Liquid Courage

Smoke & Mirrors Tavern #3

by Ember Morgan

Nikko:
I can’t help it if I’m awesome at everything I do. Bartending? No one knows what you need better than me. Whether it’s just the right drink or an ear to bend, I’ve got you covered. Rocking the tattoos, piercings, and colorful hair while I play the guitar and flirt shamelessly for tips? Gold stars all around. Running far and fast from my past? Hell, I’m thinking of going pro.
Or I was. Only now it’s lurking around every corner and slowly unraveling the truth behind the carefully crafted carefree bartender I’ve hidden behind for years.
The beast of a wolf arrived out of nowhere, bringing with him memories of a time I’d give anything to forget. And even if I believe Tex isn’t here for me, he still sees all the pieces of me I never intended to share.
Running away is what I do, but I can’t leave the people I’ve grown to care about to deal with the violent pack I’ve brought to their doorstep. And the one wolf who understands in a way no one else can? It turns out he might be the one part of my past I don’t want to let go of.
Tex isn’t anything I thought he would be, but he’s still dangerous in all the ways that matter. Especially the ones I never saw coming. The ones I won't get to keep.


Tex:
The life of a rogue isn’t an easy one, but I accepted the hand I’ve been dealt a long time ago and it doesn’t include friends, or pack, or even a place to call home. This temporary town might be letting me stay for the moment, but just like everywhere else, my time here has an expiration.
So why am I so fascinated by the vibrant bartender who’s too good for a monster like me by miles? It’s all the more reason to walk away from this place, but my wolf won’t let me leave while our old pack is still a threat. The beautiful shifter was the one bright spot in my past after a lifetime of pain. And failing to protect him after he’d set me free was my biggest regret.
I never expected the ways we’ve grown closer and I don’t know why I allowed my wolf to become so attached to something I can never have. My feelings for Nikko don't change the fact that I’m a rogue. My wolf can’t accept a pack after what was done to me, and that means my life has a deadline. There is no future for someone like me.
A broken man with a beast inside falling for the vibrant beauty that everyone loves. It’s a cautionary tale I should have heeded, because unlike the stories, I can’t change what I am. And real monsters don’t get fairy tale endings.


Liquid Courage is a MM paranormal romance/urban fantasy opposites attract/wounded hero novel at around 71k words. This is book 3 in the Smoke & Mirrors Tavern series and while it can be read as a standalone, it is recommended that Book 3 be read after The Contractor’s Curse Series (MMFM) and Smoke & Mirrors Tavern Book 1 and 2 (MM). This book is not recommended for anyone under eighteen due to swearing and sexual content.

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2022

About the author

Ember is a writer of LGBTQ steamy romance with quirky characters, a little humor, and all the found family vibes.

After getting her start writing urban fantasy, Ember couldn’t resist the pull of romance and the happily ever after. Fantasy writing will always have a special place in Ember’s heart and most of her stories still include at least a little magic and mayhem. She’s a firm believer that demons, dragons, and vampires make the best book boyfriends/partners, but she’s been known to dabble with humans from time to time as well.

Reviews

[Eva Tancredi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was well written for a hidden and rogue wolf story. The story gives a good back story as well as well-rounded characters. Nikko and Tex draw you in with their wit and banter. The supporting characters are funny and help the story to move thru the valleys and highs as you read. I enjoyed this story because it showed how friendships can form bonds in the family when you truly need someone to be there for you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Romantic888 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love MM paranormal stories with characters from a troubled past, and while I don’t like a whole lot of drama and angst, I enjoy a good story and this one hit it out of the park! Nikko and Tex met years ago when they shared a terrifying experience that scarred them both in different ways. They meet again unexpectedly in a small town pub where Nikko is the bartender and Tex has been hired in a temporary bouncer role. They both carry a lot of baggage from their shared experience, but there’s a spark between them that builds throughout the story in both expected and unexpected ways. Nikko and Tex’s story is complex, well-told, and very satisfying, with just the right amount of romance, sexiness, stress, and surprises. The supporting cast of characters is fantastic as well. This is book three in the Smoke & Mirrors Tavern series, and while you can read it as a standalone, books 1 and 2 are terrific. The author is a great storyteller, and the stories of the couple in each book are part of a rich backstory about strange things happening in the town that are actually thoughtfully connected and logically explained as the stories unfold. Although completely different, this author’s ability to tell a story with a wonderful world and rich characters that I want to read more about reminds me of how quickly I was pulled into Macy Blake’s the Chosen One universe. I can’t wait for Aiden’s story, and I’m definitely going to pick up The Contractor’s Curse series to read more about Ollie and her men. Highly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynthia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tex has been a rogue wolf shifter since he escaped from his pack. He gets a job as a bouncer at a sifter bar. he can't believe that the wolf shifter he thought was dead is alive and a bartender at the same bar. Nikko escaped with Tex from the pack. Both are always looking over their shoulder, afraid that their old pack will find them and force them back. Tex thinks he not good enough for for anyone and Nikko has a secret that can wreck his life and the shifters around him. I really enjoyed this book.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two interesting MCs who barely knew each other in the past when both were trapped in different ways in an appalling wolf pack. Both characters are badly traumatised but eventually start to heal, which made for an excellent double hurt/comfort. The plot involving the "bad" groups is becoming more clear, but fortunately these books don't end in uncomfortable cliffhangers.

[Likes2Explore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a Home Run for me. I could not put it down.

"I would always carry scars, both on my skin and the kind no one could see, but they no longer defined me. They weren't all that I was. What was done to me didn't mean that I didn't deserve love."

It is a beautiful journey of overcoming a painful past, the struggle of the idea of being worthy of being loved and being targeted for being different. There are unique and fun ideas that are brought into the story (I won't say what they are because I hate spoilers) but my nature loving self fell in love with Nikko.

This is a wonderful addition to the Smoke and Mirrors Tavern Series. I found it to be entertaining, easy to read and I connected to the characters from the start all the way to the last page. This is a slow burn hurt / comfort MM Shifter Romance with spice.

Yes you can read it as a stand alone but Ember Morgan has built a wonderful community around the tavern and all the characters weave into each story. Each book focuses on a new pair of MC's in the community and ends with a HEA. They are filled with mystery, action, Romance and spice.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nikko and Tex . . .

Nikko is a popular bartender. He is finally content with his life. And then the rogue wolf Tex comes to town. Both of them are strongly drawn to the other. Memories drown them. Nikko feels he can’t run when there are people here he cares about. He knows Tex is a danger. But can he let him go?

Tex acknowledges the life of a rogue like him is difficult and lonely. He knows he can’t stay in the town. He’s just stopping for a rest. But Nikko fascinates him, and Tex’s wolf won’t leave if Nikko is in danger from their old pack. There is no future for them. But both he and his wolf know what it is they crave. Can he leave him behind? Or is he foolish enough to believe he can find a happy ending here?

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Liquid Courage by Ember Morgan. It's the third book in the Smoke & Mirrors Tavern series. I loved Tex and Nikko's story. I loved their back story and how they both came from the same abusive pack and then later ended up working at the same tavern and starting a relationship while dealing with a human cult, hunters, and their original pack tracking them down and trying to drag them back. I loved seeing the familiar faces of the friends and employees of the Smoke & Mirrors Tavern and especially the birthday party for Maverick the unicorn, which I secretly call Stabby the unicorn. If you've read the first book, then you know why. I voluntarily reviewed an arc copy of this book.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the series brings Nikko and Tex's story. The author once again brings a cast of magical and shifter characters and weaves another action packed story with a ton of emotions. Both Nikko and Tex have been abused physically and mentally and have been running from their old pack for years ... separately. Turns out they had a past. Some questions were answered but their towns problems continue. The story moves fluidly with descriptive scenes and the author did a great job pulling me in and kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. I'm looking forward to the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very Chaotic

This installment makes an attempt to overwhelm the reader with whiny, angst-driven rants from both Tex and Nikko. The storyline threads its way through all of their emotional swamp, but it’s definitely a tiresome journey. The conflict scenes are equally chaotic and even feel unscripted since there seems to be no rhyme or reason to who wins in any one struggle. The ending brings some relief, but little story resolution.

[Laura Carter-Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niko is knocked off balance when the sexy and sinful Tex arrives in town. Tex is a rogue wolf who left pack life behind. Sparks fly as they try to fight the intense connection that erupts between them. But dangers lurk in both of their pasts that may cut them down before they even have a chance to start. What will happen when the pasts they are both running from collide with their present?

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Great world building and wonderful characters. Nikko and Tex have such wonderful chemistry. I was especially drawn to Tex, and loved seeing their relationship develop and deepen. Well written and well paced, this is the first book I've read by this author and I look forward to reading more. 4 stars.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

lost and found…

Big wolf(?) shifter meets up with a wolf shifter(?) from his past. Fate, magic and friends help them come together and overcoming the trauma enough to break a crack in the shells protecting their gooey insides.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best so far...

I found Ophelia/Phee's words especially moving in this entry to the Smoke & Mirrors series. They really seemed to hit the spot.