Marriage is Murder by Aimee Nicole Walker Blog Tour

Spring is in full bloom, love is in the air, and Cupid has taken deadly aim in Savannah.

Newly engaged, Royce Locke and Sawyer Key are ready to set the date and charge full-steam ahead into their happily ever after, but homicides and unresolved conflicts keep getting in their way. Neither detective has met a case they couldn’t solve, but their latest investigations will push their limits and challenge their faith when the line between friend and foe becomes blurred. And if that weren’t enough, a random encounter with a stranger will trigger a series of events that could either make or break the couple.

Love—often a thriller, sometimes a killer, but always worth the battle.

Marriage is Murder is book two in the Matrimony and Mayhem trilogy, the second story arc for Royce Locke and Sawyer Key.

**New readers should start with the Zero Hour trilogy before reading the Matrimony and Mayhem trilogy.**

Marriage is Murder is a continuation of Royce and Sawyer’s happily ever after as they move into the next phase of their lives—professionally and personally. Though some storylines span the trilogy, this book does not end in a cliffhanger. Heat, humor, heart, and homicide abound. You have been warned. 18+

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem series!
For book one, The Magnolia Murders, click HERE.

 

 

Book 2
Buy Links

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~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

“I hate to interrupt a master at work…” Sawyer said hesitantly.

Royce responded with a grunt. “Almost there. Just trying to fit it in the hole. It requires finesse, not brute strength, you know.” Another grunt echoed from behind the dryer and a savage curse quickly followed.

Sawyer bit back a chuckle as he stared down at the superb, jean-clad ass sticking up in the air. Royce had somehow managed to wedge himself under the laundry room sink to reach the back of the dryer. “You don’t say,” Sawyer remarked casually.

He glanced over at Bones, who sat on top of the washing machine looking mighty pissed Royce had moved his litter box from its usual spot to reattach the dryer hose to the exterior vent. The metal ring securing it had broken at some point, which Royce had discovered when he’d attempted to clean the vent with the new shop vac he’d purchased that morning on his weekly hardware store run. They had a Saturday morning routine that started with rambunctious sex, followed by a hearty breakfast, and ended with Royce finding some excuse to visit Sal’s while Sawyer worked on newspaper puzzles and listened to audiobooks.

Royce’s most recent mission was to assemble a tool kit for when Dru and the boys moved into their new place the following weekend. He’d come home from Sal’s flushed with excitement because he’d put together a kickass toolbox and found a high-powered shop vac to rival all others. Royce enthusiastically extolled all the vacuum’s features and boasted it had the strongest suction power on the market. He’d unboxed the shop vac like a little kid on Christmas morning. Sawyer had found it quite endearing until Royce had gazed at the chrome and red machine like it was the most beautiful thing in the world. He’d felt a momentary pang of jealousy until he recalled where he’d been in his audiobook before Royce had come bounding through the door with his new toy.

Royce had kissed him passionately before wheeling the assembled beast into the garage to test it out. Moments later, the loud whirring sound of the machine came through the door. Bones had darted for safety while Sawyer pushed Play to resume his book and returned his attention to his crossword puzzle.

Sawyer smiled when he’d read the next clue. The absence of matter. “Six letters. Gee, I wonder what it could be.” He filled in the boxes with vacuum and moved on to the next clue.

“When was the last time you cleaned out the dryer vent?” Royce had asked Sawyer after he’d cleaned both vehicles.

Sawyer rolled his eyes toward the ceiling as if he were thinking hard about the answer.

Royce had laughed, seeing through Sawyer’s antics, and said, “Doesn’t matter. I’ll take care of it now.”

“We’re supposed to meet my mom for lunch at the Hummingbird Café in an hour,” Sawyer had reminded him.

“No problem.”

Famous last words.

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆☆
Marriage is Murder is book two in the Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem series, which is a spin off from the Ground Zero trilogy and the book can’t really be read as a standalone. For me this isn’t a problem. I love, love, love Royce and Sawyer and the latest addition to their story is just another part of their journey for me to devour, which I did.

With Marriage is Murder, I really felt like was an up close and personal observer of Royce and Sawyer’s lives. And they have busy lives. They are planning their upcoming wedding, getting ready to attend Royce’s brother’s wedding, and they have busy social lives.

On the work front, Sawyer is working in the Cold Case Unit, including participating in a cold case to help track down missing people. Royce is working a very interesting murder, which turns out to be far more complicated than it first seems. I could sort of see where Royce’s case was going but I wasn’t sure of the why, but it was definitely an engaging case.

For me, this book blends the personal lives of the couple and their working lives perfectly to keep me engaged. One scene in this book in particular got me and it is the wedding scene. I know wedding scenes are a dime a dozen in romance novels and the one here isn’t anything new, but it really had me reminiscing about my own wedding, which left me with warm and fuzzy feelings at the end. Marriage is Murder was a great story and I can’t wait for more of Royce and Sawyer.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
Before you read further, make sure that you have read all the Sawyer and Royce books leading up to this point, as it is really important to have read all the nuance, and intrigue, as well as the goodness, romance, and passion to this point. The author does a very good job of giving reminders if it is a little while since you read the last one, but it is done a bit like a reminder someone gives you at a wedding, to make sure you are up to speed, not repetition. Be warned. 🙂

I enjoy reading about these guys so much, that even an evening at home, feeding the cat and talking about their upcoming wedding is totally engaging. But rest assured there is a lot of mystery, a bit of family drama, and the righting of some wrongs to ramp up the tension and make this all the richer a read.

I am already looking forward to the next book, but also hoping that Walker has a few more adventures for them up her sleeve – I really like to think these guys have more stories to tell.

 

 

 

Ever since she was a little girl, AIMEE NICOLE WALKER entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titles—wife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day. She’d love to hear from you.

Connect with Aimee Nicole Walker

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Blog  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Aimee's Dye Hards

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Marriage is Murder (Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem #2) by Aimee Nicole Walker to read and review.

The Long Game by Rachel Reid

The sequel is finally here! Shane and Ilya’s story, first seen in Heated Rivalry, continues in this long-awaited hockey romance from Rachel Reid.

To the world they are rivals, but to each other they are everything.

Ten years.

That’s how long Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov have been seeing each other. How long they’ve been keeping their relationship a secret. From friends, from family… from the league. If Shane wants to stay at the top of his game, what he and Ilya share has to remain secret. He loves Ilya, but what if going public ruins everything?

Ilya is sick of secrets. Shane has gotten so good at hiding his feelings, sometimes Ilya questions if they even exist. The closeness, the intimacy, even the risk that would come with being open about their relationship… Ilya wants it all.

It’s time for them to decide what’s most important—hockey or love.

It’s time to make a call.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Game Changers series!
For book one, Game Changer, click HERE.
For book two, Heated Rivalry, click HERE.
For book three, Tough Guy, click HERE.
For book four, Common Goal, click HERE.
For book five, Role Model, click HERE.

 

 

Book 6
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
Carina Press (HQN)

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
The Long Game is the sixth installment in the Game Changers series. It absolutely cannot be read as a standalone or out of series order, paralleling events in all the previous novels, as well as being the sequel to Heated Rivalry.

Hands down, Ilya Rozanov is my all-time favorite character. A big, lazy cat, paw batting at anyone who comes close. Playful. Taunting. Hunting. Teasing. But he keeps his claws sheathed.

My favorite scene-stealer during the entirety of the series, stole the show from Shane during their novel as well. Forever drawing the best and worst out of past and future narrators. A biting dig in his broken English meant to inspire, what it inspired is up to the person who received the comment, even if they take it in a different way than Ilya meant—Ilya likes it that way, being purposefully misunderstood, cryptic and baiting.

Ilya Rozanov has a heart of gold, even if he doesn't reveal it often. Empathetic and sympathetic, caring and kind, the type of leader that draws the best out of his failing team. More so, Ilya is the type of person who pushes others to make changes, then allows them to take the credit.

All the way back to when they were minor children, fighting tooth and nail to be the best of the best, Ilya and Shane have been drawn to one another. Their rivalry is legendary. Their connection is soul deep. Their romance spans a decade. As they sit back and watch player after player reach for their happily ever after. Waiting like a patient cat has nothing to do with cowardice – Shane and Ilya are legendary, fearing they would not receive the same reaction as their fellow hockey players.

Shane believes they're on the same page, living a life in secret. With the backing of his family, his closest friends, even a few of his teammates, Shane has a comfortable life with a full support system to shelter him from the lonely stretches without Ilya.

Then there is Ilya, who only has Shane. Alone in this world. Making sacrifices to be near Shane, seeing Shane's family as his only family. Set apart from his team. Unable to make friends when he's hiding such a large secret. Ilya feels isolated and alone, a terrifying place to be when depression is etched on his DNA.

I was terrified the entire time I was reading, fearing the worst. Some petty miscommunication that derails their strong relationship. But Reid did not do us dirty like that. Ilya and Shane do each other proud, Reid does her readers proud, giving us tooth decaying sweetness, heart-clenching emotion, lip-splitting humor, smothering us beneath a mountain of feels.

This series tops my favorite, and not just in M/M Romance or in the sports subgenre. Reread worthy. The Long Game was utterly satisfying, pure perfection. I can't recommend it enough. I look forward to Ilya stealing more scenes in future installments (fingers crossed the series never ends).


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the sixth book in the series – and I have loved them all! I highly recommend that you read them in order – at the very least you should read Heated Rivalry where these two delicious men first come together. We see them ten years after they first get together, and can only hope that they finally get to be together all the time.

I find both the guys engaging, but Ilya is my favourite because he is the one who has given up a huge amount to be close to Shane. He is a good leader and gets the chance to bring his team up thanks to some new heart being injected into the club. He is so patient and calm when Shane is doing so well, and yet he chose love over everything. He has also become important to Shane's family, and I loved that he gained a family as well as a lover, as he completely deserved one.

I keep thinking of lovely bits, dramatic bits, and hurtful bits, and I really don't think I should share any of it, as you need to get the full goodness of it straight from the book. I cannot recommend it enough – and if you have time to read Heated Rivalry first, you will get the very best of stories all in one go. Enjoy!


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆☆
I was thrilled to be back with Ilya and Shane, my favorite couple, from the Game Changers series. It is 10 years since the men met and they are now together in a committed relationship that only a very select few people know about.

Ilya has changed teams and moved to Canada to be closer to Shane, but with them both playing hockey at different clubs, finding time to be together during the hockey season is a struggle and it is starting to be an issue, Both men want to be together more and Ilya in particular is struggling with keeping his love for Shane a secret. Their journey in this story has some ups and downs but their love for each other never wavers.

I enjoyed spending time with the men both in and outside the rink. They are more than just hockey players. I particularly loved exploring Ilya’s mental health issues and what it is like to be a sportsman who went from playing from one of the top teams to one of the bottom teams. Part of the timeline for The Long Game runs concurrently with other books in this series, so I was familiar with a few of the events that took place. I really liked seeing Ilya’s friendship with Harris and Troy from Ilya’s point of view and seeing how the aeroplane troubles affected Ilya and Shane.

I wallowed in The Long Game. I loved everything about it. There are good times as well as bad times. I laughed, I cried, and I was completely swept up in the romance. I just couldn’t get enough of Shane and Ilya and writing this review is making me want to go back and read their story right from the very beginning. A huge thank you to Rachel Reid for giving us more time with Shane and Ilya. They are one of my favorite romance couples ever!

 

 

RACHEL REID has always lived in Nova Scotia, Canada, and will likely continue to do so. She has two boring degrees and two interesting sons. She has been a hockey fan since childhood, but sadly never made it to the NHL herself. She enjoys books about hot men doing hot things, and cool ladies being awesome.

Connect with Rachel Reid

Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

 

 

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Long Game (Game Changers #6) by Rachel Reid to read and review.

Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend by Penny Reid Blog Tour

Winnifred Gobaldi and Byron Visser are not best friends.

Yes, they’ve known each other for years, but they’re not even friendly. Winnie considers them more like casual, distant acquaintances who find each other barely tolerable, especially when he's being condescending (which is all the time).

The truth is, they have nothing in common. She’s a public school science teacher with stars in her eyes, and he’s a pretentious, joyless double PhD turned world-famous bestselling fiction author. She loves sharing her passion for promulgating women in STEM careers and building community via social media, and he eschews all socialization, virtual or otherwise. She’s looking for a side hustle to help pay down a mountain of student debt, and his financial portfolio is the stuff of fiduciary wet dreams. So why are they faking a #bestfriend relationship for millions of online spectators?

When a simple case of tit-for-tat trends between nonfriends leads to a wholly unexpected kind of pretend, nothing is simple. Sometimes, it takes a public audience to reveal the truth of private feelings, and rarely—very rarely—you should believe what you see online.

Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend is a full-length, complete standalone, adult contemporary romantic comedy.

 

 

Buy Links

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Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo  ~  Smashwords
Paperback (US)

 

 

“This is the video from yesterday.” My stomach did a weird thing at the sight of him, and the sight of me crawling on all fours toward him, and what came after. I blinked away from the replay, before the part where I’d forgotten we were being filmed. “Why would I be mad at you about this? I knew you were filming.”

“Look harder.”

My forehead wrinkled, giving my attention back to her phone. I didn’t know what she wanted me to see, but now the video was repeating and—

“OH MY GOD!” I grabbed the phone. “This—this is—”

“Shh! Yes.” Now Amelia looked around, presumably to make certain none of the Seattleites surrounding us felt a disturbance in the politeness force. “Yes. I recorded it live. I’m so, so, so sorry.”

I leaned forward. “So that means it’s been—”

“Posted since last night. That’s right.” She covered her face again, groaning. “I’m so sorry.”

My eyes caught on the number of views, and I stood from the table, my chair scraping noisily on the linoleum. “ONE MILLION VIEWS?”

“Sorry!” she whispered loudly to someone at a nearby table. “We’ll just—we’re leaving.” Amelia grabbed my laptop and notebook and tilted her head toward the exit. “Time to go, and it was one point three the last time I checked. Now get your bag.”

Numbly, I lowered her phone and grabbed for my backpack and coat, fumbling with the strap. My fingers didn’t seem to work. She walked around the table and placed a hand on my back, helping to usher me out of the quiet area and waiting until we were standing in the hall to say, “I’m so sorry. It was an accident.”

“I can’t...” I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t think, I couldn’t move, I couldn’t speak. One point three million views. What must Byron think? “Oh crap,” I whispered, my gaze swinging around the interior of the library, unable to settle. “What about Byron? Does he know? How is he going to feel about this?”

“I don’t know if he knows. I’ve been trying to call him all morning. He won’t pick up his phone, and I’m frankly a little scared to leave a voice mail. Since he’s not on social media, he might not know.” Stuffing my laptop and notebook into my backpack, Amelia put the strap on my shoulder and took her cell phone from where I still gripped it.

I immediately covered my face like I could hide from this. My cheeks were hot. As much time as I’d spent this morning coming to terms with Jeff’s decisions last night, I’d spent ZERO seconds thinking about my ridiculous reaction to Byron’s performance. I wouldn’t allow myself to think about it. What was the point? He’d been pretending, acting, playing a part, and—as per usual—I’d left the interaction feeling like a fool.

“We have to delete it,” I rasped, my mouth dry, my brain on fire. “Before he sees it and finds out, we have to delete it.”

“No! No. Don’t do that.” She pressed the phone to her chest.

“What? Why not?”

“Think for a second.” She pushed me toward the elevator. “If you delete it, it might become a whole thing. He’s a famous guy who millions of people are starving to know more about. He has no social media and suddenly he’s on TikTok with you? And this isn’t like your lab video from Friday, this is you two together, acting like you’re close friends crushing on each other. We need to call him—together—and tell him. But first we need him to answer his damn phone.” Amelia nodded at her own assertion while stabbing the elevator call button with her index finger.

“Call him? You want to call him together?” Oh God. I didn’t want to call him. I never wanted to talk to him again. “You don’t think he’ll want us to take it down ASAP? Like you said, millions of people want to know about him. Don’t you think he’ll view this as an invasion of privacy?”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe?” I flinched back. “I think you mean, most certainly yes.”

“No.” She pulled me by the arm into the elevator and pressed all the right buttons. “We should call him, leave a voice mail together where we tell him exactly what happened, and ask what he wants to do about it. If you take it down, it might create more difficulty for him than if you left it up and let it run its course.”

I covered my face again, leaning against the wall for support. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“Hey, on the bright side, you have over ten thousand new followers. That’s... something.”

I groaned. I would’ve given up every single one of my new followers if it would’ve somehow undone the posting of that video. What a nightmare.

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I really enjoyed this book – I am not convinced that the title really gave me a good idea of what it was about, as it is so much richer and deeper than it infers.

Winnie (often called Fred by Byron) is a science teacher who does 'women in STEM' videos to encourage girls into science careers. Her best friend from college and housemate, Allie, suggests that she branches out a bit to get extra followers and increase her reach before an interview. They also agree she could do a ten-part challenge – and Byron ends up volunteering to help. Now this is the crux of the story... Byron is extremely awkward when around Winnie, and she finds him to be overbearing and critical. His behaviour is, in fact, because he has always thought she was his perfect woman, and loved her since they first met in college, but cannot express himself in a way she understands.

Winnie doesn't really get why Allie is such good friends with Byron, but she finds his criticisms very difficult to take as they remind her of her awful uncle who made her childhood truly appalling. But she cannot deny that Byron is incredibly handsome, successful, and intelligent. Now he is paying her attention, and she cannot work out whether it is real or just sympathy. The level of misunderstanding between them is out of all proportion and can get a bit wearing! Once she works it out, things make much more sense.

I was really invested in the situation being resolved, and certainly was delighted when they finally realised what they meant to each other, even if they still had a lot to sort out from their pasts to be happy in their futures. There was maybe a little too much to get to that point, but it was entirely in character.

A very cute and ultimately passionate story about two people who were unexpectedly absolutely perfect for each other.


Veronica – ☆☆☆
My favorite thing about Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend is the chemistry between Winnie and Byron. Even in the beginning when they don't really know each other well, there are great sparks between them. Winne doesn’t like Byron and thinks he doesn’t like her either. This hooked me in straight away and I sped through the first half of the book, enjoying them getting to know each other as their obvious attraction grows. I really enjoyed how different Winnie’s personality is from Byron and I found the first half of this story tantalizing and fun.

Once the story got past the halfway mark the story started to slow down. As the couple's connection gets deeper and they learn even more about each other, insecurities arise and things are a little more serious. At times, the issues are dealt with in a really sensible adult way and other times, immaturity reins and the inexperience of the couple makes it feel like we are dealing with teenagers instead of two intelligent adults.

Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend had a great start, but the story is far too long. It focuses almost entirely on the relationship between Byron and Winnie, and by the time I was three quarters of the way through it was getting tedious and I was starting to lose interest. I really had to force myself to finish the story which I will say, does wrap up very nicely. Three stars from me.

 

 

PENNY REID is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she writes kissing books. Penny is an obsessive knitter and manages the #OwnVoices-focused mentorship incubator/publishing imprint, Smartypants Romance. She lives in Seattle Washington with her husband, three kids, and dog named Hazel.

Connect with Penny Reid

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Sharks of Awesome

 

 

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Play by Heart by Ariella Zoelle Blog Tour

Iason’s known worldwide for his romantic lyrics, but he never thought he’d fall in love. Will his luck change when the stars align to bring Orion into his life?

IASON LEYLAND

My love songs may have made me famous, but they were beautifully written lies that hid the fact I’ve never loved anyone. I had almost given up hope of finding true love, but then I meet him. Orion is all my wishes on stars who can make my dreams come true. He’s my perfect partner in every way except one: he’s straight. Why, universe? Why?

But the cosmic force that brought us together apparently knows what it’s doing based on the sweet way Orion blushes every time we’re together. Can I convince him that we could make beautiful music together that will be worthy of my most romantic ballad yet?

ORION DONATI

I’ve been a fan of Iason and his beautiful voice and lyrics for years. I never expected him to know I even exist, let alone fall in love with me. But regardless of that impossibility, he looks at me like I’m the sun, the moon, and all the stars in his universe. As a straight man, I probably shouldn’t be interested, much less tempted by his flirtations. But despite that, everything in me wants a chance to be his magical muse for the songs I love so much.

Meeting him makes me realize that I’m not quite as straight as I thought. The most unbelievable thing of all is that someone as amazingly famous as him could ever want a shy nobody like me. But I don’t want to doubt his sincerity. I want to be brave enough to believe he’s interested in me for real.

Maybe I don’t have to settle for being a fan who adores him from afar. What if I dare to dream that I could be his boyfriend who loves him with all my heart instead?

Play by Heart is the first book in the Harmony of Hearts series and part of the Sunnyside universe. This novel features a bi awakening, insta-love, rock star, shy/flirt, gay romance. If you love cute sweetness, sexy fun, and no angst stories that will make you laugh and swoon, you’ll enjoy this satisfying HEA without cliffhangers.

Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.

 

 

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆☆
I have read a few books by this author, and I like their writing style. This book came at the right time for me. I was in a book slump; nothing was holding my interest. This story is super low-angst, sweet, sappy, and just gives you the feels. One of the main characters, Orion, was previously straight, and I enjoy watching straight men fall in love with other men. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait for the next one in this series.

 

 

 

ARIELLA ZOELLE adores steamy, funny, swoony romances where couples are allowed to just be happy. That means she writes low angst stories full of heat, humor, and heart. But sometimes she's in the mood for something with a bit more angst and drama. And if you are too, check out her A.F. Zoelle books.

For real time updates on her writing progress, please join her Facebook group for exclusive teasers or follow her on Twitter or Instagram. You can also sign up for her NEWSLETTER to gain access to bonus chapters, previews of upcoming books, exclusive visual guides, and more.

Connect with Ariella Zoelle

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Ariella Zoelle's Sunnyside

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Play by Heart (Harmony of Hearts #1) by Ariella Zoelle to read and review.

Of Claws and Fangs by Faith Hunter

New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter presents a stunning collection of stories from the world of shape-shifting vampire hunter Jane Yellowrock and beyond.

Collected together for the first time, this volume contains shorter works featuring heroines Jane Yellowrock and Nell Ingram, as well as a host of other characters from the Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood series. Faith Hunter is “an expert at creating worlds filled with intriguing supernatural elements and exciting scenarios”* and her skills are on full display in this collection. From a vampire-filled Halloween evening in New Orleans to the searing tale of how a certain were-leopard first got his spots, this collection has something for everyone, and each story is sure to put the super in supernatural.

With eighteen stories in all, Of Claws and Fangs will enrich and entertain—it’s a must-have for Faith Hunter’s readers and all lovers of fantasy.

For more information on the stories included, click HERE to read Faith Hunter’s blog post, Bits and Pieces.

*RT Book Reviews

 

 

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Apple Books  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
Ace (PRH)

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
Of Claws and Fangs is a short-story compilation from Faith Hunter, featuring stories mostly set in the Jane Yellowrock universe, as well as the sister series, Soulwood.

While this is a collection of short stories, I would suggest being current on both series to avoid spoilers, as the stories span the timeframe from predating the debut novel to the most current release.

Since I'm not one to hunt down short stories in a massive series, these were all new-to-me, even though they were previously released in newsletters and websites, most of them taken down after a short period of time. Even if you've read some, you may have missed others.

The heading of each story explains its origin (where it was posted and how it fits into the overall series). Whether you've had the opportunity to read them or not, I appreciate them all being in one handy location, easily accessed to get a hit of my favorite characters in one of my all-time favorite series.

I thoroughly enjoyed picking up the collection, where I immersed myself in the point-of-view of Jane's cohorts, being inside their thoughts for the first time. Each story is of variable length, where if you have five to ten minutes to spare, it's an excellent way to de-stress and relax while being entertained.

Of all the stories, Of Cats and Cars was my favorite. It was also one of the longest stories. Nothing is as enjoyable as Beast, especially a trixsy Beast in love with Edmund. This is set in the timeframe when Jane is ill, where she was in beast-form more often than not, but Jane was deep healing in the background, allowing Beast free-reign.

Beast wanted to hunt cows with trees on their heads in a car with no head, and Jane allowed the bargain. Poor Edmund's Maserati. Watching Beast be flirty and manipulative with such a powerful man, a man she sees as her mate, even though Jane sees Edmund as her subordinate. Delightful, adorable, and laugh out loud hilarious, I will be rereading this short many times to come.

Leo, Master of the City of New Orleans (along with a good paragraph of other titles) was predominant is many of the stories, sure to please fans. We see things predating Jane, events which were mentioned or glossed over in previous installments. Being inside Leo's head was exciting and refreshing.

Other notable mentions were cameos from the Everhart witches, along with Leo, Beast, Edmund, and others. The connection Jane has fostered with her made family and friends is one of the highlights of the series, and these shorts showcase her nearest and dearest, filled with humor, emotion, and action & adventure, set to the backdrop of the Jane Yellowrock universe.

While I am sad that the Jane Yellowrock series will be coming to a close with the next novel, I cannot wait to see what other projects Faith Hunter has in store for us. This series is on my reread list, and I'm happy to add Of Claws and Fangs to the collection.

 

 

New York Times bestselling author FAITH HUNTER writes three series: the Jane Yellowrock series, dark urban fantasy novels featuring Jane, a Cherokee Skinwalker; the Rogue Mage novels, a dark, urban fantasy/post-apocalyptic series and role playing game featuring Thorn St. Croix; and the Soulwood Series featuring Nell Nicholson Ingram.

Connect with Faith Hunter

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Of Claws and Fangs: Stories from the World of Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood by Faith Hunter to read and review.

Not a Boy by Elle Keaton Blog Tour

Henry should have kept on walking by when he spotted the younger man sitting alone on the beach. He should never have stopped, never sat down, and certainly never kissed him. Because now Henry is experiencing feelings. And he doesn’t like it one bit.

Things happen for a reason, even random hook-ups. Ben was supposed to get off work early that night. It was no accident the sexy stranger stumbled on his beach hiding spot. The Kiss was destined, as well as what happened afterward. It wasn’t as if Ben believed in love at first sight, but this was damn close.

It’s a good thing Henry lives three-thousand miles away or he might do something stupid, like ask for Ben’s phone number.

Ben’s hometown boss begs him to return and he agrees, only regretting not being able to say goodbye to his snarky divorce lawyer. But all the wanting in the universe isn’t going to bring them together again, he doesn’t even know Henry’s last name. Besides, home is on the west coast, not Maine.

Sometimes the universe is a funny place.

**All books in the All American Boy series are stand-alone stories.**

 

 

Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

“Would you like to join me?” The young man waggled the bottle of wine he held in his hand—white, it looked like.

He shouldn’t. Henry knew he shouldn’t. He should keep walking back to the bed and breakfast where he was staying. The one he and his parents had always stayed in when they visited. And yet, without conscious thought, Henry found himself accepting the invitation and lowering himself down onto the sand and rocks, next to the handsome, faintly roguish-looking stranger.

“Sorry, I only have one cup. My name’s Ben, by the way.”

“Hi, Ben-by-the-way, my name’s Henry.” Henry took the bottle from Ben.

Lifting his wine, Ben said, “A toast. To sunsets, and smart asses.”

 

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
Ben and Henry meet for the first time on a beach in Maine and for the second time on Piedras Island, Washington, where the author has set several other series. Ben is working in Maine when he meets Henry, who is more than 10 years his senior. I like that the age gap isn’t really a big deal and that the guys fit really well together.

Not a Boy is a quick, easy read and it is a mix of sweet and sexy, with only a dash of angst. I really liked that the men acted on their attraction with no hesitation because it added to the lightness and the fun of the story. I really enjoyed Not a Boy.

 

 

ELLE KEATON writes contemporary gay romance and M/M romantic suspense set in the Pacific Northwest. Elle’s books are known for their hot m/m romance, complex characters, and unique sense of place. The men start out broken, and maybe they’re still banged up by the end, but they always find the other half of their hearts.

Elle published first in 2017, now she has over seventeen books available for you to read or listen to.

She loves cats and dogs, Star Wars and Star Trek, pineapple on pizza, and is known to start crossword puzzles with a ballpoint pen.

Love always wins, thank you for supporting this indie author!

Connect with Elle Keaton

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Facebook Group: The Highway to Elle

 

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Not a Boy (All American Boy) by Elle Keaton to read and review.