Larissa Emerald

Magical Midlife Survival Guide by Larissa Emerald
The Wine, Chocolate & Paranormal Shenanigans series, book 1. Women’s paranormal fiction. Slightly older female protagonist. Trigger warnings: mental and physical abuse. Cliffhanger.
At forty-two, and now experiencing physical abuse from her husband, Lainie takes her two kids and leaves him for a safer address. On her own, and no money and children to keep fed, she gets creative with Halloween and recycling when she discovers a forgotten pocket watch that thrusts her into a world of magic. Lainie had no idea she has had the power of magic within her. Suddenly she has money by the duffel bag, and dozens of toads in her house. She is going to have to figure it all out before her soon to be ex-husband realizes that something has changed with Lainie.

Surprising events for wayward magic. I don’t trust that ex doesn’t already know. There are several unanswered questions that will hopefully be resolved in the next book.
The author calls it a happy for now ending. It felt a bit abrupt to me and open ended which will make you want to pick up the next book to find out what happens. So cliffhanger.
Amusing but not totally clear world building which may be deliberate.
3.5… (más)

Well... my biggest issues with this was the insta-love, which I'm not a huge fan of, and also the fitting of this to Nocturne Falls. I feel like the writer wanted to connect this to her own series, which would be ok, but my issue was that the rules for vampires in NF series is obviously different. And I didn't like this rewriting of the rules. I would've preferred a clean story within this universe.

And then, yes, there is one more thing: the female and male stereotyping. I feel Nocturne Falls is pretty good in this regard with women actually being friends and not just competing who gets the guy and reduced to cardboard cutouts and also it's positively surprising in the lack of macho men. So, I was slightly disappointed in this regard. This wasn't the worst ever that I've read, but in comparison of the normal quality of NF, I would've wished something better.… (más)

Merry and Bright, a Christmas anthology from the Nocturne Falls Kindle world.

9 short holiday novellas by the same authors and storylines in the Nocturne Falls Kindle world.
Several of the stories revisit couples from previous stories in the kindle world. Christmas celebrations that include heart and misty eyes. To fully appreciate these short stories, you should read the associated Kindle world books by each author. It can be read as a standalone but you won’t appreciate the relationships.
My two favorite first:

The Meddlesome Misadventures of Merry and Bright by Alethea Kontis
A young adult beginning of friendship, pranks and magic. To adulthood and life. This author is becoming one of my favorites. A short quote from the book: “She brightened up again, like sunshine on snow”.

Magic’s Frost by Sela Carson
A new romance. A bit of humor. Fun and flirty. A slightly older couple. Adorable.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Alien by Fiona Roarke
The next chapter in “aliens come to Nocturne Falls”, revisit with one of the couples.

The Wizard’s Mistletoe Magic by Jax Cassidy
Fae, attraction, memories and finding a lost love.

The Dragon’s Christmas Mayham by Kira Nyte
Dragons trying to create a Christmas experience while their mates keep their own secrets.

The Mistletoe Misshap by Wynter Daniels
A romance ended because of family pressure. Hope restarts it. I liked this short romance. He wants to protect her and what says love more than that?

The Psychic Says I Do by Candace Colt
A wedding or two for the Falcon brothers.

The Sorcerer’s Christmas Miracle by Cate Dean

The Witch’s Snow Globe Wish by Larissa Emerald
A mis-delivered letter reconnects a couple for a second chance at love.… (más)