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Vampire bite--never a good thing, but the criminal vamp did not exchange blood with Chris, so maybe a "turning" event has been avoided. Likewise, though Chris drank Victor's blood, Victor did not drink from Chris. I wonder if the receipt of Vampire blood will have any aftereffects, even without a true turning! So, the "hit" on our heroes was just a random act of violence. Hmmm.

Superman wears a disguise, not simply to hide his identity, but to protect his loved ones. Victor's identity is known, and Chris has likely been identified as his love interest: One way for the Blood Army or rogue werewolves to control Victor is to kidnap Chris, and it wouldn't surprise me to find that the unknowns following Victor et al are out to target Chris, not Victor. Of course, Victor would be aware of this chink in his armor, so I presume he's prepared for this possibility. (Or maybe I'm completely off the mark, and they're being followed for a different reason altogether! 🤗)

I'm beginning to think that the dreams are not true dreams and that Chris may be visiting another reality while he sleeps. I wonder if Chris can tell, from his vantage point on the 12th floor, whether the townspeople have pointed ears or other distinguishing features. Also, I wonder why the townsfolk are surprised at seeing Chris: Could it be because he is on the 12th floor itself? Because he has rounded ears? Or perhaps because he is mentioned in a prophecy? (His likeness is recorded in the library, after all....) I need more answers!

Interesting juxtaposition between life--the vibrancy of the national park--and death, as Victor is still a vampire and, despite the attractive outer packaging, is not alive. The book bearing the symbols of rose and sun gives Chris a warm feeling. Even if we don't know what the books say, perhaps we can follow Chris's emotional responses.

Ah, the pendant is a library card for the tower of books/scrolls! Chris is now able to check out a scroll. I wonder what else that pendant might do!

Oops. I was a big fan of Irwin Allen's Time Tunnel when I was a kid, so I'm glad to see this story. I'm already hooked. Of course, Phil did not intend to visit Ancient Egypt, but he is not a good choice for that time period at all: While ancient Egyptian men were around 5 feet 6 inches, Phil is 6 feet tall, so he's going to stick out like a sore thumb!

Well, Victor and August seem on good terms. Interesting that Victor has told Leo, Chris, and his father almost everything he has to tell. Also interesting that neither Victor nor August seem to sense anything unusual about Chris, even though he's the "young prince" of something presumably supernatural. Curiouser and curiouser!

And they all lived happily ever after--or did they? (The "universal balance" is such that, if this story proved angst-free, the next one may not be so kind. That said, the author is "god," so if Carlos wants to give Riley and Phil a free pass through life, I won't say boo. ) My biggest concern is that one of them is hurt so badly that he has to retire, while the other continues on to a glorious career: I can't imagine any dynamic which could act as more of a wedge to their relationship. (I'm such a romantic, though, that I can easily imagine the one retiring to look after the other [I think it's in the wounded warrior Harlequin code book!].) Hopefully, they will both remain hale and hearty, with a loving life together! Long may their endorsements reign!

Cuban food is incredibly yummy, so I'm glad that Riley could sample it. My favorite Cuban and Mexican restaurants are within a block of each other, so I always have trouble deciding which to visit. (I'm going right over to get some yucca fries for take-out!) So Riley has decided to call Felipe by his nickname--not a big deal, but I do admit to a tiny bit of disappointment. That said, their friendship is blossoming, and anything can happen while they're "joined at the hip." Interesting chapter on the mechanics of living as a potential football draft choice! (But what if they're ultimately chosen by a west-coast team? The horror! 😱)

Interesting.... Phil introduces himself to Riley as Felipe, suggesting that he thinks of his core self as Felipe, but then goes on to state that everyone but his grandmother calls him Phil. He could have simply introduced himself as "Phil" but didn't, and this is telling. Carlos Hazday's observation that "Phil probably didn't have a choice in his nickname..." is germane, and he seems to be leaving it to Riley as to how to address him (he doesn't tell Riley explicitly what to call him), but Riley doesn't refer to him by either name by the end of the chapter, even though Phil is constantly calling Riley by his first name. (Come on, Riley, you have to call him something, and I really want to know if you've decided to call him Felipe, as he named himself, or Phil, like "everyone" else.) In this chapter, we see a completely different side to Felipe, as he befriends Riley and gives him insight into some not-so future issues he'll be encountering. He is willing to share himself, his family, and his home, which shows him to have a generous and caring nature. He's also horny (he said so); so Riley, you've been warned. 😂

A lovely day at the fair! Further, we now have physical proof linking Chris's dreams with reality. (I wonder why Chris didn't ask the vendor where the pendant came from. 🤔) We also hear that Chris is a "lord" or "young prince," but of what? Why did the vendor let him go? Does the pendant have any innate powers, or was its significance limited to identifying an arcane speaker? Certainly, this meeting has triggered a change, as Chris's first dream thereafter includes five books, not simply one or two, as well as a visceral response--"almost euphoric"--to the books and their content. A major event is almost certainly imminent!

Matt, you are such a hetero! And a dick. Definitely a dick. So, Felipe, why did you decide to go by Phil, and why are you disrespecting your Abuela by using her first name? (She should have hit your head harder!) However, you can disrespect Matt all you want! 😂 I love how Phil literally grows into his role of football player! Nice bit of back story. Now, Phil, what makes you think you can just waltz up to Riley and cop a feel? (Then again, considering how you show your affection to grandma, you like living dangerously!)

“I have a feeling Riley Knight’s a big ole bottom. After all, he is a wide receiver.” Really? You went there? 😂😂😂 Fun opening scene: I'm in for the ride!

Looks like Chris is a player both on and off the field. 😂 Psychedelic cum: Crazy, man! (A vampire prostitute would never be out of work! 😉) It's not really addicting, is it Victor? Victor? Wow, Victor is well educated. (Note to self: Never play Scrabble with a vampire!)

Chris seems to be studying arcane lore in his sleep; and with the various symbols decorating the books, he may be studying about the various supernatural races. (I wonder if he is learning magic at the same time?) At some point, he may become a mediator between these peoples, but fate certainly appears to be preparing him for some important task. (His sensitivity to arcana may also be the reason he so readily accepts a Vampire lover.) I can't wait until he wakes up one morning remembering his dream-training! At some point, Chris is going to realize that Victor will remain a teen forever while he (Chris) continues to age. What will this do to their relationship? Will there come a point where Chris wants to be turned? What is Fred thinking, as he must have considered this possibility when he gave his blessing to the relationship? If Chris's dreams suggest that he has some arcane power of his own, did he inherit the tendency from Fred? His mother? Both? Is he a mundane human or something else? Hmmm. What will happen to the peace when the werewolves come to town? (Anything but a Twilight-style love triangle! Of course, Stephanie, Chris, and Fred do share the same last name. 😂) I can imagine Victor's reaction if an errant werewolf turned, or tried to turn, Chris against his will. So many possibilities! So many questions! I'm enjoying the story immensely! 😊

This story is a lovely reminder of how wonderful a romance can be when everything goes right! Thanks, Arran.

No mistake that the story begins in July and ends in July, as we come full circle. A lovely, leisurely-paced romance that took its time because it had too, with Bas having to heal enough to accept what Liam is offering. As for Troy: Bas' first glimpse of Troy at the mall is coincidental and may not have been reportable, but Troy's chasing Bas to confront him in Liam's presence is certainly reportable, and I can hope that the court threw the book at him.

Blanche, your halo is showing! (And depending on the worth of the business, there's likely not even a gift tax!) Awww. A mating gift. I LOVE that the phone is pink! (I immediately thought of Mooch the cat [of Mutts fame] and his love affair with his little pink sock!)

When Callan cries, the full force of his emotion becomes real. A lovely, poignant scene. See, Chris, your parents know! Would that all families be so accepting.

Hmmm. Lon Chaney had it all wrong, but Jordan will make it right when Damian is ready! Glad that Jordan and Damian have had "the talk"--have given each other permission to include Lysander in their affections. With apologies to Robert Young, Goddess knows best!

"Will Chad ever be able to return to the North Pole and save is brother who does not want to be saved? Can Santa help and if he can why hasn’t he helped young Chad. Will Chris ever want to come back? Did Chad save his brother’s life...." Exactly!!! Whereas Chad first went to the North Pole as part of a deal to save his brother, perhaps Chris went to the North pole to save Chad! Perhaps Chad is still able to visit the North Pole easily because his spirit is only losely connected to his body. Perhaps Chad is really the one in coma, with his present reality a fevered dream. Uh oh, Code Blue is not a good thing.... Chad may have just earned a one-way ticket to the North Pole (or maybe he'll wake up in time for dinner!). I love the confusion and uncertainty which reigns throughout this story. Great stuff!

Yes, Kennedy, only you would think of natural beauty and a strong satellite signal as equally awe-inspiring. So, Kennedy, you, Karl, and Sloan are still a threesome. Go figure. “Are you still okay with what we discussed?” Sloan, Kennedy, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were in league with Brian and his new invention, the internal cliffie! (Brian isn't even waiting till the end of the chapter any more to toss in cliffies!) However, we all give thanks to the great Lomax for clearing things up by the end of the chapter! Aw, Kennedy, so you had to charter a jet to get you, Kieran, and Ed to Scotland on your timetable: Life's little inconveniences. (Tsk, tsk.) Now, Ed, about yellow snow.... Wow! Rudy's father wants to sell the lodge, and Kennedy suddenly needs a hobby. (Psst. Brian. No one will figure it out.... )

While I enjoyed watching Damian and Jordan together, before the introduction of Lysander, I have to admit that I love the new dynamic, with Lysander added to the mix. Suddenly, Damian is "kitten" and Jordan is "puppy" (sounds better in Elvish!). He's been able to draw out Damian to the point where the Neko becomes absolutely garrulous. While Jordan is somewhat taciturn, Lysander is more outgoing and humorous. (For example, when Jordan asks, "Is there anything I can do to help," Sander responds, “Just sit there and look handsome.” 😁) His statement that "...usually, I like to curl up with a book or a good bone" is priceless (even if he actually meant it! 😂.) While Jordan is fighting his wolf, Sander notes that even their kiss was inevitable ("it was bound to happen, right?") Funny that Jordan is concerned about how fast he's moving with Sander when he became mated to Damian in days! Sander is rapidly becoming the catalyst which will turn our trio into a true mated unit.

Guess who's coming to dinner? I love the guest list! (You realize, of course, that all it would take to make this into a class B horror novel would be a snowstorm stranding everyone at the lodge and a crazed serial killer on the loose-- a minor character from an earlier novel driven insane by his failure to receive an invitation and by a desperate need for egg nog....😂) Rudy decided the more difficult conversation he needed to have with Trevor, one he had deferred twice already, could wait until later when more people were around. Really? You bury a cliffie in the middle of the story? (Would ye be wantin' one lump of coal, or two? 😂)

When I'd make a friend during college, Mom would say, "That's nice, Dear." She wouldn't invite him home to dinner. Chris's parents know....