Review: Gods and Monsters Box Set: Paranormal Romance by Mila Young 5 of 5 stars

Gods and Monsters Box Set: Paranormal Romance by Mila Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This great value boxset contains all the books in the series. Please note this contains lots of sexual content which can sometimes involve multiple partners at the same time.

Apollo Is Mine 4*

Elise Lowe is the last of her line. She is a warrior, who is sworn to act for Zeus to protect mankind, and has promised her father on his deathbed to continue the legacy and fight the monsters who try and prey on mankind. However, after just one kiss with the God Apollo, he has her heart and she would give it all us just for more of them. Heracles is training her to make sure she is up to the job and she knows she must use her superhuman powers to take down all the legendary creatures currently looking for prey on the streets of Chicago. However, after meeting the god Hades and seeing the darkness that seems to be there with him, she knows she must destroy it before the earth dissolves into chaos and she loses the god who loves her too.

A lovely story that was enjoyable and well written. Elise was certainly a tortured soul at times but she also became a little irritating to me with the way she flip-flopped from being a user or a doormat. I know they were gods but at the end of the way if she was as independent as she appeared she should have been more confident in her own worth.

Poseidon Is Mine 5*

Elise is torn between the bright love she is experiencing from Apollo as well as her lustful dreams of Hadesthen another god (Poseidon) appears trying to calm the chaos he believes is caused by his brother Hades. Apollo’s bright love is consuming, and the dark god Hades fills my dreams with lust and desire. Even though she's torn between them, the sea god, Poseidon, surfaces to calm the chaos, except I’m falling for him too. As Elise continues to train with Heracles while struggling to handle the abilities and power she has, sulky god Ares is there to encourage her to jump in and fight. She wonders if she is drowning in Poseidon's affection as she struggles to maintain a careful balance between her role fighting to protect from mythical powers and her humanity.

I loved this story and the descriptions of all the adventures she went on with Poseidon as part of trying to relax and enjoy life. I enjoyed their friendship and that t=he was trying really hard to support her and give her a safety valve in order to try and handle all the pressures she was under. Well written and very enjoyable,

Ares Is Mine 4*

Elise has 4 gods in her life and Ares is starting to play a much bigger role as he becomes a true friend to her. It's not easy juggling everything as she has to try and be human, save innocents from the darkness that seems to be getting stronger, training with Hercules and the 4 gods who all insist she is theirs.

This was a nice story as Elise had a very supportive god who only pushed for involvement in her life and anything sexual after they had become firm friends who were able to fully trust each other. It was great to see how her relationships with the other gods were developing even though she still seemed to be a user as well as a doormat.

Hades Is Mine 5*

Elise lost the latest battle even with the help of Apollo, Poseidon, and Ares so she has no more chances left. Ares trained her to be a stronger warrior, Poseidon taught her to be a wise leader, and Apollo showed her that passion could be a glorious champion. She needs to convince Hades to help her defeat the darkness but he just keeps hiding and wallowing in terror of what might happen if he loves someone. However, if he decides to change his mind can be really be trusted? Can the darkness finally be defeated or will all be lost?

This was a dramatic ending to the series as Elise finally worked out a major secret as well as get all 4 of the gods who had her heart. Very enjoyable and loved what happened to her even though it was more than a little like pulling teeth to finally work out the mystery as to how she could defeat the darkness. It was great to see a strong woman taking control and cleaning up the evil.

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Review: Fallen Protector by T.L. Reeve by Michele Ryan 4 of 5 stars

Fallen Protector by T.L. Reeve by Michele Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shifter and psychic medium Gabriel Raferty works for the PRA (Psychic Retrieval Agency) as well as being an authority on a synthetic pheromone-based recreational drug called Éviel. Fallen Angel Raphael Angelo (Rafe) works for the FPU (Federal Paranormal Unit) and wakes up after a missing 2 days with only the clue that he has a patch on him saying E V I E L. Before he can take this evidence to the lab he is sent on a new case to investigate a shallow grave containing two adults and three children - the only clue being the location is close to a warehouse operated by shadow government department PBH (Paranormal Bounty Hunters). Rafe and Gabriel need to work together to solve this case as it straddles both their areas. The question is, what happens when the full moon is upon them and the drug coursing through Rafe’s body changes their mission?

I loved this crossover story that covers both series and that the Dad side of things was not as traditional as many other books in the series have been. There was a lot of drama and the story contained plenty of surprises. Well written and very enjoyable it can a good way to tempt you to investigate both series further.

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Review: Realms of Magic: A Spellcasters Short Story Collection by Margo Ryerkerk 4 of 5 stars

Realms of Magic: A Spellcasters Short Story Collection by Ashley McLeo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nice collection of short stories that will whet your appetite to read the series they are connected to.

The Nutcracker Curse Prequel by Margo Ryerkerk

Philip is the guard to Princess Clara and has been warned that he needs to remember his place and keep his distance from her even though they are best friends. This tells of a fantastical tale from when he goe along with Clara on a strange odyssey into a magical realm to help a mermaid via a key and an old trunk.

This story certainly helps me understand the relationship between Philip and Clara in the main series but is also a little off the wall and strange. It is however well written and easy to understand.

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Review: The Valley of Flames by Eva Chase 5 of 5 stars

The Valley of Flames by Eva Chase
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jemma Moriarty is determined to rid the world of the shrouded folk and rescue her sister even if that means she has to sacrifice everything and everyone dear to her in order to achieve it. However, these guys around her (Sherlock, Watson, Garrett and Bash) are not prepared to leave her alone and are insistent on helping - can this collection of friends/lovers make it out of this dangerous situation alive and save the world from total domination?

This is the last book in this series and neatly wraps up the events and the relationships between all of the members of this unorthodox group of friends. In it, they will come to terms with the relationships between themselves as well as wrap up the story of Jemma, her sister Olivia, Bash and his family background as well as how things will be for them all going forward. A few surprises as well as a lot of conclusions to story segments that had been introduced in earlier books in the series. I loved the ending which was how I would have wanted the series to end. Well written and easy to understand, this contains some sexual content involving multiple partners who may (or may not) be of the seme sex.

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Review: The R.E.M. Precept by J.M. Lanham 5 of 5 stars

The R.E.M. Precept by J.M. Lanham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the third and final book in the Ocula saga that has kept me gripped since it started. It covers what happened after they think Asteria is finally gone, Ocula is history and the CIA are firmly on the defence with just the outliers trying to bring this to some kind of an acceptable ending. Can they work together to expose the CIA while avoiding the worst of this very dangerous drug? Both old and new questions will be answered as you read this.

This is an incredibly clever book that you absolutely have to have read the previous two first to get the full enjoyment out of this the last one. The final ending is a little surprising and almost feels like a cop-out but I'm also not sure exactly how else it could have ended. Well written and easy to understand and empathise with the characters.

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Review: Mantis by India Millar 4 of 5 stars

Mantis by India Millar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Keiko's brother and father are dead after being slaughtered by starving peasants she is the last of her line and the ancient house of Hakuseki will die. To try and save it the noble samurai warrior woman is forced to humble herself at the feet of the local daimyo but he just ridicules her and takes the family estate for himself. According to the samurai code of bushido, there is only one thing left for - vengeance. So she plots to take revenge for all the action of the greedy noble lord and revenge against the men who wanted to buy her and keep her as their slave. Just like the praying mantis, she lures her enemies into a sense of safety before taking her revenge.

This was a more dramatic and involved story than the first book in the series as Keiko was busy plotting and doing what she could in order to punish the men she saw as doing her harm. Some of her behaviours were genius and she was very clever, but some of the things that she did were a bit strange. Sadly against she wasn't the nicest person towards her lover even when he was there let alone while he was away working - not sure he will appreciate some of what she has been up to when he returns. I loved the feel of this Japanese world with all the customs and behaviours. An enjoyable read that becomes addictive.

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Review: Vampire CEO (New Orleans After Dark Book 1) by Erin R. Bedford 4 of 5 stars

Vampire CEO (New Orleans After Dark Book 1) by Erin R. Bedford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Witch Abigail was thrown out of her coven and had to go into the normal human world and get a real job. She has no skills outside of the witch's skills so magics her details slightly so she can get employment as the Secretary of the CEO at Midnight Pharmaceutical. But something strange is going on at the company as her hot boss keeps odd hours with women leaving his office every day. Can she find out what is going on or will her boss work out what she is by taking a bite out of her?

This was a fun story with a building romance between a witch and a vampire - where their attraction to each other overrode the natural instinct for the two races to avoid each other. I grew to like him a lot more than I did her in the end as she seemed to be very flighty and unreliable the way she blew hot and cold with him. It was well told and everything was clear and easy to understand.

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Review: Firefly by India Millar 4 of 5 stars

Firefly by India Millar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In Japan, a Samurai was the highest level of a warrior and they followed the bushido code of honour. Through the centuries samurai women fought alongside their men but they no longer exist and are considered a myth. Keiko is an exception to that belief and as an ugly younger sister she was tolerated and fated to run errands for her beautiful older sister and obey her father (when he acknowledged her existence). That all changed when her older brother thought it would be funny to teach her the ills and martial-arts of the onna-bugeisha (female samurai). Before long the pupil excelled the master and it became clear the legend of the onna-bugeisha was real.

This was a fascinating story that did its best to explain all the Japanese names, customs and words. Some of the sexual words were a little odd (trunk being an example) but generally, it was a fascinating story. I did find the older sister irritating (which I'm sure was intended), the brother was a typical cocky young male, but Keiko was a weird mixture of determination, foolishness and confidence. Very enjoyable story that opened up a new world to me.

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Review: Free To Love by Maggie Mundy 3 of 5 stars

Free To Love by Maggie Mundy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

18-year-old Marie and her two younger brothers came to America to live with their aunt however instead of an answer to prayers they found themselves at the hands of an aggressive drunkard of an uncle which came to a head after their aunt dies. In desperation, Marie liberates the car her aunt used to drive and leave. Widow Robert Connor has a small child and believes that love is no longer something he can have - that is until he stumbles across Marie when their lives are going to change forever.

This is a sweet short story which sets the scene for the Connor Clan series of books by the same author as she explains how the grandparents at the head of the Connor Clan met. A pleasant read.

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Review: Burning Violet by Kallysten 4 of 5 stars

Burning Violet by Kallysten
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pyromancer Idris has been in a government detention centre for paranormal abilities for the last 5 months. But he decides no more - he will try once again to escape or die trying. Anyone who gets in his way he will set on fire! For phoenix shifter Violet, it was just another mission to help her squad free paras who have been unjustly imprisoned and get them to Sanctuary and safety. But she draws her leaders ire when she realises that one of the prisoners might be her mate where she has to choose between duty and destiny. Idris then has only one thought - revenge against the person who betrayed him to the authorities - he is fine when Violet tags along (after all he has been celibate for months) but when he realises why she is interested in him he can't run away fast enough - danger on his own is preferable to love.

This was a powerful shifter story with drama, danger, passion and love in spades as the story unfolded of how Idris and Violet found each other. I loved the detail of the paranormal skills of both of them and the coolness of what they could achieve. Their coming together was very passionate as they struggled to come to terms with being together as mates as well as the danger they were finding themselves in. Well written and very enjoyable.

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Review: Lucas by Dale Mayer 4 of 5 stars

Lucas by Dale Mayer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A retiring K9 Tophat was accidentally sent to Canada in a batch of rescue dogs and Lucas agrees to look for him during a visit to his sister (who leaves near to his ex-fiancee too). However, he finds that he was handed over to a trainer who deals with aggressive dogs and when he arrives at the property he finds himself in the brutal world of dogfighting. Tanya used to share her flat with her two best friends but one has been killed in a hit-and-run and one is badly injured and in a coma. As part of re-evaluating her life, she realised how much she had missed - including Lucas. So seeing him there again has completely flipped her world. As Lucas tries to find Tophat the dogfighting world starts to protect their own.

This was both a heartbreaking story with all the danger and abuse that the dogs were going through but heartwarming as well as Lucas fought to do the best he could for them ensuring they had medical attention and freedom. It was also sweet to see how Lucas and Tanya worked to resolve their differences talking through everything that had happened and trying to keep each other alive in the face of such sustained attacks from the dogfighting world. Well written and very enjoyable it was a charming story with a HEA at the end. You did not have to read the previous books in the series.

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Review: Soul Fire by Nazri Noor 5 of 5 stars

Soul Fire by Nazri Noor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Darkling Mage Dustin Graves is in grave danger - the most powerful witch of the century (at least) has awakened, the all-father Odin has promised wrath and once again the Dark Room is open again as an inferno of rage in his heart. The Great Beasts may hold te key to taming his wild magic and ending Agatha Black's reign. Failure would mean the end via fire, shadows or the lingering madness in the corners of the Dark. Can this snarky mage with an inability to keep his mouth shut survive (and can the world survive too)?

This is a story full of danger, drama, intrigue and confusion as Dustin strive to try his best to work out what is going on, how to survive and handle everything that is being thrown at him (and those he loves)? Will the world survive? Can he gain help from the gods and skills to handle everything that is thrown at him? There are so many dramas and dangers as well as encounters with ancient beings as the story progresses still with no sign of a final conclusion. We certainly learn a little more about his purpose even though it is still not completely clear. Well written and very enjoyable, I think it would be far more enjoyable if you have read the previous books in the series first.

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Review: Unmasking the Shadow Man by Debbie Herbert 5 of 5 stars

Unmasking the Shadow Man by Debbie Herbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Officer Liam Andrews is secretly working undercover and knows trouble when he sees it - trouble should be Harper Catlett’s middle name with all the mysterious goings-on in the home where Harper’s sister died decades before. Liam is soon roped into Harper’s amateur detective work as she probes Baysville’s sordid secrets. Working together, can the pair solve these long-buried crimes…before they both wind up dead?

This is a great mystery novel that has everything you need - mystery, drama, danger, not knowing who to trust, romance and a HEA. Well written and very enjoyable it was a great read that will keep you hooked and turning the pages as you speed up trying to solve the mystery and reach a satisfactory conclusion. This is a complete book in the one story and a great read which is very much recommended.

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Review: The Weariness of Were-Wolves by Chrys Cymri 5 of 5 stars

The Weariness of Were-Wolves by Chrys Cymri
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Penny's life is complicated. The humans who are stuck in Lloegyr are in need of homes, food and jobs, Search dragon Raven is starting to want to know if they have a future together, were-wolf Llewelyn wants them to be more than just partners in the ministry, Clyde has a calling to become a priest (which is not universally accepted) and Penny gains responsibility for a warren of were-rabbits. Is it any wonder she has the occasional glass of whiskey to cope with it all?

Penny was certainly busy in this story. It was great to see her as very human in this one and that she can be just as susceptible as anyone else. Lets of drama and excitement in this one and I feel her relationship with Raven met a turning point at the very end - one that I sincerely hope brings them both happiness in the next book in the series. Well written and very enjoyable, this was a joy for anyone who loves stories set in fantastical worlds with dragons, unicorns, etc. Very much recommended.

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Review: The Nest of Nessies by Chrys Cymri 5 of 5 stars

The Nest of Nessies by Chrys Cymri
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After her breakup with Peter can Lloegyr ease her pain? Possibly although Raven is at a monastery fighting the Noble Leader's spirit's influence so not as available as she would like. Then a nest of nessies have a missing UK submarine and the government want her help to get it and the crew back. Then a ded merwoman turns up in a killer whale's pool in a park, the killer whale is not what he seems, the archdruid wants to cash-in on her promise and asks for refuge for a winged unicorn and the vampires in her church would prefer to be naked at meetings. It's enough to put a person over the edge which all comes to a head when it becomes apparent that the submarine commander is very interested in the thin places they travelled through on their journey home. Can Penny make all the right decisions, rescue or return everyone in time, and work through all the problems in her own life?

I loved this story with was full of drama, danger, twists and turns as Penny tried her best to work through the politics and preferences of all the different races and nations she encountered (including her own). Through all of that, Raven stood by her and did everything he could to help her through all of the various problems. Sklar did all she could to help in the church which culminated in her ordination as a priest. I loved the importance of family and the protectiveness Penny had for all creatures and her loved ones which remained steadfast no matter the problems she encountered. Well written and very enjoyable, you really need to start this charing series and lose yourself in this world of fantastical creatures.

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Review: Taryn's Hunt: A Gryphon's Story by Chrys Cymri 4 of 5 stars

Taryn's Hunt: A Gryphon's Story by Chrys Cymri
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gryphon and Police Inspector Taryn is very proud of her record which shows that even with her small sie she can capture the most hardened criminals. However, when her Superintendent gives her a human male as her partner, Peter has to prove to her that he is capable of actually being her partner as they look into a series of suspicious deaths. Can they get to the bottom of this mystery?

This is a short story covering how Peter met his working partner Taryn before the Penny White series of books. It was a delightful story showing how there can be doubts between the occupants of the two worlds and how they can be thrown aside as they learn how to trust each other. A good read if you needed an introduction to the world featured in the series.

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