Shadows in the Mist

The Winds of Fortune #4

by John Wiltshire, Isobel Starling (Illustrator)

Aleksey doesn’t like helpful sayings. He particularly doesn’t like Ben Rider-Mikkelsen pointing out that paranoid men can’t see the wood for the trees. There’s a truth to these wise words, however, that applies directly to him—when you’re paranoid that everyone is out to kill you, those who actually are can be easily overlooked. But for once, Aleksey ignores his instincts that something is threatening the family. Tired of fighting windmills, imaginary or otherwise, he decides it’s time to kick back and just enjoy being Lord of Light Island. He should perhaps have remembered another helpful saying: the tide always turns.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Action, Mystery Thriller, Romance, LGBT

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2023

About the author

John Wiltshire is the fictional persona of the author of the More Heat Than The Sun series. After spending twenty-two years in the military perfecting the art
of looking busy whilst secretly writing, John left as a senior officer
when a hastily dug tunnel was ready for use. Now living in New
Zealand (at least until enough money can be raised to leave) John has no plans to return to the army. Unless the world situation gets considerably worse, that is.

Reviews

[Calen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely my current favourite series. It’s the perfect slice-of-life story where nothing is happening in a grand sense like the previous series but things do keep happening and the story is moving along. The characters are all so engaging that you just hang on to each and every one of their actions. I feel so at home with them and in this story. I frankly love them. I also really admire and respect the growth and attention paid here by the author. It all feels so real. Truly beautifully done. I never want this to end but will accept when it does and shall remain deeply grateful to have been able to spend the time I have in this world.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read. I have to agree with Calen’s point of contention with the Aleksey Squeezy/Moron dynamic. Just admit you care for your friend and drop the attitude!

[BevS · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. Something/someone is definitely coming, and I have my suspicions about some of the characters too. Still want to know who the man that spoke to Molly was and where she'd get gold coins from unless she was given them by said man. Why did no-one take her seriously, or ask her to describe the 'stranger'? I suspect the disembodied foot dragged in by Radulf for all to see was also linked.... I do wish Ben and Aleksey would start treating Molly more as a daughter though and less as an inconvenience, intending to palm her off on a full-time nanny 😕.

[AGandyGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*

‘This is happiness, Ben.’ He laid his hand on Ben’s thigh, lining up their matching gifts once more. ‘You are my happiness.’

Definitely my favorite so far in this new series and I anxiously await the next.

Some absolutely amazing and heartwarming scenes between Aleksey and some of my favorite secondary characters. Honestly these have been long awaited. Seeing more of this growing family and the dynamics between them all was equally enjoyable.

[Britin71 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mignon mais manque d’action

[ᐯEᖇOᑎIᑕᗩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
Not much really happens in this next-to-last book, and it probably should have been combined with the final one. The series has gone from catastrophic events to… almost nothing eventful. Still, I love Ben and Aleksey (I still contend that Ben’s a bit of a spoiled brat), and the audiobook is amazing. Once again, Gary Furlong absolutely nails the narration. Even with a few frustrations...like both guys needing to step up as fathers to Molly or Squeezy being, well, a “moron”, I’m still invested in this series.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really didn't have much in the way of major plot... but I was totally okay with it. There wasn't really anyone trying to kill the MCs or their family... a body part did make an entrance, but was taken care of quietly... there's hints of potential badness to come... It was kind of like a vignette into the day to day life and thought process of Aleksey and I found it entertaining. I think there's only one book left and I'm sad about that.

[MaRoj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cada libro amo más a Aleksey, amo como ha evolucionado y como él va aceptando esa evolución, pero más que nada amo su versión del padre que no tuvo y ahora es.

No sé si fue adrede o solo soy yo pero cuando leí: "The little trio had become inseparable—Molly, Donkey and cat." Automáticamente pensé en Shrek 😂

Y está escena 🥺 no puedo es simplemente hermosa:
‘But now I pause and see your eyes, where light shines out not love’s disguise—’ He dipped her almost to the ground and she screamed in glee, her long hair brushing the dry leaves, ‘—and so I stay and dance your dance, I have practised every move. I’ve walked in darkness all my life, out of step, but now your light, it shines on me, and we will love from both those sides, from left and right, dark and light, and…’

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m completely addicted to and in love with these characters, but the simple fact that their story continues is the main star-earner. This book is incredibly short and uneventful. It does nothing more than set up the next book and clearly should have been combined. This is the exact opposite of the author’s issue in the first half of the original series, where she would essentially take two nearly distinct short novels and smash them into one. Both odd choices.

But I still enjoy reading about these characters, and especially love being in Aleksey’s head now that he has come to terms with his identity. It was an entertaining, if unmemorable, read.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the relationship that Ben and Aleksey share these days. After all they have endured and been and done, their time has come to just love. But the Aleksey of old, has his spidey senses tingling although he does his best to ignore it due his being 'paranoid'. From' the 'invisible friend in the graveyard to a dismembered foot on Xmas Day..... something is coming to their little world and Aleksey is waiting.....

[jasmin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Even when she’s dead Kate still manages to haunt Aleksey from the grave... like seriously John I’m sick of her. The last few chapters of this were absolute gibberish to be me… idk what was happening or what the hell they were talking about. Compared to the previous book this one kinda felt like it didn’t really have an overarching theme. There wasn’t a big mystery/thrill. It was kinda boring.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was different, simply because Aleksey and Ben didn't find themselves in some kind of mortal peril. Of course I think that's coming, but that will continue in the next book. This one was mainly about family. It was great to see A & B spend time with their extended family. Christmas was celebrated and presents were given. I especially love that after all this time, A & B still find plenty of time for sexy times.

Read December 4, 2025

[Heike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is by far the weakest book of both series imo. I always kept waiting for something to happen but it was over before the “real” story began. This book felt more like a very long prologue without any ups and downs or captivating moments. I love Ben and Aleksey and really hope the next book will measure up the rest of the series again.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrated by Gary Furlong, who inhabits these characters so well, it blows me away. Less time spent in this one in Alexei’s head, with his sometimes unreliable thoughts. This one is a good romp, with more adventures in their main home, and their new home on Light Island. More mysteries are found, all of them seeming to center around this island with so much history.

KU + whisper sync

[ROSA E PORTILLO · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite Serie

I enjoy reading how their relationship still going strong over the years, their interactions with the baby tyrant and the rest of their family! Wonder what's coming next!!!

[Carole M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

I am not good at reviews, but I feel like it would be a crime not to do one for this book and series, really.
Aleksey and Ben are really two characters I could read about forever.
The writing is phenomenal and the research! Or maybe the other just knows her stuff.

[Steph]

+h+++fhfhjhf++hug hf hh

[Ivy Shish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorites series , I love Ben and alexey(nik) and seeing how their relationship has grown over the years

[Tacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this couple, but this read like an epilogue. I kept drifting off

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 uncharacteristic stars

I didn’t know what to make of this one. No near death experiences, no dead bodies, no major catastrophes. Just a nice family holiday. Looking forward to the next book!!!!

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible series, never disappoints, im always wanting more from this family by this fantastic story teller

[L Monster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three Stars

I should be careful what I wish for. Not one book ago I was going on and on about how I'd totally love a book with nothing but slice of life shenanigans so long as it still had the hot sex and haha. I got it. This book is exactly that.

It was okay. I did mean it when I said I could read about Rider-Mikkelsens doing nothing but eating, talking, fucking, sleeping, working out, etc. I did read it. I liked it.

But it was still... kinda pointless. I see it now. This book had no plot. No antagonist, no mystery, no climax, no mortal peril. Just sowing some seeds I imagine, for what's coming next book. I'm worried. There were a lot of seeds in this one. I wonder why John Wiltshire decided this should be its own book.

I'm also very sad that I'm almost at the end. I don't want it to end. T_T

But in a way, I'm already savoring my re-reading of the whole series. I'mm sooo gonna go back to all the triggers and the delicious m/m pain yassssss!

EDIT I've finished all of the books. Here's my ranking with links to my reviews:

MORE HEAT THAN THE SUN series

1. Love is a Stranger ★★★★★
2. Conscious Decisions of the Heart ★★★★
3. The Bridge of Silver Wings ★★★★
4. This Other Country ★★★★★ (would give more if I could!)
5. The Bruise-Black Sky ★★★★
6. Death's Ink-Black Shadow ★★★★
7. Enduring Night ★★★★★
8. This Fateful Heap of Days ★★★★★
9. The Bright and Hungry Future of Hawks ★★★★

THE WINDS OF FORTUNE series

1. The Gods of Chaos and Chance ★★★
2. The Paths Less Travelled ★★★.5
3. The Meaning of Storms ★★★★
4. Shadows in the Mist ★★★
5. Down to a Sunlit Sea ★★★

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm thinking the editor and DFP weren't on their game with this story (I've heard that the audio will be coming- Yea!) because the Kindle version needs a lot of cleaning up and I didn't even know numbers 4 & 5 had even come out until I saw it mentioned on here. Although nothing happened, it was nice to get through 1 book where no one dies. It's also about time that Nik realizes that he's not a good father. I, of course, enjoyed my time in the JW Universe and have already started the long uphill climb with book 5.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars