Review: City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab

City of Ghosts (Cassidy Blake, #1)
by Victoria Schwab
Published by Scholastic
Middle grade, fantasy, paranormal

They're here. 

They're watching. 

Cass can pull back the Veil that separates the living from the dead. 

When Cass's parents start hosting a TV show about the world's most haunted places, the family heads off to Edinburgh. Here, graveyards, castles and secret passageways teem with restless phantoms. 

But when Cass meets a girl who shares her "gift", she realizes how much she still has to learn about the Veil - and herself. And she'll have to learn fast. The city of ghosts is more dangerous than she ever imagined.

I was super excited for City of Ghosts, but unfortunately I had misunderstood some things: I thought that Cassidy is Scottish and it made me excited since there's never enough books set in Scotland. However, Cassidy and her parents are American and only travel to Edinburgh to shoot a TV show. It's not bad thing, per say, but not what I was expecting. The thing is that the book is an ode to the city of Edinburgh, but not so much ode to the people who live there, as most of the characters weren't Scottish or live in Edinburgh. There's a lot of stereotypes flying around - from the pants/trousers to fries/chips conversation and character behaviour - and I didn't care for it much. I'm sure it's not so bad for those outside of Scotland, but after living here for years, I cringed for a lot of it. It felt a bit like travel guide, if I'm being honest.

That's the only major thing for me to complain about. The story itself was entertaining - it's creepy but not too much, and the characters are likable. I particularly loved Jacob, he's funny! There's haunting and mystery, and a nicely paced plot. It's a quick and enjoyable read, and I'm sure kids will love it. All in all, a solid start for a middle grade series. I'll definitely continue reading the series (and probably not get so stuck on Scottish stereotypes since the next book is set in Paris.)

3 of 5 stars

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DNF Review: Matchmaking Beyond the Veil by Mara Townsend

Matchmaking Beyond the Veil (Telltale Ghosts, #1)
by Mara Townsend
Self-published
LGBT, paranormal, romance

Endure the company of his rival…or suffer ghostly retaliation.

Emery Belmont is a snarky, uptight realist who likes his life ordinary. Like any skeptic, he’s content using mundane explanations to write off signs of paranormal activity. That’s no longer an option when the spirit haunting his house wrecks his new kitchen, forcing Emery closer to facing the supernatural truth. Desperate for a new handyman, he unknowingly hires his hot ex-rival from high school to fix it. Paxton Santos, Emery’s former lacrosse team captain, followed in his father’s footsteps to take over the family business. Annoyingly, Emery requires his talented hands more than he needs to keep Paxton out of his life. However, getting Paxton to leave after the repairs may prove difficult with the meddlesome ghost taking a shine to him, which Paxton seems to take in his grating, good-natured stride, remaining irritatingly unruffled by numerous weird occurrences.

Emery is bombarded by mysterious paranormal hijinks, keeping Paxton at arm’s length, and deciphering things that aren't quiet what they seem. There’s nothing Emery hates more than an unfinished puzzle. In his determination to solve this one, Emery reluctantly opens himself up to new possibilities all while trying to remain firmly rooted in life the way he prefers it—orderly, logically explainable, and, above all else, ghost-free.

Join Emery and Paxton as they face off with a spirit that has no limits to how far it will go to push them together, enduring locked doors, faulty plumbing, and sharing a bed. Together they are determined to navigate their way out of this mess using any means necessary to send the ghost packing. Will they make it out of the traps awaiting them before their pesky tormenter gets any other ideas to make things worse and further blur the line between them?

DNF at 35%

I was super excited for Matchmaking Beyond the Veil because the blurb sounded captivating and thrilling. However, the book feels very different from the blurb. Third way in and there's no ghost, minimal amount of anything paranormal and definitely no chemistry between Emery and Paxton.

Emery is unlikable character and he's meant to be unreliable narrator, which I usually like. However, Emery doesn't have any redeemable qualities. He's privileged snob, judgmental, mean and immature, and he belittles everyone. He mentions constantly how he made his own money and didn't use his trust fund, but he's still a snob as he claims to be above menial labour. He obsessively stalks Paxton while he works, going as far as keeping a log of things Paxton does. Then there's the judgment, where he deems a person untrustworthy because they styled their hair "like it was still the unsavory parts of the nineties." And Emery's rivalry with Paxton in high school? Apparently Paxton became the captain of lacrosse team (he aimed to play professionally) when Emery wanted to be the captain (he played just for fun). That's it: that's the reason why Emery resents and hates Paxton. That just goes to show how immature Emery is. I hate the guy, and I certainly believe that he doesn't deserve Paxton, who's kind and hard-working.

For me, the biggest problem is the writing style. It's very slow and incredibly descriptive - everything from weather to clothes to house is described to detail, and it happens in every chapter. Emery also spends most of the time musing and there's not a lot of dialogue or action to balance the descriptions. It became tedious fast and I ended up skimming for pages and not missing anything. Nothing simply caught my attention in the writing style.

I really tried to continue reading this, but I can't make myself to pick up the book again. Third way in and not much have happened, certainly no ghost in sight, tedious descriptions for everything and one of the most unlikable main characters, I'm giving up. This is not a book for me.

No star rating since I did not finish

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

ARC Review: All Souls Near & Nigh by Hailey Turner

All Souls Near & Nigh (Soulbound, #2)
by Hailey Turner
Self-published
LGBT, urban fantasy, paranormal, romance

You can't bargain with death if you've already sold your soul.

Special Agent Patrick Collins has been reassigned by the Supernatural Operations Agency to New York City. Navigating his new relationship with Jonothon de Vere, the werewolf he's now soulbound to, is nothing compared to dealing with territorial disputes between the vampires and werecreatures who call the five boroughs home. But the delicate treaties that have kept the preternatural world in check are fraying at the edges, and the fallout is spilling into the mundane world.

Manhattan's club scene is overrun with the vampire drug known as shine and the subways have become a dumping ground for bodies. When the dead are revealed as missing werecreatures, Patrick and Jono find themselves entangled in pack politics twisted by vampire machinations.

Learning to trust each other comes with problems for both of them, and the gods with a stake in Patrick's soul debt aren't finished with him yet. Bound by promises they can't break, Patrick and Jono must find a way to survive a threat that takes no prisoners and is stalking them relentlessly through the city streets.

Old and new betrayals are coming home to roost but the truth - buried in blood - is more poisonous than the lies being spun. Trying to outrun death is a nightmare - one Patrick may never wake up from.

I picked up All Souls Near & Nigh right after finishing A Ferry of Bones & Gold. The sequel certainly upholds any expectations I had after the series starter. There's plenty of action, dangerous situations and explosions. All Souls Near & Nigh is thrilling page turner, and I already need more from this world.

Patrick is such lovable magnet for trouble and he wields magic and weapons like no other. He's stubborn and smart-mouthing everyone, even a century old vampires, and I just love the amount of sass Patrick has. There's also more chapters on Jono's point of view, and it's great to get a better look at his side of things. Turner continues to expand the cast of intriguing characters - there's a lot of new faces introduced. I like how cluttered it is: yes, it might take more to keep track of everyone, but it feels real and it's certainly keeps things entertaining. From new characters, Wade made most impact - he's precious, hilarious with all his snacks and sticky fingers, and just darn adorable.

The world-building expands in All Souls Near & Nigh. It begins to go deeper, to explore the territory problems and internal power struggles, which were only mentioned in A Ferry of Bones & Gold. There's more focus on the god pack and the Nigh Courts, the tension between werewolves and vampires, as well as the tension within the werecreature community. It doesn't help that Patrick gets called in to investigate a death of werecreature. There's also more myths, this time moving from the Greek gods to others. Turner keeps it all pretty seamless and it's enjoyable to read about the intricate world.

All Souls Near & Nigh was not disappointment - it was as strong story as its predecessor. There's the great, driven characters from the before with few new, interesting faces thrown into the mix, plenty of fast paced action, and intricate world that keeps expanding. I loved it, and I definitely recommend the series. I can't wait for the next book!

5 of 5 stars

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

ARC Review: Prince of Air and Darkness by M.A. Grant

Prince of Air and Darkness (The Darkest Court, #1)
by M.A. Grant
Published by Carina Press
LGBT, fantasy, paranormal, romance

Phineas Smith has been cursed with a power no one could control.

Roark Lyne is his worst enemy and his only hope.

The only human student at Mather’s School of Magick, Phineas Smith has a target on his back. Born with the rare ability to tap into unlimited magick, he finds both Faerie Courts want his allegiance—and will do anything to get it.

They don’t realize he can’t levitate a feather, much less defend the Faerie Realm as it slips into civil war.

Unseelie Prince Roark Lyne, Phineas’s roommate—and self-proclaimed arch nemesis—is beautiful and brave and a pain in the ass. Phineas can’t begin to sort through their six years of sexual tension masquerading as mutual dislike. But Roark is also the only one able to help Finn tame his magick.

Trusting Roark’s mysterious motives may be foolish; not accepting his temporary protection would be deadly.

Caught in the middle of the impending war, Phineas and Roark forge a dangerous alliance. And as the walls between them crumble, Phineas realizes that Roark isn’t the monster he’d imagined. But their growing intimacy threatens to expose a secret that could either turn the tide of the war…or destroy them both.

Phineas Smith - Finn - is a human who can tap into ley lines on earth and conjure vast amounts of magic. He's attending a magic school and everything would be fine and dandy, except he can't control the power and he'll more likely to burn the building down than levitate a feather. Finn's roommate is a Fae prince Roark Lyne, who might be the only one who can help to control the magic. There's just one problem - they're arch nemesis and can't stand each other, and it doesn't help that Roark's mother kidnapped and tortured Finn years ago for something Finn can't remember.

The story is intricate and there's monsters on the heels and danger ahead. Captivating page turner that I just couldn't put down! Prince of Air and Darkness is definitely enjoyable and entertaining read, and has a great cast of characters. As for the romance, it was everything; I love a good enemies to lovers story. There was denial, snark and angst, all of which was delicious and kept anticipation high for what's going to happen. There was beautiful change of how Finn felt. There's nothing more gorgeous than change in perspective and realizing that not everything is what it seems. And Roark's the best; suffering idiot, who's basically a cinnamon roll. They have great chemistry together and it's so captivating to read.

If you're up to a urban paranormal magic school and fae story with a side of gorgeous romance, then don't miss Prince of Air and Darkness. I can't wait for the sequel; I want to learn more about the world and hopefully get a peak on Roarke and Finn!

4 of 5 stars

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

ARC Review: Foreign to You by Jeremy Martin

Foreign to You (Foreign to You, #1)
by Jeremy Martin
Published by NineStar Press
Young Adult, fantasy, paranormal

The harmony between humans and fianna, a species of shape-shifting deer, begins to wither as racial tensions and deeply rooted resentment turns violent.

Ruthless hunter Finn Hail and prophesied liberator Adelaide may be heroes to their own species, but they are enemies to each other. With war on the horizon, the reluctant pair must team up to find the most elusive of prey: the god of the Forest.

As enemies press in from all sides, true intentions begin to show. For Finn to save the boy he cares for most, he might need to aim his gun at the very god he seeks. And Adelaide, with her festering hatred for mankind, will have to determine if peace holds true salvation for her people.

Foreign to You left me in a confused state, because I don't know how I feel about the story. First third of the book was quite enjoyable and I liked the story; world-building was intriguing and Jay and Finn quickly became my favourite characters, Jay just being so darn precious. I did think that Adelaine, the female lead, was naive and bland character; she's the legendary Maiden, who's supposed to save her people, but in reality she's clueless, passive and naive. From the beginning, I was more excited about Finn's chapters; he's more complex and he's more active character than Adelaine.

Then came a defining moment, where everything started to fall apart. Oh, don't get me wrong, there's one so emotional scene that I'm not sure I've still recovered from. But the story stagnated after it and became almost aimless journey in search of the Stag, the god of the forest. Plot started to go in different directions, but nothing made sense. The writing style's very flowery, there's a lot of purple prose and it just, well, it became a bit too extra when the plot stagnated. For me, it all felt pointless and there was moments when I just hated the story. To be honest here, I was ready to give Foreign to You one star at that point - for being marketed as LGBT+ fantasy, but never acknowledging anyone's sexuality or feelings (Finn and Jay were referred as friends, and nothing's confirmed on page) and then becoming the worst case of Bury Your Gays that I've ever read, and having absolutely bland Adelaine as second main character.

Then the last few chapters happened. Now, I'm still angry about the whole Bury Your Gays and the purple prose was a bit too excessive, but the explanations behind the myth of the god of forest and fianna redeemed the story a little bit in my eyes. I still think the characters, especially Adelaine, needed more development and the plot more direction, and certain aspects should have been handled better. I'm still a bit bitter; I expected LGBT+ fantasy and was so for it, to have two main characters, boy and girl, who weren't romantically involved with each other. Instead, there's don't-acknowledge-the-feelings-and-bury-your-gays trope, which just makes my blood boil.

The premise of Foreign to You is interesting and absolutely unique, but sadly the execution didn't meet the expectations. And Jay's such a precious cinnamon roll, I loved him so much. I'm so torn apart how to rate this, that I'm just going to give it two stars and they're for Jay alone.

2 of 5 stars

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

Review: A Case of Possession by K.J. Charles

A Case of Possession (A Charm of Magpies, #2) by K.J. Charles Published by KJC Books LGBT, fantasy, paranormal, historical, romance

Magic in the blood. Danger in the streets.
Lord Crane has never had a lover quite as elusive as Stephen Day. He knows Stephen's job as justiciar requires secrecy, but the magician is doing his disappearing act more than seems reasonable - especially since Crane will soon return to his home in China. When a blackmailer threatens to expose their illicit relationship, there's only one thing stopping Crane from leaving the country he loathes: Stephen.
Stephen has problems of his own. As he investigates a plague of giant rats sweeping London, his sudden increase in power, boosted by his blood-and-sex bond with Crane, is rousing suspicion that he's turned warlock. With all eyes on him, the threat of exposure grows. Stephen could lose his friends, his job and his liberty over his relationship with Crane. He's not sure if he can take that risk much longer. Crane isn't sure if he can ask him to.
The rats are closing in, and something has to give...

After The Magpie Lord, I had high hopes for A Case of Possession; I expected it to rise to new levels and have more development that the first book lacked. I wished that Lucien and Stephen's budding relationship would deepen and whisk me away, since I felt the potential was there. However, I found that A Case of Possession took a turn I didn't expect - or really enjoy.
The new mystery and plot still had me intrigued; there's blackmail, blood and murder. There's a plague of giant rats slaughtering people that Stephen has to investigate, while he's under suspicion of becoming a warlock. Pressure is building on Stephen's shoulders like no other, and Lucien is increasingly concerned of Stephen's disappearing acts, while dealing with blackmail. Certainly entertaining and kept me turning the page.
While Lucien and Stephen's relationship deepened and there was some beautiful scenes between them, the steamy scenes left me cold. Oh, it was passionate and dirty, but it was also kinky. It's a personal preference what anyone enjoys; I don't care much for kinky stuff, and while this still was relatively mild, it was something I don't like reading. Thus, I mainly skim read the steamier scenes and focused on everything else. However, it made me feel less invested into the relationship and well, bleakened the overall enjoyment. I have decided not to read the last book of the trilogy, because well, I'd rather dedicate my time for something that I enjoy all the way through and not romance, where I skip half of the scenes together. Still, I'd recommend this trilogy to anyone who finds it interesting. It's well written and entertaining, and this time it's wholly personal why I decided to drop it. Others seem to have enjoyed the aspects I didn't, so this truly is the case of its-me-not-the-book.
3 of 5 stars
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Review: The Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles

The Magpie Lord (A Charm of Magpies, #1)
by K.J. Charles
Published by KJC Books
LGBT, fantasy, paranormal, historical, romance

A lord in danger. A magician in turmoil. A snowball in hell.

Exiled to China for twenty years, Lucien Vaudrey never planned to return to England. But with the mysterious deaths of his father and brother, it seems the new Lord Crane has inherited an earldom. He's also inherited his family's enemies. He needs magical assistance, fast. He doesn't expect it to turn up angry. Magician Stephen Day has good reason to hate Crane's family. Unfortunately, it's his job to deal with supernatural threats. Besides, the earl is unlike any aristocrat he's ever met, with the tattoos, the attitude... and the way Crane seems determined to get him into bed. That's definitely unusual.

Soon Stephen is falling hard for the worst possible man, at the worst possible time. But Crane's dangerous appeal isn't the only thing rendering Stephen powerless. Evil pervades the house, a web of plots is closing round Crane, and if Stephen can't find a way through it - they're both going to die.

I didn't know I was in the mood for historical paranormal romance until I dived into The Magpie Lord. Neither historical or paranormal fiction are my go to genres, but somehow Charles made it work, especially with a heavy dose of mystery. Mysteries with magical kick have recently been something I've stumbled upon and liked a lot. In short, The Magpie Lord is a generous mix of different genres that somehow works well.

The Magpie Lord has all the right ingredients to be intriguing and entertaining: intricate, eerie setting of Piper, the ancestral manor of Crane earls, interesting magic system and hierarchy, mystery, personal stakes, and complicated characters. Lucien Vaudrey, the new but reluctant lord Crane, his loyal servant Merrick, and Stephen Day, magician extraordinary who has deep sense of justice. Lucien refuses to conform the society's expectations and is used to the freedom he had in China, which baffles Stephen, who's used to play it save, because he's poor and cannot afford the same type of protection Lucien has through his privileged position. I liked both Lucien and Stephen, and the contrast between them. The past conflict between Lucien and Stephen's families caused additional complication and hurt, which added depth to both characters and their actions. 

Despite all the right elements, I found something lacking. I'm not sure what it was; possibly the story could have used more length to build up the mystery and its reveal, as well as the aftermath. Or maybe the budding relationship between Lucien and Stephen left something to be desired. It was entertaining, but without burning passion. A solid first book in a series, and I have high hopes for the sequel - maybe it'll be perfect. Anyway, I did enjoy The Magpie Lord a lot. Maybe not a mind blowing five star read, but definitely solid four stars.

4 of 5 stars

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ARC Review: A Hymn in the Silence by Kelley York & Rowan Altwood

A Hymn in the Silence (Dark is the Night, #2)
by Kelley York & Rowan Altwood
Self-published
eARC
LGBT, historical, paranormal, romance

Since graduating from Whisperwood School for Boys, William has found a sense of normalcy in his life with James. He has a steady (albeit secret) relationship, a home, and a job - even if it doesn't pay the greatest. Nevermind that he lacks James' reckless bravery when it come to dealing with spirits; he does his best and it hasn't killed him thus far. 

When a new client calls on their expertise in solving a grisly multiple homicide, William resists. They're spirit hunters, not detectives. But the money is too much to pass up when they don't know when their next meal will be, and soon they're arriving at Evenbury Manor, nestles in a close-knit rural community, ready to investigate. 

They're in over their heads, but in very different ways than William could have anticipated. The hills are filled with creatures far more dangerous than any they've ever encountered, and their usual tactics aren't working. On top of his renewed struggles with his addiction, William if left to fend for himself against the dead to protect not only the community, but the person in the world that's most important to him.

A Hymn in the Silence is a sequel for A Light Amongst Shadows; it's fantastic to dive back into the world of James and William, of Victorian England and of eerie ghosts. While it has everything the first book had, there's also a change in point of view from James to William, and change in time, because this sets over a year after the first finishes - the boys graduated from Whisperwood and live on their own now. It is quite a change from before, but A Hymn in the Silence had everything else I fell for in the first one; adorable and not subtle James, reserved and grumpy William, and their brilliant dynamic. Virgil also makes an appearance, which is brilliant and I hope there'll be more of him in the future.

While their relationship is more established and thus deeper, it's still the same dynamic and same adorable relationship as it was before. I love it, and I admit I was a little scared at the beginning as sequels tend to complicate the relationship, have miscommunication that just ruins the ship, and introduce new characters just to complicate existing dynamic. Luckily it doesn't happen here; there's this brilliant banter and I laughed out loud so many times; James is hilarious and his obsession with cake absolutely relatable. Without spoiling anything, there are some struggles James and William have to go through and some of them are significant for their relationship, but it's beautifully done. There are new characters introduced, some of whom are important for the story, but they are well balanced and exist for their own sake and not just to complicate anything. York and Altwood are just masters, and I loved every page as much as I loved A Light Amongst Shadows. Definitely a great sequel that left me wanting more. I mean, there has to be another story about James and William, right?

Again, York and Altwood have found the perfect balance between mystery, action and romance, all of which are woven together beautifully. There are plenty of creepy moments, which made my skin crawl so badly that I could only read this during daylight hours (again, I'm not one for horror and I loose sleep way too easily). Atmosphere is brilliantly eerie, a small rural English village with a close-knit community. There are a manor, farms, village church, and never-ending woods; it's so different from Whisperwood, but that's not a bad thing in this case.

A Hymn in the Silence is a captivating rollercoaster of emotions. There are both funny, cute and creepy moments, which I loved so much. I could hardly put the book down! I love the world and the characters, and I honestly cannot get enough of them. I'm already excited for the novella, which will star Benji, but I also need another novel (or three). I definitely recommend you to pick up the series, because it's such heartfelt and stunning story.

5 of 5 stars

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

Review: The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

The Near Witch
by Victoria Schwab
Published by Disney-Hyperion
YA, fantasy, paranormal, romance

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children. 

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company. 

There are no strangers in the town of Near. 

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger - a boy who seems to fade like smoke - appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true. 

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. 

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi's need to know - about the withc thta just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

I love Schwab's books, so I was overjoyed when I managed to find an used copy of The Near Witch, which is out of print. I went in knowing that it's a debut and might not be as good as some of her latest work, but I still loved this story. The most unique aspect in The Near Witch is the poetic, descriptive language. It's absolutely beautifully written and Schwab certainly knows how to play with words. It's a joy and wonder to read!

While the language was poetic and absolute joy, the plot was a little simple and characters were a bit tropey. The main character Lexi was quite bland as she got least development and her feelings weren't explained. It was difficult for me to identify with Lexi when her main objective seemed to be rebellious against her uncle Otto, and she made some stupid mistakes because of it. I was also a bit disappointed because the lack of suspense as it was easy for reader to see what's going on based on blurb and first clues alone.

Despite of the small disappointments with lack of suspense and character development, I enjoyed The Near Witch. However, there was plenty of intriguing side characters, such as the stranger Cole and the witches of Near, Magda and Dreska. Despite the criticism I have for some aspects, I truly enjoyed the story and poetic language. It was captivating, and I would have read a sequel if there was one. A good debut from Schwab, I'd say.

4 of 5 stars

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ARC Review: A Light Amongst Shadows by Kelley York & Rowan Altwood

A Light Amongst Shadows (Dark is the Night, #1)
by Kelley York & Rowan Altwood
Self-published
eARC
YA, LGBT, historical, paranormal

James Spencer is hardly the typical troubled youth who ends up at Whisperwood School for Boys. Instead of hating the strict schedules and tight oversight by staff, James blossoms, quickly making friends, indulging in his love of writing, and contemplating the merits of sneaking love poems to the elusive and aloof William Esher. 

The rumours about William's sexuality and opium reliance are prime gossip material amongst the third years... rumours that only further pique James' curiosity to uncover what William is really like beneath all that emotional armor. And, when the normally collected William stumbles in one night, shaken and ranting of ghosts, James is the only one who believes him.

James himself has heard the nails dragging down his bedroom door and the sobs echoing in the halls at night. He knows other have, too, even if no one will admit it. The staff refuses to entertain such ridiculous tales, and punishment awaits anyone who brings it up.

Their fervent denial and the disappearance of students only furthers James' determination to find out what secrets Whisperwood is hiding... especially if it prevents William and himself from becoming the next victims.

I have a confession to make: I don't like ghost stories. However, Kelley York has been one of my favourite authors for years and a gay YA set in Victorian England? That made me dive into a ghost story and I haven't regretted it once.

I have to start with the characters, because they're the reason I fell in love with the story. James is not typical in any way and subtlety is not in his blood even when Victorian England is hardly a place to be open about his affections for other boys. James's flirting is not subtle and it's hilarious and adorable how he recite love poetry for a boy he fancies without really knowing them. James's easy to root for, because he's passionate, loyal and gentle. William is more reserved and shy, but he's not any less loyal or gentle than James. Both of them have their issues and pasts, as does everyone in Whisperwood, but it only makes it more beautiful, more real. It's captivating to follow their story, and I was hardly able to put the book down. I don't want to go too deep into analyzing the characters to avoid any spoilers, but I have to mention that Oscar is sweet and the best, and Benji, Preston and Virgil were all a delight to read about. I'm glad that there'll be a sequel because I need more of these wonderful characters!

What I loved most besides the adorable characters, was the perfect balance between the mystery and ghosts and the romance between James and William. Neither felt separate as both mystery and romance was woven together in a way that made the story whole; it's not romance with ghosts as subplot or ghost story with romance subplot, it's both. There was very creepy moments, which made my skin crawl, but also such a beautiful and gentle romance that made my heart flutter. Absolutely superb writing to have it all perfectly balanced!

Honestly, this has been a difficult review to write because of how much I loved the book. It's captivating and stunning, and I loved every moment I spend with it. Adorable and flawed characters who are still so good with a creepy ghosts and a mystery behind them and disappearing students. It's a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings. A Light Amongst Shadows will definitely stay with me for a long time.

I highly recommend A Light Amongst Shadows, whether you're into ghost stories or not. It's a brilliant and heartfelt book that deserves a chance to be read.

5 of 5 stars

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

Blog Tour + Giveaway: (Un)Masked by Anyta Sunday & Andy Gallo

“What made the book for me? One word: Gristle.

Gristle, the straight boy, Jay's best friend, his "bro," is one of the best characters I've had the joy to read this year. His devotion to Jay is breathtaking, his snark so very snappy [...]. Read this book if nothing for the character of Gristle. [...] Spectacular.”

--T.J. Klune, Author of For Real, Bear, Otter, and the Kid, and Lightning-Struck Heart

(Un)Masked

by Anyta Sunday & Andy Gallo

Self-Published

Release Date: October 30, 2017

New Adult, LGBT, paranormal, romance, magical realism

Jay Walker has two wishes: to perform the play of his dreams alongside his best friend at Wellington’s Tory Street Theatre, and to meet that special someone. Someone he’d go to the ends of the earth for. Someone who might only exist in fairy tales. 

When Jay meets accordion busker Lethe Cross, it’s like living a dream come true. Lethe’s music captivates Jay, and he resolves to meet the man who plays so beautifully. But then he discovers Lethe’s life is more like a nightmare. The phrase “down on his luck” can’t begin to cover it. Determined to help, Jay does some snooping for answers—and winds up on the wrong end of a centuries-old curse. The good news is there’s a way to break it. The bad news is it might cost Jay his life. 

This book was previously published by Dreamspinner Press. This updated 2nd edition has some rewritten parts and has been line edited again.

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Amazon

Excerpt:

Knuckles hit his cheek, forcing him to his knees.

My busker took another hit, going with the force, doing nothing to defend himself.

“What the hell is going on here?”

My voice ripped through the air, startling the older man. He stopped midpunch and twisted in my direction, a deep frown etched into his face.

“Get away from him!” I yelled, but he was already on his way, barreling down the hill.

I moved in front of my busker, who was slowly pushing himself to his feet. “Are you okay?”

He lifted his head as he rose upright. Dark green eyes met mine, and he smiled. My breath hovered a moment at seeing the blood spilling from his lip and down his chin. He pulled something from his pocket and began dabbing the spot, still staring at me as if waiting for something.

His stare seemed to reach deep inside me and pull at chords like I was an instrument. One he was curious about, though weary.

A dog’s excited bark echoed in the car park.

I glanced down to see the attacker walking away with his dog, and a sudden urge to chase the man down and hurt him flared through me.

“It’s not his fault.” The voice was light and curious, and I looked at him.

“His fists, his fault.”

My gaze flickered to the scar running through his right brow.

His smile faltered “Not always. Don’t you recognize me?”

“You played the accordion earlier. At Oriental Parade.”

He studied me, cocking his head to the side. The simple tilt made his hair fall slightly, covering half of one eye.

“Look,” I said. “I don’t want to pry, but why didn’t you block any of his punches? Why didn’t you run?”

The blood he’d wiped off left a smear on his chin. I reached in my pocket, ready to offer him the soap, when he said in a light tone, “I’ll never let him see me again. You can be sure on that.”

“Why did he do that?”

My busker shrugged. “He’s not a bad person. He lost his son.”

“That’s sad, but still no excuse.”

He stuffed his hanky back into his pocket. I watched his eyes narrow, as if he was hesitating to say something more. Then he shook his head and broadened his smile. “I’ve got to go. Maybe we’ll meet again.” He started toward the path.

“Thank you,” was the last thing he said before he dashed down the hill.

Author bios

Anyta Sunday is a big, BIG fan of slow-burn romances. She loves to read and write stories with characters who slowly fall in love.

Some of her favorite tropes to read and write are: Enemies to Lovers, Friends to Lovers, Clueless Guys, Bisexual, Pansexual, Demisexual, Oblivious MCs, Everyone (Else) Can See It, Slow Burn, Love Has No Boundaries.

Anyta writes a variety of stories, Contemporary MM Romances with a good dollop of angst, Contemporary lighthearted MM Romances, and even a splash of fantasy. Her books have been translated into German, Italian and French.

Member of Romance Writers of America.

Connect with Anyta: Website | Twitter | Facebook | To receive a free e-book, sign up for Anyta’s newsletter here!

***

Andy Gallo’s stories capture how he wished he’d spent his formative years, instead of how it really happened. Unfortunately for his characters, they find themselves infused with some of Andy’s less noble qualities.

A hopeless romantic, Andy writes seated next to a hundred year old Smith Brothers typewriter he inherited from his grandfather. He also dreams of superheroes and wizards and sees no reason why two men with superpowers can’t fall in love just like everyone else. Although not all of his stories have a paranormal bent, a touch of the supernatural never derailed a good read in his mind.

Married and living his happy ever after, Andy helps others find their happy endings in the pages of his stories. He and his husband of more than twenty years spend their days rubbing elbows with other parents as they raise their daughter. Embracing his status as the gay dad, Andy sometimes has to remind others that one does want a hint of color even when chasing after their child.

Connect with Andy:  Website | Facebook

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ARC Review: Fox Hunt by Zoe Pedita

Fox Hunt (Haven City, #10)
by Zoe Perdita
Self-published
eARC
LGBT, paranormal, romance, mystery

Edward Wilder’s life sucks. At 18, the fox shifter is homeless, trying to care for his baby sister, and since a group of hunter’s maimed him, he can’t even get a normal job. Things can’t get worse—until he witnesses a murder. Now the cops and criminals are on his ass, and he has nowhere to turn. Until Maxwell Strider shows up. Problem is, Max is a hunter, and Edward hates hunters.

Max wouldn’t take in a couple of foxes under normal circumstances. He may only hunt truly dangerous shadow folk, but that doesn’t mean he wants to open his home to a potential enemy. But he owes an old friend a favor, and Edward and the baby, Daisy, need his help.

Protecting Edward should be easy, but the fox wakes a desire Max never knew he possessed. A lust Edward seems to share—if only at night. But can he mend the hurt Edward faced in the past and earn the one thing he’s denied himself—a chance at a family—before it’s too late? 

I read the first installment of the series, Shadow Scars, few years ago and it was centered around detectives Seth and Connor, who were part of this book too. I never continued with the series until now, even though I quite liked the first book. The books in the series can be read as a standalone, so jumping from the first to last was not problematic at all.

Fox Hunt was an enjoyable story about homeless fox shifter Edward, who was all alone and taking care of his baby sister Daisy. He witnesses an assassination and get a glimpse of the assassin, and because of that he and his sister end up under the protection of an older hunter, Max. Basically, the story is about what happens when the opposites are thrown under the same room and if they can get over their distrust of each other - Edward has been tortured and mutilated by hunters before, and he hates hunters for it.

There's plenty of action and exciting moments when the assassin starts to close in and Max vows to protect Edward and Daisy from all kinds of danger. And of course, the slowly building trust and chemistry makes everything even more complicated. Daisy's absolutely adorable baby, who was hard not to love, and Edward just deserves all the happiness in the world after all the stuff he's been gone through. Max is the protective type who's all for justice and not just hunting down shifters - only those who have gone over the edge and started killing humans. There were plenty of interesting side characters, especially Sylvia from Max's hunter team, and Ari, Seth and Connor.

However, there was one problem with the story; it was way too short. I felt that there wasn't enough pages to cover the story and develop the characters and their relationships. It was a good story, but the ending was rushed: a long build up throughout the story but only one short chapter to wrap it up. Overall the story was a bit too fast paced to deepen and develop properly Edward and Max's budding relationship. The story would have been really good if it had been longer and thus reserved more space for character and relationship development, and yeah, it would have been nice to read more about Edward and Max.

So, if you're yearning for quick paranormal romance with likable characters, I'd recommend Fox Hunt for you.

3 of 5 stars

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

ARC Review: Sightlines by Santino Hassell

Sightlines (The Community, #3)
by Santino Hassell
Published by Riptide Publishing
eARC
LGBT, paranormal, romance

Chase Payne is a walking contradiction. He's the most powerful psychic in the Community, but the least respected. He's the son of the Community's founder, but with his tattoo sleeves and abrasive attitude, he's nothing like his charismatic family. No one knows what to make of him, which is how he wound up locked in a cell on the Farm yet again. But this time, the only man he's ever loved is there too.

Elijah Estrella was used to being the sassy sidekick who fooled around with Chase for fun. But that was before he realized the Community wasn't the haven he'd believed in and Chase was the only person who'd ever truly tried to protect him. Now they're surrounded by people who want to turn them against their friends, and the only way out is to pretend the brainwashing works.

With Chase playing the role of a tyrant's second-in-command, and Elijah acting like Chase's mindless sex toy, they risk everything by plotting a daring escape. In the end, it’s only their psychic abilities, fueled by their growing love for each other, that will allow them to take the Community down once and for all.

Chase intrigued me right from the beginning in Insight, and I was so glad he finally got his own story - especially since it seemed that life always dealt him the worst cards. Chase was the labeled troublemaker; described as difficult, smart mouth and bad ass by others. In truth, he was tortured since childhood and always an afterthought even though he is the most talented psychic that was known. Chase, if anyone, was the underdog of the series, and I loved to see him in the spotlight and get to see inside his head. Especially since he turned out to be a vulnerable bad ass who didn't think he was worth the love of those who he loved. I couldn't help but to fall for him.

The romance part was left a little bit on the background because of all the suspense and mysteries, but there was enough of it. Especially since some of Chase and Elijah's story have been going through the whole series. There was definitely chemistry between them, and it was great to see how devoted Chase was to Elijah even though he tried to pretend that Elijah didn't hold the key to his heart. Just so adorable!

Holden, Chase's half-brother, was the idealistic one who didn't know what Richard and Jasper, who run the Farm and the Community, were up to. Chase knew a lot from the very beginning but even he didn't know everything. The mystery behind the organisation and those who run it, the very mystery which started from the first book in the series, finally folded in Sightlines. And what a ride the book was! Truly an edge of your seat material; I couldn't stop reading because the questions were being answered while new secrets were revealed - and of course I had to know if all my favourite characters were going to made it to the end. I loved how the whole crew was finally back together as Chase's path crossed with Nate, Trent, Holden and Six.

Sightlines was a stunning end for the Community series. My only complain is that I would have liked more! I still need more of this world! I'll keep fingers crossed that Hassell will visit this world in the future. I highly recommend the whole series to everyone interested, because it's truly well written and there's everything: romance, mysteries, suspense and plot with so many twists. And of course, great and lovable characters!

5 of 5 stars

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

ARC Review: Oversight by Santino Hassell

Oversight (The Community, #2)
by Santino Hassell
Published by Riptide Publishing
eARC
LGBT, romantic suspense, paranormal

Spoiler Alert! The following blurb contains spoilers for Insight, book one of The Community.

Holden Payne has it all . . . or so he thinks. As heir to the founder of the Community—an organization that finds, protects, and manages psychics—he’s rich, powerful, and treated like royalty. But after a series of disappearances and murders rock the Community, he’s branded the fall guy for the scandal and saddled with a babysitter.

Sixtus Rossi is a broad-shouldered, tattooed lumbersexual with a man-bun and a steely gaze. He’s also an Invulnerable—supposedly impervious to both psychic abilities and Holden’s charms. It’s a claim Holden takes as a challenge. Especially if sleeping with Six may help him learn whether the Community had more to do with the disappearances than they claimed.

As Holden uncovers the truth, he also finds himself getting in deep with the man sent to watch him. His plan to seduce Six for information leads to a connection so intense that some of Six’s shields come crashing down. And with that comes a frightening realization: Holden has to either stand by the Community that has given him everything, or abandon his old life to protect the people he loves.

Oversight was a good follow up for Insight as it let us get into Holden's head, introduced Six, and delved deeper into the Community and its secrets. What's even perfect was that I got my wish when Nate and Trent made an appearance and oh boy, did I love it!

I liked Holden in previous book and now I fell in love. He's idealistic and he believes to all the good in the Community and he genuinely wants to help his fellow psychics. Basically, he's adorable and his biggest fault was to be a bit naive. Besides the old characters from previous book, Oversight introduced Six, who was a mystery in so many ways that figuring him out was intriguing and fun. The chemistry and steamy romance between Holden and Six was definitely classic Santino Hassell, and I really loved it. It was full of suspense and doubt, but also magnetic bull and secrets that changed everything.

The only negative thing I have to say about Oversight is that there were a few moments when it felt a little bit rushed off. I felt like some scenes needed a little bit more page time (and honestly, I wouldn't have minded if I'd get fifty more pages of Holden and Six). Otherwise the book was perfect mix of suspense, romance and paranormal.

I just can't get enough of this world! Paranormal is not my go-to genre but this series is addicting and definitely a very good paranormal. I do recommend this for anyone who likes paranormal, suspense, romance and mysteries - or even if you're not biggest fan of paranormal, this would still be a really good read. Although, in order to read this, Insight has to be read first to avoid spoilers and to know what's going on.

5 of 5 stars

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(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)

Book Tour: Oversight by Santino Hassell

Oversight (The Community, #2)
by Santino Hassell
Published by Riptide Publishing
Release day 26th June, 2017
LGBT, romantic suspense, paranormal

Spoiler Alert! The following blurb contains spoilers for Insight, book one of The Community.

Holden Payne has it all . . . or so he thinks. As heir to the founder of the Community—an organization that finds, protects, and manages psychics—he’s rich, powerful, and treated like royalty. But after a series of disappearances and murders rock the Community, he’s branded the fall guy for the scandal and saddled with a babysitter.

Sixtus Rossi is a broad-shouldered, tattooed lumbersexual with a man-bun and a steely gaze. He’s also an Invulnerable—supposedly impervious to both psychic abilities and Holden’s charms. It’s a claim Holden takes as a challenge. Especially if sleeping with Six may help him learn whether the Community had more to do with the disappearances than they claimed.

As Holden uncovers the truth, he also finds himself getting in deep with the man sent to watch him. His plan to seduce Six for information leads to a connection so intense that some of Six’s shields come crashing down. And with that comes a frightening realization: Holden has to either stand by the Community that has given him everything, or abandon his old life to protect the people he loves.

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"Six just stared at him. This beautiful personification of blankness but with burning black eyes."

Excerpt

The man who walked into the office did not remotely resemble the teen boy who'd just strolled through his memories. Adult Sixtus was Holden’s height but corded with about thirty more pounds of muscle. His biceps were nearly bursting from the sleeves and his pecs were clearly visible beneath the tight black polo he wore, making the typically conservative style— look like the prequel to a stripping routine in Magic Mike. He also wore khaki pants so tight his thighs looked like they were being strangled. He'd paired the two articles of clothing with scuffed motorcycle boots with steel toes.

Holden didn't make an attempt to hide his slow ogle, and dragged his eyes from boot to crotch to clavicle before taking in Six's face. His fathomless black eyes were the only familiar feature in that olive complexed face. He had a full beard and mustache, thick black hair tied up in a bun, and wide lips that Holden wanted to suck on. Why did his sociopathic handler have to be a disgustingly sexy lumberjack hipster?

"Huh," Holden said. "He's filled out."

Richard went back to pursing his lips but Sixtus didn't even blink. He didn't scan Holden or react to the intense eyefuck he'd just received. There seemed to be nothing behind those dark eyes. The effect was more disturbing when Holden, by default, reached out with his gift to get an impression. He'd expected a hint of impatience or irritation even if it was muted by the mental shield that was apparently always in place.

"He was drawn in by the strength of Six, and when that bubble wrapped around him again, it felt almost safe enough for him to break."

Author bio

Santino Hassell was raised by a conservative family, but he was anything but traditional. He grew up to be a smart-mouthed, school cutting grunge kid, then a transient twenty-something, and eventually transformed into an unlikely romance author.

Santino writes queer romance that is heavily influenced by the gritty, urban landscape of New York City, his belief that human relationships are complex and flawed, and his own life experiences.

Connect with Santino: Website | Twitter | Instagram | FB Group | FB | GR | Tumblr

Release Day Blitz: Oversight by Santino Hassell

Oversight (The Community, #2)
by Santino Hassell
Published by Riptide Publishing
Release day 26th June, 2017
LGBT, romantic suspense, paranormal

Spoiler Alert! The following blurb contains spoilers for Insight, book one of The Community.

Holden Payne has it all . . . or so he thinks. As heir to the founder of the Community—an organization that finds, protects, and manages psychics—he’s rich, powerful, and treated like royalty. But after a series of disappearances and murders rock the Community, he’s branded the fall guy for the scandal and saddled with a babysitter.

Sixtus Rossi is a broad-shouldered, tattooed lumbersexual with a man-bun and a steely gaze. He’s also an Invulnerable—supposedly impervious to both psychic abilities and Holden’s charms. It’s a claim Holden takes as a challenge. Especially if sleeping with Six may help him learn whether the Community had more to do with the disappearances than they claimed.

As Holden uncovers the truth, he also finds himself getting in deep with the man sent to watch him. His plan to seduce Six for information leads to a connection so intense that some of Six’s shields come crashing down. And with that comes a frightening realization: Holden has to either stand by the Community that has given him everything, or abandon his old life to protect the people he loves.

Add on Goodreads

Get your copy

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Barnes & Noble

Publisher

Excerpt

Six was sitting behind the desk, once again clad in a skintight polo buttoned up all the way but this time paired with cargo pants. As he sat on the edge of the chair with his thighs spread, Holden was waiting for all those muscles to burst the seams.

"Why do you dress like an extra from Jersey Shore?"

"I'd have to pop my collar for that." He only paused in his typing when a surprised laugh fell from Holden’s mouth. Raising an eyebrow at me, Six said, "Was I not supposed to get the reference?"

"Well, you're a cyborg so I didn't think you would."

Six turned in the chair so he was facing Holden. He had on his default neutral face, but a slight twitch of his brow and lip betrayed possible amusement at the comment. Was there some getting through to him after all, or were they destined to stare at each other in mutual blankness to see who could emote the least for the next… however long he'd be here as Holden's handler?

"Not having an empathy chip doesn't make me a cyborg. There are plenty of ways to figure someone out without feeling any of their vibes."

Holden crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall next to the desk. "As someone who was born with an empathy chip with elephantiasis, color me skeptical."

Six mirrored his post, crossing his arms and leaning back in the chair with his thighs spread. The view of thick thighs and a good sized bulge were a temptation Holden didn't try to resist. He glanced down twice before managing to hold Six's steady gaze. 

Author bio

Santino Hassell was raised by a conservative family, but he was anything but traditional. He grew up to be a smart-mouthed, school cutting grunge kid, then a transient twenty-something, and eventually transformed into an unlikely romance author.

Santino writes queer romance that is heavily influenced by the gritty, urban landscape of New York City, his belief that human relationships are complex and flawed, and his own life experiences.

Connect with Santino: Website | Twitter | Instagram | FB Group | FB | GR | Tumblr