Devouring Flame

Enchanted Occasions, Book 2

By: E.J. Russell

Narrated by: Kirt Graves

Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Can a chance meeting rekindle their incendiary attraction?

While cutting through the Interstices—the post-creation gap between realms—Smith, half-demon tech specialist for Enchanted Occasions Event Planning, spies the person he yearns for daily but dreads ever seeing again: the ifrit, Hashim of the Windrider clan.

On their one literally smoldering night together, Smith, stupidly besotted, revealed his true name—a demon’s greatest vulnerability. When Hashim didn’t return the favor, then split the next morning with no word? Message received, loud and clear: Thanks but no thanks.

Although Hashim had burned to return Smith’s trust, it was impossible. The wizard who conjured him holds his true name in secret, and unless Hashim discovers it, he’ll never be free.

When their attraction sparks once more, the two unite to search for Hashim’s hidden name—which would be a hell of a lot easier if they didn’t have to contend with a convention full of food-crazed vampires on the one day out of the century they can consume something other than blood.

But if they fail, Hashim will be doomed to eternal slavery, and their reignited love will collapse in the ashes.

Luckily Smith is the guy who gets the job done—and Hashim is never afraid to heat things up.

Devouring Flame is a 54,000-word enemies-to-lovers, second-chance paranormal rom-com featuring a down-at-heels carnival with sinister undertones, a minotaur with an affinity for flowers, a prima donna goblin berserker chef with serious knife skills, and a guaranteed HEA.

©2019 E.J. Russell (P)2022 E.J. Russell

An Easy Listen!

Devouring Flame, by E.J. Russel, was a good story. The synopsis sums up everything about what this story entails.

The world-building and the different creatures present in this book were intriguing. The romance was good but not eventful. The side characters kept my attention. Kirt Graves does a great job narrating!

The premise about an interspecies paranormal event planning business is fun! E.J. Russell’s books are always excellent reads. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Series gets better and better

Excellent second entry to a great, quintessentially EJ Russell series. By turns funny, adorable, exciting and always fun and engaging. Really strong performance by Kirt Graves.

Excellent audio!

Hashim’s and Smith’s story is a wild ride through the dark side of a carnival. I loved the romance, friendships, and surprising twists. Would definitely recommend.

a second chance, paranormal romance

This was a fun story. It is a second chance, paranormal romance with likable and interesting characters. Plus, it was narrated by Kurt Graves! His narration makes any story even better.

Second Chance PNR MFEO romcom

Fans of E J. Russell's work will enjoy this entry into the Enchanted Occasions world.
It is not necessary to have read Nudging Fate prior to Devouring Flame. 

While mostly low-angst, there are a few moments of deeper significance. An example is the moment the ifrit makes a crucial decision, which is poignant, meaningful and weighty.

Russell writes fun and quirky side characters with secrets and ulterior motives, creating potential for MCs in future books.

Kirt Graves' narration is spot on, as usual. His portrayal of Smith's and Hashim's relationship brings the characters to life.

Overall enjoyable listen with a satisfying conclusion and interest in the next entry in the series.

Fun listen

I’ve enjoyed this series so much! It keeps getting better with each book. I’m so happy to get Hashim and Smith’s story. There was a misunderstanding and it was great to see them get their second chance. This listen was a lot of fun and I didn’t want to stop listening to it. The world building was awesome and I want so much more of it. All the characters in the story are great and feel well fleshed out. Kirt Graves did a really good job with the characters and the emotions.

Fun Story

I really found this to be a fun story to read. Listening to the audiobook with Kirt Graves narrating made it even better.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

phenomenal!!

This is the second in the Enchanted Occasions series. Devouring Flame was sooo freakin good. Easy and fun to listen to, so much that I listened to it one sitting! The world building in this series is phenomenal. Loved, loved, loved Hashim and Smith!! Their chemistry is so fun to listen to, captivation and addicting! Kirt Graves did a phenomenal job with the narration!!

Fantastic! Loved It!

I loved this story! I thought it was fantastic! Great world building. I didn't read the first book, but the story was told in such a way that I wasn't lost or confused. I absolutely loved the characters! Smith and Hashim have history that took place in the first book, but it is in this one that it really flourishes as misunderstandings that separated them and wedged them apart are explained. There are quite the obstacles standing in the way of these two getting their happy ending. But the journey getting there was fun, exciting, suspenseful, dangerous, and mysterious. It was heartwarming and sweet to see their bond strengthen and grow over the course of the book through their support and trust in each other.

There is a wonderful cast of supporting characters- all unique in personality and species- that make things both interesting and captivating. I must say my two favorite supporting characters are sweet, innocent, gentle minotaur Rion, and the feisty, scary chef who I found hilarious and intriguing.

I didn't read this book, but listened to the audiobook. Kirt Graves was the narrator and I thought he did a fantastic job with the different characters' unique voices and accents. At times I forgot I was listening to just one man the whole time. I am definitely interested in hearing more of his narrations!

An excellent read that I highly recommend- in audiobook too! I couldn't stop listening. I can't wait for the next book in this series! 5 stars.

What a fun ride!!!

Wow, this is the first book I've read/listened to by E.J. Russell and it will definitely not be my last. This is book 2 in Enchanted Occasions series.

The narrator, Kirt Graves, did a fantastic job, as always. When I listen to a book narrated by him, I know I'm going to enjoy the story, he's one of this narrators that can bring a story to life.

What a cute idea this series is and what an amazing world this author has created. Now I have to go back and read the first book in this series to see what I missed.

Second chances, medium angst and low heat. This book had some sweet times and some sad times that actually made me tear up... I really hate bullies. But all's well in the end and the two main characters, Smith and Hashim, get their well deserved HEA.

Enjoyed it

Devouring Flame is the second book in the Enchanted Occasions series. I have not read or listened to the first book, but the story was told in such a way that I understood all the essentials well.
I like the humorous writing style of E.J.Russell. And I loved the characters in this book. Smith and Hashim met in the first volume, but here we learn more about their history. And their circumstances have changed as well, with Hashim facing a bleak future. I really liked both the world building and the story structure. The plot was engagingly told, it was exciting and also funny. It was heartwarming to witness how their relationship strengthened and how they supported each other. However, I also enjoyed the secondary characters immensely and they definitely added to this book.

Kirt Graves did an absolutely fantastic job. I love how he gives unique voices to the characters, bringing the book to life. I highly recommend the audiobook, it's fun to listen to Kirt Graves!

Loved this book

This book was fun, the baddies were horrible and the goodies were the best. Th narrator was excellent and brought the story life. looking forward to the next book in the series.

Brilliant Fun

Loved this. It's book two and makes reference to events in a previous book but I never felt lost or unable to understand what was going on. This is a second chance romance and once the misunderstanding is hashed out they slip quite easily into a relationship. And while the romance is lovely it definitely takes second place to the goings-on around them. The carnival. The slave-trading. The vampire convention.
A brilliant performance by Kirt Graves, with a myriad of accents to embrace.
I'll definitely be checking out the other books in the series.

Really enjoyed it

After re-reading the synopsis, there’s a lot to unpack with this book. First of all, I loved the main characters. Poor Hashim is a slave to Ringmaster and as long as the man knows Hashim’s real name, he wields all the power. At one point, Hashim believes he’ll be set free. Alas, in heartbreak, that doesn’t happen. He also discovers that the released slaves might not have had happy endings after all.

Smith’s just an ordinary demon. He works for Enchanted Occasions – the event planning organization that caters to the supernatural both above and below. This time, they’re catering a vampire feast. Apparently for one day every 100 years, vampires can eat real food. So in comes the berserker chef to whip up a feast. And it’s Smith’s job to keep everyone on task. Except he’s distracted by the one man he’s never been able to forget.

Things don’t look good for the two men until they are able to use power beyond the human realm to attempt to bring down Ringmaster and his fiendish schemes once and for all.

Anyway, I won’t spoil the exciting ending although I will say I loved the HEA. Also, Kirt Graves did a great job narrating this story and I appreciate how perfect he is for this series.

Oh, and I loved the minotaur. Just saying…

So many great aspects to the story and performance

I would have enjoyed this story merely for the plot about the search for Hashim's true name. It's a unique reason for ghosting someone you've just spend an amazing night with. Add in the vampires and their chance to eat real food, however, and this one adds some great fun to the serious name quest. Kirt Graves is perfect for this one. He is always able to do the serious parts but he also can tell when it's time to have some fun and this book gave him ample opportunity for both.

Super

Another brilliant book by EJ Russell and a super addition to the series. Perfect balance of adventure and romance to keep you hooked. Interesting characters to follow. Kirt Graves did a superb job with the narrion. Can not wait for more in the series.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Devouring Flame

An excellent listen. I was a little confused at the beginning but it didn’t take long to feel comfortable and like I was up to speed on the world. It made more sense after I realized this was a second in a series. It was fine as a standalone but yay I get more from this world! Kirt Graves did really well with the narration.

Love It

Devouring Flame is the second book in the Enchanted Occasions series. I suggest reading the books in order for maximum enjoyment, but this book could be read as a standalone.

Hashim and Smith met each other at a wedding event that went off the rails. Due to forces beyond Hashim’s control, he and Smith are separated. The next time they meet, Hashim’s circumstances are drastically different: indentured and abandoned by his tribe, Hashim faces a dire future. The plot setup was great and I really enjoyed where the story took the reader. It was a feel good adventure with engaging characters and an intense romance. I really hope the author continues to write more in this series.

The audiobook was narrated by Kirt Graves who did a wonderful job. Kirt is one of my favorite voice actors. The audio performance was dynamic and engaging. I really enjoyed listening to the story. The audiobook production was well done.

How to build a universe!

EJ. Russell does a great job with the universe building in this series. All the myths and stories you can think of, meeting modern technology in a place in-between.
It makes lots of room for humour, politics, work related shenanigans and life-and-death situations, as well as luuuurv.
I always like it when authors use alternate realities to highlight the weirdness of humanity, and there is a fair bit of that, too, in this series.
Highly recommended, I am going for book three in the series now!

A lot To Fight For.

MM, Paranormal, Comedy, Romance. an intriguing and compelling story with angst, heat, action and drama all with a humourous and witty slant (a fight scene really shouldn't be that funny, lol.) I love that there are so many different paranormals featured in the story. Brilliantly narrated by Kirt Graves and I enjoyed listening to their guaranteed HEA.