Monthly Archives: September 2026

Angels, Dark Humor, Demons, Dragons, Fae, Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Review, Sci Fi, Suspense, Vampire, Werewolf

#Review #Audiobook – Dead Man in a Ditch (The Fetch Phillips Novels Book 2) by Luke Arnold

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In this brilliant sequel to actor Luke Arnold’s debut The Last Smile in Sunder City, a former soldier turned PI solves crime in a world that’s lost its magic. The name’s Fetch Phillips — what do you need? Cover a Gnome with a crossbow while he does a dodgy deal? Sure. Find out who killed Lance Niles, the big-shot businessman who just arrived in town? I’ll give it shot. Help an old-lady Elf track down her husband’s murderer? That’s right up my alley. What I don’t do, because it’s impossible, is search for a way to bring the goddamn magic back. Rumors got out about what happened with the Professor, so now people keep asking me to fix the world. But there’s no magic in this story. Just dead friends, twisted miracles, and a secret machine made to deliver a single shot of murder. Welcome back to the streets of Sunder City, a darkly imagined world perfect for readers of Ben Aaronovitch and Jim Butcher. Praise for Dead Man in a Ditch: “Superb… With a lead who would be at home in the pages of a Raymond Chandler or James Ellory novel and a nicely twisty plot, this installment makes a strong case for Arnold’s series to enjoy a long run.” ―Publishers Weekly “Arnold’s universe has everything, including the angst of being human. The perfect story for adult fantasy fans—a tough PI and a murder mystery wrapped around the mysticism of Hogwarts, sprinkled with faerie dust.” ―Library Journal (starred review) Fetch Phillips Novels The Last Smile in Sunder City Dead Man in a Ditch One Foot in the Fade

 

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Chirp

 

Twinsie Kelly’s Review

I cannot get enough of this series. I highly recommend listening to it via audiobook. The author/narrator is phenomenal! Every gritty corner, unsavory character, questionable moral, is felt as if you are right in the story. I love the wittiness and how irritatingly twisted up it makes you feel while reading/listening to it. Fetch just can’t catch a break and just when he thinks he has things figured out, he is pulled into something else just as chaotic and crazy and going down another rabbit hole….or dragon hole. There is never a slow moment. All the characters bring something to the table. Every. Single. One. Fetch and the police department are getting along now (kind of), he has “friends,” some people from his past pop back up in his life (and seriously gave me some kind of feels!), but most importantly Fetch started trying to figure out exactly what he is doing. He has switched sides and shared secrets he shouldn’t have. He was a huge part of the problem and just wants to do the right thing. But, like most people (religions, politics, etc.), they all can justify their cause. Fetch needs to dig down deep and figure out what his cause really is.  I am extremely impressed with this series and NEED more!  I am on my way to list to the next in the series! Stay tuned for another review! Bravo, Luke Arnold, on a fantastic job!

Luke Arnold

Luke Arnold was born in Australia and has spent the last decade acting his way around the world, playing iconic roles such as Long John Silver in the Emmy-winning Black Sails and his award-winning turn as Michael Hutchence in the INXS mini-series Never Tear Us Apart. When he isn’t performing, Luke is a screenwriter, director, novelist, and ambassador for Save the Children Australia.

 

Mystery, Review, short story, Thriller, Writers on the River Attending Author

#Review – Blood From A Stone (The Stone Chronicles Book 2) by Maverick Montgomery

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When justice is on the line…leave no Stone unturned.

Bloody and armed with the answers he was willing to die for, Jack Stone is sent spiraling into the city’s seedy underbelly to find the enigmatic Drac. His search comes to a screeching halt when unforeseen events force him to rely on questionable strangers. Now with a price on his head, and his loved ones in the crosshairs as collateral damage, Jack must race to find the man who wants him dead.

 

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Twinsie Kelly’s Review

Jack is the cat’s meow! He recently got shot, almost died, drove his baby (the Mustang) into a wall, blew up a bad guy’s SUV and now there is a bounty on his head. He is generally not one to be messed with, but he is an absolute force to be reckoned with when his friends and family are considered collateral damage. Just like the previous book, this one is just as fast and furious! Tons of suspense and action. Word to the wise, when you start this book, plan on finishing it. It moves fast. You will lose track of time and then it will be over. But not over OVER. There is a cliffhanger and now I am patiently (really I am impatiently waiting, lol) for the next book. I NEED to know what happens next and WHY they are out to get JACK! I recommend The Stone Chronicles!

 

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Maverick Montgomery lives in the Midwest with his wife of nine years and their three partners-in-crime, his two dogs, Austen and Ava, and cat, Jude. Considered a self-proclaimed gamer nerd who was holding a game controller long before he picked up a pen. a gear head at heart who can’t resist drooling over any vehicle whether it be classic or modern, Maverick grew up immersed in classic Alfred Hitchcock films, fueling his lifelong fascination with suspense and crime thrillers.

 

When he’s not writing, Maverick can be found tinkering with cars or dreaming of his next project, usually no more five in his mind at once or he can be hiding out in his man cave surrounded by comic books, stacks of video games, and story ideas waiting to be unleashed. Equal parts snark and grit, he pulls his inspiration from Dick Tracy and Punisher comics, or indulging his wife’s latest project antics while figuring out ways to avoid admitting she’s right.

2nd Chance, Age Gap, Review, Romantic Comedy, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR26 #Review – Loving Sweets (You’ve Been Gnomed) book 3 by AJ Renee and Miranda Lynn

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Happily ever after is for other people, not menopausal women combating hot flashes as they bake.
My simple world is upended when Brian Billups barrels into my life like a storm I never saw coming. Crushing on a younger man belongs in the pages of an age-gap romance novel, not in my real, responsible, middle-aged woman life.

Age is just a number.
No woman—not even my ex‑wife—ever affected me the way Yo Kim does. Just thinking about her sends heat rolling through me, a slow, undeniable burn that refuses to fade. Resisting her feels less like strength and more like denial.
It’s time we both take a second chance on love.
I just need to convince her that our story isn’t a fantasy.

 

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Twinsie Kelly’s Review

Oh, be still my heart! Loving Sweets will capture your heart and make you beg for more! I swear that anyone who reads this book will be able to relate to it in one way or another. You don’t have to be a menopausal woman who feels like a cougar because she is crushing on a young man who would love to sweep her off her feet. And likewise, you don’t have to be the young man who would do anything to make said woman understand how deep his love runs for her, age be damned! Plus, you add in these freaky lil gnomes with Gran spouting off like she normally does that makes everyone blush and you have the perfect combination for a super sweet, cozy, small town, rom com. I just love how all the characters from the past books still interact with the main characters in Loving Sweets. I mean, when love is love, just let it be. Brian and Yo, even though they come from entirely different backgrounds, truly have some chemistry that would make anyone’s heart swoon. They both deserve a shot at happiness. Everyone else sees it but how they go about getting there, is quite the journey. Lovingly sweet!

 

AJ Renee

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AJ Renee is a military wife and mother of three. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with her Master of Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

She loves to read and write steamy romance with a happily ever after. When not working, you can find her playing World of Warcraft, board games, or outdoors for a run or hike.

 

Miranda Lynn

Miranda Lynn profile image

Escaping reality one book at a time has been Miranda’s motto since she learned to read. As an only child raised on a dairy farm her creative imagination brought words to life. She devoured more books growing up than her little town bookmobile could handle. It was inevitable that she would turn from reading them to writing them. This is her way to help not only herself but others escape the day to day drudge. Her books may take you on a journey through time, give you a look inside a fantasy realm, or delve into the magic of almost anything paranormal. Threading in heart stopping romance and dropping an occasional super sexy scene just to keep you on your toes.

Miranda’s stories are focused around strong female leads and sexy males who appreciate them. She strives to encourage her readers that they can have it all in real life too.

You can find her most days either subbing at the local high school or tucked away in her office working on the next story with a cup of java in her hand. She loves connecting with her readers online as well as in real life so make sure to find her on Facebook and check out where she will be signing throughout the year on her website.

Dark, Dark Dark and more Dark, Dark Romance

#Dark #TW #DarkRomance #Revenge – Hunting Adeline, Cat and Mouse Duet Book 2 by HD Carlton

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Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet, #2)

The final installment to the Cat and Mouse Duet…

The Diamond

Death walks alongside me,
But the reaper is no match for me.
I’m trapped in a world full of monsters dressed as men, and those who aren’t as they seem.
They won’t keep me forever.
I no longer recognize the person I’ve become,
And I’m fighting to find my way back to the beast who hunts me in the night.
They call me a diamond,
But they’ve only created an angel of death.

The Hunter

I was born a predator,
With ruthlessness ingrained in my bones.
When what’s mine is stolen from me in the night,
Like a diamond hidden within a fortress,
I find that I can no longer contain the beast.
Blood will paint the ground as I tear apart this world to find her.
And bring her back to where she belongs.
No one will escape my wrath,
Especially not those who have betrayed me.

Warning: This is the second and final installment to the Duet. You must read Haunting Adeline first.

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Review by Twinsie Angie

I purchase this ebook and audio.

The first book and this book are 2 totally different realms of reading. If you saw my review for book 1 you will recall I said I didn’t think it as all THAT dark.  Well that is NOT the case for book 2.  Book 1 is a cupcake with a scoop of ice cream on a summers day in comparison to book 2.  It is a throat punch from beginning to end.  The anxiety I had for the beginning part of the book is not anything I expected to have/deal with.

Book 2 is split into 2 parts and I have to say….BRAVO,  I loved the way the book was written.  Because the book is in 2 parts my review will also be split in to 2 parts.

Part 1 is Not for the weak of heart.  It is not for someone who has any issues with triggers because this part of the story is a landmine of triggers. The rape, sexual assaults, abuse, etc are OFF The CHARTS!!  SO if you take this book on, know you will be uncomfortable and you will be horrified.  You will also be cheering as people are murdered and again, I questioned my mental health with this book.  The author did an amazing job making me feel broken and destroyed and THEN we enter part 2.

Part 2 is much “easier” but its still brutal.  We are seeing Adeline deal with the trauma she endured but we are also seeing Adeline grow.  She is not the same woman and I gotta say, she is an even better match for Zade now then before.  Adeline’s ARC over the 2 books was amazing.  She goes from a carefree woman to a woman on a mission of revenge.

Zade…omg can I say I fell even more in love with him.  He is not a good man.  He is the best Antihero I have ever read.  He is not the guy you should be rooting for and yet when he makes Adeline mac n cheese wearing an apron for dinner…..I was melting.  Yes melting!!!  Zade teaches his mouse a lot but vengeance and bloodletting are the biggest lessons along with loving your person with your entire being.

GAH this book ruined me in all the best ways possible.

Now I hear Sibbie is getting a book. SHUT UP and take my money!!  I need more of that crazy ass Bish and her henchmen…but who is Craven???

H. D. Carlton is an International Bestselling Author. She lives in Ohio with her partner, two dogs, and cat. When she’s not bathing in the tears of her readers, she’s watching paranormal shows and wishing she was a mermaid. Her favorite characters are of the morally gray variety and believes that everyone should check their sanity at the door before diving into her stories.