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Hexes & Heartstrings
It's been several months since Bruin first arrived at Bastion Keep in his capacity as a Green witch, and despite a few initial hiccups—like having to work with his too-talented ex, or the multiple encounters with deadly shadow spirits—he's pretty optimistic about how things are going. Between being valued as a healer, the warmth of orcish pride from helping out his new community, and landing himself two amazing new boyfriends, he almost feels as if he's won first prize in an annual gardening competition!
But as winter approaches, it seems that the honeymoon phase might be drawing to a close. Bruin's draconic mate, Lord Sergiy, spends every waking hour out hunting for the fallen lord that had so recently attacked the castle, offering him only an endless supply of cancelled dates. Then there's the visiting alpha that's been put in charge of the garrison, a noble stinkweed whose pack is running roughshod over guardians and castle staff alike, including Bruin's gentle wolf, Russell. But worst of all...
Worst of all, Bruin isn't sure this is where he's supposed to be. He's a young witch in his twenties! He should be out exploring the world and himself, not already setting down roots. Three years at the keep, that had been the plan. But with his boyfriends virtually married to their castle home, he's going to have to decide where his heart really lies, and soon, before mad nobles, ill omens, and grievous betrayals leave him without any choice at all.
Hexes and Heartstrings is the second book in a paranormal poly M/M/M romance series that includes playing fetch with a pack of highly trained soldiers, helping your best friend woo her girlfriend, standing up against bullies, midnight medical emergencies, and finding solace in the arms of those you love.
But as winter approaches, it seems that the honeymoon phase might be drawing to a close. Bruin's draconic mate, Lord Sergiy, spends every waking hour out hunting for the fallen lord that had so recently attacked the castle, offering him only an endless supply of cancelled dates. Then there's the visiting alpha that's been put in charge of the garrison, a noble stinkweed whose pack is running roughshod over guardians and castle staff alike, including Bruin's gentle wolf, Russell. But worst of all...
Worst of all, Bruin isn't sure this is where he's supposed to be. He's a young witch in his twenties! He should be out exploring the world and himself, not already setting down roots. Three years at the keep, that had been the plan. But with his boyfriends virtually married to their castle home, he's going to have to decide where his heart really lies, and soon, before mad nobles, ill omens, and grievous betrayals leave him without any choice at all.
Hexes and Heartstrings is the second book in a paranormal poly M/M/M romance series that includes playing fetch with a pack of highly trained soldiers, helping your best friend woo her girlfriend, standing up against bullies, midnight medical emergencies, and finding solace in the arms of those you love.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 18, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 17, 2025
The medical bits annoy me no end.
There are many medical bits in this story.
This is paranormal fantasy. There is magic and magical healing. I have no quarrel with that.
But it is also as modern as our world. There are cell phones, computers, video conferences, evacuation helicopters. CT scans!
And yet, Bastion Keep has not a single doctor. They need a senior surgeon with ER experience.
Oh, but the place is so small, and shifters heal anyway? It would bore a qualified doctor.
Not everyone is a shifter, and lots of the patients are taken to Town. In between gruesome fights, there is surely some work to be done? There are paranormal doctors, arrange for a relay. Six months, with a one month overlap at the beginning and end. Useful experience for any doctor.
Thirty years of doing the same thing with no education or training is not useful experience.
The Umbral makes no sense. It is inconsistant, changes without logic to fit the tale, it is not the characters learning more...
I think that the Umbral will be used as the setting for the promised sequel. I will try it when/if it comes along, but no promises beyond that.
There are many medical bits in this story.
This is paranormal fantasy. There is magic and magical healing. I have no quarrel with that.
But it is also as modern as our world. There are cell phones, computers, video conferences, evacuation helicopters. CT scans!
And yet, Bastion Keep has not a single doctor. They need a senior surgeon with ER experience.
Oh, but the place is so small, and shifters heal anyway? It would bore a qualified doctor.
Not everyone is a shifter, and lots of the patients are taken to Town. In between gruesome fights, there is surely some work to be done? There are paranormal doctors, arrange for a relay. Six months, with a one month overlap at the beginning and end. Useful experience for any doctor.
Thirty years of doing the same thing with no education or training is not useful experience.
The Umbral makes no sense. It is inconsistant, changes without logic to fit the tale, it is not the characters learning more...
I think that the Umbral will be used as the setting for the promised sequel. I will try it when/if it comes along, but no promises beyond that.
August 15, 2025
I really enjoy this author’s books and they need more love in the form of readers!!
Now this cannot be read as a standalone. You need to read book 1 otherwise you’ll be lost. Book 1 gives you the worldbuilding on the magical system and the issues with the bad guy. Plus, it’s a same thruple series so you’ll need the background there.
What I really enjoy is the shifter side of the series. We have lots of different types and they have three forms - full human, bipedal and animal. It’s not like a partial shift, it’s specifically having a different shifter form. For me, as I’ve read a lot of shifter books, I love it when an author does something different.
Our side characters - the other witches in the coven and soldiers in the garrison - are important to the plot. They’ve developed and not just there as fluff. I enjoy reading about them along with our MCs. Plus it’s an interesting magic system.
The plot follows on from book 1 and it’s really unique with the kind of shadow realm situation and fighting off the bad creatures that live there. We have an external antagonist as well to add to the overarching plot and that was dealt this very well.
I like that our MCs feel human, they mess up and have worries and concerns that feel realistic, not all relationships are smooth sailing after all! It’s not all sexy times (as I’m happy to read smut in my romance books but I don’t want it every other chapter), and the smut side of things felt proportional to the length of the book.
We still have questions that need answers, so it’s a HFN, but I’m looking forward to book 3 and how things will pan out.
Now this cannot be read as a standalone. You need to read book 1 otherwise you’ll be lost. Book 1 gives you the worldbuilding on the magical system and the issues with the bad guy. Plus, it’s a same thruple series so you’ll need the background there.
What I really enjoy is the shifter side of the series. We have lots of different types and they have three forms - full human, bipedal and animal. It’s not like a partial shift, it’s specifically having a different shifter form. For me, as I’ve read a lot of shifter books, I love it when an author does something different.
Our side characters - the other witches in the coven and soldiers in the garrison - are important to the plot. They’ve developed and not just there as fluff. I enjoy reading about them along with our MCs. Plus it’s an interesting magic system.
The plot follows on from book 1 and it’s really unique with the kind of shadow realm situation and fighting off the bad creatures that live there. We have an external antagonist as well to add to the overarching plot and that was dealt this very well.
I like that our MCs feel human, they mess up and have worries and concerns that feel realistic, not all relationships are smooth sailing after all! It’s not all sexy times (as I’m happy to read smut in my romance books but I don’t want it every other chapter), and the smut side of things felt proportional to the length of the book.
We still have questions that need answers, so it’s a HFN, but I’m looking forward to book 3 and how things will pan out.
August 24, 2025
Another wonderful book
I definitely found myself tearing up a couple of times with the wonderful relationships in this book. Both the romantic and platonic. Very excited for the next and last one!
I definitely found myself tearing up a couple of times with the wonderful relationships in this book. Both the romantic and platonic. Very excited for the next and last one!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews