty going on, with ‘The Beautiful One’ showing more of his hand, more power-hungry bad guys and of course, more romance.

While I was hoping this would be Willem’s book, Mia Monroe has saved that for the final battle and I can’t wait for that potential love triangle to play out.

I really liked getting to know Jack and Maverick better, the twins have had a bit of the unknown about them and I loved learning of their twin connection and the power they had together and individually.
Learning to be separated from each other was tough for Maverick and Jack, but it is what they both need to be able to move forward and grow into their individual potential and find their own soulmates. Jack had a lot to deal with in this book, which sets up the final relationship for the last book Demons Are So annoying. Jack and Prince have a deeper connection than he imagined and it was enjoyable to see how his attitude towards Prince changed as he was forced to spend time with him while he was still in his vulnerable state. I think sparks are really going to fly in the next book. as Jack, Prince and Willem figure things out.

Geoffrey was completely besotted with Maverick and though at first neither thought they could possibly be together for various reasons, once they make that jump they are both all in, and for Maverick this really helps him come into his own hidden powers. I thought Maverick and Geoffrey were perfect for each other and complemented each other well, I liked how they both supported each other through every turn and learned to communicate what they were thinking and feeling.

While they have managed to find out much more about what is going on with the war that has been waged against them, and there were some surprises in store in that department, I can only imagine there is going to be plenty more action, chaos and magic to come before the war is over. I hope they don’t lose too many more of their friends in order to save the world.

Links to my reviews for the series

Never Trust A Guy With Fangs (Book 1)

The Witch’s Power Play (Book2)

Vampires Make Bad Roommates (Book 3)

Cosmic Spells and Vampire Lairs (Book 4)

New Release Book Review: Cosmic Spells and Vampire Lairs by Mia Monroe

I am thoroughly enjoying the Coven of Eaton Falls series and Cosmic Spells and Vampire Lairs pairs up another witch and vampire as well as answering some questions and raising more about the war being waged by the ‘Beautiful One’ against the magical community of Eaton Falls.

The witch Callisto has the gift of divination and has been paired up with the vampire Pietro who has a dark past. Both are drawn to each other but Callisto doesn’t believe Pietro is his fated mate and Pietro wishes he was. I really liked Callisto and Pietro who seem to complement each other well, as Callisto says “You’re the earth to my sky. You’ll keep us grounded while I make sure we never lose the joy of wonder.” So romantic. I liked how these two communicated and how open Callisto was to accepting ‘the change’ when it came to following his heart and his future. The relationship between Callisto and Pietro was really sweet and I could feel how much they cared about each other.

There are a few more discoveries and a trip to New Orleans to try and find their friend Prince who didn’t fare too well in the previous book when he encountered the ‘Beautiful One’ and to hopefully find out some more information from the other coven’s there. But more information also leads to more questions and more potential danger.

I am really enjoying uncovering the mystery behind the ‘Beautiful One’ alongside getting to know the other witches and vampires of Eaton Falls. I am looking forward to uncovering more in A Traitor Shows His Hand which is due out in March, I’m also hoping this will be Willem’s turn to find his love or loves.

Links to my reviews for the series

Never Trust a Guy with Fangs (Book 1)

The Witch’s Power Play (Book 2)

Vampires Make Bad Roommates (Book 3)

New Release Book Review: Can’t Help Falling in Love with an Alien by Chloe Archer

Can’t Help Falling in Love with an Alien (book 2 Tentacular Tales) was just as fun and original as book 1 It’s Not Unusual to be Loved by an Alien and book 1.5 A Very Tentacular Christmas, you really do need to have read at least book 1 before reading book 2 because the story continues on seamlessly.

Once again this book had so much humour that I was constantly grinning at something our main characters were doing or saying, especially River, well mostly River in fact, but Kai is coming a close second as River’s influence is loosening him up big time. River is adorable and just as everyone (alien) he meets in the novel loves him, I loved him too. He seemed even more over-the-top in this novel and is doing so well putting his stamp upon Team ANAL as he has named the Alliance of Neutral Alien Lifeforms and has come up with a plan to help aliens feel happier and participate in daily life now they are living on earth, this he has named Operation Rehoming Alien’s Lovingly, in other words, Team ANAL’s new ORAL mission lol.

There is so much going on in Can’t Help Falling in Love with an Alien, River is trying to come to grips with the news he found out at the end of book 1 (I don’t want to spoil it for people who haven’t read it yet), an assassin is very likely after him, he’s setting up ORAL, his relationship with his tentacled boyfriend Kai is zooming along and growing stronger by the minute, Kai’s brother is still smitten by an oblivious uncle Benji, they are still tracking down the illegal drug issue and Kai’s ex has shown up and is causing issues.

All of the characters that make up Team ANAL are super supportive of River and Kai and so much fun to spend time with.

Chloe Archer has really come up with a great concept and her explanations and descriptions are so good I can completely imagine what she puts on the page.

I love the continuing snippets of River’s ‘Tentacle porn soap opera’ story and the interchange between Captain Starblade and Lord Vardox along with the fan mail River receives and Kai’s responding correspondence.

Can’t Help Falling in Love with an Alien is nonstop action and humour and I can’t wait for book 3 When a Man Loves an Alien coming later in the year.

Link to review of It’s Not Unusual to be Loved by an Alien (Book 1 Tentacular Tales)

Link to review of A Very Tentacular Christmas (Book 1.5 Tentacular Tales)

New Release Book Review: Shah Mat by Jennifer Cody

Ever since I read my first book in the Diviner’s Game series I was completely hooked on the world Jennifer Cody had created. When the Shattered Pawns series began I couldn’t have read them quickly enough, each book is partly written in the same timeline but adds so much information with each book and each new couple. After reading Promote (book 3), I knew that book 4 was going to get seriously crazy before it all made sense and that somehow she would work out how they could win the unwinnable war that they have all been working towards winning. None more so than Slean and Den whose story Shah Mat finally gets to tell and wow, I have to say I was not disappointed. As always I am in awe of how Jennifer Cody’s mind works, I can only hope she keeps on creating.

This isn’t a book you can pick up and understand without having read the previous 3 in this series (personally I’d recommend you also read the Diviner’s Game series too as you will meet many of the characters), you really do need all of the contexts from those books to understand what is going on in Shah Mat.

The first 3rd of the book is madness that slowly becomes completely clear as you keep reading. I already knew that Slean was mad, I just had no idea that Den was mad too, but it all made sense when it all made sense (now I sound like Slean and Den). Jennifer puts her characters, all of them, through some extremely terrible and trying situations, but I rode along with them, with my heart in my throat at times, knowing that there would be a HEA at the end of the journey.

I love the relationship between Slean & Den and I loved the relationship between Monet and Qis in the previous book, but I really loved the relationship that they eventually create between all of them, I knew it was coming and have been anticipating it for months.

I hope we get at least one more series set in this world, but I have no idea where Jennifer could take us after the ride that has been Shattered Pawns.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a digital copy in return for an honest review.

To read my reviews on the other books in the series

Pass (book 1) Shattered Pawns

Capture (book 2) Shattered Pawns

Promote (book3) Shattered Pawns

Check out The Diviner’s Games Series

New Release Book Review: It’s Not Unusual to be Loved by an Alien by Chloe Archer

This book was so good and so original, I was lucky enough to get an early copy and then I reread it on kindle unlimited and enjoyed it just as much the second time around. For a novel that is just over 100,000 words, I flew through it in two sittings without once realising it was such a long novel. It flowed really well and I was fully engaged from the start to its HFN cliffhanger-like ending.

This book had so much humour I was constantly grinning at something our main characters were doing or saying, especially River, well mostly River in fact. He was absolutely adorable, a self-proclaimed sci-fi geek who strongly believes aliens are real and gets far more than he bargains for when he and his uncle Benji follow their neighbour who they believe is an alien.

I loved Kai, the very straight-laced alien in charge of keeping aliens on earth safe, and when River shows up at their top secret base his life is thrown into turmoil, but the best kind.

I adored River and his rambling, his humour and his pop culture references. I loved the way he set his sights on Kai and didn’t let Kai’s taciturn behaviour put him off one little bit. Kai has had a bad past experience with dating a human, so initially fights his attraction to River, somethings just can’t be fought though. These two were made for each other. Their relationship though fast timewise is also slow burn and I enjoyed every bit of it.

I thought the cast of side characters was also really great, Uncle Benji and River’s BFF Evan and Kai’s parents Maddox and Ellie and his brother Mal all just made for a wonderful treat. Along with all the crew from the ANAL team.

I also enjoyed the snippets of River’s tentacle porn story he writes and would love at some stage to read the whole thing.

I can’t wait for book 2, I just wish it were December already.

More about #TentacularTales Book 1

A sexy alien living incognito on Earth meets a sci-fi-loving nerd who wants to rock his universe. What could possibly go wrong? Besides the unexpected tentacles and the accidental Mating Courtship Ritual, that is…

It’s Not Unusual to be Loved by an Alien (Tentacular Tales #1) is a (102,000 words) M/M sci-fi rom-com featuring an adorkable twink with unexpected secrets and a slight obsession with extraterrestrials, the reluctant alien he wants to make his boo, tentacles with a mind of their own, zany extraterrestrial shenanigans in Sin City, and enough humour to fill an entire spaceship. This is the first book in the series. There is no cheating, and this book ends with an HFN. Never fear, the series guarantees readers a HEA by the end!

Buy Link 📖 getbook.at/TentacularTales1

Enter the #Giveaway for your chance to win a $5 Amazon Gift Card & an e-copy of It’s Not Unusual To Be Loved by an Alien. Two winners will be chosen!

Enter here: https://bit.ly/TT1_Giveaway

And follow @chloearcher_author on Instagram for extra entries!

New Release Book Review: The Witch’s Power Play by Mia Monroe

I am really enjoying the Covens of Eaton Falls series, I like the way the books continue on from the previous one and things don’t get rehashed all over again.

As Leo’s best friend in book #1 Never Trust a Guy With Fangs, this time around it’s Presley’s turn to get his vampire. In book #1 Presley was assigned Beto to guard/look out for him, and we know he and Beto had definite chemistry between them that they both were fighting, one of the reasons, the curse, is no longer a reason and these two are finally able to act on their feelings. I really liked that once they’d established they were both interested that they were both all in, and things certainly got steamy for these two.

Presley has some tough things to deal with after getting together with Beto and I loved that he was able to take control and realise how strong he was even without his magic. He was much more capable than he believed and once he saw what he could do and learned to have confidence in himself, there was no stopping him.

We learn a bit more about the demons and the leader ‘the beautiful one’ (as named by Presley) behind their war, but there are still many questions to uncover. The supernatural community are all going to have to pull together if they are going to defeat whatever ‘the beautiful one’ has planned.

I am really looking forward to the next instalment.

New Release Book Review: Inferno by Jennifer Cody

Inferno (Hammer and Fist: Geminatus # 1) and a spin-off from Sledge & Claw (Hammer & Fist #1) was yet another fabulous read from Jennifer Cody, who at this point I have to say, I would read anything she writes.

Inferno is set in the same world as Sledge & Claw and you can find a short prologue at the end of that book, which sets up the background of Inferno.

Hunter/ Ranger are one person who shares two bodies, he calls them his avatars, and it is a secret he has had to keep from everyone, never understanding why he is different, he has had to pretend to be two separate people, living two different lives simultaneously. All that changes when an encounter with gremlins changes his life and he learns about the IDIA – the Inter-dimensional Immigration Agency and all the different beings that inhabit the earth.

When Hunter/Ranger ends up in the hospital after his encounter with the gremlins, he meets a nurse Cedric Clark, a shy unicorn who is flying under the radar of the IDIA and who becomes the love interest of Hunter/Ranger.

Living with Hunter/Ranger is their adopted sister/neighbour Sally who knows nothing about the IDIA or what Hunter/Ranger really is.

All they know is about to change when Hunter/Ranger is drawn into an investigation into who or what is causing so many different inter-dimensional beings, and bad ones at that, to end up in their sleepy little town.

Oh, I do enjoy a Jennifer Cody novel, this one required extra attention due to the conversations and interactions with Hunter/Ranger and coming to an understanding of how their mind/bodies worked.

I really enjoyed learning more about this world and I loved the romance that bloomed between Cedric and Hunter/Ranger as well as the friendships that formed between Cedric and Sally and Dustin an agent with the IDIA.

There was plenty going on and not for a second did I want to drag my attention away from this novel. I can’t wait to go back to this world in both series. Though the author says this can be read as a standalone, personally I would recommend you read Sledge and Claw first and the prologue at the end, it will give you a much better handle on this amazing world she has created.

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

Inferno is an MM Urban Fantasy. This is a spin-off of Hammer and Fist: Lextalion and better read after Sledge and Claw but it stands alone.

Blog Tour: Excerpt & Review: Infinite Bond by L.Rose

This novel had me up all night, my just one more chapter became nearly 90% of the novel with only hours before I had to get up for work, I managed to put it down, albeit reluctantly.

I am a fan of L. Rose’s Paranormal works and this one completely pulled me into the world she has built, full of magic and supernatural beings, power-hungry bad guys and wonderful main characters.

When we meet Micah he has no knowledge of the supernatural beings that are all around him, he is a young guy with little self-esteem who is struggling to make ends meet whilst paying for his deadbeat mother’s gambling addiction. I liked Micah straight away and grew to love him throughout the novel. A genuine person who wants to make something of himself, but just hasn’t had the opportunity. When he suddenly finds himself with powers he never knew existed, he is thrown headfirst into a completely new world full of beings he thought were only things of myths and legend.

His roommates Cade, Zeke and Hyde all have very different reactions to him as their world is turned upside down by their need to protect him and eventually make him theirs. I adored these guys, even Cade who makes things very difficult for Micah to start with. I loved exploring the connection these four had and loved how each character changed and grew as their relationships with each other did. As Micah gets to know his roommates, he starts to come into his own and starts slowly at first to believe in himself, as he comes into his powers, the extent of them is mindblowing to all those around him.

Micah’s one and only friend, Tanika is the one to help introduce him to his new life, she was a great friend, most of the time, but there were times she annoyed the hell out of me. Luckily she turned out to be a true friend, and we all need one of those, but Micah did especially.

This is a book I’ll be reading again, I enjoyed it that much. A great MMMM romance with plenty of romance, sex, excitement & danger.

About the book

With three hearts to worry about, as well as my own, time will tell if I’m up for the task.

Infinite Bond, an all-new magical M/M/M/M paranormal romance from bestselling author L. Rose is available now!

With three hearts to worry about, as well as my own, time will tell if I’m up for the task.

I’ve always been normal. Okay, maybe more of an average guy, who’s quiet and awkward. Just someone who’s trying to survive living in my trailer while dodging my mom’s debt collectors.

Everything changes when a power within me surfaces, and my eyes are thrown wide open.

Humans aren’t the only ones who walk the earth.

Read that again, but slowly. I know. I can hardly believe it either.

There’s more. With my newfound power, I’m expected to attend a college to learn how to use my slightly terrifying and temperamental telekinetic ability, a power I apparently should have received when I was a kid, not at twenty-one.

Throw in my new roommates and my brain threatens to overload while my heart can’t figure out who or what it wants. All my traitorous heart is sure of is that it’s greedy and beats far too fast when any of the three not-completely-human men are around.

Not that my wanting will do me any good. There’s Cade who hates me, Zeke who’s super nice and understanding but way out of my league, and Hyde who’s as scary as he is quiet.

I have no idea if I’ll survive the changes, but I really want to. Just wait and see for yourself. As soon as you meet these guys, you’ll understand and see our undeniable connection. Just be warned, nothing but death will stop me protecting my hearts.

Download your copy today! Amazon Amazon Worldwide Apple Books Nook Kobo

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Excerpt

Reaching down, I picked up the bag and noticed the duffle on the floor, so I grabbed it as well. The weight of both had me stumble a little to the side. My face heated. Maybe it would be best to run for my room and hide in there until Sebastian pried me away for classes.

Groaning inwardly, I flicked my gaze to Zeke, who stood there with his arms crossed over his broad chest, smirking.

“Are you shy?”

My pulse raced, my stomach churned, and I wanted to… God, hide once again. “Yes.” I nodded. “And, um, awkward around meeting people.”

Why?

Why did I say that?

My blush deepened and I was close to throwing up.

“Got it. Look, I’m going to give it to you straight.”

Now I wanted to pee.

“Yes?”

“Cade is an asshole. Hyde is…. Well, he’s a dick sometimes too. Don’t let their attitudes get you down. You’ll get used to them.”

In other words, I would have to deal with more bullies. Great.

Grazing my bottom lip with my top teeth, I nodded. What else could I say to that? There wasn’t anything. What I wanted to do was curl into an emotional ball and rock back and forth over the daunting situation I was now in. My stomach rumbled and twisted. At least Zeke couldn’t see my shaky hands since I was holding both bags tightly.

“Hey” was said softly, but I still jolted at the closeness of his voice. My eyes snagged on his feet in front of me first before they traveled up his long legs to his chest. A shiver raked over me when Zeke cupped one side of my neck. “It’s not all bad here. Promise.”

I nodded again, not convinced my voice would work from the feel of his warm hand on my skin.

Why was I reacting to his close proximity? Why did my heart beat faster than it had in fright? Why did I have the urge to hug him?

It was crazy. No, beyond that. But I couldn’t get my mind to work to find the word I was looking for.

“Get some sleep. I’m sure you’re wrecked from the night.”

With another nod, which he chuckled at, Zeke pulled his hand away. I watched him through the curtain of my fringe as he walked to the kitchenette. Before I could make a fool of myself again, I raced to my door and turned the handle. I walked into the door when it didn’t open, smacking into it hard.

My face burned, the blush spreading down my neck when I heard a low chuckle. I gripped the handle and got the door open on my second attempt. I didn’t look back, even when I wanted to. Closing it, I dropped the bags to the floor. My back hit the door, and I slid to the ground, wrapping my arms around my knees and burying my forehead against them.

Dread filled me, thinking about what tomorrow would bring.

How was I going to live through everything without combusting into a nervous pile of goo?

Not for the first time, I wished I had a bigger pair of balls.

About L. Rose

Bestselling author, Lila Rose, writing as L. Rose to bring you a brand-spanking-new reverse harem paranormal romance series. You’ll laugh, maybe cry, and hopefully enjoy feisty Paige and her annoyingly hot men.

Connect with L. Rose Amazon Goodreads Website

New Release Book Review: Untamed by Cassie Laelyn

I didn’t realise it had been over a year since I read book #3 Unseen, and I thought I would have remembered enough, but I really wish I’d reread it and the other books before reading Untamed because it took me a little while to pick up the thread again and figure out what was going on. Once I did get back on track, I didn’t want to put it down as I really wanted to know how everything that Fate has set up played out.

Raine is tough, but stands herself apart from those around her, never allowing them to get closer to really get to know her. When she bumps into Slater, a Fallen, and eventually chooses to work with him to find her missing sword, everything she has known and believed about her fate and about the Fallen, will come into question.

There was so much going on in this novel, twists and turns, characters turning on one another, hidden agendas and plenty of secrets, there was no way to know how it was all going to turn out and who would be left standing. Fate certainly has a lot to answer for with her scheming.

I loved catching up with all the Guardians and their partners and getting to know Raine and Slater.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series, I hope it comes sooner rather than later because I need to know what happens next.

Half year round up

Wow, 6 months has gone by in a bit of a flash, I’ve fallen down a bit in my reviewing, but I’m hoping I can get back on track from now on. I have read some great books this year so far and thought I’d share 6 of my favourite, one for each month, a hard thing to do.

I’ve read 147 books out of 150 for my Goodreads challenge, these consist of physical books, ebooks and audiobooks, I think I’ll make it don’t you.

And according to my kindle I have read far more than that in ebooks alone. I’ve also read for 153 weeks in a row and 297 days in a row, so that’s pretty cool.

So my first book I’m picking is Future Girl by Asphyxia I didn’t get around to writing my thoughts on this yet, but it was a great #ownvoices YA read by an Australian author who is deaf. Her character is deaf and I learnt a lot about the deaf community and Auslan. She also is a big advocate of being self sufficient and the book is full of ideas on growing your own veggies and composting etc. Set in the near future in Australia, it seems very real possible furture in some ways. I read this back in January, so the fact it has stayed with me all that time says a lot. I actually got the library to buy this in for me, it is written in the form of an art journal and I felt a physical copy was necessary to get the full experience.

Next is another I haven’t written my thoughts on, another library book, aren’t librarys wonderful, was The Boy From the Mish by Garry Lonesborough another #ownvoices YA novel, a coming of age book about an indigenous boy struggling with his sexuality in an outback community. A powerful read full of emotions.

Next is Raft of Stars by Andrew J. Graff I did actually write a small review for this one: What an emotional story on so many levels. I was taken for a ride right along with these boys who are running from their actions and the adults who are running to save them. The descriptive writing was wonderful and I was completely swept up in this story, swept along that river with its many faces, not quite sure until right at the end what the outcome was going to be. A story of friendship, consequences, actions, and reactions, love and grief; the outcome of the boys’ actions will have consequences for everyone involved.

A Home Like Ours by Fiona Lowe was a fabulous read, see my review here. A novel which covers a lot of important topics such as racism, homelessness, refugees, single mothers and domestic abuse.

Next is The Things We See in the Light by Amal Awad an #ownvoices novel that had me gripped from the start. This novel grabbed hold of me, pulled me in and refused to let me go until I’d finished. I was immediately drawn to Sahar and the story of her past journey in Jordan, married to a man she barely knew, as it is slowly revealed to us, as well as her present journey discovering who she is now she has taken control of her life.

I loved that Sahar was in her 40s and still discovering who she was, there’s hope for me still.

The cast of characters surrounding Sahar were so wonderfully varied, all with quirks and their own issues. My favourite was Luke, I enjoyed watching him open up and in turn cause Sahar to open up to new possibilities also.

I loved this story, it spoke to me in many ways, a story of friendship, love, of journeys with plenty of lessons to learn along the way, I enjoyed every minute of it.

And lastly, ahhh this was hard to pick one last book, but I’ve gone with a non-fiction read, a memoir by a South Sudanese man who now calls Perth his home. Father of the Lost Boys by Yuot Alaak this was a powerful read and showed just what people are capable of, both the good and the bad. See my review here.

I’m currently reading The Other Side of Beautiful by Kim Lock, I’m nearly half way through and I think this will be going on one of my top reads for 2021.

If you’re interested in checking out any of the 147 books I’ve read so far, the link to my reader challenge is here.

I’d love to know your thoughts on any of these books if you’ve read them or are wanting to read them. And I’d love to know what your favourite books of 2021 are so far.