"Moon Bound" by Chelsea Burton Dunn

Vee is a locksmith. She would say that her abilities as an empath are more trouble than they're worth and that she just wants to live a normal everyday life, at least as much as possible. But ever since helping out by keeping a teenage girl who happened to be a Werewolf about to experience her first change keep from transforming in public, staying under the radar of other preternaturals is just not possible anymore... especially not with the growing attraction between herself and the local pack leader. And staying unnoticed becomes completely impossible when it becomes clear that someone, or something, is hunting Vee. But the why is unknown.

I read an Advance Review copy of this book. Like several others I have read recently, it is the second book in a series of which I have not yet read book one. But trust me, after reading this one, I plan on finding a copy of that book to read and review. In other words, I really enjoyed it.

Like anyone, the characters in this book had their own flaws, and it shows that just because someone can sense what another is feeling, it doesn't tell them why they feel it or even what might have caused that feeling. I enjoyed reading about the various Weres, Witches, and Watchers. And even without having read book one, it was still very clear how each group was different than the others, as well as the fact that there are other types of preternaturals in the world 

I enjoyed reading this book, and I do intend to hunt down book one. I am also looking forward to reading book three in this series.

If you like magic, otherworldly beings, Werewolves, or any other type of paranormal creature stories, then I think you will enjoy this series as well.

This book may also be found from the following locations:

https://books2read.com/bymoonlight02

"Cookbooks and Demons" by Megan Mackie

Helena is hosting a dinner party for several friends, coworkers, and her boss. But she's pretty much a disaster in the kitchen. After ruining her attempted meal, she somehow managed to accidentally summon a demon. And we all know how poorly that tends to end for the summoner.  But the demon manages to save her meal, allowing her to impress her guests without them finding out that he isn't actually a caterer.

This was an interesting story. I received and read a review copy of this story. It was a fun and steamy paranormal romance. But readers should be aware that there are some trigger warnings with this one. There are references to bullying and suicide. And some sexual situations that make this probably a bit inappropriate for younger readers.

The interactions between Helena and the demon (Rafferty) were very interesting and often fun to watch. He's not exactly what you expect when a demon is accidentally summoned, and she clearly has more sympathy for his plight than most summoners would. All in all, it makes for a very interesting story. And the ending leaves me wanting to know what will be coming in the sequel. (Or would that be season two as this is a serial on the Yonder app.)

If you enjoy fun paranormal romances that include some steamy sex scenes in the story, then you'll definitely enjoy this book. You can find it on the Yonder app by following this link:

https://m.yonderstory.com/titles/1237

"The Lame and Forged Mail Order Bride" by Florence Linnington

When Belle learns that her Father planned to send her younger sister off as a mail order bride, Belle knew she couldn't let that happen. Instead, she left in her sister's stead, expecting to find an older or cruel man. But what she found was a man her own age, who had a small homestead and a young son. She marries him, but as he was expecting a woman named Susie, she tells him that her younger sister was named Belle. 

This was a sweet tale of two people finding love and overcoming a number of challenges and difficulties that come their way. It brings to the fore the question of whether love can be built between two people based on a lie, even if that lie was made with nothing but the best of intentions behind it.

Ms Linnington is very good at writing heartwarming tales that include a life lesson in them. Most often, those lessons involve being honest with one another, and not being afraid to tell someone what you are thinking and feeling. This one seems to be about the power of honesty and forgiveness. And even if you aren't reading Ms. Linnington's books for their life lessons, they are still very enjoyable and sweet tales that always have a happy ending, even when it looks like that might be a difficult ending to find.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book from the author, and believe that if, like me, you enjoy mail-order bride stories, western romances, historical fiction, or have enjoyed any of Ms. Linnington's other books, then I am sure that you'll enjoy this one too.

This book may also be available through the following:

https://books2read.com/u/meXOgr

"Queen's Incubus" by Honey Cummings

Velechka is the First Crowned Princess of Aurelia, but she has been taught from early on not to questions the decisions made for her by others, regarding everything from what foods she wants to eat or what color and style of clothing she prefers, to who her father and the council intend for her to marry and when. She has been taught the hard way, not to disagree or ask for something other than what she is given. That is simply her life as a royal.

But things change when she learns that the "Whore King" has demanded that she was to become one of his harem, and instead of sending her, the council decides instead her younger, underage sister, should be delivered into a life of certain misery instead. Then Valechka finds her determination and her voice and stands up to the men running her kingdom and sets out to take control of her own fate. She makes a magical deal with the Advisor of Iniquity to train her in techniques of seduction that will aid her in gaining the title of Queen to the Whore King rather than merely becoming just another princess in his harem. The only requirement is that her petal (her virginity) must remain intact or the deal that was made with the Whore King will be void and war will likely overrun her country.

Starting out with the obvious, this is erotica, complete with a great deal of very graphic sex, and includes some trigger warnings for violence, rape, and abuse. It's no secret that I am not a fan of erotica, but was asked to read this book anyway. (I received an advance review copy.) And I was surprised by how entertaining I found the story.  The main characters were fascinating, and parts of this book nearly had me in tears for the fate that they seemed to be doomed and forced into. 

This book is a serial on the Yonder app. If you are a fan of very graphic and descriptive erotica, but also enjoy tales with an excellent story that drives the sexual encounters forward (as opposed to one where the sex is the story without much plot to move things forward) then you will likely enjoy this one. I know I was pleasantly surprised by it.

You can find this book in the Yonder app.

https://m.yonderstory.com/titles/1304

"The Sea of the Vanities" by Lou Kemp.

Cass has been traveling across the southern continent. She is a renowned singer who is fleeing a scandal and her memories, though no matter how far she goes, both still seem to find her.  She is currently taking passage on the sailing ship "Passat," hoping for a nice quiet trip. Unfortunately, fate seems to have other plans.

I received an Advanced Review Copy of this book, and enjoyed this seafaring tale of adventure, murder, pirates and a touch of the paranormal. It was set in the 1800s, and I found the story and the characters quite captivating.  Traveling across oceans in the days when pirate ships roamed free was often dangerous, and the pirates in this book were more than a little bloodthirsty. But they weren't the only dangers the Passat's passengers would encounter.

So far as I could tell, the setting and the characters in the book were fairly accurate portrayals for the time, and their stories added to my enjoyment of this book. I know that I'm being rather vague about this one, but I don't want to risk spoiling the plot for you. This was a companion book to a series that I have not read, though after reading this book, I want to track down Ms. Kemp's other books to find out what I've missed.

I think that if you enjoy tales of adventure, pirates, and ocean voyages, that you would likely enjoy this book too. Just be warned, there are some rape scenes in this book. And while most of it takes place "off camera" it leaves little doubt that rape was involved.

This book is also available through the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/celwyncompanion01

"Nothing Will Be Left" by October Kane

In the nice, quiet little town of Quill Point, something evil stirs as an unusual cloud appears, blotting out the sky. When the storm breaks, it brings a destructive earthquake. Phones stop working and cars won't run. Then, when groups of people start trying to walk to the next town, that's when things start getting really bad, and people start getting killed. But are the beings doing the killing aliens, demons, or something completely different? That's something no one seems to know, along with why it was happening. Or whether or not the whole world was affected or just this one town.

This was a very creepy horror novel. For me, it evoked a feeling of early Stephen King novels combined with old Twilight Zone episodes. It did manage to send some shivers down my spine more than once. This is a full-on horror story, complete with all the violence and gore you would expect to see in a scary movie. So if you enjoy reading books that are meant to frighten, then I believe this one might be right up your alley.

I received an Advance Review Copy of this book and will be watching for book 2 in this series to become available. I may not often read horror stories the way I did back when I was in high school, but this one left me wanting to know what happens next. And obviously for that, I'll need to wait for book 2 to be released.

This book can also be found through the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/quillpoint01

"Antique Magic" by Kait Disney-Leugers

Brie is a graduate student, sharing an apartment with her brother and looking for a part time job to help them make ends meet. She finds one working at what appears to be a small, not very busy antique shop. The owner seems to be a cranky, but sexy man, and the clientele are also rather odd, to say the least. And the strangest thing? Even though the store does appear to be open to anyone, part of her job is to chase away any tourists who wander in. What kind of antique shop doesn't want tourists to shop there? Clearly there's more going on than meets the eye.

This was a fun and interesting paranormal urban fantasy novel that I received a review copy to read. The customers of the store are all manner of magical beings, from fae, to vampires and everything in between. Many are friendly (some almost too friendly, like the incubus who visits the store), while others are not so friendly. Including one who actively dislikes her, and leaves her feeling threatened whenever he is around. Why though, comes as a bit of a surprise to her.

This was, in my opinion, primarily a paranormal romance with a number of twists along the way. I thought it a fun story, and one that I believe most people who enjoy paranormal fantasy books would enjoy. Do be aware that there are a few sex scenes in this book. Not many, but they aren't The "fade to black" style.

This book is also available through the following retailers:

https://books2read.com/magicloveandmischief01