Category Archives: Fantasy Romance

#Review #LittleMermaidEasterEggs – Fathoms Below (Short Story Bundle) by Ava Cuvay

FATHOMS BELOW – A Short Story Bundle Drenched with Romance
Under the sea, Atlantia’s mer-creatures are devoting full time to floating… and falling in love.

– BETTER WHERE IT’S WETTER
Ariel LaRue assumes the sexy merman pictured on the lake house is “just art.” Then a violent storm topples her into his arms, and she discovers the ocean isn’t the only thing that gets her wet.

– KISS THE GIRL
Mako, a young Sharkanian General, knows there’s more to life under the sea than hunting for food and waging war with the Atlantians. But he struggles against his own predatory nature until a gentle mermaid calms the savage hunger of his heart and tames his sharp bite.

– POOR UNFORTUNATE SOULS
Ursule has an uncanny knack for problem-solving which has earned him the grim moniker Sea Witch. Unfortunately, it doesn’t prevent pesky merpeople from approaching him with their problems. Until two captivating eel-maids invade his lair, wishing for nothing more than his company. And his talented tentacles.

– PART OF HIS WORLD
Prince Eric wasn’t always royalty. For that matter, he wasn’t always a merman.

 

Goodreads

 

Amazon

 

Twinsie Kelly’s Review

This short story bundle set in Atlantia starts with Ariel housesitting and then being turned into a mermaid. “Be nice to the sharks, pretty mermaid. They’re not mean. They’re misunderstood.” It is Better Where It’s Wetter, I would never argue with that!

We then really get to meet Mako in Kiss the Girl. This is more of a grumpy sunshine type of story. He is the big bad Mako but what he doesn’t realize is that he is really a protector. Pearl brings this out in him. I am in love with Mako!

Next, we meet Ursule. He loathes everyone literally just wants to be left alone. However, when he meets Two Unfortunate Souls and realizes how badly they have been treated and starts empathizing with them as he treated others in the same manner. Ursule thinks he is dying because he starts feeling regret, LOL!

Each story will make you smile, roll your eyes a bit, and comes with a high level of steam that will leave certain areas boiling. Oh, and don’t forget the Little Mermaid Easter Eggs!!!!!

 

Ava Cuvay profile image

Ava Cuvay writes out of this world romance featuring sassy heroines, often-alien-but-always-sexy heroes, and an alcoholic beverage or two… Set in a galaxy far, far away. She resides in central Indiana, USA with her own scruffy-looking nerfherder, kiddos who are growing up without her permission, and two kitties that make her laugh. She believes life is too short to bother with negative people, everything is better with Champagne, and Han Solo shot first. When not writing, Ava is thinking about writing. Or wine. And she’s always thinking about bacon.

#Review – Savage Fae (Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac Book 2) by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

There’s more to my brother’s murder than I realised…

Shadows in the halls, mysteries lurking around every corner.

Whoever killed him is covering their tracks well.

And now I’m walking a dangerous line between getting close to the four kings for information and wanting to crawl deeper under their skin for my own desires.

I can’t trust anyone.

I can’t let my guard down.

And I must keep the urges of my body separate from my heart.

But I’m starting to break all of my own rules.

I just hope I’m not falling for my brother’s killer.

I’m going to review as I read so I don’t forget anything.

If you haven’t read book 1, there may be spoilers in this review.

30% in – I’m 30% in and am liking this one a whole lot more than book 1. There’s also way more tension in this one and I’m chomping at the bit for Elise to…uh…do her thing with a few of the Kings. Or all of them. Whatever suits her fancy.

I think Ryder is my favourite and Gabriel is a close second. Ryder is broken and has clearly had some beyond horrible things happen to him when he was a kid. As someone who writes these sorts of characters, Ryder definitely owns a piece of my heart.

Elise is still trying to figure out who killed her brother and who tried to kill her as well. I also don’t like the school councilor. There’s actually not a lot of people I like at this school.

60% in – That scene between Elise, Leon and Dante? Holy moly, that was one of the hottest scenes I’ve ever read.

70%-100% – Things really started picking up from here. These ladies can definitely write some amazing action scenes. I felt like I was right there!

This series is only getting better and better and I can’t wait to find out answers to more secrets!

Can be read in Kindle Unlimited – https://amzn.to/4l87Wwl

#Review – Dark Fae (Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac Book 1) by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

A complete dark, fantasy romance series from Amazon.com and Wall Street Journal #1 bestselling authors Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

What do a heartless Dragon Shifter, a cold-blooded Basilisk, an arrogant Lion Shifter and a brooding, tattooed Harpy have in common…?

Me.

Elise Callisto. Vampire. Angel of vengeance. And a girl on a mission to destroy one of them for murdering my brother. I just don’t know which one did it yet.

When I interrogated/accidentally killed a Werewolf who was high on a new and dangerous drug called Killblaze, his final words painted a dark reality for me. The King of Aurora Academy killed my brother. The trouble is, there’s four kings at the academy and each of them have motive and bloodthirsty natures.

Aurora Academy isn’t a place for the faint of heart. To put it lightly, my town is the cesspit of Solaria where the most cutthroat Fae in the kingdom reside. The school itself is divided by the two gangs who run this city. The Lunar Brotherhood and the Oscura Clan. And guess what? Two of the kings run the gangs at the academy, their hatred for each other so fierce I hear a day doesn’t go by without blood being spilled in the halls.

I might be a petite, lilac-haired girl who looks like I couldn’t hurt a fly, but they haven’t been introduced to my fangs yet. And they don’t know why I’m really here. Or that I’ll do whatever it takes to bring down the Fae who took my flesh and blood from me.

I don’t believe in fate, but I do know this… the King who killed my brother is a dead man walking. And I’m prepared to sacrifice my heart, body and soul to ensure I get my revenge.

This is a gritty, college age, steamy series set in a world where Fae fight to take whatever they want. The heroin will end up with multiple love interests so you never have to pick a favourite alphahole. You can expect dark and hot romance, and a twisted murder mystery which will leave your head spinning and your heart racing. – this series is set in the same world as Zodiac Academy but is its own story and can be read independently.

I can’t begin to tell you when I was this obsessed with a series. I started reading the Zodiac Academy and ended up finding a reading order online. It’s a giant world, so I wanted to make sure I was reading all of it. If that makes sense at all. So there are three series within this world and they intertwine in a way. I read the first 3 books along with 2 novellas for ZA and then started Ruthless Boys because you see these characters in ZA. Which makes sense, since we already see Gabriel in ZA. And let me tell you, I was NOT expecting him to be the way he was in Ruthless Boys.

So Ruthless Boys takes place 5 years before Zodiac Academy does and it’s at a different school. We meet Elise who is trying to find her brother’s killer. She then meets the four kings of the school. And of course, two of the Kings are part of rival gangs where they will one day be the leaders. While they’re not like our favourite boys from ZA, they are similar. But I think Ryder is the scariest. Gabriel can be mean but things happen between he and Elise that makes me question on who she actually ends up with. I can’t tell you how hard it is not to read spoilers. These books have been out for a while but now that I’m reading, it’s like they’re popping up everywhere and the universe is wanting me to get spoiled. 

This book is the first of the series, so obviously we’re learning about each character. There’s not a lot of world building like ZA has but this one does have a darker feel to it. But in ZA I find that the guys are meaner. I don’t know. I love them both.

I can’t wait to get deeper into this series to find out what actually happened to Elise’s brother. I have theories but I’m probably wrong. I usually am anyway.

One click here

#Review – Zodiac Academy 3: The Reckoning by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

“The answer to your question will be revealed on the Lunar Eclipse. But when discovering the truth, do not let the shadows take you.”

Hell Week has begun.

Senior students have been tasked with making the freshmen’s lives pure torture as we prepare to face The Reckoning – the assessment that will decide whether we stay at Zodiac Academy or lose our places here forever.

With the Lunar Eclipse on the horizon, my sister and I have more to worry about than just passing our exams.

A dark plot is unfolding and the shadows are drawing closer. It looks like our enemies could be more powerful than we ever realised.

Damn, who would have thought being a princess would be this hard?

Okay I am officially obsessed with this series. I actually think I became obsessed after book 1. This series has it all: Strong characters, a sibling bond, love, passion, action and more.

This book is about The Reckoning obviously. So we’re back with Tory and Darcy trying to fit in and navigate the ways of the Fae while dealing with four grumpy heirs who are trying to get rid of them. Just when they think they can trust people, it of course backfires on them.

So much happens in this book that I’m sure I’m going to forget quite a few things for this review.

We continue seeing what a monster Darius’s dad is and the intense hold he has on his sons. Darius is my favourite of the four heirs by the way.

Caleb and Tory and still doing their thing but he keeps giving her whiplash with his nice guy act and then suddenly turning mean and wanting to get rid of her.

Like Tory says in the book, at least Darius has been honest this whole time and she knows where she stands with him. He hates her – maybe not as much as he tries to though – and she hates him – again, not as much as she thinks either. I’m chomping at the bit for these two to get together.

I really like the dynamic between Darcy and Orion but I’m just waiting for their thing to become public and how it’ll destroy what they have.

I’m so excited to read the rest of the books! I feel like now we’re really getting into the nitty gritty of the world. ‘

It’s going to be quite the ride!

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/3RW5TP5

#Review – Zodiac Academy: The Awakening As Told By The Boys by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

**This is a retelling of book 1 of Zodiac Academy from the perspective of Orion, Darius, Caleb, Seth and Max**

The Vega twins are alive.

Those five words circle in my mind like an oncoming storm. They change everything about the future we thought had been set in stone. They challenge everything we were raised to be and the stability of the entire kingdom.

They’re coming to our academy looking for the life that was stolen from them, but we can’t let them take it back.

So much hangs in the balance and we can’t risk the arrival of two naïve princesses destroying everything we worked so hard for.

I have trained in dark magic, overcome all challenges and stood in the shadow of Lionel Acrux for far too long already. I won’t let them come between me and his downfall.

Which means they have to go before they discover how powerful they truly are.

This is a retelling of the first book in the Zodiac Academy series from the point of view of Orion and the Heirs and should be read after you have finished the original story. It includes scenes from alternative points of view as well over 50k words of additional content and scenes which have never before been revealed. So prepare to step into the dark minds of the Zodiac boys and watch out for the heartbreak and carnage that will ensue.

I got to book 3 in this series before I found a reading order and before I realized that I should have tandem read this one with book 1. But having read book 1 and gotten more into the series, it was fun going back to the beginning to find out why the guys are the way they are. They all have their own reasons, having to deal with their parents’ wrath but Darius’s situation is the worst of them all. His father is a monster and the things he puts Darius through, add to the fact that he uses his brother to get him to do what he wants…man I can’t wait for the day that Darius can take him on and get rid of him.

It was interesting to see the guys’ points of views during certain situations. Their filthy minds were definitely far more out there than the girls’. Lol!

There are so many different reading orders for this series/world and I feel that there is no right or wrong way to read them. Just enjoy the process.

I’m no where near being done this world yet but I’m obsessed and I can’t wait to see where the journey takes me!

Can be read in KU – https://amzn.to/4jGxUpP

#Review – Book 2: Zodiac Academy: Ruthless Fae by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

They tried to break us.
They almost did.
But we’re not going anywhere.

The Celestial Heirs think the stars are on their side. But they don’t know what’s coming. We have to be smart. Fighting them one on one isn’t an option so we have to be stealthy. Remaining under the radar won’t be easy, but if we pull it off, they’ll never suspect our involvement when their lives start falling apart.

Besides, they’ve already taken us to the brink of hell, what more can they really do?

I finished this book in 24 hours. I completely devoured it and I have to say that I haven’t been this invested in a series in a long time. I’m so glad the whole series is published because there is no way I could have waited patiently between books.

So the story continues with Tory and Darcy fighting for their rightful place within Zodiac Academy. While the Heirs are a little nicer to them, they still can’t be trusted. Tory and Darcy get their revenge and I haven’t laughed out loud while reading in such a long time. It was amazing and so funny. Once you get to the pitball chapters, I couldn’t read fast enough.

This book had action, suspense, lust and the spice is definitely increasing. I have to stop myself from googling spoilers. Clearly I am not patient when it comes to slow burns/enemies to lovers.

I can’t wait to see what happens next with but I am so rooting for Darcy and Orion. Their little moment was hot AF. Then you get Tory and…well, I’ll let you read the book to find out who she ends up with.

Can be read in Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/4bXpJmn

#Review – Book 1: Zodiac Academy: The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti

Amazon.com and Wall Street Journal #1 bestselling dark fantasy romance series from authors Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti – a Booktok sensation!

I’m a Gemini. Impulsive. Curious. Headstrong. A twin. Heir to a throne I know nothing about. And it turns out, I’m Fae.

But of course there’s a catch – all I have to do to claim my birth right is prove that I’m the most powerful supernatural in the whole of Solaria. And sure, technically that’s true as I’m the daughter of the Savage King. But the bit they didn’t put in the brochure was that every single Fae in this Kingdom would claim my throne if they could.

The school they’ve sent me to is both dangerous as sh*t and one helluva party. Vampires bite weaker students in the corridors, the Werewolf pack has orgies in the Wailing Wood at every full moon and don’t even get me started on the dark and twisted ways the Sirens use their powers on people’s emotions, or how my sinfully tempting Cardinal Magic teacher hosts detentions that leave people needing therapy.

Classes are totally interesting if you manage to live through them. And that Gemini star sign I mentioned? It now determines my elemental magic and affects my destiny, so learning astrology is essential if I’m going to beat down my classmates – which is actively encouraged by the way.

My biggest problem is the drool worthy Dragon shifter who has his eyes on my throne. He and his three psycho friends are determined to make my time here hell.

All I’ve got to do is survive. But fate might have other ideas.

Dammit, why couldn’t I have gotten a letter to Hogwarts?

***This is a enemies to lovers romantasy – don’t go expecting a sweet school for magic with friends around every corner. Fae fight for everything they own and Zodiac Academy is a cutthroat school for students aged 18+ where only the strongest prevail. There’s no Dumbledore here to save anyone’s ass and Lionel Acrux will give Voldemort a run for his money in the evil dictator category. So hold onto your stardust (broomsticks not required) and get ready for a bumpy ride***

Oh boy where do I even begin? So first off, if bullying isn’t your jam, you will wanna skip this series. I know it’s a bit older but if you’re like me and just checking it out for the first time, please be warned that the bullying isn’t subtle. Now I’m not usually one for the bully trope but I kept seeing this series every where. After reading Rebecca Yarros’s fantasy world, I needed more. So I decided to check this out and I devoured book 1. Like absolutely devoured. It’s an easy read and I really enjoyed the world building. I even downloaded a horoscope app because of this series. lol

So we meet Darcy and Tory, who are twins and are super down on their luck. After turning 18, they find out that they’re actually Fae and from another world. No more cold windy Chicago for these girls.

The girls find out that they’re heiresses to the throne but 4 other heirs will have none of that.

The stuff these poor girls go through is unreal. I had issues in highschool but man, I am so glad I am not these girls.

Most of the characters I absolutely loathe but the one guy, Orion, is actually coming around. I can’t wait to see his relationship with Darcy grow. If they even end up together. I have no idea and I’m trying not to read spoilers but it’s killing me. This is why I tend to stay away from the slow burn enemies to lovers thing because I want the spice right away.

Anyway, if you want a fun ride with 4 beyond grumpy guys who would stop at nothing to claim their throne and two girls who refuse to back down, this is for you.

Available in KU – https://amzn.to/4isLywH

#Review – Winning the Witch by Tori Ross


Eliza Owl is all about helping her community. When her friend, Lily Jane, talks her into being a prize in the annual children’s hospital date raffle, she worries something will happen at the event that she can’t control. It’s not that she doesn’t like helping her community or children. The raffle is on Halloween, the one day of the year when her witch power is full and things just…happen.

Jake Salt thinks Christmas has come early on Halloween when he finds out he’s holding Eliza’s ticket. He immediately sets out to make their date a perfect night. But dating a witch on Halloween has its downfalls.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Modern day witches get their day too! This was such a humorous and quirky read; I couldn’t put it down! Poor Eliza has done some crazy things on Halloween! She has such a difficult time controlling her powers on Halloween and things always go wonky! Boiled Koi fish in the pond and made the ex-girlfriend’s tongue disappear, I mean, what else could go wrong? Jake is an amazing guy who just can’t get enough of Eliza but when she tries to convince him that she really is a witch, things just get weirder and weirder. However, with each outrageous obstacle that they face together, he is able to show her how much he really cares and wants to explore Eliza for who she is, not what she is.

This is a super sweet Halloween read that you will love so hard that you won’t be able quit turning the pages and put down until the very very end! You will be able to see how it feels for a witch to be on the other side of a bonfire!

 

Tori Ross profile image

Tori Ross is an Amazon bestselling and award-winning author of steamy contemporary romance and romantic comedy. Her book, The Cuffing Season Contract, won the National Indie Excellence Award for romantic comedy, and she’s written several shorts, novellas, full-length books, and serials. She lives with her family and two rescue dogs.

 



#Review – What a Dragon Loves (Star of The North Dragons) Book 4 by Ava Cuvay


Arkyn Drekison is the alpha-heir of his Minnesota family’s dragon shifter clan. Always at the front, in the know, and ahead of the curve. But his younger brothers have all found love and, for the first time in his life, he’s… left behind. He can’t fall for just anyone. He needs a dependable, feisty, steadfast shield maiden to love: a fellow shifter who can help lead his clan and mesh with the many strong personalities within his family. So why is he utterly captivated by a woman who is anything but? She’s human, delicate, spacey, and far more comfortable with babies and pets than anyone old enough to make conversation. Yet there’s something about her that entices his dragon and makes his earth power rumble with desire.

Amalthea Payne is a chaotic hot mess on a good day, always saying the wrong thing, easily distracted, and, well… just plain weird. She’s unintentionally high-maintenance, and no one—friends and lovers, alike—needs the kind of bizarre she brings to the table. So she’s a loner, which is probably for the best, because the mayhem churning deep in her soul is growing stronger, threatening to suck her into a void of her own insanity. Yet when she helps the tall, blond, and gorgeous flannel-wearing-Thor-wannabee rescue a kitten, there’s something about him that soothes her savage beast. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

This novella is the fourth book of the Star of the North Dragon series, which can be read in any order or as standalone novellas.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Opposites attract in the craziest of ways, via the cat distribution system!

I started laughing almost immediately! Arkyn is the oldest and always in charge. Very organized with a plan. Until the cat distribution system interrupted his life and introduced him to Ama, a chaos tornado stuffed in a  hurricane of crazy and wrapped with a blizzard of mayhem. Arkyn already has his hands full and can’t understand why he is drawn to her crazy. Ama is NOTHING like what he thinks he needs in a woman. In true Drekison fashion, the family slowly but surely opens Arkyn’s eyes so that he should listen to his heart, and not his head. Ama can’t explain the pull she has to Arkyn and surely doesn’t understand the calmness she feels around him.

“He gazed at her like she was some riddle he couldn’t solve. Good luck to him; she couldn’t solve that riddle either.”

Being part of their journey and watching them grow together was insanely funny but also had super melty heart moments that made me swoon, and perhaps switch my crush from Ulrik to Arkyn (wags eyebrows). I normally wouldn’t say that the last book in a series is my favorite, but honestly, this really is my favorite!

Ava Cuvay profile image

Ava Cuvay writes out of this world romance featuring sassy heroines, often-alien-but-always-sexy heroes, and an alcoholic beverage or two… Set in a galaxy far, far away. She resides in central Indiana, USA with her own scruffy-looking nerfherder, kiddos who are growing up without her permission, and two kitties that make her laugh. She believes life is too short to bother with negative people, everything is better with Champagne, and Han Solo shot first. When not writing, Ava is thinking about writing. Or wine. And she’s always thinking about bacon.

#Review – What a Dragon Desires (Star of the North Dragons) Book 3 by Ava Cuvay

Ulrik Drekison serves comfortably at the right hand of his oldest brother. As a Wood Dragon shifter, he is the peacekeeper, serene as the forests surrounding his Minnesota home. When a deadly pest invasion threatens the future of his family’s logging company and the entire state’s economy, he’s primed to battle the infestation but ill-equipped to combat his attraction to the voluptuous woman sent by an opposing company. Unaffected by his Viking good looks and his innate dragon sensuality, she trashes his calm at every turn. Yet, as antagonistic as she is, he can’t seem to walk away from her.

Eydís Helvig was born a dragon shifter… without a dragon. As an apex predator with no beast to back up her brazen attitude, her own clan rejects her and humans barely tolerate her. When she’s tasked to diffuse a small family logging company’s outcry about a bug crisis, she is inexorably drawn by the Drekison’s innate power and integrity, especially the hostile yet passionate brother, Ulrik. She yearns to set down roots she’s never had. But like everyone else, Ulrik and his family won’t want her, especially after her employer’s secret is exposed.

This novella is the third in the Star of the North Dragon series, which can be read in any order or as standalone novellas.

Goodreads

Amazon

Review by Twinsie Kelly

Oh, Baby Girl! Ulrik and his Viking good looks will never live this down!

I was pulled in right from the very beginning and couldn’t put this one down.

Eydis comes in like a wrecking ball with the intention of putting a hurtin’ on the Drekison’s logging company, but the only hurtin’ she does is to herself. She has become a force to be reckoned with in the industry and is cutthroat. What she didn’t plan on was falling for the Viking in sweats that say “Baby Girl” on the butt! You are going to have to read this one to know more about the sweats. I promise, you won’t be disappointed. After that awkward meeting, they continue clashing together. Neither of them can keep their hands to themselves but she continues to pull away. Both are going utterly insane! She definitely has some issues, but who better to work through those issues with than Ulrik? He’s gorgeous, funny, strong, and has a big heart (I may or may not have a little crush on Ulrik).

Ulrik is always second in command but always there to help in any way he is able. Eydis was dealt an incredibly horrible hand in life and she uses that to make her cold and hard. Both Ulrik and Eydis have a tough exterior but find that together, they are all mushy and stuff (I say that with the utmost love for these two). The push and pull between Ulrik and Eydis is very, very…did I say VERY? INTENSE!

Their secrets are related more closely than they could ever imagine. When they finally collide, fireworks explode! Thes two were made for each other!

Ava Cuvay profile image

Ava Cuvay writes out of this world romance featuring sassy heroines, often-alien-but-always-sexy heroes, and an alcoholic beverage or two… Set in a galaxy far, far away. She resides in central Indiana, USA with her own scruffy-looking nerfherder, kiddos who are growing up without her permission, and two kitties that make her laugh. She believes life is too short to bother with negative people, everything is better with Champagne, and Han Solo shot first. When not writing, Ava is thinking about writing. Or wine. And she’s always thinking about bacon.