The Pixie in the Pickle Jar by Hailey Edwards [Review]

The Pixie in the Pickle Jar (Groom & Doom #4) by Hailey Edwards
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: April 9, 2026

Groom & Doom
1. The Vampire in the Potting Shed
2. The Goblin in the Sink Drain
3. The Mermaid in the Shot Glass
4. The Pixie in the Pickle Jar - Kindle
5. The Ghost in the Pole Barn

Hailey Edwards
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Car bombs are exploding on the streets of Brentwood, and it’s only a matter of time before someone gets caught in the blast. Add to that a rash of poisonings that leaves several Walshes incapacitated, and the clan is more vulnerable than ever. And that’s before you take into consideration that Mercer Bates now rules the Sartori pack.

There’s also the small fact Carmichael is still out there, no doubt plotting his revenge. He might no longer be an alpha, but he’s still a threat, and Ana is his number one target. To eliminate the danger he poses to her new life, she’ll have to track him down. But she’s not the only predator on the hunt, and silver or not, her claws might not be the sharpest this time.

Thoughts on The Pixie in the Pickle Jar: Ana has dealt with a lot and the end isn't quite in sight yet. Her number one issue at the moment is putting a stop to Carmichael's claim on her and cutting off the threat of her being used against the Walshes. Well, that and the car bombs and the poisonings. I mean, all those are important. But until they figure out what to do about Carmichael, Ana needs to keep the bond between them intact so she can track him.

Which is risky and dangerous all all sorts of other things that are probably making Rian's hair stand on end. But he's wise enough to realize he needs to give Ana the space to make her own choices after she'd been punched down for so long. (Still, the guy is dealing with things, you know. THINGS.)

Meanwhile, there are those car bombs. And the poisonings. And Ana beginning to fledge into her dragon-ish nature. We have some closure on a few things and a few dangling threads that are leading us to the finale. THINGS ARE HAPPENING and I'm super excited about it!

Alien's Bargain by Honey Phillips [Review]

Alien's Bargain (Alien Wolf Tales #6) by Honey Phillips
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: February 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 - Paperback | Kindle
7. Alien Awakening
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):

One lie. One bargain. One debt she can’t escape.

Jessa is the most talented weaver in her village, but when her ruthless uncle claims she can spin legendary goldthread, he traps her in a lie that could cost her everything… including her little sister.

Desperate to save her sister, Jessa flees into forbidden Vultor territory in search of the rarest plant of all. Instead she finds Tarek, a gruff, solitary alien feared by humans and shunned by his own kind.

Tarek has been alone for too long, so when a pretty little human strays into his territory, he can’t resist offering her a bargain—his help in exchange for a promise to be fulfilled later.

What begins as a reluctant deal turns into something far more dangerous, because Tarek is more than he seems. And the price he asks might be her heart. Sometimes love is the most dangerous bargain of all.

Thoughts on Alien's Awakening: Another exiled, lonely Vultor is up to find his special someone and Jessa kind of needs a lot of patience to convince Tarek to let her in. Well, her and her sister. Tarek has convinced himself he's better off alone and that he doesn't deserve companionship, but Jessa and Dani find a way to worm their way into his heart. Eventually. It really does take time and patience on Jessa's end for that to happen.

Jessa is in a tough situation. Her greedy uncle is withholding her sister's much needed medicine unless Jessa falls in line. Unfortunately, the thing he wants her to do is nearly impossible. Even if she COULD do it, it would leave her and her sister at her uncle's mercy going forward. So Jessa takes a leap of faith and heads into the mountains with Dani in the hopes they can figure things out and get more medicine before things become dire.

Tarek has been trying to convince his beast to not get attached to the little human weaver since they helped her before. But it's kind of a lost cause because he's already attached. So when he comes across her and her sister in his mountains during a brutal storm, he does what any borderline obsessed individual would do and takes the two of them to his den to ride out the storm. Soon the three of them are settling into a routine and Tarek and Jessa are making eyes at one another. Covertly, of course.

Until, you know, it's not covert.

A past that eats at an honorable Vultor, an illness that needs his special skills, and a lady who is willing to fight for the things that are important to her. GOOD STUFF!

The Mermaid in the Shot Glass by Hailey Edwards [Review]

The Mermaid in the Shot Glass (Groom & Doom #3) by Hailey Edwards
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: February 1, 2026

Groom & Doom
1. The Vampire in the Potting Shed
2. The Goblin in the Sink Drain
3. The Mermaid in the Shot Glass - Kindle
4. The Pixie in the Pickle Jar
5. The Ghost in the Pole Barn

Hailey Edwards
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The time has come for Ana to conquer her doubts about her heritage and discover her inner dragon. Her lessons begin with summoning fire on the shore at Lendman Park, placing a buffer between her fledgling powers and town. Her flames prove eager to please, leaping to her fingertips, but a sudden burst of magic topples her and Rían into the lake. A lake one of the locals swears is inhabited by a mermaid.

Too bad the mermaid lore isn’t the only story making the rounds in Brentwood. Rumor has it that Mercer Bates has challenged Carmichael Sartori for control of the Sartori pack. Ana doesn’t want to care whether Carmichael lives or dies, but our hearts don’t always listen to our heads. And that proves doubly true when someone Ana considers a new friend reveals her true loyalties in an explosive betrayal that shakes the foundation of the Walsh clan.

Thoughts on The Mermaid in the Shot Glass: Oh my goodness. Rian is trying SO HARD to rein in his protective and possessive streak when it comes to Ana because he wants her to have the choice to choose him. Not feel constrained by gratitude or guilt or any of those other pesky emotions that aren't straight up want.

To be fair, Ana does feel the want, but she was treated so terribly by Sartori and his pack that she's having a hard time accepting that the people around her want her for her. Rian liking her throws her. Heck, having Sloane as a friend she can count on throws her, so those deeper emotions she has toward Rian really have her reeling.

On top of all these feeeeelings, Ana and Rian are also dealing with potential changes to the Sartori pack leadership and betrayal from within for the Walsh clan. Oh, and Ana is finally coming into her dragon-ish abilities. Sort of. I mean, they're there. She's having a bit of a struggle controlling them, but they're proof (along with that lovely single scale) that she really is a dragon.

A couple of matchmaking family members, a explosion of power, and some answers to questions Ana was too polite to ask. Things are moving forward for this couple and I'm enjoying their journey A LOT!

Alien Song by Honey Phillips [Review]

Alien Song (Alien Wolf Tales #5) by Honey Phillips
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 24, 2026

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

A grumpy alien single dad, a fearless diver, and a bond stronger than the tide.

Ariella was born to dive. Modified to withstand Cresca’s alien oceans, she’s always been at home in the deep—until the day she saves a drowning child and meets the girl’s father, a huge, brooding Vultor warrior with eyes like molten gold. Suddenly she wants more than just her isolated waters.

Valrek has spent years alone on the sea cliffs, shunned by both humans and Vultor. He’s devoted himself to raising his daughter in solitude—until a human female crashes into their world like a storm tide, fearless, bright, and far too tempting. She challenges him. She tempts him. And she makes his beast want something he swore he’d never have. A mate.

But Ariella’s past is surfacing—and if she doesn’t choose between her future and her heart, she could lose both. Because when a Vultor warrior loves, he doesn’t let go.

Thoughts on Alien Song: We're back on Cresca with an exiled Vultor warrior and the daughter he gave up everything for. Valrek is surly and wary and he's completely devoted to his daughter. So when she ends up in the ocean and Ariella saves her, he's grateful. He and his beast side are also wildly attracted to the modified human woman who is at home in the water.

Did I mention he's wary? Because, yeah, the guy is careful. Mostly because life (and his former pack) have taught him some hard lessons. But Ariella is kind and she starts breaking through his walls. Bonus, she's as attracted to him as he is to her. She's also just as isolated as he is. The tentative friendship that blooms between them turns into a romance neither of them expected.

That said, Ariella's stuck in a terrible position. The man who financed her father's work considers the modifications done on her to be his property. Since those modifications are an intrinsic part of her, he considers her to be his. Which is gross on every level. While Ariella doesn't want to take part in anything he has planned, she feels a certain obligation to her father...you know what? It's messy and complicated. Her father might have basically sold her into slavery because he was desperate and didn't read the contract he signed as closely as he should have, but he also saved her life with the modifications. So, yeah. Complicated. Her father's actions weren't cool and Ariella definitely shouldn't have been forced into the position she was put in, but being desperate enough to do anything to save your child is also understandable.

Anywho. Let's get back to Ariella and Valrek. They're both isolated. They're both fiercely protective of Valrek's daughter. They're both wildly attracted to one another. A few steamy kisses, a little danger, and a couple of wild storms have them facing whether they're willing to fight to the end for this thing between them. *thumbs up*

To Kill a Badger by Shelly Laurenston [Review]

To Kill a Badger (The Honey Badger Chronicles #6) by Shelly Laurenston
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 5, 2026

The Honey Badger Chronicles
1. Hot and Badgered
2. In a Badger Way
3. Badger to the Bone
4. Breaking Badger
5. Born to Be Badger
6. To Kill a Badger - Paperback | Kindle

Shelly Laurenston
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Nelle Zhao is a social media maven who knows what matters. And the only thing that matters right now is survival. Not easy, though, when her honey badger teammates attract trouble the way she attracts attention. She didn’t know when it became her job to protect the ones she cares about from themselves, but even she has to admit…she’s really good at it. Too bad some people don’t appreciate when she’s being helpful. Especially Keane Malone, who doesn’t know how to accept a friendly paw. But Nelle excels at helping! And at ignoring other people’s irrational demands, such as doing it all alone. Keane, poor pretty kitty, doesn’t understand the kind of assistance a shit-starting honey badger like Nelle can truly offer . . .

Keane knows two things—he doesn’t like other people, and he is going to crush the de Medicis, an evil coalition of male lion shifters who are not only snatching innocent humans for fun and profit, but also killed his father. And for once, he may not be able to fight this fight alone, forcing him to let long-legged, jet-setting Nelle join the fight. And getting close to Nelle is suddenly bringing out his roar . . .

Thoughts on To Kill a Badger: Honey badgers, man. It doesn't matter their age, they are all a little unhinged. Nelle and her teammates might not even be the most unhinged of the bunch. That title miiiiight belong to Tracey Rutowski and her band of middle aged miscreants. That group of badgers DOES NOT know how to do anything subtly. At all.

But let's not worry about Tracey and her crew (as an aside: you should absolutely ALWAYS worry about Tracey and her crew). This is Nelle and Keane's story (mostly) and THESE TWO. Nelle is one who doesn't ask for permission. She just steps up and does what needs to be done. This ranges from keeping Charlie out of the loop when it comes to what Max is about to crash into the middle of to decorating Mads house (complete with a half-court and wine cellar) without any input from Mads. So when Tracey tells her she needs to go to overseas to get the European honey badgers to help with their current problem, Nelle...actually Nelle digs in her heels. They don't need help. Nelle and her teammates can take care of whatever is going on themselves. Except the alternative is that TRACEY goes to Europe and the lady is a walking diplomatic disaster. So Nelle digs in her heels, but ultimately takes on the task set to her for the good of everyone. Also, there's a slight possibility doing this will get her out of her sister's wedding. Which Nelle REALLY does not want to be involved with.

While Nelle is moving and shaking the world's chessboard to her liking, Keane is sort of roped into joining her. Not because he cares what happens to anyone (excluding his own family, he absolutely does NOT care), but because Nelle just sort of keeps dragging him along. As her bodyguard. Which she doesn't need. But grouchy Keane maybe doesn't find Nelle nearly as irritating as most everyone else, so he follows along. He scowls. He roars when he gets upset. He does his big cat thing and pounces before playing with his food (not that he EATS people or anything. Mostly.) to keep Nelle out of trouble.

A whole lot of familiar faces (so many! *heart eyes*), an unholy amount of barely controlled rage (honey badgers, man!), Stevie accidentally stumbling over very dangerous things, bears, baking, a tiger that doesn't like anyone (until he does!), and a honey badger who can get herself into (and out of) some dangerous situations. I'm talking about Nelle with that last part. Although, that really applies to pretty much ALL the honey badgers. GOOD TIMES!

Prey for Rabbit by Aiden Pierce [Review]

Prey for Rabbit (Holiday Horrors #3) by Aiden Pierce
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: November 20, 2025

Holiday Horrors
1. Burn for Jack
2. Bleed for Cupid
3. Prey for Rabbit - Paperback | Kindle
4. Cry for Krampus
5. Bend for Balor

Aiden Pierce
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The silver wolf thinks I’m his prey. Little does he know, he’s mine.

The rabbit shifters and the werewolves have had a truce for centuries. Our burrow sets three of our kind loose in the woods on Easter to be hunted, to be slaughtered like the prey we are.

Then, the wolves leave us alone for the rest of the year.

When I’m selected as a sacrifice for this twisted tradition, I refuse to be another victim. All it takes is an abandoned cabin in the woods, an old ax, and the unexpecting wolves thinking I’m an easy target like all the rest.

The silver wolf is the only one who doesn’t underestimate me. It’s just my luck that when I scent him… I go into heat, and his inner beast chooses me for its mate.

Too bad we want each other dead.

Thoughts on Prey for Rabbit: A rabbit who isn't about to allow herself to be sacrificed quietly and a wolf who isn't interested in the hunt until he meets one fierce rabbit. These two don't seem like a good match on paper, but Ruth wakes Carver's wolf up and he sets all her senses blazing.

Or, more importantly, he sets off her heat. Which is problematic for several reasons starting with he's a wolf and she's a rabbit and ending with her heat pheromones are going to have all the wolves able to track her far too easily. So she does what any good bunny shifter would do and tries to entice Carver to claim her.

Did I mention that she also chopped off his brother's head while escaping after being caught on the hunt? Or that her sister was the previous year's sacrifice and Carver and his brother were there when she was caught? Yeah, these two have a little baggage to deal with. Frankly, both the wolves and rabbits as a whole need to take a long, hard look at the way they've been doing things because it's pretty messed up on both ends.

Anywho. A little running, a little chasing, an axe that sees some action, a wolf who knows what he wants, and a rabbit who gives as good as she gets. GOOD TIMES!

The Goblin in the Sink Drain by Hailey Edwards [Review]

The Goblin in the Sink Drain (Groom & Doom #2) by Hailey Edwards
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: November 2, 2025

Groom & Doom
1. The Vampire in the Potting Shed
2. The Goblin in the Sink Drain - Kindle
3. The Mermaid in the Shot Glass
4. The Pixie in the Pickle Jar
5. The Ghost in the Pole Barn

Hailey Edwards
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Everything Ana Sartori knows about herself, and her father, is a lie. Or so the Walsh clan would have her believe. Their claims are convincing, the details too vivid to dismiss outright, but she can’t imagine her father as the villain of her story.

Carmichael Sartori is a lot of things. Ruthless. Merciless. Pitiless. But alphas aren’t known for being pushovers. Ana knows pack law is brutal for a reason, and her father enforces the rules with tooth and claw to protect his people. Including her.

But the more time she spends with the Walsh clan, the wider her eyes open to the possibilities of what an alpha could be, what a pack should be, and it makes her wonder if the Walshes are right about other things. The only way for Ana to be certain is to face her father. She’ll have to throw herself to the wolves and hope she makes it out alive with her answers.

Thoughts on The Goblin in the Sink Drain: Ana had her life upended when Rian and the Walsh clan moved into town and now she's trying to sort the truth from the lies over everything she's been told about her mother, her father, and what she is. Frankly, it's a lot. She doesn't quite trust the man who raised her, but she also isn't mentally ready to walk away from the only life she's known. As brutal and awful and constricting as it was.

She's also hesitant about trading one prison (her father's pack) with another (Rian's clan). Except, Rian doesn't rule his clan with fear. He's laidback and receptive to ideas that aren't his own. He's sweet and a little awkward and it's possibly his awkwardness that endears him to Ana the most. Well, that and his occasional shirtless state. To be fair, Rian also gets a little flustered when Ana shows any skin, so they have that in common.

When some of her human friends are made into unwilling pawns in this supernatural standoff, Ana can't let them suffer when she can do something about it. Since she needs to talk to the man who raised her anyway, she agrees to go back to the pack to save them while trying to get answers to some of the questions the Walsh's have raised in her.

Let's just say it doesn't go well and leave it at that.

BUT...Ana does get some of those answers. And she gets to see Rian in all his dragon-y glory. And then she gets to participate in a rescue, which gives her a chance to experience things she'd never experienced before. She also gets to make a choice on who she wants to stand with and I like where this is going!

I must say, I'm enjoying Ana and Rian and their sweet, awkward romance. I'm here to see how it plays out!

Running with the Werewolf by Laurie London [Review]

Running with the Werewolf (Darkaway Island #1) by Laurie London
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: November 15, 2025

Darkaway Island
1. Running with the Werewolf - Kindle

Laurie London
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Welcome to Darkaway Island: A destination resort for supernaturals.
Where Monsters Come to Play!

Daphne Dupree needed to get out of town after things at work got a little…complicated. The last thing she expected when she filled out a silly online quiz was winning a singles trip to paradise. Too good to be true? Probably.

Turns out, Darkaway Island is more than a little strange. People in costumes. Large dogs running around unleashed. And there’s a lot of crazy talk about monsters.

But the weirdest of all is that she seems to be part of a…dating contest.

The prize: a smoking-hot cowboy with an unhealthy fixation on the moon.

Travis Monroe wasn’t planning to stay long on the island. As the grumpy werewolf star of a supernatural soap opera, all he wants is to give his newly-inherited ranch to his sister then fly back to the set on his private plane.

Trouble is, if he isn’t mated by the White Wolf Moon, the ranch reverts to a half-brother he just met, and his sister loses everything.

Solution: Find a mate, sign over the property, break up. Falling in love isn’t in the script.

As Travis and Daphne spend time together on group dates and one-on-ones, his feelings for her grow, extending far beyond duty to his family. And she learns he’s more—much more—than just fangs and fur.

But a rival pack is stirring up trouble, and Daphne is hiding a secret of her own.

Do Travis and Daphne find love in paradise only to lose it in the end?

Thoughts on Running with the Werewolf: Daphne's found herself in a bit of a pickle. After being (grossly) propositioned by her boss, she accidentally came into possession of some paperwork that puts the company she works for in a bad spot. Then her direct supervisor had a car "accident" and now Daphne's looking for a place to lay low while the feds investigate. Winning a trip to remote Darkaway Island is perfect timing (if not the tiniest bit suspicious), but the island checks out and Daphne needs a place to hide and now she's hanging out on an island.

An island that happens to be a supernatural getaway destination. Daphne, as it turns out, wasn't aware that supernaturals were real and the trip she won was actually as a contestant on a dating reality show.

Yeah, it's complicated. Especially since the bachelor she's vying for is a wolf. Who needs to be mated in a fairly short frame of time. And he's a star on a supernatural show. Let's just say that being interrupted while trying to spend time together is A THING (sometimes it's unintentional, BUT STILL!) and both Daphne and Travis have to deal with that.

MEANWHILE, there's potential sabotage going on behind the scenes of the show, Daphne's boss is really unhappy about her turning him down (and turning the company in), and a book of dark magic seems to have formed an attachment to her. As books of dark magic sometimes do.

A little danger, a rival pack with a stake in the game, a supernatural town that welcomes a human, a wolf who isn't looking for love (but that's not going to stop anything), and a lady who had no ideas monsters were real before she ended up on an island full of them. GOOD STUFF!

Ride or Die by Hailey Edwards [Review]

Ride or Die (The Body Shop #5) by Hailey Edwards
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 20, 2025

The Body Shop
1. Fair Market Value
2. Amber Gambler
3. Midnight Auto Parts
4. Cheater Slicks
4. Ride or Die - Paperback | Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
The Beginner's Guide to Necromancy
1. How to Save an Undead Life

Black Hat Bureau
1. Black Hat, White Witch

The Potentate of Atlanta
1. Shadow of Doubt

Hailey Edwards
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Kierce sacrificed himself to save Frankie, and now it’s her turn to rescue him. Whether he wants her to or not. That means venturing into Abaddon, the land of the dead, and hoping she can locate him within its shadowed depths before Dis Pater notices his favorite toy is missing. But Dis Pater isn’t the only deity she has to fear.

Frankie’s father has learned of her journey down to his domain, and he won’t take no for an answer when he welcomes her into his home. As if one MIA parent materializing wasn’t bad enough, her mother arrives with her own emotional baggage in hand. Forget the perils of traversing the underworld. Navigating this family reunion just might be what kills her.

Thoughts on Ride or Die: Oh.My.Goodness. Kierce is in a bad place (literally) after sacrificing himself so he didn't hurt Frankie and Frankie is VERY NOT OKAY WITH THAT. The being in a bad place part. I mean, she's also not thrilled with the sacrificing because seeing the guy she has feelings for (regardless of how hard it is for her to admit to said feelings) getting hurt for her is difficult, but being a God Blood does give Kierce a measure of immunity against death so there is that.

On the downside of things, having an immunity to death also means a person can be hurt and tortured in horrible ways and not die. Which is (unfortunately) also a reality when you're the Viduus of a death god.

Anywho. Frankie doesn't care what she needs to do to get Kierce out, she's willing to do it. Well, provided her siblings are also kept safe. It turns out she's not cool with sacrifice on any level, except maybe her own. That said, Frankie also gets hit hard with a whole lot of truths she wasn't looking for. Like who her parents are. Which was really something she wasn't expecting to find out so the truth of that kind of threw her (not to mention that her dad is kinda a douchenozzle with some mad scientist aspirations and NO THANK YOU. Her mom's pretty cool, though). However, finding out her parentage also put some things into perspective. Like why her abilities are a little off center and why she has the type of bond she has with Anunit.

Let's just say this was a VERY satisfying ending. Frankie gets answers (so many answers). The bad guys get their comeuppance (so much comeuppance). The past is unveiled and feelings are admitted to. That last part might have been the hardest for Frankie. She's a lady who likes to play her cards close to the vest and finding out what she found out about herself had her questioning a lot of things that were and could be. Fortunately, her friends and family pulled her out of her head and made sure she knows she's loved. GOOD STUFF ALL AROUND!

Destined to the Lycan by Regine Abel [Review]

Destined to the Lycan (The Shadow Realms #3) by Regine Abel
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 16, 2025

The Shadow Realms
1. Destined to the Wraith
2. Destined to the Reaper
3. Destined to the Lycan - Paperback | Kindle

Regine Abel
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

She trusts him with her life.

Terminally ill, and with no possible medical or magical cure in sight, Amara turns in desperation to the Weaver. To her dismay, the solution she offers sends Amara on a mission even deadlier than the illness slowly killing her. She enlists Remus, the only Lycan guide who consents to take her on this perilous journey. Although afflicted by his own curse, Remus is strong, fearless, and the fiercest protector Amara could have hoped for. The gentle soul behind his intimidating exterior touches her deeply and gives her an even greater reason to want to live.

He would gladly die to save her.

Cursed from birth and treated as a pariah by his pack, Remus is resigned to live as a lone wolf. When Amara comes seeking aid, his joy at realizing that she’s his Twin Flame is quickly crushed. Amara is dying and the only cure is pure insanity. Against all logic, Remus pledges to save the sweet and courageous female who looks at him like a worthy male, not a feral beast to be banished.

After a lifetime of misery, Remus will fight the Gods themselves to protect the one good thing Fate has ever given him… or die trying.

Thoughts on Destined to the Lycan: The Weaver is at it again and this time she's helping someone who isn't one of her children. Which isn't to say there aren't connections to her running throughout, but neither Remus nor Amara are technically hers. BUT she is setting things in motion to help more of her children, so I can see why she agreed to send Amara on the journey she's on.

So. Amara and Remus. Amara is dying by inches, day by day and her only hope at this point is the Weaver. The Weaver (as is her MO) has an answer, but the cure is nearly as deadly as the disease and there's a very real possibility Amara won't survive what she has to do. But the Weaver is clever and soon Remus has agreed to lead Amara on her dangerous journey. Admittedly, Remus mostly stepped up because Amara is his other half and any chance (even one that doesn't look workable from the outside) is better than watching her waste away.

The thing about this journey is that it's just one thread in the bigger picture. Not just for Amara and Remus, but also for Lyall (who they meet along the way) and possibly the Demon Wolf. The Weaver is good at lining things up and putting them in motion when the time is right, so I see big things coming down the line for her sons and those who match them. (Does the Weaver have any daughters? I AM CURIOUS!)

A mysterious illness, a dangerous journey, a familiar face or two, a Lycan who's more than he seems, and a lady who is willing to go the distance when it's required. *thumbs up*

Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews [Review]

Blood Heir (Kate Daniels World #1) by Ilona Andrews
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 8, 2025

Kate Daniels World
1. Blood Heir - Paperback | Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Grey Wolf
1. Magic Stars

Iron Covenant
1. Iron and Magic

Kate Daniels
1. Magic Bites

Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years
1. Magic Tides

Roman's Chronicles
1. Sanctuary

Ilona Andrews
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Atlanta was always a dangerous city. Now, as waves of magic and technology compete for supremacy, it’s a place caught in a slow apocalypse, where monsters spawn among the crumbling skyscrapers and supernatural factions struggle for power and survival.

Eight years ago, Julie Lennart left Atlanta to find out who she was. Now she’s back with a new face, a new magic, and a new name—Aurelia Ryder—drawn by the urgent need to protect the family she left behind. An ancient power is stalking her adopted mother, Kate Daniels, an enemy unlike any other, and a string of horrifying murders is its opening gambit.

If Aurelia’s true identity is discovered, those closest to her will die. So her plan is simple: get in, solve the murders, prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled, and get out without being recognized. She expected danger, but she never anticipated that the only man she'd ever loved could threaten everything.

One small misstep could lead to disaster. But for Aurelia, facing disaster is easy; it’s relationships that are hard.

Thoughts on Blood Heir: MAN, this was a good book. Julie/Aurelia (sorry, girl, but you're still Julie in my head) has gone through a lot since she left Atlanta to find herself. Not the least of which is almost dying and acquiring a new face and abilities after facing off against a REALLY bad god/demon. Now the witch oracle is telling her she needs to take care of business back in her old stomping ground and she absolutely can't tell Kate or Curran she's around or everything she's fighting for might fall apart in the worst way.

So Julie's in Atlanta trying to solve a murder (and stop a big evil from acquiring more power) while avoiding Kate and Curran. Avoiding Kate and Curran isn't necessarily difficult, it's the other people who knew Julie in her other life who are causing issues. Seriously. Ascanio is having Julie tailed (without knowing she's Julie) and Derek, who has been in places unknown for the last several years, has popped up and is ALSO looking into the murder Julie is trying to solve. Plus there's Nick and PLENTY of others who knew Julie before and maybe won't realize Aurelia is her, but every interaction has to the potential to unmask her.

But let's get back to Julie and Derek. These two are complicated. Whatever they feel for one another is big and messy and they haven't spoken to one another since Julie left. Plus, Julie isn't the only one who's gone through some changes. Derek is bigger, faster, stronger, and might be a First. Which actually makes sense in a weird way that I can't explain, but also sets up some interesting potential for the future.

Big evil, tricksy street kids, plenty of power, lots of familiar faces, a formerly lone wolf who has found his stride, and a lady who will do whatever it takes to keep the people she cares about safe. SO GOOD.

Magic Claims by Ilona Andrews [Review]

Magic Claims (Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years #2) by Ilona Andrews
Format: paperback
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 6, 2025

Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years
1. Magic Tides
2. Magic Claims - Paperback | Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Grey Wolf
1. Magic Stars

Iron Covenant
1. Iron and Magic

Kate Daniels
1. Magic Bites

Kate Daniels World
1. Blood Heir

Roman's Chronicles
1. Sanctuary

Ilona Andrews
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Kate and Curran have just settled into their new home and their 'low profile,' when a local businessman approaches them with an offer they can’t refuse. A mysterious evil has spawned in the nearby forest and is holding a defenseless town hostage. The ‘due date’ is rapidly approaching.

It’s exactly the kind of fight the Lennarts can’t resist, not for the prize the town offers, but for the people who will surely die if they ignore it. If they succeed, they’ll be rescuing an entire community and can build a strong new base for their family and the Wilmington Pack. If they fail...well, fail is a four-letter word.

Nothing comes without a price. Now Kate must decide if she has what it takes to pay it.

Thoughts on Magic Claims: I must say that Kate and Curran trying to live normal lives is a little funny. I mean, they're both born protectors and the world they live in throws WAY too many dangerous situations at them to keep them out of the fight. And they have a kiddo who has plenty of his own strength and power and desire to help with the protecting. So, you know, in the end, they are who they are and they can't leave people to die when they could do something about it.

Which is a roundabout way of saying that they take the hard jobs. The ones everyone else thinks will end in blood and screaming. To be fair, there often is blood and screaming, it's usually just coming from their enemies. Yeah, don't cross the Lennarts. They hit hard and fast.

This time around, Kate and Curran are up against an ancient power. Kate knows a lot about ancient powers rising and all that so she's actually the perfect person for the job. And Curran's a First and he's absolutely down for big fights with terrible odds. As an aside, he might have stepped down as the Beast Lord, but he's still the guy a lot of the shifters look up to. He knows this and he knows that change is in the air in regards to the Atlanta pack.

So, big evil, lots of fighting, Kate doing her thing, and a potential new base of operations for Kate, Curran, Conlan, and any shifters who are ready for something new. THINGS are happening and I'm super excited about them!

Magic Tides by Ilona Andrews [Review]

Magic Tides (Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years #1) by Ilona Andrews
Format: paperback
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 5, 2025

Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years
1. Magic Tides - Paperback | Kindle
2. Magic Claims

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Grey Wolf
1. Magic Stars

Iron Covenant
1. Iron and Magic

Kate Daniels
1. Magic Bites

Kate Daniels World
1. Blood Heir

Roman's Chronicles
1. Sanctuary

Ilona Andrews
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Kate, Curran and their son, Conlan have left Atlanta, vowing to keep a low profile, and are settling into a new city and new house…but some things never change! Magical mayhem is about to erupt when Kate undertakes the rescue of a kidnapped youth, while Curran guards the homefront.

It should be a simple retrieval, but with monsters on land and sea, Kate’s got her work cut out for her. Still, she's never let her blade dull or her purpose falter. And that low profile? It’s about to wash away with the raging tides!

Thoughts on Magic Tides: Oh Kate. She managed to stop a rising power intent on destroying the world AND shackle her father (hopefully for good, but WHO KNOWS?) and now she and the fam are doing the regular family thing. Kinda. I mean, how regular can you be when you buy a fort on the coast and immediately start fortifying it for anything that might be gunning for you.

To be fair, things do have a tendency to go sideways when Kate steps in, so maybe excessive fortifications are a good idea. (They're probably a good idea.)

So. Kate is happily working on renovations to the new family compound when Conlan not so subtly informs her that the foreman's nephew has been kidnapped. Kate being Kate, she assures the family she'll get the kid back, straps on her sword, and heads out. Soon she's rescuing kids, meeting up with the local chapter of the Order, heading out to the vampire stronghold, possibly making alliances she's not interested in (but so it goes), and facing off against something with a whole lot of power. Oh, she also blew up a kraken accidentally. As one does.

Kate is gloriously chaotic (as always, but her chaos get the job done so everybody sort of rolls with it), Curran is making alliances of his own (that's what happens when old friends visit), Conlan is a SERIOUSLY gifted kiddo (I mean, with parents like his, gifted might be an understatement), and there's a whole lot of magic, vampiric and knightly politics, and monsters running around. In other words, it's just a regular day for Kate and crew. *thumbs up*

Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews [Review]

Iron and Magic (Iron Covenant #1) by Ilona Andrews
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 3, 2025

Iron Covenant
1. Iron and Magic - Paperback | Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Grey Wolf
1. Magic Stars

Kate Daniels
1. Magic Bites

Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years
1. Magic Tides

Kate Daniels World
1. Blood Heir

Roman's Chronicles
1. Sanctuary

Ilona Andrews
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Hugh d’Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, served only one man. Now his immortal, nearly omnipotent master has cast him aside. Hugh is a shadow of the warrior he was, but when he learns that the Iron Dogs, soldiers who would follow him anywhere, are being hunted down and murdered, he must make a choice: to fade away or to be the leader he was born to be. Hugh knows he must carve a new place for himself and his people, but they have no money, no shelter, and no food, and the necromancers are coming. Fast.

Elara Harper is a creature who should not exist. Her enemies call her Abomination; her people call her White Lady. Tasked with their protection, she's trapped between the magical heavyweights about to collide and plunge the state of Kentucky into a war that humans have no power to stop. Desperate to shield her people and their simple way of life, she would accept help from the devil himself—and Hugh d’Ambray might qualify.

Hugh needs a base, Elara needs soldiers. Both are infamous for betraying their allies, so how can they create a believable alliance to meet the challenge of their enemies?

As the prophet says: “It is better to marry than to burn.”

Hugh and Elara may do both.

Thoughts on Iron and Magic: No lie, I didn't expect to like Hugh d'Ambray when I started this book. I mean, I expected a good book that would keep me on the edge of my seat, but I didn't expect to LIKE the guy. I mean, we've seen him torture and kill and kidnap in the past and YET I WANTED HIM TO WIN. I WANTED HIM TO CRUSH HIS ENEMIES and do all the things warlords do when faced with an insurmountable task.

To be fair (and to backtrack), Hugh is a product of his upbringing. He was shaped by Roland and Voron from the time he was a child and they made him an effective killing machine. When Roland ripped his power away from Hugh it broke him a little. He went from being a nearly immortal (or actually immortal maybe) warlord to a man who has a whole lot of battle experience, but no cause. The remainder of his Iron Dogs rallied him and gave him something to focus on (their continued survival), but he still had this gaping hole inside him where Roland's magic used to be.

So he made a deal to keep his Dogs alive, as any good commander would, and he and Elara were suddenly orbiting one another. Kind of like swordsmen. Because MAN these two like to verbally spar. The thing is that Elara and her people give Hugh a purpose just the Iron Dogs couldn't. Protecting them, keeping them safe from the bad things that creep in the night starts to fill up that empty place inside him.

On Elara's end, she agreed to the marriage with about as much reluctance as Hugh. These two are NOT friendly with one another at first. Sure, they both play the part of a happy couple for outsiders, but they do it only because their alliance benefits their respective people. Until, you know, it turns into something more. Not that either of them will admit it. I mean, fighting is their love language and they do love to argue.

There is A LOT going on here in addition to Hugh and Elara glaring daggers at one another. Elara's magic is powerful and dangerous (and a closely guarded secret). Hugh is more than just a warlord who's been cast aside and he needs to figure himself out before the things that go bump in the night get to them. There are deadly creatures in the forest, a castle (and her people) to protect, and a possible old horror trying to rise.

Like I said, I didn't expect to like Hugh, but here we are. I'm absolutely ready to see what happens next.

Magic Stars by Ilona Andrews [Review]

Magic Stars (Grey Wolf #1) by Ilona Andrews
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 31, 2025

Grey Wolf
1. Magic Stars - Paperback | Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Iron Covenant
1. Iron and Magic

Kate Daniels
1. Magic Bites

Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years
1. Magic Tides

Kate Daniels World
1. Blood Heir

Roman's Chronicles
1. Sanctuary

Ilona Andrews
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Scarred, solitary Derek Gaunt has separated from his Pack, and is truly a lone wolf. With no family he answers to no one; but is fiercely loyal to a chosen few. So, when several of those close to him are murdered, he’ll stop at nothing to hunt their killer through the magic-drenched streets of Atlanta.

Never one to be left on the sidelines, equally determined—some might say stubborn—Julie Lennart-Olsen soon joins in his pursuit; and what began as revenge turns into a race to save the city. Their search pits them against powers they never imagined and magic so old, it predates history. It may cost Derek his life, but there are things for which even he would risk everything.

Thoughts on Magic Stars: Oh, man. Derek and Julie. These two have a heck of a lot their dealing with and they have no problem wading into dangerous messes when they need to.

This mess starts with a family that was murdered. Unfortunately for the killers, these people were important to Derek and Derek squeezes every drop of information out of them before he *ahem* moves on. Julie's on a case that intersects with Derek's and soon the two are hunting down the individual at the heart of this crime.

And that's where things get weird. Well, weirder. Let's just say there are bloodthirsty kinda-mermaids and a warlock who refuses to back down and magic that tries to subvert. Soon Derek and Julie are avoiding deadly pitfalls, facing off against dangerous hunters, and going toe to toe with some very old magic.

Derek and Julie. I'm all in with these two. Let's see where they go.

Small Magics by Ilona Andrews [Review]

Small Magics (Kate Daniels #0.5, 5.3, 5.9) by Ilona Andrews
Format: paperback
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 1, 2025

Kate Daniels
0.5. A Questionable Client
1. Magic Bites
2. Magic Burns
3. Magic Strikes
3.5. Magic Mourns
4. Magic Bleeds
4.5. Magic Dreams
Curran POV Collection
5. Magic Slays
5.3. Magic Tests
5.4. Magic Gifts
5.5. Gunmetal Magic
5.8. An Ill-Advised Rescue
6. Magic Rises
6.5. Magic Steals
7. Magic Breaks
8. Magic Shifts
9. Magic Binds
10. Magic Triumphs
Small Magics - Paperback | Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Grey Wolf
1. Magic Stars

Iron Covenant
1. Iron and Magic

Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years
1. Magic Tides

Kate Daniels World
1. Blood Heir

Roman's Chronicles
1. Sanctuary

Ilona Andrews
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

An irresistible compilation of five previously published stories by the New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Daniels series; including Kate’s very first meeting with Saiman, some related adventures, two unforgettable “outside” excursions, and additional material from both Curran and Jim’s point of view.

A QUESTIONABLE CLIENT
In this ‘intro’ to the Kate Daniels world, we meet the extremely ‘shifty’ Saiman for the very first time, when Kate takes on the task of serving as his bodyguard to protect him from some very determined—and dangerous—Russian wizards.

RETRIBUTION CLAUSE
Saiman’s cousin, Adam—a frost giant and also an insurance adjuster—and his enigmatic partner, Siroun, set out on an impossible mission to enforce a client’s Retribution Clause; that is, to kill the person who killed her. But is their target even guilty? Magic and mayhem and a little personal chemistry will reveal the truth!

OF SWINE AND ROSES
A young adult story about a girl, a pig, some magic, and the worst date ever. Chad Thurman is a thug, who carries brass knuckles in both pockets and lays magic traps for intruders into "his" neighborhood. The last thing Alena Kornov wants to do is to go on a date with him. But when her family pressures her, she can't say no. Now the ice-cream is absent, the pig is running for its life, and we won't even mention the dead guy...

GRACE OF SMALL MAGICS
Grace has always known she wasn’t like everyone else and that her family has magic abilities. After flying to meet the head of Clan Dreoch in order to fulfill her families’ “duties” as servants, Grace finds herself in the middle of a mage clan war…

MAGIC TESTS
A short story in the Kate Daniels universe. Kate recruits her teenage ward, Julie, to search out a missing student whose location spell has her hidden somewhere on campus…

CURRAN POV
Everybody has a point of view…especially Curran Lennart, Beast Lord of the Free People of Atlanta—and Kate Daniel’s mate. Here’s what Curran was thinking while Kate was kicking butt and taking names from Magic Bites to Magic Bleeds.

Thoughts on Small Magics: I had read A Questionable Client and Magic Tests (and parts of the Curran POV) previously and, well, I genuinely enjoy spending time in Kate's messed up world (and head). So getting to dive into a couple of stories I hadn't read? GREAT FUN!

Retribution Clause - Adam and Siroun are just trying to close the book on their most recent insurance job and nothing's what it seems. I must admit, I like these two. They're both stuffing down some feelings and they both have a lot of hidden facets and I LIKE THAT.

Of Swine and Roses - Familial guilt is a heavy burden and when Alena's family drops it on her, she agrees to go on a date with someone she really doesn't want to go out with. The date's a disaster and that's BEFORE Alena has to figure out how to corner a pig. Magic, man. It's full of surprises.

Grace of Small Magics - It's easy to fight an attraction when there's a massive power imbalance. Well, maybe it's not so easy, but it's something that has to be done. When Grace is thrust into the middle of a sanctioned clan war and the head of the clan that's held her family's servitude for years pushes all her buttons, THINGS HAPPEN. Mostly of the bloody kind, but also maybe of the potential coupledom kind. *thumbs up*

Curran POV - I've read several of these scenes previously and they're just FUN. Seriously. The ones I hadn't read before? ALSO FUN. So, lots of fun with a heaping side of watching Curran needle Kate (and vice versa). YES!

Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews [Review]

Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels #10) by Ilona Andrews
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 4, 2025

Kate Daniels
0.5. A Questionable Client
1. Magic Bites
2. Magic Burns
3. Magic Strikes
3.5. Magic Mourns
4. Magic Bleeds
4.5. Magic Dreams
Curran POV Collection
5. Magic Slays
5.3. Magic Tests
5.4. Magic Gifts
5.5. Gunmetal Magic
5.8. An Ill-Advised Rescue
6. Magic Rises
6.5. Magic Steals
7. Magic Breaks
8. Magic Shifts
9. Magic Binds
10. Magic Triumphs - Paperback | Kindle
Small Magics

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Grey Wolf
1. Magic Stars

Iron Covenant
1. Iron and Magic

Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years
1. Magic Tides

Kate Daniels World
1. Blood Heir

Roman's Chronicles
1. Sanctuary

Ilona Andrews
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Kate has come a long way from her origins as a loner taking care of paranormal problems in post-Shift Atlanta. She's made friends and enemies. She's found love and started a family with Curran Lennart, the former Beast Lord. But her magic is too strong for the power players of the world to let her be.

Kate and her father, Roland, currently have an uneasy truce, but when he starts testing her defenses again, she knows that sooner or later a confrontation is inevitable. The Witch Oracle has begun seeing visions of blood, fire, and human bones. And when a mysterious box is delivered to Kate's doorstep, a threat of war from the ancient enemy who nearly destroyed her family, she knows her time is up.

Kate Daniels sees no other choice but to combine forces with the unlikeliest of allies. She knows betrayal is inevitable. She knows she may not survive the coming battle. But she has to try.

For her child.

For Atlanta.

For the world.

Thoughts on Magic Triumphs: Kate and her father are sort of circling one another as they play the Wait and See game. Which means Kate know her father will eventually step in and try to take Atlanta from her and she has to find a way to stop him. Frankly, it seems like a tall order and all their options are not great. But Kate and Curran and their people aren't ones to give up so they keep fortifying and searching and making plans.

And then something new and terrible crosses their paths. Something bad enough that Kate is contemplating asking Roland to stand beside her as her ally. Which means things are DIRE.

As Kate attempts to unravel the mystery of what is harrowing them, Roland's cadre of assassins keep gunning for her kid. Plus, Curran is manifesting some new abilities. Kate's not going to stand for any of her family falling, so she has to deal with all those things while worrying about what's coming.

On the plus side, Kate and Hugh finally manage to meet in the middle. Well, sort of. Kate isn't happy to have Hugh near her at all and Hugh is...honestly, he's a changed man from the one he was when he was under Roland's thumb. I REALLY didn't imagine ever liking the guy, but I do. I like him.

A terrible enemy, big magic, assassins, bloodshed, family, the cutest cub imaginable, bigger magic, and Kate and Curran doing their best to make sure they all survive. MAN, this book brought the blood and battles in spades and, while I'm sorry to say goodbye to Atlanta, it was a VERY satisfactory ending.

Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews [Review]

Magic Binds (Kate Daniels #9) by Ilona Andrews
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 2, 2025

Kate Daniels
0.5. A Questionable Client
1. Magic Bites
2. Magic Burns
3. Magic Strikes
3.5. Magic Mourns
4. Magic Bleeds
4.5. Magic Dreams
Curran POV Collection
5. Magic Slays
5.3. Magic Tests
5.4. Magic Gifts
5.5. Gunmetal Magic
5.8. An Ill-Advised Rescue
6. Magic Rises
6.5. Magic Steals
7. Magic Breaks
8. Magic Shifts
9. Magic Binds - Paperback | Kindle
10. Magic Triumphs
Small Magics

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Grey Wolf
1. Magic Stars

Iron Covenant
1. Iron and Magic

Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years
1. Magic Tides

Kate Daniels World
1. Blood Heir

Roman's Chronicles
1. Sanctuary

Ilona Andrews
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Kate and the former Beast Lord Curran Lennart are finally making their relationship official. But there are some steep obstacles standing in the way of their walk to the altar.

Kate’s father, Roland, has kidnapped the demigod Saiman and is slowly bleeding him dry in a never-ending bid for power. A Witch Oracle has predicted that if Kate marries the man she loves, Atlanta will burn and she will lose him forever. And the only person Kate can ask for help is long dead.

The odds are impossible. The future is grim. But Kate Daniels has never been one to play by the rules...

Thoughts on Magic Binds: Kate doesn't do things by half measures and, well, apparently she got THAT from her father. While these two are currently tip-toeing around one another so as not to upset the status quo, they're both, like, genetically unable to not make things big and messy. Which is kind of what I like about Kate.

Anywho. Kate and Curran have set a date for their wedding. They have Roman on board to marry them. And that's about as far in the wedding planning Kate made it to. Fortunately, Roman stepped up to get the rest done (you know, like, flowers and invitations and food and dresses and all that little, piddly stuff) while Kate actively avoids thinking about it.

To be fair, she's also dealing with her father kidnapping Saimon plus the unending threat of him going off his leash and doing his wild tower building thing. So, yeah, Kate has a lot on her plate. But then, when doesn't she.

So while the witch oracle is prophesizing doom and gloom, Kate has to figure out how to circumvent all the death and destruction and keep her, Curran, and any of their future kids alive and well. It's difficult. It's dangerous. It has Kate trying to think out of the box to upset Roland's apple cart so she and all her friends and family can live happily ever after.

Kate being Kate, she hatches a plan that's kind of off the boards. And somehow she makes it all fall into place.

I AM READY TO SEE HOW THIS PLAYS OUT!