Violent Devotion (Empire of Sins #1)

Here's L Norell's "Violent Devotion." This is the first novel in the Empire of Sins series.

["Executioner. Monster. Butcher. Nothing Alexei Avrorin hasn’t been called before. Born into Russia’s oldest and deadliest mafia family, now its most ruthless enforcer, Alexei has become numb, disillusioned. When a simple job goes sideways, he meets Kelly Mackey, who unexpectedly and discreetly saves his life instead of turning him in.

Unable to forget the guarded veterinarian who showed him compassion he didn’t deserve, Alexei watches him from afar. As his obsession grows, so does his certainty that Kelly has dangerous secrets buried deep. And Alexei won’t stop until he uncovers every single one.

Despite Alexei’s sexuality being a death sentence in his world, Kelly awakens something in him that he’s spent his entire life suppressing. Their connection may be forbidden, deadly, but by the time they let down their walls, escape is no longer an option."]

I’ve been seeing this book advertised for months! I was on it the day it came out. And it did not disappoint. 

It was everything! A scary Russian enforcer who likes to cuddle his boyfriend’s bunny, who steals his boyfriend’s  belongings for his own treasure chest, and who breaks into his boyfriend’s apartment to nap. All before said boyfriend is even officially his boyfriend. 

And said boyfriend being weeeaaak for his scary Russian enforcer (who is even weaker back), wants snuggles and smiles and sweetness (and spice), nothing more. 

Perfection! 

Can I also have the next book now please? Pretty please with Russian vodka on top???

Trigger Warnings: murder, torture, gun violence, knife violence, blood, gore, domestic violence and abusive ex-partner, PTSD/trauma responses, past child abuse, stalking, obsessive behavior, drug addiction, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, homophobic language/slurs, police brutality and harassment, grief over parental death, and more.

#violentdevotion #empireofsins #empireofsinsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Alphas Never Hide (Willow Lake Supernaturals #5)

Here's "Alphas Never Hide" by Lori Ames. It's the fifth and final novel in her Willow Lake Supernaturals series. 

["The wolf who refuses to be Alpha.

Hayden Walker might be trapped in Willow Lake by guilt and duty, but he's no one's alpha. It doesn't matter how many times people call him Alpha, with a capital A like it's his name, he just isn't—just ask his last pack. They had no problem rejecting him to follow his traitorous brother, Robbie, twelve years ago.

Hayden thought he'd come to terms with what happened back then, but it turns out some things don't get easier to accept with time. After discovering his brother's latest sinister activities, Hayden can't hide from the truth anymore. He has to stop him, particularly when Ryley Bell, his fated mate, is his brother's latest victim.

Hayden can't let his brother harm anyone else. Robbie won't take anyone else from him. Not again. Never again."]

And the official tags (because they're the best): ["MM Fated Mates Paranormal Romance, a wolf who refuses to be Alpha, a faun who doesn’t put up with his mate’s nonsense, let’s pretend a kick in the face is a sign of love at first sight, the Eternal Magic is a persistent diva, the confrontation between brothers we’ve all been waiting for, Hayden has a pack whether he wants one or not, he will also get his happily-ever-after whether he wants one or not, wolves should listen to their clever mates, and, most importantly, not all fauns play flutes."]

Oh Hayden, you asked for this. Granted, it was a little bit of Mother Magic hitting you over the back of the head and getting you back in line. But it was also Mother Magic giving you Ryley so he could also hit you over the head. At least someone was able to convince you that you were the Alpha.

Ryley also made Hayden relax and smile and give himself grace and peace. He lightened his grief and lightened his life. Hayden gave Ryley his own herd/pack to call his own, a place where he was excepted and cherished for who he is. Hayden made Ryley happy and safe and loved.

This was a fabbbbulous ending to a fabulous series. Off to the spin-off (now or later..who knows).

Trigger Warnings: violence, one MC reacts violently to other MC at our fear at beginning, patricide and patricide, abduction, reference to torture, attempted fratricide, threats of murder, child abuse, injuries, car accident, trafficking of supernatural people, supernatural people in cages, and more.

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

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