Teresa has two new reviews for us this week.

Under her movie/book review – where she compares a movie to the book it is based on – specifically Agatha Christie books/movies. This week is A Pocketful of Rye. A 4-4 1/2 sparkler comparison.

Then under her book reviews (Teresa’s reviews), she takes a 4 sparkler look at Boomers: The Men and Women Who Promised Freedom and Delivered Disaster by Helen Andrews Nonfiction, social history, pop culture, biographies

THE SEER by Rowan McAllister

Fiction, LGBTQ, Paranormal Romance/Fantasy

5*****

Blurb: For the past ten years, smuggling magic users safely out of Brotherhood-controlled Rassa has been the only thing keeping Dakso Kavalyan going. But with his funding cut and rumors of impending civil war, his orders from the Mage’s High Council are clear: his final mission is information gathering only. No rescuing even one more hunted soul. Daks has never been great at following orders. When he stumbles upon a Seer spouting prophecy in front of one of the hated brothers, he can’t just walk away. Ravi never asked to be rescued, nor did he ask for the Visions plaguing his life and endangering everyone he’s ever cared about. The last thing he needs is a reckless brute crashing into his carefully laid plans. Seems the gods have other ideas. As Daks and Ravi flee the city together, their reluctant alliance blooms into something more, but trials, bad luck, and Daks’s infuriating penchant for finding trouble dog their every move. Will trusting this reckless rogue with his heart and his life be the worst decision Ravi’s ever made… or the best?

Thoughts: I really enjoyed this story. Though it is part three of a series, you don’t need to have read any of the previous books to know exactly what’s going on and why. The author does an amazing job with world-building and the characters are well-done too. I’m not in love with the cover, but I didn’t select it for the cover art. The story intrigued me enough to choose it. This is a story full of magic, wizards, supernatural beings, and more. It’s a really good high fantasy story with strong romance in it. Or maybe a decent romance centered around a fantasy. Daks and Ravi start out fighting each other and end up in love while trying to get Ravi to safety. There’s also a side romance between Daks’ partner Shura and her love interest Fara. So lots of romance going on. My favorite character, though, was Horse. Yep, they named the horse, Horse. He is definitely interesting. Okay, I wasn’t all that into the sex (three heavy scenes), but the rest of the story was very well done and definitely held my interest. I can’t wait to read more in this series. I hope there’s more!

Recommendation: M/M and F/F romance with a strong high fantasy and a horse who’s more than he seems. Great world building too. All this makes for a fascinating read. Pick this one up for a good story.

Disclaimer: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

When a former mobster’s past catches up with him, will it end the quiet life he’s been struggling with, or transform it into something he couldn’t have imagined?

Sometimes Gerome Meadows longs for the excitement of the life he left behind for Witness Protection. But when he stands up to a bully in a bar to protect a homeless man, his past comes very close to home—and it’s no longer what he wants.

Tucker Wells has been living in a tent, surviving with the aid of his friend Cheryl and helping her watch over her son. When he winds up on the wrong side of an argument with some dangerous people, his already difficult life is thrown into turmoil. Gerome steps in to find them a temporary apartment, and Tucker is grateful and relieved.

Gerome never meant to open the door to trouble. His life and Tucker’s depend on keeping his past a mystery. But as his desire to protect develops into something deeper, he and Tucker will have to evaluate what family means—and hope that their growing feelings pass unimaginable tests.

BOOK LINKS:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

DreamSpinner Press