Two Short Stories

Happy Wednesday Scribblers, I hope you’re having a great day. I’m back this week with reviews of two short stories.  One for the Road by Brian C.E. Buhl (find him here) and Flawless by J. Scott Coatsworth (learn more here). I’ve been meaning to read these books for a while now and I’m happy to share that I have, and without spoilers lets jump into the reviews.

One for the Road by Brian C.E. Buhl (inspired by Melissa M. Buhl)

One for the Road is a witty and charming short story about two witches (Tina and Alexa) who have to track down the missing Father Time. What can possibly go wrong? Short stories can be hit or miss. If done well, they are a lot of fun, and you get a taste of the author’s storytelling. Done poorly and you may get the wrong impression of the author’s ability to write. I’m happy to say this read was a lot of fun and the author did a great job. There are definitely some surprises, and the ending is well crafted, giving the story and ending, that little something extra I hope my fellow readers will enjoy. If you like urban fantasy, then this is the perfect read for you.

Get your copy here.

Next up Flawless by J. Scott Coatsworth

J. Scott Coatsworth is one of those authors I adore; his writing is incredible and his storytelling is always spot on. Flawless is just that: flawless. This is a wonderfully told story set in space, about an asteroid miner who happens to be a popular interstellar drag queen. If that premise doesn’t already have you clicking on the buy link, then let me add. Grayson is more than a miner; he has a past and a couple of secrets that we discover through the story, which I really love. The two characters; Grayson and the mystery thief, are both fully developed individuals, and I believe that they could be any number of people we see daily in our communities. Coatsworth is a master at creating technology that feels real. His gadgets and gizmos never read as over the top or like something that couldn’t possibly exist; ever. If you are a fan of short stories, sci-fi, and well-written characters, then this is the tale for you.

Get your copy here.

Well Scribblers, that’s all I have for this week. Please go out and support these two authors, you won’t be disappointed. Until next time have a great week.

Her Runaway Lady by BJ Sikes - Review

Happy Wednesday Scribblers. I hope you’re having a wonderful week. Back in February 2026, I told to you BJ Sikes had a new book out, Her Runaway Lady (find it here). Today I’m thrilled to be here with my review of the story.

Her Runaway Lady by BJ Sikes

An ambitious young milliner. A shy noblewoman fleeing an arranged marriage. Love is a risk neither can afford.

Solange doesn’t have time for love. She’s too busy working her way up in the Parisian millinery trade. Her goal: to become rich and lift her family out of poverty. So when a beautiful aristo whirls into the millinery fascinated by hat making, Solange isn’t interested. Or so she tells herself. 

Louise-Marie hates the fancy parties she’s dragged to at Versailles and never wanted to marry. She just wanted to be left alone, making hats. Running away from home to become a milliner seemed like a good idea but the life of a working-class shop girl is harder than she imagined. And her new coworker doesn’t seem to like her much. 

When they’re thrown together in the cramped backroom of a millinery shop and a shared garret room, tensions fray.

Buy the book now and immerse yourself in this cozy, low-spice historical sapphic romance set in a Belle Epoque That Never Was, 19th century Paris with a hint of steampunk.

Here is my review:

There is so much I never knew about hat making… and now I know. Her Runaway Lady by BJ Sikes is a wonderful historical slow burn sapphic romance. The story is set in an alternate France (think steampunk) but in this world, technology is now outlawed by the new King. The ‘technology’ elements take a back seat to the story, so if you’re looking for a steampunk adventure, this isn’t the book for you. What this story is about is Louise-Marie, a woman trapped in a time when even rich and noble women were limited in what they could do with their lives. Louise-Marie doesn’t want to be a dress up doll for a man to show off. She wants her own life. To make her own choices, even if she doesn’t fully understand what that entails.

Louise-Marie is a talented milliner, much to her parent’s chagrin. Her parents want Louise-Marie to marry up and secure the family's standing in the French court. When Louise-Marie sees her opportunity to run away and start a new life, she takes it. She meets Solange, a milliner who doesn’t have time for anything but making a name for herself and making as much money as possible to help her family.

Once these two meet, you can guess the rest. The story isn’t as much about the romance as it is about watching these two women grow and learn about each other and the lives they live. Each thinking the other is foolish for not seeing what they have (which was humorous to read). Sikes could give a master class on building a rich world of millinery (hat making), there are times I felt like the story was a backdrop for a class on millinery, but not in a boring way. I found all the details interesting and helped to move the story forward.

As this is a romance, all the beats are hit, and the ending is satisfying. I loved the adventure in getting from the start of the novel to the end of the story. And I loved the slow burn, and by slow burn, I mean slow. What this added to the story was getting to know the characters and seeing how they grow and change, and how because of all that change, love comes. My only bug is the use of the term ‘tender friend’ or ‘tender feelings’ (or whatever it was) every time I came to those phrases in the story I rolled my eyes and shook my head. There is just something about it that annoyed me. Other than that, this is a great book. Give it a read.

Well, there ya go. My thoughts on Her Runaway Lady. I hope you’ll get out and give it a read. You won’t be disappointed. Until next time have a great week.

Building Baby Brother by Steven Radecki

Happy Wednesday Scribblers. I hope you are having a wonderful week. I’m back again with another book review (I’ve been working my way through my ‘to be read’ list… finally). Today I’m here with a Sci-Fi (AI) novel that I think you might enjoy:

Building Baby Brother by Steven Radecki

Children will always grow up, whether we're ready for them to or not.

One truth about parenthood that I've learned is that there will come a time when your children will ask you difficult, and perhaps even uncomfortable, questions for which they expect you to have the answers.

It's also true that we often find it difficult to deny our children the things that they most desire--like freedom.

AI Built with Heart

What if an AI was built with a heart? What if AI was built out of a father’s love for his son? Given the world we live in, these are questions we needed to ask before the launch of all our current AI technology. Given the nature of Building Baby Brother (find it here) and that the novel was written ten (10) years ago, this story is one that anyone who is working on AI now needs to read. The novel by Steven Radecki came at a time when AI was still Sci-Fi but it shows us how thoughtful creation would have changed everything and perhaps made AI what we all thought it was going to be. 

Building Baby Brother is a story about a divorced father who wants to provide his son, Josh, a baby brother. Josh asks his father several times for a baby brother. And Dad does just that. This story is written in a way that is very claustrophobic (but in a good way). We focus on Dad, Josh, and Gavin (the AI baby brother). There are a few interactions with Dad’s ex-wife, Carolyn, but other than that the story is about the three ‘boys’, which I found interesting and a bold choice for the author. 

Dad spends most of the story taking care of Josh and working on Gavin, asking himself all the questions any good engineer or scientist should. I loved when Gavin started asking questions of Dad and how the two had to face some difficult choices and have some difficult conversations together. Josh, isn’t left out of the story (as it’s about him). We see how the introduction of Gavin changes how Josh interacts with his parents and how Dad is left to ask himself many questions, that I believe, all parents ask themselves about their children and how they grow up and change. Becoming their own person. 

There is a lot of heart in this story, and there is a lot that all readers can and should take away from what is written. What the story boils down to is family and growing up and how wonderful and sad it all is. If you are looking for a story with a lot of heart and that is character driven, Building Baby Brother is the book for you.

Those are my thoughts on Building Baby Brother by Steven Radecki. I hope you’ll pick up your copy and give this book a read. It’s worth it. Until next time have a great week.

Bermondsey Girl by BJ Sikes

Happy Wednesday Scribblers, I hope you are all having a great week. Today I’m back with a new book for you to check out; Bermondsey Girl (get your copy here) by BJ Sikes (learn more about Sikes here). This is not your typical Climate Fiction story, there is a lot to this novel.

Here are the details:

“I remember how things used to be. I had a garden with flowers in it. I’ve seen the ocean, I’ve eaten real food. Now all we’ve got is this.”

Bermondsey’s inhabitants are shut in, all their needs met in automated tower blocks. No one goes outside because the streets regularly flood. Just to keep rich people on the other side of the river safe.

Idonny’s days are spent answering pointless online surveys for luxury goods she’ll never see, her nights in the arms of tough guys who only see her as a warm body.

Everything shifts when Idonny meets Kaver, an injured stranger who needs her help. For the first time, she defies her current boyfriend to help Kaver. She reaches out to her neighbors in the tower block, banding together against the gangs prowling the hallways.

Then, the government begins withdrawing resources from her community and food becomes scarce. Idonny tries to get involved in the underground economy providing for her fellow residents, but they don’t trust her. And her forbidden friendship with Kaver deepens, offering her a chance at real love—if she’s brave enough to take it.

When violence between rival gangs erupts around her, Idonny must decide whether to stay enmeshed as the ever-loyal girlfriend or strike out on her own.

Here is my review of the story:

Bermondsey Girl is unlike anything Sikes has written before. The story is post-apocalyptic and will stay with you, continuing to make you think. I will admit there are points in this book that drove me mad and I got frustrated with the characters, not because of anything the author did, but because of the choices the characters made and how they interacted with the world and people around them. I’m used to Sikes writing strong female characters who, despite their circumstances, manage to deal with what is happening to them in an intelligent and, what I believe to be, honest way. I’ve only known strong women in my life and to see a character like Idonny so not what I’m used to was hard for me to read, however the more I read, the more I understood her. I found myself believing in her growth and transformation in the story, which I enjoyed. And that is what this story is about for me, not what is happening around Idonny or the people she meets, but it’s about her; Idonny. Idonny by the end of the story has changed so much that I almost wish this is where the story started and we got to follow this character (maybe Sikes will write a squeal).

As mentioned this story is post-apocalyptic (climate fiction) and by it’s nature is not meant to be a fluff read. The world is flooding and the divide between the rich and poor is on full display. What this story makes you face is that we are already living in this world. We see it every day. The poor are pitted against each other while the rich live a comfortable life. Our world may not be at the extremes we see in Bermondsey Girl, but I fear we will be there in not too long. This story is a warning of what we may see in our future.

Sikes, as always, is a brilliant writer and you can see that in the story and how the novel is crafted. Congratulations to Water Dragon Publishing on picking up this book and releasing it. I doubt any of the large publishing houses would, much to their loss.

Characters are rich and interesting, I appreciated Sikes having the love/friend interest in the story; Kaver, being someone who is non-binary, I felt brought a unique take to the story and I doubt Idonny would have grown as much as she did in the story if Kaver was anything other than who they are.

I wanted to hate this book, but I can’t. It’s too well written, too good, and honestly too important. Well done Sikes! Now I’m off to read something with a lot of fluff, cause I need to give my brain a break.

I wanted to hate this book, but I can’t. It’s too well written, too good, and honestly too important. Well done Sikes! Now I’m off to read something with a lot of fluff, cause I need to give my brain a break.

Well there you go. I hope you will pick up your copy of Bermondsey Girl (click here) and support this incredible author. Find more incredible stories over at Water Dragon Press here. Until next time have a great week.

Interesting Take on a Holiday Wedding

Happy Wednesday Scribblers. I hope you’re all having a great week. Today I want to share my thoughts on this short story I picked up by G.B. Lindsey (learn more here) The story is Out with the Old (find it here). Check out my review below:

I’m so happy I picked up a copy of ‘Out with the Old’ by G.B. Lindsey. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting with this holiday MM Christmas Romance, however, as I read the story, I began to understand (I think) what the author was trying to do. This story is about miscommunication, youth, and pain, and how it affects us through our lives. In this case, we get to see the lives of three former friends who get back together for a Christmas wedding of their friend Amanda-Claire (or Mandy). The wedding is over the top and awkward, as most weddings are. We follow along with Trey as he goes through all the emotions and memories of the past and present and how his first kiss with Sandy affected him not only in his last year of highschool, but even now (10 years later).

Lindsey gave us all the background via flashbacks, but only through Trey’s eyes, which I enjoyed because when you only see one side of a memory you are bound to miss things, and that is exactly what happened here. Reading this short story might not be easy for some people, as Trey has a long-held grudge, rightly or wrongly the grudge is part of who he is and makes him the man he is currently. For me, I found his grudge and pain interesting, and I enjoyed seeing the story play out through his eyes (even though I’ll admit I found Trey a bit frustrating and annoying at times).

I think what helps this story is it’s length, if this was a typical novel length story (around 300 pages) I would have had a hard time with the book, but as the novel is, I felt it was perfect.

The characters are interesting and engaging, and most importantly, they felt honest to me, another big plus in my book. I also really liked that Lindsey didn’t go full bore with sex in this story, there was no need for it. You got the romance elements without them jumping in bed (or a bathroom, or closet) to have sex.

There are a lot of great elements to this story and it’s worth an absolute read, but I will offer this warning to you, if you want a short story about two hot guys hooking up at a holiday wedding this isn’t the story for you. If you want to read a well-crafted tale about youth, life and love (and how it can affect us for both good and bad) then give this read a go. I would love to see a follow up story with these same characters, perhaps from Sandy’s point of view, maybe that will happen, maybe not, but I would read it.

Well there you go. I hope you’ll pick up a copy of Out with the Old (click here) by G.B. Lindsey (check them out here). Until next time have a great week.

Like catching up with old friends - Down the River by J. Scott Coatsworth

Happy Wednesday Scribblers. I hope you had a good holiday season. As you can see I’ve been quiet for a while, but that doesn’t mean I’ve been busy, it just means I haven’t had a lot to share (and I took a bit of a break). Today I’m back and I’m here to share my thoughts on Down the River by J. Scott Coatsworth (learn more here).

Here is my review:

I read The River City Chronicles a while back, and today I finished Down the River (the second book in the series), both by J. Scott Coatsworth, but I have to say that this didn’t feel like a typical book two. Reading the story was more like catching up with old friends whom you haven’t seen in a while. You jump right into the story, and never once did I feel like I missed something or needed to go back and check what happened in the first book. What I kept thinking as I read was; yes, this is a sequel, but it feels more like a standalone novel. And I loved that.

The characters felt so real and honest. And life had certainly moved on for all the characters, which I appreciated. Not everything was perfect for the characters either, which again I really liked. This story has some magical elements, but it’s not a magical book (if you’re looking for a magical fantasy or urban fantasy with magic this isn’t the book for you), in fact for me, the story read more like fate ensuring that things happened the way they were meant to. Coatsworth is a master at writing about the human experience and giving each character a unique voice so you never have to think about who you are reading about (there are several characters, and that can be a bit much, but not in this case).

What the story boils down to for me; friendship, love and life. And there is nothing more beautiful to read about (especially these days). I didn’t want the story to end, and I wanted to keep reading. My only criticism of the story is that the world created in the book was almost too ideal. Maybe I’m a cynic. Maybe I’m jaded by our current reality, or maybe I’m jealous that I don’t inhabit the world that Coatsworth created. Either way, I want to live in this world, and I want to visit Ragazzi for a meal and see these wonderful people living and loving.

This is a must read, if to just take a break from what is happening around us right now.

Well those are my thoughts on Down the River (by it here), I hope you’ll check it out. Until next time have a great week.

Review: Heart of the Wren by Glenn Quigley

Happy Wednesday Scribblers. I hope you’re having a wonderful day. Today I want to share my review of Heart of the Wren (find it here) by the incredible author Glenn Quigley (find him here).

Here is the blurb:

In Ireland, Wren Day comes right after Christmas, and should be a time for music and merriment, but for burly gay farmer Lorcan Fitzgerald, it might just be the last day of his life.

When he unearths an ancient Celtic brooch on his remote farm in 1980s Ireland, he becomes plagued by mysterious fires, breakages, and disappearances. His beefy new lodger and farmhand Dara might be able to help — after all, he is a witch.

Accustomed to a solitary life on the road, friendly Dara must navigate life in the small village while drawing closer to lonely Lorcan, who carries an old pain that threatens to keep them apart.

Encountering a young woman with ESP, a terrifying spectral horse, and a fateful game of Hurling, can the men put a stop to the increasingly sinister supernatural forces gathering at the farm before Lorcan meets his final, horrible fate on Wren Day?

Here is my review:

Heart of the Wren is a lovely story. As someone from the US I was not at all familiar with Wren Day or a lot of the local mysticism from Ireland. I was hoping that Quigley would spell out all the details in his story so I didn’t miss anything and through context and wonderful dialogue I learned a lot about Wren Day and the Fae that inhabit Ireland, which made the story a lot of fun to read.

The characters, of course, are charming and sweet, and Quigley does a masterful job of making them rich and full of life. Which I always appreciate. What I love about Quigley’s stories is his characters, they are never the typical 20 somethings that you read about in all other books. These are adult men who have seen a few years and have history making them to much more relatable. His characters also aren’t what most people would consider ‘beautiful’ they represent most of us in society and I love that. I love seeing real people having wonderful adventures and falling in love.

If you want to read something that will give you a blast for the past (the 1980s) and give you an even bigger smile, then run, do not walk, and buy a copy of Heart of the Wren, it’s totally worth it.

That’s all I have for this week. I hope you’ll go and pick up Heart of the Wren by Glenn Quigley, you won’t be disappointed. Until next time have a great week.

Review: Skin Sessions: All Hell Breaks Loose by J.P. Jackson

Happy Wednesday Scribblers. I hope you’re having a wonderful day. Today I’m here to share my thoughts about J.P. Jackson’s (learn more here) newest short story Skin Sessions: All Hell Breaks loose (find the book and the series here). So, without further ado here is my review:

Skin Session: All Hell Breaks Loose is the seventh installment in the series, and like the others, it’s a short story. A quick read but filled with atmosphere. As always, Jackson delivers dark, sensual writing that pulls you in. This particular entry doesn’t dive as deep into plot, which makes sense as we near the end of the saga. I believe there’s only one more installment to go.

While this wasn’t the most interesting chapter, it serves an important purpose: setting the stage for the finale. It’s more about positioning the characters and preparing for the finale. I’m especially eager to see what happens to Gavin as he’s the one character I feel the most connected to.

Jackson continues to impress with his ability to juggle a large cast without losing track of anyone. Every character gets some screen time, and the continuity across all seven stories is seamless.

I’m genuinely excited for the conclusion. I’m hoping the end will deliver and be dark, sexy, and unforgettable.

Well done, Jackson. Well done.

Well, there you go! If you haven’t checked out J.P. Jackson’s you really should (click here). Now go get your copy of Skin Sessions: All Hell Breaks Loose (click here). You won’t regret it. Until next time have a great week.

Twisted Fates by Adam J. Ridley

Happy Wednesday Scribblers. I hope you’re all doing well. As some of you may have seen, I have closed up my Twitter/X platform. I’m still keeping the landing page, however I won’t be posting there any longer. I don’t know if I’ll be moving to another SM platform, but I’ll keep you posted. In the mean time you can still find me on Facebook (here), Instagram (here), Goodreads (here), BookBub (here) and YouTube (here).

Now onto some much more fun stuff. This week I’m reviewing another book from the Tales of Tarot Collection; Twisted Fates (find the book here) by Adam J. Ridley (find him here). Let’s get to it.

Blurb:

With his newfound powers, can the new Legacy Wizard save the man he loves, or will a backward turn of the Wheel of Fortune cost him everything?

In a world where the Wheel of Fortune spins their destinies, two souls collide in a whirlwind of magic and desire.

Damian, an ordinary taxi driver, is thrust into an extraordinary fate when a mysterious ring transforms him into a legacy wizard, bound to the eternal struggle between light and darkness.

Owen, a young lawyer, is drawn into Damian's world as he untangles the legacy left by Damian’s predecessor.

When their paths intertwine, a dangerous attraction ignites, threatening to unravel the delicate balance Damian must uphold.

With newfound powers at his command, can Damian protect Owen or will all hope for love and balance be lost to the darkness?

Review:

Another Brilliant novel in the Tales from the Tarot Collection

I couldn’t put this story down. The novel, the characters, and the writing were fantastic. Ridley is a brilliant author who creates such wonderful stories that you don’t want them to end. This was the case with Twisted Fates. I had such a good time getting to know the characters that when the story ended; I was bummed. The secondary characters were equally as enjoyable adding to the brilliance of the story.

I can’t go into too much detail about this novel without giving plot points away. There are a couple of bugaboos I have about this story that I’m going to share. First, I felt that the story was rushed to meet certain beats and plot points, which bothered me. When I enjoy a book, I want the author to dive deep so I can get to know the characters and the world. The other nit I have with this novel is that as much as I understood why things happened the way they did, I felt like the characters didn’t have much of a say in what was emerging around them, which did annoy me. However, that said, I get it and I appreciate why everything occurred the way it did. And despite this critique I really enjoyed the writing and the story. I hope Ridley revisits this world because I would love to know more and see what else these characters get up to.

That’s all I have for today. Until next time have a great week.

Larger than Love by Jole Cannon

Happy Thursday Scribblers, I hope you’re all having a great week. A special thank you and shout out to all the Veterans, thank you for your dedication and service to the our country. This week I’m back again with another book review. This times I reviewing a debut novel by author Jole Cannon (find him here) titled Larger Than Love (find the book here). Let’s get started.

Blurb:

Bernard feels like an outsider in the gay community. Thirty-five, chubby, and hairy, he doesn’t fit the image of the stereotypical gay man. Failed relationships in his past solidify the idea he is destined to be alone.

Rory is struggling with his identity. At thirty-five, he is still single. When he reunites with his childhood friend, his religious convictions and the desire to be with a man clash as he must choose between what the Church taught him is right and what his heart desires.

The two men are forced to face their fears and make a choice. Live alone and accept their fate or take a leap and challenge what they believe.

My Review:

Lovely Story. Great Debut Novel

Larger than Love is author Jole Cannon’s debut novel and, for a new author, this is a wonderful story. Reading through the book and getting to know the individuals in the story, I saw a lot of my first novel in this book. Which is to say, I noticed that the dialogue read very stilted to me in parts (this is something I had to work on as well). However, dialogue aside, this was a charming story, and I enjoyed getting to know the characters. I loved reading about people that are not from all the typical tropes. Bravo Cannon for tackling body image in your first go around.

This novel is a fun and frustrating read, which I’m not quite sure how to feel about. I’m not sure if the author had personal experiences he reflected in the story or not, so I can’t fault him for items that didn’t seem quite real to me. We all know people or have experienced people like Rory’s Mother, however she seemed way over the top to me, especially for someone who lives in Silicon Valley (yes, I’m counting Gilroy as part of the Silicon Valley). I’m not saying people like her don’t exist, especially in the 1990s, but I could see her more in the Southern US or even in a state like Utah. Also, some of the other characters, as lovely as they were, seemed a little to ‘perfect’ and ‘supporting’ of both Rory and Bernard. Not saying that couldn’t be the case, however, they didn’t quite feel real to me.

The other area I’m going to nit-pick is the setting. As someone who lives in San Jose and has been to Gilroy his whole life. If you are going to set your story here, then please give the reader a more detailed description of the setting. The South Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area is not well known outside of the San Francisco Bay Area and could use help when it comes to gaining more recognition. If you are going to point out locations, then point them out. Don’t shroud them in mystery or generic description. If you are going to have the characters go to Christmas in the Park, then call it Christmas in the Park. Don’t refer to the event in some obtuse way that people won’t have any idea of what you’re talking about. Same if they were going to the Holiday Lights at Vasona Park. If the story were set in New York, you wouldn’t say they went to a big Christmas Tree in Manhattan. You’d say they went to the Rockefeller Center for skating and to see the Christmas Tree. Things like this really annoy me and I find it more and more unforgivable in writing.

Overall, this was a lovely story with a beautiful message. The writing was good, and the characters were mostly relatable. This book appears to be part of a greater universe. However, the story is fully standalone and if I didn’t know that this novel is Book 1, I wouldn’t have noticed. I’ll be interested to see what’s in store for Book 2 and if Cannon is going to use other characters from this story.

This novel is worth the read especially if you enjoy romance and want to see characters that are outside the typical trope.

That’s all I have for today. Until next time have a great week.

Geist Fleisch by Christian Baines

Happy Wednesday Scribblers. I hope you’re having a great day and I hope you all had a safe and fun Halloween. Today I’m back with another book review for you. This week I’m back with another book from the Haunted Hearts Series today I share my thoughts on Geist Fleisch (find the book here) by Christian Baines (find him here). The Haunted Hearts series is a collection of ‘ownvoice’ authors who came together and created a collection of ghost stories for the Halloween Season.

The Blurb:

Drawn by promises of excitement and freedom, how could Callum resist Berlin?

It's the end of 1932 and the Weimar capital is the heartbeat of the gay world, where a man like him can find companionship and love, even in the shadow of looming political disaster.

Still, Callum feels unseen, until he discovers a place where the dead mix with the living, an organization devoted to studying the supernatural, and a man in each world that could capture his heart... or seal his fate.

Haunted Hearts – Everyone deserves a happy ever afterlife!

Haunted Hearts is an Own-Voices Paranormal Romance Series about love and the things that go boo in the night. Join us on our romantic journeys over ten books from some of your favorite authors! Be sure to read the entire series so you don’t miss a moment of falling in love, or sometimes falling into a happily ever after-life! Each book is a standalone but why not read them all? Everyone deserves the HEA!

My Review:

Historical Ghost(ish) Story… Yes Please

Christian Baines continues to impress with his take on a historical ghost story. I wasn’t sure how this book was going to work out since the tale is set in 1932 Germany during the rise of the Nazis. However, Baines is an incredible author, and I wasn’t disappointed. The story follows Callum (an English man now living in Berlin), who has a unique condition that leaves him feeling unseen. This condition isn’t his only societal concern. He is a gay man living in a time when being gay could have gotten him killed or put away, even in Berlin during the height of gay culture for that time in history. These factors make the storytelling that much more impressive since Baines tackles the subject with the right amount of realism and fantasy. Making for a fun read.

I really enjoyed this story finding that Baines really puts you in the perspective of the main character as he includes quite a bit of German, making not only our protagonist confused at times, but us the reader as well, which I found enjoyable. The secondary characters were all unique and felt grounded for the time. Another plus to Baines writing and crafting of the story.

This is not your typical ghost story; however, the book has all the dark fantasy elements you want for a creepy novel. Definitely give the book a read.

There are my thoughts on Geist Fleisch by Christian Baines. I hope you check out the book and give the series a look as well, there are eleven books to pick from (find them here) so I’m sure you’ll find something to enjoy. Well, until next time have a great week.

The River City Chronicles by J. Scott Coatsworth

Happy Wednesday Scribblers, I hope you are all having a great week and are greeting ready of Halloween. I’m back today with a review of a book that has been on my ‘to be read’ list for years. Today I’m happy to share with you my thoughts on The River City Chronicles (click here to learn more) by J. Scott Coatsworth (Find him here).

The Blurb:

Everyone in the River City has a secret, and sooner or later secrets always come out. A group of strangers meets at Ragazzi, an Italian restaurant, for a cooking lesson that will change them all. They quickly become intertwined in each other's lives, and a bit of magic touches each of them. Meet Dave, the consultant who lost his partner; Matteo and Diego, the couple who run the restaurant; recently-widowed Carmelina; Marcos, a web designer getting too old for hook-ups; Ben, a trans author writing the Great American Novel; teenager Marissa, kicked out for being bi; and Sam and Brad, a May-September couple who would never have gotten together without a little magic of their own.

My Review:

A Love Letter to Sacramento

I’ve read several of J. Scott Coatsworth’s novels and I can honestly say there isn’t one I haven’t enjoyed. Coatsworth writing is honest and open as he pours himself into each of his works. The River City Chronicles is no different in that regard. However, the story is unlike the other books I’ve read by Coatsworth which tend to be fantasy and science fiction based. This is a contemporary novel set in Sacramento, CA. Not only do you get to learn a great deal about the cast of characters in the novel, you also experience Sacramento through the eyes of someone who clearly loves this community.

The story itself is a rich chronicle following the lives and loves of the people who inhabit these pages. What impresses me the most about this work is that I feel like I’ve gotten to know each of the characters so well. After reading the book, I felt like I just made so many new friends that I was sad to reach the last page (I understand there is a second book coming out at some point, which will be on my list).

Another aspect of the novel I appreciated is that this book wasn’t your typical MM Romance (which given the glut of mm stories available on the market, most of which, if not all, feel like Hallmark movies). The book housed often ignored or forgotten characters, making the characters come across as that much more real and personal.

My only real complaint about this novel, and it’s not so much a complaint, but something I noticed is that Coatsworth clearly had an affinity for all things Italian as the story is peppered with so much Italian flare, the novel can be a bit much. However, that said, the Italian slant to the book helped to ground the novel in realism and helped to tie all the characters together. This is a wonderful novel that any fan of contemporary works should pick up and read.

Well there you have it, my thoughts on The River City Chronicles by J. Scott Coatsworth. Until next time have a great week.

Medium Rare by J.P. Jackson

Happy Wednesday Scribblers! How’s your week going? I hope you’re all doing well. I’m back again with a new book for you. Medium Rare by J.P. Jackson (find him here). Let’s jump into the book and my thoughts:

Blurb:

Cade Ivanov has inherited the family curse. Ghosts are everywhere, and lately, very angry. But Cade doesn’t know why. Desperate to be rid of the apparitions, he plans to move to a rural town where he hopes to find peace.

Jay McClaren is a single dad and real estate agent. When an unexpected call comes from a big city Medium looking to purchase, he’s thrilled for the business but is skeptical about his client’s professed abilities.

When Jay’s son starts experiencing violent hauntings, Jay has no choice but to rely on Cade for help. Can Jay and Cade battle the paranormal, or will the dead create a living hell?

My Review:

A Family Drama with Ghosts, Lots of Ghosts!

Did author J.P. Jackson just write his first ever Family Drama? Did he write a novel about family and community? Did he craft a story about people and how we all rely on each other? Did Jackson share a story about love and romance between not only two men, but them and their families? Could I have possibly read a novel by J.P. Jackson that didn’t make me want to hide under the covers, leave all the lights on, and call in a local priest to vanquish evil spirits?

The answer…

Yes. Yes, he did. However, in Jackson’s style you’ll get a dose of horror and gore and a lot of well written and tasteful ‘adult playtime’. Jackson’s words, not mine.

Honestly, this is quite possibly one of the best Romantic Fantasy or Romantic Horror novels I’ve read in a long time. Typically, with Jackson, you are in for a bloody good time with a lot of ‘adult playtime’. He is one of the masters of horror and telling tales that are creepy and dark. Making you not want to turn the next page, but darn it you have to, because you want to find out what happens and you want to find out how his characters are going to get out of the mess Jackson has put them in.

Medium Rare is a lovely story about community and what two men will go through to save and protect not only their family but also their neighbors.

As always, Jackson takes you on a wild adventure through the Canadian Prairie Lands of Alberta, which grounds the story in so much realism that you actually believe these are people going through some difficult times and not a story about some characters. Our two main characters are what you would expect from Jackson; rugged, men in their thirties, who would be classified as Bears. As with all of Jackson’s books you get a healthy dose of these two characters sexual adventure, which are not just thrown into the story to shout to the reader ‘here is your sex scene’. These scenes are used as moments of peace and building connections during some difficult times. This is something Jackson does well and I wish more romance writers would pick up on. In a lot of romance stories, I find I skip the sex scenes because they don’t bring anything to the story or they go on way too long. With Jackson these scenes are crafted in a way that you don’t feel like you’re being bombarded with ‘smut’ just to get the reader off (sorry that’s crass, but I couldn’t think of a better way to explain what I mean).

Romance aside, this is creepy and sweet. You definitely care for everyone involved and you absolutely hope that everything will work out. As always, Jackson’s characters are put through the ringer and you have to worry about if they’ll make it out okay. With Jackson, you can never be too sure.

Honestly, I enjoyed this book and read it one sitting. If you want an excellent romantic horror novel, this is the one for you. Medium Rare is part of the Haunted Hearts an Own-Voices Paranormal Romance Series celebrating own-voice authors and all things creepy and spooky.

There you go, my thoughts on Medium Rare by J.P. Jackson (find out more here). I hope you’ll check it out, as well as the other books in the series (learn more here). Until next time have a great week.

Curse of the Stag's Eye by Glenn Quigley

Happy Wednesday Scribblers! I hope you are having a wonderful week. As you can tell I’ve been trying to get through my ‘To Be Read’ list and I’ve been posting a lot of book reviews. I hope you find them helpful and more importantly I hope you pick up some of these wonderful books I’ve been sharing with you. This week I’m here to share another book; Curse of the Stag’s Eye by Glenn Quigley (find him here). Let’s jump into the novel and my thoughts.

Blurb:

High on a wave-dashed cliff, the ancient standing stone known as the Stag’s Eye jealously watches over a cursed lighthouse with a grisly past. Paranormal investigator Rhys has chosen this place to hold his first-ever ghost tour. Ghost-hunting veteran Dawn and her boyfriend Nikesh are eager to go exploring, while first-timer Gaz is hoping to learn more about the spirit world. He also intends to learn more about Rhys for various reasons, not all of which are entirely innocent.

The ghost of a murdered lighthouse keeper is said to climb the stairs every night, tending to the light, but other, far more sinister phantoms may lurk in the shadows. As the night wears on and the haunting becomes more and more hazardous, Rhys and Gaz grow closer. However, it soon becomes clear that not everyone on the tour is being honest about their reasons for being there. Can the supernatural activity be blamed on the curse of the Stag’s Eye or does someone know more than they’re letting on?

Curse of the Stag’s Eye is a part of the Haunted Hearts Series. (find out more here).

My Review:

The Curse of the Stag’s Eye takes author Glenn Quigley’s love of the sea and lighthouses to the next level. The Curse of the Stag’s Eye is not a typical Glenn Quigley novel, Quigley typically writes Historical Fiction (beautifully so) and I’m excited to see him branch out into something new (to be fair over the last few years Quigley has dived into other genres’ and I highly recommend them, find more of his books here) however, if you think this a departure from his other works you are only partly correct. Quigley writes a lot about the sea and includes lighthouses in his works. If you follow him on Instagram (which I suggest you do, find him here) you’ll see he has a love for all things nautical. So why not take his love of all things ocean related and throw them into a good old ghost story? But the Curse of the Stag’s Eye is so much more. You get a romance, mystery, ghost story, and a thriller all rolled up into one and the story is utterly brilliant.

This book hits all the right pacing and checks off everything you need for a well-written tale. You also get a good dose of history and lore about lighthouses thrown into the mix, which makes the novel a fun read.

I love how Quigley goes beyond the pale and shows us people who are not typically the heroes of the story. We get to see wonderfully colorful characters that aren’t your standard archetypes (and bless him for doing this).

The story is beautifully claustrophobic, and the cast is small, which means there isn’t a wasted character or someone there to take up space and fill the page in the entire book. This is another talent of Quigley’s that I wish more writers would acquire.

Is this book scary? No, but the tale has its moments. There is no gore or anything over the top (most brilliant ghost stories don’t need to be gory). Is there a lot of romance in the book? There’s some, and it’s tastefully crafted and perfectly planned out. The mystery and the thriller aspect of the novel are what shines through and makes this story so lovely to read and enjoy.

I realize this novel is a part of a larger series of stories written by several authors following the theme of haunted hearts. I’ll be interested to read and see how the others do with the theme.

If you haven’t guessed, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend the novel. Well done Glenn, well done!

Well, there you are, another wonderful book for you to check out. Until next time have a great week.


The Cultist's Wife by B.J. Sikes

Happy Wednesday Scribblers, I hope you are having a wonderful week. Today I’m excited to bring you another book recommendation. This story is a bit different then what I typically read, but it’s worth your time and your money.

Today, let’s talk about The Cultist’s Wife by B.J. Sikes (click here to learn more about B.J.):

Gothic Thriller and Gothic Fiction for Sure

This weekend I finished reading The Cultist Wife by B.J. Sikes. This is a beautifully crafted story set in the early 1900s in the Bahamas during the height of the British Empire. The details are spot on and you feel like you are experiencing the oppressive heat along with our three main characters: Clara (The Mother), Elsie (The Maiden, more like The Child) and Irene (The Cone). I was expecting this story to be more Gothic Horror given the description, however that is not the case, so if you want Gothic Horror go read Anne Rice. What I ended up reading was this wonderfully told Gothic Thriller and fiction story, with a healthy dose of history thrown in.

My only issue with the novel (and this should be seen as a credit to the writer) is I found myself getting more and more annoyed with Clara. This really is her story, so we get to spend a lot of time with her. My annoyance wasn’t at how she lived or interacted in this world. My exasperation came from how true to life this character was portrayed. I wanted to reach into the story and yell at her for how she was acting and get on her case about the choices she made. However, Clara, like all the characters in the book, are a product of their time (and this is something Sikes does incredibly well) the characters in the book act as you would expect them to perform given that the story is set in 1908. You’re not going to have modern day characters in this setting (which is something a lot of historical fiction gets wrong), you are going to have female characters (who are strong and intelligent) acting like the subservient creatures that the men, and society, at the time expected. Which honestly annoyed me. Because Clara, as well as Elsie and Irene, are brilliant strong women. Who, if they lived today, would be fiercely resilient, powerful, independent women, and none of them would let the ‘men’ or society treat them the way that they are treated in this novel?

Is this Gothic Horror? Well, sort of, there is a cult, there is a ghost, and there is a bit of what we would call witchcraft/magic, however those items take a backseat to the meat of the story, which is a thriller and fiction adventure.

If Historical Fiction and Gothic Thrillers are your thing, then this is absolutely the story for you.

Well, that’s what I have for you this week. I hope you’ll check out The Cultist’s Wife (buy it here) I’m sure you’ll enjoy the story. Until next time have a great week.

Standard Candle by G.B. Lindsey

Happy Wednesday everyone. I’m back again with another review for you all. This week I’m reviewing G.B. Lindsey’s (find them here) short story Standard Candle (click here to get your copy). Without further ado, let’s jump to the review:

Sometimes you go into thinking a book will be one way, only to have it be something completely different. When I grabbed this book, I was excepting an erotic tale with not much substance (which I was fine with) however diving into this tale I ended up being completely wrong and all the better for it. This story was beautifully crafted and told. Yes, there was one erotic scene, but that was the story. The story was about two friends who grow to discover their relationship is so much more and it was touching. One of the things I enjoyed the most about this short story was really being in the head of Avery, you got to fully understand him as a character and care about him. And even though you don’t get to spend any time in Dev ‘head’ you still gain an excellent understanding of him through Avery and their interactions. This is by far one of the best MM romance/erotica stories I’ve read. G.B. did a wonderful job with this story and I highly recommend it.

About the Book:

Denny Wyatt: friend.

Denny, who sleeps in threadbare tees that smell like his cigarettes, who coats his arms in the guts of engines, who kisses like he's sampling you, scenting you, until you forget that there are things you can't afford to forget.

Denny Wyatt: with benefits.

It's not dating. You've both done enough of that. You're both stuck in this town, you're both going nowhere, but at night, you have each other. It's sex. It's an arrangement. It suits you both.

Denny Wyatt: yours.

Tonight, the lie shatters. Denny Wyatt is so much more than friend, than lover, than any one word. But you'd better speak—better find the words—or he's gone.

That’s all I have for this week. I hope you’ll grab a copy of Standard Candle (buy it here) and give it a read. I’m sure you’ll love it. Until next time have a great week.

The Ruins by Jonathan Pongratz

Happy Wednesday Scribblers. I hope you’re all doing well. I’ve got another great book for you to check out and read. This week I’m excited to share Jonathan Pongratz (learn more here) newest novel; The Ruins (click here). As always here the info about the book.

Blurb:

Tyler Collins has it all. Good looks, the perfect boyfriend, and a paranormal vlogging career on the precipice of greatness. Pursuing his dreams of hosting his own paranormal TV show with the backing of his agent, Tyler and his boyfriend Gabe travel to the small village of Altalona, Peru in search of the legendary ruins of Ayar Kachi.

Unfamiliar with their surroundings they quickly exhaust their options, but just when all seems lost a twist of fate leads them to their destination. The ruins of Ayar Kachi have lain dormant for centuries, a foreboding palace of crumbling stone and strange symbols that has never been filmed by a living being.

Eager to make their aspirations of success a reality, Tyler and Gabe descend into the depths, unknowing of the peril they have placed themselves in. For within the ancient grounds lies a great evil, one that threatens the lives of anyone who enters and will stop at nothing until its hunger for the living is sated.

Here are my thoughts:

I had the pleasure of receiving an early copy of this novel, and I can tell you it’s another outstanding book by Pongratz. This story is a look at what happens when a paranormal vlogger chases views and becoming the next big thing while pushing everything else to the side. This story is very topical with the continued rise of vlogging and vloggers who have to chase the ‘clicks’ to stay relevant. For me this was a cautionary story of all things not to do in our bids to find our voice and our audience. I loved the paranormal story and the amount of research Pongratz had to do to make this story as real as possible. The author did the work and it shows in his story.

If you are looking for a story that will make you check the doors and windows, as well make you want to keep the lights on, this is the story for you. This is book 1 in a planned series, however the story is a stratifying read and doesn’t leave you on a cliff hangers.

Please get yourself a copy of this wonderful book (click here) sit back and let the story take you away. Until next time, have a great week.

The Magician's Heart by J.P. Jackson

Happy Wednesday Scribblers, I hope you are having a wonderful week. Today I want to bring to your attention this wonderful new novel by J.P. Jackson (learn more here) The Magician’s Heart (click here). Before I share my review of the book, here are the details.

Blurb:

Patrick leads a nice quiet life with his dog companion Argus, and his pet raven Kaos. The quiet and calm of this lakeside cabin is the perfect place to be the area’s most powerful water witch and the local representative Magician on the Mage’s Council. Other than the odd task assigned by the Council, his only other responsibility is to answer the call from the local police when they come across a situation that might be magical. It’s a serene life, mostly, if not a little lonely. Could he have fallen into a bit of a rut? Is Patrick fulfilling his witchy duties and being the Magician he really could be?

Allan’s life is a mess. His friends regularly lead him into bad situations, and life never seems to go his way, until one night when his buddies drag him and his abusive ex along on an ill-fated camping trip. After a night of drinking, and another nasty encounter with his ex, Allan discovers he’s not exactly human. Once his witchy side takes hold, there’s no turning back. But in order to get a grip on his newfound abilities, he's going to need some expert guidance, not to mention making things right with the local Fae population who he’s managed to anger.

Patrick doesn’t want a student. Allan has no need for a mentor. But when the two of them come together, a new kind of magic blossoms that just might save them both.

The Magician's Heart is a standalone MM paranormal romance novel as part of the multi-author collaboration Tales from the Tarot. This book is based on the major arcana card The Magician.

Here are my thought of the book:

I believe I have read everything published by J.P. Jackson to date, and as with all his other novels this one is brilliant. I’m not going to gush and go on and on about what a fun read this is. Just know that this is another amazing story by Jackson with rich colorful characters that you’ll enjoy reading about.

Allan and Patrick are an unlikely pair and I found them a bit of an odd couple at the beginning of the story. However, the more I read the more they grew on me. There were times I felt the story was a bit rushed and there were a couple of plot points that, in my opinion, got waved away. I would have liked deeper explanations into certain events of the story that never came. However, that all said I enjoyed the story and found it a lot of fun to read. I especially liked the dog and the raven. They provided some hints of levity and fun throughout the story that I appreciated.

One-bit of a bonus for me in this novel, was how encapsulated the story telling was. You really focus on the two main characters and you don’t have a lot of background characters fluffing out the story or getting in the way of the plot (this is also one of my bugaboos as well. When you read the story, I think you’ll understand why). All said, by the end of the story I felt like I really understood both of the characters and I wanted more.

This novel is part of a larger universe, so if you are so inclined you can read the additional stories, by different authors and see their take on the overall universe. But don’t let that sway you, this is a wonderfully crafted standalone novel that any reader of MM Paranormal will love and eat up.

That’s all I have for this week. If you enjoy Horror Novels then this is a must get (click here). Until next time have a greet week.

The World Continue to Crumble as the Unicorn Horn Thrives

Happy Wednesday Scribblers, I hope you are having a wonderful week and I trust you all had a happy Easter. This week I’m pleased to share my review of J. P. Jackson (learn more here) newest short story; Skin Sessions: Stitched up Tight (find out more here). This is the fifth short story in Jackson’s Skin Sessions series. This is a dark and sexy story and not for the faint at heart, consider yourself warned.

Here is my review:

This is the fifth installment of Skin Sessions a short story series, by J.P. Jackson. If you aren’t familiar with J.P. Jackson’s work this is a dark and sexy series that has a way of boring into your skin and not leaving. Stitched UP Tight continues the story of the Unicorn Horn, a male brothel that finds itself owned by an Incubus Taz-rial. The demon has been true to his word so far, but we get hints that there is more coming, I’m not sure if Taz-rial is going to be all he appears to be, but for now he seems to be a demon of honor and doesn’t want anything to happen to his brothel or the men who work there.

If you enjoy mm sex then you are in for a treat as there are pages and pages of sex, however the scenes are written in a honest way that most authors in the mm romance/erotica genre can’t seem to grasp. In general, in not interested in reading the sex scenes (you’ve read one you’ve read them all) so I skimmed through them sadly make this story very short, (did I mention there are pages and pages of sex scenes), however I did have a pay some attention as Jackson wrangled story and plot elements into these scenes making them important to the plot (darn you Jackson!).

If you enjoy dark sexy stories this is another must read by Jackson.

Well, there you go. My thought on J.P. Jackson’s fifth installment of Skin Sessions (find the book here). Until next time have a great week.

The Great Santa Showdown (My Review)

I know it’s been some time since I’ve posted here, however I’ve been extremely busy with the lunch of my newest novel Mu; Legend of a Lost City. I’m not here to talk about that today. Today I want to share my thoughts on The Great Santa Showdown by Author Glenn Quigley (learn more here).

Author Glenn Quigley has a way of creating a world that you fall into and fall in love with. This short story has everything you could possibly want for the holiday season. You’ll smile the whole time you read this story, even as you wipe away a tear or two.

If you want a sweet holiday masterpiece then this is the story for you. If the Hallmark channel is listening here’s your next gay themed holiday movie.

As you can see I really enjoyed this wonderful short story and I highly recommend the short story. You can buy your copy here.

Well, that’s it for today. Until next time have a great day.