Another one of my feel-good series. The Southern ladies in these books speak their mind and make their own choices. The series is more PNR than UF, but I don’t mind because it makes me laugh. 

A quote from the book:

“Zombies eat brains, don’t they?”
“I’m a vegetarian.”

Oh, and I found a reference to THHGTTG in this one:

“Don’t panic and carry a towel.”

And several to Lord of the Rings since the male lead gives a ring that the woman he’s seeing can use to summon him. Lol

Duncan watched the cabin for movement. Soon she would appear the Witch of Devil's  River= Cassandra/Cassie McKenna who was more sorceress than witch able to channel power inherent in earth and stone, in the elements and living things.  Cassie was a demonoid - the immortal daughter of a fiend possessed human. Duncan was Dalvani- a warrior sworn to the pursuit of rogue demons or djegrali.  Cassie’s and Duncan’s natures set them at odds. Cassie was angry at Duncan , she was prickly and didn’t forgive easily. Duncan had hurt Cassie very cruelly in the past. It would take time and patience to reclaim Cassie. Duncan was also immortal so he had the time. Then Duncan caught a glimpse of Cassie and then he felt the most painful heightening of the senses, a heady mixture of excitement, longing , regret, and desire. The Cassie he remembered bubbled with laughter but this Cassie rarely smiled. She had even become a bit of a recluse. Cassie noticed Duncan and said she had told him to stay off her property and asked if she needed to get her gun. Cassie asked Duncan how many times did she have to tell him to leave her alone. Then Duncan told Cassie he bought the land across the river from her, it was about one hundred and fifty acres. Sad Cassie tore at Duncan’s heart but Cassie in an outrage delighted and aroused him. Cassie worked hard and now had a flourishing business. Cassie was no longer the ignorant country mouse. Duncan had known. Cassie would not allow Duncan to fluster her. The Regulator clock in Cassie’s house hadn’t worked for years but the clock had just chimed - trouble was coming maybe even death. Then cassie felt the need to get out of her house. When Cassie stepped onto her back stoop a feeling of dread engulfed her. Something was off. The perimeter of Cassie’s property was set with a spell line to alert her to danger and an invisible barrier screened her from visitors. If anyone or anything crossed the magical lines bells rang in the house and garden to let Cassie know she had company. Cassie checked the wars around her place and the spell line were still intact. Then a werewolf charged out of the trees with a heart stopping growl. He had half shifted- a young male- he was hunched and misshapen and the skin peeking through was sickly grey. Foam flecked his slathering jaw and his eyes burned red with madness. Cassie wondered how he had gotten through her security system. Cassie couldn’t find her keys in her purse and the truck was locked and the wolf was almost on her when she hit it with her purse on the nose and dove into the truck bed. Then the werewolf was also in the truck bed with her. Cassie waited for the wolf to tear into her flesh but Duncan had killed it before it got to Cassie. There was two packs of werewolves in Hannah . This one was from Pack Randall. Then Cassie flashed back to the kids- Maggie and Jimbo tore apart and dead. Cassie had promised her brother to take care of his kids and now they were dead. Cassie had left but Duncan had never stopped looking for Cassie or the murderer of the kids.Cassie had wondered about her birth mom for years - she had disappeared without a trace. Cassie had wondered if her mother had died or simply walked away. Her mother - Cybil had been demon possessed and a human possessed by a demon usually dies within a year. But Cybil had been a conjurer and a healer. She used magic to bind the demon to her but then Cybil transformed into a hag with an insatiable hunger for human flesh and Cybil had killed her own grandchildren. How Cassie had loved Duncan and losing him and the kids within days almost killed Cassie.  Cassie knew something was up in the werewolf world. There had been three sick in a month. Something smelled of black magic  

I had mixed feelings about this story. It was fun to read most of the time and I liked the pace most of the time although it did drag for me at times. It was a little irritating to read at times with the Dalahni way of speaking. I couldn’t seem to connect with Cassie. There was also a little too much going on for me. I did like the little side of romance of Evan and Taryn. I believe I would have enjoyed this more if I had read the books before this one in the series as this story was a little confusing at times. But the book had a lot in it: there was witches, shapeshifters, norms, sylphs, satyrs, peskies, centaurs, imps, fairies, gods, and a lot more. So as I said I had mixed feelings. Somethings I liked and something's not so much But i do advise everyone to read the first books of the series if I had I think I might have enjoyed this more definitely understood it more

Deep breath. There was a moment that really pissed me off. Let's get that out of the way first. If I wasn't reading this for Bingo, it probably would have been DNF'd.
Brand and Addy (Adara) are the main characters. So, of course, Brand is a walking wet dream. I guess that gives him the excuse to behave in less than desirable ways. Okay, so the first kiss happens very fast, especially (or because of) "The Dalvahni do not experience emotion." The he leaves after an interruption. Comes back when Addy is in the shower, goes to bed, and proceeds to watch her sleep. Watching her shower and sleep is such a turn-on that he proceeds to touch her while she is sleeping. Addy, or course, responds to said touching and gradually wakes up. They get interrupted again. Her first response is not (I repeat not) what the fuck are you doing?! No her first reaction is this, "God she was such a skank, a hoochie mama, a slut of biblical proportions." Instead of getting pissed at Brand, she disses herself. Argh!
Luckily it did get better, but this did stick with me and the rating does reflect the above.
I wish Addy had stood up to Brand more. Way too popular phrases in this book: "This I will not allow." and "You will...." (add what you want here). Addy's mom Bitsy is too overbearing even if she grows on you as the book progresses. On one of the first meetings with her in the book, Addy thought this: "She felt her liver curl and her lungs shrivel to husks under the heat of that maternal stare."
Okay, now the good/funny:
Dooley the talking dog, Brand and Ansgar not getting the slang and pop culture of modern day AL, the widow cutting off her dead husband's penis (he was cheating), the boys getting drunk on chocolate, Ansgar's nickname "Prince Flaxen Fart," and Meredith getting her comeuppance.
There are 2 other books in this series. Won't be reading them.

In California wildflowers in the desert signal Spring. Orange poppies, baby blue eyes, paintbrush, owls clover, Mojave Aster, Parry Gilia,  peppergrass, and  alyssum are everywhere. 

Here are some wonderful Romances for you featuring flower lovers otherwise known as florists!

My lists are never in any particular order. 

1. As You Wish by Elyssa Patrick

Love doesn’t always follow the sheet music . . .

This Christmas, Portia Jackson needs a miracle to save her family’s generations-old florist shop. What she gets instead is a car that breaks down during a blizzard. Help arrives unexpectedly when the infamous Aubry Riley pulls over. She only expects him to drive her to the gas station . . . she never expects that kiss. But Portia lives in the real world—she knows this is only a holiday fling for Aubry. Except it doesn’t feel so temporary, and the last thing she wants is a broken heart.

Sometimes you have to sing some different notes . . .

Rock star Aubry Riley has no secrets. Thanks to the media, everyone knows about his troubled past. Six years have gone by since his world crashed, and now he’s ready for a comeback. But first he needs to reconcile with his family—starting with his six-year-old daughter. A month-long vacation at a Vermont lake house affords him the perfect opportunity to take a step in the right direction. He doesn’t need any other emotional entanglements, especially not with the bright-eyed florist he can’t stop thinking about. But no matter how hard he tries to resist her, he can’t. Now all he has to do is to convince Portia that there is nothing temporary when it comes to love.

2. Love in Bloom by Arlene James

Lily Farnsworth can thank a mysterious benefactor for the chance to open her own flower shop in Bygones, Kansas.

But Tate Bronson is the biggest challenge the relocated Boston attorney has ever faced. Forget about tossing out the welcome mat—the handsome widowed rancher seems determined to keep Lily at arm’s length. As everyone buzzes over the identity of the anonymous donor, Lily’s doing her part to revitalize the struggling town.

With the help of Tate’s little girl-turned-matchmaker, can she create a garden of community and love deep in the heart of Kansas…and one special man?

3. Demon Hunting In Dixie  by Lexi George

A warrior, a demon, and the girl next door. . .

Looking For Trouble

Addy Corwin is a florist with an attitude. A bad attitude, or so her mama says, ‘cause she's not looking for a man. Mama's wrong. Addy has looked. There's just not much to choose from in Hannah, her small Alabama hometown. Until Brand Dalvahni shows up, a supernaturally sexy, breathtakingly well-built hunk of a warrior from-well, not from around here, that's for sure. Mama thinks he might be European or maybe even a Yankee. Brand says he's from another dimension.

Addy couldn't care less where he's from. He's gorgeous. Serious muscles. Disturbing green eyes. Brand really gets her going. Too bad he's a whack job. Says he's come to rescue her from a demon. Puh-lease. But right after Brand shows up, strange things start to happen. Dogs talk and reanimated corpses stalk the quite streets of Hannah. Her mortal enemy Meredith, otherwise known as the Death Starr, breaks out in a severe and inexplicable case of butt boils. Addy might not know what's going on, but she definitely wants a certain sexy demon hunter by her side when it all goes down. . .

4. Duke of Sin by Adele Ashworth

Vivian Rael–Lamont lives peacefully in the small town of Penzance, Cornwall, where everybody believes her to be widowed, when in truth she left London unwilling to let her husband's exploits taint her family name. All's well, until someone threatens to reveal her married status and expose her to scandal – unless she can obtain an original signed copy of a Shakespearian play, owned by none other than the reclusive and mysterious William Raleigh, Duke of Trent. Vivian is unexpectedly drawn to Raleigh and, for the price of passion, he ends up joining her quest to catch the blackmailer, a discovery which only leads them to more danger. And although their bond only grows stronger, they soon realise the fruitlessness of their relationship – a married woman of noble background cannot enter into an illicit affair with the Duke of Sin.or can she?

5. Falling Star by Olivia Brynn

Adam has set his sights on florist Jade Graham. She’s not the kind of woman he’s used to, she’s too smart to play the role of arm-candy. Adam is going to have to keep his celebrity status a secret for as long as possible, because what woman in her right mind would get attached to a playboy without a conscience? Jade Graham is going to be one tough case, but she seems hell bent on proving that there is more than one way for a star to fall.

6. Loving Lily by  Corinne Everett

Spirited Lily Walters was more concerned with providing for herself and her younger brother than winning a husband, which is how she came to still be single in her early twenties. Necessity brought about a career as a florist, taking advantage of the latest rage in London. Little did Lily suspect how useful her career would be to the Patriot cause. When she realizes her brother Peter has become involved with the Sons of Liberty, Lily determines ways to aid the cause herself. After Adam Pearson arrives in town, and the Patriots begin preparing for war, messages are passed using the specific flowers chosen for her arrangements for the meanings that the different flowers represent. In addition, as Lily moves freely among the Tory's entertainment, she gathers information to aid the cause. Occasional stolen moments with Adam make clear the heated passion between them.

7. A Piece of Heaven by Barbara Samuel

In the sun-baked hills of New Mexico, Luna McGraw has lived a lifetime of regrets, struggling to conquer the demons that destroyed her marriage and caused her to lose custody of her beloved daughter. But as Luna fights to rebuild a relationship with the troubled teenager, she remains haunted by images of her own childhood and the father she barely knew.

Strong and resilient as the houses he builds, Thomas Coyote comes into Luna’s life one extraordinary night when his grandmother nearly dies while conjuring a fiery brew of spiritual enchantment. Luna does not need a man— especially one with a needy ex-wife—to complicate her fragile dreams of the future. Their attraction pushes them both beyond reason into a place where there is only possibility. Yet it will take more than passion to recover the tattered pieces of Luna’s soul, more than time to forgive the sins of an offending husband, and more than promises to mend the broken heart of a child.

8. No Flowers Required by Cari Quinn

Flower shop owner Alexa Conroy had it all before the recession hit and her customers fled to cheaper shopping grounds. Desperate to make ends meet, she sells her dream home and moves into the rundown apartments above her shop. When she spots six feet of sexy distraction—complete with muscles, piercings, and tattoos—ripping up flooring, Alexa knows the karmic windfall she’s due just landed on her doorstep. And the attraction’s definitely not one-sided. Dillon James, reluctant heir to the corporation about to foreclose on Alexa’s shop, is not about to jeopardize their scorching chemistry by admitting he’s not the building’s handyman. But with only weeks until her business goes under and his identity is revealed, Dillon must find a way to convince Alexa cooperation isn’t a dirty word, help her save the shop from his brother’s greed, and persuade her that he’s not the enemy…or risk losing the only woman who’s seen the real him.

9. Pan's Conquest by Aubrie Dionne

Syrinx pulled a fast one on Pan to escape his raging lust. The God of Chastity wasn't about to break her vows and succumb to his temptations. Transported to the twenty-first century, she runs a florist shop - fulfilling her fake, mortal life. Until the breathtaking Parker Thomas hires her to decorate his grand estate for a gala. Five hundred roses? Easy enough. Except Parker makes her feel things she can't ignore...

As the God of Fertility, Pan is used to maidens flocking in droves to his pastures. So when Syrinx denies him, he's determined to win the one that got away. He poses as a mortal to get close to her, but he doesn't count on falling hard for his conquest - hard enough to make a life and stay.

But Syrinx is falling in love with a man that doesn't exist. Can Pan hide his identity forever, or will the truth tear them apart?

10. Rushing Amy by Julie Brannagh

For Amy Hamilton, only three Fs matter: Family, Football, and Flowers. It might be nice to find someone to share Forever with, too, but right now she's working double overtime while she gets her flower shop off the ground. The last thing she needs or wants is a distraction … or help, for that matter. Especially in the form of gorgeous and aggravatingly arrogant ex-NFL star Matt Stephens.

Matt lives by a playbook—his playbook. He never thought his toughest opponent would come in the form of a stunning florist with a stubborn streak to match his own. Since meeting her in the bar after her sister's wedding, he's known there's something between them. After she refuses—again and again—to go out with him, Matt will do anything to win her heart … But will Amy, who has everything to lose, let the clock run out on the one-yard line?

Did I miss your favorite florist? Let me know! Vote fore the best of the best on my Goodreads list: Flora: Florist Heroes and Heroines of Romance Novels. 

What a fun book. I love Miss George's sense of humor. The characters in the book are a riot. We have a vegan zombie-piano playing ghost & a wampus kitty. This book is Beck & Conall's story. Beck is a half demon barkeeper who also owns the bar that caters to demonoid people. Conall is the head of the Dalvahni army that hunts demons thru dimensions. Conall is lurking on Beck because he can't figure out how demonoid people can be good when the demon's are so bad. Oh my how the sparks fly between Beck & Conall. This is the 3rd book in the series. 1st is Demon Hunting in Dixie-2nd is Demon Hunting in the Deep South. This can be a stand alone but I recommend starting at the beginning so you really know who all the characters are. If you want a fun read I really recommend this series. Enjoy.