February’s Reads
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murders by Jesse Q. Sutanto
A heart warming and hilarious mystery that captivates the reader from the beginning, Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murders is pure pleasure to read. Vera Wong is a ‘lady of a certain’ age, a widow and a tea shop owner who lives a lonely life in Chinatown. When she finds a dead body clinching a thumb drive in his hand in her shop, she takes the thumb drive and then calls the police. Convinced that the police won’t figure out what happened, or that it was a murder, Vera takes the matter into her own hands. Only as she uncovers her suspects, she also begins to become attached to them and mothers them all while worrying that she will have to turn one of them in when she discovers which one killed the man in her shop.
Dark Romance/Fantasy Reads:
What Lies within Masks & Shadows by Nicolle May
Nicolle May’s debut novel, What Lies within Masks & Shadows is an exciting fantasy read with vivid descriptions, well developed FMC & MMC and equally interesting side characters taking place in the world of Elysian where ‘marked ones’ must hide their magic for fear of capture and death by their ruthless King.
The story is about a marked Fae female. Alora, as she fights to leave her betrothed, Kaine, who has turned into her abuser. Her trauma shapes her experience and is a pivotal part of her finding her strength and determination to seek her freedom. Although at first a captive, she ends up joining Garrik, the Savage Prince (a hot, new Shadow Daddy), and his Dragon Army. The Savage Prince suffers his own trauma and the story moves us through both of their struggles and growth while they fight for their beliefs and freedom.
At times the POV was a bit confusing and a few words are overused but overall, it’s well written and keeps the reader avidly turning the page to see what happens next.The supporting characters of Jade, Thoran, Aiden and Eldercar add depth, humor and variety to the story and I definitely hope to see more of them in the next book. This novel makes a great new addition to your fantasy reading list!
Tropes:
❤️ Enemies to Lovers
🐴 One Horse
🫂 Found Family
🪄Restricted Magick
🥵 Morally Grey/ Hot Shadow Daddy
🥀Strong FMC
Please do note the trigger warnings.
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
I haven’t laughed out loud so much reading a book in a long time. From the witty banter to the hilarious scenes, this dark romcom is now one of my favorites. Sloane and Rowan are serial killers - who kill serial killers. Initially loners, a friendly competition sets them up for an annual challenge to see who can get to their target first. Rivals turn to friends and finally turn to lovers. Sloane has artistic talent and Rowan is a chef as well, but you don’t end up without enemies when you stalk serial killers. With Dexter and Criminal Minds vibes, it was truly an exciting and suspense filled novel.
Tropes
🔪 Enemies to Rivals to Friends to Lovers
🔪 Found family
🔪 Touch him/her and 💀
🔪 He falls first
🔪 Forced proximity
🔪 Strong FMC
🔪 Dual POV
Note: Do read the lengthy trigger warning list, and if you’re squeamish and can’t take a twisted joke, this book is not for you.
Of Mischief and Mages by LJ Andrews
Part of a multi-author fantasy book series called The Forgotten Kingdoms, where each book can stand alone, comes this story from the land of Maginaria, the land of mages. On the night of Halloween, Adira suddenly finds herself transported from Las Vegas to what she thinks must be some form of an afterlife. As she tries to figure out what happened, she meets up with a band of thieves who take everything she has while their aggravating leader stirs deep feelings in her soul.
Alone and confused, Adira is rescued by royal guards who think she is a powerful blood mage finally returned to them and is taken to the palace. While dining with the King, a stumbling drunk prince arrives late to the meal, and Adira recognizes the prince as the same thief who robbed her.
As the kingdom and Adira struggle to recall their forgotten pasts, they have a limited amount of time to recover her blood magic and save the kingdom from a spreading degeneration threatening to destroy their entire world.
Of Mischief and Mages contains vivid world building, well developed main characters, an endearing group of supporting characters and a new, fascinating magic system. The love story of Adira and Kage is one you don’t want to miss. This was so good that I am hoping there will be more stories in the future from Maginaria. As a side note, I did not finish the first two books written by different authors in this series and probably won’t read any of the others. Each book stands alone so doesn’t impact your reading of LJ’s book.
Other Reads:
Marrow by Brynne Weaver and Trisha Wolfe
Where’s Molly by HD Carlton
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Up Next: The Last Cuentista by Donna Barbra Higuera