Title: Fowl Play
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #9
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2018

I love that Blain completely agrees with me – swans are arseholes. I still remember the time when I was young and I had one try and attack me… for feeding it! But that’s beside the point, childhood traumas aside, as an adult I can totally respect their aggression and arsehole tendencies. The fact that this is literally pointed out multiple times throughout this story just made it all that much better. I mean, it’s one thing to have subtle characterisation of this – but to outright state it? Brilliant.

Emma has definitely got the most bizarre parental combination so far in this series – she is the child of a swan, an angel and a demon. And you can see how the combination of the three, and their non-traditional parenting techniques combine. It leads to a lot of humour and shenanigans throughout this story. Moments that frequently had me giggling out loud if I’m being honest. Even writing this review a few days after I turned that final page, I’m smirking a little…

Kenneth’s desire to win over Emma is kind of cute. Particularly when you realise how long he’s had these slightly stalkerish tendencies. Alright, stalkerish tendencies aren’t always good, but this manages to just flirt the line with creepy. He is such an adorable little smitten kitten. One that I really enjoyed getting to know. The fact that their Meet Cute was him arresting her just had me laughing all that much more.

Although my main takeaway from this story was all positive and happy, there was obviously still a bit of mayhem and death. I mean, that’s kind of what this series is all about. The fact that it was a serial killer that did most of the killing? Not quite what I had anticipated. Particularly when you find out just who the damn serial killer is. And what their motivations are… way more twisted than I anticipated.

Image source: Booktopia

Title: No Kitten Around
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #8
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

This was a great and beautiful second chance romance. One that had complications that not many people could overcome. But both Reed and Kennedy rise to the challenge beautifully and carve out their new happily ever after. Actually, I kind of like all of the ways that they grow and obviously change with their time apart. It just made me adore them all that much more. Plus, I just like second chance romances in general. True love and all of that nonsense.

Reed’s history and journey to the beginning of the story is kind of sad. I mean, he does the right thing, but is completely ostracised from and by everyone that he loves. Definitely not a great backstory. But I do love, that although he’s so obviously not happy, he also doesn’t really have any regrets. He acknowledges that he wishes for different things in his future, but he doesn’t regret trying to protect others. It made me fall in love with him pretty dang early on in the story to be honest.

Kennedy is a great balance to Reed. Where he is very calm and accepting, Kennedy is a bit of a spitfire. I love how feisty she is, particularly in the scenes when she realises just who is training both of them in sword fighting. She’s also incredibly, and hilariously dramatic. I also loved that this feistiness and strength actually came after her and Reed originally split up. She really shows that she was able to grow into herself once she realised her mistakes and was untethered.

As much as I love Reed and Kennedy, I must admit that I am also in love with their pets. I mean, they call them Kitten and Puppy. And they are some weird kind of magical beings that protect the world. Or at least, that’s what I got out of the story… I may have gotten a little confused as there is so much going on at the end of this story. Regardless, any story that so heavily features pets is going to be a good tick in my book.

For all of that, I still think that one of my favourite aspects of this book was the elf instructor. We’re a little bit introduced to the dangers of elves in Last But Not Leashed. But, it isn’t until this novel that you truly appreciate how dangerous, and psychotic they are. Which, me being me, I thought was fantastic and want more of. I mean, psychotic elves that want to kill people are great… but the fact that she also has a penchant for eating those that annoy her… brilliant.

Image source: Goodreads

Title: Last But Not Leashed
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #7
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2018

I enjoyed everything about this novella. But I particularly liked the whole saga of Dale’s colouring. I mean, he literally won’t shift because of his colouring. And, if I was some kind of psychedelic wolf… I don’t know what I’d do. But all I could think while reading this was PRETTY.

Dale is a really sweet and wonderful lead male. I also love how he is so content in himself, that he has no issue being a Beta. There are no dominance fights, challenges or such. Rather, he just continues on his own merry way and continues to be happy with who and what he is. Having said that, as with many stories I read and enjoy – Dale might be Beta, but he definitely has his own strength and power. Plus, the stubbornness is WAY too relatable for me.

This novella features a whole lot more action to the inner workings of the CDC. I mean, I’m normally a bit “eh” about the idea of government agencies in stories. Particularly those that feature a whole lot of off-kilter and unique characters. But, I love the way the CDC seems to be run throughout this. In fact, I actually want a whole lot more of this organisation in my reading!

Dale’s mate is someone that I really enjoyed from the first moment. She is tough as nails and kind of scary. It’s also obvious that she has feelings for Dale, but is happy to leave them on the back burner until he is comfortable. Yet, my favourite part of her (and, indeed, this whole story) is the idea that she is part elf. And, somehow, in this series, part elf just means that she is pretty trigger happy on the whole kill everyone and leave no witnesses aspect of her personality. Very funny, very enjoyable, and being pregnant at the time of reading this, the kill everything is scary relatable…

Image source: Amazon

Title: Owl Be Yours
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #6
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2018

I love that this paranormal romance is about owl shapeshifters. I have a lot of shapeshifter romances on my shelves, and a lot of different animals. But, I think this might be the first one that is about owl shifters. Which, of course, I kind of loved. Avian shifters are something that I definitely want more of in my life. What I didn’t love about this is the fact that it was only a novella, not a full length novel. I wanted more of Daniel and Emily!

This was one of those stories that focused kind of heavily on the past – after all, Daniel and Emily have a pretty interesting past together. And it is the actions and activities of the past that really inform their future together. I mean, it’s really sweet that Daniel has been in love with her since high school and was trying to figure out a way to woo her when she was attacked. The fact that Daniel’s regard is what put her on Billy’s radar for an attack… not so good.

Daniel and Emily’s wedding plans were absolutely hilarious and brilliant. I frequently laughed out loud at them. I mean, at the start of this novella, Emily seems kind of innocent and like someone who just wants to stay below the radar… and then she gets her confidence up. The idea of a “wedding” crowbar meant to beat someone to a bloody pulp will be stuck in my mind forever.

Even though the start of Miranda’s happily ever after occurs in this novella, I do love the idea of a bit more about her. She, after all, is just as blood thirsty. But, being a lawyer, is incredibly good at figuring out the loopholes to be as blood thirsty as she wants. A brilliant story with a fantastic ending.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Whatever for Hire
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Whatever for Hire is definitely an unfortunate name for a business – it sounds a little porny to be totally honest. Luckily, the lead in this feels the same – Kanika constantly regrets her choice of business name. But it does work. And, honestly, it also suits her actual business. And Kanika’s powers of shapeshifting – I feel like there’s a whole lot more to her powers than are alluded to in this. And I look forward to finding out more about them in later books (hopefully).

The presence of Satan throughout this story constantly had me laughing out loud. And smiling. And, just in general, seriously enjoying this tale. The romance is good, the unveiling of the different secrets and traps in the bargains are also all good. But honestly, the way that Satan is constantly getting involved in nonsense and making me laugh? That was probably the best part of this whole story. I mean, how could the fact that the devil is running free and just messing with Kanika not be one of my favourite things I’ve read in a while?

I spent a lot of this story trying to guess just who and what Malcolm is – I mean, it’s obvious that he’s a power. And that he’s a scary power. But I wasn’t entirely sure what kind of power he was. In fact, I didn’t actually guess what he was at all. The great reveal at the end of this novel was kind of a surprise. Plus, I felt like there is a whole lot more to his curse than was revealed in this novel. I’m feeling really hopeful that there is another story featuring Kanika and Malcolm in the future. There are a number of loose ends that I still want answers to.

Whilst angels have been present in other books within this series, this is the first that really deals with the idea of angels and demons. At moments it kind of made my head spin. I’ll probably reread this book, just so that I get a bit of a better grasp on just what is happening in this world. My brain was definitely not firing on all cylinders for my first read through of this!

Image source: Amazon

Title: Serial Killer Princess
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #4
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

The title of this novel should have clued me into the fact that I was probably going to love this story. That, and the fact that it was going to have a seriously grey hero. I mean, this is literally a novel about a serial killer. Yes, she’s a serial killer who kills other killers. But that’s kind of beside the point… she’s still a killer. One that I completely fell in love with, even if she was a shapeshifting black mamba.

Admittedly, I probably shouldn’t have read this novel just before bed time. Funnily enough, I had no issue with reading about a serial killer, but I do have a bit of a snake phobia. One that led to some slightly weird dreams when I finished this just before dozing off… however, Blain managed to make this a far more pleasurable, and less creepy journey. One of the few stories in which the snake isn’t the evil one. But, rather, the good guy (kind of). She’s also not the apex predator, which I would’ve thought such an enormous black mamba would be.

I spent a lot of this story trying to guess what kind of shapeshifter Justin was. In fact, he drastically surprised me with the reveal of all of his plotting and scheming at the end of this story. Plus, there are some seriously funny moments throughout when the serial killer and the bodyguard court each other. The fact that there are just a couple of bodies left in their wake? Absolutely hilarious… I’m not sure what it says about me that I found this entire relationship and couple so damn funny.

Tulip might actually be the most cringey name I’ve ever really read. Although, it kind of worked. I love that, aside from this story being one about a serial killer finding her forever partner, it’s also a story about parents. I mean, Tulip’s mother would already be on my shit list because of the name that she chose. But, then the chaos and her desire to pretty much conquer everything would make me absolutely rip my hair out. Plus, Tulip gets to spend time getting to know her father and his family… another chaotic adventure that I seriously loved.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Hearth, Home, and Havoc
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2017

Any story that starts off featuring a single mother is something that I’m going to like. Yet, I wasn’t expecting this to be a story about a single mother of a goddess in training. Which was just hilarious. I mean, being a mother is difficult enough. But when your daughter is learning at an accelerated pace and the goddess of hearth and home? I can’t imagine the challenges faced.

This is one of the shorter stories in the A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) series – more novella length than anything. I kind of wanted it to be a bit longer if I’m being honest. After all, Hestia is a freaking hilarious daughter. She’s literally running around causing havoc, all in the name of taking care of her mother. Plus, she’s decided that her mum needs hearth and home to be happy – a matchmaking daughter on top of everything else? Absolutely priceless.

Running from a psychotic ex isn’t necessarily a new trope for my bookshelves. Particularly one who is powerful (financially and socially) and able to manipulate the system to ostracise his ex. But, the idea of being able to magically control someone was truly horrible. The compulsions that are constantly making her question her worth and stop her from moving on? Definitely heartbreaking. But a good way to highlight just how bad the emotional aspect of abuse can truly be.

I loved this novella, like everything thus far in this series. I mean, I’m binge reading it for a reason I suppose. The couple at the centre was fun, there was murder and mayhem. And everyone gets a happily ever after… except for the bad guys, they just end up dead…

Image source: Kobo

Title: Hoofin’ It
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Any romance story that involves an ex-cop and an FBI agent is likely to get my attention. The fact that this is one filled with supernatural beings just drew me in even more. And the body count. You can’t forget the body count at the end. All hilarious, all brilliant, all a lot of fun. Particularly when the Meet Cute between Shane and Marian occurs when one of them is an alpaca who is spitting on everyone…

Shane’s family is absolutely hilarious. I mean, a werewolf and a somewhat crazy hedgewitch create a child who is actually quite responsible. The witty banter and sass in this relationship was brilliant. I couldn’t stop laughing and smiling throughout this story. Just at the parents’ antics. Then, there’s the actual relationship between Shane and Marian, also filled with sass, just a bit sweeter.

I love how, as the story unfolds, you actually realise Shane isn’t as squeaky clean as originally understood. I mean, he is constantly flirting with the wrong side of the law. And half of his friends are criminals, ones hecknsta try enjoyed messing with and taunting. In the end, that turns out to be a good thing, but I love that there is a whole lot of grey area in the meantime. Plus, he also battles against racism (in the supernatural, species discrimination way), and recovering from a permanently maiming accident.

Marian is a perfect match for Shane, she’s tough and independent. Also, she’s completely unafraid to be herself. The fact that she’s willing to put her life on the line to stop sex trafficking rings is even better. The way this story ends, you can see that although she’s moving towards a new future, both her and Shane will continue kicking butts and taking names throughout the future. I hope they’ll make cameos in future books in this series!!!

Image source: Amazon

Title: Playing with Fire
Author: R.J. Blain
Series: A Magical Romantic Comedy (with a Body Count) #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

I picked this up because I heard of a story (later in this series) that featured a Platypus shapeshifter. And, of course, I couldn’t help myself. Damn, am I glad that I listened to that impulse. This was a freaking brilliant story, and I’ve found anew obsession. One that had me smiling, laughing and feeling all kinds of warm and gooey inside.

Bailey and Quinn are a great leading pair. Although you can tell that they’re going to end up together, it’s still fun getting there. Particularly since Bailey is so damn convinced that Quinn hates her. Although, her self-esteem issues kind of have her convinced that everyone hates her… it was fun learning how she was disabused of that notion.

Although I enjoyed the romance between Quinn and Bailey, and how they find their happily ever after, the way that Bailey transforms made me even happier. I mean, being able to transform into a fire breathing unicorn? That’s freaking brilliant. My favourite scenes in this book were all around Bailey shapeshifting into a unicorn. And getting cold and wanting to find heat. In fact, we had a bit of a cool change when I was reading one of those scenes, and I could completely sympathise.

I loved how Blain builds a brilliant urban fantasy world in this series. I mean, her lead female is a barista who also works for the CDC. Although, I love that her role as a barista literally involves spiking peoples’ drinks… legally of course. I can’t wait to read more books set in this brilliant world! I feel like there are so many brilliant nuances that will just be built upon as the series unfolds.

Image source: Amazon