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California Obscura #3
More Than This
So, apparently I’m a warlock.
That’s what I’ve been told by a mysterious stranger who broke into my home and claims to be a vampire. He also says my powers are going to activate in two weeks, on my twenty-fifth birthday. Oh, and by the way, that just might set me off like a nuclear bomb. Since something inside me is starting to build to almost unbearable levels, he might be right about that. He also says he’s willing to help me, as long as I do a favor for him in return.
But can I trust him?
And why does this have to be happening now, right after I met the man of my dreams? Ari Bloom is everything I’ve ever wanted, and there’s no way I can tell him about any of this while we’re just getting to know each other. What would I even say? Oh hey, turns out magic is real, I might be the most powerful warlock on the planet, and there’s a chance I could go supernova in a few days.
Yeah, I don’t think so.
My name is Griffin Vale, and this is what I have to do: survive my birthday, help a vampire in need, and keep pretending everything is perfectly normal for Ari’s sake, even as my world starts spiraling wildly out of control around us.
Piece of cake, right?
This light-hearted, M/M paranormal romance is part of Alexa Land’s California Obscura Series. It features an inept warlock, a sweet cinnamon roll of a barista, an annoyed bulldog, and an assortment of vampires. While characters throughout the series make cameo appearances, each book is written as a stand-alone.
That’s what I’ve been told by a mysterious stranger who broke into my home and claims to be a vampire. He also says my powers are going to activate in two weeks, on my twenty-fifth birthday. Oh, and by the way, that just might set me off like a nuclear bomb. Since something inside me is starting to build to almost unbearable levels, he might be right about that. He also says he’s willing to help me, as long as I do a favor for him in return.
But can I trust him?
And why does this have to be happening now, right after I met the man of my dreams? Ari Bloom is everything I’ve ever wanted, and there’s no way I can tell him about any of this while we’re just getting to know each other. What would I even say? Oh hey, turns out magic is real, I might be the most powerful warlock on the planet, and there’s a chance I could go supernova in a few days.
Yeah, I don’t think so.
My name is Griffin Vale, and this is what I have to do: survive my birthday, help a vampire in need, and keep pretending everything is perfectly normal for Ari’s sake, even as my world starts spiraling wildly out of control around us.
Piece of cake, right?
This light-hearted, M/M paranormal romance is part of Alexa Land’s California Obscura Series. It features an inept warlock, a sweet cinnamon roll of a barista, an annoyed bulldog, and an assortment of vampires. While characters throughout the series make cameo appearances, each book is written as a stand-alone.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2019
84 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Alexa Land
58 books787 followersIndependent MM romance author. For more information, please visit Alexa's blog: http://alexalandwrites.blogspot.com/
Please note: the author does not check messages on this site. The best way to contact them is through Facebook.
Please note: the author does not check messages on this site. The best way to contact them is through Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 30, 2019
I loved, loved, loved, loved, LOVED this book!
Alexa's Tinder and Feral stories were my favorite vampire books *ever*, so when I saw that there was a new story, I was pretty much over the moon, and this one did not disappoint in the slightest.
As the story began, we were introduced to Griffin, a socially-awkward, would-be author living in his recently-deceased aunt's house in the Hollywood hills, with his protective bulldog, Fig. Griffin was pretty adorable and funny, so I liked him from the get go.
Then when Griffin met happy, outgoing barista Ari, the story seemed to be your typical contemporary M/M romance, where true love is completely and totally inevitable.
Until Griffin returned home to find a strange man in his bedroom, telling Griffin that Griffin was a warlock, the stranger was a vampire, and begging Griffin for his help to save his vampire husband from a terrible fate.
Enter August Mayes, aka Bane, Tinder, and the rest of the vampire crew from the original Tinder Chronicles and Feral books. Yep, I may have *squee'd* myself, just a little. Allegedly. : )
So with an uncertain future ahead of him, Griffin began training with August to learn to control his powerful magic and restore Tinder's fragile sanity, all while beginning to explore a brand new relationship with the most intriguing man that Griffin had ever met.
Full plate much?
The story contained both angst and steam, but neither was allowed to get too out of control, instead staying firmly in the Goldilocks Zone of "juuuuuuust right".
I thoroughly enjoyed this standalone (ish) paranormal story from beginning to end, and I can't wait to read Fig's book next. (Yes, it looks like the may be getting his own book, YAY!)
4.75 stars and strongly recommended to fans of uplifting tales of magic and vampires.
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February 23, 2021
3.5 Stars
I really enjoyed this! It was cute and amusing and sweet.
I really enjoyed this! It was cute and amusing and sweet.
November 27, 2020
Unexpected
I never knew this book existed to I saw it on my app. I didn’t know I needed a bit more of tinders and August’s world but I absolutely loved it . Can’t wait for more xx
I never knew this book existed to I saw it on my app. I didn’t know I needed a bit more of tinders and August’s world but I absolutely loved it . Can’t wait for more xx
November 1, 2019
4.5 stars
I'm so glad Alexa Land decided to revisit this world with a new story. It will work fine as a standalone, but I think you'd get more out of it if you at least read The Tinder Chronicles: Complete 3-Volume Series first. If you don't, I'm pretty sure you will want to go back and read it afterward anyway.
The MCs are both new characters to the series. Griffin is a lonely, aspiring writer and Ari is a barista/artist who is possibly the sweetest and most delightful character I've read in a while. Just as the two are starting to get to know each other, Griffin's world changes immensely and it might not be for the better. Regardless of all the crazy being heaped upon him, Griffin is not going to let it get in the way of building something with Ari.
Aside from the incredibly sweet romance between Griffin and Ari, there is plenty of paranormal action. If you've read the series, all the main players are back. If you wanted to know what happened to Tinder after we last left him and Bane, you're going to get that information here. Add in a bulldog like no other and a few eccentric aunts and you've got plenty to keep you turning the pages.
The story captivated me from the start. It manages to be a lighthearted blend of romance, humor, and paranormal action, while also really having me emotionally invested in not just the MCs, but the past characters I already loved. I'm so excited that this won't be the last story in this series.
I'm so glad Alexa Land decided to revisit this world with a new story. It will work fine as a standalone, but I think you'd get more out of it if you at least read The Tinder Chronicles: Complete 3-Volume Series first. If you don't, I'm pretty sure you will want to go back and read it afterward anyway.
The MCs are both new characters to the series. Griffin is a lonely, aspiring writer and Ari is a barista/artist who is possibly the sweetest and most delightful character I've read in a while. Just as the two are starting to get to know each other, Griffin's world changes immensely and it might not be for the better. Regardless of all the crazy being heaped upon him, Griffin is not going to let it get in the way of building something with Ari.
Aside from the incredibly sweet romance between Griffin and Ari, there is plenty of paranormal action. If you've read the series, all the main players are back. If you wanted to know what happened to Tinder after we last left him and Bane, you're going to get that information here. Add in a bulldog like no other and a few eccentric aunts and you've got plenty to keep you turning the pages.
The story captivated me from the start. It manages to be a lighthearted blend of romance, humor, and paranormal action, while also really having me emotionally invested in not just the MCs, but the past characters I already loved. I'm so excited that this won't be the last story in this series.
November 13, 2019
A fun #read, I'd recommend you read Alexa's Tinder Chronicles first so that you are familiar with the other characters that pop up in this book. I liked the twist re one of the MCs and enjoyed how this ended. I look forward to the next book 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 7, 2019
Happy paranormal fluff 😊
October 30, 2019
I enjoyed Feral and I loved the first 2 books of the Tinder Chronicles so there was no chance that I would have been able to resist More Than This and it started quite charming and quirky. Griffin is such an adorkable character and the chemistry between him and Ari is not deniable. They are just so sweet together but that's also where my trouble with this book is starting: books where everyone is nice and friendly are not really my cup of tea and it doesn't make it easier that there is a lot of explanation in this book.
Might be the curse of fan-boying the 2 Tinder Chronicles too much but I missed Tinder greatly – oh, we meet him and his vampire friends and luckily more than only cameo but he's not himself and after Griffin cured him there is still no way back to his early self before becoming a vampire.
Might be the curse of fan-boying the 2 Tinder Chronicles too much but I missed Tinder greatly – oh, we meet him and his vampire friends and luckily more than only cameo but he's not himself and after Griffin cured him there is still no way back to his early self before becoming a vampire.
October 27, 2019
I loved the stories and couples in Feral and The Tinder Chronicles. More Than This have me more of that. Can't wait for Mateo's story next.
February 19, 2021
Loved it
Quirky and funny and just a great read. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book of the series.
Quirky and funny and just a great read. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book of the series.
January 24, 2021
Brilliant
Brilliant storytelling and the mythology continues.
The world building that Alexa created was so remarkable. The story goes to unexpected places.
We get to know Griffin and Ari. Their relationship begins in an unexpected way. A napkin... that definitely made me giggle! Then, they interact with characters we all know and love. Nate, Nicky, Laurie, Ty, Tinder and August are back.
This book ends on such a high note AND...This story leads to another chapter in California Obscura books which I’m super excited for! I love this series SO much and love that it continues... now the waiting begins..
Brilliant storytelling and the mythology continues.
The world building that Alexa created was so remarkable. The story goes to unexpected places.
We get to know Griffin and Ari. Their relationship begins in an unexpected way. A napkin... that definitely made me giggle! Then, they interact with characters we all know and love. Nate, Nicky, Laurie, Ty, Tinder and August are back.
This book ends on such a high note AND...This story leads to another chapter in California Obscura books which I’m super excited for! I love this series SO much and love that it continues... now the waiting begins..
December 20, 2022
This was such a sweet story. Love love love seeing all the guys. Wouldn't have minded an in between story of Laurie and Ty, but I'll survive somehow. I adore the found family of these books and will definitely be reading this series repeatedly in the future.
November 22, 2019
So sweet
This story was the sweetest!! Ari and Griffin were made for each other. I loved their quirks and even their secrets. There was a perfect blend of action and romance.
This story was the sweetest!! Ari and Griffin were made for each other. I loved their quirks and even their secrets. There was a perfect blend of action and romance.
November 18, 2019
There certainly is ‘More Than This’
I truly love, loved this story. It was an absolute joy to read a great fantasy, that wasn’t predictable. Griffin and Ari are seemingly so innocent together, until the magic really starts to shine. With Griffin’s merry band of vampires and part werewolves and his crazy aunts, this story managed to captivate me from the very first page to the last. I’m definitely off to buy The Tinder Chronicles NOW!!!
I truly love, loved this story. It was an absolute joy to read a great fantasy, that wasn’t predictable. Griffin and Ari are seemingly so innocent together, until the magic really starts to shine. With Griffin’s merry band of vampires and part werewolves and his crazy aunts, this story managed to captivate me from the very first page to the last. I’m definitely off to buy The Tinder Chronicles NOW!!!
November 16, 2019
Brilliant!
Such a fun story; lots of heart, humour and snark, with a few twists and a dash of suspense! I loved Griffin and Ari; Fig was so funny, getting grumpy if you disturbed his telenovelas viewing.
It was great to revisit August and Tinder, from The Tinder Chronicles. Even though this story is a standalone, I loved the tie-in to the former.
Definitely looking forward to the next book.
Such a fun story; lots of heart, humour and snark, with a few twists and a dash of suspense! I loved Griffin and Ari; Fig was so funny, getting grumpy if you disturbed his telenovelas viewing.
It was great to revisit August and Tinder, from The Tinder Chronicles. Even though this story is a standalone, I loved the tie-in to the former.
Definitely looking forward to the next book.
November 18, 2019
storyline: ****
main characters: ****
side characters: ****
world building: ****
editing: ****
main characters: ****
side characters: ****
world building: ****
editing: ****
November 15, 2019
3.5 stars for a sweet romance. But it is a little slow in the middle and confusing at the end.
November 12, 2019
Fun!
I really enjoyed this book. There were multiple paranormal elements but it was still light and fun. I now must go back and read the tinder chronicles!
I really enjoyed this book. There were multiple paranormal elements but it was still light and fun. I now must go back and read the tinder chronicles!
November 1, 2019
A Warlock in Love
For years, I’ve hoped that Alexa Land would someday return to the paranormal world she created when she wrote Feral and The Tinder Chronicles, and now she has!!
More Than This is the story of Griffin, a warlock who doesn’t know he’s a warlock, and Ari, the cute barista he falls in love with. We also get to reconnect with characters from Feral and Tinder, although it’s not necessary to read their books for this one to make sense. I do recommend them, though, because they’re a lot of fun!
Along with the new book, Alexa has given the series a new name: California Obscura, and best of all, the promise of more stories to come. Next up is Mateo’s story, and I can’t wait!
For years, I’ve hoped that Alexa Land would someday return to the paranormal world she created when she wrote Feral and The Tinder Chronicles, and now she has!!
More Than This is the story of Griffin, a warlock who doesn’t know he’s a warlock, and Ari, the cute barista he falls in love with. We also get to reconnect with characters from Feral and Tinder, although it’s not necessary to read their books for this one to make sense. I do recommend them, though, because they’re a lot of fun!
Along with the new book, Alexa has given the series a new name: California Obscura, and best of all, the promise of more stories to come. Next up is Mateo’s story, and I can’t wait!
November 3, 2019
Fantastic paranormal romance!
This book was different from any other books I read by Land. It almost seemed to be a story within a story. So many layers yet easy to follow. There was magic, vamps, omegas, and even an angel. Among the mortals. I was waiting for a dragon since they spoke about wolf shifters but I guess not in this book. I can't wait to read about Mateo next. Way to go!
This book was different from any other books I read by Land. It almost seemed to be a story within a story. So many layers yet easy to follow. There was magic, vamps, omegas, and even an angel. Among the mortals. I was waiting for a dragon since they spoke about wolf shifters but I guess not in this book. I can't wait to read about Mateo next. Way to go!
November 7, 2019
Love tnis!
Great love story! Love that this also included Tinder and August. Will be waiting for the next book I this series.
Great love story! Love that this also included Tinder and August. Will be waiting for the next book I this series.
November 4, 2019
I first read Feral and The Tinder Chronicles several years ago. I knew then I wanted more of these guys and their very unique world. More Than This delivered and then some. It was so worth the wait.
Thank you Alexa Land for giving us new guys to love and more of the guys we already loved. Looking forward to Mateo’s story.
Thank you Alexa Land for giving us new guys to love and more of the guys we already loved. Looking forward to Mateo’s story.
October 28, 2019
Worth the wait!
I am so excited that this series is continuing! I loved the originals and this one is a great addition. Ari and Griffin are so very sweet. There is still plenty of action while catching up with characters from the previous books. As always, I’m looking forward to more!
I am so excited that this series is continuing! I loved the originals and this one is a great addition. Ari and Griffin are so very sweet. There is still plenty of action while catching up with characters from the previous books. As always, I’m looking forward to more!
October 27, 2019
Loved It! I laughed, cried, smiled & swooned then cried more. So good!! I missed August, Tinder & the other Vamps, it was a nice, sad & then thankfully better. I loved Griffen, Ari & Fig... My heart! So can't wait for Mateos story, he so deserves his HEA.
October 27, 2019
Oh wow
Can not wait for more! I loved the animals mixed in with all the supernatural. I am one of those people who don’t give much away. Read if and enjoy the story
Can not wait for more! I loved the animals mixed in with all the supernatural. I am one of those people who don’t give much away. Read if and enjoy the story
November 13, 2019
Torture
This was the worst. The only reason I kept reading was the enduring mystery of how Ari was evil. Alas, even that potential route went unexplored and it was all effing daisies. It took too long for everything. The writing was slow and the narrative spun in useless spools of boring episodes. Ugh.
This was the worst. The only reason I kept reading was the enduring mystery of how Ari was evil. Alas, even that potential route went unexplored and it was all effing daisies. It took too long for everything. The writing was slow and the narrative spun in useless spools of boring episodes. Ugh.
February 23, 2021
Great surprise - didn't expect more books in this series and now I can't wait for more.
January 12, 2020
Alexa Land is a romance author. M/m romance author. Well, I found her because of her Tinder series - her paranormal, vampire slayer badass Tinder chronicles. I later found out it was quite the singularity in her portfolio and an old project she wants to keep but, looking at her books, it's pretty clear she did not continue with this genre or theme. Actually, if I found Alexa in any other way, I would take one look at her books - the covers, the blurbs, and run for the hills.
But Tinder? That was exciting. Different. Full of action and untraditional romance and it was not "that great" but I also enjoyed reading the trilogy.
So when I found out there is a new book in this universe? There was no question in my mind I have to have it.
Except... that's not what happened.
The very beginning of the book is... like in those contemporary romances I cringe at. And when it changed? Getting to meet the old characters? It was still pretty... anticlimactic. And tame. And learning he was supposed to learn control or he might die in two weeks somehow didn't change anything in his life - because he also happened to meet a hot guy and what's more important than that? *sigh* It wasn't too bad. It was just... normal. It lacked a certain spark and rebelliousness Tinder was full of.
Even the stuff near the end, the fighting (no spoilers, don't worry) was pretty much an absurd show of sword and magic fighting Tinder had the whole way through.
The funny thing is, I was fond enough of the author's style to just... close my eyes and pick one of her books at random to try - the contemporary m/m romance one. Funny thing... I liked it.
And yet this book didn't really do what other books could - it was a mix of both genres and somehow, failed to interested me with either.
No, I am not saying I don't recommend this book. But neither do I feel that my feelings on the book give me any reason to do recommend it. Toward the end, I only read on because of one little "detail", because... let's just say he lost something and it felt like the biggest freaking case of bad luck - if you search for bad luck in the dictionary, this is the definition of the term - the combination of everything that happened to him was just... like... imagine finding you're very special snowflake with very special stuff and you can be a really competent snowflake but as the events have it, you have to use that special snow to rain it on the bad stuff and you have to spend all of it - repeatedly - until you're no longer special.
Sorry, it just really pissed me off...
So, that's my two cents. Hope you liked it more.
But Tinder? That was exciting. Different. Full of action and untraditional romance and it was not "that great" but I also enjoyed reading the trilogy.
So when I found out there is a new book in this universe? There was no question in my mind I have to have it.
Except... that's not what happened.
The very beginning of the book is... like in those contemporary romances I cringe at. And when it changed? Getting to meet the old characters? It was still pretty... anticlimactic. And tame. And learning he was supposed to learn control or he might die in two weeks somehow didn't change anything in his life - because he also happened to meet a hot guy and what's more important than that? *sigh* It wasn't too bad. It was just... normal. It lacked a certain spark and rebelliousness Tinder was full of.
Even the stuff near the end, the fighting (no spoilers, don't worry) was pretty much an absurd show of sword and magic fighting Tinder had the whole way through.
The funny thing is, I was fond enough of the author's style to just... close my eyes and pick one of her books at random to try - the contemporary m/m romance one. Funny thing... I liked it.
And yet this book didn't really do what other books could - it was a mix of both genres and somehow, failed to interested me with either.
No, I am not saying I don't recommend this book. But neither do I feel that my feelings on the book give me any reason to do recommend it. Toward the end, I only read on because of one little "detail", because... let's just say he lost something and it felt like the biggest freaking case of bad luck - if you search for bad luck in the dictionary, this is the definition of the term - the combination of everything that happened to him was just... like... imagine finding you're very special snowflake with very special stuff and you can be a really competent snowflake but as the events have it, you have to use that special snow to rain it on the bad stuff and you have to spend all of it - repeatedly - until you're no longer special.
Sorry, it just really pissed me off...
So, that's my two cents. Hope you liked it more.
January 29, 2021
So, I have had this entire series on my Kindle and I recently blew through the whole series in a weekend..All 5 star reads for me. OK so WOW..This is Dana being a knucklehead! LOL I started Alexa Land's More Than This which is a standalone Warlock/Human? story (I think..I didn't get too far yet) and was loving it then I and realized OMG there is more with these characters so I stopped and started the Tinder Chronicles (Vamp Hunter and Vamp) and said oh wait there has got to be more with these fabulous characters so after a little research today I downloaded and just DEVOURED Feral and OMG...this is a GORGEOUS, swoony, sexy as shit human/vamp story!! Then I finished Tinder (a box set on KU BTW) and was blown away..Vamp Hunter and Vamp fall in love the hard way?? HELL YEAH!! I loved everything about it...It was exciting and sexy and emotional!! ...More Than This was fantastic too! A few new paranormal elements introduced and I freaking loved it!! Ari and Griffin stole my heart and seeing the "boys" from the other stories was wonderful and a bit heart breaking but the HEA was exactly what I needed!! Don't follow my lead..start from the beginning because DAYUM YEAH..LOL As a relative Vamp newbie, these books have EVERYTHING I love in an MM book with a little extra extra!!
January 29, 2020
Tohle mohlo být tak skvělé čtení! Mělo to v sobě všechno... Tajemné přátele, tajemství v rodinné historii, Opravdovou Lásku, super-mega-ultra-turbo-laser-cool upíry, nadpozemské souboje s démonickými superpříšerami a dokonce i dva komické elementy.
Jenže. Pak to autorka vzala a sepsala něco jako první draft. A nepřepsala. Všechno je jaksi utahané, nedořečené a příšerně přeslazené. Je to jako lízat lízátko přes obal. Chtělo to napsat, nechat být a pak vyladit důležité scény a momenty, aby byly pro čtenáře opravdu nezapomenutelné. Kdo kdy má za milence někoho tak výjimečného? A přitom to z toho moc nečišelo.
Závěrečný souboj byl frustrující na úplně novém levelu. Takže postavíte hrdinu proti něčemu, o čem všichni tvrdí, že je to neporazitelné, dosadíte si k tomu atomovou elektrárnu, pohrozíte hlavní postavě ztrátou jeho schopností... a nakonec je v podstatě hned po souboji?!?
Ne. Nelíbilo se mi to.
BTW Ti upíři byli tak super cool, až byli svou vlastní parodií.
Jenže. Pak to autorka vzala a sepsala něco jako první draft. A nepřepsala. Všechno je jaksi utahané, nedořečené a příšerně přeslazené. Je to jako lízat lízátko přes obal. Chtělo to napsat, nechat být a pak vyladit důležité scény a momenty, aby byly pro čtenáře opravdu nezapomenutelné. Kdo kdy má za milence někoho tak výjimečného? A přitom to z toho moc nečišelo.
Závěrečný souboj byl frustrující na úplně novém levelu. Takže postavíte hrdinu proti něčemu, o čem všichni tvrdí, že je to neporazitelné, dosadíte si k tomu atomovou elektrárnu, pohrozíte hlavní postavě ztrátou jeho schopností... a nakonec je v podstatě hned po souboji?!?
Ne. Nelíbilo se mi to.
BTW Ti upíři byli tak super cool, až byli svou vlastní parodií.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2021
the romance felt flat, very instant love, the MC1 just wanted to be with the first cute boy who looked at him twice and neglected his life and his problems, he had no clear goal in his life beyond having a boyfriend for an MC1 I find it very simple and even pathetic, MC2 never knew what he wanted or was looking for, his mystery was the only thing that kept me entertained and when solved he lost his powers like MC1, we read a whole paranormal novel where there was almost nothing of it and when finally It happens the protagonists lose their magic, without mentioning that most of the chapters were boring and bland, it was torture most of the book a couple of chapters at the end when there was magic woke me up but that does not compensate at all for all the initial suffering. this book was a disappointment when the previous ones were very good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews