I Married a Mothman by Regine Abel [Review]

I Married an Mothman (Prime Mating Agency #12) by Regine Abel
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: July 10, 2024

Prime Mating Agency
1. I Married a Lizardman
2. I Married a Naga
3. I Married a Birdman
4. I Married a Merman
5. I Married a Minotaur
6. I Married a Dragon
7. I Married a Beast
8. I Married a Dryad
9. I Married Wonjin
10. I Married an Incubus
11. I Married Krogal
12. I Married a Mothman - Paperback | Kindle
13. I Married a Catman

Regine Abel
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

He’s everything she never knew she wanted.

When Venus embarked on a luxury cruise, she never expected to rescue a young Promethean demi-god—or that he’d bind her as his guardian. Now stranded on his primitive planet, she agrees to a temporary marriage of convenience to Atlas, the Commander of the Black Guard, in exchange for protection against those hellbent on seizing control of the youngling in her care. Against all odds, she finds herself falling for the sweet and honorable Atlas—antennae, scales, wings and all.

She is his light, his impossible dream.

As an Achromatic Promethean, Atlas has accepted that his society considers him lower than dirt, until the arrival of a fascinating human turns his life upside down. When forced to pick a husband, Venus not only chooses him over the elite, but treats him with a kindness and respect he’s never experienced. As they join forces to thwart a threat to his people, her intelligence, beauty, and fierceness soon stir in him desires forbidden to his kind.

In their dire race against the clock, will Venus and Atlas solve the mystery of the impending cataclysm, or will it destroy everything, including the impossible happiness blossoming between them?

Thoughts on I Married a Mothman: Venus (sister of Serena who married her Naga several books ago) isn't looking to find her special someone when she steps foot on the cruise ship, but the universe (and the PMA) had other plans for her. Which means this lady most definitely found her special someone PLUS became the guardian of an entity that is the only hope to contain an upcoming cataclysm.

No pressure, right? Venus has a lot on her plate and falling for her temporary husband isn't on her radar. Until, you know, it is. Because Atlas is kind and honorable and is the perfect person to help lead a revolution. Not that HE thinks so, but he's also quick to step up when events start moving forward. Given that Atlas never expected to be mated, Venus is an incredible gift that he is determined to treasure in every way he can.

The fact she gives him the opportunity to grow into something more than he ever thought he'd be only makes her more beloved by him.

A looming destruction, magic, a group of people who are about to learn what it means to be free, a warrior with the heart and mind to embrace change as it comes, and a lady who refuses to back down when things get tough. MAN, I love when the PMA does their thing!

RtP's Week in Review (01/12/25)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review

• A Monster's Fate by Lynnea Lee [Review] - Monster love!
• The Body in the Backyard by Lucy Score [Review] - RILEY IS BACK!
• Books & Broadswords by Jessie Mihalik [Review] - Romantic Fantasy! OH YEAH!
• Unity and the Usurper by Honey Phillips [Review] - Alien love!
• Vera and the Victor by Honey Phillips [Review] - More alien love!
• Soft Focus by Jayne Ann Krentz [Review] - Classic JAK!

Bookish Delights

• Books added to the pile
• It Takes a Psychic (Harmony #17) by Jayne Castle - For review!
• The Dark Heart (Indulgence Series #4) by Erin Kellison - For review!
• Currently reading 
• The Vampire's Cursed Kiss by Kristen Painter

Soft Focus by Jayne Ann Krentz [Review]

Soft Focus by Jayne Ann Krentz
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 11, 2024

Purchase Links: Kindle

Jayne Ann Krentz
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Elizabeth Cabot is all business. She knows how to maximize her investments and cut her losses--in both her career and her personal life.

So when she discovers that Jack Fairfax has deceived her, she's determined to end their relationship. Putting a stop to their budding romance is easy. But breaking up their business deal will be more difficult. Despite all her efforts, she has no luck disentangling herself from Jack's client company, Excalibur. But the situation becomes even more strained when a new obstacle emerges: a lethal act of sabotage that could put both of them out of business for good.

Elizabeth is no fool. If she can help Jack save Excalibur, she'll recoup her substantial investment plus millions in profit. Putting her emotions aside, she insists on helping him search for the scientist who's disappeared with a valuable new crystal that could revolutionize the high-tech industry. She'll go in, solve the problem--and get out.

The trail leads Elizabeth and Jack to a fringe film festival, but their goal is as elusive as the shadowy black-and-white images from classic noir films. Life starts to imitate art, and double-dealing seems to be the name of the game. For these business adversaries turned reluctant partners, keeping an eye on each other--and the lid on a sizzling attraction--seems the only insurance against further treachery. But with millions at stake, trust can turn to betrayal in the blink of an eye.

Thoughts on Soft Focus: I read a lot of JAK back in the day, so it's highly possible I'd read this one before, but since my memory on it is a little fuzzy (which is no reflection on the book itself, but more about how many books I read) it felt new to me. Which works on every level. (For the record, even if I HAD remembered reading it, I likely wouldn't have remembered who did it because that's totally a thing with me.)

Anywho. Elizabeth and Jack. They had what turned out to be a one-night stand (for reasons) and then ended up working together on a project. Which wasn't nearly as terrible as it could have been, actually. The biggest hurdle they have in relationshipping is that Elizabeth was holding Jack's involvement in another takeover against him without knowing the reason why he was involved in it in the first place. On the plus side, neither of them could stop thinking of the other in the months since their infamous night together. As we all know, that's an EXCELLENT sign.

When circumstances have them sharing space as they try to track down their wayward crystal (and the scientist behind its theft) THINGS HAPPEN. Because when two people who are unattached and can't stop thinking about one another spend time together, well, sometimes things really do just happen.

Throw in some fancy films, a whole lot of film noir, complicated family dynamics, an auction, and a little danger, and Jack and Elizabeth have plenty to deal with on top of their budding romance. Which works for me because that's EXACTLY what I was here for.

Vera and the Victor by Honey Phillips [Review]

Vera and the Victor (Alien Abduction #22) by Honey Phillips
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: July 28, 2024

Alien Abduction
1. Anna and the Alien
2. Beth and the Barbarian
3. Cam and the Conqueror
4. Deb and the Demon
5. Ella and the Emperor
6. Faith and the Fighter
7. Greta and the Gargoyle
8. Hanna and the Hitman
9. Izzie and the Icebeast
10. Joan and the Juggernaut
11. Kate and the Kraken
12. Lily and the Lion
13. Mary and the Minotaur
14. Nancy and the Naga
15. Olivia and the Orc
16. Pandora and the Prisoner
17. Quinn and the Queller
18. Rita and the Raider
19. Sara and the Spymaster
20. Tammy and the Traitor
21. Unity and the Usurper
22. Vera and the Victor - Paperback | Kindle
23. Willow and the Wraith

Honey Phillips
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

A grumpy alien warrior, a rebellious almost-professor, and an alien paradise...

One moment Vera is peacefully studying for her PhD in Ancient History, the next she is helping an alien race who look like fairies defeat the evil male who had her abducted. They need her help and she’s not about to back down, not even when a huge, grumpy gargoyle shows up on their island demanding their allegiance.

Grabon went looking for a mate. Instead he found a rebellion. When he’s sent to crush one last lingering group of rebels, he discovers their leader is a female - a too smart, too pretty, and too passionate human female. He knows humans are trouble, and yet he can’t seem to resist the annoying little female.

The temperature isn’t the only thing heating up in this alien paradise - but can there be possibly be a future for two people with such different goals?

Thoughts on Vera and the Victor: We're back with our aliens and humans and this time around we have Grabon's story. Grabon has met a human before and he knows just how wily they can be. Which is why he stands firmly in the "human women are dangerous" camp. Turns out, he's 100% right. Humans might not be a fierce or vicious as some of the aliens out there, but they have more than their share of courage and they just don't stop until things get done.

Take Vera, for example. She's not a warrior, but she steps up and helps a subjugated race free themselves. Well, it's kind of a joint effort on the freeing, but the lady does her part and sparks a rebellion. And if she happens to fall for the hunky winged gargoyle along the way, SO IT GOES.

A little political upheaval (new king, a couple of guys claiming to rule the islands now, etc.), a prophecy, a people fighting for their way of life, a fierce warrior who absolutely doesn't plan on falling for a human woman, and the lady who makes him throw that plan out the window. GOOD TIMES!

Unity and the Usurper by Honey Phillips [Review]

Unity and the Usurper (Alien Abduction #21) by Honey Phillips
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: July 6, 2024

Alien Abduction
1. Anna and the Alien
2. Beth and the Barbarian
3. Cam and the Conqueror
4. Deb and the Demon
5. Ella and the Emperor
6. Faith and the Fighter
7. Greta and the Gargoyle
8. Hanna and the Hitman
9. Izzie and the Icebeast
10. Joan and the Juggernaut
11. Kate and the Kraken
12. Lily and the Lion
13. Mary and the Minotaur
14. Nancy and the Naga
15. Olivia and the Orc
16. Pandora and the Prisoner
17. Quinn and the Queller
18. Rita and the Raider
19. Sara and the Spymaster
20. Tammy and the Traitor
21. Unity and the Usurper - Paperback | Kindle
22. Vera and the Victor
23. Willow and the Wraith

Honey Phillips
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

A barbaric alien king. A fierce human female. A galactic conspiracy...

After leading a rebellion to overthrow a tyrannical king, Cronan discovers a beautiful, defiant human female. She’s a responsibility he doesn’t need in the chaotic aftermath of the rebellion, but one he can't abandon. He claims her in order to protect her, but can he let her go when the time comes?

Unity's life is torn asunder when she is abducted from Earth, but she’s not about to surrender to her captors. When a barbaric alien warrior claims her, she fears the worst. He is both arrogant and infuriating, but worst of all she's attracted to him.

Together they face political intrigue and a galactic trafficking ring - but the battle for love may prove the most challenging of all.

Thoughts on Unity and the Usurper: The abduction of human women continues, but there are still good aliens out there who will do whatever they can to protect them. That's the case with Unity and her barbarian king. While the former king was a genuinely terrible individual who did nothing good for most of his people, Cronan is entirely different. And when he finds Unity hidden away in his dungeons, he does the only thing he can think of to keep her safe: he claims her.

Which, honestly, Unity doesn't initially love. But Cronan proves to be a gentleman barbarian and it doesn't take long until Unity sees the honorable male he is.

Soon these two are connecting on more than one level and Unity's finding her place in the new world she's been dumped in. But nothing's ever THAT easy, amirite?!? Because there are still those who are loyal to the old king and a trafficking ring that Cronan is determined to bring down. So, yeah, things get a little hairy there for a while. No worries, though, because a barbarian king and a smart human make things HAPPEN!

No lie, it's always good to spend time in this world with the aliens and humans who fall for one another!

Books & Broadswords Volume 1 by Jessie Mihalik [Review]

Books & Broadswords Volume 1 (Books & Broadswords #1) by Jessie Mihalik
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: July 2, 2024

Books & Broadswords
1. Books & Broadswords Volume 1 - Paperback | Kindle

Jessie Mihalik
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

This novella-length volume includes two romantic fantasy stories set in a shared world, each with a guaranteed happily ever after, plus a new bonus epilogue.

Books & Broadswords
The only thing Feora likes more than stealing the king’s gold is using it to buy books. But when a handsome, persistent knight interrupts her day, Feora must decide if saving his life is worth revealing her true nature.

Rocks & Rapiers
Zenira never wanted to sell her rock collection, but when the new landowner raises her rent, she’s out of options. Armed with a sketchy rumor about a collector who will pay for stones others might consider worthless, Zenira sets out, but she’s met with an icy scowl, a muddy manor, and the overwhelming urge to mend the mess—owner included.

Thoughts on Books & Broadswords Volume 1: Oh.My.Gosh. I kinda loved these two stories. Actually, there's no kinda about it. Feora and her knight and Zenira and her cranky collector made my day. There's a little possessiveness (kidding, there's a lot of possessiveness) and maybe a little handwringing as certain individuals worried about taking away the free will of their potential special someone and I LOVED IT.

First up, Feora. Feora who likes books. Feora who slowly starts to think the knight who crosses her path is nothing like any of the other knights she's had the misfortune of dealing with. Feora who is honorable and just wants to be left in peace. Until Ansel, that is. Only she needs to make sure that he's sure about what he wants before she's willing to make any moves. *le sigh*

Then there's Zenira. She's in a bad situation and she's maybe a little desperate. Which is the only reason she's sets out for the cranky collector's manor with her horde of precious rocks. Striking a deal with the collector opens up a whole world of possibilities. For both her and him.

Some stolen gold, a knight with a mile-wide streak of honor, a lady who just wants to shelve some books, a manor in dire need of some TLC, rocks, snowstorms, magic, a grump of a collector, and a lady who can't help but tidy up. It turns out that possessive individuals with collections and magic do it for me. GOOD TIMES!

The Body in the Backyard by Lucy Score [Review]

The Body in the Backyard (Riley Thorn #4) by Lucy Score
Format: paperback
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: July 21, 2024

Riley Thorn
1. Riley Thorn and the Dead Guy Next Door
2. Riley Thorn and the Corpse in the Closet
3. Riley Thorn and the Blast from the Past
4. The Body in the Backyard - Paperback | Kindle

Lucy Score
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Her self-absorbed news anchor ex-husband careening back into her life was not on this amateur psychic detective’s bingo card.

Not only does Griffin Gentry show up unexpectedly at Riley Thorn’s door—the real shock is that he’s begging her for help. Riley’s hot private investigator boyfriend Nick Santiago refusing to take the job is…well, less of a surprise.

Too bad for Nick that his octogenarian business partner overrules him and takes the lead on Griffin’s case. But when a dead body makes it clear someone really is out to get Riley’s ex, the mile-long suspect list means all hands on deck at Santiago Investigations. Even the wrinkly, retired ones.

It’s only a matter of time before Griffin brings the danger directly to their doorstep. And with Riley and Nick busy interviewing suspects, that leaves their elderly roommates to wreak havoc in the surveillance department. Can Riley block out the chaos to focus her psychic visions long enough to narrow down the list of suspects? Or will Griffin Gentry’s bad karma be the downfall of them all?

Thoughts on The Body in the Backyard: Yessss. We're back with Riley, Nick, and THE CREW (said in very shouty letters because Riley's former roommates are something else) and they have the horrible, terrible, COMPLETELY AWFUL (said in very shouty letters because he's a genuinely terrible person) Griffin Gentry as their newest client. Since Griffin is Riley's ex-husband on top of being a utter douchecanoe of a human, Nick is super not pleased with this case.

On the plus side, Nick gets to fantasize about all the ways they could abandon their morals and leave Griffin to fend for himself. Not going lie, Nick has a lot of fantasies about that. But since he's a basically decent human and Riley keeps guilting him into sticking around, Nick does not, in fact, leave Griffin to deal with his issues himself.

On Riley's end, she's a good enough person that she doesn't want to see Griffin end up as the next homicide story on the news. So she grits her teeth and deals with Bella's female face-blindness and Griffin's obsession with his own reflection and does her best to keep him from getting whacked. Given Griffin's (and Bella's) complete lack of situational awareness along with even the tiniest drop of common sense, it's a pretty big job.

But Riley has her spirit guides on her side, her hunk of a honey guarding her back, a dog with gut issues when he eats human food to keep her centered, and her chaos-gremlin former roommates to muck things up in the most unimaginable way possible at every turn. In other words, the Riley Thorn special.

MAN, these books are fun!