Magic in the Moonlight

We’re back today with Magic in the Moonlight by Jamie Schlosser, the book that follows directly behind Monster in the Moonlight. As always, it’s a treat to go back to Valora where fated mates and romance are overwhelming themes against the fight for good and evil.

• Genre: Fantasy Romance
• Heat Level: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
• Overall Rating: 6/6 Glass Slippers

This book picks up where the first left off, with Hannah and Ellister safe in the picturesque Day Court. A forging of new bonds promises renewed hope for the future, and the pair take advantage of their newfound freedom and powers to settle into their life together, even picking out a home. But a magical bargain still overshadows them both, and they just hope they can outrun it.

If they can’t, if they have to face it, how far will they go to keep not only their love but their lives intact?

Talk about a satisfying conclusion to a duet. And steamy! Schlosser always manages to surprise me with the way she writes intimacy. I’ve read all her fated mate and fae books, so it’s lovely how nothing’s ever gotten stale. Each couple, their romance, and their…tastes always come off as perfectly unique.

Enemies to lovers, touch her and I’ll kill you, fated mates, time travel, different dimensions, vampires, humans, and fae all have a place in this book, so I think it has something special for every fantasy romance reader.

Monster in the Moonlight

Hello! I’m here with the first book in The Moonlight Duet by Jamie Schlosser. Introducing Monster in the Moonlight.

• Heat Level: ❤️❤️❤️
• Genre: Fantasy Romance
• Overall Rating: 6/6 Glass Slippers

When Hannah awakens to darkness, she’s alone in a cave with a captor not of this world…until she truly opens her eyes to find it’s all a dream. She’s been having strange ones since her unexplained episodes began. Doctors can’t figure out what’s wrong with her. But a stranger may have all the answers…for a price.

Ellistar’s touch makes the pain disappear, something Hannah realizes the first time they meet. When they touch, it’s like the world is right again. But there’s something odd about the handsome man with the unforgettable eyes. He doesn’t seem to understand simple things like GPSs and social cues. But if he can make her better again, she’ll follow him anywhere.

He’d come to the farm looking for payment on a life returned, only to find the life of a woman seemingly at an end. Things are electric between them, but he knows it’s all an illusion, a pitfall of his kind. She isn’t getting better by his side, only getting drunk on his power. Still, he can’t bring himself to collect on his debt or hurt Hannah.

Can they find a way to be together or will the pull they feel ruin them both?

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Sweet, steamy, and hilarious, this book hits all the marks for a perfect read. As soon as I started it, I was drawn in and only released when I got to the final page. And if you’re familiar with Schlosser’s other work, which you should be if you like Fae romance, then you’ll even see a familiar face or two.

Overall, I found this book delightful and recommended it for all lovers of fantasy romance.

The Fae Warrior’s Princess

It’s no secret that the Between Dawn and Dusk series by Jamie Schlosser is one of my favorite fantasy romances of all time. It’s good luck that it’s 20 degrees in New Jersey and The Fae Warrior’s Princess has just come out! While nothing can compare to the tale of Kerian and Quinn, each couple in this series is always a delight.

• Genre: Fantasy Romance
• Heat Level: ❤️❤️❤️ ❤️
• Overall Rating: 6/6 Glass Slippers

Princess Dani of the Night Realm knows why her father’s best warrior, Torius, left to go on an assignment in the human world. As fated mates, he feared what his king and best friend would think if he told him he was fated to be with his only daughter, the future queen. While the Fae aren’t considered old enough to wed until they’re 21, Dani decides 19 years is long enough, and hunts Torius down in the human world, looking to cement their bond once and for all.

Torius is overjoyed to see his mate and complete their bond…until he learns she’s not yet 21, making their joining a punishable offense. He reluctantly agrees to stay in the human world longer with her until everyone in the Night Realm forgets the pesky law that Dani calls antiquated. But a day in the human world is a year in the Fae one, and it doesn’t take long until someone comes to find them. But it isn’t to punish them, it’s to bring a warning.

The plague that once killed most of the young female Fae is back with a vengeance. Highly contagious and deadly, it also brought darkness with it that killed the crops. The curse is hard to break, nearly impossible, but the Night Realm king knows Torius can help end it. Now it’s more important than ever to keep the meeting bond a secret.

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Torius has the ever popular “I’ll kill anyone who touches her” vibe I enjoy in my romances. I like when the male lead is completely and utterly devoted to his partner…and has many killed a few people, but you know how that is! I was also initially worried how the fated mate at birth scenario was going to shake out. If it was anything as terrible and awkward as the whole Jacob and Reconciliation mate thing in Twilight, I was going to cry. But lucky for me, Schlosser gave the pair literal worlds between them until Dani was old enough.

This book hits the ground running in a way the others before it haven’t. Not to say the others in the series weren’t fantastic. But we dive right into the heat, and the drama swiftly follows, giving us a lot to keep us hooked until the very end. Seriously, I read it in one sitting.

Overall, I call this another win for the fantasy romance lovers. Snag your copy of The Fae Warrior’s Princess asap so you don’t miss out on the fun.

The Cowboy Says I Do

He needs her to say I do…

When professional rodeo cowboy Beck Ballantyne returns home to Marietta, Montana, nothing goes as planned. His granddad, flanked by his three determined daughters, announces his plan to sell his legacy ranch after the rodeo. Hoping he’ll reconsider, Beck and his two cousins launch the Rodeo Bride Game. Beck initially has the advantage as he has a long-time girlfriend—except she’s just called it quits.

Ashni Singh has loved Beck since high school, but she’s done living out of a suitcase on the rodeo tour. She’s ready to put down roots and build her own career. Learning she’s unexpectedly expecting makes her even more determined to make a new life. So when Beck dutifully proposes, she does what any self-respecting, career-oriented, educated woman at the end of her patience would do. She says no.

The Rodeo Bride Game may have started as a fun challenge, but Beck has never been more serious about winning Ash’s heart and her hand.

Start reading The Cowboy Says I Do on any of your favorite platforms HERE

The Cruel Prince

I’m a few years late on The Cruel Prince train, but it’s better late than never when it comes to The Folk of the Air series by Holly black.

• Genre: YA Fantasy
• Heat Level: ❤️
• Overall Rating: 6/6 Glass Slippers

Jude and her sisters lived a normal human life until a man broke into their home one day, killing their parents and taking them away to a land across the water that they’ve only dreamed of. The man, Madoc, is a fairy, and her oldest sister Vivienne’s real father. He raises Jude and her twin sister as his own, but there’s no place for humans in the beautiful, dangerous world of Elfhame.

As Jude fights to earn her place as one of the royal knights, she also fights the young Prince Cardan and his friends, who delight in torturing mortals. But as much as her mortality is a curse, it’s also a benefit when the elder prince Dain, next in line to the throne, welcomes her into his underground network of spies. After all, humans can lie, making her mortality a very useful thing to have.

Jude longs to fit in and finally find where she belongs, but even her own family seems to work against her. As she unravels court secrets and tries to keep herself alive, it seems she might belong in the fairly world after all.

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I wasn’t sure how I would like this book. I’ve heard mixed reviews and didn’t know how the book being YA would affect my score. But I was pleasant surprised by how much I enjoyed it, even without the dramatic romance I was promised. That is literally the only thing I felt was missing, but it is a YA book, so I didn’t expect Jude and Prince Cardan to get freaky in fairy land right off the bat.

The world building was amazing. I grew up on books like The Hobbit, Abhorsen series, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, so I appreciate the level of care and creativity Black put into this book. But it’s clear she also did her research into real fairly lore to build her characters and the rules by which they live by. She showed the fae as beautiful but dangerous, tricky and deadly. Perfection.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and have already begun book two. I recommend it to all fantasy fans who love strong female characters, lovely world building, and court intrigue.

Ice Planet Barbarians

That’s right, I gave into Booktok peer pressure and read what’s basically being called the biggest book of 2021…although it came out years ago. Ice Planet Barbarians is in a class of its own, and with more than twenty books in the series, I’m still not entirely sure what to think…though for some reason, I can’t stop reading.

• Genre: SciFi Romance
• Heat Level: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
• Overall Rating: 4/6 Glass Slippers

Georgie awakens in the cargo hold of an alien ship with several other women. They’ve all been kidnapped in the dead of night by orange headed aliens who plan to sell them on the intergalactic black market as slaves. The women are scared, tired, and confused, feelings that get worse when the ship crashes into an ice covered planet. Georgie is tasked with looking for help and seeing where exactly they are, but her journey doesn’t last too long.

Vektal is huge, strong, horned, blue, and the chief of his people. While out hunting, the last thing he expects to find is a strange, pink creature who speaks a strange language and has no idea how to keep herself alive. But the pull he feels towards her is full animal magnetism and he knows he’ll do anything to keep her alive and with him.

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So the main themes in this book are obviously aliens, but also soulmates, and breeding. I enjoy a good instant soulmate troupe when reading fantasy and sci-fi, so that was easy for me to enjoy. The breeding? Well, as someone who literally just had a baby, the idea of getting pregnant right now has me wishing for intergalactic condoms for Georgie’s sake. But the themes paired well together, making it an easy read. If you’re into breeding, I’m going to say this entire series is for you!

I also enjoy a good “himbo” main character. Give me muscles, a chiseled jaw, and an obsession with their love interest, and I’m happy. Vektal gave me George of the Jungle vibes which I thought was fitting, given Georgie’s needs. They paired well together, making the soul mate connection more believable. Something endearing about these aliens is that they worship women, almost literally. Sure, you’re going to live in a cave or hut, with no running water, but your mate will cut off their left arm if you asked.

As I’ve said, there’s more than twenty books in this series, but I’m not sure if I’ll review each one. Although a trip to NotHoth/Icehome is a nice change of pace when it comes to romance. They’re fast reads that work with a formula that makes them predictable, but not in a bad way. I will say I wished for more depth when it comes to background and history of the clan, but since I’m only a dozen books in, who knows what’s next? While I’m not saying this is the new great American novel, it’s worth a read if you’re into breeding, worship, and rugged living.

To Wrangle a Rancher – $.99

Looking for a new ebook to add to your summer reading list? To Wrangle a Rancher, book one in The Hollingsworth Sisters series is on sale for only $.99!

They may have more in common than they ever imagined…

Olivia Hollingsworth is shocked when she’s passed over for VP at Hollingsworth Publishing in favor of her do-nothing cousin. She’s worked harder than anyone and decides to take her talent elsewhere—restoring the failing home improvement magazine that her grandmother loved and her father is axing. Olivia heads to Montana with a plan and a tight timeline…until she comes face-to-face with a sexy as sin cowboy who just might out-stubborn her.

Kit Granger’s family has lived on the same Marietta cattle ranch for generations. But his father ran their business into the ground, leaving Kit to sell off parcels of land to slowly rebuild his family legacy. For years he’s had an agreement to graze his herd on Hollingsworth property in exchange for caretaking duties. And then the eldest Hollingsworth arrives. Her first demand? Corral his cows.

Kit’s not about to let a beautiful heiress derail everything he’s worked toward without a fight. Can they reach a compromise so that they both win without falling in love first?

Start reading now on your Kindle for only $.99 HERE!

Cold Case True Crime

Like some romance with your mystery? A bit of love with your thrills? Then check out Cold Case True Crime by Denise N. Wheatley. Which is available HERE.

True crime is her beat.

But this cold case is personal…

Samantha Vincent has turned her fascination with true crime into a popular blog. When an old friend asks her to investigate a murder the police couldn’t solve, she begins to suspect that the cops want this case to go cold. Sam is confident she’ll catch the killer when Detective Gregory Harris agrees to help her, but everything changes when she becomes a target…

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Discover more action-packed stories in the An Unsolved Mystery Book series by Denise N. Wheatley. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order:

• Book 1: Cold Case Colorado by Cassie Miles
• Book 2: Cold Case Reopened by Caridad Piñeiro
• Book 3: Alaska Mountain Rescue by Elizabeth Heiter
• Book 4: Cold Case Flashbacks by Janice Kay Johnson
• Book 5: Cold Case True Crime by Denise N. Wheatley

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About the Author

Denise N. Wheatley is a lover of happily-ever-afters and the art of storytelling. She has written (and ghostwritten) numerous novels and novellas that run the romance gamut, from contemporary to paranormal, sweet to steamy. Denise strives to pen entertaining stories that embody matters of the heart, while creating strong characters who are colorful and relatable. 

She is an RWA member and received a B.A. in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, the city where she was born and raised. When Denise isn’t sitting behind a computer, you can find her at home reading a great romance novel, on a tennis court, watching true crime television or chatting on social media.

Speaking of social media, here’s where you can find her:

Instagram: @denise_wheatley_writer
Twitter: @denisewheatley
Facebook: @DeniseNWheatley
BookBub: denise-n-wheatley
Goodreads: Denise_Wheatley
Writer’s Blog: http://www.denisenwheatley.com

An Acquired Taste

Did you know it’s possible for a romance novel to make you hungry for more than just a good read? I didn’t, until the first book in Kelly Cain’s The Everheart Brothers of Texas series, An Acquired Taste.

• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• Heat Level: ❤️❤️❤️
• Overall Rating: 6/6 Glass Slippers

Rowan has a passion for soul food and wants to see her family restaurant thrive. But she also longs to spread her wings and strike out on her own so she can finally update the menu her mother will never let her alter. She thinks it’s all a pipe dream until she learns about a cooking competition show that offers the prize of a lifetime.

Knox is the one person who knows how to wind Rowan up with just one look, and she hates him for it. Their rivalry began when he was nothing more than the spoiled rich kid at culinary school and only gets worse when he also signs up to be on TV. He’s annoying, headstrong, cocky, and worst of all, ridiculously handsome.

While worrying about her mom’s health, her brother’s engagement, and the course of her own life, Rowan now has to worry about what being in close quarters with Knox will bring. Because she knows what happens when there’s too many cooks in the kitchen.

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Never before have I read a romance novel that left me famished in more ways than one. Cain pared a spicy, enemies to lovers slow burn with a collection of recipes that had me looking up the nearest soul food restaurant. Really though, the added touch of a recipe, both real ones and a few a little more tongue in cheek, at the end of each chapter made this book half romance and half cookbook. Now that I’m down the story part, I want to try more than one of Rowan’s recipes.

Rowan and Knox had the sort of deep seeded rivalry that made you feel the tension from the first page. While Rowan can throw the sarcastic zingers, Knox can send them right back. They know how to push each other’s buttons, which adds another layer to their love/hate. Their relationship had a wonderful arc that was just as satisfying as Rowan’s recipes.

Overall, I would recommend this book to all readers who want a side of sarcasm with their romantic main course.

The Proper Princess

Looking for a Monday pick-me-up? I have a bookbub deal that’s sure to make your day a whole lot more interesting.

She’s been a proper princess—but she wants to rebel.

After the death of her fiancé, Princess Madeleine knows a loveless, arranged marriage awaits her. She’s resigned to her fate until she meets her intended husband. Crown Prince Enrique is gorgeous, but he comes on way too strong, says the wrong things, and fumbles with apologies. He’s more court jester than Prince Charming. How can she marry him?

Enrique might be self-centered and lack social skills, but he’s trying to do better—for himself, his country, and his future wife. Despite their royal union being a political necessity, he wants his marriage with the captivating Madeleine to be a love match. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to woo her. How hard can it be to win his princess bride’s heart?

Nearly impossible, he discovers, because Madeleine seems unwilling—or unable—to give him her heart. On their wedding day, instead of exchanging vows, will the royal couple say goodbye?

Start reading now HERE for only $.99 for a limited time!