Only One for the Orc by Isabelle Taylor

On By TracyIn Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Only One for the Orc (Claw Haven, #3)Only One for the Orc by Isabelle Taylor

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Claw Haven #3

Release Date: August 25, 2026

Two years ago, orc Nick Wicker met his fated mate, human, Violet “Vi” Harper, too bad she made it crystal clear that she didn’t believe in fated mates, and she thought Nick was annoying. He doesn’t accept rejection immediately and tries his best to make her like him, but as the time passes, he begins to lose hope. But when the owner of the bookshop that Vi works at is injured and can’t host the weekly book club, Nick sees his chance to impress Violet and offers to host the book club. Too bad he isn’t much of a reader and at the first meeting it becomes clear that he didn’t finish the book, which causes normally calm and collected Violet to yell at him and tell him to leave. Thinking all is lost, Nick makes a final attempt at winning her over by apologizing and to his absolute shock, she not only accepts, she kisses him! Could this be the opening he needs to finally convince her she is his mate?

Violet Harper moved to Claw Haven two years ago when her sister Gabrielle’s husband was killed in an accident. She found a job working at the local bookstore that is owned by Chester, a very grumpy dragon, but Violet seems to thrive in chaos and doesn’t know how to say No to anyone – other than Nic Wicker, the orc that everyone finds charming. But when Chester is injured and there is no way Violet can run his book club, she (ungraciously)accepts Nick offer to help. She is sure he is just trying to annoy her (as usual), so when he shows up unprepared, she flips out on him and tells him leave. She then feels bad and is shocked when he comes back to apologize and kisses him. Not only that but suggests they have a friends with benefits affair. But when feelings start to get deeper, old fears may tear them apart before they can see that they are meant to be.

I enjoyed returning to Claw Haven and was delighted to catch up with the previous characters and getting to know Violet and Nick. This story was your typical enemies to lovers & miscommunication romance, but it was anything but typical. Nick is keeping big secrets, and Violet has her own issues, but the chemistry between them is obvious and you can’t help but want them to find their happy ending. If you like a romantasy with great characters, spicy love scenes, secrets, lots of books & baked goods, more than one grumpy dragon, lots of witty banter, and sweet declaration scenes – this book is for you. This is the third book in the series but could easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

These Ancient Bones by Heather Graham

On By TracyIn Contemporary, Mystery, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Thiller / Suspense, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

These Ancient Bones (The Crows)These Ancient Bones by Heather Graham

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The Crows #2

Release Date: August 24, 2026

After completing an assignment in Rome, Special Agent Grant Markham returns to his hometown of St. Augustine, FL only to find a similar crime has occurred there and has captured the attention Special Agent Jackson Crow, head of a special unit known as the Krewe of Hunters. Jackson’s people are all gifted with special supernatural abilities, and Grant has worked him before. But this time, Jackson has found a partner for Grant, another “Krewe” agent, Special Agent Shelly Mahoney from the west coast. They meet at the crime scene, the home of George Maynard, a well-known and well-liked investigative journalist, who has recently uncovered a huge scam involving a major security company. The burned remains of their victim are found outside his home and presumed to be George. Unfortunately, due to the state of the body, they can’t make a positive ID and Grant is not able to use his own power to confirm the victim’s identity. The only clue they have to go on is a stone tablet found near the front door with what appears to be a curse directed at George in it.

With the body count rising and each one with a new curse tablet, Grant and Shelly will follow the clues, which lead them not only through the St. Augustine area, but back to Rome. They will be joined by Special Agents and fellow Krewe members, Zach Erickson & Skye McMahon, and together they will try to untangle the mystery of the tablets before they end up on the killer’s hit list.

I am enjoying this spin off series, Grant and Shelly have an instant connection and work well together. I was also delighted to catch up with Zach and Skye who were the leads in the previous book. The mystery was chaotic at times, but everything comes together at the end and what an end it is! This book has an intriguing mystery, lots of secondary characters and even more suspects, a bit of paranormal activity, curses, a bit of spice, a brewing romance, action, twists and turns and finally a satisfying ending, complete with an epilogue. My only qualm with this book was there were a couple of dropped storylines that I would have liked to have seen tied up, but as they didn’t impact the final outcome, I was able overlook it and still thought it was a very good read. This is the second book in the series, but they are loosely connected so each book can be read as a standalone title. If you enjoy a good mystery with a bit of romance and a dash of paranormal, you need to read this book!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *