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Trouble Brewing: Imperial Stout – Layla Reyne
Layla Reyne spins off from her pulse-pounding Agents Irish and Whiskey books with Imperial Stout , the first installment in the Trouble Brewing series
It’s a good thing assistant US attorney Dominic Price co-owns a brewery. He could use a cold one. Nic’s star witness has just been kidnapped, his joint operation with the FBI is in jeopardy, his father’s shady past is catching up with him and the hot new special agent in San Francisco is the kind of distraction best handled with a stiff drink.
Kidnap and rescue expert Cameron Byrne has his own ideas about how to handle Nic, but his skills are currently needed elsewhere. The by-the-book FBI agent goes deep undercover as a member of an infamous heist crew in order to save Nic’s witness, break up the crew and close the case before anyone else gets hurt. Nic in particular.
Things heat up when Cam falls for Nic, and the witness falls for Cam. As the crew’s suspicions grow, Cam must decide how far he’s willing to go—and how far into his own dark past he’s willing to dive—to get everyone out alive.
I liked Aidan and Jamie but their series, Agents Irish and Whiskey, as a whole was wonky. I am glad to say that Imperial Stout was much better.
Nic Price, who dated Aidan briefly, piqued my interest before for being sartorially correct and him hooking up with Cam Byrne was something of a pleasant surprise when it was revealed in Blended Whiskey.
Imperial Stout takes you immediately to where the action is as several teams stake out the bad guys. Slight niggle on the part where Nic is part of the stakeout team and started shooting people himself. I agree with one GR reviewer who mentioned that lawyers usually come in after the fact and not while the Feds are in an operation. I also wanted to see Nic doing lawyerly things so a courtroom scene would have been nice.
Cam goes undercover and did what he did best, rescuing kidnapped victims, namely Nic’s star witness, Abby. For this job, Cam digs into his not so stellar past and tries not to get involved in a threesome with Abby and her girlfriend, the main antagonist, Becca who both found him attractive. All the while dancing around his attraction to Nic and the memory of their kiss.
The book could be read as a standalone but I still recommend reading Agents Irish and Whiskey since most of the characters there play significant roles in Imperial Stout. The group dynamics is still as enjoyable as ever and I am happy that Lauren had more page time. She is fast becoming my favorite female character along with Mel. And for some reason, I might be seeing sparks that weren’t there because I was shipping Lauren with Percy Hunter, the B&E guy they nabbed.
Suspension of disbelief is still necessary at some instances but the story as a whole was entertaining. One of my issues before with Aidan and Jamie, aside from the plot holes and long drawn out investigations, was that they were too emotionally compromised to do their jobs properly as working partners. With Nic and Cam, there was less of that complication since they were from different departments. Overall, their book was simply better written compared to the original series.
P.S.
Meh ratings on Agents Irish and Whiskey here.
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and love
Soundtrack: Overnight
Artist: Parcels
Album:(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39672580-imperial-stout)
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Bebe-san no Koibito –
Katsura Komachi
Bebe is an elderly cat nearing the end of his life. He reflects on his beloved Isuku, the human he loves most, and of the unspoken love that Isuku feels for his best friend, Hibiki. When Bebe is no longer around, will Isuku be all alone?
Hug your cat!
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SPECTR: Reaper of Souls – Jordan L. Hawk
When an incubus murders the powerful ally of an anti-paranormal senator, it’s up to hotshot Federal exorcist John Starkweather to catch the demon before it can kill again. Fortunately, he has backup, in the form of his boyfriend Caleb, a telekinetic possessed by the vampire spirit Gray.
As the political pressure mounts and bodies pile up, John discovers an old enemy protecting the incubus: the Fist of God, a group that believes all paranormals are evil. But why would the Fist work with a demon? And why would they let it kill one of their own allies?
John and Caleb need to find out fast. Because the incubus lurks at the intersection of love and longing, and it’s willing to turn their deepest desires against them.
For Reaper of Souls, our SPECTR agents are dealing with an incubus and deepest darkest desires is the theme for this installment.
Caleb got a snazzy new leather coat which didn’t impress Tiffany.
“They aren’t going to give out a warrant against a senator on the say-so of a possessed hippie,” Tiffany replied. “Or are you a goth now, with the coat and boots? Way to live the vampire stereotype.”
“Tiffany,” John said, a warning edge in his voice. “Can we keep the personal insults out of it, please?”
“Fine.” She settled back in her seat, arms crossed over her chest. “But if he starts writing morbid poetry and hanging out in graveyards, I’m staking his ass.”
But it certainly got John’s blood running, John who has a dark secret desire (which doesn’t take much to figure out given his reactions). He’s keeping it from everyone including Caleb. I wonder how Caleb and Gray would react if they know. I think all readers saw it coming but I can’t wait for the moment he drops the bombshell.
Finding out who the possessed human was was a bit blah because there wasn’t much action on this part but the climax took it to the max.
Powers were amped up as Gray battles the incubus on top of a lighthouse.
The scenes where Caleb vamps out and Gray comes out to play were major hellyeah! moments. I say unleash the drakul!
P.S.
Reviews of SPECTR books here.
Reviews of Jordan L. Hawk books here.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
Soundtrack: The Hollow
Artist: A Perfect Circle
Album: Mer de Nom(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17999898-reaper-of-souls)
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Ii Kankei de Komatteru – Machiya Hatoko
A collection of old and new stories, cute, funny, and sweetly intimate.
1) Coworkers in an easygoing relationship.
2-3) Childhood friends go to a planetarium.
4) A responsible salaryman enjoys the unconventional attitude of a new intern.
5-8) A school librarian is tempted by a determined student.This good relationship bothers me: Smutty bore but I think the president should have his own story.
Deep in Winter +
Under the stars: A passably cute childhood friends to lovers romance that could be so much more
Lets sparkle: An age-gap, boss+subordinate romance that shows promise
Library Temptation +
Library Love +
Lingering Traces +
Fireworks Hanabi: Started out as smutty bore but quickly redeemed itself by turning out to be an evocative librarian+student romance.
(source: https://mangapark.org)
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Burn – Aleksandr Voinov
Flight Lieutenant Chris Waters is the pilot of a cutting-edge unmanned SAD fighter drone that is used for secret government missions. Chris is cutting-edge technology himself: his neural network is upgraded with cyber-technology and software that makes him the interface of his combat drone.
Then, something goes wrong as he connects to his drone. Haunted by strange, disorientating impressions, a so-called “ghost”, he hooks up on leave with fellow pilot Cyril for a night. But Cyril is not the man Chris thought he is, and Chris soon finds out what the “ghost” in his body really is, as well as the truth about his missions.
I am aware Aleksandr Voinov writes sci-fi but I almost didn’t recognize the story as his. Granted this is my first Voinov sci fi, I think perhaps the fact that the characters and the setting were American threw me off. I’m used to his European characters. This thing felt different. It wasn’t a dud, not the best either. It also felt like a prequel to something.
This sure packs a lot for a shortie.
It started out with Chris talking to a recorder and preening for the press which covers the world-building part. I thought it would continue in that vein, then, poof! It shifted to third person. We get burn junkies, a mystery, a one-night stand, military secrets, and a pilot gone rogue. What the titular burn is, I’m not exactly sure but Chris is addicted to it. I wouldn’t say the ending was satisfying or complete. More like, it hinted on so much more that the short story format would leave you wanting. Make this a full length novel, please.
P.S.
Reviews of Aleksandr Voinov’s books here.
Rating:
3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked itSoundtrack: Jet Pilot
Artist: System of a Down
Album: Toxicity -
Haru yo, Koi – Fujisawa Yui
One year ago, Kotaro moved to Tokyo to follow his dream of becoming a beautician. A visit from an old school friend, Kii, reminds him of the day he left his hometown.
Ooh, Kii-chan’s boss move!
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Hexworld: Wild WIld Hex – Jordan L. Hawk
Can a lawman witch find love with an outlaw familiar?
After weeks spent tracking down the gentleman bandit Rafael, Hexas Ranger Enoch Bright finally has the outlaw in his sights. He doesn’t expect to find out Rafael is his familiar.
When Enoch runs afoul of the murderous Bone Gang, he and Rafael strike a deal to take down the gang together. As lawman and outlaw work together, Enoch soon realizes the next thing the gentleman bandit steals will be his heart.
Can a lawman witch find love with an outlaw familiar?
After weeks spent tracking down the gentleman bandit Rafael, Hexas Ranger Enoch Bright finally has the outlaw in his sights. He doesn’t expect to find out Rafael is his familiar.
When Enoch runs afoul of the murderous Bone Gang, he and Rafael strike a deal to take down the gang together. As lawman and outlaw work together, Enoch soon realizes the next thing the gentleman bandit steals will be his heart.
A Hexworld novella set in the heart of Texas featuring a hawk familiar and the only black ranger in the west. With fast-paced gun slinging action and a train heist, it’s almost as fun as the main novels only that it is too short. The witch+familiar magic is as fascinating as ever and it was interesting to see the dynamics work out there in the wilds. I hope Enoch and Rafael visit New York and meet the other guys
P.S.
Reviews on Hexworld books here
Rating:
3.5 Stars – that place between like and love
Soundtrack: Hello Hawk
Artist: Superchunk
Album: Come Pick Me Up(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36489289-wild-wild-hex)
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Ikujinashi no Koi – Rika Isaki
Asakura, a writer, coincidentally came across high-schooler Mihara who has feelings for his male friend. He sees himself in Mihara because of his bitter past love. By a twist of fate, it turns out that Mihara’s homeroom teacher, Mizumori, is the very person he loved…
This collection’s theme is childhood friends and reunions.
Ikujinashi no Koi + The Adult After: Asakura has unrequited love for his childhood friend Mizumori whom he lost contact with then later meet again as an adult. There were boring talky bits I skimmed but halle-fucking-luya when he finally confessed.
To Meet You: Jobless thirty-something Kaida goes back to his hometown and was forced to work in the shop manned by Shunya, a 20-year old who was his friend when they were both much younger. Pushy kid but would Kaida take him seriously?
Us Forever After: High school friends Kazuma and Haruhisa tries to keeps things normal after Kazuma confessed to Haruhisa. You guys know you can be both best friends AND boyfriends, right? Cutest story of the collection.
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Holmes and Moriarity: Somebody Killed His Editor – Josh Lanyon
For sixteen years reclusive mystery writer Christopher (Kit) Holmes enjoyed a very successful career, thanks to the popularity of elderly spinster sleuth, Miss Butterwith, and her ingenious cat, Mr. Pinkerton. But sales are down in everything but chick lit, and Christopher’s new editor doesn’t like geriatric gumshoes. It’s a pink, pink world for Mr. Holmes.
At the urging of his agent, Christopher reluctantly agrees to attend a mystery writers’ conference at a remote Northern California winery. But no sooner does he arrive than he discovers the pajama-clad body of a woman in the woods. If nearly two decades of mystery-writing are anything to go by, the woman doesn’t appear to have died a natural death.
With a storm in full force and a washed-out bridge making it impossible for law enforcement to come to the rescue, it’s practically like all those classic murder mysteries in isolated country manors that Christopher has been penning for sixteen years! If only Miss Butterwith was on hand. Or even Mr. Pinkerton…
So I got sucked in another Josh Lanyon book. The thing with her is that her characters, in this case both MCs, takes getting used to or bluntly put, hard to like but happily, in the end, they always pull through.
Christopher “Kit” Holmes is an incorrigible drama queen who can’t shut up and just had to make those inappropriate jokes but when he seriously puts his mind to work, he’s actually smarter than his verbal diarrhea made him seem. I don’t like the way Kit keeps complaining about his “old age”. Seriously dude, you are only 39, that’s not old. Kit had a “5-minute thing” with another mystery writer, JX, ten years ago and they meet again at the writers’ conference. JX Moriarity comes across as asshole-ish but he always made sure Kit is safe and that’s a big plus. JX is an ex-cop, so he took charge of the situation but that also puts him in a good place to hide evidence. He is 5 years younger than Kit, and is now more successful than him. He is the only one who calls Christopher “Kit” which I find really cute.
As par for course, the mystery takes center stage. I love the trapped in a big house mystery trope and the shout out to (and possible shade on) The Cat Who series because it’s one of my favorite mystery series. I think smarter readers would have figured out the killer but me, I placed my bets on the wrong horses. I was even halfway convince that JX was the killer if it wasn’t for the fact that he was the love interest. Hell, I’m no Sherlock, sad to say.
The romance was not fluffy. The old flames still burned and it was fun watching them deal with the past and present chemistry. But it’s also full of miscommunications because one talks too much and the other hardly explains himself. But somehow, it worked! When they talk properly that is.
Holmes & Moriarity is another murder mystery series I’m committing myself to. Lanyon has a way with mysteries that just grabs you and keeps you riveted. This duo is typical of the author but also different enough to keep things interesting. I really liked the mystery writers solving actual mysteries premise and I want to see where Kit and JX take their relationship. Also if Kit comes up with fresh ideas for his new book or if he’s stuck with the regency/mystery/paranormal/erotica thing Rachel, his agent, is pushing for. Let’s face it Kit, it’s time to put a new spin on things but safe to say, I don’t think Rachel’s going to make you attend any writers’ conference anytime soon.
P.S.
Reviews of Josh Lanyon’s books here.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits
Soundtrack: Jenny was a Friend of Mine
Artist: The Killers
Album: Hot Fuss(source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31363985-somebody-killed-his-editor)
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Tokubetsu na Nichijou – Fujitobi
Two boys try to celebrate their one year anniversary, but things don’t go as planned.
LOL, they’re like an old married couple.
Here’s what David Byrne has to say, boys:
I always think the everyday is more relevant than anything too grand because we all have to deal with it.
