January came through at the last minute with new releases by TWO of my favorite authors. You can bet that I gobbled them up as soon as they were available.

Beast Business by Ilona Andrews
Hidden Legacy #6.5
Romantic Fantasy
January 29, 2026 by NYLA

This book is for all the Augustine fans who have been begging for his story. As one of those fans I couldn’t wait to find out more about the man who is friends with Connor and who also has a mutual aid and friendship pact with both House Rogan and House Baylor. Turns out he also has a pact with House Harrison, and his destiny lies with the head of that House– Diana Harrison.

Up to now we’ve only seen Augustine Montgomery through the POV of the Baylor family and Connor. He’s cool, he’s calm, he’s collected, and he’s always thinking of Montgomery International Investigations. In Beast Business readers get to know the real Augustine. The Illusion Prime behind the controlled exterior and fashionable suits. Turns out he is a badass.

What really interested me in this story was Diana, and how connected she is to her beast nature and the animals she has pacts with. I also really enjoyed learning more about the Harrison family and their upbringing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read the scene where Cornelius forms a pact with Zeus, and I get chills every time. When reading the blurb, I didn’t realize that the investigation Diana and Augustine would be undergoing would involve Zeus (not going to spoil it for you), but I was simply delighted with the direction this author duo took in this novella. If that isn’t enough for you to one-click, Arabella also makes an appearance and has an added scene after the epilogue.

When I tell you I LOVED these two together. LOVED. I’m going to need more from these two in a future book. GIMME, GIMME, GIMME. But I’m willing to wait since I also want more Kate Daniels, more Innkeeper Chronicles, and I’m positively on the edge of my seat for the next book in their upcoming new series. (Yes, I’ve read the first book already and it was FABULOUS.)

The Moon Raven by Grace Draven
Fantasy Romance
January 30, 2026- Self Published

I discovered Grace Draven years ago when reading Entreat Me and have been a huge fan ever since. The Moon Raven is a new story with new characters, and as far as I can tell isn’t connected to any of her other worlds or series. I could be wrong though, so don’t quote me. I think I read somewhere that this is a prequel to a new trilogy she’s writing, but I can’t remember where– so don’t quote me on that either.

This is essentially a childhood friends to lovers, second chance romance that takes place in a world where war is being waged by two nations and there is also this fanatical religious group called the Daggermen, who are trying to bring their goddess back. Disaris jin Gheza and Bron jin Hazarin are our main protagonists, and they’ve been best friends since childhood, as well as each other’s first loves. Bron, the Moon Raven, is a battle mage in the Daesin army. Disaris is an Itzuli, which is essentially a codebreaker, a mage who can read any language or code and decipher though magic. They are now people on opposite sides of the conflict and haven’t spoken in many years. They are brought back together when Bron and his army lay siege to a Daggermen stronghold, looking to capture the Itzuli behind its walls. Bron has no idea the identity of the codebreaker until he comes upon an injured Disaris laying among the ruins.

This book is on the shorter side page wise, therefore the pacing is swift. As always, I’m beyond impressed by this author’s ability to weave such a compelling and complex story. Each chapter starts with the current timeline and then ends with the events of the main protagonists’ childhood relationship. I was engrossed. And enchanted if I’m being honest, I adore the way Grace Draven writes her romances, giving each character agency and competency, while also crafting a beautiful balance between the two.

I am absolutely intrigued by one of the secondary characters, the Sun Crow. Here’s to hoping the rumor I heard is true and this is the start of an all-new series.