#M/M Romance Mystery

[amysnotdeadyet]

Consulting Magic

This series got so long! There's four novels, and four short-to-novella-length interludes now, how did that happen. Horace gets to be on two covers, what a good bird.

In Untrue Love, we meet our first protagonist, Alex, who is still in university and kinda steps in it. Then in the first novel, The Courtship of Julian St. Albans, Julian shows up with a murdered fiancé and a high-class conundrum. Alex ends up participating in his formal Courtship as a way to solve the murder, which quickly becomes murders, plural.

Finer Points is a short little monster story, while Apprenticeship goes to Julian's pov for another murder mystery, and also some lovely personal growth. Rosemary for the Holidays shows their first Winter Solstice together, and then Guardianship brings yet another series of murders (look they're mysteries okay) and a big spoilery change in our boys' lives.

Gifts of the Fairy Queen is a whole novella of domestic settling-in and life changes, which prepares us for the brand-new A Flutter of Fae and Alex somehow getting drawn into yet another murder investigation!

These books feature my signature amounts of food, tea, and cosiness, as well as an enduring relationship between men who grow and change together. They're low-angst murder mysteries with a cast of human and magical characters, set in a modern fantasy world full of yet more magic, modest amounts of intrigue, and oh god so much tea.

Consider giving my books a shot! I'm just one person putting all of this out, so every little sale directly helps me out.

[thedisabilitybookarchive]

‘Poisoned Primrose’- Donovan, Dahlia

Disability Rep: Autism

Genre: Cosy Mystery, Mystery, Romance

Age: Adult

Setting: England

Additional Rep: Biromantic Asexual Female MC, Asexual Male LI, F/M, Lesbian SC, Gay SCs, Indian SCs, Biracial half white-half Asian SC

For more information on summaries, content warnings and additional tropes, see here:

[bigbadivy]

Outcast Heroine x her rival

The thought of inviting her, 

it didn’t even cross their mind, did it?

Heroine stared at the rest of her team, who never seemed to notice her existence. By the loud laughs and noticeable drop of seriousness, they were heading to the bar. Leaving her to be the only to work on their shared case. Again.

Who cares.

She will be the one who laughs at the end.

She might be the outcast here, but it only proved her worth. She works harder, she is more serious, she will solve this case. I will get to see the shock of her so-called teammates as she stares with cold, satisfied eyes.

She just needs to wait patiently until that happens.

Yet it somehow still hurts. And unwillingly, she caught herself stealing glances at the noisy group. Especially at one she thought would act differently. Her rival. 

He laughed with the others, seemingly forgetting her existence. He just never acted that way. He always argued with her, competed against her, sent her way his grin when he cracked a case and eye rolls when she beat him to it.

Called when she was sick, noted her insights, listened to her

But apparently there was a company he liked better.

Heroine’s tension calmed a bit when the noisy group finally left. She went over her suspect’s files again, looking for a loose thread. Loneliness was her curse, but mysteries her blessings.

The man she suspected was a history professor.

He is known to lock himself in his apartment and write books, rarely interacting with his colleagues and students.

The victim was a writer who’s newly published first book became the crowd’s favor immediately.

The two have barely known each other. 

But Heroine knew how deep jealousy could go. There were days she planned in her mind how she would hide the bodies of her teammates.

He had sent to someone else, the victim’s advisor- several ‘erroneous’ emails. They were clearly separated by words, but each was complete gibberish. 

Still, it seemed too weird, and she never saw an ‘error’ such as that.

She had earplugs, a workspace all of her own, and the calming feeling of unveiling another secrecy. 

Nothing could invade the mind, 

block any worries  and make someone forget about their existence like a good mystery.

She didn’t know how long she was in peace, until someone coughed from the other side of the room.

Rival stood there, with a lopsided smile, holding two cups of coffee.

“Something interesting?”

He walked to her desk and placed one cup beside her, having some awkwardness in his movements.

It was a cold coffee, with little milk and ice cubes.

He remembers-

“Oh, umm, thanks.”

Heroine cleared her throat.

“I have a hunch,”

She said, then questioned his motives.

“but it’s just a theory.”

He nodded slightly, getting the hint. But didn’t go yet.

“Well, you, want some quiet or-”

“Aren’t you going with the others?”

He blinked. Then shrugged, still having some awkwardness.

“I can’t let you be the only one who stays over. It makes me look bad.”

“Don’t blame your ugliness on me.”

“Ouch.”

He gave her a half-laugh, and sat in his place. There was silence for a little while. Heroine continued to go over emails, silently listening to Rival unpacking his equipment and playing with his pen.

“So, wanna share some ideas?”

He said it trying to sound unintrested, she noted.

Is this why you stayed?

“What’s it to you?”

“My job, actually.”

He expected a reaction for a moment.

Rival cleared his throat.

“I won’t take your credit.”

Heroine crooked an eyebrow.

“Promise. I wanna catch this bastard as much as you.”

Another’s comments may be helpful, and Rival, as cocky as he is, always kept his word.

“Come take a look.”

He came over, a little too quickly. Then leaned into her desk, right next to her chair. close

“The emails. There are several supposedly emails with errors, they make no sense and only contain one line or so, but there are too many of them.”

Heroine completely immersed herself in the mystery, trying to ignore the warmth she sensed from Rival.

“I tried to check some simple ciphering methods. The thing is, some words make sense when decoding them using straightforward letter-shuffling. But in each email there’s at least one word that never makes sense after deciphering.”

She passed him her papers, and he tilted down to examine it. For a moment, she could see his face from so close. Her gaze immediately turned to the printed emails.

“I highlighted these words. They are the only ones with special characters. If we decipher them, we might have proof that the suspect purposely wrote these emails to hide messages.”

“hmmm…”

His hand was quite close to hers, she realized, some part of her wanted to touch it. Learn exactly how warm he is.

Heroine took her coffee and drank almost all of it in one slip.

“He is not a mathematician, isn’t he? or a puzzler?”

“An historian.”

“It’d be tough to convince he made up a cipher.”

“True.”

“What did he research?”

“He had a fondness for royal families. He’d write about grand schemes and falls and such.”

“Did he write anything about Mary, queen of the scots?”

She tilted her head, trying to remember if she read about such character. 

“She’s been the queen of Scotland since she was six, but also wanted England. She got imprisoned and plotted to assassinate Elizabeth the first from a cell.”

“Well, you are knowledgeable, I’ll get you a paper star later,”

Rival rolled his eyes.

“but how does it help us?”

“She communicated her plot using a cipher.”

Heroine’s eyes widened.

“What kind?”

“Quite simple, but hard to decrypt- she used letter switching like you did, but she also made special symbols to refer to people.”

“So if we try to assign to each special character a possible name-”

“We’ll reveal the message.”

She was smiling. This mystery could be solved. Her hunch might be right. Oh, the looks on her teammates’ faces will be wonderful

“This is so much better than a drinking night.”

Rival chuckled, probably amused by my rapture as always.

Only now she noticed that he was smiling brightly, too. But it looked different. It looked softer.

She cleared her throat.

“We should get into it. I made a chart of how the letters shuffle, here, take, just think of things he’d want to hide and see if the texts make sense.”

She leaned over her desk, making a list of possibilities that jumped into her mind.

“Mind if I’ll work here?”

“Sure”

It only took an hour.

Heroine eagerly showed Rival her findings. A possible interpretation of the messages, in which the victim’s name and the place of the murder had code words.

Her hand rushed to her cup, only to see that it was empty long ago.

So this was it. She looked at Rival, and and he seemed a bit saddened, too.

“You can take some credit, you know.”

He waved his hand dismissively, packing his things.

“Nah. You’d figure it out anyway.”

“Oh, absolutely.”

Heroine started packing as well, already realizing she’ll immediately miss… whatever this is that they have now.

“Still, we… we did this together.”

Rival froze for a moment, staring at her with something akin to… awe.

“It’s yours,”

He smiled, incitement returning to his features.

“the fun is enough for me.”

They started walking together towards the door.

“More fun than drinking night?”

“Much more.”

Fortunately, their cars were in the same direction. There was still one more mystery.

“Why did you stay?” “Hm? I told you-”

“Seriously. You never stay overnight. You could actually be drunk right now, with, you know…”

The more amusing parts of our team

There was silence for a few moments, growing more noticeable every second. Rival was rarely out of words.

“It’s kinda nice when it’s just us”

Heroine stopped mid-walking and stared at him. It was her turn to be speechless. Is this…? Is he really…? 

“It is”

She agreed, eventually. Both of them stood on the road, blushing.

“We can… um… be tog- ”

She took a big breath.

“We can hang out the office. If you want.”

A small smile came back to Rival’s face.

“Yes. Sure. Great.”

MUCH better than drinking night

[librarygf]

so interesting to have this episode mirror s1 ep5 so heavily. the immense trauma caused to louis and his need for subsequent recovery, the cloud gift used for evil, the resentment of lestat/armand towards claudia/lestat, the use of neglect as a justification for violence. obviously this mirroring is completely on purpose but damn. i’m intrigued

[scattered-winter]

the only thing stopping me from being insane about the renegades trilogy by marissa meyer is the fact that I am soooooo so sleepy at all times. take this knowledge into your hearts and know that the sleepiness has saved you

[melaniem54]

Review:  Found in Obscurity (Tales from the Tarot story) by A. M. Rose

Rating: 4.5🌈 Tales from the Tarot is an amazing paranormal series, serving up such a wide selection of 22 stories and authors that’s it’s impossible not to find a great book to read, and share. I’m including in that tally the quite marvelous Found in Obscurity by A. M. Rose, a tale about a young man, a witch, who has to make a decision to embrace his true nature before he can find his roots,…

[writing-fanics]

Otome Games.. I write for

Midnight Cinderella (Alyn Crawford: Rayvis Harneit (all characters]

Is it Love: Mystery Spell (Peter: Drogo)

Obey Me! (mammon atm)

The Arcana (Asra atm)

ikemen vampire (all)

mystic messenger (all)

Dangerous Fellows (all)

my horse prince (for the cursed fanfiction)

Royal Midnight Kiss (Prince Edward)

Sweet Scandal Returns (yoshioka shintaro)

[sbbarnes]

So, I'm proud/happy/terrified/insane to announce that at some point in the not-too-distant future, NineStar Press will be publishing my ~debut novel~, "Heart First". "Heart First" is a m/m romance novel entwined with a cozy mystery set in the heart of the Hudson Valley.

In it, Daniel Rosenbaum, professor and chronic overthinker, falls hard and fast for mechanic Tony D'Angelo. When tragedy strikes and a close friend and fellow professor of Daniel's is murdered, Daniel’s intensifying relationship with Tony is the only way he can find solace from his grief and confusion. But all too soon, the trail of a dead man’s secrets leads Daniel to the same place he’s been seeking comfort: Angel Automotive, the auto repair shop run by Tony’s family. Will following his heart lead Daniel straight into the arms of a killer?

As a little thank you to everyone who's followed me on here and given me courage to pursue writing, here's a little sneak peek of Daniel and Tony:

“Sorry, I’m Tony,” Tony says. “I should probably have led with that.”

Daniel grins. “Hi Tony,” he says. “I’m Daniel, and I’m having trouble with my car.”

“Well, you’re in luck,” Tony says. “I happen to be a mechanic.”

“Wow, what are the odds?”

Tony shrugs and gestures to the rows of different-size chains hanging on the wall. “You walk into a set-up like this, it’s an even split: mechanic or sex worker.”

It shocks a laugh out of Daniel. He gets the impression he does not need to worry about homophobia here if Tony’s using respectful language, which is kind of a relief.

“So what’s wrong with your car?”

Daniel winces. “It’s been making this weird noise all morning? Like a kind of irregular clunking?”

“All the time or just when you go over a bump?”

“Um.” Daniel considers. The roads are pretty shitty between Rhinebeck and Lobell College anyways. He didn’t hear it much on the better-paved way into Kingston, but he was also focused on finding the garage and wasn’t really paying attention.

“Your muffler might be loose,” Tony tells him.

“Okay,” Daniel says slowly. “And that’s…bad?”

Tony blinks. “Not a car guy, huh?”

“No,” Daniel says quickly. “Computers guy. Classic literature guy. Fourth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer guy. Very much not a car guy.” A frown line draws tight on Tony’s forehead. “That’s a really bad season,” he says, which, okay, no one’s perfect.

[spifflocated]

It’s a time of stress, and so, as is traditional, I’m re-listening to the BBC radio 4 adaptations of the M Didius Falco novels. And I am yet again struck by how perfectly it handles class (transposed in an extremely British sense). The way Titus speaks in an upper class accent until he loses his temper, when he slips back into something much more provincial. It’s such a clever touch for an imperial family who weren’t from a conventional senatorial background.

[klaineccfanficlibrary]

The Boy in the Window

Author:  lostinfictionalworlds

Rating:  M

Status:  Completed in October 2014

Word Count:  16,126

Summary:  Kurt is a young city boy, living with his father and stuck in a mundane life, day in-day out life. He knows that he is different to people his age, and he knows that there is something else out there waiting for him, something different, something he may not or just may understand. A simple and sweet, lightly romantic coming of age story with a paranormal twist.

Tropes/Genre:  AU, supernatural!Klaine, romance, friends to lovers, mystery

Lynne’s review:  I found myself fascinated the entire time - slowly I realized what Blaine was, and I normally don't read these sorts of stories, but I love this author’s work, so I gave it a chance and I was not disappointed. Very interesting. So little dialogue, yet I was so intrigued. A beautiful, yet different sort of love story.

Read at:   AO3

[amysnotdeadyet]

It's out! It's done! It's published!

Alexander Benedict-St. Albans and Julian St. Albans-Benedict are back for another book! Fourth in the Consulting Magic series, A Flutter of Fae starts the next phase in Alex and Julian's lives. As Guardians of the Charmer's Way and newlywed husbands, they're learning to function together as a household and a part of society. Alex has taken the role of Charmer while Julian is becoming a sought-after Grower, but their busy new life hasn't gotten them out of Alex's previous job -- solving murders. When a high elf turns up dead right in front of the Queen's Way, Her Majesty herself requests Alex and Julian's input on the problem. The problem is, their victim doesn't seem to have any enemies, or even serious business interests on the human side of the way. With no clear motive and time ticking away, Alex and Julian have to live their new, complicated lives while still making time for old friends, new acquaintances, and, of course, solving the murder. Tags: m/m Romance, Established Relationship, Modern Fantasy, Murder Mystery, Adult Communication, Found Family, Food, Magic as Science, Science as Magic

NOTE: This is very much not a standalone book, so go read Untrue Love for 99c if you're curious about the series, lol.

[eloreenmoon]

Magic Escaping (Carnival of Mysteries) by Kaje Harper #LGBT #MM #Review #MMRomance #Paranormal

Erryn reviews Magic Burning (Carnival of Mysteries) by Kaje Harper (Published August 7, 2023, 305 pages).  Why I read this book: I read book 1 last year and have been impatiently waiting for this one. Alan I didn’t think two cars slowing down behind me as I jogged along our country road were a problem. I’m just an ordinary third-grade teacher. Well, also a sorcerer, but I don’t really use my…

[thedisabilitybookarchive]

'Bone Gap'- Ruby, Laura

Disability Rep: Prosopagnosia (Face Blindness) (MC), Colour Blind (SC)

Genre: Magical Realism, Fantasy, Romance, Contemporary, Mystery

Age: Young Adult

Setting: USA

Additional Rep: F/M, Gay SC

For more information on summaries, content warnings and additional tropes, see here:

[holycatsandrabbits]

The last of Mythic has posted! 

Mythic is an original M/M serial romance. A queen’s bodyguard falls in love with a handsome royal attendant, and must protect them both from an attack by creatures who aren’t supposed to exist.

Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/43719993 

My website: https://dannyechase.com/serials/mythic/ 

Nathan takes great pride in being bodyguard to Queen Suzanne. But his training didn't prepare him for falling in love with a man he can't have, or facing an enemy everyone thought was a myth. It seems ridiculous: men with wings, killing for their magic. But someone is targeting the royal family, and it's up to Nathan to figure out who and why. He finds his ally in Eric, the queen's personal attendant, and subject of all Nathan's heartbroken pining. There is no way for a bodyguard to have a romance with a servant, even if Eric returned Nathan's feelings, which seems unlikely. But as things get stranger and stranger, Nathan must decide where his true loyalties lie, and what it will cost to protect the people he loves. Rated E

This is the final serial (12-chapter fics that update Fridays) that I've planned. But I will still be posting original romance (and fanfic) regularly. If you'd like to keep up with it, you can subscribe to my Ao3 and/or my free newsletter. Thank you so much to everyone who's enjoyed the serials! I so appreciate your support.

My previous original romance serials are Tollense (M/M vampire/human), My Hero (F/F superhero/human), You Don't Say (M/M rival psychic investigators), Dearly Beloved (M/M king/arranged fiancé), Bloom (M/M artist/muse), and Griffin (M/M shapeshifter/human)

Ao3 ~ DannyeChase.com ~ Linktree ~ Serial romance ~ Weird Wednesday writing prompts blog ~ Ko-fi ~ Newsletter

Public domain photo by Susanne Jutzeler on Pexels 

[ya-world-challenge]

Book Review: Threads That Bind (🇬🇷 Greece)

[image 1: book cover; eerie pinks and greens - a young woman with dark curly hair manipulates a tangled pink thread; image 2: map showing Greece; image 3: the Acropolis in Athens - ruined white stone structures stand high on a hill overlooking the city; source: wikimedia]

Threads That Bind

Author: Kika Hatzopoulou

YA World Challenge read for 🇬🇷 Greece)

Technically I already read a Greek book (that I didn't like), but this one seemed interesting and I'm glad I picked it up!

Review

In a post-climate-disaster world where city-states have fought water wars over the last Arctic icebergs, certain humans are born with powers of the gods. In the slums of Atlante (former Athens), three sisters hold the powers of the Fates - one to weave, one to draw, and one to cut. Io, the youngest, is a cutter, feared for her ability to snip any life-thread with her powers. When murderous wraiths with severed life-threads start appearing, Io is hired by a mob queen to get to the bottom of it. And a rare fate-thread ties her to her partner on the case.

I loved the complicated and messy family relationships that are laid out with psychologist-worthy analysis. The idea that families can be both loving and abusive at the same time. And the threads that tie us to them that aren't so easily cut. Especially when we have our own wrongs that have been done.

This had amazing worldbuilding as well as a lot of queer representation that was just so casually there.

I was not expecting that ending, but it was amazing! It sets up well for a sequel so I hope one is in the works.

This seems to be marketed as YA even though the protagonist is like 19-20, minimum? I felt it was just as worthy of adult shelves. It was a great mix of mystery, gangs, relationship studies, and Greek mythology by a Greek author.

I highly recommend picking it up!

Other reps: #m/f (main couple) #lgbtq (multiple side characters) #immigrant

Genres: #mystery #family #fantasy #romance #mythology #dystopian #magic

★  ★  ★  ★  ★   5 stars

[lovebooksforeversblog]

Lunatic - Archer and Mac 🫶🏻🫶🏻 these guys are really cute together and there was so much sexy angst 🔥 and scorching hotness 🥵 between them.

The plot was interesting and I loved all the characters appearance, mostly Adam and Noah ~ they are my favorite couples and they are so damn cute 🥰❤.

Finally only one book to go in the series, Thomas and Aiden. I am excited to devour there story. 

3.5 Stars🌟