Ellie Reads All the Books: M/M paranormal

Charlie Adhara

Review: Pack of Lies by Charlie Adhara

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Title: Pack of Lies (Monster Hunt)

Author: Charlie Adhara

Genre / Themes: Shifters /Murder mystery

Release date: 31 Aug 2022

Author's links: Website / Twitter/ Goodreads

My rating: 5 Stars

Blurb

Werewolf meets human. Werewolf snubs human. Werewolf loves human?

Julien Doran arrived in sleepy Maudit Falls, North Carolina, with a heart full of hurt and a head full of questions. The key to his brother's mysterious last days might be found in this tiny town, and now Julien's amateur investigation is starting to unearth things the locals would rather keep buried.

Perhaps most especially the strange, magnetic manager of a deserted retreat that's nearly as odd as its staff.

Eli Smith is a lot of things: thief, werewolf, glamour-puss, liar. And now the manager of a haven for rebel pack runaways. He’s spent years cultivating a persona to disguise his origins, but for the first time ever he’s been entrusted with a real responsibility—and he plans to take that seriously.

Even if the handsome tourist who claims to be in town for some R & R is clearly on a hunt for all things paranormal. And hasn't taken his brooding gaze off Eli since he's arrived.

When an old skeleton and a fresh corpse turn a grief errand into a murder investigation, the unlikely Eli is the only person Julien can turn to. Trust is hard to come by in a town known for its monsters, but so is time…

Review

This is the start of a spin-off series from the Big bad Wolf series which I absolutely love. I have to say this is pretty strong start and I am intrigued by the MCs and looking forward to reading more about them. I get the feelings we will be following the same couple in multiple books again (Cooper and Park have the loveliest cameo btw).

The tone and whole setting is very similar to the previous series, a sort of seamless continuation though it stands well on its own.

The story has a bit of a bit of country house intrigue but with werewolves and monsters. We have already met Eli in the previous book but we get to discover completely new sides of him. The other MC, Julien was rather intriguing as well - an older bi man with two divorces behind and a flagging movie career mourning the loss of his brother. Strong focus on complicated family relations and grief. He is anxious and lost and full of doubts and questions. I liked that he was confident in his bisexuality yet shy and flustered, with no real experience being with men. I think the dynamics in their intimacy - the exploration, the abundant communication, the power play - it was all exquisitely done.

We learned a bit about Eli's past though not much and we see the scars both he and Lucien carry. Eli doesn't show much of himself, he is outwardly confident, provocative but always wearing a mask, never opening himself to the world (and not just because he is werewolf in a world where humans are not aware of werewolves existing).

A particular aspect of the story and the relationship that I enjoyed a lot was this dance of trust and betrayal, of keeping secrets and sharing things you haven't shared with anyone else. We see two grown men being vulnerable, open, caring but also a little sacred, somewhat apprehensive, secretive because life has taught them to rely on themselves, Eli specifically.

As for the suspense plot, it was fast-paced, engaging, kept e guessing till the very end. Interesting, full-fledged side characters both good and bad ones.

The monster hunting which was at the heart of the story with some people genuinely believing in it, others using it for their own agenda, it was an on-point commentary of human/wolves in the world of the books but also on who is the monster and who is the hunter in real life. It was well done and I liked it a lot.

Overall, this is a promising start of new m/m PNR suspense series and I am excited for the upcoming books.

CW: loss of a family member, grief, violence, murders, serious injuries, anxiety

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Charlie Adhara

Min Reviews and Reading Recap #7

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Post vacation mini reviews. I'm behind both on reading and on reviewing but here is some books I read lately and really enjoyed.

Make Me Fall by Sara Rider

It's the second book in the series but works well as standalone too. I often read m/f for the heroes but this series is all about the heroines I love them both so much. It's enemies to lovers with some opposites attract romance.

Nora is a germaphobe and is very particular and rules and order, all things that make it difficult to make new female friends in her 30s and to start dating again after her divorce. I loved how Eli treated her, how he cared about her, doing everything to make her feel comfortable, accepted. He loved her because of her quirks and not despite them. And she got to make friends with people who appreciated and valued her in all her complexity. Like the previous book, interesting family and friendship dynamics on top of a great romance arc. I highly recommend the series and I'm already looking forward to the next book. Out on September 24

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The Wolf at Bay by Charlie Adhara

This is the second book in m/m romantic suspense/mystery series with werewolves. It follows the same couple and you need to read The Wolf at the Door first. A bit of uneven pacing but an intriguing suspense plot and a strong romance arc + great family dynamics! I will review it in more detail closer to release date (Sept 24). I appreciate the anxiety rep and greatly recommend the series.

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Currently reading: A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole. I finished A Duke by Default last week and immediately went back to read book 1. They are so much fun and I'm enjoying them immensely. I will review them together in the next Mini Reviews and Reading Recap post.

Adriana Anders

Mini Reviews and Reading Recap #5

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The Wolf at the Door by Charlie Adhara

This is a debut m/m murder mystery/romantic suspense with werewolves. It was such an engaging read, twisty and kept me guessing who the murderer was till the very end. I liked the writing, it was smooth and there was an easy flow to the whole story. This story offers an interesting mix or real world + wereloves who are kept secret from the general public. I loved the narrator's POV, got to know him well and could relate to him feeling confused and awkward both in his professional and personal life.

I wished we got more insight on the werewolves and their community though. It's the first books in a series that will follow the same couple, so in a way it was more of setting the stage than full immersion in the wereloves-human interactions. I'm excited to read the next book which comes in September and I already got the ARC, so I'm looking forward to starting it some time in August.

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By Her Touch by Adriana Anders

In two words, I loved it. I read the other two books in the series when they came out last year and I got this one soon after that but somehow it got lost in the never-ending pile of unread books on my Kindle. I finally read it this week and it's fabulous, my favourite in the series together with book one.

I was worried about the doctor-patient aspect of the romance but I think it was handled well. It was a very emotional, dark and very hard read at times but it's captivating and unforgettable. I explores a wide range of heavy subjects - the aftermath of trauma, grieving the loss of a loved one, moving on, believing you are worth it and deserve happiness and second chance to love and be loved.

My only minor complaint is that I wish we got a more conclusive solution re hero's PTSD. I would also have loved to see the couple in a few month's time (we get a glimpse of them in the next book, so there is that). Highly recommended read!

CW: abuse in the past (physical and psychological), cancer (in the past), loss of a loved one, grieving, PTSD, kidnapping, violence

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Real Kind of Love by Sara Rider

This is the fluffiest of fluff and just what I needed after the brilliant but heavy book I finished before it. It stars an introverted heroine (a rarity in romance I'd say) who struggles with her over-active and over-sharing/meddling family, She got into a fake relationship with the hero while camping with her family and all the fun and cute and sweet and heart-warming things happened. It eas a bit of "I'm not good enough for her, he is too perfect for me" type of conflict but it felt believable and work in the context of the story. Great family dynamics, interesting side characters and children who acted their age and I didn't find annoying at all.

There was a bit too much drama towards the end for me but it didn't take away from my general enjoyment of the story. I really, really appreciate the introverted heroine and the hero who respects her boundaries and needs for personal space and alone time. There was no magic transformation into more outgoing social butterfly for her. Rather the opposite, she became more assertive with regard what she needed/liked and the people aroudn her accepted that. Epic grovel scene and I-love-you gesture and a lovely epilogue.

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Historical Romance

Review: Spectred Isle by KJ Charles

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Title: Spectred Isle (Green Men #1)

Author: KJ Charles

Genre/Themes: Historical PNR, MM romance

Release Date: 3 Aug 2017

Author's links: Website / Twitter / FB Group / Goodreads

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My rating: 5 Stars

Blurb

Archaeologist Saul Lazenby has been all but unemployable since his disgrace during the War. Now he scrapes a living working for a rich eccentric who believes in magic. Saul knows it’s a lot of nonsense...except that he begins to find himself in increasingly strange and frightening situations. And at every turn he runs into the sardonic, mysterious Randolph Glyde.

Randolph is the last of an ancient line of arcanists, commanding deep secrets and extraordinary powers as he struggles to fulfil his family duties in a war-torn world. He knows there's something odd going on with the haunted-looking man who keeps turning up in all the wrong places. The only question for Randolph is whether Saul is victim or villain.

Saul hasn’t trusted anyone in a long time. But as the supernatural threat grows, along with the desire between them, he’ll need to believe in evasive, enraging, devastatingly attractive Randolph. Because he may be the only man who can save Saul’s life—or his soul.

Review

I have unwittingly established a tradition to start the new year with a book by KJ Charles (I've done it in 2016 and 2017) and decided to continue it in 2018 with Spectred Isle. It was the best decision since I really enjoyed this book and found myself so engrossed in it that I ended with the worst book hangover. This story is set in the same world of supernatural as my most favourite book by KJ Charles, The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal, a few years after the War. (And we see more of Sam, and hear some of Jo, just so you know if you are curious about them).

It's such a brilliant story, captivating and I loved everything about it - the characters, the mystery aspect which was hugely entertaining and just a tiny bit scary and the romance which was unexpectedly gentle and very emotional.

Both Saul and randolphare very interesting characters. I loved how they kept bumping into each other as if by accident, and how their relationship developed amid all the chaos and confusion (especially true for Saul). He seemed more mysterious, keeping a secret from the readers though the people he met all knew about it. His despair and loneliness were palpable, he was just going through the motions of everyday life with no sense of purpose or direction and worst of all, no hope for anything better.

I loved their romance. It was so deeply human, this burning desire (which both of them had buried deep for various reasons) for real contact, for connection, friendship and companionship which turned into love. Randolph found it harder to admit his feelings though he very much shared the same longing as Saul. In a way both have given up on that possibility and had resign themselves to a life of loneliness focused on getting by, just doing what was right and expected of them.

The sexual attraction between them is there from the start and it's strong but the intimacy which happened gradually, that absolutely slayed me. It was all tinged with the belief they both had that things between them could never last, it's just not something that seemed possible, especially for Saul and that bit about Simon and Robert being together for decades was such a high point in the story for me. Every time Sam's uncles were mentioned I got this bittersweet feeling in my heart that brought tears to my eyes.

Their romance started with the human longing for connection,went through the impossibility of two queer men sharing more than the occasional night of passion and then came the opening up and intimacy and the sheer joying of finding a kindred spirit, a trusted friend, a lover.

Unlike the Simon Feximal's book and didn't find the mystery as scary, but still very intriguing. What was scarier than the supernatural forces Saul and Randolph had to battle with, was the devastation the war had brought about on the human soul, the sense of guilt and hopelessness, the confusion and the loss of so many young people, forcing the rest the completely change their lives. Nothing was the same as before the war, for neither of the characters. Yet it was that deep intimate human connection that formed between Saul and Randolph that made life more bearable, brought light and hope.

The book ends with a HFN and the mystery being solved only partially. All of which makes me very excite and quite impatient to read the next one in the series.

Purchase links: Amazon / Kobo / B&N

Amara Lynn

New and Debut: Amara Lynn

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My guest today is Amara Lynn, author of paranormal novella Masks. Read on to learn more about her and her debut book. There is an excerpt for you to enjoy at the end of this post :)

Meet Amara

1. Tell us about yourself and why did you decide to become a romance writer?

Hi, I'm Amara Lynn. I was born and raised (and am still currently stuck in) the Midwest United States. I've always had a wild imagination with no outlet, taking inspiration from the things around me or in books and TV shows (mostly anime). I was very into art when I was in high school, and just sort of into writing, and now I am somehow the opposite. I've always been drawn to the concept of first loves (and true loves/soul mates!) and happily ever afters. I love writing and reading about that first spark!

2. Can you share some of your favourite books and authors?

My most recent favorite has to be Kay Berrisford and her Landlocked Heart series. The first in the series, The Lonely Merman, was so adorable and sweet with a light smattering of angst, which is the perfect combination in my opinion!

I'm also loving V.E. Schwab at the moment and am currently very, very slowly reading A Gathering of Shadows. My go-to faves are Jordan Castillo Price (Channeling Morpheus and Mnevermind are my most faves), Lynn Flewelling (The Nightrunner Series of course!) and Diana Wynne Jones (Howl's Moving Castle).

3. Who/what do you consider your writing influence/inspiration?

As far as who goes, Lynn Flewelling. She was the biggest influence on my early writing and I hope I can one day make something as amazing as that.

For what, a little bit of everything inspires me. Video games, anime, reading, and most of all music. Music is my biggest source of inspiration. I seem to get the best ideas or sparks of inspiration when I'm listening to new music (and probably somewhere I can't write, as that always seems to be how it works!).

Though I don't get to do much of it at all (next to none really), traveling is also inspiring to me. Getting out and going places I've never been always sparks my creativity.

4. What kind of stories can the readers expect from you (contemporary/historical/sci-fi, adult/NA/YA, etc)?

A little bit of everything! I like to write stories usually with fantasy elements, so some modern/urban fantasy, a little traditional fantasy, and some fairy tale retellings/reimaginings. All of my writing will also be either adult or new adult.

5. Please, introduce your latest/upcoming release.

My debut novella, Masks, was released August 23rd and is a story about not fitting in, learning to trust, and first love, with some supervillain/superhero action thrown in! Avari is an orphan and social outcast with superhuman abilities, trying to navigate college life while staying under the radar. Then he meets Chayton, who is intent on being friends with him. Avari's frustration leads him on a dangerous path, and not only is he balancing college and trying to figure out Chayton, but also a secret identity…

Blurb

Avari has always been a social outcast, which is just fine by him; he has superhuman abilities and hates people. But his lab partner Chayton keeps being so friendly, and Avari can't stop staring at his alluring smile.

When he loses control of his abilities, Avari is faced with a startling revelation about himself—one that's both thrilling and dangerous. As Avari seeks to understand Chayton, he finds himself coming out of his shell, and his connection with Chayton grows deeper.

Meanwhile, a mysterious adversary appears who may hold answers to who Avari really is. Fueled by his curiosity, Avari continues his path of destruction—but he can't help wonder if his secrets will tear apart his shaky new bond with Chayton.

Purchase links: Publisher / Amazon / B&N / Smashwords

Author Bio and Links

Amara Lynn has always been a quiet daydreamer, content getting lost in her own fantasies. From a young age, she was always coming up with characters and worlds with no idea what to do with them until she found an outlet in writing. She has admitted on more than one occasion that she could be left in a room alone with only a notebook and pen and be able to entertain herself all day.

When she isn’t thinking about her own characters, she is usually reading, listening to podcasts, playing video games, or taking way too many pictures of her two cats. She is addicted to writing and music, and gets most of her inspiration when listening to music and going for walks.

Amara loves anything to do with pirates, merpeople, magic, supervillains/superheroes, paranormal, and just about anything else that happens to strike her fancy.

Twitter / Facebook / Blog

Excerpt

I flicked my fingers in and out of the Bunsen burner’s flame, flirting with the flickering orange and purple and grinning with amusement. I’ve always felt akin to fire. It was so beautiful and brilliant, yet destructive. Fire could give and it could take.

“You know you could burn yourself doing that,” said a voice, rudely jolting me out of my fire fueled reverie.

I looked up at the intruder. I’d seen him before in chemistry class. With that bronzed skin, that black hair, and those dark eyes, he was hard not to recognize. Not that it really mattered. He was still just another student. Aside from his few defining features, he was just like everyone else.

Narrowing my eyes at him, I hoped he would just go away. I turned my attention back to the flame and resumed what I was doing, a clear dismissal. Instead of going away, he took the seat beside me. How obnoxious. Nobody ever sat by me.

“I’m Chayton,” he said.

I turned my glare back on him and frowned. “Okay… And?” He was smiling, which made my scowl deepen.

“You’re Avari Terran, right? We’re lab partners.”

Sighing and rolling my eyes, I looked at the burner again. Why did I need a lab partner? I was perfectly capable of doing all of the labs by myself. A lab partner would just get in the way, and mess things up. Did the phrase “doesn’t work well with others” that high school teachers so loved to put on report cards mean nothing to these blockheaded university professors?

“Just stay out of my way and don’t screw things up,” I snapped at him. When I heard him chuckling, I looked up. “What are you laughing at?” I growled. Maybe if I concentrated hard, his shirt would catch fire. If I was mad enough, I could easily do that.

“Sorry, it’s just…” Chayton trailed off as he fought back a few more laughs. “You’re so serious.”

Because this was a very serious matter! I failed to see why it was so amusing for me to be serious about my schoolwork. “Is there a problem with that?” I asked, frowning deeply, and wishing he’d go away already.

“You need to loosen up a little,” he said, leaning back in his seat and putting his arms behind his head.

I snorted. “Why?” I really wanted to ask why in the hell he even cared, but I stopped myself short.

“It’s not good for you, being serious all the time,” he said, smiling at me.

“And who says I’m serious all the time?” I countered his smile with a scowl.

Chayton leaned closer, and I caught a whiff of campfire smoke and pine. “Are you?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No,” I blurted quickly, meeting his midnight eyes sternly.

“Oh? What do you do for fun, then?”

“None of your business,” I replied, tearing my gaze from him then. Who did he think he was, interrogating me like this? I owed him no explanations or assurances about my behavior or hobbies during my leisure time.

“Okay, okay.” Chayton raised his hands in surrender.

The lab started, forcing Chayton to drop his line of questioning and focus, for which I was grateful. Of course I did well on the assignment. I didn’t credit any of my success to Chayton, though I guess he did help a little, which was much better than him screwing something up.

As soon as class ended, I threw my stuff in my bag and walked out. Footsteps ran up behind me, and I looked back to see Chayton following me. What did he think he was doing? Couldn’t he just buzz off? Why was he trying to catch up with me?

I stopped walking and turned completely around, glaring at him and crossing my arms. “Can I help you with something?”

“So, since we’re lab partners, we need to be able to get in touch with each other. We should exchange numbers.”

Immediately I frowned. It wasn’t that I didn’t have a phone. I did, mostly out of necessity. Places like the school needed a phone number on file. I would just as soon not have one, because I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I really wasn’t too keen on the idea of giving my phone number so freely to him, but clearly there was no avoiding it. I sighed and took out my phone. “Fine. What’s your number?” I keyed in the digits as he said them and then called him so he’d get my number.

“Maybe we’ll see each other around the campus,” said Chayton with a smile.

“I hope not,” I mumbled.

I turned away and stared at my phone screen, pretending to look interested in something on it like most of the other students on campus often did. In reality, the only thing on my screen was Chayton’s phone number. I started to save it to my contacts. How was “Chayton” spelled? What kind of name was that anyway? I guess I would just save it as “C” for now and figure out how it was spelled later.

I returned to my dorm room. Locking the door behind me, I let out a heavy sigh.

Finally. Alone at last.