Cats Never Fly (Willow Lake Supernaturals #4)

Here's "Cats Never Fly" by Lori Ames. It's the fourth novel in her Willow Lake Supernaturals series. 

["Protect his nine lives. Check. Find a pretty treasure. Check. Summon a dragon. Ch-- Wait, what?

Cat shifter Simon refuses to jeopardize any of his nine lives, thank you very much. That saying “curiosity killed the cat” won’t ever apply to him. No way, no how.

Except…

When he’s out hunting for field mice one night, he finds the most wonderful whistle. It’s magical and intriguing and so very, very pretty. He knows he should return it, but what’s the worst that could happen if he blew on it first? Just once.
Months later, he finally has the courage to do just that, and when he does, the craziest thing happens. He summons a dragon, of all things.

Now what is he supposed to do? Particularly when Simon would rather keep the gorgeous dragon shifter than send him back to where he came from…"]

And the official tags (because they're the best): ["MM Fated Mates Paranormal Romance, a scaredy cat who needs to find his inner lion, a flirtatious dragon, more caged supes, gray sweatpants, shiny magical whistles do amazing things, cats don’t fly, having nine lives is the best, are ‘50s songs better than ‘80s songs?"]

Oh Simon! You go, boo! He was soooo brave and so strong. He didn't see it for the longest time, but Ogden showed him time and time again. Simon also proved it to himself, saving his mate and doing scary things.

This wasn't my most favorite in the series, but it was still excellent. And it set up at least two more books for us to devour. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, abduction, fall from a great height, one mention of suicides of unnamed characters, injuries, trafficking of supernatural people, supernatural people in cages, bad guy loses a hand, death (not of MCs), and more.

#ravensneverfall #hellhoundsneverlie #wolvesalwaysbite #oraclesalwayswin #catsneverfly #alphasneverhide #loriames #willowlakesupernaturals #willowlakesupernaturalsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Oracles Always Win (Willow Lake Supernaturals #3)

Here's "Oracles Always Win" by Lori Ames. It's the third novel in her Willow Lake Supernaturals series. 

["Jake believes he is absolutely and completely ordinary… But what if he isn’t?

Jake is absolutely, completely ordinary, even if he has a weird painting affliction. Painting is relaxing, right? It helps. It’s a form of art therapy. Even if his is the sub-conscious kind of painting. The middle-of-the-night, paint-while-you-sleep kind. The kind that makes him puke every single time it happens.

Okay. So, maybe that’s not exactly normal.

But when the sexy but imaginary guy with horns, who his weird painterly alter-ego has been fixated on for the last year, suddenly shows up in town with horns and all, Jake doesn’t know what to think. Especially when the not-so-imaginary guy claims he’s a demon and that Jake’s an oracle of all things. That’s when Jake begins to suspect his life is never going to be the same again.

After all, he mentioned the horns, right?"]

And the official tags (because they're the best): ["MM Paranormal Romance with Fated Mates! A demon in search of a home, an oracle unknowingly in need of a tether, the talking cat is a messy eater, oracles know things, oracles shouldn’t paint in public in only their underwear, the wolves in the hills are still jerks, a formerly human guy keeps asking crazy questions, who knew horns and wings could be sexy, and… just how many supernatural beings will be drawn to this one little town?"]

Two tortured souls with people watching over them, waiting for them to snap. Of course they fall in love.

These two not only brought two found families together, they united (reunited) the town, they brought more hope back into a growing-hopeless landscape, they brought love and magic into the air.

They fell in love quickly, as all the other couples did. Mother Magic didn't tease them too hard, blessed them with a HEA. This book had the same general make-up and formula as the rest of the series, but so far, nothing has felt generic or formulaic or repetitive. It's all been very unique and beautiful. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, bombing of a character's home, injuries, vomit, patricide prior to start of book, threats or murder, mention of trafficking of supernatural people (not MCs), concerns about mental health, and more.

#ravensneverfall #hellhoundsneverlie #wolvesalwaysbite #oraclesalwayswin #catsneverfly #alphasneverhide #loriames #willowlakesupernaturals #willowlakesupernaturalsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Wolves Always Bite (Willow Lake Supernaturals #2)

Here's "Wolves Always Bite" by Lori Ames. It's the second novel in her Willow Lake Supernaturals series. 

["What’s a simple human to do when he discovers supernatural beings are real?
Ask many, many, many questions and take lots of notes, of course.

Jeremy had always wanted to befriend mythical creatures, play with forbidden magic, and meet his fated mate. Okay, okay. He knew the difference between fiction and real life, he was an author after all… Or he would be if he ever got to The End on one of his stories. So, he knew his desire to live inside a fantasy romance novel was a touch unrealistic but where was the joy in living a life that was boring and predictable and overwhelmingly blah?

At least that’s what he thought until a hot AF werewolf saved him from his freaky boss and turned his whole life upside down. And his boss? She wasn’t the weird old lady he thought she was, but how could he have guessed she was a grumpy goblin with a reputation for selling black-market magical artifacts? Now, Jeremy is determined to know everything about the supernatural world and Adrian, his swoon-worthy werewolf hero, is willing to answer all his questions, even when they make the big guy blush.

But when his former goblin boss kidnaps his cat to convince Jeremy to return the items she thinks he stole, things get serious fast. Now in between plotting his next MM romance and seducing the beautiful werewolf (and not just for research purposes), he needs to stage a cat rescue. Life is definitely not boring now."]

And the official tags (because they're the best): ["Jeremy has sooo many questions, Adrian tries to answer them even when they make him blush, no cats were hurt in the writing of this book, his best friend is a lying liar who lies, his book bag is his weapon of choice, don't touch the demon's dimples, supernaturals have magical everything, small towns aren't so bad especially when they are full of supes"]

I was a fan of Jeremy from Ash's book, through their text messages. But I turned into a FAN within a couple chapters on his own book. His stream of consciousness and randomness and kindness were genuine and hilarious and beautiful. Adrian handled all of Jeremy with grace, admiration, and fondness. They were perfect for each other.

Plus a whole new band of misfits and found family for more HEAs!?!?

Trigger Warnings: violence, car accident caused by bad guys, magical bomb, trafficking of supernatural people (not MCs), abduction of pet, threats to safety of family and pets, threats of murder, violent death of parents prior to start of book, and more.

#ravensneverfall #hellhoundsneverlie #wolvesalwaysbite #oraclesalwayswin #catsneverfly #alphasneverhide #loriames #willowlakesupernaturals #willowlakesupernaturalsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

All An Act

Here's "All An Act" by Leslie McAdam.

["Lachlan Doyle’s biggest problem seems to be which girl to invite to prom. Everyone thinks the golden boy of Royce High, captain of the football team and senior class president, has a charmed life.

Everyone except me.

To me, he’s the sad-eyed boy next door. All my life, I’ve overheard what goes on at his house and wished I could save him from it. I know that underneath Lachlan’s smiling, flirty exterior is a very broken human being.

One who has to fake interest in cheerleaders and so desperately wants to escape his horrible home life that he auditions for the school play just to be out of the house in the offseason. He’d rather spend hours rehearsing with the weird drama kids than deal with his family.

Except Lachlan didn’t know when he accepted the lead role that he’d have to kiss a guy—me—in front of the entire audience. And he didn’t know that I’ve had a crush on him forever. Although he might be suspicious, given what we get up to when no one else is around.

Regardless, there’s no chance we’d ever be together for real. The only time the popular jock and the emo goth make sense as a couple is when we’re both acting like someone else."]

TO BE UPDATED SOON

#arc #advancedreadercopy #arcteammember
#allanact #lesliemcadam #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

April's Book Shape Challenge 2026

2026 Book Shape Challenges... Last year, I went with an animal-theme. This year, I'm thinking zodiac constellations (which is less--and yet more--of a challenge (we'll see how it goes)).

Here's March's Book Shape Challenge! Ares!!

#reading #readingchallenge #readingdare #bookdare #bookchallenge #alphabetchallenge #beatthebacklog #monthlythemes #monthlychallenge #bookshape #bookshapechallenges #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Ravens Never Fall (Willow Lake Supernaturals #0.5)

Here's "Ravens Never Fall" by Lori Ames. It's the prequel novel in her Willow Lake Supernaturals series. 

["Oak thought he’d finally found a place to belong, but he didn’t find home until he met Mercer…

Mercer

I’ve always wanted to leave Willow Lake, but since my parents got sick and need my help to keep our family business going, I’m stuck here. This little town might seem nice, but with several local wolf shifters around, who would love nothing more than to drive the rest of us supernatural beings out of town, it isn’t exactly a magical Mayberry.

Everything gets worse when the wolf pack alpha and his mate unexpectedly die, especially when the tragic accident may not have been an accident at all.

This should be the perfect time to convince my parents we should all leave town, right?

There is only one problem with that, and his name is Oak. The big, gentle wolf shifter saves my life when I fall from the sky and into his arms, and now I’m questioning everything I thought I wanted.

But with some members of his wolf pack out to get us, will we survive long enough to find out if we could be mates?"]

And the official tags (because they're the best): ["MM paranormal romance, fated mates, magic, Mercer loves shiny things, Oak loves Mercer, big insecure wolf shifter, small impulsive raven shifter, so much sparkle, hurt / comfort, finding home, sparkly nipple piercings, sometimes dreams change, sometimes dreams come true."]

I read the first book before I read the prequel, so many things had been spoiled already for me. But still, this book was beautiful. There was angst, but there was still also that immediate feeling of I-want-more-of-him, of-this. It was magical.

This book also set up a nice foundation for the series (as did the first novel). We saw many of the future MCs, ten-ish years before the series started and their stories started. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, magical bomb, threats of sexual violence, attempted abduction, attempted murder, patricide and matricide off-page, threat of fratricide, gunshot wounds, bullying, and more.

#ravensneverfall #hellhoundsneverlie #wolvesalwaysbite #oraclesalwayswin #catsneverfly #alphasneverhide #loriames #willowlakesupernaturals #willowlakesupernaturalsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Hellhounds Never Lie (Willow Lake Supernaturals #1)

Here's "Hellhounds Never Lie" by Lori Ames. It's the first novel in her Willow Lake Supernaturals series. 

["A mage without magic. A hellhound without a home. A greedy wolf pack in the hills.

Ash is technically a fire mage, but he can’t do much. Turning his bedroom lights on and off without having to get out of bed isn’t exactly awe inspiring, not when anyone with the right gadget could clap and do the same thing.

Worse, sometimes he senses something bigger and brighter lurking under his skin, and it feels so familiar he knows it has to be his magic, but then he burps or sneezes, and the feeling passes. So it’s probably just allergies… or gas.

Yeah… Not exactly brimming with magical oomph. Not anymore.

It sucks.

But things start to change when he finds Dillon, a hellhound, being chased through the woods by an angry wolf pack. He is instantly smitten and it’s like something inside him unlocks. What’s even crazier is Dillon seems to think Ash still has magic… and now Ash isn’t sure what to believe.

What he does know is he’ll do what needs to be done to protect his friends and the little supernatural town of Willow Lake from the dirtbag wolves in the hills. Even with his magic on the fritz he can help, right? And, with Dillon at his side, what could possibly go wrong?"]

And the official tags (because they're the best): ["a hellhound looking for a home, a fire mage without magic, a talking cat, a small town full of supernatural beings, size difference (BIG hellhound, small mage), fated mates, Ash has scars inside and out, Dillon wants to hurt people who hurt Ash, Ash is always cold (hello, big fluffy pink sweaters even in summer), and a curious human BFF who knows nothing about supes but has a very active imagination."]

YESss! This book was everything! A village of found family, everyone so different and so kind all coming together for peace and happiness, creating their own little pack in a tiny, quirky town. It was warm and welcoming from the very first page. There was also just sooo much history there, you felt it seep between the lines. 

Not to mention the instant connection between these two. They both felt it deep in their bones--that rightness, that safety, that protectiveness and possession--even if they didn't realize what it was at first. Their chemistry only grew as they grew closer together, as they got to know each other, as their broken pieces matched. 

I have a feeling I will be flipping obsessed with this town/series very, very soon.

Trigger Warnings: bullying, mention of murder, attempted murder, violence, hospitalization, gun wound, past partner abuse, past parental abandonment, and more.

#ravensneverlie #hellhoundsneverlie #wolvesalwaysbite #oraclesalwayswin #catsneverfly #alphasneverhide #loriames #willowlakesupernaturals #willowlakesupernaturalsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks