Review: Ethan and Jag Destroy the World by Maz Maddox

Rating: 4.5🌈

I like it when my stories come with a lovely dosing of hilarity. Especially holiday romances. Maz Maddox’s book, Ethan and Jag Destroy the World , is actually two combined holiday stories that manages to present a funny“otherworldly “ perspective at some of our favorite holidays while delivering a terrific romance.

As most things that go south are wont to do, it all starts with a dumping, a rejection taken badly, and a linguistics expert with his hands on a ancient suspect tome. Amirite?

Before you can say forsooth, a recently dumped human named Ethan has Jagmarith, Demon champion of the Blood Wars plunked down in his kitchen. At Christmas.

What follows is a funny, oddly moving , supernatural love story that spans a number of human holidays, giving the author,through Jag, a perfect foil to express a joyous weird perspective on these occasions. Some I found myself nodding in total agreement.

Honestly, Valentine’s Day . Misshapen human ideas of the human hearts ( the author’s words) hung every where surrounded by children with wings and weaponry? Wouldn’t it make more sense if those were the hearts of rivals? Hmmm maybe the demon had it spot on…..

Anyway, there’s great characters, wonderful events to ponder, uh some very sexy hot scenes, some hilarious demon confusion about earth customs, and just a marvelous story overall.

Ethan and Jag really are a remarkable couple! I could have used an entire series. Their love and relationship felt real, inter species or not. Their support group of friends and familiar were just as amazing. Surety there’s more holidays, however obscure, to celebrate.

Hopefully the author is listening.

Until then, check out this wonderful book and settle in for nine months of great fun and warm loving feelings.

I’m highly recommending it.

https://www.goodreads.com › showEthan & Jag Destroy the World by Maz Maddox – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Jagmarith, Demon champion of the Blood Wars, detests festivities.

He’s certainly not a fan of humans or their ridiculous holidays.

Winter festivals. Celebrations of flowers. Misshapen hearts to symbolize love. All pointless and weak.

Unfortunately, his feelings are not taken into consideration when he’s summoned by ancient magic to the human realm.

Stolen from his home in Hell, Jagmarith is now at the mercy of a bumbling, adorable human named Ethan, who has accidentally bound Jagmarith to him. Now, Jag must endure grueling human holidays like Christmas and pretend to be a nice human boyfriend to the man who summoned him.

The fake boyfriend role has been very trying.

But along with the upcoming Halloween party and fuss over finding the perfect ghoulish decorations, not to mention the very odd feelings he’s developing for Ethan, there’s that little matter of the impending Armageddon to deal with.

Jag is not pleased.

***

This book includes short story Demon All the Way and continues Ethan & Jag’s adventure.

Review: Dreidels & Do -Overs by Kim Fielding

Rating: 5 🌈⛄️

The wonderful Kim Fielding is at it again this holiday season with the absolutely wonderful new story Dreidels & Do Overs. It’s a true heartwarminer of a holiday contemporary romance that landed itself in my top ten books this year with its unconventional characters and lovely, gentle love story.

It’s not as often that we get a romance that is focused around Jewish men and their religion, and does so authentically. Then encapsulates so many potentially problematic issues as we might expect a angst filled story.

Instead, Fielding proceeds to deliver a realistic, believable, moving story of reconnection,redemption belief in oneself, self discovery, and love.

The heart of every Fielding story remains her characters. It’s the same here. Caleb Stern, a janitor working a holiday craft fair, is a man we slowly we get know. His history and current living situation will reveal itself in bits and pieces, through conversations with his boss and with Jasper Adams, a man who knew him years ago in high school. Caleb is such an amazing person, a bit worn, hesitant, and yet courageous in a quiet way. I loved him.

Jasper Adams also is in many ways a quintessential Fielding personality. He’s someone who’s reevaluated his life choices and struck out on what most people would call a different, even lesser path. Jasper’s not got a ripped body, he feels a bit self conscious about that, but he loves what he does and is content that he’s happy in his new choice of careers. And when a chance to connect with a person he had a crush on years ago appears, he takes a chance on that too. And the man.

Fold two lovely lonely men together at Hanukkah and you have a beautiful story for the holidays.

It’s perfect Fielding and one I’m highly recommending.

Happy Holidays!

https://www.goodreads.com › showDreidels & Do-Overs by Kim Fielding – Goodreads

Synopsis:

Caleb Stern was the high school hotshot, but a bad attitude and poor decisions led to years of misery. Now he’s trying to do better, and a job on the cleaning crew at a holiday craft fair could be a new beginning. What he didn’t expect was that his new start might be tangled up with ties from long ago.

Jasper Adams left an unfulfilling career and unsupportive boyfriend to follow his dreams. His handmade journals are a big success at the craft fair, which is great, but the real holiday miracle turns out to be a blast from his past.

Hanukkah nears, and both men yearn for holiday happiness. But moving forward often means first making peace with where you’ve been.

Review: He’s Behind You (Treading the Boatds #3) by Rebecca Cohen

Rating: 4🌈⛄️

Rebecca Cohen has a new holiday romance out in He’s Behind You, third story in her Treading the Boards series about a local amateur dramatic society, the Sarky Players.

It’s an absolutely entertaining series and this one is no exception. The story takes place around the holidays and our main characters get pulled into the Sarky Players and it’s panto this season, Aladdin, by two different paths.

Dr. Craig Rosen is a cellular researcher for work and an well known Warhammer gamer in his off time. His romances have left him with a bruised heart and a poor self image, reinforced by his sad history. It’s his associate who drags him off to an audition and a new start in his romantic life.

Jason is a lawyer, divorced father to two older children, and just coming out as gay, a sexuality he’s actually inwardly known about himself for years. Now after some trying emotional times with his ex wife who he likes and respects and his kids, he’s ready to experience what’s he’s missed all these years. But his way. He wants someone to connect with, a man who’s company he enjoys and well, all the sex too.

He’s also a ex Sarky Player coming back to rejoin the ranks.

Hmmmm.

There’s a terrific meeting between them. Lots of adult communication, a great family on Jason’s side to enjoy and a lovely romance.

As a gamer I wish that Jason’s attitude towards Warhammer had undergone more of a change. While it wasn’t quite as judgmental as it started out, he never gave Craig or his son’s passion the respect it deserves. That was probably a realistic character flaw but it made me like him a bit less as a father and partner.

Overall, this was a sweet, HFN holiday romance and I really enjoyed seeing characters from the previous books so involved within this play and story again.

I would have loved to have been in the audience for this one!

Happy Holidays! Here’s another sweet romance to add to your holiday reading list.

Treading the Boards series:

✓ Overly Dramatic #1

✓ Summer Season #2

✓ He’s Behind You #3

https://www.goodreads.com › showHe’s Behind You (Treading the Boards Book 3) by Rebecca Cohen – Goodreads

Synopsis:

A Treading the Boards Novella

Craig Rosen thinks he’s pretty happy with his quiet geeky life working in a lab in London and playing Warhammer. But one of his colleagues has other ideas and drags Craig along to an audition at the amateur dramatic society, the Sarky Players, for their Christmas pantomime, Aladdin. Meeting Jason Carter makes Craig think that maybe he’s not as content as he thought.

Jason Carter accepted he’s gay a little later in life than most, but now with an ex-wife and in his late thirties, he’s ready to embrace who he really is. He can’t believe his luck when he meets Craig, and the cute younger man’s patience and gentleness make him the perfect guy to help Jason navigate his new life.

While there’s no denying the attraction between them, it’s not just Jason’s insecurities that might upset their best performance. Craig is convinced that someone as confident as Jason, a corporate lawyer who looks sexy in a suit, could never settle for a man like him. Together they will need to re-write the script to give themselves the happy ending they deserve

Review: The Christmas Tenor (Laurel Holidays #3) by V. L. Locey

Rating: 4.5 🌈⛄️

My holiday reading continues with V.L. Locey’s The Christmas Tenor, the 3rd novel in her Laurel Holidays series, each a standalone story.

The Christmas Tenor is a very sweet, sexy holiday romance between a older, withdrawn widower and a young confident singer,. The older man is Cabriolet Vermat who withdrew from everyone and everything following the death of his famous actor husband from cancer . The exceptions being his twin brother and his incredibly successful business, Cabriolet Chauffeur Services and the people who help him run it.

Cabriolet and his twin brother, Pierre, are incredible characters. Indeed, it’s actually hard to separate them I. My mind. Not because of their personalities, because those are quite distinct! But because the author has done such a fabulous job of creating such a tight emotionally deep close bond between these brothers that , even for them, to be separated feels wrong.

From the ages old banter that flows between them to the ability to hurt as well, this brotherly dynamic (and Pierre’s flare with his wardrobe) was as popular with me as was the main romance. Adore these brothers…and now Pierre needs a true love FYI!

Those two are dealing with so many compelling issues. There’s Cabriolet’s inability to move past his husband’s death. Pierre’s inability to accept their mother’s rejection of their gayness and essential abandonment. Age has nothing to do with loss and pain and love.

This is handled so beautifully.

Julian Baez is also a fascinating, well defined character. Younger, decisive about his goals for himself and his needs, especially what they consist in a relationship, Jules is a dynamic, sexy personality. Who likes older black men. He’s extremely clear on why that is, his expectations, and the need for someone like that in his life. While making it less like a PowerPoint presentation and more a reasonable life choice.

I loved Jules too. Maybe not with the adoration I have for Cabriolet and Pierre but it’s definitely there. They are a great match. Locey makes us see the chemistry and get how it works for them both.

The only reason it’s a smidge under 5 🌈 is I felt that ending was a bit rushed. It went from Cab slowly making one decision, to one change, then another, then another. That may be how it works in the mucin world but I didn’t think how It showed Jules handled it was in keeping with the character “who was a take charge “ of his future sort.

So I thought there was a bit of fumbling there at the end to get them where the author needed them to go.

However, that’s a slight issue. The epilogue is wonderful and the journey to get there overwhelmingly heartwarming and sweet.

I really enjoyed this. I think you will too. Add it to your TBR holiday list. I’m highly recommending this!

Laurel Holidays series:

https://www.goodreads.com › seriesLaurel Holidays Series by V.L. Locey – Goodreads

A trip that he thought would bring him only pain is about to present him with the greatest gift of all.

For three years now, Cabriolet Vermat has put off, wiggled out of, and outright lied to get out of making this dreaded trip east. The owner of Cabriolet Chauffeur Services in Los Angeles has avoided the yearly invitation to the small town of White Bridge, New York, to speak at their alumni winter gathering but this year they’ve outfoxed him. They’re throwing a dinner to honor his late partner’s dedication to his alma mater and have asked Cab to speak. This time he has to go no matter how much pain it will stir up. Arriving in the picturesque small town beside one of the Finger Lakes, Cab is treated to a special performance of holiday songs and there he sees Julian Gabriel Baez for the first time.
The young singer captivates him immediately, and he finds himself seeking out the much younger man after the performance. The pull he feels toward Jules is unlike anything he’s felt since he met his partner years ago. Confusion and desire war within him, but the outgoing young tenor wins him over with his engaging smile and kind heart. A two-day trip soon turns into an extended holiday vacation. Cab worries that the magic of Christmas will quickly fizzle out and he’ll be alone once more. Or will this festive season bestow a blessing of the heart upon a man who thought he would never love again?

The Christmas Tenor is a standalone small-town gay Christmas romance with a beautiful May-December relationship, a lonely widower, a rising opera star, loving families, and plenty of holiday joy.

Review: The Fairy Dance by Tara Lain

Rating: 4 🌈⛄️

The Fairy Dance by Tara Lain is a sweet Christmas romance. Running at the size of a novella, this is a very quick read which works as it’s one of this author’s love at first sight stories.

She does a great job of making us believe in the instant connection between Henri the dancer and Jed, the head of his own building maintenance business .

Yes, that whole “maintenance man’ thing is a bit of a misdirection in a way as Jed is a very successful business man who’s company just happens to include maintenance as well as electrical work etc among its many services.

That aside, Jed is a wonderful character, with a found family of interesting employees to like and an adorable Lab to throw heart eyes at. Instantly relatable!

So too is Henri, especially the more we learn of his circumstances, his boss, and the pressures he’s under.

He’s beautiful, both a man of personal grace and strength while demonstrating great emotional fragility. I love him.

This is an instant where I thought it worked so well. The characters, the plot, and the length of story. It’s a HFN, as it should be.

I thought the “I love you’s” came about a tad quick but that’s just me.

Otherwise The Fairy Dance by Tara Lain is a lovely Christmas story to add to your holiday reading list. I’m definitely recommending it!

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Fairy Dance by Tara Lain – Goodreads

Synopsis:

What if the man of your dreams dances into your life—and he’s a nutcracker?

Maintenance man, Jed, might yearn for an alpha-femme guy, but where’s he going to find him in his small Oregon town?

New York ballet rising star, Henri, just wants to dance, but his desire for top roles only leads him into the pervy artistic director’s bed.

The chances of these two meeting are less likely than a grand jete. But then they do, one pre-holiday evening in a less-than-one-night stand that leaves them both yearning. Still, one short hookup on a kitchen floor doesn’t turn Jed and Henri into a match made in heaven. Not when all the world sees is a janitor and the ballet boss’s potential boy toy.

Sounds like a job for the Sugarplum Fairy.

The Fairy Dance is an opposites-attract, big city vs small town, holiday MM romance—in tights.

Review: The Wishing Tree by R.J. Scott

Rating: 4🌈⛄️

The Wishing Tree is a sweet, heartwarming holiday tale of a long time wish come true as two friends find their way to love and HEA at Christmas.

Once again, the snowy, beautiful state of Vermont serves as the backdrop for Scott’s holiday romance. I honestly don’t know what narrative pheromones Vermont is throwing off these days but.it seems as though every other book I pick up lately is located there. Not that I’m complaining, it is picturesque and perfect in so many ways that I get it.

And it works just as great as a location for the small town of Wishing Tree, it’s annual Christmas festival and it’s close knit community. Including that of the Buchanan family and the Haynes clan, all four brothers of which Bailey is the youngest.

It’s Bailey Haynes who as a young teenager, wrote his wish on the Wishing Tree about his deepest feelings for Kai, the fact the Bailey was gay and hadn’t told anyone yet. Everything poured out on a card years ago.

The story moves forward through past important events to arrive at the present and our meeting with the man of Bailey’s dreams.

That’s Kai Buchanan, soon to be ex hockey player of the Harriers. It’s been a tumultuous time for both Kai and Bailey, although neither knows the true extent of each other’s feelings and current situations.

I liked Bailey. He seems young, with a need for quiet and a certain amount of solitude. Extremely artistic, as a jewelry designer, Bailey also has held within himself a secret love of silk and a way of wearing beautiful undergarments like corsets.

The author balances Bailey’s fear of rejection over how he sees himself, dressed as he wants to be, and Kai’s inadequacies in expressing his feelings upon not only his return but prior to that.

Like Bailey, I was a tad unimpressed by Kai’s announcement of love as it seemed to pop out of nowhere, with absolutely zero foundation.

The story earnestly moved forward past this section and got much better and believable.

All the families, siblings, many nieces and nephews were all adorable. They helped ground the couple in a loving strong environment.

With the Christmas decorations and festivities, the relationship got the wonderful elements we look forward to in a holiday story, full of snow, starry nights, and wishes granted for a HEA.

The Wishing Tree by R.J. Scott is a lovely holiday friends to lovers story! A sweet romance I’m definitely recommending.

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Wishing Tree by R.J. Scott – Goodreads

Synopsis:

It takes an impossible Christmas wish for Bailey to find forever love with his brother’s best friend.

Turning twenty-five and still a virgin, Bailey has barely dated, let alone acted on the private fantasies featuring his brother’s best friend, newly retired hockey star, Kai. All he wants is for Kai to love him, but after a summer when Kai’s anger drove them apart, love doesn’t seem possible at all.

When Kai goes home to Wishing Tree, he knows he owes everyone an apology, not least of all to the man he loves. He’s convinced he can be the man that Bailey deserves, and he needs to show Bailey how much he’s changed.

The only problem? Bailey has secrets that he’s scared will drive Kai away, and Kai is running out of time to convince Bailey that falling in love starts with a wish and can end up in forever.

The Wishing Tree is a standalone small-town Christmas MM romance with perfect snow, twinkling lights, a first real kiss, a shy virgin with a silken kink, a retired hockey player, and all the Christmas feels.

Review: Merry Measure by Lily Morton

Rating: 5🌈⛄️plus!

Right off the bat let me tell you if the rating system went higher, say to 10 or 15 stars, I’d still want to give this book more.

I almost, I say almost, had to stop reading this because I was given strict instructions not to put any undue pressure on one eye atm but I couldn’t help it! I was collapsed sideways in helpless laughter! Roaring even!

I’d stop. Gather myself up. Read on, and then Bam! Arlo has said or flailed or something has happened during a trip to Amsterdam and I’m overcome once more, tears pouring out of my eyes! Tears of uncontrollable laughter!

It stayed that way through the many group outings , the inner doubts and outside stumbling towards a new beginning between two men who have known each other most their lives.

Lily Morton has written, for me at least, a perfect holiday romance. Surrounded by a city as charming as the men themselves and the company they’ve traveled with, Morton has delivered that most elusive of gifts, a Christmas love affair so grounded in the reality of being human hat we never forget these men have their flaws in their layered personalities. But the author elevates her story by folding in the magic of historic Amsterdam at Christmas as Arlo and Jack discover love amidst the canals, museums, and all the other picturesque sights around them. If you haven’t been to Amsterdam, this will make you want to travel there.

But if the setting is magnificent, it’s the people we care greatly about. All the elements are so thoughtfully crafted. The dialogue is outstanding . The characters are so well done I never stopped thinking of them as anything but someone I could have the chance of meeting. How I would dearly love to.

And the storyline is such , including a ending that’s perfection, that I’ve put Merry Measure at the very top of my to be rec’d list.

Sometime in the early hours I woke up giggling madly thinking once more about this couple and story.

Mr. Whiffles indeed!

It’s definitely on my to be re-read list too.

This has become a new favorite comfort and holiday read instantaneously!

I’m sure it will become yours as well.

Make sure you are curled up, put all liquids out of reach… just in case of heavy guffaws! Just saying! And enjoy my absolute favorite of the season!

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/56053974

Synopsis:

Arlo Wright’s introduction to his sexuality came when he saw his older brother’s best friend, Jack Cooper, in his sweaty football kit. Unfortunately, he didn’t have long to enjoy the revelation because he promptly knocked himself out on a table.
Relations between them have never really moved on from that auspicious beginning. Arlo is still clumsy, and Jack is still as handsome and unobtainable as ever.

However, things look like they’re starting to change when Arlo finds himself sharing a room with Jack while on holiday in Amsterdam at Christmas. Will the festive spirit finally move them towards each other, or is Arlo just banging his head against a wall this time?

From bestselling author, Lily Morton comes a warm romantic comedy set in chilly Amsterdam.

Review: Snowed (Boston Rebels #3) by R.J. Scott and V.L. Locey

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Kyle Lourenco, goalie for the Boston Rebels, has been a quietly interesting character in this series . Mentioned in quite a few books, he’s been a somewhat enigmatic peripheral character. Someone we didn’t know as well as we had the others but a person still likable and within our “hockey family “ fold.

This story abruptly changes that. And it sees Kyle returning home to family and a man he left physically behind but never emotionally.

The location is northbound Manitoba, and members of Kyle’s family as well as others in the small town of Eagles Ridge are Indigenous peoples. It allows the authors to include elements of that culture into this story for an additional richness of location and character. I really appreciated this aspect of the story.

The location also adds to the authenticity of the brutality of winter and freezing conditions the story is founded upon. Snowed indeed.

The character of Kyle is a haunted one, his personality tormented by a childhood amnesia and constant nightmares that no one has been able to determine the cause of. Add to that the fact that he’s left or abandoned (depending upon perspective) his family, friends, and love for the NHL. And you have a deeply complicated tormented man in need of help.

Christian Gauthier is the man and love Kyle left behind. A love he still carries while working in his store or running search and rescue missions.

When the men reconnect during a blizzard, it sets off all sorts of unexpected events. To go further would spoil the fun and indeed, some of the shockers too,

This is a emotional ride of all sorts. There’s a scary mystery, lovers reunited, second chance at love, family homecoming….all sorts of goodness here.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. And the ending seemed just right for this couple.

I wonder what book 4 will bring.

I’m definitely recommending this story. It’s a winner!

Boston Rebels series:

Lost in Boston #0.5

Top Shelf #1

Back Check #2

Snowed #3

Synopsis:

A second chance at love is all Kyle wants for Christmas, but a dark menace from his past wants him dead, and love is second to staying alive.

Kyle Lourenco has carved out a comfortable life and career for himself in Boston. With the holidays quickly approaching, he’s heading home for the first time in several years. Home to his loving parents and the small Canadian town where he was raised. And home to Christian, his best friend and the first man to steal his heart.

Just as a winter storm begins to blow in, it forces Kyle off the road only miles from home and a dark and sinister force from his past creeps ever closer. His only hope is getting to Christian’s cabin before the evil that has haunted him for years finally catches up to him.

Best friends since they were three, Christian Gauthier grew up next door to Kyle, in a remote mountain town with one stoplight and a forty-mile round trip to the nearest school. When Kyle left town for a shot at a professional hockey career, he took Christian’s heart with him. Even though he knew Kyle was always destined for bigger things, it hadn’t stopped Christian from falling for him as soon as he knew what love was.

With Christmas coming soon and a major snowstorm heading their way, Christian shuts the doors to the family store and heads to his cabin, where he will be on standby as an official volunteer for Search and Rescue. He has never regretted staying in Eagle Ridge, but a near miss on a simple rescue leads him to reevaluate everything, and when Kyle ends up at his door, he knows that guarding his heart might not be the best solution after all.

https://www.goodreads.com › showSnowed by R.J. Scott – Goodreads

Review: A Very Genre Christmas by Kim Fielding

Rating: 5⛄️🌈

What a wild and crazy and totally merry Christmas tale Kim Fielding has gifted us with this holiday season.

Unlike any story I’ve read and EXACTLY like sooo many I’ve read and adored, A Very Genre Christmas is a bibliophile noir “find that reference “ Christmas romance mystery…and more.

I heart this sooo much.

Told from PI Nick Bozic’s pov he sounds exactly like Sam Spade, his sentences liberally sprinkled with words like “doll” or “sister “. Fielding has 1950s Portland, Oregon down perfect, from the sights to the corrupt politics, and the era is point on from clothing to cars to cinema. We and the characters are authentically submerged in the 50’s. Albeit with just a smidge difference.

There’s a odd Rift that move and allows certain characters and beings to fall through into Portland. It’s one of Nick’s jobs to see they get home, if possible.

Now see, here’s where Fielding must have had a true literary romp because I can see her laughing as she writes these sort of vague ish descriptions for those that have come through the Rift. You might want to whip out and make notes to see how many you get down, how many you can identify…. correctly that is, and what novels/world they came from. Utter bliss! I’m telling you.

I think I missed a few. But it starts with his secretary! How delicious! And I love her… in all her many versions.

As I do the main couple….

Evindal the Christmas Elf is a marvelous character. Never a joke or caricature, his infectious joy over his new experiences and his love of helping others carries such incredible warmth that you can almost feel it. He’s Christmas spirit personified.

Nick Bozic’s slow change of heart , the changes visible first in alterations to his appearance (new brighter shirts) and decorations showing up at his office, are a realistic element. Because the reason Nick’s so resistant to Christmas is only revealed at the end, but the tiny hints are everywhere.

This is a absolutely joyous and celebratory Christmas romance! One where the true spirit of Christmas is found once more and love of two very different people triumphs.

I love Kim Fielding so much because as a author she continues to surprise and enchant me as a reader with her choices and imaginative twists when it comes to characters and plots. There’s always just that something unexpected….

Here there’s a bookstores full. In fact, an entire story. So much to love.

I highly recommend A Very Genre Christmas by Kim Fielding. Grab it up now!

Synopsis:

Very little is merry in a private dick’s world.

Private detective Nick Bozic works the mean streets of 1950s Portland, Oregon, shadowing unfaithful spouses and nabbing thieving employees. He may be lonely, but at least he’s not crooked. Despite the festive season, Christmas simply means less dough in his pocket.

With the holiday only a few days away, a regular client drops a new case on him: yet another being has come through the Rift and needs help finding his way home. Maybe Evindal the elf will help Nick find something too—a bit of cheer and magic amid the usual brew of corruption and betrayal

https://www.goodreads.com › showA Very Genre Christmas by Kim Fielding – Goodreads

Review: Brandon’s Very Merry Haunted Christmas (Mack’s Marvelous Manifestations #1) by A.J.Sherwood

Rating: 4🌈

Here’s another one I just fell into. Didn’t even realize it was a Sherwood story until later. But honestly I should have as the style, dialogue and format scream 😂 A.J. Sherwood.

So does the topic(s) and the manner in which they are handled. Ghosts, ghost hunting, psychics, the paranormal! Treated with respect, a bent towards the humorous situations it can lend itself, and the commonality of spookiness that automatically comes to mind.

Throw in a romance, a new partnership, and sone intriguing back story that I’m sure will emerge over the next book and this is a keeper.

I liked Mack and it’s his background we only get hints of that I want to know more of. Doesn’t sound very pleasant.

Brandon Havili, and his family, is amazing. I love the Tongan element as well as the Glossary in the back. That adds a richness to his character and his family and a culture I’m not familiar with. I’m looking forward to learning more through my journey with him.

This is a fun, quick romance at the holidays and I can’t wait for more.

I’ll also be picking up the books in Jon’s series that preceded this one. Two new series at the same time!

Mack’s Marvelous Manifestations Series:

◦ Brandon’s Very Merry Haunted Christmas

◦ Mack’s Perfectly Ghastly Homecoming

Connected Prior Series:

Synopsis:

When Brandon Havili gets recruited by the FBI, he’s immediately assigned to shadow his brother and the psychic Donovan’s anchored to. Brandon doesn’t mind this in the slightest. He loves his brother, Jon seems cool, and it’s a great way to learn how to be an anchor, which is what the FBI wants him for. It’s supposedly three weeks of just following people around and observing.

But there’s a hitch in the plans. Brandon accidentally picks up a hitchhiker of the ghostly variety. Donovan is NOT pleased. Jon is amused to no end.

Dealing with the ghost means going back to the place Brandon accidentally got it from, Eureka Springs, Arkansas. They expect to meet up with an FBI medium, exorcise said ghost, and go home again.

FBI Medium Mackenzie Lafayette is not at all what Brandon expects. And for once, he’s quite happy to ditch the plan. Returning to Nashville can wait. He’s got a sexy medium to figure out first

https://www.goodreads.com › showBrandon’s Very Merry Haunted Christmas