By the Horns by Ruby Dixon 
Series: Royal Artifactual Guild #2
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also in this series: Bull Moon Rising
Also by this author: Ice Planet Barbarians, Barbarian Alien, Lauren's Barbarian, Barbarian Lover, Bound to the Shadow Prince, Bull Moon Rising
Goodreads
In a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, a woman with a deadly magic secret needs the help of the minotaur she’s trying to forget in the sizzling sequel to Ruby Dixon's New York Times bestseller Bull Moon Rising .
Gwenna has always considered herself a normal person. A former servant, she wants nothing more than to land a steady job with the Royal Artifactual Guild so she can make some steady coin to send home to her mother. She's not special. She's certainly not a necromancer. That would be impossible, given how necromancing (or any 'mancing) is forbidden upon penalty of death. So if the dead keep talking to her? Well, she's going to keep on ignoring them. They're not going to stand in the way of her dreams.
Also standing in her way? One big, arrogant, far-too-flirty Taurian named Raptor. They slept together once, and now he wants more . . . but she doesn’t have time for that. Her focus is on being a fledgling, a trainee for the Royal Artifactual Guild. But Raptor won't go away. He's on a secret mission for the guild to find an artifact thief.
Problem is, he thinks the thief is Gwenna.
How can she convince Raptor that he's got the wrong girl when all the signs point to her? And how do you tell a Taurian you can't date him because you hear dead people and it might cost you your life?
By The Horns is book 2 in the Royal Artifactual Guild, but features a different couple. This time, we meet Gwenna (who you meet briefly in the previous book) and Raptor!
Poor Gwenna-she just wants go to work, make some money, and live a quiet life. Sadly, the dead are not cooperating with her plan. Oh, and now Raptor thinks she might be the thief he is looking for. Too bad he is in love with her!! I really liked these two together! Raptor is smitten from the start, even when Gwenna is reluctant. Add to the romance the mystery of the stolen artifacts and you have a really interesting plot. If you have read any of Ruby Dixon’s books, you know her fantasy worlds are always a bit humorous and unhinged, which I appreciate. The romance is hot, the quips are funny, and the mystery is intriguing. Its a perfect light hearted read. You don’t have to read the first book in the series, but it does help establish the world. I think I enjoyed this book more than book 1, Bull Moon Rising. I felt that Gwenna and Raptor were just such wonderful characters and I really connected better with them.
By the Horns is great if you are looking to try romantasy-its not so overwhelming in the world building, and overall it keeps things lighter. Its also great if you are wanting to try a little bit of monster romance-Raptor is a bull!
- POV: dual 1st
- Tears: no
- Trope: one night stand, secret identity
- Triggers: View Spoiler »
- Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
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Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon, Interstellar Brides by Grace Goodwin …then you will probably like By the Horns!
I’ve enjoyed Ice Planet Barbarians series so far and want to try this series as well. Great review!