vampire – Love is Love Reviews

Review: One Bite With a Vampire (Hidden Species #2) by Louisa Masters

A good follow up story with a cute new couple and a nice slow burn.

4.5 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 255 pages. Published January 14th 2021

Blurb:

Getting kidnapped was never part of my life plan. But being rescued opened up a whole world of crazy.

It’s not easy being the only human at the Community of Species Government—and especially not when you’re the rescue case. Two years ago, I was planning to go to college, have a wild time, then settle into a normal life. Instead, I was kidnapped, spent months being a test subject, was in hiding for nearly a year, and then found out that my whole existence is a science experiment conducted by the bad guys. It’s definitely time to reassess.

My rescuers at CSG have been awesome… mostly. They gave me a job, a home, and a support network. But the whole demons, vampires, shifters thing is not easy to get used to. Especially when one particular vampire makes me want to take up stake sharpening for a hobby. How can someone be over eight centuries old and have the maturity of a drunk frat boy?

The thing is, teenage mentality or not, Andrew is a fierce protector. With the bad guys still on the loose, I need someone like that on my side. Plus, did I mention that he’s not hard to look at? I could stare at him all day if only he never opened his mouth.

As we race to find my former captor before he can find me, life takes another twist and upends my world all over again. This time, though, I’m ready—after all, I’ve got an eight-hundred-year-old vampire at my back. What could possibly go wrong?

Likes:

Noah and Andrew, together and separately.
The smut.
The non-romantic plot.
Good slow burn.
Noah’s situation is significantly different from Sam.
The way Andrew and Noah bickered.
Good to see Sam, Gideon, and the rest of the team.
More world building.

Dislikes:

Noah didn’t know the Macarena, which made me feel old.
Abrupt ending.
Things still not settled with the plot.

In my review of Demons Do It Better I hoped that Noah’s life would get easier. That didn’t really happen. Yes, he’s relatively settled. He was brought into the fold by Sam and the rest of the team, and given a job and a place to live. I liked how Sam took Noah under his wing, even if Noah didn’t exactly appreciate it.

I also liked that Noah wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life, and was taking time to properly think about it. He was easy to like. The way he survived for the past year made him scrappy, but it also left him with emotional scars. For being so young, Noah was very mature. Except when it came to Andrew.

I didn’t know much about Andrew at the start of the book, other than that he was the vampire of the group. He definitely wasn’t like the typical brooding vampire you find in a lot of romance novels. And it was explained why fairly early. Andrew is too old to care about what other people think. He’s not going to pass up the chance to have fun just because someone else might disapprove. I liked that about him. I also liked that he was good at his job, teased his colleagues without being mean, and genuinely wanted to help Noah.

Things between Noah and Andrew started off a little combative, at least on Noah’s part. He didn’t like Andrew’s easygoing attitude, even though he couldn’t deny that Andrew was hot. There were a lot of funny moments between them, and the slow burn was definitely worth it. Especially since the smut was really nice.

Since Noah and Sam had a lot of similarities in their situations, I was a little worried their stories would be too similar. Luckily, Noah’s experiences were nothing like Sam’s, especially towards the end of the book. Noah’s unique abilities allowed for more world building, while keeping the non-romantic plot focused on the evil doctors who’d experimented on so many innocent children.

I was glad that the non-romantic plot picked up where it had left off at the end of Demons Do It Better, since there were dangling threads. I wasn’t thrilled that there were even more dangling threads at the end of this book. Especially since the next book isn’t out yet, so I can’t go straight to it.

I also thought the ending was really abrupt. It fit with the story, but I could have definitely used a short story to really fill in some of the gaps. Or maybe I just wanted another smut scene or two between Noah and Andrew. Either way, I’m excited for the next book in the series, both to find out what happens with the overarching plot and because it’s about Alistair.

Be sure to check out my review for the first book in the series, Review: Demons Do It Better (Hidden Species #1).

Review: How to Save a Human (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #4) by Alice Winters

Probably the best non-romantic plot of the entire series.

4.5 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 332 pages. Published November 6th 2020 by Amazon Digital Services

Blurb:

River
When I meet Bentley DeGray, I’m at the lowest point in my life because no matter how much I fight, my past won’t let me escape. Bentley makes me laugh and care and love, but what does any of that mean when I’m living a lie?

Things get complicated when I find out he’s with the Vampire Related Crimes Unit, the organization looking for answers about the abductions of prominent vampires.

The same organization that stands in my way.

My time is ticking down while I’m wound up in this role I’ve been forced to play, but I know that I would be drowning without Bentley by my side.

Bentley
We’re facing something that runs so deep that we don’t know who we can trust besides each other, even within the VRC. River makes me feel like every day is worth living and enjoying—like I’m not so alone. I can’t imagine life without him. But I know that if I want to keep him by my side, I will need to do everything I can to help him so our love doesn’t get cut short before it can truly grow.

How to Save a Human contains a cat who shows her affection by not drawing (much) blood, art projects that are a little… sketchy, the most underwhelming “bull” ride ever, and vampires that may or may not be in the mob.

Likes:

Bentley and River, together and separately.
A new take on vampires.
The way the story was woven into the previous two.
Little hints of things that add to the previous two books.
The non-romantic plot.
Banshee.
A good way to wrap up the series.

Dislikes:

River and Bentley connected really fast and for no real reason.
The time frame was a little strange.
River’s emotional trauma wasn’t really dealt with.

DeGray didn’t leave much impact on me, so I wasn’t as excited for this book as I had been for Karsyn’s. DeGray was always just a side character. The one thing I was excited for was that he and Karsyn had a strange moment at the beginning of the previous book, and I wanted to know what that was about.

I was a little surprised at the note at the beginning of the book, which said that the events take place during the events of the previous two books. I was a little worried that the time frame would be strange, or we’d get a lot of rehashing. Luckily, the book flowed fairly well. There were a few time jumps, or weeks glossed over, but it worked with the story.

I think one of my favorite things about the book were the extra little tidbits we learned about previous events. There was one moment that made me gasp and go, “That’s how he knew!?” Since I’m reading the books so close together, it’s easy to fit the little details into place.

Aside from Bentley and River’s connection happening fast, I liked their relationship and dynamic. Bentley describes himself as the normal member of the VRC, which is true. He’s a nice guy, and very normal compared to the others. That could make him seem boring to some, but I thought it was a nice change. Plus, he was exactly what River needed.

River was both an interesting person and very sympathetic. Everything that he went through made him so strong and resilient. I was a little disappointed that with all the things he’d done or been through he didn’t get a chance to have professional help. It wasn’t a glaring oversight when reading the book, but looking back, the guy could probably use a professional to help him get his thoughts and emotions sorted.

The reason Bentley didn’t want to get involved with River was a unique one. I like that they tried to fight their attraction for a while. I also liked how hard Bentley fought for River. Bentley even made friends with the real start of the show, Banshee.

The non-romantic plot was probably my favorite one out of all the books. I love a good ‘there’s corruption on the inside and you don’t know who to trust’ type plot. The tension is everywhere. Add in that River’s life is chock full of secrets, and I stayed hooked the entire time.

There’s also more world building. The way vampires are in positions of power was really highlighted, as was the chain of command for the VRC. I also enjoyed learning how vampires are made, and what a newly turned vampire acts like, since that type of typical vampire lore has been missing from the series so far.

This book didn’t have as many laugh out loud moments as the others. I didn’t mind that. When every character is sassy, it loses its meaning. I liked River and Bentley fine as they were. Besides, there were enough scenes with Finn, Claude, Marcus, Alexei, and the other VRC members to inject some sass.

I think this was a nice way to wrap up the series. At least, I assume it’s the last book. It had a kind of finality to it that made me think so, even though I know there’s another short story.

Be sure to check out the reviews for the previous three books, How to Vex a Vampire (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #1), How to Elude a Vampire (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #2), How to Lure a Hunter (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #3)

Review: How to Lure a Hunter (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #3) by Alice Winters

I was excited for this book, and it didn’t disappoint.

4.25 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 377 pages. Published July 24th 2020

Blurb:

Alexei
When Marcus Church brings his brother Claude in to help solve an unusual murder, I’m positive he did it just to disrupt my monotonous life. None of my coworkers in the Vampire Related Crimes unit seem to understand that I want to keep a wall between me and everyone else—especially Claude, who does everything he can to break through it with an annoying smile. After more vampires begin to die, Claude pinpoints the actions of the killers to a group of vampire hunters, leaving us in a race to stop them. When I discover that I have a target on my back, I’m surprised that Claude insists on staying by my side, even when things go from bad to worse. I’m determined to keep him out—I’ve lost enough people in my life—but I can’t stop feeling something every time he breaks through.

Claude
When I reunited with my brother, I never imagined it’d throw me right into Alexei Karsynov’s path. He’s short-tempered, stubborn, and dangerously adorable whenever he smiles—he just doesn’t realize it yet. When Marcus asks me to help with a case, it gives me the excuse I need to get closer to Alexei, but what I discover threatens to change everything. Suddenly, I find myself wanting to do anything to protect Alexei and to see him smile, despite his efforts to keep his distance from others. I’m determined to show him that he can’t live in the past when his future is so much brighter.

How to Lure a Hunter is a 106k word book that contains: Clothes so bright they could cause retina damage, a ridiculous amount of gifts showered on a reluctant recipient, a cranky Russian with a soft spot he tries to hide, a library full of books that need to be treated with the proper respect, some possibly unhealthy sibling teasing, and a sunshiny 300-year-old vampire with an unexpected protective streak.

Likes:

Alexei and Claude, together and separately.
The non-romantic plot was interesting.
I was pumped for this book, and got hooked easily.
Alexei’s backstory was woven into the book well.
Claude’s clothes.
All the sass.
Hot smut.
The humor.
Claude and Marcus’s relationship.
Side characters.

Dislikes:

Felt like I was missing something between Karsyn and DeGray.
The short date story between Alexei and Claude is at the end of the book, not the beginning.
There were times when Claude was almost too annoying.
Nothing too surprising in Alexei’s backstory.
Some aspects of the plot were unresolved at the end.
There is a similarity in the sass between Alexei and Claude.

I was really looking forward to this book. I already liked both Claude and Karsyn from the previous books, and I was looking forward to seeing their romance. And I have to say it was a pleasant read. Alice Winters knows how to mix snark and humor with intense action, and I was hooked fast.

Were there times when Claude was a little too annoying? Yes, but that’s part of his character. He’s so different from the other vampires at the VRC. It was nice to see a vampire who wasn’t dark and brooding. Claude is optimistic and flashy. I loved the comments about his skewed sense of fashion, like his good luck cheetah print suit jacket. I wish we’d found out where he got his fashion sense from, since it was definitely not mainstream.

Alexei’s backstory featured prominently. It was woven into the narrative well, showing the pieces that were important both for the case the team was working on and for understanding Alexei’s personality. And while I enjoyed learning about Alexi’s history, there wasn’t anything too surprising in it. Things were revealed to the characters that I had guessed chapters earlier.

Alexei and Claude came together slowly. I’m not sure if this book is technically a slow burn, but there were definitely times when I wondered if they’d actually become a couple. It took a while for Alexei to open up, but that made it all the more impactful when he did. Claude gave Alexei numerous gifts, but there were a few in particular that really hit the spot and were super sweet moments. There were also smutty moments, and lots of humor.

The non-romantic plot was interesting, and I liked that it was intertwined with Alexei’s past. It was great to see the other members of the VRC again. Claude and Marcus’s relationship was fantastic, especially the moments when Marcus showed that he really did care for Claude.

I did feel like the sass was similar for Alexei and Claude. I do love sassy characters, but Alexei and Claude were so different that it felt like they should be sassy in different ways. I also think their overall personalities could have been a little more robust. There were times when it felt like they were a little too one-note.

A few small aspects of the plot were left unresolved at the end of the book. I hope they will get mentioned in the next one. I also hope that the bit of tension between Karsyn and DeGray will be explained in the next book, since it’s about DeGray. It initially felt like I was missing something between the two men.

I was also missing something at the beginning – the story of what happened during Claude and Alexei’s first date. The story is included in the e-book, but is at the very end. Or you can join Alice Winter’s Facebook group to get it, which I feel like I should do eventually, since she seems like she’d be a fun author to follow. I’m glad the short story was included, even if it’s not really important to the book’s overall plot.

Be sure to check out my reviews for the other books in the series, How to Vex a Vampire (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #1) and How to Elude a Vampire (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #2).

Review: How to Elude a Vampire (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #2) by Alice Winters

A fantastic follow up that kept me on the edge of my seat.

5 out of 5 stars

Kindle Unlimited. 1st edition. 336 pages. Published April 16th 2020

Blurb:

Finn

When the vampire stalking me sent me a letter, I was prepared for my new life with the man I love to get thrown into chaos. But as the days stretch on and nothing happens, I become determined not to allow that monster to rule my life, and decide that Marcus and I will move on. We can’t always allow the past to haunt us. If that includes pestering Marcus and harassing my fellow detectives, they’d better learn to love it, because I’m not going anywhere even if they like to remind me I’m the only human working in a department filled with vampires. But Marcus loves me for who I am, even if he’s not crazy about the cute pet names I call him like McBitey. Being with him is more than I could have dreamed, and even with the trials thrown in our way, he never fails to make me smile.

Marcus

When Finn joined the VRC, I never expected how everything would change. Now that he’s the brightest part of my days, I’m unsure of how I existed without him. Before Finn and I can settle into our new life together, we’re called in as lead detectives when a body is found in the river, and the case soon hits closer to home than we anticipated. I want to be by Finn’s side to keep him safe, but at the same time, Finn’s fighting for the freedom he’s always wanted after being forced to live a life of fear. What I do know is that my future is with Finn, no matter what happens.

How to Elude a Vampire is the second in the VRC series and contains a display of manly prowess that doesn’t go as desired, reluctant bonding with a new pet, interfering with a snarky Russian’s love life, misuse of office supplies, a vampire with a killer fashion sense but very little game, a total lack of ancient kung fu powers, a feisty human who almost always gets his way and the possessive vampire who adores him.

Likes:

Hooked me fast.
The sass.
Not shying away from Finn’s prosthesis.
Marcus giving Finn time and space.
The side characters.
Lots of action and tension.
The non-romantic plot.
Better balance between Finn and Marcus’s points of view.
How true vampires were created.
Looking forward to the next book.

Dislikes:

My kindle ran out of battery at a very tense moment.
I’d like another story about Finn and Marcus.
I wanted Finn to get a kitten.

When I read the first book, How to Vex a Vampire, the fact that Marcus was as sassy as Finn threw me for a bit of a loop. Marcus initially came across as very broody and solitary. What was made clear in this book is how much Finn’s presence has changed Marcus. He was broody and solitary. And then Finn came along and turned his world upside down.

One of my complaints about How to Vex a Vampire was that Marcus’s character didn’t feel as rounded as Finn’s. That wasn’t a problem in this book. It felt like Finn and Marcus both got equal page time, and they were both equally important to the non-romantic plot. Part of this is that they’re a couple now, and are facing Finn’s vampire stalker together. The other part is that Marcus has accepted Finn, both as a human and as part of the VRC, and they don’t butt heads as much.

The sass is still on point. It’s something I can count on from Alice Winters. As are the side characters. Special shout outs to Hela, Artie, Claude, and Karsyn. I am definitely looking forward to Karsyn and Claude’s story, which comes next.

Finn and Marcus’s romance was mostly settled at the beginning of the book, and only needed little tweaks. I loved that Marcus gave Finn time and space to get used to being without his prosthetics when they were together. They’re a great couple and it was fun to see Marcus try to be manly and impressive for Finn, often to hilarious results.

The non-romantic plot was excellent. There was lots of action and tension. My kindle died in the middle of a fight scene, and I was so mad! I didn’t expect to finish the book as quickly as I did, but the plot kept up a good momentum throughout.

The vampire who has been stalking Finn is back. I enjoy villains who are genuinely good at being bad, and the stalker almost seemed unbeatable. I was pleased with how everything turned out. I also liked how true vampires were created in the first place.

I would love to get more stories about Finn and Marcus. They’re settled as a couple by the end, but they’re a good team and I enjoy the VRC. I would have liked to see Finn get a kitten, but Hela definitely added a lot of humor to the story.

Be sure to check out my reviews for the other books in the series, How to Vex a Vampire (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #1), and How to Lure a Hunter (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #3).

Review: In Any Light (The Rowan Harbor Cycle #6.5) by Sam Burns

Well worth reading despite the short length.

4.5 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 52 pages. Published February 7th 2019

Blurb:

Isla MacKenzie is probably the strongest witch alive who can’t do magic. Her mentor died and left her with not one, but two jobs that would be difficult for any functional witch to fulfill, and she can’t manage so much as a simple cantrip to get started.

Add to that her growing feelings for Cassidy Simon, the town’s vampire bartender, and she feels like she’s on the precipice of something huge . . . she’s just not sure if it’s going to make her stronger, or kill her.

Likes:

Asexual representation.
Get to see what Isla’s going through.
Isla’s struggles with her power.
Sweet and short.
Adds a lot to the series as a whole.
Showed Sally and Lachlan’s romance as well.
Available on Amazon.

Dislikes:

We didn’t get to see the beginning of the relationship.
Cassidy and Isla don’t spend a ton of time together during the story.

I definitely think this story added a lot more to the series as a whole than the previous short story, Succubus and the City. Unlike with Sebastian, Isla is well-known to the reader and a big part of both the friend group and the people protecting the town. It makes sense that she gets her own short story.

I am a little disappointed that we don’t get to see the beginning of Isla and Cassidy’s relationship. The story takes place when they’ve been together a while, and they’re already comfortable and settled. Honestly, the story isn’t really about their romance at all. It’s more about Isla feeling overwhelmed by her new duties after Madame Cormier’s death.

One of the things I liked so much about the Rowan Harbor series was that it didn’t shy away from having important and kick-ass female characters the way a lot of MM romance books do. Like Devon, Jesse, and Fletcher, Isla has been forced into a position she doesn’t feel ready for. It’s hinted at in the other books, but it was nice to get something from her point of view, even if it was short.

Cassidy is Isla’s rock, and I love their relationship. I also love that Isla is asexual, and that how she feels towards Cassidy is explained. There’s real affection there, proving that their relationship is every bit as real and fulfilling as any of the three other main characters.

It was also nice to see Sally and Lachlan’s romance finally take a step forward. Their romance has been hinted at in the other books, and both Sally and Lachlan have been important side characters. It was a cute addition to the story, as well as propelling Isla’s plot forward.

My one complaint about the book was that Isla and Cassidy didn’t spend much time together. That makes sense given that the story takes place during the day, when Cassidy is at home. I was just hoping for some more romance. Still, it was worth reading, and had plenty of drama and tension. Not to mention, it’s available on Amazon, unlike Succubus and the City, which you could only get by signing up for Sam Burns’ email list.

Review: How to Vex a Vampire (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #1) by Alice Winters

A good start to a new series, with lots of snark.

4 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 360 pages. Published February 18th 2020

Blurb:

Finn
Getting into the vampire-only detective unit was the easy part; what’s going to be more difficult is dealing with my new partner, an ancient vampire who keeps threatening to eat me. The unit has never had a human in it, and Marcus—or as I like to call him, Fangy McFangface—would really prefer to keep it that way. He’s grumpy, short-tempered, and broody, but I have a way with words and I know he’s starting to like me, even if he swears he’s not. But what he doesn’t know is that I didn’t join the unit because I was tired of being a homicide detective, I joined because there is someone after me. They’ve already taken enough from me and I’m afraid they’re going to take all of me if I don’t find someone to help. That’s all Marcus was supposed to be, but now, he’s so much more and I can’t imagine my life without him.

Marcus
The moment the pesky human walked through that door, I knew I had to get rid of him. He’s charming and almost everyone else instantly loves him, but he doesn’t understand how risky it is being part of this unit as a human. But as I get to know the stubborn man, I learn that perhaps he’s not as naive as I once thought. And maybe he’s what I needed to realize there is more to life than just work and my dog. A group arises who is threatening to disrupt the alliance between the humans and the vampires, but Finn is the one who shows me how strong that alliance can be and reminds me why it’s worth protecting. When threats hit closer to home, I realize I would do anything for Finn because he’s brought so much joy to my life—and because he’s mine.

This 105k word book contains: A creative use for undergarments, unintentional splits, a wolfhound who just wants to be a part of things, a vertically challenged human who still manages to wrap every vampire he meets around his little finger, the best date ever, possessiveness, really awkward dancing, some workplace revenge, and just a bite or two. Or three.

Likes:

Snark.
Finn is an amputee.
Hooked me fast.
Good mystery of who Finn is afraid of.
Both Finn and Marcus were fun characters.
The romance was enjoyable.
The smut was good.
Artie.
Good side characters.
Interesting non-romantic plot.

Dislikes:

Marcus’s personality didn’t seem as defined as Finn’s.
Marcus was a pain in the ass sometimes.
The final fight scene was anticlimactic.
Not as good as some of the other Alice Winters books I’ve read.
The non-romantic plot felt like it dragged on.

There is a downside to really liking an author’s works – not everything will be as good. And while I did enjoy this book, it wasn’t as good as Happy Endings or A Supervillain for Christmas.

The snark was on point, which I’ve come to expect from Alice Winters. Finn had the kind of personality where he can really grate on people, until he finally wears them down and they begin to like him. He was definitely my favorite character, but Marcus was good as well.

I think my main issue with Marcus was that his character didn’t feel as defined as Finn’s did. For as old as he was, I expected a little more maturity, but he acted about the same age as Finn. At one point, Finn described Marcus as grumpy and sassy, which is a strange combination. Marcus could also be a major pain in the ass. The only reason he didn’t become unlikeable was because he never managed to get under Finn’s skin.

I enjoyed watching Finn and Marcus get to know each other. They weren’t exactly enemies at the beginning, but they got along about as well as oil and water. One of the great things about Finn was that he not only challenged all of Marcus’s assumptions about humans, but actively proved them wrong.

Finn is a double amputee, and I always like seeing different kinds of people in my romance. Better yet, his prosthetics played a crucial role in the story. It wasn’t like in the Merrychurch Mysteries series where Mike’s prosthetic foot was barely ever mentioned. Finn has a great quote about how he feels about his prosthetics – “I have so many emotions wrapped around these stupid things that sometimes even I get confused.”

Despite both men getting sections with their point of view, Finn felt more like the main character. He’s got a lot going on in his life to start with, and joining the VRC only added to it. I liked the mystery surrounding his past and the mysterious ‘him’ he was afraid of. But there was one downside. Between the romance, the side plot surrounding Finn’s past, and the non-romantic policework plot, there was a lot in this book. The policework plot was interesting, but sometimes it felt like it was really dragging out.

If I have one major complaint about this book, it was the final fight scene. It was over really fast and felt very anticlimactic. To be fair, the final fight was only with a smaller level boss. The man who hurt Finn is still out there.

Lastly, I have to give a shout out to some great side characters. This is an area where Alice Winters excels. Artie the dog was amazing, and the other vampires working at the VRC turned out great. I am looking forward to getting to Karsyn’s story soon.

Be sure to check out my reviews for the other books in the series, How to Elude a Vampire (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #2) and How to Lure a Hunter (VRC: Vampire Related Crimes #3).

Review: Mastering the Flames (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #4) by S.J. Himes

The romance didn’t really take off until the second half of the book.

3.5 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 394 pages. Published October 4th 2019 by SJ Himes

Blurb:

Guilt-ridden after the massacre of his family, Isaac Salvatore turned to binge drinking to escape the pain. Now twenty-four years old, Isaac is a recovering alcoholic woefully out of practice in the magical arts, leaving his fire affinity hanging on the edge of disaster. After a month of rehab, he returns to Beacon Hill and his family, determined to remain sober, learn to control his magic, and figure out a plan for his life that doesn’t involve drinking.

Constantine Batiste is the oldest, most powerful vampire in the city. Born in ancient Gaul, the bastard son of a Celtic king, his long life has been shrouded in tragedy and horrors. Recent mistakes have left him wary and determined to guard his clan from all foes. When two of his clan members fall victim to an ancient evil, he summons the Necromancer of Boston for aid. Accompanying his older brother to the Tower is the handsome young fire mage once wounded by Constantine’s arrogance, and their encounter reignites an attraction that burns within both Constantine and Isaac.

The answer to who is targeting the vampires of Boston is buried in the dark, early days of Constantine’s transition to an immortal life. Isaac finds himself saddled with a painful insight into the evil cutting a swath through the supernatural population of Boston. While his brother, Angel, takes over the hunt to find and stop the threat to the city, Isaac struggles to find a balance between helping his brother and finding his own purpose and place in the world, free from his brother’s shadow.

Falling in love wasn’t part of his plan, but mastering the flames that burn between him and Constantine soon becomes the most important thing in his life, even as an ancient evil seeks to destroy them.

Likes:

Isaac finally gets his own story.
How much Isaac struggled, even after he left rehab.
Interesting non-romantic plot.
Isaac is working to get himself better.
Constantine and Simeon are family now.
Good smut.
Isaac was allowed to be the hero.

Dislikes:

Isaac and Constantine didn’t interact until the 23% mark.
So many other things going on besides the romance.
Constantine’s backstory didn’t need to be so long or show up at the beginning of the book.
Romance feels rushed.
Angel is a douche.

I have been looking forward to this story ever since Batiste and Isaac kissed. I dove right into the book, eager to see the younger Salvatore brother and the sexy City Master meet again. Then I waited. And waited. Wondered why a part of Constantine’s backstory was placed so early in the book. Then waited some more.

Isaac and Constantine don’t interact until 23% into the book. That’s right. Almost a fourth of the book passes with no romance. And honestly, very little plot. It was mostly about Isaac getting out of rehab and trying to find his place in the world, which I appreciated since it was necessary to his character development, and part of Constantine’s backstory, which I thought was really boring.

Constantine’s personal history does end up being important to the non-romantic plot. But it didn’t need to be so long and it didn’t need to show up so early in the book. I came to this book for one thing – the romance between Isaac and Constantine. Being forced to wait for it wasn’t enjoyable.

And while I see the point in letting Isaac adjust to sober life before throwing him into a romance, especially since this adjustment made him realize that he was bored, it made me feel like Isaac would have been better served if Daniel’s book had come before his. Yes, that would have screwed up the timeline. I don’t care.

The romance between Isaac and Constantine felt rushed. There were so many other things going on in the book. The blood mage problem, Isaac’s recovery, the fight with Angel, making sure Daniel is safe with Rory, multiple attacks, Isaac relearning magic, therapy sessions, Constantine’s backstory. Oh, yeah, and romance that has to be squeezed in around all that.

Credit where it’s due, I enjoyed the book so much more after about the 50% mark. That was when Isaac asked Constantine on a real date and their romance really took off. I do think the men were super sweet together. I simply wanted more. More time for them to get to know each other. More time for their bond to form. As it is, how much time did they really spend together? It felt rushed, similar to werewolf stories where two people turn out to be mates and boom! Everything’s great and they love each other.

I think my favorite thing about the book was that Isaac was allowed to be the hero in the end. Seeing things from his point of view made me realize that Angel could be a huge douche. There were so many times he treated Isaac like a child who couldn’t take care of himself, and the fight they got into was entirely Angel’s fault.

Isaac was working hard to better himself, and this book really reflects that. I wish Isaac got another book or two, the way Angel did. Isaac is going to keep growing and evolving into the man he wants to be and I wish we got to see that. It would also help my feeling of being shortchanged with the romance. Honestly, Isaac should have gotten his own spinoff trilogy.

Simeon’s comment of “Our family” at the end gave me the feels. Constantine and Simeon are connected in many ways, but they’re family now, and I thought that was great. I was also glad that my prediction from A History of Trouble turned out to be true. Not sure how that will come into play in future books, but I’m sure it will.

Review: A History of Trouble (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #3.5) by S.J. Himes

A short, quick collection of stories.

4.5 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 96 pages. Published February 25th 2019 by SJ Himes

Blurb:

A collection of brand-new short stories, featuring characters from The Beacon Hill Sorcerer Series by bestselling author SJ Himes.

Red Wine and Blood
The Blood Wars raged for centuries across Boston. Witness a brief glimpse into the brutal history of the Wars with Ignacio Salvatore and the vampire he loves, Ashwin Metcalfe, in 1897.

A History of Trouble
Angel was joking when he asked O’Malley if someone resurrected a mammoth. Little did he know that was exactly what someone did. Experience the untold story of what happened that unfortunate night at the Boston Public Museum.

A Dragon in the City
What happens when Eroch goes adventuring in Beacon Hill without Angel? Chaos, pure chaos.

Fae’s Gold
Daniel is helping the newly-resurrected fae Ruairi Brennan become accustomed to modern-day living. A boring trip to the bank quickly escalates, and Daniel calls Angel for help. The day goes downhill from there but ends in a comfy meal in a pub for an ancient fae warrior and a necromancer’s apprentice.

This is a collection, featuring vignettes and short stories from the universe of The Beacon Hill Sorcerer series. For full enjoyment, the Beacon Hill Sorcerer Series Books 1 through 3 should be read before reading this collection.

Combined word count is 23.5k words.

It’s always hard to review a collection of short stories as a whole. So I decided to simply give a few thoughts on each, as most weren’t long enough to get a full review.

Red Wine and Blood

The only story set in the past and not featuring any of the main characters from the novels. Ashwin Metcalfe and Ignacio Salvatore were soulbonded, much like Angel and Simeon, though their soulbond was not fully set even though they’d been together for twenty years. I liked the reminder that soulbonds usually take a long time to set when one of the couple is a vampire, and that Angel and Simeon are unusual in that way.

The look back at the history of the Blood Wars didn’t do much for me. However, I did find myself wishing that Ignacio had left behind journals. Angel was able to bring Isaac a journal written by one of their ancestors. I have to wonder if Ignacio didn’t write one, he did and it didn’t survive, or if Angel simply hasn’t bothered to read it. I think it would have been of much interest when Angel first started dating Simeon.

The only thing that really stood out about this story was a comment Ashwin made at the very end, about how he and Ignacio had centuries to allow their soulbond to fully set. It made me wonder if he was simply being unrealistic about the risk to him and Ignacio during the Blood Wars, or if the couple somehow survived, left the war behind, and will pop up in a later book.

A History of Trouble

The story of the resurrected mammoth that was mentioned in one of the books. One of the smaller cases Angel took back when he’d just started working with the police. It was something of a standard example of a reason why Angel would be called in. The mammoth was turned into a zombie, its behaviors ruled by basic needs. So, being an herbivore, it tried to eat plants.

This was the only story featuring a smut scene. As far as advancing the plot, or even adding new dimensions to the characters, it could easily be skipped. But the entertainment value of a zombie mammoth makes it worth the quick read.

A Dragon in the City

This story is from Eroch’s point of view, which I liked. And it started off with Eroch watching Simeon and Angel have sex, which I thought was super weird. Eroch isn’t so much interested in the sex the way a voyeur is, he’s simply happy that his nestmates were happy.

I loved the way Eroch labeled everyone – Simeon was the cold predator, Angel was Simeon’s magical mate, Daniel and Isaac were Eroch’s fellow broodmates. The notion of nestmates and broodmates goes back to how Eroch was raised on his home planet. The mention of that distant world was very interesting, and I loved that all the past Earth dragons came from that world and eventually returned there.

Eroch’s war on the pigeons is very amusing. The way he’s still trying to learn about the human world and match the names of things with what he sees showed that he’s very intelligent, even if that intelligence isn’t human. I’m excited about the reveal that, when Eroch grows big enough, he will gain a new ability. One that I’m sure will annoy the hell out of Angel. I hope it’s shown in the books!

Fae’s Gold

This was the longest story in the collection, taking up about half of the page space. And, out of all the stories, was the one that will have the most affect on the future books. It’s set between books 3 and 4, and I suspect it is a ‘must read’ in order for the future book about Daniel and Rory to make sense.

Basically, Daniel’s falling hard for Rory. I expected it. Hoped for it, even. Daniel deserves his happy ending just as much as Angel and Isaac. And Rory seems like a nice guy.

A lot of information about Rory is revealed in this book. It’s not just that he’s still trying to figure out how the modern day works. He’s been alive for centuries. Longer than Simeon or Batiste. He’s truly ancient, though he mentioned that his memory has gaps since he didn’t think certain things were worth remembering.

It was really heartwarming to see how much benefit Daniel got from helping Rory adjust to the modern world. Isaac is someone new, untouched by the Blood Wars, and Daniel is able to relax around him. Rory has promised to protect Daniel, which I can see becoming a conflict when Daniel and Rory’s story gets told in full. Isaac seems like the kind of man who’d think that falling in love with Daniel is somehow at odds with his promise to protect.

Necromancer’s Birthday Surprise

This story isn’t technically part of A History of Trouble but I included it here because I didn’t read it after book 2. I was so intent on starting book 3 that I wasn’t going to stop and read a short story. I wanted to find out how Angel handled the bombshell revel Isaac had dropped at the end of book 2, and this story didn’t seem like it would answer that question.

It turned out to have hinted that Angel was fine with Isaac’s reveal. Or at least, he wasn’t blaming his little brother. But the beginning of book 3 answered the question so much better.

This story is about Angel stopping two members of a grave robbing ring. The story ties in with part of book 3’s subplot, but isn’t a must read. It’s mentioned often in book 3 that Angel stopped two graverobbers, so the basic information was presented to the reader.

Much like A History of Trouble this was a simple story showing Angel using his powers to help the police solve a case. Aside from the connection with book 3, it doesn’t reveal anything extra about Angel. It does, however, reveal something about Eroch. And I’m actually really glad I didn’t read this story before I read book 3.

Eroch showed off a new ability in order to stop some zombies from getting to Angel. It’s the same ability he used to save Daniel in book 3. Because I hadn’t read this story before I read book 3, Eroch’s new ability caught me by surprise, and I loved it. I got so excited when he was able to save the day. If I had read this story first, I wouldn’t have been so excited when Eroch escaped with Daniel. So, despite not reading this in order, I’m glad I did it the way I did.

Review: The Necromancer’s Reckoning (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #3) by S.J. Himes

A great way to wrap up Angel and Simeon’s story.

5 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 304 pages. Published May 28th 2018 by SJ Himes

Blurb:

Every action has consequences.

For a decade, Angel Salvatore has been the most powerful sorcerer and only necromancer in all the Northeast. Never one to ask permission nor apologies, he has acted with near impunity for years.

Until now.

The High Council of Sorcery has come to Boston, and Angel is their target. Charged with numerous violations of practitioner laws, his freedom and family are placed in jeopardy.
If found guilty, Angel’s apprentice Daniel will be imprisoned to serve out the remaining years of his apprenticeship. Isaac, his brother, is too vulnerable to be left unguarded, and Angel fears for his sanity and health. And Simeon, Elder vampire and Angel’s mate, refuses to see Angel convicted under the laws of the Council and his actions to keep Angel free threaten to start a war that could destroy their world. And Angel faces the severest of punishments—the castration of his gifts.

The Council has never cared for the people of Boston, and Angel doubts their motives. They have come for some insidious reason, and it has nothing to do with upholding the law and everything to do with Angel.

Dealing with an impending trial, a wayward ghost, and a graverobbing ring of thieves leaves Angel on the edge. He thinks he may have a handle on things until violence erupts across the city, and a stranger comes to town…a stranger with his own dark powers of necromancy.

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 304 pages. Published May 28th 2018 by SJ Himes

Likes:

The way Eroch protected Daniel.
A good way to wrap up the books with Angel as the main character.
Set up Isaac and Daniel’s stories.
Isaac finally got help.
We get to meet another necromancer.
We leaned more about Simeon’s past.
Great non-romantic plot.

Dislikes:

The run-on sentences were particularly noticeable.
The Council wasn’t dealt with big picture.
The romance between Simeon and Angel is completely settled at the beginning.

One of my biggest compliments about this book and the entire Beacon Hill Sorcerer series is how good the non-romantic plot is. This book in particular is stuffed full of things to do and problems to be overcome. I was never bored.

The downside of such a great non-romantic plot, especially in this book, is that it comes in part because the romance is on the back burner. This is the third book about Angel and Simeon, and they’re already a steady, established couple. There wasn’t much that needed to be done in terms of making them closer.

We did find out a little more about Simeon, like how and why he was turned into a vampire and whether he has turned anyone into a vampire himself. It was nice to know, even if the information wasn’t all that important.

Honestly, the book felt important to the series in two ways – the first and most important was to set things up for Isaac and Daniel to have their own happy endings in future books. The second was to show that there are consequences to Angel doing proscribed magic.

I was excited when I read the blurb, thinking that the Council might be this big, scary organization. I was definitely a little disappointed at how easily Angel dealt with them. It goes back to what I felt when reading the second book, about how Angel is so powerful now that not much can stop him. I was also disappointed that they weren’t stopped completely. Angel made sure they wouldn’t bother him or his friends, and then left the rest of the world to deal with the Council on their own. The one good thing that came out of the conflict with the Council was that another necromancer finally showed up.

I’m really looking forward to getting to Isaac’s story. Not only does he deserve it, he’s finally in a place to be open to it and make it work. I’m so happy that Isaac finally agreed to get help. I’m also glad that he has small point of view moments in the book that show how hard it is for him to stay in rehab when he learned that Angel was in danger. But that he also knew he needed to stay or he’d never come back.

Eroch gets a shout out for the second time in a row. The way he protected Daniel all throughout the book was fantastic.

I have one complaint about the writing, and it’s that the run-on sentences were particularly noticeable this time around. I’ve been able to ignore them for the past two books, but this time they bothered me. I know it’s just writing style, and it’s not enough to get me to stop reading the series.

Review: The Necromancer’s Dilemma (The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #2) by S.J. Himes

A great followup, but it does have a cliffhanger.

5 out of 5 stars

E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 213 pages. Published July 1st 2016 by SJ Himes

Blurb:

Even love can die without trust.

Angel’s brother, Isaac, has returned home, and the pair begin to make slow and awkward attempts back to each other. Learning how to be a brother to a grown man instead of a parental figure has Angel adjusting his behaviors and habits, and Isaac still remains a mystery. Was it merely entering adulthood that turned Isaac away from an overprotective Angel, or does Isaac carry a secret that will keep them from finally being a real family?

Daniel Macavoy, Angel’s new apprentice, is torn between his bond with Angel and the grasping machinations of his father. Dealing with a traumatized apprentice with dangerous holes in his magical education, saving Daniel may be harder than Angel first thought—especially since the biggest problem is not revenge, but guilt.

The one shining beacon in his life is Simeon, Elder vampire of Boston’s only Bloodclan. Four hundred years old and sexy as sin, Simeon is warrior and sage, patient and cunning. The strength Angel draws from Simeon’s devotion and the newborn mate-bond between them is steadfast and true…and the fount of death magic that animates the undead lord places Angel in the midst of a power struggle for control over himself, his lover, and his family.

Through it all, Angel is beleaguered by the unwanted attention of a troll-hybrid, the adventures of a dragon in the city, and a serial killer has decided to hunt the back alleys and midnight streets of Boston.

Likes:

Eroch is adorable.
I liked Daniel and Isaac more in this book.
Simon got POV sections too.
Lots going on but it’s not too much.
How Angel dealt with Batiste.
All of Angel’s relationships still need work.

Dislikes:

Ended on a cliffhanger.
Why are Isaac and Daniel not in therapy?
Angel is almost too powerful.

One of my favorite things about this book is that Angel’s relationships still need work. There wasn’t some magical cure at the end of book one that fixed everything. Angel still needs to solidify his bond with Simeon, rebuild his brotherly relationship with Isaac, and form a mentor/apprentice relationship with Daniel. It’s a tall order, and I can see why Angel gets to be the main character for three books. He needs the time to get his life in order. It would have been a disservice to all the characters, major and minor, to end things just because Simeon and Angel became a couple.

There are other perks to having Angel be the main character for three books in a row – it allows time to show more of Isaac and Daniel before they get their own books. Both young men got small point of view sections in this book that show more of who they are, how they think, and what they’ve been through. I immediately liked both young men more in this book than the last, and they only became more sympathetic. I expect both will have to go through some heavy shit before coming out the other side, and I can’t help but wonder why they aren’t in therapy. They both clearly need it. Especially given the whopper of a cliffhanger at the end of the book.

Simeon also got point of view sections in this book, which I thought was nice. Compared to the other characters, he doesn’t have a lot of issues, but I guess if I’d been alive for four hundred years, I’d have my life together too. His love for Angel comes through loud and strong, and there’s a lot of lust in this book.

The non-romantic plot is a lot, but there’s room for it. Because Simeon and Angel are together now, there is more page space for crazy things to be happening in Boston. And boy are there crazy things. Angel is literally thrown from one crisis to the next. It definitely kept things interesting.

I am a little worried that Angel is getting too powerful. There’s really not much he can’t do anymore, especially with Simeon and Eroch by his side. And given that Angel himself admits he has anger management issues and no problem killing people in self-defense, that’s a recipe for trouble. I’m just glad he dealt with master vampire Batiste in a reasonable way, one that I can already tell is going to have consequences in book 4 (and this is why I love starting series that are almost finished. That and the fact that his book ended in a cliffhanger and I hate cliffhangers).

Eroch gets a special shout out. I love dragons, be they big or small. I also like that Angel is aware that Eroch doesn’t have the same moral outlook on the world as humans do.

Given the cliffhanger, I am more than ready to move onto book three.