Rating: 4.25 out of 5

A gay high-society wedding. A stolen book of spells. A love-threatening lie. Can a witch avoid a murder rap without revealing the supernatural truth?

Cosmo Saville guiltily hides a paranormal secret from his soon-to-be husband. Thanks to a powerful love spell, uncertainty threatens his nuptial magic. But when he’s arrested for allegedly killing a longtime rival, he could spend his honeymoon behind bars…

Police Commissioner John Joseph Galbraith never believed in love until Cosmo came along. Falling head over heels for the elegant antiques dealer is an enchantment he never wants to break. So when all fingers point to Cosmo’s guilt, John races to prove his fiancé’s innocence before they take their vows.

As Cosmo hunts for the real killer among the arcane aristocracy, John warns him to leave it to the police. But with an unseen enemy threatening to expose Cosmo’s true nature, the couple’s blissful future could shatter like a broken charm.

Can Cosmo find the lost grimoire, clear his name, and keep John’s love alive, or will black magic “rune” their wedding bells?

Mainly by Moonlight is the first book in the sexy Bedknobs and Broomsticks romantic gay mystery series. If you like spellbinding suspense, steamy fun, and a dash of paranormal, then you’ll love Josh Lanyon’s charming tale.

It was with fond memories of the 1958 movie Bell, Book and Candle (Kim Novak, Jimmy Stewart) that I dived into Josh Lanyon’s Mainly by Moonlight, the first in Lanyon’s new Bedknobs and Broomsticks series.  With elements that reminded me of that story, I immediately knew this was going to be a wild and bumpy fun ride.  It starts with Cosmo Saville, an engaged antique store owner who is also a witch and heir to the local arcane aristocracy.  The last being a secret to  his fiance’, the mortal Police Commissioner John Joseph Galbraith.  In fact, that there are witches, warlocks, or any type of arcanes at all is a secret to all mortals and it’s intended that it stays that way.

Something that will be not only awkward but hard to do when John and Cosmo are married, even with Cosmo’s desire to leave most of his magic behind.  And that’s to happen shortly.

Until a murder takes place.  And everything points to Cosmo as the killer.

As the first story in the series, especially one with as many layers as this series looks to have, Lanyon has a lot to do.  That includes two worlds to build. The mundane and the arcane.  The one that John resides in plus the one that Cosmo was born into. Then there the grey middle area that Cosmo straddles trying to keep a foot in each world and not doing it very well.  As he lies to John about what and who he is.  The mundane world and it’s cast with the police station and John’s circle seems relatively easy a foundation to conceive but the arcane is much murkier and larger to behold.  I trust it will grow as the series does, as will our knowledge of the aristocracy that rules it.  All this is shadow and magic, on purpose, by the author because nothing is as simple as it seems.

Especially not a murder with witches involved.

The murder and its investigation is full of twists and suspenseful turns.  Its ramifications will spread into other stories in the trilogy.

I think the characterizations are terrific, although the magical ones feel more complex and intriguing.  All of them,. Somehow the mundane just sort of pale in comparison. It’s hard sometimes for the mortal to compete with the magical.  Cosmo shines just that much more brightly than does the rather stoic John in their relationship, even given the strange particulars which I won’t go into because of potential spoilers. I wanted something deeper between these two and feel that it’s “lack” again is intentional.  I’m waiting for the second book because I’m betting some surprises are in store here.

And did I mention there is a familiar? A cat as well?  Wouldn’t be right without one.

Mainly by Moonlight (Bedknobs and Broomsticks #1) by Josh Lanyon closes the curtain on one murder, mostly, only to open the stage to a much larger investigation.  I won’t say by whom …that’s for the next story to tell.  But there will be more mystery, more murder, more romance, and yes, more relationship issues to come.  And definitely more magic.  I simply can’t wait.

Cover art by Reese Dante:  This comver is simply gorgeous. It suits the character, the tone of the story and draws the eye in. Perfect.

Sales Links:  Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 222 pages
Published August 1st 2019 by JustJoshin Publishing, Inc.
Original Title Mainly by Moonlight
ISBN 139781945802911
Edition Language English
Series Bedknobs and Broomsticks #1