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SERIES REVIEW: The Killough Company Books 1-2 by M.D. Gregory
The Killough Company is an Irish mob headed by Sloan Killough, an enigmatic and charismatic man who has no problems getting his hand dirty. He has a nephew, Fionn who is his heir to a company compose of mostly good looking mobsters who may or may not be sleeping with each other.
Sloan likes having pets. He dotes on them and treats them as his beloved possession. He had 4 so far and most of them had tragic endings. That is until he met Conall Morrissey, co-provocateur of a brothel called Exotic Virtue.
This series starts with the story of how the boss found his forever pet. The other books feature how other members of his company found their HEA.
- The Boss – M.D. Gregory
Conall Morrissey’s life is pretty bloody easy. He helps his brother take care of the whores at The Exotic Virtue, an exclusive high-end brothel owned by The Killough Company. They might not be earning as much as the other brothels, but if they make ends meet, the Morrisey brothers can get by fine. Until they get a visit from the boss of the mob who owns it, Sloan Killough.
Sloan Killough means business. He’s brash, violent, and tough. He’s the boss for a reason and he doesn’t deal in excuses or exceptions. He visits The Exotic Virtue for a taste of his product, and when he sees Conall, he knows he must have him as his pet. When Sloan demands Conall on his knees, Conall’s horrified. He may be bisexual, but he’s not the guy who takes it. When his brother sells him like one of their whores, Conall has no choice but to submit to their boss if he and his brother wants to live.
Being a whore to a mob boss isn’t what Conall expects. He fights Sloan’s orders at every chance he gets, but the boss seems to enjoy the fights, and has no problem in teaching Conall his place. Conall promises himself he won’t give in, but with each touch and taste, he finds himself addicted to the dark, dangerous man who could rip out his throat the very moment he gets bored of him.
Trigger Warnings: This book is a dark romance. It contains triggering scenes which includes public humiliation, ownership, and violence. If you’re unsure whether you wish to read this book, feel free to contact the author for more detailed warnings.
I first met Sloan and Conall in M.D. Gregory‘s Criminal Delights story, Sinner’s Ransom, where they nearly stole the show. My interest was pique by their unique relationship. Why would a man be proud to be somebody’s pet?
I was super amused by the fact that Conall was comparing notes with a fellow Stockholm Syndrome victim, Monty, the protagonist of Sinner’s Ransom.
I knew I had to dig into this further.
I wasn’t disappointed.
Sloan knew there was something about Conall the first time he saw him. He saw the fire in him and it was lust at first sight. Conall obviously did not want to be somebody’s pet. He’s a provocateur, not a whore for fuck’s sake!
He did not want to admit, even to himself, that he found Sloan attractive. He tried to be as bratty and rebellious as he could be. But Sloan has his ways of disciplining a.k.a winning over his pet. You got to hand it to the boss, he can be quite irresistible in his own way as Conall was fast learning.
The pet aspect is iffy if you think about it too much. And please do heed the warnings. In terms of ‘dark’, there were dub-con scenes that were uncomfortable, i.e. forcing Conall to have sex in front of an audience. Language is very non-PC, a lot of pussy and whores. However, the violence was not graphic, the torture scenes short and to the point.
What makes this a winner for me was how progression of Sloan and Conall’s relationship was depicted. The development of feelings were authentic and left no doubts that the two men were a perfect match.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: At Your Command
Artist: Informatik
Album: Re:Vision
1.5. The Boss’s Christmas – M.D. Gregory
It’s been months since Conall Morrissey was taken and tortured by his boss’s enemies. But even though everyone is living in peace, at least for the time being, Connall isn’t content. Sloan has been keeping him away from business meetings, and Conall begins to wonder if Sloan is growing bored of him already.
As a peace offering, Sloan decides to take Conall to Miami for Christmas. Getting away from the cold winter weather is the perfect way to relax and help Connall forget everything that’s happened. He wants to treat his pet, but Conall seems to be slipping further away, and Sloan fears his pet blames him for his kidnapping.
Can they find a way to communicate? Or will their first Christmas be their last?
This one’s cute and fluffy. As fluffy as dark romance can be.
Sloan takes Conall to Miami for Christmas. The feelings were becoming strongly felt and obvious to anyone who has eyes. Still, Conall claims it’s just sex. He’s also being extra bratty and Sloan knew something’s wrong with his beloved pet.
A Talk is in order.
This is a fantastic epilogue to book 1. Nobody could mistake Sloan as weak but he could be a big romantic softie when it comes to Conall. The man would literally die for his pet. The Talk was squeetastic ～ ♡! They were adorbs!
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: The Fall
Artist: Half Alive
Album: 3
2. The Professional – M.D. Gregory
Rourke Tormey lived and breathed for the Killough Mob. After his father doomed their family by betrayal, the only thing that kept them alive was Sloan’s leniency and trust, and Rourke made it his mission to prove to the boss that he’d done the right thing. So when Sloan asked him to run the Exotic Virtue, he worked his ass off to raise its standards and bring in more influential clientele. Falling in love with his highest earning professional isn’t part of his plan.
Forrest Brassard grew up in a foster home. He knew what it felt like to not belong and joining the Virtue as a professional gave him what he always searched for—love, even if it was only from a different man every hour. When Rourke took over, it was lust at first sight. He wanted the Irish soldier.
Their romance is forbidden. Between Rourke’s resistance and Forrest’s determination, the struggle of falling in love is one that both may lose. When a certain detective is out to bring the Killough Company crashing to the ground, they must work together with Sloan and Conall to make sure it’s her career that goes up in flames instead of the Virtue.
Rourke was the guy who took over Exotic Virtue after Conall became Sloan’s pet. He is a no-nonesense man who loves rules. Sloan trusts him completely despite aspersions being cast on his loyalty because of what his father did before.
Forrest was Conall’s ex and later bestfriend. He’s the highest earning professional in Exotic Virtue. He’s sassy, friendly and a caring big brother to the other professionals in the house.
Forrest is a sweetheart and Rourke has a good heart. Both were likable characters I would like to see have their HEA. Their story was pegged as forbidden romance but sadly, the forbidden part wasn’t as strongly played as I would have liked. I didn’t feel any apprehension that some dire consequence will befall them should they start a relationship.
I enjoyed majority of the book, mostly because there were a lot of Sloan and Conall appearances. We learn more about the inner workings of the whorehouse and the drama between the professionals.
This was actually a longer book so I had assumed there was enough page time for a proper buildup and climax. Sadly, it was not to be. For some reason, the last 20% was so rushed it left me scratching my head. Maybe the author was going for a cliffhanger but I wish the last parts were done properly.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and loveSoundtrack: Sugar
Artist: Garbage
Album: Not Your Kind of People
Even with a problematic ending like that I still liked all three books. The writing is easy to go through and for a dark romance, did not feel heavy at all. There was even a humorous undertone to the narrative at some points.
While it’s highly unlikely you will get a mob full of good-looking men in real life, the Killough Company boys were worth knowing. I’m looking forward to the next books and definitely, more Sloan and Conall.
P.S.
If you like dark romance, check out Criminal Delights, a series featuring stories that are not for the faint of heart. Reviews here
M.D. Gregory books here -
REVIEW: Murder at Pirate’s Cove by Josh Lanyon
Secrets and Scrabble: Murder at Pirate’s Cove – Josh Lanyon
Ellery Page, aspiring screenwriter, Scrabble champion and guy-with-worst-luck-in-the-world-when-it-comes-to-dating, is ready to make a change. So when he learns he’s inherited both a failing bookstore and a falling-down mansion in the quaint seaside village of Pirate’s Cove on Buck Island, Rhode Island, it’s full steam ahead!
Sure enough, the village is charming, its residents amusingly eccentric, and widowed police chief Jack Carson is decidedly yummy (though probably as straight as he is stern). However, the bookstore is failing, the mansion is falling down, and there’s that little drawback of finding rival bookseller–and head of the unwelcoming-committee–Trevor Maples dead during the annual Buccaneer Days celebration.
Still, it could be worse. And once Police Chief Carson learns Trevor was killed with the cutlass hanging over the door of Ellery’s bookstore, it is.
I’m super excited about this latest Josh Lanyon series!
I read a lot of mysteries from procedurals to paranormals but I think this might be the first time I’ve come across a true blue MM cozy.
Lanyon loves paying homage to classic golden age mysteries and to the genre as a whole which is something I really liked about her. Many of her MCs are mystery writers and/or bookstore owners, sometimes antique dealers, frequently with love interests involved in law enforcement.
Her latest protagonist’s name is Ellery Page (love the name!). He is a screenwriter, an abysmally bad actor and the owner of Crow’s Nest, a failing bookstore inherited from a long-lost dead relative. He lives in a mansion that’s literally falling apart as we speak. Also inherited from said dead relative.
I liked that the story was written in Ellery’s third person POV instead of a first person POV. As with most of her protagonists, his ‘voice’ brings in those colorful snarky descriptions frequently deployed by writers to make things more dramatic. I had fun going through his thoughts but I wish Lanyon would shake things up and write from the more stoic love interest’s POV too.
As genre tradition dictates, our amateur sleuth pokes his nose into other people’s business in an effort to clear his name of murder. Most of it involved soliciting gossip from people who were very much willing to share. This is safe enough. But then there was one TSTL-ish moment when he did a little B & E on a dead man’s house. Aaargh!!! I was so exasperated! I wanted to smack him in the head for stupidity.
We also meet Police Chief Jack Carson, the lead investigator of the case who time and time again warned Ellery to stay out of trouble. Carson is your usual Lanyon love interest. At first glance, an abrasive man of few words who as the story progressed would reveal his hidden not-so-bad-afterall side. This happens in almost every Lanyon book but somehow I’m not tired of it yet. I still get a thrill whenever the ‘good’ side is revealed
He and Ellery oh so slowly edged towards a tentative friendship. And that’s all there is. This story has no romance and zero steam. This is a big plus for me.
The story is set in a quaint seaside town of Pirate’s Cove. I’m the type of reader who typically gloss over descriptions of places so I’m glad that the book was able to establish a sense of place and town culture without boring me with too much details. We are also introduced to a fair share of quirky town fixtures sure to pop up in many of the books.
I had a great time letting the story unfold. The mystery was a good one. I couldn’t guess who the murderer was until the very end. I only realized on hindsight that major clues were dropped and I totally missed them.
Murder at Pirate’s Cove is a quintessential cozy. Even with the templates fully in place, they do not detract to how enjoyable everything is. The author was able to keep things fresh and engaging. All in all, this is a charming little addition to her oeuvre.
Recommended if you like amateur sleuths who couldn’t lie to save their life, pirate cosplay murders and puppies who wouldn’t quit.
P.S.
Josh Lanyon books here.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Trouble is a Friend
Artist: Lenka
Album: Lenka -
REVIEW: Bishop: A True Lover’s Story by A.E. Via
Bishop: A True Lover’s Story – A.E. Via
At only thirty-two, Bishop Stockley has lived a hard-knock life. His gang was his family, the streets his home. Until the crew he’d always called his brothers betrayed him. After doing five years in a federal prison, Bishop is back at his dad’s trailer and working for his landscaping company, thrust into a legit world where he’s no longer the alpha—a world where a criminal record is the least of his disadvantages, because Bishop can’t read or write. Illiteracy had never been an obstacle for him on the streets, he didn’t need to know how to read Moby Dick to survive, he needed to know how to read people… and that was a hustle he’d learned hard and fast. Now, he had to change his life.
Bishop’s only support system was a young, inexperienced dad who’d insisted he call him Mike all their life—since they looked more like brothers than father and son. And his hot-tempered, childhood, best friend from ’juvie, Trent. Bishop already had the deck stacked against him, but he wasn’t afraid of hard work to change his situation, and he did want to change. Especially after he encountered Edison Scala, a kind-spirited office manager who didn’t hesitate to come to his defense… a man that saw past Bishop’s grass-stained coveralls. A man who wasn’t intimidated by his stern features and his silence.
Edison hadn’t grown up the way most of his peers had. He’d been raised by a single father who’d owned an old-fashioned barber shop where Edison was taught how to not only shave with a straight razor, and shine shoes, but also how to treat others, to not judge, to be a gentleman, to be respectful and speak without profanity. But, the biggest lesson he’d learned, was to always be himself. His lack of friends and a social life wasn’t his fault. No matter how much weight he gained, no matter how many times his staff called him a square, Edison did not need to change.
Bishop knew Edison was off-limits. He’d made personal vows to himself when he was released from prison, ones that he never intended to break. But, when Edison asked him about providing landscaping services at his home, there was no way he could refuse. He hadn’t expected Edison to feed him, praise him, encourage him, and look at him the way he did—as if Bishop was somebody. Mike and Trent warned him not to mix business with pleasure and he didn’t intend to.
No multiple pairings.No cliffhangers. Ends with a very, very HFN.
Warning:
This book is a M/M contemporary romance, a hardened man’s struggle to find real love.There are no police chases or doors being kicked in, in this one. But, don’t worry.Bishop is still intense enough to keep you on the edge.
Bishop: A True Lover’s Story is a moving story of one man’s struggle, not only to find real love, but to rise above and become a better person. This is different from A.E. Via‘s usual offering of law enforcement bad boys and shifter alphas. This is a true blue contemporary romance but with the same intense alpha males she does best.
The two main characters couldn’t be more different from each other on the surface. Bishop is rough around the edges. He’s an ex-gang leader and ex-con who couldn’t read and write. He grew up with a dad who was only 15 years older than him and wasn’t much of a father figure. Bishop was in prison for 5 years for armed robbery along with his best friend, Trent. Meanwhile, Edison was an executive at a law firm at only 26. He’s slightly overweight, cooks like a master chef and is a veritable bookworm. He has no social life at all.
Right off the bat, I connected with Edison with his weight woes, love for good food, lack of friends and capacity to devour books. It was easy to dismiss Edison as spineless at first glance. He lets his subordinates walk all over him, especially that giant prick, Skylar. But I think Edi is really just a well-mannered man who chose to be polite because he has class. He’s also genuinely kind. I loved how he makes old-fashion charming rather than backward.
Bishop is strong and vulnerable at the same time. I couldn’t imagine the kind of struggle he has gone through in a world where we take knowing how to read for granted. It was impressive how he was able to survive and adapt. He also is a talented artist who created magnificent landscape designs. I liked how he wanted to improve, not because he’s in a relationship with a wonderful man but because he owed it to himself. He’s one of the best leads Via created.
The story took its own sweet time establishing the characters and their backgrounds. Some might find the going too slow. Even I who like slow burn found myself wanting to hurry things along especially at the first parts. But I was happy I stuck around. As I got deeper into the story, I was rewarded with a beautiful portrait of a relationship between two people who fit together perfectly.
The secondary characters were also outstanding. Bishop’s dad, Mike, Trent and even Skylar the villain were all effective in their supporting and antagonistic roles. Skylar was a hateful piece of shit who liked making Edison’s life miserable because he really wanted Edi for himself. Mike is that cool dad who tried really hard to make up to his son for his lack of proper guidance while growing up. Trent was the brother from another mother who always got Bishop’s back. Trent was a favorite, he needs his own book. And I just know it’s happening!!!
Overall, Bishop: A True Lover’s Story is one of Via‘s best written books. Recommended if you’re looking for a story where love is pure and food is good.
P.S.
A.E. Via books here.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitSoundtrack: The Way I Am
Artist: Ingid Michaelson
Album: Girls and Boys -
REVIEW: Claiming Marcus by Jocelynn Drake
Lords of Discord: Claiming Marcus – Jocelynn Drake
Vampires slaughtered my family.
No one believed me until I met some new friends, who promised to help me get justice.
But nothing prepared me for Marcus Varik.
Tall, dark, and mind-numbingly sexy.
But he’s also shy, protective, and adorably eccentric.
Oh God, I should have never agreed to betray him.
Hopefully, it’s not too late to fix my mistake before I lose more people I love.
Claiming Marcus is the first book in an MM paranormal romance series that has vampires, betrayal, annoying brothers, music, heartbreak, hope, sexy times, and a raven named Ozzie.
I love vampires. I love Jocelynn Drake. The combination of the two is an irresistable gift that happily had many good things to give.
Drake did not really go out of her way to reinvent the lore. But she came up with a version that felt fresh and definitely far, far from boring. Her vampires felt less paranormal creatures, more different specie of humanity. The kind that drinks blood and is allergic to sunlight.
Each vampire also has a special ability unique to them. For example, one could control the weather. However, their otherworldly abilities were almost downplayed. Superstrength, durability and endurance were mentioned but not often demonstrated to extreme superheroic levels. Smells were smelt but in an almost normal capacity. Even the super intrusive super hearing ability was hardly ever mentioned. And there’s no fated mate thing. This could be good or bad depending on your preference.
There were different factions with different opinions on their relationship to humans and the world at large. Some view humans as nothing more than blood slaves and pets, others would rather be on top of the food chain out in the open, some seek to live a quiet life while keeping up to date with the changing times. This being a book written by a human, there is an emphasis on equality for both vampires and humans. I imagined a book authored by a vampire might have a different worldview.
That’s the world built around Lords of Discord, which the author was able to skillfully weave around a riveting story without too much info dumping or losing momentum.
Marcus’ story opens the series. Admittedly, the first couple of chapters were slow for me. Ethan applied as a personal assistant to Marcus Varik, who was moving to Connecticut. Unbeknownst to Marcus, Ethan was a spy for a group who were out to kill vampires because he was looking for the vampire who killed his family 16 years ago. Once, Ethan got things going with his packing, the story hit its stride and I was completely into this whole Varik business.
There are four Varik brothers, Marcus, Rafe and his twin Beltran, and their little brother, Winter. Drake has always excelled at creating memorable characters and building strong bonds between them. The tight-knit Varik brothers plus Ethan were a great addition to her collection of unbreakable boys. They all made the story stood out for me.
Each Variks has his own quirks. Marcus is the straightlaced one. Being the oldest, he takes the most responsibility. He tends to be serious but has a shy, totally adorable awkward side. His unique ability is to absorb light. Rafe is the hedonistic, playful twin. He owns a night club, sleeps with anyone he fancies and tells everyone he’s a vampire. He’s living his undead life to the fullest. Aptly enough, his ability is to charm people. Bel lives for science. He has a laboratory that double as a panic room. He has the coolest gadget and the deadliest weapons. He can talk to animals. He’s my favorite Varik. Winter loves sneaking about. He’s the brother with the most secrets. We still don’t know much about Winter. Can’t wait for his book.
Aaaand Ethan.
Ethan came into Marcus’ house all ready to take down the big bad vampire when he found himself questioning all he knew about the creatures. He felt himself drawn to the very endearing vampire with the shy smile. I loved that despite all the horrible things that happened in his past, Ethan managed to keep his sass and genial nature. He’s smart, brave and loyal. He went above and beyond his duty as a personal assistant and became a steadfast friend to Marcus.
I really enjoyed the parts where they became friends. They were totally adorbs!!! I’m a fan of slow burn so I loved how things developed between them. Their relationship was one of the best things about this book.
I wished there was more page-time on the angelic Juliana, their mother. She came on scene and went too soon. There’s another Varik out there. Aidan. He’s their Sire and their father figure from the time they were humans. Will he get his own book too?
This wouldn’t be a Jocelynn Drake book without some action and suspense. Vampire deaths threw the Variks into a bigger game of power and blood, forcing them to sow discord among their kind. This is the overarching thread that gives the series its name. I would love to see the brothers win their way to the top through Marcus’ force of will, Rafe’s deadly charm, Winter’s cunning tricks and Bel’s cool gizmos.
Rafe’s book is next. I know I will love it because Rafe. Winter’s personality is so mysterious I know his story will have the most big reveals. Bel’s book is the one I’m looking forward to the most. There’s something so damn cute about a nerdy vampire with a sense of humor as wicked as his ‘evil’ twin. The thing with Bel, he’s actually serious about it.
Great. Now I want to be a Varik.
P.S.
Jocelynn Drake books here.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Darkest Hour
Artist: Tori Amos
Album: The Light Princess -
SERIES REVIEW: The Rowan Harbor Cycle Books 2-4 by Sam Burns
I read Blackbird in the Reeds, the first book of The Rowan Harbor Cycle, solely on the strength of its book cover. I was sadly left feeling meh so I wrote this series off. That was on 2018.
Couple of years later, I picked up book two, Wolf and the Holly, on a whim. I was pleasantly surprised that this time, everything clicked!
The series features three couples with three interconnected story arcs. The POVs for each book alternate between Devon, Jesse and Fletcher. Devon’s POV was the one I least enjoyed. This is why the first book didn’t work for me. Meeting the rest of the characters, Jesse, Fletcher and their friends made the books 100% more enjoyable.
Rowan Harbor is a town with a secret, one that everyone works hard to protect. Once in a while, threats from the outside put the town in danger. It’s up to the Town Council to keep their home safe. Devon and Jesse are members of the Council. Fletcher is a deputy. His partner is Wade, Devon’s boyfriend and Jesse’s brother. We also meet the other town folks, all special one way or the other. Most of them not human.
This is a review of books 2-4. Review of book 1, Blackbird in the Reeds here.
2. Wolf and the Holly – Sam Burns
Five years ago, Jesse dropped out of college and came home to Rowan Harbor to find safety with his pack. A broken man, he’s been living as though the world is ending—allergic to responsibility and spending most of his nights at the local bar.
But he can’t avoid growing up forever. On the night of his thirtieth birthday party, he finds his childhood friend Isla unconscious, attacked in the middle of their peaceful hometown. The wolf inside him wants to protect its people from the slick-haired, smooth-talking vampire who’s brought trouble to town, and Jesse can’t run from his instincts any longer.
Now that his inner wolf is out of its cage, it’s picked the most inconvenient moment to find its mate. Sean Anderson—recently back from college and much changed from the skinny preteen Jesse once knew—is just what he never knew he needed.
This book was a complete game-changer. I enjoyed Jesse’s story so much! I now understood why people loved this series.
The first parts of the story meandered the way Jesse meandered his way through town and through life. He was a thirty year old college drop-out eking a living through bookkeeping for small businesses. He was feeling worthless. I was kinda feeling Jesse’s pain. I’m not a college drop out but I’m know that aimless feeling all too well.
What made this book so enjoyable was how things that were so blah in the first book suddenly seemed so vivid here. The characters stood out when before they were so forgettable. The humor popped out. I had a new appreciation for Devon’s brand of deadpan snark. And for a book about a character feeling so lost, it made me eager to see where the story was headed.
The romantic element wasn’t introduced until about halfway through. It was insta the way fated mates are insta. I totally didn’t mind that fact because I liked the way it was executed. It left a lot of room for developments. I would love to know more about Sean. Jesse and Sean’s story will be picked up on book 5, Stag and the Ash.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Aimless Upward
Artist: Court Yard Hounds
Album: Sunshine
3. Fox and Birch – Sam Burns
Fletcher Lane wants to protect people. It was why he became a deputy. A month ago, it was why he killed a vampire who kidnapped one of his friends. Now, that death has started a cascade effect that’s tearing his life apart, leaving him possessed by magic that whispers to him in ancient Gothic.
While he’s already fighting for control of his own mind, he has to hold it together when strangers come into town looking for the dead vampire. They say they’re bounty hunters, but Fletcher knows that’s a lie. They’re the same kind of murderers who killed Fletcher’s mother. When one of them puts up a kind front, Fletcher knows that people who hunt the supernatural can’t be trusted. However nice Conner Mason seems, the worst thing Fletcher could do is fall for his act.
OMG, these two dorks! It’s like they’re trying to out awkward each other. I love them!!!
Probably the most adorable installment so far because Fletcher and Connor!
This is another variation of the theme of finding oneself but the author was able to make it different from the other characters’ stories. This featured a more mundane threat to the town compared to the more nebulous a.k.a magical threats of the previous books.
Fletcher flees when faced with the unknown. It’s a gut reaction that developed from a past trauma that resulted in his mother’s death and him and his father being on the run until they found Rowan Harbor. Now Fletcher is dedicated to keeping their sanctuary safe as the town’s deputy.
Connor came with two other bounty hunters who were out looking for a vampire. From the get go, Connor stood out because he was the one who seemed genuinely concerned about Fletcher’s discomfort at seeing the man who killed his mother. Then he proceeded to make the most awkward attempt at hitting on a guy. Fletcher returned the favor by making the most awkward attempt at coming out as a shifter. Score: 1-1.
Their story continues in book 6, Adder and Willow. Who will be the dorkiest one yet?
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Run2me
Artist: Smashing Pumkins
Album: Monuments to an Elegy
4. Hawk in the Rowan – Sam Burns
Devon Murphy has been back in Rowan Harbor for three months. He’s taken on a host of new responsibilities, and is in a serious relationship for the first time in his life. He loves the town and its inhabitants, but it’s starting to feel like too much for the former drifter.
Now there’s a storm on the horizon, and it doesn’t seem like things are going to slow down and let him catch his breath. A blizzard is brewing, and three people have gone missing in the woods south of town. Devon needs to find them before time runs out.
This book is the fourth of nine in The Rowan Harbor Cycle, not a standalone. Devon and Wade will return in book seven for their HEA
I put this book on hold because as early as the first chapters, I already know this book will be so damn hard to finish. I just couldn’t connect with Devon. I liked him better when seen from another person’s perspective. I was even warming up to him in Jesse’ book. But once again, with him telling the story, I was bored, bored, bored. I really don’t give two shits about his personal issues. I’m only finishing this for the sake of continuity.
More of Devon and Wade on book 7, Eagle in the Hawthorn.
Rating:
2 Stars – it’s a struggle to finish the damn bookSoundtrack: Two Weeks
Artist: Grizzly Bear
Album: Veckatimest
The Devon debacle aside, this series has many highlights that makes it worth committing to. Don’t take my word about Devon’s books because many fans liked him so it’s probably a me issue. I recommend exploring the quirky charms of Rowan Harbor and see for yourself why people come and stay.
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REVIEW: Death and Destruction by Patricia Logan
Death and Destruction – Patricia Logan
Forced to go into witness protection, ATF Special Agent Thayne Wolfe, is less than thrilled. The State’s Attorney needs him to testify against one of the most ruthless and notorious arms dealers in the world. Expecting boredom and lots of daytime television, he instead ends up with a ridiculous new job, a stupid new name, and the world’s most annoying shadow. Jarrett Evans, is nevertheless tasked with keeping Wolfe alive long enough to put Mills Lang and his crew away for the rest of their miserable lives.
Jarrett Evans, former Marine, has always been a free spirit, doing the dirty work for Uncle Sam whenever and wherever he’s needed. One of the best snipers in the world, Evans is at peace with the man he’s become. That doesn’t mean he’s ever liked the cold-blooded killer who stares back at him from the mirror every day. The moment he meets pretty boy Thayne Wolfe, things start a slow change and redemption begins to sound possible.
Mills Lang, the world’s most ruthless arms dealer, is little more than a serial killer in his own right. Rotting away in prison with nothing but time on his hands, Lang is determined to destroy the man he allowed into his inner circle. Thayne Wolfe will die in the most painful way… along with anyone he loves.
Death and Destruction has been lingering in my TBR pile for a while now. I wished I had picked it up sooner.
While the premise and many elements of the story were not exactly new, Patricia Logan was able to offer a well-written and gripping take on law enforcement romance. From the moment I started reading, I could hardly put it down. If not for the need to sleep, I’d probably finished it in one sitting.
The plot centers around Thayne Wolfe, an ATF agent who is the key witness to the trial of a notorious arms dealer, and Jarrett Evans, the ex-Marine assigned to guard him. Thayne did not go to WitSec as was normally the case. Instead, he hid in plain sight as a hairstylist in Cut the Crap (awesome name!) with Evans as a receptionist. When their covers were blown, they ran with an assassin hot on their trail.
I loved how the pace was consistently brisk even with their stops and couple downtime. The story is mostly Thayne’s and Jarrett’s POVs with brief shifts to other characters. I usually enjoy this type of style because it feels like a movie. Also I like getting inside the head of the villains. It heightens the sense of foreboding.
Aside from all the action and suspense, the way Thayne and Jarrett played off each other, the TENSION and them trying to fight the attraction for as long as they can were some of the things that made this so enjoyable. I loved how the romance worked with the other plotlines. The relationship developed so naturally there weren’t any doubts about these two even if at this point, they’re not official yet. I just love them!
My only complaint was that the bad guy did not get his comeuppance. According to the blurbs for the other books, he’s going to pop up once in a while. Tsk! I don’t want to see the evil bastard again! I want justice for poor Noah!
The story continues with Flash and Bang where the boys are now working partners. There are already 9 books out if you plan on binge-reading the series. I have a feeling I will end up doing exactly that.
Rating:w
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Run
Artist: Foo Fighters
Album: Concrete and Gold -
REVIEW: I Buried a Witch by Josh Lanyon
Bedknobs and Broomsticks: I Buried a Witch – Josh Lanyon
Something old, something new, something borrowed…something blacker than the darkest night.
Cosmo Saville adores his new husband, but his little white lies—and some very black magic—are about to bring his fairytale romance to an end. Someone is killing San Francisco’s spellcasters—and the only person Cosmo can turn to—the man who so recently swore to love and cherish him—isn’t taking his phone calls.
The only magic Police Commissioner John Joseph Galbraith believes in is true love. Discovering he’s married to a witch—a witch with something alarmingly like magical powers—is nearly as bad as discovering the man he loved tricked and deceived him. John shoulders the pain of betrayal and packs his bags. But when he learns Cosmo is in the crosshairs of a mysterious and murderous plot, he knows he must do everything in in his mortal power to protect him.
Till Death do them Part. With their relationship on the rocks, Cosmo and Commissioner Galbraith join forces to uncover the shadowy figure behind the deadly conspiracy…
Can the star-crossed couple bring down a killer before the dark threat extinguishes true love’s flame?
I Buried a Witch is the second book in the smart and sexy Bedknobs and Broomsticks romantic gay mystery trilogy. If you like endearing characters, spell-binding conflict, and spooky, good fun, then you’ll love Josh Lanyon’s tale of a blue knight and his slightly wicked witch.
The first book, Mainly by Moonlight, fell somewhere between like and love but there are no doubts I loved this sequel.
I Buried a Witch picks up right after Cosmo and John’s honeymoon. Their honeymoon glow was short-lived. Occult-related murders were found and Cosmo couldn’t help but once again poke his nose in police business. This did not go well with his police commissioner husband which led to a blow up which led to Cos blurting out his biggest secret!
I was very happy with the fact that finally! John knew. I love slow-burn romances but ironically, I have no patience with storylines where there’s a big secret and the characters string us along with their will they or won’t they tell dilemma. So it was such a huge relief when everything came out in the open. This is a major reason why I liked this book better.
With these big reveals came character developments that kicked the story up a notch. Now that Cosmo was out as a witch to John, I felt more sympathetic to his plight. He was more likable now that he had less reasons to lie.
John was his usual hot/cold persona. He’s not exactly cardboard but he’s a very typical Lanyon love interest. Sure, I rooted for him and Cos because the author is really good at making this kind of thing work but I wished we could get inside his head.
Many Josh Lanyon stories were written in one POV only, usually the dramatic, talkative MC. Rarely do we get the perspective of the more stoic love interest. Hopefully, the author might decide to
have mercy on us poor readersshake things up and give us dual POVs.These quibbles aside, the writing hooked me from the beginning. It was a fast-paced read. With most of the world-building established in the first book, this second installment is more focused on moving many elements forward and answering some questions, including why John is resistant to Cosmo’s spells. The perp was the kind that was obvious once the character came on page but I still enjoyed tagging along with Cosmo as he goes about his mundane and magical business.
Overall, this is an engaging second book that kept me intrigued until the end. It did a great job building on the previous events, drawing us deeper into this wonderful world of witches and magic. Many question were still left unanswered. Many things were hinted at, one of which, witchkings and MPreg?! Whoa… I’m definitely sticking around for more of Cosmo’s witchy woes.
P.S.
I Buried a Witch is not a standalone. It’s best to experience the Bedknobs and Broomsticks magic in order. Start with book 1, Mainly By Moonlight. Review here.
Josh Lanyon books here.Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Unravel Me
Artist: Jojee
Album: Low Key -
REVIEW: Conspiracy Theory by Elle Keaton
Hamarsson & Dempsey: Conspiracy Theory – Elle Keaton
Years of grueling police work have left Niall Hamarsson jaded and disillusioned with life…although it’s likely he’s been that way all along. The last straw lands when the DA refuses to try a case Niall worked for years to bring to justice. Within hours he finds himself heading to the only place he’s ever been able to call home—a place he knows he doesn’t belong.
Mat Dempsey returned to Piedras Island after his father’s death. These days he’s Island County’s sheriff. He’s happy enough, even if moving home from San Francisco effectively forced him back into the closet. Mat’s well-ordered universe collapses when a local’s body is discovered floating in the cold waters of Hidden Harbor’s marina. All hell breaks loose in the community, and accusations fly…all coinciding with Niall Hamarsson’s return.Niall and Mat have a history, and it’s not one Mat’s proud of. He owes Niall an apology, even if it means getting down on his knees. However, Mat’s first priority is investigating the murder before his community tears itself apart and he may have to ask the aloof Niall Hamarsson for help.
Push apart, pull together, yes or no… The chemistry crackles between them but will the two men be able to put aside their pasts and embrace a future?
Maybe.
Hamarsson & Dempsey is a promising police procedural by new to me author Elle Keaton. The series is set in Piedras Island where everybody had their noses in everybody else’s business. While it is reminiscent of many mystery series, the first book, Conspiracy Theory, held its own.
First, the mystery had me guessing until the end. I liked how the various threads and mini-mysteries relate to the main plot. The pacing was good but the resolution was just okay. It left some things open for the next books.
The book also had a strong cast of secondary characters. As with many small town mysteries, it had its fair share of interesting eccentric town fixtures that will either serve as future victims, future perps, comic relief or mere annoyance. Chief of these are the town’s prominent families who were notorious for their bitter feuds.
The two main characters couldn’t be more different from each other. Both were likable in their own way. The book is character-driven and the two leads were very compelling. Hamarsson in particular has a backstory that you make you feel for the guy.
Hamarsson is of Viking descent and is built like one. He is anti-social with a miserly way of speaking as though each word cost him money. He has a troubled childhood and is the first to admit he is a not a good person. But the man had a rarely seen caring side that appeared when he became Fenrir’s human. The total number of sentences he used to explain the dog’s presence equaled the total number of the rest of sentences he spoke in the entire book. That’s how much he liked the dog.
Dempsey is the town sheriff. He is a serial do-gooder who takes his responsibilities to the entire town very seriously. He’s a genial guy who loves his mom. He’s really easy to like. Early on, he knew there were hidden depths to Hamarsson that were worth taking the time to explore.
The two men had mutual crushes on each other back in high school. Now face to face as grown ups, the attraction is still there. I liked how the slow-burn romance was built-up. I liked how it worked with the police procedural aspect. I even liked the cliffy ending because it felt right for the kind of thing they had at that moment.
Overall, Conspiracy Theory is a great series opener. It has characters you can root for, a mystery that kept you turning the page and a tight plot that made you exciting for what’s coming next. Highly recommended for those into stories of big, taciturn men with giant hairy dogs and small island sheriffs who couldn’t stay away.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: This Island Life
Artist: Violent Femmes
Album: New Times -
SERIES REVIEW: Exit Strategy Books 2 & 3 by Jocelynn Drake
Let’s talk about my favoritest mercenary boyfriends, Justin Mallory and his G Love, Gabriel Prescott. The two met in book one, Deadly Lover, when they were partnered for a job. They spent the first month trying not to kill each other until they settled on a truce. G Love and Special Sauce were born. The two quickly fell in love and decided to leave mercenary life behind.
The series, which is composed of 3 main novels and 1 novella, follows the two as they go on jobs and work on their exit strategy. Will they live long enough to enjoy a happily ever after?
Justin and Gabriel are on on my top 10 fave couples list because it’s always so much fun to watch the two together, whether they’re taking out a warehouse full of thugs or staking out bad guys or just chilling. Their chemistry is off the charts! I could listen to them banter all day. Heck, I would gladly read more books about them because they play off each other so well. I want more dancing under the stars!
Justin is a major goofball. He’s always ready with a joke or two. But make no mistake, the man is DEADLY. He’s ex-spec ops, ex-CIA, hacker and assassin. He has his cool assassin name which was later revealed in the third book.
Gabriel is more serious. He has a privileged but dark upbringing, having been raised as the successor to his father’s intelligence organization. He is a spy and an assassin, better known in their circles as the Reaper.
Together, they take out the bad guys to help the little guys. They also discuss bathroom remodeling while they’re at it. Multi-tasking like the pros they were.
This is a review of books 2 and 3. Review of book one, Deadly Lover, here.
2. Exit Strategy: Vengeful Lover – Jocelynn Drake
Every assassin has an exit strategy – their ultimate plan for leaving that dangerous life and disappearing. They just never expect to live long enough to enact it.
Gabriel Prescott was no different.
But everything changed when he met fellow mercenary Justin Mallory.
Now he’s racing across Europe with Justin to put to rest old threats before they can end both their lives.
Of course, it will also mean coming clean to Justin about exactly who he is and who wants him dead. Gabriel can only hope that Justin will still want him when the truth comes out.
This is Gabriel’s story.
It was a game of get them before they get us. G goes after members of his family who wanted him dead. Justin goes with him to protect and support his man. They met an unexpected twist when they came face to face with G’s sister.
Their mission takes them across Eastern Europe and Russia, right into the heart of the SVA. The CIA and the Russian police were after them. They seek help from Justin’s ex. Can they trust him? Would he come after Justin? Is that G’s jealous face?
The past lives of the two men were pretty much hush hush in the first book. Vengeful Lover answers questions about Gabriel’s former life. YES!!!
Between the two, G is more open to revealing details about his past even if he has the more taciturn personality. Meanwhile, Justin threw Gabriel, and us, a crumb by revealing his real name. Come on, Mallory, you can do better than that.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Me and Mine
Artist: The Brothers Bright
Album: A Song Treasury
3. Exit Strategy: Final Lover – Jocelynn Drake
Two assassins meet, don’t kill each other, and fall in love.
It’s happily ever after, right?
Not so fast.
Reformed mercenaries Justin Mallory and Gabriel Prescott have taken the big leap of living together. They’re even working together.
But “one last job” has them taking a falsely accused man and his young son into their home for safe keeping.
While dodging bullets and fellow hitmen out for the $27 million bounty, Justin and his G Love realize that falling in love was the easy part. Building a life together might be more than they bargained for.
Join Justin and Gabriel for their final adventure as they protect an innocent man and uncover the missing piece to their forever.
I thought this would be Justin’s turn to unearth the skeletons from his past. What we got was almost nothing. Well, not really nothing, but it was practically dismissed as trivial so it was a letdown. But after thinking about it for a bit, I thought it was apt afterall. It further reinforces how vastly different their backgrounds were.
The final book introduces another assassin, Kai a.k.a. Ghost. He was contracted to kill a scientist who was on the run. Justin and Gabriel knew the man, Devlin, was innocent and was also protecting his six year old son. They had to protect them both. Could they convince Kai to change his mind?
I’ll go ahead and spoil that question by saying I like the little spark going on between Kai and Devlin. There’s a story there!! Make it happen, please!
Pete and Repeat: genius pet names for their two German Shepherds which I’m totally stealing because my dog just had puppies.
Justin and G Love’s circle of friends expanded. That is, they now have actual friends. More family members come out of the woodwork. Major decisions were made. Closures were achieved. They now have a real shot at normal life, but, well, one more job?
Rating
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: I Love You
Artist: G. Love & Special Sauce
Album: G. Love & Special Sauce
The books are not standalones. It was a delight to be there for Justin and Gabriel from the time they couldn’t stand each other until they couldn’t live without each other. The relationship progression throughout the series was very well-executed. I could really feel the love between the two. They were one of Jocelynn Drake‘s best written couples.
I have many complaints about book one, chief of which was the predictable alternating pattern of work and sex. The second and third books showed much improvement. It’s still steamy but the sex has better timing, the plots less predictable. There was more focus on the missions and relationship development. The humor and the dialogues were consistently enjoyable. Many scenes were OTT. This is how the author rolls when it comes to the action suspense part. You can roll with it too. G Love and Special Sauce are so worth it!
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REVIEW: The Witch’s Blood by Michele Notaro
The Ellwood Chronicles: The Witch’s Blood – Michele Notaro
I’ve been living with this burden for years, but my secret has finally been revealed and I feel like I can breathe again. I’ve wanted to ask—to beg—for help, but the spell that’s held me captive wouldn’t allow it. With it out in the open, I’m more determined than ever to break the seal from my chest so I can truly be free.
But what if my seal has something to do with one of the most feared prophecies of the millennium?
“A broken seal breaks the fragile hold…”
What does that mean? How am I connected? And why do I find myself so deeply drawn to Julius when I know my viramore, my soulmate, is out there somewhere? It’s not fair to either of us for me to lead Jules on, but it seems that my vampire companion is fierce in his determination to help me.
The Witch’s Blood is the third book in The Ellwood Chronicles and is a continuation of the overall story as we follow Emrys, Julius, Sebastian, and Ailin on their journey. It contains explicit material and is intended for mature adults 18 years of age and older.
Recommended Reading Order:
The Enchanter’s Flame
The Witch’s Seal
The Enchanter’s Soul
The Witch’s Blood
That damn long-ass prophesy continues to haunt the Ellwoods. This time, it’s all about Emrys and the seal that cost him everything.
Em was part of the Ellwoods coven and also Ailin’s ex-boyfriend who, for reasons unknown at that time, betrayed them. Or so, they thought. It was Sebastian who finally shed some light when he saw that there was a seal on the witch’s chest, preventing him from telling Ailin and the coven the truth.
Reading the books in sequence is the best way to get to know the Ellwoods. I liked how each book build up on the previous one. There are a lot of things going on but it’s not as overwhelming as other urban fantasy books (*side eyes Soulbound*) and it never loses sight of the main thread.
The series is full of magical creatures up the wazoo, either making it on page or name-dropped. Each creature has its own magic. I do wish we get more details about the magic systems or creature abilities. What we know is that witches have different magical affinities, ex. Ailin has nature magic. Enchanters have their own special magic but what makes it different from witch abilities was not explained.
The Witch’s Blood is as riveting and magical as the first two books but with more bloodsucking. The romance takes focus but is nicely integrated with the prophesy and the overarching thread. Since this is the third book, the world is already established so there not so much info-dump.
The book picks up on the aftermath of the ogre battle where the Ellwoods’ nearly lost Seb. Em is now with his friend/lover Julius, a vampire, in coven grounds as they try to recuperate. This is where they, Julius in particular, constantly butted heads with Ailin as they try to find a way to break the seal while trying to keep all the coven members safe.
The story is presented through four POVs, Emrys, Julius, Ailin and Sebastian. This is very effective in showing the group dynamics and how each character developed as their world descends into chaos.
Sage Ailin continues to take responsibility for everything because the witch just loves to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders. He is a giant asshole but we all know A’s heart is in the right place because he couldn’t resist bringing home yet another stray. Seb is forever the peacekeeper, defusing the easily triggered A everytime his viramore (soulmate) gets ticked off.
I was already invested in Em and Jules since the previous books and I’m glad that the author gave them their own story. Emrys is a death witch. He has magical affinity for dead things. I think it’s very apt that his partner is a vampire. It adds an extra kick to their relationship because he could very easily control the undead.
I love how Jules really shine here. You gotta love his devotion to his witch. The vampire is all about keeping Em safe. Once you read about his past, you will love him even more. Regularly drinking a witch’s blood gives him access to their powers. He could use it anytime he wishes. But would he?
This is what’s fascinating about Em and Jules’ relationship. There are many nuances to their relationship, much more so than Ailin and Seb. Later, it turned out that they are even more deeply connected.
A big hug goes to Tobi, Julius’ fledgling. I don’t know why everybody was threatening the guy, he was a cinnamon roll! If A didn’t make him part of his coven, I would have hexed the damn witch. Luckily, A has a soft spot for lost creatures.
And me, I have a soft spot for the Ellwoods a mile wide. Why can’t those evil creatures leave them alone?
We’re near the end of the prophesy. Armies gather. War is here. Another horrid monster rises out of some Goddess-forsaken hole. You can bet one of these Ellwoods is going to make the ultimate sacrifice.
I can’t wait for the final book!!!!
P.S.
Review of The Enchanter’s Flame here.
Review of The Enchanter’s Soul here.Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Blood Sings
Artist: Suzanne Vega
Album:
