Chosen by the Hunter by Lynnea Lee [Review]

Chosen by the Hunter (Xarc'n Warriors #14) by Lynnea Lee
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 21, 2026

Xarc'n Warriors
0.5. Pursued by the Hunter
1. Claimed by the Hunter
2. Wanted by the Hunter
3. Taken by the Hunter
4. Cherished by the Hunter
5. Rescued by the Hunter
6. Stolen by the Hunter
7. Captured by the Hunter
8. Protected by the Hunter
8.5. Hunter's Valentine
9. Desired by the Hunter
10. Coveted by the Hunter
11. Craved by the Hunter
12. Treasured by the Hunter
13. Fated to the Hunter
13.5. Holly and the Hunter
14. Chosen by the Hunter - Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Xarc'n Warriors: Mountains
1. Hunter's Quest

Lynnea Lee
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

I blame the moonshine. AKA, I kissed a Xarc’n warrior and I liked it.
One moment, I’m strolling home, midnight snack in hand, and the next I’m smooshed against a broad, purple chest, tongue tangled with a Xarc’n warrior. “Drunkenly Taste-test an Alien” achievement unlocked!

What follows is a flirty game of cat and mouse that makes me feel young and ready to make questionable life choices again. Ror’k wakes up a part of me I thought I buried right next to my divorce papers. Wanting the horned and fanged silver fox is easy. Trusting again? Not so much.

But New Franklin has bigger problems than my accidental alien make-out session. Supplies are disappearing, people are getting jumpy, and someone in our cozy little settlement is up to no good. We need to get to the bottom of this before the summer swarms or New Franklin’s in serious trouble.

Thoughts on Chosen by the Hunter: Oh-ho! A silver fox warrior finds his special someone and YESSS! I am here for it!

Ror'k is in a weird headspace when we first meet him. He's one of the older warriors who spent most of his time aboard one of the Xarc'n motherships after being injured. While he was overseer (which is both important and fancy!) of his ship, he sees himself as less than the warriors out there fighting the scourge since he's, you know, not fighting beside them. Just to make this a double whammy for the poor guy, his mothership was the one that was lost previously so now he's also an overseer without a ship.

Yeah, he's dealing with a few things.

BUT...then Dottie runs into him (literally) after sampling some homemade hooch and plants a big ole kiss on the big guy and now he has something besides his "failures" to occupy his mind. Yep, one sassy librarian who always seems to be one step ahead is all he can think about.

On Dottie's end, she's not looking for romance. Or so she thinks. I mean, whenever these two get close to one another they seem to find themselves kissing so there mayyyyybe there could be a little romance. For all she keeps telling herself she isn't looking for anything long term (been there, done that, she says), Ror'k makes her feel safe and seen. Yup, she likes the big guy with his rippling muscles and silvered hair and determined focus.

A little thievery, a slight case of kidnapping (adultnapping?), KITTENS!, a little danger, a warrior who doesn't see in himself what others see, and a lady who can hold her own against the sexy male who keeps chasing her. *thumbs up*

World's Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon by Olivia Dade [Review]

World's Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon (Supernatural Entanglements #2) by Oliva Dade
Format: ebook
Source: provided through NetGalley
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 26, 2026

Supernatural Entanglements
1. Zomromcom
2. World's Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon - Paperback | Kindle

Olivia Dade
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Gwen Wexloff might be able to see the future, but not when it matters. Her visions invariably involve piddling issues, which means—unlike most oracles—she’s spent her life predicting for everyday humans instead of international power brokers. After a clutch of brain-slurping zombies escapes from their walled-off compound, though, Gwen experiences the first genuinely world-altering vision of her life . . . and now she needs help.

Unfortunately, that help comes from Hugh Blacke, the same starchy (but annoyingly cute) demon who watched her bomb her oracle verification test years ago. To Gwen's dismay, the two of them will need to work together to unravel the deadly conspiracy behind the zombie breach, despite their complicated past and the secrets they’re keeping.

Even with her newfound power, she couldn't have foreseen how quickly they'd both want more than a simple partnership. But the clock is ticking—and with the fate of humanity at stake, Gwen and Hugh will have to decide how much they’re willing to risk for an unexpected, passionate love...and a future together that might prove very short indeed.

Thoughts on World's Okayest Oracle (Reluctantly) Seeks Demon: As an oracle, Gwen is one that sort of slips under everyone's radar. Her visions are mundane and don't tend to affect the greater world order (although they do tend to be greatly appreciated by the people she's oracle-izing for). That is, until she has a doozy of a vision after helping take out a massive group of zombies in the Containment Zone (which is a whole other story. Literally. It was book 1.) with her neighbors.

Let's just say this doozy of a vision could mean very bad things for a whole lot of supernaturals if she and her friends don't find a way to stop it before it comes to fruition.

So she girds her loins (kind of literally) and prepares to seek out the one demon who might be able to help them put a stop to this badness before it boils over. As it turns out, that one demon is devastatingly handsome, makes her heart go pitter-patter, and was present when she made a fool of herself at her oracle test years earlier.

As it also turns out, Hugh is morally upright (so not caught up in the twisted plot to bring down a large swath of supernaturals), genuinely kind, and has never forgotten Gwen after their brief meeting. He's also fiercely dedicated to keeping her safe no matter the cost.

Trollish shenanigans (come at me, bro!), demons, oracles, and zombies (OH MY!), complicated family dynamics, a demon who is ready to go all in, and an oracle who can do far more than she ever believed she could. GOOD TIMES!

Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe [Review]

Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 19, 2026

Purchase Links: Paperback | Kindle

Mallory Marlowe
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Hallie Barrett's life has imploded after she's dumped by her hotshot ex, who also happens to be her coworker and the star of the online series she was producing. Without a new show to present for the company competition, she’ll be out of a job. But inspiration can come from the strangest places . . . like the most handsome guy she’s ever seen passionately discussing Bigfoot on a late-night docuseries.

Hayden Hargrove made a name for himself as a cryptid expert on his hit podcast, and is intrigued by the plucky, blue-haired producer who offers him the opportunity to lead his own web show. When the production team sees that Hayden’s solo on-screen presence is bad enough to make a ghost blanch, Hallie jumps on camera too, hitting him (and his cryptids) with a healthy dose of skepticism—and enough chemistry to electrify their show to the top of the competition.

As Hayden and Hallie investigate the unknown, they unearth feelings for each other that shake their beliefs to the core. In their search for Mothman, aliens, and the truth, the most elusive discovery might just be learning to love again.

Thoughts on Love and Other Conspiracies: MAN, I like when a book turns out to be what I'm looking for before I know I'm looking for it. Hallie and Hayden had the dynamic I wanted and they SUPER worked for me. (As an aside, I'm doing my every-so-often rewatch of The X-Files so the Mulder/Scully parallels tickled my funny bone.)

So. Hallie and Hayden. Hallie is piecing her life back together after getting out of a toxic relationship. That alone is enough to drag a girl down, but she still has to work with her ex and, frankly, the entire work environment she's dealing with is rough (but it's mostly because of her ex). To be fair, after the number her ex did on her, she has a hard time standing up for herself or believing she deserves good things, so some of what she's forced to deal with is simply because she hasn't spoken up. (But also her ex is TERRIBLE and every time she starts to get back on her feet, he shows up to knock her down again.)

(Did I mention she has a terrible ex?) (Because he's awful. Terrible. An absolute waste of air.)

Hayden is the exact opposite of her ex. He's a little awkward (until he starts talking about cryptids). He's kind. He cares. He does the things that need to be done just because someone has to do them. Hallie might not believe in monsters (or aliens), but she believes in Hayden and her Scully-esque skepticism balances out his over-the-top excitement in the most perfect way.

These two were sweet with a heavy dose of steam. Hallie isn't looking to jump into a relationship and she fights feeling all the feels. Hayden has spent the last couple years dealing with his lingering grief alone and Hallie makes him feel things he wasn't expecting. They take things slow until they don't and BOY was I here for that.

RtP's Week in Review (08/09/26)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review

• Alien Awakening by Honey Phillips [Review] - Vultor love!
• Vowed to the Vulture God by Ruby Dixon [Review] - Romantasy love!
• Breach Protocol by Adrian Blue [Review] - Alien love!
• The Queen's Shadow by Adrian Blue [Review] - More alien love!
• The Captain's Claim by Adrian Blue [Review] - Even MORE alien love!
• The Vampire's Hunger by S. Alexander [Review] - Vampire prison romance!

Bookish Delights

• Books added to the pile
• None!
• Currently reading
• Alien's Stranded Mate by Emerald Cox

The Vampire's Hunger by S. Alexander [Review]

The Vampire's Hunger (Monster Prison Brides #3) by S. Alexander
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 8, 2026

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

S. Alexander
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

I was sent to study monsters.

When I broke the rules, I was locked in the dark with one.

Valentin Dragomir is ancient, starving, and dangerously controlled. He hears my heartbeat. He wants my blood. And instead of taking me, he holds himself back.

That restraint is worse than fangs.

As the prison collapses around us, survival means trusting a vampire who calls me his Bride—and facing a hunger that isn’t just his. His blood heals me. My presence steadies him. Together, we are forbidden, bound, and exactly what the Authority never intended.

They wanted a monster.

They got a choice.

And I don’t plan on walking out of this prison alone.

Thoughts on The Vampire's Hunger: I'm still a little shaky on the timeline for these books. With Elaina and Valentin finding their way out of the prison that makes three separate instances where something catastrophic happened? Or does this one take place line with Tara and Garruk's escape? I also think the Warden dies in every previous book, so...I'm not sure what's going on there. That said, I DO know he didn't die this time and there was setup for other prisons that need to be liberated.

Anywho. Valentin is starving, Elaina gets thrown in his prison with him. She knows what he is and she knows what he's capable of, but he surprises her by not going all feral on her and draining her dry. Things happen, she gets hurt (bot by him), he heals her, they escape. Kind of. More like they stepped into a trap set by the Warden so he can trigger Valentin's monster and see what he's capable of.

Honestly, the Warden has now had 3 separate couples escape from his prison. I don't think he's the mastermind he's being portrayed as. In the end, I'm here for the possessive monsters and I AM getting that, but I have questions.

The Captain's Claim by Adrian Blue [Review]

The Captain's Claim (Taken by the Stars #5) by Adrian Blue
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: March 21, 2026

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

Adrian Blue
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

When pirates board her research vessel, Dr. Orla Carter expects the worst. What she doesn't expect is their captain. Seven feet of dark scaled muscle with eyes that see straight through her. A reluctant leader carrying eight hundred Kadrin refugees and nowhere left to take them.

She doesn't expect to care. But the more she learns about who he really is, the harder it becomes to remember she's supposed to be his hostage.

Trapped on a patchwork ship full of families and a suspicious first mate who definitely hates her, Orla has a choice: remain a hostage, or become something more.

Thoughts on The Captain's Claim: When Captain Renn gives Orla the choice to either join them "voluntarily" or watch her crewmates get spaced one by one until she agrees, Orla does what any decent person would do. She goes with the captain. Except, instead of a bloodthirsty pirate ship, she finds a cobbled together sanctuary housing the last of Renn's people.

She's scared and a little angry at being forced to help, but the more she learns about Renn and his people, the more she begins to see why he did what he did. Finding out she worked for the very corporation that forced them to flee their own planet? Well, she has to come to terms with that and decide what her next move will be.

And if she starts seeing the captain in a slightly different light after learning about everything? It's understandable. He's been chased off his world and has the weight of eight hundred lives on his shoulders. He's trying his hardest to give his people a chance at living and Orla's contribution was a big piece of that.

A little subterfuge, a boatload of corporate cruelty, a captain who will go to any lengths (even if he hates himself after), and a lady who is willing to help people in need just because it's the right thing to do. *thumbs up*

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!