The Queen's Shadow by Adrian Blue [Review]

The Queen's Shadow (Taken by the Stars #4) by Adrian Blue
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 15, 2026

Taken by the Stars
1. Heart of the Deep
2. Starbound
3. Breach Protocol
4. The Queen's Shadow - Kindle
5. The Captain's Claim

Adrian Blue
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Queen Seraphina of Elysara has spent years learning to read every room, every threat, every carefully concealed agenda. She is composed. Strategic. Untouchable. The one thing she has never let herself read is the man standing three paces behind her. But when an assassin's ambush strands them in Elysara's most unforgiving wilderness, she is forced to reckon with a truth she has carefully avoided for years. The man who would die for her without hesitation is the one person she has never let herself truly see.

But he has always seen her.

Thoughts on The Queen's Shadow: Oh-ho! The strong, stoic bodyguard who has ruthlessly quashed down his want for the woman he's guarding and the queen who trusts the male who has her back more than anyone else. Under normal circumstances, they're very careful to keep themselves locked down and not let anyone (the other included) know how deep their feelings run. In fact, if they hadn't been attacked and ended up stranded in the wilderness with only one another to rely on, it's HIGHLY possible they would have remained as they were into perpetuity.

Fortunately for them (although not so fortunately for those who had been with them), they WERE attacked and had some serious alone time to come to terms with all the things they'd been hiding from one another.

A queen and her bodyguard. I'm here for it!

Breach Protocol by Adrian Blue [Review]

Breach Protocol (Taken by the Stars #3) by Adrian Blue
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 15, 2026

Taken by the Stars
1. Heart of the Deep
2. Starbound
3. Breach Protocol - Kindle
4. The Queen's Shadow
5. The Captain's Claim

Adrian Blue
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Elara
I built my life around certainty. Clean data. Measurable outcomes. The kind of work that left no room for doubt. For three years, the alien in my lab was a specimen, a means to an end, and I was very good at not thinking too hard about what that end was. Then everything fell apart at once, and suddenly the only thing standing between me and a slow death is the creature I've been studying.

D'varek
I had five years to imagine what I'd do when I finally got free. I never imagined the bond. Unbreakable. Irreversible. Tying my soul to the one person in the universe I had the most reason to hate. I told myself it was only biology. That knowing her wouldn't change anything. But the longer I spend at her side, the more I wonder if it knew exactly what it was doing.

Thoughts on Breach Protocol: Conducting experiments on a comatose, non-responsive specimen is one thing. Finding out said specimen felt every cut is another. Finding that out when the station is compromised and the clock is ticking on how long Elara and her alien have to live? ROUGH.

But let's back up. After suffering a terrible loss, Elara has channeled her grief and anger into conducting the experiments she's been tasked with. It's a job and she does it to the best of her ability. Then the station fails and she can't get to her escape pod. Her only chance of getting out of the lab alive is to wake the specimen and see if he can help.

Let's just say that goes both better and worse than Elara imagined. For one, D'varek is not the primitive being she thought he was. He also agrees to help her. Mostly because he knows she's his bonded the moment he scented her and he couldn't let her die when he could do something about it. So the two make their way through a destabilizing station, realize they need to repair the escape pod before they can get away, and work together to give themselves a chance to survive.

Things are tough, but Elara and D'varek make it happen. But that's only the beginning. If they make it off the station, they need to hope someone hears their distress call. Then there's the information Elara discovered about the war and the experiments she unwittingly took part in. That information needs to get out there so her people can't keep committing atrocities. Plus, the bond between these two is flaring and it's not really something they can ignore.

No lie, I enjoy stories set in slowly decaying settings. The station is dying around them, they're hit with obstacles at every turn, and they have to figure out how to survive when everything is actively trying to stop them. *heart eyes*

Vowed to the Vulture God by Ruby Dixon [Review]

Vowed to the Vulture God (Aspect and Anchor #5) by Ruby Dixon
Format: paperback
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 17, 2026

Aspect and Anchor
0.5. The King's Spinster Bride
1. Bound to the Battle God
2. Sworn to the Shadow God
3. Wed to the Wild God
3.5. The Half-Orc's Maiden Bride
4. Servant to the Spidae
4.5. The Sea-Ogre's Eager Bride
5. Vowed to the Vulture God - Paperback | Kindle

Ruby Dixon
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The Vulture God of Aos needs a partner.

Or more accurately, a watchdog. It's my job to escort him through the phenomenon called the Anticipation. If I make sure he stays alive until the very end, the fates will save my brother's life.

Of course I say yes. Who wouldn't?

I expected Kalos to be repugnant, not an elegant, world-weary man with silvery hair and tired green eyes. I expected him to be cruel and uncaring. As we get to know each other, I find that his caustic commentary shields a soft heart that's been betrayed too many times before.

He's used to everyone hating him. He doesn't know how to handle love, or understanding. He doesn't know what to do when I don't turn away from him, and kiss him instead.

Most of all, Kalos doesn't know that I'm doomed to leave his side, no matter how this ends.

Thoughts on Vowed to the Vulture God: Another human from the regular world has been chosen to help an aspect during the Anticipation on Aos and Elsie does what she needs to do. Which makes it sound easy, but it's FAR from that. Elsie's just a regular lady trying to make ends meet in her world when she's dumped in a place she doesn't know with a god who doesn't care if he survives what's coming.

Kalos's aspect isn't the easiest one to deal with (who would be, really? Arrogance? You could just challenge him to do something by saying you didn't think he COULD do it and he'd fall all over himself to prove you wrong). Elsie has to push him into taking care of himself (not that he needs to do much since he doesn't eat or sleep, but moving out of the path of the advancing army is maybe a little important). She has to do her best to coax him into caring for those around him. Which is...well, he doesn't care. I mean, that's literally his thing. But Elsie soldiers on. Because what are the alternatives?

That said, Kalos does care. At least as much as this aspect can. He might be terrible at showing it, but Elsie gets him moving. He trusts her to lead them to wherever they're going next. He hates being forced into the mortal world during the Anticipation, but Elsie worms her way under his shields with her kindness and patience and boundless optimism and soon he's dreading leaving her. On the plus side, once he'd back in his realm they can be together. Or so he thinks. But Elsie's bargain with Fate has a different ending in store for them.

I honestly adore this world and these arrogant gods who are being forced to lean on their humans during their walk in the mortal realm. I know we've met at least one of all the aspects now, but there are still so many stories that can still play out (Seth! What is UP with that guy??). Aos is big and messy and I'd love to see where these characters take us.

Alien Awakening by Honey Phillips [Review]

Alien Awakening (Alien Wolf Tales #7) by Honey Phillips
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 15, 2026

Alien Wolf Tales
1. Big, Bad Alien
2. Alien Huntsman
3. Alien Charming
4. Cursed Alien
5. Alien Song
6. Alien's Bargain
7. Alien Awakening - Paperback | Kindle
8. Alien Tower

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
How the Aliens Were Won
1. Borgaz

Seven Brides for Seven Alien Brothers
1. Artek

Honey Phillips
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

She was meant to sleep forever.

When Ember Duvain’s ship explodes, her escape capsule locks her in stasis and crashes deep in Cresca’s mountains. She awakens in the arms of a brooding alien wolf shifter who trusts no one.

Rykan doesn’t trust easily. Betrayal drove him from his pack, and he has no patience for fragile princesses who need protecting.

But mountain life strips away illusion.

As Rykan trains Ember to survive, he realizes the sheltered heiress is far stronger than she appears. And when she uncovers proof her own family tried to steal her empire, he is determined to remain by her side.

They thought she was weak.
They were wrong.

Thoughts on Alien Awakening: We're back on Cresca with a stoic Vultor who has convinced himself he's fine on his own. He mostly is. Then an escape pod crashed in his mountains and suddenly all those suppressed protective instincts of his are roaring to the surface. To be fair, those instincts rose up mostly because the woman in the escape pod was his special someone. His fated honey-bunny. His mate.

Only, you know, he refuses to admit it at first. Because he's FINE on his own. And because he knows Ember belongs to the civilized human world, not his wild mountains.

As it turns out, that's not entirely correct. Ember thrives in the mountains. She breaks out of the shell she's been wrapped in and learns how strong she is. BUT...she has responsibilities back home. Given that the person who sabotaged her ship and attempted to take her out of the picture permanently also has the ability to destroy her father's legacy, she can't justify staying hidden away. Too many people rely on the Duvain empire for her to walk away entirely.

Rykan and Ember have to figure out how to navigate a new relationship while guarding their backs against those trying to twist the Duvain empire into something her father never intended. Ember needs to show everyone she's not weak and Rykan works on finding his place in Ember's world.

We got a few familiar faces, some set-up for the future, and two people who are willing to meet one another halfway to make things work. *thumbs up*

RtP's Week in Review (08/02/26)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review

• Longing for the Alien Lawman by Ursa Dax [Review] - Stoic alien love!!
• Cursed with Benefits by Roxie Ray [Review] - Vampire love!
• Starbound by Adrien Blue [Review] - Alien love!
• The Beast Lord's Prize by S. Alexander [Review] - Monster love!
• The Demon's Mark by S. Alexander [Review] - More monster love!
• The Orc's Prize by S. Alexander [Review] - Even MORE monster love!

Bookish Delights

• Books added to the pile
• Vexing Valmir (Ice Planet Clones #5) by Ruby Dixon
• Runaway Rockstar by Kylie Scott
• Currently reading
• Vexing Valmir by Ruby Dixon

The Orc's Prize by S. Alexander [Review]

The Orc's Prize (Monster Prison Brides #2) by S. Alexander
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 4, 2026

Monster Prison Brides
1. The Demon's Mark
2. The Orc's Prize - Kindle
3. The Vampire's Hunger
4. The Shadow's Embrace
5. The Angel's Sacrifice

S. Alexander
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

I was supposed to expose the monsters… not fall for one.

Oblivion Lock wasn’t on any map—until the Authority bagged me, dragged me underground, and threw me into a freezing cell with a seven-foot orc who could snap me in half.
Garruk should terrify me.
He does.
But he also shields me, helps me, and watches me like I’m something worth protecting… something his.

When the prison goes into chaos, we escape together—fighting guards, golems, and a Warden who wants us dead. And somewhere between dodging death and pressing up against him in narrow tunnels, I realize the truth:

I’m not afraid of the monster in chains.
I’m afraid of how safe I feel with him.

He calls me “little thorn.”
His mate.
His prize.

And I start wanting a future that shouldn’t exist for a human and an orc on the run.

I came here searching for my best friend.
Now I’m holding hands with the monster who would tear the world apart to keep me.

Freedom is close.
So is falling for him completely.

Thoughts on The Orc's Prize: We're back in the monster prison and this time around we have a lady thrown into a cell with an orc. She was trying to figure out what happened to her friend, he's been locked is this prison for ages. They meet. He knows she's the one for him. She's not onboard quite as quickly as he is, but the big guy hasn't killed her yet so HEY let's do this.

I have to say I'm a little iffy on the timeline for this one. Lily and Malek (book 1) broke out a couple weeks before (based on Tara looking for her here)? And then there was a second prison shake-up that let Garruk and Tara escape? Or did this all happen around the same time? To be fair, I'm really only here for the possessive monsters finding their special someone, so the timeline isn't completely killing the vibe for me. Still, I have questions about when this takes place in relation to book 1.

The Demon's Mark by S. Alexander [Review]

The Demon's Mark (Monster Prison Brides #1) by S. Alexander
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 4, 2026

Monster Prison Brides
1. The Demon's Mark - Kindle
2. The Orc's Prize
3. The Vampire's Hunger
4. The Shadow's Embrace
5. The Angel's Sacrifice

S. Alexander
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

I was thrown into a monster prison by mistake.
Worse—into the same cell as the demon they kept petrified for centuries.

One touch woke him.
One breath and he called me “mine.”

I should fear Malek’s claws, wings, and hellfire…
but he shields me, protects me, and looks at me like I’m his whole world.

His mark is burning on my skin.
His chains are breaking.
And escaping this place might be the only thing more dangerous than falling for him.

Thoughts on The Demon's Mark: Lily thinks she was thrown into the monster prison by mistake, but it seemed more like calculated cruelty to me. I mean, she hadn't done anything to warrant being imprisoned AND she was put in the cell with one of the most dangerous monsters. Although, to be fair, I'm going to go out on a limb and say ALL the monsters in the prison are dangerous. So maybe Malek isn't the MOST dangerous.

But the guards didn't expect her to survive the night. Which says to me, they fully put her in there with cruel intent.

Anywho. Lily and Malek. She's a nurse put in a terrible position. He's a demon kept chained and bound. He thinks she's a fever dream when he first scents her since the fates would never bless him with a mate. Not after centuries of letting him rot in this prison. But she's real. And she's brave. And she's definitely his.

On Lily's end, she's terrified, but she has the fake it 'til you make it mask down. So she puts on a brave front, helps Malek when he's injured, and start to trust the big demon with everything inside her. Soon the two are breaking out, causing a little mayhem, and doing what they need to do to survive.

A dark prison, a demon who'd let go of hope, and the human lady who wasn't about to leave anybody behind. Least of all the monster who protected her and treated her like a treasure. *thumbs up*