Harmony of Lies is the second novel in the Alice & Owen series by Brian Feehan. After the events of Harmony of Fire, I was glad to slip back into this world of music, magic, angels, and demons. Owen travels with his band to San Francisco on a task only to face a challenge he will need to win to survive.

Harmony of Lies
by Brian Feehan
Series: Alice & Owen #2
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

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Danger threatens to shatter the hope for a new beginning in a world of angels and demons in this explosive paranormal romance by author Brian Feehan, son of legendary #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

After being forced away for seventeen years, Alice is finally home. But home isn’t what she thought it would be, and every day the secrets she holds from her parents grow with weight. But how do you tell your mother and father that you’re not normal? That the world is a far more dangerous place than they have ever known and you are anything but the small, innocent child that was torn from their arms all those years ago?

Owen can’t say goodbye, and Alice can’t hold on to him tightly enough as the pressures of danger and obligation grow stronger and stronger. With a broken heart, Owen is headed to San Francisco with his crew of musicians. But the Golden City is filled with history and secrets, and brutal deaths are just lying in wait for Owen and his people. To survive these trials and this city, Owen will need everything he has–even the broken parts he gave to Alice–to have any hope of doing the impossible one more time.

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The novel picks up where Harmony of Fire left off. Alice is reunited with her family, and Owen needs to move on. He has been tasked with running an errand that will take him to San Francisco. He wants, no needs Alice to go with him, but she has unfinished business and owes her family some answers.

We get a few chapters with Alice as she shares her story with her parents and despite the seriousness, moments made me smile. Alice is torn between finding the father who helped her and returning to Owen.

Owen and his crew of musicians, minus Jessica, head to San Francisco and from the moment they cross the bridge, things happen. It was a clever tale, full of twists, music and discoveries.

Feehan has created a world filled with We. Beings who existed long before humans ever did, filled with powerful magic. Alice & Owen are “etherealist.” Rare humans born with magic, making them a target for the “We” who want to take their power. Through his music, Owen can scale the gates of heaven and hell, but he needs to be careful or he’ll burn. There are instruments made from this power, and Owen possesses one. A story foretells of an etherealist who will possess these instruments and change the world.

Something isn’t right in San Francisco, and it begins with a piano and a ghost. This was a clever tale that hooked me from the powerful Mayor to the challenge that drains those who take it on. I admit to being nervous and was glad when we saw characters come together. Owen’s band members are loyal and I enjoy their interactions, from humorous banter to battles. The author does a good job of balancing darker moments with light and it helped offset some scenes.

Fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance will enjoy this cast of characters and the story arc for this series. Each book has a dominant story, gives us more understanding of the world and sets us up for more. This series is best read in the order of their release, although Feehan does a great job of bringing new readers up to speed.

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/02/harmony-of-lies-by-brian-feehan.html

The Vision Prelude (Law of Sacrilege Book 1), by Joshua Landeros, is a fantasy story about Pinus Ave Longavian. He is a Jengsehi knight leading an expedition to open up trade with the people of Sebel. In the process, he’s taken back to his past.

I enjoyed how Joshua Landeros brought his world to life. It was easy to see what he was describing. He created a caste system and magic rules that felt real and natural. Neither one overwhelmed the story. In reading this, I got a remarkably good sense of the Jengsehi. I was able to see the island they lived on. The culture was rich. Religion wasn’t discussed much, but enough was there to get a good sense of it. While this was a religion that Landeros made for his world, I could see the real-world influence on it. And I liked how he didn’t just make it so that there wasn’t any conflict.

While there was a lot about the Jengsehi, there wasn’t much given about the Sebels. In a way, this is a good thing because they have been closed off from other cultures. They don’t trade with anyone. Pinus could change their minds but not necessarily in the way he intended. It got far more personal for him than he then he thought it would. I would’ve liked to have seen more from the Sebels to truly explain why they were closed off and why Pinus’s reaction to his father’s death was such a turning point for the Sebels.

The Vision Prelude (Law of Sacrilege Book 1), by Joshua Landeros, is a riveting and well-imagined world with characters that feel real. I enjoyed the book so much that I wanted it to be longer to fully bring the two cultures together. I look forward to seeing where the author takes this in future works.

Pages: 167 | ASIN : B0BN8RZKN3

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/23/the-vision-prelude/

Drums, Guns ‘n’ Money: A Lou Crasher Thriller by Jonathan J. Brown is a thrilling and engaging read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Readers are introduced to Lou Crasher, a drummer, manager, and amateur investigator who is determined to solve the murder of a band member. Lou’s passion for justice, love of sandwiches and alcohol, and quirky personality make him a likable protagonist.

Author Jonathan Brown has done an excellent job building an intriguing cast of characters. Lou’s romantic interest, Detective Natsumi Tanaka, is a beautiful, courageous, no-nonsense woman who complements Lou’s headstrong personality. Jake, Lou’s brother, adds mystery to the story, while Moose, Lou’s friend, brings his own brand of strength to the narrative. The characters grow and develop throughout the book, adding depth and dimension to the story.

The story’s pace is expertly crafted and will keep readers entertained from start to finish. The world-building is a standout aspect of the book, with the setting intricately woven and believable. Despite the story’s gritty elements, there is enough action, tension, and suspense, and a touch of romance, to make this a thrilling and enjoyable read. There is something in this novel for all readers.

Drums, Guns ‘n’ Money is an entertaining thriller that will captivate fans of the genre. The author’s writing style is engaging and keeps the reader invested in the story from the first page. The satisfying conclusion brings the book to a close, making it a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery.

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/23/drums-guns-n-money-a-lou-crasher-thriller/

The Way Forward by author Ben Ricardo is a sultry story that follows Jo and his journey to realizing his full sexual potential. Jo knows that he is bisexual, yet he has never had an experience with a man. That is until he meets a couple that flirts with him while he’s working. This leads the wife to come back to the store to offer Jo a side job so he can earn some extra cash. She mentions that her husband needs extra help to finish their porch. This results in Jo finding out that the couple’s lifestyle differs from most, and he is invited into their lives at an intimate level. As much as he wants this experience, is Jo ready for it?

The Way Forward is a quick read and is steamy right from the start. The plot starts off strong from the start of the book, and we are immersed in Jo’s world. The spiciness of the book was full on. It was my first time reading a book about a bisexual man and his first experience. I wasn’t disappointed at all. Each spicy scene builds up more and more to the final scene. Spectacularly done.

This story seemed to jump in thought in the first half of the book, so readers should be significantly engaged. Some things that Jo would think to himself were random, and I felt didn’t always fit with what was going on. This could be related to the author’s character development of Jo. Jo seemed very shy at first; however, his character did seem to gain more self-confidence in the second half of the book, especially close to the end. I do like how Matt and Bianca treated Jo. Everything was consensual, and they kept things lighthearted.

The Way Forward is a captivating erotic romance and self-discovery story. With less than fifty pages, it is a quick read but packs a lot into this short novel. I highly recommend this steamy and enticing novel to those who enjoy a quick mature read.

Pages: 64 | ISBN : 1955205582

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/23/the-way-forward/

Ruben J. Burciaga’s The Essence of Az takes readers on a magical journey through the mythical land of Az. The story follows Ruben, a young boy who is swept away into this fantastical world and meets a magical being with no name. In order to discover his destiny, Ruben embarks on a quest to the city of Ezmeralda and seeks the help of the Great Wizard of Az, who turns out to be more than meets the eye. With the help of new friends, Ruben is able to overcome obstacles and fulfill his dreams.

This book is a refreshing take on mythology as it draws from Aztec mythology rather than the more familiar Greek mythology. The author also inserts themselves into the story, acting as the reader’s personal tour guide through this enchanting world. While the plot may be similar to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, it is essential to note that this is not necessarily negative. The Essence of Az presents a unique take on the classic plot and offers new characters and challenges for readers to enjoy. Although the book may be geared towards a younger audience, the language used throughout is complex and engaging, making it an excellent read for young adults as well. The author’s use of unique vocabulary and euphemisms may require some extra effort to understand, but it adds to the richness of the story.

The Essence of Az is a captivating and imaginative read that will transport middle-grade and young-adult readers to a world of magic and adventure. This book is a true gem in the genre of young adult and children’s literature that will give new audiences a chance to experience the wonder of magic self-discovery while learning some important life lessons as well.

Pages: 150 | ISBN : 1436341833

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/23/the-essence-of-az/

Rachel had enjoyed her employment at Calumet castle and was even more thrilled to be hired at the New Frontenac Hotel by the same couple. The hotel provided the height of luxury and experiences for wealthy patrons traveling the Thousands of Islands. She was both blessed and thankful to be a part of it all. However, what was meant to be an idyllic summer focused on work quickly turned troublesome when an old flame sailed into the scene. Mitch reminded her of the time they shared and the future they could have had…before he disappeared without a word two years prior. Could they rekindle that love? Moreso, did Rachel even want to?

Rachel’s Reunion by Susan G. Mathis is another of her beautifully written Thousand Islands stories. Many of the author’s stories follow a similar path with their plots, but that doesn’t lessen the book’s charm. Mathis paints a picture of the Thousand Islands, leaving the reader with little doubt about the area’s beauty and infusing her stories with history and real-to-life characters that encourage further exploration of the subjects. With that said, this is probably one of the best of the collection so far. In addition to the scenic location, the main characters in Rachel’s Reunion have much more depth than in her previous books. The path still ends at the same destination, but Mathis makes the journey much more interesting by mixing up the usual antagonists and conflicts.

Faith is a central theme in the book, but with Rachel being a more well-rounded heroine than others, maturity, and independence are well-visited ideas. Rachel communicates appropriately at most times and consistently ponders whether the things she wanted two years ago still align with the path she wants to follow now. The additional characters are well-developed, which provides more support than the occasion’s well-intentioned advice. They exist as part of the environment, not just as tools to interact with the main character. Overall, the book added plenty of substance without removing what makes the Thousand Islands books unique.

Rachel’s Reunion is an enjoyable romantic historical fiction novel that gives readers well-written and relatable characters with interesting conflict and tension. In the previous Thousand Islands stories I’ve read, the Islands themselves seem to take the spot as the main character. This one was different, and it worked wonders. I’ve enjoyed all the books in the series, but this one was by far the best I’ve read yet!

Pages: 182 | ASIN : B0BC29QY62

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/02/23/rachels-reunion/