Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite

Joanna Grace presents Divine Destiny, the second book of The Divine Chronicles series. The story opens with Ryse carrying Avery away from her home as it was being consumed by flames. Avery doesn’t know what to believe after losing everything, including her best friend Frank. Ryse assures her he is taking her somewhere safe, and Avery breaks down into a catatonic state. Ryse has a dilemma, though. Somehow he has to prove to Avery that she is a Divine Grace and that his feelings for her are genuine. Avery rejects his overtures, believing she was just part of a mission for him. Avery accepts her role and learns more about the Elite team members. She also learns how to harness her aura. Hayden, Ryse’s brother, discovers Avery while an unknown threat prowls through the Palace.

Joanna Grace’s attention to minor details creates a dynamic world easy to envision. The inner turmoil Avery has with her feelings is apparent. Imagine learning that everything you thought was true had all been a cover-up, especially one so life-altering. I cannot imagine losing a friend, then landing in a place where everybody is a threat. Who could I trust after that type of tragedy? Jealousy is a full-blown characteristic manifested by Ryse, and interestingly, a basic touch could mean more than Avery intended. I thought Hayden’s humor brought light into the story, which depicted every character of the Elite team in vivid detail, making their personalities stand out in the way Avery regarded their actions. The conclusion of this book leaves the perfect opening for a sequel. The unpredictable turn of events shocked me. Readers of romantic fantasy stories will enjoy Divine Destiny as they watch Avery discover her true self.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Rhyker's Key by M.C. Solaris is a paranormal romance and book two in Orion's Order series, preceded by book one, Calypso's Heart. Solaris uses each book to home in on a particular pairing and this installment follows sexy human-jaguar shapeshifter Rhyker and the tender healer, Keena. Rhyker and Keena each have some serious baggage to their backstory and the rollout of its impact is steady, particularly where Keena is concerned. The chemistry is insane and the sexual tension can be sliced through with a tattooed claw, but Keena clings to secret past trauma despite her own nature to release it for others. Rhyker seems like the dark to Keena's light but that just isn't him. The dynamic becomes even more convoluted when, just as their romance begins to blossom, a spanner or two get thrown into the works with a force that only a gifted supernatural author can create.

First things first, I did not read Calypso's Heart but am working to rectify this tragic truth immediately, because M.C. Solaris is an up-and-coming series goliath and Rhyker's Key is proof of this. The sizzle. Holy mother of all things hot, there is incredible sizzle. I love that Rhyker is brother to the pack's alpha and I'm not sure I can think of a sexier shape-shift combo than man to jaguar. Rhyker is everything we ask for in this genre with regard to the electric male protagonist, and while Keena's extreme sensitivity might otherwise come off as tropey, Solaris nails it with a believable reason that I didn't just accept, I believed. There is what appears to be a character romance crossover from the first book but the bad boy in this bad boy reads perfectly independently and ends without the dreaded cliff-hanger. There's a segue with a new romantic power couple to come and, thankfully, we don't have to wait for it. I couldn't be happier to see that book three, Deacon's Star, is already out.

Reviewed by Miche Arendse for Readers' Favorite

In the Wake of Death by Nikki Landis follows the story of Gemma Harding, a young author who writes about a clairvoyant who helps the dead cross over. However, these are not just stories. Gemma is actually able to see the spirits of those who have passed on and considers it her mission to help those who are lost find their way to the hereafter. When a new spirit wanders into Gemma’s home, she feels compelled to help but this case might prove to be bigger than she expected. Perhaps the new handsome Lieutenant can help her get to the bottom of it all.

In the Wake of Death by Nikki Landis was right up my alley and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was so well-written with characters that just drew you in. This book is very character-driven and you see this through the in-depth look at the characters' stories and emotions. What I loved the most was Gemma’s sweet but strong personality; she knew what she wanted out of life and never compromised on this. She made for such a wonderful female lead, which only added to the romance between her and Victor. I cannot fault this story in any way. It was well thought out with just the right amount of mystery surrounding Katie’s case while still giving the reader those slow-burn romantic moments. I think this is the type of romance any person could enjoy. I highly recommend this book!

Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Bewitched by a Vampire is the sixth book in the Immortal Hearts of San Francisco series by Susan Griscom. As a human, Maggie yearned to have a child of her own but lost the opportunity to become a mother when her partner, Cian, turned her into a vampire. Although she is now immortal, Maggie's yearning to become a mother grows more and more, with her friends feeling quite helpless to bring back her beautiful smile. After receiving a new puppy from her friends in an attempt to cheer Maggie up, her best friend, Vanessa - a truly talented witch and vampire - decides to try to create a spell that will enable Maggie to fall pregnant and carry a baby to term after procreating with Cian. But in a bizarre twist of fate, the powerful spell backfires, creating a very humorous and, in some cases, heartwrenching sequence of events.

Although this is the first book I have read in the Immortal Hearts of San Francisco series, I found it a truly riveting read from beginning to end. Those who are fans of the Twilight series will very much enjoy Susan Griscom's brilliantly written paranormal tale. As a Pagan, I love how many aspects of the bizarre mating spell were entwined to ensure the health and happiness of the upcoming (and very rare) family. Almost every turn of the page gave me cause to smile or laugh or cry, and I look forward to reading more books from the series. It would not surprise me at all to see the readership numbers of this series rise, and I recommend it to all readers over the age of 15 who embrace the paranormal genre. I will be putting this book on the top shelf of my home library, where all wonderfully-written tales belong. Great job!

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Of Dreams and Angels by Jared Morrison is a paranormal romance that revolves around a man named Joe Riley and, quite literally, the woman of his dreams. Joe has made a roaring success of his life and done so before he clocks in at forty. He's single. He's got a lot of money. He's well-liked and respected by just about everyone. In the midst of all of this, Joe begins to have vivid dreams. In them, he embodies a woman named Claire in England to the point where he sees her world through her eyes. The dreams keep occurring and as they become more intense, so too does his need to find her. And find her he does. Emotionally, the chemistry is as intense as the dreams, but the weakening of one lover's physical strength takes an otherwise euphoric high to a heart-breaking low. “The universe brought me to you—sent me across a continent and an ocean to find you, when I hadn’t even been looking.”

Jared Morrison tackles a lot of issues in Of Dreams and Angels. Love, money, travel, children, marriage and divorce, independence and independence lost, health, careers...you name it and it's in there. In the interests of full disclosure, it needs to be said that I was drawn to this book because I am British, my wife is American, and while I did not dream her up, we met a bit later in life and our personal situations closely resemble Joe and Claire's. Like them, there was a fated feel to everything and as someone who has experienced this type of love, I can comfortably say that Morrison does an incredible job in making it feel authentic. The writing is intelligent, even if it sometimes leans toward being slightly loquacious, but the story itself is beautiful. The imagery is striking and the elements that drive the pair together are probably among the best I've read. It really does yank on the heartstrings so a good supply of tissues will be necessary, but if you're looking for a true love story, this is the one. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Lakota Honor by Kat Flannery is the story of Nora, a young 19-year-old living in Willow Creek, Colorado. Otakatay is a half-Sioux and half-white man who has become a bounty hunter, hating white people for their treatment of him because of many factors. Willow Creek has a prejudiced group of townspeople against Nora and Otakatay for very different reasons. Nora’s father has tried to keep her locked in the house, away from people so that they did not find out she has the mark of a healer. An unidentified townsperson hires Otakatay to kill all of the witkowin – crazy witch women - who have the mark. When he first meets Nora, the two form a strange bond that will cause sadness, heartache, violence, love, and friendship. Elwood is the wealthy mine owner wanting to marry Nora against her wishes but trying to win her over with whatever it takes. If you want to put all of these pieces together, you must read Lakota Honor yourself.

Lakota Honor by Kat Flannery is a great book with lots of up and down emotional turmoil. I was hooked, spending my afternoon reading Lakota Honor as I found it impossible to put down. The characters popped off the pages, and the plot never left me wanting. Kat Flannery painted a perfect word picture of the Old West; their feelings about the Native Americans, witchcraft, healing, friendship, and love. Lakota Honor is an excellent book, and it has all the ingredients for a made-for-TV hit movie. Kat Flannery has found her way onto my favorite author list, and I can’t wait for her next book. Read Lakota Honor, and you will not be disappointed.

Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite

Calypso “Caly” Smith is an introverted paralegal who has been having extremely vivid dreams. On her way to work, she literally runs into Nick by rear-ending his car. After a few days, Nick persuades Caly to go on a date. Meanwhile, The Order has been trying to track down The Ghost. Blake, a wolf shifter and leader of a group of alpha males, has begun to experience dreams that seem to be telling him a message. Caly goes on several dates with Nick but doesn’t feel any chemistry with him. Her dreams have changed dramatically as the man in her dreams repeatedly says, “Tell the male with the cold dark eyes Blake Orion’s Order.” One evening, she suddenly awakens to see an intruder in her apartment. The man with cold dark eyes appears in front of her. Caly tells him the message, then her world goes dark. Upon waking up, Caly sees the man in her dream. Blake inquires why she called him, and Caly soon learns there is more to the world than what she was led to believe. Calypso’s Heart by M.C. Solaris is a fantasy set in the world of shifters.

The points of view in Calypso’s Heart split between Caly and Blake. The emotional turmoil that Caly has is completely rational, and I would feel the same way if I was apparently abducted from my home. Waking up to a world where the people are more than just human would be a shock to anyone. The plot is extremely deep yet M.C. Solaris did an exceptional job of setting the scenes in vivid detail. The characters all have distinctive personalities that add a feeling of realism to the story. I enjoyed the witty games that the twins, Rhyland and Rhyker, would play on the overly serious vampire Nico. My favorite description of one scene was, “It was like a pink Care Bear threw up in his room.”

This fantasy story has several pages dedicated to Blake and Caly’s attraction to one another which, while physically descriptive, showed the intensity of emotional need. Every aspect of the characters, scenery, and action scenes can easily be pictured in my mind. The ending contains a letter from Caly ensuring The Orion’s Order Series will continue with its character-centered focus. I recommend this exceptional novel to readers that enjoy paranormal romances starring shifter main characters. I look forward to Rhyker’s Key: Book 2 of the series.

Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite

Within Ghostly Interference lies a powerful action-packed story of two vastly different worlds that collide, literally. It opens with Jag Peters driving his car with his mind on work and almost knocking Rena Jett off her motorbike. Jag comes from a comfortable, privileged background, and his driving force is to protect his karma. Rena is fiercely independent. Her only companions – nobody is her friend – are bikers. Rena herself rides a candy apple red Harley. Does she mean to be noticed? How could a girl who scrapes a living working in a diner afford a Harley? What are the secrets of her past? With the paranormal angle, Jan Sikes has taken Ghostly Interference: Book 1 of the White Rune Series a step beyond interesting to utterly captivating.

Jag Peters is the only son of a wealthy family. He is close to his widowed mother, a yoga teacher, and she is the one who takes him seriously when he describes his encounter with a gun-toting soldier in full combat camouflage gear. Jag does not believe in ghosts, but this one has unfinished business, and he’s determined to recruit Jag. Rena Jett, alone since her brother, Sam, was killed in Afghanistan, trusts nobody. She wears Sam’s dog tags and, eventually, a soldier friend brings her Sam’s last letter, and the envelope contains a stone. “The symbol on this white rune is called Wunjo and is the "happily-ever-after" symbol.” Is a happy ending possible for two people poles apart? Ghostly Interference by Jan Sikes holds the answer, but from start to finish it’s an electrifying ride.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

A Cat for Troy by Allie McCormack is book three of the Wishes & Dreams Series. Troy Shelton is a respected veterinarian, and when he is asked to take care of a cat after a dog attack, he doesn’t hesitate. But this is no ordinary cat. This beautiful Maine Coon calico is a shapeshifter called Katerina. Injured in the attack, Cat is unable to change back into human form until she heals, but she loves the way Troy cares for her. When she does change back, she finds herself thrust into the middle of a race against time. A race to stop someone else from taking Troy and hurting him. A rogue is stalking Cat, a rogue who already tried to kill her and her sister. Can Cat and her friends save Troy? What will happen when Troy finds out who – or what - Cat really is?

A Cat for Troy is a wonderful slow-burning paranormal romance! Allie McCormack has penned a thrilling, action-packed story that moves along at a decent pace. Although this is part of a series, I had no trouble reading it as a standalone. However, I believe the other books tell the stories of other characters in this book so it is recommended to read them all to get the full picture. This is more than just a paranormal romance; it's about two people who find each other against the odds, against everything life throws at them. This is a very different take on shifters, as most shifter stories focus on mating and bonding right from the start. It is a clean story with a nice storyline and some likable, well-developed characters you will relate to instantly. Get ready to lose yourself in a magical world you’ll be sorry to leave – and try to stop yourself from looking at your family cat in a completely different way!

Reviewed by Maureen Dangarembizi for Readers' Favorite

Haunted Wolf is the first book in Nikki Landis’s Cedar Creek Shifters series. Cole Baxter left his pack when his fiancee was killed by an enemy bear shifter. He was supposed to protect her and he had failed. He never thought he would go back until he finds his brother on his doorstep. Briar, his former fiancee’s baby sister, is in danger. Someone has been sending her death threats. The killer has already murdered someone and it’s only a matter of time before he gets to Briar. But Cole is not about to let that happen. At first, it's because he owes Briar a debt he can never repay, and then later Cole realizes that what he feels may be more than brotherly affection. Briar has always been attracted to Cole even before her sister passed. When he left, it almost destroyed her. He belonged to her sister before but this time they might just have a chance at love.

I enjoy romance mixed in with a real story that involves a believable plot plus secondary characters and Haunted Wolf delivers. The romance between Cole and Briar was complicated in the past. It would have been awkward crushing on your sister’s sweetheart. Nikki Landis focused on the present but didn’t sideline Renleigh as unimportant. It was sexy without being tacky. It could have been seriously weird but the writer handles the relationship well. Having shared that kind of love and loss, I really wanted the pair to find happiness. I look forward to more stories as there are still a few unattached hunky wolf shifters who need mates. The world Nikki Landis has created has a lot of promise for more thrills with enemy shifters and hunters.