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BOOK TOUR: The Northern Witch by K.S. Marsden (Giveaway)
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REVIEW: Silk & Sand by Katherine Diane
Seth & Raider: Silk & Sand – Katherine Diane
The only thing worse than trekking across a dangerous desert on a nearly impossible mission? When your guide is intolerable—and irresistible.
Seth spends his days hunting down mystical artifacts. As a Curator for the Arcanum College, that’s his job. But when an arcanist murders a fellow scholar, Seth finds himself assigned instead to a dusty, thirsty, frustrating manhunt. But why him? Because, he’s been told by his superiors, he’s the only Curator sufficiently tenacious and brutal for the job. (Seth resents that.)
When the murderer vanishes at the edge of a deadly desert, Seth finds himself in need of a guide. Unfortunately, the “only one crazy enough” for the job is Raider—a man with an easy grin who is clearly a thief, liar, and rogue. (He also has illegal quicksilver in his veins, and that arcane enhancement positively screams “I’ve done bad things.”) The only thing worse than having to rely on such a reprobate? Finding him irresistibly attractive.
Raider might think the manhunt a foolish endeavor, but he’s delighted by the prospect of breaking past the barriers of the gorgeous, rigidly self-controlled Curator. That kind of intensity needs the right outlet (and Raider has such ideas). But Raider just might be asking for more trouble than he realizes—because he has barriers of his own, and some very dark secrets lurking behind them.
But that’s not the only trouble looming. Because if Seth and Raider can survive their desert journey? Seth’s manhunt will lead them into even greater dangers and mysteries.
Silk & Sand is a high-heat fantasy adventure that will take you to the most exotic locations and into the most twisted secrets. It will lure you in with action, humor, and sizzling tension—and will hook your heart with its emotional intensity and beautiful love. So be prepared to laugh, cry, and stay up all night with these two gorgeous, complicated, irresistible men.
Silk & Sand is Katherine Diane’s first book of the Seth & Raider duology. It is a Middle Eastern-flavored fantasy adventure in which the only thing hotter than the blistering desert sun is the nuclear-intense chemistry between Seth and Raider.
Fantasy books are hit-and-miss, because of info dumps that slow the pace. After two tries in the opening chapter, I was glad the story quickly hit its stride and maintained a steady, brisk pace until the end.
The story is set in the desert, where Seth, a Curator from the Academy, hopes to cross in search of another Curator wanted for murder. He crossed paths with Raider and spectacularly got off on the wrong foot with the man. But after a couple of antagonistic interactions, Seth swallowed his pride and hired the infuriating man as his guide because he was the only one who knew how to navigate the deadly sands.
Curators are scholars + archeologists + artifact dealers who typically work for the Academy but might also work for a rich patron. There is magic here, but low-key present. Info dumps were kept to a minimum yet deftly executed. The fantasy elements, such as Seth’s weapons and Raider’s quicksilver, blended seamlessly with the Middle Eastern culture.
The plot is a fabulous blend of action-adventure and romance, with a heavy (almost too much) focus on the romantic development. However, there were also plenty of heart-thumping fight scenes against bandits and giant monsters, court intrigue, dark secrets, betrayals, and forbidden magic.
Seth is scowly, intimidating, and almost soldierly in his discipline and fighting skills. It makes sense since curators venture into dangerous territories for their artifacts. Seth carries a variety of weapons and other survival gear. He’s dressed in all black with protective coverings.
Seth is also hella toppy, dominant, and surprisingly caring and considerate of Raider’s needs, as Raider soon discovers.
Raider is well-liked, shamelessly flirty, carefree, and generous with his smiles. He’s dressed in colorful silks and carries a scimitar. His secret weapon is the quicksilver running in his veins. Silver is his gift, his curse, and his safe word.
Raider isn’t too proud to beg. Our boy is casually sexual but is scared by intimacy. He may be sunshine, but inside is pain and darkness.
The only thing more delicious than the chemistry is the heart-warming care Seth is showering Raider. Our sunshine boy badly needed some TLC, and now that he has some, he doesn’t know what to do with it. And Seth keeps giving those delicious massages…
Our boys protect each other from bandits and monsters, but they also harbor some distrust. Despite this, they still share a tent at the end of the day.
One of my favorite parts was when the two MCs were caught by the bad guys, forcing Raider to reveal his dark secrets to Seth. Seth, disappointed and heartbroken upon learning the truth, stalked off. Later, Raider was sitting in a cell, marinating in his misery, when he heard Seth coming. Seth, expecting Raider already freed himself so they could disappear into the night, said, “Why are you still there?”
I loved this scene because, despite their doubts, they always find their way back to each other.
I was so absorbed by the story that I didn’t see the cliffhanger coming until I walked right into it.
Silk & Sand is one of those books that would make a great movie. The breathtaking desert landscapes, the rich colors of the court, the death-defying stunts, the chase scenes, and the fan-favorite gay romance are made for a Hollywood blockbuster!
Overall, the thrilling adventure, and the dynamic chemistry between them make me eager to follow Seth and Raider across the dunes again!
Rating:
4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step awaySoundtrack: Desert Night
Artist: Rufus Du Sol
Album: Atlas
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SILK & SAND: Kindle | Audiobook
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REVIEW: The Duke At Hazard by K.J. Charles
Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune: The Duke At Hazard – K.J. Charles
Don’t miss the second thrilling Regency romance in the Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune series by KJ Charles…
The Duke of Severn is one of the greatest men in Britain.
He’s also short, quiet, and unimpressive. And now he’s been robbed, after indulging in one rash night with a strange man who stole the heirloom Severn ring from his finger. The Duke has to get it back, and he can’t let anyone know how he lost it. So when his cousin bets that he couldn’t survive without his privilege and title, the Duke grasps the opportunity to hunt down his ring-incognito.
Life as an ordinary person is terrifying…until the anonymous Duke meets Daizell Charnage, a disgraced gentleman, and hires him to help. Racing across the country in search of the thief, the Duke and Daizell fall into scrapes, into trouble-and in love.
Daizell has been excluded from polite society, his name tainted by his father’s crimes and his own misbehaviour. Now he dares to dream of a life somewhere out of sight with the quiet gentleman who’s stolen his heart. He doesn’t know that his lover is a hugely rich public figure with half a dozen titles. And when he finds out, it will risk everything they have…
The Duke At Hazard is the second book of Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune and features the first duke in K.J. Charles‘s extensive repertoire of historical MM romances. Though the ubiquitous love interests in historical romance, dukes are actually rare in real life.
The Duke of Severn is second only to the royal family, so it’s quite a venerable and intimidating position. Also, very stifling. So stifling, Severn jumped at a chance to go out into the world incognito for one month without the trappings of his title.
This is after losing his heirloom, the Severn ring, to a thief he hooked up with one night. His cousin Leo made a wager that Severn wouldn’t survive without his servants and privileges, and so, also seeing this as a chance to look for his ring, the duke became the ordinary, nondescript Cassian.
Cassian’s search led him to cross paths with Daizell Charnage, a fellow Etonian who fell from grace after his father’s crimes. Sensing the other man’s street smarts could be useful, Cassian asked for help to search for the thief and his ring in exchange for 50 pounds.
Daizell, being a gentleman with no marketable skills, can’t work. His only skill is creating portraits by cutting paper. It’s a very entertaining skill that earns him a few schillings and an occasional free lodging. The promise of 50 pounds and free meals made it hard for him to say no, so off they went on a wild goose chase.
The first book in the series, The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting, was a struggle, so I put it on hold. The Duke at Hazard effortlessly kept me riveted for hours!
I loved how the shift between Cassian and Severn is palpable whenever the duke refers to himself by which name. It underlines his conflict between the two worlds, his wish to become whole, and how Daiz made it so.
Cassian isn’t perfect. He is the first to acknowledge his shortcomings. His lack of imposing stature and average face would have him disappear in a crowd if not for his fine clothes and the posse of servants to announce his presence.
And smartly, he used this natural anonymity to outwit the bad guys in his adventure. Watching Cassian learn about the wider world is fascinating. Fantastic character growth!
I also love Cassian for acknowledging that he was selfish in his treatment of Daizell, though it wasn’t with bad intentions. The duke also has a capacity for forgiveness and resourcefulness, which surprised even himself. One of my favorite parts is how he handled John Martin, a former valet, now a wanted man. I hope Martin’s book is next.
Also, who knew our boy Cas could be hella kinky!
Daizell has fabulous hair, average looks, and a sunshiney personality that made him well-liked, if not for his disgrace. He’s lonely and starving for affection, but you wouldn’t know it because he’s always easygoing. Also a kinky boy.
Daiz went from giving Cassian pointers to admiring Cas’s derring-do to falling hard for the man. Drifting here and there, he finally found a direction and a purpose. My heart went to him when he was so wrecked upon learning Cas’s true identity and how vastly unattainable the duke is.
Cue the most moving, squee-tastic groveling scene!
And it wouldn’t be a K.J. Charles book without dastardly villains, clever twists, and a satisfying comeuppance.
The villain is mostly off-page, but his menace and sinister workings are visibly present. Cassian took it upon himself, as Daiz said, “swinging his duke around” most magnificently to avenge the wrong, save a lady, and restore Daiz’s reputation as a gentleman!
Other reviewers mentioned this is one of the author’s milder books, and I agree. The two MCs were constantly traveling, the plot had more action, from overturning coaches to daring escapes, and the stakes were high. Still, the vibe is gentle. I would even dare say idyllic if not for the bad guys,
There were moments in Cassian and Daizell’s adventure that edged towards lulls. The charms of these two men snapped me back to attention. Seeing the world through their eyes, “a man who was interested in everything made everything interesting.” They are a great addition to the author’s roster of lovable couples.
The Duke at Hazard is the compelling journey of two men who transformed their lives from mere existence to vibrant living. With a fabulous blend of action, entertainment, and swoon-worthy moments, this cross-country adventure is a captivating and unforgettable romp!
Rating:
4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step awaySoundtrack: Act of Faith
Artist: Presence
Album: InsideP.S.
The Duke At Hazard can be read as standalone.
With a name like Daizell, you had to be made of sunshine.
Would you believe the duke’s first name is Vernon? No, just no. Happily, the duke chose Cassian among his many names.
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THE DUKE AT HAZARD: Audiobook
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REVIEW: Secondhand Skin by Hailey Turner
Soulbound: Secondhand Skin – Hailey Turner
Nothing says you can’t steal a heart. Keeping it though? That’s another problem.
Wade Espinoza knows a thing or two about hoards. As a dragon, he’s got plenty. What he doesn’t have is a relationship, and he swears he’s not looking for one. But when he’s sent to Boston to answer a cry for help from another pack, he’s drawn into a mess of fae bargains centered around a selkie who Wade instantly becomes obsessed with.
Riordan Maguire is struggling to keep his selkie clan out of the clutches of a fae lord who will do anything to take over their territory. Partnering with the Boston god pack means coming face-to-face with the first person he’s ever wanted to willingly give his sealskin. Too bad Wade isn’t local and is something altogether strange that Riordan isn’t sure he can trust.
Amidst a growing danger in the streets and Boston Harbor, Wade and Riordan are desperate to find a way to keep everyone safe. For bargains are dangerous things to break, but so are hearts. Wade isn’t willing to shatter either of theirs in a race against time that could see Riordan torn from him forever.
Secondhand Skin is an exciting new standalone novel set in Hailey Turner’s best-selling Soulbound Universe focusing on Wade Espinoza.
Like most MM romance readers, I have an undying love for Patrick and Jono and the Soulbound series by Hailey Turner. But I confess, I got stuck in the middle of the series because my lazy reader brain could not handle recalling all the details of the previous installments and the many things happening in the present.
One of the most unforgettable characters was Wade Espinoza, the teen dragon Patrick and Jono rescued from slavery. Wade, like all dragons, has a bottomless pit for a stomach.
I still recall with amusement the scenes where Patrick wondered how he could stretch his government salary because, at the rate he was going, Wade could eat them out of house and home. I really loved Patrick for this.
Secondhand Skin is Wade’s book. Now 23 years old, Wade has grown into a confident (sometimes overly so), irreverent, fun-loving, sassy, protective, and loyal dragon so adept at hiding his true identity that even powerful beings can’t tell what he is. Still, a bottomless pit.
His pack gave him a mission to go to Boston to help the dire of the Boston god pack, Ella, find her alphas abducted by an evil fae, Niall. This led him to cross paths again with the selkie, Riordan, whom he met at Gerard and Orla’s wedding.
The Maguire clan is in dire straits. The same evil fae was responsible for attacking Saoirse and stealing her sealskin. Riordan and his older brother Donal were given the ultimatum to hand over their sister or Riordan. And as the clan leader, Riordan handing himself over means handing over the clan.
So Wade, Ella and the Maguires banded together to deal with the Niall problem.
I’m not too familiar with Western folklore so at first I thought selkies were seahorses. The Maguire siblings actually shift into seals! How cute! The relationship between the Maguire siblings is one of my favorite parts.
A selkie’s most precious possession is their sealskin, which can transform into anything, like a leather jacket for Riordan. Owning a selkie’s sealskin means you can control the selkie. The sealskin is usually gifted to their mates.
Wade was taught a few tricks by one of the toughest negotiators, Sage, fae-trained lawyer, tiger shifter, and wife to billionaire seer Merek. Our boy also inherited most of Patrick’s brash, not-taking-any-of-your-shit, kamikaze style of dealing with a problem.
The difference between Patrick and Wade is Patrick will throw himself directly in the line of fire to save someone despite knowing he might not survive. Wade will throw himself directly in the line of fire to save someone with all the confidence that he won’t even be scratched.
Personally, I thought his characterization here was Gary Stu-ish, like an overpowered anime character. Magic has no effect on him so he’s hardly threatened by anything. If someone becomes too inconvenient, he knows he can just eat them.
He bulldozed his way into high-level fae homes and gets away with disrespect because of his pack’s reputation and when he releases his dragon-y aura, it intimidates people. Also, he’s on a first-name basis with god-tier folks many people feared.
He doesn’t worry about spending millions of dollars bribing Carmen the succubus and her master the psycho vampire Lucien because, very conveniently, Wade has a billionaire in his pack.
So apart from a tragic past, our boy really had it easy, relatively. He even found his mate, Riordan. I loved how the selkie’s calmer energy grounded Wade’s more excitable one.
I miss the days when our heroes went through hoops of fire in their adventures. Here, it’s the Maguire clan that is put through the wringer.
But mini gripe aside, this is the same fast-paced, action-packed, completely engrossing magical romp we loved from Hailey Turner. The sass and humor were spot on and the fight scenes! There’s nothing like the Soulbound fight scenes!
These are easily some of the most jaw-dropping, high-stakes battles between our heroes and pissed-off gods/goddesses with fabulous displays of magic and no-punches-pulled derring-do. The cameos from the folks we loved and loved to hate since the beginning of the series were cherries on top of this spectacular chaos and mayhem.
The blurb said this could be read as a standalone but I recommend delving into the Soulbound main series first since many references and characters were mentioned.
Secondhand Skin is Wade coming into his own. His adventure is filled with excitement, magic, supernatural creatures, and a pack that always has his back. Overall, a rip-roaring addition to the Soulbound universe!
Rating:
4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step awaySoundtrack: I Am Your Skin
Artist: The Bravery
Album: Stir The Blood
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SECONDHAND SKIN: Kindle I Audiobook
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SERIES REVIEW: A Paranormal Yakuza Duet by C.J. Ravenna
A Paranormal Yakuza Duet: Secrets & Sake – C.J. Ravenna
Jinta
He’s a yakuza with secrets. I’m the reporter determined to bring them to light.
When people start going missing, I sense a story that could make my whole career. I even have the perfect Raiden Noboru, enforcer for the most powerful yakuza organization in Japan.
The plan is go undercover as “Hiro” the photographer, cozy up to Raiden, and discover all he knows about the disappearances.
Problem is? Raiden isn’t the monster I thought he was. The beast beneath his skin is fiercely protective of what’s his, but he worships my body and soul, showing me a tender side of himself he hides from the rest of the world.
But I’ve got a story to tell. All I have to do… is betray the man I’m falling for.
Raiden
I stopped believing in fated mates long ago. Love only ends in heartbreak.
Ever since I was a boy, my only purpose has been to serve the Namikawa-kai.
Until him. The minute I see Hiro smile like a sunbeam and catch his cherry blossom scent, I’ve got to have him. What I thought would be a casual fling becomes so much more. Hiro is mine. Mine to care for, mine to protect. No one else can have him.
Before I realize it, I’m beginning to dream of a life outside the yakuza, a life with Hiro. Too bad that’s all it’ll ever be. A dream. I’ll never make someone as innocent as Hiro happy. I’m a criminal, and I’m no good for him…
…But I can’t stay away from him.
Secrets & Sake is book 1 in A Paranormal Yakuza Duet. It features insta-love, fated mates and wolf shifters, a sunshine undercover reporter and the grumpy yakuza soft only for him, loads of possessive touch-him-and-die vibes, plenty of searingly hot spice, and a Happy-For-Now conclusion.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Unmei no Akai Ito (Red String of Destiny)
Artist: Koshitomo
Album: Atelier
A Paranormal Yakuza Duet: Curses & Kitsune – C.J. Ravenna
Jinta
Nothing’s easy when you’re fated to a yakuza boss.
I’m possessed by an ancient, powerful kitsune hellbent on chaos and destruction. Until we can find a way to lift the curse, I’m a threat to everyone I hold dear. Tensions within the Namikawa-kai, hunters lurking in the shadows, and vengeful ex-boyfriends want to thwart us at every step.
All I want is to be with Raiden, my mate, the man I love. If we stand together, we can get through it all. But when I see a new, ugly side to Raiden, I can’t help but question if we really want the same things.
When the time comes to run, will Raiden leave it all behind for me?
Raiden
I’ll destroy anyone who hurts my mate—but I’m the one hurting him the most.
I’m the boss now. This is my pack. Tokyo is my city. No one will ever control me again. As I fall deeper into my new responsibilities, Jinta and I grow more estranged.
When betrayal strikes from within my own pack, Jinta is the one who pays the price. Jinta has no place in my world. He’s a pure ray of sunshine in the darkness of my life, and I can’t be the reason he gets hurt. I don’t deserve him. Never have.
I’ve got to let him go. Before the shadows of my world consume the only person I’ve ever loved.
Curses & Kitsune is the final book in A Paranormal Yakuza Duet and concludes with a hard-won Happily-Ever-After.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Kisetsu wa Tsugi Tsugi Shindeiku (Seasons Die One After Another)
Artist: Amazarashi
Album: Kisetsu wa Tsugi Tsugi Shindeiku
A Paranormal Yakuza Duet by new-to-me author C.J. Ravenna is a fabulous combination of werewolves and yakuza. Add to that a deft use of Japanese mythology that blended seamlessly into the plot, with action-packed scenes that pulled no punches on the violence and gore, the noir atmosphere, and it was easy to imagine how fantastic this would be as an anime!
Jinta Onodera, an ambitious young reporter itching for that big break, decided to go undercover as a yakuza fan magazine photographer to investigate the case of several people who disappeared in the Namikawa-kai territory. In his first meeting with the Namikawa enforcer, the notorious Wolf of Asakusa Raiden Noburo, the two hit it off immediately.
The romance started the very day they met. Raiden was immediately drawn to “Hiro,” who smelled like cherry blossoms. In turn, Jinta was falling hard and fast for the yakuza, who wasn’t the monster his reputation says he is. As fated mates, they were connected by the red string.
Raiden is growly, possessive, gorgeously tattooed, and drool-worthy in a suit or kimono. He suffered abuse and was groomed by another yakuza when he was just a teenager. He was traumatized by his parents when his father abandoned them, and his mother handed him over to the Namikawa as payment for his father’s debts.
Jinta was treated by his family as less than his golden boy brother. He’s super insecure about his worth, especially after he caught his ex-boyfriend in bed with his brother. Jinta is determined to make it big with the story he plans to write about the yakuza and the missing persons.
I was ready to root for Raiden and Jinta. Raiden calls Jinta, with his beaming smile, “sunshine,” which gives me life every time! And Raiden going after his Sunshine in the afterlife raises the bar for everyone! What I liked about Jinta is he gave Raiden the courage to dare hope for a life outside the yakuza.
While they were a solid unit at first, they soon fell into the hot/cold pattern of bitter fights and reconciliation sex. An incident would trigger an insecurity or trauma. One would lash out (usually Jinta) and then walk out. Then another incident would lead to a meeting, swoony words and grand promises are exchanged, sex ensues, and then all is okay until another trigger.
The first few times, it was emotions and feels. Then, I just stopped paying attention because the drama went on until the second book (Sunshine is a flaky boy, sadly) and I was tired. The real fun is in the paranormal and the yakuza business.
Yakuza politics, much like mafia politics, is a fascinating read. In Book 1, Secrets & Sake, the Namikawa-kai is headed by Namikawa, an elderly man who seemed to be around forever. The yakuza boss is a harsh master to Raiden, using alpha control to make Raiden hurt himself as punishment.
There is tension between the Namikawa-kai and their biggest rival, Takata-kai, headed by Takata, formerly a Namikawa, who thinks he should be their leader. There is also a painful history between Takata and Raiden, with Takata eager to get his hands on Raiden the moment the Namikawa enforcer showed weakness.
Later, we learn that Namikawa was cursed and that curse transferred to Jinta. Meanwhile, Raiden becomes the Namikawa-kai leader.
In Book 2, Curses & Kitsune, the famous nine-tailed kitsune is a bloodthirsty entity, and Jinta doesn’t know how to control it. Raiden drops everything to find a way to lift the curse (the Wolf of Asakusa always comes through). There is tension within Namikawa ranks when two members betray their pack. Wolf hunters are also making their presence known and are said to be working with the traitors.
Raiden is forced to do two unthinkable things: find his father and ask Takata for help. Meanwhile, Jinta made hissy fits. Then he tried to reunite with his family, only to realize it was best to say goodbye to the past and his family, and embrace the present and future with Raiden.
There are almost no lulls apart from the hissy fits. Lots of things are happening, and they’re happening relatively fast. The fight scenes are my favorite! The series also one of the most thorough at dealing with loose ends, with every bad guy given his comeuppance.
Representation of yakuza lore and Japanese culture was done with care, and the books were entertaining, apart from the romance. I am thankful that the author refrained from writing the books like manga in prose. I’ve encountered some books by authors doing very trope-y stories written like manga scenes, and they don’t translate well.
A Paranormal Yakuza Duet is not for the faint of heart. Passions and tempers run hot! Giant wolves and kitsune are on a rampage! Fated mates torn apart and reunited! Overall, intense, dark, and violent.
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SECRETS & SAKE: Kindle I Audiobook
CURSES & KITSUNE: Kindle I AudiobookIf you like my content, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi or PayPal. Your donations will help keep this website going. Thank you so much!
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REVIEW: The Starving Years by Jordan Castillo Price
The Starving Years – Jordan Castillo Price
The chemistry between these three men is undeniable, but is it enough to save New York?
Imagine a world without hunger.-
In 1960, a superfood was invented that made starvation a thing of the past. Manna, the cheaply manufactured staple food, is now as ubiquitous as salt in the world’s cupboards, pantries and larders.
Nelson Oliver knows plenty about manna. He’s a food scientist—according to his diploma, that is. Lately, he’s been running the register at the local video rental dive to scrape together the cash for his outrageously priced migraine medication.
In a job fair gone bad, Nelson hooks up with copywriter Javier and his computer-geek pal Tim, who whisks them away from the worst of the fiasco in his repurposed moving truck. At least, Nelson thinks those two are acquainted, but they’re acting so evasive about it, he’s not sure how they know each other, exactly. Javier is impervious to Nelson’s flirting, and Tim’s name could appear in the dictionary under the entry for “awkward.” And with a riot raging through Manhattan and yet another headache coming on, it doesn’t seem like Nelson will get an answer anytime soon.
One thing’s for sure, the tension between the three of them is thick enough to cut with a knife…even one of those dull plastic dealies that come in the package with Mannariffic EZ-Mealz.
The Starving Years is a must-read for fans of dystopian romance looking for scorching M/M/M chemistry in a fast-paced, page-turning adventure.
I remember my Austrian cousin visiting our hometown with her baby. While here, she fed her child boiled fresh squash or potatoes rather than the instant baby food local mothers typically buy.
And I thought how ironic. Here we are, an agricultural country, so brainwashed by multinational corporate ads that we keep feeding our families artificial foods when we could easily pick organic vegetables growing wild in our backyards.
The Starving Years by Jordan Castillo Price has a brilliant premise that reminded me of that. A superfood, manna, is produced by corporations and distributed worldwide. This is a very convenient food supply that can be heated and eaten. The superfood mimics the flavors of most foods or is as close as chemically possible.
Some countries, usually those considered backward, still have their traditional foods. The immigrants of New York also insist on their traditional foods. The general population looks upon this with askance since preparing these usually takes time, effort, and money.
Then, our MCs discovered that the food corporations substituted a certain protein in the formula. The more people ate, the more hungry they became. Children are most affected. They became so hungry they started eating each other. It’s up to our heroes to reveal the truth before the powers that be catch them.
The story is in three POVs. It opens with Nelson Oliver bored out of his mind at a job fair. You wouldn’t know it if you look at him, shabby clothes and long hair, but the man has a double master’s and a Ph D in food science. He’s a genius, really, but is currently working the register at a video rental shop.
Nelson, our boy, is the ray of sunshine in the chaos and mayhem. Equal parts easy-going and cynical, he’s also a shameless flirt, an enthusiastic vers, a doting father, a resourceful patcher of wounds, and the best friend any woman could have. He’s a serial do-gooder with a matter-of-fact way of handling things that takes the awkwardness out of any situation.
Javier De La Rosa is the eye-patched undercover reporter Nelson met at the job fair. Our boy was hell-bent on getting Javier’s number. When chaos descended upon the job fair, they were stuck together, along with two other applicants, Mary Anne and Randy.
Javier is the most enigmatic character here. He used his connections and resources to help their cause. Little is known about him because the man hardly speaks about himself. Dominant and hella toppy, he can easily command a room. Later, we learn that he came from a wealthy Cuban family and is divorced. He has a 6-year-old daughter but is estranged from his family for running away to the Middle East with a man.
Tim Foster is the blogger behind Voice of Reason. His secret identity is tightly guarded since he’s blogging about the corruption of the big food corporations. His posts were highly incendiary. Javier got in touch with him because of his posts. Soon their interactions in the chat room also became incendiary for different reasons.
Tim is adorkable, awkward, sensitive, and wears his heart on his sleeves. He’s a computer genius, a shy bottom, a designated driver since he owns the moving truck, and a friend to Nelson’s son who he and Randy saved from the pits of hell a.k.a. prison. The children of the city were rounded up and locked in the Tombs since many were infected.
The two other characters are Mary Anne and Randy. Their POVs were not shown but they were important parts of the rag-tag group who saved New York.
Mary Anne is the peppy woman sitting next to Nelson at the job fair and she was swept along with Randy and Nelson when they escaped the riots. She was instantly a staunch ally though she was kept in the dark for most part of the story about Tim’s secret identity. And she was a huge fan of VOR. Mary Anne has her secrets but she held the group together through thick and thin.
Randy is a frat boy, a mansplaining, douchey person. In movies, this is usually a cannon-fodder type of character so I was curious to see how long he will last. The thing with Randy, he went from douche to not so bad to did the right thing, attaboy! He won me over and I ended up rooting for him.
The plot is unpredictable. Not because there are particularly clever twists but because the execution is all over the place. It didn’t feel smooth. You could really feel the forced proximity because most of the scenes are the five of them cooped up in a room.
The claustrophobic scenes also shut out the rest of the world so it felt like the riots were happening somewhere far away and not in their very city. Also, the story would be more compelling and exciting if it went all the way horror or at least more action-packed, with the affected people going feral in the streets.
The world-building is practically non-existent, and mentions of technology or certain customs is done through dialogues, like it’s assume the reader knows already. This style worked exceptionally well in the author’s sci fi series, Mnevermind Trilogy (a top fave!). Here, it was just confusing.
Also, the blurb mentioned 1960s but the setting felt more late 90s to early 2000s.
Despite the execution, I was completely riveted and heavily invested in the fate of our rag-tag heroes. The romance was passable, but what I loved most was watching how these five people formed deep connections forged by the desire to save the world.
The Starving Years is rated between like and love. It has an intriguing premise and fantastic characters but needed better execution. Overall, could have gone down smoother but still a satisfying piece.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Hunger Strike
Artist: Temple of the Dog
Album: Temple of the Dog
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THE STARVING YEARS: Kindle I Audiobook
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SERIES REVIEW: Mafia Bound Books 1 & 2 by K.M. Neuhold
Mafia Bound: Deadly Little Sparrow – K.M. Neuhold
Is there such thing as love at first bar fight?
I may be small and pretty, but what I lack in intimidation factor, I make up for in violence.I made a vow five years ago that the motorcycle club responsible for my brother’s death would pay the price, and I’m finally ready to collect. May God have mercy on the men who hurt my brother, because I don’t plan to.
Accidentally breaking the nose of the deadliest man in the city wasn’t my best move. Xaviaro Saviano, trigger man for the Moretti Crime Family… and now my own personal stalker. But if I have to go through him to deliver well-deserved justice, so be it.
As strange as it sounds, Xaviaro seems to want to help me more than he wants to hurt me. I can’t shake the man no matter what I do. Threatening him feels like foreplay, tying him up only turns him on… I could play nice, but that’s never been my strong suit.
I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t starting to grow on me, especially when he calls me his Deadly Little Sparrow from his knees. I’ve never met a man who could handle me, let alone one who can’t stop begging me for more.
Can love and revenge live in the same heart? I guess there’s only one way to find out…
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Submit
Artist: Brek Milo
Album: Submit
Mafia Bound: Beautifully Savage Butterfly by K.M. Neuhold
Being savage in the ring is one thing. The way Elio Moretti craves my violence outside the ring is another.
I feel like I’ve been fighting my whole life, and tapping out has never been an option.
I can live with owing money to the Morettis. I can even live with the constant guilt that my brother is the one paralyzed in a hospital bed while I live his dream. What I can’t live with is Elio Moretti, second in command to the infamous crime family, showing up to all my fights, sitting in the front row, watching me like he can’t look away, and barging into the locker room to patch up my wounds and invade my space.
The Morettis are monsters. Vicious, brutal sociopaths. So, why is Elio so eager to get on his knees for me?
He’s as desperate to give up control as I am to take it, but is giving in to these primal urges enough of a reason to sell my soul?
He claims there are worse people in this city than his family, and the deeper I get dragged into his world, the more true that’s starting to seem. Can I really fall in love with a Mafia underboss? Is it even possible to walk away?
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Blow
Artist: Ghinsu
Album: Blow
Mafia Bound by K.M. Neuhold is a dark, gritty mafia romance series that dares to put mafiosos on their knees.
Deadly Little Sparrow opens the series with a revenge story and an unlikely romance between the avenger and the hitman stalking him. Sparrow, real name unknown, is out to exact vengeance against members of the motorcycle club who abused and murdered his brother.
Xaviaro Saviano, the most notorious hitman of the Moretti Family, spotted him at a bar and, after getting off the wrong foot, began stalking the smaller man. Partly as part of Moretti business crossing with the targeted MC, partly due to his strange but undeniably strong attraction to the deadly little Sparrow.
The plot didn’t delve deeply into the characters’ backstories. There is just enough barebones information to give credence to how Sparrow went from a former billionaire’s son to a highly skilled killer able to take down dangerous men twice his size.
Xaviaro was already established as not only the top hitman but also Enzo Moretti’s best friend and one of the Moretti boss’s inner circle. The thing to know about Xaviaro, he’s feared on the streets, submissive in the sheets. And he was quick to recognize the dominance of the smaller man. Sparrow took unholy glee in topping from the bottom.
The story did its best to be consistently intense. There’s a lot of focus on the kink and while the dynamics were enjoyable, there were moments that I tuned out because they were too blah.
Beautifully Savage Butterfly is Elio Moretti, underboss to the Family, obsessing over undefeated MMA fighter, Orion Barros. Orion couldn’t understand why one of the top Morettis kept coming to his locker room after his fights until Elio showed how willing he was to get down on his knees for him.
The MMA fighter is working overtime to pay Moretti debts and earn money to keep his paraplegic brother, Jack, in a good nursing home. When things took a turn for the worse, Orion had no choice but to make a deal with Elio, something he promised his brother he would never do.
I feel this was better executed than the first story. The backstories were more complete and the various threads were concluded more convincingly, even Jack was given his little HFN. The boss/brat dynamics wasn’t my favorite but Elio and Orion’s chemistry was sizzling!
This was also pretty intense and atmospheric throughout. You could almost smell the blood and sweat, and images of dimly lit alleys and shaky camera shots come to mind.
Another compelling part was the Morettis and Orion working together to stop a child trafficking ring. This was resolved in a suspenseful rescue mission while leaving an opening for future installments.
Mafia Bound is a mixed bag for now, but it’s mostly good. The Morettis as MCs are something I’m really excited about. They are a head-turning bunch, and here are the rest to watch out for:
Salvatore – I bet he’s next. He was tasked to look after the sassy night club dancer/hacker Dante and they played a significant part in the child trafficking investigation
Alessio – guy’s flirty with Dante but it’s mostly harmless. Not much is known about him yet other than he’s part of the inner circle and is a cousin
Enzo – ooh, this one I’m looking forward to the most. The big boss occasionally shows his softer side. There’s a mention of a rival Irish gang leader so hmm….
P.S.
Mafia Bound is best read in order. You can read Deadly Little Sparrow and Beautifully Savage Butterfly as standalones but the Morettis are worth knowing from the beginning.
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DEADLY LITTLE SPARROW: Kindle I Audiobook
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REVIEW: Angel’s Share by Layla Reyne
Agents Irish and Whiskey: Angel’s Share by Layla Reyne
Husbands Aidan Talley and Jameson Walker team up again as Agents Irish & Whiskey for their most precarious case yet in this established couple gay romantic suspense novel.
FBI agent Aidan Talley just wanted to spend the holiday weekend cheering on his husband’s basketball team. Instead, he’s investigating a cargo theft for the family business and coming face-to-face with a loose end from the case that almost tore him and Jamie apart.
Coach Jameson Walker may spend his days on the sidelines now, but Jamie refuses to stay there when it comes to his husband. When Aidan is cornered by his past, Jamie will do whatever it takes to ground him in the present, including stepping back into his hacker shoes for the Bureau.
Aidan and Jamie thought they’d seen it all, but the City of Angels has more than one ghost in store for them. As revenge and redemption collide, Agents Irish and Whiskey will have to trust in their love and their partnership to solve the case for the family they have, for the one they lost, and for the one they want to call their own.
Angel’s Share is the final book in the Agents Irish and Whiskey LGBTQIA+ romantic suspense series. While it can be read as a standalone, it is best enjoyed after reading the other books in the series.
Agents Irish and Whiskey by Layla Reyne were among the earliest MM books I’ve read (2017!). I never left Whiskeyverse because the succeeding spinoffs, Fog City, Trouble Brewing, and Perfect Play, kept me immersed in the City of Angels.
Angel’s Share surprised me because I didn’t expect we’d get another Aidan and Jamie story after the wedding novella. I didn’t want their series to end! I went from rating the first book, Single Malt 2 stars to one of the most memorable couples in MM romance.
This series finale opens with a luxury cargo stolen from no less than a Talley Enterprise ship. It led to a thrilling car chase with Jamie showing off his death-defying driving skills and Aidan meeting the last person he expected to see.
Angel is Aidan’s godson and the nephew of his late husband, Gabe. It seemed that the boy and his mother, Izzy, had fallen into hard times after they became estranged from their family due to their homophobic views. Aidan, in his survivor’s guilt after Gabe’s death, also distanced himself and had no idea that his underage godson was involved in illegal activities.
The plot brings the series full circle, interweaving Irish and Whiskey’s current lives with the case, exorcising past demons, and bringing closure to open threads. As Aidan is the SAC and Jamie is now a basketball coach and occasional FBI consultant/hacker, most of the action was told rather than shown. The rescue of Angel’s friend, Bev, would have been suspenseful, but it was mostly off-page.
This one is a me problem. I can’t exactly point a finger at a specific sentence, but the author has a way of writing, or maybe it’s the narrator’s style of delivery, that makes things seem more dramatic than they actually are. This is why I can’t finish the Perfect Play series. I kept rolling my eyes at how overly emo things sound. Here, it’s not as emo, and the story is very compelling.
Gripes aside, I loved the book! It felt like catching up with old friends! I am thrilled with everyone making appearances, from my fave badass babes, Mel and Helena, to Nick and Cam, even Levi, Marsh and their son, David, and of course Danny (my fave Talley). Even the other FBI agents who have their own books or I wish have their own books brought something fun to the table.
The newer characters were standouts as well. Angel went from a surly teenager to a protective friend and eager mechanic apprentice. It was a brief mention of them talking on the balcony but I’m totally shipping Angel and David. Hopefully, we get a book when they’re older.
Bev, our girl is feisty, sassy, and hella smart. Years of abuse and foster care didn’t dampen her spirits, and I’m happy she finally found her home.
And, of course, Aidan and Jamie giving me life with their strength and unconditional support to each other! It’s not so common to see the lives of married couples after the wedding, apart from epilogues. So I enjoyed seeing an established couple working together, saving their loved ones, with that absolute faith that his husband has his back no matter what.
Still with that palpable chemistry, that deep emotional connection, and that seamless synchronicity in work and personal life that makes Irish and Whiskey unforgettable even after all these years!
I complained about the “tell” parts earlier. The thrilling takedown made up for it, bringing in the big guns, bounty hunter Mel, and ninja assassin Helena, with Aidan’s team taking down mobsters, and dodging explosions. This is the action I’ve been waiting for!
Angel’s Share is about loss, grief, and long-buried fears, but it also reminded Aiden and Jamie of what matters most: love and the family we have or found. Fast-paced, and emotional, it’s happy forever we could wish for our Irish and Whiskey!
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: The Angel’s Share
Artist: Elly
Album: The Angel’s ShareP.S.
Agents Irish and Whiskey books are best read in order. Don’t miss the spinoffs, especially Trouble Brewing (Nick and Cam are top faves!), and Fog City (Silent Knight wrecked me!). Don’t listen to me about Perfect Play. I think most people will like that series.
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ANGEL’S SHARE: Kindle I Audiobook
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REVIEW: Corpse at Captain’s Seat by Josh Lanyon
Secrets and Scrabble: Corpse at Captain’s Seat – Josh Lanyon
At long last, the renovations of stately Captain’s Seat are complete, and to celebrate, mystery bookseller and sometimes amateur sleuth Ellery Page decides to throw a house-warming party and invite all his New York theater friends to stay for the weekend.
When a freak snowstorm leaves the house-party cut off from the village of Pirate’s Cove, there’s nothing to do but drink, reminisce, and play board games. Or so Ellery thinks.
Until he’s trapped in a real-life game of Clue.
Since the beginning of Secrets and Scrabble, when Ellery Page moved to Pirate’s Cove and inherited Crow’s Nest, a bookstore, and Captain’s Seat, he has been lamenting the sorry state of his sprawling ancestral mansion.
Fast forward to Corpse at Captain’s Seat, Book 8 of the cozy mystery series the titular house is now renovated. Ellery is hosting a housewarming party with his friends from the island and his old friends from Tisch in New York.
His New York friends arrived and were suitably awed by Captain’s Seat. But with a snowstorm coming, the party was canceled. Ellery and his friends hunkered down with wine and some board games. It wasn’t long before old habits and old grudges surfaced, the atmosphere made even tenser by the news of an escaped axe murderer loose in Buck Island.
I loved this! Josh Lanyon was having fun with metas. She’s done it before, but here, she’s layering the meta stuff pretty thick.
First, Ellery was a former actor, not an especially good one, he’s first to admit. He starred in a cult-favorite slasher series and is known as the Final Boy. He’s set to reprise his role in another sequel of his horror movie franchise. And now, there’s a missing hatchet, and he may or may not be trapped in a house with an axe murderer.
Ellery is also the owner of a bookstore specializing in mysteries. And he frequently stumbles upon mysteries whether he wants to or not. Even when there is no actual mystery yet, he’s roped in by his friends to solve some historical mystery because of his reputation as an amateur sleuth.
Here, he was reading Wikipedia about a missing diamond pendant stolen by the ancestor of the axe murderer while his group speculated where it is hidden on the island.
His fiancé, Jack Carson, is the chief of police. Jack met and quickly assessed Ellery’s college friends. Upon learning that one of their group, Noah, died in a hit-and-run when they were still students, Jack became intrigued with the circumstances of his death and started asking questions.
Ellery’s friends are mostly jobbing actors:
Tosh – a talented actress and special events organizer at a theater. She used to be married to Freddie, but she hooked up with Oscar during their stay in Captain’s Seat. Her split with Freddie was amicable
Oscar – works in film and television. He has a thing for Tosh since their college days.
Lenny – she’s a Goth girl and is close to Flip.
Phillip, a.k.a. Flip – is considered the better actor in the group. He and Lenny bunked together during their stay
Freddie – is a passable actor, but his good looks make him more appealing to the masses. His genial personality made him well-liked. He has a regular stint in the tv drama, LAPD Blues, as a detective
Chelsea – is the more talented actress but less attractive. She’s bitter about a lot of things. She’s known to pull pranks. She also stole the box of old photos Tosh brought with her. She more or less threw herself all over Freddie causing friction with Tosh
Belle – she’s engaged to a viscount. She’s a no-show because of a cancelled flight.
The group reminisces about a murder mystery play they starred in. They found themselves in an actual murder mystery in Captain’s Seat when one of them was lying dead in the secret passageway with an axe to the head. This person allegedly knew something about Noah’s death.
They played Clue to pass the time while waiting for the police to arrive. Per Jack’s instructions, because they were snowed in and roads still had to be cleared, Ellery is also gathering preliminary statements and securing the crime scene.
Captain’s Seat, with its countless secret passageways and underground tunnels, is an enigma on its own. Ellery’s ancestor, Horatio Page, was a famous pirate hunter. Buck Island was a notorious haven for pirates, and is full of underground tunnels and hidden lairs.
I lost count of the tropes and layers here, but this was the best installment so far! Ellery appreciates Jack’s solid dependability and trustworthiness more than ever. The supporting characters all stood out, whether in a good or bad way. The plot was mostly wining, dining, and snarking, but I was engrossed with the group’s history and dynamics.
However, the resolution was rushed, the big reveal was anti-climactic, and the confession was too convenient.
Corpse at Captain’s Seat is a reunion of old friends, opening of old wounds, and creating new memories. All in all, a highly entertaining cozy mystery where a party for old time’s sake ends in murder for old crime’s sake.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Old Friend
Artist: Elderbrook
Album: FriendsP.S.
Secrets and Scrabbles must be read in order. Witness Ellery go from fish out of water to Buck Island’s very own amateur sleuth in the following:
Murder at Pirate’s Cove
Secret At Skull House
Mystery at the Masquerade
Scandal at the Salty Dog
Body at Buccaneer’s Bay
Lament at Loon Landing
Death at the Deep Dive
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REVIEW: The Shabti by Megaera C. Lorenz
The Shabti – Megaera C. Lorenz
Can you flimflam a ghost?
It’s 1934. Former medium Dashiel Quicke travels the country debunking spiritualism and false mediums while struggling to stay ahead of his ex-business partner and lover who wants him back at any cost. During a demonstration at a college campus, Dashiel meets Hermann Goschalk, an Egyptologist who’s convinced that he has a genuine haunted artifact on his hands. Certain there is a rational explanation for whatever is going on with Hermann’s relics, Dashiel would rather skip town, but soon finds himself falling for Hermann. He agrees to take a look after all and learns that something is haunting Hermann’s office indeed.
Faced with a real ghost Dashiel is terrified, but when the haunting takes a dangerous turn, he must use the tools of the shady trade he left behind to communicate with this otherworldly spirit before his past closes in.
For readers who enjoy A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske, The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, and Malice by Heather Walter
I totally loved the premise of The Shabti, a historical paranormal romance by new-to-me author Megaera C. Lorenz.
Think of The Masked Magician but for psychics! Also, a book about ancient Egypt by an actual Egyptologist!
Dashiel Quicke is a reformed pseudo-psychic, now doing tours as a spiritualist debunker, exposing tricks used by so-called psychics. This didn’t endear him to his former group, led by his old mentor, Reverend Maude Fink. Also, a former partner, Porfirio, shot him in the leg, and Dashiel is doing all he can to avoid his old cohorts.
In one of his shows, he met Professor Hermann Goschalk, who hired him to investigate the weird happenings surrounding an Egyptian artifact called the shabti. The shabti is that figure on the cover, and they are known to be connected to the dead.
At first, Dashiel could explain and show that the weird occurrences resulted from mundane things, like a broken pipe or noisy radiator. Later, even more strange things happened which Dashiel and Hermann saw right in front of them, and Dashiel had no choice but to acknowledge, he was facing the real thing.
The book is an entertaining mix of spooky and cozy. The ghostly manifestations were spine-tingling! Tried as they might to contain it, the accursed shabti could even manifest from out of a photo from a book!
I also loved the part where Dashiel, the fake medium, had to use the skills he was taught to channel an all-too-real spirit. And I was super amused at their WTF reactions when they learned what the spirit’s millennia-old grudge was. It was stupidly petty!
Interwoven with the horror part is the endearing friendship and romance between the two MCs. There were many warm domestic scenes, with the fat orange tabby Horatio adding his adorable self to make these moments even cuter.
The more Dashiel spent time with Hermann, the more he couldn’t help falling for the man. Hermann is in his 50s, your quirky, bumbling professor, and a confirmed bachelor. He’s a sweet, charming man who, for some reason, sees the good in Dashiel. He had that kind of unshakeable faith in Dashiel that Dashiel couldn’t help but try to live up to.
Dashiel is around 45 years old, cynical, and morally grey. Most of his life was spent playing the medium with his partner and ex, Porfirio. Our formerly dastardly con man wants to start over and live a normal, honest life, but ghosts from the past started coming after him, trying to drag him back to the fold.
I loved both MCs! Dashiel, in his 3rd person POV, was a compelling narrator, and I just adore Hermann! Extra points for the older MCs.
The pacing isn’t consistent, and the plot could have been shorter (we could do without Dashiel’s half-baked plans to run away), but overall, it’s still an engaging book. The writing had a spark of humor, rich Egyptian lore, and an immersive atmosphere.
If it wasn’t mentioned in the blurb that this is set in 1934, I would have a hard time pining down the era. The time-markers used, like certain political movements, Hollywood actors, and sports personalities, might not be familiar to a non-American audience a.k.a. I was too lazy to Google.
The climax is a bombastic showstopper of a seance! The author pulled no punches when she wrote the scenes, cleverly incorporating Dashiel’s debunking with his parlor tricks, portraying the horror of spirit possession and the resulting chaos and mayhem when everyone realized they had an actual spirit in their midst.
It went on for a tad too long but it was one of the most fun and satisfying climactic scenes I’ve read! The letter Hermann wrote to trigger the spirit was as ridiculous as the spirit’s grudge. I can’t believe Porfirio’s damned boots were part of it!
The Shabti is a story of ghosts and redemption. A fabulous blend of Egyptology, queer romance and horror, it as scary and thrilling as it is sweet and cozy!
Rating:
4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step awaySoundtrack: Spirits
Artist: The Strumbellas
Album: Hope
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THE SHABTI: Kindle I Audiobook
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