The Inconvenient Count is the third and last of the Imperial Space Regency Novels by Kai Butler. For me it’s also my least favorite.
I really enjoy this trope and the two novels that came before it but The Inconvenient Count just felt unwieldy, too long, and the main characters were never really well written or throughly connected to each other by chemistry or a well constructed narrative to make them viable. Inconsistencies in crafting the characters, and histories just didn’t make sense to me.
Nor does the confusing and ill defined storyline about a fertile egg which they go back and forth between calling a “daughter” or frozen viable egg in a clinic. Hmmm.
The author is trying to tie up various plots, character storylines, strange mysteries and barely mentioned murders, and none really get explored or explained to real satisfaction. Same goes for the ending.
It just feels pulled together and rushed. I liked this mainly because of how some of the secondary characters were written and because of how fond I am of certain lady pirates.
Everyone in society knows newly titled Count Yun Rit killed his husband. After being trapped into a marriage by parents who wanted a peerage in their family, what was to stop him from murdering his elderly spouse and stealing the title? Only Yun didn’t kill his husband and proving his innocence would expose some devastating truths about his heart and his past.
A decorated Captain…
Captain Ado Pastor is a highly ranked member of the Secrets Division in Her Imperial Majesty’s Navy. When he’s tasked with finding evidence that Yun Rit murdered his husband for a title, he takes a break from capturing pirates and breaking up smuggling rings to investigate the claims against his one-time fiancé.
An old flame rekindled…
Now Ado must choose between his duty to the Empire and his duty to his heart. If making the choice involves heading to the outer rim, engaging with criminals, and tracking down the real killer, then he’s willing to do that for the man he once loved.
The Inconvenient Count is a 90k MM space regency novel with an HEA.
“Peregrine Crawford stared in horror at the box sitting on top of his delivery cart. That’s a bomb.”
I’m a fan of Kage Harper’s work. This author manages to take a “ordinary” person’s, or someone who has been categorized as “sub par”, approach to an extraordinary set of circumstances and make it and him relatable.
That’s Perry whose super powers are anything but. Perry can make things change colors but not indefinitely. Yellow rug to blue. Until the color fades. He has one more talent but it doesn’t always work and takes a lot of power and practice. So Perry hasn’t told anyone about it. That makes him a disappointment to his mother, especially as his only job he can hold is in a mailroom.
Perry is that easy to connect with character. One whose life changes when he does the right thing and meets Sergeant Deckard of the Nova City Bomb Squad and his canine patrol partner, Nix.
Harper combines an investigation into a serial bomber with a sweet developing relationship between Perry and Deckard. The super hero organization, SPAM, isn’t much of a element here but does appear largely as a smaller thread.
This is a good take on the theme and a sweet couple.
Subpar Heroes series- 15 books:
🔷The Accidental Necromancer by Liv Rancourt
🔷Behind the 8-Ball by A. E. Wasp 5/30/2024
🔷Transparent Is a Color by Kaje Harper
🔷Impossible Things by Alexa Land
🔷My Not-So-Super Blind Date by Allison Temple 6/6/2024
🔷An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling by Jenn Burke 6/13/2024
🔷In The Nick of Time by Elle Keaton 7/25/2024
🔷Static/Cling by Jaimie Samms 7/30/2024
🔷Spiritual Guidance Not Required by Jacy Braegan 8/1/2024
Perry’s mother told him he’d develop the superpower of flight, like his grandfather. She even named him Peregrine, so folks would call him “The Falcon.” Spoiler— they don’t. Because when he did come into his power, all he got was the ability to change colors. Not even himself, like some kind of Chameleon Man, but the color of objects. He can de-pukify the shade of his bedroom curtains, turn a bully’s sweatshirt pink, or even turn a red traffic light green. (Not a good idea.) He hasn’t told anyone except his disappointed mom about his power. What would they call him? The Interior Decorator?
Back in high school, under stress, he did convince his power that transparent was just another color. Now that ability’s sometimes fun in an illicit way. Then one morning, in the mailroom at work, he turns a cardboard box transparent and sees a bomb inside. And Perry’s ordinary life explodes.
Sergeant Deckard of the Nova City Bomb Squad never thought much about superheroes, or supervillains for that matter. He has plenty of work with ordinary humans and their explosives. Until he and his bomb-sniffing dog, Nix, get called to a possible-explosives situation in a highrise mailroom. The guy who reported the bomb is a nerdy twink in dark-framed glasses who pushes all of Deck’s buttons. When he finds out the young man has a weird superpower and may be the target of a villain, every protective instinct comes into play.
Deckard’s goal is to keep his job, his dog, Nova City, and Perry intact. His libido can just sit down, shut up, and take a number. But as their attraction gets hotter and the villain closes in, their future might be blown apart before it even has a chance to start.
Transparent Is a Color is a part of the multi-author Subpar Superheroes MM romance series.
(Content warning for abduction, parental emotional abuse)
Perry’s mother told him he’d develop the superpower of flight, like his grandfather. She even named him Peregrine, so folks would call him “The Falcon.” Spoiler— they don’t. Because when he did come into his power, all he got was the ability to change colors. Not even himself, like some kind of Chameleon Man, but the color of objects. He can de-pukify the shade of his bedroom curtains, turn a bully’s sweatshirt pink, or even turn a red traffic light green. (Not a good idea.) He hasn’t told anyone except his disappointed mom about his power. What would they call him? The Interior Decorator?
Back in high school, under stress, he did convince his power that transparent was just another color. Now that ability’s sometimes fun in an illicit way. Then one morning, in the mailroom at work, he turns a cardboard box transparent and sees a bomb inside. And Perry’s ordinary life explodes.
Sergeant Deckard of the Nova City Bomb Squad never thought much about superheroes, or supervillains for that matter. He has plenty of work with ordinary humans and their explosives. Until he and his bomb-sniffing dog, Nix, get called to a possible-explosives situation in a highrise mailroom. The guy who reported the bomb is a nerdy twink in dark-framed glasses who pushes all of Deck’s buttons. When he finds out the young man has a weird superpower and may be the target of a villain, every protective instinct comes into play.
Deckard’s goal is to keep his job, his dog, Nova City, and Perry intact. His libido can just sit down, shut up, and take a number. But as their attraction gets hotter and the villain closes in, their future might be blown apart before it even has a chance to start.
Transparent Is a Color is a part of the multi-author Subpar Superheroes MM romance series.
(Content warning for abduction, parental emotional abuse)
“As I sprinted up Telegraph Hill with about two dozen overly enthusiastic raccoons in hot pursuit, I muttered, “Not again.”
So opens Impossible Things by Alexa Land and our introduction to Anderson “Andy” Chen, our appealing subpar hero.
This is the second in the Subpar Heroes multi author series that I’ve read and each has taken a different approach to this decidedly engaging theme. I absolutely adore Impossible Things by Alexa Land .
Land’s story acknowledges the existence of SPAM, Special Processing and Management of superheroes or just about anyone with paranormal abilities. And that’s where we meet Andy , a librarian who has landed a “upper mobility “ job in heading the Archives for SPAM. We meet his mom and her girlfriend (with their powers and backgrounds), his bestie and her issues. He’s a great character, fully established in his culture, layered in personality and his own baggage. Land has left him room to develop and that’s exactly what Andy does. He blooms throughout this story.
Next comes Samaritan “Sam” Miller, a man of many talents who is a new hire at SPAM, and who gets assigned to help Andy wade through the mess down in Archives. Sam is another character who is multi dimensional and grows as the story and their relationship develops. They are both perfect for each other.
After a rough start connecting with each other, a mysterious file and some research send the pair of them on a mission that’s helping them bond, revealing to the reader and each other so much about their lives and opening themselves up to new possibilities for themselves and a romantic relationship.
This journey is so exciting and well plotted. We get villains, family involvement, new friends (Arden), more mysteries, action-packed sequences, and a sweet romance.
I don’t think I’ve read much by Land but this will see me seeking out this author’s catalog.
I’m highly recommending Impossible Things (A Subparheroes Novel) by Alexis Land. Engaging couple, well written story and wonderful cast of supporting characters. Lovely!
Love this cover too!
Subpar Heroes series- 15 books:
🔷The Accidental Necromancer by Liv Rancourt
🔷Behind the 8-Ball by A. E. Wasp 5/30/2024
🔷Transparent Is a Color by Kaje Harper
🔷Impossible Things by Alexa Land
🔷My Not-So-Super Blind Date by Allison Temple 6/6/2024
🔷An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling by Jenn Burke 6/13/2024
🔷In The Nick of Time by Elle Keaton 7/25/2024
🔷Static/Cling by Jaimie Samms 7/30/2024
🔷Spiritual Guidance Not Required by Jacy Braegan 8/1/2024
I chose to be a librarian for a reason. All I want is a quiet life, surrounded by books. But when I stumble across a scientist’s journal that could have dire consequences for superheroes everywhere, my whole world gets knocked off its axis.
Suddenly, bad guys are closing in, and I find myself on the run with my coworker Sam–a big, loud ex-jock with more conspiracy theories than common sense. He says he’ll keep me safe, but how? I’m the one with a superpower, even if it’s total crap.
To complicate matters, there’s an undeniable spark of attraction between us. We don’t need the distraction, not when we’re running for our lives. But it’s hard to resist temptation when we’re stuck with each other day after day. And I can’t help but wonder if there’s more to Sam than meets the eye…
Do Sam and I have what it takes to stay ahead of a supervillain, protect each other, and keep the information we possess out of the wrong hands? It seems impossible. But maybe we’ll end up surprising ourselves–and each other.
Impossible Things is a part of the multi-author Subparheroes MM romance series.
If you’re a fan of author Vin George’s Evergreen Council series, then this novella is the thing for you. Teas’d is a warm-hearted glimpse into the daily lives of Charley, the half vampire/half fae adorable being from Fang’d (Evergreen Council Book 1) and his vampire father, Dalziel. Naturally, this sees Luc, Charlie ‘s bond-mate werewolf, as an important part of his life and household as well.
This novella is a perfect illustration of how to bring a sense of loving family and deep understanding of each other’s differences to life in a meaningful but short narrative. Especially when its characters and universe are all from prior books.
The reader doesn’t have to have read those stories in order to understand these characters, their unique personalities, their histories, and the warmth and loving synergy between them all. George’s dialogue and fantastic storytelling has done an excellent job, laid all the groundwork, and now let’s the reader enjoy and become involved in the story itself.
And what a joyful, and emotional journey it becomes. A father/son moment, a learning experience full of humor and poignancy, quixotic and sweet.
This is a group of characters and a universe I can’t get enough of . It’s also one I highly recommend.
Don’t play games with a vampire unless you’re prepared to lose.
Playing pranks on his three-hundred-year-old vampire sire wasn’t Charley’s brightest idea. Now Dalziel has set him a task. Charley is stuck with a night’s worth of brain-twisting clues and his own company until he solves them all. Not even Luc can help! Charley wants to win, but can he ever really lose? His mate is waiting for him regardless, ready to rock his world.
An Evergreen Council novella, pitting a preoccupied father against his chaotic son, with smiles, curses, and insights into both men’s lives when the biggest adventure is living well.
Taylor Rylan’s Ambrosius : Paranormal Council Enforcers Book One represents a new author for me as well as series. I enjoy paranormal romance fiction so I was looking forward to reading this, especially as it already has a number of books already published in the series.
Unfortunately, I believe I’m going to stop here. While there’s a few things I enjoyed about this story, they’re overshadowed by other aspects that left me feeling disconnected from the characters, underwhelmed by the plot lines, and , most importantly, uninformed about the foundation or universe itself that the story and characters are grounded in.
Taylor Rylan’s Universe of Destined Paranormals is a group of five inter-connected series and characters, of which Ambrosius is the first in the fifth series, Paranormal Council Enforcers. So there’s a lot of expectations for readers to know who everyone is and who these agencies are that they work for, this giggling goddess that just appears (not a fan), a omega/Alpha relationship that’s not well defined, especially here with one character.
This story actually ends up raising more questions than it does answer with its narrative. But quickly , the poorly crafted characters have lost my interest in their lives and this book.
That starts with the main character of Ambrosius, a made vampire. That term isn’t used in the way we’re accustomed to seeing it. Ambrosius wasn’t “turned” or made. No a goddess who comes across as a blonde bestie from your college sorority days crafted him full blown. Thirtyish looking, now over a millennium old. But how does Ambrosius act during the book? Much like a silent movie heroine, weeping, throwing himself at his mate, overwrought by emotions and the situation he is in. Surely, he’s got his own power and has learned a thing or two about weapons, or something. His character is just so ill defined. In the beginning we learned he went from being rejected by an omega because his fangs are scary to becoming an omega himself when he finds himself mate to a dragon. No explanation. Then there is basically little communication between anyone here.
There’s really little history or reason laid down for personalities. Or for reactions, or just anything in general . And the main drama, a huge criminal investigation into a shifter trafficking organization is barely explored and not finished, a thread that’s carried over to the next book.
The only other major storyline is a mpreg one that comes out of nowhere (literally) because the main character has no clue he’s pregnant. His mate and others know but don’t say anything. They assume he knows. Then he’s got kids. Then they are special. It’s a rapidly changing story without substance or grounding.
If you’re a fan of the author or any of the other series associated with this, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy it .
But other authors do this one universe, multiple connected series better and those are the ones I’ll read.
Paranormal Council Enforcers:
14 books to date:
Ambrosius #1
Attiticus #2 plus more
The Universe of Destined Paranormals is a world of interconnected series set in one universe. Because of this, it is recommended that you read the books in chronological order.
🔷Honey Creek Den Series-When the child of the created warlock goes searching for his mate, a domino effect occurs and the den is blessed by the Fates.
🔷Timber Valley Wolf Pack Series-Magic is changing and the wolf pack is next to be blessed by the Fates.
Does Edison have something to do with it?”
🔷Warlocks of Amherst Series-Edison’s warlocks have finally been blessed by the Fates and it’s their turn to find their fated Ones.
🔷Vampires of the Beloved Gem Series-Master Nikolai’s vampires aboard the Beloved Gem realized that their time has come to find their beloved ones.
🔷Paranormal Council Enforcers Series-the magic has shifted and the Paranormal Council has been formed. Will the chosen enforcers be next to find their forever mates?”
When you’re the created vampire, and discover your fated mate is a dominant dragon alpha, what could go wrong?
Master Ambrosius was created over a millennium ago and had come to terms with spending his life alone. He has his coven, his second, and a few close friends, but he continues to be haunted by the memory of his fated mate running from him in terror. That is, until the goddess sends him to Montana, and he discovers his body reacting to a sexy alpha with wide shoulders and dark eyes. Surely there’s some mistake though, right?
Emmerich was born on Treasure Ridge, the mountain his grandparents claimed several centuries ago for a reason that wasn’t yet known. Like his brother, he longs for his mate and children but knows they aren’t on their mountain. Emmerich’s dragon insisted he would find his mate in Sicily, but after weeks of searching, he comes back to Treasure Ridge, where his dragon scents the most amazing thing. Mate. When he discovers the scent is coming from the created vampire, he’s not sure about the pairing but is more than willing to accept the match.
Together, they discover a desire for unexpected things. But while they are happy switching roles at certain times, the council is still forming, and they discover an evilness none expected. Will they be able to stop the threat before their family is harmed?
Ambrosius is Book One in the Paranormal Council Enforcers series. Each book in this series will focus on a different couple, but these books are not standalones and should be read in order as there is an ongoing backstory that won’t be resolved quickly. This is a fated mate MPreg story in an MPreg world, and you should expect all the normal vampire shenanigans, and remember that love bites in unexpected places. Especially when your beloved is a sexy dragon.
The Universe of Destined Paranormals is a world of interconnected series set in one universe. Because of this, it is recommended that you read the books in chronological order.
🔷Honey Creek Den Series-When the child of the created warlock goes searching for his mate, a domino effect occurs and the den is blessed by the Fates.
🔷Timber Valley Wolf Pack Series-Magic is changing and the wolf pack is next to be blessed by the Fates.
Does Edison have something to do with it?”
🔷Warlocks of Amherst Series-Edison’s warlocks have finally been blessed by the Fates and it’s their turn to find their fated Ones.
🔷Vampires of the Beloved Gem Series-Master Nikolai’s vampires aboard the Beloved Gem realized that their time has come to find their beloved ones.
🔷Paranormal Council Enforcers Series-the magic has shifted and the Paranormal Council has been formed. Will the chosen enforcers be next to find their forever mates?”
It’s been since February 27, 2022 when I read the fabulously horrifying book Buried Mage, fourth in Michael Taggert’s wildly imaginative, densely packed and beautifully detailed fantasy series, Fledgling God.
So seeing that Taggert had finally released another book in the series is a great joy and, one that takes a bit to remember all that has happened in the previous novels as it’s been a while .
This is a series I think might be worth waiting for all the books to be published and then binge reading them all together . You might be absolutely book drunk at the end but you’ve had the most amazing experience and it’s been a journey you will remember.
Individually, each book stops and starts right after the other has ended. Taggert’s picking up his narrative as though there’s been no interruption. Such as having to write another book!
Honestly, I seem to overlook things here that otherwise would normally make me narratively have issues with the story simply because the of the incredible ideas, the wildly wackadoodle flights of imagination that are the hallmarks of this author and series.
Every character. Including the House of House Louisville has a uniquely fascinating personality. One that continues to grow and deepen throughout the series in surprising ways. It’s not just about the characters. It’s magical charms and crystals, Marks and soul creations like tiny Miners and Surfers, and more importantly, each type of being that two of the mages, Jason and Annabeth, encounter here or create, vividly come to life on the page and mean something special to the reader. It’s a uniquely beautiful and powerful cast of characters that , from bugs to crystals to enslaved mages, they draw the reader inside the story and whatever small sections they inhabit.
This time the focus is primarily narrowed down to Jason and Annabeth, although we do get some new information about the other three members of the House. They have to enter a contest and what a contest it is . The book ends before the contest is finished. It’s simply epic. A giant quest, a RPG with real teams and on a planet where things can kill your team. Sort of.
I can’t begin to explain what this is about. And normally I’d say that Taggert has too much laid in his story that slows down his narrative . But I can’t. Every crazy, zany, over-the-top scene this author has thought of and written, and I’m talking Tim Gunn narrating a male fashion show for Jason type of insanity, and I’m totally committed. I’m 100 percent invested.
And he does this over and over. And it works. Wild side trips here and there, junkets to vaults, it’s just so fun or personal and imaginative while sticking with the same theme and emotions. It keeps the reader connected and fascinated and thrilled with everything that is happening.
Then, boom . We need to wait for the next one to come. Sigh. Which I will.
Taggert does a small book by book recap at the beginning but it’s not even close to what happened. So do think about what type of reader you are and the experience you want to get into here.
After all of their adventures, the crew of House Louisville was ready to sit back and take it easy. But a surprise visitor informed them they owed millions of pearls to the Bank.
He was willing to take them all as indentured servants for the Bank and let them work decades to pay off their debt. That would mean splitting up the House, though, and nobody was willing to let that happen.
To save the House, and to stay together, Jason and Annabeth find themselves in a tournament they must win. Because one thing is for sure, the Bank doesn’t play around!
“The scream that explodes from within Menace would put a dying banshee to shame.”
So begins Enchanting Exposition, book four in Alice Winters’ marvelous fantasy romance series.
If this is the last in the Demon Magic series, then I’m going to be sad because I absolutely love this universe. But I’ll also be very satisfied because of the way Winters has left the all characters, ok maybe most, happily settled in their lives. All after a wildly terrifying, exhilarating, and emotional adventure that brings the original Geoff narrative to a close.
Geoff, the fiendish mage whose diabolical plans is at the very heart of so much misery and death, will be the basis for much of the story here. The author weaves in all the many painful backgrounds of the characters , established beings and new characters, so that this series arc can finally end. It’s powerful, imaginative, certainly has the hallmarks of the Winters’ take with humor and terror intermixed, along with a great deal of romance and love. Not just between Havoc and Miles. That’s front and center, and totally entertaining.
What else is outright hilarious? Menace and his reactions to Cottontuff. More , love this.
And Marco. Somehow, Marco (my beauty is my contribution) and Lachlan’s developing relationship is everything this book. Along with Evan, Etienne, Dyame combo, even Nicco. Not sure who else I’ve left out, someone I’m sure. Everyone showed up and it was absolutely scarily splendid!
We get a great new character and I’d really love to see more of him . There’s an interesting dynamic we’re left with that needs to be explored.
Miles and Havoc? Happy! So so happy.
Enchanting Exposition (Demon Magic Book 4) by Alice Winters is a must read and fabulous book. It’s a definite recommend in a series I deeply enjoyed. Read them all!
Maybe it wasn’t my best idea to draw dark magic into myself to save a friend… but it’s definitely not my worst (don’t ask Havoc what that was). The first thing on our list of “Save Miles from the Dark Magic That Might Be Making Him Do Ridiculous Things” is to destroy the ominous book that’s snagging my attention. But what I don’t expect is to be dragged into the book filled with dark mysteries that leaves me with more questions… and a lack of pants.
But it’s nothing that Havoc and I can’t handle. The two of us have proven that our relationship is strong enough that we can face anything life throws at us, so I think we can handle a measly book… maybe… I mean, so far it may look like we’re not winning, but that’s just because it’d be boring if heroes won immediately.
And it’s not like we have to fight this battle alone, especially with an awe-inspiring dragon familiar who is forced to face his greatest adversary (a common housecat), a narcissistic angel who comes with a sword that compliments every cut made, a centaur who always manages to look like he’s on the set of a cologne commercial, and… Etienne (whatever he is).
With the demon I love by my side and my found family, we’re going to stop this darkness before it spreads. But doing so might unveil some things we never expected.
The Court, a series, a drag family ,and fabulous old theatre that’s the home to all three, has just gotten even better with the latest addition of it’s new novel and group of characters. It’s definitely my favorite to date in so many ways.
Novak’s main characters come from the opposite ends of the Drag Queen story. One is a recognized star! Barbie Summers, a winner of Drag Stars UK but due to some criminal management and her own naivety has had to return home full of debt and heartbreak. The other? A baby Queen, without a name or anything but a vague idea about her identity, needing guidance and the support to find her own way.
That’s the Queens. And we will get all the others who work, laugh, and snark as family at The Court. Eva Nessence, Bubblegum Galaxy, Moxxie Toxxic, the Twins, I love them all.
But there’s also who these people are when they aren’t in drag. And the chapters designate them as such. Barbie/Anthony and Colin/? have ex boyfriends who have left them with emotional scars, poor body imagery, and so much doubt about themselves and their self worth. That’s the journey that’s woven through their stories as both struggle with finding an identity as a Queen (Colin), renewed faith for her profession (Barbie), and a layered great loving relationship between them.
It’s got pole dancing, Queens, PhD’s in jizz, so much laughter and tears and love. What a great story to read.
Novak introduces quite a few new fascinating characters, seen only in glimpses. But it’s enough for me to want to know more about them. So much more.
It was fun seeing characters from the Heather Bay series (Like I Pretended) make appearances in a couple of ways here. Might have to reread the book again.
And Novak is going to give the readers another connected series,
Lincoln Knights Rugby Club, when Mason and Ryan (Legs ) get their HEA in The Tighthead.
Then hopefully it’s back to more Queens.
I highly recommend this series and book. It’s such a joyous read. And a grand group of characters to watch get their HEA.
Note to self: falling for the new queen you’re mentoring will only lead to trouble.
Being broke, single, and homeless after winning the UK’s biggest drag show wasn’t how my life was supposed to go. I’m meant to be the one with everything, but thanks to an unscrupulous tour company I’ve got nothing but my image and a mountain of debt.
Moving back home with my mum and taking the first gig I’m offered in a local drag panto is supposed to help me get back on my feet, but meeting Colin tangles me up more than ever.
Colin desperately wants to start doing drag and suddenly I’m helping a baby queen find her feet while falling head over heels for the man behind the lashes.
We all know mixing these power dynamics is a recipe for trouble, but my life is already a mess. Will falling for Colin really spell disaster or is he the only thing keeping me upright in my seven-inch heels?
The Men from Echo Creek is the latest release by N. R. Walker, a historical romance that takes place in the Snowy Mountain region of Australia in 1882.
Even with its historical timeline, there’s aspects of the book very reminiscent of my favorite movie, The Man from Snowy River. The location, the horses and expert riding on unbelievable terrain, brumbies, a romantic story, and adversity with a neighbor/rancher.
Here it is 19 year old Albie Bramwell whose father has just died, leaving Albie the owner of an extremely large alpine farm and having to run and manage it without his father’s help and direction.
It’s not going well until a stranger, Percy Collins, appears in town looking for a job. Percy finds a job, and in Albie someone who needs him and then finds that he’s stumbled into a place that’s home.
That’s the framework of the story. And it’s a good one. The characters are interesting, including the two other men who live on the farm with them. That’s Robert, a recovering alcoholic, and the farm manager, Des, a man with a leg injury that’s continuing to bother him.
Two women will come later. There’s also a town, Alpine Falls, and the Stricklands, the power family of the area.
While Walker lays down multiple storylines and potential dramatic scenarios, only some of the scenes here really have the power to connect with the reader and leap off the page. Much of this has to do with the land and the horses, all of which Walker has proven she has the ability to make vivid and compelling. When all four men are chasing the mob across the land, you are with them. It’s thrilling. Whenever Albie and Percy, or Des and Percy take the horses and head out , the descriptions of the mountains and scrub, the cold and mists are real .
Other scenes too bring home Albie’s youth and desperate situations in town. Those are some of the best moments of interactions for raw emotions.
But the romance between Albie and Percy? I don’t know why but I was never quite invested. Liked them both but their relationship never felt like it had any chemistry. Friends yes. But more? Not really. And we never really got to know Albie’s story or anything about his father . Not sure why there’s no foundation for much of any character here but the lack of one makes these characters seem less filled out.
And so much of the rest of the story feels flat or rushed. The women move in and they are just forgotten, except for a sentence or two here and there. Backgrounds for Des and Robert are never supplied even though they are major characters . And the whole element where Strickland went from the bad guy to , well, if not good, maybe grayish guy. Then he’s done with. After a big build up.
It’s too many dropped plot points for me. Just things that don’t fit or make sense with the story.
So it’s enjoyable but not my favorite NR Walker book. Need cowboys from this author? Read her Red Dirt Heart series. That’s a reread for me.
In the winter of 1882, a boy from the mountains has to prove himself a man.
~*~
When Albie Bramwell’s father died, he was left with two thousand hectares of mountain to farm, and little help to run it. Abandoned by all but two of his workers, the whole town of Alpine Falls called him too young to run the farm alone.
Young, yes. At just nineteen, he was determined to prove them wrong. Even if it killed him.
In search of a new life, Percy Collins found himself in a small mountain town where he ran into a man not much older than himself and scored a job at Echo Creek. A property full of misfits, or so the townsfolk had called it. But what Percy found was a home.
What Albie found was something he never thought possible. A man to love, and a man to share his dreams.
But times were tough, the winter harsh, and money scarce. Albie and Percy would need to do more than prove themselves worthy. They’d need to not only prove themselves better than anyone else. They’d need to prove it twice.
Psyched to Death, sixth in Meg Perry’s Jamie Brodie Mysteries series, brings complications to Jamie and his stumbling relationship with psychology professor, Pete. Trouble comes from multiple directions when a past acquaintance turns up dead as it’s not just a random person but someone who was deeply involved with a previous investigation and has ties to Pete’s work.
Perry is working on so many levels here. Its an impressive writing juggling achievement, especially as all the sensitive, potentially explosive areas such as Jamie and Pete’s ongoing personal relationship issues, Pete’s horrific SA childhood traumatic history, and different family dynamics impact on children’s development.
Throw in heartbreaking murders, complicated friendships and histories that bring forth pain, grief, and healing for those characters here, and Perry has written a strong novel that one of the best books so far in the series.
Yes, it’s a definite recommendation.
The Jamie Brodie Mysteries – 23 books
✓ Cited to Death
✓ Hoarded to Death
✓ Burdened to Death
✓ Researched to Death
✓ Encountered to Death
✓ Psyched to Death
◦ Stacked to Death
◦ Stoned to Death
◦ Talked to Death
◦ Avenged to Death
◦ Played to Death
◦ Filmed to Death
◦ Trapped to Death
◦ Promoted to Death
◦ Published to Death
◦ Cloistered to Death
◦ Haunted to Death
◦ Obsessed to Death
◦ Deserted to Death
◦ Drugged to Death
◦ Resigned to Death
◦ Snowed to Death
◦ Enchanted to Death
Dirty Laundry: The Jamie Brodie Short Stories (Jamie Brodie Mysteries)
Who killed Matt Bendel? The police suspect his partner, Elliott Conklin, the assistant chair of the psychology department at Santa Monica College. Elliott was found with the body, covered in blood – and he doesn’t have an alibi. Elliott wants Pete Ferguson to help clear his name. But Pete doesn’t have time – he’s had to take over one of Elliott’s classes – and he thinks Elliott might be guilty.
Jamie Brodie isn’t so sure. Matt had a secret that may have gotten him killed. The investigation of that secret leads to someone from Jamie’s past – and another death that will change Jamie forever.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 