Claiming His Fate Mate (Wolves of Crescent Springs #1)

"Claiming His Fate Mate" is the first book in Jay Castle's Wolves of Crescent Springs series, which is a Blood Bonded Mates spin-off.

["A reluctant alpha. A fearless human detective. And a mate bond neither man can escape.

Reed
Protecting Crescent Springs from the horrors that lurk in the shadows is a duty I never asked for and didn’t want. It leaves no room for error. And zero room for a mate. Especially not a human.
Harris is fragile. Breakable. He’s a risk I can’t afford. But the moment our eyes meet, the bond snaps into place. And the mate dreams begin. My wolf already knows the truth. Harris is mine.
But if I let him into my world, the monsters circling this town will tear him apart. I’m the Alpha. But I’m not sure I’m strong enough to keep him alive.

Harris
For months, I’ve been haunted. Every night, I’m pulled into dreams of a small mountain town where Reed waits for me in the dark. I wake up exhausted, obsessed, and terrified that I’m losing my mind.
Then I discover that these dreams mean Reed is my destiny. And he’s known it all along.
Reed says his world is too dangerous. But if the wolf thinks I’m going to run, he’s dead wrong. He might be the Alpha, but what he doesn’t know is that I won't stop until he's mine."]

When this first came out, I was heavy in a very confusing mood-reading mood (still sorta am), but I’m trying to get sooommme of my TBR backlog cleared. 

These two were a hot mess. They were a cute hot mess though. They struggled with a lot individually, but together, they were stronger. They helped heal each other's past traumas, they helped build each other's confidence, they helped dream each other's future. Even if there were...several things holding back their HEA. 

I canNOT wait for the next one! And silly me missed the ARC sign-up opportunity, so here's to waiting until the official debut date. 

Trigger Warnings: supernatural violence, on-page temporary death of a MC, depictions of SC depression and suicidal ideation, active-shooter flashback, temporary loss of bodily autonomy due to supernatural threat, grief and survivor's guilt, and more. 

#claiminghisfatedmate  #wolvesofcrescentsprings #wolvesofcrescentspringsseries #jaycastle #bloodbondedmates #bloodbondedmatesseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Apricity (Mafia Babes #3)

Here's "Apricity" by Paulina Ian-Kane. This is the third novel her Mafia Babes series.

["My vendetta comes first.

My only goal in life is to decimate the Enzino Family.
Kidnapping the spoiled mafia prince before his wedding wasn’t what I had in mind. But needs must when the devil drives—I just didn’t know I’d be babysitting his minion.

Art Enzino.
Tiny, feisty, snarky, and completely insane. He walks around wearing skimpy skirts and delicate body chains while shaking his lace-clad butt. I might kill him sooner than planned; to hell with my boss’s schemes. After all, a punishment from him would be less agonizing than spending another moment dodging Art’s flirtatious advances.

I don’t know what his game is, but I won’t bite. I may be Bi, but I don’t share my bed with trash—even if he’s disguised himself as a sexy, elvish-looking twink who smells like sunshine and apples.

Art is still the enemy—son of the man who destroyed my family and brother of the monster who scarred my face and took everything from me.

I’ve waited years to savor my revenge, and now the time has finally come.
I’ll do whatever it takes to return peace to my parents, and no one will stop me. Especially not an overly promiscuous, brainless mafia prince who only cares about indulging and partying."]

I waited for ages and ages for this one, counting down the days until it came out. Then I couldn't read it. I'm not sure if it was the length (worth it) or the angst (worth it) or the triggers (worth it), but I put it off.

This book was sooo good (I still think I like Fly's the best). The hate-hate-hate that somehow, someway, when no one was looking (except Marco and Seb), it turned into hate-love. How many couples do their big grand feelings declarations by saying "I hate-love you"? These two. (While surrounded by blood and dead bodies? Everyone in this series (seriously)). Mafia romances, man.

I canNOT wait for Seb's story. The guy who's going to be Seb's HEA is going to be Fly + Art on crack, but somehow sweet. 

Trigger Warnings: on-page disfigured young man dead body, graphic violence, murder, torture with very gory details, torture of a MC, knife cutting/use, gun use, reference to past torture, obsessed brother/twisted relationship, descriptions of past and present abuse, description of injuries past and present, on-page assault of MC, attempted kidnapping, and more.

#petrichor #pragma #apricity #mafiababes #mafiababesseries #paulinaiankane #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Beast (Legends)

Here's Denver Shaw's "Beast." It's a novel in the multi-author series, Legends ("where National Parks hold secrets—and monsters steal hearts").

["A grumpy cryptid falls for his sunshine human.

I didn’t come to Wisconsin looking for a legend. I came to get out. Out of staged smiles. Out of corporate campaigns. Out of photographing happiness that felt manufactured.

I was supposed to spend two months in the woods. No clients, no deadlines, just open sky, real silence, and nothing that needed editing.

What I find instead… is Calder.

Seven feet of muscle and shadow and ancient forest stillness.

He doesn’t trust humans, but I don’t scare easily. And the more time I spend with him, the harder it is to ignore the way he looks at me. The way his body reacts when I get too close. The way mine answers.

But the forest isn’t as empty as it looks. There’s something else out there. Calder won’t name it—only follows its movement, and keeps himself between me and whatever’s slinking through the trees.

And I’m starting to understand that whatever he’s been guarding me from isn’t the only danger in these woods.

I should leave… but I don’t. Because knowing that doesn’t change anything.

I still want him.

And the worst part?

He wants me too."]

I love how the first book ("Bootylicious") had Elias and the last book ("Beast") has Milo, and they're both brothers finding love off-the-grid with their misunderstood (and incredibly lonely) cryptids. 

This was a slow burn, but the burn was soooo worth it. Watching them start trusting each other, trusting themselves, trusting their feelings. It was worth the wait, all of the soft looks and "only you"s along the way. Their story was achingly sweet. They discovered each other's world's together while slowly (and not so slowly) falling in love. 

Trigger Warnings: danger, violence, non-graphic injuries, themes of isolation, and more.

#beast #denvershaw #bootilious #blade #starlight #maneater #glow #legends #legendsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks 

Goodbye, August!

August was...a rollercoaster. And I'm telling myself it's all for the best. 

2026 Resolutions:

     (1) Don't stop reading
            (b) Complete Monthly Reading Challenge(s)
     (2) Make memories
     (3) Share love of books/reading
     (4) Be kinder to myself

(1) Book's Read This Month: 48 (a lot of novellas) (though, I might squeeze one more in before midnight).

    (b) Monthly Reading Challenge(s): Shape = Leo. Got some A-Z stuff recorded. Some ARCs. Got a lot of Beat The Backlog done.

(2) August Memories: Dinner with my best friend, then dinner with both of my best friends. Sooo much work (10-14 hours worth of work in 7-8 hours--for two+ weeks). Visited my sister, dog-sat for my sister, and helped my sister prep for a cross-country move (yes, another one). Then my job and I...broke up; it was sudden and it sucked and it wasn't my choice and I was angry and soo upset. So here's to trying to find some new passion.

(3) Posts this month (including this one): 45.

(4) My depression this month really got a go. I was a little low at the beginning of the month, but the end of the month was really bad. I struggled with sadness and fatigue and body aches. It lasted (the really bad parts) for at least a week; it's gotten a little better. But the existential crisis is back. As is the pure hatred of capitalist societies, especially the state of our society. I wasn't eating, then I wasn't eating well. The future is unknown and that's terrifying, but I'm trying to take it a day at a time. I keep telling myself that all of the change recently is a blessing in disguise. 

Anyone still holding onto their resolutions?

Any exciting September reads? Any existing 2026 reads?
Anything I should check out?

#newyearsresolutions #goodbyeaugust #helloseptember #hello2026 #dontstopreading #makememories #shareloveofbooks #shareloveofreading #bekindertomyself #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Glow (Legends)

Here's Morgan Brice's "Glow." It's a novel in the multi-author series, Legends ("where National Parks hold secrets—and monsters steal hearts").

["Let your light shine.

When Dan, the Dover Demon, is pursued by bounty hunters, he seeks sanctuary in Fox Hollow in the Adirondack Forest. An attractive park ranger becomes his protector, and sparks fly between them. But the bounty hunter hasn't given up, and an even more dangerous threat has emerged from the deepest caverns, one that will take all the magic and courage they can muster."]

I reeeaaally liked that Dan's daemon other half (Wally) was his own person. He had thoughts and feelings separate to Dan's. It was cute and unique. 

As were these two. Instant connection, barely any relationship angst, complimenting paranormal "powers." They were both protective of each other without being over the top or over baring. They communicated with each other constantly and honestly. If it weren't for the bounty hunters (or the "dragon"), they would have had suuuch an each story. Then again, easy doesn't have stakes, and no stakes equals no plot.

Fox Hollow in general was really interesting! I would not say no to reading more of the universe. All of the different shifts, the found family, the safe-haven. 

Trigger Warnings: stalking/hunting, violence, virtual/one-line bullying, and more. 

#glow #morganbrice #bootilious #blade #starlight #maneater #beast #legends #legendsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks 

Maneater (Legends)

Here's MM Wilde's "Maneater." It's a novel in the multi-author series, Legends ("where National Parks hold secrets—and monsters steal hearts").

["Darien
As much fun as it is making two dollars above minimum wage, I’ve always dreamed of a career as an herbalist. Now that I’ve broken up with my girlfriend, it seems like the perfect time to trade the go-go-go culture of LA for the peace of the great outdoors. But once I arrive in the Ozarks, communing with nature takes on a whole new meaning.

Rex
It’s spring once again, and the Monster Network chat is alive with preparations for our yearly summer solstice bash. Sure, it’s great seeing all my buddies—except they’ll have someone by their side and I’ll be traveling solo. Romance is overrated, right? At least I have all my adorable forest friends to keep me company.
I’ve never considered getting involved with a human, because seriously, how many of them have ‘ISO a giant hairy bear with horns’ on their dating profile? However, when Darien’s life is threatened, I have no choice but to reveal my true form and out myself as an Ozark Howler.
Is it possible that a human is my forever guy after all?"]

This book was entirely too sweet. There were a few minor angsty parts (if you can call that angst), but it was basically love at first sight...with a few bumps in the trail. They both wanted the same things in life: nature, quite, protection for flora and fauna. They were both a little (or not so little) lonely and dreamed of something more. Fate (and a mountain lion) stepped in and gave them everything HEA and more.

#maneater #mmwilde #bootilious #blade #starlight #glow #beast #legends #legendsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks 

Starlight (Legends)

Here's TJ Nichols's "Starlight." It's a novel in the multi-author series, Legends ("where National Parks hold secrets—and monsters steal hearts").

["A little stalking never hurt anyone…

Or at least that’s what Akai told himself every time he checked on the human building the cabin deep in the woods. Before that, the man had camped there alone. Akai wants to believe that he’s only making sure the human doesn’t injure himself and die alone the same way his sister did. But it’s more than that, even though he doesn’t know what to do about it. Monsters aren’t supposed to reveal themselves to humans, and he’d already done that once before and narrowly avoided trouble.

For months, Cole Denny has felt like he’s being watched. Sometimes, he’ll find things near his cabin that shouldn’t be there. Yet he’s never seen evidence of another person.

Until one night, under a meteor shower, he sees something in the shadows. At first, it looks like a man. Then a wolf. Then something else entirely. Cole is always armed at the cabin, but he doesn’t want to hurt it, so he fires two warning shots into the air.

Wolves should not grow wings.

Now the creature lies at his feet—bleeding and broken--and Cole is dragged back to the worst night of his life when he lay dying on the road with the same red eyes staring down at him."]

Whelp, talk about a meet-ugly. Times two. Some (Cole) would call that bad luck. Some (Akai's sister--therefore, eventually, him) would think their fates are intertwined. 

The tropes list Akai as an "overly dramatic mothman." Which...fits. But it meshed well with Cole's search for something new, something exciting. Akai helped Cole escape. Cole helped ground Akai. They helped each other escape that growing chasm of lonliness. 

Trigger Warnings: on-page car accident, on-page allusions to death/murder of not-so-loved family members, past death/murder of a loved one, gun injury, and more.

#starlight #tjnichols #bootilious #blade #maneater #glow #beast #legends #legendsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks