Review - - Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel

Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel

by Elizabeth Everett

Publisher: Ace

Release Date: March 10, 2026

Reviewed by Nancy  

 

When a magical hotel appears smack-dab in the middle of the most unmagical of worlds, the last thing the residents expect is to fall in love.

Manager of the Number Five Wayside Inn and World Travel Hub, Pax Nomen has one of the easiest jobs in all the known universes, unless you count the occasional plumbing disaster. When Number Five Wayside gets stranded on a non-magical world, even Pax's trusty Wayside Handbook can’t help him. How is he going to “reboot” the hotel and keep it on its magical journey?

Josie LaChusia is a single mom experiencing debt, having parenting doubts, and tipping dangerously toward depression when an ad pops up on her phone that an apartment is available in a building she’s never seen before.

Pax needs a new guest to restart his hotel, and Josie needs a nudge to restart her life. In a building occupied by faeries, gargoyles, and a gnome with a bad attitude, two souls from very different places come together to create a home like no other.

Nancy's Thoughts: 

Magic & Mischief at the Wayside Hotel is a charming cozy fantasy with a strong romance thread. It’s set in an intriguing world that left me with some questions that didn’t stop me from enjoying the story. Pax and Josie are very well drawn and engaging, and the secondary characters have enough layers and detail to seem real without taking over the story. 

The Wayside Inns travel between realms. Travelers seeking to reach one of these realms go to a place that’s a stop for one of the inns and register as guests. The inns have strict rules to make different, sometimes mutually hostile species, coexist peacefully. The problem this Wayside Inn faces is that it has run out of magical fuel. That’s how it comes to land, and be stranded, on our Earth. Some of the inns have disappeared, but no one knows why. 

We don’t learn much about these other worlds, but Pax shows Josie records of one that’s drawn in vivid and appealing detail. The brief explanation of the inns’ traveling implies that any inn can go to any and every destination. I couldn’t help wondering how this worked and whether there actually were routes for the individual inns. 

Pax and his assistant manager, Maddy, don’t know what to do to fix the Wayside so it can resume its travels. The inhabitants, who’ve paid for transportation, understandably want to reach their intended destinations. Pax has an idea, bringing in an ordinary person, making a change in an effort to “reboot” the inn, which the instruction manual directs them to do but does not define. Some of the guests favor this approach, some do not, and a couple want to try using an ordinary person as a blood sacrifice. In the end, they advertise an apartment for rent, knowing a nonmagical human will move in because this world has nothing else. 

Contemporary popular culture plays a big role in this book. There are many pop culture references. For the most part, they were a lot of fun. I loved seeing the stranded fairies become enamored of TikTok and cheerleading, for example. By the end of the book, though, I felt that there were too many pop culture callbacks.

One of the threads that runs through the book is Pax learning contemporary American culture. His internal questions about various topics, which he then consults Google for information about, are humorous and endearing. Josie’s son, Amos, plays a big role in this part of Pax’s education. 

Pax grew up in an orphanage on his world, where all orphans are slated for the Army of the Light, which defends the existence of magic. Pax was a paladin, a leader, and very good at his skills that come in handy for dealing with the assortment of non-human beings—faeries, a vampire, a gnome, gargoyles, and a zombie, just to name a few—who’re marooned in the inn. Because of his upbringing, Pax has no experience of love and doesn’t understand it. 

Josie lands at the Wayside because she sees the apartment ad. She can’t afford her current rent, so, despite some odd experiences when she views the apartment, the Wayside is a godsend. Her life has been difficult though she and Amos’s father, Dan, had a good relationship until he died. Now Dan’s mother undercuts Josie’s parenting at every opportunity. 

Josie lacks confidence in her ability to make decisions. She doesn’t trust her own judgment. Pax doesn’t understand love, and neither of them knows what will happen to the romance building between them when the Wayside recovers and goes on its way. As she and Pax find their way to each other, they also become stronger, more confident people, in the best tradition of romance. 

The inn itself is both sentient and magical, and it takes an indirect hand in the various developments. Everett uses scent effectively as a tool to interpret the inn’s actions. There are also visual cues. The changes the inn makes at time almost drive Josie away, but she does need a place to stay. 

There were a few downsides to the book for me. There were also a couple of passing references to contemporary American politics. Whether I agree with such a references or not, I don’t want them in my escapist reading. Amos’s grandfather is described as letting his wife do the talking but steps aside from that at an important point. I didn’t feel it had been seeded well enough. I need a little more foreshadowing for his move. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book tremendously. Highly recommended. 

4.5 stars 

~ Nancy

Review & Giveaway - - Archangel's Ascension

Archangel’s Ascension

by Nalini Singh

Guild Hunter - Book 17

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 6, 2025

Reviewed by Nancy 

 

Aodhan and Illium. Adi and Blue. Sparkle and Bluebell. Friends become lovers, their future a wild unknown.

Finally reunited in New York, they must now learn to navigate the monumental shift in their relationship. But for these two members of Archangel Raphael’s legendary Seven, there is no time to rest. As they investigate a case for the Tower that echoes the darkness from Aodhan’s past, they will be forced to confront not only the scars that mark them both, but the promise of a vast power that flickers in Illium.

The threat of ascension has haunted and troubled Aodhan’s Blue for too long, the forces of change immutable and without mercy…and uncaring of Illium’s fierce wish to remain part of the Seven. Change is a constant in an immortal’s life, and this new horizon will bring with it both terrible heartbreak and a joy extraordinary enough to reverberate through time…

Nancy’s Thoughts:

Archangel’s Ascension is a sequel to Book 14, Archangel’s Light, which took Illium and Aodhan from friends to lovers. Readers can follow the story in Archangel’s Ascension  without having read the prior volume, but I think the emotional arc will have stronger resonance for those who’ve read it.

My one quibble with that earlier book was the absence of a moment when either man hesitated to cross the friend line for fear of losing that irreplaceable friendship. In Archangel’s Ascension, Singh explores both Aodhan’s and Illium’s emotional baggage and its effect on their relationship in a way that addresses everything.

Aodhan is too well aware of his issues, but Illium doesn’t realize the causes of his own unspoken fear. Archangel’s Ascension is a beautiful story of their efforts to work through their baggage so they can relax and trust fully in their love.

The story begins in present time, some 700 years after the end of the last book, Archangel’s Lineage (Book 16). This is labeled Today. A life-altering event occurs near the beginning of the book, which then flashes back to Yesterday, a period about 50 years after the end of Archangel’s Lineage. Much of the story occurs in this earlier period, which looks at Aodhan’s and Illium’s childhood, their relationships with Archangel Rafael, his Seven (the aides he most trusts), and other characters in the series.

Most of the book centers on Aodhan and Illium’s relationship, with the shadow of the Today opening events hovering over this storyline. The pair work together to solve the murder of a young vampire and his female love. This plotline also involves their emotional scars, especially Aodhan’s. It’s well done but not a huge part of the overall story.

The timeline then moves back to Today, to the aftermath of the earlier events and their repercussions. Illium has changed, and everyone around him, including Raphael and Aodhan, must deal with that change in their own ways.

Readers may be able to guess what that change is, but I don’t want to spoil it.

The storyline then moves back and forth between Illium finding his new footing in Today and moments important to his and Aodhan’s relationship in Yesterday. I found the time shifts a little disorienting because I wasn’t sure where we were in the timeline, which parts of Yesterday we were visiting. I suspect this is an issue that will resonate with some readers while others just roll with the shifts.

Each of the familiar supporting characters of the Guild Hunter series gets a nod, even those mortals who, due to the 700-year time jump, are no longer alive in the story world. Singh depicts new characters with enough detail for us to feel that we know them, with emphasis on their importance to the lead characters.

We also see a few major events in the lives of other characters in the series. These interactions aren’t part of the romantic arc and so may feel slow to some readers. Overall, though, the story moves at a good pace. The emotional arc is sometimes intense but always satisfying, and the ending is perfect.

Highly recommended.

~Nancy

 

Readers, tell me what you're currently reading. One randomly chosen person posting a comment before 11:00 PM, May 9 will receive a print copy of Archangel's Ascension.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

  

Review & Giveaway - - The Legend of Meneka

The Legend of Meneka

by Kritika H. Rao

The Divine Dancers Duology - Book 1

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Release Date: January 21, 2025

Reviewed by Nancy

Across the mortal and immortal realms, celestial dancers known as apsaras are revered for their beauty, allure, and enchanting magic. But Meneka knows that is not all they are. Trained as a weapon—a warrior—Meneka despises leaving each of her marks in thrall to her potent illusions. With every seduction Lord Indra, king of heaven, demands of her for his political gain, she craves her freedom more and more.

When a mortal sage’s growing powers threaten Indra’s supremacy in his own realm, Meneka seizes a rare opportunity. She strikes a deal—if she can seduce this dangerous man, Indra will allow her to forgo future missions. But upon meeting the sage, Kaushika, Meneka finds herself captivated by his energy, ignited by his empathy and passion, even though he challenges everything she’s ever known. Can she overthrow the man who she is—little by little—falling for, or is Kaushika seducing her instead? As war looms in the skies, Meneka must choose between her duty to protect her home and the thrumming of her own heart.

Nancy's Thoughts:

 

I was excited about reviewing this book, a fantasy based on a culture American readers rarely see. Unfortunately, it didn’t prove to be as absorbing as I’d hoped it would be. While many things about it are superbly done, the way others were handled made this a very difficult book—at least for me—to get into. I’ll share the positives first and then discuss the problems I had, which may not be as much of a problem for others as they were for me. 

One aspect of the book that struck me immediately was the author’s excellent crafting of descriptions. As Meneka returns to Amaravati, the god Indra’s celestial city, this is what we see

(p. 7):

The city hums under my feet as I walk. . . . The rock-paved pathways glisten under the golden light. Somewhere a bird sings sweetly, holding a single warbling note that strums through my heart. Laughter echoes here and there though I see no one. The citizens are hidden within glorious buildings, ensconced in fragrant night gardens. The same gentle breeze that brought me back home rustles though the city, this time with scents of lightning and storm, scents that belong to Lord Indra. His magic spirals lazily through the city, tiny sparks that flicker and flash.

In this paragraph, we not only see what Meneka sees but understand what she feels at this homecoming. The description helps lay the groundwork for scenes of her anxiety over the city’s fate if Kaushika draws people from their worship of Indra. 

The supporting characters, for the most part, have depth that keeps them from being cardboard background figures, Rhamba, Meneka’s mentor, is loyal to Indra but also concerned about Meneka’s doubts as she prepares for her mission to seduce Kaushika. His students aren’t given as much in the way of layering, but the three most important, his two closest friends and Meneka’s close friend are sketched with enough detail to set them apart from the others. Students at Kaushika’s hermitage study magic. The ways they learn it, the difficulty Meneka has demonstrating some magic without revealing her celestial nature, and the mystery of what drives Kaushika are interesting.

I don’t bring much knowledge of Hindu mythology to the table, but I found the depictions of the gods and their relationships believable. I could appreciate the differences among them as shown in the story.

Kaushika’s desire to worship Shiva and his dislike for Indra, coupled with his attention to his students, came across as likeable from the outset. Only later does the reader learn there is a darker, but still understandable, purpose behind what he’s doing.

On the downside, I wasn’t able to root for Meneka until about halfway into the story. When we meet her, she’s engaged in seducing a queen who must be punished for turning her people away from worshipping Indra. Meneka’s job is to make the woman so enthralled with her that she won’t be able to function effectively after Meneka leaves. Punishing someone for not worshipping one’s god isn’t a goal I can get behind.

Meneka is uncomfortable with using her sexuality this way and wants this to be her last mission. Her concern, though, is that she not perform these missions. She has no issues with someone else doing so.

Later in the story, we learn that Indra supposedly depends on people’s prayers to empower him so that he can help them, which might be a better reason for wanting them back in the fold if it were consistently the case, but Meneka isn’t trying to turn this queen—and doesn’t intend to turn Kaushika—back to worshipping Indra. She intends only to punish them.

Only as Meneka begins to have doubts about Indra does she become more sympathetic for me. Her philosophical discussions with other students, which she intends to seed doubts about Kaushika’s view of asceticism and his devotion to Shiva, twist around on her and seed doubts about Indra. Rao creates these twists very effectively.

Another problem I had with the book is that, although this is sold as a romantasy, Meneka and Kaushika spend almost no time together until about page 100. Once they did, their philosophical jousting and their attraction to each other made them an intriguing pair.

My biggest problem with the book, though, is that it abounds with unfamiliar words, only some of which are in the glossary at the front. These words are rarely explained in context. We don’t get references to “gandharvras, Indra’s celestial musicians,” in the story. We get gandharvras doing something with no explanation of what they are.

Every time I have to stop reading and look something up in the glossary in the front, it pulls me out of the story. So I would look up a word, go back to the story, run into another unfamiliar word, go to the glossary and discover it isn’t there, which is extremely frustrating, and so on. By the time I’ve run across three of four more unfamiliar words, I’ve forgotten what the first word I looked up means and have to stop and look it up again the next time it appears.

If I don’t know what a word means, I don’t have a complete picture of what’s happening in the story. Of what choices mean. Of what things look like. This yanks me out of the story every single time.

There may be readers who just skip over unfamiliar words and don’t worry about them. That’s fine. To each her own. But I need to know what I’m looking at and what it means. When the author says a character’s “dhoti flapped in the wind,” I need to know what a dhoti is (are?). So I don’t know what’s happening and am yanked out of the story wondering about it.

By about chapter eleven, when Kaushika and Meneka are spending more time together, I had finally absorbed the meanings of the words that appeared most often and so was able to stay immersed in the story. Their relationship had become interesting, and her character’s conflict as she tried to decide what was true and right and trying to reconcile these new idea with her old beliefs had me really engaged.

We learn that Kaushika’s dispute with the other sages isn’t entirely due to their intransigence. While his motives and goal make sense, his actions could have dire consequences. Meneka finds herself caught between conflicting loyalties and, in resolving them, gains priceless insight into her own motives and actions.

In summary, I found the first third of the book hard to read, partly because I didn’t like Meneka and partly because unfamiliar words kept yanking me out of the story. I would give that part of the book one star. The second two thirds or so, however, drew me into the building, push/pull romance and Meneka’s inner conflicts. The action was superb, and so was the character development. That part of the story is a five. So I averaged them and came up with three.

Readers should be aware that the romantic storyline resolves but the external plot does not, at least not fully. The story presumably will continue in the next book.

Recommended.

3 Stars

~Nancy

Do unfamiliar words pull you out of a book? 

How do you handle that? Do you stop to look up the word or just skip over them?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, February 20 will receive a hard copy of The Legend of Meneka.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review - - The Secret Service of Tea and Treason

The Secret Service of Tea and Treason

by India Holton

Dangerous Damsels - - Book 3

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: April 18, 2023

Reviewed by Nancy

 

 

Two rival spies must brave pirates, witches, and fake matrimony to save the Queen.

Known as Agent A, Alice is the top operative within the Agency of Undercover Note Takers, a secret government intelligence group that is fortunately better at espionage than at naming itself. From managing deceptive witches to bored aristocratic ladies, nothing is beyond Alice’s capabilities. She has a steely composure and a plan always up her sleeve (alongside a dagger and an embroidered handkerchief). So when rumors of an assassination plot begin to circulate, she’s immediately assigned to the case. 

But she’s not working alone. Daniel Bixby, otherwise known as Agent B and Alice's greatest rival, is given the most challenging undercover assignment of his life— pretending to be Alice’s husband. Together they will assume the identity of a married couple, infiltrate a pirate house party, and foil their unpatriotic plans. 

Determined to remain consummate professionals, Alice and Daniel must ignore the growing attraction between them, especially since acting on it might prove more dangerous than their target.

Nancy Says: 

Although The Secret Service of Tea and Treason is number three in a series, it generally works as a standalone. The premise, secret agents posing as household servants in Victorian England, is brilliant, and I loved the callback to the old Man From U.N.C.L.E. TV series in the secret headquarters entered through a shop, the A.U.N.T. acronym, and the gadgets, both magical and not. I really wanted to love this book. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite get there. There were a great many things I liked about it, though, so let’s look at those first. 

The main characters are charming. The heroine, Alice Dearlove, is clever, loves books, and can hold her own in a fight. She prides herself on being a professional woman. The hero, Daniel Bixby, is smart, strong, bookish, and equally able to hold his own in a fight. Both grew up in orphanages run by A.U.N.T. and so were trained from childhood to be effective agents for the organization. It has shaped their lives so it is their main focus, and their superiors are determined that nothing will distract from that. When this policy leads to conflict later in the book, it’s believable and is handled well. 

Also handled well are the attraction and resulting sexual tension between Daniel and Alice as they pretend to be married. They’re determined to maintain a professional demeanor, focusing on the mission, but that pesky attraction draws them steadily closer. Because of that attraction, they both grow and change. They’re each in an emotional place at the end of the book that’s very different from where they are at the beginning. The character arc was engaging and believable. 

The book has a large supporting cast, so it’s natural that some would be drawn in more detail than others. The A.U.N.T. head scientist is an inept version of James Bond’s Q, and I would’ve felt sorry for him had he been a little less pushy and annoying to Alice and Daniel. 

A few of the pirates and other supporting characters are developed in individual scenes, but most have brief introductory appearances that give the reader an idea of their characters. This is one spot where having read the prior books might have helped by supplying a fuller picture of them. A bit more about those the hero and heroine knew before would’ve been helpful to me as a first-time reader. When Daniel turns to a particular character at a moment of crisis, I would’ve liked just a little about how he feels about his reaction and why he trusts this individual. 

I also have trouble with the idea that pirates and spies travel by magically flying houses (vaguely reminiscent of Baba Yaga’s chicken-leg but non-flying house and her flying mortar and pestle), yet the government wasted about twenty years without managing to figure out how that’s done. This means the pirates have free rein for raiding, not that much of it occurs in this book. This may work for some readers, but I just didn’t buy it. If pirates are a problem, someone who wants them stopped will figure this out. If A.U.N.T. can do it, so can someone working for the government. 

The overall plot involves Alice and Daniel searching for a weapon that’s to be used to assassinate Queen Victoria. A.U.N.T. finagles their attendance at a pirate house party so they can find and destroy or steal that weapon. While I liked the idea, I didn’t feel any sense of urgency about it. Alice and Daniel do search various parts of the mansion, but there’s no ticking clock, no feeling of an immediate threat. Because I didn’t feel anyone was in serious peril, the book sometimes felt slow to me. 

While the pirate houseguests are a threat to everyone around them, stealing from each other and their hosts and vandalizing the house, they don’t seem to be much of a threat beyond their group. They’ve stolen various valuable objects, and one of them fires on the A.U.N.T. flying house, but they don’t seem generally menacing. Even when they chase Daniel and Alice, they don’t seem serious about catching them. 

I also don’t buy that anyone who knows how these people behave would invite them to a house party and tolerate their vandalism and stealing. They play games that damage the house, and I have a hard time accepting that any host would put up with that, let alone invite in a group they know are prone to such behavior. 

In summary, I loved the setup, the emotional arc, and the main characters. The overall plot didn’t work for me, but I realize not everyone cares about that as much as I do. Based on the setup and the strength of the romance, I recommend the book.

 

3.5 stars

 

~ Nancy

 

Review - - Witchful Thinking

Witchful Thinking

by Celestine Martin

Elemental Love -  Book 1

Publisher: Forever

Release Date: September 27. 2022

Reviewed by PJ

Love is the trickiest spell of all.
 
Lucinda Caraway loves living in Freya Grove, the mystic seaside town where charms, hexes, and magical beings of all kinds are the norm. She spends her days teaching high school history and her nights reading tea leaves and tending to her conjure garden. It’s a good life . . . but she can’t stop wishing for more.

Until one night, that wish turns into a spell, and suddenly Lucy can’t say no. Not to a public karaoke performance. Not to running a 10K. And, most alarmingly, not to her high school crush, Alexander Dwyer, who needs her help unjinxing his new house—which just happens to be right across the street from hers.

Alex has spent the last ten years traveling the world on adventures Lucy has only ever dreamed of, and he’s planning to leave again as soon as his house is safe to sell. But until Lucy can unhex herself, she and Alex are stuck together. And with so much magic in the air, maybe the next spell Lucy casts will be the one that convinces him to stay.

PJ's Thoughts:

What a charming story! I'm firmly convinced that there's a quirky seaside town in New Jersey where humans live side by side with all types of magical beings (who doesn't love a playful - when well fed - gnome?), love blossoms, and shenanigans ensue. I want to go there. I want more stories set there! 

Perfect for the witchy season, Witchful Thinking brings readers a second-chance romance that checked all of my happy reader boxes. I loved the normalcy created by the author within the town of Freya Grove; how magical beings and the magic created were accepted as a part of everyday life. Witches casting spells? No biggie. Mermen transitioning into the frothy waves off the coast? Eh, you've seen one merman tail, you've seen them all. Oh, wait. That's not true. Turns out showing one's tail is quite a big deal...but you'll have to read the book to find out why. Wouldn't want to give away any spoilers. 

This is the first book of a series so there's some world building and character introduction at play in addition to Alex and Lucy's second-chance romance. Martin weaves it all together in an organic way that not only enriches the romance in book one but also creates interest in secondary characters and potential future stories. I loved the dynamic among Lucy and her sisters and the conflict with her bridezilla cousin. I'm probably most intrigued by what the future holds for her (the cousin) because, whoa, she's a mess, and I do love a good redemption story. It will be interesting to discover what Martin has in store for her - and if she truly is redeemed.

Alex and Lucy are so sweet together. I adored them, cheering them on every step of their twisty path to a happy ending. Sure, there are obstacles, and necessary self-reflection, plus emotional growth, but there's also fun, and mischief, sweet emotion, and a heartfelt happy ending. I loved it and am already looking forward to my next visit to Celestine Martin's magical Freya Grove. 

Review - - Blood Heir

Blood Heir

by Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels World - Book 1

Publisher: NYLA

Release Date: January 12, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

Atlanta was always a dangerous city. Now, as waves of magic and technology compete for supremacy, it’s a place caught in a slow apocalypse, where monsters spawn among the crumbling skyscrapers and supernatural factions struggle for power and survival.

Eight years ago, Julie Lennart left Atlanta to find out who she was. Now she’s back with a new face, a new magic, and a new name—Aurelia Ryder—drawn by the urgent need to protect the family she left behind. An ancient power is stalking her adopted mother, Kate Daniels, an enemy unlike any other, and a string of horrifying murders is its opening gambit.

If Aurelia’s true identity is discovered, those closest to her will die. So her plan is simple: get in, solve the murders, prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled, and get out without being recognized. She expected danger, but she never anticipated that the only man she'd ever loved could threaten everything.

One small misstep could lead to disaster. But for Aurelia, facing disaster is easy; it’s relationships that are hard.

PJ's Thoughts:

Before beginning this review I should confess that I haven't read any of the ten books in the Kate Daniels series. I was introduced to Ilona Andrews' writing through the Hidden Legacy series (which I highly recommend) but found the ten books in the KD series a bit daunting when my reading time is at a premium. Did not reading those books have a negative impact on my ability to enjoy Blood Heir, the first book in a new spin-off series, featuring a key character from the KD series? Absolutely not! Did reading Blood Heir make me want to download the entire KD series and begin reading those books immediately? Well, let's just say that Magic Bites (the first KD book) is now waiting on my Kindle and leave it at that. 

One of the things I most enjoy about an Ilona Andrews book is the world building; how this husband and wife writing team expertly brings a well-known, present-day city to life in an entirely new, unexpected, and realistic way. I've been to Atlanta many times, driven her streets, visited her neighborhoods. Andrews' post-shift Atlanta is like nothing I've ever seen and yet it's brought to life so vividly that I had no trouble imagining it. The attention to detail (street intersections, college campuses, local eateries) give it a striking authenticity and sucked me into the belief that this Atlanta could actually exist. 

And then there are the characters. The care that is taken in creating each of the characters makes the reading experience all the more powerful. No single-dimension, cardboard cut-outs here. Each one is given layers and complexities that convince the reader that these are not really characters in a book but actual people who are walking the streets of post-apocalyptic Atlanta. When they engage their magical abilities, it seems natural. When they shift into another form, it's exhilarating rather than surprising. 

Many of the characters in this book were introduced, or had story arcs, in the Kate Daniels series but I never felt lost or confused when meeting them in Blood Heir. Andrews skillfully inserts bits and pieces throughout the book that paint a complete picture of each cross-over character, and their back story, without the onerous info-dump that is so often inserted into a book that connects to a prior series. I had no difficulty connecting with them and understanding their motivations. 

I love how this author uses a wide range of breath-stealing danger, heart-wrenching emotion, unexpected humor (yes, I did snort-laugh in a few places), and everyday activities (a heroine who de-stresses from fighting monsters by baking cookies) to illustrate the many sides of these characters and create a bond between them and the reader. I am now fully invested in Aurelia/Julie, Derek, little Marten, Douglas, and more. It doesn't matter if it takes four books or ten to complete their stories. I plan to be here for each and every one of them. 

Review - - Sapphire Flames

Sapphire Flames
by Ilona Andrews
A Hidden Legacy Novel
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: August 27, 2019
Reviewed by PJ
 

In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.

But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.

To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.

My thoughts:

What do I expect when I pick up a book in the Ilona Andrews Hidden Legacy series? Impeccable world building, complex characters who engage my mind and capture my heart, story lines that achieve a perfect balance of action, intrigue, and emotion, and a thrilling romance that plays out over the course of each trilogy. Sapphire Flames, the first book in Andrews' new Hidden Legacy trilogy provides all that and more. I couldn't put it down the first time I read it. Ditto for the second. The fact that I'll read it again before book two releases is a given.

I'm fascinated with both Catalina Baylor and her entire family. Andrews draws them with such clarity and creates a family dynamic so lifelike that I could easily convince myself they really exist. I admire Catalina's strength in stepping up to fill her sister's position within the family while also understanding her fear and misgivings along the way. It's a pleasure to watch her grow into her new role after watching her grow up in the first trilogy. 

Alessandro is a delicious man of mystery. He's a bit of a James Bond type character but glimpses into his thoughts and motivations during this book show readers that there is likely to be much more depth to this man that we realize. And much more depth to his feelings for Catalina as well. I'm eager to watch Andrews unravel his character - and build their relationship - as the series moves forward. 

If you were sad to see Rogan and Nevada's romance reach its conclusion, mourn no longer. It's time for Catalina and Alessandro to step into the spotlight and they are going to rock your world. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

While Sapphire Flames can be read as a standalone, for a more complete understanding of the Baylor family and the magical world in which they live I recommend starting at the beginning, or at the very least, reading Diamond Fire, the novella that transitions readers from the first trilogy (Nevada and Rogan) to the second (Catalina and Alessandro). The books, in order, are: Burn for Me, White Hot, Wildfire, Diamond Fire, and Sapphire Flames. 

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Are you a paranormal romance reader?

If you could have one magical ability, what would it be?

Are you reading the Ilona Andrews Hidden Legacy series?

PJ's Birthday Giveaway #2

One person who comments before 11:00 PM, September 9, will receive a Kindle copy of Diamond Fire, the novella that introduces Catalina and Alessandro's trilogy. 

Today's Special - - Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau: Review, Q&A, Giveaway

Kingdom of Exiles
by Maxym M. Martineau
The Beast Charmer - Book 1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: June 25, 2019
Reviewed by PJ
 

My heart wasn't part of the deal when I bargained for my life,
But assassins so rarely keep their word.

Exiled Charmer Leena Edenfrell is running out of time. Empty pockets forced her to sell her beloved magical beasts-an offense punishable by death-and now there's a price on her head. With the realm's most talented murderer-for-hire nipping at her heels, Leena makes Noc an offer he can't refuse: powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.

Plagued by a curse that kills everyone he loves, Noc agrees to Leena's terms in hopes of finding a cure. Never mind that the dark magic binding the assassin's oath will eventually force him to choose between Leena's continued survival...and his own.

My thoughts:

Fantasy romance, fantasy of any type, actually, is not my usual cup of tea. When I attended Book Lovers Con in May, a debut fantasy romance was included among the books in my registration bag. The back cover blurb was interesting and after chatting with the author at one of the conference events, I asked if she'd be interested in doing a Q&A for the blog. Which meant, of course, that I'd need to read the book. Though intrigued by the premise, knowing my history with fantasy, I opened the first page with the hope that I would enjoy it; that it would hold my attention. I did not expect to become so completely immersed in the story, so fully invested in the characters, and their journeys. I did not expect to care so. darn. much. But, Martineau brings her fantasy world to life with vivid descriptions that convince me such a place really does exist. She creates characters - human, beast, undead, and more - with care and complexity, giving them surprising layers, unexpected depths, and a range of emotions that stirred my own.   

The first few chapters are a bit slow as I find to be the case with many novels that are first in a new series. There's world building to be accomplished, stages to be set, characters to be introduced, but once Leena reaches the assassins, the story takes off and, for me, not reading was not an option. At about the 60% mark, barely able to keep my eyes open, I went to bed, plugging my Kindle into the charger, intending to finish the book the next day. It stayed on the charger for about five minutes while I tossed and turned in bed. I couldn't stand it. I had come to care deeply for these characters. They were in peril and I had to know what happened next. I pulled the Kindle off the charger and dived right back into the story, not looking up again until I reached the final word around 2:00 AM. Then, I stayed awake for at least another hour, thinking about the characters, the beasts, everything that had happened and what, possibly, might come next. I'm still thinking about them almost three weeks later. 

If this is an example of Martineau's storytelling skill as a debut author, I can't wait to find out what's in store for readers a few books down the road. I am all in, happily hooked, and eagerly anticipating every future book with Maxym M. Martineau's name on the cover. 

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Q&A with Maxym M. Martineau

Welcome to The Romance Dish, Maxym! Thank you for taking the time to visit with us today.

Thank you so much for having me! I’m happy to be here.

Congratulations on the release of your debut novel, Kingdom of Exiles. I just finished reading it (way past my bedtime) and have spent the past few days telling everyone I know that they have to read this book. Please tell our readers what they can expect from Kingdom of Exiles.

You can’t see me, but I just did a happy dance in my room—I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

Kingdom of Exiles is an adult fantasy romance full of assassins, magical creatures, beast charmers, black-market deals, secrets, and of course, lots of kissing. The story follows two main characters: Leena Edenfrell, an exiled beast charmer, and Noc, leader of the undead assassins guild, Cruor.

After being exiled from her home, Leena is forced to sell her beloved magical creatures on the black market to survive. Unfortunately, this results in a bounty placed on her head. Enter Noc, the realm’s deadliest murderer-for-hire. When he captures Leena and moves in for the kill, she strikes a bargain with him: four magical beasts in exchange for her life. He agrees, not only because these creatures could protect his guild, but because there are whispers of a magical beast that has the ability to grant any wish—something he desperately wants in order to remove a decades-old curse that threatens those he loves.

Leena, Noc and his three closest brethren set off on a beast hunt across the continent of Lendria. But traps capture more than beasts, and ensnared hearts are hard to untangle. With the people behind Leena’s bounty calling for her head, and Noc’s deadly curse making itself known, no manner of beasts or magic can protect their hides.

Which character (human or beast) in Kingdom of Exiles was the most difficult to write and why? Which was the most fun?

Ohhh, that’s a tough one. All of the characters were pretty well-developed in my mind before I sat down to write them, so their mannerisms and nuances flowed nicely during my drafts. I do a lot of pre-writing and character profiles, so I think that helped. Which means, I’d probably say writing the beasts was more difficult. Figuring out ways to describe their size, shape, characteristics, etc., in a fantasy world where our modern-day terms might not translate was difficult. The hardest? Probably the Scorpex, a scorpion/worm amalgamation.

The character who was by far the most fun to write was Kost. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely love my main characters, but Kost is such an emotional touchstone, and I love his mannerisms.

I was fascinated by the beasts in this novel and Leena’s perfect pairing of them with their eventual owners. What type of beast would you create for yourself? Why?

What a great question! Hmm… Prior to getting my degree in English literature, I was actually studying animal behavior. I had a dream of doing field research on large cats—tigers, specifically. You can probably guess where I’m going with this, hehe. Basically, my admiration for these predatory felines translated into the legendary feline beasts in Kingdom of Exiles. So if it’s not the Myad, then it’d be another feline of that caliber, possibly resembling a tiger with some magical characteristics. (Fun fact: I have a Japanese-style tiger tattooed on my leg.)

I’d also take a Groober in a heartbeat. A beast that can help me sleep and is super cuddly? Sign me up!

Your bio says you enjoy binge-watching television shows. I’m always on the lookout for new series to watch. What do you recommend?

I love any show that deals with magic, the supernatural, some sci-fi, or romance. Recently, I devoured The Umbrella Academy in about two days. I’m also an avid fan of Jensen Ackles, and therefore Supernatural. Others include Game of Thrones (minus this last season…sigh), Westworld and Trueblood. Being Human, Teen Wolf and Lost Girl were all up there for me for a while, but life happened, and I stopped watching. Maybe one day I’ll pick ‘em back up!

Where I reeeaallly binge is with anime. My Hero Academia, Hunter x Hunter, Tokyo Ghoul, Seven Deadly Sins, Fairy Tail, Death Note, Re: Zero, Sword Art Online… I know I’m forgetting some major ones, here, but those first three are my favorite.

Speaking of television, I think Kingdom of Exiles would make a fabulous series or series of movies. Who would be your dream cast if that were to happen?

That would be SO amazing. I’d love to see my story brought to life! I recently just had this discussion with my team, and we came up with a working list. Let me tell you, this was incredibly difficult for me to do, and I feel like there are caveats for all of them (no one is Noc!). Anyway, here’s the breakdown:

Leena—Gal Gadot

Noc—Jonathan Rhys Meyers (but a young JRM) or Francois Arnaud

Kost—Robert Sheehan (please, oh please!) or Ezra Miller

Ozias—Winston Duke

Calem—Jason Mamoa or Chris Hemsworth

Many questions are answered by the end of Kingdom of Exiles but some threads are also left dangling which, of course, has me already eagerly anticipating book two. How many books are planned for the series? When can readers expect the next book to be published?

Drum roll, please! There are… SIX books expected for the Beast Charmer world! The first three follow Noc and Leena’s story specifically, so those threads? They’ll definitely get their pretty bows by the end of it. As for books four, five, and six… You’ll have to wait and see what they entail! Book two, The Frozen Prince, comes out in February of 2020.

Will you be attending any book signings or events this summer where readers will have an opportunity to meet you?

Yes! I have two local signings set up in Arizona. One at the Barnes & Noble in the San Tan Mall location (June 29) and the other at Changing Hands Bookstore in Phoenix (July 9). There is also the potential that I’ll be traveling out of state for something, but that’s still in the works. Keep an eye out on my social media or website for more updates.

What books are on your summer must-read list?

A lot! I feel like my TBR is never-ending. Right now, I’m reading A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole (and I’m loving it). After that, I’d like to dig into Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston; The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai; and Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. I’m hoping I can get to all of them during my crazy schedule!

Where can readers find you online?

I can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or through my website.

Thank you, Maxym! I appreciate you taking the time to visit with us today and, again, congratulations on the publication of your debut novel. Do you have anything else to add? Would you like to ask our readers a question?

It was a pleasure! Thanks again for having me. Hmm… I’d love to hear from everyone about their favorite fantasy romance, paranormal romance, YA fantasy, or something along the likes of those genres! I’m always trying to expand my reading list.

I came home from Book Lovers Con with two signed copies of Kingdom of Exiles to share with Romance Dish readers. Two people who post a comment before 11:00 PM, June 28 will each receive a signed copy of the book. (U.S. only)

And, because I was so blown away by this book and want you all to have an opportunity to share in that experience, a third randomly chosen person posting a comment before 11:00 PM, June 28 will receive their choice of a Kindle copy of Kingdom of Exiles or a print (unsigned) copy (open to all addresses serviced by bookdepository.com).